by La Jill Hunt
Toby stood and the two men gave each other dap. Toby told him, “Naw, not yet. I’m waiting for you and Tia to set yours first.”
“Man, the way she’s talking about everything she wants for the wedding, it’s gonna take about two years to save for it. At least two years.” Theo laughed.
“Wait. You’re getting married too?” Jermaine asked.
“Yeah, got engaged back in December,” Theo told him.
Toby invited Theo to join them. “You remember,” he told Jermaine. You met Theo and his fiancée at Jasper’s the night of the proposal.
“Oh, yeah. Tia, the fitness instructor.” Jermaine nodded. “She came to the hospital the other week when we were there.”
“Oh, you’re the friend who was with Anjelica when her dad got sick?” Theo’s eyes widened as he took a seat beside Jermaine. Terrell decided to sit back down and stay a little while longer.
“That’s me, I guess.” Jermaine smiled.
“So you own the security camera business, right?” Theo asked.
“Yeah, We Secure U.”
“A friend of mine’s brother just bought a crib and was looking for someone to install some equipment. You got a card?” Theo asked.
“Yeah, here you go.” Jermaine reached into his pocket and passed Theo a business card. “Tell him to give me a call.”
“Must be a pretty big crib if he needs security cameras,” Terrell commented. He had remained quiet, still heated from the conversation earlier.
“Yeah, it is. It’s over in Wheatland Heights.” Theo nodded.
“Damn, Wheatland Heights. What does he do?” Toby whistled. Wheatland Heights was prime real estate property with homes starting in the half-million-dollar range.
“He’s a pharmacist . . . I mean a real pharmacist in a drugstore, not a street pharmacist,” he told them after he saw the way they were looking at him.
“Yeah, that brother’s paid for real,” Toby agreed.
“Your brother ain’t doing so bad, either,” Theo told him. “You know I was happy for you when they told me you got the promotion.”
“You know I was surprised as hell when they told me. But it’s cool,” Terrell replied, once again fighting the urge to go after the waitress who kept asking him if there was anything else he’d like. He assured her he was fine, and she looked disappointed.
“I think she wanted you to ask for something else,” Jermaine teased. “I can’t believe I’m sitting here with three PWBs.”
“What? You’re crazy!” Terrell blurted across the table.
“Never that, son!” Toby added.
“I definitely don’t fall into that category.” Theo shook his head.
“There’s nothing wrong with being pussy-whipped, my brothers. I mean, you should be glad. Some of us are still on that quest to find that special someone. More for me to choose from. Where did that waitress go again?”
The men continued joking as they watched the game. After watching the Lakers make it one step closer to the NBA championship, they said good-bye and got ready to head out, making sure they were all sober enough to drive. Terrell noticed Toby staring at an empty table in the back corner and tapped him on the shoulder.
“You a’ight?”
“Yeah, just got some stuff on my mind, I guess,” his brother told him. “You going to Nicole’s?”
“Naw, I think I’m just gonna head home,” Terrell answered. “I don’t feel like making that drive tonight, especially since the crib is only five minutes away.”
“I feel you on that one.” Toby sighed.
“You sure you’re okay to drive?”
“Yeah, I’m cool. Let’s go.”
Terrell was concerned about his brother. Toby had seemed distant all night, as if he was deep in thought. He wondered if it had something to do with Roni, but he didn’t ask. They were almost out of the bar when they noticed a group of women walking in. Terrell spotted a familiar face among them.
“Leaving so soon, fellas?”
“What’s up, Meeko?” He walked over and gave her a hug. He was glad that even after all he had put her through, she was able to forgive him and they were friends. Meeko was a good person and he liked her. She told her friends she would join them in a moment and they walked away.
“Hey, Toby.” She smiled. Terrell noticed her eyes brighten as she recognized Jermaine. “Well, well, well. I heard you were back in town. How are things going?”
“They’re going good. What’s up with you?” Jermaine stepped up and gave her a hug.
