Noble Retreat

By V.M. Roberts

Lolita and I were going to shop for a wedding dress. What better place than Bloomingdale's? No date had been set yet. However, Lolita was looking at April or May. I've never planned a wedding before. I was more excited than she. I pulled into the parking lot at the back of the mall near the entrance to Ruby's Diner. The food smelled so good! I took the escalator to the second floor to the restaurant. I scanned the room for a familiar face. Lolita had not arrived yet. So, I gave my name and waited.In ten minutes she showed up, looking fabulous as ever. If I didn't know any better I would have thought she was a model. Ever strand of hair in place, the makeup perfect, the outfit right down to the shoes, tres expensive! Chic! She looked as if she was coming from a fashion shoot for ELLE Magazine!We immediately caused a scene. She spotted me first. "Noble!" She screamed my name! "Noble!" I hopped out of my seat and ran to her, nearly knocking an elderly woman down. I stopped to apologize. The little old woman was receptive to my apology. Then I caught up with Lolita. We hugged each other tightly. This was such a welcomed reunion. I looked her straight in her eyes. "Don't ever leave again unless you take me with you!"She put up her right hand. "Scout's honor. I'm back and I'm staying. I need stability for Bivin at least until he graduates." "Nice! That gives you at least three years." "Tell me about this Maddox. How did you two meet? Is he black or white? How is the job hunting? Don't forget to use me as a reference." Her eyes lit up as she spoke. "He's African American, of course. You know me!" She laughed. "Yeah! Yeah! I know. We met through my brother." "Well. I'm so happy for you. I'm glad you found someone that appreciates you. You're going to be very happy together. I can't wait to meet him." "You will soon. Let's plan to do Thanksgiving as a family." "That sounds like a good idea. I will run it past my family this weekend. So, how did he get into real estate?" "His parents were upscale property owners. The properties were willed to him. She reached over and hugged me. I welcomed it with open arms. Having her back in PA meant the world to me. "My life has been crazy as all get out!" "Do you think your pastor could marry us?" I burst out in laughter. "Girl! I don't think so. He's having some issues right now. He was recently accused of selling drugs out of the church, using the church for money laundering and found in a compromising position with the new Choir Director, who he hired." Lolita joined in the laughter. "We can scratch him off the list! Next please!" We laughed together on that one! Lolita looked up and into the mall as she took a bite of her burger. She stopped chewing. "I thought I just saw Julian." "What? You might be mistaken. We all don't look alike. Besides, he told Kenzie he had a trip to New York for his job. He left last night." "Touch?! I know Julian's face when I see it and I tell you I think I just saw him walk pass this restaurant." "Wait here. Which way did this individual go and what was he wearing? And don't touch my onion rings." As soon as I walked away, Lolita grabbed two of my onion rings. I walked casually out the door, staying in the shadows of the mall patrons in case it was Julian. I did not want him to see me. I looked inside two stores down from Ruby's Diner. In the third store, Lord & Taylor, I saw the man Lolita was speaking about. He had his hand on a young woman's butt squeezing it and whispering into her ear. She giggled playfully. Carlisle! Carlisle Betancourt! The chic from our bowling team! I gasped! Julian! It was him. That turkey! I mumbled to myself. How dare he cheat on my sister!

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1541261550
• ISBN13: 9781541261556
• Release Date: December 2016
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 254 Pages
• Weight: 0.99 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.6" x 6.0"