No Ordinary Romance (13 page)

It was 5:30 pm by the time she got home. She
changed her clothes and went to the kitchen to make dinner for
Thomas. Connie decided to make an easy meal of broiled pork chops
and scallop potatoes. As she peeled the potatoes her cell phone
rang, she didn't expect to hear from Jenna or Samantha, so Thomas
was probably calling her.

"Hello."

"Constantina, it's Thomas, I'm going to have
to take a rain check on dinner. I'm heading out to San Diego
tomorrow on an unexpected business trip. I was hoping to catch you
before you started on dinner."

"Not a problem Thomas I was just starting to
peel potatoes, so you're off the hook." Connie was surprised at the
relief Thomas's call brought her.

"Baby you've got it all wrong, I don't want
to be let off the hook. Our relationship is new, and the last thing
I want to do is go out of town. I would ask you to go with me, but
I realize how unreasonable my request would be."

"Thomas don't feel guilty because you have to
work, believe me, I understand." She continued peeling potatoes,
deciding to make a smaller batch for herself.

"In case you're wondering, I do consider us a
couple Constantina. Just because, I'm going out of town for a
couple of days doesn't change that."

"Don't I have any say in the matter?"

"You do baby, and I got your answer last
weekend. I staked my claim, and you accepted. I have to go. I need
to finish the contract I'm working on before I catch an early
flight out to San Diego tomorrow. I'll call you as soon as I can
and save Friday night for me, I'd like to take you out to
dinner."

"Okay Thomas, I'll save Friday night for you.
Have a safe trip."

"Dream of me Constantina and stay out of
trouble while I'm gone."

"Good bye Thomas." Connie put the potatoes on
the stove and retrieved the ingredients for a salad from the
refrigerator. She was over thinking her relationship with Thomas.
She would go with the flow and enjoy her time with him. When it was
over, she would thank him for the memories and kiss him
good-bye.

***

It was early Tuesday
morning, and Connie hadn't slept a wink. Thomas's defection bruised
her ego, making her feel like an idiot. She opened herself up to
him, and he took advantage of the situation. Just like a vampire
draining the local blood bank. She refused to dwell in the dry
riverbed of
self-depreciation.

Making love with Thomas
this weekend was the ten greatest experiences in her life. Thomas
didn't mislead her, he was a hunter used to getting any woman he
wanted
. S
he was just another in a long line
of many. Connie would file their recent weekend together as a
treasured memory and move on. She would not spend the day focused
on Thomas. She had a business to tend to, and a foundation to
manage.

Connie attacked her morning workout with a
high level of ferociousness. After a quick shower, to appease her
ravenous hunger she ate an egg white omelet, washing it down with
orange juice. She looked at the contents of her refrigerator
deciding to splurge for dinner with garlic mash potatoes and a
steak. She left her house at 6:30 am to avoid most of the rush hour
traffic on I480. She reached her office in twenty minutes ready to
jump into work.

She hung up her coat and adjusted the
thermostat. Once the coffee was on, she pulled up her files for the
Cabbage Patch Foundation. The net amount raised from the
Valentine's Day dance amazed her. From all accounts, the foundation
added a half million dollars to its coffers.

Roxie, the foundation's events coordinator
provided her with the names of donors from the dance. She went
through the database updating the donor list. Her eyes skimmed down
the screen immediately noticing two new donors. Thomas donated five
thousand, and the Chisum Group donated ten thousand. She recognized
the Chisum Group as Thomas's client, the land swap client.
Interesting, she wondered what Thomas did to wrangle a donation
from the group.

She looked at the calendar noting her
speaking engagement at the Domestic Violence conference was coming
up soon. The foundation's next fundraiser is the Mother's Day
luncheon the Saturday before Mother's Day. It was not as successful
as the Valentine's Day dance, but it was good to see mothers and
daughters out for a day of celebration.

