Chapter Seventeen

Lola

Dinner was delicious, and shame on Jeremy for griping about having chicken. Michael and Precious had gone upstairs in their rooms to play while Jeremy helped me clean up the kitchen.

“Forgive me,” he said while wiping down the kitchen table with a wet rag. “That chicken was awesome and my belly is full.”

I smiled, shaking my head at the same time. “I know you are full, especially since you ate seven pieces of chicken. I told you to back away from the table, but you had to be greedy.”

“Well, this is one time I think I should’ve listened.” Jeremy stepped back from the table and lifted his shirt to rub his full belly. “I . . . I think I may need to break off to the bathroom. I’m not feeling too good right now.”

Before I could say anything, Jeremy rushed out of the kitchen and into the bathroom. I followed him upstairs then knocked on the door to make sure he was okay.

“I’m fine, Mama. Just need to stay in here for a while to handle my business, if you know what I mean.”

“Yes, I do. Take your time, and let me know if you need anything.”

I went back into the kitchen to finish up. But no sooner did I place the leftovers in the refrigerator than my personal phone rang. I rushed to answer, thinking it was Mannish calling me back. Unfortunately, it wasn’t. It was Kesha telling me where I needed to be and what time.

I held my breath as she spoke; then I swallowed the lump in my throat when she was finished. I wasn’t sure how many more dicks I could take, and even after my hot bath from earlier, my insides still felt battered. I was too close to getting the money I needed, so I thanked Kesha for calling and told her I’d be leaving soon.

She hung up and I stood for a moment, praying for all of this to end. These were the worst two weeks of my life, and after twenty-something different dicks inside of me, I’d just about had enough!

I hurried upstairs to check on the kids and change clothes. Jeremy was still in the bathroom, and Michael and Precious were now asleep. I sluggishly moved into my bedroom, not feeling up to going anywhere. I didn’t give a damn how I looked tonight, and when I stepped into my closet, the first thing I touched was what I would wear. That was a soft blue strapless dress that had slits on both sides. The dress felt like cotton rubbing against my skin. I was so comfortable in it that I opted not to wear a bra or panties, especially since where I was going, I wouldn’t need them. I put on my high heels with straps that tied at my ankles, and brushed my hair over to one shoulder, leaving dangling tresses on the other side. A sparkling diamond earring hung from my earlobe, and the only makeup that I wore was nude gloss that glistened on my lips. I tucked a shimmering clutch purse underneath my arm and headed back downstairs to tell Jeremy I was leaving. He was sitting at the kitchen table talking to someone on his cell phone. As I put my arm into a jacket I wore to cover up, Jeremy stared at me.

“Hold on a minute,” he said to the caller. He pulled the phone away from his ear. “Where are you going?”

“I . . . Stoney called. He wants me to take him somewhere. I’ll be right back.”

Jeremy cut his eyes at me. “Why you always running out of here to go see Stoney? Are the two of you hooking up, or is there more to it?”

“No, the two of us are not seeing each other. Stoney is my friend, and what is so wrong with me taking a friend where he wants to go?”

Jeremy shrugged. “Nothing. Nothing at all, Mama, but I don’t believe you. You’ve been running out of here in the middle of the night, dressed like that, and not coming back for hours. Since when do you go see Stoney dressed like that on a Friday night?”

Shocked by Jeremy’s questions, my brows rose. “Who in the hell are you? My man? I will come and go as I damn well please, and I do not owe you an explanation. Now, get off that phone and go downstairs to your room. Think about how you need to address me, your mother, who demands some darn respect around here.”

Jeremy tightened his lips, bumped my shoulder as he walked by me, and headed downstairs. If he only knew what I was doing for him, maybe he would understand. I was so frustrated that I swiped my keys, and Mannish’s book, from the counter and left. I hurried to the address I had written on the paper. Another hotel. This time, room 301.

