10. Journee
I’m scrolling social media, minding my business, when an inbox notification pops up on my screen.
Nostalgia and curiosity make me pause when I see the name on my screen.
Of all the names BN could set for his identification, this one stuns and irritates me.
Not to mention the profile picture of him crouching down in a position synonymous with jailhouse poses.
He’s wearing netted pants and a pink-and-white flower shirt.
The buttons are undone, and his chest is out as my eyes attempt to make out the ink on his chest.
“Well, I declare,” I say, sounding like my great aunt as my fingers move unconsciously to open the messages awaiting.
Big Bussy Noble:
Aye, I’m still waiting for your ass. What’s good?
Ducking and dodging me won’t make me go away. I’ve been to your little business twice, and each time your guard dog has blocked access. Let’s be adult about this shit, Journee.
I roll my eyes harder than physically possible when the new message pops up, because, if nothing else, BN must have gained another three inches during his jail stay.
“Little dick having ass,” I grumble.
It wasn’t little when you rode it like a mechanical bull. Maybe that was the day you got pregnant, proving that weenies still fulfill appetites.
I growl and exit the inbox without answering BN, my attitude increasing tenfold.
I have no clue why he’s all of a sudden interested in his child after giving us his butt to kiss for four years.
I swear God doesn’t make men like he used to.
Back in the day, His creations got the upper echelon brand of ingredients.
I can only assume He took a nap the day BN’s turn to be formed came.
I log off social media and get ready to toss my phone beside me when it rings.
“If this mofo is calling me, I swear I’m about to crashout.”
“Look, Mommy. Minnie.” Milan’s excited voice reminds me of why I was scrolling in the first place as she points to the TV.
We’re in my room, and Milan is watching the girl and boy mice on Disney Channel.
I’m over it as this particular show has been a constant staple in Milan’s world since she was a baby.
It’s so bad that I can almost recite one of the episodes verbatim.
I pick up my phone, and a sloppy grin forms when I see the name on the screen. Without hesitation, I answer.
“Hey. You didn’t get enough of me earlier?”
Sincere’s low chuckle radiates throughout my body as goosebumps pop on my arms. Butterflies dance in my stomach as I wet my dry lips and await his reply.
“Never. I just thought that since you’re the reason for me still being at the office, you should keep me company.”
I giggle like a girl with a teenage love affair as I cover my mouth, and my chest expands with merriment. My body feels lighter than moments ago as I shift Milan so I can get more comfortable for this conversation.
“I’m sorry. I’ll gladly keep you company because that BLT had me in a chokehold the rest of the day.”
“What happened to ‘I know you ain’t come in here with a BLT’?” Sincere’s voice rises in a fake, feminine, offensive tone that sends me into a fit of giggles.
“Ssh, Mommy. Too roud.” Milan looks at me like she’s ready to fight me as I shake my head.
“Sorry, baby. How about you stay here and watch your show? I’ll go to the couch.”
“Yesh.” Milan co-signs.
Deep masculine chuckles pierce the line as I maneuver my way out of my bed so Milan can watch her program while I talk to Sincere.
Lord, please let him have a long schlong with enough girth to make me feel it the morning after. Please let him be more than a five-minute brother.
If you don’t shift your thoughts back to a place of conscious, you’re gonna know something, Journee Marie.
I laugh low because that chastisement sounded like Mom and was very necessary, since I was definitely about to petition the Most High to be something devilish.
But I blame Sincere, and his voice got me out here trying to be like Charlotte when she had to come up with new words to keep Wilbur out of the smokehouse.
Radiant. Nah, that ain’t masculine enough.
My mind swirls with words as I try to find a descriptor for how Sincere’s voice makes me feel. I plop down on my couch a second later and curl my right leg under my butt as I get comfortable.
“From Sweet Face’s tone, I can only imagine what her face looked like. It’s also quiet, so I’m assuming you’ve made it to time out.”
“I mean. She looked at me like she wanted to beat me up for disturbing her peace. Mind you, her little butt invaded my bed. But does she care about the logistics?”
“Nope.” Sincere’s reply has me nodding in agreement as I shift the conversation.
“Exactly. So, this case must be major to have you at the office at seven?”
“It ain’t nothing major, but I was unfocused, which meant I still have some things to review to be ready for the morning.”
Intrigue fills me because I’ve been single since Milan, and before that, I was with BN.
A man like Sincere is out of my wheelhouse.
But obviously, something about me makes him want to be in my presence.
So the last thing I’m going to do is waste my time talking myself out of this blessing that God saw fit to provide.
It’s about time that I pick from the top of the tree because those crab apples at the bottom have caused enough stomachaches.
“I know you can’t give me any names, but who’s the worst defendant you’ve had?”
“For the sake of this story, I’m going to reference him as Coyote. That way, I can keep my integrity, and you can get your answer. How does that sound?”
