English stood there in that parking lot with the muted sounds of Jack Harlow’s, ‘Like A Blade Of Grass,’ playing in the background. Hands in his pockets, he walked toward her, closing the distance between them. He stood so close to her now, he was staring down at her like a beacon of shadows competing with the light in her eyes.
“Mmmm. You smell good…” he complimented her. Her scent was driving him crazy. It was robust. Rich. Sexy.
“Thank you.”
“What is that?”
“El Musty. It’s French. I didn’t shower after I worked out at the gym.”
They looked at one another and burst out laughing.
“I own a cleaning company,” he said, sliding his hands out of his pockets and folding his arms. Something about her eyes drew him in to a place he just didn’t wish to leave. He was roaming inside her mind, trying to figure her out. Trying to see beyond the killer body, gorgeous face, and dark, pure eyes that made him captive to her charms.
“Oh, a cleaning service. That’s great. I bet you’re a beast with mirrors and carpet.”
“No, not that type of cleaning service. Biohazard remediation, and forensic cleanup.”
“Oh. OHHHH…” Her eyes grew big once again as the reality of the situation set in, and her complexion deepened. “I’m astounded.”
“Why?”
“You don’t meet someone who works in your field every day. That has to be tough.”
He shrugged. “You get used to it.”
“What made you, uh, go into that profession?”
“You know that little sensor inside most people that tells you when something is gross, uncomfortable, or disturbing? So much so, that you feel mighty sick, lighthearted, or want to vomit or even pass out?”
“Yeah?”
“Mine is severely under-developed. It’s barely there. I have a strong sense of smell, but I got past that, too. It takes a lot to get me to respond to things that make most people nauseous. I’ve always been that way. Gory horror movies have never made me uneasy. Bad car accidents, I barely bat an eye. People would start puking at some things, and I would just be standing there.”
She smiled at his words.
“What was your training or first experiences in your line of work?”
“I had a friend back in the day who worked for a company that did the same thing I do. I used to work in construction and that’s not always consistent, so they were hiring, and he got me on board. After a few years, I realized I was so good at it, I could start my own thing. I’ve got a good business mind, so I went to Jefferson Community College and got a business and accounting degree while I kept workin’. I started my own company soon after I graduated. Got my own employees now, too, and it’s been good ever since.”
“Good for you! Someone has to do it. Might as well be you, right?”
“Yeah. I feel that way for sure. What about you?”
“Have we passed the thirty second mark yet? Wouldn’t want to accuse you of being rude after asking about my occupation,” She teased. “I’m a book conservator.”
“What’s that?”
“You mean you don’t know? I thought everyone knew what that was! It should be obvious!” She looked at him seriously, then burst out laughing. “I’m teasing you, Axel. I mean, not about being a book conservator, but about everyone knowing what it is.”
“Oh. I don’t know you, so I am not familiar with your sense of humor or how you like to joke around.”
“Okay, well, I’ll tell you off the bat that I’m pretty sarcastic.”
“So am I.”
“I can see that… Good. We have something in common. Let’s see, well, I have a Masters in Conservatorship, emphasis on library science, and a PhD in historic preservation.”
I fucking knew it. She’s drippin’ with big brain vibes. Smart women with sexy bodies are usually crazy. And yet here I am…
“Went to University of Kentucky for undergrad. Bachelors in History.”
“So, how do you use these degrees for conservatorship? What are you doing with them right now?”
“I work with books, periodicals, and texts from historic African American essayists, playwrights, authors, songwriters, journalists, and activists such as those involved in the 1950s and ’60s Civil Rights era, and even pre-civil war documents. If it’s written down and published by an African American and has any ties to historical references, decrees or laws that were based around discrimination, abuse of power, race connections to criminality discrepancies, or social injustices, then chances are high I’ve seen it, or will see it. I have also helped assess the value of certain vintage books and journals from the Jim Crow era. I’m often called upon to help gauge authenticity of tomes from old estate auctions, pawn shops, museums, things of that nature. Occasionally I assist with fiction books, too, but I have an ongoing contract with the Roots 101 on 1st Street, and the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage.”