by Nicety
“You’re late.” Goddess said tussling her sleep hair.
“My bad, I know I’m late. I had to find somebody to watch my son.” Spliff said entering the house looking around at how big it was. “Well you’ve sure been doing good.”
“It was my grandmother’s. She’s dead now.”
“What? Damn, what happened?”
“She killed herself from grief of my mom’s murder. Have a seat.” She said casually.
“Damn!” He said putting his hand over his mouth. “That’s why you came up here. I’m sorry boo.”
“Don’t boo me. How the fuck you just gon’ bail out on me for three fucking years Spliff or Jemarcus or whoever you calling yourself these days?” She snapped poking her finger in his face. “Shit you even dressing different.”
Spliff used to remain straight hood with his gear rocking only t-shirts, jeans and Timbs wherever he went. Now he was dressed rather flashy looking like he had stepped out of a Kenneth Cole magazine, from his black Pea Coat to his Moc Toe Loafers. She inspected him realizing that even though he talked and sounded the same, he wasn’t the same man who left her all those years ago. He took a deep breath and released it slowly preparing his thoughts in his head.
“I didn’t want to leave you Goddess, but I felt that I had to.” He explained.
“Oh, you felt you had to.”
“Yes. She was threatening to find out who you were and tell you and I couldn’t bare the thought of you finding out that way. Her father is an ex- FBI agent and does background checks on everyone. She would’ve found you in a heartbeat and outted me like a motherfucka.”
“Really? So, where you find this bitch at, Spliff?” She said crossing her arms and curling her lips.
“That time I took the trip up here to hit a lick with my boy Serg, I met her and we hooked up. Three months later she talking bout she pregnant and she don’t wanna be no single moms. I told her about you and she said she didn’t care, that she would blow this up to you in an instant if I didn’t come up here and marry her.” Spliff rubbed the sweat droplets forming on his face.
“So you decided to fake your death and live happily ever after up here with this bitch? And say fuck me right?” Goddess turned tapping her feet trying to remain calm. “Nigga I gave you six years of my motherfucking life! And another three mourning you! Do you have any idea what it was like for me? ARGH!”
“If I had told you do you think we could have worked it out? I mean honestly. First thing you would’ve said was you leaving me, especially after you found out she had my son.” He grabbed her hand as she pulled it away. “Baby, I’m sorry.”
“Oh yeah, you sorry alright nigga. Sorry as hell.”
“I didn’t want my son without a father and since we didn’t have any kids—“ He was cut short by the abrupt cut of her eyes. “I just didn’t want my son to be denied a family.”
“What the fuck about our family, huh? What about us? I wanted a family but for six years you said no babe we have plenty of time for that. Now you pop up out the box with a son. You killing me.”
Spliff lowered his head placing both of his large hands over his face. He was disgusted with hisself but what was done was done and he couldn’t change it. All he could do was figure out how to move forward in their relationship.
“Babe all that I ask is can we try to make this work…again?”
“Are you shitting me, Spliff? I…I don’t even know who you are anymore. I mean you’ve got a new life now and a kid. Now you don’t care about leaving your kid, huh?”
“I never said I was leaving him. I’m just leaving her. She wasn’t nothing but a gold digging skank anyway man. She cheating on me just like I’m steppin’ out on her, man.”
“Oh just like you stepped out on me?” She shook her head and bit her lip. “Naw Spliff. We’re so over we need a new word for over.”
“Goddess, baby, I’m sorry.”
“What about the whole police taking you away thing? Was that all a hoax too?” She asked staring deeply into his eyes awaiting the truth.
“Shit, hell naw. They took me to jail and beat the breaks off my ass. But they crooked asses let me go because of it. So when they got tired and released me, I called Serg to come bail me out. I felt that was the right time to leave. He had a situation he needed me to take care of and I asked him for a favor. That’s how he delivered the package to the door that morning. He told me he heard you scream. It nearly tore me to shreds.” Spliff replied feeling the lowest of his low.
