Harriet and Kelly’s eyes widened. “How? It’s only been about four years. He didn’t get it illegally, did he?” Kelly asked, revealing that everything hadn’t changed about her. She still had a narrowed view of life and people in general.
Sheree laughed as held up her hands in a halt/stop gesture reminiscent of a crossing guard. “Girl, you are crazy. There are many ways for a black man to make an honest fortune in
Harriet nodded her approval. “Oh, that’s nice, dear. Now he’ll be able to take care of you properly. Your father and grandmother will be so pleased.” Harriet was pretty pleased about that herself. She liked knowing that her children would have no money worries like she had when she was a child.
Sheree frowned. “Mom, I can take care of myself properly. I don’t need a man for that.” Then her face softened into smile. “And Mom, know that this is surely no sign of disrespect, but I’m really not interested in pleasing Daddy or Grandma. I love Graham. I always have and I am not about to miss out on this opportunity to be his wife again. I won’t allow anyone, not even Daddy, to come between us ever again.” Sheree was resolute in every way about that.
Harriet came and hugged her youngest again. “I’m sorry if I upset you, dear. You’re right. You should grab any chance at true happiness that unveils itself. Life is just too short to spend it being miserable.” If only my other daughter would finally listen to me, she added silently.
Suddenly it became crystal clear that Kelly had finally listened. “I’m glad you said that, Mom, because I’ve just decided to divorce Jeremy.” Then she went on to explain how tired she was of being in a loveless marriage. How she was tired of trying to please her father at the expense of her own happiness. Kelly conveniently left out the part about being in love with another man. She would reveal information that much later.
Then Kelly reached for her sister’s hand. “It’s time for Daddy to learn how to love us both unconditionally.” Sheree nodded in agreement.
Harriet eyes misted over with love for her daughters. They were right. Now she couldn’t wait to have that heart to heart talk with her husband. Allen didn’t know it yet, but his mind was going to soon change about a lot of things.
***
In Handley, Teonna placed a call to Graham. She usually called him at least once a day for her daily dose of deep baritone. Hearing his voice always made her feel better and helped to brighten up her day.
Graham answered on the first ring. “Hello?” he said expectantly.
“Wow! And hello to you, too,” Teonna said with a smile. Now that’s the way to answer a phone, she added silently.
Graham’s tone involuntarily changed with barely veiled disappointment. He’d hoped the caller was Sheree. “Oh, hi, Teonna. What’s up?”
Teonna’s face fall at his disenchanted tone. Still she spoke in a calm voice. “Nothing, just a few closings. What’s up with you today? Going to check out any new properties?”
As she talked, Teonna propped her small feet upon her mahogany desk. Outside of her office window, the sound of construction could be heard. A new bank was being built across the street. Teonna sighed irritably. She wasn’t sure if her current irritation stemmed from the noise outside or from the knowledge that Graham wasn’t excited about her call after all. Probably both.
“No, I took off today. Juanita presented me with a niece earlier this morning. So I’m gonna hang close to the hospital for most of the day.”
“Oh, that’s great! I love babies. I want tons of them,” Teonna said, knowing full well how much Graham wanted a large family. She actually only wanted one child, but she was willing to say anything to make him happy, willing to do anything to draw Graham closer to her. Besides, he’ll find out the truth after we’re married, Teonna mused optimistically.
“Me, too,” Graham replied. He planned to have at least five with Sheree real soon.
“Give your sister my regards and tell her I’ll stop by after work today,” Teonna said as she received the note her secretary handed her.
The pink memo read, ‘Please call your mother.’ Teonna groaned inwardly and quickly made up some excuse to get off the phone. After she hung up, she continued to stare at the note in her hand for a few seconds. Teonna dreaded calling those seven digits, because she knew that her mother, like her friends, would eventually enter into a ‘Why aren’t you married yet?’ speech.
If only they knew how hard I am trying to get married, they’d let up, Teonna thought. Yet the beautiful realtor couldn’t just marry anyone. Only Graham would do for her.
