Love Conquers All

By Anjalon Edwards

There is no available information at this time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 31, 2011
• ISBN: 9781469119687

Anjalon Edwards

Anjalon is a social worker who works with children of all ages. She is the author of Reality Check: Stepmother Chronicles, her debut novel. She is the founder of Positive Steps, a stepmom support group, and the co-founder of the social organization Ladies of Mahoghany. Meanwhile she continues to pursue her passion for writing and stays committed to enjoying time with her family.

Book preview

ADRIANNE 1

Drama was no stranger to Adrianne Brown. In fact she had encountered many storms in her life by the time she was eighteen. Although she had survived those trials—within family, with health, with school, and with her own insecurities—her biggest challenge was how she would prepare herself enough for the next blow. Now twenty-seven years old, she still hadn’t mastered navigating through life’s storms.

It was a warm spring day. Adrianne was rummaging through her closet preparing for an alumni reunion get-together that evening. She was listening to her Blackstreet CD which marked the era in which she attended college. That CD was one of her first purchases from one of those select-ten-for-one-cent-if-you-commit-for-two-years music clubs. She had a one hour drive ahead of her and she wanted to find something to wear that was comfortable yet flattering. The slow jam, Before I Let You Go, echoed thru her spacious second floor one bedroom apartment. She was enjoying the single life by coming and going as she pleased and flirting endlessly with whomever she wanted. The desired opposite lifestyle from her one year relationship with Raphael, whom was her amusing-turned-possessive ex-boyfriend." They finally ended their relationship after Adrianne officially filed a restraining order against him.

She had narrowly escaped his attempt to pull her into his outlandish and deranged world. Over the course of a year, Raphael’s true colors slowly emerged through his actions from enjoyable and loving to following her to work, calling her excessively, and even causing her to lose her long standing job of five years at a small business firm.

His bizarre behavior crept up on her like a contagious fungus. Once her coworkers began complaining about his harassment and her friends highlighted his stalker like tendencies it dawned on Adrianne that it wasn’t cute, it was crazy. He wasn’t in love, he was obsessed. Raphael had memorized her daily schedule basically showing up wherever she went whenever he could. He would barely let her out of his sight so much so that they might as well have ridden together. He even managed to convince Adrianne that it would be safer for her if he had a key to her apartment. She happily granted his request before realizing the consequence. One evening, she was completely startled when she awoke with him hovering over her unexpectedly and uninvited.

Raphael! she screamed.

Hi Babygirl, I wanted to check on you before I went to work.

She frowned and rolled her eyes annoyed by his nonchalant attitude about coming over without notice. Um, I’m fine. Why didn’t you just call?

He crept around her room as if he was looking for something or maybe somebody hiding. He checked behind her bathroom door, in her walk-in closet, and kicked under her bed.

What are you looking for? she asked clueless as to his real reason for coming over at 6am to scope out her room.

Ah, uh, to see you Baby girl. Raphael quickly uttered out with a smile on his face. He was obviously pleased with the fact that there was no one else there but Adrianne. Needless to say following this weird encounter with him she got into the habit of using her door chain.

Fortunately since they worked similar first shift schedules—he was a surveyor for a local phone service—she figured out when he would be coming around—usually during her lunch hour and immediately following work. It had got to the point that she would wear her shades to disguise herself and take alternative routes on varying days to her usual spots—the grocery store, the mall, her mom’s house—just to throw him off. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t. She just wanted him to respect her alone time. His possessiveness had become a bit too much for her. Ironically, she loved him but wasn’t in love with him so when he began to assault her self-worth by stating I’m the best thing that could ever happen to you followed by No one else would want you, she felt smothered and woke up. He was not being good to her, he was obsessed. Adrianne found the courage to leave and she hasn’t looked back in his direction since. Last she heard Raphael had attached himself to an ex-neighbor of hers. Ironic, huh?

Three months ago, she got the invitation to the anticipated meet and greet at Michigan State University. Ever since then, she had been looking forward to it. It was a precursor to the official formal event. It was at the meet and greet where she met Craig King. He attended with his friend, Rick, a once admired track star with beautiful chocolate calves and tightly toned arms. Adrianne and Rick became friends in the dorm where they both had lived during freshman year. The gentlemen walked over to her and her best friend of nine years, Jade, during hor d’eurves.

Hey Adrianne, looking good, exclaimed Rick giving her a huge hug. His physique felt toned, meaning he was still working out.

Adrianne was happy to see him, calling him by his nickname she replied, R-One, thank you! You too. How are you?

Good, good. Let me introduce you to my boy Craig. He ushered his boy into Adrianne’s direction.

Hi Craig, nice to meet you, she said then turning towards Rick, and this is my girl Jade.

