She is digging in the corner with her back to us. Delilah and I both share looks, knowing that little girl is up to something. When we move in closer, Quinn has a permanent marker and is scribbling all over the wall.
“Quinn!” Delilah shouts, startling her.
She looks over her shoulder, a very cute smirk on her face, and then shows her mommy the lovely pictures she’s made. Delilah takes the marker and caps it, kisses her cheek, and then proceeds to look Quinn over.
“Well, at least you don’t have it all over you. I guess I will have a mess to clean up tomorrow, little girl.” Quinn just giggles and holds her arms up to her mom. She’s still smiling her trademark smile when Delilah says, “You know, little girl, you look just like your dad. And you act like him, too.” Delilah lays Quinn in her crib and pulls up the blanket. Then she kisses her fingers and presses them to her forehead, “Goodnight, my little terror.” We walk from the room as Delilah shuts the door to Quinn’s room.
Both of us flop down on the couch, and she looks over to me. “Man, since you’ve been here, I haven’t even asked you why you stopped by. Sorry, but these kids keep me preoccupied.” She grabs my hand and gives it a squeeze. “Thank you for cleaning up the living room. You didn’t have to do that.”
“I know. I wanted to.”
She smiles and squeezes my hand again. She is such a sweet person, and I know she’d do the same for me if I were in her situation. I barely knew her when my Aunt Connie was ill and she didn’t hesitate to help out with her last Thanksgiving dinner, and attended her funeral. Acts of kindness are impossible to repay, but I will spend my life time trying
“I wanted to ask you a question, and I didn’t want to do it over the phone … I guess.”
“Oh?” Delilah sits up and gives me her full attention.
“I was wondering what it’s like raising a baby here, as in Sulfur Heights. If you had your choice, would you have moved when you found out you were pregnant?” While Delilah simply looks at me, I know she wants to ask me if I’m pregnant. Her blue eyes are as wide as plates, and she’s unintentionally cocked her head to the side. “Yes, if that’s what you’re wanting to know.”
The biggest smile gleams from her face, and soon, I’m being choked in her embrace. She is giggling with happiness, and it’s hard not to join in the excitement. I find myself overjoyed as I laugh along with her.
“Oh, my word. This is so exciting. How far along are you?”
“Six weeks. I went to the doctor a few days ago, and they figured out my due date from my last period, determining I’m approximately six weeks. They asked me if I wanted to have an ultrasound, but I decided to wait because it didn’t feel right without Drake there.”
Delilah is still holding my hand as she looks at me with confusion. “I take it you haven’t told him yet.” I shake my head no, and she gives me a sad smile. “Is it Presley? Is that why you’re worried to tell him?”
Delilah was Presley’s oldest friend. If anyone knew her as well as Drake, it was Delilah. She was in the thick of things when Presley was depressed and dealing with her drug issue. Delilah knows, if anything stands in my way for leaving this place, it will be her.
“Zoe …” She gets up from the couch and walks to the kitchen. I follow her out and find her in the fridge pouring a glass of wine. “You cleaned my kitchen, too?”
“Well, yeah. I wasn’t going to crash your dinner then not help out in any way.”
She walks to me and gives me a hug. “You’re such a sweet friend.” We pull out chairs at the table where she pushes a glass of white wine over to me. “A little won’t kill ya.”
I nod my head and take a small sip. Normally, wine tastes like heaven in a glass, but right now, it tastes like I swallowed acid. I instantly start to gag.
“Here, I think you need to finish this.” I pass the glass over to her, and Delilah tips it back and gulps it down. “Did you ever think about leaving when you found out you were pregnant with the boys?”
She smiles and stares off into space, reliving a memory. I’m about to ask her what she’s thinking about when she begins to share her thoughts.
“I was so, so happy when I found out I was pregnant with the boys. We were never officially trying, but you know Jake and I, we were so over-the-moon for one another. He’d always find a way to make me smile, regardless if he was being an ass or not. That man could always put a smile on my face.” The corner of her mouth pulls up slightly as she blinks away the sadness attempting to take over.
She and Jake are as far apart as any couple could be. They hardly see one another, and when they do, it’s related to the kids. My heart aches for her because I know she loves him deeply.
“But, when the doctor told me I was going to have a baby, I cried and cried with happiness. I came home to our little garage apartment … Do you remember that place?”
“Yes, I do. A lot of great memories were created there,” I recall cheerfully.
“I don’t think I have ever been as happy as when I was living there. It was the first place I lived on my own, Jake and I were mad for each other, and that’s where we began our family.
“Anyway, when I got there, I found every candle in the house and scattered them all over the living room. The space was lit up with a soft orange glow. I put on Shinedown’s “I’ll Follow You Down.” He made that song my ring tone back when we first met, which he finally told me after I left Emerson and moved in with him that it was how he felt about me. I’d never heard the song, but when I played it, the words moved me to tears.” She starts to tear up. I hold her hand, knowing this walk down memory lane is a bittersweet moment for her. “God, I’m sorry. Where was I?”
“You just put on the song.”