It was times like this that she missed Momma
Lettie the most. Connie thought back to the first parent/teacher
conference Momma Lettie attended on her behalf. Momma Lettie
arrived just before lunch and stood in the hall as Connie's class
left the classroom. It became apparent how much older Momma Lettie
was in comparison to the other kids' mothers.

The teacher had the children line up in the
hall, and Connie never made eye contact with Momma Lettie. She
ignored Momma Lettie as if she were a complete stranger. She did
not want anyone to know that the old black woman was there for her.
That is until some of the kids started to make fun of Momma
Lettie's fat legs and old woman's shoes.

Connie felt ashamed for not acknowledging
Momma Lettie, so she ran up and hugged her. Momma Lettie
immediately hugged her back and kissed her on the head. The teacher
told Connie to get back in line and invited Momma Lettie into the
classroom. Connie got back in line, daring anyone to say anything
else about her momma.

If the kids thought it was strange that her
momma was black, and old they did not say anything to her. She had
gained a reputation for fighting first and asking questions later
when she first came to the school months prior. Several of the mean
girls picked on her until she finally told Momma Lettie about the
abuse. Momma Lettie told her to mop the floor with the leader of
the "mean girls" group and the followers would leave her alone.
Connie laughed to herself and pushed on, deciding that the day was
looking up already.

***

Connie had a busy morning, she had ten
walk-ins and one of her clients had difficulty receiving year-end
reports. She thought that was odd considering that she sent
year-end reports in December. She was getting herself another cup
of coffee when, when the mailman came through the door.

Both Beth and Carrie Ann were busy with
customers, so she went to collect the mail. "Good morning
Clark."

"Hey Connie, just a few items, plus I have
some priority mail. Just sign on the line and I'll get out of your
hair."

Connie sign for the priority mail wondering
if the property deed had arrived. "Thanks Clark! I was just about
to get myself some coffee; do you want me to top off your
container?"

"Not today Connie, I'm trying to cut back on
caffeine. Have a great day ladies, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Thanks Clark! I hope you have a fabulous day
as well." Connie waved at Clark as he departed. She ripped off the
taped and pulled the documents out of the envelope. As she
suspected, it was the property deed from the swap, and proof that
it was recorded with Douglas County's register of deeds.

She made plans in her head about developing
the land and the type of structures that would enhance the
property. It was still the dead of winter, but she wanted the plans
to be finalized soon as the ground was thawed enough to begin
development.

Connie was trying to determine what she would
eat for lunch when one of her employees from The Purple Feather
arrived. "Chad I was going to call you earlier, but I got busy.
What brings you here?"

Chad Roberts adored Connie, she was a great
boss, and she never had anything unpleasant to say about anyone. "I
got your message that you wanted me to call. I decided to stop by
on my way to work." He had to admit that wasn't the only reason he
stopped by, lately Beth had been giving him the cold shoulder, and
he couldn't figure out why. He followed Connie back to her office
giving Beth a wink as he walked by her desk.

Connie was excited to see Chad, he is such a
good worker and a great architect, or should she say budding
architect. "Can I get you anything to drink?"

"No Connie I'm good. What's up?" Chad took a
seat, he was curious, Connie was all about business, and he was
rather surprised to hear from her."

"I know this is relatively short notice, but
I would like you to consider taking a job with the foundation.
Negotiations for the sale of The Purple Feather are going well, and
I expect to sell any day, especially if the price is right."

Chad had to admit that he was intrigued;
Connie was straightforward with her employees about the sale of The
Purple Feather. He realized that he would have to look for another
job soon, but the chance to continue working with her in any
capacity was too good to pass up. "I'm all ears Connie, although I
don't know how I could benefit the foundation."

Connie laughed. "Chad you are so modest, your
work is excellent. I've seen your designs and purchased some of
your paintings at the Starving Artist Sale. Your internship last
summer with Showls & Heptner the largest architectural firm in
the Midwest is mightily impressive. The Cabbage Patch Foundation
acquired a sizeable piece of property, and I want you to design the
new campus."

