Single Ladies 7 & 8: That's What Friends Are For

by Blake Karrington

  “So, I guess this is it, right?” she asked, looking over at Lamar. “This is how we end, huh?”

  Lamar walked over and took a seat next to her on the bed. This wasn’t easy for him by far, and in the past week, he had considered every possible outcome.

  The one thing that tipped the scale was the abortion, and no matter what Kim did to make up for that, Lamar didn’t think that he could ever forgive her for it. She aborted his first child, without even discussing it with him. Some men in this world wouldn’t have cared much, but Lamar was different. He didn’t have a family and the moment when he was about to create one of his own, Kim took that away from him.

  On the other hand, Falisha was giving him back what Kim stole from him, and for that, Lamar planned to be there for her and the baby. And possibly salvaging any chance of giving their prior relationship another chance. Sometimes a baby could do one or two things, it could either tear people apart or bring them together, and both Falisha and Lamar were hoping it would do the latter

  “I’m sorry, shawty,” Lamar said, then got up and walked out of the room.

  __________

  Darious sat outside on the backyard deck drinking a Corona, watching Anthony and his friends play in the swimming pool. Tammy came out with Sinniyyah on her hip, yelling at Anthony to be careful before joining Darious under the canopy. After going to the Grand Jury on Wednesday, the DEA would be coming to arrest Darious any day now, and serve him with an indictment. Although she was backed into a corner and pretty much forced to do what she did, guilt still hit her like a ton of bricks. Not only did she feel guilty, she also felt disloyal and untrustworthy, among other things. All the good that happened in her life over the past few months, was on the account of Darious being her man. New car, new house, new clothes, and a higher level of maturity, was all because of him. She couldn’t deny it, he made her a better person, and despite what Agent Grant said about him not loving her, Tammy was convinced that he did.

  “I need to talk to you,” Tammy said to Darious as she put Sinniyyah in her swing.

  “If it’s about the DEA, you don’t have to say anything,” Darious responded, not taking his focus off the kids in the pool.

  Tammy looked over at Darious in shock. “Wait, wait, how do you know about the DEA?” she asked.

  Darious explained to her that one night while she was asleep, he went to get her phone out of her Gucci bag, so that he could get one of his client’s number. He had found the recording device and the camera attached to the inside of her bag. He figured that the Feds had gotten to her, probably during one of the drop-offs, and had her working since then.

  “Then last week I followed you when you told me that you were going to get ya nails done. You just had gotten them done a few days earlier, so I knew that was a lie. When I saw you get into the back seat of the unmarked car, I almost ran for the hills,” Darious said, taking a swig of his beer.

  “So why didn’t you run? Why are you waiting around to go to jail?” Tammy asked.

  Darious finally took his eyes off the pool, taking off his sunglasses and putting them and his Corona on the table.

  “Come ’ere,” he said, motioning with his head for Tammy to come and sit on his lap.

  She got up from her seat and sat down between his legs on the beach chair. He wrapped his arms around her and laid her head on his chest, then kissed her forehead.

  “I chose to stay because of you. Whether you believe me or not, I really do love you, Tammy, and I can’t imagine me living life without you.”

  “So you’d rather go to jail?”

  Darious laughed. “I’m not goin’ to jail, or if I do, it shouldn’t be for long,” he replied.

  “I don’t understand. What are you saying?” Tammy asked, sitting up and giving Darious a confused look.

  “After I found out that you were working with the feds, I turned myself in and cut a deal. I’m not as high up on the totem pole as they thought I was. They want the doctor and the rest of the hospital staff he has working for him. I told the DEA that if they left you out of it, I’ll help them. That means no charges will be brought against you, and you don’t have to do anything for them anymore.

  “Damn, babe, dis shit is deeper than what I thought,” Tammy said, lying back down on his chest.

  “Yeah, well, the doctor don’t pay me enough, so I work for the feds now,” Darious said, reaching over and grabbing his Corona off the table.

