“Skipping all the small talk and psyche break down, this is what I know about this girl. First, she’s crazy! Crazy like I thought I was about to die every second I was with her. Somehow I can’t imagine my life without her. Second, she has very little regard for others. When we came to an intersection, we had a red light and Rachel didn’t feel like stopping. So she just went through it! She caused an accident. Not with us thank God, but a car slammed on its’ brakes and the car behind it smashed into it. You want to know what she says?” Matt is so inthralled in his story he doesn’t care what the response is. ‘A guy I once knew had that car. I’m sure he deserved it.’” So dismayed by what he’s sharing Matt throws his head in the air in amazement.
    “Matt this girl seems like a head case.” His friend sounds concerned and confused.
    “Yeah, but she has a caring heart. Rachel saw a homeless man and went up to him and gave him the food we had in the carriage.” Matt’s sitting up and seems just in awe of Rachel.
    “Alright, well that seems good. So did you make it home or are you at her place?” Is friends voice seems awake now and shows interest in what Matt’s ending to the night was.
    “Well, umm, that’s why I called you.” Matt begins to look around unsure of how to say this to his friend. “ I don’t know if this makes me totally insane or not, but I am in the middle of Central Park in my tux and I have no idea how I got here.”
    “What?!” His friends exclamation makes Matt push the phone from his ear and wince.
    “Man speak softer, can you just get me?”Matt’s rubbing his head from a mix of a hangover and embarrassment.
    “Dude we live in the city, your in central park, just walk.”
    “Well that’s the thing.” Matt looks around more analyzing his setting.
    “What do you mean?” His friends confused and has a bit of judgement in his tone.
    Matt looks over himself again and delays responding to his friend.
    “You just said you’re in your tux in Central Park.” His friends voice does not seem amused by Matt’s story anymore.
    “Yeah about that. I have my tux jack and bow tie on. I have on briefs. I’m not going to be allowed in a cab or subway.”
    His friend explodes in laughter. “This had to be some girl.”
    “Oh she was. Also, I think I am going to see her soon.” Matt sounds excited again.
    “What makes you think that?” His friend is still laughing at him.
    “Well, unless a stranger wrote on my chest to meet them for coffee at 3 with an address, I think I’m seeing her.” Matt just keep smiling.
    “Way to be man. Do you realize what time it is?”
    “No idea. You’re calling me. Woke me up.” Matt now is curious about what time it could be and why he did not think of this earlier.
    “It’s about 2, so how far is the meeting place from you.”
    Matt looks down trying to read it. “Well, it says where I left you. So I believe this is the place.”
    “Nice. Hopefully she brings your clothes.” His friends laughs at himself.
    “Man I don’t even care.” Matt throws his arms up to show just how little he cares.
    His friend keeps laughing. “Alright man. See you later.”
    “Sounds good.” Matt hangs up and lays back in the grass letting the hangover take over. He can’t help but smile.

    Kristina almost chocked on her coffee. “Excuse me?” Kristina’s eyes are bugging out of head while Johnny stands in confusion.
    “I saw what you guys were doing before we came in. You seemed to, umm What would you say Lizzy?” Mitch ask while moving her to have her back towards him and spreading her legs over her lap while having her hands on her hips.
    Lizzy pushes back into Mitch letting her jacket slip more. “You seem like you enjoy messing around.”
    Johnny and Kristina just look at one another awe struck. Both are close to one another but their touching are no longer in a desirous way but Johnny wanting to protect her and Kristina searching for protection.
    Seeing this reaction Lizzy pulls her jacket to be less exposed. “Maybe we were wrong.”
    Mitch stands keeping his hands on Lizzy’s hips, “I thought you guys would want a good time I guess we were wrong.”

