Free Agent

by Lace, Lolah

  “Selena get the fuck off my property. I’m going to call the police. I will get you locked up.” I was glaring at this pathetic girl as she picked her body up from the floor boards. “Disappear from my life. We have been done a long time ago.”

  Selena started bawling like she was dying. Tears for days, sobbing and shaking. What the fuck? For reals, we had nothing but some random sex. I stood there and watched as Selena stumbled down my steps. She got in her brother’s beat up Impala. I had to make sure she didn’t fuck with my car again. She peacefully drove away from my house. I waited a minute than I closed the door and locked it. Deja was standing on the other side of the room with her hands on her hips.

  Christ! What is going to happen next? I’m not sure what guys are supposed to do in this situation but I was going to beg for forgiveness.

  “I’m sorry. I had no idea she was going to show up here. I haven’t fucked with her since we went on our first date. Since then I have only been with you even though we weren’t a couple yet I still stopped seeing every other girl. That’s the truth.”

  “I hear you. I’m just trying to calm down.”

  “Okay, okay. You want to sit down?”

  “I want to beat the brakes off that burrito eating bitch!”

  “I think you did that already.”

  Deja started laughing. Deja is weird. She is so different, in a good way. Please don’t break up with me because I lied. Please don’t leave me.

  “You fucked her? You got that dumbass girl pregnant?”

  Was that an observation or a question? “Deja I don’t even know if that baby was mine. I wasn’t in a relationship with Selena. We slept together from time to time. It wasn’t anything more than that for me.”

  “I don’t know how I feel about this nonsense.”

  “I didn’t think she would show up here.”

  “Yeah that’s obvious.”

  “Fuck her, I just want to know if we’re still good?”

  “I don’t know. There have been a lot of secrets. You didn’t tell me some things. I didn’t tell you some things.”

  “I didn’t tell you about this bullshit because you’re not on bullshit. You have goals and morals and I didn’t want you to think of me as this low class asshole.”

  “I never thought that.”

  “I wanted to rise to your level. I was tired of these randoms. Me and you went out and I wanted to change. I knew I could do it but my past kept trying to hold me back.”

  “I snooped through your phone. Do you have anything to say about that?”

  “Ah, I don’t know. You can do whatever you want.”

  “Once when you were sleep, your phone vibrated and I read the texts from Selena. I looked at the pictures. I didn’t trip on it because you didn’t respond to anything. You never deleted anything from the phone. You never locked your phone. You never hid it from me or took it in the bathroom with you so I felt okay.”

  I walked over to Deja to look her directly in her eyes and bridge the gap between us. “I know I didn’t tell you some things. How I feel about you is the truth. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about that psycho. I just didn’t want to bother you with nothing. She is nothing to me. You are everything to me. That is the truth. I swear to god.”

  “RJ, you are everything to me.” She whispered.

  I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her off her feet so she could reach my lips. I closed my eyes as soon as our lips met. We’re good. It’s all good. She’s not breaking up with me today. She’s still mine. My heart was relieved and my body was no longer tense. I wish she could stay the night. I want to keep her close. I want to wake up with her in my arms.

  One day it will happen. I just have to be patient. I hope the drama is over. I see a future with Deja and I don’t want to fuck it up.

  It was my turn to have Deja over to meet my parents. I had to pick a day that everyone could be together. My moms would only cook if I invited my bratty sister Sonia. It took a week but I got it together. I picked Deja up and we went across the driveway to my parent’s house.

  Deja was dressed conservatively. We walked in through the kitchen and my moms was sitting at the kitchen table. As soon as moms spotted us she darted pass me and right to Deja. She embraced Deja and I’m sure it shocked Deja because it shocked me. Why was moms being so handsy?

  Dinner was served fifteen minutes later. We were all seated at the dining room table. I gave Deja a list of topics that are off limits. Actually there was only one thing I didn’t want to come up and that was the abortion. Deja agreed and we were stuffing our faces with homemade Italian cuisine.

