Smoke

by Toye Lawson Brown

  “You got the right attitude.”

  “Anyhow, I’m not gonna keep you guys. Anthony, I’m sorry I’ve been such a dick. I owe you my life, man. If you had not risked your life cutting me from that hole, I would be worm. You guys stuck with me after all the shit I said to you. When I woke up, the big guy upstairs slapped me upside the head and showed me who my real friends are and how would always have my back.”

  Anthony shrugged his shoulders. “I did what I’m trained to do, Nick. We weren’t going to leave you to die.”

  “Don’t try and candy coat it, Anthony. When I was being dragged away, I saw you fall. I knew then what an ass I’d been, and prayed if I lived, I would make it up to the both of you.”

  Anthony moved by the bed. “Nick, there is nothing to make up to me. Really all I want is for you to get better and go back to being the Nick we used to be good friends with.”

  “You got it, buddy. All that dumb shit I used to say and do is over. I’m not even seeing Kate anymore.”

  “Why did you stop seeing Kate?” Jonathan asked.

  “She let me loose. She didn’t want a man confined to a wheelchair.”

  “That sucks. Keep your chin up; someone better will come along and help with your journey,” Jonathan said cheerfully.

  The door opened and a pretty blonde woman sauntered in. “Nick, is this a bad time?”

  “Give me five minutes with my boys, then I’m all yours,” Nick said to her smiling.

  Anthony nudged him with his finger. “Who is the honey?”

  “That’s Sara; Kate’s sister. Jon; told ya I wasn’t scared to date a woman with a brain.”

  “Yeah you did. I’ma steal a line from Anthony and say play on playa.”

  Nick wiped his eyes. “Jon, I’m sorry for everything I put you through. I couldn’t ask for a better friend. You’re forgiving me without hesitation when I wouldn’t forgive myself for the shit I did. I know I won’t be part of the Superman team at Station 30

  anymore, but I will always be a firefighter and you both will always be my brothers.”

  Anthony beat on his chest. “Enough of this mushy stuff; we are firemen and I’m for damn sure ain’t gonna cry. Let’s all agree this shit is part of the past and move forward—deal?” He asked putting his fist out.

  Jonathan gave a sideways grin touching his fist next to Anthony’s; with Nick’s following. “I think we have a deal.”

  Anthony headed for the door. “Come on, Jon; Nick got better curves to

  conquer.”

  “Yeah, you don’t want to keep her waiting in the hall. We’ll come again soon.”

  “Send Sara in when y’all leave,” he said smoothing down his hair.

  *****

  “That was interesting,” Jonathan said to Anthony as they walked down the hall.

  “Yeah, took me by surprise. He seems to be dealing with his injuries fairly well.”

  “He does, but I think we should keep an eye on him just in case he does a relapse. You wanna go to a Cavs game tomorrow night?”

  “You got tickets?”

  “I don’t have tickets but Sandra and Amira have the loge. I have a date with Gabrielle and can’t make it.”

  “Jon, the woman hates my guts. I don’t think she wants to sit at game with me for three or four hours.”

  “She said Amira would love to see you. Come on, Ant; you haven’t spent any time with Amira and it’s your turn to babysit.”

  “Since when are you on again with Gabrielle?”

  “We’re just having a final dinner together. She’s on track for her big move.”

  “Tell her how you feel, Jon. Women melt in your arms when they hear those words for the first time.”

  “Too soon,” he replied shaking his head. “I might be having false feeling and gotta be sure I’m telling her because my feelings are real, and not saying it just to keep her here.”

  “You need to throw caution to the wind and go for it. Gabrielle will go to Chicago, marry some other dude and you’ll be kicking yourself in the ass because you want to play it cool.”

  “Okay, Dr. Phil; I hear what’cha saying.”

  *****

  Gabrielle broke down the last box squeezing it between the wall and shelf in the garage. Taking the handle of the barbeque grill, she rolled it back in its place on the patio and covered it with the drop cloth. She then replaced the cushions on the lawn chairs and pushed them under the table. The yard was finally returned to the way it was before she spent hours taking it apart.

