Free A Mural of Hands by Jenelle Jack Pierre Page B

reached the corner of Lennox, a neighborhood filled with impressive, well-tended brick houses behind gates, and Brumfield Road, a neighborhood filled with people who almost had enough wealth to isolate themselves behind gates. I turned left onto Lennox Road. Natalie pointed out her house, and I pulled up in front of it. The bay windows glistened within their faded redbrick structure. From the outside, I could guess that the inside had many rooms filled with nice furniture.
    “Well, thanks.” Natalie pulled on the door handle.  
    “Wait.” I shifted in my seat so that I could look at her directly. “I can’t let you go before asking you out. There’s a spot that I’d like to take you to.”
    Natalie looked out the window, into the guarded house.  
“Come on. It’ll be fun.” I didn’t want to beg, but once other fellas discovered a fine woman like Natalie, and realized she was a permanent fixture around here, I knew it’d become more difficult to go out with her.
    “I’ll think about it.” Natalie turned and our eyes met.  
    Though I wanted a yes, I also wanted her to feel comfortable around me. “No problem. Your car will be ready by Wednesday.” She got out, slamming the door behind her, then pressed a few buttons on the panel attached to the wall next to the gate, and, in a few seconds was out of my reach.
    When I returned to Dilman’s, I ignored the engine work on a Mazda I was supposed to repair. Wednesday seemed too far away.  
    I called Natalie on Tuesday, around noon, and told her that the Lexus would be ready that evening. She thanked me, asking me what time the garage closed. I told her five-thirty. She arrived by Maxi Taxi promptly at five.  
    Natalie looked even better than the first time I’d seen her. She wore a sleeveless orange shirt, exposing well toned arms, and jeans. Her hair was pulled away from her face in one French braid, exposing feline features. Those almond eyes seemed bigger and were darkened with black eyeliner. I gave her the car keys.  
    “It’ll be nine hundred dollars.”  
    She paid in cash, nonchalantly counting out some money from her wallet.  
    “It’s running fine?” It took me days to make that much money. Natalie glanced up at me, and I looked away, not wanting her to get the wrong idea.
    “Like new,” I replied. I wondered if she’d enjoy a date with me and where to take her. In the past, I’d taken women to the coral reefs tour close to town. I decided that if Natalie agreed to go out with me, I would take her to the coral reefs in the country. It was a longer drive, but I’d heard that the water quality in the country was better.
    Natalie handed me the money, but didn’t move. Taking it as a sign, I told her I’d been thinking about her. Then I asked her out again.  
    “Yes.”
    I rocked forward on my toes, feeling somewhat giddy. I didn’t want to take any chances on this date though. Maybe she might not want to do the water thing.  
    “Is there anyplace in particular you want to go?”  
    Natalie shook her head and moved toward her car. “Not really. I haven’t been to many places here to begin with.”
    “Okay, let’s plan for this weekend. I’ll give you a call,” I said as I opened her car door for her.
    On Sunday afternoon, I took Natalie to Shoreline’s Coral Reef, hoping she’d enjoy the glass bottom boat tour. The Rasta guide led some of the single ladies into the water to the boat, taking them by the hand, warning those wearing dresses to hold up the ends so that they wouldn’t get wet from the rising tide. I wore a new pair of green plaid shorts, along with a white polo. I wanted to make a better impression on Natalie since she’d only seen me in my greasy, work overalls. The guide moved toward us as Natalie took off her flip flops, then reached out for her and smiled.
    I shot him a look. “I’ve got it,” I said, wondering if he really hadn’t seen that she was with me.
    “It’s just routine,” he replied as he