  My moms was a great cook. She didn’t really work so cooking was something she took pride in. My pops was always busy. He traveled a lot for his job. He was an engineer. He had a team that went around installing machines in government facilities in the Midwest region. I picked tonight because I knew he would be available. His next job starts in two weeks.

  I knew someone was going to start talking at the dinner table. I just crossed my fingers and hoped for the best.

  “Deja,” Deja looked up when my moms called her name. “You know you are the first girl to come inside the house, to have dinner with us, to be introduced to us. I think RJ may be embarrassed of his family.” Moms had put on her proper dinnertime voice.

  Deja smiled across the table at me. “Mrs. Palazzo, I don’t think RJ’s embarrassed of you guys. I think he’s embarrassed of some of the girls he dates.”

  “I’m sure you right.” My moms agreed. “How did you two meet?”

  “We met at Menard’s in the paint section. I was buying paint for my room. I’m not sure why RJ was there.”

  “I was there for work, Uncle Mason sent me.”

  “Deja,” It was Sonia’s turn to annoy my girlfriend. “I’m confused. I don’t understand why you’re with my brother. You’re one of the smartest seniors in the school. I saw him pick you up from school once and thought I was seeing things. I didn’t even think that rumor was true when I heard it. I don’t understand. Why are you with him?” Sonia pointed her fork at me.

  My girlfriend smiled and turned to Sonia who was sitting right beside her. “RJ is the best boyfriend I ever had. I think he’s charming and so sweet.”

  “Okay but with you being so intelligent and him being mentally challenged, what do you talk about?”

  I had enough of the insults. “Moms are you going to let her say these things about me?”

  “Sonia.” Moms called to her little rude offspring.

  “Deja did he give you drugs to say nice things about him?” Sonia asked with a serious face. Why isn’t my moms stopping this foolishness.

  Deja started giggling. “No, I don’t do drugs.”

  Finally my moms broke up the weirdness. “Deja, RJ tells me you’re going to the University of Chicago next fall.”

  “Yeah, my dad is a doctor so that’s what I want to do.”

  I loved the way Deja made medical school seen so trivial.

  “What kind of doctor?” My pops asked.

  “My dad is cardiologist at Stroger Hospital. I think I want to be a cardiologist also. I have time to figure it out.”

  After dinner Deja and I went back to my place. First thing out her mouth was how my pops looked just like the guy from the movie Pretty Woman. Everybody says my pops looks like Richard Gere.

  Deja and I got pretty cozy in my bed. She let me go down on her and she enjoyed every lick. I have skills in multiple areas. Our time ran out. I had to get her back home.

  When I got back to my house my pops called and said he was coming over.

  I opened the door to his faint knocking.

  “Hey Pops, what’s up?”

  “Your mother sent me over here to talk to you.” My pops was doing that same squinty eyed thing that Richard Gere does.

  “What did I friggin’ do now?”

  “Nothing, yet. She likes your girlfriend. She wants
me to tell you to not ruin her future.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “We all know you like her. We would’ve never met her otherwise. Basically don’t get the smart girl pregnant.”

  “Pops, we’re not even having sex. Deja’s a virgin.”

  “How long is that going to last?”

  “There isn’t a time table. She’s running the show.” This show is rated PG-13 and it’s going in slow motion not 3D.

  “RJ, come on. Don’t blow smoke up my ass.”

  “I’m not. I’m not going to do anything to mess her up.”

  “Why?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Why makes this girl different from any other girl you used and discarded?”

  “I care about her. That’s all you need to know…Why didn’t you tell me I have a kid?”

  “You were too immature than and you’re too immature now.”

  “It would be nice if you had faith in me.”

  “When, the time you wrapped my car around a tree drinking and driving? What about the time you beat a kid up for kissing Sonia? What about the time you got that girl pregnant? What about the time you were arrested for drugs? The only reason you didn’t do any time was because I knew the arresting officer. Your list of fuck-ups is endless.”

