Three Hands Away
By
Mark Maxey
Copyright 2008
Three Hands Away
Copyright by MARK MAXEY
Smashwords Edition
Published by MARK MAXEY
at Smashwords
This book is dedicated to my loving family. Mom, Chris, and Markell.
It is said that everyone knows each other through six different people. Find out how these four folks know each other.
Chapter One
First Impression
“Oh yeah!” Micheal Brewers said as he stepped out into the warm night air. “It’s on.”
He cranked up his BMW 745 and turned up the radio. As he pulled out the driveway he glanced in the review mirror and thought to himself, “Damn, I’m fine!”
Micheal is a successful lawyer at one of the most prestigious law firms in Atlanta, Georgia. He just made partner earlier this week, so he figured tonight would be a good time to celebrate.
Though Micheal had a lot of friends, he often went out alone. He liked being free to move around, and it was a lot less drama to happen being by himself.
Micheal was a six foot, three inches tall brother, with dark brown skin, a short clean haircut, and a lot of money.
Micheal was from Pompano Beach, Florida, and moved to Atlanta after graduating from law school at Emory University. After all the fun he had in college, and all the friends that he had met, he decided to stay.
Micheal was a single guy and he enjoyed every minute of it. With his latest achievement, marriage seemed even father away. He was very confident, almost arrogant, but a man with his track record could almost be.
“Ohhhh baby, I got to get cha home with me tonight, oh-o-oh-o,” by Eugene Wilde, played while Micheal sung out loud with the radio as he hit I-20 headed for Buckhead.
The wind was blowing
through the widows, as he sung along to all the jams that came on.
As
he drove through the city, he thought about all the fun he and his
friends had in college going up and down I-20.
Micheal thought about the time that he and his friends got stuck in traffic during Freaknik. It was hot outside, everybody had their car radios going, traffic was not moving, and Micheal and the boys were buzzing from the alcohol.
After sitting in traffic for 10 minutes, Micheal told the driver, to turn up the music. Next thing you know, Micheal got out of the car and started dancing on the highway.
It did not take 15 seconds before all the guys in the car were out dancing on the highway. The girls in the cars around them started honking their car horns. Next thing you know a guy was dancing on the hood of the car and another on the trunk. Everybody around where laughing at them having a good time swinging their shirts around their heads like a helicopter, dancing in the heat.
“Damn, this is what I am talking about!” Before he knew it, Micheal was in front of ‘The Shack’. The line was halfway down the block. Micheal enjoyed crowded clubs…More to choose from.
Don’t be fooled by the name. ‘The Shack’ is the finest, hottest club in Atlanta. Anytime anything was going on in town, you can guarantee that ‘The Shack’ would be jumping.
A lot of the local celebrities would drop in from time to time. Even the out-of-town Celebes would visit to get a taste of the Atlanta nightlife.
Micheal pulled in front of ‘The Shack’ and signaled for a valet.
“Take care of my baby, man.”
“Yes sir,” the valet said excitingly as he handed him the ticket. “And enjoy the evening. It’s a lot of fine ladies in there tonight.”
Micheal smiled and buttoned up his top button on his gray tailor made sports jacket.
As he headed towards the VIP door, Micheal noticed a couple of ladies checking him out. He always made sure that the ladies enjoyed what they where looking at.
“What’s up man,” Micheal said to the bouncer as he patted him down.
“Nothing much brotha! I haven’t seen you around in a couple of weeks.”
“Yeah man. I have been so busy with work. And these women!”
“They will keep you busy won’t they!”
“Yeah, but somebody’s got to do it!”
They both laughed.
“You got that right,” the bouncer said after his search. “Well go on in and enjoy yourself. The DJ has been off the hook tonight.”
“I will dog. See ya later!” Micheal said as he walked into the entrance.
A big smile came on Micheal’s face as he walked into the club. “Ahhhh, Push It” was playing by Salt-n-Pepa. The bass was hitting so hard that it made Micheal dance as he headed towards the bar.
As he walked, he looked around at all the people laughing and dancing, having a good time. There was a group of ladies celebrating one of their birthdays in the corner to the right. They had balloons everywhere and a big ass cake. All of the guys around them were watching as they got their party on.
On the left, were people playing pool and talking loud. It looked like somebody was loosing money at the second table. The man with the red Kango on was looking very, very nervous.
