by Darrien Lee
Sighing, Meridan said, “No, and I’m trying my best to bury the entire ordeal forever. You know?”
Smiling, Nichole said, “Now that’s a good thing, Dee. You’ve got to put this thing behind you for good and start living.”
“I know,” she said with commitment.
“With that said, when are you going to stop dragging your feet and have those cobwebs cleaned out?”
As if she didn’t hear Nichole, Meridan said, “You know Sam’s getting out of jail in a few weeks.”
“Yes, I’m aware of that, but Sam knows not to mess with you anymore,” Nikki added. “I mean, I admire you for your courage but you’re not getting any younger and it’s not like you’re sweating on anybody right now. The nightmares have stopped. Dee, it’s time. Okay?”
Silence engulfed the phone.
Nichole sighed. “Meridan! You know you’re my girl. I don’t want you to mess around and let Mr. Right get away from you. Are you hearing me?”
“I know you care about me, Nikki, and I hope to meet Mr. Right one day. But for now, I’m simply going to take it one day at a time. If and when I decide to hook up with anyone, I might let you know. You know you’re a trip.”
Nichole laughed. “Honey, you know I’ve got your back like I had it when Sam hurt you. If I could’ve prevented what happened, I would’ve; you know that.”
“It’s because of you that I’m here today, Nikki, and I’ll forever love you for that.”
Tears welled up in Nichole’s eyes briefly before saying, “Like I said, I’ll always have your back, Sam or no Sam.”
Ready to change the subject, Meridan said, “I know and thanks. So, what time are you picking me up, Nikki?”
All Meridan could hear was screaming on the other end of the phone. It was obvious she’d made Nichole very happy by going out with her. She’d become accustomed to discussing the terrible thing that had happened to her in college with her best friend. In a way, it had helped her heal, but she wasn’t completely healed yet.
“I love you, Girl! Thank you so much for hanging with me tonight! We’re going to have some f-u-n!”
Meridan hated the fact that she couldn’t call Keaton and ask him to meet her there. She’d given him her number, but she’d failed to get his and she didn’t have any of her patients’ home numbers at her house. Tomorrow, if he called her, she’d remember to ask him for his number.
CHAPTER 9
Keaton drove around Philly trying to find something to do. His dinner date was a bust, so now what? He thought about calling Dejá, then realized he didn’t have the energy for her that night. Instead, he picked up the flyer that was on the windshield of the car when he left the restaurant. It was the grand opening at a new jazz club called Sax’s. He didn’t have anything else to do, so he thought he’d go check it out.
Meridan was getting sleepy again as she sat at the bar sipping on her soda. Nichole was getting her dance on with some brotha with fake gold hanging around his neck. An hour or so had already passed and she’d turned more than her share of brothas away. As she sat there, she kept pulling on the short black skirt Nichole had convinced her to wear. Her red silk blouse accented her red lipstick and cinnamon skin. As she twirled lazily from side to side on the bar stool, she felt hands steadying it from behind.
“Nikki, quit playing. I’m ready to go! I’m tired!”
The seat was twirled around and she came face to face with Keaton. Startled, she yelled, “Keaton! What are you doing here?”
She could tell he was upset to see her out partying after she’d cancelled their dinner date.
With hurt in his voice, he calmly said, “I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me when I saw you from across the room. I know we really haven’t gotten the chance to get to know each other, but if you didn’t want to have dinner with me, you should’ve declined my offer.”
Meridan opened her mouth to respond. At the same moment, Nichole returned to the bar. She looked up into Keaton’s handsome face and said, “Well, hello there.”
“Hello,” he said, without looking away from Meridan.
Nichole extended her hand to Keaton and politely shook it. She turned back to Meridan. “Dee, you’ve been holding out on me. Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?”
Meridan stared at Nichole. “Keaton, this is my best friend, Nichole Adams. Nikki, this is Keaton Lapahie.”
