by Candace Shaw
“Excuse me,” the red-boned one started, “but aren’t you Rasheed Vincent?” She flipped her long bang over the top of her hair and ran her fingers through it.
“Yes, I am, pretty little lady. What can I do you for?”
“I would love to have your autograph.”
“No problem.”
The girl reached into her book bag and pulled out a notebook with a red pen. Rasheed signed his name in her notebook as well as the one in her quiet friend’s hand. The red-boned one then took the pen and wrote her name and number on his palm.
“Call me,” she said in a sexy tone as she strutted away, giggling with her friend.
Rasheed looked at the red print on the inside of his palm, took a white hand towel from his gym bag, splashed water on it from his sports bottle and scrubbed the ink from his hand.
“I guess you aren’t going to call her.”
“No. I’m not. She’s the type of girl who’s only interested in me because of who I am and how much money I have. After the way Terri up and left, I’ve made a point to just have fun with the ladies. No strings attached. No commitment, which has worked so far, that is until I kissed Bria. But then I remind myself about what happened with Terri.”
Rasheed’s ex-fiancée, Terri, had been The One, or so he’d thought. He’d met her at the beginning of his fourth season. He’d accompanied Brooklyn to a bookstore one Saturday. He sat in the coffee shop area as Brooklyn, who was a senior in high school at the time, met with a study group. He noticed a very beautiful woman with long wavy hair and a sienna complexion, sipping a latte and reading a book on Art History. When he approached her, she claimed she didn’t know who he was. He thought that was odd considering he had commercials all over the airways, including his athletic shoes—His Majesty RV Kicks—an energy drink, and even a pizza commercial. Most of all, he was a famous starting shooting guard who led his team to two championships and was being compared to Dr. J., Kareem, and his idol Michael Jordan.
However, Rasheed felt a breath of fresh air that Terri didn’t know who he was and didn’t seemed fazed by his celebrity status like all of the groupies who constantly flung themselves at him looking for a free meal ticket for the next eighteen years. But he’d learned from his predecessors and peers to always come prepared with protection. He didn’t want to have baby mamas all over the place.
He’d been slammed with paternity suits over the course of his basketball career and beyond, but he always laughed and took the paternity tests anyway just to prove those gold digging girls wrong. He wanted a family like his parents. No turkey basting was going on, and he made sure by jumping up afterwards and personally flushing the condom himself.
He spent three years in a monogamous relationship with Terri and had decided to propose before the beginning of his seventh season. During the tenth game, after shooting the winning basket, he came down hard on his right knee and tore his ACL. After surgery and an extensive recovery, his doctor said he could play again, but it would be risky, so Rasheed opted not to. He decided his health and well-being were more important. As he told Terri of his plans, she became irate and demanded that he continue to play. He told her no and held a press conference to announce his retirement from the game of basketball.
A month later, Terri moved out, but not before telling him she never loved him and only wanted the money and the status of being married to a basketball player. Six months later, she was engaged and pregnant by Rasheed’s rival. That had been five years ago, and Terri was on her third pregnancy, but no wedding. Rasheed went back to college to finish his last two years and also earned a master’s degree in business.
“Derek, if I didn’t have millions in the bank, these women wouldn’t even be checking for me.” He stroked his chin and pondered for a moment. “No. Wait. That’s not true. I’m a good-looking brother, so they’d be me hounding regardless, but having money and fame just enhances it.”
Derek laughed. “You’re so modest, Rasheed.”
“Thank you.” Rasheed stood and grabbed a basketball from his gym bag. “I’m going to shoot some free throws. Stand under the basket and toss the ball back to me.”
The guys walked out to the court. Rasheed dribbled and did a layup shot before running to the free throw line and making another basket.
“But seriously,” Rasheed started as Derek threw the ball back and Rasheed dribbled it. “Let’s think about this. You’re a half-way decent brother. You got the dreads, boyish charm, tall and what not, but those two chicks that just left didn’t even look your way. They don’t know you got your own thing going. Hell, you’re wearing a nice suit and not one of those two for one-hundred dollars deals down at the swap meet. Me, I’m in sweats, but when they see me, they see more than my handsome face and dashing smile. They see my fame, maybe a reality show, my money, and everything they think I’m going to buy them.”
“There you go being modest again.”
“Man, you know I’m joking, well sort of. But on a serious note, I’m grateful and humbled for my blessings. I just want a woman to look beyond the fact that I’m a celebrity and see what a great guy I am.” Rasheed tossed the ball, missed, cursed, and tried again, this time making the basket.
“Damn, man. I’ve never heard you speak like this before. Bria got you doing a lot of thinking. When did this happen?”
“When I first kissed her. It seemed like the most natural thing to do with her. Like that had been missing from our relationship, and now I can’t go back to normal, even though she wants to forget it even happened.” Then it dawned on him that all of the times they spent together, conversations, hugs, and playful arguments, were actually just a front for the attraction he felt for her.
“You got it bad, man. I don’t remember you being this hung up on Terri, even though I was somewhat surprised you didn’t have women hanging from you when you were together.”
