Second Time Around

by Darrin Lowery

  “No. Actually, I wasn’t.”

  Vaughn continued to type.

  “Why not?”

  He stopped typing. He took his glasses off and placed them on the desk, then leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes and yawned before speaking. He was still in the same clothes he wore to the game.

  “Well, I assumed your girlfriend would tell you. In fact, that was a while ago that they broke up. I assumed that she told you.”

  “And you didn’t bring it up at all this whole time since you’ve known?”

  “Why would I? Again, it’s not my business. Actually, it’s not your business either.”

  “That’s my best friend.”

  “Then be there for your friend. Support her. Her thing . . . their thing . . . has nothing to do with us.”

  Korie fell silent.

  “You’re right,” she said.

  “I know.”

  He continued typing. He hadn’t even looked up from the computer. That response took her by surprise. It reminded her of Darren. That was not a good thing.

  “You know?”

  Now both hands were on Korie’s hips.

  Vaughn laughed.

  “What’s funny?”

  “You are. Look, did you just really want to fight and that’s why you came down here? Or are you upset about what happened with your girlfriend and you need to vent? If so, I have a really good therapist on retainer you can talk to.” Vaughn put his glasses on and went back to working.

  “I don’t believe you think this is funny.”

  “Look, sweetheart, it’s not funny, but your superhero pose right now is. Babe, I have a lot of work to do. I’m sorry about your friend’s situation with Brandon, I truly am. But sweetheart, I’m not your enemy. And I’m not going to argue with you about Brandon and Jayna. In fact, I don’t plan to discuss it at all.”

  “And if I do plan on discussing it?”

  “Then, sweetheart, that is one conversation you will be having by yourself.”

  “Do you think Brandon was right?”

  “Korie . . .”

  “Just answer that for me. Do you think he was right in leaving her?”

  “I do.”

  “Why, if all that was in her past?”

  Vaughn took his glasses back off. He got up and went to the bar in his den and poured himself some bourbon. It was clear that Korie was not going to simply let this go. He stretched before speaking.

  “Okay, look, you really want my opinion?”

  “I do.”

  “You and Jayna, you all are in a different league now with a different set of rules. You all are society women now. Not that you weren’t before, but the social circles you are in now are quite different from the social circles you all are used to. This is a close-knit group. Now how would it look for Brandon to go to, say, this event this weekend, for example and Jayna has slept with twelve of the thirty most prominent men who will be there. She’ll look like a ho. Right or wrong?”

  Korie shrugged.

  “Now here Brandon is walking around town, claiming your girlfriend, telling people how much he loves her, and taking pictures for the press, when he hears from his staff members—his subordinates, mind you—that she has been around. Our lawyers, our public relations people, and many of our consultants, one of which who has slept with Jayna, tell Brandon that she’s bad business or that she’s damaged goods. Mind you, they told him months after he’s been seeing her. It’s pretty hard to bounce back from that when it’s common knowledge that the woman you are telling everyone you love is a whore.”

  “Whore is a bit extreme and if she were a man—”

  “But she’s not. That excuse is not a valid excuse and it has never been. I know what you were going to say. Had she been a man, she would be considered a hero or player, whereas when a woman does the same things as a man she is considered a ho. Well, Korie, I have a few things to say about that. One, she’s not a man, so stop with that. Two, sleeping with a bunch of men makes a woman a ho. Is it right? No. But that’s simply the way things are.”

  “But if men and women are equal—”

  “They’re not, period. There are exceptions to the rule. There are things that some woman can do that men can’t do but if you want the truth, men and women are not equal. You all have your roles and we have ours. In the absence of one, the other sex must fulfill certain duties. But men and women, sweetheart, are by no means equal. We’re stronger, and we have our dominate traits whereas women have their dominate traits. We’re the hunters and you all are the nurturers.”

  Korie was becoming incensed as the argument went forward. She kept telling herself that she opened this door, but she also needed to close it. But she did want to know more about Vaughn, more about who he was, and where their relationship was going, so she left the door open.

  “What type of antiquated bullshit theory is that? Next you are going to tell me that I should be in the kitchen in some damn heels and an apron!”

  “Why do things have to be that extreme? Seriously, why? In fact, why are we arguing about this? We were having no problems until your girlfriend—the ho—called.”

  “The ho?” Korie raised her voice even more.

  “I’m sorry. The whore. Let’s keep it real. That’s what you young people say now, right? I’m quite sure that you were privy to your girlfriend’s sexual escapades. I’m also quite sure that you don’t approve.”

  “I don’t approve, but it’s not my place to judge her. Only God can judge her. Neither you or Brandon have the right to judge her.”

  “You know what? You’re right. I don’t have the right to judge her. She’s not my woman and I’m not sleeping with her, but Brandon has the right to decide not to continue seeing her.”

  “Because of her past?”

  “Because of how her past may affect his future. Their future.”

  “And if I slept with a bunch of men would you feel the same about me? Or would it be okay as long as I stayed in my place as a woman?”

  “Okay, back to that. Maybe I should not have said that men and women are not equal.”

  “You think? So you see that you’re wrong, then. right?”

