She dragged his rigid corpse through the living room, mindlessly smearing his blood across the parquet floors. Her strength was summoned from a reservoir of pain and broken promises. The ones, who’d promised to protect her, love her and cherish her did so, with proverbial crossed fingers behind their backs and let her down. As she reached her destination…his kitchen pantry, she opened the doors and stood there. She scanned the closet looking for something to put his remains in and cleaning products to erase her from the scene. Before she ever thought of moving him and disposing of the evidence, she’d sat there on the suede chair in his house staring at the open lifeless eyes looking back at her. In her mind they were the eyes of a liar…a betrayer, and a breaker of promises. He HAD to do something to deserve this. Right? In her eyes…he reminded her of HIM. HE had made a fool of her and took away her innocence. HE made her feel ugly and disgusting. HE took her rose-colored glasses off with a resounding snatch. Those moments in time defined the woman standing here looking for ways to dump a man’s body. The sound of her cell phone ringing made her aware of where she was. She’d call whoever it was back later. There was work to do. She sprung into action, looking around the kitchen and finally ending her search in his bedroom. How befitting it would be to bury him in his comforter. The very place she knew he was trying to talk her into seeing…his bed. She couldn’t even remember how they’d got to this point…all she knew is that he pursued her relentlessly with the promise that he was the one to make her dreams come true. There would be NO dreams tonight.
She removed the linen from the bed using every stitch to wrap him up. The color was perfect...masculine even, a silk crimson duvet fashioned in the style of the Orient. His entire room was Asian-inspired. For a moment, she wondered what it would have been like to live here with the man that had been so sweet to her once...that is before he began promising her things she knew he couldn’t come through with. Once she had gathered all of the sheets and the blanket, she turned to the door and gasped. Hanley was standing there, his throat cut, bleeding and his eyes seeing her deeds. She yelled, “Go back in the kitchen! I’m not finished with you! You’re not in control anymore!” Hanley stood there trying to speak, but his voice box was severed and his tongue was missing. She barked her order again, “GO BACK INTO THE KITCHEN, HANLEY!” He turned around and walked away. She left the bedroom, and when she looked down the hallway, there was no one. She shook it off and went to work. Once she’d completed her mission, she cleaned the house top to bottom, replaced the bedding and buried Hanley.
The ring of the phone blared in her ear, waking her out of the stupor she’d fell into after her backbreaking work the night before. “Hello.”, she said wearily. “Yuri, you were supposed to be here 45 minutes ago...don’t you know how important this is to Serene? Please don’t embarrass us today!” Yuri sat up, placing her knees under her head. “Yes, mother, I know how important this is to Serene. I had a long day yesterday at the gallery. I will be there in a half hour...okay?” She responded. Yuri knew her mother could be tight about everything, but her wrath was unparalleled when their family’s reputation was being compromised. Yuri’s older sister, Serene was being inducted into their mother’s society group. Teresa Hart had worked hard to make sure that Serene was acknowledged as a true lady of substance. The Black Lioness Society was established by the wives of wealthy African-American men, to create opportunities in the community for people of means to help others also become people of means. Teresa was definitely a lioness and her temperament was notorious...so, Yuri was surely on her way. “Yuri, if you are more than that half hour late, I will certainly let you have it...promptness is what keeps lionesses on their feet. Thirty minutes, Yuri...THIRTY minutes!” The slamming of the phone on her mother’s end echoed into her eardrums and Yuri’s heart. She hated being on the receiving end of her mother’s battle ax, but she was used to it. Once she’d showered, done her hair and make-up, Yuri put on a very appropriate grey Armani suit. She picked out a pair of Via Spiga pumps to match, but not before donning a pink leopard cami underneath. Yuri knew her mother would see that as a sign of rebellion, and that made her breast stick out in “lioness” pride to accomplish ruffling Teresa's delicate feathers. She wasn’t up to this mess, she thought…especially since she had the worst headache and a knot to match. That’s what happens when you struggle with dead men…but she figured, she’d try to make the best of it by being as adversary as possible to her domineering mother.
Thirty minutes on the dot...Yuri arrived at the Martin Luther King Hall where the induction was being held. All of the ladies who were members were wearing their lioness hats. Beige suede with fur trim to mimic the fur from a lion’s mane was their mark. Yuri immediately spotted her mother and Serene flanked on either sides of them with women in their mid-40’s to mid 70’s wearing their own personally styled hat. Yuri was tempted to laugh, but she knew that with her luck her mother would spot her and caution her on etiquette. Just as the thought swept across her mind, like a stealth jet, her mother homed in on Yuri standing in the door way...it was like she could sense the sarcasm in the room. Yuri walked over to join her mother and sister. As soon as she got to where they were, Teresa excused herself and yanked her daughter’s arm, pulling her to the side. Yuri was shocked, seeing as she wasn’t a minute late...but in pure Teresa Hart fashion there were other dramas as well. “Did you think because you got here in the promised 30 minutes, that I wouldn’t still be upset about the other FORTY-FIVE? You missed the pre-tea, the donning of the hats, and MY introduction! Now, I am very important around here Yuri and those affiliated with me are automatically important...so, when one of my daughters is being crowned as a new lioness everyone is expecting for the other to be in attendance. We are family and we support each other. Is that understood?” Before Yuri could even answer yes, Teresa said, “Good! Now, let’s go and find our seats...OH...don’t think for one moment that I haven’t noticed your undergarment. You thought that was the perfect anti-lioness statement, huh?” Yuri bowed her head in humility, but it was the smirk she was trying to hide. “You will learn one day not to put your head in the lion’s mouth.” Teresa walked away in that pretentious strut that everyone else admired and Yuri hated. To her, it was just another bad cliché attributed to women with money. Speaking of clichés...Yuri was getting good and tired of all the feline references. She had heard them every since she was 13 when her mom was a “cub” in the society. She hated all things feline, but kept little things around her loft that could be considered slaps in her mother’s face. Wearing the cami was a good example, but what her mother didn’t know was that there was a matching bra and panty set underneath it all. A personal joke to get her through the day. The induction seemed to lag on forever. At moments Yuri found herself nodding off and then looking around quickly to make sure no one spotted the faux pas. By 9pm on a Saturday, Serene Hart-Casper was now officially a lioness and now everyone was looking for ways to kiss the ass of the head lioness’ cub. Since Teresa had become co-chair five years ago, she had steadily primed and coaxed Serene to one day follow in her footsteps. Serene had even married Trenton Casper, son of Olivia Casper (a lioness) at the age of 22. Trenton worked beside their father, Daniel Hart who owned his own car company as well as several other lucrative businesses. Once married, Serene who had gone to school to be a trained pianist had set aside her own aspirations to become the mother of three children. Trenton Jr., affectionately called T.J. was born when Serene was 24. He is now nine, followed by Theodore, 5 and the baby, Samara, now 3. Her day consists of taking care of her children, her husband, her home and participating in any and every charity or community function Teresa throws her way. As Yuri sat there watching Serene get fawned over by the other ladies, she shook her head in disgust. She knew her mother wanted her to also be inducted one day soon, but Yuri also knew that would never happen. One reason alone was the stipulation that every lioness be a wife...something Yuri would never allow herself to become. She refused to ever be what she was witnessing with her mother and sister. Glorified slaves to men who only cared about their own feelings and needs, was not Yuri’s idea of a life. Once the night ended and Yuri was free to go, she decided to head over to the gallery she co-owned with her friend, Giselle Beaumont. “Eclectic Arts” was their baby, which was established on a wing and a prayer. Raising the capital for their business wasn’t something either of them can say was easy. Teresa had promised her daughter that she would not support something so frivolous and meaningless as finger paintings and bad sculpture just so Yuri could throw out the education she’d worked so hard to complete. By all rights, Yuri was supposed to be in medical school to become a pediatrician, but Yuri woke up one day and realized that her mother was living vicariously through her. So, when she decided to follow her passion, she took the wind-up key out of her back and took hold of her own destiny. It was only after Teresa realized that the ladies in her society group were impressed by Yuri’s “cultured and well-rounded upbringing”, that Teresa became supportive of her daughter’s dream. It was now 10:47pm, and as she expected, Giselle had closed up and gone home to her fiance and two dogs. This was the perfect time of the evening for Yuri. She would slip into the spare overalls she kept in the back closet and go into the studio where the art was stored and paint until the wee hours of the morning. Many of the paintings on the wall belonged to Yuri, but she signed them all with a pen name. Several of the patrons had been inquiring about the genius mind of the one-named artist, Enigma, but they were