Forever Ain't Enough

by Shelia E. Bell

  The police detectives grilled Chynna for three hours nonstop. Chynna didn’t bend or break under their increasing pressure. Again, thanks to her foster mom, she was not the weak, timid kind. She knew the detectives were trying to pin the hit and run on her, perhaps catch her in a lie or get her confused, but she was able to maintain a level head, decipher every question they asked, and answer without bringing suspicion to herself, no matter how they worded their interrogation.

  By the time the interrogation ended and they told her she was free to go, she was surprised they hadn’t offered her a job. She chuckled at the thought as she proudly walked out of the station and into the moonless night.

  13

  “It pays to be content with your lot.” Aesop

  Dray was released from rehab on a bright sunny Wednesday morning. Two of his sisters had returned to Seattle and Vegas weeks ago, but his sisters from Mississippi were there to help him gather his items and take him home.

  Bethany hurried around the house, finishing up last minute details. She was excited that Dray was coming home today. This would be the first time he would see their new home, except for pictures she’d taken on her cell phone. With the help of his family, she had gotten everything taken care of for him to be able to get around the house with relative ease.

  She had taken off work for the remainder of the week, and had prepared a delicious lunch of quinoa and brown rice vegetable soup, meatless chicken strips, and a green salad. She wasn’t as particular as he was when it came to food choices, not by a long shot, but she respected his choices. She went to one of his favorite restaurants and picked up several slices of cake for dessert. A huge “Welcome Home, Dray” sign in decorative lettering was strung on the massive porch above the front door.

  Dray looked at the welcome sign as his sister pulled into the driveway. He chuckled. It felt good to be out of rehab and coming home. He was glad his sisters and Bethany had gotten him moved from his apartment and into the bungalow. His sister, MaKayla, was between jobs, and agreed to stay at the bungalow with him as much as he needed her. Bethany didn’t want to officially move into the home until she was Mrs. Hawkins, so she moved in with her parents when the lease ended on her apartment. That’s where she would remain until she became Mrs. Draymond Hawkins.

  Bethany would go to their new house everyday and check up on Dray after she got off work, and of course be there as much as possible on the weekends, but no sleeping over unless it was in the spare bedroom. That’s why she was grateful for Dray’s family’s support. His sisters adored him and their family bond was tighter than gorilla glue. She loved that about them.

  Dray’s sister, Teena, honked the horn and Bethany opened the door and raced outside. Dashing to the car, she opened the front passenger door, embraced Dray, and planted a big sloppy kiss on his thick, kissable lips and then proceeded to help him inside the house. He had a wheelchair and some other items he might need while he further recuperated. From what he was told by the doctor, it would be at least six or seven more weeks before he would be able to return to work. He had to continue outpatient physical and occupational therapy, but so far he was doing well. With crutches and Bethany’s help, he made it inside the house.

  Teena and MaKayla followed with the items they’d brought home from rehab for him. After standing next to him as he cautiously walked into the living room, Bethany made sure he was steady on his feet before turning around and going back outside to help bring in the rest of Dray’s things.

  “Man, everything looks nice, real nice,” he said looking around the circumference of the open space. He could see the kitchen and family room from where he stood. MaKayla brought the wheelchair over to him.

  “Here, get in the chair so you can go on a tour of your house,” she said. “Bethany did a remarkable job decorating this place for your knucklehead self,” MaKayla teased.

  Dray sat down in the wheelchair, propped his feet on the foot pieces, and then Bethany steered him through the two-bedroom two bath bungalow. Everything was decorated perfectly and all the rooms were full of furniture except for the bonus room-slash-office in the back of the 1,800 square feet house.

  The downstairs walk out basement, which he didn’t take a chance trying to get down stairs, was equipped with a full wet bar, kitchenette, and a perfect space for Dray’s exercise equipment. Another room in the basement would be used as a media room. They also would have to get furniture for the media room. There was a half bath downstairs too.

  After they finished the tour, Dray reached up toward Bethany. Grabbing her around her waist, he pulled her into him. Bethany leaned down and Dray kissed her deeply. “Thank you for all of this. I’m so blessed to have you. I can’t wait until you become Mrs. Draymond Marcell Hawkins.” He kissed her again.

  “Please, stop with all the mushy stuff,” Teena said, laughing as she entered the kitchen.

  “I think it’s our cue to leave,” said MaKayla.”

  “Leave? I thought you were staying with me?”

  “I am, but not until Bethany goes back to work, which won’t be until Monday.”

  “But we’ll be back and forth over here. And Mommy is coming by tomorrow. We just thought you two would want to spend some time alone, you know?” added Teena.

  “Yeah, I do want to be alone with my soon to be wife,” Dray remarked and looked up at Bethany again. This time he took her hand and kissed her on it.

  “Aren’t you going to stay for lunch? I made enough for you.”

  “You know we don’t do much of that plant based eating,” MaKayla said. “I’m going to stop and get me some fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and biscuits.”

  “And I’m not hungry right now,” said Teena, “but thanks anyway for the offer. I’m going to get home and take advantage of having the day off. When the kids get home from school and the hubby gets home from work, that’s all she wrote. No more relaxing. Anyway, if there’s anything you need, just give me a call.”

