Returning her smile I said, “Good morning to you too.”
“Did you have fun Saturday night?” she whispered.
“I did, but I have a question.”
“Hopefully I have an answer.” She leaned against my desk; her exotic floral scent filled my space. My eyes roamed to her abundant thighs as I tried to fight the feeling that was churning in the pit of my stomach.
Clearing my throat I asked, “What was that pill that you gave me?”
Raising an arched eyebrow Tabitha asked, “Did you like that?”
“I’m not saying all of that,” I laughed, “But what was it?”
“Freedom is what I like to call it, but some call it harmony.”
“I did feel free and harmonious.”
“Did you feel the music coursing through your body and that you could dance all night?”
“I felt like I could fly.”
Throwing her head back Tabitha laughed, “Gosh, I love feeling like that.”
“I went home and actually had sex with my husband!” I exclaimed.
We both laughed.
“I’m jealous.” She winked, “Would you like to feel like that again?”
Thinking I answered, “I want to feel like that every day.”
“The ultimate escape.” She moaned.
“And I want to escape every fucking day.” I whispered while looking into her eyes.
Just then a knock was at my door, it was June from Payroll, “I’m sorry Mrs. Montgomery, but I needed to speak with you about some discrepancies with the payroll.”
Tabitha stood up and straightened her red pencil skirt, tossing her hair over her shoulder, “Okay I will have those aging reports on your desk by noon.” She winked, “Good morning June, love that sweater.”
I couldn’t help but let my eyes wander towards Tabitha’s ass as she switched out of my office.
I tried hard to listen to June talk about the payroll not adding up but I couldn’t concentrate with Tabitha’s exotic scent still in the air. I don’t know what it is about her, but every time I was around her I felt more alive than what I have ever felt. Maybe it was the fact that she was so young and carefree while I was in my thirties and had so many responsibilities or maybe it was me reliving my college experiments all over again.
16
Jovanna
Justin and I met at The Boathouse in Forest Park in order to speak with the caterer about our upcoming rehearsal dinner. As the caterer talked my focus was on the conversation that I had with Chad Sunday morning.
“Hey are you alright Jovanna?” Keith asked as we looked over the menu.
“Yes, I’m fine.” I faked a smile.
“You seem off in your own today.”
“I’m sorry; I’m just a little tired.” I lied, “What do you think about the menu choices?”
Justin looked at me in disbelief for a moment, but turned his attention back to the menu, “Honey, I really don’t care what they serve at the reception.” Looking at me he added, “Jovanna, I really hope you are being honest and that you are not hiding anything from me.”
Swallowing hard, I touched Justin on the side of his face, smiling softly I reassured him, “Baby everything is fine.” I kissed his thin, pink lips.
“Aww, look at the two love birds.” The caterer smiled as she walked back into the room to see if we made our choices.
After finalizing things with the caterer Justin had to get back to work. Before getting into our cars he pulled me close to him wrapping his arms around my body in a tight bear hug. The warmth of his strong body made me forget about the cold air that whipped around us.
“You make me happy Jovanna, and I hope that I make you feel the same way. If you are having second thoughts about this please just let me down easily and don’t leave me standing at the alter looking like a dick.”
Suddenly I had a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach; it felt as though we were being watched. I looked to my left then to my right and didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, but my face carried a worried looked. “I love you too Justin and baby don’t worry I wouldn’t even think of leaving you.” I managed through the thick lump in my throat. Kissing him on his cheek I pulled away, “You’d better get back to work baby.”
“Are you sure that everything is alright with you?”
I sighed heavily and pulled my car keys out of my coat pocket, “Justin, I told you that I’m fine.”
“I know I just hate to think that we are going to enter our marriage with secrets between us. I don’t think that I could live with that.”
Looking into his eyes I said, “Who is keeping secrets?”
“I feel that there is this brick wall in between us and while you will let me peek over it you won’t let me on the other side.”
