All That and a Bag of Chips (28 page)

“Yes?” Venice asked from the opposite side.

“Can I come in?”

“It's open.”

Craig entered and pulled back the shower curtain. “I'm sorry. I'm just uncomfortable trying that here. Surely you understand where I'm coming from.”

Venice didn't respond right away. She finally turned to him and said, “You're not nervous about being in here.”

“Are you mad?”

“No, just disappointed.”

Craig took in her nakedness and his body stirred. Seeing suds on her cinnamon skin made his throat dry and body hot. He said, “I'll see what I can do for you later.”

Venice smiled and pointed her finger at him. “I'm going to hold you to that. Now get out of here.”

Before closing the curtain, Craig reached in and splashed some water in Venice's face. She threw some back at him as he ran out the room. Venice finished her shower and got dressed. Craig also showered and dressed, then they went upstairs for breakfast. When they finished breakfast, they headed over to her parents' house. As they drove away, her pager went off. It was Jarvis. Venice didn't say anything so Craig knew it must be him. Venice didn't call him back on her cell phone. She decided to wait until she got to her house.

Venice's mother met them at the door and welcomed her baby girl home. Venice introduced Craig and then went inside to find her father sitting in his favorite recliner in the den. She gave him a big hug and kiss. “How are you feeling, Daddy?”

“I'm fine, baby. What are you doing, leaving school to come all the way here?”

“I wanted to make sure you were okay. You had me worried.”

“Oh, baby, I'm all right. Who is this fine young man with you?”

Venice motioned for Craig to come over. “Daddy, this is Craig Bennett.”

Mr. Taylor put his hand out to shake Craig's hand. Craig said, “Nice to meet you, sir. I hope you're feeling better.”

“Have a seat Craig and, yes, I'm feeling much better. I understand you're a friend of Galen's?”

Craig sat down while Mrs. Taylor brought them some iced tea. “Yes, sir. I've known Galen for three years now.”

Mrs. Taylor took her seat in the recliner next to the man of the house. “We're so happy to finally meet you, Craig.”

“Me, too.”

Moments later, Venice asked, “Do you have any errands that we can run for you, Momma?”

“I do need a prescription filled and I think we're out of milk. You know that niece of yours really can drink some milk.”

Mrs. Taylor searched the room for her purse. When Venice realized what she was doing, she said, “Momma, I think I saw your purse in the hallway.”

“I think you're right. Let me go get the prescription for you.”

After they left the room, Mr. Taylor asked, “Son, did Venice tell you that I used to be a policeman?”

“Yes, sir, she did. How many years did you serve?”

“I was an officer for twenty-one years and loved every minute of it. The only thing I hated was being away from the family so much. Fortunately, they turned out fine.”

Craig laughed and said, “I bet you've seen some wild things, Mr. Taylor.”

“Son, I have to admit that I've seen some things that would make the average man cry. But you have to have an iron stomach and be able to put your emotions aside. Especially when you come home to your family. It makes you appreciate life a whole lot more. I miss it sometimes. On the other hand, I'm glad I don't have to do that anymore. Cops have a stressful job, with all the decision making in tense situations.”

The men continued to talk while Venice went up into her room to return Jarvis' page.

“Hello?”

“Hey, J. What's up?”

“When did you get in?”

“Late last night. I wanted to come home and see how Daddy was doing.”

“So how's he doing?”

“He seems fine. How are you, Mr. Anderson?”

“Besides missing you, I'm doing okay. Did Galen come with you?”

“No, Craig came with me.”

For a moment, Venice thought Jarvis had hung up because she couldn't even hear him breathing.

“I see. Well, I'd better let you get back to Pops. I hadn't talked to you in a few days, so I was checking in on you.”

“Jarvis?”

“Yes?”

“I miss you.”

He replied sarcastically, “Yeah, I bet.”

Venice burst into tears. The situation was beginning to take its toll.

“Niecy, please don't cry. You know I can't stand for you to cry. I didn't mean to upset you. I know you're worried about your dad. I'm sorry.”

Venice continued to sniff and wipe her tears in an attempt to get a hold of herself, but she couldn't stop them.

“Niecy, do you hear me? Please stop crying.”

“I'm-I'm sorry Jarvis. I didn't mean to do that.”

“You don't have to apologize to me. It's my fault.”

“I do miss you, Jarvis.”

“I believe you, baby. Look, go take care of your dad and call me when you get back to school. Okay?”

“Okay and thanks for calling.”

“Hey! We
are
going to make it, Niecy. You'll see. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

When Venice hung up, she sat there for a moment trying to put herself back together. Hearing Jarvis' voice always did things to her that no other man had been able to do. Until then. Venice grabbed her purse and headed back downstairs.

Craig stood up when he saw Venice and her mom.

