by C McCullough
Franklin answers on the first ring. “Hello… Are you gonna say something or just breathe?”
“How dare you come to my fucken house!” I am pissed, I let my anger consume me. I toned it down a bit. “Are you trying to ruin my life because yours is? This is fucken unacceptable Franklin! What is going through your fucken head? Huh? You gotta be crazy…” I convince myself he is. “Yea, Yo’ ass is crazy for real.” I found myself speaking through clench teeth. “Say something dammit!”
“Well, I would but I love hearing your voice so much, I just let you talk baby. Are you looking at me? Which room is yours?” His calmness only made me even madder. “Oh, there you are. There are so many windows. How many bedrooms are in there?”
“Franklin, did you hear anything I said?”
“Don’t tell me. I’ll just google it. Did you know Zillow can tell me exactly how much your house was sold for?” He chuckles rambling on. “Yea, it’s amazing, how the internet violates so many privacy laws.”
“The internet is no different from you. How did you find me this time?” As if I didn’t already know.
“You forget who I am Shay baby. If you were in another country, I’ll find you. That’s not important. I’m outside, in my car, waiting on you. How long is it gonna take you to be ready? I’m already late for my own ball.”
“Franklin, I’m not going with you. My husband is downstairs and we’re gonna working things out. You need to be with your wife at the ball. This has to end Franklin.”
“Shay, baby, you better mean what you say because there is no turning back this time. Do not come by my condo. I’m tired of going back and forth with you. If you want me, then I want all of you. Do you hear me? All of you Shay.”
“I hear you. This is the end Franklin. I’m not coming back. This has to end.”
“Have it your way.” He surprised me by hanging up. Could this be end of us after a two-year affair? is Franklin really letting me go? I peeped out the window and his car were gone. This was not the usual Franklin’s M.O. This is not the last I’ll hear from him; I just know it.
“Here ya’ go babe. I made you a turkey sandwich.” Mateo had a sandwich on a square white plate, but I something far more than a sandwich. I place the plate on the dresser and removed his husband pants. “I change my mind, I rather have you to satisfy my hunger.”
“Shit, my sweet Goddess.” Mateo cries out when I wrap my full lips around his dick and begun making love to it. My head game sent Mateo legs in a complete seizure, as he begged me to let him sit down on the bed. I slurp the taste of him and lick my lips clean before rising from my knees. “Sure baby.” I said, still eagerly ready to finish what I started. Mateo is turned on by the hunger in his wife eyes for him, something he craved for 2 years.
ChAPTER nine – SHAY
Months have passed and I haven’t spoken too nor seen Franklin, unless it was on tv. I guess I’m okay with it. I’m ok with that because Mateo and I, are in a good place now. However, I can admit that I do think about him, since he hasn’t come for me. I guess this time, he took my words and ran with it. I see him on tv with his Wife by his side. I’m assuming they worked things out. A few times I called him without the intentions of saying anything, I just wanted to hear his voice. He would call out my name… “Shay, is that you?” I’d hang up before he could bait me in to confirm its me. Part of me is happy as hell that we ended our affair before my husband would eventually find out. And the other part of me miss him like hell.
Me and Mateo is at Juniors school Christmas play and here I am thinking about Franklin. Mateo smiles at how proud he is at his son’s performance. He turns to me only to see my mind was diffidently somewhere else.
“Shay, you okay?” I shook the Franklin fever off me and answered him. “Yea, why?”
He didn’t believe me. There was something dry about my response. “Hmm, ok. You look distant, that’s all. Junior waved at you and you didn’t wave back.” He told me. “I’m sorry. I guess, I do have a lot on mind.” I pat his hand that is resting on my thigh.
He begins to worry. “Is it work?” He asked. In order to keep him from worrying, I told him yes. We watched the last five minutes of the play and Baby Boy did so good. He was a natural at acting. The crowd stood up for a standing ovation. He made Mommy proud. Junior came running off stage with his gown still on because he played Jacob. “Mommy, did you see that? Did I do good?”