  “Thanks, sis,” Dray said, reaching out his hand toward her. “Give me a hug.”

  Teena walked over to where Dray sat in his wheelchair. She wrapped her arms around her brother and he returned the embrace. MaKayla walked up and joined in while Bethany grabbed her phone off the kitchen island and took a couple of pictures.

  Chynna sat in her new car a couple houses down, waiting and watching. She had been watching as Bethany’s fake behind ran up and gave Dray a hug and a kiss while his ugly sisters got his stuff out of the car. “Humph.” She thought of something else her foster mom used to tell her, Sit back and wait ‘cause those who hurt you will eventually screw up themselves and if you’re lucky, God will let you watch.

  14

  “My silence is not a sign that I gave up; it’s only the beginning of my revenge.” Inee Altea

  Bethany sat next to Dray on the burgundy church pew with her arm interloped through his. Their hands met and clasped together. Dray looked down at his fiancé and smiled.

  “You betta learn how to tell the Lord thank ya,” the preacher said to his congregation.

  Bethany said, “Amen,” as did many others in the congregation while Dray nodded in agreement.

  “Pastor preached a powerful word, didn’t he?” Bethany said after service was over and she and Dray walked to Dray’s car.

  “Yeah, he did. Things could have been so different for us. We both could be dead but God had other plans.” Dray squeezed Bethany’s hand as they walked along the parking lot.

  “I’m so glad He did. And to see you walking without crutches and no need for a wheelchair, it’s truly a blessing.”

  “I know right? So what do you say we grab some lunch before the church crowd comes in and floods all the restaurants.”

  “Okay, that’s cool with me. I’m glad we attend the 10:30 service because that gives us time to worship and then if we want to go to a restaurant afterward, we don’t have to worry about too much of a crowd or long lines.”

  “Whaddaya say we go to that new spot on Summ
er? I heard they have a full plant based menu, and Yelp reviews are good.”

  “Okay, let’s do it.”

  They arrived at the car and Bethany got behind the steering wheel.

  Though Dray had returned to driving and to work, there were times he was bothered with pain and stiffness in his legs. This morning, while getting ready for church, proved to be one of those days where his leg ached so Bethany drove.

  They enjoyed some delicious food at the new spot along with a large glass of sweet iced tea with lemon.

  “So, is everything set for our upcoming nuptials?”

  “Yes. I can’t wait until the day I become your wife.” Bethany blushed. “I’m counting down the days. In seven days—”

  “You’ll be Mrs. Hawkins. And you know what I can’t wait for,” Dray teased, reaching across the table and squeezing Bethany’s hand. Next he raised himself up and leaned over to kiss her.

  “Dray,” she said, bashfully, turning away and looking around the restaurant.

  “What?”

  “We’re in public.”

  “And?”

  “Well…”

  Sometimes Bethany acted like an old-fashioned schoolmarm instead of a twenty-eight year old woman. It was bad enough that he had to wait until their wedding night before they slept together, but sometimes he became irritated when she didn’t want to display public affection either. Behind closed doors she would let loose a little, allowing their kisses to become intense almost to the point of no return, but that was it. She refused to allow him to touch her intimate parts because she didn’t want it to lead to anything, or so she said. He prayed that when they got married she wouldn’t be a prude in the bedroom.

  His mind went to Chynna as he put a forkful of food inside his mouth. That’s one thing he could never complain about with him and Chynna. They never had issues when it came to the bedroom. She was always willing and ready to please and so was he. He had to admit their relationship could have been the perfect match if only she learned how to tame that fiery temper of hers. It was scary the way she got so angry to the point she wanted to hurt him or do something to hurt him before she would later calm down and beg his forgiveness. He had memories of his clothes being bleached, shredded, and torn up because he didn’t answer her calls as quickly as she thought he should. There were other times when she had slashed his tires, broke out the windows of his ride, and even threatened to come on his job and tell his employer he was a woman beater—which he was not. It took stamina and lots of will power not to retaliate when she went into her explosive tantrums. But thankfully weeks had passed since he or Bethany had been bothered by Chynna’s incessant texting, calling, and practically ‘jumping out from behind bushes.’

  But all that was in the past. Enough was enough when it came to him and Chynna. It took Bethany to make him come to that stark realization. Bethany made him see he could never be completely happy and content with Chynna. He didn’t even know if he would be able to trust her if they had kids, afraid she might be abusive toward them when she got mad. That was not the kind of forever relationship he wanted. Seeing a psychiatrist or counselor was out of the question for Chynna. Dray had tried to persuade her to go talk to someone about her anger issues, but she always refused.

  Now that he’d called things off he was more than glad that he had, seeing how she had been acting since their break up. Bethany could have been behind bars if she hadn’t had a good lawyer.

  Like Bethany, there were occasions when he wondered if it had been Chynna who ran them down. He still couldn’t remember anything about that day, no matter how hard he tried. Bethany wasn’t much help either. The police said they questioned Chynna but she was no longer a person of interest because she had a solid alibi—KeeKee. But knowing KeeKee like he did, Dray wouldn’t doubt it if KeeKee lied for Chynna. The two ladies had a history and acted more like blood sisters than best friends. KeeKee would never betray Chynna. It always seemed like Chynna controlled their relationship too and KeeKee gave in to whatever her demands were at the time.

