“No, Alex took us on a tour of sorts in Hammond. We got him to take us by our houses, and, of course, Wal-Mart. The grocery store was crowded with it being Saturday evening,” Raquel said.
“I guess we’re going to head out.” Carson stood up. “Ladies, it was nice meeting you. Mariah, I’ll see you tomorrow at seven.”
“Yeah, it was a cool meeting you. Welcome to Hammond,” Alex said. “I’m sure you’re going to like living here. Hammond is a nice town.”
The pair talked while Mariah, Carson, and Sonyell continued to chat a few more minutes. When the conversation ended, Sonyell turned to her daughter and said, “Sasha, why don’t you help me put up the groceries? Then you can get ready for bed.”
“Mommy, it’s not that late,” Sasha complained. “Why do I have to get ready for bed so early?”
Sonyell looked pointedly toward the kitchen. “It’s not up for discussion. Now, young lady. Carson, it was a pleasure meeting you. I hope we’ll be seeing a lot of you in the future.”
“That’s my hope too.” Carson’s eyes darted to Mariah.
Mariah shrugged her shoulders helplessly.
Sonyell and Sasha walked into the kitchen.
“Well, I know you have things to do. If you need me or Alex to help with anything, just let me know. I’m looking forward to our date tomorrow evening.” Carson’s voice seemed to caress the word “date.”
A shiver crawled up Mariah’s spine. She didn’t trust herself to speak and merely nodded.
The pair walked outside. Alex and Raquel stood near the glider engrossed in animated conversation.
Alex whispered in Raquel’s ear. She threw back her head and laughed. After telling Mariah good night, he and Carson departed.
Mariah and Raquel waved at the men, and then went back inside the house.
Sasha had cleared the dining room table. She was now taking a bath in the Jacuzzi tub upstairs. Sonyell had loaded the dishwasher. She walked into the living room and found her friends sitting on the sofa. “Looks like both y’all got your groove on,” she teased her friends.
Mariah looked down and flexed her fingernails. “I don’t know what you talking ’bout,” she said innocently.
“Well, I do and Alex has potential,” Raquel said bluntly. “It’s not like Hammond’s got a nightlife like Chicago. So if I can find someone to spend time with, I’m game.”
“You’re always game.” Sonyell shook her head.
“Hey, I always say, don’t knock it until you try it. If you weren’t so Ms. Devoted To Your Baby Daddy, we could hook a sista up.” Then Raquel turned her attention to Mariah. “So, Ms. Mari, Carson is one fine man. Let me say that again, super fine. Now what you gonna do with all that man?”
“That’s what I want to know,” Sonyell chimed in. She and Raquel exchanged high fives.
Mariah opened her mouth and closed it. “Hold that thought.” She went to the kitchen and returned with a bottle of wine and three goblets in hand. “Now, what were you saying?”
Chapter Twelve
After leaving Mariah’s house, Alex and Carson decided to stop at Pepi’s Mexican Restaurant for a beer before calling it a night. The crowd was sparse. Old school R&B music flowed from the speakers. The Temptations song “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” wafted in the air. The men sat at the bar. Within a few minutes the bartender wiped the area dry in front of them. He set two bottles of Heineken on top of the bar. Carson took a ten dollar bill out of his wallet and laid it on the bar.
Alex held up his bottle. “Here’s to looking out for a brother. I tell you Rocki is a real firecracker. It bet it won’t be a dull day once she moves to Hammond.”
Carson clinked bottles with Alex’s. “Yeah, I can see the potential there.” He laughed.
“I can see you have eyes for Mariah. Sonni is real easy on the eyes, too. Too bad she isn’t available.” Alex turned up the bottle and took a deep gulp. He set the bottle back on the bar.
“You’re right.” Carson nodded enthusiastically. “I am feeling Mariah. Fate brought us together that night.” He smiled smugly and rested his folded arms on top of the bar.
“You know I’m all for love and the pain and pleasure it could bring, but Lola, remember her,” Alex said candidly, “your hot-tempered Latina ex-wife. She is never going to let you be. You and I both know that,” Alex told his buddy candidly. “She has always managed to mess up your relationships.”
