He's Like an Old Record

There's this store I found out about around a year ago, that still sells vinyl. Those big, beautiful black round pieces of magic, that spin my soul into a musical typhoon. I go there on Saturdays, and dig through the crates. I usually have a few specific selections in mind when I go, but I always grab a lil somethin' extra. I can't help myself... I get lost in the moment.

Saturday... 9 AM

I walked to the back. It's my favorite spot in the store. I can get deep into my vibe and feel like I'm the only one there. I dig through the crates and Leon, the owner, occasionally comes back and talks to me about the early days of Motown. I love to hear him tell me stories about growing up in the 50s. It's like I can see them playing out in front of me. While we were talking, the bell on the door rang indicating someone was either leaving or coming in. My eyes became fixated on the man that walked in. He was so fine. The kinda fine that made me wanna find a reason to make him notice me fine. James and Kat were up front organizing records. I noticed him (the fine man who'd just walked in) looking around. He walked over to them. Apparently he was looking for some records in the back of the store, because they were pointing him in our direction. He began to walk towards us. Leon didn't notice, his back was turned. He was still talking to me, but he was starting to sound more and more like the teacher on Charlie Brown, which was crazy because I love talking to him. I figured he'd keep walking to the specific area he was asking about, and I'd low key stare at him. Well, that didn't happen.

He tapped Leon on the shoulder.

"Uncle Leon!" he said, smiling.

"Nick!" Leon responded with a huge smile on his face. "What brings you here, nephew? Visiting?"

"I'm visiting you, but I moved here a few days ago. I stopped by the house and Aunt Hattie said you were here. So, here I am. "

I had stopped talking. I was standing there feeling awkward because I had just plotted on how I was going to mind stalk this man moments earlier.

"Nick, this is Monica. She's a regular... one of my best customers," Leon said with his hand on my shoulder.

"Hi, Monica... nice to meet you," he said, extending his hand.

"Hi... likewise," I said, extending mine in return to shake his.

Ok... now I'm wanting to get back to my crate digging. I politely excused myself and got back to it. About twenty minutes had passed, and I had found about five records that I just had to have. I spent a few more minutes back there and made my way to the front of the store. I gave Kat my selections so that she could ring me up.

"Nice selections," a deep voice from behind me said.

I turned around. It was Nick.

"Thanks... I can't wait to get them home," said.

Kat handed me my records, and I began to walk out of the store. Nick was right behind me. We talked outside of the store for a few minutes. We could see Leon watching through the window. We laughed at that. We continued our conversation over the phone.

7 PM...

Nick's vibe was so chill. Like an old record. I agreed to let him bring a pizza over for us to share. Now, normally I wouldn't let a brotha be all up in my house so soon, but on the strength of Leon being his uncle and him being so amazing, I made an exception.

We sat on my living room floor and ate pizza while we played records and talked about music, romance, and food. He was a perfect gentleman. He kissed me... twice, and left it right there. No pushing for anything more.

Midnight...

Nick left around midnight. He called me when he got home to let me know he had made it there safely. An hour later, we were ending another conversation. We made plans for lunch. He picked me up around 1. We went to his favorite restaurant, because he wanted me to try the seafood there. He swore it was everything, and it was.

Sunday afternoon...

We had another amazing conversation. While we were talking, he reached across the table and grabbed my hand gently. He expressed how much he was feeling me, and I told him it was mutual.

"I'm going to make you my wife, Monica Jones."

We had told each other our middle and last names in the midst of one of our several conversations.

I laughed.

"I'm dead ass serious, Monica. You make me feel something so deep in my soul. I'm not going to let that go."

I smiled and got up. I slid next to him on his side of the booth. I placed my hands on his face and kissed him.

"You have me completely, " I said.

He's like an old record. The kind that spins your soul into a musical typhoon. Sometimes, old is good. Sometimes, you find an oldie but goodie, and you hold on to it... because, well... you'd be a fool not to.

Nick... he spins me like an old record and I never want him to stop.