Tangled Web

by Yolanda Buick

  “When I started out, clients didn’t appreciate a damn thing.” Chantay hissed reliving her past.

  “I know what you mean…I mean unappreciated slobs.”

  Both laughed.

  “Alison, I worked ten hours a day and maybe more standing on my feet and these non-appreciative women complain about the smallest thing. ‘Oh, you didn’t wash it good enough,’ ‘Those curlers are not hot enough’ or my best one, ‘I don’t tip because you stylist charge too much.’ Isn’t it a shame they know we have to charge to pay for our products and time.”

  “Girl, I know all that complaining got to you.”

  “Oh, wait, Alison, that booth rental the shop owners charged was crazy high.”

  “I’m glad you got into this business Chantay. I wouldn’t know who could style my hair better than you. In the past, my hair was a mess. I didn’t really agree with the last stylist; she just couldn’t do the job. I took Vivica A. Fox’s theory—I hired someone who knows black hair and should be compensated for it. There’s too many of us black folks out here whose talent go by the wayside because we’re not given a chance.”

  “I agree with you Alison, but stylist have to love what they do and respect their clients.”

  When they arrived back in the room. Alison sat on her bed glanced around the room. Her career is first. Alan need to understand that she mumbled. She loved him, but couldn’t see herself being a mom right now. She wanted to travel with her husband. She wanted to have quiet moments. Their careers took so much of their time and a baby right now would only add to it. If only Alan could wait a few more years and she may be ready. She slipped the khakis and flip-flops off and lay on the bed in her bra and panties. Alison let the sleep take hold.

  Chapter 19

  Alan

  A late Saturday night and Alan was enjoying a sports drink and watching a thriller on HBO. For the two weeks Alison had been gone, he tried to forget the last conversation they had. He didn’t want to be reminded how cold she sounded towards him. He did love her, and hoped she would have a change of heart. ‘They would talk when she got home’ he reminded himself.

  He extended the olive branch and called Alison, to pick her up from the airport. Instead, she simply sent him a text refusing the ride.

  Keys, jarred Alan from the tv. Slowly, he walked towards the foyer. Standing by the staircase, was Alison. He wanted to embrace her, the more he studied her face, Alan chose to tread carefully.

  His voice was faint. “Hey baby.”

  Dryly, Alison spoke. “Hey.”

  “Let me get those.” He reached for her bags.

  Alan tucked a bag under his arm and with each hand picked up two larger suitcases on wheels. He jogged up the staircase with Alison strutting behind.

  Placing the luggage in the closet Alan stood in front of Alison. “Babe, we need to talk.” He reached for her.

  “Alan, I’m really tired can this wait?” She pushed away from him.

  “We’re going to talk about this Alison and you’re not going to slither you way out of it.”

  “Fine.” She huffed. “I’m going to take a shower. Unless you want to come in there and talk, I’ll be out in little.”

  “Take your shower.”

  Alan remembered the tv was still on in the family room. Trotting down the rear staircase leading to the kitchen, he reached the family room. The movie still playing, he sat down and got comfortable. “What the fuck.” He yelled at the tv. The actors running for their life through foggy forest leaving behind an empty cabin. A man with a hockey mask and machete took long steps behind them.

  A muffled ringing and vibration startled him. He reached into the jean pocket and pulled out his cellphone.

  “Hello.” He whispered.

  “Alan is this a good time to talk?”

  “Tonya. It’s late and Alison is back.”

  “Oh wow. I’m sorry. Quick question. Can you come over tomorrow? I need help with getting Asia’s new bed set together.”

  “Tomorrow?” Alan breathed heavily. “I…I don’t know Tonya. Alison and I...well, we need to talk about something. I’m not sure if I would be able to help.”

  “Is everything okay with you and Alison?”

  “We just need to clear something up.”

  “I get it. Um, I’ll appreciate if you can come, but don’t worry about it. Have a good night okay.”

