A Taste of Honey (11 page)

W
hen the bathroom door swung open the draft caught me off guard. I didn’t notice the look on Rorrie’s face before I asked, “Did I wake you? I thought you were asleep.”

Then I noticed my cell phone was in her hand as she began to approach me. In the time it took for her to take three steps I knew the tide of the day had turned dramatically bad and it was barely seven
A.M
. Slowly and deliberately she asked the question. “Who…is…she?”

Silence first while I processed her question and tone. “What…who…”

“Khalil, don’t you lie to me. Who is the bitch? She just called your phone. She called me by my name and she said she’s pregnant.” I sat there with a stupid look on my face. “She said she’s pregnant,” she yelled. “Is that true, Khalil?”

I didn’t know what else to say so I responded, “Pregnant? No. I don’t know what’s going on. This must be some…”

“Khalil, I will take this phone and hit you over the head with it.”

The water was beating down on me as I looked her in the eyes. I looked at my phone and wondered what she could have learned. Had Honey called? It was crazy, because a part of me was hoping that she had and that maybe she’d done for me what I would have never been able to do myself. I didn’t have an answer for her threat.

“Who is she?” she growled.

I looked her in the eyes and I think my silence gave away my guilt.

“Khalil, how could you do this to me?” Her voice was at its height as she yelled the words over and over.

“Listen, Rorrie, let me talk…” I was cut off by my own reflexes. I ducked backward as my phone left her hand hurling toward my head like a fastball coming from a major league pitcher. The last thing I remembered was the phone shattering when it hit the wall just inches in front of me and my feet flying up into the air as I lost my balance.

“S
ir, do you know where you are?”

My vision had blurred and I felt as if I were in a deep fog. This had been at least the fifth or sixth question, yet I couldn’t remember answering any of them. “California?” I replied.

“Yes, but do you know what type of building you’re in?”

I focused again and saw the pastel-colored walls and the machines. “This is the hospital.”

“Yes. This is Century City Doctors. Do you know why you’re here?”

I thought for a second. “Did I fall?”

“Yes, you did.”

“Who are you?”

“I’m Doctor Culver.”

I tried to remember how I got to the hospital. Then I remembered the beginning of the argument. “Is there a woman here with me?”

“Your girlfriend was here. As soon as we told her that you had only suffered a concussion, she elected to leave.”

“She left?”

He nodded.

“What time is it?”

“It’s a quarter after eight.”

“In the morning, right?”

He laughed. “Yep.”

He told me that they’d run a CT scan and found no injuries to my skull, or internal bleeding. He assured me I’d be fine, advised me to wait awhile before doing any strenuous activities and to see my doctor back East for a follow-up in a couple of weeks. I was free to go.

I caught a cab and realized quickly that I was just around the corner from my hotel. Once I got back to my room I expected to find Rorrie in there ready for round two. Instead there was no sign of her.

I looked in the bathroom and saw her toothbrush gone. I walked over to the bed and saw the pieces of my phone in a small pile. Next to it lay a note.

I
left the Nextel store with my bags in hand at eleven. When my SIM card worked in the new phone I was ecstatic. I immediately called my friend Duane. Duane was a lawyer by day, a wannabe actor by night. He was depending on me becoming the next John Singleton so that I could get him a real break into acting. I did pray that one day I’d surpass John Singleton, but not for the same reasons that Duane did.

He was excited to hear from me. “How’s L.A.? You make any connections?”

If I didn’t stop him I knew he’d get on a rant. “It’s been great, but I need you to do me a tremendous favor.”

“Yeah, sure.”

In my mind that was the measure of a true friend. Someone who was ready to do whatever before they even knew what you’d be asking. “I need you to ride over to a place called Budget Lock & Key. It’s on Florida Avenue. Ask for the owner and tell him you need to get an emergency lock change.”

“Say what?”

“I need my locks changed on the house. But I need it done within the next couple of hours.”

“That’s pretty quick.”

