The Countdown to Thirty (24 page)

“Ugh she’s such a snob.” Trina exclaimed, “Like who’s going to
steal wedding gifts at the wedding reception?”

“I don’t think she’s worried about them being stolen. I just
think the little diva’s ready to find out what’s inside. She’s just very,
very…excited about it that’s all.” Shanice commented trying to throw in a
buffer for Corrine. But we all knew this woman we’ve learned to love and call
friend better than anyone else. She was tracking those gifts.

“She’s the queen for the day and I say if she wants to track
her gifts then she has every right to. It may be a little tacky now, but her
charisma makes up for it.”

Saundra jumped in, “You’re very right mom. Briefly switching
subjects, how many of you guys still have a hangover from last night?”

Everyone except mom waived their hands including David and
Shanice’s husband.

“I thought you said you didn’t drink that much.” Saundra
said giving David a suspicious look.

Shanice jumped in popping her husband on the shoulder, “Yea,
you to?”

 “I didn’t baby. I only had a couple of drinks.”

They both gave their husbands incredulous looks. Uh oh, I
could tell this had the potential to get ugly.

“So exactly what went on at that party last night?” Shanice
asked.

“Yes, how was the night’s entertainment gentlemen? Trina
piped in stirring the drama.

“It was just a party babe, David c’mon I think the groom
needs us man.”

They both quickly got up and hurried off somewhere
successfully avoiding the interrogation…for now. Judging by the raging hot fire
in Shanice’s eyes I had a feeling this conversation would pick back up at home.

“Isn’t that just like a man? Run off when the questions get
too tough. They smell like guilt.” Trina said sipping her wine without an
attempt to hold back her true feelings.

“Guilty of what? David didn’t do anything we didn’t do.”

Trina cleared her throat, “Excuse me but did you see how
fast they ran out of here? For the record, women strippers are much, much more
raunchy then male dancers.

I had to speak up, “Maybe to a degree…but you seemed to
enjoy yourself when you were picked up and gyrated on last night.” I mentioned not
letting her forget that she got a little raunchy herself.

She turned her head from me but I still saw the guilty smile
creep across her face, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

We went on teasing her for a while. She laughed then finally
admitted to getting some payback for all the women of the world who have been
sexualized and put on display for the selfish benefit of men since the
beginning of time.

“Whatever Trina, just say you liked it.” My mother
chastised.

“Okay, I liked it.”

The laughing carried on until I was warned Corrine’s little
brother Bobby was making his way over. God he knew how to screw up a perfect
night.

“Here comes your boo.” Saundra whispered in my ear. “Be nice
to him, he’s a good guy. You might get a date out of it.”

“I don’t want a damn date out of it.” I announced to Saundra
through clenched teeth. “He’s an ass.”

“An available ass with a lot of potential. Pucker up, here
he comes.”

The little midget walked up to our table with his little
black suit on his little yellow body. If he had stripes he’d look like a
bumblebee. And God he was so short. However, if I didn’t know how much of a
know-it-all two-faced perverted little bastard he was he could have been
somewhat cute to somebody. But since he was a know-it-all two-faced perverted
little bastard, he wasn’t.

“Hello ladies. You’re all looking so lovely tonight,
especially you Ms. Kemp.” He said kissing my mother’s hand as she soaked up his
compliments.

She giggled with flattery, “Thank you Bobby.”

He glanced at me then turned his gaze back to my mother,
“It’s obvious where Sonya gets her beauty from. However her beauty can’t hold a
candle to yours.”

The rest of the table oohed and awed at his artificial
panache however, I wasn’t that gullible. Besides, that was a lightweight insult
even though I don’t think anyone else noticed it. They were too busy buying his
bull crap.

After his unoriginal and corny lines he asked me for a
dance. It just so happened that the DJ was playing Jodeci’s “Forever My Lady”.
It made perfect since that the little perv wanted to slow dance. It would be
another grand ass grabbing opportunity.

