Carl Weber Presents Full Figured 6: Plus Size Divas Page 8

  “Did you guys see the black version, all-star cast of Steel Magnolias the other night?” Erika asked, looking up.

  “Damn, I missed it. I meant to set my DVD to record it,” Carla said. “I got tied up, literally,” she said with a mischievous smile on her face.

  “I didn’t see it either. How was it?” Nobia asked. “I loved the original. Made me cry.”

  “I have never sobbed so much in a long time. I just bawled like a baby. And that Ouiser, my favorite, was a mess; Alfre Woodard played that role and made it her own. Queen Latifah was good as well in her role as M’Lynn,” Erika shared.

  “Personally, I get sick and tired of Hollywood remaking movies with an all-black cast. Don’t get me wrong; I enjoyed it the other night, too, but why can’t the powers that be film and produce original works by black artists? What’s next? A remake of Beaches?” I asked. “Or, Urban Cowboy?”

  Everyone, clients included, nodded in agreement. Around that time, the newly installed bell on the front door chimed and all eyes instinctively went there to see who had come in. Even I did a double take over the young cub who had entered our establishment. I typically enjoyed a mature, salt-and-pepper, sophisticated, more polished look, but this young man had every female in the shop drooling, including me.

  “Hello, ladies.” He smiled, showing off a dimple in his cheek. I also noticed a deep cleft in his chin.

  “Hi. Hello. Hey. Hey, yourself,” rang out a chorus of womanly greetings.

  He looked amused, standing before us in his jeans and white T-shirt with tan laced-up work boots.

  “Just the person I was looking for,” he said, staring directly at Erika.

  For a second, she looked like a deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car. Did she blush?

  “You are Erika Kane, the owner of this salon?” he asked, extending his right hand.

  Erika left him hanging. We were all pretending not to listen to their conversation, but my ears were wide open.

  “That would be me,” she said almost like she couldn’t bear to speak, forcing each word out.

  “I’m Jacob.”

  Nobia piped in. “I remember you. We met you awhile ago, at the Mexican restaurant up the block.”

  “You did.” He smiled again. “I told you that I’d be seeing you around.” He looked back to Erika. “Miss Kane, or is it Mrs.?”

  “It’s Mrs.” She smiled stiffly. “I’m a widow.”

  “My uncle, the owner and operator of the barber shop, Regency, next door, asked that I come over and apologize for all the noise that we are keeping up over there.”

  “Oh, it’s going to be a barber shop.” Nobia smiled.

  “Hopefully, with lots of fine men partaking of its services,” Carla joined in. “There’s nothing better than a little eye candy.”

  Destiny quietly observed Jacob. She had kept a low profile since her return.

  Jacob laughed. “Our apologies for the disturbance. Me and my crew, we try to do the bulk of the work at night.”

  “You wouldn’t know it,” Erika murmured.

  “If it’s any consolation, we are almost finished with the project.”

  “Good.”

  “My uncle will probably drop by later to say hello.”

  “Okay,” Erika said flatly. “Anything else?”

  Jacob stared at her with an air of amusement and she boldly glared back, but it was clear that something was going on between the two of them. There was chemistry. Women can pick up on these things. Jacob and Erika were not strangers. There was something in the body language, the stares, and their entire demeanor that told the true story and gave it away.

  “Jacob, are you a barber? Nobia asked.

  “No. I’m in the construction field and I’m helping out my uncle in between jobs as I’m thinking about relocating to Georgia from Chicago.”

  “Damn. Too bad. I thought we would have the opportunity to see you every day,” she said, clearly flirting now that she no longer had a boyfriend. We all were constantly reminded of that fact and she continually asked us to fix her up with any eligible men we might know.

  “Mrs. Kane, by the way, you are looking lovely today,” Jacob said, switching the subject again. “Red looks good on you.”

  I think Erika actually blushed again.

  “Thank you,” she said dryly.

  “You’re welcome,” he said, licking his lips in an LL Cool J–type fashion. This was better than watching a soap opera.

  “I’ll be in the back working on paperwork if anyone needs me.” Erika promptly walked away, leaving Jacob standing there. He watched her sashay away and shook his head in disbelief.

  “She’s something else. I guess that’s my cue to leave.”

  “Yeah, a true piece of work,” Carla said, catching my eye.

  “It was nice meeting everyone. Take care, ladies,” Jacob said as he made his exit. Nobia’s eyes followed him out the door and up the sidewalk. She was almost drooling.

  I had a feeling that things were about to get interesting. Real interesting with the arrival of Jacob.

  Destiny’s Shame

  Chapter 20

  After the incident with Ray, I tried my best to keep a low profile at the salon. I came to work, worked my ass off, and stayed even after everyone else had left with the exception of Erika. I was still embarrassed that my personal life had spilled over into my professional one. I didn’t want my peers to see me as someone who couldn’t pick a decent guy. Lately that appeared to be my mode of operation; losers flocked to me.

  The women in the shop had been great. Basically, they pretended like the entire ordeal never took place. One evening Loretta and I found ourselves alone in the shop. We were cleaning up our stations and ordering supplies for the following week; the distributor was stopping by the next day. I saw her watching me out of the corner of my eye as I handled the task at hand.

