Vengeance

by Mychea

  The tosseled crinkly black curls, slanted light brown eyes and elongated slim model silhouette would make any man drool. But he was putting his livelihood in jeopardy by seeing her out in the open like this and yet he couldn’t stop himself.

  “Hey babe. How are you?” he said as he took the vacant seat across from her.

  “I’m doing ok.”

  “That’s it? Just ok.”

  Chestnut eyes gazed up at her. He was so gorgeous. She wondered if this was how Naima felt when she looked at Kaden.

  “Yeah, it definitely looks more promising now that you’re here.”

  Tyson smiled, “Is that so?”

  “Very much so.”

  Feeling like now was the perfect time to voice his concerns about their possible lives moving forward he laid all his cards out on the table.

  “Emeri, I think I should recommend a new therapist for you.” Her face instantly fell.

  “What? Why?!”

  “Because it’s inappropriate for me to counsel and date you at the same time,” He gave her an inquiring look, “Can’t you see the conflict of interest?”

  She could feel the tears threatening to spill.

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  “But I don’t want another therapist. I trust you.” Looking at him with pain filled eyes Emeri couldn’t comprehend why he would do something like this. “Don’t do this to me.”

  “Babe, why are you acting this way? I’m saying to you that I want to continue dating you, but I would also like to keep my job.”

  “I understand what you’re saying,” she trailed off.

  “Taking her hands into his; as her therapist Tyson understood what she was dealing with.

  Emeri suffered from separation anxiety, among other things. Even though he would still be in her life in one aspect, he was exiting from another and that’s the part she was having a hard time coping with.

  “I’m still going to be around baby, I’m not going anywhere. Trust me, I won’t leave you.”

  Tyson knew that Emeri was fragile, no matter how tough she tried to make herself seem to the rest of the world.

  Emeri was skeptical. She was just beginning to trust Tyson and he pulled this stunt. First he would stop the therapy sessions and then he would leave her. She should have known she couldn’t trust a man. When had she ever been awarded that luxury? He was like all the rest. Only thinking of himself. What about her? Removing her hands from Tyson’s she picked up a napkin to wipe her face. Tears were for the weak and weak she was not.

  Tyson felt her withdrawal immediately. He knew she was writing him off and he wasn’t going to stand for it.

  “Em, don’t do this. If you want us to continue our sessions that’s fine. I wasn’t trying to hurt you.”

  “I’m not hurt, you’re right, you should find someone else for me to have my sessions with.”

  “Emeri.”

  Fixating her eyes on his, “Tyson, it’s fine,” she said with a note of finality. Let’s just have dinner.

  Tyson knew it wasn’t fine, his only concern was how “fine” it really was.

  Later that evening…

  Having thought long and hard about she and Tyson’s situation, Emeri was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Now that he wouldn’t be counseling her, she was interested to see if he held true to his word, if so, all would be fine and they could run off into the sunset or some shit Copyright © 2010 Mychea

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  and be just like Naima and Kaden were. The two of them always seemed so happy with one another. Maybe she and Tyson could have something like that; it would be nice to experience someone loving her that way just once in her lifetime.

  “We’ll see.” She said to herself, as her thoughts switched to more pressing matters like Camille and Coleen, the whoring Hunter sisters, both sleeping with married men, neither giving a shit about it. Emeri wondered what would happen if secrets came to light. It may be time for the sisters to have a little fall. “Yes, that seemed appropriate,” she thought as she hummed the nursery rhyme “Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.”

  “I cannot believe what you are telling me. What do you mean you are going to fix your marriage with Haven? What the fuck?! This was not part of our deal and you know it.!” Camille was beyond pissed off. Who did Chris think he was?

  “Camille, calm down. It’s not what you’re making it out to be.”

  “Oh, it better not be, because if I find out you’ve been playing games this entire time, there will be hell to pay.”

  “You need to relax and do it now.” He said.

  Not backing down for a second, Camille was heated, “Don’t you talk to me like that. I’ll relax when I see fit to relax.”

  “Hit me back when you calm down.” Chris said as he hung up. He was tired of dealing with Haven and Camille. His arrangement with Haven was all business, now that Kadir was here things could go on as originally planned. But in order for that to happen, things with Camille needed to be cooled down for a while. He’d thought she would understand that, but apparently not.

  Having made amends with Haven, he had moved back into the house. She seemed willing to forgive him, just as he had ‘forgiven’ her. They both knew it was only a matter of time before the world they were living in was drastically changed forever.

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  Chapter 12

  She had been officially cleared to walk unaided by a cane, walker, anything and she could not be happier. God bless physical therapists everywhere. Hers had mentioned to her that she might need her cane sometimes, if she was going to walk for long periods but that for the most part, she was good to go. Naima was elated she had to take her time, but soon she would be running around with Kalani and that made her happy.

  She was home in the kitchen trying to get dinner together since Kaden would be home with the kids soon. Ever since their talk in her office, he had been a lot more attentive, now that he was also jobless, she hoped he would find something to occupy his time. Working for Damir had afforded him the opportunity to make some great connections, that coupled with the connections he already had from his football days, should mean he would be able to find work sooner than later.

