“Ohhh,” she said. “I didn’t even know Miss Erika had been married before.”
“There’s a lot you don’t know. Let me bring you up to speed. Edward was the third one to kick the bucket after marrying her ass.”
No one said anything for a few seconds.
“Black widow,” I quietly spat. “Three dead husbands.”
“Carla, why don’t you stop telling all Erika’s business and spreading rumors? Trying to start trouble. God don’t like ugly,” Loretta spat.
“I’m telling the truth, Loretta,” I snapped. “It’s not like I’m making up lies. The truth will set her free.”
“What happened?” Destiny asked again, ignoring Loretta.
“According to your boss, Edward suddenly got extremely sick, had flu-like symptoms, and died over a weekend,” I shared. “She was by his side the entire time; didn’t think to take him to the hospital.”
“Wow! I feel sorry for Miss Erika,” Destiny said. “I see why she is tripping today.”
“Don’t,” I said. “The half-a-million-dollar insurance policy she cashed in made her feel all better. Don’t get it twisted. She’s feeling just fine, sitting pretty in that mini-mansion of hers.”
About fifteen minutes later, Nobia returned from the back, shaking her head and looking like she was about to burst into tears. Her eyes were red-rimmed and puffy.
“Are you okay?” Loretta asked. “How is she?”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Nobia said, and quickly walked to the receptionist desk and buried her head in paperwork.
Destiny looked at me with questions on her face. I shook my head in disdain.
“Today’s going to be a long day,” I said as my first client walked through the door, carrying two bags of weave in her hand. “That chick cray.”
That’s What Friends Are For
Chapter 8
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I had ventured toward Erika’s closed office door. That was some dramatic entrance she had made into the salon. I was stunned, to say the least.
I knocked softly and opened the door. “Hey,” I called out, entering her chic space. “Are you okay?”
“Do I look okay, Nobia?” she asked, softly crying as mascara ran down her face as she stared at her blank computer screen. She didn’t turn to look at me.
“Well, actually you look like hell if you want to keep it real.”
That stopped the sobs as she turned to glare at me. She actually laughed out loud.
“I guess I do look a sight,” she volunteered, wiping tears away with the back of her hand.
“Erika, what’s going on? This is over-the-top, even for you.”
“Today is the three-year anniversary of Edward’s death,” she said solemnly. “I lost the love of my life.”
“I know and I’m sorry, but—”
“But what?” she asked.
“The way you are acting isn’t normal and it’s not good for your well-being and your mental health.”
In an instant, Erika turned and snapped at me with a malicious expression on her face that I had never encountered before.
“How would you know what’s good for me? You wouldn’t have a clue. You are always yapping, yapping, yapping about what’s best for me. Mind your damn business and handle your own.”
I was speechless. Erika could have a sassy mouth, but it had never been directed at me, not in this manner.
“I don’t need you. I don’t need anybody. I can take care of myself as I’ve been doing for as long as I can remember. My mother was always too busy with her various suitors to worry about what was going on in my life.”
I started to turn away, not used to seeing this side of my friend. Maybe it was a mistake to address her regarding her dramatic entrance.
“I’m sorry, Erika. I didn’t mean to pry. I was just concerned . . .”
“Fix your household. Start with doing something about your cheating boyfriend who will stick anything that moves. Handle that. Fix that.”
Erika must have seen the hurt register on my face because she promptly stopped ranting and raving like a lunatic. She dropped her head in shame.
“Nobia, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. I’m not sure what came over me. I’m not in my right state of mind today.”
I remained silent, stared at the floor.
“Please forgive me. You are the best friend I have ever had and I do appreciate you, even though I may not tell you often enough. I know you truly care about me,” she moaned, pleading now.
Erika stopped talking when I wouldn’t respond and she started to cry again. Quiet sobs.
“I can’t lose you. I can’t. I always lose people I love. I always drive away people. What’s wrong with me?”
I sighed. “Girl, I’m not going anywhere.” I moved swiftly to her side. “Now, stop all that damn crying. You don’t look like the fabulous diva you are with snot running out of your nose.”
She looked embarrassed. “Are they talking about me out there?” she asked, pointing to the front of the salon and reaching for a tissue. “They just don’t understand.”
“Well . . .”
“I knew they were,” she said, with a sadness in her voice. “I guess I gave them every reason to.”
“You think?” I laughed.
“I love you, Nobia.”
“I love you too, girl. Listen, why don’t I drive you home so you can change?” I offered.
“Okay. I guess I do look like a fool.”
“You think?”
I finally got a smile out of her.
“I’ll be up front.” I started to walk out, still unsure as to what had just transpired.
“Nobia, I don’t deserve you as a friend. You should know that. You are good and genuine and I’m just . . .”
“Girl, stop all that nonsense. Come get me when you are ready.”
“I will.”
“And, Erika?”
“Yes?”
“Take that damn veil and black lipstick off.”
Lord Have Mercy on Me, It’s Me, Loretta
Chapter 9
I wasn’t one to talk and gossip about my employer because I didn’t believe in biting the hand that fed me. My goal was to work for Miss Erika as long as I could. At sixty, I wasn’t getting any younger and I knew my days in the beauty industry were limited. Don’t get me wrong, I looked good for my age and could compete any day with any young’un. I had class and grace and maturity, older women loved me as well as their precious grandchildren.
