Georgia On My Mind

by Stokes Lee, Brenda

  “Why should we get along? He was a Grade A Certified Dick. And he had his hands and lips all over my girl!” Rashawn chuckled. “Arrogant ass prick!”

  “What did you see? You were supposed to be asleep!”

  “And you weren't supposed to have boys over!”

  Peaches grabbed a throw pillow and swatted Rashawn upside the head. “What did you see you little pervert?” Rashawn looks off into space, trying not to laugh. “Tell me! What did you see?”

  Rashawn burst into laughter. “Apparently, I saw enough to know that I'm not the only sexual deviant in this room.”

  Peaches countered with three more pillow blows to the head. “You are so damn nasty. I should tell your mother!”

  Rashawn laughed as he attempted to block the pillows with his elbow. “Oh, I'm the nasty one? Really, Peaches? I’m the nasty one? I should call your mother and tell her about you! I know she taught you not to put stuff in your mouth.”

  “You know what? I don’t even want to hear anymore. You’re just tasty! Nasty- ass- pervert! Anyway… That was then and look at me now.”

  “What you mean?” Rashawn asked puzzled.

  “Look at me Peanut!”

  “I'm looking at you. What?”

  “Don't pretend that you don't notice the weight gain. I’m fat, I’m not an idiot! I’ve gained at least forty pounds since then.”

  “Okay, so what?”

  “What do you mean, so what? Peanut, I'm not stupid. I know my weight had everything to do with Charles cheating on me.”

  “Peaches, people who really love you don't just stop loving you because you've gain a few pounds. When you love somebody none of that bullshit really matters.”

  “A few pounds? Peanut this is a hell of a lot more than that! What? You don't think I have a mirror? I know I’m big, I’ll own that, but don’t act like it don’t matter.” Peaches vented.

  “Did the weight change who you are? No! You're still Peaches. I haven't seen you in years and I can see that. Charles is just a shitty ass wipe!”

  Peaches voice began to crack as she became emotional in light of the day’s event. “I know, but he was my ass wipe.”

  Rashawn’s heart broke for her. He hated to see her in so much pain. “Peaches, please don't cry.”

  “I waited all my life for him to ask me to marry him. I've dreamed about this day since I was sixteen… And he pulls this shit! Now what?”

  “You move on, that’s what.” He said as he gently wiped away a tear that cruised down her beautiful face with his thumb.

  “Move on where, with who? Nobody is going to want me.”

  “That's not true. Don’t even think that!”

  “It is true. I'm going to die fat and alone with a house full of funky ass cats, shitting everywhere.” She sobbed as she took a napkin to wipe away her tears that now poured like rain.

  “Stop! Don't say that again. You’ll find someone else. Besides you're allergic to cats.” Rashawn wrapped his muscular arms around Peaches and gave her a much needed hug. Continuing to sob she hugged him back. “Look if you don't like the way you look then do something about it. I mean, personally I think you're perfect. But, I'm just saying if you don't like something about yourself...” He hesitates as he assesses the gravity of his word. “You just put in the work to change it.”

  “Diets never work for me.”

  “Then don't diet.”

  “How am I supposed to lose weight if I don't diet?” Peaches asked as she blew her nose.

  “Just leave that to me. I promise, you’ll lose the weight.”

  Peaches looked stunned. “You, of all people are going to help me lose weight?”

  “Yes! Why'd you say it like that? What? You think I can’t?”

  “What do you know about weight management? And what's your girlfriend going to say about all of this?”

  “First all, she’s my friend, thank you very much. And second, I don't know what she's going to say. All I know is that you have a problem and I have the solution. Trust me, with my help you will lose weight.”

  “I hope you’re right. I'm going to make Charles wish he'd kept his monkey ass at home where he belonged.”

  “Leave him out of it! This has nothing to do with Charles. Do this for you! This is strictly for Peaches!”

  “Oh, I'm going to do this for Peaches… But Charles needs to know that you can't replace a Peach with a shriveled up prune. When I finish with Charles Preston he'll wish he died a floater in his daddy's nut sack. Starting tonight!”

