by Tamara Black
“We’re leaving,” I said, taking Tanesha’s arm. “Come on, kids. Let’s go make some dinner.”
Michael raced toward the door. Outside, we got the children back in their car seats and buckled in before getting in ourselves.
“I’m so sorry about her,” I said, sinking into the passenger side seat.
“It’s okay,” she said. “My parents are always tripping too.”
“Yeah, but still…”
“Even worse,” she interrupted. “My brother officially hates you. My family is treating yours worse for sure.”
I smiled at her, but inside I found myself conflicted. While I loved my mother dearly and had sacrificed a lot for her, Tanesha meant so much more to me. Couldn’t I love both the women at the same time in different ways? Why did love have to be so complicated?
We drove back to her apartment to make dinner ourselves. The entire trip, I kept thinking about the best way to ask her if I could just move into her apartment. I would feel better knowing she was safe every night. Even though I wasn’t dealing drugs anymore, the world was a violent and chaotic place. I decided to lead my argument with the fact I loved her and follow up with us being able to save money with just one rent bill split between us.
“Behave, you two,” she called out as chaos erupted in the back seat, breaking me out of my reverie.
THIRTEEN
Tanesha
Tony dropped the last box of his stuff on the living room floor.
“You look so sexy all sweaty,” I teased.
“Can I get some water, please?”
“Sure.”
I walked into the kitchen with him following me.
“The apartment sounds so quiet with the kids gone,” he noted.
“We have a week to get everything settled.”
“That’s more than enough time. I don’t have a lot of crap.”
I opened the refrigerator door and grabbed him a bottle of water.
“Here you go,” I said, handing it to him.
He undid the cap and took a long drink. I admired his body. We had made love a few times, but I couldn’t get enough of my Italian Stallion. I stepped up to him and put my hand on his crotch, gently squeezing.
“Mmm,” he moaned.
I leaned up and kissed him on his soft, pink lips.
He pulled back. “You want to try something new?”
“I’m not that freaky,” I said with a smile.
“No, nothing kinky, but I thought we could smoke a bowl together.”
I stared into his eyes and took a deep breath.
“It’s legal,” he said. “And not too bad. I think you’ll like it.”
“I don’t know,” I said. “You can do it, but not me.”
“Just try it three times for me, okay? That’s all I ask. Weed is a big part of my life.”
“You can’t smoke around the kids.”
“I know,” he said, rolling his eyes.
“Don’t you roll your sexy eyes at me,” I scolded.
He looked at me with the puppy-eyes face he always used on me when he wanted something.
“Okay, but just three times while the kids are gone.”
“Great,” he said like a kid at Christmas. “We’ll start simple with my vaporizer.”
“What the hell is a vaporizer?” I asked, alarmed.
“It’s a healthier way to smoke, and it gets you higher.”
“I don’t want to get too high,” I said.
“You’ll be fine. We’ll start slow.”
“Let me get dressed first.”
“No, I like you in your sexy robe,” he said.
I opened it, flashing him a look at my boobs and neatly trimmed bush.
His eyes widened quickly, and he smiled. “Let’s do this.”
We walked into my living room. He dug into one of the boxes and pulled out a glass jar full of weed and a beautiful glass pipe.
“Let me see that,” I said, grabbing it from him. “This is amazing. I’d love to know how to blow glass.”
“Why don’t you take some classes or something?”
“It costs money and I have two children.” I laughed. “You solve those problems, and I’ll go.”
He smiled and sat next to me on the couch. Our legs touched. His body turned me on so much.
I watched as me packed some of the green, fluffy weed into the pipe after taking it back.
“You ready for a ride?” He handed me the pipe. “There’s a carb on the side.”
“A what?”
“You put your finger over it while you suck in. After a second or two, take it away, and you’ll be able to inhale the smoke.”
“Okay, I got it.”
I lit the pungent weed and inhaled. Before blowing out the smoke, I coughed loudly.
He laughed. “It’s okay. You might like edibles better.”
“It’s not too bad,” I said. “My lungs are probably already shot from smoking my menthols.”
He nodded. “We should quit smoking cigarettes.”
“I’ve never been able to do it on my own.”
“We can buy some patches or something and try to quit.”
“Let’s do it,” I said then lit the bowl again.
He laughed.
“Don’t bogart that.”
I held the smoke in longer this time before exhaling.
“I don’t feel anything,” I said, tilting my head to the side.
“Give it a few minutes.”
He took another huge hit, holding it in for at least half a minute before a cloud of smoke bellowed out of his mouth. I giggled as he passed the pipe to me. As I smoked, I admired the beauty of the piece, all the artistic ability that had gone into creating it.
After a few more hits, the effects kicked in for me. I collapsed back on the couch, feeling fine and oh so alive. Smooth R&B flowed out of my speakers, surrounding us in musical beauty.
“What do you think?” he asked.
I giggled again. “Not bad.”
