I did. And I saw a beautiful plus-size chocolate woman with full lips, fierce hips, and a luxurious twenty-four-inch weave that could make her favorite artist, Remy Ma, jealous. Having her babies left stretch marks on her stomach but Remy rocked shirts that rose above her belly button.
“I can’t leave you here. I won’t. Please, move with us,” I cried. “We’ll figure it out.”
Remy shook her head. “I’ll be watching you on social,” she said, sniffling snot as she stood.
“I have a house with a pool. Promise me you’ll bring the kids over to swim.”
“A pool? Wow! That’s cool, Sandara.” She hugged me. “I gotta go.”
“You and the kids coming to my mom’s wedding?” I asked, trying to keep her in my presence long as I could.
“Of course,” Remy said, letting me go.
Not wanting to watch her walk away, I closed the door. I strolled through my two-bedroom apartment for the last time. Everything here except for my pictures on the walls would be donated. What I was doing was best for my children and me.
A text registered from Delvin, We’re still on for movie night at your new place with the kids?
What did I do to deserve him? Was there a Delvin or a Devon out there for Remy? I replied, Yes.
Great! I’ll bring the popcorn.
Locking the door, I got in my Porsche, drove by Remy. She waved. I cried.
Success shouldn’t make me lose my best friend. That wasn’t fair.
CHAPTER 52
Alexis
“If you don’t stop eating like you’re having another baby, dude, you’re going to get fat.”
I fucked up the mashed potatoes and meatloaf my brother brought me from the Cheesecake Factory. That seven-layer chocolate cake was next. I was no stranger to hitting the gym harder than most guys. These calories would burn off before they settled anywhere on my body. If that didn’t work, plastic surgery was always an option and Dr. Paul McCluskey was the only surgeon snatching me to perfection.
“You’re the one that keep bringing me appetizers, entrees, and dessert.”
Three months in the hospital, Domino was at his should’ve-been birth weight. Spencer was the only one who visited us every day. That was okay. People had their own lives to tend to. My sisters had more important things to do. Couldn’t wait to case Sandara’s new spot. My mom was the only person other than Spencer who I’d told we were going home in a few days.
Didn’t need all the fuss to determine whether James should pick us up. West-Léon spat all that rhetoric about my filling the vacancy on Sophisticated Side Chicks ATL until Devereaux convinced Ebony Waterhouse to come back, then his popularity soared the highest ever. Just as I’d expected, he’d barely texted and never called. I refused to respond to him.
Life for Alexis and Domino was blessed. I had my brother and best friend by my side. From now on, family was my priority.
“He’s still light to me,” Spencer said, cradling Domino in his arms. “You think Venus is a cool name for a boy?” He placed the blanket over his shoulder, propped my son on his chest.
I stared at my brother. “You’re having a—”
He laughed. “Hell, no. I’ma do my shit right. Stroll down the aisle like Blake and give my woman my last name. But when I do get hitched, I want my mother’s name to live on.”
Venus Domino? “Hm, that could work, chick, but you’d better pray he’s finer than Denzel and John David Washington rolled into one.”
My baby had fallen asleep on Spencer’s chest. My brother was already a second dad to my son. I’d keep it that way.
“The first thing I have to do is decorate Domino’s room,” I said, admiring the six pounds my son had gained. I wanted to keep breastfeeding him but my ducts had stopped producing milk when I’d switched from the machine to his mouth.
“I can’t believe he’s a normal size now. Didn’t take long at all. I can tell you this. That chick, I mean my nephew, is greedy as hell. He damn near eats more than me. You’d betta make sure he doesn’t overdose on formula. You know how that happens to some premies.”
“I love my son no matter how much he gains,” I said, glad we’d made it.
Spencer stared at Domino, then said, “Unc will bring you cheesecake every day, Nephew.”
“No, you will not,” I protested.
“Dude, you just scared you gon’ eat it.” He laughed.
