Cheesecake and Teardrops (8 page)

“I know, Charisma. I know. Everything you've said to me, I've already said to myself.”

“Then, enough said. See you later?” Charisma asked her.

“Whatever.”

 

Hours later, Charisma was busy making homemade biscuits in her mother's kitchen. Jena Dearborn saw the tension in her daughter's face right away.

“Wanna talk about it?” she asked her.

“What d'ya mean?”

“You've been slamming that poor oven door like there's no tomorrow. I carried you for nine months. You think I can't tell when something's on your mind?”

“I guess I'm a little nervous about Dex meeting Nate.”

“Why should you be nervous? Nate is just your boss, right?”

Charisma didn't say anything.

“Right?” Jena repeated. She paused for a moment. “Charisma?” she said softly. “Talk to me. What's going on? You know I try hard not to meddle in your life, but is Nate more than just your boss?”

“No,” Charisma said. “But I'm attracted to him.”

“And how does he feel about you?”

“The same.”

“He's not married, is he?”

“No.”

“So what's the problem?”

“He's my boss!”

“I know that.”

“I just don't know if I'd respect myself in the morning.”

“Well,” Jena said as she walked through the swinging door and put the last few dishes on the dining room table.

“Time will tell.”

As if on cue, the doorbell rang. It was Nate. Charisma welcomed him into her parents' home and took his coat. Jena, the consummate plant lover, thanked him for the lovely houseplant he had brought. Ellis Dearborn shook Nate's hand and looked him squarely in the eye. Standing several inches shorter than Nate, he wore a royal blue sweater that set off his salt-and-pepper gray hair and camouflaged his love for his wife's cooking. The two joined his son Eric in the basement to watch the football game.

Half an hour later Jena called down to the men and told them that dinner was ready. They were having a hard time pulling themselves away from the television. Finally, after three
coming honey
s Ellis, Eric, and Nate made their way up to the dining room. Ellis was obviously ticked off about losing money in the office pool. Thanksgiving was one of the few times of the year that he gambled. As a loan officer, he was mindful of his spending habits. Jena turned the stereo down. They sat down at the table and Ellis said the Thanksgiving grace as they joined hands. He thanked the Lord for his family's good health and the food they were about to eat. They were a family blessed with plenty of love and a warm home. They were truly privileged.

Finally, it was time to eat. Carved turkey, ham, and roast beef took center stage on the dining room table, surrounded by cornbread dressing, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, a mixture of mustard and turnip greens, string beans, cranberry sauce, and buttermilk biscuits. They chowed-down like there was no tomorrow.

Charisma had second helpings of almost everything.

Thanksgiving and Christmas were two days out of the year when she ate like a pig, kicking her eating plan to the curb.

Jena insisted that everyone help themselves to more. There was plenty of everything, and they ate up.

“So how do you like New York, Nate?” Ellis asked.

“Well, it's a big difference from San Diego, especially weatherwise,” Nate answered.

“You can say that again,” Jena added. “New York winters can be brutal.”

“So I've heard,” Nate said. “I'm dreading it already.”

“I know what you mean,” Ellis admitted, shaking his head. “I've been here all my life, and I still dread them.”

“I bet you're a big Lakers fan,” Eric said, adjusting his Knicks baseball cap. Eric had Ellis's height, smile, and warm brown eyes.

“No doubt,” Nate answered. “I'm as big a Lakers fan as your sister's a Knick fan.”

“Aww man, you got it bad then, 'cause there is no hope for my sister,” Eric said.

“Did she tell you I had to buy her dinner after I lost a bet at the Garden?” Nate asked.

“Yeah, that sounds like my sister. Always looking for a free meal,” Eric said.

“Don't listen to him, Nate,” Charisma said good-naturedly.

“He's just mad because he can't get good seats to any of the games.”

“Next time I get tickets, I'll give you a call,” Nate told Eric.

“Cool,” Eric said.

Jena looked at the others. “Anyone ready for dessert?”

They all shook their heads, completely stuffed. Dessert would have to wait.

“Let's finish watching the Eagles whip the Cowboys' behind,” Ellis said to his son and Nate. “I bet the guys at work that Philly would win by six. Honey, dinner was magnificent.”

