Chapter 6: Juicy Gossip

The California sun was very ripe and shining beautifully outdoors. It was just a beautiful day to get out of the hotel and do something different - something lively and fun. And especially, since Whitney Washington had gone over her contract with Francine Hemmings already with a fine tooth comb and felt very confident about putting her signature on it.

Francine, Clive Wilson's assistant had gone ahead and call Peter Tosh, the physical trainer who would be responsible for whipping Whitney's body into shape and have her physically ready to be on stage. And her strong enough for touring all over the globe after the release of her first music album. As was requested by her boss, one of those big-shot music producer and very famous record dealer.

Peter Tosh, set his schedule with Whitney for them to start training exclusively in the next five days and had given her stern warning that his workout sessions weren't going to be easy; so she should prepare herself for extreme hard work in order to get the results that were needed for the stage. So, if there were anything that she needed to get out of the way; now would be the perfect time for her to do so. Because, chatting on the phone and giggling with friends were not a part of his daily work-out sessions with her.

Taking heed of the stern warning, Whitney and her mentor, Ann and shopper-around buddy, along with Francine, decided to go out and have some real fun in the California sun after dropping by the hospital and paying visit to their boss Clive Wilson.

His discharge from the hospital was coming up very soon, and they wanted to visit him at least one more time before that time came along. Also, give him some new information about all the various responses, concerning his business now that Whitney was on board with him. And, just to cheer him up a bit, since they suspected that his wife job of doing so wasn't going so well.

Since Francine was now feeling much better after suffering from that debilitating state of shock which had her lying on the floors of the hotel corridors. She wanted to be in another atmosphere that reminded her of something much more pleasant and made her feel alive and more normal again. The traumatic experience had had her curled up in bed for two whole days, being nursed by her new found friends and business associates. Friends who she was now so very thankful for having and extremely glad that they were there in this specific moment when they were so needed.

"How could I ever get through this without you guys?"

She would often say to Whitney and Ann.

"I've never seen anything like this throughout my entire life and I have been to many places in the world!"

She said, while shaking her head in great disbelief.

Causing Whitney to say to her once with an element of surprise quirkily on her face.

"Tough times calls for tough measures!"

Evoking Ann to jump in, and laughing utter.

"The way she was kicking at the hotel door, I thought, she was in one of the special-force units in the police department whose job was supposed to scout around the country for deadly criminals!"

And with that said, Francine held Whitney by the hands and told her she was going to be a fantastic singer and performer; because she is a very good person, filled with passion and also compassion whether the circumstances were her problems, or not.

Around mid-morning, Benjamin arrived at the hotel and pick up the ladies and brought them to the St. Joseph's hospital to see Clive Wilson. This time around, however, he didn't make the trip into the hospital building to see Clive, but sent him his regards.

Nevertheless, Benjamin told the ladies that he would coming back in the next two hours or so to get them and then, bring them to the shopping mall; drop them off there and then return to pick them up little later after sun-down. When he knew, window shoppers and shoppers were heading away from the malls and possible; heading back home.

"Please, don't forget about us and leave us stranded here; again!"

Whitney shouted at him, playfully, even though, her comments were meant with much seriousness.

"I promise you, I won't!"

Benjamin shouted back at her, smilingly as he put his hand to his heart, displaying his sincerity.

Tooting his horn, he sped out of the hospital parking lot while the ladies made the long walk to the hospital building and entrance way.

Signing at the front desk of the hospital, all three ladies made their way onto the large elevator which let them off onto the third floor where their patient was staying. Minutes later, they were standing by Clive Wilson's bedroom door eavesdropping on the conversation he was having with his visitors. But neither Whitney nor Francine had any idea who the persons inside the room were because neither of them recognized their voices.

But, they all heard the female voice saying to him.

"If you think I'm going to be waiting on you hand and foot all the time, you make a sad mistake!"

Hearing the cruel statement, Francine's heart began beating faster and faster again!

So, she turned away from the door so she could breathe and catch a fresh breath of air.

Whitney ran to her side, held her around the shoulders, and began comforting her right away.

"Take your time and breathe!"

She said to her.

"Everything is going to be alright!"

She continued to say.

Francine, nodded her head sadly, confirming her suggestion, and then she started making her way back to Clive Wilson's room with Whitney's hand around her shoulders reassuring her that all was going to be well.