Everyone exchanged ‘hellos’. It was all smiles and swapping of hands.

Adrianne, you are looking especially beautiful tonight, Craig said grabbing her hand, he held on to it, hesitating before letting it go. His forwardness caught her off guard, however she did enjoy his big warm hands touching hers. At that moment it made her pay a little more attention towards him for the remainder of the evening.

At first glance, Adrianne wasn’t in awe over Craig at all. Once he caught her attention though she noticed he was a cutie. He had a Jaheim-like presentation with neatly laid plaits, sexy black eyes, a warm smile, and a 6ft. broad frame. Most people would not see his appearance as professional but as street. That hint of swagger was appealing to her. For the next hour, Craig was constantly eyeing her and making comments directed specifically towards her. It prompted Adrianne to keep his attention by returning his gazes with a smile and a stare or two of her own.

Finally Craig got up the nerve to pull her to the side. Can I talk to you for a minute? he asked her softly in her ear.

Adrianne, not too surprised answered, Sure. She smiled at Jade who gave an approving nod, I’ll be back.

During their private conversation, Craig shared that he had a little too much fun while attending MSU, making light of the school’s party reputation. As a result he didn’t actually graduate but he had future plans of returning to complete a Bachelors in Communication. They cracked jokes together and reminisced about other Spartans they both knew. Craig shared that he had just ended a stressful three year relationship. Adrianne had a couple cuties in her rolodex, but it wasn’t serious so she didn’t bother to mention them. He painted himself as an entrepreneur and bragged of his parent’s family restaurant business, King’s Soulfood, back in his hometown of Grand Rapids. She was pleased to hear that just like her he grew up and resided in that area as well. Adrianne admitted that she couldn’t remember him from her days at MSU and obviously wasn’t aware of him during her high school years since they attended two different schools on complete opposite sides of town. She was still pleasantly intrigued by his confidence and impressed with their intelligent exchange. Craig was definitely an interesting man not to mention attractive and extremely attentive towards Adrianne. She felt like she was talking with an old friend, it was comfortable and they clicked so well.

My position was eliminated at my last job. So I’m currently seeking employment, he said explaining his unemployment situation.

Really? Mine was too. I was an information analyst at a small business firm but they had to downsize. I was doing that for five years. I was ready for a change anyways, she shared. She didn’t feel the need to go into the additional drama that her ex-boyfriend caused at her job, it was old news anyways.

Following this initial meeting, they continued to spend much of their free time getting to know one another. Adrianne had no intentions on entering another relationship. Prior to meeting Craig, she had written up a plan to get herself back on track. Gaining back another one-hundred and eighty plus pounds was not apart of it. But what it did include was a return to growing spiritually, regaining a tight grip on her financial situation, and starting a fierce workout so she could keep her small yet curvy size 6 figure tight. She had always been petit but the older she got, the more she realized that she could be settling in size 10 just as easily if she didn’t exercise some self-control with her eating habits. She had been there before but she refused to jump that high again. It just didn’t settle with her 5'1 high frame.

All of her life, she had fell into the bad habit of letting things happen to her. She was constantly reacting to whatever game life threw her way. It was high time she be the leader and not the follower. She had a mind of her own and maybe her relationship with Raphael was God’s way of snapping her out of her disastrous routine of falling back and not speaking up. She was a very thoughtful and caring person, always willing to give someone the benefit of the doubt. Unfortunately, that proved to be her strength and weakness. In light of that, she intended on spending this time focusing on herself, not on a man. However, Craig was spoiling her personal individualized plan creating more intimate plans for the two of them and she joyfully welcomed it.

Adrianne felt that Craig was different from the usual cast of characters she dated. He seemed to share the same family values as she did—they were both raised in the Baptist church, taught the value of hard work, and no matter how much you disagreed with them: you always respected your elders.

Adrianne saw him as sexy and self-assured. He didn’t seem like an insecure—easily intimidated by her academic accomplishments—wanna be a player type of guy. Craig was like a breath of fresh air during her search of self. He was the kind of person she wanted in her life—positive energy, goal oriented, good-looking, and considerate. Before long, she was letting her guard down and letting him enter into her heart.

Their relationship was developing quickly, like no other that Adrianne had experienced with her previous boyfriends. She was used to men who hadn’t a clue to what they wanted out of the relationship. Clarifying the status of their relationship was like asking them to take a physics test. Or on the contrary, crazy possessive men like Raphael. With Craig, it wasn’t like that his intentions were clear. He definitely let her know up front that he liked her and he wanted to know what made her smile, what she liked to do, and how she liked to be treated.

One day, he even sent her flowers to her apartment. They were at her door step when she got home. Taken aback, Adrianne gasped when she saw them.

