Olivia fixed her eyes on Malcolm. She marveled at how less than a year ago, their lives together had been destroyed. Now, the opportunity to mend the broken pieces of their marriage stood before her.
After drawing in a deep breath and staring at Malcolm's face filled with anticipation, Olivia heard the words leaping from her mouth, “Hell to the naw, Malcolm. You must think I’ve lost my mind. Did you think since we had a night of sex, I would want to be with you?” Olivia snatched her hand from Malcolm’s grip and threw her hands in the air in disgust. “Boy, please. I have more dignity and respect for myself than to allow your broke, narcissistic, egotistical, lying ass, back into my life.”
Olivia wished she could’ve snapped a picture of the priceless expression spread across Malcolm’s face. “No? I’m telling you; we’ll work things out.”
“Malcolm, you have an overly pregnant, good-for-nothing person living in your apartment. She is carrying your child and you made plans to marry her.” Olivia waggled her finger in his face. “Do you think I’m desperate enough to let you back into my life? You cheated on me and the other night, cheated on her. Why would I believe you’re a changed man?”
“Olivia. Please. Don’t be like that. Look, if we stay together, the kids will remain in San Antonio. We’ll all be together. I promise you; it’ll work out best for all of us,” Malcolm begged.
“No. As much as I want to be around Simone and Christian, I will not let you use them as a pawn to persuade me to get back with you. There is nothing, and I mean nothing, you can do to get me back.” Olivia jutted her jaw in final resignation.
“But, what about the other night?” Malcolm's face twisted in confusion.
“Just sex. Damn good sex at that. Thank you for the relief. My body needed it. I see it must’ve been great for you, too, since you’ve flipped your script and are begging me to stay with you. Don’t go breaking things off with Mariah to be with me. I’m not the one and you need to go.”
Olivia marched across the living room and opened the door. Malcolm raised from his knee with rejection painted across his face. Defeated, he sulked with slumped shoulders toward Olivia. He paused in front of her. “You’re making the biggest mistake of your life. I told you I prayed about us. By rejecting me, you’re rejecting God. I hope you know you had a chance to have it all again with me.”
Olivia almost laughed from Malcolm's final words. “The God I serve is one of forgiveness. If this is rejecting God, I’m covered. Now, get out of my house.” Olivia pointed her finger toward the porch.
Malcolm tucked his hands into the pockets of his jeans and trod down the steps as if his feet had cement blocks weighing them down.
Olivia slammed the door behind him before sliding to the floor. She threw her head back and began laughing. She held her stomach and guffawed with amusement. Her laughs turned into hiccups until her body ached. The pain of hope denied was replaced with joy from the power of letting go for good.
THIRTY-ONE
Olivia
The Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays attracted people from all around the country. Some come to check out the talent in track and field in the second largest track meet in the United States. Others showed up to party throughout the capital city.
Cars inched bumper to bumper in the downtown area of Austin filled with weekend patrons. Horns blared from people trying to navigate to their destinations.
Savvy circled several blocks to find a parking space. “We’re going to end up having to pay a whole lot of money to park. This traffic is ridiculous.”
Olivia leaned forward in her seat and pointed to the right. “Over there. A car is leaving. Change lanes and grab that spot,” she exclaimed.
Savvy whipped the car across two lanes and maneuvered into the parking space. “Good job seeing this one. It’s in a perfect location. We’re right around the corner from the place where the party is happening.” Savvy turned off the car.
“Yay,” Olivia cheered. After checking the mirrors and reapplying lipstick, she exited onto the pavement in her high-heeled shoes and stood next to Savvy. “Which way are we going?” Olivia asked and glanced up and down the street.
“It’s this way.” Catcalls rang out from men who were passengers in cars passing by. Olivia ignored the drive-by whistles and followed Savvy toward the venue.
“Do you see how long the line is?” Savvy exclaimed. “It’s wrapped around the corner. You know we picked the right party.”
