Just Missed the Heat

I can’t believe I left work when there was so much work left to do. That’s not me. It makes me feel so irresponsible.

But forget it, it was time to go and like my sister said, “That same pile of work is gonna be there when I get back next week.” The office was empty anyway, everyone is on vacation, well almost. One of my department members was scheduled to be there but she showed up for about an hour, then she left. I don’t care. Without her there I can play my Kanye CD’s loud and rhyme along whenever I want to.

I have an hour and a half before I have to pick up my sons from daycare and I have a million things to do in preparation for a night out with my friends.. My first stop is the barber shop to get a line-up.

I arrive, out of breath and burst into the barber shop door. There’s one customer in the chair and one waiting. I smile at all of the men and sit down. The one waiting smiles back and says Hi.

“How are you?” I ask him politely.

“I’m fine, now. And I see you are too.”

He moves to the seat next to mine and I see the barber smirk.

Here we go. I roll my eyes.

“So, I’ve seen you in here before haven’t I?” he says. “By the way, my name is Chris.”

“Hey Chris. I’m Ms. Tee.”

“Ms. Who?”

“Ms. Tee.” I say pronouncing my name for him.

“Whoa. That’s very pretty.”

“Thanks.” I say and give him a genuine smile. “Maybe you have seen me in here with my sons. We just started using this barber.”

“Yeah, well he’s good. I’ve been going here a while. Um, are your boys with your man right now?”

~rolls eyes~ I look away. “No, they’re not. They’re at daycare.”

“So, do you have a boyfriend?”

I react as if he just asked me if I have herpes.

“What makes you think THAT?! Why do I have to have a boyfriend?” I frown.

He sits back in his seat, taking note of my reaction and for the first time I really take notice of him. He’s a medium brown tone, neither light nor dark with a little mustache. His clothes say ‘I’m off today but even when I’m chillin I make sure I’m fresh.’ Kinda nice-looking but definately too forward. I didn’t give him any signs that I wanted him to come talk to me.

I bet he’s one of those men who has at least 3 women at all times.

“I’m just sayin,” he says and picks up a magazine. “You’re too pretty not to have a boyfriend.”

“Well I don’t.” I say. “And I’m cool with that.”

“Well, why don’t you have a man?”

I’m trying my best to contain my annoyance and in my opinion I’m doing a great job.

I look him squarely in the eyes and respond, “Cuz I’m crazy.”

He laughs.

“You don’t have to believe me if you don’t want to but um, I’m crazy.”

“Crazy how?”

“Crazy in a way you’ll never have to find out about.”

“What if I want to find out?”

“You don’t. Let’s leave it at that. Ok?”

He sits back and smiles at me. “Ok, MS. TEE.” he says making sure to pronounce my name correctly. “Green eyes, huh?” he says to himself and continues looking at the magazine.

Whatever.

Dudes are so funny.

I’m out of there in less than an hour and on my way to the local discount clothing store to find an accent piece to lead me in a direction of what I’m wearing. It could be a belt, some earrings or a top. I’m hoping something catches my eye because I have no clue what I will be wearing. I have been looking forward to tonight for a week. I’m going to an event put together by a luxury living magazine that promises a chance to meet and greet the Miami Heat basketball team.

I’m a Heat fan, but um, I’m not really into basketball. I’m hoping to run into someone from the magazine and get an ‘in’ so that I can freelance for the magazine.

I’m on the phone with Tamara as I step out of my car. It’s breezy and cool. Definately sweater weather. We’re discussing possible options for my outfit tonight. As soon as I close the door to my chicken nugget (my car) I hear a voice behind me.

“BEYONCE!! BEYONCE!!” he calls out.

I pause and look around, confused. Then I LAUGH!!!

Hahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!

“I like that,”I say to him as I walk by.

“Excuse me! Can I be Jay-Z?”

Hahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

That’s classic!

I walk into the store and hang up the phone with Tamara because I need to concentrate.

I hate shopping because it just frustrates me but I have to get some kind of idea about what I should be wearing. Originally I planned to go the safe route and wear all black. You know, a true black sweater with black slacks and closed toed heels is always classy yet, understated. That outfit paired with my large black rimmed glasses would give me a mysterious look and illuminate my skin tone. But I wasn’t feeling mysterious.

After trying on a plum hooded zip-up sweater and a t-shirt that read: You Look Hotter Online, I almost gave up. As I fingered the accessories to see if anything would catch my eye I saw a creme colored corduroy jacket hanging on the wall and my mind started working.

