Chapter 8 - Holding Out For a Hero
“The people who influence you are the people who believe in you.”
- Henry Drummond
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“Guess where we're going, Jake,” Brooke turned around from the front seat and beamed at me with a big grin as Mom drove to today’s adventure, not bothered by Brooke’s restlessness.
“The zoo?”
“No.” She had been playing this game the whole trip.
“Movie theatre?”
“No!” Her impatience grew. She was eager and anxious. Mom, on the other hand, was in her happy place—happy to be going, happy with where we were going, happy with what we were doing. Growing up, I learned to adopt her attitude and enjoyed the ride, knowing our destination would be worth the wait.
Nathan sat beside me in the back seat, ignoring everyone except his phone, where he was texting his girlfriend, Monika.
“Guess again,” Brooke prodded.
“A pony ride?” I goaded her.
“Grrrrr.” Brooke sat back hard in frustration.
“Who doesn’t love a thrilling pony ride?” I teased.
“I should send you home on a pony after this is over,” Brooke growled.
Mom pulled up to a familiar house on the other end of town, but I couldn’t quite place it. Several cars lined the street, as if someone were having a gathering.
“We are here!” Brooke announced.
Brooke dragged me to the front door as she rang the doorbell.
Coach Ryan greeted me. “Welcome, Jake! Congratulations on passing the GED.”
Brooke pushed me inside. People stood chatting, some kids from school and their parents, Brooke’s friends from the office, and others I didn’t recognize. It was a party at Coach Ryan’s house!
His wife moved about, handing out snacks and grilled food. We mingled and greeted everyone. Nathan quickly slipped through the crowd and found Monika.
Then someone else came into the house. I turned around and saw Coach Ryan welcoming Keisha.
Why was she here? Seeing her again was a surprise. Keisha saw me, and her beautiful lips spread into a broad smile. Brooke grabbed her and dragged her over to me.
Keisha extended her hand, and I shook it. The smoothness of her skin and the firmness of her grip made me wish I didn’t have to let go.
“Hello, Jake. I was hoping we would meet again.” The sincerity in her voice caused me to lift my head. Our eyes met, and she wore a warm smile. Is she interested in me, or am I reading something that isn’t there? People were confusing sometimes, almost like Mom’s word puzzles.
Brooke moved between us and pulled us in for a hug, and I caught a whiff of Keisha’s perfume. Brooke’s perfume had a flowery smell, while Keisha’s scent was more alluring.
“Congratulations, you two,” Brooke said to us. “This is a graduation party for both of you.”
A large man came from behind Keisha’s side. He stood taller than my 6'2” frame, with broad shoulders, a barrel chest, massive arms, all muscle, and skin dark as Keisha's. I felt a moment of panic. Was this Keisha’s boyfriend?
Keisha stepped out of his way. “Jake, this is Leo, my cousin.”
“So, this is the great Jake I’ve heard about.” His voice was deep and calming. He extended his hand, and as I shook it, I could feel his immense strength. His eyes were full of kindness. His whole presence radiated strength and trust.
“Congratulations on finishing high school.” Leo patted me on the shoulder.
“Thanks for coming.” Coach Ryan had moved beside us, and Keisha had wandered off. “Yes, Jake excelled in his studies. “He worked hard, and he should be proud of all he has accomplished.”
I stared down at my feet. “I didn’t do that well. Without your help, I wouldn’t have been able to finish. I’m no great scholar.”
“Whatever disadvantages life threw at you, ultimately, you’re the one who overcame them,” Coach praised me.
Leo put his massive hand on my shoulder. From what I’ve heard, you’re hardworking, kind, and caring. You’ll be successful despite any doubts you have.”
I gazed up at his face and saw the sincerity in his eyes—a warmth spread through me. Words escaped me.
Coach Ryan jumped in with a conversation about football. Apparently, their college teams were rivals, and they both told me how much better their team was.
“What about you, Jake? Do you have any college plans?” Coach Ryan startled me by including me in the conversation.
