<![CDATA[Amber Whitted - PLUS Inc. - the series]]>Fri, 21 Nov 2025 17:21:59 -0600Weebly<![CDATA[Chapter Ten: "...Despite how things may change..."]]>Mon, 01 Oct 2018 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.amberwhitted.com/plusinctheseries/chapter-ten-despite-how-things-may-change
It’s crazy how life happens, you know.
 
You never quite know how things are going to end up. It’s kinda like my daddy says, ‘Don’t unpack all your stuff whenever life takes you some place new because you never know when you’ll need to uproot.’  I used to think that was the craziest statement ever, but as I get older it makes sense.  You never want to give anyone all of your emotional baggage and you never put all of your eggs in one basket.  You never know when that stuff can be used against you or when all of your hard work can come crashing down.
 
I wrote in my last blog on Curves, Curls, and Cake that people are ever-evolving.  No one has arrived at anything yet.  Every choice we make, good or bad, takes us to the next step of our development.  I think I have made some pretty good choices in my life so far.  Since I still have more living to do, I will be careful to continue to choose wisely.  I always want my later to be greater.
 
But even this control freak can’t control everything.  I’ve come to accept that.  So I’ll just keep the words to the Serenity Prayer floating around in my mind:
 
“God, help me to accept the things I cannot change…
The courage to change the things I can…
And the wisdom to know the difference.”
 
I’ll especially need help with that last part, Lord.


                                                                                                                 -  Parker
 

​
 
“No, Mom, I don’t know why they want to meet with me.”  Parker took a sip of her latte and leaned back in her chair.  “Yes, I’m nervous.  There’s been a lot of drama over here lately…Yes, I prayed about it…I know I shouldn’t worry if I prayed about it Mama, but still… Ok, ok. I’ll let it go…How is me having a date to Tricie’s wedding on the subject?!...” She laughed as she looked down at her clock, counting down the minutes to her meeting.  “Trust me, there is no one here at this office that I would ever go to McDonald’s with let alone my sister’s wedding…And if I don’t find a date I’m still gonna look fantastic, thank you so much!... Ok, Mama, ok.  I will try to find a date…I said try, I can’t make promises.  But I have to go, it’s two o’clock….Thank you, I appreciate your prayers…I love you too, Mama…Ok, bye.”  Parker put her phone in her drawer and sat at her desk for a moment.  It had been a few months since the first round of layoffs when her firm was bought out and Trina had been promoted.  Since that time, she had worked extra hard in order to keep her position in place.  I know Mama said pray and don’t worry, but I’m worried.  Trina has been trying to get me out of here since we first started right out of college.  She took moment to check her appearance in the mirror, making sure that her appearance was on point.  Ok, Lord, give me strength to handle and grace to accept.  Whatever it will be will be in my best interest.  I have to remember that.  Parker began walking down the hall to Gerald’s office.  Whatever will be will be in my best interest.  I trust….You’ve got to be kidding me!  Parker’s heart dropped as she saw Trina sitting in Gerald’s office.  She took a deep breath to compose herself before anyone noticed her initial expression and knocked on the door to announce her arrival.  “Gerald, you wanted to see me?”
“Parker, yes, please come in.   Have a seat.”  Parker sat down next to Trina and nodded to acknowledge her presence in the room.  “How has your day been going so far?”
 
“It’s been well, thank you.  Hello Trina.”
 
“Hi.” Trina replied in a condescending tone. 
 
“Gerald,” Parker asked while turning her focus away from Trina, “I thought this meeting was going to be a one-one-one sit-down.”
 
“Trina is your direct contact as far as management is concerned, so I felt it best for her to be here.”
 
No, you just wanted to show off in front of your sugar baby, you dirty old buzzard.  “Ok, well, what did you want to meet with me about?”
 
Gerald took a sip of water and let out a ceremonious cough.  “As you know, McMyers and Foster has been closely monitoring the progress of all of their employees, both grandfathered and newly acquired.  Since putting you on Trina’s team, I have noticed that you have done extremely well with the new accounts we have placed under your care.”
 
Well, when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade, right?  “Thank you, sir.”
 
“You’re welcome.  However, the M and F team has some concerns with some of the acquired team.  Trina, James, and Travis had to give me a report of the progress of the teams that they manage.  This report was then provided to my boss and reviewed.  The final determination was that the work that was being done by three teams can be done by one.  As a result, we were forced to review the individual reports of each of the team members to determine who we are going to keep and who we unfortunately have to release.  Each of the members on this new team will report directly to me and essentially will manage themselves.”  Gerald leaned forward in his chair.  “Parker, I appreciate all of the work that you have put into this company since I hired you five years ago.  I have watched you develop into an incredible marketing professional with a knack for building something out of nothing.  If there is anyone who deserves a long-standing,  upward-moving career, it is definitely you.  This is the reason why it hurts me to let you know that we have to let you go.  I’m sorry.”
 
You’re serious?  I’m fired?!  Parker looked at Trina, who sat smiling in her chair.  She did it.  She got exactly what she wanted.  Wow.  Maybe I needed to sleep with a married perve so I could keep my job.   “Gerald, you tell me that I am incredible professional and that I have brought a lot to this company, but you are letting me go.  I don’t understand.”
 
“If I may,” Trina responded in a condescending tone, “when I provided my team reviews, you were the lowest.  The accounts that you managed are minor…”
 
“You gave me these accounts.  It started when you gave my major account to Mark, who I am assuming is retaining his employment.   For the past few months, I have received nothing but scrutiny and underhanded behavior from you.  I could care less if you didn’t like me on a personal level.  My goal in life is not to be liked by everyone in this office or otherwise.  But you made it clear that everything you did is personal, Trina, and that is undeniable.”
 
“Parker, please.   I am way too professional to sink to the level of making my life about you.  Do not get mad at me because you couldn’t cut the mustard.  The M and F team are looking for the best of the best.  I was asked for my opinion as a supervisor and I gave it.  Now McMyers and Foster is prepared to give you an exceptional package, and I’m sure that you will find employment soon.  Use me as a reference if you need to.  But your time here is finished.  Please have your desk cleared out by the end of the day.”
 
Parker rose to her feet, standing tall in her heels and making Trina nervous.  It is taking everything in me not to smack the living daylights out of you!  I mean I might as well, I don’t work here anymore!  What are they gonna do to me?!   After taking a deep breath, she smiled.  “Alright.”
 
“Alright?  That’s all you have to say.  Alright?”
 
“Yes, Trina, that is all that needs to be said.” She turned to Gerald.  “I will have all of my things out of my space this afternoon.  I expect to have my severance package information as soon as possible, including a reference letter from you.”
 
“What about from me?”
 
Without looking at Trina, Parker continued her response to Gerald.  “I have to be honest with you, Gerald.  I am extremely disappointed in how this situation unfolded.  But it is what it is.  Thank you.”
 
Parker turned to leave the room, and Gerald called out to her.  “Parker,” she turned around, “I meant what I said.  I expect great things from you.  Good luck to you.”  She simply nodded and shut the door. 
 
Instead of standing outside of Gerald’s door to hear what was said after she left, she began the walk back to her desk.  Her heart was heavy as she kept the tears from falling down her face.  This is supposed to work out for my good, right?   She allowed one tear to fall as she continued to make her way to her desk.  I don’t see how, God.  I really don’t…
 
“Parker?  Parker!”  One of her coworkers ran to catch her.  “What did they say?”
 
She fixed her face quickly so no one would see her broken.  “They let me go, Anita.  I’m headed to my desk now to go clean out my things.”
 
“Are you serious!?” Anita reached out and gave Parker a hug.  “I’m sorry, Parker.  Hey, look at it this way, a closed door always brings something better.  Maybe it was just your time to move on.”
 
Says the person who still has a job.  Wait, let me not be bitter, because she’s right.  There will be something better. I just have to be patient enough to get it.  “You’re probably right.  Hey, have you had your meeting yet?”
 
“Not yet,” she replied nervously, “but whatever happens, I know it will be well.  You take care, ok?”  Anita waved as she made her way down the hall to Gerald’s office.
 
As soon as Parker made it to her desk, she pulled out her cell phone and called Sydney.  She mumbled under her breath as the call went to voicemail.  After opting to not leave a message, she shot Sydney a quick text and then called Lydia.  Not my first choice, she thought, but I need to talk to someone right now…
 
“Hey, Park.  What’s going on?”
 
“I got fired.”
 
“Are you serious?!”  Lydia rolled her eyes as she blew her wet fingernails.  “I’m sorry to hear that.  Well, their loss.  I heard The Hopson Agency was kicking their butts anyway.  That’s why Tweedleson merged with McMyers and Foster.  They thought it would give them leverage.”
 
“Why do you know all this?”  Parker asked with a slight laugh.
 
“I know all things money.  Besides, this came up in convo with the mom’s club.  Anywho, it’s probably best that you got off that sinking ship.  What kind of severance package are they offering you?”
 
“Don’t know yet.  I should be getting my paperwork before I leave so I can make sure that I approve it.”
 
“Do you want me to make a few calls for you?  One of the mom’s at the boys’ school is married to the head of HR at Hopson and I’m sure I can get you in there with no worries.  How soon can you get me a resume?”
 
“I don’t know if that’s what I want to do yet.”  Parker answered honestly.  “I mean, maybe this is God’s way of telling me that I’m supposed to be doing something else.  Maybe I have a different calling.”
 
“Like what?”
 
“I mean, I have always made enough to afford my rent, utilities, car note, and insurance off of the money I make from InTheKnow alone.  It’ll mean an adjustment, but maybe I need to put my focus toward my media presence.”
 
“Hey, I’m all for it.  You have my support regardless, just make sure you get paid.  I hate to see a woman of talent have her time wasted.”  Lydia took a sip of her orange juice.  “But I’m sorry to hear about your job, Parker.  I really am.”
 
“It’s all good.  How are you feeling?”
 
“Nauseous, but that’s to be expected, right?”  Lydia laughed uncomfortably.  “I’m well.  The doctor said I’m progressing nicely.”
 
“Has Tony made it back from his trip yet?”
 
“Not yet.  He’s supposed to be back today or tomorrow.”
 
“How long has he been gone?”
 
“A month.”  Silence filled the space on the phone between the two of them.  After a moment, Lydia continued.  “Calvin won’t even talk to me…”
 
“He should be the least of you worries.  Say good riddance and cut your losses.  Your concern should be fixing your marriage and nothing else.”
 
“I know, but what if this baby…”  Her heart dropped as she heard the front door close.  She cursed to herself and then took a deep breath.  “Parker, can I call you back?”
 
“Um, sure.  Is everything ok?”
 
Lydia looked over her shoulder, waiting for Tony to come into their bedroom.  “I don’t know yet.  I’ll call you back.”  Lydia hung up the phone without saying goodbye.
 
Parker gathered all of her things, throwing away papers that she no longer needed and shredding documents that would be considered private property.  She stopped only to retrieve the email with the information on her severance package.  After printing the documents, signing them, and returning them to Trina’s secretary, she gathered the remainder of her things and left the office.  Her mind went blank as she pushed the elevator button and rode the five floors down to the main floor.  It wasn’t until she got outside that she pulled out her cell phone to call her mother.  “Hello Ma…well, it didn’t go well.  They let me go…No, you calling someone won’t help but thank you…Lydia said she knew some contacts at another company, but I need to pray for direction first…yes, Mama, I know it will be ok…Right now?  I’m gonna head home.  I need some time to think…Peach cobbler, huh?...Can I take it to go?...Ok, I’ll stay for a little bit.  Let me make a run first and I’ll come by…Love you too, Ma.”
​
“How was your trip?”
 
“Fine.”  Tony walked into their bedroom and began to change clothes.  He put his shoes in their appropriate box, put his sports jacket on the appropriate hanger, and set his briefcase down on the side of his dresser.  “It was fine.”
 
“Just fine?  You’ve been gone for a whole month and I haven’t talked to you.  I would’ve thought you would’ve had more to say than just fine…”
 
“Well, I didn’t think you’d really notice me gone, Lydia.  You seem to find other ways to keep yourself busy while I’m away on business.”  Tony stared straight at Lydia until she looked away.  “Oh, and I didn’t spend the whole time away on business.”
 
“Then where were you?” Lydia asked, slightly raising her voice.
 
“I was at a hotel nearby.”
 
Lydia was stunned.  Excuse me?! You were at a hotel and you didn’t think to call or stop by your house and see about your wife?  This man has lost his ever-loving mind!!  She immediately began to yell.  “You mean to tell me that I’ve been here dealing with these two boys by myself while pregnant and you’ve been having a mini-vacation without me!  What is wrong with you?!”
 
“Lydia, if I were you, I would not raise my voice right now or ever.”  Tony responded forcefully.  Immediately, she crossed her arms and became quiet.  “I needed to get away from you for a while.  I needed to think…”
 
“I needed you here…”
 
“Clearly you didn’t, because otherwise you wouldn’t have had someone else on the side giving you what you needed.  Tell me something, Lydia.  Has he been in our bed?”
 
“No.”  She answered quietly.  “He’s not been here.”
 
“Why do I not believe you…”
 
“I can’t make you believe me, Tony, but I’m telling the truth.  He hasn’t been in our home or in our bed.”  Tony just looked at her, staring right into her eyes with a calm anger that made her nervous.  She began to scoot toward the edge of the bed to move closer to him while still remaining seated.  “Look, while you were gone, I had a lot of time to think…”          
 
“Oh, you’re thinking now?”
 
“You were right, the girls were right, everyone was right except for me.”  She continued, ignoring Tony’s last comment.  “Calvin was bad news from the start.  He doesn’t want this baby and he doesn’t love me.  I was lonely when you were making all of these business trips.  I thought I needed companionship but all I needed was the patience to wait for you.  Calvin was a friend to me, and I ended up catching feelings…”
 
“You caught more than feelings…”
 
“Tony please, this is hard enough as it is.  Yes, I messed up, ok?  And while it hurts, I haven’t talked to him since our anniversary party.  Tony, I want to make this work if you do…”
 
“You messed up, huh?  Yeah, that’s cute.  Really cute.  I’m glad to know that he doesn’t love you, Lydia.  And I’m sorry to hear that you are so hurt and affected by someone other than me not loving you.  Nice to know where I stand…”
 
“No, that is not where you stand.  You know that I love you more than anything…”
 
“Oh save it, Lydia, really!”  Tony shouted at the top of his lungs.  “Just stop.  It’s old.  You’ve never loved me.  You got with me because you saw potential.  You saw that I was going to be able to make sure that your pockets were filled and your shopping habit was satisfied.  You saw the possibility of having the rich husband that wouldn’t require you to work unless you wanted to.   I guess you figured you’d love me later, right?  Well here’s the difference - I loved you from the start.  The moment I looked at you, I knew you’d be my wife.  That’s how strongly I felt about you.  I stopped communicating with every woman with a non-platonic past, I put a ring on your finger, I paid for an island wedding and honeymoon, and I stood in front of family and friends in the Bahamas seven years ago and promised before God that I would honor, love, cherish, and protect you until the day He removes the breath from my body…”
 
“Tony, please…”
 
“No, it’s my turn to talk.  I’ve listened to seven years of your selfishness, immaturity, pride, and vanity.  Everything had to be about you.  You wanted to live in the Northern Suburbs in a gated community, so I made it happen.  You wanted to be a stay-at-home mom, so I worked extra hard so you wouldn’t have to.  You wanted to start a catering business; I fronted the start money and passed your info to several of your now most lucrative clients.  This whole thing even down to the boys’ names.  Christopher was supposed to be a junior, Lydia.  But what did you say?  Hmmm?” Lydia stayed silent, so he continued.  “You said, ‘He needs to have his own identity.  Besides, I don’t want to name my first born Anthony Evander Brown, Jr.  I like Christopher Lewis.’ And what did I do?  I gave in.  And I never asked anything of you except for one thing – Love me.  That was your small price to pay for giving you your ideal life.  What woman in her right mind would pass that up?”
 
“Stop making it seem like I’m all in the wrong here!” Lydia finally responded.  “You spent so much time away that the boys didn’t know you.  I spent so many nights alone that I got used to feeling cold air on my shoulder instead of your hands.  What did you expect me to do?  I can only hold on for so long…”
 
“So that justifies it?  Me doing what I’m supposed to do as the leader of this house gives legitimate cause for you to find the nearest brotha and open up for him.  Seriously, Lydia, are you that delusional that you think that excuse is gonna work on me?  I know you’re smarter than that, and that is the dumbest mess I have ever heard in my life.   But fine, let’s go with your logic.  Maybe this was my fault.  Maybe I created this monster and shouldn’t be the least bit upset that now it has lashed out on me. If that is the case, then I can deal with the whining, crying, pouting, and adult temper tantrums that have come to be a staple of your character.  But one thing I will not do, Lydia Carter, is allow another man to freely sample what I have rightfully earned all of.”
 
Lydia sat in silence for a moment.  Tears began to fall from her eyes as she struggled to think of something to say.  After letting a few tears flow, she quietly asked, “Did you just call me by my maiden name?”  Tony let out a slight laugh, reached in his back pocket to retrieve an envelope, and then threw it on the bed.  Lydia took a look at the envelope, but did not open it.  “What is this?”
 
“Open it.”  Hesitantly, Lydia grabbed the white envelope and opened it.  Her mouth dropped at the contents inside.  “Until you can prove without any question that the baby you are carrying is mine, we are separated.  You can keep the house.  I have already gotten myself a condo not too far from my job.  I will still come to get the boys and make sure they are well taken care of.  But I am not going to lie next to a woman who might be carrying another man’s baby…”
 
Lydia threw the papers at Tony.  “This is ridiculous!  I am not accepting this…”
 
“You don’t have a choice.  Now I’m offering to make sure that you are medically and financially taken care of while you are expecting.  Unlike you, I think about the needs of others and I know that even though your business is successful, it is not enough to maintain the lifestyle that you have become accustomed to.  You will be on my insurance.  But as soon as this baby is born, there will be a paternity test.  If I am the father, then I will agree to counseling to try to work this out.  But if I am not, then this marriage is over…”
 
“What?! Wait, you can’t do this?  You can’t just walk away from me right now…”
 
“Why can’t I?  You walked away from this marriage when you let someone else in it.”  Tony walked to the closet and grabbed his jacket.  “I have already moved all of my clothing from my downstairs closet to my new place…”
 
“Wait, you planned this?...”
 
“I will see the boys this weekend.  All the terms are lined out in the paperwork. Any amendments to the agreement will need to be made within a week.   I suggest you hire a lawyer.”  Tony grabbed his shoes again, took a long look at Lydia, and then shook his head.  Without saying a another word, he left the bedroom.
 
Tears filled Lydia’s eyes as anger consumed her heart.  She could feel her heartbeat racing.  Lydia screamed at the top of her lungs and threw a pillow at the bedroom door.  Her cries for him to come back upstairs to talk went unheard.  She soon heard the front door close.  A few moments passed before the sound of his car was heard.  Lydia watched in tears as he pulled out of the driveway and down the street.  “What am I gonna do now?” she said between deep breaths.  She held her stomach as she sat back on the edge of the bed, allowing the tears to flow freely.
Urie tapped the side of her desk with an ink pen, waiting for her cell phone to ring.   Suddenly, she stopped.  Wait, why am I doing this?  This is Jackson that I’m waiting for.  He never does anything on time.  She picked up her cell phone and dialed the familiar number.  Urie was greeted by loud music and laughter.  “Hello?”
 
“Hold on, babe.”  Jackson made a joke with some of the men that he was with before stepping out in the hallway to talk to Urie.  “Ok, what’s up?”
 
“What was that all about?”
 
“Nothin’, girl.  What’s going on?”
 
“Umph.  Look, we need to talk…”
 
“Yes we do.  You want to explain to me why I couldn’t get into your place the other day?  I was trying to get a change of clothes, take a shower, and grab something to eat before I went out with my boys and I couldn’t get in.”
 
“About that,” Urie said calmly while chewing a candy bar, “I changed the locks.”
 
“You did what?”
 
“Changed my locks.  You don’t pay rent there.  You don’t pay any of the bills there.  And you definitely don’t live there.  I can do whatever I please with my property…”
 
“Really, Urie?  My stuff is in there…”
 
“Your stuff is in four garbage bags that are taking up residence at your mother’s house.  I dropped them off yesterday.  I figured since you had been out and about with your boys you wouldn’t have time to come collect your belongings so I made it very convenient for you to do so…”
 
“You done really got out your body, Urie…”
 
“No, you got out your body when you put your hands on me.  But even before then, you got another chick pregnant and then took her to an event that you knew I may be attending.  Are you that dumb or do you just boldy don’t give a crap?  By the way, how is Jaclyn Davita Moore doing?”  Jackson grew quiet, so Urie continued.  “Yeah, I talked to Rashawn.  That is her name, right?  Anyway, she told me about how you were there at the delivery, held her hand, named her baby after yourself, and proposed to her. She said she’d marry you in a heartbeat, but she’s still waiting on her ring.”
 
Jackson struggled to find a response.  Finally, he said.  “So what do you want me to do, Urie.”
 
“I want you to go away.  You have no intentions on being in a relationship with me.  Not for real.  I was just a rest stop that you have become comfortable with and go to when you have nowhere else to be…”
 
“You know chicks be lying.  I didn’t propose to that girl.  Yeah, I have a baby by her, but we can move forward from that.  Let’s just keep doing us like we did after my son was born…”
 
“See, that’s not gonna work for me.  I want all of a man, not a quarter of a half-man.  Go deal with Rashawn.  Eva and I will be just fine.  You will be receiving paperwork so we can begin to work out child support arrangements…”
 
“Come on now, Urie.  You know I take care of my responsibilities.  I make sure Eva is taken care of.  You don’t have to do this…”
 
“Oh but yes I do.  See, I know you.  And if there is one thing that I know about you, Jackson, it is that responsibility and you are like oil and water.  They do not mix.  I can’t trust you.”
 
“So it’s like that.”
 
“Pretty much.  Go home to Rashawn.  Have a great day.”  Urie hung up the phone before Jackson could say another word.  She took a deep breath before looking out the window at the sunshine. I needed this a long time ago.  It feels right.  And oh so good…
 
“What are you still doing here?” Sydney and Parker came walking into her classroom.  Parker took a seat at one of the desks by the door and continued her conversation with Lydia.  Sydney sat on the edge of Parker’s desk and grabbed a handful of candy.  “We are gonna be late for our last day of school girls night if you don’t bring yourself on.”
 
Urie laughed as she began to finish putting her things away.  “Why do you all always find yourself in my classroom?  You all don’t work here.  You all don’t go to school here.  Your behinds are too old for high school.  So what is it?”
 
“You keep M&Ms on your desk.  You can’t feed people and then expect them not to return.”  Sydney smiled and stuffed a few more into her mouth.  “Guess what?”
 
“What?”
 
“I’m going to Mississippi with David next weekend.”
 
“What’s going on in Mississippi?”
 
“His family reunion.”
 
“Woah, Syd, that is huge!  Are you ready for something like that?”
 
Sydney sighed deeply.  “I don’t know.  I mean I like David a lot, and I do mean a lot.  But he comes from one of those old school Southern families like Lydia does and I don’t know how they’ll receive me.  From what David tells me about them, we have nothing in common.”
 
“I’m sure you’ll be fine.  You get along with everyone.  You have one of those personalities.”
 
“I guess.”  Sydney stuffed another few pieces of candy into her mouth.  “Urie, the speed that David and I are going is starting to scare me.”
 
“Then tell him to slow down.”
 
“That’s the thing – I don’t want him to.”  Both of them paused for a second.  Urie smiled a bit, which made Sydney smile in return.   “Urie, I haven’t felt this way about anyone since the infamous summer in Spain.  David is a wonderful man.  I love everything about him…”
 
“But do you love him?”
 
“Yes.”  She replied in a certain but feminine tone.  “Yes I do.”
 
“Then get ready to meet what could be your new family.”  Urie gave Syd a hug before returning to her packing.  “I’m happy for you.  First graduation from getting your second Master’s.  Then a road trip.  Things are turning out pretty good for you, huh?”
 
“Yep!  All I need now is a job.”  Sydney turned her focus to Parker, who had just ended her conversation with Lydia.  “What did she say?”
 
“What did who say?” Urie asked.
 
“Parker was taking to Lydia.”  Urie nodded, and then Sydney continued.  “Well, what did she say?”
 
Parker took a deep sigh as she prepared to fill the two ladies in.  “She doesn’t want to come to dinner tonight.  She says she’s going to go to her Mom’s place because she needs time to regroup.”
 
“What happened?”
 
“He gave her separation papers.  He’s staying in a condo not too far from his job and he is not coming home until Lydia can prove that the baby she is carrying belongs to him.”
 
“Wow!” Urie shook her head.  “That’s deep.  We are really going to have to be there for her.  She’s gonna need it.”
 
“She may not want my help,” Sydney responded, “especially after what I said at their anniversary party.  So we’ll see.”
 
“Sydney, ain’t nothin’ to we’ll see.  She’s going to need us, and we’re gonna be there for her…”
 
“Urie…”
 
“Urie nothing, Syd.  I know you two go at it sometimes.  At the end of the day, she is still your girl.  We have to stick together, Syd, despite how things may change…”
 
“What’s changed?” The room grew quiet as Bryce entered.  After acknowledging the smiles of Parker and Sydney with a nod, he continued.  “You must be talking about Lydia.”
 
“If you must know, yes.”  Urie shook her head as she looked at Parker and Sydney.  Neither of them took the hint that Urie was giving them to step out of the room, so she shook her head and said, “Can you please excuse us?”
 
“Why,” Parker teased, “what do you all have to talk about that is so secretive?”
 
