Been There, Done That

Chapter One Japan seemed like it was a million miles away. Sitting behind his desk staring at his computer, Craig Bennett was engrossed in his work as usual. It only took him five years to build Bennett and Fletcher into the success it was today. He had wealth and success, but he still felt empty. Traveling between hisPhiladelphia and Japan offices left him little time for a serious relationship, not that he was looking for one anyway.It had been seven long years. However, he still felt the sting of losing the only woman he would ever love to another man. The name fell from his lips for the first time in almost seven years: "Venice." Hearing her name in his own voice startled him. He tried his best to forget her by dating other women, but was unsuccessful. She had chosen Jarvis, her childhood sweetheart whom she had married once due to an unplanned pregnancy. They lost their baby during the pregnancy so their parents pressured them into a divorce. Their love was still strong when they left for separate colleges. That's when Craig met her. She was the sister of his best friend and they unexpectedly fell madly in love. Needless to say, after a few stressful months, their relationship came to a sad end. Venice remarried her childhood sweetheart for the only reason it should ever be...true love. Witnessing her wedding was pure hell and he made a vow to remove himself completely from her life. He could never bejust a friendlike she wanted. Especially after their passionate but brief love affair in college. Since then, Craig tried not to let bitterness enter his heart, but it had. Not directly at her, but at love period. Hell, it was overrated anyway. Angry with himself for thinking about her, he pounded his fist on the desk and put his hands over his face.A voice came over his intercom. "Mr. Bennett?""Yes.""Your Philadelphia office is on line one.""Thanks, Virginia."The days for Venice were starting to run together. Her job as team doctor for the Michigan State University football team only left her with a few hours of quality time with Jarvis and their five-year-old son, Brandon. Being a good mother and wife had always been important to her and she hated the fact that she had lost control of her life. It wasn't the money, because the success of Jarvis in the NFL had made them very wealthy. The fact was she had become burnt out. By both of them being on the road so much, it kept them away from Brandon and she was fed up and needed a break.They had been married since the tender age of nineteen and were blessed with Brandon two years later. After getting drafted into the NFL, Jarvis was able to fulfill one of his dreams. The other was marrying Venice, his childhood sweetheart.On this spring morning, Venice and Jarvis were awakened by the pouncing of Brandon on their king-sized sleigh bed."Momma! Daddy! Only five more months and I will be in kindergarten!"Struggling to keep her eyes open, she pulled him down lovingly into her arms. "That's right, Lil' Man, but I wish you would stay my baby just a little longer.""Daddy! Wake up! I'm hungry!"Jarvis removed the comforter from over his head and smiled, seeing the two most important people in his life in a warm embrace."Brandon, you're always hungry. You get it from your momma."Venice grabbed her pillow and playfully hit Jarvis. Within seconds the room erupted in a full-blown pillow fight, until they heard the sound of Brandon's sitter calling for him.Ms. Camille had been a godsend and was recommended by the minister of their church. She was approximately sixty and lived alone -- except for the times she spent the night to care for Brandon. She was widowed years earlier and never had children of her own. The children she cared for always became her babies."Brandon! Where are you?"Jarvis slid back under the covers as Venice put on her robe and metMs. Camille at the bedroom door."Good morning,Lee, Darrien is the author of 'Been There, Done That', published 2003 under ISBN 9781593090012 and ISBN 1593090013.