For a moment, she was regretting that she had come straight here to the hospital and not gone to the shopping mall instead. But she was here now and Benjamin had already left the parking lot; so she couldn't run after him, requesting for him to take them someplace else right now.

Standing at the door, Francine could still hear them grumbling; so she cleared her throat and then gave a gently rapping on the door.

Showing him the utmost respect, she smilingly asked.

"Is it safe for me to come inside?"

Clive Wilson wanted to say something else to her, but, since his cheating wife and her friend was standing there, he sternly said to her.

"Please, Francine, come on in!"

The atmosphere in the room was very intense... intense, as though it was a jail cells with vicious criminals and not a hospital!

Francine, tried extremely hard not to look into the face of Lydia's or the woman who was with her; because she felt, if she should do so; it would only make her feel like an hypocrite or condoning what she witnessed them doing in his hotel room around four mornings ago.

Her eyes firmly focused on Clive's, Francine asked.

"How is the healing coming along?"

"Pretty good my dear, pretty good!"

Clive Wilson replied.

Unsure what direction to lead their conversation towards, Francine informed him that Whitney and Ann were outside in the hospital corridors and wanted to say hello, but hesitated from coming inside his room because they realized that he had some company. But, he seemed like, he didn't care much that they were outside his hospital room; but only cared that Whitney had signed the contract and was interested in working with him.

"Everything is signed, in order, and we are all ready to rock and roll now!"

Francine spoke softly.

"So, she is officially my client now!"

Clive Wilson said, with a little cracking of his lips which was now allowing the showing off of his pearly white teeth.

Hearing that Whitney had signed the contact, to be in business with him, Clive Wilson shouted as loudly as he could, in a quite playful manner.

"Why are you beautiful women still standing outside there? This is how you treat your family and a sick friend?"

Ann pushed Whitney to go inside the room first and say hello to him, while she stood behind her, feeling somewhat embarrass and guilty to be there smiling in his face and knowing damn-well what his cheating wife was doing behind his back.

Bravely, Whitney stood at the doorway and greeted Clive.

"Hello, Mr. Wilson! How are you feeling today?"

Before Clive Wilson could respond to her, she went on to say.

"You are looking much better than the last time I had seen you here! What you need now is a good wife who will take good care of you!"

There is now dead silence in the room!

One could hear a fish forting, it was so bloody quiet!

She already had signed her contract with him, and nothing in it that said she couldn't speak her mind, or written in it giving her a grace period that the contract could become null and void, if she said; A, B or C to him or his associates; whoever they might be!

Neither Ann nor Francie, were expecting her to say anything like that out loud; either!

Ann who was standing very close behind Whitney, pinched her on the buttocks, indicating to her, that she had gone too far! But, there was a very new Whitney Washington emerging from the shadows of the dark and silent places, and who was filled with confidence, self-assurance and renegade-like personality.

Lydia and her friend, still standing by her husband's bedside, with her face looking sour like lemons said not a word; but if a look could terminate any being presences from the planet, that would be the look she was giving Whitney!

She was giving Whitney the coldest and meanest look ever... a look that would totally abolish her, if only the effects from it were that powerful or equal to that of raw boiling acid.

But, Whitney who was now developing a very tough skin, brush of the cruel and cold sentiments gazing at her and went on conversing with Clive Wilson about his health and how his recovery was coming along pretty good.

"I hope, you are resting well at nights, Mr. Wilson, and not sitting up in bed watching television all throughout the night, or worrying about what the unfaithful might be doing behind your back while you are in here recovering from the sudden ailment."

Once again, Ann pinched her, this time on the elbow, implying to her that she was going to start trouble because of her mouth.

But, for the first time in her life, Whitney wasn't scared of hitting a nerve, and knew for sure that she had somehow hit Lydia Wilson's nerve with her underline and suggestive comments. Causing her to look at Whitney from head to toe like a beast from hell.

Clive Wilson was just about to open his mouth and say something. But suddenly, Ann pushed Whitney from where she was standing in the doorway and gave Clive a delightful hello.

"Hello, Ann! How are you doing?"

Clive Wilson, enquired.

"I'm doing wonderful!"

She responded.

"We know, next week is going to be a very busy week, so we have decided to come and see you before the ball starts rolling!"

