CheckMate (Play At Your Own Risk)

by Mickens, Tiece

  “Well, thanks, my man. I guess I’ll just take this and put it in my mom’s glove compartment because one of my pockets is full with condoms and the other one is full with this.” Monty smoothly removed the five grand and sat it on the hood of Rico’s car. Rico’s mouth dropped open. He was almost speechless.

  “Ummm… how much is that?” Rico asked, clearing his throat as he was caught off guard by Monty’s chess playing move.

  “It’s just five stacks, ya know.” Monty grinned a little bit. “Let me see here. I fuck women all day and night for fun. I make good money doing it. I damn show ain’t gotta worry about no snitches in the streets hemming my ass up with the law over a drug bust, and my best friend just gave me five hundred dollars out of generosity. Damn, man, you the one need to think about getting into a different profession,” Monty said as he burst out laughing while holding his money and shaking his head from side to side at Rico. He then walked over to the passenger side of the car and waved the bills Rico just gave him in the air so he could see him putting it into Catherine’s glove compartment. He walked back around to the driver side while throwing a condom on the hood of Rico’s car and stood in the doorway of his mom’s car. “You might need that, partner, if it ain’t too big for you. And, make sure you call me in the morning so I can tell you what I really made after the night is over, because I’m not done yet. Oh, and I’m pretty sure that moms will call and thank you for the donation.” Monty happily got back in Catherine’s car and pulled off.

  Monty pulled up to the Ramada Hotel and checked his face in the mirror. Then, he got out and walked in. He stepped inside the elevator and pressed the number nine. He got off and took a left to walk down the long, narrow hallway. He stopped in front of room 945 and knocked on the door. He stood until the door swung open. Monty walked in smiling as he saw Melanie, who was lying on the bed and already naked.

  “Damn, gurl. You ready, ain’t you?” Monty asked. He admired her sexy figure.

  “Look behind you.”

  “Damn, it’s two of y’all?” Monty said as he was seeing a double of Melanie staring him in the face. She was also naked.

  “This is my twin sister, Melinda. She’s the surprise I have for you and not only that, but I got seven hundred and she does, too. So, what’s it going to be?” Melanie asked and smiled seductively.

  “Boy, this is a good night,” Monty whispered. “Hold tight, ladies. I’ll be right back. Betta yet, roll up this blunt, Melanie, and have it lit by the time I get back.” Monty threw the small sandwich bag filled with weed on the bed along with a swisher cigarillo. “I gotta run out to the car for a second.” Monty smoothly rubbed Melinda on her shoulder and hauled ass out to the car. He popped an ecstasy pill and a half of one, then walked back through the hotel lobby as he was anxiously trying to get back up to the room and have him some more fun.

  Chapter Six

  M

  Monty awakened. He rolled over to look at his alarm clock that was sitting on his nightstand beside his bed. It had been a month since his threesome with the twins and he was still thinking about it as if it were yesterday. He then stretched out, rubbed his eyes, sat up, and took a deep breath.

  “Boy, I’m tired,” he said aloud, and then began to think about having sex with Melinda earlier that morning. He and Melinda had been fucking at least three times a week ever since that adventurous night. He always enjoyed Melanie, but Melinda was much freakier and fun. She had a body like ‘WOAH’ and a personality to match. She was spunky, charismatic, funny, and cute. Monty was really digging her, but what he enjoyed more than anything else was the money she gave him for his services.

  Melinda’s husband owned a trucking company and had several big eighteen wheelers on the road long hauling for him. He would drive, too, just because it was in his blood. He made mad paper, but was never home with his wife, so she found many different ways to please herself by spending up his cash. Melinda was very gracious in giving Monty a stack or better with each visit.

  Monty heard a knock at the front door and got up, but stopped in his tracks when he reached his bedroom door to listen.

  “Who is it?” Mona asked out loud.

  “It’s me, gurl. Open up this door,” Candy yelled. Monty exited and heard Mona opening the door. He peeked around the corner quickly and witnessed Mona giving her friend a big hug. He was a little anxious to see Candy because he hadn’t in a couple of weeks, but instead of walking straight into the living room where they were, he decided to quietly go into the bathroom and freshen up, as well as eavesdrop on Mona and Candy’s conversation.

