1.5- Mia's Story

"So what time do you get off work tonight?" Mia asked. She held the phone to her ear with her shoulder as she struggled to hold a bag of groceries in her arm and unlock the door.
"Umm..6 I think," Darren answered, clicking on the keyboard in the background. "What do you have planned?"
"I can't tell you that. It's a surprise. A special anniversary surprise." Mia sat the bag of groceries on the kitchen table and began unpacking the food she'd bought. "So, let's say 8'oclock..I'll see you then?"
"Aight. That'll work. See you then."

After hanging up the phone, Mia wasted no time in getting started with dinner. She and Darren had been together, this time, for three months today and she wanted to celebrate. She'd left campus right after her last class and headed straight to the grocery store to pick up food to make Darren's favorite dinner- baked salmon,grilled asparagus, and roasted potatoes. With the bottle of champagne on ice, she got to work on preparing the meal. While she was in the middle of peeling potatoes, her phone rang.

"Hey girl, what are you doing?" It was her best friend Katrina.
"Cooking dinner for Darren." Mia heard an exasperated sigh on the other end.
"Ugh..I'm not even going to say anything."
"What? Speak your mind." Mia sat the potato in her hand down and put her hands on her hip.
"Nothing..go ahead..get your Martha Stewart on. Just hope he appreciates what you're doing this time," Katrina rolled her eyes at the thought.
"People change Trina. Give him a break."
"Okay..fine..I didn't call to argue about this. We still going out tomorrow?"
"Uh.." Mia started.
"Uh what? You dissing me for Darren again, aren't you?"
"I'm not dissing you. He asked me earlier today if I wanted to go to the movies tomorrow and I said yeah. I mean, it's our anniversary weekend." Mia continued peeling potatoes. There was another sigh in the background.
"Sure. Cool. Well I'll talk to you later then Mia."
"Okay girl.. I need to finish this food. But we'll get together, I promise."


7:45. Darren had called twenty minutes ago to let Mia know he was on his way to her apartment. Everything was ready. Mia had candles lit around the apartment, rose petals leading to the bedroom for "dessert", and had spent the last ten minutes primping in the mirror. She'd bought a sexy dress the day before just for tonight. As she glanced at the clock on her phone, she was certain Darren would be pleasantly surprised when he saw her. She went back into the kitchen to check on the food. Thinking she'd heard a knock, she rushed over to the door and looked out the peephole. No one was there. She looked over at the clock on the stove. 7:55. It was only a ten minute drive from Darren's apartment to hers, fifteen at most if there was traffic. But it was a Thursday night, there shouldn't have been much traffic. No worries, maybe he'd stopped by the store on the way over.

8:50. Mia looked at her phone as she nervously tapped her nails on the table. She'd promised herself that she wouldn't overreact. She knew there had to be a good reason as to why Darren was late. She wanted to call but decided against it; he'd call--better yet, he'd come soon. Ten minutes later, still no Darren. She decided she would call just to check on him and dialed his number. It went straight to voicemail. Thinking maybe he was attempting to call her at the same time, she hung up, waited a few seconds and called again. Voicemail again. Mia looked at the candles that had nearly melted all the way down and tried to keep calm. She looked at her phone and dialed Darren's number again. Again it went to voicemail. "Damn him!" she yelled, slamming her phone on the table. She grabbed an oven mitt and yanked the pan of fish from the oven, tossing it angrily on the stove. She did the same with both the asparagus and potatoes she had left in the oven to keep warm. As she was walking around blowing out the last of candles which hadn't already burned out, her phone rang.

"Hello!" she yelled in the phone, not even bothering to look at the caller i.d
"Whoa..why are you yelling in the phone?" It was Katrina. Now it was Mia who sighed.
"I'm waiting on Darren. He hasn't called and his phone is going to voicemail so I don't know if something happened."
"Hmm.. when was the last you talked to him? What time was he supposed to be coming over?"
"He called around 7:15 saying he was on his way. He was supposed to be here at 8 and now," Mia glanced at her phone, "it's damn near 10 o'clock!"
"Calm down. I'm sure he has good reason for not calling yet. Don't flip out. I'll come over. If he's not there by the time I get there, we'll just go out and get drinks. Screw him." Mia sighed again.
"Okay, See you in a few."

About ten minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Momentarily Mia's frustration simmered as she silently hoped it was Darren. She smoothed down the front of her dress as she opened the door. It was Katrina.

