Speaker 1: Carmen had most certainly grown as a person over the years,
and she prided herself on her ability to learn and
grow from her experiences. She refused to allow the mistakes
and misfortunes of her time with Luther to deter her
learning how to love again, or at least reach a
place in her life where she was happy. Now that
she was in her mid thirties, she was more determined
than ever to find love, peace, and joy. She'd learned
that she couldn't help individuals like Luther or her sister Nikki,
especially if they didn't want to be That was one
of the most difficult flaws in her personality that she
had to correct. She'd keep in touch with her sister
Nikki just to let her know that if Rubber hit
the road and she needed a change, she'd know where
to find her. Other than that, she wasn't going to
continue wasting her time and energy to put her on
a better path. She and Marshall took a steppers class
and enjoyed it tremendously. Once they got the basic moves down,
they learned how to incorporate the spins, the twirls, and
the stylish footwork that made Bebop couples dance so fun, exciting,
and energetic. At the conclusion of the class, they decided
to sign up for the Advanced Steppers class. They soon
learned that stepping was more than just a dance for couples.
It was a sensual and oftentimes ironic way that a
man and woman and could express themselves to each other.
Marshall and Carmen both admitted to each other that they
hadn't had so much fun in years, and through dance,
felt a sense of freedom and excitement they'd lost somewhere
along the road of life. Over time, Marshall and Carmen
began dating. They spent time getting better acquainted with one another.
They discussed their previous marriages and the events that went wrong,
and emotional scars that were still healing deep inside both
of them. Carmen talked about her sister and the rift
that was between them because of how her father died.
I want to tell you the story of what happened.
A burglar got into our house one night, Carmen explained.
One fault evening that she was visiting with Marshall, Carmen
was positioned so that her head was resting on Marshall's chest.
Both my father and I heard the person into the
house and came out of our bedrooms at the same time.
My father told me to stay as he grabbed a
baseball bat and walked down the stairs and into the kitchen.
The moment he flipped down the light pitch, I heard
a gunshot and then the sound of his body thudding
against the floor. I wanted to rush to him, but
I froze up. I freaked out. I couldn't move. I
called out to him a few times, but I got
so choked up that I couldn't speak anymore. I literally
stood frozen with fear all night long. It wasn't until
the following morning when my sister woke up that the
police had an ambulance was called my father. Our father.
Speaker 2: Died that night because I wouldn't. I didn't, I mean,
I didn't I have the courage to do something to
help him.
Speaker 1: Carmen's made away tears running down her cheeks. It's never
easy dealing with situations like that, Marshall explained. When a
person has to deal with a traumatic situation like that,
it's not uncommon to freeze with fear. Marshall said as
he stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head.
He felt his heart intertwined with hers, and at that
moment he knew that he knew that he would always
want her to allow his chest to be her pillow.
That she cried on. Having Marshall and her life lifted
her spirits and gave her renewed hope for finding happiness.
Over the next several months, she and Marshall grew very
close to each other. They spent time going to museums,
jazz concerts, and stage plays. They read books and discussed
them with each other. Marshall took the time to get
to know Nicholas and Carmen love the way they interacted.
Marshall was so patient, loving and caring with her son.
He took time out of his schedule to take Nicholas
to swim class at the community Center. He got along
well with Nicholas, and Marshall never raised his voice in
anger at her son or placed a hand on him,
and that went a long way with Carmen. Because she
wanted a man who'd accept her and her son. She
didn't want a man who'd abuse or mistreat her baby.
It's white outside. It was now new Year's Eve, and
Carmen was standing in front of the bathroom mirror putting
the finishing touches on her makeup. She was in a
rush because she just returned from getting Nicholas situated with
her babysitter. She was looking very forward to beginning the
new year with Marshall. With Marshall and his brother Quentin
and his wife Dawn. They'd planned to bring in the
new year together at a party at the Hyatt Hotel
in downtown Chicago. Just as she was slipping on her
high heeled shoes, she heard her doorbell ring. She went
to open the door and saw Marshall wearing a tailored
black Bill blast suit with a perfectly met silver shirt,
tie and cufflings. Damn, you look good, Carmen said to
him as she stepped into his embrace and kissed him.
And you look hot, Marshall said, as his hand slid
down and caressed her ass. Damn you were worried that
Michael chortan cologne that turns me ah. Carmen gave him
a saucy smile as she turned and walked away from him.
Marshall was like no other lover Carmen had ever had.
Before he was able to bring out a sensual side
of her that she didn't even know existed. After making
left to Marshal, there was no way that she could
deny the fact that he was slowly turning her around
in a good way. As Carmen walked away from Marshall,
he was in awe at how beautiful she looked in
her black dress. It had a more than generous split
of the left leg that ran dangerously high on her
muscular thigh. He allowed his eyes to float up and
down her brown leg that was accessorized with a gold
ankle bracelet. Her shoes were made of the same fabric
as the dress, and they were the open toed heel
of variety. She pivoted and turned her back to him.
