Aftermath

by Tracy Brown

  Camille had also found comfort in a most unlikely source. Officer Eli King had been picking her up on Mondays and Wednesdays (his days off) and taking her for walks around her neighborhood park. Camille’s doctor had suggested that walking was good for her in preparation for childbirth. So Eli would walk with her and then together they would share a cup of ice cream from Coldstone. It gave Camille something to look forward to for a couple of days a week and it gave Eli the chance to get to know this woman he was becoming enamored with. She thought about him now as she stroked her belly. She had made up her mind that once her baby was born, she was going to take Eli up on his offer for a date. She smiled at the thought of that.

  For the next hour and a half the ladies shared advice on motherhood, ate delicious food, and played baby shower games that Octavia had come up with. The time came for Camille to open the tons of gifts that were piled high on the table and on the floor surrounding it. As Misa sat beside her sister and handed her the presents, Camille began to open each gift, taking time to read each card and thank each benefactor. Oohs and aahs could be heard repeatedly as one adorable item after another was unwrapped.

  The doorbell rang and Dominique left the party in full swing to go and answer it. She was shocked when Archie stood there, his beautiful face smiling at her, with a bottle of Hennessy in his strong yet gentle hands. For a moment, she was speechless, caught off guard by his unexpected visit.

  Archie said, “Hello. How are you?”

  She watched his lips as he spoke and then caught herself. “Fine,” she said, clearing her throat and forcing herself to look into his eyes. Staring into them did little to quiet her speeding heartbeat. “I’m hosting a baby shower for my friend, Camille,” she said, wishing deep down inside that she had been home alone so that he could have ravaged her again. Even though she had decided weeks ago that he wasn’t the man for her, at night she still thought of him, and even sometimes during her busy workday. Seeing him standing before her now dressed in crisp white Nikes, blue jeans, and a button-up, she licked her lips.

  “I know,” he said, to her surprise. “Well … kind of. My aunt told me that you came in to get your hair done the other day. You told her that you were busy running around for this party at your house.” He smiled, disarming her. “I didn’t know it was a baby shower. I thought you were just having a party and I just—”

  “You just decided to come and crash my party?” Dominique asked, her hands on her hips and a fake frown on her face. Archie’s aunt Karen had been her hairdresser for years and she often confided in her—perhaps a little too much.

  Archie seemed to ponder that assessment. Then he nodded. “Yes,” he said honestly. “You don’t call me anymore. And when I call you, I always get your voice mail. I leave a message. No reply. So I asked my aunt to give you a message for me. She said she would, but then when you came to get your hair done, she told me that she forgot to tell you what I said. You were so busy talking about this party you were having that my message slipped her mind.” He shrugged his shoulders. “So I came to tell you myself.”

  Dominique stood there wanting to be mad, but feeling somewhat turned on by the fact that he had gone to such lengths to see her again. “Okay, so what’s the message?” she asked.

  Archie looked at her. She was beautiful. Her salmon-colored Donna Karan pantsuit hugged her sexy hips perfectly. She wore her hair off her face for once, and she looked so natural to him standing there, so effortlessly pretty as she pretended to be pissed. “I miss you.”

  She melted instantly, her frown turning slowly into a bashful smile. Toya came up behind her then and craned her neck to see who Dominique was talking to. She saw Archie and clutched her chest dramatically.

  “Who is this, Dominique?” she asked.

  Dominique looked at Toya out of the corner of her eyes and shook her head.

  “I’m Archie,” he said, extending his hand to Toya in introduction. Toya took it and smiled at him seductively. “I’m Dominique’s friend,” he said, looking at Dominique. “At least I think I am.” She smiled at him and he turned his attention back to Toya. “I didn’t know that she was having a baby shower for someone tonight and she was just explaining that I can’t stay.”

  Toya looked appalled. “Of course you can stay! You have Hennessy and everything!” She nudged Dominique aside and cleared the way for Archie to enter the apartment.

  He laughed and looked at Dominique for the okay.

  Dominique laughed, too. “Come on in, Archie,” she said. “This is my friend Toya. She’s the loud one as you can see.”

