Destination D (31 page)

Amanda slammed the door, leaned up against it, and cried until there were no more tears left.

The Calm Before the Storm

“S
edrick, I'm telling you. It's as if Dee has become Dr. Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde. She has these crazy mood swings. I mean, just this morning, I asked her if she wanted a cup of coffee and she looked at me like I had just cut off the heels to her favorite shoes.”

Sedrick laughed. “C'mon, Pam. Are you sure you two haven't had an argument or something?”

“Look, I'm telling you, I can't talk to her. She's been acting moody ever since she stood me and my friend up for dinner on Friday.”

“What friend is this?”

“Oh, that's right, I didn't tell you. Everything has been happening so fast.”

“Tell me what, Pam?”

“About this guy that I've been seeing.”

“You?”

“Yeah, me.” Sedrick gave her an odd look. “I know, I know. But he's been treating me pretty good thus far, so…”

“So when am I going to meet him?”

“When will you have time between work and Miranda?”

Sedrick ignored her comment and grinned.

“What does that silly look mean?”

“What it means is that I like her and all, but she's not the one who I can take home to Mama, if you know what I'm saying.”

“Ooooh, so she's a ho in private
and
a ho in public.” She laughed. “That's messed up. Not wifey material, eh?”

“I didn't say that.”

“You didn't have to! I could tell there was something about her, but I couldn't quite figure it out when I first met her, but now I'm certain of it.”

“Yeah, right.”

“No, really.”

“Okay, so what is that something?”

“She's mentally on your level. She's smart, pretty, and sexy, and knows all of the right things to say, and she would make a decent trophy wife, right?”

“Ah right…ah right.”

“But, I bet she sleeps around with other good potential men, too?”

“I don't have any proof of that.”

“Did she sleep with you on the first date?”

“Huh?”

“You heard me boy!” She laughed. “You know you hit it on the first date.”

“Okay, you're right,” he admitted, sort of embarrassed.

“So, if she let you get it on the first date, how many otha brotha's she's been doing the nasty with on the first date, huh? And that's why you can't take her home to Mama, because your Mama will know she's a doctor-scrub, stethoscope-wearing, undercover ho.” Pam cracked up laughing at her analogy so hard that tears started running down her face.

“Okay, so now you're Dr. Phil, right? You analyze my relationships now in addition to practicing law?”

“Admit it, I'm right aren't I?”

Sedrick grinned again. “Let's just get back to your Mr. Feel Good.”

“The truth hurts, doesn't it, Sed?” she giggled.

“Shut up, Pam. So where does this guy live?”

“Salt Lake City.”

“What? You mean to tell me with all of the men running around in the Greater Atlanta area, you couldn't find a brotha' here?”

Pam laughed. “Nope, I guess not. And guess what?”

“I'm afraid to.”

Pam giggled again. “He's Italian!”

“Ital—what?”

“You heard me, silly!”

“So, you done gone the extreme makeover route on this one, huh? Never thought I'd see the day…”

“Oh, you've got some nerve! You are not one to talk about ethnicity with you bringing Miss Venezuela up in here.”

“Touché.”

“Besides, he's cool, Sedrick. I think you'll like him.”

“Hey, baby, as long as you're happy. You're the one whose gotta be with him, not me,” Sedrick chuckled. “So has Dee met him?”

“Naaa. She was supposed to the other night, but we missed her.”

“Well, I'll talk with her and see if she'll tell me anything about what's wrong. But I must admit, I'm just as clueless as you are.”

“Good, ‘cause Lord knows I've got enough going on in my life without being in Dee's drama.”

“Well that sounds like a major drama flick in itself,” Sedrick laughed, “especially with Mr. Italia.”

“You're right it is, but he's not the only thing that's going on in my life,” she said handing him the letter from the New York firm.

Sedrick read it slowly. “Damn, Pam! What an opportunity!”

Pam smiled. “Yes, it is!”

“So are you going to take it?”

“I don't know. I'm really leaning toward it.”

“What did Mr. Italia think about that?”

“He's happy for me. Would you please stop calling him that? His name is Marc, all right?”

“All right, I'll get back to Marc later. So, what did Dee have to say about it?”

Pam shook her head.

“You haven't told her yet?”

“No, I just got the letter and I haven't even responded.”

“What are you waiting on?”

“Well, I'm going to give them a call today and go out there and talk with them. I'll see if what they're offering is really as good as it sounds. Besides, what have I got to lose, right?”

“Right! You'll still come back for my building's ribbon cutting ceremony won't you?”

