Cheesecake and Teardrops (35 page)

“Make yourself comfortable,” Ava said as Heather sat. “I hope you like eggplant parmigiana.”

“I love it.” Heather smiled as Ava placed salad and covered dishes on the table before sitting.

As Ava removed the lids, Heather noticed that the food was piping hot. The sight and aroma of the cheddar biscuits brought an instant smile to Heather's face.

“Dig in,” Ava said simply.

Heather bit in to a biscuit, and her mouth practically had an orgasm. She chewed ever so slowly, enjoying the buttery, salty flakiness. Finally, she opened her eyes. “You are something else.”

“Oops, I almost forgot. I made strawberry martinis.”

“They make martinis out of everything,” Heather said.

“You'll love it. I guarantee we'll be drinking 'em all night.”

Heather had a few spoonfuls of the eggplant parmigiana and took a sip of the martini. “Mmm, I like this,” she told Ava.

“I thought you would,” she said, sipping her drink.

They finished dinner and had another martini. Ava looked at Heather, her head cocked to the side. She leaned over and kissed Heather lightly on the mouth. “You are so sweet. You know that?”

Heather took another sip of her drink. “Whatever you're selling tonight, I'm already sold.”

“Then why don't we take our glasses and go into the living room,” Ava said.

Heather followed Ava back into the living room, where they made themselves comfortable on the sofa.

“I think I'll have another drink,” Heather said, draining her glass.

Ava brought the pitcher into the living room and refilled Heather's glass. “This is nice,” Ava said.

“Uh-huh,” Heather agreed.

“But you know what would be even nicer?”

“What's that?”

“This,” Ava said, taking Heather's drink from her and placing it on the coffee table. She leaned over to kiss her. Heather kissed her back, all traces of inhibition disintegrating. Ava removed Heather's top, and gently eased her down onto the sofa. Next, she undid her bra, freeing Heather's breasts. Her mouth quickly found her nipples, sucking until they were erect. Heather reached up and removed Ava's tank top, excited by her bare breasts. Then Heather fondled Ava's full breasts until Ava raised up and popped a breast in Heather's mouth. Heather circled Ava's nipple with her tongue, sliding it in and out of her mouth before latching onto it and sucking oh-so-slowly.

Ava let out a moan. “Are you sure you haven't done this before?” Ava asked her.

“I guess I'm a fast learner,” she whispered before getting back to work.

“Looks like I lucked up.” Ava closed her eyes, enjoying Heather's mouth. Then she stood.

“What's wrong?” Heather asked.

“Why don't you take off your jeans and get more comfortable?”

Smiling, Heather did as suggested as Ava removed her skirt. Wearing nothing but panties, they got back on the couch, lying side by side.

“You wanna know something?” Heather asked without waiting for an answer. “I can already tell. You're dangerous.”

“Dangerous? No. Addictive? You decide.” She slid two fingers inside Heather's panties and Heather nearly lost her mind.

 

Heather dropped Jamal like a bell-bottom hem in a straight-leg season. He had left her several messages. Eventually, he tired of not having his calls returns. He stopped calling altogether.

Heather joined Tangie and Charisma at Cabana one night. They met for drinks and a movie. Heather was the first to arrive. She felt like a newlywed and apparently it showed.

“Well, look at you,” Charisma said to Heather as she took a seat next to her. “We're gonna have to start calling you Bubbles.”

“I don't know,” Tangie began. “For someone who just got out of the hospital, something's got you glowing. Is it your doctor?”

“No, it isn't my doctor. Can't a woman just be happy to be alive and to hang out with her two best friends?” Heather asked.

“Yeah, right.” Tangie nodded. “Tell me anything. I'm a woman. We've been best friends since college, but you just started rocking this new look.”

“What's going on?” Charisma agreed.

“Nada,” Heather insisted. “Not a thing.” Heather's cell phone went off, making a liar out of her. “Okay, see you in a few,” Heather told the caller. She stood. “Sorry guys, I gotta go.”

“Let me guess. That was Nada,” Tangie insisted.

“You got it,” Heather said, and they all laughed.

Heather ran three red lights on her way up Queens Boulevard, praying all the while that a ticket wouldn't find its way into her mailbox. There was no way of dodging those damn cameras.

Ava met Heather at the door wearing a short, silky animal print robe, which Heather quickly untied. She put her hands inside and took Ava in her arms as their lips met. Ava wore nothing underneath. She broke free and climbed the stairs to her bedroom, which was bathed in scented candlelight. Heather was close behind. She stripped in record time and slid under the covers. Ava removed Heather's hair clip, freeing her naturally curly mane. Then she gave Heather a scalp massage that left her tingly and completely relaxed.

Suddenly she looked at Heather. “Are you sure?” Ava asked her softly.

Heather nodded.

“You're not just teasing me?”