If I wear this jacket I won’t be cold, PLUS I can wear any wild colored t-shirt underneath and a pair of jeans over heels. PERFECT!!!

The jacket only cost me $12. Merry Christmas to me!

I head on down to get my kids when my sister calls me. “Hey Tee. What time do you want me to be at your house to watch the kids because I got a flat tire?”

“Aww man. For real? Do you need help?”

“No. I just need to buy a new tire and bring it back here and put it on.”

“Well, I was trying to be at the event by 7 because I don’t want to miss anything, but just…just get to my house whenever you can.”

I call Dianna and tell her that we’ll shoot for an 8:00 arrival time at the event. I call Marsha too and tell her the same thing.

I asked Marsha and Dianna to come along with me because I knew they’d be comfortable in the atmosphere and I like hanging out with them. It doesn’t hurt that they are both tall and lean and very well dressed. Any attention they get will benefit me because while they can pull the men, I can get the info out of the men for the contacts I need to pursue my goals.

What? You don’t pimp your friends? Yeah right? Every one of us is friends with someone else because they give something that we like. It may not be money or free services, but they make us laugh, they make us feel good or they teach us things we can use to succeed. My friends pimp me too. Any damn resume or cover letter or essay or speech or any damn thing that has to do with writing or speaking definately comes my way and I help ofcourse, because that’s what I do.

I was surprised when they both said yes. It’s usually difficult as hell to get someone to come to an event with me. Everybody is so busy with their own lives.

I pick up my boys and roll on home.

“What’s for dinner Mama?”

Oh damn. “Um, hollup. Go in your room and I’ll let you know.”

I open my cabinet and sort through the contents. “Hmm. Look’s like ravioli tonight.”

I open up a can and pour it into the pot. I turn the heat up and go into he living room.

We cheated! We cheated! We opened our presents on Monday so the boys are already playing with their toys. They loved the gifts I gave them. One camping tent and one pair of bouncy balls.

When my sister asked what I got them I told her and she laughed. But I know my boys. They are forever trying to hook up the sheets to their beds so they can crawl under and play spaceship and act like it’s their clubhouse. Ofcourse the sheets are always falling down. A camping tent would be perfect because their room is big enough for it and their two beds. The two bouncy balls are perfect because they lost all of their balls and when they go outside they complain that they don’t have anymore balls. PRESTO!!! I’m Super Santa!

Now in addition to the balls and the tent I got my older son a learning toy to help him practice his spelling and I got a gift for them that was secretly for me.

A KARAOKE MACHINE!!!

When I saw it I knew I had to have it! I mean, they had to have it! ~cough~ We open our presents early because they spend Christmas with their father so I won’t see them on the actual day.

So the boys and I go into the living room where the karaoke CD player is hooked up and we all sing and dance while the ravioli is warming up. You should see my Boo-Boo singing, “Come up in the spot lookin extra fly!” LOL! He’s so cute! He even pops his collar when he sings it! I melt…

Someone rings the doorbell and it’s my sister. Dang. She finished already. Well, since I already told my girls we were shooting for 8:00 I wouldn’t push the time up.

I fed and bathed my boys and dressed them for bed. Then I changed into my outfit to model for my little sister.

“What do you think Teenie?” I asked her. I was wearing some light blue jeans, an orange shirt fitted tee with writing on it, some closed toe bronze heels, bronze earrings and bracelet and my creme jacket.

“Uh,” she said and wrinkled her face. “I thought you were going to meet the Heat. You look broke-down.”

“Stop playin! This is what I’m gonna wear!”

“Well go ahead if you want to, but, don’t call me telling me people are laughing at you. You can definately do better than that.”

“I hate you.” I tell her as I remove my clothes.

“Just blame me for everything!” she jokes. “I bet I was the one who made you have these kids too, huh?”

I laugh, “SHUT UP!!!”

Who has a closet that is superorganized? I bet all of the clothes face the same way on the hangaers. They may even be arranged by color and season.

~raises eyebrow~

Well I don’t. My shit is all outta wack! I don’t even know what I have!

So I start sorting through clothes until I find a pair of jeans that I have never worn. They are medium blue with little diamonds on the pockets and hips. Hmm. These are a possibility. I toss them onto my bed.

“I’m just going to wear a sweater and some jeans!” I yell out to my little sister who is in the living room playing video games with the boys. Yes! My boys have those little plug-n-play video games now! They’re grandparents bought them for them. It boggles my mind! My babies are playing VIDEO GAMES!! Wow! What big boys!

But I hate video games so they better not ask me to play with them. ~smile~

My sister yells back at me, “Wear that black sweater, the one with the funny neck. That was real nice.”

