The Joneses (2 page)

“Baby Girl, calm down. Your card was declined because I had the card cancelled.”

“Daddy, how could you? I depend on that card for my shopping needs.”

Charity.
I had to laugh as I thought of her name. We sure picked the wrong name for our oldest daughter. She didn't have a charitable bone in her body. Charity had a “me, me, me” attitude. I blame myself for spoiling her.

“The company is going through some changes right now. Once we get a handle on things, you'll get a new Visa and your world will be perfect again,” I tried to assure her.

“But, Daddy. I have an event to go to tonight. I had the perfect outfit, but had to leave it at the store.”

“I know you have plenty of clothes with the tags still on them in your closet.”

Charity pouted. “Yes, but still. I wanted something new.”

“I suggest you go shopping in your closet. Or better yet, get a job so you can finance your own shopping sprees.”

“Daddy, I can't believe you said that.”

“Look. I've already had to deal with your mom and her attitude today, and I refuse to deal with yours. Now if there's nothing else, I'm going home. It's late, so I suggest you do the same.”

I refused to entertain Charity and her tantrum. Without another word, I jumped in my truck. I watched Charity from the window of the driver seat, as she huffed and puffed before getting in her sports car. She turned her music up as loud as it could possibly go and sped away.

I let my window down and detoured to the liquor store before heading home. I had a feeling I was going to be in for a long night, and the only solace I planned to get was at the bottom of a liquor bottle.

I
can't believe my dad just dismissed me like that. Doesn't he realize it's embarrassing to be at your favorite store and have the clerk smirk in your face when she tells you your credit card is declined? To make matters worse, the clerk was the same chick who tried to steal my senior prom date seven years ago.

“Whose car is this?” I asked out loud while pulling in beside Hope's car. Hope was my baby sister by two years.

The black truck wasn't familiar. I was barely through the doors of our townhouse when I heard loud, erotic sounds coming from upstairs. I rushed up the stairs only to see Hope with her behind in the air, as some dude was pounding inside of her.

Hope didn't even have the decency to close her door. I closed it for her. They stopped.

Hope hurried from the room. She looked frazzled. “I'm sorry. Thought you were gone for the day.”

“Who is that?” I asked.

“Some dude I met last week at the club.”

“Hope, are you serious? Why do you keep bringing home these strays? You're going to catch something if you don't stop what you're doing.”

“All of us aren't prissy like you.”

“All of us aren't sluts like you,” I responded. I dared Hope to come after me because after the day I'd had, I was ready to rumble.

Hope backed down and went back to her guest, closing the
door behind her. I went into my bedroom. A few minutes later, I heard the front door shut.

I sat at my desk going through my bank account when I sensed Hope standing in my doorway.

“He's gone. Satisfied?”

“He was your guest, not mine.”

Hope took the liberty of sitting on my bed without asking. “So what has your panties in a bunch?”

I turned my chair around and faced her. “Maybe I shouldn't tell you and let you find out on your own, but since I'm a good sister, I'll save you the embarrassment.”

Hope looked at me with a confused look on her face. “Spill it.”

“Daddy cancelled all of our credit cards. So, I hope you have some money saved in your bank account.”

“What? Are you serious? I was supposed to go to New York next week with some friends. I haven't even bought my plane ticket yet.”

“Well, lil' Sis, I guess The Big Apple will have to wait.”

“I'm calling Dad. I don't believe you.”

Hope has always been a spoiled little brat. I called the toll-free number on the back of my credit card and put it on speaker. I pressed the key to announce the credit card balance. The voice read, “No funds are available for purchase.”

“Are we broke?” Hope asked, sounding worried.

“I'm not. I have some money in my account.”

“All of us aren't you. I only have a few thousand dollars. That's not enough for me to live on.”

“I'm going to tell you like Daddy told me. I suggest you get yourself a job.”

“A j-o…,” Hope started to say. “I can't even say it.”

