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Chapter 5

What’s the 411?

As they made it to the second floor where they had their apartments, Lola recited the events of the drive home. Misha asked, “Was he okay after the kiss?”

*****

Lola reflected back and remembered the look on his face. It was a look of complete contentment and bliss. But when he realized she was staring, he changed his expression to a smile. She thought to herself He has mastered a way to control his feelings. Interesting.

“Well,” he said, “I guess we should get some rest. It is already morning.”

“Yes, it is,” she replied. “I enjoyed your company, Sterling.”

“As did I yours, Lola,” he said. “Lola, can I call you at about twelve today? That is, if you will be up?”

“It is now 4:00 a.m., I will be up no later than eleven. Sure, call me,” she said as they pulled up in front of 965. “Stay,” Lola said as he started to get out. “I realize you are a true gentleman.”

*****

“I think I floated up the stairs. So what did you think, Misha?”

Misha said, “He is nice-looking, and a very intelligent guy. Appears to be an early Christmas present since the Storm drama. I hope he makes your Christmas and New Year’s bright, Lola. I need to sleep. I will talk with you later. Goodnight, sis.”

“Goodnight, Misha.” As she closed the door, Lola started taking off her boots, her skirt, and jacket. She laughed when she saw Sterling’s eyes pop when she had taken off her jacket during the show. It had gotten a little hot in there. She pulled off her stockings and reached for her fuzzy slippers. She also reached for her nightgown. She removed her halter, and headed to the bathroom to remove her makeup.

After completing her toiletry, she put her cotton gown on and checked her answering machine. Sasha had called to have some girl talk, but said she would call later as did Melinda. Toni’s message was a bit different. She said, “Oh, and by the way, I will be over for brunch, so do not play yourself.”

With a chuckle, Lola got between her sheets, and thanked God for a wonderful evening, and fell asleep.

*****

Buzz, buzz.

Lola reached over, eyes half-open. “Yes,” she said.

“Lola, come downstairs, there is a delivery for you.”

A delivery? she thought. I told them to deliver the artwork to the club. Struggling to get up, she looked at the time. It was 10:00 a.m. Grabbing her bathrobe, she checked her appearance, she brushed her hair straight back, and wiped her face with a warm cloth. “Coming!” she said loud enough for her mother to hear.

When she started down the second flight of stairs, she saw her mother with dozens of bouquets of roses of every color. Her mother announced that the ones in front of her apartment were hers, and Misha announced she had hers. “All of these are yours.”

To say she was floored did not come close to what she felt! At first, she thought Stone had tried to get her attention to forgive him, but Misha let her know by saying, “That must have been some kiss.”

“Shut up,” Lola said, “are these from Sterling?”

“As in silver,” she said. Misha let Lola know that their father and uncle Russell spoke highly of him. This show of affection would be very interesting to say the least.

“I will be right back after I place mine on my bedroom table.”

“Have you read the card, Lola? It is right here. It’s sealed,” her sister said. Had it not been, she would have read it too. Lola sat down on the stairs and began opening the card. It said:

Dearest Lola,

Words cannot express the feelings you and your family have made me feel. To be in the company of the Bridges is like being in the company of real royalty. I am truly honored to have found a rare and beautiful find like you.

Until 12:00 p.m.

Sterling

Misha said, “Damn, royalty, huh? Hmm, girl, let me get you upstairs so you can get that call.”

Just then, the front bell rang, and Toni walked in and said, “Okay, I know I am in the right place.”

Then Lola’s mom popped out and said, “Okay, good, Toni, help Lola and Misha with the flowers, and we will have brunch in a few.” Toni was speechless, and that was a shocker, to say the least. Lola had so many flowers, she placed some on the staircase and at the ends of the banisters. She put some in the bathroom; her room was a florist’s dream!

Toni remained pretty much speechless for a while that is until after the twelve o’clock call. Lola told Sterling he had outdone himself, and now that he had spoiled her mom and Misha. He would have to keep it up. They both laughed.

He asked Lola if she would be at the club that night.

Lola said, “Of course, that is my job. It will be a lot calmer tonight, though. Thursdays and Saturdays, we have performers. On Wednesdays and Fridays, we have deejay mastery by Chris.”

“Oh, so tonight we can dance?”

“Yes, we can. Can you dance, Sterling?”

“I can manage not to step on your toes,” he said with a smile curling his lips. Can I dance? Sterling thought to himself. He was considered one of best dancers of his crew. “So tonight is our dancing debut?”

Lola thought to herself, He probably has two left feet I will understand. She smiled smugly. “I guess so. I will have to wear something for dancing. Okay, Fred, as in Astaire?”

“Sure, Ginger, as in Rogers. I’ll be there.”

“Cool, looking forward to it until tonight.”

They hung up, and Toni’s eyebrows were fully up. “Girl, you have no shame to your game.”

“How is Rob?”

“Not as fly as Sterling.”

“In time, I am sure you may be pleasantly surprised. Has Unique called?”

“Yes, but we have not spoken yet, maybe later. What a player, and a spoiled one at that. Girls do not hate the player, hate the game,” Toni said. Lola’s eyes rolled up, and she continued to straighten her bed.

Lola’s mom buzzed and said that the waffles were ready. They headed downstairs to eat her mom’s mouth-watering waffles and chicken. As they began getting down with the food, in walked Lola’s beloved brother, Chance Dare Bridges, the six-foot-two heartthrob that had the club buzzing whenever he entered. Toni’s eyes were agog, as usual, and Misha and Lola were like, “Chance, what are up to now?”

