by Dwan Abrams
Nya scooted her striped chair closer to the table. “Bria tells me you have a daughter.”
Kerryngton nodded his head and beamed with pride. He talked about his daughter’s academic achievements, musical talents, and foreign language fluency.
“She sounds lovely,” Nya complimented.
“I think so,” Kerryngton agreed. He looked at Bria. “I’m going out of the country for a month.”
Bria’s heart sank. “Really? When are you leaving?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Oh,” was all she could say.
“I’ll miss you.” She could see the sincerity in his eyes.
Nya pretended to have a coughing fit and drank some water. They both looked at her.
“Sorry,” Nya said. “I thought y’all forgot I was at the table.”
Bria kicked Nya under the table, and Nya rubbed her shin. “Don’t mind her,” Bria scolded.
“Don’t mind me?” Nya repeated. “You’re the one who sought me out to be your friend, remember?”
Bria cut her eyes at her. Oh here we go. Not this again.
Nya went on to tell Kerryngton the story about how she and Bria became friends. He seemed amused by the colorful way Nya told the story. She made it seem like Bria was some little stray puppy looking for a home and Nya took her in.
Bria exhaled and looked at Kerryngton. “So, is this a business trip?”
“Yes. My company is already global, but we’re expanding into more countries. I’m going over there to oversee some of the operations and while I’m there I’ll be working on some music with an up-and-coming artist. I’ll be hemmed up in meetings all day. Definitely not a pleasure trip.” He went on to explain what goes into global expansion: different cultures, different customs, different rules, regulations, and laws, to name just a few.
“A black Tommy Mottola,” Nya quipped.
“I work hard so that the people closest to me don’t have to struggle or want for anything. I want my daughter to have every advantage and opportunity that life has to offer.” He tapped his finger on the table. “Probably the happiest day of my life was when I bought my mom her dream house in Florida and told her she could retire from her job as an educator. My mom gets whatever she wants from me. I spoil her rotten, because she deserves it.”
Bria and Nya both said, “Awww. . .”
“What about your dad?” Bria asked.
“My dad is cool. He just goes with the flow. As long as my mom is happy, he’s happy. He’s old school; if Momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.”
They laughed.
“He doesn’t ask me for anything,” Kerryngton explained.
“Do you want any more kids?” Nya asked.
He appeared to ponder the thought for a moment and stroked his chin. “No doubt.” He looked directly at Bria. “I would love to get married again and have as many kids as I can afford . . . or as many as my wife is willing to carry.” He winked at her.
Good answer, Bria thought.
Nya said, “Okay. I can appreciate that.”
The waiter brought out their food. They said grace and ate. For the remainder of their lunch they talked about the spa and the unpredictable weather they had been having.
Lunch lasted for two hours. Kerryngton picked up the tab and took them back to the spa. He opened the doors for them and walked them to the entrance of the business.
Nya told him, “Thanks for lunch. I had a great time. Safe travels.” She gave him a friendly hug.
“Thank you. We’ll have to do this again when I get back.”
“I’d like that.” Nya went inside and gave Bria and Kerryngton some privacy.
“I like your friend,” he said.
“I think she likes you too.”
He welcomed her into his strong arms and held her tight. They stood there hugging for what felt like several minutes until Bria broke free.
“I’ll be praying for you while you’re out of the country.”
“By all means, please do.” He bent over to kiss her, but she turned her face to the side.
“I’m sorry.” Her eyes pleaded for him to understand. “I really like you. It’s just that it’s too soon for me,” she explained.
He touched her hand. “That’s fine. Can I at least get another hug?”
“Of course you can.”
They hugged again, and he rubbed her back. “You feel so good.”
And he smelled so good. Very fresh, clean, soapy, and unique, she thought. Not to mention sexy. She gently nudged him. “What fragrance are you wearing?”
“Burberry Touch.”
“I like it.”
“Thanks. Since I’m going to be away for a while, may I take a picture of you before I go? I want to have something nice to look at.”
She smiled at him and touched her hair. “Let me freshen myself up real quick first.” She dug around in the bottom of her purse looking for her pressed powder compact and tube of lip gloss. She located the compact and powdered her nose. She then applied a coat of gloss to her full lips.
“You’re a stunning woman.” He held up his cell phone.
She thanked him and smiled pretty for the camera. He counted to three and snapped the picture. He looked at it, and then showed it to her. They both approved.
“I’ll call you.”
Be sure you do, she wanted to say. Instead, she waved good-bye to him as he got in his ride and drove off.
As soon as she entered the spa she could hear whispers about the fine man outside.
Meagan said, “How was your date?” She curled her lips.
Bria seemed to be in la-la land. “Terrific!” she sang out. She made her way to her office, and Dani followed her.
“Nice to see you smiling again. Didn’t think I’d ever see that again knowing how hard you took your breakup.” Dani paused. “No offense, but you and Spade restored my belief in black love. I’m not so sure about this guy. Rich guys tend to be controlling or sneaky.”
“Kerryngton and I are just friends,” Bria explained. “We’re getting to know each other.”
