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April Rain

His Secret

By Tamara BrownPublished 3 years ago 13 min read
7

On a crisp Friday morning, I rose out of bed excited about it being my last day working at the Dasher Diner. I hurried to jump in the shower and dressed in our uniform; Black skirt, white top, and red and white ruffled apron. I forgot to wash the apron from the day before but I didn’t care because it was my last day working in that place. Roger Dash, my manager, was a stickler for being on time so I hurried out of the door to catch the bus. I hated the way Roger called my name right before he scolds me about being late to work. AAAPRELL! I am overjoyed that I don’t have to hear his squeaky voice ever again after today. Before I leave today, I will be sure to correct him when he says my name wrong. My name is April Rain Johnson not pronounced “Apreell.” I was so grateful when I got the letter stating that I had been granted a full Scholarship to NYU two weeks ago. I moved to New York from Alabama in hopes of attending NYU three years ago. I took a leap of faith and just moved away from family and everything that was so familiar to me. Well, I didn’t get in at first so I took a few classes at a junior college. It was hard for me to work at that grimy diner and attend classes. Especially since Roger was not willing to work with my class schedule.

My bus arrived and I gladly hopped on knowing this would be my last time catching this bus. I was about to take a new journey in my life and I wasn’t going to let anything ruin my joy. I got off at my stop and walked my normal three blocks to Dasher Diner. Laura greeted me at the door. “Girl get in here! I’m so jealous that you’re leaving instead of me!” She said as she walked with me to the back to clock in. “Yes girl! I can’t wait until 3 o’clock today!” I said as I clocked in and tied my apron around my waist. “Apreell!” Roger called from his office. I looked at Laura and rolled my eyes and walked towards his office. “Yes Roger?” I said standing in his door. “I need you to stay until 5 today. Shannon will be late coming in this afternoon.” He said looking at me. “Sorry I can’t today.” I said as I turned and grinned at Laura. I had waited so long to say that. I didn’t wait to see his expression, I just walked off towards the front to service the customers. It was 6am and the first wave of coffee drinkers were herding through the door. I was so happy to let all my regulars know that I would no longer be there after today. Some were sad to see me leave and some even left me a larger tip as a goodbye gift. The day went smoother than normal. Maybe I was on such a high, that nothing really bothered me. Finally! 2pm rolled around and I only had one more hour to go. For a moment I thought about what I would do for money once I started classes at NYU. I shook it off and told myself I would figure things out like I always do.

A nicely dressed gentleman entered the diner. Our eyes met and his blue eyes almost took my breath away. Laura came and stood next to me and whispered, “You better go seat that gorgeous man before I do.” I snapped out of my staring, grabbed a menu, and headed over to seat him at one of the window booths. “Hi! What are you having today?” I asked after he sat down. “Yes, April, I will have the house lunch special.” My name sounded so smooth riding on his deep tone voice. I couldn’t understand why I was so attracted to this man. I’m a black afro-centric female and he is a white gentleman that looks like he works a white-collar job. This was strange to me but I finally was able to find my words and said, “Ok, a burger and fries. What would you like to drink?” He looked into my eyes with a grin and said, “a sweet chocolate milk shake.” Chills ran up my spine. I scurried away like a blushing little girl on a playground. Laura came over all hyper and said, “Girl I heard that! He wants some of that sweet chocolate shake! I wish he had a taste for vanilla shake today…” We both laughed out loud. Laura is white and she and I instantly became close when I started working at the diner. We are both single so we spend a lot of time hanging out, eating at restaurants, and hyping each other up to do the craziest things. One time she convinced me to go to an interview with Cirque De Soleil. IT WAS A DISASTER! But we laugh until we cry every time we talk about it.

I took a glance at the clock and I had 45 mins until I clock out. “Ding!” Joey, the cook, hit the bell because the gentleman’s order was ready. Laura gave me the side eye as I picked up his order and headed towards him. I noticed he was writing in a black notebook. I was coming from behind him and slowed my pace so I could be nosey and get a glance of what was written in it. When he noticed that I was walking up behind him, he quickly closed the book and sat it on the seat beside him. I knew that whatever it was, he wanted to keep it very private. Who is this guy and why is he even in this part of town? I thought. I left him to eat his lunch and started preparing to leave. As I was counting down the register for my shift, the gentleman got a call on his phone. He left money on the table and rushed out of the diner. I was kind of upset because that meant that I had to clean that table before I clocked out. I walked over with my rag to clear and wipe down the table and saw that he had left the black book on the seat beside where he was sitting. I picked it up and rushed out of the door to try and hand it to him but he was driving off down Mayberry Avenue. I let Laura know that the gentleman had left his black notebook and that I was going to leave it on the shelf under the register. “No. You are taking it with you.” she said. I laughed and told her, “No I am not.” She said, “Think about it April. This is your last day here so what are the odds that you will run into him again. You are clearly attracted to him. So, when he comes back looking for it, I will give him your number. You can meet him somewhere public, of course. Then you can actually talk to him and find out who he is.” Deep down I wanted to see him again. “Okay Laura… but I’m holding you responsible if this turns out bad” I said as I leaned to give her a hug. I clocked out and said my goodbyes to everyone and rushed out of the door. I went straight home and washed the crud off me from the diner. I sat on my couch trying to find a good Movie on Netflix to watch as I ate my dinner. I saw the black notebook poking out of the top of my bag. I was really curious to see what was written in it and what it would reveal about the mystery man. I couldn’t resist. I grabbed it and started flipping through the pages. It was filled with Women’s Names, phone numbers, and some type of codes. I sat and stared at the information for about 30 minutes. My phone rang. I did not recognize the numbers.

