Drama Queen (20 page)

“I need to talk to you,” Geno said when Kayla answered the phone. She had been avoiding him for weeks now and he still hadn't let up.

“For what, Geno? I ain't your fiancée, you don't need to talk to me about shit.” Kayla grabbed her purse and the diaper bag. She and Craig had an appointment with a childcare provider and she knew she couldn't be late.

“Kayla, I swear. I thought we were much cooler than this. You don't return my calls, and on the off chance that you do answer the phone, you still won't talk to me. I'm getting real pissed.” Kayla could hear that Geno was frustrated, but she did not care. He wasn't her man; let Janice deal with him.

“Look, Geno. I am on my way out the door, I have an appointment and I can't be late.” She picked up the carrier, where she had already placed Day, and opened the door.

“Look, Kayla. I gotta go outta town for a few weeks, but I need to see you when I get back. Face to face. This is an entire month's notice, so you have plenty of time to clear your schedule. You owe me that much, Kayla. And I wanna see Day, too.”

Kayla sighed. Geno was right. She did owe him the opportunity to apologize to her face to face. “Fine, Geno. Just let me know when.”

“The last Saturday in March.”

“Fine. I gotta go.” She hung the phone up and rushed out to meet Craig. Kayla was scheduled to return to work the first week of February. As much as she hated to leave her baby, she knew she had to go back to work in order to survive. She had diminished her savings down to almost nothing and although Craig was a good provider for Day, she still needed her own income to live comfortably. Tia had told them about a woman named Ms. Cookie who had an awesome childcare center, but she was always full. Craig had told Kayla to let him worry about getting Day in. She had no idea what he did, but he had called Kayla that morning and told her to meet him at Ms. Cookie's for their tour and interview. The neatness and cleanliness of the center impressed Kayla. There were four different rooms; three of them set up with cribs and tables. The other was a multi-purpose room, holding a large screen television and shelves of toys and books. The unique thing about Ms. Cookie's center was she exclusively kept infants up to age two.

“Well, we will see you all next week then.” Ms. Cookie smiled as she walked them out.

“You mean she's in? I thought you had a waiting list.” Kayla was stunned.

“She has a very persistent father.” Ms. Cookie nodded. “I can respect that.”

“Thanks, Ms. Cookie. We'll see you next week.” Craig carried the carrier to the car and strapped Day in.

“What did you do?” Kayla asked him, incredulously.

“I got my daughter in school. I handled my business.”

“How?”

“Don't worry about all that. You said you wanted her in, now I got her in. She's in and I paid her first month's tuition up front, so you don't have to sweat that either. Now I got some other business to handle. I'll be by there later, and tonight I'll do the three
A.M
. feeding.” He winked and kissed Kayla as he jumped into his new Jeep. He told her he had gotten a major raise because they sold the restaurant to a new man, and rather than see him quit, he offered Craig double what he was making. Kayla waved as he drove off. The sight of a red car caught her eye and she turned, but it was gone. She had been seeing a red Benz following her for a couple of days now. The tag read LIBRAGAL. She knew Avis drove a red Benz. She scolded herself for being paranoid and got into her own car.

She knew she had a surprise planned for Craig. Karen had already given her the okay to have sex, but she wanted tonight to be special. She raced home to prepare. She covered her bed with the navy blue satin sheet set that Tia had given her for Christmas and placed candles all over the bedroom and bathroom. She thought about cooking but decided against it when she remembered she had no culinary skills. So she ordered some Chinese delivery. Once the food had arrived, she called Craig to see what time he would be coming and reminded him to pick up some wine and strawberries. She already had whipped cream in the fridge. She put a slow jams CD in the stereo, double checked Day and waited for her soon-tobe re-lover's arrival.

“Damn, I shoulda got Day in school earlier.” He laughed as Kayla opened the door. She was wearing a blue, silk kimono and matching slippers. Her hair had grown out to its original length and she had it pulled on top of her head. She had sprayed herself with Escada, knowing it was his favorite scent for her to wear.

“Maybe. Come on, dinner's ready.” She turned to go into the kitchen.

“Oh no. I hope you ain't cook.” He groaned.

“You'll have to come and see.” She rolled her eyes and he followed behind her. The table was laid out beautifully and she had the variety of oriental dishes in her glass serving plates and bowls.

“This is beautiful,” he commented as he sat down.

“You get the wine and strawberries?”

“Yeah, right here. Give me a corkscrew so I can open the bottle.”

She passed him the opener and reached into the cabinet to get two glasses. She could feel him walk behind her and reach around her waist. Her body got hot and she had to catch her breath.

