Sunday Brunch

by Norma L. Jarrett

  When would she ever be taken seriously? She thought about Jermane, who was sweet, sophisticated, worldly, and rich; Lexi, so solid and dependable; Capri, smart, no-nonsense, with business savvy; and Angel, independent and tough. And then there was Jewel Whitaker: the shallow, spoiled, immature one.

  The more she thought about it, the worse she felt. Just as she was about to turn into her cubicle, she went in the opposite direction and briskly walked to the rest-room. Once inside a stall, it all came out. She put her hand over her mouth to muffle the sound of her sobs. After crying for five minutes, she felt a little better, but her spirit was still troubled.

  She eased out of the stall, relieved that no one had come in. She fixed her makeup, then walked back to her cubicle, and began the paperwork that had accumulated on her desk since the morning. She vowed that this would be the day that she would become more responsible than she'd ever been.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  ermane rolled over and turned off the alarm clock. She ran her hand through her hair and covered her eyes. “Monday just rolls around too fast,” she said as she let one leg fall from underneath the covers.

  She turned around and saw the other side of the bed was empty. She looked at the clock. It was 7:45 a.m.

  “Rex, are you in the shower?” She felt the warm moist air from the shower that had traveled into the bedroom. The dampness of the air was scented with the cologne she'd purchased for Rex when they vacationed in Paris. She noticed the cotton boxers that had been left on the floor without regard. Rex had already left.

  She lifted her head halfway up and decided she'd just lie there. She reminisced about the times when she and Rex would make love in the morning, how he'd snuggle his nose behind her ears and grab her waist and pull her close to him. He'd taught her everything she knew about sex.

  She realized Rex must almost be at the office. She vaguely remembered the light kiss he planted on her forehead before he left and smiled faintly. She tried again to convince herself that marriage was about sacrifice and that she needed to be a little less selfish.

  After she showered and dressed, Jermane made a grocery list for Myra. She grabbed her books and her shades and slid into her Mercedes.

  he didn't feel like herself. Before she pulled out of the garage, she checked herself in the rearview mirror. She removed her tortoise shell headband and ran her fingers through her hair like a comb to let it swing loose. She was beginning to look more and more like her mother every day.

  She noticed how crisp her white buttondown shirt was. For as long as she could remember, her shirts were always starched to perfection. She opened a couple of the top buttons. She noticed how snug her slim-fitting khakis were. She opened her pillbox purse that was tied with a silk patterned scarf and pulled out her burgundy lipstick, but then stopped and put it back in her bag. As she looked at the lizardskin brown belt that wrapped her waist, she felt disgusted by her conservatism.

  She breathed, took a moment to compose herself, put on her shades, opened the sunroof, and zipped out of the garage as soon as the door was high enough for the car to escape. As she was driving down the highway, she decided to get off at the next exit and head toward the Java Stop. She convinced herself that she merely wanted a cup of coffee and a pastry before class, since she needed to read anyway.

  Jermane sat in the parking lot of the café and stared into the rearview mirror again. She started tugging at her clothes and checking her makeup. “Just an innocent cup of cappuccino,” she reminded herself.

  She opened the car door and slid out in her normal graceful manner. As she walked toward the door, she inconspicuously scanned the window for Black Zorro.

  “Jermane!”

  Startled, Jermane turned around. Standing about two feet away was a stout man wearing a cowboy hat, seersucker suit, and white shoes. A cigar hung from his mouth, and smoke wafted around his slightly sunburned pink skin.

  “How is my gal doing?” he said in a voice Jermane had always hated.

  “Oh, I'm doing just fine, Judge Randall,” she said.

  “You have grown up to be such a princess. How's that father of yours?”

  “Daddy's fine.”

  “It's been a while since I've seen him. The last elections I believe. Your daddy's a fine man. Too bad there aren't more like him,” he said as he wiped his forehead with a handkerchief. “He's a very upstanding citizen. How's that Rex of yours?”