    The two couple are now sitting together in the kitchen. Johnny is getting coffee mugs while Kristina is making coffee. Each couple has made the usual small talk and question running wild on both ends. However neither know how the house got booked for both couples. Kristina has been uncomfortable by the way the man entered and let Johnny do most of the talking. They seem friendly enough but something about them just made her skin crawl.
    “So have you two come here before?” Johnny says while handing Kristina the mugs.
    “Ehh, different places in the area. This was our first time to this place.” The man looks around the room seeming to scoop it out. Although he was eyeing Kristina in a way that he seemed to know what she would look like naked.
    Johnny catches his glare and not sure how to react or if he could just be over sensitive to this guy because he interrupted them. The moment where they left off is still running through his mind. Having this be a primal thought is just making Johnny’s desire to have them out fast is more critical. “So you come here often them and stay in the area.”
    “Something like that.” The girl says with a slight smile leaning forward exposing more of her cleavage and letting them know that under her coat she was not wearing a shirt or a bra. Both Kristina and Johnny take not of this which makes Johnny turn to get milk from the fridge while Kristina gets a little turned on wishing her and Johnny’s moment wasn’t interrupted. She knows she’s being a bit of a tease and turns to her man smiling while rubbing his thigh.
    “Then are you from the area?” Kristina asked to distract herself from her own desires.
    “The area.” The man said not putting to much into his answer.
    Johnny comes along Kristina putting his arm around her waist while handing the coffee over to the two who have now joined the cabin. There is still a silent tension in the air. Johnny and Kristina just want to go back to where they were interrupted. The invading couple can see this and it makes the woman move to her feet and make her way around the counter.
    “Is this your anniversary? A regular place you both come to?” The girl says as she moves closer to the couple. Resting her head on her hand and bending down to have her booty pop out showing how great her leather pants and heels make her legs look. It easily distracts both Johnny and Kristina that he can’t help but move his hand to get a touch of bare skin. She notices the slight movement of Johnny which makes her smile.
    “Both. We came here for our first vacation as a couple before we were married so now we come at the same time every year.” Johnny plus Kristina in a little closer to him which causes her to look up and smile at him.
    “Yeah, it is one of our favorite spots. What makes you guys come here.” Kristina looks back and forth between the couple.
    “We like the area and the houses aren’t too bad. Mitch introduced me to the area.  He’s been bringing me around here for years.” She moves around the table to sit on Mitch’s lap while he doesn’t hide his hand moving on her thigh to rest between her inner thighs.
    “Yeah I thought Lizzy would like it here. She seems to hold her own.” Mitch says looking at Lizzy as though they were alone making Johnny and Kristina feel as though they were invading.
    “Don’t you want to join?” Lizzy asked still holding her eyes on Mitch.

Clothes dispersed all around the room with a freezing room is what Johnny and Kristina face in the morning. Both cuddle together to get heat from one another but neither want to move to turn on the heat or put on clothes. Kristina has made a few hints but anytime Johnny goes to move she pulls him in closer. Now after going back and forth for the last two hours the cold is beginning to get to Kristina.

“I can’t do this anymore. I can’t feel anything.” Kristina wraps the blanket around her and heads for the thermostat.

“I’m that good. What can I say.” Johnny puts is hands behind his head to give his comment full effect.

“Yeah hun, it’s all you. Could you please start a fire?” Kristina is now shivering so much it’s hard to get the words out.

“Of course! I didn’t realize you were that cold.” Johnny is jumping up to get some clothes on before heading to get wood for the fire.

“Well, you were helping but I cannot for the life of me feel my fingers or toes.” She’s rubbing them together while putting some of her clothes on.

“Let me start that fire. Meet me downstairs and I can be your heat source when I finish.”

“Oh will you now? I like it.” Kristina smirks and just moves to kiss him.

“Now starting that won’t get you a fire.” Johnny moves his arms around her waist as she slightly backs away.

“Okay, okay. Go give me warmth good sir.” Kristina waves him off and he heads out of the room. Still shivering she gets down to look more for her clothes to get her big sweater to put on so she has something before making the trek down to the fire where Johnny left their bags.

Douche! That is the main thing going through my mind when I pull into my garage. You know happy thoughts of course. I was so happy having a lovely day, well okay maybe wasn’t the best because I have been super moody but I was on the upswing to be happy and things looking up for a brighter night that I was even considering going out tonight. Not a big thing but I was out of my funk. So I tell him that I am thinking that I’ll end up going over. He says this other girl is coming whose ‘just a friend’ so it’d be better if I don’t. Come again? Was I know the girl you were making out with the other night? Obviously I should be the one told to not come over.

Douche! I am just staring at my steering wheel, I somehow had the thought process to turn off my car and take my keys out. Stomping up the steps from my garage into my house I move past the people, it is as if they are figures and I do not know how we got to where we are now. One minute things are great! Okay let’s be real maybe it wasn’t great, or good for that matter. Maybe it just was. But just was, was better than what it is now. When I look at him I feel disgust. No, I don’t even look at him or think of him. Well, I do think of him that is a lie because he is what’s fueling this intense productively.

