I repent, p.6
I Repent, page 6
Eva’s mouth and mine hung wide open. How did he know them? I wondered if they were his collogues or maybe his clients or something. Whatever the case may have been he brought them back over to the table with him.
“Baby, a couple of colleagues of mine . . . Is it all right if they sit for a few? We need to discuss some things,” Adam asked.
Eva was in shock. I had to kick her under the table so she would at least close her mouth. She got up and put her hand out to shake theirs and meet them. “Oh, okay, hello . . .” She put her professional on. She was so funny.
The men sat down and were in a conversation with Eva’s husband. It seemed pretty serious but none of my business. I looked down at my watch and realized I needed to get home to my babies soon. Eva caught me.
“No, it’s still early.” She leaned into me with her drink in her hand and whispered, “Don’t leave me alone with these fine men. I’m tellin’ ya, I won’t be accountable for what happens.”
I laughed. “Girl, you have to go to church with me. Please let’s make sure you give your life to Jesus!” She laughed and I stayed a little longer with her.
Soon the crowded dinner table became empty. I got up and put on my coat. I did see the men stare at me quite a bit. I had to admit, I liked it. I dramatized everything I did. While putting on my coat, for instance, I made sure my weave shook, knowing it would fall right back in place. I knew how to entertain when somebody was watching.
I kissed Eva good-bye on the cheek, went out the door, walked across the street, and gave the attendant the ticket for the car. While I waited for the valet to bring the car around, I noticed one of the men come out from Brio and walk toward me. I figured he was coming to talk to me. I had been told since the day I was born how beautiful I was, so it wasn’t a big deal for any man, any color, age, or stature, to approach me. I didn’t want him to see the big Kool-Aid smile on my face while he was running across the street over to where I was standing.
“Woo! This is a fine brother,” I said under my breath while biting down on my bottom lip. I managed to get a pretty good look at him. He was tall with a bald head, athletic build, and was very chocolate. He dressed as if he could pull out a million bucks and not blink. The brother was fine and I continued to admire him. He was all jeweled out. I noticed the nice platinum link around his wrist, not to mention the platinum Rolex I spotted on his left wrist. I had to admit I was getting interested. I could tell by the suit he was wearing that it was tailor made for his muscular frame.
“Hello, I’m Jason but you . . . you can call me Jay. I was at the birthday party inside.” He nodded toward the entrance. “I couldn’t help but notice you there. How are you tonight?” he asked, smiling with teeth that had to be bleached they were so white. He held out his hand to shake mine. I smiled and reached out and touched his. I stared at the platinum bracelet on his wrist, dangling as we shook hands.
“I’m fine thank you. Yes, I remember you from inside.” I smiled, getting a quick glimpse of his handsome face.
“Two questions for you, what’s your name and where’s yo’ man?” He rubbed my hand softly, still embracing it close to his heart.
“I’m Reese,” I told him. “I don’t have a man. I’m divorced.”
He smiled; then he lifted my hand up as if we were dancing and he was going to spin me around then in his arms. “Well, that’s what I wanted to hear. I didn’t wanna steal some man’s woman away, but believe me that’s exactly what I was intending on doing tonight.”
I loved his confidence in himself. Very humorous this one was. “I love the comedy.” I laughed.
He still held on to my hand and replied, “What else could I say walkin’ up on a fine woman like you? You standin’ over here like you don’t need anything from no one.” He playfully pointed at my handbag.
I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. He had the most amazing dimples on his face. When he moved his mouth they sunk so deep into his face, making him the sexiest man alive. I had to speak to God in my mind while I watched him and tell Him, thank you!
I was completely into this man. I almost felt like I was under a trance. No interruptions could bring me out of it, not even when the attendant was trying to give me the key to my car. I heard his deep voice speak again.
