The Secret First Lady: The Naked Truth

by Bush, Rose

  “This is nice!” Leah marveled over the décor and warned her kids not to touch anything.

  The little Joneses had no idea their half siblings, along with their father’s girlfriend, were moving in. Rachel walked out the front door and across the walk way to gather her children. She thanked her neighbor and walked the three of them over to the pool area. “Let’s dip our feet in the water for a few minutes.”

  “Yay!” The little ones cheered.

  “No jumping, ok?”

  “Yes, mom.” The two sang in unison.

  They slipped out of their shoes and gathered around the three feet area. The water was relaxing and there was just enough light out before it turned dark.

  “How would you guys feel if your baby sister and brother came to Georgia to visit you?”

  “Yay! I can play wrestling with Corey!” CJ exclaimed.

  “Fine, but I thought you didn’t like them.” Christina chocked out as she began to cough.

  “Christina, I never said that. They are just kids.” Rachel wondered if she had ever treated Corey bad or just flat out different when he came over for visits at their Toledo home.

  “That’s what daddy said.” Christina kicked at the water, keeping her head tucked down.

  “Christina; baby that’s not the least bit true. In fact, I like them so much they’re over in the apartment waiting for us to return!” Rachel exclaimed, hoping her children would be happy about the impromptu visit.

  Remove This Line

  CJ’s eyes widened. “Really?” He had a puzzled expression that reminded Rachel of her ex-husband.

  “Yes, really! Leah and Terry are there as well.” Rachel looked at her kids and pretended to be excited. Truthfully she was questioning her decision and wasn’t sure what she was getting herself into.

  “That’s weird, isn’t it, Mom?” Christina’s eyes almost popped out of her head. She was so confused.

  “Well, Christina, sometimes as adults, we have to make decisions that may seem strange to others.”

  “Well I don’t know if I ever want to be an adult, Mom.”

  “Why is that, baby?”

  “Because I don’t want to grow old and strange.” Christina shook her head as if to say “no-way!”

  Rachel laughed at her daughter and her sharpness. She tickled her and the trio laughed together. “Come on, kiddos. Let’s take it into the house.” They placed their wet feet into their shoes and trotted home.

  Chapter Seven: Something Different

  Christina and her brother were adjusting rather well with their new living arrangement. Situations such as this proved how resilient children really are. When Rachel’s mother found out, she wasn’t very happy, but what could she tell her grown successful daughter?

  Rachel was actually enjoying her extended family’s company. She gave Leah a complete makeover and helped her adjust to big city living. “You have been so good to us and you didn’t have to. I’m the last person on earth you should want to help.” Leah sat on the edge of Rachel’s bed with her eyes closed, while Rachel gently brushed purple eyeshadow onto her eyelids.

  The two were going out and Rachel wanted her new roommate to be as cute as she was when they stepped out. “Leah, you are absolutely right. You should be the last person on earth that I’m willing to help. Where should I start?” Rachel dipped her brush into the concealer and dabbed it under Leah’s eyes. “Not only did you screw my husband, you two had the nerve procreate and breed those two bastards running around in my living room. So why am I helping you?”

  “Wow, Rachel!” Leah snapped.

  “Girl, I’m only kidding. I love your children. I’m helping you because I think everyone deserves to have a good life. Maybe if you’d met your mom or if your dad hadn’t passed way before you were born, you would’ve had better opportunities. Perhaps you would’ve never fucked my husband and I’d still have my family. Could’ve, would’ve, should’ve. But what the hell do I know about life?”

  Rachel dug into her makeup bag for some lip gloss. The mood suddenly felt awkward. Rachel knew how to make people feel like shit in a subtle type of manner. She could jab you in the face while still smiling.

  “Well maybe I’m like this because my momma was a hoe!” Leah tried justifying her behavior by pulling the genetics card.

  Right I’m supposed to believe it’s in your genes. I’ve heard of people having the same traits or the same hair and eye color, but a whore gene? “Girl stop!” Rachel laughed out. “Besides, you never met your mom. How would you know that?”

