Authors: Alex Hairston
For Lovers Only (19 page)
Mrs. Davis smiled as she sat down at the kitchen table. “So, she's nothing like Renee. Oh, I like this one already. What's her name?”
“Erin. She's a beautiful third grade language arts teacher.” He looked at his mother's face. He saw that familiar effortless beauty she constantly displayed. That was the same type of beauty that he saw every time he looked at his new love interest. “Erin reminds me a whole lot of you.”
His words touched her heart. Mrs. Davis said, “That's sweet. Sounds like a quality woman.”
“She is.” Joel looked around and asked, “Where's Dad? He can't be at work. I thought he was trying to take it easy these days.”
Mrs. Davis closed her eyes and pressed her lips together again. She looked like she was about to lose it, but she took a breath and maintained her composure. “Go 'head and finish telling me about Erin.”
Joel looked suspicious. “I will, but is everything okay?”
“No, everything isn't okay.” She looked down, then back at Joel. “Your father's gone.”
His stomach dropped. “Gone? What do you mean
gone?”
gone?”
“He had a problem that he couldn't handle and thought it'd be best if he moved out to deal with it. Now that he's gone, I don't want him back.”
“What are you talking about? Can you explain in plain English exactly what's going on?”
“Your father met some young girl at work and completely lost his mind. She had the nerve to call here to tell me all about them, and how good he is to her and her two kids ... two little boys.”
“What's with that?”
“Don't ask me. She told me some other things that I won't even repeat. I never felt so numb in my life, because I knew the girl was telling the truth. I asked Theo what was going on, and at first that old fool tried to lie. Then eventually he admitted to everything the girl told me.” She paused for a brief moment, then said, “We're getting divorced.”
Joel couldn't believe his ears, and could hardly think straight. The word
divorced
echoed inside his head. In his mind, he heard a toilet flush and saw everything he believed inâthe values and moralsâswirling around in a tiny whirlpool and going down the drain. He felt like he wanted to reach inside and grab hold of something, but his father had turned everything into shit. He felt nauseated, because he wanted the kind of long-term loving relationship he thought his parents had. He thought of Erin and wondered if what she said about love being dead was true. It may have been true, because everything he knew about love was based on his parents' relationship, and now their love was gone.
divorced
echoed inside his head. In his mind, he heard a toilet flush and saw everything he believed inâthe values and moralsâswirling around in a tiny whirlpool and going down the drain. He felt like he wanted to reach inside and grab hold of something, but his father had turned everything into shit. He felt nauseated, because he wanted the kind of long-term loving relationship he thought his parents had. He thought of Erin and wondered if what she said about love being dead was true. It may have been true, because everything he knew about love was based on his parents' relationship, and now their love was gone.
Joel returned to reality and asked, “What? I can't believe this ... a divorce after all these years? You seem awfully calm.”
Mrs. Davis laughed and said, “Boy, that's the least of my worries. I can't make a grown man do what he doesn't wanna do. Theo moved out two weeks ago. I could have balled up and died, but I made a choice. I choose to go on living my life without him.”
“I don't even know what to say. I'm hurt and disappointed.”
“So am I. We just never know what the future might bring. Theo was probably cheating on me for years.”
“Yeah, with that crazy work schedule of his ... you just never know.”
“Hold on, there's more drama.”
Joel's eyes widened. “Like what?”
“I let your sorry brother and his girlfriend move in earlier this week. They're so sorry that the two of them are sleeping in Shawn's little twin bed together. They can't afford to buy a new bed. So I told them to take your old bed and push them together, but they're too lazy to do anything productive. I was thinking this morning that you are my everything ... my reason for living, and I love you.”
Joel was blown away by his mother's comment. “I love you, too. Sorry that you have so much on you. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“You're helping right now just by listening.”
“I can talk to Shawn.”
“Uh, that'd be a waste of breath.”
Joel let out a loud sigh and said, “To be honest with you, I had no idea where Shawn was staying. Why would you let him and his girlfriend move in here with you? You must be looking for trouble.”
“I just found myself trying to help out because they didn't have anywhere else to go.”
“They're using you ... taking advantage of the fact that Daddy's not around to kick their butts out of here. They wouldn't even have asked to move in if Daddy was still here. Are they paying you to live here?”
“I don't feel right making my child pay to live with me.”
“He's a grown man, not a child. And what about his girlfriend, she's not your child. Is she giving you any money?”
“No. Not yet, anyway. The two of them went and applied for social services on Monday.”
Joel shook his head and said, “They're using you, and drugs too. How were they making it before they moved in here?”
