by Darrien Lee
“Okay.”
He ran back to the plane and she sat in the truck and watched it take off. Within minutes, it was out of sight. She stared into the blue sky as tears streamed down her face. From this moment on, things would never be the same.
Venice spent the next few days running the list of errands Bryan had left for her to do while he was out of town. She also did some last minute Christmas shopping with Chanelle. Jarvis called or came by almost every day, usually with Joshua. She was trying to remain neutral, but it was hard. Especially since she also talked to Craig on a daily basis.
It was the day before Christmas Eve and the Taylor family always had a family gathering on that night. They invited Chanelle and her family over, as well as Jarvis’ and Joshua’s families. Everyone was there, even her loud, drunken uncle who kept things very lively. Jarvis, Joshua, and Cynthia arrived together. Chanelle and her family also arrived in a cheerful mood. There was finger food, desserts, and plenty of drinks and eggnog to go around. While the grownups celebrated in the living room, Venice and her guests relaxed in the den. They were having a great time reminiscing on their days together in school. Joshua’s brother, Michael, walked into the room. After greeting everyone, he walked right over to Venice and planted a big kiss on her, right in front of everyone.
Venice was stunned and nervously said, “Michael! I’m glad you made it.”
“Hey, V! You look fine as ever, girl!”
Michael couldn’t help but admire Venice in the green straight skirt that was hugging her curves. Her V-neck sweater revealed perfectly rounded breasts that Michael couldn’t help but stare at and Jarvis was fuming.
Venice was happy to see him. He looked sexy and sinful as usual. He had women all over town chasing him. While he’d had his share of affairs, his main concern was graduating from college and working. She remembered the man had the biggest penis she’d ever seen in her life and he really knew how to use it.
Michael acted like he couldn’t keep his hands off her as he wrapped his arms around her tiny waist. She was getting a little uncomfortable and she could see the muscle in Jarvis’ jaw twitching. She knew he was getting pissed and was ready to explode. There was definitely no love loss between them. It went back to the time Venice caught Jarvis cheating and they briefly broke up. She unexpectedly started messing around with Michael, which ended before it got started.
Holding her hand and looking her up and down, he asked, “Why haven’t you come by the house and hollered at me?”
Venice smiled and said, “I’ve been busy since I’ve been home. I’ll come by before I go back to school.”
When she said that, Jarvis looked at her like he wanted to snap.
Joshua watched his brother play mind games with Jarvis and quietly sipped his drink.
Chanelle mumbled, “Oh my God.”
Venice allowed Michael to hold her close to him as he whispered something in her ear.
Jarvis got up, walked over to them, and said, “Damn, Mike. What are you doing, man?” Michael laughed and said, “I’m just talking to my old girl.”
Jarvis sternly said, “She was never your girl!”
Joshua walked over to them and said, “Fellas, chill! This is supposed to be a party.”
Venice grabbed both of them by the arm and said, “Look, you two. Stop it! That shit’s old! Come on, Michael, behave and Jarvis, cool out baby.”
Joshua said, “Ya’ll are acting like a bunch of damn kids.”
Venice made them apologize to each other. As she walked off, she asked Chanelle to help her in the kitchen for a minute. Once in the kitchen, Chanelle asked, “What was that all about?”
“I don’t know. Jarvis acts like he’s never going to get over what happened between me and Michael.”
“He needs to be cool. If his ass hadn’t been cheating, you and Michael wouldn’t have ever happened.”
“I know.”
Changing the subject, Chanelle asked, “So, what’s up with my boy Craig?”
Venice turned and attended to the food. “It’s crazy! I have no idea what to do since I’ve fallen for Craig. It’s special, but it’s not like what I have with Jarvis. Our relationship is new and I haven’t really given it a chance yet. My relationship with Jarvis has so much history. I just don’t know, Chanelle.”
“Well, one day, they’re going to get tired of sharing your ass.”
