Soulmates Dissipate (6 page)

The digital clock in his Mercedes said ten-fifteen. He promised his mother he’d stop by before he left town. It was a perfect day in the Bay Area. The morning rush hour had ended. He zipped across the Golden Gate Bridge and took the first exit into Sausalito. The zigzag hill resembled Lombard Street. With each curve, he plunged his accelerator uphill as if he were test-driving for a commercial. He parked behind his mother’s silvery Jaguar.

The house had looked the same as long as he could remember. His friends called it the White House. It was three stories high with six thousand square feet. Often he wondered how it survived the earthquakes. The sunroom on the third floor was where he’d spent countless hours meditating. Wellington walked in and followed his nose. The
aroma of bacon trailed from the living room, through the dining room, and into the kitchen. He tiptoed behind his mother and wrapped his arms around her waist.

“Boy! You almost scared me to death.”

“Nothing could scare you to death, woman. Give me a kiss.” Her cold thin lips pecked his cheek.

“Have a seat. I just finished cooking breakfast. And take that cap off in my house.”

Wellington held the cap in his hand.” I can’t stay. I’ve got to pick up Diamond by twelve. I’m taking her on a surprise trip. We’ll be back Sunday. Where’s Dad?” Wellington sat on the bar stool nearest the stove.

“Christopher is at the Forty-niners game.” Cynthia paused.” Who’s Diamond? And
where
are you taking her?”

“I think she might be the one, Mom. But I’m not sure yet. That’s why I’m taking
her
down the coast. She’s the most beautiful Black Nubian Queen I’ve laid eyes on.” Wellington grabbed a piece of bacon off the plate. Wellington admired his mother’s beauty and brains but her personality was harsh.

Sternly she commented, “Well, just don’t forget to ask what organizations she’s in. That way I can do my own research. You’re the only one who can carry on the family name and tradition. I’ve told you—I don’t want you thinking about marrying someone who doesn’t fit. And besides, how black is black?” Cynthia removed her Oakland Raiders apron. Wellington’s mother was still crazy about them. But everyone knew Cynthia liked the team best when they were the roughest in the NFL.

Wellington stood. He leaned over his mother’s shoulder and kissed her on the cheek.” She’s radiant!”

“I can’t see radiant. Keep going.” She opened the oven and removed the tray.

“Okay. She’s Blacker than Whoopi and more beautiful than Angela Bassett.”

“Nonsense. No one is more beautiful than Angela or Blacker than Whoopi. How are Walter and Deon?” Cynthia placed the hot buttery homemade biscuits next to the bacon.” Oh, did I tell you Melanie called?”

“Walter’s fine. We groomed his lawn last weekend. Deon and Gina are doing great. And Mom, Melanie’s just a kid. I haven’t seen her in almost twenty years.” Wellington hugged his mother and shouted from the dining room, “You’re gonna love Jada, Mom! Trust me.”

With his cap turned backward, Wellington flew down the hill. His Byron Lee Soca Frenzy CD bumped hard against the SurroundSound speakers in his Benz.” Who let the dogs out! Ruff. Ruff. Ruff. Ruff. Ruff,” he barked. He chose the back route through Richmond and Berkeley into Oakland to avoid tourism and lunch-hour traffic on the Golden Gate and Bay bridges. His whole body grooved to the Caribbean beat. He sang, “A doggie is
nothing
if he
don’t
have a
bone.
All doggies hold your bone!” Wellington arrived precisely at eleven fifty-nine. He parked his car in one of the spots marked
VISITOR.
The doorman greeted him. Wellington read the name on his tag.

“Hello, Edward.” Wellington firmly shook his hand.” Would you kindly let Ms. Jada Diamond Tanner know Wellington Jones has arrived?”

“My pleasure, sir.”

Wellington watched the elevator light move. Twenty-one. Twenty. Nineteen … All the way down to the first floor without stopping. When the doors opened, he instantly realized Jada lived in the penthouse. She looked more striking than he remembered.

Jada was dressed in a simple tropical ankle-length skirt with thigh-high splits on each side. Her pierced belly button wore a small ruby circled by miniature diamonds. The matching exotic scarf wrapped around her protruding breasts. Her hair flowed over her bare shoulders down to her waistline.

“Hi. You look great,” Wellington complimented her.

As Wellington carried Jada’s bag and basket, “Doggie” replayed in his head.
Ruff!
He felt so good; he slipped the bellman a fifty and winked.