Wanting to get Meridan alone, he said, “It’s nice to meet you, Nichole. Would you excuse us for a second?”
Nichole smiled and sipped her drink. “Sure.”
He took Meridan by the hand and led her out onto the dance floor.
“Keaton Lapahie, I don’t remember you asking me to dance,” she said, trying to redeem herself.
He looked her in the eyes. “Okay, I’m giving you another chance to decline one of my offers. Dr. Meridan St. John, would you like to dance?”
Meridan stared at him, to make him sweat a little. She could tell he was trying to be cool.
He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Well, what’s it going to be?”
She looked around and noticed couples slow dancing around them. Finally, she said, “Yes, I accept.”
He pulled her close to his body and it felt wonderful. For Meridan it was like static electricity, catching her off guard. She jumped back.
“Are you okay?”
Meridan cleared her throat. “I’m fine.”
They began to dance to the music, making her feel like she was on cloud nine. Keaton was tall, handsome, and so smooth.
She glanced up at him. “I really am sorry about tonight. I truly am tired and sleepy, but Nikki’s my friend and she’s going out of town for two weeks so she begged me to hang with her tonight.”
“If you had other plans, all you had to do was tell me.”
“Oh, no! She called after I talked to you. I told her I’d have one drink with her and I’m out of here.”
Swaying to the music, he asked, “Well, have you had your one drink?”
Meridan looked at her watch, smiled, and said, “I sure have.”
“Are you ready to go?”
“Yes.”
“Did you drive?”
“No, I rode here with Nikki.”
He continued to dance with her in silence and began noticing how well she fit to his tall frame. He caressed her back, then said, “You know you’re very tall.”
Smiling, she looked up at him, and answered, “So are you.”
He blushed. “Exactly how tall are you?”
“That’s for me to know and you to find out.”
They laughed together.
He pulled her even closer, then whispered, “My ego’s still bruised, Doctor, but I’ll be a gentleman and ask if you’d like a ride home?”
“I was hoping you’d offer,” she responded with a smile.
Before leaving, Meridan hugged her friend and told her she’d call her tomorrow. She was a little reluctant to leave Nikki alone until her boyfriend showed up to keep her company.
Keaton was hypnotized by the fragrance Meridan wore. Once out in the bright lights in front of the club, he realized just how sexy she looked in her attire. All the other times he’d seen her she was in her medical uniforms. The short skirt revealed muscular legs and very sexy thighs. Her full hips left plenty to his imagination of the woman underneath the clothing. He opened the car door for her and tried not to stare when her skirt rose high on her thighs as she sat down. Closing the door, he walked around to the driver’s side and mumbled, “Mercy.”
As he climbed into the car next to her, she said, “Keaton, thanks again for the ride home. If you’d given me your number, I could’ve called you back to reschedule our dinner.”
He smiled at her. “Don’t stress out over it, Meridan, but this is the first time I’ve been stood up by a woman only to catch her out partying.”
Laughing, she said, “I said I was sorry. Now stop making me feel worse than I already do.”
“I�
�m only teasing and you look beautiful tonight,” he admitted before pulling away from the curb.
Surprised, she tilted her head. “Thank you. You don’t look so bad yourself.”
They smiled at each other in silence until Meridan blushed and looked away. Keaton felt his stomach flutter momentarily. He reached into his jacket pocket and handed her a business card.
“Don’t lose this card. It has all my numbers on it so you can’t use that as an excuse anymore. Now, buckle up. Have you eaten?”
“No I haven’t,” she admitted.
“Well, let me take you somewhere so I can get some food in your stomach, then I’ll tuck you into bed.”
As soon as he said it, he realized how intimate his words must have sounded.
Meridan tilted her head again, looking over at him in silence. She studied his features for a few seconds, then said, “Thank you, Keaton, and I won’t lose your number.”
“Good, now that’s settled. So, what do you have a taste for?”
“I like everything,” she admitted.
