CheckMate (Play At Your Own Risk)

by Mickens, Tiece

  “I understand, we’re making up rules here. But, you act like I just started this shit.” Monty then thought, I got this.

  “I know you got this, but I’m basically making sure that I’m on the same page with you. I know it’ll be times, like earlier, when I’ll know you’ve been with someone. But, each time I think about the rules that we’ve both agreed on makes it easier for me, in a twisted, strange kind of way.”

  “I feel ya.” Damn, I like this shit.

  “I just feel as if nothing can come between us no matter what we’ll go through. I know that we’re just trying this thing out and we’re seeing where we go from here, but I can see it working out if you really want it to.” Candy smiled, and then kissed on Monty’s neck.

  “So, let me make sure that I’m clear here. Basically, we’re lovers. Scratch that, a little more than lovers, but with no ‘I’m your man, you’re my woman’ type of shit. You’re my queen that has my back, knows all my secrets, puts up with my shit, and still is there for me whenever I decide to come in and let it all go. So, you’re saying once I decide to come in and let it all go, then you’ll be my lady?”

  “No, I’m not saying that. I’m your lady whenever you make me your lady. That’s entirely up to you. My feelings won’t change from now to being your lady later. But, the rules just might get a little stricter.” She smiled, but meant every word of what she was saying.

  “Oh, I believe you. I can’t lie, Candy Gurl,” Monty said as he was being funny by mocking Mona. “I like you. I mean, I really do like you. I knew you were down for me the day you stood up in old fat ass Bruce’s face. I began to look at you differently back then. I started to notice things about you that I tried not to pay that much attention to before. You are really funny with your wise cracks and the crazy way you say things. You got rhythm like a muthafucka, and I ain’t just talking about on a dance floor, either.” Monty thought about Candy backing it up in the club and the bed. “You got mad heart and deep down inside, you gotta lot of love and respect for me, regardless of what I do or don’t do.”

  Candy smiled as she thought, Yep, you’re right about that.

  “I like you,” Monty continued. “I mean that. I really like you and we can do this thang as long as I know I got a real chick standing by me.” Candy shook her head in agreement. “Well, since we’re making rules here, then I have one for you.”

  “Now, what would that be?” Candy asked as Monty lay on top of her, kissing her on the lips.

  “My queen can never fuck around with any other man for as long as you’re my queen.” Monty smiled. “And, that’s rule number one.”

  “That’s cool. But, let’s just say that if I’m no longer your queen for whatever reason, then what?”

  “Then, nothing,” Monty responded. “We will have gone our separate ways. There wouldn’t be nothing I could say. I might be upset about it, but that’s life and life ain’t always fair.”

  “I see. I hope that doesn’t happen, but I guess that’ll all depend on how you and I handle your extracurricular activities and the feelings we have for each other while going through this process.”

  “Don’t worry, Candy, because I got you.” They smiled at each other, and then kissed as they began to make love again.

  “Candy, wake up. It’s ten in the morning. You’re gonna oversleep if you don’t get on up,” Monty said, and then kissed Candy on the forehead.

  “I’m getting up. I’m just so tired, ya know?” She made herself sit up in the bed.

  “I’m tired, too, babe. But, you gotta get up and straighten up the crib before your parents come home. And, I gotta get outta here before they surprise you and come home early.” Monty bent down and picked his phone up from off the floor. He looked at it then placed it in his pocket.

  “I’m going to go take a shower. I’ll be out in a second. You don’t have nothing important to do this morning, do you?” Candy grabbed her undergarments and robe.

  “No, I don’t have any plans, but I don’t want to get caught up in here, either, especially not by your mom. I can, however, go grab us something to eat while you’re in the shower.”

  “That’s cool, babe. I won’t take that long. I should be out by the time you come back.” Candy walked into the bathroom and got in the shower as Monty got up. He quickly put his clothes on, and then sat on the side of the bed and leaned down to grab his white Air Force Ones and put them on, too. He walked out of the room and to his car, got in, and cranked up to leave. While driving, he carefully took his phone out of his pocket and scrolled through the missed calls and text messages. To his surprise, he only had seven with three of them being from the same person, Paris. He read one from Melanie.

