All That and a Bag of Chips

by Darrien Lee

  He took the tissue from her and wiped her tears.

  She said, “I should’ve never let you on my emotional roller-coaster in the first place. You’ve been great to me and you’ve being nothing less than wonderful for me.”

  He slid his arm around her waist, pulling her into his lap. “Baby, you mean the world to me. You always have and always will.”

  After he said that, she broke down hysterically on him. It took all he could not to shed a tear himself. As he held her tightly in his arms, she released all her emotions in loud sobs. It took several minutes, but finally she was able to calm down a little.

  She stood up and said, “Let me get out of here. I’ve caused you enough problems already.”

  She grabbed her jacket and hurried through the kitchen and into the garage. She opened the door just as his palm slammed it closed.

  He grabbed her and pulled her to him. “Venice, I love you!”

  At that moment, he lowered his lips to claim her mouth, feeding off her desire. Venice dropped her purse and jacket on the floor as they continued their passionate kisses.

  He broke free and said, “Venice, I don’t want you to go. Please stay so we can talk this through.”

  She pushed away and went back into his bedroom in silence. Craig followed her and once he entered the room, Venice started unbuttoning her blouse.

  He grinned and asked, “What are you doing!”

  She stared back at him with a blank expression on her face.

  He asked again, “Venice, what are you doing?”

  She finally smiled at him as she continued to undress. He was frozen as he watched her do what he wanted to do to her. He took a couple of steps toward her and reached out to touch her nakedness. Her body responded as she slowly pulled him toward the bed and started undressing him. It was obvious, at least for the night, that he didn’t give a damn about her engagement. He wanted her for himself and he wasn’t about to give her up.

  Craig began to do things to Venice that he had never done before while kissing her body from head to toe. Lacing his fingers with hers, he kissed her in places that drove her wild. He took his time delicately tasting her body. Venice trembled uncontrollably as she whispered for him not to stop. She stroked his head as he continued to kiss her.

  Venice hollered and moaned to every touch of Craig’s hands and lips. Venice welcomed him and moved her hips until he could no longer stand it. After rolling her over onto her stomach, he pushed himself into her so deep that it took her breath away. He held onto her hips tightly as he pleasured her with great force and intimacy. He turned her over on her back and kissed her harder on the mouth, drugging her with his taste. He penetrated her body again and again as she wrapped her legs around his trim waist. He rose above her grinding deeper as he moved around inside her hot body.

  Venice screamed out, “Craig! Oh, baby! I love you!”

  Venice screamed so loud, it seemed to echo throughout the house. Her body trembled as he worked her over thoroughly to her core.

  He also moaned as he pleasured her calling out her name, “Venice! Baby!” Finally he looked her in her passion-filled eyes and let out a deep groan as she shuddered beneath him and he filled her with the essence of his love. Delirious and breathless, he pulled strands of her hair away from her angelic face.

  Craig held Venice tightly in his arms and said, “I’ll never let you go through with it. I love you and I wish I could take you to Japan with me.”

  Venice didn’t respond because she knew he was serious. She just laid there enjoying his caresses and inhaling the scent of their love-making. She then kissed him, told him that she’d always love him, and said, “I’d better go.”

  Craig again asked Venice to spend the night, but she declined. She got dressed while Craig sadly watched her with a crushed heart. Venice sat back down on the bed and jumped because she had sat on something hard. She reached under her and pulled out a small box.

  “What’s this?”

  Craig took the box from her and said, “Sorry about that. It’s my cuff links.”

  He tossed the box in his suitcase and paced the floor as she continued to get dressed. He followed her into the garage and said, “Venice, please stay with me tonight. We need to talk.”

  She turned to him and said, “Craig, I can’t. I need some time to myself. I’m so sorry.”

  They almost started up again as he held her against the car giving her deep, sensual kisses.

  He said, “Baby, please, and I’m not a begging man.”

  Again, she said, “I can’t, Craig. I just can’t. I have too much on my mind.”

  He held her firmly by her shoulders and angrily said, “Venice, I’m not going to let you marry him. Do you hear me!”

  Venice pushed away from him and started crying as she got inside the car. She said, “I have to go!”

  He bent down into the window and kissed her again. “It’s not so easy for me to let you walk away from me. I’m telling you now, it ain’t over.” Venice gave him a concerned look. “I’ll be here waiting for you, if you change your mind and want to come back over. Okay?”

  She nodded as the garage door went up. He started to pull her from the car, but he didn’t. He stood there and watched her possibly drive out of his life. He slowly walked back into his room and picked up the box of cuff links. When he opened it, he revealed, not cuff links, but the ring he’d planned on giving her on New Year’s Eve. The difference was that Craig really did want to plan their wedding once she graduated. Sadly, Jarvis beat him to the punch. He stared at the ring for a while, then put it away in his dresser. Her scent still engulfed his room, his body, and his soul. At that very moment, he decided what he was going to do.

