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    Here Take This and Leave Me Alone: A Reluctant Love Story
    Here Take This and Leave Me Alone: A Reluctant Love Story
    Here Take This and Leave Me Alone: A Reluctant Love Story
    Ebook262 pages4 hours

    Here Take This and Leave Me Alone: A Reluctant Love Story

    By B.L Wilson

    3.5/5

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    About this ebook

    The last name Simmons is a fairly common one, creating confusion in police sergeant Juanita Simmons’ apartment building. When the new neighbor’s mail ends up with Juanita’s, she uses it as an opportunity to meet the gorgeous and shapely Olivia Simmons, an overworked accountant who has recently taken on the added burden of her deceased sister’s three children. Olivia is unimpressed by Juanita, and her rebuffs of Juanita’s attempts at friendship only encourage the irrepressible sergeant to ramp up her efforts, resulting in a confrontation that leads Olivia to file a police report against Juanita. However, when Olivia becomes ill, Juanita steps in, and Olivia begins to slowly let down her guard in this reluctant love story.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherB.L Wilson
    Release dateJul 11, 2016
    ISBN9781310309175
    Here Take This and Leave Me Alone: A Reluctant Love Story
    Author

    B.L Wilson

    B.L. has always been in love with books and the words in them. She never thought she could create something with the words she knew. When she read ‘To Kill A Mocking Bird,’ she realized everyday experiences could be written about in a powerful, memorable way. She wasn’t quite sure what to do with that knowledge so she kept on reading.Walter Mosley’s short stories about Easy Rawlins and his friends encouraged BL to start writing in earnest. She felt she had a story to tell...maybe several of them. She’d always kept a diary of some sort, scraps of paper, pocketsize, notepads, blank backs of agency forms, or in the margins of books. It was her habit to make these little notes to herself. She thought someday she’d make them into a book.She wrote a workplace memoir based on the people she met during her 20 years as a property manager of city-owned buildings. Writing the memoir, led her to consider writing books that were not job-related. Once again, she did...producing romance novels with African American lesbians as main characters. She wrote the novels because she couldn’t find stories that matched who she wanted to read about ...over forty, African American and female.

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      Book preview

      Here Take This and Leave Me Alone - B.L Wilson

      Here, Take This and Leave Me Alone:

      a reluctant love story

      by

      B.L. Wilson

      Here Take This and Leave Me Alone

      A reluctant love story

      Brought to you by

      Patchwork Bluez Press

      Here Take This and Leave Me Alone copyright 2016 by B. L. Wilson. All rights reserved. No part of this e-book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without permission in writing from the author.

      Smashwords Edition

      Please respect the rights of the author and do not file share

      Edited by BZ Hercules

      www.bzhercules.com

      Author’s Note

      Here, take this and leave me alone: a reluctant love story was written in 2006 and takes place in a time when technology was somewhat more simple. You may find references to flip phones and people not being as easy to reach as they are now. Social media was nonexistent, at least not like it is in the present day, and most of my characters did not feel incomplete without a smart phone. Updating the technology might change the plot elements, so I have left the old-fashioned ways untouched and request that you enjoy this bit of nostalgia as it is written.

      Thank you.

      B.L. Wilson

      Dedication

      Sometimes, you have to throw caution to the four winds and say oh hell, then go with the flow you are feeling. It will take you somewhere you never thought you’d be. It will introduce you to people you never thought you’d meet. Most important of all, it will open your heart up for love.

      This book is dedicated to that sometimes.

      It’s easier to build strong children than it is to repair broken men.

      ~Frederick Douglas~

      Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that but the really great make you feel you too can become great. When you are seeking to bring big plans to fruitions, it is important with whom you regularly associate. Hang out with friends who are likeminded and who are designing purpose-filled lives. Similarly, be that kind of friend for your friends.

