by C McCullough
“What the hell Mateo!” She slaps my arm. “After all Ronald did to me and you do the same damn thing!” She continues to slap me. “What is wrong with you Men? Uh, why can’t ya’ll keep your dick in your pants?!” I snatched her by the arms. “Chill out! I didn’t plan for it to happened. The shit just happened.
“Well, what are you gonna do about it?” Her disappointment in me is at an all-new high.
“I have some things already lined up; I’m just waiting on the call.” I let her know things has already been taken care of.
“Mateo, what did you do?” She already knows her big brotha handle things. Ronald is still missing in action, because I handled it. That Low life of a Mayor will get what is coming to him, mark my word. “Just know, that I handled it. And as for Shay, she’ll come around… Right?” I began to question the faith of our marriage.
“Honestly?” She shrugs her shoulder. “I wouldn’t.” Damn, that’s cold. She rolled her eyes and left to go to her room. There is no way Shay would leave me and Junior. There’s no way. After convincing myself that our marriage is set in stone, I felt confident for the return of my wife. I turned the Bluetooth wireless surround system on to Christmas music, setting the mood for Junior when he wakes up. I sat some cookies and treats out on the living room center table, with the lights on our Christmas tree lit.
The front door opened, and Dino enters. “Merry Christmas Kinfolk!”
“Merry Christmas bruh!” I dapped him back.
“I have gifts!” He dangled some shopping bags in the air.
“Man, you didn’t have to bring anything. You done enough.” I took the bags and placed them under the tree.
“Man, you know how I do. I’m not done yet with getting right with you guys.” He looks towards Sophia’s room to make sure the coast is clear, then back at me. “Yo, I took care of that for you.”
I’m confused as to what Dino is talking about. “What cha you mean?”
He turns again towards Sophia’s room, then leaned in and whispered. “The situation with Shay and that guy. It’s handled. He won’t be bothering Shay again. I’m sure Shay will be-
“Hey Dino.” Sophia comes out the room lavishly slayed, as she calls it. Her long thick black hair is in a ponytail, dangling when she walks. Wearing a red and green full body jumpsuit. She gives Dino a hug, he enjoys my sister’s touch, just a little too much. “Merry Christmas luv.”
“Merry Christmas to you too. If there was a mistletoe near, this would’ve been the best Christmas ever.” He looked my way to see how I was going to react to him flirting with my sister. Her girly school giggles made me believe she likes his flattering personality too.
I needed to know what Dino meant by him handling it. I needed to pull him away from my sister.
“Ayo, Dino, do you still carry your clippers around?” They both turn to me.
“For what?” Sophia frowned.
“I want you to cut my hair Give me a fade.”
“Man, get the fuck outta here, are you serious?” Dino is at a wow.
I couldn’t be even more serious, then now. Besides I’ve been thinking about this for a few months now. “I’m ready. It’s just hair, right?”
“I don’t know. My ass has been bald since I was born. I blame my Dad for popping cooches like he was in his seventies. I was an old man sperm.”
Sophia laughed. She playfully smacks Dino on is arm. “You are not an old man.”
“Hell nah. He still trynna get it in at the age of 99, you can’t tell him nothing. That’s an O.G. for ya.” The expression on Dino’s faced showed how much he loves his father. “If you sure then Man, I gotcha. Let me go get the clips.” That’s the fastest I seen Dino move, he’s a big solid guy.
“I can’t believe you’re really cutting your hair. What about Juniors hair?” She asked.
“What about it?” If she’s insinuating, I get Junior’s haircut that’s out of the question.
“I’m just saying. You used to hate it when Pop’s would cut your hair. You always wanted your hair to grow out. Every time, it got an inch long, Pops would have you in his chair. You do know, Junior wants his hair cut? He looks like a little girl, Mateo.”
“He looks like his Dad.” I disagreed with her She smacks her teeth. “My point exactly.”
