Black Lies White Lies (29 page)

He pulled me up so I was sitting on his lap. He sucked my nipples hard as I rode him into the most spectacular climax ever. We lay there, fur sticking to our bodies. “Brenda, you are an incredible woman.”

“I’ve never been made love to in this way. It was amazing.”

“Can I have something to drink? I’m thirstier than a mountain lion.” I went to the kitchen for water. “Girl, your body is incredible. Hurry up with the water, I’m ready for seconds.” This was how it went all night. I’d never known a man with such stamina.

The next morning I showered and fixed breakfast. We ate and had more sex. I lay in his arms, thinking how passionate he was. We were watching the game on TV, “Brenda you would make a man one hell of a wife. I’m never going to want to leave. I can’t picture myself without you.”

“Why are you saying things you don’t mean?”

“Brenda,” he took my face in his hand, “I never say things I don’t mean. And know this. I’m going to make you my wife.”

“Your wife? It’s too soon. You don’t know me like that.”

“I know you well enough to know you’re going to be Mrs. Jackson. I want you to think about moving to Atlanta.”

“Atlanta? But everything I have is here.”

“Not everything, I’m not here. If you feel the same way I do, I just want you to think about it.”

“I do, but my family, my father, he would never let me move to Atlanta without being married.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll talk to your father. I’m old fashion in that way. I want you to meet my parents, too. I’ll send you a ticket to fly to Atlanta. Just think about it, Brenda.” He started getting up, “I’d better get dressed. I have a flight to catch in an hour.” I went with him to the airport to say goodbye. We kissed as if this was the last time we would see each other.

I took a cab straight to my mother’s. “What’s this glow I see, Chica? Is it the man I was telling you about? Am I right?”

“You were right, Mother, I’m in love with him. I’m not sure how Daddy’s going to feel. You know how he feels about Calvin.”

“Your father is your father. This man will be your husband. Calvin, he will find another that is best for him.”

“Mother, he wants to speak with Daddy. I’m going to be moving to Atlanta.”

“You’re going to be moving to the south? Your father won’t agree unless you’re married.”

“I know. He wants to make me his wife.”

“Oh, Chica! I’m so happy for you. You will have lots of babies.”

“Mother, let’s not get carried away, first things first.”

“I can’t wait to meet him, how soon will he be here?”

“I’m leaving next week. First, I’m going to Atlanta to meet his parents.” The door opened and in walked my father.

“Honey, our Chica is getting married and she’s moving to Atlanta.” Leave it to Mother to tell it all.

“You’re getting married? It’s too soon, Brenda. You just broke it off with Calvin. You’re moving too fast.”

“Daddy, I love him and love has no time.”

“That’s right, Johnnie, my father forbid us to get married.”

“This is different, Maria, she is my baby girl. What does this man do for a living and can he take care of you?”

“He owns his own trucking company and he just landed a deal with Maxwell.”

“So he makes a decent living. If he wants my daughter, he will do it the right way.”

“Daddy, he’s coming here to talk to you. He wants to do it the right way.”

“I just want to know you’re not making a mistake.”

“Don’t worry. This is not a mistake. Just trust me.”

After talking to Candice about my relationship, I finally felt she was genuinely happy for me. It was Friday and a messenger brought my ticket and a dozen roses. How did I get so lucky to have a man this wonderful? The flight was for 9:00 that night. I needed to get home and finish packing. “Candice, is there anything else you need me to do?”

“No, Brenda, I think I’m going to get out of here myself. I hope, you have a good trip and tell Lance I said hello.”

I arrived in Atlanta and Lance was there to pick me up. “I’m so glad you made it, are you hungry? I’ve had dinner prepared for you at your soon to be home.”

“Can I tell you something? But you have to promise not to laugh.”

“Ok, I’m all ears and I promise not to laugh.”

“I’ve never been out of New York and that was my first time on a plane.”

“You’re kidding me, right? This is your very first time? Well, I’m glad it was coming to see me. In that case, I’m going to make it a wonderful experience.”

Lance lived in a place called Peachtree hills. All of the houses seemed enormous, including Lance’s. I had never seen a house this large. I could put my whole family in the house, and still have room.

We walked into this amazing foyer, it looked like a movie star’s house. “Come on in. The dining room is this way. I’ll have your bags taken to our room. Would you like some wine, Brenda?” I was in shock over the size of his house. “You’re awfully quiet. Is there something wrong?”

“No, I’m just taking it all in. I bet you thought my place was a dump.”

“No, I thought it was quite nice. I didn’t fall in love with where you lived. I fell in love with you. Come here,” he placed his arms around my waist and kissed me. “I could live in a box with you. You make me complete. You’re all I want in a woman.”

“I’m just an assistant, and that’s another way to say secretary.”

“Baby, do you think I care? I come from a humble beginning. Just wait until we get to Brownsville, you’ll see.”

“Mr. Jackson, are you and the lady ready for dinner?”

“If you’re ready, we can eat.” We had dinner, laughing and talking.

“Candice said to tell you hello,” I waited to see his expression.

“Listen, Brenda, I never want you to feel uncomfortable about Candice and me. What we had has passed,
you
are my future. It’s a beautiful night, let’s have our wine outside.”

We walked out on his veranda, “This is beautiful, Lance.” I looked at the manicured bushes and shrubs, how was I going to fit into all this? Lance kissed my neck, “I’m a little nervous about meeting your folks.”

“Don’t be. They’re just ordinary people living ordinary lives. I’ve already told my folks about you, so they're expecting us.”

“I’m tired, Lance, maybe I’m a bit jet lagged.”

We slept in each other’s arms that night. I loved Lance with all my heart and I wanted nothing more than to be with him.