      ~Mark Twain~

      Table of Contents

      Chapter 1…You take your mail, I’ll take my mail and we’ll call it a day

      Chapter 2…Too sick to eat (Monday night)

      Chapter 3…The defense rests later Tuesday morning

      Chapter 4…Games, CDs and other forms of entertainment on a Tuesday afternoon

      Chapter 5…Babysitting times three

      Chapter 6…The interview on Friday

      Chapter 7…Drugs, lookouts and other bad ideas

      Chapter 8…Interrogation rooms

      Chapter 9…Oh no, it’s Tyrone Hicks

      Chapter 10…A shoulder to lean on

      EPILOGUE …Two years down the road

      THANK YOU FOR READING!

      MORE BOOKS BY BL WILSON

      Chapter 1…You take your mail, I’ll take my mail and we’ll call it a day

      "Here take this, Olivia Simmons remarked, shoving a stack of mail at Juanita Simmons. I’ve been trying to track you down to give you this stuff for the last two weeks. She looked up at Juanita, staring at her while she waited for her to say something. When Juanita didn’t answer her, she paced in front of the tall, solidly built woman. You have no idea how annoying it is that we have the same last name. The post office doesn’t know the difference between the two of us. My name is Olivia Simmons and I live in 2E. They’re sending me your mail, even though your name is Juanita and you live 9E. She shrugged. They aren’t the brightest people at that branch, are they? Don’t they have to pass a reading comprehension test to be mail carriers?" She stared at Juanita again with unblinking hazel eyes, waiting for her to say something.

      Meanwhile, Juanita was staring at the woman’s ankles as they paced back and forth. She loved the dainty silver anklet on the left one. She took a quick glance at the way her business suit fit her full-sized body. She liked the way the skirt hugged her hips and the jacket clung to her chest. If I were her lover, that’s the way I’d hold her, tight against me, Juanita mused. The thought of being the pretty woman’s lover made her sigh. She was also thinking about the answers to her questions. How do you know I don’t work for the post office for a living? Maybe that’s why you couldn’t find me for the last two weeks. I could work the night shift, sorting out mail while you work days as a bank manager or something.

      Olivia frowned as she studied Juanita’s face silently. Hablar Espanola?

      She doesn’t think I understand English. Juanita hid her smile behind a broad hand. That was nothing new. When people saw Juanita on the street, they often came up to her and started speaking Spanish because they assumed she was Latina or they spoke French to her because they believed she was Haitian. She should have learned a few words in either language, but she hadn’t.

      Juanita cleared her throat. I’m sorry, what did you say? My mind was somewhere else. She made sure to look Olivia in the eye. Some women appreciated it when Juanita ogled them, but this woman didn’t look like she had the time to say good morning, much less anything else. She could be wrong, but in that business suit with all that nervous energy leaking out of her gorgeous pores, Olivia Simmons didn’t look like the patient sort of woman that Juanita was used to being around.

      Juanita patted the stack of mail. Thanks for my mail, Ms. Simmons. I was wondering where my bills were. I figured they’d gotten lost at the post office. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d gotten her mail late.

      Well, if you stayed home more often, you’d have gotten your mail sooner!

      I’ll ignore that nasty little dig, Juanita mused as she studied the woman’s face. She noticed the stubborn set to Olivia’s jaw line, as though she wanted to pick a fight. What’s with that look? I don’t know her well enough for that.

      She’d seen Olivia Simmons moving into the building six weeks ago. The tenants’ association wondered who had rented the large apartment on the second floor. They tried to get the super, Tony Rodriquez, to talk, but the building’s owner had sworn him to silence or so he said. Rodriquez was always telling tales to the tenants. It was difficult to tell how much of what he said was true and how much was embellishments. She and the rest of the tenants’ association expressed the hope the next tenant wasn’t another single parent with a large brood of unruly little crumb crushers. Apartment 2E had been through that indignity often in the seven years the building had a tenants’ association.