I pause while shuffling clothes around. Yeahhhh… The long sleeved cow-neck sweater. The texture of the material is soft like a kitten. It’s form fitting, a little sexy and I haven’t worn that since earlier this year. I hope I can find it.

Eureka! Here it is!

I pull it on and it is perfect!

Some plain black boots go along with the outfit and I’m feeling cute but a little motherly because the jeans are not too fitted, but they fit. I look very respectable.

I get a text message from Dianna. YOU HAVE TO PICK ME UP.

I get a call from Marsha. “Hello Dahling. I won’t be able to make it tonight. I’m gonna stay here with my Mama for a little longer.” Marsha’s Mom is in the hospital and her recovery has been slow. Say a prayer for Marsha’s family.

“Ok chick. I understand.”

“Say hello to some ballers for me!”

“I’ll call you and let you know how it went.”

As I’m about to walk out the door my little sister says to me, “I’m hungry.”

What?

“I didn’t have time to go to the grocery store today. What do you want?” I’m a little annoyed.

“I want a chicken quesadilla.”

“DAMMIT!” I screech as I dash to my car and on to Taco Bell.

She’s smiling profusely when I come back. “Thanks!”

I pull out and speed up the avenue to Dianna’s house. It’s just a little after 8 but the event lasts until nine so we’ll get to have a little fun when we get there but not much.

When I see her walk out her door I giggle a little. I love my friend. She’s sooo funny and as usual she looks soo cute tonight! I haven’t seen her in so long! We don’t do anything but fight the whole time we’re with each other but it’s the fun kinda fighting so I don’t mind.

“Bitch! You betta had been lookin nice! You know I don’t play that!” I say as we drive away.

“Whatever hoe! Look, you freakin refugee! Your ass don’t know how to drive for shit! Turn this way!”

“I’m trying to go back to 125th street, we’re going to Bal Harbor.”

“Bitch I know! Just listen and I’ll tell you how to get there.”

“You get on my damn nerves!” I say.

“Whatever hoe! Yo monkey ass don’t know how to drive!”

“Whatever.” I’m waiting a stop sign and I can see she’s getting annoyed.

“GO! DAMN! What are you waiting for?” she asks me.

“Um, I’m waiting for it to be all clear. There are cars down there, don’t you see the lights coming?”

“DAMN TEE! Those cars are freakin two blocks away! It’ll take five seconds to drive through this intersection! Oh my GOD! You get on my damn nerves you freakin REFUGEE!”

She loves to call me a refugee because she says I act like I’m fresh off the boat and don’t know my way around Miami. But bump her. I’m just…a cautious driver.

After many more arguments we arrive in Bal Harbor and I slow down a bit to admire the beautiful homes on Kane Concourse. Bal Harbor is one of the nicest neighborhoods on the North Side of Miami. Actually it’s on Miami Beach. It is THE place for high-end shopping. Bal Harbor looks so different from the Miami I am used to. Miami is a totaly different place if you have money.

“My doctors office is over there,” I say to Dianna and point to an office building.

“You come all the way over here for a doctor? I bet they be taxin your ass! One time I came over here for a co-workers birthday dinner and we looked at the prices on the menu and were like, HELL NAW! We got up and went somewhere else for dinner. I mean if we’re gonna pay all that we should be eating at someplace where we know we are gonna actually LIKE the food.”

“That’s true dawg.” I agree.

We are headed for Bal Harbor Shops, I’m thinking it’s an actual mall but I’m not sure. 9700 Collins Avenue. The mapquest directions say turn left on Collins and make a quick left.

We follow directions but we seem to be in front of a parking garage that you have to PAY to get into. Before we punch the button for the ticket I step out and ask the lady in the booth if this was 9700 Collins Avenue.

“Yep, it’s the mall.” she tells us.

We drive around and find parking and step out. It’s a chilly night but the restaurant in the front of the mall is packed with white people. It looks like something straight out of a paparazzi photograph and I’m scanning faces in the crowd looking for a celebrity.

I feel like a celebrity myself. That always happens when I go out.

We fumble around and I realize that I have no idea where we’re going exactly. I call my sister and ask her to read the invitation to me. It says it’s in Saks on the first floor jewelry section.

My eyes get wide as we walk by all of the stores. Not only have I never been inside this mall. I have NEVER IN MY LIFE been anywhere near any of these high-end stores before.

I’m talking an entire store for Roberto Cavalli. The actual Louis Vuitton store! I’ve only seen those purses sold out of trunks of cars and on e-bay. I walked inside of the Fendi store and walked right out. There were more designer names that I had only seen in the high-end magazines, never so up close before.

