Chapter 7: Trouble in Paradise

Felicia and Don came back to her parents' house and went upstairs to her room. Don stretched out across the bed while Felicia sat down in the baby blue swivel rocking chair that her mother had kept for her since she was a small child. As watched him, she couldn't help but to think about the night that they had shared. It was long before Don had fallen asleep. It was times like these that she began to think about the prospects of a song. She grabbed a pen from her dresser and her journal and began writing:

For someone who has everything, I have absolutely nothing. A husband who rather run in for a few brief and stolen moments and a music career that is skyrocketing. But there is no one to share it with. At least that's the way it feels.

Felicia sighed a breath of sadness. She looked up at the ceiling and began to cry. As she felt the tears run down her face, she heard the sound of her mother's voice from outside her closed door.

"Felicia?"

She wiped away her tears and answered her. "Yes, Mom."

"Can I come in?" Diana respected her daughter's privacy.

"Of course."

Diana walked in to see Felicia sitting in her chair. "Hi."

"Hi."

She looked over to see Don asleep on the bed. Without a word, Felicia put the pen in the journal and walked out to her mother. Felicia closed the door behind them as they walked silently downstairs and into the living room.

"Are you okay?"

Felicia smiled a small smile at her mother. "Yes, I'm fine."

Diana looked at her with intent. "Felicia what's wrong?"

Felicia knew that there was nothing that she could keep away from her mother, but this was one thing she had to keep under wraps - at least for now. "Nothing, I'm just nervous about the tour."

"You don't have to be nervous about that. You have enough experience in this business to know what you have to do to be a success. And baby you are."

Felicia looked at her and began to cry. "I don't know if I can do it."

"Yes you can, I know you can and what's more - I know that you know you can."

Diana Johnson always had a way of talking to her children about anything. Whatever it was. It didn't matter what it was. Whether it be about the girls that Dwayne had or was thinking about - or Felicia going through her troubles with the guys - she was right there. Felicia continued talking with her mother.

"What if I get out there and nothing comes out. I mean, I just freeze and my body goes on shutdown."

"Honey, you are talking nonsense. You've been in concert before."

"I know but that was different." Felicia paused."I was only singing for a like 300 people. This is a World tour - I could get out there and fall flat on my face and not a word come out."

Diana smiled at Felicia as Felicia shot her a look of confusion. "Why are you smiling at me?"

"Because you sound the same way your brother sounded when he had his first match in the WWE."

"I do?"

"Yes ma'am, you do."

"Do you remember when Dwayne was runnin' around like a chicken with its head cut off rantin' and ravin' about this, that and the other?"

Felicia smiled at the memory. "Yes I do."

"Okay. That's exactly what you are doing right now."

Felicia took in a deep breath and stared momentarily at the ceiling before looking at Deborah. "You are right, Mom."

"Um hmm." Diana said.

"I can do this." Felicia said.

"You can do anything." Diana said.

Deborah pulled her daughter in her arms and held her close to her. As they were sharing a very intimate mother and daughter moment, Felicia reflected on what her mother had told her. She thought that she could also use this bit of advice in her personal life with Don.

The next day...

Morning Miami sun dancing in the small panel of her miniblinds, Felicia could barely open her eyes as the sun almost blinded her. She struggled to see as she placed a hand in front of her. She rolled over and placed her hand to where Don was sleeping. But there was nothing there but a pillow and a note. She opened her eyes completely and read the note:

Dearest Felicia...

I'm sorry that I'm not with you now, but I got a call this morning while you were sleeping. I had to go out of town again. I know that I said I would try to spend more time at home, but this can't wait. Call me when you are awake and alert.

I love you Princess

Don

Felicia read the note over and over again until she memorized every word. After, she took the note in her hand and crushed it as she became more and more saddened. She looked over at her phone and thought about calling him to see what and where his latest prospect had taken him this time. By this time she didn't really care anymore. She had been as patient as she could with him and his work. He flown to Miami to be with her - but instead he was gone again. What was the point of you coming to be with me if you weren't going to be with me at all?

Later in the day...

After getting showered and dressed, Felicia and Dwayne went to the mall. Shopping always made Felicia feel better - and for that matter it did the same for Dwayne. They walked together in the mall and in the Food Court until his cell phone rang. He excused himself from Felicia as she was sitting down having an Expresso. As she was enjoying her coffee, she felt as if she was being watched. She sat up straight and turned to where she felt the eyes on her. She looked and saw Dave standing behind her. "Hi."

"Oh God, its you."

Dave shot her a look. "Do you mind if I sit down?"

"It's a free country."

Dave sat down in the chair beside her where Dwayne had been previously sitting. Felicia looked over at him before taking a sip of her warm beverage. Even though she was a bit upset with Don, she would still steal occasional glances at Dave. He looked good in his sleeveless black tank top and loose fitting faded blue jeans that fit just right on his hips. He took his black posh Gucci shades off his beautiful brown eyes that looked like just like chocolate. He smelt of Armani cologne. All in all, he was nothing short of mind-blowing sex appeal.

As they continued to share small talk, Dwayne came back from his phone call, pulled up a chair and sat down beside his sister. Felicia rolled her eyes at him before getting up to use the restroom. From the look on her face, she was not happy with Dwayne's leaving her. Dave and Dwayne talked while they waited for Felicia.

"She okay?" Dwayne asked.

"I don't know." Dave shook his head.

"Did you two talk?"

"Not really."

"I'm sorry, Dave." Dwayne paused. "I told her I had a phone call and when I left you were supposed to talk to her."

"I tried." Dave started. "But she wasn't really in the mood for talking to me. She seemed distracted."

"Well..."

"Well what, D? I've lost her." Dave said. "Plain and simple."

"I don't think so, man." Dwayne said. "You said she seemed distracted, right? I'll tell you why."

Dave looked at Dwayne with intrigue before Dwayne started to speak. "Yesterday morning, Felicia came home and was quite upset. I mean she was with him, but she wasn't the same - as she was when she first left the house. So, she talked to Mom and even though I knew there was something wrong, she totally denied it. And this morning when I asked her where Don was - she burst into tears."

"Did she ever tell you where he was?"

"No. She just blew me off and said she was worried about the tour."

"And you didn't believe her?"

"Not for a second." Dwayne began. "I know when something heavy is on my sister's mind."

"We'll see." Dave said as he looked from the corner of his eye to see Felicia return from restroom. Even though she was noticeably upset and distant, Dave still couldn't take his eyes off her. He knew the moment when he first laid eyes on her that she was always the one woman for him. Yes, he had other girlfriends after Felicia - but they weren't Felicia. She was the one woman that all the others fell short of. She was the standard. But now she was someone else's. Someone else's wife for that matter - and Dave didn't like it - not one little bit.