Lookin' For Luv

by Carl Weber

  Kevin handed the ticket back to him. “Look, guys. I’m going to drive Antoine home. I’m pretty sure he’s gonna want to talk to someone. You mind calling a cab?”

  “Suit yourself,” Billy said, shaking his hand. “It was nice to meet you, son.” He stuffed the extra ticket in his pocket to use later.

  For about ten more minutes Tyrone laughed and joked with his uncle and two women they had called to the table. Surprisingly he found himself bored with the women.

  “Uncle Billy, I’m gonna call it a night. I’ll give you a call in a couple of days, okay?”

  “All right, boy, but you don’t know what you’re missing. Does he, girls?” He squeezed them both.

  Tyrone looked down at the women and thought about Sylvia. He placed his VIP ticket on the table and told his uncle, “Yes, I do.”

  24

  TYRONE AND ALICIA

  Tyrone and Sylvia left the Schomburg Library after spending the afternoon admiring an exhibit of Gordon Parks’s photography. Tyrone had always wanted to go to the library because of its historical significance as a center for culture and education in Harlem. Since the consummation of their relationship, they had managed to spend some time together every day, and their day at the library’s African American museum was just as enjoyable as every other they had spent together. After spending years with a husband who admired only himself and their money, Sylvia was thrilled to be with a man who shared her admiration for black artists.

  And Tyrone was happy to be with a woman who shared his love of art. He had known women before who pretended to be interested just to attract his attention, but he learned quickly that there was no depth to their knowledge. With Sylvia he had someone who understood his passion and shared it.

  With Maurice away on another overnight trip, the couple had planned to take advantage of his absence. They had been frustrated that so many of their meetings were cut short, so they planned to turn their afternoon at the museum into an evening of dinner at the world-famous Sylvia’s soul food restaurant and whatever else developed.

  Once they were inside the restaurant, they were seated at a cozy table. Sylvia looked around and reminisced. “I haven’t been here in years. This used to be my favorite restaurant just because of the name. It didn’t matter what was on the menu. I would eat it just because it came from Sylvia’s. My dad would bring me here whenever I got a good report card.”

  “Yeah, this place is great all right,” Tyrone added.

  “So what do you want to do after we eat?” she asked with a suggestive wink.

  “Well, actually, I was planning on taking a buggy ride downtown. But by the way you’re looking at me, I guess you have something else on your mind.”

  “What do you expect? We haven’t made love in three days.”

  Lately Sylvia seemed to have sex on her mind all the time. Since Tyrone had shown her the physical pleasures she had been missing her entire marriage, she couldn’t get enough. She just couldn’t keep her hands off the man she was falling in love with.

  “I’ll tell you what. If you don’t mind a quickie, I promise you something so special, you’ll remember it the rest of your life.”

  “Really? What?” Sylvia asked.

  “Excuse me, Tyrone?” a woman interrupted, looking scared. She clung to her child, who was trembling.

  “Alicia, what are you doing here?” He noticed the tears in her eyes. “What’s wrong?”

  She looked nervously at the front door. “Michael’s father, my ex-boyfriend, Trevor, is outside, waiting to beat me up.”

  Tyrone stood up abruptly and pulled out a chair. He ordered Alicia and her son to have a seat.

  “Relax,” he said. “No one’s gonna hurt you while I’m here. Now tell me, what’s going on?”

  “We were all going to the Apollo Theater to see the junior talent show, when Trevor says, ‘Gimme a hundred dollars so I can pay for the tickets.’ I knew he’d been drinkin’ so I tried my best not to have an attitude when I told him I’m not going to pay for the tickets, he invited me. He smacked me right there, tellin’ me who am I to tell him no in front of his son. Well, I wasn’t going to wait around for him to hit me again. So I kicked him in the balls and ran in here. Thank God I saw you come in. I remembered Kevin telling me you were a black belt in karate when we went to see that Jackie Chan movie in the fall.”

  “Okay, Alicia. You did the right thing getting away from this guy. I’m gonna ask you one question, and if you want my help, you’re not gonna lie.” He gave her a serious look.

  “Are you fucking this guy? ’Cause if you’re fucking this guy again, I don’t know if I wanna get involved with that kind of shit.”