Sydney grabbed Parker’s hand as she walked her out of the room.  “They have to talk grown folk’s business…”
 
“So!  We’re grown…”
 
“But we’re not invited to this convo.” She playfully pushed Parker out of the door before shutting it closed.  Once she was outside, she said.  “You can go ahead now.  We’re not listening!”
 
“Um, thanks.” Urie blushed as she looked at a laughing Bryce.  “You think this is funny?”
 
“I do actually.” He answered.  “I like your friends though.”
 
“I guess I’ll keep them.  So what brings you down here?  The candy?”
 
“Today, no.  It’s the convo that I’m coming down here for.  Did he actually call?”
 
“No, and I didn’t feel like the game of waiting so I called him.”
 
“And?”
 
“It’s done.”  Bryce nodded in approval.  Urie continued.  “There is one thing though.”
 
“What’s that?”
 
“I can’t fully take you up on your offer.”
 
“Really now?  Why?”
 
“Because I need time.  Bryce, I like you a lot.  You know that I do.  And the last time that we talked you let it be known that you want to get to know me…”
 
“This is true…”
 
“And I want to get to know you, but only after I’ve healed.  Bryce, that was ten years of my life.  I can’t put that to bed that quickly.  I’m going to need time.”
 
“Then time is what you will have.”  Bryce ran his fingers along the side of Urie’s face.  “I’m a patient man.  I already told you that I’m willing to wait for what I want.” Smiling, he took a step back.  “So, you teaching summer school this year?”
 
“I’m not getting anything repaired on my car or condo, so no.  Eva and I will be spending the summer in Arkansas with my family.  We need time away.  I need time away.  It’ll be good for me.”
 
“I’m sure.  Well, you enjoy yourself.”  Bryce turned to see both Parker and Sydney looking through the glass portion of Urie’s classroom door.  “Your girls are patiently waiting for you.”  He laughed.  “I’ll get out of your way.  Are you all headed somewhere today or something?”
 
“We are celebrating Sydney’s graduation from her Master’s program and Parker’s new job transition.”
 
“Oh, she got a promotion?”
 
“No, she got fired, but we know she will be transitioning into something better.”  After closing her briefcase, she looked at Bryce.  Urie’s heartbeat began to get faster, but on the outside she remained calm.  If he’s yours like he says that he is, then he will be here when I return.  It’s your time right now, Urie.  Don’t rush.  Walk into love this time.  For once, you hold the keys.    “So, I will see you when we get back?”
 
“When do you leave?”
 
“Monday morning.”
 
“Call me before then?”
 
Urie almost answered right away.  Instead, she smiled playfully before walking to the door.  Once she got to the door, she looked over her shoulder and answered.  “Maybe.”
 
“That’s all I get is a maybe?”
 
“Yep.” She teased.  “That’s all you need.”
 
“Then maybe it is.”  Bryce smiled back at her.  “You’re something else, you know that right?”
 
“That’s what I’ve been told.”  Urie winked at him before joining her girls in the hallway.  
]]><![CDATA[Chapter Nine: "...Clearly I had to learn the hard way..."]]>Wed, 05 Sep 2018 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.amberwhitted.com/plusinctheseries/chapter-nine-clearly-i-had-to-learn-the-hard-way
My dad used to say that every dog has his day. 
 
I guess the same is true with people.  That’s where they get the ‘fifteen minutes of fame’ statement from.  While some people like myself don’t like the spotlight, other people live for it. They do whatever they need to do to stay in it, not caring about who they hurt to get there.  And while they are there, they carelessly drink it all in.  They bask in the glow of temporary approval and adoration.  They live for every second that they hold the world captive.  And they forget that when it is over, it’s over – never to be regained again.
 
Those people can’t live with that.  And they definitely can’t live with the consequences that come afterward.
 
One thing I know is true – what goes around comes around.  The same people you hurt, you have to pass on the way back down.  That’s why I try to live my life in a way that no matter what happens, my highs and my lows are lived with the same grace and decorum that a woman should always have.  Sometimes the girls think that I play it too safe, that I don’t risk much, and that I stay in bad situations too long because I’m scared to find out what else the rest of the world can bring.  But I’d rather be safe and sane than silly and sorry.  I hate to say it like that, but it’s the truth.  And while I know that some risks – like being alone for the first time in a long time – need to be taken, I refuse to do things that I might regret.  I don’t like living with regrets.  I can’t afford to make foolish mistakes like that.  I’m not a kid anymore.
 
But some people don’t believe that fat meat is greasy…
 
                                                                                                                                       -  Urie
 


​
“A toast,” Tony raised his champagne glass, “to my beautiful wife Lydia who, in a few short months, will make me a father all over again.”  Everyone in attendance raised their glasses except for Lydia, who simply smiled uncomfortably.  Tony looked at her and smiled.  “Baby, you and I have had a rough year.  I know I put you through a lot, was away a lot, and wasn’t there for you and the boys like you deserve.  But when I think about how blessed I am to have a wife at home who loves and supports me, it makes me work extra hard to make sure that I keep a smile on your face.  Happy 7th Anniversary, Lydee.”   Smiles and applause came from everyone in attendance.  “Ok, enough of this mushy stuff.  You all came for a party, so enjoy yourselves!” The Dj turned the music back and people began to head back to the dance floor.  Tony made his way back to Lydia, who was sitting at a table sipping on some ginger ale.  “You look beautiful tonight, did I tell you that?”
 
“Yes, you did.”  Lydia said in a distant tone.  “But thank you…”
​Tony pulled up a chair next to Lydia and gently rubbed her back.  “Honey, is everything alright?  You’ve been acting kind of distant for the past week.”
 
“I’m fine, you know, just sickness.  Have you seen the girls yet?”
 
“Not yet, but I’m sure they are late because they are making an entrance.”  Tony kissed Lydia softly on the lips.  “I meant it, you know.  You inspire me to push as hard as I do to be as successful as I have become.  None of what I have would be possible without you.  I love you, Lydia.”
 
“I love you too, Tony.” Lydia rested her head on Tony’s chest and sighed.  As they sat there in silence, Lydia began to feel badly.  I should tell him.  She thought to herself.  I should tell him, but that would kill him.  She recalled the look on Tony’s face when he found out about the baby.  I mean, he cried for God’s sake.  Picked me up, spun me around everything.  Ugh!  With all that happiness, I can’t tell him.  He said ‘Maybe this is God’s way of telling us that we need to work this out.’  But I’m not sure if I want to.  A tear fell from her eye as she began to think about Calvin’s reaction to her pregnancy:
 
“So, what do you want me to do about it?” Calvin asked dryly after taking a sip      
of coffee.
 
“What do I want you to do?! How about man up?”
 
“You lay with your husband every night and you expect me to believe it’s not
his child…”
 
“I’ve been with you more than I’ve been with him!” She screamed.  “Calvin, I can’t believe you’re acting like this…”
 
“Acting like what?  What do you expect me to say?  Leave your husband and be with me?”
 
“Yes!” Lydia let out quickly.  “I mean, I don’t know.”
 
“I knew this was going to happen.”
 
“You knew what was going to happen, Calvin.”
 
“That you’d end up falling for me.  You told me that you could handle this, that you could handle our relationship being what it was.  I see that’s not the case.”
 
“Don’t flatter yourself, ok?  Everything that I believed in came from your mouth first.  You told me that you cared about me.  You told me you loved me.  You had me thinking that this was going somewhere.  Now here I am telling you that I’m expecting our child and you’re being a complete jerk about it.”
 
Calvin kissed Lydia’s forehead, put $400 on the table, and stood to leave.  “You do what you have to do.  Take care of yourself, ok?”
 
“Do what I have to do?  What is that supposed to mean?  And where are you going?”  Calvin exited the restaurant without turning around.
 
 
“Lydia, honey, you ok?” Tony asked while brushing some hair away from her forehead. 
 
She snapped back to reality.  “Um, yeah, I’m fine.  Why wouldn’t I be?  Friends, family, and food.  Who could ask for anything more?”
 
“Well, your girls are here.” Tony pointed to the doorway as Sydney, Parker, and Urie came through the door.   He motioned for them to come over to the table.  As soon as they were within earshot, he teased, “You all are late.  Who drove?”  Parker and Urie pointed to Sydney, who looked off to the side. “Figures.  You all missed my emotional speech.”
 
“I’m sure it was moving.” Parker teased as she gave both Lydia and Tony a hug.  “Happy Anniversary, you two.  Man, seven years, huh?  Y’all are an old married couple now.”
 
“Parker, you’re just jealous.” Tony teased.  “But look, I’ve got some people I need to go talk to.  Grab something to eat and have a good time.”  He waved as he walked away from the table.
 
The three of them stared at Lydia for a moment before speaking.  “So, um, is there a reason that you are looking all down-in-the-mouth?” Parker finally asked.
 
“No, no reason.”  Lydia looked down at her watch and sighed.  “You all look nice.  Where are your dates?”  Urie rolled her eyes and looked away, which made Lydia chuckle.  “Ok, then I guess that answers where Urie’s date is.  Parker, what about you?”
 
“Lydia, you know that I am a solo eagle.”
 
“You’re gonna die alone with your cats.”
 
“Thanks for your confidence in my ability to attract a mate.  I appreciate it, really.”
 
“David is on his way.” Sydney said while fixing her makeup in a hand mirror.  “He had to finish up some things at work before he came out.”
 
Urie playfully tapped Sydney on her arm.  “You two are becoming quite the couple, huh?”
 
“I guess you can say that.” Sydney took a moment.  “I don’t know.  I mean, I like the guy a lot, but he seems to be into me way more than I am into him.”
 
“My grandma said that a man should always love you more than you love him.  Not sure how I feel about that statement yet, but I guess I can kind of see where she is coming from.”
 
“That’s that old school mentality.” Lydia said while still facing the door.  “My relatives down south told me that when I married Tony.”
 
Parker noticed Lydia looking toward the entrance to the venue.  “Are you waiting for a surprise or something?  Because you keep looking at that door like someone is going run in and snatch you up.”
 
Snatch me up, no.  Start something, yes.  “I just like to see my guests when they come in, that’s all.  No biggie.”
 
“Ok.  Well, be careful because right now you look like a paranoid crazy person.”  Everyone laughed except Lydia, who just smiled.  “I’m going to go grab something to eat.  Do you want me to fix you a plate, you know, since you are eating for two now?”
 
“No, I’m fine, thanks.”
 
“Hold on, Parker,” Urie said while rising from her seat, “I’ll go with you.”
 
Sydney watched Lydia as she continued to look toward the door.  Once Parker and Urie were out of earshot, she said, “You want to tell me the truth now?”
 
“What are you talking about?”
 
“You invited Calvin, didn’t you?”  Lydia rolled her eyes and stood up.  “Sit down, Lydia.  That’s enough of this game…”
 
“You are not my mother, Sydney…”
 
“No, but I am your friend.  And because I’m your friend I do not want to see you mess up your marriage.  Now sit.”  She waited until Lydia was seated and then she moved her chair closer.  “Did you tell him?”
 
“Did I tell who what?”
 
“Lydia…”
 
“You need to be more specific if you are that insistent on getting in my business.”
 
“Did you tell Tony about your affair with Calvin?”  Lydia sighed deeply.  “Lydia?”
 
“No, Sydney, I did not.”
 
“You do realize that there is a possibility that this baby might not be Tony’s?”
 
“Yes, Sydney, I know that.”
 
“And you have no intentions on telling him?”
 
“Why should I?  He is happier than a pig in slop about me having another baby.  The way I see it, it’s no harm no foul.”
 
“That is dirty, Lydia.  Did you at least tell Calvin about the possibility of this being his baby?”
 
“Yes, I did.”
 
“And?”
 
“And he gave me $400 dollars, told me to take care of myself, and I didn’t hear from him for two weeks.”
 
Sydney sat back in her chair.  “Wow.”
 
“I didn’t call, email, or text him at all after I told him.  I guess he started to miss me because called me a few days ago wanting to see me.  Not sure what for.  I told him that this is where I’d be tonight…”
 
“Lydia! Why would you do that?!  Do you want to get caught?!”
 
“No, I want answers.  I deserve answers…”
 
“The only thing you deserve is a slap in the face.  Lydia, you invited the man you are having an affair with to your anniversary party.  Calvin made it clear that he doesn’t want you, but I’m willing to bet money that he’s the kind of guy that doesn’t want anyone else to have you either.  What makes you so sure he’s not going to come here and start trouble?”
 
“He won’t.  He’s not like Tony, who will throw a temper tantrum anytime he doesn’t get his way.  Calvin knows how to act like a man…”
 
“A man wouldn’t have thrown $400 on the table and told you to take care of yourself.”  Lydia looked away, but Sydney continued.  “Better yet, a man would’ve respected the fact that you are a married woman and would not have tried to pursue you in the first place.  Lydia, you are really playing with fire here…”
 
“Sydney, you aren’t gonna fix yourself a plate?” Urie walked up with a plate of food and a glass of champagne.  “It smells wonderful.”
 
“Yep, I was waiting for someone to get back.  I’m going now.”  Sydney looked at Lydia, shook her head, and then walked away.
 
“What was that all about?”  Urie asked while sitting down at the table. 
 
“Sydney being nosy.”  Lydia took one more look toward the door before turning to face Urie.  “So, what’s this I hear about Jackson putting his hands on you?”
 
“It wasn’t like that, he…”
 
“Did he or did he not put his hands on you in a forceful manner?”
 
“He did.”
 
“Did you press charges?”
 
“No.” Lydia rolled her eyes and took a sip of her water. “I thought about it, I did, but I couldn’t do it.  I didn’t want Eva going through that…”
 
“What about you, Urie?  Eventually, you have to think about yourself.   If you aren’t careful, Eva will be going through a lot more because you won’t be here to protect her.”  Urie sat silent for a moment.  After taking another sip of water, Lydia continued.  “If you insist on not pressing charges, then you need to end this.  I know he doesn’t live with you, so get his few little raggedy items out of your house, get your key back, and tell him to beat it.  This man has no respect for you, does not love you, and is using your daughter as a pawn to keep you holding on in case he runs out of better things to do.  You deserve better, Urie.  Eva deserves better.  I’ve been telling you that for years, but I can’t make you leave him.  This has to end sometime.  Why not make it now?”
 
“Lydia, it’s easy for you to separate your emotions from what you know you need to do.  I don’t operate like that.  I’ve been with Jackson since I was sixteen years old.  That’s a long time.  We have history.  And even though he has put me through hell, I still love him.” 
 
“You need to love you more, Urie.”
 
Urie wiped a tear that had started to fall from her eye as she recalled the day in her classroom.  Jackson had promised her after the one time that he had hit her that he would never do it again.  She recalled the fear that went through her body as he pinned her against the wall.  Her thoughts then shifted to Bryce.  She remembered the fire in his eyes as he locked eyes with Jackson.  Her heart started beating fast as she thought about his words after Jackson left:
 
“You need to press charges, Urie.”
 
“It’s not that bad, Bryce, it’s just…”
 
“It’s just what?!  Urie, the man put his hands on you.  There is nothing,
absolutely nothing acceptable about that.  If you want, I will do it for you.  But you can’t
continue to allow him to do this to you.”  Bryce rubbed his forehead and then looked at
Sydney.  “Um, do you mind if I talk to Urie alone for a moment please.”  Sydney nodded
and left the room.  Once they were alone, Bryce knelt by where Urie was sitting.  She
tried to turn her head, but Bryce turned it to face him.  “My mother was abused by my
father.  I used to pray every night that he would go just one day without physically or
emotionally abusing my mom.  There were a lot of nights that I stuck my head under my
pillow and cried because I could hear her screaming.”  Bryce grabbed Urie’s hands,
which were shaking.  “I don’t know what is going on with you two, and you don’t have to tell me.  And I hope this doesn’t come off as the guy who is trying to break up your
relationship.  You deserve more than this.  Urie, you are a beautiful woman; honestly, the most beautiful woman that I’ve ever seen.  It hurts me to see queens with men who
don’t cherish what they’ve been blessed with.”
           
“Bryce, I appreciate your concern.  And thank you for sharing that piece of
you with me.”  She rested her head on Bryce’s chest and sighed deeply.  For a few
moments, their hearts were completely in sync.  When she realized that she was getting
too comfortable, she pulled away.  “I know what I need to do, and I will do it.  I just need
time.”
 
“Ok, Urie.”  Bryce kissed her gently on the forehead before rising to leave her classroom.  “But so you know,” he continued before walking out, “it took everything in me not to seriously hurt him.”
 
“You would do that for me?”
 
“Without question.  Let me know if you need me.” Bryce nodded before he walked out of her room.
 
Bringing her attention back to Lydia, Urie continued.  “I put his stuff in a few garbage bags last week.  They’ve been sitting in my living room.  I haven’t heard from him since that night after the school incident.  He told me that he was going to visit his mom for a few days, but I knew where he was.  Eva has a half sister now.”  Urie fought hard to hold her tears back, but it was not working.  “I can’t anymore, Lydia.  I know I can’t.  But I don’t know what else to do because I’ve been with him so long.  I’m afraid I don’t know how to be alone…”
 
“You take it one day at a time and thank God for every time you see the sun.” Parker returned from getting her plate and sat down next to Urie.  “Each day it gets easier, and you’ll know you did the right thing.”
 
“Do you need me to help you get the bags out of your house?” Lydia asked.
 
“Not while you’re preggers.  You need to take care of your baby.”  Urie wiped a few tears from her eyes.  “Great, now I’ve messed up my makeup and ruined your night.  I’m sorry, Lydia.”
 
“You didn’t ruin anything.”  As Lydia gave Urie a hug, she noticed Calvin walking in.  He looked around the room for a moment, but soon locked eyes with Lydia.  She pulled back from Urie.  “I’m gonna go grab a bite.”
 
“Do you want me to get you something?”
 
“Um, no, I’m good.  I will be back in a minute.”  Lydia rose and quickly walked to where Calvin was standing.  She looked at the woman that Calvin was making flirtatious conversation with and immediately got jealous.  You’ve barely even walked in the door and you’re trying to talk to that skinny, weave-wearing chick?  Wow, you’ve really lowered your standards.  Lydia coolly walked past Calvin and made brief eye contact.  She quietly waited until Calvin walked out the door.  “That was fast.”
 
“Come again?”
 
“You barely got my lipstick off your collar and you are already trying to sink your teeth into another chick.  And at my party on top of that.  A little tacky, don’t you think?”
 
“Is there something you wanted, Lydia?”
 
Lydia pulled $400 from her bra and handed it to him.  “Here.  This is the first time I have ever given a man back his money.  I’m not going to take this, especially when I know what you want me to do with it.”
 
“What did you think I wanted you to do?” Calvin raised his eyebrows.
 
“Come on, Calvin, don’t play this game.  What kind of man sets money on the table and tells a woman to ‘take care of herself’?”
 
“Maybe the kind of man who wants you to do just that.  Lydia, both you and I know that you having this baby is a bad idea…”
 
“So you do think I should get rid of it?
 
“I think you should be smart.”
 
“I stopped being smart the moment I fell in love with you.”  Lydia paused for a moment and took a step back.  Shoot.  My mouth gets me in almost as much trouble as my hips do!  “Look, I thought about getting an abortion.  Tony saw me going through morning sickness and asked was I pregnant.  I couldn’t lie to him, at least not about that.  He got so excited.  I couldn’t take that away from him.”
 
“So are you just going to tell him the baby is his?”
 
“That’s my plan.”
 
“And what about me?”
 
Lydia laughed loud and hard.  “What about you?  A moment ago you didn’t want the baby and now you do.  Calvin, make up your mind!”  Lydia paused for a moment.  “Wait, I get it.  You don’t want me but you don’t want anyone else to have me.  The moment there became a possibility of my husband becoming a priority again, you start acting like a spoiled five-year-old...”
 
“Lydia, I’d watch what I said if I were you.  You know I don’t take to kindly to a woman getting out of her body.”
 
“Are you threatening me?”
 
“I don’t make threats.”  Lydia rolled her eyes and looked away. “You clearly want to keep this baby despite how I feel.  Fine, that’s your decision.  I will give you money to take care of the baby if it is mine.  But you better not utter a word of it to your husband.”  Calvin moved closer to her, ran his fingers down her bare arms, and watched as goosebumps appeared on her arms.  “Still attracted to me, I see.”
 
“Don’t flatter yourself.”
 
“If it’s any consolation, I miss us…”
 
“You miss us.  How cute.”
 
“I think there is a way that we can work through this, but we’re gonna have to be smart about it…”
 
“Oh, we’re a we again?  Well, gee, thanks for telling me, Mr. James.  Here I am thinking that I am going to have to handle this all alone and my hero has come to save me.  Oh joy!”
 
“Stop being so overdramatic…”
 
“I have every right to be whatever I please!  Calvin, you took me on the most romantic and emotional journey that I have ever been on the past few months.  You’ve done things for me and have shown me things that my husband knows nothing about.  I began to look at you as more than a friend.  You broke that my confidence in you with your reaction to my pregnancy.  How do you expect us to work through anything?” Before Lydia could say another word, Calvin brought her in close and kissed her.  Lydia melted in his arms as he held her close, making her forget about the party or how mad she was at him.  But as she pulled away, she saw Tony standing in the hall.  Her eyes widened as she saw her husband calmly watching the two of them.  Immediately, she backed up from Calvin.  “Oh my God, Tony, it’s not what you think…”
 
“Oh, it’s not, huh?” Tony said calmly while approaching the two.  “Then please let me know what it is because right now it looks like my wife out here giving out what’s supposed to be mine...”
 
Calvin laughed smugly.  “I see you two need to talk, so I’ll just go on…”
 
Tony charged Calvin, slamming him against the wall.  “No, you can stay.  This convo is just getting started.  Now you wanna tell me what you were doing with your hands all over my wife?”
 
“Why don’t you ask her?”
 
“Because I’m addressing you.  Now either you can answer the question and then I can beat your…”
 
“Tony, please,” Lydia pulled on Tony’s arms in an effort to get him to let go, “let’s just go. We can talk about his later.”
 
Tony stayed with his eyes locked on Calvin.  “No, I think I want to talk now, man to man.”
 
Still with a smug smile on his face, Calvin responded.  “I ain’t gotta say nothing to you.  If you were taking care of your business at home, then she wouldn’t have had to find another man to do the job…”
 
With that, Tony punched Calvin in the face.  The echo of the punch resounded in the empty hallway.  After spitting out a small amount of blood, Calvin charged Tony and the two of them began to fight in the hallway.  Lydia’s screams to stop went unheard by the duo.  The party guests came out in the hallway to see what was going on.  After only a few brief moments of fighting, David and another male party guest came and broke the fight up, separating the two gentlemen.  Lydia stood in between them.  “Please!  That’s enough!”
 
Tony shook David’s hold on him, wiped his mouth, and then laughed.  “All of this was for you, Lydia.  I married you because I loved you, even though I knew you weren’t as committed to this as I was.  I thought to myself, ‘Maybe she’ll come around.’  But no.  Guess that old housewife saying is true, huh?  My mother warned me about you, but clearly I had to learn the hard way…”
 
“Tony!” Lydia screamed.
 
“To hell with the both of you.”  Tony walked way, leaving Lydia, Calvin, and the rest of the party guests in the hallway.
 
With tears running down her face, Lydia slid down one of the walls.  Urie immediately ran to Lydia’s side with a glass of water.  Parker eyed Calvin for a while, but he did not move.  “I think you should go.”  She finally said forcefully.  After he left, she knelt down by Lydia.   “What happened?” Parker asked in a calm voice.  Lydia did not respond.  “Lydia, what is going on?”
 
“I’ll tell you what’s going on.” Sydney said while walking over to the three of them.  “Lydia has been having an affair with Calvin for the past few months.”
 
“Lydia!” Urie said quietly.  “Why?  How could you?”
 
“You don’t know what it’s like being married to him!  He was never there.  He never took me anywhere, did things for me.  It was all about work.  Calvin was there, so I thought I could have a little fun…”
 
Parker shook her head.  “You thought wrong.  We’ve been telling you from day one that that man was up to no good…”
 
“I don’t need you preaching at me right now, Parker…”
 
“Too bad,” Sydney interrupted, “because you're gonna hear it.  You messed up this time, Lydia.  Big time.  You had everything that any woman could ever want and you threw it away for what, a demon in a designer suit?  Women would kill to be in your shoes.  I would kill to be in your shoes…”
 
“So this is what this whole thing with you has been all about.” Lydia said, standing up and looking eye to eye with Sydney.  “I thought you could handle this, but clearly you couldn’t.” Sydney’s eyes widened with anger as Lydia continued.  “Yeah, I know all about the summer in Spain.  That’s all he talked about when he first realized that I knew you.  You don’t care nothing about my marriage and keeping it together.  You’re just speaking out of jealousy because I got what you couldn’t keep…”
 
“Lydia, if I wanted Tony, I would’ve kept him when I had him.  He and I are friends like I thought that you and I were.  But my friends know how to act like real women, not spoiled little girls.  You can’t have your cake and eat it too.  If you don’t want him, and you’d rather chase around men who can give less than two flying farts about you, then you need to give him up so someone who does want him can have him…” Sydney’s words trailed off.  She laughed and then took a few steps back.  “You know what, I’m preaching to the choir right now because the congregation ain’t hearing me.  Judging by everyone leaving, I guess the party is over.  I’m going to find David and get out of here.”  Sydney turned and headed back into the room to collect her belongings.
 
Urie looked at Lydia and shook her head.  “Wow, Lydia.  What do you have to say after all of this?”
 
“Nothing.  Absolutely nothing.”  Lydia fixed her face in the mirror before walking proudly into the bathroom and shutting the door.
]]><![CDATA[Chapter Eight: "Deeds done in dark..."]]>Wed, 01 Aug 2018 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.amberwhitted.com/plusinctheseries/chapter-eight-deeds-done-in-dark
 ​I don’t like being in awkward situations. And I don’t like drama.
 