“Thanks. Hi,” Jada responded.” I’m really curious. Can you at least give me a hint as to where we’re going this weekend?” Wellington opened the door and waited until Jada was comfortably seated.

Once they were both inside, he said, “Relax. I could but that would spoil the surprise. Patience, my Queen …”

Jada reclined in the passenger seat and put on her sunglasses.” Okay, Mr. Wonderful, I’m relaxed now, and since you won’t tell me where we’re going, at least allow me to ask you a few
personal
questions.”

Wellington learned the hard way how women could get your whole life history in one conversation and use it to their advantage. So he devised
his own strategy.” Under one condition. We trade one for one.”

“I can handle that.” Jada leaned forward, flipped her hair over the headrest, and leaned back.

“Ladies first.” Wellington switched to disk eleven, Kenny G, and cruised south along Highway 1.

“Okay. If you could change just one thing about your life, what would it be and why?”

Wellington premeditated.” That’s an easy question with a hard answer. The absence of my real parents has created an irreplaceable void in my life. I often wonder if they’re alive.” Everything around Wellington was a blur, except the road ahead. There was less than two feet of space where the shoulder ended and the steep cliff began. Below, Wellington could see waves washing ashore, children wading, and lots of people sunbathing.” I love my adoptive parents but …” A lump formed in his throat.

A moment of silence passed.” You can just hire an investigator to find them. At least that way you’ll know,” suggested Jada.

“Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.” Wellington shifted in his seat.” It’s like, I really want to know, but then again I don’t. If they’re alive and choose not to acknowledge me, I’m not sure how I’d deal with the rejection.” For the first time in years, Wellington openly discussed the subject. He sighed and tried to enjoy the view.” I have pictures of both my mothers hanging in the living room. I’d like to show you when you visit. I’m not sure what my old man looks like. Perhaps one day, I’ll seek them out. Who knows?” Wellington paused.” Okay. That’s enough. Now it’s my turn to ask you a question.”

“Go for it.” Jada propped her hands behind her head.

Her fragrances enthralled Wellington’s head. He contemplated, then asked, “If you could change just one thing about your life, what would it be and why?”

Instantly Jada leaned forward and looked over at Wellington.” Now that’s not fair. You’re asking the same question.”

“Life isn’t fair. So answer it.” He was thankful his big head dominated and put the little one in check.

First she repeated the question. Then Jada hesitantly began to speak.” I would change the color of my dark skin.” Wellington’s forehead wrinkled and his eyes cut to the right. He listened attentively.” As a child, I was constantly teased. What hurt most was it wasn’t the whites that tortured me. It was the blacks. Some were my so-called friends. I can picture their faces. I can still hear them chanting: ‘Don’t! Don’t! Don’t come out at night because you’ll grow wings like a crow and take flight.’” Jada took a deep breath. Her fingers interlocked and rested in her lap.

Wellington interrupted.” You’re the most striking woman I’ve laid eyes on. Your jet-black skin radiates. You have a Ms. Universe smile. You’re tall, sexy, gorgeous, intelligent, warm, and lovely for all to see. Why do you think I laid rose petals at your feet? Why do you think I call you my Nubian Queen? Diamond, you are beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.”

“Thanks. Don’t get me wrong—I love myself more than anyone else. But I hated those kids.”

Wellington tried to understand although he
couldn’t relate. People had envied him all his life. There was nothing he’d wanted to do but hadn’t had an opportunity. But he was glad the questions were over.

“Okay, my turn to ask another question,” Jada said.

Wellington’s foot plunged the accelerator.

“Are you the type of man who will commit to one woman? And before you answer, let me say that fidelity is extremely important to me.”

At least this was an easy question.” Well, I had a wife once but her husband came and got her.” Wellington slapped his leg and nudged Jada’s shoulder. She laughed too.” I’m happy you have a sense of humor. You just passed your first test.”

“What do you mean?” Jada inquired.

“If you had taken me serious, I would have known you weren’t comfortable with the subject even though you asked the question. Therefore, I wouldn’t have discussed my personal relationships with you. It’s a major turn off when a woman gets defensive about my past experiences. I’m not perfect and I don’t try to be.” Wellington glanced down at Jada’s thighs. The front flap of her skirt had formed into a V at her crotch.