  “I know that but this girl makes me want to be a better person, a better man. It would be nice if my family had my back, if you guys didn’t constantly bring up the past. I made a lot of mistakes but you guys had me at eighteen.”

  “Yeah but I loved your mother and I still do. Getting married young and having you wasn’t a mistake for us. It was a life experience. You make many mistakes.”

  “I know I’m trying to change. I am changing.”

  “I hope so. You’re smarter than the dumb ass crap you’ve pulled.”

  “I know. I am.” Deja believes in me.

  “Try to keep this girlfriend. She’s hot.”

  Now I was smiling. “Yeah, she’s hot. She’s a ten. Her ass is friggin’ beautiful and she’s smart. Hey Pops you ever cheated on Moms?” I don’t know why I asked. It’s just weird that they have been together for twenty-two years.

  “Cheated, never.”

  “Never, I don’t believe you.”

  “You asked the wrong question. I have never cheated on your mother. Have I ever had sex with someone other than your mother? That was the question you should have asked.” He winked at me. He stood and left out the front door without an explanation for his little revelation.

  CHAPTER 8

  I finally got the call from Renee. I was going to the chapel. I wasn’t getting married but I was making a baby. Maybe it was wrong but I wanted to help Renee. I had been such a fuck up for so many years. The one thing I did good was make Renee a mother. I can’t be mad about that. It made me feel good to know I contributed in making someone other than myself happy.

  That’s how I feel about Deja. I want to make her happy. I was at my job when Renee called. I told her I would meet her after work. This worked out perfect for me since Deja went to junior college after high school. Deja was getting a jump on her general requirements. Deja’s parents promised her mother’s BMW to her after graduation. That’s if she did everything to their satisfaction. This would never be a problem for Deja. She confided in me that high school was a breeze. She told me she retained information very well and only certain mundane tasks were a challenge for her.

  I was going to meet Renee at five and I would be home in time to watch Grey’s Anatomy with Deja. She loved all the TV shows about doctors. She got me hooked on Grey’s Anatomy. I loved how she explained the relationships of the characters to me. I hadn’t seen any of the past seasons but Deja brought me up to speed.

  It was almost time for me to leave work. I decided to rap with my Uncle Mason. He was sitting next to me at the front desk, going through some paperwork.

  “Hey how’s Kari? I haven’t seen her around lately?”

  “She’s good.” Uncle stopped and glared at me. “Did you get rid of that girl that slashed your tire?”

  “Yeah she showed up at my place when I changed my cell number. She got into a fight with my girlfriend.”

  “A fight?”

  “Well there was a lot of female yapping back and forth. Selena called my girlfriend the N-word. My girlfriend punched her in the face.”

  “The smart future doctor girlfriend?”

  “Yeah, Deja knocked her down. I think she’s related to Floyd Mayweather.” I joked.

  Uncle grinned. “Next time call the cops.”

  “On a girl?”

  “Yeah on a girl. Cover your tracks. She’s not afraid of you. She would call the cops on you without hesitation. You have to stop things before they escalate. That’s my advice to you because once things get out of control it’s hard to get them back under control.”

  “I hear you Uncle. I have an insurance policy on this crazy girl. If she makes a move, I have a harder heavier move.”

  “Be careful Romeo.”

  “Always. I want to buy Deja something, a gift. I never had a real adult girlfriend so I don’t really know what to buy her.”

  “All women like jewelry. You’re too young to buy any form of a ring. Shit like rings scare young girls away. They think you’re getting too serious. Buy her a necklace, a bracelet or earrings. Is she religious?”

  “She goes to church on Sunday’s.”

  “Okay then buy her a necklace with a cross.”

  “You mean like a crucifix cross.”

  “Yeah a cross.”

  “I still haven’t slept with her. I don’t want her thinking about god when I’m trying to get it in.”

