Hoodwinked

by Desiree Granger

  “Hurt my feelings, and everything baby girl. I nearly cried.”

  “Noooo,” she gasped, tiny lips forming an O as he laughed. I started to come down the remainder of the steps when one of the floorboards felt like it wanted to jerk forward. Sending my body back as I tumbled down the steps. Landing directly in front of the screen door on my back with my chest heaving, and a shot of pain shooting down my spine. Both of them looked back as Violet went to the screen door.

  “Mommy? Mommy? MOMMY?!” She let out, louder as Homer stood up to open the screen door, pulling it back with my tot running towards me. I couldn’t help but cringe at the other side of his face, seeing the corner of his eye where his brow bone connected was swollen along with scarring along his forehead. That entire side of his head looked raised, and discolored as he reached down to lend me his hand.

  “Truce,” was all he said. “I don’t want to start nothing with you no more. I’ma act right from now on.”

  I stared at his hand for a moment before taking it as he pulled me up. Although I was in pain from the fall, nothing compared to seeing my work on the side of his face as he turned to show me.

  “Mild concussion. Nothing Tylenol, and Shea Butter can’t fix. I played ball so it ain’t nothing new.”

  “Shouldn’t you be icing that?” I pointed as Homer shrugged, keeping his eyes solely on me.

  Probably so many things he wanted to say. Cuss me out. Go off, and pick a fight, but I could tell he was holding back. I looked down at Violet who looked at the two of us with a wide grin before she ran off in a sudden burst of giggles, claiming she was going to make breffuss’ for us.

  “You sleep okay in this place?” Homer asked casually, closing the main door with a lock. “Had last night turned out differently, I wouldn’t have you and Violet sleeping in this house.”

  “I know now to get a hotel,” I said, walking into the kitchen with him right behind me. “You really should be icing that Homer.”

  “My mama likes you,” he said from behind. I could feel that hole burning in the back of me from his stare but I refused to turn around as I opened the freezer seeing a few packs of frozen meat, veggies, and random Icie sticks. “All she’s been talking about all morning is you. Ain’t never seen her talk this much about anybody before. My sisters been quiet. Ain’t said shit to me because they suddenly claim they didn’t know I never called and told you. So they switched up on me just that fast but I’ma take the fall for it. My daughter, my responsibility.”

  “I didn’t mean to cause attention, but you have to understand what you did was---.”

  “I know. I’ve always known,” he muttered. “And I’m sorry.”

  “It won’t happen again?” I let out, looking at him for the first time as he leaned against the wall. “Ever. You can’t even imagine what was going through my mind… I’ve never been away from her before so to go pick her up from school? Trusting that you did what you said you were going to do, and to find out---.”

  “I know Pia---.”

  “No? You don’t know which is why I’m telling you. You and your sisters can hate me all day long, but that cannot happen again. We just need to get along for the sake of her, and maybe one day? Instead of school or programs during the summer? She can stay with you and your family. I’ll be the one visiting,” reaching for the bag of peas to hand to him. “Here. Ice it because it looks bad.”

  “Does it?” He asked sarcastically. “Does it look bad?” I tried not to smile when he shook his head.

  “It will help with the swelling Homer.”

  “You’re the one that did it, you put the ice on it,” he stated as I rolled my eyes. “It’s too cold---.”

  “Such a baby,” I muttered. “Worse than my daughter.”

  I walked over and practically slapped the bag of peas against his head as he hissed, and winced in pain. He gripped my wrist like he was ready to push me back before settling. His height was more obvious the closer I stood next to him with my arm reaching up.

  “Why did you tell Dre we had sex?” I asked as he groaned with a small laugh. “I’m serious. For the life of me, I can’t figure out why except that you wanted to piss him off. I’m glad he saw right through you.”

  “Because that nigga is insecure, and tried to check me to make himself feel better. I said nothing about you Pia. I told him to stay away from my daughter, and he’s all like… Oh well if I marry her,” he mocked in a deep voice before sucking his teeth. “Sit cho bitch ass down nigga.”

