“How much is your car payment?” “You know it’s six sixty-six.”

  “An evil number for an evil person.”

  Ava frowned, “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” “Just a joke.” Donavan laughed, but soon stopped when he realized it didn’t go over very well.

  Ava placed her hands on her hips. “I ain’t in the mood for this bullshit. Can you help me or not?”

  “I’ll give you half.”

  “Why can’t you give me all of it?”

  “Because it’s your car, not mine, and I ain’t your boyfriend, and according to you, I will never be.”

  She took a deep breath. She had to do something fast.

  Her lifestyle was catching up with her. She would have to sell some of her jewelry—something had to be done. She would not go on struggling to make ends meet, and she’d made up her mind that she wasn’t going to continue to date some struggling-ass drug dealer.

  “Okay, I understand that, but why the attitude?”

  Donavan bit into his cheese eggs, “I don’t have an attitude, I’m just telling you what you told me.”

  “I know what I told you.”

  He took a swig of orange juice, “Look, like I said, I will give you half because we’re friends.” “That’s what we’ve always been.”

  “So why did you ask me to pay your whole car note?” She tightened the belt on her robe and said, “Look, Donavan, when you need pussy, I seem to be the first person you call, so that’s why I want you to help me with the bill.”

  “Oh, I understand now,” He said, his eyes beaming as he licked his greasy lips. “I see what this is all about now. You want me to make a down payment on some pussy that I’ve already gotten.”

  “Fuck you, Donavan.”

  “You’re nothing but a gold-digger who can’t find gold.” “Donavan, get the hell out of my house.”

  “As soon as I eat my food, I’m out, and I ain’t never coming back to this motherfucker.”

  “I don’t give a damn, Donavan. It’s not like you’re doing shit for me anyway. Everything that you’ve done for me, I can do for myself.”

  “Right, like I just didn’t give you some money a couple of weeks ago, and like I just didn’t give you a watch just last week.”

  “You call that money? I can blow that money at the mall on one outfit.” That’s exactly what she had done with the money he’d given her. She had gone to Neiman’s and bought an outfit and a pair of shoes that she’d seen a reality star wearing. That thousand dollars hadn’t lasted an hour.

  Donavan stared at her but didn’t say a word. He didn’t have to. She knew what he was thinking. He was wondering why in the hell would she go to the mall and spend all her money, knowing that she had bills coming up. And she knew it didn’t make sense, but that’s what she had done.

  Donavan stood and grabbed two strips of bacon with his hands and shoved them down his throat. His eyes were still on her, and she felt bad about how she’d spoken to him, but she knew this wasn’t the last of Donavan. They had that kind of relationship. It was very dysfunctional, but they needed each other. She needed to feel wanted, and so did he. He headed upstairs and put his clothes on, and a few minutes later, when he was about to walk out the door, he left seven one hundred dollar bills. He didn’t say goodbye.

  She really felt bad about how she had treated Donavan because she knew he would do anything for her. He simply didn’t have the power to really deny her what she wanted. Whatever she wanted, he would give to her, if he could. She just wished he had more to give.

  #

  Back to top.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Ava sat in the visiting room at Caledonia State Correctional, waiting on her father to come out. She hated going there. Though she loved her father, she hated the prison atmosphere. The guards always stared at her. She could tell they all wondered why she was there. She knew she looked out of place. Most of the people who came to visit prisoners looked poor and homely. Though she didn’t like going, she visited often because she loved her dad, and she was the reason he was there in the first place; because he had defended her. He’d told her on more than one occasion that he would do it all over again, and he didn’t have one regret.

  David came to the visiting room, checked in with the guard, spotted his daughter, and hurried to the table. Ava stood up and hugged him. The people at the next table stared, surely wondering about the nature of their relationship. Though David was approaching fifty, he still looked good for his age. Prison had really preserved him.

  Ava looked at a woman who had been staring at her and stared right back until she looked away.

  “These people act like I come from Mars or something.”

  David grinned. “Well, baby, to them you do come from Mars—look, you’re wearing all designer stuff. Most of these people in here could never afford the stuff that you’re wearing, and they probably think you’re some drug-dealer’s girlfriend.”

  “Never,” Ava said. She thought about Donavan. She would never tell her Dad about Donavan and that she had been getting money from him. Dating an older man was one thing, but there was no way she would let him know she was seeing a hustler. He would worry. He had always warned her about that. He’d pointed out young guys in the visiting room who were serving twenty-five to thirty years for dealing dope, and some of them even had girlfriends who were serving big time just for being involved with them.

  “I didn’t say you were, I’m just saying what they probably think because of the way you’re dressed.” “Well, I can’t help that I like nice things.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with having nice things, as long as you have a legitimate way to pay for them.”

  “Everything I have ever had, I paid for legitimately.” David looked closely at Ava. This conversation was making her uncomfortable.

  “Baby, I’m not trying to start an argument with you, and I really do appreciate all you do for me, but I want you to use your head and not your good looks to get ahead.

  As long as you use your looks, you will always be dependent on a man.”

  “Daddy, I’m grown.”

