“No, it doesn’t.”
“Yes, it does. When I laugh, it makes my stomach hurt.”
“Oh, I forgot about that. Sorry.”
We were tuned in to the movie, but when Dana reached for the popcorn, I snatched it away so she wouldn’t get any.
“Come on now, baby, stop this and give me some.”
“No. You’re going to have to work for this popcorn.” I tossed some up in the air so she could catch it with her mouth. She opened wide and the popcorn fell in. She snatched the bag, and then held her head, applying pressure with the tips of her fingers.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I just got a little dizzy. But now, it’s your turn.”
She tossed up the popcorn and I tried to catch it with my mouth. By the time I did, popcorn was all over the bed. We laughed as we picked up the pieces and aimed them in each other’s mouths.
The movie started to get good, so we chilled out and watched it. By the time it was over, Dana had fallen asleep in my arms. I kissed her forehead and rubbed my hands up and down on her soft cheeks. Thinking back to the last time we had so much fun together, I realized it had been years. Hopefully, things were getting back to normal, and all the hurt I still felt would soon be a thing of the past.
After several more weeks, Dana was back on her feet. I was excited about going back to work, but she wasn’t happy about it at all. I promised her it was over between Sylvia and me, but Dana wouldn’t let the memory of Sylvia and me being together die. She wanted me to fire Sylvia, but I told her that was something I just couldn’t do. When I suggested her trying to mend their friendship, she told me I was out of my mind. In the meantime, I asked her to forget about what had happened in the past and to try hard at moving on.
I tried to move forward my damn self, but no sooner had I stepped back into the office than I found it was difficult for me to be around Sylvia again. On purpose, I went in late just so she wouldn’t think I was in a rush to see her. Trying not to be an asshole, I did the norm for a Monday morning and walked right past her, Audrey, and Jackie, as they stood outside of my door running their mouths. I slammed the door hard, and shortly after, when I heard a knock, I yelled for whoever it was to come in.
Sylvia peeked her head through the door. “Would you like for me to tell you where Crissy left off? She and I went over everything on Friday, and if you want me to, I’d like to fill you in.”
“Yeah, come on in. Sit down so we can get started.”
Instead of sitting, Sylvia went over to the coffee machine, poured my coffee, and then placed the mug on my desk. Afterward, she took a seat in front of me.
“Thanks,” I said, answering the phone when it rang.
“Jonathan Taylor.”
“Hi, baby,” Dana, said. “Can you believe I’m missing you already?”
“Already?”
“Yes. Are you busy?”
“A little bit, why?”
“No reason. I didn’t want to be alone all day, that’s all.”
“Well, I’ll wrap up things around three o’clock. I’ll see you then, okay?”
“Thank you. I love you.”
I looked up at Sylvia who was biting her nails and pretending not to be listening. “I love you too,” I said and then hung up.
Sylvia glared at me and narrowed her eyes. “Are you ready now?”
“Been ready.”
For the next several hours, Sylvia went over everything that Crissy had worked on. She told me how close Crissy and she had gotten and said it was a lot more exciting working for Crissy than it was working for me. When I told her she could always move on, she said that moving on was definitely in her plans. I didn’t ask when or where she intended to go because I knew it would only start an argument between us. Basically, I let her comments roll right off my back.
As three o’clock neared, I packed my things and got ready to go. I stopped at Sylvia’s desk and told her to hit me on my cell phone if she needed anything. Completely forgetting about Britney’s band concert tonight, Sylvia asked me if I had planned on going.
“Damn, that’s right. It is tonight, isn’t it?”
“Yes, Jonathan. And things like that you shouldn’t forget.”
“I know, I . . . I was so eager to get back to work today that I forgot.”
“If you don’t come, she’s going to be really disappointed.”
“Oh, I’ll be there. It just slipped my mind.”
“Okay, then I’ll see you later.”
“So, you’re going too?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Besides, if I didn’t go, she would kill me.”
