Lyfe Changing (19 page)

“
What’s going on Des?” Cat
asked nearly spilling her drink. I took a minute to look at them
and how beautiful they were. Cat was wearing a silk gown which was
hot blossom pink and matched well with her smooth brown skin.
“Nothing’s wrong…but where is Luce?” I asked confused. They all
gave each other the disappointing eye before answering me. “Oh you
know grandma Lucy doesn’t want to go anywhere with us anymore…”
Alayah wined. She of course stole the show with her sleek badge
ensemble leaving little to the imagination. “Especially without
Grant…” Meg hinted while taking a sip of champagne. Meg’s gown was
a plain v neck cut dress covered in black velvet, but what made her
stand out was her diamond accessories and slicked back hair which
exposed her beautiful face. I groaned. “Oh come on, it’s been
months since she filed for divorce she needs to get out and meet
new people…I’m going to call her.”

“
Don’t bother we’ve tried,
four times, she’s not picking up.” Cat stopped me. I shrugged.
“Fine…well let her wallow in her misery for tonight.” The girls
looked around and scoped the place out. Everything was very well
put together and glamorized for the event. The paintings were set
out for public view, there was plenty of food and drinks to go
around, and on top of that Ana Marie was stealing the crowd with
her lovely voice. She performed onstage looking as wonderful as she
sang. She stood about 5’7, light brown skin, sandy brown dread
locked hair pulled into a bun, and a shimmering gold dress that
hung around her petite frame leaving everyone in awe of her, but
not even Anna Marie could take me out of this stupor. “I got to
hand it to you Des this event is magnificent…everything looks so
beautiful.” Cat complemented. “Umm…Hmm.” They all agreed.
“Thanks.”

I answered as I continued
to look around. “Girl if you look at those front doors one more
time I know something. Who are you looking for?” Cat asked bluntly.
I tried to play my actions off knowing that I had been caught.
“Nobody…just making sure everyone is having a good time.” “Umm…Hmm.
We know you’re looking for the convict…stop playing.” Alayah
chuckled. “What are you talking about?” I said defensively trying
to masque my true feelings. “You can’t hide anything from us. We
know you still miss your little felon…I’m mean fellow.” Cat beamed
making me regret telling them all of my personal business. I stared
at them coldly.

“
You lucky we are among
witnesses.” I groaned. “Yeah, yeah, now get to the details have you
heard anything from him?” Meg asked more perked up. I shrugged.
“Nothing…it’s been two whole weeks and I have heard absolutely
nothing.” I whined. “Oh honey?” Alayah comforted me. “I know… I
know I should just let it go right.” They all groaned and shook
their heads. “Oh c’mon Des you are falling right into the lion’s
den head first.” Cat whined. “I didn’t plan this…” I
protested.

“
You didn’t stop it
either…this fool knows he has you in the bag and that is probably
why he hasn’t come by sense.” Alayah sipped on some more wine
looking at me disappointedly. “Well if you all know everything why
are you asking me all these damn question.” I picked up a glass of
champagne and quickly chugged it down. “Were trying to get you to
see what you’re doing?” Meg protested. “You’re so worried about
chasing after Derricks ass but not giving a good man like James the
time a day.” I scoffed. “James...with all his crazy business talk
and ass kissing…if I have to be around him another minute I may
kill myself.” They chuckled a little. “Look Des James may have his
faults but his track record may prove to be more to your benefit
than Derricks.” Cat said touching my shoulder. “C’mon girl use
wisdom.”

I took another sip of
champagne and nodded. “Fine…fine I will try to stomach him for a
little while longer but if starts talking about the pitfalls
government assistance again I’m going to smash a champagne bottle
over his head and run for the border.” They all giggled and wished
me luck as I unwillingly strolled back over to James side. I’m
surprised he even noticed that I had come up. “Oh honey I’m glad
you’re here…this is Peter Burges he’s head of the Waterfront
Company in Manhattan.” James said while pulling me closer to him.
“Peter this is Destiny Witt, she owns the gallery and she put this
whole shindig together…she has even featured a few of her own
pieces.” I couldn’t believe I did it either but for the first time
I showcased some of my very own work. It was a few older paintings
that really inspired me, the reception of them had been really
good, and made me glad I decided to share a part of myself with
everyone. I shook hands with the older man politely and smiled. He
had silver hair, a thin framed build, and old pale grey eyes.
Typical rich New Yorker I figured. “Nice to meet you Ms. Witt.” He
grinned. “I have seen some of your work, you’re very talented.” He
held unto my hand a lot longer than I was comfortable with. “And
you as well.” I said finally pulling away.