  “And you’re smart, too.”

  She smiled and then wondered what she could do to earn money. What could she do to make money without a man’s help? She didn’t have any skills, and she’d barely graduated from high school. She wasn’t the scholarly type. She had to use what she had to get what she needed. She understood her daddy’s concern, though.

  David took her hand and they exchanged glances. When he saw the guard staring, he released her hand, even though they knew she was his daughter. Prison rules only allowed minimal contact – a hug and a kiss at the beginning of the visit, and another at the end.

  “Daddy, I know you want only what’s best for me.” “Ava, you’re going to be thirty one day.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “That means that by the time you’re thirty, there will be younger and cuter girls that guys will be going for.”

  “What are you getting at?”

  “I just think you should go back to school or start a business or something. Don’t depend on a man.”

  “I hear what you’re saying.” She glanced away, hoping he would change the subject.

  “Do you really hear me,” he said sternly.

  She turned and faced him. “Daddy, by the time I get to be thirty, I’m gonna be rich.”

  He laughed and said, “It sounds funny, but Ava, I have no doubt that you’re gonna be rich.” He leaned forward and placed his elbows on the table. “Thank you for the money you sent me.”

  “Daddy, you don’t have to thank me for anything. What’s mine is yours.”

  “I appreciate everything you do for me,” he said and then glanced down at his cheap Iron Man watch that he had purchased from the commissary, “I gotta go, babe.”

  “So soon?” She made a sad face. “Don’t be so sad.”

  “I always get sad when I have to leave you here at this place.” She poked her lips out. “Why are you leaving so soon, Daddy?”

  “My team is playing, but the next time I’ll stay the whole visit and I’ll kick your butt in UNO again.”

  A big smiled covered her face as she stood and they hugged, and he gave her a kiss on her forehead, just like he had when she was a little girl. She watched him as he walked past the guard and disappeared back into Hell.

  #

  Back to top.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  After Ava paid her car note online and bought some groceries, she was almost broke. She pulled the business card from her purse. She’d thought long and hard about the possibility of TayShawn just being in a hurry, but she thought he must have had some interest in her. Why else would he have given her his card, complete with his business address and his personal cell phone number? He wanted her. At least, she’d convinced herself of that, and she certainly wanted him.

  What better time to visit TayShawn than now?

  Ava arrived at the offices of Morris and Foster Consulting; she walked right up to the receptionist and asked for TayShawn Morris. The middle-aged white woman asked her for her name and then buzzed TayShawn. Ava took a seat in the lobby. Ten minutes later, TayShawn came out, looking dapper as ever. He wore an expensive blue designer suit with a crisp, white shirt and pink tie that accented his chocolate skin.

  He greeted her with a big smile and a handshake.

  Ava smiled back, thinking maybe he had given her the number on purpose. Maybe he did want her to seek him out. But then he said, “I’m sorry; I didn’t get your name.”

  “It’s Ava; I met you at the gym the other day.”

  He looked confused, as if he were trying to place her face with her name. Then he said, “Did I give you my card?”

  “Yes, remember, you knocked me over when you were leaving.” It was now obvious to Ava that she was not on his radar. Never had been. He was just simply being nice.

  TayShawn said, “It was you that tackled me.”

  Ava said, “What?” Did she hear him correctly? What in the hell was he trying to say? He knew damn well that he knocked her over.

  He laughed and said. “I was just kidding.”

  She returned the smile.

  TayShawn said, “I knew when I walked in that I’d seen you before, I was just trying to place your face.”

  Ava was thinking that she was about to make a fool out of herself. How could her judgment have been so wrong about this man? She was simply thinking about the money and how easy her life would be if he was interested in her.

  “How can I help you, Ava?”

  “Well, I don’t want you to think I’m trying to take advantage of you, but I have been in a little pain, and I was going to go get a massage. My back has been kind of tense since we ran into each other . . .”

  He interrupted, “I have a sports masseuse that I use, and they have a sports doctor who can check you out. I will call them and ask them to bill me.”

  “That will be wonderful. I don’t want you to think I’m being petty.”

  “No, not at all, I want to make sure you’re okay.”

  A well-dressed, older, black gentleman with a graying beard walked in from the back. “TayShawn, remember, we have a conference in fifteen minutes.” Then he smiled at Ava.

  Ava grinned at him, just to be polite. She was still trying to figure out how she was going to stay in touch with TayShawn. She knew that once she visited his sports doctor, their “relationship” would be over. There would be no reason to stay in touch with him.

  The older man said, “Who is this cutie, TayShawn?” Ava smiled politely again.

  TayShawn said, “This is Ava. She goes to my gym.” The older gentlemen said, “I’m Ellis Foster, TayShawn’s business partner.” He reached for her hand and kissed it. “I think I need to start going to your gym.”

  He was smooth, and Ava liked that. Her mind raced. She knew that if Ellis was TayShawn’s partner, his net worth had to be at least the same as TayShawn’s, but likely more. He was older, and he knew she would have a better chance of getting with Ellis than with TayShawn. Older, rich men like young girls to make them feel young.

