by Mychea
Walking to the deck where Camille had set up for lunch, “How is his Dad and that whole situation coming a long?”
Sitting in a deck chair, pouring herself a glass of lemonade from the pitcher Camille had on the table, Coleen thought of the best way to respond to her question.
“It’s coming along as best as can be expected. I already know he’s not going to leave his wife.
I know it was stupid to get involved with a married man, but I was drawn to him, still am. Things aren’t the same for him at home he tells me. He seems confused and lost, so I play my roll, counsel him and just be there. I think that’s what he appreciates the most. We never argue or anything.”
“He doesn’t need to argue with you. He has a wife at home to do that with.”
“He doesn’t argue with her either.”
Camille shrugged, “Well if it works for you, it works for me.”
“How is Chris?”
Without missing a beat, “Selfish.”
“I told you that day one.”
“Please save me the free therapy session. If I want one, I’ll pay you.”
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Mychea
“Ooo, touchy, touchy. New baby at home means Ms. Kitty is probably meowing from neglect.”
Camille had to laugh at that, “Will you shut your mouth. You’re crazy,” Continuing after a spilt second, “You’re right though, Ms. Kitty is in need of some attention.”
“You have two people to choose from, what’s the problem? Even though I can’t stand the girl, how is Emeri?”
“She’s good I guess. She hasn’t really been hanging out with me as much lately. I think she’s dating someone.”
Coleen was honestly shocked; “Who in their right mind would date that psycho girl?” she quickly amended, “except for you, no offense.”
“First off, we never dated. We are just friends.”
Coleen snorted, “Friends that make each others kittiess purr. You are not fooling anybody speaking that nonsense.”
Rolling her eyes, “Anyway, either way we keep it open for everyone to do their own thing.
She’s really private, so I don’t know who it is, just that someone is in the picture. She seems different.”
“Different how?”
“I don’t know, nicer I guess. She doesn’t seem as crazy.”
“For the life of me, I could never understand your attraction to her.”
“I like her free spirit.”
“Her free psychotic spirit.”
“Ok Ms. ‘Prim and Proper’, since you’re so perfect, how did you get caught up with Jay’s Dad? Explain that Ms. ‘I’m so professional and I don’t do anything wrong’.
“I already told you, I was drawn to him. It just happened.”
“Now come on Doctor, aren’t you the main one telling your patients nothing just happens?”
“Ok, alright you got me. I thought he was sexy, I wanted him, he wanted me and there you have it. You happy now?”
“Well, well the good ol Doc finally comes clean. Will wonders never cease?”
“He’s going to stop by and pick up Jay in a little bit. I hope that’s ok.”
“You know it’s not a problem. What may be a problem though, is Emeri knows who Justin’s Dad is.”
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“Yeah, I figured that out the day she threatened me in my office. Why you telling your girl my business? You know I can lose my license over this.”
“It slipped out one night and what do you mean she threatened you? You never told me that.”
“That’s why I don’t counsel her anymore.”
“I though you did that because of the situation with Jay’s Dad, I had no idea it was because she was threatening you.”
“Yeah, I told you that girl is psycho. See why I want you to stay away from her?”
“Oh, don’t worry sister dear. She’s not more psycho than I am and this will be taken care of, I can guarantee it. Don’t you worry at all.”
Damir was officially off the hook, Emeri decided. She was done with him now. His appeal was gone since Naima no longer entertained him, what was the point. On to the next, as far as she was concerned and sexy ass Tyson was definitely a great next to move on too. He was like nothing she had ever experienced before. Tyson knew about her past and didn’t seem too phased by it, he was willing to break the rules for her. They both knew he was putting his job in jeopardy by dating her, yet the courtship continued. The only downfall to him was he kept pushing for reconciliation between she and Naima. As far as Emeri was concerned, there was nothing to reconcile. She and Naima had never had a relationship. The only reason Emeri tolerated Tyson’s constant nagging about it was because she did love Ma Cyn and she knew that Ma Cyn would absolutely love it if they could all get along. That would be the only reason, cause lord knows her father, Kenneth, was just like every other man in the world, selfish; every man that is, except Tyson.
Standing at a cool 6 feet even, bowlegged with toffee colored skin, hazelnut brown eyes, soft kiss me lips and the sexiest two moles on his left cheek, he was adorable. It was just not possible for a yummier man to exist.
“Chile, what are you over there thinking about. You’re glowing.”
Thoughts interrupted by Ma Cyn as she entered the room, Emeri smiled, “Tyson.” She answered before thinking.
“Tyson huh? As in your therapist? Why would you be thinking about him?”
Realizing her mistake, she had to think of a quick and adequate answer for Ma Cyn.
“No reason in particular. Our sessions have been going really well. That’s all.”
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“Glad that you finally have someone you feel you can talk to.”
“I feel like I can talk to you.”
“Of course you can and I’m always here to listen.”
