You're All I Need. Karen White-Owens

next to him. “We’ve got a few minutes. Why don’t you sit? We need to talk.”

      Tia’s heart flipped in her chest. The annoyance in Darnell’s voice spoke volumes. For him to delay leaving was not a good thing.

      “Okay.” She drew her tongue across her dry lips and sank into the spot next to him. “What’s on your mind?”

      “I’ve got an issue that we need to settle,” he said.

      She hated it when he put her on the spot like this. Why did everything have to be such a big deal with him? “Okay. What’s wrong?”

      Darnell’s right eye twitched, but his voice remained calm. “When you decided to finish your degree, I tried my best to be supportive. I left you alone when you needed to work on your homework or finish a paper.”

      Tia raced right in, trying to defuse this situation before it could go any further. “I know. I appreciate your patience. It made completing my degree easier.”

      “But”—he raised a finger—“you’re out of school now. I think the least you could do is be on time when we’ve got plans.”

      Tia turned to him and reached for his hand. He quickly moved away. Hurt by his rejection, she tried to hide her feelings and control the tremor in her voice when she spoke. “Darnell, I’m sorry. Things weren’t supposed to happen this way.”

      Ignoring her apology, Darnell continued in a sour tone. “I’ve been patient…tried to understand what you were going through. That’s all over. Now things are different. I’m not staying on the back burner anymore.”

      “You were never on the back burner. Darnell, I love you, and you’re an important part of my life.”

      “Yeah, right.” He leaned back against the sofa cushions and folded his arms across his chest. “When you decide to look my way.”

      “That’s not true. Remember your company’s holiday bash in February?”

      “So?”

      “You may not have known this, but I was in the middle of three papers and a presentation. I didn’t hesitate to drop everything and go to the function even though I had to stay up practically all night for the next two days to get things done.

      “That’s what a relationship is about. You do things even when they’re inconvenient, because you care about the other person. There’s no doubt in my mind that it’s the way things should go. Look, I planned to be home on time today. But I got caught up with Chris.”

      Frowning, he blinked as if he were caught completely off guard. “Chris? Who’s Chris?”

      “Christophe Jensen. He’s a new attorney from France. I’m trying to get him settled, help him find an apartment.”

      Shaking his head, Darnell said, “I don’t understand. Why are you taking responsibility for this man? Where did he come from? Is he working with Adam? Doesn’t Gautier have people to do this kind of stuff?”

      “Yes, me.”

      “No. This makes no sense to me. You busted your butt finishing your degree to play nursemaid to some French guy? Come on, Tia. Think! Use your brain!”

      Indignant, she stated, “I do use my brain every day. But you don’t understand. It’s more than playing nursemaid to Chris. Adam and I have a deal going that will put me where I want to be in the future.”

      Jumping to his feet, Darnell scoffed, “Adam! It’s always got something to do with that jerk.”

      “You’re being unfair. Adam’s a great boss.”

      “And there you go sticking up for him again. He’s an arrogant SOB. You just won’t admit it.”

      Tia gasped. She had no idea that Darnell disliked her boss so much. “No, he’s not. What possessed you to say something like that?”

      “I can say that and a whole lot more. You just won’t open your eyes and see the man for who he is.”

      “Okay, tell me.” Now Tia folded her arms across her chest. “Who is he? Who do you think he is?”

      “Adam is a man who takes advantage of your good heart. He uses you like some dollar-an-hour typist. You’re the executive assistant to the vice president of Legal Services. You should have some clout in that office. Instead, you do all of the grunt work. That crap should be handed down to some lower-level peon.”

      “That comment is uncalled for.” Tia’s voice dropped an octave. She glared angrily at Darnell. “Don’t ever talk to me that way again.”

      Darnell took a step back and composed himself before mumbling begrudgingly, “I’m sorry. I probably shouldn’t have said that.”

      “No. You shouldn’t have,” Tia agreed.

      “Sometimes I wonder what’s really going on at that company.”

      “Nothing that you have to worry about. Please, listen. If I help with the new guy, Adam will make it possible for me to move into a clerk position in the legal department. That’s the direction I want to go. Eventually, I want to become one of the corporate attorneys. That’s what I want.”

      “This is about your going to law school, isn’t it?”

      A bit embarrassed and feeling on edge, Tia muttered, “Partly.”

      “See, that’s what I’m saying.” Darnell jerked his finger toward the floor, gesturing wildly. “Adam takes advantage of you at every turn and you let him.”

      “It’s not like that. This is my stepping stone to a better career.”

      “To what?”

      “I—”

      “Next you’ll be doing his laundry.”

      “That’s ridiculous. Adam and I don’t have that kind of work relationship. Calm down and listen. Please.”

      “You know what? I’ve had enough.” He glanced at his watch, fished inside his pocket, and produced his keys. “I’m tired of talking. Let’s just go.”

      With nothing more to say, Tia held back tears as she grabbed her purse, obeying Darnell. Her heart heavy with questions and concerns for their future, Tia turned out the lights as they headed out of the apartment. Every time they were together, their conversations turned into an argument. These days their relationship felt so incredibly volatile. They disagreed on just about everything. There were days when she wondered why they were still together. They weren’t happy. A line from one of Gladys Knight’s tunes popped into her head: Neither one of us wants to be the first to say good-bye. That one line summed up their relationship to date.

      Tia shook off those thoughts and decided to concentrate on having a good time. They had history and love between them. They could weather this storm and come out of it stronger and happier. She just had to do her part to make things better. Be on time and listen to Darnell when he needed her.

      She locked her door. They moved down the hallway. Silence seemed to be a constant companion between them. These days she didn’t know how to talk to Darnell. What was she doing in this relationship? She hadn’t been happy in a long time, and she was certain Darnell felt the same way. Were they together because there was no one else or out of habit? Whatever the situation, they needed to sit down, talk honestly, and hash out their issues.

      Five hours later, Darnell parked outside Tia’s apartment. They sat for a moment, listening to Darnell’s CD of Eminem’s greatest hits. The night had been long and difficult. The concert was loud and filled with young people who stood up throughout the entire show. Their actions baffled Tia. Why pay good money for seats if they didn’t plan to use them?

      Unfortunately, Darnell’s basketball buddies had accompanied them with their current bedmates. Now she understood why Darnell questioned her wardrobe selection. Dakai’s and Lamar’s chicks