Dimes, Profiles, and Wives

By Toya Raylonn Vickers

This is the titillating story of three girlfriends who want desperately
to be in love with the man of their dreams and walk down the aisle to
wedded bliss. Tracey is the home girl that has had everything handed to
her except her baby, Ooo-la-la Salon. She gets her man even if sometimes
she doesnt want him. Sharon is the lady with all the connections that
makes things happen, especially when it comes to her love life. She takes
the time to literally try and mold her man into what she thinks it is
she needs. Destiny is the girl next door that everybody loves but who
sometimes doesnt love herself. She got the man she thought was of
her dreams only to realize he was a true nightmare. Can either of them
live up to the standards of a Proverbs 31 woman, a good wife, in the
today's world? You will laugh, cry, scream and find yourself
looking inside the pages of Dimes, Profiles, and Wives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 29, 2010
• ISBN: 9781477167786

Toya Raylonn Vickers

Toya Raylonn Vickers was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio and currently lives in Columbus, Ohio as a married African American woman. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the Ohio State University and attended Howard University to obtain a Masters degree in Social Work. In 2003, she was involved in a life threatening car accident that turned her life upside down. She found herself trying to re-invent the wheel after healing from her wounds years later. Through much prayer and fasting, she returned to her first love of writing. Dimes, Profiles and Wives was the first book of many to come from this author. By giving you the real in Christian fiction, she dares to walk in the newness of life and humbly writes to glorify God by creating something new every day. "Toya Vickers is an excellent example of a writer who started off with just a story tell, but with her persistent hard work and dedication, transitioned into a talented author." Joylynn M. Ross writing as BLESSEDselling Author E. N. Joy

Book preview

Copyright © 2010 by Toya Raylonn Vickers.

ISBN:      Softcover         978-1-4535-9302-8

                eBook             978-1-4771-6778-6

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Rev. date: 02/28/2017

Xlibris

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Contents

Acknowledgements

Prologue

Winter

One Tracey

Two Sharon

Three Destiny

Four Destiny

Five Tracey

Six Destiny

Seven Sharon

Eight Tracey

Nine Destiny

Ten Sharon

Spring

Eleven Tracey

Twelve Destiny

Thirteen Sharon

Fourteen Tracey

Fifteen Destiny

Sixteen Sharon

Seventeen Tracey

Eighteen Destiny

Summer

Nineteen Sharon

Twenty Destiny

Twenty One Tracey

Twenty Two Sharon

Twenty Three Destiny

Fall

Twenty Four Tracey

Twenty Five Sharon

Twenty Six Destiny

Twenty Seven Tracey

Twenty Eight Sharon

Twenty Nine Destiny

Thirty Tracey

Thirty One Sharon

Thirty Two Destiny

Epilogue

This is dedicated to all the single ladies who desire to be Proverbs 31 women.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

F IRST AND FOREMOST I would like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I want to thank God Almighty for giving me this vision and gift to write for His glory. I want to thank my mother, Raylonn Cookie Smith for all she has done for me, especially her prayers and pushing me to press forward despite all the odds. I’m thanking my sister, to us Crazy Kooter, to others Nikisha Vickers who has challenged me to do better all of my life. I have to give a lot of thanks to my Pastor, Bishop Jerome H. Ross and the Triedstone Missionary Baptist Church family for their prayers and for just being the Fellowship of Excitement.

To my girls: Marisa Sherrod was the first person I gave the book to and asked to read it. Thanks girlfriend for pressuring me to finish the project and get it published. Cherelle Robertson, girlie you have been faithful from the beginning and I just want to make sure you know that you will always be a true friend of mine. I cannot forget Senora Jelks my oldest best friend. You kept me grounded girl, thanks. Also Barbara Sowell, I could always count on you for some encouragement, thank you girl.

If I forgot anyone I am truly sorry, but there were so many people that helped me with this project. Some of them include Caliph Scott, Minister Leonard Ervin, Tiffany Cox, Delores Cox, Elder Vera Jackson and still others. I just want you all to know that I thank you for your prayers, words wisdom, and just wishful thinking to keep me moving right along in this endeavor. So with that thank you all tremendously.

PROLOGUE

T HREE, TWO, ONE Happy New Year! Should auld acquaintance be forgotten, la, la, la, la, hmm… Okay group hug ladies! Tracey yelled as she and her sorority sisters rang in the New Year together.

Can you believe it, 2006 baby Ooo-oop! Sharon yelled back at her sisters.

Oh my God, there go Wild Bill performing his yearly antics, look, look. Destiny shouted, as they all turned around to see one of the fraternity brothers cut a fool for the New Year.

Girl, he got him one. She’s all mesmerized. Tracey points out a woman moving to the dance floor with him.

Why every New Year’s Eve he got to show out in front of everybody? Destiny wondered aloud.

