Lawd, Mo' Drama

by McKinney, Tina Brooks

  It was a mistake to entertain Coy for two nights in a row, but we were having such a good time, I wasn’t ready for it to end. If I made it to work on time I would declare it worth it, but if I arrived late, I would probably be mad at him. I jumped in the shower, allowing the water to run through my hair. I would have no choice but to put my hair in a ponytail, and the warm water helped to smooth out the knots.

  I tried to wash my face and brush my teeth at the same time. I briefly wondered what Coy was doing, but I didn’t have time to check. I still had to find my underwear! Quickly brushing my hair, I raced from the bathroom with twenty minutes to spare.

  Coy stood grinning before me. He had ironed a pair of charcoal slacks and a white shirt for me. He had even found the box that held my underwear. Kissing him on his cheek, I snatched the clothing and put it on.

  “Thanks, baby. If you hadn’t helped me, I would’ve been late. Can you lock up when you leave? I’ve got to go.”

  Not waiting for a reply, I kissed him again on the cheek and flew out the door. It was only after I was a few blocks away that I had misgivings about leaving him in my house to snoop.

  I didn’t have much to hide since he had already seen most of my dirty business when he investigated my house after Kentee broken in, but it was still the principle. I was getting so comfortable with Coy, and he had not yet told me his intentions. That was the same mistake I had made with Kentee, and I didn’t want to travel that road again.

  “I’ll talk to him tonight,” I said to myself.

  Even though I had revealed a lot of the stuff that had happened in my life to him, we still had not discussed his role. I wanted a man in my life, but Coy would have to understand that I had kids; one with special needs. I needed to find out if he wanted to be involved or not; I needed to know so I could keep a tight reign on my feelings.

  I arrived at work with ten minutes to spare and used the time to phone my mother. I had originally planned on stopping over at her house before coming to work. As I approached the building I dialed her on my cell.

  “Hey, Momma,” I said cheerfully to hide my discomfort.

  “Hey, baby. We’re all okay. I thought you were coming over here before you went to work.”

  “I was, but we didn’t get finished until late and my stupid alarm clock didn’t go off. I just made it to work, and I really had to rush to get in here on time.”

  “I’ll drop Kayla off at school and the twins at day care in about half an hour. Go ahead. I don’t want you late for work, either.”

  “I don’t know what I’d do without you,” I said as I dashed into the building. When I rounded the first corner I slowed to a casual stroll like I had been there all along. I popped my head in to say hi to Ms. Brooks before going to my assigned desk.

  “Hey, I was looking for you,” she said.

  “Oh really, why?” I inquired, nervously.

  “I’ve heard some good feedback on you. If you aren’t busy this morning, I could really use your help on a few projects.”

  “Let me check in and see what’s going on, and I’ll come back,” I said, relieved it was good news. I knocked on Mr. Lyons’s door, but he didn’t answer and, since I did not see any work in my in-basket, I dashed back down the hall.

  Putting my purse in my desk, I walked to the employee lounge and got a cup of coffee before I headed back to word processing to see what Ms. Brooks had for me to do. I was careful not to spill any of the black coffee on my favorite blouse.

  Thinking about my blouse, I remembered Coy’s kindness that morning by finding me something to wear and ironing it for me. I could get used to that sort of treatment, I thought to myself.

  “What’s going on?” I asked Andrea when I popped my head back in the door.

  “Two interrogatories and a brief,” she replied. “I’m shorthanded today. I thought Tarcia was coming back, but she called in with a family emergency.”

  When I heard the name Tarcia the hairs on the nape of my neck stood up, but I wasn’t sure why. Where had I heard that name before?

  “Who’s Tarcia?” I asked, assuming that I had met everyone who worked in the department.

  “She was on her honeymoon when you started, so you haven’t met her yet. She’s a nice girl, but I think she’s having some personal problems.”

  “What’s the brief about?” I asked, trying to shake the uneasiness I felt.

