Chapter 23
Alijah
AMonth Later . . .
Things between Deshona and me have been easy and almost impossible to believe, given how well it’s been going.
We have developed a routine where we take turns, each of us switching off who cooks dinner.
I find that Deshona loves taking the easy road when it’s her turn to cook but whines if I try to match her energy the next day.
For instance, for dinner last night, Deshona ‘made’ chicken wraps.
But she used a rotisserie chicken she bought at the store, lettuce in a bag, and store-bought ranch dressing.
The only thing that took effort was chopping the tomatoes to put in it.
Everything else was purchased and took no time to throw together.
Meanwhile, she got me making homemade enchiladas with white sauce instead of red tonight.
Like the lovesick fool I am, I didn’t give her any pushback.
But it’s another sign of the hold she has on my heart.
I also prepare her morning coffee and wash her from head to toe in the shower. Although that’s more of a benefit to me than her, as I can’t seem to keep my eyes and hands off her. Deshona is the weakness I didn’t know Kaigood could provide. Big-ups to my new city!
“Alright, Mr. Winifred, you better stop.”
My head flies up from my laptop, and a deep grimace forms when I hear Deshona’s schoolgirl-like giggles.
I tilt my head and look at her like she’s grown two heads since I fucked her against the shower wall this morning.
The hole I stare into her must have penetrated her brain when her eyes connect with mine.
“Okay. Let me know if you need anything else. Have a good day,” Deshona says as she wraps up the call she’s on.
For countless seconds that become a minute, I simply stare without a word as I try to determine if my woman has been invaded by a gargoyle with no feelings.
I turn my head from side to side as I inspect her features like she’s going to become the man from Men in Black, who asks for a pound of sugar in his water.
“What?” Deshona’s face contorts, and I sigh heavily before words flow from my mouth.
“Does Winnie have a dick that makes you cum daily?”
Deshona’s eyes pinch, and her nose twists like she smells a pail of shitty diapers. “Huh? What are you talking about, Alijah?”
“You know what, never mind. You remember who I am. For a second, I thought Winnie was gonna have you begging my dick to stop murdering your pussy tonight. All is well, mama.”
I chuckle like Deshona just told a joke and return to work as if her humor with another man didn’t distract me from the project I should be focused on.
“Alijah.” Deshona says my name like she’s afraid of how I’m going to react or respond as my eyes leave my laptop and return to her.
“Yes, mama. You good?”
Deshona’s mouth opens and closes for a second before she starts mumbling, and all I hear before her words become low is “I need to take my ass to church because pussy should never make a man crazy.”
Yours did and does, mama. Hook, line, and sinker, my ass is gone.
I return my focus to my task as Deshona clicks on the keys of her laptop like she has a score to settle with them.
It doesn’t make me any never mind because hopefully she’ll think of my crazy before she giggles with the next mothafucka.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: The power of pussy will cause you to stuff it, eat it, or marry it.
Deshona is gonna have my ass doing all three before all is said and done.
“I can’t believe I let you talk me into taking a day off and in the middle of the week at that. Most people do Fridays or Mondays off, but Wednesday, this is different,” Deshona says as we head to our destination.
I wanted to ease her back into my loving graces after my lapse in reality not long ago.
I also don’t want her to get comfortable doing the same thing to me that she’s potentially done to the lames who foolishly let her get away.
So, I put in for today off and had Deshona do the same.
I’m on some discovery shit, so what Deshona doesn’t know is that she and I will be having a pamper day.
For the first time ever, I’m gonna have a manicure and pedicure done.
But before that, Deshona and I will have an hour-long couples massage.
“It’s about to be a great time and worth the eight hours of vacation time,” I say.
As I continue to drive to the location for today’s festivities, my mind races as I think about the different ways I’m pouring into this new relationship.
In the past, I have moved to the beat of my lady’s drum.
It’s crazy that I would provide whatever that woman asked but still feel like my needs weren’t being met.
I’m a simple man who doesn’t need much. I’m whole and happy when my woman is.
The way to my heart is through reciprocation of my actions.
Love is and should always be action. Love me through what you show me.
Fucking is easy. But real love is steady, sure, and unapologetic.
For me, love is being seen and heard when there’s a crowd of ten thousand people.
It’s what I feel whenever I look, interact with, or hold Deshona in my arms.
I lose track of time as my mind continues its journey of wayward thoughts and how much I love the woman I’m currently with. I almost miss the building because I'm distracted, making a hard turn at the wheel.
“Oh shit!” Deshona screams as she grabs onto the handle above the passenger window.
“My bad, mama.”
It takes no time for me to park and exit the vehicle as an old track from Major echoes in my head. I open Deshona’s door and help her to her feet before I kiss her lips lightly.
“Mm. What was that for?” Her eyes flutter like bat wings as she stares up at me.
