Scarlett (21 page)

“Sounds good,” Mrs. Jones said. She cut her eyes at Sheila as she turned to walk out. The office door opened up just as they reached it and Mrs. Grand came walking in.

“Hey Honey, it’s nice of you to stop by.” Greg spoke.

“Hi Baby,” Mrs. Grand responded, walking in and looking Mrs. Jones up and down. “Hey girls,” she said, looking over at Scarlett and Sheila.

Sheila stood up with a smile on her face. “Hey, Mommy.”

“Uh, hi Mrs. Grand,” Scarlett responded.

“Anne,” Mrs. Grand said as if that was her way of speaking to Mrs. Jones.

“Felicia,” Mrs. Jones responded. “How are you?”

“I’m good, never been better. I see I stopped by just in time. Y’all were just heading out.” Mrs. Grand asked.

“Yeah, I was walking Anne to her car and explaining what kind of work we did to it today.”

“I see,” she said. “Don’t let me stop y’all. I’ll be waiting when you come back in.”

She knew she couldn’t get too rowdy, because she understood Greg’s business, and she also knew that if it wasn’t for his customers they wouldn’t be living the way they were.

“Okay,” Greg said, kissing her on the lips.

Mrs. Jones had already walked out. She probably was hella embarrassed by this point. Greg walked on out behind her. Once the door was closed completely behind him, Sheila walked over to greet her mom with a hug.

“You look good, Mommy. What brings you over this way?”

“I was coming to take your daddy out to eat today.”

Sheila smiled. “I think that’s sweet and you couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.” Sheila laughed while looking over at Scarlett, who had made her way back behind her desk. She didn’t even want to look up at Sheila by this time, because she didn’t care for Mrs. Grand all that much.

“I told you, Mommy. That lady is usually all over Daddy.” She tried talking in a low tone as if she was hiding what she was saying from Scarlett, but Scarlett could hear her.

“Something told me to stop by here this morning. I think I need to stop by more often to keep an eye on my husband and the women who make themselves very comfortable around him. Don’t you think so, Scarlett?” she asked with sarcasm.

Scarlett was shocked that she’d even direct that question at her.

“It’s nothing wrong with that, Mrs. Grand,” she politely responded. “If that’s what you feel you have to do.” Scarlett quickly looked over at her desktop computer screen.

“It’s not what I feel I have to do, but more of like what I’m going to start doing.” Mrs. Grand acted as if she had an attitude. “I get tired of these women tryna push up on my husband. They’re gonna make me snap one day.”

Scarlett still wouldn’t look up. She felt like Mrs. Grand was on to her and Greg messing around. At that moment, she wished they would get back on Mrs. Jones and leave her out of it.

“Mommy, how about Scarlett had the nerve—”

Greg walked in and cut Sheila off. “So honey, what brings you over this way?” He was surprised himself that his wife stopped by.

“I thought it would be nice if I took you out for lunch instead of you having to eat here at the shop today,” she said.

“Is that right?” Greg asked.

“Yep, that would be right. I know it’s a little earlier than when you normally take your lunch break, but we’ll find something to kill the time.”

Greg smiled, but knew that his wife was up to something. He couldn’t help but wonder if Sheila had been running her mouth about the women flirting with him when they’d come in to get their cars fixed or checked. He looked over at his daughter and smiled. The smile was one that Sheila didn’t quite know how to interpret.

“Alright, honey, if you wanna take me out, then I’m all yours. Le’me wash up before we leave.” Greg headed down the hallway into the restroom.

Mrs. Grand looked back at Scarlett then Sheila. “Baby, what were you saying about Scarlett before your daddy walked in?”

Scarlett looked at Sheila strangely.
I know this bitch ain’t tryna call me out
.

“Nothing Mommy… It was nothing, really,” she said as Greg came out of the restroom.

“I’m ready… So, let’s go. I’ll go inside the shop from outside and tell the fellas that I’m gone. Sheila, tell Jay when he comes in at noon to change Harold’s oil on the Blue Tahoe, and check his AC to find out why it’s not blowing cold air like it should.”

“I will, Daddy.”

“Y’all hold down the fort and I’ll return later.” Greg led the way and Mrs. Grand followed him. She glimpsed over at Scarlett and winked her eye. Scarlett smiled back, but still didn’t know how to take Mrs. Grand, because if she was as nasty and lowdown as her daughter, there was no telling what that wink meant.

