FeMALE TRAITS II (The Trilogy)

By Lurea C. McFadden

Grace Trufant is back again. Estranged from her husband because of her infidelities she is losing her husband Edwin to another woman, who happens to be his best friend. Grace Trufant learns she is pregnant and not sure of the paternity of the child. The threat of single motherhood is not a situation she will entertain. Grace plots and schemes to keep ties with her former lover Brian and her estranged husband intact until the arrival of her baby. Once again she is back to her old tricks but fate plays a greater part in the plan. Tragedy, death and unexpected meetings throw salt in the game as Grace maneuvers to take advantage of all situations. Grace is not the only woman with FeMALE TRAITS in this one. Felicia Hubert, wife of successful accountant Stacey Hubert, has plans of her own. Thinking the grass is greener on the other side as she goes through a mid-life crisis proves to be too much for her to bear. Check out the moves in FeMALE TRAITS II.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lurea C. McFadden
• Release date: Dec 3, 2011
• ISBN: 9780975546468

Lurea C. McFadden

Lurea C. McFadden was born in Harlem, New York. She is now a native of Trenton, NJ, where she works for the State of New Jersey. She attended Jacksonville University where she received a Bachelors of Arts Degree in History. She has spent many years working in the public schools system as a Social Studies Teacher. She is an avid fan of the NFL. She recently completed her latest novel, BAD LUCK, which debuted late August 2013. She is now looking to take her work to the Big Screen.

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FeMALE TRAITS II

By Lurea C. McFadden

This work is a work of fiction. Names, characters, incidents and places are products of the author’s imagination and are purely fictional creations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is purely coincidental.

Copyright 2005 by Lurea C. McFadden

Smashwords Edition

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

ISBN 978-0-9755464-6-8

www.lureamcfadden.com

Cover Illustrated by OCJGRAPHIX.COM

Back Cover Photo by Donna Tolifero

Other books by Lurea C. McFadden

FeMALE TRAITS

FeMALE TRIATS PT. III

MEN DON’T LEAVE

Plan B, Some Kind of Crazy

FeMALE TRAITS II A Novel By Lurea C. McFadden

Acknowledgements – Always I thank God for my gifts and my being. I would like to thank my family, friends and loved ones for all the support and guidance they have extended in my journey. It goes without saying that the many conversations I shared with Rahiim Hill were invaluable to the development of this book. Somebody tell Rahiim to holla at a sista! Thank you to Rochelle Rozier, Pat Scaccetti, Stephanie Gee and Gaye Taylor for all your help and time. Next, I would like to thank all the managers at the Border’s Express and Waldenbooks bookstores. Also, I would like to thank Urban Knowledge Bookstores, Source of Knowledge, Affordable Books, Liguorius Bookstore, A & B Bookstore, the DC Bookman and Rising Sonz Bookstore for allowing me to promote my work at their stores. Special thanks to Warren Trent of WPVI Philadelphia, Cream Magazine, and the Downtowner. To my Editor Constance Bennett, you are amazing. Without your guidance and support none of this would be possible. To Bruce Publishing, thanks for the freedom to create and craft my words into this form. Thanks. Last but certainly not least I thank you the readers for your continued support.

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise

Grace wrapped her arms around herself in an effort to ward away some of the chill that still lingered in her bones. This February was one of the coldest she could recall in a very long time. Pulling off her hat, she fluffed up her hair and settled in to await the news. She realized that being there was just the icing on the cake.

As she reached for a magazine to distract herself, she heard her name being called.

Her legs remained frozen as she tried to rise to answer the call.

Grace Trufant, there it was again.

Mustering all the willpower she could, she rose and headed towards the nurse who was holding a metal clipboard and scanning the room.

Their eyes met and the nurse smiled.

Grace did not return the greeting.

Sensing there was more to the strikingly beautiful woman than a bad attitude, the nurse continued to smile as she said, Please follow me. The doctor will be with you in a moment.

