Cheesecake and Teardrops (20 page)

“Not a word,” Charisma said, shaking her head.

“If you had a second chance, would you do things differently?” Tangie asked.

Charisma sighed. “Does it even matter? I mean, hindsight is twenty-twenty, right?”

“Every time,” Heather agreed.

 

Heather returned to work Monday morning still floating on air. Though the makeup was long gone, the aftereffects remained. Nothing could ruin her day, not the snotty high school senior who needed help with her term paper or even her coworker, who relieved her half an hour late for lunch.

She and Jamal were supposed to meet for an extended lunch. Heather called him to reschedule. To her surprise, he was patiently waiting in his car out front. He rolled his window down.

“You're still here?” she asked him. “I'm flattered.”

“You know you're worth it,” he insisted. Heather walked around the car and got in on the passenger's side.

“Where to?” he asked.

“Feel like the food court?”

“Here on the avenue?”

“Not exactly.”

“Where then? Talk to me, woman.”

“Green Acres. They have the best Philly cheesesteaks and—”

“Okay, I'm sold. Green Acres it is,” he said, starting the ignition. Jamal took Merrick Boulevard to Springfield Boulevard before making a left onto the Conduit and heading down Sunrise Highway to the mall.

Jamal quickly found a parking space and in no time they were upstairs in the food court. Heather had a grilled chicken salad and a diet soda. Jamal, on the other hand, had a Philly cheesesteak.

“You're really making me look bad,” he told her. “I thought you were getting one too.”

“Well, you know it's a woman's prerogative to change her mind.”

“Then exercise your right, baby.”

“I forgot, you like your women thick.”

“Exactly. If some is good, more is better.” He checked his watch.

“I know, time to go. Do you think we have time to stop by Macy's for a second?”

“What's at Macy's?”

“Shoes. There's this pair I wanted, but Roosevelt Field and Queens Center didn't have my size.”

“And Green Acres does?”

“Yeah, I called last night, and they'll hold them for twenty-four hours.”

“You are so conniving.” He grinned and picked up their trays. “Let's go, Imelda Marcos,” he said, referring to the Phillipine shoe maven. “Let's go back to the car, and I'll drive you around to Macy's.”

“Okay, but I'm not conniving. I'd prefer to call it resourcefulness.”

“Whatever.” He shook his head. “Either way you get your shoes.”

“Exactly.”

Jamal drove the short distance to Macy's and parked the car. He checked his watch again.”

“Do you wanna wait in the car?” she asked.

“No, I wanna see what all the fuss is about with these shoes.” They both got out the car, walked into Macy's, and up the escalator to the second-floor shoe department.

Jamal was surprised that the department was so busy for a Monday afternoon. He said as much to Heather.

“Are you kidding me? There's never an off time for shoe shopping,” she told him. Heather went up to the register and a few moments later, the sales associate returned with her shoes. She sat down and eagerly tried them on. Heather eyed her reflection in the full-length mirror. The shoes were a royal blue high-heeled patent leather peep toe pump. “Perfect,” she breathed deeply, the sight of the shoes on her feet giving her a rush.

Jamal walked over to the display, checked out the price of her shoe fix, and let out a whistle.

“And they're worth every penny,” she told him.

“But Heather, they're just shoes.”

“Just shoes? Just shoes?” she repeated. “Don't you know that in the right shoes a woman can run the world? You better be glad you're a man 'cause you'd never make it as a woman.”

“Well, after all that moaning you did the other night, you better be glad too.”

Tangie and Tony had just come in from the movies. They were over Tony's relaxing to the sounds of the Isley Brothers and sipping on a little wine.

“Spend the night with me,” Tony whispered in her ear.

“I can't,” she began.

“Why not?” Tangie thought for a moment.

“Exactly. Looks like you're mine tonight. All night.” He grinned. Tony stood to dim the lights and then returned to the sofa. He removed his shirt and unbuckled his belt before taking off his sneakers and socks. “Your turn,” he told Tangie as he unzipped her sweater and removed her jeans.

