I'm Doin' Me 2

by Anna Black

  “They are, and Cam and Mee-Mee, you guys look good together. We should do this once a week, turn it into a game/couple’s night,” Tiffany suggested.

  “Once a week?” Asia frowned. “I can’t leave China with a babysitter to hang out once a week. Maybe once a month.”

  “Well, we’re game, right, baby?” Rose said.

  “Sure, babe, this is cool, and if the food is going to be this good, I’ll say yes,” Levi replied before shoving a spoonful of baked beans into his mouth.

  “I can host next week,” Rose said.

  “I can host the following week,” Myah added. Cam smiled.

  “Yes, that sounds like a good idea,” Cameron said and looked at Myah. “I’d be happy to help you cook.”

  “You cook?” she asked.

  “Yes, I cook,” he answered.

  “What else can you do?” Myah inquired.

  “Hey, hey, hey . . . There are others at this table,” Edward joked.

  “Awww, Edward, baby, they are just getting to know each other. Remember when we met, it was like an instant connection,” Asia said. “I wanted you the moment you said hello.”

  “Yes, it was an instant attraction, and I’ll never regret meeting you, baby.” Edward leaned in to kiss her.

  “It was almost the same for us too,” Rose added.

  “Yes, I was feeling you from the moment we met,” Levi agreed.

  “Ummm, would anyone like more wine, another drink?” Kory interrupted.

  “I would,” Levi spoke first.

  “I know why you’re interrupting the how we met stories, Kory,” Tiffany said.

  Kory got up to refill glasses on the table. “What, baby? What are you talking about?” he said nervously.

  “You know,” she said.

  “Hell, tell us,” Asia encouraged.

  “Well, first, I’ll say to Cameron and Myah, I hope this will be a start of something great for you two.”

  Myah looked at Cameron. “I’m sure it will be. I mean, look at him; he’s gorgeous,” she joked, and they all laughed.

  “So are you,” Cameron added.

  “Well, my husband knows it wasn’t love at first sight for him. It was love at first sight for me, but not for him. When we met, we were still in high school.”

  “Oh my God, Tiffany was mad crazy in love with Kory. She talked about Kory from sunup to sundown,” Rose spoke openly, and Tiffany shot her a look. “Well, you did,” she giggled.

  Tiffany sipped her iced tea. “I did, but this guy,” she put her arm around Kory’s shoulder once he sat back down, “this guy was too cool for me back then. He didn’t confess his love until over fifteen years after we met.”

  “Damn, y’all known each other that long?” Cameron asked.

  “Yes, but we hadn’t stayed in touch the entire time, and when I ran into him, do y’all know he didn’t even tell me he was engaged to Tressa Green?”

  “Well, I was going to tell you at dinner, but Tressa, Lord rest her soul,” Kory added, “was like, oh my God, Boy Crazy is like my favorite show, take me,” he said doing a perfect impression of Tressa.

  “Yes, and when I saw him standing there next to this bombshell, I almost passed out. My mouth went dry, my hands shook, and I was praying Rose would call at that moment, so I could get the hell outta there.”

  Everyone laughed.

  “I’m serious. Imagine sitting across the table the entire evening with the love of your life and his beautiful, rich fiancée.”

  “Yes, Kory, you know you was wrong for that,” Asia said and took a sip of her wine.

  “Yes, Kory, you could have at least sent Tiffany a text,” Myah said.

  “Yeah, Kory,” Rose chimed in.

  “Hey, hey, hey, ladies don’t gang up on me. In all truth, I had planned on telling Tiffany that night. I didn’t want to just show up with Reesy, but she put me on the spot.”

  The men shook their heads. “Well, I’m glad that’s not the story we have to share with our daughter,” Edward said.

  “Ha,” Asia interrupted. “But we have to tell her that she was conceived before we exchanged vows, and she was born two nights after our damn wedding,” she spat.

  Everyone continued to laugh. “Well, Edward, my man, I got a better one for you. My wife was on life support when I met Rose, and meeting Rose helped me to make a hard decision.”