Ever since I saw Lydia out with Calvin, it’s been very difficult for me to be around her.  I feel so fake.  Everyone knows Lydia is a huge flirt, including Tony.  This time she’s taken it too far.  She denies having an affair with this man, but anyone can see that’s not the truth.  And then there’s Urie.  That sad-sack of an individual that she calls a man is about one step away from having a meeting with my fist since she is too scared to do it.  Parker never really has too much going on drama wise, so I’m never worried about her.  But here I am, trying to get into my new relationship with David and all this crap is going on around me.  Add that with preparing for finals and I am a mess.
 
 I guess I just have to remind myself that what’s done in the dark always comes to the light.  And since I’m not God, I can’t shine the sun on anyone.  It’s not my job.
 
But still, I wish I had the courage…
                                                                                                                                  -  Sydney
 
 



“Is Eva doing ok?...Oh, she is?  Good, good.  I’m glad she got a chance to spend some time with her cousins. She’s been asking to come down there for a minute…Me?  Oh, I’m fine.  Just went and picked up some dinner…Well, yeah, I’m a little upset that I couldn’t come down, but I’ll be there for the reunion…Tell Yolanda I heard that!”  Urie laughed loudly as she cut herself a piece of cake, walked back into her living room, and sat down on the couch.  “Yeah, ok, tell her I love her too…Alright, by Nita.”  Urie hung up the phone and sat down on the couch. As Urie got ready to take a bite of her homemade chocolate cake, she stopped.  Is this really what my life has come down to?  I never go anywhere or do anything!  I’m going out tonight!  I mean, why not!  What’s the alternative, sit here and get fatter?  Not gonna happen.  Urie set the cake down and grabbed her phone to call Parker.  
“Yello!”
 
“What are you doing?”
 
“Getting ready to head to Georgie’s.  Why, you want to come with me?”
 
“Yeah, why not.  I have time on my hands and I have no idea what to do tonight.”
 
“Well, how ‘bout that?!   Mama wants to come out on a weeknight…”
 
“Shut up!  What time are you coming to get me?”
 
“Wait, I gotta drive?  You got a car!”
 
“Please?”
 
Parker rolled her eyes before laughing.  “Whatever, Urie.  I guess I can pick you up since I gotta go get Syd anyway.  Lydia’s coming too, but she’ll meet us there.  Will you be dressed in the next ten minutes?” Urie looked at what she had on: a raggedy pair of faded black sweatpants, an old t-shirt from a family reunion in 2006, a red bandana, and 2 different color socks with holes in them.  When Urie didn’t answer immediately, Parker continued.  “Well, if you have to do reconstructive surgery over there, do you want me to get Sydney first?”
 
“No, I’ll be ready.” Urie ran to her room to begin getting dressed.  “I’ll see you soon.  What are you wearing?”
 
“Clothes!” Parker laughed.
 
“Quit playin’, I’m serious!”
 
“Urie, honey, breathe.  It’s a poetry set, not prom.  Put on some jeans, a cute shirt, and a little bit of make-up on and call it one.  I’ll be there soon.”  Parker hung up the phone and left Urie to her preparation.
Parker, Lydia, Urie, and Sydney walked into the Blue Sunflower nodding to a Talib Kweli track that the DJ was spinning.  After paying the $5 cover, Parker pointed to an empty table toward the side of the room near the bar before going to chat with the DJ.  Lydia paid for a round of drinks for the ladies as they got comfortable at their table.  “For you two newbies,” Parker said while pointing to Lydia and Urie, “tonight is open mic night.  There’s a sign-up sheet over there by the DJ table.   Urie, I know you used to spit so maybe you should blow some of the cobwebs off your skills and get up there.”
 
“You’d love that!” Urie laughed as she took a sip of her drink.  “I am so unprepared.”
 
“See, that I don’t understand.  Lydia, you haven’t known Urie as long as we have, but this chick is sleeping on her own talent.  She dances, writes, and she used to kill a runway in college!”
 
Sydney added.  “Yep, she started teaching high school and let it drain all her creativity.”
 
“My creativity has not been drained, thank you so much!” Urie quickly defended.  “I just use my creativity in different ways.  Not all of us can be full-time artists, Syd.”
 
“Um, I’m an artist by default.  I had a job.  I just got laid off.  But I ain’t mad though.”
 
“What are you going to do when you finish school, work or keep performing?”
 
Sydney paused for a moment.  “You know what, I don’t know.  But I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.”
 
The group quieted as the host walked onto the stage.  Before even greeting the crowd, she immediately went into a spoken word piece.  The woman captivated everyone as she spoke with clarity and authority.  Once she was done, the crowd erupted into applause so loud that it took a moment for her to regain their attention.  Wow, I do miss this.  I mean, maybe Parker and Syd were right.  Maybe I did let my regular 9-to-5 drain my creativity.  I mean, the most artistic action I get is writing in my journal and listening to the CD Bryce gave me.  I wonder what Bryce is doing right now...  “So, um, Lydia,” Urie asked while trying to shake her thoughts, “how did you end up childless tonight?”
 
“Tony wanted some man-time with the boys, so I said ‘Take ‘em!’” Everyone laughed as she continued.  “I mean, I love my boys, but having twins is no joke.”
 
“Well, I’m sure Tony is going to enjoy spending time with his boys.”
 
“Oh, he loves it.”  Lydia’s voice softened a little bit.  “He really is a good father.”
 
Too bad you don’t treat him like it. Sydney thought to herself.  “That’s sweet.”
 
As the next artist came to the stage, several women screamed.  The handsome man made eye contact with several women in the room and melted the crowd with his smile.  As he began his piece, Urie leaned over and whispered to Parker, “Parker, ain’t that Charles Reed?  I haven’t seen him in years!”
 
“It is, and I see he is still fine as ever!”  Parker shook her head and tried to keep from smiling.  “Yes, Lord!”
 
“Didn’t you date him for a while?”
 
Parker took a sip of her drink.  “I guess you can say that…”
 
“What!” Sydney said almost a little too loud.  “Why did I not know that!?”
 
“It was while you were in Spain.  He and I worked at an arts camp at the Y on campus.  The relationship was short lived because he was on some other stuff.  But we stayed friends though.  It was for the best.”  Parker sighed as she continued to stare and allowed his words to soak in.  “I thought he moved to Atlanta?”
 
“I don’t know.  But he’s here now, so you need to get that number…”
 
“Oh no!  Can’t do it.  Can’t run the risk that he is on the same mess he was in college…”
 
“Oh come on, Parker.  You all were like, what, twenty?  Give him some slack.  He at least looks like he may have gotten it together.”
 
“And look at it this way,” Lydia added, “if he is not worth your time, at least you would’ve gotten a good time or two out of him, if you know what I mean.”
 
Parker stared blankly at Lydia.  “So do any of your thoughts involve a woman keeping her legs closed or no?”  Lydia just shrugged her shoulders and turned back to the stage as the hostess for the night came back up.
 
“Alright alright, y’all enjoying the show so far?”  She waited for a moment as the crowd responded.  “That’s what’s up.  So listen, we are going to bring our first open mic artist to the stage.  Now for you rookies, please know we don’t necessarily go in order, but we do get everyone on the list, so just be ready to come up here and bless us when your name gets called, aight?”  She took a moment, looked down at the list, and then continued.  “Ok, the first open mic artist is a first timer here at Soul Set so be sure to show her some love.  I was also told by DJ Truth that she has some fiyah, so I am definitely excited.  Put your hands together for Urie Rose!”
 
Urie quickly turned to Parker with wide-open eyes.  “Parker, what the heck?!?”
 
“You’re welcome.” Parker leaned in and whispered.
 
Oh my God, please help me!  I’m more nervous than a baby mama on Maury!  Urie slid her tablet from out of her purse and walked up the front, faking an air of calm in front of the crowd.  By the time she arrived at the microphone, she had pulled up her pieces that she had recently written and stored.  But before she could great the crowd, she saw Jackson  He stared at her, face of stone with no emotion or remorse.  Next to him was a beautiful and very pregnant woman. Jackson continued to hold the woman’s hand, but did not remove his eyes from Urie.  What in the hell!? Urie thought as she desperately fought back the tears that wanted to fall.  In the few seconds she stood there in silence, she felt as if her whole world was crashing down.  “What’s up, y’all?” She forced a smile as the crowd responded positively.  “It has been a long time since I touched a mic, so I hope you all can feel me a little bit on this one. It’s called ‘Letter of Resignation’.”  Urie took a step back from the mic, took a deep breath, and began:
 

“I’ve tried 5 times to begin this letter.
Each time, I get stuck,
and it occurred to me
that I’ve run out of words to say to you.
So,
in the only way I know how
I’ll speak and hope it gets thru...
Jill Scott said it best when she said
'What I felt was past tense'.
but the difference between her statement
and your intentions
is the verbal connection between thought and talk.
Full, unbarred honesty was never an option
so I feel it's best  that I make my own way out and walk.
I’ve beat myself up
for allowing myself to bear the brunt
of indecisive behavior
and now I just don't have the emotional energy
for anything anymore.
Had it not been for salvation,
an expletive would go here
and then it would be quite and abundantly clear
what is on my mind since tears, pain, and time,
have robbed me of my more eloquent poetic words.
So, consider this my letter of resignation.
You don't need to avoid what you don't want to handle any longer
And you certainly don't need me.
I’ll be woman enough to know
when my services are no longer needed
and I’ll simply suck it up,
put on my "big girl panties",
take my rope and go home.
But on the real, you probably won't notice this
until long after I’ve moved on..."
 

The crowd erupted in applause as Urie smiled and exited the stage.  As the hostess paid Urie some well-earned compliments, she coolly walked past Jackson’s table.  Urie locked eyes with him; although she spoke no words, her message was very clear.   She moved passed the table and began to walk toward the washroom.   Urie waited until she got inside of a bathroom stall to burst into tears.
 
“Did you all see that?” Sydney asked while staring in the direction of the table where Jackson was sitting.
 
Lydia searched her purse for a mirror.  “Did we see what?”
 
“Urie’s face.  And I think that’s Jackson sitting next to…wait, is he sitting next to a pregnant woman?!”  All three of them stood up and looked over to see Jackson with his arm around another woman.  “It is!  Excuse me, I think I need to go bust some heads open…”
 
“Calm down, Syd.  You know that won’t help.” Parker pulled Sydney back down into her chair.  “Wow.  I knew he was shady but I never expected him to be that bold…”
 
“Oh please, it’s to be expected.” Lydia stated matter-of-factly.  “It was only a matter of time before Urie saw with her own eyes what we’ve been telling her for years. Deeds done in dark always come to the light. Maybe now she’ll focus on taking care of herself and Eva instead of raising a little boy trapped in a grown man’s body.”
 
“I’m gonna go talk to her…”
 
“No, let her calm herself down first.  Give her some space.  She’ll be ok.”
 
“Lydia, not everyone likes to stew in their own juices and plot revenge.  Some people need to talk things out.”  Sydney cut in angrily.  “If you paid close attention to your friends then maybe you would know that…”
 
“I pay plenty attention to my friends, Sydney.”  Lydia responded. “I just don’t like people in my face and I assume that most people are the same way…”
 
“Well you know what happens when you assume, right?”
 
“Excuse me you two, but can we refocus please?  This is not the Syd and Lydia show.” Parker interrupted and waited until after both Sydney and Lydia had calmed back down.  “I will go talk to her.  Can you two be trusted to sit here and not argue like cats while I’m gone?”

​“I’m fine.” Lydia replied.
 
“I can’t make any promises.” Sydney looked off to the side as she sipped her drink.
 
“Whatever.  I’ll be right back.”  Parker grabbed her purse and stood to head to the bathroom.  Before she could leave the table, she noticed Urie headed back in their direction – tissue in hand but with a calm face.  When Urie got back to the table, she grabbed her purse and pulled out her cell phone.  “Urie, hon, are you ok?” Parker asked.
 
“I’m as good as can be expected.”  Urie answered while typing into her phone.
 
“Do you want another drink?” Lydia chimed in.
 
“No.  I’m just going to go home…”
 
“Sweetie, it is late.  You don’t need to be going anywhere by yourself…”
 
“I’ll be fine.  I just need to get home.”  She paused for a moment to make sure that the phone was ringing, but her phone would not pick up a signal.  “Stupid cheap phone.  Excuse me, I’m going to step outside to make a call…”
 
“Urie, you don’t need to be going anywhere by yourself.  If you want to go home that bad, I will take you.”
 
“No, you enjoy being here.  I will text you when I get home.”
 
Sydney stood up and tried to get Urie to sit back down.  “Urie, I know you’re hurt, but please don’t let this man run you out of here. Stay, chill, get a drink, and listen to some poetry…”
 
“No offense, you all, but I need time to let this process.  It’s not that late.  I will text you all when I get in the house.”  Urie grabbed her purse and walked out of the door before anyone else could say something to her.


​“Miss Glenn?”  Urie looked up from her desk to see Sydney standing in the doorway of her classroom.  “I came to see if you were alright after last night.  How are you?”
 
“I’m as good as to be expected.”
 
“That’s what you said last night.”
 
“And that’s still how I feel right now.  This is going to take a while to process.”  Urie sat back further in her chair.  “A cheating boyfriend with a pregnant girlfriend…”
 
“I should’ve went over there and busted some heads.”
 
“That wouldn’t have done anything.  Not for real.  I just don’t know…”
 
“You just don’t know what?”  The two of them looked up to see Bryce standing in the doorway.  He laughed as the two got silent.  “Hey, if you don’t want people chiming in your private conversations, have them in private places.”
 
“Very funny Bryce.  How can I help you?”
 
“I wanted to know if you have a date for the prom yet.”
 
“Are you serious?”
 
“Awwwwww!”  Sydney ran over to one of the desks, sat down in the chair, and put her hands under her face.  “This is so sweet! I feel like I’m back in high school again.  What color dress are you wearing?  Can we get matching shoes?”
 
“Oh my gosh, really Sydney?!” Urie’s face turned red as Sydney batted her eyes and smiled brightly.  “No, Bryce, I don’t have a date for the prom committee meeting yet but I will be there.  What time does it start?” 
 
“In fifteen minutes…”
 
“Wait, that’s today!?”  Urie shot out of her desk.  “I completely forgot that was this week! Oh my goodness, let me get my stuff together!”  She feverishly began to pull her things together while Bryce and Sydney made small jokes about how quickly she was moving.  After a few moments of packing, Urie grabbed her bags and purse. Before she could exit the room, she stopped dead in her tracks.  Standing in the doorway was Jackson, holding a bouquet of white roses and a stuffed panda bear.  Her heart grew heavy with nervousness as he moved closer to where she was standing. “What do you want, Jackson?” She finally responded.
 
“Is that the way to greet the love of your life?” Jackson licked his lips and smiled at her while handing her the gifts, which she refused.  “Alright, I got you.  You’re a little mad right now.  That’s to be expected.  But can you at least talk to me for a moment.”
 
“Talk.” Urie replied dryly. 
 
Jackson looked at her as if he was waiting for more to come from her, but she simply stared at him.  He laughed lightly in an effort to save his pride.  “I mean in private.”
 
“Whatever you can say in to her can be said in front of her friends,” Sydney stated bluntly, “especially since you are such a bold person.”
 
“Come again?”
 
“I mean you trot around town with random chicks, showing off their baby bumps …”
 
“Sydney, you need to mind your mother f…”
 
“Come on.  These are ladies.” Bryce stood and came closer to Jackson.  “Show some respect.”  Jackson flexed his chest in an effort to intimidate Bryce, but he did not move.  Bryce shook his head and turned to Urie.  “Urie, do you want us to leave?”
 
With her eyes still fixed on Jackson, she replied, “Give us a minute, please.”  She waited until the both Sydney and Bryce stepped out of the room and shut the door before she responded.  “So you think this is gonna work, huh?”
 
“What’s gon work?”
 
“What am I, sixteen?  Jackson, you really have no clue how pissed off I am right now.”
 
“And that is why I am here, to make it up to you.  I know I messed up…”
 
“Messed up is giving yourself a compliment.  You told me you were done messing around.   Oh, and she’s pregnant?  When were you gonna tell me, huh?  Was it gonna be when you needed me to front you some money because your child support made you run a little low?  Or how about when the chick found who I was and where I lived like your other baby mama and showed up at my apartment with your newborn…”
 
“Look, you are taking this out of proportion.   I’m trying to make this right…”
 
“You’ve gotta be kidding me.  Why are men always trying to make it right after it goes wrong?  Here’s a novel idea, how about you just do right for once…”
 
“So what do you want me to do, Urie?  I can’t make the baby go away…”
 
“Right now, I just want you to go away.  I don’t have anything to say to you.  Can you make that happen?”
 
Jackson began to walk toward Urie in a manner that made her nervous.  “I think it may be best if you watch your tone.  Now I came up here to apologize, and you letting your big-mouthed friend get you in trouble.  And by the way, who is that other dude?”
 
“He’s one of my co-workers.  Look, this is not about him or Sydney.  This is about us.  For a little over ten years, I have dealt with everything that you have thrown my way.” Urie took a pause for a moment. “And you know what, maybe I’m to blame for a lot of this because I enabled you.  Kind of like I’m enabling you now.  You won’t marry me because you ain’t ready but you want to lay up in my house, eat up my food, play with Eva like she is a doll that you can put back on the shelf, and go back home whenever you’re ready.  She’s getting to that age where she is asking questions.  I can’t let my daughter grow up seeing more of an unhealthy relationship because I refuse to be woman enough to let you go...”
 
“So what you are you trying to say, Urie?”  Urie turned away, so Jackson came up behind her.  “You’re just gonna throw away ten years because I got some side chick pregnant?”  She still did not respond, which caused Jackson to get extremely angry.  He charged toward her, knocking her podium to the ground and breaking it.  Once he got near her, he grabbed her by her shoulders, spun her around, and slammed her against the wall.  “Oh, so we ain’t answering now, huh?  You learn that from them friends of yours?  When I ask you something, you answer.  You got that…”
 
“Jackson, let me go.  You’re hurting me…”
 
“I ain’t hurting you girl, shut up!”
 
“Get your hands off of her!”  Bryce grabbed Jackson and spun him around so quickly that his shoulders popped.  Immediately, Jackson got right in Bryce’s face; Bryce did not flinch.  “Is there a problem?”
 
“You must want one, and I’ll give you what you want…”
 
“Trust me, this ain’t what you want.  I suggest that you leave before I have CPD escort you out for us.  Or better yet, I’ll just handle you by myself.”
 
Jackson looked over at Urie, who was being consoled by Sydney.   He threw the flowers and bear in the garbage.  “I’ll call you tonight.”  He said before slamming Urie’s classroom door.
 
“Urie, are you ok?”  Bryce came over to where Urie and Sydney were sitting.  “How bad did he hurt you?”
 
“He just grabbed my shoulders really hard.  I’m fine.”
 
“I can’t believe he put his hands on you!  Has he ever done anything like this before?” Sydney asked while picking up some of the papers that had fallen to the floor.  Urie did not answer; instead, she looked out of the window.  Enraged, Sydney continued.  “Urie, has he laid his hands on you before?”
 
“Once, about six years ago.  It was the night he found out his other child’s mother was pregnant.  He was very high and drunk and he promised that he would never do it again...”
 
“Urie, when you get home, you need to get all of his stuff out and change the locks to your condo.  You do not need him around you or Eva.”
 
“I have to agree with Sydney, Urie.”  Bryce chimed in.  “Once a person opens that door of abuse, and he knows he can get that reaction of fear out of you, he will do it again.  You don’t need this...”
 
“I know.  Can we please not discuss this anymore?  Help me get this stuff up so we can get to this meeting.”          
 
As Urie and Bryce began to clean up the aftermath of Jackson’s anger, Sydney’s phone began to ring.  After looking down at the phone to see how it was, Sydney said to the both of them, “Excuse me, I need to take this.”  She took a breath before answering the phone.  “Hello?”
 
“Syd, it’s Lydia.  You busy?”
 
“I know who it is, Lydia.  What’s up?”
 
“I need you to come with me somewhere”
 
“It’s kind of a bad time.  Urie just..”
 
“Oh ain’t nobody got time to think but her and her baby daddy drama right now! I am in the middle of a crisis and need your help...”
 
No, Lydia. This is serious.  Jackson just came in here and showed out.  He put his hands on her.  I need to call you back if all you’re talking about is making a trip…”
 
“Look, help her get her papers, get her a bottle of Vodka, and tell her to deal with it.  I have an emergency and you’re the only one who knows enough to come with me…”
 
“Come with you where?!”  Sydney let out an overdramatic sigh.  “Lydia, what is so important with you that this news with Urie experiencing physical violence is not important…”
 
“Sydney, I’m pregnant!” Lydia shouted in the phone.  The news made Sydney speechless.  Since Sydney didn’t respond, Lydia repeated herself in a quieter tone.  “I’m pregnant.”
]]><![CDATA[Chapter Seven: "Don't go with what's in your face..."]]>Sun, 01 Jul 2018 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.amberwhitted.com/plusinctheseries/chapter-seven-dont-go-with-whats-in-your-face
For the record, I regret nothing.
 
You can’t expect someone to hold on forever until you get yourself together.  A lot of men seem to miss this point.  Now me personally, I’ve told Tony several times what I need and expect, so he is not unaware.  It’s only natural that I jump on the opportunity to be with someone who gives me not part but all of what I need.  Calvin supports me.  He understands me.  He listens to me.  And frankly, he makes my toes curl.
 
Now I’m not saying that I’ll be leaving Tony.  I’m not crazy.  Tony is stable, and he thinks the world of our boys.  As long as he keeps a check coming in this house, then I’m satisfied. And I do love him.   Really.  I just don’t desire him like that right now.  What happens between us at this point is strictly out of marital obligation, at least until Tony can show me that he wants this marriage as bad as he used to.
 
I miss the dinners out.  I miss the flowers.  I miss the ‘I love you’ calls in the middle of the afternoon.  When he was just a lawyer making six figures, our relationship was fine.   But now that he is actively pursing being a well-known sports and entertainment attorney, he never has time for our boys and never has time for me.  Maybe if he was at home more, I’d want him the way I used to.  But I can’t want what’s not there.  My imagination just ain’t that great.
 
I’ll cut things off with Calvin when I get bored.  Right now, it’s something to do that I like to do.  No one has to know but him and me.  And when our time is passed, we will go our separate ways.
 
But for right now, I’m loving it.  All of it.  Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it to?
 
 
                                                                                                                             -  Lydia



 
“I don’t see what’s the problem is.”
 
“You never see what the problem is,” Urie took a sip of her tea as she curled up under her blanket, “because you don’t see anything wrong with dating multiple men at one time.  Lydia, not everyone can just separate their emotions from their heart like you do.”
 
“You make me sound so heartless.”  Lydia laughed as she continued to put on her make-up.  “Glad I’m not easily offended.”
 
“You also don’t easily recognize a bad idea when one pops up but we don’t count that against you either.” Sydney said as she opened the keys to her apartment. 
 
“No one asked you.”
 
“I asked myself, thanks.”
​

“Ladies, ladies let’s be civil” Parker laughed as she took some food out of the oven.
 
“I’m being civil.”
 
“And so am I,” Lydia added, “but some people don’t know how to let stuff go…”
 
“Are you serious?  Hey, Pot, nice to meet you, My name’s Kettle…”
 
Urie laughed hard.  “Y’all are too much!  So, what is everyone doing tonight?”
 
“Date with David,” Sydney said while standing in front of her closet, “and I don’t have a clue what to wear.”
 
“Ooo, so we’re still going out with David, huh?”
 
“Yeah, and it’s crazy because I didn’t see myself liking his type.”
 
“What do you mean his type?”
 
“You know, the country club membership rich guy type.    I never got into a brotha like that.”
 
Lydia stopped her beauty regimen for a moment.  “That’s the type that you need to be dating!  The guys with pockets are the ones you are supposed to aim for.”
 
“I don’t think like that.”
 
“And that’s why you drive a busted up Ford.”
 
“Sydney,” Parker interjected before another debate could begin between the two friends, “if you like the guy, then you like him.  Does he respect you?”
 
“Yeah.” Sydney answered while playing with outfit combinations.
 
“Does he listen to you and value your opinions?”
 
“Yeah.”
 
“Do you laugh and have a good time with him?”
 
“Definitely.”
 
“Does he give you butterflies?”  Sydney paused for a moment, fighting a smile that was trying to surface.  After no answer came from her mouth, Parker continued, “I rest my case.”
 
“Ok, so David is a great guy.  But I can tell that he may consider getting serious and it’s only been two months.”
 
“Just continue hanging out and see where it goes.”
 
“I guess.”
 
 “What’s on deck for you, Lydia?” Parker asked while throwing some rice in the microwave.
 
“I am headed out.”  Lydia answered in a sassy tone while putting the finishing touches on her night look.  “Chris and Ced are with Verna so I have the night baby free.”
 
“Ooo, and where are you and Tony headed?” Urie asked in a girly tone before stuffing another cookie in her mouth and changing the channel.


“I said I am headed out.  Me.  That’s it.”
 
“Um, I’m confused.”


“About what?”
 
“If Tony is not going out with you, then where are you headed?”
 
I love my girls, I swear I do, but sometimes they can be so nosy and lame.  “If you must know, Calvin is taking me to dinner with some of the members of the Dreams Inc. gala committee as a thank you for making the event go off without a hitch.”  The girls mumbled and made comments to themselves, which made Lydia angry.  “Come on!  What do all really think is going on?”
 
“Trust me,” Sydney responded sharply, “you do not want to know what I think is going on…”
 
“And what’s that supposed to mean?”
 
