Free A Subtle Tenderness by K. C. King Page B

invited to my little piece of heaven in Georgia whenever you want to get away.   I’ll even help set up your tent.”
    Both women looked at her with such looks of disgust Ophelia had to laugh.   “I’m just kidding I’ve got a bedroom with all the amenities for each of you.  You can come down for a few days rest and then we can go to Atlanta if you like and hangout in the city for a day or two.”
    “So what did your family think of Heath?”
    “He passed the family inspection with flying colors…I thin k they liked him much better than Darnell.”
    “Well if you love him,” Corliss started.  “Then we like him,” both women finished in unison.  
    For the next hour Heath and Ophelia where entertained by Corliss and her husband Joaquin and his friends.  Music played and although Heath didn’t dance with Ophelia he watched as she shook her grove-thang on the dance floor with her girls when their old-school favorites came up.  Glasses were filled and jokes were bantered about until a last minute quest came on a scene.  Gena walked over to Ophelia and whispered discreetly that Darnell had shown up and Joaquin was trying to get him to leave.   
    “It’s time we were leaving anyway; we’ve had a long day for us.”
    “Don’t let that ass make you leave, he should leave.  It’s been fun hanging out with you and your new man.  Don’t make me have to cut Darnell for ruining our get together.”
    “Put you r knife aside.   Come have brunch with us tomorrow.  You and Corliss, but it really is time for us to go.”  She made eye contact with Heath who immediately came to her side.  “You ready to head out big guy.”
    “I’m ready whenever you are sweetheart,” he said and held her firmly around the waist. 
    She turned to Gena and gave her a heartfelt hug as did Heath, and she looked for Corliss as she made her way to the front door.  Corliss hugged her as they said their goodbyes and then she heard a voice calling her name she thought she never wanted to hear again.
    “I heard you were back to town and I knew I’d find you here, Ophelia.” Ophelia turned toward the voice and the man that she thought she loved so long ago.
    “Hello Darnell,” she said simply.
    “Damn Baby that fresh Georgia air has done wonders for you.   You’re looking fine tonight.”  Ophelia reached for Heath’s hand and found that its warm hardened texture steadied her. She couldn’t believe that she even liked his ass.  Moreover she didn’t want Heath knowing she could have ever been with a man like Darnell.  Hoping to spare herself and Heath a scene she opened her mouth to say.. ‘Nice to see you again’ but she couldn’t even utter that lie.  So she turned to leave not wanting to meet Heath’s eyes when Darnel interrupted her exit.
    “So, you ain’t gonna introduce me to your new man, Baby girl.  Yeah I heard you had a new vanilla favorite.”  Darnell’s tone was full of concentrated acid. Shame and rage filled her at once.
    “No, I have no intention of introducing you .  I only want him to meet my friends. Friendship is something you know nothing about.”  She looked up into Heath’s angry gaze and for the first time she was truly sorry she had never told him about Darnell.  She should have prepared him just in case this scenario had happened. 
    “I’m so sorry Heath that you have to witness this encounter,” she tightened her grip on h is hand as she whispered to him and as if sensing her need for his strength he held firm to her hand.  When Darnell spoke again however he released her hand and firmly put himself between her and Darnell.
    “ Sorry?  What, you sorry for me? Bitch, you are sorry, that’s why I never really wanted to marry your sorry ass.”
    “Darnell, I’m not asking you to leave my house I’m telling you,” Joaquin grabbed for Darnell but he threw him off.
    “What you gonna do Vanilla, try to defend your new girl.  She was mine until I got tired of that