on my spelling test! That good, baby, you’re so smart! Clarissa noticed a bulge coming through her dad’s pants and immediately jump out of his lap. Go outside and play Clarissa, I think Ashley is looking for you… Hurry. Cathy knew that if she didn’t get her and Clarissa away from Gary, something awful was going to happen and that something came real soon.
Mommy, I’m home, Clarissa yelled making her presence known like she always does when she gets out of school… Mommy, can I have a cookie I’m hungry… Still no answer… Mommyyyyy, Clarissa sang while walking to the cookie jar… She’s not here she went to the store, Gary said scaring Clarissa who was stealing a cookie. Oh Daddy you scared me! Can I have this cookie, she chuckled. Sure you can, how was school? Come give me a hug… Clarissa got down from the counter and skipped toward her dad. When the smell of hard liquor stopped her in her tracks, she slowly went toward him and gave him a quick hug, “Oh come on Clarissa what kind of hug was that.” She went back but this time Gary held on just a little too tight. Clarissa tried to squirm from his grips but he was to strong… Stop moving Rissa I just want a kiss. Clarissa screamed but no one was home to hear her, at that moment Gary slapped Clarissa and started to pull his pants down. Clarissa could not believe what was about to happen, but just in the nick of time Cathy came through the door. What she saw sent her into a fury, she took the pan that was on the dish rack and went up side Gary’s head. Whoop! Boop! Pang! She was screaming and cussing in her native tongue. She was a madwoman that only saw red! Clarissa ran out the back door to Ashley’s house crying all the way there. She banged on Ashley’s back door. Patricia asked her what was wrong, “Rissa slow down tell me what’s wrong!” Clarissa tried to explain but passed out because of exhaustion, Chuck! Patricia yelled. Go see what’s going on at Cathy and Gary’s house I think he had too much to drink again. Chuck walked up on the porch, but before he could ring the doorbell, Gary was running out past him all bloody and with his pants undone… “And if you ever come back I will kill you!” Cathy cried. “I will kill you!” That was the last Cathy and Clarissa saw or heard of Gary again, one of his drinking buddies said that he moved back to the Bahamas to avoid getting locked up, Cathy just answered, “Good riddance!”
Hmmm, this is some good tea, what kind is it? Mike asked. Oh it’s a new flavor from Lipton, caramel vanilla, good, ain’t it? She smiled! Mike looked into her eye and replied yes it is, good she said they sell them at Safeway and you owe me a box because that was my last one! She giggled. Mike just smiled and laughed, it was something about her giggle that made him just want to grab her and hold her and release all the love that was built up inside of him to her. But not tonight. He thought I want to know more about my future wife. Rissa what time you have to be at work tomorrow? Oh I don’t have to go in until 10:00 a.m., Professional Development Day! What about you? ’Cause I have to get my car. Well, I have to be there by eight o’clock. I have a case at ten. A case? Yes, oh, I’m a lawyer. Hot damn, Clarissa thought, brains and beauty! Okay I’ll be ready, here take my number and let me know when you’re on your way, okay? Sure thing Ms. Clarissa. Hey it’s getting late and the raining stopped, I’ma start heading home, got a busy day tomorrow, got a lady that is suing the MTA Company. She was hurt during accident, he explained. Wow good luck with that. Thanks! He replied getting up from the sofa. They walked to the door, he turned and gave her the sweetest kiss on the cheek, I’ll see you in the morning? Yes you will she replied, okay good night, Mike smiled, be careful Clarissa said while closing the door. Clarissa stood there for a moment think about what just transpired. Ashley! She thought she ran to her room and dialed Ashley’s number. Ashley, you sleep? Wake up, I have to tell you something, girl!
