Pearl Tongue

  “I do.” She stood up.

  “Perfect.” Verna gave her a hug. “Your father was a good man, Aphtan. No matter what you think of him, he loved you with everything in him.”

  Aphtan forced a half smile before she walked over to the staircase. She walked up the steps as she held on to the steel railings. Nostalgia overtook her and covered her like a quilt. She remembered the first day they had gone to the house. She touched the pictures on the wall as she made it to the top of the staircase.

  She closed her eyes and could see her ten-year-old self running full force down the hallway. All the childhood memories that she held near ended under the roof above her head. It was a bittersweet moment for her.

  She gently opened the door to her old room and went inside. It was the exact way she remembered it. Boy band posters filled the walls. Everything was bejeweled and pink. The white canopy bed looked lonely, waiting for someone to sleep in it.

  She breathed out heavily as she sat on the bed. She grabbed the framed picture of her parents and her from the pale pink dresser. She rubbed their faces with her finger as she remembered the good days when everyone was alive. She lay down in the bed with that image kidnapping her thoughts. With those pleasant memories, she fell asleep.

  CHAPTER 28

  Aphtan awoke with a yawn, her hair ruffled all over her head. She stretched and yawned again, placing her feet gently onto the chinchilla-like carpet that layered the floor of her old room. She eyed the alarm clock with one eye shut as it read seven a.m; two hours before she was supposed to get up. She stood up, feeling slightly unsteady, and then waddled toward the bathroom.

  Upon exiting the bathroom, she noticed an envelope addressed to her sitting on the bed. She looked around her, but the only thing present in the room were the blissful rays of sun that snuck inside the castle-like windows. She grew anxious when the chicken scratch written on the envelope registered in her brain as belonging to her father.

  Her stomach turned into an erupting volcano, and the lava was moving toward her chest quickly. She didn’t know what to think as she sat down on the bed. Her fingers trembled with anticipation as she opened the envelope and pulled the letter out.

  Aphtan sat there until it was time to get dressed for her father’s funeral. She read the letter over and over again. It was clear what Boss wanted her to do, but she questioned his decisions. She wasn’t cut from that cloth anymore; she just wasn’t that girl.

  She shook off the thought and put the letter in the drawer next to the soft bed. She slipped into a tight white dress with matching accessories and heels and did her makeup and hair. Everyone else was sure to wear black, but she was never the type to follow traditions.

  “Are you ready?” Verna knocked on the door and let herself in.

  “Are you ready?” Aphtan stood up and looked the gorgeous woman up and down in disbelief that she would wear red to a funeral.

  “Of course, it is a celebration, after all. No need to be sad over something that you definitely cannot change. None of us are gods, you know.” Verna walked out of the room. “And, Aphtan, my dear?”

  “Yes?”

  “You will ride there with me and back with me. Your father wasn’t a much liked man, and we have reason to believe that some shit might go down.”

  “I’m aware of that.”

  “Well, follow me. We don’t want to be late.”

  Aphtan followed Verna down the stairs and out of the house. Her perfume lingered in Aphtan’s nostrils a little more the closer they got to the car. Verna hit the alarm and snapped her fingers at two black SUVs. She got inside, signaling for Aphtan to do the same.

  “Who are—”

  “They are the men that are going to protect us from any bullshit that comes our way. They have those army guns, so breathe a little bit. You’re safe,” Verna cut her off.

  The church where Boss’s funeral was held was the biggest in all of Dallas. Although it was big, it still wasn’t nearly enough room for everyone who wanted to come out and pay their respects. It was like a celebrity had fallen; Aphtan couldn’t believe her eyes.

  “Is that a news crew?” Aphtan asked aloud.

  “Well, this is a newsworthy event.” Verna ordered the driver to drive through the crowd and park at the back of the church.

  Aphtan walked into the church and didn’t recognize but a handful of people. She went to the first row of pews with Verna following and took her seat. She hadn’t seen her father in his casket, and when they brought the open box out, she damn near fainted.