Chapter 13
Sheree arrived back in Handley around
When Sheree and Graham finally made it to the hospital, most of the visitors were leaving. The only people that remained now were Horace and Harvey. As Sheree and Graham entered the room, they heard Juanita’s tall, slender husband on the phone making calls to his office.
While Sheree talked with Juanita with her back to the door, she failed to see the pretty woman that entered the room. But Juanita saw her. Her gray eyes saw a lot of things. The new mother looked to where Teonna now stood next to Graham by the baby. There was something familiar about the way the woman looked at her brother. It was as if Teonna knew him – ‘knew’ as in the biblical sense of the word. That possibility deeply disturbed Juanita.
Then as she noticed how Graham seemed to stiffen at Teonna’s nearness, realization set in. Something did happen between those two, Juanita mused with a frown. I wonder if Sheree knows.
Juanita shot a quick glance at Sheree and immediately got her answer. Her brother’s real fiancée didn’t know or suspect a thing. In fact, Sheree seemed quite comfortable with Teonna in the room.
Oh, little brother, please don’t mess this up again, Juanita mused, purposing within her heart to talk to Graham as soon as possible. She was going to make him come clean, even if she had to choke him to do it.
As Horace prepared to leave, Sheree volunteered to walk him to the elevators. She wanted him to know that he didn’t have to move out of the house after all. Even though he had another home to go to now, she and Graham had agreed that if Horace wanted to stay with them, he could. The house was certainly big enough to accommodate all of them, plus any children they would have.
While Sheree was gone, Teonna was never two feet away from Graham. And her eyes stayed on him constantly, even while she conversed with others. She’d heard about his recent engagement from one of their mutual colleagues, who’d received notice that Graham was putting his private house on the market and why. Now Teonna was inwardly in a state of panic. She was also very hurt by the fact that Graham hadn’t had the common courtesy to tell her about his upcoming wedding plans during their conversation this morning.
But Teonna would quickly get over that hurt. She just didn’t want to lose Graham, not as a friend and especially not as a potential life-mate. Since learning of his reconciliation with Sheree, it seemed as if Teonna wanted him even more. But she didn’t know what to do about it.
It was obvious that Sheree had Graham’s heart in a way that Teonna never did. All Teonna had had was Graham’s body. For one exhilarating, breathtaking, and sensual night she had access to his beautiful mahogany frame with all of its wonders. For now she’d settle for just that again. Teonna would vie for Graham’s heart later.
***
By the elevators, Sheree hugged Horace as they concluded their talk. Then she waved goodbye to him as the elevator doors closed with him inside. Sheree was so happy that Horace agreed to continue living at the house. It would be nice to have someone there while she traveled back and forth, trying to bring her practice to a close in
As Sheree made her way back to Juanita’s room, she saw Graham coming towards her and smiled. Ooo…I just love those bowed legs of his, she mused with a rush of heat enveloping her.
Graham smiled in return. When he noticed the flame of desire flicker in Sheree’s eyes, heat also enveloped him. He couldn’t wait to make her his wife again.
“I was just on my way back,” Sheree said, walking faster until she stood right in front of him.
“No need to go all the way back just yet,” Graham replied as he swiftly escorted her into the empty family waiting room on the right. Inside he kicked the door closed behind them and pulled Sheree into his arms. Unfortunately, Graham’s kick hadn’t completely done what he intended, because the door was still slightly ajar.
However, Graham didn’t notice the door or anything else but Sheree right now. “I love you so much, baby. Thanks for being here,” he said as he began to plant sweet butterfly kisses upon Sheree’s forehead, eyelids, and then on to each cheek.
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” Sheree replied with her eyes closed, relishing his caresses.
Progressing slowly to her full lips, Graham took his time savoring the taste of her with each and every flicker. Sheree’s lips tasted like honeycomb and he couldn’t get enough of them. Pulling her closer, Graham deepened the kiss as he inhaled her floral scent. Mmm…this woman smells so good, he thought. She felt even better.
Sheree roamed her hands over Graham’s short straight hair and down to his strong neck. She began to move against him almost instinctively as her body molded to his. Although they’d agreed to wait, she wanted him now and she didn’t mind telling him so.
