by Darrien Lee
Keaton looked down at her. “You wanna take a nap with me, Shorty?”
“No, Uncie Key! I wanna play with Daddy and my new dollhouse.”
“Go on and play with your little doll, you little traitor. Give me a hug, and you better not come up to my room waking me up either.”
“K!”
Keaton left the room and Winston sat back, analyzing their brief conversation. He knew the answer to his question the moment Keaton snapped at him. In his heart, he knew he had won the bet and with time, he’d verify it just to be sure. He and Arnelle would be enjoying their new summer home in Florida sooner than expected.
Upstairs, Keaton sat on the bed in disbelief. He couldn’t believe what had happened to him since arriving in Philly. His vow of eternal bachelorhood was beginning to crumble right before his eyes. He sighed and picked up his cell phone and dialed his best friend, Gerald. As he waited for him to answer, he smiled and reminisced about the previous night’s activities.
“Well, it’s about damn time you called. I was beginning to think you had moved to Philly permanently!” Gerald yelled at him.
“Damn! I hate that caller ID. You can’t even surprise people anymore and, to answer your other question, no, I haven’t moved here permanently. Forget about that right now. I need to talk to you about something.”
“What’s up, Dogg?”
Keaton stood and paced the floor. He took a breath and said, “You’re not going to believe this but I’ve fallen in love with someone up here.”
There was brief silence on the telephone before Gerald asked, “Excuse me?”
“I know! I can’t believe it either. Her name is Meridan and she’s…She’s perfect.”
“Get the hell out of here! Are you for real, man?”
Keaton sat down in the chair and put his head in his hand.
“Yeah, and she’s everything I could ever want in a woman. Guess what?”
“What?”
“She was a former All-American point guard in college and played in the WNBA briefly. She turned down an extended contract, so she could go to medical school. You have to see her, Gerald. She’s stunning.”
Gerald was silent again on the other end of the telephone. He couldn’t believe his ears. His best friend and former teammate sounded like he was on his way to the altar. He cleared his throat and asked, “Have you already told her how you feel about her?”
“Yeah, and I mean it. I’m serious, Gerald. She’s perfect. You should see how she handles the rock on the court. Talk about poetry in motion.”
“You’re sprung, aren’t you?”
“Like a mutha! The thing is… I don’t mind because I’m not letting her get away.”
Laughing, Gerald said, “Damn! I never thought I’d hear you say anything like this.”
Keaton said, “Laugh all you want to. This is the real thing. Unfortunately, this is going to cause me to lose a bet with my brother-in-law, but she’s worth every penny.”
“In that case, I can’t wait to meet her.”
Keaton grinned. “I can’t wait to introduce you to her. You’ll see.”
“I’m happy for you, Keaton. When are you coming home?”
“Soon, but I have to get my relationship set with Meridan first. Have you been by my restaurant lately?”
“I was there last night. They’re doing a good job running the place without you. All your employees need raises,” he joked.
Laughing, Keaton said, “Whatever! I’ll holler at you later. Thanks for keeping an eye out on my place.”
“No problem. Take care of yourself and hurry back. I haven’t played a decent game of ball since you left. Oh! Someone asked about you.”
Knowing exactly who he was talking about, he warned, “I don’t want to hear it. She’s history and that’s the way I’m going to keep it.”
CHAPTER 29
It was only lunchtime and Meridan had seen three children with strep throat and two more with ear infections. After checking with her receptionist, she found out she had several more children to examine after lunch. She entered her office and took off her stethoscope. She smiled and thought she would call Nichole. She didn’t call Keaton every hour like she promised, but she did call to assure him she was fine.
As she dialed Nichole, she thumbed through a magazine and came across some wedding gowns. She sighed, knowing she probably would never get to wear one.
“Contract Department, this is Nichole.”
“Hey, girl!”
“Heeeeey!! When did you get back?”
Closing the magazine, she answered, “Last night.”
Nichole twirled around in her chair. “So, how did your dad like Mr. Tall, Dark and So Fine?”
Laughing, Meridan said, “Can you believe he already knew him? So did the rest of the males in my family. Nikki, Keaton used to play pro ball with the San Antonio Spurs.”
“How did you miss that one, Dee?”
“He said he was going to tell me, but he wanted to surprise me since I shocked him about UT.”
“That’s great. So, how are you two getting along? You guys have been hanging pretty tight lately. I feel sort of left out.”
Solemnly, Meridan said, “Now you know you’re my girl. Please don’t say that.”
Nichole smiled. “I really am happy for you, Dee.”
“Thanks, Nikki.”
Laughing mischievously, Nichole asked, “So have you guys done the nasty yet?”
“Nikki!”
“Don’t Nikki me. Well, have you? You sound a little different, Dee. All it’ll take is one look in your eyes and I’ll know for sure.”
“Girl, you’re stupid, but check this out. Guess who called me?”
Nichole curiously asked, “Who?”
“Sam,” Meridan said with her voice cracking.
Nichole stood. “Are you serious? That fool has a lot of nerve, calling you. Dee, you didn’t get spooked, did you?”