  Flopping on one of the chairs she relaxed. The sky threatened rain with the darker clouds taking over the blue sky and moving to cover the bright sun. Too exhausted to move, she didn’t care if the sky burst open dumping a thunderstorm on top of her. Her plan to move to Chicago fell through after the job offer was rescinded; the therapist decided to keep his job.

  Gabrielle closed her eyes as the first raindrops hit her forehead. The cool droplets of water felt good against her hot sweaty skin. As the rain started to fall harder, she got up to go inside the house; there was significant unpacking yet to do there.

  The kitchen was an array of boxes stacked neatly on the counters and table.

  Digging into the first box, she removed the newspaper wrapped dishes, stacking them in the dishwasher. The doorbell rang breaking her roll. “Who could that be?” She wondered as she filled the soap dispenser and started the cycle before answering the door.

  The doorbell rang again before she reached it. “I’m coming.” Opening the door Jonathan stood on the other side smiling for it to fade quickly.

  Gabrielle’s cheeks heated from embarrassment. Unlocking the screen door she cracked it open. “Jonathan what are you doing here?”

  “Did I catch you at bad time?” He asked looking her over.

  She pulled the bandana off her head trying to fluff her hair. She had to look a wreck with her dirt stained t-shirt and cut-up blue jean shorts, bare feet and no makeup.

  “Um, yes you did; but, come on in,” she said stepping aside.

  He entered the house noticing all the boxes, tape and packing materials scattered around. “I took a chance and came by; I saw your car in the driveway. If you needed help packing, why didn’t you call me?”

  “I was doing a little at a time but now I’m unpacking and that’s taking me forever.”

  “Why are you unpacking?”

  “The job fell through. I’m not moving after all.”

  His heart thumped extra beats as he reveled from her news. Listening to Anthony, he was ready to profess his love and beg her to stay but, with her news, he could hold off rushing into it. “Really?” His voice elevated with excitement.

  “You don’t have to sound so happy about it,” she said moving a box so he could sit down. “Have a seat.”

  “I’m not going to lie, I am happy you aren’t moving. But what happened?”

  “What always happens in my life; I get opportunities and before I can act on them they are gone,” she said crossing her long legs. “Oh well, glad I hadn’t given notice at the hospital.”

  “I am sorry it didn’t work out; I hate seeing you bummed out.”

  “I’m more tired than bummed. I’ve been working all morning and you’re sitting across me looking fresh and handsome and I look a freaking mess.”

  “You could be covered with tar and feathers and still be beautiful to me.”

  “You can stop lying; but thank you for the compliment.” She sat forward. “I would offer you a drink, only I don’t have any glasses unpacked.”

  “I’m cool; I don’t need anything. But, I have plenty of time to help you put the house back in order.”

  “Jonathan, you don’t have to help, but thanks for the offer.”

  “I want to help. I can rehang your pictures and put items on shelves for you,” he joked.

  She released a smile. “Yeah, you are tall and I could use those muscles to push furniture around.”

  He pumped his guns making them bulg
e. “Bring it on!”

  She winked her eye playfully. “Alrighty— who am I to turn down free labor.”

  The hours passed as they worked unpacking boxes, rearranging furniture and hanging pictures. Taking a lunch break, they ate the pizza they’d ordered earlier.

  Jonathan wiped his mouth of the greasy residue. “Are we on for dinner tonight?”

  She nodded. “Yeah but I don’t want Italian food since we’re eating pizza.

  Jonathan, I wasn’t going to say anything but I feel you should know what happed at the station yesterday.”

  “What happened at the station,” he mumbled searching his brain. “Did

  something happen—we talked and my unit got called on a job is all I remember.”

  “Sandra was hiding in the darkness and gave me a stern warning to stay away from you. Is there anything going on between you two?”

  Crossing his heart, his complexion darkened. “I swear nothing will ever happen between me and Sandra. I had no idea she was even there. Here’s what happened; Amira called me this morning asking about a Cavs game. Amira is aware of the days we hang out together, and would not call me unless Sandra is putting her up to it.”