“I was beyond hurt…for a long time, Spliff. I couldn’t eat or sleep or even wash my ass. I was broke with no money and if it weren’t for my friend who is probably sitting in a jail cell right now hating the shit out of me, I would’ve been homeless too. All of this bullshit started because you couldn’t leave your precious son!” Goddess bellowed from the top of her lungs standing and pacing struggling to take it all in.
“Man, I know you’ve been through hell. Okay. So have I. We need each other right now baby. That’s the only way we both gon’ make it boo. Com’ on!” He wanted to cry but the tears wouldn’t fall from his eyes.
Ding, Ding, Ding!
Goddess walked over to the door looking out of the peephole. A Caucasian woman with long luscious luxurious blond hair and a grey trench waited outside for someone to answer. She hesitated not knowing if she was a cop but then she turned around revealing the heavy thick makeup and fake eyelashes that adorned her face and immediately knew she wasn’t. Cops never looked that cheap while on the job.
“Can I help you?” She asked as she opened the door.
“Yes, I’m Imani. Are you Goddess?” She asked stepping in the screen door unwelcomed.
“Yes. Do come in.” She final invited. “Do you have good news for me?”
“I sure do girl. Bam!” Imani responded slapping a white envelope in the air towards her.
“Oh my God! This couldn’t have come at a better time. I just lost my job today.”
“Well it looks like I’m right on time then.” Imani laughed. “Okay so that’s only your mom’s money, it was simple switching that over but it looks like your grandmother’s check will take some time. You should probably have it before Christmas so don’t worry.”
“So good! Thanks a lot, Imani.” Goddess said giving her a hug.
“Okay, you’re welcome girl. Now if you ever need anything or want to start a policy of your own let me know. Okay?”
“Yes, I definitely will.”
“Inside this other envelope is some information for you for a new policy, just in case.” Imani said handing it to her and opening the door.
“Thanks again.” Goddess responded as Imani headed out of the door and into the blowing mist of snow falling outside.
Spliff couldn’t help but over hear the words check and money and no longer allowed the conversation to fall on deaf ears. He tried not to let his greed consume him but he had the need to be nosey and find out how much money it was. Goddess pretended like it was just another notch under her belt but inside she was doing her happy dance around the room. She tossed the check and the other envelope on the table with the millions of other envelopes scattered there without even bothering to open it.
“So…you were saying?” She said checking out her unpolished un-manicured nails.
“Aren’t you going to open it?” Spliff asked letting drool fly from his mouth a bit.
“No. I know what it is and it doesn’t matter how much it is so long as I have something to help me out until I find another job.”
“Oh. Okay then.” Spliff responded sounding disappointed that she wouldn’t let him in on her secret. “Well I just need you to know that I’m sorry to my core and if there’s anything, I mean anything, that I can do to fix this baby I will. I will do it because I love you and I never meant to hurt you.”
Spliff studied the envelope on the table being careful not to let her peep him doing so. He remembered exactly the way she placed the en
velope and was able to distinguish it from the others. Goddess looked over at him commanding his full-undivided attention and knew she could never take him back after everything that has went on. They were now from two completely different worlds and even if she wanted to take him back she would never be able to love him the same. She had to admit to herself that she blamed him for everything that went wrong in her life after he left.
“I don’t know, Spliff. I mean, how could I ever trust you again?”
“Give me a chance baby. Just give me a chance.”
“And Desire?”
“Desire who? Man she’s nothing to me. I’m just gon’ take care of my baby and that’s it.”
“But y’all married, though.”
“Girl, how the fuck am I married to her and you know I’m married to you. My name is Spliff Dumas from Trinidad baby. Not no motherfuckin’ Jemarcus. She’s the one married to a lie not you boo. You got my heart, she’s got my son, that shit ain’t never the same.”
Goddess side eyed him hard feeling like he was full of it especially after saying that dumb ass shit. “Are you even sure he’s your son?”
“Yeah…yeah I think so. I mean, I think he looks like me.”
“Mmhmm.” She said rocking her eyes to the other side of the room.
