by Anna J.
“James, you’re about to take me to a place that I haven’t been to in a long time. I did what I had to do at the time for me, and what was best for my son. You think that was easy for me?”
“I’m not saying—”
“And I’m not done,” I cut his ass dead off. He was about to put me in my bag, and I had to rein it in before it got ugly in this joint.
“I did what was best for my son because I knew I wasn’t going to be able to provide a loving home for him. That shit was not easy, and I knew with you he would get the love he deserved. Who are you to judge me? What did you want me to do with him? Put him in foster care?”
“No, I wanted you to get a damn abortion. I told you that from jump.”
Pow! It was like we were in a boxing ring and he kept giving me gut shots. I don’t know what made me think that this was going to be a pleasant meeting, but I didn’t think it was going to get this real this fast. It was obvious that there was some resentment toward me for jetting out, and it wasn’t like I gave him a choice. I got that. I dumped my son on the Cinques and left. It was as simple as that. Maybe I should have at least kept in contact, but in all actuality I was really trying to get past this portion of my life.
I guessed sending the checks was my way of keeping an attachment, and keeping the guilt at bay. Hell, I needed some peace. I couldn’t even get a real good sleep in the first year I moved to Atlanta because of the guilt. Rethinking my position, and the position I put him and his family in, I decided to go with a different approach. After all, I wasn’t here to start trouble. I just wanted to make sure everything was cool.
“James, listen, I’m not here to disrupt your life. I had a gut feeling that I needed to be here for whatever reason and I followed that instinct and came back. Not because I want to fuck up your marriage, or sleep with you, or take my son away. I just want to be sure that he is okay,” I said with a straight face, partially telling the truth. My motive definitely wasn’t to bed this man, and if my son was living in safe conditions that would solve my next issue and I could leave peacefully. He just needed to know that I was ready to do whatever it took to ease my mind, and if taking my son back to Atlanta was it, then that’s where we would be headed.
The look on his face changed to one of a little less aggression, but the aggravation was still very evident. There were so many things that I could have done differently, because even though Jasmine probably didn’t want any dealing with me, James still sent the pictures and the video clips and all of that to me so that I could still watch my son grow up. I owed him at least the courtesy of respecting his feelings.
“Listen, the kids will be getting home from school soon, and I don’t want the first meeting to be this abrupt. I will call you in a few days once I’ve prepped the children for your arrival, and we will further discuss this situation then,” he said, wiping his hand down his face. I could see the confusion and questions in his eyes, but I decided against pressing the issue. At this point I was just grateful that he was cooperating, so I would just leave it at that.
Thanking him again for his time, we shared an awkward hug at the front door that we both might have enjoyed a little too much. I almost melted in his arms as he held me close, and it was like we both didn’t want to let go. I could feel his growing erection pressing against my stomach, but I gave him a pass because I knew if I pressed the issue it could have easily popped off. That and his son was upstairs. In combination of his kids coming home soon, and not knowing when one of his in-laws would pop their head in, I gave him a break and rolled out. He was definitely still weak for me, and I felt the same way.
Finally stepping back from his embrace, I did a light sprint to the car, making sure the coast was clear before pulling out. It wasn’t until I got down about four blocks that I remembered I forgot to call Jaydah when I got back in the car. Of course I had sixty million missed calls and about 8,600 texts from her, but I didn’t even care. I was definitely in a good mood, so whatever bad mood she had would change once I got there. I was gonna wear that ass out in more ways than one . . . if she didn’t give me too much trouble that was.
Following the GPS directions, I made it to her house quickly and it didn’t take long to find a parking spot that was closer to the door. As I was going up to her building she was ringing my phone again, but I sent her straight to voice mail, opting to deal with her face to face. When I approached her floor the phone started ringing again, and I could hear her getting an attitude as I walked up to her door. Oh, she was pissed, but she wouldn’t be for long.
She didn’t even bother to ask who it was as the door swung open and the attitude that showed in her face changed to a look of concern. I pushed past her, inviting myself into her place. Looking around, I could see she had the potential for good taste. She just needed a few of my paintings in here to seal the deal and she would be in there. Everything had its own neat space, and it didn’t look as if she tried to clean up real quick because I was coming. It looked like it naturally stayed in order. Taking a seat on the couch without asking, I called her over to me. She was pouting, and it was too cute, but she came and straddled my lap anyway.
“I had an emergency,” I began as I rubbed my hand across the exposed skin of her shoulders. She melted instantly, and I knew I had her exactly where I wanted her. “I got a call about my kid, and I needed to go handle it.”
“It’s okay, you don’t have to explain anything to me. I was just worried,” she responded, followed by a moan as I gently took her erect nipple into my mouth through her sheer night top. Homegirl was definitely ready to get it in, and I was about to definitely get in it.
“So, you’re not mad at me?” I questioned as I ran a finger over her slit, through the matching thong that barely covered her pussy. My finger smeared the juice that seeped out of the side, up to her covered clit, soaking it a little. This was going to be fun.