“Look at you, all together lovely, baby. You got the designer bag, the Red Bottoms, and jewelry. Your hair flowin’, nails manicured, and I’m not even gonna say nothin’ about yo’ pedicure. I know you have on stilettos but I bet you got those toes done up too!” We both cracked up! He touched my ear and felt my diamond studs. “I have to respect that. I knew the valet was gonna pull up in somethin’ fly and your fine self was gonna let him escort you right into it.” I laughed. He was so funny and what I really liked about him was the fact he wasn’t intimated by my success. I thought that made him even the more attractive if that was possible.
“I don’t know what to say. I mean all of that is true but I’m not some diva. I work hard for everything I got.”
“Yeah, I’m sure you do, Ms. Reese. I do too, and you have become number one on that list. Can I work hard for you?” He escorted me by my arm into my car. This one didn’t miss a beat.
I felt like a schoolgirl. I hadn’t felt like this in a long time. My heart was fluttering like I was going down a big hill in the car. Then I reached in my purse and handed him my business card.
“When can I see you again?” he said, leaning over in my car window. Before I could reply he continued talking. “Let me take you out tomorrow. We can do anything you like. What do you like to do for fun, Reese?”
I didn’t know what to say. “Surprise me.” I smiled, then pulled off.
I watched him stand out there and look at me drive ’til I couldn’t see him anymore. I felt good about this one. It felt so right to me. I thought about the man all the way home and how he had me standing out there smiling, laughing, and giggling, like I was sixteen. “This is the one,” I said aloud. “This one is real.”
I was so happy with Jason in my life. Jason made sure he kept his word to me. He did everything he promised me that night we met. He made me number one on his list. This time around I had a man who did everything in the world to prove that he loved me. He treated my sons as if they were his and made sure I had everything I needed and more. I was wrapped up into him. We had become so close in such a short time, but like I said, it felt just right.
There was only one problem; I didn’t keep my promise and commitment to God again.
I hadn’t noticed I left someone out: Jesus. I had backslid right out of the will of the Lord for my life and I was sure for my son’s lives. I was in trouble and didn’t even know it. All I knew was I was enjoying my life. I was loved and protected by a fine man and didn’t want or need anything else, including Jesus. I just didn’t think about Him. I figured as long as I didn’t acknowledge Him then I would be okay. I knew I would eventually go back to my first love, Jesus, but for now, I was happy doin’ me! I had officially traded in my Holy Ghost for objects, affection, and greed.
After months, Jason figured it would be for the best if he moved in with me, seeing we spent so much time together anyhow. I agreed. It was such a good feeling having a strong, black, successful man—not to mention fine as all get-out—living with me. Woo, that man could take my breath away. Jason made everything about my sons and me. He even quit traveling so much to stay with us in Ohio. He sent his business partner in his place. He was wonderful to us.
“Baby, we need to go to the grocery store. I wanna cook for you and the boys when I bring them in from playin’ football wit’ me,” he would say. I was finally living my fairytale.
He impressed me every time he opened his mouth, and the gifts he brought me frequently amazed me. Every time he left the house and went somewhere he made sure he came back with gifts.
After months of living together I stopped working and stayed home with the boys. Jason suggested it and thought it would be good for them until they were older. Jason was such a family man. He wanted a family so bad and did everything he could to make this life come true for the both of us. He frequently talked about the life he had back home in New York with his family. He didn’t want the life he grew up in; he wanted better and a stable one for me as a woman and my boys as kids. He talked about how his mom had him and his brother at a young age and they moved from place to place and his mom from man to man. He hated it and did everything he could do to show me he wanted better.
I believed him and wanted it too. I had been through so much growing up. Our lives were so similar that our stories seemed to wrap around each other. I figured together we would be dynamic and I thought we would end up married, saved, and living the American dream.
Jason was wonderful. After a few months of us being secluded to just each other and my boys, Jason started going out. Unlike my ex-husband, Julius, he wanted me to go out with him and meet all his friends.
“Babe, you gotta meet Kev while he’s in town this weekend. You’ll love him,” he said in reference to his best friend, who I’d heard a lot about but never met. Jason had pretty much just been under me and kept away from his business.
