Enter Eva Pt. 2
“So, you left some tickets at Will Call?” It was Carmelo. “D, our boy left tickets at Will Call.” He yelled across the locker room.
“How do you even know that? They could have been for my brother.”
“Nah, we know he on the family plan. These were special tickets.”
“Alright, so I invited Eva to the game.” I pulled my black Burberry hoodie over my head and reached for a pair of high top knit sneakers. “Now I don’t wanna be late.”
“Call us later so we can have Girl Talk!” Dwyane yelled after me.
“Nice game tonight.”
“Thanks. I’m glad you were able to make it.”
We were sitting at an outside table at Il Gabbiano on Biscayne Boulevard. Gorgeous views all around, if I do say so myself.
“I mean, I was a cheerleader at Reagan for three years.”
“That’s right, you were. I forgot about that.”
“Mhm. My dad couldn’t believe I had gotten tickets for the game tonight. He said to tell you thanks.”
“Mr. Walker was always a cool dude. He reminds me of my pops. I’m glad we were able to get a win out there. I’m also glad you were able to join me for a post-game dinner.”
“I mean you seemed rather persistent when I gave you a ride home the other night.”
“You sure your boyfriend won’t mind? I didn’t even ask if he wanted to come to the game.”
“Very funny, Antonio. There is no boyfriend.”
“What happened to ol boy from Reagan? Devon? Damon? Darryl?”
“Dante.” She laughed. “His damn name was Dante.”
“Right, right. My bad. Dante. How is old Dante?”
She shrugged. “I couldn’t tell you. We only lasted through the summer. Something about long distance relationships or whatever. Last I heard, he was playing football in Kentucky.”
“That’s right. He got the scholarship to Murray State, right?”
She nodded and laughed. “So, you remember that, but can’t remember his damn name? You’re unbelievable.”
It was really good catching up with her. It turns out she had gotten into Tisch, but only with a partial scholarship. When her father had lost his job, she decided to use some of her college fund to help support her family until things settled down. She has plans to go in a year or two. I think that’s really admirable. I definitely understand where she’s coming from.
I didn’t have to say much about my life these past 18 months. She watched the whole thing play out via social media. So, I just listened to her. I felt like I could listen to her all night really. We talked until it was time for dessert.
“I don’t think I could eat another bite, Antonio.”
“Come on, girl. We gotta try the Tiramisu. Just one bite. And then you can take the rest to go.”
“Alright. Just one bite.”