Guinea Pigs

By D. N. Brown

What a huge mistake going to Hawaii was for Demajah Liny. Although thought to be a sweet gesture from boyfriend Kevin, he had other plans for Demajah. She ends up in a time warp that places her at a disadvantage for being both an African American and a woman. For what reason? Join Demajah on her unlikely journey that has Touched most every American in one way or another.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trafford Publishing
• Release date: Aug 8, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490721309

D. N. Brown

D. N. Brown was born in Columbus, Ohio, and obtained an undergraduate degree from the Ohio State University in allied health and a doctor of pharmacy from the University of Maryland Baltimore. Writing poetry and short stories has been a lifelong hobby and passion of Dr. Brown’s. She currently lives in Waldorf, Maryland, with her husband, daughter, and son.

Book preview

30188.png

©

Copyright 2014 D. N. Brown.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

ISBN: 978-1-4907-2128-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-2129-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4907-2130-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013922373

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.

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.

Trafford rev. 08/07/2014

30154.png www.trafford.com

North America & international

toll-free: 1 888 232 4444 (USA & Canada)

fax: [phone]

CONTENTS

The Company

The Setup

The News

Night Before

Airport

Montana

Destination—Past

Sunday Dinner

Nightmare

Retail Store

Back Again

Secret Meeting

Free Time with Eugene

Craziness Revealed

Back Home

The Room

Alone

Lay Low

Sneaking Out

Kevin

What a Smell

Home Again

Eugene’s Back

Back to the Captive

Not Revealed

Plan

The Farm

Movement

I’m Back

Eugene

Ko Olina, Oahu

THE COMPANY

Mr. Jameson? Lucy Cross spoke with a high-pitched, sweet, Southern-accented voice on the speaker to Mr. Jameson’s office.

Yes, Lucy? Robert Jameson spoke.

I have a Ms. Boldon Wise here, and she would like to speak to you. She says it is of the utmost importance, sir.

Send her in.

A tall, Amazonian woman dressed in a too-short pantsuit hurried into Jameson’s office. Sir, Cheen wants to negotiate. They want to give you this for your cooperation.

Boldon placed a thin white envelope on Jameson’s desk. Jameson slowly reached for the envelope and opened it without rush or hesitation. After analyzing the contents, Jameson nodded to Ms. Wise, and she thanked him and left quickly.

Jameson picked up the phone and dialed. A man answered the phone and gave a groggy yes. "It seems Cheen has made a substantial offer and we struck a deal Jameson spoke angrily.

Good, I will begin prep to pull my man out of that time warp. The man on the phone sounded relieved.

No, Jameson interrupted.

But, sir, he is my best agent, and I could use him on other details.

Leave him. We will train another. He will be more of a threat than help now. Let him go. Jameson was cold in his words.

Reluctantly the man on the phone answered, Yes, sir.

They hung up.

THE SETUP

My boyfriend of two years, Kevin, and I were lying naked in the bed.

Damn, girl, you put that shit on me right. Kevin laughed with exhaustion.

You keep handlin’ me like that, and I’m gon’ have no job, I explained.

Come here, baby. Kevin sighed. You should try and do something special this year for your birthday, he said, quickly changing the subject.

Like what? I perked up, excited that this might not be a repeat of last year when he didn’t remember until the day after.

Well, we could try and go to an island, Kevin thought aloud.

I smiled slightly. I would love to honey, but I am tryin’ to make it through law school and work.

Kevin cut me off. By work, do you mean that grocery store?

I know it is not a career, but Mr. Summer has been so kind since I was an undergrad. I will tell him I quit after I take the bar.

Kevin sighed. I understand, hon, but do absolutely nothing?

I do you, I said, smirking.

Yeah, you do that, and very well, I might add. But seriously, look into something. You not only need it, you deserve it, Kevin said, getting up out of bed.

I nodded. I guess. Now give me a kiss so I can get ready. I got up, pecked Kevin on the cheek, and dashed to the bathroom to take a shower.

