Chapter 1 - Cotton-wool pantyhose
"Hello."
Standard greeting for a man to a woman.
"Hi," she replies. Hands clasped together.
She's the hottest thing in here. And there are a lot of things here. Not my scene. Not anymore anyway.
But I really wanted a beer. I also wanted to break routine. Have a drink anywhere other than at home, but close enough that I don't need to drive.
"Is it your first time coming here?" she asks as I pop my beer.
"Depends."
"What do you mean?"
"First time coming here? No. First time sitting here? Yes."
"Oh."
She rubs on her black wooly stockings. I'm wearing a jersey but I wish I wore a jacket.
"Are you cold?" I ask her.
"A little bit," she says. She's more dressed than I am from the waist up. But not a lot more than me.
"They should close this place up. Maybe add a gazebo. Especially for days like this."
"Definitely. That would make the place so much better." She rubs on her stockings some more. Her nails are not manicured but are well kept.
"I like your boots."
"Thank you," she says as she looks at them with me. Lifting her left one slightly for a better view.
"They're my favourite. Thank God I wore them today or I might have been having regrets right now."
"Daddy raised a smart one," I say, pointing to my temple.
"Yes he did," she replies with a proud chuckle.
I'm not thinking about her. I'm thinking about drinking my beer and going back home.
The problem is her beauty. It is extremely distracting. Rather than give off-putting vibes, I keep myself open for conversation.
"How long have you been in the neighbourhood?"
I ignore the men sitting beside her. Assuming they are just friends and nothing to be afraid of.
"Four years."
"What a coincidence."
"Really?"
"Really."
We continue chatting. Ignoring the people around us. We talk about politics and pirates. Hard-hitting debates and jokes in-between.
My beer should be halfway, or even three quarters finished. I'll never make it home at this rate. I gulp down a significant amount to make up for time.
"Whoa! Are you in a hurry to get somewhere?"
I didn't think she would notice.
"It's getting warm. I don't like warm beer. It's starts to become gross."
"Are you the iceman? You only like it cold."
"Yes. I'll send chills up your spine."
She laughs. I snicker. We exchange looks for the first time.
I don't feel like leaving anymore. Well, I still do. But I want to leave with her. Who are these men sitting beside her? She keeps exchanging words with the one next to her. What is he to her? Can I be something more? If I stay longer I might find out. But I really want to leave.
"I should get going," I say after chugging the last of my bottle.
"So soon? Get another one. You can't quit that easilly."
"I want to stay. Believe me," I say, purposefully motioning in her direction. "But I really want to watch this movie i've been saving just for today. I came out for some fresh air, but that's really what I wanted to do. I have the snacks ready and everything. You can come if you want."
I try to be as never mind as I can.
She thinks about it. Her thighs begin swaying from one side to another.
"What's the movie?"
I had not planned on watching one movie. Or even a movie. I might have decided to watch a series, or anime instead. Why did she have to ask me that question? Now I have to think quick.
"Ok. You've got me. I'm cold and I want to relax in my house with a movie and some snacks. Maybe take a beer with me for consistency's sake. If you come along I'll let you pick the movie for your effort and sacrifice. But I just want to get warm again. I miss my blood circulation. We used to be so close."
She chuckles. Her thighs are still swaying. She's no longer looking at my face anymore. Now she's looking straight into my eyes.
Would she really do it? Would she leave with a stranger and leave her companions behind? Male companions?
***
Chapter 2 - Going home
"I'll be back guys," she says.
Groans and jeers fill the space. Other patrons look in our direction. We both share a crooked smile. Glancing at each other.
"I'm gona be back. Jeez, you guys! And it's not even like that."
"How is it then, Portia? Who is this guy even? What has he done to you?" the guy beside her asks.
"You came with us. Now you're leaving with someone else," another one says.
"Guys. It's not a big deal. I'm watching a movie, getting warm for a little bit, then I'm coming back. That's it. Katlego's coming with me, right?"
She turns to the only other girl in the group. This girl came with her boyfriend.
They've been all over each other for most of the time I've been here. Almost as separated from the group as Portia and I have been till now.
"I don't have a problem. It's cold for me too out here and mr tough guy over here said it wasn't cold."
"The weather changed out of nowhere," the boyfriend responds passionately. "And If you're going, I'm going," he continues.
I don't like random men in my house. As a matter of fact, I don't like random strangers in my house. Safety reasons. But I want Portia. I hope she wants me too, because now i'm invested in this companionship.
The boyfriend looks at me. I glance at him. Doing my best to keep my eyes wide so as not to give away my feeling of discomfort.
"So, are we going?" Portia asks with open palms.
Katlego begins to stand up. Her boyfriend follows her lead. Jaunts of traitor and pussywhipped are hurled at him. He returns insults but they're not as strong.