Kendrick: A Chicago Bad Boy Romance

by Peter Presley

  “These days I’m just a Bible reading brotha who’s trying to change his life. Do you read the Bible?”

  I shake my head. “No, I don’t, and please don’t pull one out now. I’m very busy.”

  Kendrick laughs. “No, it’s cool. I won’t do that. Again, I’m just making conversation.”

  I rise to meet his eyes. “Okay, let me check the rest of your info, and I’ll give you a call, okay?”

  “Sounds good. Anita, huh? That’s a pretty name.”

  “Thank you!” I shake his hand, one that feels firm but gloriously soft, and then I watch him walk out the door.

  Kendrick must have spent lots of time in the prison gym. He’s fit in all the right places.

  3

  Kendrick

  That Anita is a fine lady - nice little frame, pretty face. But I can tell she doesn’t want to hire me. Hell, none of them do. But there was something about her. I think she saw something in me, something that has nothing to do with the job if you know what I mean.

  I know she won’t call me back. They all say they will, but they don’t. But this isn’t about that. I want to get to know this lady better, and even though I’m an ex-con, I might just have a chance.

  I’ll never forget what one of my buddies, Ed, said. He told me to stay away from a woman like that unless you can get some money out of her. He thinks that if they own their own business and can take care of themselves and aren’t in need of a man, you can’t control them.

  I don’t have time for that nonsense, and I’m not trying to control anyone. Anita may be an independent businesswoman, but she’s got needs just like every other woman. I’m pretty sure I caught her looking at me when I was filling out the application, and it wasn’t just any look.

  If she doesn’t call me back in the next two days, I’m going back there to ask her out. I would bet money she doesn’t have a man. I can tell by the way she was looking at me.

  Yeah, I’m a convicted felon, and yeah, I got no job. But what do I have to lose? All she can do is tell me no, and if she does, I’ll just be on my way.

  “Hello?” Ma answers the phone. “Yes, he’s here. One moment.” She looks at me. “A young lady is on the phone for you.” She gives me a smile.

  I take the phone out of her hand. “Hello?”

  “Yes, Kendrick Johnson? This is Anita Jackson from Jackson Car Wash.”

  “Hey, what’s happening, Anita?”

  “What’s happening is that I’d like to hire you. I’ll need you to start tomorrow, 9 a.m.”

  “All right! I’ll be there.”

  “Good. Have your driver’s license and social security card handy.”

  “No problem; see you tomorrow.” I hang up the phone.

  “You got a job?” My mother asks.

  “Yeah, Jackson Car Wash. I start tomorrow.”

  “Well, that’s a blessing. Things are certainly working out for you, aren’t they?”

  “So far so good, Ma.”

  “You promise me you’ll stay out of trouble, right? You’ll ruin everything if you don’t.”

  “Ma, what did I tell you? My criminal days are over. This is a fresh start. I’ll take this money and put it toward truck driving school. By this time next year, I should be on my way to becoming a trucker. Until then, it’s one step at a time, right? That’s what you always told me.”

  “Yes, that’s what I said. Now let me go make you some dinner.” My mom gives me a hug. “I’m so proud of you.”

  4

  Anita

  I have a confession to make. Even though Kendrick has no car washing experience, I hired him anyway. And the reason I hired him is that I couldn’t stop thinking about him.

  I’ve been through a lot in this business. I’ve done a great job with it if I do say so myself, but sometimes I feel like I need a break. It makes me feel good to look at a handsome guy who gets me a little wet. After all I’ve been through in this business, I’m treating myself, and Kendrick is my treat. If he brightens my day a little bit, what’s wrong with that?

  But here’s the thing. I can’t let this guy know I’m into him. I’m the boss, and I have to make sure I keep my wits about me or at least get him to think that’s what’s going on.

  He’ll be at the job tomorrow, and I can’t wait to see him. I can’t lie. I just hope I can trust him, and I hope he doesn’t disappoint me. If he does, I guess it serves me right, huh?