5
Good morning everybody… Ashley flatly said as she walked into the office. “Morning,” Judy replied with an attitude. Ashley just keep on walking. “Not today, βitch,” Ashley thought. She finally made it to her desk. She noticed someone watching her but she didn’t pay it any attention because there was a little note on her desk that said, “Good morning,” and the prettiest flower drawn around it. Good Morning, miss, I mean Ash. Did you get enough rest? Derrick asked. No, because my best friend kept me up talking about your best friend and how fine he is and sooo sweet, Ashley chucked. You too? Mike called me on his way home talking about he found the one, and how pretty and intelligent Clarissa is and how funny she is. Yes Clarissa is definitely a comedian, Ashley interrupted. So are you ready to get started Derrick? We have a project coming up next week, are you ready? Yes! He answered, ready, willing, and able. Derrick replied with a grin. I see Clarissa isn’t the only comedian, Ashley stated. For the next three hours Ashley trained him on deadline and policies and networks that the company had in place. Ashley explained to him the chain of command and what the union could do for him, if he ever needed their assistance. She helped him fill out his insurance package that needed to be turned in by the end of the week. Finally how to punch in and out, so that he could be paid for a day’s work. Well, its lunchtime Derrick did you bring your lunch? Umm no I didn’t, I forgot it he said shyly. Well for being a good student, lunch is on me. Come on, I know this nice little bistro down the block. You wanna go? Derrick blushed yes! I’ll go, but I’m driving. Ashley stopped in her tracks, I don’t get on motorcycles! She said with a serious look on her face! Derrick looked at her and said I have a car Ash! Remember? Ashley blushed and said, oh okay right! They started for the door. Umm, excuse me Derrick do you need help filling out you time card because I do the time and leave and I can show how it’s done if you like, Judy said, licking her lips. Naw that’s okay, Ashley is going to show me how it’s done, Mike replied looking at Ashley, licking his lips. Why you did you do that Derrick? Ashley giggled. You know she wants you! Ugh, well I don’t want her; she’s not attractive at all.
Well, what are you attracted to Ashley ask. Ash it depends on the situation if I’m just seeing girl for the first time and she is pretty that’s an attraction based on looks now if the chick is pretty and she has a nasty attitude, that for me is a complete turn off. Okay Derrick, so what if the girl is butt ugly and she has a sweet personality about her then what? What you mean then what? Derrick asked, there must be an initial attraction first Ashley, I mean I am a man! They both laugh. You’re a mess Derrick! Naw Ash I’m just saying I want someone that I can take out and compliment me. So physically what are you attracted to Derrick? Why Ashley? You want to know if I’m attracted to you? He asked as he opened the car door for her. Ashley slid in, she showed a little more thigh than she wanted to, Derrick raised his eyebrow and walked around to his door and got in. Well if you must know I was attracted to you from the first day I saw you. YOU CUT ME OFF the first time you saw me, she chuckled. Aw, come on, Ash, you’re not gonna let me live that down, are you? Well it depends, on what Derrick replied. If you promise to be extremely careful on that thing… I lost someone very dear to me in in a motorcycle accident, and you’re a sweetheart, so I don’t want nothing happening to you, okay? Okay I promise Derrick replied looking into Ashley’s eyes noticing how they were starting to water up. They drove in silence to the Bistro down the street listening to the XM radio. Derrick wasn’t a big rap fan so his radio stayed on Smooth R&B… Oooo that’s my song. Ashley was a huge Jill Scott fan… “You love me especially different every time you keep me on my feet…” Oh my God, she can sing too, thought Derrick. He pulls up to parking lot and put the car in park… La la la la o oo. He just stared at her. Ash was in in her zone singing away and noticing Derrick as her audience. She stop and smiled at him, whatcha know about that boy! I know you have a beautiful voice! You should be a singer! I do sing! Really? Derrick asked shockingly. Yes in the shower in my kitchen… Oh see you got jokes, come on Derrick said turning the car off. Ashley opened the car door and got out, Derrick was on his way to help her get out. Um, Ash? Yes? She replied, you are not allowed to touch any doors when you’re with me understood? Ashley flared her nose, rolled her eyes, and blushed. Yes, sir, she stated, walking to the bistro. Ashley forgot just that quickly about the door rule and went to open the door to the restaurant. Derrick gentle popped her hand and said you forgot that quick? I’m sorry Ashley whined I just got so use to doing things on my own I’m so independent! Well we are going to have to work on that Derrick stated. They ordered their lunch and had great a great conversation about each other’s family. We have to hurry up and get back I don’t want Ms. Richmond thinking I’m setting
