All That and a Bag of Chips (33 page)

Monique said, “He doesn't know I have insurance.”

“Girl, you're crazy. You'd better watch yourself.”

They dressed and went their separate ways.

When Venice arrived at Sidney's house, she spotted Galen's car. She knocked on the door and he let her in. He was on his way out to meet some of the fellas for a game of basketball. He kissed Venice on the cheek on the way out while eating some type of sandwich.

Venice closed the door as she came inside. “Sidney!”

From the back room, Sidney answered, “Hey, girl! Come on back!”

Venice put her purse down on the chair and found Sidney in the bedroom making the bed

Venice sat down in the chair and said, “I guess you're changing the sheets, huh!”

“Don't go there!”

Venice went over to put on some of Sidney's perfume. “I don't see what you see in my triflin' brother. He could've stayed here and helped you.”

“No! I wanted him to go on. He's really different with me. You guys don't see it. Most of the time, he does the housework around here.”

“Are we talking about the same person?”

Sidney laughed. “Yes, I'm talking about Galen. He's very sensitive and sweet.”

Venice burst out laughing and continued to smell Sidney's different perfumes and lotions. Sidney moaned and grabbed her head.

Venice turned around and said, “Sidney, are you okay?”

Sidney sat down on the bed and said, “I'm okay. I just got a little dizzy.”

“Are you sure? You're sweating.”

Venice made Sidney lay down on the bed while she went to get her some water. When she came back into the room, she asked, “Do you want me to page Galen?”

“No, I'll be fine. Just give me a minute.”

Venice sat on the bed next to her and said, “I think I need to get you to a doctor, Sidney.”

Sidney sat up in the bed and replied, “There's no need, Venice. I'm fine. I'm just a little pregnant.”

“You're lying!”

“In a way, I wish I was.”

“Does Galen know?”

“Yes, he's known for a few weeks now.”

“How far along are you?”

Sidney sat the glass of water down on the nightstand and said, “About ten weeks. Don't say anything to Galen. I think he wants to break the news to you and your family himself.”

Venice laid back on the bed and said, “So what are you guys going to do?”

“I'm not sure how long I'll be able to hide it.”

“I'm happy for you guys. I'm going to be an Auntie again. I hope it's a boy!”

“So do I. Galen said it didn't matter to him.”

They continued to talk about the blessed news. Venice decided Sidney should take it easy so she left to go by Craig's church. As she walked across the parking lot, she could still hear his voice and realized how much she missed him. No matter what was happening between her and Jarvis, she still cared for Craig.

As usual, the Sunday services got off to a great start. They went through the regulars: announcements, collections, etc. The choir sang several songs throughout the morning. Venice could see Craig sitting in the back row. They had a large choir membership, estimated to be about a hundred members. Before the minister began his sermon, the choir stood up for the song of preparation. Craig stepped out to the microphone and began the song. Venice's heart felt like it was going to pound out of her chest. The congregation was on their feet. When he reached the second verse, he spotted Venice in the crowd. He smiled and never skipped a beat. Several members of the church had the spirit take over them. It was a very moving scene. When church finally let out, they waited outside hoping for a chance to talk to Craig. They greeted several members they'd met since coming there.

Finally, Craig exited the church talking to some other church
members. Venice looked behind him to see if he had his frat brother escort. Luckily, he didn't.

Chanelle ran up to him and hugged him. “Man, you tore that song up! You really have some pipes on you, boy! That was beautiful!”

Craig was staring at Venice as he threw his choir robe over his shoulder. He smiled and hugged Chanelle, not breaking his gaze from Venice.

“How are you, Ms. Taylor?”

Before she could reply, he pulled her to him and gave her an unexpected kiss, right there in front of everyone.

Venice was a little surprised and embarrassed. “I missed you, too.”

Craig partially released his hold on her and said, “You two will be happy to know that we crossed over about three o'clock this morning.”

Chanelle shouted, “That's great!”

