Faith was losing her mind. She had to be. She looked at her phone and willed it to light up with a text or a call. It had only been 24hours since her dinner with Joe, but who cared. She had called her mother and father as usual, letting them in on her day and meeting with a classmate. Now she lay in bed staring at her cell phone as if it was Joe himself. She felt ridiculous and instead of acting like a lovesick girl, she shut off her light and went to bed.
The next morning as Faith finished dressing she was startled by her phones ringing. Although she had plenty of friends and family around, they rarely, if ever, called her in the morning. She answered it to a soft deep “good morning”.
“Good morning.”
“I hope I didn’t disturb you?” he asked, Faith could hear the afterthought in his voice.
“No, I was up already. How are you?”
“Good. Now.” He ventured. Faith smiled. “So, um, what time do you go to lunch?” he asked.
“I usually eat at the shop, since I’m by myself on most days.”
“You don’t have a part time helper.”
“Yes, I do, but she goes to college, so she only comes in three days out of the week to help out and my other worker does deliveries.” Faith said.
“Oh, well, could I stop by with lunch, then?” he asked
“Of course. I wouldn’t mind if you don’t mind eating near a bunch of stems and glue.” She joked.Joe chuckled.
“No, I don’t. Is noon okay? Do you want anything specific?”
“Noon is fine. And anything is good with me, I'm not particular.”
“Wow, impressive.” Joe teased. “Then I’ll see you later, have a good morning, Faith.”
“You too, see you later.” They both hung up at the same time and Faith knew her day would be perfect.
*****
“So, you know I’m going to ask this, right?” Joe started. They both were sitting at a small side table in the back area of Faiths shop, away from the large table with flower clippings and baskets that she used to decorate orders and wrap bouquets. He’d come for lunch as promised, bringing them both something hot and filling in the cold February weather. The conversation was safe and light, but Joe wasn’t a very patient man. He also wasn’t the shy, awkward boy that she remembered.
“No, I don’t know, you have to ask me first.” She replied.
“Smartypants..” Joe sucked his teeth. “Are you married?”
“Married?” Faith blinked. She had not expected that. Nope not at all. “Oh, no. Haven’t done that yet.” She laughed. “You?”
“My mother is still breathing down my neck about that. I’m not sure she knows what she’s getting into if she continues.”
“Oh…gawsh.” She laughed. “You’re enjoying your bachelorhood, huh?” Joe smiled widely. Faith couldn’t blame him, the men her age were happy with being single and playing the field. There were many choices and technically they were still young, with more than enough time to think about those “little things”. “I don’t blame you. I really haven’t thought about it either. It’s just been me and this business for the past five years.”
“Why an floral shop?”
“Because I like flowers?” she replied. Joe chuckled. “I started as an Interior Decorator. I took a Floral Design class as just another part of the Interior design course and enjoyed it. I worked for the previous owners while I was in college, so whenever they were ready to sell this place, I jumped at the chance.” She shrugged. It was Joe’s turn to be impressed. “I’m not sure how long I’ll keep it, I thought to turn it into my Interior Design business later. What do you think?” she asked.
“I have no idea, but it seems you’ve been successful with this venture thus far, I wouldn’t put it past you to succeed there also.”
“Awesome answer, Joseph!” they both laughed. Their laughter died down as they continued to look at one another, both feeling the undercurrent of attraction. It was unexpected, refreshing, and frightening at the same moment. Faith had no idea how long they sat smiling and staring at each other before the sound of the doors bell broke the spell. Faith was visibly startled and excused herself. Joe nodded in understanding and continued to eat, deep in thought as he did so.
There had to be a reason for this scenario to be playing out. Joe hadn’t given a thought to his past classmates throughout the years. A High School reunion had come and gone and he never bothered to attend the yearly gatherings they had always invited him too. It was an effort to stay in touch with everyone, but Joe hadn’t bothered to try. Faith had mentioned that many of the classmates from elementary school came to the yearly reunions and he should come to one.
Faith re-entered the break/office room, almost hesitant and feeling a tad bit awkward. She definitely was not expecting the surge of feelings to envelope her in such a short amount of time and so few meetings with Joe. Was it residual gratitude from twenty years ago, or was it genuine interest? Faith was so confused at the moment, she scared herself. Joe seemed to be thoughtful himself, so she would take her cues from him.
“Sorry about that.” She said as confidently as she could. Her hands resting in front her, then she began to clean up her side of the table. "There are a few customers, Joseph, I have to get back to work. Do you mind?” Joe shook his head.
“No, no…I guess lunch is over, huh?” Faith looked at him apologetically. “Don’t feel so bad!” he chuckled. Joe picked up the leftovers and grabbed his jacket, standing up simultaneously. “I should be getting back to work myself. I’ll call you tonight, alright?” He said, finishing putting on his scarf and picking up the bag.
“You don’t…” she began, but Joe cut her off with a look. Dark brown eyes seemed to let her know that he didn’t do anything he didn’t want to. “Okay.” She whispered quickly. Joe leaned over unexpectedly and kissed her cheek.
“Enjoy the rest of your day, Faith. Bye.” He gave her a lopsided grin and winked at her before turning to leave. Faith raised her hand and touched her cheek. Maybe she wasn’t crazy.