  “It’s juicy. The wife is on trial for attempted murder. She stuck a fork in her husband’s throat when she found him in bed with her sister.”

  I giggled with excitement. “Gimme!”

  “Somehow I knew you’d say that!” Andrea said. “I knew it would get you!” Pretending to snatch the brief and the remains of my coffee, I made it back to my desk still laughing. She was a nice lady, and I had enjoyed getting to know her.

  This was going to be a long week because Mr. Lyons was not actively involved in the legal aspect of the job. His duties were merely administrative, and I hated that shit. Just listening to his droll voice on the tape recorded last week let me know what I was in store for. I was just there to answer the phones, confirm or deny appointments, and transcribe whatever letters he had dictated. The job was a piece of cake but was not one I would want full-time. I liked to be kept busy and, based on what I had seen thus far, it would not happen there. I planned to make use of my connection with Andrea to keep myself occupied for the week. If not, I would resort to reading the phone book to stay awake.

  I turned on my computer. While it was booting up, I called Coy’s cell to thank him.

  “Hello, sexy,” he said when he answered the phone.

  “Hi, yourself. Did I thank you for this morning and last night and the night before that?”

  “For what?”

  “Oh, you know what I mean,” I said. “Were you late?”

  “Naw. As soon as I get in that car, I’m officially on duty. I missed roll call, but Greg clocked me in.”

  “Oh God! Greg! Did he tell you what happened between him and Sammie on Saturday night?”

  “I haven’t seen him yet, but he sure was in a good mood when I spoke to him!”

  “Lawd have mercy! I’ve got to get busy; I have a domestic violence brief to prepare. Call me later, if you can.”

  “Bye baby.”

  Hanging up the phone, I plugged in my headset and began the transcription process. I felt like I had slipped back in time to the days when Marie was working right around the corner from me. I quickly pushed that thought out of my mind as I commenced to transcribing the defense of yet another woman done wrong by yet another man.

  For the next few hours I typed a case law that argued for keeping the young black woman from either dying in prison or by lethal injection. When I was finished, I was so intrigued by the case that I trotted down the hall to find Andrea to see if she would let me read the depositions.

  “Don’t tell me you’re done with the brief,” Andrea said, laughing. “You truly are a hard worker, and I can’t wait to make my recommendation to keep you in my department!”

  “Oh, thank you. That’s so kind of you. I like to keep busy, and there’s something about criminal law that makes it easy. It’s almost like reading a book.”

  “I know how you feel. That’s what got me in this field in the first place; being nosey.”

  “The brief was very compelling, but it’s left me with more questions than answers. Can I read the depositions?”

  “Wow. This is the first time I’ve been asked that one. I don’t see why not. If someone questions it, tell them to see me.”

  “I’m not going to tell anyone. I just want to know.”

  “I believe you; it’s a matter of confidentiality. But since you’re now an employee of the firm, you’re bound by the laws of confidentiality; just like the lawyers representing the case. Since this case is going to trial soon, you’ll be seeing more and more of it. I’ll request the preliminary file that’ll give you the background information. We had to really fight to g
et it. Mrs. Phillips is a pro-bono nut, and the other partners didn’t want her to take on a case of this magnitude and not generate any income to the firm. She was adamant about it and won them over.”

  “That’s very charitable! I’d better get back to my desk before Mr. Lyons gets in. What’s he like, anyway?”

  “A strange bird,” she replied with a smile. “But you’ll be able to handle him; if you can fight him off.”

  “Oh no, not one of those,” I said. I was not afraid of those types of employers. I made it clear up front, I was being paid to type and answer the phone. Anything outside of that was extra and they couldn’t afford it. “Do you have anything else you need me to do?”

  “I still have one set of interrogatories, but that’s all for now.”

  Holding out my hand, I took the tiny tape and went back to my desk. I took the long way back to my desk, trying to get a feel for my co-workers. Most had their heads covered with headsets and, although they waved, I did not feel any special vibe from them. Humming softly, I went back to my desk.