“Remember that comment I made about bad ideas?”
 
“Sydney, please don’t get me started on you…”
 
“Ladies, hold on, I have another call.” Urie sighed as she clicked over to the other line.
 
“Lydia, I gotta back Syd on this one.”  Parker cosigned.  “Calvin is bad news.  That man can and will mess up your marriage if you let him.”
 
“We are going to a group dinner!” Lydia rolled her eyes as she checked her ensemble in the mirror.  “That’s it, the end!  Just ‘cuz y’all chicks don’t have anything going on tonight does not mean you have to be jealous of someone who does.”
 
“I’m going on a date too, Mrs. Brown.  But the difference between you and I is that I can do that.  Why, you ask?  Because I’m single.  If I was married, my date would be with my husband and that’s it.”
 
“Well, until you have one of those, you will not know what I am going through.”
 
“Um, girls,” Urie returned to the phone blushing, “It’s Bryce.  I will talk to you all later…”
 
“And speaking of sistas dating men who don’t belong to them…”
 
“Uh uh, that’s different!” Sydney corrected.  “We want her away from that Jack-in-the-box.  Urie honey, handle your business and I will talk to you later.”
 
“It’s not like that!” Urie rolled her eyes as she laughed.  I’m lying.   I know it is.  I’m getting worse than Lydia.  “I will talk to you all later.  Goodnight!”
 
After Urie disconnected the line, Parker added.  “And I have to go too.  Mama and Patrice are on their way over here to discuss Tricie’s wedding plans.  I will talk to you all later, that is if I am not locked up for killing the bride and the woman who birthed her.”
 
“Good luck with that.” Sydney laughed.
 
“I know right.  G’nite.”  Parker hung up the phone and sat it on the kitchen counter.  She quickly took inventory of the meal that she had prepared: collard greens, macaroni and cheese, and smothered chicken with rice and gravy.  In the refrigerator was homemade sweet tea.  Parker took extra care in making sure that the kitchen and living room in her apartment was in perfect order.  The last thing I need tonight is my perfectionist mother and her favorite child to come in here and criticize my place.  I can’t wait for this wedding to be over.  It’s brought out the worst in what was already crazy.   No sooner could Parker finish placing her plates out did her buzzer ring.  She walked over to the intercom and said, “Yes?”
 
“Parker Denise, quit playing! You know who this is!” a sassy voice responded.
 
And so it begins.  Parker hit the buzzer to let them in and finished straightening up.  It wasn’t long before two knocks were heard at her door.  Slowly, she walked to the door and opened it, only to be greeted by the loud voices of two women pushing their way into Parker’s home.  “Please, come in.” 
 
 “Girl, it’s cold outside!  And you had us standing out there for 5 minutes.” Parker’s mother Diane handed her a pan and then took off her shoes.   “Put that cake on the counter, would you, Sweetie?  Thanks, Piggy.”
 
“How many times did you ring the buzzer, Ma?”  Parker asked as she sat the cake on the kitchen table.  “And please, stop calling me Piggy.”
 
“Somebody done got all sophisticated with her marketing job that she forgets she’s still our Piggy.”  Patrice laughed as she pulled a fork from Parker’s kitchen drawer.  “So should we just help ourselves, because the food actually looks edible…”
 
“Don’t even start with me, Tricie, because you know I can cook…”
 
“So can I!”
 
“Mama, who’s the better cook?”
 
Diane just shook her head as she pulled out the tea from the refrigerator.  “Tricie, honey, don’t make me hurt your feelings.”  Parker laughed loud and hard as Patrice rolled her eyes.  “But you’re very creative when it comes to pastries, I’ll give you that.”
 
“Better than Parker?” Tricie asked while fixing her plate.
 
“I don’t really care who’s better than who at doing what whenever.  All I know is that we need to get this here wedding started because with all your ideas, Tricie-girl, you are sucking me and your daddy dry!”  Diane pulled up a big spoonful of macaroni and cheese and then snuck a taste with her fingers.  “Ok, Piggy-girl, I see you took my advice and stopped using so much milk.  You have a good consistency.”
 
“My mac and cheese always has a good consistency, thank you.  Now please let’s start this planning because my movie is coming on at 10.”
 
“Oooo, and do we have company?”
 
“If you want to call my blanket company, yeah.”
 
“That’s so sad” Tricie said between bites of chicken.  “So very sad.   Good chicken by the way.”
 
“Thanks, and what’s so sad about it?”
 
“It is Friday night, and you don’t have a date.  So you’re gonna watch a movie on cable and pretend that you are happy.  That’s sad, and slightly amusing.”
 
“Tricie, stop.  Not everybody has someone to go home to.”
 
“Um, can we speed this up, please?” Parker asked in between bites of greens.  “I have some things that I’d rather be doing.”
 
“And what is more important than my wedding?!” Patrice took a sip of tea and then reached underneath the table to grab a binder.  “Here.”
 
“What is this?”
 
“These are your duties as my maid of honor for the wedding and also the duties of all the bridesmaids.  They are all listed in their by alphabetical order.  I’m gonna need for you to make sure that everyone is doing what they are supposed to be doing so that I don’t have to snap on nobody.”          
 
“Um, you have a bunch of grown women as your bridesmaids.  Eleven of them at that.  They don’t’ need me to tell them anything…”
 
“Why are you being so difficult?”
 
“I’m not being difficult; you’re being ridiculous.  I want to enjoy myself at your wedding too…”
 
“How are you gonna do that?  Are you gonna rent a man for the evening?”
 
Parker was fuming.  “You know, you ain’t gon look so cute on your wedding day with a busted eye, swollen lip, and the front of your grill missing…”
 
“Ladies, ladies!”  Diane put her fork down long enough to reprimand her two daughters.  “Y’all acting like some nappy-headed heathens and I’mma pop you both one if ya’ll don’t cut out all that noise!  All that cat-fightin’ gon give me indigestion.”  She took a sip of her tea before she continued.  “Now Tricie, your bridesmaids are old enough to know what they need to do and when.  You don’t need to give Parker a job without the benefit of getting a check.”  Diane turned to Parker.  “And Piggy, honey, I do not want to see you coming into Tricie’s wedding without a date…”  Parker rolled her eyes and got up from the table.  Patrice tried to call out to her, but Diane held out her hand to silence her.  Diane walked to Parker’s room to find her rearranging things in her closet.  “It’s funny to see some things don’t change.  Ever since you were little, you’ve been a very organized girl.  But whenever you got mad, the first thing you did is start rearranging things that didn’t need rearranging.”  Diane laughed, but Parker did not laugh with her.  She walked over to her daughter and touched her arm softly, which caused Parker to stop.  “Parker, have a seat please.”  After both of them sat on the bed, she continued.  “You wanna tell Mama what’s wrong?”
 
“Mama, you know what’s wrong.”
 
“Is it about me calling you Piggy?”
 
“No, Mama.”
 
“Is it about Tricie going a little bridezilla on us this early in the planning?”
 
“No.”
 
“Then it’s about you not having a date, huh?” Parker just rolled her eyes and tried to get up, but Diane stopped her.  “Parker, what’s going on with your dating life?”
 
“I go out, Ma.  You all make it sound like I have no desire to meet anybody.  But I’m not boy-crazy like Tricie was and I refuse to settle.”
 
“It’s not about settling, honey, it’s about getting what you can get.  I married your father when I was 19 years old, barely out of high school.  Your sister is 24, and she’s about to get married.  All of your brothers are married.   You’ll be 30 in a few years and we haven’t met a prospect since Jeremy, and that was 4 years ago.  Parker, baby, I just want you to be happy.”
 
“So what are you trying to say, that I should take whatever guy can tolerate looking at me for longer than five minutes because I’m almost 30?  Mama, I’m a human, not a piece of steak.  I don’t have an expiration date…”
 
“Who told you that lie?  Honey, all women have some sort of an expiration date and if they let that date pass, they end up by themselves and bitter.  Oh they may be successful career women, but they are lonely.  I don’t want you to end up like your Aunt Donita…”
 
“Mama, I am not gonna end up like Aunt Donita.”  Parker got up from her bed and walked to her dresser.  “I can’t believe you think I should settle.   You didn’t settle, and neither did Tricie.  Why should I?”
 
“Sweetie, I had more options than you.  When I was young, I was a skinny thang.  Your daddy snatched me up while I still had that cheerleader body from high school.   You and Tricie are both some big girls…”
 
“Mama, you’re a big girl too…”
 
“But I wasn’t always a big girl.  I didn’t gain no weight until after I had you.  And then when I had Tricie, that solidified my big girl status.  But the difference between you and me is that I had a man when I gained my weight and I made sure he wasn’t going nowhere…”
 
“This is ridiculous…”
 
“No, honey, this is life.  The fact is that skinny women have way more options than big girls.  Your sister is lucky.  She happened to catch one of those rich brothas who like girls with meat on their bones, but how often are you gonna find that?  I’m just saying be smart, Parker.  If you can catch a man who is willing to take you as you are, then what’s wrong with settling for that…”
 
“It’s wrong because I shouldn’t have to!  You always told me and Tricie that we should carry ourselves like royalty because that is what we are.  You always told us that we were beautiful, even if we were chunky as you and Aunt Donita liked to call it.  You always taught me to have self-esteem and to wait for the right man and now that I am you’re telling me I’m wrong?! So what, were you just lying to me growing up so that I’d feel better about being a big girl?  Were you just filling my head up with all that crap just so that I wouldn’t realize that I’d never be desired?”
 
“No, I was telling you what you needed to hear so that you didn’t grow up depressed and angry.” Diane walked over to Parker and grabbed her hand.  “And I was not lying to you.  Parker, you were and still are beautiful.  You are the spitting image of your tall, cocoa daddy and you know I love me some Preston.  You carry yourself very well, you’re educated, and you have made a name for yourself professionally in marketing and as a socialite…”
 
“Blogger, Mama…”
 
“Same thing!  But honey, all of that means nothing if you have no one to share it with.  All I’m saying is don’t raise your expectations so high that no man will ever be able to meet them.  Come down to earth a little bit, Piggy, ok?”
 
Parker turned away.  What if she’s right?  What if my standards are way too high and I am expecting too much out of men?  I mean, I always did want to drop some weight.   Could that really help…Wait, what am I thinking?  I love me just as I am and if a man can’t dig me, curves and all, then he can forget it.  If I wanna lose weight, it will be on my terms, not to bait a man.   “I get where you’re going, Mama.  I just can’t say that I agree with you.”
 
“I understand, baby.  I’m from a different time and side of the country than you.”  Diane kissed her daughter on the cheek and wiped a small tear that started to fall from Parker’s eye.  “Ok, look, if it’s any consolation, I respect you.  Your prince is out there, Princess Parker.  Just don’t get so busy that you miss him.”
 
“Ok.”  She kissed Diane on the forehead.  “But on another note, if Tricie doesn’t calm down with all this bridal crap, I’m gonna kill her…”
 
“Not if I don’t kill that brat first!”  Diane laughed loud and hard as she opened the door and watched as Patrice fell in the room.  “What I tell you ‘bout getting in other people’s business, Tricie-girl?  Now git yourself off the floor and come in here so we can get down to business.” 
 
Diane walked out the room and left the sisters in Parker’s bedroom.  Once their mother was no longer standing by the door, Parker asked, “How much of that convo did you hear?”
 
“None.”
 
“Tricie?”
 
“All of it.”
 
“And I guess you agree with Mama, huh?”
 
“Only on one thing, that I respect you.  You’ve never settled your whole life.  I am proud to say that I admire a big sis who has a ‘don’t go with what’s in front of your face’ mentality.  I tease you because it’s my job as your baby sis, but I admire you.”  Patrice gave Parker a hug, which made her sigh deeply and smile.  “Now come on out here so I can tell you what else I need you to do…”
 
“If it’s another one of your lists, Tricie, I swear it right now it ain’t happening.”  The two of them laughed as they exited her bedroom.  
Why am I so quiet tonight?  I swear this is not like me at all.  Sydney gazed in awe at the view of Downtown Chicago from their table as she ran her fingers across the patterns on the champagne flute that sat in front of her.  “The view up here is gorgeous.” She said quietly.
 
“Not as beautiful as the view that I am getting from over here.”  Sydney looked back at David, who was smiling warmly at her.  She fought to keep from biting her bottom lip, but she failed.  He laughed as she immediately covered her mouth.  “Did you enjoy your meal?”
 
“Yes, thank you.  You know, I’ve always wanted to come up here but never got the chance.”
 
“Well, since I’m the one that got to share this first with you, I consider myself blessed.”  David reached across the table and ran his finger gently down Sydney’s cheek.  He smiled as she shyly bit her lip and then looked out the window again.  “Can I be honest with you for a second, Sydney.”
 
“Honesty is better than lying.”
 
“When I first saw you at Lydia’s birthday party, I knew I had to talk to you.  Your personality jumped out at me without you even saying a word…”
 
“Are you sure it wasn’t my body while I was dancing…”
 
“Well, that didn’t hurt.”  The two of them laughed for a moment before he continued.  “In all seriousness, you just had this outgoing and radiant vibe about you.  I had to come dance with you, and I was too ticked when I got that phone call that I had to leave…”
 
Oh that’s why I didn’t remember you!  That makes sense.  I knew I wouldn’t have forgotten a face that cute…
 
“…So when I found out that Tony knew you personally, I didn’t want to pass up the chance to see you again.”
 
“Did you think I’d call?” Sydney teased before taking a sip of her champagne.
 
“Yes I did.”
 
“Excuse me!”
 
David leaned back and laughed loud and hard, which drew the attention of some of the other people in the restaurant.  “Well, I mean, you have to have confidence, right?  From what I can remember, we definitely had a connection when we danced…”
 
“I don’t even remember dancing with you…”
 
“Yeah ok…”
 
“I’m serious, I don’t!  When Tony gave me your card, it took me a minute to remember who you were…”
 
“But you remembered…”
 
“A little bit, yeah, but that’s not what…”
 
“But you remembered me,” David said in a warm and sensual tone, “and that drew enough curiosity for you to call me.”
 
He’s lucky I think being slightly cocky is cute.  Sydney thought to herself.  Because otherwise, I’d have to tell him about himself.   “I like to give people a chance every now and again.”
 
“Thanks for giving us mere mortals a chance.”
 
“No problem.”  Sydney looked out the window again.  This view is just amazing – the night sky, the stars, the lights on the cars as they drive past.  It’s moments like these that romance is made out of.  I haven’t felt this way since… She stopped her thoughts as turned back to David, who was looking dead at her.  “Why are you staring at me?”
 
“My mom taught me how to appreciate beauty early, so I can’t take my eyes off of it when I see it.”  David paused for a moment, took a breath, and then continued.  “Look, I’m an excellent business professional but in personal situations I can be awkward as ever so I’ll just come out and say it.  I like you, Sydney.  A lot.  And I want an extended chance to get to know you exclusively, if you’ll give a shot.”
 
She giggled a little bit.  “Are you asking me to go with you?”
 
“Yeah, but in a more adult way, I guess.”
 
“You guess?”
 
“Let me take that back.  I know.  So,” David leaned in toward her and lowered the tone of his voice, “is that a yes or a no?”
 
Oh heck yeah! Y-E-S! Yessir!  “Sure.”
 
“That’s all I get, huh?”
 
“What were you expecting?”
 
“A little more enthusiasm maybe.”
 
“Ok, how about this,” Sydney shook her head as if she was going into character, “Oh, David, I have waited all my life to have someone as wonderful as you kiss the darkness of the abyss of my meaningless singleness goodbye.  Yes, it would be my honor and privilege to unite as a couple and explore what possibilities that God may have in store.”
 
David took a moment to stare at her, fighting hard to withhold laughter.  “How long did it take you to think of that?”
 
“Top of the head.  I’m that good.” Sydney winked at David.  “Yes, let’s see where this relationship could possibly go.”  Her heart began beating fast as David leaned over the table and kissed her gently on the lips.  And if this is any kind of indication on what I have to look forward to, all I have to say is ‘hey now!’   Before Sydney could enjoy the sweetness of her kiss, she saw Lydia walk in arm-in-arm with Calvin.  She instantly pulled back from David’s kiss, which startled him.  “Um, excuse me, I need to run to the little girls room.”
 
“Don’t be long.” He lightly touched her arm as she walked past.
 
Sydney’s smile faded as she passed David and begin to walk in the direction of Lydia and Calvin, who were sitting at the bar waiting for their drinks.  Lord, I have a bright future ahead of me.  Since I don’t want to spend it in jail, please do not let me kill this woman or this man tonight.  Anger rose the closer that she got to them as she heard her laughter and watched her flirtatious mannerisms.  When she arrived at where they sat, she tapped Lydia on the shoulder and waited for her to turn around.  “Hey Lydia, good to see you.”
 
“Syd, what are you doing here?”  Lydia eyes widened like a deer caught in headlights.  She tried to keep her calm, but her heart was racing a mile a minute.
 
“I’m on a date.  I was just on my way to the bathroom.  Can I talk to you for a moment please?  This won’t take long…”
 
“I’m with Lydia right now,” Calvin interjected, “so you can wait…”
 
“I don’t recall asking for your permission for a married woman to handle her own business, so I think it’s a good idea that you stay out of this…”
 
“Lydia, maybe you should to get your girl in her place…”
 
“Excuse me…”
 
Lydia stood up quickly and put her hand on Sydney’s shoulder.  “Come on, Syd, I can chat talk briefly.” She turned back to Calvin, nodded, and then grabbed her purse.  The two ladies were silent until the arrived to the bathroom.  After checking all of the stalls to see if anyone was in there, Lydia screamed, “What is your problem!?”
 
“My problem?!  I’m sorry, you’re a married woman out on a date with someone who is not your husband and I’m the one with the problem?  I thought you said you were going out with a group of people.  That does not look like a group…”
 
“We were out with a group, but we decided to get drinks afterward…”
 
“And you see nothing wrong with that…”
 
Lydia turned to leave the bathroom. “You know what, this is really none of your business…”
 
“How long have you been messing with Calvin, Lydia?”  Lydia stopped dead in her tracks but did not turn around.  Since she did not answer, Sydney asked the question again.  “You’re not deaf.  It’s pretty quiet in here so I know you heard me.”
 
Lydia coolly turned around, crossed her arms, and tilted her head to the side.  “Why is it so important to you?”
 
“Because you’re my friend, or are supposed to be rather.  I would think you’d at least say something before you made a bad decision that could ruin your entire family’s life.”
 
“And if I was going to mess up my family’s life, which I’m not by the way, why would I need to tell you anything?”
 
“So I can stop you!”  They got quiet for a moment as a woman entered the bathroom and went into one of the stalls.  Sydney moved closer to Lydia so their conversation could remain private.  “Lydia, this man is dangerous…”
 
“Calvin is hardly dangerous.” Lydia laughed as she rolled her eyes.  “You are really jumping to conclusions that you can’t confirm or deny…”
 
“Then confirm or deny it, Lydia.  Are you having an affair with Calvin?”
 
“I don’t see how this is your business.  Calvin and I are friends.  We met at my birthday party, he gave me the biggest opportunity of my career as a caterer a few months ago, and he has become someone I can confide in…”
 
“Friends, right.” Sydney mumbled.
 
“Yes, friends.  You act like you don’t have male friends.  And I know you have a lot of male friends...”
 
​“First of all, I know the difference between friends and a bed buddy.  You can ask any of the guys that I know and they don’t know if I prefer lace or satin.  I keep my relationships with men platonic.  Don’t get it twisted.”  Sydney waited until the lady who had previously entered the washroom completed washing her hands before she continued.  “Look, you’re grown.  I can barely advise you on what to wear let alone what or who you should do.  But I will say this, Calvin is trouble.  He’s gonna ruin what you have with Tony if you aren’t careful...”
 
“You’re right, I am grown.  Thank you so much for acknowledging that.  I can handle my own mud.  Now, if you’d excuse me, I am going to enjoy the company of that man back there who wants to buy me drinks and show his appreciation for me being in his life.  I know when to draw the line…”
 
“Do you now?”
 
“Yes.”  Lydia checked her appearance in the mirror one more time before she started to head out the bathroom door.  “Oh, Syd?”
 
“What?” Sydney responded without looking at her.
 
“I would appreciate if you kept tonight to yourself.  K?”  Sydney looked over at Lydia, but the words she wanted to say would not come out.  She simply turned back to the mirror.  “You go enjoy your date.  I fully intend to enjoy mine.”  Lydia smirked as she left the bathroom, leaving Sydney alone to think.


]]><![CDATA[Chapter Six: "But right now, I need more..."]]>Fri, 01 Jun 2018 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.amberwhitted.com/plusinctheseries/chapter-six-but-right-now-i-need-more
It’s hard being in love with someone who you know is all wrong for you and being in serious like with the perfect person. 
 
Bryce and I have an amazing time when we hang out.  And while he understands that any interaction that we have is only as friends or co-workers, I know he wants more. And so do I.
 
What I really want is my sanity back.  I want to be able to tell Eva that everything is going to be ok and mean it.  I want to be sure that if I walk away from Jackson, he is going to be a real man and take care of his daughter.  And most of all, I want to be sure that I can be alone without having a mental breakdown. 
 
Maybe my therapist was right.  Maybe I do need to spend some quality time by myself.  I think I lost sight of that the moment I made my life about everyone else.
 
But when do I get to think about what I want?
 


                                                                                                                               -  Urie




“Thank you for dinner last night.”  Lydia stretched out on the bed as the sunlight pushed through the blinds.  “Their lasagna was almost as good as mine.”
 
“Was dinner all you enjoyed?”
 
“The music and coffee were good too?”  Both Lydia and Calvin laughed.  “Come on now, Calvin.  You know what I think about how you put it down.”
 
“That’s my bad girl.”
 
“You love it.” Lydia paused as she heard footsteps come toward the bedroom door.  “Hold on.”  She shoved the phone inside her pillowcase as Tony walked in.  He let out a deep sigh of fatigue as she set down his suitcase.  After noticing Lydia lying on the bed, he immediately began to smile. Lydia cringed as he left the items lying in the middle of the floor.  “So you’re just gonna leave those there, huh?”
​

“Hello to you too, Lydee.” Lydia shook her head as he came close to her.  “What’s wrong?”
 
“Why don’t you get in the shower first?  Take a moment to wash that flight off…”
 
“You trying to tell me I smell?”
 
“I’m trying to give you the opportunity to wind down.” She raised her eyebrows and pointed her finger toward the master bathroom.  Disappointed, Tony began to walk toward the bathroom.  “Please take those socks with you and put them in the hamper.  You know I hate it when you do that.”
 
“Ok, Lydia.” Tony mumbled as he walked to the bathroom.
 
Lydia waited until Tony shut the bathroom door to pull her phone out from her pillowcase.  “Sorry about that.”
 
“Tony came home, huh?”
 
“I wasn’t expecting him until Friday.  Anyway, I’m going to take a nap before I cook dinner.”
 
“Are you bringing me a plate?” Calvin teased while licking his lips.
 
“I only bring plates to good boys, so no.”  Lydia laughed until she saw Tony come out of the bathroom.  “I will talk to you later, ok?” She said in a neutral tone of voice.
 
“Alright.  I’ll be looking for my plate.”  Calvin laughed and then hung up the phone.
 
Lydia looked up at Tony, who had a confused look on his face.  “Who was that?”
 
“Calvin.”
 
Tony crossed his arms.  “And what did he want?”
 
“Calm down, Tony.  He wanted to pass along a number to me.”  Lydia rolled over to put her phone on the charger and then slid under the covers of the bed.  “You’re home early.”
 
“You’re not happy to see me?”
 
“No, I am.  I just wasn’t expecting you until Friday.”
 
“Well,” he sat down next to her and placed his arms around her waist, “I took a few weeks off.  I was thinking maybe we could go on a vacation.”
 
Umph.  Ain’t that nice.  He’s trying.  “We can do that, I guess.”
 
“Lydia, I know you’re mad at me, and I don’t blame you.  I know you feel that I have paid more attention to my career than to this marriage…”
 
“You have paid more attention to your career than to this marriage…”
 
“Lydee, please.  This is hard enough as it is.”  Lydia sat up on the edge of the bed as if she was about to get up, but the warmth of Tony’s hand on her back caused her to stop.  “Lydia, everything I do is for you, Cedric, and Christopher.”  He placed his hand over her stomach.  “And I look forward to one day adding a baby girl to that roster.   But I need you.  You are still in my corner, right?”
 
“You know I am, Tony.”  Lydia replied quietly.
 
“Look at me, Lydia.”  She turned to see Tony’s eyes locked on hers.  Tony kissed Lydia softly on the lips again and said softly.  “Now, tell me you love me.”
 
Dangit!  Why does he have to look at me like that!  I mean I do love you and all, but you haven’t been here.  Period.  It’s gonna take more than a few kisses and a look in your eyes to bring my heart back home.  “Anthony, you know I love you.  But it’s hard.  It’s like I’ve been without a husband for the past few months.  You’re going to have to give me time.”
 
“I understand.”  Tony put his arms around her in an attempt to pull her close, but Lydia pulled away.  “What’s wrong?”
 
“I was just about to take a nap before I pick up the boys and cook dinner.  I’m really tired.”
 
“Too tired to make love to your husband?”
 
“I thought you were taking a shower?”
 
“But I’m here with you right now…”
 
“And I thought I told you right now all I want is to take a nap...”
 
“It’s not just about you, you know.  There are a lot of women that would appreciate a husband who works hard, provides for his family, and desires her the same way he did when they did when they first got married…”
 
“Is there a point to this, because I’m missing my nap…”
 
“You know what, Lydia?  You’re selfish.  If you wanted something from me, I’d give it to you without hesitation, regardless to how tired I felt.  I’m that committed to you…”
 
“But you can’t give me your time...”
 