always informed that Enigma was a peculiar artist who preferred to work incognito. Supposedly she would rather people enjoy the art and not to focus on the woman behind the delicate but deliberate strokes captured on textured canvas. People took the explanation by Yuri and Giselle as proof positive of the talent belonging to an imaginative savant. The two of them however always got a good laugh from their secret. An hour or so into her painting, the chimes on the door rang signaling some one's entrance. Yuri had forgotten to lock the door behind her, so she was now faced with the possibility that someone had come in looking to rob the gallery. She picked up a Spackle intending to transform it into a spear. She tip-toed towards the door of the studio hoping the person would just go away eradicating the need for a confrontation. Before she reached the front, she heard a man’s voice call out, “Is there anyone here?” She thought that no one with bad intentions would say anything forewarning the person inside, so she deduced that it must be someone interested in the art. She stepped out slowly from behind the column separating the front from the rear hall, and responded. “Hello, may I help you?” When she stepped out, her heart almost leaped out of the front pocket of her overalls. The man standing before her was a vision of loveliness. He had to stand at least 6’1”, weighing in at over 200 lbs and built nicely. His skin was the color of roasted almonds and he was sporting a bald head...her fave. He looked down at the 5 foot 5 woman in front of him admiring her skin tone as well. Yuri was a beautiful woman. She had curves in the right places with meat on her bones, long brown hair to the middle of her back, and skin the color of autumn leaves...a perfect shade of browned butter. The admiration came to a halt with the sound of his deep voice that sent chills all the way down to Yuri’s middle. “Hello, my name is Elliott Carver, I’m a marketing assistant at Harrison and Brown, and I’ve been noticing your gallery for a while now...” he started. His mouth began to part widely with awe as he looked down and realized that all Yuri had on under her overalls were the pink leopard bra and panties she’d put on under her suit. When Yuri realized what he was looking at, she blushed, excused herself and rushed to the back and slipped into her suit. When she came back she giggled modestly and asked Elliott to continue. With jagged breathing, he finished his sentence. “...yes, I’ve noticed your paintings and would like to help market the gallery. I would even like to discuss purchasing some of your art for my office and my home. Is that something you and I could talk about...over dinner maybe.” Yuri was hypnotized by the lulling sound of his tone and barely replied, “Sure, we could have a sit down and talk about the gallery’s marketing needs. Most people who come in either know of the place by word-of-mouth, or just because they walked by. If you could give me a card, I could discuss this with my partner, Giselle Beaumont, and get back to you A.S.A.P.” He breathed a sigh of relief, glad that the gorgeous creature in front of him hadn’t rejected him. He could see himself falling hard for her in the near future and was prepared to do anything to spend time with her. Though genuinely interested in the gallery, Elliott now had another mission in mind, to woo one Ms...What was her name he thought? “And your name is?” he asked her. “Oh, I’m sorry, my name is Yuri Hart. I am co-owner as you already know, and I am also a buyer for several online galleries.” She walked over to the front desk made out of birch wood lined in chrome, reached over the top and pulled out a card. “Business hours are from 10am to 10pm every day of the week except Sundays, when we are closed. There is my direct line, and that is my cell.” He nodded approvingly at her conspicuousness. She knew he was interested in more than business so when she pointed out her direct line and brought attention to her cell, he knew she was game for what was to come. “Thank you, Ms. Hart. I will definitely be getting in touch with you. Have a nice evening.” Elliott and Yuri shook hands professionally and parted ways. After that, Yuri could no longer focus and decided to call it a night. She closed up the gallery and got into her 2011 Infiniti G coupe driving off to another lonely night at her loft.
Opening the door to her loft, Yuri panicked. Someone was in her home, and she knew it. She tipped swiftly into the kitchen which was to the left of the loft’s entrance, and pulled the chef’s knife out of the wood block. She put her purse and keys down on the counter and began walking softly through the house. Just as she thought to get the cell phone just in case she needed to call 911, she heard a creak coming from the direction of her room. She stepped into her bedroom and flicked the lights on quickly making eye contact with him. Yuri knew he would find her...they all did. “HANLEY, what are you doing here? Why won’t you leave me alone? She pleaded. Standing there draped in the duvet she buried him in, blood on his neck and around his mouth, he again tried to speak to her, with no success...until she told him to say what he wanted and leave. “It’s not me, Yuri. It’s you.” His voice was raspy and it rattled as if he had something trapped in his throat. “YOU ARE DEAD! I KILLED YOU! GO TO HELL!” Yuri screamed. With that, Hanley turned around walked out through the wall of her bedroom and left. Yuri was on edge and needed company. She knew she couldn’t make it through the night if she was all alone...so she called her cousin, Breeya to spend the night. “Breeya, can you come over, I can’t sleep.” Breeya didn’t hesitate; she hung up and raced over. Breeya and Yuri shared a bond. Breeya’s mother was Teresa’s younger sister, Vivian. When Yuri went through trauma in high school it was Breeya who had her back and kept her secrets. No matter where they are, they keep in touch constantly and even though Breeya’s man was over this night, she still put on her clothes and went over to be Yuri’s rock of Gibraltar. It took Breeya all of 20-something minutes to reach her cousin. Breeya having a key let herself in. She ran straight to Yuri’s bedroom to find her balled up in the fetal position asleep. Yuri woke up as soon as Breeya hit the threshold. “Hey, baby smurf...are you okay?” Breeya asked. Breeya had been calling Yuri baby smurf for twenty years, because in addition to Yuri loving the cartoon when they were kids, blue was her favorite color. “I am just having a hard time right now. I...I need a vacation or something.” Noticing the Armani suit Yuri was wearing, Breeya asked her where she had been. Yuri replied, “Today was Serene’s induction into the Black Lioness Society. I was there for an exhausting 5 hours. I am so tired of showing up for those bullshit meetings. It’s just a place for rich bitches to talk about other rich bitches behind their backs.” “Well, you know how important that shit is to Aunt Teresa. She thrives on the attention and the notoriety.” Breeya interjected. Wanting to know tonight’s issue, Breeya went on to ask some pertinent questions. “What spooked you tonight?” she asked. Breeya knew that Yuri suffered from hallucinations and paranoia. She wanted to know what it was that was bothering her this time. In Breeya’s eyes, until Yuri went to see a therapist, she would always suffer these types of illusions. “I keep seeing people who are no longer alive. It’s like they have unfinished business on Earth and want to use me to get something done.” Yuri knew this was bullshit. She and Breeya shared a lot of secrets...a LOT, but in recent years, most of her deeds were between her and God...or the devil...however you want to look at it. Breeya started, “Listen, you and I have been ride or die since we were little ones. When there was no one else around we were there for one another...so I’m going to speak it plain. It’s been over 11 years since that tragedy in high school, and I feel you have never really dealt with it properly. I know this psychiatrist...” Before she could finish Yuri cut her off. “HELL NO. I THOUGHT YOU WERE MY BLOOD! DO YOU THINK I’M CRAZY? HUH?” By this time Yuri was on her feet and standing over a startled Breeya. Breeya knew that Yuri had emotional and mental problems so having her cousin spas out on her was absolutely horrifying. The look in her face must’ve told the story, because Yuri immediately came back to her right mind. She plopped down on the bed, and said, “I am SO sorry, Bree. It’s just that the idea of some stranger probing into my psyche seems so invasive. I know I need help but I also know that I can help myself...and you can help me too.” Yuri wanted Breeya to understand that seeing a doctor was out of the question. Breeya just pat her on the shoulder and told her she would always be there for her. Exhausted by the evening they both had, Breeya and Yuri sat in bed drinking chamomile tea, eating sweet toast like their abuelita used to make and watched their favorite movie, Titanic. Before the ship sank and Rose let go of Jack’s hand, they were both sound asleep. The next morning, Breeya returned home to a horny boyfriend, and a couple of hours later, Yuri attempted to settle into a quiet Sunday morning of Cookie Crisp and the newspaper...that was until the phone rang. Yuri’s instincts were on point...it was Teresa. She answered the phone jovially to show her mother she was happy to hear from her even though she wasn’t. “Hi, mom. Good morning.” As usual, Teresa hated anyone else’s happiness. “How dare you be so blasé this morning? What is wrong with you? Do you need to take some herbs or something to rejuvenate your memory? The Sunday breakfast for Serene is here at the house and everyone is here except for you.” Teresa ranted. As soon as the words left her mother’s mouth, she slapped herself in the forehead with the palm of her hand. She knew about the breakfast of course, but with Friday night’s antics, the induction, meeting Elliott and seeing Hanley, she became extremely distracted. “I’m on my way mother.” Yuri said, hanging up the phone. As soon as she got up to get dressed the phone rang again. She looked at the caller I.D. and saw her mother’s name and realized she hung up on her. She almost picked up, but she decided she would save the tongue lashing for when she reached the house.
