by Mz. Robinson
As we slapped our hands together, I waited for her to mention something about Kelly and what her nephew’s plans were. When she didn’t say anything about him, I decided to bring him up. “What does Kelly have planned?” I asked, carrying my plate over to the sink.
“A friend of his called him with an offer,” she said. “I think he may take it.”
My back was to Contessa, so she couldn’t see my expression, but there was a small smile on my face. “Good for him,” I said sincerely. “Good for him.”
“Yes it is,” she said. Her voice lowered and was filled with sadness. “The position will require him to move out of town, but it will be good for him.”
I turned around and saw Contessa dabbing at her eyes. “It’ll work out,” I said, “and you can visit him whenever you like. I’ll make sure of that.”
“Thank you, sweetie,” she said.
“Offer him my congratulations,” I said. I was happy for Kelly, even though our last conversation had ended on bad terms. I figured the day would come—hopefully sooner rather than later—when we would be on cordial terms. Little did I know that the day was coming sooner than I thought.
Chapter 10
Octavia
The day Contessa moved in, I took the day off so I could help her get settled. I presented the offer to hire a moving company to help with her things, but Contessa opted to bring nothing but her clothing, pictures, and a few personal items and mementos. The rest of her dishes and furniture she donated to Kelly to do with as he desired. Kelly was the designated mover, and although he advised Contessa that he didn’t need my help, I volunteered my services anyway. I opened the door and waited for him to park.
He climbed out wearing a plain t-shirt, denim shorts, and tennis shoes. “I told Auntie to tell you I got this,” he snapped, opening the trunk of the car.
“Yeah, she told me.” I didn’t comment any further. Instead, I stood waiting for him to hand me the first box. He stood looking at me with an eye of defiance, and I decided that if he wasn’t going to make a move, I would. I bent over and reached for the first box I saw.
“That’s heavy,” he said, grabbing my hands.
I paused for a moment, noticing how soft his skin was, and then remembered that at the present moment, I still couldn’t stand him. Stepping back, I waited as he pulled a clothing bag out of the trunk and handed it to me.
“Lead the way,” he said. He pulled the box out that I originally intended to carry.
Contessa and Jasmine were in the home theater watching a movie as I led Kelly upstairs to Contessa’s bedroom.
The room Contessa had chosen was close to the nursery, three doors down from Damon and my bedroom. I was happy about that because no matter who is in the house, when my baby and I feel the need or the mood hit, we will get it on. I knew some things would change with Contessa living with us, but my freedom to get my dick was not going to be one of them.
“This is nice,” Kelly said, scanning the room with his eyes. Contessa had chosen what I playfully labeled the “purple room,” since I had decorated it with deep purple and lilac—from the floral arrangements to the curtains, right down to the comforter set on the queen-sized bed. The full-sized bathroom was also accented with purple and lilac and just a hint of mint green.
“Thank you,” I said politely. “Ms. Contessa loves it.”
“She loves this house,” he said, “and you and Jasmine.”
I smiled. “We are very fond of her too,” I said honestly.
“One day, I’ll make sure she has a house like this,” he said.
“Well, with your new job, I’m sure it won’t be too long before you’re able to fulfill that dream,” I said, hanging the clothes bag inside the walk-in closet. When Kelly didn’t respond to my comment, my instincts told me something was wrong.
“When do you leave?” I asked, stepping out of the closet. Kelly looked at me, then quickly diverted his eyes across the room.
“What’s up?” I asked, easing down on the bed.
“The job fell through,” he said, slipping his hands in his pockets.
“I’m sorry,” I said empathetically. “What happened?”
“I’ll just say the friend who offered it to me was not exactly on the up and up,” he said.
There was no need for him to elaborate. I assumed whoever had offered him the job was not about the right thing. “I hate to hear that,” I said.
“Thank you.”
“So where are you going to live?” I questioned.
Turning around to face me, Kelly shrugged his shoulders. “Since Auntie turned in her keys, I’m going to get a room tonight and go from there,” he said.
I could see in his face that he didn’t have a clue what his next move was going to be. “Does Ms. Contessa know about this?” I asked.
Kelly didn’t answer, but he didn’t have to; the look in his stormy-gray eyes told me everything.
“You haven’t told her?”
“I don’t want her to worry,” he said. “Besides, she needs to focus on her own happiness. I can handle mine.”
I knew what Kelly was saying was easier said than done. I could tell my mother not to worry about me or that I was fine 1,000 times over, but she would still do the exact opposite. “She’s going to worry regardless,” I told him. “That’s just a mother’s way.”
“I know,” he said, sitting down on the bed next to me. “I just wish I had it together. I mean, it’s bad enough she worries herself about Jay, but hell, I was supposed to be here to help her, not to add to her burden.”
“Caring about the people you love is not a burden,” I said, looking over at him. “It comes with loving them, and you can’t have one without the other.”
He looked at me then nodded his head. “I’m sorry for the way I came at you the other day. I was wrong to judge you,” he added.
I looked away for a second then redirected my attention to him. “I also owe you an apology,” I said. “When Ms. Contessa told me about her nephew who was struggling and living with her, I also judged you.”
