5
Faith’s week went by quickly; she was too busy to think about Joe and what going out on a date with him meant. She wasn’t going to think about it truthfully. Although she was clearly falling in love with him, something she had not planned or expected, she would not expect more from him. She found it amazing she’d met him again after all these years, but to see a future with him was a lot she was hoping for. Not only that, but the fact that they would have obstacles when it came to just their ethnic backgrounds. She knew he was American, but Faith was no stranger to interracial/ethnic relationships. They could be challenging, on top of that, she’d never dated a man of Asian descent. Rarely had she seen couples of the two ethnic backgrounds around either, but it had to be challenging, if not moreso, than the basic black and white. Although nowadays it wasn’t that big of a deal, still, it was something they all had to think about whether you were planning a future or not.
Faith was watering her plants and reassembling the flowers in the refrigerator when Joe
came to pick her up for their date. Faith swore he must have become more handsome in the
past few days. His hair was styled perfectly, his normal suit was replaced with a pair of
denim jeans and polo shirt. His wool trench coat was exchanged for a down jacket and instead of
dress shoes he had on tennis shoes. He definitely was relaxed, which meant the date would be
relaxing also. Joe leaned over and gave her a hug and kiss on the cheek when she set the
watering pail down.
“Wow, you dress down nicely.” She teased. Joe smiled.
“You’re a comedian too, I see.” He laughed.
“Sorry, I couldn’t resist.” Faith grinned.
“Aaaha!” his tenor voice was amused, slightly. “Are you almost done here?”
“Yes, let me clean up and close the store down.”
“Alright. Take your time.” Joe looked around the store and grinned. Valentines day was actually in two days. “How fitting.” He noted quietly.
“Ready!” Faith came out from behind the counter and Joe helped her close the gate and lock it. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and walked her too his car. “My car?” she began.
“Leave it, I promise, I won’t kidnap you and take you to a wooded area.” He grinned. Faith hit him playfully.
“Ha..ha…” she replied.
“Come on, I promise we’ll have a good time.” He grinned as if he had the biggest secret ever.
“I’m scared.” She whispered.
“Be afraid…be very afraid…” Joe teased. He opened the door for her and closed it before going to the other side.
A classic dinner at the Diner with ice cream for dessert, they ended the evening with ice skating in the city. Faith wasn’t sure she noticed anything but Joe that whole evening. They were breathless and Faith was hot from all the activity. Joe helped her off with her skates and they decided to get a cup of coffee before ending the evening. Breathless, Joe looked up at her as he slipped her skate off. He smiled before rubbing his fingers over the bottom of her foot. Faith shook her had and laughed as he tickled her softly.
“Stop, please…” she snorted, then covered her mouth. Joe chuckled. “Oh my goodness!” she laughed. “You’re so mean.”
“Sorry. I couldn’t resist.” He sat up when done and watched as Faith’s eyes shone in the lighting around the rink. Faith’s lips spread in a smile that had never faltered that evening. Joe didn’t even think about the next few seconds.
“What?” Faith whispered. Joe shook his head, leaned closer to her face, their eyes still locked , faith’s smile finally faltered, but she didn’t move away. Joe kissed her lips lightly, when he saw her eyes flutter close, the warm air from her nose stopped, he pressed his lips against her again, then again, before keeping them. Joe pulled her body closer to his, coaxing a deeper kiss from her, until he heard it. That small moan that clearly told him he better stop, for his own sake. Joe let her go, slowly, and waited for her to look at him. He could tell she was not upset, hell, not after that kiss, he thought cockily. Faith finally opened her eyes to a grinning Joe.
“You’re just so proud of yourself.” She noted. Joe smiled wider. “Sickening. My feet are cold now.” She pointed to her shoeless feet and Joe chuckled.
“Oops, didn’t want to pass up that moment.” He laughed and helped her with her shoes. He changed his own, looking back at her every now and then. Faith’s smile was pasted on her face again. He stood up and held put his hand. Faith let him pull her up, noting that Joe didn’t release it afterward. They didn’t talk for a long time as they walked back to his car. Joe drove her back to her flower shop.
“Faith?” he began.
“Yeah.”
“Something’s happen for a reason.” He stated.
“I know.”
“Good.”
Faith drove home, less in thought, more excited about what tomorrow would bring. Joe kissed her! Faith giggled excitedly in the car. It was cold outside, but she felt warm and comforted at the moment.
She called her parents as usual, her mother taking the phone from her father after a while.
“So what happened?” she asked.
“It was great. I had a wonderful time with him. We ate, went ice-skating, and…” she stopped. “Mom, what were you so secretive about earlier this week?”
“Nothing. I just had a thought, that’s all.”
“About what?”
“Not much, I just remembered about that school year and the young boy you constantly went on and on about. I thought it was just you being fanciful.” She sighed, laughing lightly. “You don’t remember what you said, did you?”
“Not really.” Faith snorted.
“I’ll tell you later, then.” Her mother was smiling, Faith knew. She didn’t press her though. They said their “I love you’s” and good byes before hanging up. Joe also called, making sure she was home safely. They didn’t get off the phone until well after the early morning hours.
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