Chapter Fourteen
A Penny, Plans, and a Papa
G enesis stretched her legs over Roman’s lap. They were enjoying a lazy evening after a takeout dinner of deep-dish pizza with extra sauce, in the comfort of her clean and neat living room. The smell of fresh Pine Sol and lavender scented Air Wick diffusers tinted the air, while Night Court reruns from the 1980s played on the television.
“Well then, who is your favorite comedian since you don’t find him funny?” she asked.
“Oh, there’s plenty,” he responded matter-of-factly. “I like Bill Burr, he’s one of my favorites. I also like—”
“Who is Bill Burr?”
“You’ve never heard of Bill Burr?! He’s a White guy. A famous stand-up comedian.”
“Oh, that narrows it down. I know exactly who you’re talking about now,” she countered sarcastically.
Roman playfully lunged at her, causing her to slide halfway off the couch. After she regained her bearings and resituated herself, he continued.
“I like Marlon Wayans. I also liked Robin Williams. Dave Chappelle is funny sometimes, too, but my all-time favorite is Deon Cole.”
“Deon Cole? From the Old Spice commercials? That’s what you think is funny?”
“He’s not just some deodorant commercial actor. He’s a true comedian. Have you seen him on the stage? In person? He’s hilarious.”
“No, I haven’t.” She popped a piece of popcorn in her mouth. “I haven’t been to many comedy shows in general. I used to go to music concerts often, but nowadays, not so much. Do you want something else to drink?” She pointed to his empty glass of cola.
“No, I’m good.” He leaned forward, invading her personal space with a sinister smile. “How about we get down to business, and I collect on what you promised me?” His erection was pushing firmly between her thighs, and she shuddered when he slipped his hand to the zipper of her jeans. Just then, her doorbell rang. They both looked at one another. Stopped dead in their tracks. The doorbell rang once again, followed by a few knocks.
“Are you expecting someone?” Roman’s eyebrow shot up in apparent annoyance and confusion.
“No.”
“Well, are you going to get that?” he whispered. “Or are we both going to just sit here, looking goofily at each other?!”
She slipped from beneath him, leapt off of the couch and walked to the door, then peered out the hole.
“Oh my God,” she muttered, then unlocked the door and opened it. “Tony, what are you doing here?”
Tony burst in, a big smile on his face as he held a dark bottle of wine in a crumpled white paper bag. His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked like he hadn’t slept in days.
“Now is that any way to greet your brother?” He walked past her, tossed his oversized gray jacket onto the back of a chair, slipped out of his sneakers, and made his way into the living room.
What in the Tom Hill hell is going on here?! This doesn’t make sense. He knows I have company ! Tony had called her a few hours earlier, out of the blue, asking what she was up to, and she’d said Roman was stopping by. He’d just wanted to check up on her. Bullshit. Now, here his ass was, too. Roman sat there with his shoes and socks off, his shirt partially unbuttoned, and a strange darkness in his eyes. The two men glared at one another, as if they were strangers breaking into the same house.
“Heeeey, Romey Rome Rome Rome!” Tony broke his silence, and the longtime friends slapped hands.
Roman stroked his chin as he scowled at the man.
“Hey, Tony. What’s up?” Roman’s aggravation was palpable.
“Ohhh, my sister here hasn’t come by the ponderosa in a while, and I thought I’d drop in! I had record sales last month. I figured, why not stop by? Wanted to celebrate!”
Genesis sucked her teeth and plopped back down on the couch. Tony wedged his body between theirs, forcing the couch to dip and sigh as he became a third wheel. In recent past, he seemed at peace with her and Roman dating so his behavior however, was odd causing her bewilderment to grow by the second.
He leaned forward and placed his bag of wine on the coffee table, then wrapped his arms around them both, bringing them in for an awkward hug. Tony bestowed a kiss atop both of their heads.
“Don’t do that, man.” Roman muttered before jerking away.
A few seconds passed. Then a few more.
“…IF YOU DON’T GET YO’ ASS OUTTA MY APARTMENT, TONY!” Genesis roared. “I swear! I told you that Roman was comin’ by, and then you—”
Tony burst out laughing, holding his stomach. “I knew you wouldn’t find this funny, but for real, guys, I was just in the neighborhood and wanted to stop by.” He tossed up his hands as if it were no big deal. She knew her brother… something was off. Very off. Even for Tony, this made no sense. “I’ll be gone soon, I promise. Also figured you’d be happy about my good news.”
