Chapter 1

All characters are written as fourteen and above.

Hello all, my name is Glen and this is the story of how I met my wife and daughter. I came from what the British would call an upper lower class family. That means from time to time we had to go on the dole but mostly we got by on blood, sweat, and tears.

This meant I was very driven to get an education and to make something of myself. I went to college, worked hard, and did well. I graduated during the early days of what became the dot com bubble with degrees in both programming and design. A few guys who graduated before me had a little startup company that worked on in-house security. They asked me to join them and since I didn’t have any other prospects I took them up on the job.

Things were going good for a year and then they became great. Suddenly our little startup had become famous. We had received a small contract to test government security and did such a good job of finding and fixing the holes in their system that we began to get more contracts both from the government and private sector. I can tell you there’s nothing more fun than getting paid loads of money to hack into somebody’s network.

By the time I was 30 I had moved my mother into a condo of her own that was bought and paid for. It wasn’t too far from our old home and she still had many good friends in the old neighborhood, but now she was farther away from all the crime. She was very proud of her son even though she didn’t like me “wasting” my money on her.

I on the other hand, did without as much as possible and sank my money into investments one of which was a house in the burbs. While I didn’t have much of a social life I figured it would be a good thing to have a house of my own. I had decorators come in to give it a woman’s touch rather than a computer geeks touch. When they were done it looked like the set of the TV sitcom.

Since my job kept me in the city most of the time I only lived out there on the occasional weekend. I had met my neighbors and they were friendly enough but all of them were families. It’s not that they weren’t friendly towards me it’s just that being a young rich single guy made me stick out like a sore thumb.

When the economy crashed even my company was hit. Soon just the original ten of us were left to run the company. We couldn’t afford any more because our contracts dried up as companies fell one after another. Luckily we still had current and future contracts with the government. My friends were lamenting the fact that they had splurged so much while I sat back and did my best not to rub their noses in the fact that much of my money was still a hole in the ground.

With money being tighter I dumped my rental in town and moved the last of my belongings to my place in the burbs. I was shocked to see so many houses up for sale. It shouldn’t have been that much of a surprise as I knew most of them had been living on credit for so long. One family across the street was in dire straits. By that I mean they were the worst off of everyone I knew. Just imagine trying to get by on two minimum-wage jobs when just a year before you were both making seventy thousand a year each.

It was a family of four and they had been the first people to reach out to me when I had moved in. Even with all the bad things happening to them they were still friendly towards me and I knew I couldn’t just sit back and watch. There was a for sale sign on their house but the thing is there was one on every other house for blocks. I decided to take a leap and be the good guy.

I got in touch with the realtor who was handling their house and learned they were selling the house for the same amount as their mortgage. This meant that if they sold their house they wouldn’t have anything to fall back on. I invited the husband, Brian to come over to have a talk one Saturday. We talked for a little bit and he said things were rough but they would make it somehow that’s when I pulled out a folder that told them I knew better.

“Brian I know what you’re going through. Trust me, I’ve been there and I would like to help.” He looked uncomfortable. “Glenn, I thank you for your offer but I know we can make it somehow. Jerri and I are working hard and cutting corners where we can, we will get through this.” I didn’t want to hurt his pride, but I was doing this for more that just him. “With your income you’re barely making your mortgage payments, Lord knows how you can afford to pay anything else. I have something planned that will help both of us out but I wanted to talk to you about it.”

Brian looked at me. “Well it can’t hurt to hear what you’ve got to say. I admit I am running out of options.” I opened my folder and showed him my idea. He looked it all over and then looked at me while trying to figure out where the trick was. “I don’t understand Glen, the way this looks you are buying my house, and then selling it back to me for what it would cost to rent a one-bedroom house in the city.” I smiled at him and nodded. “Yep, that’s about the gist of it. Does that sound good to you?” He looked a bit confused. “But what do you get out of it?” I gave him the warmest smile I could. “The satisfaction of knowing that the first people who made me feel at home here will still be around. You see to me friends are worth more than money and I’d like to think that we are friends. You have to understand what I am proposing to you. I am not actually losing anything, but by buying your house I’m putting my money into investment that has a lower tax rate than if it was sitting in a bank.”

