Nympho

by Andrea Blackstone

  “Can’t you see what’s happening here? I’m getting married and she’s weary from dating knuckleheads. It’s pure hatera-tion—nothing more. I was going to replace her and not make an issue out of it. The green-eyed monster will change people—even those you’ve known a long time. Think about it, Trey. She has no man—all she’s got is a baby’s daddy. Please don’t give me drama because I’ve had enough from my former sister friend. Enough about that scenario. We don’t get to see each other that much. I miss you, and that’s where my focus should be. Let me make you breakfast.”

  To my surprise, instead of snapping at me, Trey tongue kissed me and let me taste his sweet lips. “Hey, I can’t wait to marry you. I’m on your side. Just believe what I’m telling you. We’re going to make it. I can’t wait to build a family with you—you’re a good woman. I know I don’t tell you this very often, but just because I don’t come out and say those words doesn’t mean I don’t know I’m a lucky man. We need to stand together, Leslie. We’re blessed with real love, and I’ll never leave you.”

  As I pressed his body against mine, everything felt perfect. I found myself slipping into shadows of the old Trey. Romantic and reassuring Trey felt as if he could chase my storms away, ending my personal suffering and doubt. In his arms, I felt the compassion of a bright sunny day and the peace of its presence. He began caressing my breasts, holding me tightly. I reached for his shorts and felt his penis stiffen. I wanted him, all of him—mind, body, and soul—today, tomorrow, and forever. At that moment, he was all I needed and the intensity of my love for the attentive Trey returned, gripping me without warning. When he released me, I walked to the bathroom, grabbed a robe, and put it on.

  After cooking breakfast for him, we sat down and ate together the way I’d longed to for some time. I couldn’t wait to get my arms around him. Trey must’ve felt a mirrored reflection of my feelings. Usually I would clear the table and wash the dishest, but this time, after we both finished eating, he grabbed my hand and initiated walking to my bedroom. When we arrived, I heard a strong voice despite the silence. As I watched my love undress, the voice was telling me Trey was sorry for not spending as much time with me lately, and reminding me I was truly the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. I smiled, dropped my robe, then I crawled on top of him. We kissed and caressed each other, and talked about our future. It was intimate and nice.

  With a smile on my face, I slipped under crisp, clean sheets and basked in the glory of Trey the romantic, Trey the future father of my children, and Trey the sacred protector. As we held on to each other, I felt guided to make changes in my behavior. The only reason I didn’t want to give my body to Trey was because I was tired from giving it to others. Instead, I slept a delicious sleep with the man of my dreams—one who had decided fornication was a sin.

  Two hours later, my love was still knocked out. I carefully lifted his arm from around my waist and tipped out of bed to get a glass of water. After I drank it down, I suddenly felt losing what I had was not an option, even more so than before. Placing a call to protect my relationship became a must do after Trey showed so much emotion. He gave me a reason to want to fight back. Without thinking, I grabbed my purse from the table and eased out onto the back porch so I could have some privacy while I used my cell phone. I pressed speed dial and called Tanya. Even if I threw the first blow, I would prove that she didn’t want none of this.

  “How dare you, bitch! I warned you,” I said, snapping as soon as Tanya answered. “So you tried to make trouble with me and Trey? You stabbing me in the back isn’t going to stop me from getting my man so don’t think you’ve tied my hands down. I guess you forgot you told me your ex used to beat you and you had to find a shelter and start life over to get away from him. I tell you what I’m going to do for you since I’m getting tired of giving your hardheaded, two-foot-one ass so many chances. Get ready to reconcile, because when I get through, he’ll have the kiddies.”

  “No, don’t. No, Les. He’s a crazy man. I love you. Just understand that you hurt me. Let’s sit down and discuss things today. Don’t let a man come in between our friendship,” Tanya rambled.

  I knew she had done the nasty with Rico, and I wanted to rub it in her face.

