Lyfe Changing (15 page)

They all clung to the hope
in my words and nodded slowly getting back to work…I did the same.
I had enough of feeling sorry for myself and I was not going to let
them start this ongoing pity party either cause in reality it was
not getting us anywhere. I may not have been where I wanted to be
but I could be doing a hell of a lot worse…and that was some real
talk.

I made my way back to my
grandmother’s house; it was Wednesday night bible study so I knew
she wouldn’t be home. Good thing she left dinner for me on the
stove though cause I sure as hell was hungry. As I wolfed down my
food I made my way to my bedroom and slowly sat down on the side of
the bed. I had been working all day and was sore and tired. I
needed to feel something soothing and relaxing from everything
stressing me out. I closed my eyes and imagined someone helping me
take off my jacket, the feel of gentle fingertips caressing my back
and neck felt good. “Derrick…” I heard the soft sexy voice whisper
in my ear. “Derrick…” I smiled knowing who it was, her dark hair
hung across mine and she kissed my cheek. I turned my head to face
her, Destiny looked so beautiful as I envisioned her in a sexy
black lace bra and matching panties.

She smiled at me knowing I
was eyeing her beautiful body. A diamond choker hung around her
neck bringing more attention to the curves of her breast. I played
with a strap on her thigh that connected her panties and stockings.
“You’ve been waiting for me?” I whispered to her. She nodded still
smiling seductively. I brought her mouth down to mine and tasted
those sweet lips. Our tongues mingled together causing a
stimulating friction between us. I laid down on the bed and Destiny
lingered over me. I brought my hand up to her face and trail down
to the curves of her breast. Destiny continued to smile at me even
when she faded out of my imagination. I sighed and relaxed back in
the bed unable to shake this woman from my mind.

12

New Life…New
Focus

Derrick

“Well I must say you boys
are doing a fine job…A fine job indeed.” Pastor Wallace showed up
today at the church to see the progress we had made so far. I had
to hand it to us…we had been doing a pretty good job. The inside of
the church was fixed up; the roof was in better condition, and with
a fresh new paint job. The only thing that was left was the
expansion of the church but other than that everything looked
pretty good. “Thanks pastor, these boys been working really hard…”
I nodded as I took off my work gloves and tossed them to the side.
Pastor Wallace smiled. “Well since everybody has been doing so well
I thought I would treat you guys today. There’s pizza and drinks in
the kitchen have at it.”

They all cheered and rushed
inside as if that were their last meal. I just shook my head and
chuckled. I noticed Pastor watching me as I reached over the table
and got a swig of water; he looked as if he wanted to say
something. “Well Brother Derrick how have you been huh?” He asked
eying me. I shrugged not sure where he was getting at. “I have been
good…I can’t complain.” He nodded as he took a seat at the nearby
picnic table. “That’s good…you know the boys really look up to you.
Like a big brother or something…it figures you do have that leader
type quality.”

I nodded in agreement. I
knew the guys looked up to me, they would do anything I asked them
but I didn’t know how I felt about being a role model. Pastor
picked up on my sudden silence. “Derrick I have come across a lot
guys like you…natural born leaders, skillful, but they can’t seem
to stay out off the streets long enough to make something of
themselves. They do their little service for a while and then as
soon as possible they are back out into the storm.” Pastor Wallace
inspected me as if he were trying to pick my brain. I turned away
from him and sighed. I couldn’t help the way I was feeling. Life on
the outside was so easy and quick; I could get five grand in the
matter of hours if I wasn’t on papers. Sure De and Ray was helping
me out here and there but it was nowhere near what I used to
have.

Everything legit was so hard
and tough. It was a struggle everyday not to turn back to my old
life…even for a moment. “Pastor I hear you but you just don’t know
how hard it is to stay on the straight and narrow.” I finally
admitted. “Yes I do Derrick, I counsel people all day long about
their struggles…the main thing I tell them is to stay productive,
keep busy so you won’t think about the street life anymore.” Pastor
Wallace stood up and touched my shoulder.

