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"Ok, first stop - Wrigley Field. Pat's is a super famous bar with the best Chicago style hot dog. Have you ever had a hot dog Chicago style?" she asked.
He played along and shook his head. Even though, he knew it was a hot dog topped with yellow mustard; chopped white onions; bright green sweet pickle relish; a dill pickle spear; tomato slices; pickled sport peppers; and celery salt
"Well your mouth is in for a treat! We can have one and watch the last two or three innings of the Phillies vs. the Cubs."
There was a table free in the back of the packed bar, they nabbed it and Derek was going to get beers.
"Nope your in my hood. Sit, be back in less than 5." She weaved her way through the crowd disappeared into the crowd.
As she made her way to the bar she spotted a Latino bar back. She knew a few Spanish words including cerveza.
"Bueno guapo, ¿puedes ayudarme a conseguir una cerveza y dos perros - al estilo de Chicago?" (Hey handsome, can you help me get a beer and two dogs- Chicago style?)
"Lo que sea por la hermosa dama hablando la lengua de mi madre. Soy Jose." (Anything for the pretty lady speaking my mother's tongue. I'm Jose.)
"Soy Penélope. muchas gracias! (I'm Penelope, Thank you so much), she said as he passed her a tray with her beer and a number to put on her table for food.
As she made her way back to the table bearing beer, Derek was impressed.
"How did you cut the mile long line?"
"You'd be amazed by the power of being a woman," she said as she sat super close to him. He could smell her hair, which always smelled like oranges and honeysuckle. She wore a cut off jean skirt with iron on power puff girl and wonder women patches; red sandals; and two tank tops one red and the other yellow. Her hair is in a messy side a ponytail that reaches her right breast. As she crossed her legs he saw the definition in her thighs, he couldn't help but touch her thigh and this made her look over at him in mid sip.
"The Cubs may actually win today, they are tied at the top of the 7th," he said as he kept his hand on her leg.
"Don't get too excited Hot Stuff, they haven graced a world series since, 1902 and they haven't beat the Phillies in 7 years."
He laughed, "You know stats too? —I think you may be the girl of my dreams," he said laughing.
"Nope stats aren't —,"her thought was interrupted when Castillo, the pitcher, hit a home run. "Look at that," she said.
They continued to watch the game and the Cubs beat the Phillies 9 to 6.
"So baby girl, what's next?"
The use of her pet name warmed her heart. "I thought you liked surprises, hot stuff"
"A strange woman taking me around the city. By the end of the day I could end up locked in your basement as a sex slave—you could be a sick unsub."
She stepped closer to him, "What's an unsub, Dr. James?" she asked innocently.
He laughed at himself, "That's what they call criminals on Law & Order, I think."
"Well, if I was a criminal, Hot Stuff—I would chain you to my bed and take advantage of you but, I'm not that kinda girl" she said as she kissed the corner of his mouth, "I'm naughtier"
He laughed and took her hand, "lead the way."
They hopped into the car and went to one end of the Millennial Park, which was converted to a huge county style fair. The park was peppered with signature carnival rides, games, and activities. There were pop up tents for popular radio stations. These tents included dance floors, DJs, and live bands — battling for your ears. Vendor Alley was filled with dress, earrings, t-shirts, anything you can imagine someone was selling. As the walked through the entrance holding hands, they debated which way to go.
"Do you wobble?"
"What?" she asked
"Come on," he said pulling her towards the booth.
He found a space on the floor of the 103.5 pop-up, and they started doing the wobble dance. The DJ called out the moves over the microphone as the music played. She watched all the women do their own version of the dance and she attempted to add her own Garcia splash to the move. She added a cha-cha every time they had to step out with their right foot. This dance reminded her of the Electric Slide but sexier. When the song was over Derek spun her around and kissed her on her lips, she opened her mouth slightly and his tongue explored her mouth gingerly. He placed his hand on her head and drew her closer to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he started to smile as he dipped her. He swung her back up to her feet and she smiled as she put her hand over her heart.
"Geez, handsome!"
"Do you want hit up the Ferris Wheel?"
"Sure," as they made their way over to the Ferris Wheel, she spotted a cotton candy stand and bought a small pink candy.
"This always seems like a good idea—but by the 4th bite you realize you've been had—James do you want some?"
"Nuh-uh, my mother never let us eat that stuff because it is bad for your teeth."
"Do you do everything your mama says?"
"Just the smart stuff she says—and avoiding cotton candy is one of them."
As they waited on line for the Ferris Wheel, he couldn't remember the last time he had so much fun.
As they walked into their passenger car of the Ferris Wheel, Penelope took one more piece of cotton candy and threw the rest away. As the car took off, they appreciated the beautiful bird's eye view of the city. Derek scooted closer to see what she is looking at.
"The city is beautiful isn't it?"
"Not as beautiful as you," he said and smiled.
"I bet you can say any cheesy line with that smile and the women just swoon."
He chuckled, "actually, I took my first girlfriend up on a Ferris Wheel just like one. I saw so nervous—sweaty palms and all. I planned to kiss her in a car just like this one. I thought it would be romantic. Since, my dad proposed to my mom on a Ferris Wheel. Anyway, I brought her up here after I won her all of these stuffed animals and I sat right over there," he said pointing to the other side of the car "I choked and I couldn't make a move. I wasn't always smooth," he said.
