41
Raphael’s naked body lay face down on the bed like a log on the slate-blue satin sheets as Mimi brought in a cup of hot coffee and a plate of buttered toast for him. His legs were spread apart—one up, the other down, with his massive arms circling his head. Mimi knew he was at a good place in his sleep and hated to wake him, but she smiled at the sight of him as she recalled their night of passion.
Mimi set the tray on the dresser and picked up the cup of coffee to drink herself. She took a sip and turned her head at the sound of Raf’s body shifting on top of the sheets. Aroused, he opened his eyes and smiled when he saw Mimi.
“Girl,” he said in low raspy voice. “You drained all of my energy. Where am I going to get enough energy to see my daughter today? Mimi, you put a hurting on me.” Raphael let out a breath. “I’m willing to do it all over again, baby. Why don’t you take off those clothes and come back to bed. You are some kind of good.”
Mimi smiled. “I love pleasing you, Raphael; you give back and know the meaning of pleasuring your woman. I felt guilty though.”
Raphael sat up on his elbows. “Guilty how, baby? I was making love to my woman…my wife.”
Mimi put the cup down. “And it was all that, but I couldn’t help thinking about Afrika in that room all alone.”
“She has police protection now, and as soon as I get up and get dressed, we’re heading for the hospital.”
“Okay, baby, but…” Mimi’s cell phone rang, cutting her off. “Hold on a minute, Raf.”
“Is that the hospital?”
Mimi waved no. “Hello,” she said.
“Mrs. Bailey, your gun permit has been approved. You can come down any time today and pick up your gun.”
“Thank you very much,” Mimi said and ended the phone call.
“Was it the hospital or was it John?”
“Neither, Raf. It was the school. Afrika was having problems with her meal card, and the business office called to say that everything was straightened out,” she lied. “Look, take your time getting ready. I need to run to the store to pick up some toiletries for Afrika before we go to the hospital; I’ll be right back. I’ll fix you some more coffee and toast.”
“Are you all right, Mimi? You seem in a fog all of a sudden.”
“It’s the whole Afrika thing, Raf. Receiving that call reminded me of this whole ordeal with Afrika—the shooting, I mean.” Mimi looked at Raf. “We have to talk.”
“Okay,” Raf said, getting up from the bed in his birthday suit. He threw his arms over his head and let out a great big yawn.
“Take your shower and get some clothes on, buddy.”
“I will since I can’t get you to play soldier with me. As my POW, I’d treat you real good, so much so you’d beg not to be rescued. Total surrender.”
“You think I’m that easy, huh?”
“Girl, you love what I give you.”
“I do indeed, but right now the only thing on my brain is our child.”
“Don’t worry about the coffee. I’ll drink what you left on the dresser.”
“I’ll be right back.”
Raphael watched Mimi leave the room with a perplexed look on his face.
Mimi jumped in her car, backed out of the garage, and headed out of the subdivision. She could feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins. In the next half-hour, Mimi would have protection from the man that she despised, although not sure what she was going to do with it. If Victor was indeed the perpetrator, the police was on his trail, but if she saw him first, she was going to shoot him in cold blood.
“God, please remove the bad thoughts that are roaming around in my mind. Take the hate from my heart, Lord. Your commandment says, Thou shall not kill. Afrika is still alive, and You have allowed this blessing. Thank You, Lord. Thank You. I won’t forget.”
Mimi drove as fast as the law would allow but slowed down as she turned down the street to the gun shop. She found a park directly in front of the place, turned off the ignition, and sat a moment, contemplating what she was going to do when she picked up the gun. She didn’t want to seem anxious…only another female trying to protect herself from the mean streets of the city.
Exhaling, Mimi got out of the car and went inside. The store owner remembered her with a smile. Mimi palmed the gun in her hand and took the information about the location of the shooting range should she need practice. Not lingering, Mimi quickly left the place and got in her car.
The gun was housed in its own wooden box. She took the box out of the bag and sat it in her lap before opening it up. She lifted the gun from its bed and examined it like it was a new Prada bag. She brushed her hand over the steel barrel and Victor’s image zoomed in front of her. “You’ll never mess with me again.” Mimi put the gun away and headed home.
Turning into the subdivision, Mimi abruptly turned around. She’d forgotten to go to the supermarket and pick up some sundry items for Afrika—deodorant, lotion, toothpaste, and a toothbrush. She flew to the store and was in and out in ten minutes. Upon arriving home, Mimi placed the gun under her seat until she could find a more permanent place to hide it. Good thing; Raf was standing at the door when she opened the door to the garage.