MissHappenings

Denetta walked into the university cafeteria. Today her trip was not just for food. She wanted to run into Cole again. She knew their first meeting really hadn’t gone over well and she wanted to make things up to him. She thought he was very, very cute. She really wanted to get to know him a little better. She just couldn’t seem to understand why he just left like that the last time. 

    I just don’t get it. He was here every single day then all of a sudden now he’s not here? See you cannot even rely on a man. Every single day I come down here he would be over in the corner reading something or eating. Today when I really want to see and talk to him, he’s never around. It figures. He’s just like Anthony; just when you think he’s gonna do something right, he goes and leaves me for another woman. I hope he gets just what he deserves. How dare he treat me like this?  The woman he vowed to spend the rest of his life with for better or worse. Yeah right.

    “Do you plan on standing here all day or do you plan to get something to eat?”

    Denetta turned around, startled. When she turned around she saw Cole standing there with a smirk on his face and his hands in his pockets.

    “Of course I’m going to get something to eat, silly.”  She smiled back at him.

    “It’s not that you were trying to find a table because there are plenty to choose from. So why are you standing here?”

    “I was just…uh… just thinking.”

    “Yeah, you really seem to do a lot of that. Do you intend to spend as much time with real people than your thoughts?”

    “How do you mean? We are allowed to think aren’t we?”

    “Well sure, but when those thoughts start taking over what’s happening in the real world, then you’re kind of out of touch with reality to a degree.”

    “Well I don’t see it that way. I’m a deep thinker and a lot of times my thoughts are usually a lot more accurate than the reality that I’m facing. I find that people are not true to what they really think about themselves or about other people. So I rely on my thoughts and my evaluation of others in situations to guide my actions in this real world as you call it.”

    “Well I didn’t mean to cause you to be defensive.”

    “What you mean defensive? I’m not being defensive. I’m just really explaining to you that there is nothing wrong with being a deep thinker. I don’t understand why you think there is something wrong with that. Why don’t you try it sometimes?  We don’t understand the deep things of Christ, but if you spent time being a deep thinker, perhaps you will grow closer with the Lord.” 

    “Oh boy we are starting this off again the same way we did last time. Let’s just start over. Hi, my name is Cole Stellens, nice to meet you.”

    “Now you are patronizing me. I get it.”

    “Do you start this way with everyone you meet? I’m really trying here. Listen, I like you. Otherwise I would not be wasting my time. I really would like to get to know you better and I’m hoping that you feel the same. Tell you what, if you want to pursue this further, nothing serious, just the idea of getting to know you and having conversation in the real world not in your thoughts, then I will get my meal and sit at my usual table and you can feel free to join me. How’s that?”

    “Whatever.”

    Cole threw up his hands in surrender and turned without another word, smiled at Denetta and purchased his meal. Denetta watched him walk over to the table he normally frequented. She noticed that he did not begin eating. He sat there with his arms folded looking directly at her. She rolled her eyes at him turned on her heels and went to the cafeteria line to grab her meal as well. She carried her tray and paused still looking at Cole. He was still looking at her with arms folded. He had confidence written all over his face. She nodded knowingly and walked over to his table and sat down. Cole unfolded his arms reached across the table for hers. 

    Denetta pulled her hands back. “What you doing?”  She asked incredulously.

    “I’m trying to pray over the food so that we could start eating.” Cole said with a little chuckle.

    “Oh.”

    Cole reached for Denetta’s hands again. This time she didn’t resist. They lowered their heads as Cole prayed over their food. When they both said amen, they began to eat their meal. Denetta watched Cole eat his food while eating herself. 

    Wow, he really looks good. He’s really determined too. I wonder why. What is it that he really wants from me? A man always wants something. I’m sure he has some ulterior motive. He is just too nice. Anyone who’s that nice and that persistent has something on their mind. I have been so mean to him and he has never responded to me in a negative way.  He seems very patient and confident.  Hmm.  Just like a man to be so arrogant.  Well, he may look like all that and a bag of chips, but I know he has something else on his mind and I am determined to...

    “Denetta?”

    “Huh?”

    “Is your food okay? You look like you’re eating something disgusting with that look on your face.”

    “Yes, the food is fine.”

    “Then what is it? Do I smell? Cole lifted up his right arm and started sniffing underneath his armpit.”

Denetta laughed. “Nothing like that. You are a trip. I was just…”

    “Let me guess, you were thinking...