My Cup Runs Over: The Ultimate and Final Deception

by Will Brown

“Hello Darnell, I just walked into the room. Your timing is perfect. Can you bear with me while I get a few things organized?”

  "I can call you back later if you’d like.” Darnell wanted to pacify her if at all possible.

  “I thought you would want to talk to me since we really haven’t had much time. What’s going on?”

  "I know you’ve been a little upset. I just want us to move forward..." Darnell added some sexy to his voice, hoping the concern would convince her he was serious about them going forward.

  “Well, let’s just move on from that. We’re still learning each other and it’s been a little hectic for both of us.” T-Bird was containing her excitement, still skeptical about Darnell's honesty.

  “Thanks bae, I really needed to hear that from you. Thing have been crazy since I returned from Miami.”

  “Speaking of Miami, did you see your family while you were there?”

  “No I didn’t. I was so caught up in doing the interview I didn’t have a chance to call anyone. Come on. I already feel guilty enough. Don’t make me feel any worse.”

  Once again T-Bird found that hard to believe. He'd been right in his own city yet didn't find the time to call his family? Something just didn't add up.

  “Babe, my show starts at 7:30, so I think I’d better wind down and relax for a while. I’ll call you tomorrow before I leave for Detroit. When we leave there we'll be heading to Cleveland then returning to New Jersey and N.Y.”

  “That sounds fine. I’ll talk to you then,” he said, before ending their call.

  T-Bird laid across the bed trying to gather her thoughts about the conversation with Darnell. However, it wasn't long before Desiree was calling also.

  “Hey girl! How is everything there in Chi Town? I know you’re doing your thing!”

  “I sure am cuz! It’s good to hear your voice. The show was a smash. By the way, I just talked to Darnell. Cuz, I need to have one of those heart to heart talks with you again.”

  “Okay... sure. What’s up?”

  "Well, it seems as if every time I talk to Darnell I get this uncomfortable feeling. I think there’s something he’s not telling me.”

  “Cuz, I’ve already talked to Darnell and everything is fine. I think this job and falling head over hills after meeting you has put more on him than he can bare... I hope you not getting crazy cause he putting that love thang on you? Come on, you can tell me the truth?”

  They both began to laugh as T-Bird responded. “Yeah, I put the love thing on him but he giving it back to me too. I still don’t know, though. There’s something I can't put my finger on right now. I wish I knew what it was; I just pray God reveals it to me an soon. There’s just too much at stake and if JJ's opinion of him turns out to be true, I will never forgive myself.”

  “Girl chill out, everything is fine. You are trippin! Nothing is going to go wrong and if it does, he better leave town. I’ve already warned him to do the right thing and he promised he would. The only thing I can do is believe what he said...” Desiree was not about to share what she'd heard without concrete proof.

  “Thanks for the encouragement cuz. You always seemed to have the right words at the right time.”

  “Hey, it’s gonna to be all good. Look, I have to go. I’ve got a meeting at 6 p.m. I just wanted to drop you a line to see how things were going. I’ll holla,” Desiree said preparing to end their call.

  “Girl, you know you crazy. I’m going to get some rest before the show tonight. I’ll chat with you later...”

  ________________________

  Seven o’clock and everyone was in the lobby waiting for the bus to pick them up, headed to the theater for another sold out performance. The manager from the restaurant, who'd received the free tickets, was there sitting in the front row along with his wife and another couple. Just as he did the night before, Little Joe was making tears fall from his jokes.

  “I haven’t seen no shit like this in a long time. Fucking woman fainting and shit! Shit! Can I get security after the show too? What the hell! Damn, if I had a bag and held it upside down, it wouldn’t matter who fell out first. This has been a great show! Well, one thing for sure, if All State, was sponsoring this event, they would definitely tell you, you’re in good hands! All right, there’s no since in delaying the show any further. We might as well keep the momentum because we got it going on Got dammit! ”

  The minute Little Joe finished announcing T-Bird’s name, the lights went dim. Suddenly a beam of white light shined on the middle of the stage, capturing the guitar player sitting in a highchair. He began to play. The sound from the guitar seemed to set the atmosphere as the spotlight radiated around him. You could hear a pin drop on cotton. The mood was so surreal as T-bird continued to deliver her all to the audience. Afterwards, she brought all the acts back and pointed at Little Joe.