  “Oh, now I’m Les? Now you love me, miss our friendship, and want to act like you have some sense—talking about not letting a man mess up how close we were? You act like you slept with Rico or something. If you’re the big Christian you act like you are in church, surely you haven’t been physical with Rico. You go around judging me, and look at how you’re living.” Tanya didn’t comment.

  “I never said I did,” she replied faintly.

  “And you never said you didn’t. You think you’re bad, trying to ruin my engagement? You knew what you were doing. You tried to play me like a fiddle. Kiss your job, peaceful life, and rug rats adios. It’s hypocrite bitches like you that make it hard to . . .”

  “Listen, please have a heart. I thought you cared about the children. Don’t take our problems out on them. Give them a chance to grow up and be happy. We’ve known each other since the first grade. You’re like family to me.”

  “If you have the resources to obtain positive results, you’ll be straight my sister. The case would have to be investigated before the children are taken away. It’s not like you’ll have recent charges against you for breaking and entering and assault. It’s not like you leave them unsupervised sometimes when you have to work overtime, and the neighbors know about it. And it’s not like more than one person will be saying you drink, smoke, and get high.”

  I began rummaging through my purse while I talked and realized that Deja had slipped her cell phone number in it with a request to call for a hook up behind her husband’s back. Without realizing it, I slipped and called Tanya the wrong name. “Deja, I’ll tell you what I’d tell my blood sister. Take my advice and wiggle your way out of this one because you set yourself up.” When I decided I’d made my point enough and grew tired of Tanya’s whining, I hung up, letting her panic over what I’d said. My phone rang immediately, but the word private displayed on my screen. I thought she’d called back, blocking her number so I’d listen to more of her moaning. Before I could cuss her out I heard my least favorite male voice.

  “What you been up to, mami? Where’ve you been hiding, Les?” It was Rico. He was the last Negro I wanted to have a conversation with. I found myself wishing Tanya was still trying to chase him down and kept that dog on a leash.

  “It’s 8:00 A.M., what in the hell do you want? Wake the bitch up next to you and chat with her. I’m not the one. Your presence in my life has truly become annoying. Get a grip!”

  “I bet you smell good,” he said, ignoring my comment. “You have that sweet smelling thing down pat. Leslie, I want to take you motorcycle riding then out for a romantic dinner.”

  “Now is not a good time. I’m tied up. In fact, I’m tied up for a damn lifetime. I told you we’re through. Can’t you get that through your thick head?” I snapped.

  “Find a way to spend some time with me. Look, I want to do something freaky to you, just the way you like it. I want you here. No exceptions, no excuses,” Rico explained, flipping the script.

  “Or else what?”

  “Who was there for you when you were lonely? Trey wasn’t. I was taking care of your emotional and physical needs while he was out running the street.”

  “Look, do what you want—I’m not coming.”

  “Okay, you’ll be sorry.”

  “What are you implying?”

  “I’m just making a simple request. I have a fantasy of having a woman dress sexy, me picking her up on my bike, then having a romantic evening. Don’t question me, Leslie. It’s much wiser to play along,” he said, sounding on top of his game.

  At that moment, I remembered Rico was a lawyer. A bolt of fear rushed through me, and I felt threatened by his vague words and his profession. As a preventative move, I decided to entertain his invitation to feel h
im out.

  “Fine. I’m coming, but only to talk. This has to stop. This is the last time I’ll see you under these circumstances,” I told him, feeling forced into some sort of reconciliation.

  “Fine. Just get rid of the dead weight and be ready by five. I know an under cover freaky bitch like you is standing naked while you’re on the phone with me.” He laughed. “Dress to impress and I will pick you up on my bike. Make sure you do Trey good before he leaves, and call him daddy when you do it.”

  My head began to throb as I ended the cell phone call. Rico had given me the chills. I crawled back into bed. I wanted to be warmed by Trey again but his eyelids opened.

