One Man's Trash (8 page)

“Well I’ve learned that hardly ever does life go directly according to plan. So
you have to be able to adjust with the detours, the road blocks, and whatever
else you run into on this road called life.”
“I just want to thank you again, Ryder. It was nice of you to even care enough
to try to help me with this issue.”
 “You don’t have to keep thanking me.” He smiled. “I’ve known you since you
were a little girl, I would be a really horrible person to not help you when
you needed me. And I’m not a horrible person. Contrary to popular belief.”
“Despite what you did, Ryder, I don’t think there’s anyone that would say
you’re a horrible person. You were suffering and acted out. Your best-friend
had just died in a car wreck. No one blames you for what you did, Ryder. The
guy was a known trouble maker. Always starting fights with people. You were provoked.”
“Yeah, but I’m a trained fighter, Diamond. I know better than to let my anger
get the best of me. But he just kept pushing and pushing and I finally
exploded.” He paused as if the memories from that night were replaying in his
mind. “I regret what I did. I let my emotions get the upper hand for five
seconds and it cost me five years of my life.” He stared at her.
She wanted to hold him. “Well, I know a little about letting your emotions get
the best of you. I hit JT twice.”
“What?” Shock filled his eyes and a small smile lined his mouth.
She nodded. “I hit JT twice in the heat of the moment. I slapped him when I
caught him cheating on me and you saw when I pushed him when I heard him
singing my song. But that doesn’t make me a bad person. I was emotional and
just reacted.” Her shoulders rose and fell.
“He cheated on you?”
“Yeah, let’s not talk about that.”
“This guy is a real asshole, Diamond. Glad you left him alone.” He paused. “I’m
sorry that happened to you.”
“It’s life. So, are you and your parents talking again?” She needed to change
the subject.
“Yeah. I’m happy to have them back in my life. After the few months I’ve had since
getting out. It’s good to have people who sincerely care about me and have my
best interest at heart.”
“I imagine it’s been rough for you because you have a record now, right?”
“Getting a job hasn’t been easy because of my record. I’m all about second
chances and that’s not just because I’m a felon looking for a second chance.
But they lock you up and when you get out they expect you to become a
productive citizen. But then you can’t find a job because you’ve been locked
up. So it’s like what the hell? That road called life. It’s just crazy.”
Ryder looked out the window. They remained silent as the waitress brought their
drinks. Ryder waited until the waitress had walked away before speaking. “I
would like to make a toast.”
She raised her glass. Happy that he was talking again.
“I would like to toast to following your dreams and second chances.” He touched
his beer mug to her martini glass.
“Speaking of following your dreams, what does Ryder Gillian want to be when he
grows up?”
Ryder swallowed his beer. “I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately. I would
really like to go back into music. I was watching some old videos on YouTube
the other night of some of our performances. Those were definitely the good ole
days. Daniel and I…we had a blast.” He looked down at his beer.
“Well do it. No one can stand in your way but you. Look at
me
…I went all
the way to freaking New York to follow my dreams. Yeah, I’ve hit a few speed
bumps along the way but I won’t quit until I make it. I can’t live without music.
And I know you can’t either.”
He stared at her. She wanted to see the passion in his eyes again. The passion
for life that he had back in high school when he was singing in the band. He
had an aura about him that everyone noticed. She wanted that for him. She
wanted him to live again.
“You have to try, Ryder. And I’ll help you.”
He licked his lips. “Your desire to help others is what got you in this mess in
the first place.”
“But I know that wouldn’t happen with you. You’re different.”
“Diamond, I’ve been locked down for five years. I can barely get a real job let
alone a music career. I think I should leave that to you. I’ll stick with the
‘regular’ folk stuff.”
“Ryder, one thing you are not is regular. You have what it takes. You just have
to believe in yourself.” She paused. He looked as if he was taking in what she
said. “I believe in you. I always have. I always will because I know your potential.
I know what you are like when you’re on that stage. When you’re living. You
have to find something to live for or you’ll just waste away.”
“Have you always been this way?” He studied her.
Diamond smoothed back her hair. “What way?”