“I’m happy about your good news. Now please leave.” Perhaps a bit of tough love would force him to tell the truth behind his visit? She got up and crossed her arms.
His smile faded like a pencil mistake erased on paper.
Tony looked sheepishly around the apartment, as if he didn’t quite want to depart. His gaze then landed on a pair of pink panties and matching bra that were sitting on the dining room table, along with a bottle of perfume, body spray, and lotion, the bag that they had been bought in right beside the items. Roman had stopped by Victoria’s Secret and purchased them for her on his way over. Just because.
Tony’s eyes turned to reddened slits, and his jaw tightened as his attention was glued to the lingerie. He flexed his fingers, then folded them, making a tight fist.
“Tony… TONY!” She snapped him out of whatever murderous plans he may have been sewing in that head of his.
“Oh, yeah.” Her brother forced a smile. “I, uh, I guess I’ll get going. I can… hmmm… see y’all are busy.” He slowly got to his feet.
“That’s great about your sales month,” Roman offered, leaning back against the couch and crossing his ankles. Flexing his toes.
“…Thanks.”
“I’m not surprised. Your coffee flavors are unique and consistent, Tony. The customer service is always superb, and—”
“Penny and I are havin’ problems,” Tony blurted, cutting him off.
Everyone was quiet, except for the television which was playing the theme song to Night Court as a fresh episode began.
“Havin’ problems?” Genesis asked, her chest growing warm with concern. “Like what?”
Tony sniffed, leaned against the back of the couch, and lowered his head while giving a loud exhale. “She’s been takin’ large sums of money out of our joint account without me knowing. She claims that her mother needed it, and she didn’t think I’d understand. But you don’t just withdraw $16,400 without tellin’ your husband!” He tossed up his hands. “I found out about it today, right after I went to the bank to deposit some money from the shop. I looked back over the last few months, and this isn’t the first time she took out a sizable amount of cash without discussing it with me first. I… I couldn’t believe it.”
Genesis shot Roman a look, then walked over to her brother. She placed her hands around his arms, drawing him in for a hug.
“Tony, I’m sorry about this. Regardless of how I feel about Penny, I want y’all to work it out. I know you two love each other. Communication is key, but she probably was afraid to tell you, just like you said. You have a bit of a temper. I mean,” she shrugged, “I’m not trying to beat you while you’re down, but I could see her feeling intimidated about that.”
“Genesis, she should’ve told me!”
“I agree with you! You are a hundred percent right, Tony, but that doesn’t mean she’s lying, or that her reasons for keepin’ it a secret were not legit. Go home and talk to your wife.”
“I can’t…” There was an edge to his voice.
“What do you mean, you can’t?”
Tony looked off into a corner. “We got into a huge argument about it. She packed a bag and left the house. I had… I had, bought that wine for her.” He pointed to the bag still sitting on the coffee table. “I wanted to celebrate last month’s gains. Tell her the good news. It’s her favorite.”
Genesis sighed, searching her mind for the right thing to say. Penny was a good mother, but all and all, she was still an asshole. Tony could be difficult at times, stubborn and what not, but he was a good man. She knew without a doubt that they’d been in love for years. She hated that they were at odds.
“You can still give it to her. Look, Tony, couples fight. You know that. This is a matter of poor communication and broken trust. Cooler heads will prevail.” She wasn’t so certain of that, but she damn sure hoped so. Tony didn’t look convinced.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt y’all night. I knew though that my best friend and my sister was over here, together, and I’m so mad and confused about this, that uh, I just, I just didn’t want to be alone. Y’all are two of the few people who can keep me calm when somethin’ fucked up happens. Regardless, I shouldn’t have popped in on y’all like this.”
Genesis looked at Roman and it took all of her composure to keep from laughing. The man’s face said it all. He glared at her, no doubt knowing she was about to cave and invite Tony to stay. His face screamed, DON’T DO IT! FOR THE LOVE OF MY DICK, DON’T DO IT! Just moments earlier, she’d promised that she was going to try on the lingerie for him. Now, from the look on his face, he realized all of that was going down the drain. Fast.
“Tony, have you tried to call her?” she asked.
“Yeah. Going straight to voicemail. She’s got the kids with her, too.” His voice was soft but alarmed.
