A Holiday Romance (9 page)

She felt so much solace from that quote and she felt that is exactly the mindset she was going to take regarding Mr. Guy Blanchard or any other man in her life.

 Daryl, the cheerleader, Guy, Tracie and everyone else. Just let it go and move along, focusing only on herself and what made her happy. She decided right then and there to forgive them all and asked them in a very private way to forgive her. She was going to accept the situation as it was with not malice or anger. The anger was only hurting her and no one else. She really wanted to open to the true meaning of love.

Wow! She really felt good after she forgave everybody. Her spirit lifted. It was like she was having a coming to Jesus moment. She opened up her heart up to love and felt all warm and fuzzy inside. Not because of someone else, but because she was fallen back in love with Latisse Charles, a bad Mamma Jamma. She laughed to herself. She had her mojo back.

 She would surround herself with friends and family- people who really loved her- and forget about the rest. Life was too short for all this drama.

The next day Latisse stopped by to see her mother, wishing to share the sage advice she had received  from the Dalai Lama.

The very first thing her mother had to say was “this came in the mail today,” as she handed her daughter a plain linen hand written card.

“Will be in your beautiful city Saturday the 12
^th
, would enjoy meeting both yourself and Latisse for lunch at the Regency. I hope 1pm is convenient. I look forward to meeting you and seeing your lovely daughter again. It was signed with a simple “Ruth.” Ruth Blanchard, Guy’s mother just happened to be coming to Atlanta in a couple of days? Latisse didn’t believe much in coincidence. Nor did the note leave much room for objection.

February 12
^th
was two days before Valentine’s Day. Oh, how time can fly. Valentine’s day was a time for love, happiness and cheer. She had done enough spiritual work to know that if you want love, you have to give love.

She really did love Guy’s mom and thought she was a classy lady. Matter of fact, she wanted to be like her when she grew up.  She reminded her so much of Coretta Scott King. She was so beautiful, regal and proud. She made you really proud to be a black woman.

Moreover, she really did love Guy. And even though, it was not meant to be between them, she was going to love him from a distance and wish him well. She had to for herself. So, she could open up heart to love in order to recognize it when it shows up again in her life.

Man, this spiritual stuff was working. She thought it was going to take her years to get to this point.  But, that is what love does. It creates miracles-big ones and little ones.

February 12
^th
finally came, and Latisse found herself waiting with her mom at the Regency. Mrs. Blanchard arrived exactly five minutes after 1 pm, looking beautiful as ever- but something was off. She looked paler, frailer than Latisse remembered her. She trembled slightly as she embraced Mrs. Blanchard, the woman who had given birth to the man she thought she loved…no she loved.

"Now then," Mrs. Blanchard said, as all three women sat, "I have good news and some bad news." Latisse smiled to herself; it was just like Guy's mother to cut right to the chase. "The good news," she continued, "is that Tracie and Guy are no longer together."

Latisse felt her jaw drop. "What??" Mrs. Blanchard smiled.

"You heard me right. Guy insisted on accompanying Tracie to her doctor appointment, to confirm the pregnancy, and that's when Tracie's lie unraveled. You see, she was never really pregnant. She made that story up to steal back Guy." She paused and took a sip of water. "As soon as Guy found out that none of it was true, he dumped her. I don't believe she will ever be coming around him again."

Latisse was in shock. "Why didn't he tell me?"

"He tried to, my dear, but you wouldn't take his calls. He resigned himself to be hated by you forever." She paused. "You know he loves you, right? Not Tracie. He was only going to marry her because she was threatening to blackmail him and his company if he didn't." Latisse didn't know what to say. She was in absolute shock over this news. Yet she felt Mrs. Blanchard and her mom were both waiting for her to say something.

"…What is the bad news?"

Mrs. Blanchard took another sip of water. "I have been diagnosed with stage three breast cancer." Latisse slapped her hand over her mouth.

"Oh no!"

Mrs. Blanchard smiled, a bittersweet smile. "That is actually why I'm here, my dear. I have an appointment with one of the finest cancer specialists in the nation in a few days. My son will join me." She paused. "He will be arriving on Valentine's Day. I have already reserved a room for him."

