One Love

by Emery, Lynn

  “We’re going all the way this time,” Alex murmured. “All the way.”

  ***

  ”Lanessa, girl you’re all right.” Yasmin wiggled her arched eyebrows at her.

  “Cut it out. And turn down the volume loud mouth.” Lanessa glanced around.” I don’t want everybody in my business.”

  “You moved on that fine stuff kinda fast, didn’t you?”Jackie ignored her reticence and plunged ahead with her question.

  “Shush! Half the business community is jammed in here next to us! Now stop.” Lanessa pinched her arm and glared at Yasmin.

  They sat in the Bell Sandwich Shop at lunchtime. Even after three days, Lanessa still felt a tingle from the weekend. Sunday evening with Alex had been even better than Saturday. They’d talked for hours in a way they never had before. It was as though she was getting to know him for the first time. Yet now she could savor the truly appreciate his kind loving heart. Something she had been blind to before. Another reason to say a prayer of thanks for recovery. She could see clearly and feel more intensely now that she was free of alcohol. Love had a spicy sweet flavor this time around.

  “Well, you know we won’t let you rest until we hear it all.” Jackie grinned at her.

  ”We’re not jumping into this thing,” Lanessa said with a tone of caution she did not feel. By the looks they exchanged, her friends were not deceived.

  “You saw him twice in one weekend after three years apart.” Jackie tapped Yasmin on the arm.” How hot is that, honey?”

  “That’s love hot enough to melt steel. The kind that keeps you up at night.” Yasmin giggled.

  “Makes you wanna testify,” Jackie said and snapped her fingers.

  “Makes you order lingerie from the Victoria’s Secrets catalogue until your MasterCard is maxed out,” Yasmin shot back.

  “The kind that…” Jackie lifted a forefinger in the air.

  “Grow up,” Lanessa cut her off.

  “Seriously, we’re thrilled for you.” Yasmin gave her a quick hug around the neck.

  “Sure, one of us might as well get some,” Jackie quipped.

  “Jackie!”Lanessa’s eyes were wide. She heard the group of diners nearest them laugh.” I said we’re taking it slow,” Lanessa said through clenched teeth.

  “Yeah, right. We believe that.” Jackie sat back with a look of skepticism.

  “Uh-huh. And I’ve got prime beach front property to sell in Devil’s Swamp.” Yasmin shook her head.

  “No joke.” Lanessa smiled at the memory.” We talked for hours and held hands. Period.”

  “You’re telling us you and Alex didn’t…” Yasmin looked unconvinced.

  “We did not. And it feels right.” Lanessa gazed out the window.” Perfectly, completely right.”

  “Wow, this is deep.” Jackie shook her head. “All right, no more kidding around. Are you sure this is a good idea?”

  “Here it comes.” Yasmin looked at Jackie.” You are so cynical.”

  “We all know intense emotions are par for the course with us.” Jackie glanced at them in turn.

  Lanessa and Yasmin knew exactly what she meant. It was an axiom at the clinic that single-minded devotion to anything was frequently used as a substitute for dependence on alcohol. Usually it became religion or some cause. But it also took the form of a new relationship. Lanessa turned over this idea in her mind but rejected it.

  “I’ve loved Alex for a long time, Jackie. I might worry about it if we’d just met. But my feelings go back a long way,” Lanessa said.

  Jackie studied her for several moments then gave one sharp nod.” Okay. Now let’s plan a ladies night to celebrate.”

  “Hold on, we’re just starting out.” Lanessa wore a slight frown.” I’ve still gotta face his mother.”

  “Child, I know what you mean. Ed’s mama was a real bear to me. She loves me now that we’re divorced,” Yasmin said with humorless laugh.

  “This could be bad,” Jackie agreed.” How close are they? Joined at the hip, so to speak?”

  “Alex is like his father, very independent. He cares what she thinks, but Mrs. St. Romaine doesn’t rule him.” Lanessa could just imagine the handsome woman scouring her with disapproval.

  “As it should be. Oh, Lanessa.” Yasmin, ever the romantic, sighed.” How wonderful to be in love again.”