He gave Jena a quick peck on the cheek before heading back downstairs to enjoy the bigscreen TV and fully stocked bar while Charisma and Jena cleaned up the dining room table and loaded the dishwasher.

“So whatd'ya think of Nate?” Charisma asked her mother once the men were no longer in earshot.

“Well, one thing for sure, you'd have some beautiful children.”

“Mother, I'm serious.”

“So am I.”

“Never mind. Forget I even asked.”

“Okay, especially since you're not interested, right?”

In response, Charisma looked at her mother and winked.

Jena sighed, shook her head and smiled.

They put the cakes and pies on the dining room table along with plates and forks before settling in the living room. The doorbell rang. It was Tangie and Heather stopping by to share some holiday cheer.

“Come on in,” Charisma told them, taking their coats.

“Is Dex here?” Tangie whispered.

“Not yet. Nate, Daddy, and Eric are in the basement watching the game.” Charisma took Tangie aside. “Listen, I want to apologize for being so hard on you earlier today. I said somethings I shouldn't have.”

“Don't worry about it, girl. And he is
not
moving in. You were just keeping it real.” Tangie gave her a warm hug before they rejoined the others.

“Your timing is perfect. We're just getting ready for dessert,” Jena said.

“Mrs. Dearborn, we can smell your sweet potato pie from around the corner,” Heather said.

“I made that pound cake you love so much, Heather, and Charisma made red velvet cake.” Jena smiled.

“You two make it so hard for a full-figured sister.”

Heather shook her head. “But I'm trying to watch it.”

The men returned from the basement, talking football.

“Hey Heather, Tangie,” Ellis said. “Good to see you. Happy Thanksgiving.” He kissed them both on the cheek.

“Long time no see Tangie, Heather,” Eric said giving them both a hug.

“Nate, you remember Tangie and Heather?” Charisma said.

“Of course. Nice to see you both again. I think we met at IHOP one day.” Nate smiled.

“That's right,” Tangie said. “How've you been, Nate?”

“Fine, thanks. Just getting used to the city that never sleeps,” he said.

“Are you guys ready for dessert?” Jena asked.

“I'd love some,” Nate said.

“Me too,” Eric said, heading for the dessert table.

“Charisma, get Nate some dessert,” Jena said as she got up to get dessert for her husband.

Charisma and Nate went into the dining room, and she cut him a nice, big slice of red velvet cake. He slid a forkful into his mouth. “Mmm. Did you make this?”

She nodded.

“I knew you were a good cook. It's written all over your sweet . . . body,” he whispered softly in her ear. He was so close his breathing tickled the hairs on her neck.

She could barely resist him.

“What's in the frosting?” he asked.

“Cream cheese, coconut, and pecans,” she said.

“It's delicious.” He took another bite. In his haste, he accidentally dropped the fork. The cake landed first on his sweater, and then on the carpet. “You see what your stuff does to me?” he whispered. “I can't help myself.” They looked at each other and burst out laughing. Nate knelt down and cleaned up the floor.

“Come on. I'll clean you up,” Charisma said, leading him into the kitchen. She wet a paper towel and gently dabbed at his turtleneck until the spot of frosting disappeared.

“There, all gone,” she said simply.

He took her in his arms and kissed the tip of her nose.

She wiggled free.

“Why are you fighting this?” he asked.

“Let me go or I'll scream.” She grinned.

“Go ahead. Scream.”

“Help,” she said barely louder than a whisper. They both burst out laughing again.

“You're such a tease.”

Charisma and Nate headed back into the living room to join the others, still laughing. Startled, Charisma was caught off guard as her eyes met Dex sitting on the sofa.

Her smile vanished instantly.

Dex jumped to his feet, put his arms defensively around Charisma, and planted a kiss firmly on her cheek. “Hey, baby.”

She wiggled free, rubbing the hair on the back of her neck. “Dex, this is my boss, Nate Arquette. Nate, Dex Spencer.”

The two shook hands. “How's it going, man?” Dex asked, giving him a quick once-over.

“It's going well,” Nate said. “I can't complain. I'm new in town, and Charisma was nice enough to invite me over for Thanksgiving dinner.”

“Yeah, if there's one word you can use to describe my Charisma, it's
nice,
” Dex agreed, throwing her an odd look.

The three stood in silence for a few moments. Dex eyed Nate suspiciously.

