What A Relief: Chapter 18

He left at first light. Ashlyn dropped him off at the airport. Afterward, she headed to Sarasota to visit her father for a week.

Chima was sick to his stomach. He sat in the first class. The flight attendant offered him a beverage. He refused it. He wanted a clear head when he landed in Carson City. He reclined his seat and remembered his first and only sexual encounter with Rochelle.

Mark was working late. Rochelle popped up with pizza. He told her Mark wasn't there, but she said, "We may as well eat this while it's hot."

He stepped aside, and she entered the apartment. They sat talking about movies they loved. As they sat talking, the pizza disappeared, and so did the beers that Chima cracked open from the refrigerator. After all the beer was gone, Chima decided to sip on something a little stronger, but she stated she was good.

He poured himself a glass of Hennessy. One cup turned into two and then three. He sang loudly various songs that he enjoyed. She was into Neo Soul and loved the way he sang some of Musik Soul Child's songs. They danced a little. Suddenly, his glance was interpreted as something more. She planted a kiss on his full lips.

At first, he stared at her in disbelief, "I thought you and M—"

She kissed him again. Her hand caressed him below. She pushed him back. She pulled his dick out and was in awe of it. She couldn't resist sitting on it before he protested. She rode him slowly until her body quivered.

After it was done, she saw the troubled look on Chima's face. "Chima, let's not say anything to Mark. This was just something that happened."

He nodded.

Chima sighed. It wouldn't be long before he'd see Rochelle again.

He still remembers being at a party one night. It was when Charlene was trying to get Mark's attention. He wasn't too keen on her at first. She presented as a little abrasive and rude.

But that night, she overheard Chima and Rochelle referencing what happened that night. Even though Rochelle said she wanted to forget the night, it was too hard to forget that long stroke. Chima turned her down of course because he still felt bad.

Charlene confronted Chima about the issue. All she asked of Chima was not to get in her way. She saw Mark as a good stable man and was going to secure him.

With so many thoughts running through his mind, he didn't realize it was almost time to land.

****

The drive gave him time to formulate his thoughts. He had created a dozen scripts but finally decided to go with a direct approach. The GPS led him to these nice apartments in a middle-class area. He parked. The engine shut off. He took several deep breaths before exiting the rental vehicle.

The sun was bright. That dry heat hit differently from the south-central Florida heat. His nostrils dried out. He cleared his throat. He looked around. The apartment was on the second floor. As he walked toward the stairs, he saw people heading to the pool dressed in their bathing suits.

He saw the young man, Percy strolling by with a pretty young girl. Their eyes met. Percy spoke to him as he passed by. Chima's heart beat against his chest. He always wanted a son, but he wanted one he could mold. Fifteen years were robbed from him and the young man. Chima was torn with that idea.

He reached the top. He looked at the apartment numbers and determined he had to go left. He took long strides and stopped at the door labeled 224. He lifted the little handle and allowed it to tap the door. Moments later, he stared into her chestnut-colored eyes.

She was frozen, "My goodness, Chima?"

He nodded, "You still remember me after all this time."

"Of course, how on earth—"

"I looked you up."

"Are you here on business?"

"Something like that. I'm here to discuss our son."

She made a face, "Come inside." She allowed him to walk by her. Her home was inviting. Crisp white décor, hardwood floors, soft gray paint on the walls. "Have a seat. I'll get you a drink."

He sat in a brown leather chair. She was in the kitchen pouring him a cold glass of lemonade. She set the glasses on a tray and walked into the living room. The tray rested on the coffee table. She handed him a glass and then took one for herself.

Her natural hair was in sister locs pulled up in a high bun, "So, I have to say this visit comes as quite a surprise."

He sipped and then responded, "I had to come once I found out about Percy."

"Ah," she nodded, "our son?" she chuckled.

"Why would you keep that from me for all these years?"

"First of all, Percy is my son. And you are not his father."

"But the timing. You left after you found out you were pregnant."

"I was already pregnant when I seduced you. Mark knew I was pregnant. That's why he was helping me. We were friends. Nothing more."

Chima let out a deep breath.

She laughed, "Relieved aren't you."

He chuckled, "But...are you telling me the truth?"

"Yes. Percy's father already had a paternity test done. He wanted it when I asked for child support. Things were rocky but now, we co-parent well. He lives three doors down."

He had mixed feelings about the news. Yet, he couldn't deny it made his life simpler. He stood, "I guess I should let you get back to enjoying your day."

"You're free to stay for dinner. I mean you did just travel thousands of miles by air."

****

After enjoying a meal with Rochelle, Chima got into his rental. He inputted an address into the GPS. His cell phone sounded. He answered, "Hello, babe."

"So, how's your son?"

"He's not my son. She was already pregnant when we slept together."

"Well, at least you know."

"Yeah. Any news from Kendra and Mark?"

"Um, no. I haven't heard from either of them. They are probably enjoying some time alone. Are you flying back tonight?"

"I'm going to get a hotel. I have a fraternity brother in the area. I'm going to just take a couple of days to kind of unwind."

"Understandable. I love you."

"Love you too."

****

He was in a deep sleep. She heard the faint sounds of him moaning. She eased closer to him. Her hand found his stiff cock. She slipped under the covers and tasted him. He hummed and moaned in his sleep. In his mind, he was having the best dream ever.

He saw her face, her curls, her pretty brown eyes. He smiled as he watched her head bob up and down. "Kendra," he said softly.

She froze. She glared at him and slapped his leg. He popped up, "What?"

"What are you dreaming about?"

"Dreaming? Huh? Nothing."

She huffed, "Did you even know that I was sucking your dick?"

