Lookin' For Luv (55 page)
Authors: Carl Weber
“No Denise, I can’t say I ever did,” Antoine took another sip of his brandy.
“Yeah, well you better talk some sense into your friend, or I might just call the chancellor and let him know you’re having a baby outta wedlock,” she threatened. “He might not think that’s such a good example for the kids.” Antoine’s face was expressionless.
“I don’t like people threatening me, Denise,” he said through clenched jaws.
“So talk to your friend, or I just might have to follow through on my threats.” Denise smiled at him wickedly, then turned to Kevin.
“Ya know, you are really crazy, Denise,” Kevin stared into his empty glass.
“Am I crazy, Kevin? If I am, you made me this way. You and that bitch Alicia.”
Kevin still had not looked up from his glass, and it angered her. She grabbed a beer bottle from a nearby table and threw it to the ground.
“Look at me, damn it!” She’d finally gotten his attention, and he turned to face her. “I want you to call off this crazy wedding,” she pleaded.
“Kevin why don’t you go outside and talk to her? She’s creating a little scene here,” Antoine advised. The entire bar was focused on them now, and Benny was headed their way. “We’ll be here if you need us.”
Kevin stood up and headed for the door. The second he was out the door he spun around with clenched fists. “Always gotta have it your way, don’t you Denise?”
“I was perfectly willing to honor and obey. Just like that bitch you’re gonna marry tomorrow.”
“Yeah, well if she’s a bitch, what the hell does that make you?”
“The woman who’s gonna make your life miserable if you don’t call off this wedding.”
“Look, what do you want from me?”
“I want you to call off this ridiculous wedding. You don’t wanna marry her. You’re still in love with me,” Denise stated with certainty.
“You are so wrong. I don’t love you. I pity you.”
“Pity! Why the hell do you pity me?”
“Look at you. Tyrone was right! You look like a crack-head.” Kevin spun her around so she could see her reflection in the window of the bar. “You used to be so beautiful, Denise. What happened to you?”
Denise couldn’t bear to look at her own reflection. “You did this to me!” She turned and began to pound her fists against his chest.
Kevin grabbed her by both wrists. “Denise, you need to let go. I don’t love you. Where’d you get that idea anyway? I never once told you I loved you. I’m gonna marry Alicia tomorrow because it’s her I love. And no one is gonna stop me.” He let go of her wrists and she got right up in his face.
“You think so? Well if you don’t call off this wedding, you’re going to jail for rape tomorrow.” Denise reached into her pocket. “See this? This is the key to your apartment. You probably didn’t even know I had a copy made, did you? I’ve planted enough evidence in your apartment to have you put away for ten years.”
“It won’t work, Denise,” Kevin said confidently.
“Why won’t it? I’m a lawyer, and I think I know enough to get an innocent man put away.”
“You really are pathetic, Denise.” Kevin laughed. “Turn around and look.”
Denise turned to see several people from the bar standing around the entrance to Benny’s. They had come out hoping to witness a good fight, and in her frenzy Denise hadn’t even noticed their presence. Now they had all been witness to her threats of what she thought was a perfect set-up. She had made Kevin’s apartment look like a struggle had taken place, left her fingerprints all over, and even dropped a pair of torn panties near the bed. A public confrontation was to be the final part of her plan. She would confront him at the bar and then later tell the police that the fight had continued at his apartment, where he raped her. But she hadn’t planned to lose her composure and threaten him in front of these people. She sobbed hysterically when she realized how completely her plan had failed.
“You can’t get away, Kevin! I will get what I want!” she insisted through her tears.
“No, Denise. For once in your life, you can’t have everything you want,” Kevin told her as Antoine and Tyrone came to his side. “I’m sure you have enough of a legal mind left to know that I’m the one with the evidence now. If you ever come near me or Alicia again, I’d say I have enough to get your privileged ass locked up, wouldn’t you?” Kevin and his friends headed back to the bar without another word.
Benny approached Denise on the sidewalk and told her as gently as possible that she would have to leave the premises. She never stopped sobbing as he helped her to her car.
“You all right miss?” Benny asked with concern.
“Do I look like I’m all right,” Denise wiped her face and her mascara ran across her face.
“No you look like you could use somebody to talk to.” Benny handed her his handkerchief.
“Well, where the hell am I going to find someone to talk to at this time of night?”
“I’m available.” He said pointing to himself.
“Really?” she was surprised.
“Yeah, there’s a twenty-four-hour diner down the street. We can get some coffee. That is, if you’d like to.”
Denise stopped her sobbing and looked up at Benny. He was old enough to be her father, but his smooth, dark skin reminded her of the man that one psychiatrist had said caused her attraction to black men. She wondered if Benny had the same kind, gentle heart that her childhood chauffeur had.
“We can get some coffee and talk,” she told him almost in a whisper.
“Okay, that’s sounds good. Just let me tell the other bartender to lock up for me.” Benny was back in a flash, and he climbed into the passenger seat of Denise’s car. Glancing at the young blonde in the seat beside him he thought,
This just might be my lucky day
.
This just might be my lucky day
.
Inside Benny’s, Kevin, Antoine, and Tyrone sat down with a few more drinks. None of them mentioned Denise. It was as if the whole incident outside had never happened. Each of them was more interested in sharing this time with his friends on the night before Kevin’s marriage. As they reminisced, the men recognized their good fortune. Each was thankful for the bond they had forged and the support each had given and received. They knew theirs was a friendship with great value, one that each of them planned to hold onto like a precious treasure for the rest of their lives.
