“Mom, Dad, Shauna and Samantha this is Leila. We met four months ago on the Berkeley campus wear she’s an architect student. Dad you can’t believe anything Amy or her family says. Shauna, really why would you bring her here? Mom I had no idea that Leila was the woman you wanted to set me up with but the good news is we’re already married.” The look on their faces is more than I can take. I pull away from Tucker and nearly sprint down the hall.
Chapter 14
Nickie is standing at the shampoo bowl rinsing conditioner from Mrs. Carter’s hair. She looks down at the woman’s round chocolate face and thinks to herself, ‘Keisha is right this woman really does look like a raisinett.’ Mrs. Carter has been talking non-stop since Nickie started washing her hair. But Nickie is in her own world and can’t hear a word she’s saying. She’s thinking back over all the times she’s given her power away to a man. There was Eric her long term boyfriend in high school. He would call five minutes before they were scheduled to go out and say he wasn’t coming. He wouldn’t even give an explanation. He’d just call and say, “Sorry Nick can’t make it tonight.” There was Daniel who’d borrow money constantly and make her pay for all of their dates. The worst of the offenders was Juan who had five kids by four different women. Nickie didn’t mind that he had kids but she couldn’t deal with his constant infidelity. Then there was Damian. Nickie thought that he would be different. He was older and well established. On the surface he appeared to have it all together but there was always something about him that didn’t set well with her.
“Alright, Mrs. Carter let me get you under the dryer. Keisha will be with you soon,” Nickie says.
“Thank you sweetheart,” Mrs. Carter says slipping Nickie a five dollar bill.
Nickie smiles kindly and says, “Thanks.”
“You’re such a pretty young woman. You should meet my son.”
“No!” Nickie says louder than she intends. Mrs. Carter clutches her chest startled. “I’m sorry,” Nickie says touching the woman’s shoulder. “I’m just getting out of a really bad relationship. I don’t want anything to do with men for a long time.” This gets the attention of some of the other women in the shop.
“Girl you’re too young to be jaded already,” Tabitha says. She’s sitting at a corner booth applying fake lashes that match her new auburn hair extensions. “What you need to do is find yourself one of them old rich men to take care of you.” Nickie walks over to Keisha’s next client and escorts her to the shampoo bowl.
“Don’t nobody want old wrinkly balls but you Tabitha,” Keisha says.
“Hell I’ll take em’ old, young, blind, cripple and crazy as long as he’s paid and can lay pipe,” another woman says. They all laugh and Nickie can’t help but smile. Maybe all she needs is a little beauty shop therapy.
“I’m done with men old and young,” Nickie says.
“Are you switching teams?” Tabitha asks.
“You just haven’t met the right man yet,” one of the older beauticians says before Nickie can respond to Tabitha’s question.
“Leila’s coming home next week. We’ll all go out and find you a good man,” Keisha says.
“Every man I’ve ever dated has treated me badly,” Nickie says feeling her sadness being replaced by anger.
“There are plenty of good men out there. You just need to try em’ all out until you find the right fit,” Tabitha says. “Speaking of good men how is your father,” Tabitha says.
“Our daddy is fine,” Keisha replies looking at her suspiciously.
“Girl fine is the right word to describe that man. If I wasn’t afraid your mamma would shanke me I’d be all over him.”
“Keep talking about my daddy and I’ma burn your ass with this curling iron,” Keisha says pointing the steaming iron at Tabitha.
“What,” Tabitha says with a chuckle. “That’s a complement. I’m just saying your father is a very handsome man.”
“Is your father one of the Peterson boys?” An older woman with bleached blond hair and a southern accent asks.
“Yes Xavier,” Nickie replies.
“I can tell because you girls look just like him. So how’s your older brother?”
“We have a younger sister no brothers,” Keisha says.
“Really, because I’m positive that woman told me she had a boy.”
“Our mother’s name is Dana and she does not have a son,” Keisha says.
