Linda Walters - Let Me Love You

Skye breathed a sigh of relief as the cab stopped at the central terminal building of the sprawling airport. All during the ride, she’d listened as the driver’s radio blasted an ominous weather forecast.

The cabbie shook his head, his corduroy shirt seeming to suggest that milder temperatures were just around the corner. Skye wondered if he realized it was sixty degrees.

“Storms like this one seem to keep happening this year,” he said, his voice filled with something close to awe and curiosity. Even though he never took his eyes from the road, Skye could still hear the mixed emotions coming from the driver’s statements. It was apparent by his voice that he, too, was less than thrilled about the current forecast.

“Yeah, this is the third time we’ve been under a tropical storm watch in less than two months. Fort Lauderdale hasn’t been hit hard but I’m still worried. Do you think the flight schedules will be affected?” she asked quickly. She’d thought of canceling the trip, then realized that weather prediction was still an uneven science. There was a chance that the storm would never reach the United States, much less Florida.

“You’ll see in a minute. If you want me to wait, I will,” he added, turning suddenly to reveal a lopsided grin.

Skye thanked him and reached into her wallet for the fare. She knew that he was being considerate in his offer.

“I’d appreciate that. Thanks.”

“No problem.”

The departures level of the airport was bustling with travelers being dropped off, bags being checked and traffic tied up by all the comings and goings. Skye was able to check her bags in at curbside, confirm that the flight was slated on time and hurry back to the cab, leaving a healthy tip. She breathed a sigh of relief as she watched him pull off, knowing that the trip could have been cancelled or possibly delayed by the weather front which threatened the southeast corridor of the country, but instead, she’d been spared—thus far.

Skye fell asleep as the flight became airborne and did not wake until the captain announced the plane’s final descent into the Fort Lauderdale airport.

Nita waited at the curbside as Skye exited the airport. Waving frantically, she laughed as her best friend approached, one single piece of luggage in tow.

“Girl, what took you so long?”

“When I called you from the cell phone, I hadn’t gotten down to the baggage carousel yet. Little did I know it would take another fifteen minutes for them to unload the plane and for the luggage to circulate,” she added, hugging Nita fiercely.

“Well, let me see what you’ve got going on, girl,” Nita laughed. She stepped away from Skye, did an exaggerated once-over and then smiled approvingly.

“Yep—you’ve still got it together alright. That’s what I figured. You’re probably scaring the men off at this point,” she said as they both got into Nita’s four-year-old Honda Accord.

“Now, you need to stop. You don’t look half-bad yourself,” she returned, giving her friend a long, exaggerated stare that took in her sleek ponytail, skin-revealing halter top and cropped white pants. Red lizard sandals picked up the stripes of the halter top and Skye remembered that they both shared a love of fashion.

“Look, girl. You know there are lots of tired men on the planet—at least the last time I checked,” Skye continued. “If a woman looks good, has her stuff together and knows how to earn a living equals a scary thing, then so be it. I’m tired of making excuses for people,” she added, then sat back into the seat and fastened the seat belt.

Nita watched her, began to laugh, caught herself, then started the car and pulled out into the traffic.

“Girl, you’re right, but you’ve also got to admit that we’re living in a different age. Men are still a hot commodity. Why do you think most women want one? The average brotha doesn’t know how to respond to a serious, responsible female or to a relationship that’s going to make them accountable.”

“Point made. So, what was your secret? How did you and Branch make it through the foolishness that seems to accompany dating?”

Anita thought for a moment but continued to keep her eyes on the roadway. As she approached the airport exit signs, she turned to Skye with a perplexed look on her pretty face.

“Honestly, hon, I don’t really know. I just know that we were both not trying to play any games. Branch took one look at me behind the library’s information counter and that was it. He asked me out and I said no. But he kept coming back for the next two weeks and each time he’d ask me out again. Finally, I gave in. He had no idea I was set to graduate with honors from the program I was enrolled in, hadn’t a clue that in six months I would be an X-ray technician, but he pursued me anyway. I just think it was fate. We laugh about it all the time,” she said, now turning to look at Skye with a grin on her face. “Nova Southeast University gave me just what I needed,” she added proudly.

“Wow, look at you. You’re still beaming and the honeymoon was more than two months ago. I’m happy for you, Nita. I really am.” Skye realized with that statement that she was feeling a little sorry for herself. She also knew it was not the right time for that kind of reflection. The weekend was to be a tribute to the happy couple, a revisiting of the day they’d joined hands and hearts. It was inappropriate to point out how miserable she’d become, or how disappointing the quest for a solid love life really was.

“The storm has me a little concerned, though. What’s the latest weather forecast?” Skye’s face showed genuine concern and Nita realized she’d probably given the storm a lot of thought.

“Honestly, we’re keeping watch on it and hoping it will either lose strength or move in a different direction. Look, just relax and enjoy yourself this weekend. Branch has some fun things planned and the house will be overrun with some great people, including many of those who were at the wedding and some who were not. Don’t worry, we should be fine.”

“Okay—it’s just that lately, these storms are so unpredictable. I’ll try my best to take your advice—at least we’re all in the company of good friends.” Skye found herself reassuring both herself as well as Nita.

“You know, sometimes I worry about you, thinking that your job takes too much energy and concentration. You need something you can forget about as soon as you walk through the door at night. That, and a good man to take your mind off the day’s frustrations would put you in the right frame of mind,” she added, a mischievous grin on her face.

“Yeah, well, when you find the two-legged creature that can fill that bill, please let me know. I haven’t been on a date in more than three months, by choice,” Skye commented, shaking her head.

Nita and Skye both broke into laughter then, knowing they probably sounded like two frustrated dilettantes.

“Remember when we used to actually screen guys before our dates? We never let them know if we liked them, and didn’t even care if they really liked us or not. All we were interested in at that time was dinner, a movie and possibly a good-night kiss. Anything more was scandalous. Then, about sophomore year, things changed. That’s when all hell broke loose,” Anita laughed.

“You’re right. But tell me more about who will be there this weekend. I’m trying to live in the present, not dwell on the past. You said some interesting things back there about the other folks you guys invited. Anyone I don’t know? Anyone I should be trying to get to know?” There would not be a dull moment during the coming weekend, that much she was sure of.

“Girl, you haven’t changed one bit. Sure, there’ll be one or two in attendance that you’ve probably missed meeting somehow, but don’t worry. Everyone we invited this weekend is either one of Branch’s tightest posse, or an old homey of mine you somehow never got the opportunity to meet. Either way, they’re all good people. Relax.”