“You assumed I am some kind of moocher?” he said, laughing lightly.
“I did,” I admitted, “and for that I was wrong.”
“It’s cool,” he said. “I guess we both had the other one twisted.”
“We did,” I said, “but it’s all good now.”
“It is,” he said, flashing his pearly-white smile at me.
I smiled at him in return. “You never did let me tell you about the position I’m hiring for,” I said, nudging him in the side. I was waiting for him to pop off, but he never did.
“I’m listening,” he said politely.
“Well, I know you have a bit of landscaping experience,” I began, “and in case you haven’t noticed, my flowers need a lil’ bit of TLC.”
“By flowers you mean those weeds you have out front?” he teased.
“Excuse me?” I said, putting my hands up. “Those are annuals. It’s just not their season.”
“Um, every season is a season for annuals,” He laughed. “Hence the name.”
I laughed with him. “Are you interested?” I asked. “In the position?”
“I am.” He sighed. “Thank you.”
“You know, Ms. Contessa told me about your credit problems,” I said slowly.
Kelly stood and walked over to the window.
“But,” I said quickly, “she also explained the reason why. I understand completely.”
“Thanks,” he said flatly.
“When she told me those things, I came up with the idea that Damon and I could put you in a place for a few months until you get on your feet.”
Kelly turned around to look at me. “And why would you do that?” he asked.
“Because I respect anyone who has the desire to do better,” I said. “You don’t know this, but at one time, my daddy fell off. His situation was one he could control, but he still fell off. He bounced back,” I said, “but he wasn’t always in a happy
place.”
“I feel that,” he said. “Thank you.”
“So does that mean you’re open to my suggestion?”
There was a pregnant pause until Kelly said, “Under one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“Once I get on my feet, I’ll pay the two of you back, and I’m still looking for a position in my field. I love working with children, and I truly believe I’m destined to be a teacher.”
“Most definitely,” I said. “I love a person who chooses to follow their passion. Why settle for a job when you can have a career? And if I can help in any way, just let me know. Deal?” I said, extending my hand to him.
He walked up to me slowly, took my hand in his, and pressed his lips to my skin softly, causing me to feel a small twirl in between my thighs from his touch. I knew it was my hormones; I really needed my husband to come home. “Deal,” he said, releasing my hand slowly.
***
That night I decided to make dinner for Contessa and Kelly, my way of welcoming Contessa to my family and letting Kelly know I was happy that we were on good terms.
After dinner, Contessa and I did the dishes while Kelly played with Jasmine.
“Well, if my work here is done, I’m going to take Jasmine up and get her ready for bed.” Contessa smiled. “After that, I will be taking a long soak in my new tub, trying to figure out how to work that movie screen on my bedroom wall.”
“Would you like me to come up and show you?” I volunteered.
“Thank you, but I will figure it out,” she said. “I will not be defeated by all the snazzy gadgets in this place. It’s bad enough it took me an hour to figure out where the garbage can was.”
I laughed.
“In my day, the can sat next to the cabinets, but now they come built in,” she said, shaking her head. “The Lord has truly been good to our people.”
“That He has,” I agreed. I placed a kiss on Jasmine’s forehead then watched as Contessa and Kelly hugged goodbye.
“I’d better get going,” Kelly said, walking toward the kitchen entrance.
“Which hotel are you staying at?” I asked.
“I haven’t decided,” he said, “but more than likely, somewhere off the Parkway.”
“North Parkway?” I asked.
“Yes.”
I instantly frowned. The only places to book a room on that side of town were rundown and probably bug infested. I was not feeling the thought of anyone staying in that type of environment. “Why not something on University Drive?” I asked.
Kelly slid his hands in his pockets. “My money is a little tight,” he admitted.
I could tell he was uncomfortable discussing his finances, but I wanted to help if I could. “Let me help you out,” I said. I was careful not to sound demanding or like I was taking pity on him. The last thing I wanted was for the two of us to get into another argument.
“No,” he said. “Thank you, but no. I’ll be all right.”
“Please, Kelly.” I was practically begging him.
“Look, you’re already giving me a job,” he reminded me, “and putting me in a place to stay. One night in a less-than-five-star hotel is not going to hurt me. I’ve slept in worse.”
I couldn’t imagine worse, but I was willing to take his word for it.
“So again, thank you,” he said, “but no thank you.”
I decided to leave the subject alone. Kelly had his mind made up, and there was nothing more I could do about it. “Well, at least take a plate with you,” I said.
“That I will do.” He smiled. “I have to give you props. You can definitely cook.”
“Thank you,” I said. “I’m the bomb,” I teased.
“That you are,” he said in a shy whisper. “That you are.”
***
It was a quarter till midnight, and I was buck-naked, sprawled across my bed with the phone pressed against my ear. Damon and I had been on the phone for almost an hour, discussing our day. I had even told him about hiring Kelly and wanting to help him get his own place.
“That’s fine, baby,” Damon said. “You know, I’m all for helping any way we can.”