  Archie smiled and stepped inside. “I like you, Toya,” he said.

  Toya looked him up and down and stroked the back of her neck absentmindedly. “Likewise.”

  Dominique shoved her friend. “Archie, you can set the bottle on the bar over there and make yourself comfortable.”

  He nodded and walked across the large living room packed with women. He felt like a spotlight was on him as he strode toward the bar with every woman’s adoring eyes on him.

  Toya nudged Dominique. “Who the fuck is that?”

  “I already told you—”

  “Is that the one you were telling us about? The one who you screwed while the convict was—”

  “Yes, Toya, damn!” Dominique felt like she couldn’t talk fast enough for her friend.

  “Wow!” Toya said, watching Archie as he was being visually undressed by every woman present.

  “I’m gonna tell Russell,” Dominique warned, teasingly.

  “Tell him!” Toya said, shrugging. “I love Russell, but ain’t nothing wrong with looking.” Toya laughed.

  Dominique chuckled, shook her head again and looked at Archie. “I like him a lot,” she admitted. “I just don’t want to make another mistake.”

  Toya looked at her friend. “Then take it slow. Don’t rush in and get your heart all into it. Let him take the lead and you go along for the ride. Enjoy yourself.”

  Dominique smiled and thought about that.

  “He’s all long and strong!” Toya fiddled with her necklace.

  Dominique laughed and walked off to keep the vultures at bay. Archie stood by the bar looking as if he felt out of place. “Can I see you in the kitchen for a minute?” she asked.

  He agreed, eager to get away from all the eyes on him. They entered the kitchen and Dominique walked over to the refrigerator and retrieved two bottles of wine. Turning to the island in the center of the room, she retrieved the corkscrew and began to open them. Peeking at him, she smirked. “So, you miss me, huh?”

  He walked closer to her and stood on the opposite side of the island, gently taking the wine bottle and corkscrew out of her hands. As he began to open the bottles for her, she folded her hands on the counter and watched, waiting for an answer.

  “Yes,” he said. “Why did you disappear?”

  She hadn’t seen it that way. “It wasn’t disappearing. I just figured that we’d be better off as friends.”

  He nodded. “Okay,” he said. “I can understand if that’s how you feel. But is there a reason why you feel that way?”

  She thought about saying something that sounded good, something phony. But she was sick of doing that. She had learned from her relationship with Jamel, and from watching her daughter struggle with getting over her broken heart, that it was best to tell it like it is.

  “My last relationship ended badly. He took me for granted, and he was wrong for that. But I was wrong, too, for trying to make something out of nothing with him. I don’t want to make the same mistake with you.”

  Archie finished uncorking one bottle and moved on to the next one. “So you’re saying what me and you had going on was nothing?”

  Dominique shook her head quickly. “No, that’s not what I’m saying at all.”

  “So why do you compare me to him?” he asked calmly, staring into her eyes. “I don’t think I take you for granted.”

  “I’m just saying that … I know you’re two d
ifferent people. But there are some similarities.”

  “Like?”

  “Well … for one thing you both hustle.”

  Archie laughed and shook his head. “I’m no saint. I never pretended that I was. But I’m sure that I’m nothing like any other man you’ve been with. And I don’t just ‘hustle,’ as you put it. I have a landscaping company, you know?”

  Dominique didn’t know that. “You never mentioned that,” she said.

  “You never asked me,” he pointed out. “Mostly, we would talk about your work, your daughter, but never much about me. I figured maybe I was a … release for you. But now I see that you just thought you had me figured out already. You had already decided that I was just like your ex.”

  Dominique looked convicted as he uncorked the second bottle and set the corkscrew down on the top of the island.

  “I also noticed that you never called me to hang out. It was always the other way around,” she said.

  “That’s because I was being respectful of your schedule. You’re a single mother of a teenaged daughter. You told me that she was dealing with a lot of problems and I wanted to give you the room to handle that. Plus you have this big job at Def Jam and you’re always working hard. So I just gave you space to do your thing. I figured you would get at me when you weren’t busy.”