“No . . .” She moaned out again. “I’m not mad at you.”
“Good. Are you going to show me what I’ve been missing?” I asked as a finger slipped in between her folds, and was sucked in by her tunnel. Her walls clenched around my finger like she was milking a dick, and that shit had me turned all the way on.
Instead of responding, she lay down on the couch, lifting her legs to remove her thong, and spread her legs wide so that I could see her glistening pearl clearly. My mouth began to water immediately. Scooting down, I positioned myself between her legs, and ran my tongue across her swollen clit, making her jump. Taking my time, I slurped and sucked her into a screaming orgasm that I was sure made the earth move. Homegirl wasn’t ready, and we wouldn’t be stopping anytime soon. I’d been needing to get one off since I got here, and now was the perfect time. Replacing her face with Jasmine’s, I gave her a session that she would never forget.
James
Beautiful Liar
It took me awhile to unglue my feet from the door after Monica left. Just the smell of her had me open again, and I was almost tempted to peek into my checking account to see how much I had available for a night with her. Yeah, I knew now wasn’t the time to be thinking about sex, but I was a man after all. Shit, I couldn’t remember the last time I got laid properly, and I didn’t even know when the next time would be. Lord, let me just go check on my son, and get a snack ready for the kids.
Peeking into my room, I saw that Jordan was still asleep. He shared a room with the boys normally, but with him having to heal, and the boys used to being rough I decided it was better to keep him with me during the night. He was moving around a lot better, and was able to go longer in between doses of pain medication, so that was a good thing. When I took him back for his follow-up visit the doctor said he was right on schedule, and would be back to normal real soon. I couldn’t wait, and I knew his brothers and sisters were ready for some real playtime.
Janice was so attentive to her brother when he was around them, making sure he didn’t try to run too fast and wasn’t in any real pain. I could tell that she was h
appy to have him back. All of the kids were. I also noticed that Junior seemed a lot more at ease, and less troublesome without Jasmine around. He hadn’t gotten in trouble in school since they’d been back, actually earning a gold star every day. The teachers were very impressed with that. He also wasn’t as distant and mean to the other kids, and they all got along nicely. What was Jazz doing that I wasn’t, and vice versa? The kids seemed at peace, and it was odd that none of them really inquired about her whereabouts. That definitely struck me as odd, and I couldn’t point any fingers because I was out doing me most of the time, and Jazz would be stuck with the kids. I was sure she was extra stressed out, and was probably in here snapping on them. Things were definitely going to be different once she got back home so that we could maintain a happy household. It was a must for these kids.
From what the doctor had told me, things were looking good and she was having consistent brain activity for someone in her state. He was taking her out of the sleep-induced coma slowly and giving her a chance to wake up naturally, so it would be determined once she was awake when she would be able to come home. The dosage that he was using was being lessened over time to prevent any further complications. It was explained that bringing her from that type of sleep to fully awake wasn’t a good idea. The family and I hoped that it would be soon.
I decided that I would talk to Jazz’s mom about the situation with Monica. I didn’t have anything to lose, so I was going to just run down the entire sordid affair from the beginning so that she could understand everything. The last thing I wanted to do was keep Monica from her son. I just needed her to know that she couldn’t have him back. The kids would be devastated, and that would open up a can of worms that no one was ready for.
By the time the kids got home, I had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and cold milk waiting for them on the table. They were usually hungry when they got in, and that would hold them over until dinner was done. I must admit that I could never be a Mr. Mom–type dude. All this cleaning and cooking, ironing and folding clothes, checking homework and doing projects was all too damn much for one person. Yet, Jazz did this and held down a job. Women are truly amazing.
Jordan was just waking up when the kids pulled up to the house in their uncle’s truck. He volunteered to pick the kids up from the afterschool program for me so that I wouldn’t have to drag Jordan out of the house every day in his condition.
I was helping Jordan out of the bed and into the bathroom when the kids came barreling into the house. They were hyped up, talking about whatever happened in school, and I was sure they talked the entire ride home. Jazz’s brother was running around as Junior and Jalil chased him around the living room in a never-ending game of freeze tag. Their laughter reminded me that sticking all of this out was worthwhile.
“Jordan!” the kids screamed in unison as we approached the steps to come downstairs. He smiled as he held on to the railing and took the steps down slowly. He was so excited to see the kids every day, and I knew that he couldn’t wait to get back to school. The doctor said that he would only need a few more weeks. Hopefully Jazz would be home by then.
“Kids, there are snacks in the kitchen for you to eat until dinner is done. Everybody wash their hands first!” I yelled after them as they ran toward the kitchen. I couldn’t help but smile at my children. Jazz’s brother had the same look on his face.
“Thanks a lot for helping me out. Can I please at least give you gas money?” I asked him as I gave him a quick handshake. He refused every time, so I knew this time wouldn’t be any different.
“No thanks, James. This is what family does for each other.”
“I really appreciate this, man. Thanks for everything.”
“No thanks necessary. See you tomorrow,” he replied, giving me one last pound. “Bye, kids!” he called out toward the kitchen.