A guy. A silly boy is what is fueling this crazed let’s get work done and over drive mentality. He is only a boy because he is not a man so a boy is fitting. You can be the age of a man but not act or have the attitude of one. That is besides the point. One of the biggest tensions between a guy and a girl is whether they like one another or not. The closer they get, the more confused they get. There are connections that are made, an unspeakable bond you could say. Knowing how the other thinks, their past, and them talking about your future. The future makes it come off as though they will be in each others futures in a different way.There is something special and different about this one. They say guys and girls cannot be just friends. We should have listened. Getting to this level of being so close that it almost seemed inevitable. 

No. I was a strong woman. I knew where my head was at. I was focused. We said just friends. There were to be no feelings or any sort of connection. That is what we agreed on didn’t we? Then how did I let this happen? I gave in, I gave in, I gave, I have feelings for you. This wasn’t supposed to happen. You know too much about me, I know so much about you. I can’t like you. I choose not to like you. It’s so hard when you smile at me the way you do. I told you it was distraction and now I feel like a smile never leaves your face. These little distractions. All sweet and innocent.

Where is that silly notebook. I need to get all this out of my head. It is all trapped in here. It is making me go mad! I need it out. A release of pen to paper is like a drug. A crazy, mad unspeakable drug. Where the, oh of course next to my bed. Why would I be rummaging through these draws to my desk that just end up with things thrown in them? I have no idea. I just think I just needed to slam things.

“Hey, umm is everything okay?”

“Whose that?”

“Well Rach is you turn around or would recognize your roommate of the last twenty years you’d know it’s your sister. What’s wrong.”

“Sorry Gen. I just have had a horrible day and need to write it out. So unless you want me to project it on you let me get it out on paper, burn it and be done with it then we can talk.”

“I think before talking we’ll need some wine.”

“That too. And chocolate.”

“Yes.”

“No screw that this silly thing is not getting me down. I am going for a freaking long ass run. A run to trump all runs. I am not going to do the stereotypical girl thing of curling up in a depressed ball and giving into my feelings. Screw that!”

“Okay.”

“Now get out let me right and then run.”

“Good luck with that.”

Gen slowly closes the door behind her leaving me to my thoughts. Thank God! I love my sister but she will simply complain if I at all complain to her because she has told me from the beginning I am being stupid with this guy and she just doesn’t like him. Maybe she’s right. No, she was right. I don’t know why I’ve been waiting around and for him this long. What’s so great about him anyway? Umm, yeah I’m going to need time to answer that one.

Where was I? Oh right DOUCHE! DOUCHE! DOUCHE! Ehh where to even freaking begin? Umm yeah it’s great you made your big move, congrat - u -freaking - lations! You can make out with a girl but you can’t do the follow through. Honestly guys think they can do anything they so please with anyone and that in the end it was the girl thinking to much about it all. But come freaking on! If there was never a conversation about dating, something happens, and then you talk okay yeah understandable. There was conversations. Yes, plural. Many. More than one. So seriously what were you thinking?!

Obviously there is a back story to all of this. I will not go back to the very beginning, that is simply too much of a backstory to this whole melodrama stupidity. Let’s set a scene for the beginning of the summer. Everyone like the summer, it’s fun easy and relaxed right? Well, this summer seemed to start off at just a little preview for how this relationship was going to play out and just grow into greater confusion.

Gut always wins! When Kyle and I were pulling out of the parking lot a ranger had just passed us and was making his way into the parking lot. But that was earlier now I sit hear waiting for my room mate to come out of her room to show me if I approve of her outfit for the night. Granted I almost never approve cause generally shows to much of something but it is more of color and look on her she cares. Honestly that is why I say no somethings.

“So what about this? Cheetah lingerie too much?”

“For what exactly? Sleeping or walking down a street?”

“Oh funny little pun in there. I am picking up better on you calling me a prostitute. And neither, trying out this new club and suppose to be trendy and the newest it thing. So cheetah a win?”

“Well cheetah is always in but we are no longer in college so seems slightly desperate-”

“That is something I’m so not-”

“Possibly put on the new dress-”

“I want to be scene for my brains-”

“Or try on that top with those leggings-”

“I have a lot to offer-”

“So maybe cheetah wedges?”

“Yes! I will wear the lacy top, with black tight skirt and heels! They will believ I am trendy, young, innovative, and will talk and I will fill them with my knowledge.”

Before I could even answer she’s hugging me and running and swilling back into her room. Dear Lord what did I just give her and idea for. I put my book down and grab my mug to pour some more tea.

“So how did things go?”

“Go?”

“Umm hello I totally know you were with Kyle earlier!”

“Oh, umm they went.”