“Derrick if you want to be a
better man you can be…if want a better life for yourself and your
kids give them one. God helps those that help themselves…but you
got to want it.” I tried to find some relief in his words but it
just wasn’t registering, I was a thoroughbred hoodlum inside and
out and no matter how much good I did nothing was going to change
that…yet I nodded in agreement so we could end the conversation. “I
say you take the rest of the day off and take some time to clear
your mind.” He suggested. I looked at him in confusion.

“But we still got a lot of
work to do.”

“
Not to day I want you guys
to have some free time…I’m pretty sure there are four little rug
rats that wouldn’t mind spending time with their daddy.”

I smiled. It had been awhile
since I had seen my babies; I quickly packed my tools and headed
back home. I was looking forward to the rest of the day. Maybe I
would take the kids to the park, or for ice cream.

I quickly cleaned up,
rounded up the crew of youngsters and headed out to Central Park
where we walked around enjoying the rest of day. We laughed as I
caught up on their school stories, football practices, and ballet
recitals. It felt good to be with my children especially knowing
there was a possibility I could have never seen them again after
the accident. I held them close to me as we continued to walk. “We
missed you dad, where you been?” Dante looked up questioning me.
Out of all my children I must say he was the most outspoken, he had
to have gotten that from his mother, Lord knows she couldn’t bite
her tongue if she tried. I looked down at him and smiled. “I have
been working little man…somebody got to feed you.” Although the
check from working at the church was barely enough for me to eat, I
was doing more than what I could for my kids.

Good thing my boys had my
back on the handouts and I knew to keep some money stashed away in
different locations in case of an emergency. So even though I was
living by the dollar my kids pockets never changed, they still got
the same amount of money every month like always, although their
mothers didn’t know where it was coming from. “I’m glad you’re
feeling better dad.” Danton spoke up meekly. Danton always carried
Amari’s soft spoken attitude, he was a good boy, always stayed out
of trouble and I was very grateful for that. “I’m glad I doing
better too. Your dad was out for a minute.” I joked. Danton was the
only one of my kids who really knew about my accident, he and Amari
were the only ones who came to see me a couple times to make sure I
was all right. I couldn’t tell my youngest ones at the time because
I didn’t want them to get upset.

“Daddy was hurt bad huh?”
Delilah said patting my chest as I carried her in my arms. I kissed
the top of her head. “Yeah daddy was hurt bad…” “But you all right
now though?” Dean asked. “Of course I am…you didn’t know your daddy
was super man?” I said curving an S on my chest making Dean laugh.
“Dad why are staying with grandma Rose?” Dante looked up at me
carrying his football. I figured their mothers must have been
gossiping about my financial downfall. I could tell now that my
pocket seemed empty they weren’t too eager to play anymore. I
chuckled at the thought of it. I never needed money to get them in
the sack before and I didn’t need it know. Not only that, I no
longer really desired too…I guess the hood-rat-itis disease I had
was running out of my system. I was just happy to be with my
children again they were the only thing important to me.

“Well lil buddy daddy
needed a place to stay and grandma Rose needed somebody to help out
around the house, so everything kind of worked itself
out.”

“
Mama says that you broke
and the feds took everything from you…The house, the cars, your
money…everything.”

Dante spoke shaking his
head. I clinched my teeth pissed as hell with Kim, knowing she was
discussing unnecessary business with my ten year old…damn that girl
was so immature. “Tell your mama if she discusses any of my
business with anybody else again there’s going to be trouble.” I
said looking at him sternly patting his head. He nodded and looked
away knowing he said too much. Danton looked confused by it all but
said nothing. “What’s on your mind big man?” I asked
him.

