Rent Me By The Hour

by Leslie Harmison

  Jordan calls out, “Jeremiah. Jeremiah.” My son remembered his name.

  I’m giggling inside. Jeremiah is a great actor. When he hears Jordan calling for him, he turns around surprised we are there. He greets my kids and the kids are happy to see him. Jeremiah leans close to me to give me a peck on my cheek. The four of us enter together. The ladies behind the registers giggle amongst themselves as they stare at Jeremiah.

  One of the ladies who was brave enough to talk to him, ask, “How many is in your party?” She turns around to the other ladies smiling. It was kind of cute how women flock when they see Jeremiah.

  With the sexy raspy voice that I so love, he responds, “Four please.”

  The woman rings us up as I gently grab Jeremiah by his arm when he pulls out his credit card. I do not feel right with him paying for me and my kids. The lady grabs his credit card, swipes, and then hands it back to him. As he’s signing the receipt, the ladies lean in closer and hovers over him.

  Men like to be in control of everything, and I shouldn’t fight him for paying for me and my kids because that might mess up his ego, but I just can’t let him pay. As we’re walking away from the registers, I quietly insisted, “I can pay for me and my kids.”

  “I’m happy to pay for all of us.”

  “But I don’t want you thinking I can’t pay for me and my kids.”

  He respectfully cups my face with his powerful but tender hand, “Jacquelyn, I know you can pay for your kids but I wanted to pay. If it’s such a big deal to you, you can pay for the movie later.”

  “Movie?”

  That word sparked in my kids’ ears and they excitedly yell, “Movies!”

  “Mom are we going to the movies after we’re done here?” Jocelyn questions.

  “I don’t know baby. I’ll see.”

  Jordan urges, “Please mom. I want to go to the movies.”

  Watching Jocelyn and Jordan pouting for me to say yes and with Jeremiah smirking, I had no choice but to say okay. My kids jumped up and down. We order two large cheese pizzas and sit at the table eating while Jordan and Jocelyn talked their butts off. They administered their attentions to Jeremiah leaving me out of the conversation. So I sat there eating and giggling inside. I’ve never seen my kids like this towards a man. They’re usually standoffish, but today, they are talking like there’s no tomorrow. Sweet Jeremiah sits there listening carefully to everything my kids are saying and when something really interesting is being said, his pearly whites beam; and him and my kids get louder and louder as the three of them try to talk over the other trying to say their part on the conversation. Once they were done eating and talking about everything under the moon, Jeremiah bought four play cards. The four of us raced on the bumper cars twice and Jordan won the first time then Jocelyn the second. Jordan challenged Jeremiah to a round of basketball while Jocelyn and I played skee ball. Both times Jordan won and Jeremiah was a good sport when Jordan playfully rubbed it in his face. Seeing Jeremiah and my kids interacting is very heartwarming. He plays so well with them. Jordan dared me to play a round of basketball with him. Jocelyn asked Jeremiah is he can play skee ball with her while Jordan and I shoot hoops. He kindly smiled and accepted her plea. Of course Jordan won again. Once our two hours were up, my kids exchanged their tickets for prizes. This actually turned out great. I was apprehensive about Jeremiah being with my kids and how my kids would react with Jeremiah around, but everything turned out perfect.

  I was also blown away when Jordan and Jocelyn asked if they can ride with Jeremiah back to our house especially since Jordan is skittish with other people’s driving.

  I look at Jeremiah’s car, then at my kids, then at Jeremiah, then at his car again. I do not think it would be a great idea. His car is so clean that my kids will accidentally do something to ruin it. I shake my head, but Jeremiah insisted it will be alright.

  I urge, “Follow us to our home.”

  He winks and nods. Jeremiah followed us to our house. I didn’t have a chance to refill our animals’ water and food so we needed to nurture our pets. Jeremiah helped us which is amazing because the kids really had a blast telling him what needed to be done. He would act as if he didn’t understand what he’s doing, so my kids would pause what they were doing, grab him by his hand, and help him out. When he finally understood what needed to be done, my kids praised him like what a parent does when their child does something good. The expressions on three of their faces were priceless. After we tended to our creatures, Jordan and Jocelyn jump in their showers.

  “Do you have any extra clothes so you can take a shower? I don’t think you want to smell like animal poop to the movies.”

  “Yeah let me get it from my truck.”

  I watched him as he grabs his extra clothes from the back of his truck. While he’s walking back, I notice his sweaty shirt is stuck on his muscular chest. I look away avoiding the tingly feeling creeping in my veins. He grabs a leather duffle bag and as he’s walking back towards the door, he leans in and kisses me on my lips. My heart just skipped a beat. I lick my lips so I can taste his.

  I prepare his towel and washcloth, close my bedroom behind me, go downstairs and wait in the living room while he showers in my bathroom. My kids are already dressed and waiting with me in the living room watching cartoons. Once he’s done, he walks back downstairs in a red t-shirt, black cargo shorts, and slippers. He looks very comfortable. Sometimes I think he likes it better dressed this way instead of the three piece suits he has to wear for his business. He sits on the sectional watching cartoons with Jordan and Jocelyn so I bounce up, go to my bedroom to take a quick shower.

