Charged for His Sins

by Natavia

  The next morning, I walked down the stairs after I got dressed. Zadik came out of the hallway bathroom and followed me into the kitchen.

  “Emeka you’re finally here,” my uncle’s daughter seven-year-old Sarah ran to me and hugged me. I fell back into Zadik because she knocked me off my balance a bit. I lifted her up and spun her around in a circle as I kissed all over her face. Sarah was short for her age and didn’t weigh much more than a toddler so it was easy to still spin her around.

  “I missed you so much Sarah,” I told her as I stopped spinning her.

  “You wouldn’t have to if you would’ve let me come this summer,” she said. Did I mention she was a bit sassy at times?

  “That’s enough Sarah. Emeka is busy with school and work. Now, get over here and eat breakfast so you won’t be late for summer camp.” Sasha Carl’s wife scolded her.

  “That’s not fair. You should’ve let me stay with Emeka to make up for this summer. Besides, I really don’t need summer camp. I only go because you and dad work too much,” Sarah replied to her mother. Sarah had the typical only child syndrome at times.

  “Emeka will be here for a week now sit down and eat or you’ll be grounded to your room for the entire time Emeka is here.” Sarah pouted but she did as her mother said.

  “You two sit down and eat before the food gets cold. After breakfast, I’m going to drop you and Zadik off at the nursing home on my way to work.” Carl said while giving Zadik the side-eye. He couldn’t get over the fact that I had a boyfriend. He still saw me as the little girl he taught how to ride a bike and tie shoes.

  **********

  When I walked into my grandmother’s room she was sitting in her lazy boy chair. She weakly smiled at me and I smiled back. She seemed more at peace that day although the nurses gave her medication for agitation. Zadik hugged her after I hugged her. I noticed her hair wasn’t combed so I looked around for her personal care items. Satisfied with the comb and grease I found, I began to comb her hair.

  “I want to thank you for taking care of me since you were a kid,” My grandmother said to me. My grandmother was having a lucid moment. Tears fell from my eyes because I could sense something wasn’t right. She seemed normal and she remembered all of what I did for her. It was as if she had made peace with God that day.

  “You don’t have to thank me for loving you as I should grandma.”

  “I love you too baby, make my hair look really pretty.” My grandmother said sweetly.

  “Zadik, you take care of my baby.” My grandmother stared at him with intense eyes.

  “I will always take care of her no matter what Miss Hattie.” Zadik said before he leaned down in front of my grandmother and whispered in her ear.

  “Yes, as long as you do a practice run so I can see and use this.” My grandmother gave Zadik one of her necklaces. I was concentrating on braiding her hair to perfection; so, I didn’t know what her and Zadik were doing and which necklace she had given him.

  “I will Miss Hattie, I’ll be right back.” Zadik said before he ran out of the room.

  “What’s going on?” I questioned my grandmother but she waved me off.

  Zadik came in the room less than five minutes later with a nurse trailing him. The nurse was recording Zadik with his cell phone.

  I was shocked when Zadik got down on one knee. It seemed like a dream.

  “If I died today I would die a happy man because I had the pleasure of knowing your love. You have shown me what true love is countless of times. Nothing in this world would be worth doing if you weren’t by my side. If it was ever between your love and anything else in this world, I’ll choose you every time. Even when it comes to basketball. When I feel weak you give me strength. When I experience anger your smile makes me happy again. I know I hurt you but it was a learning experience for me. I had to lose you in order to see how much I needed you. You’re the most beautiful woman in my world and I want you to marry me. Will you be my wife like we planned?” he asked. I knew someone helped Zadik with his proposal but I didn’t care. I was only nineteen-years-old and marrying a basketball star.

  “Yes,” I sobbed. He placed the engagement ring my grandfather gave my grandmother on my finger. It was the ring she wore on one of the necklaces. He kissed me when he stood up.

  “I always wanted to see Emeka happy. I stayed alive for this moment,” my grandmother said.

  “I recorded it all.” The nurse said as she handed Zadik his phone back. I finished my grandmother’s hair then tied it up in a scarf so it could last her for a while. I covered her up with a blanket as she reclined back in her chair. Zadik and I laid across the bed and watched TV. I ended up dozing off…

  What seemed like minutes later, I woke up to a lot of commotion inside of the room. I jumped off the bed when I noticed a nurse was feeling my grandmother’s neck for a pulse. Carl had tears in his eyes that threatened to fall. Zadik sat in the corner of the room with his face buried in his hands. I didn’t understand how everything happened so quickly.

  “Whats going on?” I asked.

  “A nurse came in to give Hattie her medicine and realized she wasn’t breathing. She’s dead,” Carl’s voice trembled.

  “We’ll give you time to say goodbye.” The doctor said before he ushered the nurses out of the room.

