All That and a Bag of Chips (26 page)

Craig said, “Thanks for filling me in. Hopefully, it was just a bad night. Thanks for calling me back.”

“Anytime. Let me give you my pager and home numbers.”

They exchanged numbers and ended their conversation. Craig felt relieved since he knew what probably caused the dream. He'd have take special precautions with Venice's feelings.

 

It was “hump day”
and Thanksgiving was approaching. Venice hadn't asked Craig if he'd made a decision about Thanksgiving. Monique was going home but Chanelle couldn't because she was still pledging a sorority. They kept the girls pretty much isolated from the rest of the college population during pledging. When Venice did see her, all she could do was make eye contact. But, one night, Chanelle snuck out of the dorm by lying down in the back seat of Venice's car so she could meet with Spoonie. It was a daring move, but a necessary one. She'd been on line for four weeks and her patience was growing thin. The caper went off without a hitch.

Venice decided to skip her classes on Friday and drive up to surprise Craig at his job on Thursday afternoon. Hopefully he wouldn't be too busy to spend the evening with her. It would also afford her the opportunity to see where he was co-oping. Venice couldn't wait for classes to come to an end. Galen called her and he got another cussing from his sister for running his mouth to their mother. Galen
apologized and told Venice that he thought she'd already mentioned Craig to their mother. Venice told Galen her plans for surprising Craig.

She asked him, “Do you think you can keep that bit of info to yourself?”

“Forget you! Call me when you get there and you better not start skipping classes for a booty call.”

“Goodbye, Galen!”

Venice slammed the receiver down.

Venice told Monique where she was going and to let Chanelle know also.

“Monique, page me if you need me. I'm going to have my cell phone while I'm driving and I'll call you when I get there. If my mom calls, take a message, then page me so I can return the call. The same goes for Jarvis.”

As Monique stood in the door of their room to see her off, a dorm mate came running by, telling them that a girl on the floor above them was having a baby in her room. Monique looked at Venice in shock. They heard sirens, which must've been the paramedics arriving. You could sense panic and fear in the air. Venice felt sick to her stomach at that very moment. She said a silent prayer hoping student and baby were okay.

Monique said, “I'll get the details and page you later. Have fun!”

“Thanks.”

Venice knew she had a two and a half hour drive ahead of her. She put in her favorite CD and, for some reason, she couldn't get the news of the baby out of her head. Venice felt sad for the girl and her parents, but mostly for the innocent little baby. Venice knew she had to shake this vibe that had consumed her. She took the CD out as she drove down the interstate and popped in some gospel music. Venice had a pleasant voice and sang along with the CD. It wasn't long after that she began to feel better. Venice looked at her watch and before she realized it, she had already been driving an hour. She was little a hungry, so she opened a pack of peanut butter crackers and guzzled down a coke that she'd packed for the road. Her cell phone rang and she answered, “Hello?”

“How are you, Niecy?”

“Not good.”

“What have you been up to, baby?”

“Trying to reach you.”

“Look, I'm sorry, okay?”

Venice said, “Okay.”

“I love you, girl. That's why I freaked out about you. I don't want another man to know just how special you are.”

“I'm glad you called. I missed talking to you.”

“Niecy, I'm trying to handle this thing you've got going the best I can, but it's hard. So you might have to listen to me blow off steam some time.”

Venice asked, “Do you love me?”

“What do you mean? Hell yeah! You know that!”

“Then that's all I need to know. Because, you know I love you, no matter what.”

He paused for a moment and said, “I still don't like it that he's putting his damn hands on you.”

“Jarvis!”

He laughed, then seriously said, “I mean that shit! I'll holler at you later, Niecy. I love you. Peace out!”

“Goodbye, J. I love you, too.”

She hung up and felt guilt in the pit of her stomach.

 

Venice finally made it to
the city where Craig was employed. She knew the name and address of the company, but no idea how to get there. She pulled into a service station and asked the attendant for directions. She got lost for about fifteen minutes, but finally found her way back on track.

