The Princess and The Playa, Part One

Hey there, Ms. Viv ‘Nim Fanatics!

First of all, I wish to thank each and every one of you for your comments and feedback about last week’s blog “When Howie Met Jessi.” We are continuing with the romance theme this week with a new story, “The Princess & The Playa.” I hope you enjoy it.


“Well, here it is—Monday morning. Time to go to work and at least survive the day.”

Sarah Elizabeth had worked in the History Department at Hayes University since she graduated college in 2006. She hadn’t bothered a soul, and all of a sudden she was constantly attacked. If she wasn’t lied on, she was talked about. Something had to give. She had had enough of the torment, and she was fed up with being mistreated. It also seemed as though Pastor Rich’s sermon really spoke to her, and the choir’s songs reached her heart. In keeping up with her good mood, Sarah decided to wear her favorite sundress—a combination of orange, yellow and purple. She had a lovely orange sweater that she could wear with it, as well as some yellow open-toed shoes.

“I’m gonna have a good day, even if it kills me,” Sarah said, as she picked up her purse and headed out the door.

As usual, she was the first one to arrive—then again, that was one of the qualifications of a front desk receptionist. She sat down and locked her purse inside her desk, then she got an orange juice from the vending machine downstairs. She enjoyed those quiet moments to herself, albeit they were very brief. She checked her e-mails, some she answered and others she forwarded to the correct individual. Before Sarah opened the door to the office, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, praying that God would grant her both strength and serenity. After saying her prayer, she sent her girlfriends a quick text message: “Y’all lift me up in prayer, because I’m sure gonna need it.” As soon as she put her cellphone up, her windchime alert went off. Her girlfriend Nattie sent her a text: “Don’t worry, Liz—we got your back.” Her other girlfriend Melissa sent a text: “I’m on standby—just let me know whose ass to kick when I get there... LOL!”

Finally, Sarah opened the door to the office, and the mayhem began. As usual, she was on her job. Whatever the faculty, staff, and students requested, she made sure that they got it. Just as Sarah was having a good time, her boss Wendell walked in the door.

“Good morning, Sarah.”

Sarah really didn’t want to so much as look at her boss, much less speak to him. It was hard for her to look at him the same, especially after he questioned her integrity time and time again. Despite feeling vengeful, Sarah remembered what Romans 12:21 taught her—overcome evil with good. Sarah looked up to the heavens and prayed for strength, then she gave a halfhearted smile and said, “Hey, Wendel.”

When her antagonistic co-worker Brenda walked in to work (late as usual), that was a different story.

“Okay, Lord—I said that I would be good today, and I’m gonna. But I need you to help me.”

Even though it made Sarah sick, she still spoke to Brenda. There was so much animosity between the two. Truth be told—Brenda was jealous of Sarah, personally and professionally. Brenda was also a vindictive woman; she was one of many who lied and spread rumors on Sarah. There was even an instance when Brenda pushed Sarah, right in front of Wendell. Sarah acted on impulse and grabbed Brenda, hemming her up into a wall. Sarah immediately began to pray that she wouldn’t have to step outside of herself again.

It was eerily quiet in that office, but Sarah’s spirits were still pretty high. Brenda had a lot of appointments with students throughout the whole day, and Sarah was willing to put her personal feelings aside and help out whenever and wherever possible. As Sarah was fishing for something in her desk, a young man walked into the office. With a humble smile, he cleared his throat and said, “Excuse me, Miss?”

Sarah turned around, and saw this tall, well-built man. He had to have been about six feet tall, and he had an afro like William Dent from Girlfriends. He was dressed in khaki pants and a chocolate brown cabana shirt. Sarah’s eyes lit up, and unbeknownst to her, she tilted her head to the left and put her hand over her chest.

TO BE CONTINUED ON FEBRUARY 15, 2011