  “Did you rest well, baby?” I asked, kissing him on the lips. I pretended as if I’d never left the bed. Trey turned toward me then yawned and stretched. “I have some errands to run, baby. Maybe we can hook up later.”

  “What’s on your agenda today?” he asked.

  “I hope to catch the eleven o’clock service at church then I may hit the gym, chill out and play the rest by ear.”

  “Good, baby. I need to be going to church myself but maybe next Sunday. When you get in the gym, make sure you work on those thunder thighs. I wouldn’t want to see you catch on fire from all of the rubbing and friction on a hot day,” Trey joked.

  “What did you say?”

  “Nothing,” he said, grinning.

  “I heard that,” I answered, sitting on top of him, swinging my pillow in his direction. Trey began tickling me, and I laughed as I struggled to catch my breath.

  “Remember, you’re mine and you’re all I need. Now do you still love your daddy?” he asked after we stopped our horse playing.

  “Of course I love my daddy,” I answered. “Can’t nobody do it like he does, and that’s a fact. I know we’re doing the right thing and I can’t wait to make love to you, Trey.” Half smiling, I was thinking that even when he did do it, he still wasn’t doing much!

  I was off the hook since he’d be leaving shortly. Things were getting ugly and absolutely out of hand. Either way, I was off to see Rico after kissing my fiancé’s lips with tenderness sweeter than anything I’ve ever known. After Trey left, I programmed Deja’s number in my phone under florist and dropped her note in the shredder.

  10

  An Indecent Proposal

  Since I still wasn’t confident Tanya had gotten my message, I took step one of fucking up big-mouth’s life by calling and reporting her for child abuse. After I hung up the phone, Rico pulled up on a nifty-looking crotch rocket, hog, or whatever the hip name for bikes was these days. I was impressed to find out it was a Harley, but I didn’t let on. I stood in the doorway of my house and watched Rico’s eyes glaze over me like he was in some sort of trance. I was wearing heels, extra tiny booty shorts exposing my tattoo of angel wings just above the crack of my ass, and my hair was out, swinging freely. I had applied a light layer of MAC makeup to accentuate my lips and eyes. My bedroom look had quickly become my every day look.

  I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy the way his eyes traced every curve of my body. Trey often mumbled compliments while watching women on TV, but rarely complimented my figure. Negroes out in the street hooted, hollered, and even cursed while running out of barbershops to shake my hand and get up close to me when I walked by, but my own man acted as if I were invisible to him.

  “Que pasa? Mami, you look fantastic. What video shoot did you just step off of? Go get your tennis shoes and a bathing suit. I’ll put them in my bag.”

  When I returned, Rico’s sticky compliments made me temporarily forget our previous heated conversation. He always seemed to know what to say, and how to say it. I warned him that he’d better not pop wheelies or mimic Evel Knievel, after which he wasted no time letting me know he belonged to a motorcycle club and drove with the utmost care. Once that was settled, I popped a helmet on my head and experienced my first motorcycle ride, holding tightly onto Rico’s trim waist.

  We arrived at a restaurant on Wisconsin Avenue, in North West, D.C. Rico’s manners were as impeccable as his looks. He opened each door until we reached a hostess who looked up Rico’s reservation. To my surprise, Rico knew more than a few things about Japanese culture. As we followed the Japanese woman, I noticed bonsai plants, paper lanterns, bamboo-and-wood trim, and Japanese prints. The schoolteacher in me enjoyed walking into another culture, if even for a short time.

  I was quite puzzled as to why we walked past the main seating areas, but I continued following Rico and the hostess. Rico took off his shoes, and I followed suit. I did know that in the Japanese custom, shoes are taken off upon entering certain spaces to preserve the sacredness and cleanliness of the room.

  “Do you know what this is?” Rico asked as we stood in front of a room with a sturdy fabric sliding door. I didn’t answer. “A zashiki. It’s perfect for a romantic evening or business meetings.” Rico pointed to the floor. “Tatami mats are used for the flooring; this is the traditional floor covering in Japan.”

