Paper Dolls

by Sienna Mynx

  “Valentina, listen to me.” Zephyr started. “LaCretia walked in of her own volition.”

  “Don’t go there, Zee! She could have hobbled in on crutches, I don’t give a shit. You should have thrown her trifling, backstabbing, two-faced, venereal disease, skanky, lying, bucktooth ass out!” Valentina shouted.

  “Well if you are going to just shout at me, then forget this discussion. There’s no point.” Zephyr answered.

  “Valentina?” Raven interjected. “It’s a salon. A celebrity salon, do you want the gossip rags to write trash about you rejecting one of the Diamonds? TMI was parked outside the door. Do you need bad publicity when you are trying to shop your new album?”

  “That’s the point. They already trash me, and I’m supposed to take it. You should see that shit on Twitter about me. But again, I’m supposed to smile and just take it. Well if I’m called a bitch then I need to really be one!”

  “Fine, you send me a list of all the people you hate and I will post it in the shop. From this day forward no one will do their hair.” Zephyr tossed out.

  “No, I’m the one that’s wrong. Rae, you go ahead and represent Diamond, and Zee you do their hair, and I’ll just check my attitude. Since my feelings never count with either one of you. My friends are about as loyal as them hateful bitches!” She hung up on them both.

  “Valentina!” Raven said.

  Zephyr sighed. “I didn’t mean to hurt her, Rae. I should have thrown LaCretia out.”

  “She’ll be okay. Let her cool off.”

  “No, no it’s not okay. Valentina has a point. She has been trashed by so many of them. We are supposed to be different. Supposed to have her back.”

  “Well it’s done now,” Raven sighed.

  “You need to drop the Diamonds, Rae. Talk to Alexander and reason with him. I think Valentina would let you represent her if you drop them.”

  “I have a contract. It’s business.” Raven said.

  “That you can get out of. How many agencies are clamoring for them?”

  “So it always comes back to me,” Raven said.

  “You can make the biggest impact. Show her she has our support. Something has to give. I don’t want her going into that depression again. I read on the Internet that some folks say she smokes weed. Can you believe the lies they tell about her?” Zephyr heard her doorbell. “Who’s that?”

  “Who is who?” Raven asked.

  “Let me call you back, we got to do something for her, Rae. Let me know what you come up with.”

  Raven clucked her tongue. “Sure leave it to me.”

  “Bye.”

  “Bye,” Raven said.

  Zephyr got up from her sofa chair. She wore a pair of cut-off shorts and, José ’s turquoise and white jersey with his number, and the Marlins’ logo on the shoulder. “Who is it?”

  “Mr. Rogers.”

  “Mr. Who?” Zephyr paused.

  “You’re friendly neighbor from next door.”

  Zephyr smiled. Mr. Stripes came out to watch, uncurling his tail. She opened the door and Clayton held up his dish with oven mitts. “Did I catch you at a bad time?”

  “What’s this?” Zephyr gasped.

  “Dinner? Unless you’ve already eaten?”

  She looked down at Milo wagging his tail. Before she could speak the dog walked in past her legs and went to Stripes who took off. He playfully followed.

  “I wouldn’t impose but Milo was whining and begging so much I had to give it a try. He really missed his friend.”

  “Oh, well,” Zephyr smiled. “Okay, come in.”

  Clayton walked in.

  “Wow your layout is much nicer than mine. What model is this?” he asked.

  “The Excalibur.”

  “I knew I should have upgraded when I signed my lease.”

  “Oh you rent? Here, give me this.” Zephyr took the pan and walked into the kitchen.

  “Yep. Thinking of buying though,” he said.

  “What is this?” she asked.

  “Turkey casserole.”

  “Really? Never had it,” Zephyr said.

  “You’ll love it.”

  Zephyr looked back and saw him watching her through the open partition in her kitchen.

  “Let me freshen up. I wasn’t expecting company.”

  “No. Don’t go through any trouble. I didn’t mean to impose.”

  “It’s fine, just give me a minute,” Zephyr smiled.

