Full Figured

by Brenda Hampton

  “Yeah, I do,” Avery nodded. “This is the first one I’ve attended.”

  “Well, it won’t be your last. You’ll see what a difference tonight makes. You do realize the importance of being here, correct? Is Duke here? I don’t recall seeing him at your table.”

  “No, he’s not here,” Avery told her.

  “Well, I’m sure you’ll have lots to tell him when you get home tonight. It’s going to be memorable, believe me,” Demi said, smiling.

  “Yeah, I’m sure it is,” Avery said, politely. “I’ll see you later.”

  Avery eased out of the bathroom, and returned to find Tabitha, Malcolm, and Kurt chatting near the bar.

  “Avery, you look amazing.” Kurt grinned, looking her up and down. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

  “Thank you,” Avery said, smiling back at him. “And yes, I am.”

  “That’s good,” he said. She tried not to stare at him.

  “I told Avery this is the event to be at every year,” Tabitha said, nodding.

  “She’s right, especially if you’re hoping to move up within the company or even change departments. But I know you’re not trying to leave me, right?” Kurt teased.

  Avery didn’t know if he meant her personally, or them as a group and she was glad when Malcolm answered, “Naw, you know I can’t go anywhere until I’m in good with the family.”

  “Well, at least you’re honest,” Kurt said, then added, “Well, let me get back to my seat before they start calling my name over the mic. I will definitely see you all later.”

  They returned to their seats just as the program resumed.

  “Are you still nervous?” Avery leaned over and asked Tabi-tha.

  “Not so much,” Tabitha told her. “I’m thinking maybe I should have had another drink though.”

  “You’ll be fine,” Avery assured her.

  “They’d better call my name,” Tabitha warned.

  Mr. Jennings began telling the history of the JMDP and how it became one of the most important programs within the company. He also stated how each year, hundreds applied and only a few were selected; one person from each of the seven district offices.

  Avery glanced over to see Tabitha inhale deeply as she waited in anticipation. One by one, he called the names of the selectees, and they applauded them as they rushed on stage to receive the plaque that would undoubtedly change their lives forever.

  “Our last and final recipient tonight is a special one, a candidate who has impressed others not only within her office, but at the district level. Her contributions to the staff has been exemplary not only to her peers and management, but to clients as well. After hearing about this young woman and the goals she has set for herself not only as an employee, but as a civic leader, as well, led to her being selected. She truly embodies what Jennings International strives to achieve” Mr. Jennings paused.

  Avery reached over and grabbed Tabitha’s hand, and her friend held her breath, sitting up in her chair.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, our honorary selectee for the year—Avery Belmont.”

  Applause erupted in the ballroom, and Avery froze, not knowing what to do. This was not what was supposed to be happening and she didn’t know why it was. She didn’t even apply for the program, so how the hell was she selected?

  “What the hell?” she heard Tabitha say.

  “Yeah, Avery!”

  “You go, girl!”

  “Congratulations!”

  People shouted and whistled. Avery remained in her seat, still shocked. Don’t just sit there, looking crazy. Get up and go! You’ll fix this later.

  “Miss Belmont, you may come and get your award,” Mr. Jennings laughed.

  Avery’s eyes met Tabitha’s and she saw the hurt and betrayal.

  “Tabitha, it’s a mistake. It can’t be right,” she told her. “I’ll fix it, I promise.”

  Tabitha didn’t say anything; she just stared at Avery with tears in her eyes. Avery walked up to the stage and Mr. Jennings passed her the crystal plaque embossed with her name. She posed for the photographers who took pictures of her with the JDMP selectees. It was unbelievable. She looked over and her eyes met Kurt’s. He beamed with pride. Her eyes then went over to Demi’s, who was smiling just as hard. After several minutes, she was finally able to leave the stage and go back to her table. Maneuvering her way through the crowd of well-wishers, she saw that Tabitha was gone and she headed to the lobby.

  Tabitha was standing near the bar, talking with Malcolm and Sharice.

  “Tabitha,” Avery said her name softly.