What’s this? she said to herself while admiring the gift. She had never received flowers at her home before, this was a first. She read the note aloud, To a beautiful Lady, you’ve got me wide open.

Her heart skipped with delight to read those words. Not only was he being romantic but he was showing her that she was on his mind.

After placing the flowers in a vase, she immediately called him up.

Hi Craig, she said smiling.

Aw, hey Baby. What’s up? he answered blissfully through the phone.

I adore the flowers you sent to me today. Thank you sooo much. How did you know I loved Lily’s?

I listened. That’s how. I wanted to get you what I knew you liked.

And you did. So if you listen that well, can I get you to give me some diamonds? she joked with a sexy giggle.

Oh, most definitely, he said with confidence, Give me some time, their coming, whatever you want.

His deep voice was smooth and comforting to hear. He knew he was capturing this woman’s heart by all of his attention to details. Whenever they were together he was constantly showing her affection. He couldn’t keep his hands off of her, which she didn’t object to. There was no doubt in Adrianne’s mind, that Craig was someone she could see herself building a future with.

As Craig’s unemployment timeline was running out he opted to increase his work hours at his parent’s restaurant as a means of income. It was just him and his younger sister in their family, so he felt the responsibility to step in and help out more. His father was a self-made man who owned and operated their family soul food restaurant ten years ago. It had proven to be a lucrative business for them. Adrianne had only eaten there a couple times in the past unbeknownst to her that it was his family. Nevertheless she had heard other people speak of the establishment for a few years now. She had remembered that on one occasion her old job used the restaurant to cater a working lunch. The food was pretty good but she could not recall actually going to the restaurant itself. However, she admired Craig’s commitment to his family’s business. It was a sign of leadership and strength in her eyes.

Just as quickly as it began things abruptly changed after six months of dating their valuable quality time together came to a screeching halt. Craig was working at his family’s restaurant full time and Adrianne was out aggressively job hunting. Her time with MARVIN, the automated unemployment line, was shortly coming to an end. And Adrianne had no intentions of losing her independence by moving back home with her dominating mother. Despite limitations of their face to face encounters, their romance continued to blossom as they talked to each other daily. True intimacy was found in their conversation because everything continued to feel the same between them. By this time, Adrianne was floating on cloud nine. They would spend entire weekends in each other’s presence making up for lost time, usually enjoying at-home gourmet meals which they cooked together at Adrianne’s apartment, renting movies, and taking scenic walks together in the park.

To Adrianne’s surprise, Craig didn’t miss a beat. During the week he would leave her little notes on her mailbox or on the windshield of her car—mental foreplay stroking her desire to see him again. His notes would read things like, I’m just thinking about your warm body or I can’t wait to see you in three days. The effort it took for him to do this was a complete turn on for her.

With each romantic gesture, Adrianne plunged deeper into their relationship—emotionally, mentally, and physically. Craig was becoming her Baby, her number One. She had fallen in love with this unbelievably thoughtful man shortly after they met but it deepened in these past few months. Anxiousness created a small window of doubt in Adrianne. Was he too good to be true? She wasn’t sure but she knew better than to question it. Afraid she might get an answer she wouldn’t like. She wanted to throw caution to the wind. There was something to respect about a man who was willing to sacrifice his own career goals to support his family. It was very attractive when a man was truly taking care of his business.

Soon, Adrianne landed a new job in the increasingly competitive job market. She was hired as an insurance claim adjustor at a local insurance company. She got busy with work and Craig became the hardest person to catch up with. Their time spent together became increasingly less however the foundation was already laid. Adrianne was invested in this relationship and was willing to hang in there to make it work.

Adrianne had met his parents briefly a couple times before but had yet to meet his younger sister. She decided to drop by their restaurant to catch up with Craig one afternoon.

Hi, she said entering the restaurant. Is Craig around?

A short girl, presumably his little teenage sister greeted her with a menu. No, he’s not. Were you going to eat?

Well, I guess I will, she said taking the menu. Has he been in today?

Girl, Craig come and go when he wants. I’m the one that has to work every day and go to school! she stopped and looked Adrianne over. Wait a minute. Are you, uh—

Adrianne.

Yeah, she said cracking a smile, He talks about you all the time. I’m Stephanie. Come on in here girl, you’re like family! Stephanie grabbed her arm leading her to the employee door.

His sister’s response was a relief for her to know that by the pure mention of her name, his family was familiar with her. That had to mean something. His dad peeped from behind the order window raising his tongs. Hey, Adrianne. Good to see you again, Honey. Order whatever you like. It’s on the house! he shouted.

Feeling comfortable, she took a seat and his sister joined her. While Adrianne was getting acquainted with his sister, she asked her if she was going to consider going to college like her big brother.

