Hoodwinked

by Desiree Granger

  “I absolutely did tell him off,” I said in a low voice, concentrating on taking out my contacts. Leaning over the granite countertop with my lower lip pulled down, silk teddy slip rising just below my cheeks with my hair wrapped in a bonnet. It was one of the few times I let my forehead free, and full round face show. “I mean who does he think he is? Just coming in? A day after having me attacked, demanding to see Violet. Sprung it out of nowhere, not giving me any notice. You can’t expect me to just let you see her just like that. She’s still a baby, my baby. Doesn’t understand half of what’s going on, and it's getting to be confusing. So yeah, I told him off,” dabbing the clear contact in its case before working on the second eye.

  When Delilah didn’t say anything, I knew something was up. Either she wasn’t listening, which was a lot of times…. Just gave me a few hmmms or ohhh to pass the time, or she was mulling over her next choice of words.

  “What? What do you have to say?” I asked dryly, turning on the sink.

  “Sounds like a man that wants to get to know his daughter,” she said calmly.

  “He called her bullshi----.”

  “The situation, but not Violet. I’m sure that’s what he meant---.”

  “She is the situation----.”

  “I bet if Homer could just disappear for real, you would be happy,” she laughed.

  “Elated,” I muttered.

  “What do you tell your daughter when she gets older and asks about her real father? Do you tell her the truth, you kept him away from her or make up another lie? I realize Violet is your best friend right now, your heart, and soul…”

  “It’s deeper than that Delilah.”

  “And you’re not ready to share her as a parent, but it takes two to make her. You would not have her without him.”

  I stared at the phone, jaw tightening at the statement but looked away as if her stupid cat eyes were staring directly at me into a guilty conscious.

  “Luckily Homer is persistent, but you keep on pushing a man away, he’s eventually going to stay away and want nothing to do with Violet because of you. Her mother.”

  “I’m not pushing him away, he just needs to understand there are things put in place…. Scheduling conflicts, time, a life already established here. He’s talking about taking her to South Carolina.”

  “I doubt if he would really do that, not this fast, and anyway,” she sighed tiredly. “All of this drama is draining. You haven’t heard from your parents?”

  “Nope. Not a single text from either. My mom will find her way to come around again, and Dad will be right behind her. Won’t be for a while though...My brothers,” rolling my eyes. “Forget about it. I’m sure I’m the talk of the black elite crowd,” I mumbled sarcastically. “Dre is keeping his distance too, but he says he’s not going anywhere...Just needs time to sort it out. That’s what he texted me this morning.”

  “So he broke up with you---.”

  “No, he’s taking time to himself,” I corrected, feeling my face burn as I stared at my phone. Wasn’t going to mention that he took all the pictures of me, and Violet off of his Instagram page. That had to be the ultimate sign of being single again, but he said he wanted space. Just space. Nothing more.

  “He’s going to be there for Violet, but he’s taking time out for himself. Pia, he broke up with you,” Delilah stated. “It's a polite way of saying he broke up with you. All that macho talk about wanting to meet Homer probably died down when he slept on it...Probably had a few people in his ear saying to dodge this bullet, and leave while you can…. Nobody wants to deal with baby daddy drama. He broke up with you. Dre will be back around though...Just give him some space to figure it out.”

  I tried to hide the sniffle that came out, and wipe the tears before they could fall, but it was too late.

  “At the end of the day,” I said. “As long as Violet is with me, I don’t care about anything or anyone else. As long as I’m able to see her when I wake up and watch her sleep at night. My life will be fine.”

  “You know,” Delilah let out. “We should have a girl’s night. This has been a trying weekend.”

  “I don’t have time for a girls night Delilah----.”

  “So it's settled. My cousin is coming into town soon to escape a bad break up. She’s not going to stay here, and ride my pregnant nerves, but it will be perfect to have a Skye Night. Violet can be introduced to more of her family that way. You need all the backup you can get on that side of the family. Trust me. Nevaeh is not enough. Find a babysitter for her.”

