All That and a Bag of Chips

by Darrien Lee

  Feeling the want in her as she arched her body into his, Craig dipped his lips between her thighs making all the air escape her lungs.

  She gasped and moaned, “Craig, baby…oh baby…”

  He used his tongue with expertise, covering every inch of desire. After opening the foil package, they were making intense love. Craig greedily kissed her swollen lips and confessed his sincere love. “I love you, Venice. You have to know. You just have to!”

  Venice was breathless and paralyzed by his strength and love. He gripped her wrists tightly as his body drove in and out of her weakened body. He moaned her name as he climaxed inside her hot, sweat-drenched body.

  They laid there in silence, listening to each other trying to recover their breath. He said, “I don’t think I have the strength to play ball with your brother now and it’s all your fault.”

  Venice threw a pillow at him and said, “You’re the one who took advantage of me and I’m going to miss you after you leave.”

  Craig smiled and said, “Me, too.”

  Venice’s heart was pounding as she got dressed. Craig was one of the sweetest men she’d ever met. How could she possibly throw all of that away without learning more? But, she didn’t want to lose Jarvis either. Craig wanted to call Bernice, so Venice gave him some privacy.

  She went upstairs to the kitchen and her pager went off. She looked and noticed it was Jarvis. Bryan had a separate line in his office so she hesitantly used his phone to return the call. When she called, Jarvis wanted to know what she was up to. Venice told him that she was over Bryan’s house.

  Jarvis asked, “Is he with you?” Venice did not reply so Jarvis calmly asked, “Did you think I was joking?”

  Venice remained quiet on her end of the phone.

  He said, “Never mind.”

  “Jarvis, please!

  “Niecy, there’s no way you could love him and make love to me like you do. There’s no way in hell you can make me believe that.”

  She calmly said, “I have to go, Jarvis. I can’t talk to you right now. Goodbye.”

  She hung the phone up and put her head down on Bryan’s desk. She was totally confused. She’d just made love with a wonderful man that she’d fallen for. But she also made love to the only man she’d ever loved a few hours earlier. Something was truly wrong with this picture. It was a stressful situation and an accident waiting to happen. She had no idea what to do. She didn’t know whether Jarvis would come over to Bryan’s house or not. What she did know was that she didn’t want them to have any confrontation.

  I don’t see how men do this shit!

  It wasn’t long afterwards that Bryan came home and picked Craig up to play basketball. It didn’t take long for Venice to get back home. She sat in her car and thought about what she’d done that day.

  Things were getting out of hand.

  She got out of the car and went inside.

  Venice was now struggling with the fact that Craig, Sidney, Galen and Bryan would be leaving the next day. She wouldn’t see Craig for about three weeks. She shook her head and wondered how she was ever going to make it.

  Venice snapped back to reality when Crimson said, “I’m hungry! Can we get some pizza?”

  “I guess, but you’d better eat your dinner tonight.”

  When they got back, Mr. Taylor was working in the garage. Venice went into the garage and asked, “Daddy, what are you doing?”

  “Oh, trying to fix the railing on the back steps. What are you up to?”

  Venice played with his tools and sat down. “Not much. Just hanging out with Crimson.”

  “Baby, hand me that hammer.” Venice handed it to him. “So, Craig’s leaving tomorrow?”

  Venice walked around the garage, looking at some of her old things. “Yes, Daddy.”

  Her father stopped working for a moment and said, “Is there something in particular you wanted to talk about, baby?”

  “No, I just wanted to hang out with you a little. That’s all.”

  He started working again and said, “You love him, don’t you?”

  “Who?”

  He measured the piece of wood with his measuring tape and said, “Craig! Don’t act like you don’t know who I’m talking about. I have eyes. But, I also know you’re still in love with Jarvis. You’re my daughter and I’ll tell you this. I think Craig loves you, too. So, you need to clear things up before this thing gets out of control. I don’t want you to get hurt and I don’t want to see either one of them hurt. I don’t want to have to pop a cap in one of them. Just be careful, baby.”

