Authors: Iceberg Slim

Airtight Willie & Me (25 page)

BOOK: Airtight Willie & Me

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Finally, she clasped her hands beneath her chin and murmured in an icy voice, “That stale slut is poisoning my baby's mind against me. That's what she's doing. She's trying to make you stop lovingÂ .Â .Â .”

I took Mama's hands and pressed them against my face and cried out, “NO! NO! Stop it, Mama. You're wrong about Dorcas. She's a sweet person. She really is. She wouldn't try anything like that. Visit us, Mama, or let her come to see you. You would find out that she's a good woman.”

Mama jerked her hands away and spat out, “I wouldn't go to that deceiving bitch's funeral. Sweet Pea, you're the biggest fool on God's green earth to forget how she and her high falutin' father treated you like dirt and hurt your heart.

“Sweet Pea, it's bad enough that you're sleeping with that treacherous slut. But before you leave me I want you to promise me that you'll never marry her. I'm telling you, Sweet Pea, that woman is a snake waiting to destroy you. Now say it, baby. Say that you won't break my heart and marry her.”

I felt like I was suffocating under Mama's pressure. I could hardly breathe. I was so ill and angry. I really was.

I stood up and said sharply, “Mama, please! Give me a break, will you? I can't promise you that. Dorcas has always loved me. Her father didn't break us up. I did, with stupidity. She never really loved the two guys she married.

“Mama, I think I love her. I'm going to marry her as soon as I get my mind together. So don't call her names. I love you but I'm not going to stay tied to your apron strings and play with myself until I'm a dried up old man. I'm sick in my head, Mama. With Dorcas I might get well. So give me a chance and stop putting pressure on me. I can't stand it.”

Mama's face was a tight black mask. I leaned over and kissed her forehead. I turned and walked to the front door. I glanced over my shoulder. Mama was coming toward me with her eyes almost closed and an odd smile on her face. Her silk robe rustled like a centipede
snagging on autumn leaves. I flinched when she took my face between her palms and stared into my eyes.

She crooned too sweetly. “Sweet Pea, you're trembling. I know you're sorry you hurt me. I forgive you. Now come to your senses and come home soon to stay. We'll be so happy.”

I twisted my face away and opened the door.

I said, “Mama, you didn't want me to make love to guys, and you don't want me to have Dorcas. I'm human. I have to have somebody.”

She smiled broadly and said, “Precious, Mama will make a bargain with you. Come back home and I won't mind who your friends are, just so you respect me and your home and don't wear women's clothes. Fair enough?”

I could feel tears filling my eyes. I shook my head slowly and said, “Mama, you're really something, aren't you? You never give up. Respect? You don't give a damn about my self-respect. You wouldn't care if I went down on every guy in Chicago, just so I don't marry Dorcas. Right?”

Mama came toward me with those awful arms outstretched. I backed into the corridor and turned and walked toward the vestibule door.

I could hear Mama pleading, “Sweet Pea, don't leave like this. Come back and kiss me. I'm your Mama. I'm the only one who loves you. Please come back and kiss me. You're killing me, Sweet Pea. I feel an attack coming. You better come back here. Come back, Sweet Pea.”

I went through the vestibule to the sidewalk. I glanced back at Mama's window. She had her head wedged between the white curtains, and her glittery little eyes were glaring at me. The street lamp shone through the telephone wires and imprinted a spidery web against the curtains.

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