Glimpses

By Patricia A. Davis

Glimpses is about an eye-opening look into three lives: Geneva, Marcella, and Tasha. They are very successful and hardworking women. Their paths in life have many turns, do-overs, stops, and starts. They own up to their actions, no matter the outcome. But whatever happens, they remain in each other’s lives, from grade school to present. They are an undivided force. Their challenges are shared and created through people they encounter, decisions made because of life’s ups and downs, thoroughly influencing the path to learning and growing confident and strong. Join the journey as the ladies travel the hills and valleys on the road to strength, understanding the elusive face of love . . .

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9781635682892

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Glimpses

Patricia A. Davis

Copyright © 2017 Patricia A. Davis

All rights reserved

First Edition

PAGE PUBLISHING, INC.

New York, NY

First originally published by Page Publishing, Inc. 2017

ISBN 978-1-63568-288-5 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63568-289-2 (Digital)

Printed in the United States of America

The music played. The day turned into night. Geneva was in the shower, humming and rinsing off suds. She was elated! Soon, she would be out on the town, her biggest joy in life. Work was tedious, sometimes twelve-hour days. Now she would relax—at least try to enjoy herself and forget her troubles, if only for a time.

An ambulance roared in the background. Towel secured, she stepped from the tub. Over at the dressing table, she lit a cigarette and sat down. Marcella would be there soon.

She reflected, as she dressed, on the nights of past triumphs.

They would drink, dance, and have supper and a free night in a hotel room, if lucky.

The men in Chicago were so kind. They understood women needing help when they were intoxicated or too tired to make it home. And home was over a hundred miles away.

Geneva looked around her loft. She was so proud of furnishing it. It was amazing how many hadn’t seen it, but she didn’t care. It was her haven.

The bell rang. Bout time! she exclaimed.

Sorry, girl, Marcella offered. "But I had to get a toddy and Momma was pissed—she called us naive prostitutes. She knows we don’t sell our asses. I think she’s lonely."

You wanna stay home? Geneva offered.

Hell no! Marcella replied. Let’s kick the rhythm…

Geneva donned her sunglasses. Keys. Money. Charge card. Her Hummer H-3 was full of gas. Little did Marcella know she was still pissed about how she had christened her SUV with semen from a nasty-ass stranger they would never see again. And he had been ugly as hell! Her prized possession that she waxed and cleaned personally—red exterior with white interior to keep cool.

She’d even knitted and crocheted her own blanket with fake stone embellishments. She had added her emergency kit—Marcella had a brandy stash; Geneva had root beer schnapps and root beer, along with a chest of ice, beer, water, subs, and cups from a nearby liquor store.

Hearsay by Alexander O’Neal was playing, followed by Fake then Crying Overtime. Boy, how real to her. Then Sunshine. Geneva thought how she’d gotten sick in her Chevy Nova. Her companion at the time had bought a bottle of apple juice, which had spilled and brought an army of gnats to plague her.

Girl, I’m hungry. Let’s get some hot food. Marcella chimed the words to Hearsay in her magical voice. Always in tune. Marcella had been diagnosed with thyroid problems. Her eyes bulged slightly, but it added to her character in an acceptable way when she would bat her eyes and wink at men. Geneva pulled into yet another liquor store. Barbecued potato chips, French fries, and a fully loaded Polish sausage were on her mind at the restaurant next door. Just a snack before the fun began.

Traffic had been grueling, with semitrucks and an accident backing it up for miles.

The music was crystal clear when Geneva and Marcella finally arrived at the club. Jack, Jack Me Off, their favorite bartender, was slinging his shakers and working in the groove of Lipps, Inc., Funky Town.

Geneva had a slight stomach ache from the mixture of food and drink. Marcella couldn’t be found, once inside. Finally, after the ache subsided, Geneva heard from Jack and the cleaners of the club that Marcella was in the men’s bathroom, having sex with a stranger. It was approaching 4:00 a.m.

