My Future With Mr White (5 page)

“
I’m sorry, man. I’m with the ladies on this one,” he said.

“
Oh come on,” Mitchell said.

“
No seriously, babies are a twenty-four-seven commitment. They are usually crying, puking or pooping or sometimes all three. And not forgetting the fact that they sleep for two seconds before screaming for four hours in the night,” Taylor said.

“
Man after my own heart,” Natasha said, laughing.

“
You talk like you’ve been through this. Do you have any kids?” Mitchell asked. Desiree looked at Taylor and smiled.

“
Oh no,” Desiree said.

“
The answer should be not yet,” Taylor said with a smile.

“
Oh, that is so sweet. How long have you guys been together?” Natasha asked.

“
A year and a half,” Desiree said.

“
Have you thought of making an honest man out of him yet?” Mitchell asked.

“
Mitchell, honey. You are prying,” Natasha said.

“
No, it’s okay. But I would also love to hear the answer to that,” Taylor said. Desiree smiled and nodded.

“
Yes, I will make an honest man out of him one day. Just not yet,” she said with a smile. Taylor took her hand in his and smiled.

“
I don’t think I would have heard that if it weren’t for you,” he said. Natasha looked at the time and gasped.

“
I had no idea it was this late. We should probably leave you guys alone. Mitch and I have a long day tomorrow,” Natasha said.

“
Yeah, we probably should,” Mitchell said with a smile.

“
Thanks again for letting us stay here tonight,” Desiree said with a smile.

“
Oh, we owe you,” Natasha replied. “Well, the guest bedroom is down the hall to your right. You guys can bum here, watch TV or even get something to eat if you’re hungry,” she added. She smiled at Desiree and Taylor as Mitchell stood up.

“
We’ll see you guys in the morning,” he said as the two of them walked towards their bedroom.

“
That was a long day,” he said as Natasha took off her earrings.

“
Long but interesting. I am too tired to even shower,” she said.

“
You and me both,” he said as he watched her take off her top. He looked on as she took off her skirt and then tossed her dirty clothes in the laundry basket.

“
What?” she asked when she turned around. Mitchell shook his head and smiled.

“
Nothing. Nothing at all,” he said with a smile. “Just looking at my beautiful wife,” he said as he stood up. He walked over to her and held her close before he gave her a long kiss. She smiled as she pulled away from him.

“
What was that for?” she asked. He smiled and undid the clasp of her bra.

“
Oh, that’s what it was for,” she said as she looked into his eyes. “I thought you were just as tired as I am,” she said.

“
There is a bunch of golf clubs in this house. The day I claim to be too tired to make love to you, I want you to beat me to death with all of them,” he said as he backed her up towards the bed.

“
Oh sweetie, I might just do that,” she said.

“
I would not blame you,” he said as he kissed her. Natasha suddenly laughed. 

“
I’m sorry,” she said looking at him

“
What is it?” he asked looking down at her.

“
Normally what you just said would turn someone off but for some reason I am still kissing you,” she said.

“
That’s what makes us so perfect for each other,” he said, smiling down at her. Natasha brought her hand up and ran his fingers through his thick hair.

“
I guess we are, aren’t we?” she said as he brought his head down to kiss her again. She shivered when she felt his hand on one of her breasts. She suddenly grasped the tails of his shirt and pulled them apart, sending his shirt buttons flying all over the floor.

“
Thank God I can afford my wardrobe because you are one woman who makes Marks & Spencer very happy,” he said before kissing her again. She pushed his shirt off his shoulders and then flipped him over. She undid his belt buckle as she straddled him before climbing off his crotch to pull his pants off. She then took off her own panties before climbing back on him and letting his cock slide inside her. He exhaled loudly and held her waist as she began working herself on him, rocking her hips back and forth in a slow motion. Mitchell pulled her down so that she could rest her head on his shoulder as he began thrusting into her. Mitchell and Natasha made love long into the night, throwing all caution to the wind about getting up early the next day.

As they made love and allowed themselves to get lost in their own world, what the two did not know was that down the hall, their guests were also doing the same.

“
I will not even ask,” Natasha said as she walked into Rita’s gallery. Rita looked up and smiled when she saw her.

“
What are you doing here?” Rita asked, standing up.

“
Well, I just went back to work and on my first day I closed a major deal. So, I was so happy about it, I decided to give myself a personal day off,” Natasha said as she walked towards Rita. The two hugged briefly before Rita looked over at her assistant.

“
Keep an eye on things. I won’t be long,” she said before leading Rita to a room in the back.

“
So, how’s Lydia doing? Is the treatment working?” Natasha asked as she sat down. Rita took a long deep breath as she poured two cups of coffee. She had transformed the room into her own little haven where she could get away from everything. She had a coffee maker set up, a table and a couch that sometimes (well, most of the time) doubled up as a bed. Rita sat down on the couch next to Natasha and smiled sadly.