Nate eyed Dex suspiciously. Tangie, Heather, and Charisma exchanged glances. Charisma rolled her eyes in response. If looks could kill, somebody would be on death row, but who?

Tangie checked her watch. She had gotten home from work over an hour ago and still nothing from Blade.

She made sure her cell phone was on. No messages from Blade, but she did have one from Charisma and Heather.

They were headed to Cabana for dinner and wanted to know if she'd join them.

Tangie called Charisma. “I'm starving, and I need to get out of the house. Can you pick me up?”

“Sure. Be ready in half an hour?” Charisma asked.

“Okay.” Tangie took a quick shower and changed into a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved black shirt. She spritzed herself with her favorite perfume and added just the right amount of makeup.

By the time they reached the restaurant, the wait was over an hour, typical for a Friday night. So they strolled along Austin Street, window-shopping until Charisma spotted the perfect little black dress in the Ann Taylor Loft. Naturally, she had to try it on. It fit like a glove, but unfortunately, she had changed purses and didn't have any credit cards with her.

Heather and Tangie both fished through their purses until Heather found her American Express. “Jackpot,” she told Charisma.

“Thanks,” Charisma said, handing Heather the dress. “I'll pay you back.”

“I know, girl. Your credit's good with me.” Heather got in line and paid for the dress. They got back to Cabana just in time to be called by the hostess.

They were seated in the cozy little restaurant and ordered drinks.

“You know what I need?” Tangie said. “A vacation. Let's all go away for a few days. Anywhere hot,” she continued. “I just want out of New York.”

“I know the feeling,” Charisma agreed. “Dex is getting on my nerves. I can't breathe. So if you're serious, I'm in.”

“You two go and enjoy yourselves. I have too much on my plate right now,” Heather said as the waiter returned with a pitcher of sangria and poured their drinks.

“It wouldn't be the same without you,” Tangie insisted.

Heather sighed. “I have bigger fish to fry, but I'll see what I can do.”

 

After a smooth, two-and-a-half-hour flight, Tangie, Charisma, and Heather landed in South Beach. It was hot and sunny, and the balminess did them all good. Tangie immediately tried calling Blade. She left a message asking him to return her call. They checked into the Colony Hotel, and Tangie and Charisma immediately slipped into their bathing suits. Heather, on the other hand, was still self-conscious about her weight.

“I look like a stuffed frog in this getup,” Heather decided.

“Stop it, Heather,” Charisma said.

“That's easy for you to say, Miss Size Eight.” Heather struggled to get into her one-piece.

“Think of it this way,” Tangie began. “You will never see these people again in life. So what are you worried about?”

Heather shook her head at them both. “You will never understand what it's like to be me. I'm like a rump roast next to two celery sticks.”

“No, babe, you're just a whole lotta woman,” Tangie said.

“I see men checking you out all the time,” Charisma told her.

“But you're so obsessed with your weight you don't see it.” Tangie shook her head this time.

“I'll bet you ten dollars that someone'll try to pick you up before we leave,” Charisma said.

“Deal,” Heather agreed as they headed out the door.

They rented chairs and umbrellas and spent all day on the beach. It wasn't long before their New York iciness melted away.

“I need some gum,” Tangie said to anyone who was listening.

“Look in my bag,” Heather said, not willing to move a muscle.

Tangie leaned over and grabbed Heather's bag, finding gum and mints. “Wow, you bring a toothbrush and toothpaste to the beach? Check her out,” Tangie said to Charisma.

“We must be amateurs.” Charisma shook her head.

“Don't hate,” Heather said, laughing.

Two persistent guys tried to talk Tangie into entering a wet T-shirt contest. Tangie insisted she was not interested.

Finally, they left her alone, but not before taking one last lingering look at her impressive cleavage. Apparently, half the men on the beach thought Heather was Latina, sprinkling their rap with just a dash of English as they poured on the charm. Tangie, Heather, and Charisma relaxed under the sun until the rumbling thunder and pouring rain forced them inside. They quickly peeled off their swimsuits and changed into shorts.

“I'm starving. What's for dinner?” Heather asked.

“Let's try Wet Willie's,” Tangie said as she lay across the bed, thumbing through the restaurant guides.

“Let's order room service,” Heather suggested.

“Room service? We might as well be at home eating. Let's get out,” Charisma insisted.