“Babe, there are no secrets could you please stop asking me that?” Changing the subject I asked, “Have you talked to your mom about me taking her and your aunt to get their dresses for the wedding.”
When Justin didn’t answer I knew that he hadn’t. “Well at least now we know who has been keeping the secrets.” I retorted letting his hand go and getting into my car.
On my way back home I dialed Asteria’s cellular phone and she picked up on the first ring as if she were expecting a call.
“Hey sugar.” She sang.
“Are you busy?” I asked “I need a touch up.”
“Come on over I can squeeze you in with Londyn. Is everything alright?” she asked.
“Yes, I’m fine. I was at the Boathouse with Justin and since I am still in the area I decided to stop by to get a touch up because my roots are nappy as hell.” I explained as I looked at my hair in the rearview mirror.
“Just come right in; Londyn had a cancelation so you should be able to get right in.”
As soon as I stepped into the stylish salon, Aaron started singing Stevie Wonder’s song, Jungle Fever. Flipping him the middle finger I walked over and hugged him, “Why do you always have to sing that dumb ass song whenever I see you Aaron.”
“It is all with love.” He kissed me on the cheek, “How have you been I haven’t seen you in months?”
“I’ve been great, just busy planning.” I smiled
“I am not mad at you at all.” He said as he rolled his clients long locks between his hands.
“Hey Londyn.” I waved to her while she finished the client before me. “Hi Keisha.” I smirked.
Pandia walked out of the back room and hugged me, “You look good!” she squealed.
“You too, girl your dropped all of that baby weight.”
Pandia smacked my hand, “Heifer you know that little Keith is four!”
Asteria was sitting at the front desk and I noticed how she rolled her eyes when Pandia mentioned her son, “Hey girl what’s up?” I asked.
Smacking her red lip gloss she answered, “Not shit at all girl, just going through these bills.” she held up a stack of mail and dropped it on the desk.
Adjusting my green purse on my arm I asked, “Why are you acting like you have an attitude today?”
“I don’t have an attitude; I am just a little tired.”
“Well, can I talk to you privately for a moment?” I asked.
Asteria looked crazy at Pandia and said, “Hey, I’m going to the back room to talk to Jovanna for a minute. Do you think that you can hold things down?”
Looking at the clock that hung on the back wall Pandia answered, “Yes, I can hold it down Asteria; just be sure that you are back soon because Keith is picking me up so that we can meet with the party planner at Monkey Joes for little Keith’s birthday party.”
“Oh, his birthday is coming up isn’t it?” Asteria said as if she didn’t know when her only nephew’s birthday was. “Wow, make sure you remind me when it is so that I can bring Latif.”
Pandia rolled her eyes at her sister while she finished up her client.
“What was that all about girl?” I asked.
Asteria picked up her cel
l phone and began texting as if she were upset by something.
“Asteria, what’s up girl?” I asked, but she ignored me as she finished her text.
Slamming her phone down on the desk she ran her fingers through her sandy hair, “Niggas girl!” she fumed, “I’m sorry, but what’s going on with you?”
“I just left the Boathouse with Keith” I began
“For the reception dinner right?” she smiled, “How did it go?”
“It went alright, but…”
“But, come on Jovanna, you know that I can’t stand a but in a sentence!” she fussed, “But what?”
I sighed, “I feel as if Justin really doesn’t know me as well as he thinks he does and I don’t want him getting hurt.”
Asteria looked at me with widened eyes, “What in the hell are you talking about Jovanna? You are one of the best women that I know.”
Standing I began to pace the room, “How do you know that?”
“Because I have known you for over ten years and I have never known for you to be anything but a good woman. Why are you tripping today girl?”
I needed to tell her who I really am, “Asteria there is something that I need to tell you, but I need you to listen and keep an open mind.”
“I’m all ears.” She said, but just when I was about to tell her about my past her cell phone vibrated on the desk. Asteria held up one well-manicured finger and answered the phone call.
“Hello. What do you mean I’m tripping? Hold on” she put the phone to her side and looked at me, “Hey Jovanna can we finish this conversation in a few, I have to take this?”