“Did Penny say why her mother needed that money?” From Genesis’ recollection, Penny’s mother had a gambling problem. That was even more cause for concern.
Tony ran his hand over his 360 waves. “She said she was behind on her bills and was going to lose her car and house. Her house that I bought her and paid the mortgage on for the first year as a gift. That was plenty of time to save up.” Anger was engraved on his words. “Looks like no good deed goes unpunished.”
“Well, no disrespect, but, uh, your wife has got a lot of fuckin’ nerve not taking your calls and marchin’ out the door like she was the one who was done wrong. $16,400 is significant enough to make a big deal about. She’s manipulating you, man. I’ll take more of that Coke after all, baby.”
“Roman, you’re not helping.” Now she was shooting the warning glances.
“Oh, I’m helping, all right. This is your brother, but also my friend. Penny is tryna mindfuck him. Call your mother-in-law. Get to the bottom of this.”
“That’s actually not a bad idea.”
“It is a bad idea. Don’t drag your mother-in-law into this until you talk to your wife, Tony. We know how that’ll go. It’ll be two against one.”
“They’re not the victims, Genesis! They’re the perpetrators.” Roman declared.
“WRONG! Y’all ain’t in the marines no more! This isn’t war! This is his wife.”
“Same difference right about now. Tony, she means well, but don’t listen to Genesis.”
“Roman,” she shook her finger at him, “don’t speak about me like I’m not here.”
“Well then, don’t tell him to tiptoe around this shit. Communication and trust?! You wanna talk about communication and trust, huh? She gave almost seventeen grand to his mother-in-law, who hates his guts! The fuck?! NAW! Somebody got some ’splainin’ to do!”
“I know, man! She acted like I was in the wrong.” Tony pointed at himself.
Genesis could clearly see now that the only person that was outnumbered, the third wheel currently, was her. She tried to dance in between a bromance to no avail. These two motherfuckers had bonded over man-shit, and bro-code. There was nowhere to retreat.
“Look, if you need the money back, I can write you a check or send it to your bank account electronically right now.”
“Roman, no. I’m straight.” Tony waved him off. “You gave me the seed money for my shop all those years ago, and that’s enough.”
“Yeah, but you paid me back, with interest. This won’t be a loan. I can—”
“I can get the money back—that’s not my biggest concern.”
“Well then, what’s the issue?” Roman asked.
“Penny has a spending problem.”
Roman burst out laughing. His limbs gave way, and he turned into an overcooked noodle right there before her eyes.
“Roman, I know you’re not laughing right now!” She put her hand on her hip. The man had a horrible habit of finding humor in things that others may have been thinking as well, but didn’t dare say. “I know with everything you told me about your mother, she didn’t raise you like this! Show some compassion! This is my brother.”
“Don’t get all sanctimonious,” Roman said in a deep tone. “I know who the hell it is standing here, Gen. I knew him before I knew you , so don’t stand there acting like some saint, either.” She felt her face flushing with heat. “I can’t believe you’re reprimanding me, when just the other day, you called your sister-in-law, ‘Penny Unwise’. You said she kinda looked like the clown from IT, too, when she wore a bright red wig.”
“This is not the time to bring that up!” Her entire body was on fire. She wanted to leap over the couch and let the Devil use her.
“A, Tony, I can cheer you up, man.” Roman turned towards the poor soul, mirth in his eyes. “I know it was a lot of money… cost you a pretty penny… Penny said, ‘All the money floats away here!’” He said in a faux Pennywise voice, sounding just like the horrific horror character from the movie. “Your money’ll float, too!” And there it was. Roman was slumped on the couch, turning red and laughing his ass off from his horrible joke and mockery of such a wretched situation. “Hey Georgie! George Washington on the one-dollar bill, that is! ‘I’ll feast on your funds!’ Funds instead of flesh! Get it?! This shit just writes itself!” He was practically sprawled out onto the floor now, unable to catch his breath, and slapping his leg.
Genesis brought her hands to her face and slowly closed her eyes. She then shot Roman a glance between her spread fingers, letting him wordlessly know that she’d be organizing his beheading later.
