by Meisha Camm
He slid one finger down my chest and licked the whipped cream.
“Cherries make them even more enticing.” Jarrad cupped both of my breasts together to lick and suck.
I slid my vagina up against his throbbing penis. I poured strawberry glaze on my neck, breasts, and stomach for him to continue on with his meal.
“Are you ready for the main course?” I asked, unbuckling his belt.
“I’ll take whatever you want to put on this breathtaking body of yours and gladly lick it off.” He ripped the tablecloth off the dining room table, causing the sweet items of pleasure to scatter across the floor.
My hands gripped the chair; while, my vagina dove right on his dick. He let me get in five thrusts before picking me up and laying me down on the table. The next thing I knew, I was speaking in tongues as the table rattled across the floor. We made this a celebration to remember.
I didn’t let Jarrad leave my house without really feeding him. Last but not least, I served him chicken Alfredo, Cobb salad with Caesar dressing and French bread. My claws were hooked into him.
Chapter 27
My college days were officially over. Now, I truly understood the meaning of “getting an education pays off.” I received thirty-five hundred dollars in cash and fifteen hundred in checks and money orders as gifts. I was here with my family and close friends at the Radisson on the Virginia Beach strip, my plate full of lasagna sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.
There was plenty of wine and alcohol to go around. The men in my family loved to drink. That explained the behavior of my father over the years.
I was sure to have an acceptance letter in my mailbox from the previous week from MCV. Unfortunately, the school only accepted a certain number of applicants. I wasn’t the only one with a 3.9 grade average and eagerly waiting to get in. Well, resorting to Plan B, I submitted an application to Eastern Virginia Medical School and got accepted with a fifty-thousand-dollar scholarship, which was going to cover tuition, books, and pocket change for the first year.
Ma and Pop agreed to pay the rest of my tuition, as long as my grades were up to par. This was a dream come true—Me . . . Alexis Gibbs . . . a doctor. Now, I’ll really be eating, sleeping, and breathing with my books and stethoscope.
Looking around the room, I began to realize time waits for no man. These next four years, I had to buckle down and make my family even more proud of me. My academic career was going to be over if I scored a C on a test or paper. The grade A, B, or C equaled doctor in my book.
Chapter 28
Maria tapped me on the shoulder. “Can you come to the restroom with me so I can be rescued from my aunt. I love her to death, but she is talking a hole in my head.”
“No problem. I need to use the bathroom anyway.” I turned around to make sure my pantyhose weren’t running and couldn’t help noticing Maria’s mother looking as if she had seen a ghost. “What’s wrong with your mother?”
“Nothing. Probably just a little too much to drink. If she even has two drinks, it’s over for her. Don’t worry, she’ll be fine. By the way, Earnest decided to drop the charges. We didn’t have to show up to court. He apologized to me for his actions. Finally, he saw things from my point of view.”
“Great. That’s one less thing we have to worry about. So, when do you start the new job?”
“You’re looking at the new store manager of Lobster Island starting on Monday. Before the big day, Hasaan and I are going to spend the weekend at the beach.”
“I thought you didn’t like coming home smelling of seafood?”
“I don’t, but I do like the smell of money. Forty thousand a year, to be exact.”
“All right now.”
“Listen, I know I said I would be moving out, but I need time to save more money.”
“Take all the time you need. Besides, I won’t be there. My new home is the EVMS library,” I explained, washing my hands.
“What’s all that yelling?”
“I hear your mother’s voice.” I walked to the door while Maria touched up her hair.
A furious Ms. Brown was in the middle of the ballroom, arguing with a man who resembled Maria. “Tony, get the hell out. You picked a fine day to show up, here. She doesn’t want to see you, and neither do I.”
“Mom, who is this?” Maria asked bewildered.
“This is your good-for-nothing father.” Ms. Brown crossed her arms and breathed hard.
“I see you haven’t changed a bit with your drinking habit,” he told her.