“Kind. Caring. Smart. Giving.”
“My blessing and my curse. Sometimes I’m all those things to the wrong people.”
“Beautiful.”
“Well no, that just happened in the last four years.” They both laughed. “As
you said, I blossomed.”
“Indeed you have. You’re definitely not a little girl anymore.”
“Glad you noticed.”
“I am too.” He toasted her glass again and took a swig of his beer.
The waitress returned shortly with their meal. “Excuse me, do you mind taking a
picture of us?” He handed her his cell phone and scooted into the booth beside
Diamond. He placed his arm around her shoulders and pressed his face against
hers. “On three, say Stone Ryders, okay? One, two, three!”
“Stone Ryders!” they yelled and the waitress snapped their picture. She handed
Ryder his phone back and walked away as if she got that request a million times
a day.
Diamond tried to concentrate on looking at the photo. She fought the urge to
run her fingers through his jet black hair. It looked so freaking soft. “Nice
pic, huh?” she asked.
“Only because you’re in it.” He looked up at her. A sexy grin planted on his
face. He closed out of his photo gallery and went back to his side of the
table.
Look at him. Those lips. Those eyes. That hair. And don’t forget that drop dead
gorgeous smile.
She shook her head.  “This is so weird.” She placed her napkin in her lap.
“What’s weird? Taking cheesy pics in a restaurant?” He laughed as he cut into
his steak.
“This is weird. This. It’s like everything that has happened in the last few
months has led up to this point. This exact moment. I mean, this is just weird.
I can’t explain it.”
“I know what you mean about this being weird. Trust me, I feel the same way. To
be free.” He pushed his food around on his plate. “Every time I wake up in my
own bed, in a real house, with no curfew. No one yelling at me telling me when
to eat or sleep or shower. Freedom is weird.” He looked up at her. “
Everything
has led up to this point. This exact moment.”
She couldn’t tear her gaze away from him. And she didn’t want to. His eyes
searched her face as if he was taking a mental picture that would forever stay
imprinted on his mind’s eye. Her mom always said, in life there are no
guarantees, so make sure you never take a moment for granted. So she soaked it
in. This moment. This weird moment in time. Everything she had been through, had
led her here.
It was great sharing this moment with him. Just being in his presence. Sort of surreal
to be hanging out with her lifelong crush. Kimmy would flip if she knew what
was going on right now. Even Diamond wasn’t sure what
exactly
was going
on right now. She pinched her arm underneath the table. Nope, she wasn’t
dreaming. Ryder Gillian, the real thing, not  her ‘Fantasy Ryder’, was here, in
front of her, sharing a meal, laughing at her jokes and even giving her
compliments. He was finally looking at her as a woman. Something she’d always
wanted.
Ryder opened the passenger side door and helped Diamond to her feet. He closed
the door and started toward her house. She stood still. “You coming?” he asked.
He held out his hand.
She put her hand in his and followed him to her front door. Her tummy was in
knots. At dinner she wasn’t nervous. She was carefree. She was Diamond. Now was
a different story. This was when the guy kissed the girl after their date.
Normally. But would this guy kiss this girl? It wasn’t technically a date after
all.
Just because he called her beautiful didn’t mean he wanted to date her. Or kiss
her. They stood underneath the porch light. “Thanks for everything. I enjoyed
dinner.”
“This has been the best night I’ve had since I got out. Thank
you
,” he
said.
“Well okay.” She stretched out her arms to hug him. They embraced. She inhaled
his scent. A mixture of aftershave and sweat filled her nostrils. Was it
possible for your nose to orgasm? Ryder pulled back, keeping her body close to
his. She looked into his emerald eyes then down at his lips and back up to his
eyes, giving him the green light to kiss her.
Ryder pressed his lips against hers. He’d read the signs. Thank God. She closed
her eyes and fell deeper into his kiss. His mouth took over hers. Passionate.
Hot. Wet. All the things a great kiss should be. Diamond fingered his hair and pressed
her body hard against his. Any harder and she would’ve melted inside of him.
She could barely breathe but she didn’t want to stop. She wanted her fairy tale
night to last a little longer.
