had to
Learn how to crawl
I hope
I hope
I hope
After reading Soul Mates Dissipate
If you only understand
We are not perfect
And will never be
And we must accept responsibility
For the actions of our plans
We do have a plan
Right
There is a purpose
in life
I hope
After reading He’s Just A Friend
We will stop
Using the word friend
So loose
And learn to untie the noose
That we have placed around each other’s necks
I hope
After reading Never Again Once More
We discover the core
Is forgiveness
Forgiveness is key
Oneness in love is the key
For true love can never be
Separate and equal
So I hope
The next time you
Have expectations
That you have them of yourself
And no one else
Or you will be disappointed
By who
No one
But you
CHRONOLOGY
Soul Mates Dissipate, Never Again Once More, He’s Just A Friend, and my next four novels are intertwined. I recommend reading the series in order. Hopefully, this brief background will help the reader better understand the connections.
Soul Mates Dissipate
Soul Mates Dissipate is, for now, the beginning. This page-turning drama takes you on a journey with Jada Diamond Tanner and Wellington Jones, aka . . . soul mates. Wellington’s mother Cynthia Jones, who has a history of her own with her sister Katherine, friend Susan, and ex-lover Keith, invites another woman, Melanie Marie Thompson, to break up Wellington’s engagement with Jada.
Never Again Once More
This sequel to Soul Mates Dissipate spans twenty years into the lives of Jada and Wellington. Jada marries Lawrence Anderson. Wellington marries Simone Smith. Darius Jones, Jada’s son, is born and matures to twenty years of age by the end of this story and he’s climbing on top of his mother’s corporate ladder and her female executive staff.
He’s Just A Friend
Fancy Taylor is a beautiful but not so brilliant woman on the move to conquer a rich husband by any means necessary. Along her journey she’ll meet several friends, some of which become foes, and eventually Fancy will meet Jada’s son Darius Jones.
Somebody’s Gotta Be On Top (the next release)
Regardless of the situation, Darius Jones is always on top. His motto is: “If it doesn’t make money, it doesn’t make sense.” That includes the women in his life. That is, until he meets Fancy Taylor.
If you’ve read each novel, as I mentioned before, Cynthia Jones has a history so moving, trust me, her story is worth the wait. Cynthia’s story creates the beginning and concludes my seven-book series. After Cynthia’s novel, I promise not to keep you waiting for Kiss Me: Now Tell Me You Love Me, a chilling drama about Harrison and Angela Gray.
AUTHOR’S MESSAGE
Here’s my take, spin, belief, on life, love, and relationships. Change is constant but some folk want to change the people and things around them, but not themselves. They believe their values and concepts are more valid than others, thereby having a need to mold and clone offspring and mates. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard a man say, “I want to get married, and I really don’t expect that much of my wife, all I want is blah, blah, blah,” I’d be richer than Oprah. Okay, maybe not Oprah, maybe her friend Gail, but you get my point. So here’s the deal. Change the way you think. Change the way you feel.
Relationships are emotionally based for both men and women. Yes, men, too. The public or outward display differs depending upon gender but the suffocating thoughts of betrayal and abandonment can psychologically paralyze a couple rendering both numb to their true feelings of love. Breakups are seemingly devastating because mentally people permit themselves to experience a tremendous loss. A loss so grave some individuals take their own lives and/or the lives of loved ones. Change the way you think and you’ll change the way you feel.
Understand that separation anxiety manifests in numerous ways from infancy to adulthood. Children are comforted as long as they can see their parents. Adults feel secure when they know their spouses are constructively present and in their corner—emotionally, spiritually, financially, and so forth. Kindergartners cry when their parents leave them on the first day of school. Parents cry when their children go off to college. Lovers argue and sometimes fight, wishing their partner would just go away. The same individuals cry themselves to sleep, praying their fleeing mate will soon return.
When the ties that bond begin to tear, lovers panic. Why? Because they perceive the problem cannot be resolved even before they’ve attempted to effectively communicate, therefore adding pressure and stress to an already deteriorating relationship. When times are challenging, take a deep breath and ask yourself, “What is the real issue at hand?” Not problem. But issue. Perceive your dilemma as a resolvable issue. The answer always resides within because you are the hammer, the driving force, equipped to repair or condemn your relationship.
Grow in love as one. Oneness in love is key. Oneness in love is the key. Conceptualize that the man is the soil and the woman is the seed. One cannot flourish without the other. True love can never be separate and equal. Independently, neither man nor woman is complete. Jointly the halves become a whole, but only when the two fuse as one. Immediately begin replacing the I, me, mine with us, we, ours.