“Thank you but I’m a little tired.” I said looking at the
time on my phone.”

“Are you kidding me, you haven’t danced all night.” Saundra
said blasting me. She turned her attention to Bobby, “She hasn’t danced all
night. I think she’d love to dance.”

My neck turned so quickly I’m surprised my head didn’t slide
off, “What the hell are you doing?” I angrily whisperred to Saundra.

“Finding you a man,” She snapped back in a whisper.

“Get up baby and dance with Bobby, show him what you got.”
My mother chimed in.

Then before I knew it Bobby had whole the table erupting
with unwarranted encouragement. The children finally managed to make it back to
the table since a slow jam was playing and they even had the nerve to butt in.

Where’s a good whooping belt when you need one?

“So what do you say Sonya?” He said extending his hand and
peering at me with a slender smirk on his face. He had me cornered and he knew
it.

For appearances sake I humored everyone and took his hand.
As we began to walk to the dance floor I could hear them chattering away; ‘
aren’t
they so cute’, ‘they look so good together’, ‘he’s going into anesthesiology’.

Doctor-to-be or not, when we made it to the dance floor he
was given clear instructions.

“If you touch my ass you’re dead, got it?”

“Oh Sonya you can be so barbaric at times. I don’t know how
I tolerate you.” He placed his hand at the small of my back and aggressively
pulled me in close. I wanted to slap him but when I made eye-contact with
everyone back at the table I knew I had to keep that thought purely a thought.

“Everyone thinks you’re great, I’m the only one who knows
how ridiculous you are.”

“And that’s because I save all my love for you. Smile, they’re
watching.”

God he knew how to boil my blood. After two songs I was
ready to pull the plug on his self-righteous comments and steadily creeping
hand. Why was I always the victim of his affections?

“Sonya, you really should do yourself a favor and let me
take you out on a date. When a woman goes without a man for so long it becomes,
well, unbecoming.”

“Oh kiss my ass you gremlin.”

“Why I’d love to.” He said unaffected by my words. It’s like
they just ricochet off his arrogant little body. “But isn’t that part of your
‘touch my ass and you’re dead’ rule?

I nodded my head in agreement, “You’re dead right.”

Luckily for me, my suffering didn’t continue for long. A
tall, chocolate, dread wearing gentleman watched us from the other side of the
dance floor. I didn’t notice him standing there before. I had no clue how long
he’d been watching me. But when I saw him relief filled my soul and I wasn’t
the least bit afraid of what I was about to do. He walked the dance floor,
heading straight towards us with a seductive stroll. With every step my heart
skipped a beat. Closer, now closer, even closer, finally, he was here.

“Excuse me, may I cut in?” Kyle hovered over Bobby making
him look like the little shrimp he was. Not only that, but he showed him how a
fully grown man properly wore his suit at a black tie affair.

The disdain on Bobby’s face was classic. He actually had the
nerve to deliver Kyle a pompous glare then simply retort, “Next time,” while
turning his back to him.

I had to speak up, “Actually Bobby,” I said releasing myself
from his death grip, “I’d like you to meet Kyle Johnson…
my man.”
I said
taking a stance by Kyle’s side all the while elated to burst Bobby’s bubble and
better than
attitude.

Kyle extended his hand but the snob in Bobby wouldn’t humble
himself to shake it. Not only was he mad but the wide round shape his eyes took
on also proved he was surprised.

“Don’t worry about him baby, he’s been perturbed all night.”
I said wrapping my arms around Kyle’s neck and paying no further attention to
Bobby the snob.

“Check you later little man.” Kyle said adding insult to
injury. He knew he’d been disrespected but do you think he cared? Of course
not, he got the girl.

“You’re right on time.” I said staring into his eyes as we
danced.

“You know by now I wouldn’t leave you hanging.”

