On the Backburner: 30 Years Later

By Mirthell Bayliss-Bazemore

On August 8th, 2013 my life changed and will never be the same again.
How could someone whom I had known for such a short time command my heart the way he had done? Our lives were to be about two people who would live happily ever after. One where we enjoyed one another; cared for each others needs in every way imaginable all of this had been cruelly snatched away.
We had planned for six months on how we would transition our lives together, he from his existing partner, and me from my husband of almost thirty years.
My worse fear had come to life, I had stepped out of bounds and put my heart, soul and mind on the line A gamble that I had clearly lost!
I had a new understanding of the saying What God has joined together, let no man put asunder

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Dec 23, 2013
• ISBN: 9781491841693

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© 2013, 2014 Mirthell Bayliss-Bazemore. 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 02/25/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4918-4168-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-4169-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013922385

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

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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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

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

PROLOGUE

ALMOST MIDNIGHT

OUR GOALS

OUR NEW HOME

DUAL BOOK SIGNING

BREAST SURGERY

CROSSROADS

CALL ME

PROJECT MANAGER

MOTHER JANNIE’S WOE

THE INVITATION

LOVE CALLS—KEM

FALLING

HAPPY 90TH BIRTHDAY

EDGE OF DARKNESS

MARRIED, PENDING DIVORCE & ENGAGED

THE STARS ARE LINING UP

GETTING PREPARED

I CAN’T SAY NO

ATLANTA

SMILING FACES BY UNDISPUTED TRUTH

THE RAVEN & THE ROSE

CHARACTERISTIC OF THE ROSE & RAVEN

THE RAVEN

OUR TIME TOGETHER, OUR BEGINNING

THE CHATEAU ELAN—

THE RAVEN & THE ROSE

BROKEN

I AM NOT CRAZY

BACK FROM SACKCLOTH AND ASHES

A LIFE I KNEW WELL

EVERLASTING FRIEND

THE HEALING

MIRTIE

EPILOGUE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dedicated

To

Lionel M. Bazemore

Thank you for thirty years

Love always

~Mirtie~

In Memory Of

Colonel Nathaniel Perkins

August 8, 2013

Thank you for our time together and precious memories

Love Always

~Mirtie~

"Thank you David Lanz for your music and new release Movements of the Heart"

And special thanks to

George Whitehill

Music composer and soundtrack for On the Backburner

~It’s Been Awhile~

As I had the privilege of editing this book, I could not help but feel the emotions that were expressed. I laughed, I cried, I became angry and I cried again—Thank you for a great story

~Editor Kathleen Joiner~

Blessing’s and great success on your upcoming project On the Backburner

Min. Stephanie Burrell

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I want to thank the following people who supported me during the writing of this novel:

Also the following networks that promoted this book on their talk radio show:

Harriet Lerman with co-host Peter Wein of WEI Network—Peas In A Pod

Jaqueline King of BWE Network

Brian Jackson of Actors Breakdown Media Group

Daniel Yahweh

Special thanks to:

Dr. Mary Canty Merrill—Merrill Consulting Associates, LLC

Yvonne & Bruce Wilson—The Wilson Group

Marketing manager Doug Rollins—The Chateau Elan Winery and Resort

Steve Harrell of Silkman Holdings LLC

Antwan Hannah of Nerium International

Min. Vizion Jones

And a very special Thank You to

Michael Barnard

Of

Rakestraw Books

Your kind deeds have overwhelmed me and pricked my heart. Michael, because of you I had the privilege of meeting legendary and admired author Terry McMillan, to you I am eternally grateful,

Thank you

Joyce Piggee, Nachee Miller, Ronald B McCardell Jr, Paula Robinson, Sonya Maria, Jeanine Nicholas, Nakeeta (Shea) Mitchell, Eric Bendross, Deborah Hightower, Jean Stratton, Diana Hock, Jenny Lai, Asha Madoshi, Janese Cockfield, Monica Padilha, Joan Cartwright, Marti Burke, Paige Ortega, Raquel Young, Terri Dorrell, LaTresa Spears Johnson and Woody & Shawneille Dunbar—Thank you for supporting me during a difficult time, because of your prayers, love and well wishes I survived.