“I don’t know if I can wait, baby. I want a taste of you now,” Sheree said breathlessly against him. Her body was pulsating furiously with want.
Graham was feeling the effects of their passion as well. His body was also aching excessively with desire. Withdrawing just a bit from Sheree’s body in order to put some space between them, lest he pop, Graham made the following concession, “Let’s move the wedding date up. What about two weeks from now? Can you pull it together in that amount of time?” As he spoke, his voice was hoarse with need.
But Sheree didn’t want any space. And she let Graham know that by continuing to press her body against his time and time again, extracting moan after moan from him lips. “Two weeks? Why not tomorrow?”
Graham choked out. “I...wanted you…to have…a big wedding.” Sheree’s grinding movements were rapidly demolishing his resolve. He swallowed hard. “Sheree, baby, please. I don’t know how much more I can take.” In his own way, Graham was trying to convince her to stop.
But Sheree wasn’t hearing it. Instead she quieted his lips with another wave of deep probing kisses. Each kiss and corresponding movement chipped further away at Graham’s resolve until finally he lifted her up and backed her up against the wall by the door; fully prepared to possess her completely.
The black skirt Sheree wore rode up her thighs as she wrapped her legs around his waist. She continued to move tantalizingly against Graham as they sizzled together against the wall. Their union was now imminent.
“Sheree.” Graham moaned as he slid one of his hands beneath her skirt and found a sacred treasure ready to be discovered again...by him.
“Give me what I want, Graham. What we both want,” Sheree whispered against his mouth, beyond caring where they were or about anything else.
“Yes, baby. I can do that. I can do that right now.” Graham moaned again, unable to refuse her anything at this point. Then he adroitly unbuckled his belt and prepared to take her.
Stopping of their own will was beyond them now. If Graham and Sheree were going to adhere to their decision to wait, they needed something stronger than themselves to stop the inevitable. They needed a way of escape to be made known now, quick!
Just then, someone knocked on the door. “Graham, are you in here?” It was Teonna.
Chapter 14
Graham immediately stood still at the sound of Teonna’s voice. His passion evaporated quickly like a puddle on a hot sunny day. “Yes, I’ll be right out,” he said, allowing Sheree to slid down his body and stand upright again.
“You sound funny. Is something wrong?” Teonna asked.
“No, everything is all right,” Graham replied, smiling lovingly at Sheree as he deftly fixed his belt and clothes.
Sheree returned that smile while she tended to her own clothes. Everything was all right now. Once they were presentable again, Graham grabbed her hand and together they entered the hallway.
While Graham and his real estate colleague talked, Sheree went back to Juanita’s room. It annoyed Teonna that although Graham was facing her, his eyes were clearly looking at his ex-wife’s derriere as she sashayed away.
I doubt if he’s even listening to me at all, Teonna mused angrily. Yet it wasn’t as if she was saying a whole lot anyway. She’d simply chosen that time to knock on the door and initiate a conversation with Graham.
Teonna had been in the hallway for a while now, watching the two lovers through the breach in the door. She’d seen the way Graham had looked at Sheree. The way he’d held her, even the way he’d touched and kissed her. Everything Graham had done with and to Sheree had exuded tenderness.
Teonna had been spellbound, unable to move, as she watched them together. And as she’d watched them, she realized that what she received from Graham that long ago night was nowhere near what he could give a woman that he truly loved.
Ironically, when Graham and Sheree had moved out of eye view, Teonna suddenly found the strength to move after all. In fact, she had knocked on the door with both hands. There was no way Teonna could let Graham and Sheree consummate their love. If she did, her own plans to marry him would be over for sure. It had taken Graham years to get over Sheree the first time. If they connected now, he was lost to Teonna forever.
After Teonna finished talking to Graham, she left the hospital. She needed time to think. On the drive home, she thought about how easy it had been for Sheree to get Graham to move up their wedding date. Two weeks. That’s hardly enough time for me to do much of anything, Teonna mused, becoming even more determined to do whatever she could to ensure her own happiness.
As Teonna spent the rest of the drive contemplating her next move, she rued the day that Sheree Hamilton was ever born.
