Put A Ring On It

by Allison Hobbs

  Vangie and Shawn stood in front of the judge, and Vangie hardly got an opportunity to talk about Shawn being wilfully in contempt of his child support order before his pit bull of an attorney said something about a Motion to Modify and started waving a document around.

  “He can’t modify the money he owes me,” Vangie blurted, knowing nothing about legal terminology. “He owes me five years of back—” The judge banged her gavel, shutting Vangie’s tirade down.

  Shawn’s attorney continued calmly, “My client is fully prepared to pay the back support, but he’d like to modify his future payments.”

  The female pit bull presented the judge with some paperwork, which the judge looked over with a pair of glasses perched on the end of her nose.

  “And the change of circumstances is?” the judge asked the pit bull.

  “My client has his son in his custody every weekend.”

  “Is that true, Ms. Samuels?”

  “Well, yeah,” Vangie said hesitantly. “He usually picks our son up on Friday and takes him to school on Monday morning, but—”

  “Fine,” the judge said, cutting Vangie off for the second time. “You two need to think about your son’s well-being and work this out. Get the joint custody papers in order,” the judge said in a scolding tone. Then she sent Vangie a particularly scathing look and said, “A mother should work along with a father who wants to participate in his son’s life.”

  Why’s she acting like I’m the criminal here? Vangie wondered.

  “After you work out the custody arrangements, I want to see proof of income from both parents, as well as tax statements for the past two years,” the judge said, postponing the case.

  Shawn had gotten a reprieve, but once the judge saw evidence of Vangie’s paltry little salary, Shawn’s trifling butt was going to have to hand over a huge lump sum of money…or go straight to jail!

  Not wanting to seem like an unreasonable, angry black woman and desiring to get on the judge’s good side, Vangie rode the elevator to another section of the Family Court building and grudgingly signed papers that allowed Shawn joint custody of Yuri. The custody order stipulated that Shawn was to pick Yuri up at six o’clock Friday evening and return him to his elementary school at eight-fifteen on Monday morning.

  Outside the courthouse, it was biting cold and the hawk was out. The wind was so strong, it was rattling stops signs and blowing off hats.

  Still, outdoor flower vendors were set up and racking up sales. In this cold and punishing weather, men stood in long lines to purchase a bouquet for their sweethearts. Vangie felt the sting of envy and averted her gaze, hunching up her shoulders as she hustled off to her car. She wondered what Shawn was getting his new girlfriend? Most likely, Miss Eva would be getting a pair of hooker heels and a very large bag from Victoria’s Secret.

  * * *

  After a month of therapy, Harlow and her psychiatrist had only scratched the surface, but Harlow left her therapist’s Eighth Avenue office with a great sense of accomplishment. Before getting treatment, she’d tried to suppress the painful memories. Now that she had finally begun to face her demons, she realized that there was no quick fix and no convenient pill that would instantly heal her emotional scars. She expected to be in therapy for several years. And that was okay with her.

  When she exited the building, Drake was waiting outside. Drake was pure magnificence wearing a black cashmere coat, suit and tie, and dark shades. He was leaning against one of his cars—a Bentley—and holding an extra large bouquet of roses. “Happy Valentine’s Day,” he greeted.

  “Oh, Drake, what a nice surprise. I don’t have your gift with me; it’s at the apartment.”

  “You’re the only gift I need,” he replied, giving her a quick kiss and then handing her the bouquet.

  “Thanks, honey,” she said as he opened the door for her. Living in New York with Drake was better than ever. Drake had been giving Alphonso more responsibility than usual so that he and Harlow could lead a more settled lifestyle.

  “Did the session go okay?” Drake inquired, though he wasn’t prying.

  “Yes, but healing is a slow process.”

  Drake nodded.

  “I like Dr. Thomas,” Harlow went on, her tone upbeat. “I’m really comfortable with him.”

  “Really glad to hear that, baby.” Drake’s expression turned to serious as he merged into the aggressive New York City traffic. When he stopped at a traffic light, he retrieved a Tiffany’s box from his pocket. The box was tied with a single white ribbon. “Hope you like it.”