“We’d better get back in there before they kill each other.”
Giggling, Chanelle said, “Let me carry that tray for you.”
The two left the kitchen and returned to the den. They talked, listened to music, then decided to play cards and dominos.
Craig called a few hours later and after a brief conversation with him, she hung up the phone. When she turned around, she ran right into Jarvis’ hard chest.
“What are you doing in here?”
He walked over to her and angrily asked, “What the hell was that in there with Michael?”
“Nothing! You know he was just messing with you. Why are you tripping? It was just a kiss.”
“Everything’s so trivial to you. Isn’t it, Venice?”
“That’s ridiculous! Michael’s my friend and that’s all!”
Venice went into the pantry to get some more cups. Jarvis closed the door behind him and locked it. Venice turned with a pack of cups in her hands and said, “Open the door, Jarvis!”
Walking toward her, he asked, “Have you been messing around with Michael again?”
Venice tried to go past him. “No! You heard him. I haven’t even seen him. Now open the door.”
“Venice, I’m beginning to think I can’t trust you or believe anything you say.”
“What’s wrong with you, Jarvis?”
He stood there for a minute, then put his hands over his face and said, “I’m sorry, Niecy.”
“You need to get a hold of yourself. Nothing’s going on between me and Michael. You need to quit stressing whenever he’s around. You’ve had your share of rendezvous that you don’t think I know about, but I do. You want to talk about trust? Do you really think I only know about the one I caught you with? I knew about Lisa too, Jarvis. Now, the one time I was with somebody else, you want to trip after all you’ve put me through. Well, get over it. It was you that I married. Remember?”
Venice tried to push past him but he blocked her and pulled her into his arms.
“I’m so sorry, baby. I really can’t blame you for being pissed off. I don’t deserve you.”
He held onto her for a moment but she wouldn’t dare gaze into his sad, sexy eyes. He wiped a tear, which had run down her cheek.
“I love you, Niecy, and I don’t know why I go so crazy. This thing with Craig has emotionally drained me.”
She laid her head on his chest and said, “We’ll be okay, Jarvis.”
She became hypnotized by his cologne, which happened to be a bottle that she’d given him a few months prior. He was wearing some navy blue dress pants, a white shirt, and a navy jacket.
Still holding Venice, Jarvis said, “I need to see you tonight. I want to give you your present.”
“I want to give you yours, too.”
Venice parted her lips and kissed Jarvis hungrily because she really was weak to him. She always had been and always would be. Their bodies melted into each other and it felt right.
They left the pantry and joined the others in the den. As soon as they walked in, Chanelle looked up at them and started smiling. When Jarvis sat down on the sofa, Joshua looked at him and asked, “When did you start wearing lipstick?”
The room burst into laughter as Jarvis wiped Venice’s lipstick from his mouth and said, “Forget ya’ll.”
It was tradition for the Taylors to have their party the night before Christmas Eve. Everyone exchanged their gifts on this night. The party was winding down, but the grownups were still going strong. Everyone hugged, kissed, and said their goodnights after having a great time. Jarvis helped Venice clean the kitchen and the
den. He again invited her to join him at his dad’s house for the night. Venice was a little reluctant, but decided to go anyway. She went upstairs and packed a bag, then told her folks where she would be. They weren’t strict on her when it came to Jarvis since they still considered them spiritually married. Jarvis’ dad told him that he was staying with his mother and wouldn’t be home. Even though Jarvis’ parents were divorced, they were in the process of reconciling. They told everyone goodnight and headed out into the snow.
When they arrived, they did exchange their gifts. She’d bought him a leather jacket that she knew he’d been admiring. He was very excited and surprised to get it. He bought her two outfits she’d been eyeing. Chanelle helped him since Chanelle knew what Venice had been shopping for.