  Clayton smiled. “Okay.”

  She walked into her bedroom to find both Milo and Stripes on her bed looking at her television. Stripes never paid television any mind. She looked at the channel and it was on the news.

  “Well the least I could do is find something more suitable.” she smiled. She picked up the remote and put it on The Animal Channel. “How’s that?”

  They both just looked at her. Milo raised his head when the lion leapt at the screen. It was so darn cute.

  “You’re welcome,” she chuckled and then went to the bathroom. Her neighbor was really sweet. She couldn’t believe he’d made such a nice gesture. Then she thought of José and felt a sharp pang of guilt. This was his place too. He paid most of the bills, even if the deed was in her name. Zephyr chewed on her lip and sucked in a deep breath. She never asked José to pay bills, he just did. And besides that, he was out there right now in some other woman’s arms. Raven was right. It was time for her to get her act together. So how about she try a little experiment with her own personal checklist. See if she could discern the qualities in a man she wanted. She rolled off her shorts, put on a pair of jeans, and then brushed her hair into a neat ponytail at the top of her head. She shed José’s jersey and put on a simple white t-shirt.

  When she returned Clayton set the table. It was kind of presumptuous. She remembered how Raven said men took liberties. So he definitely lost points out the gate. “What are you doing?”

  “I thought I’d set the table for us,” he smiled.

  “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t. We just met, Clayton. You have to learn a girl’s last name before you start touching her silverware.”

  He smiled. “Oh, you’re right. I’m such an idiot. I guess I was so excited about getting through the door that I lost my head.”

  “Getting through the door? What does that mean?” Zephyr asked.

  “Nothing. I just meant that I don’t know many neighbors, or anyone for that matter. I’m new to Miami, well not new to Miami, but I moved back and I meant that—” he sounded like an idiot. It was apparent that she made him nervous. She liked that. She wanted a man with some humility. He earned a double check because his apology sounded sincere.

  “Where you from?” she cut him off. She walked into the kitchen and got glasses.

  “Originally Haiti. I lived in Queens most of my life. I have family here so I thought it’d be a good spot to settle down since my divorce.”

  Her eyes dropped to the tan line on his finger where his wedding ring used to be. “Sorry to hear that.” She sat at the table and so did he.

  “Thanks, where are you from?”

  “California.”

  “What part?”

  “Laguna Beach.”

  “Nice.”

  “You’ve been?” she asked.

  “For work,” he answered.

  “Oh? What kind of work?” she asked and tasted his food. It was so damn yummy. What did he say it was again?

  “Sales for a software company. You might have heard of it. Microsoft,” he winked.

  Zephyr laughed. “Yeah. I heard of it. Cool.”

  Clayton’s eyebrows lowered and drew together as if he were puzzled. “What are you?”

  “I beg your pardon?” Zephyr frowned.

  “A model, singer, dancer?” he asked.

  Zephyr nearly dropped the pitcher of lemonade. She put it down on the table. “You’re joking right?”

  “Did I say something wrong?” he asked.

  She laughed. He didn’t. She couldn’t believe
it. He was serious. “Clayton? I’m nowhere near a model.”

  “Sure you are. Hell, this city is full of them, and none of them are as pretty as you. I’m serious.”

  “Well thank you. I’m actually a cosmetologist. I work for plenty of agencies with long legged models.” She felt her face and neck grow hot with embarrassment.

  “Aaah, I see.”

  “What’s the aaah mean?”

  “I saw how your hair was bouncing and behaving earlier. It’s beautiful, even in a ponytail.”

  “It’s all mine. Not all black women have to wear a weave to achieve this length. And I don’t use any chemicals to straighten it. You just have to know how to groom and take care of your hair. I love styling hair. I have since I was four years old and I got my first doll.”

  “You were four before you got a doll baby?” he asked.

  She let too much slip. Her childhood was tragic up until the day she and her baby sister were adopted. Clayton didn’t need to hear that story. “You always this funny?” she smiled and sipped her lemonade.

  “Only when I’m nervous,” he chuckled.

