by Ford, Neicey
“What! That’s bullshit!” One guest yelled.
“No, that’s justice,” another replied.
“Hold on. Now, we’re going to continue having a good time. I ask that everyone respect our home and NOT discuss the verdict until you leave here. However, there is one thing I’d like to say and that is – we all have an opinion. It doesn’t mean that you’re right and another person is wrong, it just means that you’re different.”
DJ took a sip from his glass as he struggled to contain his emotions.
Denise smiled at him to let him know she understood.
“Ms. Helen!” Denise yelled. “Come here. There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”
Helen walked over with a somber look on her face. The verdict had shocked everyone. At least those who perceived he was guilty.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“There’s someone I’d like for you to meet. Helen this is…”
“Judy Burns.”
“Helen Spencer…Burns,” she replied with an unpleasant smirk on her face.
“Oh wow! You too already know one another. That’s great.”
“No, Mrs. Chatman. It’s not great. Pardon me.” Helen said excusing herself from the room.
“Umm…”
“It’s a long story honey. Perhaps I can tell you about it another time. I don’t want to spoil your party,” Judy smiled before walking away.
“That was awkward,” Denise spoke aloud.
The party continued on into the early morning hours. Everyone was having such a good time that both Denise and DJ were pleased.
“I’m proud of you.”
“You’re proud of me? Why?”
“Because you can take something small and make it a spectacular event with little effort. You’re the bomb.”
“I don’t think they use that word anymore, hun. I believe the term is shizz now,” Denise admitted.
Keisha laughed as she and Jonas joined the conversation. “I don’t believe they use that word anymore either. You guys should probably stick to the basic terms like: great, awesome, the poo.”
Denise chuckled.
“Well, the party was great, Mr. and Mrs. Chatman. Thank you so much for opening up your home to us. I enjoyed myself.”
“You’re more than welcome, Jonas. You guys be careful going home. It was good seeing you all again.”
“Likewise,” Jonas replied as he waved goodbye.
“They’re a cute couple.”
“They’re not a couple.”
“You can’t be serious. You don’t see that?”
Denise pondered the thought.
“NO! There’s a strict fraternization policy at TIA. They know that.”
DJ nodded. “Yep and I’m sure that’s why they’re trying not to make it so obvious, but I can see right through it. It happens. My advice is to address the both of them with a friendly reminder of the policy and reiterate what has already been communicated.”
“Dag on it!” Denise sighed.
“Okay, D. Looks like everybody has gone so I’m gonna head out too.”
“Alright, dad. Be careful going home and call to let me know you made it in.”
“Thanks for coming, daddy. Hope you had a good time.”
“I had a wonderful time, baby. You kids get some rest and I’ll talk with you tomorrow.”
“Okay, love you man.”
“Love you, too, son.”
“This is going to be hell to clean.”
“Let’s not think about it tonight. We’ll get up early in the morning and get started.”
“Sounds good to me.”
***
Helen sat on a barstool at the kitchen aisle wiping away the tears that began to roll down her cheek.
“Helen, are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” she spoke in a soft whisper.
Denise sat beside her. “May I ask what’s wrong?”
Helen sighed.
Denise took a deep breath. “Does it have anything to do with Mrs. Judy and how you know her?”
“Yes, it has everything to do with her!” Helen snapped. She inhaled deeply and then began. “There was a man whom I loved more than life itself. He was handsome, educated and quite successful. I remembered thinking that if I ever had sons I wanted them to be like him. He treated me like a queen. He would send me roses on my birthday, candy on Valentine’s Day, and would spoil me something terrible on Christmas. I never wanted for anything.”
“Then one day we were in the grocery store and this young lady ran up to him. She called him by the name I used to call him and her eyes lit up when she did. The disturbing part was when her arms wrapped around his neck and her lips pressed against his cheek.”
“Oh no, Helen!”
“Well, he looked like he had seen a ghost. So, while she stood with another lady close by, I inquired about who she was. He smiled and explained that we would talk about it later. Tears welled up in my eyes and I felt my heart break into two as I struggled with how I was feeling. I told my mother what had happened and she was livid. Couldn’t believe it. She cussed and fussed, slammed doors, broke dishes and then she finally cried.”
“Wow, she was more upset than you were.”
“She had every right to be. Well, after the store incident I didn’t see or talk with him for several weeks. So around-about the fourth week I received a phone call. It was the girl from the grocery store. Said her name was Judith and asked how long I’d known Mr. Burns. It upset me so bad that I threw the phone against the wall and watched it shatter into a million pieces. Woo, child. Those were the worse days of my life.”
“Helen, I’m so sorry. Had I known I would’ve never introduced you to her. Well, reintroduced or reacquainted…whatever the right term would be.”
“Me, too, but don’t worry about it. It was bound to happen sooner or later.”
“So, is it Arthur?”
“Arthur?”
“You know, the man whom you both were seeing. Was it Arthur, her husband?”
