Ladies Listen Up (24 page)

I
n the end, it seemed I got exactly what I’d always wanted. Alicia and I were married three months after the night she’d walked through my crushed-up door. We eloped and tied the knot in Hawaii in front of my brother, Lee, and his wife. Jacob had been invited, but the whole thing was too awkward. Although we were friends again, our relationship had been strained by what I’d done to him, and the advances on him that Alicia had made had left me feeling uncomfortable.

The day after Alicia confessed everything to me, I had gone to Jacob’s principal first, and then the authorities, to revoke my statement. I claimed that it was a love triangle and that I’d been a scorned lover, which in effect had been true. I was then charged with filing a false report and they decided to investigate Jacob’s involvement with Elise anyway. They dug, but nothing came up. Though they were forced to drop the charges, it was a real mess. Jacob and Elise basically brought the whole thing to a close when they
married the day after her eighteenth birthday. By law, she couldn’t be forced to testify against her husband in any case, and since he had resigned from his job with the county, there was nothing for them to do.

He managed to keep his recording deal even after the negative publicity; after all, it was 2006. Without a criminal record, a scandal, or at least a brush with the law, who was he but another Goody Two-shoes? He’d had sex with a student, knocked her up, and married her. That was
hot
by today’s standards.

As another show
was winding down I looked at the clock and smiled. With just a few small exceptions, my life seemed to be on track. My show had been launched and was noted number two in the D.C. area. I wanted that number one spot.

“You got questions, he’s got answers. Ladies Listen Up.”
The sexy voice chimed out as the theme music and the slogan echoed over the airwaves. The phone lines began to light up for the last segment of the show. “We’re going to take one more call before we take it home. I’ve got Anna on the line people. Go on, Anna.”

“Hey, Dr. C.”

“Hey you. Anna, you sound young. How old are you?”

“I’m eighteen. A freshman at the University of Maryland.”

“Okay, go ahead,” I said.

“I have a dilemma. It’s kinda complicated.”

“Go on, shoot. I got answers.”

“Okay. Well, I’m in love with someone, but she’s married.”

“Whoa.”

“Yeah, she’s actually married to our former teacher.”

When I heard this, my senses began to go off. “Say what?”

“Yeah, she married my former teacher. But I really care about her and I think she cares about me in the same way. The thing is, I know that he’s been cheating on her, but I don’t want to tell her because…well…it’s going to cause a whole bunch of trouble.”

“How do you know he’s cheating?”

“I followed him…and you know what makes it so bad?”

“What’s that?”

“It’s with his best friend’s—or should I say…his former best friend’s wife.”

“That’s sounds serious, but it looks like we are out of time,” I said as my heart began to beat fast. Then I said, “Caller, you stay on the line.”

Anna let out a very devilish chuckle and said, “I thought so.”

In case you all didn’t know, some authors, including myself, equate writing a book to be something like having a baby. It’s an exhausting, exciting, and sometimes painful process. Ultimately, you’ve created a piece of you that you send out into the world to be a reflection of all your labor and love. I only pray that I touch, inspire, and move those who are gracious enough to support my work. Most of all, I try to entertain all who read as I try to fulfill my purpose here on earth.

In writing
Ladies Listen Up,
I wondered if I would leave any socially redeeming literary footprints. I feared that I might be adding just another “drama book” to the tables and shelves that are full of them. After reading it in its entirety, my fears were put to rest. I think the messages throughout are clear and abundant, if only you pay attention. I admit, they are sprinkled in amongst much drama and shocking prose. Still, they’re all the things I learned as I lived, or watched what happened around me. Don’t get me wrong; this is not
an autobiography, but I did come to a soul-stirring revelation. This book is the
closest,
yet at the same time, the most
distant
from my actual life as I’ve written thus far. Some of the memories and content were disturbing, even to myself, as well as to some of my closest friends. Yet as a writer I had to be true and put it down the only way I knew how—authentically.

