They all looked at her.
"What? I may be married, but I can still have fun. Let's go!"
The ladies danced and socialized until the party was officially over. Julie got in a couple more dances with Kevin and committed to having dinner the next day before he headed back to Wisconsin. She got the evil eye from Tutti the rest of the evening. It was a great party and everybody had a good time.
The next morning the ladies got dressed and went to Fishbones, where there was a delicious breakfast buffet, filled with everything you can imagine to eat. John was leaving as they entered.
"Good morning, ladies." Then his eyes focused on Yvette. "Good morning, Yvette."
"Good morning." She walked up to him and gave him a hug. He pulled out a card.
"If you ladies ever want to go out on my yacht, please give me a call," he said as he handed it to Yvette.
He left after he said his goodbyes to them all.
"Well, alright now playa," said Vanessa. “And he did say ‘yacht’…not boat!”
"Girl bye. He was just being nice. He knows I'm married. Quit being messy and let's eat."
They ate until they were full and then went back to their rooms to pack up, so they could check out.
Vanessa
Since Vanessa had driven herself, Sabra offered to ride back with her.
"Oh, Greg is coming down here to meet me and we are going on the River Walk and hang out at Hart Plaza," said Vanessa.
"Well excuse me, missy. You sure have gotten all booed up with that young man," Sabra said shaking her head. "Be careful, Nessa. These young guys are out for one thing. Probably got a girlfriend too. He's the same age as your son. Your horny old butt need to leave that baby alone."
"Well, I say go for it. Like I said before. Our motto is: you only live once. Y'all both grown, and if you just need him to be your boy toy, and he’s okay with it, go for it! Damn, quit hating Sabra," said Julie.
"I'm never a hater, but I still think she needs to be careful," said Sabra.
Vanessa just loved her some Julie. She never judges and always makes her feel good.
"Well, I'm not getting married to him. You all are always saying I need to stop turning down guys and get out sometime. I’m just trying to have some fun," said Vanessa.
"Yeah, but not with a baby, you need a grown ass man. I just don't want you to get your feelings hurt," said Sabra.
"Speaking of grown ass men, Lillian, whatever happened to that guy you were seeing before Don stepped in?" interrupted Yvette.
"You talking about Lamonte, that fool I used to go to school with?"
"Yeah. What happened to him?"
"Girl, that man started tripping. If I didn't answer my phone or text him right back, he would have a fit! And I only went out with the cheap dog once. His ass asked me to go out to eat. He came by the house and picked me up and took me to Papa Joes." Papa Joes is a gourmet market. She continued. "I thought he was just picking up some groceries. But listen to what he did: He went through the entire store and ate everything they had for samples. After I said no to a few, he looked at me and said, you ain't eating? I said I didn't want to get full before we go out to eat, and this fool said, “This is it! Girl you better eat some of this good food. I looked at him and told him to take me home and walked out the door. He followed me and asked what's wrong! I wanted to punch him in his throat ... can you believe that?"
Everyone was silent and then suddenly everyone busted out laughing.
"Girl, you lying?" said Elaine.
"If I'm lying I'm flying. I wish I was," said Lillian.
"I done heard it all now,” said Yvette.
They laughed until they were crying.
"Whew. I needed that," said Elaine as she wiped tears from her eyes.
"What do you think Steve Harvey would say about that chump? said Julie.
"He would say, dump that chump," said Lillian. They laughed some more.
The car arrived, the ladies hugged Vanessa, told her to be safe and have some fun. Sabra only hugged her and she went to the lobby to wait on Greg.
Vanessa was supposed to meet Greg at 1 pm. It was now 1:30 pm. She called him; the phone rang and went into voicemail. She hung up. It was now 2 pm. She called again. The phone rang and rang. No answer. At 2:15 she tried again, and it went straight to voicemail. She tried again at 2:16, 2:17, 2:20, and 2:30. Still voicemail. At 3 p.m., she gave up and went to the valet for her car, got in and drove off with tears of disappointment pooling in her eyes.
Vanessa and Greg
It was four days later, and Vanessa kept seeing that Greg was calling her, but she would not answer the phone. She really liked him but she didn't want to play the fool for this boy. She had called him for over three days to ask him why he stood her up, and his phone kept going straight to voicemail. She kept telling herself not to call, but something inside her prompted her to keep trying.
I've got to say what I have to say and be done. I need some closure, she kept trying to convince herself. I feel like such a fool. She didn't dare tell the girls because she knew they would tell her I told you so…especially Sabra. She picked up the phone and dialed the number for the other last time and was about to hang up when a female answered the phone.
"Hello," the female voice said.
Maybe I have the wrong number she thought. "Is this Greg Jordan's phone?"
"Yes, it is. Is this …”
Vanessa pushed the end call button before the woman could say another word, and tears of anger sprang from her eyes, and she felt like she had been stabbed in her heart. Wow, was all she could think. He was just like the rest of them. Just like Sabra said. Give them some and then they go on their merry way. She felt so used and abused, even though they had only had sex that one time. She also felt embarrassed. How could he do this to me? I really liked him, and I thought that he liked me. She threw herself on the bed and cried. She put her phone on vibrate and cried herself to sleep.
