REWIND

By Keisha E. Pearson

REWIND tells the story of Angelique M. Collins who shares the events of her vacation and the fallout changing the course of her life. It is filled with funny flashbacks and vivid characters that make for a memorable experience.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Dec 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9780692583821

Book preview

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From Here to There

As I ran my hand across the letters of my name on the dressing room door, my heart imploded. Angelique’ M. Collins had finally arrived. A sista must work even harder to make it to Hollywood if she doesn’t make it on her back or knees and I am not talking about the prayer position.

I have traveled far from my home town of Houston and worked long hours to get here because I let nothing stand in my way not even my ex-husband, David Duncan Taylor, whom I divorced five years ago, and I moved to California from New York.

David and I had been together since our sophomore year in Nimitz Sr. High School. We met in geometry and discovered we had a lot in common despite our obvious differences. An only child, I was raised by both my parents, Elaine and Joseph in a middle-class neighborhood, but David grew up in a mobile home community with his mother and two other siblings. Alright, he came from the trailer park, but he did not want to be defined by that place. He has a really good head for numbers, the reason I allowed him to tutor me in math.

After our tutorial sessions, I watched him ride his Huffy bike home to help his mom with his younger brother and sister. He cooked dinner for them, most of the time that meant Hamburger Helper or fried bologna sandwiches and Hawaiian Punch if his mother had not received her disability. Sue Ann Taylor’s right arm and leg had been severely damaged by a stroke in childbirth with his younger sister. So David was the man of the house and he paid as many bills as he could with his tutorial earnings. Often, he took his frustrations out on the football field as a defensive line man. David was 5 feet 10 inches and 180 lbs. of bad-ass. His teammates called him ‘Mini Frig’, but by his senior year, he picked up another 120 lbs. of muscle and bumped his head on most doorways.

Born under the sign of Capricorn, we both wanted the best of life, which meant getting a college education. David used football and I relied on my dramatic talents developed by my theater instructor and director Barbara Sack. I lived in the theater classroom with the other Drama Club members while David spent most of his time with his teammates. Although we participated in different worlds, he found time to walk me to all of my classes and he met me at the movie theater sometimes since my father was not fond of ‘that boy’ as he called him.

David and I attended Prairie View A&M University in the fall of 2002. Of course, I majored in theater and David was an economics major. He wanted to discover a system that balanced the best of capitalism and socialism. I know it sounds crazy, but I married a dreamer. Anyway, David was drafted by the New York Jets at the end of his senior year in 2006; that’s when we got married. I know you’re thinking she jumped on the gravy train, but David and I had been dating since 1999. My dad wasn’t thrilled with our decision, but we were in our 20s and determined to live our lives. Then the inevitable occurred.

A knock on the door startled me out of my daydream. Angel, can I come in? My producer, Jeff Gardner sat on the green sofa across from me at the lighted dressing table. I saw the taping and as usual it was fantastic. When we come back from hiatus, I have something good to share with you.

I was never good with surprises so I did my best to try and coax it out of him. However he insisted the good news could wait for three months and he flew out of the room as quickly as he came. Ninety days was too long of a wait for me.

As the head writer and star of Clare’s Clinic, I usually work up some materials during hiatus. Clare’s Clinic is a half-hour prime time comedy show that follows the life of Clare Marshall, a high school nurse who deals with teen pregnancy, alcoholism, special needs students, drug abuse and other sensitive issues with the other faculty and staff at inner city, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sr. High School. Inspired by my mother, a school nurse, I created the show to highlight those on the front line of education. Our last episode this season featured a star football player who became addicted to prescriptive pain medication. Hydrocodone turned my sweet Davie into a stranger as it almost destroyed this student athlete’s future. I tried to stand by my vows, but where does it say, I must become his emotional punching bag instead of his cheerleader. I cited irreconcilable differences like many marital breakups, but here the term really applied; the same differences that bonded us tore us apart.

Jason called to tell me he was sending the car to pick me up for our trip to his vacation home in Jamaica. I met Jason Mitchell after a stand up routine last year. He’s been really nice, but most guys are until they get what they want. I must admit I was quite impressed by his success story. Jason started a private law practice, Boone, Mitchell and Associates with a college friend when I began my senior year of college. At first, I was slightly reluctant to date a brotha nine years older, but I figured he had his act together. I bet you’re thinking I went from athlete to an attorney; I really know how to pick a wallet. Jason approached me after the show. I was cracking jokes about my mother’s work, which gave me the idea for Clare’s Clinic.

Some would say good fortune played a huge part, but I say I was blessed to find my agent, Kurt Massey, who believed in the idea after reading the synopsis. I was also blessed to find Ruby Wallace, my best friend in Cost Co. The married, working mother and I struck up a conversation on the condiment aisle about the size of the Hellman’s and we have been friends ever since. She’s the only person I felt comfortable telling who my ex-husband was. In Hollywood, deal making seems tied to name dropping and I wanted to make it on my own, not as the former wife of ‘Mr. DDT.’