Dino enters the house with his box of clippers dangling in the air. We head to the computer room and shut the door. “You don’t want your hair cut, do you?” Dino knew what this was about. I waved him off. “Yea of course.” I sat in the computer chair behind the cherry oak wood desk, for him to cut it all off. He plugs his clippers in the wall and set me up for a fresh cut. One thing about Dino is, he doesn’t play around when it comes to cutting hair. This man is a beast with his personalized clippers.
“What did you mean you handled it?” I asked him.
“I can’t go into details about it. I don’t want you in the middle of it. You know he’s a very powerful man, not just in Atlanta but everywhere. For 2020, he is thinking about running for president.”
“Get the fuck outta here!”
“Yea, Man. I Guess he’s trynna be like Obama or some shit. Which is probably why his wife is going so hard on him & Shay. She wants a piece of that oval office. From what I got, she’s been dibbling and dabbing in the cookie jar for years on her husband.”
“What?! I didn’t get that from her. She seemed genuine those few times I met her.” This is all new to me.
“Well from what I heard, she’s a snake and always have her fangs out. I think this guy Franklin is only with Shay for presidential looks. I don’t think its genuine man.”
I have mixed emotions about all of this. I’m laughing inside because Shay thought she had it good but I’m crying for her as well. After all I put her through, then this ass hole is playing her. I wanna find his ass and silence him up with two of my right hooks, but I’ll let nature take its course. I just hope its sooner then later. With Dino on the rise with his plan and mines is still in route and there was no turning back now, this Franklin is gonna get what’s coming to him.
“You didn’t…”
I finished his sentence. “Kill him? Nah. But Shay will see him for what he’s truly is. Let the ugly be revealed.” The clippers on my head brought me back when Pops use to cut my hair. “Have you heard from Shay?”
“Nah., I didn’t even call her. She’s probably with him.” I made myself anger by thinking they were together. Knowing that he touched what belonged to me, wish I could get him in the ring. Shay has never been with any other man but me.
“Nah, they weren’t together. She got a room at Millwood Suites.” Dino confirmed her whereabouts.
“How the hell do you know all this?” I told him.
He laughs. “I know people. Now turn your head, so I can get this line right.”
chapter – fifthteen – shay
There is no way I’mma let this situation with Franklin and I, keep me from being with my son on Christmas Day. I built my courage up to drive home, knowing Mateo could dig in my ass about yesterday, but I didn’t give damn. I stayed in a hotel last night to reflect on what happened and came up with a conclusion.
Me and Mateo are over. There is no way I can go back to the way things were, knowing what happened. Things will never be the same again. I wanna be with Franklin, we have so much in common and he understands me. I make it to the door and insert my key into the lock, with regret streaming through my veins. I twist the doorknob, my heart is racing a thousand miles an hour, not knowing what mood Mateo is in, when I came in, Sophia is in the kitchen cooking and Dino is watching television. All eyes turned to me.
“Shay!” Sophia come running towards me with a Christmas apron on and a glass of red wine. “I am so glad you are here.” She kissed me on my cheeks, then Dino comes and squeeze me. “Yeah Shay Shay, we were worried about you.”
“I’m fine.” I didn’t understand why all the fuss. Sophia certainly did not help me when I was being attacked by her simple ass
brother; now she’s acting as if we best of friends. “Where’s Mateo and Junior?”
Dino jumps in proudly. “Mateo is in the computer room and Junior is upstairs still sleep.”
“I nod and pat Dino on the shoulder. “Thanks Dino, for everything.” I meant that because he did not look down on me for anything. He nods. “No doubt, your fam, you know I got you.” I nod back and head towards the computer room to talk to Mateo. I braced myself for what is about to happen next. I open the door and by my surprise Mateo was made over. His long hair is cut into a fade and his thick goatee is trimmed to perfection. I can see his hazel eyes now.
“You cut your hair!” I said as he sat in the chair behind the desk.
“Yea, it was about time. Dino hooked me up. Glad you made it. I didn’t think you was coming.” Mateo said with sincerity. His calmness questioned me if it was real.
I came in and took a seat across the desk, still unaware of who this man is in front of me. He looks much better with all the hair gone, almost like a model for a magazine.
“Why are you staring at me like that?” He frowned at me. I didn’t realize I was giving him a salty look.