Last, I want to send a note to the women whom I’ve shared love with. I want to thank you for the growth and for being a reflection of the things that were the best and worst of me at that time. It was
our
experiences that placed this book in my heart before I even knew I’d be destined to write it. This book is not meant to cheapen any of it. So please, never think that. Even if you think you see yourself in this book…chances are great that I’m talking about someone else. And if by chance I’m talking about you, don’t trip ’cause…
I’ll mourn forever. Shit, I got to live with the fact that I did you wrong forever.

Once again and always, I have to give thanks to the Almighty. He always carries me to the other side and restores and builds my faith. After that I want to give another dedication out right here to two of my friends and test readers. Chad Cunningham, you are like a little brother to me and I really appreciate you having me on
your
team. I remember watching you run across the yard with that plastic football helmet on, now look at you…coaching me as I bang out these chapters, making them the new
hotness.
Next, I want to thank my newest muse, Enid Pinner. Your energy and enthusiasm helped me put it down in a big way. By the time you read this I will be able to say thanks for all the love and hospitality at the CIAA. Seriously, I really appreciate your attention and passion for this book.

First, I got to thank my number one fan, my mother, Doris Patrick, the reason I was even able to become a teacher, so for this one, you really get some credit. Aunt Nancy, I want to thank you so much for coming to the rescue and allowing me some crucial time
to knock this out, you are the best, and to my sister Tanya, I just love you the most, girl, welcome home. Much love to Chuck, Ted, Marcus, Damien and all of my family, near and far.

India, no matter how things wind up, I want to thank you for everything you’ve done to help. I love you always.

Tressa Smallwood, God saw me down here struggling and he sent you to come help a brother out. You are the best, even if you call me out on the regular. It’s rough out here, thanks for being the best partner in the world.

Rockelle Henderson, if I can call this thing I do a
job,
I want to thank you for making it a dream job. I know that I bug you and drive you crazy…I’d always heard that authors did that, but now I know it’s true. But you always have an ear, a laugh, and some time for me. You’re my friend, my editor, my publishing everything, and I appreciate you and you are definitely earning your check with me. Dawn Davis, I’m working on my craft so that one day soon, I’ll have you eager to snatch up one of my manuscripts to work on. It’s an honor to work with you. Gilda Squire, I gotta say “Wow,” I have a super publicist in you. You are the best; thanks for making sure everything is up to par for a brother and never taking any shorts. All of the Harper/Amistad family; thanks a million for the confidence and support, and for making me feel like a star. Morgan, Laura, Tanya, Mary, Michael, and Andrea and everyone who I haven’t met, but has a hand in taking me on my journey, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Special thanks to my editorial team.

Josie, I had picked you for that cover and couldn’t be happier. You’re a star and a pro. Fulani S. Hart, great job also. Les Green, thanks for the work on the website as always. Thanks also to Joshua Sheldon and to Ed Walker for the photography.

Thanks also to Karibu Books. Especially Lee, Sunny, and Trina. Congrats to Yao and Simba on the new store in Baltimore. You two are the trailblazers of black bookstore commerce. Much love to every one of the other store owners and vendors out there doing it for me. Thanks to the crew at A&B. To Tamara Cooke, my accountant, thank you a thousand times for always taking care of me. Sheryl Hicks, still us…here after all these years, they come and go, but I’ll always have you. Thanks to Yolanda Marie, Lynn Thomas, Lori, Vangie, Ma, and Zero at 4 Star’s Hair Salon. There are so many lovely women in my support system. Thank you all for all your endless support. I’m on a roll but I can’t name you all; I’d certainly run out of paper. But if you’ve helped me, past or present, please know that I truly appreciate you.

Some of you I have to love from afar, and some of you still creep into my dreams even after all this time. Sadly, some of you just don’t understand me, and maybe you never did, but I still love you. On the flip side, some of you just haven’t got a clue…and it’s clear now, more than ever, that it was your loss.

