by Anna Black
He lifted her from the floor and helped her to the bed in Tressa’s room. She cried so hard. He stayed close to her to comfort her while he called 911. He told the operator what happened, and he did his best to calm his wife down. “Shhh, baby, shhh. Calm down, baby, relax.”
“Oh my God, Kory, why me? Why did I have to find her like that?”
“I’m sorry, honey, just relax. We have to call Langley.”
“I can’t, baby. I can’t tell him this,” Tiffany was hysterical.
“I know, baby. Come in the living room and I’ll call him.” He helped her to her feet, and Tiffany went out on the balcony instead. She sat shaking and could not believe what she just saw. That image of Tressa like that made her sob more and even harder.
She muffled her cries into her hands and heard Kory talking to Mr. Green. A couple moments later, the paramedics arrived and pronounced Tressa dead on site. Tiffany was horrified, and she cried all the way home. Kory agreed to allow some officers to come by their house for their statements, because Tiffany was too distraught to go to the station. After an hour retelling the events, the officers left, and Kory gave Tiffany two aspirins and stayed with her until she finally drifted off to sleep. Later, they headed over to Langley’s house to be with him and his wife.
As Normal as Possible
Episode 23
Tiffany
It had been four weeks since Tressa’s death and funeral, and the office was still in mourning. Tiffany had returned to work only a few days ago, because the image of finding Tressa’s dead body took a heavy toll on her. She had a hard time sleeping at night, and she constantly had nightmares and frequent daydreams about it. Finally, she was starting to not see that image every fifteen minutes of her day, and it was slowly fading, so she was anxious and excited to return to work.
Mr. Green had been strong, but Tiffany had sat with him and Mrs. Green many evenings talking to them, holding their hands, and just being with them. Mr. Green still could not cope with the fact his one and only child was gone, and Mrs. Green barely talked, but she was there for them anyway, even if she just sat and held their hands.
Tiffany grieved for Tressa, herself, and for the Greens; she had to get back to work to get her mind back to normal. She walked into the building, and it seemed foreign to her, like she had been away much longer than four weeks. Her new assistant spoke softly that morning when Tiffany approached. “Good morning, Mrs. Banks, and welcome back. I have a ton of messages for you and whenever you are ready just buzz me so I can bring you up to speed on your shows and appointments. Your coproducers did well, and there were no mishaps or crisis while you were out, but we are all very happy to have you back.”
“Thank you, Summer. I will only need a few minutes, and then I’ll be ready.”
“Yes, ma’am.” She smiled brightly and gave Tiffany a slight nod. Tiffany went into her office and dropped her purse and briefcase in one of the vacant chairs in front of her desk. She and Tressa had some really bad blood once, but she missed her for some reason. She had secretly been so proud of her for her will to change, and she was looking forward to building a relationship and partnership with Tressa.
Working side by side had shown Tiffany that Tressa was no idiot; she was bright, talented, and a fast learner. She honestly saw the change in Tressa and had high hopes for her. Still baffled of what triggered the overdose, Tiffany decided to pack her stresses away and get back up to speed with work. She settled in, pulled her muffin from her bag, and sat at her desk. She powered on her computer, and then she shook. She swallowed hard and wondered why she had a huge lump in her throat. She tried to ignore the nauseated feeling that came on, but her jaws swelled, and her tongue told her to head to the bathroom before she blew chunks all over her desk.
She raced to her private bathroom, where she graced the toilet with last night’s dinner. She stayed in place and waited until she felt it was safe enough to stand, and then she went to the sink. She turned on the water, rinsed her mouth, and looked in the mirror. She was a honey-toned woman, but it looked like her skin was three shades lighter.
“Come on, Tiff. It’s okay. You can do this. It’s a kick in the ass, but you can’t get sick over it. The worst is behind you,” she said and went down for another rinse. She dried her mouth and wet a towel and patted her head. “You are stronger than this,” she encouraged herself, and slowly her color returned. She collected herself a few moments longer before she returned to her desk. She wondered why she got nauseated. She had had a lot of emotions, cries, and feelings since the discovery of Tressa’s dead body, but never nauseated.