  “How are you doing, baby?” she asked, taking a seat in her chair.

  I shrugged my shoulders. “All right,” I answered with no real enthusiasm.

  “Good. All right is still better than not good. If you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here for you, Destiny. Anytime.”

  “I appreciate that, Miss Loretta,” I said sincerely.

  “I’m glad to see that you are back on your feet and you didn’t let your plight defeat you. You’re a survivor, child.”

  “I’ve seen a lot in my lifetime and I guess you could say I’ve learned to be just that: a survivor.”

  “Amen. God’s got you. Don’t ever forget that.”

  “And it doesn’t hurt that I have earthly angels in my life in the form of you, Miss Erika, Miss Carla, and Miss Nobia.”

  “That is so sweet, Destiny. I’m touched.”

  “I mean it. I’ve enjoyed working here and having you guys as coworkers and, most of all, friends and mentors.”

  “You keep holding your head up high and walking in God’s grace, child. Soon, you’ll be more than all right.”

  I nodded as I finished wiping down my chair.

  I heard Miss Loretta sigh and take a deep breath. “I’ve been in your shoes before and I know what you are going through.”

  “You?” I asked in disbelief. “No.”

  “Yes, me. Years ago. I was in an abusive relationship and it took moving here, to Atlanta, to escape from my abuser.”

  “Wow.” I took a seat in my chair as I became a captive audience.

  “I loved that man so much and you couldn’t tell me that he didn’t love me. When he said jump, I asked how high. In my innocence, I thought he was extremely jealous and controlling because he loved me.”

  “What happened? How did you get away from him?” I asked with growing interest.

  “You were lucky. It took me ending up in the hospital with broken bones and a concussion. When they discharged me, I left everything behind. I realized if I didn’t, he would eventually kill me. My parents were already dead and I’m an only child, so I didn’t have anything or a
nyone to miss me. I used my last few dollars to get on a Greyhound bus bound for Atlanta, Georgia, and never looked back.”

  “I never would have known.”

  “Why? Child, domestic abuse doesn’t have a face. All races, ages, and ethnicities are affected. It doesn’t discriminate.”

  “Very true.”

  “Not many people know my story; I don’t share a lot of my personal life, but I thought you needed to hear it to know that you aren’t alone. Just know that no one is judging you. We love you. What you went through was a life lesson you need to put behind you now, grow from it, and never repeat again.”

  “Thank you. I needed to hear your story, Miss Loretta.”

  “Are you about ready to get out of here? We can walk out together.”

  “I think so,” I said, standing up and grabbing my purse as Miss Loretta turned off the lights.

  “Just know that no one is perfect. From the outside looking in, it may appear that way, but don’t be deceived. Okay?”

  “Okay,” I responded, not really sure who or what she was referring to.

  “Erika is good people, but her life isn’t perfect. Neither is she.”

  I walked out the door, wondering where that came from and why.

  Bang, Bang, Bang

  Chapter 21

  Every single day, we endured hours of hammering, drilling, and unknown loud, annoying noises from next door. We couldn’t wait until they finished whatever they were doing over there.

  “Damn. I don’t know if I can take another day of this shit,” I said to no one in particular.

  Nobia responded, “I know what you mean, Carla. At least the clients aren’t complaining though.”

  I laughed. “Why would they? They are being treated like queens by being served champagne, grapes, cheese, and crackers for their discomfort and they are making a big party out of the commotion.”

  “Another plus is that we get to see Jacob nearly every day. He definitely isn’t bad on the eyes. At all.”

  It was true; Jacob stopped by on a regular basis to say hello, get change, or just chat on his break, and I noticed Erika always disappeared during his short visits and never had much to say to him.

  “I must admit he is fine,” I shared.

  “The word ‘fine’ doesn’t even do him justice.”

  “What’s the deal with him and Erika?”

  “What do you mean?” Nobia asked, curiosity lighting up her face.

  “Erika doesn’t care for him and there appears to be history between them.”

  “You know how Erika can be. Her way of looking down on him is simply her way.”

  I looked on in disbelief because that was the first time I had ever heard Nobia say anything less than complimentary about Erika.

  “Looks like there is chemistry between them that is familiar.” I flashed back to the night I caught them together. It was still my secret.

  “Erika and I met him at the same time, at the Mexican restaurant down the block.”

  “You sure about that?”

  “Girl, Erika wouldn’t give that young buck the time of day. He flirted with her that day but she didn’t even bat an eyelash.”

  “Oh really.” I thought, Yeah, that’s what you think, and that’s what she wants you to think, but she gave him something or some all right. He was tearing it up.

  Nobia smiled a devious grin. “What’s with all these questions? If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were interested in Jacob.”

  “Let me set the record straight. Number one: I don’t do babies. Number two: I don’t do broke. Number three: I don’t play sugar mama. If I got with Jacob, that’s what I would be doing . . . one, two, and three.”

  “You and Erika must be blind.”

