14
A good night’s sleep was all Mimi needed. Making love to her husband over the telephone had erased the tension that had built up in her body. She slept like a baby. But now, as she lay face up on the bed, the desire for her husband returned.
Mimi closed her eyes and let Raphael’s sensuous and erotic teasing echo in her brain. She could still feel his breath as he hissed into the phone. Mimi hugged herself, longed for his touch, the feel of his hands and lips all over her body. A small moan left her mouth as she recalled a moment when their lovemaking had been so intense. It was as if Raphael was on an assault mission in the jungle searching for the enemy, the thrill of the hunt pumping his adrenaline. Stalking the enemy with his savage, lustful words spoken only for her ears and she, intoxicated and unable to bear another moment of his grueling attack, found Mimi’s hands thrown up in total surrender. She shuddered as the memory made her have her own private earthquake.
Mimi’s eyes flew open at the sound of the telephone. Maybe it was Raphael calling, still under the cloud of their early morning tryst. She searched for the phone that had somehow fallen off the bed and found its way to the floor, the caller still intent on being heard. Mimi looked at the time and gasped. It was nine in the morning, and Brenda was the caller.
Her first thought was to not answer. Mimi wasn’t in the frame of mind to talk to Brenda. In fact, the call had already spoiled the pleasure she’d derived from her instant replay of the phone sex she had with her husband, and that pissed her off. Maybe she could fall asleep again and recapture the moment, the aura with a couple of new twists and turns, like Taye Diggs did in the TV series, Daybreak.
The persistent ringing of the phone caused Mimi’s finger to press the TALK button. She sat up, scratched her head before speaking. “Hey, Brenda,” Mimi said in a low voice that seemed far away.
“Umm, is this a bad time?” Brenda asked cautiously.
“No, no, I was awake. Didn’t sleep well last night but finally found the right spot at about five this morning.” Mimi wasn’t sure why she lied to Brenda, but it was too early to be confiding in her; especially since they hadn’t reestablished their friendship and the culprit for her anxiety was Brenda’s husband. The truth was that after Raphael had whipped it on her with his tongue lashing, she had slept like a baby. But Brenda didn’t need to know that.
“I only wanted you to know why I was a no-show yesterday and that I was sorry.”
Mimi choked on her own spit. She wasn’t sure what she was supposed to say since she had also been a no-show. Did this mean that Brenda had chickened out as well? She hesitated and then found what she believed were the right words. “It’s all right, Brenda.” Mimi frowned, not sure what trap she’d allowed herself to fall into.
“I was in an accident outside of the restaurant. I didn’t think about calling you until after I was in the ambulance and on my way to the hospital, but I was in no condition to do so.”
“Oh my God, Brenda! Are you all right? What hospital are you in?”
“I’m at home now. I sustained only a few minor bumps and bruises; however, my car is a total wreck. I’m going to pick up a rental car today or tomorrow.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re all right.”
“I still want us to get together, Mimi. How about Friday?”
“Are you sure you’ll be well enough to go out on Friday?”
“What is it, Mimi? Why don’t you want to see me? We’re only going to have a harmless lunch. I’m not going to press you about what happened nineteen years ago. Let’s live in the present. That’s what counts. I’ve missed you.”
Mimi sighed. Victor’s words kept echoing in her head. She was sure he was capable of doing something terrible to her, but it was Afrika she was worried about, and she wasn’t about to let stupidity or emotions harm her child.
“Nothing is wrong, Brenda. Let’s plan for Friday; same place.”
“Okay, I’m fine with that. But please don’t back out. I really want to see you.”
“Are you all right, Brenda?”
“Yeah, yeah. Other than the small jolt the accident gave me, most times I’m so wrapped up in my work that I don’t get to do a lot of me things.”
Mimi pondered what Brenda had said. “I’ll be there.”
“Okay, then it’s set. I can’t wait to see you.”
“Me twice,” Mimi said, noting the anxiety in Brenda’s voice. “I’m looking forward to it. See you then.”
“Great.”
BRENDA STARED AT THE PHONE. SHE NEEDED TO TALK WITH HER best friend. She needed to confide in Mimi—to tell her all that had transpired in her life and how miserable she was. It was almost as if it was ordained…Mimi’s reentry into her life. Mimi’s timing was perfect, even if she was unaware.
Brenda cleared her afternoon schedule as well as for the rest of the week to give herself some time to relax and heal from her ordeal. Maybe she’d go to the spa and pamper herself since it certainly would aid in the healing process. Victor may have thought he had won a small victory by her setback. True, she didn’t get to see Mimi, but she was going to keep her new luncheon date a secret. The more Brenda had time to think, the more she wondered if Victor had anything to do with her accident.
Victor was always trying to control her, keep her in line, tell her how to spend her money while he traipsed up and down the Eastern Seaboard and across North Carolina on state money, pretending he was recruiting students when all the while he was sniffing behind other women and bringing his leftovers to her after all was said and done, even though she didn’t want any part of him. But they kept up a commanding performance, making appearances here and there like a dutiful couple with ties to the community. But things were going to change.
Brenda picked up her cell phone and called a cab.