All I Want Is Forever by Neicey Ford Page B

today?”
    “Today I’m meeting with Ted and the models.  I’m ready to get the ball rolling on the show.”
    “Oh, shoot.  Speaking of show we really need to talk discuss and meet with Belma regarding the movie deal.”
    “Can we do that this evening when we get home?”
    “Sure.  Will you check your calendar and let me know if you’re available Wednesday for a quick meeting with him?”
    Denise unlocked her iPhone.
    “I don’t have anything for Wednesday.”
    “I’ll call him once I get moving and confirm Wednesday as the day.  I believe I already told him we could then.”
    “Sounds good, babe.  Okay, I have to go.  I love you and call me when you get a chance.  Be careful.” 
    She kissed him softly on the lips.
    ***
    “Good morning, Keisha.  How was your weekend?”
    “Good morning, Mrs. Chatman.  The weekend was really good.  Very much needed.”
    “I’m glad to hear that.  Has Ted called?”
    “Yes, he did.  He wanted to know if you were available around two.”
    “Two?”
    Keisha shook her head.
    “Okay, call him and confirm.  Reserve the conference room on two.  Also, can you have Jonas meet me in the office in fifteen minutes?  Thanks.”
    “You’re welcome.”
      Keisha dialed the extension on her keypad.
    “This is Jonas.”
    “Jonas, Mrs. Chatman wants to see you in her office in fifteen minutes.”
    “Um, okay.  Did she say what it was about?”
    “No.”
    He sighed deeply.  “Thanks.”
    Denise logged into her computer and waited for the programs to open.
    Knock Knock
    “Come in.”
    “Hello there, beautiful.”
    “Hello to you.  Come in and have a seat,” Denise said pointing to the chair in front of her desk.
    “I can’t stay long.  I have work to do.”
    “Of course,” Denise smiled.
    “How’d the party end?”
    “It was great.  I’m so glad you were able to come.”
    “I told Arthur how nice it was.”
    “It’s too bad he had to miss it.  Is he feeling better?”
    “He’s doing well.  He’ll be up and driving me crazy in no time.”
    “Good, good.” 
    There was an awkward silence.
    “Don’t you want to know?”
    “Do you want to tell me?”
    “I’m sure Helen probably already did.  I’m sure she made my mother and me out to be these horrible home-wrecking hoochies.”
    “The one thing I don’t have the authority to do is judge.  I don’t judge and I don’t necessarily agree with those who do.  What I’ve learned is that there are two sides to every story and then there’s the truth.”
    “I’m not going to discredit what Helen told you, however, I will say that my mother was no home wrecker.  I can’t believe that after thirty years Helen still hasn’t forgiven us.”
    Denise shrugged.
    “You know the funny thing is I’ve always wanted to have a relationship with Helen.  My mother couldn’t have any more children after she had me and when I found out about Helen I was excited.  That is after I got over the initial hurt.  Finally, the big sister I’ d always wanted, but would never have the opportunity to know.”
    “So, after all those years, you never tried to contact Helen again?”
    “Of course, I did.  I called her mother’s house up until the day I graduated from high school.  Her mother was really bitter.  She never cussed at me, but she wasn’t very polite either.  I don’t blame her.  A few days before I went off to college I ran into Helen at the grocery store.”
    “How’d that go?”
    “I yelled out her name and when she turned and saw it was me, she darted out of the store.  Left the grocery basket and everything in it,” Judy chuckled.
    “I don’t know what to say, Mrs. Judy.”
    “You don’t have to say anything.  The reason I came in here today was to clear the air.  I don’t want you thinking anything bad about me because of something I had no control over.  My past is just that…passed.”
    “I understand completely.  My wish is that one day you and Helen will be able