Smiling I grabbed my purse and walked out of the office; just as I rounded the corner Londyn beckoned me to her chair. I was ready for a change, I told Londyn not only to touch up my roots, but also to cut my neck-length hair into a short pixie style like Nia Long wore her hair. Despite the protests of Londyn, Aaron and Pandia I demanded that my stylist chop it all off and give me a new beginning. Watching in the mirror I knew that changing my look on the outside wouldn’t change who I was on the inside.
17
Asteria
Putting the phone back up to my ear I spat, “I hope Latif’s next party gets to be thrown at Monkey Joe’s.” I spat.
Keith sighed into the phone, “Let’s not start this again Asteria.”
Rolling my eyes I said, “Where are you?”
“I just turned onto Delmar and I’ll be there in five minutes to pick up Pandia.”
“Keith, I’m getting tired of playing second fiddle to my sister. All of my life no matter how much I accomplished I was still second compared to her. Do you realize how much it hurts me to see you and her together while I’m all alone?”
“Yes I do realize that Asteria but I hate to sound harsh when I say these are the breaks when you fuck around with a married man.”
“I kick myself for it every day, but I can’t help the way that I feel about you.”
“How do you feel about me?” he said taunting me.
I smiled, “Don’t play Keith you already know how much I love you.”
“I love it when you say that, but I love it even more when you moan it.”
“Would you like for me to moan it for you tonight, baby?” I asked seductively.
“Damn you keep a nigga’s dick rock hard don’t you? But I can’t stop through tonight.”
“Why not, did you promise your wife that you’d be a good boy and keep your ass at home for a change?”
“No, actually I’m going out with Stony and Pete for a guy’s night out.”
“Fine, I guess I will have to wait until tomorrow night then.”
“Maybe, but I have to go because I just pulled up to your shop.”
After hanging up with Keith, I logged into the internet and paid a few bills and ordered the stylists new smocks; I couldn’t bear to see Keith pick up my sister again. When I thought that it was safe, I walked out of the office and into the main salon where I saw Jovanna sitting under the dryer and Keith was sitting in Keisha’s chair while she gave him a lining.
“What’s up Asteria?” Keith spoke when he saw me. “How is Latif?”
Wanting to cut my eyes at him, I answered, “Latif is doing fine; too bad his no good daddy doesn’t get to see him often or he’d see how big he has gotten.”
Keith’s jaw tightened, “That is too bad, but you have to do what you have to do. Maybe next time you will find you a man that is willing to marry you before you have his baby.”
That was low. “Maybe I will Keith, maybe I will.”
“Asteria, after I finish Mya I’m heading out for the rest of the day.” Pandia said.
Since she was almost finished with her last client there was no issue with her leaving early. “That is cool, girl. What’s going on with you and Keith tonight?”
“Nothing much, he is going out with the guys and I’m staying home, but it won’t make any sense for me to drive all of the way out on Watson Road to Monkey Joe’s then try to make it back here when I don’t have anymore clients.”
“You are right, have fun.” I smiled, “I’m going back in the office, and I have paperwork to get started on.”
Looking at Keith flirt with Keisha made my blood boil, “Keith, it was nice seeing you again.”
“You too; take care.” He said without taking his eyes off of Keisha.
Later that night after putting Latif to bed I sent Keith a text:
Hey baby, why don’t you ditch the boys and come over I’ve got something that I want you to see.
After waiting fifteen minutes and no response I laid across the bed, spread my legs and took a picture of my freshly shaven pussy and sent it to Keith. After waiting another ten minutes and no response I decided to do some investigating to figure out where he was.
“Hello?” Pandia answered the phone.
“Hey girl what are you doing?”
“Nothing, just sitting here watching television; I just put little Keith to bed.” She yawned.
“It sounds like you are waiting for Keith to get home.” I joked.
“Girl please, I’d be waiting up all night if that were the case.” She said, “You know how he is. He didn’t come home until the sun came up last night.”