  It’s 8 a.m., and I’m getting ready to go to work. I’m wearing a tight black knit dress that shows off my body, especially my large breasts and my hips. I’m not skinny; I’ve got curves, but I’m proud of my curves. I made sure my hair looks good, and I’m wearing my favorite shade of lipstick. This dress makes guys look at me, so I’m sure the guys at the car wash will be staring, or, at least when I’m not looking. But the only one I have eyes for is Kendrick.

  5

  Kendrick

  Anita is showing me around the car wash and introducing me to the other workers. Outside, I look cool, but inside, I’m trippin’. It has nothing to do with the job itself or the fact that I’m trying to earn some legal cash to sustain myself, something I’ve rarely done. It has everything to do with the lady taking me around and providing me with all the info I need to work here. I’m working for a woman, but not just any woman, a fine ass one with a body that could trip up any brotha. I’m distracted, and I can barely remember all that she’s been saying, if I must confess.

  What I do know is that this car wash is like every other car wash, and the workers are no different from all the desperate looking peeps looking to find a way to make some cash, just like me, so I damn sure fit in. If only I was entirely interested in the workplace alone, and my mind wasn’t drifting and bringing with it all sorts of unneeded shit.

  It’s hot in here, but Anita is the reason for the sweat running down my back, and I can’t deny it, even if I want to. You should see what she’s wearing. She looks way sexier today than she did yesterday, not that she looked bad yesterday. Her dress clings to her body in all the right places. Did she wear that dress for me? Yeah, I think she did. Every time she looks at me, she’s got a sexy grin on her face. That grin wasn’t there when I applied for the job. I know that much. Yeah, she had looked at me like she liked me, but she didn’t have that grin.

  She walks me over to a brotha named Damon. Dude’s got to be close to seven feet, and he’s no bigger than a street pole.

  “Damon, this is Kendrick. He’ll be shadowing you today.” Anita turns to look at me. “If you need anything, feel free to ask.”

  She grins at me again before she walks away. I’m watching her walk away, and so is Damon. Any healthy man with eyes would look at a lady with an ass like that.

  When Anita is out of sight, Damon turns to look at me. “That’s a good-looking woman, man. She ain’t no scrub.”

  “Yeah, she sure ain’t,” I say. “Tell me something. She’s single, right?”

  Damon waves me off. “Man, you ain’t gonna hit that. She don’t mess with the help. I been here since she got here, and she’s all business, man.”

  I laugh. “You might be right.”

  “You ever work for a car wash before?”

  “Nah, man. I just got out of the pen. Anita gave me a chance.”

  “You just got out the lock up?” Damon laughs again. “You ain’t gonna hit that.”

  “Yeah, okay. You said that already.”

  I’m out here wiping car windows with Damon. It’s bullshit, but it’s a job. Then, Anita comes outside and walks toward me.

  “Kendrick, I need to speak to you,” she says.

  “Sure.” I watch her shapely body as she walks in front of me, but I wonder what the problem is. Why does she need to speak to me?

  We’re in her office. She’s staring at me as she sits in her desk chair. She doesn’t look mad, in fact, she looks like she’s happy about something.

  “Is everything okay, ma’am?”

  “Everything is great, Kendrick. A
nd please stop calling me ma’am. You can call me Anita. I was wondering if you have any questions for me.”

  “No, not really.” I do have a question for her, but I won’t ask it unless I feel it’s the right time. “How’s everything going with you? You look beautiful today.”

  Anita blushes and looks at her desk. I think I’ve gotten to her. “Thank you, Kendrick.”

  There’s an interesting silence between us now. This woman is into me. I’m sure of it. Again, the question is - do I ask her out now, later, or do I not risk it? I’m happy to have a job, and I don’t want to ruin what I’ve got, but at the same time, I better strike while the iron is hot, as they say.

  6

  Anita

  “It's good to talk to you, Nita,” Felicia says. “Especially since you never call me anymore. You don’t even text.”