“Here,” she said as she turned around, holding the two glasses. He took them from her hand and placed them on the counter with one hand, pulling her to him with the other. She put her arms around his neck and stood on her toes. His arms felt so good around her as he lifted her up off the floor. She wrapped her legs around his thick waist and they kissed each other hard. Kayla found herself biting at his mouth, matching his heat. She had never wanted anyone so bad in all her life. She could feel him through his pants as he carried her to the bedroom. Once there, he laid her on the bed and looked around at the sensual surroundings Kayla had created. He didn't waste any time removing his clothes and climbing next to her. She had already removed her robe and he was staring at her sexy body. She was now even thicker than the first time he saw her nude body. Her breasts were fuller and her nipples were inviting his touch. He took his time running his fingers all over her body and nibbling her every crevice. She moaned in delight as he blew erotic kisses over her body. He kissed and licked from the top of her head to the arch of her foot, which he teased with the tip of his tongue, causing her to squirm. He knew what he was going to do next and so did she. His tongue found his way into her now melted openness and the wetness invited him home. He enjoyed the invitation and let it be known. Kayla found herself lost in the ecstasy he was taking her to. She tried to be mindful that their child was now sleeping in the next room, but could not stop herself from calling his name and letting him know she was there. Just as she caught her breath, he mounted her and began riding her gently. She bucked at first, because it was painful, but soon began to enjoy the ride, her hips rising to meet his. It was Craig who began to moan this time as the heat and wetness from her body began to contract around his thick muscle each time he entered. He began to thrust faster and faster, the sound of their bodies connecting and the scent of their lovemaking making it even better. As they had the first and only time they had ever made love, they reached their climax together and with each other's names on their lips.

“I love you, Kayla,” Craig whispered. Kayla didn't know what to say. She knew she cared for Craig, he was after all the father of her child, but deep down, she knew she still loved Geno. But he was with another woman. What was the use of holding on to those feelings?
Can I love two men at one time?

“I love you too, Craig,” she said as her mind told her heart to shut up. He kissed her once again and rose from the bed, walking into the bathroom. He returned with a warm cloth for her to clean herself up. “Thanks, but I think I need a shower after that one.”

“We did get kinda funky. I think I'll join you. That is, if you don't mind.”

“I don't mind at all.” Kayla grinned as he pulled her up. “Start the water. I need to check on Day.”

She peeked into the dim nursery and made sure Day was still sleeping.
I can't believe she slept through all of that,
she thought. She walked into the room just in time to hear Craig talking on his cell phone.

“Damn, man. I told you I couldn't meet up tonight. I got something to do. We just have to handle it in the morning. Man, naw. Because. Look, meet me in ten minutes and your ass better be there when I get there. Whatever.”

“Who is that?” Kayla asked, causing Craig to damn near jump out of his skin.

“Don't be sneaking up on a brother like that, girl.” He turned and smiled at her. “That was Darrell. I gotta go meet him at the crib right fast.”

“But I thought we were gonna take a shower.”

“Look, give me thirty minutes, Baby. I promise you I will bathe you from your head to your feet,” he said as he pulled on his jeans and Tims. He looked so sexy. Kayla sat on the side of the bed and rolled her eyes. “Thirty minutes. I promise, Kay.”

He kissed her and nearly ran out the door, leaving her sitting on the side of the bed. He returned two hours later and climbed into bed, wrapping his arms around Kayla as she slept.

“Hello.” The call was coming from Lynch Financial Group and Kayla knew it must either be a telemarketer or a wrong number.

“Can I speak to Kayla?”

“Yes, you may. Who's calling?” Kayla indirectly corrected the unknown female caller. She was waiting on Roni to arrive so they could go to lunch with the rest of their girlfriends.

“Avis. Avis Coleman.” Kayla's heart began to thump in her chest. She knew this day was coming, but she still was not prepared. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

“This is she.”

“I need to ask you a few questions.” She could hear the ghetto attitude and New York accent in the woman's voice and knew that it was not gonna be pretty. Craig had assured her that he and Avis were finished, but she still had her doubts.

“Go ahead. I am listening.”

“Are you and Craig fucking?” she asked. Kayla cringed at the crudeness of her question. She decided to attempt the intelligent way out.

“Craig and I are dating, if that's what you want to know. As far as us having a sexual relationship, well, I feel that that's none of your business, especially considering the fact that you two are no longer together.”

“None of my business! Bitch, have you lost your mind? That's my husband. We may be taking a break right now, but we are still and always will be married. I just wanted to know for my own sake and my protection if you are fucking him, because I still am.”

“Well, thank you for being concerned enough about me to let me know that. I will take it all under advisement.” Kayla figured the dumb girl probably had no idea what the word “advisement” meant, and knew that her calmness was pissing her off even more.

“Let me give you a little more facts to take under ad . . . ad . . .
advisement
, since you wanna be so gotdamn funny. Craig is my husband!”

“You already told me that twice,” Kayla said calmly.

