“Yep, she Bambi’s mama all right. They got them same pushed back in the forehead dark eyes.” In search of the bathroom, I passed through a kitchen with a big white island that had a bar overhang with pots and pans dangling in the air. There were two stools on one side underneath the countertop. “Wow.” All of that was in the middle of the kitchen floor. “That’s pretty fancy.”
Still hadn’t made it to the bathroom. I opened a door to my left. “Wow, sure hope this is my and the boys’ room.” The bedroom was laid out for a princess. A high white canopy bed with a pink and white lace bedspread. A real bench was at the foot of the bed. I could sit there and stare out at the ocean. One of them fancy things where folk hide the TV was in there too. I closed the door. Saw two more doors down the way. I’d get to them later, already picked out my room. I headed back toward the boys.
They were fine. They’d fallen asleep. This time I noticed a patio off the kitchen. So busy admiring that island, hadn’t looked any farther. There was a table for six inside the nook area. Outdoors on the patio there was another table for six with one of them huge umbrellas covering it.
I opened the glass double doors. “Oh, my. Bambi is rich.”
Round the corner of that patio table was the longest wraparound porch I’d seen in my life. ‘Bout a quarter of a block long. “Where the neighbors at?” The porch was surrounded by beautiful white wooden rails, and had a few white posts on the corners and in the middle that went all the way up to the roof. I walked down five stairs and white sand was beneath my feet. I was really on the beach. The blue waves rolled toward me. Thank goodness they were too far out to wet my feet or drag me into the ocean.
I sat on the porch, brushed the sand from between my toes, knocked my Birkenstocks together, put my shoes on and went to check on the boys. They were fine. One was asleep. The other one watched him.
The dining room had its own setup and a separate bar with high stools. Not the bar that was connected to the island. This here was a different area. I pulled back the curtains and saw the ocean again. “It’s pretty at sunset but I bet it’s scary at nighttime. That Bambi could throw me in them waters, the sharks would smell my blood, eat me up, and no one would know I’m missing. I better not make her mad. She ain’t wrapped too tight. Long as she keeps giving me money, Rita stays until Rita wants to go.”
There was one door at the end of the opposite hall. I stared down that long hallway. Took a few steps in that direction. No escape doors to the left or right. Just that one door at the end, facing me. I took a few more steps in that direction. I was halfway there. Might as well keep going. If Rita’s gon’ be up in here, I need to see what was up in there. I took a few more steps. I gripped the door lever. My legs got weak. Slowly I pushed down on the lever, pushed the door open a little bit.
“What on God’s earth is that?” I almost peed on myself.
Maybe my mind was playing games with me. I stepped inside the bedroom. Sho nuff these old eyes weren’t deceiving me. There were two closed coffins. I felt my pee trickling out but I had to know if dead people were in there.
These were beautiful bronze coffins with them fancy golden long handles. There was no bed in the big ole room. Them coffins sat high like the funeral was over, they’d removed the folding chairs, and everybody had left and forgotten the bodies. I tiptoed, stood between the coffins. “Which one should I open? Hmm. Eeny, meeny, miny, mo. Catch a fella by his toe, if he hollas let him go. Eeny, meeny, miny, mo.” The one to my right.
I placed my hand on the bottom half of the casket. Didn’t want to see no dead person looking at me. Slowly, I tried to lift the bottom. “Oh, Jesus!” The coffin slid, almost fell on top of me. I straightened it out, then shut the door closed. My heart raced faster than my feet back down that hallway.
I had to catch my breath. I went to the living room, brought the twins in the family room, put them where they could see me, then sat in one of dem upholstered chairs in front of the fireplace panting like a fit to be tired dog. If the bathroom was in that bedroom, I’d pee in a pot on the porch, then throw it in the sand if I couldn’t hold it.
Took me a few minutes but I got myself together. I was pretty sure there was a bathroom close to my room but no more opening doors for Rita until Bambi got here. Didn’t know what to call this room here for sure. Could be a family room? Entertainment? Sitting? I believe them sitting rooms don’t have no TV.
