Never Again Once More

by Morrison, Mary B.

  “Hi, Dad.” Darius hugged Wellington.

  Wellington tapped Darius on the shoulder and whispered, “Son, that Johnson of yours is going to get you in bigger trouble. I’m sleeping in the guest quarters tonight, so stop by and see me after you take Maxine home.” Wellington patted again.

  There was his aunt, Jazzmyne. Funny how a woman could be married to a man, give birth to two children, and neither one was by her husband. Wellington had told him the story about how Jazzmyne’s father died not knowing she wasn’t his daughter. But at least Granddaddy Keith, who was Wellington and Jazzmyne’s real father, knew he had at least two. Even Darius’s children would have to take a paternity test. And thank God—from what Wellington had told him—Melanie and her twin, Stephanie, were not related to them.

  “What’s up, Shelly? Brandon?” Those were Auntie Jazzmyne’s kids. Thank heavens Shelly was his cousin. Darius had standards and didn’t knowingly do family, no matter how far removed.

  His mother’s best friend, Candice, was standing next to her husband, Terrell. Since acting worked out so well, Terrell had finally married Candice, and he retired from modeling. Said he was tired of being on the road all the time and was ready to have a few kids.

  Then there was his stepfather, Lawrence. “Happy birthday, son.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  If things got too hectic, he could disappear out the back door and jog to his place. The remaining unwanted guests—Ginger, Zen, Miranda, and Heather—he evaded. Heather and Zen were cool, but it was going to take some serious explaining to Ginger and Miranda to convince them it wasn’t his fault. Latino women were far more dominating than sistahs. And the lie he’d have to tell Maxine, huge. Damn, what was his problem? He didn’t owe anyone an explanation, especially his fiancée.

  That reminded Darius of the time Maxine had shown up at his condominium unannounced. It was her first time stepping out on the wild side, trying to be freaky. When he opened the door, there she stood flashing him. A black G-string was all she wore. She was hot. He was heated and tempted, but all Darius remembered saying before closing the door was, “I’m busy.” No one was there, but someone was on the way. If he allowed her to get away with that shit, she’d do it again. And that wasn’t happening. He wanted his future wife the way he’d met her, conservative. Darius could get a freak anytime he wanted. Maxine’s house was less than a block from his place and closer than that to his mother’s.

  Jada gave him a big hug and whispered, “This is the last surprise party your mother will give you, darling. Darius, how could you?”

  Darius held on to his mother and replied, “You should have told me. Look, Kimberly isn’t wearing any clothes under her coat.” Kimberly was now at the dessert table, talking with Maxine and swaying her ass to the classical music playing in the background.

  “I’ll take care of her, Darius. You need to greet the rest of your guests.”

  That was what he was afraid of. “Thanks, Mom,” Darius said as he kissed his mother on the cheek.

  Jada graciously escorted Kimberly out of the room. Knowing he’d have another chance to taste that chocolate cream pie tonight, maybe he’d leave his party early and spend the night at Kimberly’s place. Darius bounced his head and did the Harlem Shake to P. Diddy’s “We Ain’t Goin’ No Where,” when what he really wanted was for everybody, except his family, to get the fuck out. His shoulders bounced up and down; first the left, then the right. His body joined the movement.

  My Dear landed a huge kiss on his jaw. “How’s my favorite grandson?” Then My Dear did her version of the dance in slow motion, so Darius moved faster.

  Laughing, Darius said, “I’m your only grandson.”

  Darius missed his grandpa, Robert. He’d died three years ago of heart complications caused by his diabetes. The doctor had said if My Dear hadn’t changed Robert’s diet, he would have died a lot sooner. But all the years of unhealthy eating had caused irreversible damage to Robert’s heart and kidneys. My Dear had faithfully taken him for dialysis treatment. First once a week, then twice a week, and eventually the doctor had prescribed a home machine because Grandpa needed his treatment every day.

  Never opening a single present, Darius briefly thanked his guests for coming. All of his women had left with the exception of Maxine. Two or three family members relocated to the pool.

  “Darius, can I speak to you out front?” Maxine politely grinned with a fake smile because My Dear hadn’t left yet. Her tone indicated she was blazing mad. Just like his mom. The softer she spoke, the madder she was.

  “Sure. Give me a minute, boo.”