She grabbed her phone and went to her calendar. Going through this traumatic ordeal, she didn’t think of her cycle, and it hit her that she hadn’t had one for a while. After verifying her last one, she saw she was more than two weeks late. “Could it be?” she wondered. She counted, recounted, and two weeks was two weeks, and even though she had been under a lot of stress, she wanted to know if she and Kory had finally gotten pregnant.
She called Rose.
“Hello,” Rose sang.
“Good morning, Ms. Rose. Why are you singing hellos?”
“Because my life is perfect. The grand opening was a huge success, sold over nineteen pieces, meaning your friend has a pretty positive balance in the bank, so I can start repaying you for everything, and last night, me and my fiancé finally consummated our relationship. Yes, I got the dick, and the dick was good,” she said like a sports announcer announcing a field goal.
“Wow, well, I’m happy for you, Rose. I honestly didn’t think Levi was truly the one, but, hey, I’ve been wrong before.”
“Don’t start that shit again, Tiff. You know he laid his wife to rest weeks ago and for us to finally make love is huge, you hear me? We just have to give it more time before we announce our engagement. We don’t want his family to freak out. They may not take too kindly to him falling in love so soon, so just be happy for me. Levi is the kindest, most loving man I’ve ever been with in my life. Stop being so suspicious, Tiff, and be happy for me.”
“Okay, okay, Rose, damn. I’ll be happy for you two. From what I’ve seen, he is a good guy. Kory said he seems to be on the up and up, and Kory thinks he really loves you, so I’m not tripping. I’m happy for you.”
Rose was quiet and blew out a breath.
“I’m so for real, Rose, I am, and I wish you two the best. But I called you because you have to do me a huge favor.”
“First, thanks for your well wishes. Levi makes me happy, and once we are married like you and Kory, things will seem normal.”
“I’m sure, Rose, but I need you.”
“Anything, Tiff, what is it?”
“Don’t get crazy, Rose.”
“I won’t, Tiff, what is it?”
“I’m late.”
Rose squealed. “You are? How late?”
“A little over two weeks.”
“What? Are you serious, Tiff? Did you take the test?”
“No, and that’s why I’m calling. Can you leave the gallery and bring me a test?”
“Ummmm, yes! I’m on my way, girl. Oh my God, Tiff, what if you are?”
“I know, right? I’m like all over the place now, so please, Rose, get the test and hurry over here.”
“I’m on it, darling. I’ll be there soon.”
“Okay, girl, thanks.”
“Don’t mention it.” They hung up, and Tiffany called her assistant in to get caught up. When she got the message that Myah had been trying to get an appointment with her, she made sure that her assistant put Myah down for that afternoon. That would give her time to spend time with Rose and take the test. If it was positive, she and Rose could go out for an early lunch and celebrate, and if it was negative, she and Rose could still go out . . . so Rose could comfort her and dry her tears.
It seemed like hours, but forty-five minutes later, Rose was there. She brought three tests. Clearblue Easy, e.p.t., and First Response. Tiffany went into her bathroom,
peed into a disposable cup, and dipped all three sticks into her urine. She and Rose made small talk and went back after four minutes to check the test—and they all read positive! Tiffany was pregnant. She and Rose jumped for joy. Tiffany wanted to be a mom so badly, and she was finally pregnant.
“Oh my Lord, Rose, can you believe?”
“No, and I’m so jealous,” she teased.
“Don’t be. Soon, you and Levi will be married, and you will be a mom too.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m so happy for you, Tiffany. How are you going to tell Kory?”
Tiffany paused. “Girl, I don’t know. I want to do something crazy, out of the box, something that will wow him.”
“Well, I’m no expert, but I saw this clip on Facebook where the man came home, and his wife told him to check the oven for dinner, and she had a bun in it.”
“That’s cute, but I want to blow Kory’s mind. I want to top his surprises. Like when he was supposed to be on his honeymoon with Tressa, but instead, he proposed to me on the plane before the flight took off, so I need something clever.”