  “You said that?” I let out, only imagining what Dre’s reaction was besides hitting him.

  “I told him exactly that,” he stated, leaning in further as I shifted the ice to the side of his head.

  “It would be so amazing if you two could get along.”

  “That’s the thing, we don’t have to get along Pia. You, and me have no choice. I realize that shit now. We both gotta play nice with one another because either a child will be taken on some dumb shit, or somebody getting a concussion. I don’t want either to happen again because I’m too old for it, but that nigga? Nah. I don’t have no business, no relation, no ties to him. He acting like you this rare prize that I’m dying to have. Nigga? I already had her, that’s why you in my face now.”

  I laughed with a pointed look at Homer.

  “You never had me. Not even a taste of me Homer. What you got was a moment. A night, or a few hours, but you haven’t truly had me. When I give it up, I go all the way. Besides, we were drunk, I barely remember the night anyway. We were drunk, and things were done. I was hurting over an ex fiance still. You, I guess kept telling me things I wanted to hear. We never even kissed. Not that I remember. Wild night, horrible ending, but out came a blessing. Violet.”

  “What does having you mean then? If not that because that nigga, and I were talking about having you,” he said with the emphasis obvious.

  “I don’t know,” I shrugged as I put the pack of peas down on the counter. “I guess having me is to be with me. I’m such a lame girlfriend. I send the cheesy morning text messages or funny quotes I come across during the day. I like to try new things, but I’m all for a boring night of just me, and my man in bed watching TV. I have a child now so nights out are rare to come by, but Dre, and I having cooking competitions in the kitchen, and Violet is usually the judge without her knowing. That’s date night with a single mom. I’ve been in a relationship most of my adult, and teen life so I’m used to being with one person, and one person only. When he’s away, we constantly FaceTime, and I’ve gotten so good at it. I can cook, shower, get dressed all while having a conversation with you on my phone. It’s a rare talent, sounds easy but it's not, and sometimes? I try to be romantic, but I’m lousy at it.”

  Homer let out a laugh until I thought about what made me most comfortable to be myself around somebody.

  “But the real way you can tell you have me?” I said in a low tempting voice. “The only way you’ll know if you have me, my heart, my soul, my trust? My all… You want to know?”

  “Tell me,” Homer said with curiosity dancing in his eyes. His one good eye anyway. He leaned in close like he was anxious to hear the answer. I smiled knowing I was holding one of the world’s top secrets to women like me.

  “If you see me eating, you have me,” I said before bursting out into my own laugh as if I just pulled his leg, and successfully pulled a prank, but he didn’t laugh. Not even a smile.

  “What Pia?” He let out, confused. “If you eat?”

  “Yep. I don’t eat in front of people. Never have, never will. I used to have a bad eating disorder when I was a little girl, and although I’m okay now? Certain things like that? I don’t do in public or in front of people.”

  “I met you, and you were eating,” he pointed out as my mouth dropped, trying to think before looking at him with a tilted head.

  “That’s different.”

  “Nah, I think you’re different,” he said as I laughed.

  “Maybe,” I shrugged p
layfully, loving the small banter or just plain ol good conversation between us as I looked down at my nails. Simply picking and flicking the dirt until I looked up seeing Homer’s eyes never left my face.

  “What?” I let out.

  “Nothing. Just listening to you.”

  "Well how does a woman know if she has you? If that’s even a thing with men.”

  “I don’t know,” he shrugged. “I take relationships seriously. I’m a traditional man, I like my girl to know how to cook, clean, all the things a woman should know to please her man.”

  “You can do that yourself though,” I pointed out.

  “I can, but I shouldn’t have to. That’s a woman’s place,” he stated confidently. “Not mine.”

  “Let me guess? Does she wash your clothes, run you a bath, and wipe behind your ears too? That’s what I do to Violet.”

