Turned Out Saga (12 page)

Champagne chose not to spend the weekend focusing on the fact that she saw Candy at the club. She would have to decide whether to address the issue or leave it alone. Today wasn't the day to make that decision. She needed to clean the house and prepare dinner for Zyair and their company. How she would get through this day with the hangover she had, she still didn't know, but hope was alive and if she finished it early, she'd be able to lay down before the guests arrived.

As a matter-of-fact, she was going to have to lay down if she wanted to be a gracious host. The reason she extended the invitation was because she wanted to get to know this Khalil character a little better. After all, he was spending a lot of time with her best friend. Earlier that day, Zyair was on the phone and mentioned the dinner get-together to Thomas. “Is Alexis bringing that new nigga?”

Zyair didn't recall telling him. “How do you know she's with someone?”

“I saw your girl and she told me.”

“Oh.”

“Well, is she bringing him?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, I'm coming too.”

“No, you're not.”

“Why not?

“Because I know you. You've got a thing for Alexis, and I can see you starting some shit.”

“Man, please, I won't bust his ass. I just want to see the knucklehead. Plus, ain't nothing like a homecooked meal.”

“I don't know, man. I don't think Champagne is going to like this.”

Just then, Champagne walked into the kitchen. “You don't think I'm going to like what?”

Zyair didn't answer. He handed the phone to Champagne.

“Hello?”

“What's up, beautiful?”

“Quit brown-nosing and tell me what I'm not going to like.”

Thomas, never one to bite his tongue, said, “I want to come over for dinner.”

Normally, Champagne would have thought about it but this time, she didn't. They could both evaluate this Khalil character. “Okay, just don't come empty-handed. Bring some wine or something.” She passed the phone back to Zyair, who was staring at her in disbelief.

She turned around to finish cooking. “What?”

When Zyair and Thomas finished talking, Zyair walked into the kitchen and stood in front of Champagne, his arms crossed. “Okay, out with it.”

“Out with what?”

“You're up to something. I can feel it.”

Champagne tried to walk around him but he kept blocking her path.

“I don't know what you're talking about.”

Zyair placed his hands on her hips and held her in place. “Don't start any trouble.”

Champagne kissed him on the lips. “I'm not.”

Zyair released her, not believing a word she said. “Is he coming by himself, or is he bringing someone?”

“He's bringing someone.”

“Okay.”

That afternoon Champagne was able to take a nap.

When she woke up, she noticed Zyair had fixed the table and cleaned the kitchen.

“Thanks, sweetie,” she told him.

“You're welcome.”

A couple of hours later, they found themselves dressed and sitting in the living room watching television. Champagne heard someone pull into the driveway. She walked over to the window, opened the blinds and saw a Quicksilver Cadillac EXT. She watched as Khalil got out of the driver's side and went around to open the door for Alexis, who had a box in her hand. She quickly closed the blinds and opened the door.

She greeted Alexis with a hug and said hello to Khalil.

Before she could close the door, another car pulled into the driveway. Thomas climbed out of his black CLK 350 and noticed everyone standing in the doorway, looking his way. He glanced at the EXT and then at Khalil.

The young lady he was with was still sitting in the car.

“Are you going to open the door?” she asked him.

He walked over and let her out, as Alexis and Khalil went into the house and Champagne waited at the door.

Champagne hugged him and pulled away. “Thomas, who's your date?”

By now Zyair was at the door, looking at Champagne out of the corner of his eye.

“This is Diamond.”

Champagne noticed that Diamond was stunning. “Hi, Diamond. Come on in.”

Once everyone was in the same room together, introductions were made, and Champagne took the box from Alexis.

“It's dessert.”

“Oh, shit,” Thomas said, “I left the wine in the car. I'll be right back.”

Zyair followed Champagne in the kitchen. “You need to tell me what's going on.”

“Nothing. Why do you keep asking me that?”

“Because I know you.”

Champagne started laughing. “Stop worrying so much. Let's just enjoy the evening with our friends and their dates.”

When they walked back into the living room, Diamond was asking Khalil if she knew him from somewhere.

“No, I don't think so.”

“You just look so familiar to me.”

“Well, you know what they say, we all have a twin.”

