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Authors: Mary B. Morrison

BOOK: He's Just A Friend
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CHAPTER 36
F
or the first time in a very long time—years—Desmond put his relationship with Fancy in perspective. Fancy Taylor was just a friend. At the same time he realized Carlita was much more than a friend. Carlita was a woman. His woman. But moving in with Carlita wasn't what he wanted. If they were going to live together, Carlita would become more than his woman, she'd become his wife.
Desmond drove to Fancy's apartment. There was no place to park so he called her on the phone. “Hey, come downstairs.”
“I'm on my way,” Fancy said excitedly.
That meant she'd be another fifteen minutes. Women were never ready on time anyway, including Carlita.
Desmond wondered why Carlita never got mad or jealous or questioned him when he left late nights or early mornings. She didn't flip out when she saw him with Fancy at breakfast. Carlita never mentioned Fancy. Well, once, and when she did, Desmond realized Carlita was fully aware of his relationship with Fancy.
“Hey, Dez. So where are we going?”
“You'll see. You look nice,” Desmond said.
Fancy always looked nice. Even on her worst days she looked good. The black hoodie sweatsuit with white stripes down the side was sexy. Desmond parked on Grande Avenue near Fairyland. The Orchid Festival Show and Sale was this weekend at the Garden House.
“Orchids? You brought me to see orchids?” Fancy questioned.
“You'll love them. Trust me. Besides, we won't be here long.”
This was one of the few free events he'd taken Fancy to. Carlita loved the word free. She would've really enjoyed the festival. Desmond wanted to take Carlita but needed to take Fancy.
After viewing hundreds of orchids, Desmond picked out one for Fancy. “What do you see when you look at this flower?”
“My favorite color. Dez, can we go?”
Fancy probably had a date with someone she'd recently met. As a friend, Desmond refused to ask. He suppressed his feelings for Fancy.
“In a minute. Look closer,” Desmond said, guiding Fancy's hips in front of the flower. “Oh, my bad. I shouldn't have touched you like that.” Desmond moved his hands to his side.
“This ain't working. I'm ready to leave,” Fancy insisted.
“It's you. It's the most sacred part of your womanhood. The orchid is like a,” Desmond lowered his voice, then said, “vagina.”
The autumn red orchid with red velvet lips resembled the beauty he saw in Fancy. The silkiness he remembered when he buried his face between Fancy's beautiful thighs. And the way she made him feel inside. Beautiful.
“Oh, okay. I can see that. The lips,” Fancy said, pointing. “Hey! There's my clit.” Fancy gently touched the flower. “So you want me to remember you every time I see my clit.” Fancy laughed.
“No. I want you to remember how delicate and beautiful and sacred your womanhood is and I hope you find someone special to share your true self with, not just your vagina.”
Fancy started to speak but Desmond motioned for her to be silent.
“Wait a minute. I'm not calling you no ho, Fancy. You're one of my friends but you have to stop selling yourself short in exchange for material things.”
“Let's go.” Fancy turned to walk away.
“One more thing. Then we can leave.” Desmond picked up the potted orchid and escorted Fancy outside. They crossed the pedestrian bridge and stood facing the miniature waterfall. The flowing water calmed Desmond.
“Fancy, you're special to me. You know that. You also know how much I love you.”
Fancy smiled and nodded.
“That's why I wanted to be the first to tell you.”
Fancy glanced over her shoulder at Desmond in silence.
“I'm going to ask Carlita to marry me. If she says yes, then my relationship with you will have to change. I won't be able to come and get you every time you need me. I can still fix your car but not for free.” Desmond turned Fancy around to face him, looked her in the eyes, and said, “I can't repair your broken heart.”
“Now you trippin',” Fancy snapped, pulling away from his embrace. “My heart is just fine.”
“If you say so. Come here. Don't pull away. Let me hold you.” Desmond laid his cheek on Fancy's forehead. “I love you, Fancy.