I rub my hands together and nod with a cheesy grin before I realize that Sincere can’t see me.
“I like it. So, what did Coyote do to receive the worst award?”
“He led KPD to him by posting his plans on their social media forum. Somehow, he thought that the site was fake and that he could share in explicit detail what he was about to do.”
My mouth drops, and my eyes blink continuously because I know nobody is that clueless or foolish.
“Are you serious?”
“As a person who prefers to eat a bloody and still mooing ribeye. Coyote was planning to rob a local corner store and thought that he could get some help with his plans by sharing them on the site.”
My mouth opens and closes as I sit in utter amazement at the low intelligence of some people in this world.
Clearly, Coyote spends too much time watching TV, or all of his childhood crayons were broken whenever he got a new box.
I listen with bated breath as Sincere continues with the story.
By the time he’s done, all I can do is shake my head.
“You actually walked that man into KPD?” I ask before my giggles replace my question when Sincere answers.
“I sure did. His mother passed him off to me like she was an innkeeper at the zoo. Out here embarrassing that poor woman like that. She couldn’t show her face at the church she attends for two months fooling with him and his mess.”
“Why? Everybody knows that adult kids often do things contrary to how you raised them.”
“That’s the thing. She had been telling the congregation that he was in seminary and about to become an assistant pastor. She’s the pastor.”
That information had me laughing hard enough to break my ribs, with tears sliding from my eyes unchecked. Sincere joins in, and it takes me a couple of minutes to get myself together.
“Wow. Not the pastor lying to her congregants.”
“Yes, she did. It was a wild time. Now, I make sure to interview potential clients before I take them on. I ain’t got time for mess. These folks are doing more than I have time for.”
“I know that’s right. Better you than me because I couldn’t do it.”
Sincere and I continue our conversation, and I forget he’s still at work until he announces his departure to whoever I assume is a security guard. I take note of the time and become giddy because I can’t recall being on a call with a man so long without getting bored.
“I’m gonna let you go so you can get some rest. But before I do, would it be too forward if I ask you out on a date?”
Hell no. Ask me. Ask me.
“It wouldn’t be forward at all.” I can hear the smile in my voice, but there’s nothing I can do to stop or prevent it.
My heart rate escalates, and I’m about to run a marathon without any formal training as the seconds tick by. I hold my breath in anticipation, and thankfully, Sincere puts me out of my misery a second later.
“Will you go out with me, Journee?”
“I will.” Those are two of the breathiest words I’ve spoken, which is crazy since I had Milan naturally.
“You just made my late night worth it. I’m gonna let you know, but sleep well because I definitely will.”
Two seconds later, the call has ended, and I’m walking back to my room like I’m on a cloud.
Euphoria fills me with adrenaline, sure to keep me up another hour.
I walk into my bedroom and cover my mouth as I giggle at the sight of Milan slumped in my bed.
Her hand holds up her little head, and her left leg is crossed over her right thigh.
It’s a position I’ve often seen from Mom, and it’s crazy how subtly my baby is being influenced by it.
I walk to the bed, gently pick Milan up, and creep to her room so she can sleep comfortably in her bed.
While I love my baby, she’s not the best person to sleep with.
I have woken up to more backaches from being kicked during the night, and thanks to Sincere, I need tonight to end the way I feel: elated.
Once I’m back in my room, I plug my phone up and then head to the shower with thoughts on Sincere and when our first date will be.
My mind takes me back to the night we danced, and excitement fills me when I remember how it felt to be in his arms. My heartbeat synced with his, and my security expanded in spades with one slow dance.
It had me fantasizing about things I hadn’t imagined before, such as what it would be like to be his.
It was reckless because I didn’t know anything beyond his familial ties and his career choice.
But I stayed in his arms with my eyes closed, the music offering me an opportunity to dream.
Thoughts of Sincere made my shower longer than usual.
I found myself contemplating using my hands to put out the fire in my lower half.
But I’m sick of touching myself. I want to be touched by a man.
I rinse the soap from my body, turn off the shower, and step out with tension in my shoulders.
Being single isn’t always the flex some believe it to be, especially when the time has been as long as mine.
The only good thing is my desire not to settle for mediocrity and my slight fear that, post-BN, I won’t be able to have a one-night stand.
With my body draped in a towel, I reenter my room as my phone chimes. My eyes pinch as I walk to the nightstand to check to see who’s on my phone at this time of night. My left hand grips the towel as my right struggles to unlock the phone so I can read the new message.
Sincere:
I made it home. Put me on your calendar for Friday night. We can work out the specifics tomorrow.
My nipples pebble as I bite the corner of my lip after reading Sincere’s text. Just when I thought I would be able to easily go to bed. All I can hope is that the date ends in a kiss that gives me several reasons to fantasize about what’s coming next for us.