What happens when you have time to kill?
SNEAK PEEK 2: KINGS SURRENDER
(COPYRIGHTED & EDITED)
Kane Williams
We pulled up to the paint shop on the main street downtown; I was able to park in front of the building. I walked around to open her door, then we made our way to the door of the paint shop, only to see a sign that said they were on lunch and wouldn’t be back until another fifteen minutes from now. I peered over at Zarah and she looked at her phone.
“If you got somewhere to be, I can bring you back to your car and I will grab a few paint samples once they’re open again.”
She glanced up from her phone with eyes like a kid who was just caught in a candy jar. She stuffed her phone back into her pocket, then gave me her undivided attention.
“No, I’m good. They will be back in fifteen minutes, anyway, right?” she asked.
“It seems that way, but are you sure? I know you’re busy, and being downtown isn’t your idea of a good time.”
She squinted because of the sun beaming in her eyes and having to look up at me.
“Why do you act like you know me?” she asked.
“I only go off what I have seen. You want to prove me wrong, show me different. Come take a walk with me,” I told her.
She gripped her hips, then looked everywhere but at me before releasing a breath.
“Lead the way and I want to point out this has nothing to do with impressing you or proving you wrong. I just would like to waste our fifteen minutes without being in a silent, tense car.”
I smirked because I loved this woman’s mouth; she was beyond bold and was going to do whatever she wanted. She didn’t give a damn if you were mad, which was why I was shocked when she gave me an explanation in the car. I expected her to ignore the situation and move forward. But she didn’t, so I might not be all the way right when it came to her.
I placed my hand on the small of her back, leading her across the street to our state park. There were vendors out and parked along the sidewalks, but this was nothing new to me. I thought she would get a kick out of it.
“So, how long have you been in Arizona?” I asked, making conversation.
Although, I definitely wanted to know everything there was to know about her. She was so secretive.
“As long as the resort has been open.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. This woman was a trip.
“Are you always ready for a war, even when you don’t see one coming?” I asked.
She shrugged her shoulders and stared at her fingers for a minute.
“I wouldn’t always be ready if I didn’t have to be. No woman wants to be ready for the other shoe to drop. You’re trained to be ready or you will continue to get burned.”
I said nothing because I understood where she was coming from.
“Aye, well, let me wave the white flag to show you I’m not here to fuck with you. I just want to get to know you better. All I ever see when I come across you is this strong black woman who doesn’t take any shit. But, loves a good time as long as it’s on her time. Control should be your middle name, baby.”
Zarah looked up at me as the word baby slipped from my lips. It came out so naturally that I didn’t notice it until she smiled up at me.
“I didn’t mean to say that shit, my bad. I’m not trying to bring your armor back out.” I threw my hands up in mock surrender.
She playfully nudged me with a giggle. “You’re fine and it seems like you know everything, so why ask me?” she asked.
“Maybe my shit might be flawed. I’m just trying to compare notes and see if you came up with the same thing.”
She brought her hand up to cover her mouth as she smiled; I reached over and moved her hand.
“Nah, I’m getting genuine smiles out of you today. Let that rock. Now, what were you telling me about your move here?”
She smiled and lifted a brow in my direction. “Persistent, I like that.” One of her dreads dropped in front of her face and she pulled it behind her ear before replying.
“Uh, When I first came out here it was scary as hell. I come from a big close family, the type of family that you can lean on, but they can also become a crutch if you aren’t the independent type. Good thing all of my siblings know how to get it for ourselves. Outside of the resorts being given to each of us, we had to show we could do it before my mother let up.”
This was the first time I heard her speak of her family, so I knew she was becoming a lot more comfortable. So, I stayed quiet and led her over to this hot dog stand called Smilies. I stopped in front of the cart, then glanced over in her direction.
“You hungry?” I asked.
She looked at the cart, then back up at me. I knew this wasn’t what she was used to, but I was going to put her on to some good shit if she let me.
“Is it good? Have you eaten here before?” she asked, looking around the cart like she wasn’t sure she wanted a damn thing from it.
I held back my laughter because I am sure she didn’t want any damn hotdog from a cart. She gave off the vibes of a woman who loved nice things and fine dining. But I knew she would push past that because I had already been calling her out since we had been here.
“Uh yes, I’ll try,” she responded.
I shook my head and turned to the owner to order our fully loaded hotdogs. I peered over my shoulder and there was a free park bench, so I pointed toward it so she could sit down before someone else did. I reached into my back pocket to grab my wallet, then paid for both hotdogs before taking a seat next to her on the bench.
I handed her the hotdog and a few napkins, which she laid out on her lap. She then glanced up at me with expectant eyes, like she was making sure I wasn’t trying to play her. I bit into my hotdog, then looked in the opposite direction. After she saw me take a bite, she followed, although hesitantly.
I laughed as her eyes widened and she moaned aloud like it was the best thing she had ever had. I couldn’t help it but to smirk.
“Good, huh?” I asked.
She nodded and continued to eat. We sat in silence as we ate until we were finished.
“How did you find out about this place?” she asked.
“I grew up around here and used to be down this way sometimes. I would always stop by here to grab one. I would get my mother something, then myself, for dinner. Life wasn’t always as it is now, but I do everything in my power to keep things moving in the direction they were supposed to go in. Not to mention I have a son who is in middle school. Man, all I can do is try to show him a good example, then hope he follows the shit.”
She took a napkin and wiped the corners of her mouth before asking another question.
“Uh, so how is the situation with you and your child’s mother, if you don’t mind me asking?”
I knew this question was coming, and I didn’t mind giving her an answer.
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