Realities

By Annie V. Prewitt

In the story of "Minnie Miles", come take a journey through ten years since best friends Minnie and Nellie graduated from high school. You will find out what Minnie and Nellie aspired to become with both of their careers. You will find out how Minnie was able to cope with the passing of her parents from that terrible automobile accident years earlier, because the pain of it all was still buried deep inside. See Ms. Jackson spring into action because she refused to let the same mistake happen twice especially when she was able to do something about it before it was too late. Meet the new neighbors that purchased the house across the road from Mark and Marian that once belonged to Cylia Faye and Jack Miles. Follow the one dozen white roses that, was placed at Cylia Faye's grave site and find out what really happened between Cylia Faye and that old store owner down there on Nims Road.

In the story of "Destine Divine" follow the beautiful love affair between Destine Divine Smith and Anthony Mason, owner of Mason Photography. Follow Destine as she shows up and shows out with her new position at Mason Photography. It turns out she's really surprising to everyone, and even more surprising to Anthony Mason. Meet Porsha Blackmon Cleaves, head photographer at Mason who figured she should have had Destine's new position that it should have been given to her by Anthony Mason. Go with Destine as she travels back to her home town where her good friend Jim gives her life lessons concerning her new found romance with Anthony. Only when Margaret the receptionist at Mason has a motherly talk with Destine is she able to make up her mind about what she really wants to do.

The story of "Minnie Miles" and the story of "Destine Divine", continues from my book titled "SITUATIONS".

This is "REALITIES" a book of fiction.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Feb 7, 2012
• ISBN: 9781468542745

Annie V. Prewitt

Annie V. Prewitt is a native of Batesville, Mississippi. She resides in Memphis, Tennessee with her husband and their two adult children. She is also the author of a book of poetry titled "A Southern Wind Blew To Complete The Beauty In Whatever Season Of The Rose" and a book of short stories titled "Situations".

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© 2012 Annie V. Prewitt. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 2/2/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4685-4276-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-4275-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-4274-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012900723

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

This book is printed on acid-free paper.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

CONTENTS

FORWARD

MINNIE MILES

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

DESTINE DIVINE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

AFTERTHOUGHTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

This book is dedicated to my sister Ester Ruth Chapman.

I really hope you enjoy this book along with my other faithful fans and especially the character of Anthony Mason, owner of Mason Photography in the story of Destine Divine.

…..ENJOY…..

FORWARD

Here I go again with my writings of simplicity. For a surety I believe in the K. I. S. theory. Keep it simple. I try to stick with what I know. In my minds eye that’s always the best way to go. Why venture off into the unknown. The unknown is future. I’m in the present right now, and this is what I know. When the future shows up I’ll be there to venture and leap right off into it and I hope with open eyes to embrace all that is at hand.

Simplicities of any form carry the most weight and can strike with a mighty punch. So let’s love ourselves in the present so when the future arrives we can love ourselves even more.

From my book SITUATIONS the story of Minnie Miles and the story of Destine Divine continues.

With my writings I’ve tried to cut through the chase and get straight to the point, say exactly what I want and mean what I say, hit it and quit it sort of speak.

With my fictional writings I would like to think that I’ve portrayed some life lessons already learned and some lessons not yet learned. I hope always with my writings that there is something to think about, something to awaken the senses to a new horizon of thought provoking, pleasing pleasure.

To tell you the truth somewhere all things have already been done and words said by those of old. What can I say, there is nothing new under the sun, but hey these are words and sayings done my way, said my way, put into sentences and paragraphs my way.

With this said its all original, which means you haven’t seen or heard any of it before.

I don’t have hot steamy romance, well you be the judge or gun toting characters going for the kill, not even open wounds with blood flowing all over the place.

With my writings you can always dream and read between the lines and let your imagination run wild. So why not, go ahead.

Thanks to the insight of my faithful fans, I was told by more than one of you that I was not finished writing after SITUATIONS that there was just not enough of Minnie Miles and Destine Divine.

Through REALITIES I hope your appetites will be filled to satisfaction.

May each reader of this book revel in small life lived lessons but yet big in their own ways. May, someone be inspired with something that’s said.

Remember we’ve had SITUATIONS now we’re coming into REALITIES.