  Through it all, Tammy still couldn’t figure out for the love of God why Darious would want to be with her after everything she had done. As she sat there laid up on his chest, the only thing that she could think of, which made no sense at all, was the fact that Darious must have loved her as much as he said he did. From that day forth, Tammy would no longer question the love Darious had for her, and never, will he ever have to prove it again.

  __________

  Lisa sat down on the toilet looking at the First Response pregnancy test she had bought earlier. For the past few days, she had been feeling nauseous and weak, and at first she thought that it might have been from the funeral and all the stress that came along with it, but then Lisa looked at the calendar and saw that she was at least a week late.

  “Mommy, I gotta pee,” Naomi yelled, knocking on the door.

  “Here I come, Nay Nay,” Lisa shouted back as she ripped open the box.

  Lisa urinated on the little white stick then stuck the cap back on. She got up off the toilet in the nick of time, because Naomi burst through the door. She did her little potty dance, dropping her pants to the floor and almost falling into the toilet when she sat down. Lisa stood by the sink trying to hold her laugh in, looking over at half of Naomi’s body sunk into the toilet as she swung her legs back and forth.

  “Mommy is sorry,” Lisa apologized.

  After waiting the two minutes for the results, Lisa looked down at the test in her hand. It came back negative and Lisa felt both relieved and sad. She kind of hoped that she would have been pregnant just one last time by Ralphy. He always wanted a boy, and Lisa always used to promise him that she would give him one, no matter how many times it took. Being able to keep that promise would have meant a lot to her, but looking over at Naomi, looking just like her dad, Lisa’s heart was content with just one.

  __________

  Kim stood curbside, watching as the movers took several storage bins out of the house and loaded them into the moving van. It really didn’t take long, since Lamar wasn’t going with her, so she had a few minutes to blow. Not knowing if she would ever be coming back, Kim took one good look around Walton Ave., the block where she was practically born and raised.

  Tires screeching caused her to turn her head. It was Tammy, turning onto the block as though she had sped the whole way there. At the same time, Lamar came out of the house and walked down the steps. He had a stressed look on his face, but walked up to Kim and gave her a hug.

  “You take care of yourself out there, and don’t hesitate to call me if you need anything, Lamar said.

  “Here!” Kim said, attempting to take off the engagement ring.

  “Nah, you hold on to it for now,” Lamar shot back.

  Kim smiled and put the ring back on her finger. “Yeah, well maybe you can come visit me sometimes,” Kim said with a smile, trying to hold back her tears.

  “All you gotta do is say when.” Lamar replied, removing the hair from in front of her face.

  He leaned in and kissed her lips, and at first Kim wanted to pull away, but she couldn’t. She didn’t know if she’d ever kiss him again, and if it was going to be her last, she wanted to make it her best. It was slow, soft and wet, and during the whole time, Kim kept her eyes open.

  “Aight y’all two!” Tammy yelled, walking up and separating them.

  Lamar looked into Kim’s eyes then cracked a smile before walking off. He didn’t want to stick around and watch her leave, because in all actuality, he really didn’t want her to go. He
had a lot of love for Kim, and after having a heart to heart conversation with her an hour earlier, Lamar realized that underneath all the anger he had inside of him about the abortion, their love had made an impact on his life that he would never forget.

  “So are you ready?” Tammy asked, reaching out for Kim’s hand. “I mean, are you really ready to leave us?”

  “Yeah. I’m a little nervous, but I’m ready,” Kim answered with a smile. “I’ma miss y’all,” she whined.

  “BITCH, YOU BETTER NOT LEAVE WITHOUT SAYING GOODBYE!” Lisa yelled out coming off her porch with Naomi by her side.

  She walked over and gave Kim a big hug. Naomi did the same. “What’s his problem?” Lisa asked, pointing up the street at Lamar leaning against his car with his head down. “He looks sick.”

  “HE’S AN ASSHOLE!” Tammy yelled so Lamar could hear her.

  They all laughed a little.

  “No, he’ll be all right. He has more important things to worry about right now.”

