Read Never Again Once More Online
Authors: Mary B. Morrison
Never Again Once More (7 page)
Chapter 8
J
ada Diamond Tanner discovered love happened just like shit. Unexpectedly. For the past year, after Wellington met Simone, she and her son, Darius, had managed quite well by themselves. She had two trustworthy baby-sitters—Candice lived on the other side of town, and Jazzmyne Jones resided in her neighborhood—and visits from her mother allowed a decent social life. Mama traveled to Los Angeles monthly and stayed one or two weeks each time. Mama would spoil Darius so badly it took Jada another week to retrain him. Whenever Darius asked for anything, Mama answered, “Yes, my dear.” Darius learned how to change things to his advantage before he even understood the effect. As a toddler, Darius had begun calling Mama, My Dear.
ada Diamond Tanner discovered love happened just like shit. Unexpectedly. For the past year, after Wellington met Simone, she and her son, Darius, had managed quite well by themselves. She had two trustworthy baby-sitters—Candice lived on the other side of town, and Jazzmyne Jones resided in her neighborhood—and visits from her mother allowed a decent social life. Mama traveled to Los Angeles monthly and stayed one or two weeks each time. Mama would spoil Darius so badly it took Jada another week to retrain him. Whenever Darius asked for anything, Mama answered, “Yes, my dear.” Darius learned how to change things to his advantage before he even understood the effect. As a toddler, Darius had begun calling Mama, My Dear.
School started at eight-fifteen, and the drive was less than ten miles. Jada had Darius dressed, fed, and out the door by seven-thirty. Jada glanced at her baby in the passenger seat. Sporting a fresh low haircut, he was handsomely dressed in beige khaki pants, brown loafer shoes, a white polo-style shirt, and a navy blazer.
Focusing on the road ahead, Jada asked, “So, are you excited about your first day of school, sweetie?”
“Um, I don’t know,” he said, hunching his shoulder pads higher. “They got girls?” Darius’s bright eyes widened and shifted to the corners as he mischievously bit his bottom lip.
Tapping her brakes, Jada glimpsed down at him. “Now, Darius. You’re going to school to get an education, honey. Don’t worry about the girls.” He was only five. Jada had figured girls wouldn’t be a distraction for at least another eight years.
“Daddy said I should worry about them.” Darius nodded, looked up at his mother, and froze. His brown eyes lingered in silence. When Jada parked in front of the building, Darius pointed and said, “Wow! That’s my new school! I like this one. No more preschool crybabies. May I go play, Mommy? Ooh, may I?” His seat belt sprung into its socket.
Since other kids were playing, Jada said, “Sure, sweetie. But don’t leave out of my sight.”
Switching the radio to her favorite station, KJLH, Jada heard Cliff and Janine interviewing Karen E. Quinones Miller. Her new book,
I’m Telling,
had recently been released. “Well, Ms. Miller can tell all she wants, but I’m
not
,” Jada remarked, then whispered, “Some things are better left unsaid.”
I’m Telling,
had recently been released. “Well, Ms. Miller can tell all she wants, but I’m
not
,” Jada remarked, then whispered, “Some things are better left unsaid.”
A black Mercedes sedan parked directly behind her car. Jada adjusted the rearview mirror, looking first at her dazzling hazel-colored eyes which flattered her ebony complexion, then at the man exiting the Mercedes. Running her hand alongside her head, behind her ear, and across her neck, Jada gathered her long, dark hair in front of her right breast and said, “Ah sooky sooky.” Now that was a chocolate superman, at least he looked the part. A little girl sat patiently and waited until he opened her door. Hopefully, he treated his spouse as well. As stunning as he was, a woman or two had to be in the picture. Now, how committed was he? That was what she intended to find out. Jada cracked her front windows. Suddenly, it was too damn hot, so she pressed the rear buttons, lowered all four windows, and centered herself, using a yoga technique to clear her mind.
“Thank you, Daddy,” the little girl said while flattening the pleats in her blue, black, and white plaid skirt.
Jada settled down and waited until they were inside. She checked her makeup, then hopped out of the car. Eight o’clock sharp. The play area was swarming with kids.
“Darius, honey, let’s go inside.” She also gestured for Darius in case he couldn’t hear her calling him above the cheerful noises.
“A few more minutes, Mom.” His little hands clung to the monkey bars.
Jada responded, “
Now
.”
Now
.”
When Darius let go, his feet hit the chipped wood. He squatted, paused, and then trotted to her. She was definitely going to enroll him in drama. Jada brushed his jacket and pants and grabbed his slim hand, almost completely covering it with her long fingers.