“Listen to me, trick! I am his wife and I am the mother of his son. You will never be me. I have his seed. You may be his
piece
for right now, but I have his son. He will be taking care of me forever. You are nothing to him! I am everything!” she screamed. Kayla tried to remain calm and not let the worst of her come out, but this ghetto bitch had said the wrong thing.

“Guess what? He might have me be his
‘piece
,' as you call it, for a little longer than you think, my dear. You see, I would never want to be your funky, uneducated ass for nothing in this world. Not only do I have my own, but I got his seed too, boo. I am the mother of his daughter.” Kayla hung the phone up thinking,
let her think about that.
When Roni came through the door Kayla was still
fuming
.

“You ready? What is wrong with you?” Roni looked at her friend who was so mad she was almost feverish.

“That stank ho Avis called me.” The phone rang and Kayla read the caller ID. “This is her again. She's calling from her job. Hello.”

“I know you are a liar, bitch. You know Craig is out in the streets blowing up and you trying to take him for what he worth. I know your so-called daughter ain't his. But you know what? You keep trying me and I am gonna really fuck you
and
your baby up.”

“Listen, I don't take to threats too kindly, so let me warn you. Don't let your mouth write a check your ass can't cash. Don't call my house again.” She hung the phone up and grabbed her purse. The phone began to ring again. “Let's go before I have to get ugly.”

“You should let me talk to that bitch,” Roni said as she grabbed the diaper bag and the car seat. “Aunt Roni knows how to handle hers, right, Day?”

“Mommy knows how to handle her own, too!” Kayla slammed the door as they left.

After a wonderful lunch with her friends, Kayla returned to find that she had thirty-eight new calls on her caller ID and twelve new messages. She looked at the small screen of the phone and there were different numbers, but they all came from Lynch Financial Group.

“I don't believe this. She called almost forty times and she left twelve messages.”

“No she didn't. Play them on speakerphone so I can hear them,” Roni told her. Kayla played each message. They were all full of profanity and threats to her and Day. She told Kayla she knew where she lived and was gonna kill her. She even offered to meet Kayla somewhere so they could fight like “real women”.

“You really are crazy. Ain't no nigga worth fighting over,” Kayla replied to Avis' voice. But there was something else about the messages that bothered Roni.

“Kay, what does she mean about Craig making big money in the streets now?”

“I don't know. She said something about that to me earlier. I thought she was talking about the raise he got at the restaurant.”

“I don't think so. I betcha that nigga is hustling. You see, a woman like her ain't gonna be sweating him like that if he just a cook. And you said she drives a Benz. Unless she's a big time broker at Lynch, she wouldn't be driving a Benz. He's hustling.”

The phone rang again as Kayla was thinking about what her friend had just told her.

“It's her again,” she told Roni.

“Let her leave another message,” Roni told her.

“I am, but in the meantime, I'm gonna get her ass.” Kayla called the phone company and got her number changed immediately. She found the toll-free number for Lynch Financial Group and called them. “Yes, I need to speak with Corporate Security, please. Thank you.”

“What are you doing?” Roni frowned.

“Outsmarting the dumb bitch. She is so stupid. Watch this. Hi, my name is Kayla Hopkins and I need to report harassment by one of your employees. Her name is Avis Coleman. Yes, well Mrs. Coleman has called my residence several times today from your company and even left threatening messages on my voice mail. As a matter of fact, hold one moment and I will play them for you.” Kayla clicked to the other line and dialed the voice mail number, playing the messages for the manager. “As you can see, these messages are time and date stamped, and if you compare that to Mrs. Coleman's schedule, you will see that they were made on company time. Now, I am sure you are paying Mrs. Coleman to do something other than bother persons such as myself. I have contacted the authorities as well as my attorney, and you will be hearing from them soon. I am calling you to ask Mrs. Coleman as a courtesy to refrain from contacting me. Yes, that's fine. Let me give you my new telephone number for them to call me. I had to go through the inconvenience of changing it due to this unfortunate circumstance. Yes.” Kayla gave him the number and he assured her that the company's attorney would call her as soon as possible.

“Work it, girl. Be smarter than her!” Roni snapped her fingers at Kayla and she tried not to laugh.

“Thank you. And one more thing, can you let Mrs. Coleman know that it is a federal offense to use profanity over telephone lines in a threatening manner? The telephone company could prosecute her and have her home lines permanently disconnected. You have a wonderful day as well.” Kayla tossed her head back with laughter as she hung the phone up.

“A woman after my own heart. I trained you well.” Roni hugged her girlfriend. “One down, one to go.”

“What do you mean?” Kayla asked.

“We're gonna find out if that brother is dealing. Come on. We'll drop Day off at Tia's.” Roni jumped into the car. They dropped Day and explained to Tia that they had some emergency business to take care of. Tia just shook her head and took the baby and the diaper bag.

“Where are we going now?” Kayla asked.

“To Toby's. He'll know someone that could tell us if Craig is hustling.”