Tangled Web

by Yolanda Buick

  “When I hit that net this game is over. You ain’t got nothing on me, dude.” Drew laughed.

  “Talk shit all you like. Let’s see what you got!” Tim yelled.

  The ball danced between Drew’s legs. Tim’s gaze locked in.

  “Boo-ya.” Drew’s hands rested in the air as the ball floated from a three-point mark.

  “All right you played a good game this time. Man, where you learn to play like that? You have some structure, not street ball.” Tim held his hand high.

  “I played a little something back in the day.” Drew tucked the ball under his arm.

  Tim wiped sweat from his head and arms. “With skills like that you should’ve been on some body’s NBA team.”

  “There was a time I wanted to. I was the guy in high-school and college. I mean look at me…” Drew cocked his head to one side. “I can play ball and look good, shit man, what female wouldn’t want me?”

  “Whatever happened to that girl you told me about. Someone you were so in love with?”

  “Ah man, I had to let her go. She took up too much space in my heart. I needed to move on.” Drew looked at the marks on the floor.

  The taxi swerved, pulling Tim from his distant thoughts. He swiped his credit card in the payment box, jumped out, and breathed in the semi-fresh air. Before Tim knew it, he bid the cabby a melodious goodbye. He laughed at himself for doing such a childish thing, but the old man laughed as well. Tim enjoyed watching other people in high spirits, especially if he had anything to do with it.

  ***

  “What’s up, dude? You going to hold the elevator for me?”

  “Drew. My man, what’s up, dog?”

  “You know, the same. Making love to my wife, hanging with the boys, and getting a little on the side.”

  Even though Drew claimed he loved his wife dearly, it didn’t stop him from bedding every woman around town. He couldn’t control it; he would say of his manhood. Tim didn’t like the fact that Drew was messing around on his wife and once threatened that he would tell her. That was the last time Tim joked with him, since Drew jacked him up against a wall in the men’s bathroom and threatened to tell his secret.

  “Oh, you went hanging out, but didn’t call me? What kind of friend are you?” Tim honestly felt overlooked.

  Drew eyes quickly looked over Tim, “I’m sorry, Tim. I figured you wouldn’t want to be out like that. I was only having your interest at heart.”

  “You right, man. I didn’t want to be out just yet.” He looked over his shoulder and whispered, “talked to a friend of mines today and she really made me feel good.”

  “If she makes you feel that good then you should become more than friends.” Drew chuckled while rubbing his chin.

  “Naw, dog, she’s married.”

  “So, what, she’s married. A kiss and touch here or there won’t hurt.”

  “Drew, how would you feel if some man was pushing up on your wife like that?”

  Drew’s head whipped around with narrow eyes, “My woman can handle herself. I know I give it to her good. I mean damn good and she has everything she needs—she won’t stray.”

  “The question was—.”

  With a tone lower than before, Drew responded, “I know what the question was. All I’m saying, Janice is happy with me. She won’t let some other man come with his weak game. How would I feel? I wouldn’t like it, but at least I’ll know she still has the looks to attract and I’ll be damn if she has the guts to do something like that anyway.”

  Tim knew, Drew was right in his own way, but if he had a sweet lady in his life, she’d be treated as a queen. He wouldn’t let no harm come to her. He would be like Babyface in that song about cooking his lady breakfast, dinner, getting her clothes from the cleaners, anything to show his appreciation of her.

  “Look, man, let’s not make this a bad Monday,” Drew said extending his hand for a high-five.

  “You’re right, dog, we cool.”

  A turtle moved faster than the next few hours did. Drew and Tim had lunch at the newest restaurant that opened in the building. A mixture of Indian and Thai delicatessens. A weird combination, but whatever works for business. All the different restaurants on site were helpful for extreme cold or hot days. Just stroll from each eatery and have your choice.

  Soon the five o’clock rush was on. People crowded the elevators, escalators, and even the stairwell; as if it were a Friday or upcoming holiday. Tim left Drew back in the office flirting with his secretary Mallory. She was fine with blonde wavy hair and ocean-blue eyes. Her lips were slightly full and her breasts stood at attention. No more than twenty-three, she looked like a mixture of a white and black barbie.

