She sat down. “Not enough for you to return my phone calls.”
I deserved that so I didn’t reply along the same line. “What have you been up to?”
“Staying away from the South Street Seaport.” She looked me directly in the eyes. “Because good memories are hard to forget.”
“Okay, I admit I deserve that, but can we get past it?” I asked.
“If you promise to go with me to Puerto Rico next week, we can.” She again looked to me for answers.
“How much time do I have to decide?”
“Not much. I have my ticket. I could buy yours tonight,” she said.
The waitress returned with her pad in hand. She looked surprised when she saw Brenda. “Good evening, Miss Jackson, can I help you with something this evening?”
“Donald, are you ready to order?” Brenda asked.
I looked through the menu and ordered the house salmon special. Brenda ordered the steamed lobster. The waitress took our menus and left.
“How often do you eat here?” I asked Brenda.
“Not very often. I like cooking and, if I don’t cook, I order something in Manhattan. Sometimes I don’t feel like coming over the bridge. When you met me the last time, it was because my friends wanted to come and eat here. I think they were more interested in the free meal. Now let’s not change the conversation. Are we going to forget about Puerto Rico?”
“There seems to be an ultimatum in there somewhere,” I said.
“Well, you haven’t called me and, even though we had a great time at the Seaport, you seem distant. Now I could wait and hope to see you again sometime or you can tell me to fuck off. I’m a big girl. I can take it. I thought what we had was special and I hope you thought the same, but only you can answer that. I’m never the pursuer in a relationship, yet I feel compelled to be with you. There, you have it; we are either going or we can thank God for the memories.” Brenda looked at me for a reply.
“Brenda, you are a beautiful woman, but…”
“Donald, fuck that shit.” Brenda got up. “I don’t need you.”
She slammed the napkin down on the table and walked out.
I remained seated. A few minutes went by before the waitress returned to my table.
“Do you still want your order?” she asked.
“Yeah, but let me have it to go,” I said.
“I’m getting off in an hour if you want some company,” she said, that “holler” smile on her face.
“No, I’ll take a rain check on that. But I could do with another Hurricane.”
“Well, this one is on me and my offer still stands.”
I reached out and grabbed her hand. “You don’t want any part of this.”
She squeezed my hand. “Yeah, I do. I’m sure you live a very interesting life. Look at you; not too many men are able to walk away from a woman as beautiful as Brenda. She has had men breaking down in tears over her, but you didn’t hear that from me.” She slipped her hand out of mine.
“Brenda is special,” I said.
“But so are you. I’ve got to go before I get fired. I’ll be back with your drink.”
“Thanks,” I said as she walked away.
Chapter 16
5TH DAY
“Damn.” I got out of the bed with a slight headache. The persistent ringing of the doorbell was driving me nuts. I knew the reptile was somewhere in the house and I wondered why she hadn’t gone to the fucking door. She hadn’t worked a day since she had moved into this house. I went into the bathroom, washed my face and brushed my teeth. There it went again. I looked at the clock radio as I walked out of the room. It was 10:00 a.m. Maybe the reptile had gone out. I snatched a shirt out of the drawer and put on the same jeans I had worn the day before. I was about to open the door when I heard her voice.
“Donald, the cops are downstairs waiting for you,” Annette said.
“The cops?” I asked, startled.
“Yeah, the cops,” she replied. “Maybe they’ll put your ass away for the rest of your sorry life.”
I swear I’m going to kill that bitch. Fuck Oprah and what she said about not calling women bitches. That reptile outside is a bitch.
I nervously buttoned up my pants and headed downstairs. “Where are they?” I shouted.
“Downstairs having donuts. Where the fuck you think they’re gonna be?” Annette answered for everyone in the house to hear.
I walked downstairs and saw two white men in the informal dining room. They were standing up, their hats in their hands. “Good morning, Officers,” I said, extending my hand.
The older man, maybe in his late fifties, shook my hand. “I’m Officer Summers from Ketonya County and this is Officer Sindrel.”
I reached out and shook Officer Sindrel’s hand. I was hoping that they wouldn’t notice that I was nervous. I offered the officers a seat on the sofa.
“Thank you, but this shouldn’t take too long.” Officer Summers took out a small notepad. “You own a 2005 Hummer, New York license plate DRC7689.”
“Yes, it’s one of the family cars,” I said, sitting down.
“Family cars? Does that mean other people in the household drive it?” he asked.
“Yes, my wife drives it on occasion,” I answered.
“Can you recall who drove it approximately three weeks ago to upstate New York?” Officer Summers looked over at me.
“Exactly what day was that?” I asked.
“That would be a Saturday.” Sindrel spoke for the first time. “Yeah, that was me. I went to visit a buddy in Buffalo. He bought a house on Rounds Avenue. It’s a beautiful place but a little too slow for me.” I made a mental note to call my friend, Hill, who had recently moved to Buffalo.
“Did you stop at a restaurant while you were driving out there?” It was Summers asking the question again.
“Yes, I did, and that place was a madhouse. I think they had some kind of hunting meeting going on.” I looked at Summers. “Officers, can you tell me what this is about?”
