Imitation of Wife

by La Jill Hunt

  “See, that’s the look of love,” Sylvia pointed out.

  “I’m thinking that’s more like the look of lust,” Janelle said and walked away.

  Lynne looked at Sylvia and winked. “Both of you are right.”

  “Lord, Lynne, don’t be influenced by her,” Sylvia said. “It will take more than Hamp breaking you off in order for y’all to restart your relationship. He’s gonna have to come better than that, and you know it.”

  “First of all, I didn’t say that’s all it would take, but please don’t act like vitamin D isn’t important. Let me ask you this: if the sex between you and Garry weren’t good, would you still be holding on?” Janelle said.

  “What kind of question is that? Garry and I have nearly twenty years invested in our marriage. There’s also the fact that I love him, he’s the father of my child, my best friend...” Sylvia began pointing out reasons she’d told herself over and over while contemplating divorce.

  “You know what they say: good sex is the glue that sometimes holds the relationship together.” Janelle shrugged. “People have stayed in relationships well past the expiration date because they didn’t want to lose good dick.”

  “Good dick? I’m not sure about that.” Lynne rubbed her hand on her chin as if she was deep in thought. “Now, great dick, that may be a little different.”

  “What do you think, Mom?” Peyton walked up and asked.

  For a second, Sylvia thought she was referring to the inappropriate conversation they were having. Her heart began racing until she realized the gorgeous gown Peyton was wearing. It was a perfect fit, and without a doubt, they weren’t going to find a better dress. This one was it.

  “I think it’s perfect.” Sylvia smiled.

  “One down, one to go.” Peyton squealed and rushed back to the dressing room.

  When she was gone, Sylvia turned around and hissed, “And for the record, it takes much more than great dick to hold a relationship together. But I will admit that having a good source of vitamin D is important for my dietary needs.”

  “Mine too.” Aunt Connie’s voice came from behind. “It certainly does the body good.”

  * * *

  Later that night, Sylvia smiled as she peeked out of her bedroom window at the Cadillac parked across the street from their house. Why her aunt was so stubborn, she didn’t know, but Sylvia was certain she had her reasons.

  “Aunt Connie with her boo again?” Garry, who’d been lounging in the sitting area, put down the iPad he’d been looking at. Sylvia still hadn’t allowed him back into their bed, but he somehow always ended up in their room lately.

  “Yep. They’re out there talking.” As soon as the words escaped her mouth, she began laughing hysterically as she thought about the conversation they’d all had earlier.

  “What’s so funny?”

  Sylvia was laughing so hard that it took a moment for her to compose herself enough to answer. “Something we were talking about earlier, that’s all.”

  “Well, tell me so I can laugh too,” Garry said.

  Sylvia told him about Lynne contemplating reconnecting with Hampton, and how Aunt Connie, in true fashion, somehow turned the conversation to sex. Garry laughed, and Sylvia sat on the opposite end of the love seat. Their eyes met, and whether it was the way he was looking at her, the fresh haircut and shave he had, the scent of his sexy-ass Sauvage cologne, or the fact that she was horny after semi-bragging about the vitamin D he provided, Sylvia was turned on. However, she really didn’t want to make the first move. So instead of hopping up and straddling him like she wanted to, she simply twisted her body and placed her feet in his lap. He smiled, and without hesitation, his fingers massaged her arches and caressed her ankles.

  “Damn.” She leaned her head back and sighed.

  “You like that, huh?” He grinned.

  “You always did give the best foot massages, and after trekking all day looking for your daughter’s prom dress, I deserve this.”

  “My daughter, huh?” He laughed.

  “Yep.” She nodded.

  “Interesting.” His hands moved up to her calves, and he slid closer to her. “What else do you think you deserve?”

  Sylvia playfully bit her bottom lip, her eyebrows raised. “I can think of a few things I deserve.”

