Valerie Augustine is a woman who has the picture perfect life. She's married with two children and lives in a beautiful home - the ideal life.
In the midst of planning for her daughter's birthday party, she is startled when she sees her ex-lover Ro...
It was Thursday, one day away from little Nairobi's birthday party. Everything is set for the next day, and Valerie has to make just a few more stops to pick up somethings before tomorrow's party. As she heads for the exit door of the bank, she puts her wallet back into her purse. Approaching the exit door, she notices a gentleman standing holding the door open for her. As she looks up to say thank you, she eyes the military officer's uniform.
"Val! Is that you?" the gentleman says.
Glancing up at his handsome hazel-brown eyes, there is no mistaken what her eyes see standing before her. She can hardly believe it. "Ro?!" He's still very easy on the eyes. She smiles at his clean-shaven face. With his attractive good looks, athletic build, and charismatic tone, Val's whole body goes numb. Her body feels light off the ground as Romelle's long arms wrap around her firmly—twirling her around affectionately. She feels his gaze penetrating through her dark almond eyes...
Still holding Valerie by her waist, as he puts her down, Ro finally broke his silence. "What have you been up to? How have you been?" His smile radiant as he stares at Valerie.
Standing on her tiptoes, arms stretching around his neck, Val delights in the touch of his warm embrace. Taking in her view, she was in awe at his well-defined manly stature, and how well he looks in his Navy uniform. Still shocked to see Romelle standing before her, Valerie's cheeks are flushed. Stepping back a pace, eyes bulging, "I'm good. How long have you been back?"
"Two weeks now," Romelle replies.
"What? Really!" She wonder's why she's just now running into him. Because... He's not her man— it's probably best, there's no reason for her to have seen him any sooner. Switching topics she takes in his new appearance. "I see you cut your hair off! No more dreads huh?"
"Yeah, had to for the military. The only reason I would ever cut it. You like?" He takes his hat off and holds it in his hands.
Her deep-almond shaped eyes dance in delight. She hesitates, "Yes," she replies.
"You look good Val. Really good," he said, with a boyish grin.
Grinning from ear to ear, she says nothing in response.
"Well, did you finish your degree?" Ro asked.
"Yes, I did finish," she nods. I have my Bachelors of Arts degree in business.
"Really? Wow, I'm so proud of you! I knew you would finish. You've always been a smart student. By the way, how's your mom and dad? Have you spoken to them?
"Yeah," she responds. She steps back for a moment, her head hangs low for a moment.
"Is everything okay?"
"Well, my dad is sick, and he can barely walk anymore." She tosses her braids over her shoulders. Customers walk in and out of the bank as they talk. Val watches as cars pull in and out of the parking lot. The air is warm and a cool breeze teases the air with a hint of relief.
"Wow, Is he going to get better Val?"
"Apparently not," she shrugs. The doctor's say he has stage three lung cancer."
"But he never smoked a day in his life! Are they sure?"
"Yes, he has refused any type of medicine or treatment. He's living out his days happy, and he says when its time for him to go, then its time for him to go."
With a downcast look, Ro shakes his head. "Wow Val, I'm sorry to hear that. I'm truly sorry that I wasn't here for you."
"It's okay Ro. I know he's ready to go. It's nothing you could've done to make things different."
"No... It's not ok Val. We're best friends, and we always will be. I should've been here for you."
"Well, enough about me Ro, what about you? How was basic training, Mr. Navy man? You got some stories to tell I bet," she smiles.
"Yea, I defiantly got plenty of stories to tell. But I want to tell you over dinner or something. I want to meet up with you and talk all night long like we use to when we were kids. You remember how we use to stay up all night talking about life and what we wanted to do?"
Valerie couldn't help but notice the way Romelle's smile lit up. His dimples hung deep. Val's emotions for Ro comes rushing back as she gets a whiff of the familiar smell lingering off in the cool breeze off Romelle's body. She knew he was wearing Cool Water cologne, taking her breath away. As she closes her eyes quickly, she starts to reminisce about the love they once shared. But she knew her thoughts was dangerous, so she opens her eyes quickly and cuts the conversation short.
"Yeah, well I better get going now. I don't wanna hold you up anymore."
Romelle grabs Valerie's hand as she tries to walk off to her truck which was just two parking spaces over. Her heart is pulsating as she looks over at him. His hand feels gentle. He has the same look he used to have whenever he didn't want her to go. She remembers how he used to ask her to stay just a little longer with his seductive eyes. His eyes gazes into her eyes as she tries to pull away from his hand.
"Don't go, Val, he said softly. You're not holding me up from anything baby."
Her breath panting faster with nervousness, she took in a deep breath. She didn't want him to call her that. She's married, and she no longer belongs to Romelle. But who was she fooling? She didn't want to leave. She didn't want him to walk back out of her life.
Q: What do you think about Romelle walking back into Val's life?
Q: Do you sense trouble?
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