  “Wait a minute---.”

  “I’ll keep in touch Pia. You should call Homer, like now----.”

  “I’m not---.”

  “While it's just the two of you. Nobody else. I have to go---.”

  “You always do this!”

  The phone clicked.

  She was trying to force this, this whatever to happen between Homer, and I. Much as I didn’t want crap to do with him after today, the sight of Violet laying on her side with a striped pajama leg swung over made me grin.

  She was my baby. Still is my baby. Small round cheeks, and perfect tiny mouth or the way her hands balled up like a fist and tightened in the middle of her sleep like she was fighting. Why would I want to share her? With anybody?

  “Why?” I groaned out loud while pulling my phone out to take a picture of her. Hair was matted and sprawled about like a wild sleeper. Took another one up close, and sent both to Homer’s phone saying,

  Your daughter. Violet P. Milton.

  Right away, a matter of seconds he called my phone. Great.

  “Hello?” I answered softly, laying up against the headboard. He was silent for a second, but I could hear him breathing.

  “You sound different,” was all he said. Didn’t know what it meant or how to take it. “Is she sleep right now?”

  “As we speak,” looking down at Violet. “Her bedtime is usually around nine. Sometimes later if she’s giving me trouble. Until….” sighing. “Until you come back to Atlanta, whenever you decide to visit…. You can call her before she goes to bed, and when she’s getting ready for school in the mornings. She understands the basics of Facetime…”

  “Seeing her picture come up stopped me from calling my girl---my ex girlfriend,” he let out sadly. “I’m tired of arguing. I never, nor will I ever call her bullshit or disrespect her. I’m frustrated because I feel blindsided, and helpless.”

  “Everything feels like it's about to change,” I noted. “I’m not keeping her away from you...just respect my time---.”

  “Fuck your time, and you know why,” he stated as I grew quiet. “I’m going to try and find a day to come next week...Whatever paperwork I need to fill out or sign to get my name on the birth certificate, and have her last name changed. It needs to happen. If your boyfriend got an issue---.”

  “I don’t think...He’s not…”

  “Say no more. We both lost people we loved, but we got something we gotta learn how to share. I know you and I barely know each other, but we’re gonna have to figure this out. One way or another. Call a truce for now, and let’s focus on Violet Skye.”

  Changes are about to occur...

  Nasia Stewart

  First message from Homer Skye...

  What am I supposed to do without you in my life Nasia. I can’t eat, think, sleep without you baby. I’m sorry. Can you just please call me? Give me a chance to prove you’re still the woman in my life. Moment I first realized I was in love with you, I remember waking up in the middle of the night to wake you up. We just got back from a club, and you were sleeping so peacefully. So beautiful, I remember thinking I want my children, my baby girl...our baby girl to look exactly like you. I wanted to put you in the nicest house, built by my hands, custom made closet. Whatever you want, I was ready, and willing to do what I could to make sure you were happy. As long as you’re happy, I’m happy. So I started to wake you up, and you turned to look at me with one eye open, and I remember getting so scared.
Scared to tell you how I really feel, but then I just went with it and said I’m in love with you Nasia Stewart. What did you do, you sucked yo teeth, rolled them pretty eyes, and said about time you said it, I’ve been waiting on you Homer. When did you stop waiting on me? Before I found out about the baby or after? Please talk to me. I don’t know if I can handle this anymore, not being around you…Call me back, please.

  End of message…

  I could hear Percy’s low rumbles of laughter as I pulled the sheets up close to my chest to look at him in the dark bedroom.

  “What’s so funny?” I snapped.

  “That pathetic message is what’s funny. Is that how it really happened? Him telling you that he loved you?”

