For several weeks Manny came home and found Corrina cooking. Since he now knew that she liked jazz music he would put an album on when he came home and let it play.

He now looked forward to coming home and they would talk about the music and he would tell her about his day and the problems he was having at work. She would listen to him. He liked the fact that she didn't talk too much and was always sympathetic giving her opinion after he was finished.

Manny found himself thinking about her when he was at work and he had stopped kidding himself. He no longer tried to give himself an excuse as to why he rushed home. I wanted to see her and Molly.

Corrina had seemed a little uptight at first, but soon she was laughing and joking with him each evening and he felt that she looked forward to him coming home. They had now settled into an easy routine. Manny would come home, put on music and the three of them would eat together. They would look at a little television and then Molly would be put to bed. Sometimes she would not let him call her a cab and she would catch the bus home. Manny always hated to see her leave.

Jenny had called him several times inviting him and Molly to dinner but he had always put her off. He knew that he was not interested in Jenny. He wanted Corrina. He knew that she was hesitant because of their racial differences, but he didn't care. He was beginning to feel alive once more.

Manny sat at work thinking about Corrina and what had happened the previous night. Not wanting to push her too quickly he walked her to the door and after saying goodnight; he had kissed her on the cheek. Corrina was obviously shocked.

"Manny, why did you do that?" she asked surprised.

"Because I wanted to." he said.

She inhaled deeply. "Manny I know that things have been rough for you and Molly. She's so much better now and I know you feel some gratitude towards me for it-"

"I didn't kiss you out of gratitude, Corrina" he said patiently.

"Manny-"

"I kissed you because I wanted to. I'm attracted to you Corrina" he confessed.

"Manny, I'm colored-"

"Oh really?" he said mockingly.

"It'll never work. There would be too many problems-" she protested.

"I won't rush you." he said smiling. "Just think about it before you say no."

She stared at him a moment and then turned to go out the door. "Goodnight Manny."

"Goodnight, Corrina" he replied.

Manny now hurried home as soon as he could. He had to do something to let Corrina know that he was serious about courting her and he decided to leave work a couple of hours early. He had a plan.

It was a beautiful evening and he hoped that she hadn't started dinner which is why he left work early in the first place. He came into the house and it was quiet. He heard Molly and Corrina in the bathroom. He quickly told Molly that the two of them would cook dinner for Corrina.

Manny then changed his clothes and set up the grill. He put on Louis Armstrong and listened while he cooked the hotdogs and hamburgers. Corrina told him that 'You go to my Head' was her favorite song. Manny looked up from the grill surprised because it was his favorite also.

They listened to music and talked throughout dinner. Manny hadn't felt this good in a long time. It was dark before he realized it. They had been talking for several hours. After cleaning up, Mannie began working on his jello jingle while Corrina got Molly ready for bed. Time was running out and he had to come up with something soon.

Since Corrina was so in tune to the music, he asked her opinion of his jingle. She sat beside him on the piano bench and and helped him giving her input. They soon finished the jingle and Manny was delighted. His block was gone and Corrina had helped him. He couldn't believe it. He was truly amazed at this woman.

Manny began playing a romantic melody and Corrina joined in. He felt that it was like a courting song. He could express his feelings through the music without actually saying anything. He looked at her and smiled. She smiled back and played along with him and he knew that she understood what he was doing. It was musical foreplay and he brushed his hands against hers as they played the song together. They glanced at each other and smiled. His heart was beating fast and he wanted to lean over and kiss her, but decided to not push his luck.

He brushed his hands against hers again as they crossed over playing the song. The chemistry between them was obvious. He felt himself grow warm.
The song ended too soon and he turned to her wanting to take her in his arms, but didn't want to spoil the moment.

"I've got to go." she said smiling shyly.

"I know" Manny said the regret obvious in his voice.

He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. He watched her blush from the attention.

She stood up and he watched her as she walked out the door.