“Why don't you guys go ahead, and I'll eat in?” Heather was comfortable right where she was.

“Okay, why don't we all go out tonight and do room service tomorrow night?” Charisma said.

“You drive a hard bargain. You better be glad I love you.”

Heather reluctantly got up and hopped in the shower first.

She took so long in the bathroom that they were afraid she had drowned. She changed into a golden yellow floral halter sundress. Her long, curly locks, which were beginning to dry, only added to her lushness.

“Yuh know, for someone who wasn't feeling getting out, you sure look like you're after some male attention,” Charisma admitted as she and Tangie finished getting dressed.

They walked into Wet Willie's and immediately found a seat upstairs in the open balcony. Charisma ordered a chocolate martini, Tangie had a Miami Vice, and Heather ordered sparkling water.

“On second thought, I'm on vacation. What do
you
suggest?” she asked the waiter.

“Call a Cab is our most popular drink,” he suggested. “I guararantee you'll love it. It's sneaky, but it's good.”

“I'm game,” Heather admitted. “Oh, and a bottle of water, please.” She needed to take her diet pill.

“Coming right up,” he agreed.

Tangie looked around, bouncing to the music. “Vacations are a beautiful thing. Whose idea was this anyway?”

Heather and Charisma just looked at each other.

“Oh, yeah, it was mine. Brilliant.” Tangie grinned. The waiter returned with their drinks. Tangie raised her glass.

“Behind every successful woman is herself.”

“I know that's right,” Heather and Charisma both said, sipping their cocktails. The waiter returned about ten minutes later with their meals.

Tangie said her grace. “I am so glad there's no testosterone sitting at this table,” she said, cracking open a lobster and dipping it in butter. “Talk about sweet meat. There's no way I can eat like a lady and do this meal justice.”

“You have to taste these crab cakes,” Heather said. “They are
so
fresh.”

“Good?” Charisma asked, enjoying her coconut shrimp.

“
Good
doesn't even begin to describe it.” She cut one in half and put it on both of their plates.

“Mmm,” they both said.

Charisma didn't say another word until she had cleaned her plate. “I am stuffed,” she finally said, leaning back in the booth. “I don't even have room for dessert.”

“You know me. I always save room for dessert,” Tangie admitted. “Wanna join me, Heather?”

“Is water wet?” Heather smiled.

The waiter came to clear the table and leave a dessert menu. A few minutes later he returned. “So what'll it be, ladies?”

Tangie and Heather decided on one slice of key lime cheesecake and two forks.

“And what would you like?” He smiled at Charisma.

“Nothing for me,” Charisma said. “I can't eat another bite.”

“All right,” he said before leaving.

“So what are we doing tonight?” Charisma asked Tangie and Heather.

“You know there's a couple of clubs in the hotel,” Tangie said.

“You guys go ahead. I think I'll just crash,” Heather decided.

The waiter returned with cheesecake and three forks. “I know it's a woman's prerogative to change her mind. Enjoy, ladies.”

Charisma had to laugh as she sampled the dessert. It was delicious, almost unconscionable, and before long, history. They left the waiter a nice, big tip.

 

The next morning they got up, had breakfast, and hit the beach. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, and it promised to be a picture-perfect day. They got three lounge chairs and umbrellas and slathered sunblock all over their bodies.

They had iPods, books, magazines, and not a care in the world as they soaked up the sun. Tangie and Charisma finally went for a dip in the ocean while Heather lounged in her chair.

Sensing someone's presence, Heather opened her eyes to find a well-groomed chocolate stud standing over her.

“You take my breath away, baby,” he said, shaking his head.

Heather propped her shades on top of her head.

“You have the most sensuous legs in the Western Hemisphere.”

He walked away as Heather pulled the sunglasses down over her eyes, her lips curling into a slight smile.

“What are you smiling about?” Charisma asked Heather as she returned from the ocean and grabbed her towel to dry off.

“Oh, nothing,” Heather said lightly.

“You are a lousy liar.” Charisma laughed. “And by the way, you owe me ten bucks.”

“He didn't try to pick me up,” Heather insisted.

“That was a down payment. He'll be back to finish the job later. Trust me,” Charisma said. “Pay up, sister.”

