Dark Or Cream

Kaja typed back, “Wow! That was a lot! It’s late, so I’ll have to listen to that song you posted tomorrow. I don’t really go for country, but I’m game to try it. I don’t have any kids. I own a restaurant in town. I’ll talk to you more tomorrow.” She powered off the computer and nestled in her blankets to try to get some sleep, knowing tomorrow would be busy. It took a while for her mind to finally shut down. She had plenty of thoughts about the handsome lone ranger from pof.com.

When she awoke the next morning, he was back again. “I think I’ve got the hang of how this website works. In my experience, it’s mostly about making a physical connection. To be honest, I’m not one for one-night stands. I gotta know upfront are you just in it to find people to sleep with?” Kaja squeaked at the computer, appalled by the question.

“No,” she said aloud as she typed, “I am not the one-night stand type, either. I created a profile at my sister’s suggestion because she thinks this is the year for romance for me. However, I can’t really say I’m looking for a serious relationship. Is it fine if we just chat and be friends for now? I’d like to get to know you better.” Checking her message to make sure it sounded right, Kaja nodded to herself in satisfaction and sent it off. She got up from her desk and got ready for work.

A day at the restaurant meant sweating over a hot stove, and Kaja was glad she loved her job; otherwise the work would be tedious. She had smart, efficient staff to keep the business running smoothly. Her customers expected flavorful, familiar fare, and she provided lovingly. The special of the day was gumbo, a great choice for the unusually cold winter. All of her recipes were either devised from her own inventive mind or handed down in the family. The people’s favorite was her Nonnie’s World Famous Coconut Creme Pie.

Kaja counted her blessings as she closed the restaurant door for another night. She was feeling like the stars were aligning, like nothing could go wrong. The year had come in with a bounty of financial success, and now she had a new male friend to boot. Driving in her town car, she raced the short distance from Cooking by Kaj to her cozy one bedroom cottage. She pulled the car into the garage and hurried inside out of the chill air. It was about six o’clock in the evening. She wanted her bath, but this time she knew to check her dating profile first. There, as she had expected, was another message from Eric.

“Good to know we’re on the same page. I’m cool with being friends. Are you dating anyone in particular? I broke up with a girlfriend about six months ago, and that’s when I started my page. I guess I should say things like I like long walks in the park and holding hands under the stars, but that seems superficial. I’d rather tell you about my day and ask you about yours. I got to work and had a tractor to take apart for an old buddy of mine. He had an oil leak and couldn’t figure out the source. It was a brand new tractor, too. He was madder than a rattlesnake in a hatbox. I got it fixed before closing time, though. Lunch was a sandwich I fixed from home, and I got to thinking I wished I knew where your restaurant was in town, cause I could sure use some good food around noon. You’d be surprised at how hungry fiddling with engine parts can make you. I checked at this little diner up the way from my shop, but I don’t think it was yours. Anyway, after I got off work, I took my dog, Charlemagne, for a walk around the property, and that son of a gun chased a rabbit clear across the hayfield. He’s wishing it were summer cause he don’t get to get out much in the winter time. Do you have any pets? This is getting lengthy, so I’ll wait for you to reply back. Tell me about your day. I hope it was a nice one.”

Kaja smiled to herself as she read, picturing Eric in his shop tinkering with parts and the hound from the photograph chasing a rabbit. She bit the tip of her tongue between her teeth and started typing. “I can’t tell you the name of my restaurant, because I don’t know you yet. You could be an axe murdered and come chop me up! LBVS (Laughing, but very serious). I spent my day cooking boatloads of gumbo. That’s a hint. Nobody in town cooks gumbo better than mine, just ask around. I’m home and have my brother’s birthday party on my mind since I’m catering the event. I completed most of the birthday cooking today. By the way, I listened to the song you sent, and it has an okay beat to it. Try this one by this new artist named August Alsina. It’s called ‘No Love.’ It’s an R&B song with a rap verse by Nicki Minaj. You said you listen to a little of everything, so I hope you dig it. In the meantime, this bath is calling my name. I gotta run. I hope I hear from you again soon.”

Like the night before, by the time she was ready to go to sleep, he had responded back. “I loved that song! I just downloaded it on my iSound account. You’re tryna tell me don’t look for love with you? Lol. Hey, maybe the website didn’t get it wrong when it said we’d be a good match. Enjoy your bath and get a good night’s rest. I’ll be hunting the scent of gumbo tomorrow. I’m just kidding. I won’t try to find your restaurant, if it makes you feel uncomfortable. Don’t work too hard, and I bet that birthday party is going to be a success with you doing the cooking. Good night, Kaja.”

Kaja didn’t send another reply. She curled up in her king-sized bed and wondered what Eric was like in person. He was so handsome in pictures, that she almost feared he might be a catfish. Yet, he seemed so down to earth and natural that he didn’t seem the type to scam girls with a picture that wasn’t his. She liked the fact that he talked about ordinary things in an ordinary way. He wasn’t trying to dazzle or impress like even some of her social network friends tried to do. Kaja was a no-nonsense girl. She didn’t need a flowery courtship; she preferred a straightforward approach.

Kaja had dozed off, but her eyes popped open, as she remembered one last thing. She reached across the pillow to her nightstand and grabbed her phone. Ebony answered on the first ring, sounding wide awake. “I thought you’d be in bed,” Kaja mumbled.

“You sound like you’re already sleep. I’m up with these bad kids. Mishayla! Put that baby doll back in your room and get your sister and go to bed! Yeah, what’cha need, Kaja?”

“I just remembered I’m out of powder sugar. I can’t make that icing tomorrow.”

“Want me to pick some up on my way over?”

“Would you? You live closer to the grocery store. I’m going straight home from the restaurant.”

“I got you, brat. Now you go your butt to bed, too. You sound horrible.”

Kaja hung up the phone and snuggled up with her pillow, content she had the right ingredients in her sweet life.