      She remembered one family…the Williams or Wilson—something like that. Anyway, there were six children, or seven if she included the drug dealing older son who brought his customers to his mother’s apartment. The place looked like a revolving door with junkies going in straight and coming out high as proverbial kites at all hours of the day and night. She smiled. The only good thing about that tenancy was the son was greedy and stupid. Her co-workers made twenty good drug busts before the kid figured out his neighbor upstairs was a cop. By then, he was in jail for possession with intent to sell. The property owner was moving to evict his mother and rest of her brood too. Juanita felt bad for the brother’s younger siblings. They seemed to be nice polite kids despite their mother’s lack of parental supervision. Apparently, the mother was addicted to same drugs her son was arrested for selling.

      Juanita sighed. That was what she hated about her job sometimes. When she busted criminals, innocent people got hurt too. Experienced criminals knew how to squeeze the system and make it work for them while the innocents got trapped in the muck. But that didn’t have anything to do with the angry woman standing in front of her, did it?

      You seem upset today, Ms. Simmons. Was it something I said?

      Just keep your mail out of my box and I’ll do the same for you! Olivia snapped and strode off to wait for the elevator.

      Juanita started to respond to Olivia’s rudeness until she looked into her eyes. They looked puffy, red-rimmed, and tired. She’d been crying about something. Juanita shrugged in response and then watched Olivia Simmons storm off. A few minutes later, she found Olivia anxiously pacing in front of the elevator, then pressing the up button four times.

      That won’t help. Our elevator has a mind of its own, Juanita remarked, trying to make a joke. She thought if she could get the woman to smile, she’d feel better.

      Olivia eyed her, then cut her eyes and muttered, Some people should know when to shut their mouths and mind their business.

      Juanita shrugged her shoulders in response.

      Do you ever do anything besides get your mail mixed up in my box and shrug your shoulders?

      Oh, for Christ’s sake! That’s enough, Ms. Simmons! Juanita glared at Olivia as she advanced on her. She usually didn’t use her size of nearly six feet to frighten people, but this little smart mouth deserved a good scare. Surprisingly, Olivia Simmons didn’t back down, but Juanita could tell that Olivia was nervous. She saw a frightened look flit across Olivia’s face a split second and felt sorry for her.

      Oh please! What do you think you’re gonna do? Olivia faced Juanita with her arms folded across a stubborn chest.

      Juanita would bet no matter how great the odds were against her, Olivia Simmons was a woman who never gave an inch. The thought made her smile.

      What the hell are you grinning about? You look like an idiot!

      You! I’m looking at you! Juanita blurted out without thinking. She stopped moving and deliberately relaxed her body. Olivia Simmons was an interesting woman and she wondered what made her so feisty. She’d like to know more about her, but the nasty stares she was issuing said it wasn’t possible. The elevator finally arrived in the lobby and Juanita stepped aside to allow Olivia to enter first. Olivia hopped in, pressed two, and held the close button, letting the doors slam shut in Juanita’s face.

      Juanita realized Olivia’s action was deliberate because she issued a smug little smile as the door closed. In several long strides, Juanita reached the stairs and headed to the second floor to confront her. She made it to the second floor just as Olivia was ringing the bell to her apartment. A woman opened the door and she went inside. Seconds later, the same woman stood in the doorway and then knelt down to hug two little girls. One little girl had a brace on her leg and she limped awkwardly inside before Olivia Simmons closed the door.

      Juanita scratched her head, then muttered, Humph, so much for putting the fear of God into her. She’s got more than enough troubles of her own. She shrugged, walked up another flight, and caught the elevator on the third floor.

      "Come on, Calvin. We ain’t gonna get caught this time. Jamal’s narrow face looked serious, but his eyes sparkled with merriment. You know Miss Ferris ain’t gonna know whether we there or not. Once she take her nap, she ain’t knowing nothing till she wake up at two thirty. That’ll give us all afternoon to hang. Jamal grinned. I got it all planned, G. We go to 6th Avenue Electronics an’ pick up a few CDs. We get us a couple of slices at the pizza place around the corner. Then we hit Best Buy on 23rd for more CDs an’ go to the comic book place on 14th."