  Tim climbed in the waiting taxi and dreaded the rough ride home. Exhausted, his body needed more rest. He leaned onto the passenger door with head supported by his elbow and closed his eyes.

  “Hey, you.” A man with a middle eastern accent gruffed. “Wake up and get out of my taxi.”

  “What the?” Tim mumbled between cracks of vision.

  “Pay for your fare and get out,” the dark hairy faced foreigner said.

  Damn New York people just rude. Tim hadn’t realized he drifted to sleep. The drool stain on his shirt sleeve was enough to convince him. He swiped his credit card and stepped out slowly. His legs were numb and breath was short. He fell to the ground, eyes gazed at the birds.

  ***

  Bright lights blurred his vision. His body was heavy and ached. Tim was afraid he hadn’t confessed his sins and now the good Lord had taken him away.

  A heavenly figure dressed in white stood beside. “Mr. Jackson, you awake. We thought you would never wake up,” the middle-aged woman said with a smile.

  “Where am I? Am I dead?”

  “You’re at Lutheran General hospital. You’ve been asleep for a couple of hours. Your friend over there has been waiting.” The nurse pointed to a sleeping Drew. She continued, “By all means you’re not dead. You need some rest.”

  He raised slightly to see Drew asleep in the lounge chair. Tim’s body ached; his mouth dry. He needed water. He reached over for the cup of ice, but dropped it due to weakness in his hands. At the sound of cold chips hitting the floor, Drew jumped from the over-sized chair.

  “Tim.” His voice was groggy. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah man, I’m fine. I’m sorry you’ve been here waiting for me.”

  “Just to let you know I’m not a punk, but you scared me, man. I wasn’t far behind in another taxi. I wanted to tell you about my secretary and when I got to your building, I saw people standing around. I could hear the ambulance approaching.”

  Tim tried to be his amusing self. “Then what?”

  “Then what? Dude, my heart started pounding. I saw you lying on the ground totally out of it. I didn’t know what to do. I literally jumped from the taxi, pushed people out of my way, and knelt by your side.”

  “I didn’t know you cared so much, Drew.”

  “I don’t. I can’t lose my only alibi,” he said, bending over laughing. “But seriously, Tim, you’re my boy, I do have a heart man.”

  Drew cared; he just had a funny way of showing it at times. The doctors came in, gave Tim the routine speech of taking his medications and staying fit. He heard this before so much he didn’t want to relive it. He would sit with Felicia at her appointments and when her condition worsened, Tim was by her side twenty-four seven. At times he hated her for not knowing that she could’ve been affected.

  She became sick often and lost much weight. Finally, the doctors diagnosed her with Chronic HIV, which led her into AIDS. She admitted to having an affair, not once, but twice. Tim’s first reaction was to kill her before the disease would. He often thought how could she do this to him…to them? They were planning a wedding.

  Many nights were sleepless. Many days were obscured with thoughts of their dwindling time together. Tim forgave her, but the damage was done. Now, he would wait to see where his fate lies. They sought counsel
ing and began to pray together until the time of her death. By then they were at peace with the walking death. Felicia wanted Tim to make sure he was tested often and if the test was positive, she begged him to be strong and do as the doctors said. The one woman he loved dearly was taken from him as a thief in the night comes.

  He didn’t cry at her memorial, but smiled because he knew he would see her strong lovely face again. Drew was the only friend he shared the truth of her death with. For other friends and his family, Tim simply said, “She was a private person when it came to her personal life. I respect that and will you respect that as well.”

  Shortly after Felicia passed away, Tim’s symptoms surfaced, and he kept his promise and sought medical treatment right away.

  “Drew, tell me about this barbie doll you talking to.”

  Drew tugged at his shirt collar. “She gave me the digits. What else can I say?”