It took her 45 minutes to shower and dress and then drive from one side of town to the other. Yuri lived downtown near the businesses and her family’s home was 15 to 20 minutes away from her loft. Yuri figured that after this weekend she deserved a medal for speed showering and dressing. Pulling up to the home her family has lived in since she was 12 was always overwhelming. The 15 room mini mansion was breath-taking. The house was a throwback to the architecture inspired by Victorian style. The light-salmon colored siding with pure white trimmed windows and accents with sporadic details painted red. The winding driveway was done over every year to preserve the crushed mother of pearl mixed with granite and gravel. The stairs leading up from the driveway were glorious and had served perfectly for pictures on prom nights, graduations, and Serene’s wedding day. There were two landings. The first was home to a lover’s bench sitting in front of a small koi pond that had a stone path circling it. The path lead to the floral arbor. The pond was installed the year before as a gift to Teresa from Daniel. Making her way up to the second landing, Yuri was always tempted to walk the wraparound porch like she did when she was younger. As Yuri reached the door her heart began to pound faster, because she knew she was “in trouble”. At 29, she was still fearful of her mother. She could never understand why her mother still felt the need to flex her maternal muscles with threats of damnation for not honoring her properly. In her mother’s world, children were still seen and not heard...even after they had children of their own. Before she could turn the knob to let herself in, Bertha, the maid they had for the last 15 years opened it for her. “Good afternoon, Ms. Yuri. (Bertha began whispering) “Be on alert, your mother is on a warpath...your father didn’t come home last night. I think he left her. Your mother is waiting for you in the dining room.” “Thanks, Bertha.” Yuri replied. She walked through the massive foyer that could’ve been another living room and hung a left to the dining room where she could hear laughing and the sound of china, silverware and glassware clinking. When she walked in, Breeya walked over to her, hugged her and whispered in her ear, “My mother picked me up 10 minutes ago on my way to breakfast with Keith...why didn’t you tell me about this?” Yuri shrugged her shoulders and said openly, “I didn’t want to be here myself. I barely remembered before my mother called.” As they were talking privately in the corner, Yuri felt a tug on her dress. “Hi, Auntie. Why you take so long?” Samara asked. Yuri bent down and picked up Samara noting that she was getting bigger. She kissed her on the cheek and said, “Auntie is so busy. I forget a lot of things nowadays. Do you forgive me?” she said with feigned sadness. “Yes, Auntie...of course. I saved you a seat next to me, but you have to tell my boyfriend to move.” Breeya looked at Yuri and said leaning in, “She has been talking to her boyfriend since I got here.” Yuri laughed along with Breeya, letting Samara down at the same time. They walked over to the seat in question, when Yuri jumped backwards and fell. Before now, Teresa hadn’t noticed her daughter enter the room, but now all eyes were on Yuri. “Are you okay?” Breeya and Samara said simultaneously. “Auntie, don’t be scared...it’s just my boyfriend, Hanley. I met him yesterday.” Yuri started pinching herself manically trying to wake up. She knew this HAD to be a nightmare. There was no way, Samara could see Hanley, too. This was insane and it had to stop, but just as things seemed they could get no worse, Teresa had made her way over to the ruckus. “GET UP FROM THERE, GIRL. ARE YOU CRAZY OR SOMETHING? WHATS BEEN HAPPENING TO YOU LATELY?” Teresa was part angry and part afraid. She had never seen Yuri act this way before. She was incessantly late, she had a rebellious streak not to be rivaled, and she had disdain for the society she was raised in, but Yuri wasn’t crazy...or was she? Yuri pulled herself up with help from Breeya and her younger brother, Joel. As soon as she realized Joel was behind her she flung around and hugged him tightly. When she looked back around at the seat next to Samara’s she saw that Hanley had left. She let go of his neck to turn and see the fear and concern for her in her mother’s eyes. It was quickly replaced with disgust. “This is inappropriate behavior. I cannot and will not tolerate it.” Teresa said walking away. After all the commotion died down, Yuri greeted Serene and Trenton, kissed and hugged her nephews, her Aunt Vivian, and was introduced to Joel’s new girlfriend, Camilla. Brunch included some of Yuri’s favorite foods. French toast casserole, omelets with all the fixings, and apple butter on almond croissants among other wonderful kinds of fare. Yet, even with all of the food surrounding her, Yuri only wanted to drink a glass of wine to calm her nerves. Needless to say, she opted to sit next to Camilla instead of the seat her niece had reserved for her, but so Samara wouldn’t feel bad, she invited her to sit on the other side of the table, too. As toasts were made and superficial conversation took place, Breeya and Yuri chewed the fat between bites of crème brulee and fresh fruit tarts. Finally, the wait was over and Teresa summoned her daughter into her office. Teresa’s office was magnificent. The room had French influences as well as country flair, but it wasn’t overstated or stuffy, which was surprising. One of Yuri’s favorite pieces to admire was the French chaise that her mother had imported from Paris. The color matched that of the waters off the coast of an island. Blue, cream, and blonde wood was repeated throughout the office, but the most ostentatious and expensive piece was the desk. Made from maple the desk was shaped like a piano, with legs sculpted to resemble the legs and paws of a lioness. The finish was flawless and on top sat pictures, accolades and Black Lioness paraphernalia. Sitting behind that desk made Teresa feel important, but it also managed to intimidate anyone sitting on the other side. When Yuri walked in, she sat in one of the wingback chairs and crossed her legs. She watched her mother go and take her place on the other side, sitting proudly in a distressed beige leather chair with gold details. Teresa started by opening a drawer and handing Yuri a portfolio. “Read it, Yuri...this is your life.” Yuri opened the beige suede portfolio and read the cover page. “Yuri Loren Hart...Inductee of 2012..The Black Lioness Society...Sponsor: Mrs. Teresa Yuri Hart, co-chair.” As Yuri flipped through her “life” it was all there. She was valedictorian of her high school class. She graduated with honors from Brown University. She was an attendee to almost every Black Lioness affair (bamboozled of course by her mother). Last, but not least...the gallery. The gallery that her mother was so adamantly against was one of her strongest credits. Contributor to the Arts was what the portfolio said. Aside from the culture she had impressed upon the community, she was also charitable. She spent many of her nights during the winter months, feeding people at soup kitchens and leading drives to raise money to house, clothe and employ the less fortunate. Even though Yuri did those things from the bottom of her heart and with no support or pressure from her mother, Teresa used those things to shine the light on her “magnanimous” daughter. All kudos for Yuri were even more for her mother...after all, who’d raised her? Yuri tossed the folder onto the desk and asked, “What is that supposed to mean to me?” Teresa stood up as if something had bit her in the ass and said, “What is it supposed to mean? This is your entrance into the Black Lioness...” Yuri was now on her feet, too. “I KNOW that it is an entrance into your club, the question is why? I have never mentioned having any interest in joining your society.” “It is a given that you would join. All you have to do is find a husband in a year and you can be a Lioness by the time you’re 30. As beautiful a girl you are, this shouldn’t be a problem. There are a lot of eligible bachelors in town who are qualified to be a part of the Hart family.” Teresa said. Yuri’s blood was boiling and her brain was on fire and for a minute she thought of leaping over the desk and pulling her mother’s hair out. Yuri sat back down and calmly explained to her mother how she felt. “Mother, this isn’t up for discussion. I am not going to be a lioness and I am definitely not going to get married for the sole purpose of eligibility into your little coven!” “COVEN! Now look, Yuri, you have clearly lost sight of who you are talking to. I have been patient but you are treading sacred ground here.” Teresa said between her teeth. Yuri snarled, “I am not going to debate with you about MY life. I am not Serene, and I don’t want to be a part of a superficial, pretentious, self-serving society group who pretends to help the needy as long as they don’t have to actually roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty. It’s not my cup of tea and that’s that!” Yuri had stood her ground and decided that now would be the opportune time for her to leave. She began walking towards the dining room to retrieve her purse, when her mother snatched her arm. Yuri spun around with her hand pulled back in the punch position, but immediately took her arm out of the air. “HAVE YOU LOST YOUR DAMN MIND? WERE YOU GOING TO HIT ME, YOU UNGRATEFUL BITCH? GET OUT OF HERE AND NEVER COME BACK. YOU ARE NO LONGER WELCOME. YOU MIGHT AS WELL CHANGE YOUR NAME, BECAUSE YOU ARE NO