I shook my head. “No, not twins. Twins would send me over the edge.”
Scorpio laughed and asked me if it would be okay if she broke the news to Nanny B and Mackenzie. I told her it was fine and she ran downstairs to share the news with them.
Not being able to swallow the news about having two babies on the way, I took off my shirt and lay flat on my back. What in the hell was I thinking? Thirty-three, five children, and by four different women. I for damn sure was headed for a life full of chaos. I should have used condoms on every occasion, and if I had, there’s no way I’d be in this situation right now. There was no way in hell Scorpio would marry me knowing that I had another baby on the way. And Daisha, she was too much of a good woman to be played off by anyone, especially at a time like this when she needed me the most. What in the fuck was I going to do? This was one time I had no solution.
Nanny B and Mackenzie were hyped about the news, and everyone had finally shut down for the night. Scorpio and I made love for hours, celebrating our new baby and our wedding date, which was scheduled one year from today. A whole lot of things could happen in a year’s time, but one thing I was certain of, and that was I intended to do everything in my power not to hurt Scorpio again.
Unable to sleep, I stayed in the tub for a while then slipped into my khakis and put on my soft, baby blue polo shirt and cap. I quietly slid on my loafers, and, needing some fresh air, drove to AJ’s liquor store on Union Boulevard to buy a bottle of Hpnotiq and a six-pack of Bud Light.
I drove to Forest Park, parked my car near the Art Museum, then climbed all the way to the top to sit. I took a few swigs of the Hpnotiq and popped open several cans of beer. Feeling the way I did, I dared anyone to come fuck with me right about now, including the police. I looked at the stars, and tried to find Mama so we could talk. I didn’t hear her voice so I guessed she was busy. I felt sick to my stomach from drinking, and poured a little alcohol on the ground for my relatives who weren’t there. If anything, I figured since I was pop’em out like crazy, I’d have this family back to its entirety in no time.
I got fucked up and stumbled back to my car. Missing Nokea’s comfort at a time like this, I headed on my way to see her, but then I thought about Collins being there. So, instead, I found myself driving to Daisha’s house.
I parked in her driveway for a while and tried to sober up. When I thought I had, I went to the door and rang the shit out of her doorbell. Barely being able to stand, I leaned against the screen door and waited for her to open it. When she finally did, she looked at me like I was out of my mind. She moved aside for me to come in and didn’t say a word. My eyes watered and I fell to my knees. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pressed my head against her stomach. Still in silence, she rubbed her fingers through my hair, and I knew she understood my pain.
I looked up and spoke softly. “Just hold me. Please, baby, just hold me.”
She kneeled to my level and looked me in the eyes. A tear rolled down her face. “I love you, Jaylin. From the first day I met you, I knew that I was going to fall in love with you.”
I released my arms from Daisha, and crawled to her living room. I didn’t even deserve to have a woman like her love me. I turned onto my back and laid there, thinking about where in the hell I truly wanted to be.
The idea occurred to me that maybe Scorpio had gotten pregnant by the exterminator. But then I realized that maybe that was my way of trying to walk away from our commitment, and I dropped the thought. Then there was Nokea. Damn, was I deep down missing her. I just threw her to a brotha like Collins who was for damn sure waiting for the catch. It was times like this she could make me smile, and make me feel as if I didn’t have a worry in the world.
I soaked in my pain, and my head started spinning. Moments later, a blurred vision of Daisha’s naked body stood before me. I felt her hands touching my body, but I didn’t have the strength or the courage to stop her. I felt a draft as she unzipped my pants, and tried to force my eyes to stay open. She straddled herself on top of me, and leaned forward to whisper in my ear. All it sounded like was mumbo jumbo to me, but whatever she said, I definitely knew where this night was headed. I snickered as she placed my hands on her thick breasts, and when I felt her juicy insides working me over, I closed my eyes again.
