"Man how you gone be?! Hittin' yo' pregnant wife! What kind of shit is that?! You ain't shit man... you ain't shit! Hit me motha'fucka! Hit me!" Dennis demanded.
"Get the fuck out of my house! Get yo' lil'fat wife - and skip the fuck up-..."
Sheila shook her head, "Dennis was on the verge of beating the hell out of him, but Charles intervened, and Sylvia was so upset, we just left. Their friends next door left with us, and the wife told me that almost every weekend, he'd get drunk and come home acting crazy. She could hear them fighting through the wall. I called her twice, trying to talk to her, but no one answered the phone. He of course, kissed her ass - said all the, "I'm sorry this - I'm sorry that... made up for it some how and - she stayed."
"Why didn't she just leave him?" Shawn asked with his heart pounding, the images in his mind stirring his system. When she told him stories about Armundo, he hadn't a clue of just had bad it had been. To treat her like that when she was pregnant with Crystal, his heart hurt for them both, the mother and the unborn child. It also helped him to understand Crystal's inner rage. He would have loved being around when this was going on, even if he couldn't have taken Sylvia from him, he would have stalked and dogged him until he left her himself - especially after one ass kicking following another. Sheila's answer to his question brought him back to attention.
"Because she felt she had no where to go. She couldn't go home to her mother because at the time, they didn't get along. So she stayed where she was. Like I said, Sylvia will not ask for help from anyone... she'll just deal with it."
"So what you're telling me is that he's beat her up often." Shawn stated.
"She never talked to you about this stuff?" Sheila asked.
"You know what... most of the time she spoke, it was about her and the kids, what they had to go through. She told me he was a trip and that they use to fight, but she never went into detail. She never really went into depth on how really bad he was."
"You know why... the man is her baby's daddy, and he's dead. She ain't gone say too much about how bad he was. She won't do it. But I'm telling you, he was bad. Sylvia always made excuses for him. Saying it was only when he drank that he was really mean to her, but when the bastard was sober, he was cheatin' on her! Anyway... she went from home with her mama, to him. Considering when he died... I don't think she had enough time between him and you to fully recover. So - when you get angry and lose your temper, and show signs of violence, you put her back into the days of Armundo... whether you mean to or not."
"I'm not like him Sheila... I can't even begin to imagine hitting her knowing she's pregnant with my child. Hell - not pregnant I can't imagine using my strength, my fist to hit her. What is it in a man, that would make him even bother with hitting a woman? There's no fight, or honor, or dignity in bullying someone you know hasn't the strength to stand against you. That is not the reason God made a woman... my father... would spit in my face, were he to hear that I'd laid my hands on a woman in violence, followed by knocking the hell out of me." He fell silent thinking about his father. About his past as well, because he knew, that in the case of his porn past... his father would go ballistic over it. That as well was a form of abuse to him, and thinking back to it, made Shawn feel even worse. He'd been young and out to prove something to himself - yet, knew that he was guilty of a type of abuse that was used to entertain peoples baser needs, perversions meant to generate money. He remembered back to some women, who may have been legal age, but were inexperienced. They'd been made high on drugs, in order to be able to take what he and Jesse often were directed to do to them.
He shook the thoughts sitting forward.
"I don't know what I'm gonna do Sheila." He admitted. "I don't know how to make it right. The last thing I want, is anything about me, reminding her of him. I - I think - I'm probably guilty of doing the same thing with her... kind of - pushing - to make it happen."
"Look... all men are similar when they want a woman... some are mature and go about getting them one way, some aren't so mature on how they go about it ... so regardless of your method, whatever there is about you that's like him... is small and slight - at some point, the difference in you two splits off into separate directions. Don't be sitting here comparing yourself to him. Sylvia needs to accept you for you. She needs to break off that part of her past and see the man she has now. She needs to deal with you. Yeah... you could stand to tone down on that temper some... but don't change too much. 'Cause I happen to think - you one helluva man! I've watched you with your daughter, with your mother - with Sylvia and her kids. No... I'm telling you... don't change. Calm down a bit - don't let yourself get so worked up you can't think... but... stay as you are. Sylvia ain't stupid... she knows what you are. She just needs to get a grip on how to deal with a man like you. The one she had before you, has screwed it up for you... she love you though... she love you... you just hang in there."
