by Zuri Day
Crystal laughed, wiggling a “toodaloo” as she and Brent headed toward their car that was parked on a nearby side street.
Doug and Jan watched them disappear around the corner. “You’ll have to forgive my cousin. When we were little, she rode the short bus.”
“Whoa! That’s cold.”
“It was. I love her. We’re more like sisters than cousins. But she’s always trying to hook me up.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“I can handle that on my own. But right now”—she began walking to her car, pointed her key fob, and unlocked the doors—“the only thing I want to handle is sleep.”
“I hear that.” Doug fell into step beside her. “But what about tomorrow?”
“What about it?”
“Would you like to grab some lunch or dinner?”
They reached her car. “Thanks, Doug, but no. Breaks together at work is one thing, but I don’t want to get into anything beyond that.”
“So I can’t come to hear you sing anymore?”
“I can’t control that. Breeze is a public place.”
“But I wouldn’t come see you if you didn’t want me to.”
“I don’t mind.”
“Good, because those words were about to become a lie. I’m definitely coming back to see you again. Girl, you can blow, for real. That’s what you want to do full-time, huh.”
“Me and half the other singers in the world.” She reached for the door.
“Let me get that.” He opened it and waited until she was in and buckled. “I think you need to rethink your position about whether or not we hang out. I mean as friends. I’m not trying to get with you or anything.”
“Then we’re on the same page.”
“Because just so you know, I don’t date coworkers either.”
“You dated Melissa.”
“I hooked up with Melissa. One time. We never dated. And that was almost five years ago. Can’t do nothing about my past. But if I had it to do over, I’d make better choices.”
She started her car. He closed her door. The window eased down. “Thanks again for coming to the show. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
“Drive safe.”
“I will.”
Chancing quick glances in the rearview mirror, she watched Doug watch her exit the parking lot. He stood there, helmet in hand, until she could no longer see him. Getting him to disappear from her thoughts didn’t happen as quickly. For the rest of the weekend, snatches of their conversation replayed in her mind. When she thought of the look of admiration in his eyes while singing her praises, and the awe in his voice, it made her feel proud and all girlie inside. She knew he meant it. When Starr complimented her, it didn’t seem as heartfelt. It was never done as effusively as when he praised the beautiful girls, like the twenty-one-year-old everyone called Mariah, because of her strong resemblance to the famous diva. The one who she heard was picked in last week’s open mike that she missed. Too bad the similarities between the two ladies ended with looks. When it came to voices, there was no comparison. A mouse squeaking while caught in a trap might be able to beat wannabe Mariah head-to-head. Frank and the guys knew she could sing, and told her so, as did many of the regulars. But from Doug, it was special, a genuine reaction after hearing her for the first time.
On the other hand, every time she remembered how he “didn’t want to get with her” and “didn’t date coworkers” she told herself that she was glad that he didn’t. And no matter how much she ignored it, the twinge in her heart suggested otherwise.
11
Doug wasn’t a fan of Mondays, but on this particular one he’d been up and dressed with time to spare. Spent the morning handling personal business and got to work early, a rarity. Didn’t even try and lie about why. He wanted to see Jan. All weekend long, she’d stayed on his mind. He couldn’t get her stage image out of his head—that lush booty swaying slowly and bringing the animal print she wore to life. Even more, she’d been sexy and classy at the same time. The dress was to her knees and she’d showed little cleavage. Yet a naked skinny girl could have stepped on the stage and for Doug it wouldn’t have mattered. He liked a woman with a little meat on her bones. He’d been raised by a woman who looked like that. Would any part of the woman he saw Friday night show up this afternoon? Doug couldn’t wait to find out.
The floral scent preceded her, so he wasn’t surprised to hear her voice. He gave a casual look over his shoulder. Ms. Conservative was back: loose pants, oversized top, fresh face, her real hair in a short, no-fuss ponytail. There was none of that fire that made her light up the stage, none of that savoir faire that transferred her into a woman for whom he’d break old rules and make some new ones. Crazy that after only seeing that Jan Baker for a few hours, he missed her immensely.
This Monday wasn’t as busy as last week, but it was still her first break before they had a real conversation. He caught her standing in front of the microwave.
“Think that corn is going to pop faster if you stare at it?”
She smiled. “My mind was a million miles away.”
He looked around and, seeing no one close, leaned in, and said, “On a stage somewhere?”
She gave him a warning look.
“Don’t worry. I checked before I spoke.” He went over to the vending machine and after some deliberation decided on a bag of popcorn, too. He rejoined her just as the bell dinged and she pulled hers out. He put his bag inside and turned to lean against the counter. “How’s your brother?”
Jan looked up, her face one of surprise. “He’s fine. Why?”
“I was just asking; have thought about him a few times since . . . you know . . . we talked about him. It’s made me think twice out there.”
“Good.”
“Well, well, well, isn’t this cozy?” Melissa sauntered into the break room, large coffee cup in hand. “You two are sure looking comfy with each other.”
“Whatever, Mel.” Doug turned to get his popcorn.
