Chapter 11
ELEVEN
Saturn
“Hey, boo. How was your weekend off?” Sapphire asked as she put on her green apron.
“It was good. Mccoy took me to Chicago.”
“Oooh. Did you get some of the infamous Harold’s Chicken?”
“We didn’t have Harold’s, but we had Uncle Remus. Apparently the two are rivals,” I stated with a chuckle.
It wasn’t a lie though. With Chicago being so close to Pleasant Springs, I was well versed on all things Chicago. In my opinion, both chicken places were good, but indeed tasted different. I didn’t prefer one over the other, but I did appreciate the lemon pepper Harold’s offered.
“Oh, I’ve eaten there too. When I was younger, my parents took us to Chicago a time or two for vacation.
It was always during the Taste of Chicago.
We’d get a hotel and stay for the whole week.
My dad’s best friend is from there, and he’d given us the run down of the city and where to eat.
Before we came home, my dad would take us to Harold’s and to one of the Maxwell Street polish places.
He only liked the original locations though,” Sapphire explained.
“That sounds like a nice mini getaway.”
“It was. I haven’t been to The Taste in years, but I’ve heard it wasn’t the same anymore. I’ve thought about taking Kylie to one of the museums, just haven’t gotten around to it yet. Anyway, here are the candles you ordered. You never told me how you liked the others.”
“I loved every scent, girl. The cashmere vanilla is my favorite though. I wanted you to bring these so we can start selling them here. Before we closed last Thursday night, I took the candles I had off the shelf to make room for yours,” I explained.
“Wow. Thank you, Saturn. I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. Just keep them coming, please. I’m almost sure they’re gonna sell out quickly.”
“What about the ones you were selling?”
“Girl, I got those from a vendor. I like them, but I like yours better. I’ll support however I can. You’re passionate when you talk about candle making and I think you should keep the idea alive. You’re truly good at it.”
The tears in Sapphire’s eyes let me know she was moved.
It wasn’t my intention to make her cry, but I did want to encourage her.
I knew personally that a few words of encouragement could get a person far.
Work felt different today. My mood was light and I felt like a new woman.
While Sapphire took care of customers, I got the delivery arrangements ready.
I was in the middle of listening to one of my favorite songs when Sapphire called out for my attention.
“So when you were gone, Mccoy’s friend came by.
He bought a few roses, but he was trying to get to know me.
Everything was cool until I mentioned I had a baby.
I’m not with Kylie’s father or anything like that, but I froze up when he started asking questions about my relationship with him.
There’s nothing to hide, but that’s a part of my life I don’t share with many people.
I’m a private person, but I think he took my silence to mean something it doesn’t. ”
If Mccoy hadn’t mentioned Justin’s interest in Sapphire, I probably would’ve been surprised.
I wasn’t around Justin often, but I’d been around enough to know about his former life.
There were a few nights I laid under Mccoy while they were on the phone and overheard certain things.
Justin’s past life was full of one-night stands and meaningless sex partners.
Mccoy would never discuss his business with me, but I was aware that as an adult Justin had never been in anything committed.
I wasn’t sure what his intentions were with Sapphire, but I was hoping he could read the room and treat her differently.
Sapphire carried herself a certain way and she came as a package deal.
“I’m assuming you care enough to try and clear things up?” I asked, choosing my words wisely.
“I guess so. I haven’t dealt with a man in a while and he would be the first since having Kylie. I don’t even know how I would balance that. I don’t want my child around a man who won’t be in my life for long,” she explained.
“I understand that. I’m sure I’d be the same way if I had a child. Did you guys exchange numbers or anything?”
“He gave me his number, but didn’t take mine. He told me to reach out when I was ready.”
“Okay, so text or call him to clear the air if that’s what you wanna do. The worst that can happen is he loses interest.”
“I’ve been thinking about it, but I’m stuck on what to even say to this man.
I feel like a teenage girl who has no experience with guys.
I’ll probably call him tonight after I get Ky to bed.
He’s fine as hell, but I feel like there’s more to him.