  The table stilled. No one said anything. It was an odd silence. “Hey, it’s okay. It was hard letting her go, but it was for the best. I miss her. Rose lets me talk about her whenever I need to, and I’m glad Rose came along. If it hadn’t been for her, I wouldn’t have been able to move on with my life or let my brain-dead wife rest.”

  Rose grabbed his hand.

  “I’m so sorry for your loss, Levi. I never had a chance to actually have a conversation with you, but I’m happy you came into my best friend’s life too. You two met when you both needed each other the most.”

  “Yes, I’m sorry too. We’ve gotten to know each other a little better now, and I know that that was a hard decision,” Kory added.

  “It was, and I have my days, but Rose is my happy place.” He smiled at her, and she pulled his hand to her face and kissed the back of it.

  “Well, Myah, this has certainly been an evening. I don’t know what stories we will someday tell our kids about the day we met, but so far, it’s going to be a good one.”

  She returned a soft smirk and held up her wineglass. “I agree.” He tapped his glass to hers, and Kory looked at a glowing Tiffany. She had that look of pride, and he knew she was glad she suggested that they introduce Cam and Mee-Mee to each other.

  Kory put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. They all continued to exchange little personal stories, and Asia had everyone’s sides hurting from laughing when she told them about her labor experience.

  As the evening came to an end, Tiffany and Kory walked their guests out to their vehicles when they departed. The last couple to leave was Levi and Rose. Rose stuck around to help Tiffany clean up while the guys sat outside enjoying brandy and cigars.

  No Weapons

  Episode 25

  Rose

  “I can get that, Rose,” Tiffany said.

  “No, you can sit your pre

  gnant behind down on that stool and let me take care of this.”

  “Rose, I’m fine. I don’t even feel pregnant.”

  “Well, you are,” Rose said and began loading the dishwasher. Tiffany sat down.

  “The doctor said everything looks good. I’m only seven weeks along, so I feel fine.”

  “And the vomiting?”

  “Girl, it’s horrible. It happens morning, noon, and night. That is the only sign that I have, other than my nipples being tender.”

  “Well, the sickness should pass by your second trimester.”

  “Yes, that’s what my doctor told me, and how do you know?”

  “My sister. Roslyn has four, remember.”

  “Speaking of Roslyn, have you two spoken?”

  “No . . .” Rose sighed. “I’ve caller her, texted her. I’ve reached out to her countless times, but she won’t talk to me.”

  “And James is still there?”

  “Yep, as far as I know.”

  “So she can write you off, but stay with James? I’ve never understood that about women or men, for that matter. If she thought you two had something going on, how could she stay with him and be done with you?”

  “Your guess is as good as mine. I can’t let it get to me, though, Tiff. Levi said as long as I’ve done all I can do to reconcile with her, I should just let it go.”

  “Well, Levi is right. You know I didn’t care for him at first, Rose, thought you too were moving too fast or thought he had a plan or some scheme to hurt you or get over on you, but he seems really nice and in love with you. You can’t put a time stamp on love.”

  “That’s the truth,” Rose said and added detergent to the dishwasher. She got the surface spray from unde
r the sink and wiped down the island and counters while she and Tiffany continued to chat. Once the kitchen was done, Rose poured her final glass of Pinot, and she and Tiffany moved in the family room off the kitchen and took a seat on the sofa and love seat.

  The men entered. “Hey, babe,” Levi said. “Are you ready to head out?”

  “In a minute, after I finish this glass.”

  “Okay.” He took a seat beside her, and Kory went over to join Tiffany on the other sofa.

  “So, babe, Levi and I were talking about going to the gun range.”

  “Gun range?” she quizzed. “We don’t even own a gun.”

  “Well, I will soon. Tomorrow, Levi is going with me so I can get a license and buy one.”

  Rose looked at Tiffany and hunched her shoulders. She already knew Tiffany was going to oppose that. Her brother was murdered due to gun violence.

  “Kory, we live in one the safest neighborhoods in Cali. We do not need a gun.”

  “Tiffany, it doesn’t matter where we live. There’s nothing wrong with having a gun.”

  “A gun for what is my question?”

  “Protection.”

  “From whom?”

  “Tiffany, we are getting a gun, because I want one. End of discussion.”

