It was three weeks later before Larry and LaTasha went on a date. He takes her to the famed Red Rooster. She meets him there, she wasn’t ready for him to see where she lived. Larry decided to play the date by ear to see where she would go. She greeted him, “Hi stranger, it’s been a while.” Larry, “Yes it has, you look nice this evening, I know this isn’t the pasta house but I just picked something familiar.” ‘Larry this is fine, I promised Marvin I would bring him back a burger, they have good burgers here.’ They sat down, LaTasha was off and running asking him all about his family and where he grew up. That was okay, she had met his mother and aunt but he wanted to know what she thought about the future, so he tried to steer her there.
‘How’s business?’ LaTasha was thrown off but answered, “It is slow right now but should pick up during the holiday season. How’s things going with the property?” He answers, “Very well, I’m making a move on a single family house in the South Bronx, it looks promising.” LaTasha, “My, you are enterprising, you must have all the money.” Larry, “No, I just work hard and try to make smart moves, I still work 9 – 5. What are your plans for the future?” LaTasha, “I don’t know, maybe travel and sell jewelry, I’m just trying to raise Marvin and live within my means. I do have dreams though.” Larry, “I know you do, and you do such a nice job when you sell, my mother hasn’t stopped talking about you yet. I was wondering, have you ever thought about a partner?” Her face frowns immediately, “Is this what this is about? I thought you were interested in me. You think I’m going to give you half of my business!” Then she gets angry, “Men always wanting something…” She went on a 10 minute tirade. Larry sat there quietly, hoping she would calm down. The waitress came over and asked was it anything wrong? LaTasha caught herself and quieted down, then she started gathering her things to leave.
Larry began in a nice even tone, “First off, I didn’t ask you to give me anything. I thought I was a paying client contributing to the success of your enterprise.” She admitted, “Yea, you are right, you helped make my month. I’m sorry Larry, I was caught off guard, men are always trying to pull some trick.” Larry says, “I know, some people are always looking for an angle to take you. I was just so impressed by your professionalism and the quality of your jewelry, you know you got it going on.” LaTasha was blushing now, the mood much lighter. ‘My sisters are hounding me about you now and when can they meet the jewelry lady because they have seen my mom’s purchases.’
Then he looks in LaTasha’s big brown eyes, “Have you ever heard of synergy.” LaTasha, “I have heard of it but what does it mean?” Larry, “It means when two units are joined together, they make up a greater sum together than either can by themselves.” LaTasha, “Like in the Bible, 1 can put 1,000 angels to flight, 2 can put 10,000 angels to flight.” Larry, “Bingo, you got it.” LaTasha laughs out loud. The waitress is watching them hard now and confused, ‘she’s laughing now?’ LaTasha, “Larry, you from the country? Bingo?” still laughing. Larry laughs too, “No I’m from the South Bronx. But you got synergy exactly right. I think that’s what we share. Yes, I am interested in you, I spent almost $1,000 the first week I met you. I never do that, my sisters think I will spend hundreds on them if you come back over. I can’t say I won’t.”
LaTasha, “You interested in me?” Larry, “LaTasha you are the total package. I think we can sell $250,000 in jewelry together next year.” LaTasha is now in shock, “What, really?” Larry continues, “I have $75,000 set aside in my bank account to invest in you and the jewelry business if you are willing to take on a partner. So back to my original question. Have you ever thought of taking a partner?” Now she feels like she is going to faint, “Larry this is all going too fast. I need air, it’s time to go before the waitress does something crazy, she has no clue as to what’s happening at this table.” Larry smiling now, “You must get Marvin a hamburger.” LaTasha, “Okay, but let’s hurry it’s hot in here.” They get the burger and he puts her in a Lyft. He catches the bus. He feels he made headway and promises to call her in a few days so she has time to think about it.