She didn't object and was down to her bra and panties in no time. Tangie was glad she had worn her racy, lacy lingerie.

Apparently, so was Tony, who climbed on top of her. He kissed her lips ever so slowly, ever so softly. He was in no rush. They had all night.

Tangie relaxed under his touch. Here was a man who had nursed her when she was sick, even cleaned up her vomit. He was spiritual and took her to church. He had taken her to meet his parents, another plus. He got to know her before trying to get inside her jeans. And how could she forget those beautiful lime roses? It didn't take Tangie long to do the math. She had found the perfect man.

Tangie gave into her feelings, smiling to herself as he removed her bra and panties. Then, he took those beautiful, full lips of his that she loved so much and kissed her breasts, gently sucking on her nipples. He kissed her stomach, her thighs, everywhere he thought would possibly bring her pleasure.

When she could stand his hot kisses no more, she reached for him to enter her. He scooped her up in one easy gesture and whisked her off to his bedroom. He laid her on the bed and proceeded to remove his undershorts before joining her. Tony eased himself into Tangie. Tangie couldn't believe this was finally happening. It was like a dream. A soft moan escaped from her lips and then another. She loved his rhythm, the way he rocked her.

He rolled her over until she was on top, holding her by the waist with both hands. Tony tweaked her nipples until she came loud and hard. Then he rolled her over onto her back, cumming too moments later.

They lay in silence for a minute, catching their breath. Finally, Tony spoke. “I've wanted to make love to you from the day we met,” he said.

“I know.”

“You didn't know.” He laughed.

“I did,” she exclaimed. “The shoe compliment was a dead giveaway.”

He took her in his arms gently, rubbing her shoulders.

“Are you hungry?”

“Famished.”

He got up to get them robes. “Let's raid the kitchen.”

Tony ended up making hamburgers and peanut butter milkshakes. The burger joints couldn't touch it if they tried.

“You are so beautiful,” Tony told her from across the kitchen table.

“What I am is stuffed.” She held her stomach with one hand for emphasis.

“Let's go in the living room.”

“Let me clean up the kitchen.”

“The dishes can wait.” He stood, and she followed him into the living room.

Their clothes were in a heap on the floor just as they had left them. Tony popped a Whispers CD into the stereo.

“Let's dance,” he said simply, helping her to her feet. He untied her robe and slid his arms around her bare body.

After about three slow jams, Tony stopped dancing and looked her straight in the eye.

“Tangela Winterhope, will you marry me?”

Shocked, she took her arms from around his neck but her eyes were glued to his. “You're serious,” she said slowly.

“I am. Tangela, will you marry me?” he repeated.

“Oh my God. Yes!”

And just like that, Tony and Tangie were on their way to the altar.

 

“I'm engaged!” Tangie exclaimed over Heather's the next night.

“Oh, my goodness,” Charisma and Heather said.

Tangie told them all about the proposal. “I still can't believe it,” Tangie admitted. “It's incredible. I wasted two years with Blade. Tony pops the question in a matter of months.”

“Just goes to show you he's a man who knows what he wants and not afraid to go after it,” Charisma said.

Tangie laughed. “That's my kind of man.”

“That's what I'm talking about,” Heather agreed.

“When's the wedding?” Charisma asked.

“Not soon enough.” Tangie sipped her coffee. “I mean, we could elope as far as I'm concerned.”

“Are you serious?” Heather asked her.

“Most def,” Tangie admitted. “Tony's almost too good to be true. Sometimes you just gotta strike while the iron's hot.”

“Sounds good to me,” Charisma said. “No use tempting fate.”

“Wow, this calls for a cookie break,” Heather said, getting up from the kitchen table and heading over to the cupboard for her assorted stash. “So what's your favorite cookies these days, Tangie? Let me rephrase that. What's Tony's favorite cookie?” It was a private joke amongst the three of them that whatever her latest preferred was Tangie's cookie du jour. The same could be said for how she ate her eggs.