Chicago...
With a cynical tired look on her face, Vivian held the phone to her ear with one hand, and the remote in the other flipping through channels as she sat on her sofa at one thirty in the morning, unable to sleep. Laek Chan was on at the hospital, calling her during his breaks, trying to talk her into letting him back into her life. She glanced over at the three vases of roses, three dozens of red, yellow and pink roses. It was the delivery of them that woke her up at six thirty that evening. Stunned she'd rose from the couch bleary eyed trying to get her senses back, to open the door finding a floral delivery person on the door step with the roses already arranged in their vases.
After signing for them, putting them on her dinning room table, she held her breath, hoping so much that they'd come from Jake. The moment she saw the first card, she knew better and berated herself for being ridiculous. Even if he were slightly interested in her, there would be no way he could afford to send her three dozens of roses cut, thorns removed and arranged in the expensive vases they sat in.
"Why don't you wish me to come over? Another man in your life already?"
"Don't worry about what's going on in my life... it is no longer any of your concern."
"I told you... I'm leaving her... I want you."
"You have problems then Dr. Chan... my advice to you, is to hold on to your sure thing... because you and I aren't happening. Not ever again, done, dead and over with as far as I'm concerned." Vivian repeated again too many times.
"You have another man... who is he?" Chan asked, standing in the doctors lounge in between emergency patients.
"There is no man... and if there was - that is none of your concern... don't you have a patient to see?"
"Let me come by there on my lunch... I miss you, making love to you."
"Don't even think about-..." Vivian was about to say something more when a knock sounded at her door, then a moment later, the doorbell. She stopped what she was saying staring in disbelief, wondering who would be at her door at this time of night. She stood from the sofa and walked to her window and peaked out to receive the shock of her life. Sitting in her drive was Jake's truck!
She gasped, "Oh my god!"
"What? What is it? What's going on there? Who knocked at your door? I heard your doorbell!" Chan fumed.
"I have to go." Vivian blurted with her heart hammering in her chest to the point it disturbed her breathing.
"Who is there? I want to know who is there?!" Chan demanded.
Vivian went to the door, trying to calm herself, holding the phone to her chest her heart was beating so crazy. "Who is it?" She asked, although she knew.
"Umm, Jake... I ah... I have something for you." He returned. He couldn't believe it... he was nervous, his palms were sweaty.
"Jake!? Do you know its past one in the morning?" Vivian asked through the door looking at herself in the hall mirror. Thanking God she'd jumped in the shower after waking up. Even though she had no plans to go anywhere, she'd fixed herself up a bit for around the house because she never knew who might drop in. For once, she was over the moon glad t
hat she did that kind of thing.
"Who is Jake?! What is going on there?! Vivian! Vivian!" Chan hissed into his cell phone, charging down the hospital corridor heading for the men's room for a place of privacy.
"Yes I realize that... I've driven all this way, you gonna make me stand out here and talk to you through your door?" He asked smoothly.
Taking several deep breaths to ready herself, Vivian flicked on her porch light, then unlocked her door and opened it. The moment she looked up at him standing there, she felt her head grow light. By sheer force, she put on a face of indifference. Nevertheless, she could not deny the effect he had on her, but there was nothing that said he needed to know that. Also lingering within, flying about her stomach on gladdened wings, was a song bird of joy... something made him need to come back. Vivian knew that was a good sign.
Looking down into her brown eyes, Jake felt a thrill of excitement shoot clean through him. He smiled that beguiling wicked smile, the notorious McPherson grin was in place as he leaned against the door at ease, wearing a blue jean jacket, nice plaid tartan shirt, new jeans and his cowboy boots, and to top it off, he lifted his cowboy hat from his head.