  “No, I see that’s one opinion I should’ve kept to myself to keep the peace.”

  “So you really feel that way?”

  “I do. But listen; to clarify what I mean, I will say this. Men should respect women. Women should respect themselves. It’s obvious to me that in the case of Jayna, she didn’t respect herself or her body. She put herself at risk. Now, without saying a whole lot, one of the men she slept with has syphilis. It’s in its advanced stages, and he’s had it for years. He had to step down from his post as a CEO at forty-five years of age because the STD damaged his brain. Now, does that mean your girlfriend has syphilis? No. But she put herself at risk. What if it had been AIDS? Your friend, Brandon’s girlfriend, put herself at risk. In turn she could have put him at risk, period. Now back to what I was saying: A man should respect a woman. A man should respect his wife. If that man does not do his part, then the woman should step up and fulfill that role.”

  “And aside from that, you’re saying that a woman shouldn’t do what a man does?”

  “No, what I’m saying is that a woman should fulfill her role, whatever that is. Men and women should have the same goals, not the same roles. In that, I mean that although we may have common goals, we will most likely take different paths. Men and women are different physically, mentally, and spiritually. We are. We’re more aggressive, you all are more subtle. There is strength in both, but we have, in my opinion, two totally different core strengths. We are givers, you are receivers; we’re hunters, you are nurturers; we’re stronger and you all are weaker . . . physically. We should be taking care of you—in our way. You should be taking care of us—in your way. Then together, we should be moving toward that common goal.”

  “Vaughn, there are a lot of weak-ass men out there and there are women who will work circles around some
men and Jayna is a prime example of that.”

  “Okay, that’s fair. In the workplace there are some formidable women out there. I will give you that.”

  “Then that point I just made shoots your argument all to hell.”

  “Maybe, maybe not. Listen. Once upon a time, giraffes had smaller necks. But over time, when food was scarce, their bodies adapted so they could get to the foliage above them. Over time, they did what they had to do to survive and save the species. It’s the same thing with men and women. There are a lot of weak-ass men out there and in order to save the species, women had to step up and fill that void.”

  “And you’re trying to take us back to caveman times?”

  “No, I’m trying to take you back to the way things should be. Korie, if we are a couple and you work, you should work because you want to work, not because you have to work. Korie, you should be taken care of.”

  “Vaughn that’s fine and all, but it sounds like you want me in the kitchen and in the bedroom.”

  “Again sweetheart, I think you’re taking this to the extreme. And by the way, if you were my wife I would want you in the kitchen, and in the bedroom, and raising my kids and working . . . if you want. But don’t get it twisted. I want you in the bedroom because you’re beautiful. I want you in the kitchen because you’re a great cook. I want you raising the babies because if we marry, I want you to raise our children with the best qualities of both of us. I want you teaching them, nurturing them, and you’re the only person aside from me that I want influencing them. By the way, we are not equal. In some ways you are stronger and in some ways I am stronger. That’s what I mean by not equal.”

  “Then that is what you should’ve said in the first place.”

  Korie kissed Vaughn and headed toward the door.

  “You have work to do.”

  Vaughn laughed.

  “Shit, I said that twenty minutes ago.”

  “My bad.” Korie walked away.

  “Korie . . .”

  “Yes?”

  “If you had been with as many men as she had, I would have stopped seeing you too.”

  She let out a sigh.

  “I just don’t think that’s fair.”

  “Life’s not fair.”

  “Okay, then for now, can we agree to disagree?”

  “I can do that. But just one more thing.”

  “What?” Korie thought Vaughn was about to say something insensitive.

  “He was going to marry her. At this event this weekend, he was going to propose. He bought a ring a few months ago. I told him it was premature then, but he was going to ask her to be his wife.”

  Korie stopped and leaned in the doorway.

  “You told him it was premature?”

  “I did.”

  “I thought it was none of your business.”

  “It’s not. But he’s like a son to me. And I want what’s best for him, just like you want the best for your girlfriend.”

  “What if what is best for them is each other? In spite of her past and in spite of his ego, what if she’s what’s best for him?”

  “She’s not. At least, I don’t believe that she is.”

  “What if you’re wrong?”

  “I’m seldom wrong.”

  There was that arrogance again. Korie hated it. What softened her stance was the fact that he even said the word marriage. Although they were arguing, she was under the impression Vaughn did see her as a wife. She also kept telling herself that she started this argument and she needed to finish it. Initially, she felt like she won, but she also couldn’t help thinking that she lost. She decided in her head to call it a draw and simply go to bed.

  “Okay, Vaughn. I’ll let you get back to work. I’m going to go lie down.”

  “Are we cool?”

  “We’re cool.”

  “Can a brother get a kiss?”

  Korie walked over to Vaughn and kissed him. She then retired to bed where all she could think about was Jayna’s loss and Vaughn’s antiquated views. He made some valid points, but she was still not comfortable with the views. She then thought long and hard about their age difference and weighed the pros and cons of their relationship. The good still outweighed the bad, but Korie couldn’t help thinking that the scales might be tipping just a little. More and more she began to see him as a potential husband. She also thought about cutting her losses and breaking up with him before her feelings became even stronger. He was set in his ways and at times he was opinionated, but he was also caring, challenging, and he had a way about him that she was drawn to.

