“In Brooklyn.” Was all I offered.
“Well okay. I can’t wait to meet her. So can I see you tomorrow? I want to take you out put you in better spirits.
“Sure. I’d love to see you Dre. Can I come to you?” I asked quickly. With everything going on I didn’t know how much the news or the cops knew and the last thing I needed was for the Dre to drive up to flashing lights and news vans.
“Of course. We can leave from here. You think you can be here by 11?”
“11? In the morning? “I wondered what he wanted to do so early on a Saturday morning.
“Yeah 11 Summer, is that too early?” Dre sounded disappointed.
“No I’ll be there. Well let me go so I can get some rest. I’ll be thinking about you.” I told Dre as I ended the call.
I had a few more things to do before I called it a night.
I opened the business phone I kept and scrolled until I ran across his name. “Chief Chris Stevens. There you go.” I said to myself as I pressed send on the phone.
He answered on the first ring. “What’re you calling me for?” His usual lusty tone now replaced with scorn.
“You know exactly why I’m calling you Chief Dick!” I barked.
“Now you listen here…” He started in.
“No you listen. I suggest you get those to two little wieners at your precinct to leave me the fuck alone. You and I both know that would be in your best interest as well as mine.” I warned.
“I’m not going down with the likes of you or your kind. Now I’m still on duty, we can talk about this later.” Chief Stevens said dismissively.
“Oh no Chief see there’s nothing else to talk about. Either make this situation disappear or find yourself caught up in the mix.” I said and pressed end on the call.
********
I walked out of my building paranoid through the back to the connecting garage. I had my shades on as I looked around cautiously not wanting to be accosted by waiting cops again. Surprisingly it was quiet no one seemed to be watching me. I dragged my suitcase behind me and carried the matching shoulder bag over my shoulder. I packed as much as I could in my luggage, I would come back at a later date for the rest of my things. I wasn’t sure what Nikki was capable of so I knew it was best I put some distance between us.
I maneuvered through Midtown to get to the West Side highway and made it to Dre’s place in Harlem in no time. I parked my car in a garage not too far from his place and decided to stroll the Harlem streets. I couldn’t help but feel like everyone who looked at me as they walked past me knew my secrets. Summer’s Heat hadn’t ever made me feel a bit of shame it was what I’d been doing to survive for so long I wondered what I’d do now. I knew I didn’t want to sell my body forever but I had never thought much about not managing the business of selling sex.
As I approached Dre’s apartment I could smell the breakfast from outside of his door. It was then that I realized I hadn’t even eaten dinner. I knocked and when the door swung open it was Ms. Mama who grabbed me in a quick embrace. I let all of my loneliness, my feelings of being without the affection of a family go as I fell into her waiting hug and cried.
Ms. Robinson held me and rubbed my back for a few seconds without saying a word before she pulled my face up from her bosom and asked me if I was ok.
“Child. Sweet girl are you okay.” I heard her say. Although my eyes were so cloudy with tears that I could barely see her.
Dre seeing what was happening ran over and grabbed me.
“Baby what’s wrong has someone hurt you?” Dre demanded.
I shook my head no. Still not ready to speak. I made my way to Dre’s bathroom to rinse my face. I looked up in the mirror and saw the ten-year-old Summer. The Summer whose world had just come crashing down on her in a public display on her brownstone stoop for everyone within eyeshot to see.
I dried my tears and my hands and made my way back out to the dining room to get my interrogation over with.
I said before they could ask again. “I’m okay. I really am OK. I didn’t realize how much I needed that hug until I received It Ms. Robinson.”
Ms. Robinson eyed me quietly before speaking. “Well these arms are made for hugging. Baby I hope you know that you can talk to me anytime. My son cares about you and so do I. I know hurt baby. Don’t try to handle it alone.”
“I’m not just going to take that, I want to know what’s wrong!” Dre insisted.
Ms. Robinson put her hand up as to tell Dre to hush.
