Life Got In The Way

By Deborah J. Davis

No words can describe the deep relationships women form with their best girlfriends. Dana Talbert and Jackie Colson, now in their mid-fifties, have been best friends since college. Over the years, they have shared their wildest dreams, deepest frustrations and inexplicable pain. They have been each other’s support system through thick and thin. Now both are asking, “What do you do when life has not gone as you planned?"

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jan 24, 2013
• ISBN: 9780984890446

Book preview

2007

Chapter 1

He knew he was doing what was right, initiating things that were long overdue. These were major life changes and although he was happy, he had to acknowledge his sense of trepidation. One thing he was clear about he would not change any of his plans.

When Cameron Mitchell awoke the morning of June 30, he was pensive although he had known for months that today would be the end of his career. Twenty-seven years ago, he had started at Laney College as a part-time instructor teaching Introduction to Business Law. Later he became an adjunct professor and ultimately Dean of Instruction for the Division of Business and Math. He had actually been looking forward to today, but he had not planned on the feelings he was now having.

Cameron took his time getting out of bed and dressing for work; there was really no reason to hurry. He leisurely showered, shampooed his hair and trimmed his beard, which was definitely grayer than black these days. He maintained a trim physique. He knew he could afford to lose the ten pounds that had slowly crept on his 5’11" frame due to years of sitting behind a desk. He had packed all his clothes except a navy suit, matching shirt and tie, a pair of khakis, and a polo shirt. He completed all of his meetings earlier in the week and asked Cynthia, his secretary, not to schedule any appointments for today, so there really was no reason for professional dress.

Today is a day of change, he thought, might as well start with a business casual look (something he was definitely not accustomed to doing). He placed the suit in his garment bag. As he pulled on the navy polo shirt, he acknowledged that with his short salt and pepper hair, his espresso skin tone and the casual clothing, he looked damn good for 62. I’m not usually a vain person, he thought, as he smiled at his reflection in the mirror.

Cameron looked around the condominium to make sure that he had not left any items since he would not be returning. He leased the small, furnished unit in the Oakland Hills area when he filed for divorce from Eileen and it had served its purpose. He shipped his car and personal items last week so he left with only his travel items, and computer bag, leaving the house keys and garage genie on the kitchen counter. He placed the items in the trunk of the rental car and backed out of the garage, getting out of the vehicle and using the outside panel to close the door before leaving.

He wanted to enjoy his last day in Oakland, so he drove slowly taking the long route instead of getting on Highway 13. He drove down steep Redwood Road with its spectacular views of the Bay Area and marveled at how much the region had grown since he moved here thirty-seven years ago. There did not seem to be a vacant lot in the upscale neighborhood that abounded with expensive condominiums and houses. He decided to go down to the Flatlands, an appropriate term since there was nothing but flat land in contrast to the hill area. Today he took time to look at the sights that he had driven past for years, but never noticed because he was usually in a hurry to get to work. He looked at the shops, small businesses not yet opened, and people rushing to catch morning buses. By the time he reached International Boulevard, he could appreciate why the city renamed the busy boulevard, formerly East 14th Street, which reflected the diverse cultures that reside in the area.

He eased the rental car into his designated parking spot and forced himself to slow down from his normal quick pace as he headed to his office. He paused briefly to look around the campus. It was early, not even 7:30 a.m., yet, the campus was already bustling with students. As he climbed the steps of the Administration Building, he turned for another glimpse of the campus’ neatly manicured landscape. He wanted to savor every moment of his last day. Once inside, he chose the stairs rather than the elevator, recalling the many times he had rushed up and down the stairs to a last minute meeting.

He entered his office and the truth hit him like a ton of bricks. His career was practically over. As he looked around his office, it was difficult for him to believe that he had spent much of the last twenty-seven years in various areas of the educational institution. In a few hours, it would all be history. He sat down at his desk and gazed at the bare walls, covered until a few weeks ago with awards, special mementos and commendations, and his law and education credentials. Educational books on a broad range of topics, including testing and management theories, which once lined the floor close to his desk, were packed and ready for shipment. The room seemed devoid of life, stripped of what would soon become the past.