Ryder broke free from the kiss. “Diamond.” He looked at her. Desire filled his
eyes. “It’s been a long time since I’ve kissed a woman. I think we should stop
right here. I don’t know how much longer I can be a perfect gentleman.”
Diamond giggled into her hand. “I guess you’re right. Sorry.”
“No, don’t apologize. It was great.” He pecked her lips. “I just want to treat
you like a lady. So, is it alright if I call you tomorrow?”
She nodded. He kissed her again and walked away. Diamond unlocked her door and
raced up to her room. She calmly closed her bedroom door, kicked off her flip
flops and happy danced until she was out of breath. She fell back onto her bed
and began singing.
Ryder and Diamond sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g…

THIRTEEN
Diamond was scheduled to fly back to New York tomorrow night. Ryder insisted
that they hang out at least one more time before she left. She wouldn’t dare
say no. She took the jumbo flexi rods out of her hair and let her curls cascade
over her shoulders and down her back. Ryder had only seen her with her hair in
a messy bun so she wanted to look nice. They were meeting at the Steel Blue
café for drinks. She wore a sundress that she had just bought at the mall
earlier that day. It was long and black with hot pink flowers on it. It
accentuated her bust and her butt. She slipped her feet into her hot pink flip
flops to match which coincidentally had tiny flowers on them too.
She applied the finishing touches and left the house. She arrived at the café
fifteen minutes later. Ryan and Ryder stood outside talking to a group of
people. She walked up to them. Ryder’s back was facing her. She tapped him on
the back.
He turned around. “Hey, you.” He hugged her.
“Miss Diamond.” Ryan hugged her hello.
“We can go inside now,” Ryder said as he led the pack into the café. He walked
to a side table not too far from the stage.
Diamond sat down first, Ryder and Ryan sat on each side of her. “Who’s playing
tonight?” she asked no one in particular.
Ryan looked at the flyer that he was given when he entered. “Some up-and-coming
band called Fly Grills. Hmm, wonder what they got cooking up?” He burst into
laughter.
“Ryan, you don’t even need an audience for your jokes because you laugh at them
yourself.” Diamond shook her head at her best-friend.
Ryder leaned close to her ear. “Glad you came out.”
She turned to him and looked into his dreamy green eyes. He was genuinely happy
to see her. “Thanks for inviting me.”
They ordered a pitcher of beer for themselves and a Cosmo for her. Her ex-boss,
Bob walked over to the table with their drinks instead of the waitress. He sat
the drinks down.
“This is on the house guys. It’s great to see you. Diamond.” She stood and gave
him a hug. He shook Ryan’s hand and then turned his attention to Ryder. “Man oh
man, have we missed you around here. I heard you were in here not too long ago.
Sorry I missed saying hello. How are you? You doing good?”
“I’m doing good, Bob. Thanks. I miss being here, too.”
“Well I just wanted to come by and say hello. Y’all enjoy yourselves, ya hear.”
“Thanks, Bob,” they all said at the same time.
“Gotta love free drinks! Thanks to Mr. Celebrity here.” Diamond patted Ryder’s
back.
As they were filling their glasses with beer, the host jumped onto the stage.
“Greetings my Steel Blue fam! Thanks for coming out tonight. Before we have our
guest band come up here tonight I would like to take a moment to recognize
someone that is joining us in the audience. You may remember this cat from back
in the day. He used to tear the house down every Friday night with a little
band by the name of Stone Ryders.”
The crowd went berserk. The host pointed out to Ryder with a huge grin on his
face. “Ryder Gillian is in the house ladies and gents! Lead singer of the Stone
Ryders! Come on up here man!” He motioned for Ryder to join him on the stage.
The crowd cheered and whistled.
“Ry-der! Ry-der! Ry-der!” the crowd cheered.
“Ryder, don’t leave your fans waiting.” Diamond nudged him in the side. She
pointed to the stage with her head.
He looked over at Ryan. “Go on, man. They’re calling for you!” Ryan said,
joining the crowd in cheering his name! Diamond joined in as well.