Thomas was looking Khalil up and down. It was so obvious that Zyair bumped up against him.

“What?” Thomas asked.

“Let me show you something.”

Thomas wasn't stupid. He knew Zyair was trying to get him out of the room to lecture him.

“Nah, man, show me later.”

“Come on, everyone, let's have a seat and get to know one another.” Champagne pointed toward the seating area.

For the next hour, conversation flowed back and forth freely. They learned that Khalil was one of the partners for a construction company and that he grew up in Atlanta and moved to New Jersey to help one of his sisters, who was having problems with her husband, and ended up staying.

Champagne noticed that Diamond kept staring at Khalil like she knew something no one else did.

Thomas stood up to go into the kitchen to get some ice, and less than a second later, Champagne walked in behind him.

“So what do you think of this Khalil guy?” she asked him.

“I don't know. It's something about him I don't like.”

That was just what Champagne wanted to hear. “I feel the same way.”

They exchanged a look. They both knew that a more in-depth discussion had to take place later.

Dinner proceeded in an uneventful manner, and surprisingly everyone got along fine. Champagne still felt suspicious about Khalil and couldn't get past the instant dislike she felt for him. She had to admit to herself that she played it off pretty well.

When the time came for the party to end, Champagne said, “We should do this again.”

They all agreed, and Zyair and Champagne walked everyone to the door.

Alexis asked Champagne, “What are you doing tomorrow?”

“One of my clients has a book signing.”

“Oh, okay. Then call me when you get a chance.”

Champagne stood next to her client, Hunter Irby, whose self-help book,
Lovin' the Skin You're In,
was on numerous bestsellers lists. She noticed that Hunter was fading fast. This was the second signing that day, and they were both tired and hungry.

Champagne leaned over and whispered in Hunter's ear, “It's almost over. Put a little more pep in your step and then it's a wrap.”

Hunter looked at her and plastered a smile on her face in readiness for the next reader.

This was part of Champagne's job, keeping the clients on their toes, making sure they presented themselves in the best light possible. Champagne didn't attend every event with her clients. There wasn't enough time but sometimes she liked to show them how important and valuable they were to her. Soon she would be attending events even less, once she was able to hire a couple of more people.

After two hours of shmoozing at this book signing, Champagne just wanted to go home and relax.

Hunter was getting out of her seat so they could pack up and leave, when a woman came running over. “Wait, wait,” she said.

Champagne looked up. “You've got one more,” she told Hunter.

Hunter already had the book signed when the lady reached the table. Her pen poised for the name, she asked, “Who do I make it out to?”

“Sharon Simmons.”

Upon hearing the name, Hunter looked up and started laughing. She stood up and reached out to give Sharon a hug. “Oh my God, what are you doing here?”

“I heard you were doing a signing and had to come see you.”

Champagne took Sharon in with her eyes. She didn't know what had gotten into her. She was checking women out a little too often now and was hoping it wasn't noticeable.

Facing Champagne, Hunter introduced them to one another. “Sharon's a childhood friend of mine.”

Extending her hand out for a handshake, Champagne said, “Pleased to meet you.”

Sharon started laughing. “Girl, I don't shake hands. I hug.” She placed her arms around Champagne and pulled her close, adding a little squeeze. “So what are you ladies about to do?”

Champagne shrugged.

Hunter looked at Champagne. “Well, let's go to dinner,” she volunteered. “My treat.”

Champagne's plan was to go home and cook dinner but there was something about this female's energy that she was feeling. She found herself wanting to know a little bit more about her. “Now, you know I'm not one to turn down a free meal,”

“I know a nice spot. It's about twenty minutes from here. A friend of mine owns it. Is that too far?”

“What kind of friend?” Hunter asked. Sharon laughed and winked.

Champagne wished she was in on the joke.

“Let me give you ladies the directions, and we'll meet there,” Sharon told them.

Twenty minutes later they stepped into the restaurant. Sharon asked the hostess to get the owner.

“May I ask your name?”

“Tell her it's Sharon.”

Less than five minutes later, the owner appeared. “Sharon,” she greeted her, and they kissed on the lips. Champagne noticed the owner's hands were almost touching Sharon's ass and that she'd also closed her eyes when they kissed.