  Sylvia was amazed to see Tyrone’s street personality come out. “Tyrone! Watch your language. Can’t you see she has her child here?” She placed her hand over Michael’s. “Now, you help this woman!”

  “Sylvia, you don’t know the history between these two. He’s been kicking her ass for years. If I get involved, she’ll be back with him in a week. Maybe even tomorrow.”

  “I don’t care. She needs help now. And if you’re not man enough to do it, I’ll go out there myself.” She stood up, challenging Tyrone’s manhood.

  “Sit down, Sylvia,” he said, disgusted. He reached into his wallet and pulled out his school security badge. “Alicia, does this guy carry a knife or a gun?”

  “No, he really is a coward—except when it comes to women.”

  “I bet you wish you hadn’t caused your mother and Kevin to break up now, huh, kid?” Tyrone said gruffly to Michael as he walked toward the door.

  “What did he mean by that?” Alicia asked her son suspiciously. Michael slumped in his chair and didn’t say a word.

  “Oh, don’t pay any attention to Tyrone. He’s probably still upset that your son manipulated Kevin into breaking up with you.” Sylvia waved her hand as if dismissing the incident.

  “Michael didn’t manipulate anyone,” Alicia insisted rather forcefully. “Kevin is just an uncouth ass, like most men.”

  “Look, I’m just going by what Tyrone. told me. Maybe you’re wrong Alicia, and he’s a different Michael, but I’m sure about what he told me.”

  Rolling her eyes, Alicia pulled her son in close.

  “Well, what did he tell you?”

  “Look, maybe Tyrone, was right, maybe we shouldn’t have gotten involved.”

  Sylvia was aggravated by Alicia’s tone. Who was she to take an attitude with her after she’d just defended her and her son when Tyrone wasn’t willing? She hesitated but decided to speak her mind to this arrogant woman.

  “No, actually I think you should know this. Kevin’s not the uncouth ass, you are. If you had raised your son properly, he wouldn’t have told Kevin all those lies about you sleeping with that no-good nigger outside.”

  Sylvia was ashamed of herself for using the word “nigger” as soon as it left her lips, but she was furious. Sitting back in her chair, she folded her arms with the full intention of not saying another word until Tyrone returned.

  “Who do you think you’re talking to anyway?” Alicia raised her voice. “Michael didn’t tell Kevin I was sleeping with Trevor. Did you, Michael?” Michael was silent, so she nudged him. “Did you, Michael!”

  Sylvia reached over and touched Michael’s hand. “It’s hard to keep a secret from your mom, isn’t it? Especially if you know it’s going to hurt her.” Michael nodded and Sylvia continued. “You need to tell your mother the truth, Michael. She deserves that much from you.”

  “Mom, I told Uncle Kevin you had sex with Daddy. I wanted to tell you, but you were so mad at Uncle Kevin, I just didn’t want you to be mad at me.” The boy’s face was wet with tears. “Then when Dad started staying over, I didn’t think you cared about Uncle Kevin anymore.”

  Alicia’s embarrassment showed all over her face. Looking down at her son’s tear-stained face, she realized she had made quite a few mistakes in the past few months.

  “I am so sorry,” sh
e told Sylvia.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Sylvia replied. “What are you going to do about Kevin? From what I hear, he’s a great guy who still loves you.”

  Alicia placed her hands on the sides of her head and began rubbing her temples. “I don’t know. I’m just so confused about things right now.”

  “Please, don’t tell me you’re in love with this guy outside.”

  “No, not anymore. But he is my baby’s daddy.”

  Oh, God, not you too, Sylvia thought, regretting staying with Maurice all these years because of their daughter. “What about Kevin? Do you love him?”

  “I don’t even want to think about Kevin after what I learned today. He probably hates me. He was the nicest guy I ever dated.”

  “From what I hear, he’s still in love with you.”

  “Really?” Alicia replied excitedly before lowering her head. “I don’t even know what I’d say to him.”

  “How about starting with I’m sorry?” She gave Alicia a smile. “You did have him served with an order of protection.”

