All That and a Bag of Chips (32 page)

Venice got on the elevator and headed back to the room. Once there, Monique told her that she'd heard some pervert went into the dorm next to their building and exposed himself to a girl coming out the showers.

Venice asked, “How did he get in?”

“I heard someone had propped the door open with something. Anybody can walk in when they do that.”

“Did he do anything to her?”

“No, just scared her. She screamed and the fool took off running. Security is telling all the women to be careful. I'm glad we have private showers.”

Venice said, “You and me both.”

 

Yet another week went by.
Everyone was coming up on mid-term exams. Venice told Monique as they were studying in their room, “Girl, believe it or not, with Craig on line, I've been knocking out my exams. I hope he's doing well on his.”

Monique said, “He's probably as dumb as a door knob. You know he's got all that build up. You now it affects their brain.” They laughed together and Monique added, “Venice, when Craig does come off line and ya'll hook up for the first time, you know it's going
to be on. You'd better be careful. Craig just might put something in your oven.”

“You're crazy! We make sure we take precautions.”

Monique was washing her face and asked, “Are you going to try to be a sweetheart for the frat?”

“I don't think so.”

“They're pretty cool. I might try. Do you mind?”

“Knock yourself out.”

I
t was two weeks until Christmas break and yet another week was coming to a close. Craig still hadn't crossed over so Venice had been going to church with her girls. She missed going with Craig. The last time she'd heard his sweet voice was at her momma's church weeks ago. She was hoping he'd cross that weekend so they could get together. Venice would just have to wait and see.

Jarvis was still calling and telling her all kinds of things. He talked phone sex to her a lot and he was good at it; too good. Venice always hung up hot and bothered. Jarvis took advantage of the fact that Craig was on line. That's why he did it. He just hoped he was the one who got to put out her fire first.

Venice and Monique were just getting back in from the laundry. They threw their baskets on the floor and began the task of folding. Monique checked the answering machine for messages. The messages started replaying. Venice continued to put her clothes away when there was a knock at the door.

When she opened it, there stood a dorm mate, Tara, from across the hall. She asked, “What are ya'll up to?”

Monique said, “Nothing much. Just trying to get these dang clothes folded. I'm failing my Calculus class. So what else is new?”

“Bored. That's why I came over here. Hey, did ya'll hear about the Tau Nu big brothers getting hoes for the pledges?”

Venice looked up and said, “What!”

Monique asked, “What are you talking about?”

Tara went on to say, “I heard that the big brothers like to make sure none of the pledges are virgins so, before they cross them, they hook them up with hoes and have one big freak fest. Ain't that nothing! These crazy men around here will do anything.”

Venice jumped up off the bed and left the room, slamming the door. Monique and their friend were startled and jumped when the door slammed.

Tara asked, “What the hell is wrong with Venice?”

“Her man is on the Tau Nu line.”

Tara threw her hand over her mouth. “Dang! I didn't know I was cracking on her man. Let me get out of here before I put my foot in my mouth again. I'll check ya'll out later.”

“All right! Don't worry about Venice. She'll be straight. Craig wouldn't do anything like that. Let me go check on her. I'll see you later.”

They left the room together and Monique went down the hall to look for Venice.

Monique figured the only place Venice would run to was Chanelle's room. As she got on the elevator, she mumbled to herself, “I hope C wouldn't do that to Venice.”

When Monique got to Chanelle's room, Venice was sitting on the bed talking to Chanelle and asking, “Chanelle, have you heard anything about the pledges having to screw before they cross?”

“I heard some of the frats do that. I don't believe Craig would follow those fools.”

Monique said, “Me either.”

Venice said, “It would be a chance for him to get back at me for what I did.”

Monique asked, “What did you do to him?”

Everyone in the room became quiet. Chanelle gave Monique a look to let it go.

Venice then said, “If he did do it, I don't think I could blame him.”

Monique asked again, “What did you do to him?”

