Chapter 2 Too Close For Comfort

“Man, Judge Tolbert was in a good mood today. He gave much lighter sentences than I could have hoped for.” Terrance said to his colleague Richard Hemphill. They had just left the office after a long day in court and decided to stop at their favorite Downtown lounge Cliffbells. 

“I hear you. Probation for over 4 million dollars in mortgage fraud is unheard of right now. Somebody must have been doing some serious praying to the man upstairs.” Richard responded. 

As they entered the building the soulful sounds of jazz filled their ears as they made their way to their usual table. Richard made a quick detour to the restroom while Terrance sat down. The guy on stage was doing his thing with the saxophone putting his own spin to one of Norman Brown‘s classics.  The flow, the melody of the sound coming from that instrument was hypnotic. Terrance sat back in his chair and began to let his mind unwind from his chaotic day. He leaned his head back and began to bob it back and forth, followed by a foot tap and finger snap. The music was good and he was feeling it. He closed his eyed and let the music take him away. Slowly all of his tension and anxiety was being detoxed from his body. For a brief moment he was no longer in the lounge, he was in the music. The slight touch on his shoulder brought him back to reality. What he saw was much more alluring than the music. 

“I didn’t mean to disturb you but I wanted to get your drink order. My name is Kyla and Ill be your waitress for tonight. What would you like tonight?” she asked slightly smiling.

Terrance had to catch himself before he answered her question truthfully. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her. She was much more than pretty and you can tell she wasn’t even trying. Her black shoulder length hair  beamed off her light complexioned skin. Her eyes were young and innocent fashioned by long dark lashes and neatly trimmed eyebrows. His gaze was strong and he could tell she was starting to feel uncomfortable. 

“ Do you want to start with a drink?” she asked at an attempt to break his stare.

“Guinness. In a glass. Pardon me, I was just caught up in the music.” He lied to save face. 

“Well, well, well….what do we have here!” Richard said as he walked around Kayla. “You must be new because I know I would not have passed you by. I got to leave a tip for the manager. You are a job well done. He laughed as he took his seat. 

“What are you drinking tonight?” she asked Richard.

“Hopefully your bath water. Is that on the menu?” he playfully asked.

“No, but I can tell you what the specials are for tonight.”

“Baby, you are special enough, trust me. Just bring me a Hennessy and coke. Watching you walk away will be special enough for me.” 

“Don’t mind him Kyla, is it? He just isn’t used to beautiful woman speaking to him. We are also going to have dinner tonight too.” 

“Yes, I would the sirloin steak with a loaded bake potato.” Richard chimed in.

“Would you like a steak too?” she asked Terrance.

“Naw, I stay away from the beef. You can bring me the grilled salmon with asparagus please. 

“So you’re health conscious, that’s cute. They say you can tell a lot about a man by what he eats.” Kyla said directing her gaze on Terrance.

“Can I tell you what I eat, little lady? Im more like an all-you-can-eat!” Richard said teasingly to Kyla.

Both parties just ignored Richards sour attempts at flirting and continued talking.

My name is Terrance, by the way. We are regulars here. Did you just start?”

“My name is Richard but you can call my Dick. I mean..me Dick.”

“Or maybe I can just call you A dick!” Kyla retorted smartly. 

Terrance chuckled at her comeback. He gave Richard a glance to tone it down.

“This is my first week. I’ve met some cool people and some not so cool people.” she said as she side eyed Richard. “It pays the bills. Ill be back with your drinks and your orders will be up soon.”

“Man, what is wrong with you? You have to be nice to the ladies.” Terrance said barely containing himself. “Especially ladies that are bringing your food.”

“What you talking about, youngin? She liked that. They all like that kind of talk.” 

Richard was older than Terrance by 20 years but you he looked like he was only in his mid forties. He took good care of himself. He had no wife and no children and his soul purpose in life was to defend the accused as a defense attorney. The only reason he wasn’t a partner was probably because of his sometimes obnoxious attitude. The firm overlooked his personality flaw because of how mechanical he was in the courtroom. He also had many connections in the streets that helped them get information otherwise they would never be privy too. When it came to women they were totally expendable to him. When he needed the company of a female counterpart he knew how to get it, or pay for it. A woman had a better chance at getting into a vaulted bank than that man’s heart. Anybody for that matter. Even though he often talked to Terrance it was only so far that he would let him go. Come to think of it, Terrance had never been to his home or met anyone that he knew outside of a miscellaneous woman he may have been dating that evening. Richard was closed. 

“So how are things coming along with that pregnant wife of yours? Man, you’re about to be somebody’s daddy!” Richard spouted out to him.

“Things are good. Nicole has been so happy lately. We find out the sex next week at her 5month check up. Im really praying for a healthy baby and a few prayers for a son too. I think this baby may be just what we needed to mend things. I’m really excited for this new addition to our lives.”

“Ain’t no baby going to mend things if they were really broken. Hell, maybe they weren’t really broken. But if they were baby or not you in trouble.” Richard spewed.

“Let me guess, I should just live my life alone and care about no one?” Terrance asked sarcastically. 

“Naw man, all due respect to you. You’re a bigger man than I can ever be and honestly I envy you. You not afraid to lose. Im never going to gamble my heart though, not me. Now back to that waitress, man she fine. Ooh Wee.”

“Yeah, she pretty and spunky too. She got right back with you.” Terrance laughed.

Just then Kyla returned with the drinks and food in tow. “Hope everything is good and to your liking. Let me know if you need anything, ok?”

“The food looks great, thanks.”

 Richard and Terrance devoured their food and enjoyed the relaxing music. They talked more about their cases, coworkers, and the current events going on. Time was passing as the two were enjoying themselves. 

“You know we will be closing soon. It’s a school night so you two boys should be in bed already.” Kyla said smiling to her patrons. 

“Man its almost 2am. I had no idea that we have been here that long.” Terrance said.

“Yeah, you got a curfew don’t you, youngin?” Richard laughed.

“Kyla, can you dance girl? Not that hip hop stuff can you ballroom? Im requesting a dance before I leave. I promise Ill be good.” 

Before she could respond Richard grabbed her hand and they headed to the dance floor. Richard was a great dancer and Kyla was able to keep up. Terrance pulled his phone from his coat pocket and realized the ringer was still off from being inside the court room. He cut his ringer back up and checked his missed calls and text messages. Nicole had called four times since 9pm and texted that she was worried. He didn’t mean to stay out as late as he did and didn’t want her to worry but he didn’t regret the good time he had tonight. Richard and Kyla came back from the dance floor laughing and talking about each others dance moves. 

“Man, not only is she kind of cute but she can cut a rug. I would have thought the girl had two left feet but she got it.. Go take her out for a spin before they play the last song.” Richard said.

“Naw, man. Im going to head out of here.”

“Come on, Terrance. I won’t laugh if you cant dance.” Kyla pleaded.

She grabbed his hand to lead him to the dance floor just as his phone rang in the other. He looked as his wife was pleading for him to pick up in one hand and Kyla tempting him to dance in the other. He placed the phone down on the table and let Kyla lead him to the dance floor. She had won. 

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