by Darrien Lee
“Hello, Doc. How are you holding up?”
“I’m hanging in there, Trammel. Come on in.”
Trammel followed her into the living room and sat down on the sofa. Venice curled her legs under herself.
“I was wondering when you were going to stop by. Most of the other guys came by earlier.”
He played with the pillows on the sofa.
“Yeah, I didn’t want to come when they were all here. You know Jarvis was my boy.”
Venice wrapped her arms around herself.
“I guess you two were the closest. You spent enough time over here eating my food.”
They both laughed for a moment, then once again found themselves dealing with silence. Trammel looked around at various pictures, then asked, “Where’s everybody?”
Venice stood and went over to the mantle to straighten a picture. “They went back to the hotel to get some rest.”
Before she could turn around, Trammel was standing behind her…close. His closeness unsettled her.
“Can I get you anything to drink or eat? There’s tons of food in the kitchen.”
“Nah, I’m cool.”
She walked around him and toward the front door, causing him to follow.
“Trammel, I’m glad you came by but it’s getting late and I’m really tired. I’ll see you tomorrow at the services, okay?”
When they reached the front door, Venice turned to hug him. He tightened his grip so she could not get away.
“Trammel! What are you doing? Turn me loose.”
“Jarvis always treated you like you were better than anyone else. I want to see if he was right.”
“Have you lost your mind? Get your hands off of me!”
Venice started having flashbacks of her near rape in high school.
Tears of fear and shock ran down her face as she tried her best to push him off, but she was unsuccessful. Being pinned against the front door offered no avenue for escape.
“Please, Trammel! Don’t! Please!”
She could feel his hot breath as he guided his large hands under her skirt. That’s when he heard a click and felt something metal pushing against the back of his head. He froze. An angry and muffled voice said, “I don’t know who the hell you are, but if you move another muscle, I’m going to blow you straight to hell.”
Relief swept over Venice as Joshua came to her rescue. He had a deranged look on his face as he instructed Venice to step aside. Trembling and afraid, she couldn’t move. Joshua grabbed her wrist and pulled her around behind him. At that point, Joshua instructed Trammel to turn around. As he turned, he had his hands above his head and fear in his eyes.
“Don’t shoot, man. Doc, I’m so sorry.”
Joshua steadied the gun between Trammel’s eyes. “Stand over there and don’t move.”
Without taking his eyes off him, he asked, “Niecy, are you okay?”
As if the air had returned to her lungs, she answered, “I’m okay.”
Still angling the gun, he asked, “Who is this clown?”
Venice, with a tear-streaked face, slapped Trammel’s face.
“Trammel! How could you?! Jarvis was your friend!”
He cowardly confessed, “I’m sorry. I guess I lost my head.”
“So you decided to come over here and try to rape me? What would your wife and kids think? Huh? Just get out!”
“What do you want to do with him, Niecy? Do you want me to shoot him or call the police?”
Trammel’s eyes opened wider in fear.
“Please, I-I won’t bother you again, Doc. I promise. I’ll leave.”
Venice stared at him.
“Let him go. He’s not worth it.”
Trammel closed his eyes and let out a sigh of relief.
Joshua said, “Just one minute. I hope you realize that this woman just saved your life. You don’t know how bad I want to pull this trigger. I could kill you where you stand and tell the police whatever I wanted to. I’m FBI and if you don’t get some type of help, I’m going to come looking for you. You got it?”
Trammel looked over at Venice and said, “I understand, man.”
Joshua opened the door and said, “Get off this property and don’t come back.”
As Trammel slowly backed out of the house, Joshua kept the gun aimed. Once Trammel turned to leave, Joshua shot off a round into the air. Trammel froze in his tracks before wetting his pants. Joshua slammed the door and lowered the gun.
Turning to Venice, she hugged him and said, “Thank you, Joshua.”
“Go back upstairs and get you some rest, Niecy. Just be glad it was me and not Bryan or Galen. Otherwise your friend would be lying in a pool of blood right now. No one has to know what happened here tonight. I won’t let anyone hurt you; you know that.”