Inside the hallway, Jada stopped within speaking distance of the man she’d noticed outside. The gap between him and the competition standing behind him was just enough to slide in with Darius.
Jada sang, “
Good morning
.”
Good morning
.”
Implementing flirting technique number one, Jada smiled. The woman, now to her left, cheesed a phony grin, but Jada beamed as though she were posing for the cover of
Essence
magazine. Keeping her focus, Jada thanked God for peripheral vision. Luring method number two was her peek-a-boo glance. His up-close image did not disappoint. Maintaining her smile, Jada said, “You have a lovely daughter.” Then she pretended to straighten Darius’s clothes. Jada knew flattering him would have scored a field goal, but complimenting his daughter was a guaranteed touchdown.
Essence
magazine. Keeping her focus, Jada thanked God for peripheral vision. Luring method number two was her peek-a-boo glance. His up-close image did not disappoint. Maintaining her smile, Jada said, “You have a lovely daughter.” Then she pretended to straighten Darius’s clothes. Jada knew flattering him would have scored a field goal, but complimenting his daughter was a guaranteed touchdown.
Facing in her direction, he said, “Why, thank you, and good morning. My beautiful daughter, Ashlee, is starting kindergarten.”
Another key factor Jada had learned was not to correct a man. If he spoke the obvious, she’d let it slide since she was interested in getting to know him better. Of course Ashlee was starting kindergarten. Either that or he was in the wrong line.
Exuding confidence, he said, “My name is Lawrence Anderson.”
Oh, damn. He sounded exactly like Hawk on
Spenser for Hire
. Not remembering the last time she’d seen the TV show, that voice was still unforgettable. Nice smile. Wide. Perfect teeth. He must have used whitening strips, because God didn’t bless any man with teeth so marvelous. The waves in his voice melodically rolled and faded gently into her eardrums.
Spenser for Hire
. Not remembering the last time she’d seen the TV show, that voice was still unforgettable. Nice smile. Wide. Perfect teeth. He must have used whitening strips, because God didn’t bless any man with teeth so marvelous. The waves in his voice melodically rolled and faded gently into her eardrums.
Breathe in. Breathe out. At thirty-nine, her snapper was snapping at practically every man that appeared halfway decent and had a pulse. Jada twitched to suppress the sensation. She’d grown tired of casual sex. Occasional escapades with her vibrators were hardly enough to satisfy her growing appetite, but being a single parent definitely limited her sexual activities. Children were very impressionable, and she never wanted to give Darius the wrong idea about women.
“Hi, Lawrence. I’m Jada Diamond Tanner, and this is my son, Darius Jones. He’s starting kindergarten, too.” After scoring a touchdown, Jada went for the extra point. “By the way, that’s a fabulous tie you’re wearing. Very tranquil.” The compliment was meant for the sexy tight ass she pictured concealed under his jacket, but as a true diva, she was rarely straightforward.
“Hey, thanks.” Lawrence straightened his tie and flashed his pearly whites.
Prim and proper, Jada reached into her lavender backpack purse and retrieved her gold card holder. Snapping it open, she removed her black business card and gracefully handed it to Lawrence. The diamond logo sparkling prominently in the upper left corner cast a twinkle in his smile.
Everything was in place for Jada to launch her company tomorrow. Six years had been a great sabbatical and sufficient time to secure the perfect office space inside the KPMG building in downtown Los Angeles. At an angle, the skyscraper appeared as flat as a platinum credit card, although bronze was more the color.
“Impressive.” Lawrence reciprocated and extended his one-by-two pallid card on stock paper.
A glance at his card was all Jada needed. Delicately she tilted her head and commented, “Attorney, huh. That’s interesting. Anderson, Anderson,
and
Anderson?”
and
Anderson?”
Standing proud like a U.S. Marine with his chest swelled, he replied, “That’s right. Three generations.”
Was he blushing? Wow. Trés. That reminded Jada of her favorite tequila, the drink she’d ordered at the bar in San Francisco the night she’d met Wellington.
“Does your company have a firm on retainer?” Lawrence asked.
Okay. There goes that delightful grin again. He’d probably won lots of clients with his charming ass. Lawrence’s suggestive influence rescued Jada from herself. When was she going to let go of Wellington? Did he think of her as often?
“Yes, and thank you,” Jada lied. She was not mixing business with pleasure. The door was slammed shut, and she hoped Lawrence wouldn’t inquire any further.
