Page 17 of The Heart Of A Real Woman
“Okay,” she kissed my lips before reaching for the food. “Here,” she said, handing me a turkey sandwich and a bag of chips.
“Nah, baby. You eat both. I’m good,” I told her with pride, knowing I planned to have her out for a few hours and didn’t have any more money to spare for food.
That made me feel small too. Even as a young nigga, I wanted to be able to give her the world. But I had to give my son the world as well. I couldn’t afford to be reckless with my money.
“I can’t eat both. One is enough for me.”
I still wasn’t budging. “I’m straight.”
“You haven’t eaten. You need to.”
“I’m more concerned about you. I don’t bring you back to school until 4. I wanna make sure you’re not hungry.” I glanced at the clock on my phone.
“I won’t be.Eat. I packed extra for you.” She pulled out more snacks, shit that she had learned was my favorite.
When I still didn’t budge, Mary cupped my chin with those magical ass hands of hers, turning me to face her. With my eyes low, I stared into hers. I didn’t know what had me feeling higher, the blunt I’d just smoked or her stunning face. I swear, her beauty took my fucking breath away.
“Don’t be like that. You put gas in your car for us to get all the way out here, and I got us on food. You need to eat. I know you haven’t.”
I ran my hand over my head, feeling frustrated. She was right. I hadn’t eaten since last night. The truth was, I was starving, but my pride wouldn’t let me take from her. I had made a little money the night before, but when it came into my hands, it was already accounted for.
I had to get my son the things he needed since his mom was too lazy to even apply for assistance. I set some aside for savings to get an apartment, covered my room fee, and kept a few dollars to get some roses and gas, knowing the beach was about an hour away. Mary had begged me to go, and I wasn’t about to let her down. I had shown up at her school with flowers, ready to whisk her away.
“Please,” She grabbed my hand and placed the sandwich in it, insisting I eat.
We didn’t go back and forth after that. I did it because she begged me to, and I didn’t like the sound of that. She’d never have to plead with me for shit.
After we finished eating, we walked along the beach, sharing more of our dreams and goals. Mary had told me a while back that she wanted to be either a forensic analyst or a forensic accountant. Two completely different paths, but she took the time to break down why both piqued her interest. And see, that was that shit. I ain’t never met nobody who wanted to do something like that before. Shorty was so different from the other chicks I had fucked with.
I knew she was smart enough to do anything she wanted, so I told her she could do both. She laughed like I was trippin’, but I was dead serious. I believed in her just as much as she believed in me.
By the time we made it back to our side of town, we had about two more hours to spare, so we headed to my room. I had upgraded to a hotel in a better area, which was why a nigga was really stretching thin on money. Shit cost more, but it was worth it. Not only did I have my son to think about, but I also had Mary chillin’ with me whenever she could get away. I couldn’t have her laid up with me at the old spot, where a bunch of prostitutes and drug addicts were lurking around.
As soon as we stepped inside, Mary took a shower to get the sand off her. I went in next, taking a little longer than she did. I remembered the days when I didn’t have hot water because my mama couldn’t pay the gas bill. Even amid my current predicament, I felt grateful for this small moment of comfort.
When I came out of the restroom, I expected to see Mary dressed in the extra uniform she had stuffed in her backpack.But she was on the bed waiting for me instead, towel still draped around her, hair falling over her shoulders, legs wide open.
“Mary,” I called, pausing in my steps.
“Yeah?” she answered seductively.
“Where yo’ clothes at, baby?”
I ran my hand down my face, trying to control my hormones. Normally, I could keep my cool around her. I knew she was a virgin, and she had made it clear before that she wasn’t ready for sex. She had it stuck in her head that she wanted to wait and make sure I was the one before she gave herself to me, and I respected that. But right now, all I wanted was to be inside of her, and I hoped her actions meant she was finally ready for that.
“Still in my bag.”
“Why?”
“'Cause I don’t want them on me.”
“Why not?”
“'Cause I want you on me instead, Moses.”
“If I get on top of you, I’m going inside you, Mary.” I told her straight up, meaning every word. “I fear you ain’t truly ready for that, though.”
She nodded seriously. “I am ready.”
