Broken (Endurance)

by Thomas, April

  "Max!" Mei called out. "Okay, thank you, Renee. I’ll be real quick." She turned and rushed down the hallway, running into Max as he exited her room.

  "Does Uriel need a bath?" Max asked catching Mei as she stumbled backwards.

  "Yeah, Renee is watching him right now. I’m going to jump in the shower." She stepped around him and headed for the bathroom.

  "Need help?" Max joked.

  "Bring in Uriel after like, five minutes," Mei replied, too busy to catch his joke.

  Max walked out into the living room and found Renee struggling to hold a fidgeting Uriel who was trying to get away from her.

  "Sorry, he is a handful," Max said, walking over to take him from her.

  "That kid is strong," Renee replied breathless.

  "Yeah," Max mumbled. He cradled Uriel who was now calm and relaxed in his arms. "Are you ready for a bath?"

  Renee gazed at Max's body, admiring his physique. "So you work out a lot?"

  "When I can. Lately, building that hut has been enough of a work out. How are you and your partner working out?" Max asked, making conversation to kill time.

  "Oh yeah. She quit so now the professor is going to bring in someone else. Right now I’m the only one working on the hut… all by myself."

  "I'm sorry to hear that," Max said, as he made funny faces at Uriel.

  "I know you have a lot to do in your hut, but, well, you guys are almost done, right?"

  "With the outside walls and the flooring done, they should be putting in the plumbing today," Max replied.

  "Cool, maybe you could help me out with mine. I don't know what I’m doing."

  "Yeah, sure, if I can find the time," Max replied, before answering Mei's yell. "I’ll talk to you later."

  "We can all walk to class together. I’m in no rush."

  Max simply nodded as he walked away. Truth was he didn’t really care one way or the other. He showered and dressed while Mei got ready and prepared Uriel for daycare. Ten minutes later, they all headed out the door.

  Renee positioned herself beside Max as they walked out the dorm. Exasperated, Mei tried to control her growing frustration. She glanced at Max and tried to gauge his take on Renee’s behavior. His gaze was distant and his lips fluttered with mumblings of the work to be done on the hut. He seemed completely oblivious of the silent war that was broiling over him.

  They arrived at their class, which was now being held at the location of the village. Today the professor had a surprise for the class and was eager to begin.

  Max, Mei and Renee had just enough time to settle in among the other students when the professor announced that they would spend the night in the village. Some people were excited, while others were not. They’d failed to complete the basic building steps of their hut. They would only have the rest of the day to complete the basics.

  A student raised her hand to ask the professor a question that seemed to be on everyone’s mind. "What is the point of this lesson?"

  The professor sighed. "The point of this lesson is teamwork. We don't live on this planet alone. We need to put our differences aside and work together for the common good. Now this has been said for years, but not too many people have truly lived this simple philosophy. I want to create a village of men, woman and children who will work together, play together, struggle and succeed together. This project has so many life lessons and you will learn them as each day passes. Right now we need to take advantage of as much daylight as possible. Let’s get to work."

  "Max, how do you feel about Uriel? Do we have everything he needs to stay the night?" Mei asked..

  Max placed his arm around her. "Yes, he will finally have his mom and dad under one roof."

  "Yeah, you’re right."

  "Max," Renee called in a sing song voice. "Can you help me with something?"

  Max turned his attention to Renee, He just wanted to spend some quality time with his wife and make sure their hut was safe enough for Uriel. Renee struck a nerve with him and he really didn't want to be bothered by her. "I have to take care of my family first." Max called over his shoulder as he led Mei to their hut.

  Renee tried to keep her cool as she stomped away. She was not about to give up so easily. Determined that she would pique Max's sexual interest, she devised a scheme to catch him alone. Renee believed that all men were interested in only one thing and one thing only, and that was sex. Once she’d worked her magic, she would have him begging for more.

  Mei walked silently ahead of Max, her pace quickened by anger.

  "Mei, what's wrong?" Max hurried to keep up.

  Mei shook her head as she walked, her arms folded across her chest. She pushed open the door to their bamboo hut welcoming the cool air that flowed through. Mei relaxed as she walked around the empty circular hut. The floor was made of bamboo and she took a deep breath as she enjoyed the fresh air and scent of the tropical plants that grew around the hut.

  "Is it Renee?" Max asked, ruining her peaceful state.

  "Max, she throws herself at you as if I wasn't even standing right there next to you."

  "Mrs. Martinez, do you trust me?"

  Mei turned to look at Max. "I trust God."

  Max was a little taken aback, but understood her answer. He liked what she said, knowing she was right. "Then trust that God would not allow a hoe to come between us."

  Mei slowly nodded. "It's just that she makes my blood crawl. Why would they have someone like that in a place like this?"

  "I was wondering the same thing."

  "Well, Sandra mentioned something about Renee being her responsibility," Mei added.

