Free Niki's Challenge by Erosa Knowles

she’s had a little on
the side all along, and you just didn’t pick up on it,” Louise
said.
    You may be right. With my track
record, I wouldn’t be surprised. I mean, I didn’t know Jack was
dating Nana Bea for years. I thought they’d just started
recently.”
    “ You’re the only one who
didn’t know then. Everybody, including Pastor Brown, knew.” She
laughed at the surprised look on Niki’s face. “You were into your
own little world and missing stuff happening right under your
nose.”
    “ Yeah, it seems like
everyone’s hooking up,” she said slowly, causing Louise to look at
her. Niki refused to return the glance and opted to rub her
stomach.
    “ I will say, yours is a
unique situation, baby girl,” Louise told her, ushering her to the
dryer and settling her in. “But life is funny and when you least
expect it, God will show his sense of humor.”

Chapter 7
     
    Atlanta was so muggy and hot. Niki
felt wilted, drained, and opted to head straight for the hotel to
rest. Nana Bea went with her so they’d be fresh later that night
for the party. Taking the rental car to the hotel, Niki watched the
clerk run her room card through the activator. If she had done that
in Chicago instead of taking her Stellar pre-assignment, the
computer would have spotted the error, and avoided the mix up. A
tough lesson learned.
    Once inside the suite, Nana unpacked
their suitcases while Niki fell asleep. Hours later, refreshed, she
sat down to a meal provided by room service. Looking around, she
experienced a sense of déjà vu. Upscale hotel, large suite, in a
different city. Thinking back on Louise’s cryptic remark about
God’s sense of humor, she shook her head. “No more, please,” she
whispered, placing her fork down before leaving the
table.
    Later that night she walked into the
dimly lit hotel ballroom where her cousin celebrated her 30th
birthday. Niki’s gold-colored raw silk dress accentuated her milk
chocolate complexion. Her thick hair framed her heart-shaped face,
and long curls hung down her back. Her multi-colored jewels
accented her attire, sparkling as they caught the light in her ears
and around her throat. David walked tall and handsome beside her,
having stayed over an extra night to escort her. He had been
surprised at the last minute invitation, and graciously refrained
from calling her out on it. Nana Bea commented repeatedly on what
an attractive couple they made. Her nerves stretched taut as he
moved closer to her side. Nana walked on the other side.
    Spying her cousin across the room,
they made their way over to the birthday girl. Letting out a loud
yelp when she saw them, Rissa ran forward, meeting them halfway.
She was short, curvy and petite, with a light brown complexion with
straight, shoulder-length black hair. What grabbed you immediately
about Rissa was her large dark brown eyes and deep dimples that
flashed when she talked or smiled.
    “ I’m so glad you’re here.”
Rissa hugged as much of her as she could, and then leaned forward
to kiss Niki’s cheek.
    “ Nana, I’m so glad to see
you. Thanks for coming.” Rissa kissed her grandmother and searched
the crowded room for her errant parent. “Mom’s here somewhere.”
Once Nana Bea announced she’d be flying to the party with Niki,
it’d been arranged for Nana and Rissa’s mom, Aunt Sharita, to spend
most of this visit together. Niki and Rissa planned to hang out and
catch up. Now that Niki was here, she was glad she came. Her
stomach settled as David moved away slightly, allowing her to enjoy
the celebration.
    “ You look good, Rissa.
Everything’s okay with you?” Nana Bea asked as she looked her
oldest granddaughter over with approval. Just then, Gale walked
over and embraced Niki while looking oddly at David. Gale was tall,
athletic build, blue-greenish eyes, a cute smile and blondish brown
wavy hair that fell to her shoulder. She wore a pair of black
Dockers and button down shirt with a colored tee peeking