Long Way to Love...

By Lisa Brown

Fierce, fabulous and fed-up describes 32-year-old Nyla Johnson. She is a successful businesswoman, an entrepreneur with her own realty company, successful at being a supportive and loving friend, and daughter and sister. Nyla seems to attain success at everything—except love. She can't get to the altar to save her life. Nyla's deep

• Language: English
• Publisher: LISA R BROWN
• Release date: Feb 13, 2019
• ISBN: 9781643399706

Lisa Brown

Lisa Brown is the New York Times bestselling illustrator of How To Be, Sometimes You Get What You Want, and the New York Times bestselling book The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming. She lives in San Francisco with her husband and son.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

BABY OR MAYBE…?

Nyla woke up around 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning. As soon as her eyes opened, she could feel the butterflies floating in her tummy. She smiled slightly as she rose from the bed quickly. She grabbed the white plastic bag from Family Dollar store containing the One Step Pregnancy Test she had bought the other day.

Nyla walked fast to the bathroom, barely containing her excitement. She sat on the toilet and opened the white and purple colored box. Glancing at the instructions briefly, she saw that this was a blue dye plus or minus test.

She stuck the test into her urine stream for about six seconds. Then she capped it and placed it flat onto the black and white speckled sink counter. Nyla set the timer on her cell phone for three minutes. She decided to wait in the hall to keep from losing her mind. Her stomach churned with anxiety as she paced back and forth. Her pink nightgown swung back and forth on her body like curtains blowing in the summer breeze.

Her mind began to wander. She thought to herself, what if it’s positive? I could be a mother finally! Nyla wanted nothing more than to become a mother. It had been a dream of hers since she was a little girl. Nyla’s mother, Joyce, had four children. Nyla was the second oldest, then there was her older sister, Tangie, the firstborn, Farrah, the middle child, and Kamina, the baby girl. Nyla herself just turned thiry-one, Tangie was thirty-four with two girls and a husband, Farrah was twenty-six with one son and no hubby yet, and Kamina was twenty-three, no kids yet. She was preparing for her upcoming college graduation from Columbia College Chicago.

Nyla looked like a woman who had it all on the outside. However, inside she wasn’t so complete. Her career as a successful real estate agent for McCormick Realty gave her a lot of satisfaction. She could afford her nice condominium she had been living in for the past three years and she loved her black Mercedes Benz. Her sisters were like her best friends; family was very important to her.

That’s why she wanted one of her own so badly. Her mother was a wonderful mom to them. Joyce Johnson worked hard, being that she and her husband, Allen, split up when the girls were young. He decided having a family wasn’t where he wanted to be in life at that time, so he decided to relieve himself from the responsibility.

Joyce took it hard for a second but realized she had to pull it all together eventually for her girls. Nyla held a lot of anger toward her father for years. It was difficult to watch her mother work hard every day as a mail carrier trying to make ends meet with her one check. Nyla could never understand why their father never really attempted to have a relationship with them. It was as if he walked away and pretended that they did not exist any longer. He had never really apologized at the very least either.

He certainly owed their mother the biggest apology. He wasn’t exactly the ideal husband. He was an angry drunk who would strike Joyce or call all sorts of names without batting an eyelash. It was as if he became a whole other person, apathetic, cold, and unfeeling. The strongest memory that Nyla had was of him picking up his green duffel bag and walking out the front door, slamming it behind him. She could remember like it was yesterday, the tears streaming down her mother’s face as she sat there despondent in the wooden rocking chair that sat diagonal to the cranberry colored love sofa. Nyla was just six years old at the time. Tangie was nine, Farrah was only one, and Kamina was still cooking in the oven.

This left Nyla feeling confused and bitter when it came to dating men. Trusting that her heart wouldn’t be broken was indeed an arduous feat. She had already been heartbroken several times over the past three years. First, there was Jonathan. He said all the right things—not surprising, being that he was a writer and aspiring actor. Running those lines was his specialty. He spat out sweet nothings like a modern-day soap opera.

Then he cheated on her with several other women, finally impregnating one last July. Nyla was lost after that, being as though they were engaged at the time. She really thought Jonathan was the one. They had been together for over two years. He would always tell her things like, you’re very special to me. You’re my queen and I love you. What girl wouldn’t fall hard? He just had this certain hold on her emotions. When they made love, it was like magic happened. She felt so loved and secure. No one could touch and kiss her the way he did.

Six months after that relationship ended, Nyla met Erin. Erin was a music producer. Erin and Nyla were engaged at one point, and she was so sure that he was the love her life indeed. He promised her a beautiful life, never having to worry about anything. Erin also had a temper, he could be emotionally abusive at times toward Nyla. Not to mention, he had an issue with separating business affairs from pleasure. He worked with lots of artists but there was this one, Fatimah Jones. She was a singer and model. She was into soul and R & B music. She and Erin worked together all the time. They even took trips together; they went to Miami for a summer fest concert they were having because she was scheduled to perform.

