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Chapter 2

Finally, I am dressed, wearing a pair of black, wide-legged dress pants with a silk print blouse that compliments my figure from all sides. I look in the mirror, trying to decide if I will go with a neutral eyeshadow or a color that will pop and accent my honey-colored eyes and high cheekbones. Devin stands there, admiring me because I am his beautiful wife. I unwrapped my hair after applying my Mac make-up.

I look up, only to see Devin staring extremely hard in amusement, like I am a dream come true. I ask, “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Devin says, “You are so beautiful. I would have never imagined a girl like you marrying a guy like me. I am a bad boy from a damn good family, but that didn’t matter to you. You loved me anyway! Sometimes I don’t even think I am worthy to be your husband.”

“Baby, why are you saying those things?”

“No reason, just no reason.”

“Well, I married a good man with a good heart and head on his shoulders. I am done with my face. Do you have time for breakfast?”

“No, I got to meet Kelly for a breakfast meeting downtown that I might be late getting to.”

“Well, okay then, don’t be late. You know how your father is about promptness.”

“Yes, I know, Taylor, don’t remind me. I might be a little late for dinner, but we can meet for lunch today at 1 p.m. Is that a good time for you?”

“Yes, let’s meet down by Navy Pier and eat at one of those restaurants.”

“Let’s meet at DMK Burger Bar & Fish Bar at 1 p.m.”

“Ok, honey, text me if you’re running late, then I will order drinks for us.”

“Taylor, I promise I will let you know if I am running late… I promise, baby.”

“Okay, well, I am going to make me some breakfast.”

“Oh, I see you greedy this morning.”

“What, Devin?”

“You are greedy, eating breakfast twice huh?”

“Oh, my goodness, I can’t with you this morning. You got jokes. Now you know I have not eaten anything this morning. I have been playing with you since 6:30 a.m.

Devin is now laughing at me as I turn around with my arms folded. “Okay.” I play along for the hell of it. “So, what did I eat so early this morning, Devin?”

“Baby, you had me this morning.” He grins from ear to ear.

“You are crazy,” I say and I walk out the room.

I head out the bedroom to the kitchen downstairs. I flip the light switch on in the kitchen and reach over to turn on the Keurig machine and make me one cup of coffee. While I prepare myself a bowl of hot oatmeal with fresh strawberry and bananas cut up in my bowl. I grab my coffee with hazelnut, adding cream and sugar. I walk over to bar to sit down to eat my mini-breakfast when Devin comes downstairs looking sexy and handsome in his tailored suit.

In my mind, I am thinking, This man can truly hang and wear a suit, especially chocolate… Hell any color looks good on him. All the while, I smile at him; he has no clue I am reminiscing back to when we first met. Lost in deep thought, Devin sneaks a kiss and I laugh, ending my daydreaming time.

“Devin, do you remember how we met?”

“Yes, I do. You came to my game with my brother, Kelly.”

“Who would have thought I would have married the Capitan of the Grambling’s State Tigers Basketball team? You know you were showing out on the court, trying to impress me.”

“Oh really, is that what you think, Taylor? Let me make me a cup of coffee to go while you stroll down memory lane. The truth of the matter is, I was trying to see if you and my brother were together as a couple.”

“No, you were not.”

“Yes, I was because y’all were always together when you came to my games at Grambling.”

“Are you being funny this morning Devin?”

“No, honey, I am just calling it like I saw it back then. Besides, I don’t have anything to worry about, I married you.”

“Yes, you did, and you better remember that I am your wife.”

“By the way, I was never Kelly’s type.”

“Woman, my brother doesn’t have a type…he just likes a certain kind of woman…” We both laugh at his crazy sense of reasoning.

“That’s a type, no matter how you define it, honey. You and your brother are a hot mess at times.”

“Yes, but you love us both… All the creole and black in the world couldn’t stop you from loving all this finesse and good hair.”

“Oh, we full of ourselves this morning, I see.

“Ha-ha…Well, baby I love to continue going down memory lane with you, but I got to go or I will be late. So, let me have a kiss to tide me over to lunch time.” He walks around to the bar, kisses me goodbye, and walks out the door.

About fifteen minutes later, I finish my oatmeal while remembering the good old days when I met Devin. I used to ride to Louisiana with Kelly from Loyola University in Chicago for spring break, homecoming, and let’s not forget championship games. I really thought Devin was going pro to play for the Chicago Bulls. That was one of his biggest dreams. To play on the team of his all-time favorite player, Michael Jordan. Then reality checked in and its name was Thomas Jackson, my business-minded, detailed, driven, focused, millionaire father-in-law.

He slapped Devin with reality when he didn’t get drafted into the NBA. Mr. Jackson had rules in his house for his two sons. You get an education and you can work for his company, or work for someone else and build their dream. I have a great deal of respect and admiration for Thomas. He did good by his boys, who are now grown and successful men.

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