The Exchange
Monday 8:25am
“Aight, I’m bout to head to the record store. Lemme know if you need anything.”
“Man aint that the third time you’ve been there this month?”
“Okay and? You know I gotta keep building my collection!”
“Yeah whatever man. Im good tho.”
That’s my roommate Iman. He’s pretty cool, but he’s more of a homebody. As for me, my name is Nick. Nick Johnson. If you couldn’t tell already, I am a big fan of music, especially in the beautiful art form of vinyl. Something about playing music from a record player, just makes the songs sound so much better and more authentic. I go so often because I know the owner. Mr. Johnny Robinson, he’s been working there for over 40 years, and I’ve been coming to the same place for at least 11.
I bet that makes you wonder about my age doesn’t it? Don’t worry, I’m only 24. Still young in my years. My mom used to take me there all the time ever since I was a kid. She gave me the passion I have for music. Whether it’s 80’s, 90’s, 2000’s, neo-soul, afrobeats, etc. The list goes on. I just love music that has soul and a story to tell.
9:15am
*door opening ~ ding ding ~*
“Well if it isn’t my boy! How you doing son? What brings you in today?”
“I’ve listened to this record ‘Coming home’ by Leon Bridges. I know I’m late to the party, but I was wondering if you could hook me up pops”
“Of course nephew, we got some from him in the back. Go ahead and help yourself.”
“Preciate it pops!”
When I first heard this album, I couldn’t believe it was actually released in 2015. It had such an old vibe to it, that I needed to come here immediately to add to my collection. So, I headed to the back to check out what he had. As I was browsing, I noticed that someone coming in that I never seen before.
~ ding ding ~
“Well If it isn’t my baby, what brings you over to this side of town!”
“Hey granddaddy! Just wanted to drop off some albums that my friend gave me. She said she don’t listen to them no more, so thought I could help out the business you know?”
“See that’s why you’re my favorite, always so thoughtful.”
I was making my way up to the register, also to get a chance to see who this person was. Once I got to the front, I almost dropped my vinyl.
“Nephew, this is my granddaughter, Erika. Erika this is basically my adopted grandson Nick.”
“Nice to meet you”
“Um ni-nice to meet you as well.”
Man. Let me tell y’all something about myself first. My homeboy Iman has a girl and they’ve been together for almost 3 years. They keep trying to hook me up with someone but every girl I run into, she just doesn’t meet what I desire. A woman that I want to spend my life with is a woman that can teach me new things, share the same interests as me, love me in ways I never knew possible, and I would return the same to her. But I’ve striked out every single time, for 3 years straight. So, mentally, I’ve given up. I don’t bother to do dates anymore and I’ve focused on myself for the past year and I honestly didn’t have issue or complaints. I was living my best life.
Then Erika walks in and man, I must say she is the most beautiful woman I have ever laid my eyes on. She just has this glow to her and she even made me stutter! My confidence with women is through the roof, so if I met someone, I would have no problem introducing myself and strking up conversation. But with her? I couldn’t seem to find the words to speak.
She was wearing these nice flowy yoga pants that were brown, with a white fitted crop top and gold jewelry, with some white sandals to match the top. Her lips glistened with lip gloss, her skin was a beautiful shade of chocolate, and her hair was stunning. She had a bandana on but you can see her locs flowing down her shoulders. Also the body she has on her is something I can’t seem to take my eyes off of. Her figure is so beautifully crafted, and in my mind, I want to see how her body can fold under my hands.
9:25am
After I bought my vinyl, I caught up with Erika to properly introduce myself and hopefully have a chance to exchange numbers.
“So, do you own a record player?”
“Yes I do, but those records where my friends, not mine.”
“Oh ok ok. So question for you. Whose your favorite artist and what’s your favorite album from them?”
“Well that’s easy. Lauryn Hill and the Miseducaiton of Lauryn Hill….since that’s her only album.”
She laughed after saying that and it was so soft. Her voice is so soothing, I could listen to her speak about anything. I honestly don’t want this conversation to end and part of me doesn’t want her to go.
“Oh word?? That’s what’s up. You have good taste. For me I don’t really have a favorite album per say, but I do love R&B.”
“Me too! Man it’s hard to find people these days that like real music.”
“Right? It’s wild. But what are you up to, you do anything like school or work?”
“I’m finishing my last semester in college, then after that I guess work. Work not really for me tho.”
“So what you’re saying is that I can provide for you in other ways then just offering you my number?”
“You think you slick huh?”
“Like the pimp named slickback”
“Boyy, you stupid”
“Only for a lady like you. So what do you say, would you do me the honor in exchanging my phone number with you? Because I would love to treat you to something better where we can properly get to know one another.”
“Hmm I suppose. We’ll see.”
YOOOOO. I never in my life heard my heart pound so fast in my chest, but I got the digits man. I rode in my car all the way home with a smile on my face. I’m literally so excited. I haven’t been this happy in a while. I never thought I would give this dating thing another chance, but something about her just makes me yearn for her more and more.
I pulled up to my apartment complex and walked up to my room. I tried my best to hide my expressions, because I do not need Iman all up in my business. One thing I know for sure, if I am to make her my lady, I’m going to keep it private. There are too many people who I don’t want asking me questions about my personal life. I want us to have our own little world. Looking back on that, I might be thinking too far ahead. We did just meet today. I wonder if she feels the same?