  “I had no idea you’d eat at a place like this or knew anything about Japanese culture,” I said, sounding a bit impressed.

  “If you want to be successful in life, you’ve got to network and rub elbows with the right people. I’m sure Trey means well when and if he takes you out to eat, but he’s a buffet and butter roll kind of guy. I prefer to balance out my life with exotic experiences, and this is only the beginning of the things I could show you. A man owes it to his lady to help her to grow culturally, among other things, mami. Kneel on the cushions. In casual situations, men usually sit cross-legged, while women sit on their knees laying both legs to one side.”

  Rico and I sat across from each other at a rosewood table in the appropriate positions on cushions that were placed on the floor. A server delivered a little basket with hot, moist, almond-scented terry-cloth towels, and the hostess delivered fresh, warm tea. Rico ordered for us and they both left us alone in the room, closing the sliding door behind them. I didn’t have a problem with his desire to choose what I would eat since I obviously didn’t know much about Japanese cuisine.

  “I’m not here to listen to you bash Trey, and I won’t tolerate it, Rico. So what was so important that you wanted to see me?” I asked, pouring a cup of tea.

  “Don’t play with me. Isn’t it obvious? I told you what I want, and now I’m showing you the whole package you could have with me.”

  “All that’s obvious to me is that you like stabbing your boy in the back.” I took a sip of what I discovered was green tea and put it down.

  “And you don’t? And you didn’t? The way you made love to me spoke volumes, Leslie.”

  “Everyone makes mistakes.”

  “That wasn’t a mistake, and you know it. You wanted it. You enjoyed it, and you’ve thought about me every day since then. What happened between us was something we both needed.”

  “It’s nice to know you think you have ESP, but I beg to differ.”

  “Why are you fighting this, mami? Why are you being so tough on a man who adores you?”

  “What do you mean by that?” I asked, playing dumb.

  “I wish you’d get past your hang ups. Why are you fighting me by closing your heart? I know you feel what I do. This isn’t my imagination playing tricks on me—you’re feeling Rico. Admit it.”

  I raised my right index finger and pointed at him. I knew it surely violated some Japanese custom, but I felt like being rude. “Rico, don’t trip over your ego. Not this again. Remember, you forced me into submission today. I was not a fully willing participant, if the truth be told. You know what you did and what you said to get me here.” I let my arm fall.

  “I didn’t force you to come. I just made a simple request. Many business deals in D.C. are done over a meal and a cocktail.”

  “Don’t play with my head, Rico. You know the truth of the matter.”

  “I just want you to know you can always count on me. Think about what I said every time Trey treats you like dirt. When
you find something you like, the smart thing is to stick to it and make it stick with you. So, I’ll pay your bills and give you whatever you want. Money is no object. I’ll take good care of you—much better than you think. I choose you, and I want to bless you with some of the good fortune I’ve got.”

  “I don’t need a man to throw money at me to be impressed. That’s not my m.o. at all.”

  “Maybe not, but don’t lie. You are impressed by exotic experiences such as this one, and this is only the beginning. All I need is someone to manage my money and take care of me. I’m used to dating white woman because they give me what I want.”

  “Well go back to dating them then,” I snapped.

  “I know you feel proud to be engaged, and I know you feel secure with Trey. Mami, I want you—you may not see it yet, but you’re my soul mate.”

  “Right. I bet you said the same thing to my girl, Tanya,” I told him delivering a verbal jab.

  “Quite frankly, Tanya didn’t have what it takes to keep me interested.”

  “Why, because she’s not white?” I teased.

  “It’s more like this: if a woman wants a faithful man she has to be worth it. That part has nothing to do with race or color. I know you’re a sex on the washing machine, hang from the chandelier type of girl. Boring and conservative just won’t do. Rico can show you a finer side to life. One that’s far better than what Trey can deliver. You have what it takes to settle my heart. What are you waiting for?”