Tikeya, stop being so rough on a brother; I am not a loser, even if my niece calls me one! She’s only four, what does she know? Shout out to the Chase twins. Lisa Lamar, you are now immortalized. Thanks for all the memories. Much love to Tracye Stafford, we got to keep it moving. It’s so good knowing you have my back to the fullest. To Lisa Richardson and Angela Oates, looking forward to getting back to work.

Kelli Martin, I still hear your editorial voice, much love, always. Patty Rice, you are always remembered. Stacey Barney, look forward to working with you. Much love to all my old colleagues at Woodridge.

DeWright Johnson, much respect and love you always. To all my friends, past, present and future, what can I say…I need ya’ll.
Shaka, you know what? I should call my brother. Anthony, Mike Davis, Rufus, Lowe, Eric Patterson…man, you are one of the wildest dudes ever, Black, Butter, Daren, Carl, and my brother Jim Chaney.

Nothing but love to some of my fellow authors out there. Victoria C. Murry, Karrine Steffans, Zane, Shannon Holmes, Lolita Files, Danette Majette, Zach Tate, Candace Dow, Wahida Clark, K’wan, Crystal Winslow, and so many others I’ve met out there who are so down-to-earth, it’s a real pleasure. There’s a lot of haters, snakes, and thieves out there, but don’t let ’em wreck your flow. Even if you don’t lift a finger they get pushed back and around and still don’t wind up happy; it’s funny to me.

Thanks to all the radio stations, book clubs, and magazines. Especially my sweetheart Justine Love, and my homey Todd B at WPGC, and my girl Natalie Case at Magic 102.3.

Much love and gratitude to Nina Graybill. To Manie Baron: here’s to the future, show me what you know.

If you feel like I left you out, don’t. Sit down and try to list everybody who has lent you a serious hand in life, or this year even, you’ll understand. I got nothing but love for you.

Last but definitely not least are the most important—my readers. To any Darren Coleman fans, and to the readers who aren’t fans yet, thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving me a shot. Spread the love and send a friend to scoop up a copy.

Till the next episode, I love ya’ll. I’m out.

Dr. C

1. This book tells the story of Diego, who is able to give no-nonsense advice, yet unable to make almost any wise decision regarding his own life. How do you think he got to be that way?

2. At the outset of the book, Diego was reflective of his behaviors and how he got into a horrible predicament. After reading the story, do you feel that he was truly sorry for anything he did?

3. Is Diego’s attitude toward women indicative of how you feel most men are? In what ways?

4. Jacob seemed to be the most sensitive and the most sensible of the pair, which made what happened with him and Elise all the more shocking. Do you think his fall from grace was realistic, believable, and understandable?

5. In the end, do you think it was possible for Jacob to really have found love with Elise? Could it last?

6. Although the author uses humorous situations to depict Lee’s problematic situation with his wife, he recognizes that domestic abuse is very serious. Roughly 40 out of 100 domestic abuse cases involve women against men. While women have been encouraged to report it, virtually nothing has been done to encourage men to come forward. Do you feel that this trend is acceptable, and if not, what should be done?

7. Jacob’s story is a classic tale of a cover-up spinning out of control. He contemplated trying to talk to his superiors earlier but changed his mind out of fear that he would lose it all. Do you think things worked out best for him?

8. Diego used sex as a medication to numb himself during tough times. Do you think he was a typical man, or a sex addict?

9. Was Diego qualified to write the column based upon all of his experiences with women?

10. Did it seem realistic that Alicia’s pain would drive her to do the things she did?

11. Which character was your favorite/least favorite? Which one, if any, could you relate to the most in your life, past or present?

12. Could you ever imagine that school teachers behave like Diego, Jacob, and even Willie, who drank and smoked marijuana on school grounds daily?

13. Which letter to Dr. C. did you most relate to?

14. What was your favorite part of the story and why?

15. Ultimately, what did you take away from this book? What do you feel the author’s motivation was for writing it?