Shaken, she kissed him and said, “I love you, Joshua.”
“I love you, too, Niecy.”
CHAPTER Five
Being in Japan for the past week had drained Craig’s energy. He was feeling burned out and decided he might need to take some well-deserved time off. On the plane, he picked up the USA Today and noticed a familiar name in the headline: All Pro Running Back Jarvis Anderson Memorial Service Tomorrow.
“What?”
He read on to find out that a brain tumor had caused the death of his former lover’s husband days earlier. He also noticed that the memorial would be taking place the following day.
“Poor Venice…Why hadn’t Bernice called?”
Craig’s older sister, Bernice, had become close to Venice and her sister-in-law, Sinclair. It was odd that she hadn’t called him to inform him of the terrible tragedy. He thought for a moment, then remembered that he told his dear sister that under no circumstance should she mention Venice or her family to him. He wanted that chapter of his life removed completely. It hurt him bad and the less heard about them, the better. Unfortunately, his sister had followed his instructions too well.
As soon as his plane landed in Philly, he immediately booked a flight to Detroit. For some strange reason, he felt like he needed to be there. He ached knowing the hurt Venice must have been experiencing. He wanted to console her, hold her, make the hurt go away.
Screech!!!
What am I thinking? I can’t go to her. How would that look?
Widow of Jarvis Anderson being consoled by former lover…
“Ouch! Let me think for a minute. Craig, get a hold of yourself. Wait, I’ll go, but I’ll…Damn!”
The lady behind the ticket counter asked, “May I help you, Sir?”
“Yes, round trip to Detroit.”
The memorial service was long and exhausting. Brandon clung to his mom and occasionally wept for his daddy. This didn’t help Venice hold her composure, but she stayed strong for her son. Thousands turned out to say goodbye to their beloved Jarvis wearing his number twenty-eight jersey. The entire scene was overwhelming for the Anderson and Taylor families. As the families filed out of the stadium, Joshua felt a strange feeling that he was being watched. Scanning the crowd seemed useless because there were just too many people to pick out anyone in particular.
In the upper deck of the arena, a tall, sexy Craig stood watching Venice’s pain consume her. It broke his heart knowing that her heart had been shattered. He wanted to wipe every tear from her cheek and let her know he was there for her. But, he couldn’t. Even though he was drawn to her, he had to walk away.
“Goodbye, Venice.”
The plane ride back to Philadelphia wasn’t fast enough for him. Craig was experiencing a series of mixed emotions and he needed time to get them in check. He didn’t understand the pain he was feeling in his heart. He heard a voice in his head.
She left you, remember?
He sat there thinking. His coworkers had told him how peaceful it was in Ocho Rios. He decided to visit Jamaica to hopefully get Venice off his mind just as soon as he could clear his calendar.
Arriving at his office that morning was a little different than any other.
He found himself tired from the sleepless night and the jet lag since returning from Japan. After greeting his assistant, he sat at his desk, hoping to collect his thoughts. Who was he fooling? He wasn’t able to do it last night and he sure wasn’t going to be able to do it today. The images of Venice were cemented in his mind. A few seconds later, his assistant, Francine, buzzed him, saying, “Craig, you have a call on two.”
“Thank you, Francine. Bennett here.”
A soft silky voice responded, “Well, well, well. So you have returned and haven’t even called to let me know.”
Craig sighed as he closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair. “Good morning, Melanie. I got back yesterday and I’m just getting into the office.”
“Then you could have called me last night. I could have made dinner for us.”
Becoming frustrated, he answered, “Melanie, how many times do I have to remind you where we stand?”
There was silence for a moment, then she said, “You don’t have to throw that up in my face, Craig. I just feel like you haven’t given us a chance. I think we would be good for each other.”
Covering his face with his hands, he said, “Melanie, we get along the way we are. There’s no sense complicating matters.”
