Wednesday at Noon

by Teneka Woods

  “I’m back with the cupcakes, Vicki,” Tora heard her say. “Whose army-looking truck is that outside?”

  “It belongs to that young lady in the sitting room.”

  “What young lady?”

  “You passed her on your way in.”

  “I didn’t see anybody when I walked in.”

  “She said she’s the photographer.”

  “The photographer?”

  “Sent here by Nate.”

  “Sent here by Nate? But we already have a photographer, and Nate is not even—”

  Quick footsteps came down the hall. The woman stepped into the room and Tora stood up. The woman’s reaction didn’t surprise Tora. She looked up at her, shock evident on her face as Tora towered over her. Tora was five-eleven in her bare feet, but today she was sporting her classic pointy-toe black pumps with a five-inch heel.

  Tora held out her hand. “I’m Tora of Take Two Photography.”

  The woman looked at her the same way Mrs. Walker had done half-an-hour ago: up and down as if she had mud on the bottom of her shoes and had tracked filth all over her polished floors. Then she looked at Tora’s outstretched hand a second before she finally took it.

  “Kaneesa,” was the woman’s bland reply. And before Tora could say anything else, Kaneesa turned on her heels and left the room.

  Okay, the women in this house aren’t very friendly, Tora said to herself.

  Their voices were lowered this time, but Tora still heard what they said:

  “Who is that?”

  “I told you she claims she’s the photographer for tonight.”

  “Victoria, we already have a photographer. He should be here shortly. How is she the photographer?”

  “I have no idea what’s going on, and of course Nate didn’t answer when I called him.”

  “Nate said he wasn’t coming to the engagement party.”

  This bit of information stoked Tora’s attention.

  “We don’t need two photographers tonight,” Kaneesa continued. “And Nate hired her?”

  “Apparently so.”

  “Does Sunny know about this?”

  “I have no idea. I doubt it, or else she would’ve told me.”

  “Yeah, she would’ve told us,” Kaneesa said. “Well, I’m going to tell this woman she can go. And do you see how she’s dressed? With that god-awful blue lipstick? I mean… c’mon. This is a formal event. And she calls herself a photographer? Must not be a professional one.”

  “My sentiments exactly.”

  “We already have a photographer, Victoria.”

  “I’m with you, Kaneesa. Nate has lost his mind.”

  Tora couldn’t believe her ears. So they already have a hired photographer? Was this just Nate’s way of trying to get a chance to have a date with me?

  Mrs. Walker and Kaneesa appeared. Mrs. Walker said, “Apparently there’s been a miscommunication somewhere, but we already have a photographer for tonight’s event, so my son couldn’t have hired you for the occasion.”

  Tora said, “Nate called me seeking my services as the photographer for his sister’s engagement party and wedding. He’s already paid the deposit for tonight.” She looked at Kaneesa. “Are you his sister?”

  “No, I’m not,” Kaneesa said, “but I am his sister’s best friend and I know what she likes. There’s someone already working the party tonight. A vetted professional. Someone whose work is of high quality.”

  Tora was pissed. She needed to get to her jeep so she could call Nate and have a few words with him. She grabbed her purse, stood, and walked out the door without a word because if she opened her mouth she would’ve said something she knew she would later regret. And Sharon had raised her to always be the gracious one when in the face of conflict.

  She rushed out the door and crashed chest first into a hard body. The purse slipped off her shoulder and fell to the ground. “I’m sorr—” she began until she realized it was Nate.

  “Hey, Tora,” he said, and bent down to retrieve her bag at the same time she did, their heads colliding.

  “Ouch! Shit.” Tora put a hand to her forehead.

  “Oh, man. Are you all right? Sorry about that. I’m in a rush to get here to see you. I’m glad you’re here.”

  Tora snatched her bag from his hand. “I bet you are,” she said, and stepped around him, heading to her vehicle.

  “Huh?” he said to her retreating back. “Tora? What’s going on?”

  Her heels clicked angrily against the concrete. “Is this your SUV parked behind me?” she said. “I need to get out.”

