Life...And the Drama It Brings

By Tamika Davis

LIFE..AND THE DRAMA IT BRINGS IS A FICTIONAL NOVEL THAT HAS LESSONS, LAUGHS, LOVE, DISAPPOINTMENTS, FAITH, HOPE AND REVELATION. THIS BOOK TOUCHES ON LOYALTY IN FRIENDSHIPS AND RELATIONSHIPS. IT EXPLORES WHAT ONE MIGHT DO IN A SITUATION WHERE TELLING A FRIEND THE TRUTH JUST MAY END THE FRIENDSHIP. TO TELL OR NOT TO TELL, THAT IS THE QUESTION? THIS BOOK HAS UNEXPECTED TWISTS AND TURNS THAT TAKES YOU ON ARIVETING RIDE. THE LESSON IN THIS NOVEL IS FOR PEOPLE TO REALIZE THAT WHILE YOU'RE SITTING BACK ACCUSING SOMEONE ELSE OFBEING A FOOL FOR LOVE; YOU MUST LEARN TO NEVER SAY WHAT YOU WOULDN'T DO FOR THE ONE YOU LOVE BECAUSE YOU JUST NEVER KNOW! IN OTHER WORDS, IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN IN A SIMILAR SITUATION YOURSELF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU WOULD OR WOULDN'T PUT UP WITH FOR THE SAKE OF LOVE. YOU THINK YOU KNOW BUT YOU HAVE NO IDEA! EVERYBODY PLAYS THE FOOL SOMETIMES AND IF YOU THINK YOU ARE EXEMPT, THINK AGAIN!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jul 3, 2007
• ISBN: 9781467821292

Tamika Davis

Tamika Davis, a native of New Jersey, is a wife and mother of 6. She is also the author of "Thank God for Second Chances" and "Life...And The Drama It Brings."  I write with the intentions of touching the hearts, souls and minds of millions across the globe through encouraging words of wisdom. I touch on topics that I've either experienced personally or through the experiences of others. There are so many messages and lessons learned that I would love to share with women everywhere. No matter what race, religion, color or creed we all have a heart and mind that can be touched and that's exactly what I plan to do. I thank god for blessing me with the gifts of human compassion, patience, love, encouragement and understanding; with his help I'm going to share these gifts with you. Please feel free to let me know what you think of my books at my website.    

Book preview

Chapter 1

It was such a long, busy day at the firm and all Jalissa wanted to do was get home and relax. Traffic was bumper to bumper and horns blowing like crazy. I know it’s rush hour and all but traffic usually doesn’t creep this slow. I wonder what is going on, she asks herself? The cops are probably directing traffic from some type of road work. They take tax payers money and act like they are doing so much with the highways and roadways. They do reconstruction for months and the end result is: still a bunch of traffic! I have mad laundry to do when I get home. I guess I will put a load in while I walk the treadmill a little while. I will give Teresa a quick shout out and see what’s up with her this weekend. Ten minutes has passed and she’s only moved about an inch or two. Jalissa grabbed her cell and dialed Teresa’s number. The phone’s ringing; One ring, two rings, third ring Teresa picks up. Hello? Hey girl what’s going on with you this weekend? Who’s this?,asks Teresa. Girl stop playing, you know it’s me! Me who?, asks Teresa. Teresa stop it now, you know it’s me Jalissa! Oh, you know what? I think I remember having a friend by that name but I haven’t heard from her in so long, says Teresa teasingly. Girl stop playing, you know I be so busy at my office these days. The last two weeks my superior has been really laying it on thick with the paper work. Lazy people in that office and I have to pick up the slack!, says Jalissa. Well you know, when you climb that corporate ladder the air gets thinner and your files get thicker!, jokes Teresa. You know that’s right girl, giggles Jalissa. Well, I think I will take a personal day on Monday. So, what are you doing this weekend?, asks Jalissa. "Girl, I was hoping Gerald was gonna stop by; but I don’t know if he’s gonna come or not.