I had learned from experience that the best thing to do was your job and keep your mouth closed, at least when it came to coworkers and gossip. I had seen too many employees come and go because of it over the years. Carla hadn’t learned that lesson yet, or maybe she didn’t care. That girl had a lot of mouth and attitude; she spoke many times without thinking. That was the problem with some of these young women, but the difference was that I knew Carla spoke the truth, at least partially anyway, with regard to Erika.
I may be older and Erika thought I didn’t see things, but I did. I saw and heard quite a lot. I was more mature, but I wasn’t an old fool. It took a lot to pull the wool over my eyes. The only one who had anything pulled over their eyes was Nobia. That child was sweet, but so naïve. Bless her heart.
I couldn’t say that Erika didn’t have me fooled in the beginning, though. She had. Up until recently, I overlooked snatches of conversation I had heard even though they didn’t add up. I knew that one plus one didn’t equal three, but I tried to come up with rational, logical explanations. Then one night, not too long ago, it all made sense. Actually, it was the week before the shop received the big makeover and we all received two weeks of paid vacation.
I finally understood why Reverend Hill was always at the salon. Evidently, he was picking up more than his monthly canned donations. I tried not to think about it because I didn’t want to have a heart attack at just the mere imagery that came to mind.
It was late evening an
d, for once, I was the last to leave the salon. Destiny’s boyfriend had picked her up with a stick up his ass and Carla had left over an hour ago, rushing off for a big date. I swear that child went through men like most of us went through stockings. Nobia typically left at five o’clock each day. As usual, Erika was behind closed doors, in her office.
I’m not a young bird anymore and I had quite a drive home each evening, so I always made a point to use the bathroom before I left. My bladder wasn’t what it used to be and I didn’t want to take any chances. Atlanta was known for its traffic and gridlock issues. Erika had a private bathroom, off from her office. It was adjacent to the public bathroom, the one we used, along with clients. The only thing separating the two bathrooms was adjoining doors. You could walk from our bathroom, and then come to another door, which was her bathroom. On her side was yet another door, which led into her office.
Typically, the door that led to her bathroom and office were kept locked with padlocks, but now that remodeling was going to start soon, everything was in disarray. I had done my duty, was washing my hands, preparing to leave when I heard it, loud and clear. Crying. Someone was clearly in dire distress.
I knew Reverend Hill had dropped by earlier to discuss important church matters with Erika. Seemed like he always had something to discuss. They were in her office, behind closed doors, but that didn’t strike me as odd because he was our pastor, and growing up, I was taught to respect men of the cloth and their spiritual connection to God.
I knew Erika had strong spiritual ties because she was in church each and every Sunday, second pew, front and center, and she did so much for our church. She was highly respected and loved by most. There were some who whispered behind her back about the tragic endings to her marriages. People will gossip and they did. Erika was a favorite topic of conversation.
Then I heard it again. I found myself walking through to her bathroom. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. Poor baby, probably crying on the Reverend’s shoulder or maybe he is praying with her again. I knew she was going through some things; she had been, on and off, for the last few years. I ventured to the door, now unlocked, that led from her bathroom to her office, with every intention of knocking and saying good night. Perhaps joining in prayer and seeing if I could be of assistance. Something stopped me before I lifted my fist to knock. Maybe it was divine intervention. I pressed my ear to the door when I heard loud moans, not cries. I was confused. Without thinking, I slowly eased the door ajar, just a few inches, not sure what I would see on the other side, and I got the shock of my life.
“Sister, let it go. Let it go. Release it in the name of Jesus,” our pastor said from between her spread legs. His pants and boxers were pulled down around his knees. “Merciful God, hear her cries.”
I gasped and quickly covered my mouth with my hand. My heartbeat sped up and beads of sweat broke out on my forehead.
“You know what I like,” Erika called out as he pulled her red silk blouse open farther, and cast aside her red lacy bra; a few buttons tumbled to the floor. Her ample breasts came flopping out and he wasted no time burying his face and tongue within their confines. All I heard for a few seconds was sucking and groaning sounds.
Reverend suckled one breast as he caressed the other and stroked a nipple with his thumb. He alternated by gently stroking between her wide spread legs. Erika was naked from the waist down and I saw her skirt and panties strewn haphazardly across the floor.
Reverend took his time as he eased his thick fingers inside her. In and out. Out and in. Varying the speed. He was very familiar with her body. As she moaned, eyes closed, she held on to his private tool, firmly stroking it up and down.
They were a sight to see. I wanted to leave, but my feet wouldn’t cooperate. I held on to the wall, willing myself not to slink to the floor below.
“You have such big, beautiful breasts,” he said, touching and prodding.
“Hmmm,” Erika said, moving around on the fingers still inside her.
“I want you to suck my dick like you did the last time, sister.”
Erika nodded like a child would. I had never seen her submissive.
