"Hey promise, I am at your door can you let me in?"
"What? what are you doing at my door?"
"I wanted to surprise you!"
"Well, surprise! am not letting you in"
*Beep Beep*
How can he show up at my door without giving me a heads up. The last time we spoke he told me he is in a relationship half way around the world, what does he want from me!
I was startled.
Fully awaken at this point, searching my contact for Camalia's phone number.
"You wouldn't believe what just happen"
"It's six thirty in the morning, anything that comes out of your mouth better be true"
"Some one is grumpy today, anyway Ronnie showed up at my door"
"Why?"
"That's what I want to know"
'Well what did he say?"
"I don't know because I didn't open it"
Awkward pause.
"Good. I am the only person who is entitled to do that. Since we are on that topic, I am coming in town later today, we can talk about this more, I am going to get ready for school"
"Yes" I screamed as if someone volunteered to iron for me for the rest of my life. 'I want pecan butter ice cream and chocolate cake, no frosting "
"Right, okay, bye"
Camalia and I attended the same high school before she and her boogie folks moved across the country. She usually visits me once, twice or sometimes thrice a year if she feels spontaneous.
She never gives me warnings, I am surprised she told me this time around.
I don't like people popping up on me, but it's Camalia and she always brings me my favorite desserts so I give that a pass.
It's time to head out and my prayer for today is to not run into Ronnie.
~
"Bettany, do you prefer to drop me at the bus stop or the gas station"
"Gas station"
"Okay, we are leaving out six twenty because the bus leaves six thirty-two"
The conversation Bettany and I have every morning because I don't have a car and the price of Uber can buy me groceries for the week.
I wanted to look cute today for Camalia in case she popped in after school. You know what they say, hotness is a lifestyle that cannot be postponed.
I postpone it a lot though, most days it could be a midi dress with blow outs, other days it a jeans with some tees.
I don't go by dressing rules because they get exhausting to keep up with overtime for me.
Today, I am in ripped jeans, a one shoulder top and a pair of designer flats. Complimented with some accessories, and my hair resembling an infants'.
~
School was great today, but I find it strange that Camalia isn't here yet.
*Phone ringing*
Speaking of the devil
"Hey girl, where are you, I am at your house"
"So, did you plan on telling me? this sun is attaching my skin cells".
After laughing hysterically, "Do I attend your school, why are you there waiting for me? furthermore, do you not plan on coming home?"
"Of course I planned on coming home big mouth"
"That's what I thought, see you!"
Why would she be at the house? Usually when she visits she would come to my apartment. Since I am staying with Mrs. Shannet, who she doesn't know very well, it seems more logical for her to come to my school and we both go to the house.
After enough pondering and pacing through the wait for my Uber ride, I got home to an empty house.
"Why is this girl paying with me!" I exclaimed as I saw a car pull up in the drive way.
"You told me you were at the house"
"Am I not at the house? Get over here and give me a hug"
The Uber driver left and we freshened up and went to get some Jamaican food. I bought jerk chicken and festival with collard greens, Camalia bought rice and peas and fry chicken with curry gravy. That would have been my second choice, just for the curry gravy.
Two hours later as it started to get dark we decided to go home when I remembered I didn't ask Mrs. Shannet if Camalia could stay there.
~
On second thought, Mrs. Shannet is not the issue, it's her husband. It's insane to think that men still operate under the notion of whatever I saw goes because I am the man.
I saw a man asking his wife for permission to chose the dinner location the other day and the guy chose hooters and his wife said no. This became an issue for many people. Most were saying what has happened to men, why does he have to ask.
He asked because he is married, that's respect. How different would it be if the lady went to a half naked male restaurant without asking her husband!
I have experienced racism and I know it's a big deal for most people, not so much for me, but when it comes to sexism that ticks me off.
The part that get's me is that these so called men doesn't even know what it's like to be a man yet still they so proudly claim the title.
This is not to bash men, because I like being in male company, however, I can't stand the behavior of egotistical men.
Mr. Chase is one of them. He once told me to ensure I am right every time I speak. Not very inviting, so my best chances are to limit my speaking to him because I cannot guarantee that.
Either way I will take my chances and worst case scenario he says no and she has to go back home tonight.
"Mr. Chase, a friend of mine wants to spend a few days with me, can she stay here?
"Make sure she is clean, I don't like nasty people" He clearly thinks he is the cleanest person in the world.
I stayed outside for the next two hours with Camalia as if she wasn't already there. After which we did our introductions and went to bed.
~
"What's our plan for today?"
"Why you saying our as if you think I'm about to be missing school to hang out with you?"
"I'ts Saturday Promise!"
"Oh, well you can help me with my homework so I can finish faster and then we can go to the spa for a massage and some mani, and pedi"
"Then shopping!"
"No"
If you know me, you know that I hate shopping and ironing just as much as Sia hates to show her face. Unlike most other girls, mainly Camalia who wouldn't mind going to bed and waking up in a store.
I find it rather boring and a waste of my time. I do like to doll up though, so I came to terms with the idea that I have to get use to it or increase my cash-flow so I can pay people to dress me.
~
We enjoyed our time together over the weekend. After the spa, Camalia went shopping and I waited on her outside while I read a book I have been putting off for some weeks now.
Before we knew it, the weekend was over and it was time for her to go.
"When are you coming back?" I asked as I pushed the luggage inside the airport.
""When you start shopping with me"
By the sound of that, it may take a while.
"Okay boo, thank you for coming". We hugged and waved goodbye.
On my way home I stopped by the UPS store to send a mail to Catherine.
"Hi Mikey, how have you been?"
"I've been good, what can I do for you today?
Mikey is a chubby Trinidadian employee of USP that I became friends with after a few trips to the store. I found out about his country of origin when Bettany and I went into the store speaking patois and he started laughing.
I knew he understood so the conversation began.
A customer came in behaving awkward as ever. Mike and her were repeating everything they said.
"Hey, how are you?"
Good, how are you?"
"Good, how are you?"
I burst out laughing and had to play it off as if I saw something funny outside.
When I arrived at the cash register I saw a mail on the scale with Camalia's name on it. When did she come to the store when we were together from the moment she got here. I wondered.
After tilting over for a bit more information, I saw Ronnie's name on the receiving end but it was his out of country address. Why didn't she mention that to me? Maybe she forgot or he asked her to send something. It could be anything really I analyzed.
I sent my mail, and a quick message to Catherine informing her that the package was sent and will arrive in two days and left the store.