Ann expressed happily. Meanwhile, Lydia and her girlfriend, kept on staring into Ann's mouth, taking out every single word that she saying, and at the same time, contemplating in their minds if she was one of the women her husband was having an affair with since she seemed to be much closer in age with her husband.

In her spirit of provocativeness, Whitney turned to Clive Wilson, with playfulness on her face and asked.

"Mr. Wilson, why haven't you introduce us to your female friends or visitors standing over there?"

Before he could come up with an answer, Ann lashed out with much surprise on her face.

"Whitney, why the dickens, don't you, mind your own damn business for a change... you want to give the man another heart-attack before he's released from the hospital?"

Ignoring Ann's outright declaration, Clive Wilson replied, politely but with much sadness in his voice.

"This is Lydia, my wife, and her friend... but you will have to ask her what her friend's name is, because I'm clueless what it is."

Looking at Lydia, dead in the eyes, Whitney started dialoguing.

"Oh, you were the ones I met... well, I didn't really meet you guys! But you know what I mean - you were the ones whose bedroom party I crash few mornings ago, in Mr. Wilson's hotel room? Where are the guys who were with you in Mr. Wilson's bed? Aren't they coming, to pay him a visit too?"

Whitney questioned cruelly.

Not waiting for Lydia to respond, Ann screamed...

"Whitney, what the hell is wrong with you? Are you going to kill off the man with another heart-attack and ruin your own career?"

"Are you losing your mind?"

An asked angrily.

Looking at Francine pressing against the wall in the corner of the room and gripping at her chest, Ann furiously stated to her.

"I think, the best thing for all of us right now, is for us to get out of here immediately, and find ourselves at the mall!"

"What time is it?"

Ann then asked; recalling that Benjamin was supposed to come and get them at the hospital in the next two hours after dropping them off and then take them to the shopping center.

"It's almost one o'clock!"

Francine replied.

"I think it best for us to start making our way down to the elevator and then to the parking lot and wait for Benjamin there."

Ann went on to suggest.

Shortly afterwards, Francine slowly remove herself from the corner where she stood quietly all this time, observing and listening to all that was being said and done. She then shook her boss's hand, told him good-bye and then left the room.

Ann followed suit, soon afterwards telling Clive that she hopes to see him very soon at the hotel and that he should try and stay well.

Whitney on the other hand with her perky breast dangling in front of Clive Wilson's face, held hands, looked him straight in the eyes and leaned over and kissed him on the forehead. Then she went on to tell him, she appreciated all that he was doing for her and then proceeded to kiss him on both cheeks like a loving young daughter kissing a father whom she has much adoration for. And as she stood up straight, from finish kissing him, she looked over at his wife with threatening stares as she released her fingers from between his and made her way through the door.

Out in the wide open corridors of the hospital, Clive could clearly hear Ann reprimanding Whitney as she asked.

"What has gotten into that flawless skin of yours why you are acting so provocative... so troublesome, and around someone who has just suffered from a heart-attack?"

But Whitney only cling onto Francine arms, brushing off Ann and her comments while giving her a playful smile. Meanwhile, Clive Wilson in his hospital bed, overhearing their conversation and giggles, felt tickled, such a young girl like Whitney was showering him with such warm affections. So shouting from his hospital bed, loud enough for them in the hallway to hear him, he said.

"Ann, please, leave my prized property alone... I need her fit and good to start working soon on the stages of the world!"

Hearing that statement, Whitney knew that a lasting bond was formed with her and Clive Wilson; because for most of her life, no one had never stop and stood up for her. And here he was, lying on his hospital bed, defending her in his state of aliment. He certainly was now her friend!

Giving off a resounding sound of laughter echoing in the corridors of the hospital, Whitney stated out; loudly.

"Please, tell her Clive, that she should leave me alone and that I'm not causing anyone any trouble!"

All three women were now bursting out with laughter as they shouted their final good-bye to Clive Wilson, and then made their way towards the elevator doors.

"Benjamin might be in the parking lot waiting for us!"

Francine said as she impatiently kept on jabbing at the buttons inside the elevator, designed to bring its riders way up to the twelve floor or way down into the basement of the hospital building.