Frat said it was a bet he lost because he was too chicken to get the brand. Tracey explained while winking at a cutie dressed in an all black tuxedo.

They all laughed and walked back to their V.I.P. table at the Wyngate in downtown Washington, D.C. We must tell Tootie she did it up this year. Tracey exclaimed.

Yeah, she had some stiff competition especially with Club Love being the spot nowadays. Sharon added.

But you can’t replace our class with anything else. Destiny admitted to her friends.

Tracey cried out in disgust, looking at her five-dollar pantyhose.

I told you they weren’t going to last the night. Sharon said mockingly.

Umm, Umm, Umm-who dat? Tracey yelled shaking her head and pointing at the ballroom entrance.

You mean who is that? Destiny attempted to correct her.

Heffa, don’t start. I will put these four inch Manolo’s up your butt. Tracey countered.

Ladies, ladies, come come now, it’s all love here. Let me introduce you to Mr. Cornelieus Eugene Wynd. Sharon interjected.

He missed the balloons drop and everything. Destiny pouted a little tipsy after finishing her first glass of Cristal.

Tracey gave her soror the look. You know Dee Dee you can be so country sometimes. Tracey laughed at her friend.

And you can be just plan ignorant. Destiny stuck her tongue out at her.

Oh don’t start you guys, this is a whole new year, can’t we all just get along? Sharon tried to keep her friends from going at it again even though their love hate relationship kept the trio interesting. They all burst out laughing at each other. Now back to Mr. Wynd. Meet the new senior partner at Thurgood and Farrington law firm. He’s single with no kids and no drama. Just bought a house in Rockville, in addition to the town home he owns on the Hill. Has three cars, including a Maybach, a yacht, and races his own thoroughbreds in Kentucky, not to mention he is an avid African art collector. The good stuff though.

But of course, only the best for monsieur. Tracey teased.

Girl stop! Sharon giggled as she starts showing signs of the champagne as well. May I continue? His favorite genre of music is jazz, he also likes to ski and go mountain climbing and I believe he has a timeshare in Barbados. Sorors, I give you the best prospect as my future husband and father of my children. Sharon wrapped up her efficiently investigated personal profile of the talented Mr. Wynd as her girlfriends gave a round of applause mockingly.

I love it when she does that. Niecey you go girl, but why aint he out with all the other wealthy senators and what not? Destiny posed the question to her friend.

Because, he’s Greek and not an Alpha. Sharon said.

What? He’s frat? Tracey asked puzzled.

A Que? wondered Destiny rocking to the beat.

Yup, 4th generation to be exact. Sharon said proudly.

Wait a minute, Wynd, W-y-n-d, is he? Tracey asked more alarmed now putting down her glass.

Little Eric’s? Destiny added just as stunned as Tracey.

Big brother. Sharon admitted to her friends coolly sipping her champagne.

Oh my God! Tracey, girl they do look-a-like. Too bad you fell for the young one. Destiny shrugged nodding her head to Stevie Wonder’s Masterblaster.

Shut up hussy! Tracey said agitated, pouring another glass of champagne.

Tracey she sighed. C’mon now, you know we love you but Eric was a freaking trip back then and you should be glad you lost that baby and didn’t marry his trifling’ behind. I mean look at Fatima. She clarified remembering the torment Tracey said she went through dating one of the Wizard’s biggest stars.

Tore up from the floor up! Sharon agreed with Destiny tipping her glass. But older brother, well he got all his stuff together and would make the perfect husband for this Devastating Diva of Distinction. In addition, nobody knows he’s his older brother except for a select few. She added knowing that if everybody found out it would damage his completely conservative and appraised image.

And I don’t even wanna know how you found out. Destiny verbalized to herself remembering how easy it is for her friend to get the low down on anyone, especially some of her client’s fathers she has had her find to serve papers to and ecetera.

Well, we are in the same profession you know. Sharon justified to herself but clearly acknowledging yet again that she is in a different type of club and membership has its privileges.

Lawyers! They all yelled and fell out laughing.

Aww yeah, that’s our cue. Move to the floor Divas! Tracey yelled to all her fellow sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated. The tunes of Atomic Dog filled the ballroom as Deltas and Ques fell in line and in step to bring in the 2006 New Year. They stepped to the beat letting their fraternity brothers pass by jumping and sweating out of their tuxedos.

Ooo-oop! Sophisticated, devastating, never duplicated D.S.T. Shouted Sharon as she led her sorority sisters across the dance floor in rhythmic patterns passed down for decades. Over one hundred elegantly dressed Black women danced together in sisterhood and friendship bringing in yet another year in the Chocolate City.

