soul food

Slim and Colette were cuddled up on the couch kissing like white people on soap operas. His hand was on the back of her head and she was using hers to cradle his face. Her legs were wrapped around his waist and I was sure that any minute now they were going to start pulling off clothes. I looked over at Pusha who was trying not to stare but just couldn't help it. It was Tiny who broke it up by yelling across the room.

"Ay, Slim, man. Get a room."

This elicited snickers from Slim who had finally decided to let Colette breathe on her own.She was still sitting with her legs wrapped around his waist (in a skirt no less). She wasn't even being discreet about it or trying to cover her cocked open legs.

"Don't hate cause you ain't getting none," Slim said with a grin on his face.

"Ain't nobody hatin', but ain't nobody interested in watching no flicks either," Tiny retorted.

Pusha nudged me during this exchange. "Come ride with me real quick. I have to make a run."

It beat sitting there watching Colette and Slim. Slim had returned to giving her a tonsillectomy with his tongue. She looked like she was definitely ready for a long night. I gathered up my things and followed him out to the Monte Carlo.

"Where are we going?"

"Are you hungry?"

I nodded.

"What do you have a taste for? Don't say nothin crazy like sushi."

I laughed. "How about M & M? Soul Food."

He agreed and we went. I had the fried pork chops (thick ones that were so good I could only eat one) with greens (they aight. i'm partial to my mama's), macaroni and cheese (actually pretty good) and sweet potatoes (couldn't eat that much, lots of butter in their recipe). He had the smothered pork chops (eww, dark brown gravy) with mashed potatoes, greens and macaroni and cheese.

Over dinner we talked about sports, politics, Vegas and music. We cheesed and grinned and got warm and fuzzy from the cognac. We told secrets and laughed at jokes only we would understand. When we were stuffed and had doggie bags that weighed five pounds each, he told me it was late and he should take me home.

"My jacket is in Tiny's car."

"I'll get it and hold it for you."

"He was supposed to give me a sack."

"I'll give you some of what I have."

I ran out of objections. I gave him the directions to my house and we rode in silence the entire way. You could hear the wheels turning in both heads. When we got there, he pulled up in front and turned off the ignition. I sat looking at him and he nudged me.

"Get out."

"Dang boy, just putting me out of your car." We laughed and climbed out and he followed me to my front door. The porchlight was on but the inside lights were off. I unlocked the door, turned the light on in the foyer and turned to Pusha.

"Well, all right. Thanks for dinner and for bringing me home. I'm sure Tiny is passed out anyway so I would have had to cuss him out to get home."

"It's cool. You take it easy."

I stuck out my hand to give him our usual pound and he ignored it. He walked toward me and pulled me nto a hug. I think my body stiffened against him for a moment because I felt him stiffen too. So I relaxed. I let my hands go around his shoulders. His arms wrapped tightly around me and he held me for a long time. I could hear his breathing in my ear and feel his heart beating against my chest. I let him hold me a bit longer and then I let go. We pulled apart and I turned to go in my front door.

"Night, Monique."

"Night, Pusha," I said and closed the door.

I walked down the hallway, into my bedroom and sat on the bed. I could smell his cologne in my clothes. I got up and started to get undressed. My shirt was pulled halfway over my head when I heard the doorbell ring. Belt unbuckled, pants undone, I ran back to the front door to answer it. Through the window I saw Pusha. I opened the door.

"Hey," he said. "Can I use your bathroom?"