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Walking into the pavilion area always filled me with a sense of pride. There were black people everywhere selling, mingling, laughing, cooking, and being creative. The smell of grilled meats, incense, and shea butter hit me as soon as we walked up. We perused the various vendors, purchased some of their goods, and sampled others. The vendors were selling things as small as stud earrings and as large as hand-carved thrones. There was one of a kind art and music and even custom engraved leather goods. Keeva found some handmade jewelry pieces for her and her sisters. I found some paintings by a local artist that would fit well into my office décor.
“Are you ready to set up our area? I believe one of the dancing troupes is about to perform.”
“Yes,” Keeva smiled.
I stopped and admired her smile. She was happy.
“What?” she asked.
“Nothing. I’m going to take this stuff to the truck and bring back our setup, okay?”
“Okay, I will secure us a spot,” she said.
I took all of our purchases back to the truck and loaded our setup onto the wheeled cooler. Keeva had found us a great spot under a tree that created much-needed shade. It also gave us a view of the pavilion without being in the thick of the action.
I laid out the blanket, unfolded the chairs, and used the cooler as a makeshift table to hold the picnic basket.
“I have all your favorites in here,” I explained.
“This was a great idea, Reem,” she smiled.
“I’m happy you said yes. I really want you to see that I am trying, Key. I want things to be…”
“Not today, Kerem, please. Let’s just enjoy the day. No talking about real stuff,” she interrupted.
“Fair enough. Let’s treat this like a real first date,” I said.
“I like that idea,” she agreed.
“So, tell me about yourself. What do you like to do for fun?” I asked.
“I own two childcare centers. I have two sisters and two brothers-in-law. I’ve been pretty busy with work, but I want to get out and try new and adventurous things.”
“Why do you work so hard?” I asked.
“I have goals and dreams. I’ve always been taught that hard work will make dreams a reality, so I work hard,” she shrugged.
“You don’t make any time for fun?”
“I haven’t in the past, but that’s going to change.”
“What types of adventurous things would you like to try?” I asked.
“I don’t know. Skydiving, bungee jumping? I’m not sure. My sister and brother-in-law went bungee jumping when we went out of town. They both said it was an amazing experience, but I was too afraid to try it. I’ve just been thinking that life is too short to let fear or work stop me from doing whatever I want,” she answered.
“So, you would be willing to jump from a perfectly good airplane?”
“Yep. I’ve been watching videos of people skydiving. I’m afraid, but I want to learn to move past my fears and embrace the moment. That’s why I agreed to going out on a date with you,” she stared at me for a second then took a sip from the water bottle she’d retrieved from the cooler.
“Is this adventure or fear?”
“A mixture of both,” she responded.
“I’m glad you agreed.”
“What about you?” she asked.
“I’m like you. I’m doing things afraid as well. I have a goal in my view, and I’m not going to stop until I achieve it or someone tells me to stop trying. Until one of those two things happen, I’m going in full throttle,” I stared at her for a few seconds then took a sip from my drink.