"So I guess he's not here," she said, walking in and looking at the remnants of the romantic dinner that would go unappreciated. She took a potato from the pan and bit into it. "Mmm, this is good. Let me find out you really know how to cook." She ate the remainder of it and grabbed another.
"I can't believe he hasn't called. We talked all week about tonight. I called him earlier to remind him. He called to say he was ON HIS WAY, and he's still not here. I wonder if something happened. Maybe I should go to his apartment?"
"Hold on, I'mma just bring this pan of potatoes..they're good as hell. No need to waste food," Katrina mumbled as she picked up the pan and headed out the door.

Mia, Katrina, and the pan of potatoes piled into Mia's car and drove to Darren's apartment. Mia had tried calling him again before leaving, but again it went to voicemail. She tried to control her anger as she sped down Abercorn Street, changing lanes without signaling and cursing the cars in front of her that kept slowing down. Finally making it to Darren's apartment complex, she slowed down as she neared his building.

"His car's not here. What the hell?" Mia parked in an empty spot and turned off the car. "I'll be right back." She went upstairs and knocked on his door. A few seconds later, his roommate Calvin opened the door.
"What's up Mia?" he asked, pulling down his shirt and glancing over his shoulder down the hallway to his bedroom.
"Darren here?"
"Nah, he left out a while ago." Mia noticed Calvin was wearing only one sock and his basketball shorts seemed to be on backwards.
"Did he say where he went?"
"Nope. You tried calling him?" Calvin shifted his weight from his right to left leg and leaned against the door. Mia heard a Trey Songz song on the stereo get louder in the back. Calvin glanced over his shoulder again.
"Is he here?" Katrina asked, walking up behind Mia, still munching on the potatoes. "Oh hey, Calvin..what's going on?"
"Hey T..I was just telling Mia that Darren ain't here..Soo.." He looked at both girls waiting for them to say something. Katrina looked at Calvin and noticed his disheveled look.
"Oooh...Calvin's got company!" She laughed. "Play on playa. Come on Mia, let's go get some drinks. All them potatoes, I'm thirsty now."


As they walked back downstairs to her car, Mia tried calling Darren again. Frustrated, she tossed her phone in the backseat and started the car and sped off. Katrina didn't bother saying anything as they rode through town, seemingly going nowhere in particular. Finally, Mia pulled into a gas station and got out the car without speaking. With a lap full of napkins, Katrina gathered her mess and got out to put it in the trash. A quick breeze blew a few of the napkins out her hand and behind Mia's car. "Ah crap," she mumbled as she walked over to pick them up. When she stood up again, she glanced over at the McDonald's parking lot next to the gas station and froze.

"Uh..Mia?"
"Yeah?" Mia stopped pumping gas and turned towards Katrina.
"Isn't that Darren's car right there?" She pointed to a black Nissan Maxima with a black and gold A Phi A license frame parked in front of McDonald's.
"What the..?" Mia twisted the knob on her gas tank and closed the door. "He can't be serious? Get in the car."
"Oh man..I really wasn't counting on catching a charge tonight. Guess it beats sitting at home watching Grey's Anatomy," Katrina said to herself as she got back inside the car and Mia drove off.

Maybe because the drive over was less than a minute, or because she was infuriated beyond comprehension, but it hadn't crossed her mind what she would do once she got inside and saw Darren. She slammed her car door and stormed inside and quickly scanned the area. There was Darren and some girl she was sure she'd seen around campus before, sitting in a corner booth just laughing and giggling. Mia took a quick breath and walked over to the table, Katrina walking quickly behind her.

"Darren! What the hell's going on?" Mia stopped at the table and turned toward Darren, whose back was turned toward the door so he didnt see her walking up.
"Oh shit, Mia! Hey..what's up?" Darren looked surprised, but still remained calm.
"What's up?! Are you serious right now? Did we not have plans? You called and said you were on your way and then turn your phone off. I'm sitting at home cooking for you and you're sitting here eating a damn Big Mac!" Mia pushed the empty Big Mac into Darren's lap.
"Yo! Why you tripping? Let me explain what happened.."
"Oh, I'd love to hear this story..'See what had happened was..'. You're just real foul D..Mia does not deserve this mess," Katrina said, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Stay out of this Trina. You don't know what you're talking about. It has nothing to do with you." Darren stood up abruptly.
"What?? I'm suppose to be scared of you?? Nigga, you feelin' froggy then jump! Forget what you think you know, I will lay your ass out right here between the Golden Arches." Katrina was barely 5'5 and Darren towered over her standing about 6 feet even. Nevertheless, she was definitely a force not to be reckoned with. He stared at her for a second and then looked to Mia.
"Baby, can we talk about this? I can explain. See, I was on my way over to your spot and then got a call from Danielle..We work together and--"
"Save it Darren. I don't wanna hear it." Mia pushed Darren from in her front of her and for the first time looked at the girl who was sitting in the booth with him. "Hope you enjoyed your dinner." She then turned and walked out. After exchanging a few disgusted looks with both Darren and Danielle, Katrina followed out behind her.