Ryder finally rose from his seat and walked the few steps to the stage.
Everyone was on their feet in applause. He and the host shared a big manly hug
before Ryder stepped to the mic. “Thank you everyone for the warm welcome.” He
looked around the room. “It’s great to know that the Stone Ryders were so
loved.”
“Are loved!” a girl shouted from the crowd.
Ryder dropped his head in laughter. “Are loved. I stand corrected. I wish my
best bud and partner in crime, Daniel Stone, was here to feel the love that I
feel right now. But I know he’s looking down on all of this and he’s proud. So
thank you again.” He turned to walk off the stage but the host grabbed his arm.
“Wouldn’t y’all like to hear Mr. Stone Ryders himself sing a little ditty from
back in the day?”
The crowd roared and chanted his name again. Ryder held the widest grin on his
face as he shook his head. “I don’t know guys. I haven’t sung in so long.” They
continued to chant. “Alright…but only if my little bro comes up here with me.
He’s the real talent of the family! Get up here, Ryan!”
Ryan dashed to the stage. They told the band their song selection. “This song
right here was one of Daniel’s favorite songs. Keep It Coming.” The band
started playing the upbeat tempo. Within minutes everyone stood to their feet.
The Gillian brothers tore the house down. Diamond watched on like a proud
mother. They ended up doing two of the Stone Ryders’ songs before the audience
would let them sit down.
They returned to the table breathless and oozing with excitement.
“You guys were the bomb up there!” Diamond hugged them both.
“A-freaking-mazing!”
“Thanks,” they both said.
“Here’s to a wonderful start to the night!” Ryder raised his glass. They all
toasted. He held his glass in his hand and whispered to Diamond. “And here’s to
another wonderfully weird moment. May we have many more to come.”
She clanked his glass.
# # # #
Diamond landed back in New York right before eight o’clock at night. She didn’t
want to come back after spending time with Ryder but she had to get back to
work. She couldn’t believe the weird moments that she’d experienced over the
last few months, let alone the last few days. She kept replaying each moment in
her mind. The words he had said, the way he had looked at her, the way he had
complimented her, the way he had kissed her…was this real? And why now? Why now
when she no longer lived in Atlanta?
When she wanted him he was hundreds of miles away locked in a prison. And now
that he actually wanted her back, she was hundreds of miles away living in New
York. Now was not the time to dwell on the what-ifs and the why-nots. She had
to focus on what her whole purpose for going to Atlanta was…her music.
She sat on her couch with her laptop and logged onto the Library of Congress
website to copyright her lyrics. She also burned a copy of the CD. She’d
promised Ryder to give him one.
Diamond’s text message alert chimed. Speaking of Ryder.
You make it home
safe?
Her face lit up. He was thinking about her.
Yes I did. Thanks for checking
on me.
Okay I’ll let you get settled. Let me know how things work out.
Okay Nighty Night 
She blew a kiss at the phone
.
Night 
he replied.
Diamond called her parents to let them know that she was home safe. Kimmy
texted her wanting to know about what happened on her trip home. She promised
to tell her all about it tomorrow. All Diamond could think about was showering and
going to bed. She was ready to face whatever tomorrow would bring. Hopefully
everything worked out in her favor.
Diamond arrived to work earlier than usual. She put down her belongings at her
cubicle and walked over to Philip’s office. She knocked on his door. He waved
for her to enter. She placed the CD case down. “Here’s my proof.”
Philip picked up the CD and opened the case. He read over the lyrics. He placed
the CD back on the desk and shook his head. “So JT did steal the song. You have
this registered with the copyright office, right?”
“Yes, sir. I did that as soon as I found the CD.”
“Good. Well I hate that this happened but we are going to have to let him go.
We have to think about our reputation and there’s no way that we can work with
someone that is basically a thief.”
“I’m sorry that this happened too, Mr. James. I didn’t mean to bring any drama
to your company but I couldn’t allow him to take credit for something that he
didn’t create. Trust me I never knew that he was that type of person. I
wouldn’t have had anything to do with him if I did.”
