day? You didn't have time to do your nails?” “Whatever.” “You'd better be nice to me or I won't give you your
package that came today.”
“Toliver, don't play with me. Give me my package.”
“Ask me nicely.”
“Toliver, if you don't give me my package I will kick your little …”
“No need to get funky about it.”
He reached out with a package in his left hand. Jewel snatched it and walked inside her townhouse.
She listened to her messages and recognized Kevin's voice on the answering machine. At first, she smiled. Then, she reminded herself to keep her feelings in check. She had to be realistic about his potential; after all, he couldn't be anything more than a default man with his deliveryman salary.
She decided to return his call before the weekend just in case he wanted to take her out to dinner. After she showered and ate a frozen dinner, she turned in. She slid between her satin sheets and started to read a magazine article about Denzel Washington when the phone rang. Looking over at the caller ID, she saw Kevin's name and number. She thought about not answering it.
“Hello,” she said, in a rehearsed, sexy tone.
“Hi, Jewel, this is Kevin.”
“Kevin?” she asked.
“Yes, I saw you on the freeway the other day and … girl, you know who I am. Stop playing games.”
“Oh, alright. So how are you?”
“Oh, I'm just fine. It's been a long day. I'm just getting settled and thought I would make sure that you gave me the right number.”
Jewel knew he was the one playing games now, since she'd seen his number on the caller ID, which means he must've heard her name on her voicemail.
“Let me assure you, if I didn't want you to have my number, I wouldn't have given it to you. I don't have time to play those types of games.”
“So how's your week been so far?”
“It's been kind of hectic. My boss is trying to fire me.”
“What makes you think that?”
“Well, I think it's a jealousy problem. She resents me because I'm young, beautiful, and …”
“Modest?”
“Very funny.”
“So, what do you do, Jewel?”
“I'm the Coordinator of Special Affairs at West-wood School of Law.”
“That sounds like one of those overstated jobs that doesn't really mean very much.”
“I perform a very important function at the law school!” Jewel responded.
“Oh, really?”
“Yes, really.”
“What exactly do you do?”
“Well, I plan and manage any major events for the law school, like dinners, banquets, and alumni functions.”
“Oh, so you're a party planner.”
“No, I am not a party planner. Don't insult me.”
“That's not an insult. Party planners make good money.”
“Good money to you probably isn't very much.”
Silence.
“You'd be surprised. Well, Miss Party Planner, I'm not going to keep you any longer. It was nice talking to you. Maybe one day we'll go out. Take in a movie or something.”
“Yeah, right. Talk to you later.”
Jewel hung up the phone, miffed that he wanted to get off the phone first, and so quickly. That was her job.
He has some nerve, calling my job insignificant. It's very important. As Jewel lay in her bed, she tried to get a mental picture of what Kevin looked like. She ran down her mental list of must-haves, and he was far from her ideal. He was short, didn't wear a suit to work, drove a delivery truck, and couldn't be making six figures.
Wrong, wrong, wrong! But I am still attracted to him. He does have a take-charge attitude. He seems like a man's man. But he just doesn't worship me enough … right now. There's potential.
She began thinking about all the men she'd previously dated, wondering why her relationships seemed so meaningless. She thought about Rex and Jermane. Jermane had the Prince Charming Jewel was looking for-good credit and all. She wished some fine rich man would come and pay off all her charge cards and other bills so she could stop working.
She'd give anything to be in Jermane's shoes. Jermane could shop at any store, eat at any restaurant, and have all the guilt-free sex she wanted because … SHE'S MARRIED TO A FINE, BLACK MAN … GOD, I AM MAD AT YOU!!!
Okay, Jewel, calm down. But it was hard. She was very, very unhappy. She wanted company, to be comforted. She looked at the clock. It was 10:15, too late to make a call to her best friend.
She slumped. No one took her seriously. And, she had to admit, her job really was not that important. She was indeed a mere party planner.
Jewel started crying uncontrollably and shouted, “I am a party planner … I am a party planner … a party planner!”
Just then, the phone rang. Without looking at the caller ID, she picked up the phone, trying not to sound like she'd been crying.
“Hello.”
“Hey, baby, how you doing?”
“MAMA!!!”
“How are you, sugar?”
“I'm fine, Mama. I was just thinking about you … but you're usually asleep by now.”
“I know, but I had a restlessness in my spirit. Are you doing OK?”
“Yeah, Mama, fine. I don't want you to worry about me.”
“Well, I just felt that something was going on with you.”
“Umm, just a little stressed with work. How's Daddy?”
“Just fine. He's downstairs on the couch watching reruns of Sanford and Son, or Sanford and Son is probably watching him.”
Jewel laughed as she pictured her father asleep in his favorite easy chair with his hand propping up the remote.
“Baby, are you sure that you're alright?”
“Yes, Mama,” Jewel paused. “Mama, are you proud of me?”
“Am I proud of you? Baby, you have to be kidding me! Do you know how many young women out there have broken their mother's hearts? You're a healthy, strong, beautiful young woman. You've never disappointed me. Sometimes you may get your priorities a little out of order, but you're making it on your own. Don't you put any extra pressure on yourself, baby.”