  “She’s using her child to get to you. Baby, she is off her rocker. If you could have seen the look in her eyes—she is a freaking psycho. I will knock the crap out of her if she confronts me like that again.”

  “I can’t imagine you fighting,” he chuckled.

  “I will beat her ass. Don’t let my quietness fool you,” she said wiggling her finger.

  “Hmm, violent tendencies,” he said pretending to write in the palm of his hand.

  Pushing his hand down, she laughed. “Cut it out! I’m serious; I have a right to protect myself.”

  “Yeah you do, and I know she’s not right upstairs; but I need a little more time to get proof. Amira won’t come clean and without proof from her, I can’t go to child services with what I have.”

  “What if child welfare decides Sandra is an unfit mother—what happens to Amira?”

  “She would go to a relative; wouldn’t she?”

  “Baby, I don’t know. That would be my guess but if a relative isn’t willing to take her, I assume she would go into the system. Have you seen any signs of actual physical abuse?”

  “Not physical. She wears pants and long sleeve shirts so if she has any bruises on her body, they are covered.”

  “That poor kid,” she said shaking her head. “I can only imagine what she’s going through daily with Sandra. Baby, you have to dig deeper and come up something before Sandra is onto you.”

  “You know that’s the third time you called me baby,” he said raising a manly brow.

  “No I didn’t.”

  “Yes you did. Gabrielle, we are meant to be together. I agree we seemed to land in bed a lot in the beginning, but I want you in my life and I believe you want me.”

  “Jonathan, we’ve been over this.”

  “Gabrielle, let go of the fear. I’m not your ex-boyfriend living on the down-low.

  I even looked up the Village People on Wikipedia and not one was a fireman.”

  She laughed out loud. “You really are crazy under all that muscle and brawn.”

  He took hold of hand across the table. “I am crazy; I’m crazy in love with you, Gabrielle.”

  The lump in her throat stuck midway making it hard for her to talk. “What?”

  His eyes widened “What?”

  “What did you say?”

  “Did you hear me say something?”

  “Jonathan, don’t make me hurt you—what did you say.”

  He vacated his chair to kneel in front of her. Placing his hands around her waist he repeated, “I said I love you, Gabrielle. It scared me when I first said it because I’ve never been in love before and never told a woman I loved her and not be under the influence of alcohol.”

  “How do you know you know you love me?”

  “I cannot see my life going forward without you being a part of it. I think about you all the time and I was devastated when I thought you were leaving Cleveland.”

  She cradled his head in her arms stroking her face against his hair. “I love you too. I didn’t want that job in Chicago but I was scared to confess my love for you and hear you said you loved Sandra. Watching you walk into her arms would be a situation I couldn’t handle.”

  He lifted his head looking into her eyes. “In my worst nightmare, that would never happen.”

  “Jonathan, can we make this work?”

  “I’m willing to put in more than hundred-percent if you give me the chance.”

  “It is official,” she said stroking his face. “I belong to you and you belong to me; no more parting ways over stupid stuff.”

  He kissed her lips slipping his tongue inside her mouth. The warmth spread through his body as he got reacquainted with the taste of her. Pulling her on the kitchen floor he removed his shirt and then hers….

  Sandra drove slowly down the street in the pouring rain looking for Jonathan’s truck. She had followed him to Gabrielle’s house once before but he didn’t go inside.

  When Amira could not reach him by phone after several hours of trying, she had a sneaky suspicion he was spending the whole day with Gabrielle and not just having dinner with her later as he stated.

  Spotting his truck in the driveway of the brick one-story ranch-styled home, she parked her car a few houses away and walked in the pouring rain to Gabrielle’s house.

  The neighbors on either side of her house were outside when she entered the front yard.

  The picture window surrounded by low shrubs, had heavy paneled curtains that were closed.

  Sandra went to the side of the house but the dining room windows were too tall for her to see inside. A clap of thunder ran across the sky making her jump. “Dammit!”