  Dominique nodded, understanding his logic.

  “I think maybe you’re scared of me,” Archie said, folding his arms across his chest.

  Dominique frowned. “Scared of you?”

  “Yes. I think you are not used to a man like me. I don’t take you for granted, and maybe you’re not used to that. I respect you and your busy life. You have a hectic job, you have friends, a daughter. So, I try not to crowd you. Instead, I sit back and wait for you to contact me when you are not busy. But it seems like the only time you would call me was late at night. And then in the morning you always tried to rush off. It’s like you’re afraid.”

  “No, I’m not,” Dominique mumbled.

  “Then, out of the blue you stop calling me altogether. You don’t answer my messages. We’re both adults. I just want you to tell me to my face that you’re scared.”

  “I’m not scared!” Dominique snapped.

  Misa walked into the kitchen at that moment. She could sense the tension between the two of them and had overheard her friend’s outburst, so she scanned the room quickly. Rushing over, she snatched the two bottles of wine off the island, and scurried back out.

  Dominique sighed. “I like you, Archie,” she said. She looked at him and wondered if a man this good could really be hers. He seemed to be the perfect combination of rugged and refined. “I really do.”

  “Good. ’Cause I like you, too. And if you stop running, I can take you out sometime and I can tell you who I am and what I’m all about.” He smiled. “Maybe you’ll like me even more.”

  Dominique smiled at him. “That sounds very nice.”

  Toya peeked into the kitchen and cleared her throat. “Um, sorry to interrupt,” she said. She looked at Dominique anxiously. “But Camille’s cop friend just showed up. And he’s cute!”

  Dominique’s eyes widened and so did Archie’s. “Cop?” he repeated for confirmation.

  Dominique nodded. “He’s harmless. Camille met him recently and he’s been really nice to her. I can’t wait to meet him!” She followed Toya out into the living room, with Archie trailing behind. They all saw Eli standing near the doorway as if he was having second thoughts about being there.

  Octavia had welcomed him inside and he stood awkwardly near the door holding a shower gift in his hand. From where he stood, he could see Camille opening her gifts with Misa seated beside her, assisting. Camille looked radiant as she held up a tiny baby outfit. Seeing her smile caused Eli to do the same. Dominique walked over and introduced herself.

  “Camille has told me a lot about you,” she said.

  “Same here,” Eli replied, still smiling. He had heard all about Camille’s friends and their sisterly bond.

  “Come on in and have a seat,” she urged. “You’re not the only guy here, either.” She nodded toward Archie who was helping himself to a plate of food. “That’s my friend Archie. I’m feeling him out.”

  Eli laughed. “Okay. I can tell that me and Archie have a lot in common already.” He winked at Dominique and she led him to a seat nearby.

  Camille smiled even brighter when she saw Eli. She paused while opening Toya’s gift and said, “Elijah, I’m glad you came. You really are a good guy.”

  They laughed at their private joke and everyone else noticed the chemistry between them. For once, Camille didn’t care what rumors might get started or what people might think. Misa smiled, seeing her sister throw caution to the wind, and Dominique’s eyes widened in surprise.

  Toya cleared her throat. “Um … can you please finish opening my present? I put a whole lot of thought into—”

  “Okay, okay,” Camille interrupted, laughing. She tore at the packaging and revealed a beautiful handwoven baby blanket. It was dotted with pastel colors and lined with ruffled edges. Camille’s mouth hung open in awe. “This is so beautiful!”

  Everyone agreed.

  “Did you make it?” Eli asked innocently.

  Dominique and Misa both burst out laughing so hard that everyone else joined in. Toya stood stone-faced as they all got their digs in.

  “Toya’s not the type to sew,” Camille explained. “She has people for that.”

  “You don’t know what I do in my down time,” Toya sniffed, her arms folded across her chest defensively.

  “Who made the blanket, Toya?” Celia asked, admiring the beautiful handiwork.

  Toya reluctantly came clean. “My mother stitched it while she was visiting me.” As everyone commented, she spoke over them. “But, it was my vision. I told her how I wanted it and she simply produced it.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” Dominique dismissed her.