  “Tonight? What do you mean when you say tonight?” Rashawn asked confused as he watched Peaches get up and prepare to leave. “Where are you going?”

  “Come with me, you'll see exactly what I am talking about!”

  Chapter 9

  “Look Peaches, I'm not sure we should be here. What if Charles comes home or worse the police show up. We should go.”

  “Why? This is my damn house! I bought it! My name is on the deed and I pay the damn mortgage, not Charles.!”

  “Okay… Maybe so... But we should keep a low profile until we talk to Jacob.”

  “Who the hell is Jacob?” Peaches asked as she quickly sorted through her mail.

  “Jacob's a friend of mine. He's an attorney. I called him earlier while we waited for our food. He’s going to handle everything for you.”

  “I wish Charles would have the balls to press charges against me. Punk ass Bitch!” She fumed.

  “Even if he doesn't the restaurant might. I just don’t want you to get locked up.”

  “For what?”

  “Oh, I don't know... maybe destruction of property or disturbing the peace. Not to mention, beating a Bitches Ass in an upscale restaurant.” Rashawn chuckled. “Cruelty to roses, threatening a Fugly Skank… You can stop me anytime you want. I can go on all damn day with this one.” They both laughed.

  “Look, I can't even think about that right now. Charles will be here to get his things tomorrow, so I don’t have a lot of time.”

  “What does that have to do with anything?” Rashawn asked confused.

  “I just told you! I don't have a lot of time, Peanut. I got one shot to do this. Weren’t you listening?” She eyed him with the try to keep up look.

  “To do what?” Rashawn asked bucking his eyes for emphasis.

  “To take care of his things. You always were slow!” She giggled.

  “Let him pack his own shit!”

  “Trust me. He'll wish he had.” Peaches snickered as she headed for her bedroom.

  Rashawn followed Peaches into the master bedroom. He watched intently as she poured a liquid into Charles’ shampoo bottle and shook it up. His brow wrinkled in curiosity as she methodically unfolded every pair of Charles' underwear and sprinkle them with a small brown bottle of powder before replacing them in his draw. Then she began to pull Charles' clothes out of the closet one garment at a time.

  “So this is where it goes down?” He asked as he surveyed Peaches’ bedroom.

  “Nobody's gone down in here for a long time.” Peaches huffed.

  “Damn! You ain’t getting none? Sorry to hear that! I guess Charles peaked at sixteen.” Rashawn chuckled.

  “Tee- hee- hee. That's real funny! What about you, Peanut?” Peaches retaliated as she continued to manipulate Charles’ clothes, one piece at a time.

  “What? What about me?”

  “I mean, you're all in my Kool-Aid, mixing when you should be measuring. You said you were meeting a friend at the restaurant. Yet, you've been with me all night, and she hasn't called or texted you once. What's that about?”

  “You know what's up. She's pissed! I called her, but she hasn’t responded.”

  “I guess she is. You should be there with her, not here with me. Go to her before it gets too late. I'll be okay. I won’t sleep here. I’ll spend the night at a hotel, if it makes you feel better.”

  “Let me worry about her. You need me more tonight than she probably ever will. Besides I'm here for a fri
end. If she can't get that then I've probably got the wrong girl.”

  Peaches continued to pull Charles' dress shirts, ties and suits out of the closet one at a time. She methodically runs her hands along the seams and then puts them back in place like she found them. “Okay, it’s your funeral. Don't cry to me when she leaves your ass.”

  “Whatever... Exactly what are you doing? I thought you were packing Charles things.” Rashawn asked thoroughly confused.

  “What? Do I look like- Boo- Boo Kitty, the dumbass fool? Is Stupid Ass tattooed on my forehead somewhere? Why the hell would I pack that nigga's shit? I'm taking a razor to the seams of his clothes. I also put itching powder in his underwear and socks, and hair removal cream in his shampoo and body wash. I'll teach that cheating ass bitch to play with me!”

  “Okay… So, what's the razor going to do?” Rashawn chuckled as he recalled how devious Peaches could be.

  “Charles Preston wants to show his black ass, so I'm going to make sure everybody he knows sees it!”