“Nothing. Dang, can’t I have waffles too?” he replied as he kissed his mother. He was a true wonder. Chance was a hot commodity, and all of his adoring fans followed him around with puppy dog eyes. Amazing, Lola thought as Toni’s mouth fell open. He always flirted with her. Even though he was four years younger, at six-foot-two and the body of an athlete, Chance had it all. Caramel complexion, eyes shaped like almonds, and those great dimples and full lips, and that irresistible smile. He also had wavy, jet-black hair with curls, and a sexy morning shadow on his face.

“What up, Toni?” Chance asked.

“You,” she replied. “Is this my chance, Chance?”

“Oh, please,” Lola said, “he does not have time to nurse your moods, lady.”

“I’ll make time,” Chance said. “Got to learn,” he said with a wink as he shoved a fork full of waffles in his mouth.

Lola’s mother adored her boy child. He was spoiled and the baby of the family. He had run some errands for her this morning, he said, “I heard the club was a big success last night.”

“It was,” she replied.

“How is Bella?” he asked

“Bella is fine. At least, someone thought so and gave her a really large tip.”

“Oh?” A little hint of jealousy appeared. It was no big secret that Chance had fallen in love with Bella. Bella was Chance’s ideal. She was adorable. At twenty-three, she was a star and a close friend of Misha. Many bar owners tried to take her, but she let them know that the Bridges’ were family.

“I saw you last night with that guy,” he said. “Who was that, Lola?”

“His name is Sterling. He is a new friend of mine.”

“Oh,” he said, “he seemed very interested in you. So I take it he is the one who sent you all of those flowers?”

“Yes, one and the same.”

“I thought that only happened in the movies.”

“I am still in shock myself.”

“Who wouldn’t be?” Toni chimed in. “What a display of getting to know someone from one night.”

Lola’s mom said, “How about that?”

Misha said, “But did you see the card?”

After the thorough inspection of the card, it was decided that Sterling was a man of promise. “He was busy at work when he called. He had a two o’clock meeting with some prospective clients. He also stated that he was looking forward to our dance session this evening at the club. Lola chuckled and simply said, ‘Looking forward to it, Fred.’ He replied, ‘We will see, Ginger. Lola will call you later,’ he said. ‘Okay, later.’”

Almost immediately, Toni asked, “What you are wearing?”

“That is a good question. I have to search my closet. Any suggestions?” she asked her and Misha. Misha suggested they go upstairs and ponder that in Lola’s closet. As they passed the flowers on the staircase, Toni asked what degree of kiss it was.

Lola said, “The first degree, the one that says hello, it’s been fun, hope to hang with you real soon.”

“Hmm, this is mad cool. What a show of appreciation; even your mom and Misha were included. Now that is a gentleman. Have to call Sasha and Melinda to see if they will be available tonight. After all, it is Friday night. I’ll be there, as a matter of fact, I brought my clothes with me.”

“Cool, then we can chill.”

The phone rang and it was Melinda. “I am getting ready to get the plane tickets for the weekend.”

“Okay, will you be at the club tonight?” Lola asked.

“Yes, and I will work the door,” Melinda said.

“Cool,” Lola said, “because Toni wants to hostess the dining area. By the way, Sterling has sent me some flowers for last night.”

“Really? Wow, that is too much,” she said. “Roses?”

“Why, yes.”

“What color?”

“Yellow, pink, red, white—about twenty baskets, and six dozen long stems. And he also gave Mommy and Misha some.”

“Shut up!” she squealed. “Oh my God, I am coming over with my clothes. Does Sasha know?

“Not yet, I am calling her now.”

“Okay, let me know if she wants to come over, because I will pick her up. I will drive her home tonight.”

“Okay, I will relay the message.”

Lola called Sasha with the surprise endearment. She kept saying, “You deserve it, I am so happy, that Storm is out, girl, things are really looking up. I am planning to work tonight, okay?”

“Whatever you want to do. Melinda has the door, also Sterling and I have a dancing date. We are officially calling each other Fred & Ginger.” Sasha was laughing as hard as Lola was.

“So what does one wear to dance, Ginger?”

“Toni, Misha, and I are heading to the closet as we speak. Melinda is coming over, and she will dress here.” Lola told her what Melinda suggested and that she would be coming with her. It would be a full house tonight. The ladies of Sandy’s would all be stepping out together tonight.

By three o’clock, everyone was at 965, bustling in and out of the walk-in closet. It was decided upon that Lola wear the soft pink crepe dress that had long sleeves with a half-moon drop back and a silky loose drop bottom with invisible slits through it. There was a tiny rhinestone trim on the entire neckline and around the back. When the slits were shown, the tiny rhinestones would glitter. She was to wear a pair of translucent pumps with sheer iridescent stockings, with the maxi shearing since it was still below twenty-five degrees.

“Isn’t it Latin night tonight?” Sasha asked.

“It sure is,” Lola replied.

“Oh boy, Melinda had that gleam in her eye and that meant fire. So I chose wisely,” she said.

“What do you mean,” Lola asked.

“I have my red dress, and that means fire. Tonight, I am going to set the club on fire!”

“Me too!” Toni chimed in as did Sasha and Misha. They all laughed and chilled the afternoon away, because that night would be another night to remember.