Brian Delaney looked around him and finally took a seat in one of the chairs on the front porch of the bungalow in downtown Phoenix. The woman he'd talked to over the phone yesterday was 10 minutes late and he was quickly losing patience.
Just as he reached for his cellular phone, an older Audi A4 pulled into the driveway. He watched as the driver opened the driver side door and got out of the car. She reached into the backseat and grabbed a backpack before heading up the walkway.
Aisha Morgan cursed silently as she pulled into the driveway. She'd hoped to make it home before the prospective roommate arrived, but it couldn't be helped. She grabbed her bag out of the backseat and glanced at him as she walked towards the front door.
Brian watched as she made her way towards him, she was shorter than he was which was fine given that he was shorter than most men.
She briefly apologized for being late, explaining that rounds had run longer than planned.
Brian followed her and got his first look at the home. The living room was decorated tastefully, with hardwood floors and wood mini blinds at the full size windows. A chocolate brown leather sofa and club chair were decorated with pillows in jewel tones and a throw. A corner armoire with its doors closed, he figured that housed the television. Houseplants topped the armoire as well as the massive bookcase on the far wall of the room. A mirror framed the wall over the sofa, and the wall was bare other than that one piece.
Aisha dropped her pack on the floor next to the front door and placed her keys in the wooden bowl on the table before heading off towards the rear of the house. She called back to Brian to make himself at home and look around while she used the restroom.
When Aisha returned from the restroom, Brian was standing in one of the two empty bedrooms, looking into the empty closets. The room was decently sized, with a window overlooking the backyard patio. The only downside to the room was the bathroom that adjoined the other bedroom. It had a walk in, glassed wall shower and a vanity with plenty of space. The other bedroom was also empty and was identical to the one he was standing in.
Aisha left the bedroom and entered the kitchen, asking if he wanted anything to drink. Brian asked for water and followed her voice into the kitchen. It was galley style with new appliances and ceramic tile flooring. The galley opened onto a bay style area that held a dining table.
Brian stood in the doorway of the kitchen and watched Aisha for a bit before answering with a request for water. She was dressed in hospital scrubs and wooden clogs. Her hair was cut incredibly short, maybe an inch and a half all over. The shortness of her hair brought out the features of her face, wide-set large brown eyes, full lips and delicate ears. Despite its lack of length, it was a very feminine look on her.
Aisha felt his eyes on her as she grabbed a glass from the cupboard and filled it with ice and water. She turned around and handed the water to him before heading out to the living room. She curled herself into the club chair facing the sofa, placing her glass of orange juice on the wrought iron table next to the chair.
Brian settled on the sofa
He was around 5'6" which was short for guy, with thick hair curling hair and a small goatee. Dark hair peeked out the ends of his shirt sleeves and Aisha had a distinct impression that he was that hairy all over. Dark brown eyes, framed by lashes that most women would kill for, rounded out what was all in all, an attractive package. A package that she had no interest in due to her schedule.
A bit more small talk and they were able to hammer out the details of being roommates. She just needed someone to share the rent, and he needed a place to stay.
So it went for three months. Since Aisha was busy with her latest surgical rotation, Brian didn't see much of her other than a quick glimpse before she headed off for work at 6 am and then he heard her coming in late at night. They communicated by leaving notes for each other, "We're out of milk, can you grab some", "I'll be out of town over the weekend", "the cable company called; they will be here to install your cable tomorrow".
At the beginning of spring, he left a message for Aisha, "my best friend and girlfriend are coming to town to visit this weekend, is this okay with you?" Aisha wrote back "of course, there's a blow up mattress in the spare bedroom closet."
Aisha didn't mention that she would be around this weekend, the first time in three months and would have preferred to have a bit of quiet.
She was sitting on the sofa, with headphones on, listening to a compilation that she had created earlier that day, when Brian walked in with his friends. His girlfriend was just as Aisha had expected; a tall willowy blond, perfectly coifed and manicured with a strong southern drawl.
She immediately turned around to Brian and said "well honey you didn't mentioned that your roommate was...black"
Brian looked at her and said, it never came up, what does it matter? She smiled a tight smile and just said "I guess things are different out west".
His best friend stood back taking in his surroundings, about 6 feet tall, thick and stocky, with clear green eyes and red hair, his voice was deep and Aisha was sure that his southern drawl had seduced many a southern belle into his bed.
"Aisha, this is Marnie, my girlfriend, and Ewan, my best friend", guys, this is my roommate Aisha."
Marnie stood pensively eyeing Aisha while Ewan moved forward to shake hands with Aisha.
"It's nice to meet you Aisha"
Yep, Aisha was certain that listening to his voice for too long was akin to sailors listening to the siren's call.
"You too. You guys have a good flight?"
"Yeah it was pretty good, coach is no place for tall guy though".