She dropped her hands and turned back to her brother who stood there motionless, as if someone had picked up a remote control and put him on pause. “Tony, I’m sorry. Yes, I said those things that Roman is now using in his unsolicited comedy routine, and he will pay dearly for that.” She shot him another sharp look. He can forget about getting any pussy tonight, tomorrow, or next week! “I don’t like Penny and never pretended to, but I was always at least cordial, and yes, I called her Penny Un-Wise, but that—”
“I’m, I’m sorry, too, Tony!” Roman chuckled all the louder, interrupting her. Tony remained quiet. Too quiet. “But see, what got me going was when you said, ‘Penny has a spendin’ problem.’ … and her name is Penny… Bwahahahaha!!!” Roman fell into a fit of obscenely obnoxious giggles, doubling over. Damn clown! He’s the REAL Pennywise!
And then the damnedest thing happened… Tony smiled—a faint, straggly smile. It was as if he were trying to suppress his amusement, even if his own misfortune was the butt of his best friend’s joke. The damnedest thing—Roman seemed to know some hidden code to break through Tony’s anger. A key to turn an invisible lock. Maybe the bro-code was legit? Something about Roman’s high-pitched jovial laugh made it all the worse.
“A, A, Tony, look on the bright side. A Penny saved is a Penny earned.” Roman was now coughing from laughing so much. Genesis covered her mouth tighter, to keep from following suit. “…And don’t worry about the fight y’all had. They say a bad penny always comes back.” Roman could barely get the words out before he was drowning in a fit of giggles again. Trifling ass.
“I’ll leave,” Tony announced, then headed to the door where his shoes were placed.
“No, Tony, don’t go.” Genesis sauntered after him and pulled him by the shoulder. He spun around to face her with the same dejected look on his face. “Seriously, if you need to stay here with me and your non-supportive, immature, cackle-box of a no-good, pun-addicted friend who won’t be getting laid for at least a month, please do.”
“Stay with us, man. You definitely cock blocked, but it’s cool. I want you here. I know you love her and feel bad. It’ll work out between you and your wife. Just let things cool off. I was just tryna lighten the mood. That’s what friends are for.” Roman patted the couch, inviting him back over.
Tony smiled at that. It wasn’t long before Genesis had the Uno cards out, three glasses of wine poured, a fresh bowl of buttery popcorn served, and some rap music playing. She glanced at the men. Nothing in this world could tear these two apart. Tony admitted that Roman lifted his spirits, in spite of his pain. As they discussed their past shenanigans, it became obvious Roman had a way of melting a person’s problems away, at least for a short while. He was magnetic and possessed a beautiful way of bringing even complex emotional issues into perspective, even laughing in the face of his own pain. And now, he could teach those closest to him how to do the same.
Something about this moment was absolutely captivating. Special. The two men she cared for most were sitting right in front of her, supporting one another and mending broken hearts. Imprinting this day in her mind, she then tossed down a draw four…
…A few days later
Roman slid his Rolex off his wrist. Unbuttoning his shirt, he watched Genesis lying on one of the two long tables in the massage parlor. Her hair was pinned up and a towel was wrapped around her ass. It stopped at her upper thighs, leaving her legs and feet exposed. Her body appeared so supple and smooth as candles flickered, soft music played, and two masseuses set out additional supplies for their pleasure. One of them asked him to undress in a thick European accent, announcing they’d be back in a couple of minutes.
He’d arranged for them to have a couples’ massage date, surprising her first with a large bouquet of flowers, her favorite white-chocolate-covered strawberries, and a five-star lunch on the river. Removing his pants and underwear, he loosely wrapped a towel around his waist before lying down across from her.
“Are you ready to be nice and relaxed?” he asked.
She turned her head to face him, a big, pretty smile on her gorgeous face.
“Mmm hmmm, but I know when they get started it’s going to send me to Lully Byland, snoring and drooling. I can’t wait.” He chuckled at that. He watched her slowly close her eyes. A minute or so passed, and he couldn’t keep the truth to himself anymore.
“…I’m in love with you.”
She quickly turned back to him, her eyes now three times their normal size. Before she could respond, there was a light tap at the door.
“Is it okay to come in?”
“Yes,” they both answered at the same time, neither of them breaking eye contact from one another. “Come on in,” he finished the thought.
Moments later, they were both receiving the royal treatment. The smells of coconut and lime filled the room, and the bubbling of a large indoor stone fountain rolled with the enchanting instrumental new age music. Massage oils made their limbs glisten and deep tissue massaging relaxed every muscle in his body. Competent hands turned him into gelatin. It seemed his girlfriend was undergoing the same heavenly experience.