  “Did you hear me, Dray?”

  “Huh, uh, no what did you say?”

  “I guess you were daydreaming again,” Bethany said. “I said, isn’t that Chynna over there?” She cut her eyes to the right of her.

  Sure enough Chynna and some guy were laughing and talking several tables over from where Dray and Bethany were seated.

  “Yeah. Are you done?” Dray suddenly asked, wiping his mouth with his napkin and calling his server to the table for the check.

  “Uh, yea. I guess. Why? Are you ready to leave?

  “Yeah. I don’t want any drama with her and you shouldn’t want any either.”

  “You’re right. I don’t. Lord knows I’ve had enough of her and her stalking us. Thank God we haven’t seen or heard from her lately, but I still wouldn’t put it past her if she followed us here.”

  “Yeah, which is why I’m done. Get your purse. Let’s get outta here.”

  The server returned with the check and laid it on the table.

  “Hold up.” Dray picked it up, quickly scanned it, and then removed his wallet. “Wait, here you go.” He pulled out two twenty dollar bills and gave it to the server. “Thanks and keep the change.”

  “Thank you, sir. Have a nice afternoon,” the server said.

  Dray stood, extended his hand toward Bethany, and helped her out of her chair. Hastily, they departed the restaurant.

  Chynna watched from her table as Bethany and Dray exited the restaurant. She laughed even louder, not at what Nathaniel was saying, but at the thought that once again she had managed to make the lovebirds uncomfortable. She had no doubt Bethany had seen her and told Dray. She could sense it and it felt good. Real good. You ain’t seen nothing yet.

  15

  “Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself.” Harvey Fierstein

  Dray worked hard and effortlessly, exercising, walking, and doing light jogging so he could be strong enough to walk down the aisle and stand at the altar without thinking about using his crutches for support. He was still in a lot of pain but he refused to give in to it. He wanted to be the best husband he could be and that meant he had to be back at a hundred percent by any means necessary.

  He was driving, too, but he still kept his crutches in the car just in case. He hardly ever used them but he wasn’t fool enough to believe he was at a hundred. He was getting close though. He was glad he had been able to return to church a week after being released from rehab. That put a smile on Bethany’s face and he felt a fresh pouring of favor, mercy, and grace over the fact God had spared their lives. He felt his faith and trust in God increase to an all-time high. It was remarkable. He prayed more and began to worry less, although he did have thoughts of Chynna. She refused to give up. Although she was texting him less, she still continued to do so under the pretense she was checking to see how he was recuperating. Maybe she was, but Dray wasn’t all the way convinced. He decided not to tell Bethany about it. Some things are better left unsaid, he told himself. Another part of him actually welcomed the endearing text messages.

  When he saw her with another man in the restaurant, he admitted to no one that it made him a little jealous. Was he the guy whose name she called when they were making love—the one who was the main reason for their final breakup? He couldn’t stop thinking about it, and he couldn’t stop thinking about Chynna. He was in a bad space sexually, too. Being celibate was never his thing but he had to respect Bethany’s wishes. God, I hope I’m not making a mistake marrying Beth, he thought as he finished up some paperwork before preparing to leave the office, and get ready for his bachelor party later that night.

  Dray’s bachelor party was all set to take place at a hotel downtown. His best man, Steve, was going to come by the crib and scoop him up. Because they would be drinking and indulging, Dray had reserved a hotel room for the night as did several of the other guys, including Steve.

  They did a little club hopping, drinking, and
reminiscing before they returned to the hotel suite and continued the bachelor party.

  The knock on the door was barely heard above the loud music inside the hotel suite, but expecting them to arrive at any moment, Steve and another close friend named Jones were close to the door.

  Jones opened the door when he heard the loud knocking. In walked three scantily clad ladies, dressed in red, with their butt cheeks showing and their breasts about to pop out of their see through tops.

  “Put some real music on,” one of the ladies said. When the popular song started playing, the girls began their routine, dancing and gyrating. They sought out Dray and gave him the thrill of the night. Nonstop they danced, shook their booties and boobs in his face, and did whatever it took to make the night memorable. Mission accomplished? Yep.

  Another knock. Steve opened the door and she walked in, making the previous girls look like hood chick wannabes. Chynna was more than a pretty face, she was stacked. Her body made the men do double takes.

  When she walked up on Dray he was stunned. Chynna began her dance routine against Dray’s weak, almost non-existent protests for her to stop.

  Chynna paid him no mind and continued to seductively entice him with her perfect moves. His eyes fixated on her every swivel. She took his hands and placed one on each side of her gyrating hips. Slowly, expertly, she followed every sexy beat of the song.

  When it ended she gently removed each of Dray’s hands, leaned down, and kissed him without him showing reservation or inhibition about her bold act.

  “Congratulations, baby.” Chynna took his hand, tugged on it, and with the urging of Chynna, and his friends, Dray got out of the chair and followed her to the hotel bedroom, again with little, if any protest.