More Than He Can Handle

by Cheris Hodges

  “What? Are you kidding me?” Lillian asked, her eyes stretched to the size of silver dollars. “But you haven’t known him that long and . . . Did you say yes?”

  Freddie closed her eyes and dropped her head. “As much as I love him, I don’t know if I’m ready. What do I have to offer him?”

  Lillian didn’t say anything as she rose from the sofa and headed to the kitchen. Freddie followed her. “Lil, how are you just going to walk away?”

  “Because I’m just blown away that Cleveland would want to get married. What do you two really know about each other?”

  “Here we go. You still don’t like him, do you?” Freddie asked.

  “I don’t have to like him, but you can’t seriously be considering marrying him?”

  “Why not?” Freddie said as she sat down on a bar stool and grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl on the center of the bar. “I love him.”

  “And love isn’t going to pay the bills, love isn’t going to get you through the hard times . . .”

  “Are you and Louis having problems?” Freddie asked.

  Lillian grabbed an apple of her own and sat beside Freddie. “No, we’re not. But marriage isn’t easy and look at how long Louis and I knew each other before we got married.”

  Freddie bit into the apple, wishing that she could write off what Lillian was saying, but she knew marriage was hard. She knew that she and Cleveland had a lot of things to work out before they could start a life together. But she wanted to be with him and she did love him, but did she know how to love him and be a wife? Then there was the whole thing with her finding a job. There was no way she could be a housewife. She had to do something. But did that mean she had to accept his proposal?

  “Lillian,” Freddie said. “I need a job.”

  “Uh-huh. Why don’t you just talk to your future sister-in-law? Do you want me to cook some lunch?” Lillian looked at her watch. “Or I guess it would be brunch.”

  Freddie rolled her eyes. “Look,” Lillian said. “The last time I gave you advice it nearly ruined our friendship, so I’m not going to say anything.”

  “Lil,” Freddie said. “I was wrong before and I’m sorry that I took things so personally when I told you about Cleveland.”

  “And I shouldn’t have gotten on my high horse about him. I don’t really know him the way you do and I could be wrong about him. I’ve seen a change in Cleveland. The other day when I took Louis lunch to the fire station, Cleveland was talking about you.”

  A slow smile spread across Freddie’s face. “Really?”

  Lillian nodded as she walked over to the stove. “I’ve heard Cleveland talk about women in the past and it was all about her ass, her breasts or what she did or didn’t do in bed. Of course, these were conversations that I wasn’t supposed to hear,” she said as she pulled a pan from underneath the stove.

  “So, how did you hear these conversations?”

  Lillian turned around and smirked at her friend. “Hello, I know where to sit and wait for my man without being seen or heard.”

  “Okay, you’re scary,” Freddie said with a laugh.

  “It’s no secret that I’m nosy. But anyway, Cleveland and Louis were sitting in the break room, drinking Coca Colas and talking about us. Cleveland was gushing about how special you are to him. He said that he’d never met a woman like you. Basically, he said that you’re on his level. You’re smart and witty and it doesn’t hurt that you have a banging body. That’s when I made my presence known. The last thing I wanted to hear were any details about what you two do when you’re naked.”

  Freddie smiled, imagining the look on their faces when Lillian walked in the room. “Maybe I was wrong about Cleveland,” Lillian said as she opened the refrigerator and searched for something to cook.

  “All right,” Freddie said. “Let me write this down because you just admitted that you were wrong about something.”

  Lillian pulled out a carton of eggs and a roll of turkey sausage. “Whatever, Winnie.”

  Freddie tossed her apple core at Lillian. “There you go with that Winnie crap!”

  “Just kidding with you. I know you hate that nickname.”

  Freddie walked over to Lillian and started helping her cook the eggs and sausage. Lillian looked at her friend as she cracked some eggs into a bowl.

  “You know all that stuff I said about love?” Lillian began as Freddie sprinkled paprika in the eggs. “I was wrong. Love changes people, and if you love Cleveland Alexander, then you should marry him.”