  “Yes, as a matter of fact, it is,” sitting up as I stared at my phone. It’s been over a week since the breakup. Homer left this two nights ago, and I haven’t heard from him since. I blocked, and unblocked his number several times throughout the day just to keep him from calling, yet...wanting him to call just because...No missed calls. Not even on the rejected list. He just stopped altogether. Like he dropped off the face of the earth. I checked his Instagram page, forgetting that he rarely posts anything. His facebook page hasn’t been used since we started dating. His sisters haven’t called to attack me. Nothing. His parents didn’t even call me.

  “People who are dumb enough to believe in love deserve that kind of treatment. That’s what’s wrong with Jasmine you know,” he said. Turning over on his back side as his leg brushed up against mine. “She’s waiting on love, true love. Something she knows I have no belief in. Why spend your entire life looking for something that you can find within yourself? You can find true love within yourself or things, memories, situations ... if you want, not in other people. Never give someone that much power over your emotions.”

  I rolled my eyes, and continued to stare at my phone before replaying the message over again. Loud so he could hear.

  “Plus he cheated on you with my sister,” Percy snorted, hearing the jealousy in his voice. “Why are you crying about him while in bed with me----.”

  “Because I still love him Percy!” I flipped. “You may be heartless, and you can put Jasmine through that, but not me. I’ve been loved, and know exactly what it feels like, and trust me, it’s not a bad way to spend the rest of your life being loved so shut up. Just shut the hell up, like damn!” Flipping the covers back as I sat up. Suddenly wanting space between him, and I. I stared at my phone just as it began to ring. Jasmine’s face popped up, feeling the entire screen with her bright smile as I shoved Percy.

  “Answer it,” he said, slinking an arm around my waist to pull me back into the bed.

  “I’m not going to answer your fiance calling!” I hissed, falling back onto the sheets as my heart began to thump.

  “Fine, I’ll do it----.”

  “Percy!” I quipped before closing my mouth shut as he pressed the talk button, placing her on speaker. “Jasmine?” I croaked. “Hello?”

  “Hey girly,” she greeted in her usual self as I closed my eyes, feeling Percy part my thighs, and laying in between. “You sound like you were asleep, did I wake you? You’re not normally in bed at this time----.”

  “No, no it's fine. I’m awake,” I answered, feeling something hard, and slick slide against my inner thigh. I shined the phone light down seeing he had taken his engagement ring off, and was about to…. oh my God this man…. Percy looked up at me with a smile, glasses off to the side, eyes hanging low in arousal as he leaned down, keeping his eyes fixed on me, and placed a kiss between the lips.

  “W-what’s up girl?” I answered weakly, feeling my thighs part as wide as they could go for him as I closed my eyes.

  “Just seeing what you were up to.” Hearing a car door slam shut. “Percy isn’t home as usual.”

  “You should really do something about that,” I said before silently gasping at the feel of the wedding band sliding into me before pulling out slowly.

  “I know, I’ve been thinking….”

  “About?” I asked curiously as my eyes opened at the stroke of his tongue. I gripped the back of his head to push him further as he gripped my thighs to pull me closer like he was hungry. Ring dangling on the edge of his tongue, and began to suck, lick, and slurp with it. Twirling the ring around his tongue before rubbing it back and forth, dragging it in circles around the little nerve. My thighs clenched, and relaxed around his neck repeatedly digging my feet into his back.

  “Just things….” She said slowly. “You sound...occupied. You want me to call you back?”

  “No!” I let out, tapping Percy’s head for him to move but he only pulled me closer as I tried my hardest not to scream. “No,” clearing my throat. “I’m fine. Just...If you must know, I’m in the bathroom.”

  I could feel Percy smile, looking up at me like he was trying not to laugh as Jasmine cleared her throat.

  “So we’re those type of best friends now,” she laughed.

  “Yes bitch, we been those type of best friends. If I’m shitting you’ll know. We lived together long enough for you to know.”

  “Right,” she laughed. “I was actually calling you because….”

  “Shit,” I hissed, body trembling as Percy shot up, hovering over my body before sliding himself into me as I grabbed on. “I’m sorry...Whatever I had to eat----.”

