Sleeping in Heaven, Waking in Hell
Page 2
“You have a lovely accent. A southern drawl has never sounded so beautiful,” he’d stated full of sincerity.
“Thank you,” I’d casually replied.
I was deep in the possibilities when I heard the familiar beep that alerted me a text had come through. It was my best friend, Karley.
Karley: Hey sis! Plans for the evenin’ or nah?
Me: Nah, I’m chillin’ tonight…wat da deal is?
Karley: Same shit...different toilet…I’ma be at the house.
Me: Cool.
I replied and tossed my phone back into my purse. I had only an hour left and I couldn’t wait to get home for a little relaxation.
2
Victoria
I walked in my ranch style home that I shared with Karley. I dropped my Michael Kors purse on the table in the hallway, “Aye, anybody here?” I called out as I rounded the corner toward the kitchen.
Karley called out, “In here.”
Shoulda known her ass was in there. Judging by the cloud of Purp I had to walk through to get there, I knew she had the munchies and was either grubbing or looking for something to eat. Through the haze, I saw my sister-friend with her face in the cake bowl enjoying her get high meal which consisted of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, a little milk, and a Mr. Goodbar.
“Hey, sis!” Karley greeted me while placing the bowl down on the oak countertop of the breakfast bar.
“Hey back, girl. I have gotta tell you about my day, but first let me get comfortable. You still smoking, or you tapped out?”
“I’m good. I can blow when you say blow. You know how we do it,” Karley said, holding her hand in the air for a high five.
“Good, give me a sec.”
I grabbed my supplies out of my room and headed back into the kitchen. I took a seat at the four-person table in the corner and with the skill of a heart surgeon, I opened the small cigar straight down the middle and emptied the guts in the trash can. I filled the brown paper with the broken down buds straight out of the grinder and sealed it with my tongue. I grabbed my lucky lighter and allowed the flame to bring the greenery to life. Ahhh!
That first toke took me by storm. The thick smoke slowly filled my lungs and tickled the back of my throat, but I refused to be the first one to choke. My face was red and my lungs were burning. Damn, this shit blazin’. I couldn’t even take another hit for fear of choking to death. I held the homemade cigar out to Karley’s open hand and slowly exhaled through both my mouth and nose.
Apparently, she had the same reaction, but couldn’t hold her choke. I sat and watched as my sister held her arms in the air, and bounced around like she had just jumped off the hot seat. Karley looked for a drink and wiped her now teary eyes. When she got it under control, we stared into each other’s eyes and screamed, “That’s that shit!” We cracked up.
“Damn, bitch. Let me find out you lacing shit round here.” We didn’t smoke with anyone for fear of that shit happening.
I smirked and said, “What I look like tryna lace yo’ shit, bitch? Hell, I’m smoking it too. And even if I did, tell me that muthafucka ain’t hittin’?”
Clearing her throat from the fit she just had, Karley replied with a straight face, “I can’t remember. Pass it, and let me see.” Together, we shared a laugh and then Karley looked at her pretend watch, “You planning on telling me about your day or you just gon’ keep an asshole in suspense?”
“Girl, yes, let me tell you. First of all, you know I was dreading going in today, right? Well, my day was going straight to shit and it started on that first call and…”
“See, there you go with that negativity shit,” Karley said cutting me off. “I bet your ass set the tone for the entire day all based off that phone call, didn’t ya?”
“Can you let me finish, please? As I was saying, the day was headed straight to shit when Major White called in and saved the day.”
“Great, sounds like the perfect name for a Captain Save A Hoe. Do carry on, please and thank you,” she spoke with that sarcastic funny I’ve grown to love.
I gave Karley the finger and continued my story about the voice that made blush. “Uumm, I wrote his number down,” I said quickly, almost as if I didn’t want her to hear me.
“You did what?” Karley screamed, jumping up from the table. “Did you call him? Are you gonna call him? What did he say? What were you thinking?”
“Karley, calm down. I didn’t call him. I haven’t called him. I was just thinking of the possibilities. I liked the way he sounded. I just wanna hear it again. But no strings.”
“Now that I have gotten the thrills and shrills out of the way, here is the deal, sis. I know you want to meet your guy and there isn’t a thing wrong with that, but you have got to learn your worth. Everybody ain’t worthy of a girl like you. Remember what’s his name? You thought he was the one when his voice made your coochie clench. What about Collin? Remember him? He was the one at one time, too. All I’m saying is don’t jump too far into the happy ending without reading the full story.”
“You right, sis, but this one is different. It was a physical attraction with those guys this one is something more. There was something about his voice. It was inviting me in. I just want to talk to him. I want his voice to lull me to sleep, even if it’s not every night, I at least want to hear it tonight.”
“Tread light baby, tread light,” Karley said while opening her arms for a hug. We embraced and I left the kitchen to gather my things for a shower.
My bathroom was a basic bathroom, no special amenities, except for the removable showerhead. I was certain every woman knew the purpose of that. Other than that, it was pretty plain. Porcelain sink, bath tub, and regular hanging spots for toothbrushes and soap.