**************************************

Manny received another call from Jenny inviting him and Molly to dinner on Sunday. She had taken matters a step further and had also called and invited his parents. He didn't realize that she was so pushy.

He found out that Sid had told his parents about Jenny and this bit of information had sent his mom on a mission to find him another bride. Being with Jenny was the last thing he wanted.

However Manny figured things would be safe with his parents there and maybe if he went this time she would leave him alone for a while.

The dinner was boring beyond belief! Jenny talked too much and those boys of hers were totally out of control. Molly had slipped up and told his mother that he and Corrina had played the piano together. He saw her eyebrow raise and he explained that Corrina was a music major in college and had helped him with a jingle.

He should have known that his mother would drop a hint to Jenny who decided to play 'By the Light of the Silvery Moon' for him to display her talents. Her two sons accompanied her singing as she played.

Manny cut his eye at Molly who tried not to roll her eyes. It took all his strength not to yarn or to burst out laughing. Jenny was so theatrical about everything. He couldn't wait to get out of there.

"Jenny is really a nice girl" his mother stated as he took them home. "You ought to invite her over. Molly's birthday is coming up you know."

"Ma, it's just an intimate family gathering and not a party." he protested. "I don't want to deal with those holy terrors of Jenny's that she calls sons."

His mother looked at him "Mrs. Washington will be there though, right?"

Manny tensed up but tried to sound casual. "Of course. She's working on Saturday. She only gets Sunday's off."

His mother did not say anymore and Manny was glad that she dropped the subject.

*********************

Ava Singer was no fool and she knew her son. Something was up. While it was true that Jenny's sons were a little out of control, she knew Manny well enough to know that he was not the least bit interested in her. If he was interested in Jenny, then he would want to work it out with her sons. Why then was he wasting his time? Was she some sort of a diversion?

All Molly talked about when she visited her grandparents was Corrina, Corrina, Corrina. A few carefully asked questions had revealed that Corrina stayed late almost every night and that Manny was spending most evenings with her. Jenny was never invited over. Ava Singer made up her mind that she would watch things closely at the party. It was well over a year since Annie had died. Manny needed to find himself another wife to help raise his daughter.

Ava left Molly's birthday party totally convinced that something was going on between Manny and Mrs. Washington. She had caught them exchanging glances at each other on several occasions when they thought no one was looking.

Then when Manny had given Molly the hoola hoops, Corrina had taken a cigarette out of her mouth to show Molly how to play with them and Manny had immediately put it in his and lit it. It was an intimate act if she ever saw one. She hoped that they were just friends, but her gut feeling told her that their feelings for each other were deeper than a buddy relationship.

********************************

The Jello presentation was a total success and he had Corrina to thank for it! The boss totally loved it and Sid declared that the old Manny Singer was back in business! Well, he had a new focus and inspiration to thank and he was going to do just that!

He wanted to leave work early but was unable to do so as he was called into the bosses office.

"Manny, I know you've had a hard time lately." Mr. Thompson said as he sat in his office.

"I was worried about you there for a while, but I can see that you're back on track again. I know you met someone at the party, I gather that it is working out" he said smiling.

Manny looked away. "Well, she's just a friend."

"Sure, sure." Mr. Thompson said smiling "Whatever she is, I can see it's helping you. Keep up the good work. I'll be watching you and there may be another major account I'll send you way soon."

Manny stood up. "Thank you, Mr. Thompson."

He left the office only to find Sid lurking in the hallway.

"Well?" he asked looking anxious. "What did the old man say?"

Manny walked back into his office and shut the door. "He's pleased with me. He thinks that meeting Jenny at the party had something to do with it."

Sid looked surprised. "Really? Did she?"

"No, Sid." he exhaled "Look, Jenny is nice and all, but to be honest with you I'm not interested in her. There is someone else."

Sid grinned "Really? Who?"

"That's not important right now. Mr. Thompson says that he may have another account for me soon."

Sid smiled and smacked him on the back. "Well that's great. I knew that the old Manny Singer would be back!"

