Weeks had passed, and Van’s strength was already back to around 80%. The only time Q left her side was when duty was called by his son. They spent a lot of quality time together. Sometimes he would bring little Gerard with him to the hospital.
Naturally, Tee was still visibly upset, but her complaints seemed to fall upon deaf ears, as Q saw to Van’s every need. Her only comfort came from the certainty of knowing that if she was in Van’s situation, Q would be there for her the exact same way…wholeheartedly.
She remembered how he was so protective over her when she went through her rape. Even after the physical scars had healed, Q would stay over all night, holding her until she fell asleep. But she also remembered that he would always leave to make sure that Van was ok. She felt like she wasn't getting that same respect.
__________
Van sat up in bed, watching Q as he prepared her small wheelchair for the task at hand. He guided it to her bedside. Today would be Van's first try at walking on her own. She had already taken a couple of steps with assistance from Q and the medical staff. But today, it would all be on her, if she wanted to prove that she was finally able to go home.
“Well Shawty, you ready?” Q asked.
Van smiled before answering.
“I’ve been ready, Quentel.”
“You sure you don’t want to wait for your mother to get here?”
“Nooooo Quentel, could we please just go?” Van answered while throwing both hands up in frustration.
“Alright love, calm down. We’re going,” Q teased her.
“That’s it baby,” Q said edging Van on, once they were inside the rehabilitation room.
She’d taken only a few baby steps, before nearly collapsing into Q’s arms from exhaustion.
“Alright Van, that’s enough,” Q said, attempting to sit her back into her wheelchair.
“No,” Van demurred with determination ringing in her voice.
“Baby, the Doc said that you shouldn’t overdo it,” Q stressed.
“I’m ready to get outta this damn chair, Quentel! I’m ready to get outta this fuckin hospital!” she continued screaming. “And I’m also ready to go home to my own house, Quentel. Now move!!!” She ordered him, then grabbed the support railing on each side of her and pulled herself back to a standing position.
With a determined look in her eyes, she began to slowly take small steps, each one larger, as she moved forward. With a killer’s instinct Van released both of the rails and balanced her own weight. She slowed down, but only momentarily, then continued to walk on her own. Van could feel the strain of the energy being pulled from her body. Physically, she wanted to stop, but her heart wouldn't let her. Q smiled, and encouraged her to keep going.
“That’s it Van. That’s it ma, keep walking, you can do it. You’re almost there Shawty. Just a couple more steps.”
Van’s body was really beginning to tremble and her feet felt like 500-pound weights. But she kept pushing her body until finally it gave in. Her bowels had broken and Van could feel the waste of the meal she had consumed earlier, running down her legs and buttocks. She took one more step and fell into Q's outstretched arms.
Q grabbed her small body and lifted her up into his 6’4” frame. He held her like a small child as she cried into his shoulder. He snatched a sheet and placed it over and behind Van's back. As he carried her back to her room, Van was crying uncontrollably. When he reached room 704, he pushed the door open with his size thirteen shoe. Q made his way to the bathroom. He held Van with one arm and turned on the water of the shower with the other. He removed the soiled hospital gown, while still keeping Van in his arms.
“Baby I can take it from here, I don't want you seeing me like this” Van spoke through her tears.
Q ignored her and stuck his hand underneath the running shower to see if the temperature was ok.
“I'm serious Quentel. I have shit all over me and —”
Q looked Van in her tear filled eyes “Shawty hush, I would stand in ten tubs of shit for you!”
Q stepped in the shower with all his clothes on and Van in his arms.
Chapter Thirteen
“Girls Night Out”
“I don’t feel like it Elbony,” Tee complained.
“Why not, Tee?”
“Because, I have work to do, that’s why.”
“Tashonda Davis,” Terri said her name sternly. “You have been in this damn salon for the past two months, day and night.”
“It’s my job, and besides I have to look after you two sluts,” Tee responded looking in Terri and Elbony's direction.
“Funny, Tee, very funny.”
“Thank you,” she said, continuing to tease both of them.
“I’m serious, Tee. You need a break.”
“We all need a break,” Elbony added.
“But Terri, I —”
“Stop! I’m not hearing any of it,” Terri interrupted her.
“Look Terri... I mean El.... well both of ya’ll! You know I have appointments scheduled for tomorrow and Saturday.”
“No, you do not!” Elbony said.
“Excuse me?”
Elbony turned a set of puppy eyes towards Terri, as if asking her for help.
“We canceled all appointments for this weekend, Tee. I...”