  “My baby.” Verna started to sob.

  Aphtan got up and walked up to the casket. She couldn’t cry, and she didn’t want to. She leaned down and kissed her father’s embalmed body. She fixed the tie the funeral home had put on him and smiled at the thought of the man she knew and loved.

  “Thank you for everything, Daddy,” she whispered. “I got your letter, and I will make you proud.” She closed the casket.

  “What are you doing?” Verna walked up to Aphtan.

  “I want all of these people gone.” Aphtan looked out into the crowd. “All of y’all get the fuck out of here. There will be no funeral,” she yelled at the crowd.

  “There will be no cursing inside of my church.” The pastor approached the casket.

  “You best not say shit else to me right now.” Aphtan looked at the pastor. “Everyone, I promise you, if you’re not out of here in thirty seconds, you’re not going to like what I do,” she yelled out into the crowd.

  “Y’all heard the lady. Get the fuck out of here. Right now,” Cole screamed as he stood up from the last row of the pews.

  Aphtan watched as the church cleared out in a matter of seconds. Cole slowly walked up to her, his eyes never leaving hers. His suit didn’t do him justice. It should have been a crime the way he looked in his jet-black suit that fit so perfectly. The gold jewelry on his body played hide-and-seek with the colorful glass that filled the church’s windows. His presence always did something to Aphtan; it always hypnotized her.

  “Are you okay?” Cole asked as he got in Aphtan’s face. “Why did you want it cleared out? Did something happen?”

  “My daddy didn’t know any of those people, so shit, why should they be here?” Aphtan asked.

  “You need to get out of here.” Cole grabbed her hand. “Come on.”

  “Where are we going?” Aphtan asked as they rushed down the stairs of the church.

  “Wherever you want to go.” He looked back at her and looked in her eyes. “I got you.”

  People were scattering all about as they walked through the busy crowd. Aphtan only saw Cole in the midst of all of those people. She didn’t want to let go of his hand. His touch was so nurturing, so safe to her. She would hold on to him forever if she could.

  Feeling her pain, Aphtan could see all he wanted to do was save her from herself. He wanted to let her mourn, but anything other than that, he planned to intercept. All she needed was someone to clear her mind. She wanted for him to make it his mission, no matter the script.

  His heartbeat raced faster than the normal pace; she could feel it from his touch as it pulsated through her hand. The beat of her heart was in rhythm with his. They were one at that moment. She couldn’t deny it; she was in love with Cole. She could see it in his eyes that he would do anything for her.

  “What the fuck is this?” Scooter grabbed Aphtan’s free arm as he approached them.

  “Let me go, Scooter,” Aphtan screamed as onlookers witnessed the debacle about to happen.

  “Where are you going?” Scooter asked as she let go of Cole’s hand. “Why are you holding this nigga’s hand out in public?”

  “Chris—” Cole started to say.

  “Shut the fuck up.” Scooter pointed at him. “I’m not talking to you, nigga.”

  “Scooter.” Aphtan tried to pull away from him, but his grip was too powerful. “This is my father’s funeral. Quit making a scene and let me go. Now.”

  “Aphtan—” S
cooter tried to talk.

  “You heard her.” Cole broke his grip, cutting him off. “Don’t touch her if she doesn’t want to be touched.”

  “The only thing saving you right now is the fact that we came out of the same pussy.” Scooter got in Cole’s face. “I should slap your ass to remind you who runs shit.”

  “Stop it.” Aphtan tried to pull Scooter by the arm.

  “What’s wrong with your hands, nigga?” Cole asked with clenched teeth.

  “If y’all want to kill each other, then do it.” Aphtan walked away onto the busy street.

  “Aphtan, wait,” Cole called out as he trailed behind her.

  Scooter grabbed his arm. “Don’t cross any lines, Cole,” he warned as he let him go.

  “I didn’t know there were any. I don’t see them, big brother.” He shoved away from his grip and ran into the street after her. “Aphtan, wait up.” He caught up to her. “Stop.” He grabbed her. “I’m sorry about that.”

