Read Soulmates Dissipate for Free Online

double-breasted jacket. Her genuine pearl necklace with matching earrings was a gift from Daddy when she turned thirteen. A dab of Vanilla Cream behind each ear functioned as an all-day aromatherapy. As soon as the elevator door inside her condo opened, the phone rang. She didn’t wait for it to close. Jada grabbed the kitchen cordless.
    “Hi, Mama. I’m walking out right now.”
    “Big Daddy might be more appropriate if I knew you better.”
    “What! You need to be on your way to church to praise God, Big Daddy. Or whoever you are.”
    “As a matter of fact, I
am.
Would you care to join me? This is Wellington Jones.”
    Jada’s fingers touched her forehead, chest, left, then right shoulders.” I’d love to but I have to pick up my mother for church by ten-thirty.”
    “Well, I don’t want to impose on your spiritual time, so why don’t I call you tonight,” he said.
    Jada ran her fingers through her hair.” I’d really like you to fellowship with us soon. But Mother should meet you first. That way she’ll have more answers than questions for her inquisitive friends. They’re persistently asking when am I going to get married and have babies.” Shit! She softly stomped her foot and wished she could eat her words.
    “Marriage and babies.” Wellington laughed.” Say a prayer for
me.
I’ll call you later. Good-bye, Diamond.” He blew a kiss into the receiver.
    “Anytime after six is good. Bye.” Jada pulled out her electronic calendar and scheduled an extra half hour of meditation and prayer before six o’clock. Wellington was truly Mr. Right.
    On her way to pick up her mother, Jada reflected. How perfect—a twofer—Wellington was a churchman and a gentleman.
    The scenic drive along Interstate 580 was beautiful. Above MacArthur Boulevard there were evergreen trees leading from the highway to the top of the Oakland hills. From the freeway, homes appeared sporadically spaced among the evergreen. But the Mormon Temple always stood out, especially at night with all the lights. Luckily Jada’s cellular had caller ID.
    “Hello, Mother. I’m exiting off a Hundred and Fiftieth Avenue right now.”
    “Okay, baby. I’ll wait outside.”
    Jada cherished the moments they shared. She never understood why so many people didn’t enjoy quality time with their parents.” Look at you, Ms. Lady, all decked out in your Sunday best. Let me open the door for you, Mama. Give me just a minute.” Jada’s curls dangled in the breeze.
    “You’re so kind to me.” Her hazel eyes softened.
    Jada kissed her mother’s buttery smooth cheek.” Where did you get that jazzy lavender suit?”
    “Sacramento,” Ruby said.
    “Sacramento? When did you find time to go to Sacramento?”
    “Baby, you know Mama can’t tell you all her secrets.”
    “What secrets?” Jada snapped her head in her mother’s direction.” I’m thirty-two years old, and if I can’t have secrets, neither can you, Ms. Lady.” Jada had her share. She preferred to label them untold stories. Most generated from the temper tantrums she had never outgrown. Mama never knew she left the bathtub water running on the third floor in Stanley’s townhouse. That gigolo deserved worse.
    “So, answer the question.”
    “Well, if you must know, Mr. Hamilton had business at the State Building, and he asked if I’d take the ride. So off we went in his brand new 1998 redhot convertible. We listened to Coltrane, Billie Holiday, Nat King Cole, Diana Ross, and Bobby Blue Bland. Child, we had ourselves a grand old time. Can you believe his CD player holds
twelve?”
Ruby smiled.
    “That’s great, Mama.” Jada smiled back. It felt good to see her mama happy again. The church parking lot was full. Jada got out of the car and opened the door for her mother.
    “Now don’t park too far away. I don’t want you to have to walk a long distance in these three-inch heels.” Jada remembered how her father always opened the door for them. She missed her daddy.
    “Good