At first, he didn't think Connie was serious,
but the opportunity was too good to let it pass. "Are you serious?
Connie this is the opportunity of a lifetime. I took the NCEE
examine, but I probably won't receive my PE license for another
month. It's illegal for me to design buildings just yet."

"Chad you and I both know that you aced the
architectural exam, and it's just of matter of time before you
receive your license. If you feel uncomfortable, we can postpone
the actual designs until you receive your PE license. You certainly
don't need a license to look at the land and start sketching the
property specs.

"When can I check out the property? I want to
contemplate what I'm dealing with."

Connie was caught up in Chad's enthusiasm,
"Thursday morning works for me if you don't have class." I don't
want to put too much on your plate. The sooner you get your designs
together the better. The campus I want to create is going to be a
welcome mat for kids with no place to go."

It was then that he knew that his plan to get
close to Connie was the correct one. Maybe one day he'll gather the
courage to tell Connie of his true identity. Until then, he'll work
closely, hoping she wouldn't hate him when he told her about his
family. "When do you want me to start?"

"I want you to start right away; you can set
up in the office across the hall. Of course, we'll have to get
creative with scheduling at The Purple Feather. Whoever the new
owners are, I'm hoping that the staff's positions will be
maintained."

"We all knew the possibility that we would
lose our jobs with the sale. The fact that you're trying to save
our jobs speaks highly of you."

Connie really liked Chad, he's a good worker
and protective of his friends. "Don't turn me into a Saint Connie,
if I can save 75 jobs it my obligation to try."

Chad stood before her, proud of whom his big
sister has become. One day soon, he would tell her the truth of
about him, but for now, it was enough to remain close to her. "See
Connie that's where you wrong, most employers give less than a damn
about their employees losing their jobs. If it's not too intrusive,
may I ask why you're selling The Purple Feather? It's a
goldmine."

"Chad, I inherited The Purple Feather to
continue my friend's work at the foundation. I cannot allow the
image of The Purple Feather to undermine the Cabbage Patch
Foundation in any way. The foundation is moving in multiple
directions, and I refuse to let any ne'er do wells to deflect our
accomplishments. Selling The Purple Feather will allow the
foundation to move forward: homes for the homeless, help for
pregnant teens, jobs for those trying to attend college. "

"Your friend placed her trust in the right
person. I know many people who would have taken the money and run.
Well, anyway I need to go to work. Thanks for the opportunity
Connie; I promise not to let you down."

Connie grabbed his arm and walked him to the
door. "You have a very creative mind Chad; I have faith in your
abilities to envision a spectacular campus for the foundation." She
pulled a slip of paper out of her pocket and handed it to Chad.
"Here's the address I'll meet you over there at 8:00 am on
Thursday."

Chad laughed aloud, "You were very sure that
I would agree to this project."

"No Chad I was hopeful. See you
Thursday."

***

Jimmy Lee came into the trailer with a little
fear. His lover of a couple of months was in a strange mood today.
Nothing he did seemed to please her until he went to get more beer.
As he entered the home he shared with his lover, he couldn't miss
the clothes and trash littered all over as if a five year old threw
a tantrum. "What are you reading in that paper that has you in such
a tizzy? This place looks as if a tornado landed."

Crystalline looked at him with her steely
blue eyes and total distain. "That bitch is living in high style.
She's out there hobnobbing with those high society whores while I
waste away in this goddamned trailer park."

Jimmy Lee set the case of beer on the table,
opened it and handed a beer to her. Crystalline snatched the can
out of his hand, popped the top, and gulped down the beer before
Jimmy Lee could sit down. She popped the top of another can of beer
before she finished the first one. He picked up the newspaper and
studied the photo that had Crystalline up in arms. "Who is
she?"

She was quiet at first; she didn't like
talking about the past, especially if it involved Tina. "She's my
kid. Tina's living like a damn queen. I won't let her get away with
it; I won't hide in the shadows anymore!" Crystalline didn't like
thinking about the past it made her feel guilty. Far as, she's
concerned, she didn't have anything to be sorry. Tina should have
died in the fire with David. .