by Tiana Laveen
“We have a lot of work to do, but I want the journey to not only be educational, but a passage to a better you and me.” The room lit up with smiles and people whispering amongst themselves, some appeared to be in shock. “Now, grab yourselves a soda, coffee, water, whatever you want, and let’s eat!”
CHAPTER TWELVE
A Chat with a Son Whose Hair Has Grew
&
Another Siting of Winnie the Pew
Anthony had let his hair grow out…
Chancellor sat in his home office with Bernie’s head on his lap. His son looked at him through Skype, his blue eyes shining, a tilted smile on his face, and happiness in his tone. He wished he were responsible for it. Lightly patting the keys in a nervous fashion, he looked into his son’s eyes and forced a smile.
“I’m glad school is going well, Anthony. Freshman year can be a bit of an adjustment.”
“Yeah, it’s going good though. Mom keeps bringing things to my dorm, trying to cozy it up I guess.” He chuckled. Chancellor nodded and drummed his fingers against the desk, then glided them across Bernie’s head. Suddenly the furry beast became a much-needed security blanket.
“That sounds like Maddie, wanting nothing but the best for you.” They were quiet for a spell, a nervous tension floating between the two of them.
“Uh, Anthony, I want to tell you something.”
“Yeah? What is it?” Concern filled his son’s eyes. In that brief moment, he imagined the boy was thinking the worst … like perhaps he had a terminal disease.
“I told you at the beginning of this conversation that I was doing well. And, uh, well, that was a half-truth. I am doing well right now, but had we spoken past our usual weekly banter of ‘hello’ texts, you would have discovered more. I first want to say that, uh, I know you and I have been fairly close over the years, but lately, there has kinda been a rift. That happens sometimes when parents divorce. I never pressed you about the matter, but it was obvious you wanted to spread your wings. I wanted you to stay here in Wisconsin, because … I didn’t want to be lonely. You and I had kinda gotten into it right before you left, and I said some things to you that I shouldn’t have … stuff said out of anger.”
“Yeah, but you meant it.” Anthony’s face suddenly drew serious, his eyes darker.
“I suppose you know me well enough to know that I rarely say things I don’t mean, but that doesn’t mean my feelings never change, Anthony. Just because I might be sincere one minute about something, especially in the heat of anger, doesn’t mean I will feel that way a month later. Anger is always a symptom of something else. I learned that.”
“Yeah, well, all right.” The boy shrugged and looked away, as if unsure what to do with the sudden confession.
“I’m sorry, Anthony. You had every right to spread your wings. It’s not your fault that I had become a bit of a recluse, anti-social, and relied on you for comfort. You should have never been put in that position.”
The boy slowly turned back towards the screen and nodded. “All right … thanks for that. I accept your apology. I had gotten over it though. Seriously. It’s not a thing.”
“Well, we may get over something, but that doesn’t mean we ever forget it. So, I wanted to update that memory, if you will. Now, the other thing I wanna tell you is that quite a bit has happened over the past few months.”
“Hmm, good or bad?” The boy’s brow arched.
“Depends on how you interpret it, I guess.” Chancellor smirked. Reaching for a cup of coffee that sat next to a canister filled with company pens, he took a taste. “First off, my temper got me in trouble in work. I was forced to take a leave of absence.”
“What?!” Anthony slapped his face in disbelief.
“Yeah. But it gets better. I had to take mandatory anger management classes, too.”
“Oh my God!” The boy cackled in what appeared both shock and amusement. “No way, Dad!”
“Yeah…”
“You seem awfully calm about this.”
“Well.” He shrugged. “It happened a while ago so I’ve had time to process it. I only was required to take a few classes, but I’ve taken six thus far, and I plan to keep attending for a while.”
“Wow … damn … well, if it helped then, hell, that’s a good thing, Dad.”
“It did, or it is helping, I should say. Secondly, I—” Just then, Bernie barked as a car passed by, shining its lights into his office window.
