All That and a Bag of Chips (34 page)

“I'm surprised. They freaked out when I got pregnant. I think Bryan freaked out worst than Momma and Daddy, but I don't know why.”

“You know Bryan thinks you're above all that.”

Venice sipped her drink and said, “That's crazy! Accidents do happen.” Venice hugged her brother. “Well, congratulations, bro. When are you going home for Christmas?”

“Next Monday. Sidney's coming with me.”

“That's good! I'm going to have my Christmas with Craig and his sister this weekend. Then I'm leaving Tuesday.”

“Come on. Let's finish shopping.”

 

The weekend after exams approached quickly.
Most students had already left for the holidays. Venice spent her last few hours in the dorm packing her clothes for the next three weeks. Venice made sure she had Craig's gift in her purse. Tonight would be the night she would give it to him.

When she arrived at his house, it was fully decorated with Christmas lights and all the trimmings. It was one of the brightest and prettiest homes on the street. Bernice had put the Christmas tree
up the day after Thanksgiving. She made sure she took a vacation during Christmas time so she could spend some time with her brother and family. That time of the year could be very depressing for people who had lost loved ones. Craig and Bernice had lost both parents so they comforted each other during Christmas. Bernice let her in and Christmas music by Luther Vandross was blasting. Venice could smell a pine scent from the decorations of the mantle and the awesome smell of cookies baking.

Bernice whispered, “So…what did you end up getting my little brother for Christmas?”

“Where is he?”

“Don't worry. He took the dog for a walk.”

Venice pulled the small box out of her bag and told her about the watch. Bernice told her that Craig would really love it. She said he needed a new watch.

Then she started singing, “I know what he got you!”

“You do! Can you give me a hint?”

Bernice smiled and stirred the cookie batter. “Sorry, no can do. He made me promise.”

“That's not fair!”

“Sorry for you, darling.”

“Traitor.”

Venice continued into Craig's room to put her bags down. On the way back into the kitchen, she stopped to admire the beautifully decorated tree. Bernice explained to Venice that her mother had started collecting ornaments when they were babies.

“Some of these decorations are even older than I am. We put them on the tree every year.”

“That's really nice.”

Bernice was quiet for a few seconds, then hollered, “I have some hot buttered rum, if you would like some.”

“I think I will.”

About that time, Venice's pager went off. She looked at the number and noticed it was Jarvis. She didn't like to call him from Craig's house, so she went out on the front porch and called him on her cell phone. “Hello?”

“You page?”

“Yeah. What are you doing?”

“Not much. What's up?”

“When are you going home?”

“In a couple of days. When are you coming in?”

“I'll be home tomorrow. Make sure you holler at me when you get in. I need to talk to you about some stuff.”

Venice saw Craig coming down the street and said, “Okay. I'll talk to you later.”

“All right. I love you.”

“I love you too, Jarvis.”

She hung up the phone and turned to find Bernice standing in the door. Venice looked surprised and said, “Bernice…”

“Venice, I didn't mean to ease drop on your conversation. Craig really likes you and so do I.”

Venice explained, “I don't want to hurt him, Bernice. I love him.”

They sat down on the porch and Bernice said, “I believe you, but I know something has been going on between you two. It's none of my business. My concern is my brother's feelings.”

“Did Craig tell you anything about my past?”

“No, he didn't and I didn't ask.”

“Well, I think you have a right to know because it's kind of complicated.”

Venice went on to explain the entire story to Bernice. She told her about the unexpected pregnancy and all about her relationship with Jarvis, the marriage, the assault, everything. When she was finished, Bernice told her how sorry she was for what she had been through. Bernice also told her that she understood how she was torn between her past and her present. She offered to help her in any way she could. Venice thanked her and gave her a hug. They got up and went into the house for some hot buttered rum. A few minutes later, Venice asked if Craig had named the puppy she had given him for crossing his fraternity.

“Yes, he calls him Bear.”

“That's a good name. I'm going back out on the porch to see if he's made it down the street yet. Don't forget to call me if you need some help.”