One deserves to be happy, not in the arms of someone who keeps you waiting, but in the arms of someone who will take you now, love you forever, and leave you never

Unknown

PROLOGUE

This is a story of redemption, faith, forgiveness and romance. On July 19th, 2013 my marriage of twenty nine years was coming to an end, only to be followed by an engagement to marry another as I entered into a blissful, loving and romantic relationship with a man I thought I would spend the rest of my life with.

This would end tragically on August 8th, 2013 separated by death leaving me

On The Backburner

ALMOST MIDNIGHT

It was almost midnight; the ball prepared to drop in Times Square, as we counted down the year’s final minutes. My husband, LB poured the glasses of champagne as Cee Lo performed. It was 11:59 PM Pacific Standard Time. Five, four, three, two, one

Happy New Year

2013

Times Square exploded with fireworks, loud horns, hugs and kisses! Confetti streamed from the sky as champagne flowed from bottles. Party goers kissed friends and strangers—only on New Year’s Day! All around the world—everyone celebrated a new beginning and reflected on the past, Auld Lang Syne

As I sang that depressing old song, Auld Lang Syne, I choked back tears. The opening words alone were depressing. "Should all acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?" What a way to start a New Year!

Well, we raised our glasses and I sang it anyway. I glanced at my hubby as Cubby, our daughter and our dog, Harriet headed upstairs. They both were exhausted and had barely been able to stay awake.

Good night Cubby! and Harriet.

Good night Mom and Dad.

LB and I watched them leave. I sauntered over to him and hugged him. A brand new year with new hopes and expectations, he leaned down and softly kissed me.

Happy New Year Baby Girl.

Happy New Year Dad.

He called me Baby Girl when he was in a good mood and I called him dad, only because he’s a few years older than me, six to be exact! Those were our terms of endearment for each other. Simple, yet charming as it was time to share the seasonal joy with a couple of friends. I called one of my best male friends, Rick, and Marie, my dear girlfriend and wished them a Happy New Year. Why couldn’t I wait until morning? Tradition! I had done it in this order for years, no need to stop now.

It was almost 1:00am LB was tired and headed for bed. I placed my champagne glass on the mantel went into the kitchen to wait for our New Year’s dinner to cool off before I put it in the refrigerator.

I loved this time of year for its festivities and celebrations. But I also looked forward to the family/friends around the table filled with good food. Everyone would enjoy my traditional menu: fried chicken, collard greens, black-eyed peas, corn bread and peach cobbler. Not to mention my famous Gumbo, seasoned just right. I had frozen a large portion of it after Christmas dinner and recently removed it from the freezer. I checked the container. It had begun to thaw. Good home cooking—the best way to start the year. It was a break from my standard healthy meals; salad, baked salmon and all types of steamed vegetables.

Holidays were more than just days for shopping. The sights, sounds were great. The smells were even better. Although all the dinner was fully cooked, the smell of the collard greens and black-eyed peas blended with the aroma of freshly baked cornbread. The peachy smell of nutmeg and butter kissed the vanilla and cinnamon, its sweet, pungent fragrance hung in the air inviting, like mistletoe.

What peace I found in the scents of the holidays. What joyful expectations I had for the year. So while the meal cooled, I perched myself on the chair and wrote my plans for the New Year. First there was my dual book launching; followed by the upcoming breast surgery. Both were scheduled for March. I was ready. Plus, my fourth novel was almost finalized and on schedule. This year was busy, just the way I liked it.

Finally the food had cooled and was secured in the refrigerator. I’m going to take a shower and get into bed. Just once, I’d like to bring in the New Year making love.

I remembered joking with my girlfriend about that. When she asked me how I planned to bring in the New Year, I answered, having sex, that way I know I’m bringing it in right. We both laughed at that one, because I hadn’t had sex or made love in years. And her situation was no different. She had been celibate, too.

