Regina felt bad that she was making such a big deal out of the current situation. Why didn’t he say that it was family related in the first place? Ran through her mind. “I’m sorry” She said and headed his way. “Let me make it up to you tonight. My place”
He remembered that Kim, the fine stallion that he’d met at the gym a few days ago was supposed to be stopping by tonight. “Not tonight. But soon” He said pulling her hands from his chest and holding them.
Regina’s eyes narrowed and Malik knew that she was royally pissed. He lowered his head to her five two frame and kissed her forehead. Only because he knew that he was being a dick about the whole thing. All because he couldn’t think straight whenever it came to Stacy. Hopefully the touch of his lips helped loosen some of her anger. But if it didn’t he wouldn’t care one way or the other. Malik knew that he wasn’t special and that Regina would just hire someone else to temporarily fill his position whenever he was unavailable. That was something he knew would happen for sure and it didn’t concern him one bit. He’d just met her and had banged her already. He knew that she probably had plenty of male friends that were doing the same exact thing.
Malik had hired a lawyer and was seeking full custody of Mackenzie and he knew that his new lifestyle would have to change if he was awarded guardianship but until then he was enjoying life as a single man. Besides the fact that he could no longer see his daughter everyday he liked the way things were now. He no longer had to bare the aggravation of an irritating voice nagging in his ear as soon as he walked through the door. Or pretend that he wasn’t miserable. He did what he wanted to do whenever he wanted to do it. Now, he lived like a straight-up bachelor. Had sex with random women because he felt like it. Malik even liked the fact that he could walk around the house with his nuts swinging left to right if he wanted to. And the most important factor about his new lifestyle, the one that flattered him the most, was the fact that he didn’t have to answer to a woman and he planned on keeping it that way. With the exception of Stacy. He’d still give both of his arms to have another shot with her. Only her! Otherwise from here on out, the only thing that Regina or any other woman would ever amount to in his mind was a piece of ass. If they were interested in anything other than SEX they might as well keep it moving. That is of course if they didn’t want to get their heart broken. He was a bachelor now and he was living his single life to the fullest.
Malik dialed Kenneth. When he didn’t answer he left a message on his voicemail, and gave Trae, who also didn’t answer a ring.
He was leaving Trae a priority voicemail when his number flashed across the caller ID. He clicked over.
“I was just leaving you a voicemail on the other line” Malik said.
“What’s going on Big Tymer?”
“Nothing man just the same ol’ same ol’. Just trying to make it, that’s all.”
“Rigghhht, rigghhht” Trae sang, stretching every syllable of the word. “Same here…same here”
“How are the kids man?”
“They’re doing pretty good. How’s Mac?”
“Probably not doing so good”
“What’s wrong?”
“Jennifer just up and decided that she wanted to move to Chicago and took MacKenzie with her.”
“And you didn’t do anything to stop her?”
“I’ve hired myself an attorney. I’m seeking full custody of Mac. Jennifer claims she’s engaged and I don’t want another man around my daughter. Not one I haven’t even met yet”
“What’s Jennifer trying to do become a bigamist?” Trae joked. “You guys are still married right?”
“I haven’t even told you the fucked up part. How about this? Apparently there is some type of abandonment law here in the state of Florida. The woman managed to divorce me without me knowing a goddamn thing about it.”
“You’ve got to be bullshitting me”
“Yo’, I’m as serious as back to back heart attacks. I came home from work and all my shit was gone. If I didn’t have that secret stash I don’t know how I would have bought new furniture”
“ She took everything?”
“Every fucking thing”
“Now that’s fucked up. If I say it’s fucked up, it’s fucked up. Because we both know that I’ve done some pretty fucked up shit when it comes to women. Damn!”
“I’m glad it’s over. But I do miss my baby girl.”
“Damn.” Trae said again, because he couldn’t believe the way Jennifer handled the situation.