“Of course I will, Sedrick. I don't care if I'm in Australia, I'll fly back from anywhere in the world to see your butt finally open that office.”

“I know. My parents feel the same way. It's been a long time coming, and I know my dad can't wait to have me to start paying him back for all the loans he and my mother took out to get me through med school. He said ‘Son, I'm glad you're in a field where you can have a private practice. That way you will at least pay me back with some dividends. At least in obstetrics, women are always having babies. The cost of delivering babies is always going up, so I won't have to worry about you not having any money.'”

“Oh Sedrick, Mr. Henderson didn't say that, did he?”

“He sho' did! And he was serious,” Sedrick laughed.

The door opened and Dee zoomed past both of them.

“Hey Dee, how ya doin'?” Sedrick said, trying to sound upbeat and cordial.

“Fine,” she said as she zipped through the hallway.

“Who was that, that just flew by?”

Pam looked at him, shaking her head. “I told you—that's how she's been acting lately.”

Dee went into her room and caught her breath. She felt like her oxygen was being cut off and she didn't know how to get it back. Why was Sedrick here now of all times? Her cell phone interrupted her thoughts.

“Aunt Dee?”

“Hi Tracey.”

“Are you okay?”

Dee cleared her throat. “Yes, hi, Tracey.”

“How are school and Tony? Are you two still seeing each other?”

“School's great! Tony and I are dealing with the long distance thing okay.”

“I see, well, I'm glad to hear that—I really am.”

“Have you spoken to Mama, lately?”

“No, is everything all right?”

“Well, have you spoken to Ms. Pam, yet?”

“Noooo. What's going on Tracey?” Dee sat on the bed and gripped the edge. Tracey sounded like she needed to brace herself.

“It's Mama and…”

“What about Amanda? Is she all right?”

“Calm down. Mama's fine. It's just that Ms. Pam came over the other day to see her.”

“For what?” Dee said grabbing the edge of the bedspread tighter.

“To apologize!”

“Pam apologized?”

“Yes,” Tracey laughed. “She apologized.” Dee started shaking her head in disbelief. “Auntie Dee, are you still there?”

Dee nodded. “Yes. It just seems like every day brings in a new turn of events.”

“So, Ms. Pam didn't tell you?”

“No, not yet. I think she tried to,” Dee said remembering how Pam wanted to tell her something about Amanda.

“Well, it might be that she didn't tell you yet because there wasn't much to tell.”

“But you said…”

“Mama threw her out,” Tracey blurted.

Dee let out a loud giggle. She could just picture Amanda kicking Pam out of her house. “She did?”

“Yep! And I'm so proud of her.”

“I bet you are. But, this is still not good because they really have to resolve this. Their problems have been going on for too long.”

“I don't know if I agree with you, Aunt Dee.”

“Trust me. I know what I'm talking about. You were too young to remember our closeness, but I do.”

“Well, I don't know what it's going to take, but they are far away from ever being close again, according to Mama.”

“I know, Tracey. Thank you for calling me.”

“No problem. I'll talk with you soon.”

Dee sat her phone down and was heading to the bathroom when it rang again.

“Now what? Hello.”

“Hello, Deirdre?”

“Yes, this is she.”

“This is Rebecca. I'm calling to confirm your appointment this Thursday.”

“I won't be meeting with him anymore.”

“Ms. Bridge, is everything okay?”

“Yeah!” she said trying not to scream out of frustration.

“I see. I'm so sorry; I will give him the message. I'm sure he will want to speak with you.”

“It's not necessary, Rebecca. My mind's made up. Thank you for your time.”

Dee fell back into her chair and looked at the large clock on the wall. She had to be at the airport for a flight and decided that she would leave a little early to avoid any more confrontations with Pam. She changed into her uniform and pulled her suitcase out of the door, then whizzed past Pam and Sedrick again.

“Dee, where you off to?” Sedrick asked with a puzzled look on his face.

“I'm headed out for a three-day trip to Charleston, Orlando, and Tennessee. See you in a couple of days,” she said as she opened the door and walked out.

Pam looked at Sedrick who was obviously baffled by Dee's reaction. “I told you.”

“You're right. She is trippin.”

“You know, Sedrick, I'm going to ask that you look out for her because I may not be around to do it,” she said sadly as she walked over to him and gave him a hug.

“I've got her back—don't worry.”

Air Sickness

M
arco raised his eyebrow at Pam and asked, “We have a reservation for three?”

“Yes, three,” Pam nodded.

“Has your third party gotten here yet?” the hostess asked.