  I ran to her and wrapped my arms around her. She looked peaceful and I was somewhat relieved that she didn’t have to suffer anymore. I had a feeling she was dying because I saw it in her eyes and heard it in her voice. I think Zadik saw it too and that’s why he proposed to me. She wanted to see me happy before she left the Earth.

  My grandmother wanted to be cremated. We had a small service for her three days later. It was Carl and his small family, me and Zadik who said our final goodbyes. Carl took some of her to get a necklace made for me with them in it.

  ************

  Five days later…

  I stayed back with my family. Zadik went to New York the day before with his family for the NBA draft. I was supposed to go with him, but he insisted that I stay back. I couldn’t wait to get home and tell my friends the good news. I couldn’t believe Zadik had proposed to me but then again why wouldn't he? I was his first love and he was mine. We had known each other since we were kids. He grew up around my family and I grew up around his. Everything seemed perfect in my eyes, but why wasn’t I jumping for joy? I was happy but something didn’t feel right. Maybe it was the guilt I felt for messing around with Cayman. I was thinking about him and I couldn’t help it. The images of him screwing Faraji stayed on my mind. Carl took me to the airport after I finished packing my things. I wanted to hurry up and get home to watch the draft. The flight was only an hour long from South Carolina.

  “Thank you for everything, Emeka. I appreciate all that you did. Don’t hesitate to call me if you ever need anything. I know I might be overstepping my boundaries, but are you sure you are ready for marriage? Are you sure Zadik is the one? He’s a good kid, but he’s all you know. It might be someone else out there for you but you will never know,” Carl said.

  “I don’t think there is anyone else for me,” I replied. I wasn’t sure myself but it only felt right marrying the person I gave my innocence to.

  “Okay cool. I just wanted to see where your head was at, but it looks to me like your mind is already made up,” Carl said. I kissed his cheek goodbye then grabbed my duffel bag. He thanked me again before I walked into of the airport.

  Two hours later…

  “Thanks for picking me up,” I said to Adisa when I buckled up my seat belt.

  “Anytime. How was it?” she asked.

  “My grandmother died,” I replied and she slammed on breaks. My head almost hit the dashboard.

  “Damn it, Adisa. Next time warn me,” I said. She placed her hand on her chest to calm her nerves.

  “I’m sorry. How are you holding up? I wasn’t expecting her to go so soon,” she replied.

  “I know but I’m relieved. She doesn’t have to
suffer anymore. She was getting worse and I hated seeing her that way,” I replied. Adisa grabbed my hand and looked at my ring.

  “I’m happy and sad at the same time! Bitch, are you engaged?” she asked.

  “Yes, and she died right after Zadik proposed,” I said.

  “I can’t believe this shit. My bitch is about to be a basketball wife. Oh, these bitches are about to be jealous,” Adisa said.

  You mean these niggas are about to be jealous, I thought.

  “Take me to the liquor store. We need to celebrate!” I said in excitement. I needed the liquor to ease the confusion that was going on inside of my head.

  “Say no more! House party at my crib!” Adisa yelled out. She pulled out in traffic and I held onto the door. Adisa drove like a bat out of hell. I closed my eyes and prayed that I made it home safely.

  ************

  “This ring is pretty,” Samiah said as she stared at my hand.

  “I love it,” Faraji chimed in.

  “Now, all of y’all about to start getting ideas and shit. I’m glad I left my hoes at home,” Hoppa chimed in.

  “Marriage is a great step in a relationship,” Jaz said.

  Adisa invited everyone we were cool with to her and Sam’s apartment. Everyone congratulated me except for Cayman. He sat on the couch with a glass of Henny in his hand. He was wrapped up in a conversation with Zu. Samiah told me that Cayman and Zu had became close friends. Zadik didn’t try to make friends with my friend’s boyfriends. He was cordial with them, but he didn’t hang out with them much. Maybe he thought they were going to figure him out.

  “I have to go to work,” Faraji said when she came out of the bathroom. Cayman waved her off unfazed by her suddenly leaving. She left out of the apartment and I followed behind her.

  “Are you really going to work?” I asked.

  “Why does it matter, Emeka? You have a fiancé now so hopefully, you can stay out of my damn business. You question me more than my own damn man,” Faraji spat.

  “I swear this friendship is getting hard,” I said and she crossed her arms.

  “Congrats but I gotta go,” she said. She kissed me on the cheek and walked out of the building. I was ready to walk back inside of Adisa’s apartment but the door opened. Cayman stood in the hallway with a sexy smirk on his face. I tried to reach around him but he blocked me.

  “Move before she comes back,” I said.

  “You don’t want to marry that nigga do you?” Cayman asked.

  “Why are you in my business?” I asked with my arms crossed.

  “I’m not. I’m just asking a question,” he replied.

  “I love him so why wouldn’t I?” I asked.