***
Back at the hospital, Sheree and Graham prepared to leave also. But at the last minute, Juanita asked to speak with her little brother alone. Sheree assumed that Juanita wanted to discuss their father, so she joined
As soon as Sheree and Harvey left, Juanita let into Graham. “You slept with her, didn’t you?” she hissed under her breath, careful not to wake the sleeping baby in the pink bassinet by the bed.
Graham was taken aback as he saw his sister’s flashing gray eyes. He couldn’t understand her anger. “Slept with who?”
Juanita got right to the point. “You slept with Teonna, that’s who. That’s why she’s always sniffing behind you. The girl is whipped, just like Trina Flood was!”
Graham’s face fell. He nodded, reluctantly confirming the truth. Now he didn’t what to say. But he had to try to say something. Sitting down in the burgundy chair next to Juanita’s bed, Graham leaned over to explain. “It only happened once. It was two years ago at one of those real estate seminars we normally attend together. I had too much to drink that night. I was depressed about Momma, still angry with Sheree. Combine that with the fact that I hadn’t been intimate with a woman since I was married and there you have it.”
Graham paused as he remembered that time in his life and just how down he was back then. “The next morning I felt horrible. Right then and there, I made a decision to quit drinking, even socially. I also apologized to Teonna for putting her in that position. I had no intention of using her that night, nor have I violated our friendship since. We’re just friends now, honest.” His honorable eyes said that he was sincere.
Juanita knew that her brother spoke the truth. Graham never lied to her. However, there was still something he needed to know. “Little brother, you may be Teonna’s friend, but she is definitely not yours. No woman can truly be a friend to a man she wants as badly as Teonna wants you. I watch her as she watches you, Graham. The woman is obsessed with you.”
Graham’s eyebrows rose at that last statement. “Obsessed?”
“Yes.” Juanita nodded. “And I don’t want you or Sheree to get hurt behind some psycho chick mess. I assume you haven’t told Sheree?”
Graham shook his head. “No, every time I try to, we get distracted or interrupted. To be honest with you, I really don’t know how to tell her.”
Juanita patted his hand in comfort. “You’ll find a way, little brother. But I pray that you don’t take too long. Secrets have a way of leaking out.” Then she looked intently into his eyes and added, “And with someone like Teonna around, it may leak out sooner than you expect.”
Juanita had long since realized how volatile Teonna was. No woman in her right mind would put her life on hold for four years just to wait in the wings for a man who was clearly in love with someone else. Despite the fact that she was a great realtor, Teonna’s emotional stability was highly questionable.
She’s definitely not sister-in-law material, Juanita mused. My brother needs someone stable and solid…someone like Sheree.
“I hear you, big sis, and thanks for looking out for me.” Then Graham left to take Sheree home.
***
During the drive home, Graham was noticeably quiet. When Sheree inquired about his change of mood, he simply said that he had a lot on his mind. By the time they made it to her house, a seed of doubt had begun to form in Sheree’s mind. Then when Graham barely brushed her lips with a goodnight kiss, her mind was attacked again with the assumption that he was starting to have second thoughts about them.
When Sheree ascended the stairs that night, it was with a heavy heart. She didn’t know what was wrong with her man and Graham didn’t seem to be too willing to tell her, either. Feeling left out of the loop, Sheree prayed for wisdom and understanding before she went to sleep. Somehow she knew that she would need them both in the days ahead.
***
Unable to sleep, Graham sat on his living room couch, watching TV or rather allowing the television to watch him. He couldn’t tell you what was happening on the screen or even the name of the movie that he was supposed to be watching.
Just then, the doorbell rang. When Graham looked out the peephole, he was surprised to see Teonna standing there. It was well after
“Tee, is something wrong?” he asked, instantly noticing how troubled she looked. How shiny her eyes were.
“I need to talk to you, Graham. Can I come in?” Teonna said, quickly looking behind him into the house. She was trying to see if Sheree was inside. After what she witnessed at the hospital earlier, she thoroughly expected the other woman to be there.
I know I would have been here tonight, Teonna mused, adjusting the third button on the top of her black silk pajamas.