“That’s why I took time off…”  Frustrated, Tony rubbed his hands against his head and then crossed his arms.  “Is there something that I should know?”
 
“Like what?” Lydia answered.
 
“You tell me.”
 
“Tony, I don’t know what you are…”
 
“Lydia, you haven’t let me touch you in a month...”
 
“You have hardly been here all month…”
 
“Don’t play games, Lydia.  I was gone this past week and that was it.  Other than that, I’ve been lying next to you in that bed every night and I barely get so much as a kiss out of you before you roll over and start snoring.  Now what’s going on?”
 
“I’ve been tired, Tony.  That’s it.  Chris hasn’t been feeling well, so I was up with him for the past few nights.  Of course you wouldn’t know that.  So please excuse me if I’m not exactly jumping out of my clothes because you came home two days early.”  Lydia stopped for a moment to take a look at Tony’s face.  She knew that she had hurt him.   After taking a breath, she continued.  “Look, before we continue to say things we don’t mean, let’s just take a moment to cool off.  Why don’t you take a shower and then get some rest.  Let me take my nap and I will cook you a nice dinner tonight, ok?”
 
Tony shook his head.  “Whatever you want, Lydia.”  He went inside the bathroom and closed the door.
 
Once he was inside the bathroom, Lydia slid down into the covers and grabbed her phone.  She thought about calling one of the girls, but she decided against it.  I can’t tell them anything!  Lord knows they will let me have it if they knew what was going on between me and Calvin.   And to a degree, I feel bad about what I’m doing to Tony.  But I’m just having a little fun.  I can stop whenever I want.  I’m happy where I am.  But right now, I need more.  Lydia grabbed her phone and sent a quick message to Calvin: ‘I guess I’ll bring you a plate.  What do you want for dinner?’  She left her phone on the bed as she walked over to the mini-fridge that they kept in their bedroom and grabbed a bottle of water.  After taking a sip, the phone vibrated to indicate a return message.  Lydia blushed as she read the following message: ‘I’d prefer you, but I guess I’ll take fried chicken’.  Laughing her way to the bathroom, Lydia opened the door and said, “Tony, sweetie, what do you think of fried chicken with mac and cheese for dinner.”
 
He stuck his head out of the shower and smiled Lydia.  “That’s perfect.  You know I love your fried chicken.”
 
“Everyone loves my fried chicken.”  Lydia stuck her tongue out at Tony before leaving him to his shower.   Some love it more than others.  She bit her lip and smiled as she got back in the bed and closed her eyes.  
“Urie, can I talk to you for a minute, please?”
 
Urie choked on her bottle of apple juice as she saw Bryce running after her in the faculty parking lot, complete with a big smile and one white rose in hand.   She blushed slightly when she answered.  “Yes, but you do realize this could be considered highly unprofessional.”
 
“What is so unprofessional about giving a co-worker a small token on her birthday?”  Bryce asked.  After overdramatically wiping his brow, he handed her the card and the rose before he continued.  “Happy Birthday, Miss Glenn.”
 
“Thank you, Mr. Anderson.  But who told you it was my birthday?”
 
“I have my ways.”
 
“It was Donna, wasn’t it?”
 
“You know she can’t hold water.”
 
Urie laughed and then took a quick sniff of the rose.  “This almost tops the poem that my sophomore honors English class wrote me.”
 
“Oh almost huh?  Well, I thought about having my freshman chorus write you a song, but I thought that might be overkill.”
 
“Just a bit.” Urie began to unlock her car door and load her belongings inside.
 
After taking a deep breath, Bryce answered.  “I’ll just cut right to it.  I want to take you out, Urie.”
 
“You want to what?”
 
“I want to take you out on a date.  You do go on those, right?”
 
“Bryce, you know I’m in a relationship…”
 
“I know, I know.  But I also know the look on your face when you mention him.  I’m no psychic, but I am perceptive.  I know you’re not happy.”  Urie’s eyes widened.  She began to respond, but Bryce continued to speak.  “No, this is not one of those sad lines that men try to feed women when they are trying to break up a happy home.  If you don’t want to go out with me out of respect for him, I understand and apologize if I disrespected you.”
 
“I don’t feel disrespected, Bryce.  It’s just that…” Urie sighed deeply.  “It’s complicated, ok?  There is a lot more at stake than just whether I do or don’t want to go out with you.”
 
“Does it have to do with the photo of the pretty young girl that sits on your desk?”  Urie quickly turned away from him to get in her car, but Bryce continued.    “This may be overstepping my boundaries, but the need to raise a child never justifies staying with a man that doesn’t treat you right…”
 
Urie raised her voice just a small bit.  “Who said he didn’t treat me right?  I think you are overstepping your bounds just a bit, Bryce…”
 
“And that’s the last thing I want.  I…” Bryce took a moment to take a breath.  “I just want a chance to get to know you, for real.  Past the professional friendship that we’ve developed since the school year started.  I like you.  Everything about you to me is absolutely beautiful.  I just want to show you a good time.  But I won’t do it until you’re ready.”  Bryce touched the top of Urie’s glove.  “I’m a patient man.  When I see something I want, I’ll wait.  Have a great birthday, Urie.”
 
She waited until Bryce went back into the building before got in the car and closed the door.  ARGH! Why is this happening?  Urie grabbed a piece of gum out of her purse and began to chew furiously.  I can’t be that chick.  I just can’t.  If I’m committed to a man, then that’s it.  Urie paused for a moment.  Then again, I’ve been with Jackson so long that I don’t know what else is out there.  Maybe I should go out with Bryce.    She pulled her phone from her purse and called Sydney.
 
“Your mama’s phone, she ain’t home.”
 
“Do you know how to answer the phone like a mature adult?”
 
“Ehh.  What’s up?”
 
“I’m having a crisis.”
 
“What kind of a crisis?”
 
“A ‘Bryce asked me out and I don’t know what to do’ crisis.”
 
Sydney laughed loud and hard in the back of the taxi she was riding in.  “Ha!  It’s about time that man asked you out!  And a perfect day too.  Happy Birthday, by the way.  So where y’all going?”
 
“Thank you.  And I said no…”
 
“You said what!!”
 
“I said no.  I can’t go out with him, Sydney.  You know that and you know why.”
 
“And I keep thinking to myself how horrible of an excuse that is…”
 
“It’s not an excuse! It’s the truth…”
 
“No, it’s an excuse.  Anytime the reason for not doing is less pertinent than the reason for doing, it is an excuse.”
 
“What is your problem with Jackson, Syd?  You only know him through me.”
 
Sydney gave the taxi driver a brief direction before she continued.  “He treats you badly, he barely spends time with Eva, and he had a child with another woman while you were dating him.   I could go on but I think I made my point.”
 
“You have.” Urie replied quietly.  “But it’s not that simple…”
 
“It never is.  Urie, I know you love him, and I can’t judge you because I’ve loved the wrong man for the right reasons before.  But sis, you can’t keep a man who doesn’t want to be kept.  Sooner or later, you’re going to realize that you need more than he can ever give you.”
 
Urie pulled into the parking lot of her apartment complex.  She smiled as she noticed Jackson’s car near her parking spot.  “Well, maybe I may not have to worry about it.  Jackson’s here now.”
 
“Oh really?” Sydney said dryly.
 
“Yes, really!  Maybe he has some kind of surprise for me.”
 
“I wouldn’t get my hopes up…”
 
“Why are you so negative?!”
 
“When it comes to that man, positive thoughts are the furthest thing from my mind.  Enjoy your birthday surprise, chick.  Are we still on for this weekend?”
 
“Of course!  Later.” Urie hung up the phone and rushed out the car and into her apartment building.  With all kinds of emotions racing through her head, she ran up the 2 flights of stairs before getting to her apartment.  After fumbling with her keys, she finally opened the door to find Jackson sitting on her couch eating a sandwich and watching television.   “Oh.  Hello.”
 
“Hey babe.” Jackson said without facing her.  “I was waiting for you.”
 
“Really now.  For what reason?”
 
“Just wanted you to know I was heading out of town for a couple of days…”
 
I’m sorry, but what?!  Urie took a deep breath.  “Heading out of town for what?”
 
“My boy’s band is playing a couple of sets in Michigan and he wanted to know if I want to come with.”
 
Are you serious!  You’re almost 30 years old with a job and a kid.  You are too old to become a roadie.   And what about my birthday dinner on Saturday?   “Um, that’s nice, good for him.  But aren’t you forgetting plans for this weekend?”
 
“Yeah, about that, I won’t be there.  I gotta help my guy out.  You understand, right babe?”
 
“No, no I don’t understand,” Urie said angrily as she walked into her living room, “because you knew about this for weeks.  Now I have been really patient with you while you spent all these nights trying to get used to being the new overseer of the youth center and I haven’t asked much of you for myself or for Eva.  This is the first time I’ve asked you to really be there for me and I get put to the side so you can be some guy’s groupie…”
 
Jackson turned to look at Urie and rose his voice to intimidate her.  “Don’t go getting out of your body, Urie.  You always put stuff on hold with us to go take care of your girls…”
 
“When have I ever put anything that we ever planned on hold for someone else?  You have always, always come first with me.  I have never been able to say the same about you.  Now here I am, excited to see your car in the parking lot, thinking that we’ll have a nice family night at my place for my birthday and instead I see you sitting on my couch and smacking on a sandwich.”
 
“Today’s your birthday?”
 
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Urie turned her back and began to walk toward her room.
 
“I thought your birthday was tomorrow.  My bad, babe.”  Urie did not turn around.  Instead, she took off her shoes, sat on the edge of the bed, and crossed her arms.  Jackson knelt in front of her.  “Look, I’m trying to be there for my guy when he gets on so that maybe we can be a part of that…”
 
“I don’t want to be a part of that, Jackson. I want to fix this right here.  I am not concerned about anything or anybody else right now.”
 
Jackson tried to kiss Urie, but she turned her face.  “It’s cool.  I’ll let you be mad for right now.  We can talk when I get back from Michigan…”
 
“So you’re really gonna go?”
 
“What part of me saying I was going wasn’t clear to you?”
 
“Jackson…” Urie was so mad that her body shook.  I’m not even about to do this.  I won’t do this with you.   “Just go…”
 
“Babe, I…”
 
“Get out of my house before I say something that I won’t regret.”  Urie looked at him with all seriousness.  “Now, Jackson.” She said quietly yet forcefully.
 
“Ok.”  He stood up and began to head toward the door.  As he headed down the hall, he heard some keys turn and the front door open.  As Eva came bouncing into the house, carrying a bouquet of roses and a card, he smiled.  “Hey, lil mama!”
 
“Hi daddy!”  Eva set the items down on the floor to give Jackson a hug.  After a minute, she answered.  “Are you staying to have dinner with me and mom?  You did remember it’s her birthday, right?”
 
“I know.  I’ve known her longer than you!”  He teased.  “You got her a card and some flowers, huh?  She’ll like that.”
 
“I got her a present too, but I can’t go get it until Grandma takes me.  I hope she won’t be mad.”  Urie came out of her bed room and immediately smiled when she saw her little girl.  “Happy Birthday, Mama!” Eva sang.  She quickly grabbed her flowers and card and handed it to Urie.  “I got you a present too, but I have to get it off of layaway.  Gram is going to take me to get it on Saturday.  Is that ok?”
 
“Of course, sweetie.  Your hug was present enough.  You know I love thoughtfulness above anything else.”  She gave Jackson a quick side eye that went unnoticed by Eva as she took the flowers to the kitchen to place in water.  “Eva, would you be ok with going to Gram’s tonight?”
 
“I thought we were going to dinner?” Eva asked, sounding slightly disappointed.
 
“Well, mommy is going to go out tonight.  Remember, we still have our mommy-daughter  date tomorrow since you are off school…”
 
Eva instantly smiled.  “You took the day off?!”
 
“Yes ma’am!  We’re gonna have a great time tomorrow.”
 
“Yep, just us girls!”  Eva looked at Jackson.  “Sorry, no boys allowed.”
 
Boys.  Such an appropriate word.  “I’m sure you’re dad will be fine.  Go pack a bag, ok?”
 
“Ok, mama.  Bye daddy!”  Eva kissed Jackson on the cheek quickly before disappearing to her room.
 
Jackson waited until Eva’s door shut before he asked Urie, “Where are you going?”
 
“Why do you care?  You’re going to Michigan, remember?  And didn’t I ask you to leave?”
 
“You going out with those bitter, no-man-having friends of yours, ain’t you?”
 
“Tonight, where I go is not your concern.”  Urie opened the door to her apartment.  “Call me when you get there.”
 
“It’s like that, huh?”
 
“You wanted it like that.  Call me when you get to Michigan.  Have a safe trip.”
 
Jackson shook his head as he exited the apartment.  He stole a quick kiss, which received no emotion from Urie at all.  “Aight, have a good night with your bitter friends.”
 
Urie didn’t respond to his last statement.  She simply shut the door and pulled her cell phone from her pocket.  Urie got nervous as she scrolled through the numbers and arrived at Bryce’s number.  The fear in her rose as the phone rang.  I can’t believe I’m actually about to do this.  She thought to herself. 
 
“Well, hello, birthday girl!  Are you enjoying your day?”
 
“I guess you can say that.”  She paused for a moment, let out a quick sigh, and said “Um, listen, Bryce, about earlier…”
 
“You changed your mind?” 
 
“I guess you can say that too.”
 
Bryce let out a cocky laugh.  “So, Miss Urie, do you like Japanese food?”
]]><![CDATA[Chapter Five: "Who knows when I'll feel this way again..."]]>Tue, 01 May 2018 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.amberwhitted.com/plusinctheseries/chapter-five-who-knows-when-ill-feel-this-way-again
Every time I prepare to go out of the house, I have the same ritual.
 
After showering, I look at myself in the mirror and tell myself how absolutely gorgeous I am.
From there, I slide on my foundations.  Ok, slide is a nice way to put it.  It’s more like a hilarious dance of jerking, yanking, and rolling.  By the time I get finished, I have a gorgeous curvy shape and sore arms.  I then stand in front of my closet for a good five minutes trying to decide what I’m going to put on by narrowing down my choices to if I’m bloated, sexy, or too lazy to iron.  Once my outfit is on, my hair in place, and a natural amount of make-up perfected, I go out to face the day.
 
Now I could be the kind of woman that chooses to wear low-cut tops and tiny skirts but I refuse to.  I’m aware of how sensual my curves are.  Oh some men may pretend like they don’t think a full-figured woman is beautiful, but they know the power and appeal of our curves.  And unlike some women who let sex speak for them, my intellect speaks for me.  I’m the whole package.
 
Ok, maybe I’m feeling myself a little bit too much today.  But I think I deserve to.  Curves, Curls, and Cake just got some major sponsors to buy permanent add space, which is going to help boost my following and finances.  Checks have been coming in right on time from InTheKnow, and despite the fact that I have a witch for a manager, things at the job have been going well. To top it off, I have a date for the Dreams Inc. gala tonight.  Some guy that Sydney is setting me up with.  I should be nervous about that, but for some reason I’m not.  The worst that could happen is that he’s a troll.  At least I would’ve had a good laugh. 
           
Man, I love being me sometimes…
                                                         


                                                                                                                                 -  Parker




​
“Wow, Parker, you actually look nice today.”
 
Parker rolled her eyes as Trina, dressed in a short black skirt and a fitted blouse, walked into her office and sat on the edge of her desk.  Uninvited entry for a backward compliment. How nice.  “Is there something you need, Trina?”
 

“There are some things for the Anderson campaign that need to be taken care of.  I spoke directly to Patricia Norfleet and she wants the presentation completed for Monday’s meeting.   This is one of our new accounts and I know you want to make a good impression?”
 
“Trina, I will do what is needed to assist, but the Anderson account isn’t even mine.  Mark was supposed to be handling that.”
 
“Oh, well, we’ve assigned that to you now.  Mark will be working with me on the Porter account…”
 
“I’ve been the lead on that account for 3 years…”
 
“Well, we’re going to give it to Mark now…”
 
“Who is we?”
 
“Gerald and I feel that Mark would be a better fit for the account.  It requires a more aggressive player and Mark has that something extra that you don’t.”
 
What?! The ability to be a brownnoser?!   Parker could feel herself losing control of her anger.  That account has been mine since they first came on with the company.  All the accolades and awards for that account has been on my blood, sweat, and tears.  And now she’s just gonna stroke the ego of her sugar daddy to validate her personal vendetta against me?!   I am too done!   “Nothing against Mark, because he is excellent at what he does, but everything that account is is because of me.  I’m not sure what is going on here, but I will talk to Gerald myself…”
 
Trina crossed her arms and rose the tone of her voice in an attempt to intimidate Parker.  “You don’t have to talk to Gerald.  You’re talking to me…”
 
“And I’d rather not.  Excuse me.”  Parker locked her computer and began to head toward Gerald’s office with Trina close on her heels.  When Parker arrived at his office, she saw him laughing and shaking hands with Mark.  So everyone is in on this, huh?  Nice.  “Excuse me, Gerald, may I have a moment of your time please?”
 
“Parker, it’s good to see you.  Please, have a seat.”  Gerald motioned for her to sit next to Mark, who was smiling smugly at Parker.
 
“I’d rather stand.”  Parker nodded at Mark and continued speaking.  “Gerald, Trina just informed me that you are giving the Porter account to Mark.”
 
“Yes, that’s correct.”
 
“Is there a reason for this change?”
 
“Your work has been valued very highly, Parker.  There is no doubt that you have made the account what it is.  But our new management wants a fresh and new outlook to ensure that they keep the clients they currently have.  Trina feels that Mark will be able to carry this account to the next level…”
 
Trina feels?!  I thought this was a ‘we’ decision?!
 
“…and I trust her judgment.  I’m sure you will do an excellent job with the Anderson account.  Building new accounts is your forte.”
 
“Thank you, but I have reason to believe that this move was personal.” Parker cut a look at Trina, who just shrugged her shoulders.  “Trina, you told me that this was a ‘we’ decision.”
 
“We is a relative term.” Trina replied smugly.
 
“Parker,” Mark added while leaning back in his chair and crossing his legs, “it’s not that you aren’t good at whatever it is that you do.  It’s just that I have some ideas that are, well, better for the account.”
 
Nobody asked you, you brown-nosing Smurf.   Parker ignored Mark’s comment and turned her attention back to Gerald.   “Gerald, not undercutting Mark’s capabilities or Trina’s decision-making skills, but this was not a business decision.  This was personal.  I am surprised that you do not see what is going on here.  I will take the account.  This was just handled very poorly, in my opinion...”
 
“This isn’t about your opinion, Parker.” Trina interrupted.  “I am giving you a smaller account in order to redeem yourself.  I will have Patrice drop off your new assignments of on your desk.”  Trina leaned in toward Parker.  “And anyway, if this was personal, I would’ve had Gerald just let you go.  Thank God you have a job and leave it alone because you do not know who you are messing with.”  She stepped away and smiled.  “I think we are done here.  Questions?  Mark?   Parker?”
 
That’s it!  I am going to rip out that bogus weave that that old nasty sugar daddy of hers paid for and use it to dangle her outside of the window!  I don’t know who I’m messing with?  Are you serious?!  “No, I don’t have any questions.”  Parker nodded to both Gerald and Mark, who were staring at Trina’s cleavage.  “Gentlemen, have a great afternoon.  I’ll be working from home for the remainder of the day.  Tell Patrice to email me what I will need.”
 
“I would prefer that you work in the office.”
 
“You said that you wanted the presentation by the Monday meeting, and that you will have.  You said nothing about remaining in the office.”
 
“Let her leave, Trina.  She’ll have the work done.” Gerald nodded toward Parker.  “Thank you for being such a team player, Miss Peterson.”
 
Parker didn’t respond.  She simply smiled slightly and then turned to exit the room.  When she returned to her office, she closed the door and kicked off her heels.  After taking a look at the brown box which she kept under her desk, she shook her head and began gathering her things.  I’m not a point where I can quit just yet, but Lord knows I am so dog-gone close to giving this place the one-finger salute.
​
“So did you pull her weave out and dangle her outside the window?”
 
“Sydney!” Urie said almost a little too loud.
 
Parker laughed loud and hard.  “I thought about it, but no. I stated my peace and left for the day.”
 
“You’re better than me.  I would’ve let her have it.”  Sydney took a sip of her champagne and smoothed out her dress.  “Seriously, do I look ok in this dress?”
 
“You look better than ok.”  Urie replied.   “You look downright amazing!  Where did you find that dress?”
 
“I found it at one of those resale shops.  Every now and again you’ll find a gem, if you know how to look.”
 
“Please teach me how to because I’d love to learn.”  Urie touch the soft material on Sydney’s dress.  “And you know you know you can pull off red.”
 
“I was iffy on the red, but I don’t have a lot of red in my closet, so it was time to change the game up a little bit.”  Sydney wiggled her hips in a playful manner and then stopped as she saw her date coming toward their table.  She took a moment to adjust the flower in her hair and checked her teeth in one of the knives.  When the tall gentleman finally approached, Sydney turned around and smiled confidently.  “David?”
 
David set his plate down to grab her hand and kiss it gently.   “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Sydney.  I was getting a little tired of talking to you over the phone.”
 
“Why, did my conversation bore you?”
 
“No,” he said while pulling up a seat next to her, “but in person is always better.”
 
“Which one of you lovely ladies is Parker?” another gentleman asked.
 
Before answering, Parker gave the man the once-over.  This is supposed to be an after five event and he has on a sports coat, but his looks aren’t too bad.  I guess I can fess up to being Parker.  “That would be me.” She answered, raising her hand and then extending it for a handshake.   “And you are?”
 
“Eric.  Nice to meet you.”  He returned her handshake and then sat in the chair next to her.
 
Parker took one more moment to look her date for the night over.  He smells nice.  Ok, I can dig it.  “So, Eric what should I know about you?”
 
“Direct.  I like it.”  He flashed a warm smile that made Parker feel a little girly.  “I teach English and Communications at UIC.  What about you?”
 
“I’m a marketing rep for McMyers and Foster.”  Parker laughed for a second.  “So I guess this isn’t going to be as awkward as we thought, huh?”
 
Eric licked his lips sensuously.  “Guess not.”
 
“Urie, where’s Jackson?” Sydney asked while looking around the room.  “I thought he was supposed to be here tonight?”
 
He’s supposed to do a lot of things - like call, show up for dates, tell the truth…  “He had something come up at the center, so he wasn’t able to make it.”  Urie answered in a rehearsed manner. 
 
“I’m sorry.”
 
“You ladies having a good time?”  Lydia came over, sporting a stunning dress and high heels.   “Were the hors d'oeuvres ok?”
 
“Girl, why are you freaking out?” Sydney laughed while she took another bite of her calamari.  “If there anything that you know you can do well, it is cook.”
 
“Everything is wonderful so far.”  David laughed in a cool manner.  “Are you the head chef?”
 
“Why, of course!” Lydia smiled and tossed her head back.
 
“Well, if the food is as good as the hors d’oeuvres, then I will need your business card.”
 
“They are on the tables.”  She rubbed gently on David’s arm.  “Be sure to get one, ok?”
 
Sydney quickly rolled her eyes before she was noticed by Lydia or anyone else at the table.  Excuse me, David is my date, and I don’t share.  You already have one man that is not your husband all over you.  Ain’t that enough?  “Lydia, I haven’t seen Tony yet.  Is he here?”
 
“No.” Lydia said in a very pointed tone.   “He had to go to Dallas with one of his clients.  You know Tony; it’s all about business.”
 
“Don’t sound so upset about that.”  David responded.  “A lot of women would love to have a husband that works to provide for his family.”
 
“Amen to that!” Parker raised her glass and took a sip.
 
Lydia placed her hands on her hips, and tilted her head to the side.  “And you are?”
 
“I’m David.  I play ball with your husband, but tonight I’m here to escort Sydney.”
 
“Umph.  Syd, your date is nosy.” She said without looking at either Sydney or David.  Lydia turned her focus to Parker.  “Anyway, Calvin asked me to thank you for the referral for the band.”
 
“He couldn’t have come over and said so himself?” Parker replied. “I don’t bite.”
 
“He’s busy socializing with some of his important guests.”  And looking oh so sexy doing it too.  She turned to see Calvin shaking hands and greeting guests.  “I’m sure he’ll get over here eventually, but he had me thank you in case he doesn’t.”
 
“Important guests, huh?  I guess my little old assignment with InTheKnow is not important.   Or maybe it’s because I’m not wearing a form-fitting black dress…”
 
“And what are you trying to imply?”
 
“Um, she’s not implying anything, she just outright said it.” Sydney laughed.
 
“I’m not saying anything, Lydia.  Please go mingle and socialize.  I’ll speak to Calvin later.”  Parker let out a small chuckle and then turned back to her date.  “Eric, tell me more about being a college professor.”
 
Did this chick just turn her back on me?  Whatever, I am not in the mood.  “I think the band is about to start.  You all enjoy your evening.”  Lydia walked off infuriated but head held high.
 
“So we have live entertainment tonight as well?  Sounds…” Sydney’s voice trailed off as she saw Bryce and his band take their seats.  “Ha!  Oh, Urie…”
 
“What?” Urie turned around and saw Bryce adjusting his chair.  The two locked eyes and Urie’s heart began to race.  “Oh my God!  Who hired him?!”
 
With a big smile on her face, Parker leaned in to Urie and whispered, “You’re welcome.”
 
“Parker! I could kill you right now!  Why would you invite him?”
 
“Lydia asked about them after that night at the Blue Sunflower.  I gave her their card…”
 
“You got their card?!”
 