“If you only knew
That I would die for you
How many nights I've cried for you
Looked my woman in the eyes
And lied for you
If you only knew
I'd never hurt you
I'd give my first to you
My last to you
I'd do without
Just to provide for you
If you only knew
I would share with you
Take care of you
Be there for you
Go anywhere with you
If you only knew
If you only knew”
“You sure you wanna marry a woman with four kids?” Fancy asked, wrapping her arms around his waist.
“You a trip. If she says yes. Yes. That means you'll have to find someone else to take you out this New Year's Eve.” Desmond pulled a small square white box from his pocket. He opened it slowly. Then he turned it upside down, shaking it until a plush black velvet box fell into his palm. He flipped it over and gently opened it. “This is the ring I bought for Carlita. You think she'll like it?”
He'd purchased the three-carat solitaire on credit. With the nice down payment, the pear-cut stone set in platinum would be paid in full before the end of next year. Desmond wanted to make Fancy jealous. A lasso made of burning steel slithered down his throat and captured his beating heart. Was he trying to hurt Fancy because she'd hurt him? Would a friend treat another friend so cruel?
“Whatever, I already have a date. Take me home.” Fancy left the red velvet orchid by the waterfall so Desmond left it there, too.
“One more thing,” Desmond said before Fancy closed the door when they reached her apartment. “I was accepted to Hastings, Harvard, and Emory.”
“Congratulations,” Fancy said without looking back at him.
Desmond was hurting. He hoped someday Fancy would find happiness. Forgive her mother. Stop sleeping with men for money. Start worshiping her insides as much as she took care of her appearance. What woman wouldn't want a man who worshiped her mere existence? Flaws and all. A tear or two fell before he stopped the flow. He parked in front Carlita's house. He clasped his fingers and placed them behind his head. Why were relationships so challenging? The one he wanted he couldn't have. The woman he did have, he wasn't one hundred percent sure he wanted. Maybe he bought the ring out of emotional spending. The holiday spirit. Maybe he'd hold off on proposing to Carlita until after the New Year.
CHAPTER 37
T
wo days before Christmas, Fancy sat in her car waiting for the sunrise so she could roller-blade around Lake Merritt. Tanya had been on her mind for several days but Fancy was so busy, each time she remembered to phone, she also remembered there was something else she needed to do. The time displayed on her cellular phone, six forty-five. Fifteen more minutes before her peak minutes started. Fancy dialed Tanya number.
“Hello.”
Oh, great. William had answered, again.
Fancy adjusted her ear bud and said, “Hello, may I speak with Tanya, please?”
“Tanya's busy. Who's this?” he questioned with authority.
Fancy heard Tanya's voice in the background. “William, who's that?”
“This is Fancy. Who's this?” Fancy questioned William back with the same attitude.
“Why you callin' on a Friday morning? Tanya's gotta go to work. I told you to stop calling here.”
“May I speak with my friend, please? It'll only take a minute.” Fancy smiled so she'd sound pleasant.
The next voice Fancy heard was Tanya's. “Hi, who is this?”
“Girl, it's me, Fancy. Are you okay? We were starting to think you're caught up like that author in the movie
Misery.
”
Tanya's voice was barely above a whisper. “I'm okay, I guess.”
“Your minute is up Tanya! Get off the phone so I can take you to work. I told you I need the car today.”
“Look, Tanya. Listen to me. When William drops you off at work, don't clock in. I'll park in the lot across the street by Toys ‘R' Us and wait for you.”
“Okay,” Tanya whispered.
“Tanya! Don't make me have to tell you again. Get off the damn phone. Now!” Tanya hung up without saying good-bye.
The sunlight was bright enough for Fancy to strap on her elbow and kneepads.
Swish. Swish. Swish.
