“Kacie, you didn’t have to bring all of this stuff, especially for me. I told you about that.”
“Look, I don’t want to hear it. I don’t expect anybody to keep my kids and have to feed them too. You’ll be broke for sure.” Kacie laughed and walked toward Layla’s galley style kitchen with Layla and two of the kids trailing behind her. Kenny held Keshena in his arms while Keshena pulled on her sippy cup of juice.
“Keshena’s things are packed in her diaper pouch.” Kacie carefully pointed out everything to Layla. “I’ll put away the stuff that needs to go in the refrigerator.” She turned toward her children, some planted in front of Layla’s television. “Keith and Kassandra, y’all get from in front of that television and come help Miss Layla. Keshena, Kali, and Kendra, you come in here and help too. You hear me?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“There’s no need to do that, Kacie. I got this. You go on and have a good time. I know you can use a break every now and then.”
Kacie sighed heavily and shifted her weight from one side to the other. “You sho’ got that right. I love my kids, but I’m not going to lie to you, they can be a handful; especially since I’m trying to work a part time job and have some kind of a social life. You don’t know just how much I appreciate you for doing this.”
Layla waved her hand. “Go on. I’m glad to help out and make a few dollars too. And it’s good to know someone has a social life. I sure don’t.” Layla patted Kacie on the side of her shoulder.
“Kids, y’all better be good. If Auntie Layla tells me any of y’all acted up, you know what you’re going to get when you get home.”
The oldest boy appeared to speak for them all. “Yes, ma’am.” The other kids looked knowingly at their mother.
“I’ll be here to get them tomorrow by noon, if that’s okay with you, Layla.”
“Noon is fine. I’m sure we’ll find something to do until you get here. Now go. Have a good time. Oh, and remember, whenever you need me, just call since you’re working now too.”
“You’re an angel. Now let me get out of here. I need to get back home and start getting ready.” Kacie turned away from Layla and walked out of the kitchen, almost losing her balance while trying to avoid the circle of children gathered around her feet.
“Will y’all stop crowding up on me? I told y’all about that. You can make me fall when you’re all up on me like that. I’ll see y’all tomorrow.” The kids moved, giving their mother the room she needed to maneuver safely.
“Bye, Momma,” they said one by one. Baby Keshena’s chubby fingers curled in and out while she continued to hold her nearly empty sippy cup with the other one.
“Bye, y’all. Thanks again, Layla.”
“Sure, see ya tomorrow.”
Kacie hurried home. Deacon would be at her house at seven o’clock. Stepping inside, she stopped at the sound of her cell phone ringing in her clutch purse. “Not the kids already. Hello,” answered Kacie. It was Envy. “Hey, Envy. I thought you were one of the kids calling.”
“Where are they?” asked Envy.
“Layla has them. I have a date this evening.”
“With who? No no, let me guess. Is it the man from church?” Envy’s voice rang with excitement and curiosity.
“Yes, it’s Deacon. Anyway, this will be our first real, what I’ll call ‘out of the house’ date. He’s going to pay Layla for babysitting and everything, girl.” Kacie’s face lit up like a burst of sun. She maneuvered through her house, chattering away. “I’ve got to look like a diva tonight, Envy.”
“What are you wearing?”
Kacie went to her closet like Envy could see her through the phone. From its hanger, she removed an onyx and silver translucent dress with cap sleeves, a natural waist and high back. The dress reached just above the knee. Describing the dress to Envy sent wave after wave of excitement gushing through Kacie on the inside. The thought that she was going to spend the evening with Deacon, the man of her dreams, filled her with anticipation. “I have a waist length wrap to wear with it since it’s a little cool tonight.
“Sounds like you are going to set that man ablaze tonight.” Envy giggled into the phone.
“If I don’t, it won’t be because of lack of trying.” Kacie remarked flippantly. “Anyway, I need to start getting ready.” Kacie glanced at the bedroom clock. “It’s already five thirty, and he’s supposed to be here at seven.”
“Do you need me to come over and help you with your make-up? I don’t have anything planned tonight, so it won’t be a problem for me to run over there.”