“Come on, I need some details. I live for this. Sweet innocent roommate who stays in on her Thursday nigh reading a book and drinking tea, like such a clique of good girl. With the crazy roommate who gets ready and takes shots. Now come on! I will end up meeting a random dude who will be no good for me in about two hours, but I will know you spent time with a good guy today. So when I come home crying later about my mistakes I will remember your story in the taxi at least.”

“Your so twisted.”

“I don’t like to think twisted. More knowing I’m young, I have a right to be stupid so I might as well take advantage. I am turning twenty-six in two weeks so I only have two more weeks of this excuse. After that I am just a reckless person.”

“Oh so twenty-six is time to grow up?”

“Well yes, I would like to be married someday do you find that shocking?”

“Slightly yes. But your reasoning I will just skip over that whole deal.”

“Olivia come on!”

“What?”

“Kyle, story now! It will totally not be as good when I have to go up to Andrew later and ask him what Kyle said. Kyle gives like no detail so it’s a bunch of he said they did this. It was good. Blah, blah, blah! I need to hear about the romance and spark of it all!”

“Haha well cannot see Kyle being the romancer.”

“Don’t laugh! He’s quit the catch-”

“More talker and hoping I hear him while staying silent-”

“You could end up falling for him-”

“Well maybe not silent but more mysterious-”

“He’s a really great guy-”

“No not mysterious, just what is the word-”

“Andrews a great guy too-”

“I can’t put my finger on it-”

“Olivia are you listening?”

“Yes.”

“So you think a double could work?”

“Work for what?”

“You, Kyle, Andrew and I?”

“Do you know what Andrew’s job is?”

“Yeah he works with kids.”

“What kind of kids?”

“I think middle school.”

“Yes and what does he do with these kids?”

“Umm teaches them obviously! Goodness Olivia I’m not an idiot!”

“But what does he teach them.”

“Whatever you learn in middle school.”

“Right, he’s a youth pastor.”

“Okay so he’s-”

“Yep!”

“Whatttt!” And now the freak out begins. “He, he, God, works for, what?! But he goes to the bar. He sees me dressed, God, works for, what?!” Oh maybe shouldn’t have had the big lead in. “He must think I’m satan.” Yep bad idea, no lead in. “I dress, boobs, he has probably, oh man! Oh man!” Looks like my tea shall wait. “I need a drink.” Oy.

Heart feels as though it is truly going to explode. Why is this happening? What is going on? It was such a simple good bye. Nothing different, maybe his arms were tighter around me, maybe the hug simply felt so right. But this feeling in my heart cannot explain this. I’m walking the path to my car seeing each foot go in front of the other, with chills running through me. My mind if going mad with questions of what could this mean. But my heart is yearning to go back.

There is nothing left for me to do. He’s leaving me here to the world full of unknown of the future. But my life has a way of working out in time. Time. Yes time should go by quickly. Time goes on like life. You can’t live in these moments of questioning what that could have been or where it could be. Could is the worst word in the english language. Could of, should of, all leaving girls to this insanity of questions going on in their mind of what they see. Rather then going through the facts of what is. I could have said how I felt and maybe this would have changed the out come. But he said nothing.

None of this explains this feeling in my heart. I stare at my steering wheel longing for an answer, not knowing how long I have sat here but I am still in front of his place so this is so not right. I put my car to look out on this road chosen to go. There is no questioning with this path. The path has been laid out for me. I take the first left to then make the second right and wrap around till main road and go home. That is know of how I should go. However I look in my review mirror of a blurring path that I want to go back to.

My heart is racing for an answer to these questions. All from a hug?

“Taisha why in the hell was that boy in your room?”

“He just stops by every so often. Nothing serious.”

“You were seeing him.” Andre can’t hide his shock.

“Don’t be so surprised Andre. I was and am a single women.” She licks the whip cream seductively gives Andre a little look then graces his side. “You just hate that someone else has had me.” Andre then grabs her arms pulls her close giving her a passionate kiss.

“He may have had you, but I’ve always had your heart.” This makes Taisha melt and she wants to give up everything to him now. They begin to kiss as though the rest of the world does not exist.

“Well look at you two, it’s like when you were teenagers all over again.” They both jump at the sound of Zola. Both hang their heads a bit when seeing Zola. “Now that you are back to grown ups do you know what this is doing to your daughter?”

“Desiree? She knows?”

“Yes ma’am. Saw you two this morning.”

“Oh crap!” Taisha put her hands on her head. “We didn’t want her to find out like that. We were both going to talk to her today when she got home and tell her.”

“Tell who what.” Desiree is walking through the door looking like she just ran the three miles from Andre’s to here. They all just tense up a bit and look at Desiree.