“Come here baby.” Spliff said pulling her by the shirt to his lips.
It was the feeling she missed most about him. His firm demeanor made her melt whenever he spoke. He kissed her passionately like he always kissed her and never let her go. She grabbed his short locks pulling on them making him blistering hot as he leaned her gently back on the sofa. The rush of emotion and sensuality that she had longed for was finally returned to her as he touched and caressed her much like he did when they were first married.
“Make love to me baby.” She requested as he looked deeply into her eyes.
He couldn’t refuse. He kneeled down sticking his tongue out licking her neck softly and gently as he mad his way underneath her shirt to get a mouth full of her big brown nipples.
“Ooo shit baby just like that.” She moaned smiling at the chills he sent with every touch.
“I missed you baby. I missed this shit.” He said coming up for air from her voluptuousness.
“I missed you too boo. Don’t ever leave me again.” She replied whispering down into his ear.
Goddess reached over to the table then returned her hand back to his head never skipping a beat. He looked up but was easily distracted by her thick waist, which had been calling him since he walked in the door. He knew she wasn’t so mad at him that she wouldn’t take him back, he felt he was just that dam n good and what they shared would supersede any and all anger she felt in order to reunite them. He knew her love for him ran deeper than any bullshit he had put her through.
Spliff grabbed her hand and pulled her leading her up the stairs and towards Venus’ old room. She turned guiding him instead into her room knowing he didn’t know which way to go. Once there he pushed her down on the bed reaching down to immediately remove her work slacks and socks. He then worked to remove her shirt then wrapped his arms around her torso removing her bra and flinging it playfully across the room. She worked on getting his jeans off as he slipped out of his socks and shoes then removed his shirt button by button and set it neatly over on the vanity. It was weird to her that he cared that much about wrinkling his shirt but she looked passed it not wanting to ruin the sensual sex she had been yearning for years.
Goddess licked his chiseled stomach loving the way her tongue rippled over his smooth skin. She curled her fingers tickling him gently with her nails from his shoulders all the way down to his penis cuffing his balls in her hand. His body trembled as he breathed heavily while she rounded his head with her tongue allowing dribbles of saliva to fall in between them on the floor. She moved all the way down on his shaft slowly slobbering as she came back up. Spliff was always a sucker the tease and she knew it.
“Get on the bed.” He demanded pushing her off of him.
“You know I like it rough.” She laughed as she scooted back on the bed for him lying back.
“Naw, girl. Come sit on my face.” He said lying down next to her.
“Awe shit! I ain’t had that shit in so long, I think I might fuck around and explode.” Goddess giggled positioning her pussy right over his mouth making sure not to smother him.
“Shit, that don’t matter. I know how to swallow.” He responded as she went to work on his piece.
She sat on his face with his big strong hands cuffing her ass cheeks and giving them the occasional slap when he felt her temperature rise. He licked her like a dog licking water from his bowl. Goddess looked back wondering what the hell he was doing. She thought Desire had fucked his head up and somehow made him forget how to lick pussy.
“Huuh!” Spliff moaned loudly through the juices of her clit. “I’m gonna cum baby! I’m gonna cum!”
Already? Goddess thought with a look of confusion on her face. She felt his gooey goodness enter her mouth gently coating it as he trembled with pleasure. She didn’t even bother to suck it out of him feeling a bit cheated that he had stopped licking her clit and focused solely on getting his. Her dismount was an angry one as she sat there swallowing his creamy mess waiting for him to mount her and give her his seven-inch piece of gratification.
“Ah! Thanks babe. I needed that.” Spliff said as he raised form the bed searching for his clothes like an officer searching for clues.
“Huh? Why are you leaving so fast? We didn’t even get to…make love.” Goddess replied gazing at him bewildered at how fast he was moving.
“I know baby. But I got to pick my son up from my boy before he loses his mind. He’s not that good with young kids. But I promise I will be back tomorrow.” He said pinching her cheek playfully.
“Ugh. I’m starting to feel like the other woman and not your wife. Your ass scurrying around like a thief in the night. It’s crazy.” She shook her head. “Are you even going to tell her?”
