A Hustler's Wife (28 page)

"All right now, I like you already." Cara said jokingly.

"Long Story," Yarni simply responded, as she rolled her eyes in the top of her head.

"Well, I've got time. I don't have to go to work tomorrow," Rich said as he went in his pocket to leave the tip.

"Well, I don't discuss my life story with strangers. Now let's leave it at that." Yarni got up to go to the bathroom.

Cara asked Rich, "What's your motive with my friend?"

"My intentions are all good," said Rich while looking into Cara's eyes. He added, "I am feeling your friend."

"Let me tell you this, my friend has been through a lot, and the drama she doesn't need or deserve. If I find out at any given time, your motives aren't good, I will personally fuck you up myself," Cara stressed as Rich chuckled. He wrote his numbers down on a piece of paper.

"Make sure your friend gives me a call," said Rich.

"I'll see what I can do," Cara said as she rose up from the table.

Yarni asked, "Are y'all ready?" The girls replied "yeah."

"Thanks for everything," Yarni said to Rich and passed him a rose. She'd seen the man selling them outside when she went to the restroom.

"I definitely want to see you again. Let's do lunch tomorrow," Said Rich. "Your friend has my number. Excuse me," he shouted as he put his jacket on, "Ms. Preoccupied," I don't even know your name," he called from a distance.

"It's Yarni," she shouted back at him.

The whole way home, Cara went on and on about Rich, how he was a perfect gentleman and how he seemed so patient with a genuine kind spirit.

"They all seem that way when you first meet them. They put on their best faces." Yarni interrupted.

Cara was impressed with him. He had pretty white teeth. His attitude and disposition rated well above normal. Cara had gotten the scoop on him while Yarni went in the restroom. He had his own pick up and drop off business. He had purchased old houses over in the historic Churchhill area, renovated them, and then sold them at market price. Cara was convinced that this was definitely what her friend needed in her life. She knew deep in Yarni's heart, that Yarni desired companionship. Could this be?

Cara wondered. Cara reasoned with herself, even if this wasn't permanent for Yarni, this would be a temporary relief for her.

Cara hated the fact that Yarni was so devoted to Des. For what? Cara felt like it was a waste of time, gas, energy and putting all that wear and tear on her car. Who's to say he's even going to be with Yarni when he comes home? Who's to say that he can look pass the relationships Yarni has been in since he's been gone? Who's to say he's not just stringing Yarni along because friends get fewer and fewer the longer one is incarcerated. Who's to say that he's not using Yarni? It doesn't have to be for money that he's using her for. It could be her time; he may use her for a visit or just as a connection to the outside world.

Who's to say that they're going to have anything in common when he comes home? What can he do for Yarni while in jail?

Cara could never understand why Yarni felt so obligated to Des after all these years had gone by and no matter whom Yarni met and was in a relationship with, Des was always her first concern. The love that Yarni had from when she was seventeen for Des has never died or lost any sparks. Cara used to voice her opinion on the Des situation, but she respected Yarni's feelings, so she no longer brought it up. She would elaborate on it if Yarni brought up the topic. Whenever Cara would meet any suitable candidate that she thinks may be any good for Yarni, Cara would always push him at her.

They dropped Stephanie off at home and Cara decided that she'd stay over Yarni's house. So Yarni wouldn't have to drive her all the way home. Besides, Cara's son was over his father's house.

The next morning, Cara was standing over Yarni with the phone. "Yarni, wake up. The phone's for you," Cara said.

"Is it Des?" Yarni asked partially sleep.

"No," Cara said covering up the phone.

"Take aaaaaaaaaa message then!" She said slowly.

"No, get up and get the phone. Wake up!!!!" Cara said while pulling the creme and gold comforter back off of Yarni, who was curled up in a fetal position.

"Tell them to hold on," Yarni said. Yarni got up brushed her teeth and washed her face. When she was finished, she jumped right back under the covers and took the phone from Cara.

"Good morning," Yarni said.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Preoccupied. How are you feeling today?" said Rich.

"What time is it?" asked Yarni while yawning in Rich's ear.

"Excuse me," she said in a sleepy tone.

"It's 1:23pm," responded Rich. "I wanted to know what time you'd be up for lunch?"

"Uuummm, I'm not going to be able to go because my friend Cara is here with me."

"Baby, that excuse is not going to work because Cara can come right along with us. Now, what time should I pick you up?" Yarni hesitated before answering him.

"We will meet you there. Where do you want us to meet you?

"You can pick the place?" He told her.

"No, this was your idea so you pick the place." She wanted to see what his taste was like.

"How about Byram's on West Broad Street? Is 3:15 O.K.?

"Yes, that'll be fine."

"The address is 3215, so don't be late!!!" Yarni hung up the phone.

Cara was dancing around Yarni, "Go Yarni. It's your birthday.

You going to Byrams, on your first date!!!" Most men would only take their wife to Byrams for a special occasion or something of that nature." Bryams Seafood was one of her favorite places in the city to eat. It was a real classy place. She liked everything about Byrams. Byrams offered the best of everything. Their customer service was beyond reproach. They pamper one as if they are a king or queen. The food at Byram's is scrumptious. Byrams employs world-renowned chefs.

Yarni jumped off the bed. "What am I going to wear?" Cara added, "Definitely put on something refined. You know the type of place Byram's is. We may run into someone famous there." Yarni and Cara got dressed. As they pulled up to Byram's, the valet driver welcomed them both with a rose, courtesy of the guy waiting at the bar.