“My, aren’t we snippy.” She watched Jan walk over to get a soda. “I’m just commenting on how close you two seem to have gotten.”
“Why? Because we’re both in the break room?” He went to get a soda as well.
“Doug, quit sounding paranoid. How are you doing, Jan?”
“I’m fine, Melissa.” She walked over to a table and sat; then pulled out her phone. “What about you?”
“I’m exceptional, as always. How was your weekend?”
“It was pretty good.” Jan answered without looking up from her screen.
Doug looked at his watch and, with a couple minutes remaining on his break, decided to stay in the room. Something told him that Jan needed guarding.
Melissa poured coffee, sugar, and creamer in the cup and then joined Jan at the table. “Did you do anything exciting?”
“Not particularly.”
“What about you, Doug?”
“What about me?”
“Did you do anything fun?”
“Hung out with my family, same as always.” He joined them at the table. Ate a couple handfuls of popcorn. “What about you? After meeting your friends for happy hour, did you and your girls hit the clubs and go trolling? That’s what you used to do.”
For better or worse, Joey walked in on this line.
She laughed. “As a matter of fact, we did.” She took a sip of coffee, looking over the brim at Jan as she did so.
“Sounds like I should have been at that club,” Joey said, jumping into the conversation without invitation.
“Yes, you should have. They had live entertainment.”
Doug noticed that Jan’s thumb stilled on her phone before she slowly began scrolling again. The feeling he had a minute ago grew worse. But he maintained his cool. “Oh yeah? Did you have fun?”
“Yes, and I wasn’t the only one. Looks like you had a good time, too.”
“Me?”
Melissa reared back her head and laughed.
Joey, sensing a
scene unfolding that was worthy of the popcorn on the table, joined them, watched as her eyes moved between Jan and Doug.
“I don’t know why y’all are hiding? It’s what postal coworkers do.” She fixed her eyes on Doug. “We hook up.”
“Wow,” Jan said, putting away her phone. She folded the bag containing the remaining popcorn. “On that note, my break is over.”
Doug stood, grabbing his drink and the bag of popcorn. “Mine too.”
Joey looked at Doug. “You and Jan? It’s like that?”
“I don’t know what she’s talking about, man,” Doug threw over his shoulder.
He followed Jan, who was already out of the room and halfway down the hall.
Melissa leaned forward and raised her voice. “I was there!”
Jan continued walking. Doug stopped, turned, and walked back into the break room. “Where?”
“Breeze.”
Doug looked behind him. The hallway was clear. Jan probably didn’t hear her but with the two biggest mouths of this branch in the room, he knew that if they didn’t already, everyone would soon know where else Jan worked.
“Was that y’all’s little secret?”
Doug tried to play it off, acting nonchalant. If he didn’t make a big deal of it, maybe Melissa wouldn’t either.
“Not at all. You were there? You should have come over to the table.”
“It didn’t look like you had time for me. Your eyes were glued to the stage.”
“I’m lost,” Joey said, getting up from the table and crossing to the fridge.
“Our girl Jan is a singer. She walks around here all mousy and quiet, but believe me when I tell you that at night she reveals her inner diva.”
“Word?” Joey said, looking at Doug.
“It’s not like that,” Doug said.
Two more people walked into the break room, giving Melissa an audience. That’s all she needed. “Girlfriend wore a dress that looked painted on, with a pair of stilettos and this Diana Ross-looking wig.” She swung her weave from side to side for emphasis. “Showing off her substantial backside to all the men in the crowd. She was working it!”
Joey raised a brow. “That Jan?” he asked, with a thumb toward the counter.
“Yep.”
“She’s exaggerating,” Doug said.
“No, I’m not. What did I tell you about women who come off acting all guarded?” Melissa reached for her purse. “I’ve got pictures.” She pulled out her phone and clicked on images. Soon her phone was being passed around. Everybody had a comment.
Sensing a catastrophe, Doug walked out of the break room and headed for the counter. Fortunately, Pat was with a customer, but Jan was not. He stood with his back to Pat and spoke softly.
“Sorry to be the one to tell you, but your secret is out.”
Jan’s eyes narrowed. “You told?”
He shook his head. “Melissa was at Breeze Friday night.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Wish I was. She saw you. And me. Took pictures.”
“What?”
“She’s showing them now to everyone in the break room.”
“Of all the people who work here . . .”
A customer entered, ending the conversation. Jan called him forward. Doug reached over and grabbed a pad of Post-its, wrote down his number and a simple message: Call me.
12
Jan didn’t call Doug as he’d requested. What would be the point? Melissa had been at Breeze Friday night, so now everyone at work would be trying to snoop into her personal life. Pat couldn’t understand why people knowing would upset her. Had she been in the back as Melissa was leaving, the reason would have been clear. Instead of practicing the song she’d be singing tonight, Jan’s thoughts kept returning to work, and what happened earlier today.
* * *
“Why didn’t you tell me about your show Friday night?” Pat returned from lunch all loud and excited even though Jan was with a customer and there were more in line.