“That's the same thing I asked. They claimed that they got arrested and all of their assistance was cut off, and now they have to start all over again.”
“Do you believe that?”
“You just never know with your brother. That's not all.”
“Wow, what else could there be?”
“I hadn't called you for a while because I didn't want to burden you with my problems.”
“I appreciate you being considerate and all, but this is too much for you to bear.”
“That's not true. The Lord won't put more on me than I can bear.”
“At least your faith is strong.”
“And that will never change.”
Joel braced himself and asked, “So what else is going on?”
Mrs. Davis took a deep breath and said, “I saw my doctor a few days before your father walked out, and she told me that I have cancer in my left breast.”
“Oh no.” Joel grabbed his mother and held her tight. She held him close like she did when he was a little boy. He felt a stinging sensation in his eyes. As he fought back the tears he silently prayed for the best. “I'm so sorry to hear about the breast cancer, but you're gonna be all right. Plenty of women have battled and survived breast cancer.” He tried his best to convince his mother and himself that she'd be fine. “I know you're gonna be all right ... you just have to be.”
Joel and his mother shared the same type of optimism. She smiled and said, “I'm already all right. The cancer isn't that bad. You're the first person I've told. As a matter of fact, I've been trying not to give it too much thought.”
“No. That's the worst thing you can do. You need to give this a lot of thought. What about surgery or some type of treatment?”
“I'm scheduled for surgery on Monday at nine o'clock in the morning at Sinai Hospital. They want me there at seven o'clock that same morning. And I'll start chemotherapy shortly after that.”
“When were you going to tell me about this?”
“Soon.” She paused as she felt her emotions getting the best of her. “I dunno, I'm so tired. And I'm afraid. I'm not afraid of dying. God already told me that this cancer won't be the thing that takes me away from here. I'm just afraid that when they cut me open the cancer might be worse than they suspected, and they'll have to remove my entire breast and not just the two lumps. But I don't want you to worry about me. This is something that I have to learn to deal with on my own.”
“How can I not worry? And you don't have to deal with it on your own. I'm here for you.”
“I'm frustrated and at times disgusted with myself.”
“Why?”
“Because I feel like I cheated myself out of so much. I haven't really lived. What have I done? Nothing. Where have I been? Nowhere.”
Joel felt bad because he knew exactly what his mother meant. He said, “You sacrificed so much for me, Shawn, and Daddy. Now it's all about you. If you want to go on a trip to the Caribbean or somewhere, I'll send you. Where do you wanna go ... Jamaica ... Bahamas? I heard the Virgin Islands are nice. What about Aruba?”
She shook her head and said, “No. I wanna go to Israel on a pilgrimage to tour the Holy Land, and be baptized in the Jordan River just like my Savior.”
Joel felt chills run through his body. He instantly agreed to help his mother finance the trip. He spent a few more hours with his mother. They talked moreâabout Erin and about her trip to the Holy Landâwhile eating Mrs. Davis's homemade spaghetti and garlic bread. Joel hated to leave his mother, but he wanted to get home in time to meet Kenya. Mrs. Davis saw the guilt in his eyes. She reminded him that he had to go on living his life with or without her. One of the last things his mother told him that day was to live life to the fullest.
Chapter 18
E
rin's place was immaculate, and could have easily been used as the development's model apartment. The calming scent of an air freshener called Jasmine Breeze flowed through the rooms. Erin rested her head in her favorite spot between Joel's chest and shoulder as they sat cuddled up on her sofa in front of the television watching
Oprah
. The volume was turned down low, loud enough to hear the show, but Erin was also listening for Kenya's arrival.
rin's place was immaculate, and could have easily been used as the development's model apartment. The calming scent of an air freshener called Jasmine Breeze flowed through the rooms. Erin rested her head in her favorite spot between Joel's chest and shoulder as they sat cuddled up on her sofa in front of the television watching
Oprah
. The volume was turned down low, loud enough to hear the show, but Erin was also listening for Kenya's arrival.
Joel didn't mention anything to Erin about all of his family's drama. For the moment he tried to clear his mind and put all of those issues on hold. He was good at managing stressful situations. That was one major reason he stayed so healthy. When Erin asked about his family he simply said that everything was all right.
While Joel was at his mother's house, Erin had found time to stop by the mall for a new outfit, a manicure and pedicure. She wore a stylish white off-the-shoulder cotton top with a pair of pink Capri pants. Her fingernails and toenails were covered with a glossy, hot-pink polish, topped with little white floral designs.