“Okay, I see what you mean. Kory smokes cigars, right?”
Tiffany’s smile got even brighter. “He does.”
“So, get him two cigars, put them in a case, and put a blue strip on one and a pink strip on the other. Put a card or a note in the box that says . . . It’s a boy, or maybe it’s a girl.”
“That is a better idea. Let’s head over to Jinx. It’s not far from here. Oh my God, Rose, I am pregnant. Let’s go and toast it up.”
“Chile, please, I’ll have champagne for you while you drink iced tea.”
“Hey, I’m only a little pregnant, early pregnant, and trust if I didn’t find out today, I would have inhaled a bottle of wine tonight after my day, so let me have my last toast, please, before this little one starts to develop organs and the important stuff.”
“You are a true bad girl,” Rose laughed. They headed out, but Tiffany assured Summer she’d be back for her meeting with Myah. They went to Jinx, a local pub, not far from the studio and Tiffany frowned when she spotted Tracy.
“What’s wrong?” Rose asked. Tiffany figured she’d seen the expression on her face change.
“Tracy is what’s wrong. I mean, seriously, it can’t be a fucking coincidence that she and I keep running into each other. I’m not a scholar, but I know this is impossible.”
“It could be your imagination, Tiff.”
“It could be, but during my time off, I’d go by the office periodically and just say I’d mention to Summer that Kory and I were going to Melrose for dinner, and somehow, I’d run into her at dinner. I don’t know, but it’s like unreal.”
“It’s not that serious, honey. Now swallow the last of your last drink of this pregnancy so you can get to your meeting with Myah, and I can get back to my gallery. Josh is a great salesman, and he is hot, but nobody can sell my pieces as well as I can.”
“Yes, you’re right, and I’m not trying to block your hustle, but please go by the cigar shop for me and put my order in. I need to get back to TiMax.”
“Girl, please. I owe you my life, so, of course.”
Tiffany paused. She was tired of hearing those words, and she could already tell her hormones were in overdrive. “Cut!” she said with a stern voice.
Rose froze in motion. “Stop it, Rose, okay? Enough!” Tiffany said with sternness in her tone. “For the one-hundredth time, you don’t owe me shit. You don’t owe me a dime. The house is yours, the gallery is yours, the car is yours, and your profits from this day forward are yours. Mr. Green blessed me with over $40 million, Rose. More money than I could ever dream of in my lifetime. I still have a six-figure salary, and it is on the high end . . . so high, it’s close to a seven-figure salary. My husband is a businessman, and he is soon to open his third location. Not only me, but our grandchildren will be okay, Rose; your children, my godchildren, will be okay. The minimansion Kory and I live in is paid in full, and we don’t have a note on any of the four vehicles we own. My mother is now settled into a gated community with an on-call chef, housekeeper, and all she does is play bridge and calls a service when she needs groceries or the latest magazine or what have you.
“I came from nothing, Rose, nothing. You know it. You were there. When my brother was killed, there was no insurance. Thank God our church and community loved my mother so much that they raised the money to help bury my brother and give him a proper service. As soon as I got that money, the first check I wrote was to my momma’s church. I say that to say this.
“We are blessed. Not me, but we are blessed, and I’d feed you, take care of you until there was nothing left if I had to, so stop it, Rose. You don’t owe me a damn thing. We are sisters, and I’d give my last cent for you, so stop saying that shit. It pisses me off when you say that. We are even, so stop it,” Tiffany cried. She was in tears by the time she was done. She loved Rose, and other than Kory, Rose was the closest person to her in her life. Yes, she and Asia had a bond, but it was nothing close to hers and Rose’s.
Rose stood and went over to Tiffany. “You are definitely pregnant. I’ve seen you cry, but never in a public place.” She hugged her tightly.
“I know, and I’m now embarrassed.”
