Lyfe Changing

by Desirae Williams

  “What’s going on Des?” Cat asked nearly spilling her drink. I took a minute to look at them and how beautiful they were. Cat was wearing a silk gown which was hot blossom pink and matched well with her smooth brown skin. “Nothing’s wrong…but where is Luce?” I asked confused. They all gave each other the disappointing eye before answering me. “Oh you know grandma Lucy doesn’t want to go anywhere with us anymore…” Alayah wined. She of course stole the show with her sleek badge ensemble leaving little to the imagination. “Especially without Grant…” Meg hinted while taking a sip of champagne. Meg’s gown was a plain v neck cut dress covered in black velvet, but what made her stand out was her diamond accessories and slicked back hair which exposed her beautiful face. I groaned. “Oh come on, it’s been months since she filed for divorce she needs to get out and meet new people…I’m going to call her.”

  “Don’t bother we’ve tried, four times, she’s not picking up.” Cat stopped me. I shrugged. “Fine…well let her wallow in her misery for tonight.” The girls looked around and scoped the place out. Everything was very well put together and glamorized for the event. The paintings were set out for public view, there was plenty of food and drinks to go around, and on top of that Ana Marie was stealing the crowd with her lovely voice. She performed onstage looking as wonderful as she sang. She stood about 5’7, light brown skin, sandy brown dread locked hair pulled into a bun, and a shimmering gold dress that hung around her petite frame leaving everyone in awe of her, but not even Anna Marie could take me out of this stupor. “I got to hand it to you Des this event is magnificent…everything looks so beautiful.” Cat complemented. “Umm…Hmm.” They all agreed. “Thanks.”

  I answered as I continued to look around. “Girl if you look at those front doors one more time I know something. Who are you looking for?” Cat asked bluntly. I tried to play my actions off knowing that I had been caught. “Nobody…just making sure everyone is having a good time.” “Umm…Hmm. We know you’re looking for the convict…stop playing.” Alayah chuckled. “What are you talking about?” I said defensively trying to masque my true feelings. “You can’t hide anything from us. We know you still miss your little felon…I’m mean fellow.” Cat beamed making me regret telling them all of my personal business. I stared at them coldly.

  “You lucky we are among witnesses.” I groaned. “Yeah, yeah, now get to the details have you heard anything from him?” Meg asked more perked up. I shrugged. “Nothing…it’s been two whole weeks and I have heard absolutely nothing.” I whined. “Oh honey?” Alayah comforted me. “I know… I know I should just let it go right.” They all groaned and shook their heads. “Oh c’mon Des you are falling right into the lion’s den head first.” Cat whined. “I didn’t plan this…” I protested.

  “You didn’t stop it either…this fool knows he has you in the bag and that is probably why he hasn’t come by sense.” Alayah sipped on some more wine looking at me disappointedly. “Well if you all know everything why are you asking me all these damn question.” I picked up a glass of champagne and quickly chugged it down. “Were trying to get you to see what you’re doing?” Meg protested. “You’re so worried about chasing after Derricks ass but not giving a good man like James the time a day.” I scoffed. “James...with all his crazy business talk and ass kissing…if I have to be around him another minute I may kill myself.” They chuckled a little. “Look Des James may have his faults but his track record may prove to be more to your benefit than Derricks.” Cat said touching my shoulder. “C’mon girl use wisdom.”

  I took another sip of champagne and nodded. “Fine…fine I will try to stomach him for a little while longer but if starts talking about the pitfalls government assistance again I’m going to smash a champagne bottle over his head and run for the border.” They all giggled and wished me luck as I unwillingly strolled back over to James side. I’m surprised he even noticed that I had come up. “Oh honey I’m glad you’re here…this is Peter Burges he’s head of the Waterfront Company in Manhattan.” James said while pulling me closer to him. “Peter this is Destiny Witt, she owns the gallery and she put this whole shindig together…she has even featured a few of her own pieces.” I couldn’t believe I did it either but for the first time I showcased some of my very own work. It was a few older paintings that really inspired me, the reception of them had been really good, and made me glad I decided to share a part of myself with everyone. I shook hands with the older man politely and smiled. He had silver hair, a thin framed build, and old pale grey eyes. Typical rich New Yorker I figured. “Nice to meet you Ms. Witt.” He grinned. “I have seen some of your work, you’re very talented.” He held unto my hand a lot longer than I was comfortable with. “And you as well.” I said finally pulling away.