Fancy took long strides around the lake, determined to complete three laps. Sweat poured from her forehead by the end of the first five-mile lap. Mandy's letter flashed in Fancy's mind. “Do something nice for three people in your life this holiday season.” Fancy had selected Tanya, Desmond, and Caroline. By the end of the third lap, Fancy was just warming up so she spread her blanket on the grass and did five hundred sit-ups. Tempted to do five sets, running up and down the one hundred seventy-five steps across the street on Lakeshore, Fancy thought about Tanya and drove to Emeryville.
Byron entered her thoughts. Fancy wondered what he was doing and if she should call him and apologize for calling the cops. He hadn't called her to apologize for nearly killing her. Fancy decided if she honestly wanted closure, Mandy was right, she should never have contact with Byron again. Fancy searched her cellular phone book and reluctantly deleted Byron's home, work, and cellular numbers. Although Byron's assault wasn't her fault, she blamed herself for ruining a relationship with the man she could have happily married.
Fancy blinked several times. The woman trotting toward Fancy's car was smaller than her. Fancy got out the car and said, “Tanya? Girl, what have you done? You've lost so much weight. You look good.”
“I wish I felt as good as I look. I'm stressed. I begged my supervisor for one hour so I have to be back by nine-thirty. The late holiday shoppers are crazy, girl. Look at these parking lots.” Tanya pointed to Expo Design, Toys ‘R' Us, Best Buy, and Pet Club. “Fancy, where did you get the new attitude? Since when did you start caring about me? Must be the holiday spirit.” Tanya laughed.
“Oh, no, this is not about me. I am concerned about you.” Fancy let down the windows.
“I don't know. I love William. And he doesn't hit me or anything but he yells a lot since he lost his job. He acts like it's my fault. Every bad thing that happens to him is my fault.”
“When did he lose his job?” Fancy asked, stretching her arm out the window, motioning to the driver behind her that she wasn't leaving her parking space.
“Almost six months ago. Around the time I stopped calling.”
“Girl, you stopped calling way before the summer. More like late winter early spring.”
“I don't know what to do, Fancy.” Tanya's eyes drooped and her head hung low. “I feel trapped. William talks crazy whenever I say I'm leaving. He says stuff like, ‘You can't leave me. You're stuck with me for life.' ”
Stuck? “Honey, Silly Putty doesn't stick forever. Nothing does.” Fancy noticed Tanya didn't crack a smile so she said, “Well, if you ever need a place to stay, you're welcome at my home anytime.” Fancy hugged Tanya.
“Thanks. I'll work something out,” Tanya said, picking at her fingernails.
“If you don't have your own savings, girl, start stashing money on the side. Never let William know how much you make or how much you save.”
“Thanks. I gotta get back to work.” Tanya closed the car door and trotted back across the street.
Fancy drove home, showered, and headed over to Desmond's house. He wasn't home so she drove to his job. Desmond was in his blue cover-ups leaning over his Mustang.
“What's the matter with your car?” Fancy stood a few feet away.
“Hey, surprise seeing you here. I thought you weren't speaking to me.”
“How could I not speak to my best friend?” Fancy said, opening her purse. She reached inside and pulled out a sealed card. “Here, I just stopped by to give you this.”
“
You,
give
me
something. Whoa.” Desmond wiped his hands on his cover-ups.
“You can open it later. How's school?”
Desmond's lips curved wide and long. “I haven't started yet.”
“Where'd you decide to go?”
“Georgia. Going back home. Moving after the holidays.”
Fancy felt sad for not supporting Desmond's dream. “I'm happy for you.” Fancy paused then said, “I gotta go. Call me whenever you have a moment.”
“Wait, don't leave. I can take an early lunch. You wanna do lunch?” Desmond's walnut eyes were warm and sparkling.
“I'm having lunch with my mother today.”
“For real. That's great!” Desmond hugged Fancy, lifting her off her feet.
“Man, put me down.”
“No way,” Desmond said, swinging her around. He held her close and Fancy started to cry because she never realized how simple things meant so much to some folk. Desmond eventually placed her on her feet and said, “Let me open my card. I can't wait until Christmas.”