And the dance floor… Jammed packed!
There was an empty stool at the bar, so Micheal sat down and waited for a bartender.
Micheal frequented ‘The Shack’, so he was familiar with the people who worked there, but he came to the club mainly to hang out with his favorite bar tender, Lucky.
Lucky was almost like a friend to Micheal. They did not talk on the phone or hang out, but Micheal would come during the week after work sometimes, and with the club not being so busy, they would get the chance to talk. Sometimes, Lucky would hook him up on the drinks, and Micheal would look out for him. One hand washes the other.
“What can I get you, sir?” this sweet ghetto voice came from behind the bar.
“You can get me another bartender!” recognizing the voice, Micheal said as he swiveled around in his stool laughing.
“You almost got cussed out, playing with me boy!” Janice, with her chocolate brown self chuckled, “You see all these pushy people in here. They think that they are the only one who wants a drink. I ain’t got time to be playing with you boy.”
“I feel you. You doing ok?”
“Yeah, just busy taking care of business.”
“Ayeee boy, what’s up?” Lucky screamed coming around the corner of the bar, holding his fist out for some dap.
“Nothing much brotha. I just want ya’ll to know that you are talking to the newest partner of my law firm.” Micheal said dapping Lucky back.
“Well I be damned,” Lucky said, “We rich!!!”
Both men laughed.
“What cha going to drink?” asked Lucky?
“Let me get a Heineken and a double of Jack.”
“You got it.” Lucky said walking away.
Micheal was still chuckling from the conversation as he swiveled back around on his stool. He started to bob his head and pat on his thigh as he watched everyone having a good time.
“Here you go, boss.” Lucky said getting Micheal’s attention.
“It’s some bad women up in here tonight!” Micheal said as he turned around on the stool. “You know that’s why I moved to Atlanta in the first place.”
“I don’t blame you. That’s why I never left.” Lucky laughed.
“Hey, can I get a shot a Hen, a Margarita and a Corona,” a man yelled over the noise of the crowd, “Oh and a Bud.”
“I’ll be back dog.” Lucky said walking away.
Micheal sat faced towards the bar for a while enjoying the people at the bar laughing and enjoying themselves. After he sipped on his drinks and leaned back on his stool, he began to feel his alcohol a bit.
It was an older guy sitting in the chair next to him on the left talking to a younger lady about something. Whatever it was, he had her laughing and enjoying herself. To the right was a lovely lady with a black dress on sipping her Cosmo and dancing by herself. Micheal thought it was funny watching the guys checking her out as they walked by.
Finishing up his drinks, Micheal caught Lucky’s eye and signaled to him for another round. By this time Micheal was loosing up.
The DJ was playing “Shorty Wanna Ride with Me” by Youngblood, and Micheal sang along with the song. The club was getting live.
“Here you go”, Lucky said, “Let me know if you need anything else”, as he walked away busily answering his loud guest at the bar. “These folks are running me crazy.”
Micheal just nodded his head as he took a sip of his drink.
He was really into the music and in his on little world. Micheal sipped his drink again and swiveled back around in his chair.
As he looked across the room, his eyes ran upon the most beautiful woman that he had ever seen. This girl was so fine that Micheal took a double-take. This woman had light brown skin, her-own long hair, and a smile to die for. She looked like she was about five feet ten inches and she was thick. She had on a pink spaghetti strap dress, and she was sitting down at a table by herself.
By this time, the DJ was on his slow song mix. He was playing “Feigning” by Jodeci. Micheal loved this song. With the drinks in his system and that woman in his eye, he felt like dancing.
With his eye on his prey, Micheal waited a while to see who she was with.
Micheal quickly stood to his feet, finished his beer, and got himself together.
“Between the Sheets” by the Isley Brothers was playing over the speakers in the club.
“Ooohhh baby, baby, I feel your love surrounding me. Uhhh uhhh ohhh Baby baby we making love between the sheets,”
Micheal sung with the music as he walked behind the beautiful woman, grabbing her by the hand.
He was so smooth and charming that she did not realize that he had gotten her full attention.
“Come dance with me.” Micheal said in his smooth, romantic voice.
The lady laughed blushing.
“Come on” tugging on her hand gently.
