AWAKENING (8 page)
Authors: S. W. Frank
Tags: #Literature & Fiction, #United States, #African American, #Romance, #Mystery; Thriller & Suspense, #Mystery, #International Mystery & Crime
Jessica laughed, “No, for real
,
Spanx
can do but so much
mami
, your
shit’s
natural
.”
“Well, gracias.” Selange
smiled as she
sat
, put
her clutch on the table
then
checked
out the
place with
a graceful movement of
her head, “Nice
, I like it
.”
“There’s a
saxophonist. He’s pretty good,
but I came for the food. Somebody told me, it’s really good. Besides, we need breaks too. The men get theirs all the time.
Shit, I’m bum-rushing and taking mine!
”
“I hear that!”
Selange swiveled her head and noticed the small stage far in the back and a long lit bar. The place was bigger than she thought. The table where they
sat
was close
r
to the front dining hall
. I
t looked like all the action was happening in the rear. The well-dressed people there seemed much livelier. There were mainly
romantic
couples and a reserved vibe in the area they occupied. She leaned forward, “After we eat let’s hit the bar, you down?”
“Hell, yes. I’m not driving. I
walked
over in these ten inch heels, believe it?
”
She displayed her killer shoes.
They were sparkly attention-getters.
“Those are bad-ass shoes. I don’t know how you walked in them though. I don’t go over six. I’m not busting my ass for nobody!”
“You should’ve seen the dudes offering me rides. I was
strutting
my stuff and flipping them the bird.
Like I need a ride in their broke-down whips when my feet work just fine.”
Selange laughed, “You’re too much –but you are not walking home tonight. I’ll make sure you make it home safe.”
Jessica blew out air laughing then leaned over the table, the long brown hair lay on her bare shoulders when she did, “Oh, good I hoped you’d say that. My feet are start
ing
to kill me.”
“
Now you understand why I don’t punish myself.
By the way,
I read your business proposal. It’s thorough.”
“Emilio helped. He’s smart as shit for a dude who never went to college.”
“You don’t have to attend college to be smart. Just read.”
“Yeah, that’s true.” Jessica leaned over the table, “So you want to invest?”
“I’m in. I spoke with Alfonzo’s cousin from Italy,
Amelda
who’s a fashion designer. She wants me to bring you out to New York when I go to attend Fashion Week with her and some friends.”
Jessica shrieked, “Are you fucking serious, Fashion Week?”
“Serious.”
“Ah hell yes, I’m going!”
“Okay, it’s not for a few more months but it gives you time to scout a location, and maybe you can get some of her designs in your boutique if you like what you see.”
“Selange, you’re the bomb, seriously
mami
, nice looking out.”
“We’re family, that’s what we do.”
They were talking about the babies when a
waitress
finally sauntered to their table. Jessi
ca knew what she wanted
and so did Selange. She went with the chicken soup with farro and dumplings. She’d sampled this dish in Milan and loved it. In the northeastern region of Italy,
farro
’s
been used for centuries. It’s similar to spelt and she’s even put it in her salads.
Nico told her…
She
squint
,
damn! S
he didn’t come here to reminisce about the past. She tossed the memory out and got back to today. Today, she planned to enjoy herself and do
Selange. Heck, she deserved it. No babies, no men, no worries, right?
During the twenty minutes waiting for their meal and the
forty to eat it,
Jessica
decided to
confess her shock
about
‘the incident.’ That’s what everyone was calling Selange’s affair with Nico. “I couldn’t believe you cheated, nah, for real,
mami
.” Jessica continued in her tough New York accent mixed with Spanglish.
“I really don’t want to talk about that Jessica.”
“Why not
,
I’m not judging you or anything
?
”
“Because we’re here to get a stress
reduction
, remember?”
“Okay,” she finished her red wine, “but one question…that’s all…just one then I’ll leave it alone.”
Exasperated already by the talkative woman, Selange caved, “Shoot
, you can have your o
ne question.”
“Was it g
reat
sex, because Nico looks like he can work it? You know, if I wasn’t with Emilio, I might hit him up and say Nico,
papi
, come take me around the world.”
Selange’s eyes bulged at the girl as she burst out laughing
, f
inding humor in the naughty thought. Of course, Selange didn’t answer the question. I
t
wasn’t anyone’s business,
besides;
it wasn’t all about the sex. “Okay, Jessica, pipe down
hun
. Get it together.”
“Okay…okay…I’ll quit. Come
on,
let’s get some drinks before Emilio starts texting me non-stop.”
Moments later, Selange settled the tab and they w
ere at the crowded bar sipping on
rums, sharing mommy stories and unwinding when two guys strolled over.
One insinuated himself between the women, the other stood on Selange’s side eyeing her like meat.
“
Hola
, ladies, how you doing tonight?”