*****
Joe was crazy. Yes, that was his problem. He was just crazy. He looked at his phone and went through his text messages, all of them from his brother. Joe had been repeating the past few days to him and although his brother should be taking advice from him, he needed some married man wisdom at the moment. He quickly texted him back, making plans for the evening to go out for a few drinks. He’ll have to sort out this situation.
Faith sat at her little table staring at the computer screen. The letters and numbers were a jumble amongst the white background. She had some soft R & B playing in the background of her apartment. She really wasn’t even thinking about anything, it was someone. Joe was a curiosity at the moment. What was he thinking? That look was one that even she knew meant business.Her eyes slid to her cell phone and then re-focused back on the computer screen. She would call one of her girlfriends, but Faith never got excited about something and began to spew it to the masses. She was careful to make sure it was settled and firm before bragging. Joe was not settled or firm. He was soft and unsettling. The sound of the cell phone had her quickly picking it up and answering it without looking at the caller id.
“Yes!” she nearly yelled in the receiver.
“I take it you were expecting a phone call from someone?” her mother’s voice was clearly amused, but Faith didn’t bother to aid in it.
“Hi, Mom.”
“You sound almost disappointed, sweetheart.” She laughed.
“No!” Faith tried hard to cover it up, but her mother was no fool. “Not really. But, I am expecting a call, so ummmm, can we keep this short.” Her mother’s laughter almost made her hang up on the woman.
“I’m sorry, Faith, but I’m wondering if you realize that you have never shown this much excitement over a man. I actually haven’t seen you this excited over another male since grade school when that boy gave you a Valentine.” She chuckled.
“That’s the same boy, Mom!” Faith grumbled.
“Oh, really!” her mother grew thoughtful. “But, I thought you said he was just an old classmate?”
“Yes, he is, they are one and the same.”
“Hmmm…”
“What?”
“Nothing…” her mother replied. “Nothing, nothing at all. I’ll talk to you later, sweetheart. Let me allow you to wait for you “Phone call”. I love you, dear.” She chuckled and hung up before Faith could say good night back.
“What is she giggling about!?” she muttered.
Joe called her as promised a half hour later, they didn’t talk long, as he was out with his brother, but Faith agreed to a dinner and entertainment that weekend. She went to bed smiling, but still wondering what her mother was so in awe about.
******
“So, what is this whole old classmate deal?” Sam was a male version of their mother. Although they had the same oval shaped face, his brother hair was longer and his eyes were much smaller with softly rounded chin. He was what they call, adorable. He hated it, so he dressed as adult as possible which did nothing for him. His pale blue dress shirt looked like it had baby vomit on it, Joe observed. He was twenty-five and already married with a three month old and two year old.His parents had not wanted him married so quickly, but given the situation of his girlfriend at the time, he’d wanted to do the right thing and be responsible. After their father passed away, he was more motivated to be a successful family man. In a way, Joe was very proud of his younger sibling. He was mature and took his role as a man seriously.
“I mean, you either like the woman or you don’t.” He simplified. They were sitting in a booth of a nearby bar in Sam’s neighborhood in case he had to run home. Joe accommodated him by coming out this way.
“It’s not that easy. I mean, yeah. No!..” Joe quieted, confusing himself. “Look, she clearly wasn’t thinking along this line when she spoke to me. I almost feel like a predator, Sam.” He cried. His brother laughed.
“Okay, okay, clearly you weren’t expecting this, but come on! This is cool as shit, Joe. How crazy would this story be when you tell your grandchildren.”
“Oh, come on!” Joe laughed. “Why are you going there, you’re worse than Mom!” he shook his head as his brother laughed at his suggestion. “Not funny, Sam.”
“Ok, I’m sorry. But, come on. How does she look? Is she a cute?” Joe nodded.
“She beautiful, but that’s not it.”
“Okay, what, she’s not Korean?”
“Would it matter?” Joe said thoughtfully. This was the first time he actually thought about how ethnically different they were. Of course, her skin was lovely, soft when he’d kissed her cheek, and warm. It was a wonderful earthy brown.
“Maybe, depends.” Sam shrugged.
“She’s not Korean, but who cares.”
“Mom, maybe.”
“Oh please, she should be glad I finally bought a woman home, much less what ethnicity she is.” Joe sucked his teeth. “Even so, she knows I’m not going to allow her to exert too much say in this part of my life.”
“True.” Sam agreed. “Okay, what does she do.” Joe gave him the run down of Faith’s credentials.“So, what’s the problem? Sounds like she’s independent, focused, all that good shit. Hell, she’s got the three B’s!”
“Oh, geez, Sam, come on!” Joe rolled his eyes as his brother snickered. “I just want to know, should I go for it. Should I date her, because I’m sure this was not the outcome she expected when she saw me a few weeks ago.”
“I say, yes, what could it hurt. I also think you like her more than you’re admitting.” Sam noted, drinking the rest of his beer. “Anyway, I gotta run. I smell like baby stomach contents and I need a shower.” He smelled his shirt and wrinkled his nose. “Seriously, Joe, take her out, and go for it. If she responds, you know you’re in. Why am I telling you this?” he raised his hands in exasperation. “You taught me the same thing. Really, how long has it been since you got laid, bro?” he laughed and left before his brother could kick him under the table.
“Obviously too long…” he muttered and sipped his beer.
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