Stephanie laughed, Who? Craig? Go to college?

Adrianne was not amused. She understood that he didn’t finish but his sister blew it off like it was a hilarious joke.

What’s so funny? she asked curiously.

Stephanie clarified, Girl, Craig barely graduated from high school!

Oh, yeah. He told me how he partied too much at State.

Ha! What? I don’t know what my brother’s been feeding you. But whatever… Stephanie proceeded to listing her favorite items on their menu for Adrianne to try.

Based off of their conversation, Adrianne realized that Craig wasn’t spending as much time working with his parents as she had thought. Some of that time went unaccounted for. When Stephanie got up from the table Adrianne was left confused. Later that evening when she did catch up with Craig she point blank asked him about the discrepancies in the information he had provided her about his past.

So Baby, tell me. Do you still want to return to school? she asked as they lay in each other’s arms watching a movie on her couch.

He cleared his throat and shifted. Uh, I thought about it. But I think I better just keep helping my parents out. He paused, trying to change the subject, Did you want some more wings?

Craig got up and headed towards the kitchen avoiding the conversation all together. Adrianne let it go, it wasn’t necessary. College wasn’t for everyone anyways. She just wanted to make sure he was honest with her.

A few months later, Craig unexpectedly decided to move out of his parents’ home. As a result more questions popped into her head because instead of getting his own place, he moved in with his friend Quincy. Adrianne thought that was a step in a direction that she wasn’t feeling. Who wants to date someone that shacks up with another dude? It proved to be the step in the wrong direction just as she thought. While living with his boys, Adrianne noticed some other bad habits of Craig’s that weren’t so appealing. He was becoming a closet weed smoker and ate like a hungry black bear when he had the munchies. Their apartment always reeked of marijuana smoke. She rarely stayed longer than a minute as she would wait for him to change his clothes or pick up something he needed. Finally, she asked him to please not smoke around her by telling the little white lie that she was allergic. Everyone always said they were allergic to something they didn’t like—dogs, bees, and smoke. As a result, she convinced him to keep a clean stack of clothes at her place so she wouldn’t smell the stench.

One evening while she waited for Craig at his apartment, Quincy began running his mouth just a little too much. Thanks to motor mouth Quincy, Craig’s past quickly unraveled from the lies he had fed her when they met a year ago. He actually had never attended MSU and he had only enrolled at Lansing Community College but dropped out before during the withdrawal period at the beginning of his first semester. He was a straight up weed head on campus and a drop out like his sister claimed. With that, she was devastated at how naïve she had been all of this time. Still, she loved this man enough to give him a chance to redeem himself.

Adrianne decided to confront him about his lies in the car before they pulled off. So what years did you say you attended State? she asked in a sarcastic tone.

Ah, why you asking that? he suspiciously replied piercing at her under the rim of his Detroit baseball cap.

She smiled mischievously. You know your boy told it all. Fess up! See how weed gets people talking, confessing all kinds of stuff? she joked. Craig patted the rim of his cap and shook his head with embarrassment. She lifted his head and looked into his eyes giving him a serious gaze. Craig. I don’t care if you have a degree from a college or not. At this point, I just need to know I can trust you from here on out and that you’re being real and honest with me. I don’t want to play charades.

He grabbed her hand, I know baby. I’m sorry. I was trying to impress you; you know what I’m saying? We were surrounded by all those higher education folks I just felt like I needed to keep up, you know what I’m saying. See, that’s what I love about you. You accept me for who I am and you don’t give up on me… I love you for that. He leaned over planting a soft slow kiss on her lips.

I love you, too. Adrianne’s heart cracked a huge smile. It wasn’t the first time he had ever told her that he loved her but lately he hadn’t said it that often. It came at the right time when she needed to hear it most. Somehow she just felt like she had to feel that overlooking his lies were worth it. She loved him too—since the second month they were together. She figured his lies were a need to impress her when they initially met. In her mind, she was willing to overlook a few flaws for the satisfaction of this fulfilling relationship. Adrianne was in love, she saw him in her future. She wanted her relationship with Craig to measure up to her perceived expectations of a long lasting relationship, thru good and bad times.

ESSENCE 1

Essence Copeland had a fiery personality. Her round brown eyes, flawless milk chocolate skin, and pear shaped figure were the assets which made her an attractive woman. She had an autonomous persona which intimidated most men. When they couldn’t handle her she would just move on to the next one. No feelings lost. Essence found that most men were attracted to her flawless beauty but scared off by her lack of needing them to take care of her. She was a confident black woman who loved to debate and who makes her point plain and clear. But Essence still kept a sweet side about her. It wasn’t in her nature to be with a man who could not love her for