Dani said, “Friends, huh? Maybe someone should tell him that. That man is feeling you. He’s trying to be way more than friends. I could see the lust in his eyes halfway across the room.”
Bria stuffed her purse in her desk drawer. “You’re funny.”
Nya came out of the ladies’ room tucking her blouse in her pants. She met Bria’s stare and said a long, slow, “G-i-r-l . . . We need to talk.”
Laughter filled the room.
“On that note, I’m going back to work,” Dani said and left.
Nya continued, “I can see why you’d be attracted to him . . .” She smirked. “Yeah, he’s fine, and he’s rich. And he’s in a power position. Lethal combination. Men like that have hoes in different area codes.”
“Look, I’m not trying to marry him. He’s just helping me keep my mind off of Spade.”
“As long as that’s all it is,” Nya warned.
Sixteen
Spade used to hear people say, “God is still in the blessing business,” and now he knew firsthand that it was true. He had witnessed the hand of God working miracles in his life, but this was some different stuff. The doctor’s office finally located his “missing” last lab report, and the results were negative. Spade held on to that paperwork like a winning lottery ticket.
Things seemed to be looking up, and Spade’s faith was stronger than ever. He believed that God was doing a mighty thing in his life, and he refused to be moved. He continued to read healing scriptures morning and night. He prayed throughout the day. And he thanked God in advance for the healing or the updated healthy prognosis.
By the time Spade went for his doctor’s visit, he was empowered and fired up. He felt quite certain of his results.
The new oncologist examined him and carefully examined his medical records. “Mr. Spencer, I think I know what happened.” He rubbed his temple.
“Please, tell me.” He wanted to
know.
“Mr. Spencer, I’m certain you have a lipoma, not lymphoma.”
Spade searched his brain to figure out where he had heard that term before. “That’s what my doctor said I had when he removed the lump from my torso.”
“Yes, a lipoma is a fatty, slow-growing tumor that develops under the skin. They are usually harmless and not cancerous.”
Spade trusted this doctor more than the previous oncologist. This doctor seemed to know what he was talking about, and that made Spade feel better by the minute.
“In my professional opinion, I think someone mistyped your prognosis.” He pointed to the same hard-to-read word Spade stumbled upon. “That says lipoma, but someone at a glance could easily mistake it for lymphoma.” He closed the records. “And once they put that in the system, everyone just went with it.”
“My God.” Spade closed his eyes and dropped his head. His emotions overtook him and he covered his face with his hands.
“I recommend that we send your biopsy to a specialist to confirm.”
Spade uncovered his face and the doctor gave him a tight smile. “Yes, let’s do that.”
“Mr. Spencer, I’m sorry this happened to you. I can only imagine what you must’ve been going through,” he said sincerely.
Finally, a doctor who understood that medicine wasn’t an exact science and mistakes could be made. Spade couldn’t describe how relieved he felt. The color had come back into his black-and-white existence. For the first time in a long time Spade felt like he was in a tunnel and the light he was seeing wasn’t from an oncoming train. Could he finally be getting out of the tunnel?
Two weeks had passed since Kerryngton left the country. He would call and text Bria every single day. The time differences made it nearly impossible for them to speak. They had only spoken once, but that didn’t stop Kerryngton from leaving her the most thoughtful phone messages. Plus, he’d send weekly lavish floral arrangements to her job, making all the women in the office envious.
While in her office she checked her e-mail and came across a message from Kerryngton with the word “Important” typed in the subject line. She clicked on the message and couldn’t believe what she was reading.
“Oh my gosh. Nya, come here!”
“Where’s the fire? This better be important. I’m right in the middle of reviewing our advertising budget and campaign.”
“Pull up a seat. I just got this e-mail from Kerryngton.” She read the e-mail aloud to Nya. “Bria, I know it’s spur of the moment, but I hope you’ll be open-minded. I’m in London, England, right now. I’d like to experience this city with you. My company owns a private jet, and I can send for you. I want to see you. Pack a bag and come on. You don’t have to worry about anything else. I got you. Let me know if you can leave in the next day or two. Miss you. Love, Kerryngton.”
Bria threw a hand over her mouth. “Am I dreaming?” She stood up and dropped her hand. “I’ve never been out of the country before. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
“Are you seriously considering going?” Nya sounded shocked.
“You’re the main one always talking about staying ready so that you don’t have to get ready. I remember you telling me to get a passport because . . . What were your words?” She tapped her finger on her temple. “Oh yeah. You never know when an opportunity might present itself.”
“I know, but—”
“The spa manager is perfectly capable of running the day-to-day operations in my absence.” She had a dreamy look on her face. “A private plane. London . . .” She shook her head to help herself come back to her senses. “It’s such short notice. I don’t want him to think I’m hard up.” She rested in her chair.
“You don’t know that man like that.” Nya sounded defensive.
She snapped her finger. “I know. I’ll tell him that the only way I’ll go to London is if you and Chance can go with me.”
“Child, boo,” Nya said. “Ain’t nobody gonna go for that.”
