Dahlia

Anita's Song

As they walked arm in arm through Times Square Anita looked up at Johnny. She felt absolutely nothing for him though, he was just a means to an end. She was determined to restore her family. Dahlia was going to be out of the picture soon and it would just be Anita and her boys. But in the meantime she had to pretend to be interested in Johnny so she might as well act the part. “Johnny,” She said sweetly. “Thank you so much for dinner, I really needed it.” “I’ve been super stressed out.” Johnny nodded. “I know.” “I’m sorry you are having to go through this love.” “I got you though. “Whatever you need I got you.” Anita looked at Regina and winked. She decided to lay it on thick. “You know Cortez’s Tia Enid?” Johnny nodded. “She blamed me.” “She told me that I was wrong for not telling Cortez about Demetrius right away.” Johnny shrugged his shoulders. “Well, why didn’t you tell him?” He asked her. “Because.” Anita said. “Not that I really have to explain anything to anyone because I am his BIOLOGICAL mother.” “But he abandoned me.” “So why would I tell him about his son?” “If he wanted to know, he would have stayed around.” Anita forced some tears out of her eyes. “I just don’t understand why he would do this.” “I’ve never given him a reason to treat me like this.” 

Johnny pulled Anita closer to him. “Don’t sweat him no more Anita.” “I got you.” “Whatever you and your son need.” “f**k him and his bitch.” Anita sniffled. “I just feel, like, so used.” She said. “One minute he acted like we were going to get back together and then he just stopped talking to me.” Anita sighed. Johnny turned her to face him. “Ma,” he said. “You ain’t gotta worry about that no more.” “I told you I got you.” He was getting a little annoyed hearing about Cortez. Anita sensed it and clung to his arm. “Thanks papi.” “Ok, so now what?” “I’m a little tired from walking around. Anita glanced at Regina. Regina smiled back and said something quietly to Manuel. “Yo, we are gonna head out.” “We are gonna take the train back home Johnny.” “Anita, Regina is gonna be good with me tonight.” “I’m gonna take good care of her.” Manuel said. Regina was smiling and clung to Manuel’s arm. Anita caught a glimpse of Johnny smiling and rolled her eyes discreetly. She knew what she had to do tonight, even though she really was not interested. The foursome walked to the next entrance to the subway. Anita hugged Regina and kissed her cheek. “Love you sista.” “Be careful and have fun.” Manuel and Regina walked down the stairs hand in hand leaving Johnny and Anita alone. 

Johnny took both of Anita’s hands and looked into her eyes. “Listen Anita,” he began. “I hope that I am not being too forward when I say this, but I hate seeing you suffer like this.” “I want to be there for you, to help you with whatever you need for Demetrius.” “But not just Demetrius, you too.” “I want to take care of you.” Anita put on her most brilliant smile. “I just don’t know what to say.” She said softly. “I’m under so much pressure.” “I thought that Cortez would be excited when he found out that he had a son.” “I thought he would do the right thing and come back to his family.” Johnny shook his head. “I didn’t think that he would make the decisions that he did.” “But you know what, it's his loss.” “You are amazing and he went from sugar to s**t when he chose Dahlia.” Johnny touched her face tenderly. “How about we head back home.” “Netflix?” He said smiling. “Or,” Anita said. “We can just chill.” Johnny instantly began to smile. “Sounds like a plan.” Anita took a deep breath and mentally prepared for what she had to do tonight. It was a relatively short car ride to Johnny’s place. As soon he unlocked his apartment door they began kissing furiously. His kisses were sloppy and wet. Anita had to work really hard to make her performance believable. They made their way through his living room to his bedroom, never letting each other come up for air. Once in the bedroom, Anita pushed Johnny to the bed. “Just sit.” She said seductively. She slowly turned her back to Johnny and peeled off her backless shirt. Then she slid down her shorts to reveal her bare back and pale pink thongs. Johnny licked his lips and took a deep, steadying breath. Anita looked at him over her shoulder. “You said you would take away my stress… right?” Johnny nodded his head emphatically but said nothing. Anita turned around and walked toward Johnny, straddling him. They spent the next few hours completely engrossed in one another. 

After their first two rounds they took a break. Anita laid on Johnny’s chest running her fingernails over his stomach. Johnny ran his fingers through Anita’s hair and breathed in the scent of her shampoo. “So,” Anita spoke softly. “What are we going to do about Cortez’s b***h?” “I mean, she is the reason why he doesn’t want to do anything for me and Demetrius.” “She’s influencing him to make the wrong decisions and it’s not fair Johnny.” “I mean, she clearly bought his love.” “The only reason he could want to be with her is because she has money.” “And if it’s not that, then she had to have brainwashed him or something.” “It has to be something.” “He wouldn’t just do this to me.” “I thought he loved me.” “He told me he did Johnny.” “He even blew off college for me.” “I just don’t understand what changed.” “I mean, I am his child’s mother.” “He shouldn’t be disrespecting me like that.” Anita’s voice broke when she said that. “I just don’t understand why he is doing this to me. She forced tears to come out of her eyes causing Johnny to react. He wiped her tears with one and continued playing with her hair with the other. “I know that you feel upset, I just wish I knew how to help you baby.” Anita sat up on her elbows. “You have told me a bunch of times already tonight.” “I believe you and there is something that you could do for me.” 

“What is it?” He asked, intrigued. Anita explained to him that Cortez refused to talk to her. He wanted all interactions when it came to Demetrius to go through Josephina. He really didn’t want to talk to her at all. She just wanted to talk and try to clear the air with him. It wasn’t necessary to go through her sister when they could do this themselves. “I just need to know where he is going to be.” “I wanted to head over to the school so that it would be a public place.” “I don’t want to fight, I just want to talk.” “Can you bring him to that dining hall of yours so that we can have a conversation.” “I want you to be there with me so that I feel safe.” “And I know that his girlfriend doesn’t like you so he would be alone.” “I think that this is a conversation for Demetrius’ parents to have, no other people involved.” “Not the courts and not his bitch.” Johnny smiled. He was excited that Anita wanted him there for her to feel safe. I can arrange it for Monday at around 3:00 PM.” “But not at the dining hall.” “I know the perfect place.” “Well, do you know where she is going to be?” “I mean like, I really want it to be just me, you and Cortez.” “I feel like we will get so much further that way.” “Well, it’s the last week of classes and she’s graduating in a couple of weeks.” “So if she isn’t taking a final I’m pretty sure she will be attending the graduation assembly.” “That’s where they hand out Cap & Gowns and shit.” “Tez won’t want to bother her while she is doing all of that so I know he will meet me.”  “Ok, cool.” “You are the best.” She said placing light kisses on his chest. “Set it up for me baby.” She kissed his lips and positioned herself on top of him again, and that is how they spent the rest of their evening. When all was said and done, Anita texted Regina two simple words before she laid down to go to sleep. “It’s on.”