Sleeping in Heaven, Waking in Hell

by Forever Redd

  The people in attendance raised their glasses. Karley got up and cleared her throat, “Now how can I top that? I think I will be simple and quick since everyone has gotten their laughs thanks to Leon. Now my jokes can’t be told,” people began to laugh anyway. Karley continued, “V, you mean the world to me, and you are an amazing person inside and out. Jody, you are getting more than someone’s daughter. You are gaining a lifelong partner, a soul mate, and the greatest friend you can ever imagine. Treat her right, or I will lay hands on you. Be advised, this ain’t what ya want.” Everyone laughed as Karley raised her glass and the guests followed suit.

  The first dance of the evening was of course simple and elegant as a first dance should be. Now, the second dance was the worst. Jody was so flashy and such an attention hog, it was ridiculous. I stepped off to the side and shook my head in amusement while Jody acted a complete fool.

  His song ‘Cause I Love You by Lenny Williams started playing. My baby sang those words to me as if he were Lenny himself. No, Jody could not sing, but he could carry a tune.

  Jody dropped down to the floor on bended knee, “Girl you know I-I-I-I love you,” he stuttered.

  Everyone was screaming and egging him on, just the reaction he wanted, and received. I couldn’t help but wonder how the night would end since he was already on one, and we’d barely been there an hour. His little performance was cute, but next was the part I didn’t want to do. The groomsmen added chairs to the dance floor for the bridesmaids and I to sit while they sang their rendition of Young Jeezy’s I Do. It wasn’t that it was a bad show because it wasn’t, I just thought something a little more subtle would be fitting.

  We then switched places. The guys took our seats while we took the floor and did our nasty dance to Cater to You by Destiny’s Child. We gyrated and rotated just like strippers. That part was fun and a pretty good show to watch. We partied the night away, plenty of drinks, food, family, and friends.

  All of the kids were gone right after dinner, feed them, and sent them on. We wanted the kids away because it was grown up time. I wouldn’t want to contaminate the minds of other people’s kids as I would want the same respect for mine. I, of course, couldn’t drink but Jody drank enough for the both of us. He danced all night, and I did as long as I could, but damn, I was tired. I had a seat and watched Jody and the boys clown and have a good time.

  When the single chair was placed on the dance floor, I knew the time had come to do the whole bouquet and garter toss. I decided to do the garter first, but the reality of it was I needed to sit down, I welcomed the rest. Jody had to be all extra. He slid across the floor on his knees and landed with his face in my lap, threw up my dress, and practically put his entire body underneath. He fiddled around under there for a few extra minutes, giving Ms. Kitty a kiss in the process. I just sat and smiled. Folks knew what he was doing or thought they did.

  Then he appeared from underneath my dress with a lacy white garter between his teeth, and his drunk friends cheered him on. Jody removed the garter from his teeth, twirled it around his index finger, and threw it out amongst the awaiting hands.

  When the ladies got up, practically every seat was empty. I guess they all wanted a chance at the old wives’ tale about catch the bouquet, next to get married. I wanted so bad for Karley and Leon to be the catchers, but Leon didn’t even get up for the garter toss. I thought Karley would do the same thing, but she didn’t. She kicked those heels off and gathered in the group with the rest of the ladies. Yes, I could throw it to Karley, she could catch it, marry Leon, and our children could grow up together. I knew that was elementary thinking, but dare I dream?

  13

  Victoria

  Jody and I said our goodbyes and headed out to the waiting limo. We were going to have to consummate our marriage at home since our flight to Spain didn’t depart until Monday.

  “We did it, ma. Every day waking up to you has been amazing. Now, I know you gon’ hafta wake up to me every mornin’, I love it. When we were apart, hearing your voice until I fell asleep enticed my need to wake up, and live the dream,” Jody said as we stepped out of the reception hall.

  My heart belonged to that man. We all have flaws, some more tolerable than others, but we have them nonetheless. Jody’s flaws were minor, but even those I loved. He was so gentle, I longed for his next touch. Anywhere Jody rested his flesh to mine, electricity sparked through my entire body. He kissed me gently on the lips, then my cheeks and my forehead. I closed my eyes and inhaled his Gucci fragrance, the masculine scent that would be etched in my nostrils forever.