  “Oh no, Mr. Banks, you don’t give me because I said so on this matter,” she said raising her voice.

  “Baby, maybe we should go.”

  “No!” Tiffany snapped at Levi.

  “Baby,” Kory said.

  “Don’t baby me. You know how I feel about guns, and plus, we’re having a baby now.”

  “Even more of a reason to get one. I want to protect my family.”

  Tiffany crossed her arms across her breasts. “We are not getting a gun.”

  “Baby, please finish your wine. We need to go,” Levi suggested.

  “No, stay, Mr. Levi. How did the conversation about guns come up anyway?”

  “Guy talk and I’m sorry, Tiffany. I never suggested for Kory to get a gun. I just asked if he shoots, and that’s it. I didn’t mean to start no strife.”

  “No, Levi, it’s not you, and I apologize for snapping at you. Kory knows how I feel about guns, and if he thinks he’s going to have a gun in this house, he has another think coming.” She stood over Kory and put her hands on her hips.

  Rose polished off her wine and stood. “Yes, baby, let’s go. This is a conversation that Tiff and Kory need to have alone.”

  Tiffany’s head jerked in Rose’s direction. “No, Rose, please don’t go. I’m done with this stupid conversation.” Tiffany flopped down on the sofa.

  Levi and Rose looked at Kory.

  “Please, guys, stay. Tiff and I will discuss this later.”

  “You’ll be discussing this with yourself,” Tiff returned.

  “No, we are going to head home,” Rose said. She went to the kitchen, washed her glass, and slid it into one of the wineglass slots mounted under Tiffany’s cabinet. Then she returned to Levi’s side. The room was quiet, and she could tell Levi was uncomfortable. “Come on, babe, are you ready?”

  “Yes.” He turned to Kory and Tiffany. “Thanks for having us, guys. Dinner was heavenly, and we really enjoyed ourselves, and we are looking forward to having you over next week,” he spoke for him and Rose.

  “Yes, Tiff, thanks.”

  She stood. “I’ll walk y’all out.”

  Kory stood. “No, we will walk you guys out.”

  Tiffany shot him a look, and Rose hoped that Tiffany would give in. She never had a problem with guns and enjoyed going to the range with Levi. She now owned a gun, and she felt safer knowing she had it. Since Tiffany despised guns, Rose hadn’t shared that information.

  They got outside, and when she hugged Tiffany tight and long, she said softly into Tiffany’s ear, “Don’t be so hard on him. Kory is responsible, and he’d never do anything to put you and your child in danger.”

  “We’re not—” Tiff tried to say.

  “Tiffany, it’s about us, not I, so trust him.”

  Tiffany frowned but nodded at Rose. “Let us know when you guys make it.”

  “I will.” They got into Rose’s BMW, and Levi pulled out of the Banks’s circular drive.

  “Baby, I’m so sorry,” Levi said as soon as they got onto the main road.

  “What for?”

  “Causing problems with your friends.”

  “Baby, don’t worry about that. I’m sure Kory will win her over.”

  “I hope so. I mean, if you never have to use your weapon, great, but it’s better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.”

  “I know, baby. It’s just Tiffany’s brother was killed when we were teens. He was shot nine times, and Tiffany has had this thing about guns ever since. Kory is smart, responsible, and he would never put his family in danger, so I know once he talks to Tiffany, she’ll give in.”

  “Well, I didn’t want to start any confusion.”

  “Babe, it’s not your fault, so don’t worry.”

  He smiled and reached for her hand. Rose felt a warm sensation all over her body. She was still processing the fact she had met someone so handsome and fit that was truly into her. She still couldn’t believe her luck.

  “You are incredibly beautiful, you know that?” he said, and then kissed the back of her hand.

  “Really? You think so?”

  “Yes, I think so.”

  “Why?” she asked. She shocked herself with that question. She wanted to know how someone as gorgeous as he was so into her.

  “What do you mean why, sweetheart?”

  “Exactly what I said . . . why? I weigh over 200 pounds, with rolls and dimples, and since I’ve been in L.A., I’ve seen some of the most gorgeous women on this planet . . . so why me? How can you choose me out of so many beautiful women?”