Annie V. Prewitt

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MINNIE MILES

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CHAPTER ONE

Ten Years Earlier

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Mamma, daddy and Ms. Jackson didn’t know it but Minnie and I plotted our whole senior year about where we wanted to attend college after high school full scholarships or not. With both of our grades in good standing and the guidance from our guidance counselors we were both accepted to Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana on a full four year scholarship.

Mamma was always asking but Minnie and I wanted to make sure we were both going to be accepted to attend the same college. I knew I wanted to be somewhere close to home but not right at home. Minnie didn’t want to be anywhere near Detroit for college and she knew we both would be near home at mamma and daddy’s in Mississippi.

Attending college in New Orleans during our first year whenever we wanted to come home we could just hop on the am track train and go home, and so many times on weekends we would do just that too, hop home.

Most times we wouldn’t tell mamma and daddy we were coming because they would tell us to stop coming so much that we needed to stay in New Orleans. When the train would reach our destination we would call mamma to pick us up. She would always call Minnie and I little sneak’s for coming home without her knowledge.

On our holiday and semester breaks Minnie would fly to Detroit or Ms. Jackson would come to Mississippi. The time always flew too fast for all of us.

Ms. Jackson loved coming down to Mississippi. She always wanted to visit Mrs. Cylia Faye and Mr. Jack’s grave sites to take them flowers. Mamma said she had gone out to their grave sites one Memorial Day and somebody had placed the most beautiful white roses there. One dozen white roses to be exact at Mrs. Cylia Faye’s head stone. Mamma said she called Ms. Jackson to see if she had those roses ordered to be placed there for Mrs. Cylia Faye and Mr. Jack since it was a Memorial Day. Mamma said Ms. Jackson said no baby I didn’t. You know when Cylia gets flowers from me I’m going to carry them out there myself and you know I carry her a big bouquet of all different colors. Cylia Faye loved all flowers so I never carry her just one kind, then mamma said Ms. Jackson said over the phone, one dozen white roses you say Marian. Mamma said she told Ms. Jackson yes. Mamma said Ms. Jackson said again one dozen roses and white too, that seems almost intimate to me. Mamma said she and Ms. Jackson wondered who in the world could have placed those roses there. They had never seen any other flowers before, only the ones they placed out there.

During our second year at Tulane Minnie decided she just couldn’t live in a dorm anymore with the other students around. She said she couldn’t study with all the noise and commotions all the time. She said she needed some peace and quiet if she was going to keep her grades up to par. Minnie said she was going to graduate Summa Cum Laude and nothing less.

When we started college at Tulane work was so hard I decided I was going to be satisfied with graduating with honors if I could pull that off. I looked at all those B’s and some A’s I was making and I didn’t even feel horrified. I realized there were a whole lot of people a lot smarter than I was. I found out that this was not high school this was college and it was hard as hell trying to become a lawyer and criminal law at that but I was going to make it just the same.

Minnie, well she’s been holding true to the fact that she would never make anything less than the top grade and up until now she has done just that. Sometimes I would tell her she needed to lighten up a little. She would just roll her eyes at me.

One day after our classes she up and called Ms. Jackson, she told her she wanted us to have our own housing off campus because she just couldn’t study in the dorm room anymore because it was too noisy with people coming and going all the time.

In the next two weeks Ms. Jackson, mamma and daddy came down to New Orleans so we could all look at housing that Minnie and I thought would be appropriate for us and not to cost them too much money at the same time.

Mamma and daddy had let me take my car back to school during our second year so Minnie and I could have our own transportation around and off campus. Mamma said no sense in us both having a car parked on campus when we were together in the same place. Mamma and daddy added Minnie and I both to their auto insurance since we both shared my car.

While we scouted for housing near campus daddy asked, now what about transportation to and from classes since you’re not going to be on campus anymore. He said you both could walk to and from classes on campus but not from off campus unless you’re desperate. I told daddy that we would be fine unless something clashes later on. I told him most of our classes were in the mornings and Minnie had some evenings and I had some evenings that we would manage. Daddy said well if you grown ladies think so. Mamma and Ms. Jackson didn’t say a word they just kept quiet and listened to daddy talk. Daddy parked and while we were walking toward our next building daddy said the next time you two have a break and come home I’m going to take you fishing and we can have a nice fish fry just like old times. Ms. Jackson said call me I might want to fly down and join you at the fishing hole. Mamma said not me, you all just help yourselves. I just clean them and cook them. I hate fishing. Ms. Jackson said Marian, Mark told me that you’ve gone down to the lake with him before on several occasions. Mamma said Ms. Jackson that wasn’t for fishing, not that kind of fishing anyway. Ms. Jackson said baby excuse me, seems like I’m all in your business. Mamma laughed out loud and hugged Ms. Jackson around her waist while we all walked into the apartment. The one Minnie and I loved the most.