  When Jody pushed the doors to the building open, I thought we would be heading away in a limo, but Jody was going to be leaving in the back of a squad car. There were police everywhere, and the lights were flashing, I was so nervous. What is going on? I wondered.

  “Are you Mr. White?” the police officer asked.

  “What’s the meaning of this,” I countered.

  “Ma’am, I apologize for bringing this to you on your wedding day, but Major White, you are under arrest.”

  “Wait, you have to tell me what he is being charged with,” I demanded.

  “Meet me at the county Vic. Go tell Leon, he’ll know what to do.”

  “No, wait! Jody. Officer, please wait a second, Jody,” I frantically begged.

  I hurried back inside to find Leon and Karley. I hadn’t a clue what was going on but Jody just went along with it like he knew what he was being charged with.

  “Leon, Leon! Come here, I need to talk to you for a second.”

  “A’ight, I’m comin’. Hold on a sec.”

  “Leon, put the goddamn cup down and come here, now,” I screamed.

  “Damn, bruh, Vic ain’t playin’. You better go,” Teez said, laughing but seriously.

  I grabbed Leon’s arm and led him outside the door of the reception hall. Karley was coming from the bathroom just as we walked out.

  “Damn, Vic, you already got one man. You tryna get mine too?” Karley joked.

  “Y’all, Jody was just arrested. I don’t know why. He just went with them and said tell Leon. He said you would know what to do.”

  “Fuck!” Leon screamed. “Karley, go get Teez. Vic, ride with him and y’all meet me at yo’ house.”

  “My house? He said get you and come to the county. What we going to my house for?”

  “Vic, quit asking questions. Do you see, Karley?”

  “No, she went inside to get Teez like you said.”

  “Exactly, she listens. Now you do the same.”

  *****

  Leon

  Damn, Jody stay in some shit. If it ain’t one thing, it’s a million with that dude, I thought as I hurried to his house. Jody had given me a key to every single place he had lived in. If he wasn’t said to have beat some chick’s ass, or get caught up behind some weed, we had to keep bail money on hand. Jody was so reckless when he was off his meds and I knew he was off them now. One time Jody had some chick held up in a hotel room and wouldn’t let her go. The girl got his phone somehow and I had to go get him from the room and the jailhouse shortly thereafter. I couldn’t do nothing but shake my head at my longtime friend.

  I ran in the house and went into the spare bedroom to grab the blue gym bag from a small floor safe. I put the carpet back and hauled ass back to my car to wait on the others to get there. I sparked up and checked my phone to make sure the ringer was on. Jody would get a phone call and there was no doubt about it, he would be calling me.

  No sooner then I laid the phone down in the console, I saw the headlights approaching. Victoria jumped out of the car and started in my direction. I answered the call and held up a finger letting her know I needed a minute.

  “Yo, Leon,” Jody said as soon as I picked up. “Get the bail money from…”

  “Yeah, I know the drill man. What the fuck did you do this time? And what the hell am I supposed to tell your wife?”

  “Look, it’s some shit with that Mexican bitch you had
at the bachelor party and…”

  “Hold up, you still fuckin’ with her? That shit was to be deaded when you found out how old she was. It’s been what? How many months since you ran into her in the mall? I only brought her there because I knew you liked her. It was supposed to be more of a joke than anything.”

  “That’s the thing, I didn’t stop. Well, I did, we kinda fell off. I mean man, damn, I feel like I’m being interrogated by my own peoples.”

  “You fucked up right now man. What they chargin’ you with?”

  “Statutory rape.”

  “Damn, my nigga.”

  “And kidnapping.”

  “Kidnapping? What the fuck?”

  “Look, I gotta go. Tell Vic I will talk to her after bond court.”

