For Better or For Worse Read online

  I started to undress. Lucy plopped on the bed eyes staring up at the ceiling as if she were in a daze. “Grant please don’t do this …Not tonight.” I stopped what I was doing and tried to find some common ground with her. “Look I’m not trying to nag you. I’m not, I just want you to spend more time with me and your son… we would like your attention too.” I made my way over to lie beside her and gave her the pleading puppy dog eyes that she liked so much. She smiled at me. “Ok…Ok I’m going to do better. Little Greg is probably starting to miss his mom anyway. I’m going to make it up to you guys, I promise.”

  I was hoping she had finally got it. Lucy took her jacket off and laid her head on my chest. “I have figured out how I’m going to make it up to little Greg, but I have also thought of some ways to make it up to you too.” She said with a dirty smile while circling her finger though my unbuttoned shirt. “Unless…You’re still mad.” I rolled us over so that I mounted on top of her taking her by surprise. “Baby you could never make me that damn mad.” She laughed but then turned serious, “You know I really do love you Grant.” I smiled knowing that she spoke the truth. “Well actions speak louder than words, so let’s see how much love you have right now.” She couldn’t help but laugh as I was stripping us both naked.

  Lucy

  As morning came I went down to the kitchen to get some much needed coffee. Last night coming home I knew was going to be tough but thank God it didn’t turn into a screaming match…like it usually did. I am trying my best to be an successful editor and really make a name for myself in the fashion industry, all while trying to maintain a happy household…tough job but somebody has got to do it. I took a hard sip of my coffee and reflected on all the years it took to get to this point. I love my husband and child more than anything in this world; I never want to make them feel like I have abandoned them.

  Trust me I know how it feels to have someone who is supposed to love you and be there for you just walk out and leave. I don’t remember my mother, of course I have seen pictures, heard stories but I have no memories of my own of her. All through school my friends told me how their mothers bought them this, showed them how to make that, argued about this and so on and so forth. My teen years…Those were the times that got a little heavy for me but I always had my father’s love and support. He didn’t mind being the only dad at cheerleading tournaments screaming louder than some of the moms. I could still here is voice now. “Go baby Go, tuck and roll!” He didn’t mind teaching me how to cook old family recipes or sit with me at the salon while I got my hair did.

  My dad even talked to me about everything from birth control, periods and sex …no matter how uncomfortable he was with the subject. That man went above and beyond for me and I convinced myself he was all the parent I needed or maybe I just wanted to believe that. I shrugged these thoughts off as if they were of no importance anymore, can’t miss what you never had. I glanced at my stainless steel oven and other finery I had detailed in my home. I took pride in these fine things knowing I could do well for myself and my family, especially since I got promoted. I may have put in some long hours, and sacrificed a lot of time with those I love but it all worked out for the good. As I heard the pitter patter of small feet, Little Greg made is way downstairs for breakfast as usual in the morning. I chuckled at the sight of him. He always looked so adorable in his Spiderman pajamas.

  He looked happily surprised to see me in the kitchen; usually I’d be gone around this time. “Hi honey.” Greg smiled and ran into my arms. “Mama!” I picked my little man up and wrapped my arms around him real tight; he was getting so big I had to put him down just as quickly as I picked him up. “What are you doing home mommy?” “Well mommy decided that she wanted to spend more time with her two favorite guys today.” I kissed the top of his curly head. Greg jumped up and down. “Yeah!” “Oh shhhhh…Not so loud honey dad is still sleeping.” He raised his index finger to his lips. “Sorry… Shhhhhhh” I came up with an idea that I thought would get Grant off my back at least for a little while. “How about this honey, how about I take you out for breakfast today and then we go to the zoo huh?” Little Greg nodded. “Ok, but what about daddy, don’t you want to make up with him to?” He asked innocently. “Oh I think I have made up with your dad enough for today.” I smiled to myself. “Lest go get dressed ok?” “Ok” Little Greg ran upstairs and I could hear him rummaging through his closet. I took a good stretch before walking upstairs myself. Making an effort I said to myself, making an effort and it damn sure better be worth it.