“We both like Nutter Butters,” Tangie said with a straight face.

“Well, isn't that a coincidence.” Heather shook her head.

“We can't help it if we're in sync. Don't hate,” Tangie told them.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Tell it to the Marines,” Heather said, searching for the requested cookie. She was the only person Tangie and Charisma knew who organized her sweets alphabetically. It had to be the librarian in her, they had decided.

“Here we go,” Heather said upon locating Tangie's cookies. “Charisma, what about you?”

“Just call me Lorna. Lorna Doone,” Charisma added.

“Coming right up,” Heather said. “I see we're going with the mellow cookies tonight. Let me get my pecan sandies and we'll be straight.”

“Wait a minute.” Tangie got three glasses and a half gallon of ice-cold milk from Heather's fridge. “Now we can get this party started.”

“Tangie, we haven't met Tony yet, but I already like his style.” Charisma raised her glass in a toast.

“And anybody who keeps you smiling is all right in my book. To Tangie and Tony.” Heather said, raising her glass.

“To Tangie and Tony,” Charisma agreed.

“So when are we going to meet Prince Charming?” Heather asked.

“I'll check his schedule. Maybe we can all get together for breakfast this weekend,” Tangie said.

“It's about time,” Charisma said simply.

 

Tangie floated through the rest of the week. Work was a breeze. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, everything was a breeze. Luckily, Tony and Tangie were both free Saturday morning and they met the girls at IHOP. Heather and Charisma arrived first. They slid into a booth and waited for the happy couple. The waitress brought them coffee and menus, returning several moments later to take their orders. Charisma explained to her that they were expecting two more.

Heather reached in her purse for a tiny plastic bottle of hazelnut creamer. She poured some into her coffee and stirred. Then she took a nice, long sip. She looked up and whispered to Charisma, “Here they come now.”

Tony removed Tangie's down jacket before removing his own. A glowing Tangie introduced Tony, and they slid into the booth to join Charisma and Heather. The waitress returned to take the couple's order, and then once again to bring their coffee.

“So you're the man who has our girl walking on air,” Heather said.

Tony grinned. “Don't think I'm trying not to.” He put his arm around Tangie and gently squeezed her shoulder.

“Well, you're doing one helluva job.” Charisma laughed.

“That's the plan,” Tony said. “Tangie deserves to be happy. I'm just doing my job.”

“As long as she stays that way, you won't have a problem with us,” Heather told him.

The waitress returned with their orders. Tony blessed the food, and they all dug in. Tangie couldn't wait to suck down those world-famous beautiful brown pancakes. It had been so long. Too long.

Charisma took another mouthful of her omelet before speaking. “Tony, if you ever, ever hurt Tangie, you'll wish you were dead.” Smiling, she popped a piece of bacon in her mouth. “And that's a promise.”

Tony chewed his steak and swallowed before speaking.

“Well, I'm glad I know where I stand,” he said. “I can see how much you love Tangela. I do too.”

“Good.” Charisma smiled. “I'm glad we're all on the same page. Let's relax and enjoy breakfast.”

Tony shook his head. “I gotta hand it to you. You ladies are tough.” He took out his handkerchief and wiped away imaginary beads of sweat from his brow.

“Do you want your Oscar now or later?” Heather asked good-naturedly as she took another bite of her toast.

“I studied theater in college,” he said. “I guess it's finally paid off.”

“Don't quit your day job,” Charisma said and they all laughed.

Tangie smiled to herself. She was out eating her favorite meal with her three favorite people. What more could a woman ask for?

 

“Ma, you're not going to believe this,” Tangie began. “I'm getting married.”

“What?” Della Winterhope exclaimed over the phone.

“Tony and I are getting married.”

“Are you happy?”

“Yes, Ma. I'm happy.”

“Then, I'm happy for you.

