A Gift of Power
Tumarow walks off the elevator onto the dark tan Berber carpet looking at the red oak desks through the glass cubicles surrounded by rose berry walls trim in oak wood. Her face has a fresh look of joy with just the right amount of clear lip gloss enhancing the fullness. She struts with a pin up hair style looking perfect with a two piece cocoa brown wool dress suit carrying a dark brown brief case. Listening to the sounds of phones ringing, key boards and voices saying: William and White Law Firm made her realize everyday she chose the right decision. She walks over to her Caucasian secretary wearing blonde hair and dark brown streaks with a tight fit move something bright yellow dress and short jacket matching her perky smile.
"Good morning Mrs. Robinson."
"Hello Holly, could you bring me a cup of tea in my office please."
"Yes-You had two calls from someone name Ricardo Hernadez. Oh, your husband had a delivery sent to you it's in your office too."
"Thank you Holly. And I told you to call me Tumarow."
"I know I just thought it would be appropriate for my job to address you by your last name."
"You should have felt that way about that dress your wearing." Tumaraw said.
"Oh-I'm sorry. I'm running a little behind on laundry day this week", Holly says.
Even though she wanted to give Holly a lesson on appropriate job etiquette she understood Holly was not trying to make a fashion statement at the firm. Besides she was to eager to know what Antoine sent her from New York. Tumarow grabs the mail from Holly and walks to her office. The walls were covered in teal green and trim in polar bear white. A picture frame with decedents faces of African-American woman from the eighteen hundreds til present covers her entire back wall making her feel empower every time she enters the cherry wooden door surrounded by glass. A little black box with a white ribbon wrapping around it, sits between her laptop and crystal picture frame with her and Antoine on her black oak desk. She puts her brown cashmere pea coat on the sterling steel coat rack in the left corner, walks over to her desk and lays her brief case on top, she sits in her black leather swivel chair picks the gift up, lays back folding her left arm observing the gift. Antoine knows I love surprises. I only wish he would spend time like he spend money on me. Tumarow shakes it slightly.
"Mrs. Robinson there is a call for you on line one."
She sits up and press the intercom button. "Hello", Tumarow says.
In a strong intimate voice. "Were you surprised." Antoine said.
"Yes. But I'm missing my husband."
"Tumarow baby let's not start. I thought we discuss this-besides if I didn't hustle as hard as I do you wouldn't be able to save for your-your other love."
"You know I only have one true love Antoine." She said.
"Tumarow let's be real. You know I have business to take care of and if I didn't do it those gifts you love so much wouldn't sit on your desk once a week and you couldn't save to get your own law firm started."
"Antoine I have not seen you in four weeks. I rarely get a chance to talk to you often.What am I suppose to feel like?" Tumarow says.
"You wanted this promotion."
"Come on Antoine", she said, "We gone really go there?"
Nawl baby-I'm proud of you. I understand-I'll be home soon."
"Alright." She unwraps the ribbon and opens the box. "Tonie! These are gorgeous-and Judith Ripka-you did spectacular. Wait-who help you pick out a wonderful gift like this?"
"Why couldn't I have chose it." He said.
"If I know my husband-I'd be sitting here holding a pair of gold hoops with my name in the middle-not a pair of rubies surrounded with five karats."
Antoine chuckles. "I guess your right. It was the Jeweler."
"Well-whom ever it was I appreciate them helping you with your innovation." They laugh.
"I know you miss me baby-I miss you too-I just hope that gift can help sooth things over until my return. Which reminds me. How is that Lexus driving?" Antoine said.
"Smoothly-just make sure your home within five days, she added, my body can't take to much neglect. She walks over to the mirror hanging on the wall by the coat rack, grinning trying on the earrings. "You should see them on me to", she says.
"I know I can't wait-I saw these red heels that would look sexy with them." Anotoine said.
"I love you honey but I have to go-there is a civil case that awaits me. Thank you-and I want the long heels. I'll call you later."
"I love you more."Antoine says.
Tumarow turns to see Holly placing a navy blue mug on the desk.
"Holly could you get Mr. Hernadez on the line for me."
"Sure Mrs. Robinson. Is that your gift from Mr. Robinson?"
"Yes. To be honest-I had been dropping hints around the house about a new pair. I just didn't know what they look like or when they would arrive." Tumarow responds.
"There beautiful. And from what I understand he has been sending you a gift once a week for five years straight."
"Yes. Since we've been married."
"Your a lucky woman." Holly says, then she turns toward the door.
Tumarow faces the mirror thinking to herself. I would be if I could get my husband to stay at home with me from time to time, maybe he will-who knows. I just can't believe though-me-a girl from off Dexter would become a wife and a lawyer. She shakes her head.
"Line one Mrs. Robinson."
Tumarow walks over to her desk and presses the button.
