Blind Mate

"Hey Girlie! What's Up. I know you are trying to do the 'I'm happy being single, loving me, I can take care of myself cuz I'm a strong, Black, beautiful woman thing right now, but I have someone I want you to meet. He's a good, well seasoned man, and I think you all have a lot in common."

"Yeah, if he's so well seasoned, why is he single?"

"Same reason you're single, a mystery unknown. People just don't know how to appreciate good people. Is it o.k. that I give him your number? I've already told him about you."

My first thought was to say "no." I'm not into the "I wanna hook you up thing." For some reason, I connect "hooking up" with high school and desperation. I definitely don't want to go back to high school dating, and Lord knows I'm not at the phase where I'm desperate for a man, but I'm curious. Sole' has never tried to hook me up with anyone before, and she has very good intuition. I guess it won't hurt to just meet him.

(after our first conversation)

I should have known he would have some type of drama. After going through about 30 minutes of his history and background information, I found out that he has 2 children, 2 Baby Mama's. He is a successful real estate agent. Like myself, he just recently divorced (neither children are by his ex-wife), owns his home, has a car, has a relationship with God, attended a local Historically Black College and University, and he spends lots of time with his kids.

I don't know why I allowed myself to meet him, but when he called, there was this overwhelming excitement to at least see him…maybe desperation…who knows. I’m a little lonely, and as my students would say, a bit ”thirsty.” The phone conversation was not long at all. There was no need for a whole bunch of talking. We both just wanted to see each other to make sure there was some sort of attraction. The intimate talking could come later…if there was any chemistry.

"Do you like wine? If so, wow bout we meet at Rioja Wine Bar on Battleground Ave. tomorrow at 6:00 p.m.?"

"I love that place! Sounds good to me."

I was so excited to meet this mystery man but not feeling cute and nowhere near sexy. There was already a plus in his corner based on his meeting location. I love a man with good taste in a venue and who takes lead.

I had braids in my hair, and from the first day I put them in, I was not feeling the look. Immediately, for some reason I did not know, I started taking them out. I wanted him to see me with my natural, wavy hair. Since I wasn't sure about how he felt about braids, I decided to go au naturale. Why do I even care what he thinks? I don’t know him.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

6:00 p.m. could not get there fast enough. I started getting dressed at 4:00 p.m., made sure I had a fresh pedicure and manicure and did my make-up nice and slow to ensure perfection. My hair, big and free, looked better than it did in months. I was feeling good about myself. I chose a white breezy, button up blouse, with a neo soul, bohemian, breezy flare, yellow jacket and opted for fitted jeans. I chose to wear my glasses instead of contacts, so it would not appear that I tried as hard as I did to look cute. I put on my highest boots to help create the long, lean, tight leg look, put on a light ocean breeze lotion and its matching body spray, and I was ready! I guess I was a little eager.

Yeah eager and already 10 minutes late. I had not even left my house. What was I thinking?! Shoot! I was already giving a bad impression, but I convinced myself I didn't care.

I don't know him anyways, and he's probably ugly. Plus, he's got 2 Baby Mama's. What am I doing meeting him? I should just leave my butt at home. Why am I even going on a blind date? That's it. LAWD! I'm officially a thirsty T.H.O.T.!

On my way, air conditioning blasting, sunroof open, singing and swaying to As I Am by H.E.R., cuz I think that I am halfway cute, my phone vibrates. "Dang, it's him." In my unconcerned voice, as if not knowing it is him, I answer.

"Yes…"

Sounding concerned with a smile in his voice, "Hey, where are you?"

"Stuck in traffic on I40. I'm so sorry. I'm never late”(I’m always late, and ain’t no traffic).

Jokingly, in his sexy, low, raspy voice, he says, "Tell me where you are, and I will come and rescue you.

Whooh JEZUZ! I don't know what it is about this comment, but it just made me want to meet him more. I cannot get there to him fast enough, so I fly to Rioja, get out of the car, iron my jeans with my hands, take a deep breath, and---

Buzzzz.

My phone again?!

It's him. Oh heck no! He gots to look like a mud duck calling me twice already. I don't even want to meet him now, but I'm here, so just go in Eden.

More confident now because I have an attitude about my second call, I walk in hard with my stiletto boots punishing the cement floor, ready to do the stereotypical Black woman roll your neck thing and---BAM!

There-He-Is.

Okay. Why is he so fine, and why do I feel like I am about to fall walking in front of him? And why does he have to already be sitting down, facing me? Please don’t stare at me while I walk. Let me hurry up and sit down.

I've been wearing heels since I was practically born, but I feel like a beginner right now.

He stands up to greet me. "Are you Eden?"

Calmly, I answer, "Yes."

But I want to scream, "YES!!!" in a my Coming to America, Hakeem accent, and also add, "I do, promise to obey, love, honor, respect, and vow to be your next Baby Mama." I know I am grinning literally from ear to ear because my ear sockets are aching. I feel like Ms. Celie on The Color Purple when Shug finally convinces her to smile, smiling so big it’s probably almost eerie.

He waits for me to sit, and then, he sits and offers to order me a glass of wine. I am too nervous to drink anything in front of him, but I need time to breathe, get myself together and wipe the sweat from my back, underarms, and neck. I accept.

"Sure…a glass of Merlot, Please."

When he stands up, I take full advantage of surveying the goods. Tall, mocha, smooth skin, perfect butt, chiseled body, broad shoulders, manicured nails, long, slanted, smoky, black eyes with long eyelashes, hair and beard lined and crisp to perfection, and straight, white teeth. HE IS DEFINITELY A TALL GLASS OF WATER, well Merlot in this case.

My thirst is definitely quenched. PRAISES TO THE GAWD!!!