“Would you like to go upstairs to my office?” he suggested. “That way, you can sit on the couch and relax.”
I nodded. “Yes. That sounds perfect.”
I made my way up the stairs with Cedric following me.
“At least I know that’s still in working order,” he said.
When we reached the top stair, I turned with confusion on my face. “What did you say? I’m not sure wha—”
“I was talking about my manhood. It had a reaction when you were walking in front of me.”
I moved out of the way and gestured for Cedric to go in front of me. “That’s good to know. Maybe I’ll have some kind of reaction too, walking behind you.”
We laughed and made our way to his office. I sat on the couch, while Cedric stood with his backside against the desk and his arms folded.
“So, what’s the verdict? Don’t give me a long spiel either. All I need for you to do is hit me with your news and so be it.”
“I don’t know if I can sum this up as quickly as you may want me to, but the first thing I think you should know is that Evelyn had an abortion. She thought that you were dead, and since she couldn’t provide for the baby, she terminated the pregnancy. I wasn’t sure if you knew that.”
Cedric didn’t flinch. “No, I didn’t know, but thanks for sharing. I’ll toast later, but for now, I want to discuss you and me. What’s the deal?”
“Cutting to the chase, the deal is, I want to proceed with the divorce.”
This time, Cedric flinched. He cocked his neck from side to side, and I saw him take a hard swallow.
“That’s your final decision?”
“Yes, it is. I just don’t see how we can ever get this to work out, and I do believe that this is one of those cases where there has been too much damage done.”
“I agree, but whatever happened to for better or worse? We had our worse, Kayla, and we had to kind of go through some things in order to get to this point. Now, don’t get me wrong. I respect your decision, but I’m trying to get you to see that many things, a lot of things, have changed.”
“I think they have, Cedric, but I don’t believe that those changes will be enough for me. So, I’ll just take my measly, little, tiny twenty percent and go on my merry way.”
Cedric chuckled and rubbed his brow. “I figured you’d go there with that twenty percent. But, remember, if you stay, you can have waaay more than that.”
“If I stay, that may be true. But then I’d have to deal with your late hours again, concern myself with who you’re with, check your bank accounts, go through your pockets, hire private detectives, just to make sure you’re staying on the up-and-up. I don’t want to live my life like that anymore. It’s time for me to be happy and live peacefully. I deserve that.”
“You absolutely do, so I can’t argue with you on that.”
Cedric walked around his desk and sat in the chair. He typed on his keyboard, and seconds later, his printer sounded off. He removed the piece of paper and laid it flat on his desk. Whatever it was he signed it, and then brought the paper over to me. It was the last page of the dissolution of marriage agreement I had read time and time again.
“The signature you provided before wasn’t acceptable because you were under the influence of alcohol. If you say what you mean, your signature is needed.”
I took the paper from his hand and held it. “First of all, I’ma need you to change that twenty percent to at least forty percent, print off the whole agreement, and give me a signed copy, and then get a notary in here to notarize it, until our attorneys can confirm.”
Cedric cracked up and walked back over to his desk. “I can’t get you a notary right now, and there will be no problem with our attorneys confirming this. Also, I will be happy to give you a signed copy, but unfortunately, the twenty percent stands because you’re the one abandoning me.”
I stood and went over to his desk. “For a very good reason, I may add, so let’s crank that amount up to, at least, thirty-eight percent for my troubles.”
“Twenty-two.”
“Thirty-six.”
“Twenty-five.”
“Thirty-three.”
“Thirty and that’s my final offer.”
I sighed and released a tiny smile. “Thirty will do, and anything is better than twenty.”
“Sixty-nine then. Over there, on the couch with you on top.”
“No, thanks. And why are you being so nasty today? We’re supposed to be down in the dumps today, sad and disappointed that we’re ending this. You seem just as happy as I am.”
Cedric looked at me with a blank expression. “Happy, I’m not, but I’m trying to make the best of this situation. I hope you are too.”