“A dog? You got a dog, Dad? I can’t believe this! For years I begged you for a dog and you refused to let me get one! Who are you? Where’s my father at?” The boy laughed, drawing the same reaction from him.
“Not my four-legged beast. I’m pet-sitting.”
“For who? Do I know them?”
“No. She just moved here a few months ago. Anthony, I met someone and, uh, we’re in a relationship. I love her.”
The boy’s face went from elation to shock, to something he couldn’t quite describe.
“Really?” Anthony’s lips curled in a smile. “I will never forget this Skype conversation for as long as I live.” He rocked back in his seat and stared briefly at the ceiling. “First, I get an apology from a man who never apologies. Then I find out my workaholic dad has basically been on vacation but kept it from me and the guy who hates pets is furball-sitting for a woman … a woman he loves. I gotta come out there and see you soon.” He snatched his baseball cap off his head allowing the grown out dark tresses to tumble and fall, frame his face before he ran his hand through his hair. “This is incredible. What’s ’er name?”
“Bailey … really nice lady. Smart, wise, quite pretty. You’d like her, I think.”
“That’s good, Dad. Yeah, I definitely want to meet her.”
“I want you to meet her, too. You both are the most important people to me, so it would only be fitting.” He took a deep breath as he reflected over Bailey’s recent diagnosis, the way his heart hurt on her behalf, and how that information had drawn him closer to her. “Anthony, life is precious, you know? I squandered some of mine, and I regret that. I shoulda spent more time with you. I missed some parts of your life, important milestones, because I was working and not smelling the roses, as they say. You never complained, but I’ll never forget the disappointment in your eyes in those times. I chose work over you, and you chose a new frontier over me, as you should have. I hadn’t earned the right to ask you to stay … and regardless of how good or bad our relationship was, like I said, you had a right to forge your own way and walk your own path.”
“Dad, despite anything we said to one another over the years, I always saw you as my best friend. I love you. You always wanted what was best for me, and trust me, I knew that.”
“I did. You are like me in some ways. You deserved to find your place in this world, to follow your heart. I love ya, kid.” He blinked several times, then snatched a tissue from a nearby box and blew his nose. When he looked back at the screen, Anthony’s eyes looked suspiciously moist, and he was blinking, too.
“I got somethin’ in my eye,” the boy teased, then gave a nervous laugh. “I … I love you too, Dad. I’ll be up to see you soon, okay? Maybe over spring break.”
“That’ll be nice. If you can’t, I understand, but try to squeeze me into your hectic, crazy college schedule.” He beamed. “I’m proud of you and I don’t ever want you to let me, your mother, or anyone else stand in the way of your dreams. Do what you want to do. We both love you, but sometimes, despite our efforts, we may not know what’s best, even though we want the best for you, you understand?” The boy nodded his head in agreement. “Follow your heart, just like I said, but use your mind, too. Come to me for advice if you want it; just never lose yourself, Anthony. Jobs may come and go, and yeah, bills need to be paid, but love … well, sometimes, that’s just a once in a lifetime sorta thing…”
Today was the first day in a mighty long time when the sun shined through the shattered puzzle pieces of white billows. The fluffy clouds whispered
soothingly from a daydream, telling secrets of a pending sunset. The big yellow star crept between the grays and blues as she settled into bed, making a show of the fact that a new season had begun.
Chancellor stared down at a patch of vibrant grass, fresh and budding. He dropped to his knees and his nostrils flared as the scent of nature’s new life filled his airways. Getting back to his feet, he made his way down the path. He’d gotten home early from work and changed into more fitting attire to attend the quarterly Homeowner’s Association meeting. Today, Bailey wouldn’t be in attendance. She was at the studio working on a new project. He smiled when he thought about the fact that just the previous meeting was when she’d stolen his heart, at first sight. He only hadn’t known it yet.
The wind beat through his light jacket every so often, causing it to flap open. He relished the newness of the world around him. Inhaling the sweet air, he felt it creeping along his skin, causing goosebumps. It was his new drug.
