Tastes Like Cherry

Tastes Like Cherry

Renee Cronin

Copyright © 2013 Renee Cronin

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or in any means, by electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of the author.

info@renee-cronin.com

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Edited by Christie Giraud

www.ebookeditingpro.com

Author Photo by Cherie Jzar

www.cheriejcharlottephotography.com

To the two women in my life

who make being who I am today possible.

My mother, Mary Louise Sowers

&

Samantha Chisholm, the love of my life

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Epilogue

About the Author

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

All praise and thanks must be given to the most high, my Heavenly Father. Without Him, nothing is possible.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the many people who saw me through this book; to all those who provided support, talked things over, read, wrote, offered comments, allowed me to quote their remarks and assisted in the editing, proofreading and design.

I am particularly grateful to my friends who encouraged, motivated and inspired me to continue writing - Tajuana Usry, Joan A. McFarlane, A.C. Britt, Samantha Ambroise, Shawna Smith and Cassandra Taylor.

I would like to express my very great appreciation to the love of my life, Samantha, the woman who inspires and encourages me daily. Your love and support make life easier. Thank you for being you and allowing me to be me.

Last but not least I ask forgiveness of all those who have been with me over the course of the years and whose names I have failed to mention.

It began as a melody revised

Something beautiful that could make an ice cold heart smile

All the while, beats change creating new tunes, in tuned with expectation

Expectation of harmony from an insecure beat

Perhaps an unstable beat, a jagged collection of wave lengths designed to seek perfection

I smile when I hear it, because this beat and I are twins

It sends rhythmic conversations through my mental…I sit back and listen to its instrumental

My sister doesn’t need a lyrical equation to give meaning

More like an inspired persuasion as an incentive for confidence

Confidence so high, she reverses the beat and hit’s a level of ecstasy in me that I thought was intangible

Its inevitable, our connection that is, we speak words of pleasurable meaning that create equal climaxes on beat. It began as a melody revised…transitioned to this song, sung by goddesses who show just how parallel we are

Renee Cronin

&

A.C. Britt (author of London Reign)

Chapter One

Cherry

Only two o’clock, damn this Friday couldn’t go any slower! I said.

I stared at the clock a little longer, hoping the two would change to a five. No such luck. I had three more hours left of my workday and no more appointments, so I decided to call Leesa and see what she had planned for the evening. Just as I went to pick up the phone, my extension rang.

Hello, this is Sherry Milton.

Hi sweetie, how are you?

My heart stopped. This was a voice I hadn’t heard in six months and had no plans to hear again anytime soon. I quickly flirted with the idea of hanging up but decided against it.

What do you want? I asked, hoping the menace in my voice was enough to make her think twice about ever calling again.

I guess I don’t deserve nice from you, huh? Anya replied. I tried hard to ignore the sadness in her tone.

I took a deep breath and then responded, "What do you want, Anya?" I had already allowed too much of my time to be wasted on this call.

I’m calling because I left something and—

I was beside myself that she would have the audacity to call me now with this bullshit. "It’s been six months Anya, six months, what the hell did you leave?"

You, Cherry, I left you.

As I slammed the phone down, I hoped that I burst one of her eardrums.

I couldn’t believe her. After all this time she thought she could just call me out of the blue and say some dumb shit like that. She was out of her mind, and it was definitely time for me to go home. I looked at the clock again.

Shit, it’s only two twenty. Too bad, because I’m leaving.

Where are you going? a familiar voice asked.

I looked at my doorway and saw Tawni standing there. A smile spread across my face. I had the biggest crush on Tawni and she knew it.

I’m going home. Not feeling too hot right now. What’s up with you? I asked. I knew that my smile hadn’t disappeared. It was hard when she was in my presence.

I was passing by, so I decided to stop in and say hi. Sorry to hear that you’re not feeling well. Is there anything I can do to help? she asked, appearing concerned.

You can come home with me, I said with a sly smile. I could never pass up the chance to flirt with her.

Tawni smiled and stated, Well if you’re serious, I will be there at six o’clock.

I searched Tawni’s face looking for any hint of play; I found nothing.

"Well, if you’re serious, I’ll be home when you get there."

Then I will see you later. Tawni said and walked away.

I sat back in my seat for a few minutes going over the conversation in my head and not believing it. I had been flirting with Tawni for three months and never got the impression that she took me seriously; I wasn’t even sure if I was serious.