  “Do you see this guy? He is absolutely terrific and we’re taking him with us Chicago! We’re ready to leave now but we’ll be back.” She said, waving to the audience.

  When everyone arrived back at the hotel, Andre presented her with a check for all to see totaling $290,000.00, which included performances for two nights. Since T-Bird own the entire tour, there was no middle man eating all of her profits. Thanks to Shaun, she'd learned very fast how to keep all her money.

  Later, in her dressing room, she received a call from Vivian, telling her about the progress of the foundation and that another check came into the office in the amount of $25,000.00.

  “You also have a letter here from the City. Would you like me to read it?”

  “I sure would.. go ahead. Tell me what it says.”

  “Oh my God, T, you’ll never believe this!”

  “Never believe what? Tell, tell me what it says girl!”

  Vivian could barely catch her breathe while she tried to read the letter. “Okay. It says..."

  "On behalf of the City Council Board for the City of Newark, New Jersey, we the Council Members, award Tamara Robinson, President of said foundation R.E.A.C.T. the total amount of $1, 000000.00. This said total amount is being granted to your foundation on behalf of the Urban Development and Grants Program, sponsored and funded by the State of New Jersey. The said check is to be used for the implementation of programs focused on higher learning and education for students being trained at the foundation, R.E.A.C.T. Also, the following companies, EBI Technologies, Image Plus and Video-Technologies, would like to sponsor twelve certified instructors, three from each entity in their field of expertise, recently obtaining their licenses and are willing to temporarily assist you, in the execution and implementation of training and skill development in the field of computer software and repair, data processing, film production and graphic designs, until such time as you can employ the necessary qualified personnel to assume their positions. Thus creating an official school of business for individuals who lack the necessary skills to seek or qualify for a skilled set environment with the possibility of future employment.

  After carefully monitoring the appropriation of monies donated to the said foundation R.E.A.C.T. and its reputation for the contribution of time invested giving back to its community, it gives the City of Newark great privilege in recognizing your efforts to the highest degree. Therefore, we the City of Newark and State of New Jersey, also will award the said foundation R.E.A.C.T. a suite of rooms at 1 Plaza North, for the fee of $1.00 as an abode appropriate for a School of Business..."

  The more Vivian read, the harder it was for T-Bird to perceive in her mind what she was hearing as Vivian finished reading the letter.

  “Wait.. wait a minute! Can you please read that letter to me again? Please.. once more from the top. Better yet, I think you just need to let me get some rest and call me back to make sure I’m hearing you right.” T-Bird wondered if she was already asleep and dreaming.

  “O my God! It’s true and it won’t change when I do. After all you’ve done for the community, it’s paid off much bigger than any of us would have ever expected! Woul
d you mind if I let JJ look this letter over?” Vivian was beside herself with excitement as the full import of the letter began to settle over her.

  “Yes please do..,” she said as tears began to swell in her eyes. “..because right now I can’t even think straight.”

  “You know there must be at least $10,00000.00 in the bank by now.” Vivian continued. “I’m truly honored that you’ve allowed me to help you with the foundation again. Everything you guys are doing is going to affect so many lives. It’s going to be absolutely remarkable” Vivian continued.

  “Girl, I’m just thankful to God we could do something like this; being able to help other people at this magnitude. I don’t have the slightest clue how I’m going to juggle the foundation now in the middle of my career.. we’ll figure all that out. I’ll talk to you late...”

  When T-Bird hung up the phone, she sat there in her chair trying to digest everything that had just taken place. Her efforts, along with those of her closest friends, to change their community was coming to pass. As far as she was concerned, there had to be some hidden clause in that letter somewhere. However, it was all true.

