Getting to know each other

This guy did not only look like a gentleman, but he also straight up acted like one. When he got to his side, he made sure that my seat belt was fastened well, and that l was comfortable. He also fastened his, at a smooth pace.

"You intend to overspeed?, l asked jokingly.

" Nah, just making sure we both stay alive and Jo-Anne doesn't kill me", he responded sarcastically.

Now, I already knew we would get along well because his sense of humor was so far, not bad at all. We both laughed as he drove off. I have to admit, his car wasn't just a beautiful beast, it was beyond that. The interior was super cool, smooth, no noise, unlike Mr Goodwill's which l would hear way before he even rounded the corner. With this one, you wouldn't even tell it was moving, it was just too perfect. The atmosphere was filled with the same scent that Mike carried with him, l assumed that was his "signature" and l totally liked it. It was strong, but not nauseating strong. It was just strong enough for people to feel his presence. This car had black leather seats, it was spacious, super clean and tidy. Ohh, it also had a sunroof, l could already imagine being in it with the roof open and seeing the open sky, counting the stars and making wishes to shooting stars. There was just so much one could do in this kind of car. Mike dragged me back from my dream land when he said,

"So what kind of music do you listen to, l like listening to music as l drive, it helps me relax and focus better...since l'm with you, I want to play whatever you like" 

I was shocked, l mean wow, this guy had to be on another level of perfection. I told him l was a proud die hard Sia fan and he looked dare l say, quite impressed. 

"Don't tell me you're a fan too", l said in disbelief. 

"oh noo, not really....it's just, so many girls seem to like her. My younger sister is an all time fan too. So.. How can I put it?.. I just yeah.. Like know a few of her songs" 

"Well, it seems like you are about to know a whole lot more because I literally live for that woman... " 

By the time I finished that sentence, Sia's song, bird set free was already playing and now l was truly impressed. If he did anything sweeter than what he had already done, l was just going to burst. 

" well, it looks like we might just become the best of friends" l said with a smile as l started humming to the song. He then asked who else l listened to, and l gave him a list of at least ten artists. Those he knew he just smiled and nodded, and those he wasn't familiar with, he just acknowledged that fact, and said he'd look them up. He then told me he listened to the likes of NF and Eminem, he wouldn't mind listening to them day in, day out. But being a man like he was, he didn't make it sound like he lived for them or like those deep fans who jump to the defense of their idols as soon as someone offers a different opinion to what they think. Well, l knew maybe three of Eminem's song.. And the whole album (the search), by NF. Mike couldn't hide the fact that he was impressed by that. In as much as these artists weren't particularly my favorites, I was honest enough to acknowledge that they knew what they were doing in the music industry. Mike drove at a moderate speed, never went through any red light and he just looked like he was a perfectionist, whatsoever he did. As more time passed and we were still conversing, l realized he wasn't even bad and l was having a wonderful time getting to know him. We got to the restaurant and got the menu, l was immediately conflicted, partially because l wanted to order something not expensive but it needed to be good enough to fit into the dinner shoes. I ended up just going for fries, grilled chicken, extra sauce and some mixed fruit salad. I hoped this didn't make me look cheap, or like we were starving back home. Judging by the look on Mike's face, he didn't really make anything out of the order. If anything, he was now taking out his wallet and asking me which drinks we'd take. He was surprised when l said the same order should be multiplied by three only. I'm sure he was one of those people who believed that a normal family is made up of at least five individuals plus. I hadn't thought that l'd have to explain myself to him, but I just knew that no matter how much I dragged on telling him my situation, he'd still know it someday. I noticed he only bought himself juice, and when l asked him what he'd have he said he'd already ordered pizza so he was going to be fine. I tried coming up with lies that l'd tell him in explaining why we were only three in our family. I couldn't even come up with anything solid, because like I mentioned before, l'm not a liar. So l just thought I'll be honest with him. If he wanted to judge me then he could go right ahead and do so. But from the little that I had seen from him, he probably wasn't going to judge or worsen the situation. When we got back to the car, he asked if l still had time to spend with him. When I told him I still had at least 20 minutes to spare he changed routes and drove us to some park and chill out spot. Asked me if I wanted to get out of the car or l was fine inside and obviously l chose being inside-that would be my choice over and over again anyways. He then did something that impressed me and brightened my mood, he slid the sunroof open and we could see the open sky. The sight of it was pleasing, and soothing, nature was a great thing. After spending a few quiet minutes, Mike broke the silence and cut straight to the chase. He asked me to explain how come my family was made up of three members only. I didn't even know where and how to begin, surely telling the story of my life wasn't supposed to be much of a challenge right? Or maybe considering the effect it had on me and the way I got emotional just thinking about it then l was supposed to have a difficult time. 

"I don't even know where to begin, its deep.." 

"It's alright, no pressure from my end, we can always talk about it when you feel a bit more ready" 

Somehow those words gave me direction and l started just talking, telling him about what happened, how it had affected me and my siblings, mentioned that we were coping fine but we wouldn't have ever had to "cope", but life's difficult like that. My voice broke several times as l tried explaining to Mike, shivers ran down my spine and l felt like l would choke in tears. Mike took my hand in his, kept brushing it up and down, he seemed empathetic, he didn't judge me, same time he didn't try to mask his disappointment and disapproval of what my parents had done. He also asked several questions about how we were managing, and why l couldn't write back to my mother. I explained to him that I would just become overcome with emotion whenever I tried to do so. Mike kept holding my hand, he was really sweet. 

"I hope l'm not overstepping my boundaries but have you ever considered therapy? Because you can't just get over what you went through without dealing with it in a professional and proper manner".I told him l had never thought of it and he took the liberty of explaining the importance and relevance of therapy to both my brothers and l, he told me he knew a place and he thought it would do me good if we signed up for therapy. I told him l wasn't too sure about that but l guess l could try it out, he surprised me by asking for permission to book me a session, so l could go and maybe work on the issues. He said he'd take care of everything and let me know, if l try it out and be happy then next time my brothers would have their chance too. I was beyond impressed with this guy, honestly, he was just an angel and more. Without wasting any more time he went 

"let's get the hell out of this place and get you home before your brothers start to worry about you". We changed topics and continued talking all the way home