That said, they proceeded to Exam Room 3 where she instructed Grace on where to put her clothes, handed her a gown, smiled again and left the examining room.

What is she smiling about? Grace wondered to herself. Still, she proceeded to follow instructions as her nerves took hold and she needed once again to sit down.

After what seemed like an eternity, Dr. Smith entered the room.

How are we doing today? she asked smiling also.

What is it around here today? Grace thought. This place has more smiles than Wal-Mart.

Dr. Smith waited for a response. She patted Grace on the knee and continued.

Well, well I see you are not in the mood for us today. Is there anything you want to talk about?

Grace forced a smile. No, I am okay. Just a little tired that’s all. I didn’t mean to be rude. Please tell Jeanette, I’m sorry.

Well in your condition you will need to remain calm so the baby will develop healthy and strong.

Dr. Smith reached for Grace at the exact moment her head started to shoot towards the examining table.

Catching her in her arms, she gently slapped her on the cheek as Grace regained consciousness.

Grace, Grace wake up! Are you all right?

Grace looked at the poster of the human muscular system that hung on the wall. With her head still spinning she managed an answer.

I just need you to say it outright. Her voice pleaded.

After Grace had regained her standings, Dr. Smith looked her in the eyes, smiled once again and stated, Grace Trufant you are going to have a baby. Congratulations!

Grace sucked in air at record speeds. She realized that not only was her head spinning but at this point her world just spun off its axis.

The Best Laid Plans

Edwin Trufant pulled his key ring from his pants pocket, searched around for the front door key and preceded into the house. Hanging the keys on the peg in the hallway, he glanced at the collection he had accumulated with the advent of the New Year. The keys to Sunset Blvd., and his previous residence, still held their prominent place on the ring. Edwin made a mental note to return them to Grace this weekend. He wanted to close that chapter of his life.

Just as he was closing the door the wind picked up and a cool breeze blew into the house.

Sonia yelled down the stairs at that moment as well.

Edwin is that you? she questioned, more out of impulse than curiosity.

Yeah babe, it’s me he answered, closing the door. He placed his coat in the hall closet and pulled off his soiled shoes.

By the time Edwin relaxed his outerwear and briefcase, Sonia had begun to descend the stairs. Edwin stared up as he watched her coming down the stairs. She smiled and he smiled in return.

For some reason Edwin thought of Grace at that moment. Looking towards the table in the foyer he turned his attention to the mail lying on the table.

How was your day? Sonia inquired walking over to him and planting a kiss on his lips.

He reached down, wrapped his arm around her waist and returned her kiss. Fine, but not as fine as you. How was your day? he asked, not letting go of her as he spoke.

She nestled her head in his chest and responded, As good as it gets in the winter. The kids don’t stay outside for long, so they burn up too much of their energy in the classroom. I can’t wait for summer!

Me either. By the way, have you thought of a wedding date yet? With Marie Taylor on the case the divorce should be final by the end of the summer.

Sonia looked up at Edwin, trying to read his expression as he spoke. She knew talking about Grace and their divorce was still a painful subject but at least he wanted to know what date she had picked.

I was thinking if everything goes okay then maybe Labor Day weekend might be good.

He squeezed her tighter. Don’t worry everything will go just fine. Why do you think there will be any problems? Grace knows there is nothing between us that can stop me from divorcing her. Don’t worry honey; from here on out its smooth sailing. He leaned his head down and kissed her waiting lips.

Her soft lips parted to receive his tongue. Hungrily she returned his kiss, gazed into his eyes and smiled.

Her hands roamed his strong back, as fire began to creep into her loins. She rubbed her legs between his legs as he embraced her. He moaned. Running her hands under his shirt, she looked up at him. The contour of his strong muscles ignited the fire even further.

Let’s go upstairs and discuss this. She smiled and headed up the stairs with Edwin on her heels.

Easy goes it

Brian reached for the phone before he realized what he was doing. Grabbing the receiver he said, Hello.

There was no response.