The next day she got back into her routine. She woke up and went to work, her heart feeling heavy. She looked at her phone and saw that she had sixty-nine missed calls. Some of the calls were from the girls, but most of them were from Greg.
How dare he call me, or maybe it was his bitch that's calling. Right at that instant, the phone rang. She saw that it was Greg. Her heart skipped a couple of beats. She knew she needed closure, so she answered the phone.
"What?" she said angrily into the phone.
"Excuse me, but is this Vanessa?" a female voice asked.
Oh no, she didn't, thought Vanessa. "Yes, it is, and who the hell are you?"
"I'm Salena. Greg's ex-wife."
Hell to the nah! she thought. "So, are you the one that keeps calling me?"
"Yes. Greg asked me to. Please don't hang up. I'm sorry to tell you this, but Greg was in a very bad motorcycle accident and just wasn't able to talk. The first person he asked about when he was able was you, and asked if I would call you."
"Oh my God," she shouted into the phone, and her heart pangs returned. "Is he okay?"
"Well, he's better now. His leg is broken and he had a concussion, he's pretty scratched up, and had some internal bleeding, a couple of broken ribs, but the doctors said he will be alright. He was more worried about you and what you were thinking than he was about himself."
"Well, can he talk?"
"He's on some sedatives right now, but if you want to come see him, he is at Beaumont Hospital off Woodward in Royal Oak, room 1269."
"Thanks," she said. "I'm going to stop by as soon as I get off work, and thanks for calling me."
Vanessa wiped tears of relief and worry off her face. It was a very long day at work because all she could think about was getting to the hospital to see about Greg.
When she arrived at the hospital, she asked the receptionist what room he was in, because she had forgotten. He was in intensive care. She slowly walked to the room and looked behind the curtained bed. He was sleeping and looked so pitiful. His head was banda
ged up and so was his chest. He had a cast on his leg, and his beautiful face was puffy and scratched. She sat in the chair next to his bed and laid her hand over his. She just kept staring at him, and as if he could sense her, he opened his eyes and looked into hers.
"Hey, beautiful," he said. "Sorry I can't get up and hug you."
Tears streamed down her face, just hearing his voice. "Oh Greg. Don't you ever do this to me again. How are you doing?"
"As well as I can," he said.
"What happened? No, that’s okay. Don't talk if it's too painful."
"I'm good. I was riding down the Lodge Freeway on my way to meet you, when this guy, driving like an idiot, tried to cut me off. He ended up sideswiping me and I don't remember too much after that. I was told he was drunk and hit about three cars. The doctors told me I was lucky that I had my helmet on, because I would've been much worse."
"You are so blessed to be alive! I'm so glad you wear that helmet even though you don't have to. God knew I needed you! "She leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Just then a woman and a cute young lady came in. The younger woman frowned at her and walked over to the bed.
"Hey, daddy." She went over and hugged him.
"Hey, princess," he said.
The woman walked over to Vanessa, but addressed the girl first.
"Be careful sweetie," she said to her daughter. "Hi, I'm Salena. You must be Vanessa."
They both extended their hands and shook.
"Pleased to meet you. Thanks for calling me, and please forgive me for being so rude," said Vanessa.
"It's okay. You had no way of knowing what was going on, and girl, I probably would've done the same thing too," Salena said with a smile.
Just then a man walked in and gave Salena a hug.
"Eric, this is Vanessa. Vanessa, this is my husband, Eric."
Vanessa shook his hand. "Pleased to meet you."
"So, you are the woman that he kept asking about? We've been trying to call you for days," asked Eric.
"Eric, can I use your cell phone? Mine is dead," interrupted Tracey, Greg's daughter.
"You can use my phone, but let's go eat and give your daddy and Vanessa some privacy," said Salena.
"That's cool. Bye, daddy. Bye Ms. Vanessa," Tracey said, still sizing up Vanessa.
"Bye, princess. See you later. Thanks again for everything, Salena and Eric."
"You just get better,” she said to Greg. “Take good care of him, Vanessa," said Salena.
"Oh, I will,” Vanessa said as she took his hand.
They left.
"I feel so stupid. I was so mad at you and at myself, that I didn't think to give you the benefit of a doubt. I hope you will forgive me."
"You had no way of knowing. I really wished that you had a little more trust in me, but that will come in time. There is one thing you can do for me."
"What is it?" asked Vanessa.
"Come closer, “demanded Greg.
She moved toward the bed.
"Closer".
She closed her eyes, lowered her face to his, and puckered her lips.
When she was within inches of his lips, he said, "Grab those dominoes over there, so I can whip your butt!"
She opened her eyes and hit at him playfully.
"Ouch. Be careful."
"I'm sorry."
They laughed and she leaned down and gave him a nice, long kiss.