He gives ladies’ man and I’m not sure how I feel about that. ”
“I guess you’ll have to get to know him to see what he’s about. All I say is be careful, but I’d say that about any man. I know from my own experiences that men can embarrass the hell out of you and not feel bad about it at all.”
“Trust me, I’ve learned my lesson the hard way. I may not talk about it, but I’m a single mother for a reason.”
Part of me wanted to question Sapphire’s statement, but I didn’t want to intrude.
Whenever she wanted to talk about her situation, I’d be here to listen.
Until then, I wouldn’t pry. As my workday came to an end, I closed and locked the shop.
Sapphire had left about ten minutes before me since I had a few things to finish in my office.
When I got in my car, all I could think about were the oxtails I had slow cooking in the crockpot.
They’d been on for about eight hours and the only thing left for me to do was make the side dishes.
Ten minutes into my drive, I heard a loud pop and my car felt uneven.
Already knowing what happened, I pulled over and assessed the damage.
Like I thought, my front tire on the passenger side was completely flat.
I was pissed because I could look at it and tell I’d have to buy a brand-new tire.
There was a donut in my trunk, but I didn’t know how to change a flat.
Taking my phone out of my purse, I called Mccoy and waited patiently for him to answer.
When the voicemail picked up, I hung up and dialed him again.
I’d talked to him a few hours ago and he told me he was still at the garage working.
Since that was the case, it irritated me that he wasn’t picking up.
“Dammit!” I shouted in frustration as his voicemail played again.
Trying my best to calm down, I sent him a text and got back in my car to wait for a few minutes.
As the minutes passed, there was no call or text back from Mccoy.
He had no idea what was going on with me, but I was so damn angry with him for not answering that I felt like I’d pop at any moment.
The sun was starting to set and I needed to get home.
When I remembered Aaron was home, I called his phone and he answered on the second ring.
“What’s up, planet Earth?” he greeted me when the call connected.
Any other time, I’d go back and forth with him about making fun of my name, but I wasn’t in the mood right now.
“Hey, are you busy? I caught a flat and I’m stuck on the side of the road.”
“Where are you?”
“I’ll send you my location. I’m on Blake Street, not far from the U-Haul.”
After making sure I had everything I needed, Aaron ended the call.
Not even fifteen minutes later, his truck was pulling up behind me.
He hadn’t mentioned anyone else coming with him, so my brows dipped when the passenger door of his truck opened.
I relaxed when I saw it was only Tiffany getting out.
Stepping out of my car, I greeted my siblings and told Aaron what happened.
While he changed my tire, I sat in the truck with Tiffany.
“What’s wrong with you? I can feel your body heat from back there.”
“Nothing. I’m fine.”
“Saturn, don’t lie to me. I’m gonna assume it’s something with Mccoy since you called Aaron to help you.”
“Nothing happened. I called Mccoy and texted him before I called Aaron and he still hasn’t responded or called me back,” I admitted.
“Maybe he’s busy, sis. Cut the man some slack. He damn near lives in your skin. I’m sure there’s a reason he’s not picking up.”
“If that was the case, what’s so hard about picking up and telling me he’s busy? I’d rather him do that instead of ignoring me.”
“He probably doesn’t have his phone. You said he works on cars all day, meaning his hands are occupied. I’m not trying to annoy you any more than you already are. Just want you to calm down before you cause an unnecessary argument,” Tiffany stated as she turned back around.
I focused my attention on Aaron and watched as he finished changing my tire. When he pulled up, he told me he’d order my new tire and put it on at my house. I was grateful because that meant I wouldn’t have to ride on the donut for long.
“Okay. Go straight home. I’m about to stop at Floyd’s, then I’ll be over to you after,” Aaron said when he was back in his truck.
Once I was back in my car, I looked at my phone one last time before pulling off and heading home.
“Thank you, brother. I appreciate you for everything. Do you want me to send you anything?” I asked Aaron after he finished with my car.
Not only had he changed my tire, but he filled my tank and washed it for me. My baby was looking brand new, which put a smile on my face.
“Keep your money, Saturn. If you would’ve had a car before I moved, this wouldn’t be anything new.”
