The Other Side of Dare Read online

  “Yeah. You’re talking about Jessica Noble and her daughter, Jasmine.”

  “Yes.” Tiffany smiled as she pulled back her head a little. “Wow, I’m impressed. You remember both of their names. Well, when the mother died last month, her nine-year-old little girl, Jasmine, effectively became an orphan. I told you all about that and how Gabrielle took her into her home with fast-track plans to adopt her.” Tiffany looked at Darius.

  “You know, I still don’t get that. I mean: I don’t get how Gabrielle ended up so deep in all of that in the first place. Did Gabrielle know them before all of this took place or something? I’m talking about even before the little girl needed the bone marrow transplant. I just can’t see a mother turning over her child to a complete stranger the way she seemed to have done with Gabrielle. Especially with some of the things we know about Gabrielle and her past. I’m not gossiping, just stating a fact.”

  “Darius, you of all people know that God works in mysterious ways. God knows what’s ahead for us before we ever get there. I believe He places people in our paths even when we don’t know the purpose or the reason. But God knows. He’s omniscient—all knowing. And if we’ll just follow His lead, He’ll order our steps every single time.”

  Darius shook his head. “There you go again: spouting off something Pastor Landris has said. But I don’t know that I’d say God is really the one working here, not in this case. Not that I’m trying to tell God how to handle His business. But the best thing, if you ask me, would have been to not let the mother die in the first place, especially with the father having died earlier. Then the child wouldn’t be orphaned. But when it comes to Gabrielle, it just feels like there’s more to this story than what we’re privy to. I keep telling you that you should talk to Gabrielle yourself and see what more she might tell you. She likes you. I’m sure she’d tell you, especially if you were to ask.”

  Tiffany chuckled. “You’re such a cynic when it comes to things. It’s obvious that you don’t care much for Gabrielle at all.”

  “I’m not trying to be cynical. And I don’t dislike Gabrielle; I don’t really know the woman. She used to be a stripper, she gave her life to Christ, and now she’s not a stripper. But come on, Tiff, you have to admit: It feels like there’s a lot more to this story. There’s a lot being left out that apparently no one knows, or if they know, they’re not saying.” Darius looked at Tiffany. “So what did Fatima tell you?”

  “She was just telling me that even though Gabrielle had planned and even told us last week that she’d be returning as director this week from her leave, she’s not going to right now. Fatima didn’t fill me in on everything, but it appears Gabrielle is running into some obstacles in gaining complete custody of little Jasmine. Gabrielle has decided to direct her energies toward that fight, for now. So she’ll continue to be on leave until further notice.”

  “Obstacles?” Darius tried to set his face just right. He didn’t want to overplay his hand and appear too interested. Tiffany would definitely know something was up if he seemed too anxious to know. “Obstacles like what?”

  “She didn’t tell me much. Just that someone was threatening to challenge or is already challenging her rights to adopt the little girl, even though that was the mother’s expressed dying wish.”

  “Did Fatima say who that someone is or why that person might be doing something like that?”

  Tiffany shook her head. “No. I don’t know if Fatima didn’t tell me because she doesn’t know, or if she didn’t want to feel like she was gossiping—basically divulging too much of Gabrielle’s business. Fatima and Gabrielle are really sort of close. She was merely calling to let me know, as well as the others in the dance ministry, that Gabrielle wasn’t coming back full time yet as she’d said. Fatima was also soliciting prayers for them. According to her, Gabrielle has vowed she’s not going to let anyone take Jasmine from her, not without a fight. And I’m telling you, Darius: I feel sorry for anyone who tries to get in Gabrielle’s way when it comes to that child. There’s a bond there for sure. Anybody with eyes can see that. And I believe Gabrielle will fight with all that she has if she’s forced to.”

  “I can’t believe someone would be doing something like that,” Darius said. “Trying to stop her from the adoption, I mean. Unless there’s something in Gabrielle’s life, past or present, that’s causing someone in a higher position to give pause. Like I said, we do know that Gabrielle was once a stripper. I’m just saying. Maybe that’s where the problem’s arising.”