“Craig, don’t you think I’m tired of being your little booty call whenever you feel like it?”
He stood up and looked out over the Philadelphia skyline. “That was your call, Melanie. I told you up-front that I wasn’t looking for a relationship. Don’t get me wrong; I enjoy the sex, but that’s as far as it will ever go.”
She snapped back. “Who in the hell made you so cold?”
“I’m not looking for love, Melanie. I tried that and my reward was a kick in the ass.”
She sighed. “Baby, we can take it one day at a time. I’m really feeling you now.”
Craig snapped back to reality. “Like I said, Melanie, I’m not looking for love.”
“Okay, okay. Well, are you still going to escort me to the African-American Attorneys Dinner tonight?”
He leaned over to check his calendar. “I told you I would, Melanie. You don’t have to beat me over the head with it. Look, I have work to do. I’ll pick you up at six o’clock. Goodbye.”
Melanie blew him a kiss through the phone, causing him to roll his eyes. Before hanging up, she said, “That kiss is only the beginning of what I’m going to have for you tonight. See you later, Darling.”
Craig didn’t respond. He hung up the phone and laid his head down on his desk. He couldn’t remember how and why he allowed himself to date Melanie as long as he had. Here he was, six months later, and he realized there was no way he could continue this way with her. He’d been meaning to tell her several times before, but changed his mind. It was like she sensed he was going to break up with her and she went into a crying fit. This time, he wouldn’t change his mind. If his mother were still alive, she would be very upset with him for using Melanie and all the other women he had bedded this way. She always taught him to respect women and not to sleep around for recreational purposes. He decided he was going to end their relationship after the dinner. God knows his mind was consumed with only one woman…Venice, and the fact that he was having these strange pains in his chest.
Craig picked up the newspaper and read that Venice and her family had one more service to endure. Jarvis was going to be buried in their hometown, so he knew that trip was going to be especially difficult. All of their former classmates and friends were going to be the hardest hit. Somehow, he knew Venice would be most affected there. He felt sorry for her because he knew the degree of love she carried for Jarvis. He also remembered the depth of love he’d shared with her, but lost.
CHAPTER Six
It had been five months and Venice hadn’t given the family any indication that she wanted to return to her home in Michigan. Jarvis’ mom saw unnerving signs in Venice’s behavior and felt that it was best that she not be left alone. It wasn’t that she was suicidal. It was that she seemed to be mentally and physically exhausted. Mr. Anderson asked the Taylors if they thought it would be best if Venice had a change of scenery. Mrs. Taylor answered, “I don’t think sending her away would be best for her. I think she needs as many of us around her as possible right now.”
Mrs. Anderson agreed with her. “Brandon still hasn’t adjusted to the fact that his dad is gone and he may be traumatized if Venice left him right now.”
As they continued to discuss the situation, Bryan butted in. “Has anyone asked Venice what she wants? Ya’ll are discussing her like she can’t think for herself. She’s not an invalid. She just lost her husband and she’s devastated. I’m not saying a vacation wouldn’t do her justice. I’m just saying ask her what she’d like to do. It’s obvious she doesn’t want to set foot back in her house. We need to sit down with her and find out what she wants to do with the house and Jarvis’ things. She hasn’t contacted the lawyer about Jarvis’ will or anything. The last thing I want to see her do is have a nervous breakdown or something. Don’t treat her like a child. Just talk to her.”
Silence engulfed the room and the parents agreed they would talk to Venice the following day.
Later that night, Venice had cried all the tears left in her body. She lay in Jarvis’ bed in the basement of his parents’ home. She turned to see a sleeping Brandon resting peacefully beside her looking just like his dad. She kissed his cheek and stared at the most important person in her life. She had heard her parents and in-laws discussing her mental state earlier and they couldn’t be more wrong. Yes, she was hurt and depressed, but leaving Brandon was the last thing she wanted to do. He was all she had left and she wasn’t about to abandon him. He needed her and she needed him. Turning back to look at the clock, the time was two forty-five a.m. One last tear rolled out of her eyes. She was comforted by a telephone call earlier from her best friend, Chanelle. She, along with Joshua and Jarvis, all grew up together. Chanelle was very upset because she was unable to attend the service. She ached for her friend.