Forty-five minutes later, the masseuses had completed the job, thanked them, and dismissed themselves. So relaxed, he and Genesis were moving like snails getting dressed, both looking like shimmering beings of putty. Once they finished, Genesis approached him and wrapped her arms around him.
She pressed her lips against his in a searing and passionate kiss. His nature began to rise. He kissed her right back, falling into the moment. Then, he reluctantly broke her lovely hold on him, encouraging her to gather her jacket and purse. They retreated from the spa hand in hand, and he opened the passenger’s side of his car, allowing her inside.
Good Neighbours’, ‘Home’ played on the radio. She reached for his hand, and he obliged. The quiet was peace. The quiet was pain. He’d fallen in love—a beautifully unexpected thing. As he’d said those words, he realized they were the truest thing he’d said in a long time—worth more than gold. More than all of the money in the world. His heart was full of diamonds and cash stacked to the ceiling. She was green and sparkly, gold and shimmering. Genesis was the beginning to his never-ending story.
He couldn’t wait to stroke her pages.
Drifting off the highway, he made his way to a secluded area where he knew people would go fishing every now and again. Overgrown brush, pebbly back roads.
Genesis looked about, confusion on her face.
“Where are we?”
He ignored her and began disrobing, making his intentions clear. She looked around.
“We’re way off the main road, and my windows are tinted. Nobody can see in here unless I roll the window down,” he reassured as he reached down and pulled his rock-hard dick out of his boxer briefs, then slipped them off, tossing them onto the floorboard. Within a couple short minutes, he had the silky-smooth woman lowered on her seat, his tongue deep inside of her mouth, and their naked warm bodies sliding against one another. Emotional Oranges’, ‘West Coast Love’ ebbed from his pulsing speakers as he wrapped his hand firmly around her breasts, then fed from the soft, irresistible mounds. Her body glided and swayed against his as he released her taut nipple and sucked on her neck.
She moaned and stroked the back of his hair while he tasted her tender flesh.
“I could just eat you all up. Everything about you is so fuckin’ delicious.”
“Don’t forget the cherry on top.”
He drifted down her body, maneuvering expertly in the tight confines of the car. Once he reached his desired location, he quickly buried his face between her hot thighs and groaned as she gyrated her hips and sprang against his fervent tongue.
“I love how you eat my pussy, baby!” She screamed out his name, dispensing her gratefulness into his mouth. Clear juice gushed from her beautiful, wet pussy, squirting like a small spring of water. She shook and bucked so fast and hard, he had to pin her down with both hands as her aftershocks rendered her helpless. When she settled, he pressed his body against hers and looked into her eyes. Her body melted against his and he hoped that her world, just like her body, would soon be filled with him.
He slipped his hand between their needy bodies, gripped his dick and pushed deep inside of her. Nice and slow.
She sank her nails in his bare skin as he sank deeper inside of her. He sensed her squelching a scream of pleasure by biting on her lower lip. He rode her bottomlessly in measured thrusts, his eyes on her, falling under her spell.
“God, your pussy is so damn good, baby,” he whispered into her ear as he shuddered, the feeling so amazing, he fought the urge to explode. The wet, warm world he swam in took him under. She was used to him now, and he loved the way her pussy bent to his shape and width, as if she were made just for him. She was a warm, taut cocoon of lust and comfort. This woman’s pussy needs to be framed. A work of fuckin’ art. That grip! DAMN! She wrapped her legs tightly around him while they kissed each other as if their lives depended on it. Her walls caressed and squeezed him, almost bringing him to climax before he was ready to surrender. The pleasure was extreme, unadulterated, and explosive.
“…Mmmmm! You feel so good inside of me, baby!” She twisted and churned, her eyes watering as she exploded into a series of back-to-back orgasms. He sucked her lower lips when she calmed, pacing himself, knowing the end was near. His defenses were weakening when she took his earlobe into her mouth. Her warm, moist tongue sucked on his tender flesh. He had this thing about his earlobes, and she’d found out one morning by pure luck.
“Uhhh… Uhhhh… I’m gonna cum. Can I cum inside of you, baby?”
“Yes!”
Genesis was on birth control even though they typically used condoms. This time, he would release his love within her. An honor and a privilege… He lunged and pumped harder, rocking the car as he ruthlessly fucked her, chasing his climax to the finish line.
