The Countdown to Thirty (8 page)

I put my hand on my head and wondered what love spell this
woman concocted on her new beau.

“Well tell her I said congratulations,” I replied, “When’s
the wedding?”

“You can tell her that yourself you’re invited to the
wedding and the bachelorette party. And speaking of bachelorette party, as the
maid-of-honor I’d like to officially hire you for a job.”

“What job?” I said as my interest perked further.

“I want you to create some custom jewelry for the ladies.
Something pretty, maybe an earring and bracelet set. Something they’ll
remember. I know for the most part you create your pieces for you but you’re so
good at it and I thought it’d be a nice gifting idea for the attendees of the
bridal shower. And if you agree of course you won’t have to come out of pocket
for anything. Just tell me how much. Corrine’s hubby is paying for it all so
make sure to charge full retail.” She laughed not in the least bit bothered that
she may be exploiting the deep pockets of the groom.

“Deal!” I said excited at the thought of a well-paying gig.
I glanced at the man reading his book and this time he just shook his head at
me. Whatever! This was Starbucks not the public library, get real.

“So once again, when’s the wedding? How much time do I have?
How many pieces will you need? I can start designing as soon as I get home then
meet-up with you and show you what I have,” I said excitedly.

“Sonya you know I can only process one question at a time.
The wedding’s in November. They want to do it before 2015 so they can start the
New Year off right so who am I to object? We’ll go over the details later just
start on the designs if you could and we’ll go from there.”

“You got it.” I replied too happy to be annoyed by her boss
like mentality.

“Oh yea and one last thing before I go, can you please,
please, please call Bobby. He’s been asking about you again.”

Bobby was Corrine’s younger brother and Saundra knew damn
well I would never pick up the phone and call that pompous med school geek.

“No, no way.”

“But why not? He likes you Sonya plus he has a great head on
his shoulders. He’s going to be a very successful doctor soon and you’ll regret
this.”

“Absolutely not!”

Saundra laughed, boy was she enjoying this.

“That thing is wicked I’m telling you. You guys have no
idea. I told you he grabbed my ass the last time we were together for dinner at
Corrine’s.”

Again in laughter she responded with, “No he didn’t Sonya,
you’re just exaggerating.”

“Then you date him.” I said sarcastically.

“My hubby already put a ring on it…sorry. I gotta go sis, I
love you and good luck on the job hunt. I’m here if you need anything.” She
said, “And thank you for your help with the jewelry. You were the first person
I thought of.” She added before releasing the call.

See, thoughtful things like that made me love my sister with
her bourgeoisie self. I quickly finished up my resume now eager to get home to
begin designing the pieces. I decided I would just put applications in from
home later in the day.

On the drive back to my apartment I thought about how I
screwed up in the past by allowing myself to fall in love with a pretty face
and buff body. If only I’d been smart like Corrine and didn’t allow
love
to control my emotions or my actions I probably wouldn’t be unemployed right
now, I’d own my own damn company.

Just then as I reduced the speed of my Mitsubishi and came
to a halt for a pair of flashing red lights in front of the fire station I had
an uplifting epiphany. I could start my own jewelry line from home! Why not? I
know how retail works, I definitely have the skills, the tools and the space
now that Tasha is gone. When Saundra gets her magazine started she can
advertise for me (at the little sister discounted rate of course) and with the
to-die-for pieces I’m going to make for the wedding I can begin to make a name
for myself. I can start small by selling in small boutiques around the valley
and then when business picks up I can hire independent contractors to help me fulfill
my orders!

An exhilarating feeling permeated my body as thoughts and
new ideas burst from their seams and flowed out of my mouth like they’d been
there the whole time. This made sense, this was me. This was going to be my
ticket into entrepreneurialism.

“Why haven’t I thought of this before?” I asked myself as
the high pitched sirens from the fire trucks whizzed by and I began driving
again.

Because you’re broke.

“Hush!” I said stomping out the self-defeating thought of my
subconscious mind.

“Yea I may be broke now but not for long. I’m going to do
this. No,” I corrected, “I’m doing this!”