  I need to move in with this man, marry him, or leave him alone altogether. I need to make my mind up and it needs to be soon.

  Chapter Twenty-five

  The Friday before the event, Darren went to the barbershop to get his hair cut. He hadn’t been to the shop in a while since he began dating Karen. He had been going to the same salon that he sent Karen and Jacob to. For this event, he wanted to have his signature look. That meant a bald fade that looked so good; it looked as if it were airbrushed on his head. He also wanted to be edged up with a straight razor. His goatee had to be tight, and he had to look his absolute best for this event. He even went as far as to buy a one-karat diamond earring for the event and a new Movado watch. Darren picked up his purchases before walking into the shop.

  “Whaddup, D?”

  “Hey Gucci, what’s up.”

  “I got you next.”

  As usual there were a lot of women in the shop getting haircuts for their sons. In addition, there were bus drivers, police officers, and a few thugs, all sitting or playing games, waiting on Gucci or one of his barbers to cut their hair. Gucci cut Darren’s hair next.

  “Bald fade, right, D?”

  “Yeah, but this time I need to be edged up with a straight razor and I want my fade to look the same way that Nas’s fade looked in Belly.”

  “I got you.”

  “And edge up my beard too, please.”

  “Man, you must be about to do it big tonight, huh?”

  “Yeah, I got huge plans. I have an event to go to this evening.”

  “Cool. Cool. So where have you been? It’s been a minute since I last cut your hair.”

  “Oh, well, I’ve been around, but you know I moved. I live downtown now, so it’s hard to drive all the way out to the south side.”

  “Oh, okay. I see you’ve been going to one of those salons too, by the way your hair looks.”

  “Yeah, well. Sometimes I just have to go anywhere that’s close. You know some days I get really busy and have to just find the first thing available.”

  Gucci was concerned. A lot of brothers in the hood were no longer going to see the local barber anymore. More and more brothers were going to the beauty salons or getting their hair cut by the Arabs, who had also recently broken into the barber game. Many of the Arab barbers washed and conditioned your hair before cutting it. They also used special oils and massaged the scalp as well as gave you a fade. Many of them made sure that no hair got in the man’s face, and they often used a blow-dryer on a cool setting to make sure that no hair was left on the customer. They did all this and usually for as little as 15 dollars. They also didn’t expect tips. Many were just happy for the business and their customer-service skills were impeccable. Darren had been going to one of these shops on the days that he didn’t go with Karen to the salon.

  “Hey, D. Look, um, have you seen Karen?”

  That made Darren’s heart skip a beat. He didn’t want to mention to Gucci that he had been dating her. Not after all he now knew.

  “Karen? Karen who?” Darren feigned ignorance.

  Gucci whispered in his ear.

  “Special K. She was supposed to be one of your patients, remember?”

  “Oh, you mean the sister you were making fun of that day?”

  “Yeah.”

  Gucci sounded as if he were ashamed of his behavior. “Isn’t she your client?”

  “Oh, no. I referred
her to someone else.”

  “So, have you seen her? I mean at your office—have you seen her?”

  “I think I have seen her once or twice, Gooch, Why?”

  “Just wondering.”

  “Hmm, why?”

  “She stopped coming here. I think we crossed the line and went too far the last time she was here and she stopped coming. She doesn’t bring her son anymore.”

  “Wow. Sorry to hear that. Is business bad?”

  “Nah, business is cool. It’s just that—nothing. Never mind.”

  “O . . . kay. Never mind.”

  Gucci continued to cut Darren’s hair and edged him up properly. As usual guys joked, looked at women’s butts as they left, and they signified and talked about one another like they were out on the streets. Floetry was playing overhead. The song “Getting Late” was blaring over the speakers and as Gucci cut Darren’s hair, it was obvious that there was something pressing on his mind.

  “Gucci, what’s wrong?” Darren whispered.

  As Gucci finished up, he asked Darren to step out in front of the shop.

  “What’s up, Gucci?”

  “I miss her, D.”

  “You miss who?”

  “Karen.”

  Oh shit, Darren thought.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Man, we used to go out. That’s why I clowned her so bad last time she was here. I clowned her because I was ashamed.”

  “Ashamed of what?”

  Darren knew the story, but couldn’t let on to Gucci that he did. He also couldn’t let him know he was sleeping with her, either. It would be like Kobe telling Shaq that he bedded his woman.

  “Look, I used to see her, right? This was back when I was playing ball. She’s an incredible woman and all. I mean, she’s sensitive, she’s smart, she’s hood . . .”

  That’s for sure, Darren thought.

  “. . . and we had a good thing, you know.”

  “So what happened?”

  “I didn’t know she danced. I caught feelings for her and I saw her one night dancing up at the strip club, shaking her ass for all those niggas up in there. Man, I just got pissed. My boys were clowning me and shit so I snapped.”

  “What did you do?”

  “I snatched her off the stage.”