ParkCrestViewBundleNEW (27 page)

" It was so nice meeting you Ms. Renee" Jazzlyn said smiling,"We're going to having you over for dinner soon. We live two steps away from each other so you don't have to go far to see both of us." Jazzlyn said laughing.

" I'll look forward to it. Just tell me what I can bring. Who knows maybe I'l bring a date" Ms. Renee said. Tyson's head whipped around fast.

" A date! Mama please don't go there. Not tonight. Please not tonight." Tyson said shaking his head. " I love you mama" Tyson said.

" I love you too baby, we wont talk about it tonight. But we
will
talk about it. Hell I'm grown!" Ms. Renee said closing the door.

Tyson and Jazzlyn got in the car ,Tyson drove silently thinking about what his mother said about dating." I real y liked your mom Tyson, she's a laid back cool mom! She looks young too! How old is your mom Tyson?" Jazzlyn asked.

" Why has she been talking about dating lately? Imma have to get with my sisters on this one! See what the hell is going on." Tyson said frowning.

" Wel baby how long ago did your dad pass?"

" My dad just passed four years ago. Dating should be the last thing on her mind ! To be honest I'd be fine if she didn't date at all. My mama aint like some of these other lonely older women on the block! She had the love of her life. My dad. That should be enough." Tyson said hitting the steering wheel.

" Wel baby, four years is actually a long time to be by yourself. Especially since she's used to having someone." Jazzlyn said cautiously. Jazzlyn had never real y seen Tyson

really
mad before. He was visibly upset. Not like the times they'd had disagreements.

" We're not talking about this right now." Tyson said. " Did you enjoy dinner?" Tyson asked " I did, your mom's a good cook" Jazzlyn said.

"Umm,hold on a minute. Your mom's a
good
cook...my mama's a
great
cook!" Tyson said laughing while Jazzlyn playfully punched him in the arm.

ParkCrest View

Tyson took one last look at himself in the mirror before leaving out the door heading over to Jazzlyn's apartment. His next door neighbor, a blonde woman whom he'd been trying for the longest time to avoid happened to be leaving her apartment at the same time

." WOW! You look great. Who's the lucky lady that gets to have you on her arm tonight?" she asked flirtatiously. The woman seemed nice enough but damn... can't you see when a man is ignoring your flirting... for months?

" Actually the lady
I'm
proud to have on my arm lives right here" Tyson said pointing to Jazzlyn's door." Enjoy your evening. " Tyson said dismissively as he walked up the hall and into Jazzlyns apartment.

"Whatever asshole." she mumbled under her breath walking down the hal towards the elevator looking back towards Jazzlyn's apartment.

"Baby are you ready?" Tyson called from the kitchen pouring himself a glass of water.

" I am. Do I look OK?" Jazzlyn asked walking into the kitchen. Tyson turned around and almost choked on on his water." OK? You look better than OK, damn baby! You hittin' me with the freak em' dress tonight I see!" Tyson said his shock being replaced with a laugh and a sly smile." Let's be a little late " Tyson said looking towards the bedroom.

" That will make us a
lot
late." Jazzlyn said laughing. Jazzlyn was dressed in a strapless form fitting red dress and had chosen to accent the outfit with gold jewelry.

Both which further enhanced her chocolate complexion. As soon as they'd arrived home from lunch with Tyson's mother, Jazzlyn picked up Sherica and they went to get manicures and pedicures. Afterward Jazzlyn made a quick trip over to Miss Ida's shop for a blowout. Jazzlyn's long thick hair was now bone straight and flowing.

" Hold on a second baby, I almost forgot to spritz on some perfume." Jazzlyn ran back to her room and sprayed a touch of her favorite perfume, Flowerbomb. Jazzlyn smiled at Tyson's reaction to seeing her. Little did he or Jevon know but Jazzlyn and Sherica had planned to blow them away on sight tonight! Jazzlyn could already see it worked for Tyson, she wondered how Jevon had reacted? Jazzlyn was really excited about Sherica and Jevon possibly having something special. It had been too long since Sherica had dated someone exclusively...three years to be exact. Sherica had finally had enough of Trevonne's trifling ass brother Lamont and decided to move on. Pushing forward as a single mother minus the drama of his no good behind. They were going to all meet up at Shericas place.

