by Darrien Lee
“Thank you, Miss Taylor. I’ll see you in class on Monday and have a nice weekend.”
“You too, professor.”
When Venice got outside, she felt good about her performance and decided to share her joy with Monique. When she returned to the room, Monique was finally dragging herself out of bed.
“Are you just getting in from last night?”
“No, girl. When I got in last night, you were knocked out. I had my Lit exam this morning. Remember? You couldn’t hear me getting ready for class for all that snoring you were doing.”
Monique couldn’t help but laugh. “I’m sorry, roomie. I must’ve been dog-tired. So… What did you and Mr. Bennett get into last night for you to get back so late?”
“You sure are nosy! But, if you must know, he cooked dinner for me and helped me study for my exam.”
She laughed. “Is that all? You mean to tell me he showed up unannounced from out of town and it wasn’t a booty call?”
“I know it may be hard for you to believe it, Monique, but not every man is trying to get in your drawers. Craig’s nice and he’s a real gentlemen. If I’d had my way last night, it would’ve been a booty call! I think he’s waiting on me to make the first move. I kind of like that. It lets me be in control.”
Monique said, “Girl, if I were you, the next time you get a chance to be alone with him, you should seduce him!”
“Well, sister girl, you’re not me! Besides, I don’t want him to think I’m easy.”
Monique gathered up her shower cap and said, “Whatever! I’m going to hit the showers. I’ve got class in thirty minutes. Are you done for the day?”
“Yes! All I had was the lit exam. Craig doesn’t have class on Fridays. I might treat him to a movie or something.”
Monique smiled. “Well, if I don’t see you, have a good time.”
“Thanks. I’ll page you later to see what you’re up to. I’m getting ready to go to the beauty shop. See ya!”
Venice drove to the beauty shop with Craig on her mind. She couldn’t believe the conversation they’d had the night before. When she pulled into the parking lot, her beautician, Tamara, was waiting on her. Girl, I’m glad you’re on time. I have a full day today. How do you want your hair?”
Venice thought for a minute. “I guess I’ll just get it wrapped.”
Tamara giggled. “I’ll have you out of here in no time.”
Galen was in class wondering why Venice hadn’t returned his page. He couldn’t wait to see her, but he was trying not to be upset. One thing he’d told her was that if he ever paged her, she’d better return it. He didn’t care what she was doing, where she was, or who she was with. Galen felt like he wasn’t asking a lot. Besides, he was responsible for her while they were away at college. His mom and dad would kill him if something happened to her. Galen knew it would be a few hours before he would be able to confront Venice, so he tried to maintain his composure and concentrate on his classes.
When Venice made it back to campus, she ran into Chanelle who was also finished with her classes for the week.
“Hey, girl!”
“Hi, Venice! Ooh! Your hair’s sharp, girl. Did you just get it done?”
“Yes, I only had one class today and I’m ready for the weekend.”
“What are you getting ready to do?”
“Nothing! Do you want to go watch the band practice?”
“Sure, it’s not like I have anything else to do.”
As they walked, Chanelle asked Venice, “Hey, where’s your man?”
“I don’t know. He didn’t have any classes today.” Venice paused a minute. “Chanelle, can I tell you something? But you can’t tell anybody, and I mean nobody.”
Chanelle said, “Girl, you know you can trust me. We go way back.”
They found a spot to sit down to watch the band practice.
Venice said, “Well, you know Craig came in town last night unexpectedly and he invited me over for dinner. As a matter of fact, he cooked dinner for me. He also helped me study for my exam. Well, after dinner, girl, things started getting really hot! We started kissing and I thought he was going to try to hit it, but he stopped. I felt like I was ready, but I was a little nervous, too. Anyway, now I wish he would’ve kept going. He stopped himself and then we had a serious conversation about casual sex and protection; stuff like that. I told him I was on the pill, but insisted on condoms also.”
Chanelle looked at Venice with excitement. “Girl, that’s great! It’s about time. I could tell he liked you. You should see how he stares at you all the time. If I were you, I wouldn’t worry about anything. Take your time and don’t rush things. I think it’ll happen when you least expect it.”
Venice stared down at the ground. “Chanelle, I’m still in love with Jarvis. Is it possible to be in love with two men at the same time? I mean, I’ve always been in love with Jarvis, but Craig…he’s so nice and perfect and I think about him all the time. When I come near him, I feel myself getting weak in the knees and things start stirring, if you know what I mean. I’m just glad Jarvis isn’t going to school close to Dawson. You know I’m supposed to go up to his homecoming. Joshua said Craig would probably be pissed off if I go visit Jarvis. Then Jarvis is going to be mad if I don’t come. I don’t know what to do.”
Chanelle asked, “When is his homecoming?”
“Four weeks from tomorrow.”
Chanelle put her arm around her girl and said, “Girl, just take a deep breath. You don’t have to make any decisions right now. We’ve got some time. I’ll help you work it out, okay?”
Venice hugged her and agreed. “Please don’t say anything to Galen or Sidney.”
“You don’t have to worry, girl. Have you told Craig about you and Jarvis yet?”
“No, but Joshua thinks I should tell him.”
