My Fabulous Night Out
I’m often inspired by The Heiress to do something fabulous with my life, so a while back when I took my blog vacation I decided to do something I normally wouldn’t do.
I didn’t have my kids and I was ready to go shake my booty but as usual with a group of finicky female friends, no one wanted to go out, so I decided to go out all by myself.
I got dressed in my favorite brown top that makes me look like I have a lot more style than I really do, I paired it with a pair of forest green capris and some bronze sandals with a matching purse. I did my make-up just right and I got a fresh cut and you couldn’t tell me I wasn’t stunning!
So off I went down to Miami Beach to see what was going on. I had Tamara on the phone so I wouldn’t feel so alone as I found FREE parking and sashayed down the strip.
I may be only 5’1″ but when I’m on the stroll, I feel like I’m 7 feet tall. Something happens inside of me where the SUPERSTAR in me comes out and I just KNOW I’m the baddest bitch alive!
I saunter over to Wet Willies and order myself a drink. Every cutie that catches my eye gets a smile and a wink. I sit down on the ground floor so I can watch the people walk by. I’m just a little self concious about being by myself but you couldn’t tell the way I had my head cocked to the side and a smile on my face that said, “I have a secret and I know you want to know what it is!”
My drink is almost done and I’m wondering what I’ll do next. I see two well built guys eyeing me and I smile at them. A few minutes later they both approach me and ask if they can sit down.
“Of course,” I say as I sit back down after greeting them with handshakes. I see them eyeing my outfit and I’m okay with that.
“I like your style,” the dark skinned stranger says to me and smiles, showing an even row of perfectly white teeth. His friend is lighter in complexion, with curly hair. He tells me he is from Louisiana.
“Thanks,” I say and play the humble girl role, like I don’t hear that shit on the regular.
We chat for a bit and they hand me an invitation to a private party during the week at The Ivy, some place I’d never even heard of before. Before they leave I ask them, “What’s going on tonight? Where should I be?”
“Oh, after we go home to change we’re headed to the Shore Club. Have you been there before?”
“No, I haven’t but if you tell me where it is and what time its jumps off, I’ll see you there.”
“It’s on 19th and Collins. The entrance to the party is around the back. You’ll find it and give me a call when you get there,” the dark skinned one tells me.
They disappear and I wait a minute before I leave Wet Willies.
Hmm. Where do I go now? I guess I’ll just walk and see what’s free.
I’m on Ocean Drive and I remember that Fat Tuesdays is just up ahead. I get excited because I know that the dance floor is small but the Dj is kinda good.
I step inside and there isn’t a soul on the dance floor. I don’t care because I’m tipsy as hell and I move to the center to twirl and shake my thang. I guess my bravery is contagious because a few more people step out and before I know it I’m surrounded by a young, mixed crowd of whites, Latinos and blacks out to have a lot of fun!
I start dancing with this one young chico. He’s just my type, a little on the short side with a nice round belly. I flirt with him a little and dance a LOT and he backs away and looks at me like- DAMN girl! Yeah, I fooled his ass! I can’t dance but I’m a great pretender.
I notice that it’s getting closer to 11 so I leave the club and walk down Ocean, people watching and smiling at strangers.
“Don’t even try it,” one guy says to his friend who looks like he is about to approach me. “She’s too beautiful for you.” The guy stops in his tracks and walks away. I shrug, If he doesn’t think he’s worthy, why should I?
My feet are starting to tingle a bit as I hike up to 19th avenue. Damn. I should have taken a cab since I parked on 5th avenue, but a sista only LOOKS like a million dollars, I don’t really have it!
When I finally reach the hotel I find the entrance and the hostess smiles at me and allows me to come in. I release a breath I had no idea I was holding. These damn Miami clubs, you have to look the part or you won’t get in. I have to remember to wear this same outfit next time I go out! LOL!
My eyes grow wide as I enter the party. This isn’t some regular party, I can already tell. The people here are lounging by the delicious looking pool on various beds and what not. They all are coupled up and chatting quietly.
Damn. Where the party at? I ask myself and roll my eyes. Ohhh, this must be the elite party crowd who don’t really DANCE.
In the distance I see a room with red lights and a line outside of it. I stand in line as the bouncer guy allows certain people in. When I’m standing in front of him, he looks at me and looks away.
“Excuse me,” I say to get his attention. He ignores me.
I walk back out to use my cell phone. “Raymond,” I say cautiously when a man picks up.
“Yes?”
“This is Ms. Tee, we met at Wet Willies earlier. I’m calling to tell you that I made it to The Shore Club.”
“Ohh! I’m glad you made it. We’re on our way right now. Wait a minute and I’ll meet you at the bar by the pool.”
I hang up and find the bar. I order myself a drink and shudder when the busty female bartender says, “$15”.
$15 for a damn drink! HELL NAW!
But I play the role like it’s no big deal and pull out my last dusty $20 bill.
I taste the drink and it’s so sour I almost spit it out.
I stand alone for a while, watching the people mill about just as carefree as they want to be. No one talks to me and I don’t talk to anyone. I get tired of the scene quickly and decide that I’m going home.
As I’m walking back up the street my phone rings, it’s Raymond.
“Hey Tee, where are you? I’m standing outside the Red Room looking for you.”
“Oh, I was there, but I couldn’t get in so I left.”
“Yeah, it’s kind difficult to get in here, but I would have gotten you in.”