Who would report Rita St. Thomas missing if someone came out of that room and ran after me? Didn’t care ‘bout that Bambi’s two bits change, I had sense enough to leave this house if need be. I’d been gone from Flagstaff for over a month. Talked to one of my friends once a week. She might miss me or think I’m busy but she wouldn’t call no police. Told her I got this here secret assignment in Los Angeles that’s paying me thousands of dollars. She didn’t believe me. Only person that checked on me on the regular was my daughter who died.
Shoulda been Lace that died. Lace sho was a pretty baby. The older Lace got, the more prettier she got. She was a good girl. Smart. Never gave me much trouble. Didn’t smoke weed and stay out all night like her sister. But her sister wasn’t pretty. I saw the way my man Don used to lust after Lace whenever she wore them short shorts. Somebody had to go. I wasn’t no spring chicken or a cougar so I wasn’t kicking my old man out of the house for nobody.
I rocked them baby seats with my feet. “I wonder what Lace would’ve done with her life if I hadn’t put her out. I know my baby wouldn’t have been no prostitute and madam, that’s for sho. Wouldn’t been no millionaire either. Maybe I’d done her a favor. Oh, well. I can’t undo the past. I can’t blame Lace for stealing her sister Honey’s identity.” Honey was mischievous but she ain’t do half the thangs I heard Lace was out there doing. That was why Lace moved to Atlanta and disowned me.
She had millions of dollars, minks, and them fancy cars with that Jaguar symbol on the hoods. Told me to my face I’d never be in her will. Well, I’m supposed to die first anyway. She could’ve let her daddy and me hold a few hundred thousand while we’re still kickin’. I was still her mother no matter what.
I picked up the remote from the coffee table, turned on the television and heard, “Breaking news!” I saw all them news reporters around the hospital with microphones in this dark-skinned woman’s face. She sho was pretty. Wet, but pretty. “Oh, I forgot. Bambi said don’t turn on the television.” I hurried and turned it off. Didn’t want no mess from her.
Taking the babies out of the car seats, I lay them on the love seat side by side. I unwrapped their blankets, stretched their arms, rubbed their stomachs.
“You two are too cute. I ain’t never seen no babies this beautiful. Not even my own,” I said. I stretched their little legs straight, then bent their knees and stretched their legs again. They had cute blue ankle bands around their left feet.
I held up their left legs and almost died.
Luke Hill was on one. London Hill was the other. Mother, Honey Thomas, was on both. “Well, Rita will be damned. These here are my grandbabies?”
CHAPTER 33
Bambi
After Jada cancelled lunch, I sat at the bar inside CUT, at the Beverly Wilshire, ordered another dirty Goose martini, then clicked on Darius’s Facebook page. His last posting, Gotta go put up some shots before I lose it. Baby mama drama. Just sayin’, was hours ago. “It’s okay, my Darius,” I whispered. “Mama’s gonna make it all good for us.”
Admiring my engagement ring, I switched to the ABC News highlights of the day on my iPhone. I loved the pureness of the all-white decor of the restaurant. The ambiance was serene. Soft instrumental jazz resonated throughout the place. I saw the media practically shoving microphones in Jada’s mouth as she parted the crowd. Her hair and clothes were soaked. It wasn’t raining. She was the only one dripping wet. At her age, had to be a hot flash. Better her than me.
I called Jada. Was about to hang up until I faintly heard her say, “Hi, Bambi.”
“I saw the news. I
’m still at CUT. I’ve got an idea to minimize your media attention. If you still want to meet, I’ll wait as long as you’d like.”
“No, it’s okay. I need to be alone.” Her sadness sounded like the onset of depression.
I offered, “Need help with DJ?” hoping she didn’t. I hadn’t called Ashlee today but hopefully that kid was with her by now.
“That’s a good idea. What am I thinking? That’s a horrible idea. DJ isn’t used to being with nonfamily members. I’ve got to get some rest before Ashlee drops him off. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“I’m here anytime, day or night, you can depend on me.” And if you believe that, bitch, you’re too damn trusting.
Jada whispered, “Thanks,” then ended our call.