  “What’s wrong? What happened?”

  Tora whirled around to face him. “Nate, I take what I do very seriously. I don’t appreciate you wasting my time. I took this day off work to be here for you.” She yanked open the driver’s door and got in.

  He came to her window. “What’s going on?”

  “Let me out, Nate. I don’t have time for this.”

  “Tora, what are you saying? I honestly don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  She glared at him. “Was this your scheme to get me here? Your sister doesn’t need me. She already has a photographer for the party.”

  “No she doesn’t. That’s why you’re here.”

  Tora reached behind her shoulder for the seatbelt. “This was a childish thing to do, Nate. Embarrassing. And I don’t appreciate it.” She cranked the engine.

  “Who told you she has a photographer?”

  “Your mom told me. And Kaneesa.”

  “What? They did?”

  Pressing the clutch and brake pedals, she put the jeep in Reverse. “Move your truck so I can go.”

  “I’m going inside to see what’s going on.”

  Tora shook her head. “Just let me out, Nate.”

  “Please wait right here, Tora. I’ll be right back.”

  “Nate—” she started to protest, but he turned and walked towards the house. “Shit,” she muttered again. She turned the knob for the air conditioner and the blast of air hit her in the face. She was upset and needed to cool down. And she didn’t want her makeup ruined by the summer heat. More than that, she needed to calm her body. Even in her state of anger she couldn’t get over how beautiful Nate looked in his crisp white shirt and black bow tie. His locks were the most glorious set she had ever seen on a man, adding to his allure.

  Several minutes passed before she heard a commotion. She looked up to see Nate headed over to her vehicle, Mrs. Walker and Kaneesa following behind him. She lowered her window.

  “Come on,” he told her, “turn off the car and get out. You’re the photographer for tonight. You’re staying here with me.”

  She grabbed her purse and got out.

  “We already have somebody working tonight,” Kaneesa was saying.

  Nate said, “I already told you you need to call and cancel him. Tora is the one we hired for the party.”

  “I told Sunny I would be the one in charge of getting the photographer, Nate, and he’s on his way. I just talked to him,” Kaneesa said. She waved her mobile phone in the air. “You’re not even supposed to be here!”

  “Kaneesa, I was just upstairs talking to my sister. Call her if you need to, but Tora is staying.”

  Victoria said, “Nate, why would you do this? Just look at the confusion you’ve caused.”

  “Mama, I don’t know what she’s talking about, but when I called to talk to Sunny about the photographer a couple weeks ago, she didn’t mention Kaneesa.”

  “I’m calling her now,” Kaneesa said.

  “Put it on speaker so we can all hear it,” Nate told her.

  Tora stood not knowing if she should retreat back inside her jeep or remain in this awkward position, caught in the middle of his family’s quarrel.

  “Sunny,” Kaneesa said into the phone, “are you really going to let Nate make decisions for your party? He doesn’t know what you need. No one even knew he was coming.”

  “Well, I’m just happy he
decided to attend,” Sunny said. “So can you let him help out, too? I’m really not in the mood for the madness right now.”

  “But Sunny, he’s not even supposed to be here!” Kaneesa yelled.

  “I’m sorry, Kaneesa,” Sunny said. “It’s my fault because I totally forgot you told me you hired somebody.”

  Nate said, “Where is he? He’s not here yet. Whoever he is, he’s late.”

  Kaneesa gave Nate a look as if she wanted to set him on fire. “He’s caught in traffic, but he’s not even ten minutes away now. I talked to him not too long ago.”

  “Call him back and tell him his services are no longer needed. He’s canceled,” Nate told her.

  “I’m not canceling anything! Sunny, have you seen this woman he’s hired? This is a classy event and she’s dressed like she’s going to a gothic ball with this black lace dress and turquoise lipstick. She has a septum nose ring, Sunny! A nose ring?!”

