“Shoot, Young Blood!” he said while smiling making this even more difficult.
“I need to kick it with you about Tara. Now, you know I don’t believe in involving you in our relationship because we’re both adult enough to handle our affairs alone,” I attempted.
Big D nodded his head peaceably. “I think I know where you’re going. Is this about the call I got from Trish about Tara crying because of something that went down between you two?” Big D interrupted unusually.
“Yes and no. I’m not sure why she called crying but the truth is, Big D, we’re not working out. Now, I’m not coming to you for advice. I’m coming to you as a man because you let me date your daughter years ago when she was damn near fresh out of high school. You sat me down and gave me the speech about boundaries in our personal relationship as it relates to my affairs with Tara and I respected that. So, I thought it was only right to give you the heads up before it goes down.” I studied his face in anticipation. “I guess what I’m trying to say is it’s time for Tara and me to call it quits. I’d rather not go into details because she is your daughter, but things haven’t been right between us for a couple of years now. I feel like I’m at the point in my life where I’m trying to go in a different direction in terms of home. You feel me?” I explained feeling instant relief as I closed my statement. It felt right; I just had to go about this shit with tact.
“Well Divine, I respect you coming to me. Shit! Now I gotta hear this for weeks from Tara and Trish. I respect what you’ve done,” he said while looking down as if he was processing my words.
“This doesn’t have to do with any other woman, does it? Because I gotta say, if it’s permanent I can respect it but if it’s for some *, I can’t. I’ve always told you if you need some fresh ass just get it…but discreetly.” Big D looked to me with heeding eyes. He was from the old school where men were flexible about infidelity. They measured their manhood by how well they provided for their families, not how they spent their leisure time.
“Nah, man. To be honest with you, new ass ain’t even been on the radar. It’s bigger than *. I’m a man and need to be with someone who’s on the same page as me. And frankly, Big D, the money got to her head. Im'ma have money ‘til I die so it’s nothing to me but…I need a woman who’s feeling the same but with more of a wholesome…low key lifestyle. Not this Hollywood bullshit.” I tried my best not to speak on the details of my disdain for Tara. Her indiscretions would never be appropriate for her father’s knowledge.
“Well son, you’re in the middle of Hollywood. Your friends are in Hollywood. Now even if you don’t settle down with my daughter you gotta remember this; the money you have has elevated your lifestyle, your friends and even your taste. Don’t you think it’ll be the same with your woman?” He was pleading with me. And as simple as it would have been to fully disclose Tara’s recent offenses, I couldn’t. I had too much love and respect for them both.
“Oh, definitely.” I gave a reserved nod. My delivery had to be composed because this could have easily turned into a counseling session and I didn’t need that. I needed out. And as difficult as it was to disappoint my mentor, I had to end things with his daughter. “But the money, glitz, and glamour of the lifestyle can’t be the focus or a priority. I’m not saying I could prove it because I haven’t been out there to find one, but I know there has to be something better. This just doesn’t feel good anymore and hasn’t for a long time,” I protested gently.
Big D sighed and paused for a very long time. My phone went off and I reached to check it. Tarsha came back in with our food. As soon as she left us to ourselves again he looked me square in the eyes wanting to plant a message deep into my psyche, “Are you sure this doesn’t have anything to do with another woman?”