Once You'Ve Touched the Heart (2 page)

O
n the day Tracy was scheduled to leave for Harmon she did not have the money needed for the initial payment. But Turk told her to pack her things, so she did, and he drove her to Harmon University. Knowing she was going to school strictly on financial aid and scholarships, Tracy prayed when the
campus by the sea
, as it was referred to in Tidewater, came into view, she would be allowed to register, (no up front cash, no entrance).

Well, Tracy’s prayers were answered. Turk made the initial cash payment; made sure she had a room assignment and gave her cash to open a bank account. She was so overwhelmed that something good was happening in her life, she never asked where the money came from. Turk had given her a chance to make something of herself. She remembered his words to her, “I got you out. Make me proud baby girl and stay out.” Turk turned to leave and for some reason, Tracy had a feeling they may not see each other for a while. She ran over and hugged him, “Thank you, Turk. I won’t disappoint you.”

He grabbed her around her neck and ruffled her hair. “Bye Sugie.” He smiled and then walked away.

When Tracy moved her things into her assigned dorm room, her roommate had already moved in. While she was arranging her clothes, someone knocked on the door. She opened the door and there were two girls standing there.

“Hey, is Ashley here?” one asked.

“No, I’m not sure who Ashley is,” Tracy said with a smile, “but she’s not here.”

“Well, tell her Cynthia and Rosaline came by.”

“Okay,” Tracy said and closed the door. “Oh, I hope my roommate is not like them.” One had been drop-dead gorgeous, like Vanessa Williams, face, hair, body, the works. The other one was pretty too, just in a different way. She was shorter, with a short stylish haircut, chestnut brown skin, and very shapely.

Tracy knew when she decided to come to Harmon that she was not going to fit in with the “in” crowd. The girls on this campus were the cream of the crop. There were very few who could not be on any page of a fashion magazine or in somebody’s video. In Tracy’s mind, she did not fit in with that group.
Oh well, that’s not why I’m here,
Tracy thought as she continued to set up her room.

Tracy had crawled under her bed to run the cable cord to the 27” flat panel television
Turk brought, so visitors would not see the cord, when the door opened.

“Hey, you must be Tracy.”

Tracy hit her head as she was trying to get out from under the bed.“Hi,” Tracy replied, smiling as she beat the dust off her jeans. “Yeah, I’m Tracy.”

“I’m Ashley. I guess we are roommates.”

“Looks that way.”

Ashley sat on the bed. “Do you need some help with your things?” she asked Tracy.

“No, this is it.”

Ashley giggled. “I think I brought everything from my room at home and some more. My brother said he was not bringing one more thing up to this room. Did I leave you enough space for your things?”

“I’m good,” Tracy replied. She was not used to talking this much to anyone. “Two girls came by looking for you earlier.”

Ashley sucked in her lip. “That would be Cynthia and Rosaline.”

“Yeah, that’s who it was.”

“I was kind of hoping they wouldn’t find me this soon. Oh, well, I’ll deal with them later; I’m late for registration.”

Tracy looked at her watch. “Me too.”

“Come on.” Ashley grabbed her hand. “Let’s go.”

Ashley talked the whole time they were walking, while Tracy listened and answered whenever she had to. Ashley seemed different from her friends. Just like the other girls, Ashley had the kind of beauty that you would see in the center of
Jet
magazine. Her skin tone was peanut butter brown. She had silky, shoulder length hair. Her figure was one men dream of, standing five feet eight inches and 130 pounds or so, with long legs that had a graceful and confident stride. This girl could wear anything, or nothing at all, and it would still look good on her. She had the look of a fly girl—the ones that are so cute they can’t be touched—but without the attitude. Ashley smiled and had a pleasant comment for everyone she encountered. It was easy to be around Ashley and Tracy liked her immediately, although she felt insignificant standing next to this girl.

Ashley’s two friends came into the hall where late registration was being held. Ashley introduced them to Tracy. When Tracy said hello, Cynthia looked at her as if she were nonexistent. “Whatever,” she said, then turned her back and continued talking to Ashley. The other one, Rosaline, said, “Girl, pay her no mind, and it’s nice to meet you.”

Tracy took a step back to allow them space to talk. The two were telling Ashley about people on campus.