Fatimah was a gorgeous girl. She was tall, about 5 feet 9 ½ inches with long legs, a curvy posterior, and 34 DD breasts. She had full lips, fair skin, and grey colored eyes. She was quite a looker, one had to admit.

Nyla always knew something was going on between the two of them. It was just a vibe she got from her. They were always too touchy-feely for Nyla’s taste. Erin would always swear up and down that there was nothing going on, but Nyla’s sisters always felt like there was and they were right. Apparently, the two were an item. They had been dating for about four months when Nyla found out what was really happening.

All Erin could say is that he just wasn’t feeling Nyla anymore and he couldn’t help falling in love with Fatimah. Bullshit. That’s all Nyla could think to herself. How could he just throw her away as if she didn’t mean a thing? How could he just throw them away, what they had, as if it had no sentimental value? But then again, maybe it didn’t. Nyla was tired of waiting for love and happiness to find her. She knew, being thirty-one, that biologically, her chances of reproduction were slimming down considerably. Her gynecologist, Dr. Amanda Everett, had already given her the warning a thousand times. In fact, the last visit she told Nyla, Ms. Nyla, you going to have to start looking at your options now and maybe consider starting to try to conceive, definitely within the next year or two. At your age, your window of time is much smaller and we don’t want it to close on you.

Even though she knew it was true, she couldn’t help but cringe at hearing her say those words. It’s like they were always echoing in her mind constantly. Dr. Everett had mentioned other options like egg freezing or in vitro fertilization, if necessary, but Nyla wasn’t trying to even entertain those avenues. She wanted to conceive naturally, like any other woman. After the breakup with Erin, two months ago, Nyla noticed she hadn’t gotten her period yet. She was pretty freaked out first at the idea of having his child but if she had to be a single mother, so be it. A good husband could always come later down the line; meanwhile, her ovaries weren’t as patient.

Suddenly, the timer went off on her phone, startling her out of her thoughts. Three minutes had seemed like an eternity. She picked the test up and held it to the light. There it was, plain as day, a big fat negative. Damn! Negative, another negative. The other time she tested for pregnancy was back when she was with Jonathan. He had initially told her he didn’t know if he was fully ready to be a father and do the whole family thing, which is why it baffled her when she found out he had gotten one of the chicks he cheated on her with pregnant.

Nyla shook her head in disappointment and tossed the test into the trash can. She stared at her mocha brown complexion in the big, oval shaped bathroom mirror. Her dark brown hair was shoulder length and hung straight down. Her hazel colored eyes shined with beauty and pain all at the same time. She could feel the anger and frustration rushing through her veins. Her blood was bubbling and going right to her brain. Nyla was slightly afraid her head might pop off like a bottle cap.

She rubbed the back of her neck, gently rolling it around, and massaged her temples with the tips of her fingers while breathing deeply in and out. She concentrated on her deep breathing and tried to let all the bad energy release from her body.

She then decided she’d go on with her day. Maybe getting a hot shower would make her feel better. It was 10:30 a.m. and she had to show a house at noon to a young couple. She figured she may as well throw some makeup on, hop into her pinstripe pantsuit, pull her hair back into a bun, and get moving.

Nyla left the house around 11:20 a.m. and headed to the house to meet the Mr. and the Mrs. The only good thing she was feeling was the fact that she was sure she would make this sale. They did seem eager when she met them a month ago.

CHAPTER 2

SISTERLY LOVE

Nyla pulled up into the driveway of the property on Lexington Avenue. It was a big, beautiful brick home with a red awning in front with the letter B in bold in white, which stood for Bronson. There was a beautiful, well-kept garden with daisies and daffodils. The lawn was neat and manicured, mowed weekly by a very popular landscaping service, Schaffer’s and Son.

As she looked at the home from her car, Nyla wondered when this dream would be hers. When would she be closing the deal on a beautiful four-bedroom home with her future husband? When would she have the chance to start the family she always wanted? It’s like life was passing her by. She could barely put into words how depressed she felt. She did feel blessed to have the things she did possess but she couldn’t help but admit that there was this huge void inside of her that only a beautiful child and husband could fill.

Keena and Jeremy Bronson were a great couple. Keena was an adolescent counselor and Jeremy worked as a manager of a Chase bank. They were the ideal couple, attractive, intelligent, and goal oriented. Keena was tall, maybe 5 foot 11 inches, and had a slender build. She had caramel brown skin and medium length dark hair. She also had a pretty smile. Jeremy was slightly darker than her with a nice muscular build. He had high cheekbones and a wide smile. He was slightly taller than Keena.

The couple drove up in their green Nissan Altima. Nyla forced a happy smile onto her face and hopped out of her car to greet them.

Keena, Jeremy, how are you two? Nyla said excitedly. She hugged both of them.

Hello, Nyla. We are great actually, couldn’t be better. We just came from the new baby store on Grand Avenue, Keena said, smiling, looking at her husband. Nyla was taken aback. Baby store? Keena was expecting?