  That didn’t stop him from laying on some cheesy come on. “James failed to mention how beautiful you are.” I forced a smile to his compliment. “Thank you.” The older man continued to stare me down in an inappropriate manner as if I were some call girl being paid to entertain him. “You know I was thinking maybe you can tell me about your gallery and how you put this whole party together a little later on this evening…I have nice home outside off the city I think you would enjoy.” My eyes narrowed when I realized where this conversation was going. Did this bastard really expect me to go home with him? I looked to James to see if he heard the same thing I did but he was still nodding and smiling. “I’m sure she wouldn’t mind.” He said while leaning and placing a small kiss on my cheek.

  I really fought the urge to show out in front of all these people by slapping both these dummies but my better judgment took hold of me and I decided to just walk away. I swallowed hard unable to take this degrading any longer. “Will you gentlemen please excuse me…I think I am going to vomit.” I forced a faint smile and left without hesitation I couldn’t believe what was happening; nobody has ever made me feel this way in my life. I was so floored, I wanted to disappear into the background rather than endure this torture any longer.

  Derrick

  I made my way inside the gallery. The place was extremely extravagant, more than usual for the charity ball. People where everywhere dressed up in their finest gowns and suits, flashing their money around for the world to see. I quickly grabbed a glass of champagne knowing I would need it by the end of the night…dealing with all this bougie ass people. I walked into the front area and saw all the paintings that were on display. I had to admit that there was a lot of talent being presented which showed something I had never seen before. Clay models and sculpture pieces were among the many art pieces being displayed, but a collision of paintings in the fore front stopped me dead in my tracks. It was a collage of the same meaning but explained in different ways in multiple red coloring.

  The first painting was of a woman and a child, the next woman to woman, man to man, and finally man to woman all showing the different layers of love. They were all beautiful paintings, very detailed and particularly done down to the angles and coloring already letting me know who created these pieces. I smiled at the thought of Destiny showcasing something she loved to do and I personally wanted to congratulate her for being brave and taking a chance. I made my way through the crowd of people searching for my special lady when I heard a familiar voice startle me. “Brother Derrick…I was hoping you would have showed up tonight.”

  I nearly dropped my champagne glass as Pastor Wallace approached me. I quickly hid the glass behind my back as he came closer. “Hey Pastor…how are you doing?” I asked innocently. Pastor Wallace strolled over in his bright red church suit catching everybody’s attention with no shame. “Blessed…blessed…and kindly favored… and very pleased to see you here this evening.” He said giving me hug. “Well I promised you I would make an appearance.” Pastor nodded. “Aint nothing like a man who can keep his word…who stands by the word…and teaches the word to others.” I continued to nod as he spoke wondering how long it would be before he grabbed a mic and started praise dancing in front of everybody.
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  “I just wanna say how proud I am of you Brother Derrick…” Pastor patted my shoulder. “You have come a mighty long way…” I shook his hand and smiled. “Thank you Pastor…” “But don’t bother hiding that champagne glass from me…you should be more concerned about hiding it from God. Enjoy your night Brother Derrick.” He said while walking away to greet other attendants. I just shook my head and sat my glass down as he walked away. I began to scan the crowd and got a few flirty looks from some very attractive women but there was only one woman I was looking for.

