After a two minute shower and a half hour make-up session, she donned a strapless
gold lame evening gown and matching Manolo three inch heels. Gazing in the mirror
adjusting a couple wayward locks of her straightened hair, she scrutinized her appearance.
Tya was right, she could look fabulous when she felt like it and right now she looked
good—damned good.
Calm down girl, remember what Daddy said, “Your looks are not an accomplishment. You
didn’t earn them. Nature or a higher power gave them to you, so get your head out of the
clouds.” Maybe, but I can sure appreciate and enjoy them. She smiled and hitched her
head.
The door bell interrupted her reverie. Her stomach lurched. It’s him—don’t panic.
Tya said he’s very nice.
Calmly, she went to the front door and peeked through the peep hole. There stood
Phillip—or Gordy, if she could get used to it—but something seemed out of place and it
wasn’t the tux he wore. Hurriedly, she undid the safety locks and swung the door open.
Phillip—Gordy stared at her wide eyed. His gaze dropped to her open toed, high heeled
sandals with languor, then rose back to her eyes. She watched opened mouth while the
corners of his thin lips curled into an effusive white smile. “Hi…you look fabulous. I’m
Phil, but friends call me Gordy.”
She stepped out of the way. “Come in, won’t you,” she planned on saying Gordy, but
she couldn’t do it, “Phillip?”
Bowing his head, he stepped in and gave her light kiss on the cheek. He held out a
plastic container. “I have a corsage for you. Would you like me to pin in on or would you
prefer to do it?”
He held a lavender and white orchid. She shut and locked the door and took the
corsage. “I’ll do it.”
She couldn’t help but notice how damned handsome he looked. He grinned. “Just as
well, my hands are probably shaking too much. I wouldn’t want to stick you on our first
date.” Realizing the double entendre of what he’d said his skin tone reddened. “I mean
with the pin…”
Well at least he’s nervous, too! She laughed. “I knew what you meant. Have a seat. I
have a couple things to do and I’ll be right back. Can I get you something?”
His head shook. “No, I’m fine.”
She waltzed into her bedroom over to the nightstand, grasped her phone, scrolled
down to Tya Jackson and pushed call. In seconds, Ty’s cheerful voice penetrated her left
ear.
“Hi Kel.”
“Hi Ty. Your cousin is here.”
She heard an eek, then Ty asked, “What do you think?”
“He’s very handsome, just like you said.”
“I told you so, babe, I wouldn’t steer you wrong.”
“No, you told the truth. You also didn’t lie when you said he was light skinned, but
silly me, I thought you meant light skinned brother, not a blond haired blue eyed
Cau…Cau…Caucasian.”
“Well I—“
“Let me finish. Explain to me how you, a black woman, can have a cousin who’s almost
white as snow?”
“He’s actually my step cousin. We’re related by marriage. After Uncle Chester died,
Aunt Yvette married Ken, Gordy’s father, though he’s a little darker than Gordy. His
mother must be Swedish or something. Is there a problem?”
“Of course there is. He’s white. In fact he’s white on white. I’ve never been out
with a white man and never even thought about it. Ty, he scares me.”
“You’re frightened of Gordy?”
“Yes, no. Please don’t call him Gordy. Of course I’m not afraid of him. It’s just
that he’s so damn good looking. I’m afraid of liking him.”
“What’s wrong with liking him?”
“Romantically. Jesus, I keep saying the wrong thing. Besides, I probably wouldn’t
know what to say to him. He and I come from different worlds. Other than at the store, I
rarely have more than a cursory exchange with a white person.”
“What do you mean?”
“You know, small talk, chit chat. Hi, how are you? Gonna be a hot one today.”
“Well, here’s your opportunity. I’ve had dozens of meaningful conversations with
Gordy.”
“That’s great. I’m glad you have such good rapport with him. I wouldn’t know where
to start.”
“Just think of something you have in common.”
“Like what. What does a black woman and a white man, strangers no less, have in
common?”
“Hmmm. Let me think about that a second. I know. Sex!”
“Are you out of your mind? How could I talk about sex to a perfect stranger on a
first date? What could I possibly say?”
“How much you like sex?”
Instantaneously, she replied, “You are out of your mind! He’d think I was a tramp.
Hell, I’d think I was a tramp” She thought about what Ty’d said. “How would you know if I
like sex? I never talk about it?”
“Well, do you?”
“Yes, but—“
“I thought so. Little things, movements, things said and left unsaid. I just picked
it up.”
“I might like sex, but I’m certainly not going to discuss it with Phillip. You’re no
help. I’ll just go out with him and see what happens.”
“Now, you’re talking. Have fun.”
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