Hooked Up

By Tracye Faulkner

Michel’le believed in love – just not for herself. She had journeyed the road a time or two only to wind up desolate, hurt and alone. She was not willing to risk her heart again. She longed for all of the fire and desire that she read about and heard about, it just didn’t seem like she was destined to receive it. If it looked like it might come close she bolted

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tracye Faulkner
• Release date: Apr 20, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301842094

Book preview

Hooked Up

By: Tracye Faulkner

Copyright Tracye Faulkner 2013

Published by Stories II Tale at Smashwords

Smashwords License Statement

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Cover Art by Kristen Munroe

May the words of my mouth, the meditation of my heart, the keying of my script be acceptable in Thy sight.

Acknowledgements

Wow. I look on this work that God has used me to create and I say – wow. I am humbled and in awe. God shared with me His excitement during the days of the creations. The moment when he stood back and looked at His work and saw that it was good. I stand back and look at this work and know that it is good. God knows it is okay to be proud when we do a good work. God I thank you. I couldn’t have done it without You.

I thank the creators and nurturers of this gift that manifested itself in many small venues before this moment – my parents. I couldn’t have done this without you. I thank my siblings: Tonya, Billy and Chad, who in all things keep me rooted, grounded and focused. I couldn’t have done this without you. I thank Dennis for taking the children on the weekends when he did so I was free to let these words flow. I couldn’t have done this without you. I thank my children for letting me know everyday that I am ‘the best Mom ever’. I couldn’t have done this without you. I thank my sistah gurlz for believing in me and supporting me. I couldn’t have done this without you. I thank the two best internet researchers ever. I couldn’t have done this without you. I thank my homeboyz for reading what may have seemed like a gurlie book and giving me positive feedback. I couldn’t have done this without you. I thank my illustrator who once again took my vision and made it into a cover. I couldn’t have done this without you. I thank my YaYa’s for always being there for me anytime of the day or night. I couldn’t have done this with out you. To everyone who has touched my life and helped me become the person I am. I thank you. You have all contributed to the dynamics of this venture and I couldn’t have done this without you.

Michel’le

She was in love and he hadn’t even touched her. Maybe it was pure lust. Surely that was it. She was a sucker like that. She loved a man who could render intelligent conversation. That seemed simple enough but it often proved to be an oxymoron. He was drawing her into his space like a moth to a flame. She had to regain control. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Dang – look at those teeth. And the way his lips curl into that sensuous smile. Strike two. She was beginning to feel like Cinderella at the ball and she had to go home.

Kyle, this has been a lovely affair. Thank you for having me. I wish you much success. Good night. I hope that didn’t sound too rude, but this sistah has got to jet.

Why thank you, Michel’le. The pleasure has truly been all mine. I appreciate all the diligence you applied to help make this exhibit come to pass.

You are quite welcome; I was just doing my job. Good night.

I excused myself from the circle of conversation and went to get my wrap. It had been a beautiful evening. The exhibit was nothing short of exquisite. Acquiring backing to finance the exhibit for Kyle Ramon had been her assignment. It appeared easy enough when said but she soon found that it was a task which required some reckoning. A quiet sense of accomplishment enveloped her as she stepped into the night air and walked quickly to the parking lot to her car. It was beginning to get a little hot in there!

Michel’le believed in love – just not for herself. She had journeyed the road a time or two only to wind up desolate, hurt and alone. She was not willing to risk her heart again. She longed for all of the fire and desire that she read about and heard about, it just didn’t seem like she was destined to receive it. If it looked like it might come close she bolted. Like with Kyle. Now there was a man who had matured with grace and distinction. He was older than she by at least twenty years but he was well kept. Self-assured and determined he made her heat level rise every time he came around. Like the first time he stepped into her office…

She was on the phone with another client when he entered the office. She motioned for him to have a seat and mouthed that it would be just one minute. He nodded his head and sat. As she took notes from the phone conversation she checked him out with her peripheral vision. She sensed he was doing the same as he looked around her office. Here was an older gentleman, casually dressed with his kangol hat flipped backwards on his head wearing a pair of sage green slacks and a cream colored summer sweater. Very stately. She noted her temperature was rising and funny sensations were registering in her body. She had to keep herself in check. She ended the phone call and stood.

Mr. Ramon, it is a pleasure to meet you.

Ms. Stewart, I do believe the pleasure is mine. I want to thank you in advance for assisting with this undertaking. My friend Linda assured me that you were the person to see. I’m glad you were able to see me so soon.

I’m glad I was able to see you too. Dang, who would have thought you’d be so fine. I was expecting a feeble withering semblance of a man! You sir, have me in heat! Exactly what services would you like me to provide you with Mr. Ramon? That did not come out right. Keep going. Linda mentioned an exhibit and financial backing. Can you tell me what the exhibit entails and where you would like it to be hosted?

I have several pieces of work – some paintings, some carvings and a few iron pieces. Many of the pieces are quite large. It would help if you could come to my gallery to view them and then we could talk further.

Okay, where is your gallery located?

At my home.

My hand stopped moving on the paper where I was prepared to write the address and I looked at him. I realized my breath was caught in my throat and I hoped he didn’t notice. At his house? I was not prepared to go to his house with the feelings he caused to surge through my being. He had not even touched me and I felt like he knew every hot spot on my body. We didn’t even shake hands when he entered the office. Naw. The house thing couldn’t happen. Mr. Ramon are there pieces that you could bring here to the office to give me a general understanding of the exhibit?