Bernice said, “I will and Venice, whatever you decide, don't beat yourself up about it. Now go on and relax yourself.”

It was a cold evening so Venice put on her coat and gloves and sat in the porch swing drinking her hot rum waiting on Craig and Bear. He didn't see her on the porch until he was about to come up the steps and asked, “When did you get here?”

Venice giggled and said, “I've only been here a little while. Here's something hot to warm you up.”

“I'd rather have you.”

Craig joined her in the swing with his rum. Bear was trying to jump up into the swing, but Craig wouldn't let him.

“Let's go in, Venice. It's cold out here.”

She agreed and they went into the bedroom to put their coats up. While they were in the room, he pushed her down on the bed and asked, “Where's my gift, Taylor?”

Bear was barking and trying to jump up on the bed with them. Venice was laughing and screaming as he tickled her.

“Stop! I can't breathe!”

Craig held her arms over her head and tickled her even more.

“Where's my gift, Venice?”

“I don't know! Please stop!”

Kissing her neck, he said, “Pretty please?”

Out of breath, she answered, “Pretty please with sugar on top.”

He lowered his head to her mouth and tasted the sweet rum with his tongue. Her arms encircled his neck as his hands roamed over her hot body. Touching her intimately, a moan escaped her lips and he jumped up to lock his door. She sat up on the bed and watched as he removed his clothes to reveal his beautifully sculptured body.

“Craig?”

“Yes?”

“I'm aching.”

“Where?”

“Everywhere.”

“I have just the medicine for you.”

“I knew you would. I'll try not to scream too loudly.”

“I can't promise the same thing.”

“Craig, don't embarrass me around Bernice.”

Smiling devilish, he answered, “Trust me.”

Blushing, she threw her clothes on the floor next to his and allowed him to cure her ache.

After Bernice went upstairs, Craig asked, “You feel up to a bubble bath?”

“For real?”

“I don't joke about my bubble baths.”

Venice blushed and agreed. Craig filled the tub with plenty of bubbles and she couldn't wait to ease into the warm bubbles. As she stepped in, he went around the room and lit candles. She closed her eyes, laid her head back, and let out a deep breath. Craig eventually slid into the hot water next to her and pulled her over in front of him. He turned on the jets, which whirled the water and bubbles around them magically. She laid back against his chest as he gently massaged her body with bath gel and brought it to a lather. Venice gently caressed and enjoyed the massage he was giving her.

Craig asked, “What are you so tense about?”

“I didn't realize I was.”

Venice turned to face him and said, “Craig, I'm sorry for causing so you so much stress.” “Leave it alone, baby. I don't want to talk about that tonight. Okay?”

Venice nodded and laid back against Craig's chest once again. Little did Venice know, Craig often wondered if she thought about Jarvis when she was with him. Craig decided not to worry about it and just enjoy her company.

It was going to be a long, hard three weeks. Venice was a little uncertain what the future held for them. She knew Jarvis was going to be home for Christmas. Maybe that would give her the opportunity to finally make a decision. It was about midnight when Craig told her that he wanted to go ahead and give her his gift. She sat up in bed and watched as he reached into his desk and pulled out a small box. Craig had lit the twenty something candles in the room, giving the room a romantic glow. He gave her the box, which she opened it with curiosity. It revealed a beautiful pair of gold and diamond earrings inside. Her mouth fell open and she began to cry. Craig said, “Don't start that. It's just earrings.”

Craig took the earrings out and put them on her. She never expected diamonds, maybe a bracelet or something, but not something so special.

Venice said through tears, “Craig, they're beautiful! You shouldn't have! They're too much!”

“No, they're not. I thought they'd look nice on your sexy ears and I wanted you to have them.”

Venice crawled into his lap, put her arms around his neck, and gave him a very passionate kiss. She fumbled with her hands in her lap and said, “I don't deserve them.”

He sternly responded, “Chill with that!”