Before I could respond, Mccoy’s truck was pulling into my driveway.
He returned my call about forty-five minutes ago, but I hadn’t answered.
I was still irritated with him and needed more time to cool down.
When he got out of his truck, he walked over to us in his blue work jumpsuit.
Mccoy never met Aaron, but I told him he was back home.
Had I not mentioned my brother being back, I was sure this greeting would’ve gone a little differently.
“What’s up, man?” Mccoy said with his arm extended.
“Aaron, this is my boyfriend, Mccoy. Mccoy, this is my brother, Aaron,” I introduced dryly.
Aaron shook Mccoy’s hand before turning back to me.
“Y’all have a goodnight. Call me if you need anything else, Saturn. I love you.”
“I love you too. Tell our parents I love them as well.”
“I got you.”
When Aaron pulled off, the smile dropped from my face and I turned to head inside. Hearing the barks from Mccoy’s truck, I turned to see him open the door for Sparky.
“What’s the problem and why aren’t you answering your phone?”
“I called you several times earlier and even texted you. I was stranded on the side of the road with a flat tire and you weren’t answering. I have a whole ass man and I had to call my brother to come help me!” I spat.
“First off, please lower your voice. I’m not yelling at you, so don’t do that shit to me.
Secondly, I apologize for not answering.
When you called, my phone was in my desk and I was talking to a potential buyer.
The meeting took longer than I thought because he had a lot of questions.
I called you as soon as I made it back to my phone.
I get why you’re irritated, but baby, you’re actin’ like it’s my fault you caught a flat.
Had I seen your call, I would’ve dropped everything to come help you and you know that. ”
“Whatever,” I said as I walked off.
“So, you just gon’ have an attitude for the rest of the night? I miss your call for the first time since you’ve known me and it’s all this?”
Ignoring him, I continued to move around in my kitchen. My emotions were mixed right now, but my petty side was still in the driver’s seat.
“You don’t hear me talking to you?”
“Nope.”
“Okay, Saturn. You can have it. I’m too fuckin’ tired to be goin’ back and forth with you right now. Especially when I did nothing wrong. I’ll see myself out. I’m glad you made it home safely.”
When the front door slammed, tears streamed down my face.
Since I’d left work, my day had gone to shit.
Spending the evening alone wasn’t something I planned on doing.
Part of me wanted to chase after Mccoy and apologize for being petty, but another part of me knew he probably needed some space after I upset him.
We’d gotten into a few small disagreements, but this was the first time we’d gotten into a full-fledged argument.
As the night went on, I had a chance to calm down and replay what Tiffany had said to me.
She hit the nail right on the head when she said I’d be starting an unnecessary argument.
In all honesty, I knew I owed Mccoy an apology.
Most of my anger stemmed from embarrassment.
My family knew I was dealing with a man, yet I still had to call my brother to help me.
Mccoy had been nothing short of a good man, but I didn’t want anyone questioning me about why he hadn’t been there for me today.
Unlocking my phone, I called Mccoy for the third time in twenty minutes.
This time, he ignored my call after the second ring.
Hanging up, I decided to send a text apologizing.
I’d gotten so used to sleeping with him that I was driving myself crazy.
Mccoy had become a permanent fixture in my life and I didn’t like not having him around.
The two of us were supposed to be cuddled up right now, watching a cheesy movie I picked out.
After that, he’d dick me down so good and we’d fall asleep for the night.
Going to his house crossed my mind more than once, but I didn’t do it since it was so late now.
The thought of catching another flat kept me in the same spot.
More than ten minutes had gone by and he hadn’t replied.
My eyes were barely open and I was getting cold.
Standing from the couch, I turned the TV off and set my alarms before heading to my room.
Still having hope that Mccoy would call or text back, I lay down and put the phone right next to my head so I could hear it go off.
I’d done all that yelling and being mad, all for it to backfire on me.
Sleeping alone with an aching heart I brought on myself wasn’t going to happen again.
Once I got my man back, I wouldn’t let him go unless it was necessary.