Keaton pulled out of the parking lot and listened as Meridan told him of various restaurants in the area. They finally settled on an Italian restaurant.
Dinner and the conversation were wonderful, Keaton thought as he drove Meridan home. He couldn’t believe he’d told her the reason he was in Philly visiting and about his high blood pressure. She was so easy to talk to and he felt like he’d known her for years. Once he started talking, he started spilling his guts about his personal life. It was so unlike him to talk so much about himself to a woman on the first date. Meridan made him feel so comfortable, he couldn’t help himself.
Meridan told him that she was born and raised on a farm in Mississippi and that she’d gotten her unique name from her deceased mother. Meridan, Mississippi happened to be the city where her parents had met and fallen in love. He was in awe of her wholesome and sweet personality, and it was obvious she was a Southern girl. They came to a point when he realized it was time to cut their dinner short. Meridan had practically fallen asleep in her plate as the evening wore on. He eventually convinced her to get a doggy bag and they left the restaurant.
As he drove down the expressway, he looked over at Meridan as she slept. He was glad she’d given him directions before she fell asleep. It didn’t take long for him to reach her home, which he noticed was a modest style home. His heart accelerated as he wondered how he’d wake her up. He didn’t know where to touch her because he was afraid what it would do to him. He looked down at her shapely legs, sighed, then decided to take her hand into his gently. He caressed the back of her hand, waking her. She slowly opened her eyes and smiled.
“We made it, huh?”
Releasing her hand, he said, “Yes, now let me help you to the door so you can get to bed.”
Keaton unbuckled and exited the car. He walked around and opened the car door so she could step out. He extended his hand to assist her and she took it without hesitating. They made it to the front door and Meridan opened it, then walked over to deactivate the alarm. She turned and found Keaton still standing outside.
“Don’t just stand there, silly. Come on in,” she said with a smile.
Keaton looked around. “Thanks, but I’d better get home so you can get some sleep.”
She walked over to him. “Are you willing to let me make tonight up to you?”
He kissed her on the cheek. “You already have. Goodnight, Meridan.”
“Goodnight, Keaton.”
She watched him drive off and, at that moment, she realized she’d been holding her breath.
CHAPTER 10
The next morning, Keaton finally came to the conclusion that he’d never need an alarm clock as long as he stayed with his sister and her family. On this morning MaLeah sat on the pillow next to him singing the theme song to the That’s So Raven show. Keaton slowly opened his eyes and watched her nibble on a Pop Tart. He studied her as the crumbs fell onto the sheet and realized he’d spoiled her to no end.
“Good Morning, Shorty.”
Smiling, she said, “Hi, Uncie Key.”
He pulled her gently by one of her long ponytails and said, “Give me a kiss.”
MaLeah gave her uncle a kiss, crumbs and all.
“Where’s your momma and daddy?”
MaLeah offered him her half-eaten Pop Tart.
“Gone to work,” she sung.
Keaton jumped up and asked, “Where’s Fredrick?”
“Gone with Daddy,” she announced.
Keaton hurried out of the bed to check out her story for himself, with MaLeah close on his heels. He quickly checked all the bedrooms, then walked downstairs. On the refrigerator was a note from Winston.
Hey, Bro,
I hope everything went well for you and the doctor last night. I took Fredrick over to Camille’s house. I figured you and the princess would like to hang out together but, if you have plans, just drop MaLeah off over there also. Oh yeah…keep on practicing your song.
Peace!
“W”
Keaton crumpled the note. “What he needs to be doing is getting my bike tuned up.”
“Uncie Key? Who are you talking to?”
Turning to MaLeah, he smiled. “Nobody, Shorty. Do you want some breakfast?”
Jumping up and down clapping, she yelled, “Yay!”
She knew her uncle loved to cook; especially for her and he always let her help.
