Free For Better or For Worse by Desirae Williams Page B

right, after taking a few moments I knew exactly what
I had to do. I walked right into the boardroom in front of all my
colleagues including Meg and potential designers. They were all
waiting to see the showcases for the annual ball that was coming
up, that was supposed to be my big coming out event. There were
clothes on the racks, models waiting to walk, while everyone else
was taking a seat ready to ooh aaah over the new fashion talent. I
made my way through all the constant moving workers set on a
mission to do what I needed to do. Gabrielle spotted me looking
lost among the commotion and motioned for me to come forward where
she was. “Natalia come have a seat, we are ready to start.” I
nodded and made my way to the podium that was set in front of
them.
    “ First I have something
that I would like to say.” The room grew silent as they all stared
at me, Gabrielle grew tense making her beautiful face become stern.
She wasn’t a woman for random outburst. I looked down at them and
decided before fear set in to go an ahead and get this over with.
“Well first I would like to say what an honor it was to be chosen
to host the annual ball and I want to thank all of you for your
hard work and participation in this event. But….But I am no longer
going to host the annual year ball.” Gasp and confused looks filled
the room. Even Meg thought I had must have lost my mind standing up
there and Gabrielle’s already stern face grew even tenser. “Not
that I am not grateful for the opportunity but I have other
obligations that are more in need of my attention at this time.”
Although heads nodded faces still held the look of confusion. I
looked to Meg who eyes had grown softer; she knew exactly what I
was saying.
    I continued on. “I believe
there is someone else more deserving of this opportunity and she
would create greater works than I ever could.” Gabrielle looked
toward Meg whose jaw had dropped all the way to the floor then back
at me. “She’ll do a great job.” I nodded and came down from the
podium. Meg managed to greet me as I got down. “Lucy are you crazy.
I can’t take over the ball.” Her green clover eyes were in a panic,
it was a different look from her confident model face. I patted her
shoulders. “Meg you will do fine. You deserve this, now show them
what you got.” Meg really did deserve this opportunity, she was a
hard worker, she may not have had that cutthroat type of attitude
that I have but she was very creative and people oriented. She
shook her head at me. “Luce I don’t know if I can...” “Megan…” We
looked over to Gabrielle who stood across the room like stone
amongst the chaos. “May I have a word please?” Meg looked to me and
I nodded. “Go.” She looked back to Gabrielle.“Yes I’m coming.” As
she motioned over to the next level of her career I watched proudly
feeling no sense of loss. She turned back to me and mouthed the
words thank you. I nodded and watched her go on. Where to next Lucy? I
thought. I glanced at all of the workers roaming the board room and
then to the exit. Next
stop…Home.
    ***

    Lucy/1997
    The music boomed in the two
bedroom apartment, there were people crowded around drinking,
smoking, and bumping to the beat blasting from the stereos in the
small living quarters. One of Grants friends was throwing a party
in Cedar Park and Grant and I decided to come through. There were
people everywhere from inside, to outside, to on the block just
hanging and chatting amongst one another. It was Christmas break
for me so I tried to spend as much time as possible with Grant.
These few months away from him had become unbearable, although he
had made plenty of efforts to call and come see me as much as
possible it still wasn’t the same. I needed to be with him in
person and what better way to do that than on New Year’s Eve. We
made our way to the bartender for the night and he handed us two
red cups.
    “ Sip it slow.” He told me
knowing I was new to