3 Dates and a Movie

Date No. 1

The wind kept blowing her silky straight hair into her face. She was trying to tuck it behind her ears. But it would always find a new angle to blow the hair out again. If she hadn’t been holding the leftovers’ bag in one hand, this might be easier. Suki increased her pace, the apartment was just a block away.

She had thought about taking a cab on her way back but Ana had made her choose a restaurant near their place. She always wanted Suki close, in case she needed a last-minute bailout. She wondered how Ana would react to the latest fiasco. She had done Suki’s hair and makeup. She would hold herself partially accountable for the date not going well. The thought of Ana’s frowning face made her wince a little but the guy had been too boring.

When she got home, Ana was sprawled on the couch. She makes lazing around seem as graceful as another woman walking the red carpet. Suki thought as she took off her coat and shoes. Ana glanced at the clock then at her. One eyebrow raised. Suki just shrugged and came to sit beside her. It would be more accurate to say that Suki half-fell on Ana. They both leaned back, Suki bent her legs beneath herself. She put her head on Ana’s shoulder, they were watching a Reality TV show.

Date No. 2

The music in the bar was loud and grating. Suki wasn’t drunk enough to pretend to enjoy it. Her date was still busy chatting and high fiving his buddies. Her phone vibrated in her hand. It was from Ana, she was at the grocery store around the block. She thought about saying goodbye to her date but he seemed otherwise engaged. Suki picked up her purse and walked out.

The bright florescent lights of the grocery store hurt her eyes when she walked in. Her ears were still ringing from the horrendous bar music. She spotted Ana in the cereal aisle, one hand on her hip, and the other turning around a box of oatmeal. Something came over her, Suki ran up to her roommate and hugged her from behind. Despite wearing sneakers, Anna was still a head taller than her.

“That bad, huh?”, Suki felt Anna’s back moving in time with her words. “Men are exhausting” she sighed in reply. Anna turned around to face her, her eyes caught the gleam from the overhead lights. “You could always play for my side, lots of gorgeous woman in Toronto,” Ana said winking at her. Suki laughed and looked away.

Date No. 3

Suki kept glancing at her phone, her date had started to notice. “Are you waiting for a call?”, he inquired politely. “No it’s my roommate, she told me our cat got out the window” Suki lied brazenly. Their cat kiki would never leave the apartment on its own. If you tried forcing an exit, it would defend its territory with claw and fang. Both Suki and Ana had the scars to prove it. Finally, the phone buzzed, her Uber had arrived.

“She can’t find it, sorry gotta go”, she had already slung the purse on her shoulder and was halfway out the door. Leaving behind a flustered man shaking his head. Suki breathed a sigh of relief as she got in the car. This guy wasn’t as bad as the other two. But something had kept nagging at her. Something didn’t sit right with her, it was like a feeling in her gut.

When she entered the apartment, Ana was trying to clip Kiki’s claws. Suki’s sudden entrance startled both Ana and the cat. Not letting the opportunity slip away, Kiki jumped out of Ana’s lap. She meowed in thanks to Suki once before darting away to one of the bedrooms. Ana rolled her eyes in exasperation. She looked quite adorable doing that, Suki smiled reflexively.

“You look happy for someone whose date didn’t go so well”. Anna said crossing her arms. A stray hair had fallen over her forehead. Suki shrugged and went to the kitchen. She didn’t want Ana to see how fiercely she was blushing.

The Movie

“The Movie’s loaded, hurry up” Suki sent the text. “Climbing the stairs, the elevator’s broken again”, Ana’s reply was instant. Suki looked at herself in the mirror again, this was the first time she had straightened her own hair. Plus the new red dress was working as advertised. She made sure Kiki had enough treats and toys to not bother them for at least a few hours.

The key turned in the lock, Suki’s heart was hammering in her chest. Ana came in and took off her coat. She was saying something but the words caught in her mouth as she saw the ensemble Suki had laid out. The apartment was filled with candles, the dining table was set for two. A dozen ruby red roses languidly stood in the middle. Suki made sure the scent of fresh baked Garlic bread and homemade Fettucine was noticeable.

Ana’s mouth still hung open, although her lips were curving upwards. “What’s going on Suk?”, “I decided to follow your dating advice”. Ana raised an eyebrow and pointed to herself. Suki couldn’t stop herself from smiling “You know how the saying goes, charity begins at home”. “So I’m a charity case huh? is it because I’m black?” Ana feigned mock offense. Suki couldn’t stop from laughing out loud. She had a feeling this date would work out quite well.