  “She won’t. She punched a girl in the face for you. She’s going to sleep with you soon. Be cool. Buy her an unconventional gift like a religious symbol. She’s a smart girl. She needs a gift that she can analyze. That gift will give her something to think about. She’ll think you’re clever and deep. That’s what you want.”

  I was eating up his words of wisdom. Uncle Mason was smart. He was just as smart as my pops but in a different way.

  “Okay so a gold chain with a gold cross.”

  “Yeah, not a big chain, get her a small feminine necklace with a little subtle gold cross. Tell her to wear it to church. Then go to church with her one time.”

  “What if she goes to an all-black church? I’m going to be the only white guy at the church.”

  Uncle laughed out loud. “I assure you there will be other white people at the church. It may be only a few but you will not be the center of attention. Even if you are the center of attention, does it matter? Aren’t you trying to get laid?”

  “Yeah but what if we have sex and she hates it?”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Yeah what if my cock is too big? What if she hates sex? She’s never done it before, she could hate it.”

  “RJ, you must really like this girl. Stupid douchy shit is falling out your mouth.” Uncle was mocking and smiling at me.

  “Yeah, I mean I guess so.” I shrugged. I was embarrassed. “I really like her.”

  “Stop thinking so hard.”

  “I don’t want to fuck it up.”

  “How you going to fuck it up?”

  “I don’t friggin’ know. I can’t believe she even likes me. I know there are plenty of college guys that would love to get at her.”

  “They don’t matter. Are you anywhere near getting laid?”

  I shrugged. “She lets me eat her soul food.”

  “What?” Uncle frowned.

  “She lets me eat her pussy. She gives me hand-jobs. I get to suck her tits, shit like that but no penetration.”

  “Okay, you’re practically there. Buy the necklace, go to church, she’ll spread her legs soon and it will be her idea.”

  “I hear you.” I did hear him. I was like a sponge soaking up all the wisdom I could. Uncle Mason ha
d some beautiful girlfriends when I was a kid. His wife was okay but she was nothing like those girls I used to see him with when I was little.

  I left the job and went to the hotel to meet Renee. My former teacher’s dilemma was like this top secret mission. I didn’t think anyone would understand. I knew Deja wouldn’t understand. I swear this is the last secret I will keep from her. I know this is wrong on so many levels but I was helping a friend in need. Of course my cock was going to enjoy the sex but I had convinced myself that this was not actually cheating on Deja.

  I knocked on the hotel run door and Renee opened it and let me in. She was wearing a green wrap-around dress with little white and yellow flowers on it. Her hair was down on her shoulders. She had gotten it trimmed since the last time I saw her. She was wearing just a little makeup but she was glowing and radiant for a woman of forty-two years.

  I hugged her and kissed her cheek as soon as the door closed behind me. She was quick to lock it. I walked behind her and watched her petite ass sway underneath the dresses fabric.

  “You’re here.”

  “Yes, I’m here.”

  “I got some wine. I think I need a drink.” She giggled nervously. “If this works it will be my last drink for the next nine months.”

  “Have faith Renee. It will work. It’s your fertile time right?”

  “Yes it is. Are you still okay with this?” She asked.

  “I’m cool with it.” I smiled and grabbed her half empty glass and poured her another drink of red wine. I handed the glass to her. “I think you’ll get pregnant this time but if not we can always try again.”

  “Okay, I’m so nervous.”

  “I see that. Don’t be, drink up.” I smiled. This was cute. She was nervous. “I know it’s been awhile but everything about me is the same, maybe just a little bigger.” I smirked. “I think you can handle it.”

  Renee was blushing. Older women aren’t that different than younger women. I removed my hoodie and draped it over the back of the chair.

  “I don’t think it’s going to work if I don’t calm down a bit.”

  “Why are you nervous? We have done this before over a dozen times.”

  “I know but it seems like a lifetime ago.” Renee guzzled all the wine from her glass.