Soulmates Dissipate by Mary B. Morrison Read Free Book Online Page A

SurroundSound speakers in his Benz.” Who let the dogs out! Ruff. Ruff. Ruff. Ruff. Ruff,” he barked. He chose the back route through Richmond and Berkeley into Oakland to avoid tourism and lunch-hour traffic on the Golden Gate and Bay bridges. His whole body grooved to the Caribbean beat. He sang, “A doggie is
nothing
if he
don’t
have a
bone.
All doggies hold your bone!” Wellington arrived precisely at eleven fifty-nine. He parked his car in one of the spots marked VISITOR. The doorman greeted him. Wellington read the name on his tag.
    “Hello, Edward.” Wellington firmly shook his hand.” Would you kindly let Ms. Jada Diamond Tanner know Wellington Jones has arrived?”
    “My pleasure, sir.”
    Wellington watched the elevator light move. Twenty-one. Twenty. Nineteen … All the way down to the first floor without stopping. When the doors opened, he instantly realized Jada lived in the penthouse. She looked more striking than he remembered.
    Jada was dressed in a simple tropical ankle-length skirt with thigh-high splits on each side. Her pierced belly button wore a small ruby circled by miniature diamonds. The matching exotic scarf wrapped around her protruding breasts. Her hair flowed over her bare shoulders down to her waistline.
    “Hi. You look great,” Wellington complimented her.
    As Wellington carried Jada’s bag and basket, “Doggie” replayed in his head.
Ruff!
He felt so good; he slipped the bellman a fifty and winked.
    “Thanks. Hi,” Jada responded.” I’m really curious. Can you at least give me a hint as to where we’re going this weekend?” Wellington opened the door and waited until Jada was comfortably seated.
    Once they were both inside, he said, “Relax. I could but that would spoil the surprise. Patience, my Queen …”
    Jada reclined in the passenger seat and put on her sunglasses.” Okay, Mr. Wonderful, I’m relaxed now, and since you won’t tell me where we’re going, at least allow me to ask you a few
personal
questions.”
    Wellington learned the hard way how women could get your whole life history in one conversation and use it to their advantage. So he devisedhis own strategy.” Under one condition. We trade one for one.”
    “I can handle that.” Jada leaned forward, flipped her hair over the headrest, and leaned back.
    “Ladies first.” Wellington switched to disk eleven, Kenny G, and cruised south along Highway 1.
    “Okay. If you could change just one thing about your life, what would it be and why?”
    Wellington premeditated.” That’s an easy question with a hard answer. The absence of my real parents has created an irreplaceable void in my life. I often wonder if they’re alive.” Everything around Wellington was a blur, except the road ahead. There was less than two feet of space where the shoulder ended and the steep cliff began. Below, Wellington could see waves washing ashore, children wading, and lots of people sunbathing.” I love my adoptive parents but …” A lump formed in his throat.
    A moment of silence passed.” You can just hire an investigator to find them. At least that way you’ll know,” suggested Jada.
    “Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.” Wellington shifted in his seat.” It’s like, I really want to know, but then again I don’t. If they’re alive and choose not to acknowledge me, I’m not sure how I’d deal with the rejection.” For the first time in years, Wellington openly discussed the subject. He sighed and tried to enjoy the view.” I have pictures of both my mothers hanging in the living room. I’d like to show you when you visit. I’m not sure what my old man looks like. Perhaps one day, I’ll seek them out. Who knows?” Wellington paused.” Okay. That’s enough. Now it’s my turn to ask you a question.”
    “Go for it.” Jada propped her hands behind her head.
    Her fragrances enthralled Wellington’s head. He contemplated, then asked, “If you could change just one thing about your life, what