Precious Stones

by Darrien Lee

Malachi looked around and said, “Since you asked, I have completed everything, so I’m good. Why are you checking up on me?”

  “I’m not checking on you, Malachi. I got off work early and wanted to know if you wanted to hang out.”

  He opened the door so the carpet cleaners could load up their equipment.

  “What do you have in mind? I’m up for anything.”

  “Do you want to grab some lunch?”

  “Sounds good,” he answered as he rubbed his growling stomach. “I am starving.”

  “Great. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. What do you have a taste for?”

  “It doesn’t matter to me, but I am leaning toward Caribbean food. I haven’t had that in a while.”

  She smiled and said, “Caribbean it is. I’ll see you shortly.”

  About fifteen minutes later, Keilah arrived home and changed into a pair of jeans, a casual top, a leather jacket, and boots. Before leaving with her brother, she looked in on Neariah, who was taking a nap, and had a short conversation with Camille about their dinner menu. When she joined Malachi in the driveway, she tossed him the keys to her Land Rover, and they drove off to an appetizing lunch.

  At the restaurant Keilah chose arroz con camarones, shrimp with yellow rice, which was served with beans and a salad. Malachi ordered a burrito cubano, a burrito filled with roast pork, sofrito, beans, and cheese, and served with rice, beans, and a salad. Keilah enjoy her afternoon with her brother. After treating him to lunch, they stopped by a local market to purchase a few items for Thanksgiving. Malachi had been a big help getting everything ready for Thanksgiving, and she apologized to him for overreacting to his unannounced arrival. Now she couldn’t wait to see the rest of her family.

  It had been a fun-filled day with her brother, but she was tired now and ready to crash. Once they returned home, she headed upstairs, started her bath, and went into the bedroom to get her slippers. As she made her way back into the bathroom, her cell phone rang. She didn’t recognize the number, so she answered it.

  “Hello?”

  “Keilah, it’s Trenton. Don’t hang up. We need to talk.”

  Stunned, she sat down on the side of the bed without speaking for a moment. Once she gathered her senses, she said, “We have nothing to talk about, and how did you get my number?”

  “That’s not important right now. What is important is that I can’t get you out of my head. I know you’re married, but I have to see you. You have to still have feelings for me. We almost got married, for God’s sake.”

  Angry, Keilah said, “You know what, Trenton? I did love you at one time, but now all I feel for you is disgust. Feelings of disgust that you would have the nerve to approach me like you did on the plane. I told you I was happily married, so please, just leave me alone.”

  “The only shame I have is that I let you get away from me. I’m not afraid to fight for you, Keilah. You mean that much to me.”

  “The best advice I can give you is to lose my number and forget we ever ran into each other. Do you understand where I’m coming from?”

  Trenton held the telephone in silence for a moment, and then, before hanging up, he said, “I’m sorry, but I can’t let go. Not yet, so what happens, happens. Good-bye, Keilah.”

  She hung up the telephone, not understanding what Trenton meant or where his head was. It was her hope that this was the last time she would hear from him, but she couldn’t be sure. She didn’t want to ruin Thanksgiving, but on the flip side she didn’t want to keep secrets from Ramsey, either. She returned to the bathroom, and to the hot bath awaiting her, so she could think about her next move.

  Chapter Five

  It was two days before Thanksgiving, and Luke and his family had arrived, and so had Ramsey’s parents, Valeria and Marion, and Ramsey’s aunt Judy. Since Camille had been given time off to spend time with her own family for the holidays, Malachi had stepped in to help around the house, which included watching over Neariah while the Stones went to work. Sabrinia went straight to the kitchen when she arrived, with Valeria and Aunt Judy right behind her. She wanted to prepare as much food as possible ahead of time so she would have the opportunity to enjoy the holiday. It helped that Keilah had a refrigerator that was capable of storing large amounts of food. However, when Sabrinia entered the kitchen, Keilah had a surprise for her.

  “What is this?” Sabrinia called out to her sister-in-law as they gathered around the large island. The smell of garlic and other spices was in the air, and when Sabrinia looked in the oven, she saw a large tray of baked chicken. On the stove top she found a huge pot of pasta, Alfredo sauce, delicious vegetables, and homemade rolls.

