Gumbo

by Tiana Laveen

  She ran her hand over it, finding the attention to detail stunning, the shades of gray and black rich with luster… the realistic skin, hair texture, eyes… He was talented beyond belief and he’d somehow reached within her and soothed her heart, kissed it with a mere stroke of his pencil. His art told her what his words had not.

  “You like it?” His voice broke her trance.

  “…Yes… yeah, it’s uh… it’s good, real good.” She slowly closed the notebook and handed it back to him.

  “Want me to walk you to your front door? We’re almost there.” He pointed across the road but kept his eyes on her.

  “Nah, that’s okay.” They didn’t say much else on the way and, in minutes, they were standing in front of his yard. His house came right before hers. All she had to do was cross the street and be at her front door in thirty seconds. By his place, the grass was half dead, trying to come back to life. The fresh coat of paint on the exterior looked nice. She looked at his house often, so much she’d memorized it as she wondered what he was doing and thinking within those walls.

  “Thanks for walkin’ me home, Tony.”

  He handed her her bookbag.

  “No problem, no problem… so, uh, before I go, I wanted to know if uh…” He looked away, his cheeks turning red… so cute. He looked back at her and bit into his lip. “I wanted to know if, uh, maybe we could go out to the movies or something sometime this weekend, just the two of us?”

  “How we gone get there?” She smirked, putting her hand on her hip. “My grandmama ain’t gone take us. She hate drivin’ and you ain’t got no car. You probably ain’t even got a driver’s license yet.”

  “My mom or brother could take us if he borrowed her car… or we could take the bus. I’m in the process of getting my permit so one day soon, I hope all of that changes. Anyway, you’re getting off topic!” He laughed. “Let me worry about the details. Do you want to go or not?” She twirled back and forth, staring at him, loving his smile. His dark, feathered hair blew in the wind…

  “Yeah, I’ll go.”

  “Cool.” Before she could say her farewell, the bastard leaned in close, pressed his lips against hers then raced away to his front door like a 100-yard dash Olympic runner. When she finally opened her mouth to speak, the shock barely worn off, he was already inside and the door closed. Cassidy burst out laughing, then headed across the road, shaking her head in disbelief.

  This boy is something else. Wait ’til I tell Danica! I better sneak and do it. If Grandmama overhear, she won’t let me hang with him no more.

  The sound of loud music echoed on the street, pouring out of someone’s parked car. ‘Freaky Tales’ by Too Short.

  ‘These are the tales, the freaky tales, these are the tales that I tell so well…’

  She made her way to her front door, then pressed her fingertips gently against her lips. It felt like he was still there, kissing her all over again…

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  The Show Must Go On

  Dante drove off in his old crusty Ford that shot out puffs of black smoke, leaving them to peruse the various movie selections. Bright lights, masses of people, and the smell of a good time were on the horizon.

  “‘Tough Guys Don’t Dance’?” Tony pointed to the movie theater marquee above their heads. “That’s the movie you’re talking about?” He inquired. Red and gold lights spun about, showcasing the offerings in a bright display. “It starts the same time as ‘Hellraiser,’ I think. That’s what I remember from the recording when I called.” He explained.

  “‘Tough Guys Don’t Dance’ looks good though!” she countered.

  All he could do was roll his eyes at the girl.

  “No, it doesn’t. I really don’t wanna see nothin’ about dudes in tutus or whatever the hell it is. Let’s watch “Hellraiser” instead. That’s more up my alley.”

  The girl put her hand on her hip, her eyes hooded. “What about my alley?”

  “It’s our alley, cutie.” He smiled big and wide, ensuring his dimples were in full view, hoping she’d buy his bullshit.

  “‘Hellraiser’? What’s that?”

  Good, she bought it.

  “It’s about this guy that opens a portal or something because he found this evil ass box, right? And then—”

  “A portal? I read about portals in a book last year. Oh hell naw, Tony. Nuh uh! Is that movie about Satan?”

  “Not really. I mean, kinda… sorta.” He shrugged. “Shit, I’ve never seen it. I don’t know for sure but—”

  “Some demons or somethin’, ain’t it?” He offered a tilted smile. “No, no, no!” She waved her hand dramatically about. He burst out laughing as she went off, throwing his hands in the air. “Nuh uh, no way, Tony. I don’t want to see that.”