“Not this time.” Heather shook her head, smiling.

Ava climbed on top of Heather, her tongue deep inside Heather's mouth. They both rolled over until they were both on their sides facing each other. Her fingers kneaded Heather's back and shoulders on their way to her breasts.

Smiling, Ava sucked on her nipples until they were as big as grape tomatoes. Ava rolled over so that her back was facing Heather's front. Spooning, she spread her legs, allowing Heather easier access to her Brazilian domain. Heather's fingers found their way to Ava's pussy. Her fingertips searched for Ava's little honey nut. Ava's breathing told Heather that she had found it. She began gyrating on Heather's right hand until she came. She turned to face Heather, and drew Heather's fingertips into her mouth, relishing the flavor. Heather then kissed Ava on the mouth. Grinning, they both lay back on the bed.

Ava repositioned herself on top of Heather. She planted wet kisses on her neck, her tits, and her abs. Ava placed her hands between Heather's legs. She gently separated her dripping lips, exposing her beet-red pussy. Just the sight of Heather's clitoris peeking through practically made her cum. She slid down and kissed it ever so gently, creating a wet, slippery stream that ran down Heather's thigh. Ava slid her right hand between her own legs until her breathing came in short spurts. She plunged her double-jointed tongue all up in Heather's pussy until they both could stand no more. Heather's body went into spasms from head to toe as she covered Ava's lips with her cream. Catching their breath, they fell asleep in each other's arms.

They awoke the next morning and showered together. Ava insisted on making breakfast. They were both famished.

“We make some team. We should go on vacation together,” Ava said. “We'd have a ball.”

“I don't think I'm ready for all that.”

“Suit yourself,” Ava told her.

On the night before Tangie's birthday, she came home from work, filled her bathroom with scented candles, grabbed her iPod and speakers, and took a nice, long, relaxing bath. The water was as hot as she could stand it, and she felt as though she was at her own personal spa.

As the suds slid down the drain, Tangie was left feeling refreshed and pampered. She slipped on her favorite robe and decided to fix a light dinner. She was interrupted by the doorbell. She checked the clock above the kitchen sink, not expecting anyone. It was the florist—with a single rose, a single lime rose. She found her purse, tipped the delivery boy, and closed the door. She already knew who it was from, smiling to herself as she read the attached card.
Can't wait until seven tomorrow evening, the first night of the rest of our lives together.
In anticipation, Tangie squealed with delight. Who would have thunk a couple of months ago that she and Tony would be spending her birthday together?

Suddenly, she was no longer hungry. She barely slept that night, feeling like a five-year-old on Christmas eve.

When she got to work the next morning, her coworkers at the gym surprised her with coffee and doughnuts. That afternoon a couple of the girls took her to lunch, which included a generous slice of birthday cake.

Tangie skipped her workout that afternoon and headed straight home to shower and get ready for her date. She didn't know what he had planned, so naturally she wasn't quite sure what to wear. She spritzed her skin with perfume and finally decided on a pair of skintight leather pants and a sleeveless form fitting top.

Tangie checked herself in the full-length mirror, viewing her reflection from every angle. Yeah, she still had it going on. Thank goodness she worked at a gym. So there was really no excuse for not keeping her body tight.

Next, she applied her makeup so well that it would bring a smile to even Cinderella's face. Tangie checked her watch. It was a 6:45. She poured herself a glass of white wine, sat down in her living room, and waited.

At two minutes past seven the doorbell rang. Tangie stood and smoothed down her clothes and hair. Smiling, an excited Tangie answered the door. The bouquet was so large that it hid his face. Finally, he lowered the lime roses. It was Jordan.

For a moment she was speechless. “How'd you know I liked lime roses?” she asked him, puzzled.

“Oh, a little birdie told me,” said, winking. “I had them flown in just for you.”

Remembering Tony's words, she threw back her head and laughed.

“May I come in?” he asked.

“Please do.”

She took the roses from him and placed them in a vase on the dining room table, adding water. Jordan sat down on the sofa and Tangie joined him.

He turned to face her. “I will never hurt you,” he vowed as he removed the band from her left ring finger. “And you will never need to front behind this band.”

She sensed Tony's presence all around. Oddly enough, knowing that she'd always have his love and protection gave her a newfound reservoir of strength.

She looked deeply into Jordan's eyes and smiled slowly. What made her think she had to skip mindlessly from one relationship to the next as though she was inadequate? She was enough. She was more than enough. She was whole. She was complete. All she had to do now was be open and receptive to the possibilities.

 

Charisma met Heather and Tangie in Macy's shoe department one Wednesday night after work. She had left work early and wasn't the least bit guilty about it. After all, what was leave for? It had been a while since they had all gotten together. They stopped by Red Lobster for a bite to eat.

They walked in and were seated immediately. The restaurant was relatively empty. The waiter returned momentarily with menus and their drinks, which they raised in a toast.