  “Now in one, two, and three, I never said that he wasn’t fine, don’t get me wrong. He is very easy on the eyes and he gets a sista hot thinking about what she could do with what’s between his legs.” I laughed. “But like I said before, I don’t do broke. He’s not that damn fine.”

  The Showdown

  Chapter 22

  heard Jacob out front nearly every day. He would be flirting with the clients, as usual. What could I do? Not much without coming off looking bad in the eyes of my customers. They adored Jacob and he wasn’t hurting anyone when he dropped by for a few minutes, most days now.

  During those times, I would make up random excuses to head to the back to my office, if I was on the floor, until he left. I’m sure the ladies noticed, I’m sure he noticed, but I couldn’t help myself. I didn’t enjoy being in the same room as Jacob. I would definitely stay away after what happened last night. I almost gave into temptation, again.

  I was alone in the shop, preparing to turn off the lights, turn on the alarm, and lock up, when a dark shadow appeared at the front door. It was Jacob. He knocked gently.

  On my side of the glass, I asked, “Yes, Jacob?” with clear annoyance in my tone. I was ready to call it a night and go home and relax. I didn’t have time to deal with him.

  Jacob smiled and motioned for me to let him in. Against my better judgment, I unlocked the door.

  “Erika,” he said, walking in with his usual swagger. “What’s up?”

  “How can I help you?” I asked, stepping back a few feet because he was all up in my personal space. I hated that with a passion.

  Jacob frowned. “What’s up with you?” he asked. “I can’t figure you out. You run hot and cold.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with me. I could ask you the same thing.” I frowned, already not liking the direction this conversation was suddenly taking.

  “I come up in here almost every day and you act like I’m carrying the Black Plague or some other deadly disease.”

  “Exactly. Why are you in my place of business all the time? Are you stalking me? Was it that good?”

  He laughed halfheartedly. “You are a trip, Erika. I’m still trying to figure out who told you your shit is the bomb. You ain’t all that.”

  “I never said I was.”

  “You don’t have to say a word. It is clearly written all over your smug face and how you carry yourself. You think you are better than me.”

  “Okay, I’m not going to argue with you,” I said, holding up my hand.

  “And who said I was stopping by to see you?”

  I grunted as if in pain. “What do you want, Jacob? I was getting ready to lock up and go home.”

  “That’s a good question. What do I want?”

  I stood with my hands on my hips, waiting for him to finish so I could show him the door.

  “Do you really want to know, Erika?”

  “I asked didn’t I? I’m not going to stand here all night playing silly games. I don’t have time for this shit.”

  “That smart mouth is going to get you in trouble one day.”

  “It hasn’t yet,” I shot back. “Again, what do you want from me?”

  “I want you to stop acting like some stuck-up, bourgeois bitch and acknowledge me. Be the woman from that night,” he said, lowering his voice.

  “Ha, acknowledge you how?” I laughed in his face.

  “You don’t have to announce to the world that we were intimate, but damn, at least act like I exist. You couldn’t get enough that night, but now you don’t know me?”

  “Whatever. I don’t care, Jacob. Get over it.”

  “I believe you were saying way more than that the night I hit it in your office.”

  “Again, I really don’t care. I told you that night it was a one-time deal.”

  “I wanna fuck you again,” he whispered, leaning in toward my ear like he hadn’t heard a word I said. “Maybe I want seconds.”

  I had heard enough and I started walking toward the door. “This is going nowhere. I think you should leave.”

  “Why? Because I’m speaking the truth?” he asked, stepping in front of me, blocking my path.

  “Move out of my way, Jacob.”

  “Or you will what? See, you are o
ne of those women who like to control situations and their men. I’m not the one, baby.”

  “And you are one of those men who like his woman fawning over him and his dick. I’m not the one, either. Now go.”

  “I will. I’m not going to disrespect your spot, but first I simply want you to admit we had sex and you enjoyed it. That’s all.”

  “Why? Why does it mean so much to you?”

  He ignored my questions. “It’s just you and me here. No one will hear you and your image will remain intact. Your secret will remain safe with me.”

  “I will say no such thing to stroke your inflated ego. You and I both know what we did.”

  “Admit you liked it, liked it a lot,” he whispered, reaching for my left breast.

  “Stop it!” I shouted, attempting to slap his large hand away.

  Jacob squeezed harder. “You like that. You know you do, Erika. I had you figured out the minute I saw you walk into that restaurant. You are a woman who enjoys sex.”

  Jacob proceeded to slowly back me into the far back corner of the shop, to Destiny’s station. He continued to expertly knead my breasts through the sheer fabric of my blouse as he turned and stood behind me with his erection pressing into my backside.

  “Stop it. Someone may see us from the street,” I said, barely above a whisper as I attempted to catch my breath as I moved and took a seat in Destiny’s chair. I couldn’t tell if I could not breathe because he excited me or because I was frightened of where the situation was headed.

  “No one can see us in this corner and you locked the front door already,” he said, aggressively pulling up my blouse and pushing my bra to the side. My breasts tumbled out. He bent to lick each nipple, one then the other. “You don’t know how much you turn me on, Erika.”

  I think I purred as his thumb flicked a swollen nipple while he suckled the other like it was a delicate flower.