He was not with me, fuming I asked, “Where is he at now?”
“He said that he was going to the Skybox with his boys.”
“Do you believe him?”
“Yes, I just called him and text Stony’s wife and she confirmed that he is at the Skybox and Keith is with him.”
“That is good; at least you know that he is not knee deep in some pussy.”
“For now that is, I am so sick of this to be honest with you; some days I just want to give up, leave him and move out of town.” She sighed, “And do you want to know what? I doubt that he would even miss us.”
I did not know what to say to her, on one hand I wanted to tell my sister that I would take her to the divorce lawyer in the morning and buy her a plane ticket in the afternoon, but on the other hand it really hurt me to know that Keith was treating her this way.
“You just have to do what is best for you and your piece of mind Pandia; you can’t keep pleasing someone else while you are unhappy.”
“I understand what you are saying; I have to learn to put myself first. I don’t see how you did it.”
“Did what?” I asked.
“How you just let go of Latif’s dad like you did and chose to raise your son by yourself. I wish that I was as strong as you are, Asteria; I’ve always admired your strength.”
I wanted to tell her that I haven’t let my son’s father go, I wanted to tell her that I was about to go out and find her husband, my son’s father and bring him home with me tonight, but instead I said, “I don’t know how I do it sometimes either, but I guess I got my strength from mom.”
My twin laughed, “Yeah mom was the epitome of strength with all of the shit that she put up with from daddy.”
“Love makes you do
some crazy things.” I smiled thinking of our late mother.
Pandia yawned again, “Well I’m about to go to sleep, I can’t wait up on him all night tonight.”
“Alright, I will see you in the morning.”
“Asteria, I love you.”
Taken by surprise I stammered, “I-I love you too.”
Once I hung up the phone with her I jumped out of bed, threw on a pair of jeans, a hoodie, and boots. I got Latif out of his bed and put his coat on over his thermal sleeper as he slept. Jumping in my blue Avalon I sped down the road towards the highway, telling myself that I was only going to make sure that Keith was out with his boys and not with some slut.
When I pulled up to the Skybox I rode around the parking lot, but when I didn’t spot Keith’s truck I sped off. Not knowing where he was I dialed his cellphone once again, still no answer. Growing more pissed by the second I drove past a few other spots that Keith and his boys were known to hang out at from time to time, but still no luck. Finally, after looking at the clock read twelve-thirty I decided to take my ass home. Keith would have to feel my wrath the next time that I saw him. Unlike my sister, I’m not stupid; Keith always played the Stony and Pete game with her when he was really with me. Sometimes while he was sexing me Pandia would call and he’d lie and say that he was kicking it with one of his boys and that he’d be home soon. I’m no fool, I knew that Keith was out with someone else, but who?
Deciding not to take the highway home I instead rode down Delmar; as my car neared the shop I slowed down when I noticed a car sitting out front. It was silver Ford Focus with tinted windows and Illinois plates; there was only one person who drove that car and it was Keisha. Wondering why this heifer was at the shop other than to steal products I pulled my car to the side of the building and to my surprise Keith’s truck was parked in the parking lot. Furious I tried to get out of the car without putting it in park and ended up rear ending Keith’s truck. Putting my own car in reverse and parking it alongside of Keith’s I jumped out and walked to the side door of the salon.
Quietly putting my key in the door and turning the lock, I could hear soft moans coming from the front of the shop. I tip-toed to the front and there was Keith sitting in his wife’s chair with Keisha, butt naked riding him. Her head was thrown back as she rotated her hips on my man’s lap. I could taste the blood boiling in my throat as I watched the man that I loved fuck the girl that I gave a chance. I wanted to come out of the darkness and choke the life out of Keisha, but the tears forming in my eyes made impossible for me to see clearly. Keith stood up; bending Keisha over the chair he took her from behind. I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t say anything because I’d expose my own skeleton, instead I walked back out into the frigid midnight air.
Skeletons Page 7