Manny smiled and did not reply.

He left the office five minutes late and went by the record store on the way home. He decided to buy the Louis Armstrong album for Corrina as a gift of appreciation.

He walked in the house and found it quiet. He knew that they were home because the car was out front. He noticed the broken light for the first time and knew that he had to ask her about that.

He walked in and found them on his bed. Molly was asleep in Corrina's arms and Corrina was sitting up on the bed with her eyes closed. Manny stood there a moment taking in the scene. They looked beautiful together. He felt his heart swell in his chest. He didn't care that she was colored; he knew that she was the perfect woman for him and would be the perfect mother for Molly.

Corrina opened her eyes and he walked over to her. He gave her the album and told her about the good day he had at work. He wanted to show his appreciation by taking them out to dinner.

As they were getting ready, he asked Molly about school and she told a joke about spelling vacuum cleaner. He decided to go to a Chinese restaurant. Perhaps there would me different races there and they would not stick out.

The dinner went well enough and he rolled his eyes as Corrina talked about God. She then excused herself to go to the restroom. He was unprepared for the commotion that followed. Another customer grabbed Corrina thinking that she was a waitress. It angered him to no end and he got a taste of what Corrina's world was like. He jumped to her defense and was promptly called a 'nigger lover'.

Corrina begged him to just leave and he paid the bill and walked out. She asked him to take her home and he wondered if he would ever be able to take her out in public. So this is what being with her would be like he thought to himself as they drove in silence. He did not care. His life was in a turmoil until she became a part of it. He would not give her up!

****************************

Things at work continued to improve over the next several weeks. His creative muse was back and he improved on several more jingles.

Mr. Thompson was very pleased and told him that he was seriously considering turning the Mr. Bromide account over to him. Manny was shocked. This was one of the company's biggest accounts.

He left work a happy man. He mentally gave the credit to his time spent with Corrina. He saw a vendor on the corner selling flowers and picked out some for both Molly and Corrina. He looked forward to spending another wonderful evening with his family.

He smiled as he thought about the fact that he and Corrina were growing even closer. He still had not kissed her properly and he wanted that moment to be special. He had not felt this way since he dated Annie.

He walked into the house and heard Molly say that she didn't want to go or something like that. When he questioned her, she said that she didn't want to return to Jenny's. Well, they would talk about that later! He presented Molly the flowers and then Corrina and told them the good news.

He picked Molly up and swung her around, kissing her. He looked over at Corrina who smiled back at him. He was tempted to pull her to her feet and hug her too, but his thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell.

Jenny was the last person he wanted to see and he silently cursed Sid for calling and telling his mother about his good news. Corrina came out of the kitchen and quickly surmised the situation. Manny could tell that she was pissed. She looked at him and he knew that she was expecting him to dismiss Jenny, however, he was not ready to 'out' their growing relationship just yet. Jenny was pushy and he didn't want a scene played out in front of Molly.

Jenny quickly put Corrina in her place by calling her 'Katrina' and Manny's 'girl'. Corrina's face darkened and he thought that she was about to explode. He knew that she was jealous and it let him know that she was just as attracted to him as he was to her. However, he did not like the situation they now found themselves in. He needed a cigarette. He always did when he was nervous. He wished Jenny would just leave, but it didn't look like that was going to happen.

Corrina walked over and got her coat. He looked from her to Jenny. She was leaving, but he did not want her to go. He didn't know what else to do but to let her leave. He did not miss Corrina's subtle reference to quitting when Jenny said that he should quit smoking. She wasn't going to go anywhere! He watched from the window as she walked down the sidewalk. Mentally he kicked himself for not doing something. Molly looked at him, obviously upset. He sighed. He would have to straighten this out with Corrina later.

He hoped that Corrina would understand and forgive him. He was just going to have to tell Jenny the truth and let her know that he really was not interested in her romantically. This relationship it seemed was going to be more complicated than he first thought.