  “Oh, he's fine.”

  “I've always admired that young man's work ethic. Ever since he clerked down at the courthouse, I've had nothing but respect for him. You done good with that one. Then again, he hasn't done badly, either.”

  “Yes. Uh well, I need to go. Just stopping in for a quick cup of coffee,” Jermane said.

  “Yeah, I just stopped in to get the Missus some of those, uh, what do you call 'em, those passion muffins. I guess you could say she's got a passion for 'em. Heh heh. The woman sent me all the way down here for some muffins. Well, I'd best be off,” he said as he tipped his hat and waved his bag.

  Jermane, relieved, headed into the café and sat down, happy her conversation with Judge Randall was over.

  “I'll have a cup of cappuccino and a passion muffin,” Jermane said to the waitress who came over.

  “Surely. Will be up in a few minutes.”

  “Oh, miss, is there a … oh well, never mind.” She frowned. She didn't have the guts to ask about Zorro.

  It was for the best anyway. What would it have looked like, considering she was married?

  Jermane had decided that she wasn't going to class. She would go see Lexi at her office or take in a movie. There was a new romantic comedy out she hadn't seen that looked hilarious. If she waited for Rex, she'd never see it.

  As she was about to take the last bite of her muffin and close the book she was attempting to read, she noticed a man walk briskly into the backroom of the restaurant. He came back out.

  It was him.

  She tried to look down at her book. He looked back toward Jermane. Jermane looked up, and their eyes locked.

  He started to walk over. She wanted to hide under the table.

  “Well, hello. How are you, lady?”

  “Hi,” she said as she quickly looked around.

  “How's your coffee?”

  “It's very good.”

  “Do you mind if I sit for a moment?” he said hesitantly.

  “Oh, uh sure, I mean no, have a seat,” she said.

  “So, how's your day going?”

  “Oh, just fine,” she said, and looked at her book.

  “Hmmm, let me see. Law student?”

  “No, I already have my law degree. I'm working on my L.L.M. That's the degree after law school. I want to …”

  “You want to teach. My sister's a lawyer,” he said, and gave a half-grin.

  “Oh, I didn't mean to insult you,” Jermane said. “So, are you working today?” She wanted to stare at his buffed golden-brown chest peeking through his red tank top, but she didn't. She wouldn't.

  “No, just came to pick up my first piece of check. I just started a few days ago. I go to school part-time and dance at night.”

  “Oh, what kind of school?”

  “Visual arts. I'm in an interior design program.”

  “Oh, that's great! Maybe … maybe you can redo one of the rooms at my house.”

  She immediately looked downward again, embar-rassed-and stunned-by her remark.

  “Anytime,” he said, staring at her hand. “That's if your husband doesn't mind.”

  Jermane was silent.

  “Well, it was nice talking with you,” he said. “I'm on my way to class. I work at the café during the afternoon on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and the weekend.”

  “Oh, yes, well, the next time I'm here on one of those days, I'll ask specifically for your services, oh, I mean you,” she said. He grinned.

  “You do that. Oh, and my real name is Naegel, Naegel Foster, though you can call me Black Zorro if you like.”r />
  Jermane giggled.

  “Nice to meet you, Naegel. I'm Jermane Richmond.”

  “Jermane. That's unique, for a woman. It's beautiful on you. I wouldn't expect anything else.”

  Jermane noticed the whiteness of his teeth and the prominence of his cheekbones. He was an Adonis. She swallowed and shifted in her seat. His eyes made her uncomfortable. She felt like she was drowning in a pool of hazel water. This man was so sexy, she couldn't stand it. No man besides Rex had ever made her feel this way.

  “Take care,” he said, then walked away.

  Jermane was terrified, paralyzed. She looked down yet again. She found herself smiling at her passion muffin.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  aw office,” I said while in the middle of research on my computer.

  “Lexi, this is Jermane.”