  “You should be, Cole.” Aphtan looked up as he hovered over her, blocking the sun. “I thought you would be the one to bite your tongue. I have too much going on. I’m burying my fucking father today.”

  “I know.” His eyes looked into hers with an intense passion. “I’m sorry. Let’s go to my whip and get out of here.”

  “I kind of want to be alone right now.” She closed her eyes. “I just want to scream.”

  “Scream then, Aphtan.”

  “What?”

  “Scream.” He grabbed her mouth and opened it. “It may make you feel better.”

  Aphtan looked around her as people stood around conversing. She looked at Cole, his facial expression telling her it was okay. She closed her eyes again, opened her mouth, and screamed her tonsils out. She screamed over and over again until her throat got so dry that she couldn’t repeat the therapeutic process.

  “Do you feel better now?” He used his thumb to catch a tear that was falling from her eye.

  “Yes.”

  “Let’s go for a ride.” He grabbed her hand and led her to his car.

  Notorious B.I.G.’s song “Suicidal Thoughts” blasted from the speakers when Cole started the car after they got inside. He took off his tie and let all of his windows down. Without putting his seat belt on, he bolted out of the church parking lot into traffic. Startled, Aphtan held on to the door with one hand while hitting Cole in his arm with the other.

  “Slow the fuck down, nigga.” She cut his music down.

  “Don’t touch my shit, Aphtan.” Cole cut the music back up.

  “Why the fuck is you so rude?” she asked, cutting the music back down. “Did I do something to you?”

  “Just shut the fuck up and ride. Goddamn.”

  “Fuck that.” Aphtan cut the music down a little. “Did I miss something, or was today my father’s funeral?”

  The brick walls Cole had built up shattered from the pain he heard in Aphtan’s voice. Her eyes begged for sympathy because they were filled with so much pain. She had had a soft spot for him since they were teenagers, and not seeing him in years almost made her forget that.

  “My bad.” He slowed down. “Is this better?” he asked as he shot her a sideways grin.

  “Yes, thank you,” she replied.

  “Where have you been all of these years?” Aphtan took her heels off. “All of these years, and I haven’t seen you anywhere.”

  “I’ve been out of the way.” Cole cut the music completely off. “Plus, when you and Chris got married, I knew it was best for me to stay away.”

  “Marriage isn’t what it’s cracked up to be.” She leaned back into the seat.

  “I’m sure it can be a beautiful thing if you married your soul mate.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “Chris was never your soul mate.”

  “Was it you?” She put her feet on the seat.

  “Maybe.” He reached over and knocked her feet off the seat. “Get your crusty feet off my brand-new seats.”

  “Crusty?” She pushed him playfully. “Boy, you would be so lucky if I let you suck on them.”

  “Is that an offer?” he asked before he grinned.

  “Just nasty.” She pushed him again as they both laughed.

  “You knew I had feelings for you back then?” He looked at her.

  “Yes, I knew.”

  “Why you play me back then?”

  “I saved you, Cole.” She put her feet back onto the seat. “You were a good boy. I wasn’t as good as you thought. I would have corrupted you.”

  “Maybe that’s what I wanted.” He winked at her. “You never know.”

  “Surely you have a wonderful woman in your life.” She hit the button to roll the window down.

  He shook his head no.

  “Why not?” she asked.

  “I can’t find another Aphtan Epps out here in these streets.” He looked forward as he turned onto a street. “When that happens, or until the original becomes available, I’m good.”

  “What is it about me, Cole? Why would you wait for me? All of these years, and you still look at me with this hungry desire.”

  “I guess I’m one of those people who wants what they can’t have.”

  “Can’t is a strong word. I wouldn’t say you can’t have me.”

  “What are you saying?”

  She rubbed his leg. “Scooter is out of the picture.”

  His manhood began to rise and make an appearance in the seam of his slacks. “Aphtan, don’t play with me.”

  “Who’s playing?” She grabbed his tool through his pants and started massaging it. “I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t want this, too.”

