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."