He put his strong hand on my thigh, causing me to sigh.
“Mmm,” I moaned, encouraging him.
He ran his fingers further up, pulling my robe back and exposing my nakedness.
“That’s so good. Don’t tease me.”
I took a deep breath as his rough fingers brushed against my pussy. My robe opened even more as he got down on the floor. He looked up at me while on his knees between my legs. I stared into his eyes as he ran his hands up and down my thighs.
He planted a kiss on my stomach, causing it to flutter briefly. As he moved further up my body, I arched my back, pushing out my natural breasts. I ran my fingers through his hair as he attacked one nipple with his mouth then the other.
Slowly, he made his way lower again. I continued playing with my nipples, pinching and pulling them lightly while his wet lips kissed my inner thighs. Kiss by delicious kiss, he made his way closer and closer to his goal. My pussy opened as he gently brushed his cheek against my labia.
“Oh, Tony,” I moaned, quickly traveling to another world.
Waves of pleasure washed over my body, leaving my teeth tingling it was so intense. He lapped my entire length with a flat, broad tongue. As he kissed, sucked, and licked my pussy, I pulled his head closer to me, not wanting him to ever stop.
Between the weed and my approaching orgasm, my breathing quickened. While I wanted to feel him inside me, it had been forever since a man who knew what he was doing went down on me, and I didn’t want it to ever end.
He pushed a finger in me up to the second knuckle. I bucked my hips, wanting more. At the same time, his tongue and lips continued their dance against my delicate flesh. Wetness poured out of me as he brought me closer to the edge.
“I’m going to come,” I said with short quick breaths.
“Come for me, baby,” he commended after stopping for a moment.
When he resumed going down on me, my entire body began to shake.
“Yes,” I squealed as he backed
off.
I looked down at his smiling face covered in my juices.
“That was so amazing,” I said, still trying to catch my breath. “Come here.”
He sat next to me on the couch. We held each other for what seemed like hours.
♥ ♥ ♥
I put my hands to my mouth as I looked around the art studio.
“This is amazing,” I said. “How did you put this together?”
“The tours are free.”
He smiled. I went over and kissed him, not caring who saw.
“Do we get to see them blowing glass?” I asked.
“Even better, you’re going to blow some,” a jolly man in blue overalls said behind us.
I turned around.
“Hello.”
“I’m John,” he said, holding out a rough and calloused hand.
I shook it. “I don’t think I can blow my own glass, but I’d love to watch.”
“None of that,” Tony said. “We’re both going to try it and expand our horizons.”
“Yeah, we’re a hands-on facility. If you enjoy today, you can sign-up for our classes and learn more.”
The instructor led us through the basics, including safety measures we needed to take.
“You have a natural talent at this,” John said, admiring what I’d created.
“I don’t know,” I said.
“I love it,” Tony said, walking over. “Do we get to bring it home?”
“Of course,” John said then laughed heartily.
He tucked his hands inside the top of his coveralls.
“Thanks for coming out today. I hope you two had a good time today.”
“Amazing,” I said, still beaming.
No man in my life had ever listened to what I wanted and done something to make it a reality.
Outside in the car, I turned to Tony.
“You’re not still selling, are you? This had to be expensive.”
“No, I made good tips this month, and the money I’m saving on rent helped.”
“You’re so wonderful to me, Tony.”
He kissed me.
“Let’s go home.”
♥ ♥ ♥
Two weeks later, the children were gone again, and I attended my first classes at the art studio. The cost of the classes included materials, so I got to bring home whatever I made. Because I’m a smart and business savvy woman, I got online after I had created a few ornate glass pipes for marijuana.
“I love it,” Tony said. “Is it mine?”
“Actually, I have it online right now.”
“Huh?” he asked, looking at me.
“I put it up on eBay. The bids are going crazy.”
“Get out,” he said.
“I’m serious.” I hugged him briefly. “Thank you so much for those classes.”
“How much are the bids up to?” he asked.
“Two hundred and fifty dollars so far.”
“For how many pipes?”
“Just the one in your hand,” she said.
His eyes widened as he looked from my masterpiece to me and back again.
“That’s great, Tanesha.”
“The money is going to help for sure.”
“You should make more.” He laughed.
I joined him. “I’ve already got it planned out, baby.”
“See, here’s the reason I love you so much.”
We kissed. The bliss of my lips against his never got old for me. Ever since he moved in, both of our lives got better. He got along well with Michael and Destiny too, which made me even happier. Between our jobs at Pizza Pizza and my glass pipes selling online, we had enough money to take a breath without worrying about being homeless in a few weeks.
FOURTEEN
Tanesha
The shop-manager, who looked like he’d just gotten back from Woodstock, examined my handiwork.
“How many of these can you get me?”
I laughed. “How many do you need?”
He turned. Tony and I watched him closely, still not sure if he was kidding or not.
“I’d like a hundred if you can do them.”