      Calvin grinned, then high-fived Jamal. Hey, that’s cool, man! See, that’s what I’m talking about, Jamal. You the man!

      See you in thirty minutes, G.

      Yeah. Cool, man.

      Jamal thrust a fist out and Calvin tapped it with his fist.

      The two boys met in the bathroom fifteen minutes after Miss Ferris’ class started. They made good on their escape from the school grounds. They made it to the subway station before a school safety officer stopped them at the entrance.

      Yo! Hold it right there, little dudes. Ain’t you two supposed in school today?

      We on a field trip, Officer. We trying to catch up with our class an’ you stoppin’ us.

      Yeah. We going to a museum.

      Okay, sure you are. Which museum you going to, wise ass?

      Calvin looked at Jamal. They couldn’t think of a name.

      We forgot the name.

      Okay, wise-asses, come with me. The school safety officer grabbed the boys each by the elbow and walked them to the token booth. Has a class been through here in the last hour, Miss?

      The token clerk looked up. She remembered the boys trying to sneak through the turnstile a week ago. She shouted at them, but they took off back up the steps and disappeared in the street. No. I’d remember if they had.

      So much for your class trip, knuckleheads. Let’s see some ID.

      Jamal had a library card, and Calvin produced a video arcade card with his picture on the back.

      The officer recognized their names from the detention list. He filled out reports on their latest trip. He was sick of chasing little bastards from here to Kingdom Come. They should be glad all they had to do was stay in school. Most people like him had to work in jobs they hated to make a living. He wished he could go back to his school days. He didn’t understand why kids today didn’t like school. When he was a kid, he didn’t have the choice in subjects or schools these kids had today. Shit, he wished somebody offered him automotive repair classes or computer labs back in his day. If they had, he’d be doing something that paid big money instead of chasing these truant little bastards.

      The safety officer finished the paperwork, looked at the two boys, and sighed. You know the drill. Let’s go see the principal and then we call your peeps.

      Calvin looked nervously at the officer. His aunt would freak if she knew he’d ditched class again. Shit! Do you have to call?

      Jamal remained silent and shrugged. He wasn’t worried. His mother didn’t care what he did. He could always get his big brother to come to school to speak with the principal.

      Hours later, the boys were home, having survived lectures from their principal and the threat of punishment for their latest venture from their guardians.

      Calvin scanned the kitchen. He was on the lookout for his motor-mouth sister Megan as he whispered into the kitchen phone, You said they wouldn’t catch us, Jamal. Aunt Olivia took my CD player an’ my CDs.

      Jamal sighed. My brother say he gonna kick my ass if he gotta visit the school again.

      I thought you said he don’t give a shit, G.

      He can’t make no money on the street if he gotta go clean up my shit at school. Jamal exhaled. We just gotta plan it better next time.

      Calvin snorted. My aunt says there’d better not be no next time. Do you think she gonna send me to foster care, Jamal? That guidance counselor always telling her about signing some PINS petition shit. She say if Aunt Olivia can’t make me go to school, the court can do it if she sign that paper. She said it’d be better for Megan an’ Ricky if I wasn’t there to influence them in a bad way.

      That’s bullshit, Calvin! She ain’t gonna be doing it. Grown people always threatening shit like that to get you to listen and do what they say. We just need to figure out all the answers to the fat fuck’s questions for next time.

      What we doing tomorrow, Jamal?

      Megan’s eyes widened when she overheard her brother planning to ditch school with Jamal. She put a hand on her mouth. Ooo, Calvin. I’m tellin’ Aunt Olivia what you doing.