That didn’t stop him from
laying on some cheesy come on. “James failed to mention how
beautiful you are.” I forced a smile to his compliment. “Thank
you.” The older man continued to stare me down in an inappropriate
manner as if I were some call girl being paid to entertain him.
“You know I was thinking maybe you can tell me about your gallery
and how you put this whole party together a little later on this
evening…I have nice home outside off the city I think you would
enjoy.” My eyes narrowed when I realized where this conversation
was going.
Did this bastard really expect
me to go home with him?
I looked to James
to see if he heard the same thing I did but he was still nodding
and smiling. “I’m sure she wouldn’t mind.” He said while leaning
and placing a small kiss on my cheek.

I really fought the urge to
show out in front of all these people by slapping both these
dummies but my better judgment took hold of me and I decided to
just walk away. I swallowed hard unable to take this degrading any
longer. “Will you gentlemen please excuse me…I think I am going to
vomit.” I forced a faint smile and left without hesitation I
couldn’t believe what was happening; nobody has ever made me feel
this way in my life. I was so floored, I wanted to disappear into
the background rather than endure this torture any
longer.

Derrick

I made my way inside the
gallery. The place was extremely extravagant, more than usual for
the charity ball. People where everywhere dressed up in their
finest gowns and suits, flashing their money around for the world
to see. I quickly grabbed a glass of champagne knowing I would need
it by the end of the night…dealing with all this bougie ass people.
I walked into the front area and saw all the paintings that were on
display. I had to admit that there was a lot of talent being
presented which showed something I had never seen before. Clay
models and sculpture pieces were among the many art pieces being
displayed, but a collision of paintings in the fore front stopped
me dead in my tracks. It was a collage of the same meaning but
explained in different ways in multiple red coloring.

The first painting was of a
woman and a child, the next woman to woman, man to man, and finally
man to woman all showing the different layers of love. They were
all beautiful paintings, very detailed and particularly done down
to the angles and coloring already letting me know who created
these pieces. I smiled at the thought of Destiny showcasing
something she loved to do and I personally wanted to congratulate
her for being brave and taking a chance. I made my way through the
crowd of people searching for my special lady when I heard a
familiar voice startle me. “Brother Derrick…I was hoping you would
have showed up tonight.”

I nearly dropped my
champagne glass as Pastor Wallace approached me. I quickly hid the
glass behind my back as he came closer. “Hey Pastor…how are you
doing?” I asked innocently. Pastor Wallace strolled over in his
bright red church suit catching everybody’s attention with no
shame. “Blessed…blessed…and kindly favored… and very pleased to see
you here this evening.” He said giving me hug. “Well I promised you
I would make an appearance.” Pastor nodded. “Aint nothing like a
man who can keep his word…who stands by the word…and teaches the
word to others.” I continued to nod as he spoke wondering how long
it would be before he grabbed a mic and started praise dancing in
front of everybody.

“
I just wanna say how proud
I am of you Brother Derrick…” Pastor patted my shoulder. “You have
come a mighty long way…” I shook his hand and smiled. “Thank you
Pastor…” “But don’t bother hiding that champagne glass from me…you
should be more concerned about hiding it from God. Enjoy your night
Brother Derrick.” He said while walking away to greet other
attendants. I just shook my head and sat my glass down as he walked
away. I began to scan the crowd and got a few flirty looks from
some very attractive women but there was only one woman I was
looking for.