“I know you’re not the type that associates with people like that, no need to
apologize. The next step will be to release him from his contract.”
“Thank you.”
Diamond walked back to her desk. It was a bittersweet victory. On one hand she
felt bad that JT’s first record deal was about to come to an end but on the
other hand she felt that he got what he deserved. She would never wish anything
bad on anyone but he started it. He made his bed and now he had to lay it, as
her mother would say.
Team DeeAye 2, Team JT 0.
When Diamond returned from her lunch break there was a message on her office
phone. She dialed her access code to check the message.
“I guess you must be happy now that the label dropped me. You couldn’t let it
go, could you? Just remember whatever happens, you brought it on yourself.”
She saved the message. Whatever happens, she brought it on herself? What was he
planning to do? She jumped at the sound of her phone ringing. Private Number
showed on the caller ID. She turned down the ringer and let the call go to
voicemail. A few seconds later, the red light came on. She entered her access
code and checked the message.
No words on the other end. Just heavy breathing then laughter. She deleted the
message. It had to be JT. What was he trying to do? Scare her? For what? He
couldn’t get back on the label. It was too late. She proved that he had stolen
her song. It was his fault. All he had to do was create his own music. The
phone rang a third time. Blocked number again.
She picked it up. “Hello, Tri Records, how may I assist you?” Silence. “Hello,
Tri Records, can I help you?” Heavy breathing came through the headset. “JT?
JT, I know this is you. Stop calling my job. This is over. Move on.” She
slammed the phone down.
JT called back. She let it go to voicemail again. She quickly picked up the
phone when the red light came on. “You think this is over?” He laughed. “This
is not over.” He ended the call.
Diamond placed the phone back into the cradle. She immediately dialed Kimmy’s
number.
“Hey, girl. Can you meet me after work? I need to go take out a restraining
order on JT. He’s been blowing up my work phone basically threatening me
because he got dropped from the label.”
“What? Are you serious? See, Diamond, I knew he wasn’t right. I knew it.”
“I know, I know. Can you go with me?”
“Yeah, sure. I’ll be at your job at four o’clock.”
“Thanks, girl.”
At 3:58 p.m. Diamond rushed downstairs to the lobby. Kimmy waited near the
revolving door.
Kimmy greeted her with a hug. “You okay?”
“A little shaken up. But I’ll be fine. I just want to hurry up and get this
restraining order. This dude knows where I work and where I live.”
“Do you really think he’ll do something to hurt you? I mean, maybe he was just
saying those things because he’s upset.”
“I don’t want to take any chances.” Diamond looked outside. JT stood at the
corner of the street. “He’s here.”
Kimmy spun around. JT waved.
“Let’s go.” Diamond pushed through the revolving door and Kimmy followed behind
her. JT began approaching them. She went in the opposite direction. He caught
up to them.
“Diamond. I know you saw me.” He stopped in front of her.
“What do you want JT? To threaten me again?”
“I didn’t threaten you.”
“You said whatever happens that I brought it on myself. I took that as a
threat.”
“I just want to know how could you do this? I thought you loved me?”
Kimmy sucked her teeth. JT glared at her. She crossed her arms over her chest.
“JT, I did love you, but that went out the window when you cheated on me,
remember Stephanie? And on top of that you broke into my apartment and stole
from me. And if that wasn’t enough, you tried to use my music without even
asking me. What happened to you loving
me
?”
“I still love you. We can work this out. I was upset earlier when I left that
message. I’m sorry. Can you give me another chance?”
“I don’t think so. There’s no coming back from what you did. I think we should
just cut all ties.”
“How can you just stop loving someone that fast? Are you fucking someone else?”
His voice got louder.
“What? First of all, that’s none of your business. Second of all, when someone
hurts you like you did me, love is easily lost.”
“I said I was sorry.”
“Okay, fine, I accept your apology.”
“Alright then.” He smiled.
“But I can’t have you in my life. At all.”
“What? I apologized to you and you still acting like a bitch!” He took a step
forward.
“Let’s go!” Kimmy pulled her by the arm.