  Cassidy shook her head adamantly before plunging her hands into the pockets of her blue denim jacket. It had little fake rubies in the shape of stars, and faux diamond jewels all around the pockets. He’d picked up her aroma the entire drive there. She smelled like baby powder and flowers, perhaps lilies. Best of all, she looked amazing…

  Her long hair was pulled back in a slick ponytail, showcasing her lovely bone structure and a pair of small gold hoop earrings. She had a set of second holes, too, each sporting a small pearl. She wore tight jeans that showed off her ass, the same ass he couldn’t quite take his damn eyes off every day at school. Her jacket hung open, exposing a pale yellow T-shirt that hugged her cute little tits. She didn’t appear to have on a bra… her nipples were far too well defined. He salivated just looking at them, imagining them inside his mouth. Her lips were glossy and full… succulent, sexy, kissable. He’d already memorized everything about the girl, but every time he saw her, spent time with her, spoke to her, he noticed a little extra something that shined in a whole new way.

  The yellow lights glowed and sparkled all around them. Her face looked like rays of sun. She scanned the movie posters, reading the catch phrases, one by one.

  I want to be next to you…

  “You should try new things, baby.”

  Her brow rose as he drew closer, giving it one more shot to see the movie he so desired.

  “I don’t like scary movies, Tony.” She sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes in defiance.

  She’s a tough one.

  “It’s probably not that scary.”

  “Look at that guy. That picture says it all!” Cassidy’s nose wrinkled as she pointed at the poster that hung on a nearby wall, featuring a pale-looking monstrosity of a man with little pins all over his bald, boiled-egg-like head.

  “Are you a chicken? Come on, don’t be a chicken.”

  “Bawk! Bawk!” She began to wildly flap her arms and all he could do was hold his stomach as he bent over cracking up. She looked so damn silly. “That don’t move me, make me wanna prove you wrong. You can call me a fried two piece with a side of biscuits and gravy. I don’t give a damn!”

  “My friend Peter, back home, said it was good! He just saw it last week.” He scanned their other options and definitely didn’t want to be caught checking out ‘The Princess Bride’, either.

  “Well, Peter can rob Paul and he can be a pumpkin eater, too, ’cause I don’t too much care what your friends say. I ain’t watchin’ it! You are relentless! I wish you was this gung ho about history class. You fell asleep last week. I heard you snorin’.” Cassidy crossed her arms defiantly over her breasts, causing him to laugh at her antics.

  “All right, all right… geesh. I guess ‘Hope and Glory’ it is…”

  “Wait, before you get the tickets, what about that movie? Is it playing, too?” She pointed to another poster. This one featured a flick called, ‘Fatal Attraction.’ “Looks like a drama or thriller.”

  “All right, let’s see if it started already or when the next time is.”

  They huddled close together at the ticket booth, getting in the back of the line outside, and when it was his turn, he slid his hand into his pocket and pulled out his black, beat up
wallet that had belonged to his father. It had been a long time since he’d laid eyes on a twenty-dollar bill. Dante had gifted it to him, told him to show Cass a good time. He had it next to the ten dollars he’d been holding onto for a while, in case of an emergency. Dad had always said never leave home without at least five bucks on ya.

  “That movie, um.” Tony forgot the name so he started to look at the poster.

  “’Fatal Attraction,’” Cassidy said.

  “Yeah, Table Attraction…”

  “‘Fatal Attraction!’” Cassidy stomped her foot beside him as if annoyed.

  “Is it playin’ right now?” he asked the old guy with the weary, small blue eyes.

  The ticket clerk looked down at some paper then focused on him once again.

  “How old are you?”

  “Seventeen,” he quickly lied.

  The man eyeballed him for a second, then nodded. “Started five minutes ago, son… You got time,” he stated with a thick drawl as he eyed Cassidy, then him, then Cassidy again.

  Tony stood a bit taller, not liking the expression on the man’s face as he ogled them.

  “Somethin’ wrong?” He cocked his head to the side. “You keep starin’ at my girl.”