  Jackie wore an amused look.” Yasmin, this isn’t a romance novel. It’s real life.” She turned to Lanessa.” But she’s right; it’s great that you’ve found each other again.”

  “We don’t have our happily ever after yet,” Lanessa said.” I’m not fooling myself. We’ve got a lot of baggage to unload.”

  “But if you’ve found love after everything that’s happened, then he’s your destiny.” Yasmin wore a dreamy smile.” One day we’ll all have that kind of forever love. Wait and see.”

  ”I’d settle for a few fun-filled weekends at this point.” Jackie wore a sassy grin.

  “Will you stop,” Lanessa said.” Gaston Jarreau has it bad for you.”

  “Gaston and I are about as compatible as oil and water.” Jackie looked thoughtful.

  Yasmin gave a groan of exasperation.” I went to the trouble of introducing you to one of the most eligible men around, and this is the thanks I get!”

  “One more thing to hold against you,” Jackie said glaring at her.” Stop pushing men at me.”

  “Gaston was dying to meet you. And you like him; you just don’t want to admit it.” Yasmin flipped her fingertips at her.

  “Yes, he is nice. But…” Jackie stared down at her half-eaten sandwich.

  “I know how you feel. I’ve been wondering if maybe I should leave Alex alone for his own good.” Lanessa placed a hand on Jackie’s arm.

  “Thinking you’re not good enough because of the past leads to self-pity. And we all know what a trap that is.” Yasmin put her hand on Jackie’s other arm.

  “She’s right. We’ll convince ourselves we don’t deserve happiness and then…” Lanessa let her voice trail off.

  “Jackie, you really do care for Gaston. Go get him, honey.” Yasmin winked at her.” If he can forgive you, then you should forgive yourself.”

  “Yeah, it’s not like he doesn’t know about me.” Jackie’s somber expression relaxed into a half-smile.” I wasn’t exactly shy back then.”

  “Are you kidding? You’re in the Party Girl Hall of Fame!” Yasmin chuckled. “Trust me; he knows a lot about you.”

  Jackie made a comical face.” Please don’t remind me.” She grew serious and squeezed their hands.” Thanks y’all. Maybe I’ll call Gaston when I get back to the office.”

  “That’s what I’m talking about,” Yasmin said with exuberance. She looked at Lanessa. “And you’re going to see Alex soon, I’ll bet.”

  “Tonight. We’re meeting for dinner at the Bamboo House.” Lanessa could almost hear his deep, velvet voice saying her name.

  “Well done ladies.” Yasmin dabbed her mouth with a paper napkin.

  “What about you?” Jackie eyed her.” Maybe I need to fix you up with a date.”

  “That’s a joke, right?”Yasmin wore a cocky expression.” Sweetheart, I’m working on my love thang.”

  “Who is it?” Lanessa sat forward eager to hear.

  “I’m not saying. It’s too early to kiss and tell.” Yasmin wore a cat-like smile.

  “No fair! You know our business and now you won’t talk. Okay, but remember I find out things for a living,” Lanessa warned.

  “Well… He’s tall, dark and handsome for one thing.” Yasmin clearly enjoyed teasing them.

  “Like we expected short, pale and troll-like,” Jackie said with a snort.

  “I’m not superficial. He’s no movie star pretty boy. He’s very intelligent and loves kids.” Yasmin brushed back her short red hair.

  “Quit playing around and spill it.” Lanessa poked her in the side.

  Yasmin smiled at them in silence and let the suspense build.” Charles Auguste Metoyer, IV.�
�

  “Honey, Hush your mouth!”Jackie’s eyes were wide with astonishment.

  “Mercy, mercy me.” Lanessa blinked rapidly.” The man has more money than ought to be legal.”

  “Yes, I do believe I’ve bagged the big one, ladies.” Yasmin giggled.

  “Wait a minute; I say this as a friend. So don’t get mad. But he’s a well-known Casanova,” Lanessa said.

  “I’ve heard the rumors.” Yasmin seemed unconcerned.

  “Listen to me good. I’ve seen the brother in action. I was no slouch on the party scene myself back in the day.” Lanessa remembered the striking man with ebony skin who always had a different woman by his side. “Watch yourself.”

