Chapter 4
FOUR
Mccoy
“Ma, I don’t wanna talk to her right now. I don’t want her having my number and I don’t want her thinking that we even have a chance at rekindling,” I explained.
My mom had just informed me that Carmen stopped by her house a little while ago. Apparently, Carmen was so distraught that my mother made her sit for a while before letting her leave. None of that moved me. If anything, it pissed me off that she was even doing all of this.
“I know, son. I told her that I was staying out of y’all’s business. I’m not saying you’re wrong for how you feel, but space can do wonders for a relationship.”
“Yeah, the permanent space will do us well,” I responded sarcastically.
“Don’t get smart now.”
“I wasn’t, Ma. I’m just saying this isn’t some phase. As bad as I was feeling, I have no desire to be back with Carmen.”
“Hold on, sweetie, your sister is snatching the phone from me.”
“What’s up, punk? How come you didn’t answer my call earlier?”
“Hey, Stacey. I was busy and meant to call you back, but momma ended up calling me before I got around to it,” I answered honestly.
Stacey had called when I was in the flower shop helping Saturn.
My plan was to go in and pay for the roses with one last apology, but my mind was on its own track.
Leaving with a coffee date wasn’t my intention, but a part of me needed more of Saturn.
I needed to know everything about her, even if it led to nowhere.
Saturn had my head gone and I knew she felt the same about me.
Before my mom called, I had been watching the time and waiting for the right moment to call her.
The sign on the front door said the shop closed at six, so I planned to call her around seven-thirty.
That was more than enough time for Saturn to get home and settled.
“Mmmhmm. Well, what you been up to? You’re not causing trouble in that sweet little town, are you?”
“Not at all. I stay to myself if Justin isn’t out here.”
“Yeah, he told us that he was getting ready to move out there. I’m a little surprised. Justin is a city boy through and through. I give it a year and he’ll probably be back in Gwendal,” Stacey said.
My sister’s statement had crossed my mind, but Justin was talking like he was ready for a change. Going through the process of buying a house wasn’t a cake walk, so I hoped he’d be serious about the move. Even if his mind were to change down the line, he could rent the house out for extra income.
“I don’t know. I think this move might be what he needs. There’s only so much fun you can have until it starts to get old.”
“That’s true. Maybe he’ll come out there and find someone who will sit his ass down.”
“Stacey, watch your damn mouth,” my mother yelled in the background, making both of us laugh.
“My bad, Ma. It just be coming out sometimes. But anyway, what are you up to for the rest of the night?”
“Nothing too much. I have a call to make in a few minutes, but I’m in for the night,” I admitted.
“What call you need to make this late in the evening? A business call?”
“Now you askin’ too many questions,” I laughed.
“Momma, yo’ son about to call some lil girl that he not telling us about.”
“Aight, I’ll talk to y’all later. Love y’all,” I said before ending the call.
If I didn’t end the conversation there, my mom and Stacey would’ve tried to keep me on the phone all night, digging in my business.
The whole time my mom spoke about Carmen, I hadn’t mentioned I’d taken interest in someone else.
Mainly because I had no idea if Saturn would even be something more than a memory.
Looking at my phone for the time, I saw it was seven forty and searched for Saturn’s contact.
As the line rang, I hit the speaker button and relaxed into the couch.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Hey, it’s Mccoy. Did you make it in safely?”
“Hey, and yes, I did. How about you?”
“Yes, ma’am, I’m good. Can I pick you up from your house tomorrow or would you feel more comfortable if I picked you up from somewhere else?” I questioned.
“Is it okay if I meet you at the coffee shop? I had a last-minute interview come up and I need to be at the shop earlier than expected.”
“That’s cool. I’m glad you’re getting help. You need it.”
“I know. I had help up until the day I came to your house. It’s been a struggle ever since but it’ll work out.”
“It will. Bad days don’t last forever. But get you some rest. I just wanted to check on you and make sure you were home. Do you live alone?”
There was a long pause after my question and I felt Saturn’s unease through the phone.
“I’m only asking for safety reasons. You don’t have to answer, but if you are alone, make sure you double check your locks and alarm system before you go to bed.”
“I don’t have an alarm system, but I’ll check my locks again.”
“Why don’t you have an alarm? Do you have a gun?” I asked in frustration.