Girl, I feel beautiful! Marcella said through slurred speech and rolling eyes. Her neck and breasts were covered with hickeys. She settled into the passenger seat of the Hummer, shifted and farted, then fell asleep.

Damn! Geneva thought. No luck tonight. She was worried about her friend and her own well-being. Good thing she herself passed gas and relieved her stomach.

Never Knew Love Like This played on and on while Marcella snored on.

When the trip was over and Geneva finally persuaded Marcella to part ways, talking constantly, she drove home to reflect and pass out from exhaustion. It was 6:30 a.m.

Geneva woke, felt her stomach bubble, ran to the bathroom, bucket in hand, and relieved herself, front and back. She vowed to God she would never drink like that again.

Finally, she fell asleep—warm, empty, drifting on her cloud of dreams…

Geneva was enjoying the quiet solitude of the afternoon, lying cozily in her robe. Her doorbell chimed.

Tasha! My long-not-seen friend! The two hugged like years had gone by, but it had actually only been two weeks.

Sorry not to call ahead. I saw this boutique down the street and stopped in. Check out my new skirt! Tasha pulled the garment from the bag and plopped down on the chair. She also pulled out a bottle of wine. Geneva winced. Not like you to turn away a drink. What’s up?

I had a pretty rough night with Marcella Geneva went to the kitchen to return with a glass. Maybe later, after I eat.

Geneva and Tasha caught up on what had happened for the last two weeks.

Tasha had had a pregnancy scare. In the end, her boyfriend, Dion, had walked out before she could tell him false alarm.

Here, use my phone to call and tell him! Geneva exclaimed to Tasha.

No way! He’s immature, and he has a lot of issues to take care of on his own, Tasha said firmly.

But he deserves to know, Geneva answered.

"Oh, he will. When he’s man enough to call or come to find out. He left us, remember? Some example of a man I want to have around…"

The wine bottle emptied fairly quickly.

Geneva made a small cheese and cracker tray and settled back down on the sofa after she handed Tasha a bottle from her own supply.

Geneva felt better after the snack and eventually brought a wine glass for herself.

As usual, Tasha got sleepy and dozed in the chair.

Geneva took this as an opportunity to take a quick shower.

Tasha was giggling with Marcella on the speakerphone. She had a way of making people laugh about life. Girl, just put on your shortest dress and go out with us tonight. I’m sure Geneva can spare a few condoms from her arsenal.

Not tonight, ladies, Geneva said, walking into the room. I’m just gonna hang out here. But take as many as you need.

Girl… Marcella sang. Okay, Tasha. It’s just us two, painting the town. Geneva, I’ll see you when I pick up Tasha. Bye.

Tasha jumped up and ran to the guest room to shower and get ready for her adventure with Marcella. She knew she needed cheering up and to resist calling Dion. She secretly hoped she would run into him, but while she was with another man.

Like two peas in a pod. Geneva silently reflected how long her friends take to get ready for a night on the town. Marcella was usually the winner for time sucker. She could wreck a few nerves just changing outfits and picking lip shades in between toddies of brandy and cola. Then she had to compare her day mirror with her night mirror to have the right tone of makeup. Exhausting. Dodged that bullet tonight! Geneva breathed a deep sigh of relief.

Geneva worked on handmade gifts for her friends and family. It was hard to surprise people when they were always around. Geneva was so glad for her crafting space. She loved to decorate and got a lot of inspiration from their personalities. Besides, she knew all of their favorite colors through observation after frequently loafing at their homes.

Tasha liked reading and watching television. So Geneva was finishing a couch throw in black with gray trim to match her decor. Tasha was a business manager for the art division of the Hodder Firm. She and her friends kept their private lives well away from their work lives. This was their main reason to travel to Chicago for most of their open nights off.

Marcella, from being a childcare worker for twenty years, was now owner-operator of Day/Night Childcare Center, catering to parents who worked all shifts.

Geneva was proud of her friend because of her gift of gab, which had landed her business. She had ten full-time workers and an additional five, who were on call. These people loved children and were screened thoroughly.