  Victoria was standing at my window as tears ran down her cheeks. She had looked so beautiful a few hours ago, and now she just looked broken. I didn’t know if she had heard the conversation, but how was I to break that kind of news to her? Jody said let him talk to her, so he was going to have to do just that. Hell, she worked for the county, she could get any records she wanted, but I was beginning to think she just didn’t wanna know. I got out of the car and told her I wasn’t quite sure of the charges and I would pick him up and she could go try and get some rest. She tried to debate about going, but I refused and left her standing right there holding Karley’s hand.

  *****

  Victoria

  “Sis, we don’t have to stay here. Let’s go to our house,” Karley said.

  “No, this is my home now. I can’t jump up and run out on the first sign of trouble. I am going to sit right here and wait on Leon to get Jody, then I am going to find out what my husband is up to. You are more than welcome to come inside and help me out of this dress though.” I tried to get myself together. I wasn’t half as concerned with what he did, but the fact he was picked up on our wedding day.

  Inside, the lights were off and there were white candles placed throughout the entrance into our home. I stood in the doorway and looked around. I wasn’t even supposed to be stepping into my home. On that evening, my husband should have been carrying me across the threshold, not sitting in some jail cell.

  “Vic, you okay?” Karley asked.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. Wooosaahh,” I exhaled. “I just needed a moment. I’m good. Come on to the room and help me out of my dress.”

  “Okay, no problem.”

  “The bedroom was decorated like the living room, white candles everywhere and the bed was covered in a red comforter with a heart made of white rose petals in the center. On the nightstand, a tray of all my favorite fruits sat. Strawberries, pineapples, and apple slices just to name a few. I did my best to avoid the sight and called Karley into the bathroom to unzip me.

  *****

  Jody

  My bond was set at twenty five thousand dollars, so I had to pay twenty five hundred to get out. It seemed like every time I turned around, I was getting my pockets tapped. Rosita and her grand pussy, I had just got hemmed up not too long ago, and now this? When Victoria found out I quit my job and money wasn’t flowing like it used to be that was gon’ be even more shit.

  I sat there and wondered, How do I get myself into this shit?

  Finally, my name was called and I was escorted from my holding cell down the long hall to freedom. I changed out of that funky garb, into my tux, and signed for my belongings.

  Leon was waiting on me when I stepped out.

  “Aye, man. What you gon’ tell her this time? What you need to do is get back on your meds before you end up hurtin’ somebody, or losing your wife,” Leon said.

  “Well, what you need to do is stay the fuck out my bidness. This my shit, my bitch and my problem. I cost you what? Some time? Nigga I paid to get me out. I don’t owe you shit but a thank you. Drive the fuckin’ car and shut the fuck up!” I screamed at my boy. Damn, I wasn’t trying to hear that shit right then.

  “Jody, I swear before God this ain’t what you want. I’m in yo’ punk ass bidness ‘cause you put me there. Want me out of it? Act like a man, take your damn meds, and do right by this girl. You too old for this shit dog. But I tell you this, you come out the side of you neck one mo’ time up in here and I’ma pull this car over and fuck yo’ world up. Put that on the Five.”

  So, Leon had a point, but he wasn’t gon’ talk to me any kinda way either. “Look, Blood. We not ‘bout to go back and forth ova my shit. I ‘preciate ya, but this ain’t got nothin’ to do with the meds. I’m good, man. Just get me home so I can smooth this shit over with my wife.”

  “Say no mo’.”

  When I arrived home, Victoria and Karley were sleeping soundly in our bed. It was such a pretty picture. All kinds of thoughts ran through my head, but they were far from pretty. I walked over to the bed and placed a warm kiss on Victoria’s forehead while I casually brushed my hand over Karley’s breast. Her nipple immediately stiffened at the slight touch of my hand. When she woke up, she still had a little sleep in her eyes and she looked a little confused, but the strangest thing happened. She smiled.

  Karley laid there with her eyes fixated on the bulge that had now formed in the front of my pants and I rubbed my stiffness through the fabric of my slacks. Victoria hadn’t moved a muscle the entire time so I reached over her and pinched Karley’s nipple. She didn’t seem to mind, she just laid there watching my other hand pet the monster trying to come out. I heard a noise in the living room which reminded me Leon was still there. I nodded my head in the direction of the door. Karley got up, stretched, and walked out like she wasn’t down for the cause.