“Is he still with the FBI?”

“Uh-huh.”

“I don't know, Tangie. That could be really dangerous.”

“Ma, he's not a spy, if that's what you mean.”

“Have you spoken to your father about him?”

“No, everything happened so fast. I haven't had a chance yet. Besides, you know every time I call his house his wife hangs up on me. She's such a witch. I don't know what he sees in her.”

“You and me both,” Della said under her breath about the heifer who broke up her marriage. “But that's no excuse. Call him at work or try his cell.”

“I want you and Daddy to meet Tony. I know you'll both love him. Maybe the four of us can meet over my house. I'll make dinner.”

“Okay, baby. Just keep me posted. And congratulations. Wow, we have a wedding to plan.”

Next, Tangie tried calling her father at home. Naturally, his wife hung up on her the instant she heard Tangie's voice. Tangie had to count to ten to stop herself from jumping in her car, driving over there, and slapping her upside her head. But it didn't work. She had her car keys in her hand and was out the door before she made it to seven. Tangie sped off. She was on her way to her father's house.

She took the highway. Luckily, traffic was light. By the time she pulled up to the house, her heart was racing. She sat in the car for a few minutes to calm herself before hopping out and ringing the doorbell.

Naturally, “she” answered the door. She was so paranoid that someone would steal the husband she stole, that she watched him like a hawk. Tangie pushed the door open before a startled Blanche had a chance to slam it in her face.

“Where's my father?” Tangie asked.

“He's not here.”

“Liar,” Tangie said. “His car's in the driveway.”

“He took a walk to the store.”

“Daddy?” Tangie yelled. “Daddy?”

Ted Winterhope came to the door. “What's going on here?” Ted asked his wife and daughter.

“As usual, she won't let me see you,” Tangie answered.

“Come on in.” He motioned, ignoring his wife. He lead Tangie into the living room, where they both took a seat on the sofa.

“You really need to do something about her,” Tangie said.

Blanche stood in the foyer, pretending to be busy.

“I need to speak to my father alone,” Tangie told her firmly.

Blanche let out an exaggerated sigh and sauntered off into the kitchen.

“Now,” Ted turned to face his daughter. “What did you want to discuss?”

“Well, Daddy. I'm engaged.”

“My little girl's getting married? Who is he?”

Tangie told her father all about the new man in her life, from how they met to the dinner she was planning to introduce him to her parents. “But Daddy, I'm telling you now. Blanche is
not
welcome in my house.”

“Tangie, don't be bitter.”

“I mean it, Daddy. I do not want that witch in my house.”

She stood to leave. Ted walked his daughter to the door.

“You're an adult. I guess I'll have to respect your wishes. Can't wait to meet my future son-in-law.”

“Thanks, Daddy.” She kissed him on the cheek. “It'll probably be next week sometime. I'll call you and let you know when.”

“Okay, baby. Drive carefully, and I'll see you soon.”

 

The next week Tony cleared his schedule for his bride-to-be.

Every day after Tangie got off of work, she and Tony hit all the local jewelry stores in search of the perfect engagement ring. When their Queens and Long Island search turned up empty, they headed to Manhattan's diamond district. Walking along Forty-seventh Street, Tangie noticed that Tony seemed a little distracted. She followed his gaze to a young thug in baggy jeans that sat ultralow on his hips. His gray eyes seemed to lock with Nate's for a split second, and then he disappeared in the crowd without a trace.

Entering the stores, Tangie realized that she had never seen so many diamonds before in her life. Finally, on the third day of shopping, Tangie found a ring that she was so smitten with that it practically took her breath away. It was a marquise-cut solitaire with baguettes on either side set in platinum. Her eyes popped when the jeweler read the price tag. Unfortunately, Tony could not afford it. He asked to see other rings that were more reasonably priced. Finally, they settled on another ring, and he had the jeweler measure Tangie's finger. Tony told the jeweler that he'd be back to pickup the ring in a couple of days.