LONGER A HART. DO YOU HEAR ME?” Teresa was screaming at the top of her lungs. By now mostly everyone in the dining room had spilled into the hallway. Serene was heated and threatened to beat her sister’s ass, but Trenton wouldn’t release her. Yuri was assaulted by words and questions from everyone, but all she did was collect her Dior bag and walk outside to her car. Breeya followed behind her knowing her cousin would need some company so she hopped in the passenger side and cruised out of the driveway towards the other side of town. Once at the loft, Yuri filled Breeya in on the argument and they both shared a laugh, thinking about the look on Teresa’s face when she was yelling. Both women knew that yes, even though Teresa was dead serious, she couldn’t make a move like disowning Yuri without Daniel agreeing and of course he never would. Yuri was Daniel’s baby girl and the two of them always seemed to be against Teresa and Serene, with Joel taking neutral ground. In spite of the fact that Yuri felt justified in her stance, she couldn’t help but feel guilty. She would never hurt her mother, but at times Teresa made it hard for her to remember that she was the one who birthed her. All of a sudden, tears began to flow down Yuri’s cheeks and Breeya hugged her and told her it would be okay. “Now you know Aunt Tee is way too conscious of what people think to let on that the two of you were on the outs. How would she explain her daughter hating her?” Breeya assured Yuri. For Yuri, it wasn’t the distress of being estranged from her mother, it was the idea that her mother was constantly looking at her like she was the worst kind of daughter. When Yuri voiced those feelings to her cousin, Breeya told her that the only reason why Teresa always seemed to be so disgusted was because Yuri was the one person who wasn’t impressed by her. Even in her lack luster obedience, Yuri maintained a rogue position against her mother. Yuri was the one person that never let her forget that before she was Teresa Hart, wife of self-made millionaire, Daniel Hart, she was housewife to a car salesman and that she came from a line of single mothers and dead beat dads. When the money first rolled in on a substantial level, Yuri was a senior in high school. Before then, even though the companies were making money, they only ever broke even...enough to pay bills, staff and the basics. Even though they had moved into a nicer house and neighborhood, they still had only the one nice car...a Nissan Maxima, while the kids shared Teresa’s old Sentra. Never one to forget about where she came from, Yuri resented Teresa’s decision to ignore some of the less “desirable” family members. Once she had joined the Black Lioness Society, her snobbish attitude increased, and the amount of family allowed to come around decreased. Teresa is still the topic of many a conversation in her family. Vivian and Breeya are some of the last remaining family members even allowed to come around. Teresa’s two brothers and her oldest sister are currently not on speaking terms because of an invitation beef, when Serene married Trenton. Teresa’s mother, Magda, only calls to wish the kids happy birthday, etc. Her own mother has even washed her hands of her over her behavior. After all the talking and the crying, Breeya finally left to go home to Keith. Determined to pick up where she left off, Yuri picked up the Sunday paper and began to read it while sipping on Pinot Grigio and eating slices of parmagiano reggiano. Just as she began reading the Lifestyle section her phone rang. She started to ignore it, but she knew they would only call back. She picked the phone up off the night table and read the caller I.D. It read: Elliott Carver. Her heart skipped a beat and she pressed send. She had programmed the number into her phone hoping he would call. “Hello” she said. “Good evening, Ms. Hart. I hope it isn’t too late to call. I know the gallery is closed on Sundays but I couldn’t wait any longer to speak to you.” Elliott said. She was grinning from ear to ear and she felt heat shoot through her stomach and chills run up her back. This one is different she thought. She spoke sexily, “I am happy to hear from you. I was going to call you tomorrow to make arrangements for a showing...” “Now you know good and well I am not calling for a look around your gallery, at least not yet. That I will look at your art is a given...it’s you I am interested in as of this moment.” He said. She smiled and moaned softly without his hearing. “Well, Mr. Carver, you are straight forward. I guess we both felt the connection. No need for games then. When are we going to have this dinner you mentioned the other night?” she asked. “Hey, I’m doing the courting here, slow ya roll.” They chuckled in unison and he continued, “There is this restaurant called, “Silver Platter” and they serve the best filet mignon and lobster. What do you say I pick you up Wednesday evening at 8pm? Do you think your partner can hold down the fort for a couple of hours?” “Yes, I am sure she can...that is actually her day to close so I am certain that will be a good time. I would love to have dinner then.” Yuri answered. They chatted a while longer hanging up the phone a few hours after the first hello. The night ended much better for Yuri than it started. She actually had sweet dreams. There was hope for Yuri after all.
Wednesday came and Yuri was anxious as hell to go out with Elliott. She agonized three long hours over what to wear. She settled on a silk pink halter top, a pair of black pinstripe capris, and satin pink stilettos with an enclosed toe and open heel. She carried a sheer black shawl for an unpredictable chill and her trusty black Kate Spade clutch. Elliott was on time, and so was Yuri for once. She opted for Elliott to pick her up at the gallery since she wanted to be careful. When Elliott entered the gallery, Giselle’s jaw dropped. She was impressed at how fine this man was. She couldn’t recall the last guy that Yuri had even let her meet. In Giselle's mind, this might actually turn into something. Once the introductions were out of the way, Elliott and Yuri left for the Silver Platter. The Silver Platter was elegant and chic, yet unpretentious. The ambiance was romantic and yet still playful. Yuri admired the hand-blown sconces on the wall made to resemble champagne flutes. The seats were upholstered high-back chairs in shades of silver, slate blue and cream suede. Once seated, Yuri noticed the beautiful flowers on each covered table; Gerbera daisies in yellows, oranges, and reds. Looking around she noticed that with such muted colors on the chairs the flowers popped drawing the eye to the table...most likely intended to keep people’s eyes glued to each other and the food. When the waiter showed up, Elliott ordered for the both of them, the filet mignon with the lobster, sautéed potato cakes, and a platter of grilled asparagus with a light lemon-parsley sauce. Wine was served by the house sommelier and dessert was served ala carte with Yuri choosing the banana crème mousse and Elliott deciding on the biggest slice of rum-infused cake with a drizzling of pineapple glaze. They ate, with moments of Elliott feeding Yuri several of the ordered dishes...they laughed, all between moments of long stares and coy smiles, and finally they left. Elliott suggested a walk in the park, and Yuri happily agreed. The soft curls that Yuri had were now looser and wilder, courtesy of the light breeze. Her hair was so beautiful, Elliott thought. As he surveyed this breath-taking woman in front of him, he noticed how gracefully she walked. He took notice of how perfect her hands were and imagined her left one wearing a ring of his choice. He was falling for her hard on only the first date, and wondered where this thing was going. As if she’d heard his thoughts, she spoke. “What do you see happening with us, Elliott? I can’t say that I’ve ever felt this kind of connection with anyone and I am worried that this is all business for you.” Elliott seemed genuinely shocked by her concern. He felt as if he was wearing his heart on his sleeve. It was early in the game for these expectations that were growing for him and Yuri, but he was never one to back down from commitment. He was a man, and he knew what he wanted. Since the night he’d met Yuri Hart, he had thought of little else. His heart pounded when she spoke and he was turned on in the worst way by her laugh. Yet, even with all of his own sureness, he could understand her feeling apprehensive to believe his interest was so serious so soon. “I want to be with you, Yuri. You have a refinement that comes from good rearing, yet you have a mysterious streak of intrigue attached to you. Your artistic flair is represented in the way you dress without you looking flaky.” Yuri laughed, blushing at his assessment. “Your smile is like, damn...a piece of Heaven...and when we talk I feel like I am truly with someone who understands me. What is happening with us, you ask? LOVE is happening to us...we are falling. Or am I alone in this plunge of the heart?” he asked. Yuri stepped closer to him and placed her hands on his face, cupping it gently. “Let me show you.” Yuri drew him into a deep, sensual kiss. Elliott moved into it immediately, sliding his hands around her waist and then up her back. The two of them fused their lips together, inhaling each other’s soul, coming up for air after what seemed forever. They smiled, tilting their heads together, and exhaled. They were beginning something beautiful and they knew it...the question was, how long would it last? Only time and Yuri could answer that question.