“You know, I was completely faithful to Terri. I never cheated on her no matter how much ass was thrown at me, and trust me, more was thrown at me than the number of baskets I made during my career. True, I did look and flirt. Now, I can do whatever and whoever, but it’s not fun anymore. I’m bored with those ding bat gold diggers. They never want to have a conversation about anything intelligent. This one chick had the audacity to ask me what the big hoopla was about the national deficit and why can’t the government just make more money at the Federal Reserve and pay off the country’s debts. Really? That’s the nonsense I have to hear. That’s why I just hit it and keep it moving. That’s the story of my life.” Rasheed dribbled the ball in a circle and then dribbled with it toward the other basket, shot a three-pointer, rebounded it, ran back to other end, and stopped at the free throw line and shot another basket.
Derek threw the ball back to him. “Bria isn’t like that.”
“I know. When I’m with her, I’m just me. I don’t have to impress her. I feel at home and at peace with my girl. We have fun. We talk about world issues, politics, and medical stuff. She’s so intelligent and a breath of fresh air to be around. She’s athletic and doesn’t complain about how she can’t break a sweat because she just got her hair done. She doesn’t get mad if she breaks a nail. She’s had the same Lexus SUV since medical school that her parents gave her and said she’s going to drive it until the wheels fall off. Hell, I bought Terri a brand new car every year we were together. Three cars!”
The men called it quits when the next group arrived to use the gym. They grabbed their things from the bleachers and headed out toward the parking lot while Rasheed stopped to sign a few autographs along the way.
“I meant to ask you earlier,” Derek said as he leaned on his black BMW. “How do you feel about Terri doing the reality show about the ex-athletes wives or something like that?”
“First of all, none of those women were ever wives, including Terri. She’s on basketball player number two, with three kids and no ring. I filed a motion for her not to mention my name on the show unless she wants to get sued and gi
ve back her parting gift that I gave her. The one I’m sure she has blown through on purses, shoes, and hair extensions.”
Derek opened his car door and tossed his jacket inside. “You do realize everyone in the world knows you were engaged to her. You weren’t exactly a bench warmer unlike her new baller that no one has heard of except to say that he has your leftovers.”
“True, but I don’t want any part of it.”
In his pocket, his cell phone rang “There Goes My Baby” by Usher. He smiled.
“Must be Bria.”
“Yep.”Rasheed pushed the unlock button on his key. His Bentley beeped three cars down.
“Interesting song choice,” Derek said sliding into the driver’s seat and closing the door. He waved and sped off.
Rasheed answered the call.
“What’s up, girl?”
“I think I’m going to be sick.”
“What?” He felt his adrenaline rise. “Baby, what do you need? What can I do?”
“Calm down. Not that kind of sick. I think I’m going to tell my family about my trip to Atlanta and the real reason why I’m going.”
“Girl, you scared me.” He started the car and headed toward his house in Midtown Memphis. “I was about to speed to you and rush you to the hospital. When are you going to tell them?”
“This afternoon during our weekly staff meeting. So I might as well face the music and then skip town so they can’t harass me.”
“Bree, you know what I admire about you the most? You’re a strong, independent, self-confident woman who is very focused on her career and goals. Alternative medicine is a passion of yours, so I say go in that meeting, look Dr. Daddy in the eye, and tell him how you feel. Be honest with the man. You never know. He may agree with you.”
She sighed and a tapping sound was in the background. He grinned. She always tapped her fingernail when she was in contemplation mode.
“All right. I will. Are we still on for bowling tonight? I may need to knock down a few pins to relieve some stress after this meeting.”
“Yep, and a few is all you’ll be knocking down since I win every time.”
“Whatever. I gotta go see a patient. Pray for me.”
“I always do.”
*****
“So, what else is on the agenda for today?” Cannon asked as he presided over the Arrington Family Specialists’ weekly staff meeting in the practice’s conference room.
Bria had sat numbly in her chair during the majority of the meeting while her siblings and parents discussed their latest patients’ issues and the doctors consulted and brainstormed with each other for positive solutions.
She glanced up from her doodling of stars and crescent moons on her notepad to find her brother Cannon staring at her with a curious expression.
“Bria, you haven’t said anything during the meeting. Is there something you need to discuss?”
She’d contemplated all day whether or not to mention her trip to Atlanta in a few days. The trip wouldn’t be a problem, but where she was going while there could be.
“Bria’s probably just excited about her one month vacation coming up,” her mother interjected, patting Bria’s hand. “She’s worked here for a year now and definitely deserves the break.”
She smiled at her mother’s comforting gesture. Her mother knew when she was quiet— which was rare, for Bria always had something to say—meant she was deep in thought over a matter of importance.
“Yes, Mother I’m excited about my vacation. I’m leaving for Atlanta the day after New years.” There, I said it. Well, not all of it.
“Atlanta, dear? I thought you were going to south Florida to get some sun.”
“Nope. I need to take care of some business.”
“Business?” her father asked. “What kind of business would you have there?”