“Listen, Duane, can you do it or not? This is an emergency. I
don’t want to get anyone else involved and you and David are the only ones with keys.”

“What’s the rush?”

“I’m not trying to go into it right now, I have a plane to catch.”

“All right, K-man. Keep your drawers on. So you want me to wait over there and get the keys.”

“That’d be really helpful especially since I will need to get into my house.”

“Does Budget accept credit cards?” he started.

“Go to the freakin’ ATM and get some cash. Enough for a twenty-dollar tip. I’ll pay you as soon as I meet you to get the keys.”

“Man, you must be in some…”

“I’m out. You sure you got this?”

“I got you. I’m gonna leave out in about ten minutes.”

I was staring out the window reading the ton of billboards advertising thirty new movies and television shows. All the while I was trying to meditate on my situation as the cab rolled slowly down the 405 headed toward LAX. I had jumped out there by changing the locks to the house. It was a bold move, but one that had been warranted. Once before Rorrie had gotten mad at me and gone through my closet, bagging up everything her money had paid for. The irony was that she didn’t leave anything behind that I’d bought her.

This time I knew that she’d leave the house bare-boned naked, since she’d done most of the decorating, probably taking everything from the towels to the toaster. It’s not like I was hard-pressed and couldn’t replace any of the material things but it was the principle. In all fairness, she wasn’t going to turn around and pay me for all the months she’d lived there without contributing
toward the bills. On top of that I didn’t trust her in the emotional state that she was in. Rorrie getting in there and raiding a few items was the best-case scenario. What I truly feared was some
War of the Roses
–type drama, where she tore the house apart.

We turned off the 405 on to South Sepulveda and ran into a little traffic. I checked my watch, making sure I had enough time to catch my flight, when the traffic brought us to a complete standstill. My mind began to drift to thoughts of Honey. I recounted the conversation with Rorrie and wondered if it had been Honey on the phone. It couldn’t have been anyone else. Then I wondered if Honey had in fact told Rorrie that she was pregnant. I gripped my phone tightly in my hand as I felt a twinge of anger and guilt. Anger because I was powerless to find out what was going on. She could call me; I couldn’t call her.

Here I’d thrown my relationship down the drain over a woman who didn’t care enough about me to leave me with a number. She could have been married, for all I knew. I was thinking to myself,
I must be crazy
, when my phone began to vibrate in my hand.

I looked down and didn’t recognize the number. Nervous, thinking that it was Rorrie about to start in, I picked up anyway. “Hello.”

“I hope I didn’t get you into too much trouble.” The second that I heard her voice all was forgotten.

“Honey?”

“Hey, Khalil,” she said, sounding like an angel. There was not a hint of remorse for her having disappeared for two weeks.

“Where have you been? Where are you calling me from?”

“Slow down.” She laughed out. “You got questions, huh?” she added. “It’s all good. You sound like you’ve missed me.”

I didn’t want to sound too eager, but I couldn’t help myself.
Yeah, I have.” I couldn’t believe that I was spilling my guts. “I haven’t stopped thinking about you.”

“Is that so?” She paused. “When you didn’t come back to the room that night I took it that you weren’t interested.”

“It wasn’t that and I’m sure you knew that. It was just my circumstances.” I thought about my dilemma as the traffic began to move. “So I’m assuming you called me this morning.”

“Yeah, I hope I didn’t get you into any trouble. She was very rude.”

I laughed and shook my head. “Well according to her you told her that you were the other woman and that you were pregnant.”

She chuckled into the phone. “That’s nonsense.”

I didn’t really know what to believe. “Well I’m in the City of Angels right now, headed for the airport. I know that when I get home I’m gonna have a lot to deal with. She sent me to the hospital this morning after your conversation.”

“What,” she exclaimed.

“Well, she threw the phone at me, while I was in the shower. I slipped trying to duck and the rest is history. I woke up in the hospital and she was gone.”

“She left you in the hospital? Man, that’s rough.”

“She did do that, but she actually left L.A. When I got back to the room she was gone.”