“Now you know me. Of course I’m going to tell her and then me and you will be back together like glue ma. I promise.”
“For some reason, I don’t believe you.”
“You just have to trust me, G. We will be back together and all you have to do is forgive me for my son.”
“No, all I have to do is get a blood test for that little sucker.” Goddess joked but was very serious.
“Yeah…right.” He pecked her on the lips and headed towards the door. “ See you later, babe.”
He jetted out the door faster than a roadrunner. Goddess lowered her head in disbelief of his actions after three years of being virtually dead to her. It seemed that he would continue to do so hearing the front door slam behind him. Spliff walked out the door to his car hoping in with ease. He was extremely happy that his old tricks never really grew that old as he opened the envelope marked Globe Life Insurance policy. As he opened it his palms began to sweat knowing he was about to be paid and Desire would have to respect him then. He unfolded the paper, taking it out to read the contents of it then slammed his fist against the steering wheel profusely.
Goddess watched through the living room window as he sat in his car having a man-trum. He looked like a big baby who had just lost its binky and had no way of getting it back. It was funny to her because that’s exactly what was happening. He had lost her and would never get her back. She laughed as she sat back on the sofa then dug underneath the cushions pulling out the check, smelling it as if it were a fine Cuban cigar. She listened as Spliff screeched his tires knowing he was pissed off at the fact that he had stolen a useless envelope. That was the day she realized that even though he was alive he would forever remain dead to her.
Chapter 23
Freedom
Truth blinked a few times before focusing his eyes on the white-coated doctor standing before him. The Hindu fair skinned woman looked down into his eyes smiling like an angel from heaven.
He could hear her angelic voice but it was all very muffled sounding more like the parents from all of the Charlie Brown cartoons. He struggled to respond shaking his head in bewilderment unable to move his hands and feet much. There were tubes going down his throat and up his nose that he soon discovered and panicked wanting them out of him in a hurry. The nurse looked him in his face realizing his frustration and pain and held her hand up to his face commanding him to halt his squirming.
“Wait! I will remove them for you but you have to be still and patient!” The nurse yelled knowing he was disoriented from the drugs being pumped into his veins.
“Mmmmmm.” Truth muttered, calming hisself and closing his eyes feeling in more pain than he had ever felt before.
“Okay done. But I have to leave the ones in your nose for oxygen. So breathe normally and it won’t bother you so much.” The nurse bellowed again but she ensured that her voice was much more soothing this time.
Truth tried to mumble something but his voice was choppy and raspy from the tube being lodged in there so long. The nurse walked over to gather her instructions from the doctor as he struggled to turn his head in their direction to catch a peep. His throat was soar as ever and coupled with his glossy eyes and dry crusted mouth, it began to set in what happened to him. Minute tears formed in the cervices of his eyes while his heart gave a sinking feeling. He sniffed the snot running from his nose as he stared up at the ceiling trying to figure out how his life came to him laying in a hospital bed fighting for his life.
“Oh don’t cry, sugar. The doctors took extra special care of you and they say you are gonna pull through just fine.” The African accented woman said kissing Truth on the head feeling sorry for his pain.
“Can…you…help me?” Truth was able to mutter silently.
“Oh, what you need sugar?”
“The police. I know who shot me.”
“Are you sure?” She leaned back looking down at him as he shook his head answering her. “Okay, I’ll get the doctor.”
The nurse rushed out of the room searching the halls for his doctor. Truth lay in waiting listening to the beeping machines he was hooked up to in his room then was distracted by the ruckus of shuffling between doctors and nurses in the hall. His room was not only freezing cold but also depressing in manner. The linen sheets were wrapped tight around his body and his view out of the window revealed nothing but the evening sky. His room was shared with an empty bed on the other side of the polka dot dividing sliding sheet. The TV mounted above in the centered of the room was turned off so there was nothing left for him to stare at but the huge dry erase board under it that revealed Nurse Abdula’s name and the hours of her shift.
