16. Asaiah
The moisture in my mouth evaporates, and my heart palpitates upon seeing Onesti, which is wild because I'm not doing anything to cause such a reaction to seeing her. Onesti's flowery perfume wraps around me like a warm blanket which makes my dick jump.
"Do you know that woman?" Danielle asks.
The thickness in my throat and tingling in my chest prevent me from responding immediately. I'm silent while processing Onesti's avoidance because I'm unsure what she's thinking.
Why did I let her walk past me and assume things were as they seemed?
"Asaiah?" Danielle's voice calling my name has my eyes returning to her. Concern and questions shine within her eyes, reminding me of her initial question.
"Knowing her would be an understatement. That's my woman, and I think being here with you instead of her is a mistake," I admit before running my hand down my face.
My accepting Danielle's invitation to catch up this morning was without thought after dealing with Andre and Valerie. I ran into Danielle on my way out of their apartment building, and my head was on the conundrum of my parents continuing to make my life hell. With Danielle and me having history, I allowed that to clog my judgment, desperate for someone to talk to in the moment. I didn't expect to see Onesti, and now I'm sitting here contemplating catching her by the restrooms to clear things up.
"Matter of fact… I'll be right back." Quickly standing, I briskly hurry toward the bathrooms to catch Onesti on her way out.
"Shit!" Onesti yells, grabbing her chest when we nearly collide a few seconds later.
"Can I have a minute of your time?" I ask.
Onesti's eyes are void of emotion, making me wonder what's going on in her pretty little head. It also confirms that there is a possible misconception that I need to clear up.
"It won't take long. Can you give?—"
"Five minutes. You aren't the only one here with other people."
The sassy aggression in Onesti's statement and my quick assessment of the words bring an instant frown to my lips.
Who the fuck is occupying my sweet baby's time?
In two seconds, my face transitions, displaying several expressions when my mind wanders into unfavorable territory before settling on a grimace.
"Whose family are you about to cause to make an appointment with Eternal Horizons Funeral Home in two days?" My blood is heating like a three-alarm fire and simmering like a volcano on the cusp of erupting.
"The bitch your dumb ass is entertaining," Onesti snaps back.
My dick twitches at Onesti's grimace and the bark in words causing me to smirk.
Poke or put the tiger at ease? Eenie, meanie, miny Moe… how much further should I go?
Pulling Onesti into my body, I nuzzle my face in her neck, sniffing the aroma of her scent, feeling her body lean further into me while her hands grip my shirt tight.
"Asaiah." Onesti whimpers my name, and my arms tighten around her body, securing her in a way that extends the comfort I desperately need after my tumultuous morning.
"That woman will never be able to do what you're doing for me right now. The mere fact that you sought me out when the debacle happened with my parents is proof that I'm with the woman who is supposed to handle my situation. Give me five minutes to correct my mistake." My voice is softer than usual and soothing, and my hands lovingly rub along Onesti's back.
"Then what?"
Onesti's voice is breathy and trance-like, letting me know that I have effectively disarmed her anger while calming the storm brewing within me.
"Then we talk. Get rid of your companion, or I will." Releasing her from my embrace, I walk away to send Danielle on her merry way while praying she doesn't give me a hard time.
* * *
"Why did she throw water on you like that?" Onesti asks with a smile shining in her eyes.
I found out that Onesti's companions were her two best friends because the two of them escorted Onesti to my table like she was in witness protection. Jarielle first high-fived me for restoring the glow to Onesti's face. Then she threatened to inflict bodily harm if I broke Onesti's heart. Necia, on the other hand, went after Danielle, who had thrown water in my face after being dismissed. According to Necia, " Wasn't no bitch about to disrespect her brother in her presence, " which I guess means Necia and I are cool.
"Some women can't stand the reality of losing what they threw away. That's neither here nor there. I'm sorry for being in this predicament in the first place, especially knowing you and I have recently set our parameters. Even though my parents had me worked up, it's no excuse, and I'm sorry."
"I'm here. I'm also capable of being more than the woman you share sexual escapades with. Talk to me. I'm listening."
"I'm not sure if you put two and two together, but my parents are on drugs. They have been for the bulk of my life. Unlike everyone in both extensions of my family, I'm the only person who hasn't turned my back on them. I've seen and done more than most my age, but the worst was raising a sibling as my own before puberty hit me."
Picking up my glass of orange juice, I take a couple of sips to wet my dry mouth, attempting to regain my composure. Talking about my life and history with my mom and dad can often leave me feeling like I live on a rollercoaster that only goes uphill. Just the thought of what I've been through nearly shatters me, making it difficult for me to lay myself bare to this beautiful soul.
My heart and mind are at war with my feelings of wanting to tether myself to Onesti or self-sabotage to prevent her from being tainted by anything that comes with being with me. Yet, seeing Onesti's intense eye contact expressing the three words my heart feels makes me willing to risk it all to achieve a life I've never experienced.
"I think this conversation would be best done in a quieter setting. How about we shelve it for now? You finish your meal, and then we'll go to Riley Creek to pick it back up," Onesti suggests.