  “Leave me the hell alone, Avery,” Tabitha told her. “Now is not the time, for real.”

  “You know I didn’t know any of this was gonna happen. I didn’t even apply. I wanted you to win, and you should have. I’m gonna talk with Mr. Jennings and get things straight,” Avery tried to explain.

  “I don’t even want the fucking position. I see now that the entire thing is rigged, it’s fake. They pick who they wanna pick. It doesn’t even matter if the person is qualified or not! Fuck Jennings International and fuck the JMDP bitches, including you!” Tabitha hissed, her eyes red from crying.

  “Tabitha, come on. You know there has to be some sort of mix-up. Avery has been saying all along that she didn’t want to be in the program. Besides the fact that she’s your girl and would never do anything like this behind your back,” Malcolm tried to reason with Tabitha. “She knows how much this meant to you.”

  “I do.” Avery nodded. The fact that Tabitha called her unqualified stung, but she ignored it.

  “Don’t be like this, Tabitha,” even Shanice tried to calm her down.

  “Fuck you, Avery. Get outta my face, for real before I kick your ass! I’m warning you!” Tabitha’s voice became louder and people started to look over at them.

  “You need to excuse yourself from the venue right now, Tabitha!”

  They turned to see Demi headed toward them.

  Oh great, her ass is only gonna make matters worse.

  “This doesn’t have anything to do with you, Demi. Step off,” Tabitha snapped.

  “Excuse me? I beg to differ. This is a Jennings International event and it has everything to do with me. I’m sure you’re disappointed in your not being selected, but so are a lot of other people here and none of them are acting as inappropriate as you are.” Demi’s anger could be seen in her eyes.

  “What’s inappropriate is how the hell Avery got selected and she didn’t even apply?” Tabitha looked over at Avery and then added, “If you really didn’t apply.”

  “I didn’t,” Avery told her. “Tabitha, I swear, I wouldn’t lie.”

  “Avery, you don’t have to appease her. You got selected and she didn’t, end of story,” Demi said. “Now, if you’re gonna continue to make a scene about it, you really need to leave, Tabitha. And from what I understand, this isn’t the first time you haven’t been selected, so this really shouldn’t be a big deal to you.”

  “Demi, you’re out of line,” Malcolm stepped between Tabitha and Demi. “You really owe Tabitha an apology.”

  “I don’t owe her anything,” Demi laughed. “And neither does anyone else around here. Contrary to popular belief, Tabitha is not all that. I don’t care how many men she sleeps with in the office, including you.”

  “Demi!” Avery squealed and it was her that now stepped in between Malcolm and Demi. He looked as if he was about to swing on Demi.

  “I think we all need to just walk away before anything else gets said,” Sharice said, reaching and touching Malcolm’s arm. He relaxed and took a step back.

  “What seems to be the problem?” Kurt’s voice asked.

  “It seems as if Tabitha is having a hard time accepting the fact that she was not selected again this year,” Demi told him. “And she’s taking her anger out on Avery.”

  “Let me handle this, Demi, thanks,” he said and after Demi walked away he turned to Tabitha and said, “Tabitha, that doesn’t sound l
ike you. What’s the problem?”

  “She didn’t even apply and her ass got selected?” Tabitha yelled at him.

  “First of all, you need to lower your voice.” Kurt told her. “And Mr. Jennings said she was an honorary selectee. Her selection was based on merit. I really don’t know the specifics. You know there are honorary selectees sometimes. Are you okay, Avery?”

  Avery stared at him and said, “Yeah, I’m okay.”

  He touched her arm and she became lost in his stare, and remained there until she heard Tabitha’s voice, “You’ve gotta be kidding me, right?”

  “What’s the problem?” Kurt asked.

  “No problem at all,” Tabitha said, then added, “No, wait, there is a problem. I quit!”

  “What?” they all said at once.

  “You all and Jennings International can go to hell. Now, there’s no problem,” she said and walked off.

  “I’ll get her,” Avery said.

  “No, let her go,” Malcolm said. “I’ll make sure she’s good.”

  “I’ll go with you,” Sharice told her.