  Lookin 4ward 2 seeing u 2morrow. M&M

  Damn… I had done forgot about ole gurl. I’ll have to holla at her in a few hours. I need to relax for a minute after last night. What am I talking about, after last night? Monty wondered if he was the least bit tired of fucking. Could it be? Hell, naw. I’m the only nigga I know that done fucked up to four different women in one day then two more that night. My dick is very good to me and he never lets me down. Monty continued to scroll through his phone and read another message.

  I haven’t seen you in a month… I think its bout dat time now… Hit me up… Jay

  Damn, I almost forgot about Janet’s sexy ass with that long ass tongue.

  I thought u might’ve been free 2nite. I’ll hit u back later… Sassy

  Ole Sierra. I wonder what you got for me, Miss Sassy, since I ain’t heard from you in a minute. Monty continued driving. As he was turning on Washington Road, he decided to go to IHOP and grab them some breakfast.

  Candy walked out of the bathroom. “I feel like I’m dreaming. I can’t believe that I’m actually messing around with Monty. Who would’ve ever thought it?” Candy asked herself as she looked in the mirror with the towel wrapped around her body. “I need to find something cute to put on for my man.” Candy began to smile. “I always knew he’d be my man. Now, I can prove anybody who ever doubted me wrong.”

  She walked in her big closet and found herself a nice, navy blue dress that hugged her body, and she put it on along with her sandals to match. She walked out of her closet just as she heard Monty coming back in the front door. She hurried out of her room and down the hallway into the dining room where she met up with him. He grabbed her by the hand and she stood on the tip of her toes to give him a light kiss on his lips.

  “You’re looking real good in that lil’ dress.” Monty checked her cola bottle figure out. He then walked her into the kitchen where he had breakfast from the IHOP waiting on the kitchen table. “I thought that your grits would be cold by the time I made it back here, but they’re still warm,” Monty stated and Candy smiled from ear to ear. She was feeling very good to know he was into her.

  “Thank you. I am hungry because I skipped out on dinner last night, didn’t I?”

  “Hell yeah. But, I believe I had eaten way too much anyway,” Monty said, jokingly.

  “Yeah, you did.” Candy laughed as she sat down to eat her first real breakfast with Monty. She could already see them being together as a little family someday.

  “So, when you leave here, what are your plans?” Candy asked as she picked up a piece of bacon and ate it.

  “I don’t really have any. It’s whatever’s clever. I know I’m going to go wash up and just chill at home for awhile. Rico and I will get out later. I’m sure. I know your parents will be back today, but I hope we can still see each other.”

  “You know I’m gonna see you regardless. I practically stay over y’all house more than my own anyway.”

  Monty wiped his mouth as he finished his breakfast. “Well, babe, I’m about to get on outta here.” He stood up as Candy did, too. She walked him to the door and gave him a hug.

  “I’ll call you later,” Candy said as she smiled.

  “I’ll be waiting,” said Monty as he leaned down and pecked her on the lips.

 
; Chapter Eleven

  C

  Candy and Nancy returned from shopping at the mall. Candy followed her mom into the house, and then sat the bags on the floor. She sighed as if she was exhausted from such a long day and flopped down on the leather sectional sofa to relax. It felt good to spend so much quality time with her mom. Will had been spending more time at home with them as well, so Candy was overjoyed to have her family in a good mood. She picked up the remote to the sixty inch flat screen plasma TV and turned it on. She began flipping through the channels as Nancy walked in and sat next to her.

  “Baby Girl, you’ve grown up to be a beautiful young lady. I still can’t believe you’re already eighteen years old.” Nancy smiled as she touched Candy on her thigh gently. “Time really flies by.”

  “Yep, it sure does, mama.” Candy put her hand on top of Nancy’s hand. “I’m just so glad to see a smile on your face.”