  “Happy birthday, gurl,” Mona said as she continued to hug on Candy.

  “Thank you, gurl,” said Candy as she giggled. “You know I got on up and came straight over here so we can get our day started. I already got some real nice gifts. My mom and dad bought me the Victoria Secret’s logo rolling suitcase set and the matching duffle bag for when I go off to school. It is so cute. You got to stop by and see it. My mom also gave me this gift bag full of nothing but the Angels by Victoria’s Secret lace trim bikini bottoms and the bras to match them. She says you can never have enough underwear. I must have about fifteen new different sets.” Candy laughed and gave Mona high five.

  “I know that’s right,” said Mona while laughing as well.

  “My dad says that he has something very special for me this evening when I come back home. Gurl, I can’t wait.” Candy and Mona then walked down the hallway. They walked into Mona’s room as Mona began to search in her closet for something to wear.”

  “So, how are your mom and dad doing? Are they getting things worked out?” Mona asked as she continued searching.

  “Well, daddy did promise mama that he would slow down and stop messing around with ole trifling ass Ebony. Although, I know him better than that, but my mom is really trying to trust his word, so I hope he’s not lying to her. He promised to take us to the Bahamas for a week when he’s off work and I can’t wait. That’ll be here before you know it.” Candy said.

  “Damn, that’s gonna be so lovely. I wish I could go. Your daddy got it made working for himself. He’s the HNIC over the plant managers, been doing that shit for over thirty years, and works six months and off for six months. What kind of shit is that? Your daddy got it going on and he got that mad paper. That’s why Mrs. Nancy put up with his shit. I don’t blame her. I’d be enjoying not ever having to work a day in my life, too.” Mona said as she shook her head.

  “You’re crazy, Mo. I guess it can have its ups and downs. We may be straight moneywise, but in some cases, money doesn’t always buy you happiness.”

  “It did when my daddy was alive. If my daddy had gotten a regular job instead of being a natural born hustler for all those years, then he’d still be here. But, the streets were all he ever knew. We did reap the benefits and rewards from it, but also the pain of losing him so soon. I miss him so much, so enjoy your family time because family is all you got.”

  “I know, Mo. I miss him, too. I’m glad that your family has found a way to move on. I know it has been hard for y’all. I gotta say, though, it does feel good to know my parents are finally working things out. Mom has really been in a good mood lately. She even baked me a beautiful cake and you know it’s good because if she can’t do nothing else, she can cook like a professional chef.”

  “I’ll agree with you on that one. My mama can cook, but your mama ain’t no joke in that kitchen,” said Mona, who finally found a blue jean skirt and a cute, pink body shirt to wear with it. “I’m coming over to get some of that cake. Why didn’t you bring me a piece?”

  “I’m sorry. I did cut all of y’all a piece, but I walked right out of the house and forgot it. I’ll bring it back later before we go out tonight.” Mona began to get dressed. “That’s a cute outfit. That looks good on you. Well, are you ready to go to the mall? You know we gotta find something fly to wear. I think I wanna wear a dress. You know, something real cute but very sexy. I just want to enjoy myself li
ke I did the last time when we went out.” Candy said, and thought about her and Monty sitting in the car after the club that night and enjoying each other’s company.

  “I think I wanna wear a pair of booty shorts and a nice little halter top because it’s hot out that door and I don’t need on too many clothes. I ain’t got time to be sweating like that. By the way, your hair is cute pinned up like that. Who did that for you?” Mona asked while smiling and touching Candy’s hair.

  “I did. You know I don’t like nobody in my hair. I can do my own hair better than a certified stylist, so I’d rather keep that lil’ money in my pockets to go shopping with.”

  “I already knew that. Just thought you might’ve decided to let someone else get in your head for a change. Come on. I’m ready to go shopping. Monty gave me $550 last night when I told him I that needed something to wear tonight. He said that I need a new wardrobe, too, gurl. Can you believe it? He even gave me an extra two hundred and fifty dollars to buy you something nice for your birthday.”