I kissed him slowly and deeply on the lips making sure to
add in some tongue. Bobby stormed his way back to the table and apparently
delivered the mind blowing news. He had everyone gawking at us in amazement.
We’d clearly attracted a show. Me, Sonya Kemp, with a man…
who would’ve
thought?

Kaia

I bizarrely woke up to the sound of subtle tapping. It was
bizarre because I was usually a deep sleeper and had been known to sleep
through anything…most famously the 6.7 earthquake that hit L.A. ten years ago.
The only thing plaguing my mind right now was my relationship screw up of the
century and the peace disturbing tapping that was interrupting my sleep.

Squinting at my alarm clock I saw that it was ten at night.
Listening inquisitively, I realized the tapping was coming from the window, the
cracked one where I’d thrown the shoe at Malcolm and missed. It continued and I
quickly became alarmed. Who knew who it was out there? If it wasn’t a solicitor
or perfect stranger waiting for the opportunity to barge into my home the way
Malcolm did they would have called me. Was this how the criminals did it? Was
this some type of test to see if someone was really home?

I tried recalling what Officer Chavez had said at the
Resident Safety Meeting. Something about victim stalking or apartment stalking,
I couldn’t remember. Going off my best judgment I speedily flipped on my
bedroom light to let whoever it was out there know that this house was in fact
occupied.

Removing my battery from its charger, I placed it in my stun
gun and began making my way to the living room. I checked my ADT system and
realized I didn’t even set the thing when I came home from the movies earlier.
Being that Sonya was busy with the wedding and I was lonely, I had hoped a
never before seen movie would distract my thoughts…but it didn’t.

I shook my head in disappointment at myself then released a
deep breath before looking out of my front doors peephole. There was no way I
would be sticking my head out the window at this time of night but I also hated
looking through peepholes. Because of some movie I saw eons ago, I always felt
like someone could shoot or stab my eye through it – I know it sounds morbid –
but I chose the peephole since I knew it was only my imagination working
against me.

Once my eyes adjusted I realized to my surprise that it
wasn’t a weirdo at all. It was Christian. Was he here to collect the stun gun I
held in my hand at this very moment?

“No, he wouldn’t do that.” I whispered to myself, “Give me
just a minute.” I bellowed through the door trying to stall so I could take a
moment to freshen up. Just a quick brush of my teeth in case I had a hint of
morning breath and a few brushes of my disheveled hair.

“I already know what you look like. It’s cold out here, can
I please come in?”

I showed some restraint and made him wait. If these last
four months of hanging with Sonya have taught me anything at all, that anything
was to stop being so available. Yep, I sure did. Well, not as long as I would
have liked which is why all of seven seconds later I unlocked and opened the
door.

He stood at the porch with his hands stuffed in his pockets
and a stressed look on his face. I could tell from his appearance he’d been up
the last few hours wrecking his mind over something. He wore a pair of dark
blue jeans, Black Air Jordan’s and matching black long sleeved thermos to
shield the cooler night air. He looked good but I tried to block that thought
from my mind.

“Come in. Give me a moment.” I said closing the door behind
him and setting off to the bathroom to perform a thirty second revival of
myself.

My mind swarmed with excitement and fear. What was he doing
here? We hadn’t talked in a while. Christian showing up tonight was the last
thing I ever thought would happen. I decided not to take Sonya up on her tidbit
of advice this morning about calling him. I took my own instead. I know I was
wrong for going psycho and hitting him upside the head. All the built up anger
I had for Malcolm exploded on the wrong person and I hate that. To tell the
truth I was ashamed about the whole thing. Maybe I wasn’t as good of a woman as
I thought I was. Regardless though, a million times over I’ve replayed
everything in my head and just wished he would have talked to me about it
instead of ignoring me. Things may have turned out differently for us. What am
I saying?
This was probably the world’s way of righting the wrong’s that
have been committed, restoring order where necessary and rekindling the proper
relationship of brother and sister.

