Cheesecake and Teardrops

by Faye Thompson

  He was more than willing to oblige. In fact, he was there waiting for her when she arrived.

  The salesman immediately took them to see the most expensive vehicles in the showroom. Heather wasn’t interested.

  He promptly took her to the outside lot to check out the less expensive models in his inventory. All Heather needed was four wheels to get her from point A to point B.

  Bells and whistles need not apply. It was bad enough that she had to cut into money “nose-marked” for her surgery.

  Even though she planned on taking out a loan with the credit union, she still needed to put 10 percent down. Thank goodness the trip to South Beach was finally paid off. Less than a week later, Heather was sporting a new, black late-model Mazda. Though it had clocked 31,000 miles to its name, it was brand spanking new to her, especially compared to the guzzler she had just unloaded.

  Whenever Heather got behind the wheel of the Mazda, she tried not to hate herself for selling out. She had to convince herself that the nose job was still in her future—a more distant future—but the future nonetheless. Each time she looked into the rearview mirror, she purposely avoided her nose and prayed the how-long prayer. Lord, how long will it be before I trade in this sorry excuse for a nose and start living up to my full potential in the looks department? She was already working on her weight. So, it was just a matter of time before her body was tight. The sad part of the transformation was that even if she lost every excess ounce of flesh that clung to her body, she’d still look a mess with her current nose splashed across her face. She’d just have to re-finagle her finances. Again.

  “Wow, I never thought I’d see the day when you’d pick us up,” Tangie admitted to Heather when she picked her and Charisma up for a girls’ night out.

  “Tell me about it,” Heather agreed. “And there’s nothing like a new set of wheels to restore your peace of mind. I mean, just the possibility of breaking down in the middle of traffic everyday raised my blood pressure twenty points. It was incredible.”

  “I know how much you wanted that nose job, but I think you made the right decision,” Charisma told her.

  Heather kept her eye on the road. She checked her rearview mirror, making certain that her glance didn’t linger on her nose. “I hate to admit it,” she said. “But it was worth it.”

  “I never thought your nose was that bad,” Tangie said from the backseat. “It has character.”

  “Character?” Heather laughed. “That’s like telling a mother that her baby’s not that ugly.”

  “Your nose is unique, Heather,” Tangie said. “It’s part of who you are. Don’t just ditch it for a new and improved model. Do that to your car, not a body part.”

  Heather nodded to shut Tangie up, but it went in one ear and out the other. She drove down Queens Boulevard, catching almost all the lights. She circled around a couple of blocks a few times in search of a parking spot, but had no such luck, then ended up parking in the lot. Outside it was cooler than expected. Sometimes the weatherman’s predictions were off. They walked to the Midway, wishing they had worn heavier coats. Tyler Perry’s movie was sold out.

  They ended up seeing something else instead.

  Afterward they hit Cabana for a late-night snack. They gorged on steak, chicken, and black beans and rice, leaving no room for dessert. Heather listened to Tangie rant and rave about getting home to see if Tony had called her. Secretly, Heather couldn’t wait to get home to her bathroom and undo the night’s damage.

  Ashley Stewart was packed with holiday shoppers like all the other stores in the mall that Saturday. Heather wasn’t in the mood for crowds, but since she was scheduled to work late practically every night next week, this was the best time to come and pay her bill. The store was stocked with festive holiday merchandise, and Heather was more than tempted to purchase a few items. She realized, however, that if she waited a little longer, she’d be able to purchase an even smaller size. So she waited, but that didn’t stop her from going through all the racks and daydreaming how she’d look in all the clothes. She especially loved the black velvet camisole top and matching pants and the red satin dress.

  Maybe it was the purging or maybe she was just coming down with something. In any event, Heather was exhausted, but not too tired to hit a few of the jewelry stores.

  She told herself that she was just looking. That she didn’t need any more jewelry. If the truth be told, though, she always made room for just one more piece.

  Heather walked in the door and spotted the most adorable pair of brushed satin gold hoop earrings. It was love at first sight. She knew they were made for her even before the saleslady took them out of the display case.

  Heather oohed and aahed. She had to have them. No doubt about it. Unfortunately, she had left her checkbook and ATM card at home. She did, however, have her good ol’ American Express card. Problem solved.

  She waltzed out of the store and smack-dab into a shopper. She apologized quickly, eager to get home and eat. Her growling stomach embarrassed her. She hoped it wasn’t audible.

  She thought about going up to the food court, but then it would take that much longer to try on her earrings at home. Vanity won out. She went home.

  Halfway home Heather reached for her purse on the passenger seat and unzipped it with one hand. She grabbed the steering wheel with both hands to steady herself. She was just a bit light-headed. The car swerved ever so gently as she grabbed her wallet, checking for her American Express.

  Where was it? Without taking her eyes off the road, she felt the contents of her bag, her hands now trembling.

  Nothing. She placed the bag in her lap for further inspection.

  Still no card. Finally, she dumped the contents of her purse onto the passenger seat. Even with the window cracked, her shirt was beginning to cling to her chest and her fingers were moist against the steering wheel. Maybe she should have eaten at the mall. Maybe she should cut back on her private sessions in the bathroom. Purging had zapped her strength.