“God doesn’t want you to be alone, sister. It’s okay for a man of God, such as myself, to give you pleasure. Have faith that I’m here for as long as you need me. I’ll take care of all your needs.”
“Thank you, Reverend.”
“You like that don’t you?” he asked in a soothing, calm voice full of lust and desire. His voice was almost hypnotic.
“Hmmm.”
“No, God doesn’t want his children to be in pain. He wants you to be happy and fulfilled,” he said, slowly pulling his fingers from her va-ja-ja and inserting them into her mouth.
“Yes, God spoke to me and he wants me to make that pussy feel good.”
Erika licked his fingers clean as he bent once again to nibble on a nipple. He must have bit down a little too hard because she yelped in pain. I watched in disbelief as he twisted a nipple between his two fingers.
“Yeah, you like that.” He cooed into her left ear. “It’s all right if you enjoy a little pain, sister. Let God cleanse your soul.”
Reverend twisted the other nipple, which immediately perked up like an overripe blackberry. He looked at her and grinned with lust-filled eyes.
“Oh, yes.”
“Hmmm,” was her response. Erika was still sucking his fingers and licking up the sides.
“Do you believe that God has blessed our union?” he asked, looking deep within her eyes as he stimulated her even more.
Erika nodded again.
“That’s a good Christian woman,” he purred, continuing to caress her breasts.
“Now, I’m going to make you come so you will feel better, but first I need you to get on your knees and suck my dick. Would you like that?”
Erika smacked her lips and reached for his tool.
Reverend helped her out of the chair, pulled her blouse completely off and slowly lowered her to her knees. Erika complied. The last thing I saw was her opening her mouth to receive his tool, which was now so erect that it was pointing straight at her.
“Take it all in. Praise God, sister.”
“Suck it, sister. Awww, good Lord. Suck it.”
“Awww, dear Jesus, bless this sister. Make her whole again. Let her know that she’s not alone.”
“Good God. Hear my voice. Hear my prayer. Ohhh, damn. I mean ohhhh, Lord.”
“Open your legs wider, sister. Dear God, you are so wet,” he said, stirring her with his thick fingers, two at a time. “You’ve got some sweet, sweet pussy. Lord, help me. Help me, Lord. I can’t get enough of this sweet, sweet, tight pussy.”
“Come here. Hurry, sister.”
Erika, as directed, turned so that her butt was hoisted in the air. I had seen enough. I rushed out of there as fast as my feet would take me but not before I saw him bend down to lick her ass with his tongue, then bury his thick tool inside her.
“Dear merciful Lord. Merciful, glorious Jesus. Ohhh, God, yesss!”
Nobia’s Advice
Chapter 10
I encountered Carla in the break room later that day, finishing up her lunch. She had the room smelling like Sunday dinner and my stomach growled and my mouth watered up involuntarily. The morning had flown by super fast, especially after the earlier drama. That’s what I liked best about working in the salon; there was never a dull moment. The clients kept it interesting and there was always juicy gossip to hear from them about people we didn’t know and would probably never meet. However, I didn’t appreciate the fact that Carla was sharing Erika’s personal business to anyone who would listen.
Since we were alone, I figured now would be as good a time as any to speak with her privately.
“Carla, may I speak with you for a moment?”
She turned around, surprised, like she just realized I had walked in the room and was actually speaking to her.
“About what?” she asked with her usual a
ttitude. “I’m on my lunch break.”
I didn’t waste words. “You need to tone it down with all the comments about Erika. It’s neither appropriate nor professional.”
She stared at me like I was speaking a foreign language.
“Excuse me?” Carla dropped her fork. “Nobia, I know you worship the ground Erika walks on, but I don’t. If you’d take off those colored blinders, maybe you could see.”
“See what?”
“You really just don’t get it, do you?” she asked, shaking her head.
“I guess I don’t,” I said, frowning. “I certainly don’t understand why you’ve been out to get Erika since you started working here. What’s the deal?”
“I don’t like fake-ass people.”
“You can’t possibly be talking about the Erika I know and love because she is the most caring, nurturing, and giving person I have ever met. We’ve been friends for over three and a half years now and I have never seen anything different.”
“That’s what she wants you to think.”
“Are you really that malicious, Carla? Do you hear yourself? You sound crazy.”
“Nobia, believe it or not, I like you and I don’t want you to get hurt. From the outside looking in, I know you are impressed with Erika’s designer clothes, purses, and shoes. I know you admire her elegant home and her expensive, shiny car. She does appear to have it all, but looks can be deceiving. That’s all I’m saying.”
I stared back at her in disbelief. “Are you really that bitter that she married your ex-boyfriend, Brian?”
Carla was very light-skinned and her face and neck immediately reddened at the mention of her ex. I guess the truth did hurt, still. I would have laughed out loud if it weren’t for the expression that crossed her pretty face.
“Yeah, I know all about that.”
For once, Carla didn’t have anything to say.
“Erika told me that you used to date Brian before she came into the picture. Get over it. Accept the fact that he chose her and they became man and wife.”
“And where did that get him?” she asked, finally getting her feisty voice back.
Carl Weber Presents Full Figured 6: Plus Size Divas Page 4
