Just Talk to Me (AriQui #1)
Page 6
“Yeah, whatever. Bye Jonathan.”
As she walks back into the living room, Kiki asks, “Is everything okay, girl?”
“Yeah, it's all good. He wants to meet and talk.”
“About what?”
“Girl, probably some lame ass reason and excuse for what I saw.”
“Did you tell him you saw him?”
“Yes, I did. He immediately said it wasn't what it looked like. Typical response. I'm so sick of the "it wasn't me" game.”
“Angelina.”
“What, Thomas?”
“It’s not my place to share my boys’ business, but I just caution you to go with a clear head and an open mind and hear him out.”
“Thomas, you just trying to stick up for your boy.”
“No, Angelina, I'm not.”
“So you’re telling me he has good reason for what I saw and for his disappearing acts, too?”
“Yes, just hear him out.”
“Whoosh! Touchdown!” yells Kiki. “Go, Broncos, go.”
***
After taking a relaxing shower, Maxwell walks over to the bed where Myra is sound asleep. When he reaches down to gently stroke the side of her face, Myra moves away from his touch.
God, how do I fix this? I didn't mean to hurt her.
Hearing a knock at the door, Maxwell walks over to open it.
“Hey, bro, sorry to bother you but the hospital just called. They said we need to come as soon as possible.”
“Did they say what was wrong?”
“No, Max, they just said we need to get there.”
“Okay. Let me get dressed and I’ll be right down.”
Closing the door, Maxwell turns around to find Myra up and dressed.
“Baby, what are you doing?”
“Max, I told you I would support you through this tough time with your dad and I meant what I said.”
“But, sweetheart, you don't have to get up out of your sleep to go with me.”
“Look, I may be angry with you but I am not so upset that I am blind or stupid. I know
that demon, excuse me, Jasmine, would like nothing more than for me to stay here.”
“Baby...”
Placing her hand over Maxwell’s mouth, Myra says, “Just get dressed and let’s go.”
***
“Hello, Jonathan. I’ll be at the cafe in five minutes.”
“Okay, love, I am already here.”
Look, Jonathan, this is it, man, your last chance. Don't blow it, you better get this right.
In walks Angelina. He opens his arms to get a hug. Angelina extends her hand.
Looking hurt, he says, “Hello, sweetheart.”
“Hello, Jonathan. So, get to the point. What do you need to say to me? I don't have all night and, please, don't waste my time.”
Over walks the waiter. “May I please take your order.”
“I'll have a slice of your apple crisp and a cup of coffee.”
“Sir, what can I get for you?”
“I'll have the same.”
“Okay, I'll get this right out to you.”
“Thank you. So, Jonathan, what is it?”
“Baby, listen. I love you so very much and I don't nor did I ever want to hurt you. I know I haven't been right all the time but-“
“Jonathan, stop! Just stop! Here comes the same ole bullshit. I'm done. For once in your trifling life, be honest. I'm not stupid. I knew this was a mistake. I wish you would just be real for once and just talk to me with honesty. I'm leaving.”
As Angelina gets up, Jonathan grabs her hand.
“Baby, wait. Please don't leave like this.”
“Let go of me, Jonathan. Don't say anything else to me. You are such a …never mind, just leave me the hell alone.”
Angelina yanks her hand way and runs out of the cafe in tears.
“Angelina, baby,” Jonathan says, dropping his head in his hands. Then, with a determined look on his face, he gets up to run after her. Reaching the door, he sees her crossing the street and yells her name.
“Angelina.”
Angelina stops.
He catches up to her.
“Okay, baby, here’s the truth.” Just then it begins to rain.
“Promise me you will hear me out.”
“Okay, Jonathan. Start with the pictures. Who’s the girl?”
Taking a deep breath, he says, “Baby, that is Kim and the little boy is my son. We are not together but I had to make it appear in front of her family that we were together.”
She looks at him, disgusted.
“Baby, I know it sounds crazy, but remember when I received the large sum of money for my business?”
“Yes.”