  “What is that supposed to mean?” he replied.

  “Can you move out of my way?” I asked. His eyes roamed over my body before they landed on my lips. I had major butterflies and that's when I knew we were playing a dangerous game.

  “What if I don’t want to?” he asked.

  “Why are you doing this?” I asked. He pulled me into him and kissed me. A moan slipped from my lips as I enjoyed the feel of his body being close to mine. The door opened and I pulled away from him. It was Zu leaving out to get more drinks. He looked at Cayman then looked at me with a smirk.

  “My bad,” Zu said. We waited until he was out of the building to start talking again.

  “This is dangerous. That could've been one of my friends,” I said.

  “I apologize. I can’t help it though. It’s something about you that I can’t shake,” he said and I blushed.

  “It doesn't matter because I’m going to be someone’s wife,” I replied.

  “One mans wife can be another mans treasure. I’ll see you around,” he said. He pecked my lips one more time before he left out of the building. A strong ache formed between my legs. I had never wanted someone so bad in my life. I decided to get over the lust I had for him because I was betraying my best friend and my fiancé. I went back into the house and Adisa was screaming at the TV. Zadik got drafted to the Washington Wizards. Everyone was cheering except for me. I sat down on the couch and realized the life I had wasn’t the life I wanted. I got up and ran to the bathroom. I burst into tears when I closed the door. I felt trapped because I knew that’s what my grandmother wanted. She waited until her death to see me happy. Cayman was making it harder for me. I should’ve followed my heart the day I met him. The chemistry was so strong it still lingered between us. I should’ve spoken up and told Faraji that Cayman was mine but I didn’t. It was too late to cry over spilled milk. I dried my eyes before I went back out into the living room.

  “Come on girl, get over here and group hug with us. Congratulations on your engagement and Zadik’s career,” Sam said and hugged me.

  This is a nightmare, I thought.

  14. Faraji

  “D amn, baby! Lick that shit right there,” Callie moaned. I was inside of her parent’s basement eating her juicy peach like my life depended on it. She pulled my hair as she climaxed inside of my mouth. I stuck my fingers inside of my pussy so I could climax with her. Her wetness dripped down my chin and I moaned her name as I came on my fingers. I laid on top of her sweaty-naked body.

  “This is awful,” Callie said.

  “Why? I don’t feel bad. I’m going to dump him but it’s hard sometimes. What if this is just a phase I’m going through?” I asked. I cut back on sleeping with a lot of men so that I could be with Callie. In other words, I wasn’t selling my pussy as much as I used to. I had enough money saved up to spend more time with her.

  “You missed his graduation because of me. I made it at the last minute but you didn't show up at all,” she said.

  “I fell asleep in our hotel room. You must've forgotten how hard you made me come,” I replied. She kissed my lips and I slipped my tongue into her mouth. I heard a car pulling up and I jumped up. I looked out of the basement window and it was Cayman.

  “What in the hell is your brother doing here? Your parents aren't home,” I yelled at Callie.

  “He is supposed to cut the grass. Put some clothes on! Hurry up,” she said. I hurriedly got dressed and so did she. Luckily I wore a sundress. Callie pulled me down in a chair and pretended like she was styling my locs. The basement’s door opened and Cayman came down the stairs. His handsome face didn’t look too pleased to see me.

  “Where our parents at?” Cayman asked Callie.

  “They went out for the weekend to a friend’s retirement party. I thought they told you,” Callie replied.

  “Naw. What’s up shorty?” Cayman asked me.

  “Hey,” I replied.

  “Aight, I’m ready to cut the grass so I’ll talk to y'all later,” he said. My feelings were crushed because Cayman was always happy to see me. I guess he was tired of my absence.

  “We gotta stop,” Callie said.

  “I know. I don’t want to but it will be for the best. He doesn't look too happy,” I replied.

  “He’s a good man,” Callie said.

  “I know he is. This is all of my fault. I was the one who seduced you,” I replied. I thought back to the night when me and Callie first made love…

  Two months ago…

  Cayman was gone on a trip with his uncle for two days and I was really trying to be good. It felt as though I was going through withdrawals and my hand wasn’t doing the job for me.

  The sound of the shower going in the guest room had put a smile on my face. Cayman made it back home just in time. He must’ve heard me in the shower in his room and choose to get in the one next to his guest room. I dropped my towel and headed to the guest shower.

  My nipples hardened and my pussy jumped in anticipation as I twisted the knob on the door. I bit my bottom lip as I walked into the bathroom and went straight for the shower. When I pulled the shower back I was in a shock of my life, it wasn’t Cayman in the shower but Callie. That didn’t stop me from stepping in the shower with her. Cayman had given Callie her key to his condo because it was
closer to her job and sometimes she was too tired to drive all the way home from work.