by Allen, Sara
Sydney couldn’t believe her ears. She knew that Bradford was changing, but now she knew he was just showing his true colors. She looked down at the phone bewildered. How could she have been so stupid to think she could eventually grow to love this man, to think that once she got to know him better that they could have something? She once thought that he was kind, caring, and a gentleman. He had never pressured her for sex, although they had been seeing each other for several months. He always understood why Sydney wasn’t ready for sex, and he also wanted to wait to be intimate until they knew each other better.
At first, he had told her it was wonderful that she volunteered at the shelter. He said it showed how big of a heart she had, but now all of a sudden she was “spending too much time there.” She could see now that all he cared about was himself.
Sydney’s hands began to shake with her rising anger. She let out a long, calming breath before she spoke. “Brad, you are absolutely correct. There is no need to put up with me any longer. We are finished. I’m done, and you can find yourself a new puppet to play along with your stupid campaign.”
“Sydney, what the hell do you think you’re saying? You can’t break up with me….You’re making a grave mistake. You don’t want to do thi-”
Sydney cut off Bradford’s pleading. “Shut the hell up!! Just stop. I’m done. Don’t call me again. I mean it! You are a selfish asshole, and I never, ever, ever want to speak to you again!”
“You will regret this, you stupid bi…”
Sydney disconnected the call before Bradford had a chance to finish his sentence. She felt that a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She was so worried about what her family would think if she let a man like Bradford go. His family was well known in Dallas; his father was a retired Senator, his brother was a former judge and current Senator, and Bradford was set to start his political career as mayor.
Sydney had been so focused on school and then her career that her father and mother were convinced she would be an old maid. Her mother kept setting her up with different men from her social circle. They were all stuck up, high society jerks, but Sydney would do anything she could to please her parents. Sydney was an only child, and coming from such an affluent family, she felt a lot of pressure to be perfect. Both her parents came from money, and being African American made them work that much harder to make sure they kept up the reputation that came with their name. Sydney always played by the rules and always did what they asked of her. She even ended up with a prosperous man with his own family name. They didn’t even mind that Bradford was white. With his political connections and his ambition to start his own political career, he had her parents eating out of the palm of his hand.
But this time she wouldn’t be perfect Sydney that did anything she could to please everyone around her. No, she would live for herself and follow her heart. Ever since she started working at the shelter over a year before, she saw what these victims lived through. The things they had to endure she never could imagine in her wildest dreams. She saw women that were abused, battered, and broken without a dime to their name or a thing to call their own, step out on faith and change their lives for the better. So Sydney started to see the error in how she was living. Always doing what other’s expected even if she was miserable. If these women could stand up for themselves, so could she. And she grew a backbone just in time to get the hell away from Bradford Murray.
Chapter 4
It had been over a week since Sydney broke it off with Bradford, and she couldn’t have felt more content with her life. Being with Brad was more out of obligation than want or even a need. She didn’t feel that magnetic pull toward him or passion. She didn’t have goosebumps or an overwhelming need to be near him. Being with Brad was an afterthought for Sydney. And although she felt lonely at times and wanted that breathtaking love, she knew that she would never have that with Bradford. He wasn’t the one, and although Sydney had figured that out, grown a backbone in order to break up with Bradford, and found herself a new sense of empowerment, she decided that she would hold off on telling her parents about the breakup until after the annual spring gala. She wanted to keep the peace for just a little while longer.
Just thinking about her farce of a relationship made Sydney upset. She was just glad she didn’t waste years trying to make something with Bradford work. She couldn’t go on people pleasing. She had to live for herself.
Before she could finish the thought, her mother called. Sydney groaned in anticipation of the latest tongue lashing she would receive from her mother.
“Hello, mother. How are you?” Sydney said while trying to sound normal.
“Oh, so you do have my number stored,” Sydney’s mom, Sandra, stated in a huff. “I wouldn’t have known that since it’s been days since you’ve called me.”