  “You funny,” he laughed. "You got jokes I see, but in return? She gets a loyal, faithful man who knows nothing outside of worshipping the ground she walks on, and will make sure she will never want or need for anything ever in life. How a woman knows she has me? I’ll let her know up front. Never been shy about my feelings. I’ll let you know, I want you, you’re mine, let’s be together, and let’s build together.”

  I peered at Homer as if I was waiting for him to laugh it off, or say he was joking but he just matched my gaze. It became an eye for an eye until I suddenly looked away, feeling uncomfortable at the thought of washing behind his ears, and enjoying it.

  “Right well in any case,” clearing my throat as I focused back on his head with the pack of peas in hand. We had a small moment of playing nice but I had to always be on my toes because I never knew when it would turn ugly between him, and I.

  “We are going to have to work together for Violet’s sake. Maybe we don’t have to be the best of friends or even associates. You’re in South Carolina. I’m in Georgia, surely we can make it work to be cordial. Cordial, and mature about the way we handle things from this point on. Just have to work on communication. Okay?”

  “I’m with it,” he said, looking at me as I pulled back the pack of peas to see the raised knot slowly start to go down. “My sisters want to see her. Don’t---.”

  “I know. I can work out some weekend sleepovers with one of them I guess. It can give V a chance to see Mai more often. I know Caroline can’t stand the sight of me so I can talk to Nevaeh, and let her coordinate. We can make it work. Violet enjoys being here. She has more room to run around, and play.”

  I felt a familiar hand grip the back of my leg as I looked down seeing Violet was itching to be picked up.

  “I wanna do it,” she complained. I swooped her up in the air before placing her on my hip as she reached to touch Homer’s scar.

  “You know what will help his boo boo?” I asked. “V.V. kisses.”

  I leaned in seeing her eyes light up as she held Homer’s face in her hands and kissed his cheek twice.

  “One for luck, and one for---.”

  “Wuv,” she smiled. “Do me, do me Daddy.”

  My heart started to constrict, realizing what she was about to do, but before I could stop it, Homer took her from my arms and landed the fattest kisses on her cheeks.

  “One for wuck, and one for wuv!” She sang, kissing him again before pointing at me. “Do Mommy! Do Mommy!”

  “Noo, we’re not doing that Violet. That’s for Dre, and me---.”

  “You want me to kiss Mommy?” Homer asked in a teasing manner as my eyes strained against his.

  “Don’t you dare---.”

  “If my daughter says kiss her mama—.”

  “Homer? I swear to God---.”

  “Mommy you do Daddy!” She let out, like it was the brightest idea. I could barely get a chance to back away when Homer grabbed my arm and pulled me in close. He leaned in, and simply kissed me on the side of my face. A little too close to my mouth as Violet sang, one for luck! Then he cupped my chin, lining my mouth up against his as he…

  “And one for…” Violet’s voice trailed off as Homer’s lips lingered over mine for a second. I closed my eyes, heart stopped, body lifted from within as he pressed his mouth against mine for the first time. I could have, and should have stopped him. I’m grown, I could easily just back away and say no but Homer, and I stood still in the kitchen with our lips locked in a small make out session as my hand came to his waist to hold on. Our noses pressed against one another as he inhaled my exhale. Lips pulling apart briefly. Just to look at each other for confirmation that this was indeed what we were doing. Only to come together again as my body sighed in content against his. Seconds felt like hours when he, and I both collided with our tongues at the exact same time. Just following our natural body cues, and whatever breath that escaped from me, he caught it and pushed deeper. That is, until Violet put her hand between our faces.

  “Das’ not how you do it! Nooo! Do me! Do me!” She screamed as Homer, and I drew back from one another and like clock work kissed Violet on her cheeks at the same time.

  Most natural thing I’ve ever done in my life besides having my daughter was that moment right there with him. We clicked. Homer smiled at me, tongue jamming in the side of his cheek like he was embarrassed before he leaned forward and I stupidly met him halfway for---.

  “Hope I’m not interrupting anything,” a voice came through as I backed away, letting go of Homer’s waist to see Delilah standing against the wall, watching the two of us with a blank expression. Eyes rapidly shifting from one guilty face to another. Homer put Violet down, and straightened up with his hand dragging down his mouth.

