Page 13 of Mr. Big Stuff

Her lips suddenly looked as if she was sucking on a sour candy. “Well … let me show you this way to Mr. Berry’s office.”

We followed behind a fast-walking Vorhees, and when we arrived at the large corner office that was so massive, it could have held fifteen offices, we found Mr. Khalil Berry pacing in front of a large window that overlooked the busy downtown streets and smaller neighboring buildings. Khalil was tall and filled out his suit with a gentler muscular build. His black rimmed spectacles, along with all the gadgets like tablets, a laptop, and virtual reality goggles, all scattered about his desk, added to the nerdy effect his business background already gave about him. But beneath those glasses was a man so handsome that there was no woman, not one I knew anyway, that wouldn’t have minded being Zola Berry. But he was totally devoted, and not in that “we are best friends” way either. No, while they were probably thick as thieves, there was a passion in every word he spoke about his wife in interviews and everyone with sense knew that without question, they were inseparable and getting it on frequently. He didn’t even look the way of anyone that wasn’t his wife of over five years. What those two shared was the true definition of Black Love and it was what I wanted if I could ever find it for myself.

“Zola, baby, breathe. We’ve been here before and the Braxton Hicks are entirely normal. The doc said he’ll be there in under an hour to check for himself.”

Raymond and I looked at each other and back to Mr. Berry who was nodding as if he agreed to whatever his wife was saying.

“Okay, baby. I’ll be there soon.”

He turned to us just as we took our seats in the chairs in front of his large oakwood desk. Vorhees stood at the ready for whatever her boss requested.

“Sorry about that …I’m glad you could make it in on a Saturday, Mr. McCullough, along with your assistant. Truly I am, which is why I hate to do this—but…”

I looked over at Raymond whose expression started to fall with the realization our meeting would be canceled.

“But we need to take our meeting on the road. I have a helicopter waiting for me to take me to my country house where my wife Zola is. She’s expecting our third child and is worried because of the contractions she’s having. We could always reschedule but I don’t have many openings right now due to this launch of Edu in Black—our new app that provides assisted learning modules to students in the US.”

Khalil Berry was something of a sensation in Pittsburgh because he found technology driven solutions to help the Black condition and not in a think piece way, but in a foot to the ground kind of way. The community was better because of Khalil and KIB Enterprises which is why this meeting was important to Raymond. But it still didn’t mean I wanted to be in a helicopter!

“No, sir. We’re good to go with you.” Raymond looked at me like I better be good with it when he saw my eyes bug out. Khalil who hadn’t really paid much attention to me until now, squinted his eyes like he found me familiar but when his phone buzzed, he was distracted. I released a breath.

“Come on. My pilot is ready.”

We rushed from our chairs and followed a calm but focused Khalil to a door that led us up two flights of stairs onto the roof of the building. Each step, I was wondering what the hell I’d gotten myself into. My nerves were wound tight like a mug, but I was trying to remind myself of all the adventures I got into in the earlier years of my life. Motorcycle rides with no helmet with my ruff ryder boyfriend, Trevor, who had one for himself. Hitchhiking once when stranded with my college roommate, Doris. Back in the day I was bold and fearless but lately I was questioning that quality about myself because it led me here. In a job that I couldn’t say hell no, I don’t want to get on a helicopter ride!

Outside, the chill in the air reminded me that it was certainly different at the top. The air wasn’t even the same. Crisp, clean. Khalil helped us with protocol when we got in with him—taking the head gear from him and placing it on our heads. We listened to the pilot’s instructions and when we lifted in the air, the shock that came from the dipping motion, had me reaching for Raymond’s large hand.

Once I realized what I’d done, I tried to pull my hand away but he wouldn’t let me go. He held on tighter. I turned to glanced up at him. I wondered if my face said what I was thinking, which was what was he doing? Whatever it said, he ignored it and looked out the window to his right. When I looked across at Mr. Berry, he was watching us with a knowing smile that made me uncomfortable because I just knew he assumed we were more based on the fact that Raymond had my hand clutched tight in his, but it was furthest from the truth. Raymond was just having a good time that I was allowing, and when it came down to it, my temporary position would have to end because we’d gone too far.

But now with no distraction in the air, Khalil could look at me more fully and I realized he made the connection.

“I know you,” he said.

Raymond’s head swiveled my way.

“Did you used to work for me?”

I wouldn’t lie. Avoid, yes, but lie, no not a chance. “Yes, sir.”

“Call me Khalil. The both of you, please.”

I nodded nervously and spied a look Raymond’s way. He seemed more fascinated than angry which I guess I should have been grateful for but I reserved feeling relief until I knew that for certain what would come after this revelation.

“You left KIB?” Mr. Berry asked me.

I nodded but said no more.

“Mind telling me why?”

Ididmind but with Raymond and Khalil’s eyes on me, I needed to say something.

“To explore other opportunities. That’s all.” I shrugged it off, but truth was I felt uncomfortable with all this attention on one of my worst decisions.

“And you work for McCullough now.” He looked at Raymond and back at me.

“Yes, I’m his assistant.”

He nodded and appeared to be thinking of something.

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