by Shane Morgan
They both gasped, surprised at my bold step. I almost surprised myself too.
“Yeah, we can do that,” he replied excitedly.
“Great.”
We stood in the foyer, gazing around at each other. From the look on their faces, I could tell they were as caught up in memories as I was. I hoped it was the good ones, and not the day he left.
“I gotta get going,” he broke through the silence, turning to reach for the door handle.
“I’m glad you came by,” Momma enthused, joy lighting up her exhausted eyes. “And again, I’m sorry…for how I treated you.”
He waved her off. “Like I said, what’s done is done. I’m just glad to be back in my girl’s life.”
Peering at me, he nudged my arm. “See you, baby.” Then he opened the front door and left.
Momma squeezed my shoulder before turning to go back into the kitchen.
“Coming to help me clean up before bed?” she asked softly.
“I will,” I answered, staring out the window by the door, watching as Daddy climbed inside his white Chevy Sedan and took off down the street.
“You used to do that when you were little, you remember?” Momma watched me from the doorway, tears welling up her eyes. “Even then…I should’ve fixed it sooner.”
“I don’t want to get into that now.” I walked past her into the kitchen, going over to the sink to start the dishes. “It’s Christmas. We should be happy. Some families aren’t like us. I mean, I can only imagine what Branden’s—” I quickly pressed my lips shut. Branden’s family issues weren’t for me to talk about with anyone, including Momma.
“What about Branden?” she asked, coming up to the kitchen sink.
“Nothing. You rinsing?”
“Humph,” she placed the towel she was holding on top of the counter and started to rinse the dishes I’d just washed. “Well, remember when I said you could tell me anything?”
“Mmm-hmm.”
“I’m always here if you wanna talk, baby girl.” I could tell she was trying to get it out of me, being her usual sweet and open self.
“Actually,” I couldn’t believe I hadn’t discussed it with her yet.
“What’s up?” she prompted.
“Branden wants me to go away with him next weekend, after New Year’s. Is that okay?”
I didn’t meet her gaze, but I felt her eyeing me, pondering on what I just said. I grew anxious, hoping she wouldn’t tell me not to go. Even if I was nineteen, Momma still had the authority in my world.
“Well,” she exhaled, rinsing the utensils. “That means you two will be very much alone together.”
I pressed my lips tighter, letting her do the talking.
“I guess it’s okay.”
“Really?” I snapped around and smiled at her excitedly. “You’re not going to tell me don’t go.”
She twisted and looked me in the eye. “Aside from the fact that I know Branden and I think he’s a nice guy who I can trust with my daughter, I also trust you as an adult. I mean, I have to cut the apron strings soon before I end up choking you with them.”
I couldn’t help smile. “Thanks, Momma.”
She waved me off and we continued doing the dishes, switching the conversation to work and me starting one next year.
There was a clothing store in the plaza near school that was looking to hire after the holiday, and I’d gotten the position. It was a good thing because by then Branden would be back in school, and I’d get to see him even if I worked on weekends.
Although, if the coach of our college hockey team liked what he saw during tryouts—which he might, since Branden was so great from what I’d seen in those YouTube videos—that meant we’d see each other less.
It scared me, because as understanding as Vanessa was at first, Calvin’s responsibility to his basketball team contributed a lot to their relationship coming to an end. Would hockey affect mine and Branden’s as much?
***
It snowed on Thursday evening when I got home from spending the afternoon with Daddy, turning into flurries by Friday morning.
I felt bored at my house with Momma at work and Branden helping out Ashton with his travel plans, so I walked over to Vanessa’s around the corner to hang out for a while.
“Where’s he taking you, anyway?” she asked, sitting Indian style on her gray rug as she painted her fingernails a bright orange.
I lounged on her bed, flipping through the current issue of Cosmopolitan magazine. “I don’t know. He says it’s a surprise.”
She tittered in a knowing way, blowing on her fingers. “I bet ya’ll are gonna do it.”