After they talked and thanked each other for their gifts, Venice decided to go ahead and take her shower. Her feet were hurting and she wanted to get out of her clothes. When she came out of the bathroom, music was playing and Jarvis was standing there grinning. As she came closer, he held out his hand and asked her to dance with him. She was wearing a silky, gold spaghetti-strapped nightgown and she accepted without hesitation. Toward the end of the song, Jarvis pulled something from his pinky finger.
“Give me your hand, Venice.”
“What are you doing?”
He brushed her lips with his and slid a large marquis cut diamond ring onto her finger. Venice’s legs gave out on her and she dropped to the bed, stunned. She stared at her hand, then up into his nervous, desire-filled eyes.
He calmly said, “Venice, I’ve loved you since the first day I laid eyes on you. I don’t want to live my life another day without you. Please, please be my wife again. I love you more than life itself.”
“Jarvis, I-I love you too, but….”
“Baby, I don’t want to wait until we graduate. I want to get back together now.”
Venice was surprised with his statement. “You mean to tell me that you want to get married, now?”
He laid back on the bed and said, “Yeah, what’s wrong with that?”
Venice closed her eyes briefly. “Jarvis, you know I love you, but I’m seeing someone else and I have feelings for him also.”
“You’ve only known him a few months, but we’ve been together for four years. There’s no way you can compare the two.”
“It has nothing to do with the length of time, baby. It has to do with our feelings. Things are a little different now. We’re on two different ends of the country and we barely get to see each other.”
“Venice, I understand where you’re coming from, but I still want you to marry me.”
She stared at the ring, then at him, and asked, “Are you really serious about this?”
He brought his lips within inches of hers and asked, “Do I look like I’m joking?” Before Venice could answer, Jarvis covered her lips with a long, tender kiss. After breaking apart, Venice got up and walked across the room, admiring the ring. “I’m speechless.”
He walked up behind her, put his arms around her waist, and lovingly kissed the back of her neck.
“Are you asking me to marry you because you want to marry me or are you asking me just to get me away from Craig?”
Jarvis turned her to him and said, “You know I’ve always wanted to be with you. You also know that I’ve always been in love. I’ll admit the situation with Craig has shaken me pretty bad, but I don’t want to go back to school without you. I can tell you’ve wandered away from me a little, but I feel like we still love each other enough to do this. If you need some time to think it over, I’m willing to wait. You’re the only one I want. There’s not much else I can say to convince you.”
“What about Dawson?”
He smiled, gave her a kiss on her neck, and said, “I just know everything will work out.”
She leaned back against his chest.
Now what the hell am I going to do?”
“I’ve been holding onto this ring for a couple of months now. I didn’t know when the time would be right to give it to you. Something told me tonight was the night. I think that’s why I went so crazy about Michael earlier. I guess I was nervous.”
Venice did love this man and she’d been married to him once before. It shouldn’t have be hard to say ‘yes’ again, but it was. Craig was new in her life, and she didn’t want to hurt him as if he’d never meant anything to her. She loved him, too.
They spent the reminder of the night reminding each other why they loved the other so much. The heat their bodies generated was enough to engulf them in flames. After many hours of making love, Venice fell asleep nestled in Jarvis’ arms, still dazed on the events of the night. Looking at his satisfied face as he slept, she had no idea what she was going to do.
She whispered, “I love you, Jarvis.”
Jarvis didn’t hear Venice but stirred after she gave him butterfly kisses on his lips and neck. Molding her sore body closer against his, she eventually fell asleep.
Forty-One
It was Christmas Eve morning and Jarvis was awakened by Venice throwing up in the bathroom. He ran into the bathroom and asked, “What’s wrong, Niecy?”
“I don’t know. It must be nerves and this sinus headache is killing me.”
He got her a cold towel and placed it on her head as he held her in his lap.
“Thanks. That feels nice.”
Jarvis gently wiped Venice’s face with the cold towel. “Come get back into bed. I’ll get you some 7-up and sinus medicine.”
Jarvis helped her back into bed and as he walked out of the room, he leaned back in and asked, “You’re not pregnant, are you?”