“You drove me to drink. Besides, you’re one to talk. Aren’t you still juggling down half a bottle of tequila before nine a.m.?”
“Don’t talk to my mother that way. She’s right. Where have you been all these years? Answer me.”
“I don’t have an excuse. The bottom line is I ran from my responsibilities. I want a second chance to get to know you.”
“Oh, now you have the stupid face on. What? You thought you were going to feel like a real father walking in here, spoiling my college graduation party? Sorry, you didn’t make the invitation list. The people who did were there for me when I was sick, tired, and needed a helping hand. Mr. Gibbs was more a father to me than you will ever be. No calls, no presents or money from you. I couldn’t even speak to you because your phone number was non-published. A choice made by you, of course. I sent you letters and cards trying to reach out to you. You never ever responded. How did you think that made me feel all of these years to see my mother struggle? Little girls need their daddies.” Maria started sobbing and turned toward Hasaan.
“I came here to apologize for what I’ve done. Back then, I was young and stupid. You’re my first-born, my baby girl. I love you.”
“You need to leave, but first apologize to my mother. You should be kissing the ground she walks on. She raised a fine daughter. I don’t smoke, drink, snort drugs or have a bunch of babies running around. I’m a college graduate.”
“Call me Dad. I’m so proud of you. Serena, I’m sorry for speaking to you in a derogatory tone. Maria, please give me another chance to be your father.”
“You don’t deserve to be called Dad. I’d rather call you Deadbeat. It fits you better.”
Hasaan leaned toward Tony’s face. “She asked you to leave. If you don’t, I’ll throw you out myself.”
“Don’t think because you’re having relations with my daughter that I won’t beat the shit out of you.”
“Try me,” he said with red eyes.
“Just leave,” Maria said, getting in between both the two men.
“I’ll go. Take this envelope. This is a portion of my life’s earning. I worked hard for this money and I want you to have it. It’s not much, but it’s the best I can do.”
Maria reluctantly took the envelope and wept in her mother’s arms.
Charlotte, Ms. Brown, and I stayed the night with Maria for a sleepover.
Jarrad took a rain check for the evening. He was so understanding. Any other man would’ve been worried about not getting the ripe pussy. Mine was marinating, just thinking about the past year we’d had together. I was happy. He may be the one. Jarrad was one hundred and ten percent committed to the show, but he still had time for me.
I couldn’t put my finger on it, but lately my baby had been acting as if he had to reach some sort of deadline. I was thinking that it was probably his new show.
“It’s been three days. Do you think I should call him?” Maria asked.
“To be truly honest, I don’t know. Even though, my dad has his cheating ways, he still was there for Jason and me. What do you want to do? How do you feel?”
“Mom will think I’m betraying her if I utter two words to the man.”
“She’s angry right now. When I’m angry, I can’t think straight either. I’m looking at it from her point of view. He left her and you, but you’re still his daughter. Nothing will ever change that. She raised you all by herself. She’s hurt. It runs deeps. What was in the mystery envelope?”
“You can use it for the restaurant you’ve been wanting to open since we were kids.”
“That’s the same thing she said.”
“Are you sure you’re going to be all right?”
“Girl, please. Hasaan will be getting off work in two hours. Hopefully, he can keep this job.”
“At least he’s working.”
“Even though he’s been there for me, with my father popping back up after eighteen years, I’m tired of him doing enough just to get by. I’m not going to keep on living this way. He barely takes me out anymore because he can’t afford it. During the winter, he didn’t go to work for three days because it was too cold outside. He’s a man, not a baby. That’s when I reached my wits’ end and severely threatened to cut him loose.
“A week ago, he asked me why should he buy food for the house when he know you or I will do it. I’m telling you, Alex, it changed the way I looked at him. A real man wouldn’t make such a ridiculous comment to me. When he does buy food for the house, it’s mostly the foods that he likes, knowing full damn well I can’t eat junk food. This eating cornflakes with milk all day in front of the TV is over. After my tongue slayed him, his ass got a job, a decent job, working for the city as supervisor of water management. Last week, he had the nerve to ask me to make his car payment.”