  While showering, I’m wondering what kind of conversation he is having with my kids. They seemed to really hit it off at Incredible World. I dry off and slip into blue jeans, tank top, and flip-flops. I pull my hair into a bun and apply light make-up. I take one glance at the oval mirror. Hope he likes the way I look.

  As I’m walking downstairs, Jeremiah looks up at me and smiles. My heart just melted. He is sitting between my kids as they show him card tricks they know. I sit across from them enjoying the view. After they show all the tricks they know, Jordan tells Jeremiah about football plays he’s done in the pass while Jocelyn explains different tumble and jumps she does in cheerleading. He listens to everything they are saying and soaks all the information in.

  “Are you guys ready?” I pull my purse over my shoulder.

  Jordan and Jocelyn jump up and each of them grab Jeremiah’s hand and pull him up. Jeremiah pretends he can’t stand up and my kids try harder. When they managed to get him off the couch they cheer like they’ve accomplished something marvelous.

  “Are we going in my truck?”

  “I was hoping we go in mine.” Jeremiah demands.

  “Your truck doesn’t look child-proof.”

  “What do you mean it doesn’t look child-proof? Its proof able for everything possible.”

  “That’s not what I meant. Your car is too expensive for my kids to be acting like kids in.”

  “I’m pretty sure my truck will manage. If not, then I can take it to get washed and cleaned.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.” He pulls my hands and crosses his pinky with mine to follow him outside.

  My kids tried to get in the car, but it was too high. Jeremiah had to carry the kids inside.

  “Wow mom. Can we get a car like this?” Jordan marvels the inside of Jeremiah’s car.

  “Baby we already have a car. We don’t need another one.” I cannot afford to pay this much on a car. Buying something like this will bankrupt me.

  Jeremiah turned on each of their entertainment system to keep them entertained. My kids lean back on the very soft and comfortable seats. They slip on their headphones and now they’re in lala land. I just lost them. Jeremiah came around the passenger side and helps me into his truck. He pinches my butt and I flinch. After I get in, he comes close, and kisses me on my cheek.

  Chapter 8


  Just like I thought, Jeremiah did not let me pay for our movie tickets and the snacks. He asked my kids himself what they wanted to get and bought everything they picked. I’m going to let him slide for now, but this can’t continue. He can’t buy everything my kids want. I’m not used to this. For others paying for me and my kids. The seating arrangements were pretty confusing because Jordan and Jocelyn bickered on who was going to sit next to him. The simplest solution was to let Jeremiah sit between them which he didn’t mind at all. I sit on the other side of Jocelyn. Since the movie is in 3-D, Jocelyn jumped every time the dinosaurs were coming our way. She rotated holding mine and Jeremiah’s hand and sometimes she held both. I wonder if Jeremiah has any kids because he really knows how to deal with mine it’s like he’s a natural at being a dad.

  By the time the movie was over, it was pretty late. I hate taking my kids out this late, but somehow I felt comfortable and safe with Jeremiah around. I thought we were headed back home, but he asks my kids something I wish he hadn’t.

  He pauses their entertainment system, “Do you guys want ice cream?”

  They’re kids. Of course they want ice cream. I’m just afraid my kids will ruin his expensive leather seats. He drives to Baskin Robbins and I can already see the inside of his car after my kids get their ice creams. This isn’t going to be pretty.

  I turn to face Jordan, “Jordan you’re going fishing with Uncle Matt, Uncle Rick, and Patrick tomorrow. They’ll be by around six to pick you and the boat up.”

  “Really?” The thrilled tone in his voice resonates in SUV. “Can Jeremiah come with us? Mom can he come?”

  “Baby he probably has to work tomorrow.”

  “I do have to work for a couple of hours in the morning. How about the four of us go next Saturday?”

  “Really?” Jordan’s high pitched excitement directs towards me. “Can we mom?”

  “Sound like a plan.” I wink at Jordan.

  “Mommy what am I doing tomorrow?” Jocelyn looks down with her pouted lips crossing her arms.

  “Well I was thinking you and I go have a spa date. We can get our manicures and pedicures done. Then during lunch time we’ll go eat with Aunt Victoria, Aunt Cynthia, and Stephanie. Then afterwards, you’re going with Aunt Cynthia and Stephanie because you’re going to spend a night at their house.”

  “Mommy if I spend a night with Stephanie and Jordan spends a night with Patrick, aren’t you going to be lonely?”

  “Of course not baby. I have all our wonderful pets to keep me company.”

  “Are you going to miss us?”

  “I always miss you two when you guys aren’t with me.”

  Jocelyn satisfied with my answer, questions Jeremiah, “Are we there yet?”

  “We’re almost there.” Jeremiah answers.