“Nope, don’t worry about it. I can manage. But thanks. You’re an angel,” Kacie responded graciously. “I gotta go. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
Kacie hung up the phone and stepped into her dress. She positioned herself in front of the floor length mirror on the back of her closet door. “Dang, I look pretty good if I must say so myself.” She slipped on a pair of low styled pumps. It was as high as she could wear heels. Cerebral palsy already caused her to walk on her toes. To wear too high of a heel might cause her condition to be more pronounced and dangerous.
Deacon arrived at seven fifteen. Kacie felt jitterbugs in her stomach when the doorbell chimed, and when she opened the door, a glowing smiled enveloped her face at the sight of him.
Deacon reared back. “Wow, don’t you look like…well, gorgeous.” He complimented her, and at the same time, stepped forward and bent to kiss her full on her polished lips.
They stood in the entrance of the door making out for a couple of minutes before Deacon eased away and walked inside the house. He looked around. “You got the kids off to the sitter’s, huh?”
“I told you I would.”
“Yeah, I know, but I wanted to be sure before I did this.” He studied her sexy frame until he captured her coffee eyes with his.
Before Kacie could react, Deacon reached for her waist and pulled her in his arms again, kissing her with passion as he ran his hands up, down, and across her hips and butt. She was pressed against him so tight that he felt like she was part of him. The night had barely started and here he was, getting exactly what he’d hoped for, and he hadn’t taken her out the door yet.
The intimate evening Deacon spent with Kacie was more than he had hoped for. He liked Kacie, but by the same token, he had to be extra cautious about the two of them being seen out in public. Kacie didn’t know there was a Mrs. Riggs waiting for him at home. He had to make sure he kept it that way. No woman was going to make him mess up what he had at home.
The couple snuggled and kissed on the sofa for at least a half hour until Kacie pulled out of his arms. “I’m hungry. What about dinner?” she said and toyed with his ear.
“I’m hungry too, but not for dinner,” Deacon answered in a hoarse voice. He used one hand to pull Kacie close to him again and began nibbling on her neck and caressing her hair.
She eased away again. “Come on, Deacon,” she said in a pleading voice. “Let’s go grab something to eat. Then we can come back here and have dessert,” she crooned lowly.
Deacon stood, grabbed Kacie by the hand, and helped her to her feet. “How does Carabbas sound? I heard they serve a mean shrimp and scallops meal,” suggested Deacon.
“I like that. Carabbas it is.”
Deacon carried her to Carabbas in Collierville, far enough away where they would hardly run into anyone they knew. Kacie was impressed. None of her children’s fathers had ever taken her to such a nice place. Kacie savored every bite of the Chicken Marsala, a grilled chicken breast topped with mushrooms, prosciutto, and Lombardo Marsala wine sauce, while Deacon chose Chicken and spinach cannelloni.
“Deacon, I’m having a wonderful time tonight. I feel, I feel so special,” Kacie told him.
“That’s because you are special, and you deserve nice things. I can’t imagine that you aren’t married. What happened, if you don’t mind my asking?” Deacon took a sip from his glass of red wine.
Kacie swallowed hard. It took
a few seconds before she answered. “Bad choices. Without going into detail, that’s what it amounts to. It’s why I’m trying to get my life in order. I need to make sure my kids don’t make the same mistakes I’ve made in my life.” Kacie lowered her head in shame.
“Hey, hold your head up,” Decaon told her and reached across the table and raised her chin with the tips of his fingers. “Look, you’re a nice lady. You said you’re trying to make a change in your life. That says a lot about the kind of woman you are.” Kacie’s eyes locked with Deacon’s golden brown eyes. “Nothing beats a try and I say you’re doing a great job.” Deacon used one hand to rub his low cut afro back with his hand. “I have a lot of respect for you, Kacie. I really do.”
Kacie blushed. “Thank you.” Deacon threw his napkin down on the table and turned slightly to beck their waiter for the check.
“I say it’s time to get out of this place.”