Rich greeted them both with a kiss on the hand. Cara admired the exotic fish in the aquarium. He pulled both of their chairs out. They both were moved by his manners. He ordered the best champagne in the house for them. "I'd like to make a toast," he said. "To everlasting friendships." Yarni could feel the chemistry between them. She liked the way he seemed to have his act together. It was so hard to find a brother who had it going on for himself. The odds were very slim to find a brother who wasn't living with his momma, leaching off some woman, who wasn't getting high, sold drugs or had some type of illegal hustle. To come across a man who didn't have any of those things, with a little class, and didn't have his head stuck up his own butt; that was very rare.

It was something about his eyes Yarni couldn't pinpoint it.

She would always look at people in their eyes when she addressed them. She felt as though the eyes told it all. There was something peculiar about the way he looked. She couldn't figure it out.

The food was extraordinary. When the bill came, she offered to leave the tip, but he wouldn't allow it. He explained to her, that whenever they were together, she never had to go in her pocketbook for anything. She explained to him, "I really appreciate the gesture, but at the same time, for my own personal reasons, I would like to contribute. Please understand and accept this."

"O.K. I will compromise with you. For every three times I take you out to eat, the fourth time you'll cook me a hot meal.

Since I am a bachelor, a brother never gets a home cooked meal.

Is it a deal?" Rich asked.

Yarni, agreed. "There's only one problem, I live with my mother and I am real protective of my mother and selective of who I bring around her."

"Well, you could always come over to my place to cook. I'll buy the groceries and all you have to do is show up and cook." Rich said in a soft subtle tone.

"Well, I guess you've got this all figured out, huh?" said Yarni.

"There's one more thing," Rich said hesitantly "What is it now?" Yarni asked sarcastically.

"How about we go to the park and talk a little more exten-sively?" Cara interrupted, "Drop me off at my car. I have to go get Lil Ronny. I am already late, but it's all good." Rich said, "Well, we can drop you to your car, Cara. Yarni, you and I can go to the park, and I will drop your back at you car later."

"No, I don't ride with arbitrary men," Yarni said rudely.

Cara cut in, "Don't worry, Yarni, I got his license tag number." Yarni didn't really feel comfortable riding with him. Cara pulled her to the side and told her to loosen up.

"Rich seems to be a good guy and if he tries something crazy, just mace him." As Cara exited the car, she turned to Yarni,

"Don't forget you have to take me to the train station in the morning, so don't hang out too late. I need you to be at my house at 4:30 a.m. you know I have to be there by 5a.m."

"I won't, just don't forget to call me in the morning to wake me up."

"Make sure you call me tonight as soon as you get in the house," Cara said while bending down holding the car door open.

Once they dropped Cara off the conversation seemed so natural. Yarni relaxed more. Rich made her laugh. Since the whole ordeal with Bengee, Yarni was very skeptical about men. She knew how hard it had been for her to get over Bengee, and she never wanted to subject herself to such pain again. When they reached the park, they got out and walked around the big man made lake and watched the water and light show on the lake.

Rich asked Yarni, "Can I ask you a personal question?"

"How personal?" Rich stopped walking, turned and looked Yarni in the eyes. She could smell his Joop cologne. He smells so good Yarni said to herself. He shyly asked Yarni.

"Did you have a horrible experience of some sort? I notice you're so defensive and cynical when it comes to men. May I ask how come?" That threw Yarni for a loop of course. She wasn't expecting him to ask that question.

Yarni responded, "I've been hurt tremendously."

"We all have, baby. It's a part of life. But does that mean that you won't ever love again?" Rich asked.

"I don't know. It would be very hard for me to love." Yarni said.

"Damn, what could cause you to be so uncertain if you'd ever love again?" Rich said.

"I loved somebody with all my heart, and it was terribly too late when I found out that his love wasn't genuine. It almost cost me my life. I guess you could say I was blinded by all the material things."

"Well, that can happen to the best of us, Yarni." Rich said as he sat on a bench.

"You really think so?" Was Yarni's response.

"May I ask, how come you didn't want to accept the jumpsuit in the mall?" Rich said, with an earnest look, "I am curious to know."

"Because I didn't want to feel like I owe you anything," Yarni replied.

"No, you don't owe me anything." Rich said in a compassionate tone.

"Well, honestly, Rich, my last couple of relationships, the guys provided a lot of lavish things for me. The relationships became based on material things. It's almost like if a man gives you something, he feels he has the upper hand. He acts as though you need him!"

"That's those insecure clown dudes, they feel that's the only thing they can bring to the table. Don't judge me, please. Give me a chance to change your disposition concerning men," Rich said.

Yarni just looked at Rich. She thought to herself, what could you bring to the table? What makes you different? She couldn't put her fingers on it, but it was something about Rich's voice and his eyes that puzzled her.

Yarni looked at her watch, "I need to get home because I've got to get up bright and early and take Cara to the train station.

Plus, I need to get prepared for work tomorrow," Yarni said.

The park experience was good for Yarni. She couldn't believe that she had actually enjoyed herself. It was almost like therapy for her.

The next morning at 4 a.m. Yarni's phone rung. She was so sick of these early wake-up calls. She was sure it was Cara wak-ing her up. However, it was Rich.

"Good morning, I'm calling because I need the address where to pick you up so we can take Cara to the train station.

I'm not comfortable with you being out at 4am by yourself." Oh how thoughtful, and this is surely a convenience, because I can take a nap in the car.

When Rich arrived to pick Yarni up, he handed her a little teddy bear. The card attached said, "I never believed in love at first sight until I met you." When they reached Cara's house, she was surprised that Rich had gotten up so early. Cara thought selfishly to herself how come Yarni always gets the dudes that bend over backwards for her?

Yarni and Rich became companions. They enjoyed long intimate talks. He'd shower her with sentimental things, and sometimes would send them through the mail. He once gave her a picnic inside on a rainy day. He'd write her unexpected letters.