Chapter Sixteen

After putting Vance to bed and making sure he had all that he needed, Greta returned home and for the next two days watched several makeover shows. She took some notes and also went to her local bookstore and picked up a book on how to change one’s appearance. By the end of the week, she felt a little overwhelmed, but decided to take things one step at a time. After visiting Joan's hairstylist in D.C. where she had a new haircut and color added, she made an appointment with a makeup artist at one of the major upscale department stores.

Once again, she was hesitant, and interviewed several before she selected the person she wanted to work with. And she wasn’t disappointed. Instead of making her up to look like some painted clown, the makeup artist asked her questions about what she did, the colors she liked and what kind of look she wanted to achieve. Greta spent at least two hours getting made over, and purchased close to half a paycheck worth of makeup and perfume. She didn’t mind, she hadn’t done anything like this for herself. She was always busy spending her money and buying for others.

Next Greta made an appointment at a small boutique she had found listed in the yellow pages. It was the perfect place for her. The owner, a former fashion model, spent an entire day with her selecting a number of items and ensembles that fit Greta perfectly. Nothing was ignored. In addition to a couple of fitted blouses, Greta bought several skirts, five designer dresses, seven tailored pants, a couple of casual jeans and one leather and linen jacket. By the time she left, she felt like she was on top of the world.

The following day, she went shoe shopping. It was not an experience she would say she enjoyed. She had large wide feet, and she didn’t like wearing high heels. Thankfully, after visiting a number of stores with no luck, she happened upon a no-name shoe store, where the owner helped her select several attractive, but sensible shoes, in addition to several low-to-mid-heels, for special occasions.

Her wardrobe was looking just the way she wanted. She loved how her new haircut and coloring made her look and feel, but she knew she was missing some important items. When she’d watched one makeover show, she noticed how important wearing the proper lingerie was. She decided to visit Divine Notions, a lingerie store she’d spotted near downtown.

"What are you looking for?" a tall, svelte black woman asked her. Her long purple black hair fell to her shoulders in big curls. She was beautiful and sexy. Greta froze, feeling like a mule among stallions.

"I don't know," she finally managed.

The woman smiled. "That's fine. My name is Adriana Travers."

"Greta."

"Is this your first visit to a store like this, Greta?"

Obviously. She knew Adriana was just being polite. She nodded. "I'd like to impress my um...friend."

"Serious or casual?"

"Uh--"

Adriana winked. "I'm just teasing you. It doesn't matter. What does he like?"

"I have no idea. Should I have asked him first?"

Adriana laughed. "No, I don't mean in terms of lingerie. I mean what are his interests?"

"Oh. Um...he's a basic guy. He likes soccer and...oh yes. he loves fountains."

Adriana walked to a display on the far wall. "Okay, then I think you'll like this..."

***

Vance finished his beer and ordered another one, feeling restless. He knew Greta was back in town, but he hadn't been able to see her since she'd stopped by. He could hardly remember it. He'd stopped taking the pain medicine the next day. He wanted to see her again, but she said he'd have to wait for the weekend. At least business was picking up, he'd gotten a call from a woman with an interesting and lucrative request, plus his relationship with his brother had improved. He looked over at Kojo who was discussing a soccer play with another patron. They'd made it a weekly tradition to meet at the sports bar for drinks and to watch a game. Vance enjoyed it more than he'd expected and wondered if he should invite his father to come along.

He thanked the waiter for the beer and was about to drink it when he felt the energy in the room change. The moment he glanced at the door he knew why. A gorgeous black woman, wearing a short jacket with the collar up, and a pair of killer three-inch heels had entered. She had a curvy, regal figure that could leave a man speechless. She glanced around the room and then their eyes locked and a slow sensuous smile spread on her lips. He felt an instant attraction and swore. He tore his gaze away. He was off the market. He was with Greta now. He wasn't the man he used to be. If he'd been younger, he would have imagined her naked then calculated how long it would take to make that a reality. He took a long swallow of his drink, to cool his insides.

"Is this seat taken?" she asked, sliding into the seat, as if the answer didn't matter.

"It is now," he mumbled. Vance glanced up at his brother. Kojo stared at the woman like a prepubescent boy in awe. He kicked him under the table. Kojo blinked several times, as if coming out of a trance and cleared his throat.

Vance lifted his glass, determined to focus on the game.

The woman reached over and stroked his back and leaned toward him, her perfume invading his senses. "You look tired, is everything okay? How's your hand?"

Vance jerked away from her, surprised by her boldness, but not surprised by how his body responded. Her touch was like an electric charge shooting through him. And why was she acting so worried about him? Just like Greta. He paused. Even her voice sounded like Greta. He slowly turned and met the woman’s beautiful brown eyes. They were no longer hidden behind glasses.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

He shook his head unable to form any words.