“I get everyone’s card…”
 
“How’s everyone doing this evening?” Bryce’s warm voice greeted the crowd, and they returned his greeting with positive cheers.  “I’m Bryce Anderson, and we are Tru Soul.  I know you all came to have a good time tonight for a good cause so that’s what we’re gonna help you do, alright?  Ok, we’re gonna get this started off with a little Earth, Wind, and Fire.  How many EWF fans do I have in the house tonight?”  Hands, claps, and more positive response came from the crowd.   The drummer counted them off and the band began to play ‘You Can’t Hide Love’.  People snapped, swayed, and sang the words to the song.  A few people even left their plates to come to the center of the dance floor to step. 
 
“Do I sense a pointed message, Urie?” Parker teased as she noticed Urie’s reaction.    “Judging by your reaction, I think it’s been delivered…”
 
“Musicians plan their sets way in advance.  The song has a nice groove and I’m sure that Bryce thought it was a good way to open up a set.  There was no way he could’ve known that I’d be here.  And even if he did know, there is nothing going on to even prompt him choosing a song like that to…”
 
“Honey,” Syd interrupted, “you’re rambling.  And when you ramble, you tell on yourself.”
 
“I am not rambling, I’m just saying…” Urie was stuck.  “Never mind.”
 
“Umm hmm.”  Sydney looked over at David, who was nodding to the music.  “Wanna dance?”
 
David stood and took Sydney by the hand.  “Depends, can you keep up?”  The two of them laughed as they left the table.
 
“I guess that means we need show ‘em how it’s done.”  Eric extended his hand to Parker.  “What do you say?”
 
“I love showing people up, so come on.”  Parker waited until Eric pulled her chair out and walked her to the dance floor.  “Enjoy your piano serenade, Miss Glenn.”  Parker said over her shoulder. 
 
Urie looked at Bryce and smiled.  He plays so passionately, like it comes from his soul.  How can you not be drawn to that?  Bryce glanced up, caught eyes with Urie again, and mouthed ‘I played this on purpose’.  “I know."  She said softly.  The usual guilt that came with thinking about someone else left her at that moment as she allowed herself to be serenaded and wooed.   Who knows when I’ll feel this way again…
“You know I have you to thank for all of this right?”
 
“I know you do.”
 
“You know that’s one of the things I like about you, right?”
 
“What?”
 
“That you’re so cocky…”
 
“I’m not cocky.  I’m confident.  Cocky people are all talk, but confidence backs it up.”  Lydia turned around in her own circle, allowing Calvin to get a good view of how she looked for the evening.  “You feel me?”
 
“Yes.  Yes I do.”  Calvin pulled Lydia in close as the song changed to ‘Playin’ Your Game’ by Barry White.  He stepped with her, drinking in every ounce of flirtatiousness that she was presenting.   “Do you know what I love about music?”
 
“What’s that?”
 
“If the right song comes on at the right moment, it can tell all.”
 
“And should I assume you think something is being said right now?”
 
Calvin pulled Lydia in close.  “It was said a long time ago.  Tonight, it is loud and clear.”
 
Lydia raised her eyebrows.  “The only thing that I have ever discussed with you is business…”
 
“And both of us desire more than that…”
 
“The both of us, huh?  I’m married, Calvin, you know this…”
 
“And where is your husband?  You’re here – looking amazing – and he is in Dallas.  I bet it gets hard wishing that you could have the same support that you give him whenever he needs you.  You want someone who could rub your back, rub your shoulders, kiss your lips…”
 
“You are getting out of your body now, Calvin…”
 
“No, I’m telling you that you can have better.  If Tony can’t be here when you need him most, he can’t be mad when someone who clearly wants you more takes his place.”  Calvin ran his hands against her bare shoulders.  “That is, if you want me to take his place…”
 
Lydia was breathing heavy.  This is going too far, Lydia.  You’ve got to stop this...  She pulled back from Calvin and stopped dancing.  After folding her hands across her chest, she calmly replied.  “You have no idea what goes on in my home with my husband.  I don’t need anyone to take his place.  If I was that unhappy, I’d leave.  Period.  But I’m not so I’m fine where I am…”
 
“You just said if you were that unhappy.” Calvin began to move close to her again.  “So you are unhappy.  So tell me, Lydia,” Calvin leaned in and whispered in her ear, “what do you want me to do for you?”
 
Lydia looked down at the wedding ring on her hand and thought of Tony for a moment.  He’s probably in Dallas somewhere in the VIP section of a club, popping bottles and trying to discuss business over the loud noise of music and groupies.  He ain’t thinking about me.  If he was, he would be here. “For me,” Lydia pulled back and gave him a slight smile, “or to me?”
 
“I’ll do whatever you want me to do.  Tonight is your night.  You give me the direction.”
 
As Lydia ran her hands down Calvin’s muscular arms, she got a chill.  Just this one time, Lydia.  Get what you want and be done with him.  He doesn’t know where you live or anything personal about you.  No emotions.  Just one night and head on home.  “We can’t leave until after dinner…”
 
“And the presentations…”
 
“And dessert…”
 
“We can skip dessert.  I have the feeling I’m going to get all the sweets I need tonight.”  Calvin smiled as he began to spin Lydia around again, admiring every curve on her body.  “My place?”
 
“Of course.” Lydia replied in a sensuous tone.  “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
]]><![CDATA[Chapter Four: "God's Got A Funny Way..."]]>Sun, 01 Apr 2018 05:00:00 GMThttp://www.amberwhitted.com/plusinctheseries/chapter-four-gods-got-a-funny-way
I hate being broke.
 
 I know it’s something that most people deal with at one point in their lives, but I wish I could be exempt.  Thanks to my wonderful former employer, I am now stretching unemployment as far as it can go. 
 
But I’m not bitter; not at all.  Focusing on this second Master’s degree has become my full-time job.  I make ends meet by doing modeling and acting gigs around the city.  My rent is always paid, the gas and lights are still on, and clearly I’ve been eating good because I’ve gained 10 pounds.  I am thankful for all of my blessings.
 
But sometimes I wish I could do a little more for myself.  For example, I would
love to have someone in my life to love.  Oh, there are guys that I date, and they love them some Sydney, but it’s not the same as having a real commitment.  Honestly, I don’t have time for a relationship, but it would be nice to have one as an option.  And even if I did have that option, my
heart is set on holding out for the one I am destined for.  Maybe it’s just my spirit of discernment kicking in
 
Or maybe it’s me coping with the fact that I may have missed the boat…


                                                                                                                                      - Sydney


“No, it’s not that I didn’t have a good time, Maurice, it’s that…. Mmm hmmm, I know but…” Sydney rolled her eyes as she shoved another handful of cheese and caramel corn in her mouth, being careful to mute the phone so that he gentleman on the other line did not hear her smacking.  “Maurice, sweetie, calm down.   I am not trying to lead you on.  I made it clear that I was a very busy woman and that I don’t have time for a relationship.  I study and I gig, and I gig a lot so my calendar is always booked so…No, that does not mean I’m on bull and I’d appreciate if you did not cuss at me…Look, look, Maurice, I apologize for making you upset, but I did not lie to you.  I said we could be friends, hang out, and see where it goes.  But both you and I know that we have nothing in common and…”  She pulled muted the phone and pulled it away from her ear.  Why can’t I just be a rude chick, cuss this dude out, and get it over with?… “Yes, Maurice, I’m still here, but now I am about to go, because I already warned you not to cuss at me … And you wonder why I don’t want to make this work… Ok, that’s about all I can deal with, Maurice.  Have a good day.  Bye.”  She hung up before she could hear another word.  After sliding her phone back in the pocket of her jeans, she wiped the crumbs from her popcorn on a napkin and tossed it in a nearby garbage can.  Welp, another one bites the dust.  She laughed to herself as she stuffed another handful of popcorn into her mouth.  And I really thought that one had some potential.  I guess that’s what happens when you meet people in random places and give them your number.  Last time I trust someone I meet at Wal-Mart…


“Sydney!”  She turned around to see Tony walking toward her with a big smile on his face.  When he got closer to where she was sitting, he continued.  “What has you out here this afternoon?”
 
“My studies.   Trying to stay on top of my game so this degree doesn’t whoop my butt.”  Sydney stood to give Tony a small hug before sitting back down on one of the campus’ stone benches.  “I had a free afternoon so I figured I’d use it wisely.”
 
“I understand.”
 
“What brings you out here, Mr. Downtown Bigshot?  I thought you had an office in the loop?”
 
“I had to meet with one of my clients.” Tony replied, smiling slightly at Sydney’s complement.  “I’m on my way back to the office now.”
 
“I thought you just representing professional athletes.  I didn’t know you worked with college students as well.”
 
“I was meeting one of my pros.  We had lunch at a restaurant over on 53rd since it’s quiet and private around this time in the afternoon.  And I do have some college clients, so you know.”
 
“Thank you for sharing.” Sydney held out her bag of snacks.  “Popcorn?  I threw some chocolate M&Ms in there as well.”
 
“Sure.”  Tony set his briefcase down and then sat down next to Sydney.   He reached into the bag, grabbed some of the popcorn and candy mix, and nodded in thanks.  “You know your girl has been on this health kick of late, right?  Since she is determined to drop her baby weight, the rest of us have to eat like rabbits until she does…”
 
“She needs to give that up! That is not baby weight, that’s the thickness that comes along with being one of the Carter women.” Sydney interrupted in laughter.  “I’ve seen her side of the family, and those are some big girls.  She wants to be a size 6 again, but there is nothing wrong with her now.  I keep telling her that…”
 
“So do I.  I actually think she’s sexier now than when she was smaller.  I’ve always had a thing for thick women…”
 
I remember…  Sydney thought to herself.
 
“…so her putting on a few pounds doesn’t bother me at all.  And anyway, Lydia takes good care of herself, works out, and stays active with the boys.  I’m not sure where she gets it from.”
 
“Me either.”
 
“Oh, before I forget, one of the guys that I play ball with on the weekends has been asking about you.  He wanted to try to talk to you at Lydia’s party but he said he couldn’t get your attention.”
 
“I don’t know why.”  Sydney took a moment to grab another handful of her snack.  “I spent most of the night on the dance floor.”
 
“Actually, that’s where he said he saw you.  You stepped with him for a few songs…”
 
“I did?”
 
Tony laughed loudly.  “You mean to tell me that you don’t remember dancing with him?”
 
“Whoever this guy was didn’t do anything to grab my attention, so no.  But I just had a free spot open on the roster, so what are his stats?”
 
“Oh we have a roster now?  Well, alright!” Tony pulled a business card from his wallet.  “His name is David Douglas.  He works for an accounting firm in the same building as my law firm.  Single, no kids to my knowledge.  Good guy.”
 
Sydney took a look at the card for a second. “I’ll think about it.”
 
“You’ll think about it?”
 
“Yes, I’ll think about it.”  Sydney placed the card in her wallet and then slid the wallet back into her purse.  “I don’t do well on blind dates.”
 
“When you think about it, all first dates are really blind dates.  You are  sitting across the table from a complete stranger.  The only difference between a blind date and a regular date is that in a regular date you would’ve had the pleasure of actually seeing the person face-to-face first.”
 
She stared blankly at Tony for a moment before she responded.  “You thought about that way too much.”  Tony laughed hard as she continued.  “Seriously, Tony, what guy sits down and thinks of crap like that.  And what’s sad is that you made it sound convincing.  If I didn’t know what kind of bull you were capable of spitting out, you would’ve actually made me think about it.”
 
“Thanks, Syd, that means a lot.  Really.”  Tony let his laughter subside a bit before he continued.  “How is everything else with you?”
 
“I’m busy and sleep deprived, but I’ll be alright.  I’ve survived worse.  I mean, I did date you…
 
“I didn’t know dating me was that bad.”
 
“I’m kidding.  It was a great summer.   Sites of Spain and amazing food.  Good times.”
 
“That they were.  Fueron los mejores momentos que he tenido…”
 
“I see someone kept up with their Spanish.”
 
“There are times when I have to break it out.”  Tony let out another laugh.  “Man, I used to struggle when we were overseas!  I hated the fact that you were so fluent and would constantly let me embarrass myself.  Remember the time I was trying to tell that guy at that grocery store that I was embarrassed and instead of saying ‘Me quedé avergonzada’, I said…”
 
“’ Estoy embarazada!’” They screamed together and laughed loud enough to draw the attention of a few people.  Sydney continued.  “Your face turned so red when the guy asked you when you were due.  Man, those were good times.”
 
“Yes ma’am.”  Tony looked down at his watch and let out a small sigh.  “I need to get going.  Thanks for the junk food and the laughs.”
 
“No prob.” She smiled as Tony gave her a small hug goodbye.    Kiss those twin boys for me and tell Lydia to call me.  We need to talk about this fool she talked me into going out with.”
 
 “Sounds like drama.  I’ll have her call you.” Tony picked up his briefcase and began to walk away.  After taking a few steps, he turned around to face her again.  “Gracias por compartir uno de los mejores momentos de mi vida conmigo, buen amiga.”
 
Sydney just smiled as he walked away.  They were only some of the best times you’ve ever had, but it was the best time I’ve had period.  
“Have a seat, Miss Peterson.” The rehearsed sympathetic stare of the gentleman on the other side of the desk made Parker uneasy, but on the outside she remained calm.  He waited until she was seated before she continued.  “As you know, the company has been in a transition period.  A lot of new and exciting things are happening, but of course that brings about change.”
 
Whenever corporate America wants to throw bad news in your face, they use words like ‘transition’, ‘new’, and ‘exciting’.  And for most people, it works, because they never see the slap in the face coming.   “So I hear.”  Parker replied coolly. 
 
“Parker, you are one of the best young marketing reps we have …”
 
And…
 
“…and we want very much to see all of our promising young stars blossom into industry professionals who can really take the corporate world by storm…”
 
But…
 
“…but right now, the company is focused on making sure that the expenses don’t exceed the losses, which unfortunately right now seems to be the case.”
 
Oh will you get to it already!  Parker crossed her legs and adjusted herself in her seat.  “I know there has been a lot of re-organization.   A lot of people are concerned for their jobs…”       
 
“Yes, I can see how that can be a concern, especially in this economy…”
 
Can’t have an awkward work discussion without bringing up the good ol’ economy.  I’m surprised he waited this long…
 
“…but in times like these, it helps to be prepared.  Having a financial back-up plan is essential.”
 
“I agree.”  Parker leaned forward in her seat, a move that made the executive a little intimidated.  “Mr. Peppers, please understand that what I am about to say comes with the utmost respect, but I would like to know why I am meeting with you today.”  He let out a small, uncomfortable laugh which Parker did not return.  “A lot of people in this office have been laid off since McMyers and Foster has taken over.  I understand that they want to bring a lot of their people in since they know their work and can trust them.  Mr. Peppers, I have been with this company since I completed my undergraduate degree and have worked directly with you on some major projects.  I know my worth as an employee of King’s Marketing.   What I am interested in knowing now is my future with McMyers and Foster…”
 
“Gerald,” one of Parker’s co-workers and rivals stuck her head in the doorway, “did you still want to meet with me?”
 
Not to sound evil, and I’ll repent for this later, but I hope she gets canned. “Hello, Trina.  Right now, we are meeting so…”
 
“Oh, Parker!  I didn’t see you sitting there!”  Trina walked into the room, sporting expensive stiletto shoes and a suit with a skirt barely long enough to be considered professional.  After giving her a fake hug, Trina sat in the chair next to Parker and crossed her legs so a good portion of her thighs were showing.  Mr. Peppers shifted in a chair a bit as he fought to keep a smile off of his face.  Trina continued.  “Well, you’ll be wrapping it up soon, right?  Gerald and I have some important business to discuss…”
 
Um, how do you NOT see me sitting here in a bright yellow sweater?  Did you really think that lame excuse to flounce your thirsty self in here was going to work?  “We also were in the midst of discussing something important, so I’m sure you wouldn’t mind extending some professional courtesy and waiting until we were done...”
 
“Gerald said to come in at 2 pm, and it’s 2 so…”
 
“Ladies, I actually called both of you in at the same time for a reason.” Mr. Peppers interrupted.
 
Why? Parker fought to roll her eyes.  So you can enjoy a good catfight?
 
“And what reason would that be?” Trina asked.
 
“Both of you ladies are definite assets to the company, and we want to make sure that we keep both of you on board.  Your department will be merging with someone of their company’s agents and headed by one of our own.”  Both Trina and Parker’s attention began to peek.  “The one that has been selected will report directly to me.”
 
“Any ideas on who is being considered?” Parker asked.
 
“The two people in this room, of course.  And before either of you ask, a decision has already been reached.”
 
“Really?” Trina made sure to show a little more thigh as she leaned back in her chair.  “Is there a way we can be made aware of the results of this decision.”
 
“Well, the person that we are going to put over this newly merged department is Katrina Burgess.”  Trina clapped her hands together and smiled brightly as Gerald continued.  “Katrina, we feel that your expertise and personality will deliver the leadership results that are expected of any of our junior execs.”
 
“I won’t let you down.” Trina looked at Parker out the corner of her eye and looked quickly back at Gerald.
 
Parker took a quick sigh to gather her emotions.  “Then I guess congratulations are in order.  Good job, Trina.” Parker extended her hand for a handshake, which Trina did not return.  Trina simply smiled and turned back to face Gerald.  “Ok.  So, Gerald, I do have a couple of return phone calls to make.  Can we call this meeting adjourned?”
 
“Yes, and thank you Parker.”  Gerald shook Parker’s hand as she rose to leave the room.  She gave Trina one more nod and headed out.  She stood by the closed door a moment to hear a bit of their conversation.  “Come here, sweetie.”  She heard Gerald say.
 
“That was nice of you, to do that right in front of Parker.” Trina responded.
 
“I almost just called you in my office to tell you, but I figured you would want her to hear it.”
 
“You know me too well.”  A brief moment of silence between the two occurred before she continued.  “How long do you think she’ll be here after this?”
 
“As prideful as she is, not long.” A few giggles came from Trina.  “You know I’m gonna take care of you.”
 
“You better, if you know what’s good for you…”
 
Ok, that’s it!  Parker had had enough.  She stormed back down the hall to her office and closed the door.  So clearly keeping your panties on to do business is out of touch.  Figures.   Parker flopped in her chair, reached in her drawer, and grabbed a Snickers bar.  After taking a bite, she pulled out her cell phone and called her mother. 
 
“Why are you calling me on your cell?  You working at home today?”
 
“No, I’m in the office.”
 
“Dag, I thought I had a ride to the Jewel.  What’s going on, Piggy?”
 
“I got called into what I thought was a private meeting between my boss and me.  Apparently, it was a set up to announce Trina as being my new boss…”
 
“Quit playing!”  Parker’s mom shouted.  “That chick that walks around with the tube tops barely covering her big behind?  She’s your new boss?  Uh-uh, that should be your job, as hard as you work.  You’ve earned it!  You want me to come up there?”
 
“No, mama, that won’t be necessary.  And anyway, he must not think I deserve it because she’s in there on his lap celebrating…”
 
“Celebrating how?”
 
“Use your imagination...”  Parker stopped her comment took a deep breath.  “I’m sorry, Mama.  I’m so hurt and upset that I don’t know what to do.”
 
Parker’s mom waited a moment before she continued.  “Well, maybe it’s a sign that you should move on.  Look for something else.  You’ve been there since you finished undergrad.”
 
“I know, Mama, but do you know how hard it is to find a job?”
 
“Maybe you can focus on your writing, since you love that so much.  Like your entertainment column or your blog.  Or I can get you in at the school district with me.”
 
“Thanks, but no thanks.  If I’m going to find a new job, I need to do some more planning.”
 
“I understand.  Well, Piggy baby, God’s got a funny way of telling you that you need to slow down and think about what is really more important – like family and children.”
 
Parker sat back in her chair and let out a laugh.  “What in the world does this have to do with getting married and having kids, Ma?”
 
“I’m just sayin’ is all.   God has a way of calming you down if you doing too much.  Just keep that in mind.  After all, you will be thirty soon.”
 
“Thank you for the reminder, but I have a few years…”  Parker pulled the phone away from her ears and saw that it was Sydney on the other end.  “Ma, my other line is beeping.  It’s Sydney.  I will be leaving here soon if you still want me to give you a ride to the store.”
 
“Tricie is coming over here to talk wedding stuff so I’ll be alright.  I’ll get her to take me.  I will talk to you later, Piggy.  You stay strong, ok?  And tell Sydney I said hi.”
 
“I will, Ma.  Love you.”  Parker clicked over to her other line. “Hey chick.”
 
“What are you doing tonight?” Sydney started right in.    “You feel like coming to the Blue Sunflower with me?”
 
“Blue Sunflower.  Wait, that’s where the guy that Urie likes plays, right?”
 
“Yep.  She invited me since some of the teachers from her school are going.”
 
Parker stuffed the last of her candy bar in her mouth and threw away the wrapper.  “Yeah, I’ll go.  I could use a night out and a drink.”
 
“What’s wrong?”
 
“I lost the promotion to Trina.”
 
“Figures.  Ain’t she doin’ the boss?”
 
“Pretty much.”
 
“Oh, before I forget.  Lydia texted me.  She needs to know if you’re bringing a date to next month’s gala.”   
 
“I know that I’m coming, but I don’t know if I am bringing a date.  When is the latest I can let her know?”
 
“Call her.  But you know she’s gonna have a fit because you’re usually on time with RSVPs.”
 
“I understand.”
 
Sydney was quiet for a quick moment, allowing the conversation with Tony to replay through her mind.  “How do you think this gala is really going to go?”
 
“Calvin and Tony in the same room?  If Calvin is the kind of man that I think he is, it could be a disaster.”
 
“I pray it’s not.  For her sake.”
 
“You know she doesn’t care about Tony or that marriage.” Sydney rolled her eyes as she stepped on the bus.  “But that’s my opinion, and clearly it doesn’t matter.”
 
“Are we still a little sore about that whole subject?”
 
“I’m just saying.”
 
“Alright.  Just be careful not to let that cat too far out the bag, ok?”
 
“I’ll try.” Sydney said quietly while taking her seat.  “I will try.”
]]><![CDATA[Chapter Three: "...Too Much Like Temptation"]]>Thu, 01 Mar 2018 06:00:00 GMThttp://www.amberwhitted.com/plusinctheseries/chapter-three-too-much-like-temptation
 
I wish music didn’t tell all of my business.
 
Perfect example: Last week I went to the grocery store to pick up some things that Eva and I needed.  Everything was fine until ‘Emotional Rollercoaster’ by Vivian Green came on.  I cried like a baby.  It would’ve been ok had a little girl not said out loud “Look, mommy, that lady’s crying!” and drew the attention of everyone in the cookie aisle.  At least she came up to me and offered a tissue.  I guess that cleaned it up some.
 
Maybe I allow things to affect me too much.  Actually it’s not things – just Jackson.  I spend so much time thinking about what he wants and needs that I forget our relationship should be about us.  Add in Eva and her pre-teen issues and what you have left is an over-emotional, cookie-eating mess.
 
My therapist says that I should do some self-evaluation, set boundaries, and possibly spend some time alone.  But what does she know?  I haven’t been alone since I was sixteen years old.  I wouldn’t know how to operate outside of a relationship.  And anyway, Jack is all I know.  I love him, and sometimes I want to hurt him, but I don’t want to leave him.  So I’ve concluded that she just wants me to spend more money than I have for sessions that I may or may not need.
 
I’ll just get a new therapist…
 
…and more cookies.   
                                                           

                                                                                                                           -Urie

“Miss Glenn?”
 
 “Yes?”
 
“If we don’t do our paper by Friday, what’s gon' happen?”
 
“Then you’ll be spending another year in the 10th grade, Steven.”
 
The class pointed and laughed loudly, which made the young man angry and embarrassed.  “Miss Glenn, come on, that ain’t funny!”
​

​“You’re right, it isn’t funny, so the rest of you can stop laughing because the same applies to all of you.”  Urie responded with a calm strength that commanded the respect of the class and quieted them quickly.  “Listen, I know that this has been a long few weeks, but it would be a shame if you failed at the finish line.  I expect to see your papers on my desk by Friday, and if any of you need my assistance, please do not hesitate to ask.”  The bell sounded and each of the students filed out of the room.  “Steven,” she waited until he turned around, “I know you can do this.  My door is open if you need help, ok?”  She smiled as the young man nodded and walked out the room.  Urie sighed deeply as she began to gather her papers to head home for the afternoon.  Lord, I don’t care what I need done to my condo.  Never let me teach summer school again.
 
“Um, excuse me Miss Glenn, Tre’ keeps hitting me!”
 
Urie looked up and saw Parker standing in the doorway.  “First of all, you are too grown to be making your voice sound like that.” She laughed.  “Second, these kids in this building are too grown to be talking about someone hitting them.  It would be more like hitting on them and they would probably like it.  Girl, what are you doing here?”
 
“I’m working from home today, so I am on my lunch.”  Parker walked into Urie’s class room and sat on the edge of her desk.  “Man, this school has not changed since we went here.”
 
“I know right?  The only thing that has changed is how fast the students are.  At least we tried to keep our business out of the halls.  These kids don’t care.”
 
“I hear ya.  So where do you want to grab something to eat?”
 
“I could go for some pizza.” Urie answered while continuing to gather her things.  “I’ve had a taste for some Giordano’s for a minute.”
 
“Somehow I knew you’d say that.  Come on, Lydia’s on her way there now and so is Syd.”
 
“Am I that predictable?”
 
“I wouldn’t say predictable, but I know you well enough to know what you’re going to say.”
 
“That’s the definition of predictable.”
 