  “My God, I completely forgot about that.” Alicia lifted her head and looked at Sylvia. “I guess I had the wrong person served, huh?” Sylvia nodded her head.

  “Look, I’m not trying to get into your business, but don’t you think it’s time you got rid of Trevor?”

  “Yes, but it’s not that easy. I have a child with that man.” She hugged her son tightly.

  “I know, but if he’s violent, you might end up dead one day.” Sylvia took out a small pad and pen and wrote down a name and number before handing it to Alicia. “This is Jen Anderson’s number. She’s a really good friend of mine. She runs a place called Standing on Your Own.”

  “Look, I know you mean well, but I’m not going to any battered women’s shelter. I made my own bed, so I have to lie in it.” Alicia lowered her head.

  “It’s not a shelter. It’s a club where women can get free counseling and learn self-defense.”

  “Counseling? I don’t need counseling. I just need Trevor to leave me the hell alone.”

  “Look at you, Alicia. Are you always going to be the damsel in distress, always looking for some man to bail you out of trouble like Tyrone is doing now? You went right from Kevin’s arms into Trevor’s, and now you’re thinking about going back into Kevin’s, aren’t you?”

  Alicia stared at Sylvia without saying a word.

  “Look, just give Jen a call. After she explains the program, if it’s not what you’re looking for, you don’t have to go.”

  “Aw’ight.” Alicia placed the number in her purse. “I’ll call her, but I’m not promising anything.”

  Sylvia nodded her head. “That’s all I can ask.”

  Tyrone smoked a cigarette as he watched Trevor peek inside the window of the restaurant. Sizing up the five-foot-six man, he couldn’t believe that this little guy was Kevin’s competition. For some reason, he had expected him to be taller. Tyrone ran his plan through his head again quickly. He knew he could pull it off as long as he was real smooth.

  Trevor was still hobbling a little from the shot in the groin he had taken from Alicia.

  “Wait till I get my hands on that bitch. I’m gonna kick her ass all the way home,” he mumbled, peeking through the window again right before he felt a sharp pain in his kidney.

  “Police!” Tyrone yelled, rabbit-punching Trevor again from behind as he twisted Trevor’s arm behind his back. He flashed his badge to the crowd to ward off any Good Samaritans. Tyrone quickly moved Trevor to the nearby alley.

  “I didn’t do anything, officer. I was just standin’ there, waitin’ for my girlfriend,” Trevor pleaded in a frightened voice. Tyrone slammed him into the brick wall.

  “Assume the position, asshole,” Tyrone snickered, remembering how it felt to be harassed by the police. He had guessed right. Trevor, like most black men, was afraid to question the credentials of a police officer. He was sure Trevor would cooperate just to avoid a nasty beating, but he never dreamed Trevor would be so polite.

  “Excuse me, officer, is it possible for you to tell me what I did wrong?”

  “There is a young lady inside this restaurant who says you tried to rape her.” He punched Trevor in the ribs hard. “I don’t like rapists. My sister was raped last year.”

  “Ahhh! I didn’t try to rape her, officer. I swear,” Trevor whimpered. “She’s my girlfriend.”

  “You know, for some reason I’d like to believe you.” He punched him in the ribs again. “But attempted rape is a serious crime. I’m going to have to arrest you anyway. Don’t worry though. A few days on Rikers Island and we will have this whole thing straightened out.”

  “Please don’t arrest me, officer.” Trevor began to cry. “I’m on probation and my probation officer will violate me for sure.”

  “Wow, I’m really sorry about that, but I can’t just let you go. I want to, but my shift’s over and I could really use the overtime pay. My wife’s pregnant and I just can’t make ends meet on a detective’s salary. So I’m going to take you in.”

  “I can pay. Look in my wallet,” Trevor begged desperately. “There’s two hundred dollars in there. Take it out, it’s yours.”

  “Is this a bribe or a baby shower gift?” Tyrone pulled Trevor’s wallet out of his pants and took out two crisp hundred-dollar bills.

  “It’s a baby shower gift!”

  “Man, that’s really nice of you... What’s your name?” Tyrone put the bills in his pocket.

  “Trevor. Trevor Hill.”