"I think – I've always been smooth," she said as she leaned in for a kiss. They made out like school kids as the wheel went around the city. When the operator knocked on the car door, they parted. She smiled at him and said, "I thought it was only fitting to replace your old memory with a new one- don't be afraid to go with your gut." He placed his hand on her lower back and led her down the exit ramp.
"I hate to be a party pooper but I have to go to the bathroom and I don't do port pottys."
"There is a hotel on the other side of the fair—we could swing by," he suggested.
"Awesome"
As they made there way towards the hotel she gasped, "OMG, corndogs!" she grabbed his hand and led him through the crowd. The glee in her eyes reminded him of their daughter. "Do you want one?" He shook his head. She grabbed on and continued their journey to the hotel.
"I have to tell you – I have a problem. I have a hot dog problem. I never met one I didn't like," she said as she took a bite. This reminded him Stella; he always brought her hot dogs for a midday snack when she was pregnant. Those images of her and Stella invade his mind and he stiffened up. He let go of her hand and shoved them in his pockets. He needed to get out of there and away from her. This imaginary game they were playing had to stop he thought. He couldn't pretend that last week didn't happen and he had no idea how many minutes it would take to forgive her, he knew it was more than the time they had.
"The hotel is over there," he said as he walked away.
She had a hard time keeping up with him weaving through the crowd, as they reached the hotel he said, "I have to go too—I'll meet you outside."
When she was finished she waited outside, she spotted a young hip bellboy—who looked like he would know something fun and un-touristy to do tonight.
"Hi," she said. "I am wondering if you could help me out – where can I go dancing, like a neighborhood hip hop dance party—"
He prattled off a couple of places but the best one was Negril, a West Indian Restaurant that had a club downstairs.
She put the info in her phone, as Derek came out of the hotel.
"What was that about?" he asked.
"Nothing? So what do you want—"
"Isn't he a bit young for you Penelope?" he asked her accusingly.
He thought she was collecting numbers for dates, the green eyed monster reared it ugly head at the strangest of times, she thought, "Samantha" she corrected, "and he was giving me directions"
"Let's go to Miracle Mile and get some dancing attire," she said, as she kissed his lips, "No ifs, ands, or buts."
Penelope bought an electric blue dress. The dress had a low cut back that showed her black bra. She wore matching black sandals to match, the bra—and her make-up was flawless with a fire engine red lip. Derek wore as semi tight V-neck t-shirt - half tucked into his dress pants and dark green boat shoes. They looked so ready for a fun night on the town.
Negril was a nice classy restaurant and they sat at a small table in the middle of the restaurant. It was dark, with a live reggae smooth jazz kind of band playing the hits. They had light conversation until they're done with dinner and their rum punch. Derek said, "Thank you for the great day, Sam. It was great to Chicago through a native's eyes. How did you find this place?"
"My favorite restaurant closed and Jason, the bellhop at the hotel, recommended this restaurant. He said it opened last month—pretty trendy." She said smiling.
"Well, I should get back—" Derek said.
"Nah-Uh, do you know what day it is?"
He shook his head.
"Today is Biggie Smalls Birthday and they are throwing an official Brooklyn house party. We have to check it out."
"Hip Hop Party, really now?"
"Yup, you seem like you have some moves," She said challenging him. "And baby, I've got moves you haven't even seen yet." She said answering the question in his eyes.
"Game on," Derek said, "where is this club?"
"Downstairs," she gestured for the check.
She led him downstairs and they were in the middle of a club. The club was half way full. People were already on the dance floor and the bar was packed. Drink she asked.
They headed to the bar and had a drink, rum and coke.
"D is that you," called a tall African American man.
"T-Dog " they hugged and Derek slapped his back.
"Derek this is my wife Melissa"
"This is my wife Penelope"
The two men started reminiscing about the old days, while Penelope and Melissa exchanged pleasantries over their drinks. When Mo Money/ Mo Problems came on they both caught with the dancing bug. "Want to hit the floor," Mel asked Penelope.
"Sure, but I'm Puff Daddy and your Mase."
Mel laughed.
"No really I do a mean Puff Daddy impersonation," Penelope said, "It always cracks my students up."
"We're hitting the floor, Hot Stuff," Penelope whispered into Derek's ear.
He was torn – he wanted to catch-up with his friends but she looked amazing. He watched them make their way to the floor. Her moves were hypnotizing, she knew the lyrics; he never saw this side of her before, she was getting down like she was raised in Brooklyn. He laughed when she started to do her P Diddy impersonation.
Melissa was a great dancer, it was easy to have fun on the dance floor with her, Penelope thought. They took turns being Mase and Puff Daddy during the song. Thank god for her salsa classes, she learned how to dance and she found most moves could transcend all genres of music. The club erupted when All About the Benjamins came on. Two guys came over and tried to dance with them. They respectfully declined, She felt a hand on her hip and she turned around to decline and saw Derek.
"Hey you," he said kissing her forehead, "Where did you get those moves from."
"Wouldn't you like to know."
"That dress is going to be the death of me," he said as his fingers touched her bare back."
"Oh, no" she pouted, "you can't die—I haven't even had my test drive, yet," she said as she tried to feel his abs through his shirt.
He laughed a surprisingly hearty laugh.
They danced the night away.