She truly didn’t care what people thought of her. Nor did she care what they said about folks she chose to closely associate herself with. It then dawned on her that that might not be the entire truth. All she had done since meeting Chancellor was worry about how she’d present a homeless man to her family, wondering and worrying about what they might think of it and him. Her expression rapidly turned pensive. Perhaps she needed to reassess what she had honestly believed was her position on the matter.
Regardless of how troubled Laylah was by her recent revelations, she still wanted to ask Chancellor about accompanying her or meeting her at the café. She would love to have him tag along. Her desire alone, to have him in her company, was a good enough reason to invite him. There were no rules or laws against becoming friends or even lovers with the homeless. What did she want them to become? Friends? Or possibly lovers?
What was wrong with them becoming both? Laylah smiled gently.
It didn’t take Laylah long to decide what she’d wear to Bella’s Café. A pair of beige jeans and an autumn-orange low-cut top would make a perfect fit for the evening’s festivities. The outfit was as stimulating as the sultry poem she’d picked out to read. “Tonight” was an intimately suggestive poem she’d written out of loneliness.
Thrilled only partly described how she had felt when Chancellor had said he’d love to attend poetry night. However, he’d totally refused her offer to pick him up at the shelter, where he’d been fortunate enough to score a bed. Benjamin had told him if he wanted to do a few odd jobs around there on a regular basis, he could do so. There’d be no monetary payment, but he’d already be in place to get a bed assigned at sign-up time.
She had taken it upon herself to ask Benjamin to use discretion in telling Chancellor about the new and used clothing handed out at the shelter, but only after he had expressed dismay with the attire he’d have to wear to the event. She thought he may as well make good use of all the shelter had to offer. She was sure he needed all the help he could get, so that should make it okay. Laylah didn’t know how things had turned out, since she had left before Benjamin had had a chance to say anything to Chancellor.
If Chancellor showed up at Bella’s Café wearing other duds, then Laylah would know he had been okay with Benjamin’s clothing offer. She knew he’d gotten to her place on the bus. There was a bus that ran right out in front of the café and it ran pretty often. If it had stopped running by the time poetry night was over, she’d just drop him off. That is, if he allowed her to.
Most shelters didn’t permit folks to come and go after they had been assigned a bed, but Second Chances was different than most places. The patrons were grown folks and didn’t need baby-sitters. However, if they didn’t come back there to sleep that same night, they’d be penalized. Someone else could’ve slept in the unused bed. Because of that, the violator of the rule couldn’t sign up for another bed for five consecutive nights.
So far no one had run afoul of the very fair rule; at least as far as Laylah knew.
While Laylah nervously drummed her fingernails on the café table, she kept a vigilant eye on the front entry. She was due to go up onstage and recite her poem in a few minutes, but Chancellor hadn’t showed up yet. He had seemed sincere enough when he’d told her he’d come down to Bella’s later on just to support her.
Maybe Chancellor had been offended if Benjamin had indeed offered him other clothing to wear. He was smart enough to figure out she may’ve had something to do with it. Not wanting to tamper with his dignity, she prayed that it wasn’t the case.
Laylah had really been looking forward to him being there, more than he’d ever know. In the next instant, her name was called out by the emcee. She looked up at the stage and then back at the front entry before she quietly slid out of her seat. Slowly, hiding her bitter disappointment, she began what seemed like a never-ending walk.
Once up onstage, Laylah spoke to the band leader and the emcee, Michael Brady.
Michael stepped up to the microphone and removed it from its stand. “Laylah is hardly a stranger to Bella’s Café. She has delighted us numerous times. Let’s give our lovely sister a warm round of applause. She’s going to excite us with a poem entitled ‘Tonight,’ penned by her own creative hand. Laylah Versailles!”
Smiling, Michael handed Laylah the microphone. He then gave her a warm hug before stepping aside to allow her to take center stage.
Laylah greeted everyone in an enthusiastic manner, smiling sweetly, cheered on by the houseful of poetry buffs. She took one last glance at the front entry and then at the table she’d just vacated. It was still empty, as empty as she now felt inside.
“‘Tonight,’” Laylah breathed softly, looking out at the crowd.
“Tonight I’m going to fulfill your needs and all your wildest fantasies. My darling, just close your beautiful brown eyes, think only of me, while my hot hands work their sensual magic on your entire anatomy.
Tonight it’s every part of your delicious body I fully intend to taste, as the ride to ecstasy is accomplished at a deliciously slow and easy pace. Relax and imagine me all dressed up in the beauty of your nakedness.
Tonight I’m going to make it fantastic for you, so turn up on your side. If the sensations are more than you can bear, just ebb and flow with the tide, as I rub this hot, jasmine-scented oil all over your strong back and thighs.
Tonight as you shudder, tingle and squirm under my expert touch, I hear your body talking softly, telling me that it wants me so very much. It’s also telling me you’ve fallen madly into love, as well as deep into lust.
Tonight a single candle turns the shadows on the wall a magical blue. Can you feel my electrifying fingers running rampant all through you? Though your hands haven’t even touched me yet, I feel the electricity, too.
Tonight when I’m done, I can’t wait for you to return the favor in kind. By your reaction to the butterfly kisses I’m raining down against your spine, I can tell you’re ready to surrender, ready for me to completely blow your mind.
Tonight when it’s over, I’ll be exclusively yours, and you’ll be all mine. My darling, raise your head and take a sip of this sweet, aphrodisiac wine. Better yet, let me pour it all over you to taste it from your dark skin so fine.
Tonight is over and now it’s time for us to fall into a dream-filled sleep.
The evening’s been fulfilling, what’s between us has grown so deep.
For some, tonight may be just another insignificant time of the week.
For us, the burning memories of this delicious night are forever ours to keep.”
Waiting for the thunderous applause to die down, Laylah bowed at the waist numerous times. Just when she thought it was all over, everyone began standing up, continuing to applaud her. This was her very first standing ovation at Bella’s Café.
Unable to believe the avid response, Laylah felt overwhelmed as she stood stock-still. “Thank you for your undivided attention and your kind generosity,” she said into the microphone, though she knew no one could hear her. The loud clapping hadn’t stopped; her emotional response had just begun. Laylah discreetly wiped away her tears.
Seeming to appear out of nowhere, Chancellor was at the very edge of the stage, holding out his hand for Laylah to take. She didn’t know how long he’d been there or how much of her poem he’d heard; she was just beside herself with joy at seeing him. If he could hear her heartbeat, then he already knew it sounded like a runaway freight train. But she didn’t care if he heard it. All she cared about was that he’d kept his word.
There were several men who