“I’ll admit,” Carson replied nonchalantly, “that she’s caused me grief in the relationship department in the past. But, maybe, I just hadn’t found the right woman who would give me incentive to put my foot down and get Lola off my back. Who knows? Perhaps Mariah is the one. Only time will tell.”
“Ms. Lady didn’t seem too happy to find out you had children and an ex. I don’t know, bro. . . .”
“She just has to get to know me; as my mother says, to know me is to love me,” Carson retorted.
Alex snickered. “And Lola did just that. She came, she loved, and never left.”
Carson was a little stung by Alex’s comments, but he knew they were true. His cell phone chimed, indicating he had a text message. Carson scanned the message quickly: Cn u call me shanti refuses to go to bed til she tlks to u. Carson stood up and told his friend, “I’ll be back in a moment.”
Alex could tell from Carson’s beleaguered expression that Lola had sent him a text. “I rest my case.” He held up his hand and motioned for the bartender to bring him a refill.
Carson walked outside, and quickly dialed a number, but not his ex-wife’s. “Hey, Ali, how are you and your sister doing?”
“We’re good, Daddy. How are you?” Aaliyah asked her father. She and her sister were lying on their stomachs on the floor in the den, watching an episode of Everybody Hates Chris on Nick at Nite.
“Just checking. What’s your sister doing?”
“Eating some popcorn and laughing at Chris. We’re watching TV.” The girl laughed and Carson could hear Ashanti’s high-pitched laughter in the background.
“Be good. Let me speak to Shanti,” Carson requested. He told his youngest daughter he loved her, made a kissing sound, and told her good night.
The younger girl handed the cell phone back to her sister. He then told Ali the same thing. Carson told the girls he would see them Monday morning when he took them to school.
Carson’s lips tightened when he closed the phone. He returned to the bar and sat beside Alex.
“Is everything all right on the Western Front?” Alex asked his friend curiously.
“Everything is fine. One thing I’ve learned is that you have to stay one step ahead in the game and be mentally prepared for anything.”
“Come again?”
“Lola texted me saying Shanti wouldn’t go to sleep until she talked to me. In reality, Lola wanted to talk to me. I bought Ali a cell phone a few months ago, and told her it’s for her and her sister to call me when they need me.”
Alex guffawed. “Oh, you busted Lola, did you? The Queen Bee is not going to be pleased with your move.” He took a swig of beer.
Carson picked up his bottle and did likewise. “She’ll learn to live with it.”
“So tell me . . .” Alex’s expression became serious. “Are you digging Mariah because you know sister’s got a lot of money? We all know Mr. E was loaded.”
A look of disdain crossed Carson’s face. “We’ve known each other since we were in fifth grade, and you have the audacity to ask me that question? I haven’t even known Mariah that long, but I like what I see. She seems to be good people, and I’d like to know her better. Mr. E was good to me, actually, both of us. If I can help his daughter out why not? She doesn’t know a soul here.”
“Hey, you don’t have to convince me. You’re right, I do know you. I was just messing with you,” Alex apologized. He looked chastened.
“I know the fact that she has money might come between us. Still, I’m hoping she’ll get to know me and know that I would never date a woman f
or money. I’m not that hard up. And I respect women too much for that.”
“My bad, you know my mouth is faster than my brain sometimes.”
“You’re right about that. Look, I think I’m going to call it a night. I’m going to church with my moms in the morning; I haven’t been in a few weeks. If you miss going to church one Sunday, she says you’re backsliding.” Carson threw another five on the bar. “I’ll holler at you later, man.”
“Take it easy, bro, and thanks for hooking a brother up. Rocki gave me her digits and I think I’m going use them soon. I’ma finish this bottle, then I’m gonna head home too.”
“I heard that. It’s been a long day and I have a million things to do tomorrow. Later.”
Carson walked out of the restaurant to his truck. As he drove home he couldn’t help but wonder what Mariah really thought of him. He knew that he was impressed with her. Carson hoped the feeling was mutual.
Had Carson been a fly on the wall he would have learned the answer to that burning question and more.