  “I don’t know. I just know it looks like everyone we know is dealing with something these days. You lost your job when they shipped the company’s operation overseas. We were already struggling financially before all of this. And now—”

  “And now, baby, I told you we’re going to be all right.” Darius took his hand and lifted Tiffany’s chin higher. “You trust me, don’t you?”

  “I suppose.”

  Darius drew back in a dramatic way and cocked his head to the side. “You suppose?” He smiled and squinted his eyes halfway. “What do you mean, you suppose?”

  Tiffany twisted her mouth. “Okay, I guess I do.” She smiled. “All right, I do.”

  “Now, that’s my baby.” He made a smacking sound. “Listen, I need to go out for a little while.”

  Tiffany looked down at her wristwatch. “Now? You have to go somewhere now? But it’s already after six.”

  “Yes, now. Didn’t I just tell you that I have to network? Well, I have a lead on this job I’d love to get. There’s someone I need to hook up with to prove just how interested I am in getting it, and that I’m the perfect man for the job.” Darius kissed his wife on her slightly pouted out lips. “When it comes to my family, I’m going to do whatever I have to do. If it means going outside of the norm, then so be it. And if I can’t get something here in Alabama, well, I hear things are booming in North Dakota. Something called fracking, which has to do with oil, has companies begging for workers. If you don’t want me to have to go there to get a job, then you need to work with me here. All right?”

  “Okay. Because I definitely don’t want to move. And I sure don’t want to move to someplace like North Dakota. Are there any black folks even in North Dakota?”

  He ignored her question about North Dakota. “Believe me: I don’t really want to leave you right now. You know I’d rather be here with you and the kids instead of out there sucking up to a bunch of bougie folks, begging someone to give me a shot. But a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do.” He tapped her on the nose.

  Tiffany stood up. “How long do you think you’ll be this time? I have dinner cooking; it will be ready in about an hour. You know I like for you to be able to eat while it’s hot and fresh out of the oven.”

  Darius stood and wrapped Tiffany up in his arms. “I promise I won’t stay one minute longer than I have to. But don’t worry about me. I’ll just heat mine up in the microwave when I get back. No biggie. And if I get this job, that means I can take you out to dinner and make up for all our lost time together. You know I love you, don’t you?”

  Tiffany frowned.

  “What’s the frown about?”

  “I don’t know, Darius. I want to believe you love me, but—”

  “But you’re still tripping about that nonsense of me having gone to that strip joint those times.” Darius turned his head away from Tiffany before turning back with slightly moistened eyes. “Clarence Walker had no business ever letting you know that. But that’s all water under the bridge. I told you I was sorry. I told you I didn’t even want to go there in the first place. I was merely trying to hang with some of the fellows from work so I could move up on the job. That was all there was to it. You know how it is. It was dumb of me, but it wasn’t even something I wanted to do.” He wrapped his arms even tighter around Tiffany. “Do you really think I care about other women when I have all of this”—he leaned back a little and slowly scanned her body, mainly for dramatic effect, then back up to her eyes—�
�at home waiting on me? Do you?” He broke into a huge grin.

  Tiffany pulled out of his embrace. “Apparently you did. You went there for, ever how many times you did. And if Brother Clarence hadn’t spilled it, who knows: You might still be doing it, and I would still be in the dark about it.”

  Darius grabbed her and pulled her close to him again. “I made a mistake. Okay?” He squatted his six-foot-six body down a little so his eyes were even with hers. “Baby, it was a mistake. One stupid mistake, but a mistake nonetheless. I am a man. You know how we are. I was merely going along to get along. I asked you to forgive me. You said that you did. But if you’re going to keep throwing it in my face every chance you get, then I don’t know what else to say or do. But I do know that’s not true forgiveness. And not that I want to bring this up myself, but it’s not like you’ve been perfect all of your life . . . like you’ve never done anything wrong, even when it comes to you and me. Come on now; stop fronting.”