“But at this point is it too late to go back?” I thought as
I gargled with Listerine and spit the contents into the sink. If we did go back
to our original relationship, as it’s always been, he wouldn’t be able to
introduce me to anymore girlfriends and that was our ritual. If we became
friends again and he decided he wanted me to meet one of his new “friends”,
something in fact would be going on here (as Desiree called it even though she
was wrong at the time.)

I made my way back into the living room without expectation.
I didn’t want to assume anything. He was seated on my couch quietly with a
solemn look upon his face but I didn’t know quite how to approach him.

I quietly took a seat on the couch, trying to find the
perfect amount of distance. I didn’t want to be too close to him and have him
think this was a makeup session if that wasn’t on his mind. But then I didn’t
want to sit too far and have him think I was angry or separating myself from
him because that wasn’t the case either. I was the one who messed up, not him.

There was silence in the room at first before I decided to
break the ice.

“So what’s up?” I simply asked.

“Nothing just been doing a lot of thinking.”

“Me to,” I confessed.

He couldn’t look me directly in the eyes, but he had
intensity in his face. He looked pained.

“I’ve been upset about what went down.” He said running his
hands together in a back and forth motion.

“I know.” I said stepping in, “I’m so, so sorry for ever
putting my hands on you. I’m not like that, you know me better than that. I
took my anger out on the wrong person. That was so wrong of me and I’m sorry.”
I explained from the heart. No matter the outcome of this situation I needed
him to know this.

He nodded his head agreeing, “Thank you. But that’s not what
I’m talking about. I was wrong for making that situation between me and Candace
play out like it was more than it was. My buddy Jakes – that’s his wife – they
just came up to keep a nigga some company. He was downstairs grabbing some
beers by the time you came. I was pissed when I saw Malcolm leaving your house.
Actually I’m still pissed, but anyway they knew something was wrong so I told
em’. That’s why Candace had an attitude with you. She’s not normally like
that.”

I exhaled a deep breath. I was just relieved at the fact he
was willing to talk to me. But I didn’t know what to say. We sat their quietly
again, a bunch of thoughts ran through my mind as I tried to find the perfect
words to relieve his anger but nothing seemed quite right. That’s because there
were no perfect words. I’d hurt him.

“So what you been up to lately?” He asked.

I shared with him my exciting news about the offer on the
house. I realized this was probably the reason he’d awaken me so easily. I was
becoming restless about it.

“I wanted you to come see this one with me but since we
weren’t…you know…talking and all I went to see it by myself. I really like it.”

“That’s cool, that’s real cool. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

I wanted to say more, I wanted another shot with him. I just
didn’t want to be rejected again. Just because he was here doesn’t mean he
wants to rekindle what we were building, but I stepped out on faith anyway
taking my chance before it was too late.

Moving closer to him and taking his big hands into mines I
looked into his eyes. They were receptive and so were his hands. They firmly
squeezed mine back and their warmth comforted me during this uncertain moment.

“Christian?”

“Yea?” He responded.

“I was with Malcolm for two years and I thought I loved him.
But I can see now it wasn’t real. I only loved the idea of him, not the person
himself. When he showed up that night I needed to figure that out for myself. I
know it must have looked sleazy when he left and I’m so sorry you had to find
out that way, but
I
cut the cord. All this time you’ve been right about
him.”

He bowed his head in acceptance of my words, “You’ve only
been protecting me,” I continued, “and that I love. It’s you I love.”

I couldn’t believe what I’d just said.
I love you?
I
didn’t mean for that to come out, I didn’t even know I felt that way but I said
it and couldn’t take it back. I didn’t want to take it back.

He put his head down as if he were in deep thought trying to
comprehend it all. I nearly died waiting for him to say something. Had I made a
fool of myself?

He lifted his head and began to speak, “Do you remember when
you were seven and you fell off your bike in front my grandma’s house?”

“Of course I do.” I answered. That wasn’t quite the response
I was looking for but it made me smile. Where was he going with this?