“Don’t worry, maybe another time. I’m kinda tired and I have to walk back to 5th to my car.”
“Walk? Why don’t you take a taxi?”
“It’s a beautiful night and some friends said they’d be here. I’m hoping to run into them,” I lie.
“Ok, It was nice meeting you. Keep in touch and I hope to see you on Wednesday at the party.”
“Nite,” I say and hang up.
My feet are definately hurting me and I’m only on 12th avenue! DAMN!
By the time I get to 5th, my feet are stinging.
I take off my shoes and hop into my little hooptie, eager to get back home.
On Wednesday at noon I get a call on my cell phone.
“Hello, this is Ms. Tee.”
“Hi Tee, this is Raymond, we met on South Beach.”
“Oh Hi! What’s going on?”
“Well, I just wanted to remind you about the party tonight. It’s going to be fun, I hope to see you there.”
“I’ll be there, ” I say before hanging up.
I call my little sister a second later.
“Teenie, are you still gonna watch my kids so I can go to this party tonight?”
“Yeah girl. How long will you be out?”
“I don’t know, but it won’t be too late because you know I have to go to work in the morning.”
“I’ll be at your house by 8 then.”
“Thanks Teenie.”
By 9:00 I’m already dressed. Thank God Dianna took me shopping and we found a few cute outfits a few weeks back so I had some ammunition in the clothing department.
When I arrive at The Ivy I shake my head. Nothing but Benz’s and Infinity trucks parked out front. I’m on the phone with Tonya and I tell her about the atmosphere.
“There’s nothing but white people out here girl. And they look like they all have money.”
“But you look good right?” she questions me.
“Come on! You KNOW that!” I respond with an attitude.
“Well, walk your behind in there and have a good time!”
I follor her advice, put on my SUPERSTAR smile and strut.
I walk into the restaurant and up to the hostess.
“Hi, I’m here for Raymond’s party.”
“Raymond Givens?” she asks me.
“Yep, that’s him.”
“Oh, his table is right this way.
She escorts me to a table near the back and I see him. He’s wearing a t-shirt under a suit jacket with some jeans. He looks very Usher-ish. I give him a fake hug and he asks me to have a seat.
I hold my breath and sit down, smiling at everyone at the table. The woman directly across from me is cute and professional looking. “Hi, I’m Sheryl,” she says and extends her hand.
One by one, Raymond’s guests arrive. Honestly I feel like I’m in another world. I wonder if they can tell that this is all new to me. I wonder if they can tell I have two kids at home and a raggedy car outside. I wonder if I stick out like white shoes after Labor Day. But you couldn’t tell I was doubting myself. Once again, I had that ‘I have a secret and I know you want to know what it is’ look on my face.
We all order drinks and conversation is flowing nicely. Every woman at the table looks like some kind of model and the guys are so sharp, I’m very impressed.
This is the crowd I’m looking for, I think to myself. These must be the upwardly mobile young professionals. There are now 6 men and 8 women. Each of the young Black men have white girls at their sides, including Raymond. The Black women at the party were all alone.
“So, how have you been enjoying the dating scene in Miami?” I ask the bubbly Sheryl.
“Girl, I hate it. It’s the same men all over, at every event. But I have to tell you, I have met someone special. And it’s crazy because we met at a party like this.”
“Well, you HAVE to tell me the story,” I say to her and scoot closer to the table.
Dinner arrives and we eat lovely. Bottles of Sky Vodka are brought out and Sheryl mixes drinks for us all. Before I can even blink, everyone is so merry. Yes, MERRY is the only word I can use to describe it. We were all getting tipsy and laughing the night away.
The mood changes as the DJ changes. It’s after 11pm now and hip hop is being played. The restaurant crew clears a few tables and chairs and creates a mini dance floor for our enjoyment. Dancers dressed in go-go costumes come out and shake their things to get the crowd hyped before climbing atop little stands and dancing on them.
One by one, the guys ask the girls to dance. Guess who’s left at the table? Yep, the Black women. We all smirk and look at each other. Whatever!
I’m feeling my drink so I put it down and stand up to dance. I look around, they are actually playing Drop It Like It’s Hot and no one is dropping it at all!
I guess they ain’t ready! I say and commence to do my little booty pop representin my old neighborHOOD, Liberty City to the fullest.
I see a few people stop and stare at me but I don’t care. I’m young, I’m stunning and I’m OUT OF THE HOUSE! NO KIDS! NO KIDS! I’m gonna enjoy this time.
The women are sweet so I give them all hugs as I prepare to leave. I walk over to Raymond and give him a quick hug too.
“Thanks for inviting me,” I tell him.
“We do this once a month, the next party will be at the Hard Rock Casino, I’ll be in touch.”
“Wait!” Sheryl says as she notices that I am leaving. “It’s still early. Dance a little more.”
I raise my eyebrow. I forgot to pick up pull-ups for my 3 year old and if I don’t get home quickly, he’ll have peed in his bed and I’m not trying to have that!
But I play it cool, “One more dance then I have to run,” I tell her and walk up to the guy she’s dancing with. We sandwhich him and rub our bodies all over his. Yuck. Dude had gray chest hair. Double yuck.
I sneak out before anyone can follow me and I smile all the way home.
This uppity crowd is cool for networking, but I don’t know if I really fit in.
I guess I’ll have to see how things go at the next party.
A new experience and a whole new set of people to mingle with.
See, interesting things happen when you step out of the box.