“I hope there are some fine men in this place. I can’t believe I let you drag me out of San Antonio for this mess.” Olivia tugged below her arm to adjust the strapless, yellow mini-dress she wore. She’d decided to show a little skin since the Texas weather had shifted from chilly temperatures to the usual warmer climate for this time of year.
“There better be some cuties. I didn’t put on this tight dress for nothing.” Savvy tugged at her short, fitted, red dress, which showed off her muscular legs. High-heeled sandals added three inches to her short frame.
“From what I can see, everyone looks much younger than us. I assumed this crowd would be at least age thirty and up. Most of these people can’t be more than twenty-something. I guess I wasted an outfit.” Olivia frowned and scanned the crowd with disappointment.
“There are a few men who seem older scattered here and there. Bernicia suggested this day party is a good one to start with. We’ll check it out and go to another one if we look like grandmas in here.”
“The men are probably searching for young girls, not women in their forties.” Olivia twisted her lips to the side in skepticism.
“Good point. Story of our lives these days,” Savvy agreed.
“Your fiasco with Kolby is a good example of old men who are interested in younger women.”
Savvy cackled. “You’ve got that right. I suspect he’s used to dealing with ladies who are younger than me. That man needs help. I guess he’s giving me the silent treatment. I haven’t heard from him all week. Thank God.”
“Between Kolby and my story about Malcolm, Blair, and Quinn, we had enough conversation pieces to discuss on the drive from San Antonio.”
“For real,” Savvy exclaimed. “We need tonight to be fun to make up for all of the crazy stuff we’ve had going on. Please let there be a better selection of men here.”
“I’ll scan the line since I’m above everyone’s head. Most of the guys here are too short for me anyway. It’s hard to find men six feet one and taller to accommodate me in three-inch heels.”
“I’ll manage the short ones and send you the tall ones. Okay?” Savvy laughed.
“Sounds like a good plan to me. Right now, I think you’ll be the only one finding someone at this party.”
“Hey. See the guy at the back of the line? He favors Wynton Marsalis.” Savvy wiggled her fingers in front of her face as if playing a trumpet.
Olivia spotted the Wynton clone and laughed. “He sure could pass for his twin. Not as cute though. Wynton is F-I-N-E.”
“Girl. The way he plays those trumpets has me wishing I was his instrument,” Savvy sighed.
“Me too.” Olivia fanned her hand to cool herself off from the thoughts about Wynton.
Savvy and Olivia glanced at the guy again. They both air-played a trumpet and laughed.
“Wait. I think he noticed us making fun of him.” Savvy stopped moving her fingers. “Don’t look,” she giggled.
“What? Oops. I didn’t think he could see us from the back of the line.” Olivia whispered and peeked in his direction. She didn’t spot him where he stood a moment ago.
“Good afternoon, ladies.” A voice greeted them from behind their backs. They turned around to find the man who had been at the end of the line gazing at them. Another guy, with a post-high-school athletic body from thirty years ago, stood beside him with a tired expression on his face.
“Hello,” Olivia replied sheepishly. She snuck a glimpse at Savvy whose cheeks flushed red from embarrassment.
“Hi.” Savvy tried to stifle a laugh.
“I couldn’t help seeing the two of you staring at me. I figured you must’ve had a good joke since you were both cracking up laughing. “What’s funny?” His dimpled smile spread across his face.
“Oh. We were reminiscing about going to a Wynton Marsalis concert,” Savvy offered.
“Yeah. Has anyone ever told you that you favor him? We think you kind of do,” Olivia asked. She checked him out with discretion since he now stood in front of them.
“No one ever told me that they thought I look like him. Thank you for the compliment.” His eyes danced between the two of them and he continued to grin. He had a lazy left eye that drifted to focus on Olivia’s shoulder.
“Are you a fan of his?” Olivia returned his smile yet studied him with scrutiny. She realized he didn’t look anything like Wynton up-close. Other than cute dimples, he wasn’t attractive.
“I have every one of Wynton’s cassette tapes. Yes, I said tapes, which shows I’m much older than the two of you. My jazz music collection is quite extensive.” He laughed. “By the way, my name is Brinson.” He extended his hand to Olivia.