  Thoughts of the case were still plaguing me. I could relate to it since I was victimized myself by a selfish man. Mrs. Phillips’ line of defense was that her client had temporarily gone insane and could not be held accountable for her actions. I wanted to know exactly what had driven her to the point of sticking a fork into her husband’s throat.

  Before I could get the headphones on my ears, the phone rang. “Mr. Lyons’ office,” I said in my most professional voice.

  “Is he in?” a young female voice responded.

  “No, I’m sorry. Mr. Lyons is out of the office at the moment. May I take a message?” I said with my pen poised.

  “Where is he?” the voice persisted.

  “Ms…uh, if you’d kindly leave a message I’ll be delighted to give it to him when he returns.” I tried to be as polite and as firm as I could be.

  “Where is Shonell?” the caller demanded.

  “She’s on vacation, and I’m filling in.”

  “Shit,” the caller said and hung up the phone.

  Stunned at the anger in the lady’s voice, I held the phone for a few seconds, staring at it. Before I could place it in the cradle good, it rang again. I punched the second line and said, “Mr. Lyons’ office, can I help you?”

  Again the voice was female and she asked the same question.

  “Is he in?”

  “No, Mr. Lyons is not in the office at this time. Can I take a message and have him return your call?”

  “No, I need to speak with him right away!” the caller responded.

  “I understand. When I hear from him, I’ll be happy to give him the message.”

  “Where is he?”

  “He had a court appointment this morning, and hopefully he’ll be in as soon as it is over,” I lied.

  “Oh, okay. Ask him to call Kathy.”

  “I’ll be sure to give him the message,” I said, shaking my head as I hung up the phone. I put my headphones back on and started typing. Lunch came and went without my knowing it. When I finally unplugged myself, it was two p.m. Stretching, I decided to find Andrea and tell her that I had worked through yet another lunch hour. I was about to walk away when the phone rang again.

  “I want Ray,” a nagging and uppity-sounding voice said.

  “Excuse me?” I asked, not knowing who she was talking about. I flipped open the phone directory to scan the names of employees but came up blank.

  “Shonell?”

  “No, this is Leah. Shonell is on vacation,” I replied, remembering that Mr. Lyons’ first name was Ray.

  “I want to speak to my husband, Raymond Lyons,” she said, dragging out each syllable like I could not understand English.

  “Mrs. Lyons, I’m sorry. I just started in this department today, and I didn’t know Mr. Lyons’ first name. In fact, I’ve never met him. He hasn’t been in the office yet, but I do expect him.”

  There was a long moment of silence, and I didn’t know whether she had hung up or not.

  “Hello?” I inquired.

  “Never mind. Please disregard the call,” she said, clearly pissed off, and hung up.

  This shit ain’t for me, I thought to myself. I had finished the interrogatories and I took them back to Andrea.

  “Uh oh, you don’t look like a happy camper,” she said.

  “I’m not. Mr. Lyons hasn’t been in all day, and I’ve been fielding questions on his whereabouts, and I don’t have a clue where he is. At the very least, he could call me and tell me what to say. I don’t want to get into any trouble for saying the wrong thing. This is making me very uneasy.”

  She patted me on the back. “Calm down. I’ll handle any flack for this. He should’ve left word that he wasn’t going to be in; or called you at the very least. This won’t come back to haunt you. I promise.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Did you get lunch?”

  “No, I lost track of time,” I responded with a grin. I just wanted to finish this boring project, hoping for something else with more meat.

  “Come on. I haven’t had lunch either. Let’s go grab a quick burger, and we can get to know each other a little better.”

  “Okay, let me grab my purse,” I said. I was not exactly looking forward to lunch with Andrea, but she had been good to me thus far. I didn’t want her too far up in my business, so I planned to speak only when spoken to and avoid references to my personal life.

