Detroit
Summer 1995
I walked silently down the darkened Detroit street, it was late at night and no one was outside. If a policeman were to stop me, my explanation for being there would make no sense.
A few days before I found a wallet on the street, I assumed it was a set up, so after a glance at the driver's licence I went to the house and dropped it in the mailbox. Now here I was back out front.
It was an older brick house, with a second floor veranda. I stood there unsure what to do next, should I knock on the door, or ring the bell? I reached into my pocket for the slip of paper there, it read:
'Come by the house at 11pm so I can thank you. C.'
C was for Chelsea, she was the wife of the wallet's owner. We didn't have much time to speak earlier, but in the brief moment I saw her, she handed me that paper.
I heard a rustling noise from above and caught a flash of white flesh and auburn hair.
"Hey." I said in a loud whisper, I didn't want to wake any neighbours.
"I'll be right down." Chelsea said before disappearing.
My heart started beating much faster, and my mouth suddenly went dry as I waited on the porch. At eighteen years, I had no clue as to what she wanted, perhaps she was to say thanks, or maybe give me some bucks for my trouble.
The door opened and she stepped out, she looked like she was getting ready for bed, with a only a long loose pink shirt covering a pair of capris. I looked at her, she was petite and a little round, her skin around her neck was flush, leaving me to wonder if she was as excited as me.
I wondered to myself why she wanted me there as we shook hands. This was followed by an awkward silence. I looked her up and down under the porch light, it seemed like she was doing the same. She wasn't a size zero, but her curves did look very nice. I was a boobman, and liked what I saw.
Chelsea cleared her throat before speaking. "I'm so sorry about today."
"Uh, yeah, it's ok." I tried to play it cool, when the police picked me up that day, I thought I was under arrest for finding that wallet.
"No I mean it; when we came home our neighbours rushed over, then the police arrived." She spoke hurriedly as if she wanted to get it all out in one breath.
'Ugh! White people...' I thought to myself.
Chelsea took a deep breath, then took another drag on her cigarette before continuing. "When we found the wallet in the mailbox with everything in it, everyone went from mad to happy! Then someone called city hall."
I didn't know the first half of the story, but it didn't matter, the cops dropped me off at city hall, where Chelsea, her husband and the Mayor met me. The Mayor gave a long winded speech, and presented me with tickets to see my favourite basketball team play in Chicago. Most importantly a school in Nebraska gave a basketball scholarship! That I most pleased about, I planned on taking a year off to save up, but now I had it made!
"We didn't want any of this to happen to you!" She said with genuine concern.
I had to shake my head, I stopped following her words, I was too lost in thoughts about next week's game, and a new school year in three weeks.
Chelsea tossed her spent cigarette onto the grass before grabbing her doorknob. I assumed she was going to bed and our little chat was over, she instead held the door open, with her hand out motioning me to go first.
I glanced at the dark streets of Detroit and quickly decided to take my chances inside her home. As I ascended the stairs, I noticed they lived in the upper portion of a duplex. I stopped at the top unsure of where to go, there was a tiny kitchen, with a small bathroom next to it, from there I could see the living room, and her bedroom.
Chelsea came joined me in the hallway. "Do you want a drink? I think we have beer."
My heart was racing, I still felt like she was holding something back from me, but I just couldn't see it.
With a dry mouth I spoke, "Just a glass of water thanks."
When she handed to me I drank it like a man who came across an oasis. I knew she held no anger or violence, but her intentions at midnight were certainly suspect.
When I stopped drinking Chelsea spoke. "Do you want to go to the living room, or bedroom?"
"Uh, bedroom?" I said, assuming that it doubled as a sitting room.
As she lead the way, I looked down at the curves of her hips, and apple-shaped bottom; part of me wished this was a late-night romantic encounter.
Chelsea went into the bedroom and sat on the bed, I looked around to see that it was just as frumpy as she was. The bedsheets were a mess, and clothes were everywhere! I sat down arms-length away from her and stared at her dresser, on top was a jar filled with marihuana buds.
"Do you know why I asked you here tonight?" She asked me, looking at me.
I looked into here hazel eyes confused. "For some hashbrownies?"
"No silly!" She said putting a hand on my knee. "But you're welcome to take some with you."
"That's alright." I replied, noticing that her warm hand was still there.
"My husband is very grateful that you helped us; that wallet had our rent money in it." She said.
I nodded in agreement, I did after all count each bill.