Cameron settled back into his ergonomic chair and gazed out the window overlooking the grounds. The early morning fog was beginning to lift and the sun was timidly peering through the trees. His thoughts drifted back to when he arrived as a night school instructor on loan from his prestigious law firm. He had only planned to stay for two years. Where had all that time gone? His focus returned to the campus and he felt extremely proud of how Laney College had evolved.

In the early eighties, the governing board of Laney College recognized the need to be more responsive to the needs of its community. They began a series of outreach activities and program evaluations to determine the community’s specific needs. Based on the results of the assessment, they implemented new courses, augmented programs and began an intense recruitment program.

The governing board changed its objective to providing greater educational opportunities for minorities, older adults, displaced homemakers, blue-collar workers, and students who performed poorly in high school. They initiated programs that would attract these individuals, while not losing focus on those students who were already attending Laney.

The board also reemphasized the benefits of two-year post-secondary education, recruited top-notch instructors who wanted to give back to the community, and implemented a hard-hitting media campaign designed to attract new students. Now Laney is renowned as one of the most innovative junior colleges in the country. A student can obtain a joint degree in a technical field, such as culinary arts or health services and simultaneously earn their Associate Degree. Matriculation increased by twenty-five percent.

Most importantly, Cameron thought, I’m proud that I was able to play a key role in Laney’s success. Now it is time to close this door; I’ve deviated from my own dreams for too long. So long that I’ve forgotten what they were. Now I need to think about what they were and if they’re still important to me. It’s time to get to know me again and to fulfill some dreams deferred.

He shook his head and began removing the last contents from his desk. At the bottom lowest drawer, he came to a manila folder that contained a white envelope with aged yellowing edges. Obviously, it must have been there a long time. He didn’t remember what was in it so he lifted the flap, removed the contents and his heart literally stopped for a moment. It was a picture of him and Dana taken at a quaint Italian restaurant in Montclair. The owner fawned over them and asked to take their picture; the smiling faces of a couple in love. He had seldom been that happy. Little did he know it would quickly end.

Cameron studied Dana’s image in the photo her smiling round face, short curly afro haircut against reddish-brown skin, laughing eyes a deep shade of brown-black beneath thick jet-black eyelashes. He thought, Dana was my true soul mate although I have not seen her in over twenty-five years.

It was still painful to think of her even now. When they first met, Dana was a struggling single parent, with a young daughter and separated from her husband who had a serious drug problem. At that time, he was married and working for a prestigious law firm, but questioning his career path and his faltering marriage.

He used to keep in touch with Dana’s best friend, Jackie, but it had been years since they’d spoken. Jackie was the one who told him Dana had remarried years ago and she was probably the only one who knew how deeply he was hurt by that news. He was happy for Dana; she deserved the best, but it was hard for him to accept losing her. Although they hadn’t been together for years, he secretly hoped that maybe one day they would somehow reconnect. Her marriage seemed to seal that door forever.

Now he wondered how Dana was doing.

Cameron continued staring out the window. It was hard for him to believe that his divorce from Eileen was now final. He had been prepared to file for divorce twenty-five years ago, when he finally accepted that his marriage was over. He decided not to when Eileen was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Cameron wondered where he would be now if he had gone through with the divorce. Would he and Dana have married? If so, what would his life with Dana have been like?

A knock at the door interrupted Cameron’s thoughts and one of his colleagues, Brad Williams, walked into his office. Cameron quickly tucked Dana’s picture into his computer bag, then smiled and stood to greet Brad.

Hey Brad, what’s happening?

I stopped by to say good-bye, Cameron. I still cannot believe that you’re leaving. Man, you’re like an icon here.

Cameron laughed. You’re right, and that’s exactly why it’s time for me to leave.

Brad said, I heard that you’re leaving the Bay Area.

That’s true, Cameron replied. I’ll be a volunteer for the International Senior Citizens Ambassadors Organization (ISCAO); for the next two years I’ll be working in impoverished areas in the United States and other parts of the world.

Brad asked, Do you know where your first assignment will be?

Yes, I’ll be working in Alabama, my home state.