  When I finally spotted Destiny a sudden nervousness spread over me. She looked indescribably beautiful. She wore a form fitting red gown, her hair was pinned up, and a diamond necklace hung around her neck. I loosened the collar around my throat trying to breathe easier as I got ready to approach her. I didn’t know why I was so nervous but the way she looked tonight had me shook. As I came closer I ended up stopping as I saw another man come across the floor and pull her into his arms. Who the hell was he? I watched him touch her and whisper in her ear and it was making my blood boil, I wanted to throttle this fool.

  I felt so dejected, here I am all dressed up among the most uppity ass black people you would ever meet, and the only woman I wanted to be with was all up on somebody else…aint that a bitch. As Mr. Wonderful left her side she saw that I was standing behind her. Before she could say anything I quickly pulled the closest pretty thing next to me in my arms. “Hey Ms. Lady…” I smiled at the caught off guard honey brown skinned woman looking up at me. “Mind if I get a dance?” The young lady smoothed her bangs from her doe eyes and smiled. “Ummm….ok.” As I guided her to the dance floor I noticed Destiny staring us down as if she wanted to murder us both. I pretended I didn’t notice giving all my attention to the woman who introduced herself as Lisa.

  We two stepped for the next fifteen minutes until I saw Destiny disappear amongst the crowd. Although Lisa seemed completely interested in me and was stunningly beautiful in her shimmering cinnamon gown, I couldn’t help but feel bad about Destiny. So after politely dismissing her to the side I walked amongst the crowd in search of her.

  I finally spotted her in the corner of the lobby sipping from a glass of champagne. “Had enough yet?” I asked, sensing that she was a little off as if she were tipsy. Destiny finally brought her eyes up to mine and sighed. “Well I guess you don’t waste any time huh?” She asked sarcastically. I wasn’t too taken aback by her anger being that she was playing the field too. “Yeah and I guess you don’t either.” Destiny chuckled a bit then just shook her head. “Typical…” “What’s typical?” I said sternly not liking the fact that she seemed to be throwing daggers my way. “You…” She pointed at me stumbling a bit. “You are so damn typical. You are exactly who I thought you were with your smug tired ass.” She berated. “You manipulate and play off women’s feelings and emotions…and when you’re done with them you just move on to the next one. So what do you want now huh? You want to gloat? You want to brag? What do you want from me now Derrick?” Destiny asked. The nerve of her, as if she had a halo and wings while I was standing with horns and a pitch fork….bullshit. “Don’t you even stand your ass right in front of me as if you weren’t in another man’s face as soon as I walked in the building.” “That’s was…” “No shut up…” I said sternly. Destiny looked at me as if I had lost my mind. “Excuse me.”

  “No I am not going to excuse you. There is no excuse for you. I swear woman you got some damn nerve to talk about me fooling around when you’re trifling ass was just doing the same thing.”

  “Derrick…”

  “I’m not finished. Now first of all the only reason I came here tonight was to apologize for what happened between us but thank God I didn’t.”

  I just shook my head looking at her in disgust. “This was clearly a mistake and a waste of my time, goodnight.” I turned to walk away from her when her nails dug into my suit jacket. “Have you lost your damn mind?!” She said louder than was necessary, which let me know she was more than a little bit on the tipsy side. “I haven’t seen you in weeks and when you finally decide to make an appearance you have the nerve to question me about another guy! You obnoxious bastard!”

  “Look…”

  “No you shut up.” She yelled cutting me off.

  “Who the hell do you think you are? Did you honestly think I was going to sit in wait for you to finally get a damn clue? Well I didn’t, as a matter of fact I’m glad I went out with someone else tonight then your trifling ass.” I just stood and listened as she spewed out her venom at me and as a crowd started to form around us. Destiny turned to walk away from me but I quickly took her to a quiet space and firmly grabbed her shoulders in an attempt to calm her down. “Listen to me…look I know I have been gone for a minute but shit I have been busy…” “Busy doing what…jumping from girl to girl…tell me something Derrick do you keep a schedule or something…you must have had me pinned in for Saturdays now that you’re here.”