Never allow others to pollute your garden of love and solidarity. If you conclude the soil or seed is incompatible, first seek to find what nutritional supplements are deficient. Then gradually add each element. Don’t expect an overnight change. Only after you’ve given your best, if you still haven’t reaped a ripe harvest, you can move forward with a clear conscience. If you decide to uproot to find a more compatible mate, discard the weeds that plagued your garden, lest you contaminate your new soil or seed. Once you realize you already possess everything you need to cultivate a healthy relationship, only then will you experience the joy and happiness of giving and receiving the love you deserve.
Change the way you think. Change the way you feel.
Think positive. Smile at your mate. Lovingly stroke your mate. Whisper kind and kinky thoughts to your mate, especially in public. I did say whisper, right? Okay. Reflect on the good times. Let go of the bad times. Generally you won’t forget but you must learn to forgive—forgive others as well as yourself. Share your dreams. Embrace your fears with faith. Fear is faith twisted upside down. So learn to turn fear around. Absorb one another’s tears in the soil. Collectively the tears will cleanse the soil and both souls. The water will fertilize the seed and revitalize the spirits.
Never take life for granted. And don’t assume you’ll always have the love of your life. A relationship is a commitment that requires dedication just like operating a successful business, being an outstanding employee, and lovingly parenting children. Develop a passion for a healthy relationship. And when you use the word friend, never use it in a complete sentence with the word “just” as a qualifier. Because no friend is just a friend. And when you marry, marry your friend first and become his or her lover second. For a friend will always be a true love. But a lover won’t always be a true friend.
Peace and Blessings
And so it is
Mary B. Morrison
If you desire to learn more about making healthier relationship choices, purchase a copy of my relationship workbook entitled Who’s Making Love and/or attend one of my Who’s Making Love workshops.
Website: www.MaryMorrison.com
E-mail: AskMaryBMorrison@aol.com
AUTHOR’S NOTE
The other side of what I do that many are unaware of is I’m the Founder and President of The RaW Advantage. The RaW Advantage is a business dedicated to avid readers and aspiring writers. I conduct self-publishing workshops for writers and host author receptions for readers.
The RaW Advantage also encompasses The SHIFT Program and Who’s Making Love workshops. I created The SHIFT (Supporting Healthy Inner Freedom for Teens) Program to help teenagers build self-esteem and make healthy relationship choices. Anyone who hasn’t listened—I mean truly listened—to a teenager speak from the heart concerning their views on love, let me tell you, society has stripped away many of their hopes and dreams of having healthy relationships. I strive to show teenagers—especially young ladies who set the tone and establish the bar for relationships—how to use their inner strength to assist with their decisions. Decisions that parents, teachers, and friends can influence but cannot make for them.
I’m taking an additional step to provide references. The rest is up to you.
Spiritual Guidance Meditate and ask God or
your spiritual leader
SHIFT Program www.therawadvantage.com
Free Testing for 1-866-RAP-IT-UP
HIV/AIDS
Rape Crisis Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE
Teen Pregnancy & 1-800-BABY-999
Prevention
The following is a sample chapter from Mary B. Morrison’s novel
SOMEBODY’S GOTTA BE ON TOP.
It is available wherever hardcover books are sold.
ENJOY!
Somebody’s Gotta Be On Top
Stop!
Somebody’s Gotta Be On Top
How much are you willing to pay
To live another day
What are you afraid of. . . .
Money isn’t keen
It’s the realization of a dream
In the color green
Envy
Slime
Slipping
Tripping
Through time
Exchanging hands
Yours
Mine
What are you afraid of. . . .
Wishing
Wanting
Never daunting
Taunting
Your faith
Or taking a risk
Or waiting for break
To take a piss
Shit!
Piss on
Those who sing
Piss off
Those who scream
I’m living my dream!
Stop!
Somebody’s Gotta Be On Top
How much are you willing to pay
To live another day
What are you afraid of. . . .
Success
Achieving your best
Willing to live with less
In order to attain more
Are you afraid to open the door
Before you knock
Or maybe you’re content
Shoulda
Coulda
Woulda
Only if. . . .
You’d spent
Time Time Time
How much are you willing to pay
To live another day
Frivolous chatter
Doesn’t matter
Settling
Meddling
Gabbing
Back-stabbing
Shattering hope
Slipper y slope
Walking a tightrope
What are you waiting for. . . .
An invite
When the time is right
Not tonight
Tomorrow
Sorrow
Today
You’ll borrow
Someone else’s
Money
Honey
Hopes
Dreams
Anything
Sign an I.O.U.
Promise to repay
In dismay
That which you haven’t earned today
Belongs to someone else
Isn’t that funny
Yesterday is gone
You’re sitting at home
On a diminishing throne
Of hopes
Dreams
Envy
Green
You scream
Money ain’t a thing!
