The Agency

Chapter 2: Mr. Lee

"You're late!" Brenda says as I enter the store. "Sorry," I respond. "The appointment with the social worker started late and I missed my bus!" "He wants to see you," she responds "Really?" I say. "I'm not even that late." I sigh and head towards the back of the store to the manager's office where Lamar--the owner's nephew and our new manager--likes to stay and not help out in the store. He thinks he is God's gift to women. He is married but cheats on his wife with a new skank every week. "Jasmine! You finally decided to come back from lunch!" he says in a condescending tone. "Lamar, I told you I had to go see the social worker about getting child support for my kids," I say--trying to remind him of the conversation that we had less than three hours ago. "Yes, but I told you that I expected you to be back on time. I do have to keep the store fully staffed," he retorts. I hate him. I mean seriously. This management job was supposed to be mine until he got fired from some cush office position and Mr. Andrews gave it to Lamar. "I'm sorry Jasmine. He's family," Mr. Andrews had said.

"Are you even listening?" Lamar asks. "Do you realize that you are over 40 minutes late?" I try to respond but he cuts me off. "Jasmine, we cannot tolerate this type of behavior. Your employment at 5th Street Grocers ends today." "What??! Did you speak with Mr. Andrews?! You can't fire me!" Lamar laughs, "My uncle is not involved in the day-to-day business and I make the hiring decisions. I'm not completely heartless. I've gone ahead and paid you for the remainder of the day." I am seething, "Lamar! This is not right! I will tell your uncle about everything you do in this back office on a daily basis!" "Oh really, Jasmine, I don't think you will tell my uncle anything at all. He points to chair and motions for me to sit down. "Take a look at what I found when I was reviewing the security camera. Isn't that you helping yourself to items in the store?" "Lamar, you wouldn't! You know that I always pay my bill. I needed those things for my kids to eat," I can feel the tears pricking my eyes. "Jasmine, I don't know anything. At least that's what I'll tell the police when I call them if you continue with your threats." He hands me my paycheck and stands up. He walks behind me and rubs my shoulders. "Damn girl! You're so stubborn, " he whispers as he leans over. "All you had to do was be a team player. It's not too late you know." He slides his hands down my arms and slowly starts to feel underneath my shirt."Jasmine, you might enjoy yourself. Remember back in high school. You used to be a lot of fun."

He disgusts me. I can't wait to get out of here and disinfect my body. I lean back and let him reach even higher. He's palming both of my breasts at this point. He thinks he's about to get lucky. "I really need this job, Lamar," I say. "But you can't tell anyone, not even Brenda, okay?" I breathe into his ear and he says, "Oh baby, Lamar won't tell a soul. You real good with that mouth, Jas." I say, "Oh yeah. I am. Let me suck you dry, Big L." He is really falling for this s**t. Men are so gullible. They only think with their d***s. He walks around to the front of the desk and leans against it so that I am now at eye level with his groin. "Close your eyes," I say and gently place a kiss on his cheek. "Oh, you like to surprise a nigga." "Something like that," I say. I slide the chair back. "Are your eyes still closed?" My voice is saccharine sweet. "Yeah, baby. The suspense is killing me." I swiftly lift my leg and my foot connects with his d**k. I run like hell! Lamar is on the floor in pain. "You b***h! I think you broke my s**t!" I pass Brenda on my escape out the door. I hope it's broken. I hope he can't ever use his d**k again.

After a few blocks, I stop running and slow to a brisk walk. I head towards my building. The events of the day are on my mind. Minerva Crane seems like a classy dame but what could I possibly do for her?? She obviously spends more on her weekly mani-pedi than I spend on a month’s worth of groceries. I do need a job. I needed my full paycheck to pay my rent. I’m already late and now I won’t even have half. I call the sperm-donor. “What you want, Jas?!” he says after picking up. “I need some help making my rent this month. Lamar fired me,” I say. “Can’t help you!” Trey responds. “I had to leave me good job cause you sent them people after my check! You should’ve thought about that before you went and lost your little job!” He hangs up on me. I don’t even bother calling back. I knew before I called I wasn’t getting the money.