Joel appeared to be cool and relaxed in his blue, green-and-white striped Ralph Lauren Polo shirt, long denim shorts and sandals. He turned toward Erin and kissed her on the forehead. That was Joel's way of thanking her for spending so much quality time with him this week. Erin understood exactly what that little kiss meant. She began to feel very sentimental. She held Joel tight, just like she wanted to hold on to these final moments alone with him. Kenya's arrival meant a change, and possibly a threat, to Erin and Joel's relationship. Erin's nervous energy overflowed and quickly made its way from her head down to her stomach.
Joel sensed her anxiety and asked, “Why are you so nervous?”
As her stomach churned she said, “You know.”
“Kenya?”
She whined like a little girl. “Yeah.”
They both cracked up laughing.
Joel said, “I should be the nervous one. At least she's your best friend. I'm the stranger here. What if she doesn't like me?”
Erin had quickly changed her whiney tone to one that flowed with certainty. “That won't happen. I know she's gonna like you. I can pretty much guarantee it. And I know you're gonna like her.”
“I hope you're right.”
Erin could hardly sit still. She stood up and said, “I am right. I'll be back.”
Erin needed to find a way to suppress her anxiety. She headed to the kitchen to make some fresh-squeezed lemonade. She felt the need to put her nervous energy to work. Within a few minutes or so she began to feel a little better, because her mind was distracted with random sexual thoughts. She imagined how intense and arousing it would be to see Kenya and Joel please each other sexually, while she watched and tried to withstand the urge to be touched by them or to touch herself. She imagined how Kenya would sound when he ate her pussy for the first time and how her face would look the first time Joel penetrated her with his big rock-hard dick. Then she imagined Kenya and herself pleasing Joel at the same time. Her erotic thoughts made her get a little wet and helped to calm her anxiety.
Erin returned to the living room with two glasses of fresh-squeezed lemonade. Joel smiled because that was exactly what he had the taste for. Before Erin could get the words out of her mouth he automatically reached over and placed two coasters on the cocktail table. It seemed that the two of them were almost able to read each other's minds. Erin noticed that Joel had turned the television to BET.
Rap City
was just coming on. He was sitting there watching a rap video that included half-naked girls shaking their asses.
Rap City
was just coming on. He was sitting there watching a rap video that included half-naked girls shaking their asses.
Erin asked, “So, is that what you like?”
The word
like
didn't even begin to describe how much Joel
loved
to see women shake their asses. It was a thing of beauty to him and ninety-nine point nine percent of straight black men. Joel interpreted Erin's question as a cue to turn the channel, but he didn't. Like a typical guy he answered her question without taking his eyes off the television. He downplayed the situation by saying, “Yeah, I like looking at video models.”
like
didn't even begin to describe how much Joel
loved
to see women shake their asses. It was a thing of beauty to him and ninety-nine point nine percent of straight black men. Joel interpreted Erin's question as a cue to turn the channel, but he didn't. Like a typical guy he answered her question without taking his eyes off the television. He downplayed the situation by saying, “Yeah, I like looking at video models.”
Erin hit him on the arm. “Oh,
video models
, is that what you call them? I remember when we used to refer to them as something else.”
video models
, is that what you call them? I remember when we used to refer to them as something else.”
Joel laughed and said, “Don't even say it. They're just providing some entertainment.” He sipped his lemonade. Out of respect for Erin and women everywhere he began to channel surf away from the sexist images. He stopped on MTV because he knew Erin would much rather watch a dating show called
Next
.
Next
.
As soon as a commercial came on Joel began channel surfing again. He stopped on VH1 Soul. A Brian McKnight video was playing. Erin seemed much more relaxed than earlier. Her sentimental mood was gone. She kicked off her sandals, lay down and rested her head in Joel's lap. He let her do whatever she wanted because it felt good to have her head down there. He couldn't wait to see what she was going to do next. She could feel him get harder and harder. Erin turned her face toward his hardness and moved her head back and forth slightly in order to stimulate him a little more. She became really playful and began to nibble on Joel's erection through his shorts.
Erin looked up at Joel and asked in a sexy tone, “Do you want me to suck you off real quick?”
Joel looked excited. He nodded and replied quickly in an airy tone, “Yeah.”
Just then the sound of a car pulling up stole Erin's attention. She lifted her head and asked, “Do you think that's Kenya?”
Joel's dick was harder than calculus and trigonometry. He looked down and said, “Nah, I seriously doubt it.”
“Let me take a quick peek.”
He thought,
Damn. You need to finish what you started.
Damn. You need to finish what you started.