“Look, I’ll have to catch you guys later. Right now I have to register for these classes,” Ashley said as she turned back to Tracy.

“I’m sorry. Cynthia is just like that. Come on; let’s get this English class straight.”

The only English class still open was one being instructed by a Professor Wood. Ashley asked the girl helping with registration, “Why is this class so empty?”

The girl replied, “Professor Wood is really good, but does not take any nonsense from his students. If you take his class you will work and learn or you will not pass.”

Ashley turned to Tracy. “I ain’t scared of him… Are you?”

“The correct phrase would be,” Tracy replied, “‘I am not scared of him,’ and no, I ain’t
scarrrrred
of him either, bring him on…”

Ashley laughed as they registered for the class. “I sure hope you are good at English, 'cause I can’t fail a class my first semester.”

Tracy smiled. “I got your back.”

That’s how it was throughout their time at Harmon: Ashley had Tracy’s back and Tracy had Ashley’s back. Not even Ashley’s friends were able to penetrate the bond the two of them developed during their time at Harmon. As for Ashley’s friends, Tracy liked both of them, but she did not fit into Cynthia’s idea of a Harmon girl. To Cynthia, Tracy was from the wrong side of the tracks and did not belong. She referred to Tracy often as “the wannabe from the projects.” Tracy’s family did not come from money and no one was involved in politics, law, medicine or any other influential career. In addition to that, Tracy was not fly girl material; she did not act, look or dress the part.

Tracy was not hard on the eyes by any stretch of the imagination. She was 5 foot 6, 125 pounds, with a smooth paper bag brown complexion, and very curvy, but no one would ever know it. Tracy’s entire wardrobe consisted of jeans, big white tee shirts and Nike Air Force One sneakers. She had all the right equipment, but just did not know how to display it. She was what the guys would dub “what if.” What if she dressed differently? Or, what if she got her hair styled? But those surface issues did not faze Tracy. Her goal was to get a degree in business administration, start her own business by the age of 21 and be on her way to Oprah-rich by 30. She did not have time to be concerned with makeup, clothes, partying or men. Her objective was making enough money to never have to go home to live again. Her objective was about to change. She was about to meet Ashley’s brother, JD.

JD was on his way to being a major player in politics, whether he wanted to be or not. Every other week he was in the news for one case or another. Whenever he was out partying, there was always a beautiful woman at his side. But what available woman wouldn’t be? JD was 6 foot 4 and 240 pounds of pure chocolate with thighs as solid as a horse’s back. The man’s body would make any pair of jeans look good and a tailored suit even better. His face was handsome, with deep brown eyes that seemed to make love to you every time they looked your way, dimples deep enough to stick your tongue in and lips so thick you could suck on them for days.

Currently JD was seeing Vanessa, a local model looking to make it big or to marry someone who had made it. The relationship wasn’t serious. JD was concentrating on his career.

His passion was making people’s lives a little easier, especially neighborhood kids. His goal was to eliminate gangs and to give kids a chance to make something of their lives. He didn’t care what, just something, but he wanted it to be their choice. He believed gangs took that choice away from kids at a very early age, and before they knew any better, it was too late to change. The only way to escape was to be put behind bars or in a grave.

When JD solved gang-related cases it made everyone look good. From the DA’s office all the way up to the governor’s office, Republicans and Democrats, they all noticed. Both political parties wanted to claim him as one of their own. Unfortunately for the political powerhouses, JD was his own man and could not be swayed. People respected him because of that. Some politicians wished they had that trait, and police officers loved a DA who could not be influenced.

As for JD’s street credibility, that came on the heels of his cases. The word on the street was simple. If you made a deal with Harrison, he stuck by it, no surprises. There were no
head games. If he got your case, before he went into court, he had you. The man hated to lose. He was fair. He would tell you what he had, and say, “You can deal now or we can deal in court, your choice.” Of course a few dumb brothers tried him and ended up with forty to life. They learned the hard way that JD Harrison was the real deal in court and he took no prisoners.

At this point in his life, JD had no idea what was about to happen to him. He had not met nor ever heard of Tracy Washington. But from the moment they met, their lives were on a collision course going full speed. Neither of them saw it coming until it happened.