  She must have left her card at the jewelry store or maybe that shopper had picked her pocket when she bumped into him. She made a U-turn and headed back to the mall. That’s when she heard a police siren and a cop pulled her over.

  She turned off the engine as the cop approached her. He was a tall, burly-looking man with a red handlebar moustache.

  She memorized his name. Officer McNair asked for her license and registration before returning to his patrol car. A few minutes later he returned them to her. She asked him why she had been pulled over. He told her that she was driving erratically, swerving from side to side. A Breathalyzer test revealed that there was no alcohol in Heather’s system.

  “I left my credit card at the mall, and I guess I panicked. That’s where I was headed when you stopped me.”

  He peered into her eyes. “Your eyes look a bit glazed. Are you on anything?”

  She just stared at him.

  “Miss Grey, are you taking any prescription drugs or illegal medication?”

  “No, Officer. I’m just coming down with the flu.”

  “Do you think you can make it home all right?”

  Heather nodded. “I just want to go pick up my card, and I’ll head straight home.”

  The officer took out his pad. “Look, I’ll issue you a warning this time, but next time . . .”

  “There won’t be a next time. I assure you, Officer McNair.”

  “Good.” He walked to his patrol car and drove off.

  Heather headed back to the jewelry store. She had indeed left her card. From there, she went straight home and crashed. She didn’t give the earrings a second thought.

  Ava called later that night to invite her to a lingerie party.

  “No, not tonight,” Heather told her. “Can I take a rain check?”

  “Have you ever been to one?” Ava asked.

  “No, I haven’t.”

  “I’ll be modeling, chickylicky. I guarantee you’ll have a good time. It’ll be fun,” Ava tri
ed to convince her.

  “Maybe next time.”

  “Let me know if you ever want to host one.”

  “You’ll be the first to know.”

  15

  Charisma

  In keeping with tradition, Charisma, Heather, and Tangie got together on Christmas eve to exchange gifts. That year, Tangie played hostess. Charisma and Heather picked up a dozen hot and spicy Jamaican beef patties from Wilson’s and headed over to Tangie’s. They kicked back, opened gifts, and sipped champagne. It was well after midnight when they left.

  Charisma spent Christmas with her parents. As she drove to their home, she was grateful that the weatherman was wrong about expecting three inches of snow that morning.

  She parked in the driveway, unloaded the gifts from her car’s trunk and walked up the steps to the house. Charisma let herself in. Her brother Eric was just pulling up in his car.

  Jena whipped up breakfast for her husband and children and they sat down to eat. Afterward, they headed to the living room to open presents. Underneath the live seven-foot high Christmas tree were presents galore. Charisma got her mother a gold Greek key bracelet that she had been eyeing for months. Her father was so easy to please. He loved his royal blue silk pajamas, and her brother told her that for once she had bought him a fragrance set he could live with.

  She jabbed him affectionately in the arm. Hours later, Charisma left with her gifts. She made out like a fat rat heading home with tri-colored gold earrings, a perfume gift set, champagne flutes, a jogging suit, and a leather jacket.

  Heather and Tangie spent New Year’s eve over Charisma’s for their annual pajama party.

  “You know what I need right now?” Charisma asked without waiting for an answer. “I need Ed Gordon to wrap those juicy lips around me and keep me warm tonight.”

  “They’re even juicier in person,” Heather recalled.

  “You always did like those Clark Kent types, Charisma,” Tangie told her.

  “Hey, two men for the price of one.” Charisma shrugged.

  “What’s wrong with that? So who’s your switch flipper, Heather?”

  “Terrence Howard,” Heather sighed. “Those sexy, green eyes and smooth baby skin, what I wouldn’t do to him.”

  “You’re a nut,” Tangie told Heather, laughing. “But I wouldn’t mind making it an LL Cool J night.” She refilled her flute with champagne. “Look at us. What’s wrong with this picture? We are three thirtilicious women sitting home on New Year’s eve fantasizing about men we will never have, let alone meet. Let’s vow in the New Year to be all we can be and make things happen. And remember, ladies, behind every successful woman is herself.”

  After the holidays Chase waltzed into Freeman LTD without a care in the world. Her layered blond locks curled gently before grazing the middle of her back. When she removed her mink coat, it was obvious that she was dripping in diamonds. Apparently, Santa had been good to her. Charisma took one look at her and decided she needed more caffeine.

  Ellis Dearborn called his daughter late one Friday evening. He hadn’t seen her since Christmas and was anxious to spend some time with his firstborn especially since he had run into her boss a few days earlier at the bank. Ellis had spoken frankly with Nate and told him he wanted to see him step up to the plate with his daughter.

  “Don’t think I haven’t tried, Ellis, but we both know how stubborn Charisma can be.”

  “She’s just like her mother,” he had agreed. “I’ve never said this to another man before, but you have my blessings.”

  Ellis and Charisma agreed to have breakfast Saturday morning at IHOP. Ellis picked up his daughter and they headed over to the restaurant. After a ten-minute wait, they were seated at a table for two. They each ordered coffee, buttermilk pancakes, and sausages—Ellis with an omelet, Charisma without.

