A Love Like This (Book 1)

by Lane, Kimberly

  “Thanks for meeting me for lunch,” Samantha says in her bubbliest voice. “I feel terrible about how badly our last reunion turned out.”

  “Yeah my new sister-in-law is a bit of a spit fire.”

  Samantha rolls her eyes to the ceiling. “That’s a nice way of putting it. I think she’s a real bitch. I can’t believe how easy your parent’s were on her. I mean even after they found out she was a prostitute.” Samantha tilts her head and raises an eyebrow. Her face is poised for a reaction.

  Shauna and Samantha were never really friends. Even when she and Tucker were dating Samantha was cordial at best. So Shauna is confused by Samantha’s sudden interest in hanging out. “She was never a prostitute,” Shauna says meeting Samantha’s gaze. “Tucker’s 26 years old and as stubborn as a bull. My parents know they can’t control him so they don’t try.”

  Samantha pastes on a Barbie doll smile and shrugs her shoulders. “Selah vie I guess.”

  The waitress comes over and they both order a glass of Merlot. When she walks away Shauna says, “The only thing I don’t understand is how Amy found out Tucker and Leila got married. My brother hadn’t told anyone, not even Mike.”

  “I’m not sure,” Samantha says. Her plastic smile is bigger than ever. The waitress brings their wine and takes their order. Shauna desperately wants to order a steak but she settles for seared tuna with brown rice pilaf and steamed vegetables. Samantha orders a cob salad with the avocado, bacon, blue cheese and light vinaigrette on the side. “I’m so happy you agreed to meet me for lunch. I’ve always regretted that we didn’t spend much time together when Tucker and I were dating.”

  “Why do you think that is,” Shauna asks suspiciously. She’s always suspected that Samantha didn’t want to be around her because she wasn’t the standard size 2’.

  “I’m not sure. I guess I was so absorbed in my relationship with Tucker that I didn’t make much time for anyone else. This makes me sad because not only have I lost him but I’ve alienated most of my friends.”

  “So I guess it was lucky we ran into each other that day,” Shauna says. Their chance meeting didn’t seem much like a coincidence. Samantha was standing outside the studio where Shauna works. She said that she was just passing by but the studio is in the Outer Mission area. Shauna knows that girls like Samantha never travel beyond Union Square.

  “Yeah but I only wish my reunion with Tucker had gone better,” She says.

  “I’m not really sure what you expected. He’s married now,” Shauna says exasperated.

  “Oh well, at least I’ve got a new friend,” Samantha says smiling broadly.

  Shauna mimics Samantha’s Barbie doll smile and says, “Yeah at least there’s that.”

  Their order arrives and Samantha pushes half of her food to one side of the plate. She cuts the remaining food which is mostly lettuce into small pieces then she takes tiny bites and chews thoroughly. “So he really loves her,” Samantha asks looking down at her plate.

  Shauna thinks for a moment. She doesn’t want’ to hurt Samantha’s feeling but she knows how Tucker feels about Leila. “I know this must be hard for you. I thought there might be a chance for you guys. That’s why I agreed to have you over the other night but Tucker really does love Leila.”

  Samantha’s face and neck turn a deep crimson. “How do you know,” She asks averting her eyes.

  Shauna takes a deep breath and says, “After my mom kicked us all out that night Tucker and I went into the pool house to wait for her to cool off. I was expecting him to get on the phone and call Mike or Riley to go out but he didn’t.”

  Samantha looks up at Shauna. Her face is still flush, “Maybe he’s just getting sick of partying. We’re all getting older you know.”

  “That’s what I thought but he got on the phone and made an appointment at Cartier. He left for about an hour and came back with the biggest diamond I’ve ever seen.”

  “Oh, I see,” Samantha says her voice croaking in her throat.

  They eat in silence. The waitress reappears at their table caring two more glasses of wine. “We didn’t order a second glass,” Shauna says.

