Hey Sexy...

NiaJean jumps up from her bed and starts undressing so that she can take a shower to meet up with Brian.  Her phone rings and she looks at it with excitement hoping it’s him calling to confirm the text she received from him a few minutes ago but it’s her friend Brooke.  Brooke has been NiaJean’s friend since elementary school.  She is a lovely cappuccino colored skin young woman with curly locks.  Her parents are very well off and she was raised in Brentwood, California.  NiaJean is the only friend she has that is African American and really the only person that truly understands Brooke.  Brooke’s mother is a beautiful dark chocolate colored skin tone, petite woman and her father is mixed with more vanilla than chocolate, therefore taking on a much lighter tone.  Her mother refused to take any of her Southern roots with her to Brentwood and her father never pushed the issue because he was too busy working to keep them in the lap of luxury so Brooke nor her brother Sebastian was ever exposed to their Southern roots.  Brooke is what you would call a "Spoiled Privileged Princess" who is often misunderstood.  Her parents have decided that its time for her to spread her wings after they invested in her and NiaJean's business.  She is very kind hearted and always means well but is not so great at expressing her good intentions.  She is also very intelligent but due to her flightiness, her intelligence is not always what people see first.  She is often perceived as an “airhead”. 

She and NiaJean started working at the same Real Estate Company where Brooke was head of the Accounting Department and NiaJean was a Realestate Broker.  They both decided to leave the company, partner up and start their own business.  It is a very small property management and brokerage firm but it is constantly growing due to both of their very hard work.

“Hey girl.”  NiaJean answers in an anxious tone.  “Are you ok?  You sound stressed.”  Brooke says.  “I was just getting ready to get in the shower.  I have a date.”  NiaJean says with a slight smile on her face because she’s not sure if she can really call it a date or a hookup.  “Oh really, with what’s his name or someone else?”  Brooke asks.  “His name is Brian.”  She replies.  “Sorry, I forgot.  Considering the fact I’ve never met the man, his name escapes me.”  She says in a sarcastic tone.  “You’ll meet him eventually.”  NiaJean replies.  “Well hopefully sometime this year or at least before you guys breakup.”  Brooke replies but then realizes she just put her foot in her mouth with her comment.  “Thanks for the vote of confidence with my relationship.  How do you figure we’re going to break up?  He might be the man I marry.”  NiaJean replies.  Brooke lets out a short burst of laugher and says under her breath, "And you thought my brother was the one." There is an awkward silence on the phone and she catches herself when she realizes this is the second time she’s gone too far.  “Okay, yeah, maybe he could be the one.”  She says as she forces the unconvincing statement out of her mouth.  NiaJean becomes irritated with the fact that Brooke is not being supportive of her new relationship and quickly changes the subject.  “Whatever, what are you calling me for anyway?”  She asks in an abrupt but endearing tone.

“Umm, I need your help with something.”  Brooke says.  NiaJean is apprehensive about Brooke’s request but responds.  “What is it?  Sometimes you ask me to help you with some crazy stuff.”  Brooke laughs then says, “Nothing crazy this time.  Brandon wants me to cook for him.”  “You, cook?”  NiaJean asks as she tries not to laugh but burst out with an over exaggerated hearty laugh.  "It's not that funny.  Anyway, he says it’s sexy to see a woman cooking a meal for her man and I have no idea where to start.  He wants soul food, which I don't know where that request came from.” She replies.  “When do you want to start learning?”  She asks.  “Like this week!  I don’t want him to think his wife to be can’t at least cook him a good meal every now and then.”  Brooke replies.

“So he wants soul food?  Your man has more soul than you and he’s not even black.”  NiaJean says with a smirk on her face.  Brooke becomes irritated  and a little offended by NiaJean's statement but realizes it's just a joke so she calms herself and asks.  “Are you going to help me or not?‘’  “Ok fine, I’ll help you.”  NiaJean replies.  “Maybe you should cook for what’s his name."  NiaJean frowns at what she thinks is an outrageous statement at first since he hasn't even taken her out to dinner yet nor offered. She chooses not to respond to Brooke's suggestion because she doesn't want to mention their dinner dates that have never taken place.  Brooke continues trying to convince her.  "It’s sexy and maybe he’ll want to stay around for a while.  Your cooking is amazing."  Brooke says.  NiaJean begins to reconsider.  "Maybe but I’m sure it takes a little more than cooking for him to want to stay around.”  NiaJean replies.  “Yeah, you’ll figure that out.  We’ll talk tomorrow about my cooking class.  Go have a good time on your date.”  Brooke says.  “Ok, I will”.  She replies.

