Free This Can't be Life by Shakara Cannon Page A

there soon,” I said, before hanging up the phone. We got out of his truck and walked over to my car where the tow truck driver had stopped. He asked for Malachi’s card, filled out a form, and then handed it to him to sign. By the time Malachi finished reading and signing the slip, my car door was open.
    “Wow, that was quick.” I was amazed. Malachi handed the man his clipboard and we thanked him as he hopped in his truck and pulled off.
    “I can’t thank you enough,” I said to Malachi, after the tow truck driver hopped in his truck.
    “I’m used to getting a thank you and I usually don’t care too much about someone returning a favor, but will you do one for me and let me take you out? I’m so happy that you locked your keys in your car. Inside that hospital, I’m Dr. Edmonds, but I’m happy that I got a chance to introduce you to Malachi. I would’ve never asked you out while I was working. I believe in fate and that’s exactly what this is. I’ve been mesmerized by you since I first saw you in the emergency waiting room. I hope you believe that I’m telling you the truth. Say yes, because I just spilled my guts. Oh, damn. Do you have a man? I guess I should’ve asked you that first, huh?” he said, laughing.
    “Yeah, you probably should’ve asked me that first, but luckily, I don’t have a man,” I answered with a laugh.
    “So, can I take you out?” he asked again.
    “Why not?” I wanted to jump up, spread my arms out and do the splits in midair like cheerleaders do when their team scores. Calm down. Calm down , I kept repeating in my head.
    I grabbed my wallet out of my purse and pulled out a business card. I wrote my home number and cell on the back and handed it to him.
    “How about Sunday?” he asked, sounding hopeful.
    “Sunday sounds fine. Early afternoon or evening?”
    “Early afternoon sounds good. How’s 2:00 and we can make it a day?”
    “Sounds like fun.” I was so excited. I can’t remember the last time I felt this ecstatic over a date.
    “Okay, I’ll pick you up then. Put your address on the back of your card.” He handed my card back to me and I wrote my address on the back. I was already anticipating his arrival, although a bit prematurely.
    “Give me a call if you need directions.”
    “I’ll call you anyway. You have a good evening,” he said, walking away.
    “You, too, Malachi.” I couldn’t stop smiling. I felt so good. I would have never thought that I would be thanking God for letting me lock my keys in the car, but He sure knows what He’s doing.
    “Thank you, God,” I said, looking up at the concrete ceiling. I reached inside the car, grabbed my keys off the passenger seat, closed the door, and skipped toward the elevator.
     
     
     
     

 
    Simone
     
     
    I stepped into the salon and locked the door behind me. I walked a few paces over to the black, U-shaped reception desk and took the mail out of the chrome mail holder. I noticed the light blinking on line one and wondered who could possibly be calling here this early. It was 6:00 in the morning and the only time I was able to have a few moments to myself in the salon. The last thing I was thinking about doing was answering it. Everybody knew I was here this early Wednesday through Saturday, so it could have been anyone.
    I walked around the camel hued walls that separated my beauty sanctuary from the outside world. As I looked around, I felt the calm you feel when you’re on some island lying on the beach in the sand—content. I flipped on a couple of lights and again realized how blessed I was to have my childhood dream materialize exactly the way I pictured it. Throughout the salon were beautiful ferns hanging from each corner of the earth toned painted walls. Each station was black with plush, camel toned, leather salon chairs that were as comfortable as your grandfather’s recliner. Overlooking each station, were individual skylights that emanated natural light throughout the day.