“Honestly, Pat, I forgot.” Jan finished the transaction with the customer in front of her and motioned up the next person in line. “It’s one of my regular gigs, which is probably why telling you slipped my mind.”
“According to Melissa, it was a show to see.”
Jan said nothing. Coming from Melissa, that statement could mean anything.
For the next several minutes the women concentrated on handling the customers. When the lobby was empty Pat walked closer to where Jan stood. “Melissa said you’re a totally different woman when you’re onstage.”
“I’m a performer,” Jan said. “It’s what we do when we’re before an audience. We perform.”
“She said Doug was there, too.”
“Sounds like Melissa has a lot to say where I’m concerned.”
Pat chuckled. “It’s where anybody is concerned, girl. Melissa has a lot of potential that gets overshadowed by the fact that she can’t shut up.” She walked a package over to the appropriate bin and tossed it in. “Though in this instance I don’t see the problem. If I had a talent, I’d be telling everybody.”
“I used to.”
“Why did you stop?”
Jan turned to face her. “Because I learned that everyone smiling in your face doesn’t wish you well.”
“I know for a fact that’s true.”
“That’s why I try to keep my day job and my night activities separate.”
“But you told Doug.”
Jan took a calming breath. She believed that Pat’s intentions were good, but for Jan, this type of conversation she’d rather avoid. “He’s my supervisor, and I needed to leave a few minutes early. That’s the only reason.”
“Are you married?”
This elicited a frown. “You asked that before and I told you I wasn’t. Why does that question keep coming up?”
“It’s none of my business, really. But you seem like a nice girl and Doug’s a good man. I was kind of hoping he was being invited for a more personal reason. But like I said, not my business, so forgive me for asking.” A customer came up to the counter. “But answer me anyway first chance you get.”
Jan smiled, thankful for a reprieve from the uncomfortable conversation. It didn’t last long. The counter got busy so Pat never got her answer. But once the post office closed and she went to the back, her patience really got tested. Not surprising, Melissa was still there even though her shift had ended.
“Diana!”
A slight look of annoyance, a forced smile, but no comment as Jan passed Melissa and headed to the locker where her purse was stored. She hadn’t planned to break for dinner right now, but escape was necessary.
“What? That comparison upsets you? I love Diana Ross! You did pretty good Friday night.”
Jan took a deep breath before she turned around. “Thanks, Melissa. I don’t believe Diana and I have anything in common, but I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.”
“Honey, I enjoyed you! Me and my girls walked into the club and I couldn’t believe my eyes. After five, you turn all the way up!”
Joey was all smiles. “You sure do, Jan. I saw the pictures and . . . my goodness!”
Jan reached beyond the leftovers she’d planned to warm up, grabbed her purse, and headed for the exit. “Doug, I’m taking my dinner break.”
“All right.”
Melissa snatched her purse from the table. “I’ll walk out with you.”
“Melissa!”
Melissa ignored Doug and caught up with a fast-walking Jan. “You sure are in a hurry. Another performance tonight?”
“I’m always busy,” was Jan’s noncommittal reply.
“Not too busy for everybody,” Melissa countered.
“And my name is Jan, not Diana.”
Melissa’s sweet demeanor turned sour. “Girl, trust me. That was clearly a joke. For you to be in Diana Ross’s league would take way more than a wig. Way more.”
Jan reached her car and turned. “Melissa, I know you and Doug
have history. But I’m here to work, not date. You don’t have anything to worry about where he’s concerned.”
“Even if you were interested, I still wouldn’t be worried. Because I know Doug’s type of woman. You’re not it.”
The barb on Jan was like water on a duck, thick skin developed over a lifetime of similar put downs. If Melissa feeling superior was what it took to get out of her face, Jan figured it was a very small price to pay.
* * *
Later that night, Jan reached the club determined to put the nine-to-five antics behind her and focus on her performance. Walking in and seeing Starr, alone and checking his phone, made this easy to do. She pulled on some of that stage confidence Doug admired her for and strode straight to his table.
“Good evening, Starr.”
He looked up and smiled. “Hey, talented lady.”
The day was looking better already. “Mind if I sit?”
“I’m expecting some people in a bit but sure, have a seat.” He went back to checking his phone.
She sat in a chair across from him. “I hate I missed the showcase last week. Especially since every singer in California wants to compete on your show. But it couldn’t be helped.”
“Not just California. There’s talent from all over the country vying for a spot.” He set down his phone and looked at her. “Rome told me about your work situation, and that even though it’s supposed to be first come first serve he’d been putting your name on the list.”
“I hope he doesn’t get in trouble. He knows how badly I want this, how much I need it. And he believes in me, too.”
“If it weren’t for the fact that you sing like you do, it would have been a real problem. You would have been cut last week.” Jan held her breath. “But I decided to let you slide, this time, and cut another chick.”
She exhaled. “Thank you, Starr. I really appreciate it. There are a lot of great singers out there, but I know I’ve got what it takes to be on that show, and to go all the way.”
He nodded, then went back to checking his phone. “No doubt you can sing, Jan. You have a really nice voice. On any given Sunday there are sistahs like you tearing up churches all across the country.”