  I try to ignore her drunken rants in order to keep more onlookers from coming near us. “You heard what I said I have been busy…I’m sorry if you thought my life revolved around you…I can’t be there every second of the day like you want me to be.” I stared down at Destiny, her pretty face wore a mean scowl but most of all she looked pretty hurt. “Derrick I’m not asking you to be around all the time… but I’m damn sure not asking you to pop up every blue moon…do you know how long I waited to hear from you?”

  “Well your ass couldn’t have been that fucking lonely you here with somebody else.” I yelled pointing back in old boy’s direction. “He’s not…it’s not what you think.” She tried to explain. “Well what the hell is it then?” I asked her sternly. Destiny hung her head down and took sip of her drink. “He just asked me to go to the event with him that’s it…” I still kept a stern gaze on her. “And what about you?” She asked.

  “You didn’t look too lonely with the chick wearing the dental floss dress.” “Oh please…” I sighed.

  “That was just to pass time and you know it.”

  “What’s the damn difference?”

  There was a moment of silence before either of us spoke. “The difference is I came here to be with you tonight and it really upset me when I saw you with someone else.” I told her honestly. Destiny looked at me sadly, as I looked at her I saw something I had never seen between us before…vulnerability.

  I leaned down and placed a full kiss on her beautiful lips, something I had wanted to do all night. We both got so into it Destiny dropped her wine glass which shattered on the floor. The heat was building up so strong between us I had to pull away before we exploded. As we both caught our breathe I leaned my chin against her forehead. “D…Derrick” She tried to speak but I cut her off. “Shhhh…don’t say anything…don’t say anything. Let’s just go.” I released her from my grip and pulled her to the exit. Destiny tried to protest. “Derrick wait we can’t just leave…” I turned around and looked her, her face full of uncertainty on whether or not she should leave with me. “Destiny…lets go.” I repeated. With no more hesitation she grabbed my hand as we made our exit.

  15

  Regrets and Remembrance

  Destiny

  I slightly moaned as I moved around in my bed. I didn’t know why but for some reason I felt so well rested and relaxed. It was like I had spent months at a spa in Jamaica. I turned over as the sun beamed into my eyes blinding me for the moment. “Oh God…” I groaned as the headache from all the champagne I had consumed set in. I felt a sudden chill run across my bare skin and suddenly felt nervous. I looked down under my satin red sheets and realized I was naked and completely freaked. “Oh my God…” I shot up and covered myself as I looked around my room to see if my lover was still there.

  When it appeared that I was alone I breathed a sigh of relief. Given a few minutes my foggy memory attempted to come back to me. I was at the charity ball with James….I wasn’t having any fun….I saw Derrick and….Oh n
o. I thought as I plopped back down in bed. We had sex…we had sex…I couldn’t believe we actually did it.

  I rubbed my sore head unable to stop the flowing visions of Derrick and I in the car, in the elevator, on the bed….on the floor. My face felt hot and I was embarrassed not wanting to believe all the things I had done with him. “I feel like the biggest whore in the world.” I mumbled shaking my head. I looked over to the pillow beside me and wondered if that was were Derrick rested his head if only for a moment. I turned to my side and held it wishing it was him. I pretended I was laying on his chest breathing in his scent while his hands ran up and down my lower back caressing my skin. I smiled at the idea of it all until my thoughts were interrupted by my cell phone ringing. I quickly got up, retrieved my silk robe, and dug into my purse belongings which were scattered all over the floor. “Hello…” I answered surprised at how hoarse my voice sounded. “Hey what happened to you last night?” Realizing the familiarity of the voice on the other line I figured there was no real emergency.

  “Marisol…what’s up? What’s going on?”

  “What’s going on? What’s going on is you left the charity ball without publicly thanking all the guest, or announcing the earnings, and without closing up. What happened to you?”