Read When the Fairytale Ends Online

Authors: Dwan Abrams

When the Fairytale Ends (5 page)

BOOK: When the Fairytale Ends
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Standing in the doorway of Greg's office, Shania saw Greg reading the birthday card she had left for him on top of his keyboard, smiling. She knew that he liked more meaningful cards, so she had read several before selecting the one that best conveyed her feelings about her man.
He looked up at her and closed the card. “Thank you, baby.”
“Glad you liked it.” She shifted on her foot as she read his expression. “Everything's okay, right?”
He placed the card on his desk and nodded as he exited out of his e-mail. “Yeah, everything's fine.”
But from the tone of his voice and the expression on his face, she knew everything was not fine. She invited herself to sit in his lap, and she held his cheeks while she stared into his face. “What's wrong?”
His hand went to his chin and he tugged on the little patch of hair that was there. “I just checked my e-mail, and, uh . . .”
“And?”
He scratched the back of his head with both hands, then let his arms flop down to his sides. “You know the five new insurance policies that I signed last month?”
A sour feeling settled in the pit of her belly. “Yes.”
“Well . . .” He scratched the back of his head again. “I just checked my e-mail and four of the policyholders canceled their policies.”
“They can't cancel,” Shania said, racking her brain as she recalled the policy guidelines. “I thought that if they didn't cancel in thirty days, they're locked in by contract for at least six months.”
“True, but . . .”—Greg looked at the ceiling and blew air from his lips—“it hasn't been a full thirty days yet.”
Bummer. At a loss for words, Shania turned in his lap and faced the computer. Then she looked over her shoulder at him and said, “Don't be so stressed about it, honey. So what if they canceled their policies? The same way you got them to sign on, you can find others to sign on.”
“It's not that easy, baby.”
“Please tell me what in life
is
easy?” She shrugged her shoulders. “I mean, if it's about money, don't worry. I still have plenty of savings left in my account, and we have more than enough in our joint account. Plus, I have this huge wedding to do this upcoming weekend, and I actually got a letter today from the governor's secretary. She wants me to concoct a sample menu for the governor's induction ceremony.”
“And that's all good news,” Greg said, nodding his head, “but, babe, I told you about the rumor going around the job. My policies keep getting canceled. My clients keep pulling out. This is not a good look. If Mutual Living does decide to downsize, I'll be the first one out the door.”
“Can you stop with all this negativity?” Shania stood to her feet and stared at her husband, shaking her head. “You are a minister. You of all people should know that you have to look at things with eyes of faith, and right now, you are not speaking life. You are speaking death. And furthermore, if you are praying about the situation, which I hope you are, then you need to let it go, because worry cancels out prayer.”
“You're right. You are right,” Greg said, nodding. “Thanks, babe, for reminding me who I am, and whose I am. I needed that.” She watched him shut down the computer and stand to his feet. “Instead of that thriller movie, let's go see a comedy. I feel like we both need a good laugh.”
When Greg came near her, he brushed past her, leaving the faint scent of his Euphoria cologne behind, reminding Shania of how good he smelled. The fragrance affected her like an aphrodisiac. She felt like ripping his clothes off. She grabbed ahold of his muscular arm, and he tilted his head in her direction.
“You get me started again,” he said, “and you can cancel going to the movies.”
The thought did sound appealing, but she decided to hold off on it. She and Greg had been going at it like rabbits lately, and though she tried her best to take her birth control pills at the same time every single day, some days slipped her mind. She knew they were playing with fire, and though kids were definitely on the menu, she wanted to enjoy her full-course meal first.
Once she settled into the passenger seat of Greg's Mercedes, Greg pressed the button to open the garage, and he backed out of the yard. As he passed by his motorcycle, he touched her hand and said, “Baby, I was wrong for not talking to you first, okay? In the future, I'll consult with you on all major issues. I promise.” His smile conveyed his level of sincerity.
