Until My Heart Stops Beating (3 page)

              “Sounds like a plan. Thanks Ashley.”

              “You’re welcome sir.”

              “Oh, Ashley.”

              “Yes.”

              “Send a bouquet of friendship flowers to Garden State Bar and Grill in Newark Airport Terminal C. They are for a woman name Makeba. I don’t know her last name but that shouldn’t pose an issue. Besides, how many Makeba’s could there be?" he chuckled. “As long as you have the place of employment she should be easy to find.”

              “Any message on the note card?”

              “Because you were in my dreams.”

              “I’ll take care of it Mr. Whitaker.”

              “Be sure that it arrives on Tuesday, the day before my flight."

              “Not a problem sir.”

              “Thank you, Ashley.”

              Declan sat back against his chair and smiled. He couldn’t wait to see this woman again. He prayed she’d be working the day he arrived so that he’d get to converse with the woman that invaded his thoughts daily since their first encounter.

~*~

              Makeba jumped up and sat with her back against the headboard flabbergasted. She couldn’t understand for the life of her why she was dreaming about the guy she met at the airport. First of all, it was her first time ever laying eyes on him. Second, he was a thorn in her ass. Well, that is until he engaged her into a casual conversation. After talking with him she realized he wasn’t as bad as he first appeared to be. Good or bad, she couldn’t understand why he had invaded her dreams. It wasn’t like she had been thinking about him. She hadn’t given him a second thought after chasing him down to give him his ticket so why in the world was this happening to her.

              She got up, took a shower and dressed for work. The dream still troubled her. It was so clear and seemed so real. In the dream she could actually feel this man touching, kissing and fondling her as if he was under the covers of her queen size canopy bed. She recalled being told by her grandmother that dreams that occur in the early morning hours and those that you can recall are the most significant ones. Was this a premonition of what was to come? No, hell no, she thought. She wasn’t interested in anyone. She was concentrating on trying to get back in school and working overtime so that she can get an apartment and a car. Besides, her relationships never turned out the way she anticipated they would. Those she perceived to be Mr. Right proved to be Mr. Wrong on so many levels. She was at a point in her life where she didn’t trust her own judgment anymore which was why she decided to stay single for as long as she could. So to her, the dream was just that, a dream and nothing more. Anyway, she may not ever see the guy again. Hell, she couldn’t even remember his name.

              She reached for her cell phone and purse and heading out the door. Her phone began to ring the moment she stepped out on the front porch. She looked at the screen and instantly became ecstatic when she saw who was calling. She hit the accept call button.

              “Well it’s about damn time!” she said with huge smile spread across her lips.

              “Last I checked lil sister, the phone works both ways.”

              “Whatever! Anyway I’m glad you called. I miss you Mark.”

              “I miss you more knucklehead. How’s everything?”

              “It would be a hundred times better if I had my big brother around.”

              He sighed. “Listen Makeba, I know this has been hard on you but until dad can respect me as a man, and realize that my life is mine to live, we have nothing to say to each other. I swear I wish things were different but it is what it is.”

              “Mark, you know how controlling dad is. It’s nothing new. Just throw in the white flag and make peace.”

              “I wish it was that easy lil’ sister. I really do. But, you and I both know it isn’t. A lot of words have been exchanged between me and dad that can’t be taken back.”

              “I’m sure it was all said in a fit of rage.”

              “That might be so but it doesn’t change the fact that they were said, Makeba. Despite what people say, words do hurt, sometimes worse than anything physical.”

              Silence.

              “Anyway, I didn’t call to talk to you about my problems with dad. I miss you. How have you been?”

              She sighed. “I’ve been good Mark.”

              He could hear the sadness and disappointment in her response. He was disappointed too. His love for Makeba ran deep and they were always very close. He was her big brother, her protector. He knew she looked up to him and he felt like he let her down by leaving but he couldn’t stand being under his parent's roof anymore.

              His relationship with their father was already strained. The day he announced that he would not be attending Seton Hall Law School made it even worse. Mark didn’t care. It was his life and he was not in the business of people pleasing, not even his own father. Law school was not his dream. It was his dad’s. Mark loved technology. He was offered a six figure position with a technology company in Dallas, Texas. It was an opportunity too good to pass up so he accepted, leaving home without his father’s good graces. Mark realized he couldn’t live for anyone but himself and he told his dad so. He also told him he was a grown man, not a little boy who was incapable of making his own decisions. The disagreement got so bad that his mom had to interfere, literally standing in the middle of them in an effort to keep them apart. Mr. Jones told him he was no longer allowed to sleep under his roof. Mark packed his bags and left that night. The company needed him right away and offered to pay relocation costs which couldn’t have come at a better time. He left that night kissing Mrs. Jones and Makeba goodbye. That was four years ago. A wife and a two year old daughter later and he still hadn’t been home since that night.

              “Makeba, why don’t you come see me for the holidays this year?”

              “Mark, I don’t have money to travel. You know what I’m trying to do.”