  “Tony!” Cassidy said between gritted teeth as she gripped the back of his jacket and tugged.

  He swallowed, realizing she was anxious about him causing a scene. It took him a minute to agree to throw in the towel.

  “Never mind, fuck it. I need two tickets for that movie, boss.”

  Minutes later, with tickets in hand, they entered the movie theater and made their way over to the concession stand. Three employees worked the long lines of the crowd. Red and blue slushies caught his eye. “Get whatever you want, Cass. My brother gave me some money. Pretty sweet, huh?”

  “Yeah, that was nice of him, and thank him again for me for drivin’ us here. He seems real cool.”

  “He is.”

  “Grandmama gave me $5.00. I can use it.”

  “I got this. Keep that. Maybe you can use it to buy another good book.” They smiled at one another and he kissed her cheek as they waited to order their refreshments.

  The smell of the buttery popcorn made his stomach rumble. A big square container, filled to the top, sat on the counter and there were several dispensers close by marked, ‘Butter.’ Fresh, hot salted pretzels and juicy hotdogs went around and around under a heat lamp, begging to be smothered in ketchup and mustard. And loads of boxed candy made him salivate.

  “Damn, this line is long. I can’t wait to see this movie though.” Cassidy popped about excitedly. She was grinning from ear to ear, looking all around. “I ain’t been to the movies in a while. Never been to this theater befo’e. I heard about it though. It’s nice. I like how they play like a movie from a long time ago, too… Sometimes the drive-in does that too, you know, play movies from like two or three years ago, but I ain’t been to the drive-in since I was a kid, either.”

  “Yeah? I used to go to the movies like twice a month back home, every week in the summertime. It’s different now, though. Shit, it took Dante like thirty minutes to drive us out here, ya know? But we have money for the bus ride home. I have enough. A, uh, you want some butter on your popcorn?”

  “Hell, yeah!” They both burst out laughing. “You always say that, Tony… ‘Hell yeah’. I had to try it out myself. It’s funny… but it makes you you.”

  The girl wrapped her arm around his and leaned into him. He swallowed. Hard.

  I don’t get nervous around chicks… What the hell is wrong with me?

  I really like her, that’s what’s wrong with me… And she didn’t correct me when I called her my girl. He smiled at that realization. I hope she is my girl… I sure as hell want her to be.

  Soon, they had their hands full—his with a large-sized salted, buttery popcorn and a huge ice-cold Coca Cola, and hers with a Sprite and a box of Raisinettes. She stated they could share them. He hated Raisinettes, but he wanted her to have whatever she wished for, so he kept his opinion to himself. He purchased a big box of Goobers instead. The two made their way inside of the semi-dark auditorium and looked around for two seats that were together and not way in the back, or too close to the screen.

  “Damn. This must be a good movie… lotta people here,” he mumbled as he navigated the mixed-race crowd in the dim light. He wished he could take her hand but his hands were full, so he simply looked over his shoulder several times, making certain she was close behind as he found their seats. “Here we go… Excuse us, sorry… Comin’ through… Can you move your leg? Thank you…”

  They scooted past several people and plopped down, an instant sense of relief. Getting situated, they placed their snacks and drinks down. His date squeezed her small, black purse between her thigh and the seat, then crossed her long legs.

  “Can I get some?” she whispered, pointing to the popcorn.

  He quickly picked it up, placed the bucket on his lap, and leaned it in her direction. Grabbing a fistful, she placed the snack onto a napkin, then ate slowly as she stared at the screen. It appeared the flick had just started, and their eyes were fixated on Michael Douglas and Anne Archer.

  Cassidy became quickly engrossed in the movie. A strange look came over her face as it was soon terribly apparent that Douglas was having an affair with a fucking looney toon played by Glenn Close. The light from the movie screen illuminated her profile.

  I love her mouth. She’s got amazing lips.

  Unable to resist, he leaned over, gripped her chin and turned her head so he could kiss her. He closed his eyes and delivered a leisurely caress, an indulgence that filled him with excitement. Slow, steady breathing… the taste of warm butter with a hint of brackishness, the salt of the Earth… She was instantly his world.

