Sister Girls

by Angel Hunter

  “James is dead,” Summer told her, crying. “He was killed in a car accident, he and his new wife.”

  “Oh my God. When did this happen?” Elsie was shocked.

  “A week ago.”

  “A week ago and you’re just finding out now? I don’t understand that.”

  Summer didn’t understand it either. She was still processing the information and the fact that she would now be a full-time mother to an eleven-year-old.

  “What about Winter?” Elsie asked.

  “She’s mine now.”

  Elsie wasn’t sure if she was ready for this. Yes, she wanted children, but her own. How would she bond with a pre-teen?

  The way Elsie figured it, Summer would need time to bond with her daughter. It gave Elsie the perfect excuse for not moving in as quickly as planned.

  “You know what?” Elsie told Summer. “I think I’m going to leave and give you two some time alone.”

  Summer didn’t want her to leave, but she knew it was for the best.

  “I’m sorry about all this,” Summer told her a couple of days later.

  “There’s nothing to be sorry about,” Elsie told her. “It’s as much a shock to you as it is to me.”

  “She thinks you’re nice,” Summer told Elsie. The day before, they all went out to dinner, Elsie being introduced as Mommy’s best friend.

  “Summer,” Elsie caressed Summer’s cheek. “You know we have to change our plans now.”

  “What plans?”

  “Moving in together.”

  “Why?” Summer didn’t think all that was necessary.

  “Look at it from your daughter’s perspective. She’s an eleven-year-old child, thrown together with her mom, who she never really lived with, and her father’s dead. She needs time alone with you, time to learn you, and you need time to learn her.”

  Moving Elsie’s hand, Summer asked, “Are you breaking up with me?”

  “No, of course not. I love you. I just think we need to put off moving in together.”

  Summer didn’t have to say anything. The pain was written on her face. Wanting to make it better and not cause too much distress, Elsie asked, “How hard does Winter sleep?

  “Hard. Why?”

  Summer let Elsie lead her into the bedroom. They looked at one another, each wondering if it would be a while before they made love to one another again.

  “You do know I love you, right?” Elsie asked, sitting on the bed.

  Summer nodded.

  Elsie leaned over, kissed her on the lips gently and pushed her back. She put her hands under Elsie’s shirt, caressing her breasts. “That feels good.” Summer moaned when Elsie pinched her nipples.

  “I know something else that’ll make you feel good,” Elsie told her. She unbuttoned Summer’s shirt and licked her down the center of her chest to the top of her pants, which she unbuttoned slowly and pulled down. She slid her hands up Summer’s legs and palmed her pussy, grinding it against her panties.

  Elsie knew she was wrong for trying to “make it better” with sex, but she didn’t know what else to offer. For now, their worries would cease to exist.

  GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS

  Another week lay ahead, and Jewell was tired and frustrated. Tired because she was up studying all night for an exam and frustrated because her car was out of commission. The night before on the way home from the movies with Tyson, not only did it start overheating, but there was a clinking noise. There was no way she would have been able to drive the car to work. Evan called her and she told him of her dilemma. He offered to drive her to work.

  Climbing out of the car, she told him, “I’ll talk to you later.”

  He wasn’t letting her get away that easy. He got out of the car and started walking beside her.

  “What are you doing?” Jewell stopped walking.

  “I would like to walk you to the door.”

  That was something Jewell didn’t want, but how could she tell him no? She was already hiding him, not sure if she was embarrassed or ashamed of dating a white man. Yes, she enjoyed his company. He made her laugh, took her out, and opened her eyes to things she wouldn’t normally see on her own. They went to museums, the opera, and tried a number of restaurants. Jewell knew it was getting serious, but on the down low she wondered if she was giving up on the black man.

  “Okay, come on,” she told him, giving in.

  When they got to the door, he kissed her on the lips. “I know that was hard for you,” he told her.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I don’t think I have to get into it, but I will tell you this. You’re going to have to let go of your fears and take a chance if you want to continue seeing me. I don’t like being kept a secret. This is not an affair that we’re having. I’m hoping it’s the beginning of something special, and if it’s not what you’re looking for or hoping to do, let me know.”

  Looking at Evan, Jewell told him, “It’s too early in the morning for this conversation.”

  Evan nodded and kissed her on the cheek. “Call me when you know what you want to do.”

  Watching him walk away, Jewell thought about how she and her girls were always complaining about how hard it is to find a good man, a man to take them places, show them things, and not press up too hard when it came time for sex. Now that she’d found one, here she was dissing him, and it was all because of his skin color.

  “Scary, isn’t it?”

  Jewell jumped. “Where did you come from?”

  “My car.” Elsie was standing behind her.

  “Oh. What’s scary?”

  “Taboo relationships.”

  Jewell looked at her. She wasn’t sure if Elsie was talking about her own gay relationship or Jewell’s interracial one.

  “I know you know about me,” Elsie said.

  “It doesn’t matter,” Jewell reassured her.

  “I’m glad to hear that.”