“No, it just means that I know you.”  Parker put her arm around Urie and smiled.  “Now come on, I’m starting to get bad memories being in this building…”
 
As they gathered the remainder of her things, a gentleman walked into the classroom.  “Um, excuse me,” he interrupted their conversation, “I don’t mean to interrupt, but can either of you ladies point me in the direction of the music room?”  Urie took a look at the gentleman that came in the room.  He had a strong yet warm presence about him, and his smile immediately captured her attention.   “I’m trying to get a few things set up before the arts boot camp in a few weeks and, well, I’m new here so I don’t know my way around the building yet.”
 
“That’s alright.” Urie extended her hand for a handshake, which he gladly returned.  “Urie Glenn, I’m one of the English teachers here.”
 
“What grades do you teach?”
 
“During the school year, all of them, but I’m teaching sophomore English for summer school.  You’re the new music teacher?”
 
“That’s what they hired me for, so we’ll see how it goes.”  He winked at Urie then turned to Parker.  “And what do you teach here?”
 
“Dear God no, I’d kill one of these kids.” All of them laughed at Parker’s honesty.  “I’m just here with her for the day.  But my name is Parker Peterson….”
 
“You’re Parker Peterson, huh?  Well it’s good to put a face to a name…”
 
Parker raised her eyebrows.  “And that means…”
 
“My sister talks about your blog all the time.  She and a lot of her friends are huge fans.  What is it, Curls Cake and something?”
 
“It’s Curves Curls and Cake, so you were close.”  Parker smiled proudly.  “And tell her thank you, I’m flattered.”
 
“Will do.” 
 
“Since you know our names, what is yours?”
 
“Guess that would be fair, huh?  I’m Bryce Anderson.  Nice to meet you ladies.”  He turned his focus back to Urie, who had just finished grabbing her papers.  “Well, I don’t want to take you out of your way if you were on your way out the door…”
 
“Oh, that’s ok.  I can show you were the arts wing is.” Um, what was that all about? Urie thought to herself after she cut him off.  Cutting people off is rude.  And where do I get off sounding so eager?!
 
“There’s a whole wing here.  I see.”  Bryce laughed as he reached for her bag.  “Here, let me take that...”
 
“Don’t worry about it, I’m good.  I can take you to your new room and then exit right out to the faculty parking lot.  It’s not heavy, so I’ll be fine.”
 
“I would be less of a gentleman if I didn’t offer to carry your bags for you, Miss Glenn…”
 
“You can call me Urie…”
 
“Only if you agree to call me Bryce…”
 
As cute as you are, I’ll call you whatever you want… wait, did I just think that!?  Come on, Urie, get it together!  “Alright, Bryce.  Agreed.”
 
Awww suki suki now!  Parker thought to herself as she watched the chemistry between the two of them.  Let me get out the way!  “Um, Urie, I’ll go wait in the car.  I parked in the visitor’s lot up front so I will see you in a minute…”
 
Urie’s eyes opened wide as she turned her focus completely to Parker.  The last thing she needed was to be left alone with Bryce.  “Um, you went to school here too.  You can come with us too if you…”
 
“Nope.  I need to go to the car anyway.  Gotta make an important phone call about an interview I have set up for my blog.”  Parker flashed a quick mischievous smile at Bryce and then turned back to Urie.  “See you in a minute. Take your time!  Bye!  Tell your sister to keep reading, Bryce!”  She took off out the door and around the corner before Urie could respond.
 
Great.  Just great.  Leave the awkward chick alone with a cute guy.  Really funny.  Urie sighed and turned back to Bryce who was withholding laughter.  “I wish I could apologize for my friend but…”
 
“No need.  I understand.”  Bryce slipped Urie’s bag off of her shoulder.  “The music room, shall we?”
 
“It’s this way.” 
 
Urie pointed down the end of the hall.  They walked quietly for a moment before Bryce broke the silence.  “So your friend, she went to school here?”
 
“Both of us did actually.”
 
“And you came back?”
 
“It’s funny.  I was voted ‘most likely to come back and teach’.  I guess some of those really do come true, huh?”  They laughed for a moment before she continued.  “I like it though.  It’s paying the bills and keeping me in the teaching loop while I’m getting my 2nd Masters Degree.”
 
“Oh really, in what?”
 
“School administration.  I really would prefer to the principle rather than just a teacher.”
 
“I’m sure you’ll get there, but I bet your students will miss you.”
 
“What makes you think that?
 
“You look like a good teacher.”
 
“And how does one look like a good anything?”
 
“I can just tell.  You seem to carry yourself in a way that garners respect and kids need to see that, especially our young ladies.”
 
“So what got you into education?”
 
“What do you mean?”
 
“Well, you don’t see a lot of young men in teaching high school.  What got you interested in education?”
 
“I love music and my heart goes out to our youth, plain and simple.  And I always knew I’d be a teacher.  More young men need to see minority males teaching.  I think it gives them something to look up and aspire to, regardless to what their career ambitions are.  But outside of here, I also play in a jazz quintet.”
 
“Really?  How often do you all play?”
 
“I have a steady gig on the weekends at a place called Blue Sunflower, and I play in a few other places..”  Bryce looked at Urie and smiled.  “Maybe you and your friend would love to come check us out sometime…”
 
That just sounds too much like temptation… Urie thought to herself.  “Maybe.” She simply replied. 
 
“So this is the music room?”  Bryce came in and surveyed the space.  The room was u-shaped with a few stairs leading down to the center, where a large piano and other instruments were located.  Trophies and photos from competitions past surrounded the room, and several bookcases and shelves    Bryce walked down the stairs, looking at some of the pictures and surveying how dusty some of the shelves were.   He finally arrived to the piano, lifting up the lid and hitting one of the keys.  “Good sound.” He stated.  Bryce then sat down and began to play the opening chords to a jazz song.  “Good acoustics too.”
 
“Blue in Green.”  Urie called out from the top of the stairs.
 
“What did you say?” Bryce looked up but continued to play.
 
“The song you’re playing, it’s Miles Davis’ Blue in Green.”  Urie repeated while walking toward where Bryce was.  “That’s one of my favorite songs.”
 
“Oh, so you know jazz, huh?”
 
“A little.” She smiled shyly.  “I just like music period.”
 
“Ok, ok.” Bryce started playing another song.  “So what’s this one?”
 
Urie let out a smirk.  “Come on, if we’re gonna play name that tune, then challenge me.  Sophisticated Lady.”
 
“Nice, but I’d be more impressed if you knew the words to the song as sung by Ms Nancy Wilson?”
 
“I do, but…”
 
“But what?”
 
“I’m shy.”
 
“So you sing too?”
 
“I never said I could sing.”
 
“I can tell by the tones in your voice that you can.  You can’t fool a real musician sweetie.  So are you gonna sing for me or not?”
 
“Um, are we gonna eat or not, that’s the question?”  Both of them looked up to see Parker standing in the doorway, arms crossed and foot tapping.  “Or should I just meet you there?”
 
Embarrassed, Urie grabbed her purse off of the piano.  “I should probably get going.”
 
“No problem.  I’ll listen to you sing another time.”
 
“Again, I never said I could sing.”
 
Bryce continued to play as he repeated.  “There’ll be another time.”  Urie just smiled and started to head up the stairs.  “Summer school ends this week, right?”
 
“Yes it does.” Urie replied.
 
“So maybe you’ll take me up on my offer to come see us play, that way I don’t have to wait until the school year starts to speak to you again.”
 
Urie looked at Parker, who just stared at her mischievously.   She then turned back to Bryce.  “I’ll ask my girls how they feel about coming, and if they’re game, we’ll come check you out.”
 
“I hope so.  Nice meeting you, and thanks for showing me over here.  It was nice meeting you too, Miss Parker.”
 
“Yessir.  Pleasure meeting you as well.” Parker replied, looking directly at Urie.  “Are you ready?”
 
“Yes ma’am.”  Urie waved goodbye to Bryce and waited until they were outside of the door before she continued.  “I ought to punch you dead in the jaw!”
 
What? What I do?”
​“But the question is this – did you get his number?”
 
“No, I did not.” The group began to make comments as Urie continued.  “Why would I get his number?  Hello, relationship?”
 
“Hello, bad relationship?” Sydney replied.  “If the man was clearly flirting with you, and you were flirting back, then numbers should have rightfully been exchanged…”
 
“I was not flirting back!”  Urie exclaimed.
 
“Parker?”
 
“She was flirting back.” Parker added in between a bite of pizza.
 
Urie rolled her eyes and looked away. “Parker, I was not flirting…”
 
“And if you were,” Lydia interrupted, “there is nothing wrong with that.  It just shows that you’re a woman with sensual instincts.  By sensual, I mean that your senses are working and responding when you see an attractive man and feel him showing interest in you.  At least I assume he was attractive.”
 
“He was.” Urie answered back and sipped her beverage.  The other three women stared at Urie, making her slightly uncomfortable.  “What!?”
 
“Umm hmm,” Sydney laughed while grabbing another slice, “not flirting my Aunt Francis.”
 
“The only thing that happened was me showing him to the music room, he played the piano a little bit, I guessed a song or two that he played, and then Parker’s hungry behind showed up at the door.  Completely harmless interaction between two educators…”
 
“Ok, back up a bit.”
 
“To what?”
 
“The game of ‘name that tune’ you two were playing.” Urie immediately became embarrassed and bit her lip, but Sydney continued.  “I know you, chick.  All of us do.  And if there is one thing we know about you, it’s that you have soft spot for music and musicians…”
 
“That’s what got you stuck on Jackson, remember?” Parker added.
 
“I wouldn’t say stuck, but…” Parker just stared at her blankly until Urie began to laugh.  “Ok, so I have a thing for musicians.  Who doesn’t!  There’s something about a man that plays an instrument or sings that is just sexy…”
 
“I second that!” Sydney waved her hand as if she was in church. 
 
“So yes, I have to admit that I was a little attracted to Bryce.  But I am in a relationship with Jack, have been for almost ten years…”
 
“And I still don’t know how you’ve managed that long without a proposal…” Lydia mumbled.
 
“…and am not going to ruin that.  As a matter of fact, I will be seeing my sweetie tonight.  So in conclusion…”
 
“In conclusion? What is this, a book report?” Parker laughed.
 
“…carrying on a conversation with someone who I may think is cute does not mean that I have to get his phone number or go out with him or anything like that…”
 
“Who said you had to go out with him?” Lydia teased.  Urie immediately grabbed another slice of pizza to deter her attention.  “Mmmm hmm.  Y’all will be going out.  Miss Faithful over here is going to have her first experience with life outside of Jacksonville…”
 
“Speaking of faithful,” Parker interjected while turning her focus to Lydia, “what is the deal with this Calvin character?”
 
“What of him?”
 
“Don’t act new.  That man has been all over you since you first met at your birthday party…”
 
“Not to mention all of the flirty phone conversations you’ve been having…” Sydney chimed in.
 
“Wait a minute,” Urie chimed in, “you’re talking about me being unfaithful and you’re flirting with random guys?  Who is Calvin?...”
 
“Oh my goodness, really y’all?”
 
“Yes really!” Sydney leaned forward on the table, which made Lydia a little uncomfortable. “I’ve been around you two, and there is no way you can consider how he acts toward you strictly professional.  He wants you, and you’re playing with fire if you think that you can maintain a professional relationship with a man who wants a little something extra…”
 
“Something extra like what!” Lydia exclaimed loudly.
 
“Girl, shhh!”  Urie grabbed Lydia’s hand in an attempt to calm her down.  “Do you really want everyone to know your business?”
 
“No, but I am tired of defending myself about Calvin to you all.  My interactions with Calvin are for business purposes only.  Period, end of story.  I am catering the upcoming Dreams Inc. gala, which is a huge milestone for my company.  Yes, I admit, I may flirt a little bit with him.  But as I just stated, it simply means that I am responding to my senses…” Lydia’s words trailed off as their waiter came to the table to bring the bill.  She openly flirted with the handsome young man who gladly flirted back.  After giving him a kiss on the cheek and playfully wiping the lipstick off of his cheek, she waited until waiter left before continuing.  “See, harmless sensual response.”
 
Sydney rolled her eyes.  “And you of all people would know all about being sensual.”
 
“Jealous?” Lydia asked while raising her eyebrows.
 
“Of you? You wish.” Sydney and the rest of the women at the table laughed.
Urie looked down at her cell phone.  No missed calls.  And he is late.  Again.  She frowned as she smoothed out her orange maxi dress that hugged her hips closely and showed just a hint of cleavage.  Normally Urie wouldn’t wear something that low-cut, but since Jackson suggested she should start wearing things that were a little more daring to ‘…give him something to think about when he wasn’t around…’, she gave it a shot.  While taking a sip of her beverage at the bar, she glanced at all of the other couples enjoying their meals.  What is taking him so long?  I don’t understand why he insists on being late.  It’s almost as if he is dreading meeting me.  If he had something else to do tonight, he should’ve said something before agreeing to meet me for dinner.  I could be at home spending time with Eva or getting some work done for class tomorrow…


“Babe, you didn’t get my message?”  Urie looked up to see Jackson come in wearing jeans and a t-shirt, an inappropriate outfit for the elegant restaurant that she had chosen for dinner.  Urie shook her head as she readjusted the headband that pushed her curls away from her face.  She did not respond to him until he got close to her.  After giving her a peck on the lips, he leaned down close to Urie’s face, which held a scowl.  “Urie, sweetie, why do you look upset?”
 
“What time is it, Jackson?”
 
“It’s 8:45.  Why?”
 
“What time did you say that you were going to be here?”
 
Jackson huffed and sat down on a bar stool next to her.  “You mean to tell me you’re mad about that?  I got here, ok?  Did you get us a table?”
 
“I did, an hour and 45 minutes ago.  We’ve lost our reservation.”
 
“Why you didn’t just tell them to hold it?”
 
Urie stared blankly at Jackson for a moment.  “You don’t tell people at restaurants like these to hold a reservation; you simply show up for the time you reserved your table.  And even if they were nice enough to hold your reservation, they are not going to do it for almost 2 hours after the time you are supposed to be here!...”
 
“Alright, alright, I messed up.  I had a couple of meetings at the center that ran over so I ain’t have time to change clothes, but I got here.  Can you at least be happy about that?”  Urie still showed no emotion toward him, so Jackson took her in his arms and kissed her softly.  The kiss broke the hardness of her attitude and she cracked a small smile.  “That’s my girl.  So, what’s this bourgeois place you got me in?   Folks sitting around eating all quiet, people playing’ piano in the corner and sh…”
 
“Watch your mouth.  And it’s not bourgeois, it’s quiet and elegant.   I hear that they have really good food here.”
 
“Who told you that?” Jackson asked dryly.
 
“Parker.  You know she has the 411 on all the good places to eat and hang out.”
 
“Her fat butt would know all the good places to eat…”
 
“Jackson, that is rude! What did I tell you about talking about people’s weight?  Besides, I’m a thick girl just like she is.  Are you going to call me fat behind my back?”
 
“Sweetie, there is a difference between you and Parker, ok?  You are thick, which is what guys want, and you know I can barely keep them curves out my hands.”  Jackson pinched her hips, which got a small giggle from Urie.  “But Parker is fat, which is what guys think is nasty….”
 
“So what do you think of Lydia and Sydney?  Are they thick or fat?”
 
“Lydia got a nice shape on her, but she too needy and got a bad attitude.  Plus, that chick a gold-digger so I don’t know why you hang around her…”
 
Hate to admit it, but he is right about the gold-digging part… Urie thought to herself.
 
“And Syd’s alright, but she ain’t really my type either.  She too loud.  I like my women thick and distinguished-acting.  Like you.”
 
“Well, you can like what you like in a female but that still doesn’t give you license to clown my friends.  There is a lot that I can say about your boys and yet I keep my mouth shut…”
 
“Naw, go on and say what you gon say!”  Jackson pinched her hips again and made her giggle a little louder, finally cracking the last bit of anger that Urie had with him.   He knew it would take much; just a couple of touches and a couple of kisses and he was back in her good graces.  Jackson held Urie close to him.  “For real though, you are the full package.  I know I mess up with you sometimes and I’m sorry…”
 
“Like being late tonight…”
 
“Yes for being late tonight.  You know I love you, right?”
 
“I know you do.” 
 
“Oh, I don’t get an ‘I love you too’?  You just gonna leave me out here, huh?”
 
“I’m still mad at you.”  Urie kissed him on the check and then wiped the lipstick off with her thumb.  “Come on, I can still see if we can get a table.”
 
The two of them walked over to the hostess’ stand, where a woman greeted them with a smile.  “Can I help you?”
 
“Yes, I had a reservation for 7pm, but we ended up having to push it back.  Are there any tables available still?”
 
“Yes ma’am, I can sit you two right away.  This way please.”  The hostess grabbed two menus and began to walk Jackson and Urie through the restaurant.  A couple of people looked at Jackson’s attire, which made him a little angry.  To calm him, Urie placed her arm around his and leaned in, giving his cheek another kiss as if to say ‘Remember, you’re here with me.’  The hostess sat them at a table along the perimeter of the room near the pianist that played soft jazz music.  “Your waiter will be with you momentarily.  Can I order you some champagne or something else to drink?”
 
“I’ll just have another 7-Up please.”
 
“Can I have a rum and Coke?” Jackson ordered as he sat down in his chair.
 
“Yes, coming right up. Thanks!” The hostess walked away happily.
 
“For once,” Jackson laughed while pulling his Blackberry out of his pocket, “I would like to see you have a real drink.”
 
“7-Up is a real drink!”  Urie laughed.
 
“No, I mean something with some liquor in it.  Something grown folks would drink.  Act like a big girl for once!”
 
“I occasionally drink wine or a cooler, but not all the time and not when I am not in the mood.  The only thing I am in the mood for is a good pop and a good meal…”  Urie stopped as Jackson’s phone began to ring.  He tried to ignore it, but Urie asked, “Are you going to answer that?”
 
“It’s probably Joe from the center.  He acts like he can’t shut the place down without me.”  The phone stopped ringing as the hostess returned with their drinks.  The phone immediately began to ring again and the hostess walked away.  “Hold on, let me take this.  Hello?...yeah,…oh really?”  Jackson let out a smug laugh as he rubbed his face, “that’s how you feel about it, huh?  Well, I’m eating with my girl right now so…Oh for real?...Well can it wait?...No?  Aight give me 10, I’m on my way.  One.”  Jackson hung up the phone and placed it back in the phone case.  At one time, he drank the glass of rum and Coke that the hostess brought to the table and kissed Urie’s cheek.  “Babe, I’m sorry…”
 
“Who was that and what did they want?”
 
“Joe from the center.  Apparently something happened that they need me to come check out since I’m the site director now.  I’m sorry to mess up our dinner.  I’ll call you when I get home.”  Urie didn’t say a word; she just sipped on her 7-Up, allowing her emotions to return to the place of hurt and anger she was in prior to him arriving.  “Better yet, I’ll come by later on and we’ll chill out or watch a movie or something…”
 
“I have to take Eva to gymnastics early in the morning to get her ready for a competition.  I am going to get some sleep.”
 
“So I can’t come by?”
 
“No.  Go do what you’ve gotta do, Jack.”
 
“Aight sweetie, love you.”  Again Urie did not respond, so he kissed her on the cheek again before leaving out.  “Order me something good and bring it by my apartment on the way out, ok?  Bye babe!”  Jackson grabbed his jacket and headed out the door.
 
Bring you something by the apartment?  What do you think this is, Meals on Wheels?!  Urie sighed deeply as she motioned the hostess over.  “Um, I’m sorry for this, but we won’t be needing the table after all.  Can I pay you for the drinks?”
 
“Don’t worry about it.” The hostess replied sweetly.  
 
“Are you sure?”
 
“Yes, I’m sure!  You have a good night, ok?”
 
Urie knew why the hostess was not charging her for the drinks – she pitied her for being left behind on her date.  As soon as the hostess walked away, Urie threw a couple of dollars on the table and gathered her purse.  I think I will stop by the liquor store.  I may need a big girl drink to cope after this mess.
]]><![CDATA[Chapter Two: "...Professional and Personal Affairs"]]>Thu, 01 Feb 2018 06:00:00 GMThttp://www.amberwhitted.com/plusinctheseries/chapter-two-professional-and-personal-affairs
People think I’m selfish.  I’ll own that.  But I’m selfish for a reason.
 
My first priority is, has always been, and will always be me.  Period.  You can’t be anything to anyone else if you aren’t everything to yourself first.  If I can’t make myself happy, then everyone else will have to wait.  That includes my husband and two twin boys
 
Here is my point of view: I am 28 years old – 25 and holding to anyone who doesn’t know me – and I refuse to dye my hair for any reason other than I want a richer shade of brown.  I’m young, sexy, and business-minded.  Limiting myself to the titles of wife and mother does me an injustice.  I want to enjoy myself before my skin starts to wrinkle and menopause sets in.
 
So if I spend $500 on a pair of shoes, so be it.
 
If I get my hair and nails done at the most expensive spa in the city, so be it.
 
If I flirt with sexy men who find me irresistible, so be it.
 
Wait, did I say that out loud?
 
Oh well…
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   -   Lydia 

​“What time will you need us to be there?”
 
“Us?” Calvin asked while sipping a cup of coffee.  “I thought you were a one-woman operation?”
 
“I have associates that work with me.  Even I understand the importance of working with others.”
 
“You mean managing others.  The chefs work for you.”  Calvin reached out and touched the top of Lydia’s hand and smiled at the slight blush that followed from her.  “So, is lunch to your liking?”
 
“Yes, thank you.  We really could’ve talked about this over though phone, Calvin.”
 
“I prefer to discuss business in person.”
“Over lunch?” Lydia raised her eyebrows.
 
Calvin returned the same expression. “You’ve never been to a lunch meeting before?”
 
“Something tells me you wanted more than just a lunch meeting.”
 
Calvin sat back and laughed.  After running his fingers across his goatee, he responded, “Is that right?”
 
So was that necessary? Lawd help me, those lips!  Lydia fought to maintain composure.  “Yes, that’s right.  So, Calvin, if this was just a regular lunch meeting, why was all of the physical contact necessary?”

“I’ll get to the point.  I’m interested in you.  Speaking with you for these past few weeks has got me wanting to know more about you …”
 
Lydia flashed her left hand.  “You do see this wedding ring, right?”
 
“And?”
 
“And?!  I am a married woman!  Have been for the past seven years…”
 
“Are you happy?”
 
“Why do men use that same sad line?  Am I happy?  No, I enjoy the torture of waking up next to a man that makes my stomach turn.” Lydia laughed, took a bite of her salad, and then pointed her fork at Calvin.  “Sweetie listen, I don’t willingly participate in anything that I do not plan on seeing through.  If I didn’t want to marry Tony, then I would be single and then maybe this would be a different conversation.”
 
“But it’s not?”
 
“Exactly. I love my husband, I adore my children, and I enjoy being married…”
 
“And I’m happy for you.”  Calvin replied calmly, unmoved by anything that Lydia had just said.  “But he has nothing to do with me.  You peak my interest, and you are a very beautiful woman…”
 
Lydia’s ears perked up.  “Beautiful, huh?”  She sat silent for a moment as thoughts raced through her head.  Ok, get it together.  You can’t let some smooth-talking man in a $500 suit come along and mess up the life that you worked hard to build.  Calvin knew that he had her in the palm of his hand, so he grabbed her hand and gently kissed it.   I can’t let this man…saved by my phone!  Lydia grabbed her hand from Calvin’s light grip to answer her phone.  “Hello?”
 
“Some friend you are!”
 
“Excuse me?”
 
Sydney talked loudly so she could be heard over the heavy winds that blew in downtown Chicago.  “I was supposed to get a ride to my audition from someone who shall remain nameless so that way I don’t walk in looking windblown but clearly that didn’t happen.  So I walked into the Goodman Theater looking all kinds of crazy!”
 
“Hold on,” Lydia put the phone down and pulled out her calendar, scrolling through all of her to-do list until she saw ‘Pick up Syd and take her to audition at Goodman’ written on it.   “Oh.”
 
“That’s all I get?”
 
“Did your audition go well?”
 
“Yes it did.  Thanks for the fake concern.  I have a callback tomorrow at noon.  Do you think you can remember to come get me?”
 
“What’s wrong with your car?”
 
“You mean the 200,000 mile-having Ford I’m pushing? Not gonna happen.  Where are you now?  I’d at least like a ride home.”
 
Lydia looked at Calvin, who smiled as he patiently sipped on his water.  “I’m at my favorite Thai spot…”
 
“Good.  I’m hungry anyway.  I’ll be there in 5.”  Noise from the trains above her head drowned out her voice, so Sydney decided to just hang up before Lydia could change her mind. 
 
Shaking her head, Lydia put her phone back in her purse.  Before she could even respond to the look of amusement on Calvin’s face, he said, “Friend of yours?”
 
“I was supposed to pick up my friend Sydney before I met you.  I had to drop something off at my boys’ school before I came here and didn’t want to meet you late.”
 
“Was she upset?”
 
“She’ll get over it…” Before Lydia could finish her sentence, Sydney walked in the restaurant and let out a big ‘Woo!’  She took a moment to adjust her long dress, check herself in the mirror by the door, and pull her hair back into a ponytail.  Sydney then pulled a pair of denim and hemp wedges from the big bag that she carried with her and slipped them on in place of the flats she was currently wearing.  After applying a bit of lip gloss, she walked into the restaurant as if waiting for cameras to flash.  Lydia just shook her head.  “I thought you said five minutes?” She called out to her.
 
“I lied.”
 
“I noticed.”
 
“Well, you had it coming.”  Sydney stopped for a second to look the man that sat at the table with Lydia.  Before saying another word, she sat in the chair directly next to him, hung her purse and bag over the edge of her chair, and waved over the waitress.  “Sydney Wells, nice to meet you.”
 
“Please feel free to introduce yourself, Syd.” Lydia stated while rolling her eyes.
 