Any anger that Shania may have been feeling melted like an ice cube sitting on top of a hot stove. Although she wasn't thrilled about Greg having a motorcycle, she realized that she had no control over another adult. She couldn't tell him what to do any more than she could stop him from doing something he really wanted to do. The ultimate decision remained his. She patted his chest, and he flexed a toned pec. They both seemed amused.
“You don't regret getting married, do you?” Shania asked, believing she already knew the answer. She just wanted to hear him say it.
“Of course not, baby.” He shook his head. “You're my rib. Don't ever doubt my love for you.
He who finds a wife finds a good thing.
That's biblical, baby. Can't argue with God.”
Greg's words made her weak in the knees. Every time she thought of herself as his wife, her insides quivered. Holding his arm a little tighter, Shania teased, “And don't you ever forget it.”
They left for the movie theater and enjoyed the two hour action-comedy film, filling up on buttered popcorn and soda.
Shania preferred romantic comedies. Since it was Greg's birthday, she let him pick the movie and sucked it up. She found herself enjoying the movie more than she cared to admit and jumped at the explosions. She dared not tell Greg, because she didn't want him dragging her to those types of movies on a regular basis.
After the movie, they went back home and changed clothes. They were ready for a game of tennis. They ran around the community court, sweating and panting. After serving the match point, Greg rejoiced in his victory while Shania pretended to pout.
“You know I let you win, right?” Shania joked as she guzzled some bottled water. “Since it's your birthday, I didn't want to beat you too bad.”
With his racket, Greg gave Shania a playful smack on the rear end and burst out laughing. “Beat that.” He took off running.
“Oh no, you didn't,” she yelled as she sprinted behind him all the way home.
As soon as they walked through the door, the cool air hit them in their faces like a towel and dried their sweat. The air-conditioned house was a welcomed contrast to the seventy-eight humid degrees they had just escaped.
They made their way to the upstairs bathroom, took off their clothes, and showered together. Shania then filled up the Jacuzzi and turned on the bubble jets. Feeling romantic, Shania put in an old-school, baby-making CD and lit sugar cookie scented candles, her preferred candle scent. She submerged her body into the bubbling tub, where Greg was already waiting for her, and closed her eyes as she leaned her head back.
“This feels so good.” She relaxed every muscle in her body as Greg massaged her foot. He gave the most incredible foot rubs. They tended to put her to sleep. His hands felt magical. “Are you enjoying your birthday so far?”
He sucked her big toe, sending chills up and down her spine, and she giggled. Her eyes sprung open, and she gave Greg a “come hither” look. She couldn't believe how much Greg turned her on. He released her foot, and she sat up, exposing her bare skin to the elements. She straddled Greg and enjoyed the intimacy that soon followed.
Two hours had passed and they had taken their act to the bedroom and fallen into a deep slumber. Awakened by the telephone ringing, Shania noticed that the time read 4:00
P.M.
She reached across her husband and answered the phone.
Her sister said in her high nasal tone, “It's four o'clock in the afternoon. I know you're not sleep.”
Shania yawned. “Yeah, I dozed off. What do you want?”
“I just wanted to let you know that Jonathan and I will meet you at the restaurant for Greg's birthday dinner.”
Shania slapped her forehead with her open palm. “God, I'm so glad you called. Greg wore me out. I almost forgot about dinner.” She got out of bed, careful not to cause any noticeable movement, and put on a robe. She glanced at her husband who looked so peaceful with his long lashes resting against his smooth, creamy peanut-butter-colored skin; then she tiptoed out of the room.
Shania confirmed that they had six o'clock reservations at the Sun Dial, Atlanta's only tri-level dining complex featuring a revolving upscale restaurant. She had selected the Sun Dial because that was where she and Greg went on their first date, and the restaurant offered a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of the city's skyline.
Cheyenne told her that she and her husband, Jonathan, were already two and a half hours into their three-and-a-half-ride from Valdosta and assured Shania that they'd be on time.
