I asked her to meet me for lunch because there was a business deal I wanted to discuss. She seemed a little cold on the phone once she realized who was calling, but I hoped she would understand how I felt. Not telling me about her previous life-- of being a man-- had broken our trust and destroyed our relationship. However, she listened to my pitch with casual interest until she finally told me she already had a lunch date this afternoon. I was about to hang up the phone when she announced she had dinner open-- if that worked for me.
I told her I'd pick her up at seven in my brand new used car. Before she hung up, she paused, and said it was good to hear from me. I agreed in an awkward pause-- realizing maybe this wouldn't be so bad.
I pulled up at seven sharp.
She was waiting on the sidewalk for me, looking so fine that I almost rammed the car in front of me.
She laughed and flashed that smile of hers.
"THIS is your brand new car?" she asked, pointing at my car. "I'd have rather taken the bus."
"I said brand new 'used' car. Besides, it's a classic."
"I do recall seeing a movie about this car once. I think it was called Unsafe at Any Speed."
I opened the door and she slid into the passenger seat.
Lee may only have been a woman for a few years but she sure had the sultry routine down pat.
We went to a place Drew had told me about in the hills, sitting on a balcony and looking down at the city lights below.
I told her of the dance piece that'd been going through my head and if she knew anybody who'd be interested in putting it on.
She said she might know of a small troupe that might give a new choreographer a try. She'd make the call for me.
Our eyes lingered on each other. There was still, after all that we had been through, a connection and now we were becoming friends. Maybe?
I dropped her off at her place.
She looked at me.
I looked at the steering wheel.
She put a hand on my face and turned it so I was looking at her.
She leaned over and kissed me. Then, she eased her way out of the car and I watched her walk up to her place.
As she closed the front door I sat there in my car and thanked God the top was down.
That way the night air would cool me off.
