In The Company of My Sistahs (32 page)

Read In The Company of My Sistahs Online

Authors: Angie Daniels

BOOK: In The Company of My Sistahs
2.32Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
Chapter 65
NADINE
N
adine would never have believed that snorkeling was the best way to observe aquatic life if she hadn't experienced it first hand. She and Lisa and a team of ten spent the afternoon snorkeling around shallow coral reefs where marine life abounds. For someone who had never been a strong swimmer, she was delighted how easy the experience had been. She was so engrossed by the world under the sea that for almost two hours she had completely forgotten she had gotten her freak on with Lavina the night before. It wasn't until they were returning to the shore that the memories came flooding back. She closed her eyes as heat flowed through her body and settled down low. Thank goodness she was already wet between her legs, because juices were running down the insides of her thighs. Lavina had put an end to any further doubts she might have been having. She was definitely a lesbian. There was no longer any ifs, ands, or buts about it. Lavina was a skillful woman who last night shared with her the art of making love to another woman. After her sister had returned to her room, she pulled out the couch bed. She then cut off the lights and the two had gotten completely undressed and climbed beneath the sheets. From that moment on, Lavina was in complete control. She caressed every corner of Nadine's body, and with the help of a vibrating dildo, Nadine reached a level of sexual release that she had never obtained before.
As she moved out of the water she couldn't suppress the glow to her cheeks as she continued to think about how good Lavina had made her feel. However, she had made it clear that she wasn't interested in anything but a little vacation fling. Lavina agreed. Nadine had yet to share with Lisa the details of her evening.
With her partner on her mind, she glanced to her right, suddenly remembering that she was supposed to be right beside her. Only she wasn't there. Turning on her heels, Nadine spotted Lisa a short distance behind her. Nadine stopped and waited for her to catch up. As soon as she saw Lisa's face she could tell something wasn't right.
“Are you okay?” Nadine asked as she quickly moved toward Lisa.
Lisa nodded her head and tried to put on a good front, but Nadine immediately saw through it. Lisa was breathing hard and she didn't look too good. Nadine took hold of her arm and helped her the rest of the way.
“Nadine, I'm fine, really.”
Nadine wasn't buying it. “Tell that to someone else. I used to be a nurse's aid, remember?”
“Yeah, and I know my body better than anyone else. I just overdid it today, that's all.”
Nadine refused to argue with her, however, as soon as they got back to the room they were going to have a long talk.
They followed the rest of the group to the equipment room to return the snorkeling gear, then she and Lisa went back to their room so they could relax a little before dinner. Nadine waited until they had both showered and were lying across the bed before she mentioned the incident again.
“Lisa, I know you're hiding something,” Nadine finally said.
Lisa smiled as she leaned back against her pillow. “Quit being a worrywart.”
“I am not. I just know you're hiding something. I'm your best friend. Please tell me what's going on with you,” she pleaded.
Before Lisa spoke she was quiet for what felt to Nadine like forever. “You're right. I have been hiding something.”
“Damn. Finally the truth,” she said as she swung her feet off onto the floor and sat up on the bed, giving Lisa her full attention. She watched carefully as Lisa took several deep breaths, and suddenly she got scared as she prepared for what Lisa was about to say that caused her normally happy friend to look so sad.
After several more moments of silence Lisa quietly said, “Three years ago I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.”
“What?” Nadine's hand flew involuntarily to her mouth. She couldn't possibly have heard her best friend right. “How did you ... I mean, what happened?”
“I had been experiencing abdominal pain and constant bleeding. My doctor decided to run some tests. The results were inconclusive.”
“Oh, Lisa. I'm so sorry. How come you didn't tell me?”
She shrugged. “I didn't know how to tell you. First I was mad, then I was in denial. When she told me I had to have a hysterectomy, I was devastated because I knew I would never have children.”