“Me too, as long as we don’t go dancing. I’m stuffed. I don’t think I can stand on a dance floor right now.” Kacie dabbed her mouth with her napkin. When the waiter approached, Deacon placed his American Express card inside the check holder.
“I agree that we skip the dancing too,” he added, “and go back to your place for that dessert you promised me.” He looked at her with seductive eyes.
On the drive home, Deacon could barely keep his hands off of Kacie. The fragrance of her perfume, the way she laughed, her luscious legs, everything about her turned him on. He massaged her leg closest to him. Each time he touched her, he moved up higher beneath her dress without a protest from Kacie.
Kacie and Deacon didn’t waste time. She locked the door and right away Deacon drew her into his arms. Kacie held on to him like she was holding on for dear life. The passion ignited between them like a blaze on a bonfire – growing higher and higher with intensity.
Kacie led him into the bedroom, and they yielded completely to each other over and over until the two of them collapsed into each other’s arms and fell asleep.
Hours later, Deacon opened his eyes. He peered around the dark room until he realized where he was. He sat up slightly in the bed and stretched his arms out and yawned. He peered over Kacie’s shoulder and picked up his cell phone from off the bedside table, then eased his bear sized body away from Kacie’s and slowly slid out of the bed. Kacie stirred slightly in the bed, but didn’t wake up. Deacon picked up his clothes that were strewn all over Kacie’s bedroom floor and went into the bathroom to take a quick shower. He had to get the smell of adultery off of him before heading in the direction of the place he called home. Not that his wife would suspect a thing. She never had before. He was always careful like that.
Kacie sat up groggily in the bed and saw Deacon buttoning his shirt. “What time is it? Where are you going?”she asked while she rubbed her sleep filled eyes.
“Baby, it’s three o’clock in the morning. I need to make it to my side of town. You’ve worn me out. If I stay here all night, I won’t be able to leave you, girl.” His smile flashed, and the look she flashed back told him that he’d captured her heart.
Walking over to where she was, Deacon leaned down and kissed Kacie’s thick lips. She used her left hand to ease her leg out of the bed. Without any help, she placed her right leg on the side too.
“Don’t bother getting up,” he said and gestured a halt sign with his hand. “I’ll find my way out.” Deacon kissed her again. You lay down and go back to sleep, my hot, sweet angel.”
“But, Deacon, I don’t want you to go and leave me here all alone.” Kacie responded in a pleading, almost child type of voice.
“I know, honey. But you know I just got back into town. I need to go check up on things at my crib. And you don’t want Layla thinking you left the kids on her, do you? If that happens, she’ll be mad at you and we won’t have a babysitter anymore. You want that to happen?”
Kacie looked at the clock. She shook her head from side to side and pouted. “Like I said, it’s near three o’clock, Deacon. I don’t understand why you have to leave at this time of morning. And you know I told Layla I wasn’t going to pick up the kids until noon.” Her voice began to escalate.
Deacon looked at her with his hypnotic eyes and smiled. “Now whose fault is it that we made love until we both passed out? You put that whip appeal on me and it was over.” He pinched her cheek. “You ought not to be so good to me.”
A slight smile formed on Kacie’s face, and she bowed her head and blushed.
“If I try…and I said try, to come back later, I’ll take you for brunch before you go to pick up your kids. Will that make you feel better?”
Kacie’s head popped up. Like a jack in the box, she jumped up and plopped a kiss on Deacon. “I’d like that.” She chuckled.
“Okay, so there. It’s settled. Now be a good girl and go back to sleep. I’ll call you when I’m on my way back over here. Okay?”
“‘Kay.” She waited until she heard Deacon close the kitchen door. With a smile on her face, she lay back in the bed and reveled in the night she’d spent with the answer to her prayers – Mr. Deacon Riggs.