“When she’s ready she’ll talk to you. If she chooses to. For now, just enjoy your time with her. I made y’all some Spinach and Cheese Omelettes, French Toast, Homefries and some fresh squeezed Orange Juice. You two enjoy. I’m gone get out the way and head on back home.” Ms. Robinson said as she pecked Dre and me on the cheek before grabbing her coat and heading for the door.
Before the door closed she turned around and gave me a look that made me think she felt pity for me. I didn’t ever want anyone’s pity, but I knew hers was coming from a place that was sincere, her heart.
Dre wouldn’t tell me where we were going but when I saw that we were leaving the city and heading out to Jersey I was confident that it was going to be special. Dre kept the conversation light as we sped down the Garden State Parkway. He held my hand and smiled at me a lot seemingly just happy to be in my presence. It was weird to not feel obligated to a man for something, money or sex especially. It was far from a chore being intimate with Dre as I connected with him on a level I hadn’t ever connected with anyone on.
We pulled off the highway at exit 110 for Keyport and as I saw the sign for Atlantic Highlands I finally asked. “Where are you taking me?”
“I wanted our date to be special Summer. I don’t think you know how much you mean to me. Even though you keep part of yourself such a mystery. The part of you that I know has me falling in love.” Dre said as he picked up my hand and kissed it.
We pulled into what looked like a hidden driveway and drove up a winding hill as I took in the scenery. For all the high end living I thought I’d been doing I hadn’t known New Jersey offered such beauty. The winter had stripped the trees of their leaves but it was a crisp bright sunny day. As we parked the car I saw the ocean crashing against the shore it was breathtaking despite the fact that it was freezing.
I read the signage on the house that looked like an old-fashioned mansion. “Atlantic Highlands Day Spa and Relaxation Chateau.” I read out loud.
“Yeah I figured you could would enjoy being pampered for the day. They do everything here and they have services for me too. I booked appointments for you for a full day of beauty treatments and then we have an appointment for lunch at 2 and joint massages at 4.” Dre said excitedly.
“Wow that’s so sweet Dre.” I said as we made our way into the manor. When we walked in a young dark haired woman who looked to be of Middle eastern descent made herself immediately available.
“Hi I’m Priya do you have an appointment.” She was chipper.
“Yes an appointment for two.” Dre began.
Before he could say another word Priya spoke. “Andre ,,, for a deluxe day for two?”
“That’s us.” Dre said.
“Well you’re one lucky young lady. You have a wonderful day of pampering ahead of you. You’re in room 222. Here’s your room key card. Go up to your room make yourselves comfortable. There are robes and fresh fruit, champagne and juice waiting for you. Do you have any bags that we need to take in?” Priya queried.
“No just us.” Dre said.
“We don’t have an elevator but the stair case leads up to the second floor. Your room is the first on the west wing. Inga will come for you both in about thirty minutes.” Priya said as she handed Dre the card.
I looked up marveling in the beautiful mansion. It was the biggest house I’d ever been in. Even bigger than Nikki’s parents summer house in the Hamptons. It was brightly lit with a large chandelier that hung in the middle of the foyer. There w
ere two wide tall staircases one that I presumed led to the west wing of the house and one for the east wing. Everything looked expensive including the art on the walls. I had been in the company of men who knew art very well and I had learned what was expensive and what was bullshit you could buy from your local home craft store.
Dre took my hand and led me up the stairs to our room. When we walked in it was no less striking than the rest of what I’d saw of the house so far. I picked up the plush white robe that lay on the four poster king sized bed and sniffed it. It was so fresh it seemed it hadn’t been worn before.
“Are we staying? Why the room with the bed?” I was confused.
“No I didn’t book us to stay but that can always change.” Dre said confidently.
I thought about it for a second but changed my mind quickly thinking about all the stuff that I needed to attend to like finding a place to live.
“No this is more than enough. Thank you baby.” I grabbed Dre by his collar and pulled him in for a kiss.