The back of the dress showed a lot of skin.
Across her shoulder blades ran two straps that chriss crossed
high and in the center of her shoulder blades. Another
strap came around to her back and clasped together. At
the center of her back. There was a U shaped
scoop that ran hazardously low on her hips. She pivoted
once again and highlighted the front of the dress. All
of her neck and chests were exposed because of a
very deep V shaped scoop. So how do I look, Officer,
Carmen said, batting her eyes playfully at Marshall. Baby, the
way you look in that dress, she you're going to
do more damage than a nuclear bomb. Carmen laughed. She
was tickled by his comment. Oh really, Carmen rested her
hand on her tummy as she continued to laugh. Yes, really,
I'm going to have to fight off the hounds, Marshall
said as he cracked his knuckles. Well, I'm very confident
you're a man who knows how to protect a lady.
Carmen walked back over to Marshall. She put her arms
around his neck and looked him in his eyes. Marshall
slid his hands around her waist and locked his fingers.
Marshall moved closer to Carmen and kissed her passionately. The
moment their lips met, Carmen felt twigeous of excitement in
the bottom of her tummy. Damn, Carmen said, as she
pulled away from his succulent lips and then smeared away
red lipstick that she had left. If we don't get
out of here, You're gonna end up with your head
in the pillow and your ass and the air, Marshall said,
with absolute certainty. Carmen could see his desire for her
in his eyes, and it turned her on. You're such
a sensual man, Carmen said, feeling her desire for him
increasing with each passing moment. Marshall said, as he pulled
her back into him. Oh no, no, no, no, no no,
don't play with me, Carmen said, feeling herself tangling with
nervous sexual energy. You're taking me out tonight, mister. I
spent all day yesterday getting a manicure, pedicure and my
hair done. Carmen stepped away from him and showed Marshal
both her fingernails and directing him to look at her
toenail polish. See that there's a foul, Marshall said, You
know how I am about feet. A wide smile spread
across Carmen's face. If you're a good boy, I'll let
you rub them down for me tonight in our hotel room,
Carmen said, as she made her way to her closet
and grabbed her coat and gloves. When they arrived at
the hotel, that was filled with people wearing party favors
and making their way to the ball room. Marshall and
Carmen maneuvered their way through the crowd and entered the ballroom.
Once inside, they located Don and Quentin, who'd arrived earlier,
dressed and ready to do some serious part of you.
Hey girl, Carmen greeted Dawn when she saw her. The
two of them had become good friends over the course
of her relationship with Marshall. Oh no, you ain't cutting
up like that, Dawn was looking at Carmen with envy. Wow,
Quentin said, you look great, he said, and gave Karmen
a quick hug. Marshall. Marshall, Marshall, how many dreams have
you had? Marshall last laughing, don't worry about it. I'm
not driving, Dawn and I have a room, and at
the stroke of midnight, I'm Gwinney. Never mind, never mind,
never mind, Marshall said, Quentin, behave yourself. Everyone doesn't need
to know our business. Dawn lovingly scolded her husband. Happy
New Year to you, ma'am, Marshall said, as he sat down.
The same to you, Quentin said, as everyone else sat down. Girl,
that dress is h ot. Dawn continued to compliment Carmen.
This is her most revealing dress I've ever worn. Carmen explained.
If my sister could see me now, she'd freak the
hell out. Marshall makes me feel so Carmen searched her
mind for the right words. He makes me feel so alive.
He's just what I needed at this point and time
in my life, Carmen said, as she reached over and
held onto his hand. Oh that's so special. Dawn was
happy for them. Come on, babe, let's go dance, Marshall said,
and led Carmen out to the dance floor. Marshall, Carmen, Quentin,
and Dawn enjoyed the evening's festivities. Then, at about twenty
minutes before midnight, Quentin said, I've got to go get
on my job. I'll talk to you later, he said
jokingly as he and Dawn headed up to their hotel room.
Thirty seconds left until the new year announced. The Master
of Ceremonies ten nine eight said, the Master of Ceremony
seven six, five, four three two one. Should all the
quaintains bee for good and the broad to mine? Should
all the quintains bee for good? And dadys sign Happy
New Year. The crowd shouted out as Old Ang Sime
began playing. Then there was a large balloon drop filled
with black and silver balloons and party streamers. Marshall took
his attention off the floating balloons and put it back
on Carmen, who was also looking up at them. Marshall
took Carmen's face into his hands. She'd been waiting for
this moment. When he kissed her, electricity tickled every inch
of her body.
Speaker 2: Will talk.
Speaker 1: Here for a line sign forble evine sign like the
forble loving signs
Speaker 2: Whil