Bria smirked. “We’ll see.” She then crafted an e-mail that read: I got your invitation, and I’m flattered. I appreciate you thinking of me. I would be glad to visit you, but I have one request . . . I want Nya and her husband to come with me. That’s the only way I’d be willing to come.
She pressed the send button and hoped for the best.
Seventeen
The next morning when Bria came to work she made a beeline for her office. She had been tired the night before and went to bed without checking her e-mail. She couldn’t wait to see Kerryngton’s response. Sure enough, he had responded. She opened the e-mail and read silently: Bria, I want to see you and share this experience with you. I can’t lie; I’m not thrilled about you bringing your friends. But if that’s the only way I can get you over here, then so be it. You can bring them. ~K.
She saved the e-mail, and as soon as Nya walked in carrying a cup of coffee in one hand and biting on the jelly donut in her other hand, she told her, “He said yes!”
Nya almost spilled her coffee. She set her drink on the desk and used the donut as a lid. “I’m not crazy about Kerryngton, but if he’s willing to let me go with you to London, then, hey, I’m game.”
“And what about Chance?” Bria tilted her head to the side.
“What about him?” She acted like she had forgotten she had a husband.
“What if he doesn’t want to go or can’t go?”
Nya made the deuces sign. “See him when we get back. I can’t let you go over there by yourself. Your momma would kill me. And I need to play my position as the blocker. There will be no panty jackin’ on my watch.”
“Really!” Bria scrunched up her face.
“Now type back and tell him we’re coming,” Nya instructed.
“You haven’t even told Chance that you’re going.”
Nya looked at her sideways. “Let me worry about my husband, okay? I got this.” She widened her eyes. “Anyway, let’s leave in two days so that we’ll have time to go shopping. I want to look nice.” She used a finger to touch her fingertips and count off all the stuff she needed to do. “I’ve got to get my hair done, eyebrows threaded, individual lashes, fill-in, pedicure, and a Brazilian.” She threw her hands in the air in exasperation. “Yes, we need two days.”
Bria typed back: I’m at work right now, but I told Nya. She’s excited and wants to go. We can leave in two days. We haven’t asked Chance yet, so I don’t know whether he’ll be joining us. I’ll let you know as soon as I find out. Thanks so much. She hit the send button.
“How long should we stay?” Bria asked.
“We definitely need to factor in travel time. We could easily lose two days just on travel and jet lag. We’ll need about five days for sightseeing and shopping. One week should suffice.”
The reality that she was leaving her brand-new business set in. “I feel guilty being away from the business that long. Especially since we just opened the doors.”
Nya pulled up the master spa schedule on the computer. She pointed at the screen. “You see that?”
Bria nodded.
“We are booked two months out. We’re fully staffed, insured, and licenses are up to date. What’s the problem?”
“I guess there isn’t one.” Bria smiled, feeling more secure about her decision. “We’re going to London!”
They moved into a free space, clutched hands, and jumped up and down. Then they hugged.
“I’ve got to call Chance,” Nya said. She grabbed her cell phone and called her husband.
Bria could overhear Nya telling Chance about the impromptu trip.
When she got off the phone she filled Bria in. “Chance has to check with one of his coworkers. There’s a guy who wanted to be off the week of Labor Day but couldn’t. Since Chance has that week off he thinks the guy would be interested in swapping. He’s going to call me back after he speaks with him.”
“Okay. I’ve got to tell my mom,” Bria said as she pulled her name up in her directory and pressed t
he call button.
Mrs. Murray answered, “You all right? You don’t normally call me in the middle of the day.”
“I’m fine, Mom. I just wanted to tell you that Nya and I are going to London for a week.” She sounded enthused.
“What? When? What about Chance? Is he going too?”
“We’re leaving in two days. We’re waiting to see if Chance will be able to go.”
“Oh. You haven’t mentioned anything about a trip. What brought this on?”
Bria scratched her scalp and put her mom on speaker. “Remember my friend Kerryngton that I told you about?”
“Yes. The record executive?”
“Right. Well, he’s in London right now and invited me, Nya, and Chance to visit.” She felt the need to stretch the truth just a little. She didn’t want her mom jumping to conclusions. “His company owns a private jet, and he’s sending it for us.”
“Oh my goodness. Don’t you think it’s a bit soon to be going on a trip, especially out of the country with someone you haven’t known very long?”
She knew that her mom meant well, but Bria trusted him and that was enough. “Kerryngton’s not going to do anything foul to me or Nya.” She tried to make her mom understand that Kerryngton was a successful businessman. “He’s got deep ties in the community. He’s even got his own Wikipedia page.”
“I don’t care if he owns the Internet.” Mrs. Murray’s attitude was evident; she obviously wasn’t impressed. “You’re my daughter, and I worry about you. I’d feel better if Chance was going for sure.”
“Mom, you know how much I love you. I have the utmost respect for you and your opinion, so please don’t take this the wrong way. I didn’t call you to get permission to go. I was just calling to tell you where we’ll be.” Bria tried to sound respectful.
“I see,” she snapped. Mrs. Murray paused for a moment. “I love you. I hope you and Nya have a nice time. Please be careful and call me with your itinerary.”