And with the determination of a bull, I began to visualize
my business name in pretty silver scripted letters.
Designs by Sonya;
Jewelry by Sonya.
I’d have to work on the name I realized after saying them
out loud a few times. Nevertheless, nothing could stop the high I was on. A
heavy weight had finally been lifted from my shoulders. I had a goal in sight
and now I just needed a plan to go along with it. Having a goal, damn it felt
so good.

Kaia

It’d been a long day at work and although I’d been busy
since the moment I stepped foot in the door, I felt like I hadn’t gotten
anything accomplished. When I glanced up at the time it was nearly one o’clock
and I hadn’t even been able to start on my clients work yet because I was busy
dealing with Rosie’s tedious task list. I had phone calls to make and return
templates to design and deadlines to meet while Rosie was busy making me her
personal assistant.

I’d had enough and decided to take my lunch before I lost
it. While I was in the car driving to Chipotle I got a text from my mother
asking me to call her so I did. My car’s Bluetooth speaker rang less than half
a ring before she picked up briskly.

“Hey Kaia, did you get my text?” She asked in a rushed tone.

“Uh yea mom that’s why I’m calling, is everything okay?” I
responded.

“Yea everything is good, real good. What you been up to?
How’s work and everything?” She asked.

I could feel it already, I knew what she wanted and I knew
what the purpose of this call was for, money. My mother never asked about my
job unless she was trying to get on my good side. She really didn’t have any
interest in graphic design or computers or anything I was doing until it made
her look good in front of her so-called friends or it provided her with some
extra spending money.

“I’m doing fine mom just working hard as usual.” I
responded. I could almost hear her rolling her eyes over that one.

“That’s good baby, listen, I was wondering if you could send
me a few extra dollars to cover a few bills this month. You see my job at the
restaurant is starting to slow down ever since they built that new bistro next
door and I’m just not getting the same tips like I use to. You know I can charm
a man right out his wallet but if the man don’t come in and order a plate a
food I can’t do nothing.” She responded in her back east fast talk that I’d
grown up on.

“How much do you need mom?” I answered feeling annoyed but
not letting it show in my voice.

“About three-hundred to cover the rent. Riley and that no
good thug boyfriend of hers don’t do nothing but hang-out all night and sleep
all day. She said she’s looking for a job so she can start paying their half of
the rent but I don’t see her do nothing but get in the car and ride with him
unless he tell her she can’t go. I need you to talk some sense into that girl
but anyway you think you could send it Western Union Kai Kai?”

“Yea mom I’ll do it after work tonight. I’ll text you the
confirmation number okay?”

“Okay thank you baby. You know, Celeste’s been wanting you
to come down so she can show off her new Mercedes. It’s nice you should come
see it.” My mother bragged.

“Celeste wants me to come all the way down to Inglewood to
see her new Mercedes? Why doesn’t she just send me a picture?”

“See there you go, always making peoples accomplishments
seem like they ain’t nothing. I done told you about that Kaia.” My mother
snapped.

“That’s not what I’m doing, I’m just saying I get really
busy and I can’t always come down for everything.” I responded exasperatedly.

What I really wanted to say was that Celeste’s Mercedes
didn’t impress me one bit. Not because I didn’t love Celeste but because she
got it by shaking her monkey and didn’t have anything else to show for it except
for her Mercedes. I’d always thought she would go back to school.

Initially when she started stripping she used the classic
excuse of “I’m just doing it to pay my tuition” line. But that was a lie,
because she qualified for financial aid and only had to pay for the cost of her
books. She turned down the school’s work study program and started stripping
and hasn’t stopped since.

“Well then be happy for your sisters every once in a while.
Anyway baby I gotta get back to work and finish up this shift so I can get home
and relax my feet. I wanna see you soon you hear? She demanded.

“Yes ma’am.” I replied feeling defeated.

“And don’t forget to text me the confirmation number, gotta
run, I love you.” She said while hanging up the phone before waiting for a response.