“Seriously, I want to know what you think. Mom said her friend Brandon wants to decorate Domino’s room before I take my baby home. She said he has the perfect theme but just because he’s planning her wedding doesn’t make him great with decorating for my baby.”
I’d heard more about Brandon over the last few months. Couldn’t wait to get to know him for myself.
“That’s her gay friend from work, right? Well, where she used to work.”
“Don’t be jealous, chick. This isn’t about you or anything that happened to you when you were little.”
Silence filled the room. I didn’t mean to sound insensitive. Spencer gently rocked Domino.
Spencer’s childhood molestation was tragic. My son wasn’t going to be negatively influenced by anyone regarding anything. Being gay did not mean a man would rape or molest a child. It was the undercover self-proclaimed heteros I’d keep my baby away from. A pastor molested my brother so preachers were on my mommy protection radar too.
I told Spence, “My mom and stepdad-to-be delayed their ceremony so my son would be there and so I could be a bridesmaid.”
All of my sisters had agreed. Auntie Ruby was the matron of honor. Mom’s other siblings would each be there. Bing’s side of the family included no one. Well, he didn’t need them. He had us as his family now.
If my momma died, I’d lose my mind. I know I was her thorn but I felt sad for Bing. The one person who loved him was gone.
Not everybody had family but anyone could create family. I looked at my brother. I’d take his secret to my grave. That was how much I loved him.
“Straight,” he nodded. “Who’s paying for it?”
“Bing is covering everything.”
“Humph. Cool, that. Spend all that nigga’s money.”
Toning down for my brother’s noise, I was super excited!
Brandon had been there for my mom when I was being a spoiled brat. The one thing Brandon and I shared was extraordinary taste.
I wasn’t requesting chick’s permission. I texted my mother, Brandon can stage Domino’s room. If I don’t like it, I’ll redo it myself.
“Who you seeing now?” I asked him.
“Random. No time for the crazy head-bangers,” he flatly expressed.
“There’s my number one gurl,” West-Léon said, entering the room.
The nurses must’ve been tending to patients. I’d have to inquire how he got past them. Placing a bouquet of flowers on the stand, he kissed me. “You taking up residence in this joint or what? I might have to kidnap you and my son, to take y’all home.” West-Léon tossed a baby blanket over his shoulder, then scooped Domino from Spencer.
Scanning the fitted cropped-sleeve pewter shirt exposing West-Léon biceps, the relaxed fit jeans covering his big dick, and the black square-toed shoes instantly made my pussy wet. Didn’t want to be one of those females who go back for a checkup and find out they’re pregnant. I’d never gone this long without sex. All that shit about celibacy was obsolete.
He gestured for another kiss. I stood to the opposite side of my son. Our mouths suctioned together.
“I’m out,” Spencer said. “Tell your mom hi for me. Hopefully, she’ll send me an invite.”
Nodding, I refused to break the passion with West-Léon. His energy spread through every part of my body.
West-Léon sat in the seat Spencer had abandoned. “I apologize for not coming sooner. I’ve done a lot of thinking. I know Domino has a father. I’m not going to interfere with that. We both know the show is going well with Ebony. But I think Devereaux fitting you in would take us
over the top.”
Firmly, I replied, “My son is my priority.”
“Our son,” he said, then added, “I want you to be my lady for life.”
“For life?”
“I don’t believe in marriage but I do feel that relationships should be based on love. Love should last forever. In the event it doesn’t, I don’t want a piece of paper to be the reason I stay in a situation. You feel me?” You stay? “Too many women are the trapped ones but I know how to leave.”
Finally, a man who thought the way I did. “Uh, that forever temporary commitment thing does come with a ring? Right?”
West-Léon reached into his pocket. “You thought it didn’t?”
Damn! I held up my right ring finger. The show was trumping out like that? Maybe I should reconsider. The diamond solitaire was at least ten carats.
“Domino, say hello to our new daddy.”