Venice stood back and asked, “Why didn't you call me?”

“Baby, it was too late. I didn't want to wake you. I've been up almost twenty- four hours and I'm dead on my feet. Please just be happy it's over. Okay?”

Venice opened the door to his truck for him so he could put his robe inside.

“You're right. I'm sorry. I am glad it's over. Five weeks was a long time, if you know what I mean.”

Chanelle walked off to talk to some of the church members to give them some privacy.

Craig said, “Was Bernice inside?”

“No, I don't think so.”

Staring at her with his seductive eyes, he asked, “Do you mind driving me home? I feel like I might fall asleep at the wheel.”

“I don't mind. Let me ask Chanelle if she would drive my car back to campus.”

Chanelle had no problem with it so they went their separate ways. She barely got out of the parking lot before Craig was snoring. When they reached the house, she woke him up and let him know they were home. Venice took off her jacket and before she had a chance, Craig was behind her unzipping her skirt. He turned her
around and started unbuttoning her blouse. Flames immediately ran from her toes to her head as her breath left her body. She stood there as he undressed her slowly and erotically. After removing her blouse, he gently kissed her for several minutes on her shoulders, face, and neck. Immediately, she felt his desire come to life.

“Venice, I want you so bad. If you only knew how much I missed you.”

Her body went limp as his hands explored her body, feeling her hardened nipples against his palm. They stared at each other, realizing how long it had been since they had touched each other.

Venice finally said, “Craig, I-I…”

“Sh-h-h-”

He lowered his face to her nipples and took them into his mouth. Venice arched her back and moaned as his tongue traced the tips, slightly biting them. He lowered her on the bed and pressed his body firmly against hers. Normally, he would've taken his time preparing her for his loving, but not this time. Within seconds, he stripped their clothes, protected himself, and pushed deep into her aching body.

Venice closed her eyes and held her breath as the slow rhythmic motion of his hips pleasured her. She'd almost forgotten how good he felt inside her body, but her memory quickly came back. He took her swollen nipples once again into his mouth and sucked them until she screamed aloud. He stared at her as he took her with great hunger and demand. He wanted to see her facial expressions as he loved her.

He whispered, “Open your eyes, baby.”

Venice's lashes fluttered for a moment, then clearly showed him she was in ecstasy. She moaned slowly and provocatively as he stared deeply into her dark brown eyes. He prodded his tongue deep into her mouth as he kissed her hard on her soft lips. He nibbled his way down to her navel, stopping just above her moistness. Venice was now shivering as she screamed with pleasure. This excited him even more and he reminded her again to look at him. Once again, she tried to look at him and hold her composure at the same time, but she was unsuccessful. He felt unbelievably huge inside her body or maybe it had just been so long since they were last together.

They made love for what seemed like hours and there were plenty of moans and screams. She pulled him tighter to her as she ran her
tongue along his lips. He buried his face into the curve of her neck as his love exploded.

“Venice! I love you!”

Wiping the moisture from his brow, she cupped his face in her hands and said, “I love you, too, Bennett.”

Obviously, they had some catching up to do. But, first, they needed a nap to recover from their unforgettable reunion.

Hours later, hunger drove them to the kitchen. Dressed in his shirt, Venice asked, “Are you hungry?”

“For you.”

“Be serious, Craig.”

“I am, baby.”

“Craig!”

“Okay, okay! No, I'm not really hungry. I just want something to drink.”

He washed his hands and got a bottle of water out the refrigerator and sat down at the bar. He watched her as she washed up a few dishes. His shirt was covering the best parts of her, but what skin showed caused his body to stir. He left the room for a moment and when he returned, he came up behind her and put his arms around her waist and pressed his body against her, caressing her breasts. Venice felt his hardness as he nipped at her shoulders and neck. Inhaling his manly scent, she closed her eyes to savor his touch and his mouth.