My whole point of taking lunch was to relive my stress but
my mother had only intensified it. Not only had she just used me for money that
Riley and her boyfriend didn’t make good on, but she also accused me of being
unsupportive to my sisters and that’s just not true.

By the time I placed my order and received my Burrito Bowl
from Chipotle I’d lost my appetite. I drove back to the office parking lot and
parked my Avalon under a huge shade tree in the back where there were no other
cars. I blasted the A/C and took a sip of my iced tea before leaning my seat
all the way back and attempting to relax for the rest of my lunch. But before I
could get too comfortable another call came in, it was Malcolm. I jumped to
answer the phone.

“Hello.” I answered in a sweet and sensual voice.

“Hey baby.” He said sounding sexy over the phone.”

“Hey Malcolm, how have you been?” I asked trying to take
some of the enthusiasm out of my voice. I didn’t want to sound too
desperate…but I was.

“I’ve been alright accept I’ve been missing you.”

I knew he was just trying to sweet talk me because I figured
if he missed me so much he would have called me or at least sent me a text.

“Have you been busy with the kids?” I asked.

“Yeah you know that and I’ve been working long hours at the
gym but I called you to see what you’re doing tonight.”

I already knew what he wanted it and where he wanted it. If
I told him I wasn’t doing anything tonight he was going to invite himself over
to “hang out” and then we’d end up having sex and I wouldn’t see him until the
next go round. I was determined to make things work with Malcolm. He had a
great job as a personal trainer and made decent money from it, he was smart, he
took great care of the two kids he had from a previous marriage and he just so
happened to be handsome as hell. He was ten years older than me and for some
reason I liked that. He was much more mature then guys my age and when we were
together I felt safe with him. I guess he was somewhat of the father figure I’d
always wanted in my life.

“Just the usual, nothing special really. Did you have
something in mind?” I teased figuring if he came over tonight I could use that
time to my advantage.

“Yea you know what I have in mind. How’s your day been?”

“I’ll tell you all about that drama later. Why don’t we go
out for dinner tonight and then come back to my place.” I asked hoping he’d be
up for a night on the town.

I could use a night out with the day I’ve had, plus it
wasn’t often that me and Malcolm got time to spend together outside of the
bedroom.

“You know I’ve been really busy all week and I don’t want to
be in any crowds tonight. We’ll just meet at your place. It’s been a while
since I’ve been over there anyway.” He stated as if the decision had been made.

I wanted to object and put my foot down about the subject
but he made it hard for me. I wanted to tell him I was tired of this same
routine but I didn’t want to argue because I missed him.

“Okay, what time are you coming?” I asked feeling like I’d
been cheated out of my night on the town.

“I’ll be there at eight.” He said in his deep voice sounding
very sure of himself. “And when I get there I want you to tell me about your
week and how daddy can make it better for you.”

I blushed and told him okay before releasing the call. My
brief disappointment turned into excitement because overall I still had a date
night with Malcolm. I wished we could have gone out but who cares, in another
six hours we were going to be making love and he’d be holding me tight by the
end of the night.

When I got back to work I finished up everything on Rosie’s
task list within the hour while I simultaneously returned phone calls. That
left me with about two hours in the day to start work on a design template for
a new blogging company. By the time I left the office at a quarter to six I was
more than ready to go home and get ready for Malcolm. So that meant I needed to
vacuum the floor, wash the few dishes I had left in the sink, take a shower,
shave, brush my teeth, gargle, put the satin sheets on the bed, light the
candles, find something cute to put on and make the fish tacos. When I pulled
into my parking space in front of my apartment after stopping at the grocery
store to buy beer for the batter, I convinced myself I could squeeze all this
in within the two hours I had left. Then I remembered…Mama.

“Damn!” I said while beating the side of my fist against the
steering wheel.

I forgot. How could I forget? I still had to send mama her
money via Western Union and there was no way in hell I could call her back and
ask her if I could do it tomorrow during my lunch break. I wouldn’t hear the
end of it.