“Who cleaned off your knee and put your Band-Aid on?”

I laughed quietly, “You did. That was when my mama got mad
at me for not wearing my knee pads so in order to calm her down you told her
you’d take care of it and clean off my knee.”

“And what happened after that?” He asked.

I shook my head, “I don’t remember.”

“After I put your Band-Aid on you kissed me on the cheek and
said ‘I love you Christian’.”

I smiled. I remember always thinking he was the coolest back
then.

“You see, you’ve always loved me and I’ve always loved you.
And I still love you. If you’ll accept my apology for withholding it for so
long I’d like to make it up to you.”

There were no words that could describe my happiness and how
valued I feel. I wouldn’t want to trade places with any woman in the world
right now. Not even a married one, this moment was perfect. I responded to him,
but not with my words only with my actions. I knew instantly that tonight was
going to be the night we made love for the first time. It had to be, everything
was too perfect and it never felt so, so, so right. Friends then lovers, who
could ask for anything but? I slowly eased my way even closer to him,
straddling him in place on the couch and going in for the deepest and most
succulent kiss I’d ever given him. My heart beat quickened when he kissed me
back and slid his strong hands up and down my back. Judging by our raging heart
beats that pressed upon one another’s chest, we’d missed each other. We both
knew this was the moment.

Moving my wet kisses from his lips to his neck I began to
suck softly but vigorously, waiting for the sounds of his moans to tell me I
was doing a good job. When they came I transitioned to the other side of his
neck then finally when I couldn’t take it anymore I helped him remove his shirt
exposing every bit of beef and flesh beneath it.

He whispered excitedly, “Are you sure about this?”

I was completely confident in what we were about to do. I
harbored no reservations about this, so when I unquestionably responded,
“Definitely,” he picked me up while still straddled around his waist and walked
me into the bedroom.

And when he came inside me touching and stroking every
crevice of my body it made for the most arousing night of my life. It was no
wonder he’d driven women crazy. But this was more than a short lived encounter,
it was love…

v
 
 

By Monday afternoon I was back at work and into my normal
flow of things. After retrieving a printout from the copy machine I made it
back to my desk in time to see a new email notification flash on my computer
monitor then fade away.

When I opened the email I saw it was from Henry Chase, our
Department President asking to speak with me in his office pronto. Henry was a
quiet man with whom I’ve only heard speak during our departmental meetings when
he announced mindless information like the results of the employee satisfaction
survey. He wore a bowtie to work every day and the buzz around The Hive was
that he was a devout member of the Nation of Islam. That was until we found out
he frequents the synagogue and is in fact a member of the Jewish community.
(Apparently, he just loves his bowties…please get the workplace gossip right
people!) But still, I’ve never spoken to him. I couldn’t help but to worry what
this was about. I know our earnings have been down the last few quarters- -

Oh my God was I being laid off like Sonya? If I got laid
off I’d have to forget about buying that house or helping Riley with a car.

I took a deep breath before knocking on his office door and
let myself in once he gave me the okay. After sitting down and going through
the standard exchange of greetings with one another Henry quickly got to the
point and offered me the position of Sr. Graphic Designer. He let discretion
fall to the wayside as he explained to me he’d fired Rosie earlier this week,
hence the reason she hadn’t been here in the last few days. Apparently she’d
missed several important deadlines; one of which initially resulted in the loss
a major account. That was until our sales manager made an executive decision to
give our clients a fifteen percent discount on services for the next twelve
months if they continued business with us.

This promotion was a six thousand dollar annual increase
which bumped me to a very comfortable fifty-eight thousand a year.

I was excited but as Henry continued to speak, my mind
drifted and I began to have reoccurring flashbacks about my night with
Christian. The memories were still so erotic they sent shivers between my legs
every time I thought about it.

“We should have promoted you long ago, congratulations
Kaia.” Henry said as he stood from his seat and extended his hand, “We’ll make
the announcement tomorrow morning. How’s that sound?”