  Leah put on a dumbfounded expression. “Well-uhm, I’ve heard plenty of stories.”

  “Hmmm. I guess. This color looks good on you! Here, put this on.” Rachel went to her closet and pulled out a raspberry colored dress. “This will really bring out the eye shadow.”

  “This still has the price tag on it. Are you sure you don’t mind?” Leah held the dress up to her body, picturing herself in it.

  “Most of my clothes are just collecting dust. Really, it’s okay.” Rachel insisted.

  “Thanks!” Leah set back on the bed. “You know what’s crazy? If my mom was to save me from drowning in a public pool, I wouldn’t have a clue as to who she was. They say you can’t miss what you never had, but that’s a lie. I really wish I could meet her.”

  Rachel sat next to her. “Have you ever tried to find her?” Leah shook her head no. Rachel placed her hand on her chin as if she was thinking. “Well whenever you’re ready, I’ll pay for a private investigator and we’ll find your mother.”

  Without warning, Leah reached up and gave Rachel the biggest hug. “Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you! For the first time I feel like I have someone to rely on.

  Rachel squeezed out a tiny grin. “Okay. Well let me get dressed, the babysitter will be here soon and we gotta get to the Velvet Rope early, but then again I am VIP!” She hired one of her employee’s teenage daughters to babysit. The young lady, Chasity, had just turned sixteen and was looking forward to earning her own money.

  In no time, Ms. Jones transformed into this amazing looking diva. Her fitted white dress hugged her small frame, while her nude red bottom pumps accented her earth tone makeup. She put a few curls in her hair, misted herself down with some perfume, and whispered, “Party time.”

  “You look great, Rachel.” Leah smiled at her secret new bff.

  “You don’t look too bad yourself.” She winked at Leah and marched into the family room to brief the children on their behavior in her absence. If they promised to be good for the sitter, Rachel would treat them to Fun Land and ice-cream the following day. The children agreed and the two women were off.

  They chatted here and there until they reached the club. “I didn’t think you still partied; I thought you were so into church now.” Leah blurted out trying to continue the friendly conversation.

  “I’m still a work in progress. I keep everything within reason; my reason that is.” She gave a fake laugh to her corny response.

  “Oh.”

  “I’m kidding, Leah. Honestly, I haven’t been out in a while, but I thought you could use a break. Hopefully, my assumption is right?” Rachel glanced at Leah as her car smoothly glided down the road.

  “Definitely, Rach.”

  “Good.” Rachel forced out a grin as she parallel parked next to a cream colored Bentley. A short plump man bounced out of the driver seat. It was Jazze PHA, one of Atlanta’s hottest music producers. Hmmm, he’s kind of sexy to be so round. Rachel thought to herself as he walked through the lot and greeted the ladies.

  “I’d do his big ass!” Leah blurted out, as if she knew what Rachel was thinking.

  “Girl, you’d do just about anybody!” They walked past the long line that wrapped around the entire building and entered the VIP door. Dream was on the microphone hosting; he caught Rachel’s eye from across the room and blew her a kiss. Surprisingly, she returned the gesture. The place was packed with standing room only for those not fortunate enough to be in
VIP.

  Leah felt like a kid in the candy store. She worked the room trying to scout out her next baby daddy. Rachel did a good job on styling her and was happy to be able to introduce her to a new style. One of the Falcon’s quarterbacks was giving the mother of four a lot of attention and she liked it.

  “Hold my drink. I’m going to the little girl’s room.” She handed her drink over to Rachel and winked at the ball player. Inside the ladies room, she aggressively dug into her purse. “Where the hell is it?” She started talking to her reflection in the mirror. Finally, she found a tiny bag of white powder. Pure cocaine. She sprinkled it on her compact mirror, rolled up a one dollar bill, and snorted the powder into her right nostril. “Ooh! Now I can really party!” She tried to stay clean, but before she boarded the plane to Atlanta, she had stolen Curtis’ dope stash and packed it with her luggage. Luckily for her, it made it past airport security.