Friendships and More

Jevon pulled up to Shericas home and checked himself out in the rear view mirror before getting out of the car. " Nigga you's a fine muthafucka if I do say so myself!"

Jevon said aloud to himself. Jevon walked up to Shericas door and rang the bel .

" Hey Jevon!" Sherica said smiling as she opened the door.

" How
you
doing?" Jevon said stunned.

" Goddamn Sherica... I'm too young to have a heart attack and you killing me in that dress!" Jevon said " Hell you looking so good, imma let you order an appetizer and dessert hell I'm glad I made some overtime!" Jevon said standing in the entryway unable to take his eyes off Sherica.

For the evening Sherica had chosen to wear a one shouldered black dress that fit every womanly curve of her body. Along with red stiletto heels that made her long legs look even shapelier. Sherica's hair was cut into a chin length bob that she usually wore straight but tonight she'd decided to put soft waves al around that framed her face and used her makeup to give herself a smokey eye look which she topped off with a killer red lipstick. Jevon suddenly found his eyes fixated on Sherica's lips,
damn
Jevon thought to himself I can see her lips wrapped around my...

" Wel come on in and have a seat. Jazzlyn cal ed they're on the way." Sherica said snapping Jevon out of his thoughts." My mom wanted to spend some time with Isiah so I ended up taking him over there to spend the night." Sherica said trying not to be obvious about checking Jevon out.

This man here is cocky as hell I know, but damn how can you blame him? When you got it, you just got that shit! This brotha right here? Damn. He got it all!Sherica thought to herself. He better be as fun tonight as he's been all week on the damn phone. I've been going to sleep late as hell, up all night talking to his ass! Sherica's cellphone rang and she answered quickly and hung up just as fast.

" Jazzlyn and Tyson are outside.

" Sherica" Jevon said " I'm real y glad you decided to come out tonight."

" I'm glad I did too" Sherica said locking her door.

Simple Tests

Everyone rode to the restaurant laughing and talking the entire ride there. "Sherica let me tell you once again. You look beautiful tonight." Jevon said. Sherica played with her hair a little bit.

" Thank you Jevon" Sherica said shyly.

" Why are you acting all shy? I know you get complimented all the time." Jevon said.

"Wel Jevon a lot of men consider yelling "Damn Baby you look good or let me holla at you right quick Ma! Genuine compliments...women don't really consider those compliments. So really sincere compliments like the one you just gave me are few and far between." Sherica said " So thank you for showing some grown man appreciation for the time I took getting ready for our date."

" Always. " Jevon said smiling as he held his hand out and Sherica slipped her hand into his. They spent the rest of the ride talking about each others day.

"Jevon?" Tyson cal ed to the back,"Where have you been working out lately? Jazzlyn and I have been going to that new place Kuts and Kurves. They had a booth down in the lobby at ParkCrest and Jazzlyn got us some free passes. We may start going there al the time."

" I've seen the commercials on T.V. is it nice?" Jevon asked.

" Yeah it's cool. I mean I aint gonna lie they have way more than I ever would need but hel for what I was paying every month to go workout at my little hole in the wall gym. I may as well get the works for the same price plus they let you bring a guest every time so why the hell not?" Tyson said

" Baby see if you can get some more trial passes for Sherica and Jevon. I would try to get them for you myself but ol boy didn't look too happy to see my white ass show up with Jazzlyn at the gym." Tyson said to Jevon laughing.

" Be quite! Bishop was nice." Jazzlyn said " Shiit! Nice to
you
!" Tyson said laughing"

Man Jevon, this dude was looking at me like I had three heads instead of just me being white!I wasn't tripping on it though. I've been there and done that. But you..." Tyson said looking at Jazzlyn quickly "Better pick up on when folks are talking out the side of their neck to you."Tyson said." Especial y being with me."

"I'm sorry but I real y disagree with you on that Tyson. I'm not going to live my life on edge thinking everyone will have something negative to say about us. Who wants to live like that?" Jazzlyn asked exasperation creeping into her voice.