WINTER

ONE

Tracey

I T’S ANOTHER FRIDAY in a brand new year for my business and I can’t wait to see how we will make out this year. I got some new products coming in from France and more and more celebrity clients are asking about our salon. Daddy and I were getting along pretty well and I even got Rob wrapped around my little finger. Chucky was a no brainer, he’s gonna propose by the end of summer. I always get my man, even if half the time I don’t want him. Now all I gotta do is concentrate on keeping this shop on the whose who of top salon’s in the country list and possibly look into opening a sister shop in Baltimore in two more years. Dang, this box is heavy and I know that boy see me trying to carry this stuff. He better open this door I know that much.

Hey girl, um, you need me to hook up that head again I see. Lamar opened the door and said as I came in twenty minutes late.

Hey Lamar, later, I’ll be your last client today. Where is that dangone shampoo hef— the wave of his hand cut me off.

Don’t even go there. Lamar said snapping his fingers

Shampoo girl. Why is there hair all over my shop? And why is Ms. Maggie still sitting in the waiting room head aint even been touched? Annoyed, I picked up the broom and started sweeping up the hair around his station.

Well Diva, if you would let me finish. Ms. Thang called in sick, something about having the flu. And I know you don’t want any sick heffas up in Ooo-La-La. He got out of my way.

Umm-hmm, she been sick every Friday for the past three weeks. Now, I gave everybody the Thursday after the holidays off so we could be ready for the stampede on Friday. Shaking my head I should have fired her when she pulled this junk during the Thanksgiving rush.

Just can’t find good help these days. Trina said.

What up girl? I hugged one of two stylists who’ve been with me from the beginning. How much we clear so far?

About $1500.00 with one booth rental. Trina explained adding in her verbal abuses and bouncing to some new song on the radio.

Trina, $4.00 please. Tamika demanded of her colleague.

Putting her hand over her mouth Trina let out something else vulgar and got the money out of her pocket.

Too late, you let it out, one more please. Ms. Diane smirked as she braided a little girl’s hair. Lamar chuckled; teasing Trina and getting the cussing jar out for her to pay the shop’s no cussing fine. Every month Ooo-La-La donated the proceeds from the jar to the needy foster kids Destiny works with.

Ooo-La-La, Inc. was the brainchild of Tracey Ann Simmons, daughter of Dr. Jeremiah H. Simmons II and his wife Dr. Ashley L. Simmons. Her father was a brain surgeon and her mother was a renowned child psychiatrist. Her father sat on the Board of Directors at the Howard University Hospital following in the footsteps of a long line of medical professionals who have been attending Howard University since its establishment. Tracey was supposed to continue the family’s legacy, but met a few roadblocks. Her shop, named after H.U.’s famous dance team she use to belong to, was one of the busiest hair salons in the DC/MD/VA area. Featured in Jet, Ebony, and Sophisticates Black Hair magazine for its uniqueness, Ooo-La-La opened around the clock at five in the morning every Thursday thru nine in the evening on Saturday. It was one of the premiere full service salons where HU students were guaranteed to get the latest hairstyles and a twenty-percent discount on all services. Tracey employed two masseuses, four nail techs, and twelve stylists. She made enough revenue to only have to work on Fridays to collect all booth rentals, do the books, and style the heads of some of the most famous African Americans in the area as well as celebrities like Halle Berry, Lil’ Kim, Beyonce’ and Mo’Nique. As a high profile stylist, she has won dozens of accolades for her craft and took doing hair very seriously.

Tracey attended Howard for two years, planning to graduate from the B-school and return to the graduate school to attain her MBA. However, during her fourth semester she found out she was pregnant and decided to move in with the Bison’s star basketball player, Eric Nathanial Wynd Jr. Everything was going well, her parents did not know she had moved off campus and the NBA was scouting Eric. Tracey decided to attend part-time and go to cosmetology school at BBI because she had a knack for doing hair. Every Saturday since her mom bought her her first hot comb, she would have a room full of girls getting their hair did for church on Sunday morning.

One day Tracey came home early from school and saw a new Chevy Blazer parked in their parking slot. She figured that it was one of Eric’s new incentives and went to open the door of the apartment. When she opened the door, she noticed there was a young woman sitting in her living room.

Hello. The mystery girl grinned sweetly.

Hi, where’s Eric? Tracey asked perplexed.

Oh, Ricky, he will be down in a minute. You must be his sister, I’m Fatima, when are you due? She said.

Ricky? Sister? I am Eric’s fiancé! Where is he? Tracey said annoyed now.

Hold-up, you can’t be his fiancé because I’ve been dating him all semester. Fatima answered with an attitude.

Wait a minute, you go to H.U.? Tracey asked.

The original. Fatima said smugly.

And you don’t know who I am? Tracey asked with her hand on her hip now and moving towards her.

No, am I supposed to? Fatima said standing up with a counter stance.

You know what; you’d better watch how you talk to me. I got peoples who can kick you out of school on freaking principle. Tracey said standing right in front of her now.