That next morning we left for Brownsville to meet the future in-laws. I hadn’t realized it would be so warm in Atlanta. It was the middle of October.

We got to Brownsville. It was a quiet little town. His father was mowing the grass and his mother was sitting on the porch swing. “Hey, Son, what took you so long? Your mother was starting to worry, you know how she is. I tried to call your cell phone, but you didn’t answer. I hate cell phones. You could have spent your money on something of value.”

“Dad, you need to step into the twenty first century.”

“Never mind that, this must be the pretty lady you’ve been talking about.”

“Yes, this is Brenda, who I hope will be my wife.”

“Well, Son, she’s a pretty one. Come on in and take a load off.”

“Brenda, this is my mother, Martha.”

“It’s so nice to meet you.”

“Lance has told me so much about you. Would you like something to drink? I’ve cooked dinner already. Son, you need to help your father clean out the garage before you leave.”

“Mom, I told you and Daddy I would get someone to do that.”

“Well you know your father. He gets out there and tries to do himself.”

“I’ll get someone up here to do it on Monday. “

“Buck was down at Sally’s. He said he would help him, but your father said he wasn’t able. You know Buck has cancer, but he looks better than he ever has. I guess moving to Memphis, was the best thing for him.”

“I think so too, Mom, at least he’s with his family.”

Lance’s parents were so kind to me, they made me feel comfortable. His mother and I had tea and watched the children play in the street. This was southern living at its best. Lance helped his father clear the garage, even though he’d said he wouldn’t. This was the life at its simplest. I could live here, I thought. Just drinking tea and baking cakes with his mother.

We left that Sunday so I could be home on Monday. “So what did you think about Brownsville?”

“I think it’s a place I wouldn’t mind living.”

Lance laughed, “You have to be kidding me.”

“Not at all. It’s so easy, so simple.”

“The big city girl that likes the simple life. That’s why I love you, Brenda.”

“I love you too, Lance. Can you picture me planting a garden?” We both started to laugh.

When we got back to Atlanta, we stopped by Lance’s business. I don’t know what I was expecting but he had a large office space. “Let me just check a few things and we can head to the house.” While Lance checked with his partner, I thought what would I do here? No family. No friends. What would I do for work?

When we got back to the house, Lance and I made love. “I hate to let you go, Brenda.”

“Not as much as I hate to go. Will you be in new York next week?”

“Yes, but after that I’ll be in California for two weeks on business. I’ll still be in touch by phone as much as possible. Brenda, when I’m in town next week, I’d like to meet your folks.”

“Believe me, they would like to meet you, too.”

“Don’t worry, Sweetheart, things will go OK.”

~~~

When I got back to New York, all I wanted to do was rest. The following day all Candice talked about was her wedding. I knew she was excited, but it was getting on my last nerve. Brenda, the wedding this, Brenda, the wedding that. Maybe I was just a little jealous, but I thought she was being a bit selfish.

“Brenda, would you come in here? I have something I want to go over.” I hoped it was about anything but the wedding. “This marks the end of the year for the company and lots of things were accomplished. So I want to give you your bonus early.”

“Thank you, Candice. I’ll use some of this money to buy your wedding gift.”

“Brenda, don’t worry about getting me anything. I just want to keep things as effortless as possible. Ashton has chosen Victor to be his best man, and I’m a little nervous about it.”

“When do you plan on telling him what happened?”

“I will only if I have to, but I just want to put it behind me.”

“I think putting it off is only going to make it worse.”

“I don’t want to talk about it now. This is a happy time for me. I won’t let the likes of Victor bring me down.”

I really thought this was something she should tell him, before the wedding. I knew once they were all together, hell was going to break loose. Not my choice though. “Again, thanks for giving me my bonus early.”

“No, thank you, Brenda, you’re the best.”

This was the week Lance was meeting my family. The end of the week came fast and Lance was scheduled to arrive about 9:00. I wanted to take my parents somewhere they had never been so I made reservations at Gramercy Tavern in Union square. I had never been, but I’d heard the food was excellent.

I met Lance at his hotel. I was nervous and excited at the same time. “I’ve been waiting all week to see you, Brenda.” He kissed me. “I have something I want to give you, but I’ll wait until dinner. Let me shower and change. I love you.” He kissed me again.

Now I was more anxious than ever. I sat there wondering what it could be. I hoped my father would like Lance. I watched Lance as he dressed. He paid attention to detail. How did I get so lucky to find a man so loving? “Brenda,” he snapped me out of my thoughts. “I’ll have a car pick your parents up. I’m sure you already made reservations.”

“Yes, I did and the car’s not necessary.”

“I know, Sweetheart, but it’s something I want to do.”

“Ok, I’ll call my parents and let them know.”

“By the way, you look fantastic. You are one beautiful woman.”

“You’re not bad yourself, and that body, wow.”

“I do try,” he was smiling in the mirror.

“So you’re the ladies man?”

“There is only one lady I ever want to impress. Well I better say two, and a man.”

“What?”

“Your mother and father, Silly.” I had to laugh.

We got to the restaurant and my nerves were getting the best of me. “Lance, I need to go to the ladies room, I’ll be right back.” Come on, Brenda, I thought, get yourself together. It’s just your father. I wiped my face. I could feel the sweat beading on my forehead.

I walked out. Lance was already seated at the table, “are you alright?”

“Yes. I’m going to be fine. I’m just worried. My parents aren’t here yet?”

“We’ll give it a few more minutes and then I’ll call the limo service. Look. Here they come.” Let’s just get this over with, I prayed. Lance stood, “Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins, it’s a pleasure meeting you.” My mother and father looked amazing.