I pushed my lips together and nodded my head, trying to fathom the high number.
“That’s a lot, but I can try.”
“I need to know. I’ll give you have the money upfront if you need to buy supplies.”
In my mind, I ran through all I’d need to do if I wanted to finish that many glass pipes while keeping the quality up.
“That would help,” I said.
Tony smiled at me.
“We can go with a larger order next time, but I need to make sure you can deliver.”
“I understand,” I said, still in shock and disbelief.
“Can you two come back tomorrow to pick up the check and sign a purchase order?”
“We can,” Tony said. “Any specific time?”
“Any time after lunch.” He examined the pipe again. “Mind if I keep this one?”
“It’s yours,” I said, smiling.
“I can pay you for it.”
“Don’t even think about it. Just buy all my other work.”
“Deal. And I tell you what, stop by downstairs in the store before you leave, and I’ll set you up with an ounce of primo.”
“Sounds good,” I said.
Tony and I walked out of the head-shop upstairs and went down to where they sold marijuana.
“There’s so many kinds,” I said. “And cookies?”
“Yeah, we’d have to keep those far from the children, for sure.”
“We can smoke and be responsible.”
He put his hand on the small of my back. “I love you, woman.”
“I love you, man,” I said back to him.
“The kids are coming back tonight, right?”
“Yeah. We’re going to have to find a babysitter or something so I can spend more time making pipes to fill that order.”
He nodded. “We’ll figure it out. I can help.”
I smiled. “Oh, you’re a babysitter now, huh?”
“I’d do anything to help you, Tanesha.”
After we got our free ounce of weed, I drove us back to our apartment. I hid the weed and my glass work in our closet. We watched a movie until Kendrick arrived with the children.
♥ ♥ ♥
Kendrick glared at me after the children had run to their rooms.
“That’s a crazy fucking idea,” he said then turned to Tony. “Did you put her up to this shit?”
“She has talent, man.”
My ex-husband shook his head.
“This has nothing to do with you or the children,” I said.
“How are you going to work two jobs?”
“If we make enough money from my artistic work, I might be able to quit the pizza shop.”
“You’re too dumb to start your own business.”
Tony stepped in front of him.
“Excuse me? That’s the mother of your children. You’re going to respect her whether I’m around or not.”
I took a deep breath. Why do men have to be such idiots? I wondered.
“You better back the fuck up,” Kendrick said, tensing up.
“You two are not going to fight in front of the children,” I said.
“Let’s go outside, then,” Kendrick growled.
“Let’s go,” Tony said, unafraid.
“No,” I insisted. “Just leave, Kendrick. Go.”
I pointed toward the door. He looked from Tony to me and frowned.
“I’ll go, but this ain’t over.”
He turned and left, shutting the door behind him.
“Don’t think you need to fight for me,” I said to Tony.
“I was just trying to protect you.”
“Yeah?” I put an arm around his waist. “Who’s gonna protect you?”
“We got a present!” Michael yelled, running into the living room from his bedroom.
His sister followed close behind, just as ex
cited even if she didn’t understand completely.
“Tony got that for you two,” I said. “You need to share with your sister?”
“Can we play now?” he begged, opening the Hungry-Hungry-Hippo game.
“I think game night is a great idea,” Tony said, smiling.
I watched as Michael and Destiny followed him into the living room. A warm glow spread throughout my body as they set-up the game.
“Come on, Mommy,” Michael shouted, waving me over.
All the stress in my life vanished for almost an hour as we played and laughed together.
This is what family means, I thought, smiling at Tony.
He gave me a knowing look, not needing to say a word.
♥ ♥ ♥
After dinner, Tony and I put the children to bed and retired to our bedroom. Having his clothes and other possessions around had been weird at first, but I was getting accustomed to it. I loved having him around all the time.
“Smoke a quick bowl before sleep?” I asked.
“I thought you’d never ask. Not that I didn’t enjoy game night with your children.”
I laughed as I walked over to the closet and retrieved our stash from earlier in the day.
“Were you serious about quitting Pizza Pizza?” he asked as he sat down on the edge of our bed.
“What do you think?” I asked. “I mean, we don’t work together as it is now, and I could bring in more money making glass every day.”
“Yeah, it makes sense,” he said.
I sat down next to him on the bed and handed him our favorite pipe.
He took a hit, holding the smoke in while he passed it to me. I repeated the process. Back and forth, we finished the bowl of a Sativa and Indica blend.
“It has a good taste,” he noted.
I grinned. “I know what tastes really good.”
“Where are you going now?” he asked as I stood up.
I unbuttoned his khaki pants.
“Ohhh…” He smiled.
After I pulled off his pants and boxer-briefs, I got on my knees in front of him like he’d done for me the first time I got high. We made eye contact, neither of us looking away as I ran my hands up and down his thighs. He took another hit as I moved forward, pressing my breasts against his cock, feeling it get harder as I bent forward and kissed one of his nipples.