I switched off the kitchen lights and ran upstairs. Sounds of New Year celebrators blared from the TV. Soon, I’ll be celebrating, too. I quickly showered in my special holiday soap; toweled off and stepped into the threshold of the bedroom. I stopped dead in my tracks. He was sound asleep, snoring. You have got to be kidding me, I exclaimed. Sulking, I found my large t shirt, piled into bed, switched the channel to the Golden Girls. In their New Year episode, even they had more fun than me. Happy New Year. Finally, I drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, I awoke around 6:00am. Usually the first to rise, I traipsed downstairs, made my cup of Folgers instant coffee, and logged onto my computer. The sultry coffee aroma and the filtered sunshine helped stir my senses. I began to recall the disappointment from last night. It’s a new day. It was not the first, and won’t be the last.

I opened my online banking page and checked my accounts, as usual. I reviewed and verified my cleared checks; reconciled my check book. I moved onto my Yahoo account and then to my Facebook page. The usual early birds were up and posting. These were mostly classmates from Class of 1982 and a few of my East Coast friends and family members. All had posted similar Happy New Year’s greetings to see who would get the most LIKES.

Then around 8:00am, I heard the upstairs toilet flush. That meant only one thing. Hubby’s up! And the dog too! Harriet, our nine pound silky terrier, had the cutest tan and gray coat. She trotted downstairs, skidded to a stop at the door and wagged her tail. If dogs could talk, she would have said, Do you want this outside or in the foyer?

It was cold and wet outside. I grabbed my jacket and her leash and walked her to the nearby park so she could handle her business. Harriet had been with us a short time—a month exactly on today, New Year’s Day. It was Cubby’s Birthday-Christmas gift. This combined gift was an unfortunate reality for those born in December.

As a family I believed we had done a good job to separate the two. Her birthday was December 12th. I felt the worst for those born after December 20th because gifts for their birthdays and Christmas were almost always folded into one gift. My mother was born December 20th and my twin brothers in law were born December 23rd. I had firsthand experience on how they were cheated out of either one.

When I returned from the walk with Harriet, hubby had prepared breakfast. We were met at the door by the smell of corned beef hash with eggs over easy and toast… even Harriet wagged her tail in glee.

While I enjoyed my breakfast, my mind concentrated on my goals for the year. LB and I had discussed the upcoming taxes, because our income was too high for our tax bracket. Although I had decent write offs from publishing and writing expenses, it still was not enough. Personally, I didn’t care if we received a tax refund. I just didn’t want to owe the government anything.

Breaking even was always better than owing. We had owed for years and had worked on it to pay it down. Finally, after breakfast, LB sat in my computer chair… The hot seat! My computer and desk… clearly was my working station. I was selfish about it, but had learned to share.

I emptied the dishwasher and put the dishes away. As I put the last glass in the cabinet, I glanced over my shoulder and saw him looking at new homes; our retirement home.

What are you looking at dear?

I’m looking at these new homes in Pleasanton and Livermore.

Pleasanton and Livermore? We can’t afford those homes… Aren’t they around $600,000.00 and up?

Yeah, but they are nice.

Uh, how about Tracy or Mountain House? Those homes started at the mid $250,000.00’s. That’s more within our range, I offered.

Maybe you’re right, Baby Girl.

And so he started checking other areas. Prices for the Bay Area homes had started to rise and I knew we needed to make a move, but something held me at bay, like a thirty years commitment. A commitment I wasn’t sure I could keep!

In fact, I was unsure I could remain in this marriage another thirty years. After all, thirty years was a long time, especially longer with the same person. Perhaps it was the midlife crisis. Although a part of me knew I wouldn’t leave, something inside pressed me towards freedom.

Where would I go? I had become dependent on LB now for thirty years, although I had worked for most of that time, in banking and telecommunications. But I was too comfortable and secure in this marriage.

We just had our issues, like any other long-term married couple. Somehow we always seemed to work things out.

I was hard pressed to name many couples married for this long. There were some who were married for one score—twenty years, but how many had thirty years to their credit? Most couples split after ten years!

After LB finished his retirement home search, we began our New Year’s Day ritual. We watched movies, cheered our favorite football teams and devoured that savory dinner I had prepared the night before. Although it was just the two of us, it was a pleasant day and the beginning of a new year.