“More than you know.”
Cedric printed two copies of the document and we both signed it. “There you go, Miss Lady,” he said. “After one lump-sum payment, I can finally be rid of you and have you out of my hair.”
“I doubt that because we still have a son to raise. You know he’s been getting away with murder in my absence, and I think we’re going to have to put our feet down.”
“I’ve seen his sneaky self in action. But let him go ahead and do what teenagers do. Eventually, he’ll learn some valuable lessons that will either lift him up, or bring him down.”
“Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of. Now come here.”
Cedric stood next to me and I put my face next to his. I held up the agreement and told him to smile while I used my cell phone to take a selfie of us.
“You’re crazy,” he said with a fake frown. I was all smiles when I snapped the picture.
“I may need to send this picture to someone. Thanks.”
Cedric moved away from me, but we stayed in his office, talking for about another hour. He agreed to wire the lump-sum payment into my account by tomorrow, but said that he needed to go directly to the bank in order to transfer that kind of money. We also talked about living arrangements. His intentions were to put the house up for sale and move into a smaller place. I was planning to get me a place as well. Jacoby was left to decide who he wanted to live with, and Cedric and I were fine with that. The truth was, I hadn’t felt this good in a long time. I was glad that we’d gotten closure. Now I could focus on my own life. Holding on for so long had only crippled me.
I made my way to the front door so I could leave. Cedric was behind me. “I guess I’ll see you whenever,” he said.
I turned and gave him a tight hug. He rubbed my back and I rubbed his. I felt his hardness, but backed away from him.
“Now, who would’ve thought that my ex-wife was capable of doing this to me?” He looked down at his rising shorts. “All I can say is, baby, you’re bad in every way possible. Why don’t we seal the deal by indulging in some of that wild sex we used to have when we were mad at each other? You were always at your best when you were mad at me, and I would be thinking about that shit for days and weeks after.”
I couldn’t help but to laugh at Cedric’s attempt to have sex with me. “Sex or no sex, the deal is sealed. And I’m not really mad at you now, so having sex would be a waste of time. So, good-bye, Cedric. I’m sure we’ll be speaking soon. Please don’t forget about the money tomorrow because I really need it. If you need me to take you to the bank, let me know.”
I reached for the doorknob and Cedric smacked me on my ass; squeezed it too, and had the nerve to honk. I made my exit and closed the door behind me. But when I got into the car, I sat for a while thinking. I looked at the bay windows, manicured lawn, and two-story brick house that was one of the best looking houses on the block. Cedric had taken good care of me, no doubt. It was kind of painful to leave here for good, knowing that I would never officially stay in the house again. With that in mind, I wanted to leave my mark. I marched toward the front door and opened it. Went inside and made my way up the stairs where I could hear water running. Right at the bedroom’s doorway, I removed all of my clothes and then swished toward the bathroom where Ce
dric stood naked, waiting for the tub to fill. His eyes shifted to me in the doorway, and a wide smile washed across his face.
“I guess this ain’t really over, until it’s over,” he said.
“Oh, it’s over, trust me. I just had an urge to seal the deal, like you suggested.”
I walked into the bathroom and threw my arms around Cedric’s shoulders. With our bodies pressed together, both of our hands roamed. Cedric touched my curvy backside, and I had my hand on his heavy, hard meat. Just as I was about to direct it inside of me, he stopped me.
“You’d better not tell your girlfriends about this. If so, they would think you’re out of your mind.”
“What I do with my life is my business. I don’t owe anybody an explanation; after all, no one has walked in my shoes. If I want to screw my ex-husband’s brains out, I will.”
“Then g’on with your bad self. And you’re right. To hell with them all. We got this.”
I wasn’t sure about the “we” thing, but I surely did have it. Got all of it and then some. And right after we finished having sex, I thanked Cedric for the good loving and made my exit with my divorce papers in hand.
This time when I got in the car, I drove off. I reached for my cell phone to call Trina and share the good news. She didn’t seem as upbeat as she did the last time.
