Free A Love So Deep by Suzetta Perkins

himself.
    Charlie paused for several minutes, then continued. “I was in love once, but she didn’t even notice me. Never gave me the time or day. She slapped me in the face when I tried to get close. I’d watch her from afar, dreamed about her day and night, and when I realized I couldn’t have her, I married Ernestine.”
    “You never confided that tidbit to me. Secrets…I thought we didn’t have any of those.”
    “You had your life with Amanda. No one was interested in how ole Charlie felt about life. Besides, you’d probably slap me upside the head and give me another one of your great lectures.” Charlie and Graham began to chuckle.
    “I was always there for you, Charlie. Still am.”
    “I know, and that was a long time ago. You’re still my brother.” The two men embraced. “Let’s go to The Water Hole.”
    “Hold on, and let me get my cap.”

Chapter 13
    “Hey, Rita. The crowd should be good tonight.”
    “Well, I hope so, Clyde. You know I always love to play Oakland just for that reason. I’m going to hate for Sunday to roll around. But I’ll be back in two months, if you still want us.”
    “Who wouldn’t want Midnight Express and the lovely and talented Ms. Rita Long? Girl, you make my customers happy, and in turn, they make me very happy.”
    Rita slapped Clyde on the arm. He was an old and dear friend and a true confidant. Clyde Smith had been the proprietor of The Water Hole for more than two decades. The Water Hole had become a landmark in West Oakland, and many had passed through the frosted, colored-glass doors looking for a good time or to have their blues assuaged.
    Many small-time performers had graced the stage at The Water Hole, some using it as a stepping-stone to a lucrative recording career. Rita adored her small following of fans and never really aspired for the big time, although she was well known up and down the West Coast.
    Rita hailed from Seattle, Washington, the sultry city on the Puget Sound, a place known for its haven of lush evergreen trees. She was an only child and grew up in a very nurturing family, a family where love abounds.
    Marriage tested Rita’s love for family. William Long had been a handsome man—dark like Rita and standing at six feet five inches tall. His rugged good looks commanded attention wherever he went. William played a few seasons for the Los Angeles Lakers, but after sustaining a severe knee injury, his career came to an abrupt halt.
    William had become accustomed to the glamorous life an athlete’s salary afforded him. While he had not yet risen to star status, William was very well on his way to being the next Wilt the “Stilt” Chamberlain or Bill Russell. Then his career was cut short. For a young man under thirty with a sizable salary, William lavished his wife with expensive gifts. Rita would later learn, other women were also benefactors of his generous spending.
    William met Rita on a trip to Seattle while attending the wedding of one of his teammates. Rita was a friend of the bride, and gave a rousing rendition of “Close to You” at the nuptials reception. At that moment, William knew he wanted to get closer to this lovely woman whose poise and grace, along with her beautiful voice, had him mesmerized. It wasn’t long before they became an item—an AP photo—and with William’s basketball star on the rise, they held their lavish wedding on Valentine’s Day with over one thousand in attendance.
    And then the unexpected injury, the hospital stay, the prognosis, and the end of a career that had threatened to give Wilt Chamberlain’s and Bill Russell’s legacy a run for their money—and another legend for Michael Jordan to look up to. Rita watched day and night as William sunk from a vibrant, super athlete to a dismal, sullen, belligerent, and vengeful tyrant. He spent less time with Rita and more time with the bottle, and then he began to spend a lot of time at the gambling tables in Vegas, or wherever a high-stakes card