"Howdy ma'am - please accept my apologies for disturbing you at this time of night. But I'm mighty tired... its been a long day. Can I come in?"
Vivian locked her knees, or else they might buckle, and she couldn't have that. She and Jake both looked toward her chest at the same time as Dr. Chan's shouting finally registered to them both. Vivian for one was glad for the distraction. She put the phone to her ear while looking up at Jake. "I have to go... I have company."
"Jake right?! WHO IS THIS JAKE?!"
"Good - bye!" She clicked the phone off and backed up letting Jake through. "Mr. McPherson, what do you think you're doing here at this time of night?" She asked closing the door behind him, locking it. It was late after all. She turned to see him standing in the center of her living room with his hat in hand down by his side, eye-balling her flowers over in her dinning room. He pivoted on the spot and looked back at her, raising that same hand with the hat, using it to point at the flowers. "So... those come from that ass kisser on the phone I just heard?"
"Ex-cuuuse you... and what part of my business is it that you think is yours? 'Cause I can tell you now... none of it. Don't worry about the ass kisser - as you put it. Three dozens of roses baby, he ain't doing such a bad job."
"And here I thought you were a woman of higher tastes and expectations! 'Cause I can tell you now... that's some sorry ass kissin'. All those... they'll be dead next week, but diamonds and gold... well that kind'ah ass kissin' last forever." Jake stated, tossing his hat on the table and removing his jacket, "Here I thought you knew that." He finished shocking the daylights out of Vivian, because he was right and who the heck told him he could remove his hat and jacket as if he'd just come home.
"What are you doing?"
"Making myself comfortable... don't you want me to?" He asked.
She was stunned into silence, looking from the flowers to him, to the phone in her hand, which rang. Needing a moment to collect herself, she clicked it on. "Hello?"
"I'm coming there on my lunch! I'm telling you now... and that Jake - better not be there when I get there!"
"Don't do it! Don't show your end up here!"
"I'm willing to walk away from my wife and family for you... and you putting me through this?! Do you understand the sacrifice I'm about to make for you?!"
"Look... I told you three, four months ago.... and I'm telling you again... It - is - OVER! You know what over means?! Over as in the end! Oupso! No mo! Negative - discontinued and never to be restarted again. Now do not send me anymore cheap ass flowers! Something that will be as dead next week, as our relationship is now! Get it? Don't call any more - I mean it!" She clicked the line off.
Jake was standing in the wide arch between the dinning room and living room, his arms crossed over his chest, quietly listening, grinning.
"Now... as for you. How is it that you think, you can just walk up in here, make yourself comfortable in my home? What do you want?!"
Jake bit into his tongue just in the nick of time. Something wild and crazy almost made him blurt, 'You!' and he was glad that he hadn't. Because he didn't want her. Not really. She was cute. Young. More like incredible looking than cute... but she would be too much trouble. His life was fine just as it was. Therefore, he had to figure out what the heck he was doing there if that were the case. Realizing he'd been pausing too long in thought, he grinned and lifted a brow. "I came to pay you back. You know, the money you spent to keep me from laying in the street last night." He explained reaching into his back pocket to remove his wallet, and then eighty dollars. He counted out four twenties, pulled them from other bills and passed them to her. "There you go."
Vivian stood stunned looking down at the money still in his hand, waiting for her to take it.
"I don't want that." She blurted suddenly, wondering what the heck he was up to.
"Its your money... I owe you that." He shoved it at her. "Take it."
"Look - at the very least - we can call it even, you brought me home after all. Its not your fault that I needed a ride home. Therefore, had you not been forced to bring me home, you wouldn't have ended up on my sidewalk, where I had to pay to bring you in. I owe you... so... keep that, I will pay you back. Unfortunately, I've slept the day away and so I haven't been to the bank. I hadn't expected you to show up here." She went on.