“Yes baby, I saw it. You did such a great job.” I pick him up and held him on my hip. His Dad rubs his head. His long hair falls to his face. Junior moves his Dad hand off his head. He does not like his long hair. I keep telling Mateo he needs a haircut, but his father isn’t having it. One day, I’mma take my son to get his haircut myself, without Mateo consent. When people see Junior, they would never think he’s has black in him. He looks just like his father, only except with my blue eyes. He looks like an Italian little boy.
“Daddy get off my hair. It’s in my face.” Junior shook him off.
“My bad little man, Daddy is just proud of you son! You did a great job!”
“I did, didn’t I?” Junior agreed. Mateo put his hand around my waist as we leave the auditorium. The overly crowded auditorium made me realize how much I hated school assembles, back in the day. It took us nearly 20 minutes to get to valet. The young teen valet attended asked Mateo for the ticket to our vehicle. Mateo hands the overly worked boy our ticket. “You’re in row 22, there is a 30-minute wait before your vehicle is delivered to you Sir.”
Mateo laughs it off to keep from acting out in front of Junior. The young valet attendant could see Mateo’s frustration. “I’m sorry sir. We didn’t expect this event to be this busy. If you like, you can pick up your vehicle on your own. It’s in row 22 Sir.”
Mateo knew the young man was only doing his job. “Baby, you and Junior stay here, while I go get the car.” Why are Men so damn backwards? “Why don’t we all walk, that way you’re not stuck in the traffic, coming back up here?” Mateo thought about it. Then the young man spoke. “Um, you can meet him in the delivery area over there, there is no waiting.”
Mateo nodded. “Cool. I’ll be back. Besides, it’s too cold out here for you two, too be walking.” And off he went.
The valet attended, “Mam you two can wait inside, I’ll come and get you when I see him pulling up.”
“Thanks.” Junior was restless as I carried him inside. He is about two minutes from following asleep on me. Today has been a very exhausted day for all of us. While Junior was at Day care me and his father spent four hours shopping for Christmas gifts. It’s practically easy to shop for Junior, but Mateo sister Sophia is the hardest. She’s not on his parents’ racist side but she always thought Mateo could do better than me. Me and Mateo had to fight so many demons just to be together, sometimes I ask myself was it worth it? Countless times I have been called a black bitch by his older brother David and his younger brother James not to mention his Mother. I loved Mateo so much that I took their verbal abuse just to be with him. His only sister Sophia has never hated me because the color of my skin. Recently she left her cheating husband who provided her everything she could possibly need. He was a wealthy older man. she used to walk around looking like money. We haven’t seen Sophia since I lost the baby, she gave me her condolences and helped me get through my lost by staying with us for a month. During that time, we grew closer and she admitted she misjudged me. This Christmas I want to give her something personal and to the heart, to let her know I appreciate her.
“Shay…” An all familiar voice called out to me.
“Franklin?” I turn to see him standing behind me, with a beautiful woman on his arm. She looks young, maybe 20 or 21. Damn he moves on fast.
He chuckles at the surprise look on my face. “Yeah. How you been?”
“Good.” I couldn’t keep my eyes off the young girl next to him. “I see you’re doing good.” I let them both know the age difference between them, is almost disgusting. The young girl pat Frank
lin’s arm to release hers from his. “Uncle Franklin can you help me sit down.”
“Yeah baby girl.” Franklin helps the young woman take a seat across from me. “This is my niece, she’s partially blind. Her son attends this school.” Ooh ok! I feel like a complete ass. I thought she was New, New. I wasn’t gonna feel like an idiot by apologizing. Behind him stood his entourage of security guards. “Where is your husband?” I cleared my throat. “He’s getting the car. Where’s Lola?” His niece cuts in. “Probably under a house somewhere.” She chuckles at her own joke. Franklin laughs. “She doesn’t like Lola.”
I nod. “Oh, so that explains why she’s not here.” I was hoping he would give me a clue or hint that their marriage over.
