Jarvis found himself seated at a table with people he didn't know, miscellaneous benefactors or historical society persons. He tried to maintain small talk, but his mind continued to drift a thousand miles away across years to Austin and the vibrant Texas beauty with an intoxicating drawl.
Jarvis?" she asked, extending her delicate pale hand to him. "You look just like what Constance said you would," she smiled. As his dark hand took hers, he caught a hint of perfume, the soft silkiness of her skin inviting, and he remembered she had a very firm handshake.
"It's so nice to finally meetcha," Deandra said slowly casting her pale blue eyes downward and then angling them up slightly as the slow smile crossed her face.
Intellectually, he had been mesmerized during their two week email exchange......her ability to discuss a wide range of topics impressed him. She was a natural storyteller with words, creating interest and making points so effortlessly. Even their few phone conversations impressed him. Now here she was standing in front of him in a red print silk dress with faint hints of lace drawing attention to her full breasts. Thinking back to her firm stance on education cuts, he found it hard now to imagine the words belonged to this woman enticing him now.
Not finding words, he merely smilled at her and returned her firm handshake. In his mind he was not thinking he wanted to test her emotional or intellectual strength, but somehow it happened.
Taking the lead, she continued. "You wanna find a table? I actually like sitting at the bar, and I think there's plenty of room right now."
As though she had known him a long time, she launched into a full conversation almost picking up from where their last email exchanged had stopped. "The band tonight is an 80s retro, and I've heard they are good. A pink cosmo please," she sighed at the bartender. "Watcha havin'?" she asked Jarvis.
"It's kinda quiet down here for now, but once the 80s band starts, we can head up to the roof for some jazz. I know it's a bit cool out, but I bet the heaters'll be going."
From deep inside of him, he felt a fire beginning. Most of the women he met were professional, polished and frankly, cold. He existed in a world of tailored suits, manicured nails and controlled hair. Deandra was the complete opposite.
"Ok," she laughed, sipping her cosmo and then running her tongue around the rim licking off the sugar. "Either you are completely disappointed or in shock." Not with a coyness but rather a firmess did she open the conversation for his input.
"Oh, not disappointed. Not disappointed at all."
"Good, 'cause I ain't either, I mean disappointed."
"Constance did tell you I was black?"
Deandra paused and looked at him. "Did she tell you I was white?"
No hesitation, she met his challenge. The conversation resumed from their emails, and Jarvis was suprised when four hours later last call was announced.
"Do you want anything?" She nodded no and laughed a small but provocative laugh.
He hoped she was thinking the same thing he was, that perhaps she too wanted something other than alcohol. "I mean, to drink?"
"I do want something, but not from the bar," she purred as she stepped into him and pressed her lips to his. At first, he felt embarrassed, unrestrained, but then he pulled her closer and returned the kiss. Whispering in his ear, Deandra pulled him away from the rooftop audience down the narrow stairs into the main bar and then out the door to the crowded South Congress sidewalk.
"It's beautiful out, and I so do not want to leave yet," she giggled. "Isn't downtown so awesome?"
He had been here almost seven full years and she only six months, but somehow in her enthusiasm, he saw the Austin she was seeing. "I adore all the noises."
"...I adore all the noises of Philly. It's an amazing city," Deandra stated and applause erupted. His glance found her at the podium, the center of attention. "As most of you know, I am a native Texan, so one can only imagine the comments by my detractors when I won this project. I hope everyone can agree as you look around you today that distances and differences can be bridged with hard work and dedication. My dedication to historica preservation and hard work on this expansion has allowed me to understand myself better, to understand where I come from better and to develop a lasting kinship with the beautiful people of Philadelphia and of Mother Bethel. Thank you all for your support. I am especially grateful to Pumpkin Restuarant for our fine lunch, and of course, to our volunteers who have worked many tiresome hours. Thank you all. Without further delay, I present this celebration."
An older woman at his table smiled toward him. "Isn't she so nice?" she asked. "We are so glad she completed this project." He found himself applauding with the others and nodding agreement to the unknown guest across from him.
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