  Two weeks ago, he had Tonya sitting on the sofa right here in the family room. Both a little intoxicated in close proximity staring into each other eyes. He wanted her and knew she wanted him. His hand had trailed Tonya’s bare arm up to her neck. His fingers gripped her soft hair. Gently their foreheads met each other. His nose to hers. His lips to hers. At that moment, Alan had realized he crossed the line. He took Tonya home.

  Alan shook the memory away and headed back upstairs. Once at the bedroom door, he watched Alison sleeping peacefully. He stood there minutes more and wondered was it really necessary to have a baby? Was he wrong to be so upset at his wife? Should he give in?

  ***

  Morning dew rested on the windows. Alan had finished his workout routine. Gulping down water, he jogged up the stairs. Back in the bedroom Alison still slept peacefully. He peeled off the wet shorts and tank top, then pulled the ankle black socks off. He leaned into the mirror taking a closer look at the fine shadow of hair forming its goatee cut. Lifting his arms, he sniffed, shook his head, and frowned. “Whew.” He laughed.

  He stepped out of the boxer briefs and with his manhood hanging and glistening from the sweat, Alan stepped into the shower. The hot water sprayed from atop and front. He sang, while lathering with his sport scent body wash. He took the wash cloth under his arms, chest, around and under his manhood. Ringing the washcloth, he lathered it again and took it between his butt cheeks. His body was rinsed with the hot water. Another washcloth Alan wet it and washed his face.

  He wrapped a plush towel around his waist and stepped onto the waiting rug. Just then Alison appeared.

  “Good morning.” He sang to her.

  Hers was flat. “Good morning.”

  “So, babe, can we talk now?”

  “Alan, I just got up. Can you give me a moment? Geez.”

  Alan was dumbfounded. Alison had been stand-offish since she got home last night.

  “Whatever, Alison, I’ll be downstairs.”

  “No, Alan, let’s talk, right now.”

  Cautiously, he moved slowly toward her. Taking her hand, he led her to the chaise and sat next to her.

  “Alison, I’m sorry for not answering your calls when you were away. I was upset and hurt baby…”

  “So, you can be upset and hurt and act like a damn child. I could’ve been hurt or something.”

  “But you weren’t Alison. If something was wrong, I’m sure you would’ve left a message. Anyway, can you tell me why you don’t want a baby…with me?”

  “With you?” She jerked her head. “I don’t want a baby with anyone right now. Alan, I like our lives how it is. I enjoy the freedom. A baby will slow that down.”

  “A baby won’t slow us down; it’ll change us into a family. A family that will do things together. Make memories. I want to be a father, baby, with you doing your little mother thing.” He tickled her side.

  “Alan please stop. I’m very serious. Right now, isn’t the time. Come on, our careers are going great—”

  “If not now, when?” Now standing he looked down at her. “We’re not getting any younger.”

  Alison stood. “Sweetheart.” She held the sides of his face. “I…I don’t want kids. I’m sorry I hadn’t said so earlier on. I mean at first, I did, but something changed. Life happened.”

  “What does that even mean Alison?”

  “I don’t know Alan. Maybe, I’ll rethink this, but not now.”

  The feeling he had when he caught her taking that pill, had returned, but worse. He sat on the chaise and she disappeared into the bathroom.

  Alan reached for his cellphone.<
br />
  “I’ll be over in an hour.”

  Chapter 20

  Alan

  “Daryl, get your tools and come help me at Tonya’s.”

  “Wait, you’re going to see that gorgeous little thing?” Daryl hollered.

  “Calm down, man. She asked me to help with assembling her daughter’s bedroom set. I want you to help, so get your tools and I’ll text you the address.”

  With the windows lowered, the warm and breezy wind circled his exposed arms. A Mary J. Blige song blared from his iPhone through the Bose speakers. Alison words played in his mind. He didn’t want to wait until she figured it out, if ever. The hot Atlanta sun beamed rays into his covered eyes. Alan peeked into the rearview mirror, admiring his Ray-Bans. His head bobbed to another Mary’s hit, Mr. Wrong. Another ten minutes he saw his exit.