  “We talked about it. Charles is at a different place. He wants more than good times,” Yasmin said in a voice soft with affection.

  “Well, well. Seems everyone is reforming these days.” Jackie raised her glass of diet Coke. “Here’s to new life and new love.”

  “Amen!” Yasmin said.

  “Yes indeed,” Lanessa chimed in.

  They tapped glasses and drank. It seemed all three were finding happiness. Even better, they had no starry dreams of a fairytale ending. Lanessa thought of Alex. His muscular arms around her would be a welcome shelter at the end the day. She was able to laugh and really feel good as they talked excitedly about their plans for the coming weekend. The three women finally said goodbye and parted. Lanessa spent the rest of the day wading through stacks of paper. Yet the thought of Alex kept her in a light-hearted mood. Another few hours and they would be together.

  ***

  Alex shuffled through over-sized sheets of paper. The blueprints showed a number of real trouble spots that made his task difficult. His company had been hired to help set up an Intranet for a growing interior design firm. The old building was an architectural treasure to the new owners. They had grand plans on how to make it a show stopping office. To Alex it had the potential of being a nightmare. He would have to get all the cables and wires where they needed to be… In fact he looked forward to the challenge. With a slight smile, he hummed a lively melody as he made notes. The song was one that he and Lanessa had listened to that Sunday night. It was romantic ballad sung by Babyface and Karen White number called Love Saw it. Alex savored the glow of their first “after dark” date in years. Lanessa had looked delectable in a royal blue pant set. Her smile was shy and tentative. It had made his temperature rise steadily all night. Still they had vowed not to hurry. Remembering the heat beneath his skin when she touched him made Alex wonder. Just how slow could he stand to take it? Suddenly a rustling to his left brought him back to his surroundings.

  “Daddy’s in a good mood,” Tia whispered to her sister. “Ask him now.”

  “What do I say again?” Nia said loudly.

  “Shh-hh.” Tia clamped a hand over Nia’s mouth.

  Alex had listened to their plotting with amusement. They pretended to work on book reports using the computer while he went over plans from work. They were in the office at his house. He’d bought the three room split-level house specifically so the girls could have space to play. Thankfully he and Shauntelle had never had serious battles over visitation.

  “Go on. Now,” Tia whispered again shoving Nia forward.

  “Daddy…” Nia shot a sideways glance at her sister.

  “Yes.” Alex preferred to play the game. He wanted to see just how well this act had been rehearsed.

  “You know Teisha Crandall? She lives down the street from us. She goes to our school.” Nia looped an arm through the open pattern of the chair he sat in. She swung back and forth in a casual manner.

  “Chris and Nadine’s little girl, yes I know her.” Alex kept his head down as though he the blueprints still held his attention.

  “She just got a new computer that plays movies.” Nia moved to stand in front of him.

  “It’s like a big television,” Tia added.

  “Really?”

  “Uh-huh. She can do all kinds of stuff. Teisha says it’s cause her daddy makes lots of money.” Nia lifted a shoulder.

  “Chris is doing well in business.” Alex kept his voice neutral.

  “Mr. Crandall is always telling mama about his company. Just like that time you were at our house.” Tia must have decided to take a more active role.

  Alex still did not look up. These two little rascals! They knew how Chris Crandall’s boasting grated on his nerves. Chris had his own telephone service and was expanding into computer programming.

  “Hmm.” Alex pulled out another blueprint and acted as though engrossed in it.

  “Mr. Crandall said his company is making the competition eat dirt. What does that mean?” Nia used her best innocent voice.

  “Honey, hand daddy his calculator. It’s on the end of the table.” Alex busily made notes.

  “Daddy it’s rude not to listen when someone is talking to you.” Tia joined her sister. She stood with her hands on her slender hips.

  “Sorry, baby,” he said to Nia. “What were you saying?”

  “Our principal at school is always saying how we need to keep up with the latest technology.” Nia said her lines so well; she looked at her sister with pride.

  “Yes or we’ll be behind,” Tia added. They gazed at him expectantly.