  Freddie stopped sprinkling the seasoning. “What?”

  “Marry that man. If you want to marry him, then do it.”

  “I’m scared,” she whispered as she began to stir the eggs. “I really don’t know if I can be the wife that he deserves.”

  Lillian turned the stove on and smiled. “Yes, you can. Even though I would’ve never admitted it on my wedding day, I don’t think I was ready to get married. And then when we began living together as husband and wife, I thought that I wasn’t good enough for Louis. I was afraid for him to see that I’m not perfect.”

  “No one expects you to be perfect,” Freddie said. “You put those restrictions on yourself.”

  “That’s not true. When people come to my house, everyone expects me to have the perfect dinner, a spotless house and . . .”

  “Once again, no one expects you to be perfect, you just want us to think that you are perfect. We know the truth, and even with your flaws, we love you,” Freddie said.

  “I learned that when Louis woke up one morning before I did and he was just staring at me. So, I’m thinking, my God, I must look a mess. But he gently kissed me on the lips and said ‘Good morning, beautiful.’”

  “What’s so special about that?” she asked.

  “Because, I used to get up and pull a Whitley.”

  “A what?”

  “Remember on A Different World when Whitley would get up and put makeup on and brush her teeth before Dwayne Wayne would wake up? That’s how I spent the first month of our marriage.”

  Freddie poured the eggs into a heated pan and laughed uncontrollably at her friend. “You have got to be kidding me.”

  Lillian tossed in the crumbled sausage. “No.”

  Freddie shook her head and thought that Cleveland was going to have to love her just for who she was because there was no way that she’d do what Lillian did.

  Cleveland and Darren stood at the counter in Ross-Simons looking at diamonds. Shaking his head, Cleveland expelled a curse. “This is too much,” he said.

  “What?”

  “Shopping for a diamond ring,” he said.

  Darren laughed and slapped his brother on his back. “This is what you get for asking a woman to marry you. So, tell me again, you blurted out that you wanted to marry her while you two were having sex?”

  The clerk, who was about to open the case to show Cleveland a group of rings, arched her eyebrow at Darren’s comment. She put back the rings that she’d initially reached for and pulled out a group of rings that were about two carats bigger.

  “Something tells me that she deserves more than a half karat,” she said.

  Darren turned his head away and laughed. “Damn,” he said.

  Cleveland punched his brother in the arm. “Maybe I want to do something different. Because Freddie is just that special,” Cleveland said. “How about a ruby?”

  The clerk nodded. “That is different. Do you think that’s wise? What if she wants a diamond?”

  Cleveland smiled. “I think she’ll like it. Our love is fiery just like that stone.”

  The clerk put the diamonds away and excused herself to find some ruby rings, which were in a different display case. Darren closed his hand around Cleveland’s shoulder. “Are you sure you’re ready to do this?”

  “Yeah, if she doesn’t like the ring then . . .”

  “I’m not talking about buying a ring. I’m talking about marriage. This isn’t something that you should enter into lightly
.”

  “Now you sound like a preacher,” Cleveland said.

  “Do you think I would’ve asked her to marry me if I wasn’t ready?”

  Darren nodded. “Yes, I do. I don’t understand how you go from Mr. Bachelor to Mr. I’m-Ready-to-Make-a-Commitment.”

  “Freddie has shown me what it’s like to be with someone worth risking it all for. When I wake up in the morning, she’s my first thought.”

  “I guess so since she’s living in your house, sleeping in your bed, and she doesn’t have a job. Are you sure this woman isn’t just using you as a means to start her life over after Katrina.”

  Cleveland fought the urge to deck his brother. “When did you become Mr. Cynical? How can you even say that about her? You’ve met Freddie and . . .”

  The clerk returned with a tray of ruby rings. “Here we go. These are some of the most beautiful rings that we have with ruby stones.”

  Cleveland glared at Darren before he turned back to the clerk. He couldn’t understand where his brother’s attitude came from.