“I know that you probably haven’t talked to Jason lately because he’s been at the hospital day in and day out”
Trae grew concerned “What’s wrong with Jason?”
“It’s not Jason. It’s Vanessa. She was in a car accident”
“Was it a bad one?”
“It was. She woke up from the coma today. Seems to have some memory loss.”
“How’s Jason handling it?”
“He’s handling things the way anyone would. He wants all of us to try and come to New York. He thinks it’ll be good for Vanessa. I’m going to be heading that way for Thanksgiving. Think you and Brandi could come?”
“I’m not going to be able to make it.”
“Don’t tell me you’re moving again.”
“No, me and my fiancé are going to be traveling around the world.”
“You finally asked Brandi to marry you! Congratulations”
“Hell nah, I didn’t ask Brandi to marry me. I’m engaged to Cassy”
“Who in the hell is Cassy?”
“Our next door neighbor. She’s about nine years older than me. Dude I am not exaggerating when I say that this woman gives me everything I want. Let’s just say I’ve hit the jackpot. But I’ll fill you in later. Tell Jason I said that I’m sorry about Vanessa and I’ll call him soon.”
Malik had always thought that Trae was the most heartless person in the world but this was just downright cruel. The lowest blow. He felt sorry for Brandi and could only imagine how she must’ve been feeling.
chapter 12
Kenneth & Lena...Atlanta Georgia
The impact of the tackle nearly knocked the wind out of him. The hard jab to his ribs felt like someone had just sucked all of the air out of his lungs. He was in pain. A frightening pain that he’d never felt before, as he remain lying there on the grass unable to move. His airways were narrowing and his ability to breathe freely was shortening by the seconds.
“Mckhi Gibson, is down on the carry” The commentator announced over the stadium speakers. “It looks like he’s hurt pretty bad. And the Cardinals have just taken a timeout”
The Cardinals coaching staff were rushing to the center of the field. Khi was hurt.
****
Kenneth was sitting as his desk eating a plate of left over fried liver and rice that Lena had cooked the night before when Khi’s school called. He was puzzled. They’d never called him before.
“Hello?” He asked with a mouth full of food.
“Is this Kenneth Gibson?”
“Yes.” He said, then got up and tossed his plate in the small wastebasket beside his desk. “Is everything okay?”
“This is Thomas Trenchen Offensive coordinator at Tattnall Prep your son McKhi suffered some minor injuries in the game today. He’s at Emory hospital. The doctors are ready to release him now but he can only be released by the consent of a parent.”
“My wife is not there?” Kenneth puzzled.
“No she’s not and we haven’t been able to reach her.”
That’s odd, when I talked to her earlier I could have sworn she said she was at Khi’s game. In fact he was sure that those were her exact words. It was then that he realized he didn’t hear any cheering or chanting in the background when he’d talked to Lena. Why would she lie?
“I’m on my way. I’ll be there shortly”
****
Lena looked at her watch, right after she pulled into the parking space. She was definitely late. Her reason,
she thought, was well worth the tardiness. Chris had occupied majority of her time. Earlier that morning their bodies moved together smoothly, like silk sliding down a bare spine. The reality of their sexual chemistry was damn near frightening. Every time Lena thought she could walk away Chris would always find a way to pull her back in. That morning was no different. They’d been together since she’d left home and she’d enjoyed every second of it.
They both scurried through the crowded parking lot hoping that they hadn’t missed too much of the game. Before they made it to the field they could hear the rowdy crowd, the chanting of the cheerleaders, and the commentator’s baritone voice roaring through the stadium speakers. The stands were filled and there weren’t many open seats. Chris spotted a small section that seemed big enough to accommodate two people and they clambered up the bleachers until they’d reached what appeared to be the only open section.
Behind the tint of her sunglasses, Lena’s eyes searched for Khi. She didn’t see him but she was sure that he was out there. It wasn’t until the woman beside her turned to her and asked. “ Aren’t you Mckhi Gibson’s mother?”
