Bending down she stopped and smelled the roses. It seemed, that was all she had been doing for the past couple of days. Simply enjoying her life. She learned that she played a part in the matter. If she wanted to be happy, she could be happy. She may had to dig a little deeper, scratch a little harder. Nevertheless, she could be happy.
 
Standing she realized, she would have to purchase a new vase, for her red roses. She was cleaning and accidentally broke the vase given by her mother. A portrait on the mantle arrested her attention. It seemed such a long time ago. The couple were smiling feeding each other ice cream. They were at the park celebrating their anniversary.
 
They had been dating for three years. A monumental surprise to their friends and family, as they were both polar opposites. He was rambunctious and spontaneous. She was much more reserved. She had a plan for everything.
 
The man in the picture arrested her attention, now. His words. They were like an elixir. Calming. She was often mesmerized by his words. They were delicious. His support was his looks.

He was extremely handsome. She was not a frivolous woman by any means. However, when he expressed interest in her she was euphoric. Men like him do not pursue women like her. She remembered when they first met. It was at a park.
 
The memory galvanized her into action.  She had a couple of hours to spare before the main event tonight. Giggling like a high school girl, she quickly grabbed her coat. Whistling for Yani to follow her. Her black tresses bouncing, as she quickly, made her way down the stairs to her Mercedes.

Moments later, arriving at the park, she began to feed the pigeons and people watched. Making up stories about passing strangers lives. She often did this as a child. She could not break the habit. Besides, it was fun.
 
“Excuse me?”  The voice sent chills down her spine. 

Turning her smiled froze in place. She blinked. The stranger had her golden retriever, Yani in his arms. She blinked again.  She would never judge a person by their appearance and believed in treating people the way she wanted to be treated. But this man was disturbing.

He was extremely handsome. It pained her to look at him. She absently shook her head. He represented trouble for her.
 
The stranger extended his hand. “Hi. I am Jamal.” She did not acknowledge his name nor his proffered hand. The stranger’s smile faltered.
 
“I uh…I uh,"  Jamal stammered. "I am returning your dog to you.”

She tilted her head and nodded. "Yani is not pleased with your interrupting his time.” She said smoothly.
 
“Yani?  Oh, you mean your dog?” The stranger laughed. “I kind of figured that out when he growled at me and nipped my finger.” He lifted a slightly swollen finger.  His voice was deep and hynoptic.
 
Shaking her head. “Look thank you for returning my dog,” She purposedly sounded aloof with the hope that  Mr. Handsome would leave.  His prescence was playing havoc with her emotions. 

“Not a problem.”  He flashed even white teeth.

Her eye brows shot up. “Uh, look. Jamal, I came out her to think and be alone.”
 
His unique eyes roamed her face. “A woman like you shouldn’t be alone.”  He teased.
 
“You’re wrong Jamal. A woman like me needs to be alone, at times,” She was tired of the banal conversation. Mr. Perfect was literally getting under her skin. Packing up her things, she prepared to exit from his presence.

“Nice to meet you Jamal.  But I am in a bit of a hurry.”  She said looking down at her watch.
 
Reaching for Yani, she prayed he would get the message and bug off. How much fineness could a woman take? She pitied his wife or girlfriend. This man was trouble personified. His skin was the color of rich mocha. His body was well proportioned. He wore a black shirt with blue baggy jeans. On his feet were black sandals.
 
“Oh, don’t let me hold you up,”  He smiled devilishly.
 
The stranger made no attempt to move. She was growing more uncomfortable under the strangers stare and her skin was beginning to itch. It was a nervous reaction. One she had since she was twelve. When she grew nervous, she would start to itch.  Attempting to go around him she was stopped by his words.
 
“Have you always been a runner?” He said softly.
 
“I beg your pardon?” Outraged spiked her voice.
 
 Purposely he moved closer to her.  “Why are you running from me?” His eyes challenged her to hold his stare.  She swallowed hard at the challenge.

She could feel her ire rising. This stranger didn't know her from a can of paint. How dare he speak to her in familiar ways? Unacceptable! Turning she faced the full impact of the strangers stare. Boldness galvanized her.
 
Defiantly she raised her chin. “I am a woman of much understanding and intellect. Right, now I understand that it would be wrong to engage in further conversation with you.”

Holding up her hand. She stopped the stranger from interrupting her spiel. His eyes widen in shock or humor she could not decipher.  At that point it did not matter.

“I saw you the moment you arrived. I noticed your many stares.”
 
Nodding her head left. “At Ms. Fit over there.” She pointed to a well-proportioned  African American woman bathing in the sun.

“I noticed your smile at Ms. America over there.” Further left was a beautiful buxom blonde-haired woman, lavishing herself with sun tan lotion.
 
“I noticed your touch to Ms. Perfect over there.” Seated on a rock was a beautiful Latina woman with long wavy hair. Frantically writing in her colorful journal; her soft wavy locks falling down the left side of her face.
 
“My intellect tells me. That I should "run" from you. Not because I am runner, sir. But, because I am no man’s playground." She paused wanting her words to seep in to him.  

 "I am a woman of substance and much worth." She continued.  "You did not have to return my dog to me, as he is already trained to seek the one he loves out. He knows me. In addition, when I said that I wanted to be alone earlier," She stepped closer. "I meant it. I need me some me time.”

She whistled. Yani yelped and ran toward her. She bent down and picked him up cooing softly in his ear. His heavy bulk was comforting.
 
The stranger continued to watch her as if fascinated.
 
Looking up she offered him a smile. It was beatific. The stranger suddenly felt like he was missing something in his life. The feeling was extremely unsettling.
 
“Now if you will excuse me. I have to go home and prepare myself for my date. You see it is my anniversary. "My husband,"  she placed emphasis on the word husband.  "and I are celebrating the gift of life, our happiness together, and over coming adversity and life’s temptations.” She gave him a piercing stare.
 
Stepping around the handsome stranger, she could not staunch the laughter coming forth. It was obvious the stranger was not use to his advances be thwarted from women. To bad. One-day love will find him and when it does. He will be no match for it.
 
“Excuse me?”
 
Turning she said nothing but waited.
 
Jamal slowly approached her with his half smile. “My mother was right. There are some left out there.”
 
“Pardon me?” Her brows furrowed in confusion.
 
“Good Women" He smiled. "I have just met one.” Bowing slightly at the waist.  Reaching out and capturing her right hand, he kissed it.

 Straightening.  “It is my honor. Your husband is a blessed man," He sighed softly. "In addition, it seems that I am still a lonely man. However, for what is worth. A man can look in appreciation.”

Arching a perfect brow, that tempting smile returning again. “And in your case. Stands in admiration.” He turned and left in all his handsomeness.
 
“What a strange occurrence, Yani. I have a feeling his story is next. I do hope we meet again. Come on Yani let us go. Daddy is waiting for us. Life is good.”
 
The oldies song by Tony Toni Tone came to mind. She sung it with all the joy she could muster. “It our anniversary. ”
 
Yani barked as if in agreement.