Here's my contribution to the Spice Anthology ...
Nyoka’s thoughts wandered
to Anif as she chatted with the celebrity chef who had the next guest slot on
the morning show. Days later, she was still thinking about that handsome
Jamaican author who had swept in and captured her with one simple look and
intriguing conversations.
As the filming progressed,
she leaned against a wall watching, but her mind drifted to Anif. She breathed
in hard, remembering the hint of cinnamon on his breath and the shape of his
juicy lips surrounded by the stubble on his face.
The segment ended and she
roused herself. The last time she’d been interested in someone, she’d gone
overboard. Given her current situation, who had time for that?
He’d
be a nice diversion though, as long as he doesn’t get too close.
When she got to the lobby,
Judith, the other makeup artist, brushed shoulders with her on the way into the
building. She smiled wide, but the gleam in her eyes put Nyoka on alert.
“Haven’t seen you since you came back from the coffee shop the other day.”
“I’ve been around,” Nyoka said, but a boulder dropped in her stomach.
The woman had seen her
with Anif.
As her mother would say,
Judith was dangerous, like a snake in the grass.
In the open air, Nyoka
inhaled the summer. This was part of what she liked about Miami, the weather
was similar to home. Minutes later, she skipped up the steps to her
ground-level townhouse and instead of going next door to Aunt Gem’s house, she
went home. Her heart ached knowing Gabrielle was a few feet away, but it was
better to visit the clinic before collecting the baby. If she stopped in,
Gabrielle would fuss when she left again. The thought made her teary, but Nyoka
threw her bag on the bed, then stepped in the shower. She had a thing about
getting clean before going in for treatment.
While Nyoka was bathing,
Sierra, her bestie, came into the apartment using her key. Her job as a flight
attendant meant she kept odd hours, but she was dependable and
supportive.
After her shower, Nyoka
found Sierra sitting on the bed. She had slicked her naturally wavy hair away
from her face and her deep-brown complexion and bright eyes glowed with health.
Pointing to the clothes on the bed, Sierra said, “You’re going out for
treatment?”
Nyoka nodded. “Yep,
today’s the day. Remember I’m doing it at home soon.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve blocked
it on my calendar,” Sierra confirmed.
“Great.” In the mirror,
Nyoka threw her a smile. “What if I told you I met a cool Jamaican guy today?”
Sierra’s jaw dropped open,
then she squealed. “For real?”
“Uh-huh. He’s a writer who
did a segment on the show this morning.”
“Are you seeing more of
him?”
Smiling wide, Nyoka teased
Sierra. “Maybe.”
“Come on, spill it.”
“There’s nothing to tell
yet. But, if I go and mess about with him I could lose my job. The station
frowns on staff and clients fraternizing. Anyway, you know how I feel about men
and relationships.”
Sierra sucked her teeth.
“Pschaw. Don’t let your experience with that bum make you miss out on a good
thing.”
“Honestly, after the way
he used me for a leg-up with his career, it’s not easy to trust anybody.”
“I know, but it’s been
almost two years,” Sierra said, “and you got a beautiful daughter out of it.”
The thought of Gaby
softened Nyoka’s heart. “True that.”
“Enjoy the ride and forget
that wanna-be photographer,” Sierra said, “He isn’t worth your time.”
“Good advice. I think I’ll
take it.”
At the clinic, Nyoka had
time to think but she hated letting DeWayne occupy space in her head and hoped
he wouldn’t turn out to be a problem. He’d followed her Instagram account and
liked pictures of Gabrielle. The message he sent yesterday jarred her.
Can I see my daughter?
She hadn’t responded and
didn’t plan to acknowledge him.
The door of the treatment
room opened and the technician entered to check the machine and her vitals.
Nyoka rested against the back of the chair, swiped the screen on the Kindle,
and checked her social media accounts. Two additional messages from DeWayne
awaited her on Instagram.
I need to talk to you.
If you haven’t changed
your number, I’ll call you later today.
Her heart thumped in a
slow, painful rhythm.
Nothing good could come of
him contacting her. After ending their relationship without a word, what reason
did he have to talk to her now?
In the anthology, SPICE, readers get a taste of the most anticipated fiction offerings of the year.
Readers will enjoy this eclectic blend that will stay with you long after the
pages have been turned.