Bzz. Bzz.
A text alert on my phone prevents me from answering Onesti, and I lift it to see who sent a message, hoping it has nothing to do with my parents. A sigh escapes my lips at seeing my pastor's name on the screen.
"Excuse me for just a second, sweet baby," I say to Onesti before opening the message.
Pastor Reece:
Good early afternoon, Brother Harrison. I'm just checking on you. How are things?
"See, this is why my pastor is dope," I say, making eye contact with Onesti, whose warm smile causes one of my own.
No matter what's going on, Pastor Reece never ceases to be active with his flock. Pastor Reece is a pastor whose commitment goes beyond Sunday. Having him as an ally in the midst of battles gives me a deeper sense of appreciation for being one of his members.
Me:
Another obstacle this morning. I'll have to catch you up. I'm with my lady at the moment, but I'll hit you up soon.
"Ooh, it's nice to know that you aren't one of those people who take twenty minutes to type," Onesti observes, smirking when I finish my response and lock my phone, placing it face down on the table.
The beam in her eyes causes my chest to pinch, and an old-school Stevie Wonder song starts echoing in my mind. With a smirk and laughter in my chords, I stare intently into Onesti's eyes and serenade her.
"You are the sunshine of my life. That's why I'll always be around. You are the apple of my eye," I sing.
"You better sing then, Asaiah Wonder," Onesti teases, snapping her fingers.
* * *
"As if Mom and Dad's mess wasn't enough in your presence, leaving me bereft of understanding… I walked into their apartment this morning to find my dad holding a camera while my mom was having sex with three men. What's crazy is that it isn't the first time I've seen Mom naked. However, she was high out of her mind yet able to moan like the perfect porn star."
Onesti's gasp stops my words, causing me to turn toward her to see her mouth gaping. Unfortunately, I've become desensitized to the stuff my mom and dad do. We're sitting at one of the benches along the walking trail at Riley Creek. Besides us, I've only seen three people pass us, making this the perfect spot to share the details of my morning with Onesti.
"Th-they were making a video even though she was high," Onesti utters as more of confirmation of my words than a question.
"Mhm. Oddly, one of the men was about four feet, so my mom was holding onto him while giving him oral. He looked like a toddler, which had me vomiting uncontrollably, which ultimately drew attention from the irresponsible adults I am tragically blood-tied to."
Somehow, despite the man's older facial structure, Mom giving him oral triggered me and had me remembering the lengths of her and Dad's neglect concerning me. A warm hand running up and down my arm has me blinking profusely while fighting to erase the image of my first sexual experience.
"At what age did you lose your virginity?" I ask.
"Sixteen. Why do you ask? How old were you?"
My lungs fill with air, and I disconnect my eyes from Onesti, unable to see her expression upon learning my truth.
"Eleven, and she would be labeled a cougar."
Another gasp sounds from Onesti, yet I keep talking because the gravity of my life has me in a chokehold.
"What you and I shared sexually was my first not only enjoying but treasuring a woman's body. For years, sex had been mechanical, but with you, I felt exhilarated by the opportunity to demonstrate my ability to be free in feeling more than guilt." My words are weighty and heavy, yet my truth supplies me with the freedom to move forward with Onesti.
"Look at me, please." Onesti's request is soft and pleading, pulling at my heartstrings because sympathy isn't what I'm seeking.
Onesti's warm hand gently touches my face, and an electric zing flows through me from the contact. Turning my head, a gasp leaves my mouth when I see the bright and glossy expression in Onesti's eyes that makes my stomach flutter.
"Please don't think I'm crazy when I say this, but… I love you, Asaiah. For the man they selfishly cascaded you into becoming and for the man you are today. I also love you for the man you will be tomorrow. Your backstory might be full of hills and valleys, but oh, the joy that fills my soul at the greatness you're going to experience in the future. You are a man whose past isn't worthy of predicting, stopping, or blocking your tomorrow. Thank you for choosing me to be the woman to come alongside you to push you to your best. No need to look back at your past because I'm the woman capable of handling all of you from here."
Pulling Onesti into me, I kiss her passionately as tears pour from my eyes and my chest expands. This moment solidifies why Onesti is the woman I've been missing. Her words are like lightning to my weary soul, causing me to spin her words on a continuous repeat.
"You know what the best thing about choosing me and not the bird from earlier is?" Onesti asks when our kiss ends.
"What?" A smirk upturns my lips, matching the sly grin and twinkling expression Onesti is displaying.
"I can not only fuck you through your storms but pray you through them as well."
A low chuckle escapes my mouth, lifting my hand in recognition and agreement with her statement.
When her palm connects with mine in a high-five, I verbally respond. "See, you love me for all the things you mentioned a minute ago, but I love you because God's messenger already told me what you're capable of. How about we go back to my crib, and you demonstrate both strengths to erase the memory of one of my weak moments?"
"Let's. I'll pray on the way there, so we have that part out of the way."
"Say less, sweet baby."