“Hunter, Champagne, this is Barbara.” Everyone said hello.

“Follow me,” Barbara told them as she led them to a booth that seemed to be hidden away in the corner.

Once they were seated, Barbara told them she would send someone over to take their order. As she walked away she said, “Sharon, don't leave without saying good-bye.”

“Oh, I definitely won't.”

Over the course of dinner, Champagne learned that Sharon was gay, not bisexual, that she liked women only. She wondered if she was “her type.”
Stop it. Stop thinking these thoughts.
It was thoughts like this that made her question herself. What if she was really gay and just in denial?
Nah, that's not it.
This was just a moment, a phase she was going through.

When dinner ended and they were walking to the car, Sharon pulled out a business card and handed it to Champagne. “It was a pleasure meeting you. Call me sometime.”

Champagne told her, “I enjoyed meeting you too. I'll definitely give you a call.” She gave Sharon her card and placed Sharon's card in her purse. She noticed Hunter watching them with an amused look on her face. Thank God, she didn't ask any questions.

“We'll be in touch,” Hunter told Champagne when Sharon drove off.

“That, we will.”

When Champagne arrived home, Zyair wasn't home, so she called Alexis up. There was no answer, so she did the next best thing and went to bed. The day had been exhausting, and it was a rare moment when she got to turn in early.

* * *

Monday finally arrived. Zyair and Champagne were standing in the kitchen, Champagne making an espresso and Zyair peeling open the eggs he'd just boiled.

Zyair knew Champagne had something on her mind. She'd been quieter than usual that morning. After slicing the eggs, he asked her, “What's on your mind?”

“Huh?” Champagne pretended she didn't hear him.

“Where's your head at? You seem lost in thought this morning.”

She wasn't lost in thought, she was thinking about Sharon and wondering when and if she should call her. If she did, what would they talk about? Would they go out to lunch? Would she be the female she slept with? Of course, she wasn't going to tell Zyair any of this.

“I'm just trying to organize the day's activities in my head.”

“What do you have planned?”

“My new person is starting today.”

“That's exciting.”

Champagne didn't find it exciting. If anything, her nerves were shot.

* * *

Once Champagne arrived at the office, she was relieved that she'd told Candy to arrive at one p.m., as opposed to nine a.m. Now she had a chance to think about how she would handle Candy seeing her and Zyair at the club. Maybe she should just act like it wasn't anything. Sometimes the best thing is to do nothing at all. Shaking her head, Champagne decided not to focus on that. What she needed to do was put together a list of duties that need to be completed by the end of the week. So far, Champagne had nine clients. Their professions ranged from writer to company CEO.

Each client needed something different, whether it was booking interviews, making flight arrangements, putting their calendar together, making sure they showed up when they were supposed to, and on and on it went. She definitely needed someone to start right now. Four employees including herself would be ideal but right now she'd settle for three—herself, Candy, and another.

The pickings were limited. Nobody she'd interviewed to date had what it took. Champagne was considering hiring an intern from college or someone straight out of college. The more she thought about it, the more it seemed like a good idea. If she did that, she would be able to mold the person. Initially, she'd wanted someone with experience, but she realized that it sometimes came with attitude.

After making several phone calls, typing up a to-do list and, working on her company's Web site, Champagne glanced at the clock. She couldn't believe it was twelve already. Only one hour left before Candy showed up. Maybe less because, during the interview, she'd mentioned being a stickler for time.

Champagne needed a break and decided to run downstairs to the cafe and grab a salad and something to drink.

Over the past couple of weeks, before going upstairs to her office, she'd made it a habit to grab a cup of tea and the newspaper. The owner of the cafe always spoke to her, and today was no exception.

Champagne was waiting on her salad when the owner walked over. She couldn't remember his name for the life of her.

“So how's business going?” he asked.

“It's going. I'm having a hard time finding another employee.”

“What kind of position is it?”

“Administration, and assisting me.”

“I just might know someone.”

Champagne couldn't hold it in any longer. She had to tell him she forgot his name.

“That's okay. It's James.”

“James, in case you forgot, I'm Champagne.”