  Running his hand along her shoulder, he tried to soothe her, relax her as his tongue made its way inside her mouth. He savored the moment, memorizing the softness of her palette. Placing his hand on her chest, he could feel her rapid heartbeat as it pounded in tune with his own. The heat from the tortuous delights he was experiencing burned him up with sweet joy…

  He pulled away, taking a breath.

  Wrapping her hand around his, he smiled as they linked their fingers and rested them on the armrest between them. They watched the movie for over an hour and he had to admit, the shit was good. Cassidy offered her candy and he politely declined. He offered some of his own and, much to his surprise, the girl ate half the box and demolished hers too. At one point it got cold so he slid off his jacket and draped it over their laps. The crowd erupted in screams when Glenn Close came barreling towards the guy with a huge knife.

  “That bitch crazy! Ain’t no dick that damn good, girl!” someone yelled, causing pockets of loud laughter.

  Sneaking a glance at Cassidy, he slid his hand between her legs.

  Damn.

  The warmth of her made him swallow a sigh. He rubbed softly against her jeans, running his fingers first along her zipper then the crease of her pussy. She jerked, as if surprised, but didn’t stop him… He rubbed a bit harder, then slower, trying to gauge where her clit was beneath the clothing. It was hard to exactly tell from the denim but he knew he’d find it soon enough… Persistence was his middle name.

  She jerked again and this time, her mouth opened as she looked dreamily at the screen.

  Bingo. Found it.

  He smiled to himself.

  He leaned in closer to her to rest his chin on her shoulder.

  “Feels good?” he whispered.

  She nodded, looked around the theater nervously, then back at the screen.

  “Relax… nobody knows what’s goin’ on. They can’t see what we’re doin’.” He sped up his strokes then turned her towards him to plunge his tongue inside her mouth once again and squelch her orgasm. He swallowed her release, her whimpers, her sighs and moans. She shook and he quickly wrapped his free arm around her, still stroking her pussy, but slowly… softly, until he believ
ed she’d ridden that wave to the finish line.

  Then, he leisurely reached for his drink and slurped noisily on the straw, taking in the last few bubbly drops. In what seemed like no time flat, the movie came to an end and the lights came on, exposing a room full of people getting to their feet and talking amongst themselves. He put his jacket back on and grabbed her purse then handed it to her. Taking her hand, he led her through the crowd to the main lobby of the theater.

  “It was good, right? That shit was crazy!” He chuckled as he tossed the empty popcorn bucket, only a handful of un-popped kernels at the bottom of it.

  “It was! When she took the kid on the roller coaster, I couldn’t believe it. The wife was runnin’ around the school looking for her child and her ass had gone up in there and took that baby to the amusement park! I wonder if anything like that has happened in real life?”

  “Probably.”

  “I gotta tell Danica to come see this movie.”

  Outside, the scent of rain was in the air and it had turned dark. The lights were on around surrounding businesses, leading the way. Tony looked down at his watch.

  “I think a bus will be here in about ten minutes…”

  “Okay, good. Grandmama told me to come right home afterwards.”

  He sighed in disappointment.

  “Oh… I was thinkin’ we could, I don’t know…” He shrugged. “Maybe go over to my house for a little while. You’ve never been inside. We should change that.”

  “Maybe another time. She’ll flip out if I’m later than I should be. She real protective is all, ’specially it being a Saturday night, you know.” They walked to the bus stop and rain started to fall as they waited. “Oh no! I didn’t bring an umbrella, either.”

  “It’s fine. Here.” He removed his jacket once again and placed it over her head.

  “Thank you. You’re so sweet.” He grimaced, then smirked, causing her to burst out laughing.

  “What? You don’t like being called sweet? You are though… Sorry, it’s true.”

  She drew quiet as he stood closer to her and closed his eyes, bending down to claim another kiss, in need of her flavor. He felt her wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling him in. He was done for. The soft, sweet pecks turned into a deeper kiss paired with squeezing and rubbing… the kind that, if done behind closed doors, would lead to some serious bomb diggity sex. The world around them disappeared until he was awakened from his dream state to the sound of a bus drawing near.