Free Black Lies White Lies by Dranda Laster Page A

in the morning.” We finished up and I cleaned up the dishes. We took the wine into the living room and watched a little TV while snuggling.
    I wondered what Ashton’s mother was like and if she would like me. I must have dozed because next thing I knew, Ashton was shaking me awake. “Babe, I’m leaving now so come lock your door.” I kissed him and closed the door.
    I went into the bedroom and scanned my closet for tomorrow’s work clothes; a pink Chanel suit with beige pumps. That was easy. I needed to make a hair appointment. My hair was a mess from all the humidity back home.
    I pushed speed dial on my phone, hoping for a noon appointment tomorrow. Her assistant picked up, “Thank you for calling Total Beauty, Ginger speaking, how can I help you?”
    “Ginger, this is Candice. I would like to make an appointment with Sydney.”
    “When and what time?”
    “Noon tomorrow, if possible”
    “I’m sorry, Candice, she is booked all day, but let me ask and see. Hold on one moment, please.”
    “Alright Candice, she said she can see you, but you must be on time.”
    “Tell her she’s a Godsend and I will be there on time. Thank you.”
    I needed some more sleep. It had been an emotionally and physically exhausting few days and I needed to get an early start tomorrow. I got into bed, turned on my alarm, and the next thing I knew, it was morning.
    ~~~
    After showering, I brushed my hair straight enough to put hot rollers in and then started my makeup. As I slipped on my camisole and panties I thought if I picked up coffee from downstairs I could be uptown by 8:00.
    Now for this hair, I brushed some of the curl loose. My hair could be a pain in the butt sometimes but it could have been worse. I remembered how Momma used to hot comb Sandra’s and Sabrina’s hair. They would always cry and whine. Momma would yell at them to be still. My hair was unruly and the color of rubies, Grandmother used to say, with the temper to match.
    I finished dressing and checked myself in the mirror. I did clean up well. I grabbed my keys and headed down stairs, stopping in the coffee shop. Vivian, the owner, was putting out her homemade coffeecake. “Good morning, Candice. I heard about your mother. Sorry about your loss.”
    “Thank you. I didn’t know anyone knew.”
    “You would be surprised how these walls talk. Would you like some of this coffeecake? I made it fresh this morning.”
    “Yes, I would. I could smell it before I got off the elevator. I would also like a medium coffee. Thank you,” I said and headed for the door.
    When I got in my car the clock said 7:30. I was making excellent time. It was about a 45 minute drive to work. As I walked inside I realized I didn’t know anyone. “Morning, Miss. You will have to sign in here before going up to the other floors. And where are you headed?”
    “15 th floor, Marketing.” I signed and headed for the elevators. Brenda was right I realized as I walked down the hall to my office. Things had changed.
    Brenda had not arrived just yet. I began going over the production reports for the week I had been gone. The numbers were up from last year. I printed out my report and got ready for the meeting.
    Brenda walked in and closed the door behind her. “Are you ready?”
    “Yes, and good morning to you, too.”
    “Sorry. I’m just wondering what’s going to happen.”
    “Things are going to be ok, Brenda. Don’t worry.”
    “So you talked to Ashton?”
    “Yes and things are going to be ok.”
    “There will be a meeting in the conference room at 9:00 sharp.”
    “Brenda, you look lovely. Love the new hairdo.”
    “Thanks. I thought I would do something different.”
    I laughed. She seemed nervous. “What’s funny?”
    “You would think you were going to the guillotine.” And we both laughed. “We better get up there. We don’t want to be late.”
    We walked in to see Mr. Maxwell and Ashton heading up the conference table. All the other department heads and their