Thandie's excitement mounted. It had been a while since she had done something spontaneous that didn't involve her kids. She looked forward to her date with Cole and put Callum's invitation on hold.

She didn't reply to Callum's question, but the man was patient. A day or two couldn't change his plans, and he still lingered on the high of hearing Thandie call his name out.

Callum missed her passage in front of Bakersfield the next day. It had never happened or didn't occur enough for Callum to note it. Like the day before, the queue was massive.

Callum didn't wonder why there was a sudden hype around his puffs. He hoped Thandie would give him the answer the next time she saw him.

Unfortunately for Callum, Thandie didn't taste them. She gave the chou creams to her colleagues and ignored the compliments they made. She solely focused on her date and waited.

"The cavalry is here," Thiane said, poking her head into Thandie's room before entering.

"Thi, I don't know what to wear. He didn't tell me where we were going."

Thiane came and sat on Thandie's bed, "Did he give a hint?"

"Wear something casual he wrote."

Thiane snapped her fingers, "That means jeans and a hoodie for me. Oh, and sneakers."

Thandie shook her head as if to say nonsense, "That isn't date attire."

"Trust me, I've been on enough dates to know it can. Guys on Oppo usually schedule some activity on the first date. The app advises avoiding the cinema or taking the person to dinner immediately."

"Why?"

"Well, you can't get to know someone while watching movies, and you can't see if your energy matches while eating," Thiane explained.

Thandie slid her gaze to the side, "Says who?"

"Says Oppo studies," Thiane replied. "Sports activities, or any that demand both of you to invest in the date, are the best. One's true nature transpires when playing because most forget their social masks. Whether sore loser or competitive, you'll see it. You also see one's behavior if you're doing something you're not good at. Will the person watch you struggle or help you? It allows you to asses. I agree with that theory. I've been on a few dates where the men cheated or were very condescending when they won."

"How about drinking coffee? What does Oppo say about that?" Thandie asked, thinking about Callum's proposal.

"It would mean three things," Thiane lifted a finger. "He wants a bailout option if it's in a café. Coffees are quick to drink; thus, one can ditch you quicker," she raised another finger. "He wants to sleep with you if he invites you to his place for coffee, and lastly, he's taking baby steps."

"What do you mean?" Thandie needed clarification. She left the dating game when ringtones and dinner were the norm.

Thiane shrugged, "He fears rejection if he asks for something else. He offers coffee so you feel safe or more at ease. It is not an impactful engagement. You're more likely to accept"

Thandie nodded. She guessed Callum was concerned by Thiane's third statement.

"Where is he picking you up?" Thiane asked.

"In front of Noman's off-license. I didn't want him to come here because of the kids."

Thiane widened her eyes at her sister, "Haven't you told them?"

"Told them what?" Thandie said, feigning ignorance.

"Tha, you can't start dating without letting your children know. They'll get the wrong idea and think you're an infidel. Your ex-husband will look like a victim."

Thandie shook her head and said, "Don't you think you're exaggerating?"

"No."

Thandie took a shirt and a sweater from her wardrobe and placed each in front of the other, thinking of how she could break the news to her kids.

Thiane was right, but Thandie had no intention of bringing any of her dates home, but again Thiane was right. Thandie lived in a small neighborhood where news traveled fast to the point where she wondered if people didn't start something up about her and the baker.

"Straight leg or boot cut?" Thandie asked.

"Don't you have barrels?"

"Bar-rel?"

Thiane pointed at her jeans, "Like mine."

"Those are baggy pants for me."

"No, baggies are different. With these, you have a balloon effect, but it's not exaggerated."

"Listen, Thi, I don't want to look younger."

"Fashion isn't about youth. Wear a straight-leg one and a sweater. You're not applying for a job."

"Yes, boss."

"Heels or loafers?" Thandie said while holding up a foot of each.

"Sneakers."

"You're not helping, Thi. I don't want to seem neglected."

"You don't want to seem desperate, either. Heels are come on over shoes. Loafers are the I'm lazy, but I want to look smart, but my back hurts type of shoes. Sneakers are the question mark," Thiane pushed her hands forward as though she pressed on pedals," They say I'm ready for an adventure; I'm laid back. I'm in, but I'm not all over the place."

Thandie sighed, "Okay? I'll wear my Converse."

"No, not Chuck D. They make your feet look like canoë."

"Oh no, Thi, did you just diss my shoes?"

Thiane dodged the bullet and said, "Wear mine."

"What are you wearing?" Thandie asked.

"NB 580. They'll go well with your jeans, and your feet will look cute and small."

"Thiane, are you sure this doesn't make me come off rusty?"

Thiane patted a spot beside her on the bed, "Nope, come, I'll do your makeup."

Like many women of her generation, Thiane was a pro regarding fake lashes and flawless makeup.

"Wow," Thandie said, turning her face to look at her profile in the hand mirror.

"You see that this is what it's all about. You wear casual attire with flawless, clean girl makeup."

Thandie turned her head to look at her sister, "Why is it called clean? Does dirty or mash-up makeup exist?"

"Chinekeee, Tha, you did an aunt Doris on me."