Okay Cherry, what did you just do? I asked myself. I wasn’t sure if entertaining Tawni tonight was a good idea but I didn’t really want to turn back now.

I looked at the clock again and it read two thirty-six. I shut down my computer, gathered up my things and walked out of my office. I decided that I didn’t feel like explaining to anyone why I was leaving early. It’s nice to have that kind of flexibility at my job, but I definitely didn’t abuse the privileges.

I have been at my job for three years now and love it. Working with the mentally ill was a position I had wanted since my first psychology class in college. I had decided to pursue a degree in social work and didn’t finish until I received my Masters in Social Work. My first employment out of college was in a residential facility for adolescents. That was difficult, but eventually when I felt more confident in the social work field I applied for a job as a clinician at a local clinic. That was three years ago and I still enjoy what I do. I mainly work with adolescents, but from time to time I get adults and take pleasure in working with them as well. My parents hope that I will eventually get my Ph.D., but the idea of returning to school does nothing but depress me, halting the idea any time the conversation comes up. As I saw it, having my license to practice counseling worked just as well for now, although my parents feel differently.

My father, Craig Milton, Ph.D never lets a moment pass to encourage me to obtain my doctorate. Being a Doctorate in Social Work himself, he delights in the idea of me following in his footsteps. Dr. Milton as he preferred to be called at work is the Dean of the social work department at a highly respected academic institution. My passion for the field is definitely attributed to him, but we have different career goals. I enjoy the clinical aspect and can’t imagine doing anything differently. My next step would be to obtain my LICSW and open my own practice.

My mother, Mrs. Ophelia Milton is a retired daycare teacher. All through my childhood she owned and operated a daycare but retired early when I was in high school due to a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. A combination of exercise and medication has improved her daily functioning but she never returned to work. When she is feeling up to it she spends her time volunteering as a cook at a women’s shelter. My mother echoes my dad’s thoughts of me returning to school, but she is more interested in me giving her grandchildren. Another plan in life we don’t agree on. I wouldn’t say that my parents are not proud of their only child and my accomplishments, but to them, there is more to achieve. I don’t disagree, but I can move up in the world without going back to school to earn another degree.

As I was leaving the office, I ran into Lucinda, the administrative assistant, in the hall. There went my idea of leaving unnoticed. I told her I was taking off for the rest of the day and that she could document the hours as sick time. I’m glad Lucinda isn’t the nosey kind because I really didn’t feel like talking. I told her to have a great weekend and headed out of the building.

Driving home I swear every song that came on the radio was about love and relationships; which in turn made Anya come to mind. I began to replay the telephone call from earlier and started to get upset. Anya is, I mean was, the love of my life and she broke my heart. We were in a two-year relationship and engaged until six months ago when she realized that things were more serious than she could handle. That was one of the worst days of my life and reliving it only angered me more.

I turned the radio off and hit the CD button filling the car with the sizzling sounds of reggae. Not only did I feel better by the time I got home but I was also ready to dutty wine my hips and smiled at the thought of doing that when Tawni arrived. It was just dinner, I reminded myself; this girl might not be interested. Hell, I wasn’t even sure if I was truly interested. As I pulled into the parking lot of my apartment building, I could hear my cell phone ringing. I grabbed my cell phone, which was clipped to my purse and looked at the caller ID; it was Leesa.

Leesa or when she pissed me off AnaLeesa is my closest friend in the world and like the sister I never had. We have been friends since the seventh grade and even attended undergraduate college together. We have been through almost everything together and I couldn’t imagine life without her. I think the fact that neither of us has siblings had a major impact on how we connected and took to each other so fast. Her family is my family and vice versa. Her dad and step-mother were like my second set of parents and I absolutely adore them. I never got to meet her birth mother; she passed away when Leesa was an infant.

Hey Leese, I stated, using the shortened version of her nickname.

Hey Cherry, what’s good? she answered back. Leesa was always full of energy and this time was no different.

I’ll tell you what’s good after I tell you what’s bad.

Bad? Aww shit, what happened now? As much as she hated to admit it, Leesa liked to hear drama and the excitement in her voice at knowing something happened was instantly recognizable.

Yes, bad, chica. I got a call today at work from none other than A-N-Y-A, I said, spelling out her name because saying it only increased the hurt that had started settling in my heart since the moment I heard her voice earlier today.