I smiled. Damon was one in a million, and I was so glad he was mine. I could hear in his voice that it had been a long day, so I decided to do something to make my baby smile. “What are you wearing?” I asked seductively.
“Don’t start with me, woman.” He laughed.
“So you’re not going to tell me?”
“You will not have me sleeping on swoll and I can’t get none,” he said.
“Fine,” I said sweetly. “Don’t tell me. Can you guess what I have on?” I asked, rolling over on my back.
“Octavia—”
“That’s right, baby,” I said softly, “nothing but my skin.”
He cleared his throat lightly.
I was waiting for him to take the bait. I knew Damon hated phone sex. Correction—he hated having to masturbate, which was something he rarely did, except when I wanted him to do it over the phone with me. My hormones were off the Richter Scale, and even if he chose not to participate, I was going to force him to listen to me pleasuring myself.
“Spread your legs,” he ordered.
Smiling triumphantly, I did as he requested, and the two of us talked and moaned until I was dripping all over the bed sheets, wishing I was dripping all over him.
***
The sound of my phone jolted me from my sleep. I stared at my alarm clock through hazy, heavy eyes and saw that it was two in the morning. “Hello?” I answered, clearing my throat.
“Is this Mrs. Whitmore?” asked a woman on the other line in a slight Spanish accent.
“Yes.” I sat up slowly in bed.
“My name is Rose, and I am the night auditor at America’s Best Inn.” She spoke slowly, and I knew instantly that she was calling about Kelly.
“How can I help you?” I asked.
“One of our guests, Kelly Baker, asked me to call you.” The woman sounded extremely nervous.
“Is he okay?”
“No. I’m afraid there has been an accident. Mr. Baker is on his way to the ER,” she explained.
“What kind of incident?” I asked. I threw the covers back and climbed out of bed.
“He was attacked.”
I listened as Rose gave me the details. I quickly threw on a pair of shorts and a tank-top, then slid my feet into the first pair of flip-flops I could find. According to Rose, one of the tenants at the motel found Kelly lying in the parking lot. She said he was beaten up pretty badly, but the paramedics didn’t think his injuries were life threatening; I was thankful for that. The last thing I wanted was the responsibility of breaking the news to Contessa that her nephew—the one she loved like her own son—had been killed. I woke Contessa up to let her know I had an emergency at the restaurant and that I would be back shortly. I didn’t want to alarm her until I was 100 percent sure Kelly was all right.
***
It took me less than twenty minutes to get to Huntsville Hospital. I broke the speed limit the entire way and had my Benz wide open on the highway. An hour and a half later, when I finally got in to see Kelly, I was shocked.
His face was swollen, and his lip was at least three times its normal size. There was a bandage just above his left eyebrow. His arm was in a cast, and his chest was bandaged.
There was an HPD officer present, and he explained to me that Kelly had been mugged. “Apparently, his attackers thought he had money.”
I shook my head, sad that there are people in this world who would rather hurt others and take from them than going out and earning their own. It’s even sadder when the victim is probably just as hard up as their attackers, if not worse.
“He has a few broken bones, including two of his ribs and his arm,” the doctor, a pretty, dark-skinned female advised me. “There was a small gash over his eye that required stitches. We gave him something for the pain, and I wrote out a prescription. He was very lucky,”
she said. “It could have been a lot worse.”
***
Kelly drifted in and out of sleep as we drove back to my house. He managed to give me a choppy description of what happened. He was leaving the vending machine when someone jumped him from behind.
“They took my wallet,” he slurred. “Ciara,” he mumbled. “They got her!”
I figured the meds had him high, but then I remembered the picture he had shown me. I looked over at him just as a single tear fell from his eye. I knew Kelly had nowhere to go, and he was in no condition to take care of himself, so my only option was for him to stay the night with us.
After I helped him get settled into one of the spare bedrooms, I awakened Contessa to let her know what was going on. When she saw Kelly, she cried for what seemed like hours. Once Contessa calmed down, the two of us sat in the kitchen drinking some soothing tea. It was during our conversation that I advised her about Kelly’s job offer falling through, but I told her we’d come to an agreement that he would work for Damon and me.
“I appreciate it, sweetheart,” she said. Her eyes were puffy and red from all the tears she had shed, and her face, which normally glowed, looked dark and slightly discolored. “I just don’t know what he’s going to do right now,” she said. “He’s going to be in a bad place until he heals.” She shook her head. “I moved too fast,” she said. “I should have waited to move.”
“There was no way you could’ve known that Kelly would get mugged,” I said. “It was just one of those things. The good thing is that he’s alive and is going to be just fine. We will work something out,” I said, yawning lightly, “and he can stay here for now. Once he is up on his feet, we can move him into the guesthouse.”
Contessa’s face lit up as tears began to fall from her eyes again. “Thank you, Octavia.” She sniffled.
I gave her a small smile, then reached over and gave her a hug. I was full of solutions, but I only had one problem—Damon. I’d told Contessa that Kelly could stay with us until he got better, but I didn’t have a clue whether or not my husband was going to go for it.