  Venice smiled and gave her dad a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks, Daddy.”

  She went inside to change. Venice hadn’t spent much time with her father since she’d been home and she’d enjoyed ever minute of their talk. They laughed about things they hadn’t talked about in years.

  Forty

  The next day, Venice knew she had to talk to Jarvis before he lost his temper. When she reached his house, he was sitting out on the porch. He got in the car and they drove off.

  Jarvis asked, “So, what do you want to talk to me about?”

  Venice was changing the music in her stereo and said, “I’ll get to that later.”

  He put on his sunglasses and reclined on the seat and smiled. Venice wasn’t quite sure where she was headed. She just wanted to drive.

  Jarvis rubbed her thigh and said, “You’re looking as fine as always.”

  “Thank you, Jarvis.”

  Damn that feels good.

  Venice pulled onto the high school football field and said, “Come walk with me.”

  “Of all places you wanted to bring me to, you bring me here? Girl, it’s cold!”

  “Yes, because this is where we first met.”

  They started walking and Venice interlocked her arm into his. She cuddled up to him trying to stay warm and he didn’t mind it one bit. She said, “Jarvis, you’re gonna have to stop freaking out on me, baby. I know it must be hard for you to deal with me and Craig, but I can’t help that right now. We’re not able to be together so am I begging you to please just chill. I’ll still come visit you whenever I can. Right now, that’s all I can offer you, baby. I know it would be hard for me to deal with this if the tables were turned, but please try to understand. Okay?”

  Jarvis looked away and said, “I can’t promise you anything, Niecy, but I’ll never accept you being with another guy. It doesn’t seem natural to me. We were married for an entire year and I honestly thought it was going to be forever. The only man that is supposed to be getting loving from you is me!”

  “Jarvis, do we still have our deal after graduation?”

  Damn graduation, I’m ready to marry you now!

  He looked into her eyes, more serious than she’d ever seen him, and softly said, “You bet, Niecy.”

  They climbed up the bleachers and sat down. Venice scooted over to him and put her arms around him and laid her head upon his chest. The smell of her perfume intoxicated him. He put his arm around her shoulders and said, “I know you love me, Niecy.”

  “Well, you don’t have anything to worry about.”

  “I’m not so sure about that. You have a different light in your eyes.”

  Tears began to drop into her jacket when she said, “Jarvis, I’m sorry about everything, especially our baby. I should’ve been more careful.”

  He wiped her tears and said, “It wasn’t your fault. You need to quit beating yourself up about it.”

  She rose up and looked at him and he reached into his pocket and found a tissue to wipe her tears. He looked out onto the field and said, “We’ve been through it all. So much has happened to us and we’re not even twenty-one yet.”

  “I know my grandmother is probably turning over in her grave right now. If she was still here, there’s no way I could get away with half the stuff I’ve done. She would’ve been so hurt about me getting pregnant so young.”

  Jarvis said, “We got married, remember?”

 
; “Yeah, but…we’re not now.”

  We’ll see about that.

  They watched a few kids run across the field.

  Venice said, “You know, Jarvis. When I said ‘I do’, I meant it.”

  Jarvis looked into her eyes and said, “Me, too.” He stood up and said, “Come on, it’s cold out here.” They got up and walked down the bleachers to her car. As they drove off, he asked, “Why don’t you come by the house so I can make you some hot chocolate?”

  “Okay.”

  Chanelle was having a house party and Venice wanted to get all the drama she’d experienced off her mind. While Craig showered, Venice put on her outfit, which Craig had never seen. She buttoned her red silk blouse and pulled on the black form-fitting pants that zipped up the crack of her butt. She had some black, two-inch ankle boots that really accented her outfit. When he came back into the room, he saw her trying to zip the pants, making sure the zipper was straight and where it should be. He stopped for a moment to admire the view, then asked, “You need some help?”

  “I think so. I want to make sure the zipper is straight.”