  In one swift movement, Garry shifted her body so that she faced forward, and he kneeled in front, her legs over his shoulder. Sylvia didn’t even need to assist him in slipping her leggings or panties off. He handled everything, and all she needed to do was lie back and enjoy the pleasure of his tongue as it explored her welcoming wetness. It had been a while since he’d tasted her, and he made sure to show her just how much he missed the dish she enjoyed serving him. Sylvia gripped the edge of the sofa as he pushed her legs open wider in order to go deeper and find exactly what he was looking for: her clitoris, which now throbbed. The sound of his moans turned her on even more, and she tried to hold on as long as she could.

  “Oh shit, Garry, baby, stop,” she whispered as she grabbed the top of his head. “I don’t want to. Not yet.”

  Garry ignored her pleas and couldn’t answer her even if he wanted to. His mouth was occupied, and he was too focused on savoring each and every drop that was now erupting from within her. Sylvia’s legs began shaking as she climaxed, and although she was finished, Garry didn’t stop until he knew she was satisfied.

  “Is that what you were thinking you deserved?” He smiled when he finally came up for air.

  “Definitely.” She panted as she tried to catch her breath. “But I’m still thinking I deserve a little more.”

  Garry unfastened his jeans as he stood, and then he stepped out of them. Sylvia’s eyes went from the remnants of her wetness that were on his face and scanned down to the large bulge peeking from his boxer briefs, the sight of it turning her on all over again. She reached to grab it, but before she could reach it, Garry quickly slipped her oversized T-shirt over her head and fondled her hardened nipples through the lace of her bra.

  “Your turn.” Sylvia went to touch his manhood again, now ready to reciprocate the oral gesture he’d given her.

  “Nope.” He shook his head, then commanded, “Turn over.”

  Sylvia didn’t hesitate to comply, and as she turned her back to her husband, she smiled at the thought of the good old vitamin D she was about to get. Besides, their marriage could use a little glue these days, and she had no problem helping to add some stickiness.

  Chapter 27

  Janelle

  This is the last time, I swear, Janelle thought as Titus held her by the ankles. She stared into his big brown eyes, hating herself for enjoying this so much. Her arms wrapped around his muscled shoulders and pulled him closer as she arched her back to make sure she felt every inch of him as he entered.

  “Damn, I missed this, Nelle.” He moaned. The rhythm of his stroke game took her to higher heights of pleasure. His rhythm was perfect as he slid in and out of her slippery center, slow and sensual at first, then faster.

  “Harder.” Janelle gasped, her body reacting to the sensation of his hands cupping her breasts. She maneuvered her fingers around his wrist and guided them to her throat. As the pace of their lovemaking increased, so did the tension of his grip. Janelle closed her eyes, repeating her command, louder this time. “Harder.”

  The passion between them was so intense as she approached what she knew would be a climax like no other that she became lightheaded. The room began spinning, and she could hear a distant ringing in her ears.

  “Oh shit.” Titus’s voice began fading as the ringing became louder.

  “Don’t stop, Titus. Please don’t stop. I’m so close,” she warned, but it was as if he couldn’t hear her over the ringing. Then, just before she arrived at her peak, he was gone.

  Janelle sat up and looked around her dark living room. Her dream had been so vivid that beads of sweat had formed on her forehead. The ringing in her ears continued, and she realized that it was her ce
ll phone. She stared at it, so discombobulated that she couldn’t even answer. Not yet. She had to gather her thoughts and get her mind together before speaking with him.

  “Get it together, girl,” she told herself. “Titus is your past. Sherrod is your future. You can’t move forward if you keep looking back. Onward and upward. Let that shit go.”

  Fifteen minutes later, after two more pep talks and a large glass of wine, she felt like she was in a headspace clear enough to return his call.

  “How was prom shopping?” he asked.

  “Tiring, but fun. We found the first dress. I told Peyton she’s on her own for the second one because I’m not going with her.” Janelle put her cell on speakerphone and stretched out on her sofa. When she arrived home nearly an hour earlier, she’d planned to sit down for fifteen minutes before heading upstairs to take a much-needed shower. But she was too tired to move.

  “You say that now, but we both know you’re gonna be right back at the mall with her next weekend shopping,” he teased.