“You did what!” Tee yelled out in frustration. “Why would you do something like that without my consent Terri?”
“Look Tee, I’m sorry. I just thought it would...” she paused, then continued. “We just felt like you needed a break from all the drama that’s —”
“What drama are you referring to Terri?” She asked, already knowing she was talking about her and Q's dilemma.
With a sympathetic look, Terri gave a heavy sigh before responding.
“Like I said, Tee, me and Elbony are sorry about canceling the appointments without your consent. We just figured you could use a break, that’s all. I’ll call right now and reschedule all of them.” She finally said in a defeated tone.
She walked back to her workstation with Elbony in tow close behind. Tee knew that her two best friends were trying to look out for her, and she immediately felt bad for hurting their feelings. They were right; she did need a break from all the bullshit. Maybe I should let my hair down, but God, I miss him something terrible.
“Terri wait. Wait just a minute.”
“What is it now, Tee?” Terri asked, not wanting to be chewed out again.
Tee sensed what was on her mind and smiled.
“What’s so funny Tee?” she asked
“You are, both of you are. Now what time is this game supposed to take place? And who are they playing, anyway?”
Terri was about to answer when Tee held up her index finger and continued.
“And please tell me that you guys didn’t waste your money on nose bleed seats.” She questioned and complained at the same time.
“Well the game is tomorrow at 7:00, Tee.”
“Who are they playing?” Tee asked again, knowing the crowd would most likely be very thin if they weren’t playing anybody with a better than five hundred record. The Charlotte Bobcats were in the middle of the worst year in franchise history.
“They’re playing the Lakers.”
“The Lakers!” Tee screamed.
“Yes the L.A. Lakers,” Terri repeated knowing they were Tee’s favorite team.
Before Tee could respond, Terri spoke again.
“There’s one more thing.”
“What else can there be?” Tee asked through her excitement.
“We have front row seats, and...” she paused like she was about to make a bid on a big time game show. “And, we have VIP passes at the EpiCentre for the after party.
“Yes... yes... yesssssssss!!!” Tee screamed, before running over and embracing her two best friends.
__________
Tee, Elbony, and Terri cheered for the L.A. Lakers while her good friend Lauren from her college days, and her friend Jas cheered for their
hometown team the Charlotte Bobcats. At one point, the ball was thrown out of bounds in their direction and Kobe Bryant dove for the loose ball and ended up in Tees lap, spilling her Hurricane drink all over the place.
“Are you okay?” he asked in his deep baritone voice as he pulled himself out of her soft lap.
“I’m fine,” Tee answered, somewhat star struck.
“Cool,” he said with a smile. “Well, I’ve got some unfinished business.”
“Kobe.”
He turned his attention back to her once more.
“Yeah?” he answered.
“You owe me a drink!” Tee shouted
Kobe smiled then answered.
“Would an autograph cover my bill?”
“Of course it would,” Tee answered.
“See you after the game.”
Tee nodded.
“Damn gurl. I wish he would've fallen in my lap and spilled my drink now,” Lauren complained.
“Hey Kobe. Over here! Could you please give us an instant replay?” She shouted, causing the other girls to burst out in laughter.
After the game, true to his word, Kobe Bryant gave his post-game interview, then walked directly over to Tee and rest of girls.
“Did you all enjoy the game?” he asked.
“Well, I did, but they were all rooting for the other team,” Tee said.
“Really?” he asked looking at all of them
“I... I mean we don’t know what she’s talking about,” Lauren said, feigning innocence.
Lauren was about to say something, but Kobe spoke first.
“It’s cool that they like their home team. I get that all the time.”
He looked at Tee, then smiled. “Do you have a pen?” he asked.
“Sure,” she answered. Tee dug into her purse and passed him a Sharpie.
Then, unexpectedly, Kobe pulled his jersey up and over his head. He scrawled his signature on it, then handed it to Tee.
“This is for you. Aah…what’s your name?
“It’s Tashonda.”
“Well it was nice meeting you, Tashonda. I hope this will make up for the spilled drink.”
“Oh that’s so sweet of you, Kobe,” Tee said as she took the sweat laden Jersey from him.
Kobe nodded. “No problem lady.”
He gave her a wink and a smile.
“Take care,” he said, before disappearing through the thick crowd.
“Whew!” all the other girls said, while pretending to fan themselves.
“Gurl, I’m dripping wet!” Elbony shouted.
“Dripping wet... is that all, bitch? I’m leaking all over this damn chair,” Terri said.