“Oh hey honey.”

“Honey? Oh god who died?”

“No one died.”

“Desiree just listen to your mother and sit over here.” Desire gives her father a look, angry but still does as she’s told. Then suddenly puts on a smile like nothing had happen and all is right in the world.

“Yes parents. What is this lovely news you must share with me.” She then puts her hands under her chin and bats her eyes.

“Desiree this is serious.”

Desiree clear her throat and leans back. “Of course.”

“Your father and I wanted to tell you that, we’re getting back together.”

“About time! I can’t have this baby belong to a single mother and divorce grandparents.”

Desiree walks up the steps to her house and hears people talking inside. She knows the voices but is so used to hearing them yelling at each other she doesn’t recognize then when they’re just talking with one another. She sees her mother and father hugging. Most people would be happy to see them hugging but she remember what her father has done to her mother. “What an idiot.” She runs down her steps to Zola’s house.

Halfway there she sees someone climbing up the side of her house. “What in the hell?” Instead of saying something she just watches them climb up into her mothers room.

“Girl what are you doing?”

Desiree looks up to see Zola looking at her from her porch. “I just saw someone. I’m not really sure what I am exactly doing. Zola I need your help.”

“Well girl don’t just stand there come on over here and talk. I just made myself some tea, like some?”

“Yes please.” Desiree makes her way to Zola’s house but she can’t help thinking she reconized the guy climbing through her mothers window and what on earth her mother and father are doing together.

Now both in the kitchen sitting at the table Zola looks at Desiree seeing the young lady that she has grown into. “Now what do you need to talk to Zola about?”

“Is it weird for a child to not want her parents back together?”

“Yes I would say it is weird. However this child saw what her parents went through and does not want to see that happening again.”

“I’m being serious. I just saw my parents actually talking together and hugging and it made my stomach hurt. That can’t be normal.”

“Desiree listen.” Zola puts her hands on top of Desiree and looks her in the eyes. “You ma’am and papa have a lot of baggage. Dear Lord do they have a lot. I have known Andre since he was young. I have seen him chase after other women but he’s always loved your mama.”

“Then why chase the other women.”

“Because he thought he wasn’t worth having you mama.” Zola looks at Desiree seeing the pain in her eyes.

BOY YOU BEST BE GOING! Both Desiree and Zola jump hearing a man screaming.

“Now what on earth could that be.” They make their way to Zola’s porch. Desiree sees who she saw climbing into her mothers window now half naked on her front lawn.

“Who do you think you are?! You left her!”

“Boy watch yourself and just get goin’!”

“I love her! Taisha I know you love me too. Your just-”

“I don’t think you want to finish that sentence.” Zola says it calmly but with a lot behind her words. She just stares at him and he gathers up his closes and starts heading down the street. “You know I wont stop fighting for you.” He makes his way down the street and all eyes are now on Taisha who just turn calmly and walks back to the kitchen. Zola goes back inside her house. All that is left outside is Desiree and Andre staring at each other. Andre doesn’t know what to say so just turns and goes to the kitchen.

“I know I’ve seen him from somewhere. But where?” Desiree runs down Zola’s porch to catch up with him. She’s so close when he turns sensing someone is following him.

“What you want?”

“I know you.”

“And?”

“How do I know you? Why do I know you. I know we don’t go to school, but I feel like I know you.” He scuffs and bends to pick up his shirt and then it hits her. Tattoo on his back. Desiree lost her virginity to him at a party. If that’s what it should be called. More like she wanted to see what leading a guy on would be like then got too caught up and could turn back. All she wants to do is hit him but she’s frozen.

“I ain’t gunna answer that. Maybe you seen me going out your mama’s room. We been seeing each other. But guess that’s over. Daddy now decided to come home.” Not sure if it’s the way he said, the facial expression he said, or just everything building up so much in her but she snaps and karate kicks him, then drop kicks him and just starts pounding on this guy.

“Don’t fuck with my family.” Desiree then fix her hair, shirt, turns and just smiles.

“Taisha what in the hell were you thinking?” Taisha is still out on the porch all relaxed. “Zola got all up in my business. What did you tell her?”

“What? Zola came over here getting all in mine. Saying people were talking in town.”

“Talking about what?”

“She didn’t say. Desiree came in and she went on home.”

“What are people saying. She kept askin me why I was suddenly comin’ ova here again. Like it was any of her business. I don’t ask her about her boys why she askin’ about us.”

“What did she say about us.”

