Chapter 3

            Regina had been in Orlando for three days. Yesterday, Mika had come over for drinks and girl talk. Regina didn’t tell Mika that she and Sidney had separated. What was the point? She knew Sidney would be back as soon as he figured out that the homewrecker was all flash and no substance. Plus, she came back to Orlando to forget about her problems and to enjoy the warm weather. However, she did tell Mika that she wanted to put in a pool and a hot tub in the backyard. Mika knew a contractor who was good and dependable. She had called him for Regina.

            Regina didn’t hold her breath for him to be on time. In her experience, contractors were never prompt, but they sure as hell wanted to be paid thusly. So, when her doorbell rang at exactly eleven a.m., she was just as shocked as she was when Sidney told her he was leaving her.

            She opened the door to a white man who had a light tan. His hair was dark, thick, and tousled in the front. He had a little boy with him who had dark hair, too.

            “Hi, Mrs. Jackson?” the man said.

            “Yes,” she said almost breathlessly. He was gorgeous. She had dated a white guy when she was going to cosmetology school. It only lasted six months. He was sweet, but he wanted to have ten kids, and he wasn’t joking. Regina had wanted children but not ten. That was ridiculous in this day and age. They had broken up because they weren’t on the same page about their future. It was just as well because his parents and her family weren’t crazy about their relationship. A few months later, she had met Sidney. During the years, interracial couples had become a little more accepted, but she still heard the hiss of black women when a black man was either dating or married to a white woman. The same went on when a black man saw a black woman with a white man.

            “Hi, I’m Scott Jenkins. Mika said you had a job for me.”

            “And I’m Clay – Jenkins,” the little boy said.

            “He’s my son,” the contractor said with a crooked smile. “Sometimes I let him tag along when I go on a job.”

            Regina smiled at the child. “It’s nice to meet both of you. Please come in.”

            They stepped into the small foyer.

            “Did Mika tell you what I wanted done?”

            “Yes, she said you wanted a pool and a hot tub in your backyard. I need to take a look at your property to see what I can do.”

            Regina walked them to the backyard. She quietly watched Scott survey her lot. Clay was on his father’s heels. It looked like he was explaining to the child what he was doing. He took out his phone and snapped some pictures of her yard. Another few minutes went by before they walked back to her.

            “You have good land here,” Mr. Jenkins said. “Have you considered putting up a privacy fence as well?”

            “No, but it is something to consider since I want to put in a pool. Then again, my neighbors are not that close.”

            “No, you have plenty of yard space between the homes, but what if you’re having a pool party? Do you really want your neighbors peeking out their window at you?” Mr. Jenkins asked.

            She chuckled. “No. You have convinced me. I would like an estimate for the fence as well.”

            “You know, this is a great property. I was thinking that it would be nice to make this a real space for entertaining. Outdoor kitchen and grill along with the pool and hot tub.”

            Regina thought for a moment. It sounded great, but this was only a vacation home. Once Sidney came to his senses, she would be heading back to Livingston. “I don’t know. This is just a vacation home.”

            He nodded. “I understand. I tell you what, give me a few days to put some sketches together for you, and you can decide. If anything, a better outdoor space can increase the value of the house.”

            “That’s true. All right, I’ll look at your sketches.”

            “It’ll be real nice, Mrs. Jackson. My dad is the best contractor in Orlando,” Clay bragged with a smile.

            The adults chuckled.

            “I like you,” she said to the little boy. “I’ll take your word for it. Mr. Jenkins, if you can show me some great sketches, then you’ll have the job. Oh, and if it’s reasonably priced.”

            “I’ll keep that in mind, and please call me Scott, Mrs. Jackson.”

            “All right, you can call me Regina.”

            “I’ll be in contact with you in a few days,” Scott said.