The Only One for Me

by Bridget Anderson

  Nathaniel stood on the porch taking in the lions, the urns that flanked the door, and the balcony above the entrance.

  “I remember when they imported those urns. Came all the way from Italy.” He slowly started inside the house.

  Chris walked in behind him. “They’ve ripped a lot out, so it looks a little bare right now, but in a few months it’ll be beautifully renovated.”

  “What you plan on doing to the place?”

  Chris led the way down the hallway into the center of the house. “I’m going to restore as many original features as I can, but I’m also going to add a few modern touches. I’m adding more closets, updated kitchen appliances, and I’m putting in larger windows. There’s not enough natural light for me.”

  “Most of these old antebellum places don’t have large picture windows, but the rooms are plenty big.” Nathaniel walked from the library to the living room, then stopped to look at the chandelier hanging between the rooms. “That’s an original Schonbek, you know?”

  Chris nodded. “I know. It’s a thing of beauty.”

  Nathaniel started down the hall toward the classic staircase, then stopped and turned around to his son. “How many bedrooms in this place?”

  “Five. They’re all upstairs. Want to see them?”

  “In time. Let me ask you something. What do you plan to do with all this house? You don’t need all them bedrooms.”

  Chris laughed. “Maybe not, but I’ve wanted this place all my life. It’s a great investment.”

  Nathaniel shook his head. “If you say so.” Then he scratched his forehead. “Wait until your mother gets a look at this place.”

  “Come on upstairs. I don’t want Mom to see the place until it’s finished. Right now it’s too dangerous for her to be walking around here, anyway.”

  Nathaniel followed Chris up the stairs. “At least they have hardwood floors everywhere.”

  Later, Chris and Nathaniel went to work helping his contractors demo the kitchen. After the contractors left Chris found two chairs and sat them out back by the pool while they had sandwiches.

  “What’s that building there?” Nathaniel asked, pointing to a structure on the other end of the pool.

  “That’s the pool house. Fully equipped with a kitchen, bathroom and everything.”

  Nathaniel smiled and shook his head. “We’re going to have some fun pool parties this summer. I can see it already. You’re going to have to invite Darlene and her kids down from Louisville.”

  “Oh, if we get everything finished before the summer is over, it’s going to be on and poppin’.”

  “You can invite your girlfriend and her kids. Kids love to go swimming.”

  Chris nodded, but didn’t say anything.

  “You are still seeing her, aren’t you?” Nathaniel asked.

  “Dad, let me ask you something.”

  Nathaniel put his sandwich down. “Now I ain’t met the girl yet. Don’t tell me it’s over.”

  “No. We’re getting reacquainted. And the thing is, she has children. A boy and a girl, both in elementary school.” He paused and waited for his dad to say what a responsibility that was and that maybe he’d bitten off more than he could chew.

  “What’s the problem?”

  “I’m not sure if I’m ready for that. You know, a ready-made family.”

  Nathaniel stretched out his long legs and crossed his arms. “You’ve never been afraid of anything your whole life.”

  “I didn’t say I was afraid.”

  “Then what do you call it? A single mother’s life is tough, and can be challenging for the man who steps into it. But the rewards, ah, the rewards can be great. You went through many obstacles starting your businesses, and look where you are now.” Nathaniel spread his arms out toward Chris.

  Chris admired his father, but sometimes he just wanted a straight answer. Should he keep seeing the woman or not?

  Nathaniel put his arms down. “Chris, you don’t need dating advice from me. Follow your heart, and face your fears the same way you have all your life. If it’s meant to be, it will be.”

  His father was right about one thing. Chris was afraid...afraid of the responsibility that came with children. What if he accidentally did something wrong and risked losing Corra over the kids? Was in a situation again like the car accident? He’d agonized over the issue for too long. It was time to quit being afraid.

  He stood up. “Well, dinner’s over. Ready to find something else to work on?”

  Nathaniel stood as well. “Yeah, let’s find some woodwork that needs fixing.”

  * * *

  Corra sat in the back of the local AME Church listening to Tayler talk to a handful of young girls about the importance of education. The topic of this Wednesday evening’s workshop was Education Enhancement. A local college professor was the guest speaker. Every time Tayler gave a presentation, Corra was in awe. With each workshop she learned something new, and gained a measure of confidence in herself.

  The Color of Success, a nonprofit organization Tayler and Corra’s cousin Nicole started years ago in Chicago, was building momentum in Danville. Since Tayler’s relocation they’d held a kickoff meeting, organized a fund-raiser and were officially accepting girls into the program. Unfortunately, her Katie was too young for the program that supported middle school and high school girls.

  Most of the girls had been dropped off by a parent. However, a few parents lingered outside the room waiting for their daughters. Corra hadn’t recognized any of the girls until the workshop ended. One girl stood out from the rest. She had long braids running down her back, but it was her nose and slanted eyes that identified her as a Hayden. Corra followed her out into the hallway. The child walked right up to Cookie Hayden, Eric’s sister. Like her daughter, Cookie had long braids as well. Corra hadn’t spoken to Cookie in over three years.