“Hi. I’m Olivia and this is Savvy.” They took turns shaking his hand. “I think we’re all about the same age.
Savvy chimed in. “I have to admit, I still can’t give up my cassette tape collection. I even have a working Walkman tape player with Mega Base.”
“No way.” Brinson’s brows raised as if impressed. “Here’s one for you. Everyone can’t relate to using a pencil to stick in the hole of the tape to rewind it.”
“Or putting a tiny piece of Scotch tape on it when it broke,” Olivia said.
“That’s right.” Brinson chuckled. “I’ve got another one for you. I still have a boombox. I blast it on Sunday afternoons when I wash my car in the driveway.”
“Boy. Stop it. I know your neighbors are mad at you.” Olivia enjoyed the trip down memory lane.
“I got mad when the CD launched. I had to get all new music since they stopped making cars with cassette tape players in them.” Brinson continued with the recollection.
“Right. Me too. Now, everyone downloads music and streams it. I’m still trying to figure out my MP3 player,” Olivia added in.
“Kids these days have no idea what they missed out on.” Brinson’s friend joined the conversation after standing like a zombie on the side. “Sorry I didn’t introduce myself. My name is Nell. I didn’t get much sleep last night. Brinson arrived in town and kept me up hanging. We haven’t slept since he got here.” Nell stifled a yawn.
“Partying all night? I know y’all have to be tired,” Savvy said. “Do you live here in Austin?”
“Naw. I live in San Antonio. Brinson is visiting from Oklahoma City for the weekend,” Nell responded.
“Oklahoma? You’ve come a long way for a party,” Olivia teased Brinson. “Aren’t there things to do in your home town?”
“I always come for the relays. My boy is acting like he doesn’t hang on the regular. Man, this is what we do. He’s being lazy right now.” Brinson slapped Nell on the back to wake him up.
“Quit playin’, Brinson. You know I had a big landscape job right before you arrived. I didn’t get any rest. Between hittin’ up all the clubs and drinkin’, my head hasn’t hit a pillow in almost two days. We need to bounce from this day party and head back to San Antonio. I have to get some sleep.” Nell yawned again.
“Dawg. You know you better drink a Red Bull or coffee or somethin’. We gotta drive to Lake Charles tomorrow to hit up the casino. We need to make some paper.” Brinson didn’t seem to let Nell have any kind of excuse for not hanging out.
“Oh wow. You two are getting your partying in. Maybe we need to run around with y’all,” Olivia suggested.
She sensed Savvy’s eyes shooting daggers her way without looking. Olivia knew she surprised her with the suggestion.
“Sounds like a good idea,” Brinson accepted. “We haven’t seen many good lookin’ women here until we noticed the two of you.”
Olivia’s left eyebrow raised. “We were talking about how young everyone seems to be. Any other ideas on places to go?”
“Man. I’m hungry. If Brinson expects me to hang out any longer, I need food.” Nell rubbed his wide stomach. “You can’t keep a man my size from eating. If I don’t get something in my belly to soak up this alcohol soon, we’re gonna have some problems.”
“Alright, Nell. Let’s show these ladies the spot on 12th and Chicon. The crowd shouldn’t be too bad there.” Brinson turned to Savvy and Olivia. “Would you two join us at this barbecue place on the east side?”
“Is the food any good?” Olivia inquired.
“Man. Sam’s motto is ‘you don’t need no teeth to eat his beef’. His brisket is off da’ chain.” Brinson smacked his lips.
“Okay. Too funny and it sounds delicious to me. What do you think, Savvy?” Olivia’s eyes connected with her friend. She knew Savvy had to be doubtful about leaving from a crowded area to go somewhere with these two strangers. “My stomach is growling. We’ll follow them in your car if you’re good.”
Savvy shook her head indicating she recognized Olivia’s tactic to manipulate her into something crazy. “Okay. I’m hungry, too, and it doesn’t look like this line is moving any time soon. We’re parked around the corner and we’ll meet you there.”