“I’m sorry, mother. You know how busy I get sometimes. I have several new clients at the firm and the shelter has been really busy lately,” Sydney responded quickly, trying to get all of the explanation out before her mother had time to dispute what she was saying.
“Ummm hmmm. Are you sure you aren’t avoiding me because you broke up with Bradford?” Sandra questioned.
Oh shit! This prick called my mama! Sydney thought to herself. She cleared her throat before answering, “Yes, mama, I’m sure.”
“Oh now I’m mama,” Sandra snickered. “Syd, I’m not sure why you think you had to keep things like this from us. Your father and I love you, and we just want you to be happy. If Bradford wasn’t the man to do that, then good riddance to him.”
Sydney was shocked at her mother’s easy acceptance. She was expecting a speech. “Mama, I thought you would be disappointed. I never want to disappoint you and daddy.”
“I know, sweetheart, but you’re a grown woman now, and your first priority should be your own happiness, not ours.”
Sydney was still shocked by how receptive her mother was to the news about her break up; her mom was always pushing what she called “suitable men” on her. “Mama, you are always pu..…uh…setting me up on dates. Why are you so willingly accepting this breakup?”
“I wasn’t pushing anyone on you, little girl. I was only trying to help. You’re always so busy working. Before you started dating Bradford, I thought you seemed unhappy. I thought if you had a partner, then maybe you would enjoy life more.”
“I never knew you felt like that, mama. I love my job. I love what I do, and believe me, I am happy. To be honest, those men weren’t really my type…at all.” Sydney defended.
“Honey, I know you love your job, but that’s not all you are or all that you have. Your father and I had each other when we started the firm. I just want you to have someone to share your life with.” Sandra replied thoughtfully.
Sydney smiled at her mother’s encouraging words. Sydney always thought that her mom wanted her married and pregnant, and that her mother didn’t care who with. Sydney let out a sigh of relief, happy to have talked with her mom.
“Mama, I love you, and thank you.” Sydney stated simply.
“For what, baby?”
“For just being you. I promise that I won’t wind up being an old maid if you promise to stop pushing those uppity men on me.” Sydney chuckled.
“What?…Uppity?…I would never…Sydney Michelle, those were good wholesome men.” Sandra stated laughing.
“Come on now, mama.”
Sandra laughed again. “Okay, I promise not to set you up or push any more uppity or non-uppity men on you if you promise to stop working so much, relax, and have a little fun. You work too hard, daughter, and your daddy and I both agree that you’re the best thing we ever made, and we’re so proud of you. But we want grandchildren while we’re still able to get around and be useful.”
Sydney’s smile waned just a little. If it wasn’t marriage, it was kids. “Mama, I just broke up with my boyfriend, so I’m definitely not ready for kids.”
“Okay, okay. I get it. No pressure. Just know that your daddy, nanny, and
I are waiting on our grandbaby to come; that’s all.”
Hmmph, no pressure my ass. She really laid it on thick bringing up my grandma. My nanny is one of the most important people in my life. Shaking her head, Sydney sighed. “I love you, mama, and I understand what you’re saying.”
“Good, now I will expect you for Sunday dinner this week. We are having some friends over, and we would like to see your beautiful face.”
Sydney took a deep breath. At least they had come to an understanding, so now she wouldn’t have to waste time on another date that wouldn’t go anywhere. “Okay, mother, I will see you Sunday.”
Sandra chuckled. “I’m back to being ‘mother’ am I? Okay, daughter, see you Sunday. Love you.”
Sydney giggled. “Love you too, mama.”
***
“Marco. Speak,” Marco answered in his usually gruff manner.
“Mr. Bellomi, this is Bradford Murray. I am calling you directly to let you know your services are no longer needed,” Bradford stated feigning nonchalance.
“Okay. Is there something you were unhappy with?” Marco asked knowing the answer.
