All That and a Bag of Chips (51 page)

Once at the beach, they put all their worries behind them and were able to really enjoy the trip. They spent a lot of time walking in the sands, especially for sunset walks. The days flew by and before they knew it, they were back home. Venice didn't waste any time getting to the doctor's office. Jarvis went along with her to find out the results. Once the blood test was conducted, it revealed that Venice was indeed pregnant. Jarvis and Venice didn't want to stress their parents out about the news, so they decided to keep the news to themselves for a while.

 

They finally said their good-byes
and were on their way back to school. Venice couldn't imagine what life was going to be like from that point on. She was married to the love of her life and possibly pregnant by the other love in her life. Jarvis and Venice jumped back into their classes without skipping a beat. The situation did put a lot of stress on her marriage. Venice wished that she could change things, but she couldn't. Weeks later, they finally told their parents about the baby. They decided not to divulge the possibility of Craig being the father.

Another month passed and Venice began to show. Jarvis got over the initial shock and programmed his mind to believe he was going to be a father. He did his best to reassure Venice that everything was going to work out fine. Venice wanted to believe Jarvis, but she couldn't. Jarvis noticed that Venice was in a state of depression. He tried his best to keep her spirits up, especially in her current condition.

A couple weeks passed before it happened. Venice began bleeding and Jarvis had to rush her to the emergency room. Once again, she lost her baby. Once again, Venice and Jarvis were devastated. Jarvis wanted to know if Venice was ever going to be able to have children. The doctor explained that Venice didn't have any physical problems preventing her from carrying a child to term. She would
just have to remain stress free during pregnancy. Jarvis revealed the sources of Venice's stress and added that college didn't help the situation any. The doctor asked Jarvis if he wanted to know if he was the baby's biological father. He said it was irrelevant to the current situation and that his main concern was to take care of Venice. He asked the doctor to reassure Venice that she didn't have a physical problem. The doctor promised that he would take care of it and release Venice the next day.

Jarvis called their parents and filled them in on everything. He also tucked his pride away and called Craig. Craig was hurt and asked if Venice was okay. Jarvis told him that she was obviously upset and said Craig could call her tomorrow. Craig expressed sincere gratitude for the call. Jarvis spent the night in the hospital room with Venice, then took her home the next day. They never discussed the paternity of the baby. Venice also never revealed her psychic dream about the situation. They were going to attempt to put everything behind them and get on with their lives.

T
wo years passed and Venice and Jarvis were both in their junior year. Galen and Sidney were doing well raising their two-year-old daughter, Gayla Cheyenne. Galen had been drafted and was playing for the Carolina Panthers. Sidney was busy teaching kindergarten and loving it. Venice and Jarvis were busy with their classes as the year came to a close. Jarvis had excelled even more on the football field that year. Venice had been co-oping with the football team the past season as a team doctor. All of the teammates knew Venice was Jarvis' wife. At first he had a hard time watching her put her hands on the other guys as she taped their ankles, massaged their sore muscles, and much more. It was an adjustment for all of them. Being their first female trainer, Venice was clearly a distraction for the players. The coaches made it clear that she was to be respected as a team doctor, as Jarvis' wife, and as a woman. Venice didn't pay any attention to the half-naked men when they walked around the locker room. It was a job and she was good at it.

Chanelle told Venice that Craig had accepted a job in Philadelphia and even though he was doing well with his career, he was not seeing anyone seriously. Craig traveled a lot and avoided any possibility for a relationship. Venice hadn't had any contact with Craig in almost two years, but hoped their paths would again cross one day. Joshua and Chanelle were still sharing an apartment at Dawson. Chanelle and Spoonie were also still together and discussing engagement. Joshua was still dating Cynthia, who was back at home running her own beauty shop. They had wedding plans soon after graduation.

Jarvis was drafted at the end of his junior year in the first round of the NFL draft. He did become the instant millionaire Bryan said
he would become and was, fortunately, drafted by the Detroit Lions. This would allow Venice to finish college without transferring. She had another year ahead of her and she was determined to finish. Jarvis promised that he was going to work on completing his degree in the off season.

It was late summer and before he left for training camp, Venice informed him that he was going to be a father. This time, there were no surprises and this time, Venice was going to make sure nothing happened to their baby. Things were really looking up for them after all the trials and tribulations of the past. Venice often thought of the dream she had on her wedding day. She never mentioned her dream to anyone, not even Joshua. She knew in her heart that she'd made the right choice marrying Jarvis. Life was good and they were more in love than ever.

Venice, Jarvis, Joshua, and Chanelle had come a long way together. Each of them had a path they were traveling and it seemed they were all on the right road. Good friends are hard to come by. Everyone should be happy to have at least one true friend in their lifetime. When you have three, you are truly blessed beyond life's expectations. It's all good because life is all that and a bag of chips.