  “These are from the two gentlemen at the bar,” the waitress replies. They turn to see two older men smiling and raising their glasses. Shauna smiles back raises her glass and mouths the words, “thanks.”

  “I think they’re into you,” Samantha says.

  “They’re old enough to be my dad,” Shauna says. “Besides their probably both looking at you.”

  “Don’t sell yourself short. You’re a beautiful girl and I’m not the least bit interested in dating right now.”

  “It’s been more than a year since you and Tucker broke up.”

  Samantha pouts, “I just can’t get over him.”

  “What happened between you two anyway,” Shauna asks.

  She’s silent for a few seconds while she thinks of the best way to frame the story. Samantha didn’t think it was possible to fall for two men at the same time. But when she returned from college and saw Tucker and Mike so handsome and fighting for her attention she wanted them both. Tucker was the first one to ask her out. The two started dating and everything seemed fine on the surface but Samantha couldn’t get Mike out of her mind. By the time Tucker proposed she had made so many bad decisions that she couldn’t accept the ring.

  She sighs softly and puts on her most pitiful face before plunging into the story. “It was because of the baby,” She says starting to tear up. “I got pregnant but I wasn’t ready to be a mom.”

  She tries to hide her shock. “So you had an abortion?” Shauna asks picking at the remains of her tuna.

  Samantha nods yes. “I knew how much he wanted kids and I didn’t have the heart to tell him what I’d done but when he proposed I had to because it was eating me alive.” She shakes her head and dabs at her tears with a linen napkin. “Letting him go was the worst mistake I’d ever made and now it’s too late for us.”

  Shauna feels a mixture of guilt and pity. They ran into each other a few days ago. Shauna knew Tucker was seeing someone. However, she didn’t know how serious it was. Now she feels responsible for causing Samantha more pain. “I’m so sorry,” Shauna says reaching across the table to touch Samantha’s hand. “I wish there was something I could do to ease your pain.”

  “There is one thing you can do,” Samantha says her tears suddenly clearing. “You can help me get him back.”

  *****

  Amy is sitting at her kitchen table thumbing through photos taken by a private investigator. There are several pictures of Tucker and Leila exchanging vowels at the little chapel in Las Vegas. There’s one picture of the couple kissing in the hall way of the dorm. Leila’s legs are wrapped around Tucker and he’s pressed against her. The final photo just arrived today and it shows Tucker with his hand wrapped around a man’s throat.

  “I’m sure the university will be especially interested in this one,” she says with a menacing smile. Her cell phone chimes with a text message from Samantha. The message says, “Shauna’s going to help rid us of that black bitch.

  Chapter 20

  I have officially entered the twilight zone. My father has hated everyone I’ve ever dated. The last guy I brought home was Devon Green. My daddy answered the door and Devon stepped in wearing his saggy pants and a red rag hanging from his back pocket. I was going through a bad boy phase. I don’t know what transpired in their thirty second conversation. By the time I reached the front door Devon was sprinting down the street holding his baggy pants and screaming like a woman. Eventually I just stopped bringing guys home because I knew my daddy would never approve of any of them. However, he and my new husband are suddenly thick as thieves. I guess nothing brings men together like a good boxing match. I don’t even want to know what they did to Damian after I went in the house.

  Right now I’m sitting at a table in the bac
k yard with my grandma Bess, Mike and Nickie. My dad, Doug, Pookie and Koolaid are teaching Tucker how to play dominos. They’re drinking beer, slapping dominos onto the table and laughing like old friends. I’m happy that he’s fitting in but it all seems so strange. I left home terrified about the possibility of getting pregnant. Now it seems inevitable. My life is like a train speeding out of control and I keep waiting for someone to yank me off or at least show me how to navigate.

  “Are you ok baby,” grandma Bess asks. “You look like you have something on your mind.”