On our drive back home to Mississippi I asked Ms. Jackson if she noticed that Minnie seemed a little slow, slower than usual and maybe too quiet. Ms. Jackson said Marian I did but you know every time she calls she tells me how hard she’s been studying and she says most of the time on the weekends she stays in to study even if Nellie goes out. She tells me that she don’t want to fall behind in anything. I’ve noticed something in her voice and she’s talking really fast sometimes. I’ve even had to tell her to slow down before. I’ve asked her if she was o.k. if she was feeling well. She would say of course grandma, I’m o.k. just a little tired, then she would tell me she was going to go to bed early to get some rest, so I would just leave it at that and tell her to please take care of herself because she’s all I got. She would laugh and say oh grandma, just like her usual confident self. While Ms. Jackson and I talked, Mark didn’t say anything, he just listened.

Ms. Jackson said Marian I’m going to call her and check on her tomorrow before I fly back home, besides I want to know if she or Nellie already called that little transporting company so they can get all their things moved into their furnished apartment all at once. It’s no sense in them making four or five trips back and forth in the car and worrying other folks to help them.

While in her room Nellie thought we’re three months in our apartment and this is so much better than our dorm room. I’m enjoying this place. Two of our friends came over yesterday. Minnie and I have had several to visit since we’ve moved in. I don’t know what Minnie really thinks about our place. She hadn’t said. She’s just busy going and coming. When I got up and went to the kitchen there she was already up sitting at the table already dressed and staring at our bread. She said Nellie you better hurry up, we’ve got to get to class we both have an eight o’clock this morning and she didn’t say anything else. I told her it wouldn’t take me long to get dressed.

While getting dressed for class Nellie thought to herself, Minnie is really acting strange, she really hadn’t been eating much lately and after classes she heads straight to her room. She’s acting like she, don’t even want to talk anymore about anything. I’m sure I’ve heard her moaning in her sleep. I asked her a week ago if she was feeling all right, if she was not sick. She said she was fine, well bull I know she’s not fine. She’s forgetting I’ve known her since we were little bitty o’ people and we’re big o’ people now. She knows I know her better than that. She can’t fool me.

Minnie, don’t have another class today after eleven o’clock a.m. maybe she will get some rest. I have a three o’clock p.m. class. I’m going to call mamma before I leave for my evening class

After our morning classes Minnie and I hit the door at twelve thirty. I threw down my back pack and headed straight to the refrigerator and took out the Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo and salad I had made the evening before. Minnie was in her room changing her clothes putting on them big old jogging pants she, like to wear around the house. I called her, to let her know our lunch was ready. She came stumbling out and sat down. I asked her if she was going to eat today. She said Nellie why are you hounding me, and she was loud too. I said Minnie why are you so loud? She said I don’t need the hell hounded out of me Nellie. I said Minnie I’m not hounding you I just asked if you were going to eat, because you haven’t been eating lately. She picked up her fork and rolled her eyes at me. I went to the refrigerator and poured her a big glass of Kool-Aid and myself a small one. She ate a small portion of her Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, a bite of her salad and had one sip of Kool-Aid. She finally said Nellie you gave me too much. I can’t eat all this stuff then she said I need to go rest, I’m tired. I said you go on and rest I’ll clean up here. I told Minnie I was going to leave a little early for my evening class. She said o.k. Nellie and headed to her room. Minnie was truly not herself. I thought about picking up the phone right there in the kitchen and calling mamma but I didn’t want to take the chance of Minnie hearing me because I knew she would try and stop me from calling, acting like she’s really o.k.

When I was ready to leave for my 3:00 p.m. class I knocked very lightly on Minnie’s door. She didn’t answer. I eased her door open. Sure enough she was lying in her bed with her pink and green comforter thrown over her. I eased her door close, went and grabbed my back pack with my books. I noticed that Minnie had left her cell on the kitchen counter something she never does. I took my cell from the side pocket of my back pack and couldn’t wait to get to the car to call mamma.