“She probably would.”
I told Sylvia she could leave early, and then headed for home to spend time with Dana. When I told her about Britney’s concert tonight, she insisted that she wanted to go. She explained how it was time she supported Britney more and said that she was willing to give their relationship one more try.
Later that evening, Dana and I put on our clothes and left to go to the concert. She looked dynamite in her red Dana Buchman pantsuit that was accented with white pearls. She didn’t have the time or patience to curl her hair, so she put it in a neat, slick ponytail, which looked perfect to me.
When we arrived at Britney’s school, the entryway to the auditorium was jammed with people. Having height over just about everyone, I looked around to see if I could see Britney. When I saw her in the far corner talking to Beverly and James, Beverly’s boyfriend, I took Dana’s hand and walked over by them. From a distance, Beverly spotted us and immediately walked away. Britney smiled and ran up to give me a hug and kiss.
“Hi, Daddy,” she said, wiping her lipstick off my cheek.
“Hey, baby girl. What time is this thing supposed to get started?”
“Soon, I hope,” Britney said, looking at Dana. “Dana, I heard about your accident. I . . . I’m glad you’re okay.”
“So am I. It really could have been a lot worse, but I’m thankful that it wasn’t.”
Britney nodded and looked back at me. “So, Daddy, where are we having dinner at tonight?”
“Dinner? Who said anything about dinner?”
“Nobody, but I’m hungry. Can we go to Morton’s? Please?”
“We? Who are we?”
“You know, all of us. Me, you, Mama, James, Sylvia, her boyfriend, and oh, yeah, Dana.”
I had no idea Sylvia was bringing a date. “And, let me guess. I’m supposed to pay for all of this, right?”
“Well, you the only one who got some for real money.”
“We’ll see,” I said. I wasn’t up to having dinner with Beverly and Sylvia, or with their men.
Britney hugged me again and went back into the band room. Knowing that the concert was about to start, Dana and I found a seat, after she stood around running her mouth with several ladies she knew from the neighborhood.
No sooner had we taken a seat, than Sylvia came in with Lorenzo. They sat two rows in front of us not even knowing that she had my attention; I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. Interrupting my gaze, Dana reached over and touched my hand. I held her hand tightly in mine and squeezed it. She smiled then kissed me.
“What was that for?” I asked.
“Just for being you,” she said.
I nodded then looked for Britney as the band came in.
I was so damn proud of Britney, and I watched her throw down on her flute. Over the last few months, she had changed so much. I knew Sylvia was somewhat responsible. During the concert, though, my eyes wandered. I couldn’t keep them off of Sylvia and Lorenzo. I watched as he rubbed her legs, he leaned in to kiss her a few times, and she even rubbed the back of his head like she always did mine.
When the lights came on for intermission, I told Dana I needed to go to the restroom. She insisted she needed to go as well and stood up with me. She walked in front of me, and as we passed by Sylvia’s row, I saw her look over at us. Our eyes connected, but when Dana
took my hand, Sylvia turned her head.
After I used the restroom and washed my hands, I looked in the mirror to straighten my tie. Lorenzo came in and caught me completely off guard.
“Jonathan, right,” he said, reaching his hand out for me to shake it.
“That’s right. Lorenzo, correct?”
“Yeah,” he said. “Sylvia told me so much about you. She’s always bragging about what a great boss she has.”
“Yeah, that sounds like Sylvia.”
“Anyway, Jonathan, good seeing you again. I’m glad I came tonight. That band out there is phenomenal.”
“Aren’t they,” I said and then turned to leave.
As soon as I left the restroom, I saw Sylvia leaned against the wall, waiting for Lorenzo to come out. I waved at her and she gave me a simple wave back. I heard Dana calling my name, so I walked up to her. She wanted to introduce me to a few people that she knew.