“Wait a minute. That's why you had the surgery?” Lisa nodded. “Why did you lie?”
Tears streamed down Lisa's face as she told Nadine the truth. “I didn't want to worry any of you.”
“That's what friends are for. To share burdens with.” She reached over to the nightstand and handed Lisa a tissue. “Does Renee know?”
She shook her head. “Not yet.”
“Damn, girl.” She moved over to the bed and wrapped her arms around her best friend. There was no way she could have stopped the flow of tears even if she had tried. “How have you been? Did they get rid of all the cancer? Are you getting chemo?”
Lisa released her and sat up straight on the bed. She then told her about the surgery followed by the rounds of chemotherapy. For two years she had thought the cancer was gone, until a recent test had told her otherwise. “I'm scheduled for surgery next week.”
Nadine couldn't move. She couldn't believe that something like this was happening to someone she loved. Cancer! It just wasn't fair. Lisa was such a loving and giving person. Nadine remembered when Lisa had first told her she wouldn't be able to have children. Her heart had gone out to her and Michael because she knew how badly Lisa had wanted children. However, when Lisa had reassured Nadine that she had decided she liked her life just the way it was and was pleased about the surgery, she had actually believed her. Then she found out that it had all been one big lie.
She stared at Lisa as if she were seeing her for the first time. Physically Lisa was the same person she had known for years. Although her shoulder-length hair had been gone for over two years, Nadine had grown accustomed to the short, curly natural look. However, light radiating across her tired face, allowed her to see that the person on the inside had long since changed.
“How's Michael handling all this?”
Lisa dabbed her eyes as she spoke. “I don't know how I would have survived without his love and support.”
Nadine hugged Lisa again, glad for the few seconds to shield her startled expression. While holding her, she allowed her own tears to fall freely from her face.
“I can't have you falling apart,” Lisa said after she reared back.
Nadine wiped the tears away from her eyes. “I'm sorry. I know I should be giving you support, but I am just so damn mad! Why you, of all people?”
Lisa looked her in the eyes. “Things happen sometimes for reasons we can't begin to explain. I feel that God picked me for some reason. Maybe even to help save someone else's life in the process.”
Nadine gasped. “Oh, my God! You're not planning to die on me, are you?”
Lisa shook her head, then chuckled. “Girl, hell no. I plan to live a long time. It's surgery, that's all. My lymph nodes are unaffected, so that's a good sign. My doctor is confident they should be able to get almost all of the cancer this time, and we should be able to shrink the rest with chemo.”
Nadine tried to smile through a haze of sadness. “I hope so, because I don't know what I would do without you.”
“Don't worry, girl. I'm not going anywhere. I am a survivor. Cancer is going to have to take me kicking and screaming.” There was a sad little smile on her face, followed by another stream of tears.
Nadine shared a tearful laugh. When they sobered, she asked, “Is that why you asked us here?”
Lisa nodded.
“When were you planning to tell us?”
“Tomorrow. I was planning to sit down with all three of you tomorrow.”
Nadine couldn't stop shaking her head. “This is so unreal. But don't you worry. We are going to get through this together. Is there anything I can do for you?”
Nodding, Lisa gave her a dead stare, then said, “Yeah, call Jordan and tell her you love her.”
Chapter 66
RENEE
I
was so glad to get out of that room! I can't believe I spent the entire day hiding just so I wouldn't have to run into Nadine and Lisa. And let's not forget Everton, who blew up my damn phone.
Pierre called and asked me to meet him at six. When I arrived, he hadn't made it yet. So I moved to a table in the corner of the restaurant to wait. As soon as I sat in the chair, a waitress appeared with a menu and a glass of water. I ordered my drink and was taking a sip when Everton stepped into the room. I nearly choked when I spotted him heading in my direction. I tried to hide behind my menu, but it was obvious he knew I was there when he dropped into the chair across from me.
“Hey, Renee.”
I lowered the menu to the table and folded my arms on top of them. “What are you doing up here?”
“Leslie told me she saw you come up here so I thought I'd come join you.”
I'd have to remember to kick her ass later. “I'm meeting someone.”