“Don’t be. I’m the one who should be embarrassed.” She took a couple of steps back. “You have to understand that I never in a million years thought my best friend would be this successful and to become this popular and wealthy. You didn’t have to do a damn thing for me, Tiff, but in my mind, I’m always thinking that I hope you know I’m not looking for any handouts and just because I’m your best friend doesn’t mean I’m special. And I am truly and sincerely grateful for what you have done for me. I just don’t want you to think I don’t appreciate you or that I feel entitled.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Rose. Just because you are my best friend, the person I love as much as my husband, you are special. So please, Rose, just say ‘thanks, Tiff.’ Thank you is enough.”
She hugged her friend again. “Thanks, Tiff. Thank you,” she said, and the two ladies paid their tab and departed. Rose promised Tiffany she’d go by the cigar shop for her, and Tiffany made her way back to the office. She was just in time for her meeting with Myah, and Tiffany was excited.
Myah presented her first show idea to Tiffany, and Tiffany was amazed. “Myah, that is a great idea. I am overly impressed. I see you’ve paid attention.”
“Yes, ma’am, I have, and Dee is like one of the coolest, most brilliant persons to work with.”
Tiffany detected a glow in Myah when she spoke of Darryl, and that was weird. “Mee-Mee, you do know Darryl is gay, right?”
Myah hung her head low. “I know, but I admire him. He is so brilliant, Tiffany.”
“Yes, he is Mee-Mee, and I know you are a single mom and long for a partner. We’ve talked about this before. Don’t shoot for stars you can’t catch is our motto, remember. We stay in our lane. Dee is a homosexual and as gorgeous, funny, stylish, and talented as he is, he will never be into you.”
She sighed. “I know, but I’ve had a crush on him forever, and if he was straight, I’d surely make him mine.”
Tiffany tilted her head. She could see Myah’s heart, and Tiffany knew all too well how it felt to yearn for someone to love and be loved by. At that moment, she had a thought. “Myah, I’m not big on matchmaking, but Kory has an employee who divorced about eight or nine months ago, and he’s dating. Now, he is fine, no kids, and I think you two may hit it off.”
“I don’t know, Tiff. He has no kids, and I have three. Not many men want a ready-made family.”
“Well, between you and me, his wife left because of his inability to get her pregnant, and from what Kory tells me, he wants a family.”
She frowned. “I don’t know.”
“One dinner. If you think he’s lame, and you’re not interested, no harm, right?”
Myah smiled. “Okay, that sounds like a plan,” she agreed.
“Great, I’ll call Kory and, by the way, Mee-Mee, I’m pregnant,” Tiffany smiled.
Perfect Combinations
Episode 24
Kory
After marinating the meats he planned to put on the grill, he chopped veggies for the kabobs, and then made the potato salad. The baked beans were in the oven, and the corn on the cob was seasoned to go on the grill. His mom taught him and his brothers how to cook and always said they needed to know how to cook so when their wives give birth, or if she, unfortunately, gets ill, they can feed her and their children. That lesson had always stuck with him, but he hated cooking for guests.
Tiffany had declared that night to be “couple’s night,” so Rose and Levi, Asia and Edward, and Myah, newly matched up with Cameron—which Kory was completely against—were coming over. He told his wife when she asked that he wasn’t into matchmaking, but after some persuading, he was on board, and to seal the night, his wife presented him with a gift, a gift that informed him that he was going to be a dad, so whatever she said from that moment on was golden.
His wife and he had finally conceived, and nothing could take away from the joy he felt for her and their happiness. He had high hopes for Cam and Myah and for Levi and Rose. Asia was already married and a new mother, so if the other couples tied the knot, it would be all good.
“So, Levi, how do you like being a cop?” Edward asked. All eyes landed on Levi. Edward was a banker, Kory a jeweler, and Cameron a jeweler as well, jobs totally different from law enforcement, and that’s why he asked, Kory thought.
“Being a police officer is cool. I grew up in a rough area and after seeing so much crime and murder, I wanted to make a difference. I’m hoping to be a detective one day.”
“And you will be, baby,” Rose added and rubbed his arm. He smiled at her.
“Awww, y’all are so cute,” Tiffany said.
“Baby, don’t start the mushy stuff,” Kory said, and everyone laughed.