  Darren remained silent as the clerk presented Cleveland with a princess-cut ruby ring in a white gold setting.

  Cleveland picked up the ring, held it up to the light and smiled. “Perfect.”

  “This is wrong,” Darren blurted out.

  “What?” Cleveland said, nearly dropping the ring.

  “There are other rings,” the clerk said. “I can grab some of the other ones and . . .”

  Cleveland reached out and touched her shoulder. “No, this is fine.” Then he turned to Darren. “You need to chill the hell out.”

  “Excuse me,” the clerk said, pushing her raven hair behind her ears. “I’m going to wrap this up.” She couldn’t get away from the brothers fast enough.

  “Listen, this thing has happened too fast. If you really love her, then take a little more time to get to know her,” Darren said. “What if she sees you as a pay day?”

  “Bullshit,” Cleveland said. “Just because you have made bad choices, don’t try and put that off on me.”

  “Didn’t you warn me about Rita?”

  “And didn’t you ignore me?”

  “Look how well that turned out.”

  Cleveland shook his head and glowered at his brother. “You know what? I have faith in what Freddie and I have. I don’t give a damn what you or anyone else thinks about us.”

  “Whatever, but I don’t want to see you get hurt because if that happens, you’re going to shut yourself down to any other woman that you come across,” Darren said.

  “And when Freddie and I live happily ever after? Then how many times do I get to say ‘I told you so’?”

  Darren ran his hand over his face. “I pray that I’m wrong. But be realistic, bro. What you’re doing only happens in the movies and in fairy tales.”

  “And how often does the fireman end up with the billionaire?” Cleveland snapped before stomping off to the cash register. He didn’t give a damn what Darren thought, he loved Freddie and she was going to be his wife.

  Cleveland decided to take the MARTA back to his place because he was too pissed off at his brother to ride in the same car with him. But part of him wondered if Darren was right. Was he rushing into marriage with Freddie? They’d fallen in love so quickly. But he and Darren knew that tomorrow was never promised.

  His cell phone rang. “Yeah,” he said.

  “All right, bro,” Darren said. “I’m sorry, I was out of line and I shouldn’t have said those things in the store.”

  “You’re damned right.”

  “I know you’re pissed,” he said. “But marriage is serious business and you don’t want to do it more than once.”

  “I know this, but she is the love of my life.”

  “Well, I hope she says yes when you ask her again,” Darren said. “Properly.”

  “All right. Maybe I’ll invite you to the wedding when she says yes,” Cleveland ribbed. “I’ll call you later.” After hanging up the phone, he smiled and prayed that the train would grow wings so that he could get home and pop the question again.

  Chapter 31

  After Freddie left Lillian’s, she didn’t go straight home. She wandered around downtown Atlanta, for once not cursing the slow flow of the traffic and clogged streets. As she drove, with her windows down and the wind blowing her hair, Freddie went back and forth on saying yes to Cleveland’s marriage proposal. What if I say yes? Will his family think I’m trying to take advantage of him because I don’t have a job and my savings aren’t going to last much longer? And if I say no, I could miss out on the best thing that’s ever happened to me, she thought as she slowed her car for a red light. Looking to her left, she glanced at the DVA building where Cleveland’s sister-in-law worked. Though she didn’t know Jill that well, Freddie decided that she needed to swallow her pride and pay her a visit. Maybe Jill could help her find a job, because Freddie didn’t want to enter into a marriage where she was totally dependent on Cleveland.

  Pulling into the vast parking garage, she wondered if Jill was in the office or if she would even see her. This woman was the CEO of the company and it was highly doubtful that she’d just open her door to Freddie as if they were two girlfriends about to have a chat. Still, Freddie got out of the car and headed into the building. As she entered, she saw Jill and a tall, brown-skinned man who wasn’t Darren. The way they laughed with one another, she sensed they were familiar with one another, but not romantically.

  “Freddie,” Jill said when she spotted her. “What are you doing here?”

  “I’m sorry to just show up like this, I’m sure you’re really busy,” Freddie said.

