I Want to Know What Love Is...

I Want To Know What Love Is…

A Matthews/Deenal Family Series Novel

Sylvia Wilson

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© 2011 Sylvia Wilson. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 11/11/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4670-4452-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4670-4451-6 (e)

This novel is a work of fiction.

Printed in the United States of America

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and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Contents

Life

Introduction

Thanksgiving Eve

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Wednesday

Past

Present

Monday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Hawaii

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday and Home Again

Thursday

February

Because He Loves Me

Thursday

March

June

August

October

December

This novel is dedicated to all Survivors of crimes against the innocent, the children. It is also dedicated to my daughter Jennifer, and other family members.

Life

Life is to be compared to learning what makes the evergreen tree continue to demonstrate its magnificence in hues of green, although it has endured decades of assorted and severe weather patterns. –Sylvia Wilson

Books by Sylvia…

IT TAKES TWO

TRUST ME

FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE

I WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE IS…

Dear David,

Not long ago, I asked God to send a special man into my life—and He did. He sent you. We spent time together, started to get to know each other, actually, we fell in love, with each other. You’ve asked me to marry you—in fact, you asked me to marry you within the same hour as you learned you truly had living family members, and I said, Yes. But, today, David, only a few days later, I have to say no, not because you’ve done anything to upset me nor because I don’t love you anymore. You see, when I prayed that prayer I also said that not just any man would do. I don’t consider you to be just any man—but there are red flags that need to be burned. You have a temper. I want to believe that it stems from not knowing where you belonged in this world—before your family presented itself. That may very well be true, but we need to be certain that that’s all it is. I, too, have my own issues I need to resolve, from my childhood. Until I resolve them, it would be unfair to you, to marry you. I need time, and if you’re honest with yourself so do you. I can’t tell you how long it will take for me to get through it, and therefore I won’t ask you to wait for me. Just know that if I’ve learned anything from you—as it relates to me—I know that you would never take advantage of me, in my time of need. I love you, David. Makayla will know where I am, but please allow me to do this—my way, please. I know the lengths your relatives will go to, God bless them all, to secure happiness for their loved ones. Please—not this time, I want this to remain between us.

Until we meet again,

Lauren Dupree

Introduction

Lauren Dupree at 34 years old, having celebrated her birthday September 18, sat on the Bay Bridge singing her own song Against All Odds as she waited for a passing riverboat to clear the elevated bridge, and the connection to be lowered. She tapped the steering wheel and swayed her head to the beat, as the man in the black, luxury truck, across from her took in the scene. He rolled down his window and listened. Nice voice, he mumbled to himself. Lauren hadn’t noticed she had an admirer. She was meeting her new dental assistant for lunch. Lauren, in her black jag, drove into the Country Club’s parking lot.

Carolyn Parker waved to her from the selected table inside the Pepper Tree Club’s restaurant. Lauren caught sight of her through the window. As she reached for the door handle, a voice called out to her, May I, please? as he grasped hold of the door’s frame and lever. Lauren turned in the direction of the male voice. He smiled luminously. Lauren nodded, yes, and extended a Thank you as she stepped inside the entrance, and walked to her table.

The stranger shook hands with the waiter and was seated in the booth directly behind Lauren and Carolyn, with his face towards Lauren. Lauren was seated by a waitress, and proceeded to shake hands with Carolyn. The two women conversed about their schedules and the needs of the dental center—Dupree Family Dentistry. They ordered sandwiches and gelatos. Lauren’s song flowed from the sound system as she smiled and grasped her chest, excitedly. Oh my God, that’s me! That’s my song. She whispered. Really? Yes, that’s my latest hit, Searching for My Soul Mate. Wow! Congratulations! Thank you. Lauren began to sing along with the music. The stranger read lips and listened carefully to the women seated near him. He was impressed. Lauren told Carolyn she would be singing live at D.C. Soul on Halloween night. I will definitely put that on my calendar. Me too, the stranger made note. Lauren looked past Carolyn into the almond shaped, sexy eyes of the stranger and smiled. He returned the gesture. Carolyn swiveled to see whom Lauren had focused her attention. He’s cute, isn’t he? What? Oh, I’m sorry about that Carolyn. No problem, I saw him open the door for you. I thought maybe you two knew each other. No, I’ve never seen him before. If I had, I would certainly remember that brother! The women laughed, ate, and prepared to leave after a successful meeting.

David Uplandis six feet, 42 years old, stocky build, pecan hued, curly medium afro, almond shaped, black and green transparent eyes, long curly eyelashes, African lips and nose, high cheekbones, full, thin mustache, and of African and Hawaiian descent, found himself intrigued by all that he had seen and heard the past two hours. He was by trade, a well known entrepreneur—owner of the Bay Shore Spa, Pepper Tree Club and Hotel. He was also an accomplished guitarist, playing the acoustic guitar. David made the rounds on his property and drove home to his gated estate, Uplandis East, a Mediterranean styled home with indoor and outdoor pools, flooded with domed lighting, and a layered, rock garden, waterfall.

He removed his black suit and shirt, and went for a swim, in his question mark etched pool. David often swam when he became preoccupied with a new woman. He was no playboy, but he did love a beautiful, plus-sized woman with dreams, skills, and knowledge, preferably of African descent. David had a fetish for naturally, full, pouty lips. David was both ready to settle down and fearful—at the same time. He had endured a trail of heartache, from the trust he had placed in prior relationships, with Antoinette, Gayle, and Carlee. David was uncertain that he could completely trust again. His best friend, Brian Matthews, was getting married New Year’s Eve in D.C., and David was envious, but happy for his friend. That was the kind of happiness he craved, in his loins. David had not been in a serious relationship for seven months, and he was itching to get back out there and test the waters, with his eyes on Lauren. He only knew her first name, for now.

Dripping wet in his speedos he lifted his clothes from the floor, and went to shower in the tan and cinnamon, marbled, master bedroom’s connecting bathroom. Under the spray of warm water, he daydreamed of standing before an altar, with his bride, and his family at his side. That was a joke he thought—his family. I have no family, just Brian—my best friend, and wealth, buildings, stocks, bonds, savings, and other investments, and my guitar. I’m a wealthy, lonely man.

Lauren sat facing her television, listening to her CD playing in the background. She prayed a prayer of thanks, after lowering the volume on the television.

Some call you Lord, but I just want to call you Father—my Father, Father who saved my life, Father who saved my mother from the demons that plagued her spirit. Father, I want to thank you for your Grace, for giving me the skills, the dreams, and the spirit to pursue those dreams, but most of all right now Father, I want to thank you for my voice, for the ability to sing with, as some have called it—a voice anointed by God. I thank you. Thank you for all you’ve done and thank you for what you are about to do in my life. I accept it willingly. But, may I just add one request to the menu you’ve created on my behalf? Could you add to that menu, a Man? Not just any man will do—and I know you would never send just any man into my life—so I’m going to leave it all up to you. Thank you, Father, Amen.

Lauren touched basis with Makayla and went for a swim later that evening, at the country club.

Lauren wore a royal blue and black one piece skirted swimsuit. The pool was designed in light blue and sea foam green sea shells along the interior walls, with a fish inlayed at the pool’s base. It was an Olympic-sized pool. The water always calmed her whenever she was stressed. Lauren swam in the indoor pool whenever she could find the time with her busy schedule, and had not been there within the past month. As she dog-peddled her way to the top, after jumping off the diving board, she glided into something or someone. Ouch! A hand held her closely at her waist, as she regained her balance. I’m sorry, the male voice responded gently and apologetically, while holding onto her. Lauren turned toward the voice of the person whom