“I’ve been spooked ever since that mess happened, Nikki. Sam told us payback was going to be hell and I believe it.”
Nichole sat back down and said, “I know, but I showed that idiot that I don’t play. Sam had better not start any shit!”
“Don’t forget you’re on the hit list, too.”
They were both quiet for a minute, then Meridan admitted, “Keaton was at my house when Sam called. I freaked out so bad, Nikki. He knows something’s wrong. You know I’ve never been a good liar.”
“Wait, he was at your house? Hold up! There’s something you’re not telling me, Dee!”
Meridan sighed. “Can’t we talk seriously for one second?”
“We are talking seriously, but you’re leaving out all the good parts,” Nichole came back at Meridan. “Look, Dee, I’m not afraid of Sam, and you shouldn’t be either. Mind games; that’s all it is. You should go ahead and tell Keaton what happened, so if that idiot does come at you, he can be prepared to handle it.”
A soft voice followed. “I love him, Nikki. I don’t want to run him away.”
“What did he say?”
Meridan rubbed her forehead. “He saw the scar and asked how it happened. I told him I didn’t want to talk about it.”
Trying to comfort her, Nikki said, “I’m sure he loves you, too.”
“He said he did,” Meridan added.
Smiling, Nichole asked, “Then I assume there are no more cobwebs?”
“No more cobwebs, Nikki.”
In a serious tone, Nichole firmly said, “Good. Tell him the truth as soon as possible. Don’t mess this up with Keaton. I like him, Dee. That should tell you something.”
Meridan laughed. “It tells me you are the best friend a woman could have. I love you, Nikki.”
“I love you, too,” she responded. “Now get back to work and forget about Sam.”
“I’ll try. I’ll call you later.”
“Bye.”
They hung up and went back to their daily work.
Across town, Sam tucked the .9mm insi
de the waistband of the prison-issued jeans before stepping out of the dark alley. It was so easy to purchase a gun on the street. Jail had hardened any ounce of goodness left. Revenge was the only thing that consumed the attacker’s heart and it would be revenge that would free this soul.
Before eating lunch, Meridan decided to check her answering machine at home.
She listened as she heard Jacob’s message inviting her to Atlanta. She looked at her calendar and realized that was the same day of the basketball tournament. She might be able to swing it, since the games started on Saturday morning. She could catch an evening flight out, but it was going to be tight. Meridan hung up and her pager vibrated. She looked at it and saw a text message appear.
Just sitting here thinking about the way suds look on your brown skin. I can’t wait to see you. Love, Keaton
She smiled, then joined her staff in the lounge for soup and sandwiches and decided to wait and return Jacob’s call when she got home. It was going to be a long day.
The day ended and Meridan had been thrown up on once and coughed on countless times by her little patients, but she loved her job. In her office, she changed into her practice clothes. She looked at the clock and realized she had only twenty minutes to get to the gym.
CHAPTER 30
Keaton and the guys were shooting around on the court when she got there. Winston made it a point to watch Keaton’s expression when Meridan walked in. As expected, his face lit up with the biggest smile he’d ever seen. She hurried in and put her bag down.
“Sorry I’m late. Traffic.”
Keaton walked over and kissed her hard on the lips. Comforting her, he said, “You’re not that late.”
She took off her sweat pants and revealed a sporty outfit.
He yelled, “Dayum!”
Meridan smiled and asked, “Does it look okay?”
He bounced the ball and said, “You’re killing me, Meridan.”
“I don’t mean to,” she said innocently.
“I know, but if Malik says one thing out of line today, I will bust him in his damn mouth,” Keaton promised.
Lacing up her tennis shoes, she said, “Don’t worry. I only have eyes for you. Now come on, so I can give you a workout.”
“I love it when you talk dirty to me,” he answered with a mischievous grin.
Only Craig and Winston paid attention to their little exchange.
Craig walked over and asked, “Did I just see Keaton kiss Meridan?”
Winston responded, “You sure did. I think they’re an item but they’re trying to keep it on the down low.”
“Well, she’s a fine woman and she can play ball better than some men I know. If Keaton doesn’t want her, Malik would be happy to step up. He won’t shut up about her.”
“Is that so?”
Craig laughed. “Don’t get any mess started between them, Skeeter. Malik mentioned that Keaton told him she was spoken for a few weeks ago when he inquired about her.”
“I’ll be cool. Let’s get to work.”
Winston called the group together. As he talked to them, Meridan went through a series of stretches. Keaton saw Malik watching her again. He frowned, then threw the basketball at him to make him stop looking at her. Malik looked at him in confusion. When Winston finished going over the fundamentals, they broke up and started practicing.
Meridan still held the spot of point guard and she pushed them up and down the court with some precise passes. Byron showed up for practice. He was happy to get out of the house for a while after becoming a new dad. Since Meridan had been filling in so well for him, the guys voted for her to start at point guard. Byron was amazed at Meridan’s skills and felt the guys had made the right decision.
Practice lasted until around seven-thirty and before everyone left, Winston reminded the group about the time of their first game.
Malik yelled, “Nine o’clock!”
Winston said, “Yes, and make sure you go to bed early, Malik, so you’ll be well-rested.”
