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Jamir.
    â€œHere!” Jamir handed Chantel a building block.
    Chantel played with the block in her hands before she handed it back to Jamir.
    â€œSo Friday is the big day? Isn’t it the Retreat?” Chantel did not divert her eyes from Jamir.
    â€œYeah, so I need to make sure I go see my father this week before I go.”
    â€œHumph! Is he going?” Chantel grunted.
    Chantel and Otis, Jamal’s father, did not get along. Otis saw Chantel as a complete waste of Jamal’s time and he made sure to treat her with as little respect as possible. While Chantel remained respectful, she made it abundantly clear that she did not like Jamal’s father either.
    â€œI don’t know. To tell you the truth, I haven’t seen him in a while now.” Jamal checked his phone for any missed messages.
    â€œWell, don’t let that stop you from getting what you need to get this weekend,” Chantel said.
    â€œOh, for sure.” Jamal put his phone away.
    Jamal did not know what to make of today. He wished it were that simple that he could go from loving a child like a son, to that child feeling foreign to him in a matter of moments. He hoped that this weekend’s retreat could provide him with some much-needed answers.

Chapter Five
    The ice in Quincy’s glass melted with the warmth of the Glenfarclas single malt, slowly dissolving into an oval shape. The coffee brown ballpoint pen matched the color of his complexion and stood suspended between his recently and expertly manicured fingers. It was the same pen he’d used over the years to close multiple deals that made him and his business partner embarrassingly rich. This pen, he thought reflectively, this pen. It had paid for itself and would keep on paying.
    This pen would also come in handy when Quincy began the divorce process on Thursday when he returned home. For the last two days he had indulged in the aphrodisiac that only Sin City could provide. For two decades he had regulated his trips to Las Vegas. A little gambling and a lot of booze. But since Karen was not going to honor her marriage vows, this time neither was Quincy.
    Of course it was not as easy for Quincy to disregard ethics. He had been faithful to a wife for twenty years. Quincy was not an avid churchgoer, but he did believe in God and he did see a simple prayer go a long way. Even though he used Karen’s affair to justify his actions, Quincy’s principles vexed him. His train of thought was derailed by a knock on the door.
    â€œIt’s open,” Quincy called out, gently placing the pen back on the stand next to his drink.
    Candy walked in with a silver dress that hugged her curvaceous body. The springs in the hotel room door slid the door closed quietly behind her. As she approached, Quincy casually leaned forward and flipped the chrome top off of the ice bucket.
    With acrobatic ease, he used the tongs to gently place a couple of cubes into his glass, all the while making a drink for her. Some said the ice diluted the flavor. Well, single malts were his drug of choice, and he bought it, so he was going to do what he wanted.
    â€œWhat’s the occasion?” Candy asked.
    â€œWe’re celebrating.” Quincy handed Candy a drink.
    â€œIf there’s one thing I love to do, it’s celebrate,” Candy replied.
    Quincy squinted and exhaled lightly as the warm liquid spread across his palate. “You’re looking at the man who develops new lavish condos in Culver City. Did I mention that I’m also back on the market?” Quincy flashed a LeBronsized smile.
    â€œHow come you’re not celebrating with the Mrs.?” Candy nodded toward Quincy’s ring finger.
    Why did she have to call his attention to his wedding band? Quincy was not in the wrong. Karen cheated first, and as a result, it was only fair that he got a little something on the side.
    â€œThat’s not something that I care to talk about.” Quincy