“Yes, I am” She said proudly.
“Well since I see you here I’m guessing that Mckhi was okay. It sure didn’t look good from here. Glad he’s okay”
“What do you mean? I’m just getting here.” Lena said panicky. “What happened?”
“Oh, I’m so sorry? ” The woman said. “McKhi took a really hard hit and he was rushed to the hospital.”
“Oh God” Lena screamed frantically, and jumped up quickly then raced down each row until she reached the concrete. She jumped over the gate that separated the pretty green grass from the seating section and raced down the sideline. “Coach Hollingshed” She yelled long before she reached him.
“Mrs. Gibson we’ve been trying to reach you. Mckhi was hit pretty hard in the first quarter. He’s at Emory hospital...----”
Before he could finish Lena was already running back down the sidelines, Chris trailing behind her. The two of them didn’t stop until there buttocks flopped down into the leather of Lena’s Jag. They strapped on their seatbelts and fled to Emory.
Lena swerved her Jaguar into a space that clearly read NO PARKING but she didn’t care. The only thing that mattered to her was rushing to McKhi’s aid. The fetid smell of sickness and deodorizer plunged into her nostrils as soon as she walked through the glass doors. Phones rang continuously. People-some sad, others relieved, but most just sitting around waiting patiently hoping that their loved ones were going to live to see another day. The receptionist pushed a button that opened two doubled doors that led to the outpatient center and Lena rushed through, with Chris right by her side. Footsteps surrounding her, hurriedly clicked-clacked, and some even stomped as they all headed in varying directions. “We have a cold blue” She heard over the intercom and immediately felt tears crowding her vision. “God I hope that’s not Khi” She mumbled accelerating her pace.
****
With a few groans and sighs Kenneth paced back and forth right outside the outpatient room. With another sigh he shoved his phone back in his pant pocket after he’d finished listening to Lena’s voicemail for what felt like the twentieth time. Where in the hell was she?
He’d just pulled his cellular out again to check his voicemail when he saw Lena rushing towards him with a woman he didn’t recognize following her closely.
“Look who’s decided to show up?” He said sarcastically. “Where in the hell have you been? I’ve been calling you for two hours.”
“Let’s not be caustic right now. I was held up in traffic”
Kenneth grinned. “Sure blame it on the traffic. Earlier when I talked to you, you claimed that you were at Khi’s game.”
“I don’t have time to deal with your sarcasm or your barrage of questions right now. My concern is Khi. How is he?”
“Oh now you decide that you need to be with your son. Where were you when his leg was being shattered in two places?”
Lena’s forehead wrinkled. “How dare you? I’m the one that’s at every damn football, baseball, and basketball game....” She paused midsentence, realizing what Kenneth had said “...Did you just say his leg is broken in two places?”
“Yes, the doctors have informed me that his tibia is broken in two places.” He said extending his hand to Chris. “Forgive my wife. I’m Kenneth and you are?”
She smiled. “Christine”
Christine’s grip was tight, firm, manly. As far as the eye could see she was a woman. A distractingly beautiful one but if Kenneth was a blind man judging by her handshake he’d have sworn that Christine was a man.
“How is he?”
“He’s going to be fine.”
“Is he in here?” Lena asked, pointing to the door behind Kenneth.
“Yes”
Lena pushed open the door and headed in. “After you” Christine said to Kenneth.
“I’m just going to wait out here. I need to check my messages.”
McKhi was sitting on the observation table. His foot was propped up on a few pillows. He looked very uncomfortable. “Are you okay sweetie?” Lena asked rushing to his aid.
“It just looks bad. I’m okay. My chest just hurts a little.”
“What’s going on? Why is he having chest pain?”
“His ribs are also bruised. There could be a number of things that triggered this. In football, the injury could happen when a player is hit or when he falls on his side with the ball or a helmet between his body and the ground. His tibia is also broken in two places.”