Working as a surgical resident in a Baton Rouge hospital, plus the fact that she was seven months’ pregnant prevented her travels. Chanelle and Craig’s friend, Spoonie, had been married for about three years. Spoonie was working as a professor at Southern University in the field of Computer Technology. After a brief conversation, the two vowed to get together as soon as possible before hanging up. Venice lay there in the dark with a heavy heart and uncertain future. Before sleep overtook her, she whispered, “I miss you, Jarvis.”
Last night was a disaster. When Craig told Melanie that he didn’t want to continue their dead end relationship, it shocked her. She obviously didn’t see it coming or better yet, she didn’t want to recognize it. Craig was known to turn many female heads when they were out together and being seen was one of Melanie’s hobbies. This was a life Craig didn’t want any part of. He didn’t want to be any woman’s trophy.
When he arrived at his office, surprisingly, Melanie was waiting on him. When he saw her, he asked, “What are you doing here, Melanie? I said all I’m going to say to you last night.”
“Darling, I wanted to give you time to sleep on it. You can’t mean those things you said. We’ve been together for six months. Doesn’t that account for something?”
Craig opened the door to his office and motioned for her to enter. The last thing he wanted was for Melanie to throw a tantrum in front of his staff. He sat his briefcase down and said, “Look, Melanie, we don’t want the same things. About the only thing we have in common happens to take place in the bedroom. It hasn’t been all bad. I’m just dealing with some things in my life right now that I have to work out.”
She folded her arms. “Does it have to do with another woman?”
He looked up seriously and said, “Melanie, don’t even go there. You know you haven’t been the only woman I’ve dated over the past months. Why are you trippin’?”
She walked over, wrapped her arms around his waist, and said, “Because I know I m
ean more to you than the others and I love you, Craig.”
He hugged her. “I care about you, Melanie, but that’s as far as it will ever go. We had a good time so let’s end it like that, as friends, okay? I’m sure Mr. Right is out there for you, but it’s not me. Try to understand where I’m coming from. I told you, I’m not looking for love.”
She stared into his sensual eyes, then leaned up and placed a tender kiss on his lips. Releasing him, she turned to leave his office. “Craig, you’ll come to realize that you’re making a mistake. I’m the best woman for you. You’ll be back.”
He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Goodbye, Melanie.”
The next morning, Venice called the family together. She reluctantly announced that she wanted to take Jarvis’ fifteen-year-old sister, Portia, and Brandon on vacation. Portia was still deeply hurt by the loss of her brother, who at times had been like a father to her. They were closer than close and she had withdrawn from the family. In the den of her parents, her father asked, “Baby, where are you going?”
“I don’t know, Daddy. I’m going to check around and see what I can get on short notice.”
“How soon are you planning on leaving?” her mother asked.
“Tomorrow can’t come too soon for me, Momma. I have to get away from here. Too many memories, too much hurt.”
Jarvis’ dad walked over and hugged her. “Venice, I think it might do you some good to get away somewhere quiet so you can think. There’s a lot of business that has to be taken care of, but it can wait until you feel up to it. Okay?”
“Thanks, Pops. I can tell you that I don’t want to live in that house anymore. I just can’t bear it.”
Tears filled her eyes and she met Mrs. Anderson’s worried gaze.
“Mom, I’m okay…really. Don’t worry.”
Mrs. Anderson bolted from her chair and held Venice tightly to her bosom and whispered, “Venice, don’t be afraid to give love a second try. Your life didn’t end when my son died. You have been a strong black woman to overcome all the difficulties thrown your way and in time, this too shall pass. Just remember the love you shared together and keep it in your heart always. Then, my sweet daughter, allow yourself to love again. Only then will you be able to put this pain behind you. Okay?”