When Love is Unfinished. Nicole Cooke

      5

      Good morning everybody… Ashley flatly said as she walked into the office. “Morning,” Judy replied with an attitude. Ashley just keep on walking. “Not today, βitch,” Ashley thought. She finally made it to her desk. She noticed someone watching her but she didn’t pay it any attention because there was a little note on her desk that said, “Good morning,” and the prettiest flower drawn around it. Good Morning, miss, I mean Ash. Did you get enough rest? Derrick asked. No, because my best friend kept me up talking about your best friend and how fine he is and sooo sweet, Ashley chucked. You too? Mike called me on his way home talking about he found the one, and how pretty and intelligent Clarissa is and how funny she is. Yes Clarissa is definitely a comedian, Ashley interrupted. So are you ready to get started Derrick? We have a project coming up next week, are you ready? Yes! He answered, ready, willing, and able. Derrick replied with a grin. I see Clarissa isn’t the only comedian, Ashley stated. For the next three hours Ashley trained him on deadline and policies and networks that the company had in place. Ashley explained to him the chain of command and what the union could do for him, if he ever needed their assistance. She helped him fill out his insurance package that needed to be turned in by the end of the week. Finally how to punch in and out, so that he could be paid for a day’s work. Well, its lunchtime Derrick did you bring your lunch? Umm no I didn’t, I forgot it he said shyly. Well for being a good student, lunch is on me. Come on, I know this nice little bistro down the block. You wanna go? Derrick blushed yes! I’ll go, but I’m driving. Ashley stopped in her tracks, I don’t get on motorcycles! She said with a serious look on her face! Derrick looked at her and said I have a car Ash! Remember? Ashley blushed and said, oh okay right! They started for the door. Umm, excuse me Derrick do you need help filling out you time card because I do the time and leave and I can show how it’s done if you like, Judy said, licking her lips. Naw that’s okay, Ashley is going to show me how it’s done, Mike replied looking at Ashley, licking his lips. Why you did you do that Derrick? Ashley giggled. You know she wants you! Ugh, well I don’t want her; she’s not attractive at all.

      Well, what are you attracted to Ashley ask. Ash it depends on the situation if I’m just seeing girl for the first time and she is pretty that’s an attraction based on looks now if the chick is pretty and she has a nasty attitude, that for me is a complete turn off. Okay Derrick, so what if the girl is butt ugly and she has a sweet personality about her then what? What you mean then what? Derrick asked, there must be an initial attraction first Ashley, I mean I am a man! They both laugh. You’re a mess Derrick! Naw Ash I’m just saying I want someone that I can take out and compliment me. So physically what are you attracted to Derrick? Why Ashley? You want to know if I’m attracted to you? He asked as he opened the car door for her. Ashley slid in, she showed a little more thigh than she wanted to, Derrick raised his eyebrow and walked around to his door and got in. Well if you must know I was attracted to you from the first day I saw you. YOU CUT ME OFF the first time you saw me, she chuckled. Aw, come on, Ash, you’re not gonna let me live that down, are you? Well it depends, on what Derrick replied. If you promise to be extremely careful on that thing… I lost someone very dear to me in in a motorcycle accident, and you’re a sweetheart, so I don’t want nothing happening to you, okay? Okay I promise Derrick replied looking into Ashley’s eyes noticing how they were starting to water up. They drove in silence to the Bistro down the street listening to the XM radio. Derrick wasn’t a big rap fan so his radio stayed on Smooth R&B… Oooo that’s my song. Ashley was a huge Jill Scott fan… “You love me especially different every time you keep me on my feet…” Oh my God, she can sing too, thought Derrick. He pulls up to parking lot and put the car in park… La la la la o oo. He just stared at her. Ash was in in her zone singing away and noticing Derrick as her audience. She stop and smiled at him, whatcha know about that boy! I know you have a beautiful voice! You should be a singer! I do sing! Really? Derrick asked shockingly. Yes in the shower in my kitchen… Oh see you got jokes, come on Derrick said turning the car off. Ashley opened the car door and got out, Derrick was on his way to help her get out. Um, Ash? Yes? She replied, you are not allowed to touch any doors when you’re with me understood? Ashley flared her nose, rolled her eyes, and blushed. Yes, sir, she stated, walking to the bistro. Ashley forgot just that quickly about the door rule and went to open the door to the restaurant. Derrick gentle popped her hand and said you forgot that quick? I’m sorry Ashley whined I just got so use to doing things on my own I’m so independent! Well we are going to have to work on that Derrick stated. They ordered their lunch and had great a great conversation about each other’s family. We have to hurry up and get back I don’t want Ms. Richmond thinking I’m setting a bad example. They paid the check and headed back to work.

      Look at her… She think she is so cute. Judith thought as she puffed on her Black & Mild, as she watch them enter back into the building from her beat-up Grand AM. Judith was a thick chick with no curves and a flat butt, she never really got along with Ashley due to jealousy. Judith grew up in Murphy Home and Lexington Terrace housing projects in the heart of Baltimore City she was the oldest of five and was often left to watch her brothers and sisters while her mom went out clubbing all night. Judy was always a bully, she loved to push her weight around, part of it was because of low self-esteem and a lack of good parenting. As Judith got older and started developing faster than the girls her age, older boys started given her the wrong kind of attention; she would let them feel on her, just because she wanted to be accepted, sometimes even gave them some head just to avoid being made to feel left out. Aw, come on, Judy everybody is doing, okay I guess, and just like that Judy was on her knees in the playground. At the age of sixteen Judy was diagnosed with herpes, and was the talk of the projects of being fast and nasty. I bet I could make him forget all about Ashley, Judith thought. It’s just a matter of time; I just have to get him away from that ole Ashley!