“I haven't forgotten.”

Champagne could hear the flirt in his voice. As long as he didn't try to come on to her, it was all good. “So who is this person you have in mind?”

“My niece. She just moved here from Virginia, and she's looking for a job.”

“What kind of experience does she have?”

“I'm not sure but she's smart and can type. I'm not just telling you that either. After all, you know where I work.”

Champagne laughed. “Call her. I'll be more than willing to meet with her. I'll bring a card down later.”

The girl behind the counter gave Champagne her order, and Champagne paid for it and went upstairs.

She glanced at the clock and saw that she was downstairs for twenty minutes. “Damn.” She only had fifteen or so minutes to eat.

Champagne sat at her desk and ate a portion of her salad, still wondering once again what she was going to do about Candy seeing them. She was almost certain Candy wouldn't bring it up.

It was five to one when Candy knocked on Champagne's open office door. “Hello.”

Champagne was startled. She was in the middle of filing and didn't hear Candy walk in. “Hey, how are you?”

“Excited about my first day.”

Pulling the chair out from behind her desk, Champagne sat down and told Candy to have a seat. Before she could even sit down, she said, “On second thought, let's sit at the table. That way I can go over a few things with you.”

Looking at Candy, Champagne knew that she wouldn't be able to move forward without bringing up and moving past the fact that they'd seen one another over the weekend. Crossing her arms and leaning back in the chair, Champagne cleared her throat. “There's something we need to discuss before we move on to my expectations.”

Candy had an idea what she was talking about. Of course, she wasn't going to bring it up, but she was glad Champagne did. She was curious to know whether her boss was gay and who she was with. Was it her husband, a friend, a brother, a lover?

Candy was well aware of the fact that a lot of couples frequented gay clubs to add spice to their relationships. As a matter-of-fact, she'd taken part in a couple of these escapades. Is that what Champagne's outing was about?

“This weekend we saw one another out, and I want you to know that what's done outside of this office, on personal time, is just that-personal. If seeing me out is going to affect how we work together, you need to let me know right now.”

Champagne chose her words carefully. The more she'd thought about it, the more she felt it unnecessary to justify or explain why she had been at Fantasies. It was her and Zyair's business, not anyone else's.

Damn, that's all she's going to say.
“No, of course not. We're both adults, and it is what it is.”

“Good.” Champagne uncrossed her arms and slid the folder across the table. “Inside are some forms that need to be filled out. Once you're through with them, we'll go over your job description and what's expected.”

Candy took the folder, opened it, and pulled a pen out of her purse.

Champagne stood up. “I'll be in my office. Let me know when you're done.”

In less than fifteen minutes Candy knocked on the door. “I'm done.”

For the next half an hour, Champagne filled Candy in on her expectations. She told her that over the next two weeks, she would be responsible for answering the telephone, taking detailed messages, and going through the files, and learning about the clients, amongst other things.

Candy was anxious to get started. The only part of the job description she wasn't feeling was the answering the phone part. She didn't take this job to be a receptionist.

Just as she was thinking it, Champagne told her, “You won't be answering the phone for long. I'm looking to hire another person.”

Together they determined for the time being that Candy would work from twelve to five p.m. Champagne did explain to her that in this line of work she had to be flexible and that some evenings and some Saturdays were required.

“Don't worry, you'll know in advance when you're needed, and we'll work something out as far as the normal hours go,” Champagne reassured her. She also gave Candy a tour of the office. “Until I hire someone, you'll sit up front. Hopefully, that won't be for long, then the office to the right is yours.”

Candy looked to the right.
Damn, my own office space.
She was liking that.

By the time they finished talking and going over how Champagne liked things done, it was four p.m. Champagne was worn out from talking. “You can leave early today.”

“Thanks.” Candy put up the papers she was looking over and told Champagne she would see her tomorrow.

When Candy left the office, Champagne breathed a sigh of relief. It felt good to finally have someone else in the office. It made it feel like a real business and not a one-person show. She knew that running her own business was going to be a challenge, but she just didn't realize how much of a challenge it would be.

Champagne was starving. She never got a chance to finish her salad.
I bet you it's soggy now. I know I should have had them put the dressing on the side.