Read In The Company of My Sistahs Online
Authors: Angie Daniels
In The Company of My Sistahs (5 page)
When John was offered a job in another state, I was excited and came up with the decision that he go ahead of us and prepare for us to come, while in the back of my mind I knew I had no intention of following. At first John flew home every other weekend to visit, then eventually it became less and less. Being away from him was like a breath of fresh air. Unfortunately, a year has passed and two weeks ago, John gave me an ultimatum. The kids and I either join him in Delaware before school starts or we need to consider ending our relationship.
I've had several extramarital relationships during the year but nothing worth ending my marriage over. I found myself asking, what am I looking for? Was I looking for a fairy tale? What is it going to take to make Renee happy?
Now time had run out, and I have one week left to figure it out.
Chapter 9
RENEE
W
hen I woke up my neck was stiff from sleeping the wrong way most of the plane ride. However, as soon as I glanced out the window, pain was the farthest thing from my mind. All I cared about was the magnificent sight below: turquoise waters and miles of lush green land.
hen I woke up my neck was stiff from sleeping the wrong way most of the plane ride. However, as soon as I glanced out the window, pain was the farthest thing from my mind. All I cared about was the magnificent sight below: turquoise waters and miles of lush green land.
I was one of the first to depart the plane. As soon as I stuck my head out the door, I knew we were in Jamaica. Black folk was everywhere. Unlike in the States, instead of using a ramp that leads directly into the airport terminal, we departed off the plane outside. I felt like I had just stepped into a furnace as the heat radiated around me. It was hot. But none of that seemed to matter. I was just excited to be there. And the big smiles on all of our faces proved that.
My Jamaican sistahs and brothas, glistening with sweat. Their skin ranged in colors and was startling against their radiant white smiles. As we descended the stairs onto Jamaican land they waved and welcomed us to Jamaica, and we all waved and thanked them.
We moved through the small airport, listening to the musical lilt of island accents that floated around the building. The language was lively and my excitement rose as I moved through the door.
We were directed toward an air-conditioned coach bus that would take us to the Holiday Inn. I moved to locate our bags as two fine brothas loaded them at the bottom of the bus.
Nadine nudged me in my side, and I for once didn't mind her touching me and nudged her back. We both grinned like two fools at a brotha with legs the size of tree trunks. And he was boy-legged. Ain't nothing better than a boy-legged brotha. In my years of experience, I discovered it ain't the size of his hands or his feet. It was how much room he needed to accommodate his package. A boy-legged brother required a great deal of room. He was definitely a Mandingo. Just the way I like them.
Lisa came up behind us. “Come on, you two, before the bus leaves without y'all.”
I rolled my eyes. “Damn, Lisa, you're missing the sights.”
“I'm not missing shit,” she said as she moved to the door and climbed the stairs. “I might be married but I'm far from blind. Don't worry, you'll see more than enough of that this week.”
“I sure hope so.”
“I know that's right, girl!” Nadine said. She and I jumped in the air and screamed with excitement as we high-fived. This trip was already starting off on the right foot.
I boarded the bus and took a seat beside Kayla, who was reading
The Daily Word,
while Nadine and Lisa found a seat near the back of the bus.
The Daily Word,
while Nadine and Lisa found a seat near the back of the bus.
I waited until Kayla closed the small book before I spoke. “I'm hungry. I hope we aren't too far from the hotel.” My pecan waffles were nothing but a memory.
Kayla reached into her purse and pulled out a bag of trail mix. “Here, eat some of this. I think I heard someone say we have a half-hour drive.”
I eagerly poured myself a handful. I have never been big on squirrel food but right now I was too hungry to care.
While we chomped on fruits and nuts, I glanced around at all of the faces. The bus had quickly filled with eager white folks.
“As soon as we get to the hotel I'm getting myself a drink.”
“Me too,” Kayla chimed in.
I twisted my lips in a frown. “You mean a glass of Kool-Aid, right?”
“You know it.”
