The Streets Keep Calling. Chunichi

packed up my things, then headed out the door.

      “Smile, baby girl. It can’t be that bad.” I looked up to see a familiar face. I instantly recognized the little cutie I’d met the night before. He was passing by as I was heading out the door.

      “Yes, it is.” I nodded smiling.

      “Aw. You need a hug, sweetheart?” The cleaning guy smiled, showing his perfect pearly whites.

      “I need a hug, foot rub, and an Excedrin,” I vented.

      “Don’t you have a man to do all that for you?” he asked right away.

      “I don’t see how that’s any of your business. But if you must know, yes, I do have a man,” I replied, even though I was lying through my teeth. I was not about to admit how alone and desperately single I really was. Shoot, I wished I did have a man to go home to on tiring days like today.

      “I know you’re lying, but it’s cool.” He smirked, “I can afford to give you that hug now, but I’m gonna have to owe you that foot rub.”

      “Nothing is this world is free. What are you going to expect in return?” I quickly responded, knowing the business of give and take.

      “You won’t owe me anything. You’ve already paid me with your smile. I really needed to have a beautiful woman smile at me today, so you can say we’ll be even. Your smile will carry until tomorrow. Problem is, what am I gonna do when I need my next fix?” He gave me a mischievous smile, then continued, “I’m gonna need to see you every morning for that.”

      “And how do you plan on making that happen?” I asked, curious to hear how this guy would respond. His words were so corny, but his swagger was adorable.

      “Well, I was thinking. You could give me your number. Then give me your address. Then I’ll stop by every morning, give you a call, and tell you I’m outside. Then you could just stick your head out the window and smile.” We both burst out in laughter. This guy was hilarious!

      “I can’t give you my address, but I will take your number.” Although I knew deep inside that I had no intention of calling this guy, there was no way I could tell him no. He was so sweet and charming. After all, he did put a smile on my face.

      “Okay. What’s the number?” I pulled out my BlackBerry Curve, and entered his number as he called out each digit.

      “What’s your name, baby girl?” he asked.

      “Tanisha. And yours?”

      “Breeze.”

      “Breeze?” I giggled. I could only imagine where such a name came from.

      “Yep,” he said proudly, like he wasn’t ashamed to have such a foolish nickname.

      “Okay, Breeze. You have a good evening.” I wrapped up our conversation.

      “You do the same,” he replied.

      After a few steps, I heard a call. “Yo, Tanisha!”

      I turned around to see Breeze standing with his arms wide open. “You forgot your hug!”

      Although it was tempting, I didn’t go around hugging perfect strangers, so I politely declined. “Thanks for the offer, but I’ll be fine. Maybe next time.”