“Shit! Oh, shit, Roman!” She held on for dear life as he grabbed her hips, kissed her hard, and let his seed flood her like hot honey.
“Uhhh! Uhhhh…” He kept pumping until he had nothing left. Not a drop to spare.
She gasped as he kept moving, wishing he could have her like this always. They kissed softly while they came down from their sensual highs. They lay there for a bit, soft and sticky, the car smelling of sex and beautiful lust. He shifted then, grabbing a handful of wet wipes from the glove compartment, and helped her clean up. Once they were both dressed, he zipped up his pants, put on his seat belt, and drove out of the barren area. The sun was starting to set, the sky in shades of lavender and jade.
He turned to a different station, and Dead Prez’s, ‘Hip Hop’ boomed through the speakers. After the song was over, he turned down the music.
“Are you thirsty?” he asked, shooting her a glance. “You want some coffee, baby?”
“Yeah. Thanks.” She coughed and readjusted her shirt. A few minutes later, he pulled into a Starbucks drive thru and ordered her favorite drink without her having to remind him.
“Let me get a Grande caramel macchiato, extra foam, two percent milk, steamed, two vanilla pumps, extra caramel, and three shots of espresso.” He also ordered a tall Veranda blend for himself.
They soon arrived back at his penthouse, laughing and messing with one another while on the elevator. He disarmed the security system and entered his dwelling with her right by his side. By now, she knew the drill. She removed her shoes and got comfortable. She had a small bag of items that she left there for overnight visits. A toothbrush, travel sized hair items and toiletries, bras, panties, tampons, a couple of nightgowns, and a few shirts and pants.
He placed their drinks on the bedroom nightstands, hers on the left one, where she typically slept when staying the night. They took a long, hot shower together to the tune of soft instrumental jazz music—kissing, hugging and being totally enamored with one another. The hot water washed over him as he held her close, resting his chin against the top of her head. Giving her a crown like she so deserved. She felt so good, like she belonged there. Like she was everything that was missing from his life. Once they were finished and all dried off, she lotioned her body, and slipped into one of her nightgowns. He put on dark red underwear, combed his hair away from his face, brushed his teeth, and gargled with mouthwash. Getting comfortable under the thick sheets, he turned on the television and surfed stations as she finished up by brushing her teeth and doing whatever it was women do when they’re alone in the restroom after a long day of leisure and fun.
“There you are.” His heart leapt in his chest when she finally opened the bathroom door and turned off the light. “Come here.” He smiled at her as she made her way over, pulling her damp braids. She snuggled close to him, and he wrapped his arm around her, never wanting to let her go. “I know you just bathed, but even when you are working out with me or just laying around, you smell so nice. How in the hell do you always smell so good no matter what? I love that about you.”
She smiled up at him, then blessed him with a soft kiss on the lips. He rested his forehead against hers, ran his fingers through her hair, and it wasn’t long before her nightgown was hiked up to her hips, and he was fucking her as if it was their first time. He flipped her over, his need and desire for her unable to be tamed. She bit into the pillow as he took her from behind, and when he came, he kissed her neck, inhaling her perfume and jerking within her… his dick jolting as it did its last lap inside of her.
“Mmmm, baby,” he groaned. “I can’t stop fucking you…”
It wasn’t long before he had another erection and was ready to make love once more.
She clawed at the headboard as he had another go at her, cumming once again, filling her pussy with his manly cream. He lay alongside her, completely and utterly exhausted. It was late now, and she was back in the restroom cleaning up the mess he’d made. Genesis was extremely good in bed. She was sexually open and expressive. She enjoyed providing pleasure, such as sucking him off with enthusiasm, and allowed him to do pretty much whatever he wished. She also enjoyed reciprocal dirty talk and made him feel like a damn king. She was the epitome of a freak in the sheets, and a lady in the streets. She also was into cleaning up afterwards. Meticulous about such things. He’d cum in her so much that day, he figured she’d be tending to herself for hours. He chuckled lightly at the thought of it…
She returned within a few minutes, looking as beautiful as ever. They drank their coffees, even though the drinks had sat there far too long, now cold. He didn’t care, for he had all he wanted and needed was right next to him. He half watched the news as she fell asleep against his chest. He felt himself drifting asleep, too. It couldn’t have been much later when his cellphone suddenly rang, startling him from his slumber. He was available twenty-four-seven for work, but he rarely got a call this late at night, even for business. Once he leaned forward and grabbed his phone, he saw who it was, and his stomach dropped.