Brian looked at me with a smile. He knew that was a line of bullshit, but said he would talk it over with his wife anyway. We shook hands and he went home. The next day he and his wife Jeri came over to accept my deal and to thank me for giving them this chance. I then invited them over for BBQ and they accepted. Knowing what kind of food I had in the house I went to the nearby market and bought everything I could think of to make this a feast.

When my company arrived it was great. Seeing them all together and watching how they interacted made me begin to lament the fact that I hadn’t started my own family. Their two kids Jenny and Joey were in their early teens and I wondered what my kids would have looked like. By the end of the night Jenny and Joey were calling me Uncle Glenn and I knew I’d made the right decision.

I worked things out with the banks, mortgage companies, and friends. A month later Brian and his family had a much lower payment and a hell of a lot less stress. I now owned two houses in the burbs and had decided to take my life in a different direction. The feeling I got watching the smiles on my friends faces made me realize I needed to do more with my life. I talked to my colleagues at work and we came to the agreement that I could do most of my work from home. This would save me money in having to commute and it also meant that I might be able to increase productivity in those lost hours.

What they didn’t know was that I was doing it so I could begin to get a life. What’s the use of having money when that’s all you have? Seeing Brian and his family made me realize I’d wasted a lot of time, maybe too much. Working at home was actually a good thing for me as my production went up. Being at home I was able to step away from work when I became frustrated and do something else. It also meant if I got bored or had an idea, I could work on it as well and let me tell you there were times I was really bored.

Then one day my world changed again. The people next door had always been rather standoffish. I learned from Jerri that the wife had had her eye on me and the husband didn’t want her getting any closer to me than fantasy. Their house had been up for sale and one day the sign disappeared. A few days later so did they. The house stood empty for a while and then a moving van pulled up.

I knew the two-bedroom house next door was one of the smaller ones in the neighborhood, but still the amount of things being unloaded told me whoever it was moving in came from an even smaller house. The unloading was being done by her very pretty Black woman who couldn’t have been over thirty. She was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt that fit her petite frame very well. When I saw her face it kind of took my breath away.

Now don’t get me wrong I’m not racist, but I had never been attracted to a black woman before. Growing up where I did I can tell you it was very racially diverse. Poverty has a way of mixing races better than any social or political means does. I have even had a Hispanic girlfriend for a few months but her brothers discouraged me from continuing it with a short talk and a long beating. I think that more than anything stopped my curiosity about interracial relationships.

This woman was something different from any black woman I had ever seen. Her features were almost elfin, and her wavy black hair hung almost to her waist. She moved quickly around the front yard moving from box to box like a hummingbird. Then the lessons of the past tapped me on the shoulder and said “keep looking, and you will get your face smashed in by a very large black man.” I went back to work and did my best to forget the sight of her.

It was early summer and rather than run the air conditioning I had the windows thrown open to cool the house. This was why I was able to hear a high-pitched scream from outside. Something about the tone made me run out the front door and across the yard. There on the ground lay my new neighbor clutching her ankle. I ran over to her and said “hold on let me help.” “I was trying to take this box inside when I twisted my ankle on this damn sprinkler head.” I took her ankle in my hand and was amazed at how tiny she was close up. Now I’m not a very large person but I could literally wrap my hand around her ankle. I gently felt around and not feeling anything jagged began to rotate her foot while holding her ankle with the other hand.

She looked at me and asked. “Are you a doctor or something?” “No I’m not a doctor, just a neighbor.” I continued to massage her ankle while talking to her. “Well you may not be a doctor, but you’re sure making my ankle feel better. Thank you.” After a few minutes I stood up and helped her to stand. We found she could put a little weight on her tender ankle but she was definitely done moving for today. “How am I going to get that Van unloaded like this? I have to return it to the rental place tonight.”

I stood there a little awkwardly. “Well if you need help I’m sure I can do it. Why don’t we set you up in a chair inside and all you have to do is point and click.” I found her a chair to sit in and a box to rest her ankle on. I began making trips carrying boxes. I had only been doing this for a little while when Brian got home. He saw what I was doing and came over to help. Before I knew it the van had been emptied and there were boxes littering different rooms. It was then that I realized I hadn’t made introductions or even new the lady’s name.

Brian on the other hand knew a little more about manners than I did. He introduced himself and we both learned her name was Corina. She reached her hand up to me and I introduced myself for the first time. Her hand was warm, soft, and sent an almost electric charge through me. I went from thinking that this woman was beautiful to being truly attracted to her. I noticed that the reaction may be mutual as her smile seemed to widen at my touch.