  “You’re probably right,” Janelle confessed. “But I’m gonna need at least two weeks to recuperate from all the walking I did today, not one. It was a great time, though. Even Jordan enjoyed herself. She’s starting to come out of her shell a little bit. I’m glad we were all able to come up with a compromise.”

  “Me too. You’re right. When I picked her up the other day, she was a straight chatterbox like she used to be. And can you believe there was no mention of a hairbrush?” Sherrod laughed.

  “Thank God. I am glad that entire situation is over, and she and Peyton are working through their issues, too. How was your day?”

  “Busy, long, typical life of a drug dealer at the end of flu season.”

  Janelle laughed at the words “drug dealer.” “Hey, somebody’s gotta be the pusher. It may as well be you. I ain’t mad at ya, bruh.”

  “I know you say you’re tired, but I would like to see you. I need to run home and take a quick shower, and then maybe we can go grab a late dinner and then come back to my place, or yours, whichever you prefer.”

  Janelle’s phone beeped, rescuing her from having to answer. “Hey, this is Natalie. I need to talk to her right quick, and I’ll call you right back.”

  “Sure, no problem.”

  She accepted the incoming call from Natalie. “Hey, girl. Your timing couldn’t be more perfect.”

  “What’s going on?” Natalie asked.

  “Sherrod wants to see me tonight.”

  “And that’s a problem why?” Natalie said it as if Janelle were a remedial learner.

  “Stop it. You know why.” Janelle sighed.

  “Just because he wants to see you doesn’t mean y’all have to have sex.”

  “I know, but still.” Janelle picked up the remote and turned on the TV. “The sad thing is I really like him. He’s a great guy. And how about right before he called, I was having a dream about Titus. A good dream.”

  “So, things still weren’t right the last time you hung out with Sherrod?”

  “Nope. He stayed over the other night, Nat, and we did it again, or at least tried. It just wasn’t it,” Janelle whined, recalling her and Sherrod’s second sexual encounter a few nights prior. She’d convinced herself that it was going to be better than their first attempt, which left her underwhelmed at best. Unfortunately, their encounter was just as disappointing. Sherrod, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy each and every moment. “Maybe this is karma. Being with Titus has ruined me for other men.”

  “That can’t be the case. You’ve had sex with other men, and it’s been fine. You definitely enjoyed Jarvis.”

  “That’s true.”

  “Maybe you should just talk to Sherrod, Nelle. Tell him what the deal is,” Natalie suggested. “Explain your concerns.”

  “I can’t do that.” Janelle shook her head.

  “Why not? The man’s a pharmacist. I’m sure he would be open to hearing it.”

  “And just how do I start that conversation, Nat? ‘Hey, Sherrod, you’re a great guy, and I really enjoy hanging out with you, but the truth is you are wack in bed’?”

  Natalie giggled. “I would hope you would be a little more tactful than that, but yes. Tell him that you’re a very sexual being and the times you’ve been together have been, um, unfulfilling?”

  “Or I can just not say anything and deal with it. I mean, it’s just sex. He has so many more important qualities. He’s smart, funny, consistent, dependable. Nat, he’s everything I’ve been saying I want in a guy. I’d be crazy to break up with him over something so trivial as sex, right?”

  “Are you asking or telling?”

  “You’re not helping me at all. Where is Nivea? She’s more suited to assist me with this situation.” Janelle laughed.

  “She probably would, but that would first require you to finally fess up about dating Sherrod, now wouldn’t it?” Natalie responded. “Which you need to go ahead and do anyway. I honestly don’t think she’s even gonna care.”

  “Again, you’re not helping me at all, Nat,” Janelle groaned. The sound of the doorbell caught her attention. “Hold on, someone’s at my door.”

  “Uh-oh, Sherrod done popped up on you?” Natalie asked.

  “Shut up.” Janelle checked her reflection in the hallway mirror she passed on the way to the front entrance of her townhouse. She looked through the peephole, expecting to see Sherrod, and nearly dropped her phone. “Nat, I gotta call you back.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I’ll call you back.” She ended the call, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath before opening the door. “What are you doing here?”

  “I wanted to see you, that’s all. Can we talk?” Titus said.