Noon had come quickly; maybe it was because of the drama that had occurred earlier. Scarlett was looking in her mirror to make sure she didn’t have any boogers up her nose, and that her hair was still in place. She was anxiously waiting for Luke to come pick her up and rescue her from the crazy bin that she was working in. She was still excited about the time he was spending with her, because she had been craving this type of attention all her life. Her phone rang.

“Hey honey.”

Sheila looked over very surprised that Scarlett was even talking on the phone with a man in that way.

“Hey sweet thang,” Scarlett grinned in the phone. Luke just had that effect on her. “Are you ready?”

“Yeah, I’m ready, and I’m walking out now.” she said.

Sheila stared at her. “I’m just so shocked to see this new person,” she stated. “It’s like you’ve changed overnight.”

“Sheila, to be honest I’m glad I did, and it’s even better that I did it on my own terms.”

“I must say that I love your new attitude, but I’m really going to have to get used to it. You used to be this shy girl who didn’t care about fixing her hair or getting her nails and toes done. Now you’re doing it all. It still amazes me.”

“I’m sure it does Sheila, and I’d rather discuss this a little later. Right now, I have a hot date with a very handsome guy,” she said, knowing that this would truly get under Sheila’s skin.

“Okay, I hear you and I’ll see you when you get back,” she responded in a low tone as if she was just a wee bit jealous and unhappy about Scarlett’s life moving in a positive direction. Scarlett could hardly hear her, but she didn’t care because she hurriedly headed for the door to leave.

Jay was getting out of his car at the same time Scarlett was exiting the building. He looked over at her. Inside he felt bad that he wasn’t the standup guy to bring her out of her shell and show her what it’s like to truly be loved and respected. Now, he had to sit back and watch her possibly be happy with another guy. It seemed strange to him that she was so full of spirit these days. He looked over to see where she was heading as he shut his car door and headed toward her to go in the office.

“Hey Miss Scarlett,” He spoke with a smile.

“Well, hey Jay,” she responded, continuing to ease by him.

“You can’t stop and holla at your boy?” he asked.

She looked back at him and stopped in her tracks. She knew she could dis him over the phone, but it was something about Jay that still tugged at her heart.

“What’s up, Jay? I’m heading to lunch with my friend.”

“Oh, okay so that’s who’s driving that Mustang. Is that the same dude I met the other night?”

“Yeah, it’s him.” Jay was still just as handsome to her as he was when she first met him. He looked her over and admired how nice she cleaned up. She was beautiful.

“I’ll let you go, but have fun and don’t drink too much. Remember you have to come back to work so I can get another look at you before I clock out for the day. Since you won’t let me come over to see you after hours no more.”

Scarlett laughed a little and walked off. She didn’t even want to respond to what Jay had said. Jay walked off and Scarlett got in the car. She leaned over and kissed Luke on the lips.

He smiled. “Wow, I told you that outfit would look good on you. You look amazing.”

“Thanks, baby, if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be dressed like this.”  

“You ain’t seen nothing yet. I like for my girl to look good,” he said making her blush. She liked him referring to her as his girl.

“Who was that dude you were just talking to, baby?”

“He’s just somebody who works here,” she answered, but knew deep in her heart that Jay was much more to her than just a co-worker.

“He looks familiar, that’s why I asked.”

“He’s the one you met the other night when we were in Publix.”

“Oh, yeah, I knew I’d seen him before.”

“He probably looks different in his work uniform.” She said, and then quickly changed the subject. “Well, let’s go, because I want a margarita with a shot of Patron,” Luke laughed. “They need to make it two shots of Patron. I’ve had a long morning,” she said, grinning then reaching over to playfully hit Luke on the arm.

Luke pulled out of the parking lot, heading to Cheddars to take his lady out to eat. 

She looked over at Luke and couldn’t help but smile. For the first time in her life, things were going great for her, but uneasy thoughts surfaced of Sheila’s earlier behavior. Sheila was hell bent on making her life miserable, but she had other plans for the evil bitch. She could play dirty if she had to, and she would before she’d let her so-called best friend destroy everything she’d worked so hard for. Her phone beeped from an incoming text message.

