Chapter 11

 

Elsie

 

I feel accomplished. I wasn’t a complete wreck around Trevor tonight and I hope he could see the improvement. Don’t get me wrong – he still makes me nervous with his sophisticated swag, prodigious presence and prepossessing features, but at least now, I have a feel for his personality and know what to expect from him. From us. We’re friends, and I’m okay with that. I don’t have to be twitchy around a friend. Being friends is the safe option. If he was the kind of man who would find a basic girl like me worth a dating chance, I’d be grateful. But it is what it is. Maybe I can use this experience to learn how to be comfortable around a man without losing my mind. If it’s true what they say – that people come into your life for a reason – then this has to be the reason he’s here.

Trevor parks in the no-parking zone at my complex and shuts off the engine. Why is he shutting off the car? I thought we were done hanging out. Is he coming up to my apartment to hang out some more?

Anxiety building, I reach for the door handle.

“I’ll get that,” he says, getting out and walking around the car. He opens my door so I can exit.

“Thank you,” I say.

“You’re welcome,” he responds and flashes an easy smile.

“Why do men do that?”

“Do what?” he asks following me to the stairs now.

“Open doors for women like we’re incapable?”

He grins, looks at me then gestures for me to climb the stairs ahead of him. “We know you’re capable. It’s just courteous. Polite. Respectful. I could go on.”

“Yeah, but eventually it stops, doesn’t it?”

He chuckles. “Not necessarily. The frequency may slow down though.”

“Nope, it stops, especially if a man has been with a woman for a long time, in which case he’d break his old neck to open the door for someone else while poor wifey has to fend for herself.”

His laugh echoes up the stairs. “I suppose that could happen in some instances—”

“A lot of instances,” I interject to say. I’m digging in the side pocket of my purse for my keys. The dull lighting outside doesn’t offer much help and I don’t know why I feel all panicky like I lost them because I know they’re in here.

Relief settles within me when I finally find them. Before I can unlock the door, Trevor asks, “So, how was tonight?”

“It was nice.”

“Was it better than Monday?”

“Ten times better,” I say, barely looking at him and still I can feel the intensity of his eyes which has me starting to think that maybe those gorgeous things have some sort of mystic powers after all.

“I thoroughly enjoyed myself, tonight,” he says.

I try my best not to blush or look exceedingly elated, but I somehow manage to do both. “Good. I’m glad,” I say, then force eye contact with him. He smiles, goodness he smiles, and my heart flutters.

“You said you liked to watch football, right?”

“I did say that. Yes.”

“What do you say we get together on Sunday and watch the Carolina playoff game?”

“Really?” I say in a state of shock, adjusting my glasses.

“Yes. I can come by here since I’m between homes at the moment.”

“Oh. Okay. Um...”

Say no, Elsie. Say no. Say no.

The voice I always hear in my head, which now I’m figuring out is the negative one that’s been holding me back for so long has returned, telling me to decline Trevor’s offer. But this time, I have no desire to say no. I want to see him again.

“Yes, I would like that.”

His eyes sparkle with surprise. “You would?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll see you Sunday.”

“Yes. You know where I live now.” Of course, he knows where you live, silly. You’re standing in front of your door talking to him right now.

He smiles.

I turn away to attempt to unlock the door again when I hear him say, “Elsie?”

I look up at him. “Yes?”

“You don’t have to be nervous. We’re just friends, remember?”

“Right,” I say, controlling my breathing. “Friends.”

He extends his hand to me for a shake. I reach to connect my hand with his and I close my eyes when our hands touch. I feel a spark – something serendipitous that happens the moment he holds my hand inside of his grasp. When I feel him squeeze my hand tighter, I open my eyes and see this weird expression on his face. He’s probably wondering why I closed my eyes in the first place. People usually close their eyes before a kiss, not a handshake.

“Have a goodnight, Elsie.”

“You too, Trevor.”

“I will, thanks to you.”

Oh my gosh…he’s totally hitting on me. Wait, no, he’s just being friendly. Whatever the case, he’s still holding my hand and I’m sweating so bad, I feel like I peed a lil’ bit.

“I guess I’ll let you go now,” he says, freeing my hand. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” I respond before unlocking the door, closing it right behind me as I enter my apartment and locking it back again.

With my back pressed against the door, I lean forward with my hands on my lower thighs, panting for air like I just ran a mile. Shrew, this man’s got me going. I feel the seat of my pants, making sure they aren’t wet. They’re not. So, I peep through the blinds just in time enough to see Trevor pull off. I still can’t believe I agreed to let him come over here and hang out with me.

Standing in the shower, I ponder this and muse over the evening I had with Trevor. We had a really good evening – one of the best evenings of my adult life. And that feel-good high remains with me because, for the first time in my life, I’m singing in the shower. The water feels extra warm tonight. The soap, extra foamy. And my right hand – the hand Trevor squeezed – has lost its natural function, at least for now. I can’t even hold my loofa with it so I’m left-handed for the rest of the night.

When I’m done with my shower and preparing for bed, I check my phone before plugging the charger into it and I see an outbreak of text messages from Priscilla:

 

Priscilla 9:31 PM: What’s up, chick?

Priscilla 9:42 PM: Hey, what u doin’?

Priscilla 9:55 PM: Elz, hit me back

Priscilla 9:58 PM: Um…where r u?

 

She texts me so much, it’s a wonder she’s married. Gee, where’s Billie or her married friends for that matter? She has plenty of them, especially after attending all the high-class functions Billie takes her to. I decide to send her a quick response before I go to bed:

 

Elsie 10:17 PM: Hey…had long week…was sleeping. Call u later.

 

I turn the volume off and switch my phone to vibrate, then place it on my nightstand. I lose myself between my cool bed covers, close my eyes and see his face.

Trevor.

I try not to think about him, but it’s nearly impossible. He’s infiltrated my mind and I’m looking forward to spending even more time with him on Sunday. For now, I rest easy, glad that I got a second chance with my new friend.