“You sure she left?”

“Pretty much.”

She was quiet for a second. I could tell she was either thinking or unsure of her next response. “Khalil.”

“I’m here.”

“I want to see you. There are some things I want to talk to you about.”

“When?”

“Tonight. My flight just landed. I’ve been out of the States taking care of some business, but it’s all finished now.” She cleared her throat and then blurted out casually, “Khalil, I want to see you, but you need to go home and see what’s up with your situation I’m assuming.”

“Well, I’m not even sure she’s going to be back in D.C. when I get there…”

“Say no more. If you want to see me, call me at this number when your flight lands. Did you drive to the airport?”

“No.”

“I’ll pick you up then.”

“My flight lands at nine fifteen. At National.”

“You call me. I’ll be there waiting on you.”

“I’ll need to run home and change but I don’t think it’ll be a good idea for you to come past the house with me.”

“No you won’t. Just call me when you get there. I’ll take care of every little thing.”

“Honey, are you sure?” I asked.

“I’m more sure than ever, Khalil. You’ll see. Have a safe flight,” she said and then she hung up.

Something in her voice told me that my wanting was about to be satisfied. It was exciting but honestly a little scary. I didn’t know what I was going to do about Rorrie. I even wondered if this was just a matter of cold feet, the whole thing with Honey.

My driver pulled up to the door of the airport. I gave him two twenties on a twenty-five-dollar fare. “Keep the change.” I hopped out as he thanked me. There were a thousand thoughts racing through my head as I headed for the ticket counter to check my bags.

My day had been life-changing and it was barely noon. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any crazier someone gently grabbed my arm. I turned and when I looked into her eyes I was stunned. When she opened her mouth and poured words out, my heart began to beat. It had been so long since I’d heard her voice.

“Khalil, look at you,” she said. While I was trying to regain my composure she reached out and hugged me. “I’ve missed you so much.”

The handle from my suitcase slid from my grip as her perfume invaded my nostrils. My hands found her back and I embraced her until the smile on her face was covered in tears. She looked exactly the same to me, though I wondered how she recognized me.

“I missed you too,” I said. “More than you could ever know.”

T
raffic was thick as I pulled out of the parking lot at Tyson’s II in my spanking new Bentley coupe. I knew the car was a bit over the top, yet, thirty minutes after the money had cleared into my account, I’d been on the phone with a salesman, working out the details of my dream ride. I’d left the airport and driven straight to the dealer to pick the car up before heading to one of my favorite malls to burn up some more money.

Next on my list to prepare for Khalil was a stop at the ABC store, Best Buy, and the CVS, and I was nearly prepared.

Once I walked through the door past the Cheesecake Factory, tempted to stop, I made a beeline for Chanel, Nicole Miller, and BCBG Max Azria. Then I’d been able to find everything I needed for Khalil. From Hugo Boss to Saks, I’d bought him enough clothing to last for a three-day weekend even though I wasn’t sure how much time we’d spend together. I’d sized him up the day I’d made love to him. One good look and I knew he was a forty-six long, a thirty-six waist, and a size ten-and-a-half shoe. I
was sure he’d be impressed when he opened the bag full of goodies that I’d purchased for him.

As the sun began to set I made my way onto Route 66 and headed toward the airport. The thought that he might not call never entered my mind. I wondered where Rorrie was and was a little surprised that she’d given up so easily. It would make more sense to me to believe that she was off somewhere pouting, waiting for her man to come back apologizing and ready to explain. I had a news flash for her. It wasn’t gonna happen. Not this time.

I looked at the clock on my dash and when it read twenty after nine I actually felt a twinge of nervousness. I pulled into the airport and prepared to wait and circle, but then my phone rang.

It was Khalil. “Honey, I’m headed for the exit as we speak. You here?”

“Of course,” I replied as the butterflies began to flutter in my stomach for the first time.

“US Airways.”

“Got it. Driving toward you as we speak.”

“What are you driving?”

