Planning
1889 Words
Honor
I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind going a hundred miles an hour, and I couldn’t catch one thought.
Too much, too perky, too mommish. I picked up my phone. It was 2 a.m., still no calls, no texts.
Ten minutes later, I heard the front door open. I rolled to my side, so my back was to the bedroom door. He didn’t need to know I was awake. I didn’t want to talk to him. If I confronted him now, I might say things I didn’t mean. I heard his footsteps coming upstairs.
I listened to him breathe and undress. I listened as he went to the bathroom and did his business. I listened as he brushed his teeth and gargled mouthwash. Did he notice I didn’t leave some in the small paper cup for him like I usually did when he came home late, and I was already sleeping?
He climbed into bed with a heavy sigh. He rolled towards me and wrapped his arm around my waist. He pulled me into him tighter. Greg was a cuddler. I just lay there not reacting. He kissed my shoulder and then rested his head on my pillow next to mine.
I wanted to elbow him and tell him to get off me, that he was too clingy, that he breathed too loudly, and that he was too damn hot. But I didn’t. I just stayed still until he started snoring. I waited a little longer, then I took his arm off of me and scooted away from him. Thanking God, we have a king-size bed.
At six, I got up. I knew he wouldn’t be getting up because he didn’t have to go into the office since his court time was at one. I went to the bathroom, did my hair a little funky today, spiking it up into a small mohawk. I did my lips into a bold, deep wine red, almost black stain. I put on thick eyeliner and some glitter shadow. If I was too much, I was going to be too much.
I went to my closet and put on a pair of jean shorts that I knew the bottom of my ass cheeks hung out of. Greg didn’t like it when I dressed too provocatively in public. He says I am a lady and should act and dress like one. I put on a black tank top and no bra. Did I care if my n*****s got hard and people stared? Nope, because I was an in-your-face type of girl, apparently. Last but not least, I had some pointy stiletto boots that made my 5’10 frame 6’3, f**k you very much. I then grabbed a large duffel bag and filled it with my lace underwear and bras, leaving only my full-bottom cotton panties and practical bras. I packed all my sundresses, including the one I just made. Then I packed five pairs of shoes, leaving three behind. Some T-shirts and leggings went next.
The bag was stuffed and heavy. I looked at the man I was in love with, but my eyes started to sting. No, not right now. I walked out of the room, down the stairs, grabbed my keys, bag, and phone, and I was out the door. I had a plan.
First things first. I needed to find a place to stay. Luckily, I have a friend named Stacy who's a real estate agent. I met her, her wife, her husband, and three little kids at the beach with CeeCee four years ago. CeeCee and I were having a girls' day. We had just graduated from high school, and the cutest little light-skinned boy with blue eyes and caramel-colored hair came up to me and climbed into my lap. He was four or five, and he just looked at me, smiled, and sat.
I was shocked at first, but he just snuggled in and fell asleep in my arms. There were a lot of kids and parents on the beach. But nearby was a gorgeous redhead with an hourglass figure, building a sandcastle with a light-skinned, reddish-brown-haired little girl with pretty green eyes and a light-skinned little boy with curly black hair and gray eyes. The kids all looked similar despite the different hair and eye colors.
CeeCee looked over too and, under her breath, she said, “f**k, she’s hot.”
“Excuse me,” I said. The woman looked over, then her eyes dropped to my lap, and she started laughing.
“I’m sorry. He does that. He’s our little flirt. Just finds beautiful women and falls asleep in their laps. Do you mind? I can take him, if it makes you uncomfortable.”
“No, not if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all, we’re used to it.”
“We?”
“My wife and husband, they’re around here somewhere, probably off f.u.c.k.i.n.g,” she spelled out.
“Mom, I can spell,” the black-haired little boy said.
“Me too, mommy,” the little girl said.
“Oh, well, I forgot I have two genius kids.”
The kids chuckled.
“There's daddy and mommy,” the little girl said, pointing.
“Daaamn,” both CeeCee and I said at the same time. She for the woman, and me for the man.
The redhead next to us started laughing.
“Yep, that reaction is common.”
“Hey, baby, I see our boy found himself another lap to rest in,” the man said.
The redhead chuckled.
She introduced herself as Mazy, and her husband and wife as Stacy and Darius. Their kids were Nico, Josie, and the one in my lap was Victor.