I playfully responded, “Not as much as I love you.”
“Aw, babe, you know you wonderful, don’t you, girl?” He grabbed me close and kissed me.
“You gonna make me go against my rules and marry you. That what you tryin’a get me to do? Fallin’ all hard for you and stuff.”
We both laughed.
“Seriously, Reese, Kev is golden. He has been my best friend since we were kids. I can trust him wit’ my life.”
He grabbed his cell and turned it on to call Kev and let him know we were coming out. Before I could say a word to Jason, he was fast down the stairs. He talked about Kev all the time so I was excited to finally be meeting him. Jason had told me he and Kev were inseparable and that they were more like brothers than friends. He told me they had been friends since they were kids and how they had gone into business with each other years back. He went on to tell me they came to Columbus to expand their business.
“Babe, you ready to go?” Jason hollered up the stairs.
I was in my mirror, putting the finishing touches on my hair. “Be down in a sec, babe!” I screamed.
“Okay, baby, hurry. We still have to drop some money off at the sitter’s for the boys!”
I loved Jason for caring about my sons as much as he did. I believed he did because he didn’t have any children of his own. He was such a loving man and my boys loved him just as much as he loved them. But I was in for a surprise from this point on.
Chapter 7
The Best Friend
I was finally ready to meet Jay’s best friend, Kev, but for some reason I was nervous. I thought maybe it was ’cause of all of the good things Jay had said about him. Was I even worthy to meet the almighty Kev?
I gave myself one more glance in the mirror, then turned out the light and began to walk down the stairs. I could see Jay standing at the end of the stairs with his back turned away from me. He was talking to Kev on his cell. I knew this because he’d said his name while talking to him. I heard him ask Kev if he was playing pool. I stopped halfway down the steps and listened to what Jason was saying. He had his speaker on so I could hear their entire conversation.
“Man, you interruptin’ my shot! I got two grand on this game,” I heard Kev say.
“Where you at? I want you to meet somebody,” Jason proclaimed.
I heard a long sigh come from Kev before he said anything else. “Who, Jay?” Kev sighed again. He sounded so frustrated with Jay, but I had no idea why. “We down here for money,” Kev snapped. “Look, Jay, I know how you get around women and it ain’t always good, so maybe I need to remind you why we in Columbus. We down here for the money, Jay, not some chicks!”
I continued to listen to their private conversation. I wanted to hear more so I stayed there on the steps and eavesdropped, hoping Jay didn’t turn around and catch me.
“Jay, come on now; you know that Columbus is our ticket into making millions.” Kev stopped talking for a second and I could tell he was taking his shot. I heard the stick hit the ball, then the other balls and down one of the pockets on the pool table.
“Yes!” he shouted with victory, then turned his attention back to his conversation with Jason. “Jason, I’m not tryin’a get into yo’ business, man. I just don’t want nothing to mess that up; after all, it’s my business too.”
Jason was getting angry at how Kev was talking to him. I could tell he was getting angry because the truth hurts, though, and from the tone of Kev’s voice Kev was telling him the truth. True enough Jason was a little high-strung and would get involved with women. He’d told me a time or two. This sometimes created drama for himself, the crew, and the woman involved, but nobody had been bold enough to tell him but Kev. Everyone else who worked for them was afraid. Again, I’d been told a time or two.
“What you mean, Kev? You think I’m out of control or somethin’?”Jason questioned.
I watched Jason try to stay in control but it was obvious he was getting upset. I started walking slowly down the stairs when I heard Kev answer Jason calmly. “Naw, man, you not out of control. You do what you do. We at the Brownstone playin’ pool.”
It seemed as if Kev realized there was nothing he could say to Jason to get him to understand, so he let it go. I could sense the worry of him wondering if Jason was gonna bug out sooner or later. He would be more than likely the one responsible for picking up the pieces. Kev had always picked up Jason’s pieces whenever Jason got himself in trouble. Kev was there to make the situation right.