  “I’m ok granny. I’m just tired from the flight. I’m going to lie down for a few minutes.” I stand up and kiss my grandma on the cheek. I look over and shake my head at Nickie and Mike. He’s throwing his best game at her and she’s not trying to hear any of it. I whisper in his ear, “be yourself.” I look over at Nickie and mouth the words, “be nice.” She rolls her eyes and crosses her arms over her chest. I laugh and stroll clear of a small army of nephews, nieces and cousins. When I walk into the house Keisha and Momma are standing in the kitchen talking.

  “Where are you going Lay,” Keisha asks when she sees me.

  “To my room,” I say walking past them.

  “Do you feel ok,” My mom asks.

  “Just tired,” I say as I walk. I enter my room and close the door behind me. It’s still my private sanctuary. It feels cool, quiet and peaceful. I can detect a hint of lavender in the air. I must have left potpourri in some of the drawers. I climb into bed and try not to think about school or family or having babies. I try to forget everything and just relax. I’m nearly asleep when I hear a light knock at the door. My mom opens the door and steps in carrying a steaming mug of tea. She sets the mug down on the night stand near my bed and I scoot over to make room for her. She touches my forehead.

  She smells like fried chicken and the Liz Claiborne lotion she’s used for years. I rest my head on her shoulder. “Momma do you ever regret giving up your dreams to start a family?” My mom rubs my hair and offers a sympathetic smile.

  “No baby, not for one second. Having you girls was my greatest accomplishment. You’re so much like me when I was your age. I thought I had it all figured out until I met your father.” My mom gets a dreamy look in her eyes and I know what’s coming next. The story of how she and my daddy met. It’s a story I’ve heard a thousand times before but it never gets old.

  Dana was sixteen years old when she first met Xavier Peterson. She was sitting behind the counter at Denny’s where she worked as a hostess. She was self-conscience about her silky straight hair so she kept it cut short and pulled back with a head band. She didn’t wear makeup and the freckles on her nose had turned golden brown in the July sun. Dana looked up from her worn copy of ‘Architecture Today’ when she heard the bell chime on the front door. Xavier walked in wearing dusty old work clothes. The first thing Dana noticed was his smooth chocolate skin and deep set eyes that seemed to look right through her. He didn’t smile or flirt with her the way most boys did when they saw her. In fact there was no sign that he noticed her at all other than a nearly imperceptible knob of his head while he stood in front of the counter. Dana took out a menu and put a little twist in her narrow hips as she led him to a booth.

  “What would you like to drink?” She said after he was seated.

  He folded his hands on the table and leaned forward narrowing his eyes at her. “What’s your name?” He asked as if she was being questioned by the authorities.

  She raised an eyebrow instantly on the defense. “Why do you want to know?”

  He leaned back against the booth and shook his head. The restaurant was nearly empty and Dana had time to kill so she tilted her head to the side pursed her lips and crossed her arms over her chest. “Are you going to tell me what you want to drink?”

  “You’re a hostess right?” He said with a slight look of amusement. “Wouldn’t it be appropriate for you to be hospitable?”

  Dana suppressed a smile. He was smart and she liked that, “I’m sorry sir. My name is Dana Watseka your hostess. How may I serve you?” Dana said with as much sarcasm as she could muster.

  Xavier leaned forward and licked his lips looking her up and down. Dana rolled her eyes. “I’ll bring you a coke,” she said as she walked away. She quickly retrieved his drink and sat it in front of him. “Your server will be with you shortly,” She said and turned to leave.

  “Why are you reading an architecture magazine?” He called out to her.

  She straitened her posture and looked back at him “I’m going to be an architect.”

  He nodded thoughtfully. “There aren’t very many women architects are there?”

  “Nope but that’s not going to stop me,” she said raising her chin defiantly.

  “I believe you,” he said. They smiled at each other and Dana’s heart fluttered.