They heard a car door slam as Erin made her way to the window. She looked out the window and screamed, “Oh my God, it's Kenya!”
Unable to match Erin's enthusiasm Joel said, “Really.”
Erin made her way back over toward her shoes. “Yeah, she's here.” She slipped on her sandals and said, “C'mon. We can help her with her bags.”
Joel looked down at his erection and said, “Give me a minute. On second thought, I might need more than a minute.”
Erin signaled with her hand and said, “C'mon.”
She headed out the front door with Joel walking close behind her, trying his best to disguise the bulge in his shorts.
When Erin and Kenya made eye contact they ran toward each other and embraced. It looked like a scene from
The Color Purple
. Joel didn't come down the outside steps that led from the main entrance right away. He took a second to straighten himself out, but it was obvious that he was still aroused. The fact that Kenya was such a delightful sight to behold didn't help matters. Erin and Kenya looked so much alike that they could have easily been mistaken for sisters, or at least first cousins.
The Color Purple
. Joel didn't come down the outside steps that led from the main entrance right away. He took a second to straighten himself out, but it was obvious that he was still aroused. The fact that Kenya was such a delightful sight to behold didn't help matters. Erin and Kenya looked so much alike that they could have easily been mistaken for sisters, or at least first cousins.
Kenya was maybe a shade lighter and an inch shorter than Erin, with the same shiny black shoulder-length hair. They had similar bright smiles and shared the same symmetrical facial features. Kenya's face was oval-shaped and Erin's was a little more round. Another obvious difference was Kenya's breast size. It was at least a cup size bigger than Erin's. Kenya wore a neon orange halter top with a pair of sexy plaid short-shorts blended in a multitude of vibrant summer colors.
As Joel looked at them he realized that he'd never seen the sun shine so bright or had the opportunity to witness such a rich and luminous display of beauty until that moment. He knew that there was something special about this moment, but had no idea that this was the unveiling of part two of his future.
Kenya looked over Erin's shoulder as they embraced, and then she saw Joel. Kenya and Joel shared a brief moment of eye contact followed by an intense, probing stare. They both liked what they saw. They sensed an instant and undeniable attraction. In Kenya's mind she began to sing Joel's praises with an amazing voice that soared to new octaves. Joel read her thoughts and could almost hear that amazing internal voice.
Joel offered a smile.
Kenya accepted his smile and returned one of her own.
As soon as Erin and Kenya's embrace ended Joel took a few steps toward them and said, “Hi, Kenya.”
With excitement flowing from her voice Erin said, “Kenya, this is my Joel and Joel this is my Kenya.”
“Hey, Joel.”
Joel restrained himself because he didn't want to seem disrespectful to Erin or Kenya. Like most guys, it wasn't uncommon for Joel to be a little flirtatious around women he found attractive. For the most part, he was unaware of his flirting because it was an involuntary response to pure chemistry. He really didn't mean any harm.
Kenya and Joel seemed drawn to each other and made things somewhat official by greeting each other with a friendly embrace. Kenya had been waiting for this moment with the same degree of fiery anticipation as Erin.
Kenya pressed her 36Ds against Joel's muscular chest and he seemed to be absorbed deeper into her feminine softness. At the same time Kenya loved the feel of his upper body, but got a pleasant surprise when Joel stepped into the hug a bit more with his lower body. He accidentally pressed his masculine hardness against her.
Kenya's eyes widened when she felt it. She didn't mind at all. She held still and said, “Um, I think somebody's extra happy to meet me.”
She attempted to give him a kiss on the cheek, but somehow her lips landed close to his lips. It was completely innocent. The corners of their mouths touched. They were both intrigued by the incidental contact, but didn't overreact. They simply laughed it off. When Joel stepped back the three of them looked down at his erection at the same time.
He automatically looked at Erin and Kenya and said, “I'm sorry.”
Erin laughed. Then she quickly came to Joel's defense and said, “It's my fault. I was messing with him right when you pulled into your parking space.”
Kenya fanned herself and then smiled. “Don't worry, Joel. I don't mind, but we might have to have you register that thing as a lethal weapon.” Before anyone got insulted she said, “I'm just kidding. That was the friendliest welcome I've received in a long time. Thanks.”
They all smiled.
Erin and Joel helped gather Kenya's bags from the trunk of her Honda Accord. All of a sudden Joel felt like they were being watched. He looked over his shoulder and noticed Ms. Benson and another nosey old lady looking directly at him and the girls. Ms. Benson and the nosey old lady shook their heads and had twisted grins on their faces. Joel ignored them and continued into the building.
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