  Vivian attempted to wait up for JJ. However, realizing he'd be at the club until early morning, she placed the letter on the nightstand for him.What she didn't know was, earlier that day he'd taken time to go find a card that expressed his dedication to her and their marriage. Their counselor was doing a great job helping them build trust again. Vivian was fast asleep when he laid the card next to her pillow.

  Just as he was about to kiss the side of her cheek, she moved just enough to let him know she could feel him near her. Simultaneously, she reached out her arms to pull him closer. She sighed, still holding him close to her.

  “Um… I feel you. Feel so nice.”

  “You smell nice” he said. “I wish you knew how bad I wanted to get out of the club tonight just to be here with you.”

  Still with her eyes closed she responded. “Thank you. I needed to hear that” she replied. “There, on the table, is something for you” as she pointed towards the nightstand. He put the card in her hand.

  “Um…so are you trying to romance me big boy?” she asked, taking the card out of the envelope to read it.

  “Yeah, I guess you can say it’s something like that,” he continued. She began reading the card and then looked at him. “So which is it; something like that, or just yes?” she insisted.

  JJ took the card out of hands and began kissing her and asked, “So where would you want me to begin, with the something, or the- that?”

  “Let’s start with the- that...I really like the way it feels right now.” She replied.

  JJ continued rubbing between her thighs as she squirmed in an attempt to resist his touch. “So do you want me to give you a little something, something?"

  Waiting for a response there was complete silence as she grabbed him by the face with the palms of her hands. “You know I do but I need you to wait for just a second. Now I’ve got something for you..." as she reached for the letter.

  JJ wasn't interested. “Come on baby, do we have to do this right now? I mean I’m feeling you right now.”

  Vivian sat up a little in the bed. “Will you just trust me for one minute?” as she opened the letter. “It’s a letter that came in the mail for T-Bird about the foundation. Read it and afterwards we’ll talk. I need to see your reaction first..."

  He took a deep breath of frustration and began to read the letter. It didn’t take long before he began to break out into laughter while shaking his head.

  “This is crazy! I mean this is unbelievable!!! Q and Trey are gonna trip when I tell them about this in the morning..."

  “Honey isn’t Q flying back to Chicago to take T-bird to Detroit?”

  “No, he decided he’s not going to fly out to get her until she’s ready to come back here; to perform and in N.Y... This is so unreal!” JJ continued.

  “I couldn’t believe it myself, even after reading it to T-Bird twice. She’s still in awe and refuses to believe it’s true. Getting that amount of money from the state to help run the foundation...it's almost unthinkable!”

  “Well, I believe we need to have our own little private celebration, right here, right now. Wait here while I’ll go get a bottle of wine.” After returning with the bottle and two glasses, he filled them and kissed them together.

  “Here’s to the foundation. Somebody is truly watching over us..." JJ marveled as they took a sip. There was nothing more comforting for Vivian than experiencing JJ beginning to open up and share his emotions with her again...

  The next morning seemed to come too soon as T-Bird received her wake-up call from the front desk. Meanwhile, Andre was already downstairs making sure the bus was in front of the hotel, ready to take everyone to Detroit. As he stood talking to the driver, she walked up.

  “Did you forget that Q was supposed to fly back and get us?”

  “Nope.. he called to tell me he wasn’t coming back until we finished in Cleveland.” Andre replied.

  “Okay, I just hope to have a voice by the time we arrive after listening to Little Joe being on this bus...” she laughed just thinking about it.

  “Now that’s what I’m talking about. I’ll start calling the rooms to get everybody up so we can get out of here.” Andre said.

  As soon as JJ got up, he did a conference call with Trey and Q to tell them about the letter Vivian had given him from the city about the foundation.

  “Hey guys I know it’s early, but I had to catch you before your day got started.”