“No we’re not,” I acted shy.
“Humph! Girl, there’s only one reason why a guy takes his girlfriend away for the weekend to have privacy, and we both know what that is.”
I tossed a pillow at her on the floor. She squealed, “Moya, my nails!”
Peering down at her, I stuck out my tongue and chortled. Vanessa shot up to her feet and jumped on the bed, hitting me with her pillow. We laughed so loud that Patricia called out from down the hall.
“Girls! I have company. Relax!” she hissed.
“Sorry!” we replied at the same time.
“Who’s here?” I whispered. “I didn’t see anyone when I came in earlier.”
Vanessa rolled her eyes then laid flat on her back, exhaling. “It’s probably that guy she’s been dating.”
I laid down beside her. “You don’t sound as if you like him.”
“I don’t,” she scoffed.
“How come?”
“I just wish…sometimes I wish my dad was still here. I guess I can’t accept that he’s dead and not coming back.”
I inched closer and squeezed her hand. “I’m sorry, girl.”
“It’s okay,” she played tough. “Shit happens.”
“You all right?” I asked, noticing her eyes were turning red and watery.
She shrugged then sat up, moving down to the edge of the bed. “I’m good. Anyway, let’s not get all sappy.” She spun and smiled at me. “What you doing for New Year’s Eve? Now that you have a man, you have to come out with me and Warren.”
I sat up and leaned back against the headboard. “I guess we will. Branden wants us to be together too—”
“Of course he does. He’s hungry like a wolf.”
“Stop.”
“I’m serious, girl. You have him hooked. I saw the way he was all over you the night of the festival. Mmm-hmm,” she pointed her finger and winked at me. “He’s not the only one. You have this longing about you when you’re with him. I’ve noticed it all.”
“Anyways,” I slid off her bed and pulled down my sweater. “Let’s decide where to go for New Year’s Eve. Momma and Patricia are gonna stay home as usual to watch TV until the ball drops.”
Vanessa got up and walked over to her closet, chuckling. “They’ll be fast asleep by the time the clock strikes midnight.” She took out her plaid, woolen coat. “That’s why we are gonna go to Club 207 in downtown Baltimore to get our grooves on,” she stressed on the word as her body moved in a slow grind.
I laughed, amazed by her unending silliness. “You’re something else, you know that?”
She straightened and headed for the room door, giggling. “I know. That’s why you love me.”
“Indeed, I do.”
CHAPTER FIFTY
Branden
When Moya told me where she and Vanessa wanted to go for New Year’s Eve, I knew what that meant. Club 207 was nestled right in the middle of Baltimore’s Collegetown, but if you wanted to get in, you had to look sharp.
I decided to wear my blue shirt over dress pants with a pair of black shoes. I even had a haircut earlier today so my appearance would look worthy of standing next to Moya, who was surely going to be all dressed up tonight. I looked forward to seeing her.
Receiving a text from Warren saying he was almost at my house, I grabbed my leather jacket from the closet and tre
aded downstairs.
Mom was lying on the sofa, snuggled up in grandma’s blanket as the light from the television emanated the dark living room. It felt strange seeing her like that, curled up with something of sentimental value.
I paused at the front door, watching her, wondering if I should even utter a word to pull her out of whatever misery she’d drifted into. By the lost expression on her face, I knew she wasn’t watching TV.
Mom peered up as the headlights from Warren’s car blared through the beige curtains overlaying the two story windows. She appeared frazzled, confused, and lonely at the same time.
“I’m going now,” I called out to her.
Her head snapped around. Slowly she rose from the sofa and walked over to me. “Oh…I thought you were staying home like your brother.”
Baffled by what she’d said, I glanced up the stairs as I confirmed, “Ashton’s home on New Year’s Eve?”
When I met her eyes again, they appeared sunken, dark circles beneath them. “Are you okay, Mom?”