NiaJean is getting ready to get in the shower but decides to write part of her blog first.  She sits on the edge of the bed as not to get too comfortable since she’s only going to be there typing for a few minutes.  She opens her laptop and quickly checks her FaceBook account before she begins typing her blog.  A message pops up on her Facebook messenger.  She opens it and there is a message from a man she’s never met before.  The message reads, “Hey Sexy.”  She clicks on the header of the message which takes her to his profile.  She begins researching his profile and sees an array of sexy women posted under his photos.  NiaJean can’t help but think that this message is an invitation to become another sexy post on his page or a hook up.  NiaJean doesn’t answer him back but continues curiously browsing through his profile.  After a few minutes she decides to stop her semi cyber stalking and beings typing her blog.

She places her laptop on her lap, props herself up on a stack of pillows that are behind her back on her bed then begins typing. 

You know, I used to always want to be called “sexy” but what I didn’t realize was there is a misinterpretation that goes along with that name.  The intentions of what a person wants out of a relationship seem to get cloudy because sex is the focus, not commitment and definitely not marriage.  When a man calls you “sexy” at the first meeting, you can forget about anything serious.  Those words usually mean he wants you as his bed partner and he’s not really thinking about much of a future with you.  I’m not saying this is the case when it comes to all men but I have to say this does apply to quite a few.  Remember, men see visual first and heart comes way later.  I don’t know, maybe this is just what happens to me since I’m sure those that read my blog already know I have such great luck in the relationship department.  

NiaJean shakes her head at the computer screen, let’s out a sarcastic laugh and follows with a loud.  “Not!”  She begins typing again.

I  want to be taken seriously as I'm sure so many women desire a man that looks at them first sight and knows she is the one with which he wants to spend his life, not just his night.  I don’t think I want to be called that name ever again…

Her phone beeps and another text from him appears.

“Hey sexy, are you on your way?”

She shakes her head and smiles then jumps up from the bed, closes her laptop and heads to the shower.  On her way to the shower NiaJean says to herself.

“You know, now that I think about it, there are worse things than being called “Sexy”...

It's Time...

NiaJean drops all the shopping bags on the floor next to her bed then takes a deep breath.  She takes her shoes off, sits on her bed and crosses her legs in a butterfly pose.  She opens her laptop and begins typing out of frustration.

Sad to say but some people don’t deserve your help.  If there is someone in your life that you are constantly helping and they don’t appreciate it, maybe it’s time to realize they don’t deserve your help anymore.  I guess…

In the middle of NiaJean typing, there is a knock at her door.  “Come in.”  She yells.  Deja slowly walks in her room with two ice cream sundaes in her hands.  “Hey.”  Deja says with a forced smile on her face.  “Hey.”  NiaJean responds back.  “I apologize.  I got caught up in the moment.  It’ll never happen again.  I would never do anything that compromises Sage’s health or safety.”  Deja says as she hands NiaJean one of the sundaes.  “Ok.”  NiaJean says with a bit of skepticism.  She begins eating the ice cream sundae but doesn’t crack a smile.  Deja sits next to her on her bed and they eat in silence.  NiaJean breaks the silence after a few minutes by saying, “I see you put some chocolate and caramel syrup on it.  Good call.”  “Yeah, I had to do it big on this one.  I even topped it with the nuts and whipped cream.”  She says smiling.  “I see.”  NiaJean says smiling back.  They continue eating with smiles on their faces.  NiaJean stops eating and looks at Deja in a caring manner.  “Deja, I really do believe in you.”  She says.  Deja gives her an appreciative grin and responds, “I know you do.”  They both finish eating their sundaes and Deja grabs NiaJean’s bowl out of her hands, kisses her on the cheek and leaves her room.  NiaJean smiles.  

NiaJean gets comfortable on her bed and gets ready to start typing again.  She deletes her initial comments and starts over.

I guess everyone deserves a second chance if they are trying to change their lives for the better.  The thing that I need to always remember is that it’s ok to do something for myself every now and then even if I’m doing for others.  That is not a selfish gesture, the time has to come at some point in my life where I care about my wellbeing in the same manner I care about everyone else around me. 

NiaJean’s phone rings and it is her stepfather William Rose calling.  William adopted NiaJean when she was three years old so he’s the only father she’s ever known.  He is a handsome mocha colored man who still shows residuals of being a great athlete back in his day.  He tries to stay fit as much as he can but falls into the temptations of his wife’s good cooking more often than not.  He’s always been very protective over NiaJean but let’s her live her life and make her mistakes so she learns from them.  He is a man who believes that there are always lessons to be learned in life.  Though he advises her on many issues in her life, he allows her to face her failures but is always there to pick her up when she needs him.  Though he is not perfect, he is constant.

