Shanice waited tables at a Deli over on Charlton Street. The work was menial and the money and tips were modest enough till whenever she figured something better came along. She said goodbye to her friend and her daughter when it was a half hour towards noon and took off the Deli. She arrived with ten minutes to spare and went round the back to change into her work clothes before returning to attend to the costumers.
Almost an hour later, just when the place was getting filled with rush hour commuters, she was returning with someone's order when she saw a face seated at a table that immediately brought a dark cloud to her features. He too had seen her and offered her a smile as she approached him. He wasn't alone. His typical three-man crew hoods were with him, all of whom also had their eyes upon her.
She was about walking past him to deliver the meal she had when he caught her arm, holding her back; she looked at him as one would look at a something they wish would up and vanish before their sight.
"What're you doing here, Chris?"
He gave her a lopsided grin, something she once used to melt for but not anymore. "Just thought I'd stop by to see how my baby-girl's doing. You're looking so fly every day, girl."
"I ain't your girl, Chris. And I would appreciate it if you stop coming here looking for me."
"What? Ain't nothing wrong with me stopping by to see my lady, is there?"
"You and I have got nothing more to talk about anymore."
Chris made a sad face. "Aww ... come on, girl. What do I have to do to make you forgive me for what I done said to you then?"
"Nothing, okay. Nothing except stay the fuck away from me. Now let me go of my arm."
She pulled her grip from his arm and went on to deliver the meal to whom it was meant for. She didn't bother looking at him as she went on with her work while he and his goons kept their eyes glued to her. Her boss, observed what had occurred from behind the counter and signalled her over.
"You know those group of boys, Shanice?"
She nodded and said she did.
"They come to give you any trouble? You know you can tell me if that's what they're after."
"No sir, no trouble at all."
She went on with her work. She was barely aware of when Chris and his gang got up from their table and left.
Her phone rang a while later and she asked one of the other girls to stay in for her while she rushed out back to answer the call. She recognised the number that was calling her -- once again a smile that had formerly left her face when she saw Chris returned to her lips.
"Hi there, white boy," she said into her phone.
"My Goodness, don't tell me that's what you've reduced me to," Eric's voice spoke into her ear. "Surely you can think of something nicer than that."
"Sorry, I can't think of any for now."
"And you think I'm going to just lie low while you start calling me names. You're in for a belt flogging when next I see you, young lady."
"Oh really? And whatever gave you the idea I'd want to spend another hour with you?"
"Simple: you're too in love with me not to want to see me again."
Shanice laughed. "Keep dreaming, white boy. Just keep dreaming."
"Alright then, at least allow me the benefit of taking you out for dinner tonight."
"What type of dinner -- lunch fries and a pizza takeaway?"
From the other end, Eric burst into laughter. "I wish. No, I'm talking about a real dinner date. Something I should have taken you out to rather than to see a movie."
"You know you're taking up much of my thoughts."
"Really? And I thought it was just me."
A dimple glowed on her cheek. "No, I too have been thinking much about you. I keep thinking about last night."
"Same here. I can't seem to get the smell of you off my thoughts. I ought to turn you into a bathing soap and have you clean me up every day."
"Get outta town!" she laughed.
"Now I'm being serious you're the one who doesn't want to believe me."
"I'll believe you when next I see you."
"Your place at seven tonight. I'll be there and we'll have dinner. You game?"