Venice said, “Mind your business, Monique! Damn!”

Chanelle said, “Monique, chill, okay?

“Chanelle, I'll talk to you later.”

Venice got up from the bed and thanked her for listening, then left.

Monique said, “I'll be up later.”

She thought she was going to get the 411 from Chanelle, but she was wrong. Chanelle never told Venice's business or betrayed their friendship. Monique was out of luck.

Venice got on the elevator and made her way back up to the room. When she opened the door, the phone was ringing. She answered it and heard a voice say, “Hey, girl! What's up?”

It was Jarvis.

Venice said, “Not much. What are you up to?”

“Exams and more exams and missing you.”

Then he started talking nasty to her. He knew the things he whispered to her always got her blood boiling.

“Jarvis, you're so nasty.”

“You like it.”

“Are you coming home for Christmas?”

“Looks like it and I can't wait to see you.”

They talked a while longer and Venice told him good luck on the rest of his exams. He wished her the same and told her that he loved her.

Venice responded, “I love you, Jarvis.”

The noise level in the hallway increased as the night wore on. Monique found out from Chanelle that a party was being held in the gym sponsored by the student government association.

Monique said, “Come on, Venice, go with me. You need to get out of here.”

“I may come over there later. I'm gonna try to call Joshua.”

Monique put on her jeans, a sweater, and some boots. She put on some makeup and styled her hair. She opened the door and went across the hall to see if Tara and her roommate were going. They were already set to go. Monique came back over to the room and let Venice know they were leaving.

Venice sat up on the bed and turned off the TV. She put in one of her favorite CDs and laid back down trying to mellow out. She heard a commotion outside the room and she opened the door to see what was up. Another sorority was crossing their pledges. Venice slammed the door because this only reminded her of what her she was dealing with. The phone rang and it was Bryan.

“Hey, girl! What's up?

“Not much. Just sitting here debating if I'm going to this party.”

“Is something on your mind?”

“No, I just wanted to talk to you. I haven't heard from you in a while. Jarvis called me a little while ago.”

“How's he doing?”

“He's doing fine. Exams just like me.”

“Uh-huh…ya'll still kicking it?”

“When we get a chance.”

“It not fair to string Craig along. You need to tell him the truth.”

“I care for him, Bryan. I love him, too.”

“Has his line crossed yet?”

“No.”

Venice explained the rumors to Bryan about the required sex.

Bryan replied, “It'll be fine and don't pay any attention to the rumors. Okay?”

“I'll try. I'll call you in a few days. Love you.”

“Venice, it'll work out.”

“I hope so. Tell everybody hello and I'll talk to you later. Bye.”

Venice got her pager, got dressed, and decided to go to the party. She joined her partners and seemed to be having a good time. It wasn't long before Tim spotted her. He joined them and seemed to pick up on the fact that Venice wasn't herself. A slow song began to play and Tim held Venice differently that night. She also laid upon his shoulder differently. Tim rubbed her back and pulled her closer. Venice didn't even notice the difference. All she could think about was how much she missed Craig and how she couldn't hurt him.

After the song was over, Tim pulled her by the hand and they found a seat. Tim said, “What's up with you tonight?”

“Don't ask. I want to just chill.”

Tim moved his seat closer. “Fine with me.”

Venice looked at Tim and said, “You'd better scoot your seat back over there before your crazy girlfriend catches you.”

“She doesn't own me.”

About that time, Tim's girlfriend came from out of nowhere and kicked the bottom of Venice's chair. “Bitch, I told you to…”

Those were the last words she got out of her mouth. Venice jumped up and grabbed her by the throat. Tim also jumped up and tried to break the two women up. Neither of them were hitting each other. Just holding on. Venice somehow got the other girl down and was squeezing her neck.

Venice angrily said, “I'm sick of your silly ass!”