  "Sucks for Sandra." Max walked towards Mei. "So, will we be breaking in a new bed tonight?" He smiled as he grabbed her by the waist.

  She reached up on the tips of her toes and kissed Max. He picked her up, straddling her legs around him. Mei ran her fingers through his hair, forcefully and playfully yanking his head back. She gently bit his neck, slowly gliding her mouth to his ear and whispering, "When you build a bed."

  Max laughed and he slowly set her down. "I think I’ve created a monster." He held onto her. "You got me dying for you," he whispered in her ear.

  Mei felt chills roll down her spine. She closed her eyes and leaned her head on his chest. She wanted him just as much as he wanted her.

  Steel Pan

  Tamarius watched Makayla as she walked across the living room and into the kitchen. They hadn't spoken for three days. He’d, of course, tried to talk to her, however Makayla was stubborn. Tamarius knew that something else was bothering her beside the little argument they’d had a few days earlier. He just couldn't get all the details.

  The house was busy. Everyone was preparing for a party in Tia's favor. Fa wanted to celebrate his niece's recovery. Tia was off her crutches, her fractures had healed completely. The doctors were baffled, unaware of what had taken place for her to heal so quickly. Although she could walk, her body was still weak.

  Tamarius walked outside to help Makayla's father pull out chairs and tables for the guests that would be arriving shortly.

  Makayla gazed out of the kitchen window, staring at Tamarius. She missed him and needed him, but didn't want to get him involved in her mess. The demon that had attacked her three nights earlier had opened old wounds; wounds she had thought healed. She feared losing what she had with Tamarius because of that demon.

  "Honey, when are you going to talk to that boy?" Coretta asked.

  Makayla quickly looked down into the sink trying to refocus her attention on washing a large pot. "Mom, it's not that simple."

  "Well, if you scrub that pot any longer there won't be anything left." Coretta eased the pot out of her hands and rinsed it off.

  "Sorry, Mom." Makayla found a towel to dry her hands with.

  "Kay, I don't know what's going through your head, but if someone really loves you, nothing you tell them will make them walk away."

  "I just don't want him to get hurt."

  "Hurt? D’you see the
size of that man? Who crazy enough to hurt him, besides Bruce Lee over there?" Coretta pointed to Mei's father.

  Makayla laughed. Bruce Lee indeed. "Do you think I'm with the right guy?"

  Coretta turned off the water and put the pot on the stove. She dried her hands on her apron and looked at her daughter. "What I think is not as important as how you feel about him. Yes, for the first time I know you’ve got it right, but do you know that?"

  Makayla stood silent for a moment, pondering her mother's question. "I guess I’m letting my fear destroy the one thing I am trying to protect."

  Coretta nodded, happy to hear her daughter finally making sense. "Go... go and talk to him. The man has been watching you like an abandoned puppy for three days."

  Makayla slowly walked out of the kitchen. Her hand on the doorknob, she turned back to her mother. "Thank you, Mom."

  "You’re welcome, love."

  Makayla walked out to the back patio, her eyes locked on Tamarius as he spoke and laughed with her father. As if he felt her gaze, he stopped and turned in her direction.

  Convinced that she was coming to talk to her father, Tamarius held back on all he wanted to say to her. Their eyes met as she came closer. Makayla stopped in front of Tamarius and stared at him.

  Fa fidgeted a moment then wiped his brow. “I’m thirsty. I’ll go round up something to drink.”

  Tamarius' fingertips ached to touch her. He’d been rejected so many times over the past few days that he didn't dare.

  Makayla closed her eyes and lowered her head for a second. She opened her eyes and looked up at him again. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

  "For what?"

  "Shutting you out."

  "Why are you shutting me out?"

  Makayla glanced at the chairs sitting in the shade. Tamarius read her mind and walked over to one of the chairs and sat down. Makayla joined him.

  "Talk to me. Tell me what's going on."

  "The demon that we dealt with the other day was the same demon that came after me in the past. I thought I’d gotten rid of him. Every time I get serious with someone, he comes back to destroy the relationship. I don't want him to win this time."

  "Is this why you've been pushing me away?"

  "Yeah, I... I don't..."

  Tamarius pulled his chair closer to her. "You don't want me involved," he said finishing her sentence.

  Makayla looked into his grey eyes and shook her head. "I don't want to lose you." She smiled.

  "I love you. Why is that so hard to believe?"

  "I’ve never felt this way. I’ve never had such an intense love. I didn't think this was possible," Makayla said under her breath. "I...love you, T."

  Tamarius was overwhelmed by his emotions on hearing Makayla tell him she loved him for the first time. "Wow, I don't think I ever heard you say that."

  "I've told you before," Makayla said with a loving smile.

  "Come here?" He stood.

  Makayla rose and stepped into his embrace.

  "Don't ever assume I won't be there for you. Promise me."