“Same old, same old. Working hard and still broke.” She laughed, and Terrell noticed Jermaine’s eyes lingering on her breasts a little longer than necessary.
“Aren’t we all?”
“You guys aren’t leaving, are you? Stay a little while and hang with us.”
“Sounds good to me. You guys wanna hang out a little while longer?” Jermaine asked.
“I don’t think so, Meeko. Thanks, though,” Toby replied.
“Naw, I gotta be at work early,” Theo said, checking out Meeko’s friends. “Looks like I’d be in good company if I did hang around, though.”
“Man, let’s go,” Terrell responded. He thought about Anjelica’s claims that Theo was trying to hook up with one of her girls and wondered if there was any truth to what she was saying.
“You guys must be getting old or something. I remember a time when you would party all night, go get some breakfast, and the only reason you went home was to shower and change clothes, not even taking a nap.” She smirked.
“Naw, they ain’t old, Meeko. It’s something else.” Jermaine grinned. “But you go right ahead, fellas. Like I said earlier, more for me.”
Terrell watched as Jermaine put his arm around Meeko and they joined her friends at the table. The women all greeted him with hugs and smiles and he turned around briefly to wink at Terrell. Terrell followed Theo and his brother out of the bar and into the parking lot.
“Man, back in the day I woulda been right in there with all them fine-ass women.” Theo sighed.
“All of us would, man. All of us would. I’ll check you guys later,” Toby said and gave them each a pound with his fist.
As Terrell sat in his car, he looked through the window of the club. Jermaine was laughing with the waitress who had previously flirted with him. He tried to fight off the pangs of jealousy that were creeping in. He knew the waitress meant nothing to either of them. He also told himself that he was doing the right thing by leaving, especially since he already told Nicole he would not be out late, but there was something still bothering him. He couldn’t put his finger on it. It was as if there was a building irritation deep within and Jermaine was the cause of it. He was just messing with me. There’s no way he was wit’ anybody I was sleeping with. He looked up and saw Meeko hugging Jermaine once again. No way. There’s no way he would go there, and neither would she. He knew he was tripping. I’ve had a few appetizers myself. Jermaine’s voice echoed in his head.
51
“Man, I appreciate you helping me out,” Jermaine told Toby as he climbed into his truck. “This is a big job and it’s kinda last minute.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. You’d better be glad you’re my boy,” Toby replied, settling into the butter-soft leather. He was tired, even though it was 1:00 in the afternoon. He usually slept until 2:00 or 3:00 on Saturdays. Jermaine had called him at 11:00 this morning and asked him if he could help him out. He realized this meant a lot to his friend and agreed. “Where are we going, anyway?”
“To Wheatland Heights. Your boy came through. The guy called me late last night and asked if I could come out and give him an estimate this afternoon. He was upset and determined to have me get his house done as soon as possible. Told me money was not an object. You know I told him I’d be there first thing this morning. I just need you to help me measure stuff out, that’s about it,” Jermaine told him. “No manual labor required.”
“Whatever. You still paying me regardless. Like you sa
id, this is a big job.”
“No doubt. You know I got you.”
Toby felt his eyes getting heavy as they got on the Interstate. The weekend traffic was backed up, and he drifted to sleep, knowing it would be at least a thirty-minute drive out into the suburbs. When he woke, they were entering the sprawling neighborhood bearing the sign WELCOME TO WHEATLAND HEIGHTS, HOME OF PRESTIGE. He was amazed by the huge houses sitting on impeccable lawns which seemed to reach for miles. Some of them were surrounded by huge iron gates and circular driveways. Some day, Roni and I will be living like this. He smiled to himself as he admired the landscape.
“Man,” he said as Jermaine turned into the driveway of the house at the far end of a cul-de-sac. There was a BMW, a Lexus, an Expedition, and a Camry parked in front.
“Told you this was a big job. The guy said there’s a lot of new construction in this area and people are looking for security system installation. This may be just the break I been praying for.”