She shrugged and feigned a smile as she answered, “Never been better.”
Not in the mood for this, I slanted and lowered my hand to the door handle. “Warren’s waiting for me. I gotta go.”
“Happy New Year, Branden,” she said with an empty look on her pale face.
“Are you trying to stop me from leaving?”
Mom wrinkled her forehead. “No. Why’d you think that?”
“Because of the way you’re acting, and how you look.”
She touched her face. “How do I look?”
“Tired. Sleep deprived. Sad…” my voice drifted as I thought of another reason, the one that could be the meaning behind her depressed mood. “Like you miss Dad after all.”
She stiffened. “I absolutely do not miss that—”
“Please don’t. I’m tired of hearing you call each other names. It makes me feel horrible, and I don’t want to feel like that tonight. So don’t.”
Mom pressed her lips shut, biting her tongue. She gazed up at me with pitiful eyes. They almost convinced me to stay, until my cell phone buzzed inside my jacket. Taking it out, I saw Warren had called.
I looked back at her and said, “Sorry, but there’s someone waiting for me. Someone who makes all this…disappear.”
She parted her lips to speak, but then turned around. “Have fun,” she muttered instead over her shoulder.
“Thanks.”
I walked out the door, eager to put it behind me so that I could have fun tonight with my friends, and the girl I loved.
“Hey man, what took you?” asked Warren when I treaded down the stone entrance towards his Dodge Challenger.
“You don’t want to know,” I replied, hopping inside the car. We agreed earlier to take only one since Downtown Baltimore would be hectic tonight, where parking was concerned. Leaving mine behind would be less of a hassle, and I liked his so I thought, why not?
Warren took off right away, heading to Berlin Heights to pick up the girls. When he pulled up outside Moya’s house and we walked up to the front door, my jaw dropped when she answered, wearing a body-hugging black dress with matching sheer tights. It showed off her curves more than ever. Not to mention her hair was put up into a sexy bun, displaying her cute gold earrings, with a few curls dangling in the back. She was also wearing the bracelet I’d given her for Christmas.
I cleared the tightness in my throat to compliment her, “You’re beautiful.” My voice came out hoarse.
Moya grinned knowingly, shattering my cool even more when she replied in a sultry tone, “Thank you.”
Vanessa appeared behind her, looking just as nice in a red dress. I glimpsed Warren at the corner of my eye to see his reaction. He was as dumbstruck by his girlfriend’s attire as I was of mine.
“Ready to go?” Vanessa asked, putting on her coat and handing another to Moya.
“Sure thing,” Warren replied.
She stepped outside and walked down the front steps with him, I waited behind for Moya to lock up.
“Your mom’s out?” I asked when she finished and turned around.
“Oh no, she’s over by Vanessa’s house. She usually watches the ball drop with Patricia.”
“I see. Hope they weren’t mad you girls are going out instead of staying home with them.”
“They’re not,” she shook her head. “Momma used to let Vanessa drag me out with her and Calvin. She’s actually more excited than we are that I have a boyfriend now to hang out with on New Year’s Eve, instead of being a third wheel.”
I smirked. She hit me lightly on the arm. “Don’t laugh at me.”
“I’m not.”
Reaching the car, I opened the backdoor so she could climb inside, hopping in beside her. Vanessa was already settled in the front seat. Warren drove off the moment I closed the door.
The entire time I couldn’t keep my eyes off Moya. How wonderful it was to be with such a beauty. She picked up on me watching, turning to glance into my eyes as if her feelings compelled her to.
Not a minute later, she snuggled up to me, leveling her head on my shoulder for the remainder of the drive. She smelled as good as she looked; the floral scent of jasmine was soft, refined, yet it managed to set my senses on high.
I wasn’t sure how much longer I could bear, but it’d definitely be hard trying to keep my hands off her tonight.
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
Moya
In no time, we arrived at Club 207 in downtown Baltimore. The valet took Warren’s car to park it once we were granted entry.
