He said, “Not nice a girl be rude for no reason at all, especially when a man wanna help her.” I said, “Thanks, but no thanks.” I slipped my suit coat on. I turned and crossed the 72nd Street cutoff and headed north toward the Metropolitan Museum of Art.. He was still at my side.
I said, “Don’t you think it’s rude to follow somebody?” He said, “Don’t you think that’s rude to tell that to somebody?” I said, “Answer my question first.” He said, “I did, with a question.” I turned and looked at him, just for a second, to see if he was serious. He was.
I went down the long slope of beautiful grass. It had just been cut and it smelled heavenly. It was six. Day had another hour at this time of year. He was still at my side. Annoyed, I stopped. “I’m sorry, but I don’t need any company. Thank you anyway.”
I walked faster, but it wasn’t easy in heels. “You better be careful you walk in high heels.” I stopped again. “What do you want?” He said, “I wanna fix your bag. That’s all.” I gave him an offer, “Then you’ll leave me alone?” Yes, he would.
Wanting to trust in the smile he gave me, I let the handbag slip off my shoulder and into his hand. He sat down. “Gonna take some time. The pin gotta be replaced and the hook is all bent outta shape. You got a knife?” I didn’t. “Then it gonna take some time.
I stood there while he sat. He knew how to take the thing a part. He set everything to the side so he wouldn’t forget how to put it back together. He looked up at me, “You gonna stand there?” I didn’t answer him. But I did want to sit. “Then please have a seat.” I thought about it then sat down. It felt good. I rubbed my ankles and then my pumps. My feet were hurting. He said, “You have to take your shoes off to rub your feet.” I took them off. He said, “My name is Roux…What’s yours?”
“Roux?” He said, “You know. Can your mother make a Roux? Well she made me.” “Are you a chef?” He said, “No, but I can cook.” I asked, “You’re from New Orleans?” “Not anymore.” I knew what he meant. “Did you lose any family down there?” “Wouldn’t know. Can’t get in touch with them. And your name?”
“Caroline.” He said Caroline like it was something from a long time ago. “I like that name.” I said, “I do too, but everyone calls me Carrie.” He said, “You’re very pretty.” Then turned away, as if embarrassed. I liked that. Maybe he wasn’t as big a wolf as I had thought.
He said, “Comin’ home from work, right?” “Yeah.” He held up one of the pins and said, “Nice day, though hot. Humid too, not like back home. You got to wear that suit everyday or something big today make you put it on?”
Diary of A Rich Girl – Chapter 128, by Carrie
To be continued…
