I’m alone at the park, watching the ducks as they swim by.

The cool breeze is welcome and much appreciated.

I close my eyes, and let the sounds of nature draw me in.

I’m a minute into my self care therapy session, when the sound of footsteps brings me back to reality.

My eyes open to a man and a dog.

“What the fuck is he staring at?” I wonder.

“Do you mind if we join you?”

I glance down at the empty space on the bench and back at the man.

“Yes.”

“Yes…?”

“I mind.” I state with a tad bit of an attitude.

Hands raised in mock surrender, he backs up a few steps.

Mutt and Jeff quietly depart as quickly as they arrived.

I close my eyes once again to regain my “Namaste” moment, that was intruded upon by the stranger.

The nerve!

I’m imagining a beautiful bright light, the sun, and…

“Bitch, say one word and I’ll slit ya fucking throat!”

Oh my fucking god!

My hand immediately goes to the arm around my throat.

And a noise akin to a mouse’s squeak exits my mouth.

This can’t be happening!

Not like this!

I can’t die like this!

The sound of a blow landing, follows a muted struggle.

Everything seems to be moving in slow motion.

I glance up at the two bodies battling silently in the background.

There’s a slight pain in my throat.

And touching the area produces a sticky wet substance on my fingers.

“Blood…?” I state in disbelief.

I see a flash of blinding white light and darkness follows.

“That’s a damn shame, that people can’t even go to the park without being assaulted.”

My friend Jasmine is livid, as she paces the floor of my living room.

“Girl, sit down!” She’s about to wear my damn carpet out.

“I’m pissed, I wish I would have been there.” She states obeying my request.

Yeah and both of us would have been victims.

“It’s over, done, and lesson learned.”

Note to self, do not visit parks by yourself, even in the good neighborhoods.

“So… did you find out who your knight in shining armor was.”

My ass passed out, and woke up in the hospital.

What I thought was a slash, was actually a small nick.

“The police wouldn’t say, witness protection and shit.”

“6’9, chocolate skin tone, and handsome, girl!” Jasmine exclaims.

I know.

In my Florida Evan’s voice, “Damn… damn… damn…”

“Well, in other news, Nick has been harassing me.”

My ex, I am so over him and his theatrics.

“Please block him.” I advise her.

Handing her a mimosa, I take a seat across from her.

“He’s sorry, and he sounds sincere.”

“I know that you didn’t come over here to plead his case.”

“No, I came to check up on you, and to make sure that we were still on for tonight.”

“What’s happening tonight?”

“Olympic?”

“Oh shit, I forgot.”

“And that doesn’t matter, because we’re still going.“

“Jazz… I can’t.”

“I don’t want to hear it!” She states checking a text that just came through.

“Who’s that, a new man?” I inquire, as she’s smiling at the message.

“That’s none of your business, but we… I will see you tonight.”

She’s up and heading towards the door.

“You didn’t even finish your drink.”

“I’ll make up for it tonight, drinks are on me.” She states on her way out of the door.

Club Olympic mainly caters to male clientele.

It’s a professional upscale establishment.

They have ladies night a few times throughout the week, and every other weekend.

So why am I here on a Friday night dressed to impressed, and there’s a duo of big booty bitches on the stage?

I came to see dick.

Agitated, I search the faces of the patrons seated at their tables.

The establishment is full to capacity.

There’s a few nice looking gentlemen in attendance, and a couple of women scattered about.

Resigned to my fate, I take a sip of my Long Island Iced Tea.

“Excuse me ma’am, there’s a gentleman here who says that he’s apart of your party.“

The waitress points the way to a tall man.

I was expecting to see Nick.

I thought that Jasmine was trying to play match maker.

But it’s the man from the park.

I’m trying to appear nonchalant as his brown eyed gaze causes a fluttering within my stomach.

I don’t know what to say.

So I say the only thing that I can think of in the moment.

“Yes, he is.”

“Hi, I’m Darius.” He says with an offered hand.

A married man.

His ring is hard to miss.

The bling is bling-a-linging!

“Lola,” I reply as I bypass his hand, and pull him into a hug.

He seems taken aback for just a moment, before he returns the hug.

“You smell good.” I state releasing him.

“Thank you.”

He takes the seat next to mine, and beckons a waitress over.

“May I ask the reason why you hugged me?”

“If you’re going to use me to get a table, then I might as well take advantage of it.”

“Oh, Okay,” He states with a light chuckle.

OMG…

His voice and that smile!

Lord forgive me for the sins that I am about to commit tonight.

Three drinks in, and I’m expecting his hands to start roaming.

To my surprise and utter dismay, he’s being the perfect gentleman!

I don’t want to be too forward, so I keep my paws to myself, also.