“Well, I got it from her and in exchange I had to portray what I was not, her husband. But tonight, before I called you, I told her no more. If I lost everything it didn't even compare to losing you.”
She turns her back so he won’t see her tears.
He has a child by another woman.
“Baby, I’m sorry but you wanted the truth. Then, three weeks ago, my life fell apart. I had to bury my nephew, who was found dead by his fiancée. And my father found out that my mom is in the beginning of Parkinson’s disease. With all that pressure and stress, I fell and fell hard.
“You fell? What do you mean, you fell, Jonathan?”
“Baby, I went on a drug binge.”
“Drugs! Jonathan, what?”
“The woman you saw me with was my…”
Just then Angelina’s phone rings.
“Hello. Hey Kiki, what’s up?”
“Angelina, I just got a call from Keith. Monique is in the hospital in a coma.” Angelina looks like she saw a ghost.
“What’s wrong, baby?”
“It’s Monique. She’s in a coma. I’ve got to go.”
***
Walking into the hospital room, Keith loses his composure at seeing Monique lifeless.
My beautiful Nubian Queen.
He pulls up a chair by her side and holds her hand.
Father in heaven, I know it’s been a while since you have heard my voice. I ask that you don't hold that against this sweet woman. I am coming to You asking for a miracle. Please give me a chance to love her and her a chance to be loved.
Just then the doctor walks in.
“Keith, I want you to know that you are a perfect match. Are you sure you want to give up your life because that’s what you would be doing?”
“Doc, you don't understand. I love her that much.”
“Well, consider all the consequences. There is still a chance for a donor to come through.”
“Okay, Doc, thank you.”
Lord, please make it clear what I should do.
After sitting by her bedside for hours, Tristan finally comes into the room and finds Keith resting his head on her chest.
“Keith, visiting hours are about over. Are you ready?”
“Yes, I am,” he says as he leans over to kiss Monique’s forehead. “Baby, I’ll be back first thing in the morning.”
***
“So what did the doctor say about your dad?”
“We now know that he fell down the stairs due to some kind of fainting spell. Now they are trying to figure out why he fainted. While I was in the room, he actually squeezed my fingers.”
“That’s a good thing, right?”
“Yeah, but he still has a long way to go.”
“I’m going to go to the room. Why don’t you go take a shower? You’ve had a long day.”
“Okay.”
He kisses Myra on the forehead, grabs his stuff and goes into the restroom.
Shutting the door and turning on the hot shower, Maxwell stares in the mirror. He comes to when Myra calls through the door that she is going to bed.
“Okay, baby. I‘ll be out soon.”
Maxwell climbs under the hot steaming shower and lets the water beat over him.
This is too much. My dad, Myra. If I had been
honest with her from the beginning, I wouldn’t be dealing with that stress. I hope Dad comes out of this situation okay.
He slides down the wall of the shower and sobs.
God, I know I have not spoken to You, let alone acknowledged You, since the wedding day. I know You may not even want to listen to me, but I am asking You to touch my father. I don’t mean to sound selfish but we need him. And if You can spare a little extra time, can You help me deal with what I’ve done to my queen? Free me from this emotional curse Jasmine has over me. Why can’t we men just talk to our women? We have damaged so many of them just because we don’t talk, always trying to be a macho man. God, I am so sorry for hurting her because of my insecurities.
Standing to his feet, Maxwell washes his body and steps out of the shower. Drying off and getting dressed for bed, he hears Myra whimpering in her sleep. Maxwell grabs her arm to shake her gently.
Myra screams out at the top of her lungs, “NOOOOOOO!!!” and swings at Maxwell. He lets her go and steps back.
He calls her name gently.
“Myra.”
Myra, not realizing what just happened, wakes up, breathing heavily and looks around dazed.
“Myra, baby, you okay?” He reaches for her.
She grabs his hand and pulls him close and whispers, “He’s gonna kill me.”
He holds her close and rocks her, asking not a question. At least not for now.
About an hour later, Myra’s phone rings.