Jessica pulled a face. She was tipsy but not
that
tipsy. The dude was definitely not her type
, besides she had Emilio’s bones to jump when she got home
.
This dude had a distractingly large
nose, what’s worse
is
the one trying to
hit on
Selange reminded her of a
Dutch Bulldog. Damn, why did guys see two women at a bar and automatically think they’re looking for companionship? “We’re good
and
this is a private celebration. Do you mind?”
The Bulldog was grinning, “Can’t you ladies at least let us buy you drinks?”
“No, we’re
fine, thank you
,” Selange chimed in. Her slurred speech a sign she’d washed down more than she should.
Nose and Bulldog, that’s what
Jessica,
called them in her head. “Hey, you want to do something for us, then say good-bye and go back to wherever you slid
out
from
under
.”
“We’re flattered,
though
.” Selange added trying to soften the harsh words. Yep, Jessica was a mini-Shanda.
S
ome guys didn’t respond well to a public
‘
diss
’
and the minute her brain thought it, sure enough the guy retorted with, “You, you’re cool but this one
is a
true
bitch!”
Selange blinked in shock. “Seriously, you should look in the mirror. You’re more a version of a dog, th
an
she’ll ever be.”
A guy who’d been staring at the end of the bar at the woman in the red dress sauntered to assist. “Guys, leave the ladies alone. They’re not interested.”
“Hombre, step off and mind your business.” Nose
countered.
Selange grimaced. The poor dude trying to defend them didn’t look like he could bench press a hundred pounds. He was also wearing glasses, damn!
Jessica wasn’t having it,
her
expression
turned murderous. Selange sighed and her
French manicured nails
inched toward her purse. Yep, another Shanda, except Jessica was the Puerto-Rican version.
Jessica began to breathe fire
.
“
Maricón
, I’ll show you
who the bitch is
!”
Oh snap,
it was on
, now
!
*
***
Alfonzo’s dinner companion fumbled with her hair. Smoothing it back
self-consciously
as she talked. “And
it’s
funny when they see me behind the bar, they’re like shocked or something…”
“Um.”
He mumbled. In his head he wanted the pretty woman to shut-up. He
had begun to
regret
asking her to dinner.
Maybe, he should’ve taken her straight to his place,
forego the prelude,
hit it then sent her on her way like the others –but he was hungry
and female company seemed like a good idea at the time
.
Anyway,
after tonight he wouldn’t endure the senseless chatter ever again. He’d delete her contact info from his
cell,
it’
ll b
e
as if
she never existed.
They
were waiting for the waitress wh
en
a
commotion
in the lounge area caught his attention
.
He could hear a
woman cussing up a storm. He recognized the irritating tone anywhere. He’d heard it most of his life.
The voice belonged to his cousin
Jessica
. The minx was
berating somebody in Spanish and making a scene. He hoped
she
and Emilio weren’t putting on a public display of their bullshit. Alfonzo wasn’t pleased and excused himself, “I’ll be back.”
He noticed the questioning glances and subtle steers as
he hurried toward the commotion. By the stares of a few patrons, he ascertained they
recognized him. Lately, the news took an interest in the recently divorced wealthy playboy. They’d
probably seen him on TV or the
photos in those gossip magazines with high profile people
and read articles
about his
alleged affiliation
to
organized crime. Their admiring looks were evident that most of them didn’t care about the rumored
connection;
his
philanthropic deeds in Puerto Rico far outweighed the speculation about his friends.
This was an upscale restaurant with a lounge area
. It’s also where many
local movers and shakers
began to hang out.
His presence wasn’t a surprise, since
he was part owner. A silent partnership agreement
, Alfonzo
insisted upon. However, Jessica
com
ing here and
causing a scene required
that
he intervene. The last thing the newly opened establishment needed was negative publicity. Funny, he thought he’d find
Emilio,
instead, Selange came in to view. Near his ex-wife stood a short little dude trying to verbally take on these two imposing men.
Alfonzo
quickly scanned the room
for Selange’s bodyguards. One of them should’ve appeared by now, unless….
‘Of course, she ditched them. His wife was good at ditching people!’
When Alfonzo maneuvered around the women and their pint-size protector, the guys’ attitude suddenly changed. He didn’t take his eyes off the dudes. In his peripheral vision, he knew his cousin was less than a foot behind him on his right and Selange closer to the bar.
He addressed Jessica without turning his head,
“
Qué
pas
o
prima?”
“This chump called me a bitch, primo.”
Alfonzo noticed
Selanges
’ hand inside the purse as she held it on her lap and he wondered if she even considered where she was. A crowded restaurant with lots of witnesses isn’t where you want to shoot anybody. Ella loco!
The women’s mighty savior disappeared at Alfonzo’s interjection. Alfonzo sized up the motherfuckers and almost laughed. They looked scared as hell.
“Which one?”