  Ellis got straight to the point. “So, princess, how’s life been treating you?”

  “Well, Daddy, work is basically back to normal after that Chase Martini fiasco.”

  “And Nate?” he asked.

  “He’s still my boss, if that’s what you mean,” she said simply.

  “I think it’s time that you start planning for your future.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You know I love you and only want what’s best for you. I hate seeing you waste the best years of your life with the wrong man,” he said, referring to Dex.

  “Oh, and Nate’s the One?”

  “I know we’ve only met Nate once, but your mother and I think that he’s the one for you.”

  “Really?” she asked, matter-of-factly.

  “Yes, really,” he said in return. “We know we can’t force you to do anything you don’t want to do. You’re a grown woman, but for our sake, will you at least think about it?” he asked as the waitress returned with their meals.

  “Daddy, you’re really putting me in an awkward position.”

  “How so?”

  “I’ve never even dated a colleague, let alone my boss.”

  “Stop being such a prude, Charisma. Office romances happen everyday. Many of them lead to marriage. We can all see that he’s attracted to you, and all it would take is a little encouragement on your part to seal the deal.”

  “And what if he’s not who I want?” she asked.

  “Then you haven’t lost a thing. And another thing, who are you waiting for—Prince Charming? I hate to burst your bubble, but life isn’t a fairy tale. I don’t know if you realize it, but do you know what makes the best marriages?” he asked without waiting for an answer. “Men can be real dogs. The best marriages are when the man loves the woman a little more than she loves him. And that’s the kind of marriage I think you’ll have with Nate. Look, do your mother and I ask for much?” he asked, cutting into his omelet.

  “No,” she admitted.

  “Then will you do us this one favor and give Nate a chance?”

  “Yes, Daddy,” she sighed, holding a forkful of pancakes and wondering why it was virtually impossible to say no to her daddy.

  “Princess, if you remember nothing else in life, just know that I will love you forever and that you deserve joy.”

  True to his word, Nate wasted no time stepping up his game with Charisma. First thing he did was invite her out for coffee, to which she asked for a rain check. So the next day he asked her out to lunch, another offer she coyly refused.

  Then he got lucky. One night after work she had a flat tire. Since the office was nowhere near public transportation, she’d have to call a cab.

  By the time Nate left the building, Charisma was sitting in the dark with her head down on the steering wheel. He walked over to her car and tapped on the driver’s-side window, startling her.

  She rolled down the window and explained to him that she had a flat.

  “Do you have a spare?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Pop open your trunk for me. You probably have a doughnut.”

  She did as told. He had the tire changed in no time. She offered to pay him, but of course, he wouldn’t hear of it.

  He offered to follow her home just in case there were any more problems, but she wouldn’t hear of it.

  He pulled rank on her. “I insist,” he said simply. “What kind of man would I be if I let you go home alone, knowing that you’re having car trouble? Charisma, if nothing else, I’m a gentleman.”

  “Are you?” she teased him, smiling.

  “Why don’t you let me prove myself to you? Unless . . .”

  “Unless what?” Charisma asked.

  “Unless you’re afraid of a real man. Some women can’t handle one.”

  “I’m not one of those women,” she said. “And to prove it, I really would appreciate it if you would follow me home.”

  “Lead the way, Miss Dearborn. I’m right behind you.”

  Charisma drove off with Nate behind her. She was home in no time. Like a perfect gentleman, he waited until she was safely inside. Just as he was about to
pull off, he took one last glance at her house. She opened her door and quickly ran toward his car.

  “I thought maybe you’d like to come in for a drink,” she said.

  “I thought you’d never ask. Let me park, and I’ll be right in.”

  Nate ended up parking all the way down the block. Walking in the frigid air was a small price to pay to be in Charisma’s company and off the clock at that. He hoped that her invitation was just the start of something interesting between them. He had told her father that he’d give it his best shot, and he was a man of his word. Charisma would have to meet him halfway. Maybe tonight she was finally ready to take that first step. He hadn’t been to her house since he took her to see the Knicks that night. It was good to be back.

  Nate rang her doorbell, and she welcomed him into the warmth of her living room, helping him off with his coat and scarf.

  “Whew! It’s cold out there.” He rubbed his hands together.

  “Tell me about it. Why don’t you sit down and thaw out. I’ll be right out.” Charisma returned momentarily, totally relaxed in a white tank top and a pair of black leggings.

  Nate looked down at her pedicure and couldn’t stop grinning.

  Apparently, he had a foot fetish, Charisma decided.

  “Let me see if I remember,” she said, heading for the bar.

  “A screwdriver with just a splash of cranberry juice.”

  “You’re good.” He smiled, loosening his tie and removing his jacket.

  Charisma handed him his drink and poured herself a glass of white wine. She joined him on the sofa.

  “So to what do I owe the pleasure of this invitation?” He rolled up his sleeves. “It’s warm in here.”

  “Well, you came to my rescue tonight. I had to do something.”

  “Thank you would have been enough, but why don’t we do dinner?”