“There is something different about you, Joy,” he said as he watched me dress for the exhibit.
He hadn’t said anything about my not having the braids. “My hair?”
“I like it better this way, but that’s not it. You seem like a totally different person. I mean, I come home to a clean house and dinner every evening. You listen to me talk about work. I’m not complaining, but even in bed, you’re different.”
I couldn’t help but be curious. “Better?”
“You’re more giving of yourself. Before I felt like you were holding back. You seemed to enjoy me pleasing you but you were reluctant to do the same for me.”
I could believe that. Joy was that selfish. She cared about her feelings above all else. I could imagine Roderick working hard to satisfy her only to be disappointed when she didn’t put any effort into satisfying him in return.
“Well, enjoy it while it lasts,” I teased as I put the finishing touches on my makeup.
I felt proud to be at Roderick’s side that night. I met some of his students and was impressed by the display of paintings. Every artist was African-American or Latino. On canvas they painted their history, the present, and a hopeful future. I couldn’t wait to get Roderick home.
As soon as we closed the door, I pushed him back against the wall. I dropped to my knees and unbuckled his trousers. I took him into my mouth and gave him what Joy wouldn’t. Within seconds softness became hard as steel. I pulled harder and harder until he exploded.
“Irreplaceable” sang from Joy’s cell phone. I knew it was her calling.
“Hello?” I answered as I headed toward the bathroom. Roderick mouthed “Hurry up!” as he headed to the bedroom.
“How was the gallery?”
“Joy, it was beautiful! Roderick is really talented!” I beamed proudly.
“He’s talented but those art shows bore me. I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
“So, how is the trip?” I asked, wanting to change the subject.
“I could live here! Girl, it’s beautiful and Hiram is spoiling me rotten! You may have to take home some of the stuff he bought me. I don’t have any idea where to put it!”
I could see her smiling through the phone. I wished she could live in the Bahamas. I sure would have lived with Roderick forever. In five days, I had fallen in love with him. I didn’t know how Joy could live with him for three months and run off with old-ass Hiram for a week.
“You’ll be back on Sunday, right?”
“Yes, don’t forget to get out of the house before he wakes up. I’ll go home and tell him I was out shopping. He’ll never know the difference.”
She was so wrong. He would know the difference. He would know that the loving and selfless girl was gone. He would surely notice that the selfish girl was back. He just wouldn’t know why.
“Don’t forget to take the braids out!” I warned before we hung up.
Sunday came too soon. For six nights I had lain with Roderick. We had made love every single night. Now, it was time to go. I kissed him softly on his lips, trying not to wake him, before leaving the apartment. I cried all the way to the airport and all the way back to Atlanta.
The only thing waiting for me back home was my job. I had no man and no true friends. Ma Ollie had died a year ago, and our parents had been dead since we were five years old. My mother had killed her husband after finding out he was sleeping with her cousin. She’d then killed herself. Ma Ollie had raised Joy and me with Grandpa Bill’s help. He’d died of cancer the year we had graduated high school.
Joy hadn’t called or flown up to kick my ass, so I assumed she didn’t know about Roderick and me. When she did call a few weeks later, I was completely caught off guard.
“Don’t forget about next week. Roderick and I are coming up for Thanksgiving.”
I had forgotten. Thanksgiving was always spent at my place. I’d go to Miami and spend Christmas with Joy. We would go to South Beach and enjoy the sunny weather and look for celebrities. We had been fortunate enough to see Miami Heat center Shaquille O’Neal.
“Of course I won’t forget.”
“I hope you cook something good because he has been pestering me about cooking since I got home. Why in the hell did you have to go and cook for him?” Before I could answer, she continued, “You know Hiram wants me to spend Christmas with him in Aspen.”
“I thought we were spending Christmas together in South Beach again.”
“I’ve got to figure something out. Maybe you and Roderick can go to South Beach. I really want to learn how to ski.”