“Calvin James, and the pleasure is all mine.” Calvin laughed as he extended his hand for a handshake which Sydney returned.   
 
Sydney smiled at Calvin and then faced the waitress as she came to the table.  “Hi, I’d like to order, please.”
 
Lydia was completely taken back as Sydney placed her order with the waitress.  Is this crazy chick really ordering food right now?  Seriously?!  “Syd, I can just take you somewhere to grab something to eat…”
 
“That’s ok,” Calvin interrupted while laughing, “I need to get going anyway.”  He pulled $100 out of his wallet and ceremoniously laid it on the table in front of Lydia.  After kissing her on the cheek, he continued.  “Here’s the money for lunch for us and for Miss Sydney.  I will give you a call this evening to follow up.”
 
“Um, Calvin, our lunch didn’t come to this.  And as much as I know Sydney can eat, she won’t eat up that much either.”
 
“Tip the waitress and keep the rest as a down payment for the supplies you’ll need for the job.”  He winked at Lydia, then turned and nodded his head at Sydney before leaving the restaurant.

Lydia waited until Calvin left the restaurant and then stuck the $100 bill in her bra.  “Well, alrighty then.”
 
“So you’re just gonna hold on to the money, huh?” Sydney asked while sipping her water.
 
“You’re surprised?”
 
“First of all, you don’t accept money from random guys that are, last time I checked, not your husband.  Second, the guy gave you money for our lunch, not the over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder fund…”
 
“I’ll just use my Amex business card to pay for the lunch.  I can use the money for something else.”
 
Sydney stared blankly at Lydia.  “And what will that something else be?”
 
“Shoes, clothes, hair, nails, I don’t know.  It’ll be something I need.”
 
“Not that I’m one to talk, but you need another pair of shoes like you need another hole in the head.  And your nails look fine.  At least if you are gonna take dirty money, use it for what it’s intended for.”
 
“How is it dirty money!?  The man gave me money for supplies I’ll need for the event.”
 
“And a pair of shoes is needed for the event?”
 
“I’ll need to have proper attire, right?”  Sydney just shook her head as the waitress brought the soup she ordered.  “You never answered my question.”
 
“What question?”
 
“How is it dirty money?”
 
“Calvin was clearly flirting with you, Lydia.  I don’t know what kind of business you all were discussing, but whatever it was supposed to be was not the first thing on that man’s mind.”
 
“And how do you know what was first on his mind?”
 
“It was obvious, from the way he was looking at you to the kiss on the cheek.  If I hadn’t have showed up, he’d still be sitting here ogling you.”
 
Lydia laughed loud and hard.  “Ogling?  Really?”
 
“Yes really!   You may think this is just about business, but he may want more than that.  Agreeing to meet him for lunch may have not been a good idea ‘cuz he may have considered this a date.  Did Tony know you were meeting him here?”
 
“No.  What does Tony have to do with this?  And anyway, I’ve done it before.  Tony understands that I have to meet up with clients occasionally to talk about jobs that I have...”
 
“Tony also knows that you are a flirt…”
 
“Syd, you are taking this way too personally. Tony meets up with clients all the time, male and female, and I don’t trip.  It’s the nature of the businesses we are in.  But you wouldn’t understand that.”
 
You know why I am taking this personally.  Sydney fought to control her anger at Lydia’s callousness to the situation.  “I know how business works…”
 
“Then why are you so concerned about what is going on in my house?”  Sydney sat back and shook her head.  Satisfied at her small victory, Lydia smiled.  “Thanks for the heads-up, but I know how to handle my professional and personal affairs.  I’ve got this.”
 
“Alright, Lydia.” 
 
“What time are you supposed to be meeting up with Parker?”
 
“Seven.” Sydney replied, still sounding upset about the discussion. 
 
“And where are you all going?”
 
“Speed dating…”
 
Lydia tossed her head back in laughter.  Her laugh was so loud that it pulled the attention of everyone in the restaurant.  “Speed dating?!” She replied loudly.  “People still do that?!”
 
“Can you be any louder?”
 
“That is so sad.  You’re a good-looking woman.  I’m sure you can find a better way to meet a man.”
 
“It’s not about meeting a man.” Sydney replied while eating her shrimp and pineapple fried rice.   “It’s about being social.”
 
“Umm hmmm.  How come you aren’t taking Urie with you?  She needs to be social.”
 
“I asked her if she wanted to go…”
 
“And she said…”
 
“Not in this lifetime.” They both laughed as Sydney continued.  “I swear, she is determined to stay faithful to that man no matter how bad he treats her.”
 
“I tried to introduce her to some of Tony’s single friends, but she wasn’t trying to hear it.  She wants to make it work with Jackson.  Such a waste of time, if you ask me.”
 
“In her defense, you have to admire her for wanting to try, if not just for her daughter.”  Lydia huffed, looked at her watch, and began to primp herself in her reflection in the window – a sign that she was ready to leave.  Sydney signaled the waitress over and asked that the rest of the food be taken to go.  As much as I don’t like Jackson, I really do admire her willingness to stick it out.  Everything ain’t always about money.  But I guess some people will never learn that.
​


​​​“I can’t believe you got me in here looking stupid.”  Parker whispered as the hostess was giving her opening address to those in attendance.
 
“What do you mean?  I think you look great right now!”
 
“You know what I mean!  I’m at an event full of desperate women and probably certifiable men who are looking for a quick hook up.”
 
Sydney laughed as she waved to a few of her friends.  “Girl, we are at a church event…”
 
“And that’s another thing.  Why is a church, I repeat, a church having a speed dating event?!  I thought the whole thing with church and dating is that you’re supposed to trust God and wait until He brings you your mate.”  Parker shook her head as she smoothed out her asymmetrical t-shirt.  “At least that’s what they teach at my church…”
 
“Mine too, but this isn’t my church…”
 
“Then whose is it and where is the pastor because I wanna have a talk with them.”
 
Sydney let out a loud laugh, which drew attention to her.  She blushed slightly and continued her conversations quietly.  “It’s just in fun, ok?  I got invited by one of my friends and I didn’t want to come alone.”  Parker stared at Sydney blankly.  “What!?”
 
“So you brought me with you?”
 
“You could’ve stayed at home and wrote a blog or baked some brownies or something.”
 
Parker shook her head as she watched the other singles in attendance mingle around the room.  “I’m probably gonna need some chocolate or a shot or something after this.”
 
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of a loud whistle, which signaled everyone to go to their seats.  After taking a seat at her assigned table, she looked at the gentleman in front of her.  He’s handsome, I guess, if you like the overly preppy and obviously full of themselves type.  Neither one of them spoke for about 45 seconds before Parker finally initiated conversation.  “My name is Parker Peterson.  Yours?”
 
“I’ve never seen you at this church before.” The gentleman responded in a dry tone.
 
“Oh, I was invited by a friend.  Well, really a friend of a friend.  This is my first time visiting at one of your church’s events.”
 
“I see.”  He responded quickly and then began looking at the other women in the room.  “I see.”
 
“So you all have this event annually?” He did not answer, but instead kept looking around the room.  “How many events do you all have a year?”  Still no response.  Um, hello?  Is this thing on?  “So what is your name?”
 
“Dion.” He answered while pointing to his name tag, still not paying any attention to Parker.
 
“You know, actually attempting to be cordial might make this a little less awkward than it already is…”
 
“No disrespect, my sister, but you’re really not my type.  And I don’t like to play games so…”
 
“Not really your type huh?”  Be nice, Parker.  Be nice.  “That’s fine.  So, do you know anyone here?”
 
“Didn’t I already tell you I wasn’t interested…”
 
“Ok, there is no need to be rude.  If you want to sit here in silence for the next few minutes then that is perfectly fine with me…”
 
“I’m not being rude.  I already told you that you weren’t my type.  Women like you turn me off…”
 
“Women like me?...”
 
“Yeah, the pushy single chicks come to events like these thinking that if they look cute one, maybe two days out of the week they can catch a man.  I said that I wasn’t interested, that should have been the end of it…”
 
“Oh you just got me pegged, huh?  Look, I was just trying to be nice to you.  Clearly, whoever you’re feeling ain’t feeling you because you’re at the same speed dating event as me.  If I were her …”
 
“Well, you are not her.  Not by a good 75 pounds...”
 
“Excuse me!” Parker’s mouth dropped.  Right before she could respond, the whistle blew.  Dion shook his head and left the table without making anymore eye contact with her.  The next guy sat down at the table and immediately rambled on and on about his former life before he got saved.  Parker smiled politely, but was not able to get a word in the entire time he was at her station.  The next few guys offered decent conversation, but none of them peeked her interest.  While another gentleman who came to her table answered a call on his cell phone, Parker pulled out her cell and sent Sydney a text that said ‘Um, I’ll be in the car.’
 
Upon reading the text, Sydney turned and looked at Parker with wide eyes. “Why?” she mouthed.
 
“Because this sucks!” She mouthed back. 
 
Before she could grab her purse, the guy in front of her asked, “So, I know we aren’t supposed to exchange numbers, but if you have a card, I’ll take it.  You’re kinda cute.”
 
“Kinda cute, huh?” Parker said while grabbing her purse.
 
“Yeah.”  He leaned forward.  “Truth be told, I think thick women are sexy.”
 
“Well, thanks for the truth report.” Parker stood to leave.  “Nice to meet you, um, what was your name?”
 
“Derrick Aberdeeen.”
 
“Right.  Sure is.  Nice talking to you, Derrick.  Have a great night.”  She smiled politely as she began to leave.  She looked over at Sydney, who appeared to be having a really good conversation.  At least she’s happy.  Parker then watched as the body language of the other people in attendance.  Some looked interested in conversation while others looked uncomfortable.  I wonder how many of these women wish they had the guts to do like I’m doing and just walk out of this foolishness. As Parker walked to her car, she noticed Jackson standing outside door talking to a female.  He was standing close to her with one hand on the wall, and the other one holding her waist.  See, this is what I’m talking about!  Urie deserves better than this loser!  Parker began to walk over to where he was standing, but she decided against it.  Instead, she pulled out her cell phone and calls Urie.
 
“Thought you were out?” Urie answered between bites of a cookie.
 
“And now I’m not.”
 
“That bad, huh?”
 
“Um, yeah.  So what are you doing tonight?  Are you, Eva, and Jack hanging out?”
 
“No, it was his night to work at the center.  Eva’s at a friend’s.  So it’s me and my cookies tonight. What are you gonna do now?”
 
“Go get a burger and wait for Sydney.  She is in her element.  I was in hell.”  Parker sighed as she watched Jackson kiss the woman gently.  Great.  How am I supposed to address this?

]]><![CDATA[Chapter One: "...You Have To Do What's Best For You."]]>Mon, 01 Jan 2018 06:00:00 GMThttp://www.amberwhitted.com/plusinctheseries/chapter-one-you-have-to-do-whats-best-for-you
Let me explain something to you – ain’t nothin’ ever been cute about pink leather leggings, especially on big girls.

That’s pretty much the only thing I thought when I saw Lydia’s choice in a birthday outfit. Now before you start asking ‘Who are you to say what is or is not cute?!’, let me explain something about myself.  I am the editor-in-chief of Curves, Curls, and Cake, a blog that caters specifically to today’s full-figured woman.  So far, my blog has become a very credible source for life, fashion, and entertainment advice.  So I’d like to think I know a little something when it comes to what’s fashionable.

 Of course you can’t tell Lydia that…
                                                                                                                                            - Parker



"And that's when I had to tell her about herself!  I mean, seriously, she came in carrying a Dolce bag from two seasons ago.  Did she really think she was going to come at me all wrong and I would not say something?"  Lydia flung her hair back and laughed loudly.  The other women, all wealthy housewives from her children's school, laughed in the same pretentious manner.  One of the other women made a comment, to which Lydia replied a loud and hearty, "I know right!" before excusing herself from the group.  She strutted proudly across the room in her five inch Jimmy Choo stilettos, allowing her curvy hips to sway to the beat of the music.  Her long hair hung just below her shoulders in perfect ringlets, and she made sure that everyone knew that her hair was real by swinging it every chance she could.  Lydia seemed perfectly comfortable gliding through the crowd, stopping to shake hands and give fake hugs to her birthday party attendees.  When she finally arrived at the table where her girls sat, Lydia put her hands on her hips and shook her head.  "So, do you all plan on getting up and enjoying yourselves or are you afraid that the table is gonna fly away?"
​ 

"I spent all night grading papers so I could be here," Urie replied after taking a long sip of her drink, “so I will get up when I am ready."

"And when will that be?"

"When I'm ready."

Lydia took a look at Urie's glass and then pursed her lips.  "There better be alcohol in that glass."

"Lydia, you know I don't drink like that."

 "Well what are you drinking?"

 "Iced tea."

 "Long Island ice tea?"

"Just iced tea." Urie shook her head then looked at Parker.  "Your girl's a lush..."

"I am not a lush, just a woman who knows how to have a good time."  Lydia looked over at Parker, whose entire focus was on her tablet.  "And Miss Parker, what are you doing that is so important that you don't notice there is a party going on right now in my honor?"

 Parker looked up and smirked.  "Oh I’m sorry, there's a party tonight?  Wow.  I thought it was a regular night at the club, you know, since I was asked to pay a $20 cover charge at the door..."

"Yeah, what was up with that?" Sydney asked while moving to the music.  "I thought you said there would be no cover, at least for your girls.”

Lydia ran her fingers through her hair.  “Look, I couldn’t control that.  The owner said that he would let me have the whole club for the night since I’ve catered for so many of his events.  I didn’t find out until later that only so many people could get in for free.”

“And you couldn’t hook up your girls?” Parker asked.

“I had to take care of some important people that came through!  You know how it is.”

“Umm hmmm…”

“Well, I don’t know how it is, so I’m going to need for you to tell me…” Sydney’s thoughts trailed off as the DJ began to spin house music.  “Ooo, but tell me after this.  Gotta go!”  Sydney slid off the barstool and made her way to the crowd to dance. 

Parker laughed as she began to type into her tablet again.  “I know what you’re trying to say, Lydia, but it’s a bad excuse.  I made sure that you and your dates got into my birthday party last year with no problems…”

“Parker,” Lydia interrupted, “I know you of all people didn’t pay $20 to get in tonight with all of the connections that you have.”  Parker let out a chuckle, but didn’t respond.  “Did you pay $20 or not?!”  Lydia was starting to get frustrated with Parker’s silence, which was something that Parker did just to get on her nerves.   Refusing to allow Parker to get to her, Lydia turned to Urie, who was sipping her tea and chuckling at the whole scene.  “Urie, did you all pay to get in here tonight?”

“None of us did, Lydia.”  Urie answered.  “The guy at the door knows about Parker’s blog and column with InTheKnow so he let us in.”

“Ok, so what are you all complaining about then?”

 This woman is selfish, self-absorbed, and completely clueless. Parker thought to herself.   But since it’s her birthday, I’ll give her a pass.  “It’s the principle, Lydia.  You invited your guests to a party.  What if we didn’t have the money?  Then we would be at my place drinking Pepsi and watching BET until you decided to call us and find out where we were.  That’s even if you noticed that we weren’t in attendance.”

“Oh come on!”  Lydia put her arms around both Urie and Parker and gave them hugs.  “You all know you are my girls.  I would’ve definitely noticed if you all weren’t here.  Most of these people here are just for show.”

“And I’m assuming the people here for show are the ones that got in free…”

“With access to VIP and bottles at their tables...” Urie added.

Feeling attacked, so Lydia raised her voice as she cut Urie off. “You all could’ve came over to VIP if you wanted to!” Remembering that all eyes were on her for the evening, she took a deep breath to recollect herself in front of her party guests.  “You still can now.  And so you know, there are plenty of sexy, rich, and available men who will be more than happy to spend their money on a few drinks for you,” she cut a look at Urie, “even if it is just iced tea.”

Urie shook her head. “Can’t do it, Lydia”

“Why!?”

“You know why.”

 “Please don’t tell me it’s because of that sorry relationship that you’re in!”  Urie cut an evil look at Lydia.  Before she could even respond, Lydia continued.  “Look, you’ve been with Jackson for ten years and in that time period you have been cheated on, hurt, lied to, and strung along with no hopes of a ring in sight.  The man barely makes any money with his non-for-profit organization and, if my memory serves me correctly, he’s been funny acting with Eva these days…”

Urie pointed her finger directly in Lydia’s face.  “Do not bring my baby into this!”

“I’m just saying.  You deserve better.  Been saying the same thing for the past few years.  And tonight you have a good opportunity to meet some men who can give you what you deserve, like time and money.”  Lydia brushed a ringlet from in front of her face as she began to move to the house music that the DJ was still spinning.  “Look, if y’all lames want to sit here and hold down the floors, so be it.  I’m gonna go dance.  I didn’t spend $600 on this outfit for nothing.”

 “You spent $600 on that outfit?” Parker asked dryly without looking up.

“Yes!  Looking good costs.  Well, doesn’t cost me at least!”  Lydia kissed her seven carat diamond wedding ring and laughed loudly again.  “I’ll see you two later, hopefully on the dance floor.”  Lydia waved at her girls and rejoined the crowd on the dance floor.

Urie waited until Lydia was out of earshot before she spoke.  “I hate it when she brings up Eva and my relationship with Jackson!” 

“Is there something you want to talk about?”  Urie rolled her eyes and looked away.  Parker tapped Urie on the shoulder to get her attention, but she did not turn around.  “Urie, what is going on?”

She sighed deeply.  “Lydia knows that Jackson and I are on rough terms, but he is doing the best that he can right now to help me with Eva.  She didn’t have to go there.”

“What is it this time?”  Urie shook her head but didn’t respond.  Parker leaned in a bit.  “Look, I know you two have history, and I know you want Eva to have her father.  But honey, you have to realize that this relationship is not healthy for you.   You have to do what is best for you.”

“But what if what is best for me is him?  And how do I know that if I pull away from him, he will still continue a relationship with Eva?  She is my only concern.  I can handle just about anything…”

“Including not being loved?”  Urie sighed as she began to roll round the ice cubes in her empty glass, refusing to look up at Parker.  “I know you love him.  But Lydia is right, you deserve better…”

 “If y’all don’t get y’all butts off these stools and come dance!”  Sydney came back to the table, still dancing to the house tracks that the DJ was now deep into playing.  “Quit acting like y’all ain’t house heads like me!”

 Parker shook her head and laughed.  “Syd, I just ordered some food and…”

“And you can let the waitress know to keep it warm in the kitchen until you get back.  You know you got that kind of pull!”

“I can stay here and wait until your food gets here, Parker.”  Urie said while motioning the waitress to come back to the table.  “I really don’t feel like dancing.”

“What’s wrong with you all of a sudden?”

“Nothing.”

Sydney turned to Parker.  “Uh, you wanna tell me what’s wrong with her?”

“Lydia.”  Parker replied.

“Enough said.”

“Seriously, I’ll wait for the food.”  Urie continued.  “She said about 15 minutes, and I know Parker will have her on the clock.”

“You sure?” Parker asked while setting her purse on the table.

“Yeah, I’m sure.”

“Ok, I’mma go dance for a little bit and I’ll be back.”  She gave Urie a hug.  “Don’t let her ruin your night, ok?”
​
“Ok.” She let out a small smile and waved as the duo disappeared on the dance floor.


​​“Tony, what do you mean you have to leave?!  It’s Friday night, and it’s my birthday party!  Can’t this wait until tomorrow morning?”

Tony kissed Lydia gently on the lips.  “Sweetie, you know I want more than anything to stay, but you know how important that meeting with Sports Center is.  Tomorrow means the world for the both of us…”

“For the both of us, huh?”

“Yes.  You know everything that I do is for you and the boys.   I will pick then from Mama’s house on the way home.  Is Parker dropping you off?”

“Yes.”  Lydia answered softly.

“Good.  You enjoy yourself and I will see you when you get home.  I love you, Lydee.”

“Mmm hmmm…”

“Oh, you don’t love me anymore?”

“Mmm hmmm…”

Tony gave her another soft kiss on the lips, which made Lydia sigh and crack a small smile.  “That’s my girl.”

“I love you too, Tony.  Please make sure that the boys are dry before you put them in the bed.”

He ran his finger along the side of her face.  “Bye.”

And once again he leaves.  Lydia tried hard to fight of the anger that began to rise in her stomach as she watched her husband shake a few hands on the way out the door.  He is so selfish.  For once, just once, couldn’t he have thought about me first? Nope! The job comes first.  I’m starting to think his job is his wife and I’m just a side chick…

“Excuse me, but is that how the woman of honor is supposed to be looking at her own event?”  A smooth baritone voice disrupted Lydia’s thoughts.  She turned to see the extremely handsome man standing behind her.  Before she could even respond, he held out his hand for a handshake.  “Calvin James.  Pleasure to meet you.”

“Lydia Carter-Brown.” She extended her hand for a handshake as well, but Calvin grabbed her hand, and kissed it gently.  A small flutter went through her stomach, but Lydia remained calm.  “So is that the way you greet all women when you meet them for the first time or am I getting special birthday girl treatment?”

“A little of both.”  He smiled as he took a sip of his rum and coke.  “Are you enjoying yourself?”

“Of course!  Who wouldn’t enjoy themselves with all of their friends and family around?”

“A woman who just had to say goodbye to her husband.”  Lydia rolled her eyes and tried to walk past him.  “Wait, wait a minute.  I didn’t mean to offend you.  I just noticed that…”

“You noticed what?  That I said a long goodbye to someone?  Yes, that was my husband, since you are so observant, but I am not upset.  He has to work.”

Calvin set his empty drink on the nearby bar and folded his arms.  “A working man is good.  I can respect that.  But me, I would’ve stayed here with you.”

“Well, that’s you.”  Lydia could feel herself getting both angered and intrigued by him.  She knew that it was best that she left.  “I’m glad you are enjoying yourself, um, what did you say your name was?”

“Calvin…”

“Right, Calvin.  Ok, well, thanks for the well wishes…”  Lydia began to walk away, but Calvin stopped her by lightly grabbing her arm.  “Um, excuse me…”

“I came over here for a reason.  I happen to know that you are an excellent caterer.   I’m responsible for coordinating the food and entertainment for a gala in four months for Dreams Inc., a non-for-profit organization.  Are you familiar with them?”

“Yes, I am.  But for something of that magnitude, four months is pretty short notice, don’t you think?”

“I’m aware.  And normally I would never put anyone under that kind of duress.  But our caterer flaked on us at the last minute and we desperately need a replacement…”

“Desperate, huh?”

Calvin chuckled in a cocky and confident manner as he pulled out his business card.  Before handing the card to Lydia, he ran his fingers gently across her skin, smiling at the goosebumps that appeared on her arm.  “I don’t want to take up too much more of your time, but if you have the time, please give me a call.  I would love to talk to you.”

“We’ll see.” Lydia gaze was broken as Parker came over with a small plate of potato skins in hand.  Slightly relieved to see her friend, she introduced the two.  “Calvin, this is one of my closest friends Parker Peterson.  Parker, this is Calvin…um, sorry, I forgot your last name.”

“James.  It’s Calvin James.”  He held out his hand for a handshake, to which Parker responded.  “Pleasure to meet you, Parker.  If you needed to speak with Lydia, I’ll be finished in a moment…”

“Oh, I’ll wait, thank you.” An awkward silence occurred as Calvin waited for Parker to leave.  Parker began to chuckle as she thought to herself.  Is there a problem?  Am I messing up your home-wrecking groove over here, sir?  After a few moments, she spoke again.  “Looks like you are done with your conversation, so it was nice meeting you, Calvin James.”

Calvin was irritated, but he kept his calm.  After nodding to Parker, he turned his attention back to Lydia.  “Make sure that you call me, ok?”

“Alright.”  Calvin was out of earshot, she turned to Parker, who was busy eating her potato skins.  With eyes wide open, she said, “What was that all about?”

“Um, you tell me!  Clearly I was interrupting something…”

“Just an opportunity to cater Dreams Inc.’s gala.  See!” Lydia showed Parker the business card that Calvin had handed her.  “Everything was on the up-and-up.”

“I saw him kiss you on the hand…”

“Please, he said he does that to every woman he meets…”

“Then why didn’t I get a kiss on the hand?”

“Because you have a hand full of potato skins.”

“Come on Lydia, that wasn’t all business…"

“Ok, maybe he was flirting a little bit.  But most handsome men do.  You know I’m trying to keep my catering business on the rise.  Gotta make moves, right?”

“Mmm hmmm.  Where is Tony?”

“He left.” Lydia answered with a tone in her voice that indicated that she did not want to talk about it further.  “Where are the girls?”

“Syd finally got Urie off of her seat.  They are up dancing.”

Lydia looked over and saw Syd and Urie both dancing and chatting with two guys.  “I know that guy.  He’s rich.  Urie better get his phone number.”

Parker shook her head as she started to head back to the dance floor.  “Will you leave the girl alone?  She’s just dancing, dang!”

“I’m just saying.  We need to teach that girl how to jump on an opportunity.”

“And no one knows how to be an opportunist quite like you.” Parker replied sarcastically and laughed.  “You never stop do you?”

“Team Me all the way and loving it!  Come on, Parker.  I wanna get a few more drinks and do some more dancing before you take me home.”

“Alright, let’s go.  Just one quick question though.”

“What?”

“You paid $600 for that outfit?”

“I paid exactly $600.86 for it, yes ma’am!”

“And you bought pink leather leggings?”

“And what of it?” Parker just shook her head.  “What!  You’re just mad because you don’t have any!”

“Trust me, I don’t want any.”

“You do, and you’re jealous because you can’t make them look this good.”
​
“Better, honey.  I can make them look better.  Now come on before I hurt your feelings on your birthday.”  Parker rolled her eyes and laughed loud before dancing her way back to the dance floor. 
]]>