  I knew the two of them would let themselves out, so I took off my pants and laid down in Karley’s spot in my bed. I was rock hard from that brief encounter so I cuddled next to my wife and allowed my dick to poke her between the cheeks.

  “Jody,” she whispered.

  “I’m here, baby. I am so sorry I ruined your day, ma. I’ma make it up to you, I promise.”

  “What happened?” she asked, never even turning around.

  “It’s a long story. Right now, I wanna make love to my wife and talk about this shit in the morning. Can I, Mrs. White? Can I make love to you?”

  “Yes, but there is something I need to tell you.”

  “Anything, mama.”

  “Jody, through all the hustle and bustle of things, I kinda missed my period,” she hesitated.

  I jumped from the bed, “You pregnant?”

  “Yes, but I…”

  I grabbed her from the bed in one swift motion. I picked her up and spun her around. “I’m gon’ be a daddy? Tell me, ma, did you say I was going to have a baby? When did you find out? Why you ain’t tell me?” I was firing off questions and had yet to put her down.

  “Baby, first, put me down.”

  *****

  Victoria

  Jody was scrambling, “I’m sorry, ma. Did I squeeze you too tight?” Jody asked while placing his hands on my tummy.

  He was happy. Yes, he was happy.

  “No, you didn’t squeeze me too tight. Okay, to answer all your questions. I just found out this morning. I haven’t been to the doctor yet, and I don’t know how far along I am. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t know how you would react, and I wanted to get the wedding over. I scheduled an appointment for the Monday after we’d get back from Spain.”

  Jody ran out the room and came back with the wine and the glasses.

  “Baby, please toast with me. I know you can’t drink, and now I know why you weren’t gettin’ down at the reception. You are my best friend, V and I don’t want to celebrate with anyone but you right now. Please.”

  How could I say no? I took the glass from Jody’s hand.

  He filled his and added a very little to mine. “I gained a wife and a baby all in the same day. The vows I spoke, ma, is real shit. I’ma hold you down. You and my baby ain’t gon’ want for nothin’. Dat’s my word, ma. Thank you for givin’ a nigga da time of day, and thanks for carrying m
y son.”

  I heard that son talk, but I wasn’t going to acknowledge it. Besides, I wanted a boy too. They are so low maintenance. I could see him in my mind, Polo’d down, little curly fro, maybe even some locks like his daddy. I raised my glass. “I’ll drink to that.”

  *****

  Jody woke me up with his face buried in my pussy, and I could hear my juices sloshing around as I started to stir. I think he said good morning. I smiled and ran my fingers through his hair, and arched my back. Just as I was about to fill up his face with the good juice, he raised up and entered my wetness.

  “Damn, that shit wet,” Jody whispered in my ear while I threw the pussy back to him. I lifted my leg in the air, and Jody wrapped his arm around my thigh. He was hitting my spot, and my muscles began to contract around his throbbing dick.

  I knew he was about to cum. Hell, I was too. “Take yo’ pussy, Daddy,” I said through clenched teeth. Shortly thereafter, we came. They say ain’t nothin’ like pregnant pussy, and I could see there wasn’t.

  Since we were fully awake, I took a look at the clock and it was already three in the afternoon. We were scheduled to leave for Spain first thing in the morning, I still had a few errands to run, and I needed to know what happened with Jody the night before.

  “Jody, baby, we never discussed what happened last night. What’s up?”

  “Here we go,” he sighed. “I used to mess around with this chick. She told me she was twenty-one when she got at me, I believed her. Well, come to find out, she was far from twenty-one, she wasn’t even eighteen. Real talk, when I found out she was young, I cut her the fuck off. Her daddy found out she was fucking and decided to press charges and all she could think of was me. So, I got hit with statutory rape charges. I swear, baby, I ain’t know.” Better not tell her how long, I thought.