  Darius kissed My Dear good night and looked at his watch. Ten o’clock. He reflected on how much he appreciated Grandma’s protection, not only tonight, but all the time. It reminded Darius of his childhood when he knew his mother wanted to punish him for doing something he had no business doing, but whenever My Dear was near, Darius would run as fast as he could and lay his head in her lap. My Dear never failed him. Jada would say, “Just wait until we get back to L.A.” or “Wait until your My Dear leaves.”

  Jada was kind, but when Darius pushed too far, she’d fiercely lash back. The verbal beating was worse than any whipping he could imagine. Each word would break him down until it was impossible to hold back his tears. Darius hated when his mother made him cry. Dealing with Maxine was a piece a cake. She’d never see him cry. Fortunately, his mother didn’t harbor bad feelings, because a day or so later she’d always apologize. Then she’d sit down with him and have a heart-to-heart talk. She actually helped him to become more understanding of women’s impulsive behaviors. But heaven help him if he screwed up and My Dear wasn’t around. That was his ass for sure.

  Interrupting his thoughts, Maxine said, “Darius, who was that—”

  “A friend. I was giving her a ride home and needed to stop here to pick up, um—”

  “Darius, stop lying! I’m sick of your lies. You were planning on having sex with her and then with me in the same night!” Maxine was so courteous she wouldn’t curse him out like she should have.

  “No, I wasn’t going to fuck you. No, I mean her. Look, Maxine. Do you.” Darius shrugged his shoulders and tilted his head.

  “Do yourself.” Maxine took off her engagement ring and put it in her purse. “The wedding is off.”

  Darius nodded. “Yeah, but you’re no fool. I see you tucked away the five Cs of ice. It’s yours. I’m not going to ask for it back.” That was unless she was serious.

  “You would if you knew I started seeing Rodney again. And yes, we did make love. On your birthday because I knew something like this was going to happen again.” Maxine stood there with one hand on her hip and the other on her purse.

  If his fathers hadn’t taught him never to hit a lady, her ass would be kissing the concrete right now. Darius was speechless. Pissed! Furious! How could she say that fucking shit to him? He knew she was lying, but the shit still hurt.

  Maxine spoke softly. “Darius, I’ve stood by and watched you screw all these other women, yet you claim you love me.”

  “I do.” Darius gently held Maxine’s hand.

  Jerking away, Maxine said, “No, you don’t. You may want to, but I’m convinced you don’t know how. And I can’t take any more. I can’t change you. If that’s the life you want to live, then our engagement is off.”

  “Okay. Then, give me back the ring.” Hopefully, she wouldn’t. This was the first time she’d crushed his ego.

  The first time he’d spotted Maxine had been on the beach. She wore a banana-colored lace dress down to her ankles. The bottom of her dress was covered with sand. His mother used to wear lengthy dresses, but hers had splits. Not Maxine’s. He liked her sense of purity. As he moved closer, he noticed the teddy bear toe ring was cute. The red, black, and green wristband didn’t match. “Why are you ruining such a beautiful dress?” She replied, “Beauty comes from within here, here, and here,” touching his head, heart, and hands. She always strolled alone, so event
ually he started joining her. As he got to know her, he learned she was a virgin. That was ninth grade. He wanted to be Maxine’s first, but his promiscuity pushed her into Rodney’s arms.

  “Just like that, Darius. I don’t think so,” Maxine said now, ennunciating each word. “I’ve earned this ring, and I’m keeping it.”

  Yes! “You think so, huh.” Darius paused and rubbed his mouth. “Damn, boo, you look good. Stop being so ugly. It’s ruining my birthday.” Darius pulled Maxine into him. Rodney was a chump. Square. Boring. That was why he took Maxine away from him. Surely she wouldn’t creep back to that loser. “Stay the night here with me. We’re having a family brunch on the patio in the morning. My Dear is cooking, so you know we’re going to chow down,” Darius said, chewing like a robot. Maxine laughed, so he held her tighter. “I like your new style, boo.”

  Lifting Maxine’s chin, he tilted her head back. His lips softly pressed against hers. For a split second he thought about Kimberly. Kimberly would wait. Maxine would, too, but she was with him at the moment. Like the flavor of kettle popcorn, their sweet tongues tasted Maxine’s salty tears.