“Behind every successful woman is herself.” Charisma smiled.

“Hear, hear,” Heather and Tangie chimed in.

Charisma looked around. Where did all the people come from? Half of them were white. She had a strange sense of déjà vu. All of the other patrons looked strangely familiar to her. It was eerie. She glanced at each one of them. They each rhythmically made eye contact with her and nodded ever so slightly before resuming their conversation. It was perfectly choreographed. And then, one by one, as more customers arrived, they did the exact same thing. Tangie and Heather seemed oblivious to what was going on. It was as if it was for her eyes only. She couldn't have explained it if she tried. It was all so surreal. Then they stood. One by one, they smiled at her ever so slightly before leaving the restaurant. Suddenly, she realized that it was her dream. Only this time, peace had replaced her fear. Everything was in divine order. She smiled to herself.

Tangie was saying something.

“Huh?” Charisma asked her.

“So what's going on?” Tangie asked her.

“You're not going to believe this,” Charisma began. “Nate and I will be raising Chase's baby. I'm adopting it.” She took a sip of her chocolate martini, savoring the flavor.

“Are you serious? When did all this happen?” Heather asked her.

“Well, I got the idea a while ago, and I mentioned it to Nate. We discussed it with Chase, and she finally agreed.”

“So you're gonna be a mother.” Tangie smiled.

“Yep,” Charisma laughed, raising her glass.

“I'm so happy for you. When's she due?” Heather asked.

“She's due right before Christmas,” Charisma told them.

“What a blessing.” Tangie shook her head.

“Pretty amazing, huh?” Charisma said.

“That it is,” Heather agreed. “I have a confession of my own. I'm going on vacation next week.”

“Where to?” Tangie asked.

“Aruba.”

“Aruba is for lovers,” Charisma said.

“And I am long overdue,” Heather replied.

“You didn't tell us you and Jamal got back together.”

Tangie stirred her Miami Vice with a straw.

“We didn't. I'm not seeing him anymore. I'm going with an old friend from high school.”

“No wonder you're still glowing. An old love, that's nice,” Charisma said.

“No, more like a
new
one.”

“I think this is where Nada comes in.” Tangie nudged Charisma, joking.

“So you're ready to reveal his true identity?” Charisma smiled.

“Uh-huh,” Heather admitted, taking a deep breath. “Only it's not a he, it's a she.” She paused for a few moments to let it sink in.

Tangie and Charisma were silent for a moment.

“Heather, why didn't you tell us?” Charisma asked.

“We're your girls,” Tangie said.

“I know,” Heather said. “I guess I was afraid you'd judge me. This is all so new to me.”

“Listen, Heather. We love you. We just want you to be happy,” Charisma told her.

“Life is short, Heather. You've paid your stress dues. Just do you. Do you,” Tangie told her.

“It takes a lot of courage to keep it real and live outside the box. I admire you,” Charisma admitted.

“Thanks,” Heather said, draining her glass. “You don't know how much you both mean to me.” She stood, leaned over and hugged them both. “I gotta run. Love you.”

“Love you too,” Tangie and Charisma told her.

“Call us before you leave,” Tangie insisted, watching her go.

“Our girl is something else,” Charisma said.

“That she is,” Tangie agreed.

“So how are things with you?”

“Incredible. You know something, Charisma?” she asked.

“With every good-bye, you learn. Tony has taught me more about life than you will know.”

“Kind of like a guardian angel, right?” Charisma smiled.

“Exactly.” They both smiled.

Charisma checked her watch. It was 4:15. “I gotta get going.”

“I thought we were gonna hang out,” Tangie said.

“I know, but I have an appointment with Dr. Vale.”

“Follow-up?” Tangie asked.

“Yeah, she wants to make sure everything's healing nicely.”

“How do you feel?”

“Great,” Charisma reassured her, taking one last sip of her martini and standing. “Maybe we can get together this weekend. I'll give you a call.”

 

Charisma stopped at the light, the doctor's words still fresh in her mind. Could she make it home? For a moment she sat in disbelief, unsure if she could trust herself to even breath, afraid of breaking the spell. Slowly, she began taking small breaths, completely unaware of where one ended and the next began.

As the light turned green, the tears that had welled up in her eyes began chasing each other down her cheeks—big, fat, juicy tears. With the back of her hand, she wiped them away, but not before they splattered her jacket.

Charisma was expecting a baby! Through tears of joy she realized that life is about unity and connections—not separation and division. And that we are all more alike than different, needing love and acceptance.

A New Testament Bible verse came to mind—Matthew 5:9. As a child she had held it near. Somewhere along the way it had gotten away from her.
Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.
Like an epiphany it was all revealed. Finally, she understood. Joyfully, she understood. Blacks are not the privileged sect. Whites are not the privileged sect. The children of God are the privileged sect.