  “What's up?”

  “I need to talk to you, dear. 911 emergency. Can't wait.”

  “Go ahead. I'm just doing some research. Aren't you supposed to be in class?”

  “Yes. Well, I guess I can talk here.”

  “Where are you?”

  “In my car on my cell phone. Guess who I just had a conversation with?”

  “Who?”

  “Black Zorro,” Jermane said.

  “Jermane, I cannot take any extra drama today. It is too early in the week,” I said as I froze in the middle of my research.

  “I know, but you're the only one I can talk to. I saw him at the café.”

  “Yeah, but aren't you supposed to be in class?”

  “Yes, but I just decided to take a break today.”

  “Must be nice.”

  “Lexi, I don't know what's happening to me.”

  “Jermane, don't put yourself in any compromising situations,” I warned. “I know you love Rex. You're going to have to talk things out with him.”

  “Lexi, I've tried. I feel so unattractive and useless right now.”

  “Jermane, please, you're beautiful. Men fall out all over you.”

  “It's not the same. I can't describe it.”

  “Jermane, all I'm going to say is don't do something you'll regret. You have a beautiful home, husband, and …”

  “And what? What about my own needs? I have always been in the background for someone else. Rex doesn't appreciate me. He thinks work is the most important thing in the world. Lexi, I am miserable.”

  “OK, just relax. I'm not saying you don't have a right to feel the way that you do. All I'm saying is don't do anything stupid. You have too much sense for that.”

  “That's just my problem. I'm sensible Jermane, always doing the right thing. I feel like I'm about to explode. I'm having fantasies and crap, and I can't take it anymore.”

  Whoa, drama alert! Is this Jermane I'm talking to or Jewel? “I thought you and Rex had a great sex life?”

  “We used to. He's just tired all the time. When we do make love, he only stays up long enough to satisfy himself.”

  “Gosh,” I said.

  “Lexi, I know that maybe this seems hard to understand since you're not married …”

  Alright, rub it in. I know you're going through it, but can a sister be a little more sensitive?

  “… but nobody seems to pay me any attention. I feel like I'm invisible.”

  “I do know how that feels. I'll tell you what. Why don't we have lunch Thursday and talk more about it. This sounds really serious.”

  “It is. I have a better idea. Let's go to the day spa and make it an afternoon.”

  “Why do you and Jewel have to always take things to another level?” I said, still fixated on the computer screen.

  “Come on, my treat. We'll get the works,” Jermane said enthusiastically.

  “Well, I guess that's an offer I can't refuse,” I said. “Let me check the calendar right quick … I'm free after 1:30.”

  “Alright. I'll see you then!” Jermane exclaimed. We hung up.

  Why does everybody rely on me for the answers to their problems? One day I'm just gonna explode … Jermane is married and still has more options than I have. I can't even attract the type of man I want to be around. I've got some issues.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  apri sat at her desk, trying to remain engrossed in a summary judgment on an employment discrimination case. She was losing concentration. She stood up and looked out the window of her office at the Houston skyline. She took a deep breath and continued to stare. Some would say she'd already made it, but she was waiting for the day when she got to run her own practice before calling herself a success.

  She thought about Anthony. All she could do was smile. He's just too sexy for his own good. Her smile grew wider. I know millions of women would love to be in my shoes. But I'm gonna play it real careful.

  Then she thought about Ty, or Flip as they called him. Just thinking about his name made her touch her heart and feel engulfed in sadness. She thought back to when she was seven, to the day when she found out her parents had been killed. She couldn't conceive of such a thing. Then Flip had been taken away from her as well. She shook her head.

  Young, handsome, a basketball star … One stray bullet … We were supposed to make it together, God. Lord, Anthony is Flip … How can you ask me to love again?

  She'd made a vow to wear a breastplate over her heart for as long as she could. No one, and she meant no one, was going to hurt her.

  Her intercom buzzed.

  “Ms. Sterling?”