Brinson seemed pleased with their decision. “Alright. I’m glad you’ll join us. May we escort you to your car?”
“No,” Savvy replied. Olivia knew she wanted time to chew her out before they arrived at the restaurant. “We’re good. The car isn’t far. Save us a seat.”
“Okay. We’ll see you there. Come on man.” Brinson motioned to Nell who yawned one more time. They turned away into the crowd in the opposite direction of where Olivia and Savvy walked.
Olivia led the way through the crowded 6th street. She braced herself to catch an earful from Savvy in five, four, three, two, one.
THIRTY-TWO
Savvy
“I’m going to hurt you, Olivia,” Savvy said through gritted teeth. She couldn’t believe Olivia messed up their plans. “Why did you offer to hang with them? I’m not interested in Nell at all.”
“Girl. I’m not interested in Brinson. We’re both hungry and I’m tired of standing in line for a party, which is going to be a bust. All we’re going to do is grab a bite of food with them. We don’t have to hang with them afterward. It’s still early. We’ll leave them and go somewhere else.” Olivia pleaded as they maneuvered past the crowds of drunk day party-goers.
“You get on my nerves. I figured we’d kick it at these parties. Now we have to figure out a way to shake them off after we eat.”
“No worries. I’ll start talking about my kids and setting houses on fire” Olivia laughed. “They’ll leave us in a heartbeat.”
Savvy widened her eyes at Olivia’s horrible joke and stopped walking. “Don’t even play. I can’t believe you said something like that.”
“Stop being serious. You know I’m kidding. I wouldn’t bring up what happened with my family,” Olivia said.
“Well, do not ever let those words come out of your mouth again.” Savvy proceeded to head toward the car seething about Olivia’s comment.
“You must think you’re my mother. Golly. It’s a joke.” Olivia sulked. She stopped next to Savvy’s parked car.
“You know better than to even play like that with me.” Savvy pressed the remote on her key chain to open the doors to her car. Olivia slid into the passenger seat as Savvy got into the driver’s side.
“Okay. I’m ready to meet new people. I’m doing what you wanted me to do, right? You’re the one who suggested we go on a road trip to Austin. I’m trying to get back to normal. Especially after our Melanindoubledate.com gone bad experience,” Olivia whined.
“You have to give me credit for trying something new like the website. I’m so
rry we ended up with two busters as far as Pharrell and Durbin are concerned,” Savvy apologized. “Coming to Austin is changing up the scenery and trying something different.
“Amen. Exactly the reason why we’re being spontaneous in going to eat with Brinson and Nell.” Olivia clapped her hands in joy.
Savvy stuck her tongue at Olivia. “You walked me right into your excuse. Okay. You’re right. We’ll be spontaneous for a change for your benefit.”
“Thank you. You’re the best friend ever,” Olivia said.
“But, don’t agree to go anywhere else with them once we finish eating. Understand, Olivia?”
“I understand. I hear you loud and clear,” Olivia agreed.
“Something tells me you aren’t going to keep your word.”
THIRTY-THREE
Savvy
“Wait, wait, wait. You were so drunk; you walked into your house and showed your ID to your Mom thinking you were in another bar?” Olivia laughed and almost fell off the barstool. She balanced one hand on Brinson’s shoulder to catch herself.
“Yeah. Mom slapped my license from my hand before she hit me upside my head. You talk about her being mad at me.” Brinson cracked himself up with his story.
“I can’t. Oww. My stomach hurts from laughing. Stop telling me this stuff.” Tears poured along Olivia’s cheeks from the hilarity of each tale.
Savvy sat on a stool next to Olivia, not experiencing the same amusement about Brinson’s story. The four of them were now sitting in a bar in San Antonio. Brinson suggested leaving Austin after eating at the barbecue place. He invited them to hang out for drinks at this spot on the Riverwalk. Olivia agreed after begging Savvy with her eyes.
In the hour drive from Austin to San Antonio, Olivia convinced her they would only have one drink and leave. Savvy
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