“Well, I’ve thought about it, but we are low on money.” I made it sound like an excuse.
“You just need a job and save up,” Leo said.
“I’ve tried at auto repair shops, but I don’t have any experience. I might have to settle for something low-paying.”
“No experience, eh?” Leo paused and then offered. “If you want, I could show you some basics, at least enough for my friend Cooper to consider you.”
My eyes widened. “That’d be awesome. Thanks so much.”
We discussed some details, and Leo and Coach Ryan resumed talking about sports.
Brooke couldn’t have put together a better party. I assumed she planned it. Mom must have helped and asked Coach Ryan to host this: a low-key, fun gathering with just a few people who mattered, in a comfortable place. At least this time, Brooke discussed it with Mom before trying to fix me up with some young lady.
Just then, someone grabbed my hand, pulled me up, and held on to me. I gazed up along the arm that had my hand and came face-to-face with Keisha. I stammered for words but didn’t know what to say.
“Come on, Jake. Let’s go get some ice cream.” With a firm grip, she dragged me through the house.
“Wait. Isn’t the kitchen that way?” I pointed in the other direction.
She glanced back at me. “We’re going somewhere else to find some.”
Her friendly, confident face made me willingly give up any resistance, except for one thing: Mom! What will Mom think if I go with this woman? I panicked.
Leading the way, Keisha pulled me past a group. I almost froze when I realized Mom was among them. “Grace, I’ll bring him back later,” Keisha said as she passed.
“Okay, but meet us at Brooke’s; we’ll probably be there,” Mom called out to her.
I had to take another glance. That was Mom and Brooke chatting with someone. Did Mom just say it was okay? Were Keisha and I going on a date?
I turned back again and saw Brooke watching us as we went out the front door with the cheesiest grin ever.
* * *
Keisha drove us to a nearby ice cream shop where Mom, Brooke, and I had gone before. Of course, Brooke had been excited and couldn’t stop talking about it afterward.
As Keisha and I entered the place, I realized I didn’t have any money, and I started panicking.
Shouldn’t the guy pay for the date?
Keisha noticed my nervousness. “Don’t worry, it’s just ice cream, and it’s on me.”
Looking through the choices, I saw butter pecan, Brooke’s favorite. Keisha ordered the triple chocolate and had the walnuts and coconut add-ins.
“What do you want?”
I ordered the French vanilla with the M&Ms and Snickers add-ins.
As we sat down to eat, I found myself staring at her again. I couldn’t believe I was so lucky to have someone so beautiful sitting across from me. I mustered up enough courage. “Keisha, you are the most gorgeous woman I have ever met.”
She didn’t give me a silly, giggly smile like a teenage girl. She had a warm smile and sincere eyes as she gracefully accepted the compliment. Emboldened, I remembered the line Brooke fed me. “You are like an ebony goddess.”
A playful smile curled on her lips. “Ebony goddess, eh? I haven’t heard that one. Sounds like something Brooke would come up with.”
I gulped.
She relaxed back in her chair. “She’s also told me about all the fun you two have together.”
“Yeah?” I said, unsure where this was going.
“Do you mind if I tag along sometimes? Brooke suggested it.”
I nodded. If Brooke invited her, I didn’t want to say “No.” That’s not what best friends do to each other. I just wish she had said something to me.
She drew her finger along the table. “But I want you to do something for me,” she said, gazing into my eyes.
“Yes. What?” My heart was racing, and I was on the verge of agreeing to anything at this point.
She leaned forward and put her hand on mine. “Expect disappointment.”
“What? What do you mean?” Now, I was confused.
“Expect disappointment. I’m not girlfriend material, Jake. I’m excited to spend time with new friends, but this is not about romance or anything like that. It’s…” She leaned back in her chair.
“…just friends,” I frowned, already feeling rejected.
“That’s it. You got the disappointed part right. I know you are attracted to me, especially with the line about ‘Ebony Goddess.’” She was beaming. “I’m going to remember that one.”