  “It feels good to have a smile on my face. I’ve gone through a lot mentally over the years, but I’m just realizing I can’t continue to live in this depressing state. In talking with my doctor, he’s even said I can wean myself off of those medications. My condition has taken a lot out of this family, and I’m sorry if I’ve ever caused you pain.”

  “No, Mama, please don’t apologize for anything. I know you love me and dad with all your heart. I’d never think any less. You and dad have always gotten me anything I’ve ever wanted and I love you so much. So, instead of dwelling on the past, let’s focus on the future and embrace what we all have together.”

  “Yeah, you’re right, honey. You’ll be leaving your dad and I soon to attend college and we’re gonna really miss you.”

  “You know I’ma call home every day,” said Candy. She giggled.

  “I already know. I do want to talk to you about something that me and your father have been going through. You’ve become of age and I don’t feel like I should continue to keep things from you now.” Nancy stood up and began to pace a little while trying to decide if she should explain the events that had taken place between she and Will.

  “Your dad and I have become a lot closer lately, but we’ve struggled with some hard things.”

  “Things like what, Mama?”

  “Well, for starters, I’m sure you’re aware of your dad being with other women. That is no secret to anyone that knows him. But, I wasn’t aware that he’d gotten someone pregnant recently.”

  “Mama, you must be mistaken. Daddy is too old to make a baby.”

  “Candy, your father is not that old. He’s only forty five and the woman he got pregnant is Ebony. She lives in this neighborhood, about five streets over from us. You may know her by Mrs. Temple.”

  “Yeah, I know the heifer,” said Candy before she realized it. “Mama, I am so sorry about this. I’m surprised that you’re this calm about daddy having a baby with that woman. He is so selfish!” Candy became very angry at her dad.

  “Sweetie, calm down. I was very upset, too, when he first told me about it. That is the reason why I went to your Aunt’s house for the weekend of your birthday. I had to get away and clear my mind, but as I decided to leave your father for good, his sister said something to me that made me realize I didn’t want to lose my husband to a gold digging whore who really just wants your father’s money.”

  Candy cut in quickly. “Yeah, and he is too blind to see it.”

  “Well, he got caught up. But, if I was being the wife to him that he needed, he wouldn’t have been messing around with the tramp. So, I am partially to blame, also. Anyway, your father showed up to Linda’s that weekend, begged for my forgiveness, and said he told that tramp he didn’t want to be with her and that he’d prefer for her to not have the baby to save our relationship.”

  “And, she went for that?” Candy asked as she is still in disbelief.

  “He says that she agreed to an abortion and she also decided to move back to Jamaica to live closer to her mother. I knew he wanted another child for years. But, if he is making her have the abortion, then I didn’t want to tell him I was okay with him and her having the baby because I’d be lying.”

  “So, the baby is gone now?”

  “Will told me she had the abortion about two weeks ago. This may sound funny, but I feel bad for him. I know deep down inside he is hurt from losing the baby just to hold on to us.”

  “Don’t feel bad for him, Mama. He should have used a condom while he was ‘round here messing with that skank. That baby probably wasn’t his, anyway.”

  “Candy, please,” said Nancy. She shook her head from side to side. “You are a trip. You sound just like your Aunt Linda.”

  “Well, it’s the truth.”

  “I know, Baby Girl. I don’t want to go any deeper into this conversation because I’m really trying to put this behind us. I just wanted you to know what had been going on. I don’t think you should be in the dark anymore.” Nancy stretched out her arms and yawned. “I’m tired, honey. I’m about to go lay across the bed for a while. I need to take a lil’ nap. You and all that shopping wore me out. Your father should be here soon. He went over to Don’s house for a little while to play cards and have a few drinks. Are you excited about leaving next week to go to the Bahamas?” Nancy asked, trying to change the subject.

  “Yeah, mama, I am very excited and glad you’re letting Mo come along with us. You’ve made us so happy. That’s all we’ve been talking about.”