  Okay, Mr. Hill, this is what I’m gonna do. I’m gonna tell my partner inside talking to the lady and the kid that you got away. But so help me, if you go and bother that lady one more time”—he opened Trevor’s wallet and looked at his address—“I’m going down to 167-98 Hollis Court in Queens and shoot your black ass myself. Now get the hell out of here!” He stuffed the wallet into Trevor’s coat pocket.

  Trevor didn’t have to be told twice. Like a bat out of hell, he took off, never once looking back to see Tyrone’s grinning face.

  25

  KEVIN AND DENISE

  Denise kissed Kevin passionately before he rolled out of the bed to take a shower.

  “You know we’re going to have to do something about all these boxes you have lying around here.” She laughed as he tripped over a basket of clean clothes.

  “Yeah, I know. Maybe when I get my tax return I’ll buy some bedroom furniture.”

  She knew he hadn’t even bothered to file his taxes yet, even though the deadline was less than a month away. But she didn’t want him to have to wait that long to get some dressers to keep his expensive clothes neat. Reaching for her bag on the side of the bed, Denise pulled out her daily planner. On her to-do list she wrote Buy Kevin new bedroom furniture. In her mind she began to redecorate his bedroom until the phone interrupted her. She answered it, thinking Kevin wouldn’t mind.

  “May I speak to Kevin?” a female voice asked.

  “Can I ask who’s calling, please?”

  “Could you tell him Alicia’s on the phone, please?” Denise put the phone down on the bed.

  Shit, Denise thought, I didn’t expect her to call this soon. He’s gonna go for this F.B. crap only so long if she’s trying to wiggle her way back in.

  She tried to compose herself. Flipping through her planner, she found the notes she had written from the private investigator’s report. Then she picked up the phone again.

  “Alicia, how are you? This is Denise, Kevin’s girlfriend.”

  “Girlfriend?” Alicia asked weakly.

  “Oh, I’m so glad you called. Kevin has told me so many good things about you and Michael. I just wish I were around to help when you left that battered women’s shelter. That Big Brother program is wonderful, isn’t it? And you really lucked out getting my Kevin as your son’s mentor.”

  “Yeah, we really lucked out,” Alicia mumbled.

  Alicia had no idea what Denise was referring to, but she figured it w
as just a pack of lies Kevin had fed her. She decided not to bother to correct this woman’s misconceptions of her. The original intent of this call had been to try to work things out with Kevin. She had experienced a change of heart, realizing she was still in love with him, and had called to ask if they could start over. Now there was this other woman on the line, claiming to be his girlfriend. Alicia was hurt and angry, especially to think that Kevin was telling lies about her. All she wanted now was to get him on the phone and cuss him out.

  “Listen, Denise. Is Kevin around? I really need to speak with him about this Big Brother program,” she lied.

  “Oh, I’m sorry, he’s not home. I think he’s out with his friends, picking out my engagement ring. He thinks I don’t know, so I’ll just have to act surprised.” Denise giggled.

  “You’re getting engaged?” Alicia paused and added flatly, “Well, congratulations to both of you.”

  “Thanks. That means a lot coming from you, Alicia. I really appreciate it. You know, I have to admit I was pretty jealous of all the time you and Kevin were spending together until he told me you were gay.”

  Alicia gasped but didn’t say a word as Denise continued.

  “I hope you’ll be coming to our wedding?” Denise tried not to laugh and was saved when the call-waiting beeped. “Hold on a second, Alicia. I have another call coming in.”

  Alicia waited a few seconds, fuming. She couldn’t believe she had called to ask for a reconciliation, and now she was finding out what a true dog Kevin was. She heard Denise’s voice again.

  “Alicia, I’m sorry, I have Kevin’s sister on the phone, and it sounds pretty important. I’ll have Kevin call you when he gets in, okay? Bye.” Denise clicked the phone over just as Kevin walked into the room.

  “Who’s that on the phone?”

  “It’s your sister Phyllis. I think she’s been crying.” Denise handed him the phone.

  “Phyllis? What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

  “It’s Whitney, Kevin. She collapsed during breakfast,” Phyllis sobbed. “Kevin, the paramedics couldn’t wake her up!”