“Then you may be able to hire me part-time and I can get a piece of the action,” Toby said as he got out of the truck.
Jermaine reached into the back and removed a briefcase and small tool bag. They made their way to the front of the house, careful not to step on the landscaped lawn, still damp from the sprinkler located in the center.
Jermaine rang the doorbell then began whistling lightly. Toby smiled slyly, remembering that his best friend always whistled when he was nervous.
“It’s gonna be a’ight, son. This is what you’ve been praying for, remember? You got this.” He nudged his shoulder.
“I know, but it doesn’t make my nerves any easier.” Jermaine laughed.
The door opened and a younger guy wearing glasses greeted them. He was dressed in a plaid shirt, khaki shorts, and leather sandals. He looks like a pharmacist, Toby thought.
“Hello. Jermaine?” He looked at them hesitantly.
“How ya doing, Mr. Winston?” Jermaine extended his hand.
“Please, call me Stanley. Come on in. Glad you could find the place.” He led them inside the massive marble-floored foyer. Sunlight was streaming into the connected living area through the skylights in the vaulted ceiling.
“This is my partner, Tobias Sims.” Jermaine gestured toward Toby.
“Mr. Sims.” The man shook his hand. He was a fair-skinned gentleman with a slight pot belly. Toby could tell he was quite jovial because he kept smiling at them the entire time he talked.
“Call me Toby. This is a beautiful home,” Toby commented.
“Thanks. I’m still trying to furnish it. I’ve only been here about three months. Between work and teaching, I really haven’t had time,” Stanley told them.
“So you teach too?” Jermaine asked.
“Yes, I teach chemistry part-time at the university.”
“Wow, you are busy,” Toby told him.
Stanley gave them a tour of the home, telling them he needed the surveillance and security system installed immediately, and he wanted the top of the line, most extensive system on the market. “Cost is not an issue. I just need it done and done quick.”
Toby looked at Jermaine and smiled. They had to be thinking the same thing.
“Stanley, can I ask you a question? I understand you wanting to protect your home, but you don’t seem like the type of person that would need what you’re asking for. That system is for politicians or even some rap stars.”
“I know what you’re thinking: What is up with this guy? And I feel comfortable enough to share this with you.” The small man looked at them bashfully and said, “This may be hard to believe, but I really don’t meet a lot of women.”
“Really?” Jermaine looked at him like he was surprised by Stanley’s revelation. It took all it could for Toby not to laugh.
“Yeah, believe it or not. A brother is paid, but he can get lonely. I think a lot of women are intimidated by my intelligence.”
“I can see that happening,” Toby agreed.
“Well, in my spare time, I began chatting online to various partners of the opposite sex. Just innocent conversations at first, but some of them actually began to develop into something more. Recently, I took a chance and invited a certain interest to my home to meet face to face.”
“To meet for the first time?” Jermaine asked.
“Stan. You know you’re always supposed to meet in a public place first. You’re smarter than that, man.” Toby shook his head.
“I know, I know. But what can I say, fellas? She had me wide open and there was a lapse in judgment, I guess. Call it temporary mental insanity. Needless to say, when she arrived, I noticed there was something strange about her.”
“Was she ugly, Stan?”
“Naw, she was gorgeous. Beautiful, smart, funny. Everything she seemed to be online, but you know I’m in the medical field, and I pick up on some things. And when I realized what it was, I had to ask him to leave.”
“What!”
“Naw, Stan. Tell me you’re playing!”
“Seriously, guys, I couldn’t believe it myself. Well, he didn’t take it very well, and things around here have been crazy. It’s to the point that I’m being stalked. I gotta get it done. When can you start?”
Jermaine looked at Toby, who gave him a nod. “I’ll order the equipment tonight. We can start getting measurements right now.”
“Fine with me.” Toby shrugged. He should have known that he would be roped into helping Jermaine with the installation. He really didn’t mind because he could use the extra loot.
