Traffic was thick as I pulled out of the parking lot at Tyson’s II in my spanking new Bentley coupe. I knew the car was a bit over the top, yet, thirty minutes after the money had cleared into my account, I’d been on the phone with a salesman, working out the details of my dream ride. I’d left the airport and driven straight to the dealer to pick the car up before heading to one of my favorite malls to burn up some more money.
Next on my list to prepare for Khalil was a stop at the ABC store, Best Buy, and the CVS, and I was nearly prepared.
Once I walked through the door past the Cheesecake Factory, tempted to stop, I made a beeline for Chanel, Nicole Miller, and BCBG Max Azria. Then I’d been able to find everything I needed for Khalil. From Hugo Boss to Saks, I’d bought him enough clothing to last for a three-day weekend even though I wasn’t sure how much time we’d spend together. I’d sized him up the day I’d made love to him. One good look and I knew he was a forty-six long, a thirty-six waist, and a size ten-and-a-half shoe. I was sure he’d be impressed when he opened the bag full of goodies that I’d purchased for him.
As the sun began to set I made my way onto Route 66 and headed toward the airport. The thought that he might not call never entered my mind. I wondered where Rorrie was and was a little surprised that she’d given up so easily. It would make more sense to me to believe that she was off somewhere pouting, waiting for her man to come back apologizing and ready to explain. I had a news flash for her. It wasn’t gonna happen. Not this time.
I looked at the clock on my dash and when it read twenty after nine I actually felt a twinge of nervousness. I pulled into the airport and prepared to wait and circle, but then my phone rang.
It was Khalil. “Honey, I’m headed for the exit as we speak. You here?”
“Of course,” I replied as the butterflies began to flutter in my stomach for the first time.
“US Airways.”
“Got it. Driving toward you as we speak.”
“What are you driving?”
“The black coupe pulling up to the door. Is this you I see looking all sexy?” I laughed as I pulled up to the curb. He smiled and folded his phone shut. He moved toward me, looking like a real honey. Snug-fitting Kitson T-shirt and a pair of Rock & Republic jeans, and a pair of Nike Dunks. I was surprised to see him with nothing but a backpack on his shoulder and one small bag.
He opened the car door and climbed in. He gave me a somewhat nervous smile to which I responded with a quick hug and kiss. “Thanks,” he said.
“Thank you,” I shot back. “I see you travel light.”
“Yeah, I’ve learned that art over the years.” I nodded as we pulled off. “Is this your car?”
“Yeah, I just bought it. You like it?”
“I think I can appreciate something like this.” He laughed. “You must be doing some hellified investing.”
“I’ve done all right,” I said as I tapped the gas. “So how long do I have you for?” Just asking a question that made me feel so vulnerable had me a bit off balance.
He was silent and seemed to sink into his seat. “I won’t pretend that I don’t feel bad about this, but Honey, I’ve done nothing but think about you since the day we met. And don’t get me wrong, I do love Rorrie, but there’s something between you and I that has convinced me that I don’t love her enough to be with her.” He seemed a little pained as he went on. “I mean what am I doing? I don’t even know if this is real, if you want to be with me and here I am, without even considering her feelings.”
I understood where he was coming from. I’d heard it so many times before from different men. The complaints and the confusion that had led them into bed with a woman who they had to pay to fuck. I didn’t want to put Khalil into that category or better yet, allow him to put himself into that category, so I intended to set him straight. “Listen, Khalil. There is something between you and I, something very real. I can’t explain it and I won’t try. You’re a grown man and you have to know that life isn’t always easy or fair. So if you’re gonna beat yourself up the entire time you’re with me then I can drop you off. I want to take this time to get to know you, not watch you going through it. I’m not trying to be cold, but it is what it is.”
When his face showed no emotion I suddenly grew scared that maybe I’d said too much. “So do you want me to take you home?”
He looked straight into my eyes and caused my soul to soar when he said, “No. I wanna be with you.” I smiled and he asked, “So where are you taking me?”
“Does it matter?” I asked coyly.
“I guess it doesn’t, but I just thought I’d ask.”
I nodded my head and said, “To the moon. I’m taking you to the moon.”
Khalil had drifted off by the time we reached Front Royal, Virginia. I kept the volume down as I listened to my favorite CD, The Emancipation of Mimi, letting Mariah talk to me since Khalil had run out of fuel. I didn’t blame him, knowing how a cross-country flight could wipe you out. He looked like an angel as he slept and every few moments I found myself looking over at him, thinking to myself, This is how my life ends and my fairy tale begins. He’d found me and I’d chosen him.
When I pulled off the interstate I punched in the navigation system the address to the cabin I’d rented. We drove for thirty more minutes into the Shenandoah Mountains as the winding roads took me up and down. I couldn’t wait until the morning to see the view that we’d have. Finally after it seemed we’d driven skyward at a thirty-degree angle for an eternity, I saw the street that led to our cabin. I cruised down the long driveway and pulled up in front of the house.
It was just as I remembered it. I’d been here before but not with someone I wanted to. I remembered sitting on the deck imagining what it would be like to be able to share this with someone I loved and thinking that I’d never know. I parked at the front door and went to the digital lockbox, pressing the code to get the keys. The company that I’d rented the place from was top-notch. I’d been able to tell them everything from what type of thread count I wanted on the sheets to what brand of bacon I wanted stocked in the fridge. Ready to head in I leaned over and nudged Khalil. He was sleeping soundly. I nudged him again, this time grabbing his shoulder and saying, “Khalil, wake up.”
Like a wild animal getting the jump on me, he came out of his sleep and swung as if he was fighting for his life. The pain of him striking my arm had me fearing my forearm was broken. The second I saw the fear in his eyes as he realized what he’d done, I knew that sometime, somewhere, something bad had happened to him.