  “I thought you weren’t coming, Alan, I was getting worried.” Tonya took him by the arm and led him down a long hallway filled with black arts. He studied each one. He never knew Tonya was an art collector, especially of black art. Alan stopped at an art piece by Henry Rios Battle, ‘Midnight Snack.’ A man and woman sat on an elegant bed, the woman dressed in a gold negligee and a tray of different fruits beside her and the man positioned behind her.

  “You like that one, huh?” Tonya stood behind Alan.

  “Yeah, it’s nice, you know, romantic.”

  “I love romantic interludes. Look at this one.” Tonya put her arms around Alan and turned him to the opposite wall. “this one is called ‘Always and Forever.’ See how the woman is lying back and he’s over her about to plant a kiss?” Tonya winked. “I love the foreplay and anticipation of love itself.”

  “Is that so?” Alan admired the glow in her eyes.

  Tonya placed both hands on Alan’s firm face and slowly moved her hands downward. She traced the outline of his lips neatly trimmed by his goatee.

  Alan’s breath became short as he allowed her to continue to seduce him. It was wrong, but could not hurt as long as it did not go any further.

  “Alan, I want you.” Tonya squeezed him through nylon shorts. Pushing him against the wall, she indulged him with wet kisses.

  “Come on, Tonya stop…” He barely spoke.

  “Do you want me too, really?” She continued to squeeze him.

  “I mean, where’s Asia she might see us.”

  “How thoughtful of you, but Asia isn’t here. She’s next door at a sleepover.”

  Saved by the bell he was. “Tonya,” he pushed her away. “Someone’s at your door, maybe it’s Daryl.”

  “Daryl, why is he here?”

  “I asked him to bring some tools and help me.”

  Tonya straightened her clothes and sashayed to the door.

  Daryl walked in with a toolbox tucked under his left arm.

  “What the hell do you have on, Daryl?” Alan questioned.

  “I came prepared. You don’t like my pinstriped overall suit. I’m a hard-working man. Tell him, Tonya.”

  Tonya walked over and kissed him on the lips.

  Daryl’s toothy grin widened. “What was that for?”

  “I thought that a hardworking man deserves a kiss, you know what I mean, Alan.” Tonya winked at him.

  “Show us what you need done.” Alan pivoted.

  They walked down the hallway where Alan admired the artwork and got a taste of the vixen. Tonya showed them what needed to be assembled and left the men alone.

  “Alan, what’s going on? What did I walk into?”

  “She came onto me. I mean, we were about to get busy.”

  “Oh snap!” Daryl raised his hand for a high-five. “Shit man, you want me to leave? We can put this damn bed together later.”

  “Naw, let’s just do this so I can go home.” Alan had begun to separate pieces.

  “Wait, hold up…you telling me you don’t want to hit that. I know you do.”

  “Here’s the deal Daryl, I know she kissed you to see how I was going to react and I’ll admit I was a little angry, but come on, man, I can’t do this.”

  “You worried about Alison, huh?”

  Alan ripped plastic casing away from the wood furniture. “Daryl, Alison don’t want to have kids.”

  “She doesn’t want to have sex with you anymore?”

  Alan stopped ripping the plastic. “Daryl is your mind always on sex? I’m sure she wants the sex, but she doesn’t want a baby from it. I caught her a few weeks ago still taking the pill…”

  “That’s why you came out that night…to the club and little fine missy here showed up. Hey what happened when I dropped you two at your house.” Daryl now, fully engaged to Alan.

  “Nothing happened.”

  “Nothing?”

  “I was mad as hell with Alison that night and then Tonya was right there, so close, I could smell her sweetness. I wanted to, but I couldn’t.”

  “When the last time you had some?”

  “Sex?”

  “Yes, Alan, sex.”

  “Before Alison left.

  Daryl reached into his farmer John outfit and pulled out two large ribbed condoms. “I carry these like my American Express card. Never leave home without them. Take one man and let yourself have some fun. We will put this set together quick and I’ll leave. She wants it…you give it to her like she never fucking had it.”

  Alan reluctantly put the condom in his pocket.