“This is my husband, Jonathan,” she said loud enough for everyone to hear. I shook hands with everyone, and after conversing for a while longer, we all went back into the auditorium. Again, Sylvia and I caught each other’s eyes, as Dana and I were on our way back to our seats. Dana held my hand and did not let it go until the concert was over.
We all waited for Britney in one big circle, but no one had anything to say to each other but James and me. He asked if I could do anything about a ticket he’d gotten and I referred him to someone who could help.
Knowing how uncomfortable Dana was about seeing Sylvia, I wrapped my arms around Dana to put her at ease. She held me tightly around the waist, and when Britney came out, it was such a relief. She gave everybody a hug and thanked us for coming. When she suggested dinner again, nobody wanted to go. Everybody made excuses, but when she pleaded with us, we all changed our minds.
Britney rode in the car with Dana and me. She and Dana made good conversation, and when we got to Morton’s, we all went inside.
Since it was rather crowded, they seated us in a private room. The waiters showed us samples of the steaks we could order, and after everyone ordered, you could hear a pin drop in the room. Britney was the only one making conversation with everyone, and when she didn’t talk, I turned to Dana for small talk. Just by looking at her, I noticed how uncomfortable she was. Beverly and Sylvia quietly talked to James and Lorenzo.
The food came and I could barely eat in peace. I couldn’t keep myself from looking at Sylvia, and when she got up to go to the restroom, the direction of my eyes followed her out the door. Shortly after, she came back and glanced at me before taking a seat.
That was it for me and I was ready to go. I finished my wine and asked Dana if she was ready. She nodded, and when I let it be known to Britney that we were leaving, she thanked us again for coming and gave both of us a hug.
I pulled out my credit card and looked for the waiter so I could pay him. When James and Lorenzo saw the American Express card in my hand, they offered to chip in. I told them no, and after I paid the waiter for dinner, Dana and I said good-bye to everyone and left.
The drive home was quiet. My mind wandered while Dana’s head was leaned back on the headrest. Her eyes were closed and I figured she was in deep thought. But when I looked again, she had fallen asleep.
I carried Dana to the bedroom, knowing that she needed some rest. As for me, I took a shower, changed into my pajama pants then I climbed into bed with her. As I pulled the cover over me, she turned in bed to face me. I could see that she had already gotten up and changed into her nightgown.
“I hate to keep bringing this up, but can I ask you something without you getting defensive?” she asked.
“Of course. And I never get defensive when you ask me anything.”
“Sometimes, yes, you do, but, uh, are you in love with Sylvia?”
“No. Why did you ask me that?”
“Because you did not take your eyes off her for one moment tonight. It made me very uncomfortable, and I know she saw how you watched her.”
“Dana, just because I might have been looking at her doesn’t mean I’m in love. Besides, I wasn’t looking at her that much. She is attractive, so what man in his right mind wouldn’t look?”
“Not how you were looking at her, though. And attractive, she is not. Forgive me if I’m wrong, but I read a little bit more into it than just that.”
“You’re reading what you want to read into it because of our past history. I told you before that it was over between us, so therefore, you have nothing to worry about.”
She placed her hand on the side of my face and rubbed it. “If you say so, baby. Only if you say so.”
I straightened my pillow and turned to face the wall. Dana moved closer and whispered in my ear. “Would you be so kind and make love to me tonight?”
I turned around to face her. “Are you sure you’re ready? I didn’t think you were ready for that yet.”
“I am, but you have to take it extremely slow.”
I lay on my back. “Why don’t you get on top and go as slow as you would like to.”
Dana straddled my chest then brought her pussy up to my mouth for me to taste her. As I licked her insides, I moved my hands up her silky nightgown and massaged her breasts. We were both excited, and after I made her come, she backed away from my mouth and worked her wet pussy up and down on my growing dick. Not having sex for a while, I came fast. We took a short break, and after that, my wife and I made love throughout the entire night. I tried to be as gentle as I could, but certain positions I put her in, she insisted she wasn’t ready for yet. Not wanting to hurt her, I let her direct me and she had no problem doing so.