The elevator finally stopped down by the hospital lobby and all three women bolted out of it, and hastily made their way over to the parking lot where they were expecting Benjamin to meet them and found Benjamin already there waiting for them in his car. And with his car windows cracked open, the music softly playing, but him, fast asleep!

Using the back of their hands and the top of their fingernails, they continued to tap and craw on the surface of his car windows until he opened his eyes in surprise and gazed at them.

"Open up the doors!"

Whitney shouted, as she held onto the door handle of the car and kept on rocking at it until he lifted the levers and had all three doors opened. The three ladies then seated themselves inside the vehicle while Benjamin turned the keys inside the ignition and had the engine running and ready to go.

"How long have you been outside here sleeping?"

Francine ask, as she made herself comfortable in the passenger seat beside him.

"A while, now!"

Benjamin replied.

"One of my passengers cancelled out on me so I just came here and waited for you guys, and then get myself a little nap while I waited for you guys to come down from the building!"

He went on to explain.

"By the way; how is Mr. Wilson doing... is he doing any better?"

Benjamin ask with much concern in his voice.

"He is doing wonderful!"

Whitney responded with a streak of excitement in her voice.

"That is wonderful to hear!"

Benjamin said while he began pulling his car out of the spot where it had been parked and started making his way out onto the main road.

"I'm so happy that he is doing better now!"

Whitney spoke, as if, the man she had met almost a week and half ago was her long and lasting soulmate or husband to be; causing Ann and Francine to immediately shot suspicious glanced at each other as they were being driven in the car.

They could see her face blushing as she spoke highly of him and wondered; if she was actually falling for a man almost twice her age.

But, was she... was she really falling for a man who was similar in age as her own father?

It was a long smooth ride to the shopping mall - forty minutes later they were there, and Benjamin stopped the car to let them off and told them he would be back at sundown to get them and bring them back to their hotel.

Waving their hands and giving him a thumbs-ups, they shouted at him.

"We will catch you later, and please don't be late!"

"I won't!"

He said shouting, as he sped away.

All three ladies were excited to be in the shopping mall - a complete different atmosphere from the hotel and the hospital. But before they diverge off to shop and window shop, the ladies wanted to grab a bite at one of the pizza shops inside the mall. The pizza shop was their first place for relaxing a bit and spending their money which was quite crowded; so they had to wait a while before being served.

While they sat there in the pizza shop waiting to be served, they went on scrutinizing and criticizing the asses and physiques of this guy and that guy, and making fun of what they would be like if they had gotten them naked in the bedroom or on the beach. And for a good thirty minutes they sat there joking around and laughing about each patron and passers-by body parts.

However, Whitney who had the least amount of money in her possession, not only wanted to have pizza and something to drinks, but she also wanted to have ice cream and a gyro dish with all the trimmings inside of it. And without any hesitation, Ann facilitated her needs.

But Francine who wasn't fully informed about the weight troubles Whitney had encountered in her earlier years and how, her starving herself wretchedly, caused her to end up in the hospital suffering from anorexia nervosa opened her mouth and made mention about all the fatty food Whitney was ordering to eat. When in fact, she should be concern about losing some weight and doing the opposite because she was going to be on stage performing very soon in front of thousands, if not millions of people. And how now is the time for her to be watching her figure; not be putting on any more pounds on her body and staying fit.

Ann, knowing the history of Whitney and her body image, and how her own mother, Carolina Washington had treated her disgustingly because she was several times chubbier that all the other kids inside the household; mashed Francine on the foot. Indicating, for her to shut her mouth, because her critical words, might be very offensive to Whitney's hearing right now. But Francine, didn't get the cue at first, and kept on bringing up the topic about the kinds of meal the aspiring super star was ordering to eat at that very moment and how she should be doing differently.

Once again, Ann stomped her hard on the toes, so she would shut the hell up!

Thankfully, this time around, she understood - got the picture, and kept silent about that topic for the rest of the day!

And so, Whitney had her pizza slice, gyro dish, ice cream and a large cup of Pepsi drink without hearing the wards coming from anyone's mouth about what she should or shouldn't be eating at the moment. But, sooner or later, she was going to by hearing those comments from someone. Especially, when she starts her hardcore exercise training with Peter Tosh.