The building where he worked was eight stories high and looked like a glass cube. Venice pulled into the parking lot about dusk. She took a deep breath, got out, and walked inside the lobby. She went to the ladies room to make sure she was still looking fresh and cute in her long green straight skirt with a slit up the back. Her ivory silk blouse was low-cut and showed off the voluptuous assets men adored.

Venice made sure her makeup was flawless by freshening her lipstick and combing her hair. Craig's company was on the fourth floor and when she entered the elevator, several people followed.

One gentleman stood behind her and whispered, “You sure are wearing that skirt.”

Venice ignored this comment and was elated when the elevator doors opened. When she walked into the reception area, a young man told her that Craig's office was the third door on the left. The excitement was mounting when she reached his door and opened it. Once she did, Craig was leaning against his desk and a tall, leggy female was wiping his necktie with a paper towel.

They were both laughing and she seemed to be standing a little too close for Venice.

Craig spotted Venice and jumped up. “Hey, Venice! What are you doing here?”

The woman leered at Venice with a smirk on her face and tossed the paper towel in the trash. The skirt of her Donna Karan suit was just as short as the jacket. She was attractive, a little too attractive to be working so closely with Craig.

Venice stated sarcastically, “I'm sorry to barge in. Did I interrupt something?”

“No, baby! Come on in. Valerie, this is my girlfriend Venice.”

The woman came over and extended her hand to greet Venice. “Nice to meet you, Venice. Let me get out of your way so you two can talk. I'll have those specs for you tomorrow, Craig.”

“Thanks, Valerie. Have a good evening.”

After she closed his door, Venice said, “Nice woman. What does she do around here?”

“She's my boss.”

“Some boss. She looked like she was standing between your legs to me.”

Craig saw where the conversation was headed and said, “Don't go there, Venice. What brings you all this way?”

Venice was still shaken up from witnessing Craig's boss being so chummy. “I missed you and wanted to surprise you.”

Craig took her by the hands and they sat down on a sofa in his office. “This is a nice surprise. I'm glad to see you.”

He gave her a kiss and Venice pulled away. “Nice office for a cooping student. What other kind of perks is your boss giving you?”

Craig stood up and said, “Okay, Venice. I'm not screwing my boss. She's fine for her age, but I don't do stuff like that. Why are you acting like this?”

Venice walked over to look out his window. “Because!”

Craig put his hands up in surrender. “Look, it's late. I'm tired and hungry and my girl's in town. Please don't pick a fight with me. I'm too tired. Let's get out of here and grab something to eat. Is that cool?”

Venice agreed and they left Craig's office.

Venice trailed him to his hotel four blocks away. Craig let her walk ahead of him into the hotel so he could admire the view from behind. Luckily, they were in the elevator alone as they headed to Craig's room on the sixth floor.

Craig said, “Deja vu! This situation seems familiar. You look beautiful, baby.”

He wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and kissed the curve of her neck. Craig opened the door to his room and put her bag near the closet. She kicked off her shoes and asked to use the phone to call Monique and Galen to let them know she'd arrived safely. Craig motioned to the phone as he removed his shirt and tie. He had decided to grab a quick shower.

Venice asked, “Are we going out to eat or ordering in?”

“Whatever you want to do. Check out the hotel menu and decide.”

Venice thumbed through the menu while Craig started up the shower. She called Galen, got his answering machine, and left him a message before doing the same with Monique. She lay back on the pillows and rewinded the events that had just played out in front of her eyes. Venice didn't care what Craig said. His boss was being a little too friendly with him.

Venice could hear Craig singing in the shower. The steam was coming from under the bathroom door. He did like his showers hot. Minutes later, he came out of the bathroom wearing nothing but a towel. His body was dripping with water and he never looked sexier. The silky hair on his chest was as soft as hair on a newborn baby's head. He ignored Venice gawking at him as he searched for his lotion.

Damn
s
he's beautiful
!

Breaking the silence, he asked, “Have you decided what you want to do?”

“Let's go out.”

“Fine with me.”

“Do you need any help with that lotion?”