“How long will the healing process take?”
“It could be anywhere from six to nine weeks” The doctor explained. “For the first couple of days you have to make sure that he stays off of his leg and make sure that he keeps it elevated.” The nurse said. “And he’ll also need to be on the crutches for at least six to nine weeks.”
“What about school?”
“He can return to school in about a week.”
****
After Kenneth listened to Malik’s voicemail his entire mood changed. He couldn’t imagine what Jason must’ve been going through. He opened the door and slid back into the room. The nurse was writing on a chart. “I’ll have these for you out front.” She said and walked out of the outpatient room.
“Lena I need to talk to you.”
“Can’t it wait?” She said irritably.
“It’s about Vanessa”
“What about Vanessa?”
“Baby” He hesitated. “She’s” He stuttered. “Baby, she’s been in an accident”
“What kind of an accident?”
“Her car went off the road sometime last month.”
“Last month? Why am I just now finding out about this?”
“I guess Jason really hasn’t had the time to communicate this with any of us”
“Is she okay?”
“She woke up out of the coma earlier today.”
“Coma?” She gasped. She caught the tears rolling from her eyes. “Vanessa’s been a coma?”
“She’s also had some memory lost. And Jason thinks that a visit from all of us will help her get her memory back. He wants us to fly out there for Thanksgiving.”
Lena rushed into Kenneth’s arms burying her head into his chest. “Oh Kenneth, I hope she recovers from this. I hope she gets her memory back.”
“She will baby, everything is going to work out just fine.”
chapter 13
Malik...Jacksonville Florida
The Furniture company had come and gone by now, and Malik still hadn’t contacted Stacy. Instead he was out back on the deck stretched out lazily on a lounge chair rehearsing, for the millionth time, what he was going to say to her when he called.
The blistering sun uncomfortably bathed his bare chest saturating his masculine upper body with sticky perspiration. His feet were bare; the blue jean shorts he wore were clinging to his thighs, and the ball cap on his head was pul
led to his brows protecting his eyes from the flare of the sun. Although it was late October the heat felt more like July.
He couldn’t make up his mind; nothing he’d rehearsed was good enough. “Uuuuggghh” He sighed heavily as he eased up the back of the lounge chair. “I should just get this over with. This is just a phone call about visiting a friend who’s lost their memory for Christ Sake.” He stood, stretched his long arms and legs then headed into the house. Stacy had the poor man’s mind going in fifty different directions.
Now he was standing by the built in aquarium in his living room admiring his new oversized recliner. He sank down into the cushioned seat and enjoyed the plush comfort of the interior. It was the softest leather he’d ever felt. “Now this is a man’s couch” He mumbled to himself as he pulled the recline handle and drifted off to sleep. He could’ve really used another shower but he was drained.
****
Malik was pouring Cognac into the pan of Coq au Riesling that was simmering on the cooktop when he glanced up at the digital clock on the microwave and noticed that seven o’clock was only ten minutes away. Kim would be arriving soon. He sprinkled a little garlic on the thigh fillets, covered the pan and preheated the oven to three hundred and fifty degrees. The main course meal was seasoned delectably and according to the recipe it would be ready in thirty minutes. He’d chosen the French entre because he wanted to prepare his date a meal unlike any other meal she’d ever tasted. A few skinned potatoes were on the center island, alongside a few spices and herbs, a slicer knife, a cutting board, and two aprons so that Kim could join him in preparing their feast. He’d learned from experience that women loved it when a man could cook. And something that they loved even more is a man whose idea of a perfect date is having casual conservation while preparing dinner together. They think it’s romantic. He’d learned that from experience too. Yeah, Malik had gotten plenty of pussy with his little “I would love for you to join me in the kitchen” Line. When were the women ever going to learn that it was only a man’s ploy? A ploy, that landed Malik right in the center of their deep wet valley.
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