“No, I can’t!” blushing even harder while those around giggled.
Micheal continued to sing along with the song, at least the words that he knew.
Micheal began to sit down at the table. He was so caught up in his act, Micheal did not recognize the very angry beast of a man behind her.
“Who the hell is this!” the angry man yelled.
“Raymond!” the woman said startled.
Raymond was the woman’s boyfriend. Not only that he was one of the biggest dope boys in Atlanta, Raymond was six feet one with a bad attitude. Being in and out of jail in his early years, he had a gang of muscles, and a no shit tolerance. Raymond was not your average dope boy, he only dealt with high rollers. He never got involved in petty drug deals, and he never liked anyone to mess with his woman.
“Raymond my ass! Who the hell is this!” knocking over the table.
“Raymond!” The
girl said standing up trying to calm him down.
“Imma knock his
head off of his shoulders talking to my woman. Who da hell is this
fool?”
Micheal never said anything. Not that he was afraid, but he knew that this was one angry man.
Raymond got madder and madder as the woman tried to cool him down. Shortly, security was there.
“We are going to have to ask you to leave sir”, one of the security men said.
“Leave my ass,” Raymond said, “I ain’t going nowhere,” shoving the security guard.
Before you know it, five men from the security team had Raymond on his way out of the door. Raymond went out kicking and screaming. The beautiful woman followed behind the riot with her head down, knowing that she had to hear this mess all the way home.
With all the commotion around, Micheal made his way back to the bar and found an empty stool. He ordered another Jack and sat there thinking about what had just happened. He wondered would he ever see that woman again. He was not worried about Raymond; he did not even know who he was. All he knew was that girl was fine!
As the cherry red
Chrysler 300 zoomed down the highway, Raymond yelled and fussed.
“What in the hell was that?
I go to the bathroom, come back, and some other guy is sitting in my chair?” Raymond said banging on the steering wheel. “Who was that punk?”
“How many times do I have to tell you, I don’t know?”
“Why was he all in your face singing to you, holding your hand and all that?”
“Look damn it. I told you I did not know who that was. He just walked up and sat down.”
“You didn’t try to
get him out of your face. Hell, I saw your face and you was all into
him. You like that dude or something?”
“How many times do I have to tell you I don’t know who he was, where he came from, nothing. He probably was drunk just having a good time. Why do you have to do this every time somebody talks or even looks at me?”
Raymond could not believe his ears.
“What! What! All the shit I do for you. If it wasn’t for me, none of them fools would be looking at you anyway. I get your nails and hair done, I send your ass to the spa, damn it, I paid for that dress you got on.”
“I never asked your jealous ass to do anything for me in the first place. You’re the one that offers to do things for me.” She paused. “This is crazy. You know what? I don’t want to talk about this anymore!”
The car was quite all the way to the parking deck. Both of them got out of the car and slammed the door.
They both where quite getting on the elevator, and all the way to the fifth floor condo, nothing was said.
Raymond opened the door and let her in. She went to the bedroom and he went to the kitchen to fix him a drink
Chapter Two
Work It Out
“Eight…, nine…, ten! Good job!” Derrick said while spotting Micheal’s weights back on the bench. “Boy that dude must have pissed you off really bad. You’re pushing the hell out of them weights today,” he said laughing.
“Shut up and count,” Micheal said jokingly.
“While you tripping, man, you need to get down here and do three more sets. You know that dude would have eaten you for dinner,” Derrick said laughing at Micheal.
“You keep talking,
you won’t be able to eat dinner.”
”Oh, did I strike a nerve? I’m glad dude didn’t strike you! If he was as big as you said he was, you would have been sucking dinner through a straw,” Derrick laughed pretending to hold a make believe cup and sucking out of the straw.
“Leave me alone man. You can’t tell your boys nothing without them getting on you.”
“I’m glad big boy didn’t get on you. If he was as big as you said he was, you know he’d probably been in jail. And you know them type. You would have been his…”
“Hold up man, why you gotta go there,” Micheal laughed with his friend. “It was just a misunderstanding. Hell, you would have hollad at ole girl if you saw her. She was bad.”
“Whatever. If dude would have hit you, you would have hollad.”
“Man get down and push,” Micheal said as Derrick laid on the weight bench. “I hope you can handle these weights like you talk junk, ‘cuz these weights ain’t no joke!”
