followed her.
Yes, it was the booth in a corner in the back, in the dark with a moon roof. Lola had plenty of time before the restaurant would get busy. On Thursday nights, they started with jazz performers. That night, it would be Roy Ayers. The hostess asked for their orders.
“I’ll have a butterscotch latte.”
Sterling ordered a tea with a shot of Hennessy. Silence prevailed, eyes fell on each other, time stood still.
“So, Sterling, do you live in New York?”
“Yes, I do. You see, I do business on the East and West coasts. Let’s play the question game.” he said.
“Make it three good ones.”
He pondered it for a moment, and said, “Okay, I do not want to know everything all at once. We do need some mystery.”
As the waitress brought their beverages, he said, “First question. Are you married, living with someone or involved at this present time?
Lola pondered her answer, and said, “And you consider this all one question?”
He replied, “I did not swallow, therefore it is one question.” Another point for Sterling.
“No, I am not married, living with someone or presently involved. My turn,” Lola said. “Why those questions?”
“Before I answer, I want to answer your mind. I have the same exact answer to those questions for you. So you still have three. I volunteered my info,” he said.
“I have one. Why the interest?”
“Primal attraction,” was the reply. Interesting, she thought.
Her cell rang. It was Toni, and it said she was heading over to the restaurant. Lola asked Sterling to excuse her for a moment, and she alerted Toni to how it should be set up. She also advised her that she still had to make a stop home. Lola hung up and saw Sterling staring.
“You’re doing it again,” she said.
“Yes, I am,” he replied. “So you will be at the restaurant tonight?”
“Is this question number two?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Yes, I will be there.”
“Cool, so can I buy you dinner there tonight? And yes, this is number three.”
“Sure you can, but let me treat you. I am sorry, but I have to make a run since it is almost four o’clock.”
“I can drop you. Let me get the car.”
As he did, Lola was thinking about her next two questions. A silver Jaguar pulled up more specifically, platinum and out popped Sterling. He immediately opened the door for Lola. She slid into a black interior with grey and silver trim. She was immediately drawn to the warmth. This feels wonderful, she thought to herself.
As they proceeded uptown, Lola sat back and enjoyed the comfort of the car. It smelled of peaches and mangos, and it rode like a dream. Her mind was on the last thing he said to her as they left the expo. Do you believe in Santa Claus? Yes, I believe. Now she had a question, but it was for herself. Do you believe in emotional love?
Sterling appeared to be a very good driver. His car was immaculate as well. As they drove through the city, one could see that the Christmas Season was in full effect. Lola loved seeing the decorations during this time of the year. As they headed to Harlem, he asked where she had to go.
She said, “I have to run home and change my clothes, and pick up some tickets for tonight. Then I will be heading back to Sandy’s and do my job.”
“Lola, what time will you be dining tonight? I would very much like to have dinner with you.”
Lola was a little taken aback, but she responded with, “I will be eating around nine.”
As he came to a red light, Lola decided to be chivalrous too. “Sterling, for your chivalry, I would like to buy you dinner this evening.” All the time, she hoped she did not offend his manly pride.
“Okay,” he said, “but I choose the music we will dance to, and I will also buy our drinks.”
“Okay,” was her reply. As they proceeded, he turned on the radio. Luther was singing “Better Stop to Love.” As they approached Sugar Hill, the brownstones had literally transformed the block into a Christmas set. The block association did not play; they brought a certain understanding to Harlem. They cared. This season always gave her a little more added ingenuity.
As they neared Lola’s house, she told him, “The number is 965. It is the one coming up on your right.”
“Did you do the decorating?”
“Yes, I did, I am in the process of slowly decorating Sandy’s.”
“Why are you slowly decorating?” he asked.
“So that by New Years, it will blow your mind.”
“I see,” he said. Lola started getting her keys out, and he added, “Lola, do you still have my business card?”
“Yes, Sterling, I do.”
“My cell number is on it. I just wanted you to know you could use it any time. Any time at all.”
“Thanks, Sterling, and when I have a nightmare, I will make sure you are the first person I call.” Lola looked at him with a raised eyebrow, and then they just busted out laughing.
“See you around nine. and Lola, I will be bringing you home after.”
She nodded, and proceeded to open the gate, and climbed the stairs. The house was alive! Lola could smell her Mom’s cakes and, of course, the food she had prepared for dinner. She had made two cakes. As Lola walked in the kitchen, she gave her mom a kiss. Her mom asked, “How did the Expo go? Did you find anything?”
Lola smiled and said, “Yes, for the club, and for me.” She gave her Sterling’s business card.
She read the card and said, “There is never a dull moment with you, is there?”
Lola said, “Guess not.” Lola asked her if she was coming tonight. Summer said yes.
She said, “Okay, then you can see him for yourself. I am going to freshen up.”
“Okay,” she said.
Lola headed upstairs to her bedroom, which also had a small living room. She put her pocketbook down on the chair by the desk, and checked her answering service. She had three messages Maxwell, her architect, Sasha, and Melinda. Lola called Maxwell back immediately.
“There seems to be a problem with the plans space wise,” he said. “But after some extensive looking, I may be able to pull it off,” he added. “Will talk to you on Monday.”
“Okay,” Lola said, “and thanks.”
Sasha
