Page 17 of Caught off Guard

“That’s why I don’t understand why you’re with Geoff’s stuffy tail. Maybe this is God’s way of breaking you from the chains he has over you. Nothing about him agrees with my spirit. At all. He’s a burden and a yoke. Cairo is a man who’s in your league.”

I shook my head.

“The primary reason I’m taking Cairo up on his offer is because I need a break.”

My mind went back to the luncheon and how I thought I might pass out having to tell everyone that Liberation programs and scholarships were being cut. It had been years since I had an anxiety attack, but the second my palms got moist, I searched for the nearest exit so I wouldn’t embarrass myself.

“God was definitely in the building today. If Cairo hadn’t risen and made that announcement, I probably wouldn’t have been able to look people in the eye for weeks. I felt like I was letting down so many people who trusted me.”

“You’ve always been a perfectionist. That’s not a good combo with the pressure of your job, so I’m thankful for your new knight in shining armor. And who says you can’t get your little freak on with him too?” She wiggled her eyebrows and shimmied her shoulders.

“If you like him so much, maybe I can introduce you to him.”

Lena raised her hands and shook her head viciously.

“Nah, Zo. Don’t even try that. I don’t want your sloppy seconds. No matter how similar we look, Cairo wants you. And I’m going to do everything in my power for him to get what he wants. What are you doing with your hair?”

I ran my fingers through my thick, almost waist-length natural hair. Although my sister kept hers short, I chose to maintain my length, since it was easy for me to pin it up and tuck it in a variety of ways. Since I had somewhat of a baby face too, buns and updos gave me a serious look as I shared my ideas and plans with donors and peers who didn’t always welcome women’s opinions and leadership.

Lena tugged on the ends of my hair.

“You’re going to flat iron it and wear it down this weekend. Show Cairo what he has to look forward to when he takes you from the back.”

I gasped, surprised yet not surprised by my sister’s raunchiness. Although she was a high school physics teacher by day, she sold adult toys on the side by night. Lena’s Labia and Lips brought in so much business she could retire ten years early if she wanted to.

I bought several pairs of edible panties and oils to support her side hustle but had never used them with a partner. Many of the items remained in a red storage box sealed on the top shelf in the back of my closet.

“At least pack the heated massage oil. Cairo might need a rub down after the game. It’s going to be a tough one. The eucalyptuswill relax his muscles and have him sleeping like a newborn.” She was serious for fifteen seconds before she returned to her silly self. “After that, use the oil to wake his pole up and ride him like a bronco until he’s ready to hibernate.”

To illustrate her point, Lena leaped up and down and twirled a fake lasso. She ended her performance by throwing her imaginary rope over me and reeling herself to me.

I sighed.

“Your energy is contagious. When did I become so boring and a stick in the mud though?” Tears filled my eyes as I thought about my life and how off-kilter I felt.

I had always been on the fast track, telling myself I would pay now and play later. That mentality had me frazzled, and the pressure of my job wore me down more than I thought.

Lena hugged me close as I cried. Within seconds, she started crying too.

“You just have to remember that you are more than your job, love. You’re kind, beautiful, funny, and all the things you always were. Let loose with that sexy stallion. It’s one weekend. Then go back to being the illustrious President Zora Langston. This is your chance to take care of yourself. And your needs. With no judgment or condemnation.”

I wiped my eyes.

“You’re right. Cairo knows what it’s like to wear a public mask. I’ll remove mine if he removes his. No judgment or condemnation.”

The next day,Cairo’s driver, Wayne, pulled into the cul-de-sac of the president’s mansion five minutes before noon. When he rang my doorbell, we exchanged pleasantries. I locked thehouse and placed my cross-body purse and carry-on bag on my shoulder. Wayne rolled my Louis Vuitton suitcase to the trunk.

He opened the door, and I slid into the most luxurious SUV I’d ever seen, with white leather seats that looked and smelled like they were fresh from the factory. I imagined how perfect Cario’s house must be. I shouldn’t have been surprised, though, since everything about him screamed excellence and high class. Not even a hair was out of place in his neatly groomed, long beard.

“Feel free to adjust the air if it’s too warm or cold.” Wayne’s kind voice reminded me of my late grandfather’s as he pulled off the property.

“Mr. Wayne, do I detect a South Alabama accent?” The pitch of my voice rose and twanged to match his.

Because of my upbringing, I didn’t care if he told me to call him Wayne. He was my elder, and he would get the respect he earned. If I brought nothing else to my students in my role as president, they learned first-hand the importance of respecting their elders.

“Why, yes. What do you know about that part of the country?” He asked the question, directing his light brown eyes toward me in the rearview mirror.

He smiled so big I saw a couple of missing teeth in the side of his mouth.

---