Ring, ring, Marian picked up and said, Wilson residence, mamma!! Nellie you sound like you’re out of breath. I hurried out to the car that’s all. I have a class but I needed to call you first. You o.k. Nellie, what’s wrong. Mamma nothing I hope, it’s Minnie she’s acting strange, she’s not eating and she snapped at me earlier today and said I was hounding her but I wasn’t mamma. She said I was hounding the hell out of her and she won’t eat any thing. She even looks at our bread but don’t eat any and you know that’s not right. Nellie baby you go on to class. I’m going to call Ms. Jackson, where is Minnie now Nellie, she’s resting she don’t have a class this evening. I love you baby, I love you too mamma.

When Nellie hung up Marian said, well I’m just going to call Minnie and Nellie’s apartment first to see if Minnie will answer then I’ll call Ms. Jackson to tell her what Nellie told me.

While in her room lying down, Minnie thought to herself, Nellie think, I was asleep, well I can’t sleep I just rest most of the time because sleep won’t come. I just feel so bad these days and I know this is not normal behavior. I don’t feel ill I just feel like I’m weighed down with sand bags and I feel so tired and frustrated like I can’t hardly function.

When Minnie heard their apartment phone ringing from the kitchen she said, who in the world is calling, that better not be Nellie calling back here bugging me. If it is I’m going to give her what for. Minnie hurried to the kitchen to answer, she picked up and said hello. Marian said Minnie is that you? It took you a while to answer. Minnie said mamma Marian I was resting and I didn’t carry my cell to my room. Marian asked, Minnie where is Nellie? She left for school, her evening class. Marian said that’s o.k. I was just calling to say hello to you both and to tell you that I’m shipping that waffle iron you two wanted. Thank you mamma Marian. Minnie you do sound a little tired I’m sorry I woke you. I’m not going to keep you any longer just tell Nellie I called. You go on back and get your rest. I love you Minnie. I love you too mamma Marian.

Marian, thought to herself after, she hung up the phone, yeah Nellie sure is right Minnie don’t sound like herself. She didn’t say much and that didn’t sound good. It sounds as if she hadn’t had any rest in days.

Ring, ring, hello, Jackson residence, Sarah, is Ms. Jackson home? Is this Mrs. Wilson? Yes it is, hold on Mrs. Wilson.

When Ms. Jackson answered she said Marian. Marian said Ms. Jackson Nellie called me a little bit ago. She’s at her evening class but Minnie is at home she didn’t have one. Nellie told me that Minnie was acting strange, that Minnie snapped at her earlier today. Nellie said Minnie told her she was really hounding the hell out of her. Ms. Jackson said, well, that don’t sound like, Minnie. That’s just what I thought Ms. Jackson. I called the apartment and Minnie did answer the house phone. She didn’t say very much to me and she sounded really tired. Nellie said she’s not eating, not even that bread. Ms. Jackson I believe Minnie is depressed. Marian I believe you’re right. Ms. Jackson said you know I believe my baby has a lot on her mind and I believe it’s been ever since Cylia Faye and Jack passed. Minnie never dealt with none of that and I believe it’s catching up with her. You know Marian to this day she’s never talked about them or even voiced how she felt about any of it. We’ve all voiced our thoughts, opinions and feelings but not Minnie. Ms. Jackson said Marian my poor baby is suffering in silence.

Ms. Jackson said Marian this is such short notice, do you want to come along. You know I can fly to New Orleans and take care of Minnie myself. Ms. Jackson I wouldn’t dream of letting you go by yourself. I love Minnie like she was my own. Marian do you want to fly there and meet me or do you want me to come there and we drive down? You fly here and we’ll drive down Ms. Jackson. Ms. Jackson said I’ll take the earliest flight out that I can get for tomorrow morning Marian. Ms. Jackson you’re going to rest on Wednesday now when you get here and we’ll leave mid day Thursday. Minnie is going to be fine until she gets help, she’s strong enough, a little bit of life is just catching up with her that’s all.

Marian said Ms. Jackson I’m going to talk back with Nellie later to tell her we’re coming. Mark will probably want to drive down with us too I’m sure of it when I tell him, but no need in him taking off work, when we can handle the situation, ourselves.

Ms. Jackson said I’ll see you tomorrow Marian. I have some calling to do. I’ve got to get Minnie a good doctor one that can work with her through her school schedule. Ms. Jackson I’ll pick you up at the airport, no need to get a cab out. Have Sarah call me with your flight information, Ms. Jackson said thank you Marian.