“
The first few days are usually the hardest. It will be at least another ten days before they allow me to even see her,” she said.

“
Well, the important thing is that she is getting the help that she needs,” Natasha said with a smile.

“
I know. But I just don’t get what would have driven her to substance abuse after all these years,” Rita said.

“
Well, these things happen honey. Maybe she had a major stressor that pushed her to the edge,” Natasha said as she took a sip. Rita nodded.

“
Thank God those guys from Seattle got to her in time,” she said. She then looked at Natasha and frowned. “I never really understood how they got to her in the first place,” she said, shaking her head.

“
Well, like you, I believe she was there to meet up with...” her words trailed off when she realized what she was about to say. The subject of Rita’s biological father had always been a sensitive topic  and Natasha more than anyone knew this. Rita smiled.

“
It’s okay. You can say it.  Don’t take my word for it, but I am a hundred percent sure that she was there to meet my dad,” she said, smiling sadly.

“
Well, yeah, that, and when the Alzheimer’s got out of control, she happened to be at the store, probably buying something. Desiree, that’s the woman she mistook for you, must have walked up to her at the exact opportune moment,” Natasha said. She placed her hand on Rita’s and smiled. “She is in the best care facility,” she added. Rita shrugged.

“
Care facility my ass. She is at a hospital,” she said.

“
Well, she needs to get treatment and then she will be in the best care facility,” Natasha said, smiling. Rita looked at her best friend and smiled at her.

“
I know you have absolutely no idea as far as this situation is concerned but I am happy that you’re trying,” she said.

“
Well, what are friends for?” Natasha asked before taking another sip.

“
I’ll need to go home...to my mama’s and pack a bag for her. Will you come with me?” Rita asked. Natasha nodded.

“
Sure. When?” she asked. Rita looked at her watch and smiled.

“
You know what? Now’s as good time as any,” she said as she took Natasha’s cup from her. Natasha frowned.

“
Hey, I wasn’t done with that,” she whined.

“
There’s plenty of coffee at my mother’s house,” Rita said as she put her cup down and pulled Natasha to her feet.

“
Okay fine. Easy on the Christian Louboutins,” Natasha said as the two practically ran out of the room and back into the gallery.

“
Hey guys, I have to step out. Will you be okay in the meantime?” Rita asked.

“
Go right ahead,” one of her two workers said.

“
Yeah, Rita. They have practically been running this place on their own for the last three weeks,” Natasha said as they walked out. “It’s midday. I have to pick up Alexis from daycare in exactly three hours. So keep that in mind,” she said as they got into her car.

“
Sure. We are just taking a few clothes, some of her favorite books and DVDs,” Rita said as she buckled in. The drive to Lydia’s place was short and almost quiet. There was not much to talk about anyway. Natasha could see that Rita was still unsettled about her mother and Rita knew that the last thing Natasha needed was to have to listen to her whine about her mother. For Natasha, the one thing she really wanted to ask was whether Dave had popped the question but the fact that she had not mentioned anything was a clear message to her that Dave had decided to wait it out.

“
This place is a dump,” Natasha said when Rita opened the door. “No offense though,” she said quickly as she looked at Rita.

“
None taken. I mean look at this place,” Rita said as she walked around the living room. There were dirty dishes on the table, the couch cushions were not as neat as they usually were and the throw pillows looked to have lived up to their name, thrown around the room. “I’m afraid to go to any other room of the house,” she said as she picked up one pillow.

“
Three hours is more than enough to smooth the place out and pack a bag. You take this room. I’ll take the kitchen,” Natasha said as she removed her shoes and pinned up her hair up. Rita gave her a thankful smile as she began taking off her own shoes. As she rearranged the pillows, she had half a mind to tell Natasha that the reason she was so quiet was that she was scared she would end up just like Lydia. She had no idea how everything was going to work out. Being sick would mean that she would never have a friend again because she would not be able to recognize her. She would not know the man she loved or even recognize herself. There was also the fact that she did not trust Dave not just because of the “misunderstanding” as he had put it, but there was also the fact that she had walked in on him a dozen times talking on his phone but he had hung up as soon as he noticed her. She was so engrossed in her own thoughts that she did not notice Natasha walking back in the room.

“
What have you been doing for the last hour?” she asked, looking at Rita who was holding a cushion in her arms.

“
Well...” Rita began talking before Natasha put up her hands. She took the cushion and began straightening  up the living room.

‘
Don’t worry. You have a lot going on,” Natasha said. “But if I am going to make that pickup at three, we need to pick up our slack,” she added as she quickly bustled around the room. Rita smiled and helped her out before she walked to her mother’s room. She pulled out a bag out of the closet as Natasha pulled out a few clothes and began folding them.

“
What is this?” Rita asked as a piece of paper fell out of one of her mother’s favorite books.

“
What?” Natasha asked.