  He put his things down and walked up behind her and pulled the zipper up slowly, making sure it was like she wanted. He caressed her stomach as he stood behind her. She could feel he was aroused as he pressed his body against her hips.

  “Damn!”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s a shame when a man can’t even come near his woman without wanting to jump her bones every chance he gets.”

  “I don’t see anything wrong with that, baby.”

  She turned and saw him with only a wet towel covering his trim waist. Her gaze went from his feet up to his freshly shampooed hair. She sucked in her bottom lip and tried to swallow, but her throat was dry.

  “Craig, baby, hurry up and get some clothes on. Please!!”

  Approaching her slowly, he asked, “What’s the hurry?”

  Inhaling the soap he’d showered with, she pressed her hands to his broad chest caressing his body, and kissed him tenderly.

  “That was nice, Taylor. Keep that thought until we get back here tonight. You’re looking so delicious, I hope I don’t have to fight any of your homeboys tonight. One in particular.”

  Venice closed her eyes and softly said, “You don’t have to worry about anything like that.”

  Finally, they were dressed and ready to go. Craig, dressed in tan pants, was looking fine as always with his black dress shirt. He trimmed up his goatee and mustache and was really looking sinful. Venice looked at how fine and sexy he was and had a feeling she was going to have to keep women from pushing up on him. Venice realized she really was torn between the two men. One was new and so sweet and attentive. The other was loving and secure.

  Hell, I may just have to flip a damn coin.

  When they got to Chanelle’s house, there were already a few cars there. The party was in her parents’ recreation room downstairs. Her parents were having a card party upstairs with some of their friends. The basement was beautifully decorated with a Christmas tree and sparkling gold and ivory bows and ribbons. The music was already blasting and some of Chanelle’s guests were kicking it out on the dance floor. Galen and Sidney were sitting over on the sofa sipping on some punch. Craig went to join them as Venice went upstairs to say hello to Chanelle’s parents. After an hour passed, Venice noticed that Jarvis had arrived and she started shivering. He was talking to Craig and Galen and then started dancing with Chanelle. Joshua arrived with his girlfriend, Cynthia, and the crew really partied. Venice was happy to see all the people she loved in one room.

  Joshua came over to Venice and said, “Venice, I can tell you’ve been up to something. What’s up?”

  She looked at him surprised and said, “Where have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you for two days!”

  “I had to take Momma to the country. Don’t change the subject. I saw your car over at Jarvis’ house today.”

  “You think you know me, Joshua.”

  “I do, girl!”

  Venice looked at him seriously, then asked, “Joshua, am I a hoe?”

  Joshua laughed and asked, “Where is that coming from?”

  “Seriously, am I?”

  Joshua looked around the room to make sure the coast was clear and said, “No way, girl! You’re only sleeping around with two of them. I could see if you were messing around with a different dude every night. I know some chicks like that, too.”

  “Thanks, I was beginning to wonder.”

  Joshua laughed and said, “Why?”

  “I sleep with both of them the same day.”

  He strangled on his drink and said, “What?”

  She slapped him on the back and said, “Jarvis got Chanelle to drop me off at his dad’s house early last night. I didn’t know what she was up to, but we ended up…well, you know. Then after we left the club, he called me about 2 a.m. and asked if he could come over. I thought he was playing.”

  Joshua was laughing out loud and asked, “You mean to tell me that you got with Jarvis twice in one night?”

  “Well, yeah!”

  “Wait a minute. You were bumping and grinding with Jarvis in your room and Craig was right downstairs?”

  “I didn’t mean to.”

  Joshua took a sip of his drink and said, “Yeah, right! Venice, you’re a freak!”

  She punched him on the arm and said, “Don’t say that!”

  “Well, you are! When did you get with Craig?”

  “Later that evening.”

  “Damn! You’ve got a lot of nerve.”

  “You better not tell anybody.”

  “You know I won’t.”

  Venice was left alone for a moment to think about her inappropriate behavior.