His niece cut in again. “No! She is not here. They are getting a divorce. Something my Uncle should have done a long time ago… My name is Ashley… My uncle is bad at introduction.” She extends her hand out in the middle of nowhere, which confirmed her blindness. Franklin helped her find my hand. She chuckles at how blind she is. “Fuck! Even my half good eye is shot! Sometimes I gotta give my head a little shake, and then my focus gets a little better to see.” She shook her head and blinked several times to see me. “Wow, your beautiful.”
Franklin smiles. “She is, isn’t she. Ashley this is Shay.”
Ashley nods. “So, this is the woman you were telling me about huh?”
Franklin eyes stays on me. I know that look. That’s the ‘I want you right now’ look. “Yes, baby girl. That’s her.” I’m shock and flattered that he talks about me. “You talk about me?”
Franklin nodded. “I do.”
“Excuse me Ma’am. Your husband is pulling up now.” The valet attended comes for me us. The expression on Franklin and our face was, we didn’t want this moment to end.
“Ok, thank you. Well, it was nice meeting you Ashley.” I told her. When I stood, Franklin stood so close to me, that I could smell the mint from his gum. “Excuse me.” I said. He motioned closer to me to whisper something in my ear. “I want to see you tonight.”
I know it impossible for us to meet tonight. With Christmas Eve being tomorrow then me and Mateo being closer than ever, it’s impossible. But a big part of me miss him and want him inside of me. ‘She’s’ been missing his arrogant ass dick. I’m screaming at my pussy inside my head. ‘Why bih? Why are you doing this issh to me?” I played like I wasn’t feeling it and proceeded to our car, where Mateo had the doors open for us. 10 minutes into our 20-minute ride home, Mateo finally broke our silence. “I have something real special for you and me tomorrow night. Do you remember back in college, when we went to that club on 21st? The one where you got so drunk and I had to carry you back to your dorm?” He chuckles at the thought of it. “And then I was late my dorm, and they put me on a three-strike probation? I was walking on eggshells the entire Sophomore school year. That next day I wanted to take you somewhere real special before Christmas break, but my curfew interfered with that. So, tomorrow I’m playing make-up. Dino said he’ll watch Junior tomorrow.”
This was all new to me. “I didn’t know you got in trouble that night. Why didn’t you tell me?”
Mateo waves me off. “Baby, that was years ago. It’s not important. What’s important is that I get this right tomorrow.” He held on to my hand.
“I’mma go have some drinks tonight at Ned’s. I had a very stressful day. Can you drop me off and I’ll catch an Uber back home?” He squeezes my hand. “Do you want me to come with you?” He asked.
“Um, Junior Baby? We’ll have our time together tomorrow. “
“Yea, okay. Call me when you’re in your Uber.” He told me. I can feel him not wanting me to go but I had too. I had to see Franklin again. Running into him at Juniors school play made me want him even more. Even though things are good with me and Mateo, I still find myself lusting over Franklin. He understands me and my body..
Ned’s Bar, parking lot is full this Friday night. I’m sure Ned ear’s is probably too occupied to lend them to me tonight. I kissed Mateo and Junior bye and headed in. By my surprise Franklin was already at the bar, with his expensive ass $400 bottle of wine. He pulled out a barstool next to him. “I’m glad you made it. Drink?”
I shook my head no. “No. I don’t drink rich like you. My five-dollar shots of Gin is all I need.”
I called out to Ned, who was finishing up a customer.
“Look who walked through the motha fucken ‘doe! Motha fucken Queen of the night! Girl, you look good in those tight jeans, I didn’t know you were that damn curvy! Shit, you make a nigga wanna go straight! What cha you in the mood for, Sex on The Beach?”
“You’re crazy…You know I’m basic, just Gin. Double shot please.” I turn to Franklin, he had walked away to a quieter space, for an incoming call. Ned watches him leave, then leans in to tell me something.
“Girl, that fool has been here every night for the past two months, asking about you. So, my detective ass put two and two together.” He cut his tight eyes at me, then slid me my drink. “Bitch, this is the mystery guy. You been fucking the Mayor?! You don’t even have to answer that because I know you are.” He smacks his teeth and looked away. “I told you… I told you…”
I couldn’t stop laughing at Ned’s over the top ass. “You told me what?” I glimpse over at Franklin, who is still on phone. I hope he doesn’t have to leave. This night is just getting started.