  I knew Felicia would say that I never call her because it's true. Ever since I took on my dad’s business, I've been so busy with the work I don’t call my friends as much as I should. “Girl, I'm sorry. You know how crazy it gets at the car wash.”

  “No, actually, I don't know how crazy it gets because you never call me. But that’s okay. You make that money, girl. You know my number.”

  “Okay, Felicia, I'm sorry. But I'm calling you now, and I've got something to tell you.”

  “What?”

  “I met this guy, well, actually, I hired this guy, and girl, he is too fine.”

  “Oh, yeah?” Felicia's voice changes. Whenever I talk about men I've met, she's always instantly interested. “What does he look like? I know he’s got to be better looking than that pack you got working for you.”

  “Well, as a matter of fact, yes. He’s fine as hell. His name is Kendrick, and he started working for me two days ago. I can’t take my eyes off of him.”

  “What else does he do besides work at your car wash?”

  “I don’t know. Anyway, that doesn’t matter to me. He’s just a hot guy who’s nice to look at.”

  “Okay, then when you gonna sleep with him?”

  “Felicia! First of all, he’s an employee, and second of all, I just met the man!”

  “So, time never stopped me any. This is the 21st century, and we ain’t a couple of nuns.”

  I laugh. “I know we’re not. But . . . I'm not like you.”

  “What do you mean, you're not like me? It took you all of about five hours before you slept with Derek? Remember him? You met him at the bar. You know what I’m talking about.”

  “Yes, I remember him, and I'd like to forget him, too.”

  “Derek wasn't that bad. He was a lawyer, and you know he made that paper.”

  “I don’t need a man’s money, Felicia.”

  “Oh, I’m well aware of that Ms. Business Owner. But let’s keep it real. We all know who you date. Derek was a lawyer. The one before that owns those restaurants downtown. You know you only go for top dollar. So tell me, why are you interested in a car wash guy?”

  “I didn’t say I was interested in him; I said he was good looking. And, he seems like a nice person.”

  “Mmmm-hmmm. He must have a big dick.”

  “Felicia! It's only been a couple of days. We haven't slept together at all; I’m telling you the truth!”

  “Well, maybe you need to get on that. You need it! Especially if you’re gushing over some hot guy that’s working in your car wash. Just go get laid and stop gushing over him.”

  I would argue with Felicia about that if it weren't so true. I haven't had sex in a year. She knows it, and I know it. I haven't met anyone that I like. Plus, as she's already said, I've been too busy. Do I think about sex? Of course. But that’s all it’s been for the last year ever since I broke up with Derek, the lawyer. “Okay, okay. You’re right. I haven’t had sex in a long time, and I have been stressed out. But look at it this way, at least I'm happy and not frowning.”

  “Good, because when you look evil, you’re a hot mess.”

  “Oh, stop! Anyway, it's nice to have a fine ass man around the job. Dresses up the place a bit.”

  “Ask him out.”

  “I can't do that. I'm the boss.”

  “Girl, please. You can do that. You can do whatever you want to do. Ask the man out.”

  “I don't know, Felicia. We'll see.”

  “No, that’s what you're going to do, tomorrow, and then you're going to call me and tell me how it went.”

  “I’ll call you tomorrow, but I don't know if I'll have the news you're looking for.”

  “And take a picture of him and send it to me.”

  “I can't do that, either. How would that look?”

  “Who is that at my door?” Felicia ignores what I just said, and there’s a long silence. “Oh, it’s Reggie. He must have got off work early. Nita, I gotta go, that's Reggie at the door. I told him I'd bake him a cake tonight. That man eats more cake than anyone I've ever met.”

  “Where does he put it all? He's not fat.”

  “Girl, I don't know. Every time that man comes over here he eats me out of house and home, but he's good to me, though. I get mine. Now you need to get yours.”

  “I can’t wait to attend your wedding next year.”