  He didn’t like hurting her. It wasn’t the first time and definitely wouldn’t be his last. Sex with more than one woman was something he had to have. Why? Darius didn’t understand. Maybe he’d gotten his insatiable hunger from his mother. When he lived at home, he heard them having sex almost every night. The more he tried to deny it, avoid it, suppress it, the more ferocious his appetite became. Darius craved women. Black. German. Latino. Tall. Short. Gorgeous. Average-looking. Fine. Healthy. It didn’t matter. The main requirement was that they were hygienically in touch. But leaving Maxine was out of the question. The only other women he trusted were all related to him.

  “Let’s go to my room.” Hunger lusted in his eyes. He needed to hold her and to sex her like never before.

  “I’m not staying the night. I don’t have a change of clothes,” Maxine said.

  Ignoring Maxine, he carried her to his bedroom and then handed her a bath towel and washcloth. “Shower without me. I’ll be right back.” Darius roamed through the house. No one was in sight. He went to the kitchen, opened the freezer, retrieved a bag of frozen mixed fruit and put the package in the microwave for fifteen seconds to remove the frost. Then he emptied the bag into a bowl and scurried to his room. He’d talk with his dad tomorrow.

  “Make yourself comfortable.” Darius tossed the universal remote on his bed as Maxine used his towel as a wraparound. He placed the bowl on top of a magazine that was lying on his polished nightstand. Darius showered, allowing the hot, steamy water to pulsate against his muscles. Lathering his cloth each time, he thoroughly cleaned his penis and the crack of his ass three times, stepped out of the shower, and tiptoed into the bedroom.

  Sucking Maxine’s butt cheek hard enough to leave a mark, with a click of a few buttons on the remote he switched to his musical mix for making love: Maxwell, Joe, Luther, and Kenny G. “So, you forgive me?” Before she could answer, Darius covered her mouth with his. His tongue journeyed down to her collarbone and traced the outline, leaving a necklace of moisture. Picking up a slice of frozen peach with his teeth, he followed the wetness. Slipping three blueberries into his mouth, he juggled the coolness about her nipple. Gently alternating between biting her nipple and the fruit, syrupy juices escaped.

  Reaching for the raspberries, Darius place three under his tongue and one inside Maxine’s navel, which he’d retrieve later.

  “Um, ooh, ah,” Maxine groaned and moaned, occasionally squirming.

  He rotated her other erect nipple under his tongue until the raspberry seeds popped out; then he massaged the grittiness into her breast. Bypassing her belly button, he selected a strawberry from the dish, moistened it with saliva so it wouldn’t stick, then spread Maxine’s legs. Tracing the outer vaginal lips, first with the fruit, then with his tongue, he continued to her inner lips, surrounding her hymen. Chewing the strawberry, he released the liquid stream as it rolled over her clit, and down between her cheeks. Darius teased her rectum, slowly circling the entry and flicking his tongue above and below her opening. Retrieving the chilled banana, Darius put the tip in her vagina while flipping the man in the boat on his head until Maxine gasped for air.

  “Just let it flow, boo. How ya’ feeling?” Darius said.

  “Weird. Like I’m going to go into convulsions,” Maxine said. The sheet was crinkled between her fingers.

  Darius paused, placed his hand on her heart, and said, “Relax. Take a deep breath and release the sheets.” Once Maxine was tension free, he continued.

  Replacing the banana with the real thing, Darius moved like a worm, slowly working himself in and out of Maxine until he exploded with the force of a car backfiring. Maxine’s scream startled him. Quickly, he muffled her with a pillow. Her body trembled uncontrollably.

  “Something’s wrong with me,” Maxine cried.

  “You’re fine, boo. You just experienced your first major orgasm. Freaked me out, too, the first time. But the wet side of the bed is yours tonight. You earned it.” Partly satisfied, Darius slurped the smashed raspberry from Maxine’s navel. Finally, Maxine had the big one. Now he knew she was hooked for life.

  “No, it’s not my side. Take me home.”

  “Now? You’ve got to be kidding. Woman, lie next to me. Wait until the morning.” Darius lay on top of the comforter and tucked the pillow behind his head. With Maxine’s head on his chest, his limp penis rested on his stomach as he fell asleep in his favorite position, on his back.