  “Well don’t be nervous, we’re just friendly neighbors sharing a meal.”

  “Speaking of which, let me help you to another serving since you cleaned your plate so fast,” he winked.

  Zephyr laughed. He dipped the large spoon into the brown crust of the casserole and scooped out a healthy creamy portion to drop on her plate. Then piled three servings on his.

  “Wow, you’re hungry too?” she asked.

  “I’m a growing boy.”

  She smiled. “So how do you like Miami?”

  “Love it. Like I said I have family here. I’ve spent a lot of summers between Miami and Key West. I pretty much know my way around.”

  “Did you go to Goombay?”

  “Yea mon, I was out dere shaking me hips with de Junk-a-nus!”

  Zephyr laughed at his fake accent. “I haven’t been in the past three years, I miss the food and fun,” she said.

  “Why not?”

  “José gets mobbed whenever we go anywhere. Since I’ve been with him, public appearances are few and far between.” Zephyr shrugged.

  “Ah? So he’s your boyfriend?” he asked.

  Zephyr ate and smiled. Clayton frowned. He just saw in the grocery store a picture of that player in the hot tub with some actress whose name he forgot. “Oh, well he’s a lucky guy.”

  “This is really good,” she said, and forked more in her mouth.

  “Glad you like it,” he said.

  “I do.” Before the conversation progressed there was a loud squeaking above. Zephyr glanced up. The pace of the squeak and bonk picked up then slowed, then picked up again.

  Clayton’s eyes went to the ceiling. “Are they—”

  Zephyr blushed. “I’m so sorry.”

  Clayton laughed. “Why are you apologizing? Do they have a bed in the living room?”

  “It’s embarrassing. I mean it’s bad enough to hear them in the bedroom, now they take it out here. Good grief. What are they? Rabbits?”

  Clayton saw how shyly Zephyr averted her gaze and thought it cute. “It’s love. When you are in love, any place is the right place,” he told her.

  Zephyr smiled. “Guess you got a point.”

  They ate and drank. She talked to him about the city and the places they loved. She told him about the property value around their area, and what she considered a fair asking price if he decided to buy his condo. She shared some details about her celebrity friends as well.

  “Are you an only child?” he asked.

  Zephyr looked up from her tea. “No. I have a sister. We’re adopted.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, my adoptive parents are both white, Jewish. They couldn’t have kids and Mama says we were her blessing.”

  Clayton winked at her. Zephyr found that curious. Was he flirting with her? She forgot about the checklist. She wasn’t sure what else to put on one. And now she had told him more personal details about her so he could check off his own list. She sucked at the mating game. It didn’t matter. The last thing she needed was another man. It would be hard enough finding the courage to end things with José.

  “How about you? Any sisters or brothers?” she asked.

  “I have seven, three of them live in Haiti.”

  “Wow, that’s impressive,” she smiled.

  “Hey! What can I say? My dad really loves my mom.”

  Zephyr laughed and nearly choked on what she was swallowing. “I want kids someday. My mother, lord, she wants them tomorrow.”

  “Well if Mr. Stripes is any indication of your mothering, you will be a great mom.” He toasted her with his lemonade.

  “Thank you.”

  “Ever hang out around the marina?” he asked.

  “Off Aventura?”

  Clayton nodded. “Yes.”

  “My friend had a speedboat once. We would sometimes go out on it,” she said.

  “I just bought one, maybe I could take you out on it?” he asked.

  “Oh, I don’t know about that,” Zephyr said.

  “Think about it.” he smiled. “No pressure.”

  Milo walked out on his short bowlegs and stopped to look up at Clayton. “Well we’ve imposed long enough,” he said about to clean up.

  “Don’t. I’ll take care of that. I’ll bring you your dish. It’s the least I can do.” She found herself a little disappointed to see them go. Mr. Stripes was too. He came out the room and stared at Milo and Clayton with curious disappointment. She bid them both good night.

  She closed the door and looked down at her kitty. “So what do you think, baby? Do we have new friends?”