However, satisfied with their delightful meals, their bellies packed and their body feeling revived, the three ladies began strolling the mall, window shopping at one shop after the other then entering some stores to get the prices on few items that caught their eyes. Eventually, purchasing a few simple stuff here and there like skin lotions, make-up and hair products; stuff they knew that they were sure to be using while staying in the hotel.

In the center of the mall, they were company's and various groups promoting their products, some musical, others for skin and many were food products that had just gotten approved by the food and drugs administration and were now making their way out on the consumer's market. And for each station displaying and advertising their products, Ann, Whitney and Francine stopped by them, being quite inquisitive and kept on testing out each product, and then making their judgement call on them... how good or how bad, they thought the products were.

Having some product managers, giving them the wicked evil eye and running them away from around their stalls and commodities after they had commented negatively about their products. While, all three ladies giggled away, and then made their way to the next vendor displaying and marketing their goods only to endure the same fate.

Certainly, it was a day filled with fun and laughter for them, but the climate was changing - becoming from bright daylight to darkness - they knew it was now time to get outside the shopping mall and start waiting for Benjamin to pick them up.

Compared to the inside of the mall with its very bright lights, the outside was quite dark and looking scary, with the overhead lights in the parking lot being very scanty around the building, allowing the exterior of the mall to look somewhat creepy that hour of the evening.

"Let us stand here where this light is bright, so Benjamin can see us whenever he shows up to get us."

Francine said.

"We can't stand here, at the entrance way where all the customers and suppliers are coming to and fro... they might run over us. And what if, there is an emergency; people come barging through the door like buffalos on the plains of Africa; what will happen to us?"

Ann stated with surprise.

It wasn't long after she had finish her sentence that an alarm went off in the shopping mall, causing a sea of persons to come running towards the entrance of the building.

The large masses of people came running so fast, almost trampling over the three women standing in front of the building of the mall as some persons screamed fire and others shakenly screamed that it was a terrorist attack taking place inside the compounds of the mall. Causing Ann, Whitney and Francine to run as quickly as they could and go dodging behind the cars as they anxiously watch to see what would be the outcome of the sudden catastrophe.

Benjamin, hearing on the radio that something tragic was taking place at the Short-Hills Mall, made his way there in a hurry to get his passengers, hoping that he could get them in the car and bring them back to the hotel where it was safer for them to be right now.

He had gotten there within thirty minutes time from where he was! But, after arriving at the front of the mall where he had dropped them off earlier on, there were no sign of them anywhere around the parking lot of the shopping mall.

"Holy mother of god!"

Benjamin exclaimed, after seeing the large masses of people all over the grounds of the shopping mall, moving about like batches of wild herds as they run here and there seeking cover.

"I don't think I'm ever going to find them!"

He thought to himself, worryingly.

Removing his car, at a much further distance from where the chaos was happening, and going in search for them on foot was his wisest decision and option for the hour. But, he was very fearful of doing so; not knowing where the hardhearted criminals were, who would possible wreck or damage his vehicle and leave him and his passengers stranded in the midst of all the drama and turmoil that was taking place inside the mall.

Needless-to-say, Benjamin knew that he couldn't just sit around in his car and do nothing... he had to try... he had to get out of his car and do something!

So, he parked his car behind some bushes, where he believed was less visible, exited it, and went searching on foot for Whitney, Ann and Francine.

Observantly, he walked between cars, little groups and large groups of persons looking in wonderment at the disorder around them; and soon, he began calling out their names repeatedly.

All three ladies by now were standing away from the shopping mall building, and in the darkness across the street where it seems much safer for them to be; looking to see what else would become of the security forces and their operations as they try controlling the mayhem taking place away from where they were standing.

Suddenly, Francine uttered a word of...

"Shhheeee!!! I think I hear, someone calling my name!"

Cocking her ears and listening for her name to be called once again; but, she didn't hear it. But, she certainly heard, Whitney and Ann's name being called this time around in the distance.

All three ladies began listening more carefully for the sequence of the names to be called once again! And when it actually did once again, Whitney realized that it was Benjamin who was calling out their names. She paused for a moment, making sure that it was his voice she was hearing since so many other persons were calling out the names of their loved ones as they tried locating them.

"Benjamin the driver... if that is you... please come north - come north of the building!"

Whitney shouted repeatedly as loudly as she could.

"I'm coming!!! Just wait right there!!!"

Two other persons shouted back.