I know one thing, I will not be going to Connecticut this time because that’s the way it went down last time. I was like, Gerald, it’s your turn to put your Jag on the parkway and head on to Manhattan; because my Benz took the trip last time, says Teresa. I hear you girl! I won’t be seeing Lamar this weekend because he’s flying down to Atlanta to see his folks. You know how I feel about the country, it’s not the place for me, says Jalissa. Girl, stop playing! I heard Atlanta is hopping just like here in New York. Plus, the country boys be packing and stacking girl, laughs Teresa. How you know Teresa?, asks Jalissa. A little birdy told me Jalissa! Sike, I used to date a country boy a few months before Gerald. They are: sweet, hard workers; they don’t mind working girl! Some of these men are lazy as hell and always trying to cut corners the best way they know how. They want to spend up all your check and theirs to on the next chick while you at work! I ain’t even beat for that B.S.! Girl, If I was to ever come home and catch my man, in my bed, with the next, chic it is on, says Teresa! I won’t tear my house up though. I would wait to get his butt outside in the driveway and go straight crazy! About time I get done with him ,the girl will just leave automatically because she will know; that she don’t want none of this, says Teresa snapping her fingers! I bet you they both will think twice before they cheat on the next person they get with! Girl you are nuts, laughs Jalissa. You know it! I don’t play, says Teresa. Well, Gerald won’t be here til Saturday evening so what do you want to do Jalissa?, asks Teresa. Well, tonight I have laundry to do and a treadmill session, replies Jalissa. Girl, for what, asks Teresa interrupting Jalissa? You are a size 7! You get any smaller the winter winds will blow you away!, jokes Teresa. I am just very particular about my size because we ain’t gettin no younger Teresa, says Jalissa. I know Jalissa but damn, if you get sick in your old age; you need to have some meat on your bones because you know people tend to lose weight when they are ill, says Teresa. I am not trying to lose weight Teresa. Just stay tight and toned, I don’t want nothing sagging and dragging, says Jalissa. No! You don’t want that, because that is not cute at all, jokes Teresa. Shut up! Well maybe we can do breakfast in the morning and a matinee, says Jalissa. That’s cool with me! Maybe we can stop in at ‘Victoria’s’, to grab a few pieces for the boys, says Teresa. "I will get some: lotion, shower gel, and powder, says Jalissa.

As far as lingerie, Lamar supplies that. Every time he comes back to town he brings some hot little something for me to model for him, says Jalissa. You go Barbie!, laughs Teresa! Girl, the thing is; so much money is spent on lingerie and they rip it off you so quick!, says Jalissa rolling her eyes. I know that’s right, I be like let’s dance or something first. I put money in this outfit and I want to wear it for a few minutes, laughs Teresa. Girl, did he ever ask you to give him a lap dance?, asks Teresa. No! He dances for me, says Jalissa and they both laugh. Seriously, do you dance for him and stuff?, asks Teresa. No, I’m not that bold yet Teresa; that’s for the big girls, jokes Jalissa. Oh.. you to shy hm, asks Teresa? Yup! How did you know?, asks Jalissa. Because, you are so conservative with yours; I bet you don’t make a sound in the bedroom. Girl, you better break loose and enjoy yourself, giggles Teresa. Teresa, all that loud noise making and stuff is just not necessary, it just kills the mood for me, says Jalissa frowning. Girl stop playing! You know men need that for their ego, jokes Teresa! Well, I don’t holler for no reason, I ain’t faking nothing! Ha ha! Those ladies at my job always talk about how they be faking orgasms just to get the fool off of them. I was like, to hell with that, just say not tonight and be done, says Jalissa. Girl, you know those women ain’t jeopardizing their Bergdorf Goodman card!, replies Teresa. Teresa, you are a trip girl, says Jalissa laughing. I am serious Jalissa. You know they ain’t trying to lose no shopping privileges, over no sex! They will do whatever it takes to get to Bloomingdale’s, laughs Teresa. You ain’t never lied, they stay at the damn malls. Thank you Lord! Traffic is finally flowing right, says Jalissa. Okay Teresa, I’m gonna hang up and concentrate on the roadways. See you tomorrow morning, 5:30 sharp!, says Jalissa. Oh hell naw!, says Teresa. You know damn well a sistah ain’t trying to be up, showered, and dressed properly at that hour! My damn appetite ain’t even up yet at that hour, says Teresa! You are so crazy girl, laughs Jalissa. I was just playing. I will see you at nine, says Jalissa. Now that sounds much better because that 5:30 time, only works for me in the p.m. Okay see you tomorrow girl, holla at me tonight so we can coordinate what we’re wearing; I don’t want us wearing the same outfit like last time!, says Teresa. Okay Teresa, I’ll give you a call this evening about the attire, bye bye. Ok, bye girl! They both hang up and Jalissa drives home safely. When she gets home she grabs the mail, newspaper and head on in the house. The answering machine is blinking to let her know she has messages. I will check the machine in a little while, she says and puts the mail and paper on the counter. Bills! Bills! Bills! Coach, Louis-Vuitton, Macy’s, and Gucci all my good friends! I know they love me; I’m a faithful shopper! They need to give a sistah a damn coupon or something sometimes though. They don’t be trying to give you no kind of discount! Well, let me slip into my sweats and sneakers, start a load of laundry and hit that treadmill for about 45 minutes, says Jalissa. (1 hour later)