A toast. I held my glass in the air. “Another job well done, Bambi. Cheers, bitch.” I tossed back the vodka, swallowed an olive, almost choked. “Damn, this is my lucky day.” I started to close my tab when I saw Grant Hill walk in. Waving as though I knew him, I stood, then motioned for him to come in my direction.
“Hey, I saw your story on the news. I’m so sorry to hear about your twins. Sit. You look like you could use a drink.” I didn’t wait for him to answer. “Bartender, two more of the same, both with two large olives. Make that three olives.”
I had his attention the second I mentioned his boys. Grant sat on the edge of his stool, placed one foot on the foot bar, the other on the floor. The imprint of his big dick made my pussy twitch.
Grant’s eyes focused on mine. His navel pointed in the opposite direction of the bar. His body language said he didn’t want to be rude but he had to go soon. “Thanks, I could use a drink. But just one. I have to get my sons’ mother’s things from her room upstairs.” He stared at his feet. Blinked several times. Became silent.
I loved it when men volunteered too much information. I gave him a moment, touched his thigh, then let him know, “I can’t disclose what I know but I can help you get your boys back.”
Grant eyes widened, then narrowed. He stared at me. “Are you serious? Or are you bullshitting me?” His navel faced me. Desperation kept him on the edge of his stool. “Why should I believe you? I don’t even know you.”
Hunching my left shoulder, I said, “You’re right. You don’t have to believe anything. But I guarantee you I know more than you about where your boys are.” I motioned to the bartender. “Close me out.”
Darius should be done shooting around and Fancy should be dead. Shit was constipated, backing me up. The bartender placed our drinks on the bar, along with my bill. Grant was fine. I wanted to fuck his brains out but I didn’t have all day to seduce him. I had to go check on Rita and the twins.
Grant said, “Please don’t leave. Give me a moment,” then headed toward the men’s restroom.
Damn, he had a sexy ass stride. I had to accelerate my mission to fuck that man. I put my hands inside my purse, opened my bottle of Cialis, shook two five-milligram tablets in my hand, placed them on my tongue. I picked up the green plastic toothpick holding his olives, inserted them in my mouth. Pretending I was sucking, I pushed those tablets inside the olives with my tongue. I put the olives back inside Grant’s martini.
Before he sat on the stool, I handed him his drink. Surprisingly he slid all three olives off the toothpick into his mouth. “A little unusually crunchy but good. When you’re starving, everything tastes good.”
Well, I sure hoped he was starving for this good pussy between my legs. Swallowing my olive whole, I said, “I totally agree.”
In fifteen minutes Grant’s dick would be rock hard and deep inside my pussy. “What you think about those New Orleans Saints going to the Super Bowl?” I asked, trying to keep his mind off the boys.
He chuckled. Damn, he had the sexiest smirk and perfect white teeth. “Well deserved and long overdue. I hope they win. I bought tickets but I’m not going. You can have them,” he said, downing his drink.
“Really?” I touched his thigh above his knee, slowly slid my hand toward his dick, then back to his knee.
“Hey, that ain’t cool right now,” he commented, scooting back on the stool.
My touch gave his dick a wake-up call. I arched my back, to give him a full view of my cleavage. “I’d love to have them.” I handed him my card. “Bartender, one more round.”
“I can’t. I have to go. I’ll send you the tickets to”—he looked at the card, then said—“this PO Box. Bartender, charge the last round to room 1221.” Grant adjusted his dick. It got bigger each time he touched it while looking at me.
Seductively, I said, “No, I want to thank you. Why don’t we take these drinks up to your room and I can explain to you in private how I can help you find your boys.”
CHAPTER 34
Bambi
We made our way to room 1221. He sat the tray on the coffee table.
“You don’t have to drink the martini if you don’t want to,” I said, sitting on the edge of the bed. I patted the space beside me. “Come. Relax for a moment.”
He hesitated to sit next to me. Fully clothed down to his shoes, he stretched out on the bed, rolled onto his stomach. I rubbed his shoulders. “Wow, you’re tensed.”