When Mariah returned to the living room, she told her friends, “Who says I have to do anything? Carson and I are friends, nothing more.” Mariah opened the wine with the corkscrew and poured a small amount into each goblet.
“Stop fronting, Mari,” Raquel told her friend skeptically. “If you hadn’t seen him first, I wouldn’t mind jumping his bones myself. Don’t act like you’re immune to his looks and charm.”
Mariah couldn’t believe what her friend had said. She also didn’t like Raquel’s comment that she would sleep with Carson. The green-eyed monster had reared its ugly head.
Sonyell could tell by Mariah’s drawn expression that her friend didn’t appreciate Raquel’s comment. “Well, it’s a good thing he didn’t see you first, or he’d have found out how nasty you can be at times. I think it’s a good thing that Carson is interested in Mari. I just told her she needs to settle down with a man.”
“I’m not nasty. I’m a woman with needs, and when I feel the need I do what I can to scratch that itch. That’s more than I can say about either one of you,” Raquel shot back.
“Whoa, let’s not let things get out of hand here. We’re celebrating Mari’s moving.” Sonyell took the high road with Raquel. Both she and Mari knew their friend could be impulsive. She also had a tendency to speak her mind without realizing how negatively her words could impact others.
“No harm,” Mariah said, following Sonyell’s lead. “And here I was ready to confess my deepest desires to my friends, and let you in on how I really feel about Carson Palmer.” She smiled mysteriously and then sipped her wine.
“I’m going to check on Sasha, and then I’ll be back. Don’t spill the beans until I return,” Sonyell warned Mariah.
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Mariah reassured Sonyell.
“Look, if I was out of line by saying I would jump Carson’s bones, I was keeping it real. He’s a fine man. But I also remember our rule, no messing around with each other’s men, so I would never act upon it.” Raquel tried to apologize in her inept way.
“Don’t think I don’t know. We played that game back in eighth grade. You haven’t slipped since then. So don’t even try it now,” Mariah joked.
Raquel realized Mariah was serious and regretted her comments.
Sonyell returned ten minutes later. “Sasha is asleep. I pulled the door up, so now we can share grown-up talk.” She sat on the recliner. “I think I’m going to sleep here tonight.”
“My old bedroom set is set up in the guest bedroom. I had to bring something from home with me. You’re welcome to sleep there. I can bunk out with Sasha. She doesn’t take up much room.”
Sonyell settled into the buttery chair. “So, tell us for real, Mari, what do you think of Carson?” Sonyell questioned her friend.
“So far Mr. Palmer is like a breath of fresh air after all my past failed relationships. I enjoy his conversation. He seems caring. We know he’s gallant because he helped me out the other night. He’s definitely easy on the eyes. But . . .”
“But what?” Raquel interjected. “Shoot, he sounds like a winner to me. He owns his own business. What more do you need?” She stared at her friend incredulously.
“Let her talk,” Sonyell urged Raquel.
“Well, he’s divorced and has not one”—she held up her fingers—“but two daughters. You know my second rule.”
“We do.” Raquel rolled her eyes and nodded. “Never to get involved with a man with children.”
“And who can forget your first one: never—I repeat, never—get involved with a married man,” Sonyell said wryly.
“I have issues with children, not so much the kids themselves, but those exes who will be there ’til death do us part. I also had a feeling Carson wasn’t being quite honest with us when he said his ex is a thing of the past.”
“I have to agree with you.” Raquel shook her head. “Who in their right mind would give all that up?”
The women laughed. Mariah said soberly, “I don’t know. I like him, but I don’t want to deal with the drama.”
“Maybe it won’t be any,” Sonyell suggested. She crossed her legs comfortably.
“Humph, don’t believe that. It never seems to work that way, especially where children are concerned. Some women will never give up. Can you really blame her?” Raquel said. “I’m sorry.”
“I’d like to add my opinion.” Sonyell held up her hand. “It takes a real woman to stand her ground and let another woman know that her man is hands off bounds.” She looked at Raquel. “And, that includes you, Rocki. If you love a man, then you fight for him with all your might. Eventually the competition will get the message.”
