When I decided to answer the advertisement in the newspaper I wasn’t the least bit nervous. The door opened and a friendly young woman greeted me then brought me inside. Her personality was warm and bubbly and she was quite talkative. She mentioned that I would have to interview with another person beside herself, which we agreed was fair to the whole household.
I sat, put my portfolio down, accepted her hospitality and sipped a glass of cool water she gave me while she went on to explain the rent, the division of responsibilities, the living arrangements, all the while dropping the 411 about the neighbors and the neighborhood all in the same breath! I had to laugh because she was so thorough and talking so fast! But I managed to keep up and even get a word in edgewise. Momentarily she excused herself and walked out of the room then returned with a cute little dog in tow along with an apology and a question. She said that her roommate wasn’t home from work yet, and then asked me whether I could wait for a little bit? She said she would kill some time by going to walk her sprightly dog first and in the meantime her other roommate should arrive so that we could all sit together and talk. I had been told that time was of the essence and having an empty room to fill and bills to pay was not the move! So she would need me to make a decision fast! Beating around the bush was not her thing! I laughed again but understood her position. She offered to call her roommate and give a heads up about the interview tonight in the meantime for efficiencies sake. I petted her hyper friendly, yet cute, affectionate dog while she talked rapid fire about his age, sex, breed and importance to her as she fastened his leash. I felt like this was another part of the interview, and to be accepted by this little master of the house was an endorsement for me so I played Dr. Doolittle to the max! I asked for the bathroom just before she left and agreed to stick around and wait for the other roommate to arrive. She gave me direction, instructed me to make myself comfortable then dashed out of the house. At first I sat politely on the sofa with my hands in my lap. Busying myself looking around the neat spaces, and peering into the kitchen, out of the nearest windows and down the hall; but I didn’t leave the living room I just tried to scope out the place without over stepping my bounds. Peeking around a doorway I discovered a small restroom and ducked in. I played with my hair, placing it carefully then reapplied my lip gloss so I was sure that I was presentable. But to keep it real I really had to go! Meeting the second roommate was causing me a little more anxiety than I thought. So as I fixed my clothes then turned on the water at the faucet I heard the front door opening. I tried to wash my hands quickly so I wouldn’t be absent from the room when my hostess returned as I was sure it was she coming in and up the stairs. After I washed my hands I faced a guessing game seeking a proper hand towel, so I thought I’d just skip it and get a paper towel from the kitchen to avoid the whole issue. But as I listened the footsteps continued on beyond the door then returned back hesitated and stopped. I opened the door and stepped out to face a tall, mellow, rich deep brown, vision. The color that wasn’t in vogue until Michael, Wesley & Tyson gave brothers other than bright skinned ones permission to be fly. But nonetheless scaring the heck out of us both we jumped backward in unison looking startled and confused. I stood back in the doorway hoping he wasn’t as intimidating as he looked as I mentally calculated the distance between him and the front door, looked around for any potential advantage I could seize, sized him up and judged his demeanor then stood up straight, squared my shoulders and got up on my Brooklyn ‘tude, all in 3 seconds flat. I decided to be the first one to start the interrogation by adding some bass to my voice and asking two questions in one “Who’re you? You live here? I saw surprise and amusement creep into your eyes but you were careful not to smile and I was not going to be at ease until I heard your voice. You spoke and said “you could answer me the same”! There was no threat in your tone. I retorted smartly “you first”! Your eyebrows went up and your head cocked to the side with indignation but your voice was even and not angry as you said “I live here! Now who the hell are you”? I said sardonically “potentially your new damn roommate”! But even as I tried to be tough I had to laugh at myself and an infectious smile spread to you and we both began to laugh as our equally forceful pretenses fell away. Just then we heard a buzzing vibrating sound that could only be a muted cell phone going off and we promptly forgot about each other, walking off in different directions seeking our devices. You discovered that it was yours ringing. On the other line was your roommate, you put the call on speakerphone and let me hear her voice expressing relief that you were home and explaining my presence. She then said she was going to have to take a little longer outside to go get some items for dinner, and admonished you to “be nice” to me until she returned. Now it was my turn to raise my eyebrows and look at you skeptically as she hung up the phone and I folded my arms and I wondered aloud “why does she have to tell you to be nice?” You defended quickly and said “it’s just her way of saying I’m supposed to entertain you”. Just then you loosened your tie and opened your collar buttons and rolled up your sleeves. For the first time since our awkward meeting I really took a good look at you and without a doubt you are exotic, handsome, poised, intelligent, and mannish! How glad I was that I took an opportunity to primp in the mirror first! I moved back to the sofa as you followed to sit opposite me, offering me another drink. I accepted a cold beer from you which was a welcomed peace offering to let me know we were “cool” and swiftly moving beyond our initial misunderstanding. As we talked I sipped my beer politely and asked for a tour of the vacant room, just then you boldly grabbed my hand wrapping mine in your warm palm leading me down the hall toward a row of identical closed doors. You opened the first door which was a linen closet, then the next door which was your room and then pointed toward the farthest door indicating the master suite; the next door was another bathroom and finally the empty room that could be mine. Which I noted was right next to yours, so I joked that I hoped you’re a quiet neighbor “cause, I don’t wanna hear your snoring and I don’t want to hear your sexcapades in the middle of the night since we’d be so close”. You said you could manage only one of the two directives and suggestively implied that you’re not responsible for anyone else’s volume control except your own; then flashed me a gorgeous charismatic smile for emphasis. I admit I was being bold deliberately to see if you had a sense of humor and you didn’t disappoint, increasing my attraction. As you held the door open for me I noticed you didn’t exactly move out of my way as I had to turn sideways to move beyond you to enter. I felt your body heat and inhaled your spicy cologne as I skimmed past. Standing inside together I got to ask questions having a look around in the closet and inquiring about what sized bed and furniture this room could accommodate.