“No, will that be a problem?” Pam asked, already on the defensive. She despised restaurants that held up tables until the entire party was there. She could see it if there were ten or more and only one showed up, but they were only talking about one more person.

“No, ma'am, I just was going to ask you what your friend looked like so that we could escort him or her to your table once they arrive.”

“Oh, I see,” Pam said, a little embarrassed. “She's tall, medium complexion, very attractive black woman with long dark brown hair.” Pam stopped mid-sentence, realizing she'd probably just described more than half of the black female population of Atlanta. The hostess looked at her and smiled. “She'll probably just call me on my cell phone when she gets here. I'll be on the lookout for her.”

“Okay, I'll seat you now.” The hostess walked them over to an intimate corner table facing the front window.

“Here's a good view. You'll be able to see her when she walks in,” she said as she placed the menus on the table.

“Thanks,” Pam said appreciatively.

“So, what is this wonderful news that you have to tell me? You sounded so elated over the phone,” Marc said as he flipped through the menu.

“I got a letter from a law firm in New York.”

“Oh, yeah? What for?”

“They want to discuss the possibility of me joining their firm as a partner!” She pulled the letter out of her purse and handed it to him. Marco took the letter and read it, intrigued by her good news.

“Richmond and Lieberman. I know someone who's used them before. They're excellent! They're major league, just like you,” he smiled. “This is wonderful, Pam!” He bent and kissed her on the cheek.

“I know…”

“What's the matter?” Marco asked, as he saw her enthusiasm wane.

“I had something else happen to me earlier today.”

“Sounds very dark.”

“It was. I went to see Amanda today and laid all of my cards out on the table and apologized.”

Marco squeezed her hand tightly. “Good for you. But, I take it that it didn't go too well.”

“It was about what I had expected. She kicked me out.” Pam chuckled. “But, hey, I did good. I convinced her to let me in before she had a chance to kick me back out, right?”

“Well, that's a positive way of looking at it.”

“Yeah, I have to stay positive. I'm not sure if she is ever going to get past this. And I can't blame her either, quite frankly.”

“Give her some time to heal. She'll come back around.”

“I hope so, Marc. I really do,” she said looking into his eyes trying to collect her thoughts.

“Hey, Earth to Pam! Earth to Pam,” Marco laughed. “Let's finish talking about this fantastic opportunity with Richmond and Lieberman. Now, that's something you should be jumping up and down about.”

“I'm thrilled about the opportunity, don't get me wrong. I guess I always thought I would be here in Atlanta when I made partner. New York is a whole other world.”

“Which you can take on,” he grinned.

Pam smiled modestly. He was so supportive of her. “Well, it sounds great. I just wish it was here, that's all. You know, I've got to get out there and look for a place. And Lord knows, compared to how I'm living here, the rent there would be a million dollars a month!”

“You don't have to worry about finding a place to stay in New York.”

“Marc, I'll be pulling down a very nice salary, no doubt. But I don't necessarily want to spend it all on rent.”

He leaned over and placed his forefinger across her lips. “If you would just stop talking for a moment, please. What I'm trying to tell you is that I have a very nice apartment looking right over Central Park. I only use it when I'm there on business. It's fully furnished, has a doorman, and you could stay there rent-free as long as you like.”

Was she hearing him correctly—an apartment in New York rent free, and a nice one at that? Where was all of this leading?

“Wow, I don't quite know what to say,” Pam said, feeling her face flush.

“I find that hard to believe,” he said teasingly.

The waiter came over and took their order. Pam rolled up her sleeves and peeked at her watch.

“What time did you tell your roommate to get here?”

“I told her 7:30.”

“Well, it's only been a few minutes,” he said, glancing down at his own watch. “I'm sure she'll get here.”

“Yeah, she probably got caught in traffic,” she said, putting her sleeve down and taking a sip of the margarita the waiter had just placed on the table.

“So, what do you think about the apartment?”

Pam hesitated for a moment before she spoke. She traced her fingers around the top of her glass. “I think it's a wonderful gesture, Marc. I have to think some more about it. I haven't even told Sterling, Mathis, and Silverman my plans. As far as they're concerned, I'm taking some long overdue vacation.”

“Well, I'm sure they are sitting back and counting all of the money you made them off of that last case you won. I would love to see you go in there and tell them that you will be taking your talents elsewhere.” He smiled smugly at the thought.

“I can't believe I'm hearing you say that.”

“What? I know you've worked hard. I must admit that I don't always agree with your tactics, but you are paid to do a job. And you have made that firm a lot of money. And when they lose you, it will definitely hit them in their wallets.”

