When Shundra woke up she noticed that she was not in her bed alone. Last night at Dave&Busters Shundra had one too many bottles of Smirnoff and as a result her head was pounding. Gradually Shundra’s memory of last night began to surface. She couldn’t believe she slept with Daniel. She promised herself she wouldn’t let it get to this point. On top of breaking her promise, she doesn’t remember having sex with him. She can’t recall whether he was first-rate or not.
“Daniel, wake up.”
Daniel rubbed his eyes and yawned. “Yes princess?”
“Did we have sex last night.”
“Yeah we did. Why you don’t remember?”
“Yeah” Shundra let out a phony laugh. “I was just making sure it wasn’t a dream that’s all.”
Shundra looked at the time. “Oh shit! I’m late for work and you have to leave. I’ll call you later. We really need to talk.”
Daniel put on his Brown Abercrombie and Fitch authentic vintage shirt that hugged his muscular body and a pair of blue faded jeans. He grabbed his keys, went over to Shundra, and held her from behind, kissed her tenderly on her lips and left.
Shundra showered, got dressed, left her apartment and drove her new Hummer to work. She had planned to break up with Daniel today so she decided to take it for at least one spin to the job before giving it back to Daniel.
Ms. Ruby made an announcement on the loud speaker. “All staff members please report to the lounge. Today we are having a staff meeting and it is mandatory that all staff members are present.”
Sitting in a blue plastic chair with metal legs Shundra did a headcount. 25 members are in this damn room. Shoot! I hope I don’t have to speak. Shundra wasn’t too fond of public speaking. Ms. Ruby walked into the room, glanced at Shundra and proceeded to give a lengthy boring lecture about getting to work on time and frequent call outs.
“Okay I want everyone to stand up, one at a time, state your name and what you are thankful for this year. Shundra you are up first.”
No this woman didn’t just say I am up first. I aint doing shit. Shundra shot Ms Ruby a look of disappointment and walked out of the room without saying a word.
Ms. Ruby ran after her. “Shundra where are you going?”
“I don’t like public speaking. Why did you choose me to go first?”
“What are you scared of Shundra?”
“I just hate public speaking okay.”
“When you start college you will have to do a lot of public speaking so you need to face your fear Shundra.”
“How do you know I want to go to college?”
“Do you want to go to college or not?”
“Yes but…”
“Then you are going to have to face your fear. Come with me back into the lounge and stand up to that fear of yours girl.”
Shundra went back into the lounge and everyone in the room clapped. Shundra spoke with self-confidence and finally released the fear she owned since she was a young child. She was no longer in bondage and she felt free. In her mind she was ready to take the THEA so she could attend college.
“See girl, you are stronger and smarter than you know. Oh yeah, and congratulations.”
“For what?” Shundra was puzzled.
“You passed your exam right?”
“Yeah but how do you know?”
“Don’t worry about all that cutie. Just keep up the good work.”
Shundra blushed. Ms. Ruby winked at Shundra and walked over to the sales floor. Shundra smiled, took her cell phone out of her smock and dialed Daniels number.
“Hello.”
“Hey Daniel. We need to talk.”
“What’s up princess?”
“Daniel I can’t do this relationship thing anymore.”
“Shundra are you breaking up with me?”
“Yes Daniel, I am.”
“But why?”
“I’m sorry but I think I am a lesbian. I tried but men just don’t do it for me. If I was into men you would be just what the doctor ordered but I’m not. I’m a little mystified right now but I honestly think that I prefer women.”
“Shundra are you convinced about this?”
“Yes Daniel I am positive and you can stop by my apartment tonight to pick up the things you gave me. It doesn’t seem right for me to keep them.”
“No, you keep them. I bought them for you and I am not an Indian giver. You know it’s a damn shame girl. All that exquisiteness and you want to date women. I can’t comprehend why but I respect your honesty.”
“I have to go now Daniel. I’m on the clock. I hope we can continue to be friends?”
“Sure princess. I’ll let you get to work.”
“Okay bye.”
Shundra felt awful but she knew she had done the right thing. She put her phone in her smock and went to the sales floor to provide service to the customers. The shoe department was jam-packed because every item was on sale.
A young Hispanic male, wearing a wrinkled blue shirt, brown shorts and a pair of brown beach sandals walked up to Shundra. “Excuse me, can you get me these shoes in a size eight please?”
Shundra smiled. “Sure! I’ll be right back.”