  “Yes?”

  “Richard Levinson has asked me to tell you that there will be a small meeting in his office today at 3 o'clock. He said you need to readjust your schedule, no matter what it is. Your attendance is mandatory.”

  “Levinson?”

  “Yes.”

  Whoa, he rarely includes me in a meeting. “Sure, I'll be there.”

  “Very well. I'll forward the message.”

  Capri put her hands on the side of her face and did a mental check. She began wondering why one of the head partners wanted to see her. As far as she knew, she hadn't dropped the ball on anything. She was caught up on her entire caseload. She had more than enough billable hours. She began pacing back and forth, rubbing her forehead.

  “What the heck could they possibly want? This always happens. No matter how good you are, they'll eventually find something.”

  She looked down at her calendar. The message for the day said, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear.”—Psalms 27:1

  She stopped in her tracks and said a silent prayer.

  God, I know You wouldn't have brought me this far to leave me. Lord, I realize I'm not perfect, but I've tried to be diligent, as if I'm working for You. I don't know what this is about, but bring peace to me right now. Help me to trust You. Send angels of peace to surround me right now so I may continue my work. Thank You. Amen.

  She felt calm and assured. She glanced at the clock. It was 1 p.m. “This is going to be a long two hours,” she said as she sat in her chair and resumed her work. She still felt a little uneasy.

  Time flew. She looked at the clock. It was 2:50 p.m. She decided she would start moving toward Levinson's office. Since his office was near the top floor, it would take a few minutes to get there.

  By the time she got off the elevator, Capri felt more curious than nervous. She walked up to the receptionist desk.

  “Ms. Sterling, Mr. Levinson said to send you right in,” the receptionist said as if she had rehearsed their brief encounter.

  She turned the corner and knocked on the door. She heard several voices as the door opened slowly. Then the room became very quiet.

  “Come in, Capricia,” a short bald man behind the desk said.

  “How are you, Mr. Levinson?” she asked as they both reached for a handshake at the same time. She noticed there was only one other woman in the room, Sarah Applegate, one of the two female partners at the firm. She couldn't figure out if Sarah was on her team or not. Sarah appeared to have taken Capri under her wing, bu
t like everyone at the firm, she was careful whom she trusted.

  The rest of the partners all had plastered grins on their faces and were probably as anxious as Capri to get this meeting over with.

  “Please have a seat, Ms. Sterling,” Mr. Levinson said. “Now, I know you're wondering why you've been called to this meeting.”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, I'll get right to the point,” he said. “I want to congratulate you.”

  “Congratulate me?”

  “Yes. First, for your hard work on the Technoforce copyright case. Second, Fast-Trak Sports has decided to retain our firm for several future business ventures. Your work was an integral part of the deal.”

  “My work? But I didn't do that much. Just a few contracts and transactional work here and there.”

  “Yes, but the powers that be at Fast-Trak specifically mentioned you.”

  “Wow. I'm stunned.”

  “Do you remember Etta Henderson?”

  “Yes. I sat with her at a fundraising luncheon a month ago.”

  “Well, she remembers you also. She was very impressed with your background and how well you spoke of the firm. She's general counsel at Fast-Trak.”

  “I remember.”

  “She also had a little something to do with this,” Mr. Levinson said. “Ms. Sterling, if you continue this type of activity, we may have no choice but to put you on our accelerated track to be one of our youngest partners. Fast-Trak is a sizable client.”

  Capri sat there, stunned and overwhelmed. “I don't know what to say,” she said in an uneasy manner.

  “Don't say anything until you see that bonus in your next check,” another partner said.

  Capri swallowed and just remained speechless.

  Everyone in the room walked over to shake her hand. Slightly paralyzed, she was only able to raise her arm up and down in a slightly robotic manner. Then there was a knock on the door, followed by a man rolling in a silver cart with champagne and a large cake. It had Fast-Trak's logo on it.