Wanting to refuse, but moved by the woman’s glistening eyes, Graham reluctantly consented. “For just a minute.” Why is she wearing pajamas? he thought warily as he opened the door wider for her to enter.
A minute was all Teonna needed. In no time she was sitting on Graham’s comfortable sofa, crying fake tears, claiming that her mother had been recently diagnosed with breast cancer. “She just told me today and I’m just so scared for her. For my whole family. I came here because I knew you’d understand how I felt. By the way, I’m sorry about the hour and about not getting dressed before I came. But the walls at my house seemed to be closing in on me and I just had to get out of there in a hurry.”
Formerly standing up, Graham sat down beside Teonna and tried to offer her some form of comfort. “I’m so sorry for you, Tee. I know how devastating news like this can be to a person, to an entire family,” he said, patting her hand in consolation.
But a hand pat was not what Teonna was looking for tonight. She wanted more. In short, she wanted what Sheree had been privy to earlier today. Throwing her arms around Graham’s neck, Teonna initiated a kiss, licking his lips through her tears. But to her utter dismay, Graham instantly recoiled from her and jumped up from the couch.
“No, Tee! I’m sorry about your mother, but I can’t make the same mistake twice,” Graham said, removing the evidence of her kiss with one quick wipe of his hand. Red lipstick now rested upon four of his five left hand fingers. But he didn’t care. All Graham cared about was getting Teonna out of his house.
Teonna was outraged. “Mistake! Our night of love was never a mistake. It was the most precious moment of my entire life.” Her voice shook with emotion.
Graham shook his head, regretting that he’d ever opened his door tonight. I should have slept at the other house tonight, he mused, wishing that he could take back a lot of things, including that fateful night with Teonna.
“Like I said before, I’m sorry, Tee. Sleeping with you tonight would be wrong on so many levels,” Graham said, trying to let her down gently.
Teonna stood to her feet, pointing at him accusingly. “Don’t you dare try to get all spiritual on me now, you hypocrite! I guess fornication is only all right when it’s with someone you love, huh? I saw you and Sheree at the hospital today. You were seconds away from having sex. If I hadn’t interrupted you, you would have given everything you had to a woman that didn’t even love you enough to come after you.”
Teonna’s comments were not only unexpectedly hurtful; they brought along a level of conviction, too. Graham had been about to sin with Sheree earlier today. That much was true, but fortunately they were stopped in the nick of time. However, he was definitely not going to sin with Teonna tonight, no matter what she said.
After taking a deep breath, Graham calmly said, “You’re right, Tee. My behavior with Sheree was wrong today, no matter how right it may have felt. And yes, I still believe that sex should only be practiced inside of marriage. And I can tell you with all certainty now that the next woman I have sex with will be my wife. And that wife will be named Sheree. Now I think it’s time for you to go, Tee.”
With that said, Graham escorted Teonna out of his house and hopefully out of his life for good. I bet her mother ain’t even sick, either, he deduced as he turned off the TV and went to bed.
Graham was right. Teonna’s mother was as healthy as a horse. In fact, Mrs. Jackson was so healthy that she was scheduled to visit her daughter for a few days, bringing along her own unique brand of torture. As Teonna drove home in quiet desperation, she could just hear her mother’s voice now. “Why aren’t you married yet?”
Chapter 15
After Horace went to pay golf the next morning, Sheree received a call from her outraged father. Allen had returned home and he’d heard all about her plans to remarry Graham. He spoke of being disappointed with both of his daughters now since he’d also heard about Kelly’s plans for a divorce. By the time Sheree got off the phone, her head was pounding and she needed something to help her relax.
Deciding to take a long soak in the tub, Sheree promptly went to the bathroom. The heated water soothed her body tremendously and her headache left almost as soon as she submerged among the pineapple scented bubbles she’d added earlier.
Yes, this is exactly what I needed, Sheree mused, leaning her head back in bliss.
***
Teonna slammed the phone down. This was the third she’d tried to reach Graham today with no progress. He either wasn’t answering his phone or he was strictly avoiding her. Recalling that he was on site at a new house he was renovating, Teonna decided to go there.