  “Are you trying to use me to get back at my brother?” Cole pulled into a convenience store.

  “Do you care?” She unbuttoned his pants.

  “No.” He grabbed her hand as she looked at him. “I don’t want to be on the list of things you regret tomorrow.”

  “Then fuck me good.”

  “Are you serious?” He took off his button-up, revealing his crisp white t-shirt.

  “Do I look like I’m playing?” Aphtan massaged his penis more as it grew as hard as it could. “Come on.”

  Aphtan got out of the car and walked over to the driver’s side door. She opened it, grabbed Cole by the shirt, and forced him to get out. She pulled him by the arm until they reached the small public restroom on the side of the store. Aphtan turned the knob, but the door was locked. Cole pushed her out of the way and kicked the door off of the hinges.

  He grabbed her, picked her up, and stumbled into the putrid restroom. Lips on lips, they could barely breathe from how passionately they were kissing. Their hands roamed wildly as they explored each other’s bodies without interruption. Every touch was intensified by emotion. Every second felt like a minute; each minute felt like an hour.

  Cole’s back collided against the door of the dingy blue stall as Aphtan attacked him with a sexual desire she’d never known before. She eased downward and pulled his pants down. He stood at attention, making her lick her lips with anticipation. She admired every vein running along the shaft of his dick as she played with his genitals.

  He raised her to her feet by her arms. “Let me take care of you.”

  Cole turned Aphtan around, kissing every part of her body that he could in the transition. His hands assaulted her love box. His fingers entered her pool of lust as her juices flowed onto the tops of his fingers. She cooed while he used one hand to play with the nipple that was fully erect on her firm breast.

  His lips met her opening before he flicked his tongue up and down on her pearl. Pre-cum oozed from the head of his manhood while he continued to feed from her all-you-can-eat buffet. Orgasms caused her to scream out. Her cries begged in desperation for him to stop, yet her hands stayed on his head, pushing him toward her and not away from her.

  Wanting him to feel her insides, she turned around and sat on the cold, closed toilet seat. He picked her up, slowly biting her breas
t, as he placed her on top of his long pole. They both moaned, the wonder, the questions that lingered for years finally answered as he went as deep into her as she would allow. His mouth remained on one of her breasts as she rode him the best way she knew how.

  Aphtan noticed how mesmerized Cole was by how tight she was. It was something new to him. She could feel from his stroke that he’d never experienced something so good in his life. It was like velvet, and he was ripping into it like tomorrow didn’t exist.

  “Cole,” she moaned as her body shook, “faster.”

  “Whatever you want.” His stroke sped up and mixed with how quickly she was riding him.

  Fearing that he would cum too quickly, he raised her off him and entered her from behind. Her back arched perfectly, welcoming his rough stroke. The sound of his balls hitting her flesh invaded their ears while the smell of sex invaded their noses. Stroke after stroke, her waterfalls engulfed him. He was drowning in her identity, in desperate need of a life jacket as her waves proved to be too much for him. Accepting defeat, his body tensed up, and he released his seed deep inside of her.

  “That was the best pussy I’ve ever had in my life.” Cole kissed the back of her neck.

  “I can agree that was definitely the best sex I’ve ever had in my life.” She fought to catch her breath.

  “So what now?” He took his member out of her. “What does this mean?”

  “I don’t know.” She pulled her dress down, covering up her privates. “I haven’t even gotten completely out of the situation I’m in now.”

  “Understood.” Cole walked through the stall to find his pants as the door to the restroom swung back and forth loosely. “I don’t want you to rush into anything.”

  “Thank you for that.” Aphtan walked over to him and buttoned up his pants after he put them on. “I want to do this every day.”

  “You do?” He reached down and kissed her lips. “I’ll do this every hour for you.”

  “Finish putting on your clothes.” She rubbed the traces of her lipstick from his lips. “I’ll be outside waiting on you.”

  “I’ll be right there.” He kissed her one more time before she went outside.