I shook my head and stared across at her holier-than-thou ass. Kayla likes to act like she doesn't remember the way the two of us used to roll up to Fort Leonard Wood. For years, we both had a thing for servicemen. Fort “Lost in the Woods” is a training post, so soldiers from all over would come down and take classes for several weeks, then return to their duty station. Every couple of months we'd drive down to meet us someone special, then let him wine and dine, and throw our legs over his shoulders. I think things changed for Kayla when she met this guy named Carter Drake. I have to admit he was fine. Taller than her, skin like a chocolate bar, and he had the sexiest smile. If she hadn't gotten to him first, I definitely would have hopped on his ass. However, he made it clear the first night we met him and his boy Chicoâwho was ugly as hellâhe had a thing for big women.
Carter drove down to see Kayla every weekend, and every weekend she catered to all his needs in and out of the bedroom. He told her he loved her and promised that when he returned to Californiaâwhere he was currently stationedâhe would send for her.
Kayla was strung out over the brotha. She would spend hours talking about marrying him and spending her life traveling around the world with him. She was so excited, and I was happy for her. Then the negro left and she never heard from him again. She tried to hide her pain but I knew she was hurt. I was hurt for her. After that she started spending all her spare time at church, and never wanted to go down to Fort Leonard Wood again. About that time I had already met husband number two, so I didn't have a reason to make the trip. Then after the shit that brotha did to me I was through with servicemen myself. Like I said before, I'll save that story for another time. That fool is a book all by itself.
I popped a few more nuts into my mouth, then closed the bag. My throat was dry and the soda machine inside the “no frills” airport was broken. Unlike in our American airport terminals there weren't concession stands all around to satisfy your eating pleasure.
I breathed a sigh of relief when the driver finally stepped onto the bus and welcomed us all to Jamaica.
“How far are we from the hotel?” I blurted out because a sistah needed to know.
“About twenty minutes. But I'll try to get you there as quickly as possible.” He then chuckled like he knew something I didn't know.
Shit, I heard about the way Jamaicans drove, and
quickly
didn't sound like such a good idea. “Take your time,” I suggested. Several others nodded their heads in agreement. Apparently, they'd heard the same thing I had.
quickly
didn't sound like such a good idea. “Take your time,” I suggested. Several others nodded their heads in agreement. Apparently, they'd heard the same thing I had.
He winked. “No problem, mon.”
I swung my head around. “Did he just call me a man?”
Kayla covered her mouth and laughed. “Girl, you are silly. He said âmon', not âman'. You know, that's what the Jamaicans say.”
“Oh, yeah.” I'm glad she clarified that shit.
The driver turned on some uplifting reggae music as he pulled away from the airport and we glanced out the window while trying to snap pictures of the scenes around us. So far Jamaica looked poverty stricken. Shacks, clotheslines with dingy drawers hanging, and a bunch of malnourished-looking dogs. There were also numerous primitive-looking hotels. I hope to hell that we weren't staying in any shit like that. I wasn't worried. My father and his new wife had invited Lisa and my brother down to join them on several occasions when they visited Jamaica. It was an invitation that had never been extended to me. That shit used to hurt. Eventually I just brushed my shoulders off.
As we moved farther from the airport we started seeing cows and something that looked like goats. There were old brothas sitting out on the curb, playing dominos. Shit, I shot up half my roll of film on the drive over.
Finally we reached the tourist area of Montego Bay, and it was like stepping into the twilight zone. It was like going from black and white to Technicolor. We passed shopping strips and merchants on the side of the road and made mental notes to stop and patronize each and every one. I wanted a large wooden giraffe. Last year I had my basement remodeled and was working on an entire jungle theme. Big silk plants, face carvings, and animal paintings. There was a mile and a half of hotels and all-inclusive resorts surrounded by white sand beaches.
The driver made a left at the end of the block and pulled into a wide circular drive in front of our hotel. I couldn't wait to get off that bus but there was this fat woman in front of me, moving like a turtle. When Kayla and I finally got off the bus, we waited for Lisa and Nadine. Two men rushed from inside the hotel and began unloading the bags from the bus.
Lisa stepped off smiling. “Welcome to the Holiday Inn Sun Spree. You're going to love this place.”
I guess she would know since this is the only place she's ever stayed on the island. Glancing around at the well-tended grounds dotted with tall green palm trees, hibiscus, and other tropical flora, I had to agree it was paradise for sure.