  Kaden was still up to something though. He was being so secretive about everything. Naima had even tried talking to her mom about it, but her mother was on his side this time. “Chile, stop worrying over nothing, Kaden’s not up to no good.” She’d said. Since when Kaden had an ally in her mother was still a mystery. All Naima knew, was that it better not be another woman. The time in her life of forgiving Kaden of his indiscretions had come and gone. Not that she wasn’t guilty of the same thing and by no means were her actions excusable, but Kaden had done enough dirt to last ten men a lifetime. Any foolishness this time and she was going to do what she should have done a long time ago if she had had any sense, get a divorce and move on with her life. She had a teenage daughter to be concerned about this time around and Namiyah would be dating soon. Naima felt it was her job to teach her the correct way for a man and woman to be in a relationship and cheating should not be tolerated.

  Jumping a little as the front door banged open interrupting her thoughts, Naima smiled as she heard, “Ma!” screamed into the air, “I’m in here.” She said as she braced herself. Kalani was on his way. Running into the kitchen at full speed, he threw himself right into her waiting arms.

  “Hey boo bear.” She looked down at him, “How was your day?”

  “It was great. At recess today my friend TJ fell because he was running too fast and Charles stuck his foot out and TJ went boom, boom. boom.” He demonstrated as he fell on the kitchen floor rolling and laughing.

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  “Kalani, that
is not funny,” Naima lightly scolded with a giggle, “Was he ok?”

  “Ah Mom, he was ok.” Looking at his Mom with a side grin, Kalani couldn’t help adding,

  “and it was funny.” Still laughing he ran out the kitchen.

  Naima had to laugh in spite of herself. Boys will be boys. She was still smiling when Namiyah came in to give her a hug, “Do you need help fixing dinner?”

  “Sure, I would love that. Where’s your Dad?”

  “He had to run back out. A meeting or something. He said to tell you he would make it back in time for dinner though, so please set a place for him.”

  “Oh, ok.” Naima wondered where it was he had to go. “How have your sessions been going with Coleen,” she asked, turning her thoughts back to Namiyah, “Do you want to talk about it?”

  She was standing in front of the sink rinsing off the asparagus they were going to have for dinner, “It’s going ok. I like Coleen. She’s really sweet and she doesn’t force me to talk about things I don’t want to talk about. She’s pretty cool.”

  “See, so your Mom’s not such a bad guy for insisting you go right?”

  She laughed as she came over to give her a hug, “No Ma, you’re not a bad guy, now a bad girl maybe.”

  Naima laughed flicking the kitchen towel at her, “Get outta her girl.” Namiyah picked up a towel and flicked hers back, “Oh, it’s on now.” She laughed.

  “That’s not fair.” Naima said in merriment, “You can move faster than I can.”

  “Excuses, excuses. It’s ok to say you’re old.”

  Naima’s mouth dropped open in horror, and she fell into a fit of giggles, “Old jokes huh? Ok, I got your old.” Grabbing a canister of flour, she filled the scoop cup to the top and tossed it on Namiyah.

  Namiyah’s shocked face was pure comedy. While she was still off guard, Naima tossed another scoop of flour on her.

  Dropping the towel, running over to the sink, Namiyah filled a pitcher of water, Naima shouted, “Don’t you dare!” But it fell on deaf ears. Namiyah poured the whole pitcher of water on top of her head. Sliding to the floor in a fit of laughter, “Truce!!!” Naima yelled.

  Kalani came to the kitchen doorway, “What are you guys doing in here?”

  “Mommy just lost the kitchen war. Go get a camera.” Namiyah told him.

  “Cool.” He said as he took off down the hall to find a camera.

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  “Dare I ask what happened to the kitchen?”

  Naima was already smiling before she responded, “See what happens when you aren’t home.

  You miss all the good stuff.” She said as she combed through her freshly washed hair, “Namiyah and I had a kitchen war. I can’t remember the last time we had so much fun together.”

  “Well who lost,” he paused, “the kitchen?”

  “Ha Ha Kaden. Whatever.” She laughed.

  “I’m glad you two had fun. I guess that puts me on the clean up committee of one huh?”

  “Serves you right for missing dinner,” Naima said as she stood up to give him a kiss, “Where you been babe? I missed you.”

  “I was out taking care of some business.”

  “Oh, well I left your dinner warming in the oven.”

  “Thanks baby.”

  “Can we talk about something that’s been on my mind?”

  Reaching up to pull his shirt off, Naima couldn’t help staring at his bare skin. Her husband was so sexy to her.

  “Of course Mocha. We can talk about anything you like.”

  “I’ve given this a lot of thought and playing with Namiyah this evening only reinforced it,”

  she took a deep breath before she continued, “How would you feel about adopting? You know I always wanted more children before the incident, just because I can’t have any doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of kids out there that don’t need a loving home.”

  Kaden thought about that for a moment. It’s not that he cared either way about the kids, they could afford it. He was more concerned with Naima’s crazy sister Emeri and if they were being smart responsible adults by bringing unsuspecting children into the situation. Their kids were born into it, so that made things a little different.