  “It’s going to be the party of the year! Bye, girl.”

  “Bye!”

  Felicia may complain about Reggie’s eating habits, but they have an excellent relationship, the kind I wish I had. It makes me jealous. And when she says she gets hers, I know she's not lying. I bet they have sex a lot, and I'm jealous of that too. They’re getting married next year, and I’m one of the bridesmaids.

  I love Felicia, but I’m tired of being a bridesmaid. Some day, I want more out of life when it comes to men, including marriage. I want more than just sex, and I want more than just a handsome man. I want a relationship. I want what Reggie and Felicia have. But I can't get that if I don't put myself in the position to get that. But how am I supposed to date someone with a criminal record? I don't dare tell Felicia about that. She’ll never let me hear the end of it.

  I don't know. Just having someone handsome to look at will have to be enough, I guess. Someday I'll meet the right one, but I know damn well that Kendrick could never be him. I mean, he works in a car wash, my car wash! He just got out of jail, and he's got no money, I'm sure. Not that I need his money, but still. I guess I need to make the time to meet another professional man, but those guys never work out, or, at least they haven’t so far.

  7

  Kendrick

  “For real? You're coming back to Chi-Town?” I say to Alex.

  “Yeah, Germany isn't for us, man. We're grateful to have a place to stay, but Stefan’s house is about the size of a closet, and Heather’s starting to hassle me about it. I guess I don’t blame her. I'm sick of it too.”

  “What about the Kocans?”

  “Yeah, well, Heather and I can't keep running from them. We need to get back to the states. Plus, I can't work in Germany, legally anyway, and I don't want to get into any more shit. I need to ditch this place now, you know?”

  “So where are you gonna live?”

  “We’ll hit the road and find an apartment somewhere; then we'll take it from there. I’ve still got a lot of money saved. I'm good for now. When we return to the states, we thought we'd stop by for a few hours and visit you before we take off, that is if you don’t mind.”

  “Nah, man, I don't mind. I’d love to see you. My mom will be happy to cook for you, too. She loves that. I just won't tell her you two are on the run, that's all.”

  Alex laughs. “Yeah, I guess that would be best.”

  “I'm happy you and your lady are still cool.”

  “Yeah, we're tighter than ever now. But if we stay in this situation, things might go sour, you know?”

  “Yeah, I feel you. There may be a new girl in my life.”

  “Yeah, no kidding?”

  “Well, I gotta ask her out first.”

  Alex laughs. “Oh, okay. She doesn't know it yet.”
>
  “No, but seriously man, she's this fine woman who owns the car wash where I work.”

  “Kendrick, I don't mean to be an asshole, but you sure she wants to date an ex-con car washer?”

  “No, it's cool. I would think the same thing, but you should see the way that woman looks at me. I'm gonna take a chance. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work.”

  “I'll keep my fingers crossed for you, buddy. You're a good man, and you deserve a good woman.”

  I'm back at work and heading into Anita's office. She's looking good again today, red dress, still clinging to her every curve. I would bet money she's dressing like that to impress me because I'll tell you, she didn't look like that when I first met her.

  I've decided to ask her out to dinner. If she says, “no,” then I'll leave it alone. And if I keep it classy, she can't complain that I'm making moves on her instead of doing my work.

  I knock on her open door. She looks up and smiles at me.

  “Yes, Kendrick, can I help you?”

  “Yeah, Anita, I just wanted to holler at you for a little bit.”

  “Okay, what's on your mind?”

  I take a seat in the chair in front of her desk. “I was wondering if you would like to go to dinner with me sometime this week?”

  Anita's eyes get big. “Are you asking me out on a date?”

  “Well, yeah, that's what I'm doing.”

  Anita looks down at her desk. She doesn’t say anything. She just looks down at her desk. Shit, I hope I didn’t blow it. “Anita, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any harm . . . “

  She looks up at me. “Yes.”

  “Yes?”

  She smiles. “Yes, I’m happy to go out with you.”