The Auction

Samantha patiently waits, feeling kind of stupid, for her to be called. Finally Annabella waves her over, and she steps forward and waves, smiling. “OK, gentlemen, here is your chance for a WONDERFUL evening! This lovely lady is Samantha! I can tell you she is a DREAM! And I should know - she’s my sister! So you better treat her nice!” she says to the crowd, wagging a finger at them. “OK, so with your date with MY SISTER, Samantha, will be a ride to the VERY nice French restaurant, La Magnifique, with a stretch limo to take you to and from the hotel and dinner. Let’s open the bidding at $500.”

Several people place bids, and it takes awhile before a winner is declared. “OK! Congratulations to the winner of this bid, Mr. LaShawn Jackson!” People clap, and Samantha is stunned that someone just paid $20,000 to go on a date with her. Annabella quickly leans in and tells her, “Shit, lucky you! That’s the guy I was telling you about, the football player!”

Samantha walks off to be greeted by an enormous, good looking black man, in a perfect suit and tie, his hair in neat cornrows. He takes her by the hand, and after moving away from the crowd says, “Hi, I’m LaShawn,” and smiles at her. “Samantha. Very nice to meet you.” LaShawn asks, “Say, I don’t know if you would be cool with this, but would you mind if my little brother LaQuan tags along? He’s new to the city, and I’d like to be able to use this opportunity to show him around a little.” Samantha quickly answers him - “Oh no, that’s totally fine, totally cool.” “Cool!” he says, and the two walk out of the conference room as he sends a quick text message. “Alright, cool, he’ll meet us at the restaurant.” LaShawn says. “Oh, OK,” Samantha replies, and they walk out of the hotel, arm in arm.