She grinned at me, hoping to coax a smile out of me. “We just need to think of a good line for you because, honestly, friend, you are a handsome hunk. Any girl would want you.”
“Except you.” I frowned.
“Jake, I brought you out here so we could talk, not for a date. Brooke has you thinking you need to find a girlfriend, but really, you don’t. Learn to be an adult and enjoy time with some friends. Have fun, joke around, and throw in some casual flirting.”
“Like with you, oh, Ebony Goddess?” I cracked a smile.
She chuckled. “I want us to start in the right direction and with the right expectations. You, me, Brooke…”
Suddenly, I realized, “Leo. That’s why you brought him along.”
Keisha was taking a bite as she nodded. “When I told him about you, he wanted to meet you. His work schedule is crazy, but he sounds like he’ll try to hang out with us, too. If it’s okay?”
“What does he do?”
“You’ll have to ask him. That’s part of the fun of making new friends.”
“I suppose calling my new friend an ‘Ebony goddess’ was coming on a bit too strong.”
Keisha stared at me while she took another bite of her ice cream. “Maybe if you were trying to win me over, but you won’t.”
I cast my eyes down, wondering what I was saying wrong.
“That’s it!” Keisha declared. “That’s the look of disappointment.”
She was about to take another bite, but pulled the spoon away from her lips. She beckoned me. “Try a bite of mine.”
I leaned forward, and she fed me the spoonful of ice cream she was about to eat. “That is really tasty!”
“Do you think this chocolate is divine?” she asked seductively.
“Almost heavenly.”
“Then you can tell Brooke that you tasted the divine chocolate from the lips of the ebony goddess herself.”
I almost lost my ice cream out of my nose laughing at that. Keisha laughed with me.
After clearing my mouth, I said, “Brooke would be ecstatic to hear that.”
Keisha’s laughter started putting me at ease about what could be an awkward situation.
As we calmed down, Keisha put her hand on mine and asked, “Are you disappointed yet?”
“Maybe a little.”
“Do you want some more taste of the divine?”
I nodded, not sure what she was hinting at. She then swapped our bowls and started eating mine. I smiled and ate from hers in silence for a few minutes, still a bit puzzled. “Why? Why aren’t you interested in me?”
Keisha studied my face for a moment, then said, “I'm interested in learning about you as a person.” We’ll be friends hanging out, not living in some romantic fairy tale.”
“Why are you interested in me then?” I asked Keisha. “As a person.”
“In the office, Brooke always talks about Jake, her best friend. The girls gossiped. Don, the realtor who keeps flirting with Brooke, was annoyed. Frankly, the whole affair sounded quite suspicious.”
“Suspicious? You didn’t think I was real?” I questioned.
“Oh, we believed you were quite real. We guessed that she couldn't call you a boyfriend since you were still in high school, so you were her ‘best friend’ instead.”
“But we really are best friends. There is nothing weird going on. Trust me. You can ask Mom.”
“After her little impromptu party, I realized she was trying to set one of us up with you. We didn’t know you would be there.”
I added, “And she didn’t tell me y’all were coming. In fact, Mom would usually have been there, but she had to start her shift early and work two shifts.”
“Oh?” Keisha leaned forward. “Yet Grace shows up anyway.”
“I dunno.” That part baffled me, too. “Mom just knows sometimes.”
Keisha relaxed back in her seat. “Grace has her ways, but watching how Brooke treated you was worth it.”
“Why? We’re just normal friends,” I said.
“Oh no, you’re more than a friend to her.”
“What do you mean?”
Besides all the fun, she admires you for everything you do for her. You’re her hero.”
“What? I’m no hero.”
“Brooke thinks you are, and I’d like to understand why.”
“I don’t know. Don’t look at me.”
The smile Keisha had been wearing the whole evening softened and faded into an earnest one. “But I am looking at you. And maybe, I need one, too.”