A Love Like This (Book 1)

by Lane, Kimberly

  “Trouble in paradise,” Mike asks with a smirk.

  “I could slug you both,” I say.

  Chapter 17

  The last time Tucker and I fought we made up by making love. Since that isn’t an option right now our trip from Oakland to Los Angeles is mostly silent. Tucker is polite and protective as always but he’s not saying much. He rents an SUV and Sarah and I sit on the backseat talking as we navigate through the streets of LA towards Long Beach. I glance up at the rear view mirror every once in a while and catch Tucker watching me. When we get to my family home a few of my cousins are loitering on the front lawn. They put on their mean mugs when the car stops in front of the house. Their tattooed arms are folded menacingly over their buff chests. I’m so excited to be home that I don’t wait for Tucker to open my car door. The minute the car comes to a halt I jump out and run towards my cousins. Dayday is my Aunt Clara’s oldest son. He’s spent the last two years in jail for possession of narcotics. He lifts his dark shades and smiles at me. “Girl you are fine as hell,” he says hugging me a little too tight. If you weren’t my cousin----“

  “Yuck,” I say quickly moving away from him and hugging my uncle’s son’s Nogood and Koolaid.

  I look towards the house and see DJ standing in the door way. “Granddad,” DJ yells. “Auntie Leila’s hear with some white people and a narc.”

  “Come here boy,” I say walking up the stairs to hug him. I can’t believe how big he’s gotten. I turn around and look over at Tucker pulling bags from the trunk; Sarah sitting on the back seat putting on makeup and Mike sitting on the front seat texting. Life was so much simpler a few weeks ago. I walk back down the stairs and over to the car where Tucker’s standing. “Can we talk,” I say. Tucker and I have spent every waking moment together since we got married. Not speaking to him is breaking my heart. We walk a few feet away from the car. “I’m not sure if you know this,” I say placing a hand on his stomach, “but you’re my first love.” He smiles down at me and I bite my bottom lip. “You were my first everything really.” He takes my hand brings it to his lips and kisses my palm gently. “You don’t need to worry about TSA workers or any other man because you have a place in my heart that no one else could ever fill.” He wraps his massive arms around me and I feel so safe.

  “Oh shit, you done brought a white boy home,” Nogood says laughing. Koolaid and Dayday have wondered off.

  “This is Tucker and yes he’s white just like your last three baby Momma’s.”

  “Girl you know I’m down with the swirl. We’re about to repopulate the whole fuckin earth and make everybody black. What’s up man,” he says giving Tucker the man handshake hug. He looks past us and sees Sarah emerge from the car. “I think I see baby Momma number four. Hook me up with your friend,” Nogood says.

  “I will not be part of this union,” I say.

  Hey Miss lady,” he says walking over to Sarah.

  “Hey Boo,” Sarah says transforming from herself to Thug Mrs.

  “You’re not with Wall Street over there are you,” He asks motioning to Mike who’s standing by the car on his cell phone.

  “No we’re not together,” Sarah says. I walk away thinking they’ll be like Bonny and Clyde by the end of the week. I stop before walking through the front door. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?” My palms are sweating and I feel a little nauseous. “I’ve been ready since the day I met you.” His certainty makes me feel more comfortable about what I’m about to do.

  *****

  Tucker doesn’t want Leila to know that he’s terrified about meeting her family. He thought about throwing in the towel, driving back to the airport and catching a flight home. But every time he looked back at her face in the rear view mirror he couldn’t imagine his life without her. Leila’s house is small compared to his family’s homes but so much more alive. Nickie is the first person he sees when he walks through the front door. She notices how nervous he is so she hugs him and tells him everything’s going to be fine. The next person he meets is a small pretty older woman with short curly brown hair and very fair skin.

  “Momma,” Leila exclaims releasing his hand and running over to hug her mother.

  “My baby,” She says holding Leila and rocking her back and forth. They would be the same height if Leila wasn’t wearing heels. They pull away from each other crying. Leila turns to face Tucker. There are small kids running in and out and loud music coming from the back yard.

  “Mom,” This is Tucker.