  “No, you’re not,” clearing my throat as I fanned myself. “Is it hot outside?”

  “Not as much as it is in here,” she said dryly, folding her arms over her chest with a slow minancing grin. “You must have told Homer the news about your engagement, and you two were just… perhaps celebrating?”

  Homer’s head snapped towards me with his one brow furrowing to the center of his face, confused.

  “He proposed? Dre actually proposed?”

  “Last night,” I said with a nod, feeling guilt wash over my body. How could I explain that kiss, and then say I’m getting married in the next breath? There was no way I could explain it, but Homer to my surprise smiled with a single nod.

  “Congratulations Pia.”

  “Well it's… He didn’t technically do it to my face just yet,” I quickly recovered as Delilah’s grin grew so wide, I could see her gums from the corner of my eyes. “Sunday is when he’ll do it. It will be like our fresh start into the next phase of our relationship. I’m… I’m excited about it.”

  “You deserve it Pia. Never seen you so happy, and I know Dre is obsessed with you,” Delilah added, laying it on thick as Homer just smiled.

  “I’m happy for you both too,” he finally said. “I guess I have to find a way to get along with him.”

  “It would make things so much easier,” I laughed nervously, not liking the look he was giving me.

  “Mmmmph,” he nodded again. Coming off like a bobble head in the last few minutes of this awkward exchange before walking out with a playful tap on Delilah’s forehead. “Mmm hmm. I’ll see y'all at the Moon Run this evening then?”

  “Daddy?!” Violet yelled, running after him as he turned to pick her up.

  “Mind if I take this lil one with me?” He asked without turning to look at me.

  “That’s fine but I’m… leaving…”

  He was already out the door with the screen door slamming shut behind him as I glared at Delilah.

  “What do you get out of pissing your family off? Huh?” I fussed.

  “Satisfaction,” she listed, counting on her fingers. “A jolt of happiness---.”

  “We’re hereeee!” I heard someone yell as we looked at the front door. I watched Homer almost knock Francesca down in passing as she looked back at him in confusion before looking at us with a point.

  “What’s his problem?” She laugh
ed through the screen before opening the door. “Jasmine, and the rest are here. Did I miss something?”

  “They---.”

  I cut Delilah off with a stern look, and a high pitched laugh.

  “No! Nothing exciting. Just Delilah making me nervous about my wedding.”

  “WE’RE HEREEEEE!” Tallulah screamed, walking into the house with a large gas station fountain cup, and a large duffle bag lugging at her side. She wore her hair in her usual bantu knots with a sweatshirt, and leggings. Jasmine walked in after with a tired yawn, and bare baby face pulling her carry-on suitcase while Indigo was the last to step in. My brothers remained outside in what I could only assume was an awkward encounter with Homer.

  Great.

  “Pia!” Tallulah freaked. “I didn’t know you were still here. I hope I brought enough makeup for all of you.”

  “I’m not staying long. I’ll be leaving in the next hour or so---.”

  “Oh? You’re not staying for the Moon Run?” She questioned, confused. “Your daughter is apart of it. I thought that’s why you… decided to stay?”

  “My what?” I let out as Delilah walked off with a yawn. Conveniently bored of the conversation already. “She’s apart of it how?”

  “It’s like her introduction into our side of the family. Into the pack, the gang, the crew, the fam. I know we got that reputation for being rude, and mean but that’s that side of the family. You haven’t met the other side, and lemme tell you? We cool as shit. We don’t care who you with. Plus, Violet’s Homer’s daughter and he’s leading it this time for the first time. She has to be there which means you have to be there. It’s a good thing your brothers are here too. Somebody has to take plenty of pictures. It’s the first time anybody has ever done it outside of Yuma. Of course,” she continued randomly. “Yuma never had kids when he was alive so he---.”

  “Wait a minute,” cutting her off. She looked just as confused as I felt. “Yuma? Who is that?”