  “I’m afraid you're just wasting your time. He'll see that you've tampered with his stuff the moment he sees them. The seams will be ripped when he puts them on.”

  “Not if I do it right. Just remember less is more. Besides, you're giving him way too much credit. His head is so far up Miss Mercedes' skinny ass he won't notice a damn thing! Well at least not until it’s too late!”

  “So, you're going to spend the night with me right?” Rashawn’s sexy baritone voice asked as he sat on the bed beside Peaches.

  “What? Don't even think about it! It’s not going to happen. I’m horny, but I’m not a hoe!”

  “Oh… No! I didn't mean it that way. It just came out wrong.” Rashawn quickly jumped off of the bed. “I have an extra bedroom with a private bathroom. I'd just feel better if I knew that you were safe. That’s all I meant… I wasn’t trying to proposition you or anything!”

  “Sure you weren’t and the next Pope will be a black man.” Peaches sarcastically teased.

  “Peaches, you know me better than that. I wasn’t making a play on you. You misinterpreted what I meant.”

  “I know what you meant. I was just playing. Yeah, let me finish this and I'll get my things.”

  “Make sure you bring something you can run in.” Rashawn said as he took a seat on the oversized bench at the foot of Peaches’ king size bed.

  “Run? I know you didn't say run?” Peaches rolled her eyes.

  “Yeah, I said run! I run every morning at 6am.”

  “Good for you! Now what does that have to do with me? Only running I plan to do is running for the bathroom!” Peaches giggled as she finished up Charles’ things.

  “You're going to run with me, starting tomorrow.”

  “You must have lost your damn mind... Peanut, does it look like I can run? You’re crazy as hell!” Peaches laughed as she grabbed her overnight bag and packed some clothes.

  “I’m going to run alright! This Chinese food is going to have me running to the bathroom in about an hour. And that's the most running you're going to get out of me, Rashawn Martin aka Peanut Head. She laughed.

  “Alright… We’ll see!” Rashawn chuckled as he eyed his schoolboy crush.

  Chapter 10

  At 6am sharp, the tall, incredibly good looking Rashawn stood stretching his hamstrings in preparation for his daily run. Rashawn’s was in tip top shape. In fact his magnificent body was ridiculous! Shawn stood around six feet tall and was the envy of most fitness models. Hell! Rashawn’s muscles even had muscles of their own. He was as fine as the peach fuzz on a baby ant’s ass! And it did not go unnoticed by Peaches.

  Peaches sat on the grass with a dazed and confused look on her face. She pretended to be stretching, but she actually was checking out Rashawn’s ass, which was as tone and tight as a Zulu drum. Rashawn’s eyebrow arched with curiosity as he caught her looking at him and she innocently pretended to be admiring the birds as she attempted to touch her toes.

  “I can't believe you have me out here at six in the morning stretching and shit! I told you I can’t run! You do realize that the last time I ran was...”

  “Yeah, see you can complain but I'm going to have to insist that we run while you do it.” Rashawn abruptly cut her off mid- sentence.

  “Don't get smart big head! It’s not cute!” She retorted as she rolled her eyes at him.

  “I'm not trying to be smart or cute. I’m just pointing out the fact that the sooner we start the quicker we can get breakfast.”

  “Look Peanut, if something happens to me I have my insurance card, my advance directives and my last will and testament in my purse in the car. Call my momma and tell her I love her. Don’t forget to call Charles and tell him I said to kiss my fat black ass! Oh and one more thing. Just so you know… I'm going to haunt your sadistic, cruel ass until the day you die! And then, I’m going to follow you into the afterlife and haunt your heartless ass some more!” She joked as she struggled to get up.

  “Yeah! Got it! Now let’s go!” Rashawn responded, unmoved by her threats. “Nothing is going to happen to you. We're going to start off slow and gradually work our way up.”

  “So, by slow do you mean a brisk walk, right?” Peaches asked as Rashawn extended a hand to help her get up from the ground.

  “No, by slow I mean a two mile jog verses a five mile run.” He corrected her as they slowly started to jog.

  “This is some crazy ass shit! You’re kidding right? Please tell me you’re kidding.” She whined.