“Why do you want me here? After everything why?” I had to know. No man would want a cheating wife. Hell, no woman would want a cheating man but somehow, I wanted Mateo back.
The thought of me cheating put a sour look on his face. “Because you’re my wife. We all make mistakes, I know.”
Obviously, he doesn’t know because Franklin was not a mistake nor a regret. He helped me see what I have been missing in my marriage and that’s happiness. But I can’t be happy without thinking of Mateo. Don’t get me wrong I love him but there’s something missing between us. I love Franklin too. “A mistake? For three years Mateo? I hardly think that was a mistake.” He sucked his teeth at my words, his deep northern accent became angelic. “Shay, you really need to choose your words wisely.”
I’m at a wow, at his response. “I’m just stating the facts Mateo. Where were you for the past three years? Did you not see it? I mean come on, damn, how blind can you really be?”
“Nah, I didn’t see it.” His voice went from angelic to his regular northern deep and passionate tone. “You know why? Because for the past three years I’ve been thinking it was me! You made sure my affairs would never be forgiven. Every chance you had you threw them in my face. This is my karma. I love you Shay, but I’m not gonna keep apologizing so you can go fuck him. I’m done apologizing. Own up to your mistakes.”
“Instead of you assuming why I did it, why don’t you just ask me?” I Spoke through grunt teeth, choking on my tears. There’s a reason why I stepped out on him, I’m am not the one to blame.
“No, I don’t wanna know why. It’s only going to piss me off to the max. Then you’ll put the blame on me. I did nothing this time around, nothing at all. I served my time for my broken vows. It’s your turn now.” His words were flat and dry. He doesn’t care how the fuck I feel, it always about him. As of right I don’t feel bad for stepping out on him with Franklin. When I’m mad, I get emotional and its hard for me to stop the tears from falling. “No…no... your wrong.” I shook my head, whipping the tears away. “The reason why I was fucking him is because he fights for me. You don’t! When we were in New York you fought hard for us to leave and when we did, everything went to shits! You fought for us when you cheated because of Junior. You haven’t fought of us; you and me! As much as you fought to keep me away, I need you to fight harder to keep me to stay.” I stood up and walked out the room. I cleaned my face before entering the living room to sit next to Dino. He wraps his arm around me and squeeze me. “You alright girl.” He told me and kissed me on my forehead. “You need ice on that eye. Ayo Sophia, can you bring me that frozen bag of peas in the freezer?”
“Sure.” Sophia was feeling good off her wine. Her tone was so happy and joyful.
“It’s Christmas, we’re gonna have a good day, for the sake of Junior. No crying unless it’s over your gift because we already know yo’ boy out did Mateo ass.”
“Here you go.” Sophia handed me the peas.
“Don’t apply to much pressure on it, you don’t want it to get even more swollen.” Dino said with the tv on ACS News Christmas parade. It’s 7 o’clock in the morning and Junior is still sleep. This is unlike him, he’s usually up before 6am. I get up to go check on baby boy, but Dino grabs my arm to sit me back down.
“Chill girl.”
“I need to go check on Junior.” I told him.
“I gotcha.” Dino sprinted upstairs.
A breaking news appeared on television. “We have a breaking news report. Mayor Franklin Wesley was found unresponsive this morning in his home, when housekeeper found him on the ground. He was taken to a classified location. From what I’m getting from all this is… Franklin is in ICU with life threatening injuries.” My ears are ringing, I’m in a state of shock. This can’t be happening! Life threatening injuries. I can’t breathe, the room is spinning, and I have no control over it. Dino comes flying down the stairs without Junior and dashes pass the living to where Mateo is at. Seconds later Mateo comes storming out the room and joins Dino’s marathon up the stairs
“Junior…” Mateo calls his name, searching from room to room, closet to closets slamming every door.
“Dino… Where’s Junior?” I cried out panicking still in a state of shock. This day couldn’t get any worse. After the news with Franklin I was in total shock and now Junior is missing, my body is paralyzed. This can’t be happening. I feel helpless stuck on the couch, trying to snap out of it. Sophia’s tipsy ass comes out the kitchen. “He’s in his room.” Sounding almost positive Junior is in there.