She removed the linen from the bed using every stitch to wrap him up. The color was perfect...masculine even, a silk crimson duvet fashioned in the style of the Orient. His entire room was Asian-inspired. For a moment, she wondered what it would have been like to live here with the man that had been so sweet to her once...that is before he began promising her things she knew he couldn’t come through with. Once she had gathered all of the sheets and the blanket, she turned to the door and gasped. Hanley was standing there, his throat cut, bleeding and his eyes seeing her deeds. She yelled, “Go back in the kitchen! I’m not finished with you! You’re not in control anymore!” Hanley stood there trying to speak, but his voice box was severed and his tongue was missing. She barked her order again, “GO BACK INTO THE KITCHEN, HANLEY!” He turned around and walked away. She left the bedroom, and when she looked down the hallway, there was no one. She shook it off and went to work. Once she’d completed her mission, she cleaned the house top to bottom, replaced the bedding and buried Hanley.
The ring of the phone blared in her ear, waking her out of the stupor she’d fell into after her backbreaking work the night before. “Hello.”, she said wearily. “Yuri, you were supposed to be here 45 minutes ago...don’t you know how important this is to Serene? Please don’t embarrass us today!” Yuri sat up, placing her knees under her head. “Yes, mother, I know how important this is to Serene. I had a long day yesterday at the gallery. I will be there in a half hour...okay?” She responded. Yuri knew her mother could be tight about everything, but her wrath was unparalleled when their family’s reputation was being compromised. Yuri’s older sister, Serene was being inducted into their mother’s society group. Teresa Hart had worked hard to make sure that Serene was acknowledged as a true lady of substance. The Black Lioness Society was established by the wives of wealthy African-American men, to create opportunities in the community for people of means to help others also become people of means. Teresa was definitely a lioness and her temperament was notorious...so, Yuri was surely on her way. “Yuri, if you are more than that half hour late, I will certainly let you have it...promptness is what keeps lionesses on their feet. Thirty minutes, Yuri...THIRTY minutes!” The slamming of the phone on her mother’s end echoed into her eardrums and Yuri’s heart. She hated being on the receiving end of her mother’s battle ax, but she was used to it. Once she’d showered, done her hair and make-up, Yuri put on a very appropriate grey Armani suit. She picked out a pair of Via Spiga pumps to match, but not before donning a pink leopard cami underneath. Yuri knew her mother would see that as a sign of rebellion, and that made her breast stick out in “lioness” pride to accomplish ruffling Teresa's delicate feathers. She wasn’t up to this mess, she thought…especially since she had the worst headache and a knot to match. That’s what happens when you struggle with dead men…but she figured, she’d try to make the best of it by being as adversary as possible to her domineering mother.
Thirty minutes on the dot...Yuri arrived at the Martin Luther King Hall where the induction was being held. All of the ladies who were members were wearing their lioness hats. Beige suede with fur trim to mimic the fur from a lion’s mane was their mark. Yuri immediately spotted her mother and Serene flanked on either sides of them with women in their mid-40’s to mid 70’s wearing their own personally styled hat. Yuri was tempted to laugh, but she knew that with her luck her mother would spot her and caution her on etiquette. Just as the thought swept across her mind, like a stealth jet, her mother homed in on Yuri standing in the door way...it was like she could sense the sarcasm in the room. Yuri walked over to join her mother and sister. As soon as she got to where they were, Teresa excused herself and yanked her daughter’s arm, pulling her to the side. Yuri was shocked, seeing as she wasn’t a minute late...but in pure Teresa Hart fashion there were other dramas as well. “Did you think because you got here in the promised 30 minutes, that I wouldn’t still be upset about the other FORTY-FIVE? You missed the pre-tea, the donning of the hats, and MY introduction! Now, I am very important around here Yuri and those affiliated with me are automatically important...so, when one of my daughters is being crowned as a new lioness everyone is expecting for the other to be in attendance. We are family and we support each other. Is that understood?” Before Yuri could even answer yes, Teresa said, “Good! Now, let’s go and find our seats...OH...don’t think for one moment that I haven’t noticed your undergarment. You thought that was the perfect anti-lioness statement, huh?” Yuri bowed her head in humility, but it was the smirk she was trying to hide. “You will learn one day not to put your head in the lion’s mouth.” Teresa walked away in that pretentious strut that everyone else admired and Yuri hated. To her, it was just another bad cliché attributed to women with money. Speaking of clichés...Yuri was getting good and tired of all the feline references. She had heard them every since she was 13 when her mom was a “cub” in the society. She hated all things feline, but kept little things around her loft that could be considered slaps in her mother’s face. Wearing the cami was a good example, but what her mother didn’t know was that there was a matching bra and panty set underneath it all. A personal joke to get her through the day. The induction seemed to lag on forever. At moments Yuri found herself nodding off and then looking around quickly to make sure no one spotted the faux pas. By 9pm on a Saturday, Serene Hart-Casper was now officially a lioness and now everyone was looking for ways to kiss the ass of the head lioness’ cub. Since Teresa had become co-chair five years ago, she had steadily primed and coaxed Serene to one day follow in her footsteps. Serene had even married Trenton Casper, son of Olivia Casper (a lioness) at the age of 22. Trenton worked beside their father, Daniel Hart who owned his own car company as well as several other lucrative businesses. Once married, Serene who had gone to school to be a trained pianist had set aside her own aspirations to become the mother of three children. Trenton Jr., affectionately called T.J. was born when Serene was 24. He is now nine, followed by Theodore, 5 and the baby, Samara, now 3. Her day consists of taking care of her children, her husband, her home and participating in any and every charity or community function Teresa throws her way. As Yuri sat there watching Serene get fawned over by the other ladies, she shook her head in disgust. She knew her mother wanted her to also be inducted one day soon, but Yuri also knew that would never happen. One reason alone was the stipulation that every lioness be a wife...something Yuri would never allow herself to become. She refused to ever be what she was witnessing with her mother and sister. Glorified slaves to men who only cared about their own feelings and needs, was not Yuri’s idea of a life. Once the night ended and Yuri was free to go, she decided to head over to the gallery she co-owned with her friend, Giselle Beaumont. “Eclectic Arts” was their baby, which was established on a wing and a prayer. Raising the capital for their business wasn’t something either of them can say was easy. Teresa had promised her daughter that she would not support something so frivolous and meaningless as finger paintings and bad sculpture just so Yuri could throw out the education she’d worked so hard to complete. By all rights, Yuri was supposed to be in medical school to become a pediatrician, but Yuri woke up one day and realized that her mother was living vicariously through her. So, when she decided to follow her passion, she took the wind-up key out of her back and took hold of her own destiny. It was only after Teresa realized that the ladies in her society group were impressed by Yuri’s “cultured and well-rounded upbringing”, that Teresa became supportive of her daughter’s dream. It was now 10:47pm, and as she expected, Giselle had closed up and gone home to her fiance and two dogs. This was the perfect time of the evening for Yuri. She would slip into the spare overalls she kept in the back closet and go into the studio where the art was stored and paint until the wee hours of the morning. Many of the paintings on the wall belonged to Yuri, but she signed them all with a pen name. Several of the patrons had been inquiring about the genius mind of the one-named artist, Enigma, but they were always informed that Enigma was a peculiar artist who preferred to work incognito. Supposedly she would rather people enjoy the art and not to focus on the woman behind the delicate but deliberate strokes captured on textured canvas. People took the explanation by Yuri and Giselle as proof positive of the talent belonging to an imaginative savant. The two of them however always got a good laugh from their secret. An hour or so into her painting, the chimes on the door rang signaling some one's entrance. Yuri had forgotten to lock the door behind her, so she was now faced with the possibility that someone had come in looking to rob the gallery. She picked up a Spackle intending to transform it into a spear. She tip-toed towards the door of the studio hoping the person would just go away eradicating the need for a confrontation. Before