“Yes, I know. Hard to believe that we have to look for work, isn't it?” I smiled.

“Charity, how could you laugh at a time like this? This is no laughing matter.”

“I have to laugh to keep from crying.”

“So what are you going to do?”

“I have two degrees, so I guess it's about time I put one of them to use.”

“I guess.”

“I'm going to go by the art gallery in Shreveport and see if I can get a job there. Something part-time, of course.”

“Of course,” Hope responded.

While Hope dealt with the realization that we would have to get jobs, I updated my resume and printed out a few copies.

This had been a long day, but I had an event to get ready for. I pushed my problems aside and got ready to attend what could very well be my last charitable event. If things kept going this way, I would be in need of charity myself.

Two hours later, I was standing behind a podium, facing approximately one hundred and fifty people who were there to support my sorority chapter's annual fundraiser. I gave a heartfelt speech before taking my seat.

Lisa, my sorority sister and best friend since high school, whispered, “Girl, you nailed it.”

I smiled. “Thanks.”

“Also, I think you have an admirer. I haven't seen him around before, so I'll have to ask around and see who he is.”

My eyes landed on the man who had captured Lisa's attention. He looked like he'd stepped out of the pages of a
GQ
magazine. He was dressed in a gray, tailored, pinstriped suit. His clean-shaven
head seemed to glisten as the light hit it. He stood up, stretching to at least six-one. He had the same stance as my dad. He was a tall glass of chocolate that no doubt had every single woman in that room thirsty.

“He's headed this way,” Lisa whispered.

I could see that. My hands started sweating the closer he got to our table. I picked up the napkin and wiped my hands dry.

“Ladies, how are you?” he asked.

“We're just fine.” Lisa responded for the both of us.

“I'm Tyler Williams,” the mystery man said, extending his hand out to me.

I shook it as Lisa continued. “She's Charity and single, and I'm Lisa.”

I wanted to hit Lisa, but instead I gave her the evil eye.

“Charity, your speech was very motivating.”

“Thank you,” I responded.

Tyler removed a business card from his wallet and handed it to me. “Maybe we can get together for lunch or something. My numbers are on here.”

I placed the card in my handbag. “Maybe.”

Lisa said, “She'll definitely call you.”

“I'm counting on it.” Tyler winked his eye and left our table.

“Lisa, you act like I'm desperate the way you kept pushing me off on that man.”

“When was the last time you got laid?”

I didn't respond.

“Exactly. You can thank me later.”

Before I could respond to that comment, Lisa had grabbed her drink and moved on to socializing with other people.

I looked up to see Tyler looking in my direction. He smiled and
winked. My eyes followed his every move until he walked out of the hotel ballroom.

Lisa walked up behind me and whispered, “Like I said, you can thank me later.”

I couldn't do anything but smile.

I
can't believe Charity thinks I'm going to get a job. As long as there are able-bodied men out there, I'm going to find me a sponsor. I can't do a regular nine-to-five job. I tried it once, and it's clear that taking direction from someone else was not in the cards for me.

That's why I'm at the Horseshoe Casino right now, wearing my short, tight red come-screw-me dress with my red stilettos. My hair was fierce, if I do say so myself. Many women have paid hundreds of dollars to have the long, curly mane that's natural for me. Of course, I still pay my beautician nice money weekly to make sure it's always looking just right.

I've turned down several passes from men because after inspecting their shoes, I knew they would not be able to fulfill my needs. One thing Charity and I could agree on, I needed to be more selective about who I give my goodies to. It's way past time that I stepped up my game.
No more strays,
as Charity puts it, for me.

Thanks to my older brother, Lovie, I could play poker with the best of them. I didn't want to chance losing the little money I had, but sometimes you have to take chances. I found a poker table near where the real high-rollers were, and placed a few bets. I'd increased my winnings to a level that would gain me entrance into the back room. I should have taken my huge winnings and left. The average person would have, but I'm not your average person.