"You know-your one of the best secretaries I've had. Quick on your feet-I admire that about you."
"Thank you Mrs. Robinson."
Tumarow pushes the top button on the phone listening to the other line ring. She sits and opens her brief case preparing herself for conversation with Ricardo. A woman voice aphorism: Ricardo Hernadez at law.
"May I speak to Ricardo Hernadez."
"Yes-Is this Tumarow Robinson."
Bolt from the blue Tumarow says, "Why-yes it is."
"Oh, Mrs. Robinson he's been waiting on your call-hold while I connect you." The woman said.
"Thank you." She takes her reading glasses from her brief case puts them on and begins typing on her computer.
"Tumorow what's going on lady. Do you have the statistics for me", Ricardo says.
"Yes. But what your not going to believe is the gap between them both", Tumarow responds.
"Okay-give them to me."
"Well-twelve percent of African-American men by the ages of twenty through thirty-four are incarcerated and one point six percent of white men-same age are too", Tumarow says.
"That's not even half ", Ricardo responds.
"And listen to this-a private prison was sued over education and health services." Tumarow includes.
"So you mean to tell me there not getting adequate assistance", Ricardo responds.
"In the lawsuit it says: inmates attend class for as little as three hours and their contract briefly says they are required to have thirty hours of weekly instructions. And the inmates that are isolated or in detention don't receive education, even after being told they should receive individual instructions." Tumarow said.
"What about Michigan?"
"Michigan has a three point three percent increase-putting us in the fifth largest prison rate." Tumarow concludes.
"At least we're not number one. And this is just for two-thousand three. If we don't do something now by two-thousand thirteen it will be flooded with blacks. Out of that percentage how many are actually innocent. You know what, Tumarow meet me at Sweet Georgia Brown for lunch at one o'clock and we can discuss more." Ricardo said.
"Sure, but I maybe running a little behind I have two civil trials today, so I'll be there as soon as I'm done."
"Alright and keep this under wraps. Tumarow-thanks."
"Oh I got this Ricardo and no-thank you", Tumarow hangs up the phone closes her brief case then gradually lays back thinking to herself. Everything seems to be looking up. She looks to the ceiling. Thank you so much God I could not have done it without you. You are a awesome God. She looks to her computer. Today is Friday December ninth-I haven't heard anything from my girlfriends. I've been so swamp with this new client and my trials I forgot to call Aleda. Wait. She sits up immediately pushes the intercom.
"Holly have you had any messages from any of my girlfriends."
"Yes from Wynetta and Katrina Mrs. Robinson-I'm so sorry. They called every day for the last three weeks. But you were busy in meetings and you made it clear no disturbance unless it was a emergency or your husband. And they never said it was a emergency."
"Any from Aleda."
"No Ma'am."
"Thank you-Oh and Holly, could you order a dozen pink gladiolus and send them to Aleda's office with a card that says: Friendship declines when there is no Forgiveness." Tumarow said.
"Sure Mrs. Robinson."
Tumarow walks over to the coat rack slips on her coat. Hum-it's been three weeks. I'm starting to get the feeling that maybe we need to get to know each other all over. I mean we don't even share the holidays anymore. I'll call Wynetta and Katrina on my way to court. She grabs her brief case and exits the office.
Changing Decisions
Wynetta sits on the red stoop next to her spotless white kitchen counter in her fluffy white robe with peach stripes and a ponytail pulled back. This has to be the best part of the day, the children are off to school and I can enjoy a peaceful cup of vanilla coffee before the morning is over. She takes the white mug and caresses it inhaling the sweet brew aroma it gives. Wynetta notices the fragrance of Black cologne intertwining with her moment.
"Good morning gorgeous."
Feeling the strength of love and intimidation in a gentle kiss on her check she turns to her right to see a six feet light brown clean cut ball man with a full close shave beard wearing a pair of black Levis and a black button up with silver cuff links covering up his well built physic.
"Good morning Cortez. Breakfast is on the table." Wynetta says. She stands and walks across to the red coffee maker. He looks at her. Wynetta grabs a mug from the red cabinet.
"No breakfast this morning. I'll just have a cup of hot joe", he adds, I see the children are off to school." He sits his black brief case on the white counter then pass Tumarow walking towards the glass breakfast table where his laptop awaits.
"Yes. I had a little problem getting Mackenzie off this morning but she eventually came around."
"That's because your a fantastic mom."
Wynetta places the mug in front of him as he opens the computer. She sits across from him.
"Cortez", Wynetta says.
"What do you need to buy today?" He glances at her from the top of the computer.
"Nothing", thinking to herself looking directly at him. How dare you. Is that all my life consist of to you. Spending your money.
"Well-what is it?"
"Never mind." She says.
"Obviously you need something-you said my name. Now what is it?" Cortez said.
