13. Changing Tides #3
“Yes, Lis, there’s been plenty of getting bent over the desk.
Which Jesus…is so hot.” Tatum’s face went flush as she fanned herself.
“But I can’t risk getting caught with my skirt literally down.
I don’t need a scandal at work. I avoided one already, remember?
That shitty little student could have cost me my job.
It was years ago, but still…I really am working my ass off to prove that I deserve this chair position.
I’ll be the first Black woman to be head of the English department at Decatur Tech. A lot is riding on it.”
Nadine nodded with understanding. From her first day at PharmaDigital, she’d worked hard to prove she wasn’t some affirmative action hire. “I get it. Trust me. You don’t want to seem like you didn’t earn this job. "
“Exactly, Deanie. You get it.”
“And what about Deacon?” asked Alisa. “Surely, he has to have some feelings about this.”
“That’s the thing…he’s the one most hurt.
He feels left out. He doesn't want the group to break up. Like we’re The Temptations or something.
But he has made it very clear that he doesn’t want to get married and loves both Miles and me.
He just doesn’t want to be shut out. If I marry Miles, what if Cassidy hates me?
If I marry Cassidy, what if Miles hates me?
And Deacon, he’s left out in the cold either way. ”
“That’s so tough.” Nadine reached for Tatum’s hand. “Follow your heart. Isn’t that what you’d tell me? Or Alisa?”
Tatum nodded. “It is. But I don’t want to hurt anyone in the process.”
“An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips,” said Nadine.
“Nadine, I feel like you made that shit up,” quipped Alisa.
Nadine laughed. “I did not. That’s from Proverbs, you heathen. Imma make sure I take the babies to church.”
“Oh you ain’t gotta worry about that. Mother Miller is going to make sure the babies know the lord.”
“Excuse me,” Tatum’s eyes widened. “Did you say Mother Miller? I know you’re lying!”
Alisa raised her hand. “Hand to God, I’m not. The old bird is coming back around. When she heard I was pregnant, she said she couldn’t miss out on seeing her grandchildren. Bishop Miller hasn’t had a change of heart, though.”
“Wow, look how the tides have changed,” said Nadine.
Alisa looked between her friends. “That’s certainly an understatement.”
Nadine had to agree. She never thought that she’d be telling her friends that she was attracted to someone else, let alone a woman. In retrospect, the fact that she’d been afraid to be honest with her friends felt so silly.
“Let’s promise not to keep secrets from each other anymore,” Tatum declared, putting her hand out. Nadine and Alisa put theirs on top.
“I promise,” said Nadine. “I honestly feel better that it’s out there.”
“And I’m glad I told the two of you how I feel,” said Tatum. “It was tearing me up inside to keep this from you both.”
“But the two of you know you’ve gotta be honest with your men, right?” Alisa looked between Tatum and Nadine with a slight frown on her face.
“We know,” they both said.
Alisa patted their hands. “Good. Now help me up from this chair so I can sneak and order some Popeye's from the delivery app.”
"I heard that," Kadeem boomed from the doorway.
Dressed in sweats and a tank, he was so big, his head was near the top.
Nadine marveled that Alisa could handle all that man let alone two of them.
Nadine peeked down at the sweats. Damn. Yep, she got why Alisa was losing her mind being on dick restriction.
"You ain’t feeding our babies no greasy fried chicken,” Kadeem fussed. “Your blood pressure is already a little high. You know that, sweetness.”
Alisa pouted. “That’s not fair. You never tell me no!”
“Well, life ain’t always fair, babe,” Kadeem rolled his eyes. “Chef made baked chicken, roasted sweet potatoes, and lots of other veggies you hate, but you will eat. You ladies are welcome to stay for dinner."
“See what I am saying, fucking prison wardens,” groaned Alisa, easing out of the rocking chair.
“Call me that one more time, and Imma put you over my knee,” Kadeem frowned.
Alisa bit her lip, slowly repeating herself. ”Prison…warden…”
“Bad girl,” Kadeem shook his head, a smirk on his face. “I forgot who I was dealing with. Dinner will be ready shortly, ladies.” With that, he headed back toward the kitchen.
Tatum and Nadine laughed out loud. Alisa may have been annoyed, but secretly they knew she loved being doted on. She deserved it. Hell, they all deserved it, thought Nadine.
“I am definitely staying for dinner,” Tatum said. "I really want to see Alisa being force-fed vegetables. Ever since we were kids, she only ate green beans and collard greens. A Brussel sprout may kill her.”
Alisa rolled her eyes. “You ain’t shit, Tate.”
Nadine waved her head. “Thank you for the invite, but I think Imma go home. I need to go talk to Eddie.”
“I am proud of you, Deanie.” said Tatum. “Live your truth.”
“Welcome to the dark side,” declared Alisa. “I knew you’d come around.”
Nadine laughed. “I love you both.”
“We love you too,” Tatum and Nadine chimed in, circling Nadine with a hug that felt like it closed a hole in her heart. She was so lucky to have them. Men and women would come into their lives, but their love was forever.