First Baptist Church of Jamaica was standing room only as over three hundred of Kevin’s and Alicia’s friends and relatives crowded into the church to watch them exchange their vows. Tyrone and Antoine stood next to Kevin, dressed in traditional black tuxedos. He had asked both of his friends to be his best men. Alicia had six women, including her own sister and both of Kevin’s, assisting as her bridesmaids. Their sophisticated, burgundy-colored dresses complemented her straight, fitted gown, made from the finest silk. Michael carried the rings down the aisle, dressed in a miniature version of the tuxedo that Kevin wore. Simple white bows and a single lily decorated the entrance to each pew, as a symbol of the peace the couple had found with each other. And Mama sat in the front pew, her eyes glistening with tears of joy.
Minister Thompson delivered a few opening remarks about the spiritual gift of love that the two were privileged to have found together. This was greeted with a chorus of “amen” from various members of the congregation. Then the minister began the traditional ceremony that would end in the exchange of vows and their first kiss as man and wife.
Kevin and Alicia stood nervously before the minister, holding hands. They were both so happy to be where they were and eager to start their life together. The minister addressed the congregation with that phrase that has been heard at countless weddings before.
“If anyone here knows any reason why these two should not be joined together in holy matrimony, speak now, or forever hold your peace.”
There was the customary silence after the minister’s request, during which Kevin actually had a vision of Denise busting through the church doors to state her objections. He squeezed Alicia’s hand tightly during the moment of silence as the minister waited for anyone to speak. Kevin breathed a sigh of relief when the minister continued the ceremony uninterrupted. The rest of the service was picture perfect.
The minister offered up thanks and praise for the joyful union of these two young souls and then pronounced them man and wife. Joyful applause filled the church when Kevin and Alicia exchanged their first wedded kiss. Michael rushed between them, and they swooped him up in their arms.
The guests followed behind Kevin and Alicia as they walked back down the aisle. They burst out of the church doors into the warm September sunshine, prepared for whatever their future held.
Epilogue
Maurice sat in the comfortable leather recliner in the office of Doctor Jerome Stanley. He had been visiting the psychiatrist’s office for the past ten months, and Doctor Stanley was amazed at the speedy progress this patient had made. When he left the prison after his visit with Diane, Maurice had finally made the honest choice to change his life. He had hidden nothing of his past and his behavior from the doctor, and didn’t even balk when the doctor suggested he go for an AIDS test.
As terrifying as the prospect was, Maurice had the test done. He thought for sure that as some sort of poetic justice for all of the women he had abused, God would strike him down with the horrible disease. When his results came back negative, he felt he had been given a second chance and vowed to learn from his mistakes.
When Sylvia contacted him about their pending divorce, he signed the papers without any battle. He was finally giving her back the life that he had taken away so many years before. In return, she was actually very fair in the financial settlement, leaving him with the money he had earned over the years and only keeping her family inheritance. Maurice had even been able to salvage his relationship with his daughter, Jasmine, who now lived in the city.
As they wrapped up another session, Dr. Stanley complimented Maurice on his accomplishments over the course of their work together.
“You know, Maurice, I have to admit, when you first came in to see me, you were a real son of a bitch. I had some serious doubts about whether or not I could help you.”
“I know, Doctor Stanley. Believe me, I know. But I can’t tell you how much better I feel. Things are really starting to stabilize for me. I’ve even started going to church regularly.”
“That’s encouraging news. The next time you come in, I’d like to hear more about this wonderful woman you’ve been seeing.”
“She really is special. And I know I’m getting better. In the six months I’ve been with her I haven’t even thought about another woman!” Both men laughed, for they knew this was a true milestone for Maurice.
When Maurice made it back home, he put his key in the door, whistling. He was happy, genuinely happy. Life was starting to feel right for him. And he had a good woman by his side. He smiled, as he smelled the fabulous scent of spices wafting from underneath the door. His new friend was in his beach house in Sag Harbor preparing a special dinner for him. As part of his therapy, Maurice had agreed to abstain from sex until he and the doctor mutually agreed that he was ready. His girlfriend had amazingly understood, telling him she thought most people rushed into sex too soon anyway. He felt as if this woman had been sent to him as some sort of redemption, and he was incredibly grateful. He knew he had a long road to recovery, but planned on having her by his side the whole way.
As he opened the door, he stuck his head in and called out softly to the woman he knew he was falling in love with.
“Shawna? I’m home.”
A READING GROUP GUIDE
LOOKIN’ FOR LUV
CARL WEBER
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
The suggested questions are intended to enchance your group’s reading of Carl Weber’s LOOKIN’ FOR LUV. We hope you have enjoyed this hilarious trip through the perils of 900 numbers and the never truer phrase “be careful what you wish for.”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Could you relate to any of the characters? Were any of them someone you could imagine dating?
2. Did your opinion of Kevin change when he began an interracial relationship?
3. What did you think of Denise?
4. With their widely differing backgrounds, did you find it unusual that Tyrone and Sylvia would be attracted to each other?
5. What was your first reaction to Shawna’s gender issue? Were you surprised by Antoine’s reaction? Do you think it was reasonable for him to question his own sexuality?
6. What did you think of Blanche Peterson?
7. Do you know someone like Alicia?
8. Who did you feel happiest for in the end?
9. Did Maurice get what he deserved?
10. After reading this book, would you use a 900 date-line to meet someone?
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