I can’t remember the last time I just stopped and breathed. Really breathed.
He arrived at Edward’s home, the host for the meeting that night. The street had a few parked cars there, some in in the man’s driveway. As he drew closer to the dark brick home, he could hear a burst of laughter. He rang the doorbell and the man opened the door, standing with his thick salt and pepper mustache that obscured his top lip. His warm dark brown eyes creased at the ends as he showcased a toothy grin with a prominent gap between the two front teeth.
“Hey!” He extended his hand and Chancellor gave it a firm shake. “Glad you could come. Come right on in.” Edward stepped aside and Chancellor was immediately enveloped in a swarm of people, some of which he’d never seen before. Some new families had moved into the area since the last meeting, and a couple had left, too. Life went on. He gave a few more handshakes, noticing a waft of body odor coming from one direction. He had a suspect, but kept it to himself. As he made small talk and moved about the living room, he spotted one of his favorite neighbors, Pedro Martinez. He was usually out of town for business, but Pedro was a real go-getter, a ‘pull yourself up by the bootstraps’ type of guy.
“Chancellor!” Pedro bopped over to him wearing a garish red and navy plaid jacket. “Haven’t seen you all winter! How’s the lighting business going?”
“Terrific. You’ve been living in the jungles again?” Chancellor teased, grinning. “I see your wife from time to time but didn’t ask when you’d return.”
“Just back from Brazil two nights ago. Yeah, still jungle bound.” Pedro owned a company that specialized in repairs for gold mining equipment.
They made their way over to a table loaded with juice-filled Dixie cups and engaged in a bit of small talk until everyone was asked to find a seat. Some made themselves comfortable on the couch and loveseat in the large living room, while others sat in folding chairs or leaned casually against a wall. Chancellor had found a chair near the drinks and claimed it. The first topic of discussion regarded the planting of flowers in the entrance of the subdivision.
His brain wouldn’t plant soil for any foliage growth discussions. Instead, his cock did the rising when a sudden image of Bailey entered his mind, one inspired from that morning…
After a night of lovemaking, she went to take a shower, while he put on a robe he kept at her house for such occasions, and went down to prepare some coffee. After finishing her shower, she joined him downstairs in her kitchen—butt naked, like a gift. Moisture still clung to her body, making the rich earth tones of her physique glisten under the lights. She stood there smiling, talking and moving about, but he couldn’t hear what she said. All he could do was fall deeper in love with her. Before he knew it, he’d placed his cup of joe down and took her in his arms. They rested their foreheads against one another and swayed, as if slow dancing. Cupping one of her ass cheeks, he gave the other a pinch before kissing her full, soft mouth.
“I’m so damn in love with you…” Gently picking her up, he went to set her down on the counter. He yanked the robe tie loose, allowing it to fall open. She traced the hairs along his chest with her fingertip, then gasped when he roughly entered her, staring deeply into her eyes with each desperate, needy plunge. They climaxed simultaneously, yelling and cursing at one another, loving each other hard and everlasting…
“Chancellor, well? Is it?” He blinked several times as he realized Mary was speaking to him. Shaken out of his deliberations, he cleared his throat.
“I’m sorry, it was a long day and I kinda zoned out. Can you repeat the question?” The woman went on to ask about lighting possibilities in the pond, to which question he offered a detailed response.
The meeting soon came to a close and he was eager to return home to get something to eat and perhaps get some work done too. As he said his goodbyes, he felt a tug on his jacket. The front door opened, ushering in a gust of wind that blew through his hair. His eyes rested on Winnie. The woman stood before him, a scowl on her face and her hands on her hips.
“Can I help you with something?” He sucked his teeth and waved goodbye to someone else who was leaving before returning his attention to her.
“It has come to my attention that you are late on your dues. As treasurer, I—”
“That’s a lie. I have automatic withdrawals for my dues.”
“Well, I didn’t receive them.” She crossed her arms in defiance.
“I’ll look into it.” He turned to walk away, not in the mood for Winnie’s freshly laid pile of shit.