  Just then, Cookie glanced up and spotted her. She leaned over and whispered something to her daughter, who ran off with her friends. Cookie crossed her arms and screwed up her face.

  Any other time Corra would have ignored Cookie, but she couldn’t have planned this better. She needed to find Eric, and like Rollin said, Cookie was her best bet. She swallowed her pride, and reluctantly walked over to her sister-in-law.

  “Well, if it isn’t Corra Coleman. That is your name, isn’t it? You took your name back?” Cookie asked, with a sharp tone.

  Corra opened her mouth to respond, but thought better about the smart-alecky response she had in mind. Instead, she cleared her throat and smiled politely, but not genuinely.

  “Hi, Cookie. I’m surprised to see you here.” Corra had never known Cookie or anyone in her family to attend church.

  “Well, you haven’t seen me in years, so you’d probably be surprised about a lot of things.” She lowered her arms, and softened the features of her face. “So, you’re a part of this organization?” she asked.

  Corra nodded. “I am. Rollin’s fiancée runs it. I work with her.”

  Cookie fiddled with her bracelet, examining it as she spoke. “I’ve heard good things about the organization. And JoJo practically begged me to bring her. I think all of her little friends are involved.”

  “That’s good. It’s a great program.” Corra held her chin high. This was the first civil conversation they’d had in Corra didn’t remember how long.

  “Cookie, I’m actually glad I ran into you. I haven’t seen Eric in a couple of years and the kids are asking about him. Have you spoken with him lately? Is he still in California?”

  Cookie flipped her braids and ran a hand through them. “In all this time you haven’t called, or come out to the house asking about him.”

  Corra caught the neck motion and knew Cookie was about to slip into a bad attitude. Corra maintained her professionalism. “His son would
like to see him, Cookie.”

  “You mean my nephew that I never get to see? The kids you never bring around?” Cookie asked.

  Before Cookie lost her composure and embarrassed them both, Corra asked, “Can I speak to you outside a minute?”

  “Sure, let’s go.”

  They followed other parents out a side door and walked over to the steps.

  “Cookie, I know we haven’t been on the best of terms, but I genuinely need to get in contact with Eric. He just disappeared from their lives.”

  “What you need, some money? Or, are you trying to file for child support when you got sole custody?”

  Corra snorted. “No. I’m not asking him for child support. I just want him to get in contact with his kids.”

  Cookie stared a hole in the ground before she looked up at Corra. “So you really don’t know where Eric’s been?”

  “Somewhere in California was the last I heard. But he hasn’t picked up the phone once to call, or write, or do anything for his kids.”

  “There’s a reason he didn’t call.”

  Corra laughed. “There’s no reason for a man not to call his kids for two years. I divorced him, not them.”

  “He was in jail. Eric got into a little financial trouble and spent two years in Los Angeles County Jail paying for it.”

  Corra’s mouth fell open as her fingers spread out against her breastbone. “What did he do?”

  Cookie looked around not wanting to be overheard. “He borrowed some money, but they said he stole it. Which he didn’t.”

  Corra wondered if Eric’s gambling problem had caught up with him. “Is he still there? Why didn’t he tell me?”

  “He’s out now, but he was too ashamed to tell you.”

  “So do you have a number for him?”

  “No, but the next time he calls I’ll tell him you asked about him. I told you because I think you need to know. He wasn’t deliberately staying away. And now he’s trying to get his life together.”

  Corra sat down on one of the steps to compose herself. She couldn’t imagine Eric in jail. No matter how much she disliked him she would not have wanted to see him go to jail. Thank God the kids didn’t have to witness that.

  “When you talk to him will you tell him Jamie’s playing baseball now and he misses him? And Katie, she’s growing up right before my eyes every day.”

  Cookie sat down on the step below Corra. “I bet they’re growing up so fast.”

  “They are,” Corra said in a soft voice. She could feel her throat closing up as sadness consumed her. She wasn’t one of those women who tried to keep their ex from his children. She knew the value his presence would have in their lives. Eric had never been a bad father, only a bad husband.

  “Uh, why don’t you bring the kids around the house some time? We don’t have to get along for them to get to know their cousins.”

  Corra thought about that for a second. Rollin said Cookie had changed, and here she was bringing JoJo to church for a girls’ empowerment program.

  “I’ll think about it,” Corra conceded.

  Cookie stood up. “Well, if you decide to, here’s my cell number.” She reached into her purse and produced a business card.

  Corra read the card. Econsola Hayden, jewelry consultant. Maybe she has turned her life around, and hopefully Eric has as well.

  Chapter 8

  Corra’s horse led the way around the track as she jumped up and down cheering him on. “Come on, number three! Come on, baby!”

  Chris had phoned a friend and gotten them access to his corporate suite at Keeneland Racetrack in Lexington. The suite came with your own attendant, table and chairs, and easy access to mutuels to place a bet. A few other people occupied the suite with them.

  “Did you see her? That was my filly, she won!” Corra grabbed him by the arm and danced around. Her excitement brought a smile to Chris’s face. This is exactly what he wanted, to see her happy.

  “How much did you bet on it?” he asked.

  “Two dollars,” she said with a smile and continued to ooze excitement.