  “Calm down, Sabrinia,” Keilah instructed her sister-in-law as she popped opened a bottle of wine and started filling their glasses. “I knew you would come in here like a tornado and start slinging pots and pans, but not today, sis. You’re going to relax and enjoy yourself, because dinner is taken care of for tonight. We have plenty of food, drinks, appetizers, and snacks. Tomorrow we can get serious about preparing for Thanksgiving dinner, and you’re not going to do it alone.”

  “Keilah’s right,” Valeria added. “There are enough of us here to put dinner together in no time. Besides, I plan on making my famous corn-bread dressing and stuffed bell peppers.”

  Sabrinia smiled as she picked up her wineglass and took a sip. “Okay, you twisted my arm, because I have no problem relaxing and drinking Keilah’s wine.”

  Aunt Judy had already finished her first glass and was holding it out for a refill. She belched and said, “You don’t have to tell me twice. Fill ’er up.”

  The ladies laughed together as Luke and Sabrinia’s children, eighteen-year-old Lucas, sixteen-year-old Danielle, and twelve-year-old Paris, headed downstairs to the game room. The men quickly grabbed their beer and headed to the theater room to watch football.

  “I can’t believe our granddaughter has gotten so big,” Valeria stated. “What are you feeding her? Steroids?”

  Keilah laughed.

  “She’s not big, but then again, your son is her father, so the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Keilah replied.

  About that time they heard a loud cheer coming from the theater room.

  Aunt Judy drank up her second glass of wine and said, “I guess somebody scored.”

  Valeria rolled her eyes at her sister and said, “Stop drinking so fast, Judy, before you pass out before dinner. Come help set the table, because I’m starving.”

  “Me too,” Sabrinia replied as she opened the oven and pulled out the steaming tray of baked chicken.

  Aunt Judy reached into the cabinet and handed Sabrinia a platter for the chicken before she started buttering the rolls. Neariah noticed all the food preparation and started squealing with excitement. Keilah walked over to the high chair and gave her a buttered roll. Neariah immediately stopped squealing and stuffed the roll into her mouth. Once everything was set, Sabrinia called the family to the dinner table, where they joined hands in prayer and finally enjoyed a delicious dinner.

  An hour or so later, the family continued to sit around the table, laughing and reminiscing. It was only after Keilah yawned that Valeria suggested they clear the table.

  Keilah stood and said, “If anyone wants dessert and coffee, it’ll be in the kitchen.”

  “No coffee for me,” Aunt Judy answered. “It’ll have me up all night, but I will take some dessert.”

  A few others also wanted dessert, so everyone pitched in clearing the table while Ramsey and Luke took Target out into the backyard for a short walk. Luke was like a father to Keilah, and Ramsey not only admired him but also respected him.

  Sabrinia pointed to her two teenagers and said, “I want you two to clean up the kitchen before going back downstairs.”

  Lucas let out a loud sigh and rolled his eyes.

  “Lucas, I know you’re not giving me attitude.”

  “No, ma’am.”

  Danielle tossed her brother a dish towel and said, “I�
�ll wash. You dry.”

  Keilah cut a slice of red velvet cake and said, “You guys can use the dishwasher if you want to.”

  “Thanks, Auntie,” Danielle replied.

  Valeria walked into the kitchen with Neariah, who was lying against her chest. “Keilah, I think Neariah’s ready for bed. Do you mind if I take her upstairs and give her a bath?”

  “I don’t mind at all,” Keilah replied as she leaned down to give her daughter a kiss. Neariah immediately reached for her. “You want your mommy?” Keilah asked her baby girl as she briefly took her into her arms. “Your grandmother is going to get you ready for bed, okay?” Keilah kissed her daughter’s cheek and quickly handed her back to her mother-in-law. “I’ll be up to check on you two shortly. Have fun.”

  Valeria headed down the hallway with her granddaughter and said, “Take your time, sweetie. Neariah and I are going to spend some girl time together and have a spa night.”