“Thanks. I really appreciate it. Come on back to my office and I’ll get you a check,” Stanley gushed.
They followed him down the hallway leading toward the back of the home, where they entered a large office. They could hear music and laughter coming from outside, along with water splashing.
“You got a pool?” Toby asked, walking to the window and looking out.
“Yeah, my rowdy brother is here visiting for the weekend. He and his girl must be back there,” Stanley answered, reaching into the large mahogany desk and taking out a checkbook. He sat down and began writing.
Toby saw a man dive into the swimming pool. He came up beside a sexy, bikini-clad woman, sitting poolside, tanning. Her back was toward the house. The guy soon swam nearby and came up from under the water, splashing some on her. She screamed and jumped up, running over to the nearby table and grabbing a towel. She wiped her face then began threatening the culprit. Toby’s heart began pounding as he watched from inside. The Isley Brothers singing “Summer Breeze” faded from the surround-sound speakers.
“I told you I didn’t wanna get my hair wet! You play too much!” she screamed.
“Aw, I ain’t thinking about your hair,” the guy said, walking over and putting his arms around her.
“Get off me! You’re getting me wet!”
“I’m sorry, baby. Do you forgive me?” he asked playfully. The woman turned around and faced him, looking at him tenderly, then kissed him softly on the lips. Toby blinked, wanting it to be a bad dream he was caught in.
“Toby! Man, did you hear anything I just said?”
Jermaine was speaking to him, but Toby couldn’t move. He continued to watch as the couple returned to the pool and sat on the side. The guy was muscular, the same light complexion as Stanley, dressed in a pair of black trunks.
“What’s your brother’s name?” Toby finally spoke.
“Sean. You know him?” Stanley asked, looking up.
“Naw, I was just wondering,” Toby said solemnly. He finally turned and walked away from the window. Jermaine was staring at him.
“What’s going on, T?”
“Nothing,” Toby answered. He was still flabbergasted by what he had just witnessed. He was about to sit down but then walked back over and looked out the window again. Anger began to creep within him as he continued to watch the couple. Her legs were wrapped around his body and they were grinning at each other.
He was so caught up that
he didn’t realize Jermaine was standing next to him, observing as well. “What the—? You gonna go handle this?”
“Handle what?” Stanley asked.
“The measurements,” Toby quickly answered. “Naw, we can get them later. You know we got that other thing to take care of and it’s getting late.”
“Right, right. So, we’ll get started Monday. Is that cool, Stan?” Jermaine asked, picking up his briefcase.
“Sure, Monday’s fine. I appreciate you guys coming out here, especially on a Saturday. But like I said, things have gotten crazy, and it’s imperative that I get it taken care of,” Stanley said as he walked them out.
“Well, see you Monday morning. Will your brother be here?” Toby asked, looking over at Jermaine.
“No. He’s flying out at six o’clock tomorrow.
“All right then, it was nice meeting you,” Jermaine said.
“Nice meeting you. I look forward to doing business with both of you.”
Neither man said anything as they got inside the truck. Jermaine drove in silence for a good fifteen minutes before asking, “You a’ight?”
“Yeah, I’m good.”
“You sure? Because we can go back and handle it if you want.”
“Naw, I’m good. It’s cool,” he answered. His head was throbbing, but the pain was nothing compared to the hurt he felt in his heart. He continued to sit in silence and stare out of the window. It seemed to take forever for them to get to his condo.
“You want me to come in for a while, man?”
“I need some time alone to think. Thanks for offering,” he said when they pulled in front of his townhouse.
The phone was ringing as he walked inside.
“Hello.”
“Hey, baby. What are you doing?”
“Just walking in the door,” he said, going into the kitchen. He opened the refrigerator door, not knowing what he was looking for. He scanned the shelves, suddenly realizing that he was hungry.
“I thought you’d still be ’sleep.”
“Nope, I did some running around with Jermaine. I’m just getting back.” He tried to think of how he would handle this situation without losing his cool. “How’s the conference?”