“Win your bet already?” Tangie asked Charisma, sliding back into her lounger, her body soaking wet.

“I'm just about ready to collect. Right, Heather?” Charisma laughed.

“Whatever.” Heather sighed, getting up for a quick dip.

“This is the life,” Tangie remarked as she gestured to the bartender for a drink. He took their orders and returned shortly after with their drinks.

Like true ladies of leisure, they spent the entire day on the beach. Then, they turned in the towels and umbrellas, gathered up their things, and went back to their room.

Tangie tried calling Blade. He picked up on the sixth ring. There was a lot of commotion in the background.

“Blade?” Tangie said, straining her ears. She heard a woman's laughter in the background. It was vaguely familiar, but she couldn't quite place it.

“Give me the phone. Give me the damn phone,” he said before they were disconnected.

“Bad connection,” she told them. “I think I'll just chill tonight.”

“Me too,” Charisma and Heather agreed.

Tangie took one of the longest showers ever. Finally, she emerged from the bathroom with a frown on her face.

“I have two gray hairs,” Tangie told them.

“Oh please, I have plenty,” Charisma admitted.

“Hello, I'm not talking about on my head. I may have to do the male thing and shave it all off. A Brazilian sure beats the alternative,” Tangie said.

“Ouch,” Heather laughed as she picked up the phone to order room service.

On their last night in South Beach, Heather ran into the chocolate stud from the day before. Ian convinced her, Tangie, and Charisma to join him and the fellas at Mango's.

He didn't have to twist their arms. He and his two friends seemed nice enough, and they were perfect gentlemen.

Male and female exotic dancers gyrated on bar tops as patrons indulged in vertical sex on the dance floor. While Charisma and Tangie danced with Ian's friends, Ian had Heather all hemmed up at the bar. Tangie motioned to Charisma to check out Heather. Heather didn't seem to mind her size that night. Some men preferred thick women. Apparently, Ian didn't mind one bit. They all had a good time.

Ian was trying to get Heather's number, but she refused to give up the digits. She did, however, pay Charisma her ten bucks.

 

Stone checked his watch again as he sat in the Flagship Diner off Hillside Avenue awaiting his granddaughter's latest obsession. He ordered coffee and waited. Blade was already fifteen minutes late. Typical, Stone thought. As usual, those people had no concept of time. None whatsoever.

You'd think that he'd be on time, considering Stone was meeting him in his own neighborhood. No such luck.

Blade finally showed up a full twenty minutes late. He sat down and ordered coffee, apologizing for his tardiness.

Stone took a long, hard look at him and wondered what in the world Chase saw in him. Must be that damn forbiddenfruit syndrome, again. Stone knew what had to be done and was willing to make him a deal.

The two men sat across from each other in silence, neither of them having touched their coffee. They quickly sized each other up. Stone got straight to the point, prepared to let his wallet talk for him. He reached into the breast pocket of his blazer and pulled out a white businesssized envelope.

“Mr. Watson, I want you out of my granddaughter's life. I'm prepared to offer you a substantial amount of money to do so.” Stone placed the envelope on the table.

Blade stared at the envelope for a moment before picking it up to view its contents. Inside was a check that could very easily null and void his financial woes. He placed the envelope back on the table before speaking.

“Keep your damn money,” Blade began. “You don't have enough money to buy me.”

“You haven't seen my bottom line,” Stone chuckled.

“I'm not for sale.”

“We're both men. Let's cut to the chase, excuse the pun. Hell, I know a good piece of pussy can make you feel like a million bucks, but let's not be ridiculous. Didn't your father ever tell you the story of the raccoon on the train tracks?”

“No.” Blade shook his head.

“Well, there was this raccoon walking down the middle of these train tracks singing his heart out when he hears a train approaching. Luckily, he starts running and just barely makes it off the tracks before the train speeds by. Thank God. He's a little shaken up, but he's safe. He starts singing his little happy song again, until he notices something isn't quite right. He looks back and realizes that an itty-bitty piece of his tail is missing. It's on one of the tracks. Damn. He needs this little piece to glue back on to his body. He hears another train way off in the distance, but he knows he can make it back in time. He runs back to the train tracks and snatches up the piece of tail with his hot little hands. Just then another train comes by and runs over his whole head. Do you know what the moral of that story is, Mr. Watson?” Stone asked.