1 Burger Man

On a Friday morning, Lola and I woke up in our PJs and headed to the sink to brush up our teeth, after greeting and smiling over nothing. She went over to the kitchen’s counter and stood for 2 minutes then called

‘’Danielle!!! What are we making for breakfast, I’m starving.

She screamed topping her pitched voice

‘’babe, anything running thru your mind?’’ I replied, sorting our dirty clothes for laundry

‘’nothing really, that’s why I asked.

‘’Tea!’’ I snapped

‘’Tea? That’s crazy. Do we have to take in tea every goddamn morning, Please, you suck.

‘’Then why did you ask me….’’ I came towards her pissed off ‘’there’s noodles, bread, snacks name it. Just cook up something’’

I sat on a chair at the counter

‘’did you just speak to me that way?

‘’are we going to do this right now? Small jokes turned worse’’ I snapped turning away

‘’I get it. What’s up with the attitude. I did not bite you, did i? Lola asked curiously

‘’Of course, you did. What did you tell Jamal last night?"

I looked at Lola in the eye demanding answers. She was fond of telling our male friends stupid things about me. I know we lived under the same roof, truly its hard keeping up with her attitude, especially gossiping.

‘’babe, nothing. We just had a conversation that’s all.’’ She shrugged and turned away in guilt

‘’that’s it for you? Like you said nothing wrong? That’s great. You know its thoughtful living with you and another thing keeping up with you. Good work, aunt!’’

‘’look, I’m sorry. I could not zip it for long, I really am’’ she looked remorseful

‘’Save it. I’m off for a jog.

I walked to the room changed to some sport trainers, grabbed my earphone and my cell then walked out briskly.

I jogged a few miles then stopped to get burger. I was someone who didn’t care about the streets or being civilized, I was a go getter, what I want, I get it. At the burger shop, I waved and the attendant noticed then he came through. He was young and flawless, energetic and less shy. He looked like someone who loved and appreciated his job to the core. Before I could realize, I found myself smiling broadly

‘’hi. Can I have two?

‘’sure. Would you like more? He teased smiling exposing his white teeth

‘’Oh no, 2 is fine. How much?

‘’$3.’’ he snapped

‘’ok.

I pulled out my wallet, handed some notes and handed it over. He received it and generated a receipt and packaged my burgers and gave it to me. As a go girl, I took out one and pounced on it without realizing I was still in front of him. After I had gone halfway, I realized and things turned awkward maybe because he was staring and smiling surprisingly.

‘’Oh my gosh, what was I thinking? That’s who I am, I cant deal with it either….

‘’C’mon, no one said it’s a crime. I was baffled. Most ladies don’t do that, being free and caring less, being who they are, its not common you can relate.’’ He said politely

‘’Oh yeah, that’s right. I should head on….

‘’eating burgers? He said cutting in

‘’ you got it.

I turned to leave then I paused and turned to him and asked

‘’burger man, and your name?

‘’burger man? He looked sad

‘’I didn’t mean it that way. Trust me, I joke a lot so you can call me trash girl’’ I teased

He laughed and continued

‘’ok trash girl. I’m Dayo west, mostly called West!

‘’Nice. I’m Danielle Chris, call me Danni.

‘’sweet. So I’d really love to see more of you Danni, you’re a great girl’’ he complimented placing his hands on the counter

‘’Great, see you soon.’’ I smiled walking away

‘’Danni? You’re going to just leave?’’ he screamed looking disheartened

‘’yeah, burger man!’’ I screamed back and left.

I walked back home still eating my burger. I got to the door and held the door handle to open, then I walked in. I met Lola setting the table for two then she looked up

‘’you back? She continued placing napkins

‘’yes I am.’’ I sat at the table

‘’Danni, I’m sorry for earlier. But you really didn’t have to walk out on me like that… we’ve been friends since childhood….

‘’you know what don’t try to ruin my morning once more and act like you did great. You know you did mess up. If you cant hold it down for me, then I wont.’’ I stood up to leave then she spoke

‘’I get it. I couldn’t prepare tea, ‘coz we are out of milk and butter, so I made noodles hope you don’t mind?’’ she looked worried and tried to act firm

‘’I’m full. I ate burger and I brought one for you.’’ I handed it to her and turned to leave

‘’thanks honey. How thoughtful but you got to eat mine if I eat yours, deal? She tilted her head waiting for response

‘’I won’t loud mouth!....

‘’Girl code’’ she snapped

‘’seriously, are you going to use that on me right now? This minute? I said nodding with my head

‘’yes Seriously. I promise not to tell Jamal any of our stuff.’’ She pleaded looking cute

I smiled accepting apologies then started eating.

‘’so who’s the guy you met? Lola asked smiling curiously

‘’nobody. Just a honest jog.’’ I shrugged

‘’don’t lie, girl…..

‘’Lola!!!! Ok, its burger man

‘’sorry?’’ she asked trying to understand

‘’West! The burger man…

‘’Oh I get it. Is it that…

‘’No. he’s not’’ I tried to prevent her from being nosy

‘’auntie, please don’t lie. That’s the only burger stall we got around so?’’ Lola figured

‘’yes it is. He’s great you know’’ I blushed

‘’then he asked for your number.’’ She sipped water

‘’No.’’ I snapped

‘’No?.......’’ she curiously asked

‘’could you stop snooping. Its disgusting.’’ I said being a bit pissed

‘’I wont. That’s what you get for ignoring me and screaming over Jamal’s conversation. She defiantly replied

‘’you’re such a bissh you know’’ I insulted scooping my food

‘’Yes Danni, I know. Excuse me for being antisocial….’’ She turned away

‘’that’s Roddy Richh’s album’s tittle.’’ I teased

‘’Yea, miss hip hop.

We laughed and continued eating. I wouldn’t lie about one fact, Lola is the best woman I ever met in my life aside from Mom, though she’s a loud mouth but she’s honest, trust worthy and a go getter like my self.

One thing I hated was to be drown away from her by her gummy boyfriend. He’s a freak but nice, though I don’t like him for one reason, he flirts a lot and ends cheating on Lola the loyal girl. I’ve tried to warn her but she’s fond of being the saint, always forgiving that crap over and over and over again.

To fact that I have to respect her decision, does not mean that I like to overlook her negligence to the situation. I felt he was playing a fast one my girl. Lola wouldn’t listen, she’d always say forgiveness is key, that Jesus himself does not get tired of forgiving us. When says that, I’d melt and turn away. That was her trick of getting me to lay low and zip it.