  Inside the box was a cushion-cut pink sapphire ring, set in platinum. There was a paving of smaller pink sapphires extending halfway around the band.

  “It’s beautiful, Drake. And I love pink! You have incredible taste,” Harlow said, sliding the ring out of the box and holding it up admiringly.

  “I did my research,” Drake told her. “At one time pink sapphires were rare. Sapphires come in the palest yellow to the deepest green, but pink is considered a romantic color used to demonstrate love.” He smiled and shrugged. “And I love you. So, I’m asking you for the second time, will you marry me?”

  “Of course, I will,” Harlow exclaimed.

  Car horns honked behind them, but Drake ignored the irritated drivers. He took the ring from the velvet case and slid it on Harlow’s finger.

  Nivea ripped open the red shiny package and then gawked at the black leather strap with a white ball situated in the center. “What the hell is this?”

  Knox grinned. “It’s a gag ball. But the ball isn’t rubber; it’s a candy jawbreaker.”

  Nivea gave him a look of loathing. “You asked me to rush over here during the middle of my work day for this shit? Is this your idea of a Valentine’s present…a goddamn candy gag ball?”

  Knox lifted it out of the black box. “Sweets for my sweet,” he teased. “It’s one of my fantasies. You promised you’d be my fantasy valentine.”

  “Yeah, I thought we’d get into something kinky after dinner and drinks at a nice restaurant.”

  “Not tonight. Maybe tomorrow.”

  “Why not tonight?”

  “You know…Courtney expects me to spend Valentine’s Day with her.”

  “And what did you get Courtney, a set of fluffy handcuffs?”

  Knox bent over laughing as if Nivea’s words were hilarious. “No, I got her something romantic. Your sister’s into traditional romance. She doesn’t get me. She’s not a freak like you.”

  “And that’s the problem, Knox. I don’t want to remain your freak in the sheets. Every time we get together, it’s another smash and dash situation. You keep telling me that you’re going to tell Courtney that it’s over; meanwhile, she’s busy picking out her wedding gown. When are you going to tell her? I don’t want to see my sister publicly humiliated on the day of her wedding. You need to tell Courtney before she racks up more unnecessary expenses!”

  “I know. I’m going to tell her. After dinner, tonight.”

  Finally! Nivea breathed a sigh of relief. Knox slipped over to the closet and pulled out another gift-wrapped package. Nivea beamed as she tore off the paper, then her smile vanished. “Fluffy handcuffs,” she said, her nose turned up in disdain. “What kind of bullshit gifts are these?”

  “Damn, I love it when you get mad. Get naked, baby. This is going to be so much fun. You trust me, don’t you?”

  “I guess,”she mumbled. “I thought you’d at least have a romantic lunch waiting for me.”

  “Are you serious? You’re not even the romantic type and you know it.”

  Nivea didn’t know what to say. She wasn’t all that romantic, but still…

  “Knox, I’m supposed to be working. Why can’t we play this game later tonight?”

  “I’ll be with Courtney tonight.”

  “We can get together after you have dinner with my sister. I’m sure you’ll want to be with me after you go through that emotional scene with her.”

  “Probably. W
e’ll see.” He gave Nivea a leering look. “Strip out of that business suit. I wanna suck on those big, luscious titties.”

  Nivea felt a warm rush between her legs. Her pussy had betrayed her yet again. She began flinging clothes off her body. And in a matter of minutes, Nivea was naked with a candy gag ball in her mouth, hands cuffed behind her back.

  In that position of total surrender, Knox sucked her breast while Nivea, revved up with passion, sucked hard on the candy ball. When he lowered himself to the floor and began to feast on her legs, Nivea came so hard and with such wild abandon, she thought she might have broken a tooth when she began biting and gnawing on the jawbreaker that was inserted into her mouth.

  CHAPTER 55

  Inside the bridal shop, Nivea sat on the settee next to her mother. “What do you think?” her mother asked.

  “I don’t like it,” Nivea mumbled. She was feeling dazed after watching Courtney twirl about in one frightful bridal gown after another.

  “She’s tried on three gowns. Can you be more specific?” Mrs. Westcott said snippily.