Craig turned her around to face him, then picked her up and sat her on the counter. As he stood in front of her, he begin to kiss her even harder on the mouth. He positioned himself between her legs and surprised her by sliding into her. She lost all concept of time as he grabbed her hips, pulling her closer to meet his thrusts. She wrapped her legs around his body as he continued to push deeper into her inviting heat. He slowly licked and kissed her sore nipples until she could stand it any longer.

“I love you, Venice. I always have and I always will.”

“Oh, Craig!”

She held onto his neck as dishes and cups started falling to floor. They both screamed as they finished breathless, delirious, and exhausted. He didn't want to move and neither did she.

Holding onto each other for dear life, he said, “Now see what you made me do.”

“Uh-huh! You broke those dishes! I'm telling Bernice!”

They burst into laughter as he helped her aching body down from the counter. Venice looked at him in amazement and asked, “What happened to you over the last five weeks?”

“Nothing. I just missed my baby.”

Embracing her, he kissed her forehead and said, “I want you to stay the night. Okay?”

“Okay.”

She limped back into the bedroom and fell across the bed as he finished cleaning up the kitchen. Venice smiled and said under her breath, “Craig's got a little freak in him.”

They made love all during the night. There were more screams, moans, and a lot of whispers of love into each other's ears. Craig loved hearing her profess her love to him. She hadn't done it often, but he knew she was finally letting a little of her guard down.

Out of breath and dripping with sweat, he whispered, “I'll never let you go, Venice. If he wants you, he'll have to take you and it ain't gonna be easy.”

Exhausted and weak, Venice responded with a tender kiss. He pulled her securely into his arms and all she could do was nestle her face into his neck. She needed time to recover and to think.

C
raig, Jarvis, Jarvis
, C
raig
.
This shit was going to make her have a nervous breakdown
.

Her body was sore and her mind had shut down. She couldn't think about it any more. It was a happy crossing over night.

C
hristmas was fast approaching. Galen still had not told Venice about his upcoming fatherhood so she asked Sidney if she minded if she brought it up to her dear brother. First, Venice confided in Bryan to see if he knew. He didn't, but told her that Galen better hurry up and let their parents know. They couldn't understand why he was reluctant. Bryan was not surprised about the situation. He figured they would end up together anyway. Bryan still had hopes that Galen would make it to the pros. If not, he still would be okay. They both still had their senior year ahead of them.

Venice picked an afternoon after mid-term exams were over. Most students were packing to depart home for the holidays. Venice called Galen and asked him to go Christmas shopping with her. They walked through the mall looking in the different windows.

He then asked, “What's Craig up to?”

“He's still taking exams, but he'll be finished tomorrow.”

Galen stopped to look at some jewelry and said, “My last test is tomorrow also. So what are you planning on getting him?”

“I want to get him a gold bracelet but I don't see one I like.”

“Does he have a nice watch?”

“I haven't noticed. What are you getting Sidney?”

Galen hesitated and turned around, watching the shoppers going by.

“I don't know. This year is going to be a little different.”

Feeling he was about to spill his guts, she said, “Different how?”

They walked past a few more stores and he said, “Let's go to the food court. I want to get something to drink.”

Galen bought two sodas and they sat down at a nearby table. He
took a sip of his soda and said, “Venice, I've been wanting to tell you something for a few weeks, but for some reason, I couldn't.”

“What is it?”

He continued to drink his soda, leaned back in the chair, and said, “Well…I'm going to be a daddy.”

Venice had to act surprised since she already knew about it. “Daddy!”

Galen started laughing. “Yeah, Sidney's almost three months pregnant.”

Venice hit him in the arm and asked, “Why are you just now telling me? How's Sidney handling it? What are ya'll going to do?”

Galen straightened his baseball cap. “Well…we got married last weekend.”

Venice was shocked because this part she didn't know.

“Married!”

“Yeah, we wanted to surprise you guys. I told Momma and Daddy last weekend. They handled it better than I thought they would.”