“Uh-uhm, girl! If you tell him now, it’ll be a cold day in hell before he’ll let you anywhere near Jarvis. You know Jarvis is my boy, but he’s a trip. He told you that you’d always be his woman and that he was coming back for you after graduation and you know he ain’t playing. He’s always meant what he says and proved it in the past. That’s why other guys couldn’t get anywhere near you when we were in high school. They were afraid of his crazy ass. Jarvis has always been obsessed with you, Venice, and you know it. You couldn’t get away from him, even if you wanted to. Your daddy would probably have to shoot him or something. Venice, I bet if you don’t show up for his homecoming, that fool will come down here, get your tail, and take you back up north with him. Don’t get me wrong. I love Jarvis, but he’s obsessed when it comes to you. You must’ve put some serious coochie spell on that man.”
“You’re silly, Chanelle. You’re exaggerating a little, aren’t you? Jarvis wouldn’t come down here and trip like that.”
“Girl, don’t underestimate him. You know his dad’s a pilot. He could get on a plane in a minute and be here before nightfall.”
“It’s not funny, but you’re right. Be quiet! You’re making me nervous now, Chanelle.”
She snapped her fingers. “You know I’m right.”
They stopped talking for a moment and swayed to the music from the band.
Eleven
Craig and his childhood friend, Skeeter, usually hung out together a couple days a week. They decided to meet in the park for a game of one on one. They’d already played a couple of games; each one claiming to have better skills than the other.
Skeeter asked, “Hey, man, what’s up with you and your friend’s sister?”
Craig shot a jumper over Skeeter. “Her name’s Venice.”
Skeeter drove the ball on Craig. “Has she broke you off any yet?”
Craig gave Skeeter a hard foul. “She’s not like the kind of women you hook up with. But, I think she could be the one, man.”
They stopped for a moment and Skeeter said, “What do you mean?”
“She could be the one!”
Skeeter was surprised. “For real? Say it isn
’t so! You mean she could be the future Mrs. Bennett and she hasn’t even broke you off any yet. Damn! She must be something else.”
“It’s not her. I haven’t made a move on her yet. You’ll understand when you meet her. She’s got it going on and I don’t want to mess things up with her.”
“I’ve seen her around. She’s fine as hell.”
“That she is! She used to run track in high school.”
“You can tell by her muscular legs. Her partner is who I wanna get with.”
Craig shot the ball and said, “Chanelle? Yeah, she’s fine too. Venice told me Chanelle was a majorette or something in high school. But she has a man.”
Skeeter asked, “Why don’t you hook me up?”
“I’m not going to do that to Chanelle. You already have too many women fighting over your trifling ass now.”
They laughed together and continued to play ball. Skeeter was very handsome. He was extremely muscular with skin as brown as chocolate ice cream. He had a bald head and a smile which voodoo’d the ladies every time. He also had an obnoxious quality about him, which was usually a turn off.
Back on the band field, the girls continued to enjoy the music and watch as the band director was giving the members instructions on the routine they were about to do. Venice and Chanelle decided to walk around the field and get a better seat.
The majorette coordinator ran over and asked, “Are you girls interested in going out for majorette? I have a couple of spots open.”
Venice and Chanelle both answered, “Maybe next year.”
The director asked, “Are you sure, because you two ladies have what I’m looking for.”
Chanelle asked, “And what would that be?”
He smiled and said, “Ladies, you both have back.”
They thanked him and said, “Maybe we’ll see you next year.”
He thanked them anyway and returned to the majorettes on the field. The flag girls were off to the side rotating their flags as the majorettes started doing stretching exercises for their funky moves. The band members went to their respective positions and waited for the band director to direct their first song. The girls found a spot on a small hill looking down on the band field to watch their formations. The band began to play a song, which sounded so good. They continued to play until the director stopped them and they practiced the song again. As the band was playing, a small crowd began to gather. This was typical because most of the time the students came to watch their friends practice the dance routines and new songs for the year. As the girls sat, several guys came over to try and get their phone numbers. Most of the time, the girls exchanged laughter with them and seemed to be having a great time. As the hours wore on, the girls realized they were hungry and decided to walk to a nearby sandwich shop.
As they stood up, getting ready to go, a truck pulled up, blowing the horn. They heard someone say, “Hey, girl, come over here!”
Venice and Chanelle turned to see who was hollering. To their surprise, the guy was motioning for them to come over. They turned back around, trying to ignore the man. He honked his horn some more, then whistled loudly. “Hey, sexy, you in the red shirt!”
Chanelle knew the guy was now talking about her.
Venice said, “Chanelle, girl, you’re out here pulling.”
Chanelle answered, “Sounds like a fool to me.”
The guy parked his truck with the bed backed up to the practice field. He turned his music up a little loud, still trying to get their attention. The girls kept their backs to him. A few seconds later, Venice heard someone calling her, name, “Venice!”
Chanelle and Venice looked at each other in shock and as they turned in the direction of the truck, Venice saw Craig leaning out the passenger side window. The girls were only a few feet from the parking lot.
Venice said, “Come on, Chanelle.”