After putting the clothes in the dryer, Jalissa heads to the bathroom and runs a nice, hot bubble bath and lights her aroma therapy candles. She washes her face with an apricot scrub and applies a nice cool cucumber mask to her face. She walked over to the see through shower on the other side of the bathroom and washes off the sweat of the workout, before slipping into her relaxing super tub. As she turns on the radio to CD 101.9, she runs back to the kitchen to grab the mail. She submerges her body into the mildly hot water and sighed with delight. Finally… I can relax for a few. While thumbing through the mail, she saw a letter from an old friend. REGINA! Wow, I haven’t heard from her in like 4 months or so. I wonder what she’s up to? Jalissa opens the letter and it reads: Dear Jalissa, I’m writing this letter to let you know that Denton and I are engaged. I hope you can understand and be happy for us in spite of past issues. I know most people think it’s grimy to date one of your girlfriends ex-men and I understand if you are upset. I am sorry. I never meant for things to work out this way. I know you guys had a 4 year relationship and you have been broken up for 3. I assure you that we were not messing around while you guys were together; or anything like that. I ran into him at jazz festival in St. Lucia last summer and things kind of took off from there. I’ve been wanting to call you and talk to you about it; but I didn’t know how you would take it, so I took the punk route. I hope you can forgive me. I know we can’t always control who we fall in love with, but what wasn’t good for you is working for me. I hope you can understand. Please don’t be mad at me. I love you and I hope we can remain friends. God bless you! Love, Regina. Well, I’ll be damned! Somebody finally got Denton’s slick butt to commit! I have to call her and let her know that I am not feeling no type of way about that. She can have Denton, if my trash is her treasure than so be it. More power to you girl! I have to tell her don’t forget to give me an invitation to the wedding to because I will be all up in the place looking all that with Lamar sexy self! Denton ain’t got nothing on Lamar! That is my boo right there. When Beyonce sings that song Dangerously In Love With You, I know exactly what she is talking about! Let me not think about that right now, so I can finish my bath and get to bed. I wanted to read a little before turning in for the night.

Chapter 2

Girlfriends Day Out

Jalissa is at the table awaiting Teresa, who’s 10 minutes late. Hey girl, says Jalissa waving to get Teresa’s attention. As she gets to the table, Jalissa is up on her feet ready to hug Teresa good morning. Good morning girl, says Teresa embracing Jalissa with joy. I’m so happy to see you today. I haven’t seen you in like a month! I know girl, I missed you too, sorry it took so long for us to finally get a girls day out. So, have you ordered yet? No, I told the waitress you weren’t here yet; so come back in a few minutes and we’ll be ready to order. Okay, well let me look the menu over so I can see what’s good up in here. So what’s new girl? Funny that you should ask that, check this out, says Jalissa handing Teresa the letter from Regina. Read this girl, you won’t believe it! As Teresa reads the letter her mouth drops open. O HELL NO! Girl no, not.. not.. Regina and Denton? That skank! She ain’t got no business all up in your old plate like that! Yo, you want me to go get my Vaseline and Reeboks and ride out to Rochester and we can do this!, says Teresa waving her fists and rolling her neck and eyes. No! Girl please. I ain’t even sweating the little things, I ain’t hurt by that. I could care less. If that’s who floats his boat and they are happy, then more power to them. I wish them the best of luck, says Jalissa. Ok, who are you and what have you done with my best friend, asks Teresa looking confused? Girl, you put in 4 years with him and this stank heffa gone just swoop down like Wonder Woman and pick up your leftovers and call herself a friend! I don’t think so Jalissa! That is so grimy of her! Back in the day; we was all tight like expensive pantyhose and she just put a run in the stockings, which makes them no good! Calm down Teresa; it’s all good momma. Really, I am so in love with Lamar and that’s who I want to be with. Denton and I are over and done with so Regina can have him Teresa. Well damn, when did you grow the hell up and become a woman, last month?, asks Teresa giggling. Girl a few years ago, I may have been ready to just cut her out of my life for good. But, it’s all good.