"Um—"

"I'm going to take a shower. When I am done. We need to go to your parents' house and get Carly."

He made a face. "I think she needs more time."

"No. It's been long enough. A week she's been over there bad-mouthing me to your parents." She stomped away toward the bathroom. The shower sounded.

Mark grumbled as he exited the bed. He dragged himself into the bathroom to prepare for the day. He smelled the fragment scent of vanilla and lavender. He attempted to slide into the shower, but she stopped him, "What are you doing?"

"We can shower together to save time."

"I prefer if you just give me a few minutes to finish."

He nodded, "Sure. I'll just brush my teeth or something."

Charlene rinsed her body. The water turned off. She reached for a towel and wrapped herself, "So, have you spoken to your friend since we've gotten back together?"

Mark sighed, "No. His assistant stated he was out of town and when I tried calling his phone...he didn't answer."

"Um, well, I see they have chosen a side."

"They haven't chosen a side. Chima and I have been friends for years."

She placed her hand on his shoulder, "He doesn't like me and you know I'm not too fond of his wife. Maybe that season of your life is over," she said plainly before leaving the bathroom.

Mark was frozen. He stared at his reflection. Is that season of my life really over? He wondered.

*****

He hadn't seen her pretty smile in days. He decided to stop by with his camera to offer his services. He knocked and waited patiently. Just when he almost gave up, the door opened. Kendra's hair was cornrowed back with an afro puff, "Hey Coen."

"Kendra, how are you?"

"I've been better."

"Anything I can help with?"

She sighed, "Not unless you know how to fix broken hearts."

"I wish I did. But I am a great listener. I brought my camera to take some pictures of Behati."

She stepped aside. She needed some company. She had only spoken to Chima and Ashlyn briefly to let them know that she wasn't with Mark anymore and had no intention of speaking to him again.

Ashlyn and Chima were taking time to detox. They did extend Kendra the offer to move in with them again. She was seriously considering their offer.

It was nice to see Coen. He was always a breath of fresh air. And showed interest in her daughter. He walked inside and took a seat. Behati was still sleeping so he couldn't do the pictures as planned but he was able to listen to Kendra talk about what happened between her and Mark.

As she spoke about her experience. He couldn't help but notice her bags packed, "Are you going on a trip?"

"I'm planning to go stay with some friends. They offered me a chance to live with them."

"I bet they have a beautiful home."

She nodded, "It is. But it's more than that. They are my family."

"I know you're still hurt from not getting what you expected. I wanted to remind you that I am still single."

She heard the baby fuss, "Let me go check on her."

As Coen sat there waiting for Kendra to return. The front door opened. Chima stared at him and sighed, "You're here again."

Coen stood, "I was just visiting with Kendra and the baby."

"Is your visit over?" he asked which seemed like more of a determination.

"I suppose it is." Coen walked toward the door and stopped in front of Chima, "You feel threatened by me."

Chima scoffed, "I'm not threatened by you. I don't trust you. You're up to something."

Coen scoffed, "If you feel I'm up to something, it's because you're up to something."

Chima chuckled and got serious, "Be careful. I protect anything I love fiercely."

"So do I," he replied before he left.

"Sorry about that," Kendra's voice sounded as she walked into the living room, "Oh, hey Chima."

"Coen had to leave."

"Oh okay. Welcome back." She approached him, wrapped her arms around him, and then kissed his mouth.

He touched her chin and kissed her mouth, "How are you?"

"I don't know. I've been pushing it out of my mind."

He touched her belly, "Are you?"

She nodded, "I am. But I told him that I wasn't."

He made a face, "Why?"

She chuckled, "You already know why. This baby is yours Chima."

He lifted her. He sat on the sofa, "Are you happy?"

He pulled off her shirt. She undid his pants and his love stick pointed to the ceiling. She didn't waste time moving her panties to the side and swallowing his cock in her hungry center. "I missed you."

He smiled, "I missed you too." He looked over her shoulder and saw the bags, "Are you coming home with me?"

She nodded, "Yes. Fuck yes."

He stood, "Yes. Yes. Yes. I love you."

"Um, I love you too."

*****

Mark's mother was a pretty biracial woman. She sat across from her son and daughter-in-law. "She's our daughter. All this other stuff you're saying is moot," Charlene argued.

His mother rolled her eyes, "Charlene. My granddaughter deserves to have her feelings validated. And you need to watch your tone when you address her."

Charlene scoffed, "I gave birth to that girl. And no one is going to tell me how to raise my child."

"You didn't have a problem with me raising your children when you wanted to be out in the streets instead of taking care of my son and those babies."

"Whoa, whoa. Mom. Charlene. Let's take a beat," insisted Mark.

They sat quietly. Their arms folded. Mark stood. "I'll go speak with the kids together."

Mark got his kids together in the den. He sat in a chair directly across from the sofa. "Your mom and I have decided to reconcile. Now, I know that you have some mixed feelings—"

Carly sucked her teeth, "I don't want to listen to this."

"I've been patient with you Carly," Mark said sternly.

She rolled her eyes.

"I get it. You're upset about how things transpired between Kendra and me. Life is complicated and when you grow up, you'll see. Now, when we first told you both about the divorce, neither of you was happy."

Michael shrugged, "I like Kendra. She was nice. But mom is our mom."

Carly huffed.

Mark asked Michael to leave the room. Then he sat next to Carly, "You have to come home."

Her eyes watered, "Even if things didn't work out with you and Kendra...I still wouldn't want you to go back with Mom. She's just going to hurt you again."

He sighed, "Things will be different this time. We must give her a chance."

"I hope for your sake, you're right, Dad."