  “I was just about to send Ava to Ortho Carolina to get her back looked at and get her a massage if the doctors think it’s okay.”

  “What’s wrong with her back?”

  “I knocked her down accidentally at the gym yesterday.” Ellis smiled and said, “You don’t send a woman like that to the doctor! You take her to dinner, and since you’re married and I’m not, I’ll take her to dinner!”

  Ava smiled; she liked Ellis already. At that moment she lost all interest in TayShawn and wanted to see what Ellis was about.

  “Sounds like you’re inviting me to dinner,” she said. TayShawn laughed. “Yeah, this old cat is smooth.”

  Ava smiled brightly. “I see.”

  “I’m not too old for you,” Ellis said, and then he winked at her. “Am I?”

  TayShawn said, “Don’t you wanna ask if she’s married?” Ellis looked at TayShawn then back at Ava, “I didn’t see a ring.”

  “No, I’m not married, and you’re not too old for me. I’m grown,” Ava said. Then she said, “You look like you’re about forty-five.” Really, he looked at least fifty-five, but Ava had learned that flattery could carry her a long way, especially when flattering an older man.

  He laughed. “I like this girl! I’m actually fifty-seven. I work out a lot, but obviously I’m at the wrong gym.”

  “You sure are,” TayShawn said.

  “That gym seems to be dangerous, with six-foot-six ex-NBA players knocking people over,” Ellis laughed.

  “The name of the clinic is the Charlotte Ortho Center.

  It’s for sports injuries, so just call them and tell them you want to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jason Brown and tell them I will be paying for it. They know me over there,” TayShawn said.

  “Cool,” Ava said.

  “I gotta be getting back to work,” TayShawn said, and left. Ava watched him walk away, thinking she would much rather be with him than old-ass Ellis, but she was happy that she wasn’t going to be coming up empty-handed.

  Ellis smiled at her again, and she thought he was a rather handsome older man, with a full head of hair, barely any gray. His skin was smooth, except for crow’s feet around his eyes. His teeth were nice but not exactly white, but that was to be expected for a man his age. She wondered if he had kids her age. She knew a man like that had to have kids, and those kids would probably pose a problem for her. She had been with rich, old men before, and their kids had absolutely hated her, claiming that she was only after the money. They’d been right, but who were they to judge her?

  “So, Ava, when are we going out for dinner?”

  “I don’t know; you tell me.” Her smile was big and fake.

  “Are you available Friday?” “Yeah. I have no plans.”

  “Meet me at Nikko’s at eight o’clock.” “I sure will.”

  Ellis grabbed her hand and planted a kiss on it, pulled out one of his business cards, and asked her to text him her phone number.

  “I will,” Ava said, smiling to herself, thinking that her mission had been successful.

  #

  Back to top.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Ava drove to Shakira’s house a few days later. She had told her all about meeting Ellis, and she knew her friend had done some investigating.

  Shakira invited her in and directed her to the living room. Seconds later, she came back with some hot tea. Ava sipped her tea and said, “Tell me about Ellis.”

  “The only thing Rob said was that he was an older guy who’d made millions trading commodities before starting the company with TayShawn.”

  “So he’s loaded too?” Ava said. She had already figured that out just because he was older, but she was glad that he had old money.

  “Yeah, I’m assuming.” Shakira hesitated before saying,

  “So you’re about to go after the old man?”

  “The Old Man wants me. He asked me out for a date, and I simply accepted the invitation.” Ava gulped down more tea. She was happy she’d met Ellis, but she wasn’t going to let Shakira know she was that happy. She actually wished she hadn’t told her about Ellis. She knew how jealous women could get, especially over a man with money. She didn’t want her to meet him. At least, not yet – not until she had him wrapped around her finger. Not that Shakira could or would take him from her, but she would be more comfortable if she and Ellis knew each other better first.

  “How did that happen?” Shakira crossed her legs, waiting on Ava to answer.

  “I went to their office to let TayShawn know I was going to get a massage for my back pain and asked him to pay for it, since he did accidentally knock me down,” Ava winked.

  “Unbelievable.”

  “And TayShawn told me about some sports doctor he thought I should see. He said he would pay for it.”

  “He remembered you?”

  “No, he didn’t; he was just being nice by offering me the card. The man wasn’t the slightest bit interested.” Ava looked angry, “That’s why I’m glad I met Ellis.”

  “How did you meet Ellis?”

  “He came out while I was talking to TayShawn and grabbed my hand and kissed it and introduced himself.”

  “I’m amazed. This kind of stuff only happens to you,” Shakira laughed.

  “I make my own destiny.”

  “So tell me, how does Grandpa look?”

  “Honestly, he’s not a bad-looking man; he’s in shape, but still, he looks old enough to be my daddy. I would have rather had TayShawn, but I think I can get him to spend his money a little more quickly than I could’ve gotten TayShawn to do so.”

  “He’s not old and gray, is he?”

  Ava laughed. “His hair is salt-and-pepper. He’s kind of handsome, in a fatherly kind of way.” She sipped more tea. “Anyway, I don’t want him for his looks; I want him for his bread.”