I really owed a big debt to Brian both for the introduction as well as what he said next. “So Corina, is it just you living here?” Corina finally let go of my hand and smiled at him. “No my daughter is staying with my mom while I move all our stuff up here. And before you ask it’s just the two of us.” Brian smiled and held up his hands. “Hey, didn’t mean to pry. It’s just I know that my wife will have a ton of questions about you when I get home. And if you have any children I know my kids will want to know as well.”

Corina giggled at that. “My daughter was asking me to be on the look out to see if there were any kids her age in the neighborhood.” A smile spread on his face. “Well I got a girl, Jenny who is thirteen, and a boy, Joey who is fourteen.” Her warm smile grew. “My Darla is fourteen too.” Then Carina looked at me. “And how about you Glenn, how big is your family?” It was my turn to feel awkward. “Oh, well I have never been married and don’t have any kids.” Karina gave me an odd look at that. “Then why in the world are you living out here in the suburbs?” I shrugged and tried to put it into words. “Well, growing up we never owned our own house. So I made a promise to myself that if I ever had the ability I would own my own home. Only thing was I was so busy working, and trying to afford a home, that I never had much of a social life. Also when you work in the world of computers you don’t get to meet a lot of women.”

Brian then spoke up to break the tension. “Well, he may not have kids of his own but I can tell you he’s been one hell of an uncle to mine.” He patted me on the back and said. “To tell you the truth I’ve never had a better friend than this man right here.” He reached out for Corina’s hand, and shook it gently. “And if you need anything more from me just give me a holler. I know my wife is busting at the seams wanting to know everything about you and if I don’t get back soon she may explode.” And with a laugh he left us.

I looked at Corina and asked if there was anything else she needed done. She looked around at the mass of boxes and shook her head. “Well, everything got unloaded but I need to return the rental truck and get my car.” She looked up at me and it made me think of a little girl about to ask for a piece of candy. “Would it be too much to ask if you could help me do all that?” I told her all I had to do was go close up my house and I’d be right back to help.

After helping her into the Van we headed back into the city. Along the way we learned a lot about each other’s lives. I told her the better points of the last fifteen years for me and she gave me the same. Strange enough our lives were not that dissimilar from one another. Her childhood was spent in an area much like mine. When she got pregnant her boyfriend faded away fast. She looked at the world around her and knew she didn’t want her child growing up the same way. After high school she started at a local college and worked hard to make something of herself. After working hard she was now the human resource manager at a large company and could afford a home and a better life for her daughter.

We laughed and compared notes on our childhoods. Even though we had grown up in different cities the people we knew and the things we had done were very much alike. Before we knew it we were pulling in to return the truck. After everything was handled I helped her into the passenger seat of a slightly used sedan. I got in and asked. “So, back to your place or do you want to find someone to check that ankle?” She rotated for the little and told me that it was feeling better already, but would I mind if we picked up her daughter first.

On the way to her mother’s we laughed and joked like we were old friends. Corina guided me to an older apartment complex. She told me where to park and got out her cell phone. We sat waiting for a few minutes and an older lady with a small girl came walking out towards the car. Corina waved and the little girl came running. Being polite I stepped out of the car to help Corina get out.

Corina leaned on me while getting out and the little girl looked at me with big eyes. I looked at Corina’s mother and could tell the woman was collecting all the information she needed about me. For some reason I was hoping she had a good first impression of me. “Mom I’d like you to meet Glen. He’s my new neighbor and after I twisted my ankle he helped get the truck unloaded and brought me back into the city.” She was cool but polite. “Well it is very nice to meet you young man. I thank you for keeping an eye on my daughter.” She said as she shook my hand. “There are not many gentlemen left in the world these days.” I smiled and tried to be open with her.”Well, you can blame my mother for that. It was either act like a gentleman or die trying.” Corina’s mother laughed at that and patted my hand. “Well that is what mothers are for.” We talked for a little longer; all the while I was being analyzed by both her mother and her daughter. I guess I made a good impression on both of them because after about half an hour I had them both laughing and smiling at me.