“Well, an older man got killed with his own gun and we’re trying to understand what exactly happened,” he said.
“I’m sorry to hear about that,” I said, hoping that I had the most sympathetic look on my face.
“Well, this is the first time we’ve ever had something like this happen in Ketonya County in twenty years, so we want to make sure that it was an accident. Hunting is one of our biggest tourist attractions. We definitely don’t want to ruin it,” Summers said.
“The place sure seemed like a happy place when I was there. People were so friendly. Maybe one day, I’ll try that hunting thing,” I said.
“We’d be glad to have you. Before we go, did you happen to see any suspicious characters hanging around?” Summers asked.
“I don’t exactly know what you mean by suspicious. There were so many guns there but everyone seemed intent on killing the big one.” I rose from the chair.
“Yeah, we’re having a great hunting season. I think it’s one of the best in years,” Summers said. “Well, thanks for your time. I hope we didn’t cause you any inconvenience.”
“I’m sorry, Officers. I didn’t even offer you guys something to drink,” I said.
“No thanks; we just stopped at Wendy’s and had a big meal. Take care of yourself and we hope to see you in our woods next year,” Summers said as he opened the door.
“Good day,” Sindrel said as he followed Summers out the door.
I closed the door and listened to their car driving off. I went into the refrigerator and poured myself a glass of orange juice.
I walked back up the stairs, passing Annette as she was walking down.
“Freeloader. I thought they’d taken you away,” Annette said, her mouth in the same position it had been in before; unnatural.
“Why don’t you get an operation?” I asked.
She glared at me. “An operation?!”
“Yeah, your mouth is perverted. Oh I’m sorry maybe that’s asking too much
because your whole body is perverted.”
“You should lock your door at night,” she said.
“Why? You might try to rape me? I know your type. You all just want some good dick to straighten you out.” I laughed.
“Motherfucker, your time is coming.”
I entered my room and shut my door, then laid back down on the bed, still shaking from speaking with the officers. That was a close call. It was obvious that they didn’t have me on camera because they were only trying to establish presence. I surmised that they had someone taking down license plates of all the vehicles that were in the parking lot that day. I took my clothes off and went into the bathroom to take a shower. While in the bathroom, I reminisced about the shower I had taken with Julie. It was one of the longest, most exhilarating baths I had taken. I had attacked each crevice of her body and she had done the same to me. We had soaped and cleaned each other from head to foot. By the time we were finished, we were barely able to walk to the bed. I remembered her collapsing over me and the two of us falling asleep again, totally exhausted. If that was what love felt like, I realized I had short-changed myself for more than 35 years. The memories of Julie had gotten my dick hard. I toweled off as I walked out of the shower. There was a loud knock on the door.
“Donald, Daddy is on the phone.” Lauren announced it like I had won the lottery.
My penis immediately became flaccid. I went over to my nightstand and picked up the phone. I hung it back up after I had made arrangements to meet Malcolm at his house.
The full-time maid guided me to Malcolm’s study. I dismissed her before she had an opportunity to knock on the door and opened it without knocking. Malcolm looked surprised; sitting in his chair in a light gray suit with a polka dot tie.
“I’m sorry, Donald, I didn’t hear you knock,” he said.
I pulled out a chair from the table and sat down. “I didn’t.”
“That was very presumptuous of you.” Malcolm looked at me like he wanted to spank me.
“Malcolm, please, the maid called you when she saw me waiting outside, so let’s not waste any time. You called me and I’m here. Now, what can I do for you?” I retained full eye contact with him as I spoke. I was way past being afraid of him.
“I don’t know what has come over you, Boy, but I think you’re treading on very thin ice here,” he said.
“Well, let the ice break. If it does, I’m either gonna be cold or freeze to death. Now are we gonna get on with it?” I leaned back in the chair. “I have a lot planned for today so I can’t stay long.”
Malcolm gave me this smart smile that looked like he was waiting to get my balls over some hot coals. “Dora informed me that you’ve kept up with your part of our deal.”
“I did what I had to do.” There was a certain amount of disdain in my voice. “I see that Annette is still alive.”
“The time isn’t right,” Malcolm said. “I promise you, I’ll take care of Annette within the week.”
I got up to go. “I’m leaving.”
“Would you like a drink before you leave? I thought maybe we could at least be cordial.” Malcolm rose from his chair.
It was amazing; Malcolm was finally giving me some respect. Whether he liked my attitude or not I wasn’t sure, but the respect was present in his voice. “No, thank you,” I said and walked out of his study.
“Officers from upstate came to my house this morning,” I said to Julie.
Julie opened her mouth as if the world had exploded. “Are you a suspect?”
I had told Julie the complete story of what had happened between me and my father. “No, I don’t think so. I think they were merely checking license plates.”
Julie still looked worried. “They didn’t need to visit you for that.”
“I think they needed to put a face to the vehicle,” I said, nonchalantly.
Julie stared at me. “You don’t seem very concerned.”
