Preparing for Antoine

Douglas took the kids to the babysitter while Elizabeth got ready. They had a feast of roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, corn, collard greens, and banana pudding awaiting their guest.

Antoine arrived at 5:30 sharp. He disliked not opening the food truck, but something told him this would be worth a night off. He was wearing blue jeans and a black dress shirt, the only one he had. Douglas opened the door.

"Antoine! Welcome to our humble abode," Douglas said. Antoine rolled his eyes. Pool out back. On acreage. Two stories. The kitchen was the size of his apartment. Elizabeth came downstairs, wearing an elegant evening gown, with expensive jewelry, her hair tied into a tight bun. He whistled softly.

"Mr. Jefferson. We are so glad you could join us," Elizabeth gushed. If he didn't know any better, Antoine thought, he might be getting his first white pussy tonight.

They ate and and made small talk. Elizabeth caught Antoine's eyes and blushed. He's not what I expected, she thought. I didn't expect to find someone older so ... attractive.

After dinner, Douglas and Antoine retired to the living room to share a drink and look through the family album. The expensive wedding. The honeymoon in the Maldives. The two kids that had a lifetime of opportunity ahead of them. He thought back to his angry ex-wife and their five noisy kids. Everything about this man's life was a million miles away from his own circumstances, he thought.

Elizabeth came back down, in a dress more appropriate for clubbing. Short and blue, with stockings and high heels. Perhaps his present circumstances were about to change, Antoine thought.