My life is really in a good place right now and I am happy with the way things are, says Jalissa. Okay cool then, let’s order so I can get my eat on because this letter just worked up a serious appetite in me, says Teresa. They order breakfast, eat, shoot the breeze a little more and head towards the mall. They park and enter the mall through Lord & Taylor. Perfume counter first before we hit the other stores, says Jalissa. Good morning! How may I help you ladies today?, asks the saleswoman behind the counter. Good morning, I would like to have a bottle of Pleasures by Estee Lauder, Organza by Givenchy, Be Delicious by D.K.N.Y and Jadore by Christian Dior please, says Jalissa. Sure, be right back with your selections, says the saleswoman. Dang girl, what are you doing; getting enough perfume for the year?, asks Teresa giggling. Girl please, you know I love my smell good! I want to look yummy and smell absolutely delicious, smiles Jalissa with her hands on her hips. You know how we do smiles Jalissa, gotta keep em drooling! Like the St. Bernard dogs they are, jokes Teresa! Haha! Girl, my man ain’t no dog, says Jalissa tapping Teresa on the forearm. He’s a good, sweet, loving man and fine as hell! Girl he stay smelling good; so you know I gotta stay on point with my perfumes and lotions. He likes Be Delicious for men, Perry Ellis 360 degrees for men, and Burberry. Girl after he showers and shaves, he has my whole master bathroom smelling wonderful like an aroma therapy candle! It sure makes me relax, smiles Jalissa. You know what? You, you just crazy, says Teresa teasing Jalissa. Here’s all your selections Ms. Will this be cash or charge that you will be paying with?, asks the sales woman. Cash, replies Jalissa grabbing her wallet out of her Marc Jacobs handbag. Your total will be $285.76, says the cashier. Jalissa gives the lady $300, says thank you and walks away. Wait a minute Ms.! Don’t forget your change, says the cashier. Oh no sweetie, you keep the change for being so quick and attentive, says Jalissa. Thank you very much, says the sales woman with a smile! You always be so nice to these people Jalissa, says Teresa. Yes, I know what it’s like to work in sales.

Remember when we got our first jobs at Macy’s, when we were in high school?, asks Jalissa. Girl how can I forget. That was when Ricky Daniels: the finest boy in 10th grade, came to the store and I called myself hooking him up. The money that he saved on his clothes because I rang his stuff up for like $40. He had like a $150 outfit! He took that extra cash and took Daniella to the carnival! Girl I was fit to be tied that night! I was like, I took a chance on going to jail for hooking his black ass up and he takes that fast behind Daniella to the carnival! I was ready to cut that fool for that one, says Teresa smiling. I know that’s right laughs Jalissa. Girl, I remember everyone was coming up there trying to get hooked up with 75% off they bill and the stuff wasn’t even on sale! I was like , O hell to da no, not today! I wasn’t taking the chance on getting fired because I was saving up for my ride, says Jalissa; acting as if she was holding a steering wheel. O yeah, I remember you wanted a Thunderbird or Camaro or something like that right?, asks Teresa. Yeah girl! I wanted a Camaro because back then those cars were all that, says Jalissa. What did you end up getting?, asks Teresa. I ended up getting a Crown Victoria! Ha ha ha! Hey that’s good girl, shoot most people in high school didn’t get a car til senior year. You had yours by the beginning of Junior year. We would be rolling out for lunch while others was stuck eating cafeteria crap! Ha ha! We would roll back up in there with our McDonald’s or take out from the diner. They was like, ooh where yall get that from? Yup, I remember all that stuff. It was you, me, Katrina, Regina and Brenda. The boys called us the look-so-good crew! Haha! You know we was fly back then girl, says Jalissa. Hell, I’m still fine what you talking bout girl, says Teresa switching her hips and batting her eyelashes! I know that’s real agrees Jalissa, we are quite cute aren’t we? You know it girl! The look-so-good 2 is all up in here with our fine selves!" They slap each other high five and walk through the mall.