" See? Already what I said totally went over your head. Jazzlyn imma keep it real with you since it's my best friend in the car and your friend. Your own
family
has a problem with me. You
know
them. For the most part,you know where their head is at and
they
don't even like your decision to be with me. I'm just telling you to be aware of strangers and slick shit they try to say and do because we're with each other. It's not about being paranoid or none of that shit...it aint no different than what you already do being black in America." Tyson said shaking his head.

" Sherica, is Jazzlyn the sheltered kid out of y'alls crew or what?" Everyone started to laugh including Jazzlyn. Just then they pulled into the parking lot." You two go on in I want to talk to Jazzlyn for a quick minute, tell them James party of four."

"OK man." Jevon said getting out of the car in a hurry to open the door for Sherica.

They walked into the restaurant holding hands. " Baby I hope I'm not putting a damper on the night for you because of what I said. I don't lie, I don't pull any punches and I'm a man that says what's on my mind...you already know that. Don't think I don't know and can't feel what's going on with your family concerning me. Your mom is going to deal with me because she's level headed, you're her only daughter and you two are close.

Your dad is reigning in his feelings for the same reasons as your mom and is either gonna wait for you to get tired of me or for us to break-up. Aint no damn way he wanna see my white ass around on a long term basis." Tyson said.

" They don't have a real problem with you Tyson,they just have to get to know you is al ."Jazzlyn said not quite knowing what she real y should say since she knew Tyson was speaking nothing but the truth.

" Yes they do need to get to know me and they don't like my ass worth a damn Jazzlyn." Tyson said laughing.

" Baby listen this is me your talking to. There will never be a need for you to feel like you have to cover up something to spare my feelings OK? I've been doing this since I was three years old remember. I can read most people like a book." Tyson said.

"You think I don't know why your brother came over the other day? That little visit was al about me. If it wasn't, how come he hadn't brought his ass over before then ?

Because they thought you were "safe" with Darien the black man. Like I said I aint scared but I want you to be aware. I love you and I care about how you feel at all times but some people you
know
and a lot of people that you
don't
know are going to be straight funny acting when it comes to us."Tyson said.

" I know baby I think for me... I just wish more people saw exactly what I see. A man that loves me. I don't give a damn about strangers but I can't even lie,dinner and meeting my parents did NOT go over as smooth as I just assumed it would. I also wont lie and say that it's not upsetting me either." Jazzlyn said.

" At the end of the day though, al that matters is me and how I feel. I love you so everyone else can kiss my black ass."Jazzlyn said starting to open the car door. " That's my girl " Tyson said smiling and pulling her over for a kiss before they got out of the car and walked into the restaurant.

" We're with the James party" Tyson said pointing over to where he already saw Jevon and Sherica seated.

" OK please fol ow me, I'll get you two seated." The hostess said. It had been awhile since Jazzlyn had been to Romanos.

" It looks great in here! I think they've redecorated since the last time I ate here."

Jazzlyn said looking around at the richly themed decor.

" They did it was sometime last year. I called to make reservations once and they were closed."

They joined Jevon and Sherica and the waiter came over and gave everyone menus, filled their water goblets and took drink orders while they perused the menu. After they'd placed their orders with the waiter Jazzlyn and Sherica excused themselves and went into the ladies room. A few moments later while in the stall Jazzlyn heard two voices.

" Oh my God! Did you see that gorgeous man walk in with that black chick Sarah?"

"Yes, he was really good looking and obviously
taken
Tara."

"Screw that! You know I'm not a racist Sarah but I'm seeing this crap more and more.

Great looking white men out here dating these black women. Then here it is, date night and I'm single out with the girls every weekend!"

"Tara it's America, people can date whomever they like regardless of color. Geez ! I'm kinda shocked to hear you talking like this. Besides get a grip on reality why don't you.

We just spoke about this...maybe it's the thirty extra pounds you need to drop or it could be the thirty pounds
plus
the unflattering outfit you have on?God...I told you not to wear that! Besides that gorgeous man could have walked in here alone and ignored you as well. "

" Oh please don't make me out to be a racist! I have
plenty
of black friends. I just wish these black women would stick to their own men. Here I am at Romanos on a girls date with you ....and here she walks in with a guy that should be mine! It isn't fair.... I've heard things about black women sexual y you know! I'll bet that's why he's with her. For the sex!" Tara said. Sarah looked at her in shock.