  During the evening, the room of friends talked and danced far into the night. After awhile, they were ready to say goodnight. But, before they left, Jarvis came over and asked for one last dance.

  He held Venice as tight as he could without causing a fight. When they finished the dance, Venice courageously gave Jarvis a kiss on the lips and said, “I’ll talk to you later.”

  Jarvis stared at her for a moment and finally let her hand slide slowly from his grasp. His touch was magnetic and heated. Everyone said their good-byes. Venice and Craig rode silently back to Bryan’s house.

  Venice took a shower while Craig packed the last of his luggage. Venice was a little quieter than usual. She was having a hard time shaking the hurt look in Jarvis’ eyes when she’d left with Craig. She was also coming to grips that it was going to be three weeks before she saw Craig again. It was about two-fifteen in the morning when Craig asked, “Are you all right?”

  Venice didn’t respond. She just laid there, looking at him without any expression on her face. It was a blank stare and she felt perspiration beading on her face.

  Craig again asked, “Venice, are you all right?”

  She finally nodded, signaling that she was, but she felt like she was having an anxiety attack. The situation was beginning to take its toll on her both physically and emotionally. Craig snuggled closer and Venice immediately scooted over and put her head on his chest.

  While putting his arms around her, he said, “These next few weeks are going to fly by. You’ll see.”

  Within about twenty minutes, they were asleep.

  Several hours later, Venice woke up to find herself still lying on Craig’s chest. Venice rose up and saw that he was sound asleep and slightly snoring. She snuggled up to him and put her face against his neck, gently kissing it. She felt him slowly begin to stir out of his sleep and move his hands up and down her soft body. He opened his eyes to look at her. Venice stared back and rubbed his face as she gave him a small kiss, then another and another. For some reason, this felt final to her. They began to caress each other’s bodies without speaking. Venice’s breathing was a little deeper and slower, as Craig hit her hot spots.

  She closed her eyes as he kissed her neck and shoulders and pu
lled her tighter, whispering, “You’re so hot.”

  “So are you, Bennett.”

  “Do you feel that?”

  “M-m-m-m. How could I not?”

  “More?”

  “Much more.”

  Needless to say, they didn’t get much sleep the rest of the night. Venice had fallen for him or was it infatuation? Whatever it was, Venice felt like this was the calm before the storm.

  The sun seemed to come quicker than it had before. Sinclair had to work so Venice had the honor of driving everyone to the airport. Bryan was trying to give Venice some instructions of things he needed her to do for him until he got back into town. But, she was too occupied with clinging to Craig.

  He leaned down and whispered, “Venice, we’re gonna see each other soon. You’ll see. The days will go by faster than you think.”

  Burying her face into his neck, she responded, “Not fast enough for me.”

  “Taylor, is it going to be safe for me to leave you here? I feel like I’m at a disadvantage now.”

  “Craig, whether you believe me or not, I want you to know that what I feel for you is real. I never in my wildest dreams thought another man’s love could come between me and Jarvis, but it has and I have no regrets. I don’t have a clue what to do next. What I do know is that I love you both with all my heart and soul. If I choose you, I feel like I have broken every vow I took with Jarvis. If I choose Jarvis, I feel like I’ve thrown away every whisper of love I’ve spoken to you. I don’t want to feel like I’ve used the word love in vain. I pray that whatever happens, you and Jarvis will not hate me or become bitter with love.”

  He tilted her chin up and, through her tears, saw the sincere pain and confusion that she carried.

  Craig lowered his lips to Venice’s mouth and kissed her hot and demandingly.

  “Venice, like I’ve said so many times before, I’ll always love you and I’ll always be here for you, no matter what. I could never hate or be bitter toward you, sweetheart. Remember that and trust your heart.”

  It wasn’t long afterwards when the pilot announced that it was time to leave. Venice gave Sidney, Galen, and Bryan one last hug. Then Craig walked Venice back to the truck. He pulled her tightly to him and gave her one last fiery, breathtaking kiss. As he turned and walked away he said, “I’ll call you later.”