c.1

3286 Words
  I sat on the luxurious couch counting the curse words my father tossed out into the air. I stuffed my mouth with the grape as I laughed, knowing exactly why he was rambling on in the first place.    " Peter has f****d me over numerous times, ‘Mere! I won't stand with him again; I'm not putting my name out there. Do you remember what happened last time? "   I didn't know if ‘Mere could recount the events, but I sure could. My father, out of respect for an old friend who was Cody’s father, came to him for guidance in desperate times. His son was being accused of raping a couple of the women at the sauna downtown. I knew he was guilty, but his father didn’t want to admit it. My father publicly supported him which seemed to work for a while, until the ever so lovely i***t posts a video that immediately goes viral. You tell me what criminal in his right mind records a video of himself performing the criminal act?    " Cheer up, sweetie, we all have our bad days. " my mother spoke, softly. I looked at her with questioning eyes, but I would raise none. She could read anyone as clear as day.    " That's the thing, ma', I don't have bad days. Elijah Dexter just doesn't have bad days. I've lost my touch, I'm forgetting to put something in that brew that creates these stories. "     I recounted physically and mentally the steps I had taken once I received that check in the mail. I was disappointed! More than that, stuck in disbelief. Maybe they had the wrong address? Maybe they had the wrong man? In black bold letters, To Elijah Dexter stained the top of the check with an Ariel font.    " It’s your realism, baby. It's something that I've always admired about your work. Your ability to put yourself in any situation as if you’ve cruised through it first hand. " she smiled, lightening the attack that she had just made. “ Besides, I don’t even know why you took that deal. You’re better than that company. “    " Your words, not mine. " I shook my head. I didn’t want to admit that she was right, but she was. Not just about the deal, but about the book in general. It was difficult writing with them constantly down my throat, changing and, undercutting. It frustrated me.    " Well," she sighed. " just pray about it. God will reveal your answer sooner than later. " she kissed me on my forehead and departed to the kitchen.    I sat up, sighing deeply as I heard my father release the same frustrated sigh. I could feel his stare upon me, but I wouldn’t dare look him in his eyes.    " Everything good? " I asked him, sitting back on the couch.    " Hell no. Stuck with stupid again. He's got himself into more trouble, and they think supporting him could help me win the election. "    " Tell me how that's going to work? " I was very intrigued.    " You see, I've never been a favorite of Peters' kin. They hated me from the beginning, saying that I stole the old man's job. We all knew before he ran that they would never put him in office. He knows the mistakes that he's made, and he's trying to bargain them into an offer. “ he explained. “He holds that last twenty-five percent that I need and he knows it. “    " You're not really considering this, are you? " I could tell from the look in his eyes that he genuinely was. I scoffed.    " You just don't understand, Elijah, I was doing good work. Work that has yet to be finished. Work that can help this entire community. I can't do that work if I don't win! "    " And you won’t win if you support and defend Cody. Peter can bride his way through the media outlets, but every person living in this city knows what his son has done. He’s a rapist, dad! “ I ranted.    " Well, what do you suggest? "    I really didn't know what to say, and he took exactly what I wanted him to from my silence. He patted me on the back, moving from the couch and into the kitchen with my mother. I grabbed my car keys, walking towards the front door. As I grabbed the doorknob, I remembered why I came over in the first place.    " That reminds me, Keenan and Erica will be in town tomorrow. It’s been a while since you’ve both talked to them, and I think it would do some good. " They were both marveled at that statement, but my mother wore a completely different expression. Her sudden worry translated into something different for my father. He was working on a plan. Quickly!    " That's it! Elijah, you are the man! " my father ran off, obviously in star-struck excitement. I didn't even want to know what it could possibly be. I kissed my mother on her cheek, exited the house, and climbed into my Jeep Wrangler.    Later that night at home, I thought about what my mother had said. For the past hour, I had listed every possible idea that could reincarnate my work. They have potential, but they made no sense. I wanted so badly to overturn the coffee table, but I had to compose myself. Never let anger get the best of you. I smiled at my old colleague's words. I missed my college days. So eager and daring to explore. I was unstoppable. We were unstoppable. Two peas in a pod. That was the first man that I had ever loved, and I hated the way we left things.    Suddenly there was a knock at the door, which startled me. I rose from the couch, looking through the peephole and out at the female version of myself. I could tell from the expression on her face that she was aggravated.    " Why are you here a day early? " I asked her, opening the door as she immediately pushed past me, plopping face-first onto the couch.    " I'm not early, it's twelve o'clock in the morning. " she informed me. As I was ready to argue against it, I looked at the clock which proudly displayed twelve-fifteen. " Why are you up so late? Wait, let me guess, working on another chump change book? "    I picked up the pillow, tossing it over at her as she caught it, bringing it to her chest. " Shut up. "    " I love you, baby bro, so it pains me to say that your last book was s**t. "    " Tell me something I don't know. " I walked into the kitchen, grabbing a glass out of the cabinet and placing it on the counter. " Have you eaten? "    " Nope, my next move was to raid your fridge. Whatcha' got? " she scavenged through the tupperware until she found the lasagna. She let out an accomplished huff. " Gosh, I love it when you cook this stuff. Maybe I should give up meat if this is an everyday thing. "    " Please, you couldn't stop chasing d**k if your life depended on it. "    She slowly stopped licking her stained fingers, looking at me with a very serious expression. I gulped, attempting to prepare myself for what she could do next.    " You're right. " she chuckled, lightly. " So, how have you been? "    " Pretty good, and you? " I poured the cold almond milk into the glass.    " Been good. Did I tell you about the meeting? " she suddenly remembered.    " No, you didn't. "    " Well, " she placed the cold plate into the microwave, pressing the white buttons as the monotone beeps echoed through the kitchen. " I'll be going to Paris soon, just not sure when. They want to launch us international but they want to make sure that there is an audience out there. "    " Smart. Black girl cosmetics are not easy to sell. "    " In these times especially, but I've been in the lab working. I wanted to ask you; do you think there is a possible way I can play into all skin colors without losing the whole 'black girl' notion? " I looked at her sideways, confused as to why she could even ask me this.    " Erica, you sound ignorant. Not every black woman is the same skin tone; not even the same skin type. Never forget that some black people could even pass as other races. Play into that. It's all about your marketing, and from what you've asked me, they're doing a shitty job. " I walked away from the kitchen, slightly pressured by her question.    " I wasn't trying to upset you, philanthropist, I was just asking a legit question. " she removed her food from the microwave, grabbing a fork and going to work on the lasagna. " You talked to mother and father? "    " I hate it when you say it like that. " I rolled my eyes. "And I went as far as visiting them, okay? You and Keenan should do the same." I sassed.    " Please. I bet they both had strokes from you telling them we were coming. " she chuckled, lightly.    " Mom did, but dad started running around like he was on an episode of Maury. "    " I bet it involves a meeting with some of those snobby ass political people. Telling me how to vote and live my life. " she sat next to me, smacking and slurping on the noodles.    " That's the last thing I need right now. " I sat back on the couch, flipping through the channels on television, settling for The Parker's reruns. " What happened to you and v****a slayer? "    " I'm surprised you haven't written a book about that. That's a story that could last a lifetime. " she shook her head. " He's in Germany playing basketball and I'm back to being happy. "    " Are you out here sleeping around? "    " You know me so well, Elijah. " she smiled with no shame. " It's not like I'm sleeping with everybody, this one guy has been very consistent. "    I scoffed. " Like that makes it any better. "    " Well, at least I'm getting some action. I bet if someone flipped you over, there'd be cobwebs all over that hole of yours. " she joked.    " I hate you so much! " I formed my hands into a circle, shaking as if I was choking her. She rolled her eyes, turning her attention to the television. " When the right one comes along....... "    " Yeah, yeah, yeah, you'll know, hell, we all will. You need to let one of those uppity senate people of dad's wine and dine you. " she pointed at me with the fork.     " And get attached, only to get cheated on and end up looking stupid like their wives? "    " Exactly. "    " I don't have time for this, I'm going to bed. "    I got up from the couch and stomped upstairs to my bedroom. I pulled my comforter back, sliding underneath the warm covers, and rested my head on the pillow. I knew tonight would be dreadful as my thoughts wouldn't sit still. I grabbed my phone, suddenly being struck with an idea that made sense. Maybe I could masturbate and it would send me to dream town. I clicked on the web icon and began the long journey searching for the perfect video. Almost ten minutes later, I smiled to myself as I was face to face with one of my favorite videos.   " Make sure you clean up, too. " Erica spoke through the door, causing me to chuckle lightly.    The next morning, I woke up to the familiar smell of breakfast, but it wasn't my breakfast or Erica's. It was my mother's breakfast. I interestingly got out of bed, walking downstairs to the kitchen. As I began to walk past the wall to the kitchen, I noticed someone sitting down and watching television in the front room. I had to do a double-take, seeing that it was Keenan.    " You and dad have that same peanut-shaped head. " I told him.    " Shut up. I like what you've done to the place. "    " Thanks. Mom here? "    " Yeah, she's in the kitchen trying not to stress out. "    I shook my head, going towards the kitchen and looking at my mother as she beat the eggs, turning the bowl over and pouring them into the skillet.    " Oh, hey baby! Don't worry about this, I have you some French toast in the oven now. The hashbrowns are frying and I had your father bring me some vegan sausage. "    " Where is he, by the way? "    " He and 'Mere are having a meeting. That's our whole reason for having breakfast this morning. " she smiled, happily.    " And you couldn't do this at your house? "    " Nope. Didn't feel like cleaning up my kitchen. "    " Well what do you think you're about to do? " she looked at me as I rolled my eyes, walking away and returning upstairs.    " I love these towels, what are these made out of? " Erica asked, opening the bathroom door as the steam encompassed her body, leaving the closed area.    " Egyptian cotton. "    " I may have to get me some. " she walked past me and I continued to my bedroom. I looked over at my idea wall, disappointed at how bare it was. I couldn't keep it clean at one point, but here I am now, struggling to find my next money maker. I unplugged my phone from it’s charging port, scrolling through the many notifications from my social media. I clicked on a f******k message from an old friend of mine. The first man I ever loved. I see you're famous now?    I smiled, widely.  I'm working on it.    I saw the three dots in the grey bubble pop up and quickly clicked off the conversation.  What are you up to today?  Breakfast with the family. My dad wants to talk with us, but that's about it.  Meet me at your favorite sandwich place? For brunch?  Sure. I'll text you when I'm heading there. Bet.    " Alright brats, breakfast is on the table! Ya'll hurry up! " my mother yelled.    As we all sat down at the glass table, my father burst through the door. He walked straight past us and into the kitchen, grabbing the dishes of food and helping my mother place them onto the table.   " Don't place those plants by me, you know Elijah is the only one that eats that mess. " Keenan teased playfully.    " And look at my body. " I grabbed a sausage, taking a bite out of it and childishly rolling my neck.    " Sick of you. " my sister reached for the grits but was slapped on the hand by my mother.    " You know better. We bless the food first. " she scolded, then lowered her head and began to pray. " Dear heavenly Father, we thank you for allowing all of us to be gathered here in your name. We thank you for safe travels for my daughter Erica, and my son Keenan. We pray that this food serves as nourishment to our bodies and that family is nourishment to our souls. In Jesus' name, amen. "    " Amen. "    " Ma, is this fresh squeezed? " Erica asked her, referring to the orange juice.    " You know I do the most. " my mother reached for the sausage.    " So why are we here, dad? " Keenan asked.    " For one, I felt that it would be nice to all sit down and have breakfast. Two, I finally figured out how I'll win this election." he spoke with pride.    " Riddle me. " my mother spoke.    " Well, as you all know, I've kept you hidden from the public eye for a reason. It's because I want you all to enjoy your lives and your privacy. I never wanted you to experience the reluctance of walking out of your front door. The reporters and cameras really take a toll on a person if they're not strong enough to handle it. " he explained.    " It's not like we don't go through that now. " I brought up.    " True, but being in the actual game is a different experience. " he said. " There's a formal dinner next Friday at eight o'clock, and we all will be in attendance. Yes, I'm telling and not asking. " he looked at Erica as we all chuckled. She negated her retaliation by rolling her eyes.    " I get to put on a suit and be sexy. "    We finished our breakfast as dad humored us with stories about reporters. After much debate, I did end up cleaning the dishes as Keenan helped. He wasn't as talkative as he normally is, and that worried me. Three hours later, I texted Anthony to let him know that I was on my way to The Shack and he replied with a wink face. I checked my reflection once more in the mirror, dancing as I maneuvered my way downstairs. I jumped into my car, driving the short distance to The Plaza where The Shack was located. I saw him standing outside in his simple white t-shirt and his blue jeans. He still looked incredible!    “ I should have known that was you, Dexter. “ he smiled as I approached him. He pulled me in for a tight hug as I pulled into his scent. The smell sparked flashbacks of our college days.   “ How have you been, you look good? “ I started.   “ Me? You’re the one glowing. “ I blushed a little. “ But I’m good, how about you? “    “ I’ve seen better days, but I’m blessed. “    “ That’s good. After you? “ he held the door open for me as I walked inside. The cashier’s face lit up as I smiled at her.   " Dexter, it's been forever. " Audrey cooed.   " You know I don't get out of the house much. " all three of us shared a laugh.   We ordered our food and moved aside, taking a seat in the wooden booths. He couldn't stop looking at me and the feeling was mutual. The sun seemed to kiss his skin and brighten it the more I admired him.   " You're still writing? " he sipped the water through his straw.   " Yes, I'm still writing. At a little crossroads, but I will get there. What about you? "   " I'm married now. "   Well, there goes that! I smiled, awkwardly as I began to notice the small details that I had missed. How the hell could I miss them? The gold wedding band on his finger, the gold necklace that spelled 'Rodrick' in a script font. He even had a damn tattoo.   " That's wonderful, Anthony, really. " I took a long drink from my water. I mentally scanned through all of the questions that I had, asking myself which would be appropriate.   " Yeah, we met right after you left. We started dating a year after that. "   I started to do the math in my head to calculate the timeline, but what difference would it make? He was happy, I could tell, and it was my fault for getting my hopes up.   " That's wonderful. " I nodded.   " Mr. Dexter? " Audrey called.   " I'll go and get it. "
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