They continued making small talk and promised to keep in touch then Brad left. Cameron finished packing and the moment finally arrived. He looked around his office one last time, and then left closing the door securely behind him.

Cynthia was sitting at her desk and she got up when he came out of the office. They briefly hugged and he told her, You have been the best secretary I have ever had.

She smiled and said, Thanks, you’ve been a great boss! You made my job easy. Now, get out of here before you miss your flight, or I start crying. Neither of which we want to happen. I have all your forwarding information and I’ll handle everything.

At the door, Cameron stopped, smiled at her and said, Check in my office, I left a little something on the desk for you.

Chapter 2

Jackie Colson awoke at 6 a.m. and switched on the light next to her bed. She immediately began a mental to-do list for the day. She wanted to do her morning workout and enjoy a leisurely breakfast. She also needed to take a late morning conference call from home before her appointment with Lynn McNair, her divorce attorney. Today’s meeting would finalize the end of her ten-year marriage to Nate Evanston, her estranged husband whom she had not seen in over six months.

Gran always told her that anytime you see an ex, be it an ex-boyfriend, ex-husband, or whatever, you should look your best. You want him to realize what he’s losing.

She smiled, Gran was a card, but Jackie loved her and on days like today, she was sorry she didn’t live closer to her. Today she would be following her advice; her total look would be fabulous. Four months ago, she realized that she needed a makeover. She was tired of the power suit look she’d worn for years. She was a partner in a prestigious law office; she did not need to prove anything. She wasn’t attempting to look younger, but she wanted a less severe look and definitely a more comfortable one, so she hired an image consultant to help her enhance her appearance. First, they worked with a color consultant to find colors that best suited her ebony skin tone. With the help of a personal dress consultant, she selected clothes that were a better fit for her 5’7" pear-shaped body. She had her shoulder length hair cut into a short style by the top stylist in the city to accentuate her oval face. Finally, she met with a makeup artist who taught her simple and quick techniques resulting in a softer look. When everything was complete, she loved her new look. Today she would be wearing a textured designer blazer with a crisp white shirt, a pair of charcoal slacks and silver hoop earrings; a great look for a woman in her mid-fifties.

The morning went as planned and she left her Washington, DC condominium with plenty of time to get to Lynn’s office for her 3:00 meeting. She headed for the Metro Station, but at the last moment changed her mind and asked the concierge to hail her a cab. She enjoyed the ride, it was autumn, and the foliage was spectacular. The vivid shades of brown, orange, and red leaves on the trees meant her favorite season was here. When she and Nate were first married, they would take weekend ‘leaf-watching’ trips to enjoy the countryside. Sometimes they’d take off from work on a Friday afternoon and head north with no particular destination; not stopping until they saw a cozy bed & breakfast suitable for an overnight stay or until they were too tired to drive any longer. That was such a long time ago.

She entered the lavish office building and took the elevator to the fifth floor. Lynn had requested that she arrive about thirty minutes early so they could discuss the final terms of the settlement before Nate and his attorney arrived.

The receptionist greeted her and escorted her to a conference room. Would you like something to drink? she asked.

Jackie replied, No thanks, not right now. The receptionist told her that Lynn was finishing a call and would be with her in a few minutes.

Lynn entered shortly afterwards and they hugged each other briefly. It was ironic; Jackie had represented Lynn during her divorce. They had a long working relationship and Lynn was an exceptionally good divorce attorney. Jackie had significantly more assets than Nate did when they married, but she decided to divide most of their property equally although she provided the majority of capital for their investments. They sat down and reviewed the final documents and as they finished, the receptionist buzzed to let them know that Nate and his attorney, George Henderson, had arrived.

Lynn asked the receptionist to have them wait a few moments. She asked, Jackie, are you okay?

Yes, I’m fine, said Jackie. We’ve been going through this process for almost two years. I’m happy that it will finally be over today.

Lynn buzzed the receptionist and shortly afterward, she escorted Nate and George into the conference room. Everyone spoke and said the necessary pleasantries, but Nate avoided eye contact with Jackie.

Jackie asked, Nate how was your flight from Charlotte?

