9. Blythe #2
“Stop playing Blythe. Did it get spicy?”
“Oh, no it didn’t. He grabbed my wrist.” Her eyebrows lifted and I chuckled at her expression. “Surprisingly it didn’t bother me as much as it usually does to be touched.”
“Oh, you like him.” She pointed her manicured finger in my direction.
“What, why would you assume that. No, I don’t. He aggravates my soul and you know that.”
“I know what you tell me, but can’t nobody touch you without you being ready to shove they head through a wall, including me.
But Pharaoh’s tall, dark, handsome ass comes around and can damn near bound you to the X in your playroom.
” She spoke dramatically. Laughing out loud I covered my mouth remembering where we were.
“You are doing too much.” I chuckled. “I said he grabbed my wrist, not sexed me down.”
“Shit might as well have. That’s the closest you have ever been to intimacy and allowed it.”
“Whatever.” I shrugged her off and continued my workout. She was right, but I wouldn’t admit it.
Pharaoh was indeed the first person to make me feel something different. For years I didn’t feel anything for the opposite sex besides anger. Men have shown over and over they are worthless. Pharaoh may be the same but only time will tell. I secretly hoped he was different.
After my work out I stopped at my Aunt Ruby’s favorite bakery before heading home to shower and change.
I was having dinner with her like we did every month.
She was my mom’s one and only sibling and they were thick as thieves.
Since my mom was away, she was the only family I had left, and my mother requested I find time for her.
The compromise was a monthly dinner at her place.
It wasn’t that bad every time we got together but I was always reminded of my brother.
When my mom was sentenced, I stayed with Aunt Ruby.
My brother was already there, and it was good being around him every day again.
She didn’t have children of her own, so she treated us like we were hers.
She drove us to school, took us to church on Sundays and helped my big brother get through his senior year with straight A’s.
He was accepted into several colleges and chose to stay in state with his best friend.
He owed his success to my aunt, and he showed it by calling her ma.
I often wondered if it bothered my mom that he was so attached to aunt ruby. If she was, she never showed it. She always smiled when he talked about her and encouraged him to lean on her when she couldn’t be there. She said we were all we had and it was important to stick together.
“Hey Scott, how are you?”
“Blythe the beauty. Hello.” The baker smiled at me.
He had known my aunt for years and she introduced us.
Now I come once a month to pick up our dessert.
“I have your cake ready.” He ran to the back to retrieve it.
I looked into the display case salivating at all the desserts.
I had a mean sweet tooth, and this was not helping it at all.
The chime above the door dinged and I looked over to see who was walking in.
My body heated and my pulse quickened. Pharaoh walked in wearing a college crew neck, jeans and Retro’s.
He looked even better than the display of sweets.
We made eye contact and I didn’t know what to say.
My words were caught in my throat, so I waved like an idiot.
“Hey.” He spoke walking toward me.
“Hi.” Came out in a whisper.
“How are you?” He eased in next to me and placed a gentle hand to the small of my back. A chill pricked at my arms, and I couldn’t control my deep inhale. His touch felt calming, almost perfect and right. I shook it off and cleared my throat quickly.
“I’m good. I want to apologize actually.” My words were cut off when the door chimed again.
“P momma said get carrot cake. Oh hi.” I smiled at the pretty brown chick that walked in and stood next to Pharaoh.
“Thea this is Blythe. She works for the firm. Blythe this is my baby sister Thea.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“You too.” I reached and shook her small hand. Her infectious smile made me smile.
“Here we are my beauty. Tell Ruby I miss seeing her.” Scott placed the cake in my hand and tapped my nose.
I smiled and thanked him. Pharaoh finally removed his hand from my skin, and I felt the disconnect instantly.
The lack of intimacy made me sad momentarily.
I made my way to the door before looking at him one last time.
I gave him a half smile before walking out the door confused as hell.
“There’s my favorite girl.” Aunt Ruby walked towards me with her arms open wide.
My body heated instantly at the thought of the embrace coming.
She didn’t know of my dislike of being touched.
Every time I saw her, she hugged me tightly and held me until she felt it was enough.
I didn’t want to disrespect the woman that helped raise us, so I tolerated the embrace.
“Hey Auntie.” I patted her back and pulled away gently.
I could feel my body heating up and I just wanted space.
“What are you cooking? It smells so good.” I followed her to her massive kitchen.
She did some remodeling a year after my brothers passing.
She said she could never move because the house held so many memories of my brother.
She always had the strongest attachment to him and oddly he had the same attachment to her.
“Oh, you know me. All the stuff they say makes you thick in the right places. Wash your hands baby girl. It’s all hot and ready.
” I nodded and made my way down the hall to the guest bathroom.
I scrubbed up to my elbows and splashed cold water on my face.
Monthly dinners in this house were always tough. It forced me to think of my brother.
“You can do this B.” I looked in the mirror giving myself a pep talk. I walked out and made my way down the hall. Family photos lined the walls. Majority of them with Brayden in it.
“Come on girl, the food getting cold and I’m starving.” I rushed into the dining room and sat next to her.
Everything was laid out like thanksgiving dinner. Catfish, green beans, spaghetti, dinner rolls, and her famous sweet tea and lemonade. I salivated thinking about all of it. But I was craving sweets so the cake would be the most satisfying.
“I spoke with your momma. She is hopeful to be getting out of that shitty place soon.” My aunt placed her napkin in her lap and started grabbing dishes. She had just blessed the food and wasted no time talking my ear off.
“Yes, her lawyer believes she has a good chance. The previous judge on her case withdrew. I think they are looking to get judge Ramsey on it.” She nodded her understanding.
“I am really proud of you baby girl. And I am sure your mother is too.” She patted my hand and gripped it in hers. She paused before continuing. “Blythe, love, I never got to say I’m sorry for.”
“Mmm hmm, nope. We are not going there, auntie. Our time together is happiness. We are not revisiting the past. I am okay and none of it is your fault.”
“But are you okay? Really? You don’t seem happy.
You wear dark clothes, bury yourself in work and never smile.
Hell, I’ve never even heard you hint about a man.
” I took a sip from my glass. The sweetness of the tea felt like velvet going down it was so good.
It also was a distraction from her words.
Everyone had an interest all of a sudden in my love life.
“I know baby. You are private and keep to yourself, I just worry. I want you to know what it feels like to be loved by a good man, hell, be touched just right by the perfect man.” My mind drifted to Pharaoh and the way he gently kissed my wrist. The way it sent shivers through me.
How warm his large hands felt bounding my wrist together in place so I wouldn’t pull away.
The way he looked at me asking permission but also demanding I agree.
Was he the one to love and touch me just right?
I spent the next two hours enjoying my aunt’s company and distracting my brain from thoughts of Pharaoh. It was actually the best dinner we have had, and I am glad I came. Things seemed to be a little brighter lately and I was here for the needed change.
“Oh, Blythe baby before you go, a letter was dropped off here for you.” I watched my aunt move away quickly, her wide hips causing her motions to be intensified.
I stood back thinking about how much her and my momma looked just alike.
You would think they were twins. She returned quickly and placed the red envelope in my hand.
It was just like the one I took off my windshield the other day.
I thanked her and stuffed it in my purse. I would open it later when I had some free time. Right now, I just wanted to go home kick my feet up and watch law and order SVU until I get tired.
“Thank you, auntie. I love you.” She pulled me in hugging me tight.
“I love you too baby. Be safe.”