Jalissa’s cell phone rings while they are in H&M Stores looking around. Hello… sings Jalissa. Hey baby, how’s my favorite girl doing today?, says Lamar. I’m good handsome, and you, asks Jalissa? Just missing my baby, other than that I’m good, replies Lamar. I know that’s right baby, cause I can’t wait for you to get back here to the city, says Jalissa. What are you gonna do with me when I get there?, asks Lamar in a curious seductive tone. Well…. let me put it to you like this. We will play Fantasy Island when you get back, whispers Jalissa. Hey Lamar,yells Teresa from the background! Oh, no wonder you’re whispering, you’re not alone, says Lamar. Nope, not alone says Jalissa. Tell Teresa I said, hello and thanks for keeping my babygirl company til I get back to New York. Ok, I will tell her. Oh baby, where do you want to go this time at Fantasy Island, asks Jalissa? I think I would like to go to ‘ France’ this time around, says Lamar.We-We mi amore, says Jalissa in a sexy tone of voice. They both giggle. Oh boo.. Now I really can’t wait to get back to the City, you little French maid you, says Lamar! Hey baby, you know what Dorothy says right?, asks Jalissa. What?, asks Lamar. There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home! Haha! You know it. Enjoy your time out with Teresa baby, daddy will be home soon. I’ll call you around 3 ok babe?, says Lamar. Okay, 3, I will be waiting, says Jalissa. Alright baby, I love you. I love you too babe, smooches, says Jalissa and hangs up the phone. So, what’s up with the French accent girl?, asks Teresa. Nothing, just playing with Lamar, replies Jalissa. You was playing the ‘nasty game’ with Lamar you mean, says Teresa teasingly! Girl, mind ya business, mind ya business! They both giggle and continue walking through the mall. Let’s make a stop in at Foot Locker, I want to get Gerald some sweats to go with these Nike’s he got last week, says Teresa. Okay, and after that I think I want to grab a smoothie from Mrs. Fields; I’m getting a bit thirsty, says Jalissa.

Chapter 3

Surprise…Surprise!

Jalissa is in the car on her way to the grocery store and her mobile phone rings. The ring tone is: love by Kiesha Coles. Hey baby, says Jalissa answering her phone. Hey baby girl, you miss me, asks Lamar? Yes baby, momma misses you and wants you home! How many more days are you gonna be in Georgia baby?, asks Jalissa. Just 2 more days babe, then I’ll be home before you know it, says Lamar. Good, because it’s been a week and I need you, pouts Jalissa like a child. I know sweetie, I need you too, more than you can imagine. Just 2 more days and big daddy will be home all up in your grill! What are you doing tonight baby?, asks Lamar. I don’t know, I will probably cuddle up with this book called, The Threshing Floor by Juanita Bynum. It’s about prayer and knowing that God hears you. Ok, that should be good then, replies Lamar. Yes, I like Juanita Bynum, she’s a great preacher. I saw No More Sheets, it was really good Lamar! Uh-oh! If you watch that I guess I won’t be getting no goodies for a while, says Lamar. Very funny Mr. Williams! Don’t hate because a sista wants to live holy, says Jalissa in a sarcastic tone. You men are the main reason why we women can’t be obedient to God’s word! Oh boy! Baby girl, I will talk to you later because I don’t want to argue, says Lamar. I’m not arguing baby, I’m just telling the truth, says Jalissa. Ok, baby I will holla at you later. Alright Mr. Williams, I love you! I love you to Ms. Webber, says Lamar and they both hang up the phone. Jalissa pulls up at D’agostino’s , parks her car, jumps out, hits the alarm and heads into the grocery store. She stacks her carts with a few healthy treats first.

