would’ve walked, ran, swam, and pole-vaulted to the ends of the earth for. He and Jefferson were fraternity brothers, Omega Psi Phi, bound together like a ball and chain, trying to emulate the successes of their brothers William “Bill” Cosby, Reverend Jesse Jackson, the late astronaut Ronald McNair, and Michael Jordan.
Something else had Malik bound. It was not the fraternity brother he held in high esteem. Friendship had its place, but there was something, someone more demanding of his time, thoughts, and dreams.
Had his life come to this, moping around like a lovesick puppy? Malik had not been able to eat or sleep because his head was rocked with daydreams of Margo Myles, his fraternity brother’s wife. It frustrated him that he allowed so much time to pass while he cultivated an unsuspecting Margo for a future that had no guarantees, and when the moment came to release his pent-up feelings to her, she reacted like he was an unwanted stalker. In his soul, Malik felt Margo’s presence, and he was going to find a way to reel her in because she was a catch worthy of his time.
But the bars of the cell that were supposed to house Jefferson Myles at Raleigh’s Central Prison for another fifteen years were suddenly opened, and his dutiful wife Margo, who stood by his side for his eventual return, now welcomed him home with open arms. Jefferson reminded Malik of the story in the Bible of Daniel in the lion’s den and the three Hebrew boys, Shadrack, Meschack and Abindigo, who were thrown in a fiery furnace yet God delivered each one. For sure, Jefferson had nine lives; there could be no other answer.
The bell on the front door jingled-a fixture Malik had mounted on the door at Margo’s suggestion. He pulled himself out of his daydream to face the customer that dared to interrupt his thoughts.
His mouth fell as he watched the beautiful woman in the red linen jacket, white linen slacks and white silk blouse walk through the door. Malik scrambled to his feet and tripped on a cord that he hadn’t taken care to secure to the floor.
“Margo, what are you doing here? Is Jefferson with you?” Malik punctuated his words.
“No, I’m alone. I had to show a house this afternoon, and since I was in the neighborhood, I thought I’d drop by to see how you were doing.”
“I’m much better, now that you’re here,” Malik said with a smile that stretched the width of his face.
“Look, Malik, I don’t want to beat around the bush.” Malik’s smile began to fade. “My husband is home now, and I really want to make it work. I don’t know how since…since I can’t stop thinking about what you said the last time we were together…”
“Can you be feeling what I’m feeling, Margo? I won’t apologize for the way I feel about you. I’ve been in love with you for some time now. I was afraid to say it any earlier than I did for fear you would react the way you did.”
“Malik, I don’t know what’s going on inside of me. I want to make love to my husband, but I can’t because you keep getting in the way. I hold Jefferson, but I’m thinking about you.”
Malik stood in front of Margo and looked into her eyes. “Oh, Margo, I’ve prayed for this day. God, I know it’s wrong, but I can’t deny how I feel about you. And I do want you.”
“Maybe you’re lonely because of Toni. We’ve both been without our loved ones, Malik. We’re probably reacting to pent-up needs that we’ve been deprived of for so long.”
“Margo, I loved you before Toni and I were married.”
“Malik! I know you loved Toni. You told me so not more than a week ago.”
“I did love her, Margo, because you were forbidden to me. I was a good husband to Toni, and she was a good wife. I miss her dearly. But there is still you.”
Margo sighed and tried to move away from Malik. He grabbed Margo and wrapped his arms around her. With little effort, Malik kissed Margo passionately on the lips. And to his surprise, she responded, withholding nothing. Their tongues mated greedily, neither letting the other go. Malik held Margo tight, not wanting the moment to come to an end, but it did with Margo gasping for breath and then wiping her mouth before releasing a smile.
“I’ve got to see you again,” Malik said to Margo, unable to contain his good feeling.
“I don’t know…I’m not sure, Malik. God’s going to punish me for this.”
“Don’t back away, now. I’ve waited a long time for this, and I’ll wait as long as it takes-a week, two weeks, so long as I can touch your lips again.”
“It’s wrong, Malik, but I do feel something for you. I better go. I told Jefferson I would be back in a few hours.”
Malik smiled. “Margo, I love you.”
Margo smiled back and turned and left the way she had come. Malik watched the door close behind her, and this time when he slapped the wall, there was hope in his heart because the woman he loved was beginning to feel the same way.
26
Angelica quietly tiptoed into the house. She hurriedly crossed the living room and then the dining room like a thief. It was still dark in the house and Ari would be stirring at any minute.
The grandfather clock began to chime, startling Angelica. She fell against the wall, recovered and prepared to move on. On the fifth chime, Ari, fully dressed, appeared in the doorway to the dining room and jumped when he saw Angelica’s figure pass in front of him.
“Halt,” Ari said.
Angelica stopped in her tracks. She was disappointed that she and Ari’s relationship had faltered before it got started. “You talking to me?” She slowly turned and faced Ari.
“What are you up to, Angelica? Why are you creeping in here like you’ve stolen something?”
“Didn’t want to disturb you.”
“I gave you a place to stay because I cared. You’re beautiful. I like beautiful women, but I don’t like to be taken advantage of. I’ve tried to help you, but I’m not sure what went wrong.”
Angelica eased into a seat. “Ari, sit down. You’re a good man and you’ve been more than kind to me. I appreciate all that you’ve done, and for that I’ll be forever grateful.”
Ari sat down. “What’s up with you, then? What happened between you and Donna? What kind of work are you doing that keeps you out until six in the morning?”
“One question at a time. I’ll answer them all since it doesn’t look like I’ll be getting any sleep.”
“I need some explanation, Angelica,” Ari said. “It pisses me off when I don’t know what’s going on right under my nose.”
Angelica touched Ari’s arm lightly. “You’ll be late for work.”
“I can get someone to work in my place. We need to talk.”
“Okay,” Angelica said, sitting back in her seat.
“Where have you been all night?”
“Ari, I’m…I’m working…I’m a stripper. I work at a club in Manhattan. Of course, the hours are late, but the money is good…very good.”
Ari’s silence made Angelica uncomfortable. She lowered her eyes and continued.
“I needed to make some fast money so that I could get out on my own. I have some money, but I needed the security of a job. Not that I’m proud of it, but I used to be a stripper years ago, and I guess I haven’t lost my touch.” Angelica smiled. “I don’t want to be a burden on you, Ari, and I believe I have enough money so that I can be out of your hair sooner rather than later.”
His voice was serious. “You don’t have to go,” Ari said.
“That’s not what you told me yesterday.”
“I’ve changed my mind. What about Donna?”
“What about Donna?” Angelica asked.
“What happened between the two of you?”
“Donna was angry because I refused to do the photo shoot she set up. All those lesbians; I was not about to compromise myself in some rag magazine like that. I’m sure Donna thought I was ungrateful since she was doing me a favor, but I had visions of walking a top-model runway-not posing in compromising positions. She told me to