The two drove back to Mia's apartment in silence. Katrina helped clean up what was left of the dinner Mia had cooked. Then, they opened up the bottle of champagne and poured themselves a glass. After about two glasses, they finally started to talk.

"He's such an ass..I can't stand him," Mia sipped the last of the champagne and refilled her glass.
"I agree. Totally.He's so stupid. Damn, I should've gotten a McFlurry before we left out of there," Katrina giggled into her glass.
"I'm done with him. Done. I'm tired of his bull. Did you see that dinner I made for him? I made saked bammon..smaked blammon..saked..dammit, I made fish!" Mia held her glass in the air.
"And taters! Some damn good potaters!" They both laughed hysterically.

7:30. Sunday night. There was a knock at the door. Mia set her Biology book on the table and walked over to look through the peephole. It was Darren. She sighed and debated opening the door. Darren knocked again. Mia unlocked the deadbolt and slowly opened the door. In his arms was a dozen long-stemmed red roses and a small bag in his hand.

"What do you want?" she asked.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Danielle called me and was all upset because her ex had broken into her crib and had just spent over an hour dealing with the police and just wanted to talk. I hadn't planned on staying that long. It was stupid. I was wrong. I know it. You don't even have to say it. I just want you to know I'm so sorry and I love you so much baby." Darren handed her the roses. She took them, but still didn't move from in front of the door.
"I haven't heard from you all weekend. I guess you were still consoling your friend huh?"
"I was giving you your space. I knew you were mad and didn't want to talk. I got this for you the other day. Happy Anniversary." He pulled a long black box from the bag in his hand and revealed a diamond bracelet. Mia was impressed, but made sure not to show it.
"Oh. Nice." Mia stood her ground. Darren look at her with his puppy dog face and batted his hazel eyes at her. She tried her best not to smile. He leaned in and kissed her on the nose and then again on her lips. She sighed. He knew exactly how to get to her.
"Sooo.. you going to let me in?" Mia looked at him and turned to look over her shoulder.
"I'm studying. I have an exam in the morning." He leaned over and kissed her again. She sighed again. "Alright fine, but you'll have to be gone by 10."
Darren smiled and walked in.

Episode 11- TMI- We Didn't Ask.. So Don't Tell.

Cynthia Morales Partied soo hard last nite..Drank sooo much..All I remember is throwin up next to some random gurlz from the party..Not sure where my shirt ended up either..haha..this hangover is a beotch though..still had a blast! Updated on Saturday

Maria PRicanMami Alvarez Gurrll Yess!! My feet hurt so bad..Never again am I goin out wit ya..JK.. We should do it again 2nite...lol
Cynthia Morales Call me! U kno I'm dwn! I get off work at 5

Cynthia Morales So you don't pay your child support for over 6 months and you wonder why I'm pissed?!! U were right there in bed with me when our son was made so u need to man up and take care of ur responsibility. Dead beat ass! Milk, diapers..none of that is free! We'll be visitin u in jail soon! Updated on Monday

John Howie Tell em girl! I would go without b4 I let my girls even want for anything..
Selena Morales I told you he was no good..just take him back to court and dont even stress about it
Daria Julian Bastard! I kno how u feel girl.. my baby daddy was trippin too..Had to call the law on him..

Cynthia Morales The boo cleaned the house AND cooked dinner 2nite...just finished our 2nd bottle of Moscato..pull out the box of Magnums..it's going to be a looong nite..gonna show him just how much I luv him ;) Updated on Wednesday 3 people like this

Vicki Turner OOOoohh!! Dat Moscato will do it to you everytime! Go handle ur bizness..lol
Tricia Peres Now you know Jose is not rockin no Magnums..don't be pumpin his head up..well, I guess u r...rotfl...j/k..but still funny
Cynthia Morales @Vicki..yes, yes, and yes!! @Tricia..haha..shut up..I'll let him kno wat u said too..