  He chuckled.

  “Levi, I’m serious.”

  “I know you are; that’s why it’s so hilarious.”

  “There is no humor in my question.”

  He stopped at a red light and looked over at her. “How often do you look in the mirror?”

  “What?”

  “How often do you look in the mirror?” he repeated, and then proceeded because the light turned green.

  “A couple of times a day, why?”

  “What do you see when you look in the mirror?”

  “Levi, this line of questioning is confusing,” she said with a scowl on her face. He wasn’t making any sense to her.

  “Rose, you are a highly intelligent woman. I doubt my line of questioning is confusing you. Now, I’ll ask you again, but I will give you multiple choices. What do you see when you look in the mirror? Beauty, ugliness, pretty, or hideous?”

  She was quiet at first. She didn’t want to sound conceited, but she did see beauty.

  “Answer my question, honey,” he urged.

  “Pretty.” She didn’t want to be vain about it.

  “Pretty? Really? Why didn’t you say beauty? You don’t think of yourself as beautiful?”

  “Look, Levi, I’ve had a few self-esteem issues in the past.”

  “I’m sure you may have, but now, how do you feel now? Be honest.”

  She hesitated again, but finally answered honestly. “Beautiful.”

  “So, if you can see beauty in yourself, why can’t I?”

  “Because guys like you never liked girls like me,” she said sadly.

  “Well, all guys are not the same, and people are attracted to different things, Rose. You are kind, gentle, smart, talented, creative, and what I see in you goes beyond your outer appearance. I love women, Rose, and I don’t have a preference in size, skin tone, or figure. I am attracted to smart and talented women, and what kicked it up a notch for me is your work. You are passionate about something, and you followed your dreams. I was so proud of you on your opening night, and it gave me pleasure to watch you shine. If you lost weight tomorrow, you would still be Rose; if you gain weight, you will
still be Rose. I’m too old and too much of a grown-ass man to get caught up on physical things.

  “Looks, sizes, shapes, and all that jazz can change, but your heart is who you are.”

  Rose was speechless. “Wow, I’ve never had a man talk to me this way or to make me feel this way.”

  “Well, I’m not like all men, I’m just me. If you are insecure about the way you look, Rose, do something to make yourself more confident about yourself, but don’t do anything based on how I feel, but do it because of you.”

  She smiled. “If I want to drop a few pounds, will you help me?”

  “Of course.”

  “Well, I want to. I want to feel as confident about myself as I do about my art and my business.”

  “And you got my support 110 percent, and tomorrow, I think it’s time to introduce you to my family.”

  “Are you sure? You don’t think it’s too soon?”

  “I can’t worry about that anymore, baby. Paris is gone, and I can’t bring her back. I still love her in so many ways, and that may never change, but I am in love with you, Rose, and I want my family to get to know you too. I want my family to know how special you are to me.”

  He pulled into the driveway and hit the button to open the garage. He pulled in, and Rose sat with a wide grin on her face. Finally, things were working out, and she looked up and gave God a silent thank-you before she got out of the car.

  What the Hell

  Episode 26

  Tiffany

  Tiffany sat at the sixteen-foot oval table and waited for their meeting to start. She was so excited because she was going to share Myah’s idea for her show. She knew it would be a hit, but the final yes would have to come from Mike. Since Tressa’s death four months ago, Mr. Green had not returned to work, and no one, not even Mike, knew she’d be the one appointed to take Mr. Green’s seat after all was said and done. She spent a lot of time with Mr. Green and a staff that he had put together to teach her what she needed to know to run the company as successfully as he and Mike had. All was a secret, and Tiffany couldn’t wait until it was all a done deal.

  Although Mike had told Mr. Green he was selling his shares of the business, no legal documents had been drawn up or signed yet, and the transaction hadn’t occurred. It was more like a waiting game, and she and Mr. Green didn’t push it because he knew that Tiffany wasn’t ready to take over just yet. She still had more to learn. Although she was eager to make the announcement, she had to be patient, and she was as patient as she could be, and even more anxious to let Tracy’s creepy ass go. She hadn’t told anyone other than Rose and her husband, and she knew she could trust them not to share that information.