“Are you and Bailey seeing each other? I mean…” She shrugged. “How would your son feel about that?”
“My son?” He crossed his arms, mirroring her stance, and glared down at her like the maggot that she was. “What do you know about Anthony? Nothing. But more importantly, what does he have to do with this?”
“Well, I’m just saying … couldn’t you do better?” Chancellor scanned the woman from head to toe, his jaw tightening as he tried with all his might to keep his cool. He struggled to convince himself she wasn’t worth his energy, but he simply couldn’t resist.
“Winnie.” He blew out air like he used to do when he smoked a couple of packs a day. “Mitchell must be miserable with you. You know nothing about my life, what I want, what I think. You’re one of those people that pretends to be a do-gooder, when in fact, you’re just no fucking good.” The woman gasped as if she couldn’t believe her ears, and people began to cast glances in their direction.
“Don’t you ever use that vile language with me!”
“Hey, everybody!” Chancellor called out, placing a hand around each side of his mouth to amplify his voice. “Winnie here is offended by my ‘F’ bomb after she keeps shoving her nose in my business. See, she’s overly interested in my love life and she’s giving unsolicited advice. This coming from a woman who was accused of flirting with her own minister.”
“That’s a lie!” Her voice trembled with rage as she jetted a finger in his direction. “What about you being naked and letting the entire street see you, huh?”
“Oh, you saw me naked?” He grinned. “That was you, huh? I thought it was just some peeping Tom. Well, in your case, a peeping Jane.”
“I am not the one in the wrong here, Chancellor. It was you! There are—”
“I was in the privacy of my bedroom, curtains mostly drawn with just about a narrow opening so I could enjoy the sight of the snowfall. You would have really had to have been straining to make me out. I remember you now. You whipped out your cellphone and put it up in my direction. What were you doing? Magnifying the situation so you could see everything better? For being such a concerned citizen, you sure stood there a long time. Must’ve enjoyed the scenery.”
“Well, I never! I was just taking a walk and then—”
“Oh, never mind, you probably noticed I don’t actually need magnification. I’m a bit confident about that aspect of myself.” He smirked as he rolled back on his heels.
“I am reporting you, Chancellor!”
; “To who, Winnie?” He laughed and tossed up his hands. “You’re the one who comes around messing with everyone, all the damn time. No one can stand you! No one could stand me either, differently I suppose, but at least I wasn’t in denial about it.” He looked around at the people who were now staring at them both with discerning eyes, and a twinkle in a few. Some seemed in shock, others appeared to be fighting back a laugh. “I want to apologize to everyone in here for this unprofessional display. I didn’t plan this, I’ve just reached my limit. Well, I apologize to everyone but Winnie, for anything I may have said or done to you over the years. I’m an asshole, but it was never my intention to ruin anyone’s day. I wish to make up for it by offering a donation to cover the landscaping costs for this year, and I’ll have a few of my guys put in some really nice lighting for the pond.”
“That’s very generous of you, Chancellor,” Pedro chirped.
“Also, for the record, I pay my dues religiously, and I think someone needs to look into Winnie’s recordkeeping and accounts. I wouldn’t be surprised if she isn’t skimming a bit of cream off the top.” He didn’t miss how a few heads nodded in agreement.
“How dare you accuse me of stealing!” Her jaws shook like a bulldog’s, while her eyes grew large with that all too familiar, ‘How dare you!’ glare. “Everyone!” She swiveled on her feet and looked around her. “Chancellor and Bailey are having an affair!” She faced him once again, this time with a smug smirk on her face. There were a few gasps … or perhaps a belch—he wasn’t certain.
“How can I have an affair when neither of us is married, Winnie?! Wrong word usage. What you meant to say is, ‘Chancellor is screwing a Black lady, ohhhh, the horror! Call the FBI and start an internal investigation! Watergate, Russian hacking, now this! It’s mayhem!!!” He rolled his eyes and gave her jazz hands, causing bursts of laughter from the crowd.