  Tora shifted on her heels as the three of them looked at her. The dress was a long-sleeve black lace number that stopped just above her knees, which she believed was sensible attire for the event. In the questionnaire she sent to Nate was the inquiry about event dress code and whether the family preferred she wear a certain outfit or specific colors to be in uniform with the rest of the party. Nate had answered she could wear anything she wanted, that it was only the engagement party. So she chose this simple cocktail dress and black pumps, adding her signature lip stain for a pop of color.

  He nodded in approval as his eyes traveled over her now. “And she looks just as beautiful as she did the first day we saw her,” Nate said.

  Kaneesa frowned in confusion. “Sunny, you know this woman?”

  Tora wanted to remind Kaneesa of her name, but chose to bite her tongue.

  Sunny said, “I don’t think so. Who is she, Nate?”

  “You’ll remember when you see her,” he said. “She’s the woman I said was going to be my wife.”

  Tora’s head swooned from Nate’s admission. She had no idea what was going on and she needed to sit down.

  Kaneesa said to Nate, “So that’s why you decided to come to the party? Just so you can show off your little girlfriend?”

  “She’s not my girl—”

  “Brother, you didn’t tell me you were bringing a date with you,” Sunny cut in. “I didn’t even know you had a girlfriend. This is something I definitely need to see. I can’t wait to meet her.”

  Tora couldn’t believe the exchange occurring in front of her eyes. She wanted to say something, but at the same time didn’t want to bring anymore attention to herself or add to the stressful situation.

  “I’ll be downstairs in a few minutes,” Sunny said.

  Kaneesa groaned loud enough for the neighbors three houses down to hear, and stormed off.

  Victoria gave Tora another once-over. “Young lady, I suggest you at least get rid of the lipstick if you intend to work my daughter’s event tonight.” And with that, she turned and slowly walked back into her home.

  SEVENTEEN

  Nate was glad that situation was settled, and now he could give his attention to Tora. “I’m so sorry you had to see all of that,” he said. “Do you have something you need me to help you take in the house? To set up?”

  Tora finally looked at him. “To be honest, Nate, I don’t even feel comfortable working the event anymore.” She took a wet wipe out of her purse and rubbed her mouth, wiping away the lipstick.

  Nate wished she didn’t. The color was beautiful against her brown skin.

  “This was a very cruel thing to do,” she said. “Normally, deposits are non-refundable, but in this case I would be happy to return it to you just so I can be over this day and not have to deal with you or your family.”

  Nate was crushed. He sighed. “Tora, you have to believe me. I had no idea about the other guy. You heard it from my sister just a minute ago. She didn’t tell me.”

  “I don’t doubt one bit that this wasn’t a ploy to force me to be here with you.”

  “Well, that’s not the total truth,” he said. “I was trying to help my sister out, and since I love what you did to enhance my website, I knew you would be perfect for her big day. Being able to see you at the same time is just a bonus.”

  She glared at him a second before turning to open the trunk.

  He didn’t want her to be upset, but the annoyed look on her face turned him on. “Let me carry the bag for you.”

  “I got it,” she said and closed the trunk. “Just show me where the bathroom is when we get inside.”

  Nate stood looking out of the patio door into the backyard. Tora had her camera and was taking pictures of his nieces—Bryanna and Melody—in the garden. She didn’t have much to say to him ever since they came into the house, so he was keeping his distance and giving her space.

  But he couldn’t take his eyes off her. The sexy black dress, those ultra long legs held him captive.

  “Baby brother, are you going to tell me who she is? I’ve been watching you watch her for the past hour.”

  Nate smiled as Geo came to stand beside him. “Her name’s Tora.”

  “I know that much,” Geo said. “You forgot already that you told us her name when me and Evelyn came in?”

  “Oh. Just the woman that’s been running through my mind since I saw her a few weeks ago.”

  “I overheard the women talking when I went to lay Evan down in the guest room. I’m a little disappointed that I’m just now hearing about your new girlfriend.”

  Nate looked at him. “Well… she’s not my girlfriend, but when I have visions of what Mrs. Nate Alan Walker looks like, she definitely fits the description.”

  Geo said, “I knew once Sunny got married you would start getting serious about settling down. You’re the last one.”