“Why don’t you hate me?” Emeri asked softly. She had no idea why she had blurted that question out. She could tell Ma Cyn was caught off guard, she was speechless even and that rarely happened to her.
“God never granted me a spirit of hatred,” she finally said, “to which I am grateful.”
“How could you not?” I almost killed your daughter. Whether I meant to or not, I almost did.”
Coming over to sit next to Emeri, Ma Cyn pulled her into a hug.
“I never hated you even then. I prayed that God would look out for you and Naima and he did just that. You’re just misguided and hurt. Nothing a loving family and a gold old-fashioned whipping can’t cure.
Emeri had to laugh at that. A good old-fashioned whipping, her own Mama had never hit her.
She could not imagine going through something like that.
Returning Ma Cyn’s hug, Emeri could honestly say that she loved her.
“While we’re talking,” Ma Cyn began as she pulled out of their hug and sat in a chair on the other side of the room, “this thing with you and Naima needs to stop. I’ve tried to stay out of it hoping you two could be adults and work through this, but now Namiyah is suffering and I can’t have that. She’s too young to be going through so much.”
Emeri almost bulked at that. In her opinion, Namiyah had it pretty easy. At Namiyah’s age Emeri was fighting off a grown man’s sexual advances. What was Namiyah fighting, besides hating her? That was something that she could survive.
“Emeri, are you listening?”
Damn, had she zoned out? “Yes, I’m listening.”
“Good because it’s time for us to have some one on one time. Explain to me why you seem to have it out for Naima. This situation is killing her and I’m trying to understand it myself.”
Clearing her throat to stall for time, Emeri tried to think of a reasonable answer, “I don’t have it out for Naima per se. I just, I just…
.” She was at a loss for words. How was she supposed to explain to Ma Cyn that she simply hated that Naima had been the one to have such a good life.
“You’re jealous.”
“What?!”
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“You heard me Chile, I said “jealous” and don’t “what” me again.”
“Yes, Ma’am.” Damn, Emeri thought, Ma Cyn made her feel about Namiyah’s age.
“Now, I understand that your father wasn’t around while you were growing up, but we’re all here now trying to be here for you. You’re the one that doesn’t seem to be trying.”
Head bowed down towards the table, Emeri was embarrassed. She knew that tears would fall soon.
“Why should I have too? I was the one wronged in the situation.”
“Emeri, you need to humble yourself. We were all wronged by this situation and you’re not making it easier on anyone acting the way that you’ve been acting. What do you want to see happen inside this family, so we can all finally have some peace?”
“I don’t know. I guess I want those years I missed with my Dad back.”
“Chile, if we had the power to go back in time, we all would. Unfortunately we cannot, we have to make the most of right now. Your Dad is here, when have you taken the time out for the two of you to strengthen that relationship. He wants to and you want to, so what’s the problem?”
Emeri thought about that. What was the problem? Why hadn’t she gone out to spend some time with the father she had waited all her life to have? Maybe because deep down she knew he was a liar.
“I really don’t know Ma Cyn. I guess I was waiting for him to ask me.”
Shaking her head to the heavens, “Lordie, you are your father’s child alright. You both are stubborn. He’s outside working on the lawn mower. Why not go out there and keep him company? I’m sure he would love that.”
“Ok,” Emeri said getting out of her seat to place a kiss on Ma Cyn’s cheek. I’ll go see what he’s up too. Thanks for the talk.”
“No problem Chile. You think about what I said about you and Naima’s situation as well.
Ya’ll work this thing out.” She said looking Emeri directly in the eye.
Taking a slow deep breath so Ma Cyn wouldn’t see, “I’ll give it some serious thought” Emeri said as she slid out the side door in search of her Dad.
Watching Kenneth sitting on the ground with bits and pieces of the lawn mower spread out all around him, Emeri’s emotions were all over the place.
With tears in her eyes she watched the man who was her father pick over his tools. No wonder she was all screwed up when it came to men. She’d been sexually abused as a child, her Dad had Copyright © 2010 Mychea
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been absent from her life, and a new development, he was also a liar. As much as she enjoyed her time with Tyson, she knew it was only a matter of time before he fucked up as well.
“Hi Daddy. Need some help?”
Startled by the sound of her voice, Kenneth looked up from what he was doing.
“Hey Baby. Sure, you can help an old man out. Come on over her and sort through these tools for me so I can attempt to fix this mower.”
“Ok.” Sitting on the ground next to him, she had no idea what she was looking at. Tools were everywhere. “What am I supposed to look for?”
“Can you hand me a wrench?”
“Sure.”
Taking the wrench out of her extended hand he asked, “So, what brings you out here? I know you don’t really want to help put a lawn mower back together.”
“I just wanted to spend some time with you.”
“Really?” He sounded shocked.
Emeri smiled, “Yes, really. I’ve been thinking maybe we could call a truce. I know it’s not your fault that you weren’t around to watch me grow up; it’s so much easier to blame you because Mama isn’t here to blame.”
“What brought about this change of heart?”