"No no no... I insist. I'm not going to have a woman paying out of her pocket for me - regardless of the circumstances. Now take this, its yours."
"No!" She refused and crossed her arms across her breasts, she had principles after all. Besides that, she was now gambling. Whether he knew it or not, his showing up had switched her gears... now more than ever... she wanted him, and she wasn't about to blow it by taking money from him - it was, let the games begin time. Regardless of what his intentions were, she was going for the full Monty. She decided right then and there... before her stood the father of the two children she would be having as soon as the time was right.
"No?" He asked stunned.
"No... now, is there anything else I can do for you?" She got right to the point.
"I want you to take this money!" Jake insisted, stunned that she didn't just reach out and grab it. After all, wasn't that the way they were? After money, whatever they could get out of a man? He didn't get why she was refusing him. "There are no strings attached to this money you know... its yours free and clear." He explained thinking perhaps she thought he was after something else. It occurred to him, that in fact he was, at some point, he knew he was going to have to go to bed with her. She was stirring him and the only way to kill the need was to have her, then the need would pass, he'd be sated and he could go on with his normal activities.
"Sir, let me explain something to you... strings attached or not, I don't need the money. Vivian takes care of Vivian - understand? I don't need any man, you included, walking up in here, flashing a few dollars in my face, thinking I'm impressed enough to be swept off my feet. It's not happening. Matter of fact, you didn't have to make the drive down here. What a wasted trip. Put that money back in your pocket, and use it for a room... now if you go out this street here-..."
"You gonna make me leave? It's almost two in the morning!" Jake pointed out aghast. Her phone rang again.
"Excuse me." She turned from him, her face lit up with a fat smile, loving a challenge like this when the reward was him! She answered her phone again. "This had better not be Dr. Laek Chan." She said right away.
"I'll be there in thirty minutes! That Jake character better be gone!"
"Have you lost your mind? What is wrong with you? You know this behavior is starting to be reminiscent of a stalker... I'm beginning to feel harassed."
"How can you say that to me..." She listened and watched as Jake went over and sat on her sofa, picked up her remote, flipped through a few channels, looked up at
her, then shaped his hand like it was around a can of beverage, motioning towards his mouth, as to say, 'Get me something to drink.' gesturing with his head towards the kitchen then leaned back on the sofa as if she were on her way to getting it. "...after all we've been through together. You know how I feel about you..." Chan went on.
Vivian cocked her hip, of course not listening to a word he said, staring at Jake as if he'd lost his mind. He looked at her, his expression surprised to see her still standing there, both hands went up as if to say, 'Well... get my drink.'
"Do me a favor... be quiet a minute..." Vivian started, walking to the kitchen shaking her head. If she wasn't about to tell Chan off, she'd be ignoring Mr. McPherson's nerve, she went to her refrigerator, removed a cold can of Pepsi, and grabbed a glass from her cabinet. "... listen closely to my voice, to what its trying to communicate to you. Our five years of bullshit - has come to a close..." She walked up to Jake, passed him the Pepsi and glass. He took it and winked at her. She rolled her eyes turning away from him walking towards her window as she spoke to Chan. "... you had a chance to make something of us. Even after I found out that you were married, you lying sonofabitch... I still stayed with your ass when I should have told you to take a hike! You had five years to get me... time - is - up! What you're saying now ... what you've now decided, is irrelevant! I'm moving on... right now I am free of a man, and I rather like it..." She patiently explained, turning to look at Jake as she said it.
Who was listening, his mouth slanted crooked as he nodded his head as if agreeing with her, flipping channels to stop at the Discovery channel. Animal Planet was on, a male baboon was going at it with a female. Jake smiled. Vivian saw it, walked over and snatched the remote from him and turned the channel as he sat forward looking up at her with a faked, 'Hey!' look on his face.
"I guess this Jake that is there is a long lost cousin then?!" Chan asked smartly.
BOMAW 4-6 Page 9
