“So, what’re you gonna do?” Tommy asked.
“I don’t know. Go home I guess. Get Superman high and temporarily forget.” Bug-Out shrugged rubbing his face. “Tonight was the first time I’ve seen my mother in weeks since our last argument. And you know what she just told me? That she’s proud of me for getting my life together. Then she hugged me with tears in her eyes. That’s why I came out here and took a hit.”
“Look man, I read that there’s this medicine that-”
“Save it. You sound like them jokers at the hospital. Medicine for what? They don’t know shit about this disease.”
“Maybe you should give it a try.”
“What for? C’mon Tommy, there ain’t even a cure for the muthafuckin common cold or cancer! Now you tell me how in the hell is they supposed to fix this shit?” Bug-Out demanded.
“But the medicine will suppress the ailments. You know, make you feel better. When you get sick. And you will get sick.”
Bug-Out shook his head sadly. “Nah screw that. I go back to that hospital and all that’s gonna happen is they gonna run experiments on me like a lab rat until I expire. I can’t see it. I’d rather be out here on the streets making every second count.”
“Daddy?” AJ called. The child came outside looking for his father.
Bug-Out turned to Tommy. “Nobody can know man. Promise me you won’t say anything.”
“Jesus Bug-Out, what about Laquita, she should be tested too.”
“I’ll talk to my wife. But please let me do it my own way. Now promise me.” Bug-Out begged holding out his hand.
AJ was coming closer and Tommy sighed and palmed his cousin’s hand. “Okay, but you have to tell Laquita. You owe it to her, and your son.”
Bug-Out nodded as his son ran up cheerily. “You got a hug for your old man?” AJ squeezed his father’s neck and was lifted into the air.
“What’s wrong with Tommy, Daddy?” the child asked his father as he observed his cousin stare back at him with a combination of pain and sorrow.
“Um, your cousin’s feeling sad cause he remembers the time he dropped you when you was a baby.”
“He dropped me?”
“Oh yeah,” Bug-Out grinned. “One time he was over at the house, when you was about one, and a roach got on his arm and freaked him out! Man he jumped up and started screaming running all around shouting, ‘Get it off me! Get it off me! And that’s when he dropped you.”
“Did I cry daddy?” AJ asked giggling.
“My son cry? No way! But you did bounce around like a basketball. Dribbled all around the room. And then you landed in your crib.” Bug-Out teased. AJ was laughing so hard he had tears in his eyes when his father turned to Tommy, “Oh by the way cousin, I’m way ahead of you. What happens in the kitchen, stays in the kitchen.” Tommy nodded. “It’s cold out here. I’m heading back inside, you coming?”
“In a minute.” Tommy said sadly.
Bug-Out and his son went back inside leaving Tommy standing there feeling like he swallowed a razor blade.
Donnie was the first to notice the change in Tommy’s mannerism. When he walked back inside she asked him what was wrong. He shook his head like he didn’t want to discuss it. After Bug-Out and the rest of his family left the only guests still there were Tommy and Donnie. Corbin stuck his head out the kitchen then frowned and pulled it back in when he saw that there were still some people left.
“Nicky, I had a wonderful time. And thank you for making a potentially awkward situation a very comfortable one.” Donnie said. Although she couldn’t picture the four of them double dating she did find Nicky sweet beautiful and hoped that she would get rid of her moody older man and find someone much nicer and more deserving.
“You’re very welcome Donnie. And yes, it was a tad bit awkward, but it was nice having you over. You too Tommy.” Nicky said playfully poking his arm then kneeled down to pat his dog goodbye.
Tommy snapped out of his daze. “Huh? Oh yeah thanks again. Take care.” He said and left.
“Jesus I can’t believe those heathens finally left. It’s pretty obvious why you divorced Tommy. Who’d want to be related to those uncouth tyrants? And was it really necessary to bring that large smelly mongrel?” Corbin said finally coming out the kitchen spraying Lysol. “You realize you’ll have to have your couch and rugs cleaned? And I hope you took an inventory of your valuables because I’m certain things are missing.”
Nicky glared at him. “We need to talk.”
Chapter 15
Donnie followed Tommy back to his place and parked out front. There were snow flurries blowing around but not quite sticking to the ground. A light layer of snow coated the trees and streets turning his dreary block into a picture postcard. Tommy told Donnie to go upstairs and make herself comfortable then went to walk Mayhem. Donnie was not sure why Tommy was acting so strange and hoped that it had nothing to do with him seeing Nicky with her new man. She could see why Tommy married a woman like Nicky. She was pretty, smart, sweet and unless she was acting, a decent person. Under the circumstances she wasn’t sure she could have been such a gracious host. In fact, she knew she couldn’t. She could also see if and why he would want her back and that worried her. It also made her question his sudden mood swing.
Tommy came back in with his dog and the lights were dim, candles were lit and Larry Graham was singing ‘One in a Million’. Donnie was standing in the middle of the room in her sheer bra and panties holding the drink she made for him. She was a vision of beauty but sex was the last thing on his mind after learning about his cousin’s dilemma.
“That’s for me? Thanks.” Tommy said and gave her a peck on the cheek, then took the glass to the kitchen table.
“You’re welcome.” Donnie said suddenly feeling awkward after he walked right past her in her sexiest and most revealing underwear. Realizing if this was going to happen she would have to take matters into her own hands she hopped into Tommy’s bed. “Well would you looka’ here. A bed. And not just any bed.” She said bobbing up and down. “A waterbed! Hmmm. Now what could we do in this big ol’ bed?” She asked provocatively.
“Donnie I’m not really in the mood.” Tommy sighed working on his second drink.
She could not believe it. The Bastard played her, again! Evidently her name was Boo-Boo the fool! Donnie went over and angrily shut off the music. “I wonder if Nicky and her boyfriend have anything to do with your pissy mood.” Tommy shook his head like she was annoying him and emptied his glass. “So here’s the part when you tell me where you were wrong-again. And that you really do have feelings for your ex. Well save your breath cause I’ve had it! I told you earlier that I wasn’t waiting around for you to get your act together!”
“Donnie.” Tommy said in a low voice.
“Save the drama for your mama! See I finally figured it out. You don’t have a commitment phobia. You just have a phobia of committing to me.” She said and angrily got dressed. When she turned to Tommy he was staring at the bottom of his glass with a sad face. “What’s the matter? Racked with guilt? Well you should be! You blew a good thing! And another thing-Aw just forget it! I’m outta here!”
Donnie stormed towards the door then paused. She was giving him ample enough time to stop her from walking out the door but he never said one word. That was it! His last opportunity to make this work. She looked over her shoulder one last time and was at a loss for words. Tommy was sitting there silently crying. This was totally unexpected. She came over and Tommy looked up at her with pitiful red eyes. In this numbed state he possessed a vulnerability that Donnie had never seen. She cupped his chin and he looked up at her. The hardness that usually enveloped his rough face was gone and she wiped away his tears.
“C’mere baby.” She whispered and Tommy stood up and climbed inside her embrace.
After getting himself together Tommy explained how a perfect evening was ruined when he found out Bug-Out was infected with the AIDS virus. Donn
ie felt terrible about jumping to conclusions and he assured her it was okay. Under the circumstances he would have reacted the same way.
“Is there anything I can do?” Donnie asked him.
Tommy nodded drying his eyes then said, “Stay.” Donnie took him by the hand and led him to bed where they laid holding each other fully clothed until they drifted off.
Havoc and Mayhem Page 25