“Mama, it’s eleven at night. What’s wrong?” He slowly sat up, careful to not wake Genesis.
Mama was tearful, choked up. He could barely understand what she was saying.
“Mama, calm down. Tell me what’s going on?”
“Honey, I hate to call you this late at night, but… I had to! I got… I got a call from the prison where your father is, ’bout ten minutes ago.” Genesis grunted and sighed in her sleep. “Reeves… he was attacked.”
“Attacked? By who?!”
“Another inmate choked him, and when he fought back and got the better of him, the guy sliced his throat!”
“Oh, God, no! Is he still breathin’?! Mama, please don’t tell me my daddy is dead!”
“He ain’t dead, but accordin’ to the folks, since he had me listed as an emergency contact still, he ain’t far from it.”
“SHIT! FUCK! Where is he right now?!” Roman scrambled out of the bed, his mind a jumble. He held the phone tight to his ear as he yanked open various drawers to find some clothes.
“At the hospital. He’s in surgery. I feared this! I had one of my dreams. I have—”
“Mama, text me the name of the hospital. It’ll take too long to drive there like I usually do. I’m on my way down there as soon as I can book a flight. I’ll call you back when I know more.”
He abruptly ended the call and heard Genesis calling out to him, but it was like he’d landed in a wind tunnel. Everything around him looked bleak. His body, previously super relaxed and sexually satisfied, was now tense as he fought the urge to vomit. Waves of adrenaline soared within him, and a headache set in.
“Roman!”
He stopped in his tracks, imagining he looked rather insane at that moment. He had one sock on and was looking for the other. He soon realized the damn thing was in his hand.
“…Roman,” she repeated, getting out of the bed. “I heard everything.” She wrapped her arms around him, but he couldn’t hug her back. He couldn’t respond. Everything within him was in war mode. At that very moment, he was a soldier. He needed to fight. He needed to beat this bad dream to death. “I’m coming with you.”
“No!”
“I knew you’d say that, but I am anyway. You’re so angry, you look like you’re about to kill someone! Let me help you.”
“Help me with what , Genesis?! My father ain’t no spring chicken! Some fucker tried to murder my daddy, and now he’s fightin’ for his life! There ain’t a damn thing you can do!”
Genesis didn’t say another word as he raced to his closet, snatched a Nike duffle bag off one of the shelves, and shoved extra clothing and what not inside of it. Genesis was sitting on the side of the bed, on the phone, completely dressed, texting someone, while simultaneously speaking in a low calm voice to someone else, too. He didn’t have time to investigate what she was doing, or to argue with her.
“Hey, you can stay here, or I can call you an Uber, but I have to go. Like right now.” He hated feeling out of control, his emotions on full display. He hated how vulnerable this made him. His world crashing down all around him—with an audience.
“With all the love and due respect, Roman, please shut up and just listen.” She held up her hand. “I just booked us both a red-eye flight. It leaves from here in a little under two hours. I remember what prison you said your father was at, Angola State Penitentiary, so I got us as close to that parish as possible. More than likely, they took him to the nearest hospital. I also texted your assistant just now to let her know you had a family emergency and won’t be in. I then texted my boss to say I needed a few days off for a personal matter. My bag is packed, the tickets are secure, let’s roll.” She pointed to the bag in question.
He wanted to argue with her, tell her that this wasn’t anything she needed to be a part of, but the way she was sitting there looking at him, and with all she’d accomplished in ten minutes, let him know it would do no good. Genesis would not take ‘no’ again for an answer, no matter what language he said it in.
“Okay. Let’s go,” he surrendered. She got up, her overnight bag jammed with things.
She approached him as he leaned against the wall and put on his shoes. She rubbed his back. He stiffened once again at her touch. His nerves were on fire, and someone had to pay. Someone had to see their fucking life flash before their eyes, and then die a slow, horrible death. Whoever was responsible, he was going to hurt them, come hell or high water.
“Roman, listen to me. Whatever is going on, whatever happens, I’ve got you .” She kissed his cheek. This time, he didn’t feel the need to jerk away. This time, he thawed against her warm touch. “Now come on. Give me your keys to any car you’ve got that you feel comfortable with me being behind the wheel. I’m drivin’. This isn’t up for discussion…”
This concludes part 1 of this double novel.