  “Am I to take your silence as a no? You don’t have to decide now. I just wanted to put it out on the table as an option.”

  “I’ll think about it.” Raising his signature eyebrow, Kaden looked into Naima’s eyes, “Would my wife care to join me in the Jacuzzi? I think I may be a teenie bit jealous of you playing with the kids. How about playing with your husband for a little while, or the rest of the night?”

  “Mmmm, I thought you would never ask.” Naima said, though she had just recently gotten out of the shower, “You know playing with my husband is my favorite hobby of all time.”

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  Already removing her robe, “Last one in has to clean up the kitchen AND fix breakfast for the kids in the morning.”

  Kaden lagged behind as he watched her slowly move her nude body in the direction of the Jacuzzi. This was one race he didn’t mind losing, as far as he was concerned, as he continued to watch his beautiful wife, he had already won.

  Camille was frustrated beyond reason. Chris had pulled back from her life, she pretty much kicked Emeri out of her life and now she was lonely. Coleen was off playing mistress and Mommy. Which reminded her; she had company coming over shortly. She needed some damn friends, someone who could help her deal with the Emeri situation. Something had to be done.

  Emeri would not get away with threatening Coleen. Shit was not going down like that. Coleen wanted her to leave the situation alone, but she knew that wasn’t Camille’s style. If she wanted it left alone, she never should have mentioned it in the first place. The only question was what to do about it. Hearing the doorbell ring, she was grateful for the interruption, her company had arrived

  Arriving across the street, watching Camille’s and another silhouette in the dimly lit house, Emeri bid her time wisely. Seeing Coleen’s car in the driveway she smiled maybe she could get lucky and have a two for one deal tonight. Having learned her lesson from the Damir and Amber incident, this time she was smart enough to leave her car at home and hike on foot. Her hair was pulled back under a black afro wig, face devoid of make-up with a stocking mask covering it, dressed in all black with running shoes on, she blended in with the trees. Checking to make sure, she had all the necessary materials she was ready to get to work.

  The moon was hiding behind clouds tonight giving Emeri enough darkness to move about undetected. Creeping to the back of Camille’s house, she took out the key Camille had given her and entered the house through the basement. The room was pitch black, so Emeri had to feel her way, luckily Camille was an avid neat freak and her home stayed clean and in order, which tonight worked to Emeri’s benefit. Hearing talking coming from the kitchen, Emeri slowly ascended the basement stairs. Opening the door slowly, praying that the hinges wouldn’t creak, she listened. She heard Camille’s voice still coming from the direction of the kitchen and nothing else throughout the rest of the house. Quietly closing the basement door behind her, Emeri made Copyright © 2010 Mychea

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  her way up the stairs to the bedrooms. Going into each bedroom, she opened the windows to let in oxygen, and left linseed oil soaked cloths in a can beneath each bed. Hanging onto the banister in the hall, she could still hear Camille speaking in the kitchen. Making a swift descent down the stairs, Emeri went around the rest of the house opening windows and leaving whiskey bottles.

  Concluding in the den, she was thoroughly satisfied with her work. Inaudibly easing her way back into the basement, Emeri was ready for her plan to go into full effect. Leaving one last can by the basement door, she waited until she could see light and
smoke coming from it, then she slipped out the house unnoticed.

  Flicking through channels in her room, as Chris was feeding Kadir in the nursery, Haven was happy to have some down time. It had been awhile since she’d had a newborn in the house and she vowed to herself that this would be the last one. No more babies were coming out of this body if she could help it. The way things were going with Chris, she didn’t think that would be a problem anyway. He hadn’t touched her since before the baby was born and that was fine with her.

  Finding nothing on TV, she settled on the news. “Let’s see who else’s life is more fucked up in the world than mine.” She said to herself.

  Haven watched the usual traffic jams on the hated 495 beltway in Maryland and Virginia. She hated taking the beltway for anything. If she could help it, she always tried to take the back roads, which were much better for a person’s sanity.

  Leaving the news on, she picked up the phone to dial Naima.

  “Hey Girl! What’s going on?”

  “Wow, why are you so animated?”

  “Whoo girl! Just finished loving my man real good,” Haven could hear her giggling on the other end of the phone.

  “I’m jealous.”

  “You should be.”

  “I’m happy for you.” Haven really was happy for Naima. She had always wanted someone to look at her the way Kaden did and say the things that Kaden said to Naima. Shaking her head, she didn’t foresee it happening in this lifetime.

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  “Thanks girlie. How are things over there with you and Chris? Is he keeping his hands to himself?

  “Yeah, there have been no repeat incidents of abuse.” Haven closed her eyes as she spoke; she just realized how tired she was.

  “Good. I don’t’ know what has gotten into Chris. Was he like this in college?”

  “Not at all. That Chris was wonderful. I ruined that guy when I sent him to jail. It’s my fault he’s the way he is now.”

  Naima didn’t say anything. Opening her eyes in the wake of silence, Haven was shocked to see Naima’s Dad’s picture on the screen, she sat up suddenly.