“Now seriously, I have no problem with dedication. However, I’d commit myself before I’d be faithful for the sake of making someone else happy. Society dictates so much that people have subconsciously bought into—what I call the unwritten rules. Any man can have a wife; I’m going to marry my soulmate.” Wellington exited off the freeway. White sand. Blue water. Seventy-eight degrees.” Welcome to Carmel,” he announced.

Jada’s hazel-colored eyes beamed with excitement.
”Oh my gosh! This is one of my favorite hideaways.”

“This is only the beginning,” Wellington reassured her.

“Yes! I am living for this weekend. I’m ready to have a mandatory, downright, outright good time starting right now. Stop the car! I want to get out here.” Jada bounced in her seat.

Wellington pulled the car over to the parking area near the beach.” Actually, this is where we start. Let me open the door to more than just the car.

He got out and walked around to the passenger side. Jada was so excited she jumped out and planted a kiss on his lips.

“Wait right here.” Wellington removed his goody bag, picnic basket, and CD player from the trunk.” You may have brought your own bag but did you bring the
funk.”
He held the portable in one hand like a trophy.

Jada threw both hands in the air.” Hey! I’ve got to get up just a little bit earlier in the morning to keep up with you, my brother. But let’s see if you can beat Mama to the beach.
Baby.”

Wellington admired Jada’s spunk. She ran toward the water like Flo jo. Wellington tried to keep up. He came in a not-so-close second. He placed everything on the dry sand. Jada took off again. This time he trailed right behind her.

“You’re a little frisky. I like that.” He grabbed her from behind and wrapped his arms around her slender waist. “This is a great beginning to a beautiful friendship.” Then he reached into the crystal blue water and drenched her hair.

“Hey! That’s not fair!”

“Life isn’t fair.” Wellington smiled.” Come with me.”

Wellington led Jada by the hand. She followed him back to their place on the beach. He spread out a blanket with exotic tropical designs.

Jada inhaled.” Do you think this blanket is large enough?”

“It’s perfect.” Then Wellington commanded in a deep sexy voice, “Lie down. Turn over on your stomach. Now, you have to trust me. Let
me
do
my
thing.”

Wellington unwrapped the back of Jada’s scarf.

“What are you—?”

“Ssssshhh.
Don’t speak. Just listen and bond spiritually with the sounds of the ocean, and the setting of the sun. Soon will come the full moon, and the twinkling of the stars.” Wellington turned the volume low and popped in a CD with all the songs played from the night they’d met.” Let the music feed your soul. This is the ideal time to be on the beach. Within a few hours, we’ll experience it all.”

Jada turned her head to the side and closed her eyes. Wellington pulled out the oil and began to massage her back. Deep, strong strokes glided along her soft skin. He rolled up Jada’s skirt as high as he could. His hands journeyed up her sexy chocolate thighs. His thumbs rested in her arch. He pressed along the outer sides of her lips. She responded with mild convulsions. He slid his hands under her skirt and massaged her ass. Damn! Her pussy smelled like Lady Godiva. His body ached. She moaned. His penis expanded. He thought how nice it would be to make love right there on the beach. He tied Jada’s scarf.

“Turn over,” Wellington insisted.

Slowly she revolved. He lay beside her. Gazed at the sunset.” Did you just have an orgasm?”

“That’s one for me.” Jada smiled.

“And James Brown said ‘It’s a Man’s World.’ Now that shit turned me on.” Wellington nodded.” Changing the subject, I want a spiritual woman who’s connected with the
universe.
You know most people never take time to embrace different forms of life. I’m vibing with you right now. I feel your spirit moving. Close your eyes and listen to the waves wash upon the shore.”

“Okay,” Jada whispered.

“Now open your eyes and gaze at the stars above. Can you feel the twinkle inside your soul?”

“Oh, yes. I feel
more Than
a twinkle.” Jada’s cheeks tightened. Wellington watched her hips rise and fall.

“We’ve only just begun.” Wellington spoke softly in Jada’s ear.” Well, it’s getting late but the night is still young.” Wellington outlined Jada’s lips with his tongue.” I reserved two rooms at Carmel’s Beachfront Inn.”

Jada’s eyes flashed open. “Two rooms?”

“Yes, two adjoining rooms, my Queen.” Wellington knew she’d respect him even if she didn’t like the idea.

Once Jada was settled in her room, Wellington went to his and hit the shower. He cleaned everything, twice. Wellington had discovered in the ninth grade that sexually adventurous females would cut your game short if your ass wasn’t clean. Naked, he went to answer the phone.