“You aren't disappointed because I'm not married or practicing law, are you?”
“Jewel, what has gotten into you? Lord, chil', is it time for me to come visit?”
“No, Mama. Maybe you can come for my birthday, but it's not urgent.”
“Jewel, life is hard and it's not fair. You have to give your best at whatever you do. Just realize that everyone has a different path to walk and your path is not the same as everyone else's. Just try to make sure you don't create any extra obstacles for the Lord to do His work in your life. By the way, how is that boy … Samuel?”
“Mama, that was three boyfriends ago!”
“Oh, well, I can't keep up with them. He was a nice boy though. And fine, too.”
“Mama, what do you know about a man being fine?”
“Your mama had it going on back in the day. And so did your daddy. Why'd you think I got with him?”
“OK, Mama, I get it.”
“You need any money?”
“Mama, I'm grown. I'm supposed to be taking care of myself.”
“Yes, but you're my only child. You're still my baby. Besides, if I have it, you have it. Don't fool yourself. Other people help their children all the time, even after they're grown. Jewel, you know we're not poor. Your daddy would have a fit if you needed money and didn't ask.”
“OK, Mama, you can send a little cash. Can you wire it tomorrow?”
“It'll be there tomorrow. Good Lord, Jewel! What do you spend your money on? Clothes, I bet.”
“See, Mama, you're making me feel bad.”
“Well, you know the Lord wants us to be good stewards over our money. Have you been tithing like you should?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I'll tell your father you said hello.”
&n
bsp; “Mama, don't tell him about the money, alright? He won't do nothing but fuss.”
“Baby, when you get married, you'll realize you tell your husband most things, but never everything!”
“Mama, pray for me … whatever the spirit leads you to pray about.”
“Baby, the Lord already led my spirit to pray for you earlier … Mama knows. How do you think you passed that bar? The question is, have you been praying?”
“Yes, Mama, but you have that powerful prayer thing going on.”
“Baby, we all have the same access to God. You just need to pray more consistently. Jewel, you give up too soon. It takes time to build a relationship with the Lord. You can't be so impatient. Everything is beautiful in its own time. I had to wait nine months for you, and look how beautiful you turned out. My baby is the most beautiful woman in the world!”
“Mama, please!”
“I'm just telling the truth.”
“What did you cook tonight?”
“Roast beef, candied yams, greens, pinto beans, and cornbread.”
“That's enough. I can't take it anymore,” Jewel said, still feeling her frozen dinner in the pit of her stomach.
“I hope you're not eating those frozen dinners or acting like those folks who eat chicken without skin, steamed vegetables, and all that crap. We've been eating like this all our lives. As soon as people tell us it's not healthy, we start having all these heart attacks. The good Lord didn't tell me personally that I couldn't eat fried chicken and pinto beans. Trust me, I would know because you do know He talks to me. He ain't said nothing about that yet. So, until He does …”
“Mama, Mama, stop. I get the point.”
“Oh, you know how your mama can talk. How's my other babies-Lexi, Jermane, and the other two.”
“They're all fine.”
“Lord, I don't know why that child's mama named her Jermane.”
“Mama, I explained that before. They thought they were gonna have a boy. Once they saw it was a girl, they figured the name would make her distinguished.”
“Still. Oh never mind. Folks have the right to name their children whatever they want.”
“Well, Mama, it's getting late. Give Daddy a kiss for me.”
Jewel felt herself on the verge of tears again as she hung up the phone. Her mother was a strong, energetic woman. Her father was the kindest, most handsome man she'd known. He would do anything for her mother. Jewel wanted that kind of love.
Still, they had their moments, like the time her mother got mad because he came home late and locked him out and put his favorite chair out on the porch. Just then, her mother's voice interrupted her thoughts. She realized that before she dozed off, she needed to get on her knees and pray.
Lord, thank You for another day. Thanks for my mom and dad. Thank You for all You've done for me. I know I don't pray as much as I should, but I'll try harder. Lord, I can only tell You what's in my heart. Right now, I'm feeling incomplete. I'm feeling very lonely. I know that You're my company keeper, but even Your word says “it's not good for man to be alone.”
Lord, You said we should pray for our enemies. Well, I pray that my boss becomes more understanding. I pray, Lord, that You help me to keep my job. Please show me what I'm supposed to be doing with my life right now. Everything just feels out of whack. I have been going to church, but things seem to be getting worse instead of better. Everyone else's life seems so great. Please send me my soul mate. I know life would be so much better with him.
I love You. Amen.
CHAPTER TWENTY
apri found it hard to concentrate on her work. She placed her pen down next to the petition she was attempting to draft. She took a deep breath, then leaned back in her chair. She couldn't believe how excited she was about meeting up with Tony. The phone rang.
“Ms. Sterling, this is Mr. Stanton. How's your day been going?”
“Oh, uh, I didn't expect to hear from you.” “Well, I just wanted to see what time you wanted to get together tomorrow.”
“I guess seven o'clock would be fine.” “Would you like for me to come and pick you up?” “You mean you're not going to try to impress me and send your driver?”
“I thought you would enjoy more personal service, and I didn't want to scare you off or be pretentious.”