  Chapter 7

  The Clean-up Woman

  Grant

  I yawned leaning back in my desk chair as the clock continued to tick on the wall. I was back at work again assigning jobs, sending out exports, and taking in imports as usual. I had become very content with my position as supervisor; it made me more business savvy and kept me close to home. Speaking of home I was still on the war grounds. Not that things between Lucy and I had not gotten better for a while. That was until she took over hosting her magazines annual end of the year party which she refused to turn down. All the long hours at work and business meetings continued to drive her further away from me. Funny thing is, I couldn’t decide on whether I was being selfish or that she was being neglectful. I looked at her picture on my office desk; it was a picture of us at Malibu beach for our one year anniversary. Way back then everything was easy as pie but I feared those days were now over. I didn’t understand, I love Lucy so much, but I can’t get her to see what’s happening to us, I didn’t know what to do.

  “Knock, knock.” Frank Carnac appeared at my office door. “Can I come in?” “What’s up Frank?” Frank always was a little off but today for some reason he was grinning uncontrollably. “Man you wouldn’t believe it if I told you. We got a new temp in the office working for Gilman, and she is hot.” He slipped back out of my office and signaled for me to follow him. Reluctantly against my better judgment I did, we walked pass the double doors into the main office. There she was, she stood about five eight, lean figure, long beautiful dark brown hair, and recognizable Spanish features. She was fine…no more than fine, she was gorgeous; I figured she was an inspiring model trying to make ends meet. She was talking with Gilman and Marshall the leading executives in the corporation.

  “Man if I didn’t have arthritis in my right knee, the things I would do.” Frank whispered to me. I gave him a stern look. “And if I was not married with three kids.” He corrected. Frank and been married since the age of eighteen, it had been a struggle and a strain at first but he still held on to his marriage. I guess I couldn’t blame him for looking, every man on the third floor was trying to sneak a peek. She glanced over and looked in my direction, Frank and I attempted to look busy to no avail. She giggled and waved off the executives, and made her way over. “Hello, are you Grant smith?” she asked in a voice so sweet it could have been honey. “Uh...Huh…Yes I am.” I stuttered a little bit…attractive women tend to have that effect on a brutha. “Good.” She smiled. “I’m Alexia Cruz I’m going to be assisting you with Project Reach Out.”

  She reached for my hand, I gladly extended it to her, while looking at Frank as if I were in trouble. “I um thought you were Gilman’s new assistant?” She smiled, and I noticed how pretty her lips were shaped, just like a plump upside down W. “I am. He wants me to show off my skills in assisting you in your business venture. I could take over his part and help you with this project.” “Oh you’re interested in a permanent job in the business, I just assumed this was a past time job.” She looked at me offended. “Well actually I just graduated with bachelors in business administration, but I have no experience. I figured working under an executive would give me enough insight.”

  She gave me that typical woman look; you know the I just got done with setting a fool straight look. Realizing I had just put my foot in my mouth I sincerely apologized. “Please forgive me, that was very rude.” She nodded and for a split second it looked like her eyes were wonderi
ng me from head to toe. I shook it off and I thought I imagined it. “It’s ok. I ‘ve been hearing a lot about you. You have generated a great deal of business for the company.” I was flattered that people were aware of the great work I had been doing. Ever since I came over to the cooperation and got new workers to come in, I’ve tried my best to build new ideas for the company to create profit and expansion.

  It was amazing how I could do all that and still find time to spend with my family…Hmmm. “Well I’m just doing my job.” I agreed. She gave me that smile again. “Well I look forward to working with you.” “And I’m pretty sure he looks forward to working with you too.” Frank intervened. How embarrassing, I can’t believe I forgot he was even there. “Oh this is Frank Carnac, he also has been making is mark in the industry.” They shook hands. “Nice to meet you.” “Likewise.” Frank looked from Alexia back to me. “Well I need to be off I‘ll see you guys later.” We both nodded our heads and watched attentively as she walked off. I tried to clear the air. “Well she was nice.” I said to frank nodding my head. He gave me a very definite look that said I’m in trouble.