  For the next hour Dana made sure to walk into Xavier’s line of vision as often as possible. She sat other patrons near his booth and she cleaned tables, which wasn’t her job. He watched her while he slowly ate his pancakes. Martha an older white woman wore a bright red wig that was always crooked and knee high stockings that were always rolled down around her ankle said, “Do you know that young man? He’s been watching you ever since he sat down.”

  Dana felt a little flush. “Yeah I know him,” she lied.

  When Xavier was ready to leave she stood by the hostess station pretending to focus on the magazine. Martha took his payment but when Dana looked up he had vanished. She looked around thinking he must have gone to the bathroom. She just knew he wouldn’t leave without asking for her number. He didn’t return. She finished her shift and left disappointed. She clocked out to go home for the day and Xavier was standing outside talking to a man wearing similar work clothes. He was even more handsome in the day light. She strolled by him and headed towards the bus stop.

  “Hey wait up,” He said running past his friend and reaching for her arm. “Why don’t you let me take you home?”

  “What are you my new stalker,” She said.”

  “Nope I’m going to be your new man,” He said matter-of-factly. She stopped and swirled around on the heels of her feet. She looked up at him. He was so good-looking that she had to smile.

  “I don’t think you’re ready for that job. It won’t be as easy as you might think,” She said turning to leave. He didn’t follow her this time.

  He called out as she walked, “I’m sure it won’t be easy but it’ll happen.”

  She smiled at his bravado.

  Xavier started coming to Denny’s every day after his shift at the construction site. Sometimes he would order coffee and wait for Dana to come by and talk to him. Other times he would sit outside reading the paper and wait to walk her home. They had long conversations on their walks. He told her about his plan to go to the army and to take over his uncle’s construction company someday. She told him that she was an only child raised by her single father and that her mother left when she was very young. Dana also told him about her future plans to become an architect. She liked that he listened to her and didn’t belittle her dreams because she was young. She also liked that he never tried to do any more than hold her hand on their walks home. Dana always made Xavier stop about a block away from her house to avoid running into her father.

  *****

  Dana heard the bell on the door chime around the time Xavier normally came into the restaurant. She looked up and saw that he was with three girls and her mouth went dry. She stared each of the girls up and down and wondered which one was Xavier’s girlfriend. She wanted to punch Xavier for making her like him then flaunting his girlfriend right in front of her. She was just as pretty as any of them she thought as she snatched four menus from the stack and stomped to a booth in the corner. “May I take your drink orders?” She asked without looking at any of them.

  “Yes Dana is it,” Xavier said sm
iling.

  Dana narrowed her eyes at him, “Yes its Dana what would you like to drink?” She hissed.

  “Ladies what would you like,” he asked stretching his long arms and resting them on the shoulders of the two girls sitting next to him.

  One of the girls reached over and slapped him on the back of his head. “Stop playing with that girl. Look at her face, you’re upsetting her. We’ll all have Coke’s,” She said.

  Dana smiled and walked off towards the kitchen. Xavier got up and followed her. Dana turned around and crossed her arms over her chest. “Why are you following me? Why don’t you get back to your girlfriend?”

  He smiled, tilted his head and bit his bottom lip. “So you do like me? “

  “I didn’t say that,” She said turning red and looking away.

  “My family’s having a party tonight come with me.”

  “I don’t even know you,” She said walking towards the soda machine.

  He reached for her hand and pulled her close. “You know that my name is Xavier Peterson, that I was born in Florida and my family moved here when I was nine. You know that I’ll be nineteen in a few months and I’m planning to join the army. Let me see what haven’t I told you?” He snaps his finger. My favorite color’s blue and those girls over there are my sisters. I asked them to come with me and convince you to go to the party.”

  She smiled relieved and looked down at the dingy carpet. “Why me,” She asked? Why are you so interested in me?”

  He brushed a finger over the palm of her hand brought it up to his lips and kissed it gently. “Sometimes you just know,” He said looking into her eyes. Her face felt like it was on fire and there was an unfamiliar twinge in the pit of her stomach. His long legged stride just oozed confidence.