  Tiffany looked into his eyes. “I know, Darius. And I want to let it go. I do. It’s just so hard. I can forgive; it’s just a lot harder to forget.”

  “I know it’s hard.” Darius stood tall and hugged her, then looked down into her eyes. “I know that. But I’m trying, Tiff. I’m doing the best that I can. I’m under a lot of pressure here. I don’t want to be worried about you while I’m out there trying to be the man you deserve, a man who takes care of his own. I’m trying. I just need you to meet me halfway. Can you do that? Can you meet me halfway?”

  Tiffany looked down, then back up at him. “I know. And I’m not trying to add to your stress.”

  Darius glanced at his watch. “Look, I’ve got to go. I promise I’ll be back as quickly as I can. I’m going to go meet this person, do what I have to do, and if things go the way I hope, I’ll have some good news soon. Real soon. Okay?” He smiled.

  Tiffany smiled back. “Okay. Blessings.”

  Darius kissed Tiffany on her forehead and held his lips there a few seconds. Tiffany used to say “good luck.” But after Pastor Landris preached last year that as Christians they didn’t put faith in luck, she immediately stopped saying that and began doing as Pastor Landris taught by saying blessings. She left and went to the kitchen.

  After he was sure Tiffany was gone, Darius pulled out his cell phone and texted. Can u meet me n 20 @ our normal spot? Need to c u. Important. He pressed SEND.

  A few seconds later a reply came back. Dare I us?

  Darius grinned. He loved the way she was making a play on his name: Dare I us. He texted back, Dare u us. It’s worth it. He pressed SEND, grinned a little more, then left, hoping—unlike the last time she’d said she’d meet him—this time, she would actually show up.

  Chapter 2

  And the Lord said unto me, Say unto them, Go not up, neither fight; for I am not among you; lest ye be smitten before your enemies.

  —Deuteronomy 1:42

  “You came,” Darius said as he stood and greeted her thirty minutes after sending the text. He pulled out her chair for her. “I was starting to think you might have stood me up like the last time.”

  Twenty-seven-year-old Paris Elizabeth Simmons-Holyfield gave a half grin. “I almost didn’t come.”

  “Well, I’m glad you did.” Darius flashed her one of his signature full grins, showing off his pearly whites straightened by early years of braces. “You look good. Look at your hair all perfect; that one side laid with that feathery cut going on everywhere else. Your face is all made up; I like the eye shadow.” He nodded. “Yeah, it looks good. That’s hot. Got on red lipstick. And that cyan blue dress is fitting you to the T.” Darius tilted his head slightly as he continued to nod, visibly scanning her from her head down to her painted red toenails. “Those shoes are saying something. Sexy, momma, sexy momma.” He looked back up and into her brown eyes.

  Paris rolled her eyes as she swung her top crossed leg. “So you like my Miu Miu, huh?”

  “Excuse me your what? Your moo who?”

  Paris laughed. “My shoes.” She held one foot in the air. “Miu Miu. It’s the name brand of my shoes.” She twirled her foot in a circle in sync as she spelled, “M-I-U M-I-U.” She put her foot firmly on the floor.

  “So . . . do you always dress to the max or did you do all of this just for little ole me?”

  “For you?” She waved him off. “Please. Don’t be silly. I never step out of my house without full makeup on and me looking my best. Not ever. You never know who you’ll run into. And for whatever reason, people seem to think that famous folks are always supposed to look their best, even if they’re merely running to the grocery store to pick up something. It can be a hassle, but I handle my business.” She relaxed her body and leaned in, putting her arms on the table.

  “Oh, so you consider yourself famous.”

  “Not really. But my father is an Alabama congressman, so that means, by proxy, his family becomes a target for the media. All it takes is for one crazy-looking photo to get out and people will start accusing you of either being on drugs or possibly in the throes of a mental breakdown. I just save everybody the trouble by always looking my best when I step out of my house.” Paris leaned back against her chair and again began to swing the top leg of her now crossed legs.

  “Would you care for something to drink?”