J
effrey was 24 years old and Tracy was 19 when they first met. It was spring break, sophomore year at Harmon University, and Ashley had plans for the entire week. If you live on campus, the freedom is hard to give up when you go home. It was no different for Ashley. Realizing her party time would be seriously limited at her mom’s house, she begged JD to let her spend the time at his house. Remembering those days, and not being able to say no to his little sister, JD convinced their mom to let Ashley spend her break with him. Ashley invited Tracy to join her. Since the library on campus was closed during the break, Tracy did not have to work, so she accepted.

Since their father’s death, JD had been more than just a brother; he was also a father figure to Ashley. He gave her a key to his condo to make sure she knew he was always available to her. With keys in hand and Tracy at her side, it was good-bye to the campus, at least for one week.

The ride to Richmond was about an hour. As always, Ashley talked about JD. She talked about him so much, Tracy felt she already knew him. JD and Ashley had the type of relationship Tracy wished she had with her brother. She knew without a doubt that Turk loved her and would always be there when she needed him. But she didn’t get to see him that often. He would show up whenever things were crazy at home just to reassure her that things would be all right.

When she won awards at school, he was the only one from her family there. But he never stayed. When things happened with Ashley, the entire family showed up. Her mom, brother, the uncles, aunts and cousins, all made an appearance. Tracy longed to have that, but was thankful for what she did have with Turk.

“Wait until you see JD’s condo,” Ashley said, ending Tracy’s thoughts. “He has everything in there.”

“Why do they call apartments ‘condos’?” Tracy asked. “Whether you are paying rent or mortgage, you are still connected to someone else’s home. In my book, that’s an apartment.”

The question was answered as they entered the condo. JD’s home was 2,400 square feet of luxury. Tracy swore her whole house in Norfolk could fit inside. The three-bedroom condo was tastefully furnished with every comfort imaginable, from the 52-inch plasma television
hanging opposite the fireplace to the double-door master suite at the end of the hallway. It was impressive.

Ashley went into the bedroom and dropped her bags on the floor. “A whole week of freedom and parties. Oh, don’t let me forget to call my mom every day and go to church on Sunday. It’s your job to make sure I do that, or JD will never forgive me for the blessing out he will get.”

Tracy put her bag in the room and dropped her books on the dresser. “Okay, what’s the plan for the week?”

“Well, JD normally works late and goes out after work with his friend Calvin. Then on the weekend, he is usually with the flavor of the week. So first we are going by my house to keep Mama satisfied and tonight we are going to the club with Cynthia.”

“Hold up, you expect me to hang with you, Cynthia and Rosaline? I don’t think so.”

“Oh, come on, Tracy. You said you would help me with this week. You know I need this break. And besides, it wouldn’t hurt you to get out a little.”

“You know Cynthia will dog me out all week. Why would you make me deal with that?”

“You don’t have to talk to Cynthia. You can hang with Rosaline and me.”

“Like that has ever stopped her before. Ashley, Cynthia doesn’t like me very much. I am not in the mood to be put down the whole week. Besides, I have some studying I need to do.”

“Okay, Tracy, I tell you what. If you go out with us tonight, I will make sure you have a good time, and if you don’t, I won’t make you go out with us again.”

“You know, I could have easily stayed in a hotel near campus this week and would not have to deal with your uppity friend.”

“I know you could have, but you love me like a sister and would not subject me to another spring break at home with my mom. I love her. However, I need to get busy and have some fun this week. Come on, Tracy, do this for me,” Ashley pleaded.

“I got you covered,” Tracy reluctantly replied.

“Good. On Sunday we will have dinner at my mom’s house,” Ashley said with a smile.

“Girl, if she cooks some corn pudding, I am there.”

“I heard that, Mama can throw down.” Ashley cleared her throat, “Umm, Thursday, David is having a little get-together at his house and I think I may drop in.”

“Ashley, tell me you are not talking about David Holt.”

“The one and only.”

“The man has a girlfriend and is old.”

“Old! David is older, not old, and he’s not married.”

“Ashley, he is committed to somebody.”

“Okay, I understand that. I am just going to see how he’s doing.”

“You need to let that one go.”

“I know. But I can’t just yet,” she replied sadly.

“I’m sorry, Ashley. I wish things were different.” Tracy consoled her friend.