Craig approached her on the bed, crawled up next to her, and cuddled. He put his wet arms around her.

Venice hollered, “You're wet!”

Venice screamed as he held her down and began to tickle her. She struggled to get away, but was unsuccessful. When he stopped tickling her, she was soaked from head to toe. He rolled off her and started caressing her body gently. Venice felt the heat of his touch through her blouse.

“I'm glad you surprised me.”

Craig's face was inches from hers and Venice could smell the sweetness of his breath. The intoxicating scent of the soap he had used made her lightheaded. He had her beneath him as his lips made the journey from her neck, down to the roundness of her breasts. Venice could no longer be mad at Craig for being too close with boss. It was only a matter of seconds before her blouse, skirt, and everything else was on the floor. They made love from the bed to the floor to the chair to the shower. They were exhausted and almost completely forgot about dinner. After showering, they dressed and headed out for a night on the town.

It was a cool, breezy night. Venice had on a pair of jeans with a red button down sweater. Craig wore a long sleeved, white cotton shirt with his jeans, which fit his thighs and butt with perfection. One of his baseball caps topped off the ensemble.

The riverfront downtown was bustling with activity and people. The aroma of various delicious foods filled the air and made their stomachs growl. The wonderful smell of pastries accompanying the delicious aroma of coffee filled the air as they passed one cafe. They walked hand in hand until they came upon an Italian restaurant.

Craig asked, “So, what do you have a taste for?”

“You.”

Craig blushed and smiled and planted a big kiss on Venice's cheek. “I'll feed you when we get back to the room.”

They walked around the corner and there it stood: “The Seafood Shack.”

Craig said, “I've never eaten here, but I heard the food is good.”

They entered the doors to the sound of New Orleans jazz music. The waitress seated them and gave them menus. As they gazed over the menus, Venice decided to run her foot up his leg under the table.

Craig blurted out, “Don't start something you can't finish.”

Venice giggled. “I know what I want. I'd like the sampler platter with crabcakes, crab legs, fried shrimp, and fish.”

“I'll just get a salad.”

Venice looked at him in disbelief. “I know you're kidding.”

Craig chuckled. “I just wanted to see what you would say. No, I'm going to get the shrimp scampi and the lobster tail.”

They burst out in laughter. The waitress brought their drinks and took their orders. While they waited, Craig took Venice's hand into his. “You've become a little wild woman, Taylor.”

“What do you mean?”

Craig leaned toward her and said, “It's getting to the point where I'm having a hard time keeping up with you. You're wearing me out. I'm beginning to think I'm out of shape. I thought I was going to have a heart attack back in the room.”

“Baby, you're nowhere close to being out of shape. I'm not wild, but if I am, you bring it out in me.”

“Venice, if I had it my way, I'd take you into the restroom and go for it.”

Venice stood up and said, “Okay, let's go.”

Craig leaned back in his chair in shock. “For real???”

Venice sat back down. “Gotcha!”

Craig shook his head and blushed. Their food arrived with steam rising from their meals. Craig fed Venice some lobster tail dipped in warm butter. In turn, Venice popped some of her crabcakes into his mouth. They ate until they both were stuffed.

After Craig paid the bill, they decided to walk around a bit to look at the different shop and vendors. They came across a laser tag amusement center and decided to play. After a few games, Craig wanted to take Venice on a sky lift. She was reluctant since she had a fear of heights. Craig finally convinced Venice and she held on tight as the lift took them high above the city lights. She eventually relaxed as she snuggled in his arms. Craig teased her by saying he was going to rock the seat.

Venice screamed out, “Craig, don't do that!”

He leaned over and nuzzled his face against her hair. “You know I wouldn't do that to you, baby.”

Venice enjoyed Craig's fiery kiss in the cool night air and buried
her face in his neck until the lift brought them back down. Craig asked if she cared to go up again. Feeling a little more relaxed, Venice agreed and they went for another ride. This time, they couldn't keep their hands or lips from each other's body. Venice was really enjoying her evening and didn't want it to end.