I would prefer that you have full understanding of the exhibit as you may be questioned extensively by the persons you contact to back this undertaking. We can plan a time that is conducive to your schedule for you to come out but I would like it to be soon.

Dang. It didn’t look like I was going to be able to get out of this one. Maybe I could get Linda to go with me since she was the one who set this whole thing up. Yeah, that would work. I could not allow myself to be alone in a room with this man. Cool. I could handle this. Let me look through my calendar. I don’t have an opening for almost two weeks. How about the first Monday around 11:30?

That will be fine Ms. Stewart, thank you for your time and assistance.

I stood as he rose to leave and reached out my hand to meet his. Please, Mr. Ramon – you can call me Michel’le. I look forward to working with you on this endeavor. I will see you in a few weeks. He grasped my hand with both of his and looked into her eyes. Certainly Michel’le, I will be looking forward to your visit.

He released my hand and turned to leave the office. I immediately busied myself pretending to straighten papers and put them away in folders. Even though I had my own office there was a glass partition that separated the office next to me. I knew the busybody that resided there was watching my every move. I slid my hands down the side of my hips and sat down. What the hell had just happened? This was insane! I felt like I had been man-handled and groped with a passion that exuded explanation and yet I felt release. He intrigued me – this Mr. Ramon.

Sandra

I sat in my office sorting through paperwork. I hated paperwork. It’s a little too late now to be complaining. I knew when I went into accounting I would be a number cruncher and that translates into paperwork. Even with the advent of personal computers people still want to see a paper trail not an electronic trail. I sat in my office and looked out into the bank lobby. I had come a long way baby. I remembered my days of being a teller. I enjoyed dealing with the customers one on one. I considered myself a people person.

I glanced at the photo of me and Michel’le sitting on my desk. I chuckled. There were two photos in the curved glass frame. One of us in high school and one of us in college. Michel’le had one in her office just like it and we both had one at our homes. Talk about coming a long way! Mimi and I had been friends since elementary school. We were more than lifetime friends we were sisters. She always put on a strong confident appearance in the public forum but I knew that girl down to her heart. She would give someone her last nickel if she thought it was what they needed. She always claimed that she wasn’t a people person but she is. Mimi drew people to her like fish to fly bait. I don’t think she ever met someone she didn’t know.

We would go shopping and God forbid the workers had to wear name tags. She would be all over the store calling them by their names acting like she had known them for years. She would find out what they liked, how they ended up in their job, what their goals were and everything. If you didn’t know it you would think she was the salesperson fishing for a sale. She was good like that. People became comfortable around her. I think it is something in her aura. Maybe it is all that green tea she drinks. She puts people at ease.

And men. Oh the men. We could be at the movies and Mimi would see a nice looking man and have no problem strolling over to him to tell him how nice he looked. She didn’t care if he was with somebody. She would smile and tell the woman how nice they looked together. Then she would stroll herself back over to where she left me and just pick up our conversation like nothing ever happened! The girl was a trip! A trip with lots of luggage I might add. Nobody and I mean nobody knew about Mimi’s baggage like I did.

The adage there are more fish in the sea didn’t apply to her. Mimi didn’t go out fishing for men. They just kind of jumped at her bait. Being the kind hearted person she was most of them got thrown back in for someone else to catch. There were a few she set to the side for special people in her life. You couldn’t tell that girl that she wasn’t the master hooker upper. She had a few happy unions notched on her belt as proof. Mimi thought she could hook anybody up if they were willing to be hooked. Her fishing trips always made for good Sistah Gurlz conversation.

She however never told her story. As I am her confidante and true friend and sister I have never told her story either. Things are changing though. My girl is hurting and I see it. She is in need. Mimi is hooked and has been hooked for along time. She can’t get over it. We were young and she made some fast, rash decisions trying to protect her heart and the people she loves.

Look at me getting nostalgic. One of the loan officers is ringing for me. I better get busy and get back to work. Me and Mimi. We’d come a long way.

Sharon

I sat there staring at the pieces. Shoot this was too much to work through. I don’t know why I thought I could jump from doing 100 piece puzzles to 1000. I must have lost my mind. I slid all of the pieces right back into the box from which they’d come. So much for my afternoon activity and I didn’t make a Plan B. Maybe I should give it another try and work from the outside in. I wasn’t one to give up that easily.

Maybe a glass of wine would help me to relax. I was bored beyond reason. I opened the door to the patio of my second floor apartment and stepped out on the deck. It was one of those beautiful southern evenings with a breeze light enough to keep the gnats away. An older Southern woman would enjoy this moment with a glass of iced tea – probably laced with Southern Comfort. That would do the trick!

I went back into the living room and grabbed my puzzle. Went to the kitchen and poured me a glass of tea with a generous dose of Southern Comfort. I grabbed the phone and went back out on the deck. I sat back and threw up my feet. Now, this was more like it. At least a little bit more like it. It would be nice to have someone to share an evening like this with. And not the gurlz. I loved them and all but I needed some testosterone in my presence. In my space. In my world. In my life! God I was about to be miserable! I was even considering letting Michel’le get me a hook up. It’s not that I can’t meet guys on my own. I’ll