  Keilah finished off her piece of cake and handed the saucer to Danielle before going into the theater room. The men were watching the last quarter of the football game when Keilah crawled into Ramsey’s lap and laid her head on his shoulder.

  He immediately ran his hand over her thigh and said, “You look sleepy.”

  “I am.”

  “Is Neariah in bed?”

  She kissed his neck and said, “Her grandmother is giving her a bath.”

  Malachi glanced over at the couple and sarcastically said, “You two need to get a room.”

  “Mind your business,” Luke replied, defending his sister’s public display of affection. “You’re just jealous.”

  “Please! I’m not jealous! I have women,” Malachi announced.

  “That’s your problem. You’re not eighteen anymore. You need to get your house in order and settle down and stop sleeping around with a bunch of loose women,” Luke reminded him.

  Malachi drank some of his beer and said, “I will when I’m ready, and I’m not ready yet.”

  Keilah took her husband’s hand as she stood. She looked at Malachi and said, “I understand where you’re coming from, Malachi, because not many women can handle your strong personality or antics, so you’re going to have to take your time to find Mrs. Right. You need to let me pick your future wife. I’ll pick someone good for you.”

  “You done lost your damn mind,” Malachi replied with a laugh, and he watched Ramsey lead Keilah out of the room by the hand. “Where are you two going?”

  Ramsey turned to his brothers-in-law and said, “I’ll be back. I want to tuck my wife in bed and check on Neariah.”

  Luke smiled at the couple as he took a sip of his beer. He couldn’t be happier that Ramsey had married their sister. He was the ideal man to handle her. They were a perfect fit, and there was no doubt that Ramsey was in love with her.

  “Take your time, bro,” Luke called out to him.

  In the game room the couple found Lucas concentrating on a video game, while Danielle was painting her younger sister, Paris’s nails. Target had been hanging out with the teenagers, but as soon as his owners entered the room, he stood and started wagging his tail. Keilah and Ramsey had a short conversation with the teens about sleeping arrangements. Danielle and Paris would share a small bedroom off the game room, while Lucas would camp out on the sectional’s hide-a-bed. Before going upstairs, they stepped out on the patio, where they found Marion enjoying one of his large cigars.

  “Dad, I thought you were going to quit smoking.”

  Marion turned to his son and raised his hand and said, “My New Year’s resolution is to cut back a little bit, Scouts’ honor.”

  Keilah gave him a kiss on the cheek and said, “Good night, Pops.”

  “Good night, sweetheart.”

  Upstairs they looked in on Aunt Judy, who had just bedded down with a book and a glass of wine. Sabrinia was relaxing in the jetted tub, while down the hallway Valeria was singing a soft lullaby to Neariah as she rocked her to sleep. She waved them off, not wanting her granddaughter to be awakened by the presence of her parents. The last stop was their master bedroom, which was their private room of relaxation. Decorated in ivory and gold, it was fully equipped, with a fireplace and an intimate sitting area near a large window overlooking the pool, the fountain, and a perfectly manicured backyard.

  Ramsey pulled Keilah’s sweater over her head, exposing her bra and full chest. He kissed her neck and the cleavage of her breasts, causing her to let out a soft whimper.

  “Do you want me to finish undressing you?” he asked with a mischievous expression on his face.

  “Baby, if you undress me now, I don’t think you’ll be rejoining my brothers downstairs.”

  He unbuttoned her jeans and pulled them down over her hips and said, “I think they’ll understand if I don’t come back.”

  Ramsey stood back and admired his wife’s beautiful body as she stood before him in her pink lace undergarments.

  “Damn,” he whispered as he felt himself about to lose control of his body.

  She cuddled up to him and ran her hand over his broad chest and said, “Thank you. I feel the same way when I look at you.”

  He gave her a sultry kiss on the lips and then patted her on the backside. “Get some rest. I’ll be back after watching a few highlights.”

  “That’s fine,” she said as she turned and walked toward the bathroom so she could get ready for bed.