she reached the front, she heard a man’s voice call out, “Is there anyone here?” She thought that no one with bad intentions would say anything forewarning the person inside, so she deduced that it must be someone interested in the art. She stepped out slowly from behind the column separating the front from the rear hall, and responded. “Hello, may I help you?” When she stepped out, her heart almost leaped out of the front pocket of her overalls. The man standing before her was a vision of loveliness. He had to stand at least 6’1”, weighing in at over 200 lbs and built nicely. His skin was the color of roasted almonds and he was sporting a bald head...her fave. He looked down at the 5 foot 5 woman in front of him admiring her skin tone as well. Yuri was a beautiful woman. She had curves in the right places with meat on her bones, long brown hair to the middle of her back, and skin the color of autumn leaves...a perfect shade of browned butter. The admiration came to a halt with the sound of his deep voice that sent chills all the way down to Yuri’s middle. “Hello, my name is Elliott Carver, I’m a marketing assistant at Harrison and Brown, and I’ve been noticing your gallery for a while now...” he started. His mouth began to part widely with awe as he looked down and realized that all Yuri had on under her overalls were the pink leopard bra and panties she’d put on under her suit. When Yuri realized what he was looking at, she blushed, excused herself and rushed to the back and slipped into her suit. When she came back she giggled modestly and asked Elliott to continue. With jagged breathing, he finished his sentence. “...yes, I’ve noticed your paintings and would like to help market the gallery. I would even like to discuss purchasing some of your art for my office and my home. Is that something you and I could talk about...over dinner maybe.” Yuri was hypnotized by the lulling sound of his tone and barely replied, “Sure, we could have a sit down and talk about the gallery’s marketing needs. Most people who come in either know of the place by word-of-mouth, or just because they walked by. If you could give me a card, I could discuss this with my partner, Giselle Beaumont, and get back to you A.S.A.P.” He breathed a sigh of relief, glad that the gorgeous creature in front of him hadn’t rejected him. He could see himself falling hard for her in the near future and was prepared to do anything to spend time with her. Though genuinely interested in the gallery, Elliott now had another mission in mind, to woo one Ms...What was her name he thought? “And your name is?” he asked her. “Oh, I’m sorry, my name is Yuri Hart. I am co-owner as you already know, and I am also a buyer for several online galleries.” She walked over to the front desk made out of birch wood lined in chrome, reached over the top and pulled out a card. “Business hours are from 10am to 10pm every day of the week except Sundays, when we are closed. There is my direct line, and that is my cell.” He nodded approvingly at her conspicuousness. She knew he was interested in more than business so when she pointed out her direct line and brought attention to her cell, he knew she was game for what was to come. “Thank you, Ms. Hart. I will definitely be getting in touch with you. Have a nice evening.” Elliott and Yuri shook hands professionally and parted ways. After that, Yuri could no longer focus and decided to call it a night. She closed up the gallery and got into her 2011 Infiniti G coupe driving off to another lonely night at her loft.
Opening the door to her loft, Yuri panicked. Someone was in her home, and she knew it. She tipped swiftly into the kitchen which was to the left of the loft’s entrance, and pulled the chef’s knife out of the wood block. She put her purse and keys down on the counter and began walking softly through the house. Just as she thought to get the cell phone just in case she needed to call 911, she heard a creak coming from the direction of her room. She stepped into her bedroom and flicked the lights on quickly making eye contact with him. Yuri knew he would find her...they all did. “HANLEY, what are you doing here? Why won’t you leave me alone? She pleaded. Standing there draped in the duvet she buried him in, blood on his neck and around his mouth, he again tried to speak to her, with no success...until she told him to say what he wanted and leave. “It’s not me, Yuri. It’s you.” His voice was raspy and it rattled as if he had something trapped in his throat. “YOU ARE DEAD! I KILLED YOU! GO TO HELL!” Yuri screamed. With that, Hanley turned around walked out through the wall of her bedroom and left. Yuri was on edge and needed company. She knew she couldn’t make it through the night if she was all alone...so she called her cousin, Breeya to spend the night. “Breeya, can you come over, I can’t sleep.” Breeya didn’t hesitate; she hung up and raced over. Breeya and Yuri shared a bond. Breeya’s mother was Teresa’s younger sister, Vivian. When Yuri went through trauma in high school it was Breeya who had her back and kept her secrets. No matter where they are, they keep in touch constantly and even though Breeya’s man was over this night, she still put on her clothes and went over to be Yuri’s rock of Gibraltar. It took Breeya all of 20-something minutes to reach her cousin. Breeya having a key let herself in. She ran straight to Yuri’s bedroom to find her balled up in the fetal position asleep. Yuri woke up as soon as Breeya hit the threshold. “Hey, baby smurf...are you okay?” Breeya asked. Breeya had been calling Yuri baby smurf for twenty years, because in addition to Yuri loving the cartoon when they were kids, blue was her favorite color. “I am just having a hard time right now. I...I need a vacation or something.” Noticing the Armani suit Yuri was wearing, Breeya asked her where she had been. Yuri replied, “Today was Serene’s induction into the Black Lioness Society. I was there for an exhausting 5 hours. I am so tired of showing up for those bullshit meetings. It’s just a place for rich bitches to talk about other rich bitches behind their backs.” “Well, you know how important that shit is to Aunt Teresa. She thrives on the attention and the notoriety.” Breeya interjected. Wanting to know tonight’s issue, Breeya went on to ask some pertinent questions. “What spooked you tonight?” she asked. Breeya knew that Yuri suffered from hallucinations and paranoia. She wanted to know what it was that was bothering her this time. In Breeya’s eyes, until Yuri went to see a therapist, she would always suffer these types of illusions. “I keep seeing people who are no longer alive. It’s like they have unfinished business on Earth and want to use me to get something done.” Yuri knew this was bullshit. She and Breeya shared a lot of secrets...a LOT, but in recent years, most of her deeds were between her and God...or the devil...however you want to look at it. Breeya started, “Listen, you and I have been ride or die since we were little ones. When there was no one else around we were there for one another...so I’m going to speak it plain. It’s been over 11 years since that tragedy in high school, and I feel you have never really dealt with it properly. I know this psychiatrist...” Before she could finish Yuri cut her off. “HELL NO. I THOUGHT YOU WERE MY BLOOD! DO YOU THINK I’M CRAZY? HUH?” By this time Yuri was on her feet and standing over a startled Breeya. Breeya knew that Yuri had emotional and mental problems so having her cousin spas out on her was absolutely horrifying. The look in her face must’ve told the story, because Yuri immediately came back to her right mind. She plopped down on the bed, and said, “I am SO sorry, Bree. It’s just that the idea of some stranger probing into my psyche seems so invasive. I know I need help but I also know that I can help myself...and you can help me too.” Yuri wanted Breeya to understand that seeing a doctor was out of the question. Breeya just pat her on the shoulder and told her she would always be there for her. Exhausted by the evening they both had, Breeya and Yuri sat in bed drinking chamomile tea, eating sweet toast like their abuelita used to make and watched their favorite movie, Titanic. Before the ship sank and Rose let go of Jack’s hand, they were both sound asleep. The next morning, Breeya returned home to a horny boyfriend, and a couple of hours later, Yuri attempted to settle into a quiet Sunday morning of Cookie Crisp and the newspaper...that was until the phone rang. Yuri’s instincts were on point...it was Teresa. She answered the phone jovially to show her mother she was happy to hear from her even though she wasn’t. “Hi, mom. Good morning.” As usual, Teresa hated anyone else’s happiness. “How dare you be so blasé this morning? What is wrong with you? Do you need to take some herbs or something to rejuvenate your memory? The Sunday breakfast for Serene is here at the house and everyone is here except for you.” Teresa ranted. As soon as the words left her mother’s mouth, she slapped herself in the forehead with the palm of her hand. She knew about the breakfast of course, but with Friday night’s antics, the induction, meeting Elliott and seeing Hanley, she became extremely distracted. “I’m on my way mother.” Yuri said, hanging up the phone. As soon as she got up to get dressed the phone rang again. She looked at the caller I.D. and saw her mother’s name and realized she hung up on her. She almost picked up, but she decided she would save the tongue lashing for when she reached the house.