  “Nice to meet you,” Dana says shaking his hand. “You’re a handsome young man. How long have you two been dating?”

  “We’re not dating mom. We’re married,” Leila blurts. “Tucker and I got married in Las Vegas,” She repeats looking up at Tucker and back over to her mother as the color drains from both their faces.

  Chapter 18

  Pookie is sitting on his leather sofa with his laptop open laughing at all the emails from Leila. His cell phone chimes with a text message. It’s from Nickie and it says, “The jig is up. Leila just told Momma about the drunken marriage.”

  “Damn it,” Pookie says grabbing his coat and heading for the door. He steps on an envelope on the floor in front of the door. The envelope reads Jermaine Peterson and there’s no return name or address. He picks it up, walks out and locks the front door behind him. Pookie tears into the envelope as he walks to his car. The letter says:

  Dear Jermaine,

  My name is Christ Callaway. We’ve never met but I recently discovered something that links us together. Maybe we can chat online or meet for coffee if you feel comfortable. I can be reached at chriscallaway@yahoo.com. I hope to hear from you soon.

  Sincerely,

  Chris Callaway

  “What the fuck is this garbage,” Pookie says tossing the letter onto the passenger seat of his car. The minute it leaves his hand he forgets about it. He drives quickly from his downtown condo to Dana and Xavier’s house near signal hill. There’s chaos in the house. The women are the ones who keep order and they are all missing. In their place is Doug sitting on the couch holding baby Noah and drinking a beer while little X strikes matches and throws them into the air. Pookie marches over and snatches the matches from him and smacks the boy on the back of the head. Near the kitchen Nogood, Koolaid and Dayday are sitting at a table playing dominos with some dude in a business suit. They are oblivious to Trinity and Heaven sitting on the kitchen counter digging into sock-it-to-me cake with their hands.

  “Where is your mother,” Pookie asks pulling the girls off the counter and wiping their hands.

  “She’s in the room with Auntie Leila and a giant white man,” Trinity says.

  “You and your sister better stay out of that cake,” Pookie says pointing at the girls. Trinity crosses her arms, rolls her eyes, and stomps off towards the backyard. Heaven follows closely behind her. Pookie walks over to the cabinet and takes out six wine glasses. He gets a bottle of wine from the rack in the pantry and sets off for the bedroom. He can hear voices coming from the other side of the door. They sound as if they’re trying to whisper but Pookie can clearly hear every word they say. He pushes the door open cautiously. Leila is sitting on the edge of her bed with her head between her knees. Tucker is rubbing her back. Nickie is sitting near the headboard watching the action. Dana is standing a few feet away pacing the floor and Keisha is in a chair near the bed clearly amused by the whole scene. Pookie gives everyone except Leila a glass and fills it with wine. “You guys this is all going to be fine,” he says.

  “No it’s not going to be fine,” Dana shouts. “How is she going to graduate from college with a husband and kids?”

  “I don’t have any kids,” Leila says with her head buried between her knees.

  “Well it’s only a matter of time and how are the two of you going to afford to take care of a child. You’re just kids yourself.”

  “
He’s twenty-six and I’ll be twenty-one soon,” Leila says dryly.

  “Mrs. Peterson I’m perfectly capable of taking care of Leila and our kids whenever we decide to have them,” Tucker says.

  “I’m going to graduate and I’m going to take care of myself,” Leila says.

  Dana drains her glass of wine and snatches the bottle from Pookie for a refill. “What about your father? He’s going to be so upset about not being able to walk you down the aisle.”

  “We won’t tell him,” Tucker says forcefully shocking everyone. “I don’t mean to be disrespectful Mrs. Peterson but you’re upsetting Leila. Can you all please just give her a moment to collect herself?” Dana’s eyebrows raise and her eyes nearly bulge out of her head. The whole room is perfectly still.

  Dana purses her lips and stares at Tucker for a few seconds. She smiles and says, “Come out to the backyard and say hello to your new father-in-law when you’re ready.” She leaves the room shaking her head. Keisha snickers and leaves the room with her mom.