After a minute of silence, Ashley smiled. “Well, don’t worry about me. I know how to go out and have fun with other people. Now what’s your excuse?”

This was not a subject Tracy wanted to get into again. “I have to study.”

“Tracy, you have to learn how to live. Loosen up, you know; have some fun. Maybe get a man.” Ashley smirked.

“Yeah, right, like somebody is going to look at me.”

Ashley did not understand what Tracy saw in the mirror when she looked in, but Ashley saw a pretty girl. Tracy had those eyes that pull you in, and when she smiled her whole face would light up. She knew arguing with Tracy about her looks was a moot point.
I’ll fix that later
, Ashley thought.

“Well, I am young, sexy as hell and hungry. Let’s go to the kitchen and raid the refrigerator.”

Tracy smiled. “A refrigerator full of food—a college student’s best friend.” The two laughed.

For the past two years, Ashley had shared the adventures of JD and his women with Tracy, so not much would surprise her about him—or so she thought. The two girls were in the kitchen preparing dinner. Tracy put steaks on the George Foreman grill and sautéed green peppers and onions. Ashley baked potatoes in the microwave and threw together a salad. Within a matter of minutes, they were seated at the breakfast bar throwing down. When the door to the condo opened, Ashley hopped up, ran and jumped in her brother’s arms full speed.

“Hey, big brother, what’s up?” JD had no choice but to catch her before they both fell.

Tracy sat there motionless. A GOD of a man walked through the door in a suit and tie. He was a tall, dark brother with a body that was built for riding. JD was fine…. In her wildest dreams, Tracy could never imagine a man like this existed. She tried to close her mouth, but couldn’t, not before he noticed.

“Don’t worry,” JD smiled. “She hasn’t gone crazy. She always acts like that when she comes home.”

Tracy began to laugh, not at what he said, but at the fact that this man actually spoke to her. He dropped Ashley to the floor and walked towards her. He put out his hand. “Hi, I’m Ashley’s brother Jeffrey, and you must be Tracy.”

Oh God, he said her name—talk girl, talk.… “Yes, I am, it’s nice to meet you,” Tracy replied.

Ashley looked at Tracy as if surprised by what she said or maybe how she said it. Either way, Tracy had no idea why Ashley looked at her that way, so Tracy gave her one of those “what” looks. Ashley went into the kitchen behind JD.

“What have you guys been cooking? It smells good in here.”

“We fixed some for you. Grab a plate and a Heineken,” Ashley smiled with pride.

JD did just that; sat, bowed his head to say grace, and then began to eat. JD and Ashley talked non-stop for what seemed like hours. Tracy sat there, listened and remembered how much she missed her talks with Turk.

Later that evening, after visiting her mom, Ashley and Tracy were dressing to go out. JD and his boy Calvin Johnson were in the living room watching a basketball game on television. Ashley walked out of the bedroom with a red body-hugging dress on, looking too grown for JD. Calvin, who was sitting on the couch with his back to the bedrooms, saw JD’s expression and turned just as Ashley walked into the room. Calvin watched Ashley walk from the bedroom, through the living room and into the kitchen without blinking.

He turned to JD. “Man, you can’t let her go out looking like that. I love her like a little sister and my mind is wandering. What the hell you think the dogs gonna do?”

JD could not say anything. This was his baby sister, who wore jeans and cut-off tops most of the time. Now she was in the dress every dog liked to see.

“Ashley, where are you going tonight?” JD asked as inconspicuously as possible.

“To Jazzy’s with Cynthia and Rosaline,” she replied. “What about you guys? Are you staying in?”

Not anymore
, JD thought. “We’ll be out and about,” he replied.

He did not want to be the bad guy and tell her she couldn’t go out. That’s the whole reason she didn’t want to stay home this weekend. After all, she was nineteen about to turn twenty and should be able to go out and have fun. But did she have to dress like that?

Before he could finish his thought, Tracy walked out of the bedroom and took the same path as Ashley. JD’s first thought was,
Who in the hell was this woman coming out of one of his bedrooms and why wasn’t he in there with her?
Tracy was wearing Ashley’s little black dress, which would have been short on Ashley, but fell just above the knees on Tracy. Tracy was thicker than Ashley and the dress showed every curve in her body, and man, did she have a body. Her bare legs were very shapely and smooth in the three-inch black strapped sandals. With her hair pinned up she looked more sophisticated than Ashley. Tracy walked past the guys into the kitchen. The dress revealed a bare back and the full curve of her behind.

