Anything for Sarah

I was speechless.

He needed to stay tonight of all nights? Our special night? We were going to make love and cuddle all night, but now... I try to hide my disappointment as I scramble to find another solution.

"Stay... the whole night? He probably needs to relax... maybe we could get him a motel room or something...?" I see Sarah's smile falter, and I immediately realize that was the wrong answer. I was trying to be reasonable, but my Sarah had her heart set on this. I wasn't looking forward to this compromise, but Sarah's infectious enthusiasm was rubbing off on me, and I'd already told Darnell I'd do anything for her. I didn't want to look like a liar in front of either of them.

"Yeah... sure, yeah, that's no problem..."

Sarah jumps up with excitement, dashing across the room to give me a deep, passionate kiss and her warm smile. Fireworks go off in my mind for just a moment from my girlfriend's sweet, tempting kiss before she pulls away and leaves me dazed.

"Don't worry baby, we've got the rest of our lives to break in that mattress. I promise I'll make it up to you tomorrow night!" She gives me a flirty wink, but our big black guest suddenly clears his throat and bursts our bubble of domestic bliss.

"Actually, it's gonna be a few days. I told my parole officer I'd be here, so I've gotta stay until he drops by and checks in. That alright?" His deep, husky voice settles over the room as he breaks the bad news. He looks totally calm, lounging on our sofa with his legs spread wide, but the look on his face tells me he's expecting a "yes."

Sarah looks thrilled.

"What? Of course that's fine, Darnell. You deserve to stay with us, after everything you've been through." She glances back to me with an apologetic look and smiles sweetly before she gives me another peck on the lips. "I'll make it up to you BIG TIME next week then! Thank you so much, babe..."

In an instant, our one night of Darnell turns into several. As annoying as the situation is, I can't stay mad about it. Somehow, Sarah can always defuse, and I crack a smile as she turns back to Darnell and scampers back over to him, plopping down onto the soft cushions.

"Of course it's alright! We'll do anything to help you get back on your feet. We know you were innocent; you didn't deserve to have your life ruined by some corrupt cops."

"Thank you, babygirl. And you too, white boy. You're alright."

I want to object to being called "white boy," but Sarah hijacks the conversation again before I can say anything, apparently not bothered.

"Don't worry, Darnell. In this house, black lives matter. Right, Liam?"

"Um... of course! Black lives matter," I reply, fully meaning it.

As I follow her lead, a strange smile spreads across Darnell's face. It feels almost... predatory. Like a wolf realizing he's inside the sheep pen. Like he realizes something we don't.

"That's right, y'all. Black lives matter." He looks satisfied with our announcement, and turns towards his room as he heaves his powerful body off the couch. "I'm gonna go change in my room and relax, if that's cool. Been a long 10 years. Thanks again, babygirl." He starts to leave, but turns back to me. "You too... thanks, Leah."

I can't help but smile, knowing I've performed a good deed for the black community and earned some brownie points with Sarah. Plus, it's always good to expand your horizons; maybe meeting Darnell could be a really cool opportunity. I watch the guest bedroom door close behind him, feeling cautiously optimistic even as one thought sits quietly in the back of my head...

...did he just say "Liam" or "Leah"?