Thandie laughed nervously, "Why are you comparing me to the most ancient aunt we're related to?"

"Because you spoke like an ancient person. Remember when Filo told her they were nonbinary."

Thandie chuckled as she watched Thiane imitate their aunt. "What kind of sorcery is that? How can you not be male or fe-male? One can't be a cat and a dog at once. So you're a ca-dog, no, a do-ja."

The sisters laughed, but beliefs and traditions weighed. Families had high expectations, and some mindsets were too narrow to understand what preoccupied their generation.

"Anyway, wear my sneakers. You'll be comfortable and have the right shoes if you want to flee."

Thandie laughed. She felt the pressure fall, and it reassured her. The sisters went downstairs.

"Alright, kids, I'm going out," Thandie said, kissing each of her children on the forehead. "Aunty will stay with you till I return." She popped on her sister's sneakers, took her coat, and left.

"Where is she going? "Royal asked once the door closed.

"Out with a friend," Thiane replied as she picked Belle Ange from her brother's lap.

Royal went to the window. His mother had already disappeared down the driveway, "Which friend?"

"Why didn't you ask her?"

"I don't want no beating," Royal replied, returning to the sofa.

"Same here."

Meia laughed, "Aunty, you're an adult. How can you be scared of Mom?"

"I'm an adult with trauma. Of course, I'm scared of your mom," Thiane said, thinking of how Thandie used to scold her or hit her knuckle on her forehead.

"Alright, what's new on Netflix, kids?"

"We don't have Netflix anymore, Aunty, remember," Kenya replied.

Again, the info slipped. It wasn't the most important, but the detail underlined the challenges her sister endured. Thandie was trying to keep her head afloat, but Thiane wondered if Thandie could keep the house. The mortgage was what weighed Thandie's finances down. It was becoming evident that the best option was to move into a flat in a cheaper area.

Thiane prayed for a miracle as she sat before BBC just in time for Eastenders. The thirty-eight-year-old show was a staple for any British folk. Kenya joined her to watch the slice-of-life soap opera while Royal left for his room, and Meia drew a picture on the dining table.

Thandie hurried to the meeting point and slowed down as she turned on the corner of Bronte Street. She was right on time. There was no need for speed.

She just hoped Cole would be there. Like her daughter Meia, she was impatient. Waiting made her lose her nerve, and this situation disturbed her confidence.

"Hey there," luckily for her, Cole was already there.

"Hi."

"It's good to see you even if I saw you this morning," the man said, looking at Thandie's attire, happy to see she understood what casual meant.

Thandie had almost made it a habit of seeing off her kids, and Cole appreciated seeing her daily.

"My car is over there."

Cole noted Thandie wore sneakers; she suddenly seemed shorter than him, and the man unconsciously felt like a protector.

"Where are we going?" Thandie asked. She, too, took a few seconds to scope Cole's outfit. Thank goodness she didn't go for the heels and shirt. What captured her attention was the familiar scent of Truth by C.K. Thandie now despised the perfume that used to make her high. She took a good whiff of the fragrance before grinning at the irony of a cheating husband wearing a perfume called Truth.

"To have some fun," Cole said, thinking Thandie beamed because she saw something she liked.

"It doesn't say where the fun is. Where are we going?" Thandie asked again.

Cole noticed the nervous yet imperative tone she employed. Her stress was palpable. Cole had to reply if he didn't want his date to exit.

"Hollande Park."

Hollande Park was just as its name suggested, a Park where people walked, checked their footing, or fed ducks. It didn't sound like the spot to measure their compatibility.

"So, how's the week so far?" Cole asked as he opened his car doors.

Thandie climbed into the black Qashqai." Chaos as usual," she said once seated. From the looks of his car, being a P.E. teacher pays well, Thandie thought.

Cole adjusted the rearview mirror and buckled his seatbelt, "Why?"

"I've got lots of work," Thandie said, thinking of the post office and the pressing.

"I imagine four kids must be-."

"It's not my kids. My kids aren't a job. They're kids."

Cole smiled; he liked Thandie's temperament. While people saw her as tough, Cole found Thandie brave. He started the car and turned on the music.

"How was your week?" Thandie returned.

Cole smiled, "Fun. I love my job. I work out all day with the children. I help them grow and encourage them to go ahead of themselves. It's great."

He had clear russet brown skin and almond eyes. Cole was handsome; even his profile gave off a majestic look. How could such a handsome man be single? It made no sense, Thandie thought as she asked, "Aren't you tired?"

"Nah, I'm a little hyperactive. I love being busy," Cole said, switching gears.

"And so you're taking to Hollande Park."

Cole glanced at her, "Yeah, I thought we could do some training."

Thandie tilted her head to the side, "pardon?"

"Oh gosh, you should see yourself. Your reaction is priceless. I'm kidding; there's a carnival in town at Hollande Park."

Bingo, a fair what else, Thandie thought. Of course, there were many activities to do at carnivals. Thus, Thandie found herself shooting to win a teddy bear, fishing for goldfish, and bumping cars with Cole on Childish Gambinos' 3005 song as though she was in her twenties again.