“I told yo’ ass, that you were probably fucking the president or vice president.”
I laugh. There is no way I will ever fuck this president. “Nah… Franklin is just a regular person, with a regular title.”
Ned smacks his teeth. “Bitch please! He’s a regular person that spent $24,000 with me, in the past two months. Those $400 bottles add up sweetie. That man got bank girl! Finally, you can leave that sorry as husband of yours. I see the way he looks at you.”
I raised a brow at Ned’s comment. “Well, that is wishful thinking, but I’m not leaving Mateo.”
“How long do you think you can get away with sneaking off with him, before he finds out?”
I shrugged my shoulder. “I don’t know. I haven’t thought that far.”
“Well chil, you need to think about that. I’ll be right back. Let me get this apple head ass a drink over here.”
“Sorry about that. I had to take that call. Can we leave?” Franklin asked. Whoever was on the other end of that call upset him. He wasn’t as joyful as earlier. Something heavy was on his mind. I nod, then took the rest of my drink and followed him out. “Are you alright?” I asked him. He nods yes. We walk in silence to a car parked in the cut. “You got a new car?”
“It’s a rental.” He opens the door for me.
As soon as we enter the car, he immediately shuts his phone off. “I think you should know now that I sold the condo and bought another one a few blocks down. Lola is up to some revenge shit right now. I don’t need her popping up anymore. We are done. I filed the divorce papers with my attorney two weeks ago.”
“So, you really went through with it?” I can’t believe the words that are coming from his mouth. I never thought he would go through with divorcing her.
“Yelp. It was coming way before you came along.”
“I know. I remember the stories you told me of her.” I let him know I listen to everything he tells me. He told me Lola lied about being pregnant when Franklin received a scholarship to attend Howard University. He didn’t accept the scholarship because that meant he wouldn’t able be with his child. Instead Franklin went to Atlanta University and married Lola. Month’s passed by and Lola wasn’t getting any bigger. She faked a miscarriage and failed to tell Franklin she never wanted kids, until recently. If I was Franklin, I would have left that ass when she never started showing. This chick is a straight fraud.
“Yea, well she laid some news on me today. I don’t give a damn anymore, I’m not staying with her.” He shook his head as if it was the worst thing in the world.
“W
hat did she say?” I asked, but I was almost scared to know.
He sighs. “I don’t even wanna think about her right now. All I wanna do is take you home and fuck the shit out of you. I missed you woman!”
Chapter ten – franklin
Seeing Shay tonight made my day until Lola called me with this news. It took the devil itself to ruin my day, now I can’t get this shit out my head. All I wanted to do is, take Shay back to our new condo and show her how much I missed her. But with Lola in my head, I won’t be able to perform like I want too because of her. Damn, why did I answer her private call.
“Are you sure you okay? What was the call about Franklin?” Even with time apart, Shay still knows me. She knows when something is truly on my mind. Letting her into me and Lola’s drama, will only steer her away. I refuse to lose her again. This news could possibly tear us apart for good.
“I’m good Shay baby! Lola is always up to no good. She’ll do anything to keep me. What time do you need to be back home?”
“I don’t know. Mateo planned something special for me and him tomorrow. I feel a little bad for being here with you. I don’t know why; I can’t stay away from you.” She said with guilt and shame. I held her hand to let her know, I feel the same way. That’s what I love about our connection, we understand each other, even without words.
For the past three months without Shay, I can admit that I was lost. I didn’t care to ever stick my dick into Lola’s pussy ever again. I didn’t even sleep at our ranch because she was there. I did everything in my power to stay away from her and her shenanigans. She can’t track my cell phone, car or condo’s, since they’re all registered in an unlisted LLC of mines. Once our divorce is final, I will take it the extra mile and get a restraining order out on that ass. I regret ever meeting the devil in red because that’s all she ever wears. For years she let me believe she loved me. The truth is, she only loved my money and inheritance. Not once did she have to lift a finger to make a dollar. Lola is a deceitful ass bitch, who hides behind this good girl act.