“Tyson. He’s been a huge help to me. Those therapy session are really paying off.”
“I’m happy to hear that. Even happier for you. You seem like you’re doing better.:
“I am, I’m doing a lot better.”
“I can tell. How are things coming along with you and Naima?”
Playing with the tools around them so she wouldn’t have to look at him, “Umm they’re not coming a long.”
“Why not?”
“Because, they just aren’t”
“You know jealousy is a bad thing. It can eat away at you and make you bitter. Do you want to be bitter the rest of your life?”
Emeri was upset. This was the second time she had been called jealous in one afternoon. She was beginning to take offense.
“Are you insinuating that I am bitter?”
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“Emeri, you are.” He stated plain and clear.
“I’m not bitter; I’m upset with how things turned out.”
He gave her a sympathetic look, “Sounds like bitter baby.”
She gave a small half smile. She did sound bitter, “Well maybe a little.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“Doing what?”
“Allowing me to stay here?”
“Because you’re my daughter, if I don’t love you and try to take care of you, who will?”
“Me.”
“I’m sure you would do a great job. But, I like having you here with me. Who knows, maybe if you were to open up and let us get to know you and vice versa, you may come to love us as well.”
Emeri seriously doubted that. Love him and Ma Cyn yes. Naima, no.
“I already love you and Ma Cyn.”
“And Naima?” He asked.
“The jury is still out on that one.”
“Emeri, come here.”
As he put his tools down and whiped his hands on a towel, she walked over to him, he gazed down at her with those kind loving brown eyes and asked, “Do you think me and Cynthia can’t love you both?”
“It’s not that.”
“We can’t go back and relive your childhood. I would give anything to have been there to watch you grow up into the beautiful woman that you are today. Anything.” His voice trailed off,
“But, this crazy obsession you have with Naima has to stop. If you ever stopped being resentful of her long enough to talk to her, you would know she’s gone through a lot in her life. She got pregnant at sixteen, was married by eighteen, Kaden was drafted into the NFL by the time she turned twenty-one. He continuously cheated on her; her life was spread across the tabloids, try having almost the entire world knowing your business, and to top that off, her best friend was cheating with Kaden as well. So, don’t be so quick to judge, everyone has their own demons they deal with.”
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While Naima’s life was sad, in Emeri’s eyes it didn’t even begin to compare to hers. Nowhere near, close enough.
Making the decision to tell him about her was a giant leap of faith, but she took it anyway.
“Daddy, I was sexually abused as a child, what about that? Some man abused me from the time I w as twelve until I turned eighteen. So, call me judgmental if I refuse to cry rivers for Naima. At the end of the day, she still had it much better than I did and she had the support of two loving parents behind her. My Mama had to work all the time until she was too sick to continue to do so.”
“I had no idea about your past.” There were tears gleaming in Kenneth’s eyes. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there to protect you. I never would have allowed that to happen to you.”
“I know. But, it’s too late for that now. Life is what it is and I am making the most of it my own way.”
It saddened Kenneth to
see his baby girl tormented like this. Yet she was determined to live her life this way and he could see no change in sight. Emeri was going to be who she was going to be and he was to love her anyway, in spite of herself. Besides, lately he had bitten off more than he could chew. Why he waited till his late fifties to make his life this complicated was beyond him. He was way too old for the mess he was gong through. Shaking his head, he had no one to blame but himself.
Seated at PF Chang’s in White Flint Mall waiting for Tyson, Emeri felt her cell vibrate and sighed as she saw who was calling her. Camille had been blowing her phone up nonstop lately.
Part of Emeri loved her because she had been there when Emeri really needed someone, it was probably more or less a vendetta she was trying to score with Naima when she first sought Emeri out while she was serving her time. Either way Camille had been a comfort to her and when she was released, the beautiful moments they shared would always be just that. Camille seemed to be having a hard time letting go.
When her cell vibrated a second time, she answered, “Yes, Camille.”
“Where the hell do you get off threatening my sister?”
Emeri had not expected that outburst, but it only took her about two seconds to regroup.
“I think you better calm down.” She told Camille softly.
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“Fuck you Emeri. I’m not Coleen. You’re not pulling that shit with me. How could you disrespect our friendship by doing that?”
“Look, your sister was getting above herself. She needed to be brought down a notch or two.
Deal with it.” Emeri was upset with herself for entertaining this conversation, “Are you done”
“Bitch, you’re going to get yours. This is not over!” Camille hung up the phone.
Emeri stared at the disconnected receiver in her hand. That did it Camille had to go. No one threatened her and got away with it. No one. She was a great girl, but she had overstepped her boundaries this time and she would pay, her and her precious sister Coleen.
Smiling as Tyson approached the table, Emeri pushed all thoughts of Camille and Coleen far out of her head to focus her attention on the sexy man joining her.
Leaning down placing a light kiss on her lips, Tyson wondered what was wrong with him. He needed to have his head examined. There was no denying that Emeri was a beautiful woman.