  She walked back into VIP and grabbed her drink from Rachel. She poured it down her throat and started dancing provocatively on the football player. Rachel had no idea that her roommate was as high as a kite. She just knew that her enemy turned friend was enjoying her night.

  Rachel was enjoying her night as well. She periodically exchanged seductive looks and friendly smiles with Dream. He finally walked over and held a short conversation with her. They exchanged numbers and planned on having lunch later the following week. Ms. Jones didn’t have the best luck with men, but she couldn’t hide under a rock for the rest of her life. As soon as the Atlanta singer and song writer made his way back to the other side of the room, up walks a very distinguished looking gentlemen. He smelled good and was dressed in all white Gucci attire.

  “You are a beautiful lady. Pardon my candor, but I’ve been watching you all night.” He was suave and possessed a little swag.

  “Oh really? And what brings you here tonight? You must be shopping for something or someone to take home tonight; sorry, I’m not for sale.” Rachel sipped on her coconut rum mixed with pineapple juice and turned her back to the gentleman.

  “Ha-ha. I get it. Because I’m a white man in a predominately all black club, I must be shopping or black girl hunting? That’s the problem with women; with people. We get so caught up on what is thought to be normal, the very idea of trying something or someone different scares us.”

  Rachel looked the blonde haired, blue eyed man up and down. He was an attractive white guy. Rachel was digging how up front he was. She took a stick of gum out of her purse and placed it into her mouth. She gave him a friendly smile and batted her lashes at him.

  “I’m Mike.” The gentlemen stuck his hand out for a friendly handshake.

  “Nice to meet you, I’m normal.”

  “Your parents named your Normal? Ha-ha. Now that is definitely something different.”

  “No, my parents named me Rachel. I was just letting you know I stick to what is normal.” Rachel chewed her gum and gave Mike a flirty little look.

  “Aww, that’s too bad, Rachel. I can look into your eyes and I can tell that sticking to the norm has left you hurting and crying on many occasions.” He winked his eye and gave a grimace that displayed his deep dimples.

  Rachel was shocked and impressed with his conversation. “What the hell do you know, white boy?”

  “White boy? Well congratulations for noticing the obvious. I may not know much, but I do know a beautiful woman when I see one. I can look at you and tell you deserve a good man or deserve to at least get to know one. Should you decide to try something different, call me?” He placed his business card in Rachel’s hand and walked off.

  She looked down at the card and looked up. He walked back over to her with one last retort. “By the way, I’m Italian.” They smiled at each other and he disappeared into the crowd.

  Hmmm. Something different may be what I need in my life. Where’s Leah? She found her in the corner hugged up with some guy other than the ball player she’d been romancing all night. “Hey, Leah, are you ready to go?” Rachel smiled at her and gave her an apologetic look for interrupting.

  “No, the party just got fun. How about you go and I’ll find a ride?” Leah was high and she wanted to end her night with a good screw.

  “How about no! I’m not leaving you; I think we should go now, Leah!”

  The guy looked at Rachel with a trying to be persuasive grin. “Trust me, it’s cool, little momma. My name is Phillip and I promise she is in good hands.” He smacked Leah on her butt and pulled her closer to him.

  “I’m not your momma and I’m not leaving without her.”

  “Damn, shorty, chill! You actin’ like she’s your woman or something!”

  Rachel rolled her eyes at the ignorant lad and snatched Leah away from him. She wasn’t hating, but if something was to happen to Leah, she was not trying to be solely responsible for the extra children in her home. Leah could barely walk without Rachel’s assistance. Rachel scolded her as they walked to the car. “Are you crazy? Your ass don’t know anybody in this city and you trying to go home with somebody? Get your mind right, please!”

  “Ha-ha. You’re right, Rachel. Girl, I’m buzzing.” Rachel shook her head in disgust and helped Leah get into the passenger seat.