After a while, two other husky white fellow came along who weren't nowhere familiar to any of the three ladies eyes. But, they could see Benjamin, swiftly making his way and coming right behind the two strange men who were standing there in wonderment, scratching their heads; because none of the three ladies standing there looked familiar to them either.

Benjamin was only there diver, but they were so happy to see him at that moment; so they ran straight into his arms like they were little children and him; Santa Clause, carrying large bags of goodies for them!

"My car is way over there!"

Benjamin said, pointing at the far end of the shopping mall parking lot.

"Well, let's get out of here!"

Ann said, as she held onto the arms of Benjamin's and Whitney's strongly, and followed closely behind Francine as they swing in and out of the cars, and several groups of people, still observing the frightening circumstances around them.

Twenty minutes later, they made it to Benjamin's car, entered it and soon, he was carefully driving away from the mayhem in the shopping mall parking lot and onto the main highway for the hotel.

Although Francine wasn't sure, what had led up to the scare inside the Short-Hill's mall, she was being very thankful for getting out of there when they had done so. Because words were flying about the parking lot that persons had sustained very serious injuries and nervously presumed, it could have easily been one of them, if not, all three of them who could have gotten hurt inside the now disturbing sight of the mall.

Returning to the hotel, all three ladies deeply thanked Benjamin for bringing then back to the hotel safely and then said their good-night to him.

Francine, however, told him to come and see her the following day so she could write him a check for all his services. But, Benjamin declined from accepting her offer then, telling her, he wouldn't collect any funds until after Clive Wilson has returned to the hotel. Especially, since he was the one Clive was depending on to bring him home from the hospital. Because he would then have to write him a separate check which he would have to make his way to the bank to deposit or to cash, and how that would be taking away from his time from work. And with those words exchanged, Francine once again, said her final goodnight to Benjamin and walked away from his car and entered the premises of the hotel building.

Inside their hotel rooms, with all their bags, the trio weren't quite ready for bed as yet, so they decided to call room service, ordered some desserts and snacks. So they would have something to munch on while they sat around watching the television inside the room and talk about their day or what they would be facing the weeks coming up ahead.

Whitney wanted to call her father and catch up with him with all that was going on in that side of the family, get his hearing involve with all that she was doing over in California and give him some love so he knew that she was still thinking of him.

Ann too, wanted to call home - speak to her daughter and dear friend Dorothy and finding out from them, everything that was happening in their peaceful community of Cherry Gardens. But she was too tired... too exhausted from the day's activities, and thought it best, if all her conversing stayed until the following day when she was feeling well-rested, revive from her weariness and exhaustion.

Francine made no mention of calling no friends or family members, and Ann or Whitney didn't bother to ask her if she had any relatives or buddies that she wanted to call over the weekend. Being aware that sometimes these questions might stir up an ants nest and bring back hurt feelings to the surface.

Few minutes later, the kitchen sent up their snacks and desserts to their room, and all three women snuggled up together on the bed watching one movie after the other, until it was way past midnight, and they began feeling even more tired than before.

Ann, who had now had enough of watching the television, went to wash herself off in the shower and then went to stretch out herself on the bed. Soon after, Whitney did the same thing, and came and settle her head beside her.

Francine whose room was on the seventh floor decided that she wasn't going up to her room by herself at that hour of the night; so she decided to sleep on the third floor in Ann and Whitney's hotel suite for the night.

Without any uncertainty or reluctance, Whitney offered Francine her bedroom to sleep in while she and Ann slept on the same bed together for the night.

Soon after Francine had come from the shower, and gotten dress into one of Whitney's nightshirts, she dive into the big queen size bed, and soon, she was completely knock out from being worn-out from the day before activities and then torturing herself staying up watching movies after coming home from the mall. But, now, they were all fast asleep, resting peacefully in their beds.

When morning came, the three ladies didn't worry coming out of bed early, but stayed in bed and waited until late afternoon before getting out of their beds. Not long after getting dress, they ordered their meals, ate and then started making those calls they wanted to from the night before. Calling her father, Whitney had learnt that her grandmother was being buried on that very Sunday afternoon, and sincerely apologize to her father for not being there.

He then went on to tell her how everyone else in the family was doing very well, missed her a lot and kept asking about how she was doing.