  “You have a computer.” Alex looked at them both. He saw the future in front of him as they exchanged a glance full of meaning. They both looked at him with barely concealed frustration.

  “But we’ve had it forever!” Tia protested.

  “Years and years. But it was so nice of you to get it for us,” Nia added with a smile like honey.

  Alex shook his head. “You got it two years ago and I’ve upgraded twice.”

  “But daddy, we can’t neat games, I mean movies. From The Learning Channel.” Tia brushed back her thick hair. It seemed her show of patience was wearing on her.

  “She meant educational games,” Nia put in as for additional damage control.

  “Yeah, geography and math games.” Tia nodded vigorously. “So we as African-American children won’t fall behind.”

  Alex sat back with a laugh. “You girls are something else. You don’t need a new computer, you just want to keep up with the Jones, or in this case the Crandalls.”

  “Tiesha said,” Tia’s small mouth was open wide, poised to argue her case.

  “We don’t buy things because of bragging by other people, Tia. Remember what I told you, think for yourself.”

  Alex sounded and felt like his father not for the first time in the last five years. As the girls had gotten older, their sharp minds had kept him hopping for answers. He gave great thought to instilling the right values. With the way he adored them, giving in to their every whim was a true temptation. Even so he had to keep on his toes or he’d be like warm putty in their deft little hands. He could only guess what facing them as teenagers would be like.

  “But daddy, there are lots of good reasons to upgrade. We will be able to do our honors projects even better.” Nia stood close to him and rested her cheek on his shoulder.

  “And with the additional memory I added and DVD installed, you can do everything Tiesha can do. Now why don’t I call your mother?” Alex reached for the cordless phone on the desk.

  “No!” They cried in unison.

  “That answers my next question.” Alex wagged a forefinger at them.” I can guess what your mother said.”

  “But daddy, please,” Nia wheedled. “We need it.”

  “Yeah,” Tia said in a strong tone. No whining for her. “We need to be on the cutting edge of the new millennium.”

  Clearly they had picked up the buzz phrases the advertising mavens had spun out. Alex squinted at them. “My answer is the same as your mother’s obviously. No.”

  “Well, we tried.” Nia shrugged with good humor. That was her way of saying it had been mostly Tia’s idea.

  “I’m so sick of listening to Tiesha’s big mouth. ‘My daddy got me this, my dad
dy got me that’,” Tia said in a high-pitched voice.

  “Ignore it. We both know that things don’t make us better people. Right?” Alex beckoned her over to him. When she came close, he put an arm around both of them.

  “Right,” they said together in reluctant assent.

  Alex made a spot decision. “Which brings me to something else. You know Shauntelle and I have always been up front with you kids. About our divorce, even though you were babies at the time.”

  “Four, but I’m older.” Nia enjoyed knowing she’d emerged twenty minutes before Tia.

  “Yes. And you know it’s a possibility we might get married again.”

  Tia gasped. “You’re going to marry Miss Karin?”

  “Oo, that’s nice. She’s got the best clothes. She shops in New York.” Nia pronounced the fact as though it was her seal of approval.

  “And she’s drives a BMW convertible.” Tia nodded, her eyes bright. “She let me sit in the driver’s seat.”

  “When are we getting married, daddy?” Nia jumped up and down several times.

  “Betcha Teisha doesn’t have a condo in Florida.” Tia nudged her sister. “Miss Karin says we can go there anytime we want. Ya-hoo!”

  “Mama says Miss Karin’s parents have more money than King Midas.” Nia wore a puzzled look.” Who’s King Midas?”

  Alex sat watching them in shock with his mouth hanging open. This was not at all the reaction he’d expected. So much for his lecture on being materialistic.

  “Settle down. I didn’t say anything about marrying Miss Karin.”

  “You’re going to live together like Jamal’s mama and her new boyfriend?” Tia’s eyebrows went up. “Grandmamma Yvonne won’t like that.”

  “Of course not!” Alex wondered at what point he’d lost control of this conversation. He’d better start at the beginning. “I’m not talking about Miss Karin. I’m seeing someone new, well not actually new. But you’ve don’t know her. We’ve known each other for a long time.”