“What did you tell him?”
“Hell no. He’s gotten too comfortable. He doesn’t work out any more, just letting himself go. The remote control replaced the jump rope. Plus, he’s a hardcore pussy monitor. I can’t go anywhere without getting asked the never-ending questions, ‘Where?’ ‘What?’ ‘Who?’ ‘How?’ I want a new man.”
“Sounds like a new man with pocket money will cure your problems.”
“I’m willing to take any man at this point. Hasaan doesn’t even realize how easily I can slip through his fingers.”
“What kept you for this long?”
Maria smiled. “You know what kept me.”
“Oh, excuse me, how could I forget about the semisweet chocolate stick keeping you warm at night.”
“Warm? I’m on fire.”
The doorbell rang as I took one last look in the compact mirror. “I’ve got to run. Try to make the best of your weekend. Call me if you need me,” I said, closing the door.
Chapter 29
“Hi, baby,” I said, giving him a kiss.
“Hey, what are you smiling about?”
“Girl talk. You don’t know nothing about that. Where are we going?”
“You’ll see when we get there. I apologize for missing your graduation party. I did see you walk and get your degree. Then I ran off to work. I’m glad we have time to spend with each other. This week has been stressful. The network is down my throat about ratings.” Jarrad shook his head.
“The network can’t say too much since you’re in the top five shows on Thursday nights. Baby, you’re doing a great job.”
“Tell it to Waldenburg. The guy is going to have a heart attack before the age of fifty if he doesn’t stop stressing himself and me. Damn! I love what I do, but nothing is worth my health.”
* * *
We pulled into the Rivermont Estates. These luxurious homes were built last year. I saw an article in the paper about them. Oh, I get it now. He must have rented one of these bad boys for the weekend as a present to me.
“I love it,” I said, walking into the foyer of the home. “You haven’t seen the rest of the house.” He pulled my hand and walked into the kitchen.
“This is my dream house. The refrigerator is the exact same one I want. A Kenmore Stainless Steel. One day you will be mine,” I said, petting it. The furniture was simple, with colors of cream and brown, and many African paintings decorated the rooms.
He gave me a kiss. “Let me take you to the living room.”
Lying across the beige carpet was a blanket with a picnic basket filled with turkey sandwiches, wine, cheese, and fruit.
“Let’s eat,” he said, pouring me a glass of wine. “Here’s to a wonderful weekend. I can’t tell you how much I adore this house. One day, one similar to this will be mine.”
“It already is yours.” He dangled keys in his hand.
“What?” I gasped, taking a deep breath and almost choking on a sip of wine.
“I received a hefty bonus check from the show. I wanted to buy something that you needed and wanted. “You know I’m in school. The payments are going to be sky-high for me.”
“It’s paid for. I got a steal for the price because I paid straight cash instead of financing.” He handed me the title, with my name on it.
“All I ask in return is wild sex two nights a week and a home-cooked meal every now and then.”
“Mr. Simmons, I think I can give you more than that. Thank you so much,” I said, giving him a kiss and a hug.
“You’re welcome. I’m so proud of the future Doctor Gibbs. After we eat, let’s go swimming.”
“I didn’t bring a bikini with me.”
“Don’t worry about the neighbors. There’s a fence in the backyard surrounding the pool and Jacuzzi.”
Chapter 30
Second-year medical school wasn’t going exactly according to plan. The goal was to achieve A’s and B’s on my exams and papers; however I was continually handed back C’s. My brain was overloaded with the human body parts and their functions.
Until Jarrad kidnapped me to the island of Tahiti for rest and relaxation.
We’d arrived back on American soil the week before, and he was leaving for Baltimore to shoot an episode.
“Bye, Sexy,” he said, gently caressing my arm.
“Do you have to go?” I poked out my bottom lip.
