I'd like to offer my deep and profuse thanks to Oldnakeddad for his editing of my story. I also hope that any who were bothered, or did finish reading this story, will return ad finish reading. If you haven;t voted or commented, I invite you to please do so.
Again, my thanks to Oldnakeddad for his help!
*
Aribella heard the crying when she reached the door.
"Shelia, open up. Tell me what's wrong."
The door opened and Shelia stood there with tears still rolling down her cheeks. She went to her bed, which was littered with torn pictures and a school jacket, all victims of a pair of scissors.
"So, I love what you've done with your room, Sis. Modern tantrum! You should see about minoring in Interior Decorating. What happened?"
"That mother fucker, Darrel, that's what, Ari."
Ari sat on the bed.
"Please, continue."
"Darrel, and his '
GIRLFRIEND'
, got arrested for attempting to buy cocaine and possession of oxy with intent to sell!"
"Oh, I see."
"No, you don't see. He called me to see if I would bail him out. When I got there, they asked me if I wanted to bail out his '
GIRLFRIEND'
, seeing as I was his '
SISTER'
!! What the hell am I going to do, Ari?"
"Well, you'll get over it and being single again will make your weekends rather interesting, I'd say."
"Yeah, maybe, but our dance is in two weeks. Who can I ask now?"
"Will you trust your big sis?"
"You'd find me a date?"
"Sort of and I'll give you a chance to do it on your own."
"Okay, what then?"
"If I get a better grade, than you, on Tuesday's test, I'll give you a choice of two guys to pick for a double date with me and Kevin. If you get a better grade, you're on your own."
"What if he's ugly?"
"Really, Shelia, I'm your big sis. You might not like him but he won't be ugly."
"Yeah, okay."
On Wednesday, the day after the test, they were in Ari's room.
"Okay, as I did get the better score," Ari started to say.
"It was only by one point."
"So? Here are the two choices I promised. This Saturday is my birthday and Kevin is taking me out for dinner. You, and whoever you choose, will double with us."
"Okay, let me read about them and then I'll choose."
"No way, Shelia. You'd be able to choose if you won but you didn't. You get to pick one envelope, from two, with their name, picture, dorm room, phone number and other information in each envelope, for Saturday night. Oh, Kevin knows and has agreed to it."
"Okay, what will you tell me about them?"
"They don't have girlfriends, don't use drugs, have at least a 3.0 GPA, are sophomores, are in a fraternity, they're both cute and one is twenty-two or three. He's a transfer student."
"Okay, let's see what you think I'd like. Envelope number two, please."
She opened it and dumped the contents on the bed.
"Uh, there's just one problem, Ari. He's white!"
"If I remember correctly, when you pledged and were asked what you wanted in a husband, black wasn't on the list. If you don't like him after Saturday's date, you don't have to ask him to the dance but I won't let his being white be the reason, understand. Oh, he's Kevin's little brother in the fraternity, too."
"So, you already know him."
"Yes, he's been polite and friendly to me. Smart, not shy but maybe a bit introverted."
"Okay, I'll give this Max Ivano a chance and you're right, he isn't ugly."
The four got together, at the student union, the next night for a few beers and for Shelia and Max to meet.
Max is cute and then some. I'm five foot-five inches tall so I'd make him to be about five foot- nine inches tall with brown hair, red tinted beard and shaves like that Star Trek guy. He's an education major in History and the Italian language. Aribella was right, Saturday night might be a good time.
"Max, I hear that you're a transfer student?" Shelia asked.
"Yes, from Venice. I'm half Italian and half American."
"How did you end up here and why?"
"My dad said I showed no purpose in life and I'd been wasting my time for too long at home. He told me to pick a college in America and go meet new people and I'd be away from my element. So, as long as I get a 3.6 GPA, he's happy. If I may, what are you here for, Shelia?"
"I'm on the gymnastics team, a cheerleader and an art major."
"Well, my mom would like you, being an art major, and the rest sounds like you're kept busy."
"She's into art?"
"She's an art teacher, in Venice, and she's responsible for my American half. My parents met while she was in college."
"If you're Italian, why are you majoring in Italian and how old are you?" Ari asked.
"Two reasons, it's a great way to help my GPA and I'll earn an American Translators Association Certification. I'll be twenty-three in two months."
They spent about ninety minutes talking, laughing and having a good time. As they walked back to the sorority house, Max held Shelia's hand.
"I've got some studying to do and a History test in the morning. It's been a pleasure meeting you, Shelia. I hope you're able to go out to dinner Saturday night," he said as he leaned over and kissed her.
That was a nice surprise.
Back in Shelia's room.
"So, what do you think of Max?"
"Okay, you were right. He's nice looking, dresses okay and he's polite. It was a first meeting, so being nice and polite and good was expected just like the kiss was unexpected but acceptable and nice. I thought he knew I was going to be with you guys on Saturday?"
"I asked Kevin to tell him you might not be able to. Are you?"
"Oh yes, I'm looking forward to it!"
Yes, I am. The kiss showed me he's interested and so am I...more than I thought I would be.
"Good, I'll tell Kevin and you can tell Max. You have his number."
"I'll call tomorrow."
************
"So, what did you think of Shelia? I think you liked her."
"I do. She was different. She talked '
to'
me. Yeah, nice looking but we had a conversation. She asked about me and school, not me and back home. Thank you, and Ari, for not telling her about my past and my parents."
"That's your option Max, not mine. Yes, I know about that and your dad being rich is out there, too but I don't think Shelia knows. Ari gave me a few signals that Shelia likes you and it was obvious we all had a good time. Now, I've a question to ask you? Would you do me a favor?"
"Sure, you're are my big bro. What do you need, Kevin?"
"I haven't asked Ari, yet, but would you be my best man?"
"No shit! Of course I will. You're crazy but I love you and I'll be glad to. Now, let's go have something to drink, I've a few bottles and this is an excellent reason for one of them."
************
She called Max's number and he answered.
"Pronto?"
"Max?"
"Oh, Shelia! I'm sorry, that's how they answer the phone in Italy. What's up?"
"Max, I figured I'd let you know that I'm looking forward to being your date on Saturday."
"That's great, so am I! How about we catch a movie and then order pizza at my place on Friday?"
Why not take some of the mystery away from Saturday?"
"Sounds good. When?"
"I'll get you at your dorm about six-thirty."
"I'll be ready."
I sure hope you are, Max.
Shelia had been ready for about a half an hour. She'd chosen to wear jeans, a light blue shirt and her lace push up bra was doing its job.
I haven't been nervous before a date in a while and well, it's refreshing.
There was a knock at the door.
"Coming," she called out as she moved to open it.
Max was there wearing a linen jacket, an unbuttoned light blue polo shirt, sunglasses, blue jeans and leather shoes.
Well, looks like envelope 2 was a winner
Shelia made the move to kiss. Her tongue brushed his lips and they opened to the invitation, their tongues seeking their counterparts out as their arms enveloped each other.
"We do have a movie to go to, don't we?" Max said, breaking the kiss.
"Of course."
She grabbed her purse and they left. There were too many at the movie for her to do more than hold hands and lean her head on his shoulder. She was surprised when Max moved a hand to her leg and slowly and lightly caressed the inside of her thigh.
Well, that sure feels good and no reason why I can't return the favor.
Max turned his head to her and kissed her forehead. She looked up and they kissed again.
"Max, lets watch the movie and save the other things until later."