Hello he repeated.

This time the woman’s voice on the other end said, I must have the wrong number; I am sorry; I was trying to reach Melissa.

Before the caller disconnected Brian quickly said, Oh, you have the right number. I picked up the phone by mistake. Hold on and I will get her for you.

Placing the phone on the couch Brian bolted up the stairs two at a time. When he reached the bathroom door he knocked gently before entering. He tried to hide his embarrassment at answering her phone but he was caught between a rock and a hard place.

Err. I sort of answered your phone babe. I was chilling on the couch and it rang. I reached over and picked it up before I could stop myself. Guess I am so comfortable here I forgot I wasn’t home.

She stood with a towel wrapped around her and began to laugh. I guess Grace must have done a real job on you. Its okay; I have nothing to hide.

His facial expression relaxed as she spoke.

Just so I can do the same at your place. She half-joked as she reached under the faucet and flicked water on him.

He ducked unsuccessfully. No problem, I have nothing to hide. I am all yours; there is nothing that will come between us, he said smiling. He patted her on the behind as she headed into the bedroom to retrieve the phone.

Easy does it big boy! Don’t start anything that you can’t finish! she called over her shoulder.

Just what the doctor ordered

Grace couldn’t decide who to call first. The problem was a simple one. She did not know who the father was. Chances were that the baby was Edwin’s but she could not be certain. She recalled with mixed feelings two occasions with Brian Lawson, her former lover, which left room for doubt.

Once again she scolded herself for being so weak. If she had just… she knew that that was all water under the bridge at this point. Sitting on the back porch she began to weigh her options. She was definitely having her baby. That part was not up for debate.

Sipping on a glass of cranberry juice, she recalled a hot day back when she was fourteen when she was involved in a fight with a neighborhood girl. She had won the fight without much effort. When she and the girl were separated by their friends the girl roughly pulled her displaced garments in place, adjusted her ponytails, stared Grace in the eyes and spat out, "I wish your momma had gotten that abortion like she was supposed to". Grace had wanted to leap back on that child and stomp her into the pavement but her friends held her tight. But more than that, her words had cut Grace to the core. She vowed at that moment never to take that route if she ever found herself pregnant.

As she sat the glass down on the resin table, a smile formed on her lips. She looked at the manila envelope on the table. It contained her divorce papers which she still had not signed. Maybe this is just what the doctor ordered she thought. Maybe this was the universe’s way of bringing Edwin back into her life. Now, if she could just be sure he was the father. She knew he would return when she told him the news. No matter how mad he was, Edwin was just not the type of man to stay with Sonia when his wife was having his baby. Yes, this could turn out to be just what the doctor ordered, Grace thought with a smile.

Always a bridesmaid…

Natalie reached for the low cut sage green gown with a split and held it up to her chest. Doesn’t this look just divine? she asked Sonia as she paraded in front of the mirror.

Yeah, I guess. But I was thinking of something more how...do...you...say?

Hoochie Natalie said with a laugh.

No heifer, I was thinking classy but after all it is for you not me so what do you think? She sat in an arm chair outside the dressing room and watched as her friend turned every angle possible in the three way mirror.

Just go try on the dress! Sonia finally blurted out.

Hey don’t get testy little lady you are supposed to be the blushing bride. So get to blushing and get off a sister’s back Natalie said with a smile and headed into the dressing room.

Whatever girl! Just get in there and let me see you in that dress!

After a few minutes, Natalie strutted out looking fabulous. She swung herself around once again in the mirror and turned to her friend. What do you think? as she spoke she walked an imaginary walkway with the grace of Naomi Campbell.

Oh girl you look marvelous. Damn that dress is all that. Turn around and let me see. I had better tell Edwin to put his boys on alert. The way you are working that body I may be a bridesmaid before I am a bride.

"Not to worry about that babe. Edwin has plans and I doubt there is anything that can slow him down.

Ennie, Mennie, miney, moe

Grace knew she needed to cover all her bases. In