I hadn’t met a man that didn’t enjoy my massages. Alternating between soft and firm, I massaged Grant’s shoulders and the nape of his neck. His firm body felt so amazing my eyes scrolled upward. I felt his body gradually sinking into the mattress. I straddled him, stroked lower, kneading his shoulder blades. Then I pressed my pussy into his lower back.
“I don’t know what’s happening. I feel strange and embarrassed.” He squirmed on the comforter.
“Turn over for me.” I slid my pussy over his ass and down his thighs before standing.
He hunched his shoulders, rolled over. His dick imprint was huge.
I unbuttoned, then removed his shirt. Sat beside him, then massaged from his biceps down to his thick fingers. I could ride that middle one and squirt all over him. “Let me massage the edge off,” I said, unzipping his pants. Yeah, with this good pussy.
I slid his pants under his ass, down his thighs, and over his feet, then removed my clothes. I grabbed a wet towel, freshened him up, placed my sunglasses on the desk facing us, opened the gold packet and slid the condom on with my mouth. Slowly, I mounted his big beautiful dick.
I was ready to get the orgasm that I needed. I prayed when I was done cumming, his erection would subside in less than thirty-six hours. And he’d have to pray that the incriminating video I was recording didn’t ruin his chances with Honey.
Grant was speechless when I eased down on him. In slow motion, I slid up and down his dick. My pussy danced on his pole. We both needed this outlet. I placed his thumb on my clit, then moaned softly.
He stroked my clit while staring at me. “You’re so beautiful. What did I do to deserve this? You feel so good, I can’t hold back.”
I rode him a little harder, a lot deeper, constantly hitting my spot. He was not cumming without me. The sex was better than I’d imagined but not better than the days I’d dreamt about fucking Darius.
Grant’s body shivered. I waited until he stopped moving, then I dismounted him and removed the condom. Grant stroked his dick. Not in a sexual way. He looked confused. Probably trying to figure out who I really was. Why he’d fucked me. How he would explain to Honey what took him so long. And when in the hell his erection was going to subside. He looked pitiful, like a dog that was stuck and didn’t know what to do. His problems, not mine. Men were so easy. Too easy.
“Maybe if you take a shower,” I suggested while putting on my pants. “I’ll see what I can find out today. Call me tomorrow.”
CHAPTER 35
Bambi
Soon as Grant closed the bathroom door, I was outta there and headed to the Safeway in Long Beach to buy stuff for his boys. I browsed the aisles for baby formula. I stood there in a quandary reading. Soy. Lactose-free. Isomil DF. Similac with Iron.
“Damn. Another reason not to have ki
ds. Rita said no powder. Or was it get powder?” I tossed one of each in the basket and added a gallon of 2% milk just in case. I chose the Pampers Swaddlers for newborns, pacifiers, bottles, baby wash, baby powder, and four newborn outfits because I was leaving Rita with the twins for the next two days. I picked up a dozen frozen meals for Rita’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
“Wow, you look good, mama, to say you just had a baby,” the clerk said as she scanned my groceries.
I checked Darius’s Facebook page. Still no update. “Come, on, baby. I need to know where you are.”
“That’ll be one hundred thirty-seven dollars and fifty-two cents.”
That bitch scanned me harder than the groceries. “I’m straight.” I slid my Visa.
“You trippin’, Mommie? I was simply giving you a compliment. Don’t get me confused. Here’s your receipt.”
I left her holding the receipt in the air, pushed my shopping cart to my car. An hour later I parked in the garage at my house, unloaded the groceries. Rita was on a down comforter asleep on the floor with the boys beside her.
“Hey, Rita.” I nudged her.
Yawning, she stretched her arms above her head. “Hey, Bambi.” One of the babies started crying.
I grunted, “Shut him up quick.” Did she always have to call my name so loud? I placed my purse on the island. “Here, organize this stuff. I have to get ready for my trip.”
“Trip? Where you going now? How long am I watching my, I mean these boys?” Rita said, getting off the floor.
I didn’t miss the “my” part. “Not long. I brought you some frozen dinners. This should hold you until I get back in a couple of days. Oh, and I forgot to tell you. Never ever under any circumstances go in the room at the end of the long hall. That’s sacred. That was my parents’ room.”
Darius Jones Page 11
