Chant'e and the Girls

By Doris Walker

This is a terrific novel based on the author imagination of three young ladies who are best friends. Chant’e and the girls will take you on a string of emotions. Patience, Passion, Love, and Hope. Just when you thought you were too mature to sit back, relax and enjoy a book about friends, Doris Walker takes you there.
Living a celibate life is not the end of the world after all for Chant’e. Enjoying and appreciating what God has joined together is one of my greatest achievements and I don’t ever want it to end is Charlotte’s prayer. Will I ever learn what it feels like to be loved growing up without a father to love me Nicole wonders. This is a must read novel. You’ll be glad you did. And you will, keep turning the page!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 13, 2019
• ISBN: 9781728335186

Doris Walker

DORIS (DEE DEE) WALKER is an emerging author who enjoys writing. She is the author of three other books Lucky, the Little Talking Puppy, Living the American Dream in My Own Backyard, and her memoir, All I Have Left to Do Is Live. Dee Dee debuts her first fictional novel, Chant’e and the Girls. She is a graduate of Troy University and attended Alabama State University. She enjoys writing and resides in Atlanta, Georgia.

Book preview

© 2019 Doris Walker (Dee Dee). 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 11/23/2019

ISBN: 978-1-7283-3513-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-7283-3518-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019918089

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

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.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

Chapter One Chant’e

Chapter Two Charlotte

Chapter Three Nicole

Chapter Four Chant’e at the Office

Chapter Five Charlotte

Chapter Six Nicole

Chapter Seven Chant’e Breathes

Chapter Eight Chant’e

Chapter Nine Charlotte

Chapter Ten Nicole

Chapter Eleven Chant’e

Chapter Twelve Charlotte

Chapter Thirteen Nicole

Chapter Fourteen The Girls

Chapter Fifteen Chant’e

Chapter Sixteen Charlotte

Chapter Seventeen Nicole

Chapter Eighteen The Guys

Chapter Nineteen Chant’e

Chapter Twenty Nicole

Chapter Twenty-One Charlotte Arrives

Chapter Twenty-Two The Guys

Chapter Twenty-Three Chant’e & the Girls

Chapter Twenty-Four The guys

About The Author

A great book to cozy up with on the sofa with a glass of wine.

- J. Richardson

Well written book by an inspiring author who reminds us of what faith, trust, commitment, and friendship signify. Truly enjoyed!

- Valerie Shepherd

Overflowing with love, friendship, and faith. I am enjoying the read and cannot put it down.

- Veola Walker

Twin, you did it again! I am loving the read.

- Michael Walker

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

T hank you to all of my fans for your patience. Thank you for asking when is your next book coming out. Are you still writing? Those questions only inspired me more to sit down and get busy. I know you will enjoy this book because I wrote it with you in mind. It will make you laugh, cry, smile, shine, and dine.

Thanks to my family, my husband Porter for always asking, are you working on your book today? How much more time you need? I appreciate your encouragement, faith and patience.

Today

It’s beautiful outside, looking out the window from where I sit each morning to write.

Oh, how I love to write.

I am in awe of the words that come to my head and land on this page.

Oh, I am in awe of the beauty of thy hand and what you’ve created, not just me but those around who possess beautiful gifts, some who don’t recognize their beauty. And I wonder

I wonder how anyone would want to destroy this beautiful planet and its habitats.

I look out the window at the trees and know that those green leaves will soon be changing colors.

I say to myself how great thy art and yes I love to write

By: Doris Walker (Dee Dee)

CHAPTER ONE

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Chant’e

T he second she opened the door and stepped inside of her cozy two-bedroom condo she closed her eyes and screamed. It never felt so good being home alone behind soundproof walls letting it all out. She felt like bowing down on her knees kissing the floor hello.

She breathed a sigh of relief and stepped out of her high heeled shoes which she’d worn for some six plus hours, grabbed a bottle of wine from the wine rack and placed it inside of the refrigerator to chill.

TGIF. Thank God it is Friday. I don’t know what I would do if it wasn’t. She walked into the living room flopped on the sofa and began to rub her feet. Just thinking about the overdue pedicure, she so much needed and deserved made her feel guilty. Only if I had someone to come home to. I’m so tired of coming home day after day to a beautiful home all alone.

Her eyes welled as she fought to keep the tears from rolling down her face. I can handle this. Perhaps a chilled glass of wine is all I need, especially if it’s true what they say, "A drink brings to light the secrets of our heart and gives birth to hope." If what they say is true, I’ll be alright. In fact, I think I’ll drink to that, she chuckled.

She took a deep breath and walked over to the china cabinet. Looking at her crystal collection which she so much admired made her smile. Some of the pieces were really old pieces that she’d stolen from her mom and she adored them tenderly. I still love my crystal pieces, she smiled.

She thumped the rim of a few of the microscopic pieces and chose the one that sang the loudest. Yes that’s the sound I love to hear.

Her mouth watered just thinking about the taste of the wine that would soon be penetrating her tongue and slithering down her throat like a cold glass of southern lemonade. I can’t wait to guzzle this wine down my throat!

She sat down and mulled over her day. "Chant’e! Chant’e! Chant’e! I wish they’d stop calling my name. I wish if only for today I could change my name to something different.

Chant’e can you take a look at this? Did you look at that? Should I take off or should I add on?"

Give me a break! She screamed silently. But her wishes did not make things any easier. They were voices of employees; voices that were getting on her last nerve and she wasn’t sure why, but today everything seemed to be taking a toll on her. Her brain was dog-tired, she felt antsy, and every tiny minute thing seemed to be pushing her to the edge.