“Did you see his body, all those sexy ass tattoos?” Lauren asked Tee.
“Yes, I saw them,” she answered, nonchalantly.
“What’s the matter wit chu gurl?”
“You still having baby-daddy drama?” her friend Lauren, asked.
“I don’t have a baby-daddy Lauren. My child has a father.” Tee stated.
“Excuse me for asking,” Lauren said
“Oh it’s okay, Lauren. Quentel is the farthest thing from my mind right now!
Later that night, they found themselves in the middle of a jam packed after party which was being held at the EpiCentre across the street from the Bobcats arena.
They all danced the night away with the many celebrities inside the club. It seemed as if the entire Bobcats team was in the building. Lauren and Tee were sitting at their table, sipping on their drinks while laughing at the other girls getting their groove on, when they were interrupted.
“Would you like to dance?” Someone asked in a deep voice.
They both turned and it seemed as if they had to look straight up to find the face from which the words came.
“Excuse me?” Lauren said
“I asked if your friend would do me the honor, and allow me the opportunity of a dance.”
“Oh…I…I’m sorry but —”
“She will be more than happy to,” Lauren cut in.
“Lauren, I’m perfectly capable of speaking for myself”
“Come on Tee, loosen up girl. It's only a dance. Besides, what can it hurt?” Lauren persuaded.
“And I promise you that I’m not a biter,” the young man stated in a teasing tone.
Looking up at him, Tee had to admit that he was fine. Chocolate, just the way she liked them.
“Just one song,” she said, standing to her feet.
“That’s cool,” he answered, reaching for her hand.
He led her to the crowded dance floor. “I’m Jamal,” he tried to yell over the loud music.
“Nice to meet you Jamal, I’m Tashonda.” He smiled, and right away; Tee noticed his deep dimples and Colgate white teeth.
He was definitely fine, and for a man of his stature, he had moves on the dance floor. One song quickly turned into five as they danced the night away.
The DJ finally slowed the mood down with some Anthony Hamilton. His words came blaring through the club speakers, like a spear shot from a bow. They pierced Tee's soul.
I can't stay away from you too long,
even if I do I'll always call.
Checkin' on you, make sure you're ok,
be the one to brighten up your day.
And the point of it all …Is I love you.
You know I love you baby
Tee almost began to cry, thoughts of Q filled her mind. Jamal reached out, attempting to pull her close, but she refused.
“Just one more,” he pleaded.
Tee had to get away before she broke down in front of him.
“Maybe next time,” she said in her most sincere voice, trying to hold back the tears.
Tee turned and made a b-line for the ladies room. She found an empty stall and tried to get all the hurt out with her tears.
After about 10 minutes, she took a deep breath and put her big girl smile back on. She went to the mirror and checked her face once more before exiting the bathroom. To her surprise, Jamal was standing outside of the restroom waiting on her.
“Are you ok?” he asked in a deeply concerned voice.
“Yes I'm fine, that song just reminds me of a bad situation, that's all.”
“Hey, I totally understand, but can I be a gentlemen and at least see you back to your table.
“Sure, lead the way,” Tee answered. Once there, Jamal made sure he pulled her chair out for her. Tee simply nodded
“Can I get you another drink? I know that one has to be flat.”
Before Tee could respond, Jamal had signaled the waitress.
“Can we get another round of drinks, please?”
“What will it be?” the waitress asked
“Aah, a Ciroc and cranberry for me, and a …” He looked at Tee and the other girls’ drinks.
“What the hell are these?” he asked, holding up one of the fancy glasses.
“Blue motorcycles,” Lauren blurted out.”
“Rounds for everyone?” the waitress confirmed.
“Yes, rounds for everyone,” Jamal answered before turning his attention back to Tee.
“So, tell me a little something about yourself. Where are you from Tashonda? What do you do for a living? And please don’t disappoint me by telling me that you’re married,” Jamal asked the questions like he was cross-examining her on the witness stand.
“Wow…aren’t we straight forward?” Tee asked him.
“I just don’t see any point in wasting time on questions that are simple to answer, and equally important when meeting someone new,” he stated matter-of-factly.
Tee’s smile showed that she was impressed by his response. They were briefly interrupted by the waitress who sat their drinks in front of them.
“Thank you,” Tee said
After taking a small sip of her drink, she focused her attention back on him.
“Let’s start with you, Jamal. Where are you from? What do you do for a living? And are you married?” She as
ked all at once.
Jamal smiled inwardly while looking earnestly at her outer beauty. She is drop dead gorgeous, he thought to himself.
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