“It depends on what you have planned.”
“I'd really like to talk to you, get to know the real you, so I don't want any major distractions. Can I surprise you?”
“I don't know.”
“You could cooperate. It's the least you could do since you made me wait so long to go out on a date with you.”
“Well, OK.”
“What kind of food do you like?”
“I like just about anything, but I'm crazy about Cajun food.”
“I'd like you to come to my place first. If you feel more comfortable driving your car, I understand.”
“Yeah, that would probably be a good idea.”
They talked for a little while longer, cementing the plans. As soon as Capri hung up, the phone rang again.
“This is Attorney Sterling.”
“Hey, bud, this is Lexi. Ready for that hot date?”
“Girl, would you calm down. I must admit, though, I am just a bit excited.”
“Girl, do not, do you hear me, do not give this man a hard time. This could mean more tickets to basketball games or the Essence Awards or who knows what else.”
“You're starting to sound like Jewel, God forbid.”
“Am I? Well, I guess I have to live vicariously through the rest of y'all since my love life is at an all-time standstill. What are you going to wear?”
“I don't know. I was thinking about a pants suit.”
“Capri, loosen up! Stop being so anal.”
“I'm not trying to give it away on the first date. I told you, he's probably a dog anyway. I don't get easily excited.”
“At least wear something a little sexy. What about that black, strapless, cocktail dress?”
“Too dressy. He said to wear something kind of dressy-casual, whatever that means.”
“How about your long, slender-fitting taupe skirt and the black top that has thin spaghetti straps. That really fits you well, girl. It has just the right hint of sexiness.”
“I guess. You don't think that top hugs my breasts too tightly?”
“If it does, so what? It's the perfect little outfit for a first date.”
“I guess so.”
“And make sure you do your hair. You wear it pinned back so much. You have beautiful hair.”
“I'll wear it down if you do it for me.”
“As much money as you make, couldn't you make a hair appointment?”
“I was so busy this week. To tell you the truth, I was going to wear it slicked back in a pony tail.”
“I'll be over tomorrow at 5 :30 p.m.”
apri followed the directions to get to Terracotta Plains, the subdivision where Anthony lived. She pulled up to a security station that sat in front of a large wrought-iron gate.
“Yes, I'm here to see …”
“Anthony Stanton?”
“Yes.”
“Can I see your license, Ms. Sterling?”
“Yes.”
The security guard made a brief phone call and came back to the window. He surveyed her car and wrote down what looked like her license plate number. “Okay, Ms. Sterling, you have a good evening.”
The huge, iron gate opened and Capri drove through. She was happy it was still fairly light outside so she could see the house numbers, which were so far from the street. She admired the manmade lakes and fountains that were part of the landscape. She'd heard that several corporate executives and pro ball players had houses here. A whole little community behind an iron gate. It was so serene. All of a sudden, Capri wanted a house, a huge one.
“There it is,” Capri said to herself as she found 1916 Halliburton Lane. She pulled in the half-circle driveway and quickly checked her mak
eup. She grabbed her small black purse and stepped out. Before she took a step, she admired the architecture of Anthony's huge one-story house. The outside was made of white adobe, and there was a long red brick walkway leading to the front door's huge white stone archway. Before she could get halfway up the path, the door opened, and there was Anthony, clad in a maroon silk shirt and black slacks.
He stood there with the sexiest grin Capri had ever seen. She tried to look unimpressed.
“Hi. I'm glad you made it,” he said with a sexy assurance.
“You gave excellent directions.”
“Come on in,” he said as his eyes subtly scanned her from top to bottom.
Her hair had loose curls and layers that grazed her shoulders. She had a low part on the side and the front swooped sexily across her brow.
Her skin glistened from the moisture in the air. Her skirt accentuated her figure. He looked down at her black strappy sandals and noticed her perfectly maincured feet.
“You look very nice,” he said in a low voice as he looked slightly away from her body.
“Thank you … you do, too,” she said as she stood, waiting for instructions.
“Could you wait here for a minute …?”
Before she could answer, he walked off, which gave her a chance to look around. A half-table and a mirror trimmed in gold stood against one wall. A floral arrangement sat on top of the table. In the middle of the hallway stood a glass case with three crystal statues-each of a man and woman in passionate poses—on each of its shelves. To the left were double mahogany wood doors with brass handles. To the right looked like the kitchen, but the lights were turned off. Just as she was about to peek around some more, she heard Anthony's voice.
“Capri, close your eyes and hold your hand out,” his voice said from a short distance.
“What's going on? I don't like games.” “Remember, you said you'd cooperate.” Capri closed her eyes and held out her hand, expecting him to put something in it. Instead, she felt his hand slip in hers. She could smell his cologne. “Walk this way and don't open your eyes.” She heard him open the double doors she'd just surveyed. She walked several feet and through another door. She was tempted to peek, but she didn't. Once they went through the other door, she felt the open space of the room. Anthony let go of her hand. Then she heard the sound of liquid pouring into a glass. A chair slid out. He held her hand again and told her to sit down. She awkwardly slid into the chair. She felt a table in front of her. Then she heard music. “You can open your eyes.”
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