Free Not a Day Goes By by E. Lynn Harris Page B

seat in the chair next to her phone stand. She placed her free hand on the back of her neck and felt a thin film of perspiration. Her heart was beating at a swifter pace.
    “Try six years,” Mrs. Lewis said bluntly. There was no love lost between the two women.
    “That long?” Yancey said, stifling a yawn.
    “Yancey, I’m not going to beat around the bush. This isn’t a social call, especially since you and me ain’t never been that social.”
    “But you said Derrick was fine.” Derrick Wayne Lewis was the man Yancey had fallen madly in love with during her first year at Howard University. They met when Yancey had nervously dropped her registration cards outside the Student Union. When she knelt down to pick them up, Derrick’s strong hand extended the cards with a bright smile. It was a case of love at first touch. For two years it had been the perfect love affair. Yancey had wanted to get married. She was even willing to give up her career in beauty pageants and her dreams of Broadway to create the family she never had. For the very first time in her life Yancey felt
love
. Derrick loved Yancey, but he was in the ROTC and wanted to finish his military requirement before settling down. He had big dreams of becoming a civil engineer and seeing the world with Yancey. He was the first in his family to attend college, and his mother and big sister made sure he stayed focused. When Derrick wanted to propose to Yancey, mother and sister convinced him it was a big mistake. Yancey was devastated.
    “I said he was alright, but you need to call him.”
    “What’s the matter?”
    “I’ll let him explain that. You know he doesn’t like me in his business. But you need to call him soon.”
    “I don’t have his number.”
    “That’s why I’m calling. His home phone number is 309–555–8888 and his work number is same area code, 555–9282.”
    “Isn’t Derrick expecting my call?”
    “No, but like I said, you need to call him,” Mrs. Lewis said firmly.
    “I will,” Yancey said flatly.
    “Soon.”
    “I will. I have to go,” Yancey said. She hung up the phone without a good-bye.

14
    I COULD TELL something was wrong when Yancey opened the door. She had tears in her eyes and even the sight of me didn’t remove the mournful look on her face.
    “What’s the matter?” I asked as I gave her a small kiss on her forehead.
    “I got a job offer. It’s the lead in
Chicago,
” Yancey said.
    “That’s great news.”
    “It’s in Las Vegas.”
    “Las Vegas?”
    “Yes, and it’s for a month,” Yancey said.
    “But it sounds like a great opportunity.” I tried to sound encouraging.
    “Basil, I’m not talking about Philly or D.C. Las Vegas is in the middle of nowhere,” she said in a heartsick voice.
    “Then don’t take the job. Something will come up here,” I advised. It was during times like this when I didn’t know what to say to my women. There were still some things I didn’t understand. On the one hand I wanted to be supportive, yet I didn’t want her to think I was eager to get rid of her. I gently took her hand and moved her toward the sofa.
    “Do you want something to drink?” I asked as we sat down.
    “No, I don’t feel like anything.”
    “So that’s the cause of the sad face. A great chance to strut your stuff in Vegas,” I said and lifted Yancey’s chin toward me.
    “Can you come with me?” Yancey asked in a little girl–like voice.
    “Baby, you know I can’t do that. I mean not for the entire month. This is my busy time. I just agreed to go to Chicago in a couple of days for Brison. We’re thinking about opening an office there.”
    “I know I’m acting like a baby, but I don’t know if this is the right move,” Yancey said.
    “What does your agent think?”
    “Who cares what she thinks?”
    “You’re paying her to help you make these decisions,” I said.
    “I know, and it is the lead.”
    “And you’ll be wonderful.”
    “And you’ll come and see me at least