“No, your performance was up to par. I have decided that Ms. Hamilton is not worth the time or effort. Your last payment has been sent. Thank you again.” Then Bradford disconnected the call abruptly.
Marco smirked as he disconnected the call. He knew the real reason behind Bradford’s sudden reason for not needing his services. Bradford wasn’t ending this job because he had come to the conclusion that Sydney Hamilton was not worth the time; Marco knew that Bradford no longer needed his services because Sydney had broken up with Bradford over a week before, and he still was having her followed. Marco didn’t get guys like Bradford Murray. A slime ball like him got a beautiful, intelligent, sweet woman and he couldn’t wait to cheat on her. On one hand, Marco was glad he didn’t have to work for Bradford anymore because every time he would call for an update, it took all he had not to go through with kicking the dirt bag’s ass, but on the other hand, he knew he wouldn’t have a reason to see Sydney’s beautiful face anymore. He would often have to talk himself out of going and starting a conversation with her. Sydney’s smile was like a beacon of light calling to him, drawing him in making his desire grow more and more with each time he saw her. Yes, he would indeed miss her beautiful face.
Chapter 5
It was a Wednesday night, and Sydney was working the front desk at Haley’s House. Wednesday’s were normally a slow night, and Sydney didn’t mind taking over for Jenny, the receptionist, when she had a family emergency. Intakes were on the decline, and Sydney was relieved about that fact. She and another worker, Maggie, were the only ones working; all the other volunteers were off. Sydney was sitting at the front desk in the large waiting room going over legal documents when she heard the front door open. It was almost 11pm, so she looked up curiously to see who was coming through the door.
Sydney was surprised when she instantly recognized the slim woman with long, blonde hair, big brown eyes, and bruises covering the right side of her face. Because she didn’t want to scare her away, Sydney acted as if the blonde was any other stranger off the street.
Sydney hurried around the desk to help the woman and child as they both stumbled through the door.
“Ma’am, are you okay? Do you need medical attention?” Sydney asked concerned.
“No, no. Please just let us stay here. I do-don’t have an-anywhere to go…ple-please.” The woman pleaded as tears streamed down her face and she struggled to get out the sentence through her sobs.
Sydney rushed to her side, putting an arm around the woman’s shoulders and helping her sit on the oversized chair, as the young boy trailed behind them as silent tears poured out of his big blue eyes.
“Of course, you can stay here, but I think you need medical attention. That bruise on your face looks really bad,” Sydney replied with a grimace.
“Ms. Hamilton, I know you know wh-who I am, and you kn-know as well as I do that I ca-can’t go to the hospital with…out having a media circus around me and my son. I just can’t have that…espe…cially at a time like this,” the woman pleaded for understanding.
“I understand, Mrs. Moore,” Sydney stated.
“Ple-please call me Megan. Mrs. Moore is the last per-person I want to be right now,” Megan acknowledged as she started sobbing again.
Sydney nodded her head in understanding. Megan Moore was married to one of Dallas’ most powerful and influential entrepreneurs. Thomas Moore was a ruthless business man that was known for taking no prisoners in his dealings. So, if he was the one who did this to his wife, they were surely in for a battle royale.
Sydney took a deep breath to compose herself. Seeing the woman and the boy so broken and beaten was a terrible sight, and she needed to be strong for them.
“We have a nurse on staff. She is very discreet, and we all have confidentiality agreements. No one here will say a thing. I promise,” Sydney reassured both Megan and her young son.
“Let’s get you to the back where the rooms are and settled in while we wait on Nurse Pettis to come and check ya’ll out.” Sydney’s southern accent was always at its thickest when she was nervous or anxious.
Megan agreed and she led her son to the back, following Sydney into a vacant room.
“Thank you,” Megan said in a whisper. “We had no other place to go. Nobody would have ever believed me….nobody.” Megan took in a deep breath while looking at her son. She seemed to be trying to get herself together so that her son wouldn’t witness the broken woman she had become, but the tears just wouldn’t stop falling no matter what she did.