  “I don’t like any of them. They’re all tacky. And her wedding concept is juvenile and tasteless.”

  Mrs. Westcott looked defeated. “You’re right, Nivea. Your sister has gone from that outrageous beach theme to this ridiculous princess theme. Don’t young people believe in traditional weddings anymore?”

  Nivea shrugged indifferently. There’s not going to be a wedding, so don’t worry about it! Nivea wanted to say, but restrained herself. “She’s calling it a fairy tale wedding, not princess,” Nivea corrected with a smirk.

  “Try to talk to your sister; give her some advice.”

  “Courtney doesn’t listen to me,” Nivea said. “You raised her to be a brat; now you have to deal with it.”

  “Now is not the time for, I told you so. Our family is going to be a public disgrace if Courtney insists upon this ridiculous, princess wedding.”

  Courtney came twirling out of the dressing room, looking like a black Cinderella in her off-shoulder, silver renaissance dress. “Do I look like a princess?”

  You look like a retard! “Yes, you’re breathtaking,” Nivea said, looking down at a text message from Knox: Tonight is the night.

  Courtney spun around again, and squealed in delight. “I want this one, Mother. Knox is going to love it!”

  Don’t bet on it! Knox didn’t want to ruin your Valentine’s Day dinner, but he’s gonna make a bombshell announcement tonight!

  Back in court, Vangie sent Shawn and his attorney a confident look. She had all her records together. It was judgment day for Shawn, and Vangie was eager to see him getting handcuffed. His latest ho would undoubtedly come up with some bail money for him, but it would give Vangie a spark of joy to see him being carted off to jail.

  While Shawn’s attorney talked legal gibberish, Vangie sat back relaxed, waiting for the judge to order him to pay up now! Vangie’s ears perked up when she heard the pit bull saying something about her client was the custodial parent.

  Vangie waved her hand vigorously.

  “You’ll get an opportunity to speak, Ms. Presswood,” the judge said to Vangie.

  “Mr. Davis has his son from Friday until Monday and therefore is eligible for child support.”

  “Eligible for what!” Vangie shouted. She forgot about waiting for her turn to speak.

  “The papers in front of me indicate that you and Mr. Davis share joint custody of the minor child. Is this true?” the judge asked Vangie.

  “Yes, but I’m the custodial parent.”

  “Does Mr. Davis have the child from Friday until Monday?”

  “Yes, but…”

  “Mr. Davis is looking for work, your honor. But until he has steady employment, he’s going to need support from the petitioner.”

  Vangie gasped. “Your honor…this is ridiculous. He owes me money from five years ago. How in the world can you listen to this woman talking about I should be paying him child support? I can barely make ends meet—”

  “If the child is in your custody for only three days out of the week, it is only fair that Mr. Davis is compensated.”

  “I’m the one who wakes up with our son every morning, and gets him ready for school. I’m the one who has to wash his clothes, make sure his homework is done, and I’m the one who prepares all his meals. I have to take time off from work for his doctor’s appointments…me! Not his part-time, videogame playing, take him to the movies every once in a while, father!” Vangie shouted, outraged.

  “Sorry, Ms. Presswood, you tell a compelling story, but I have to rule in the favor of the respondent.” The judge banged her gavel.

  Shawn hugged his attorney. In a state of shock, Vangie sat without moving.

  Tears fell from her eyes throughout the drive home. A man isn’t supposed to get child support. Oh, dear God, how can they let him do this to me?

  CHAPTER 56

  Knox swallowed two aspirin. “My head is killing me. I feel horrible for what I did to Courtney.”

  Nivea could see the hurt in his eyes. Though personally elated that Knox had finally dumped her pesky sister, Nivea was compelled to show some human compassion. “Breaking up with someone is never easy.” Yay for pussy power! Who could blame Knox for wanting to be with her instead of her dolt of a sister? According to Knox, Courtney thought that doggy style was being kinky. Dumb bitch!

  “Courtney was outraged,” Knox went on, his expression incredulous. “She pulled a knife on me—tried to stab me. I had to wrestle with her to get the weapon out of her hands!”

  “Whaaat!” Nivea was stunned. “That doesn’t sound like Courtney at all.”