  Lucy

  “Awww…..Honey, I feel bad for him…Sounds like he just wants some attention from you.” Megan said while chit chatting in my office. Grant had raised pure hell last night when I told him about the annual end of year ball. He didn’t understand, by hosting this party I would be getting exposure to so many of fashions royalty. He just roared on about how I didn’t care about him or anybody else. Damn, I thought. He could really act like a female sometime. I shook it off; I had come too far to let him stop me now. I looked at Meg who seemed so desperate to help me and signed. “I know, I know, but I’m trying ok. I said I would take a few steps for him not run miles.” I really was trying; I cut back on work and spent as much time with him as possible but when the opportunity came in to plan Elites annual party I just had to take it.

  Just then Gabrielle walked in and knocked on the door. “Hello Natalia, mind if I have a second.” I soon as I heard Natalia I knew it had to be one of two people at my office door; my father or my boss. I looked up to see Gabrielle standing in the doorway looking as divine as ever in light orange Versace piece. Since Natalia was my birth name she refused to call me anything else, she figured nick names in the work place were for adolescent teachers. Megan and I both straightened up, didn’t want the boss to see us slacking off. “Yes, sure come in.” I motioned for her to have a seat. “Hi Gabrielle….. Lucy I’m going to check in with you later.” Meg nodded and disappeared into the mayhem we called work. Gabrielle took a seat opposite of me and had her business face on.

  “Well Gabrielle what’s on your mind?” I asked only imagining why on earth she was in my office right now. She slicked her hair back before speaking. Gabrielle Sidis was a former model from Russia back in the early eighties; she did a lot of behind the scenes work as well which led her to be the owner of Elite magazine which displayed the latest fashion wear in runway. She was a very regal woman given her age, hardly a wrinkle in sight, you could totally tell she used to model back in her hay day. “I‘ve come to hear some of your ideas for the annual ball, I hope you have pre pared to excite me.” I gulped a little bit, Gabrielle being the owner of the prestigious Elite could be a very intimidating woman. “Well I was thinking since it was going to be close to December this year, we could go with a winter theme, also displaying the fall collections from our new designers.” Gabrielle nodded while in deep thought leaving me to no clue if she liked my ideas or not. I sat back and silently prayed as she spoke.

  “Ok….I like it…We will need to get started with the venue and decorations, also contact all the designers with their collections we will need to preview them before the ball...” Gabrielle collected her things and made her way to the door leaving me sighing in relief. “By the way Natalia,” she said before exiting. “Good idea.” “Thank you….” I managed to get out before she left. Whew, I thought, thankful for the positive feedback. I couldn’t explain to you how excited I was to have this opportunity to show case my talent; I would have to give this my all no matter what and if Grant couldn’t see what this opportunity means to me that’s just too damn bad. I managed to get home a little early to pacify my husband, he was looking over some paper work why little Greg was watching SpongeBob. “Home early.” He said with a side smile. I nodded; I couldn’t help but smile at him.

  He always looked so handsome; there was a difference in him now from back when we first met. He was less hard edged all the time, and his business apparel suited him just fine now. To think the man from back then would be who he is now. “I thought you might like it if I got home a little early.” I put my bags on the table and leaned over and kissed him. “Greg you’re not going to give mommy a hug?” I called over to my son who hadn’t even noticed I came home. “Hi mom, SpongeBob is on.” He yelled out from the living area. “SpongeBob trumps all mothers.” Grant laughed. “You haven’t learned that by now.” I shrugged. “So how was work?” I asked nonchalantly. Grant looked a little uncomfortable…I noticed that. “It was ok …nothing new.” I nodded, “Really nothing new at all?” He shifted in his chair…I noticed that too. “Nope.” He responded. I went to the fridge and grabbed a glass of water. “So you didn’t get a new coworker who happens to be an undercover stripper?”