I was a woman on a mission, and my mission hadn't been
completed yet. Flashing my kilowatt smile, I gained entrance to the back and sat at the table. I scanned the faces of my competition and placed my bet.

Each one of the players, except for one, threw in their hands. I wasn't one to back down. I placed some chips in the center. The older gentleman licked his lips, smiled, and matched my bet. When all was said and done, I walked away from the table thousands of dollars richer. Mission was partially completed as I pushed away from the table.

“Do you need some help?” one of the men I'd been admiring asked. He smelled as good as he looked.

“Sure, thanks,” I said, as he held my chair while I held my earnings and clutch in my hands.

“I can make sure you get to your car if you like,” the same man stated.

“Who's going to protect me from you?” I flirted.

He laughed. “I guess I should have introduced myself first.” He reached into his pocket and handed me a business card.

I glanced over it. It read,
Tyler Williams, CEO of Williams Construction.
“I'm sorry, but you're still a stranger to me.”

“Let me treat you to a late dinner so we can change that,” Tyler stated.

“I'll think about it.” I walked away. Correction, I
switched
away leaving him standing there watching me go cash in my chips.

The cashier asked, “How would you like this?”

“Since that's a lot of cash, please deposit it directly into my account.”

I filled out the necessary forms and waited patiently while the transfer occurred. Satisfied that I was now $100,000 richer, I turned around to walk back to my new friend. I looked and looked, but he couldn't be found.

Disappointed, I decided to leave and go to another casino. “Hope Jones, is that you?”

I turned to face the familiar voice. “Brett?”

“Brett Simmons in the flesh, baby.” Brett pulled me into a long bear hug.

“Whoa. We haven't seen each other since what…graduation night?”

Brett was no longer the skinny nerd that I befriended to help me with my school work. Gone were the Coke-bottle glasses. His broad chest and defined chin made him very attractive now.

Brett was all smiles. He responded, “I know. It's been a while. Looking good, too.” He admired me from head to toe.

“I try to keep myself up,” I responded.

“Brett, there you are,” a petite woman with short, platinum blonde hair said as she walked up to Brett, and wrapped her arm around his waist.

The woman rolled her eyes at me. I was used to women hating on me. She needed to check her man though, not me. Besides, if I wanted Brett, I could have him. I was his first. Since she wanted to give me the evil eye, I would give her something to really be upset about. I reached into my purse and handed Brett a card with my number on it.

“Brett, call me so we can catch up.”

Brett stuttered, “It was nice seeing you again, Hope.”

“You too.” I rolled my eyes and continued to walk toward the elevator.

“There you are. You disappeared on me,” Tyler said, as he rushed up near me.

I didn't slow my pace. “I'm leaving now.”

“Can I get a rain check?” he asked.

I pushed the down button for the elevator.

I avoided looking at him. “I'll think about it.” I looked down at his feet. His shoes were not run over. They were well-kept. My eyes scanned him from his feet all the way up to the tip of his bald head. I thought about it.

I faked a yawn. “I'm a little sleepy tonight, but if you're available tomorrow night you can take me to dinner then.”

The elevator door opened. “I'm at a disadvantage. You know my name, but I don't know anything about you,” he said.

“I'm Hope. No last name right now. When I call you, you'll have my number.”

“I guess I'll have to wait until then.”

“Good night, Tyler.”

“Good night, Hope,” his raspy voice responded, just as the elevator door closed.

My night wasn't a complete failure after all.

I
enjoyed my job at the club, Bottoms Up. It really wasn't a job to me because I got to be around beautiful women all night and hang out with my boys. I also drank as much as I wanted, even though I rarely drank while on the job. Life could get no better than this.

My cell phone had been blowing up all night with text messages from my sisters, the drama queens. I would call them later during the week. I wasn't in the mood to deal with their homemade drama. They were always going at it, and it took me being the mediator to get them back on track. Being the older brother wasn't always easy.