He licked his dry lips
before speaking. “I just don’t understand how you could be broke
but still give us money? Where is it coming from?” He asked
curiously. I tilted my head back and laughed. “I don’t care if I
was homeless and living on the street you guys will never want for
nothing, understand?” He looked at me peculiarly then smiled and
nodded as we continued to walk. “Well I’m glad you’re hanging out
with us today dad.” Danton said holding my forearm. “Well get used
to it…because we all are going to be spending a lot more time
together.” The all cheered as we came across the nearest ice cream
shop. As the kids made their orders I noticed her walking across
the street back to her gallery. I couldn’t miss those long pretty
legs that were extremely exposed in her short satin
dress.

Destiny looked so lovely I
couldn’t help but smile. “Who’s that dad?” Dante asked holding his
snow cone while looking from me to Destiny. This kid was worse than
a cop, watching my every move and noticing everything. I shook my
head and turned my attention back to my kids. “Oh just a friend .”
He eyed me suspiciously. “A friend or friend friend…” He put
emphasis on the last word. “Boy you are too grown…sit down eat your
ice cream.” As I got everybody settled and distracted I couldn’t
help but try to sneak one more peak at Destiny…too bad my lovely
angel was gone.

Destiny

“Whoo” I said coming into
the gallery beating the oncoming traffic on the street. I had been
running errands all day and my legs felt like spaghetti. Marisol
was in the back coordinating colors for the upcoming charity ball
that would be hosted at my gallery. It was something I did every
year and took much pride into decorating and setting the themes for
the event. “Ok…I got the pastels for the ball we needed, so now all
we have to do is decorate and make sure everything is hung up
properly.” Marisol looked up at me carrying the bags in and came to
help. “We have gotten calls and reservations all morning, we may
have to up the orders.” I groaned as I removed my jacket. “Oh Lord,
do we even have enough space for all these people?” Marisol glanced
around. “Well this place is pretty big and mainly people are going
to be looking at the art.” I nodded. “True….true…So what do we have
here?” I asked looking at my invisible mahogany desk filled with
paper work. Marisol came over to explain everything to me and make
sure I was aware what needed to be done.

“Well the drapes are being
hung around the gallery, everything coordinates to the red color
scheme you suggested, we even have the red colored paintings
hanging in the fore front, and also the multi colored paintings
will be out as well but more so in the back.” I tried to stay
focused as Marisol gave me the low down on everything that was
being done and needed to be down. It all seemed like a big
confusing blur mainly because I had other things on my mind. Very
much to my dismay I couldn’t stop thinking about Derrick, I had
never met a man that made me want to slap him and kiss him at the
same time. It was so frustrating, everything in my being was
telling me that this guy was no good and that I would be crazy if I
ever spoke to him again. Then other things wanted to look at his
handsome face, smell his cologne, and feel his warm body holding me
so comfortably.

I started to think maybe I
was just lonely, maybe I just needed somebody there, but that
couldn’t be true because I could find anybody just to be there,
something was different about Derrick something just felt right.
“Des…Destiny, did you get all of that?” Marisol asked looking at me
puzzled. I snapped out of my own thoughts and came back to
reality.

“Oh yes…yes everything is
good. I will get on the phone and check with the caterer so we can
up the food and also check in with more contributors for the
charity ball.”

“Ok I’ll make sure the
place is looking good up to the standards for the lovely Destiny
Witt.”

Marisol said as she bowed
out of my presence. I chuckled at her as she left. Everything
seemed to be going according to plan but for some reason I still
felt a miss. I laid my head back against my chair and closed my
eyes to try and relax.
Relax….relax…relax
. I kept telling
myself. Letting my mind wonder I felt strong hands massaging my
scalp and running callous fingers through my hair. I felt warm lips
kiss my cheek and trail down to my neck; I grabbed the back of this
mystery man’s head and felt his long dark silky hair in my hands.
His touch was so soft and delicate along with his lips. Everything
down to my toe nails felt stimulated. My pleasurable thoughts were
interrupted when I heard a knock at the door. I sat up startled and
disappointed that my relaxation method had come to a halt.
“Sleeping on the job?” A familiar smooth voice filled my ears.
James Ryan appeared in my office and looking just handsome as ever
before and had me completely discombobulated. “Hey there… long time
no see…”