Cynthia Morales R U f-n kiddin me?? U want a DNA test now?? GTFOH wit that bull..When u were able to come sex me on the regular, you had no question that our son was urs...now that you've been cut off you wanna get stupid?! U can call Maury if you want, but u ARE the FATHER!! Updated on Thursday

Rico Williams Why is he trippin? I hate wack a$$ dudes..
Gina Young Man..this fool is really comin out of left field..Get him for all his paper..
Cynthia Morales Uggh.. I can't stand him.. he hasnt seen his son in over 2mths and now this?! DJ doesn't deserve this..I swear Imma make sure he grows up to be a betta man den his triflin ass poor excuse for a daddy..
Charlene Barnes Don't worry Cyn..DJ is going to be a great man..We'll all make sure of it!

A native of Los Angeles, California, Miss Cynthia Morales has been a hair stylist at Dynamic Do's for about six years. When she's not spending time with her 2 year old son Dorian (DJ), she takes hip hop dance classes and likes to hang out with her girlfriends.

Cynthia Morales Wow..is all I can say..Guess the whole 'keep ur friends close but ur enemies closer' is so true..After 5yrs I thought I could trust you...Mi Hermana...Now I find out ur the one who's been feeding my baby daddy all these lies?? Wonder what else u were doin with him...but kno that Karma is bytch so be on the look out..you'll get urs! Updated on Saturday 2 people like this

Ariana Rodriguez WTH?? R u talkin about Angie?? I knew that chic was suspect..
Selena Morales Oh, I got sumthn for dat a$$...Call me later on
Benita Jones She has too much time on her hands..jealous of what u got goin on..hatas never sleep
Will Stevens You always gotta watch out for those single broads.. always comin over and checkin ur man out on the cool..Listenin when u tell them his problems..den the minute u turn ur back..BAM! they tryin to jump his bones..

**It should be a felony to willfully post such private information in a public forum..and everyone who comments and perpetuates this travesty should be tried as accessories to the crime..If you want to vent, grab a pen and paper and write it down for YOUR own viewing pleasure..this is Facebook, not your diary!**

Episode 10- Pretentious Much?

Aaron Franklin You must be the change you wish to see in the world Updated on Monday 7 people like this

Aaron Franklin Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go Updated on Monday

Aaron Franklin We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now. Updated on Tuesday

Aaron Franklin It doesn't matter how long we may have been stuck in a sense of our limitations. If we go into a darkened room and turn on the light, it doesn't matter if the room has been dark for a day, a week, or ten thousand years - we turn on the light and it is illuminated. Once we control our capacity for love and happiness, the light has been turned on." Updated on Tuesday 5 people like this

Aaron Franklin The way to love anything is to realize it might be lost Updated on Wednesday


A freelance writer working for a local newspaper, Aaron Franklin recently transferred from Brown University after several disagreements and conflicting ideas with his professors, he is currently working on his Ph.D in Ancient Chinese Philosophy at U Penn. A 30-something father of three, he and his wife, Lauryn spend a lot of time giving back to the community by volunteering with homeless shelters and food banks. Before having their children, both Lauryn and Aaron spent time working with the Peace Corps in Malaysia helping build libraries for the local schools.


Aaron Franklin If you are lonely when you are alone, you are in bad company. Updated on Thursday


Aaron Franklin If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything Updated on Friday

Aaron Franklin You might have to break many hearts, hopes, or expectations. You might be bruised, exhausted, or hurt. Painful days, mournful nights, depressing life but at last... you will achieve your aim for which you were born. So... Keep trying!". Updated on Saturday 9 people like this


Aaron Franklin The difference between stumbling blocks and stepping stones is how you use them Updated on Sunday

Aaron Franklin I've finally come to understand that whatever happens, all those stumbling blocks, all these problems, have nothing to do with real happiness. Happiness is facing yourself and learning to love what you see, flaws and all. It's taking enjoyment just from the process of being human. Updated on Sunday 3 people like this

Aaron Franklin Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising everytime we fall Updated on Sunday

Aaron Franklin Better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt. Updated on Monday


**So you own a couple of Famous Quotes books...or you use that "Quote A Day" calendar you have on your desk at work...maybe even Google a quote when you're bored..I'm all for the occasional inspirational tidbit, but everyday??! We get it already!**