Something New

Everything she wrote brought a smile to my face from the first word to the last. In the time we’d spent together, she’d managed to get to know me enough to write something that made me look and feel like an actual person. I decided to shoot her a text to say thank you.

Me: Just got around to reading the article. It was dope. Thank you.

The three ellipses appeared for a few seconds, disappeared, and reappeared again.

Isa:Do you know what time it is?

Isa: And you’re welcome.

Me:Sorry, on London time. Have a good night or morning.

Isa:I’m up; I’m just letting you know.

Me: For what it’s worth, thanks for not printing about how much of an asshole I was to you the first time we met.

Those three nail-biting ellipses appeared for a few seconds, disappeared, and reappeared again, causing me to lock my phone. Instead of getting another text, my phone began vibrating, and the screen lit up with Isa’s name.

“H–Hello?” I answered while clearing my throat.

“You made up for it,” she replied.

“Huh?”

“Your text. You thanked me for not writing about the first time we met, and I’m saying I didn’t because you made up for it.”

“Well, good. What time is it over there anyway? You said it was late.”

“It’s almost six-fifteen in the morning. I guess I should’ve said early.”

“Sorry for waking you. Is that why you called? To chew me out?”

“No. I didn’t call for that.”

“Then what did you call for?” I inquired. “I mean, it’s not that I’m not happy to hear your voice. It’s just been a minute.”

“Yeah, I know. How have you been? How–how’s London? Did you go to that bar I told you about?”

I chuckled. “Yeah, I did about two weeks ago. You were right about the drinks. They were good. The food wasn’t half-bad either.”

“How’s the competition going? Is the food any good?”

“These chefs are amazing. I’m not gon’ lie.”

“That’s good. I’m glad you’re having such a good time. The magazine came out a few weeks ago, and I didn’t hear anything from you, so I didn’t know what you thought about it.”

“So, you were waiting to hear from me?”

She kissed her teeth. “You make it sound like I’ve been over here waiting by the phone or something.”

“That’s not what I meant.” I chuckled.

“No, I’m just glad to hear you liked it.”

“Liked it? I loved that shit, Isa. For real, it was dope. You wanna know one of my favorite parts?”

“What was that?”

“When you said, and I quote, ‘The restaurant, a soon-to-be staple in the city, embodies Stones’ hustle, perseverance, and genuine passion for the culinary arts. And the food? It’s all that and then some.’ Real talk, I’m not a big reader unless it’s maybe a cookbook here or there, but you are a beautiful writer. I’ve had hundreds of articles written about me at this point, and none of them captured me the way yours did. You were able to tell the story I’ve been trying to tell,” I expressed.