When Desmond opened his card, a check for six thousand dollars fell out. “Whoa, are you serious? You—are paying—me back.”
“Yeah, I figured you might need your money for your wedding.”
Desmond didn't respond. He read the Maya Angelou friendship card, then hugged Fancy again. “Girl, I love you! Whoa! This is great!”
Gently pushing away Fancy said, “I love you, Dez,” and walked away.
Fancy cried all the way home but this time she felt good inside. Fancy raced inside, showered, dressed, and got back in her car all within an hour so she wouldn't be late picking up Caroline.
Caroline was standing in the doorway waiting when Fancy parked in front of the house. Fancy looked at the blue house and froze. Her body wouldn't move. Haunting memories, things she'd never told Mandy or anyone else resurfaced. Fancy saw herself as a little girl on hands and knees as she scrubbed each step every Saturday until they shone. Now the steps were dusty. The bright blue paint was dim.
Caroline motioned to Fancy. “Come in.”
Slowly Fancy placed her feet on the street's black asphalt and stood. The curtain-style skirt with ruffled trimming swayed in synch with her hips as Fancy floated up the dirty stairs to Caroline's door.
“Hey, baby. I'm so happy to see you. Come in for a minute. I'm almost ready.”
When Fancy crossed the threshold her eyeballs traveled left without assistance from her head. Her old chubby elementary pictures still hung on the wall. The étagère with its numerous whatnots were blanketed in dust, but never when she lived with Caroline. Fancy stared at the blue couch. Her temples throbbed and her head ached.
“Fancy, come here, baby. Mama needs your help.”
Fancy ran out the house. The metal screen door slammed behind her. She hated Caroline all over again. Fancy jumped in her car and started the engine.
“Wait, where are you going!” Caroline yelled from the doorway.
Fancy shifted into drive and sped down Seventh Street, turned onto Market, hopped on the freeway for about two miles, exited at Harrison Street, and drove home. When she dashed into the lobby the mailman handed her her mail. Fancy slowed down.
“Merry Christmas, Miss Taylor.”
“Thanks.” Waiting for the elevator, Fancy thumbed through the pile, counting the cards. The twenty-sixth envelope was from Byron. Entering her apartment Fancy tossed the entire stack in the trash. All except one made it across the rim. She picked it up and carried it to her bed. It was Byron's card.
Fancy sighed heavily. She inserted her finger and ripped along the edges. A letter and three more envelopes were enclosed.
Fancy,
My accountant forwarded your checks to the wrong address. Merry Christmas.
Byron
P. S. I apologize. Your car is sitting in my garage collecting dust. If you want it, let me know before New Year's Eve. Otherwise, I'll donate it to charity. I'd love to take you to the gala this year. I love you, Fancy. Call me.
Each envelope was stamped “Return, Undeliverable Address.” The street name was misspelled on each envelope. Fancy opened the first envelope. Her eyes widened when she saw a check for twenty-five thousand dollars. The second check was for thirty-five thousand, and the third was forty grand.
“Yipee!” Fancy danced. She sat on the sofa and scrolled the Bs in her cellular phone book. “Aw, damn.” She'd deleted each of Byron's numbers and her detailed statement wasn't due until the middle of next month. “Damn!”
Fancy still needed to do something nice for one more person. Using her cordless phone, she dialed SaVoy's number.
“Hey, SaVoy. This is Fancy. If you still want me in your wedding, I'd be honored.”
“Oh, bless you. Yes, I do want my best friend in my wedding.”
“I love you, SaVoy.”
“I love you too, Fancy. You wanna go to church with us this New Year's?”
“Thanks. But I already have plans. I'll talk to you later. Bye.”
Fancy browsed through her last month's statement, found Byron's numbers, and reentered them into her phone. He didn't answer his cell phone so Fancy left a message accepting both of Byron's offers.

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