I enter my building and walk up the stairs to my apartment. There’s an eviction notice on the door. My heart drops and I try my key. It doesn’t work. I spoke with Mr. Lee this morning. He said he would let me make it a few more days cause I help out with his sister, Ms. Wilkins. I go down to the office to look for him. The office is empty so I go to Ms. Wilkins’ apartment and knock. “Hey baby,” Ms. Wilkins says as she greets me. Her speech is a bit slurred since she had the stroke but she is fortunate to be alive. “Hi Ms. Wilkins. I was looking for Mr. Lee. Is he here?” She opens the door a bit wider and I can see that he is at her table reading over some documents. “Umm Mr. Lee could I speak with you for a moment?” I say with a nervous tone. “Yes, Jasmine,” he answers. Jasmine? No one ever calls me by my full name.

He walks to the door to meet me. His 6’7 frame towers over me. I’m only 5’3. Mr. Lee used to play basketball back in the day and he still works out on a regular basis. He has a muscular frame with salt and pepper hair. His eyes are brown and he has big bushy eyebrows. He is younger than Ms. Wilkins. I think he’s in his late fifties but he could easily pass for someone a lot younger—especially when he colors his hair. I walk towards my door so Ms. Wilkins won’t hear.

“I thought you were gonna give me a few more days?” I ask. “Jasmine, you’ve had a few more days. I’m not running a shelter,” he says flatly. “I did right by you. Anyone else and their stuff would be in the street.” I sigh. I know he’s right. He’s been more than lenient. “Look,” he says. “You have those babies and I will let you in for a few days but you gotta pay up or get out.” He unlocks the door and hands me the key. Tears are falling down my face. I’m at the end of my rope. “Hush girl. You gotta stop all that. Let’s get you inside and get you cleaned up,” he says.

He goes to my small kitchen and I sit down on my couch. He comes back with a towel. I wipe my eyes and he sits down beside me. “Jas, baby, you gotta get you some help. You young girls think you need to do everything alone.” He is now so close I can smell his aftershave. “Let me help you,” he says putting his hand on my thigh. I freeze and slide further down on the couch so that there is space between us. He laughs, “Jas, calm down. I’m not in the business of taking anything that’s not offered.” I relax and smile. “You’re a pretty girl. No doubt about that. But I don’t think you’re my speed,” he says. “You do like them young,” I retort, “What’s the matter? I’m not good enough for you??!” I laugh. “You’re good Jas. So good,” he says his voice trailing off.

I lean into him and give him a side hug. I notice a bulge in his pants. Maybe it’s attraction or stress, but I put my hand on the bulge and start to massage it. “Jas, don’t,” he says. “Are you sure you want me to stop?” I say into his ear. “No. Don’t stop.” He slides down on the sofa as I unzip his pants and slide my hand inside. OMG! He is huge. I think to myself. I’m wet at the thought of feeling him inside me. I stop and take off my pants. He unbuckles his and pulls out a condom. I slowly lower myself onto the shaft. “Oh,” he screams. “You feel so good!” I begin to bounce up and down. There’s nothing romantic about this. I just want to ride him until I come and I pray he can last. He tries to move his hands under my shirt. “No!” I say to him. “Just let me ride you!” He doesn’t listen. He squeezes my n*****s and we both start to orgasm. My legs shake uncontrollably and he has to slide me off his lap.

I glance over at the clock. I still have a few hours before I need to get the twins. I look at him, “Want to go another round?” He flips me onto my stomach. “Lift up!” he commands. He plunges two fingers into me and I shiver in ecstasy. He plunges into me. “Oh God!” I scream as he begins to pound me relentlessly. It hurts so good! I start to explode and he says, “Not yet.” He sits down on the couch and pulls me into reverse cowgirl. I ride him as he skillfully palms my breast with one hand and fingers my c**t with the other. My orgasm comes and I practically pass out as my entire body shakes uncontrollably. He grabs my hips and begins to move me up and down, increasing the speed until he finishes. I lean back against his chest. Neither of us say a word.