  When Venice got about two blocks away, she felt her body begin to shiver uncontrollably. She had to pull over to the side of the road where she lost it emotionally. The scent of his maleness covered her body. She finally made it back to campus, showered, and crawled into bed, but she could still smell him. She laid in bed, in the dark, to think. She had a lot to consider and her head was pounding.

  An hour or so later, Joshua called her to check on her. He asked her if she had talked with Craig. She explained to him that Craig expected her to break up with him but that he said he wasn’t going to let her go. Venice was sounding very depressed and it disturbed him.

  After talking for a little while longer she said, “Joshua, I’m not crazy. I do love them both.”

  “I know, Niecy. You’ll be all right. I’ll check on you tomorrow.”

  They said their goodnights to each other and hung up the phone.

  Forty-Four

  The next several days, Venice did her best not to be alone with Craig. They often met in public and talked on the phone a lot. He constantly tried to get her to come over and spend the night with him, but she didn’t think it would be a good idea. He told her it wasn’t fair to avoid him.

  He said, “Venice, believe it or not, I feel like my heart has been ripped out of my chest.”

  Venice told him she was really sorry and wished there were a way that she could make it up to him. What he wanted, she couldn’t provide right then. He wanted her to spend the night with him before he left for Japan. Venice told him it wouldn’t be a good idea and he didn’t like it, but he tried to accept. They did, however, continue to talk on a daily basis and Craig didn’t want to give up on her.

  Venice talked to Jarvis every day, but still wouldn’t give him an answer; especially since Craig was going to be leaving later that night for Japan. Over the previous few days, he didn’t put any more pressure on her and this really helped her cope. He asked her if she would drive him to the airport. Bernice had to work and it was going to be too sad for her to see him get on the plane. Venice was hesitant but finally agreed. Craig’s plane wasn’t leaving until eleven-thirty, but he wanted to get to the airport early to check in.

  The ride to the airport was quiet and Venice was starting to get nervous. After Craig checked his bags, he s
till had an hour before takeoff. He asked her to join him in the restaurant to talk. They found a booth and ordered some appetizers. Venice wasn’t very hungry. She just wanted to get through the sad moment, but Craig was noticeably cheerful. Venice assumed he was excited and nervous all balled into one. He scooted closer to her, put his hand on her thigh, and said, “I guess this is it.”

  Venice looked at Craig sadly and said, “I guess it is.”

  “Sweetheart, it doesn’t have to be.”

  “For now, it has to be.”

  He stroked her face with his hand and said, “I love you, Venice LaShawn Taylor.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Tears ran down her cheeks as he brushed his lips against hers. They fed off each other’s emotions as they deepened the kiss. Her heart pounded in her chest as he pulled her even closer to his body.

  She removed her swollen lips from his mouth and said, “I would love it if you stay in touch with me while you’re in Japan.”

  He kissed the corner of her mouth. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  They talked for a while longer and before long, he received his boarding call. Venice held his hand tightly as she walked him toward the gate. When they got there, he held her tightly in his arms and hugged and kissed her senseless. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. He told her not to open it until she got back to campus.

  She said, “You shouldn’t have bought me anything.”

  “It’s just a little something something.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again and told him, “Craig.…always baby. Whatever I decide, please don’t hate me for what I’ve put you through.”

  “I could never hate you and if he ever does anything to hurt you, I’ll kick his ass.”

  Venice smiled and said, “Thanks!”

  “I’ll call you when I land.”

  “You’d better.”

  She stood there and watched him walk down the hallway and possibly out of her life. Or was he?

  When Venice got back to her room, she pulled the small box from her purse. After staring at it for a moment, wondering what could be inside, she finally opened it. She took a deep breath and opened the lid. Inside was a beautiful gold charm bracelet. Tears welled in her eyes as she read the included note:

  “Venice, you’re the love of my life. I’m going to miss you terribly. I wanted to get something for you to remember our time together. Each charm represents places we’ve been or things we’ve done together. I hope that each time you wear it, you remember how special those times were. I wish you all the love and happiness your heart can hold. Love Always, Craig.”

  She put the letter down and began to look at each charm. Each one did exactly what he said; it told the story of their time together. Venice couldn’t have received a more priceless and precious gift. She lost control of her emotions for hours as she cried into her pillow until morning.

  A week later, Venice called Jarvis and told him that she’d marry him the week of Spring Break. He was a little surprised since he’d told her that there was no rush. She knew she was letting go of someone very special, but she also knew Jarvis was the one who truly owned her heart. Bryan went ballistic because he felt Venice should at least wait until she graduated. Sadly, she called Craig and told him about her decision to get married. He didn’t take the news well, but told her that he’d never give up on her love. She told him that she needed him to be at the wedding. He told her that if he made it back from Japan in time, he’d be there.

  Forty-Five

  Weeks Later

  The wedding day was getting closer and Venice’s mother and Sinclair were stressing. They had approximately two weeks left and Venice visited Jarvis every other weekend to look for somewhere to live. They’d narrowed it down to a nearby condo and on-campus housing and had to make a decision that weekend. They laughed together about their parents freaking out over the wedding plans. Venice allowed Sinclair to handle everything. On this particular visit, they spent the day at an Italian Festival. This was one of Jarvis’ favorite foods and they stuffed themselves with food and drinks. When they got back to the hotel, they couldn’t do anything but sleep.