That’s a lie
Can’t miss what you never had
Lad
Your slice of the pie
Is on someone else’s table
You’re able
But. . . .
Unwilling
What are you afraid of….
Stop!
Somebody’s Gotta Be On Top
How much are you willing to pay
To live another day
No pain
No sweat
No blood
No tears
Just fears
Who cares
What’s new
What are you really going to do
Successful people are the same as you
Living with fears too
What are you afraid of. . . .
How much are you willing to pay
Today
Or Not
Regardless
Somebody’s Gotta Be On Top
CHAPTER 1
Monogamy wasn’t natural. Monogamy was a learned behavior that Darius couldn’t be taught. When would women realize sex wasn’t a bed partner of love? Besides, who would teach him how to be faithful? Jesse Jackson? Bill Cosby? Willie Brown? Bill Clinton? His dad, the ménage à trois king? All the men he respected, all the men he knew, were men. Fornicators. Adulterers. Players. The distinction of a real man was a real man kept his family in the foreground and his females in the background. Like backup singers. Once the song was over, their job was done. Thanks for having made him cum. Now go. With Darius, not many of his lovers deserved an encore.
“Ha!” Darius laughed, then said aloud to himself, “You a fool boy.” His office was quiet all morning. No constant phone calls or interruptions by his secretary, Angel.
Any woman who wanted Darius Jones had to commit to him and only him. His woman had to have a job. Not any job. A high paying job. Preferably her own business. So what if he had enough money to take care of her. Her mama. And her grandmama. A woman without a steady income was venomous. A woman with too much idle time was lethal. No piece of ass was worth his millions of dollars. He was the only heir to his mother’s empire and one day would split his father’s fortune with one sibling who was barely four years old.
Those broke leeches in thongs, jiggling their asses on beaches or benches, at the bus stop, were the ones who were constantly plotting and planning—pregnancy, rape, battery—on how to become rich off of a man. For sex. For real. Any wealthy man would suffice. Mike. Kobe. Deon. Including him. Bullshit conniving tricks. They weren’t privy to suck his dick.
Rich pussy like the Vivica A’s, and Mary J’s, Halles, and Janets of the world needed stroking too. But they also had reputations worth protecting. Lawsuits to them translated into bad publicity. Lost revenue. They’d end the relationship before bringing forth charges. That’s the kind of woman Darius wanted. And if Darius ever caught his woman cheating, she didn’t need to waste his time explaining. Or packing. Because he’d personally have all of her shit moved out of his house. Immediately! With Darius, no one got a second chance to make a bad impression. Except his mother.
Darius pressed sixty-nine on his speed dial. His lungs expanded. The warm air escaped his nostrils, grazing his smooth upper lip.
“Hey, you,” she answered.
Her voice penetrated his soul. Chill bumps invaded his skin. The hairs on his arms stood tall. Darius wasn’t cold. He swallowed the lump clogging his vocal cords and said, “So, you packed yet? I can hardly wait to see you tonight. Make sure you arrive two hours early at the airport.” Darius deepened his voice then emphasized, “I don’t want
you to miss your flight this time.”
Darius rolled his leather high-back chair until his abdomen pressed against the edge of his glass-top desk creating a crease in his wool jacket. Slowly he smoothed his finger over the photographic image of her naturally pink-colored lips. Thin and seemingly oh-so-ver y soft. She looked ravishing in the family picture they’d taken a month ago at Thanksgiving dinner with his parents.
“Are you still in the office?” she asked.
His hand traveled from her temple and traced the outline along her straight black hair, which cast a strikingly beautiful contrast against her nearly white complexion. His eyes fixated on hers.
Loving someone more than himself, more than life, more than making money, was absurd and not what Darius had planned. But this special woman—naw, she was more than a woman, she was a lady—had stolen his heart. First she’d become his platonic childhood playmate. Now she was his best friend. His only friend.
The honeysuckle scent of her hair, the subtle movement of her hips when she walked, the provocative melody of her voice each time she innocently laughed while calling his name, the gentleness of her touch whenever she groomed his dreadlocks, the taste of her words lingering on his palate as he gasped into the receiver consumed his thoughts. Nervous energy growled in the pit of his stomach reminding him he’d forgotten to eat lunch again today. Consciously he erased his boyish grin. She evoked feelings Darius swore he’d never harbor for any woman after having been betrayed by his ex-fiancée.
“Of course I’m still in the office. And my staff too. Just because it’s Friday and New Year’s Eve, doesn’t mean they’re entitled to leave early. I might let ’em go at three. Maybe. Now answer my question.”