  She swore Mr. Stripes smiled up at her. “Yeah, I think so too.” Zephyr looked back at the door. “I think Clayton Mills is cool.”

  She scooped up her cat and vowed to clean the kitchen later. The day wasn’t a total bust. She’d go to sleep on the possibilities.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Sailing

  “23,24, 25, 26, 27….” Zephyr mentally counted her pace. Her long ponytail swung left to right. She never broke stride while checking her pulse rate on the Fitbit attached to her wrist. The winding trail that followed the road in and out of her condominium community was the perfect stretch for jogging. Though leaving was much easier than returning. She panted harder as she made the uphill run.

  Only a few cars passed her at the early hour. She could appreciate the isolation and quietness. It was a good area to be alone with her thoughts. Zephyr gaze lifted heavenward. The tall palm tree leaves swayed, trapping the breeze and sending it down to her to cool her run. It was just around eight in the morning and already eighty degrees.

  Zephyr ran along the trail oblivious to the heat. She listened to Chris Isaak’s ‘Wicked Games’ in her headphones. A morning run always cleared her head. She needed clarity after the message she woke up to on her answering machine.

  “Zee, baby, I know you’re sleep. Look we need to talk. Lot’s going on. I’ve had to get my head around some things. I never went to West Palm. I’ll explain when I get in. I swear it. Love you.”

  Typical. Lies! He knew he was busted so he was going to show up with some lame excuse about why there was no training camp. Why he spent the week partying with women who made it a profession to get pregnant by athletes like him. He prolonged his arrival to make sure she was ripe and forgetful. Well she wasn’t going to do it this time. She didn’t tell Rae or Valentina because she wasn’t sure until this morning. The relationship she closely guarded for over four years was now over. She was finally done with José Batista. Now all there was left to do was tell him.

  A horn blew snapping her out of her thoughts. She frowned. She looked back to see a man with his tongue out, flicking it at her. He slowed his delivery truck as if she would stop and return his affections. Zephyr rolled her eyes and kept jogging. She liked her yoga pants for her morning jog. But she wore no panties with them and was
very aware of how her ass looked when she jogged. She dashed across the street and hurried to her place. Running past parked cars, breathing in and out of her nose, she blinked away the sweat that dripped from her long lashes.

  When she approached her walkway she slowed then stopped. She checked her pulse. Her lungs filled with the needed air to continue. She walked the rest of the way with her hands to her hips. Mr. Stripes would be up and pretty upset over her lack of attention to his kitty litter.

  Zephyr reached for her door just as her neighbor came out of his. His aftershave was spicy and inviting. He had a clean-shaven look under his baseball cap. It gave her pause. Clayton Mills was as handsome to her today in his long knee cargo-shorts, and loose fitted linen shirt, as she imagined he would be in his corporate ‘top-sales’ guy suit tomorrow. When he looked over she concealed her spark of desire with a friendly smile.

  “Morning,” he said with his surprise evident.

  “Morning,” Zephyr said in return.

  “Early run?” he asked.

  “Yep, best way to start your day,” she said now acutely aware of how sweaty and ordinary she looked.

  “I got to get back in the habit. I was just headed out to the marina.”

  “Ah, to take your boat out?” she asked.

  “Yes. Is your workout done?” he asked

  “Yes,” she said. She saw the way his eyes traveled down her body. With a raised brow she waited for them to return from her hips and breasts.

  “Um, well I’d say you didn’t need it,” he said.

  “Ha, the scale would say differently.” She winked and reached to unlock her door.

  “How about you come with me?” he asked.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Out with me on my boat. I’d love the company. We can sail and I can take you to lunch?”

  “I’d slow you down, I have to shower and—”

  “I can wait.” He offered.

  Zephyr stared at him for a moment. She knew that José was coming home or calling soon. She wanted to get the confrontation over with before she lost her nerve. But when looking at Clayton she found she had more nerve than she gave herself credit for. Another day waiting on José would only be her again playing by José’s rules. The new and improved Zephyr made her own rules.