Venice eased out of the bed to retrieve Craig's gift from her travel bag. She handed it to him and he opened it up to reveal the beautiful gold watch she'd picked out earlier.

“Dang! This is what's too much! Thanks, baby!” He leaned over and kissed her through the salty tears streaked down her cheeks. As he wiped them away, he said, “Don't ever think you don't deserve the best, Taylor.”

“I'll try, Bennett.”

They finally thanked each other properly and, sure enough, Craig couldn't keep his word. Neither could Venice. It was going to be embarrassing to face Bernice, knowing she probably heard all the moans of pleasure coming from his bedroom. Sleep over took them hours later as they held each other into the night.

L
ater the next evening, Craig invited some of the guys over for a card game. Venice decided she would chill out in his room and catch up on her reading. She was excited about their Christmas Party taking place the next night. Craig told her it was a tradition carried down from their parents.

Venice helped Craig make snacks for the card game. The menu consisted of nachos and cheese, Buffalo wings, peanuts, and chicken salad sandwiches. The first to arrive was Spoonie, who gave Venice a big hug and kiss. He joined them in the kitchen, telling them that he'd spoken to Chanelle twice a day since she went home for the holidays. To make himself useful, he answered the door when Skeeter arrived. Craig went in to greet him and reintroduced him to Venice.

Skeeter stood there looking Venice up and down like she was a plate of food. Venice felt a little uncomfortable when he did this and Craig noticed it.

He pushed Skeeter and said, “Man, stop that and go on downstairs and set up the table.” Skeeter laughed, still looking at Venice, and said, “You don't have to push, but you're a lucky man!”

Spoonie heard Skeeter and really didn't care for his attitude either, but tolerated him. Craig had told Spoonie that he grew up with Skeeter. They were like night and day. Finally the last of the card players arrived: J.T. Bernice had to work and this gave him a good opportunity to get in on the card game. They played with nothing higher than a dollar, which kept the game pretty even. As they began, Venice set the snacks up on the table in the rec room on the bar and went back upstairs.

After she left the room, Skeeter said, “Craig, I know you're tearing that ass up. She is too fine! Don't let me catch you snoozing.”

“Shut up, Skeeter, and play your hand.”

Skeeter said, “Nah, man. Is it as sweet as it looks?”

Craig sternly said, “I said, shut up!”

Skeeter laughed. “Punk.”

Spoonie looked at Skeeter and just shook his head. He couldn't understand how Craig was still friends with him.

While the card game was taking place, Venice decided to go upstairs and work out a little in the spare bedroom. Bear hopped on the bed and laid down while she jogged on the treadmill. Venice had really spoiled him since she ‘d been there, but Craig was trying to make him a vicious guard dog. She turned up the music, an upbeat tempo, to help her keep the rhythm going. After running for about fifteen minutes, she worked out on the weights. She ended up spending about an hour working out. Her shirt was sweaty down the front and her legs were sore along with some other body parts. She hadn't worked out in a few weeks, but she wanted to get back into the routine.

She completed her workout and grabbed the towel to wipe her face as she headed back downstairs. She ran right into Skeeter at the bottom of the stairs. He looked her up and down and said, “What have you been doing with sweat all over you like that?”

He lifted his hand as if he were going to touch the front of her shirt. Venice pushed past him and said, “Working out.”

Skeeter headed toward the kitchen, shook his head, and said, “That's a damn shame!” Venice and Bear proceeded to the bedroom where she made sure she closed the door. She didn't like Skeeter very much. He made her uncomfortable.

Once Skeeter returned to the rec room with more snacks, Craig asked, “Did you find everything all right?”

“What I did find was your old lady. She's a fine piece of ass!”

Craig looked at him and angrily said, “Watch your damn mouth, Skeeter!”

“My bad! I'm sorry, bro.”

Spoonie looked up at Craig, knowing his patience had worn thin. J.T. just sat there staring at his cards.

When Craig threw his cards in, he decided to go check on Venice. “I'm out! I'll be back.”