  She shook her head. “I really don’t drink coffee this late in the day. It keeps me up at night if I do.”

  Darius leaned in. “It’s not even seven yet. Don’t tell me you’re one of those folks who goes to bed with the chickens.”

  Paris smiled slightly before adjusting her back against her chair. “Listen, Dare, I don’t have a lot of time to be playing around. I told my husband I was going to get us something for dinner. So—”

  Darius nodded. “Dare. I like that. Dare. Yeah, I like that.”

  “Oh, you do, do you?”

  “Yeah. It has a certain badness to it. You remember back in school when someone would draw a line in the dirt with their feet and dare you to cross it? Or someone would put a stick on a person’s shoulder and dare the other person to knock it off to get a fight started.”

  Paris looked around the coffeehouse. “No, actually I don’t. I’m not familiar with any of those barbaric antics. I didn’t grow up with folks who were all the time trying to start fights. The people I was exposed to were more civilized.”

  Following her lead, Darius glanced around the sparsely filled coffeehouse. “Are you looking for someone?” Darius asked.

  “No. But my father is not very happy with me right now. He’s upset about my plans to challenge Gabrielle for custody of Jasmine Noble. I wouldn’t put anything past him at this point, including having me followed and spied on.”

  “Your father?” Darius said. “We’re talking about Congressman Lawrence Simmons? Don’t you think you’re being a tad bit paranoid?”

  “No. My father is really upset. And he’s told me, in no uncertain terms, that if I don’t let this go, I’ll regret it. My father may love me, but he doesn’t play when it comes to things he feels may hurt him. He’s a fighter, and it doesn’t matter even when the opposition turns out to be family. If you dare defy him, you’re the enemy. You then get to experience the other side of dare. What can I say? That’s my daddy.”

  “I know he told me the time he and I had dinner together that he could chew me up and spit me out whenever he wants.”

  “And yet,” Paris said, “here you are, doing what you can to help me. Or what you believe will advance your own agenda. I’ve not quite figured out your angle yet.”

  “You’re definitely your father’s child. Just like he’s a fighter, it looks like so are you.”

  “Well, no one can ever accuse me of not getting mine honestly. My daddy taught me that if you want something bad enough, you go for it. And if you want it and another person has it to give and won’t, then you fight for it with all that you have, if that’s what it takes.” Paris looked toward the counter. “Maybe we should buy some
thing. That girl at the counter keeps looking over here while talking to the girl working behind the counter. And neither of them is looking over here in a good way.”

  Darius turned around and looked. The woman at the counter was indeed looking at them. But not for the reason Paris was thinking. Darius recognized her immediately. “Then I guess I’ll go buy something and put a stop to the gawking.”

  Darius got up and went to the counter. “Hi,” he said to the woman standing at the counter.

  “So who’s that you’re with?” the woman with her brown hair in a ponytail at the counter said.

  Darius turned and looked back at the table where he’d been sitting. “I suppose you can say she’s somewhat of a client. She’s someone I’m working with on a project.”

  “Uh-huh. I bet she is.”

  “What’s with the ponytail? I almost didn’t recognize you. And when did you start drinking coffee? I invited you to come do this, and you told me you’d never pay this much for a cup of joe.”

  She shrugged. “I just decided to stop in and give it a try, see what the hype’s all about. That’s the answer to the ponytail question, too. It’s a weave.”

  “What can I get you?” the woman working behind the counter asked Darius, interrupting their conversation.

  “Yeah, what can she get you and your”—the woman at the counter nodded Paris’s way—“client.”

  “Look, Gigi, it sounds like you’re upset with me. But this isn’t what it looks like at all.”

  “Oh, I’m not upset with you. Just because you were coming on to me not that long ago, trying to make me think I was all that and a bag of chips. And now you’re here apparently doing the same thing with someone else,” Gigi said. “I have eyes. I’ve been watching the two of you. And believe me, the way you’re acting with her, she’s not just some ‘client.’ Unless, of course, you’re in the escort business or something. Trust me when I tell you: That woman is definitely into you.”