Destitute

Chapter Eight-Short

The afternoon settled with a dewy atmosphere at a
local diner spot Stephanie chose spontaneously over Panera Bread. The black and white checkered tiles setting an old time diner mood, complemented by the raunchy red booths—rain droplets painted the large glass windows. Andre watched cars rumble by the diner backlashing gushing waters to sidewalks while Stephanie accompanied Cari by coloring in a placemat with her. Andre's mind cluttered with indecisive intentions, he didn't know how to tell Stephanie what Cari said. He knew he promised Cari not to tell her mother what was going on, but the situation was too serious to avoid.

Twirling around the white solid and red striped straw in his strawberry milkshake, he poised his pink lips and sank the substance to the bottom of the glass before pushing it away. Their order had taken an extra thirty minutes since the atmosphere exceeded it's busiest hour of the night, but patience was in the air. Gazing from the bar to Stephanie and Cari in front of him he couldn't help but see how content they were in the moment, watching the time Stephanie spent with Cari was essential to him. Just watching the two made him wonder what he would've been like as a father. How he would've teared up as his son would've taken his first steps, or said his name, these were all instances Andre wished he could've embarked on.

Just as Cari was about to groan about her stomach growling, a plate of chicken tenders and french fries were placed before her. A cheeseburger with only ketchup for Steph, and buffalo wings for Andre. Their waitress refreshed their beverages and disappeared off into the kitchen.

"God is great, God is good, let us thank him for his food, Amen." Cari whispered with one eye kept open, she graciously dipped her chicken tender into ketchup and began eating.

"Amen." Stephanie and Andre responded simultaneously. Starting their meals they both savored how great the diner was, as it was the first food on their stomachs all day.

Stephanie wiped the corner of her lips with her napkin before speaking. "How's the shelter?" Everything between the two didn't seem as awkward as anticipated after church service. It was like their intimacy hadn't escalated the last time they saw each other, they were just good friends keeping in touch.

"It's fine, everything I could really even ask for. I'm grateful to be in that place, I'm just really thankful for everything." Andre went on, Stephanie placed her eyes over his freckled face with fascination barely even listening to him.

"That's always good to hear, I missed having you around. It isn't really the same not washing clothes at the middle of the night for you." Stephanie joked with her cheeks blushing hues of red.

"I know you miss me walking around with just a towel on." Andre joked feverishly as Stephanie coughed over her food, cheeks rousing. Andre couldn't help but share a laugh with her before she scolded him.

"No talking nasty at the table." Her warning eye made him sarcastically surrender his arms, their beam of smirks were similar as they couldn't deny the intimate tension between them. He was dying to get a taste of her precious lips before the day ran out.

"Mommy, can we go to the toy store? I saw this really pretty doll at aftercare and my friend said I could find it at the toy store." Cari interrupted while rounding her large iris up to her mother.

"I don't know baby, it's really nasty outside. The toy store is on the other side of town, maybe we can go later this week." Stephanie replied, Andre chewed while watching Cari's saddened expression. He noticed Cari did not beg after her mother said no, Stephanie had clearly showed her daughter how to be disciplined at all times.

"I'll get it for you." Andre mumbled to Cari making Stephanie furrow her eyebrows.

"Really Andre?"

"N-no. Andre, it's fine. Don't go out of your way just to get a toy." Stephanie insisted, though Andre wasn't going to take no for an answer.

"Excuse me mommy, but that toy is called a doll." Cari corrected while making her tone concrete.

"Steph, it's okay. I walk by the toy store almost every day, it's no hassle. How about I come back on Wednesday with it?" He asked the both of them.

"That's such a long time Andre-" Cari butted before her mother spoke over her.

"Thank you Dre, Cari he'll be back in three days, can you wait that long?" She chuckled smoothing down her daughter's curly hair.

"I guess I can." She compromised. Stephanie shared an eye roll and simper to Andre before she realized her daughter could go three days without seeing Andre, but she didn't think she could. She liked him still, whether he felt the same way or not, she confessed it and wasn't going to avoid her feelings towards him.

Stephanie rubbed her knuckles into Andre's shoulder waking him from his sleep. "Hey sleepy head, we're here." Stephanie kindly drove Andre to his heart of destination so that he wouldn't have to use money on a ride or walk in the rain—she worried for his safety.

"You, didn't have to Steph-"

"I wanted to." Stephanie pursed her lips quietly together and turned the volume down. Peaking into the backseat, she watched Cari soundlessly sleep in her carseat.

"Man, the things you do to me Steph." He blushed before glancing down into his lap with nervousness and back to her. Stephanie bit her lip to hide her smile and peered into his eyes.

"What do I do to you?" Narrowing her eyebrows, she titled her head against the head rest and waited for his response.

"You, you just do a lot to me. I can't explain it." He rambled on with incoherent sounds and chuckles. "I-I'm gonna get going, thanks again." He says unbuckling his seatbelt. Stephanie reached over to press her hand onto of his and stopping his actions. Her face almost crowded his while her lips hung ajar. Andre glued her eyes to her lips before looking back into her eyes, scrambling his hand to cover hers, he sighed before inching closer to her face.

"Stop thanking me Andre."

"Okay." He whispered awkwardly.

"What are you waiting for?" She shrugged her shoulders and grasped her hand over the back of his tattooed neck and ran her lips against his cheek.

"Nothing." Andre firmly used his hand to grasp her chin, and tilted her head adjacent to his and pressed his lips against hers. Sucking over her bottom lip and passionately exchanging heat, he found his hand inching down her arm and to her waist. His trail hot over her sensitive skin, she groaned softly into his mouth as his fingertips hit below the belt and pressed into her thighs. The sensitive touch released their kiss and allowed for a couple more pecks before finally pulling away.

Andre unlocked the car door and stepped out while Stephanie rolled the window down to say a final goodbye. "Wednesday?"

"Wednesday." Stephanie yelled back to him, watching him run towards the entrance of the building. Taking a deep breath and resting against her seat, she glanced in her rearview mirror to see her face red and glowing with excitement. Andre finally inside the building, pressed his back against the glass door and took a deep breath. The two wondered if what they felt is what it feels like to be falling for someone. Time will only tell, as it always does.