Talk a Good Game

by Angie Daniels

  While I was lying across the couch I must have dozed off because I woke up hours later when I heard Honey barking. Someone was at the door.

  I pulled the door open and there was Jeremy.

  “Can I help you?”

  He extended his hand and I looked down at it with curiosity before meeting his eyes again. And gasped. There was something there I had never seen before.

  Determination.

  “Hi, my name is Jeremy Anthony Lee Samuels, Jr. I’m broke, I have six kids, three ex-wives, and I only have an associate’s degree. I’m intimidated by my fourth wife and have insecurity issues, but I have so much love to give, but if she’ll give me another chance I promise to stop trying to be someone I’m not.” His lips trembled and his eyes were so full of remorse; I was so choked up I could barely speak as I shook his hand.

  “Hello. My name is Nyree Gail Dawson and it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” I was laughing and crying at the same time. I then threw myself into his arms and kissed him.

  46

  JANELLE

  I saw a crowd gathering right outside FoxTrot. I tried to see what was going on without drawing too much attention to my guests, but then I couldn’t take it anymore and I had to go out and see.

  I pushed out the door and noticed the police cars up and down the street. What the hell? My eye scanned the crowd and I spotted Uncle Todd standing off to the side. I made my way over to him.

  “Uncle Todd!” I cried.

  He turned and his expression softened at the sight of me. We had yet to speak since I’d seen him at the hospital. I figured we’d have to talk eventually, especially since Mommy mentioned the two were talking about moving in together.

  “Hey Jae.”

  As I moved toward him, a cop brushed past me and headed inside Frontline. I looked to my godfather for answers. “What’s going on?”

  He shook his head. “It’s a sad sad day. Things like this just don’t happen in our small town.”

  “Things like what?” I said ready to hear the juicy details.

  “Suicide.”

  “What? Suicide? Where?” I asked and then followed the direction of his nod to the clothing store beside my restaurant. “Who? Alphonso?” I asked although I was suddenly afraid of where this conversation was going.

  “Yes. The owner,” he said and drew another breath. “They found him hung in his office.”

  “Alphonso?” I know I kept asking the same thing, but I guess if I kept asking eventually he’ll say someone else’s name.

  “Yes, Alphonso Rucker.”

  I couldn’t respond because my mouth was hanging opening. Alphonso was dead. I couldn’t believe it. Just yesterday, I had cussed him out for stealing my parking space out back.

  As Uncle Todd explained how a sales clerk found him swinging from the ceiling in his office, I stood there trying to wrap my mind around the fact that Alphonso was dead. It just felt unreal yet I couldn’t tear myself away from the scene that had unfolded out front. The police were trying to get the crowd back out of the way, then seconds later I watched in shock as they wheeled his body out of the store in a black bag. I felt myself stumble and luckily someone was there to catch me.

  “Whoa, you okay?”

  I swung around to find Frankie’s hand at my waist. “No, I’m not,” I mumbled still in a daze.

  “Here, why don’t I help you inside,” he suggested and I nodded. Sweeping the area, I spotted Uncle Todd talking to one of the officers. I would call him later.

  Frankie helped me inside the restaurant and I ignored the curious stares. It was so unreal. Visions of Alphonso hanging from the ceiling danced before my eyes. I don’t even remember walking to my office or Frankie helping me into my seat.

  “You okay?” he asked again as he leaned against the edge of my desk.

  I couldn’t get the image out of my head of the medical examiner’s office wheeling him out of the shop. “The guy next door committed suicide.”

  “Damn. No shit?”

  Frankie listened as I told him what I knew which wasn’t much.

  “Are you going to be okay?” he finally asked.

  I flinched slightly then reached for a bottle of water I had next to my desktop and took a long swallow. I would have preferred something stronger but it would have to do for now. “I’m fine. Really. It’s just a shock to hear that someone I know killed himself.”

  “I can understand that.” He then reached for my hand. “C’mere.’

  He pulled me up from the chair and I fell into his open arms and closed my eyes. It felt so good being able to lean on someone.

  “I care so much about you,” he whispered against my ear. “I don’t know what I would do if anything ever happened to you.”

  I pulled back stunned and gazed into his eyes. “Do you really mean that?” I asked.

  He shook his head. “Ain’t you figured it out yet? I love you, Jae. I always have.” He gave a wicked smile, confirming what he said was true.

  I tilted my head and met his lips in a kiss that was so hot I felt the flaming heat all the way down to my toes. When he finally released me I felt better. For a moment, I almost forgot about the suicide.

  “What are you doing here?” I asked.

  “You’ve been avoiding my calls, so I thought I’d come down here and claim what’s mine.”