Spoonie ran over to get Venice off the girl. Venice had a lot of
anger and was, unfortunately, releasing it on Tim's girl. The crowd in the gym ran over to see what was happening. Spoonie and Tim got the two separated and out of the building before security could intervene.

Spoonie, Monique, and Chanelle got Venice outside. Spoonie said, “Damn, Venice! What are you trying to do, kill her!”

“Forget ya'll! I'm sick of her!”

Venice started walking alone back toward the dorm. Spoonie told Monique and Chanelle that he'd walk with her and make sure she made it back to the room okay. As they walked, Venice didn't say a word.

Spoonie said, “If you're not going to talk, then listen. Chanelle told me that you had some stuff on your mind tonight. Craig's my boy and I have all the confidence in the world that he's being cool. You should know Craig better than that by now. But maybe I was wrong about you. You need to quit letting these chickenhead girls around here fill your head with all that trash. I'm not taking up for the frats because some do some messed up shit.”

They reached the fountain in front of her dorm where Spoonie told her to sit down. She sat down and Spoonie said, “I know it's been a long, hard five weeks not seeing him, Venice. But you're gonna have to trust him.”

Solemnly, she asked, “Spoonie, I snapped, didn't I?”

“I was shocked to see you jump on that girl like that. You could get kicked out of school for stuff like that. Don't do that again! It's not worth it. I know you were defending yourself, but be careful.”

“Craig hates me, doesn't he?”

“Why would you say that?”

“You know…because of my past and my ex-husband.”

“Look, that's none of my business. But I do know that man loves the hell out of you in spite of your past.”

“I don't want to hurt him, Spoonie.”

“He knows you love him and he knows you're torn.”

“It's not fair for me to do him like this.”

“He's aware of the risks.”

“I really love him.”

“I know…let's go.”

Venice hugged him and said, “Thanks, Spoonie.”

“You're welcome. Now come on so I can make sure you get to your room.”

They walked into the dorm and up to her floor. As they walked down the hall, some of the girls looked at Venice strangely. Most of the girls knew Spoonie was Chanelle's man. Venice figured they assumed she was gonna try to disrespect her best friend and hook up with him.

She invited him into the room and Spoonie said, “Remember what I said. Don't listen to these fools around here. They'll probably have some rumors out on you and me before I leave the dorm.”

Venice walked over to Spoonie, gave him and hug and a kiss, and said, “Thanks for giving me a shoulder to cry on.”

“No problem. That's what I'm here for. Now…let me get out of here. I'll see you later.”

S
aturday morning came in with a bang. Monique and Venice were sound asleep when they heard from outside, “Good morning, beautiful ladies of Edwards Hall! Coming to you from the men of Tau Nu Fraternity Inc.!”

When Monique rose to look out the window, she could she Craig's line outside giving the morning wake up call. Venice turned over and looked at the clock and saw it was 6:30 a.m.

Monique said, “I wish I had some hot water to throw out there on those fools. Don't they know it's Saturday?”

Venice got out of bed and walked over to look out. She saw Craig in the middle of the line. They had their sweatsuits on and the hoods over their heads.

Venice opened the window and hollered out, “Take that noise away from here!” She angrily closed the window and crawled back into bed. Craig smiled because he knew that fiery voice anywhere.

Within a few seconds, they jogged away singing some type of frat song.

Venice said, “Fools!” Then jumped up and went into the bathroom. When she came out, she crawled back into bed and went back to sleep.

A few hours later, the two got up and discussed their plans for the day. Monique had a hair appointment and Venice was going to spend the day with Sidney. As they dressed, Monique said, “Venice, I'm going to get a “B” in Calculus.”

“How did you manage that?”

“I broke the professor off a little something something.”

“Tell me you didn't!”

“Don't holler, Venice. Damn!”

“So what if he doesn't give you the grade?”

Monique went over to her closet and pulled out a videotape. She had two tapes: one setting up their rendezvous and the other recording their rendezvous.