  SAMMIE

  I hadn’t seen or spoken to Leah in over a month. I had allowed the stress of my new job and my active sex life to keep me from my dear friend. If I was being really honest with myself, I had to admit those were the same excuses I had used for my shameless behavior the last time I had seen her, on the day she moved. I was still stepping out with Greg, but he was beginning to get on my last nerve.

  Greg was ready to leave his wife and start shacking with me, and I wasn’t trying to hear that. He was fun and all that, but he was so predictable. I controlled the sex in our relationship; including the creativeness of it. Quite frankly, I wanted more in a man. I wanted him to make me weak in the knees and not the other way around.

  He wanted it every night, but I was feeding him with a long-handled spoon. He seemed like small fish when I compared him to my new boss. This man was not only foine, but he also had money, and those two things went well together in my book. So far, all we had done was flirt, but I could tell I was wearing down his resistance. He was Italian with dark wavy hair, and I couldn’t wait to run my fingers through it. But when his blue eyes struck my dark brown ones, I was convinced to have him; if only for one time.

  I had never made it with a white man with money, and I was anxious to turn him out. I was beginning to think he was receptive, since he had stopped dictating into his handheld tape recorder and suggested that his flow would be more natural if I used my shorthand skills.

  I had not used my shorthand in a number of years, but he didn’t seem to mind. He didn’t flow much better in person than he did on tape, but, hey, I was cool with that. When he started to get ahead of me, I would drop my pencil and bend down low enough for him to glimpse my boobs or part my legs so he could see my underwear. That would slow his roll in a hurry, and he would stumble over words and often ask me to repeat what he had said. In fact, he was so slow I was able to write it out in longhand.

  “Ms. Davis, I need to dictate a letter,” Mr. Spencer said into the speaker that was on my desk.

  “I’ll be right in,” I said, feeling excited because I wasn’t wearing any underwear that day. This sneak-a-peek shit was taking too long for me, and I wanted to put the game in motion for real. I smoothed down any wayward hairs and applied another coat of lipstick on my already ruby red lips. I dabbed a few drops of perfume on my earlobes and another two on the insides of my thighs. I jumped up from my desk and rushed into his office, only to return to my desk to grab my steno pad.

  Flipping though the used pages on my pad, I wrote today’s date on t
he first blank one. I crossed my legs and licked the tip of my pen, knowing full well he was watching.

  “I’m ready,” I said in a seductive voice.

  He stuttered, trying to find his train of thought. “Uh…ah…, this is a letter, to…uh…”

  I uncrossed my legs and left them open. He could not regain his composure.

  “Enough is enough,” I said, slapping my pad on his desk. I shut and locked his door and turned to face him. “You want to hit this, don’t you?”

  He did not respond, and I was getting a little ticked off.

  “You’ve been sniffing around me for a couple of weeks, and I’ve been trying to let you know it was okay, but I see I’m going to have to break it down for you. Do you want to hit this?” I asked, turning around and revealing my near naked ass.

  Looking at him over my shoulder I saw him jump up from his desk and hurriedly tug at his belt. That in itself was a warning sign that he would be a two-minute brother. My fantasies had worked him up to at least ten minutes, and I had half a mind to pull down my skirt and say, “Syke.”

  He slipped his hands underneath my skirt. “Damn,” he said.

  Paralyzed, I allowed him to continue to stroke my moist center. He backed me up to the desk and instructed me to sit on it. Sitting in his chair, he lifted my legs and placed them on his thighs. He parted my lips and placed his hot tongue on my throbbing clit. I could not stifle the moan. He nibbled and sucked until I thought I could not stand it any more.

  Pulling me closer to the edge of the desk, he quickly stood up, unzipping his pants. He donned a condom and dipped his exquisite dick into my dripping pussy.

  “Lord have mercy,” I moaned out loud.

  He grabbed my legs and wrapped them around his waist and I pushed with all my might to get every inch of him inside of me.

  My eyes rolled back in my head, and I felt like I had left my body. Nothing this illicit should feel so fucking good, I thought. He clutched me tighter as we prepared to climax, and I strove to ride the tide of his dick!