I pulled back out of my parking space and made my way to the
nearest ATM, which wasn’t associated with my bank which meant I had to pay a
freaking three dollar fee. I absolutely hated doing that but I was on a time
crunch right now. From the bank I made my way to the nearest Western Union
which was thankfully only a few blocks away at a payday loan establishment.
However, I can’t stand going in those stores though. I don’t want people to
think I’m taking out a payday loan but oh well; I was officially in a rush now.

When I walked into the store there were six teller windows
but only two of them open. On top of that I was fifth in line which meant a
full ten minutes had been wasted until I was actually called.

“This couldn’t get any more perfect.” I’d thought when I
first entered the store and grabbed the Western Union form to send money.

It took about another ten minutes for the teller to finish
the transaction because her gross typing speed was about fifteen wpm and on top
of that she was in the middle of being trained by a young African American
woman who looked no older than nineteen. As soon as l got my receipt and
confirmation number I raced out of the store and back into my car and headed
for home. I text my mother the confirmation number on the drive home and tried
to mentally prioritize what thing I was going to do first when I got there. I
pulled back into my parking stall after nearly damaging my car because I didn’t
slow down enough for the speed bumps, and raced up the stairs and into my
apartment. I threw my purse on the couch and put my heels in my closet and
broke out the vacuum cleaner first. Then I lit my apple blossom scented candles
that I had placed around the house to get the sexy aroma going. After washing
the dishes I looked up at the time and realized I only had an hour and ten
minutes left. I went to my linen closet and decided on the black satin sheets
instead of the white ones and grabbed the matching pillow cases to go with
them. I changed the linen on my bed and fluffed up my pillows and made sure my
room was meticulous. I made sure to put the remote on Malcolm’s side of the bed
that way he didn’t have a hissy fit like he did last time at his place because
he couldn’t find it.

By the time I picked out my outfit for the night and stepped
foot in the shower I felt stressed. I’d been hustlin’ and bustlin’ all day and
I still wasn’t done. I grabbed my razor and my shaving cream and went to work
on my legs, underarms and of course my kitty. I knew I could get lazy when it
came to shaving downstairs but anytime I hooked up with Malcolm I made sure it
was properly attended to.

I oiled up and put on a form fitting black and white striped
maxi dress that showed off my figure and a lot of cleavage. It was casual
enough for the house but sexy enough to make Malcolm reconsider this whole
friendship status we had going on. I curled my hair and put on just enough
makeup to look cute but not like I was going to a nightclub on the strip. By
the time he knocked on the door I’d just finished the beer batter mix and put
the oil on. I wiped my hands on the dishtowel, ran to the bathroom to double
check my lip gloss and giddily hustled to the front door.

Even with the recent burglaries going on, there was no need
for me to check who it was; I’d watched his Camaro pull into an open parking
space. I calmed myself then opened the door with a ten inch wide smile.

“Hi Malcolm,” I tried to say coolly as I held the door open
for him to come in.

“Hey baby.” He said as he wrapped his big arms around me and
gave me a strong hug.

With my arms wrapped around his neck we embraced in a deep
sensual kiss that got my blood boiling. Without breaking the kiss he reached
behind himself, closed the door and twisted the lock. He placed his arm back
around me and moved his big strong hands up and down my back massaging every
muscle and piece of flesh that had been overworked and stressed today. All I
could think about was how good he looked and smelled and how soft his lips were
and how good his tongue felt in my mouth. He moved his hands down to my behind
and grabbed a healthy amount and I could feel him rising against me. He walked
me backwards into the corner still locked in the kiss and pressed his big
muscled body up against mine. He broke the kiss from my lips and moved it down
to my neck and started licking and sucking until I let out a moan. It felt so
good I didn’t want him to stop but knew I needed him to, for now at least.

I positioned my hands on his chest and tried to push him
back but he didn’t budge.

“Malcolm…Malcolm baby,” I said breathing hard and still
trying to push him off. “Baby let’s eat.”

He paused, looked at me, smiled then gave me a soft kiss on
the lips, “Okay, we can do that.” He replied.

He grabbed my hand and walked me over to the kitchen. I was
almost so caught up in his trance that I had to force myself to remember to
talk to him tonight. Talk to him about the path of our relationship.