We all hit it off really well. I’ve even babysat the kids a few times over the years. Now here I was walking up to the real estate agency that Stacy owned.
I walked in and took off my sunglasses. Several people looked over. I got the once-over from very interested males, but before they could walk over to me, a squeal came from the back, and the click of very fast heels approached. I smiled, and Stacy ran towards me, arms outstretched. She was a little thing with curves for days.
“Hey, gorgeous. She said with a hug.”
“Damn, Stace, why do you always get all the hot chicks?”
“Duh, Chris, because I’m hot,” she said with a giggle and a wink. She was the cutest.
“Come on, let’s go to my office. What brings you here? Not that, I’m not happy to see you. Victor is constantly asking when he can see his Auntie Honor.”
I chuckled. “I know, I’ve been busy. I miss him, Nico, and Josie. You’ll have to let me have them for a sleepover when I get settled. I need a place. An apartment or condo, even a penthouse, whatever you have got, just not a house.”
“I have a condo, fully furnished, on the beach in Hollywood.”
“Can I get into it today?”
“Yeah. It’s empty because it’s mine.”
“Can I pay rent, or are you looking to sell?”
“Rent is fine, is $2000 okay? It’s a 2-bedroom, three-bath, with an open concept.”
“$2000? Why are you giving me a discount?”
“Well, because you’re my kids' favorite Auntie Honor, of course.”
We both laughed.
“Friends discount. I won’t take a penny more.”
“Okay, fine.”
We signed a rental agreement, and I gave her three months' rent in advance. She was startled.
“What’s going on, Honor? Did something happen with Greg?”
I told her what happened, and her mouth dropped.
“Are you f*****g kidding me? Does he not know how many men would kill for a girlfriend like you?”
I gave her a small smile of appreciation.
“I’m serious. Hell, even Darius would kill for a woman like you. Mazy and I are still hopeless in the kitchen after all these years, even with Darius trying to teach us in the beginning.” She huffed and then looked me over. “So, this look is hot. You’re usually in a bikini or sundress when we see you.”
“Yeah, well, I normally don’t dress like this. Greg doesn’t like it. You know how possessive he is.”
She snorted.
“f**k him. Your body, your choice.”
“Yeah, and I think I’m going to get a tattoo today.”
“Oh, girl, you are pissed.”
“Yes, yes, I am.”
She gave me the keys, and I drove to the condo. I walked in and instantly loved the place. Black and white was my favorite color scheme, or non-color scheme. I can dress it up with my colorful paintings. Especially my psychedelic mushroom paintings.
I walked around and smiled. The second bedroom is perfect, with natural light streaming through the big window for my painting area.
I pulled out my phone and texted CeeCee.
You busy?”
CC: For you? Never.
Meet me here.
I sent her my location and waited. Twenty-five minutes later, she knocked on the door, and I opened it.
“What is this place?” she asked.
“My new home.”
Her eyes bugged. “Girl, you better spill the tea, now.”
I told her everything, even replaying the voicemail for her.
“That mother f*****g, c**k sucker, piece of s**t,” she growled.
Then it happened. I burst into tears. She tsked and opened her arms, and I fell into them.
“I’m so sorry, babes,” she said, holding me and rocking side to side.
“I just don’t get it. I love him. What’s so wrong with showing him that? Are my little notes of encouragement and appreciation so wrong? I know damn well my food isn’t disgusting. Am I too much?”
“No, you are just f*****g right. If he can’t appreciate what he has, then he doesn’t deserve you. And I have to say, this look you got going on is hot as f**k, sis.”
I gave a half laugh, half sob. “I was feeling rebellious since he doesn’t like me dressing this way.”
“You should dress this way more often.”
“Maybe. I did feel empowered earlier, now I feel a little ridiculous.”
“Nah, girl, we can’t have that. Let’s go.”
“Where?”
“To see Josh. It’s ten now, his shop should be open. Do you have a party tonight?”
“Yeah, from six to ten. A bachelorette party. We’re doing the risky one, where they press their bodies against the canvas. They’re doing it on 20x20 and then get to decorate it anyway they want.”
“Dang, how much are they paying? I know you charge extra for those.”
“A hundred per person. There are twenty women.”
She stopped in her tracks and looked at me.
“I need to be your partner.”
“I’ve been telling you.”
“Nah, I can’t leave my old people. Arnold says he’s putting me in his will.”
I burst out laughing. I loved her.
- Writer