  I bid for us to eat the ice cream inside the ice cream shop. I wouldn’t want my kids to accidentally spill any on Jeremiah’s plush black leather seats. Even though Jeremiah claimed it was okay, I counterclaimed him and won. Plus it was nice to be able to face everyone so we all can talk. Well the three of them talk. They seem to always leave me out of the conversations. People passing by stare and admire his truck. Like they’ve never seen one before. This probably is true. Shit I never have seen one before. His truck is one of a kind. I can see it now. Monday when I pick up Jocelyn from school, Martha will ask me who’s the handsome man driving that lavish truck. I will officially become the topic of discussion.

  When we got home, Jeremiah comes inside for a little while. Mufasa and Mulan smell him then ran outside. My kids run upstairs change in their pajamas and hurries back to the living room where Jeremiah casually sits on our couch like he lives there. Jordan shows him the same card tricks from earlier, and then I demand he get some rest since he will be waking up at five in the morning.

  “Yeah I should be going.” Jeremiah stands up.

  The disappointment in my kids’ faces at the thought of Jeremiah leaving.

  “I’ll be back. I promise.” Jeremiah rattles his fingers over Jordan and Jocelyn’s hair.

  Ok my kids are happy again. The four of us head upstairs. Jeremiah watches me as I tuck my kids in bed, “You are great with your kids. I see how they adore you.”

  “I try my best.”

  “I know you do.”

  After tucking my babies in, Jeremiah and I go downstairs. I sit on the sectional and he sits next to me. My kids really had fun being around him and I appreciate how sincere and fantastic he was with my kids. Watching him wants me to jump on top of him and I can sense he feels the same, but we restrain ourselves because my kids are still all new to this. Me having a man around. Shit, I’m still new to it too. I respect that about him. He doesn’t cross the boundaries. “I should be heading back.” He stands up from the couch straightening his pants. I can notice the bulge just below his waist line.

  “Back to Houston?”

  “Yes. I have a couple of meetings tomorrow.”

  “Oh ok.”

  “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

  I already know what that means. I’ll never call you again. “Ok.” What else could I say? As much as I wish he would call me back I know he wouldn’t. This is too much for him to handle and I don’t blame him. I walk him outside to his Knight.

  He locks his fingers with mine, “I had fun today and thank you for letting me spend time with you and your kids.”

  “Thank you for doing it.”

  “I hope we can do that more often.”

  These mind games are killing me. Why not just get in your car and drive off. Don’t tell you you’re going to call me and that you wish you can spend more time with me and my kids. That’s just screwing with my head and I’m not prepared for the distraction. He gives me a peck on my lips and as I sighed with my mouth open, he slips his sweet tongue in. He pins me against his truck as we exchange our longing desires. I grab him by his shirt pulling him closer against me.

  He pauses, “I should go. I’ll call you later.” He jumps in his truck and my heart aches at knowing I might never see him again. I should have known it would come down to this. I shouldn’t be surprise for what’s going to happen next. Watching the backlights of his SUV leave my driveway brought frustration inside me. Why did I allow this to happen? Why did I let my kids spend time with him just for him to turn his back on us and never come back? But what if he really does want to spend time with us? Why am I letting these doubts get the best of me?

  Mufasa and Mulan enter the house with me; I lock the door, change into my pajamas, and lay in my bed thinking about Jeremiah. As I’m dozing off, my cellphone rings.

  Looking at who it is, I delightedly answer, “Did you already miss me?”

  “Yes I did. I wish I didn’t have these meetings tomorrow so I can be with you instead. My meetings should be done around noon so after you have lunch with your daughter and friends can I come by your house?”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. Why do you sound surprise?”

  “I just figured you had something better else to do then to spend it with me.”

  “Sweetheart, that’s all I want to be able to do. If I didn’t have to run my business and you allowed me to, I would spend part of my time with you in our private time and with you and your kids for family time.”

  Family time? That had a nice ring to it. It would be nice if he continued to spend time with me and my kids. My kids would love that. Here I am worrying I will never hear from him again. He really does want to be around.

  “So I’ll meet you at my house tomorrow then.”

  “Sounds like a plan. Good night sweetheart.”

  “Good night Jeremiah.”

  “Sweet dreams. And I hope some of your dreams include me.”

  Quietly smiling inside, “Sweet dreams to you too. But if you do come by tomorrow then I wouldn’t have to dream of you.”

  We tell each other to hang up but we refuse to do it when the other one doesn’t want to hang up. We’re both thirty years old but
we’re acting like high school kids. I finally clicked the red button on my phone because I have to wake up early to help Jordan get ready to go fishing. I stock up the fridge in my boat with food such as: bread, cheese, mayonnaise, lunchmeat, chips, fruits, water, sodas, Gatorade, and crackers.

  Since Jordan and Jocelyn will be spending a night with their cousins I pack each of them a backpack. I check my business phone one more time before sticking it inside my sock drawer. I curl in my bed and for the first time in a long time I’m not getting my pillow soaked. Whenever I sleep alone in my room, I start thinking of Max and it leads me to tears.