“Olivia. Stop being dramatic.”
“No. You will not tell me how to act. My dark skin makes you hate me. Say it. Say it,” Olivia screamed into the phone.
“Shut up, Olivia,” her mother screeched.
“I will not shut up. You’re the reason I hated myself and became bulimic. You called me fat, black, and ugly. I never believed I deserved love because I wasn’t good enough in your eyes.” Olivia couldn’t stop the words tumbling from her mouth. “I learned from having my children to appreciate their beauty regardless of skin color. You made me suffer because I have a dark skin tone. Why are you so evil?”
“I am not going to allow you to speak to me this way. You should be grateful for the life I allowed you to have. Things could’ve been different for you if I had followed my first instinct to get rid of you.”
“What in the hell do you mean?” Her mother’s words caught Olivia off guard.
“You are ungrateful and stupid. People like you think you know everything because you have a few college degrees. Humph. You ain’t so smart after all.” Her mother spoke in riddles and it drove Olivia crazy.
“Mother. What are you talking about?”
“I’m done speaking to you.”
“Good. Next time, don’t bother dialing my number. If I don’t speak to you for a hundred years, it would be too soon.” Olivia ended the call and threw her phone across the room.
The memory of their final conversation made her shiver. Goosebumps emerged on her arms. Olivia gazed out the window lost in the moment. She put her hands on her elbows and rocked in the chair.
“Olivia?” Startled, she noticed Durbin standing above her
with a strange look on his face. He glistened with sweat from his work.
“Olivia? Are you okay?” Durbin’s forehead crinkled in concern.
“How long have you been standing there?” Olivia's cheeks warmed from embarrassment.
“Long enough to repeat your name twice. You were totally gone.”
“I’m sorry, Durbin. I remembered something that wasn’t a pleasant thought. You must have paws like a cat. I didn’t hear a sound. There’s a creaky floorboard where I should’ve heard you in the hallway. Maybe my ears need to be checked.”
“It’s no problem,” Durbin responded with understanding. “Well. I’m done with the installation. Let me show you everything and how to use it.”
“Um. Yeah. Sure.” Olivia shook the memory away and followed Durbin.
“I’ve already installed the application on your desktop. Once I add it to your cellphone, everything will be ready to go.”
“Wow. I didn’t even see you pass by me.”
Durbin added the application to her phone and showed Olivia the three cameras. Afterward, they headed into her bedroom for the training on the desktop computer.
A strange sensation arose in her senses from having Durbin in her bedroom. In only one week, she had two men in this space after not having had anyone of the opposite sex in her home. Olivia hesitated before sitting at the desk. Durbin leaned above her shoulder to show what he installed.
“Dolce & Gabbana?” Durbin asked out of the blue.
“Excuse me?” Confused by his comment, Olivia turned to glance up at him.
“Your perfume. Is what you are wearing ‘Light Blue’ by Dolce & Gabbana?”
“You have quite the nose. Yes, it is,” Olivia laughed. “I hope I didn’t put on too much.”
“Not at all. It smells nice on you,” Durbin said with a lowered voice. His eyes lingered on hers before she rotated back to the computer.
“Thank you. It’s one of my favorites. Now, where were we?” Olivia blinked her eyes several times to shake the uncomfortable exchange from her mind.
“Sorry. We were in this last section.” Durbin pointed at the computer screen.
After finishing with the review of the application, Olivia wrote him a check. She walked him to the door and opened it.
“Thank you, Durbin. I appreciate how efficient you were with getting this job done for me.”
“No problem. It’s an easy setup to do.” Durbin paused. “Um, Olivia. I’m wondering, perhaps you’d like to go out to dinner with me next week.”
Olivia did not anticipate the offer of a date. She assumed the rejection to play racquetball would be a big enough hint. She wasn’t interested in going out with him, especially after her escapade with Malcolm. “Oh, Durbin. I appreciate the invitation. Um, I must decline. I’m sorry.”
“Do you mind telling me why? I hope I’m not being too forward. I’m shy when it comes to asking women out.” Durbin’s eyebrows drew together in a perplexed expression. “We connected and I figured it would be okay to invite you to dinner. Or drinks if you prefer.”
“Um. Well. The reason is, I have a complicated relationship
with my soon-to-be ex-husband. I’m getting my life in order. The kids are moving away soon and I need to give them one hundred percent of my time,” Olivia said.
“It’s nothing against me? You don’t think I’m too nerdy?”
“No, Durbin. It has nothing to do with you. This is not a good time. Thank you for asking me out.” Olivia mustered up what she hoped appeared to be a polite smile. She placed her hand on the opened door to signal she wanted him to leave.
“Okay. I think you’re pretty. Maybe next time.” Durbin exited, turned around, and stared at Olivia square in the eyes. “I’m certain, I’ll see you again sooner than you think. Have a nice day.”
“Bye, Durbin. Thanks again.” Olivia closed the door and leaned against it. She had no idea what he meant about seeing her sooner than she thinks. His visit convinced her, no doubt, Durbin is weird.
TWENTY-FOUR
Olivia
The coffee in her mug rippled as the air from Olivia’s lips blew to cool the beverage. “Ow.” Olivia cried out after burning her tongue on the steaming liquid. Several drops fell from
