The Cookie Said Red

The Cookie Said Red By J.D. Walker “He’s wearing red.” It was the start of the weekend, and I stood before my closet, trying to decide if a silk, long-sleeved fuchsia shirt would be too much for a first date. Then again, I was always a little too much for most people, so maybe it didn’t matter what I wore. But it did. “What are you muttering on about, Cisco?” Amy James, my friend and confidant, asked. She sat on my bed, sorting through the clothing that I’d been throwing behind me in fits of disgust. I had to find just the right outfit. It could make or break this epic Friday night event. I huffed and puffed. “This evening’s rendezvous, silly. My date said he’d wear a red shirt. Isn’t it perfect? Just like that fortune cookie said a few days ago.” She rolled her eyes. “It didn’t use those words, exactly.” “Still.” Okay, so the little piece of paper had said “red will be the color of your heart’s desire.” That was close enough for me. I placed a hand on my hip and tapped my left foot. I needed to make a decision. Time was running out, and Jamie Coltrane—my very fine date for the evening—would be at my door in ten minutes. “Right,” Amy retorted. “And the week before last, it was your horoscope that predicted, and I quote, ‘Yellow will lead your heart to love.’ Then, you went out with a guy who had a yellow sports car and serious halitosis.” I winced at the memory. Maury had been a nice guy, but that breath of his had made me see stars. I had to sit across from him the whole evening, leaning back in my chair as far as I could with a smile pinned to my face, occasionally hiding behind the menu, or sneezing into my handkerchief, claiming allergies. He’d taken us to Denny’s, too, of all places. Disaster. “So? Sometimes there’ll be a few duds.” Win some, lose some, was my motto. “Why can’t I be hopeful? This is going to be the one. I know it!” I decided on the mint green turtleneck I’d bought on sss. It would set off my tight white slacks and dark skin to perfection. “You say that about every guy you go out with.” Amy set the shirts on the bed and folded her hands in her lap. “You know, it’s good that you’re always so upbeat and positive about everything. Lord knows you shouldn’t be, with all the hellish relationships and encounters you’ve been through.” She shook her head. “But s**t happens, you know? And a fortune cookie or astrology reading shouldn’t be your guide to everything. Your heart, as well as your head, need to be in charge. Just because the color of a guy’s shirt happens to match up with a horoscope doesn’t mean it’s worth the risk. I’m tired of seeing you hurt and disappointed. You need to be smart about these things.” “My heart is in charge, and my head is always engaged,” I retorted, grabbing the shirts she had re-hung on hangers and putting them back in the closet. “And, yes, it’s always worth the risk. I’m open to love in whatever form it appears. The male form, naturally,” I said with a snicker. Amy stood and flipped me off. “Fine. Don’t say I didn’t warn you, hot stuff.” She checked her cell phone. “It’s almost time for your next, hopefully sane, encounter. Try not to f**k him on the first date, okay? I’m going home to my staid and perfect husband of ten years, and my kids. Be good, and be safe. I love you.” Amy hugged me and left the room.