“Her name wasn’t Dana,” The woman says scrunching her nose and snapping her finger. The woman doesn’t notice that everyone in the shop has stopped what they’re doing to listen to her. “Valerie,” The woman shouts excitedly. “Valery Callaway had a child by the oldest Peterson boy.” The woman realizes all eyes are on her so she stops talking and looks down at her hands.
*****
Nickie and Keisha lock up the shop after the last customer leaves. They walk out to Keisha’s car. “Momma asked us over for dinner. Doug’s picking up the kids and meeting us there,” Keisha says.
“What’s she making?”
“She’s making lasagna. She made a small meatless lasagna for Trinity since she decided to become a vegetarian. She said her tummy will not be a grave yard for dead animals.”
“That little girl reminds me so much of you,” Nickie says laughing. “She’s so outspoken and she knows exactly what she wants.”
“Yeah she’s a mess. I just wish she wouldn’t bully her sister so much.”
“You use to do the same thing to me,” Nickie says.
“I never bullied you,” Keisha replies.
“Girl you made me do your homework your entire senior year of high school.”
Keisha is quiet for a few seconds as they drive down the 710 freeway. “Heaven reminds me of you. She’s so gentle. I don’t know why I can’t get her to stand up for herself.”
“Not everyone’s a fighter,” Nickie says.
“Well everyone should be. You don’t have to be aggressive but you have to know your worth. If you don’t let people know what you will and will not stand for they will walk all over you.” Nickie turns to face the window. She’s feeling more anger than she ever has before. “I went online last night and ordered some college brochures,” Keisha says. “I know how much you love English. You should go back to school.”
“Thank you,” Nickie says still facing the window.
They pull up to the curb in front of their family home. “Are you alright,” Keisha asks Nickie.
“I’ve wasted so much of my life trying to please other people.”
“Girl stop being so morbid, you’re only twenty-four you still have your whole life ahead of you.”
_____
Okay, I have to admit that running away from Tucker’s family was not my finest moment. When they all turned and looked at me and I freaked. What was I supposed to say, “Sorry Tucker and I eloped but I promise I’m not a whore.” The way I saw it my only options were to run, faint or have a panic attack. In the heat of the moment running was the only option that made since. So here I am doing the 100 yard dash down the hall through the kitchen and out the back door. I nearly fall twice on the wedged heels I’m wearing. I’m not sure where I’m going because this house is on the side of a mountain and my car and driver are nowhere to be found. When I reach the walkway I hear Tucker calling my name. I look back and my foot gets stuck between two rocks. I trip, land flat on my stomach and everything goes black because my dress flies over my head. I lie perfectly still hoping that this whole day has been a bad dream and that I’ll wake up in my bed wearing my footie pajamas. I can hear footsteps approaching. “Her foots stuck,” Mr. Bradley says.
This is not a dream. I’m on my stomach. My dress is over my head. Tucker and his father are behind me and I’m wearing a thong. Tucker dislodges my shoe from the rock and rolls me over. I have leaves and rocks in my hair and I skinned my knee. I close
my eyes tight because I can’t bear to see their faces. He picks me up and I press my face against his shirt and ask, “Did your father just see my ass?” Tucker kisses the top of my head and carries me into the house. He puts me down in the kitchen and Joan comes running towards me.
“Oh honey,” she says wrapping her arm around my waist. Shauna walks over and pulls the rocks out of my hair. Samantha looks me up and down with a smug smile. Her eyes settle on my wedding rings and the smile turns into a grimace. She looks at Tucker and back to me.
“Who exactly are you?” I ask. The caterers are setting up for dinner. They continue to work while we talk but I can tell they’re listening.
“I was just about to ask you the same question,” Samantha says.
“You know exactly who I am,” I say with a smile. Joan pulls me towards one of the rooms. Tucker starts to follow but Shauna stops him.
“We’ll take care of her,” She says following Joan and I.
