Mila

It’s 5:30pm on a Friday and I’m smack dab in the middle of traffic. I can see the cars up ahead all have their turn signal on so there must be an accident. As we all slowly begin to merge to the shoulder, I keep looking at the clock praying it doesn’t move. Swoosh! I just got a text from my boy Mac asking am I ready to go on this double date tonight with his girl and her friend. Of course, I reply back with a hell yea but my mind is telling me this is about to be a total disaster. I squeeze past the accident and jet home to shower and get ready.

It’s seven o’clock now, I’m fresh, I’m dressed, and I’m ready to finesse so I grab my things and head out. Swoosh! “Ey fam, Lisa’s not feeling too well so we’re going to sit this one out. Mila’s # is 040-9190. Stay dangerous.” I’m not a fan of changes but I look too damn good to be upset so I reply back with get well and I’ll stop by soon, pray for me. I shoot Mila a text and asked if she needs a ride. Swoosh! “Park on Haokea Dr and come to Lanikai Beach. I’m waiting for you.” She has no idea I’ve got on a collared shirt and jeans but I’m not changing so I just let her know I’m on the way.

I know nothing about this woman other than she is an accountant and she has been on the island for about 6 months. Talk about a blind date, Stevie Wonder can take the wheel. Now we all know how 70% of these stories go statistically so my hopes aren’t too high however Lisa swore on her dog that her friend was worth it so it must be true. A white girl would never swear on her dog unless she is telling the God honest truth. I pullup and park my car. I say a lil prayer and head down the path to enter the beach. I get to the entrance of the beach and see a tiny lil head poking above this chair and I’m hoping it’s her otherwise this is finna be awkward.

To save myself a case, I yell out, “Mila!” She stands up and I see a smile the size of Texas on this beautiful woman’s face. Her skin was soft, she smelled like heaven, and had the body of a goddess I look up to the sky and thank God for his creation. I introduced myself and then we sat down to talk story. We talked about work, our hobbies, heroes, fears, and as the night went on and the sky darkened, we found in peace in each other that felt so good. It was like finding the sweet spot in a hammock or having the last slice of cake. She asked me every 5 minutes since she found out could I read her a poem or two.

I declined obviously until she about begged and then I caved in because I knew I had her hooked. We danced, put our feet in the water, talked about everything we could possibly talk about so I guess it was time to give her what she wanted. I asked her did she wanna hear something real, something about love, heartbreak, success and being that this was a date, she mistakenly chose love. Now I say mistakenly because we all know where this is headed. Or so you think you do.

Dance. “Wait! Let me pour myself another glass of Merlot while I listen, that sounds like the appropriate thing to do at this moment.” She pours her glass, takes a sip, looks up at me with the most innocent smile and says, “I’m ready, I'm so excited I'm getting chills.” I look at her and I watched the entire background disappear. It was just me, Mila, and a glass of Merlot. I catch my breath, clear my throat, and inform her that the poem is called, Meli.

Dance. Dance like the stars shine down on you and the sun won’t set til’ you’re done. Sing. Sing like the star you are because no one is here to judge you. Be. Be who you’re meant to be because no one can be you.

Why? Because it is written.

If I hold your hand, I’m holding your feelings, your future, and your frame. If I kiss your lips, I’m kissing your thoughts, your mistakes, and your painIf I’m leaning on your shoulder, it’s not because I don’t have a choice but because I made one and why?

Because I’ve watched you dance. I’ve watched you sing, and luckily, I get to watch you be. Her name is Mila and she is sweet. I see you dancing. I see you singing. I see you being. And I wish I could be with you. Why? Because we all have dreams.

Her face told me her heart melted as she emptied that glass of Merlot. She stood up and said, “You really have a way with words, don’t you?” She grabbed my hand as if she was attempting to pull me up and after making old people noises to actually be able to stand up, she grabbed my face and kissed me. It was, pure, innocent, she tasted like Merlot, and I loved it. After a couple mins of kissing and watching the waves crash onto the beach, I walked her to her car and kissed her goodnight.

Honk! Honk! The guy in the car behind me is flicking me off and honking his horn at me. It turns out it’s 5:37 and I’m still stuck in traffic. This date is going to suck!