About an hour or so later, their stomachs were full and the kitchen was clean. In MaLeah’s room, he picked out an outfit for her to wear because today, he wanted to work out. He knew there was a possibility that he’d run into Dejá, but the fact was he really didn’t want to go out with her anymore. Friends…fine, but anything more was out of the question. Dejá had taken care of his sexual appetite over the past several weeks, since his arrival in Philly. Now, like with all the others, he’d lost interest.
There was an inner-city basketball tournament for charity coming up and he had promised Winston he’d be in top shape to play on his team. Working out several days a week at the gym had helped him stay in shape. Arnelle had been checking his blood pressure regularly and it was doing very well. He’d be back to his restaurant in Texas in no time.
“Uncie Key! I don’t want to wear those pants! I want to wear this!” MaLeah pulled out a red, chiffon Sunday dress.
He laughed. “Shorty, you can’t wear a dress. We’re going back to the gym.”
“K!”
Arriving at the gym, Keaton took MaLeah to the playroom she’d grown accustomed to. She’d been there with her daddy and her uncle before and was quite familiar with it.
Squatting down eye-level with her, Keaton reminded her of the rules. “Now I want you to be a good girl, Shorty. I’m going to work out and I’ll be back in a little while. You have a lot of friends to play with and try not to be so bossy this time. Okay?”
She threw her arms around his neck and gave him a big kiss, saying, “K!”
About thirty minutes into his workout, Keaton couldn’t help but replay the previous night in his head. Meridan was a stunning woman and during their conversation, he’d discovered she had a sister and a lot of cousins. He’d also found out that her father farmed one of the largest tracts of land in his area. He still couldn’t believe he’d revealed so much about his life to her so soon. He’d told her that his dad was running for mayor and told her about his mom’s catering business. Meridan seemed very impressed with all his family’s accomplishments. Keaton expressed how much he admired her father for raising her and her sister alone while running a farm and a business. He still couldn’t get over how tall Meridan was. She had to be at least six-two; a true-to-life Amazon.
In the gym, he continued to lift weights and work out. He noticed several attractive women working out alongside him but, for some strange reason, he wasn’t interested in any of them. Thinking to himself, he wondered, What the hell is wrong with me?
Moments later, one woman in particu
lar approached him and asked if he’d spot her on the bench press. He accepted and stood over her to spot her. She was physically fit, attractive and appeared to be well into her forties but still trying to dress like she was in her twenties.
“So, what’s your name?”
“Keaton.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Keaton. My name’s China. Do you live around here?”
In a friendly tone, he replied, “No, I’m visiting from Texas.”
The woman continued lifting the barbell as she questioned him.
“You should let me show you around sometime,” she volunteered.
Keaton was starting to feel disgusted, for some reason. The woman was clearly flirting.
In a dry tone, he said, “I have family here so I know my way around pretty good, but thanks for the offer.”
The woman lifted the weights and said, “Last one.” Keaton placed the barbell back in its stand. The woman stood. “That’s too bad. Well, I guess I’ll see you around.”
“Likewise,” he said as he wiped the sweat from his brow.
The woman walked over into a different part of the room and started talking to another man. It became obvious she was out looking for men. Keaton also realized how it made some women feel when they were being hit on by men. There was a time he would’ve pursued a woman like her. Why he wasn’t up to it that day, he couldn’t understand.
He decided to take a break on one of the benches. As he wiped the sweat from his face, from behind, he felt ice cold water against his back. He jumped up and turned around, seeing Dejá standing there thoroughly upset and holding an empty cup.
“What the hell did you do that for?”
Dejá walked over to him and put her finger in his face. “I don’t know who you think you are, but you’re not going to use me anymore!”
He moved her finger away from his face, trying to avoid a public scene. Looking around, he said, “Dejá, calm down.”
“I will not calm down!”
He pulled her over to the side. “Look, Dejá, I laid my cards on the table up front, when we first started going out. I told you, I only wanted to hang out. Now here you stand trying to lay demands on me? I don’t think so.”