“Okay, what’s going on?” I asked, feeling a little frustrated. Just once, one time, I wanted to talk to somebody who didn’t have a lot of drama going on.
“If I told you, you wouldn’t believe me. All I can say is I shouldn’t have ever stopped by Keith’s house that night. Then again, I’m glad I did because I discovered that your friend has been making her rounds.”
My brows arched inward. “What friend? I don’t have many, so who are you talking about?”
“Evelyn. Do you know she was at Keith’s house when I got there?”
I had to slam on the brakes. “Are you kidding me?”
“No, I’m not. She’s supposed to be seeing Keith’s brother, but I found a picture that Keith sketched of her while she was sitting on the couch in his studio. He pretended that it wasn’t a big deal, but Evelyn made it clear that she had been there, several times, when I wasn’t. Keith thinks I’m overreacting, but you already know how Evelyn is.”
“Yes, I do. And I’m surprised at Keith. I don’t know what to say about Evelyn, but the two of us need to do something to put that chick in her place. I don’t understand why you continue to be her friend. I am soooo done with her. That hooker can’t say anything to me right about now.”
“I question why I keep fooling with her too, but this last incident took the cake. She called and tried to apologize for upsetting me, but she wouldn’t admit to doing the wrong thing. Said there was no harm in her going over there. When I inquired about the sketch, she said she didn’t know Keith was doing it, until he was finished. She also said that he made some advances toward her. I’m so upset right now that I don’t even want to bring any of this shit to his attention.”
“I think you should. At least give him a chance to explain himself. Evelyn lies so much, Trina. You can’t believe everything she says.”
“I agree, but it’s his reaction that has me more bothered than anything. He hasn’t called, he hasn’t apologized, nothing. I’m not going to reach out to him again, so it’s whatever. Now, enough about my drama. What’s going on with you? Did you make a decision yet?”
I shared with Trina everything that had gone down with me and Cedric, including the sex. She barked through the phone and laughed at my actions.
“You are so trifling, but good for you. You’re sounding much better, and I think this calls for a celebration. Let’s go somewhere this weekend and get our party on. Have a few drinks and just let it all hang out! We need some more fun in our lives.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more. Sounds like a plan to me! You name the place and I will be there!”
Trina said she would call me on Friday to let me know our destination. I was excited about hanging with my BFF, and I couldn’t wait until the weekend. And before I forgot, I looked at the selfie I’d taken with Cedric. I typed in a number and sent it right over to Evelyn so she could see it. I was sure she would be just as happy as I was about the divorce.
Chapter 11
Trina
I hadn’t been clubbing in a long time. The last time I got all dolled up like this was probably at a funeral. I wasn’t sure what to wear, but I opted for a pair of stretch jean leggings, a navy cropped jacket, and a white tank. I could barely walk in the high-heeled pumps I had on, but they made my whole fit look sexier. My layered hair was swooped a bit to the left, and I accessorized with red and silver jewelry. I never liked to wear a lot of makeup, so all I did was gloss my lips and spread my lashes with mascara. My brows were already arched, and after several dashes of sweet perfume, I was ready to go.
I told Kayla that I would meet her at a jazz/R&B joint that was on Washington Avenue. Some of the other artists at the studio mentioned the place, but I hadn’t ever been there before. To my surprise, it was nice. The crowd was thirty and older, and the loud music spilling through the speakers had many of people there up on their feet. I couldn’t really see, but the spinning white lights from up above gave off some light. The club was decorated with purple, black, yellow, and silver. I always appreciated a colorful atmosphere, and the many colorful paintings on the wall impressed me. So did the humungous dance floor, where people from all races were dancing.
Kayla was supposed to be there at nine, but I didn’t see her yet. That was until I looked over at a booth and spotted her sitting next to a white man who was all smiles. She saw me and waved her hand. I walked over to the table and the man sitting next to her stood up.