  Chapter 28

  Sylvia

  The house smelled delicious thanks to Aunt Connie. Peyton’s incessant begging had persuaded her to make all of Tank’s favorites. Under any other circumstances, their aunt never took requests, but she made an exception and honored the menu suggestion of fried chicken, pork chops, macaroni and cheese, string beans, rice and gravy, and even made homemade rolls. For dessert, there was a choice of pound cake or peach cobbler.

  By the time the doorbell rang promptly at seven p.m., everyone’s stomachs were growling and mouths were watering. Even Garry was a little excited about their hosting their dinner guest and daughter’s beau, whose phenomenal performance at the McDonald’s All-American Game now made him an even bigger prospect for colleges and universities. The entire community was buzzing with talk of Tank King and where he would decide to go to school.

  “I got it,” Peyton screamed as she scurried out of her room so fast she nearly slipped on the freshly Swiffered hardwood floors.

  “Peyton,” Sylvia said as she caught her just in time, “calm down. Your father will get the door.”

  “Oh God, he’s going to do or say something embarrassing.” Peyton exhaled.

  “No, he’s not. Relax, everything is going to be fine,” she said with a reassuring smile.

  Peyton nodded and took a deep breath. Sylvia listened for the door to close, and then after a few moments, she motioned for her daughter to continue down the steps. She followed Peyton into the den where Garry and Tank were now sitting.

  “Hi, Tank.” Peyton grinned as soon as they entered the room.

  “Hey, P. I mean, good evening, Peyton.” Tank wasted no time hopping to his feet, forgetting about the bouquet of flowers in his lap, which fell to the floor. He quickly grabbed them. “Oh, sorry.”

  Sylvia found his nervousness just as amusing as Peyton’s. “How are you, Tarik? It’s nice to finally meet you.”

  “Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Blackwell. These are for you.” Tarik held the bouquet out.

  “Why, thank you, Tarik. How thoughtful.” Sylvia smiled.

  “Oh, and please call me Tank.”

  “Thank you, Tank.” Sylvia nodded as she admired the colorful bouquet. “Calla lilies are my favorite.”

  “Thank
you so much for inviting me. Your home is lovely.”

  Peyton sat on the sofa beside Tank, making sure to leave enough distance between them that would be considered safe in front of her parents. Sylvia sat next to Garry on the love seat.

  “Well, Tank, I must say, you are one helluva basketball player. I caught that All-American Game the other week. Congratulations,” Garry said.

  “Thank you, sir. It’s been a great year.” Tank nodded.

  “Dinner is ready when you all are,” Aunt Connie came into the living room and announced.

  “Tank, this is my Aunt Connie,” Peyton said.

  Again, Tank stood, this time walking over to the doorway where Aunt Connie was standing and giving her a hug. “Nice to meet you, ma’am. P—I mean, Peyton—talks about you so much I feel like you’re my aunt.”

  “It’s about time we met you too. Peyton wasn’t lying when she said you were tall and handsome, and you smell good, too,” Aunt Connie told him. “Now y’all get washed up so this young man can eat this food I prepared especially for him.”

  By the time they washed up and went into the dining room, the food was on the table, and Jordan and Aunt Connie were both sitting and waiting.

  “What’s up, Jordan?” Tank spoke as he held Peyton’s chair out.

  Sylvia glanced over at Garry to make sure he noticed how well-mannered Tank was. So far, she’d been impressed with him and saw why Peyton liked him so much. He was very much like his father: personable, handsome, polite, and smart. As they ate dinner, it was as if Titus were there with them. Even their voices were similar.

  “This food is amazing,” Tank commented as he devoured his second plate. “I can’t remember the last time I had real home-cooked food, let alone soul food.”

  “That’s because you’re never home. You’re always at practice.” Peyton laughed.

  “Nah, that’s because there’s no one in my home to cook, especially like this. I mean, my dad grills, and he makes decent spaghetti, but nothing like this.”

  “What about your mother?” Garry asked. Sylvia kicked him under the table. They’d agreed that there would be no discussion of Tricia, for several reasons, and now here he was asking about her cooking abilities.