“Just that if I wanted anything to happen I should either get back with you or walk on.” Taisha freezes not knowing how to react. “So Taisha, I just wanted to ask you, would.” He reaches in his pocket and pulls out a box. “Would you go out on a date with me?” Opens the box and there are two tickets for dancing. Taisha loves to dance and always wanted to go with Andre but he never wanted to. She’s staring in his eyes and gets up to hug him. While hugging him she looks up and sees Jeremy walking down the stairs.

“Andre just a million times yes. I need to take care of something but come back tonight of Desiree is a sleep.”

“You can count on that.” Instead of doing the dog move of kissing her he embraces her and leaves her with that. She blushes and watched him walk away. She watches him slowly as she moves in side holding back the panic rising inside of her.

“Jeremy what the hell are you still doing here.”

“Oh hell no are you getting mad at me. You left me in the closet.”

“Oh shit I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, yeah. Now I am heading home. Or we could finish what we started.” Before she answers he picks her up and they are in her room before she knows it and she melts into him not wanting this to end.

“Taisha what the hell, why does Desiree come back to my house saying there is a naked man in your bathroom.” Crap.

“Jeremy get in my closet.” Jeremy runs to the closet while I grab pants to put on to make my way down the hall to meet Andre as he’s coming up the stairs. “Andre what?”

“Don’t what me! Desiree came over yelling about how she gets home to find a naked guy basically out on display. Are you seeing someone?!”

“There wasn’t a naked man on display. I don’t know she said she say someone but when I got there no one was there.”

“So are you calling our daughter a liar?”

“No. Andre calm down.”

“You know why I’m also upset. I was here, with you. You turned me down.” Why did he have to bring that up. I move past him to make my way downstairs. “Taisha, where are you going?”

“To get some water. Care to join me.”

“Water? What about some red drink? Do you have any red drink?”

“I have to go to the store to get some.” I am at the bottom now and he can’t but help put his arm around my waist. This move gets me every time. I freeze with chills going up my spine.

“Desiree went to a friends.” I can’t make a sound. He’s kissing my neck and I am paralyzed. I look out the window to see Zola making her way to the front door. Taisha knows she wont knock so jumps in a panic.

“Zola’s a’comin stop!” That name always gives Andre’s chills. She is about the age of both our parents and has that effect to make everyone put on their best behavior.

“Zola?! I got to get out of here. You know what that womens like.” I love seeing Andre scared. Zola lived across the street from Andre when he was growing up. He was afraid to play in the front yard because she might tell him he could do something better or yell at him for making noise. He was more afraid of Zola finding out about him getting into trouble then his own mother. Zola was like a grandmother to him. “I could sneak out the back door. Yeah that’s what I’ll do.” Just as Andre turns to make his way for the door Zola is knocking on the door and walking in.

“Andre! I thought I saw you running down here earlier. Glad I got to see you. Been a long time.”

“Zola. Is hasn’t been that long.” Putting on a school boy face he makes his way over to her giving her a kiss on the check. “What can I get for you.”

“Nothing silly. This ain’t your house. I’ve come to talk to Taisha, this is her house isn’t it. Smart of her living next door to me when you left her, she knew you’d give her space.”

“Zola!”

“Don’t Zola me, now scat, I need to talk to her.”

“Taisha I will see you tomorrow. Zola, always a pleasure.”

“Mhmm. Bye now.” Zola has a careful eye on Andre watching him turning down the porch and walking to his car. “Taisha, what do you think you are doing?”

“What?”

“Don’t what me. I know for a fact there is a boy here and he is not here for you daughter. Or that your ex just happens to come in the middle of the night.”

“Zola I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I turn walk towards to kitchen. “Could I grab you a cup of tea?”

“Taisha it is me your talking to. I don’t gossip. I hear the gossip and come a runnin’ to you. But when you come up in the gossip I need to start cracking some skulls.”

“People are talkin’ ‘bout me?”

“Yes honey. Now you see why I needs to come ova here to see what is going on in the think little skull of yours. Andres is no good for you. He tried being your husband and a father. He couldn’t do that. Now this boy comin’ here, what makes you think he could?”

“Zola, I.” Taisha just stares at the floor beginning to shake. Then collapses with Zola catching her.

“Damn child. Whenever you gets in a panic you go to fainting. One day this wont work.” Zola puts Taisha on the couch and heads to the kitchen to make tea while waiting for Taisha to awake.