JT yelled after them. They hailed a cab and headed to the Family Court located
on Lafeyette Street. Diamond walked up to the front desk. The clerk hung up the
phone when she approached.
“How can I help you?”
“I want to take out a restraining order.”
The clerk pushed some forms under the glass. “Fill these out. When you are
done, bring them back to the window.”
Diamond filled out the forms and returned them to the clerk.
“Ma’am you need to go to the second floor and wait to see a judge he will
decide based on what you filled out if you will receive a temporary order of
protection or a final order of protection. If granted, per your request on your
form, the respondent is not allowed to show up at your home or work. And he’s
not allowed to call you at your job. If he violates this order of protection,
please call the police and he will be arrested.”
“How long will the temporary order last?”
“Until you go to court. The respondent will be served with papers informing him
of the order of protection.”
“Thanks.”
Diamond and Kimmy took the elevator to the second floor to wait to see the
Judge. They waited about an hour to see him. He granted the temporary
restraining order and arranged for the summons to be delivered to JT by the
police. He set a court date a month from today. Diamond left the court house.
“Is this really my life right now?”
Kimmy hugged her and rubbed her back. “It’s going to be okay, Diamond. As
Auntie Jannie would say, this too shall pass.”
# # # #
Diamond jumped out of her sleep. She looked at the clock on her nightstand.
3:30a.m. Who the hell was ringing her bell at this time of the morning? She
eased out of bed and tiptoed to her living room window that faced the street.
She peeked out the window. There was no shadow in the doorway so no one was
buzzing from downstairs. Her bell rang again. Someone was at her apartment
door. Her heart pounded. She looked around the dark apartment.
“Diamond!” The voice came through her door. “Diamond, we need to talk.”
She tiptoed to her front door. The alarm was on. She didn’t dare look through
the peephole. JT had gotten into her building. She’d changed the locks to her
apartment but she couldn’t convince the landlord to change the locks for the
front door. That would’ve been too costly. She walked quietly into her bedroom
and snatched her phone from the nightstand. Her hands trembled. She stood in
the middle of her bedroom floor with her eyes closed, wishing him away.
Her bell buzzed again startling her. She grabbed a pair of sweats from her
chair, put on her sneakers, and a t-shirt just in case she had to make a run
for it. She walked back into the living room when she heard her neighbor in the
hallway. She stepped quietly to the front door and looked through the peephole.
Her neighbor advised JT to leave because he was causing a disturbance. JT
swayed a little. He’d been drinking. He walked down the stairs without saying a
word. She hurried back to the window and watched as he came outside and leaned
against her building. Just then a cop car cruised down the street. He stepped
off the porch when he spotted the car. He looked back at her window. She ducked
out of sight, hoping he hadn’t seen her peeping. After a few seconds, she
pulled the curtain back a little. He was gone.
She exhaled.
Her hands trembled as she pulled up the contact list on her phone.
“Ryder, sorry to wake you.”
“Diamond, what’s wrong?” he asked, half awake.
“JT was here. Ringing my bell and calling my name.”
“What? Did you call the cops?”
“He’s gone now. I’m just a little rattled. Sorry to call you so late or early.”
She looked out the window again. No one.
“No, it’s no problem. Diamond, I don’t know if you should stay there until the
court date or at all. This guy knows where you work and where you live.
Apparently he doesn’t give a shit about a restraining order. It’s not safe for
you.”
Diamond slid to the floor and rested her forehead on her knees. “How did I end
up here, geez?”
“If you move back home, it won’t be like you gave up. You have to look out for
your well-being. I’m sure you can find an internship here. Besides I kind of
liked having you around those few days.”
A smile tipped up the corners of her mouth. “So this is all about you huh?”
“Maybe.” He chuckled. “Seriously, your safety comes first. We can worry about
the rest later. If you need me to help you, I will do what I can. I’m here for
you, okay?”
“Thanks, Ryder.”
“Do you think you can go back to sleep?”
“I’ll try.” She rose from the floor and shuffled back into her bedroom. She lay
down on her back.
“You lying down?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll sing you to sleep.”
She closed her eyes as his smooth voice comforted her.