  “Girl, don’t get to Philly and forget about us,” Lisa said.

  “Shit, I’m flying y’all in as soon as I get right. We gon’ tear the clubs up,” Kim responded, doing a little dance.

  One of the movers got out of the van, holding his watch up in the air. “Your flight leaves in two hours, and we gotta be hitting the road,” he rushed.

  “SHE’S COMING!” a voice yelled from across the street.

  It was Falisha, making her way across the road. Kim, Tammy, and Lisa all got quiet, praying that Falisha didn’t ruin the mood. When she got across the street, she walked up and stood right in front Kim who looked her in the eyes. They both had a mean mug on their faces, and for everybody that was standing there, it became awkward. Falisha stared at Kim as long as she could before she broke first, cracking a huge smile. Kim smiled then they both hugged. Lisa and Tammy were relieved.

  “You make sure ya ass is back here for ya goddaughter’s baby shower,” Falisha spoke into her ear as she continued to hug Kim.

  “Promise I will,” Kim said, wiping the tears from her face. “I love you guys,” she whined, bringing everybody in for a group hug.

  There wasn’t a dry eye within the crowd. The friendship and the bond that these four women had was like no other. From toddlers to adults, they went through the challenges of life, leaning on each other for support. They were the true definition of friends, and as they watched Kim’s van pull off down the street with her inside of it, a piece of their hearts was leaving right along with her. A piece that would never be replaced.

  Sneak Peek

  Too Much is Never Enough

  Xyion Walker

  Coming Soon!

  Love Gives Us Courage

  A light tap on the door indicated that the time had come. “Love gives me courage,” Sabrina said as she checked her appearance one last time.

  Her hand trembled slightly as she smoothed imaginary wrinkles from her pearl colored satin dress. With a bright smile, she opened the door and stepped into the small vestibule.

  “You are still the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.” Greg said as he took her arm and tucked it into his.

  “I love you. That will never change. You are my first and you will be my last. You know that, don’t you?”

  “You are all I have ever wanted. I promised ten years ago to grant you the desires of your heart, and I intend to honor that promise until my dying day.”

  Sabrina blinked rapidly. Unshed tears rose to the surface and fought for release. I don’t deserve this man. He doesn’t deserve this. Her arms wrapped around his waist and they held each other tightly. As the first organ chords wafted through the closed double doors, they sighed simultaneously. Physically, they released each other, but they held on tighter in their hearts.

  The doors opened and they walked down the aisle with their heads held high. Memories of their first wedding accompanied them as they looked at the empty rows. There were no proud parents or envious friends and family in the room. On this day, in the small rented chapel, only four people filled the space.

  Joy, Sabrina’s best friend, waited for them at the altar. She wore a navy blue pinstriped pantsuit with a powder blue blouse underneath. Sabrina smiled weakly at her, and Joy winked in return.

  Finally, Sabrina locked eyes with the other person waiting at the altar. The love and pride that shone in his eyes bolstered her strength. “Love gives us courage.” He mouthed to her.

  She squeezed Greg’s arm and walked a little faster down the aisle. In her heart, she knew that this was her destiny. It was a blessing to have the utter and complete devotion of two amazing men.

  As they reached the altar, Shemar stepped forward and man hugged Greg. Then, he took his place next to Sabrina. The three of them faced Joy, who opened a small book and began to read.

  “Where there is love, pain is fleeting.

  Life has true meaning, and we are blessed.

  Love is bold, powerful, unrelenting.

  Surrender is the ultimate healing.

  Love transcends good, evil and everything in between.

  Where there is love, there is light. For darkness cannot live.

  Unselfish, love does not exist until it is shared.

  We are created to love; it is what we must do.”

  That afternoon, in the historic Century Wedding Chapel, Greg and Shemar stood as men, and vowed to love, honor and cherish Sabrina for the rest of her days. She vowed to cling only unto them and to love both of them with her whole heart.

