---

 

This writing was accepted for publication in the 108 page perfect-bound ISSN# / ISBN# issue/book “The Unbridgeable Canyon” Down in the Dirt v218 (4/24) Order the paperback book:

Order this writing that appears in the one-of-a-kind anthology The Limits of Imagination the Down in the Dirt January - April 2024 issues collection book		get the 422 page January - April 2024 Down in the Dirt 6" x 9" ISBN# perfect-bound paperback book:

Date Night

Jazmine Walker

    Ice cubes clinked with a hollowness as they settled at the bottom of the glass. The man looked at this watch and chuckled. She’s late. Time was not on their side. He looked down at his watch again, his palms now slightly sweaty. It had been months since the last time he went out. Tonight, he would geta way. He would see the stars. Where is she? As the liquid rattled inside the cocktail shaker, the man snapped back to reality.
    The bartender poured his drink over the ice and topped it with a freshly cut lemon.
    “Would you like to share a drink? A fine man like you shouldn’t be drinking alone.” An unfamiliar voice said.
    He turned to see a woman two bar stools away from him, smiling and waving. He tilted his head slightly but didn’t immediately return a smile. She was not the one he was waiting for. “Thank you, but I am not alone tonight!” he said. He turned back to his drink. Ten minutes gone.
    “You must be Quintin!” a more familiar voice said. “Hi, I’m Jazmine!” she said sarcastically, extending her hand.
    He grabbed her hand and kissed it. Vanilla and coconut caressed his nose. “The kids?” he asked. He caught sight of the other woman leaving.
    “Yes, of course!” They laughed. “Did she buy you that drink?” she asked, teasing Quintin.
    He grinned. “No. But she wanted to have a drink with me!”
    “Why didn’t you? She may have been the one!” She walked around him, caressing his shoulders.
    “You know—” he paused, looking at her. He didn’t want to waste any time. His eyes darted toward his watch again. 15 minutes gone.
    “If you keep looking at that watch, you’ll miss what’s in front of you.”
    He pulled her close as he turned his stool toward her. “I know, I’m sorry. Babe, you look amazing!”
    “Thank you, Babe. I’m sorry I’m late.” She pointed at his drink. “Long Island? What should I order?”
    “Do you know what you have a taste for?” Damn, she looks amazing. It was like he was seeing her for the first time. She looked different somehow, the same, but more beautiful than ever.
    “Not really. I could start with a shot of tequila, I guess.”
    The bartender placed a glass in front of her and poured a shot. She smiled brightly and raised her glass to his. “To us!”
    “To us!” He took a huge gulp and a sour note slightly traveled across his tongue and tingled his jaw. He laid down $20 to keep their tab open. His eyes darted to his watch again, but he stopped himself. “Come on, beautiful, you love this song, right?” Hand in hand, they weaved a path through the crowd to the dance floor.
    The bass was pulsing through their bodies. Like freshly released tightly wound coils, her hair bounced down around her shoulders as she let down her hair. She danced circles around him on her tippy toes, though the clicking of her heels betrayed her. She moved as if she was on air.
    Reaching for her arm, he pulled her closer, longing to get another whiff of vanilla and coconut. It felt like ages since they had time alone. He didn’t want to let another moment pass. No longer caring about the time, he matched her pace as she slowly danced to the next song. As the song played on, they moved across the floor like a cloud across the sky. All they knew was that right here, right now, it was just the two of them.
    Quintin loved when she would nuzzle her face in his chest. Feeling like her protector, he took pride in knowing that she felt safe. Instinctively, he kissed her forehead and held her tighter. Looking down at her, they met each other’s glance with a smile. He peered deep into her eyes, which resembled pools of liquid caramel. He didn’t want this night to end. His eyes darted toward a watch again, but this time it was hers.
    She noticed and looked at the lit watch face: MISSED CALL- MYA. “Hey Love, did you get any calls? I missed one,” she said.
    “Yeah, I missed one too!” he said, checking his phone. “I’ll step outside and call her!” After talking to Mya, Quintin went back in to meet Jazmine at the bar.
    “Everything ok?” she said, handing him his shot.
    “Yeah, they’re good. Did you see the time?” he asked. He embraced her once again.
    She sighed. “Yes, I did. I can’t believe it’s already been an hour!”
    “Well, you were late!”
    She playfully shoved him. “I wasn’t that late, but when you only have—”
    “Don’t worry about that. I enjoyed every second I had with you! Didn’t you?”
    “Of course I did! I don’t want the night to end!”
    “Me either. Let’s go Beautiful! It’s time to be parents again. He leaned in and kissed her deeply.
    “Do we have to?”
    “Yes, Beautiful!”
    “O—kay! Thank you for tonight! It was amazing. I love you!” She kissed him back.
    “I love you more! Let’s go home.”

Copyright of written pieces remain with the author, who has allowed it to be shown through Scars Publications and Design.Web site © Scars Publications and Design. All rights reserved. No material may be reprinted without express permission from the author.

Problems with this page? Then deal with it...