“Yeah, but you and ole boy in a fight, now that’s a joke.” Derrick laughed as he begin his set.
Derrick was a handsome young fellow. He stood about six feet with a nicely shaped baby fro. He was on the wild side though. He loved to party and he loved his women. He also liked to talk a lot of trash and joke. Very seldom would any one catch Derrick down and out. He would always like to look at the bright side of life, and he enjoyed being outdoors.
Derrick and Micheal had been friends since college. Derrick was a jokester and he loved to laugh. He would always tease Micheal when he told him about anything. Derrick was from Atlanta and was a firefighter for Dekalb County.
They both went on a lot of road trips together in college and they both had the opportunity to meet each other’s families.
Derrick’s mother called Micheal her son because in college, he would go to their house and eat dinner at least once a week. The two would also go over to Derrick’s mother’s house to do laundry sometimes. Both sets of parents knew about each other and they where always concerned if something was going on in the other’s household.
Derrick had a brother that Micheal had never met. Derrick never really talked about him, because they had different mothers and they never really knew each other. The last time that they had seen each other was at their father’s, sister’s funeral. They had a very short conversation then, but that was the last time that they talked. That was over three years ago.
Micheal and Derrick were both like the brothers they never had. Anytime anything was going on in one of their lives, they would never hesitate to call the other, especially if Derrick had a legal question. They would hang out all the time. Just two weeks ago they drove up to Mississippi to the casinos just to get out of town. These where two guys that knew how to have fun!
On the night of their college graduation, they rented a room at the Sheraton downtown Atlanta. The party was so crunk that it did not end until check out time.
During the party everyone that they knew in school came by, even the house keepers stopped by during their morning clean up.
After lifting
weights, the guys went to the aerobics class. You know the reason,
right. WOMEN!
Initially, both of them were turned off by the sound of an aerobics class. They thought it was girly. But when they got a whiff of all the women in there, and what they had on, them boys went to an aerobics class every time that they went to the gym.
The last girl that Derrick dated, he had met from one of the aerobics classes. After a month, Derrick and his aerobics girl ended up splitting.
When they first broke up, Derrick stopped going to the classes. He did not want to run into her. She would use the classes as a way to see him.
She would do all kinds of things to get Derrick’s attention. She first started coming extra early, and then she started staying in class extra late. Then she would wear the extra, extra provocative clothes to class. Derrick would make fun of her by saying, “Is she going to the club or going to work out.” You should have seen the outfits that she wore.
One day she came to class with a mink coat, some white high heel shoes, and a pink headband. When she took the coat off, she had on a Betty-BOOP dress with a white leotard and pink spandex.
Everybody in the class snickered and laughed because they knew that she liked Derrick and was trying to get his attention. They also knew that he was going to trip when he saw this ridiculous outfit she had on.
When Derrick walked in
the room he laughed so loud that everyone in the class begin to
laugh. The first thing out of his mouth was, “What in the hell do
you have on?”
The class laughed so loud, that people were coming by to see what was the noise about. Needless to say, she never came back to the gym after that day. That was just how ruthless Derrick was.
After their work out, Micheal and Derrick hit the showers.
“Hey man what are you getting into tonight?” Derrick asked.
“Nothing, what’s up?”
“You want to go out for a drink?”
“Yeah, let’s hit up ‘The Shack’. Hopefully Lucky will be there.”
“That sounds like a good idea. I could sure use a drink. Maybe he can tell me more about… ‘fight night’.”
When they reached the
club it was happy hour, and of course, Lucky was there. The club was
not crowed at all, and the DJ was playing, “Brick House”, by the
Commodores. Both guys were singing with the music on their way to
the bar.
”Fellas, what’s up?” Lucky called out over the music.
“Nothing much man, just stopped by to have a drink.” Micheal replied while dancing trying to adjust the stool.
“I hear that, what are ya’ll going to have?
“I want a rum and coke.” Derrick replied.
“I’m going to have a double of Jack.” Said Micheal.
“I gotcha coming right up.” Lucky said starting to fix the drinks.
“Hey, is ole boy here?” Derrick asked Lucky.
“Who?”
“Dude who was about to kick Micheal’s ass!” Derrick laughed out loud.