D
ARRIEN
L
EE, A NATIVE OF
C
OLUMBIA
, Tennessee attended Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee, which is where she picked up the love of writing. Her experiences on the college campus, was the inspiration for
All That and A Bag of Chips
, her first novel, published by Strebor Books Int'l. Majoring in Business Administration, she started out writing various works of poetry for her friends to help them “get the one they loved or get over the one they loved and lost.” She is a member of African American Authors Helping Authors.

 

It wasn't until recently that Darrien began to take her writing serious after feeling unfulfilled with her present job at United Parcel Service. She found writing was the perfect setting which to unwind in while entertaining her friends.

 

Darrien lives in LaVergne Tennessee with her husband of 10 years and their two daughters. In her spare time she loves reading, sports and listening to jazz.

Dear Readers,

 

I hope you have enjoyed Venice's unique and adventurous love story. I would also like to thank all of you for your encouragement and support. While writing this story, it reminded me of the fun and minor drama that took place on my college campus. I hope in some way that I was able to entertain you and provide you with a thirst for reading. Some of you may have been able to relate to one or more of my characters. If so, I hope in some way I was able to move you either with tears, laughter, or love. Please write and let me know your thoughts and opinions.

 

And for those of you who are wondering, a sequel to
All That and A Bag of Chips
is in the works. Craig Bennett is too handsome and sexy not to find love also. Look for the sequel in the near future by checking my website. I look forward to bringing you Craig's story and many others.

 

Take Care,
Darrien Lee

 

Readers can contact me via my website at
www.DarrienLee.com
and at
www.luvalwayz.com

By Darrien Lee

 

In merely seven years, Craig Bennett has managed to become one of the most successful architects in Philadelphia, PA. Labeled as one of Philadelphia's most eligible bachelors, Craig has had his selection of beautiful, intelligent women. Unfortunately, since his breakup with Venice, none have come close to fulfilling his passions and desires the way that she did. Having removed himself from any and all contact with her, Craig has built a wall around his heart, vowing to never risk falling in love again.

 

Jarvis and Venice could not be happier as the proud parents of their five-year-old son, Brandon. While Jarvis is relishing his fifth season in the NFL, Venice is enjoying her career in Sports Medicine with the Michigan State football team. Like all married couples, they have experienced their ups and downs. However, nothing could possibly prepare them for the unforeseen tragedy awaiting them. Will love enable them to overcome the unexpected turn of events? Only time will tell.

by Darrien Lee

 

T
he Detroit Lions won the Super Bowl and Jarvis was the MVP. The entire family was excited and happy for him, but Venice noticed Joshua was unusually quiet.

She asked, “Hey Josh! You okay?”

“I'm cool. Just happy Jarvis finally got that ring.”

Smiling she said, “So am I, Josh.”

 

Later that night, after hours
of celebrating, Venice laid in Jarvis' arms after making hot, steamy love.

“Jarvis, I'll love you forever.”

Tilting her chin up so he could look into her eyes, he said, “Till death do us part, sweetheart. I'll love you forever and don't you ever forget it.”

A single tear rolled out of her eyes as he lowered his lips to hers and stole her breath with his hot kiss. Making love to her this night was necessary and special as he joined his body with hers.

 

Philadelphia was blanketed with several
feet of snow. Not many people showed up for work, either because of the weather or because they had one drink too many at a Super Bowl party. Craig came in that day, not having anything else to do. The newspaper was at the door when he arrived. Once in his office, he opened it to see the headline:
Detroit Lions Win the Super Bowl!
On the inside was a picture
of Jarvis, holding the MVP trophy and kissing the still breathtakingly beautiful Venice. He didn't expect to have to lay eyes on her, but it was too late now. She had begun invading his dreams on a regular basis lately anyway and it unnerved him. He used to only think of her on rare occasions over the past few years, but lately it had increased for some odd reason. Now he'd laid eyes on her for the first time in seven years. Throwing the paper into the trash, he angrily shouted, “Damn!”

 

Months Later

 

The month of July seemed
to be an unusually wet one. The late night storm woke Venice up as it rolled through. Venice watched as the lightening lit up the room. Worried that five-year-old Brandon might be afraid, she decided to check on him. Finding him sound asleep, she returned to bed and snuggled up to Jarvis and kissed him on the lips, but it felt strange. She stroked his face and his skin felt different.

She whispered his name to wake him to make sure he was all right. After no response, she started to

shake him, first softly, then frantically.

“Jarvis! Baby, wake up!”

He still did not respond. Venice's heart was now pounding as she reached over to turn on the light.

He was still breathing but was unresponsive. She reached for the phone and dialed 911 as tears streamed from her eyes.

She screamed, “Jarvis! Don't do this to me! Please!”

Luckily, Ms. Camille has spent the night. Venice ran to wake her so she could tend to Brandon.

She didn't want to alarm him that something was wrong with his daddy. The paramedics were there in no time and Venice dressed hurriedly while trying to stay calm.

“God please don't take Jarvis away from me.”