The sunlight beaming through the window awakened me. My head was banging, and I rolled over on the floor, trying to figure out where in the hell I was. I looked down at my slack dick and realized I was naked. I tried to get up, but the pounding in my head wouldn’t let me.
I laid on the floor for a few more minutes, then managed to maneuver myself over to the couch. Having a vague memory about last night, I rolled my temples around with my fingers. I glanced at my watch. Nine-fifteen in the morning. I figured Scorpio was going to kill me, and as I looked around for my clothes, my headache caused me to sit back down.
I continued to look around the room for Daisha and my clothes, then noticed an envelope on the table with my name written across it. I reached for it, leaned back on the couch and read it.
Good morning, handsome. Your son and I had a few errands to run this morning, but I’ll be back soon. Last night was magnificent, and I’m so glad you finally found your way back to me. I prayed many of nights for your return, and now after you confirmed your love for me last night, I truly understand your purpose for being a part of my life. Breakfast is on the kitchen table and I’ll understand if you’re not here when I get back. Take all the time you need to break the news about your change in plans to Scorpio, and call me if you need a shoulder to lean on. Love Ya, Daisha.
I tore up the letter. What the fuck Daisha was talking about? My son? Love and change in plans? I thought. What in the hell did we talk about last night? By the looks of things it was obvious we had sex, but damn, other than that I couldn’t remember shit.
I sat on the couch, and thought about what I could have said to Daisha. I saw my clothes neatly folded on the dining room chair, so I went to get them. I took my cell phone from my pocket and called home to talk to Scorpio. I wasn’t sure what I was going to say, and when she answered, I was at a loss for words. “Hello,” she said.
“Baby, it’s me.”
“Jaylin, where are you? I rolled over in the middle of the night and you were gone,” she said, hurtfully.
“I’m, uh, on my way home now.”
“Okay, but, where have you been?”
“I went for a drive to clear my head.”
“All night? You know, I thought these days were over between us. There’s no way in hell you’ve been just riding around in your car all damn night, Jaylin.”
“You’re right, I haven’t. But I’ll tell you what happened when I get home.”
Scorpio hung up.
Feeling down on myself because I was on my way home to tell the biggest lie of my life to keep my woman, I went into Daisha’s kitchen and sat at the table. There wasn’t no need for me to rush home because it was obvious the damage had already been done.
On the table, Daisha had four buttermilk pancakes stacked on a plate with some cheese eggs, hash browns, and grits on the side. In the center of the table were some yellow daisies in a vase with a note that said:
pulled from the garden especially for you.
I smiled as I cut into the pancakes, then I thought about my requirements from the beginning that I’d always wanted my woman to have. I’d often said that she must be African American, bodacious, have a degree, be able to cook, have a good job, drive a nice car, no kids, and be willing to cater to my needs. Daisha was all that and then some. The total package and there I was with Scorpio, the woman I love, who had only met a few. It wasn’t that I was disappointed. It just reminded me that sometimes what I ask for, I sure in the hell won’t get.
I finished breakfast and washed my hands. I took a deep breath, dreading home. I wanted to make things right with Scorpio, but I knew she’d put up a fuss.
I hadn’t put on one piece of clothing yet, and sto
od in the hallway looking in the mirror. I brushed my hair and heard a car door slam. Feeling terrible about telling Daisha I made a big mistake last night, I waited for her to come in. It took a moment, so I laid the hairbrush on the table and walked to the front door. I pulled it open and almost lost my balance. Scorpio stood on one side of the door, and Daisha was on the other side. My heart raced, but I grinned to play it off like everything was cool. Scorpio gazed over my naked body, and stared at me with a devilish look in her eyes. Her fist went up and she punched me hard in my right eye. I could almost feel it swell, but dropping my head in shame seemed like the most appropriate thing to do. Maybe, for me, that change she wanted so badly just wasn’t going to come.
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Naughty 2: My Way or the Highway copyright © 2009 Brenda Hampton
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