I filled the tub with steamy hot water, added some chamomile bath salts, lit a few aromatherapy candles, and prepared for a relaxing bath. I lowered myself in the water and laid my head against my bath pillow. I closed my eyes and just let the hot water and fresh scent calm my nerves. I thought about Calgon taking me away, but knowing my luck ain’t no telling where it would take me, so I settled for the imaginary method. On impulse, I allowed my hand to gently stroke Ms. Kitty. I was in no way trying to nut. I was just enjoying the sensation.
Somehow, my thoughts drifted to Major. How he did look? Was he as sexy as his voice? Was he dark skinned, light skinned, fat, skinny? Now, normally, I didn’t discriminate, but I was partial to a dark skinned man. I like ‘em dark, dark. I want a man so black his ass look like two burnt biscuits.
The more I thought of the mystery man the wetter Ms. Kitty became, longing to be touched, caressed, and definitely tasted. My slippery opening let me know I either needed to release some pent up tension, or get my ass clean and out of the tub. I chose the latter of the two, only because I could finish me off later. I had an arsenal of toys. I had so much shit, I could blow my own back out in a matter of minutes. Yes, I would wait on that one. I proceeded with my bath. I lathered up in my Bath and Body Works Coconut Water Chill, and cleaned my body from head to toe.
Wrapped in my big fluffy towel, I stepped into my bedroom to find Karley sitting crossed legged on my bed with her ass damn near out of the tiny shorts she was wearing. Now, Karley too, was a bad bitch. She had the body of a goddess. She wore her naturally curly hair in a big afro with a single camellia placed right above her left ear and her alluring eyes dazzled. Karley wasn’t actually my blood sister, so we of course didn’t favor. However, as old people say, Feed ‘em long enough and they will start to look like you, which was proven true in our case. We didn’t look alike, but we had some of the same features.
My family had taken Karley in at the tender age of thirteen when her parents died in a car accident that almost left her a ward of the state. We went to the same church, were in Girl Scouts together, and had been the best of friends ever since I could remember. She spent many nights at my house as I did hers. We were inseparable, so when her parents passed away, mine didn’t hesitate to adopt her.
“Where this shit came from, V? It’s on point like hell. I wonder if this is what X feels like?” Karley asked. Now, I had never done X, but I heard it got ya pretty horny. If she was asking ‘bout that, she was feeling it too.
“You know that dude, Dee? Little light skinned Dee that be up there by The Hot Spot downtown, the one with the glasses and tats?” I explained.
“Yeah, I know who you talkin’ ‘bout,” she confirmed.
I just passed the blunt back and headed to my underwear drawer to grab some panties. I dropped my towel and threw on my royal blue thong with the satin bow at the top of my ass crack and the matching sheer bra. Sure, Victoria had a secret, but I done told that shit. With all the ass I’m totin’, there was nothing on the hush over here.
I peeped the side glance Karley had given me. I wasn’t going to mention it, but curiosity got the best of me. “Penny for your thoughts?”
“You are gonna call him aren’t ya?”
“Yep,” I replied.
“Be careful, Vic.”
“Girl, give it a rest, will ya? I am simply going to talk to the man. I like the sound of his voice and his conversation. It’s general interest. The same you would have if you met a dude in the grocery store or at a party. Everyone is a stranger ‘til you get to know ‘em. I got it, I promise. Aren’t you supposed to be gone?” I implied she’d leave in a playful way.
“Yes and now that you have politely told me to mind my business, I am gone,” Karley slapped me on one of my ass cheeks and got the hell out of my room.
Alone at last, I thought. I laid across the bed and ruffled through my purse to find Major’s number and my cell. I had a debate with myself, Should I call, or shouldn’t I call? What will I say? What would be too much? Before I even knew it, I was placing the phone to my ear.
“Hello,” the familiar voice greeted.
“Well, hello to you too.”
“Hello, Victoria.”
“How did you know it was me?”
“I told you, I have never heard a southern drawl sound so beautiful. I was expecting your call, what took so long?”
“Now what on earth would make you think I was going to call?”
The odds were in our favor. I brightened your day and you brightened mine. We share the same state and you enjoyed hearing my voice just as much as I enjoyed hearing yours. Now, ask yourself, why didn’t I think I would call? Had you given me your number, I would have called already.”
“Okay, so you got a point,” I cooed a little. “How was your day?”
“Funny you ask, I had an issue with my debit card, called the bank to sort things out and I spoke with the most amazing lady. She fixed my account and she made me think.”
“Think about what?” I curiously questioned.
“All sorts of things. Like where she was from? Who she was with? What makes her smile? Kinda like what she is doing right now.”
“Oh, stop it,” I gushed. “You laying it on real thick right now.” But he was right, I was smiling.
“I know. They say the way you start out with her is how you have to maintain it. I would love to see you smile every day.”
Wow, he was a talker, saying all the things I wanted to hear, but I still wanted to feel him out. “So, Mr. White, tell me something about you.”
“Only if you promise to tell me something about you.”
“Deal.”