Yep, I’m going to be a father. I can’t tell you how shocked I was when she told me. I was floored yet thrilled, Jeremy explained with a big grin.

Nyla couldn’t stop staring at Keena’s stomach. Keena had smoothed her hand over her yellow flower print dress to outline her pregnant belly.

Wow, oh my God! That’s a wonderful thing. God bless you guys. How many months are you? You don’t seem too big yet, Nyla asked.

I’m three months; I just went to the doctor last week. I can’t wait to find out what we’re having, said Keena.

What are you two hoping for? asked Nyla.

Well, we really want a girl, but we want a boy as well. So really it doesn’t matter, Keena said matter-of-factly.

Yea, just as long as our little bundle of joy is healthy and normal, everything’s fine, Jeremy said.

Oh well, that is all well and good. You two are on your way to having a beautiful and bountiful life. Now let’s go in this house and get these papers signed so everything will be finalized, and you can get started on that nursery, Nyla said with a smile. The three walked up the stairs to the front door. Nyla handed Jeremy the key.

Although Nyla was happy for the two, it burnt her up inside. She knew being jealous of other people’s blessings was a sin and all, but she was only human. She figured biting the bullet and getting through this moment, regardless of how painful it was for her, would make things simpler. She was glad she was meeting with the girls later that night for dinner and drinks. Boy, could she use a vodka martini right about now.

Later that evening, around 8 p.m. Nyla went to meet up with her sisters at Chili’s. When she got there, she saw that her other sisters, Tangie and Farrah, had beat her there. The only person missing was the baby, Kamina.

Tangie and Farrah were sitting inside by the door talking. They hadn’t noticed Nyla at first. She walked over to them and stopped in front of them, interrupting their conversation. They both smiled once they realized who it was. Tangie opened her arms for a hug. Farrah hugged and kissed her sister on the cheek.

Hey sis, what’s good? What’s going on with you? Tangie asked.

Oh, I’m all right. I just can’t wait for my drink. But my day was pretty good though. I closed that deal with the young couple I was telling you about that I met at that barbecue a couple of months ago, explained Nyla. Tangie and Farrah seemed excited.

Girl, that’s wonderful. We are so happy for you. My sister, doing her thing as a big-time realtor, Farrah said, beaming.

So, how are you two doing and where is Kamina? She texted me saying she thought she would beat us here like an hour ago, Nyla said. Tangie and Farrah rolled their eyes.

Now when does Ms. Kamina ever beat us anywhere? She is always tardy for the party. As a matter of fact, she was tardy for her own party last year. Remember we were trying to surprise her and she was off somewhere with Dillon. Her and Dillon are joined at the hip, I swear, Farrah said. Tangie nodded in agreement, then they all laughed.

Other than hungry and slightly tired, I’m fine. I was up all night with Makael. He’s got a little touch of a stomach bug, said Farrah, speaking of her eight-year-old son. Farrah got pregnant at eighteen and broke up with Makael’s father six months after his birth.

Aw…well tell my little nephew that his auntie loves him and wants him to feel better. I’m going to stop by tomorrow and bring him something special too, said Nyla. Farrah smiled.

Tangie, how’s Michael and my two nieces doing? asked Nyla.

Oh, they are just wonderful. Michael is about to become the next store manager at his Walgreens. And Zakiya is officially starting kindergarten this fall. Zondra just joined her school’s soccer team. I can’t believe my baby is already in the 5th grade. Time flies so fast!

Yes, it certainly does. I remember getting the call when you were in labor, your water had just broken, and you were so nervous. You kept screaming at me over the phone, Nyla said.

Well, I’m so sorry but I was scared, and Michael was at work and you couldn’t seem to get to the hospital fast enough. Girl, it just hit me suddenly, ‘oh my God, I’m about to have a baby.’ Chile, it was crazy, but I thank God for that day, it was one of the most special days in my life, explained Tangie. All three sisters seemed to flash back in time for a minute. Just then, Kamina waltzed in the door casually. She was wearing a blue and pink flower print sundress with wide framed pink sunshades.

Hey, everybody! I was hoping y’all hadn’t started without me.

No, we didn’t do that this time. Had you been another fifteen minutes late, we would have, Tangie said. Kamina hit Tangie playfully on her shoulder and stuck her tongue out at her. The four headed toward the hostess. She had short blonde hair and a petite stature. She smiled at them.

Hi. Welcome to Chili’s, party of four?

Yes, can we have a booth please? Tangie asked.

Sure, right this way guys, said the hostess.

They sat down, and a short, dark skin woman walked over to their table to take their orders.

Hi, ladies. Can I start you off with something to drink first?

Yes, that will be great. Let me have a vodka martini please, Nyla ordered. The waitress, Selena, wrote Nyla’s drink order down in her notepad and then looked at Farrah.

I’ll have a strawberry margarita.

I will take a pina colada, Tangie said.

And for you, young lady?

Um, you can give me a strawberry margarita as well, Kamina said.

"All right, sounds good, I’ll be back