She hesitated for a moment. She wasn’t expecting her father to question her in a harsh tone. He was usually in a pleasant mood. She cleared her throat and avoided eye contact with him.
“Well, you all remember my friend and mentor, Dr. Taylor Banneker. I haven’t seen her in ages, so I’m going to hang with her for the month, visit with the twins, and check out Taylor’s practice.”
“What kind of practice is it, dear?” her mother asked.
“Oh, it’s a women’s wellness center. There’s a dermatologist, an ObGyn, a dietician, and of course Taylor is a fertility specialist. The doctors there incorporate naturopathic approaches if necessary,” she said, still avoiding eye contact with her father and only looking at her mother. “So, I’m going to go check it out.”
Raven coughed and Sean simply whistled the Andy Griffith theme song quietly.
“Bria.” Her father cleared his throat as he placed his glasses on his salt and peppered hair. “While I’m proud that you have an interest in naturopathic approaches and you’ve even gone as far as becoming certified in some areas of that field, we don’t offer that here, so I fail to understand how going to Dr. Banneker’s wellness center will give you any ideas that you can bring back and incorporate, young lady.”
Bria hesitated to answer him as she looked around the conference table. Her father sat at the head of the table, with Sean and Raven flanked on either side of him. The three nurses sat on the side where Sean was and across from them were the receptionist and two medical assistants who looked as if they couldn’t wait for Bria to spill the tea so they could gossip about it later. Her mother, who sat at the opposite end of the table to her father, looked back and forth between Bria and her husband, while continuing to hold Bria’s hand. She sat to her mother’s left with Cannon sitting directly in front of her.
All eyes were on her except for Sean whose face held a serious expression as he typed something on his iPad. Probably trying to analyze me as always. Taking a deep breath, she remembered the pep talk Rasheed gave her that morning. She squeezed her mother’s hand for support as she answered her father in a professional tone and this time, gave him full eye contact.
“Well, Father, Taylor has an opening for an allergist with all of my qualifications and certifications which would allow me to still practice traditional medicine but incorporate alternative medicine as well.”
Dr. Francis Arrington stood and stared at Bria so hard she thought surely she would explode right there in her chair.
“Everybody out!”
Chapter Five
“Francis, go easy on her, dear,” Darla pleaded. She was the last person still left in the conference room. She placed a hand on her husband’s shoulder and gave Bria a comforting smile before leaving. Sean barged back in and grabbed his iPad from the table.
“Dad, I feel it is my duty to stay and take notes on this very crucial situation. As a psychiatrist, I may be able to figure out why your second youngest child is rebelling similar to how Shelbi was rebelling against you when she decided to become a food critic, forget all about starting her residency and flushing all of your money you paid for medical school down the toilet. Luckily, she came to her senses after I spoke to her, but this situation is different. I feel I can help you in this matter, Dr. Francis.” Sean used the name the siblings and staff called their father at the practice. Because there were seven Dr. Arrington’s, they used their first names with doctor added in front to not cause confusion amongst each other or the patients and staff.
“Son, what were you typing on your iPad earlier before I kicked everyone out?”
Sean gave a smirk and glanced at the tablet in his hands.
“All the names, the ones I remember, of the models I dated this year.”
“Sean, get out,” Bria said, before placing her head on the table. She was sort of hoping he could help, but his mind was clearly on his playboy lifestyle.
After Sean left, her father closed and locked the door. He sat back in his chair, which the siblings had dubbed his throne, since it was slightly bigger than the rest of the chairs around the conference table.
“So, how serious are you about
leaving our family practice that your mother and I started for our children and move to Atlanta and work for someone else?” Dr. Francis asked.
“Daddy, I’m just going to go check it out. I haven’t made any promises.”
“Bria, this is our family business. Your mother and I worked hard to be able to start the practice over ten years ago with the hopes that all of our children would eventually work here and then run it when we retire in a few years. Who knows, maybe our grandchildren will be doctors here as well.”
“Daddy, I’m not saying I want to stop practicing traditional medicine. I just want to incorporate an alternative method for some patients who would greatly benefit from it.”
“I do not agree with your decision to leave our family practice.”
“So let me incorporate it here.”
“Out of the question. We’re a traditional medical practice. All that voodoo who doo isn’t what we’re about.”
She had really hoped her father would change with the times, but he’d always been a traditionalist in everything not just medicine.
“Dad, it isn’t voodoo. Just alternative methods such as taking evening primrose oil to lessen hot flashes in women during menopause or acupuncture to regulate hormones. Sometimes, it’s something simple like cutting dairy or white processed foods out of your diet to stop joint pain. More people are open to alternative medicine, and there are doctors who incorporate both.”
“Bria, this is my practice, and you will not offer anything but traditional medicine here. What you’re trying to do isn’t real medicine anyway.”
“Then I’ll have to leave because I’m not going to stay and have you dictate what I can and can’t do since it’s your practice.” She couldn’t believe she’d just spoken to her dad like that, but she was passionate about it and wanted her father to realize she was serious. “Taylor has already offered me a position.”