  “Oh really?” I laughed but when Frankie didn’t join in I realized he was dead serious. “I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching about my life, my father’s death, my ex-fiancé.” I noticed the way his eyes lit up at the word ex. “And I just need time to sort through some things.”

  Frankie nodded. “I understand, but know this. I got your back, boo.”

  “Thanks,” I said then glanced down at my wrist. “I gotta get in the kitchen. We’re short staff this evening and I need to help out.”

  “Then let’s go,” he replied and swatted me on the ass. “Give me an apron because I’m here to help.”

  “Can you make cornbread?” I teased.

  “Gurrrl, my cornbread’s so good, it’ll make you hurt your Mama. I’ve got a secret recipe I picked up from a sweet old lady years ago.”

  “Uh-huh. Her name wouldn’t be Granby by chance?”

  Frankie winked, then took my hand and led me to the kitchen.

  47

  NYREE

  “Congratulations Mrs. Samuels, in about six and a half more months you’re going to be a new mommy!”

  I looked at my nurse, too stunned to respond. Was she serious?

  Apparently she was, because she wrote out a script for prenatal vitamins, then told me to make an appointment to see an obstetrician after the Christmas holiday. I was in a daze as I left the clinic and moved out to my car. Once inside, I just sat there staring out the windshield.

  I’m going to have a baby.

  I was speechless. Lately I had been under the weather and thought maybe I had caught a cold. Sure, I’ve missed a few periods, but I thought it was because of the stress of the past few months; but never had I suspected I was pregnant. Maybe it was because I had been preoccupied. Jeremy and I had moved into my house and spent Thanksgiving with our children. All six of them.

  I placed a protective hand to my stomach and then took a long shaky breathe. This would be my first child… our first child together and I was so excited. That is… before I remembered something that made me flinch.

  Quickly, I pulled my calendar out of my purse and tried to calculate about when conception may have been.

  Before my wedding day.

  I picked up my phone and dialed a number. It was answered on the second ring.

  “Janelle…, I think I’m pregnant with Timmy’s baby.”

  48

  JANELLE

  I left my office and stared at the space that used to be Alphonso’s store, and felt my heart flutter. As much as I hated the way things went down, the place now belonged to me. In the weeks following Alphonso’s suspicious suicide, I discovered he had only been
leasing the space. All that tripping for nothing.

  I quickly contacted the property manager, negotiated a price and took out a loan. In the coming weeks the demolition would begin for my expanded restaurant. I was so excited.

  I climbed into my car and headed over anxious to see the man who had made all this possible for me. It’s amazing that in the midst of sadness and chaos you can sometimes find joy and maybe even your purpose in life.

  Yep, I had finally found mine.

  Mommy and I were back speaking and closer than ever. She was giving the house to Brice which I thought was a good thing. It appeared she really was planning on moving in with Uncle Todd. She mentioned the two might get married later but not right now and that was okay. All that mattered was that she was happy. Uncle Todd and I were rebuilding our relationship. I told him about me wanting to buy Alphonso’s space. That’s when he mentioned the police suspected foul play. Personally that scenario made more sense. The Alphonso I had known loved himself far too much to commit suicide. It would be interesting to see how all that played out. Some people even suspected it was drug-related. Others said a girlfriend scorned. Only time would tell… or maybe we’d never know.

  As I drove down Broadway, I cranked up the music while I listened to Pharrell’s Happy. Yes, Lawd! In the last few weeks I had found my own happiness with one man. The decision wasn’t easy, but I had to remind myself I was living for the moment and what felt right.

  As soon as I reached his place, I climbed out my car, and there he was, waiting for me.

  “What took you so long?” he teased with a wide grin.

  “Sorry, but I brought wine,” I purred in my defense then held up the bottle as I leaned down for his kiss.

  “C’mon, the movie’s already started,” he said, and together we walked inside.

  Other books you might also like by Sasha Campbell:

  Confessions

  Suspicions

  Scandals

  Consequences

  Other books you might also like by Angie Daniels:

  In the Company of My Sistahs

  Trouble Loves Company

  Careful of the Company You Keep

  ABOUT THE AUTHORS

  Angie Daniels is a free spirit who isn’t afraid to say what’s on her mind or even better, write about it. Since strutting onto the literary scene in five-inch heels, she’s been capturing her audience’s attention with her wild imagination and style for keeping it real. This vivacious woman knows exactly what her readers want and is always ready to deliver. The award winning author has written over twenty-five novels for imprints such as BET Arabesque, Harlequin/Kimani Romance and Kensington/ Dafina Books. For more information about upcoming releases, and to connect with Angie on facebook, please visit her website at www.angiedaniels.com.

  Sasha Campbell is the author ego of author Angie Daniels. Visit her at www.sasha-campbell.com.