Kicking the Gigolo     “Hello?” “Cin, it’s me Becky. You ready for your date with Steven?”     “Sure, man. I’m like, so nervous. Becky, like Steven’s real fine, man. Don’t you think?”     “He is, man, sure. So Cin, hon, what are you wearing?”     “I’ve got like, these black spider web stockings and a black mini skirt. You know the one I wore for Deb’s wedding? Plus I bought this cute white blouse. It’s real tight, but it’s like, virginal. I want to look virginal but not a prude. You know what I mean?”     “Yeah, sure. You don’t want to look easy but you want him to know you’re interested. I know you. You’ve got the look down.”     “’Zactly. Oh man, I’m like so nervous.”     “Calm down Cin. This ain’t your first date since you threw David out.”     “Yeah, but all the other guys, they weren’t Steven. I can’t believe a dude that fine could be single at his age.”     “Well, cause he ain’t, girlfriend. He’s going out with you.”     “For sure, yeah. And if it’s up to me, he ain’t never going out with anyone else.”     “Damn, we are determined, girl.”     “Well, hey, sweets. You know that when I make up my mind, I don’t take no for an answer.”     “Yeah, Cin. You ain’t a broad to be messed with.”     “Oh, look Beck, he’s here. I just heard the doorbell.”     “So. Make him wait a little bit. Don’t matter how fine he is.”     “I can’t, girlfriend! I want to see him soo bad!”     “I know. You’ve got it bad, girl. You’d just better make sure he’s worth it. You know how I feel about guys who pick up girls in clubs, right?”     “I know. But this time the girl is me, Becky. You know after dealing with David I wouldn’t be with a guy who’d dis me.”     “Yeah, well. He seemed nice enough at the club. And he is real fine. Cin, you do find the cute ones. What’s your secret?”     “Beck, he just rang again. I just have to go see him. I’ll call you when I get home.”     “Yeah, call me. Even if it’s two in the morning. I really want to hear what happened.”     “For sure, girl. ‘Til then.”     “Ciao, girlfriend.”     “Hello?”     “Jeannie, damn. It’s Laura. I was going to tell your machine about this cool party Felice is giving. I wasn’t expecting you to be at home.”     “Uh huh. Well, I am.”     “On a Friday night? Where’s Sergio?”     “Working.”     “A playboy working on Friday night? Doing what?”     “He said his friend needed help at the club. You know Richie? He’s got the place on Thirty-Seventh?”     “I know who he is. So why aren’t you there with him?”     “I don’t know, I always feel weird when I’m with him there. It turns into a guy thing. Besides, I’ve decided I’m going to learn to trust him. After six months it’s about time.”     “Yeah, well. When did he spring this working thing on you?”     “Yesterday. No, it wasn’t last minute. I could be out if I really wanted to be.”     “So why aren’t you?”     “I don’t want to.”     “Jeannie Houston doesn’t want to be out on a Friday night? Damn, girl, he has you trained like a dog.”     “No, you’re exaggerating. I’m still my own person. I just had a hard week at work. A night alone sounded good to me.”     “Then he’s running you ragged. You never were tired from work six months ago. He’s making you old before your time.”     “Laura, you’re crazy.”     “No, you’re crazy. I’m home tonight because I’m single by choice. You’re not but you’d better off if you were. Jeannie, the man is up to no good. I don’t trust him, neither should you.”     “Laura, he’s just busy. Isn’t he entitled to have a life?”     “Aren’t you? Or are you supposed to just sit around waiting for him?”     “You’ve just forgotten what it’s like to be in love.”     “Jeannie, I think he’s struck you stupid. Look, I have an idea. Why don’t we go pay a little visit to Sergio at the club? You know, girls’ night out but we’re so sweet we’ll come by to brighten his long night at work. We’ll even buy him a sandwich to tide him over. Sound good?”     “Laura, you’re bad.”     “I’m as bad as bad. Nothing’s changed since eighth grade, you know that. So you in or what?”     “Oh, God, you’re crazy. You’re going to make me look like a snoop.”     “You wouldn’t have to be one if he treated you right. Pick you up at ten?”     “Oh god, you are nuts. Okay. But we’ll just stop in to say hi, right? Then leave?”     “Jeannie, would your soul sister steer you wrong?”     “Hello?”     “Beck, I got you up. Sorry.”     “Cin, hi. I told you to call me when you got in, and I meant it. What time is it anyway?”     “Three thirty-seven.”     “Damn! You just get in?”     “Yup.”     “Man, he must have be one hot date. I’m surprised you’re home at all, then.”     “It’s only the first date! Gotta keep them hanging for a little while.”     “I know. But there’s always those romantic sunrises after being out all night—“     “Maybe next time. That’s sooner than you think. He really wants me. I made him want me. We’re going out tomorrow.”     “Tomorrow, meaning later tonight?”     “Yep.”     “You work some kind of charm on him or what?”     “I told you, he’s hooked. And I’m hooked on him. I think I’m in love.”     “Damn, I wish I had your problems, girl. What did you guys do? Tell all.”     “Beck, Steven is like, so fine. He came here in a tux—“     “A tux! Where was he going to take you? The Waldorf?”     “For real, Beck! But then it was like so wild! He starts taking it off!”     “He stripped?”     “No! He just wanted me to think he was! I though he was going to show off his bare chest to me, but he had a brown shirt on that was exactly the same color as his skin. The tux? It was one of those paper digs you get in the costume store.”     “Oh, man! Did he show you chocolate underwear, too?”     “Beck, this is like for real, girl! So then he reaches into his pocket and pulls out this long-stemmed rose.”     “From his pocket? He Houdini or something?”     “Man, he had the deepest pockets I’ve ever seen. And you know me, Beck. I like men with deep pockets, if you get my drift.”     “Sure thing, girlfriend!” “Then all of the sudden he’s taking me in his arms and kissing me. Like Clark Gable or whatever.”     “Just like that? Damn, girl.”     “Yep, just like that. Then he takes me to Chantique’s for dinner. ”     “Chantique’s! He’s really trying to wine and dine you, girl! I heard that just the salad is seven dollars. Did you eat?”     “I couldn’t, I was so excited all I did was talk and talk. I don’t know how much champagne I drank or what I said. But he’s so fascinating. He’s already traveled around the world.”     “Even Africa?”     “Especially Africa. He goes there almost every year, mostly to Senegal and South Africa. He said if we’re together in a few months, I can go on his next trip with him. Isn’t that awesome?”     “Enough that I’d want to stick around until then. Are you sure this guy is single?”     “He ain’t now. He’s with me.”     “So you’re definitely seeing him tomorrow? Girl, don’t disappoint me.”     “Yep, I’m seeing him in fifteen hours and seventeen minutes if he comes on time like last time. Can’t wait for seven o’clock.” “Well, you go girl. I wish I had your kind of luck.”     “Someday you will, Beck.”     “Call me and tell me how it goes.”     “No matter how late?”     “No matter how late.”     “Laura?”     “Jeannie? How are you?”     “I’m so pissed.”     “I’m sorry that you found out he was a liar. But you can’t say I didn’t warn you.”     “I can’t believe he lied to me about where he was. I can’t even get in touch with him. Where the hell was he?”     “Richie was in on it, too. I could see it in his face.”     “Damn straight. Did you see the look on his face when we walked in? Like the Feds were busting him for coke or something. He knew. He and Sergio are up to something.”     “Jeannie, you gotta face facts. The man is cheating on you.”     “Why would he do that? He knows I love him. Why would he need to go to someone else?”     “Because the man is a scumbag, and he knows he can get away with it because you’re too nice. You have to learn to play dirty in this world, sweetie.”     “What do I do now?”     “Go there tonight and confront him. Maybe he’ll be strung out with his hootchie.”     “You mean just go over there and yell? When I don’t even know for sure he’s cheating.”     “Hon, how old are you now? Twenty-seven?”     “Twenty-six. Why?”     “Because, you’re like a virgin who’s never dated. No wonder Sergio likes you. You’re inexperienced, especially after spending ten years with one man. It was like you were married.”     “You mean because I only slept with one other guy I’m stupid?”     “No, sweetie. You’re my friend. I would never think that of you. But you’re naïve. You spent ten years with one man and you never learned how to play the dating game. You never learned to smell an asshole like Sergio coming for you. And assholes like him love women like you because they can get away with anything.”     “I never thought Sergio was an asshole.”     “Time will tell, sweets. Time will tell.”     “Beck?”     “Cin? Is everything all right? It’s only nine o’clock.”     “ I’m like so pissed. I’m at Steven’s place. Oh, man. I want to kill.”     “Cin, what happened?”     “Check this out. Steven went out for some food, right? So I said I wanted to stay here. We had gotten funky and he wiped me out so bad he was like so fine. But check this out. After he leaves, the phone rings, right? And like, I don’t know this guy or anything so I figure hell, I ain’t his answering service or nothing. So I let the machine pick it up, right. And it’s this girl. Sounded like a white chick. So she’s yelling into the machine, wanting to know where he was last night and tonight or whatever.”     “Damn! I knew this guy was too good to be true.”     “But check this! She didn’t call the guy Steven. She called him Sergio.”     “So she had the wrong phone number, right? Please. Tell me I’m right.”     “Nah-uh. I started to think that. But then I had this weird feeling when she hung up. Like I had with David when I thought he was cheating? So this time, I listened. So I went through his stuff. And guess what.”     “You found out his name was Sergio.”     “Yeah. I found his Social and credit cards and everything, including his Rolodex. So I looked up this girl. Name’s Jeannie Houston. Had hearts around her name and everything.”     “Cin, maybe you should get out of there. If he’s lying to you about his name and shit.”     “No, no. It’s cool. I ain’t afraid of this dude. Who’s the black belt? Me or you? Besides, I have a plan. A good one.”     “Cin, girl. I always can count on you.”     “Laura, he wasn’t home last night at all.”     “I told you he was up to no good. Did you go over there like a said?”     “No, but I kept calling him and I never got an answer.”     “Omigosh, if that bastard was right here I’d---“     “Laura? Hold on. My call waiting’s beeping. Maybe it’s him.”     “Jeannie, you are hopeless. All right. I’ll wait a couple of minutes. Tell Sergio I said fuck you.”     “You’re crazy. I’ll be right back.” “Hello?”     “Hello? Is this Jeannie Houston?”     “Ye—es. Who’s this?”     “My name is Cinthiya Johnson. You don’t know me, but we have something in common. Or really, someone. Sergio McKendrick.”     “Oh, my God. Wait. Could you hold on a second? I’ve got someone on the other line.”     “Mmm-hmm.”     “Laura?”     “Is it him?”     “No. It’s some woman who says she knows him.”     “She probably does. You gonna talk to her?”     “I guess I have no choice.”     “Well, don’t take no shit from her if she’s some jealous broad. And kick Sergio to the curb. You deserve better.”     “Call you later.”     “Yeah. I want to know what’s going on.”     “I will.”     “Cinthiya?”     “Mmm-hmm. That’s me.”     “You said you know Sergio?”     “Mmm-hmm. Just came from his apartment.”     “Omigosh.”     “Mmm-hmm. You wouldn’t happen to be his woman, miss Jeannie Houston.”     “I’ve been going out with him for six months. How did you get my name?”     “Looked you up. I was there when you called his house. You should see his little black book. Got a lotta women in it, but you name had hearts all over it. Guess that’s how you can tell a player’s in love.”     “I can’t believe this is happening.”     “Face it. It is. I just met him last week, but I’m through with him. So don’t worry, I’m not calling to mess with you. I thought you should know what you are involved with.”     “He said he was working this weekend—“     “If he was working, it was with me. And I don’t mean no office, girl.”     “Oh, God.”     “Look, you seem like a sweet person. But you also sound like you’re in love, and girl, it’s with the wrong man. Honey, you should get rid of him. Especially in this day and age, diseases and stuff.”     “You didn’t—“     “Mm-hmm. I did. Sorry honey. Your man is a sweet talker and ever my thirty year old black ass can be charmed. I should have known better too than to pick up some guy in a club when I just kicked out my ex- husband. But we all make mistakes, including me. And you sweetie, have made yours. Tell you what. I’m at work now, and I get off at ten. Call me after then if you want to be rid of this guy. I have a plan.”     “What’s your number?”     “It’s 555-13-----“     “Laura?”     “Man, Jeannie. You sure were on the phone long enough. I thought you were falling back in love. What’s going on? Who was the broad?”     “Her name was Cinthiya. And yes, she knew him, the bastard. I’m going to plan something with her. She said to call her if I want to be rid of Sergio.”     “So what are you going to do?”     “I’m calling her back.”     “Laura, it’s me again.”     “So what’s up?”     “He’s going over Cin’s for dinner at six tomorrow. He thinks he’s getting an Italian dinner. ‘Cept I’ll be there too.”     “Heh heh. About time that rogue got his due.”     “Yeah. About time.”     “Don’t be discouraged Jeannie. As my mother said, there are other fish in the sea and most fish are better than men anyway because once they’ve been tamed, they stay tamed.”     “Jeannie, it’s me Cin.”     “Hey, Cin.”     “So how are you holding up girl, after the big upstage?”     “I’m still shell-shocked. I can’t believe his expression when he saw me. It was like I was his enemy.”     “Well, players don’t like to get caught, honey. But they always get their due, somehow, someway.”     “I guess.”     “Say you know what. Let’s get together Friday. I’ll bring my friend Becky and you can bring Laura. Girl’s night out. Screw the guys, what do you say?”     “Why not? We girls have to stick together.”     “Amen, sister.” Copyright © by Jessica Kuzmier Home      Biography      Nonfiction      Fiction      LinksBlog