“Why won’t you leave me alone?” Micheal asked.
“Yeah, Micheal pissed ole boy off. He was a big ass dude too. He looked like he was on the WWF.” Lucky said.
All three guys laughed.
“Well, he better be glad that I wasn’t here. I would have had to put these ones and twos on him.” Derrick said throwing punches.
“That dude was so big, you would have needed one or two chairs to knock him down.” Lucky responded while handing the guys their drinks. “That chick his was with was bad as hell, though. I could see why he would get mad.”
Micheal responded in mid sip, “Wasn’t she fine? When I saw her I had to step to her. I ain’t seen no girl that bad in a long time.”
“Man, I give you your props for stepping to her. All I could do with a woman that fine is look.” Lucky said laughing.
“Ya’ll talk about her like she was the only girl in the club. You know every time we come down here, we get two or three numbers.” Derrick said.
”Right, but this girl was different. I don’t know what it was about her. Hell, I didn’t even get a chance to get her name.”
“I’m glad you didn’t! If you would have stuck around any longer, no telling what would have happened.” Lucky said.
“I know what would have happened. The Jolly Green Giant would have stuffed you in a can.” Derrick said laughing.
“You know what? You are so full of it.” Micheal said while shaking his head.
“That’s enough about that, how’s that new promotion going?” Lucky asked.
“How’s that paycheck looking?” Derrick asked. “You can pay for these drinks.”
“Man, you should be
paying for the drinks! I’m the one that got the promotion.”
Micheal replied.
”Whatever. Besides, in every other culture, who ever gets the promotion, buys the drinks.” Derrick suggested.
“Well watch how many drinks I’m going to buy your ass tonight.” Micheal laughed. “But to answer your question,” talking to Lucky,
“It’s all good man. More work. But that’s why I got in the game in the first place. I love what I do and must admit, the check is looking all most as good as ole girl.” Micheal said.
“You just can’t get over that chick, can you?” Derrick asked jokingly.
“I don’t know. I just wish I could get the chance to meet her again. This time without big boy around.”
“Just keep coming around here, who knows when she’ll pop up again.” Lucky suggested. “Hopefully she’ll come with some of her girlfriends. Maybe they’ll be just as fine as she was.”
“You betta hope the Abominable Snowman ain’t with her. Derrick answered. “That would be something funny.”
Chapter Three
Window Shopper
“Yes Sir Mr. Coleman.”
“Yes sir.”
“Again I would like to congratulate you on your, our, win yesterday.”
“Yes sir. I will make sure that everything will be sent to you.”
“Yes sir.”
“Right away.”
“Ok, sir.”
“You too sir.”
“Ok, sir. Bye bye.” Micheal was finally able to hang up the phone.
Mr. Coleman was the CEO of The Coleman Corporation, an investment firm located in Atlanta.
Micheal had represented Mr. Coleman in a sexual discrimination trail against one of his female employees. She was suing Mr. Coleman because she felt as though she was passed up on a position based on her sexuality.
The fact is Micheal was able to prove that though she had all of the credentials, she still was not the best candidate for the job. She just could not understand that she simply lost the job to some “black guy” who happened to be just a bit more qualified than her.
It didn’t help that the black guy and Mr. Coleman’s son, Robert, had been high school buddies.
Micheal was able to win the case for The Coleman Corporation
And in turn, he made a lot of money for the firm.
Micheal was always excited when he won a case, but Mr. Coleman added a little more joy to this occasion. Mr. Coleman was an honest guy and he never had any problems with the law, so this win was big for him. He was so excited that he had been found not guilty that this was the third time he had called Micheal today.
Micheal enjoyed Mr. Coleman’s conversation and his enthusiasm. It was funny to Micheal to hear him talk with his deep southern draw. Every time Micheal would impress Mr. Coleman during the case, he would always say,”Damn’ son. You’re good!”
Micheal spent around, stood up out of his big, black, leather, executive chair and looked out onto the Atlanta skyline. A sense of success flowed like a chill through Micheal’s body as he thought about some of the struggles he dealt with and how they lead him to this part of his life.
He looked around his office and noticed how elegant it was. A hardwood floor was accented with a huge red and black Persian rug. The three black, leather guest chairs were so smooth and comfortable, that he always wished he could take at least one of them home. Shoot, Micheal had plans for those seats. He already knew how he would break them bad boys in.
