After work as I was laying on my bed wondering where my life had disappeared to, I received a call from Keith. The stupid ass had told me earlier in the week that I�d forgotten my scarf at his place and the call was to inform me that if I knew what was good for me I�d better pick it up at that moment because one of his friends almost ran off with it. Needless to say, I wasn�t in the mood to get on the smelly subway but as I was bored to death, I decided to get my stuff.
How would I describe what I saw when I got there? The door was slightly ajar and when I walked in, I heard the first few bars of �Pretty Girl� by Jon B. My jaw fell to the floor. When I tried to ask him how he knew I loved that song he put his forefinger on his lips indicating that I shut up. I sat next to him on the bench and listened as he sang to me! I swear it was like a dream. His voice isn�t smooth like Jon B�s but has the roughness/rawness of Bryan Adams �not that it�s as good. I was so touched. No one had ever done anything that sweet for me in my life. I mean my parents and friends can be thoughtful at times but this was exponentially better.
When he finished I said, �So you wake up wet thinking of me, huh?� That�s a line from the song.
He smiled then put his hands up in mock denial, �Don�t blame that one me. Blame Jon B.�
�But you sang it,� I insisted. We smiled at each other. I asked eagerly, �How in the world did you know I loved that song?�
�You told me.�
I racked my brain but couldn�t remember ever telling him anything about that so I asked when I did.
�Online. Remember when you saw that my cybername was �PleasuresYouLike?�� Pleasures You Like is Jon B�s third album. I couldn�t believe he remembered. As I returned to earth I noticed that the table was set with all my favorite dishes �from Nigerian fried plantain to lasagna to peach cobbler. I couldn�t believe that this guy pays so much attention to what I say. Worst of all, I felt awful for not paying him the same level of attention. Basically I felt like a bitch. And no, I don�t mean a Babe In Total Control of Herself.
After the meal, he took me to the living room and you guessed it, from our discussion at Blockbusters, he was able to pick out some of my favorite movies. How sweet could he be? He even forwarded Gosford Park to the part I liked. I wasn�t really in the mood for the movies so instead, he put on some Sade and we danced. It was quite magical. As they say, all good things must come to an end so when the time for me to leave approached, he held my hand and asked me to wait an extra minute.
He came back to the living room with a gift wrapped package. I couldn�t believe that upon all he�d already done he�d gotten me a gift. I didn�t think it was appropriate.
�Keith I can�t accept this. You�ve already done too much for me,� I said seriously as I refused to accept the gift.
He made a mock-hurt face, �No. This is for you, if you don�t take it, what am I going to use it for? Come on, it�s yours Femi.�
I stood my ground. �You could always take it back to the store,� I pointed out.
�Nope. �All sales are final.� Besides I�d be really upset if you didn�t accept it. It�s yours -take it,� he said as he held it out to me.
I opened it and discovered it to be a beautiful camera. As I lifted it he said, �You said you forgot your camera at home so I figured that you needed something to capture your experiences in New York. We could even go back to the Empire State Building if you wanted.�
I laughed. �Wow. I could have bought one of those $9.99 disposable cameras. This is unnecessary. I really don�t think I should accept this.�
�Well you have to,� He said as he opened his door and practically pushed me out of his apartment. As I was leaving he kissed me on the cheek and said he�d see me later. The minute I got downstairs I heard him call from his window and when I looked up, he was holding my scarf out to me. I�d forgotten it again.
On Saturday, I went out with Derrick. So as we were playing footsie underneath the table as I contemplated sleeping with him that night, guess who walked in with his friends? Keith. I smiled at him and indicated he join us but he did the most bizarre thing. He frowned at me and walked out of the restaurant. I couldn�t fathom any possible reason for his behavior so I ran after him. After about a minute, I caught up with him and called out his name as I tapped his shoulder.
�Keith, what�s the matter?� I asked slightly out of breath.
He turned around with the most disgusted look I�d ever seen on him, �Why do I even bother? I must be crazy.�
�Excuse me?�
�Why in the world do I even bother with you? You are so self centered and self involved and if I wasn�t a gentleman I would say you were acting bitchy.�
What da fuck? �Excuse you? What are you talking about? What did I do to you?�
He started counting on his fingers. �I invite you to a party, you flirt with my friends. I take you out, treat you well and what do you do? You just spit in my face. You know what? I don�t have time for this shit.� He looked at me for a second and surrendered. �I don�t even have to take this anymore. It�s been nice knowing you,� he said as he turned around and walked away.
O.K Diary, what da hell is going on? Am I missing something?
Femi, 5:40pm, Sunday August 4, 2001