  “It’s fine. We can talk later. I was just calling to tell you Homer is in Atlanta. I saw him with a few other guys. Said hey, tried to avoid them but we happened to be at the same store. He’s here for the weekend.”

  “Is he?” I let out, biting my lower lip as I took in Percy stroke for stroke. Pulling ever so slowly in, and out of me.

  “Not that you would care, but I think they’re going out tomorrow night. At a club. Just a heads up if you run into him…”

  “A club? Ho-Homer? Why is he even…. Why is he even…” Arching my back. My mind wanted to question how and why she was keeping tabs on him the way she was, but….this….this nigga right here…”Did he ask about me?”

  There was a slight pause, even Percy stopped to stare at the phone for a brief second.

  “No...he asked how I was doing, and that’s about it. Look, I can...I’ll...call you back or you just call me back when you’re not….”

  “I’ll call you,” I said before hanging up as I wrapped my arms around Percy’s neck to hold on.

  “So you’re taking a shit while I’m having sex with you?” He asked against my ear with a smile as I laughed.

  By the time Percy, and I were done, he was already halfway out the building when I called Jasmine back. Sheets were in the washing machine. Apartment was newly furnished with my taste, and touch added. Kitchen was fully stocked, and ready for me to cook homemade meals for Percy, and I. Homer still lingered in the back of my mind, but this is where I felt like I needed to be. Right here. My decision still stands.

  “Hello?” Jasmine yawned.

  “Did I wake you? It’s probably like after midnight, I’m sorry----.”

  “No, no. Glad it's you, and not him,” she muttered tiredly. “You want more details on my encounter with your ex.”

  “Please,” I pouted before laughing as I leaned back on the couch with the remote in my hand. “Did he look terrible?”

  “Not really. He was smiling when I saw him. He was with Tucker and Jason. Apparently, they’re going to do something big for somebody’s birthday and they’re dragging him along.”

  “And he didn’t ask about me? At all?”

  “He’s probably blowing your phone up as we speak, but put a front on for me. You know he misses you, and probably feels bad about everything. The baby, and all.”

  “Yeah,” looking at my phone seeing not a single message or missed call from him.

  “You should probably just call him Nay.

  “I will, but that’s not important. You said you were going to do something about Percy...this relationship y'all have where you’re forcing yourself to be with
him. What do you have in mind?”

  “Actually,” she laughed. “That’s why I called, but I could tell you were occupied with him, and I didn’t want to say it while he was there.”

  My heart stopped. Hands going numb as I forced myself to blink. Throat became so dry as I stared at the phone. I knew, she knew. How could she not?

  “Jasmine I----.”

  “I’m not going to tell Homer. I’ve known for over a year now about you two. You don’t exactly hide it you know. I’m telling you this because I think it's time for me to step out myself, and I can’t do that without your help.”

  “What?” I croaked, clearing my throat. “You----.”

  “I need you to keep Percy occupied. You and I can benefit from this so hear me out. I know it sounds crazy. Best friend sleeping with my soon to be husband...Stabbed me in the back, and all that extra stuff I’m really not trying to get into. Never been in a fight a day in my life, and I honestly don’t believe Percy or you are worth raising my voice, let alone stressing over. I think you two are actually perfect for each other, and it helps that I have zero feelings for him, and find him repulsive,” she laughed. “I want you to continue seeing him. Be...be his girlfriend, and keep him away from me.”

  “While you….”

  “While I finally step out on faith, and have my fun until I find the man I’m supposed to be with. Yes,” she sighed. “I think it's time.”

  “I don’t think Percy will care if you----.”

  “I don’t want him to know anything, not even this conversation. If you value anything left in our friendship, you would do this for me. In return, just keep silent about this arrangement, and I won’t say a word to Homer. I also….I found paperwork for an abortion Percy paid for...Would that be you?”