“Please, don’t give me the lip. I’m a sucker for it every time. I’ll be back on Saturday to tear that ass up.”
“If I let you.”
“Oh, you will.”
“Now boarding, Flight 15234 for Baltimore, Maryland,” the intercom blared out.
“I’ll call you when I get in,” he said, giving me a hug.
I waved. “Bye.”
* * *
The cravings of chocolate and marshmallow turtles were consuming my taste buds. Paying my usual visit, I was happy to see Ms. Craken, because of her heartwarming smile.
“Hey, Ms. Craken, what’s crackin?” I giggled.
“Nothing, but the nuts in my hand. I wasn’t expecting you till tomorrow.”
“Your infamous turtles are calling me. I’ll get my usual and a pound of them.”
“They’re fresh right out of the oven. Three days ago, Renee and Jarrad Junior cleaned me out. Those two kids are something else. I don’t see them often because they live in Baltimore. I’m real close with their grandmother, Evelyn. In fact, your father may know her; she ran the Tootles bakery down on Virginia Beach Boulevard. She closed down about ten years ago and moved back to Maryland.”
“The bakery was way before my time. Pop doesn’t hesitate to tell me about the delicious éclairs he grew up on.” I scooped up a half pound of gummy bears.
“Evelyn’s son loves them too. Growing up, that boy always had an éclair in his hand. Let me show you a picture of the family.” Ms. Craken loved to show pictures of the ones close to her heart. I was sure she still had all the school pictures of Jason and I my parents had given her throughout the years.
I dropped my keys, my eyes glued to the picture with Jarrad in a family portrait, living the American dream. My hands were trembling, holding my chest from the throbbing pain in my heart. Who is this woman with my man? Who are these children? Ms. Craken was going to give up all the answers to my burning questions.
“That’s a lovely family,” I said, trying hard to keep my composure. I snatched up the keys from off the floor and snuck the picture in my pocket.
She bagged up my items. “Sure is.”
“The son looks just
like his father. How old are the kids?” I inquired.
“Yeah, those are beautiful children. Renee is sixteen, and J.J. is eight years old. Tina and he got married straight out of high school and have been going strong ever since.”
“Wow! How long have they been married?”
“Sixteen years and counting. That’s what marriage is all about—sticking it out through the good and bad times. Willie and I were married for forty-seven years before the Lord called him.”
“I can’t agree with you more. I know you miss him dearly. Thanks, Ms. Craken for the candy. Have a nice evening,” I said, walking out.
“Alex, Alex.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I reluctantly answered, turning around. “You forgot your purse and the bag. Are you all right? You look a little pale.”
“I’m fine, please don’t worry about me. It’s those late nights studying till the sun comes up,” I explained and walked out.
Those late nights were truly Jarrad and I having sex till the sun rose.
I frantically dialed his number several times while I raced home, only getting his voice mail. I don’t need to be on the road. How could he do this to me? How could I not see the signs? We’ve been together for two years. He whisked me away for a vacation to avoid bumping into his family while they were visiting. The tears were flowing so hard that I could barely see the exit sign. At a time like this, I needed the ones who I could count on.
“Hello?” Charlotte answered.
I sighed. “I need you and Maria to meet me at the house now.”
“Is everything all right? Have you been crying? What happened?”
“I’ll explain everything when you get here.” I slammed down my cell phone. I’ve been such a fool. I beat my steering wheel as I waited impatiently at the red light.
Upon arriving home, I looked into the hallway mirror, only to see a puffy face in disbelief. Jarrad belongs to someone else. I’d met his family members at a cookout, and they knew the whole time. I can’t stand it when others have one up on me, smiling in my face and keeping their mouths closed.
First thing first, I called the title company to confirm the house on 5547 Greendale Circle was solely mine. I changed the locks and the code to the security system. I didn’t know what his wife was capable of, but I knew what I was capable of. My life wasn’t going to end up like a clip in the movie, Fatal Attraction.