NiaJean answers her phone, “Hey dad.”  “Hey baby girl, I’m just calling to check on you.”  He responds.  “I’m good.”  She says.  “How’s it going with this new dude?”  He asks.  NiaJean has a worried look on her face as she answers her father’s question.  “Ok, I guess.  It seems like we can’t get it together.  It’s like either I’m busy or he’s busy all the time.”  “Do you feel like he’s worth your time?”  He asks.  “Yes.”  She answers with confidence.  “Then don’t give up on him yet.  Good wine takes time.” He says in a smooth voice.  “You are so corny.”  She says and they both laugh.  “You get my point.”  He says through the laugher.  “Yes, I do.”  She answers as she leans back on her pillow and gets comfortable for the rest of their conversation. 

“What’s going on with your sister?  I still haven’t heard the end of the encounter your mother had with her earlier.”  He says with concern.  NiaJean rolls her eyes and hesitates before she answers as she contemplates whether or not she should tell him about the smoking incident.  She decides not to and answers, “Nothing, she’s fine.  You know mom overreacts when it comes to Deja.”  “Alright, you know I try to let you girls make you own way but let me know if you need me to intervene.”  He responds.  “Ok.”  She answers.  “Don’t forget, prayer works too.”  There is no response from NiaJean so her father backs off by saying.  “I’m not going to preach to you, I’m just reminding you.”  “I know, I hear you.”  She says reassuringly.  There is a moment of silence in the conversation as NiaJean has no further response so her father breaks the silence and says, “Alright baby girl, I’m getting ready to take your mother out with her fine self.”  NiaJean cringes but doesn’t answer.  “Love you.”  He says.  "I love you too.”  She responds.  Before they hang up, her stepfather makes one more comment.  “Give that young man a little time.  I know patience isn’t always on your side.”  “I’m working on that.”  She comments back.  They both say goodbye and hang up the phone.

Before NiaJean puts her phone on the charger she begins scrolling through the pictures.  She comes across a picture of her and Brian together in an embrace.  She snuggles deeper into her pillow on her bed and stares at it as though she’s going to jump into the scene.  She begins talking to the picture. 

“I know things take time but if we take this relationship any slower, we may as well stop!  It's time to take this to the next level Mr. Brian!” 

In the middle of her staring at their picture she gets a text on her phone from him…

“I need to see you now!”

House Rules...

NiaJean walks into the kitchen with her mother Andrea and they are carrying shopping bags full of new clothes.  Her younger sister Deja is in the kitchen standing at the counter making a sandwich.  Deja is a cute slender tomboy type girl who has her own unique artistic style.  She is more of a milk chocolate skin tone with a twist of caramel and has the beautiful distinct features of her mother.  She is an artist that is still trying to find her niche in the world and their mother Andrea disapproves of her approach to life in general and makes a point to express her opinion every chance she gets.  

Andrea gives Deja a look of disapproval then sits all the shopping bags down in one of the kitchen chairs.  NiaJean gets ready to take the bags that are in her hand to her room but decides not to leave Deja and her mother in the kitchen alone for fear of them getting into one of their frequent heated discussions.  She sits at the kitchen table and shifts through the bags of clothes in an effort to detour from the fact that she’s actually acting as a mediator.

Deja takes a deep breath because she can feel her mother’s stare burning a hole through her.  She tries to ignore the daggers coming from her mother’s eyes as she continues making her sandwich without looking up at her face.  “What up ma?”  She says as she nods her head in her mother’s direction.  Andrea frowns at her then takes advantage of the open door of communication by asking, “Deja, when are you going to move out of your sister’s basement?”  Andrea leans closer to her and tries to look at her face but Deja continues looking down.  “And you look like you’re high.”  Andrea makes her statement without clearly seeing whether or not it’s true.  Deja quickly finishes making her sandwich and puts everything away.  She gets the potato chips out of the pantry and piles so many on her plate that a few fall onto the counter.  She picks up the ones that fell on the counter and shoves them in her mouth but still hasn’t answered her mother. 

Andrea continues standing there in a frozen position frowning as though her look is piercing through Deja.  Deja finally looks at her mother while she nonchalantly places another chip in her mouth but still doesn’t speak.  “Deja, you do hear me talking to you?”  Andrea asks with irritation.  Deja finishes chewing her chip then answers with a sense of sarcasm, “Don’t start this today please.  It’s so nice outside, you just went shopping.  You should be in a happy space right now.”  Deja throws her hands in the air and twirls around like she’s doing a happy sway.  Her actions irritate Andrea even more as she tenses in anger.  NiaJean jumps up from the kitchen table and gets her mother something to drink in an effort to calm her down then gives Deja a look as to tell her to stop with the sarcasm.  Just as Andrea begins to speak again…

Sage skips into the kitchen smiling and singing but doesn’t realize the room is filled with tension.  “Hey Grandma!  Hey Mommy!  What’d you get me?”  Sage asks with excitement.  NiaJean quickly hands her a bag of clothes and Sage gets ready to run out the room but stops for a brief second and looks at everyone in the room.  She can finally see the tension on their faces as her eyes widen.   She quickly resumes leaving the kitchen.  “Thank you!”  She says with a big smile on her face.  “You’re welcome.”  NiaJean answers as Sage skips away happily. 