  Unable to hold it in, Jewell blurted out, “I just can’t get past the fact that he’s white. It’s bothering the mess out of me. In my head, the perfect relationship would be with a fine, tall, black—and I stress a black man—who loves me for me. Someone I could talk to about anything, not feel like I have to put up a front. Now that I’ve found all that, it’s in a white man. Ain’t that some shit?”

  “That ain’t nothing,” Elsie responded, opening up a little. “I’ve found it in a woman.”

  They looked at each other and started laughing. Together they walked into the building and waited for the elevator beside Lange.

  Now, why can’t I find a brother like that? Jewell wondered. Fine, educated, built and polite.

  When they reached their floor and the elevator door opened, Lange spotted Crystal walking by. He stepped out behind Jewell and Elsie. “Crystal!”

  She stopped in her tracks and turned around. “Yes?”

  “Can we talk?” Lange asked.

  “Sure.”

  They went into her office and closed the door. Crystal sat at her desk.

  “Why have you been avoiding me?” Lange placed both hands on her desk and leaned over so that his face was in hers.

  “What are you talking about? I haven’t been avoiding you.” Crystal was straight up lying. She knew it and he knew it. She was afraid of him, afraid of the temptation. Ever since the day they almost kissed, she could not get him out of her system.

  “I think you have been,” he insisted.

  “Well, you’re wrong,” she told him, pretending to look in her desk for something, the lie evident in her voice.

  “Look, let’s be honest with one another.”

  She looked up at him.

  “I can’t stop thinking about you.” Lange waited for a reply. When he got none he went on. “And honestly, I don’t know what to do about it, if anything.”

  “There’s nothing you can do. You’re a married man,” Crystal reminded him.

  Rubbing the back of his neck, Lange confessed, “I’ve never been in a situ
ation like this before. I mean, of course I’ve been attracted to other women. There’s been a look here and a look there, but I’ve never wanted to act on it. Never, that is, until the other day in the elevator with you.”

  Crystal didn’t know what to say other than, “We can’t and we won’t act on it, so standing here discussing it is a waste of energy.”

  Lange looked at Crystal with a longing in his eyes. “Are you sure about that?”

  “Yes. Yes, I am.”

  “Can we be friends?” Lange asked.

  “We are friends,” Crystal answered

  On that note, Lange leaned over the desk and kissed her briefly on the lips. He turned around and walked out of the office. Once the door closed behind him, Crystal put her head in her hands.

  She was lonely and wanted companionship—true companionship. Not a date here or a date there, but someone she could call her own. She hadn’t had sex in over six months, and it was of her own doing. She’d been asked out a time or two, but the way the men either looked at her or their aura turned her off. She was extra careful because the last relationship she had was a disaster.

  She had met Lewis at the movie theatre. She was sitting home alone that night and decided she’d treat herself to dinner and a movie. She was at the counter buying popcorn when she felt someone tap her on the shoulder and say, “I’ll pay for that.”

  Turning around, she found herself staring into the lightest eyes on the darkest man. “Won’t your date mind?” she asked him, thinking a man that fine would not be at the movies alone.

  “I’m by myself.”

  “Then sure, you can pay.”

  They discovered they were each going to see the same movie and sat together, talking all the way through. It didn’t take long for them to start dating.

  There was one drawback. She had yet to go to his house. He always came to hers. When she finally realized this, she asked him about it. “I’m having my house remodeled,” he told her.

  “Well, let me come by and see what you’re having done,” she said.

  He made up excuse after excuse.

  It was Susan who told her she was being played and needed to find out more about him. Crystal decided to have him followed. What she found out not only hurt her, but it made her give up on men for a while.

  Lewis didn’t have a home. He was basically a freeloader, staying the night at different women’s houses. When he wasn’t doing this, he stayed in a motel.

  Crystal could not believe that she, an attorney, was taken for a sucker. So now here she sat, lonely and wanting to date a married man.

  Shaking her head, trying to get back into her professional space, Crystal picked up the phone and dialed Tina’s number. She had decided not to take the case after the conversation she had with Susan.

  Crystal asked her, “Do you remember how we became friends?”

  “Of course. I remember.”

  “It was the day my life changed.”

  “Why bring it up?” This was something they had not discussed in ages. “I thought you had put that all behind you.”

  “Well, I’ve found out that it’s not something you really put behind you.”

  They both grew quiet while picking over their lunches. Breaking that silence, Crystal went on to tell her, “I may have a chance to represent a young girl that was raped.”

  Susan stopped eating, put her fork down and looked at Crystal. She knew Crystal volunteered at the Women’s Crisis Center, that she counseled rape victims, but never before had she chosen to take on one of the cases.

  “I know you’re probably wondering why this one. Well, are you ready for this?”

  Susan waited.

  “The rapist is Jake’s son.”

  Susan looked at her in disbelief. “What did you just say?”

  “The rapist is Jake Newton, Jr.”

  Susan started shaking her head. “I don’t know, Crystal. I don’t know about this. I don’t think it’s a good idea to take on this case.”

  “Why not? It may be my only chance.”

  “Your only chance to what? To go through all that pain you went through before? What good would come out of that?” Susan placed her hand on Crystal’s shoulder and looked her in the eyes. “You really need to think about this long and hard. Personally, I don’t think it’s healthy. I don’t think you should have any part of it. But whatever you decide to do, I’ll back you up. Okay?”