CHAPTER 53
Mercedes
“Mercedes?” she answered as though she hadn’t recognized my voice.
“Put my husband on his phone,” I demanded.
The call ended. I redialed.
“What, Mercedes?” Benjamin answered this time. “Please stop calling Arizona’s phone.”
The one thing I wasn’t was insane. I knew what number I’d dialed. “I need you to come home. Now. We need to discuss—”
The call ended again. I was accepting of our not being together. What I wasn’t going to do was wait for him to make up his mind how and when he felt like being a daddy. I grabbed my purse, got in my car, and drove to her house for the last time.
Bam! Bam! Bam! “Benjamin Alexander Bannister, get your ass out here!”
Arizona opened the door. “You’re trespassing. Leave my property. I’m not asking.”
“Really?” What was she going to do? “You have my husband in your place and I’m the trespasser?” I exhaled in her face.
She closed the door.
Bam! Bam! Bam! Pacing, I waited for him to come to the door.
Bam! Bam! Bam! My not sexing him could not be so serious that he’d gone back to her. For good this time. She was clearly the one he wanted.
Bam! Bam! Bam! “Benjamin, I’m not leaving until you get out here!”
We were close to working things out. He was about to choose his family. I loved my husband. He didn’t love me, us. I was done! But he was going to deal with our kids.
Bam! Bam! Bam! “Bitch! Stop sucking his dick! He legally has a wife and kids,” I yelled.
Benjamin opened the door. “You can’t keep coming to our house like this.”
“Our house? Is in Buckhead.”
Looking down at me, my husband said, “Show some respect. Please. I’ll pick up the twins from school and drop them off to you.”
“So now you’re a transporter. I’ll take your kids away from you.”
“You don’t mean that. If anyone is unfit, it’s you. Any judge would grant me custodial rights.”
“Good! When you pick them up, keep them! Forever! I’m tired of your shit!”
I might be a lot of things but unfit? Never. He was their father as much as I was the twins’ mother and he could have full custody. Who said a mother had to bear all or the majority of the responsibility?
Folding my arms to keep from slapping the shit out of my husband, I said, “Don’t drop them off. Seriously, keep ’em. You love Arizona so much. Let’s see how much she loves your kids.”
Softly, he said, “Anything else? We were in the middle of something.”
“Like her sucking your dick in the middle of something?” Fighting a battle already lost, I was exhausted. Knew I should leave. I couldn’t. I wanted him to hurt.
“Not yet,” he calmly answered. “You should go. Now.”
I shoved the door, stepped inside. “Make me go! You want a threesome? Is that what you want?”
“Listen. I don’t know any other way to put it, Mercedes. I’m tired of you.”
“You’re tired? Of me?”
He nodded. “Of you. Yes.”
Placing my hands over my face, I broke down crying, longing for my husband to hold me in his arms. Sniffling, I gazed into the eyes of a man who once only had love for me. How did he come to hate me?
Benjamin raised his palms, stepped back.
“You made it easy for me to love another woman. Arizona doesn’t bitch at me. She cooks, draws my bath, gives me massages, and well . . . you know the rest,” he said.
Wedging my hand between his, Smack! I slapped his face hard as I could.
My husband grabbed my wrist, held it tight. I recalled the day he’d shoved me to the floor. I didn’t mean to scratch his back or slap his face.
“I’m sorry.”
“For once, you’ve got it right. I’ll take the hit. But don’t do it again,” he warned.
Sirens grew near the front door then stopped. Arizona escorted the police inside. “Please get her out of my house,” she said.
I stared at Benjamin. He was silent.
“Ms., you have to go. Now,” the officer said.
His tone reminded me of the officer who had arrested Phoenix. My situation was different. I had just cause.
“Mrs.,” I replied.
“Ma’am, Mrs., Ms., Miss, it doesn’t matter. The owner wants you out of her house. Sir, do you know this woman?” the officer questioned my husband.
Benjamin’s stare penetrated my soul when he responded, “I used to. Not anymore.”