Damn
, JD thought as he watched Tracy’s every move.

“Ashley,” Tracy called out, oblivious to the reactions of JD or Calvin, “I think this dress is too tight. Do I really have to go?”

Ashley grabbed Tracy’s arm and stopped her in front of JD. “JD, please tell her she looks fine in this dress,” she begged.

Ashley turned Tracy around as if modeling the dress. JD looked at Calvin, then back to Tracy.

That had to be a trick question
, he thought. “Hmm yeah, you do look good in that dress,” he responded, nodding his head in approval.

“Do another turn for me. I, I haven’t decided yet.” Calvin held a thoughtful gaze. “Yep, yep I agree you look good in that dress.” He beamed the response.

“Thank you, Calvin,” Ashley sighed, giving Tracy an exasperated look.

Tracy smiled shyly. “That was nice of you,” she said, then walked out of the room embarrassed.

JD hit Calvin on the head. “Man, that’s a teenager,” he said as if scolding him.

“Okay, let’s go, before you wimp out on me,” Ashley said, pushing Tracy towards the door.

“Hold on Ashley,” Tracy begged, feeling uncomfortable about the dress. “I need to get a jacket.”

“Yes, Lord, please put a jacket over that dress,” JD pleaded quietly.

Tracy went in the room and put on a blazer. “Okay,” she sighed, “we can go now.”

Calvin and JD tried to refocus on the game after the girls left. They both sat there for a moment. “Teenagers; jail bait.” They both laughed.

Knowing what he prowled for in the clubs, there was no way JD was going to let these two out of his sight tonight. “Calvin, we are going to Jazzy’s.”

“I’m with you. But you realize Jazzy’s is an underage club. I will have to wear a disguise; I have a reputation to protect.”

♥

That Sunday, as promised, JD, Ashley and Tracy went to church and then to Mama Harrison’s house for dinner. Sunday dinner at Martha’s house was always lively and crowded. The whole Harrison family and friends gathered for dinner, including their minister, Pastor Smith, and his wife. Tracy wasn’t used to crowds and this one was a bit much for her. Therefore, she spent most of the day in the kitchen. With that many people coming and going there were always dishes to wash. Ashley was visiting with family in the den and JD was out back playing a pick-up game of basketball with his cousins. When Martha came into the kitchen with Pastor Smith, she saw Tracy washing dishes.

“Child, why are you still in here? Why don’t you come out and meet some of the family?” Martha encouraged.

“I thought I would try to knock out some of these dishes so you won’t have too many to clean later,” Tracy replied.

“Well, thank you, honey, but you are a guest. You don’t have to work.”

“Oh, I don’t mind helping. You want me to get that for you?” she asked, referring to the bowl Martha had in her hand.

“No, I can get this. Will you get those glasses the boys left on the table?” she asked, pointing to the patio.

“Yes ma’am,” Tracy replied.

“My, my,” Pastor Smith said, “a teenager with manners; you don’t see that too often.”

“Yes, she’s a sweet girl,” Martha replied. “That’s Ashley’s roommate from college. Kind of a quiet girl.”

Just as Tracy went out the back door a basketball came straight at her. “Heads up!” someone yelled. Tracy caught the ball, bounced it a few times and made a jump shot from where she stood.

“Whoa!” the group yelled.

“I think the idea is to put the ball through the hoop, like that,” she teased. Tracy picked up the glasses and went back into the house.

JD hit one of his cousins on the back of his head. “Another shot like that and I’m putting her on the team.”

Tracy was finishing the glasses while Martha was talking to Pastor Smith. JD came in from the game and grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator.

“Had enough, son?” Pastor Smith teased.

“Yeah, I think I am done for the night.”

“Exercise is good for the soul,” Pastor Smith replied laughing. “It keeps you young.”

JD’s Uncle Joe, who was always loud and had to let everyone in the state know he was there, entered the kitchen. “Hey, what y’all doing up in here?”

The loud voice frightened Tracy. She froze. The glass she was holding fell to the floor and shattered. JD noticed her reaction to Uncle Joe—or was it his voice?