It was bumpy, said Nate. We had a bad storm last night and its moving north.

Lynn asked everyone to have a seat and handed out the settlement package. She stated that they were here to finalize the property settlement and asked if everyone had reviewed the package that she sent out last week.

Nate said, I went over it on the flight.

Lynn then began to go through each item, reading aloud:

"1. Bank Accounts – All accounts will be split equally with the exception of the Montgomery Bank certificate of deposit in the amount of $355,000, which Jackie had prior to the marriage. Jackie and Nate nodded in agreement.

2. Stocks and Bonds – Those owned by Jackie prior to the marriage will be retained by her. All acquired during the marriage will be split equally. Both agreed.

3. Automobiles - Jackie will keep the 2005 Mercedes E 500 and Nate the 2002 Porsche 911. Both agreed.

4. Retirement Accounts - Each person will retain their individual retirement account, with no future rights to the others. Again, both agreed.

5. Washington, DC Condo - Will be retained by Jackie and she nodded in agreement.

6. Virginia Residence – Will be retained by Nate. He agreed.

7. Rental Properties –All properties are to be sold and the profits split equally. Again, they both agreed.

8. Condo in Vail, CO - Will be retained by Jackie."

Suddenly, Nate looked up and spoke. We didn’t agree to that.

Jackie was about to say, no problem, buy out my interest, but before she could speak, Nate launched into a rage. Jackie doesn’t even enjoy skiing. I’m not giving up that condo.

Hold on, Nate, his attorney said, raising his right hand slightly. Let’s try to work this out. I can suggest another way to resolve this issue.

Nate ignored him.

Looking directly at her he said, Bitch, I’ll die and go to hell before I give you that property.

Then Nate jumped up, strode toward the door, quickly opening it then slamming it as he stormed out of the conference room.

I’m so sorry, George, said, let me talk to him. I know he has a flight back to Charlotte tonight, so I’ll give him a day or two to cool off."

George assured Lynn and Jackie that he would work it out and Lynn walked him to the reception area.

Jackie sat there thinking, I was ready to concede. It made sense because he enjoys skiing and I only go sporadically, but when he called me a bitch in front of my attorney…well, he can forget any concession now!

This was the new Nate, a stranger to her. He was always hot headed, but for the last two years, he had been a very different person. Throughout their relationship, they had had disagreements, but he had never cursed at her before.

Lynn returned to the conference room.

Wow! That was a surprise. And upsetting, for you, I’m sure….Anything I can do?

No thanks, Lynn. I was about to say no problem about the condominium, but not after he called me a bitch! Now I don’t want to give up anything. This new Nate isn’t going to continue getting what he wants from me.

She took the Metro train home that afternoon and when she arrived, the concierge opened the door for her, inserted the elevator key and pressed the button for the penthouse. She kicked off her shoes when she entered the foyer. She headed to her bedroom and undressed changing into a black cashmere sweat suit and comfortable slippers.

She went into her home office, logged in on her computer and worked for a few hours on some pressing issues, but her mind wasn’t really on what she was doing. She finally logged off, walked into the kitchen, turned on the teakettle and made a cup of green tea. Shivering — the temperature must have dropped — she turned on the gas-burning fireplace and sat on the couch sipping her tea.

She was no longer in love with Nate, but it hurt to know that someone with whom she had shared so much could appear to hate her as much as he did. At first, it had seemed like their divorce would be amicable under the circumstances, but each time they met it had gotten progressively worse.

She picked up the phone and called her Aunt Mildred, her deceased mother’s sister; more like a surrogate sister than an aunt. When the answering machine came on she said, Aunt Mildred, I wanted to let you know that Nate and I met today, but he blew up and the divorce is not finalized. It’s a long story; we have an unresolved issue that I’ll explain later. Nate is on his way back to Charlotte and I’m not sure what’s going to happen next. I am mentally drained so I’m going to lie down. I’ll call you tomorrow.

She threw an afghan across her shoulders, laid on the couch and fell asleep. At 10 p.m., she woke up to the telephone ringing. Caller ID showed it was her Aunt Mildred.

Hello, said