Joan opens the door to an expansive bedroom. The room looks like it was decorated for a man. The custom made bed is a few feet longer than a standard Cal King and the furniture is all dark wood. There’s also a bookshelf with sports memorabilia in glass cases. Joan rushes into the bathroom for a first aid kit. I limp over to a cluster of pictures on the wall. There’s a picture of Mike, Tucker and Samantha in front of a bond fire. It looks like it was taken when they were in high school. They all look so young and happy. There’s another picture of Mike and Tucker playing peewee basketball and a few pictures of Tucker with people I don’t recognize. “I’m sorry about all of this,” Shauna says from behind me. “I shouldn’t have brought her here.”
“It’s not your fault,” I say turning to face her. She looks exactly like Tucker but her features are softer and her long blond hair looks as if it was recently colored.
“So Tucker really let us have it when you ran out.”
“He’s very protective. That’s one of the things I love about him,” I say feeling my face get hot. Joan comes over with a first aid kit.
“How did you two meet?”
“I ran into him in the quad on my first day of school.”
“And you had no idea who he was when you met him,” Shauna asks accusatorily.
“Shauna don’t be rude,” Joan says smacking her arm.
“No, why does everyone keep asking me that? Is there some rich guy list that I don’t know about?” I say meeting Shauna’s gaze.
“Sit down Leila let me patch up that knee.” I hobble over to the bed and Joan cleans and bandages my skinned knee. Shauna glowers at me with her arms folded.
“That’s a very pretty dress.”
“Thank you,” I say brushing away pebbles and dirt.
“Isabella Toledo right,” she asks with a raised eyebrow.
“It is a replica of an Isabella Toledo that I purchased with my own money. Money that I earned at a job,” I say standing to my feet.
“Thank you for inviting me over for dinner Joan. It’s getting late I should go.”
“Leila please stay. Shauna apologize for being rude.”
“She’s just looking out for her brother’s best interest,” I say. Shauna’s plump face blushes. I turn and walk out of the room with Joan and Shauna following closely behind me. The caterers and Mr. Bradley have left the kitchen. Tucker and Samantha are alone. He’s leaning against the counter. His back is turned and he doesn’t hear us walk into the room. Samantha is just inches away from him with her hand on his stomach. She sees me and says something I can’t decipher before reaching up to kiss him. He pushes her away but she still looks over at me with a smug expression.
“What the hell have I gotten myself into,” I say walking towards them. Tucker jumps away from Samantha. “I’m leaving. I didn’t sign up for any of this,” I say picking up my purse.
“I’ll drive you,” Tucker says moving towards me.
“I’ll take a cab. It seems like you have unfinished business here,” I bite the inside of my lip. I will not give her the satisfaction of seeing me cry.
“Baby, she kissed me and I stopped her. There’s nothing going on.” Tucker reaches for my hand. I pull away and walk towards the door. I don’t know the names of any cab companies. Most of the money I had when I moved here is gone and a cab from Marin to Berkeley would cost a fortune. But I’m determined to get home even if I have to scale the side of the mountain to get there.
“Let her go Tucker,” Samantha says reaching for his arm. “But you’ll have to get my rings back from her. Did you have them stretched? I can’t believe they fit her chubby finger.” Now logically I know I’m not fat. The dress I’m wearing is a size two and if it wasn’t for my boobs holding it up it would slide right off, still being called chubby stings badly.
“You gave me someone else’s rings?” I say spinning around to face Tucker.
“I never officially gave them to her. I was going to but---“
Samantha interrupts, “He was going to but I said no when he proposed,” I didn’t realize what I had until it was too late. I look down at the rings and my heart breaks. I take them off and walk over to the place where she’s standing. Joan, Shauna and Tucker all watch in silence.
I drop the rings on the floor in front of her. “They’re all yours,” I say. I lean close to her and in a voice just above a whisper say, “That unfamiliar taste on your lips after you kissed him is my pussy.” She touches her lips and frowns. I know that’s a vulgar thing to say but I can’t let her win completely.
“Leila please don’t go,” Joan says.
“I’m sorry about all of this Joan.”