  “Oh. He did?” Candy asked. “That was very sweet of him. I wonder if he would personally give his future wife some money for her birthday. Maybe I should go and ask him. I am of age now.” Candy smiled, and then got up and walked toward Mona’s bedroom door.

  “Gurl, Monty is still in the bed. He just came in right before sunrise. Plus, you don’t need any money from him because your parents got you spoiled rotten. I bet you got the checkbook and the credit cards, don’t you?” Mona grabbed her purse.

  “Yep, and you know it. I just wanted to mess with Monty, though. I miss my baby. He’s always gone when I come over. I can’t catch him home for nothing now. And, when I do, he’s asleep. Now that’s some shit, but I bet I’ll see him tonight at the club. I just miss my baby.”

  “You always miss Monty, even when he’s right in your face. I don’t know what I’ma do with you. I don’t even know why you continue to like him. He’s mean to you and he’s always telling you that you’re not his type. So, maybe you should find someone else to be crazy about and quit holding out hope for my brother. Monty doesn’t have time for no one and he sure as hell ain’t about to settle down, either.”

  “Maybe you’re right, Mona. I guess I can’t help myself. I know Monty doesn’t like me like that but it’s something about him that I just can’t shake,” Candy said as she walked out the door into the hallway. “I tell you what. Tonight, I’m not going to mess with your brother if he comes to the Touch of Class. I’m just going to enjoy myself, spend time with my best friend, and realize that it’s other great looking, charming, and respectful men out there that would love to have me. I really do need to get over my feelings for Monty and leave my options open for the right man when he comes along.” Candy walked past the bathroom and headed directly out the door on the porch as Mona followed.

  “I’ll see, Candy. I hope you do because I love you and I don’t want to see you hurt if Monty never notices you the way you want him to. Let’s just leave that subject alone and go shopping.” Mona and Candy walked to the car and got in.

  Monty exited the bathroom and stood in the middle of the hallway. He then walked through the house while talking to himself. “Damn, my sister got a big mouth. She ain’t gotta tell Candy all that shit. How does she know how I really feel?” Monty scratched his head. “I do like Candy, but maybe my sister is right about me hurting her. I might not be able to love and be faithful to her like she would want. I already know I’m not about to stop doing what I’m doing for Candy’s crazy ass, but I can be at the club tonight. I do miss her for some reason, but I ain’t gonna mess with her if she doesn’t say anything to me. That’ll be that.” Monty prepared a bowl of Frosted Flakes and sat down to the kitchen table to eat.

  Meanwhile, on the Westside of town over on the hillside off of Walton Way, Nancy and Will sat across from each other at their dining room table eating brunch. Nancy felt pretty good to have her husband home for a change because he’d been so preoccupied with Ebony lately that he hadn’t had time to eat at home like a real husband should. She believed he wanted to keep his family and he had started proving to her that he was willing to change his cheating ways.

  Will sat there enjoying the moment, but knew he had to break some devastating news to his wife of twenty years. He looked over at Nancy, who was still as beautiful as ever. Her big, round eyes shined bright and her smile was very gentle, even though he knew she could be his worst nightmare if he failed her. He loved her and wanted desperately to work on his marriage, but already knew she would never forgive him for the words he was about to say to her.

  “Will, it feels so good to have you home. I’ve missed us and the closeness that we’ve shared over the years,” said Nancy as she reached across the table and touched the back of Will’s hand. “I know I’ve not been the easiest woman to live with, but I’ve always meant well, even when it may have seemed like I didn’t. The depression took over my life and I hated myself for a long time. You know that not being able to give you a son, or just more children period, put a strain on my life for so long and I just want to put that behind me now.” Will sat there becoming teary eyed because he always loved to see the softer side of his wife. “Our daughter just turned eighteen today and I’ve held in so much that I put a lot on you and her over the years. I just wanna say I’m sorry for that, Will.” A tear fell from Nancy’s eye.