Raquel looked up and shook her head. She replied dryly, “And this from the woman whose man is in the joint more than he’s out. You know you can do better than Michael. What are you afraid of?”
“I am not afraid of anything or anyone. I do get tired of you mouthing off about Michael. He has issues, I admit, but I believe a person can change if he or she wants to. I see signs of change in Michael. He is my daughter’s father and I owe it to her and to me to establish a life with him, if he’s changed.”
“How many times have we heard that?” Raquel threw in. “Just how many chances are you going to give him? You’re a college-educated sister, with a fabulous job. You own a home and you want to settle for a con? I don’t understand you.”
“Maybe my situation is not for you to understand,” Sonyell said hotly. A glint of annoyance filled her face. “Nobody made you the know all, be all of relationships. You’ve just had more relationships than the two of us put together.” She snickered as she pointed to herself and Mariah. “What have you accomplished with the men in your life? Sometimes you change men like you do like sheets. Don’t criticize my life and I’ll do the same for you.”
“Now that was low,” Raquel volleyed back. “I’m just trying to find Mr. Right. I have to take my time and sample all the goodies.”
Michael was a bone of contention between Raquel and Sonyell. Sonyell stayed on the defensive regarding her man. Not only to Raquel but to some of her family members as well. Raquel always felt Michael was beneath Sonyell, whereas Mariah was more accepting of her friend’s situation. She had a feeling this time, that if Michael reverted to his criminal ways, then Sonyell would probably move on. Sasha was growing up, and Sonyell was concerned about the example she was setting for her daughter.
“You know I only want the best for you,” Raquel finally said awkwardly. “I didn’t mean any harm. I’m sorry.”
“Apology accepted. You do you and let me do me, and we’ll be fine.” Sonyell changed the subject. “Did you like Alex? Or were you just toying with a brother?”
“He’s not Carson, by any stretch of the imagination. He seems to be a good guy, he makes me laugh. I plan on seeing him again. In fact,” Raquel said slyly, “I asked him to help us move next weekend. You can never have enough manpower. I also gave him my number.”
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br /> “You really don’t waste any time do you?” Sonyell said half jokingly.
“Don’t you two ever listen to me when I say life is short? You got to go for what you want.”
“Remind us never to get in your way.” Sonyell shook her head.
“You two don’t count. But on the real, I like him. I’m not trying to settle down or anything. We’ll see what comes of it.”
“Good. Then I’d say today was a good day.” Sonyell nodded and raised her glass. “We got Mari moved to Hammond. She’s ready to embark on new career goals, and she found a man to boot. Life doesn’t get any better.”
The friends changed into their nightclothes and talked into the wee hours of the night. Mariah was the last to fall asleep. Her last conscious thought was, Raquel had better stay away from Carson. Shivers tingled up and down her spine as she speculated on her date with Carson the following evening.
Chapter Thirteen
Church services were coming to a conclusion at the St. Mark AME Church located on Field Street in Hammond. As Carson and the ushers, clad in uniform dark suits with white shirts and blouses, opened the exit doors to the church, the congregation sang in harmony “God Be With You.” After the organist struck the final chord, the members streamed out of the church.
Carson whispered to his mother that he planned to stay late and speak to Reverend Cambridge. After that he would stop by his parents’ house. The ushers busily collected the hymnals left on the church pews, and put them back into their slots on the back of the pews. Carson dimmed the lights in the sanctuary. He glanced at his watch and hurried to his minister’s office.
Reverend Cambridge, a brown-skinned, burly man with salt-and-pepper gray hair and the same colored beard had just finished changing from his robe to his suit. He was tying his tie when Carson knocked on the door.
“Come in,” Reverend Cambridge said. He sat down at his untidy desk after he and Carson shook hands.
“Thanks for seeing me,” Carson said after he sat in the chair across from the minister. “Pastor, I wanted to talk to you. Brother Ellison’s daughter has moved to Hammond. She is on a mission to learn about her father. I feel torn because a part of me wants to tell her everything I know. As fate or maybe divine intervention would have it, she had car issues. I was able to help her get home. We ended up talking. She moved to Hammond to Brother Ellison’s house yesterday,” Carson explained.
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