It took her 45 minutes to shower and dress and then drive from one side of town to the other. Yuri lived downtown near the businesses and her family’s home was 15 to 20 minutes away from her loft. Yuri figured that after this weekend she deserved a medal for speed showering and dressing. Pulling up to the home her family has lived in since she was 12 was always overwhelming. The 15 room mini mansion was breath-taking. The house was a throwback to the architecture inspired by Victorian style. The light-salmon colored siding with pure white trimmed windows and accents with sporadic details painted red. The winding driveway was done over every year to preserve the crushed mother of pearl mixed with granite and gravel. The stairs leading up from the driveway were glorious and had served perfectly for pictures on prom nights, graduations, and Serene’s wedding day. There were two landings. The first was home to a lover’s bench sitting in front of a small koi pond that had a stone path circling it. The path lead to the floral arbor. The pond was installed the year before as a gift to Teresa from Daniel. Making her way up to the second landing, Yuri was always tempted to walk the wraparound porch like she did when she was younger. As Yuri reached the door her heart began to pound faster, because she knew she was “in trouble”. At 29, she was still fearful of her mother. She could never understand why her mother still felt the need to flex her maternal muscles with threats of damnation for not honoring her properly. In her mother’s world, children were still seen and not heard...even after they had children of their own. Before she could turn the knob to let herself in, Bertha, the maid they had for the last 15 years opened it for her. “Good afternoon, Ms. Yuri. (Bertha began whispering) “Be on alert, your mother is on a warpath...your father didn’t come home last night. I think he left her. Your mother is waiting for you in the dining room.” “Thanks, Bertha.” Yuri replied. She walked through the massive foyer that could’ve been another living room and hung a left to the dining room where she could hear laughing and the sound of china, silverware and glassware clinking. When she walked in, Breeya walked over to her, hugged her and whispered in her ear, “My mother picked me up 10 minutes ago on my way to breakfast with Keith...why didn’t you tell me about this?” Yuri shrugged her shoulders and said openly, “I didn’t want to be here myself. I barely remembered before my mother called.” As they were talking privately in the corner, Yuri felt a tug on her dress. “Hi, Auntie. Why you take so long?” Samara asked. Yuri bent down and picked up Samara noting that she was getting bigger. She kissed her on the cheek and said, “Auntie is so busy. I forget a lot of things nowadays. Do you forgive me?” she said with feigned sadness. “Yes, Auntie...of course. I saved you a seat next to me, but you have to tell my boyfriend to move.” Breeya looked at Yuri and said leaning in, “She has been talking to her boyfriend since I got here.” Yuri laughed along with Breeya, letting Samara down at the same time. They walked over to the seat in question, when Yuri jumped backwards and fell. Before now, Teresa hadn’t noticed her daughter enter the room, but now all eyes were on Yuri. “Are you okay?” Breeya and Samara said simultaneously. “Auntie, don’t be scared...it’s just my boyfriend, Hanley. I met him yesterday.” Yuri started pinching herself manically trying to wake up. She knew this HAD to be a nightmare. There was no way, Samara could see Hanley, too. This was insane and it had to stop, but just as things seemed they could get no worse, Teresa had made her way over to the ruckus. “GET UP FROM THERE, GIRL. ARE YOU CRAZY OR SOMETHING? WHATS BEEN HAPPENING TO YOU LATELY?” Teresa was part angry and part afraid. She had never seen Yuri act this way before. She was incessantly late, she had a rebellious streak not to be rivaled, and she had disdain for the society she was raised in, but Yuri wasn’t crazy...or was she? Yuri pulled herself up with help from Breeya and her younger brother, Joel. As soon as she realized Joel was behind her she flung around and hugged him tightly. When she looked back around at the seat next to Samara’s she saw that Hanley had left. She let go of his neck to turn and see the fear and concern for her in her mother’s eyes. It was quickly replaced with disgust. “This is inappropriate behavior. I cannot and will not tolerate it.” Teresa said walking away. After all the commotion died down, Yuri greeted Serene and Trenton, kissed and hugged her nephews, her Aunt Vivian, and was introduced to Joel’s new girlfriend, Camilla. Brunch included some of Yuri’s favorite foods. French toast casserole, omelets with all the fixings, and apple butter on almond croissants among other wonderful kinds of fare. Yet, even with all of the food surrounding her, Yuri only wanted to drink a glass of wine to calm her nerves. Needless to say, she opted to sit next to Camilla instead of the seat her niece had reserved for her, but so Samara wouldn’t feel bad, she invited her to sit on the other side of the table, too. As toasts were made and superficial conversation took place, Breeya and Yuri chewed the fat between bites of crème brulee and fresh fruit tarts. Finally, the wait was over and Teresa summoned her daughter into her office. Teresa’s office was magnificent. The room had French influences as well as country flair, but it wasn’t overstated or stuffy, which was surprising. One of Yuri’s favorite pieces to admire was the French chaise that her mother had imported from Paris. The color matched that of the waters off the coast of an island. Blue, cream, and blonde wood was repeated throughout the office, but the most ostentatious and expensive piece was the desk. Made from maple the desk was shaped like a piano, with legs sculpted to resemble the legs and paws of a lioness. The finish was flawless and on top sat pictures, accolades and Black Lioness paraphernalia. Sitting behind that desk made Teresa feel important, but it also managed to intimidate anyone sitting on the other side. When Yuri walked in, she sat in one of the wingback chairs and crossed her legs. She watched her mother go and take her place on the other side, sitting proudly in a distressed beige leather chair with gold details. Teresa started by opening a drawer and handing Yuri a portfolio. “Read it, Yuri...this is your life.” Yuri opened the beige suede portfolio and read the cover page. “Yuri Loren Hart...Inductee of 2012..The Black Lioness Society...Sponsor: Mrs. Teresa Yuri Hart, co-chair.” As Yuri flipped through her “life” it was all there. She was valedictorian of her high school class. She graduated with honors from Brown University. She was an attendee to almost every Black Lioness affair (bamboozled of course by her mother). Last, but not least...the gallery. The gallery that her mother was so adamantly against was one of her strongest credits. Contributor to the Arts was what the portfolio said. Aside from the culture she had impressed upon the community, she was also charitable. She spent many of her nights during the winter months, feeding people at soup kitchens and leading drives to raise money to house, clothe and employ the less fortunate. Even though Yuri did those things from the bottom of her heart and with no support or pressure from her mother, Teresa used those things to shine the light on her “magnanimous” daughter. All kudos for Yuri were even more for her mother...after all, who’d raised her? Yuri tossed the folder onto the desk and asked, “What is that supposed to mean to me?” Teresa stood up as if something had bit her in the ass and said, “What is it supposed to mean? This is your entrance into the Black Lioness...” Yuri was now on her feet, too. “I KNOW that it is an entrance into your club, the question is why? I have never mentioned having any interest in joining your society.” “It is a given that you would join. All you have to do is find a husband in a year and you can be a Lioness by the time you’re 30. As beautiful a girl you are, this shouldn’t be a problem. There are a lot of eligible bachelors in town who are qualified to be a part of the Hart family.” Teresa said. Yuri’s blood was boiling and her brain was on fire and for a minute she thought of leaping over the desk and pulling her mother’s hair out. Yuri sat back down and calmly explained to her mother how she felt. “Mother, this isn’t up for discussion. I am not going to be a lioness and I am definitely not going to get married for the sole purpose of eligibility into your little coven!” “COVEN! Now look, Yuri, you have clearly lost sight of who you are talking to. I have been patient but you are treading sacred ground here.” Teresa said between her teeth. Yuri snarled, “I am not going to debate with you about MY life. I am not Serene, and I don’t want to be a part of a superficial, pretentious, self-serving society group who pretends to help the needy as long as they don’t have to actually roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty. It’s not my cup of tea and that’s that!” Yuri had stood her ground and decided that now would be the opportune time for her to leave. She began walking towards the dining room to retrieve her purse, when her mother snatched her arm. Yuri spun around with her hand pulled back in the punch position, but immediately took her arm out of the air. “HAVE YOU LOST YOUR DAMN MIND? WERE YOU GOING TO HIT ME, YOU UNGRATEFUL BITCH? GET OUT OF HERE AND NEVER COME BACK. YOU ARE NO LONGER WELCOME. YOU MIGHT AS WELL CHANGE YOUR NAME, BECAUSE YOU ARE NO LONGER A HART. DO YOU HEAR