Need of Happiness

2

I walked down the hallway of my business filled with pictures of models wearing the clothes I designed. A smile formed in my face as I remembered how successful I am.

"Hello Ms. Johnson." My assistant; Channel said.
"Channel, what did I say about calling me by my last name?" I said with a smile.
She shook her head and chuckled. "I'm sorry Ms. Joh- I mean Nia."
"Good morning Channel. Can you call Mathew? I want to see the spring clothes."

I set my stuff on my glass desk with my sketches of the spring clothes, Mac computer, tablet, and pictures of my family on it.
Channel nod. "Okay. Remember you have a meeting with the Glamour magazine at 12."
"Lunch meeting?"
She nod. "Of course. Also Mr. Johnson called to tell me to tell you that he will be home late."

I rolled my eyes. "Again? Channel?"
"Yes, Nia?"
"Are you in a serious relationship?" I leaned back in my chair.
She shook her head. "No."
"Good." I sighed. "When you do get in one, make sure he doesn't have side chicks."
"I'll keep that in mind." Her desk phone started to ring. "Accuse me." she said.

I watch through the glass wall as Channel went to her desk and answered the phone. I looked up at the ceiling and huffed.

"He's probably going to see that hoe." I said to myself.

A low knock on my door made me get out of my trance. I turned to the door to see Channel peaking in.

"Mrs. Smith is on line one." she said before going back to her desk.
I sighed. "Lord give me strength."

I slowly picked up the office phone and put it to my ear. "Hi mother."
"Don't hi mother me."
I rolled my eyes. "What did I do this time?"
"It's what you didn't do. Why haven't you've been visiting your grandma?"
I rubbed my forehead. "I've been busy."
"Busy doing what?"

"Umm, Work."
"Nia we are family, we should be your main priority." she nagged.
I already know she's doing the neck roll thing she does when she nags.
"What happened to marriage being the first priority?"
She sucked her teeth. "To that cheating bastard. Nia, I don't know why you're still with him."

I sighed. "Mom, I love Quan-"
"And I love hot pockets, but I had to let them go because it was giving me high blood pressure."
I chuckled and twirled around in my chair. "Are you comparing my love with Quan to your love of food?"
"Yes because De'quan and hot pockets are not good for us. Even though they are good for our needs, but they are not good to keep around for a long period of time. Eventually the hot pockets get spoiled and bad to eat, and De'quan will bring home something that you don't want. Also at the end of the day we have the health issues."

I rolled my eyes. "Quan is never going to bring home anything instead of money."
"Never say never."
I shut my eyes and shook my head. "Mom, I gotta go." Just in time Mathew knocked on my door before opening it. "Mom I gotta meeting to do."
"Oh okay, I'll call you tonight."
"I don't know if I will be available for the c-"

"Nia Marie Smith-"
"Johnson." I interrupted which was a bad idea.
"Girl, don't you ever in your life cut me off. You lost your got damn mind."
"Sorry mommy."

Mathew chuckled but immediately turned it to a cough.
"I'm calling you tonight, Little girl." After that she ended the call. I put the phone back on the hook and look up at Mathew.
I cleared my throat and sat up in the chair. "Show me what you got." I said.
He brings in a rack of dresses from my spring category.

I got up from my chair and walk to the rack. One by one I examined the dresses. Mostly all them was approved, until I came across a very poor sewing dress. I took it off the rack. "What the hell?"

"Oh, that wasn't supposed to be there." Mathew said as he ease the garbage out my hand.
"Damn right. Put that in the trash. Who sewed it anyway?"
"Um. Camilla."
"Camilla? The girl with the blue tips?"
He nod. "Yup."
I sighed. "She has been slacking all this week. Bring her to me, please. Pack the dresses up and make sure you send them straight to Peter."
He nod. "A okay boss lady." he wrapped the horrible dress around his arm before walking out my office.

For the time being until Camilla arrival, I just made a few calls and did some more sketches. A low knock came upon u door before Channel opened it.

"Camilla is here to see you."
"Send her in please." I close my sketch book and set it on my table.
Camilla walked in looking nervous. I don't know why, it's not like I'm going to fire her. "Have a seat, Camilla." I said.
She took a seat in front of my desk. "Hello." she greeted.
"Hello. Camilla, let me just go straight forward with this. You made a dress yesterday that wasn't that good. What's with that?"

I leaned back in my chair and cross my arms in front of my chest. A habit I got from De'quan.
Camilla cleared her throat out of nervousness. "I'm sorry Ms- I mean Nia. Its just I'm having family issues. My brother just went to jail a week ago and mother is in the hospital."

"Not to sound like a bitch, but we all have problems. How bout you take a week off to get yourself together?" I suggested.
"But I have to work, I need m-"
I cut her off. "I know you need to pay your mother bills. So I'm going to give you a pay vacation."
She smiled. "Thank you, you are so kind."

"But here this as a warning Camilla. Make sure you come back and see like you use to."
She nod. "I will. Thanks again."
I shook my head. "No problem. How long those Johnny have?"
She sighed. "5 years."
"I guess the lawyer that my husband sent was good."
Camilla nod. "Yes, but I wish Johnny would just get out of it, you know get a job that's not illegal."
"You know that's your brothers choice if he gets out of it all or not."

"I know." She looks down at her hands.
"Listen." I walk from behind my desk and up to her. "How bout I give Johnny a mechanic job. After the 5 years he can work for my uncle in his shop, but he has to make that choice not you."
Camilla face lit up. "I will tell him right away."
I smiled. "Good. I'll see you next Monday."
She stood up. "See you."
She walked out my office.
I rubbed my shoulder and sat back down in my chair.

------------------------

As I heat up my dinner, listen to sweet jazz and took a sip of my wine, there was a loud knock on my door. I turned down the music by the remote on the counter and took my food out the microwave. There was another loud knock.

"Hold on! I'm coming!" I yelled. I speed walk to my front door, I did the locks and cracked open the door so I can see out of it.
"Yes?"

"Mrs. Johnson." an African American officer said.
"Yes." I opened the door all the way.
"I have a warrant to search the property." He handed me the paper before walking in my home with 5 other officers. "I also have another warrant to arrest you."

A female officer took out handcuffs and cuffed my hands together while saying my rights. "For what!?"
"For holding illegal weapons and substance in your home."
"That is ridiculous. We have a few hand guns, but we have licenses for them."
"I'm sorry ma'am, but till proven we have to take you in." The female said.
I huffed. "Fine."

We walked to the car. The female helped me into the back seat before going into the front. As the car drove off, I watched as more officers walked into my home.

When we arrived at the police station, they took my mug shots, finger prints and my items; such as my phone. They put me in a cell with other women; like hookers and drug addicts/ dealers.

It felt like hours when they told me I can get my one phone call. I got up and walked out of the cell with the same female officer behind me. When we arrived at the pay phone, she gave me a quarter and I immediately insert it before punching in the numbers of my husband's phone.

It kept ringing and ringing until it went to voice mail. "Fuck." I slammed the phone on the hook.

The one time I really need him, he doesn't answer...