Lucier's words of wisdom

I was in little South Africa last night. Evidently a little convention was being held again at Brendan's. Brendan lives with two other guys- Lucier and Henry; in a two bedroom apartment, but I've seen him pack this tiny space like it were a refugee camp. It's kind of amusing how these South Africans stick together. For some reason I am convinced that their home is South Africa's embassy to NYC. As a matter of fact I've never seen the apartment with just the three of them in it. There's always someone's friend, cousin, friend's friend twice removed or whatever lodging with them. Evidently last night was no different.

I walked into the flat as usual like it's the first time I've ever been there. This is partially true since everytime I come over there is always some new face that keeps me from developing some sense of routine with the place. Tonight there was Joe, another guy whose name I forget, Marissa, and Hy-no along with old friends from Pigalle that were also visiting. I make my rounds of introductions before navigating my way to the coffee table; being very careful not to disturb the metropolis of empty beer bottles and cans that were laid out with the fresh six packs. Finding one that was fairly chilled I took my wine key out and listened for the rush of the carbon up the bottle neck as I lifted away the crown.

Across the room Lucier smiles to me and waves me over to the window where the fire escape is.


I walk through the makeshift dancefloor/performance stage/livingroom towards him and duck under the window sill and outside. We sat there alone in the most tranquil spot in the entire building looking down at 9th avenue and the endless stream of cars that raced by at 2am. "I hear you met a woman." he says to break the silence. "I have." I say trying not to give away too much. "Henry tells me you two make a good looking couple, dancing the night away and having fun." I smiled at that thought. He continued "You know Red, when you feel this strongly about a woman... you shouldn't feel awkward around her." I thought to myself that Lucier must have had one beer too many, "Because she feels the same way... when a woman falls for your charms, you know. You deny it, but you know, because you feel it yourself." All of a sudden he sounded like he was making sense. I was hoping he was at least. "Love is like an energy, it can only be seen or felt if it is returned like cycle of electricity." I looked down at the embers in my cigarette glowing before me and I thought about what he said. I've been thinking of it still and its been two days later.

Absolutely Gorgeous

I missed the train again. This time I actually saw the doors close and the cars pull out of the station. That's always a frustrating sight. When I finally got home at 5:30am I had to sit outside on my stoop because I had accidentally left my keys at work. Luckily Kyle, Brian's old college buddy from Indiana was sleeping on my couch so I tapped on the window so he could open up. He peeked his head out of the apartment door, he must have been naked. He seemed to be mouthing the words..."One Minute" I must have been reading his lips wrong because he actually took an hour to open both doors.

When he finally did, He let out a tall, skinny black woman in heels... I didn't want to know if she was someone he met the two days that he's been here or if she's a hooker, I just hope he didn't make any stains on my couch. You'd think that I'd be pretty pissed off at all of this... Ha! I had one of the best nights I've had in a while.
I guess it would start at work. Regina and I worked the floor together. It was a slow night and so we got to talk about our childhood and stuff like that. She seems like a well grounded young lady. She spent time in the Dominican Republic and naturally picked up some good qualities while she was over there. We were making some breakthroughs until Ruta, the bartender got sick. I told Peter to send her home and I'd work the bar for her. I ended up behind that bar and somewhat caged back there like the asian white tiger; keeping me from making any further progress in the "getting to know you phase" Peter made his play more out of jest than any serious attempt to hook up with her. She was gracious and played along, but she'd shoot me worried looks and I on the other hand would motion her to come to me so she can tell me what's up. Earlier that night Peter asked me for a quarter and pulled me into the office. "Red, call it. If you call it and get it, I won't mess with her. If you don't she's mine and you can't talk to her." Oh boy. There's a fifty fifty chance here that I'll get my way. I wish it could be a seventy thirty chance because I really like the girl but hey whatever. Taking a deep breath and trying to say 100 novenas to God in several languages within that time, I exhale and call heads. Peter flips the coin and I can see it spinning through the air, tumbling and falling without knowing or caring how it lands. I could feel the sweat beads on my forehead. He closes his hand the instant the coin lands in his palm. "Do I flip it over or do I open here." "Flip it over," I say without hesitation. I pretty much resigned myself to fate. He opened his hand slowly, like a magic trick and revealed a quarter- heads up! Thank you God! "Ok... you win, but you're fired heheheheheheh!" Of course he was kidding, wasn't he? So the rest of the shift he was just shaking his head and frowning... it was actually pretty funny to me. During our staff meal, she sat in front of me and talked to me in a lowered voice, "They're trying to get me aren't they?" I looked her in the eye and said, "You're a big girl, what do you think?" She looked back at me and said, "I'm only going out if you go out too." My heart skipped a beat. "Of course." I replied trying to contain my smile... "Promise you won't leave my side?" she gushed. "I promise. There isn't anyone I'd rather be dancing with there anyway."

And so it was, the entire night I had her all to myself, lost in candle lit world of music and sweaty dancing bodies. It was lovely. To watch her little body move before me and with me made me feel at ease. And the quiet moments in the corner where we caught our breath after every fourth song was like coming home. At one point Peter and her had a good talk. I left her there and danced the night away with Brendan, Abdoulye and Alison. As I danced I caught glimpses of her surrounded by men, but I didn't worry. I wasn't the least bit jealous... I was at peace. It's always good to feel that. To feel secure in a bond that you have.

Later Peter pulled me aside and told me that I had better hook up with her. "She's really into you. If you don't fuck her I'm gonna kill you." Before you call him an asshole let me just translate what he really means. "Red if you snatch this woman up and take care of her, you'll regret it." That's what he really meant.
The club filled up with people to the point where I thought Le Souk looked like a popcorn bag filled with bursting kernels. It looked like the club was going to explode from the number of clubbers within minutes. I watched as the scene peaked and then dipped... And made my way to the exit with Gina before last call at the bar. Walking out I turned to find Regina holding up a rose to my face.

"Here. It's for you." I was smitten. So smitten that I decided to ride home with her in the cab just to make sure she got home safe. It was a lllllooooong cab ride. $60 round trip. Pretty damn far. But with Gina leaned up against my shoulder and the cool breeze rushing through the passenger windows, I didn't mind. I didn't want it to end. "I'm glad I met you babe." I tell her suddenly. "Me too." she said almost instantly and that's when I knew that I was HAPPY. When was the last time I felt like this? I don't remember. "How long will I feel this way?" I thought... I looked to my shoulder at this little woman curled up against me and I thought. "Hopefully for a veeery long time."

Mi Corazon...

Here are some pictures of Regina. Haaaaaaaay... She's so adorable.

Here is a picture of her stuffing her face... awwww...

Here she is asking me if she has anything in her teeth... awww cute....

Here she is after I handed her a tooth pick... awwwwwwww... (I'm a little obsessed huh?)

And here she is looking at me, knowing fully well that she has me hook line and sinker with that brilliant smile and sparkling eyes. I don't remember being this cheesey in a long time, but I could care less. Look at her... awwwwwww. she's a heart breaker. She can break mine anytime.