�I just want to make sure you get home safe.�
�Whatever. Like you care. I�ll find a cab on my own.�
�Femi,� he said in an authoritative voice. �Just come in and let me call you a cab. O.K? It�s past midnight and you and I know that you don�t want to be walking around at this time all by yourself in New York City.�
What else could I do? It was a compelling argument. I had to give in.
He called the cab and I was told that I should expect it in 5-30 minutes. After sitting in silence for about 10 minutes (he was doing some work on the computer), I had to let out what was in my mind.
�You know this isn�t exactly my fault.� I said without taking my eyes off his Time magazine.
�Pardon?�
�I mean this miscommunication.�
�Femi,� he seemed bored. �what�s with the cryptic language? What are you talking about?�
I guess I just had to come out with it. I mean he hadn�t exactly let me speak. �You seem to feel betrayed. I didn�t exactly betray you because you never even asked me out. It was just a friend thing, you know, so I was definitely free to date all your friends if I wished.�
He rolled his eyes. �O.K Femi. Sure. I don�t have time to get into any discussions tonight. I�m tired and the second your cab gets here I�m hitting the sheets.�
�Gosh Keith. Let�s talk about this. I don�t want to feel like I offended anyone.�
�Forget it.�
�Keith, you never even asked me out.�
He turned off his computer and faced me. �Oh yeah, how do you figure that?�
I hesitated. �You didn�t, or did you?�
�As far as I know, �Femi, would you like to go out with me tonight� sounds like it.�
Damn he was right. He did ask me out on numerous occasions and I did accept. But they weren�t dates, were they?
�Oops, my bad,� I said sheepishly. �But you never even tried to kiss me or anything you know, how was I to know they were romantic?�
�Femi, I know you�re not that stupid.� He paused. �And I didn�t try anything because your body language just wasn�t having it.�
�Yeah, I guess not. I�m sorry about that. I just didn�t think of you that way because it would end up as a long distance thing and I didn�t think it would be worth it.�
�Women,� he laughed, �you sure have excuses for everything.� I was puzzled. �What about the guy I saw you with that night? You sure looked cozy, distance made no difference there?�
�Come on, that wasn�t serious. You are just such a nice guy that I certainly couldn�t play you like that. You know what I mean?� I was begging him to understand.
He shook his head. �Oh this nice guy shit again. I guess a man�s has to be an asshole to get some play.�
I smiled, � Of cour�,� The buzzer interrupted me. �I guess my cab is here. You know what Keith?�
�What?�
�Since I owe you an apology, I�m going to make your dreams come true.�
He looked skeptical. �Yeah? What are you going to do?�
I opened the door and walked through it. �I�m going to take you out on a date. A real date,� I said as I walked to the elevators.
�I�m broke so you might have to pay but hey, I�m sacrificing my time so that�s more that sufficient.�
He laughed, �You sure are something. That won�t be necessary. Forget about it. Apology accepted. No need for that.�
he elevator doors opened and I entered, �Yes there�s need. Pick me up at 8pm. Thursday at 8pm. Don�t be late!� I said as the door closed.
My fingers are tired so I�m going to summarize. The date was cool. It was just like hanging with Keith in the old days. Laughs, fun etc� I�m still not sure I�m attracted to him but whatever.
On Saturday, I flew back home. The turbulence was so horrible that I was sure I was going to crash. In my fear I wrote a letter to my parents. It went like this.
�Mom and Daddy I love you. Same to T and K. It�s so unfortunate that I got on this flight but I couldn�t help it. As they say, when God calls you, you have to answer. Don�t mourn me. I am grateful to have known you my short time on this earth because you made them worthwhile. I�ll watch over you with Grandma in heaven. Say hello to Amber, Trace and Linda. Tell Janelle and Donald to name their kid after me. I wish I had something profound to say but at times like these, your vocabulary disappears. Always remember me at my best. Lots of love �your daughter, Femi.�
Amber says I should seek psychological help but what does she know?
Femi, 3:45pm, Friday, August 29, 2002