“You have nothing to be sorry about. I can’t believe how my children have treated you.”
I lower my head and walk towards the door. Tucker turns to follow me. “No don’t,” I say without looking at him.
Tucker reaches for my arm. “Baby I messed up. Let’s just go home and talk about this,” He says.
“Will you please just let me go? I’ve never been so humiliated and I’m having a hard time breathing right now.” Joan walks over and wraps her arm around my waist. I rest my head on her shoulder and I can’t hold back the tears any longer. I feel her body tense.
“You, you and you,” she says pointing to Tucker, Shauna and Samantha, “Get the hell out.” Mr. Bradley shows up holding a glass of scotch, cognac or whatever strong brown liquid old rich white men drink.
“Why is she crying? Did she fall again?”
“No your son, daughter and that one over there,” She points at Samantha have been terrible. “All of you get out,” she says in a shrill voice. They walk towards the door. Mr. Bradley shakes his head and strolls back to his office. “Come on,” Joan says leading me back to the bedroom we were in earlier. She goes into a cabinet and takes out a thick robe and towel. “Clean yourself up and we’ll talk about this later. If you still want to go after you’ve had a chance to relax I’ll drive you myself.” She kisses my cheek and leaves the room. I stand there blubbering like an idiot for a few more minutes. I want my sisters. I want to laugh with my uncle, hug my daddy and lay my head on my mom’s shoulder and have her tell me everything will be fine.
I drag myself into the bathroom; it’s fully stocked with every toiletry and hair supply imaginable. Naturally none of the products are made for my hair but I’ll make it work. I lock the bathroom door, place all of my things on the marble counter and step out of my shoes, dress and underwear. I look at my sad raccoon eyes in the mirror. I’ve cried more this week than I had all year. I take bottles of shampoo, conditioner, body wash and some sort of facial scrub into the shower and stand under the water scrubbing and soaking until I’m squeaky clean and all wrinkly. I fish around in my purse for the overnight bag that Pookie packed the other day. I use my lotion and deodorant before cleaning the mess I made and wrapping up in the robe. I pull my wet hair into a bun and sit on the bed t
o wait for Joan to come back to the room. It’s dusk out and I can see the sun setting behind the bay from the bedroom window. I lay my head on the pillow intending to just close my eyes for a minute but I fall asleep almost instantly.
*****
I wake up disoriented. I have a blanket over my legs and the room is completely dark. I feel around the night stand and switch on a lamp. I feel a little light headed when I sit up in bed. I can’t remember the last time I ate. I climb out of bed tighten my robe and pad down the cold hardwood floors towards a light in the kitchen. I clear my throat when I see Mr. Bradley rummaging around in the refrigerator. He jumps and turns to face me.
“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“That’s alright how did you sleep?”
“I slept well, I forgot where I was. I guess that’s an occupational hazard for us prostitutes.” He tilts his head to one side and looks at me blankly. “That was a joke,” I say.
“I’m very sorry about the misunderstanding. Let’s just put it behind us and start over. You must be starved. Come sit and have a midnight snack with me.” I look up at the clock on the wall and sure enough it’s a quarter to midnight. I walk over to the kitchen table and sit down. “What would you like?”
“What do you have?”
“The caterers brought salmon, grilled asparagus and brown rice pilaf. But I was planning to have a roast beef sandwich. I had the chef hide it in back of the refrigerator. I’ll share it with you if you promise not to tell Mrs. Bradley. She’s got me on a strict diet.”
“You have my word,” I say crossing my heart. The sandwich is as big as my head. He gets out two plates, cuts the sandwich in half and slides a plate in front of me. He turns around to get two bottles of juice from the refrigerator. By the time he sits down across from me my half is nearly gone.
He looks at me surprised.
“So Joan set you up in Tucker’s old room?”
“Yes,” I say polishing off the last of the sandwich before he’s had a chance to take one bite. He slides his half over to me. I should refuse but I’m so starved that I wolf down the other half in just minutes.
A Love Like This (Book 1) Page 13