  After about three hours, Venice woke up to go to the bathroom. Once she sat up in the bed, she felt it. She ran into the bathroom and “called Earl.” She didn’t want to wake Jarvis so she closed the door. She knew she’d eaten way too much and was paying for it. Jarvis ate more than she did and she just knew he’d do the same when he woke up.

  Every time she tried to leave the bathroom, she got sick again. She sat on the cold floor for about ten more minutes and was finally well enough to get back into bed. Jarvis woke up as she crawled back into bed. She told him that she’d gotten sick.

  He jokingly said, “I hope it’s not food poison.”

  “Do you feel okay?”

  “So far, so good. Here, take this.”

  He gave her something to settle her stomach. She took it, then laid across his chest for the rest of the evening.

  The next morning, Jarvis got up before Venice and went jogging.

  When he returned, he found Venice with her face in the toilet again.

  “Girl, you’re still sick? Maybe I need to take you to the doctor. You must have food poisoning.”

  He felt her forehead to see if she was running a fever, but she wasn’t. She was just was sick to her stomach.

  “I’ll be fine. I think my sinuses are draining and making me feel this way.”

  He sat down next to her and held a cool cloth to her head. She laid back against his steel chest and absorbed his warmth. Jarvis held her in his arms until she felt a little better. He brought her a 7-up and crackers and put her into bed.

  He said, “Don’t be trying to play sick to get out of marrying me.”

  She turned over and said, “You’re silly. I’m not playing.”

  Jarvis held Venice and rubbed her stomach, hoping to help make it better. Venice eventually fell asleep and Jarvis got up and took his shower. He called home to see how his mother and sister were doing and they discussed the wedding.

  The weekend had come to a close and they had decided on the condo. It was going to be convenient for both of their schedules. Venice was able to get her credits transferred and was blessed to recover her scholarship.

  When Jarvis took her to the airport, he told her, “Venice, I’m going to do everything I can to make you happy. I don’t want you to ever regret marrying me.”

  Lacing her fingers around his neck, she said, “You just show up at the altar.”

  “I told you before, you don’t have to worry about me. I’ll be there.”

  They kissed each other breathless and she boarded the plane.

  It was Venice’s last week on the Dawson campus. Bryan and Gator drove down and picked up all her things except for a few suitcases. She spent the last few days on campus telling the many friends she’d made goodbye. She was really going to miss Monique. They had really become close, through the good and the bad. Venice hoped Monique would take care of herself and not fall into the wrong hands. Her last task was to visit Bernice. She was really going to miss their “girl talk” sessions.

  Bernice let Venice know that she didn’t blame her for ending the relationship with Craig. Bernice told her that she understood her difficult position. She let Venice know that she was welcome anytime. Lastly, she thanked Venice for making her brother so happy.

  “You better come back down here for my wedding in June.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it.”

  Bernice said, “Make sure you bring your new husband. Craig will be fine with it, I’m sure. It’s not like he hasn’t met him.”

  Venice thanked her and said, “Bernice, you know I love your brother?”

  “I know, Venice. Craig knows it also. It just wasn’t time for you two.”

  Venice was about to get emotional. “Well, I guess I’ll see you at my wedding. I’d better go.”

  “I�
�ll see you next week. Craig told me to tell you to always remember that he loves you.”

  “Thanks, Bernice.”

  They hugged and said their good-byes.

  Forty-Six

  Wedding Week

  Venice and Jarvis were home and in the middle of frantic last minute wedding plans. Venice received a call from Craig and missed it, but he left her a touching message on her answering machine. Sinclair was bossing everyone around as Venice and her mom went in for her last fitting. The wedding dress she’d selected was gorgeous. It was a beautiful diamond-studded, ivory, strapless gown that came down to the knees with a detachable train.

  Venice decided to wear her hair up with trestles hanging down around her face. Her veil would have a halo around the upsweep and hang down her back. Her bridesmaids were also wearing strapless lavender gowns. Sinclair had done a wonderful job organizing everything and Venice was grateful. Jarvis also met with his boys for their last tuxedo fittings. Venice was happy Joshua was able to be in her wedding. She wished he could’ve been her man of honor. He was very deserving of the title. Venice and Jarvis didn’t want a large wedding. Just something nice and small. Sinclair got out of hand with the plans because it had turned into a large wedding. Venice wasn’t happy about it, but she could live with it. Venice tried to return Craig’s call, but was unable to reach him. The time difference and his busy schedule made it difficult at times.

  It was two days before the wedding. Venice and Jarvis were planning on shopping for gifts for the bridal party. Venice woke up with a headache and when she sat up in bed, she felt sick again. Her nerves were really getting the best of her. She had no idea it was going to affect her like this. It took her a minute to get herself together, but the shower helped. Jarvis picked her up around ten a.m. When she got into the car, he noticed she looked flushed.