“Come onâlet's check in,” I said. I was actually anxious to get out of the heat. It wasn't until we stepped inside that I realized the lobby had no doors or windows. It was all open air, spacious and relaxing. I stepped across the Aztec marble floor over toward the front desk. From the far left Calypso music could be heard, which made me want to kick up my heels and dance the night away.
There was an excursion desk up front as well as a place to rent a car. After watching them crazy-ass Jamaicans drive down the highway, renting a car wasn't even an option. I don't think my nerves could take it. If someone cut me off, I'd have to climb out my car and cuss his ass out. Since I'm supposed to be on vacation, I didn't need the unnecessary stress.
In the center of the lobby was a large indoor fountain surrounded by a profusion of tropical foliage in brilliant colors of pink, green, and blue. As we walked past it the cool water sprinkled against my damp skin. As hot as I was, I could have jumped in head first. Before I could stick my hand in, the smell of barbecue meat hit my nose. I glanced out the back of the hotel, which was also open, and could see people standing in front of little straw huts, ordering drinks in their bikini-clad bodies.
Suddenly I couldn't wait to join in.
A cute pecan-colored woman with dimples stood behind the desk. Her name tag read, LESLIE.
“Welcome. Checking in?” she greeted with a smile.
I nodded, finding her smile contagious. “Yes. We have two rooms reserved under Lisa Miller and Renee Moore.”
While she punched in the names, we glanced around the lobby. I noticed a buffet to the far right of the fountain, where the staff was preparing for lunch.
“Yes, I have your reservations here,” Leslie said, drawing our attention. “That will be one-fifty a night for seven nights.”
All four of us swung around at the same time. Of course I was the first one to speak. “Excuse me. How much did you say?”
She gave me another sweet smile that was now wearing my nerves. “One-fifty per night.”
“Oh, hell, naw!”
Lisa dropped a hand to my arm, silencing me, and stepped up to the counter. “I'm sorry, that's not right. Our rooms should be seventy-five a night.”
Leslie shook her head and looked at Lisa like she was crazy. “I'm sorry, but we don't book rooms at that price.”
I glanced at Kayla, who looked ready to puke on herself, while Nadine was reaching into her purse for her credit card.
I leaned across the counter and cleared my throat. “Leslie, we ain't crazy. I specifically spoke with my father and he said our rooms were seventy-five dollars a night. So I advise you to go and get your manager, now!” Leslie scurried inside an office behind the desk.
I was one minute away from getting ghetto, so hopefully this was going to be easily resolved.
I slammed my palm against the countertop. “That bitch is trippin'!”
Lisa gave me one of those looks. “Be nice.”
I rolled my eyes, then glanced over at Nadine and Kayla, who were both mumbling under their breath. All I heard were the words “ghetto” and “embarrassing.”
“If y'all heifers want to pay the full inflated rate you go right ahead, 'cause I ain't paying a dime over the amount that was quoted to me.”
“Dang, why you always got to be so loud?” Kayla started making “tsk” sounds with her teeth while Nadine struggled to keep a straight face.
“You would want to shut up and let me handle this.” Her broke ass has got a lot of nerve, especially since up until the point I had corrected her ass, she had thought I was paying for her room. She didn't even have enough to pay the reduced rate let alone the buck fifty. So the best thing for her to do was to shut the hell up and let me handle things.
“Here we go,” I heard Nadine mumble. She was obviously pissed off.
“You would want to shut up, too.”
“Lord, give me strength,” Lisa whispered, then sighed.
I know times like this she would rather disown me. Maybe I am a little too loud at times but being quiet never gets you anywhere. Believe me, I know.
I remember when I was a freshman in high school, our neighbor agreed to sell Lisa his Oldsmobile. On the phone, he quoted three hundred. However, by the time we arrived at his house, the price suddenly had risen to three hundred fifty. Lisa dug into her jeans for another fifty dollars that she knew she didn't have. Oh, hell, naw! I told her to get her damn hands out her pocket, then I told Mr. Stevens he either sell her that car at the price he quoted over the phone or he could shove that big bus up his ass. Lisa was so embarrassed she turned on her heels and headed home. I came through the door, five minutes later, with the keys to the car that I got at the original price. See, I don't play those games. If you let a mothafucka get over on you they think they can keep getting over on you.
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