  “You the man.” Daryl hit Alan on the back.

  Hours went by and the two men finally had the bedroom set assembled. After a glass of lemonade, Daryl gathered his toolbox and left.

  “Call me as soon as you get the time.” Daryl winked at Alan. “I’ll see you later, little lady, and thanks for the kiss.” He pecked Tonya on the cheek.

  As soon as Tonya shut the door, time stood still. Alan could hear his heart beating. His watch read 1p.m. He had been gone six hours.

  “Alan, come here.” Tonya reached for his hand. “I think you should go; this isn’t the right time. I was wrong to come on to you like that. One thing I don’t want to get into any trouble with Alison.” She gave him a friendly hug, extending her body away from him.

  Alan pointed to the sofa. “May I sit down for a minute?”

  “What’s on your mind?”

  “I know what I’m feeling isn’t right. I want you too, but I just don’t see it happening…”

  “Not at all…what about—”

  Alan placed his finger over Tonya lips. “Not now. If this happens let it, don’t force it.” He stroked her short bob hairstyle.

  “Alan Perry, that’s why I like you so much…you’re a gentleman and very caring. I hope Alison realizes she has a good man and a fine one at that. If you were my husband, I would sex you every minute I had. Your dinner will be ready every night and a hot shower waiting for you when you got home. Anything you wanted to do to me you could do.” She licked her lips.

  “Thanks, Tonya. Hey, enough talk about me. Why don’t you have someone special in your life?”

  Tonya huffed then moved from the sofa. With her hands on her hips, she walked to the bay window. She began to speak softly with her back still to Alan. “I loved Eric, Asia’s father, but he had other plans.”

  “Were you guys together for a while?” Alan now stood behind her.

  Outside, the wind swayed the tree branches. Asia rode past on a tricycle with her neighbor.

  “Yeah, we were together for a long time. He promised me everything, cars, diamonds, a nice home, and of course the ring. I did everything for him then one day he got it in his mind to…” Tonya sniffled and wiped tears, “hit me.”

  “He did what! That punk ass bitch.”

  “Don’t be too hard on him, Alan. I know I made him do it most of the time.”

  “Are you kidding? He is a grown man and makes his own choices. Don’t blame yourself for this.” Alan pulled Tonya close.

  “When I became pregnant with Asia he totally changed. A couple of times he would beat me, but not enough to leave b
ruises. Oh, he was smart. I think he wanted me to lose the baby, but I begged him to stop. He came up with a wild plan that it was better for him to leave for a while and get himself together so he joined the Air Force. I thought that was a good idea until he came after Asia was born and said he didn’t want us.”

  “I’m sorry for that. You did not deserve what happened. How could he walk away from a beautiful woman and his child? I love Asia, she adorable. I just can’t believe a man could do that.”

  “Alan, all men aren’t alike. I told Alison about him, but she sort of took his side.”

  “Not Alison. You may have misunderstood her.”

  “Maybe, but I needed a friend and that’s why I confessed all this to her. I could tell she’s as caring as you and I really like her despite, how I feel for you.”

  Alan put his arm around her shoulder and whispered, “I like you too.”

  Chapter 21

  Alison

  The sun’s hues changed from yellow to orange as the hours passed by. Alison had not heard from her husband all day. He never left without saying where he was going. But then again, they never had a fight quite like this one. She desperately wanted to feel her husband arms around her and she was going to make all attempts to get it.

  “Hey girl. How are you?”

  “Alison, wow, I didn’t expect to hear from you today.” Tonya calmly and slowly said.

  “Really. Why is that? I got home late last night and girl I was tired.”

  “The last time I saw you, I was a mess. Crying and over the top about Eric—”

  Alison laughed. “You mean when you broke down in the garden scaring my fish?” She cleared her throat. “Tonya, don’t worry about him. You have so much more to give. Don’t let that fool smolder your light.”

  “I know and I appreciate that.”

  “And we all definitely have problems…hey, you want to come over for a little?”

  “I told Alan that I wanted to stop by.”