Taisha is sitting patiently awaiting for her daughter to come back to home. She’s used to her daughter going to her fathers and spending the night, but she normally comes home early because her father doesn’t make the best breakfasts. Desiree should have been home by now. I wonder what could possibly be taking her this long. The back door opens and Taisha jumps up excited for her daughter. Then turns the corner and sees the boy that was at her home yesterday with her daughter. “Jeremy what are you doing here?”

“Is Desiree here?”

“She will be soon.” Taisha runs to the window to look out. Desiree walking down the street. “Jeremy you need to go.”

“But I have missed you. I came to see you yesterday and it was just your daughter.” He moves closing to Taisha putting his arms around her waist. “I’ll wait upstairs for you.” Before Taisha can react Desiree is coming through the front door and Jeremy is already at the top of the stairs.

“Hey honey. How was your father’s?” Taisha tries to pull it off as something she would normally say.

“It was fine. I didn’t sleep much. I’m going to go up and take a bath.” Desiree makes her way up the stairs while my head is running with what to do. Desiree is already upstairs. How do I get him out? Do I just leave him?

“MOMMMMM!!! AHHH!” Taisha head jerks to run to her daughter.

“Desiree what is it?”

“Oh my god! Mom I just went in to get the bath running and there was this naked man laid out on the floor!”

“What?!”

“Mom listen to me. Our bathroom. Naked man. What the hell were you doing all night?”

“Desiree listen to me I had no idea! If I did wouldn’t you think I would not have you come upstairs.” Taisha goes to inspect the bathroom. “Did the person break in?”

“No I ran away I didn’t even see if he left.”

“There is no one in here now. Let me call the police.”

“Mom, I recognized him though.”

“You did?”

“I don’t know from where but she as hell know I have seen him before.” Desiree storms past her mom and leaves the house.

“Glad your home. Sorry about the nakedness.”

“Sorry I thought that was you.”

“Jeremy what the hell!”

“Shut up. Kiss me.” Before Taisha realizes they’re kissing and going to her bedroom.

The house is quiet. Taisha is up stairs in her bathroom, enjoying a relaxing bubble bath. Letting the events of the day wash away, while sipping on wine and having and audio book be played. Clearly reading would even be too much. The door slams downstair and footsteps are coming up. Taisha knows it’s Desiree. She does not want to speak with her right now, and will let her cool off before talking to her about earlier.

“Taisha!” That is not my daughters voice. “Taisha where are you?”

Taisha gets out of the tub and grabs her rob. “Give me a minute.” Taisha opens the door to find her daughters father there. “Andre what are you doing here?”

“Desiree came to my house crying about how you’ve thrown her ass out.”

“Oh hell no. I did not throw her ass out. I told her to get that boys ass out and for her to go to her room.”

“What guy? She was a lone her with a guy?” Andre steps forward staring straight into Taisha’s eyes.

Taking a her arms across her chest, hip cocked, and leaning forward to say these words slowy. “Not just a guy,” Taisha pauses to let it sink in, “a man. He was at least twenty-five.”

“What is my baby girl doing with a man?”

Taisha turns to go to the tub to let the water drain. “That’s something you’ll have to take up with your baby girl.” Taisha sits on the edge of the tub, making it seem as though she is all casual about this.

“Taisha. She was a lone with a man. Why in the hell would she come a’runnin to me?”

“For this reason. You’d come over he a yellin’ she get off the hook causin’ is a fight we’d forget. I ain’t going to fight cha.”

“Wanna do it?” Andre smiles knowing the time they have left before their daughter would even think of walking over and Taisha has never turned him down.

“How long you tell her.”

“Get here girl.” Taisha casually walks over to Andre to jump into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck and legs locked around his waist. Getting into a smooth kisses letting the memory of how the move together sink in. Andre moves knowing the amount of steps needed to get to the bedroom. Taisha’s hands are moving down Andre’s back pulling at his shirt to show the body she had fallen for. Chi-zed abs, a cut back from the hard work over the years, and arms capable of throwing her in any direction. Andre dips Taisha on the bed and begins to kiss her all over. Letting their breaths be the only thing heard. Taisha knows this feeling. She lives for this feeling of Andre. Andre works his way up her to more her robe slowly kissing her as he moves the robe open.

“Mom!” Andre and Taisha jump up.

“I thought we had enough time.”

“We did.” Taisha throw her robe back over her. Going for the door and throw Andre’s shirt back at him.

“Desiree honey?”

“Mom? Where are you?”

“I’m upstairs. I just got out of the tub.” Andre goes to next to the bed so that he would be out of sight from her daughter.

“Can I come in?”