Interviews for legal representation were being held next week, and her primary staff was already hired. Ginger was twenty and the youngest division director, and Zen was the oldest, thirty-five. Miranda and Heather were twenty-five and thirty, respectively. Jazzmyne, Wellington’s full sister—who was at one time believed to be his half sister—and one of Jada’s best friends next to Candice, was hired to handle public relations for Black Diamonds. Theo. Yes, Theo was destined to be exactly like
Huggy Low Down
. Huggy could dig up more dirt than a bulldozer could shovel in a week. Then he spilled his guts over the air during Donnie Simpson’s morning show with Chris Paul and David Haines. Theo’s job was to thoroughly check out her competitors and report back to her. Occasionally she might hire him to get the inside scoop on folk for personal reasons. Maybe Mr. Anderson required a background investigation.
Huggy Low Down
. Huggy could dig up more dirt than a bulldozer could shovel in a week. Then he spilled his guts over the air during Donnie Simpson’s morning show with Chris Paul and David Haines. Theo’s job was to thoroughly check out her competitors and report back to her. Occasionally she might hire him to get the inside scoop on folk for personal reasons. Maybe Mr. Anderson required a background investigation.
“How about dinner tonight? You can tell me all about Black Diamonds.” Lawrence held the card in one hand and pulled Ashlee’s spiraled curls back out of her creamy-colored face with the other.
“How about lunch instead? I’m having dinner with Darius to celebrate his first day of school.” Conveniently omitting Wellington’s name, Jada glowed. Actually, he was flying into town to take them to Darius’s favorite place, Dave & Buster’s, the restaurant with an arcade and pool tables.
Darius tugged on her purple sarong. “And Daddy, too, Mommy. Don’t forget Daddy’s coming.”
Jada’s sarong came untied. Lawrence’s eyes widened; then he covered Ashlee’s eyes and stared over and beyond Jada’s shoulder. Quickly Jada caught and retied the ends. Looking at Darius, she said, “Be careful, honey.”
“Sorry, Mom.” Darius tied the knot in Jada’s sarong tighter.
Uncovering Ashlee’s eyes, Lawrence said, “Lunch it is.” He laughed at Darius and then smiled at Jada.
“My mommy is taking me to dinner tonight, too. We’re going to Dave & Buster’s,” Ashlee said, poking her tongue at Darius.
“So. That’s where we’re—”
Jada lightly jerked Darius’s jacket and pierced a glare into his eyes. Darius tucked his lips in as if trying to swallow them and looked away. Not believing “Spare the rod. Spoil the child” was logical, Jada never beat him. She’d reared him to behave with just one die-hard stare.
“Ooh, oooh,” Darius sang and turned to Ashlee. “You want to see my leaf? My mommy gave it to me this morning. I’m going to Duke University.”
Ashlee frowned. “What’s that?”
Jada looked up at Lawrence and resumed their conversation, “The View? Is that okay?”
“Malibu?” Lawrence asked.
“Yes, Pacific Coast Highway,” Jada clarified, “down from Gladstone’s.”
“Then, you mean Pier View Café and Cantina. How’s noon?” Lawrence asked.
The old familiar sound of the bell rang throughout the school. “Fine.” As soon as the classroom door opened, Jada clutched Darius’s hand and attempted to escort him inside.
A stout, friendly-looking light-skinned woman with round cheeks and eyeglasses blocked her entrance. “I want each of my students to line up according to height on the left side of the hallway. And their parents on the right.”
Jada felt as if she were back in elementary school.
“This is so I don’t have to repeat myself. I’m Mrs. Allen. Welcome to St. Boniface. Students, I want you to quietly enter the room and take your assigned seats. If you can’t find your name,
silently
stand in front of the room.” She pressed her pointing finger against her pale lips. Peeping over her narrow silver-framed glasses, she scanned the line of parents and said, “I’ll see each of you on Back-to-School night. This is my class. Your children are now my students. Have a good day.” Then she closed her door.
silently
stand in front of the room.” She pressed her pointing finger against her pale lips. Peeping over her narrow silver-framed glasses, she scanned the line of parents and said, “I’ll see each of you on Back-to-School night. This is my class. Your children are now my students. Have a good day.” Then she closed her door.
Jada turned to Lawrence and said, “I guess she told us. I’ll see you at noon.” Her walk-away model twist—one foot directly in front of the other—with a subtle jiggle in her booty, left the most intelligent man dumbfounded. Jada chuckled to keep from crying. Her baby had started school.
Lawrence requested a table for two outside. Jada’s size twelve shapely hips leaned against the wooden rail as she watched the white sand wash away with the undercurrents and return with the waves. The seascape at The View was breathtaking. That was what Jada and Wellington had called the café for years, and she refused to change their nickname for Lawrence’s sake.
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