  “It’s beautiful, Toya. Thank you,” Camille said. She moved on to the next gift as Toya discreetly gave Dominique the finger.

  Octavia sidled up beside her mother while everyone’s eyes were on the mom-to-be. She nudged Dominique playfully as Camille opened the next present.

  “So,” she said. “Who’s your friend?” Octavia nodded in Archie’s direction as he sat beside Eli tearing into some chicken.

  Dominique felt like she was on the hot seat. Her relationship with Octavia was so much better than it had ever been and she didn’t want to jeopardize it in any way. Since ending her relationship with Jamel, she was wary of bringing a new man into her child’s life so soon. The last thing she wanted was to jump out of the frying pan and into the fire.

  “That’s Archie,” she said. “I’m dating him, but we’re not serious. Not yet anyway. We’re just getting to know each other for now and we’ll see if it goes anywhere.”

  Octavia gave her a sly look. “Well, he gets my vote. ’Cause he’s mad cute!”

  Dominique laughed. “He is cute, ain’t he?” Mother and daughter shared a laugh and rejoined the festivities.

  Once all of the gifts had been opened and the cake had been sliced, the guests began to wane. One by one they offered their congratulations to Camille and her family and left. Misa and Lily sorted through all the baby clothes like two kids in a candy store while Octavia and Toya looked on.

  Archie decided to make his exit and Dominique walked him to the door.

  He towered over her at six one and she felt so small standing beside him. He smiled down at her and pulled her into an embrace. Dominique wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head against his chiseled chest. She closed her eyes and wondered again if this could be the start of something big.

  “So,” Archie said, still holding her close. “I will call you tomorrow and hopefully we can get together.”

  She nodded, forced herself to step out of his arms. “Sounds like a plan,” she said, smiling.

  He smiled back, leaned down and kissed
her softly on the lips. His eyes lingered on hers for a moment. And then he turned and left.

  Dominique watched him walk away and fought the urge to call after him. She wasn’t even sure what she wanted to say to him, only that she hated to see him go. She watched until he got to the end of the hallway and turned the corner. Reluctantly, she shut the door to her apartment and returned to the few guests that remained.

  Camille was drained. As the last handful of guests filtered out, Eli sat beside her and put his arm around her.

  “You look tired, gorgeous,” he said. “You need to get all the sleep you can get now. Because once the kid gets here, it’s a wrap!”

  Camille laughed, and couldn’t help thinking that it was nice having Eli’s arm wrapped around her this way. “Gorgeous, huh?” she repeated. “That was sweet, but we both know you’re lying.”

  Eli looked shocked. “I am not! I’ve seen some hideous pregnant women in my lifetime.”

  Camille cracked up laughing.

  Eli laughed, too. “Word! Noses spread all out across their faces like King Kong. Their necks get all dark and their ankles all swollen.” He shuddered for emphasis. “You’re nothing like that.” He watched Camille smile bashfully. “Your skin is glowing, your hair is long and thick, your nails are done, pedicure is official.” He smiled back at her. “You’re gorgeous.”

  Camille wanted to kiss him. Instead, she took his hand in hers and squeezed it. “Thank you,” she said. Eli had no way of knowing how crucial he had been to Camille’s sanity over the past several months. Since Frankie had abandoned her, Camille had been left feeling undesirable, less attractive, and she had almost forgotten what it was like to smile. But Eli had come into her life and made her feel wanted, appreciated, and respected. She had no idea how she could repay him for making her life livable.

  “You don’t have to thank me,” he said. “Just keep being you.” He kissed her on her forehead and stood to leave. “I’ll see you on Monday for our walk,” he said.

  Camille stood awkwardly and hugged Eli. “Monday, it is,” she said.

  She walked him to the door and he bid farewell to her family and friends and left. Camille joined her loved ones in Dominique’s living room and made herself comfortable on the chaise lounge. Celia, Lily, Misa, Toya, Dominique, and Octavia were all that remained and Camille felt surrounded by love.