“I am originally from Branchville, South Carolina. A small town outside of Orangeburg, you ever heard of it?”
“Can’t say that I am too familiar,” I thought more of it. Actually, I never heard of it,” I said with a little giggle. “Well, I am from Columbia, born and raised. I have been here all my life. You said you were traveling earlier, do you live somewhere else, or what?”
“Now see, that’s the complicated part. I have a home here in South Carolina, but I have a studio apartment in Delaware,” Major said, leaving his response a little vague, but I questioned it.
“Oh, okay, you have two places for?” I elongated my question.
“I was hoping you would ask me that.”
“Why?” I questioned.
“Because it shows interest,” Major said with that sexy chuckle. “People ask questions they want to know the answers to. As long as you’re asking, you are probably interested. The reason I have two homes is because I’m a long distance truck driver and I took on a job that required me to be up north for a while, but I actually reside in Branchville. Your turn.”
I went on to give Major the brief rundown of my current situation. I told him about school, he already knew about my job.
“So, do tell, Major, What’s your story?”
“I’d much rather hear yours, but if you insist I tell it. But firstly, I ask that you call me, Jody.”
“Wait, Jody like the guy in the movie?”
“Now, see, there you go. No, like the song, but you probably don’t know anything about that, young lady,” he said as he chuckled into the receiver.”
“Oh, I know about that all too well, my mama played them songs all the time. Jody leave ashes in yo’ ashtray, footprints on the carpet while you work all day,” I sang into the receiver and we both laughed at my rendition of “Mr. Jody.”
“You have a beautiful speaking voice, now that singing…”
“Watch it!”
Jody and I laughed and joked for hours. It was like we had known each other forever and I didn’t want it to end, but it was getting late.
“I hate to bid you good night, but I had no idea we had been on the phone for the last four hours,” I said.
“Has it been that long? I guess I didn’t notice because the entire time I was talking to you, it seemed as though time stood still.” Jody’s voice had become low and sexy. His once deep voice had become even deeper and I liked it.
I tried not to display my yearning for a call back, “Well now, I guess that means I will be talking to you tomorrow then, huh?”
“Indeed. Tomorrow and the next day and the day after that too. You gon’ talk to me every day, sweetheart.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it. You have a good night, Mr. Jody.”
“You as well.”
Sleep definitely didn’t come easy that night. I tossed, turned, and envisioned Jody. Tomorrow couldn’t come fast enough. I wanted to call him back just to tell him good night again. I felt insatiable and all I wanted was to hear his voice, just once more.
3
Victoria
Tomorrow and several other tomorrows had come and gone. Just as Jody promised, we talked every single day and every single night. On the two week anniversary of our first phone conversation, we decided to meet for our first official date. He was a southern gentleman that wanted to take the lead, so I agreed to follow. I gave him my stipulations up front about this dating thing.
“I have no problem with you picking the events of the evening, but we have to be in a public place at all times. I will be driving my own vehicle and…”
“Wait a minute, if you don’t feel comfortable, we don’t have to meet just yet. I don’t want you to be afraid, but I want you to know I am not the big bad wolf.”
“You’re right,” I sighed, “but still, public place and separate cars.”
“Of course. Is it possible to meet me in downtown Columbia, or is that too far of a drive from where you are?”
“Downtown is fine, but it’s also big. What particular place?”
“Well, I have the date planned out and the first stop is set to be drinks and appetizers. Do you eat sushi?”
“I do, actually.”
“Perfect, I was thinking we coul
d meet at Tsunami around seven?”
“That’s fine. Let me get off this phone so I can get all beautified.”
“Come on now. I told you before. Looks are pointless if the heart is corrupt. These last few weeks I’ve gotten to know you on the inside and that is where I see your true beauty.”
He was doing it again. He was saying all the right things at all the right times and steadily winning me over. “Yes you have told me that before and you are right once again. But I still need to get off this phone and go make the magic happen,” I joked.
“Well, you just go and do that. I am going to do the same, you know, since you all concerned with appearances and what not. Now, you got me all nervous,” Jody added with a chuckle.
“Oh no, that is reserved for me. I get to be the nervous one. I called it in the beginning. Now, will you puh-leeze let me go?”
“Victoria, I will never let you go, but I will hang up so you can get ready. Don’t say anything else, I will see you soon,” he ended the call with that.
I sat dazed for a moment. He will never let me go? Those are the words I had longed to hear from my man’s mouth. I wanted to be held, cared for, and loved. I wanted to know the feeling of someone actually loving me back. With all of my previous relationships there were some feelings there, but they all lacked emotion. Even when I was in high school, I had the typical run of the mill school crushes, so-called boyfriends, but they were screwing any and everything that would let them in.
After school it was the same thing, only an older version. Never had I been able to be in a relationship and it was the real deal. Either my demands were too much for him to handle, or his ways were too much for me to handle. And my biological clock was ticking, I had no room for games.
I shook the woe is me thoughts from my head and prepared for my date.
*****
Jody
As soon as I hung up with Victoria my phone vibrated, “Yooooo,” I said into the receiver.