Dre took that as his opportunity to go in as he dipped his tongue in my mouth. I welcomed his tongue and rotated mine around his lips. He moved to my neck and placed light kisses on it as he pulled my blouse over my head.
My body started to heat up. I whispered between kisses “we only have thirty minutes’ baby. They’re coming for us.” I moaned as his tongue circled my left nipple.
He looked up at me and ignored my statement. He pulled unzipped my jeans and placed kisses on my belly and thighs as he slid them down. I stepped out of them as Dre backed me up to the wide dresser with that had a mirror shaped like a diamond.
Dre pulled my string bikini panties down with his teeth. There wasn’t much to the material. He opened my legs wider and looked up at me and smiled before he took his tongue and used it to open my pussy as he licked from the opening up. Once he got to my engorged clit he flickered his tongue against it and placed it in his mouth. He sucked gently as he played with it using his tongue. It felt so good that I applied pressure on his head grinding myself against his face. I swirled my hips in a circle as I rode his face. He let out moans letting me know he enjoyed my taste. I worked my waist until the pressure I felt building up in me released itself in his mouth and across the bottom half of his handsome face.
Once I stopped moving Dre stood up and turned me around to face the mirror. He pushed me forward slightly aggressively as he reached in his back pocket and ripped the gold foil off of the packet. I winded my ass around eager to feel him enter. Dre put one hand on my waist and guided himself inside of my soaking wet opening. As I felt him inch in I growled softly with pleasure. Dre pumped slowly and deeply and I watched him watch my ass in the mirror. When our eyes met he began to pump faster and harder. I placed my hands on the mirror to steady and brace myself against his thrust. Dre placed both hands on my waist as he pumped a few last hard thrusts and moaned laying his forehead against my back.
After he caught his breath he eased himself out of me and headed towards the bathroom. “Quick shower.” He yelled from the bathroom.
“Sure I’ll join you.” I said as I made my way to the beautiful brass and marble filled room.
We rushed through our shower and just as we were putting on our robes there was a knock at the door.
A woman’s voice with a foreign accent spoke. “Are you ready to begin your services?”
“I opened the door and we walked out hand in hand to begin our day.”
After getting my hair washed and blown, a mani/pedi along with a full body wax I joined Dre in a warm cozy room for our joint massages. Two large statured women who looked like they were from Sweden walked in with blond buns and all white attire from head to toe.
“Andre and Summer.” One spoke with a heavy accent.
“That’s us.” Dre gave a slight wave.
They asked us to remove our robes and lay on the tables face down with our face through holes in preparation. I looked over at Dre before they began and wondered what I had done to be with someone so selfless as him.
As soon as we were done we were escorted back to the room that housed our belongings. We got dressed in the clothes that we came in and headed out to our car.
“Thank you for a wonderful day Dre. This has been great. Really great.” I said.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg. I intend to give you everything Summer. Everything. From the moment you walked into the class all I could think was there’s my dream girl. Now if I can just get her to notice me. Once we ran into each other and you agreed to go out with me I knew I would never let you be without me or anything else for that matter. You’re smart, beautiful and kind. I just want you to be mine.” Dre said in a serious tone and pulled the car down into the darkness and down the driveway.
I couldn’t see the ocean, but I knew it was there. I could hear it. I could smell it. I wondered to myself if that was how I should think about my life. You can’t always see the best of what’s around you but that doesn’t mean that it’s not there.
We pulled back to Dre’s house and Dre dropped me in front as he went to park the car. It was the first time I checked my cellphone for the day. I didn’t want anything messing up my vibe with Dre so I kept the phone turned off. As I got to Dre’s apartment and stuck in his key the door swung open.
Dre’s mom was standing on the other side of the door her face reading anger and disappointment. The room was filled with White and Red roses. A delicious smelling dinner was set on his dining room table by Candlelight.
“Ms. Robinson, I didn’t expect you here.” I said kind of shocked by her presence seeing at his place twice in one day.
“Where’s Dre?” She didn’t sound like her usual self.