  “Would I make something like that up?” Knox’s tone was reproachful.

  “No, you wouldn’t,” Nivea said carefully. “I’m just saying, that kind of behavior from Courtney…it’s really surprising.”

  Knox sat on the edge of Nivea’s bed, holding his head with his hand. “She kept crying about her perfect wedding dress. God, this is so awful. I don’t know how I’m going to live it down. Your parents are going to hate me.”

  “Honey, don’t worry; I’ll put in for a job transfer. We can move away together…to the West Coast or somewhere.”

  “That’s not going to work for me. I’m supposed to set up practice in this area. My family’s church is supposed to pitch in, and now I’ve scandalized the church.” Anguished, he dropped his head, shaking it as though he’d made a terrible mistake.

  “I know the church is planning to contribute financially, but I’ll think of a way to get your practice started. I’m in the medical field, you know,” Nivea said proudly as she rubbed Knox’s smooth face.

  He pulled away from her touch. “You sell pharmaceuticals; you’re not a physician,” Knox said sullenly.

  Ow! “I was only tyring to help.”

  Knox grimaced as if hit by a strong stomach pain. “That aspirin you gave me is making me sick to my stomach.”

  Fed up with Knox’s griping and whining, Nivea said firmly, “What’s done is done. You can’t beat yourself up forever. Put this behind you so we can move forward. Please!” she said with much aggravation. “Now, I realize that it would be tacky to broadcast our relationship, and so for Courtney’s sake, I think it best if we keep our affair a secret for a while.”

  “You’re right,” he agreed, seemingly relieved that Nivea had taken charge of the sordid mess they were in.

  Damn, I really won! I’ve finally come out on top, Nivea congratulated herself. Feeling self-satisfied, she slipped over to the dresser and secretly turned off her cell and then sneakily unplugged the house phone. She didn’t want to hear her mother’s hysteria tonight. She’d listen and make the appropriate sounds of regret tomorrow. Right now she had to comfort her man and work out her own wedding plans. She wanted a big wedding, but that wouldn’t be possible with all the controversy surrounding her nuptials. I refuse to have a tacky Vegas wedding. I’ll figure something out.

  Nivea kisse
d Knox, lightly. He hugged her tight, whispering, “I took a leap of faith. I’m putting my trust in you. Don’t hurt me, baby.”

  She was touched by his willingness to be vulnerable. “Oh, Knox. I’d never hurt you. I love you. I’m going to be a good wife. You’ll see.” He pressed his face against her bosom, tears rolling down his face. “Knox! Baby, it’s gonna be alright. I swear. You won’t regret your decision. I’m the right woman for you. You made a wise choice,” Nivea said.

  “I hope so,” he uttered.

  “Have some faith in me, Knox.”

  “I want to. I feel like shit, ruining Courtney’s life.”

  “Shh. Take your mind off Courtney. Think about me.”

  Overcome with emotion, Knox wept openly. Feeling almost maternal, Nivea soothed him with loving kisses, and gentle caresses.

  Feeling like the dominant partner, she undressed the sobbing Knox, delivering kisses to his smooth naked body, trying to calm him. She fondled his balls and stroked his dick, but it remained soft and Knox continued to sob, distraught.

  Oh, my God. I don’t know what to do.

  “Talk to me, Knox. I’m here for you. Tell what I can do to make it better.”

  He began moving his lips, but no sounds emerged. “Knox!”

  Shaking his head, he bit down on his lips, mumbling in-coherently.

  Taking matters in her hands, Nivea pulled off her panties. She propped Knox’s head up with a pillow and straddled his face. “Is this what you want?” She positioned her pussy over his face, thighs clamping his ears. “Tell me what you want, and I’ll—”

  He didn’t answer. He didn’t have to. He cut off Nivea’s words with a frantic kiss to the lips of her pussy. His tongue darted and played against her clit. Separating her satiny folds, his tongue plunged into her thickened honey. Knox feasted between her legs, lapping the outpouring of moisture, his tongue rolling in slow undulating waves, provoking Nivea to frenzied jerks of passion.

  “That was fantastic,” Knox said, sitting up, wiping his lips with the back of his hand.