“Just give me a moment to get my robe on.” Desiree knocks on the door still. “Desiree just give me a second, what’s your rush?” Taisha opens the door and Desiree just pushes past her, turns, and sits on the edge of Taisha’s bed.

“Ma’ why do you treat me like I am still a child. I am fifteen and yes I may be a teenager but I have been forced to grow up in other ways then kids my age. I don’t have both of my parents for one. I have been working since I was ten. That guy that was here, wasn’t here for me. He was asking for you. We were simply waiting for you. Then you ran him off. “

“He was asking for me.” Taisha takes a step back to lean against the wall.

“Yes. Now I am going back to dad’s house. I told him I would make him dinner so I need to go get food from the store. I was surprised to not see him here actually. Maybe he did go for a walk like he said. But mom, you need to trust me.”

“I’m sorry Des, I love you.” Taisha hugs her daughter and gives her a kiss on her forehead. That is all that they need, Desiree walks out the room and leaves.

“That was close.”

“Andre we can’t keep doing this. There was a reason we never got married. You should go.”

“But-”

“Andre look at us. We can’t even show our own daughter we’re civil. You hide under my bed from her. You should go.” Andre picks up his shirt, heads down the stair and shuts the front door.

“God if I’ve lost my chance with this women, have her move on. If she’s the one, have me marry her.”

“Get out!” A slander black women with a lot of power behind her words. The boys have no excuse but to leave. She watches as they grab there coats and run out of the door.

“Mom why would you do that?”

“Young lady don’t you dare take that tone with me. Why were they here. They clearly look like they should not be home a lone with a fifteen year old girl.”

“Yes of course just because of my age I am not allowed to have boys over when your gone. Mom get over yourself.” Desiree simply walks past her mother using her hips more than her legs.

“You better be walking to your fathers and not after them boys.”

“Yes mother, I’m on my way.” That father of hers is a piece of work. Taisha was fifteen when she meet Desiree’s father. The next year she was pregnant. Sure my family made it work. They helped me out, I finished school, graduated college, and now have a pretty decent job. However Desiree thinks it could work out for her as well. But I had two parents. She does not. I had grandparents, hers are dead. It is not the same as what I had. I have a job so I could not help out as my mother did since she stayed at home.

“Ma’am?” Taisha turns around and it’s one of the boys from earlier. “Now before you respond angrily I wanted to talk to you about what was going on.”

“About you being here with my daughter. With another man. Who by the way looked to be in his twenties. She is only fifteen.”

“I understand. She had seen me coming out of here before and thought I was a friend you see. I was passing by and she hollered us in. That is all. Nothing more ma’am.”

“Okay. Well I should get back to this. Thank you for explaining.”

“Of course ma’am.” He smiles and walks down the front steps back down the street.

The door flings open to a rushing and tired Zola. She was my neighbor and the town gossip. “What was that boy doing here?”

“Hey Zola, and he was just stopping by. He was over with Desiree.”

“Doesn’t he look a little old for her.”

“Yes. But I turned them away so he did the gentlemen thing and came back to explain.”

“Oh my, my. Who knew those exist in this part of town.”

“Lord knows I didn’t.” Taisha goes to putting her bags down in her office which is the back of the house. It was suppose to be a guest room but everyone she knows lives in the area so there is no need. Zola settles in the front of the house on the chairs to keep an eye out on the neighbors.

“Have your heard about the Walter’s?” Zola said loud enough for Taisha to hear but soft enough for whomever could be walking by to not hear her. Taisha comes out of the office, through the kitchen to meet Zola.

“What are you talking about?”

“Well they’re daughter got pregnant.”

“Alright.”

“Oh that’s right you were a young mother. But they work for the church. I went to them for marriage counseling. Well no wonder why it didn’t work. They can’t even control what is going on under their own roof.”

“Zola it is not right to prey. Who said that she was even pregnant?”

“Well my daughter went to the party with her recently and re refused to have her usual glass of wine.”

“Your fine with them partying just not having a baby? Right”

“Now Taisha you know that is not what I meant. However when they are young they do this. They get it out of their system so that when they grow up they act responsibly. Besides it is not like I host these events for them to do it at my home. I have told my girls that they are never to come home under the influences of anything. They know the rules. That has them not drink at these things because they would never sleep anywhere else.” Zola nods he head as if to say she knows best and her girls would not cross her. Which they wouldn’t, to her knowledge. “Besides you don’t have to worry about Desiree. She keeps her head up and wants to go places. She’s smart.” Zola nods over her glass of wine, which she brought over with her, getting lost in her thoughts.