Jason had a problem with his temper and had put his hands on more than a few of the women he dated in the past, but Kev would smooth out the problems by paying the women or sweet-talkin’ them into just leaving Jason alone, for their own good that is.
“All right, man, I’ll be there in a minute.” Jason hung up, then turned around and noticed me coming down the steps. He smiled. “You ready to go?” He put his arm around my waist, then kissed my cheek.
“Yep, ready to go.” I didn’t tell him I heard his conversation, and I was pretty sure he didn’t know. We left, headed to the sitter’s first, then to the club.
After we stopped by Toya’s and gave her money to take the boys to Magic Mountain, we went to meet Kev. Kev was still playing pool when he saw Jason coming through the door.
They locked eyes and raised their heads at each other to signify saying, “What’s up.” Next, Jason started talking to a few fellows in the room.
Kev turned around and continued to shoot pool. I knew who he was right away ’cause I remembered him from Eva’s party. I couldn’t help but watch him shoot, because the brother was so fine. I remembered that he and I had given each other the eye the whole while we were at the dinner party. To be real, I was a little surprised when Jason came out to get my number instead of him. I chalked it up that maybe I had imagined the connection that night or something.
After making his shot, Kev turned around again and looked at Jason. He did a double take, and that’s when he noticed me. Kev looked surprised but still remained cool. When Jason saw Kev looking, he grabbed my hand and walked over to him.
“Here, baby, sit right here for a second.” He pulled out a chair near to them. I could hear everything they were saying but I didn’t know what they were talking about, nor did I care.
“Sorry, man, I beat you to it. Besides, Kev, you got a woman in New York.” Jason smiled. “And you don’t cheat.” He either winked or had something in his eye. Jason laughed and walked away, saying to me, “Baby, baby, come and meet my best friend, Kev.” He grabbed my hand and we walked over to Kev.
I could tell Jason thought the whole thing was funny, but I didn’t know what the joke was then, only later. However, Kev didn’t think anything was funny and he was wearing the stern look on his face to prove it.
“Kev, this right here is the love of my life.” Jason was hugging me and he had his arm around my neck. I put my hand out to shake Kev’s.
“How you doin’?” he greeted me.
I looked at him. “Hey, I heard so much about you,” I replied and smiled. I stared back at Kev until Jason interrupted.
“Y’all want somethin’ to sip on?” Jason asked.
“Yes, babe, you can bring me a diet drink back. Thank you.” I touched Jason’s hand.
Kev didn’t say a word to his best friend. He just watched me as Jay walked away. He stood there as if he noticed everything about my appearance in less than five minutes. He pushed his bottom lip in and ran across it with his tongue, forgetting that I was there with Jason, it seemed.
I watched him and imagined what he could possibly be thinking about me. I had on a pretty red sundress with the back out and a pair of chanel sandals, and my toes were perfectly manicured with a French manicure design. He examined my frame from top to bottom. I stood there letting him admire me; after all, what could it possibly hurt? I knew what he was thinking, but to be brutally honest, I liked it. Kev was handsome, way beyond the good looks of Jason. Kev was beautiful. So, I stood there, letting him make me feel like I was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid his eyes on. And I wondered and imagined what he was thinking.
He looked at my ears and saw that I had diamonds in them. These diamonds weren’t cheap.
Kev was so caught up in me and I was so caught up with my imagination that I didn’t even see or hear Jason walk back over with the Diet Pepsi. “Kev, man, you okay? Why you lookin’ like that?”Jason asked.
Kev tried to get it together real fast before answering Jason. “What? What you mean, man, I’m straight.” He took one more look over at me and stared in my eyes, which were almost the same color of my skin, and then he said, “Breathtaking.” He said in a mesmerized tone that let me know he hadn’t meant to say the words out loud.
Jason wasn’t really paying attention to how Kev was looking at me. Obviously he didn’t think it was a big deal. I couldn’t imagine those two could ever let some broad come in between them, but I may have been wrong.