Latisse's face grew hot. She could tell where this was leading.

"I don't think he'd take me back even if I begged him to, after ignoring his calls the way I did."

"Obviously you don't know much then, or at least you don't know my son. He is miserable without you."

Latisse suddenly remembered the cameo choker in her purse. She reached down and retrieved it, handing it back to Mrs. Blanchard.

"That reminds me- before I forget, I’d like to return this to you." Mrs. Blanchard pushed it back toward her.

"Nonsense. You keep it! I told you to keep it unless a time came where you had to give it back. As far as I'm concerned, that time has not come yet. Your story with my son is not over yet." She leaned over mischievously and gestured for Latisse and Mrs. Charles to do so, too. "See, here's what you're going to do……"

On Valentine's Day, Latisse couldn't believe what she was doing. Mrs. Blanchard had given her the key to Guy's suite and instructed her to wait there for him. Soft music played on the stereo system; a bottle of champagne sat chilling in a bucket of ice. Latisse had never felt so nervous in her life. She was wearing a dark red negligee, white stockings and black heals. Mrs. Blanchard said that Guy's plane would be landing at approximately 1:15. It was already 2 pm.

Latisse sat on the edge of the bed and waited. At 2:20 she heard the door open, along with the sound of luggage being set down. She trembled from head to toe as she waited for Guy to appear. It seemed like an eternity.

Finally he appeared in the bedroom doorway, and froze. His shadow fell across the bed, across Latisse. His eyes widened in surprised, as he simply stood and stared at her, like a man dying of thirst finally getting a long drink of cold water. She stared back at him.

"Hi," she said, hoping her nervousness didn't show.

"Hi." He hadn't moved. He just stood there, drinking in the sight of her while she drank in the sight of him. He was wearing the same tweed jacket they had first met in.

"Oh, Latisse," he finally cried, holding out his arms to her.

"Oh, Guy!" she cried back, jumping up and running eagerly into his arms.

They held each other for what seemed like an eternity. Finally their lips sought each other out, and when they found each other, it was like they had returned home after a long trip away.

Eventually he pulled back. "I should explain-"

"Shh," Latisse pressed her index finger to his soft lips, quickly replacing it with a kiss. "I already know. You're mother told me."

His eyes wrinkled up in amusement. "Did she, now? I should have known she was behind this." Latisse giggled, then frowned. "What?" he asked.

"Your mom. Is she going to be ok?"

"We don't know yet, but she's being treated by the very best specialists money can buy. She's a fighter, Latisse. She won't go down without a fight." Latisse suddenly remembered back to New Year's Eve, and the conversation she and Mrs. Blanchard had had before the party.

"Neither will I," she whispered, pulling Guy in for another long, passionate kiss.

They made slow, passionate love on the bed, holding each other tight and cherishing every nuance of each other's bodies. Afterwards they lay curled in each other's arms, talking about everything.

"You know," Guy remarked suddenly, "I believe this is the best Valentine's gift I've ever had."

"What?" Latisse asked.

"You."

Latisse was the best Valentine’s Day gift for him.

They kissed again, and Latisse felt her heart softening and beginning to heal as the old feelings of betrayal melted away. She knew that they would survive anything, as long as they both fought for it. The Dalai Lama was right- with great love came great risk. She was willing to risk anything for LOVE….

 But, she would never sacrifice herself for
romantic
love again. 

She learned a valuable lesson.

The only true love relationship you will have and can depend on is between you and God. To err is to be human.

Never make a man the main course, he is always just dessert- a very tasty dessert to be sure…….

The End

**Happy Holiday*

The Holiday season is upon and I want to wish you a safe and happy one. While you are enjoying this holiday book from Amazon Kindle, you can also safely shop for some great Holiday gifts, decorations and treats for your kids and the big kid in you at
Amazon by clicking here now
.

You will save time, money, energy and stress this Happy Holiday season!

       
**Happy Holidays*

The Holiday season is upon and I want to wish you a safe and happy one. While you are enjoying this holiday book from Amazon Kindle, you can also safely shop for some great Holiday gifts, decorations and treats for your kids and the big kid in you at
Amazon by clicking here now
.

You will save time, money, energy and stress this Happy Holiday season!