“No. His name was Samuel Burns. He was…he was our father.”
***
“I can’t believe it!”
“Neither could I. I sat there in shock for about five minutes with my jaw dropped and my mouth wide open.”
“I wonder why she never said anything about having a sister.”
“I’ll tell you why. She said that she never acknowledged Judy as being her sister, but she did acknowledge her as being his daughter. Helen’s parents divorced shortly after that. Her father moved in with Judy and her mom and Helen didn’t hear much from him after that.”
“So, where’s her mother?”
“Her mother died at 75 – bitter and alone.”
“Damn. That had to be hard as a child.”
“Yeah, I couldn’t imagine. But what was harder than that, she said, was watching her mother battle with bouts of depression. Some day’s Helen would go hungry because her mother lay in the bed, crying and begging God to take her out of her misery.”
“This has to be awkward for you as well.”
“It is because when I see Mrs. Judy I’m not going to know what to say.”
“Just listen. Sometimes in listening you’ll be prompted with what to say or what not to say.”
Denise shook her head.
“On another note, service was good today. It was good seeing all those youth confess their lives to Christ.”
“That was definitely a blessing. My heart went out to all of them.” She paused. “The other night when Helen announced the verdict of the trial I waited for your response and when you didn’t I was relieved. However, I could see in your eyes that you were really bothered by it. Shoot, I was too, even though I tried to hide my emotions. All I kept thinking was it could have been one of our sons.”
“Thank God it wasn’t,” DJ replied.
“I pray daily for God to keep them safe.”
“And He will. Sometimes they wander and get off God’s path, but that’s w
here we come in as parents and the church community. It takes a village to raise a child.”
“Yeah, but sometimes it’s the village people you have to be suspect of because while it takes a village to raise a child – who raises the village?”
CHAPTER NINE
“Mrs. Chatman, you all’s party was great. We had an amazing time.”
“Thank you, Keisha. We’ll have to talk about this “we” later, okay?”
Keisha swallowed hard. “Um, sure. Okay.”
“Is my calendar updated?”
“It is. You only have a couple of appointments and I believe they’re phone conferences.”
“Thank you. I’ll be in my office if you need me.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Denise placed her purse in her side drawer, stood and looked out the window admiring the view.
Lord, you know the desires of my heart. You’ve answered me before so I know you’ll answer me again. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
“Mrs. Chatman, you have a call on line two.”
Denise sat down and pressed the speaker button as she answered line two.
“Denise Chatman.”
“I love the way you answer the phone. Actually, to be more specific, I love hearing the way my last name rolls off your tongue. That’s so freakin’ sexy.”
Denise laughed. “Hey, you. Are you at work yet?”
“I am. I’m sitting here turning on my stuff and waiting for Bree to come in.”
“Oh, Bree’s coming in?”
“Yeah, she has a new song she wants to record.”
“Umm, hmm. Okay, well sounds like fun.”
“It’s not fun. It’s work.”
“Call it whatever you want. Hey, I really need to get back to work. I’ll call you when I take a break.”
“For real?”
“For real, what?”
“Nothing. I’ll talk to you later.”
Denise sat back in her chair as she pictured Bree in the studio…with DJ…alone. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust DJ, but she didn’t put anything pass women. Bree was a singer who was looking for her “big break.” She was introduced to DJ through a mutual friend. She was petite, young and beautiful.
Psspt, I’m not jealous. I’m human, Denise thought to herself. The vibration of her phone diverted her attention. She opened her desk drawer and retrieved it from her purse.
Not sure if I told you before hanging up, but I love
you and I’m in love with you. Thank you for walking
by my side and committing your love and faithfulness
to me. I’m experiencing joy beyond words in this union
of you, I & God. Again, I thank you & lift you up in
prayer for life. I love you my good and lovely wife.
Truly Yours…DJ
“Now, how am I supposed to be mad when you send text messages like this?” She asked, talking to herself. She began her reply:
I love you too.
She swiveled back in forth in her chair. “I hate feelings!”
***
“Let’s stack that, Bree.”
“A’ight,” she replied from the sound booth.
DJ looked down at his phone and smiled at old text messages between Denise and him. He knew he couldn’t control the way she felt, but he also knew he couldn’t let her entertain the thoughts in her mind too long. It wouldn’t be good for either one of them.
“How’d that sound?”
“It was cool. You ready to do some ad libs then we can call it a rap?”
“Sure. You gonna run it back?”
DJ shook his head. “From the top.”
Once Bree was done with her session, she listened to the track, thanked DJ and then left.
He navigated between programs lining up songs and preparing for his upcoming show.
Ring Ring
“TIA Enterprises, DJ speaking.”
“Mr. Chatman, how are you?”
“I’m good. May I ask whom I’m speaking to?”
“This is Mrs. Scott from Quest. How’ve you been?”
“Mrs. Scott, I’ve been great. How ‘bout yourself?”