While they were in the midst of enjoying their kiss, they heard someone say "ahem."
She looked around and saw a couple of people that had to be kin to him. The man looked like an older version of him. They turned out to be his parents.
The woman walked over to the other side of the bed and leaned over and kissed him on the forehead. "Hello, son. How are you feeling today?"
"Obviously he's feeling better," said the man with a not so happy look on his face.
"I'm feeling better. Mom, Dad, this is Vanessa, the woman I've been telling you about."
Vanessa was really surprised to know that he had told his folks about her.
Greg's mom reached over to shake her hand. "Nice meeting you Vanessa. I've heard a lot about you."
"Nice meeting you too, Mrs. Jordan."
"Call me Shirley," she said with a warm smile.
She turned to shake the father’s hand.
"You must be his dad. You look so much alike."
He looked at her and at her extended hand, ignored her, and walked over next to Greg's bedside.
Greg's dad looked over at her, and asked "Excuse me, but may I ask how old you are?"
Vanessa looked at Greg then back to his father.
Greg said, "Really, Dad? Nessa, you don't have to tell him anything."
"It's okay. I'm fifty-two."
"Woman, you are almost my age! Don't you think my boy is a little too young for you?" he asked angrily.
Greg piped in. "Dad! I'm not a boy, I'm a grown man. If you have any problems with my relationship, then discuss it with me and not her."
Vanessa said," Mr. Jordan, I really care for your son. We have a great relationship. I don't look at his age when I am with him. He is a wonderful person and very mature for his age."
"Well,” he replied, “So much for my having any more grandchildren. Can't you find a man your own age?"
His mother said, "Stop it, Peter."
"You know you are thinking the same thing, you just aren't saying it," he said.
"All I know is that we raised our son right and to make his own decisions, so just let them alone. It's his life," Greg's mother said.
"Yeah, and he's about to ruin it, messing with this cradle robber."
"Dad, you are way out of line," said Greg angrily.
"It's okay. I'm going to leave you to visit with your parents," said Vanessa. "I will call you later."
"You don't have to go!" said Greg.
"Yes, I do. It was nice meeting you both."
She looked over at Greg, gave a weak smile, and left the room.
Once she made it to the car, tears of sorrow and anger sprang up. She took out her cell phone and called the one person who could make her feel better.
The phone rang and rang, and just as she was about to hang up, Julie answered.
"Hello," said Julie. "What's up, lady? How is Greg?" Vanessa had called Julie from work to tell her what had happened to Greg.
"Oh Julie," she said with a cracked voice.
Julie heard the sorrow in her voice. "Okay. What’s wrong? He is okay, isn't he? "
"He seems to be. He has a lot of healing to do. But girl, I just met his parents. His mother seems alright, but his father doesn't like me at all ... he thinks I'm too old to be dating his son."
"Well, you should've predicted somebody might have a problem with it, but what did he say?"
"He asked me my age and if I couldn't find somebody my own age to be with and a comment about not being able to have any more grandkids."
"Well, what did Greg say?"
"Oh, he defended me and so did his mother, but I left because he just really made me feel like a child-molesting pervert."
"Listen. Greg pursued you. You didn't go after him or expect him to be in your life. You guys like each other and your ages shouldn't make a difference to anybody if it doesn't bother you. He's a grown ass man, and if you like it, I love it. "
"But Sabra feels the same way that his dad does."
"So? It's your life. If this man makes you happy, you better go for it, because a good man is very hard to find around here, or anywhere for that matter. His dad just has some issues, and I'm sure once he sees you two together he will eventually calm down and accept you, and if he doesn't, it's his loss."
"I guess you are right. I just don't want to cause any division in his family. He always talks so highly of his father."
"Then let them work it out. In the meantime, you cheer up and help Greg get better and let him handle it. Everything will be okay"
"Yeah, I hope so. Th
anks for letting me vent. I will talk to you later."
"Make sure you do. Keep me updated. Love you."
"Love you too."
Recuperating
Greg was in the hospital for another two weeks. His daughter and ex-wife stayed for a few more days after they had gotten in touch with Vanessa, and his parents stayed for a week, until he finally told them they could go back home to Tennessee. Vanessa had come to see him from time to time, when she knew that his father wouldn't be around.
Vanessa really liked Greg’s ex and her husband, and his daughter eventually became cordial to her. They even went out to lunch and shopping while she was there.
Vanessa was there with Greg every day during his last week in the hospital and drove him home when it was time for him to leave. Once he was home, she was there to take him to his doctor's visits, therapy, and any other needs that he had while he was recuperating. Whenever she was not at work, she was with him. She even moved in with him until he was able to get around on his own. He was ready to get back to work, and he worked hard to get himself back into shape.
The girls came by to see them often and would bring home cooked meals and take out for them. They all liked him, and even though Sabra still was not all the way on board with their relationship, she came around too. She saw how good they were together, how nice a guy he was, and that they genuinely cared for each other, so she slowed down on her criticism.
Why CAN T I Be A Cougar?? Page 12