  Chuckling, “Naw, it’s not that serious,” he answered. “I just think she’s a beautiful woman. And I’m hoping by the end of the night I can convince her to give me a chance.”

  “Why did Mama want us all here anyway if the party doesn’t start until seven? I could’ve been home reviewing student paperwork and met up with y’all at the venue downtown.”

  “I’m sure this was just her way of making sure we were all together so we can be there at the same time. Especially me.”

  Geo laughed. “Probably so. But it looks like Levi is the only one missing this time.”

  Nate’s thoughts had been so consumed with Tora that he didn’t realize his sister’s fiancé wasn’t around. “There’s no telling where he is,” Nate said. He suddenly realized Sunny hadn’t come downstairs yet, either.

  “I’m going to get a plate of these hors d’oeuvres and go to the rec room. Come and get me when it’s time to leave,” Geo said.

  Nate’s attention returned to the backyard when his brother walked away. The girls were holding Tora’s hands, leading her back into the house.

  “Uncle Nate, we’re gonna show her the playroom,” Bryanna said when they entered.

  “It’s pretty hot outside. I was wondering how much longer y’all would last out there.” He looked at Tora. “They’re not driving you crazy, are they?”

  With a tight shake of her head, she said, “I don’t mind. It’s better than sitting around twiddling my thumbs.”

  Nate could only smile as she passed without a second glance at him. He knew the sassy remark was in response to his mother’s directive for Tora to wait for instruction before she set up her camera equipment and made her wait in the library for quite some time shortly after they’d come into the house. But his nieces had been so fascinated with the leggy stranger and her camera that they begged their grandmother if they could have their picture taken. Bryanna, especially, couldn’t wait to show off and pose in her new fancy dress.

  He heard the cries as he walked up the steps to the top floor. It took a minute before he heard Sunny tell him to come in.

  “What’s going on, baby sis?” he asked, closing the door behind him. “Everything ok
ay in here? I was waiting for you downstairs.”

  “She’s been like this all day,” Sunny said. “Tantrum after tantrum. I don’t know what’s wrong with her.”

  His four-year-old niece was beside herself. Squirming and kicking and crying as Sunny tried combing her hair. Her face was red-hot with tears.

  Nate walked over and knelt in front of her chair. “What’s wrong, Anaya?” He reached for her, but she screamed louder and turned away from him. Nate stood. “She need a nap?”

  “She woke up not too long ago. Just one of those days I guess.”

  Nate heard the tiredness in his sister’s voice. “Where is Levi?”

  “He had to go and pick up his sister from work. He’ll be here in a little while.”

  Pulling his smartphone out of his pocket, Nate checked the time. Anaya quieted down and walked over to him. He knew she wanted his phone. It was something she’d learned from her cousin Bryanna. Uncle Nate’s phone could be used to play games or watch videos anytime if you let Bryanna tell it.

  Sunny just shook her head. “Really? Is that all it takes?”

  Nate laughed and lifted his niece into his lap as he sat on the edge of the bed. “Just a minute ago you wanted nothing to do with me, but as soon as you see my phone….” Anaya looked up at him with those big brown sad eyes and he couldn’t help planting a kiss on her tear-stained cheek. He opened the video app on his phone and Anaya rested her head on his shoulder.

  “It’s crazy,” Sunny said, eyeing her daughter with impatience.

  “She just doesn’t feel like getting her hair combed,” Nate said. He patted Anaya’s head gently. “What’s wrong with letting her wear it like this? Wild and free? I like it.”

  Sunny shot him a pointed look. “Are you going to be at my house tomorrow morning to help me de-tangle it?”

  “How hard could it be?” Nate looked at his niece’s mass of curls again, grabbed one between his fingers and gave it a gentle stretch before letting it spring back into place. “Just spray it with water and she’ll be good to go.”

  Sunny shook her head again. “You are such a sucker for your nieces and nephews. But wait until you have your own. We’ll see how much you let them get away with.” She took a seat in the chair Anaya had abandoned. “Anaya can take a break for now, but she knows she’s not leaving this room without getting her hair combed.”