Andrea is still intensely staring at Deja with her hands on her hips but decides not to speak for fear she might say something she’ll regret.  Deja becomes irritated with her mother’s judgmental gesture and picks up her plate of food.  “I’m out.”  She says as she walks away.  Andrea is furious as she watches Deja leave the room.

NiaJean picks up the bags that are on the kitchen chair and tries to rush out of the room before her mother starts complaining about Deja but she is stopped by her mother’s words.  “She is so disrespectful! I don’t think that girl is ever going to get her life together.”

“Mom, she’s getting her life together, it's just not in the way you think she should.” NiaJean says in her sister’s defense.  “Where, what is she doing?  I don’t see it.”  Andrea asks.  “She’s starting school and she’s working on some art and music stuff.”  She answers.  “Do you know how many times she’s said she’s starting school and hasn’t done it yet?”  Her mother says in anger.  NiaJean is not in the mood to argue with her mother about Deja so she makes an attempt at one more positive reply to her mother before dismissing the subject.  “She’ll be fine.  She has to do it in her time, when she's ready.  I think she’s on the right track.”  She reassures her.  “I hope so because something has got to change with her, she’s not getting any younger.”  Her mother replies and is getting ready to go on another rant but NiaJean stops her before she gets started.  “I really don’t want to talk about Deja anymore mom.”  Her mother looks at her with disappointment expecting NiaJean to indulge her in further conversation but NiaJean doesn’t say another word to her mother just sternly looks her in her eyes. 

Andrea gets the hint then prepares to leave and says, “I’m going to go.  Your father and I have a date tonight.”  She smiles at NiaJean as her thoughts change and NiaJean smiles back.  “Have fun.”  NiaJean says as she touches her mother’s hand.  “I will and I’m wearing the new sexy dress I just bought.  I’m getting some tonight.”  Andrea shakes her shoulders at NiaJean as though she’s doing a sexy dance.  NiaJean cringes at the thought of her parents having sex.  “TMI mom.”  NiaJean replies.  Her mother looks at her and rolls her eyes.  “Like you don’t know anything about that.”  She shakes her head at NiaJean then walks toward the front door.  “Give Sage a good bye kiss for me.”  They hug and Andrea dances out the door in a peppy mood.

Sage walks into the kitchen right before NiaJean leaves to take the rest of the shopping bags to her bedroom.  “Mommy, I’m hungry.”  She says.  NiaJean is surprised to hear this since she just saw Deja in the kitchen making a sandwich for herself.  “Didn’t Auntie Deja feed you?  She asks.  “She did but I'm hungry again.  Something smelled funny downstairs." NiaJean is shocked and instantly becomes irritated as she pulls food out of the refrigerator for Sage.  “Like what?" She asks curiously.  “I don't know, like something was burning or something" NiaJean is boiling inside but keeps her cool in front of Sage.  She fixes her something to eat and puts her plate on the kitchen table.  Sage sits down to eat and NiaJean heads downstairs as her adrenaline increases with each step.

She tries to keep her cool as she walks down the stairs but bursts with anger when she sees Deja lounging on the couch watching TV, looking high.  “Deja!  Seriously?  Were you smoking in my house and around my daughter?”  Deja sits up on the couch and answers with attitude. “I didn’t smoke in front of her, I would never do that!"  NiaJean stares at her like she has lost her mind then scolds her.  "Were you friends here? I told you I didn’t want any of this around my daughter.”  Deja’s attitude becomes more intense.  “You are such a hypocrite, you smoke and it wasn't anywhere near your daughter!  We went outside!"  She snaps. 

NiaJean is taken back by Deja’s response but tries to remain civil instead of jumping on the couch and strangling her.  This is an act she seriously considered but refrained from it since Sage was upstairs relying on her to stay out of jail.  “First of all, I don’t do it in my house and second Sage doesn’t know.  And third, this is my damn house and I need you to follow my damn rules!  This is the last time I’m going to tell you about having your friends in my house.”  “They weren’t even here that long.”  She says in a dismissive tone.  “Well I don’t want them here at all.”  NiaJean replies.  “You are so paranoid.”  She replies as she blows NiaJean off.  “No Deja, I’m a mother with responsibilities which is something you seem to know nothing about.  Damn it I can’t believe I vouched for you with mom!”  She yells.  “Don’t vouch for me then!”  Deja yells back.  “Next time I won’t!  I should've known you weren't trying to do different!”  NiaJean marches up the stairs and slams the door. 

Her phone rings and she looks down at it.  It’s him calling…”Shit!”  She screams but doesn’t answer...