  “Malik and I were just going to grab some lunch. How rude of me, Malik Greene, this is Freddie Barker, Cleveland’s girlfriend.”

  Malik extended his hand to Freddie. “Nice to meet you.” He suavely kissed her hand as if they were meeting on a street in Paris. Jill rolled her eyes and shook her head.

  “Down boy,” she ribbed. “Remember who’s waiting for us at the restaurant.”

  “My beautiful wife,” he said. “I’m married, not blind.”

  Freddie laughed nervously. “I don’t mean to interrupt your lunch, I just . . .”

  “Why don’t you join us?” Jill suggested. Freddie looked down at her jeans and simple white oxford shirt.

  “I don’t know, I’m not properly dressed and . . .”

  “We’re going to a casual place and you’re basically family, so it’s cool,” Jill said as they headed outside. “It’s just two blocks down.”

  Freddie nodded and fell in step with Jill and Malik. “So, you’re another Alexander?” Malik asked.

  “Not yet,” Freddie replied with a smile. “That’s something we’re working on.”

  “It’s the season of the bride,” Malik said then turned to Jill. “My lawyer’s getting married next week.”

  Jill smiled. “You started all of this,” she said. “You and Shari make marriage look so easy and breezy.”

  “You know that isn’t true,” Malik said. “And you of all people should know that Shari and I have had a time of it.”

  Jill nodded, then turned to Freddie. “Don’t listen to us. It’s all worth it in the end. Having someone who you love and who loves you back is an indescribable feeling.”

  Malik nodded. “And don’t tell my wife, because I don’t like to get mushy, but I can’t sleep unless I feel her arms around me.”

  “I feel the same way about Cleveland,” Freddie said.

  “So, when’s the wedding?” Jill asked. “I hate that I missed Louis’s wedding. But that’s where you two got your start, huh?”

  Freddie blushed as she recalled the wedding and how she spent the wedding night. “Yes,” she said. “Here’s the thing, though, I can’t marry Cleveland the way I am now.”

  Jill furrowed her eyebrows and looked at Freddie. “What do you mean?”

  She sighed and ran her hand over her windblown hair. “I walked away from everyt
hing that I built in New Orleans and I don’t want to be dependant on Cleveland or not be able to contribute to our marriage.”

  Malik tapped Jill on the shoulder. “I’m going to go inside and wait for you guys.”

  She nodded and then led Freddie to a bench near the entrance of the restaurant. The women took a seat and Jill faced Freddie. “I understand what you mean. But Cleveland loves you and I’m sure he doesn’t think you’re leeching off him or anything like that.”

  “I know, still, I’ve been working all of my adult life. I’m not wired to be a housewife.”

  “What were you doing in New Orleans?”

  “Running a hotel,” she said. “My mother and I own The French Garden Inn in the French Quarter. I was in charge of the day-to-day business and she spent the profits.”

  “I have some friends in hospitality around here, I can put some calls out there and see what’s available,” Jill said.

  “I really appreciate that.” Freddie extended her hand to Jill, but Jill hugged her tightly.

  “We’re practically family. Come on, let’s go eat.” Freddie released a sigh of relief, happy that Jill was willing to help her.

  “Freddie,” Cleveland called out when he walked into the house. “Freddie?” When he didn’t get a reply, Cleveland knew that he had time to set the mood. He dashed upstairs and prepared the bathroom by setting candles around the tub. Then he went downstairs to the kitchen and filled a bowl with strawberries and took them into the bathroom as well.

  Cleveland grabbed a pair of plush brown towels from the linen closet and hung them on the towel bar. Then he opened the bathroom cabinet and searched for some bath oil. As he began to run the water, he heard the front door open.

  “Cleveland,” Freddie called out as she headed upstairs.

  “In the bathroom,” he said. “Come join me.”

  She appeared in the doorway and smiled as he lit the last candle. “What’s all of this?”

  “Something special for you because you deserve it,” he said as he began taking his shirt off. “Why are you standing over there with all of those clothes on?”