“The black coupe pulling up to the door. Is this you I see looking all sexy?” I laughed as I pulled up to the curb. He smiled and folded his phone shut. He moved toward me, looking like a real honey. Snug-fitting Kitson T-shirt and a pair of Rock & Republic jeans, and a pair of Nike Dunks. I was surprised to see him with nothing but a backpack on his shoulder and one small bag.

He opened the car door and climbed in. He gave me a somewhat nervous smile to which I responded with a quick hug and kiss. “Thanks,” he said.

“Thank you,” I shot back. “I see you travel light.”

“Yeah, I’ve learned that art over the years.” I nodded as we pulled off. “Is this your car?”

“Yeah, I just bought it. You like it?”

“I think I can appreciate something like this.” He laughed. “You must be doing some hellified investing.”

“I’ve done all right,” I said as I tapped the gas. “So how long do I have you for?” Just asking a question that made me feel so vulnerable had me a bit off balance.

He was silent and seemed to sink into his seat. “I won’t pretend that I don’t feel bad about this, but Honey, I’ve done nothing but think about you since the day we met. And don’t get me wrong, I do love Rorrie, but there’s something between you and I that has convinced me that I don’t love her enough to be with her.” He seemed a little pained as he went on. “I mean what am I doing? I don’t even know if this is real, if you want to be with me and here I am, without even considering her feelings.”

I understood where he was coming from. I’d heard it so many times before from different men. The complaints and the confusion that had
led
them into bed with a woman who they had to pay to fuck. I didn’t want to put Khalil into that category or better yet, allow him to put himself into that category, so I intended to set him straight. “Listen, Khalil. There is something between you and I, something very real. I can’t explain it and I won’t try. You’re a grown man and you have to know that life isn’t always easy or fair. So if you’re gonna beat yourself up the entire time you’re with me then I can drop you off. I want to take this time to get to know you, not watch you going through it. I’m not trying to be cold, but it is what it is.”

When his face showed no emotion I suddenly grew scared that maybe I’d said too much. “So do you want me to take you home?”

He looked straight into my eyes and caused my soul to soar when he said, “No. I wanna be with you.” I smiled and he asked, “So where are you taking me?”

“Does it matter?” I asked coyly.

“I guess it doesn’t, but I just thought I’d ask.”

I nodded my head and said, “To the moon. I’m taking you to the moon.”

K
halil had drifted off by the time we reached Front Royal, Virginia. I kept the volume down as I listened to my favorite CD,
The Emancipation of Mimi
, letting Mariah talk to me since Khalil had run out of fuel. I didn’t blame him, knowing how a cross-country flight could wipe you out. He looked like an angel as he slept and every few moments I found myself looking over at him, thinking to myself,
This is how my life ends and my fairy tale begins
. He’d found me and I’d chosen him.

When I pulled off the interstate I punched in the navigation system the address to the cabin I’d rented. We drove for thirty more minutes into the Shenandoah Mountains as the winding roads took me up and down. I couldn’t wait until the morning to see the view that we’d have. Finally after it seemed we’d driven skyward at a thirty-degree angle for an eternity, I saw the street that led to our cabin. I cruised down the long driveway and pulled up in front of the house.

It was just as I remembered it. I’d been here before but not with someone I wanted to. I remembered sitting on the deck imagining what it would be like to be able to share this with someone I loved and thinking that I’d never know. I parked at the front door and went to the digital lockbox, pressing the code to get the keys. The company that I’d rented the place from was
top-notch. I’d been able to tell them everything from what type of thread count I wanted on the sheets to what brand of bacon I wanted stocked in the fridge. Ready to head in I leaned over and nudged Khalil. He was sleeping soundly. I nudged him again, this time grabbing his shoulder and saying, “Khalil, wake up.”

Like a wild animal getting the jump on me, he came out of his sleep and swung as if he was fighting for his life. The pain of him striking my arm had me fearing my forearm was broken. The second I saw the fear in his eyes as he realized what he’d done, I knew that sometime, somewhere, something bad had happened to him.