While sitting in the car and gathering myself, I spread more gloss across my lips. I teased the hair resting on my shoulder with the tips of my fingers and sprayed several dashes of perfume on my hot spots. Mannish’s book was on the front seat where I had placed it, so I picked it up. I turned it over, placing a quick peck on his photo.

“I’m not sure what I’m about to get myself into tonight, but please come through for me like you did in my tub. I’m counting on you to help me get through this. When I close my eyes tonight, all I want to see is your face.”

I smiled and placed the book back on the seat. I then reached for my purse, removing a small silver flask of vodka. I took one shot, secured the cap, and put the flask back into my purse. Now, I was ready to go meet my next nightmare.

I stood outside the door, looking at the numbers 301 that appeared blurred. I lightly tapped the door. A white man with cold blue eyes and black feathery hair opened the door. He looked to be in his mid-thirties and the color of his bronze tan made him look doable. His eyes scanned me from head to toe, and from the wide grin on his face, I could tell he was pleased to be in this Champagne Lady’s presence.

“Come right in,” he said, widening the door for me. The only thing he had on was a pair of burgundy jockey shorts that showed his hard package. Seeing that he was ready to get down to business, I pulled off my jacket, placing it and my purse on a chair.

The man eased back on the bed; then he leaned back on his elbows. His eyes were stuck to me like superglue. As I inched closer to him, he cleared his throat.

“Stop right there,” he said, licking across his thin lips and gazing between my legs as if he had X-ray vision. “You are freaking gorgeous. What’s your name?”

“Lola. But we don’t need to make this personal, do we?”

“Not at all. Just do me a favor and turn around.”

I turned, giving the man a glimpse of my heart-shaped ass, which jiggled a little underneath my dress. I heard his breathing increase.

“Don’t turn around yet. Where you are is perfect. Stay there and take off your dress.”

Teasing him, I bent over to remove my shoes, then slowly eased the dress over my head. I tossed everything on the chair and turned my head to the side, watching my admirer’s eyes locked on my backside.

“Beautiful,” he said, rubbing his chest and looking as if he was about to have a heart attack. The obsessive glare in his eyes alarmed me, and once I heard several soft knocks at the door, my heart rate picked up speed.

“Who is it?” the man shouted.

“Housekeeping,” a man said.

My admirer got off the bed and quickly opened the door. Wide. On the other side stood Jeremy, looking at me as I stood butt naked in the middle of the floor. Embarrassed, I snatched my dress from the chair, trying to cover as much of my body as I could.

Jeremy’s face was twisted with anger and disgust. “What in the fuck is this all about?” he shouted.

“Who the hell are you?” the white man fired back.

I rushed to put the dress back on and wiggled it over my hips. “He . . . he’s my son. Jeremy, what are you doing here?”

He pushed on the door, charging fists first at the man who was caught off guard and didn’t know what the hell was going on.

“You leave my mother alone,” Jeremy shouted as he pounded the man’s head with his fists.

I tried to pull him away from the man, but all he could do was crouch down on the bed and shield his face from the blows that connected with his face, turning it beet red.

“Stop it!” I yelled at Jeremy. The only thing that got his attention was when I ripped his shirt while tugging at his arm.

He turned away from the man, shoving me so hard that I toppled to the floor. I rushed up from the floor, but was met with his tightened fists.

Jeremy’s nose flared and his chest heaved in and out. “Don’t make me hurt you, Mama. Get your clothes on straight and let’s get the fuck out of here. Now!”

I couldn’t find the right words to say; I was embarrassed, ashamed, and confused. How could I let my son see me like this? “No, Jeremy. I’m not going anywhere. Get out of here and go home.”

“What?” he shouted. “Are you serious?” Jeremy shook his head. His eye twitched as he glared at the white man then back at me. “This is disgusting. Is this what you’ve been doing all along? You’ve been asking me to take care of Michael and Precious just so you can come here and fuck him?”

“No,” I said, moving toward the door, realizing that it was best for us to go outside and talk.

The man seemed agitated. He also appeared reluctant to get off the bed again. I didn’t want to blow it with him.