“Hello? Yes, what? What do you mean she’s in a coma.”
Oh my God, Kiki, not Monique.” Myra just turns and stares at Maxwell.
Maxwell reaches for his phone to dial Keith.
“Hello?”
“Hey, this is Maxwell. Where are you?”
“I’m in Philly. Didn’t you get my message?”
“No, I didn’t. Myra just got a call from Kiki that Monique is in a coma.”
“Yeah, she is. Max, did you know she had Hepatitis C, man?”
Maxwell, knowing he can’t divulge client information, answers Keith with his silence.
“Is that what she has been seeing you about?”
Again he answers that question with his silence.
“Keith, what can we do? No, scratch that. We will be catching a flight tomorrow as soon as we can.”
“We?”
“Yes, Myra is with me.”
Myra reaches for the phone.
“Let me talk to him. Hello, Keith, hold on, okay?” Myra clicks over and calls Kiki, who calls Angelina, so they are all on the call. They make plans to all be in Philly tomorrow. She clicks back over.
“Keith, we will all be there: me, Kiki, Angelina, Thomas and Jonathan.” She looks in Maxwell’s direction.
“And Max. Where do we need to go?”
Keith gives her the information and then hangs up. “Max, how are you going to go to Philly with your dad in the hospital?”
“Baby, I’ll just fly there in the morning and catch the redeye back. Anthony will
understand.”
Early the next morning, Myra, Max, Kiki, Thomas, Angelina and Jonathan arrive at the home of Tristan and Tori. They are greeted by Keith, who shows them in and introduces them to the twins. Once settled they gather in the living room.
“Keith, what’s going on?”
“Tristan or Tori, do you want to share?”
Tristan begins to fill everyone in on what has transpired over the past few days.
“Hepatitis C?” says Kiki.
“Yes,” says Keith. “She has been battling it for about a year now.”
“When can we go see her?” asks Angelina.
“Not for a few hours,” Tori says. “Would anyone like something to eat? I can have Giovanni prepare something.”
“Sure.”
Tori heads into the kitchen to talk to Giovanni about preparing a meal for their guests. Tristan takes a moment to show them were they can put their belongings.
Everyone congregates around the table to eat. The silence is so thick you can cut it with a knife. Angelina finally speaks up.
“Keith, how are you holding up? I know, we all know, how much you love her.”
“Angelina, this is the hardest thing I have had to deal with in my life. Listen, now that the twins are not in here, I need to tell you something. I found out that I am a perfect match.”
“A perfect match for what, Keith?” asks Kiki.
“To be a donor. If we cannot find a donor, I am going to give up my liver for her.”
“Keith…”
“I know what that means. But she will live and she has so much more than me to live for.”
“Keith, you can’t do this. What about the fact that Monique needs you?”
“I know she does and that’s why I am willing to be what she needs.”
Just then Tori walks back in the dining room. “Lunch is served. As soon as we are done eating, we will take you all over to the hospital.” Everyone eats in silence.
To Contact The Author and for Booking
AriQui Books at (276) 6ariqui4
(276) 624-7844
AriQuibooks@gmail.com
www.AriQuiBooks.us
Be On The Look Out For More AriQui Books
Speak To The King In Me
Hear The Queen In Me
Just Talk To Me E-Book & Audio
Left Uncovered (An AriQui Novella Series Vol. 2)
Notes
Movie quote reference: Pretty Hot and Thick taken from the authors favorite movie Phat Girlz.
1. Phat Girlz is a 2006 comedy film written and directed by Nnegest Likké and starring Mo'Nique. Wikipedia
2. Initial release: April 7, 2006
4. Director: Nnegest Likké
5. Initial DVD release: August 22, 2006
Song Quote Reference: ”777-9311" is the second track and lead single from The Time's second album, What Time Is It?,[1] from The Time album What Time Is It?Recorded for the album at Prince's home studio in May–June 1982, the song was produced, arranged, composed and performed by Prince with Morris Day later adding his lead vocals.