By morning, we lay on the floor where we ended up last night. It was already seven o’clock, so I hurried up and showered, then changed into my work clothes. I woke up Dana and told her to get in bed. She did and I gave her a long, juicy kiss before leaving.
On my way to work, my cell phone rang. I didn’t recognize the number, but I answered it anyway.
“John-John,” he said, and I knew it was Jaylin.
“What’s up, man?”
“You, my brotha. But, uh, you got company. Right now, if you look in your rearview mirror, you’re being followed by a black Cutlass Supreme, right?”
I looked in my rearview mirror and saw the Cutlass. “Yeah, who is it?”
“It’s the man of the hour, Lewis. Along with a friend of his, and they’ve been following you for a couple of days. Today, however, is not going to be their lucky day. I’m about to tell you what to do. Don’t ask any questions, John-John, just do it.”
“The plan is in motion. Now tell me what to do.”
“As soon as you merge onto Highway 40, slam hard on your brakes and let him run into the back of your car. Get out and make the biggest damn scene you have ever made about the damages to your car. When the police get there, because they’ve already been called, make sure they run a police check on both of the brothas and make sure they search the car.”
“So, let me get this straight: you want me to tear up my fucking car? I don’t know about that shit, man.”
“Trust me, it’ll all be worth it. It’s a gun in his car that was used in a carjacking that injured a white woman. And in the trunk, there’s enough cocaine in a suitcase that’s going to send those motherfuckers to jail. For quite some time, I might add, especially after the police get a look at the long-ass criminal record those two fools got. Thing is, the brothas don’t even know the shit is in there. So, quickly, do like I told you and don’t forget to thank me later.”
Jaylin hung up.
The highway was half of a mile down the road, and as soon as I turned onto it, I slammed on the brakes. Traveling so closely behind me, the Cutlass hit me in the rear and sent me flying forward with my seatbelt on. It took me a few seconds to gather myself, and when I got out, the back of my Lexus was fucked up. The Cutlass’s front end was smashed, had antifreeze dripping from it, and was smoking.
Lewis and his friend rushed out of t
he car, slamming their doors.
“Are you following me, motherfucker?” I yelled.
His friend pulled out a gun, but when he heard the police sirens coming, he ran up the hill and tried to cross over a tall fence. The police saw him and ran to catch him. The other police car pulled behind the Cutlass and two officers got out.
“What’s going on here?” a heavyset officer asked while looking over at the other officer who already had Lewis’s friend in handcuffs. He was frowning and couldn’t stop talking shit to the officer. I shook my head and explained what had happened.
“I was on my way to work, Officer, and this gentleman slammed into the back of my car. He used to work for me, and I recently had him arrested over a confrontation between us. His friend suddenly pulled a gun on me, I guess, trying to settle our dispute.”
The officer slammed Lewis’s friend on the ground then searched his pockets.
“Motherfucker, you gotta be so rough?” Lewis’s friend yelled at the officer.
“Shut up. I don’t want to hear another word from you.”
Lewis stood there and didn’t have a damn thing to say. When the officer asked for our driver’s licenses, we handed them over. One officer walked back to the police car, and the other one asked Lewis if he could search the car.
“Feel free,” he said being stupid and not even knowing his rights. He hadn’t a clue what the hell was about to go down.
With my arms folded, I stood next to my car and waited. When four more police cars showed up I laughed to myself. They all pulled their guns and yelled for Lewis to get down on the ground. He placed his hands behind his head and slowly kneeled down.
“Wha . . . what the fuck is this all about?” he shouted and appeared confused.
“Close your mouth and stay there!”
Two officers laid him and his friend out in the grass while more officers tore the car apart. They found another gun, and when they opened the suitcase, it was stacked high with cocaine packages.
Lewis’s eyes bugged and he shook his head. “This . . . this is a gotdamn set up! I’ve been set up!”
One of the officers pointed to him. “Sit there and shut the fuck up!”
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