  Chapter One – In a Masquerade

  It was quiet inside the limousine as it sped toward O’Hare airport. Shemar sat next to Sabrina, while Greg sat across from them. Now that the wedding was over, and they were officially a trio, no one seemed quite sure how to act.

  Shemar glanced over a Greg, trying to read his thoughts. He couldn’t imagine being in his position. In his eyes, Greg was a punk to allow another man to move into his home and marry his wife. But, what does that make you? You’re sharing a woman too. Shemar ignored the voice inside his head. In his mind, he had simply fallen in love with another man’s wife. He didn’t mean to, but that is just how it happened. Sabrina was like no other woman he had ever met. She excited him, inspired him, and frustrated him at the same time. As the Chicago skyline raced by, Shemar reflected on the day he met Sabrina.

  From the moment she opened the door and said in her rich toned voice, “May I help you?” he was mesmerized.

  Her voice had a musical quality to it that seemed to ignite all of his senses at once. As an artist, he was intrigued by her look. She was tall; at least 5’10”, and her five-inch heels elevated her to amazon stature. Her cinnamon brown skin seemed to glow underneath her perfectly applied makeup, and the plum colored wrap dress that she wore fit her body to perfection. A wild mane of sandy brown curls completed her look. Confidence and warmth seemed to radiate from her. It was an interesting combination that Shemar found intoxicating.

  “Umm, er… I… uh…” Shemar cleared his throat and tried again. “I am here to place the painting that Mrs. Dejongue commissioned for the great room.”

  “Yes, I’ve been expecting you. Lela isn’t here, but I’m Sabrina, her interior designer. I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.” Amusement danced at the corners of her lush lips as she watched the handsome young man try to compose himself.

  “My bad… umm, I apologize. My name is Shemar.” He still hadn’t crossed the threshold into the house.

  “Pleased to meet you, Shemar,” Sabrina said as she extended her hand.

  When their fingers connected, an electric current flowed through both of their bodies. For a few seconds, the house, his van in the driveway, and the street all faded into the background as they stared at each other in amazement.

  “Penny for your thoughts,” Sabrina patted his knee and whispered.

  “I was just thinking about the day we met.”

  “It was a memorable day,�
�� she said quietly. Before he could respond, she leaned forward and touched Greg’s knee. “Honey, how long is our layover in L.A.?” she asked, speaking a little too loudly for the small space.

  Sabrina’s smooth change of subject was not lost on Shemar. It irritated him, but he shrugged it off. The fact remained that he was there to stay, and Greg was going to have to get used to it. He was her husband now, and he was not going to tip toe around a grown man’s feelings.

  “We have thirty five minutes in L.A., and we arrive in Maui at 9:30.” Greg said without looking up from his iPad.

  “Where are we staying again?”

  “Sabrina, all of the information is right there in your purse. I’m a little busy right now, if you hadn’t noticed.”

  “Fine, Greg. Sorry to interrupt your work.” Sabrina said and folded her arms across her chest.

  He is making this almost too easy. He’ll be gone soon, and then, Sabrina and I can live happily off his money. Shemar thought, as he observed the exchange between Greg and his wife.

  Chapter Two - Everything She Wants

  Sabrina knew that Greg was just sulking, and not overly involved in his work. That was his M.O. He was an expert at avoidance. In the fifteen years they’d been together, Greg had never told her no. Sure, he had not always agreed with her, but he always went along in the end. The phrase, ‘go along to get along,’ pretty much summed up his life. He had learned early on from watching his parents’ marriage, that resistance was futile when it came to dealing with women. His mother had run roughshod over his father until the day he died.

  Most women would say that Sabrina was crazy as hell to risk losing a man like Greg, for a younger, damn near starving artist. But they didn’t know Greg like she knew him, and they most certainly hadn’t experienced Shemar’s lovemaking. Sabrina knew that she was being selfish, but hell, ‘you only live once’ was her motto. She was used to getting exactly what she wanted, and this time should be no different. Really, was it her fault that neither man could bear the thought of living without her?