While Kacie had spent the night making out with Deacon, Layla had spent the night babysitting, and Envy spent most of her evening with her head in a novel. After reading several chapters, Envy had a craving for something salty. She laid the book aside and went to the kitchen pantry in search of a snack. Finding a package of potato chips and a bottle of fitness water, she returned to the den to finish reading. Her mind bounced between the novel and thoughts of Kacie and Deacon. I hope this one turns out to be right for her. These men are so unpredictable that it’s hard to tell if they’re for real or not. God, you know Kacie has had more than her share of bad relationships. If you have an ounce of empathy, let this man do right by her. Envy returned to reading and munching her snacks. The phone rang seconds later. Staring at the caller ID, Envy was hesitant to answer. On second thought, supposed something was wrong. There had to be for the woman to be calling her this time of the night. After the phone rang three times, Envy relented and answered it.
“Hello, Mrs. Rawlings. How can I help you?” Envy asked drily. “What are you doing up at this time of night?”
“I’m not on a time clock. I sleep when I want to sleep, day or night. I saw a man walking away from your porch last night. It was late too, real late. Is everything okay over there?”
“Yes, ma’am, everything’s fine. It was a friend.” Forming her lips like a blowfish, Envy sighed into the receiver. “Mrs. Rawlings, there’s no need to worry about me. I can handle myself.”
Mrs. Rawlings responded like she didn’t hear Envy’s comments. “Late at night is too late for friends to be coming in and out of your house. ‘Specially men. You don’t know what can happen. Folks are crazy these days. And respectable girls don’t allow men to come visiting at all times of night. You hear me?” Chastisement dripped from her lips through the phone receiver and landed on Envy’s ear. “You’re a child of God. Your body is s’posed to be a temple. How is a man going to look at you as a temple if you’re allowing him to act like your house is a den of thieves?”
Inhaling and taking some seconds before answering, so as not to come off disrespectful of her elders, Envy remarked in a curt-like tone. “Advice taken, Mrs. Rawlings. Now, if you don’t mind, I really do need to go. I’m tired, it’s really late, and I have a long day tomorrow.”
“Okay, but I’m telling you, don’t let what I’m saying fall on deaf ears. G’night and God bless you, child.” The buzzing sound in Envy’s ear let her know that her meddlesome neighbor had hung up the phone.
Envy reached for her novel and her chips again only to recognize that her desire to complete the last two chapters and eat her potato chips had disappeared.
“Why can’t she stay out of my business?” Envy eyed Fischer like she was expecting him to answer. Fischer’s neck crooked to the side and his ears popped up. Envy slung the book to the other side of the room. “Uhhh!” She was seething. Sh
e jerked her head up toward the ceiling. “Thanks a lot,” she said angrily. She jerked back the throw and let it fall to the floor too. “Leave me alone. Just leave me alone, won’t you,” she said again out loud.
This time sleep evaded Envy, and thoughts of Mrs. Rawlings and her holier than thou preaching infuriated Envy to the point that she tossed and turned most of the night. When she caught a glimpse of light peering through her plantation shades, she welcomed the daylight. Somehow, the daylight helped to keep her mind away from the demon thoughts that tormented her.
Chapter Five
Beauty lies in the specific looks of a person, rather than the object,
because different people feel beauty in different things. Vally
The following Saturday morning, skies were clear, and the weather was a perfect 64 degrees. Envy took a bath and hoped that her sleepless night wouldn’t catch up with her today. There was far too much for her to do. Saturday was her only free day and already a busy day for her with errands to run, cleaning house, and today, she was determined to visit her mother. She thought that she’d visit her mother first, and then she would take care of her errands.
Envy drove along Holmes Road until she arrived in the county where Nikkei lived. It was at least a thirty to forty minute drive from where Envy lived. She pulled up in Nikkei’s driveway, exhaled, and prepared herself to meet the horrors of her baby sister. Envy rang the doorbell and Nikkei answered promptly. Without so much as a hello, or good morning, Nikkei started her usual banter with Envy.
“I don’t know what kind of daughter you call yourself. You haven’t been over here to check on Momma in weeks, and I can just about count the times you’ve called.”
Envy waved her off with her hand and walked inside the house. She took it upon herself to walk through the house until she found her mother in the family room. “I’m sick of you, Nikkei. You don’t run me, and you don’t tell me when to come and when to go. By the looks of it, Momma is doing just fine, so what’s all the hassle?”
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