“You must be Kayla’s friend, Trina,” he said, yelling over the loud music.
“Yes, I am. And you are?”
“Chris. I saw Kayla when she came through the door and was like, wow. She damn near knocked me off my feet.”
Kayla was all smiles. I was too, especially since Chris wasn’t all that bad looking. Unfortunately, though, I knew my friend all too well. She wanted black dick, and would never settle for anything less.
“Now that Trina is here,” Chris said to Kayla, “would you like to dance?”
“Sure.” Kayla scooted out of the booth and made her way to the dance floor with Chris.
I eased into the booth and looked around at the drinks on the table. I could tell Kayla and Chris had been getting it in. She must’ve gotten here earlier than I’d thought. There was also a bottle of wine on the table, sitting in an ice bucket. I took it upon myself to pour some. Minutes later, an older black man with a slanted, mack-daddy hat on eased into the booth with me.
“I bet you a hundred dollars that you’re going to turn me down,” he said then sucked his teeth. “If so, please give me a Band-Aid, because I just scraped my knee from falling head over heels for you.”
How weak was that? I thought. Really? But I had to admit, it was funny. “No, I don’t have a Band-Aid nor do I have a hundred dollars. But I assure you that I’m like a Rubik’s Cube: The more you play with me, the harder I get.”
The nice-looking older man slapped his leg and laughed. “I figured you had a good sense of humor. And something told me to come over here and offer to buy you a drink.”
I looked at the drinks on the table. “You know what, I’m good. But maybe if you stop by later, we can dance or something. By the way, what’s your name again?”
“Chance. If you take a chance on me, you just may get real lucky.”
I winked at him. “Okay, I got it. And thanks again for the sideshow. It’s been real.”
Chance said he would be back later to dance. As soon as he walked away, I looked for Kayla and Chris on the dance floor. Needless to say, it was hilarious. Kayla was a great dancer, but Chris was all over the place. He was doing some mess that James Brown would do. Had his jacket pulled back and was moving his feet so fast
that he was about to trip. I cracked up, and you best believe that after one dance, Kayla called it quits. I saw her say something to him, and then she headed back to the table alone.
Dressed in a white, wide-legged jumpsuit, Kayla eased into the booth with me. She was such a classy chick. I couldn’t touch her style if I tried.
“What was that all about?” I asked.
“What? What do you mean?”
“I’m talking about the way he was dancing. Girl, he was all over the place.”
“Yeah, he was. But he is . . . nice.”
“Maybe so, but not nice enough for you to date, right?”
Kayla sipped from the glass in front of her then shrugged. “I might. Not sure yet.”
I pursed my lips. “Don’t even try to sell that mess to me. You know good and doggone well that a white man could never get it.”
Kayla laughed and placed her finger over her lips. “Shhh, don’t tell nobody. You already know that I love the brothas.”
“Yes, I do.”
We sat for a long while, enjoying each other’s company, laughing and drinking. I danced, Kayla danced, and then we sang “Happy Birthday” with the people next to us who were there celebrating. I was tipsy as ever, and as the night went on, I was very flirtatious. I had just finished dancing with Chance, before plopping down in the booth and picking up another drink.
Kayla had a glassy film covering her eyes. She looked at me with a straw close to her lips. “I think you’d better slow it down,” she whispered. “Somebody here is keeping a very close eye on you.”
Regardless of who it was, I sipped from the glass of Patrón and whispered back at Kayla. “Who?”
“I’m not saying. If you look around, maybe you will see him.”
I narrowed my eyes and scanned the room. Didn’t see anyone I knew, nor did I notice anyone paying attention to me. “I repeat, who?”
“Look over by the bar. At the very end, there are three men standing together. One is a dark chocolate, and he is a sight for drunken eyes. He’s rocking jeans, a V-neck shirt that’s hugging those muscles and showing those colorful tattoos. I swear you’d better straighten up and get to him, before some of these other chicks do. Trust me when I say they’re on it!”
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