  Once they were alone, Kurt grabbed her arm and escorted her to one of the nearby leather sofas in the lobby. She sat down, still confused by what was going on.

  “I feel really bad,” she told him.

  “Why? You deserve to be selected.”

  “But, she’s wanted this for years, Kurt. She worked hard for it,” Avery told him.

  “You did too, Avery. What makes you think your work is less valuable than hers? What you do within that company doesn’t go unnoticed,” he said, shrugging.

  Avery looked up at him and asked, “Did you have something to do with this?”

  “No, I didn’t know anything about it. I was just as surprised as you were when they called your name. I was elated, but surprised nonetheless.”

  “She’s my friend,” Avery told him.

  “And she’ll get over this. She knows you didn’t intentionally do this to hurt her,” Kurt’s voice comforted her.

  “Hey, Kurt, there you are!”

  “Man, you are late as hell.” Kurt stood up. “You missed the entire program.”

  “I wanted to miss the boring part!”

  Avery looked over to see Daniel, Duke’s boss, walking over to them.

  “Daniel, what are you doing here?” she asked.

  “Avery Belmont, looking gorgeous as ever,” Daniel said, beaming at her. “My boy, Kurt, here, invited me to this fancy shindig. I figured I could do some serious networking.”

  “You two know each other?” Kurt asked.

  “Yeah, he’s the manager at Duke’s job,” Avery told him.

  “Wow, small world,” Kurt said.

  “Wait a minute,” Daniel said, putting his arm around Avery. “Is this the chick you’ve been telling me about?”

  For some reason, Avery felt very uncomfortable. At first, she thought it was because of Daniel’s question to Kurt, until she realized someone was staring at her. She looked up to see Demi, standing beside Duke of all people, looking like a million bucks in a tuxedo.

  “Duke,” she stood up and rushed over to him. He stepped back before she could get to him.

  “Damn, I thought I was surprising you but I guess I was the one to be surprised,” he said.

  “Man, it’s not what it looks like,” Daniel told him.

  “It don’t even matter.” Duke shook his head. “It’s all good.”

  “Baby, please listen to me,” Avery pleaded, but Duke took off and was out the door before she could stop him.

  “Avery,” Daniel called her name.

  “Excuse me,” she told them, rushing out of the hotel. She searched the parking lot, and spotted Duke just as he was getting into his car. “Duke, wait!”

  He looked over at her and got in without saying a word. Avery tried to run, but her dress and heels made it damn near impossible. She knew catching him was hopeless, which was probably a good thing, because there was a strong chance if she had gotten any closer, he would have run over her. She stood in the hotel parking lot, defeated and disgusted.

  “Avery, are you okay?”

  “I’m fine,” Avery said to Demi, who seemed to appear out of nowhere.

  “You’re not fine,” Demi told her. “Come on back inside.”

  “No, I’m leaving.” She shook her head. “My head is pounding.”

  “Fine, we’ll get you some aspirin. You don’t need to leave, tonight is your night. Don’t let anyone take that away. You should be celebrating, now come on,” Demi replied. “Besides, you left your plaque.”

  “I don’t want it,” Avery sighed.

  “That’s crazy. Everything is gonna be fine. You can’t just leave now. You do know all eyes are on you, especially right now. How would it look to Mr. Jennings, the board of directors, and everyone else if you just left? Be reasonable and think. Do you know how many people would kill to be in your spot right now, including Tabitha.”

  All Avery wanted to do was get in her car, go home and talk to her man, but instead, she followed Demi back inside and took a seat.

  Demi said to Avery, “You look like you could use a drink. I’ll get you one.”

  Avery pasted a fake smile on her face and thanked those who were still congratulating her. Inside her heart was aching. She reached into her small clutch and took out her phone, sending Tabitha a text apologizing again and asking her to call.

  “Here you go,” Demi said, passing her a small tablet and a glass of champagne.

  “What’s this?” Avery asked, looking at the tablet.

  “For your headache,” Demi said.

  “Oh, thanks.” Avery swallowed the pill and drank the bubbly liquid. She felt her body relax and she even began enjoying herself.