“
This,” Rita said as she bent down to pick up the paper. “From my experience, notes hidden in books are usually the bearers of bad news,” she said as she looked at Natasha.

“
So, what do you want to do?” Natasha asked even though all she wanted to do was grab the paper from her and read it out loud.

“
Screw it,” Rita said as she sat down on the edge of the bed. She unfolded the paper and began reading through it.

“
What? What does it say?” Natasha asked.

“
It’s a letter from my mother. It is dated three years ago. I think this is the day she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s,” Rita said, looking up. Natasha walked up to her and sat down.

I would tell you if I could but we have had a rough run and I have just recently got my daughter back. I don’t want your last memories of me to be sad ones. I still have a few good months left and I want to spend them living my life to the fullest, being a good mother to my daughter.

Natasha took Rita’s hand in hers and squeezed it gently.

“
She knew and she didn’t say anything,” Rita said.

“
But it was a selfless act,” Natasha said as she squeezed her hand again. “She only did that because she loves you. You are her only baby, remember?” she asked, smiling.

“
I know. Maybe one day I will understand why she did this,” Rita said. Natasha squeezed her hand again. This was the first time she was seeing her friend this vulnerable, this defeated.

“
Hey, let’s get this stuff to your mama, okay?” Natasha said as she stood up. She folded a few dresses and sweaters before looking at Rita again. She could not hold back anymore. This was an inevitable question. “How are things between you and Dave?” she asked. Rita took a long deep breath and sighed.

“
Oh wow, that is a whole other story,” she said.

“
What? I thought you guys worked everything out,” Natasha said.

“
He apologized for the quote unquote misunderstanding,” Rita said, putting up finger quotes. “But that was the explanation for that day. What about all the other women I have seen them with?” she asked.

“
I’m curious. Just what explanation did he give you?” Natasha asked. She had not seen any ring on Rita’s finger and Dave had confirmed that he had not had a chance to go down on one knee yet.

“
Some story about the woman being an event’s organizer and that he was planning something special, an office party or something,” she said. Natasha rolled her eyes. Dave was hopeless. That was the best he could come up with?

“
Sweetie, there could be so much more to it than just that,” Natasha said. Rita shrugged. “Then why did you get back together with him if you did not believe him?” she asked.

“
I have a lot going on, Tasha and honestly, I needed the distraction. I know you think I’m terrible but I...” Rita sighed as she thought of what she could say. Anything she could say at this point would not be right.

“
I am not judging you, sweetie. I’m just saying you need to give him a chance,” Natasha said. She would have hated for Rita to miss out on a great guy because of her insecurities.  Rita looked at her and raised an eyebrow.

“
Why are you in his court? You are my best friend, not his,” she said with a smile.

“
I know and I am on your side. One hundred percent but still, you might be surprised,” Natasha said. Without knowing it, Natasha had almost blown the entire secret.

“
What do you know?” Rita suddenly asked. Natasha felt her face get red.

“
Nothing,” she said quickly.

“
Tasha, I have known you for more than ten years and I can tell when you are lying and right now, you are lying,” Rita said.

“
No, I most certainly am not,” Natasha said sharply.

“
Fine, then you are holding back on the truth,” Rita said, smiling. Natasha was still looking at Rita, trying to convince her, when her phone suddenly rang loudly, piercing the uncomfortable silence. “I’m sorry, sweetie. I have to take this,” she said as she walked out of the bedroom.

“
Natasha Schmidt,” she said as she walked to the living room.

“
Hello, Mrs. Schmidt. My name is Miranda Simms. I am calling from the Lockhart Academic Complex,” the woman on the other side said. Natasha’s heart almost skipped a beat. Lockhart Academic Complex or LAC as most people called it, was the Oxford of the preschool world.

“
Hi...thanks for calling,”  Natasha said trying hard not to stammer from the excitement.

“
Well, it is my honor,” the woman said. “I am calling about an application you placed with us for Alexis Schmidt, your daughter, and I had to ask, is there any relation to Nolan Schmidt, the businessman?” the woman asked. Natasha rolled her eyes. Of course the Schmidt name had to come up.

“
Yes, I am. I am married to Mitchell Schmidt, Nolan’s grandson,” Natasha said. She could almost see the dollar signs going ka-ching in the woman’s eyes.

“
That is just great. Having a member of the Nolan Schmidt family as one of our students here at Lockhart Academic Complex,” she said. Natasha smiled.

“
So does that mean we are off the waiting list?” Natasha asked excitedly.

“
Oh yes. We are happy to have your little girl as part of our family,” the woman said. Natasha said goodbye and almost danced around the living room. This was just perfect.

“
What are you all randy about?” Rita asked as she walked into the living room carrying a bag.

“
Alexis just got accepted into LAC,” Natasha said excitedly. Rita frowned.

“
LAC?” she asked.

“
Lockhart Academic Complex,” Natasha said.

“
What? That is like the Oxford or Harvard of elementary education,” Rita said.