Pam smiled and ate the calamari that was just set down on the table. “Now, I like the thought of that!” she said as she watched Marc sip his chardonnay.

“And I like the thought of you in my apartment in New York.”

“Pam is going to kill me. I forgot all about this evening,” Dee said glancing at the clock on the wall. “Call Pam,” she said into her phone's voice activation, and then she headed out the door and down the elevator to the lobby— waiting for the valet to bring her car around. The phone rang, beeped loudly, and disconnected. Great, no battery. She had forgotten to charge the thing when she got back from her trip.

Nothing had gone right since she told Steve the truth. Her flight had been delayed because of a holding pattern in Tennessee. She'd left one of her best pair of shoes at her hotel in Salt Lake City. Also, her psychiatrist was out of town and she desperately wanted to speak with him.

What else could go wrong? At least she was only ten minutes away from the restaurant, Maggiano's. When she got to the restaurant she handed the valet her keys, then walked briskly toward the front of the restaurant where she saw someone who looked like Pam, laughing and sipping on a drink with a handsome man who looked a little familiar, but she could see only the side of his face.

“Hmmm, not bad, from what I can see here—not bad at all,” she said as she walked into the restaurant and told the hostess that she was there to meet her party. As she pointed to them, she stopped abruptly as she came into full view of the new man in Pam's life. She saw him take a sip of his drink then kiss her.

She felt queasy and held her mouth. Her head was swirling as she hastily turned around and ran out of the restaurant, bumping into people as they entered. She made it outside and ran around the corner where she released the contents of her stomach. She could barely hold herself up.

“Are you all right, Miss? Can I get you some water?” asked an elderly man. Dee waved her hand to signal that she would be fine and darted toward the parking lot. The valet had not yet parked her car, and she sprinted toward him with blinding tears.

“Hey, I won't be staying,” she managed to utter as she took her keys and opened her door and sped off.

“Hmmm…this is really strange. It's been almost an hour. It's not like her not to call if she's running late,” Pam said.

“Is your cell phone's ringer on?” Marc asked.

“I thought it was. I better check.” Pam pulled her cell out of her purse and looked at the screen.

“Did she call?”

“Yes, her number is in the screen, but she didn't leave a message. And of course, with all of the noise in here, I never heard the phone ring. No text either—not that she's big on texting.”

“Something probably just came up, Pam. I'm sure you'll find out once you get home,” he said trying to comfort her.

“Yeah, I'm sure you're right.”

“Would you like to order dessert?”

“No, I'm stuffed.”

“Their tiramisu is delicious you, know,” he said with a tempting grin.

“I'm sure it is, but if I eat one more thing, I won't be able to fit behind my steering wheel,” she chuckled patting her stomach.

“I don't think that's something you will ever have to worry about,” Marc said admiring her petite frame. “Hey, are you going to stay with me tonight?” He looked at the bill and placed his tab in the bill holder. They headed out of the restaurant holding hands as Marc gave the valet their ticket.

“I want to, but I think I need to…”

“Go back and check on your roommate,” Marco said finishing her sentence. Pam nodded reluctantly. “I understand,” he said as the valet pulled the car up and opened the door for Pam.

“Thanks.”

“You are welcome, ma'am,” the valet responded.

Marc handed him a tip and got in the car. “And thank you, sir.”

“No problem.”

Pam pulled up to his hotel and parked. Marco parted her lips with his tongue and kissed her until a warm rush slid through her body. The look in his eyes was titillating. “
Arrivederci
,” he said as a sexy grin spread across his face. “I'll call you later and we'll get together early tomorrow.”

“Sounds good.
Arrivederci
to you, too,” she said as he climbed out of the car. She noticed the fabric of his pants hugging his sexy derriere and wished she could squeeze herself in between the cloth's lining. Dee had better have a good explanation for not showing up this evening. A damn good one!

Dee sped down the freeway like she was in the Indy 500. She knew she'd better get a handle before she caused an accident. She pulled her stick shift down into second gear and coasted off the ramp, pulling into the underground parking deck of her condo. She turned off the ignition and put her head down and accidentally banged it onto the steering wheel so hard that the horn set off.

“Ouch!” she said, rubbing her forehead. “My God, what am I going to do?” She thought about all of the intimate thoughts and desires she shared with him. How long had this been going on? When did they meet? In a fit of rage, she pounded her fists on the steering wheel until the horn sounded off again. “How could he do this to me? And with all people! My best friend!”