I rushed home to finish packing for my trip to Jamaica with Jason. Then Ruby stopped by to loan me her fabulous black and gold gown for the trip. The Bakersfield native greeted me with a hug and kisses on the cheek and plopped down on my soft brown leather sofa staring at me with those gray eyes and flawless peach complexion.

Girl, I never thought you would date this guy; he’s not your type. I joined her in the chair opposite of the sofa.

He’s got all the right parts. Doesn’t he?

Well, I guess you’re going to find that out on this trip. Angel, don’t get any stains on this dress. We both laughed as she handed me the gown and I placed it into the clothing bag. Seriously, do you think Jason is the right one for you? I want to see you happy.

I can’t pine away for the rest of my life. Besides, the jury is still out on Jason. I figure this trip is a good way for me to see what he is like away from the office.

He seems so uptight. Ruby rose from the sofa and imitated Jason by walking on the balls of her feet with her butt in the air. Pointing at her butt, You could shove an 18-wheeler up there. He’s no David. Ruby returned to the far end of the sofa sitting on her right leg.

So he has a soft midsection.

Don’t forget the thinning scalp.

Are you trying to ruin this for me?

"No, but I don’t want to turn on Dates from Hell and see your face."

I reached toward my friend, Don’t worry; I carry Christ with me everywhere I go.

Be sure to carry some mace in the other hand.

Her phone rang. Angel, I have to go. That’s Calvin; he’s calling about our date night. The girls are spending the night with their uncle and aunt. Then she winked. Have a safe trip! Love you girl. I’ll call you later.

Ruby kissed my cheek and dashed off down the road in her Honda Civic. I looked at my bags to see if I had everything I needed. My clock signaled the six o’clock hour with the sound of the alarm. Instantly, Ruby’s words brought me back to my senses. Jason and I have only one thing in common – our skin color. Whenever the subject of conversation turned to politics, the room became the set of Face the Nation.

Other than my comedy, he and I were as different as night and day. Jason said the car would arrive at 6:30. So I packed my baggage including my large, floppy hat into my Nissan Altima and headed to the airport. I was leaving out of town, but not with Jason Mitchell. I need a vacation, but not that badly. On my way to the airport, I considered another tropical destination. I can purchase a flight ticket to Hawaii. I could clear my head under the palm trees there.

Heading to Paradise

Once I arrived at LAX, I parked for a week’s duration and headed to the ticket counter where I spotted a childhood friend from Hambrick Middle School. In the early 1990s, Rodney Blake stood five feet tall at about 105 lbs. soaking wet. He was an annoying pimple-faced pre-teen whose voice would make even Steve Urkel cringe. I felt pity for him sitting alone in the cafeteria so I sat next to him. He rattled on day after day after day about his fish. I could have cared less about fish except the ones that sat on my plate for Friday’s dinner, but nobody should sit alone trying to digest meat loaf; at least, I think that was meat loaf. Anyway, Rodney moved to another state and said he shouldn’t say anything else or he could get into real trouble. Now, he looks much different. He stands about six feet with full beard and his pants don’t stop at the knees.

Hey Angel, It’s Rodney from Hambrick. His voice reminded me of a radio DJ getting people ready for a late night groove session if you know what I mean. Rodney sounds so good I felt awful about trying to look away.

What a surprise to see you! He hugged me and he smelled fantastic. Look out Morris Chestnutt! Then he held my hand in his and I saw the ‘Keep Away’ sign, a wedding band on his left hand.

Just then, an attractive, petite dark-skinned woman wearing a pink and purple floral print sundress appeared at his side. Honey, this is the girl I told you about. Hot pink combs on the left and right side of her head held her natural hair style together.

My husband and I never miss your show. You’re absolutely hilarious.

Thank you. I tried to scrape the shame from my expression.

Can I get your autograph? She scrambled in her purse and carry-on luggage for paper and a pen. Since I hadn’t made it up to the counter, I didn’t think the other travelers mind. I signed the first page of a word-fill puzzle book she fished from the bottom of her bag.

As I signed the book, Rodney thanked me. My parents were getting a divorce that year and your friendship eased my pain. You had me crackin’ up. For the most part, Rodney had changed for the better until he broke into laughter remembering one of my jokes. His laugh still sounds like a donkey scratching its ass.

I’m glad I helped you. I enjoyed your company as well. Lord, please forgive me.

Sweetie, I think I see Marcus and Angela. It’s a pleasure to meet you and thank you again. I’ll treasure this book. Then they ran off.

Rodney and his wife make a beautiful couple. I felt a little envious of them. I have been divorced longer than I had been married. I want to walk along the beach holding a guy’s hand the way I did David’s. Where did that come from? I have not thought about him in years until Ruby brought his name up. I called it quits with him after he