  Nickie stands up and whispers, “I can’t believe you stood up to my mom,” before leaving the room.

  “I’ll see you guys out back,” Pookie says. He rubs Leila’s back and pats Tucker’s shoulder before leaving the room.

  “Let’s just leave,” Leila says. “I can’t face my daddy,” right now. Tucker pulls her to her feet. He brushes away her tears and kisses her.

  “I hate it when you cry,” He says. “I’m going out to get your bags. Just take a moment to relax and come out whenever you’re ready.” Leila nods and kisses Tucker once more before he leaves the room.

  *****

  I take a quick shower and let my hair down. The fluffy mound of curls falls around my shoulders. I change into sweats and a tight tank top. I look down longingly at my bed wondering if I could get away with taking a little nap. The knock at my bedroom door answers my question. “Baby you coming out?” My grandma Bess calls out from the other side of the door.

  “Come in grandma.”

  “My baby,” she says walking over to hug me. She’s so squishy and soft and she smells like butterscotch candy.

  “I just want to take a nap granny.”

  “Non-sense your family’s been waiting all day to see you.” She takes my hand and pulls me out of the room. “That young man of yours has made quite an impression on your mother.

  “What about daddy,” I ask as we walk through the empty house to the backyard.

  “You know your daddy doesn’t think anyone’s good enough for you. He’ll come around.” I stand in the doorway and watch everyone. Nogood and Sarah are sitting at a table talking. Aunt Clara and three of my female cousin’s have Tucker cornered. Mike is standing near the grill talking to my daddy and staring at Nickie like he just spotted lunch. Keisha and Doug are arguing about something and the kids are running amuck. My daddy spots me and smiles. I’ve missed him so much. He closes the grill wipes his hands on a towel and comes over to hug me.

  “I’ve missed you daddy,” I say.

  “I’ve missed you to baby.”

  “Have you had a chance to meet Tucker,” I ask searching his face.

  “We’ve met,” He says with a scrunched nose. I realize it’s the same face I always make. “Aren’t there any black men in Berkeley?”

  “I love him daddy,” I say looking into his eyes. He looks at me seriously. “Will you please just give him a chance?” His face softens. He bends down and kisses the top of my head.

  “Go eat something you’re too skinny.”

  “I’m serious daddy.” He exhales loudly.

  “I know you are. I’ll talk to the boy,” He says walking back to the grill.

  I find Tucker and rescue him from my family. We go back into the house and pile food on our plates. Tucker watches in awe as I eat like a starving bear. I clean my plate loosen the draw string on my pants and slump down in the chair. Tucker reaches over and pats my belly. “I’m going to put a baby in there,” He says laughing.

  “That’s not funny. Have you met my nieces and nephews?”

  “Yes, DJ asked me if I was a spy. Little Xavier wiped a booger on my pants and Trinity asked if I wanted to get out of here and go have a drink. And I still want to knock you up,” He says leaning over to kiss me.

  “I thought women were the ones who are supposed to have the ticking clock. Just let me graduate from college and I’ll find you a baby somewhere,” I say stroking his cheek. Pookie and my mom walk in from the front of the house.

  “Break it up,” Pookie says.

  Dana walks over to the refrigerator and takes out two beers. She opens them and hands them both to Tucker. “This one’s for you take the other one to Xavier.”

  Tucker kisses me again stands up and heads out the back door. Mike walks in as Tucker walks out. He sits down at the table with me.

  “Are you having a good time?” I ask.

  “It would be better if your sister would give me the time of day.”

  “Mike she’s just getting out of a very bad relationship. You’re going to need to come correct. No games, she deserves better.” Mike nods and heads back out with a look of determination.

  “I can be honest,” He mumbles as he walks; A few minutes’ later Nickie walks past me and heads for the front door.

  “Nick are you leaving,” I ask following her.

  “No I just need to get away from your friend.”

  “Who Mike?” I ask.

  “Yeah, I can’t deal with his weak ass pick up lines right now.”