“Bye, Uncle Ronnie!” the kids sang in unison, sounding like their mouths were full. All we could do was smile.
I went to use the phone while the kids chatted about their day, and caught Jordan up on what was going on in school. I had a nagging thought on my mind, and as much as I was trying to get past it I couldn’t. Glad to finally have some time to talk, I called Jazz’s mom. I needed some understanding and clarity, and I knew she would have the answer for me.
“Hi, Mom,” I spoke into the phone the minute she answered.
“James, how are you and the kids?” she responded, and I could hear the smile in her voice.
“Everything is good. Are you busy? I just needed to talk to you about something real quick.”
“Sure, just got to my son’s house, about to start dinner. What’s troubling you?”
“Mom, I’ma need you to grab a seat. This is about to be heavy.”
It took me about forty-five minutes to run down the idea of the threesome turning into an actual act, and all that happened before that. I’d spent years blaming Monica solely for the demise of my marriage, when in reality had I not sought her out in the first place it wouldn’t have even gotten to this point. Yeah, Monica had an agenda, but so did I. I just wanted a threesome. Who knew that it would turn into all of this?
“And the last time we saw Monica she was driving away from my house after leaving my son on the dining room table,” I concluded with a sigh. After revealing to her who exactly the girl was who gave her the number at the hospital, it all clicked for her and she was extra quiet on the phone.
“Well, James . . . ” she began, becoming quiet for a second again. “This is a tough decision. The things that you did in the past are just that: the past. Every mother wants to have a connection with her kid. I don’t see it being a problem because she appears to come in peace. Let’s make it a day over the weekend so that all of the kids can meet her at once, and we can all be there.”
“I like that suggestion. Is this weekend too soon?” I asked, not sure if I would go through with it if I waited too long.
“Better now than never. Go ahead and give her a call. I’ll come on Friday to help you break the news to the kids.”
“Thanks, Mom. I appreciate everything you’re doing.”
After we hung up I sat for a minute to think about my next move. Something was telling me to just let it go, but I couldn’t. Since we were all reconnecting and getting closure from past events, there was just one little matter that needed to be handled. Scrolling through my call log, I hit the number I had used to call Monica earlier, hoping she would answer. Three rings later she picked up, sounding like she was out of breath.
“Monica, I’m sorry to bother you. I just had a question to ask you.”
“It’s not a problem, James. Can you hold on for one second?”
“Sure.”
It took her about a minute or so to return to the line, and she sounded a little clearer. I might have caught her in the middle of something, and the visual in my head caused my dick to jump in my pants. Shaking my head to clear the image, I attempted to focus on the situation at hand.
“Sorry about that. Is everything okay?” she asked in a concerned voice. She probably thought I was calling to tell her she couldn’t see her son, but I squashed that immediately.
“Everything is fine. I just wanted to see if we could meet up on Friday to discuss the kid situation. My wife’s mother will be here.”
“Oh, sure, that’s not a problem. Just give me a time and I’ll be there.”
“Be here by two, so that way we can talk before the kids arrive. It hasn’t been decided yet how we will introduce you to the kids, but it will definitely be done,” I informed her as my mind raced. I wanted this experience to be as smooth as possible without any backlash if I could help it. The way I figured it, if I gave Monica what she wanted, and that was to see her son, then we could be done with this and move on with our lives.
“James, I’ll be there, and I really appreciate this.”
“No problem. I’m just doing what I can. Just know that the kids may not be as receptive as you could be expecting them
to be. You are a stranger to them, Monica.”
“I totally understand that, and once again I appreciate everything you are doing.”
After running down the discussion we would have, and how she would be introduced, she sounded a lot more relieved. That nagging thought in my head wouldn’t go away, and I just needed to get it out and over with. It was like a now-or-never type of situation. I yelled her name out before she hung up and I lost the courage to dig for more information.
“Monica, I have a question to ask you, and I just need you to be honest with me.”
“Sure, James, what do you need to know?”
“Well . . .” I paused before continuing. I was about to open a can of worms that I knew I probably wouldn’t be able to close, but I just couldn’t help it. “A few years ago when you left that letter on the table you said that Jasmine had an affair with some twins at the gym. How true is that statement, and can you help me find them?”
The line sounded like it went dead, until I heard her breathe on the other end. I needed to know the truth, and she was the only other person who could help me. I left that part out when I talked to Jazz’s mom. Although she found out when I did that the twins weren’t mine, she didn’t know that I had this suspicion for years. I needed to know the truth, by any means necessary.
Monica
No Turning Back
Speechless. Who knew that James would bring that up after all this time? I mean, from what I saw, all of the kids looked like him. Why would he have a reason to believe that they weren’t? Unless of course something went down with that twin who was in the hospital, and he found out that way.
“Well, James, I can’t promise you anything. I’ll have to make a few calls because I haven’t seen the twins in years. I overheard them at the gym talking about the threesome they had with Jasmine, and I felt you needed to know. That’s why I included it in the letter I left you before I moved out of the city,” I responded.