He always kept his window blinds open so that the sunlight would warm and light the office. Of course he had a wall for all of his accolades and diplomas, a mini wet bar for special occasions, and a couple of trinkets that he had accumulated in his travels. He had a very sexy office for a man.
Micheal took in a deep breath, looked at his Tag Hewer, and preceded to head out of his office. As he opened and walked through his double doors into the hallway, he stopped at his assistant’s desk.
“Yes mamn, I will give Mr. Brewers your message.” Shelitha said in her sexy, professional voice.
“Ok mamn. You have nice day. Bye,” she said hanging up the phone.
“Mr. Brewers the phone have been off the hook this morning. I can barely get anything done.” looking at Micheal.
“I know. I’ve been on the phone with Mr. Coleman three times today. If he calls again, tell him I have jumped off the building or something.”
They both laughed.
“That can be arranged you know.” Shelitha said placing her hand on her hip. “I have a couple a reasons to throw you off the building, especially if I don’t get my bonus check this week.” Still laughing.
“Is that a threat?” Micheal asked jokingly.
“No, I’m just trying to help you off the building.”
“Well I know who I can come to for help.”
“That’s why I am your assistant sir. I am here to help.” As she saluted.
“Well, I’m going to step out for lunch. I might be a while. You want anything?” Micheal asked.
“Where are you going?” Shelitha asked.
“I don’t know. I’m just going to walk the street and see what I have the taste for. I know I don’t want any chicken, I had that last night.”
“Well don’t worry about it sir. I brought some leftovers from dinner last night!”
“What do you have?” Micheal asked. He loved Shelitha’s cooking.
“Chicken!” Shelitha responded laughing.
Shelitha was a chocolate sista with a smile that would make an iceberg melt. Micheal always thought that she was a beautiful girl and he would have probably tried to talk to her if the situation was different. However, Micheal always kept their relationship professional; he never mixed business with pleasure. But don’t think he never thought about it, especially if work would keep them both late. And those black, leather seats in his office. It would be too easy. He would always say to himself, “Be good boy! Be good!”
“Well enjoy your chicken, girl. I’m out.”
“Ok!”
“And if anyone calls, please take a message.”
“Yes sir. Enjoy your lunch.”
Micheal waited on
the elevator and spoke to a couple of people who walked by. He
looked at his reflection in the elevator door, fixed his navy blue
jacket, adjusted his burgundy tie, and ran his hand across his
mustache. He reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a fresh pair
of Aviator shades, opened them up, and smoothly placed them on his
face. Such an arrogant guy.
The door to the elevator opened and he stepped on. He rode down to the main floor and when the door opened, he stepped out like new money.
As he walked through the lobby he spoke to a couple of ladies as he passed them by with his baritone voice and his cool smile.
He finally made it out of the revolving doors. “Damn it feels good out here.”
After standing, basking in the sunlight awhile, Micheal decided to go right. Being downtown, there were a lot of choices to make where to eat and to shop. Since he wasn’t picky and he had some time on his hands, he was going with the flow.
Micheal enjoyed the busyness of city life. He loved to hear the car horns beeping, people talking, the smell of the different restaurants, the shopping, and defiantly, the women.
Before he knew it, Micheal had walked two blocks. As he was walking he remembered that his sister’s birthday was coming up soon. With this in mind, he started to do a little window-shopping.
The first boutique Micheal walked upon had two mannequins in the window with some nice summer clothes. He wasn’t too impressed so he kept walking. He walked a few more paces and looked into another boutique. He didn’t see anything he liked there either.
Micheal noticed a guy on the corner selling hotdogs and pretzels. These weren’t your average dogs either. These were the mother of all hotdogs. One of these babies would have you tight, especially if you got it with the works.
Micheal ordered a hotdog with the works: ketchup, mayo, mustard, chili, relish, onions, and cheese. Before he paid for it, he had taken a big bite out of it, being sure not to drop any of it on his clothes. The hot dog was so sloppy and so good; he put it down on the cart and pulled out his wallet.
“Now this is lunch,” Micheal said with a mouth full of food handing the owner some cash. “I might be back for another one.”
“Well come on back, I’ve got plenty of them.” The owner replied, handing Micheal back his change.