This was not the damn time for him to be sarcastic.
“Arrest her,” Arizona demanded.
The officer opened his handcuffs, put my hands behind my back. “You have the right . . .”
“So you’re going to stand there and let her do this?” Tears streamed down my cheeks. “Let them do this?” My eyes pleaded with and for my husband to rescue me.
He exhaled. “After I pick up our kids, I’ll be down to bail you out.”
I gargled saliva in my throat, then I spat in Arizona’s face.
CHAPTER 54
Benjamin
The more I struggled with doing what my parents, what society, and what I thought was right, the more I couldn’t deny the fact that I was in love with my mistress. If I had lived my life my way, I never would’ve married Mercedes.
“Your wife left me no choice,” Arizona said, slamming the door. “This is the third time she’s shown up at my front door. Second time she entered without permission. It was only going to get worse if I hadn’t done something to stop her. My question is why didn’t you handle her?”
I couldn’t throw my wife on the floor again, stab her in the back, or leave her for dead. We had two kids. My one regret was not having been a better father. If Arizona didn’t watch her tone, she’d be searching for another man. I did not deal with her for two years to start taking her shit. I could go home and get talked crazy to.
Not supporting either of their positions, I told Arizona, “I’ve got to pick up my children, then post bail for my wife. I’ll text you later. Okay.” I paused, thought about kissing her forehead.
“Don’t bring them here. That’ll give her another reason to go back to jail.”
Shaking my head, I left Arizona’s house wondering if she were a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
The twins were excited to see me. Brandon asked, “Where’s Mom? I have a big surprise for her and I was going to give her a big kiss right here.”
“You’re not the only one with a present,” Brandy said. “Mine is bigger and better than yours.”
“No, it’s not,” Brandon said, looking to me for support.
I wanted my son to learn how to verbally defend himself. If he could prevail over his sister, he’d be okay. Maybe being an only child with no one to argue with made me passive-aggressive.
“Yes, it is, and you know it.” Brandy was inches from Brandon’s face.
I interjected, “Why don’t we let Mom decide when she gets home.”
“Where is she?” Brandon asked.<
br />
“With a client, silly,” Brandy said.
I wished that were true. Instead, my children’s mother was going to have an arrest record and her mug shot would be online for all of her clients to view. Mercedes could lose her business license.
Why didn’t she leave when I told her? She was so damn onerous.
All that had happened hadn’t altered my feelings for Arizona. A text from my mistress registered, Is Mercedes okay? I’m going to drop the charges.
Guess she had time to reflect on her role in the altercation. Arizona’s consideration for others, including me and now Mercedes, was what made me fall for her. Most women would cheer, call their girlfriends, and boast about having my wife arrested.
I texted back, Not sure. Trying to figure out where to take my kids.
I didn’t want to answer a lot of questions from Mercedes’s family.
Bring them here.
My options were limited. Had to do what I had to. They wouldn’t be at Arizona’s long.
Thanks babe, I replied, then told the twins, “Daddy has important business to tend to. You guys have to stay with my friend for a few hours.”
“Who?” Brandy asked.
“Why?” Brandon inquired.
They alternated questions that I never answered.
“What do you have to do?”
“Why can’t we go too?”
“Where’s Mom?”
“How long will we be there?”
Eventually, Brandy said to her brother, “I told you. She’s with a client. Right, Daddy?”
Parking in Arizona’s driveway, I thought, they were my kids, too. I was doing what was best to bond their mom out before she was processed in. Couldn’t leave her locked up all night in inmate attire. The twins weren’t old enough to be home alone. They had to meet my mistress one day.
Mercedes owed Arizona an apology and a thank-you.
Praying they hadn’t processed her in, I headed directly to the precinct. “I’m here to bail out Mercedes Crystal.”
The clerk researched her computer. “I don’t have a Mercedes Crystal. Could she be under a different name?”
The One I've Waited For Page 25