Hey sis. Just wanted you to know that I won’t be home when you get here. Ant

And where might you be? Red

I’ll be chilling with Samantha. We’re going to the movies, then Red Lobster, followed by a nice walk at the River Walk. Ant

Okay lil Bro. Just be careful and have fun. Red

I will Sis. Ant

Luke looked over at her because she seemed to be caught up in her texting. “Oh it’s just my brother.” She assured him.

“Is he okay?” Luke asked.

“Yeah, he’s good.” she said, but thoughts of him really being in a good space at that point didn’t sit well with her. He certainly seemed to be on the right path and leaning toward love, however he was just a guppy swimming in a tank full of sharks. Blinded to the fact that Mrs. Grand would never approve of him messing around with her daughter, and because of that, he’d never be totally happy. His situation was one that she’d have to work on, but he wasn’t going to get hurt by Mrs. Grand or anybody else for that matter. She’d give her life to protect his, and she meant that.

“Are you okay babe?” Luke asked, sensing a little tension in her.

Scarlett quickly shook her uneasy thoughts as the kind look in his eyes assured her that everything was going to be okay. 

She smiled. “I’m good baby. As a matter of fact I’ve never been better.” She leaned over and kissed him softly on his cheek. “Nothing can take away this feeling of knowing that I’ve finally met someone who totally adores me and doesn’t mind showing it.”

“Nothing could ever change the way I feel about you. You’re special to me.” He said. Scarlett smiled as her phone rang. She quickly answered it.

“Hey, Nina.”

“Hey, Red. Whatcha doing?”

“Riding out with Luke for a nice lunch break at Cheddars,” she responded.

“That’s nice.” Nina said, hating to be the bearer of bad news. “Well, I hate to rain on your parade, but I got a phone call a minute ago from Phaedra.”

Scarlett listened closely as the name, Phaedra, brought back memories. This chick grew up in their neighborhood and ran the streets with them. She was just a big a hoe as she was. Sleeping with anybody for whatever they could get, just to be able to eat a decent meal. Phaedra was once in their circle, but moved when her daddy hit the lottery for a quarter million dollars and they never looked back. Scarlett hadn’t seen her since. 

“Okaaaay, and is she okay? We hadn’t heard from her since she moved.” Scarlett responded.

“Actually, you have,” Nina stated.

“I’m not reading you, Nina.” She was totally confused by this point.

“Phaedra is Faye, Luke’s ex-girlfriend’s best friend.” Nina quickly informed her.

Scarlett was speechless. She didn’t know what to say.

“Um, are you saying that—”

Nina cut in. “Yes, I’m saying that Phaedra knows who you are and she’s not one of us anymore.”

“I’ve noticed.” Scarlett stated as she thought back at how bougie and unreal Phaedra looked. She was totally unrecognizable standing next to her new best friend.

“She says she has access to a video that you were supposedly in with Suave and Sean.”

Scarlett’s heart skipped a beat as she thought about being fucked by both men at the same time. Her stomach all of a sudden felt queasy as thoughts of her slutty past were beginning to resurface.

She took in a deep breath, clearing her throat. “Really,” Scarlett said, trying her best to figure it all out. Phaedra was definitely present when the whole sexcapade took place, but there was never a video recorder, unless it was hidden. “What else did she say?” She nervously asked.

“Then the bitch hung up.” Scarlett was speechless. “Don’t worry, Red. Wait till I see her ass. The only thing that’ll be exposed is that black eye I’m gonna give the hoe.”

Scarlett looked over at Luke as he parked the car in an empty space at Cheddars.

“Okay, Nina, thanks for that information. I’ll have to hit you back later, though.” she said, ending the call. The last thing she wanted was for Luke to know that she was bothered and feeling uneasy, but she couldn’t help herself.

“Are you sure about that?” She asked Luke quickly.

“Sure about what, sweetheart?” he asked.

“Nothing could ever change the way you feel about me.”

Luke looked at her strangely, knowing that the phone call from Nina couldn’t have been a friendly one, but no matter what, he completely adored her to the fullest.

“Yes, I meant that.” he said, trying his best to calm a storm that hadn’t yet erupted, but from the look in her eyes and the sound of her troubled tone, he’d already predicted that it would definitely hit soon.

“Good,” she whispered, as she patiently sat, twiddling her fingers, waiting for him to open up her car door.