As sure as she pulled up in front of the stucco-styled house, she saw the love of her life. Graham was talking to a group of workers on the left side of the house. Teonna blew the car horn and waited for him to come over to her.
Reluctantly, Graham walked over to the black towncar. If last night hadn’t happened, this wouldn’t have been a problem. But since last night had happened, Teonna’s presence on his worksite was totally out of line. As a result, Graham warily bent down and looked cautiously through the open passenger window.
“Ms. Jackson,” he said, addressing her professionally instead of using her nickname. “Why are you here? I thought you understood that last night was the end of our relationship.”
Keeping her face neutral, Teonna forced herself not to respond to Graham’s cool professionalism. Instead she said, “I wanted to apologize for my behavior last night. I wasn’t myself and I’m sorry if I offended you.” Then Teonna swallowed hard to get ready for her next statement. It would require more fortitude than she had before.
“I also wanted to come by and wish you and Sheree a happy life. And to ask if you and I could still be friends. I value your friendship, Graham, and I don’t want to lose it.” I also don’t want to lose you, Teonna added to herself, hoping that he was buying her attempt at sincerity.
Just then, one of the workers called Graham, distracting him from the conversation. After quickly addressing the work related issue, he turned back around and addressed the Teonna issue. “I heard everything you said and I hope you’re sincere, Tee. Because I really don’t need any toxic people in my life right now.”
Seeing his words and the reuse of her nickname as a positive sign, Teonna smiled and exhaled with relief. “Thanks, Graham. You won’t regret this.” And I won’t, either, she added to herself, now ready to proceed to her next destination.
“I certainly hope not,” Graham replied a bit on the hesitant side. He still wasn’t sure that this was the best thing to do. His mother hadn’t been buried a full week yet and things seemed to be spinning out of control. Already Graham was back to his old way of dealing with clingy females. If ever there was a time to cut a relationship tie, this was it. In fact, Graham needed to cut Teonna off with the sharpest scissors he could find.
***
When Sheree finished her bath, she decided to give herself a pedicure. That very act made her feel even better. The yellow tank skirt-set she wore was loose and free flowing – the way she felt now.
Suddenly, the phone on her nightstand rang again. Sheree hesitated to pick it up. She wasn’t in any mood for another one of her father’s tirades. On second thought, it might be Graham, Juanita or Horace, she mused, picking the phone up.
“Hello?” Sheree answered, painting the last toenail before propping her feet up on a pillow to rest while her nails dried.
“Hello, is this Sheree?” asked a female voice.
“Yes, may I help you?” Sheree replied, thinking that the voice on the other end sounded very familiar.
“Sheree, this is Teonna. I was wondering if I could talk to you for a minute.”
Sheree was puzzled. What does she have to talk to me about? Aloud she said, “Uh...sure. What do you have on your mind?”
“Well, I really don’t want to discuss this over the phone. Can I come over?” Please say yes, Teonna willed through the phone.
“I…guess so,” Sheree hesitantly replied, before they rang off. I ask the question again: What could Teonna possibly have to talk to me about? she mused as she got up from the bed.
***
The doorbell rang no later than five minutes after that phone call. With her nails almost completely dry, Sheree slipped on a pair of open-toed mules and went downstairs to answer it. When she opened the six-panel steel door, she was surprised to find Teonna at her house already.
“That was quick,” Sheree said, narrowing her eyes a bit. Something didn’t feel right here.
“I was right outside when I called you,” Teonna explained, attempting to produce a genuine smile at her enemy. Inwardly, she hated the fact that her gray, two-piece business suit looked tense and boring compared to Sheree’s bright, cheerful attire.
Is that what Graham loves about her? If so, I can be upbeat, too, Teonna thought desperately.
Sheree’s cheerful disposition was only part of her charm. Truthfully, Graham loved everything about Sheree. He especially loved how good she’d been to his family and the why she genuinely cared about people. It had been Sheree’s idea to build a recreation center and provide free health screenings for the needy. And while his mother had lived, Sheree had even helped her with the homeless mission.
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