              “Yes I do. I will pay your traveling expenses and we have an extra room for you here which eliminates the need to pay for a hotel. You don’t have to worry about a thing.

              “Are you sure?”

              “I’m positive. Monica would love the company.”

              “I would love to Mark. I can finally see my niece in person.”

              “Yes you can. Let’s make this happen for Thanksgiving, that way you won’t have to hear dad’s mouth about missing Christmas.”

              “That’s a plan. Thank you Mark.”

              “Anytime little sister. I can’t wait to see you.”

              “Ditto! Anyway, we’re discussing the holidays like it’s right around the corner. Thanksgiving is four months away. A lot can happen by then.”

              He knew what she was hinting at. “I wouldn’t bet on it girl.”

              “Well I can dream.  Look, I have to go. My bus is coming. I love you.”

              “I love you too little sister.”

              She terminated the call then boarded the number twenty-five bus heading to Newark Penn Station to connect to the sixty-two to Newark Airport.

You Again

              It was always a joy hearing from Mark. She missed him so much. Her dad made her so mad sometimes because of how stubborn he was. His reluctance to rectify things with his son was not only affecting him but the entire family. The person she felt the most sorry for was her mom. Being unable to see her son for so long had to be heartbreaking.

              After placing her purse under the counter and locking it in the cabinet, she began counting her beer bottles. Strangely, it appeared that there was six bottles unaccounted for. Looking up over the bar she called Marcella and asked her to tell Rasheeda to come over.

              “What’s up Keba?”

              Turning to face her she said, “My count is off by six bottles.”

              “Are you sure?”

              “Yes. Go look over my paperwork.”

              “No need girl. I believe you.”

              “Ok, I just wanted to inform you of what’s going on. Go away now. I need to stock up before the crowd starts coming in.”

              Rasheeda sucked her teeth. “Girl I’ve been thrown out of better places than this.”

              She walked away chuckling, leaving Makeba to set up her bar so she could be prepared when customers start to arrive.

              Realizing she was low on coronas, she looked around for Nick, the utility worker, but he was nowhere to be found. Sighing, she walked to the back to get a case herself. She returned to the front and began restocking the refrigerator. Again, her mind was invaded by thoughts of what's his name. For the life of her she couldn’t remember what his name was. Brushing it off she continued to fill up the refrigerator.

              “Ahem.”

              She looked up. An old Spanish guy was standing on the other side of the bar holding a bouquet of flowers.

              “Can I help you?”

              “I have a delivery for Makeba.”

              “I’m Makeba.”

              “These are for you then.” He held the vase out to her.

              She looked at him inquisitively.
Who in the world could they have been from? She thought.
She wasn’t dating anyone nor did she do anything spectacular for anyone that would warrant a bouquet of flowers as a reward. Realizing the man was still holding the vase waiting for her to take them she accepted the flowers and placed them on the bar while she retrieved her purse from the cabinet. Taking out a five dollar bill from her wallet she handed it to him and was shocked when he declined the money.

              “Thank you anyway ma’am. I have been tipped handsomely in advance. Enjoy your day and your flowers,” he smiled as he trotted off.

              Smiling, she turned her attention to the beautiful bouquet that was just delivered. From the corner of her eye she observed movement. Glancing over at the doorway, she discovered Marcella, Nick and Rasheeda peeking at her with smiles bigger than the one she had on her face.

              “What?” she grinned.

              They entered asking all kinds of questions like where the flowers came from and how serious she was with the guy that sent them. They were questions she had no answers because she didn’t know herself. Suddenly it occurred to her that she hadn’t read the card. Maybe all the answers to her questions were there. Opening the card left her with more questions than she had before reading it. There was no name nor any mention of anything that would have given a clue as to who sent them. Knowing that her co-workers were anxious to know what the card said, she read the short message. Everyone voiced their opinion on who could possibly have sent them. Even Melvin’s name was thrown in the mix. The thought of him sending her flowers made her sick to her stomach. Rasheeda suggested that she had a secret admirer and considered her lucky. Shrugging her shoulders, she shooed them away so she could get back to work. Customers were starting to arrive. 

              Today turned out to be one of those days Makeba loved to hate. An unexpected thunderstorm passed through and caused hundreds of delays. The bar was packed to capacity. Because of the bad weather and stranded flights, the restaurant had to extend its hours to cater to the passengers. It was two hours past the end of her shift and she still had one customer left. Anxious to cash out and get home, she informed him that she was closing for the night. He didn’t seem to mind since the storm had dissipated and outgoing flights resumed. The customer took the last sip of his beer, bid her goodnight and left. Not long after, Rasheeda took her end of the day sales reading and removed her cash drawer. Makeba cleaned and restocked the bar then rushed to the back to get cashed out. It was late, real late.

              “C’mon Rasheeda, make it quick. The last bus is in a half hour.”

              Rasheeda smirked holding up her receipts in one hand and cash in the other. “You want this done right don’t you?”

              “Yes, but I want to make sure I catch that bus too. I’m not paying twenty five dollars for no damn cab. Not tonight.”

              “I’ll drop you off girl.”