  Makayla looked up into his face. "I promise."

  Moments later, guests began to arrive for the party. Workers from the orphanages, all of Makayla's family and some of Tamarius' family had all been invited. Everyone had a good time and they were thrilled to see Tia on her way to a full recovery.

  It was past midnight when the last few guest finally left. Makayla told her parents to go to bed. They both looked exhausted. Her mother was reluctant, but she gave in. Makayla sent Tia to bed, also. She still needed much rest to complete her recovery. Tia didn’t argue and went to bed.

  It took them hours, but Tamarius and Makayla finally finished cleaning up after the party. When everything was cleared, they sat outside enjoying the night’s cool breeze. After a moment, Tamarius stood and walked to the steel pan drums. He picked up the sticks and began to play. Makayla smiled. She loved steel pan. The sounds echoed through her, beating right into her soul. She walked over to Tamarius and stood in front of him admiring the music.

  "I didn't know you played."

  "My father made us pick an instrument when we were young."

  "You’re good." Makayla smiled.

  "Did you ever play?"

  "No, just enjoyed the sounds. It soothes me," she mumbled.

  Tamarius grinned and stopped. "Come." He motioned for her to join him.

  Makayla stepped between him and the steel drum. Tamarius put the sticks in her hands and pulled her close to him. "Okay, just relax," he whispered into her ear. He placed his hands over hers and began to play 'Old time something.'

  Makayla smiled as he guided her hands, beating out the rhythm.

  Tamarius breathed in her scent as he began to kiss her neck. Her ponytail fell to the side exposing the back of her neck. He kissed the back of her neck.

  Makayla could feel him losing his focus. The kisses he placed on the back of her neck caused her heart to skip a beat as she dropped the sticks. They both stood silent for a second before he spun her around, kissing her wildly.

  Makayla slipped her hands under his shirt, running her nails over his muscles. He picked her up as she placed her arms around his neck. They kissed until they were both breathless.

  "Stop, before I rape you right here," Makayla teased.

  "Can't call it rape if we both want it." Tamarius tried to catch his breath. He had Makayla pinned up against the seven-foot fence. He slowly let her down until she leaned her head on his chest. "When do we go home?" Tamarius joked.

  "I'm ready to go now," Makayla joked back as she stepped from around him.

  "I can call the jet now." Tamarius was now serious.

  Makayla smiled as she stepped towards him to touch his cheek.

  "I think you should go, stand far over there, right now," Tamarius said, pointing across the pool.

  "Tamarius, are you serious?" Makayla laughed.

  "Hey, you don't have the same tools I have."

  "I'm going to bed." Makayla laughed and walked off.

  Tamarius eventually made it into the house. He wanted to see Makayla one last time before he went to bed. He tapped on her door and Makayla poked her head around the door.

  "I just want to tell you goodnight."

  "Goodnight, baby."

  Tamarius could see that she was wearing one of his favorite nightgowns. "What are you

  wearing?"

  Makayla smiled. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

  "Yeah, I would. Okay, you know what? I’m leaving you hanging. Goodnight," Tamarius said sternly as he walked off.

  Makayla laughed as she began to close the door, only to be stopped by Tamarius' foot blocking the way. She opened the door to let him in. "I thought you were going to leave me hanging."

  "Leave you? Never." He grabbed her.

  "Babe, my parents are next door."

  "Okay... why are you trying to ruin it for me."

  Makayla laughed softly. She locked the door and pulled her cami over her head while Tamarius took off his shirt. He watched her silhouette in the moonlight. "Are you sure you want to do this?" he whispered.

  "No, but I can't resist you anymore. I missed you. It wasn't easy pretending to be mad at you."

  "Pretend?"

  "Yeah." She met his gaze. "Sorry." She looked away.

  Tamarius wrapped his arms around her. "Oh, you’re going to pay for that."

  Makayla looked into his eyes. "I thought men like you were dead."

  "And I thought women like you didn't exist." He leaned down, kissing her and feeling her naked breasts against his chest caused him to become vivacious as he slipped off her thong.

  Makayla unbuttoned his pants, and Tamarius picked her up and looked around the room.

  "Floor," Makayla whispered.

  "The floor?" Tamarius protested.

  Makayla slowly gyrated against his chest. With a groan, he guided her to the floor and made love to her. They fell into blissful sleep, holding each other.

  Mak
ayla was awakened by a sharp knock at her door. She knew it was her father and instantly panicked. They had overslept and it was now nine in the morning.

  "Kay, breakfast is ready," Fa said.

  "Okay, Dad. I’ll be there in a sec." Makayla jumped to her feet and looked down at Tamarius. He was knocked out. Makayla was grateful he wasn't the heavy snoring type. She got down on the floor where they’d fallen asleep and crawled over Tamarius, kissing him from his bellybutton to his neck.