There were quite a few people inside already. Good thing we decided to show up three hours before midnight, hence we’d be turned away at the door. By the end of the night, the club would undoubtedly be packed.
“Ooh, let’s sit over there,” Vanessa pointed to an empty table at the far right corner of the room.
We walked up some steps, crossed the gleaming, marble floor and headed over to the table. The guys took our coats as we made ourselves comfortable on the cushioned black, leather stowaway chairs. Branden sat on the one next to me.
“This place is pretty cool. You ladies come here often?” asked Warren, draping his arm around Vanessa.
“No,” she shook her head. “This is our second time on New Year’s Eve. Besides, Moya doesn’t do clubs.”
“Me neither,” Branden chimed, flashing me a grin. “Want anything to drink?” he asked.
I replied, “Shirley Temple.”
“Same here,” Vanessa eyed Warren.
“Cool.” He got up along with Branden and they both made their way over to the bar.
“Girl, doesn’t my boo look fly tonight?” she gushed, trailing him with her eyes in a hungry fashion. “Mmm…Me and him gon’ be talking Spanish later tonight.”
Chuckling, I shook my head and glanced over at Warren. He didn’t look too bad, dressed in a khaki green shirt and black pants. But my man had the majority of attention in this place. Girls had their eyes on him since we entered the club; some even appeared jealous realizing that he was taken.
Bad for them. Great for me.
As the night progressed, more people started to arrive at the club. The DJ switched from mellow openers to up-tempo dance mixes. Vanessa and I rocked along to Pitbull’s Feel This Moment until the guys led us out to the dance floor.
Moving with Branden gave me a sense of freedom. I could dance freely with him, like no one else was around even though the floor was clustered. The flashing laser lights created blue effects on everyone’s body, intensifying the atmosphere. The attitude of revelers inside the club was super turned up with fist-pumping, roars, and out-of-tune voices singing along with the DJ’s songs.
My attention was only on Branden. We were in our own world. Our warm bodies glided close together as the music flowed through our veins, like the intense emotions we felt in our hearts.
I locked my fingers around his neck and rested my head against his chest. In a split second, I glimpsed Vanessa,
dancing just as close with Warren, a broad smile on her gorgeous face as she grooved along with him. It gave me joy seeing my best friend as happy as I was. What a great way to start the New Year.
Soon after, we returned to our table to catch our breaths.
“Whew,” Vanessa blew out, wiping sweat from her forehead.
I looked over at the dancers still going hard, shaking my head at them. “I don’t know how they do it.”
“Oh come, ladies. You gotta keep up with us,” Branden joked. I nudged his arm lightly.
Warren asked, “Want another drink?”
“I could use some cooling down,” Vanessa replied.
I glanced at Branden and said, “Just water, please.”
Watching them make their way back to the bar, Vanessa bumped my knee under the table.
“Is this the best New Year’s Eve or what?”
“Yes, it is,” I reached over and squeezed her hands. “I’m anticipating the countdown so bad, girl.”
She laughed, “How come?”
I shrugged and glanced over at Branden, gawking at him. He and Warren were coming back to our table with our drinks. “I feel like it’s going to be a really good year,” I added.
“You’re so cheesy,” she teased, taking her drink from Warren.
Branden placed the water bottle on top of the table, but instead of sitting down, he took my hand and said, “Let’s go back out there.”
Following his lead, we walked out to the middle of the room. The DJ had slowed the night down with a few ballads upon the crowd’s request.
Unexpectedly, Zedd’s Clarity started to play. It was the first song we slow danced to.
I smiled up at Branden. “You did that?”
He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me in closer, whispering only an inch from my lips, “I did that.”
We swayed to the alluring melodies of the piano, with our gaze fixed at each other’s eyes. I felt his hands move slowly up my back, embracing me deeper.
“Tonight’s perfect,” I said in a near whisper.