“It’s not like that, Jeremy,” I said. “Don’t you say another word or raise your hand again. Follow me outside.”

“Sweetheart, are you coming back?” the man said in a begging manner, yet wiggling his jaw. “I have plenty of money to pay you, so hurry back.”

Jeremy knocked over a lamp, setting his sights on the man again. I tugged at Jeremy’s arm, but he yanked it away.

“Don’t touch me,” he said. “You have some serious explaining to do!”

I had just about had enough. I knew Jeremy was upset, but the way he spoke to me was unacceptable. “I’m trying to explain something to you, but not in here. Calm down and watch the way you’re talking to me. Now, let’s go.”

Jeremy walked in front of me, so I was able to mouth to the man that I’d be back. My son and I yelled back and forth at each other several times before finally making it to my car.

“Stop insulting me like that,” I said to him as I slammed the car door. “You have no idea what all of this is about, and unfortunately, I can’t tell you everything right now.”

Jeremy folded his arms. A few tears slipped from his eyes, but he smacked them away. “It’s pretty obvious what you’ve been up to, Mama. I can’t believe that you are so damn broke where you have to resort to something like this. Prostitution? Really? My mother is a prostitute?”

My hands were trembling. Call it what you wish; it damn sure looked that way through his eyes. “Look, Jeremy. I need the money and this is the only way I can get it. I’m only doing this for a short time. In a few more days, this will all be over with. You will soon see what I’m talking about, and I hope you know that I am doing all of this for you.”

He kept shaking his head while taking hard swallows. “For me? I can’t get the concept of you prostituting yourself for me. If that’s the case, please stop it. I have no damn respect for you. All I see you as right now is a whore! A trashy whore, Mama!”

I reached out and slapped the shit out of Jeremy. His head snapped to the side and I watched his hands slowly ball into fists.

“You’d better think again before you reach over to hit me,” I said. “And don’t you ever refer to me as a trashy whore again!”

Jeremy’s eyes narrowed as he glared at me and slammed a fist into the dashboard. “What are you then, Mama? That man is paying you to have sex with him, and the last time I checked, that was called prostitution. You should be ashamed of yourself. How dare you get mad at me for selling drugs when you’ve resorted to this shit!”

Jeremy massaged his red cheek and frowned. Seeing his face swell made me feel so bad. This whole situation was gut-wrenching. I wanted him to calm down, but when I touched his hand, he snatched it away.

“Listen. I’m so . . . sorry about this,” I said. “But, please, don’t speak to me like that again. One day you’ll find out why—”

He cut me off. “Forget it, Mama. I’m done talking. I’m going back home. If, or whenever you realize how crazy you’re sounding right now, then I guess I’ll see you at home soon. If not, so be it. Go get your fuck on and make all the money you need. Besides, you don’t want to keep Mr. Blue Eyes waiting.” He opened the car door and got out.

So did I. I kept calling his name, but he walked away. I then asked about Precious and Michael. “Where are they, Jeremy? Did you leave them at home alone?”

He turned around and walked backward. “They’re at home, where you never are and where you really should be. The choice is yours. Either you go back to that room or you come home to your kids who need you. I’m done being a parent to your kids. After this, I’m finished for good.”

I tearfully watched as he got into his car and sped off. I stood full of emotions, trying to decide what to do. Unfortunately, this was business that I couldn’t walk away from. Not now, especially when I was so close to having all of the money I needed. With that in mind, I made my way back inside. I went to room 301 again and knocked on the door. The man opened the door with a rag on the side of his face.

“Are you here to stay this time?” he said with a sigh.

I dropped my head and entered the room. “Unfortunately, yes.”

Eager for me, he lowered his boxers to his ankles and sat back on the bed again. My dress found the chair. I rolled a condom down his white dick; then I crawled on top to give him as much pleasure as I could, in hopes that it would make up for the ass kicking he’d gotten compliments of my son. I wanted Mannish to invade my thoughts so the sex wouldn’t be painful for me, but what had happened with Jeremy was all I could think about.