  He was good at winning over the ladies. Two words and he could have their panties in his mouth. Drew needed to clean up his act. His wife was beautiful and Drew had a good career. He didn’t need drama happening. As Tim heard from some of the other guys Janice wasn’t an angel all the time. They had seen her in rare form when she thought Drew was out with another woman, which he probably was and had a good lie waiting.

  “Are you going to take her out, Mallory, that is?”

  “You know it and get some too.”

  “Drew, you said we’re close, so don’t get an attitude, but be careful, man. If Janice finds out what you have been doing all hell will break loose. Maybe you should just leave Mallory alone.”

  “I will, but not any time soon. Janice won’t find out. My game is too tight.”

  Tim suspected that all Drew’s romancing and whoring around had something to do with that lost love he wouldn’t talk about. He was trying to fill a void.

  “Thanks for being here with me, you’re really the only family I have. With my parents deceased and my evil stepsister, plotting her net takeover of our parent’s small fortune, I’m glad you’re here, man.”

  “I’m glad I’m here too. So, you haven’t heard from that sis of yours?”

  Tim adjusted the blanket. “No. She’ll call when she thinks something is due to her.”

  “Okay, Tim, I better get going, so you can get some rest. Hey, why don’t you take the rest of the week off and make sure you get plenty of rest.”

  “The rest of the week that’s too long besides I’m taking off next week, when my girl comes to visit.”

  “Oh, that’s right, your friend.” Drew rubbed his chin. “Make sure I have a chance to meet her.” A half smile appeared.

  “Yeah, right. Get out of here and kiss Janice for me.”

  “Later, dude.”

  Tim wasn’t about to let Drew meet Alison. She wasn’t about to become one of his game pieces.

  Chapter 5

  Drew

  As Drew sat in the glassy black Lexus his thoughts carried him away. This was going to be an evening, have dinner with my wife, and maybe get a quick love session. I loved Janice, but I just don’t feel fulfilled. She’s wicked in bed, car, or wherever we decide to do it, but my heart wants more or does it want someone else? I never wanted to hear or think her name again, but this is getting to be awful. I have a habit ever since college. That day, I tried to convince Alison that I really did love her and was sorry for cheating on her. She dissed me and then her wimp for a boyfriend, Alan, tried to confront me. It’s his fault that my career didn’t go the way it should’ve. Now, he’s living the life with her that I should have been able to give her.

  At first, I followed her every move from Mississippi to New Orleans, then I decided to let it go. Alison is a beautiful and talented lady. She’s the only woman who can stop my doggish ways. I know she is.

  Alison never forgave me for dating Janice behind her back. She hated me so much; she flaunted her curvaceous body and flirted to get a rise out of me. Which she did. She always has and always will have that torch to turn me on.

  The toot of a car horn brought him back to the present. As he drove, he noticed the new One World Trade Center. Reminiscing of those planes crashing into the World Trade Towers one by one and seeing a ball of flame, Drew shed tears.

  At his Manhattan home, he could smell the aroma floating through the air. Janice was a good homemaker, though it was after nine p.m. She made sure Drew would have something hot to eat. He had called from the office to let her know he would be home soon and make him a sandwich. She was physically fit. Round and tight butt attached to well-toned legs. Her arms had a slight definition that fell beside firm breasts.

  “What smells good in there?” He sniffed toward the kitchen.

  Janice twirled, letting the kimono robe dance open. She greeted him with deep and wet kisses and view no man could resist. “Baked beans, greens, macaroni and cheese, and meatloaf. You know this isn’t good to eat so late, Drew.”

  He hugged her tightly. “I know, but, baby, I’m hungry and it does smell good. Besides, you didn’t have to cook all this. A sandwich would’ve been fine.” He never wants to lose her, despite his womanizing ways.

  “Honey, you work so much and never have time for my hearty meals anymore. I want you to be happy and satisfied.” She turned her neck to the side, encouraging him to kiss it again.

  “I’m sorry, baby,” he nibbled on her ear, “I will make more time for us. I promise.”