“Just want you to know that today and every day, I choose you.”
“Aw, bae. I love you.”
My chest explodes with fireworks as a crooked smile upturns my lips. I feel like I just won the Stanley Cup, and my ass doesn’t even play the game. But those three words feel like Heaven on Earth.
“I love you more, mama. Come on, we’ve got appointments.”
Deshona’s smile is brighter than the sun as she joins our hands together, and we head to the front entrance of Callista’s Regal Retreat.
“Ooh. This is nice.” Deshona’s mouth drops as her eyes bounce around the front entryway of the spa.
Although I don’t speak, I agree with Deshona’s assessment and am happy that I booked our services here.
The spa is Black-owned, and I can tell the owner definitely wants her customers to catch a vibe from the moment they enter.
There’s a calming, tranquil atmosphere defined by soft beige and blue-gray tones.
A gentle waterfall wall adds a soothing and rhythmic presence that automatically enhances the relaxation vibes.
“Welcome to Callista’s Regal Retreat. My name is Theodora. How can I be of service?” The dark-skinned woman with a blonde buzz cut, big hoop earrings, and a pleasant smile asks once we reach the front desk.
I smile because I know from the website that this is the spa's owner. It tells me a lot about this business when the owner is the one welcoming customers.
“How are you, sweetheart? I—”
“Sweetheart?” Deshona’s voice is one of question and offense as I turn to see her downcast face.
“Chill, mama. You’re the only woman for me,” I tell her before I return my focus to Ms. Theodora who’s trying to fight her low snickers. “Reservation for Dawson, please.”
“No problem,” Ms. Theodora says as she promptly clicks away on her keyboard.
“Ah, yes. You have a full day with us. If you just follow me, I’ll show you to our locker room so you can get changed.
When you’re ready, you can open the door, and someone will take you to your first service.
” Theodora nods and comes from behind the desk to lead us to the locker room.
“What did you sign us up for?” Deshona whispers to me.
“Everything,” I say before I wink at her just as Theodora arrives at an open door.
“Okay, you can remove everything but your underwear. Then put on one of the robes available. Someone will get you as soon as you’re ready,” Theodora says, and then she walks away.
“Ooh, we’re getting a couples massage. I’ve never done this before.”
That’s what the fuck I’m talking about. New beginnings and new experiences around this bitch.
My conscience pumps his fist as I smile before closing the door so we can get this party started.
While I gave Deshona a massage not too long ago, this one should hit differently since it’ll be with a professional.
Taking our clothes off and putting on the robes takes minutes, and I return to the door to open it so they know we’re ready.
“Hello. My name is Melanie. I’m here to take you to your massage,” a light-skinned woman says.
It’s only been a millisecond since I opened the door and took a seat beside Deshona on the bench.
These people don’t play when it comes to great customer service.
I already know before we even have the first service done that Deshona and I will be back.
Deshona and I take a step together when a phone rings from the locker where her belongings are.
“Hold on, let me turn it on vibrate so it doesn’t bother anyone while we get our pamper on.
” Deshona turns and walks back to the locker, then sticks the key in and opens the door.
She pulls her phone out, but her forehead wrinkles in suspense as she turns toward me.
“It’s one of the hospitals in Columbus.”
“Answer it,” I urge.
Deshona nods and connects the call before she greets whoever is on the other end. Her eyes flash with several unreadable expressions as she holds the phone to her ear. I move toward her when a tear falls from her eye.
“Okay. I’ll be there as soon as I can. I live in Kai-Kaigood now. No—mhm. Okay. See you soon.” Deshona’s voice is shaky, and when more tears fall, I step up to her and pull her into me.
“What’s wrong?” My voice is low and soothing.
“My—something is wrong with my mom. I gotta get to Columbus.”
“What hospital?”
“OSU main campus.”
“Say less, mama.”
I’m not sure exactly where the hospital is located, but my navigation system will remove that mystery for me.
I turn to the woman who’s waiting for us and tell her that we have a family emergency and have to leave.
The woman nods and says she’ll let the owner know, then wishes us well before closing the door.
None of it matters to me in this moment.
I understand that I’m about to pay for the services this emergency prevents us from getting, but my mind is on Deshona and getting her to her mom.
We rush to get dressed and are out the door within ten minutes of the phone call.
Deshona’s body shakes lightly with each step we take toward my vehicle, and it increases my adrenaline.
It also doesn’t help that Deshona hasn’t spoken since the call disconnected.
The minute she’s in her seat, her leg shifts from left to right in a hurried motion that somehow incites worry.
I grab her left hand and then hit the freeway toward Columbus.
Just like she took care of me when I was sick, I'm taking care of her now. Hopefully, her mom is ready because Deshona’s future is about to hit the scene.