What’s happening to me? Ordinarily multi-tasking, overlapping or whatever the job called for Chant’e could handle. It didn’t matter if her name was called a hundred times or if her phone rang a hundred and fifteen times; being the superwoman she was it really didn’t matter.

With her skills, and in her heart, was the reason she believed she held such a high position on the job. It must have been a God given gift.

She was phenomenal and without being boisterous she recognized something special about herself. It was that something that made her calm when things got out of control. It was that something that made her focus on the bright side when others could see only the dark side. It was that something that caused her to envision what was on the other side of the mountain rather than focusing on the mountain.

It never failed that when the staff or team refused to see the rainbow during the storm Chant’e could. But today things were different. It felt like her world was crumbling and the ominous cloud hovering over her made it difficult to see almost anything.

For four straight years Chant’e received an award for Boss of the year. Gracefully and humbly she accepted the award giving most of the credit to her great team who had worked very hard and diligently. She knew they appreciated her. And she appreciated them even more.

There wasn’t any doubt that her boss appreciated her and was not oblivious to her wits. She was more than he could have asked for and he embraced her excellence.

He appreciated her ability to motivate her team by inspiring them to perform and work in such an optimally manner. The staff enjoyed working for Chante’ as well, so much that they hardly called in sick or requested unnecessary time off. There’s an old saying that, "A great manager makes a great team." That was her motto and one that she strived for.

But as she reflected on things comparing it to the way in which she felt today she wasn’t sure if she’d ever get that recognition again. She pondered trying to figure it out.

What’s happening to me? Why am I feeling this way? Where is my rainbow? Perhaps it’s time for my blessing. Yes! That must be it. Immediately she felt a sense of guilt because her blessing wasn’t the first thought to enter her mind. Typically, it would have been especially when she felt as irritable as she did today.

Suddenly she realized her blessing was long overdue, but she wasn’t alarmed. "I’m not doing anything anyway she reminded herself. Sadly, there wasn’t a man in her life not even a prospect so the fact that the Red Cross had been playing tricks on her, showing up some months and taking vacations on others was a good thing. It relieved her of cramps and supposedly prevented her from feeling so cantankerous. But shockingly it wasn’t in total synchronization.

It wasn’t preventing her from feeling cranky at all and the infrequency had caused her to lose track of her days. She’d even stopped highlighting her calendar.

It was interesting because back in the day, Girlfriend was always on time never missing a visit. So, what changed? Surly it’s not what I’m thinking. I’m not there already, I know better! I’m still ovulating!

Chant’e was young, young at heart, soul, and body. She couldn’t believe that as young as she was, she may have been experiencing early signs of menopause. Is it Pre-pause- Peri-pause? Post pause? Or whatever she wondered. Whatever it is I hope it isn’t any of the pauses she chuckled. Because I barely like to yield, besides, I’m still young, young and beautiful that’s who I am and that’s who I’ll always be.

She’d stepped out of her office to monitor the floor just in case she didn’t feel up to the work of what she thought would be a long day. She chuckled about the thought of being beautiful even though it wasn’t her intention to draw attention to herself. Someone noticed her laughter, glad to see you laughing the voice from the second cubical said.

She recognized Mia’s voice right away but neglected to respond. She wasn’t ready to engage in any conversation still trying to overcome the feelings of angst. Still trying to figure out exactly what was happening to her. Oh what a day.

CHAPTER TWO

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Charlotte

A ll of my dreams have come true Charlotte thought as she drove down interstate 285 listening to the radio. Everything sounded good. For once 104.1 was playing everything she wanted to hear, " I’m so happy. I’m loving my job. I love my man . And when I look in the mirror, I love what I see. And when Charles looks at me, there is no doubt that he loves what he sees. Thank you, Jesus, for having mercy on me!"

Charlotte was living life to the fullest and thank goodness it wasn’t just about work. It was mainly about play. Play and good times with her man whom she was madly in love with. The two had discovered themselves and sex never felt so good. In fact, it was scrumptious. So scrumptious that Charlotte wasn’t ashamed to admit it especially when it had taken almost a lifetime to discover what it was.

That ecstasy that others talked about had only been a myth to her. She never understood what was so grandiose about sex.

As she drove down the expressway listening to music, feeling good she mused over her life. She thought about all of the times she’d faked getting orgasms and how she’d moan and groan trying desperately to reach that pinnacle only to be let down.

She had faked getting orgasms so many times, she thought she’d never stop screaming the day she finally experienced the ecstasy. It was definitely seventh heaven. She couldn’t have imagined the wonder of what she was experiencing.

"What in the world is happening to me"? She cried. Her voice trembled. It was oh so remarkable! So, this is what it feels like. So, this is what cause people to fall from grace and do crazy things.

So, this is what makes the judge leave the bench and throw off the black robe. It was like amazing grace. It was something she never wanted to end.

Charlotte’s greatest desire was to grow old being able to make sweet passionate love to her husband, Charles. At last that unfathomable feeling over that thing called good loving had emerged. And finally, she knew what it felt like to cry, tremble, shout, and scream all at the same time. It was so delicious it was flummoxing.

Finally, it had happened and there was no turning back. Luckily, it’d turned out to be something really worth searching for especially when she’d spent so much time searching and longing. Longing for a love she could not find and searching for a feeling she didn’t believe really existed.

CHAPTER THREE

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Nicole

N icole lay in bed staring at the twirling ceiling fan, looking through the fog that filled her bedroom thinking how nice it would be if she could see clearer, but I am so messed up right now I’m not sure if I’m standing or lying. I can’t believe what is happening.

She rolled over on her side and tucked her chin to her chest, pulled the covers up to her ears and allowed the river of tears to flow. She sniffed and sobbed wallowing in the pain hoping that soon it would all just disappear.

A week had past and suddenly it all seemed to hit her.