Obsessed

  The home was smaller, but it was more than what I was asking for. I fell in love with the way the white walls complimented the grey wooden floors. The modern light fixtures paired well with the large windows that allowed the sun to light up the house.    “ I can save some money on the light bill. “ I told my mother as I examined the master bedroom.    “ David, I’ve told you about not turning lights on. Somebody could easily break in and kill you. “ my mother preached as I rolled my eyes.    “ Baby, please let the boy live. “ my father gently caressed her shoulders as she sighed. “ Where is Jonathan? “    We all looked out of the large window at the silver car pulling into the driveway. Emerging from the modern vehicle was this modern man. His milk chocolate skin, glowing against the beams from the sun. His goatee connected perfectly to the rest of his short beard hair. The baby blue shirt and plaid dress pants complimented his body shape and his skin color. The way he walked from his car to the door, he oozed confidence in himself.    “ Jonothan? “ my mother cooed as the front door opened.    You see, Jonothan was a good friend of the family, although I never remember meeting him. I remember our family moving to Atlanta back in two thousand nine, and he was responsible for the house I gave my high school years. Once I graduated, I applied for a job at a styling agency here, and once they saw the potential your boy had, they wanted to send me off to school for business purposes.    “ Jonothan, this is my son, David, as you know? “ my mother eyed the both of us. “ He’s got a good-paying job that’s paying for his schooling. “    “ That’s dope. “ he smiled. I melted inside. “ Seems like yesterday you were just a little kid. “    “ It was cheaper then. “ my father added as we all laughed.    “ I thank you for helpin’ me. It’s been hard tryin’ to find the perfect place. “ I shook his soft, but firm hands.    “ The pleasure is all mine. I have a reputation to maintain around here. “    “ We already looked at everything, checked the pressure of the water, the neighborhood is perfect, so where do we sign? “ my mother rushed.    “ That’s what I love about you, Niecy, always about your business. “    We stood over the white island in the beautiful kitchen and went over everything in the paperwork. I handed Jonothan all the money orders for the payments, along with rent for the first five months. God blessed me with it, so I decided to go ahead and get it out the way.    “ I’m so proud of you, my baby. I can’t believe that you’re moving out already. “ she began to cry.    “ Here we go. “ my dad shook his head before guiding my mother outside into the crisp summer air.    “ Your mom’s right, you don’t find too many young men with their s**t together. “ Jonothan spoke.    “ Well, from one to another. “ I signed my name again.    “ I may look young, but these bones feel the correct age of forty-five. “ he chuckled. I looked up from the papers and he blushed. I smiled.    “ You’re forty-five? “ I pointed to him with the pen.    “ Forty-six in December. “    “ Well, I just hope I age like you. “ I shook my head, returning my attention to the paperwork.    “ I’m sure you will. Where you working? “    “ It’s a private agency by the name of Ebenezer. “ I told him.    “ With Mrs. Marie? “    “ Yep. I’m sure you know her. “    “ Yes, her and I are good friends. She must see something she likes to sponsor you through school. “ he altered the tone of his voice. “ She ain’t the only one. “    “ Did you just.... “    “ No. Naw. “ he looked around, stuffing his hands into his pocket.    “ I can see that ring on your finger, mister, I know you’re happily married. Don’t get yourself caught up. “ I teased him. He rubbed his hands together, licking his lips.    “ What makes you think I’d be hooked on you. “ his shoes clicked against the wood as he walked around the island to stand beside me. The scent of his cologne serenaded my nostrils as that arrogance stood proudly.    “ Not that I should be saying this,” I looked out the window to make sure my parents were still distracted. “ when you got somethin’ that's good as mine, you don’t hand it out to everybody. If I did, I would have a trail of broken hearts following me around. “    “ Okay. “ he nodded, taking his left arm and using it to pull me into him. I moaned softly. I could feel his bulging chest against my back and the throbbing of his d**k in those thick pants. He lightly blew into my ear before speaking.    “ ‘Cause you ‘round here fuckin’ with these lil’ boys. Find you a man. “    He let me go just as my parents walked through the front door. He returned to the opposite side of the island and I just looked at him. That’s all I could do.    “ So, everything good? “ my mother breathed deeply.    “ Everything is good. “ Jonothan reached into his pocket, pulling out the set of golden keys. “ Congratulations, my friend. “ he placed them gently into my hand before winking. “ Why don’t you guys come over for dinner tonight? We have so much catching up to do. “    “ That sounds good to me, how do you feel about that, Ken? “ my mother smiled at my father.    “ If that means I don’t have to slave over a stove, I’m in. “    We locked up my house and returned home before getting ready for Jonothan’s. I couldn’t stop replaying that moment in my head. The way he took control. The heat from his body seemed to suck away every bit of power I had. I have never submitted to someone the way I submitted to him.                  “ David, don’t you give that man no booty! “ my conscience yelled out to me.    That voice was right. He is a married man, and what happened today was unacceptable. I was determined to tell him that as well.    “ David? “ my father knocked on the wall before peeking inside the room.    “ Come on in. “ I chuckled while continuing to fold clothes. “ What’s up, old man? “    “ I’m super proud of you, D. Not just about the job, but about your values and your priorities. Lord knows, your mother and I worked very hard to get where we are now. “    “ And that’s why I work so hard. You two gave me everything, and I must return the favor. “    “ Stop that nonsense, okay? Our job was to raise you to a standard set higher than ours. Once we accomplished that, we were repaid everything that was owed. Go out and live your life for yourself. “ he smiled.    “ I appreciate that, but don’t act like the Mercedes dealership website isn’t pulled up every time I get on the computer. “ he scratched the back of his neck. “ Uh-huh. “    “ That’s not your job, son. “ he tried to argue.    “ I know, dad, but I want to be able to do what you guys did for me. I’ve made up my mind and....... “    “ Yeah, I know how you get. “ he looked at me. “ I’d kill for you, baby boy, you know that? “    “ You almost did, don’t you remember? “ I was referring to the last boy who broke my heart.    “ Why are you always living in the past? “ he dramatically looked at me. “ Be careful, David. You’re a rare gem in a world full of fake diamonds: harness your power. “    “ Thank you. “    We did our signature handshake combination before he exited the room. Once I finished folding the last of the clothes, I stretched across the bed and turned on Shrek Two, and quoted the movie until I dozed off. I was awakened by my mother shaking me and telling me that dinner was ready at Jonothan’s. I got up to take a quick shower before sliding on a basic white t-shirt and some grey sweat pants. I climbed into the backseat of my father's car as he sped off down the street towards Jonothan’s house.    His home wasn’t much different from my parents. Those high ceilings I loved and the open space were common amongst the Atlanta homes. We walked up the cement pathway to the front door.    “ Julius, get your butt down, boy. “ Jonothan yelled before opening the door, flashing us that famous smile. He hugged my mother and dapped my father before the most beautiful woman, aside from my mother and my best friend, I had ever seen came swaying around the corner. She lit up the room with her presence as she greeted my mother and father.    “ I know you ain’t acting scared, David. “ she smiled, walking over to hug me as Jonothan closed the door. Her light scent was captivating as she embraced me, rocking me side to side. “ It’s been so long. “    I walked along with my parents to the front room, sitting down on the comfortable furniture. My mother stopped the running boy, pulling him into her lap and ticking him. His childish giggles made me smile.    “ Don’t get no ideas, Niecy. “ my father told her as she slapped his arm, letting the boy down.    “ Maybe it is time. “ Jonothan’s wife cooed as she handed my mother and father the wine glasses. “ Would you like some water, baby? “ she smiled at me.    “ Yes, please. “    “ Jonothan, bring this baby some water, please? “ she yelled to the kitchen. She sat down on the adjacent couch and waited for Jonothan to return from the kitchen. He appeared with my water in hand, going to sit by his wife.    “ So, Angela, how is everything at the school? “ my mother started.    “ It’s going good. It’s a little hard, but it’s good. How about you, baby? “ she crossed her legs, resting her free hand on Jonothan’s thigh.    “ It’s been good. They want me back in New York, but I just don’t think it’s the right move right now. “ my mother spoke with assurance. “ Plus, I am loving it here in the south. “    “ Yes, it’s definitely beautiful. “ my father added.    The little girl came around the corner and handed me the Barbie doll. Angela politely gestured her off, but I insisted. I love kids, and what I loved even more was being childish with them. She took my hand and guided me into their playing room. She had her pink table set up and was having herself a tea party. There was a stuffed rabbit, a fluffy teddy bear, a unicorn, and a chair for her. I sat Indian style on the floor.    “ Welcome to the restaurant, what can I get you? “ she asked me with her notepad in hand.    “ Do ya’ll have pancakes? “ I asked and she nodded. “ Can I get three, and some bacon and eggs, please? “    “ That’ll be a million dollars. “ she held her hand out and I chuckled.    “ I have to pay now? “ she nodded. I reached into my pocket for air money and placed it in her hand.    “ Coming right up. “    The little boy ran into the room, falling into my lap before I tickled him. My phone vibrated in my pocket. I pulled it out and read the message from my best friend, Jaylin. She’s been booed up with her man all week, so I’m surprised she texted me.    “ Who wants cookies? “ Jonothan asked the children and they immediately ran from the room.    “ I hope you came to tell me dinner is ready, I’m starving. “ I asked with hopeful eyes.    “ Yeah, it’s ready. “ he nodded. “ About earlier today..... “    “ It can’t happen again, Jonothan. You are married with two beautiful children. “ I grunted as I got up from the floor. “ And that wife of yours is too beautiful. “    He walked over to me, cupping my chin and lifting my face towards his.    “ She already know, baby. “