      Calvin hung up the phone quickly. What? I ain’t doing nothing, Megan. It was the wrong number. He stared hard at his sister. You better not say nothing to her or I’ll tell her how you tease Ricky when she cry for Mama at night.

      Megan’s eyes narrowed. You better not ditch school, Calvin Banks. Aunt Olivia is real mad at you. She says she don’t know what to do with you.

      You better not tell her nothing, Megan. Calvin stepped closer and balled his fists.

      Megan frowned at her brother and backed away. Okay, okay, I’m not sayin’ anything, but you better go to school tomorrow.

      Calvin and Jamal decided to call a halt to their adventures until they had a better plan in place. They kept an eye on the safety officer who caught them the last time. They needed good answers for questions they knew he’d ask the next time he found them outside school grounds. Jamal decided he and Calvin should keep an eye on the fat fuck. Maybe they could ask some of the other kids in detention about the officer.

      The two boys weren’t the only ones with communication problems. Several times during the next week, Juanita rode in the elevator with Olivia Simmons. Juanita wanted to speak with Olivia about returning her mail. As usual, the woman ignored her. Meanwhile, her mail continued to pile up. Usually, there were other people sharing the elevator with them, but this time, they were alone. She scanned the nearly empty cab and caught Olivia’s eye.

      Olivia Simmons looked away, then ignored her until the elevator reached her floor.

      Juanita cleared her throat quickly, all set to speak. She held the door open politely for Olivia to exit. I have a couple of pieces of mail for you. I wondered when I might bring them to you.

      Olivia held her head and shoulders stiff and stared straight ahead. I’m busy. Why don’t you just leave them on the counter next to the mailboxes?

      Juanita blocked Olivia’s exit with her body. Are you always this rude or is it just me you find annoying?

      Could you move, Ms. Simmons? Olivia glared at her and then sighed as she checked her watch. My sitter charges overtime if she has to stay five minutes beyond six o’clock. You’re making me late.

      Answer my question and I’ll let you get on with your evening.

      Olivia frowned, then studied Juanita, trying to figure a way to get around her and out the door.

      You’re not big enough to push me out of the way, so answer the question. Is it me or are you this rude to everybody?

      God, you are a nosy bitch, aren’t you? Just because you’re big doesn’t give you the right to harass people. Olivia pulled a cell phone out of her bag. I should call the police and have you arrested for harassing me.

      We’re just having a friendly conversation. Why bring the cops into it? Juanita said, grinning at her.

      Olivia’s eyes narrowed as she glared at Juanita and then dialed 911. She explained how a large woman named Juanita Simmons was holding her against her will on an elevator and then gave the address of the building.

      Within fifteen minutes, two uniformed officers appeared on the second floor. One of them poked his head into the elevator and tapped Juanita on the shoulder. When Juanita turned around, the officer recognized her and started to chuckle. The chuckles turned into loud guffaws when his partner joined him.

      Jesus, Sarge, what did you do to the woman for her to call us? When we got the call, I thought the name sounded familiar, but Baker said it couldn’t be you. I bet a ten spot that it wasn’t you. I guess I lost.

      Juanita shrugged and pointed a thumb in Olivia’s direction. You’d better ask her, Turner. She wants to lodge a complaint against me.

      Olivia’s eyes widened as she looked at Officer Turner and then her eyes returned to Juanita’s face. You’re a cop?

      I’m a sergeant at the Two-Eight, Juanita sheepishly admitted.

      Ma’am, please step over here so we can talk about this. Turner steered Olivia away from Juanita and into a far corner of the corridor.

      It gave Juanita a chance to look at Olivia. Her gray business suit fit like the navy suit had a week ago. She seemed to prefer fitted jackets that stopped a little below her waist and straight skirts with an inverted pleat split in the back. Juanita wondered if Olivia knew how well the style suited her body. She frowned and then sighed. Olivia Simmons knew how appealing she looked in her clothes. That was why she chose them. Juanita eyed Olivia

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