  Continuing to the rear of the house, she saw the back door was open but the glass screen door was shut. Easing on the handle downward, the door opened. Stepping inside the house, she slowed after hearing a noise.

  Tiptoeing up the two stairs that led to the kitchen, Sandra stopped, sucking in her breath. Anger flooded her rain-streaked face at the sight of Jonathan and Gabrielle going at it like animals on the kitchen floor. Retreating from the house she ran down driveway. Resting against the Silverado, Sandra’s chest heaved as the pain tore through her. Reaching into her purse, she removed the small pocketknife holding it tightly in her hand. Tossing her wet hair aside she kneeled down stabbing the knife into the thick rubber tires of Jonathan’s truck; not stopping until she had assaulted all four tires.

  Running to her car she banged on the steering wheel not able to shake the image of Jonathan’s naked body lying on top of Gabrielle and her legs wrapped around his waist. Pulling from the curb, a loud horn sounded causing her to slam on brakes. “Fuck you!” she yelled through the closed driver’s window.

  Tears ran down her face as she drove wildly. She upped the volume of DMX’s angry lyrics playing on the radio and mumbled incoherently. “Jonathan, you want to fuck that bitch! You want her instead of me—I hope it was worth it, because you just signed her death warrant.” She bit down on her lip causing it to bleed. “I hate men! I hate all you lying, double-crossing, mother-fucking bastards!” She screamed to the top of her lungs.

  *****

  Gabrielle finished applying her makeup and left the bathroom. “I’m ready for dinner and a movie, baby.”

  Jonathan took his keys from the dresser. “Me too; date night here we come,” he said opening the front door.

  “What the hell!” Jonathan exclaimed. His truck sat atop four flat tires.

  Gabrielle covered her mouth. Neither one of them had to think too hard on who would do this. “Jonathan, you have to call the police.”

  “Not yet. She wants to play; we can play.”

  “She knows where I live. I don’t want to be a part of her games.”

  He sighed. “Pack a bag; you’re staying at my place
until I think of something.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Jonathan rang the doorbell waiting for Amira to come running from the house as usual. She opened the door with a smile and a warm hug. “Hi, Jonathan; I’m ready to go.”

  “Okay, why don’t wait for me in the truck while I talk to your mom.”

  “Okay.” She skipped past him and down the driveway.

  He peeked inside the house. The house remained scantly furnished but

  otherwise clean. Going inside his foot stepped on an object causing it to leave a scratch on the hardwood floor. He bent his leg across his knee to dig it from his shoe; it was a piece of gravel.

  Sandra came down the stair not in her usual breezy mood and no scent of heavy perfume surrounded her. He put the rock in his pocket and looked up saying, “Hey, Sandra; I’ll have Amira back in time for the Cavs game tonight.”

  “Yeah—whenever is fine with me,” she said lighting a cigarette.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Don’t mind me. I had a late night dead-line to meet and I’m exhausted. Are you sure you can’t make the game tonight or, do you have another mystery date?” She flopped in the recliner swiveling it to face him.

  “I’m not sure I understand what you’re talking about? What mystery date did I have?”

  She took a long drag on the cigarette smashing it in the ashtray on the table.

  Blowing smoke though her nose, she grinned. “My column is about internet dating and the perils women face when they meet dangerous men pretending to be someone they’re not; I guess it’s still fresh on my mind.”

  “That’s a hot topic but not only men can be dangerous; there are women who hunt for victims online as well as in the real world.”

  “True. Jonathan, do you hunt for women online?” She smacked herself on the forehead. “Of course you don’t! A man like you can get women to drop their panties with no effort at all. Hell, they’ll drop them just about anywhere for you; won’t they?”

  “What point are you trying to make, Sandra? I’m lost in knowing where this is going.”

  “I’m just saying, Jonathan. You’re one damn handsome man that doesn’t have to beg a woman to sleep with you. Take that little tramp Gabrielle, is proof. She probably couldn’t wait to give you her goodies when she thought I might have you first.”