  Ramsey closed the door behind him and headed back downstairs to join his father and brothers-in-law. He spent the next hour or so enjoying their company. When he checked the time, he realized how late it was and called it a night. He made his way upstairs after securing the house and eased into bed with his wife, who had drifted off the sleep, but he had no problem waking her up with his soft kisses and gentle tongue.

  It wasn’t until she lay in her husband’s arms after making love to him that Keilah decided to tell him about Trenton’s phone call.

  “Ramsey?”

  He pulled her closer and answered, “Yes, dear?”

  “You know I love you, right?”

  He kissed her and said, “Of course I do.”

  “You also know that I would never do anything to disrespect or hurt you.”

  He opened his eyes and said, “Yeah, baby, I know. What’s up?”

  “Trenton called my cell phone the other day.”

  “What?”

  She sighed and said, “He was talking crazy, saying he was still in love with me and that he wasn’t able to let go after seeing me on the plane. He said he was willing to fight for me, and before he hung up, he said what happens ... happens.”

  Ramsey sat up in bed and rubbed his eyes. “What did he mean by that?”

  “I don’t know, babe.”

  “That bastard is just asking for me to break his damn neck.”

  Keilah lovingly wrapped her arms around her husband’s neck and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Baby, I don’t want you to get into any trouble over this. He’s arrogant, not stupid.”

  Ramsey stood and walked over to the window and looked out into the night. He turned to her and said, “You’re my wife, and nobody’s going to disrespect our marriage.”

  Keilah climbed out of bed and joined her husband at the window. It was a clear night, and the moonlight shining through the window seemed to illuminate their bodies, especially Ramsey’s and his military tattoos. She sat on the window seat and looked up into her husband’s distressed face.

  “You have nothing to worry about. You know where my heart is.”

  He looked down at her and said, “That’s never been in question. I know you would never cheat on me. I trust you, but not him or what he might do.”

  She took his hand and kissed the back of it and said, “He won’t do anything.”

  Ramsey leaned down, kissed her soft lips, and said, “I know he won’t. Let’s go back to bed. I’ll take care of this tomorrow.”

  He took her by the hand and led her over to the bed, but before crawling under t
he covers, she said, “You’re not going to do anything stupid, are you?”

  He fluffed his pillow and said, “Of course not.”

  In the middle of the night, Ramsey made his way down to his office and Googled Trenton’s book-signing schedule. He found out he was holding an early morning signing at an upscale café in the downtown area.

  The next morning, Ramsey got up bright and early, while everyone else was still asleep. He drove downtown; entered the café; bought a newspaper, a cup of coffee, and some oatmeal; took a seat at a table in the corner; and waited for the guest of honor. Fortunately for him, his wait wasn’t long. Trenton, along with his big ego and a female assistant, walked into a crowd of fans anxiously waiting to get their books signed. Ramsey felt like jumping over the table and smashing Trenton’s head, but he decided to be patient. He watched as Trenton worked the early morning crowd of people, who had to work the day before Thanksgiving. This was D.C., which meant the government had work to do even around the holidays. It was only a matter time, and Ramsey couldn’t wait.

  Chapter Six

  Two hours had passed, and the crowd had slowly diminished. While employees packed up Trenton’s remaining books, the guest of honor headed toward the restroom. Ramsey slowly rose from his chair and entered the restroom, where he found Trenton at the sink, washing his hands. Trenton looked into the mirror and recognized a familiar face. He pulled some paper towels out of the holder and dried his hands.

  Trenton held his hand out to shake Ramsey’s hand. “Ramsey Stone, what a nice surprise. It’s been a while.”

  Instead of shaking his hand, Ramsey walked up to him and punched him square in the face, knocking him on the floor.

  “What the hell is wrong with you?” Trenton asked as he touched his lip and saw that it was bleeding.

  Before he could say another word, Ramsey grabbed him by the neck and pulled him off the floor and slammed him hard against the wall. Trenton eyes bulged in disbelief, making it obvious that he’d been caught by surprise. Ramsey’s grip on his neck was tight as he got right in his face and spoke.

  “If I hear of you calling, touching, or even breathing in the same space as my wife, I will kill you. Do you understand?” Ramsey released his grip slightly on Trenton’s neck so he could speak.