  With teary eyes, Crystal told her, “Thanks. That’s all I needed to hear.”

  “Please.” Susan waved her hands. “That’s what friends are for.”

  They continued to eat until Susan said, “Well, I have some news.”

  “Good or bad?”

  Clearing her throat, Susan said, “I’m not sure yet.”

  Crystal waited.

  “Timothy asked me to marry him.”

  Shrieking, Crystal was genuinely pleased. “Oh my God! Get out of here. That’s better than good, it’s great. Hell, it’s about time. I know you said yes. When did this happen? Why are you just now telling me?”

  “Hold up, hold up. I haven’t given him an answer yet.”

  “Why not? You know you two belong together.”

  “I’m scared,” Susan confessed.

  “Scared of what? Girl, please. You and Timothy have been in love for over ten years but were too busy playing the friends role to realize it. He’s finally able to admit it. Why can’t you?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Don’t you love him?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is the sex good?”

  “How did you—Oh, never mind! It’s the best I’ve ever had.”

  “Well, there you go. He loves you. You love him. The sex is good. He’s been there for you and your moody ass all these years, and you’ve been there for him. What more could you ask for?”

  Susan just shrugged. She had no answer for that.

  That evening when Jewell arrived home, she decided to call Evan and invite him over for dinner. Tyson was with his dad for the week.

  “Evan, it’s Jewell,” she said when he answered the phone.

  “Hey there.”

  “Um, I was wondering if you’d like to come over for dinner tomorrow night.”

  There was no response.

  Sensing his hesitation, she told him, “We need to talk.”

  “About?”

  “Us.”

  “What time do you want me there?”

  The night arrived quicker than Jewell wanted it to. First she couldn’t decide what to cook, and then she couldn’t decide what to wear. She decided on lasagna, salad, and garlic bread. To wear, she settled on a long, white spaghetti-strapped dress, something simple yet sexy.

  On edge and unable to relax, Jewell popped in the Floetry CD and took a hot shower. After getting dressed, she went into the eating area, turned the lights down low and lit the candles in the center of the table. She was admiring the view and the mood when the doorbell rang. She took a deep breath, ran her hands down the front of her dress and opened the door.

  Evan stood there in all his whiteness.

  “Hey, sweetie,” she greeted him, kissing him on the mouth.

  “Oh, so it’s like that today?” he said.

  “Like what? What do you mean? It’s always that way.”

  “Yeah, when we’re alone. Never out in public.”

  Jewell looked at him and decided to get real. “Listen, Evan, this isn’t easy for me. I’ve never dated a white guy and really had no intentions to before you came along. You’ve changed that, but you need to understand that I’m scared and I don’t know what I’m doing or even if I’m doing the right thing.”

  “Why do you have to do anything?” Evan wanted to know. “Why can’t you just let it be?”

  “Because I don’t know how to let it be. I’ve never been too comfortable with interracial relationships, and to find myself in one has thrown me for quite a loop.”

  They were in the living room and Evan sat
down and patted his knee. She sat on his lap.

  “Do you think this is easy for me?” Evan asked.

  “What are you afraid of?” Jewell asked jokingly. “That some big black guy is going to see us together and jack you up?”

  “As a matter of fact, yes. Not that I can’t handle my own, but just like you, I see the stares, the looks and the snickers. I feel the discomfort. No, you’re not the first black woman I’ve dated or spent time with. I’ve been through this before and couldn’t handle it, but I’m ready to now. I enjoy being with you, and I’m willing to take a chance. None of that other bullshit matters to me. What matters to me is you. Are you willing to take a chance?”

  After hesitating for a brief moment, Jewell said, “Yes, I am.”

  Evan touched her face and brought it closer to his, brushing his lips against hers.

  Pulling away, Jewell said, “There is a condition, and that’s that you can’t stay here late or overnight when my son is around.”

  “I understand that, and I can live with it.” Actually, he respected her even more because of it. “So, if I can’t stay late or overnight when he’s here, are you saying I can stay the night when he’s not?”

  Running her fingers through his hair, she said, “He’s not here tonight.”

  Evan placed his hands around her waist.

  Jewell stood up, facing him. She knew tonight would be the night they made love. He put his hands on her ass and slowly massaged her cheeks.

  “I want to make love to you.” He ran his hand up her back to the straps on her shoulder. He pulled them down slowly while kissing her belly.

  “I’d like that,” Jewell told him, moving closer.

  “What about dinner?” he asked.

  “Dinner can wait.”

  Evan flicked his tongue over her belly button and licked his way farther down. Looking up at her, he asked, “What do you want me to do?”

  “Whatever you want,” she whispered.

  He stood and scooped her up in his arms. “Where?”

  She pointed to her room and he carried her in, gently placing her on the bed.

  Evan ran his hands down her body and promised her, “I won’t hurt you. I just want to make love to you. I want you to surrender to me.” He placed his tongue between her breasts then traveled down and stopped at her thighs. He pushed them open. “You’re beautiful.”