I dropped the peas that were doctoring my eye and ran upstairs to Junior’s room. There was no trace of him anywhere. I wanted to faint, but my mother instincts said. Bitch you betta find yo’ son, you so damn dramatic. I searched the entire upstairs looking for my son. My cries signaled to praying for his return. Hoping that just maybe he’s playing hide and seek. This is a mother’s worst fear to lose their child. “Mateo, where is my baby?” This is all a little too much for me. I broke down, screaming Juniors name as I jetted down the stairs, searching through each room and closet.
A knock on the door startled me. Mateo swung it open and my baby was standing beside a male officer, wrapped up in a quilted blanket. “Junior!” I cried and got on my knees to squeeze him. “Where did you go?” I didn’t want to let him go. Oh, my baby…
“Are you his mother?” The officer asked Sophia.
“No, I’m his mother.”
“Oh, I’m sorry mam. He said he was looking for you. I found him wondering the streets at five this morning.”
I ran my hand through my hair in frustration, knowing he was out by himself breaks my heart. I picked my son up and held him close, carrying him to the couch; Mateo followed. “I’m sorry Mommy, I didn’t mean too. I just wanted you here for Christmas.” I cried, holding his head to my chest. Not once through my selfishness had I thought about how my actions could affect my son. And the award for the worst parent of the year goes to Shay Rosso.
“Usually when things like this happen, we follow up with social services for a home visit. But I can see things are good here. Try getting a pad lock on these doors.” The officer said.
“We will. We will do it first thing tomorrow morning, when the stores are open. Thank you, officer.” Dino told him.
The officer threw up to deuces to Junior. “Alright kid, stay out them streets okay.” Junior nodded. “Merry Christmas ya’ll.”
“Thank you! So much and Merry Christmas to you too.” Mateo said. His love for his son is undeniable. “I told you Mommy was coming, didn’t I?” Mateo told him.
Junior nods. “But when I didn’t see her in the bed with you, so I went to go find her. I always wake Mommy up on Christmas.” I can’t handle this. To keep from drowning in my own sorrow and tears, I walked away into the kitchen and let out a gut clenchi
ng silent cry. Sophia comes in and hugs me as I hunch over the counter to silently cry. “He’s okay. He’s home safe and sound. It’s okay. You are gonna crash if you don’t get it together Ma’. You got a lot going on. Did you get any sleep last night?” Her sympathy gave me strength, I shook my head no. “I am so lost Sophia. I don’t know how I got here or why.”
Mateo enters the kitchen. I don’t need a lecture from him. “Hey, Sis do you think you can get Junior cleaned up for me, so he can open his gifts.” Mateo soft angelic presence made me feel at ease when he lays my head on his chest. “You know I got ‘cha.” Sophia answered her brother and rubbed my back on her way out. “You two need to work this out.”
In the myths of all my deceits and lies Mateo still cared enough to know when I’m hurting. Without a word he held me allowing me to release all my tears on his chest. my eyes swollen from David’s punch and cries. He kissed my bruised eye, and quivering lips then put his arm around my waist and escorted me to the empty living room. I know Mateo wants to say a lot but for the sake of peace he just held me in his arms, on our sectional sofa.
Chapter sixthteen – shay
“Ahh...” My moans echoed the room. His tongue flickered my clit as the juices ran down my leg. My walls begging for him to come inside of me. I love the way he devours my pussy, then without warning shoves all nine inches of swollenness in me. My back arched when his thickness invaded my space, with the tip hitting my soft spot. I moan his name.
“Oh, Franklin.” And then I woke up still on the couch in Mateo’s arm, with everyone on the sectional watching the Christmas parade. Everyone stopped in the middle of what they were doing and turned to me. They all are staring at me as if I had a big as booger on my face or something. What the hell. “What?” I stare them back.
“Wow!” Mateo said and got up his eyes never leaving me. “I’mma check the food.”
“What?” I’m confused as to what I did.