“Oh, yeah. Then I took a shower, put on something sexy, and waited for my man to come home. It didn’t take long, and the moment he saw me in my red lacey lingerie, he wasted no time getting it off me. And that’s when he saw it.”
Confused, I ask, “Saw what?”
“I wrote ‘Can’t wait to meet you, Daddy’ on my belly.” She pointed to her stomach, which is still flat and trim even after having four kids. “He was shocked at first, but then he picked me up and spun me in the air. I got so dizzy and almost threw up, but he just couldn’t stop. He was so excited. We both were. However, I was in a different place in my life then. I would have gone anywhere as long as Jake was there.
“Is this the ideal town to raise a baby in? Absolutely not. But I did it anyway because I wanted to be with him. But, if Jake and I were in the state we’re in now, I would have left the moment I found out.
“Sometimes, I think about packing up my kids and moving back to Memphis. This place isn’t for people like us, Zoe. It’s a horrible place, and I’m glad everyone else is finally realizing that. As sad as it was to see them leave, I was so glad Darcie and Reggie got out, and Jeremy, for that matter. This is no place to raise a family.
“I think the boys got lucky having the brother they did. Reggie bent over backwards to care for them, and I know for certain that, if Reggie never got shot and Darcie wanted to leave, he would have gone because he’s devoted to her as much as she’s devoted to him. Love like that is rare.” Delilah takes another long sip and then another. “I had that once.”
“You can still have that again, D. You just need to talk to him.”
“Have you met, Jake Evans? There is no talking to him. He’s set in his ways, and as much as I love him, all I can think about are my kids. I don’t want them growing up in a place like this, with a drunk for a father. And, if he doesn’t realize it soon, I have to do something drastic to protect my children.”
“You can come with me. We can move to Eden Heights, raise our babies, and be with our best friends.” I’m trying to reassure her and make it known that, if she has to leave, she doesn’t have to limp back home to her mother, feeling ashamed. She can come with us, and we will take care of each other.
“You’re too sweet. It will be impossible to
get Drake to move.” She sighs before I feel the mood shift. “Look, Zoe, if you want to get Drake to move, he has to be willing to really let go of Presley. I know he loves you. It’s very obvious when he looks at you. He literally glows with happiness.” I smile, knowing I look just as foolish looking back at him. “But he still holds on to the guilt over Presley’s death. The family doesn’t talk about it with him, but we can all see it, and we know he’s at the cemetery a lot. I’m afraid, until he learns to let that go, he will always live here. But you need to make the best choice for yourself and your baby, and if that’s leaving, then so be it.”
I nod my head, knowing if Drake doesn’t come, I will be moving to Eden Heights alone. Delilah has only confirmed my suspicions, and I know it will be the hardest thing I have had to do, but it needs to be done.
My thoughts break away as the back door flies open and crashes against the counter. Jake stumbles through the doorway and into the kitchen. Delilah just rolls her eyes, obviously prepared for a long night. I thought he didn’t sleep here anymore, but apparently he must.
“It’s probably time to go, Zoe. Just think about what I told you, okay?”
I give Delilah a hug and hold her tightly to my body. “You, too,” I whisper in her ear because, if she wants to escape with me, I will gladly be her partner in crime.
A kiss on my lips wakes me and lets me know Zoe is home. I shut the TV off and follow her to the bedroom where she strips down to her panties and slips a small tank top on. Once I remove my clothes except my boxers and join her in bed, she nestles her body close to mine, our foreheads almost touching. Then she wraps her arms around my neck and hooks her leg on my hip, and I lean down and kiss her sweet, warm lips.
We start out slow, taking the time to savor one another. She is perfect in every way, and I feel so very blessed I found someone who can manage my emotional shit and love me for who I am.
She slowly pulls away from me and looks deeply in my eyes. Hers are twinkling, and her teeth shimmer as she gives me her most dazzling smile. I can’t help joining in the happiness. I make my smile mirror hers.
“I need to tell you something.” I lean forward as she whispers to me.
“Sure, baby.” I kiss her forehead, wondering what has her so incredibly happy.
She kisses me on the lips then whispers, “I’m pregnant.”
I look at her blankly because I am completely stunned. Granted, I knew eventually we might have children, but I wasn’t expecting it to be now. Pregnant?
I have to admit finding out this way is a hell of a lot better than when I found out Presley was pregnant with Mia. She was literally moments away from getting an abortion before Delilah told me she was going to have a baby. I’m glad I am not under those circumstances again. And Zoe is the very opposite of Presley.
She’s strong and dependable, and the look on her face is priceless. She is very excited to have this baby. Although the news is shocking and the time is way off, how the hell can I not be happy?
I hold my gaze to hers and smile. “We’re having a baby.”
She lets out a sigh of relief, and then we spend the night celebrating the same way all of this started, naked and making love.
***
I have been living on cloud fucking nine since Zoe told me she is having a baby, but now I need to find a job, and fast. Since the city is washed up, I decide to go out of town to further my search. At this point, I really don’t care what I do. As long as it has a decent pay and puts food on my table, I am game for about anything.