When I finally spotted
Destiny a sudden nervousness spread over me. She looked
indescribably beautiful. She wore a form fitting red gown, her hair
was pinned up, and a diamond necklace hung around her neck. I
loosened the collar around my throat trying to breathe easier as I
got ready to approach her. I didn’t know why I was so nervous but
the way she looked tonight had me shook. As I came closer I ended
up stopping as I saw another man come across the floor and pull her
into his arms.
Who the hell was he?
I watched him touch her and whisper in her ear and
it was making my blood boil, I wanted to throttle this
fool.

I felt so dejected, here I
am all dressed up among the most uppity ass black people you would
ever meet, and the only woman I wanted to be with was all up on
somebody else…aint that a bitch. As Mr. Wonderful left her side she
saw that I was standing behind her. Before she could say anything I
quickly pulled the closest pretty thing next to me in my arms. “Hey
Ms. Lady…” I smiled at the caught off guard honey brown skinned
woman looking up at me. “Mind if I get a dance?” The young lady
smoothed her bangs from her doe eyes and smiled. “Ummm….ok.” As I
guided her to the dance floor I noticed Destiny staring us down as
if she wanted to murder us both. I pretended I didn’t notice giving
all my attention to the woman who introduced herself as
Lisa.

We two stepped for the next
fifteen minutes until I saw Destiny disappear amongst the crowd.
Although Lisa seemed completely interested in me and was stunningly
beautiful in her shimmering cinnamon gown, I couldn’t help but feel
bad about Destiny. So after politely dismissing her to the side I
walked amongst the crowd in search of her.

I finally spotted her in
the corner of the lobby sipping from a glass of champagne. “Had
enough yet?” I asked, sensing that she was a little off as if she
were tipsy. Destiny finally brought her eyes up to mine and sighed.
“Well I guess you don’t waste any time huh?” She asked
sarcastically. I wasn’t too taken aback by her anger being that she
was playing the field too. “Yeah and I guess you don’t either.”
Destiny chuckled a bit then just shook her head. “Typical…” “What’s
typical?” I said sternly not liking the fact that she seemed to be
throwing daggers my way. “You…” She pointed at me stumbling a bit.
“You are so damn typical. You are exactly who I thought you were
with your smug tired ass.” She berated. “You manipulate and play
off women’s feelings and emotions…and when you’re done with them
you just move on to the next one. So what do you want now huh? You
want to gloat? You want to brag? What do you want from me now
Derrick?” Destiny asked. The nerve of her, as if she had a halo and
wings while I was standing with horns and a pitch fork….bullshit.
“Don’t you even stand your ass right in front of me as if you
weren’t in another man’s face as soon as I walked in the building.”
“That’s was…” “No shut up…” I said sternly. Destiny looked at me as
if I had lost my mind. “Excuse me.”

“
No I am not going to
excuse you. There is no excuse for you. I swear woman you got some
damn nerve to talk about me fooling around when you’re trifling ass
was just doing the same thing.”

“
Derrick…”

“
I’m not finished. Now
first of all the only reason I came here tonight was to apologize
for what happened between us but thank God I didn’t.”

I just shook my head
looking at her in disgust. “This was clearly a mistake and a waste
of my time, goodnight.” I turned to walk away from her when her
nails dug into my suit jacket. “Have you lost your damn mind?!” She
said louder than was necessary, which let me know she was more than
a little bit on the tipsy side. “I haven’t seen you in weeks and
when you finally decide to make an appearance you have the nerve to
question me about another guy! You obnoxious bastard!”

“
Look…”

“
No you shut up.” She
yelled cutting me off.

“
Who the hell do you think
you are? Did you honestly think I was going to sit in wait for you
to finally get a damn clue? Well I didn’t, as a matter of fact I’m
glad I went out with someone else tonight then your trifling ass.”
I just stood and listened as she spewed out her venom at me and as
a crowd started to form around us. Destiny turned to walk away from
me but I quickly took her to a quiet space and firmly grabbed her
shoulders in an attempt to calm her down. “Listen to me…look I know
I have been gone for a minute but shit I have been busy…” “Busy
doing what…jumping from girl to girl…tell me something Derrick do
you keep a schedule or something…you must have had me pinned in for
Saturdays now that you’re here.”