They turned and walked toward the truck. Craig and Skeeter got out to greet them. Skeeter let the back of the truck down so that he and Craig could sit and watch the activities.
When Venice and Chanelle reached them, Venice said, “Hey, Craig.”
He smiled and gave her a hug. “I’ve been playing a little b-ball with my boy Skeeter. Venice, Chanelle, this is Skeeter. Skeeter, this is Venice and Chanelle.”
The girls said, “Hi.”
Skeeter looked Venice and Chanelle up and down. “The pleasure is definitely all mine.”
Craig punched him in the arm. “Quit tripping, man.”
Skeeter stopped sucking on his lollipop briefly. “I’m sorry, ladies. I just haven’t seen two fine women together like this in a long time.”
Chanelle rolled her eyes in disbelief. She turned to watch the band, not interested in Skeeter. Craig was sitting on the back of the truck. Venice stood in front of him. He played with her belt loops pretending to hook her with his finger, pulling her between his legs. Venice started feeling the heat and her nipples hardened as he held her close.
“What are you two getting ready to do?”
“We’re going to get something to eat in a minute.”
He smiled at her, stood up close, and whispered in her ear, “I can’t wait to see you tonight.”
“Me, too.”
Their eyes met as if they were reading each other’s mind. He broke the trance by saying, “Let me get off you before I get my sweat all over you.”
Venice leaned toward his ear. “I might like your sweat on me.”
With that comment, he felt a tightening in his shorts.
“All right now. Skeeter, man, let’s go. I need to take a cold shower.”
Skeeter said, “Chanelle, baby, I’ll get with you later, with your fine self!”
Chanelle rolled her eyes again. “I don’t think so! See you later, Craig.”
Craig gave Venice a quick kiss on the lips. “See you in a little bit.”
Venice smiled and watched him walk to the truck, looking too damn good in his shorts and T-shirt. He had a gorgeous physique!
Chanelle said, “Girl, I think he’s hooked.”
Venice blushed. “We’ll see.”
Once they arrived at the sandwich shop, Galen walked in acting like he wanted to kill somebody. He sat down and said hello to Chanelle, then turned to Venice and angrily asked, “Why the hell didn’t you return my page last night?”
“I’m sorry, Galen. I was busy studying for an exam and I forgot to call you.”
“You weren’t in your room. Where were you?”
At that point, Chanelle excused herself from the table to go to the restroom.
Galen asked again, “Where were you?”
“I was over at Craig’s house!”
“You mean to tell me that because you were over at Craig’s, you felt like you couldn’t return my page?”
“I meant to call you, Galen! I just forgot! Damn!”
Galen grabbed her arm. “So why didn’t you call me? You must’ve been letting him hit it!”
Venice pulled her arm out of his grasp and threw her cup of soda on him. “Go to hell Galen!” Venice stood up when she spotted Chanelle coming out of the restroom. “Let’s go, Chanelle!”
Venice was pissed off as they exited the sandwich shop. Galen sat in the booth, soaking wet from the soda. He was still upset but realized he over did it. He knew he was going to have to eventually apologize for treating her that way. But, he wasn’t going to do it right away. Right then, he had to find Craig Bennett. Galen left the sandwich shop and headed to Craig’s house.
Craig was being dropped off by Skeeter just as Galen was pulling up in front of his house. Craig hollered, “Hey, Galen!”
“Hey. Can I holler at you for a second?”
Skeeter leaned out of his truck’s window. “Hey, Galen.” Galen nodded to Skeeter. Skeeter recognized the serious look on Galen’s face. “Craig, I’ll check you later.”
They watched Skeeter drive off, squealing his tires down the street.
Craig asked, “What do you want to talk to me abou
t?”
“Venice told me she was over here last night.”
“Yes, I picked her up yesterday evening and made her a little dinner while she studied. Why? What’s up?”
“Well, I paged her about six-thirty last night and she didn’t return my page. I want to know what was going on over here that she couldn’t return my page.”
Craig finally understood what was going on. “Why don’t you go ahead and ask me what you really want to ask me, Galen? First of all, I didn’t know Venice got a page from you or anybody else for that matter. You know I wouldn’t do anything to Venice that she didn’t want me to. Also, whether you like it or not, I do like her a lot and I plan to keep seeing her. Venice is woman enough to know what she wants to do. She doesn’t need you trying to make her feel like a child, Galen. You should know your sister better than that and I thought you knew me. Anyway, it’s none of your damn business what Venice and I were doing. I told you that when this thing first started. Let me ask you something, Galen. What would you do if I told you I made love to your sister last night?”
Galen’s blood pressure shot up. He didn’t answer Craig. He just stared at the ground.
Craig then asked, “Are you mad because Venice was with me or are you mad because Venice didn’t return your call?”
Galen realized Craig was right. Once again his temper was out of control. He ended up apologizing to Craig, but explained how difficult it was to picture his sister sleeping with a friend. He knew Venice was capable of making good decisions, but she was still his little sister and his responsibility. Craig told Galen to relax.
Galen said, “She’ll probably never speak to me again. I kind of pissed her off earlier. I jumped on her for not returning my call and I was a little rough on her. She got so mad at me that she cussed me out and threw her soda on me.”