  Kurt and Daniel both came and checked on her, both making it a point not to mention Duke or Tabitha. Avery even dared to dance; once with Mr. Jennings at the encouragement of his wife, and twice each with Daniel and Kurt. Demi is right, it is my night and I deserve to enjoy the moment. If Tabitha and Duke want to hate on me, let ’em!

  “So, some of the managers are heading downtown to the bar district when this is over,” Demi yelled over Flo Rida rapping about shawty getting low. “You wanna come?”

  Feeling completely euphoric, Avery nodded. “Sure, sounds like a plan.”

  She grabbed her plaque and purse, thanking Mr. and Mrs. Jennings again, and followed Demi out the door. Kurt and Daniel were standing outside the hotel when she passed them. “Hey, we’re going clubbing. You fellas wanna come with us?”

  “Cool, where?” Daniel asked.

  Demi shook her head and told them, “This outing is strictly for the female execs—sorry, guys!”

  A stretch limo pulled up in front and the driver opened the door.

  “You guys got a limo?” Avery turned and asked them.

  “Naw, not us,” Kurt laughed.

  “This is our ride.” Demi pushed Avery inside and she nearly tumbled, laughing uncontrollably.

  “Well, I’m glad y’all have a designated driver,” Daniel said. “You girls be safe!”

  “Byyyyyeeeee!” Avery called out as the door closed. She sat back on the leather seat and told Demi, “I’m really having a good time. I’m glad I didn’t leave.”

  “I’m glad you didn’t either.”

  “Where is everyone else? Aren’t they riding in the limo?”

  Demi shrugged and said, “No, they’re just gonna meet us down there. They wanted to drive.”

  “Maybe I should drive too. My car is right there.”

  “No, the limo will bring you back to get it. It’s not a problem,” Demi told her as she sat beside her. She was so close that Avery could feel her thigh brushing against hers. Oddly enough, the sensation of her leg against hers seemed to be strangely pleasant.

  “But what if I want to leave before you do?”

  “We can leave together. It’s no big deal.” Demi smiled. “You really look amazing.”

 
“Thanks, Tabitha helped me pick out the dress,” Avery told her.

  Demi seemed to ease closer and closer to her, and then, Avery felt her hand gently touching her face. Avery blinked, wondering if she was dreaming. Everything seemed to be hazy, but she felt wonderful. Demi’s hand on her face was turning her on. Then, it was no longer her hand, but Demi’s mouth slowly kissing her cheek, her lips easing their way to hers. Avery’s eyes closed and her breathing became harder. She tried to tell herself to stop, but her body wouldn’t listen to her mind and she found herself not only kissing Demi back, but enjoying it.

  What the hell is happening. Avery tried to open her eyes, which were now closed. Something’s not right.

  Demi’s hands were caressing her breasts and she moaned, “You feel so good, Avery. I’ve been wanting you for so long. Since high school. I know you didn’t even know what I could do for you, the difference I could make in your life. But tonight, I showed you. I was the one who convinced the board that you deserved that position. And now, I’m gonna let you show me how much you appreciate me.”

  Avery Annalise Belmont, get yourself together right now and get yourself out of there. She felt the limo come to a halt and she saw that they were downtown. Avery pushed Demi’s hands away and she snatched the door open and jumped out of the car.

  “Avery! Avery!” She heard Demi calling her name, but she kept running ducking into a dimly-lit country-western bar and walking all the way to the back, praying Demi didn’t see where she went.

  Oh God, please help me. Duke, I need to call Duke. She realized that she had left her purse and cell phone in the limo. The loud music from the bar seemed to make her heart pound faster and she felt as if she was gonna pass out.

  “Are you all right, lady?” a young waitress asked.

  “I need a phone,” Avery told her.

  “Pay phone back near the bathroom,” the waitress pointed.

  “I don’t have any money.” Avery felt tears begin to form in her eyes.

  The waitress must have known something was wrong, especially since Avery was dressed in an evening gown in a hillbilly bar. She reached into her apron and passed Avery a dollar in quarters. “In case you need to make two calls.”