 
 
Two hours later, Shania and Greg met Cheyenne and Jonathan at the Westin Peachtree Plaza. They greeted each other with hugs and kisses on the cheek and boarded the scenic glass elevator to climb the hotel's seventy-three stories to the restaurant. Once inside, Shania looked around and noticed that the restaurant had a nice-sized crowd. Live jazz music filled the air. She felt Greg's arm reach around her waist and pull her close, making her feel even more safe and secure.
They didn't have to wait long before being seated at their table and placing their drink and food orders. Shania glanced out the window and admired the lit buildings. She couldn't believe how much had changed in a few short months. Who would've thought that the four of them would be on a double date without Shania wanting to strangle Jonathan? She remembered how she felt when Cheyenne first started dating him. They were juniors in high school, and Shania didn't think he was good enough for her little sister. Not long afterward he became a high school dropout and occasional street pharmacist. In her eyes, he lacked ambition and his very essence meant trouble. But in Cheyenne's eyes, he was her gift from God.
It wasn't until Jonathan had been shot in the abdomen after an altercation and hospitalized that Shania felt compassion for him. Although she felt devastated when she found out that Cheyenne had run off and eloped with Jonathan, she decided to give him a chance.
“We have a surprise for you, sister.” Cheyenne's eyes glowed, and she sounded excited.
A surprise for her? Why were they giving her surprises on Greg's birthday? Shania stopped looking outside and looked at Cheyenne. She held her breath, hoping that Cheyenne wasn't about to announce that she was pregnant. If her sister's lips so much as formed a p-word, she was going to flip. When it came to Cheyenne and Jonathan's relationship, Shania needed to take baby steps, not quantum leaps.
Squeezing Jonathan's hand on top of the table, Cheyenne announced, “Jonathan got his GED. He's even going to attend the fall semester at Valdosta State along with me.”
Cheyene was a sophomore at Valdosta State and Shania felt proud of her younger sister for going to college, because it was no easy feat getting her there. In high school, Cheyenne was notorious for skipping classes. It was a favor from God that allowed her to graduate. Shania had never seen someone miss as much school as Cheyenne and still graduate with honors.
Shania exhaled, and a smile spread across her face. She could tell that her sister was proud of him, and even though she was reluctant to admit it, she was proud of him too.
“I'm so glad to hear that. Congratulations,” Shania said.
Greg chimed in, “That's terrific. Very smart decision.”
Jonathan eyed Greg and Shania. “I owe y'all a lot.” He raised a brow. “When I was coming up, my mom abandoned me and my brothers and sisters. For a while, I lived on the streets. I was homeless.” He tilted his head to the side. “I sold drugs to survive—am I proud of that?” He paused. “No. I was just doing what I had to do.” He placed his hands on his lap and exchanged glances with Cheyenne. “Then I met my boo, and everything changed.”
Cheyenne leaned over and kissed Jonathan on the lips; then she leaned back in her seat. For the first time, Shania could see how her sister might be attracted to Jonathan. Beneath his thuggish veneer lay a decent guy trying to find his way.
Jonathan took a sip of water and swished a cube of ice around in his mouth. “Man”—he shook his head—“I coulda been dead. When I got capped, all that stuff people say about your life flashing before your eyes is true, the bad and the good. While I was in that coma, it was like a presence was all around me, keeping me. You know what I'm sayin'?”
All eyes were on Jonathan until Greg broke the silence.
“It wasn't your time,” Greg said. “God has a plan for your life.”
“I know that now,” Jonathan relented. He looked at Shania. “I had always heard people talk about the Lord, but I wasn't a believer. I just thought black people had too much religion. Like it was an excuse for not trying hard. I used to hate when my grandmamma would say, ‘I'ma pray for you.' I used to be like, ‘Pray for yourself.' She was poor and seemed to be happy. I couldn't understand that.” His mouth formed a circle as he wiped the corners of his mouth with his hand. “Now I know better. That's because of you, Ms. Shania.” He pointed his index finger at her.
BOOK: When the Fairytale Ends
12.54Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
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