Today I dressed more professionally compared to my usual sweat suit. I wanted to make a good impression on a guest lawyer from a top firm coming to class today. I researched him—Jonathan Drakes, attorney-at-law. He graduated top of his class, a complete nerd but a brilliant man. He was one of the most recognized lawyers in Manhattan and came from an interesting past. Not too many people knew much about him because he disappeared between the ages of twelve to twenty-five and miraculously got hired by a big firm. I am not sure what happened or who he knows but obviously someone with clout to land such a job. I read that many of his friends said he was different. Aside from maturing, he actually seemed like a different person. No matter—I wanted to work with him. I had been preparing for months. Along with my academic recommendations and summa cum laude status, my boyfriend was on the board for the PhD program. Most board members golfed with the lawyers from different firms they’ve worked with in the past, and Kevin golfed quite often with J. Drakes. Drakes was coming to choose three new junior partners. The guest-speaker bit was an act. I tried not to feel like I already had it, but I did.

I grabbed a granola bar, kissed Kevin again, and left. Kevin was a professor of literature at Harvard undergraduate program and was nine years my senior. I often reminisced about the first day we met. He was speaking to new students, and the mom-and-pop grocer I worked for was catering the event. He looked so graceful giving his you made it speech. I didn’t think he would even notice me. He intentionally, or so I think, came over to me to get a drink, and his conversation was orgasmic. I instantly knew there was something between us. I can’t quite explain it, but I knew he was the one for me. Of course, I didn’t let him in on it. I am settling for dating right now.

THE NEWS

The news in class came like a swift kick in the ass. I tried to gather myself following the announcement of junior partners which did not include my name. To say I was shocked and then angry was an understatement. I left quickly to call Kevin and vent my emotions since I had to maintain my composure in class while congratulating classmates. I pretended as if I had something urgent to do as I rapidly gathered my things and burst out of the classroom door.

That evening, I walked in to a candlelit table setting with the man of my dreams making dinner in my tiny apartment kitchen. What is the occasion? I asked.

Kevin shrugged. Just thought you might like a little cheer-up dinner. I started my normal after-school tasks of changing into more comfortable clothes, pouring myself a glass of wine, and opening one of the many folders of work.

I noticed a flowery colored envelope on the table. What’s that? I pointed and asked.

Well, I knew you wouldn’t really look at anything, so I took the liberty of looking into some things for you, Kevin explained.

Skeptically, I inquired, Okay, what did you find?

Smiling, Kevin said, I found a two-week trip to Hawaii leaving from San Diego.

Really? I tried not to show excitement. That definitely began to take away my sorrow.

Really, Kevin said. We leave in two weeks, and I do not want to hear any complaints because you will be finished with finals.

But what about the bar?

Wait and hit it hard when we return.

I walked over to hug him. I guess I have no choice. I kissed him several times softly. Thank you, honey. That is extremely good news. I love you.

NIGHT BEFORE

Kevin walked into my apartment, disgusted.

What is wrong, baby? I asked.

Honey, I have to meet you there, Kevin said, slightly yelling.

Instantly, tears came to my eyes and my heart began to palpitate. Why? I finally spoke after what seemed to be one long minute.

I have to testify in a plagiarism case two days from now, so I will come down Friday night. I have changed my flight already, so… He didn’t finish his sentence.

I sat in silence with tears falling down my cheeks, feeling anguish.

I am sorry, baby, he said after what seemed like an hour of us staring at each other.

I sucked in my breath, my chest felt heavy. I’ll be waiting for you.

After a long night of lovemaking and cuddling, the alarm rang at 7:00 a.m., but my flight wasn’t until ten. I had already awakened and dressed and reset the alarm for Kevin so he could see me off. Kev, I said softly, I am going to head out to the airport. I left my itinerary on the table in case you forgot my information and so you can keep track of my whereabouts.

Kevin wiped his eyes. I will see you really soon, baby. Have a good flight, he said as he walked me to the door.

AIRPORT

While waiting at the airport, I people-watched as I often did. I tried to wonder where everyone was going based on their