"You look amazing," Kojo said. "He didn't recognize you."

Vance kicked him hard enough to make him wince.

Greta smiled. "Do you like what you see?" She playfully tugged on her skirt.

He nodded.

"Good." She leaned forward and whispered. "I hope you'll like what you presently don't see too." She stood. "But let me go get a drink." She left the table before he could stop her.

He saw the men watch her walk over to the bar.

"She doesn't even know how beautiful she is," Kojo said.

Vance gripped his glass. Tonight he planned to show her.

***

Greta placed her order with the bartender feeling like a queen. Vance was so easy to please. If a new hairstyle, some lipstick and contacts could put an expression like that on his face, it was worth the effort. She had decided to ditch her glasses, and go for the new overnight permeable contacts now out on the market. She reached for her glass and then felt a hand on her butt. She turned and saw a man wink at her.

"Back off."

He held up his hands, but his grin remained.

Greta swallowed, suddenly becoming aware of the attention of other men in the bar. It made her uncomfortable. She was used to being overlooked. It had kept her safe. All the attention was unnerving. She thought of the man groping her and another staring at her chest. She had been naive to think she could be noticed by Vance and ignored by other men. Suddenly, she felt vulnerable--a target. All she could think about was how men were predators. They could be cruel, they could hurt you in many devious ways. She was scared. She wasn't used to being scared and she didn't know what to do. She didn't want to disappoint Vance. She wished she had his daughter's confidence or his ex-girlfriend, but they were used to being taken care of. Having someone to lean on. She only had herself. She had to keep herself safe.

She took a swig of the beer then left the half-empty glass on the counter and returned to Vance to grab her scarf. "I have to go."

He jumped up and grabbed her wrist. "You just got here."

She wrapped the jacket tightly around herself. "I know. I just have to go. Please," she said with rising panic. She didn't want to cause a scene.

His gaze locked into hers. "Did something just happen?"

Greta bit her lip then nodded.

His gaze darkened. "Point him out to me."

"No, I just want to go. Please let me go." He released her and she raced outside.

He followed her to the parking lot. "Tera, what's going on?"

"I'm so sorry," she said her voice trembling. "But I can't do this. All those men were looking at me."

"You can't blame them for looking at a beautiful woman."

"Beautiful?"

"Yes, you're beautiful."

Greta looked down at her clothes. "Maybe I should have worn something different."

Vance shook his head. "It's not just the clothes. It's you."

"No, it's the clothes and the makeup. I can't be this for you and this is the me you want."

"I want you just the way you are."

"Maybe you do, but your daughter doesn't and I know your family and friends will feel the same and they're right. I'm such a coward."

Vance sniffed. "You're the most courageous woman I know."

"You're wrong. I'm not courageous I'm terrified. I'm terrified that my mother will screw up again. And that my sister will get back on drugs, and my niece might follow their footsteps. I'm terrified of being attacked. I'm so pathetic. Most women want men to look and desire them, but it just scares me. One man touches my butt and all of a sudden I'm twelve years old again and a man--" She bit her lip.

Vance came towards her his voice soft. "A man what?"

Greta shook her head. "He touched me in a why a man shouldn't touch a child."

Vance swore, pulled her close and held her snugly.

"But I can't blame him. It's me. I'm afraid and I'm letting you down--"

Vance drew away and looked at her. "I never asked you to change. I don't need you to change. It's not about what anyone else thinks or says, it's about us. I like you just the way you are. Sure, I'd like to show you off looking this way. What guy doesn't want to show off a beautiful woman on his arm, but if that's not what you want, that's fine with me. I've lived so long caring about what other people think or said. I'm over that now. I just want to be with you."

It was at that moment Greta knew she loved him and the thought didn't scare her. Her grandmother was right. All men weren't beasts, and there were ones she could trust and love without fear. But she wasn't ready to express her feelings yet. She would use that love to make her strong. She took a deep, steadying breath. "Okay, let's go back in."

"You don't have to."

"Yes, I do." She took his hand. "Just don't let go."

He squeezed her hand and smiled. "I don't plan to."

Greta started to walk to the bar then stopped when Vance didn't move. "Come on."

He shook his head. "I don't want to go back inside." He pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her waist. "I want you all to myself." His mouth covered hers and soon she forgot everything else.

"Your place or mine?" he whispered against her lips.

"Your place. Just give me a forty minute head start."

"Why so long?"

"I’ve got an idea."

***

Vance walked into his apartment surprised to see it dark with just the glow of a purple light where Greta had thrown a pillowcase over the lampshades in the living room. There was a bottle of champagne, glitter and fake money on the table.