  I laugh, “Okay let’s go out and get some air.” It’s late afternoon and there’s a smoggy haze on the horizon. I listen to Nickie complain about Mike as we slowly walk down the street. “He’s saying the same things I’ve heard a thousand times before,” She says. “I’m not going to make it so easy this time.”

  “Nickie you can’t make Mike pay for the sins of other men.”

  “It’s just too soon,” She says.

  This neighborhood hasn’t changed since we were little. The one and two story houses have neat manicured lawns and white mail boxes in front. Mr. Clayton looks out his window and watches as we walk past his house. When we were younger he would chase us away with a golf club every time we stepped on his lawn. Mrs. Lawson is my friend Wanika’s mother. I have never seen that woman fully dressed. I’m not sure what she does for a living but she comes out to get the newspaper every morning and to get the mail every afternoon in a negligee. “Is Mrs. Lawson still walking outside in her undies,” I ask.

  “Yeah but every things hangs a little bit lower now.”

  “That’s not right.”

  “You should have---“ She suddenly stops talking and a strange look comes over her face. I follow her gaze and my heart starts to pound in my chest when I recognize Damian’s car. Come on Nickie I say pulling her arm. We turn around and start walking back to the house. Damian is driving along side us as we walk.

  “Nickie can I talk to you for a minute,” He asks.

  “Let’s just keep walking,” I say. Keisha told me what happened the last time Nickie was alone with Damian so I quicken my step. Damian pulls up in front of the house and gets out of his car.

  “I just want to talk. I promise,” He says.

  “Nickie come on,” I say pulling her towards the house.

  “Look, I said I just want to talk,” he grumbles pointing at me.

  “It’s ok Leila,” Nickie says nervously. “I’ll talk to him just go inside.”

  “No Nickie I’m not leaving you alone with him.”

  “She said she doesn’t need you out here. Take your fuckin ass back in the house,” he says moving towards me. I scream and jump out of his reach. Damian doesn’t look like his usual well groomed self. He has a stubbly chin and he’s wearing a stained rumpled shirt. His eyes are bloodshot and it smells like liquor is
seeping through his pours. Nickie is standing between us looking terrified. “Come on Nickie let’s go somewhere private so that we can talk.” He takes hold of her arm and starts pulling her to the car.

  “No,” I yell grabbing his arm. He releases Nickie and swings his fist back to hit me. Nickie grabs his arm and we both hold on as he thrashes around trying to shake us loose. He manages to loosen my grip and I slide to the ground. I look in the direction of the house. I’m in a daze and everything seems to be moving in slow motion. Everyone from the backyard is now standing on the porch. Tucker pushes past my daddy, Mike and my cousins and reaches Damian in seconds. Damian releases Nickie and scrambles for his car but it’s too late. Tucker wraps his hand around Damian’s throat and pins him against the car. Damian’s eyes are bulging as Tucker increases pressure around his neck.

  “Let him go son,” My daddy says touching Tucker’s arm. They’re the same height. They’re both protective and they have the same quiet strength.

  “My God I married my father,” I think to myself looking at Tucker and my daddy standing side by side. My mother helps me off the ground and I back away and watch Tucker slowly release Damian then punch him in the stomach. All the men in my life: Doug, Pookie, Dayday, Koolaid, Nogood, Mike, Tucker and my dad form a barricade in front of the house.

  “They’re going to kill Damian,” I say to my mom as we amble into the house.

  “You’re daddy won’t let them kill that boy. Don’t worry about him. He shouldn’t have brought his ass over here in the first place.”

  I turn to my mom as we walk through the front door, “Did daddy just call Tucker son?”

  Chapter 19

  Shauna coasts to a stop in front of the valet stand at Martin Mina’s restaurant in San Francisco’s Sunset District. She leaves the keys in the ignition of her new BMW and slides out when the valet attendant opens her car door. She strolls through the restaurant with confidence. She’s recently lost twenty pounds and she feels pretty in her size 12’Rachel Zoe printed shirt dress. She spots Samantha sitting at a booth near a window looking over the menu. Samantha smiles and stands to hug Shauna when she reaches the table. Shauna’s wraps her arms around Samantha’s minuscule waist and her confidence fades.