  “Sit down and eat, I’ll be in the bedroom if you need me.” Janice planted a kiss on Drew’s forehead and quietly left. She turned on the intercom and soft jazz music echoed throughout the Victorian-styled home.

  When he finished the delicious meal, Drew carefully put the dishes in the dishwasher and went to the upper floor. He heard the jacuzzi whirling and Janice clinking glasses. As he approached the master bath, Drew peeked between the French doors and saw Janice laid back against the jacuzzi with eyes closed holding a glass of wine. He quietly walked in taking a strawberry from a nearby wired stand, dipped it in whipped cream, and placed it lightly on Janice’s lips. As his wife nibbled on the delicate fruit, he gently removed his clothes and stepped into the warm bubbling water. Slowly, he moved in between her legs until their lips met. As he kissed her and licked the remnants of whipped cream, he began to wonder about Alison. With each kiss his thoughts of Alison became intense, thoughts he fought to remain buried. Drew guided himself into Janice and pulled her gently toward him. He took in the sweet scent of her perfumed body and felt the softness her skin gave while he exploded within her. In his mind it was Alison he saw and felt, but when Janice called his name, reality returned.

  “Drew, where were you just now?” She squinted.

  “I was here. Right here with you, baby.” A sluggish smile as Drew pulled her close.

  “You were, hmm. That was different.”

  Drew knew the way he pulled and kissed her as the way he would do with Alison and no one else. “What was different?”

  “This little sex thing. Just different. I can’t explain it really just different.”

  “Baby, with you every love session will be different.”

  After another two rounds it was well after two a.m. and Janice was the only woman on Drew’s mind.

  ***

  “Good morning, Drew.” Mallory slyly smiled. “Did you have a nice evening?”

  “Not as nice if it had been with you.” Drew whispered.

  She was so perky and vibrant he wanted to see just how much fizz she had. If they got together, it had to be on the down low. Drew figured Mallory was a little naive, and he could talk his way between her legs, but he wanted her to make a move for a date.

  “Mallory, as you know, Tim will not be in the rest of the week, so all his calls and paperwork will go to me. Sorry, I don’t have too much time to chat right now.”

  “Oh, okay, Drew. Go ahead I don’t want to be a bother.”

  Damn, that wasn’t what she was supposed to say. He wanted her to make a move. He wanted to get i
n those panties. Was she playing with him? Maybe that was her way of foreplay. Calm down, he thought. The day will come.

  He went into his large office, with twin leather guest chairs stationed at the desk. He looked to the right, where the long rectangle silver tone clock hung and right below a tiny shelf with a picture of him playing basketball in college. To the left was cherry oak cabinets with double doors that enclosed a medium sized TV, Blur-ray player, and iPad often used for training.

  The picture window gave him an aerial view of New York City. Sitting in the soft leather high-backed chair he glanced at his cherry oak desk. It had a glass cover over it, which he put pictures of Janice and him underneath. His theory was while he worked, he could have a view of them together and tame his wandering ways. Lately, however, it became boredom. Drew fought the feeling every day to remove those pictures. He didn’t know why he felt that way, but again, he loved his wife. Unfinished business with Alison maybe.

  His marriage would be over pronto if Janice found out he still had deep and loving feelings for Alison. Janice probably felt that she had won the battle since she got him, but when he went back to Alison to express his deepest feelings and apologize, that put insecurity in Janice.

  She would always question Drew throughout their time in college. She wanted to know who was going to be at the basketball practices and where he was going afterward. Once she asked Drew if he still loved Alison. He couldn’t lie. He thought telling the truth was the best thing to do…then. When Drew told her that he did love Alison, but not the way he used to, that didn’t matter to Janice. After that confession Janice searched Drew’s room until she found a picture of Alison with her number on back. As any typical and insecure woman, Janice called Alison and gave her some nasty new names. Drew wasn’t proud of what Janice had done. Despite his admission of truth, she had no right to call Alison.

  Drew gripped the edge of his desk as he thought more about how he lost Alison. His anger grew more toward Janice and the need to hurt her overwhelmed him. His thoughts replayed that final night over and over.