Meridan asked Winston, “If we go all the way, what time should the last game end?”
“Probably around three o’clock.”
Putting on her sweats, she replied, “Thank you.”
Winston clapped his hands together and said, “I know you’re all hungry, so dinner’s on me at Mae Pearls; if you guys are up for it.”
Meridan said, “I’ll take a rain check, Winston, but you guys go right ahead. It’s been a long day and I’m tired.”
Malik chimed in, “Ah, come on, Meridan. You can hang out with us a little while longer.”
Keaton looked at Malik and shook his head. The man wasn’t going to stop.
“No, really guys, thanks, but I need to get home.” She turned and asked, “Winston, is our last practice Thursday?”
“Yes, five o’clock.”
Picking up her bag, she said, “Thanks. I’ll see you guys Thursday. Goodnight.”
In unison, they said, “Goodnight, Meridan.”
Keaton grabbed his bag and yelled, “Wait! I’ll walk out with you.”
Winston asked, “Keaton, you coming to dinner?”
“Yeah, go ahead. I’ll meet you guys there.”
Keaton took Meridan’s gym bag from her hand and escorted her out the door.
Once outside he got in the car with her as she started the engine. “You okay?”
“I’m fine. Just a little tired.”
He covered her hand with his lovingly. “Would you like me to bring you something from the restaurant?”
Smiling, she asked, “You’d do that for me?”
“Of course. I know you’re tired, but you still have to eat. You were great, as usual, out on the court today.”
Interlocking her fingers with his, she said, “So were you and now that I think about it, I would like something from the restaurant. If they have a shrimp or chicken alfredo dish, I’d be so ever grateful to you.”
“I don’t mind at all,” he answered as he caressed her hand.
Meridan leaned over and kissed him. He’d been waiting to kiss her properly all day.
“Whew, Keaton! That was sweet!”
“Ditto that.”
Rubbing her neck, she said, “Well, I’d better get going. My bubbles are calling my name.”
Smiling naughtily, he said, “That’s a nice visual. I might just get my dinner to go.”
“You’re so bad. Go on and hang with your boys. I’ll see you later.”
He looked at her seriously for a moment. “I won’t be long. Meridan, have you had any more phone calls?”
She looked away. “Nah.”
He opened the car door and climbed out. He walked around to her side of the car and said, “That’s good. Drive safely, and don’t fall asleep before I get there.”
“I won’t, and Keaton?”
“Yes?”
“Kiss,” she proclaimed as she closed her eyes in anticipation.
CHAPTER 31
Meridan turned on the water in her tub. She stripped out of her sweats and decided to return Jacob’s call.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Jacob, it’s Meridan. I got your message.”
Clearing his throat, he said, “I’m glad you called back. I really need you to do this favor for me. I really don’t want to go to this dinner with anyone else.”
“Why? What kind of dinner is it?”
“It’s a benefit banquet that I’m chairing.”
“Congratulations, Jacob, but couldn’t you have told me about this when we were in Mississippi?”
“Yes, but it slipped my mind. Look, I realize this is short notice, but I really could use your company. Can you make it?”
She sighed. “I have something I can’t miss Saturday morning. What time does it start?”
“Eight o’clock.”
“If you can get me a flight out of here by five o’clock, I just might make it. I’m gonna beat you up when I see you. You’d better be glad you’re my boy.”
Laugh
ing, he said, “I’ll take care of everything. Do you have a dress? It’s formal. If not, I can pick something up for you.”
“Thanks, but I think I have something that will be appropriate. Make sure you get me back to Philly on Sunday; no later than six o’clock. Okay?”
“Okay, and thanks, homegirl.”
“Goodnight, Jacob.”
“Goodnight, Meridan.”
She hung up the telephone and sighed. She didn’t have any definite plans with Keaton Saturday night, but she’d hoped for some. She would break the news to him when he came over later. Returning to the bathroom, she turned on the jets and climbed in the hot swirling water.
At the restaurant, Keaton enjoyed his time with the guys. He constantly checked his watch to keep up with the time.
Winston noticed and decided to tease him.
“Hey, Keaton. Why do you keep checking the time? You got somewhere you need to be?”
Keaton gave Winston the eye. “As a matter of fact, I do.”
He motioned for the waitress and put in the order for Meridan’s dish.
Everyone was silent and listened to him place the order. Malik, in particular, was interested in the order.
He asked, “Who are you ordering for?”
“If you all must know, I’m ordering it for Meridan,” he answered with a frown.
Winston said, “I think it’s nice of you to do that for her. I’m sure she’s hungry.”
Craig smiled. “So you going to drop it off by her house, or are you going to stay and feed it to her?”
The group laughed.
“If Meridan wants me to feed her, I’ll feed her. Is that okay with you guys?”
Keaton didn’t see the humor in their comments, but he should’ve expected it.
Preaching about being a bachelor for life was coming back to haunt him.
Malik asked, “So, Keaton, are you and Meridan seeing each other seriously?”
Getting angry, he asked, “Why do you want to know?”
“I just wanted to know because after you go back to Texas, I thought I’d ask her out.”
