Stories By Mi'Chelle

Chandler received a text from Inaya the very next day. It read: If you’re still interested and available, please join me for dinner @ my place this Friday @ 7pm. “Is this some cruel belated April Fool’s joke?” He frowned down at the message. “She has to know that I’m still interested and available with all the songs I’m still dedicating to her on a regular basis.” Rather than let disturbing thoughts crawl up in his soul, nest, and reproduce, he called to make sure that she knew what his relationship status was. “Well, hello there, tall drink of water,” Inaya said, flirting as soon as she came on the line. Chandler smiled and relaxed in his sturdy wooden deck chair. “Hello back, sexual chocolate.” She burst out laughing. “I see somebody’s been watching Coming to America lately.” He chuckled. “Yep! That same somebody is calling to say that I’m still very interested in you and still very available for you.” “Well, alllll-righty then.” “Been looking at Ace Ventura ...

April Chandler didn’t see or hear from Inaya again until April 1 st . It was almost a full month since their last date and he was starting to believe that she’d given up on them. He received no calls, texts, or visits. She hadn’t even overseen his CASA training. A male social worker named Mel Aspen had done that. Any further information she had concerning the program was routed to his email. If it wasn’t for the fact that Chandler needed to observe a case hearing today, he probably wouldn’t be seeing or hearing from Inaya now. After all, the ball was still in her court and she hadn’t dribbled or even attempted to make one shot. How was that for his nearly non-existent ego now? Chandler almost didn’t recognize Inaya today. It looked like her in the melon-colored tie-front business suit, but it sure didn’t sound like her. Gone was the shy, soft-spoken woman who blushed at the slightest compliment and became even more introverted when offended. In her place was a firecat with f...

Chandler couldn’t help but notice how extra quiet Inaya was as he drove her home. Without asking, he already knew that she was still upset about those incidents at the restaurant, especially after she shared what happened on her way to the ladies room. Though he wanted to dive right in and talk about it, he quickly learned that that wasn’t always the best way to deal with her. Even though she was one of the strongest women he knew, she could be very delicate about certain things. Things such as God, her family, and interracial romance. “I don’t know if this relationship will work, Chandler,” Inaya said, removing her seatbelt as he parked in front of her townhouse. He exhaled a frustrated breath. Though not unexpected considering what happened today, this was the last thing he wanted to hear. Although he was twenty-nine years old, he suddenly felt very raw and vulnerable, like he had when he was ten and on his way to his fourth foster home. Would things turn out as well with In...