Epilogue
Jamal
“Come on, babies,” Geo tried coaxing our animals into our house, but they weren’t having it.
They sat on the front porch, ignoring his efforts to get them to cross the threshold.
It was an interesting thing to witness; they usually hung on his every word.
“I know our walk wasn’t as long as it normally is, but your daddies have to get to our dinner plans. ”
Nearly from the moment Geo and I moved into our modest ranch-style home in a suburb outside of town, he hinted that he would like a pet of the furry variety.
Not that he didn’t love Swim Shady, but he said he wanted to adopt a couple of animals which he could snuggle and take for walks, and who needed extra love and attention.
His sweet words were impossible to resist.
And so, we adopted a tabby cat who Geo named Catt Damon, and a beagle mix puppy he dubbed Paw Revere, because he just couldn’t decide between the two. And since the night we brought them home, Geo and I took our ‘fur babies’ on the same walk every evening.
We made a big loop around the housing development, waving at and making small talk with our neighbors. We got along with everyone we lived next to, and had even grown close enough to a few to have cook outs with them every now and then.
Granted, we did get a few questioning looks when we first moved in, but we were quickly accepted. I think it was due to Geo’s charm and kindness. The cookies he baked and passed out to the neighborhood probably didn’t hurt either. My man was a wonderful cook.
But tonight, the pets were agitated that our walk was cut short, because Geo and I had dinner plans with Sharice and her fiance Kendra. The pair had invited us to their townhouse, which was in the city close to Kendra’s medical practice, to celebrate their engagement.
After Geo learned of Sharice and how important she was to me, he wanted to meet her, and the two became fast friends. Kendra was an amazing woman as well; kind, intelligent, and funny, and fit into our little group perfectly. We went on double dates often.
If everything went according to plan, we’d be celebrating another engagement very soon.
I was a bit frustrated with Kendra, as she beat me to the punch in proposing while I was waiting for the perfect moment, but I couldn’t stay mad at her; especially given how well she treated my friend.
I would give them their time in the spotlight, but would be popping the question to Geo very soon.
The ring I bought months ago was growing heavier in my pocket every day.
I even had Geo’s parents’ blessing to propose to him, which was a shock to me.
At first, they weren’t my biggest fans; I moved Geo out of their house, meaning he was no longer there to watch over and care for the property.
And I encouraged him to follow his dreams, and helped him apply to cosmetology school.
Even though Geo was halfway through his first year of school and absolutely loving it and thriving, in the beginning, they were furious that their son left a prestigious company to ‘go wash dirty hair.’
But they changed their tune when I became a partner at the firm. I climbed the corporate ladder more quickly than anyone else in company history. And apparently, having a future son-in-law as a business mogul made up for their son’s ‘indiscretions’.
Geo didn’t mind his parents’ lack of enthusiasm over his career choice. He figured he would never fully have their approval anyway, so he may as well do something that made him happy.
Plus, he knew I couldn’t possibly be prouder of him.
I loved listening to his stories about class when he got home every day, and I even let him practice painting my toenails.
I’d do anything to see him smile. I couldn’t wait until he graduated and would live his dream every day.
And even though he was still a student, he already had a string of steady clients who came to him.
I had no doubt he would be highly sought after, and make more money than his parents ever dreamed he could.
Not that it mattered, but it was the principle.
“What if I give you extra treats?” Geo bribed the animals.
It worked. The pair leapt over the threshold and bounded towards the kitchen as Geo chuckled, jogging behind them.
Those two were obsessed with treats; probably because Geo lovingly made them by hand, claiming they were healthier that way.
The healthy option and the nightly walks were probably the only reasons our pets’ stomachs didn’t drag the ground when they walked.
I still couldn’t believe Catt Damon joined us on walks in the first place.
I didn’t know felines would even do such a thing.
But Geo said he couldn’t bring himself to spend time with one pet and not the other, so with some cheese and sweet words, he coaxed the cat into a harness.
And from that first day, he never looked back.
He loved the walks just as much as Paw. That, or he loved the treats he knew he got afterwards.
Either way, he trotted along happily with us every evening.
“Wait just a minute,” Geo giggled as the two jumped up, pawing at his thighs.
“I’ve got to put your brother back first.” Ever the sweetheart, Geo couldn’t leave any of his animal friends behind.
Every evening, he lowered a glass bowl into Swim Shady’s tank, and the fish happily swam inside it.
My man was a damn animal whisperer. Not only did he train a fish, but Swim actually seemed to enjoy the walks.
He paid attention to his surroundings, and lapped his bowl when neighbors told him hello.
I wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t repeatedly see it with my own eyes.
While Geo hustled into the living room to put Swim back into his tank (and undoubtedly treat him with extra flakes), I removed the harnesses from Paw and Catt. They didn’t jump on me; they knew where their bread was buttered.
As soon as Geo returned to the kitchen, the duo went nuts, meowing and barking and jumping like lunatics as my man just giggled and fed them each a handful of snacks.
Once the lid was back on the jar, the animals were done with him as well.
They trotted away, going about their own business, which probably meant naps.
“I need a shower after that walk,” Geo announced, turning a sultry smile on me. “You know, it would probably save time if we shower together.”
I knew damn well it wouldn’t. Just like every other time we showered together, it would surely turn into a wet, grabby, manic lovemaking session. Lucky me.
“Good idea.” I took his lips in a fiery kiss, dipping my tongue into his mouth and teasing the naughty times about to be had. Geo broke away and grabbed my hand, pulling me towards the bathroom as I laughed behind him.
I was constantly laughing and smiling, and why wouldn’t I? I had everything I ever wanted in life; respect in a career I worked so hard to achieve, a warm home filled with love and surrounded by accepting, friendly neighbors, and of course, the best partner I could ever imagine.
Geo and I encouraged one another, pushing each other to achieve our dreams and become better people.
Our relationship was built on trust, mutual respect, playfulness, and boundless adoration.
I was blessed to have a man who loved and appreciated not only the skin I was in, but the heart beating beneath it.
I couldn’t be happier, or more excited to love him for a lifetime.
Thank you for reading “The Skin I’m In”! I hope you enjoyed the story. If you did, please consider leaving a review.