  “Baby, please don’t cry,” said Will. He pushed their plates to the side, reached over the glass dining room table, and wiped the tear rolling down her face. “I love you more than life itself. I’m so sorry for not being the husband that you needed the most. I guess I was so fed up with you for pushing my love for you aside that I didn’t realize how much you really needed me. You stopped a long time ago wanting to please me. I just needed for you to touch me like you used to and make love to me like a wife should with her husband. I know I was wrong for cheating on you, and, if I were you, I wouldn’t have wanted to make love to me, either. But, I needed and craved for that attention, and, baby, you weren’t making it easy for me. I always wanted a big family and that was something that we planned for from the first time we met. However, that wasn’t in the cards for us and I accepted that. The only problem we had was that you couldn’t.” Will dropped his head. He could no longer look into his wife’s eyes since he saw the pain in them from his honesty.

  “I know, baby,” said Nancy. She continued to cry. “I am so sorry for that. I love our daughter with all my heart, but couldn’t get over the fact she would be the only child I would ever have and that you could have more children if you wanted to without me. I do want you to know that I feel bad. Over the years, you’ve had a lot of affairs with other women, but you never ever had a child on us and that means everything to me. I love you so much for that. I can’t express how much.” Nancy looked over at Will as the tears begin to fall from his eyes. He got up and walked around the table, then bent down in front of her and took both her hands and held them tight.

  “Please, know that I’ve never meant to hurt you over the years. I love you and our daughter so much. Nan, I really do. I don’t mean to hurt you now, but I gotta tell you something that’s very important and it can’t wait any longer.” Will squeezed Nancy’s hands even tighter. “Ebony is pregnant.” Nancy looked at Will in shock with a blank expression on her face. She was at a loss for words.

  Night fell as Candy and Mona pulled up to the Touch of Class, laughing and talking to each other.

  “I knew it was going to be mad thick out here,” Candy said, enjoying the sights.

  “Hell yeah! We’re going to have some fun tonight.” Mona smiled as she watched the long line of people waiting to enter. “Candy, I just love that diamond necklace and bracelet your daddy bought you. That shit is shining bright as hell.”

  “Thanks, honey. When I got home it was wrapped in a little gift box and sitting on my bed. My dad wasn’t home so I could thank him and my mom was packing her bags. She said that she was going to stay with my Au
nt Linda for the weekend. She hugged me and told me that she loved me, and to have a nice time for my birthday. Can you believe it? She actually left me home for the weekend by myself, because no telling where daddy is at. She needed that break, though. She’s been so stressed out lately. I’m glad to see that she’s getting out of the house now. Hey, Mo, ain’t that Monty’s car parked over there?”

  “Yep, it sure is. I should have known if he was coming out, he’d be here early because he likes to get the best table in VIP.”

  “He likes the darker corners with his mysterious ass.” Candy laughed. “I can’t wait to see him. It’s been a good while. It almost feels like I’m away at school since I hardly ever see him now with his busy ass.”

  “It does kinda feel like that because your mama done had you on lock down for the past few weeks. I know we talk on the phone and shit, but I miss you coming over every day like you used to. I just be chilling out now and I mostly stay in the crib. I ain’t got time for them crazy ass project chicks from around the way. You know they don’t like me because I’m considered the new chick on the block, even though I done been there almost four years now.”

  “That’s some crazy shit, Mo. That goes to show you that those hood rat bitches been in them same projects since they were babies and that’s a damn shame. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes, people have to live in places that they can afford and having a roof over your head is better than not having one at all, especially if you have children. But, I don’t think they should live off the system their whole lives. They gotta get some kind of motivation and business about themselves at some point in time,” Candy said before she pulled out a sack of weed. “You don’t need no more friends, anyway, because I got your back.”

  “Gurl, what you got there? I know that ain’t no weed, is it?”

  “It sure is. I figured we may as well do the damn thang tonight, gurl. I’m eighteen, baby!” Candy screamed really loud. She pulled out a swisher sweet and began to laugh. “Now, who in the hell is gonna roll it because neither one of us know how.”