  “I can imagine,” said Nancy, who yawned again.

  “Go on and rest for a while. I’m gonna go over Mona’s house and clown around with her for a bit. I love you.” Candy got up and hugged Nancy, then picked up her purse.

  “I love you, too, doll. Be careful and don’t come in too late. Hey, tell Catherine I says hello and call me later if she’s home.”

  “I won’t stay out late, and I will tell her.” Candy walked to the front door and got her keys off of the key hook. She walked out the door as Nancy walked over and locked it behind her.

  Nancy walked into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, and grabbed a bottle of water out of it and twisted off the cap. She turned the water up as she went into her bedroom and lay across the thick, white, plush comforter. As soon as she dozed off, her phone rang. She sat up quickly before she reached over to answer it.

  “Hello.”

  “Hello, is this Nancy?” a light Jamaican accented voice asked quickly.

  “This is she. Who is this?”

  “Hi, Nancy,” she paused. “This is Ebony.”

  Nancy quickly cleared her throat as she was thinking to herself, Why is this bitch calling me? Nancy looked down at her caller ID as her phone beeped. It was Will, but she was not answering it. She was too curious to know what Ebony wanted. “Ebony, why are you calling me? We don’t have nothing to discuss. I didn’t call you while you were fucking my husband, so why in the hell are you calling me now? Is it because he’s left your ass alone?” Nancy asked as she stood up and paced the floor back in forth. She was still a little shocked this woman had the nerve to call her.

  “No, actually it’s the opposite,” Ebony stated.

  “What do you mean by that?”

  “Well, he’s been trying to get me to move back home, claiming that I’d be closer to my mom, but that is a move I’m not willing to make right now. Not in my condition.”

  “What do you mean he’s trying to get you to move back home? He told me you’re moving on your own.”

  “I told him I’m not moving anywhere. I love my house and I don’t plan on leaving it. But, I guess he wants me gone now in attempt to save his lil’ family. However, he should have thought about that a long time ago before he started fucking around with me.”

  “Now, you wait one minute, bitch!” Nancy started to become upset as she listented to Ebony tell her these things about Will. “My husband left your ass alone some time ago. He’s not fucking with you anymore. I know because he wouldn’t lie to me about something so serious.”

  “No need for name call
ing, honey. But, your husband was just here and had been here for a few hours. I only called you because he left my house to run to the store, probably to sneak and call you. But, before he left, we made love.”

  “Bitch, you have got to be tripping. My husband doesn’t want you anymore. Let alone make love to your tired ass.”

  “Oh yeah, I know it hurts, Nancy. But, William has never stopped making love to me. He can’t help himself. He’s too thrilled about everything I offer him that you don’t.”

  “Bitch, what are you talking about? I know you’re not talking about my condition just because you got pregnant? Well, there is no more baby, tramp, so what is your problem? That issue was resolved a couple of weeks ago when you had that abortion, so I know my husband would not be still lying up with you to make that same mistake twice.”

  “Is that what,” said Ebony, but the conversation ended abruptly.

  Nancy looked at the phone as she realized Ebony hung up. She had all sorts of thoughts in her head and felt as if she was becoming unstable. She rushed into the big walk-in closet and picked up a lock box. She opened it. She then grabbed her keys and her purse as she rushed out of the front door.

  “Who the hell were you on the phone with Ebony?” Will asked just as she ended the call. I heard you talking shit to someone as I walked in. Please, tell me that…” Ebony cut him off.

  “Yes, William, that was your wife. I thought she should know the truth.”

  “What truth? Did you tell her everything?” Will asked as he began to pace the floors.

  “I told her enough. But, tell me, William, what exactly did you tell her about us?”

  “I don’t have to explain shit to you! All I’ve asked is that you leave here and this shit would have worked out. I would have come to see you. I just didn’t want my wife to suffer from my mistakes.” Will began to shake his head from side to side. “I should have known that this was a big mistake.”