Drama? Or Temptation?

Apparently Tamiko’s boyfriend was not lying about the ‘I love drama’ bit. He returned to the doorstep this evening, unannounced and dressed like he was ready for a date. He’s about 28, half American and half Japanese, and tall like his American father who I met this past Christmas at the neighbor's party.

The doorbell rang and I wondered who it could be. I had just gotten out of the bath and pulled on some sweats. I looked out the peep hole to see Jamie, so I opened the door.

“Hi Jamie! What’s up?”

“Hi Marissa. I just stopped by to move those things upstairs.”

I have to admit that I think he is incredibly cute.

“Oh, sure, please… c’mon in….”

He came in and took off his jacket, draped it over the back of one of the chairs in the dining room and didn't make any sudden movements towards said items. I felt a little awkward with my hair all wet, in my glasses and old sweats. He asked if the room had been painted yet.

“Oh they are up there right now sanding away. They’ve been priming the area for two days now!”

“Really?” He said with his arms crossed.

“Yea, come take a look. I put that t.v. you wanted on the balcony.”

“Oh, I don’t want it,” he said. “I just came to move it downstairs for you.”

What a gentleman… I thought to myself.

We went upstairs and walked out onto the balcony where he started making small talk, and again, no indication of a rush to move anything.

“Wow this is a really big balcony…” He said.

I thought it was an odd thing to say since it is his girlfriend’s old room. It’s not like it was the first time he’d seen it.

“It’s so nice of you to stop by to move this stuff. You really didn’t have to do that,” I said.

“Well you're all females, of course you need help.”

I wasn’t sure if I should swoon or swear.

“Um, yea, I guess so…”

Then he just sort of stood there not making a move to pick up the t.v. so I said, “okay then…” and started to walk out of the room. He followed me, empty handed down the stairs and started the small talk again. Then we saw Miguel, one of the painters, carrying the t.v. down the stairs.

After the two items in question had been brought down, he just didn’t seem like he planned on leaving. I wasn’t sure what to do. On one hand, I didn’t want to be rude, should I offer him tea? On the other hand, to my knowledge, he is still Tamiko’s boyfriend and I didn’t want to give him any ideas, since I was already starting to get the feeling he had some ideas… Quite flattering, yes, but... NO! NO! NO!

“So how long have you lived here?” He asked with his hands in his pockets.

“Since October. So, I guess about six months. The monster has only been here about six weeks.”

“The monster?” He asked with a confused look on his face.

“The Indian chick that I got into the screaming match with the other day when you were here.”

“Oh!” he chuckled.

I then explained to him that I had actually chosen her which he found even more amusing. I told him that I practice yoga and that I’m into Indian philosophy.”

“Oh, me too!” he said nodding his head.

After a while and no invitation to stay, he gathered his jacket and plotted his return.

“So maybe I’ll stop by in a few days to see the room when it’s completed?”

“Of course. Yes, you know you are welcome anytime,” I said politely.

“Ok. Yea, I have your phone number. Maybe we can have breakfast or something?”

Oh dear… This is a cruel, cruel test isn’t it?