“I can’t complain. Let me tell you why I’m calling, DJ. I had a meeting last week with a couple other execs to discuss your business proposal and portfolio. We loved them both and agreed that you’d be a wonderful addition to the label. With that being said, I’d like to make you an offer to join the Quest family. Everything we discussed in our initial meeting; the salary, the job description, etc. is set. Are you still interested?”
“Are you kidding me? DJ smiled. “Absolutely.”
“Good. We’re glad you haven’t changed your mind or received another offer. One last thing. Unfortunately, I’m not going to be able to sign either of the artists at this time. However, Kane and Roe did a collabo that was sick. We’d like to purchase it.”
“I truly understand. I thank you for taking the time to listen to and even consider them. There’s still something to be grateful about…you want to purchase their track. ”
“You’re such a positive soul. I can tell you’re the glass half full type guy. That’s a wonderful outlook for life.”
“It’s the only outlook I can afford to have.”
“I know that’s right. Well, I emailed you our offer for the track. Check it out and let me know your thoughts.”
“Wow! Okay, sounds good.”
“Also, when are you available to fly back to New York?”
***
“Denise!”
“WHAT?” She asked as she entered the kitchen.
“Baby,” he said pulling her into his arms. He kissed her on the forehead before revealing the flowers hidden behind his back.
“Awww…lilies. They’re beautiful.”
DJ smiled. “You need to know that there’s no one in the world I want to be with more than you. You are my world and I’d never do anything to jeopardize what we have.”
“DJ, I know. I hate that I have jealous moments. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and I trust you with my heart.”
He smiled then pulled two barstools from the kitchen aisle.
“Sit, please.”
Denise placed the flowers down before taking a seat.
“I have great news. I got the call today.”
“You got the call?”
DJ sighed.
“You got the call!” Denise screamed. “Oh my God, baby. That’s great! Tell me about it. What did she say?
“You are now looking at the A&R for Quest Records.”
“Shut up! DJ, congratulations! So, what about Roe and Kane?”
“Well, they didn’t sign them.”
“Aww, man.”
“It’s okay. They’ll be straight.”
“How so?”
“Quest wants to buy the track.”
“Shut the back door! Are you serious?”
He nodded. “Looks like more prayers have been answered.”
“I see. Have you called Kane?”
“No, not yet. I had to share it with my partner first. I couldn’t wait to get home.”
“I love being your partner. Guess there’s a celebration in order. Where do you wanna go?”
“Upstairs.”
“Upstairs?”
He nodded.
“You sure?”
He nodded again.
“I think I can do that.” Denise looked at her watch. “Shall we meet in about fifteen minutes?”
“Synchronize watches.”
“You’re such a comedian. Don’t be late.”
He nodded before leaving the kitchen. DJ pulled his cellphone out of his pocket.
“Kane, it’s D. Call me when you get this message.”
***
“Good morning, handsome,” Denise said kissing DJ on the forehead.
“What time is it?”
“Time for you to get up. Breakfast is in the microwave and coffee is brewed. Thanks for last night.”
He snickered. “You’re welcome. Do you have a busy day today?”
“Today I’m meeting with Ted and the models. I’m ready to get the ball rolling on the show.”
“Oh, shoot. Speaking of show we really need to talk discuss and meet with Belma regarding the movie deal.”
“Can we do that this evening when we get home?”
“Sure. Will you check your calendar and let me know if you’re available Wednesday for a quick meeting with him?”
Denise unlocked her iPhone.
“I don’t have anything for Wednesday.”
“I’ll call him once I get moving and confirm Wednesday as the day. I believe I already told him we could then.”
“Sounds good, babe. Okay, I have to go. I love you and call me when you get a chance. Be careful.”
She kissed him softly on the lips.
***
“Good morning, Keisha. How was your weekend?”
“Good morning, Mrs. Chatman. The weekend was really good. Very much needed.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Has Ted called?”
“Yes, he did. He wanted to know if you were available around two.”
“Two?”
Keisha shook her head.
“Okay, call him and confirm. Reserve the conference room on two. Also, can you have Jonas meet me in the office in fifteen minutes? Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
Keisha dialed the extension on her keypad.
“This is Jonas.”
“Jonas, Mrs. Chatman wants to see you in her office in fifteen minutes.”
“Um, okay. Did she say what it was about?”
“No.”
He sighed deeply. “Thanks.”
Denise logged into her computer and waited for the programs to open.
Knock Knock
“Come in.”
“Hello there, beautiful.”
“Hello to you. Come in and have a seat,” Denise said pointing to the chair in front of her desk.
“I can’t stay long. I have work to do.”
“Of course,” Denise smiled.
“How’d the party end?”
“It was great. I’m so glad you were able to come.”
“I told Arthur how nice it was.”
“It’s too bad he had to miss it. Is he feeling better?”
“He’s doing well. He’ll be up and driving me crazy in no time.”