  “Thanks a lot bro. I’m still asleep and to be honest, I don’t get the opportunity that often to sleep this late and especially have my woman with me,” Trey said.

  “So what’s up?” Q asked. "I’m up and trying to brush my teeth.”

  “Damn Trey, you still got that pretty ass Carlotta lying next to you?”

  “Yeah…Of course. Come on now, you’ve got jokes at this hour? We’ve had a long night.”

  “Take it easy my brother... I’m just messing with cha to make sure you’re awake, that’s all,” JJ continued. “Okay, listen to this. I’m going to read you the letter from the City of Newark and the State of New Jersey about the foundation. They’re donating $1,00000.00 and a temporary staff from three corporations to help teach students and listen to this..." JJ paused here to make sure he had their attention.

  "What JJ...Damn" Q urged.

  JJ laughed and resumed, "...they’re even giving us a building for $1.00 at 1 Plaza North, downtown, to establish as a school of business. All in the name of R.E.A.C.T.”

  Trey immediately sat up in the bed. “What? I don’t think I heard you clearly. Can you please repeat all that slowly?” He expressed so much emotion, Carlotta rose up out of her sleep to find out what was going on.

  “You heard me perfectly clearly,” JJ said. "This is not a joke. I have the proof right in my hand. Vivian gave it to me last night and if it weren’t so late, I would have called you both right then and there.”

  Q was still trying to rinse the toothpaste out of his mouth so he could respond to what he was hearing.

  “Wow man, that is outrageous! How in the world did all this happen?”

  ”Well, it says here that they’ve been monitoring our accomplishments in the community with the foundation and after privately tracking the success rate of the people we’ve trained, the Urban Development and Grants commission wanted to make a contribution to our cause and help us continue our efforts to educate those coming to the foundation.”

  “Well has anyone talked to T-Bird?” Q asked.

  ”Right now only Vivian but that was late last night after reading the letter to her. According to Vivian, she’s still in disbelief. The last thing she said to Vivian was that she wanted to get some rest and try rationalizing it all. I believe she’s on her way to Detroit right now for tonight’s performance. I’m going to have some attorneys look over all the paperwork as soon as possible.” JJ said. “I tol
d you guys this was bigger than us months ago. Remember?”

  “I just don’t know what to say,” Trey said, as he began to tell Carlotta the news. Immediately a smile came on her face, validating the efforts they all had made in their community. Q was still speechless on the line and after gathering his composure, spoke.

  “Man! Nothing prepared any of us for all this but we have to continue to help her now. She’s going to need it more now than ever. I’m all for it.”

  “Me too” Trey said.

  “Okay that sounds good to me. We’ll just wait for her to call the shots and I’ll call her to let her know I’ve got someone looking over the paperwork. I’ll also let her know that we’ve spoken about this. Hey, sorry for the early call interruption, but I had to let you know. I’ll talk to you guys later.”

  After hanging up, JJ read the letter over again, still trying to digest the door of opportunity being opened to the foundation. God was definitely at work in this plan!

  Back in Chicago, Andre was busy getting everyone on board the bus for the ride to Detroit. While everyone else went back to sleep, Little Joe was writing down new material.. he wanted to practice for his new audience away from home.

  As soon as they all arrived at the hotel, Andre checked everyone in at the front desk and received a package. It was from his group with a tape of their latest material for him. The minute he entered his room he opened it, grabbing his head phones and asking T-Bird to join him.

  “This is hot” T-Bird said. “I never heard anything like this before; they’re putting down some real funk. Who are the females on the tracks? They’re killing the vocals”

  “I told you.” He replied. “My group is going to blow the states up like nitro when I get them over here.”

  “Go ahead brother. I’m ain't mad at cha.”

  While the others unpacked and chilled until the 4 pm sound check, Andre headed downtown to see the Stadium where they'd be performing. He stood right in the middle of the stage watching the workers build an additional platform for the band and pulling up with two trailers full of equipment. The crew manger then walked up to him.