“He’s parking the car. What’s wrong?” I asked nervously.
“What’s wrong? You know I came over here to get this place set up. He ordered all these flowers so I had to be here to let in the florist and the caterers. All this for you!” She put her hands on her hips and continued.
“Everything was set. I turn the TV on as I’m getting the food on the table and what do I hear? Greg Kiely talking about Summer Doucette the young Madam. As I listen to the news story I start to put shit together. You’re going to tell me there’s no truth to this right? You want to tell me what the hell is going on?” She barked.
I couldn’t open my mouth as I stood there being admonished by Dre’s mother. The woman who’s arms just comforted me some hours before. Usually I would have yelled back at anyone yelling at me. I wasn’t one to take shit from anyone. But for some reason I stood there silent.
“If you think you’re going to do this to my son you better think again. Summer what were you thinking?” She asked like she was my own mother.
“Ms. Robinson if you’ll excuse me I have to go. Tell Dre I’m sorry.”
I said as I got out of the door quickly hoping that I wouldn’t see Dre on my way out.
I walked quickly in the opposite direction of the parking lot that housed Dre’s car although it was parked in a garage on the same block as my car.
All I could think is “my name is now officially associated! I’m on blast. What now?”
By the time I made it to my car my cellphone started ringing it was Dre. I sat in my car ignoring the call.
I looked at my phone realizing again that I had it off all day. I started listening to my voicemail. The first one was from Ty.
“Yo Summer pick up your dam phone! Stop igging my calls. Them blues is on you. It’s hot.”
The next message was from Nikki. “Sum. Call me. We gotta talk now.”
Fifteen
I sat in my car and reclined my chair. I needed peace and quiet, I didn’t want the busyness of Manhattan or anywhere in the city for that matter. I hadn’t felt this unsure of what lied ahead since I was a little girl and it didn’t feel good. I was mentally drained, exhausted emotionally. I started my car up and headed across the bridge to New Jersey. I decided I’d stay in a hotel near the Newark Airport sinc
e there were plenty to choose from.
I checked into the Marriot, and lugged in what I had taken of my belongings from Nikki’s house. I had a feeling that I wouldn’t bother going back to her place to get anything else, including the expensive furniture that I left in my bedroom. She could donate it or burn it for all I cared. I plopped down on the bed of cold generic looking room. I decided to turn my cellphone back on and listen to some of the messages.
First one was from Chief Stevens, “Summer it’s over. The investigation has ended you can go on with your life but don’t ever contact me again.” He ended the call.
I sighed deeply relieved and hopeful that he was being straight with me. I listened to the next message from Nikki “Summer. Summer please call me back. I’m sorry I was so nasty to you. Please call me back.”
The next call was from Ty yelling and threatening, it had become what I was accustomed to from him since he got home. “Summer, I want my damn money. I’m not fucking around with you. I made you Bitch!” I didn’t bother listening to the rest of his tirade, I deleted the message.
The next one was from Dre. “Summer, please call me back.” So was the next one, “Summer answer your phone. You owe me an explanation. At least give me that.” Dre pleaded.
I read through my text messages until I drifted off into a welcome sleep.
“Summer Doucette, do you have anything to say?” The blond reporter shoved the microphone in my face. The lights from the cameras blinded me they were quite bright. My wrists were so uncomfortable from the cuffs as I got manhandled down the walkway from my childhood building. As I was ushered towards the police car I could see familiar faces and judgmental stares following me. I saw my father Joe looking pitifully at me, giving me the same apologetic gaze he gave me the last time I saw him at his house when he threw me out.
I saw my mother, teeth rotted, skin sallow her body a mere fraction of its former self. She was skin and bones. Her hair matted on her head as she cried and reached out towards me. I asked her mommy why, as I shed tears. As she reaches out to me one of the police men shove her back and she falls to the ground. When she falls my grandmother looks at her with disgust and flicks her cigarette ashes on her before turning and walking away.
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