  Chris raised a brow. Did anybody over sixteen still bet two dollars on a race? He reached into his pocket and pulled out some money. He handed Corra a fifty-dollar bill. “I lost this race, but whatever you pick for the next one put this on it.”

  Corra leaned away from him and shook her head. “I can’t take your money. Two dollars is good enough. It’s all in fun anyway, right? Does it matter if we win or lose?”

  “You seem to be doing pretty good so far, so why not increase your bet?”

  Corra tiptoed and planted a kiss on Chris’s cheek. Her soft lips against his skin caused him to take a deep breath. He looked down into her smiling face and wanted to bend her over backward and devour her in kisses. But, at that moment the attendant walked over to ask if they needed anything. Chris ordered another drink, and then lunch.

  In the middle of their meal, Corra leaned over and whispered in Chris’s ear.

  “Thank you for today. I’ve never been to a Spring Meet before, nor have I ever sat in a suite. But don’t tell anybody.”

  He held his index finger to his lips. “Mum’s the word.”

  After lunch they returned to betting. Corra was like his good luck charm. Every time he let her choose and place the bet, they won. She came back after picking up an exacta win and handed the money to Chris.

  “No, you keep that. You’re quite the gambler.”

  She left the money on the table and shook her head. “I don’t want to be a gambler. Serious gambling ruins lives. I’m sticking with my two-dollar bets. I just want to have fun. You keep the money.”

  Her face took on a more serious tone. Unintentionally, he’d just zapped all the excitement out of her. What had he said?

  He pushed the money back to her. “Okay, two dollars a bet it is. We’ll have some fun. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  She nodded. “You didn’t. It just brought back some bad memories, that’s all.”

  “Did he have a gambling problem?” Chris asked. He knew Eric had some problems, but he’d never known to what extent.

  Corra snorted. “That’s putting it mildly.”

  Chris could have shot himself in the foot for taking her to the track when her ex had a gambling problem. “I’m sorry I brought you here. I didn’t know.”

  “Oh, no. Don’t be sorry. I like it here. I don’t have a problem, do you?”

  Her wide-eyed facial expression said it all. She wanted to make sure she wasn’t getting involved with another gambler.

  He put his arm around her shoulder for reassurance. “The only serious gambling I do is in business. And even then I don’t make a move unless the odds are in my favor.”

  She took a deep breath and her shoulders relaxed.

  “However, I’m willing to bet that nothing short of miraculous is about to happen between us. Something that should have happened a long time ago. You were meant to be mine.” He leaned down and kissed her gently on the forehead.

  * * *

  The Greek Alumni crowd had checked out on Friday and Saturday. Sunday’s group was a little more reserved, which left the house nice and quiet.

  After church, followed by Jamie’s baseball game, Corra and the kids were wiped out. But that didn’t stop her from getting them dressed and out to the house for dinner.

  This Sunday evening’s dinner at the Coleman House was extra special. Tracee had prepared a new dessert which they always sampled on the staff before serving to guests. Rita’s husband, Wallace, owned an auto body shop that was closed on Sunday, so he often joined them around the large kitchen table for dinner.

  Tracee pulled her apple-gingerbread cobbler from the oven. “If you like it, we’re adding it to the menu.” She scooped generous
portions into each bowl.

  That’s what Corra had been smelling all through dinner.

  “Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about,” Rollin said as he dug in.

  “Tracee, this cobbler is delicious. I vote we add this to the menu,” Corra said, casting the first vote.

  “Oh, I definitely agree with Corra,” Tayler added.

  “Me too,” Rollin added.

  “I fourth that,” Kyla added.

  Everyone turned to Wallace who was still eating. He stopped once he realized all eyes were on him. “Hell yeah, add my vote.”

  Tracee clapped. “It’s unanimous then.” She turned to a beaming Rita. “We have a new menu item.”

  After dinner, Corra rounded up Jamie and Katie who were stretched out in Rollin’s bedroom watching a movie. She poked her head in. “Okay you two, time to go.”

  They slowly began to move with their eyes still glued to the television. Rollin walked up behind her.

  “I heard about your day at the races. I’m glad to see you and Chris are hitting it off.”

  “Yeah, and he told me about all the years you wouldn’t let him ask me out.”

  “In high school Chris was your typical jock, and you were one of the good girls. Trust me, I did you a favor. No doubt he’s a good man, but back then I wasn’t going to let him mess around with my little sister.” Rollin pulled the door to his bedroom closed.

  “I bet you saved yourself for your husband, didn’t you?”

  Corra’s mouth fell open. “That is none of your business.” Although he’d been right. “You don’t know what I was doing, or who I was doing it with, thank you.”

  “Hey, all I’m saying is I know how you were raised. That’s why I said you weren’t ready for Chris.”

  She tilted her head. “Regardless, I bet I’m ready now.”

  Chapter 9

  “Girl, if these kids don’t stay in bed I’m going to have to get out my belt.” Corra held the phone down. “Jamie, where you goin’?”

  “To get some water,” he said from the hallway.

  “You’ve had enough water. Get back in bed. I don’t know why y’all want to test me tonight. If I hear you come out of that room one more time I’m coming in there...”