Synopsis
At 21 years old, Symone Holmes has finally transitioned into the second phase of her life, adulthood. As the WNBA's top prospect coming out of college and with the love of her life by her side, Symone is ready to start living her dreams without delay. However, her mother's continued disapproval of her sexuality still casts a dark shadow over Symone's spirit. When an unexpected family tragedy occurs, Symone faces a major decision: put her plans of stardom on hold and confront obstacles that have kept her fenced out of her mother's life or continue on a path to basketball greatness and remain the black sheep of the family. The decision will not be an easy one and regardless of which path she takes there are serious downsides in the midst. If she forgoes her rookie year as a professional basketball player, there is a chance she will not get a second opportunity to live out her dream. However, if she does pursue her career first, she may resent the one thing she loves - basketball - and lose the only chance she has to reconcile with her family. Symone Holmes returns in this emotional tale of sacrifice and family tragedy that dramatically changes the course of the ‘second season’ of her life.
From the Author
SNEAK PEEK "I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give." ~ John 14:27
SYMONE BOUNCED HER LEG nervously as she and Regina waited outside for their name to be called.
"Relax honey," Regina whispered.
"I'm good," Symone uttered softly.
Regina leaned in and kissed Symone on the cheek. Symone looked around nervously.
"It's fine, Symone. This is a gay friendly restaurant."
Regina saw the tension escape through Symone's shoulders like steam rising from a hot frying pan placed in cold water.
"I should've known you'd be the first to arrive."
Symone and Regina both turned to the voice that came from behind them.
"Hey Zen," Regina said. She stood and embraced her before introducing them. "Symone, this is Zen. She's one of the writers at the magazine."
Symone took Zen's hand and shook it aggressively. She immediately recognized her as the light-skinned stud that was checking Regina out the time Symone stopped by the office.
"Zen?" Symone repeated with skepticism.
"It's short for Zenadia. I'm Dominican," Zen shared, rubbing her hands together nervously. She turned to Regina and said, "Wow, you look gorgeous. I don't think I've ever seen you with your hair up."
Regina averted eye contact with Symone, gently patted her updo and replied, "Thank you. You're not looking too bad yourself. I don't think I've seen you in all white before and linen, too."
"With the class of women I'm hanging with tonight, I figured I'd better step it up a bit."
"You know Anita's still going to clown you about that green shirt though."
Zenadia tugged at the white linen button down shirt she wore over top the green T-shirt. "Maybe if I button it up, she's not going to notice it."
Symone coughed to break the dialogue. Regina smelled the bravado secreting through Symone's pores. She displayed the same macho demeanor when Regina used to date Melissa back in college. The territorial gesture was overkill but Regina took pleasure in seeing that Symone still felt the need to make it known that she was her girl.
"How long have you two been waiting?" Zen asked.
"Maybe ten minutes," Regina replied, "but I knew it might be a bit of a wait for a party of eight."
"Eight?" Zen repeated surprised.
"I wasn't sure who all was coming so I rounded up." Regina smirked under her breath and continued, "You know Anita and Devon never RSVP for anything but pop up like they're the ones hosting the party."
"Or like the party was thrown in their honor."
"True!" Regina laughed with Zen.
Symone grew agitated with their one on one exchange so she interjected and asked Zen, "So where's your date?"
"I'm stag tonight."
"Zen has this rule," Regina began with a hint of humor, "She never brings a woman on a group date unless their exclusive."
Zen shot a playful glare at Regina and explained, "For some reason, certain women--"
"Only the ones you date," Regina blurted out.
"Obviously. It's like I'm a magnet for crazy, over-committed, suffocating women." Symone rolled her eyes as Regina and Zen shared another laugh.
"I wanna laugh too." Symone's statement dripped with sarcasm.
"Oh right. It's like these women take meeting my friends as a sign that the relationship is moving toward moving in together or marriage or something when really all I want to do is hang out and chill."
"One girl actually cried when Zen introduced her to me." Regina laughed and carried on, "She was hugging Zen shouting, 'YES, YES!' like Zen had just proposed."
"I'll never make that mistake again."
"A magnet for sure," Symone replied with as much sarcasm as her last statement. "Where do you find them?"
"Stewart, part of eight," echoed from the intercom.
"That's us," Regina said and motioned them to the door.
Symone was happy to hear that their table was ready. Zen's subtle flirting with Regina boiled under Symone's skin at a rapid pace.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