  Chapter Eight: Ice Cold

  The next day, Rachel kept her promise to the children. She loaded them up into her SUV and took them to Fun Land, while Leah snored through her alcohol and cocaine induced sleep. She wondered how people could cruise through life with no goals or not knowing where their next meal would come from. True enough, she’d taken Leah out to show her a good time, however, she didn’t expect for her to get totally wasted. She looked at her ex step-children and hoped they would have a successful life. She enjoyed the quality time with them. The look in their innocent eyes said they could get use to their life style. Rachel decided to do everything she could to ensure they had a somewhat normal life.

  Rachel held Olivia while the bigger kids played on the games and rides. Corey took a break from running around and joined them at the table. His little eyes gazed at Ms. Jones with curiosity. “May I ask you a question?” One thing Rachel noticed about Leah’s children was that they actually spoke well and were well-mannered considering their former environment.

  “Sure, Corey. Ask away.” She gave him a soft squeeze on his cheek.

  “Are you our other mom?”

  Rachel smiled at her ex-husband’s little lad. She didn’t quite know how to respond. How would she feel if Christina or CJ were calling another woman “momma”? She studied the ground searching for a correct response. “Well-uh. It’s like this, Corey, when I was married to your father, I was considered your stepmom. But you only have one mother and that’s Leah. Your mom cares a lot about you.”

  “Well I wish you were my mom. You are very nice, Rachel,” he shot a mischievous grin in her direction.

  “Thank you, Corey, but don’t say that to your mom; it might hurt her feelings.” Why do I care about her feelings? “Now go play with your sister and brothers, it’s almost time to go.” He waltzed off toward the other kids. Rachel remembered how the sight of Curtis Senior’s other children used to make her sick. But what woman wouldn’t feel some type of way after their husband’s infidelity presented one love child after another. It takes some type of woman to get rid of a cheating husband and then help his mistress and her children escape distress. Some may call Rachel Jones crazy or perhaps stupid; others may say she’s brilliant for keeping her enemy close.

  Rachel allowed the children to play for another thirty minutes before she took them back to their lovely abode. Leah was finally awake and looking a bit tired. Dark circles rested under eyes and a satin scarf covered her hair. “Welcome home, guys! I was up doing a little cleaning. I hope you don’t mind I used your computer to do some apartment searching. I know I can’t stay here forever.” She was still a little high from the line she secretly snorted. She grabbed Olivia from Rachel and gave her a big kiss.

  “Yeah, sure, that’s fine.”


  “Would you like me to cook dinner?” Leah tried sounding helpful.

  “No, they had plenty to eat. Just make something for yourself. Oh and I made you a hair appointment for tomorrow.”

  “Thanks, but I really don’t have any money for that,” Leah said taking a bite out of her fingernail.

  “I’ll take care of it. I figured you’d want to look at some apartments as well as put in a few job applications. It’s good to make a good first impression.” Rachel went off to her room to take a bubble bath and relax. She thought about the handsome Italian guy from last night. After playing in the suds, she oiled up and laid across her bed. She found his business card. It read: Mike Rizzo, Florida Grizzles Head Coach. Rachel wasn’t much of a sports fanatic, but she was smart enough to know this guy was a big deal. She fantasized about trying his Italian sausage. One freaky thought after another crowded her brain. Just as she refurbished her spiritual life, impurities took over her mind. She hadn’t been to church in two Sundays and if she picked up the phone and called Mr. Rizzo, she’d probably be missing a third.

  She bit her bottom lip, pondering over the right decision to make. Should I prepare for Sunday morning service or should I sample some Italian food? There was no comparison. All her life, she tried to do what seemed to be right. She was a good girl, a loyal wife to her cheating ex-husband, and more than a follower to the late Pastor Jackson. I want to live for me. Life is too short to always do what is right. She picked up the phone and punched in the ten digits written on the business card.

  “This is Rizzo.” The other end announced who he was.

  “Hello, Mike, this is Rachel. You may remember me as Normal. Hee-hee,” she laughed at her silly comment.

  “Hello, Miss Normal. I’m surprised to hear your voice,” he was smitten by her voice.

  “Oh really? Why so surprised?”