“One day we’re gonna be able to shop here.” I tell Dianna. “Watch what I tell ya.”

We find Saks and walk inside. It’s warm and inviting. The sales people are milling about with various customers. 10% of tonight’s proceeds will go to one of the Heat’s favorite charities. I lead the way confidently as I smile at everyone who catches my eye.

In a way I feel like they are all my fans and I must show them that I appreciate their loyalty. LOL! And I’m so serious too! That’s what makes it so funny.

The DJ is playing some weird music and we give him a funny look and head for the makshift bar. We order our complimentary drinks: two apple bacardi’s with sprite and we sip and turn around to survey the crowd.

We walk a little bit. I notice two Black women with long hair eyeing us. There are lots of White people and everyone is being all happy and friendly.

As we take a spin around the store I see a guy approach us.

He walks up to me and says hello.

“Hi, how are you?” I ask him.

“I’m great. I’m Daniel and you are?”

“I’m Ms. Tee and this is my friend Dianna. Are you having a good time tonight?”

“Yes I am. I’m glad I came…” he begins to engage me in conversation.

I had forgotten all about how men are. Especially these young Black professionals. ~yawn~ Do I really want one of these types?

“So what do you do?” he asks me.

Typical.

“I work in fundraising for a non-profit.”

“Oh really,” he smiles. “I’m on the Board of Directors for two non-profits but my day job is being a Mortgage Broker.”

“Sounds like you have your hands full.”

“I sure do, but I like to have fun as well. Say, have you ever heard of Jazz night at the Dictrict?”

“I have,” Dianna chimes in. “I know exactly where it is.”

“Well let me ask you something. If you had to create the perfect night spot what would it be like?”

“25 and up ONLY,” she says. “Pretty intimate. Jazz music. GROWN men. Soft lights. A place to go and meet some real people.”

“Professionals, ” I add.

“Well, you just described the parties we throw,” he says and reaches into his jacket pocket for a business card. He gives one to me and one to Dianna.

“Why don’t you stop by next week and check us out?”

As he’s handing us a business card another gentleman joins our conversation and introductions are made once again. His name is Mark. “You should definately stop by our spot,” he says adding to the extended invitation already given to us by Daniel.

“Hmm,” I tell him. “There’s only one thing wrong with the young Black professionals I’ve been meeting. None of them know how to drop it like it’s hot! I’m from Miami and I was raised on Luke so I have a lot of booty shake in me.”

They both laugh.

I smile at them.

“We guarantee you’ll have a good time.”

A third guy joins the group and Daniel excuses himself. “Hi, I’m Najim.”

“Hi Najim. I’m Ms. Tee and this is my girl Dianna.”

“You look just like Tony Parker,” Dianna tells him. I guess he’s a basketball player or something.

He smiles. “Everyone tells me that. Sometimes I just go along with it.”

I laugh. “That’s what I would do! I’d take all the free drinks I could get!”

He laughs again and stops the server passing by. He’s holding a tray of meat on a toothpick. It looks kinda weird to me so I don’t take any.

“So why did you ladies come out tonight?” he asks us.

“To do a little shopping and meet the Heat. By the way, where are they?”

“Oh, you missed them. They scooted out of here earlier. Actually it was around the same time you first walked in and we bumped into each other.”

My eyes must have said, “What?” because he smiled at me and leaned closer.

“You probably don’t remember bumping into me, but I remember the moment you walked through the door.”

Riiiighhhht…

“So we have to go now. We need to head on home. It was nice meeting you,” I say.

We leave and as soon as we’re out of the store Dianna spills her guts.

“Ughh. That was NOT fun at all. This whole night was soooo YOU! You handled yourself so well but I felt so out of place.”

“You did?”

“Yeah. Ughh. Look at how they talk. Those guys were too proper for me. I need a little thug in’em. As soon as they started talking I was ready to go.”

“Damn, it was like that?”

“Yeah girl but like I said, this is definately your atmosphere and they were sweating you hard.”

“They were weren’t they?” I ask and frown as I try to remember each of the guys.

Damn. Sometimes I swear I forget that I’m an attractive woman.

When I’m out and I see men do double takes when I pass by I’ll be confused. Like, What are they looking at me like that for?

Then I’ll laugh and say to myself, “They probably think you’re pretty duh!”

I usually laugh some more and walk on.

Dianna and I head home and I give my sister a call to check on her.

“Dang! You only been gone for 30 minutes!” she laughs. “This was a waste of MY time!”

“Shut up! I’ll be there in a minute.”