No, you’d better watch who you’re talking to. Fatima said staring her down. Right then and there Tracey slapped Fatima square in the face causing her to fall back against the couch. Fatima then jumped up and punched Tracey in the mouth.

What in the world? Tima! Eric yelled while he walked down the steps. He saw her readying herself to hit Tracey again and jumped to stop her.

Oh no this wench didn’t! Tracey yelled kicking off her shoes charging toward the girl.

Tracey, no, the baby! He yelled trying to hold her back.

The baby, the baby, bastard the baby. F you Eric! Tracey screamed now lunging at Eric, wind milling, crying, and screaming obscenities moving towards the door. Fatima grabbed Tracey’s arm but falls off balance pulling Tracey out the front door with her as she tripped down the steps.

No! Eric screamed in panic as Tracey fell to the ground on her stomach. He pushed Fatima out of the way and pulled Tracey to him to comfort her.

Get away from me, let me go! Tracey yelled at Eric trying to escape so she could pounce on the girl.

Tracey, no sweetie, the baby. Eric yelled holding on to her.

Oh no, forget this. Ricky take me home, take me home right now! Fatima demanded. Why you didn’t tell her about me Ricky? Why you lie to me? She started to whine bending down to touch him.

You dumb girl, you aint nothing but another groupie. Move! He yelled pushing her again running inside to call 911.

Oh, forget this! Fatima yelled walking after him.

Oww, you stupid freshmen, you aint nothing but a stupid hoe. Tracey yelled while holding her stomach sitting in the grass in agony from her fall.

Stupid, look who’s talking. He told me he loves me, and we make love all the time. Fatima said proudly.

And, so, I’m the one he’s going to marry wench. Oww, oh my God. Hurry ‘E’! Tracey declared in pain starting to cry.

E, you would be all prissy. With that weak slap. That’s why a socked you dead in yo mouth. Interjected Fatima mockingly standing right behind her.

Tracey screamed obscenities at the girl trying to jump up to fight again.

No, baby, don’t move the ambulance is on its way. Don’t move. Tima, take your dumb butt back in the house. And call yourself a cab. Eric said to Fatima.

Wait just one minute, that whore is not going back into my house. Tracey looked at Eric.

How many times you think I’ve been in there, I already know where everything is. Fatima laughed disdainfully.

What! Tracey yelled almost pleadingly to Eric.

Shut up Fatima. Eric told her. The ambulance came and the paramedics started caring for Tracey.

How did she fall? One of them questioned.

Fatima said something devilish.

Shut up Fatima. She fell coming up the steps sir. Eric tried to explain to the EMT.

Ma’am, is that how it happened? Did you fall? The EMT asked concerned and tending to her busted lip. Tracey looked at Fatima and rolled her eyes then looked at Eric. He winked at her and squeezed her hand nodding for her to agree to the lie he just told the EMT. She then remembered what he said about Fatima just being a groupie.

Uh, yeah, yes sir that’s what happened. I was startled and I fell. Tracey said reluctantly to impress her boyfriend.

Well both you and the baby have an elevated heart rate so we are going to take you to the ER just to make sure everything is okay. He said.

Okay. Tracey said worried. They put her on a stretcher and into the back of the ambulance. Eric climbed in after them, she hoped he’s was going to go with her to the hospital.

I’m going to call her a cab and get the delivery bag and meet you at the hospital. He said trying to bend over to kiss her on the forehead. I love you baby. He exclaimed.

Really, really ‘E’, or is it Ricky. She paused and pushed him away now recognizing she was being played. Get out, just get out Eric! She screamed some more obscenities starting to cry disappointed and distraught.

Eric smirked smugly. I’ll see you at the hospital boo. He declared jumping out of the ambulance knowing he just got away with murder. He had been cheating on Tracey since she was two months pregnant and started gaining weight. Even though he was busted red handed, he knew she was just emotional and would take him back with open arms because he was a future NBA star, and that’s what every girl wanted, to be with the star.

Hmm, yeah, I’m such a fool. Tracey whimpered to herself crying and holding on to her stomach silently praying that everything would be okay with her son. Lord, please, just let my baby be okay. She prayed. At the tender age of twenty-one, she learned the harsh realities that love aint got nothing to do with it. A couple of weeks later she lost the baby, two months after that Eric got drafted by the Bulls and broke up with her. She finally told her parents everything that happened after her father found out she completely dropped out of her program at Howard. Her father never forgave her for lying and blemishing the family name, not to mention almost bringing a bastard child into the world with a boy he believed to be so beneath her.

A few years later, she graduated from BBI and got an associate degree in business management from a local community college. She opened her own shop when she was only twenty-three years old. One day she met Sharon and Destiny when they decided to treat themselves after becoming new members of D.S.T., Alpha