Episode 2: Sweet Dream
Sugar could see flames of anger flickering in the depths of his chocolate brown eyes, but it never reached his face.
“You’ve got quite a feisty mouth on you now. The Sugar I knew wasn’t so bitter.”
She laughed briefly. “The Sugar you knew is gone, but I have you to thank for that. If you hadn’t put the needs of your penis over our marriage, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”
“And what exactly are you now, Shug?”
“A free woman,” she declared confidently as she backed away from him.
She spun on her heels and pushed open the fenced gate of the courtroom’s barrier that separated the would-be spectators from the three-ring circus.
As she sauntered down the aisle, she said loudly, “Send Mariah my regards.”
“I hope you find some peace in your lonely life, Sugar,” he replied, always wanting the last word.
She decided then and there to not give him the satisfaction.
Sugar turned halfway to face him as she opened one of the courtroom’s double doors.
“I’d rather be lonely than miserable, but I’ll give it two years before you end up back in this courtroom. Then you’ll be miserable and lonely,” she stated with a warm smile.
His smirk dissolved from his lips.
Exiting the courtroom, the sight of her irritated younger sister awaited her.
“What took you so long?” Rochelle demanded to know.
“We were just having a little chat,” she said.
Rochelle’s eyebrows shot up. “A little chat? With the enemy?”
She ignored the comment. “Let’s go, Roc. I’m exhausted. I feel like we’ve been here all day.”
Her sister pursed her lips. “Fine, let’s go.”
After leaving the downtown courthouse, they went across the street to the parking garage. Taking an elevator three floors up, they eventually reached Rochelle’s car. After the engine started up, the bickering began.
“I can’t believe you agreed to that divorce settlement, Shug. You could’ve kept your two cars and that vacation house in Aspen, but eighty-eight thousand dollars? What are you going to do with that?” Rochelle complained, backing her car out of its parking space. “How are you going to support yourself with that?”
“I promise you what we agreed on is just enough,” Sugar affirmed, gazing out the window as the car slowly descended floor by floor towards the parking garage’s exit.
Rochelle ranted, “I can’t believe that motherfucker had the nerve to imply that I was an incompetent lawyer. I have my own practice with my husband and sister-in-law, and my business is booming.”
She sighed, massaging her tear ducts. “He was just trying to get under your skin, Roc, but what he thinks doesn’t matter. You defended me brilliantly and helped me get exactly what I wanted.”
Her sister’s displeased face softened.
“So, what will you do with eighty-eight thousand dollars?” Rochelle questioned, easing the car to a halt beside an electronic toll collection machine. She jerked down her sun visor to retrieve a white square ticket to insert into the machine.
A yank so hard it surprised Sugar that the sun visor didn’t dislodge completely.
“I have an idea,” she admitted. “I’ve had it for years. Lance shot it down every single time I brought it up. He said I only wanted to do it to take my mind off the miscarriages and give myself something to do instead of being at home.”
As Rochelle paid for the parking toll, she growled out, “He’s such a fucking asshole. Everyone is going to be pissed.”
Everyone as in their other siblings.
“They’ll manage,” she replied, gripping the armrest as the car peeled out of the parking garage. “The settlement was my decision, so they and you must accept that. For the first time in a long time, I’m doing something for me.”
“Fine,” Rochelle huffed a defeated sigh, “so tell me about this idea of yours.”
A smile curled onto Sugar’s lips. “Yeah?”
“Mm-hmm. I need something to dispel murderous thoughts.”
“Alright, turn here then,” she directed.
Sugar then gave her sister a set of directions that sent the car cruising through the busy streets of downtown.
“Pull into that parking lot right there,” she instructed, pointing to an unkempt parking lot on a block corner that housed a three-story red brick building.
“This is it,” she presented, unable to contain her excitement.
Rochelle scrunched her face. “What am I looking at, Shug?”
“You’re looking at Sugar Mama, the premier downtown restaurant for desserts, wines, and cocktails,” Sugar declared with a theatrical gesture toward the building. “What do you think?”
Her sister blinked at her. “You...want to open a restaurant...by yourself?”
“Yes, I do,” she said, confident. “Everyone loves my desserts. I have a bachelor’s and master’s in business, so I know what it takes to run a business. For the last eleven months, I’ve developed a sound business plan to take to the bank for a loan, but I wanted to bring something to the table to ensure their cooperation. Plus, Mallory is helping me with—”
Rochelle interjected, cackling, “Mallory? You have Mallory helping you? Mister Bartender, who can’t hold down a job and picks up chicks at the bar counter he’s working behind by giving them free drinks?”
Sugar exhaled sharply through her nostrils, somewhat irritated by her sister’s brush-off. “Look, Mallory might not seem like an ideal business partner, but he makes some amazing signature drinks that go well with my desserts. Plus, he spent four years at that four-star steak restaurant as a wine connoisseur.”
“Yeah, before he got fired for sleeping with the owner’s daughter in the men’s restroom,” Rochelle said, casting her a be-for-real look. “I love our little brother, but come on! Lory has no self-control or business sense to help you with anything.”
Frustration crept into Sugar’s veins, so fucking tired of being told she was dreaming too big after years of cheering on and helping others achieve theirs.
“He’s good at what he does. I’m good at what I do. We work well together. He’s helping me bring my dream to life. He fully supports it. All the while, you’re looking at me like I’m crazy. So, are you going to support me, or are you going to side with Lance? Are you going to tell me that Sugar Mama is a ludicrous fantasy, too?” she retorted, her tongue sharp. “Which side are you on, Roc? Lance’s or mine?”
Rochelle carefully eyed the tall brick building that needed work and much more through the windshield. She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose, as if surrendering herself to the reality of it all.
“I’m on your side,” Rochelle said, “as long as you and Lory name a cocktail after me.”
“We’ll name it The Angry Bitch,” Sugar teased.
They exchanged looks before they burst into a fit of laughter.
After the two settled down, they gazed at the building.
The building would house her dream, and nothing would stop her. Her heart raced in excitement at the prospect. She would pour every single penny she had into this restaurant.
All eighty-eight thousand dollars.
She’d also give it her blood, sweat, tears, and love. She’d toil in her kitchen to produce the most delicious desserts. She’d painstakingly plan and perfect every single detail.
The only commitment she would subject herself to from here on out revolved around bringing this dream to life.
And the only love she could give was to this dream.