"I've been thinking about going back to a University to receive my Masters in education."
"What about the children", he said.
The sound of the typing begin to annoy her.
"We'll I haven't put a lot of thought into it but it is something I have considered."
"I thought we considered," he said, I work and you stay at home raising our children. You know it helps that at least one parent is here when they come home from school. I thought we didn't want them to be raised by society", he added, "like Aleda son."
Wynetta stood up calmly but hurt by the statement from her husband. She folds her arm."Now Cortez you know that is not fair." Wyentta said.
Cortez continues to type two sentences send by email then looks her straight in the eyes closing the laptop without hurry.
"Well it's true isn't it? Look-I know Christopher's father left them and she has to work, I know her situation. But when does that situation include time with her son", he asked.
Cortez takes a sip of coffee, stands up and walks over to his wife delicately grabbing her waste from behind.
"I thought you was happy with me being an architect. I mean I make a good living for the both of us-I don't know about you but I'm glad God bless me with you as my wife. Can we discuss this over dinner tonight-deal."
He places a soft kiss on her neck. Wynetta feels a tingle in her body, turns toward him and gives him a long intimate kiss on the lips.
"I guess so." She said.
"I'll be home at seven-so be dress and ready for a beautiful time tonight."
Cortez picks the brief case up then walks pass the glass table out the white kitchen door into the garage. She sits at the table picks his cup up.Well mine probably is cold by now. The ringing of the phone interrupts her me time. She looks at the red clock on the wall above the table. Who could this be at eight thirty in the morning. I already talk to Tumarow and her I have business to take care of attitude but I'm glad she call well maybe it's Aleda. I'll answer in the basement where I can wash clothes and talk, she thinks.
Katrina drops it low on her oak hardwood floor in front of her burgundy leather sofa in the living room of her one bedroom apartment with her hair pull to the back in a banana clip wearing a pink cotton crew t-shirt and drawstring booty shorts, watching videos on her chrome fifty-two inch high depth television hanging on her taupe color walls. Wynetta grabs the red cordless phone off the white wall in the small laundry room hearing nothing but music.
"Katrina." Wynetta says.
"Yeah. Hold on." Katrina grabs the remote off her black and brown marble coffee table and turns the volume down flopping on her coach folding her legs. "I know it's early but I figure you weren't doing anything but fluffing and folding. You know-by it being Friday and all."
Wynetta takes the color clothes from the tan laundry basket and puts them in the silver LG front load washer."What do you want?" She says.
"I'm in a video in the ATL tomorrow."
"And what does that have to do with me." Wynetta said.
"I need a ride to the airport."
"Why don't you drive your vehicle and leave it at the carport?"
"I didn't want to leave it there." Katrina said.
"Why not?"
"I mean I would-but I'm not sure how long I'll be gone and when I come back I want to come back to a car." Katrina said.
"Have you heard anything from Aleda?" Wynetta asked.
"Nope but she was my next call if you don't say yes or I may just take a taxi."
"How long will you go on with this charade?" decor.
"What charade?" Katrina asked.
"The one your playing-you can't continue to live this life of chaos. All this drinking doing drugs and whatever else that goes on in that world of yours." Wynetta walks in Mackenzie's room onto her pink plush carpet surrounded with white walls covered by pink, purple and yellow flowers.
"Listen here-Wynetta. I'm twenty-seven years old. I'm fully aware of the decisions I chose. I enjoy my life and I'm not gone let you pressure me into settling down-like you, Tumarow or Aleda. Anyway-you still young yourself at thirty-three. Answer me this-do you be this direct with your husband about your life and goals? Because if you don't you need to-and quit worrying about mines."
"Are you done-I'm trying to help you understand that you don't have to live this format of sexuality you believe is what God intended. I adore my family and if I had to marry Cortez all over again I would do it in a heartbeat. A marriage is a blessing all day and I sure would rather be married than to stand alone. Know let me let you in on a big secret-Katrina. Aleda, Tumarow or myself have never made any decisions that would sacrifice our future-let alone ourselves." Wynetta takes the flower quilt off the bed dropping it on the floor then peels the yellow sheets off her bed made like a doll house tossing them on the floor.
"You know what-don't even worry about taking me to the airport. It's to long of a drive to continue this conversation with you. I'll call Aleda." Katrina says.
Wynetta press the end button on the cordless phone looking at it sitting on Mackenzie's mattress. It's to early to be dealing with this mess. I don't understand why that girl just don't get it sometimes. She looks around Mackenzie's room. One thing she is right about. I do need to take charge of my own life. I don't know what's worse the fear of losing my husband to change or not having any girlfriends to change with. Wynette gets up takes Mackenzie's white clothes out her white wicked hamper puts them in the laundry basket and walks out the room closing the door behind her.
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