I was born in Oakland California, on June 19th, 1964. I’m 49 years old and employed by a financial institution. But my passion and true love has been writing. I’ve always enjoyed writing poetry, short stories, novels and TV series.

Married for twenty nine years, almost thirty, and mother to our beautiful daughter. She’s my pride and joy even though at times, we tend to touch on each other’s nerves. But what mother hasn’t?

She lives at home with us and is in school working on her bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a much-needed profession, as far as I am concerned. Did I mention I was proud of her?

Then there’s my hubby of twenty nine years—LB! But I call him dad. I called my natural father Bailey because that’s how my mother wanted me to refer to him. I never understood that, because he was indeed an excellent father—a good dad!

My husband LB is an outstanding father! My daughter is a daddy’s girl, as he does spoil her. He manages at a large medical center in the Bay Area, and has been employed there for over twenty years. He rarely missed a day of work, unless on vacation. He has always taken pride in his family, always provided for us and made sure we were comfortable. He’s politically correct and spiritually blessed beyond measure. Some often said he would make an excellent elder, being knowledgeable in the Word and tested at all points. When needed by his family, he’s there. As a dutiful citizen he is willing to extend himself for his fellowman or neighbor. This is truly the characteristic of a good man… better than most I know! So, why would I pull away from someone with those attributes that I could speak so boldly about? We were a tight family unit of three and that’s how he liked it. As for me, I missed being a couple again.

So often we become engrossed with family life, that we lose ourselves. That may sound selfish of me, but it was how I felt. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family unit, but I would love to be a couple again, now that our only child has grown up. Instead of being a wife! I’d rather be both lover and wife.

OUR GOALS

Let’s buy a house sweetie!

Are you sure, you’re ready to buy again, Dad?

Yes.

Have you noticed that when someone asks the question, are you sure? It could have long-term repercussions to it?

I hated it when asked… Are you sure? The process of second guessing is set in motion, followed by over-analysis. But LB was right, and it was time—to buy our retirement home.

As I wrapped up novel four, we spent January house searching in various areas. We looked in several counties. It was always the same thing outnumbered, outbid and simply out done!

Every evening after work, we met our realtor at different homes and often bid on several. We looked at forty-seven homes in total, in the month of January. I was done!

After our realtor’s progress became stagnant, we decided to find another. This new realtor was hungry for the sale which sparked my motivation. Every day he emailed a listing of possible sites. My job was to line them up to visit them.

Every night was the same ritual… I checked my emails, made progress on my stories and kept up with my Facebook family. I started networking with various Facebook authors and media contacts by sending copies of my book. Then I shifted my energy back to house searching.

One night I had a flashback moment while I wrote a list of homes for my new realtor. I had unsuccessfully tried to reach an ex-fiancée, whom I had wronged in my younger years. His name was Dave, but I called him Dee. Something told me to look him up on Facebook and see if he had a page?

I followed my hunch, logged onto Facebook and typed in his name-Dave Cartier. Several of them appeared. However, one was from Oakland, CA and had a Raiders symbol as his profile picture. I hesitated for a moment and wondered if that was him. He had worked at the Coliseum and was a Raiders fan. So I did the unthinkable and sent him a private message:

Mirtie:

Hello Dave, I hope this is the Dave Cartier I knew and grew up with. If so, I have been trying to locate you, just to ask for your forgiveness. I have been carrying this around in my heart for almost thirty years. Many years ago I have wronged you . . . Would you please forgive me? I would love to have done this in person or phone. Regards, Mirtie

I pray that you are doing well!

Dave:

Oh my God, how in the world are you. I always wondered what happened to you?

Mirtie:

I am doing well! And I’m so glad this is you . . . lol. I hope this is really you and not a hoax. So let’s confirm this. What street did I grow up on? *_*

Dave:

Lol 101 and Royal Ann. Need more info. I see Calvin quite often

Mirtie:

lol!! This is great!

And you are right! I’m sending my friend request to you right now. I’m about to cry!

May I have your phone number, so I can call you?

Dave:

I’ll inbox you!

That night I called him and we talked for hours. I had carried years of guilt on how I ended our relationship.