  He dropped his pen and looked at me. “Where did you hear that?” I put on a look of innocence on. “Not from you.” Grant sighed and rubbed the back of his head. “Let me guess Frank’s wife called and told you about Gilman’s new assistant. I swear that woman has access to our surveillance cameras.” I shrugged knowing that Shana made it her business to know everything that was going on in that office and didn’t mind sharing that information…to my benefit. “Look baby, Gilman got a new assistant in his office everybody met her today, now I don’t know anything about the undercover stripper thing but she is nice person.”

  I took a sip of my water. “I guess you didn’t want to share this information with me.” He lowered his head for a moment and then made his way over to me. “I didn’t share it with you because it wasn’t important and I didn’t want you to catch an attitude for no reason.” Grant placed his hands on my shoulders. “Now why would I catch an attitude, just because she is working for Gilman? It’s not like she is going to be working with you.” I said with a big phony Miss America smile. He chuckled. “See there is another reason I don’t tell you anything, you already seem to know, but what you should know is that there is nothing to worry about.” I looked at him, seriously this time. “Should I know that?” He looked strongly back at me, “Yes you should.” I laughed to break the tension. “I guess a little reassurance never hurt.” With that he leaned down and kissed deeply to the point that I was finding it hard to stand. When he finally released, I was in desperate need of air. “How is that for reassurance?” “Great...” I barely got out.

  Grant

  To my surprise I was a little shocked at how close Alexia and I got over the course of a couple months being that we had to work together. She was a hard worker and quick on her feet. It amazed me how she could take control like a natural born leader when necessary. We actually had a lot in common, we both liked psychology, scrabble, and Chinese food. We would sit around the office talking the day away. “Ugh. That was gruesome, fifty exports of tools and assignments. Damn, I feel like an overworked mule. Whew.” I laid back in my chair reflecting on the work schedule of today. “Well you handled everything pretty well.” Alexia watched as I took the load off, she smiled at me.

  I looked away trying to avoid that smile it was too tempting. “Well that came from years of practice, I’m pretty much adjusted here.” She giggled a little. “Nice” I chuckled too, mainly because I was partly confused. “What’s nice?” Her eyes flickered at me. “A man with modesty, that’s rare now a day, especially in the corporate world.” Just as I was getting pulled in, my cell phone rang….thank God. “Hello…oh hi baby….what….what do you mean you can’t g
o? I’ve been talking about this for months you can’t just….so that’s more important…….fine do what you want.” I slammed the phone down on the shelf near my desk shaking the foundation.

  Got damn it. I thought. I couldn’t believe this, how could she do this to me? “Is everything ok?” I turned and looked at Alexia, I forgot she was there. “Yeah…. It’s fine.” I lied and calmly sat down at my desk, she was still watching me in suspicion. “Is there trouble with the wife?” I must have given her a pretty stern look because she quickly apologized for the statement. “Sorry I was completely out of line, so do you want me to email you some more resources for Project Reach Out?” She asked while taking her foot out of her mouth. I nodded in my dower mood. Alexia grabbed her files and began to walk away. “For what it’s worth, you’re much more attractive when you smile.” I watched her walk off and smiled slightly. My God I was so pissed, how Lucy could do this to me, she knows how important this dinner is and now she not even coming. I rubbed my hands down my face, I have had it; I have had it trying to get her attention something’s got to give.

  Chapter 8

  Don’t forget me

  Grant/1996

  It was our last week together before Lucy went off to college and I wanted us to spend some time with each other. I knew that life for us was about to get hectic with us being so far away from one another. Now that she was actually in the car I was regretting the decision to take her ungrateful ass anywhere. Lucy had been fussing about everything ever since I picked her up from her house. “I don’t want to go to no cheap ass burger joint, why can’t we go to a nice sit down restaurant.” I glanced over at her while driving and looked at her like she was crazy. “You better sit yo ass down at this burger place and be happy. Shit, I aint puff daddy.” She cut her eyes at me. “I just said could we go, I’m not asking you to pay for anything...”