“I’ve never touched a gun a day in my life. Pleasant Springs’ crime rate is practically non-existent if you didn’t know,” she countered.
“That’s not gonna work for me, Saturn. The city’s crime rate may not be high, but the city doesn’t have a secret passage in and out. Meaning, there’s absolutely nothing keeping a criminal out. You always need protection. Especially in your home and at the shop.”
She laughed. “You sound like my older brother. Every time he calls, he asks those same questions.”
“I don’t blame him. I have a sister myself and I’m always making sure she’s protected. It’s cool though. I’ll have a resolution tomorrow that we can discuss.”
“Which coffee shop are we meeting at?”
“I only saw one. The Coffee King down the street from your shop.”
“There’s two. Steve’s Brew is also down the street from my shop, but in the opposite direction,” she explained.
“I never knew that. Honestly, I don’t know much about the city. I’ve only been here a little over a month. I’m still learning my way around.”
“Where are you from?”
“Gwendal, born and raised.”
“Gwendal and Pleasant Springs are like night and day. What made you move here from the big city of Gwendal?”
“I’ll tell you tomorrow over coffee. If we talk about everything tonight, we won’t have much to talk about in the morning,” I said with a smile.
The truth was, I could stay on the phone all night with Saturn and still have plenty to talk about on our date. I wanted to know everything about her. I hadn’t been excited to be in a woman’s presence in a while. It felt like a breath of fresh air and my guard wasn’t up like I assumed it’d be.
“Okay. I’ll see you in the morning. Have a good night, Mccoy.”
“Good night, Saturn.”
Once the call ended, I jumped on the internet to see where I could purchase an alarm system and security cameras. The cameras I had were ones I’d had for years now. Women were an easy target to sick muhfuckas, and Saturn’s small ass didn’t stand a chance against a man, let alone an armed one.
“Good morning, beautiful,” I said as Saturn walked up to the booth.
“Good morning. I thought I’d beat you here,” she said as she glanced at the watch on her wrist.
“I got here a few minutes early to make sure we got a table. I had a feeling it would be a little crowded in here.”
“It usually is. I used to walk over here almost every day. I only stopped because I’d be waiting in line for too long. That’s when I started going to Steve’s.”
“We’ll have to go there next. So how was your night? Did you sleep well?” I asked.
“I did. It takes a while for me to fall asleep, but once I put on the noise machine, I’m out.”
“I may need to invest in one. I don’t like sleeping with the TV on, but I need something to drown out the noise from outside. I can hear everything and that’s really fuckin’ up my sleep,” I admitted.
“What exactly are you hearing? Everything in Pleasant Springs is closed by ten, then everyone’s at home.”
“It’s little shit. Anytime a car passes, or the leaves blow too hard, I hear it clear as day. My mom said it’s only like that because I’m in a new environment.”
“I was thinking the same thing. I’ve been to Gwendal a few times and the noise is constant. Living here, it’s so quiet that it can be unsettling at times.”
Before I could respond, a waiter approached the table with a pad and pen in hand.
“Good morning and welcome to Coffee King. What can I get fresh for you all?”
After we gave our orders, the server walked off and I gave my attention back to Saturn.
Today, her copper color curls were pulled up in a bun on top of her head.
She had her baby hairs laid nicely in big swoops that reminded me of my sister.
Saturn’s freckled face was glowing and her lips looked good enough to kiss.
The pink graphic T-shirt she wore went perfectly with her black biker shorts and pink Nikes.
The look was simple but spoke volumes. If this was what she looked like without trying, I could only imagine how she’d look dressed up.
“Tell me about yourself. How old are you? When is your birthday?” I quizzed.
“I’m twenty-seven. My birthday is January nineteenth. What about you?”
“I just turned thirty-three on June first. What do you like to do around here? I’m not familiar with the town, but I wouldn’t mind a tour.”
As the conversation continued, I could tell Saturn was becoming more comfortable with me.
Her energy was calming and getting to know her felt natural.
Before I knew it, it was time for her to get back to the shop for this last-minute interview.
After she agreed to let me install the cameras and alarms, it was settled that we’d have dinner together.
From our conversation I’d learned Cajun pasta and salmon was one of her favorite meals, so that was what I planned to cook.
The pace of our developing relationship was starting off well and I hoped it could stay like this.