We could have talked like that for quite a while longer but I heard a tiny tummy growl and looked at Darla. She looked embarrassed that I had noticed and tried to look anywhere but at me. It was getting late and I figured that the girl was needing food more than conversation. “You know Corina, I unloaded that whole truck and I don’t think I saw any food. What do you say to me taking you and these two lovely ladies out for something eat.” There was the usual hemming and hawing but they finally gave in. I asked Darla what her favorite food was and she said Italian. I thought of the places I liked for Italian food but knew that they would get a wrong impression of me if I took them there, so I checked my phone and found a nearby Olive garden.

I knew how they felt as they looked around at the décor and the menu. Back when I was finally getting some money in my wallet I would come here as a treat to myself, but now the thought of eating at a chain restaurant came last in my options of choice. The food was mediocre at best but when you live at the bottom of the barrel it felt like a whole different world. The ladies sat there and discussed what was good and I watched them shaking their heads at to what to order. I tapped Darla on the shoulder and asked her what she liked. Her eyes flitted to her mother for a second and then she said she liked lasagna the best. We then talked about what she liked in her lasagna and what her favorite kinds of sauce were.

As we talked I listened to the remarks made by both Corina and her mother. I got a good idea of what the two women would like and asked them if they minded me ordering for them. They seemed rather stunned but agreed. When the waiter arrived I ordered for them as my mother had taught me to do and they were impressed. I had ulterior motives though. I knew that if I had let them order they would have done so off the cheap menu and that was not why I had invited them to dinner.

After dinner, which they all loved, I took them all back to Gloria’s home. Since Corina hadn’t had time to set things up today she would have to stay with her mom for the night. It wasn’t till we were sitting and talking about the day that we remembered that I had come into the city in Corina’s car and had no way to get back home. “Oh no Glen, how are we going to get you home and us out to the house in the morning?” I shook my head. “Don’t worry about me. I have a friend I can stay with tonight and come back in the morning.” Gloria offered for me to stay on the couch but I declined. I was hoping to make friends with this family and that would be an imposition that I was uncomfortable with. While Corina didn’t understand I could tell her mother understood and helped me to be polite in my refusal.

After Darla was in bed I called for a cab and left. I told the cabbie to take me to one of the better hotels in the area and got a room. As I lay in my bed I couldn’t get Corina out of my mind. Like I said, I had never been attracted to Black women, but something about the way she smiled at me, the way she held herself, and the feeling when I touched her skin made my heart beat faster. That night I fell asleep with her dark eyes filling my mind.

I woke up the next morning feeling great. I checked my texts and took care of a little business. I called Corina and asked her when she wanted to head back home and she said her mother wanted to fix me a good breakfast before we left. I said I would grab some donuts on the way over and hung up. I got another cab and asked the driver for a good bakery in the area. I grabbed a nice selection of pastries and headed over to Gloria’s house. When I got there I loved the smells filling the house. Bacon and other smells made my mouth water.

I was surprised when the door opened and I got to see Corina standing there in PJ shorts and a tank top. She smiled at me and invited me in. I did my best not to stare but I am sure she knew I had taken more than a few long looks at what was being shown off. As she led me further into her mother’s apartment I was able to admire the view from behind and loved every second.

As I reached the living room I was greeted by little Darla. She stood up from watching television and I found that she had the same clothing tastes as her mother. I also noticed she was starting on a path that would lead her to have a body like her mothers. Her bare legs showed she was losing the coltish legs of childhood and the filling out process was taking hold. She was also showing off her mellon sized breasts as much as possible. I walked into the kitchen to find Gloria busy at the stove. She turned to me and smiled as I looked for somewhere to set the pastries. The lady took the box and set it on the counters all the while smiling me. “I would like to tell you young man how happy you have made me. I have been so worried about my girls moving so far out of town, but knowing you’re going to be there puts my mind at ease.” Then she kind of shocked me by stepping over to me and giving me a hug. I gave her a light squeeze back and then she went back to bustling at the stove. I took my leave and returned to the dining room/ front room. I took a seat at the small table and noticed that Corina and Darla had their heads together whispering and giggling. When they saw me Corina hopped up and came over to me. She asked what I wanted to drink and I went with OJ. When she came back, she sat down with me she smiled and looked over her shoulder.

“I thought you should know something. That was the first time I have ever seen my mother hug a white man in my life.” She smiled even bigger. “I can also say that you are the first white man she has invited into her home too. She has really taken a liking to you sir.” I blushed at the fact. Gloria’s voice then rang out saying that if we wanted food we better come get it before she fed it to the cats.