“I’m not. Their questions were more about doing their job than actually following leads. Of course, if I had run when they walked in, that would be an entirely different story. But, with the exception of Annette being her bitchy self, everything went good,” I said.
“You’re definitely not afraid?”
“I don’t think there’s anything to fear. I’m more concerned about the robbery. Do you definitely have someone to pick me up?”
“I’ll be there,” she said.
“You!” I jumped out of my chair.
“Yes, me; I only trust myself. Anyone else, I would have to tell them too much,” she said. “Don’t worry; I’ll definitely be careful.”
“Are you sure you want to do that?” I asked, not wanting to endanger her.
She ran her hands over my shoulders. “Stop worrying about me, Donald. I can take care of myself.”
“Julie, I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.” I felt really messed up for involving her.
“Donald, the same way you trust me, I also trust you. I have no intention of letting anyone pick you up. We’re in this together. The only reason I didn’t tell you before was because I knew that Brian would never let me do it.” Julie kissed me on the lips.
I shook my head. This was becoming complicated. “I don’t know, Julie.”
“Donald, please stop trying to protect me. I’ll be fine.” Julie put her hands around my neck.
While I agreed that Julie should be the one to pick me up after the robbery, I was afraid that she might get caught up if there were any complications. I knew that I was letting my feelings control my judgment but I didn’t care. I had found something special with Julie and I didn’t want to lose it just yet.
“Alright, but promise me that if you see or hear anything crazy you’ll leave.”
“Crazy like what?”
“I don’t know. If you hear gunshots or spot me running with someone chasing me.”
She looked at me as if I had lost my mind. “I’m supposed to leave you to get shot and run home? Or leave you bleeding on the street while I run home and watch TV or something? Let’s change this topic because I won’t be doing any of those things.” She yanked her hands away from me. “Brian told me that he left you with Brenda last night. Did you have fun?”
“Are you jealous?” I asked, pulling her by the hand.
“No, but I know you.”
“Well, I’ve changed. I realize that’s hard to believe but I have. I turned down a trip to Puerto Rico with Brenda.”
“You’re telling me that you didn’t sleep with Brenda?” Julie asked.
“I’m not saying that. I’m saying that since I’ve been intimate with you, I haven’t slept with anyone else. Again, I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s the truth.” I hugged her around the waist. “For the first time in my life, only one woman will do and that woman is you.”
Julie turned around to look me directly in the eyes. “You are serious.”
“I swear on my dead mother’s grave,” I said.
“Donald, what took us so long? I haven’t been able to even touch Brian since we made love. All I do is think about you, morning, noon and night.” She ran her hands over my eyebrows.
“So when are you going to tell Brian?” I asked.
“There goes the hard part. Brian is such a nice guy, but I want you. I’ve always wanted you. It took you a long time to realize that but at least you did. And with all of that, I’m not too sure about you,” she said.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Donald, you don’t even know if you can be faithful and I need that. It’s great that you can walk away from women right now, but what happens a year or two from now? What happens when the woman that you can’t get out of your mind comes along? Are you going to stay true to your commitment to me?” Julie’s face had become very serious.
“You’re right, Julie. I don’t know what will happen a year or two from now. I don’t even know what will happen tomorrow. Today is all I have and I’m telling you that you’re all I
want.”
Julie was right. I couldn’t give any guarantees. I wanted her today, but tomorrow I might want Brenda or Donna. In an ever-changing world that was full of emotion and conflict, could anyone give a 100% guarantee? What happened when the sex became boring and routine? What happened when the arguments at home hastened your exit to work? Time is all lovers have, but time also changes a person.
“At least with Brian I know he’ll be there,” she said.
“You’re right about that. Brian is much more stable than me. I’m not even going to try to convince you that I’m the right one and that we’ll ride off into the sunset together.” I disengaged myself from Julie and moved toward the door.
“You are leaving?” she asked.
“Yes, I am. I’m going to give you time to make your decision. And, to be honest, I’ll love you no matter what decision you make. It’s up to you whether we live a life together or apart. It won’t change my love for you. You’ve already secured a place in my heart.” I turned around and kissed her on the lips. “In four days, I’ll be free, and with freedom comes choices. You can make yours then.” I opened her door.
“Donald,” she said.
I stood at the door with my back to her. “Julie, let’s leave it at that.”
“Can we talk tomorrow?” she asked.
“No,” I said. “Tomorrow I’m spending time with Emerald and my grandmother.”
“Does she know about us?”
I started walking toward the car. “Sort of.”
“What does that mean?”
I opened the car door. “Isn’t that how our relationship is right now? Sort of?”
“Bye, Donald.” She closed the door as I got into the car.
Chapter 17
4TH DAY
“Emerald, Grandma and I have to talk. You can go in the living room and watch your show. Please wash your hands and mouth before you sit down,” I said to my son.
“Okay,” Emerald said as he got up from the table.
Grandma gave Emerald a half-filled jar of cookies. “Here’s a jar of your favorite cookies. You can enjoy them while you watch television.”
Tears on a Sunday Afternoon Page 15