“Hello?” I answered.

“April?” the voice on the phone asked.

It was him! I was filled with excitement just to hear his voice again!

“Yes. This is April.” I responded.

“This is Sam from the diner. I believe you have something that belongs to me.” He said.

“I do Sam. How much are you willing to pay to get it back?” I asked jokingly.

“Name your price.” He laughed and said.

“Okay Sam….. $20,000.00.” I said with a laugh.

“Done…. Honestly, I was hoping to see you again April. Your friend at the diner told me that today was your last day. Meet me tomorrow in Central Park around noon.” He said so seductively.

I was stumbling over my words at that point. “Yes, I mean I’ll try to be there tomorrow.”

We said a few more things and hung up the phone. I was so high off of the thought of him being interested in me that I didn’t remember the rest of the conversation.

The next day I was at the park a few minutes early. I was so anxious to see him again. He came walking up to me, well dressed and as good-looking as when I first saw him.

“Hello April. I’m glad that you were able to make it.” He said with a smile.

“Hey! Yeah, I’m glad also. So, I hate to pry but is that a book of like all of your girlfriends? I mean, it wouldn’t surprise me if you had that many…” I said jokingly.

He laughed loudly and said, “So is that a way of you telling me that you find me attractive?”

I laughed and said, “Don’t even go there!”

“It’s for my job. It’s a way of keeping up with all my clients.” He said as we strolled through the park.

We walked and talked for hours. We even stopped and grabbed some food, talked, and laughed. I got so caught up in his charm that I lost track of time. His name was Sam Palmer. He grew up in LA. He moved here to start a Tech business with a high school buddy but it did take off. His friend moved back to LA but he decided to stay and “explore” other business ventures.

I noticed that it was getting dark and told him that I should try to make it to the bus stop before it gets too late.

“Let me drive you.” He insisted.

“Okay but my friend Laura knows your face, if I come up missing.” I said as we both laughed. He then led me in the direction of his car.

We walked to his car and I noticed it was a black Tesla. Apparently, whatever the other business venture was, he was very successful at it. He opened my door so I could get in. He placed the black notebook on the backseat before he sat in the driver’s seat. Before I could give him my address, he turned and asked, “Can I take you to dinner? I know a nice restaurant inside of this hotel. The food is fantastic and I would love to take you tonight.” I wasn’t that hungry but I didn’t want the night to end. We entered the restaurant and the place was absolutely beautiful. I had gotten cute for our meeting but I felt underdressed when I stepped into the restaurant. He took my hand as we were escorted to our table. After great conversations, great food, and a few glasses of wine, he told me that he didn’t want the night to end. I second that. We sat for a moment just looking into each other’s eyes. I must admit I had never had anyone to make me feel the way he did. He paid the check and we walked out into the hotel lobby. I stopped to look up and take in the all of the beauty. When I looked back at Sam, he leaned in and kissed me passionately. He pulled me closer and I was captivated by his touch. “Will you stay with me tonight?” He asked. I couldn’t help it. I said yes. He got a room there. We could hardly make it inside the room as we were taking each other’s clothes off. We made love, talked, laugh, and made love again. Before almost falling asleep from exhaustion, Sam said he wanted to confess something to me. He told me that when the Tech business flopped, he found himself in desperate situations. He was determined not to return to LA as a failure. One day, while window shopping and trying on clothes in Saks & Fifth Ave, a lady approached him about becoming a male courtesan. He went on to tell me how he was hesitant at first but the money was too good and too easy to turn away. I sat up in the bed shocked at the news. It was clear to me why I was so charmed by him. He told me the codes were a series of numbers that helps him identify the women’s age, the date he was last with her, and the date scheduled to see her again.

He said, “April I know what you are thinking and it’s not like that with you! I really enjoyed just being with you today.”

When I could finally choke out some words, I said, “So those are really the names of the women that you sleep with?!!”

“I do not sleep with all of them. Some of them just want someone to talk to because they are lonely. Most of their rich husbands are out screwing women younger than them. I just make them feel seen, and heard, and beautiful again.” He exclaimed.

“SO AM I LIKE A CHARITY CASE OR DO I LEAVE THE FEE ON THE NIGHTSTAND?!!!” I said as I jumped up to grab my clothes.

He ran over and grab me from behind. “April please! Let me have this night with you. I love being myself with you. I don’t have to pretend when I am with you. Please stay with me tonight.” He said and began kissing me softly on the back of my neck. I couldn’t help but to melt back into his arms. He laid me back on the bed and made love to me once more before we fell asleep.

Morning came and I looked up to see the clock say 9am. I sat up and looked around but Sam was not in the room. I tried to process how I should feel about everything. I had to admit that was the best night of my entire life. I got out of bed to go to the restroom. On my way, I noticed an envelope on the nightstand with a note that said, “Here is the $20,000.00 I agreed to, Love Sam.” I thought to myself, wow…this bastard treating me like I’m the prostitute! I went to the restroom freshened up and dressed. The black notebook was also on the nightstand with the envelope. I wanted so badly to check and see if MY name had been added to the book. I was too afraid to find out. I decided to just leave with my dignity. I headed for the door and before I could reach it, Sam walked in with bagels and coffee. “Hey you’re awake!” he said as he walked over and sat the items by the TV. Tears began to roll down my cheeks and I back up and sat on the side of the bed. As he stood there staring at me trying to make sense of my tears, I reached over and grabbed a pen, opened his black notebook on the nightstand and signed my name, April Rain Johnson.

The End

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