Romaine lettuce, tomatoes, croutons, Blue Cheese and Ranch salad dressings. Bananas, tangerines, strawberries, seedless green grapes, and a few kiwi. Orange juice, apple juice, cranberry juice, cran grape, Minute Maid fruit punch, and milk. Okay, now I need some comfort food for when that monthly visitor stops by! The first 2 days of my menstrual is hectic! I have much pain. My legs be on swoll and they feel like they are gonna bust wide open. I have so much pressure in my lower back and my butt feels like a 20lb bag of sugar has been added to it! I crave something chocolate, something salty, something sweet, and something yummy! I love Chocolate, it tastes magnificent! I have to grab some Fritos Scoops, some French Onion Dip, some Pillsbury chocolate chip with Hershey kisses cookies for the oven. I need some Diet Coke for me and some Pepsi for Lamar. Now, to the health and beauty department. I need some soap, tissue, Keri lotion, baby oil gel, Q-Tips, cotton balls, rubbing alcohol, and peroxide. Grab a box of tampons, a box of Always with wings, and liquid Tylenol for pain control! As she heads in the checkout line; she grabs a newspaper and reads the headlines on the front page. Wow! The infamous, lingerie rapist, is still on the loose! Oh my goodness, and has had at least 3 victims in Georgia recently! He gets around! He was just in Connecticut about 3 weeks ago; he was in the 5 boroughs the last 2 weeks and now he’s in Georgia! Dang! He is one busy bastard! Sick-o! Jalissa puts the paper back and starts putting her groceries up on the conveyer belt to be scanned and bagged. As she drives home she calls her mother to see how she’s doing and catch up on what’s new. Jalissa wanted to make sure that mom and dad were being obedient with taking their medicine daily to keep their pressure down. Momma- I hope you guys are just taking it easy and you are not cooking all that high fat soul food! You know that stuff will send your pressure soaring! We’re fine Jalissa, daddy says hello little girl! He wants to know when you’re coming up to Rochester to see us?, asks her mom. "Tell him really soon.

I’m trying to handle a few big accounts for the firm and then I’ll have a little more time on my hands to visit without having to rush back to Manhattan. Are you gonna stay here at the house when you come visit or are you staying at a hotel?, asks her mother. Momma, you know I will probably stay at a hotel because daddy can’t stand Lamar for some reason! You would think he would at least give him a chance by now, we’ve been dating for about a two and a half years now. He has to come to the realization that Lamar just may be his future son in law! Oh Lord, child I won’t even tell him that right now, he’ll be done choked on his vanilla pudding! Well Jalissa, all I can say is, your daddy is usually a good judge of character of folks. If he says he has a bad feeling about Lamar, maybe you should take heed to what he is saying baby. Oh momma please! Not you too, cried Jalissa! I’m gonna go now momma, I love you guys! Tell daddy I said Good bye! Ok baby, bye bye, love you too", says her mom and hangs up the phone. Boy! I’m so sick of them ragging on Lamar all the time, especially daddy! Lord knows he couldn’t stand the sight of Lamar from the moment he laid eyes on him. Said he looked like something the devil made! He said, something about Lamar that just didn’t sit right with his spirit! Sometimes father’s are just over protective and don’t think anyone is good enough for their daughters. That may be daddy’s problem. As Jalissa pulls up in the driveway she sees a note sticking to the front door. She turns the engine off, takes the key out of the ignition and gets out the car. Closes the driver’s side door, opens the trunk to retrieve her groceries and head towards the front door. She had to make two trips to the trunk and back to the house to bring in the bags. I have to remember not to go shopping while Lamar is out of town; because no one’s here to help me bring in the bags laughed Jalissa to herself. She grabs the mail out of the box and the note off the front door. The note was from Teresa. Hey Jalissa! I stopped by since I was in the area picking up some dry cleaning but you weren’t home yet. Where you got ya fast tail at? Call me when you get this notice that I stopped by. Talk to you then! Love, Teresa. I will be sure to call her as soon as I put this food away. As Jalissa is putting up the groceries the telephone rings. That’s strange, the # is unavailable and I don’t allow calls who block their numbers to get through on my home phone. If they want to block their number well, I won’t be picking up they can leave a message!

After the 4th ring the answering machine comes on. Greetings, you have reached Jalissa, sorry I missed chatting with you, but if you would be so kind and leave me a message I will definitely call you back. God bless and thank you for calling, bye bye. beep. Jalissa, hey baby it’s me you must be in the shower or something I’ll try your cellular, love you! That was Lamar,