  Chapter 18

  Without opening her eyes, Jada eased her foot over to Lawrence’s side of the bed. The farther she stretched, her leg remained sandwiched between the silk sheets. Realizing she heard running water in his bathroom, she dashed to hers. Brushed her teeth. Washed thoroughly. Put a streak of perfume in between her cleavage and slipped back under the covers. If he hurried, Jada could make love to her husband before helping her mother prepare brunch.

  Lawrence walked in wearing an animal print towel that covered what she wanted to see most. “Come here for a minute, honey.” Jada tossed the sheet back and spread open her arms and legs. As handsome as the day they married, Lawrence smiled and flashed her, opening his towel, then dropping it to the floor. His penis swung like a pendulum. Jada rocked on her knees as if she were horseback riding. Patting his side of the bed, she said, “Lie down.” As soon as Lawrence assumed the position, she mounted him.

  “You know you want it, so take it,” Lawrence said, grabbing her breasts.

  The rougher he got, the faster she rode. Lawrence slapped her cheeks together. While she galloped, he bucked, spanking her ass. Almost throwing her out of the saddle, he held her hips, but didn’t lessen the pace.

  “You the man. Bring it on. Keep up with me now. Ah, yeah.” Jada laughed. Grabbing his hand with her superpowers turned on, she locked his fingers so tight his knuckles cracked. Then she stuffed her mouth with a pillow to silence her screaming. The big one was right around the corner.

  Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam!

  “What the shit?” Jada said as Lawrence sat up.

  “Mom! Come quick! Something’s wrong with My Dear! She’s not breathing!” Bam! Bam! “Mama! Open the door!” Darius yelled.

  Jada jumped off Lawrence, raced to her closet, and snatched her robe. The hanger fell to the floor. God, please let Mama be well. When she unlocked the knob, Darius was pacing back and forth, holding his head.

  “Lawrence, take care of Darius!” Jada sprinted down the hallway past the four rooms that separated her from her mother. She heard footsteps on her heels, but didn’t turn around.

  Racing in, Jada felt for a pulse. She checked repeatedly.

  “Oh, my God! Mama! Wake up!” Jada frantically shook her mother. “Please, Mama, wake up! Lord, this can’t be happening. Please! Mama! Please!” Jada screamed as the tears poured down her chocolate cheeks.

  “Where’s Wellington! He knows CPR. Darius, go get your fa
ther!”

  “I already called him.” Stepping out of the room, Darius said, “He’s coming right now. Dad! Hurry!”

  Wellington entered the room ahead of Jazzmyne and said, “What’s wrong?”

  “Mama’s not breathing! Help her!” Jada pleaded.

  Wellington placed his ear next to Mama’s nose. He pressed his fingers behind her ear. He began performing CPR while Jazzmyne picked up the phone.

  Repeating Wellington’s comments, Jazzmyne said, “No. She’s not breathing, and she doesn’t have a pulse.”

  Jada shouted, “Stop asking so many questions and just send the god damn ambulance!”

  “They’re on their way,” Jazzmyne calmly responded.

  Mama was lying with her eyes wide open, but not responding. Wellington alternated between mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and hand compressions to Mama’s chest.

  “I can’t watch My Dear like this.” Darius stormed out of the room, crying.

  Reaching for the sheet, Wellington covered Mama’s face. Then he embraced Jada and said, “The angels have taken her home. I don’t think this was by accident. I think your mother was ready.”

  Pulling away, Jada said, “Try to save her! Keep trying!” Her fists pounded on Wellington’s chest so hard his robe came untied. “Don’t stop! You saved Cynthia! And she deserved to die! Save my mother! Please! Lord! Please! Don’t take my mama.” Jada slid out of Wellington’s arms and slumped into the corner.

  Kneeling before her, Lawrence said, “Baby, I’m here for you.”

  “Please. Just leave me alone,” Jada whispered, pushing Lawrence away. Why now? Why Mama? She was supposed to live to see at least one hundred.

  Wellington eased to the floor and rocked Jada in his arms. She struggled to free herself, but he wouldn’t let go. “Everything must change,” Wellington said softly. “We are all born to die. It’s inevitable. Jada, your mother lived a wonderful life. She loves you the same as she always has. Unconditionally.”