I spend the day in Butler yet have the same luck as Sulfur Heights. The city is also in shambles. There is hardly any work anywhere, and many folks are feeling the pressure as much as I am. I decide to abandon the town and head back to Sulfur Heights, stopping by The Slab to see my girl. Zoe is working the day shift, and it would be nice to see her or shoot the shit with Big Mike.
I pull into the parking lot and walk to the front entrance just as three men walk out. Two of them I recognize as Tank and Victor. I’m not sure if they know me, but Jeremy’s pointed them out before, and I made sure to never forget their faces. My gut is telling me something is not right about this situation. When I pass the black man, his eyes look wicked and dangerous. I have never seen him before, and if he’s hanging out with the Rykers, I know he’s no good.
As I walk past him, the man brushes his shoulder into mine. I freeze. My body immediately wants to react to this guy. My muscles harden, and my fists get ready for a fight. The man turns and looks me up and down, almost assessing me before he slowly walks away with Tank and Victor. I take a moment to watch him leave, knowing he is pure trouble, and then make my way inside.
Gavin is wiping down the counter as I make my way up to the bar. I look around for Zoe, but don’t see her anywhere.
“Hey, Gavin. Where’s Zoe at?”
“She’s in the back room, I think.”
I nod my head and walk to the back. However, when I pull open the storage room door, I find Zoe in a heap on the floor.
I run to her side, falling to my knees, finding my girlfriend’s been assaulted.
The day was like any other day. I was got up, went to work, waited on customers, and did my duties of running the bar. I’ll admit that I was in a trance, thinking of scenarios on how I was going to convince Drake to move with me, when evil strolls through the front door.
Terrance strides closer to the bar, walking like he normally does, with confidence and appeal. I freeze knowing I can’t escape this time. As his tar colored eyes lock onto mine, all I can do is remain stock still.
He looks as shocked as I feel; yet soon plays it cool as a wolfish grin spreads across his face. I can feel the bile rising in my throat, and the fear ready to bring me to my knees.
I want to tell Gavin to kick him out, but how the hell am I supposed to do that with him watching me? Luckily, Gavin waits on him and his friends, pouring them each a beer. I keep my sights on Terrance, and when Tank momentarily distracts him, I make my move and disappear to the back room.
I knew it. I knew he would show up here again. As long as this city remains the same, Terrance isn’t going anywhere. He will make his living selling drugs or whatever to the citizens.
I untie my apron and toss it to the floor. The conversation with Drake has to happen tonight. I have to talk to Drake about leaving, and it needs to be immediate. In fact, I will just do it now.
I pick up my apron and pull the door open; however, right as I step out, Terrance rounds the corner. I’m trapped.
“Well, well, well, Zoe. This is where you escaped to.” Terrance says as she moves closer to my body. I immediately backpedal until my spine is flush with the storage room door. “Looks like you’re happy here, darling.” His southern drawl is unmistakable and makes me shudder.
Finding my voice, I ask, “What are you doing here, Terrance?”
“Making money, but you probably picked up on that. The question is; what are you doing here?”
“The same, but not for long,” I snap back. I am brushing my hand along the door, searching for the knob. If I can get in then I can lock him out. I just need to be quick about it. “Now that you’re in town, I don’t think I will be staying.”
“I’m glad to see your mouth is still intact, bitch.”
Ignoring his insult, I feel the cool metal knob in my hand. I quickly turn it and my body lurches backward, but I keep my balance enough to remain on my feet. However, Terrance is faster and pushes back the door before closing it behind him.
Then he charges. I quickly look around, trying to find something to use as a weapon, but he’s much quicker than me and pushes me in to the wall. My head is jarred as it cracks against the wall. I shake it off and try attempting to run for the door when he gets in my face. His hot, minty breath mingles with my own and I can feel my stomach churn. I know he’s going to hurt me. Terrance was in a fit of rage when I left Louisiana, and I only needed to experience his physical abuse one time to know he would never
stop.
My shoulders are burning as he squeezes my muscles between his strong fingers.
“You should have never left me, bitch. Now, you’re really going to pay for this.” He leans in and kisses me on the lips.
I’m repulsed. I try to move my face away from his, but he’s got my head pinned between the wall and his face. Instead, I bare my teeth and clamp down on his lower lip. The copper taste of blood coats my mouth as Terrance jerks his face back. His eyes melt into a pit of tar as he cracks me on the side of my face. The blow instantly stings my cheek, and my eye feels like it is going to explode.
I know I need to get away from him; therefore, I push the hurt aside and raise my foot, connecting it with his groin, and he moans loudly in agony. Terrance releases me from his grip, and I make a fast break for the door. However, my triumph is short lived. All that I remember is seeing his black eyes, and then seeing nothing. The thought of my unborn child’s safety is the last thought I had before total blackness took over.
***
The taste of copper is in my mouth as consciousness starts to flood in. When I crack my eyes open, I see a lot of bright light and then the eruption hits—pain.
There’s so much pain in my face and arms that I feel like I have been hit by a truck going one hundred miles per hour.
When I finally manage to keep my eyes open, Drake’s beautiful face comes into my line of sight. He is smiling and the warmth of his skin is blanketing my hand when I realize where I am. I’m in an emergency room or a hospital, or something like that. How did I get here?
Everlasting Love Page 14