ME?” Teresa was screaming at the top of her lungs. By now mostly everyone in the dining room had spilled into the hallway. Serene was heated and threatened to beat her sister’s ass, but Trenton wouldn’t release her. Yuri was assaulted by words and questions from everyone, but all she did was collect her Dior bag and walk outside to her car. Breeya followed behind her knowing her cousin would need some company so she hopped in the passenger side and cruised out of the driveway towards the other side of town. Once at the loft, Yuri filled Breeya in on the argument and they both shared a laugh, thinking about the look on Teresa’s face when she was yelling. Both women knew that yes, even though Teresa was dead serious, she couldn’t make a move like disowning Yuri without Daniel agreeing and of course he never would. Yuri was Daniel’s baby girl and the two of them always seemed to be against Teresa and Serene, with Joel taking neutral ground. In spite of the fact that Yuri felt justified in her stance, she couldn’t help but feel guilty. She would never hurt her mother, but at times Teresa made it hard for her to remember that she was the one who birthed her. All of a sudden, tears began to flow down Yuri’s cheeks and Breeya hugged her and told her it would be okay. “Now you know Aunt Tee is way too conscious of what people think to let on that the two of you were on the outs. How would she explain her daughter hating her?” Breeya assured Yuri. For Yuri, it wasn’t the distress of being estranged from her mother, it was the idea that her mother was constantly looking at her like she was the worst kind of daughter. When Yuri voiced those feelings to her cousin, Breeya told her that the only reason why Teresa always seemed to be so disgusted was because Yuri was the one person who wasn’t impressed by her. Even in her lack luster obedience, Yuri maintained a rogue position against her mother. Yuri was the one person that never let her forget that before she was Teresa Hart, wife of self-made millionaire, Daniel Hart, she was housewife to a car salesman and that she came from a line of single mothers and dead beat dads. When the money first rolled in on a substantial level, Yuri was a senior in high school. Before then, even though the companies were making money, they only ever broke even...enough to pay bills, staff and the basics. Even though they had moved into a nicer house and neighborhood, they still had only the one nice car...a Nissan Maxima, while the kids shared Teresa’s old Sentra. Never one to forget about where she came from, Yuri resented Teresa’s decision to ignore some of the less “desirable” family members. Once she had joined the Black Lioness Society, her snobbish attitude increased, and the amount of family allowed to come around decreased. Teresa is still the topic of many a conversation in her family. Vivian and Breeya are some of the last remaining family members even allowed to come around. Teresa’s two brothers and her oldest sister are currently not on speaking terms because of an invitation beef, when Serene married Trenton. Teresa’s mother, Magda, only calls to wish the kids happy birthday, etc. Her own mother has even washed her hands of her over her behavior. After all the talking and the crying, Breeya finally left to go home to Keith. Determined to pick up where she left off, Yuri picked up the Sunday paper and began to read it while sipping on Pinot Grigio and eating slices of parmagiano reggiano. Just as she began reading the Lifestyle section her phone rang. She started to ignore it, but she knew they would only call back. She picked the phone up off the night table and read the caller I.D. It read: Elliott Carver. Her heart skipped a beat and she pressed send. She had programmed the number into her phone hoping he would call. “Hello” she said. “Good evening, Ms. Hart. I hope it isn’t too late to call. I know the gallery is closed on Sundays but I couldn’t wait any longer to speak to you.” Elliott said. She was grinning from ear to ear and she felt heat shoot through her stomach and chills run up her back. This one is different she thought. She spoke sexily, “I am happy to hear from you. I was going to call you tomorrow to make arrangements for a showing...” “Now you know good and well I am not calling for a look around your gallery, at least not yet. That I will look at your art is a given...it’s you I am interested in as of this moment.” He said. She smiled and moaned softly without his hearing. “Well, Mr. Carver, you are straight forward. I guess we both felt the connection. No need for games then. When are we going to have this dinner you mentioned the other night?” she asked. “Hey, I’m doing the courting here, slow ya roll.” They chuckled in unison and he continued, “There is this restaurant called, “Silver Platter” and they serve the best filet mignon and lobster. What do you say I pick you up Wednesday evening at 8pm? Do you think your partner can hold down the fort for a couple of hours?” “Yes, I am sure she can...that is actually her day to close so I am certain that will be a good time. I would love to have dinner then.” Yuri answered. They chatted a while longer hanging up the phone a few hours after the first hello. The night ended much better for Yuri than it started. She actually had sweet dreams. There was hope for Yuri after all.
Wednesday came and Yuri was anxious as hell to go out with Elliott. She agonized three long hours over what to wear. She settled on a silk pink halter top, a pair of black pinstripe capris, and satin pink stilettos with an enclosed toe and open heel. She carried a sheer black shawl for an unpredictable chill and her trusty black Kate Spade clutch. Elliott was on time, and so was Yuri for once. She opted for Elliott to pick her up at the gallery since she wanted to be careful. When Elliott entered the gallery, Giselle’s jaw dropped. She was impressed at how fine this man was. She couldn’t recall the last guy that Yuri had even let her meet. In Giselle's mind, this might actually turn into something. Once the introductions were out of the way, Elliott and Yuri left for the Silver Platter. The Silver Platter was elegant and chic, yet unpretentious. The ambiance was romantic and yet still playful. Yuri admired the hand-blown sconces on the wall made to resemble champagne flutes. The seats were upholstered high-back chairs in shades of silver, slate blue and cream suede. Once seated, Yuri noticed the beautiful flowers on each covered table; Gerbera daisies in yellows, oranges, and reds. Looking around she noticed that with such muted colors on the chairs the flowers popped drawing the eye to the table...most likely intended to keep people’s eyes glued to each other and the food. When the waiter showed up, Elliott ordered for the both of them, the filet mignon with the lobster, sautéed potato cakes, and a platter of grilled asparagus with a light lemon-parsley sauce. Wine was served by the house sommelier and dessert was served ala carte with Yuri choosing the banana crème mousse and Elliott deciding on the biggest slice of rum-infused cake with a drizzling of pineapple glaze. They ate, with moments of Elliott feeding Yuri several of the ordered dishes...they laughed, all between moments of long stares and coy smiles, and finally they left. Elliott suggested a walk in the park, and Yuri happily agreed. The soft curls that Yuri had were now looser and wilder, courtesy of the light breeze. Her hair was so beautiful, Elliott thought. As he surveyed this breath-taking woman in front of him, he noticed how gracefully she walked. He took notice of how perfect her hands were and imagined her left one wearing a ring of his choice. He was falling for her hard on only the first date, and wondered where this thing was going. As if she’d heard his thoughts, she spoke. “What do you see happening with us, Elliott? I can’t say that I’ve ever felt this kind of connection with anyone and I am worried that this is all business for you.” Elliott seemed genuinely shocked by her concern. He felt as if he was wearing his heart on his sleeve. It was early in the game for these expectations that were growing for him and Yuri, but he was never one to back down from commitment. He was a man, and he knew what he wanted. Since the night he’d met Yuri Hart, he had thought of little else. His heart pounded when she spoke and he was turned on in the worst way by her laugh. Yet, even with all of his own sureness, he could understand her feeling apprehensive to believe his interest was so serious so soon. “I want to be with you, Yuri. You have a refinement that comes from good rearing, yet you have a mysterious streak of intrigue attached to you. Your artistic flair is represented in the way you dress without you looking flaky.” Yuri laughed, blushing at his assessment. “Your smile is like, damn...a piece of Heaven...and when we talk I feel like I am truly with someone who understands me. What is happening with us, you ask? LOVE is happening to us...we are falling. Or am I alone in this plunge of the heart?” he asked. Yuri stepped closer to him and placed her hands on his face, cupping it gently. “Let me show you.” Yuri drew him into a deep, sensual kiss. Elliott moved into it immediately, sliding his hands around her waist and then up her back. The two of them fused their lips together, inhaling each other’s soul, coming up for air after what seemed forever. They smiled, tilting their heads together, and exhaled. They were beginning something beautiful and they knew it...the question was, how long would it last? Only time and Yuri could answer that question.
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