With that said Ms. Jackson hung up. Marian thought I know her heart is just so heavy worrying about Minnie because mine certainly is.

When Mark got home I told him about Nellie’s phone call earlier. I told him I had already contacted Ms. Jackson, that she was flying in and we needed to drive down to New Orleans to take care of Minnie because something was definitely wrong, that she’s not herself. As soon as I told Mark he started talking and couldn’t seem to stop, wondering what was going on with Minnie. He loved Minnie just as much. I told him not to worry that Ms. Jackson and I could take care of everything that there was no need for him to interrupt his schedule because I was sure we were going to stay the whole weekend with Minnie and Nellie so we could get her situated with the doctor she was going to be seeing.

On their way to New Orleans Marian noticed that Ms. Jackson wasn’t saying anything, so she asked, Ms. Jackson are you o.k.? Yes, Marian baby I’m o.k. I’m just thinking about some things. One thing is how Nellie and Minnie have both grown into beautiful young ladies and smart too. I just wish Cylia Faye could have lived to see her daughter blossom the way that she has. Marian I know the past is troubling to Minnie, she just never knew how to process it all so she just pushed it all aside like it didn’t matter to her. Now, Ms. Jackson don’t you worry, Minnie is going to be fine. This therapist in New Orleans that your doctor recommended, I’m sure is going to be able to help Minnie.

Then Marian said, Ms. Jackson this one hundred and ten mile drive from Forrest county to New Orleans has been nothing but a piece of cake today, traffic hadn’t been bad at all. We only have twenty more miles before we’re there. Marian I know you’re a good driver, but just how fast have you been going over the speed limit? I didn’t know I was in that deep of a thought before you asked me if I was o.k. Marian started laughing. You’re laughing Marian but I didn’t realize we were that close. Well, we are Ms. Jackson, we’re going to be able to stop off and have a nice bite somewhere and maybe a beignet before we go to Minnie and Nellie’s place. Ms. Jackson said that will be great Marian.

Nellie thought to herself, Minnie seems even more distraught today, I’m glad she had only that one morning class again today. I really think she needs to rest for real. While I’ve been sitting here on this couch reading, she’s been back and forth from her room to the refrigerator at least four times looking in there and taking nothing out. I haven’t said anything and neither has she. I haven’t seen her pick up another book or magazine around here like she usually does, only her school books, notes and papers and pamphlets. All that stuff is weighing her down, and I only see them when we’re going and coming from school. I really hope she’s studying when she’s shut up in that room. She just seems to be movement with legs, not the Minnie I’ve known all my life. I don’t know what in the world I can do to help her except try to talk to her everyday while she’s going through this phase. God I’m glad she’s going to be seeing a therapist because she won’t talk to me about anything much, so I guess I’ll just wait until she’s ready.

When I talked to mamma this morning, before classes she told me she and Ms. Jackson were heading out around noon. I told her my last class would be over at two o’clock p.m. and that Minnie and I would be home. She told me Ms. Jackson thought it best not to tell Minnie because she would try and talk them out of coming, declaring that she’s fine and nothing is wrong, and we all know she’s not going to want to see a therapist for nothing. Minnie is going to be shocked when mamma and Ms. Jackson gets here. I really need to get this studying done before they arrive because I’m not going to be able to after they show up, not this night.

Nellie went to her room, she looked at the clock on her night stand it was four o’clock p.m. then her cell phone rang, it was Marian. She answered and said, hi mamma, are you all almost here? Marian said we’re already here Nellie we stopped off to eat and relax a bit after the drive. We’ll be there in about fifteen minutes. Marian asked Nellie where is Minnie? She’s in her room where she always is lately. Mamma we haven’t even talked at all today. Oh, Nellie I’m sorry, that’s awful. We’ll see you in a minute, Nellie said o.k. mamma.

Nellie hopped off of her bed and went to the living room and sat on one of the chairs near the window to watch for Marian and Ms. Jackson when they drove up. She didn’t want to take a chance on Minnie hearing the door bell ring.

When Marian’s car pulled up Nellie eased the door open and went out. Marian and Ms. Jackson both hugged her at the same time then they walked inside.

Once inside Ms. Jackson said Nellie go get Minnie out here, no need of us prolonging the inevitable, this has to be done.

I went and knocked on Minnie’s bedroom door. She hollered, what is it Nellie? What do you want now? I opened her door, well, she really was sitting there on the side of her bed