  “I could tell you that, but I’d be lying. Before I’m done with you, you will be able to run five miles before breakfast with ease.” He declared.

  “Peanut are you serious? I'll be lucky to jog two blocks.”

  “Oh really? Because we've already jogged at least a block and a half. You look fine to me. Peaches, don't quit before you start. This isn't going to be easy, but it doesn't have to be hard.”

  “Alright, alright, alright! Look, I want this so I'm willing to die trying cause I can't live without love.”

  “Nobody's going to die. I'm right here. Concentrate on the goal not the process. Here I got this for you. It'll help take your mind off of things.” Rashawn said as he reached in his pocket and produced a pink iPod Touch.

  “Oh my God! You got me an iPod?”

  “Yes! It'll help you to relax. I slipped out last night while you were working on your sketches. Here, I loaded it with some music that I think you'll like.”

  “Ahh… Thank you so much Peanut. You didn’t have to do it but thank you.” Peaches quickly placed the ear buds in her ear and cued the first song. It was, It's Rocky - Eye of the Tiger. She started to laugh.

  “I knew you’d like that.” Rashawn pulled out his iPod and they continue to run in silence at a slow, comfortable pace.

  Chapter 11

  A little more than an hour later Rashawn and a very sweaty and out of breath Peaches order breakfast at Rashawn’s favorite diner. Peaches was extremely thirsty and was drinking water like the world’s water supply had been contaminated by Swine Flu. Rashawn pretended not to notice that she was a hot sweaty ass mess. He snickered to himself, while casually looking over the menu, as Peaches sucks down water and fights for breath.

  “Oh my God! I can't believe that I'm still alive. When you said that we were going to run for two miles I swear I saw my life flash before my eyes. And trust me, it was boring as hell! I have to get out more.” She joked.

  “I told you that I wasn't going to let anything happen to you.”

  “I can't believe I did it. I actually ran two miles and I’m still alive to talk about it.” She said amazed as she took a big gulp of ice water.

  Rashawn laughed. “I can't believe it either! You shocked me. I thought you were going to quit on me.”

  “You have no idea how many times I thought about turning around and heading for the car.”

  “Yeah, I do! I saw it in your face at least a half of a dozen times. Matter of fact, I’m pretty sure
the only thing that stopped you was the fact that I drove.” He laughed.

  “Te- he- he! It’s not funny! Peanut, I haven’t as much as attempted a jumping jack since I graduated from high school, let alone run two miles. But somehow I did it. I must admit that the company and the iPod helped tremendously.” She said as she slowly became less winded.

  “I knew the iPod would keep you going. I was just glad that I could be there for you.” Rashawn responded after folding his menu and returning it to the table.

  “So, how is this going to work? I mean today was great but I can't expect you to be there for me every day.”

  “Why not? For the next six weeks if you let me I'm going to be there. I can't let you die alone, itching, scratching and sleeping with a vibrator and lying in a bed covered with cat shit.” He laughed.

  “Alright, I see big head people got jokes too!” Peaches laughed before becoming serious. But what about you?”

  “What about me?”

  “I mean what about your job? Hell, what about your woman?”

  “Actually, I'm between contracts and she's not really my woman. She's my friend. We just hooked up a couple of months ago. So, we're still feeling each other out.”

  “Peanut, woman or not, she’s not going to be happy about you spending so much time with me.”

  “Look Peaches, I've already explained to her that at the end of the day all I really have is my family and my friends. She'll be okay with it.”

  “I don't know about this. I think you’re asking for a whole lot of trouble. I’d hate to ruin your relationship.”

  “Don't worry about it. Let me do this for you.”

  “Well, at least let me pay you for your time.” Peaches offered.

  “Pay me for my what? No! I can’t let you do that.”

  “Peanut, you're not working. Don’t be proud, take the money! I just got a big contract and I can afford it. I’d have to pay a personal trainer anyway, so I might as well pay you.” Peaches argued as she reached in her purse for her checkbook.

  “Look, put your checkbook away. Just because I'm between positions, doesn't mean I'm broke. I got some money saved up. Peaches, I’m fine.”