"Tera?"

"I'll be out in a minute. Sit down."

"What's all this for?"

"You."

"Me?"

"Yes."

Greta came into the living room dressed in a blue turquoise negligee that hugged all of her curves, black thigh-high silk stockings, and wearing a pair of open-toe, see-thru heels. A feather boa draped her shoulder, and to add some spice, a small diamond peeked out of her navel. "I want you to make it rain."

Vance began to grin, knowing that 'making it rain' referred to making the money fly in the air for a stripper. He pulled out his wallet. "I'll make it pour. What's your name?"

"My name?"

"Yes, you have to have a name."

"Umm...Sinful Pleasure."

Greta turned on the music and began to dance. Vance didn’t take his eyes off her. She moved and gyrated her hips to the beat of the music. When she had stripped down to only a sequined garter belt and stockings, Vance made his final request. Although, by then all his ‘money’ was gone.

"I want a lap dance."

She paused thoughtful. "I don't know how to do that."

He bit back a laugh. "Make it up."

She straddled him. "You like this?"

"It's a good start. Where did you learn to move like that?"

"A woman has her ways. Actually, I was afraid you might not like it."

"Why not?"

"It's not exactly classy."

"You have all the class I need."

She reached in-between the cushions and pulled out a condom. "Would you find this more interesting?"

He swept her into his arms and stood. "Yes, I have a few moves of my own."

They made love that night with a deeper intimacy than they'd ever had before. Their bodies saying what words never could. Vance told her how gorgeous she was and how she'd stolen his heart; Greta shared how wonderful he was and how he'd changed her life.

"So when are we going to do this at your house?" he whispered against her neck, before placing a shivering trail of kisses across her chest.

"Someday," Greta breathed then lifted his head and covered his mouth with hers.

Vance met her passion with his own, wondering why "someday" sounded like never.

***

A month later Vance looked up at his old high school then glanced over at his daughter who stood beside him in the parking lot. The cooling promise of autumn touched the late summer afternoon.

"What do you think?" he asked.

She frowned. "It's awful. Why did you bring me here?"

"Because it's part of my past. When your grandfather lost all of his money we were forced to live not far from here for a while and I went to this school. The environment wasn’t what we were used to but we adjusted. Your uncle Kojo initially had a tough time fitting in. I fit in the only way I knew how. I played a role. I was brash, cocky and popular but scared inside. Tera on the other hand grew up around here and few things scared her. She made her way through some tough situations to become a success. No one looking at students from this school would have thought that one of them would become a top physicist. And the time I've spent with her have been the happiest of my life."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I want you to respect her."

"I do."

"Did you talk to Tera about the way she looks and the type of clothes she should wear?"

Crystal hesitated. "Well...yes."

"Would you have done the same to Sylvie?"

"Sylvie didn’t need help. You know that."

"So if Sylvie were to drive a car that you didn't think was cool you'd tell her about it?"

She frowned. "No, but cars are different."

"How?"

His daughter folded her arms, defensive. "I was only trying to help."

"That wasn't your place. Tera's a grown woman and if that's how she wants to dress that's fine with me."

"But she looks--"

"I like how she looks."

"Dad, be serious. Where can you take her? And grandma! Just you wait until she sees her. She’ll be an easy target. Besides, I don’t want a stepmother people will laugh at."

Vance raised a brow. "So, it's really about you."

"No, I really wanted to be a friend. She’s so sweet and --"

"You can't like her the way she is?"

"I do like her, but--"

"But what?" he pressed when she stopped.

"I was almost jealous of the way you looked at her in that sports' bar. You've never looked at a woman that way before. You looked at her like she was the moon and stars. I'd always felt that that was my place. I know it sounds silly and childish. I liked our special bond, but with her you're someone I don't know."

"Crystal, with you I'm your father and that will never change. I love you and you're my heart. But with Tera, I can be a man. Completely myself. I don't have to play a role for her and I don't want her to play a role for me. I'm sorry if her appearance embarrasses you, but you're a grown woman now embarking on your own life. I want a life of my own too."

"I know, and I want that for you. I really do." She let her voice drop. "I didn't mean to make Tera feel bad."

"I know." Vance leaned against his car. "And you don't have to worry. She'll be able to handle your grandmother."

"How do you know?"

"Come over for dinner tonight and you'll see." His phone rang. Vance glanced down at the number. "Hello Tera."

"We'll have to postpone dinner," she said in a rush.

He straightened and gripped the phone. "Why? What's wrong?"

"Just business. Talk to you later." She hung up before he could say anything. Vance stared at the phone. He hadn't liked the sound of her voice. He called her back but got no reply. He'd stop by her house to see what was wrong.