However, he was unable to speak to her much longer because he had to run right away and attend to his mother's funeral service. And those who had come to pay their last respect. Before ending their conversation though, he blew her a kiss over the phone, told her he loved her, and then said good-bye before ending the call.

"Good-bye, daddy!"

She replied before releasing the phone from her hands.

Minutes later, Ann call the number to Dorothy's house.

Immediately, she picked up the phone and answered her.

Dorothy, who was much overjoyed to her hear friend's voice, burst out laughing for no particular reasons than to hear her voice.

"How is everything there at the home front; my dearest?"

Ann asked playfully with a beaming broad smile on her face.

"Everything is quite fine here... I'm fine... your daughter is fine and Elizabeth is fine! We were expecting you to call us long before now but presume that something a little texting might be going on there with you guys!"

Ann stated intuitively.

"You have been going to school of prophecies since I left you there?"

Ann asked, bursting out laughing.

"There really has been so many things going on here, one after the other, but such things, I will talk to you about when I return home!"

Ann said.

"Where is Gail? Is she inside the house with now?"

Ann asked before Dorothy could ask any more questions on her prior statement.

"Sorry Ann, but she isn't home right at the moment! Elizabeth came home for the weekend and they both went to the mall and to see that Banner girl... the one who has the baby for the married man! You remember her; don't you?"

Dorothy asked.

"If I remembered her... how could I ever forget, after all the trouble and worries she had put the both of us through?"

Ann responded shaking her head.

"Well, the husband finally kicked out his wife, brought the Banner girl into the matrimonial home to live with him. And the wife, she left the house empty handedly - leaving her and him to care for all three children. Ana according to my Lizzy, she desperately want-out of the relationship - saying it's too much for her - because she can't manage caring for his three children along with her little one, making it four!"

Dorothy brandish her the juicy gossip.

"Can you imagine, the picture of her running around chasing after three little children while nursing her own young; and she is what... only seventeen-years-of-age now?"

Ann said sighing, with sadness in her voice.

She was feeling much sympathy for the young girl whose mother was the principal at the school her daughter attended; and whose mother seems to care very little about her. Because she was holding on... holding on to her prestige and high-class image because she wanted to be recognize by her peers and colleagues as one of them - big-wigs - one on high without the shameful troubles that usually plagued the uneducated and lower classes of society.

Her teenage daughter, pregnant, and for a married man... no way... she wasn't having it!

She preferred to disown her first, before accepting that fact!

That picture was smeared with too many moral stains for people in her category!

Could someone's persona - concept of life be that important and more than her own daughter's?

Allowing them to abandon their own child - their own flesh blood; throwing them out on the streets for strangers to mishandle them and take advantage of their vague innocence?

"Well, I hope, he gets a babysitter soon, get that young girl back in school and not pumping up her belly with another baby by the time this one starts creeping!"

Ann said, with her voice filled with concern for Nikki Banner's situation.

"He better do something to uplift that girl or empower her, because he should be very lucky right now that his wife hasn't called the authority on his ass as yet!"

Dorothy expressed angrily.

"These grown-ass men, can't keep it in their pants and can't resist interfering with these damn teenagers! As soon as they see their breast shooting through their clothing, they get heated and ready to place them on their backs, especially, if they seemed to be in a very vulnerable position!"

Dorothy vented with much hostility in her voice, almost sending her blood pressure to the roof!

"So when are you coming back to this side of the world?"

She asked trying to forget about the subject at hand which was only making her frustrated.

"Ummm... Agh...!"

Ann uttered with much hesitancy as she try deciding when such would be possible for her to do.

"I think... Whiney is supposed to start her training sessions with a personal trainer next week, and I would like to be around for her until she feels comfortable with him a little; before I leave her hear to stand on her own. But, she has made friends with Clive Wilson assistance who is very keen with everything that is going on, and who I hope, will help her out while I return home for a while to be with you and Gail. So I'll be back home in the next two or three weeks; I would say!"

Ann answered with some surety.

"Alright, I will be expecting to see you then!"

Dorothy replied happily.

"Take this number down, give it to Gail also and the both of you can call us any time after seven or eight o'clock at nights... that's the best time to call and get us! Give my love to Gail and Lizzy, and you, take care of yourself until I talk to you again; okay dearest!"

"I will! I certainly will! And you do the same!"

And with those final words, the phone went dead!