“Who?”
“That's none of your business.” I glanced over toward the door, expecting Pierre to arrive at any moment.
“Yes, you are my business.” He reached for my hand and I snatched it back.
“No, I'm not, so go.” I hadn't realized I had raised my voice until I saw the people at the next table looking our way.
Everton dropped his voice. “What's wrong? You don't want me to see who you're having dinner with?”
“No, I just don't want to see your feelings get hurt.” I couldn't stop watching the door.
“Don't worry about me; I'm a big boy.” He leaned back in the chair. “So I guess it's safe to assume you're meeting another man.”
“Yes, now go.”
He looked pissed. “You didn't even give me a chance.”
Everton just wouldn't get the hint. I was two seconds away from cussing his ass out. “Listen, you are not my man and I do not appreciate you tracking me down like some damn stalker. Now I have a date coming, so I want you to go.”
There was a long silence. “What did I do?”
I had to look down because he looked so sad, and the last thing I wanted to do was feel sorry for him. “Nothing. We're just not compatible.”
“I think we are. We had a wonderful time and I want that again.”
I didn't bother to comment. My silence said it all.
“It could be great between us if you'd just give us a chance.”
I reached for my drink. “Sorry, but it's not going to work. You're just not my type. But you're a really sweet guy. Really.” Suddenly I felt really bad because he was a sweet man. He just had a little-ass dick and a big-ass mouth.
“It would never work between us. We live in two different worlds. I came here to experience fantasy, not to fall in love. I'm sorry.”
Everton sat there for the longest time saying nothing, and I made myself turn away and glance down at my watch.
I couldn't begin to explain how bad I felt as I watched him walk away. I could tell by the dejected slump of his shoulders that my words had hurt him.
I've done a lot of things in my life, but this is the first time I began to believe that maybe I am a bitch. I had hurt people before, but it was usually when I had been hurt first. Everton had done nothing to me but mislead me into believing he was capable of offering mind-boggling sex.
Five minutes later, Pierre walked in. He glanced in my direction and I waved at him, drawing his attention. Within minutes his old ass had me laughing and Everton was the furthest thing from my mind.
Chapter 67
NADINE
L
ong after Lisa had drifted off to sleep Nadine moved out onto the beach, a book in her hand and her glasses covering her red eyes.
She found a seat away from the crowd and lowered onto the chair. She then opened a book she had been trying to read for almost two months. However, ten minutes had passed and she still hadn't comprehended one word. The letters were running together and all was blurred.
It isn't fair
, she screamed inwardly as she raised her hand to fiercely wipe the tears away from her cheeks. Lisa didn't deserve to have to go through the entire ordeal again. She knew how trying cancer treatments were to a person's body. She had watched her cousin battle breast cancer. Her body had dwindled away to almost nothing. She had endured months of fatigue and nausea, and some days she barely had the strength to get out of bed. Then, after six years, she lost the battle.
Dammit. She lifted the shades from her eyes and mopped fresh tears away. She was falling apart and this would not do. She had to be strong for Lisa's sake. She needed her love and support.
Gosh, she missed Jordan. Jordan would have allowed her to cry her eyes out, then would have told her to suck her bottom lip in and put a lid on it. Together she would help her help Lisa. Closing her eyes, she leaned back in the chair as she reminisced on what she loved most about Jordan.
Lisa was right; she did need to call Jordan. Jordan had a way of making her think that anything was possible.
How could she have been so stupid? She was wasting time worrying about what others thought when tomorrow wasn't promised to any of us. Lisa was right; she was making a big mistake. Jordan made her happy. And right now she needed all the happiness she could find.
As soon as she got back to the room, she was going to call Jordan and make everything right again.

Other books

Sealed With a Kiss by Rachael Lucas
Worldweavers: Cybermage by Alma Alexander
Office Play: Freaky Geek Series by Williams, Stephanie
Against Football by Steve Almond
A Sniper in the Tower by Gary M. Lavergne
Jack Frake by Edward Cline
Sketchy by Samms, Olivia