Love Between the Pages – by Rae Shawn
LOVE BETWEEN THE PAGES
BY RAE SHAWN
Emani
I could stare into this man’s eyes for more time than I was willing to admit. They were like a cup of coffee to start your morning, a mug of tea midday to keep you going, and a glass of bourbon to bring a relaxing end to your day.
I’d heard everything he’d said as we chatted.
However, if it weren’t for an intense willpower to concentrate, he could’ve recited the Pledge of Allegiance in fifty languages and I still would’ve smiled and nodded.
We were seated at a table in the Octavia E.
Butler Public Library. Darius was on the tail end of a story about a teenager who’d come in looking for comic books but ended up leaving with Octavia Butler’s Kindred graphic novel and Fledgling .
“The boy was astounded by how visual her work was, talking about the imagery evocation in Fledgling . He said he still loved his comics and manga but would absolutely start reading more science fiction and fantasy.” Darius rubbed the scruff on his chin, his eyes sparkling.
“I was quite proud of myself for putting him on.”
He flashed a bright smile that made his partial dimple show once more on his deep brown skin. I grinned and ran my fingers through my curls, flipping them behind my ear. “He had no idea what he was missing out on. He’ll be hooked now.”
Darius nodded, then readjusted in his seat. “I’ve been talking nonstop, I’m so sorry, Emani. I could talk about books and educating kids on the vast array of genres all day, but let me hush.”
I chuckled and shook my head. “It’s totally fine,” I said. “It’s nice to see men, especially Black men, so passionate about teaching kids the joy of reading. If you get me started on visual arts over the years, I could talk for ages.”
A huff of laughter escaped him.
“I mean, that was how we started this conversation, remember?” He raised a brow, leaning forward on the table with a grin. “Charles W. White, Langston Hughes, Zora Neal Hurston, Lois Mailou Jones.”
Heat rushed up my neck, landing on my cheeks as I nodded and shifted in my chair. “Well, you did ask me about the book I’d been holding.”
The library was hosting a speed networking event for music and art lovers.
It was apparently a part of a series for National Back to School Day, highlighting Black innovators throughout the years in both the visual and physical arts.
They were giving away some free books and connecting educators with local talent for possible classroom activities.
Averie, one of the eighth-grade music teachers at Butler Arts nope. Their tacos and burritos are orgasmic, though.”
He cleared his throat and adjusted his shirt collar. “I mean, their food is worth the drive, if you decide to make it, you know?”
I chuckled as Averie burst into laughter.
“You had it right the first time. Excuse us for a moment.” She shifted toward me, picking a piece of lint from my sleeve as she guided me a few feet away.
“Darius is cool. I’ve been coming to this library for years, even before I started teaching.
He is literally one of my favorite people.
Go get the tacos with him. He never asks anyone out, and the man’s attention has been glued to you the whole time. Dare I say I smell a connection?”
I shook my head and grinned. “I smell you trynna set me up with your friend.”
I’d only known her for a week, but we’d connected instantly as if she was a long-lost sister. Her toothy grin was contagious, and I found myself matching it.
“We aren’t friends in the traditional sense like I know everything about him, but I do know he’s kind and smart.
Tacos and conversation won’t hurt,” she said.
“Plus, I know where he works and probably have a couple of friends who can find out where he lives if he tries anything—which he won’t. I’m sure of it.”
I eyed her and glanced over at Darius, a hopeful glint in his eyes as he watched us. It was just tacos in public. It would be fine. “Ok, ok.” I walked back over to him. “You have to finish your work before we leave, so I’ll wait in my car.”
He shook his head. “Nonsense.” He pointed to the table we were beside. “Wait here, I’ll be done in about thirty minutes. I’ll let them know you’re here with me.”
Averie squeezed my shoulder. “Tomorrow, we grab Chinese food,” she whispered conspiratorially, then she was off, waving over her shoulder. “Have fun. Make sure to get an agua fresca. They’re also orgasmic. The mango is really good, and it’s my favorite.”
I chuckled and watched her join a crowd of others who were exiting the library, then turned my attention back to Darius. “I guess I’ll sit here and read part of this.” I lifted the book, shaking it slightly.
He nodded as I took a seat and opened the book to read the introduction. I glanced up when I realized he hadn’t departed yet.
“Everything ok?”
“Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “I won’t keep you waiting any longer than I have to. I gotta make sure you experience these tacos and an agua fresca after all.” A smirk lifted the corner of my mouth before he winked. “You need to judge the deliciousness for yourself, right?”
“I’ll definitely let you know if I think it’s orgasmic.
” I giggled as he walked away, shaking his head.
The last thing I saw was the smile playing on his lips.
The fact that I’d nearly declined coming to this event only to end up with a taco date was kind of interesting.
I’d been so ready to finish unpacking and settling in since the school year was around the corner, but I was glad I hadn’t flaked.
Butler had paired me with Averie, my “buddy colleague,” so I’d know someone when I started in a little over a week.
While I couldn’t wait to begin teaching visual arts to the middle schoolers, I wanted some time to relax.
But Averie and a few other colleagues had become excited about me learning more about the rich history of Altadena and experiencing everything I hadn’t already seen or visited in Los Angeles County.
She’d thought it a good idea for us to attend this local public library event to help me meet like-minded people and find potential guest speakers for classes throughout the school year.
Butler had been my top choice since it included the arts, unlike a few other institutions that had STEM-focused curricula.