A-N-Y-A? she spelled out with a question and then immediately clued in. Oh shit, Anya? No, she didn’t, yelled Leesa.

Girl, I wish she didn’t. She must have been feeling herself or something because this heifer had the audacity to say that she was calling because she left something and you will not believe what that something is.

She is full of it because I was there when she came to get her shit and I was also there when we threw out what was left! Leesa said, laughing.

I laughed with her.

So what lame shit came out her mouth? asked Leesa.

Get this, she told me that she left me!

Seriously! No way, fuck her! She was way wrong for that! What did you say to her after that?

Nothing. I hung up.

Good! You think she’ll call back?

I don’t know and don’t care because right now I’m trying to figure out what I am going to cook tonight for Tawni. I didn’t try to hide the enthusiasm I was feeling.

Tawni? Leesa yelled.

Yes, chica, Tawni. I invited her over and she accepted. Damn, what time is it? I’m still sitting in my car talking to you.

I looked at the time in my car. It was three ten.

Shit, Leesa, let me call you back later. I need to make sure my damn house is decent and get ready for my company. I don’t even know what this woman likes to eat.

Hope it’s pussy, ‘cause you know that’s always ready, said Leesa.

Laughing I replied, You are a damn mess! I will talk to you later.

Aight Cherry, bye.

Later, I said and hung up.

After hanging up with Leesa I finally got out of the car and went inside my apartment building. I live on the third floor and would usually take the stairs, but I saw my neighbor Lana getting in the elevator and figured this would take less time. I didn’t have time to check my mail and made a mental note to check it later. I rushed onto the elevator.

Hi, Cherry, how’s it going? Lana said as she pressed the button for our floor

Hey Lana, I’m doing good, how about yourself?

Lana is an attractive white woman who lives next door to me. Everything about her reeks sexy. She has long brunette hair that reaches almost to her ass. Her green eyes are tantalizing and her long full eyelashes just add to the sex appeal of them. She’s about five feet nine inches and has a lean stature; a little thinner than I prefer, but a definite eye-catcher.

I’m doing really well today. I just came from the gym, I love having Fridays off. Now I am about to go and get ready to have ladies night out with my girls! Lana said.

Sounds like fun, where are you headed tonight? I asked

This place called Sassy’s. It’s our favorite spot.

I’ve never heard of that club. Hope you all have a good time. Get a dance in for me, I responded as we arrived to our floor. We both walked off the elevator and down the hall to our apartments.

You are more than welcome to join us. I think you would have a good time with my friends. They’re a bunch of hot shits! Lana stated as she laughed.

I wish, but I am having company this evening. Thanks, though.

Lana and I walked to our respective apartment doors as we said our goodbyes.

Chapter Two

When I opened my door I was excited to see that my place did not need straightening up. I took my jacket off and hung it up in the closet behind the front door and hung my purse on the outside of the closet door. I walked into the kitchen next and prayed that there was something I could make in there. Before I could take a good look, my cell phone rang. I had to run to get it, since I had left it in my purse. I looked at the caller ID and hesitated to answer because it was an unknown caller but I did anyway.

Hello.

Hey Cherry, it’s me, Tawni.

Oh hey, I almost didn’t answer. You must be calling from the office, I said.

Yeah, I am. I was only calling because I didn’t want you to think you had to feed me. I would like to bring dinner to you.

Aww, you don’t have to do that. I was just trying to figure out what to make anyway, I said but was excited at the prospect of not having to cook.

No, I want to bring dinner. You are the one that was not feeling too hot, so let me try and help. I only have two requests, but before that I need to know if you like Indian food?

Yes I do, I said, blushing from her genuine kindness.

Great. Well my two requests are if you have wine can you chill some for us? And second, can you put on some smooth jazz and sit back and relax until I get there?

That doesn’t sound hard to do. Do you like white wine? I asked.

White is fine and no preference on the kind either. I’m leaving the office now to go pick up our food and then I will be on my way. I remember where you live from your game night two months ago. I might be earlier than six, probably closer to five, if not before. Is that okay?

Yeah that’s fine Tawni. See you when you get here.

Cool see you in a bit, Tawni said and hung up.

When I hung up I couldn’t help but smile. Like I said before, I have been crushing on Tawni for the past three months. I have to admit, it’s purely physical. Tawni is fly as hell! The first time I saw her I assumed she was Hispanic. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one, because she had to make it clear to the office that she was bi-racial, black and white. I honestly didn’t