“No!”
Venice knew it was only nerves. She wasn’t pregnant because she’d just come off her period. The 7-up helped settle her stomach slightly. She was still worried about breaking the news to Craig. He was important to her and she didn’t want to give him up. He’d been a wonderful lover and great friend over the past few months.
Venice woke up a few hours later and felt a hundred percent better. It was still snowing when Jarvis drove her home.
When they walked in, Mrs. Taylor grabbed Venice’s hand to look at her ring and asked, “So what’s the verdict?”
Venice looked at her mom in shock. “You knew about this?”
She said, “Oh yes! He asked us if he could propose to you the other day.”
Venice shook her head in disbelief and went upstairs. Her mother turned to Jarvis and asked again, “What did she say?”
“Nothing yet. I don’t know if she wants to do it. She’s not feeling well and she was throwing up earlier. I think she’s just nervous about Craig and all.”
Mrs. Taylor looked concerned and asked, “Lord, she’s not pregnant, is she?” Jarvis was hanging up their coats and said, “I asked her and she said she just came off her period.”
Venice’s mother asked Jarvis to wait in the den. She was partial to Jarvis while her husband liked both Jarvis and Craig. Mrs. Taylor followed Venice upstairs and knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
When her mother entered, Venice was unpacking her bag. Mrs. Taylor asked, “Are you feeling all right, baby?”
Venice looked at her and said, “Yes and no, Momma! I’m not pregnant.”
Her mother sat on the bed and said, “Girl, don’t put words into my mouth and watch your tone.”
“I’m sorry, Momma. I’m just tired. I can’t believe you and Daddy knew what Jarvis was planning. I just don’t know what to do. I love him, but I also have strong feelings for Craig. How could I possibly tell him about this?”
Venice was holding up her left hand displaying her ring. Her mother told her to come sit next to her.
She then said, “Baby, if you love Jarvis and you know he loves you, then you should be together. I like Craig and he seems to be a nice young man. He cares about you and I know you care for him. But, if you’re in love with Craig, you need to take your time with this. There’s no rush. You guys are only nine
teen and have college to finish. I’m sorry I helped create the problem when we made you get a divorce. Look, sweetheart, whatever you decide to do, your father and I will stand by you.”
Venice hugged her mother. “Thanks, Momma.”
After their mother left the room, Bryan angrily barged in and said, “Venice, you’ve got to be out of your damn mind if you’re considering doing this! You just started college? Did you let Jarvis intimidate you into doing something you’re not ready to do? I could kick his ass for trying this right now. You know why’s he’s doing this. Look, baby girl, don’t get me wrong. I like Jarvis a lot and I know how you feel about him. But, you need to chill on this issue. Once you turn twenty-one and finish college, I might be willing to look at this in a different light.”
Venice was quiet as Bryan continued to pace the room lecturing her.
Finally she said, “Bryan you don’t have to go off on me. I know how old I am and I’m not stupid! I’m not going to do anything I don’t want to do, okay? I haven’t given Jarvis an answer anyway because of Craig.”
He walked over to her, put his hand on her shoulder, and said, “Venice, I just don’t want to see you mess up your life.”
“Thanks and I’ll think about everything you’ve said.”
About that time, Jarvis knocked on the door. When he walked in, Bryan stood up and sternly said, “Come by my house sometime today. I want to talk to you. Got it?”
Jarvis started playing with Venice’s stuffed animals and said, “No problem, Bryan. I’ll be by.”
Bryan just stared at him and told Venice that he would see her later and to remember what they talked about. Venice went over to the window and watched Bryan pull out of the driveway.
Jarvis jumped on the bed beside her. “What was that all about?”
“Us.”
“I guess he wants to have a man-to-man talk with me.”
Venice didn’t respond. She just crawled back on her bed and fluffed her pillows.
Jarvis asked, “So, are you going to marry me or what?”