“I’m sorry that I’m such a mess…I ju-just…” Megan trailed off.
Sydney interrupted her apology. “No, Mrs- Megan, there is no reason for you to apologize,” Sydney replied sympathetically.
Megan slowly began to regain her composure. She dried her tears and took another calming breath. She then looked at her sniffling young son, and pulled him in for a tight hug.
Sydney felt like an intruder watching mother and son embrace, leaning on one another for strength. Megan looked up and gave a small smile. Sydney made a vow to herself then that she would do all that she could to help the duo.
***
A week had gone by and Sydney hadn’t made any more headway on the Moore case. She had obtained the prenuptial agreement, and it looked to be iron clad. However, this wasn’t just about Mr. Moore’s money or about him supporting his wife after the divorce; this was about custody of their only child Thomas Jr. It was stated in the pre-nup that if Megan willingly left her husband, then custody of any children went to Mr. Moore. Under normal circumstances, this case would have been cut and dry because of the abuse. But like many women, Megan had hid the abuse from her family and friends and therefore didn’t have any proof or witness that her husband had indeed beat her. Even Sydney and Nurse Pettis, who were there to see the latest bruises, hadn’t physically witnessed how Meagan had gotten them, so legally they couldn’t give a statement either. Sydney needed help with finding out as much information on Thomas Moore as she could. She needed someone with special skills, but she didn’t know anyone like that. However, she knew somebody who would; Kelly Johnson. Sydney knew that Kelly was the one person that was always in the know. She would be able to help her find the person she needed for this very specific job.
When Sydney met Kelly in college, she didn’t have many close girlfriends. Although Sydney participated in cross country track, she was a loner throughout high school. Being from an affluent family, Sydney attended all-girl private schools, and being one of the few blacks in school made an already shy Sydney even that more introverted. It wasn’t until college, when she met Kelly, her outspoken, bold, and very loud freshman roommate, that she understood what true friendship was about.
Kelly Johnson grew up not far from Sydney, but they were worlds apart. Stop Six was considered the ghetto and growing up there could be very dangerous. There were
gangs, shootings, and drugs running rampant throughout the small community, and Kelly grew up right in the midst of it all. But it didn’t deter her from wanting to get out and make something out of herself. She didn’t fall into the trappings and she was one of the strongest and most successful women Sydney had ever known.
“Hey, Kelly. It’s Syd. I need your help,” Sydney said quickly when Kelly answered.
“Well, hey to you, Syd,” Kelly responded to Sydney dryly while rolling her eyes at her phone. “Don’t waste any time with formalities or anything, like ‘how are ya,’ ‘whatcha’ up to’…nothin’.”
“Sorry, Kel, but I need your help in a bad way,” Sydney said in a pleading tone. “I just have too much on my plate right now, and with this pro bono case that I’m working on, I can’t seem to make any headway. I need a private investigator that can be discreet but is the best at what he does. I need some information on someone prominent, but he can’t know that I’m looking into him…Get my drift?”
Kelly sat up straight in her desk chair, her brown eyes growing wide in concern for her friend. “It’s that damn Murray guy, isn’t it? You don’t need a PI to tell you that he’s an asshole! What you need is a brother to whoop his smug ass, and since you don’t have one, do you want me to get Chauncey and Leroy to give him a beat down free of charge?” Kelly questioned somewhat jokingly. “You know my cousins don’t mind getting their hands dirty from time to time.”
Sydney chuckled at her friend’s brashness. “No, Kel, it isn’t Brad. It’s for the case that I’m working on. I would tell you, but confidentiality and all that whoopty woo….”
Kelly nodded her head in understanding, “I completely understand, Syd, and you know I’m the last person you have to explain anything to. I have a cousin that used to date this chick named Mel. I remember that she worked for a PI, and he seemed to be the go-to guy for you uppity types. I’ll find his info and get the number to you ASAP.”