“Craig you don't have to go if you don't want to. You can stay here and watch the game with Daddy.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I'm sure. I'll swing by and pick up Crimson so she can go with me.”

Mr. Taylor said, “Craig, I'd love the company.”

Craig agreed since he really did want to see the game. Mrs. Taylor walked Venice out on the porch. “Venice, Craig seems to be a nice young man.”

“He is, Momma.”

“Jarvis called me last week.”

“What did he want?”

“Nothing. He was just calling to say hello.”

Venice stared out into the yard for a moment, feeling it coming.

“Venice, you know that boy's still in love with you.”

“I know, Momma. I still love him, too.”

“So, what's going on with you and Craig?”

“Momma, leave it alone. Okay?”

“Watch your tone with me, girl.”

“I'm sorry. I don't feel up to talking about it right now.”

Her mom accepted her plea and told Venice to be careful as she walked toward Craig's truck.

W
ith Venice out of town, Monique was enjoying having the room to herself once again. Chanelle came down to the room a few times to hide out from her sorors. She hoped they would cross over that weekend. Monique heard a knock at the door. When she opened it, Chanelle rushed in.

“Girl, hurry up and close the door!”

“Chill, Chanelle! Those hoes better not come up to my room starting no shit.”

“You're crazy, Monique. That's a trip about that girl having that baby in the room. Have you heard any news?”

“I heard from a girl on that floor that the baby's doing fine. It's a little girl. The chick that had the baby was able to hide the pregnancy. She was a P.E. major and wore sweats all the time. She was pregnant when she got here. She never told anybody that they know of. I would've been scared to death.”

“Me, too. Have you heard from Venice?”

“She left a message that she arrived safely. I expect her to call today to say how her dad is doing. You know Craig drove her?”

Chanelle lay on Venice's bed and said, “For real! I thought he might be too busy.”

Monique went over to the mirror to smooth her fresh hairstyle. “I guess not. I think Mr. Craig has his nose wide open for Miss Thang. She must've really put something on that man and I ain't talking about voodoo.”

“Yeah, Monique, but he's not totally in the driver's seat. Jarvis still has his name written all over Venice.”

“I know that's right! Every time he calls, she's shook up when she
gets off the phone. Sometimes, I catch her crying. I can't imagine what she's going through.”

“Monique, between you and me, Venice and Jarvis used to be married.”

Monique turned away from the mirror and glared at Chanelle. “Married! What happened? Does Craig know?”

“Yes, Craig knows. I don't want to completely tell her business, but I will say it wasn't their choice to separate. I also know they're still very much in love. That's why you see her crying so much. She's in love with both of them and she's torn.”

Monique sat on her bed in bewilderment. “No wonder. Venice must be going through hell.”

“Don't say anything to her or anyone else. Be patient with her if she seems short with you.”

“No problem. Thanks for telling me.”

Chanelle changed the subject. “I'm so tired of all this pledging crap! Those fools are making me hate their asses. One of them thought she was going to kick my tail the other day, but my line sisters and I stood up to her.”

Monique asked, “If I decide to pledge, are you going to hook a sista up?”

“Hell no! I'm going let your tail suffer just like I have.”

“That's low down, Chanelle. I ought to open this door and call some of those fools and let them know where you're hiding out.”

Chanelle laughed and asked, “You wouldn't do a sista like that, would you?”

“Hell yeah!”

They laughed together and continued to chat a while longer.

 

Crimson came running downstairs with
her jacket, jumping the last three steps and startling Venice. Venice thought Crimson had fallen and knocked herself senseless.

Sinclair said, “Child, you're going to kill yourself one of these days.” Sinclair helped her with her jacket. “You'd better behave yourself. Remember your aunt has a license to spank.”

Crimson gave Sinclair a hug, promised she would behave, and
ran out the door. Sinclair left and told Venice to make sure that she locked up. Before she left, she called Bryan on his cell and told him she had Crimson and that Sinclair was headed back to the shop. Venice set the alarm, locked up the house, and was off to the grocery store.

Hours later, Venice came back with the items that her mother requested. Since she'd been gone, her mother had cooked pork chops, sweet potatoes, turnip greens, and hot water cornbread. The smell hit her as they walked up on the porch. Crimson ran through the door and jumped in her granddaddy's lap.

Mr. Taylor said, “Hey, shorty! Where did you come from?”

Craig entered the room from the kitchen to continue to watch TV and started tickling Crimson.

Craig said, “Galen called and said his game will be on TV tonight.”

Crimson tried to tickle Craig.

Venice was walking toward the kitchen and said, “I know. Bryan told me. He's having some friends over to watch the game.”

Mr. Taylor said, “I know that ain't nobody but Tate and Gator. It'll be fun. Those guys are crazy. They played in the NFL with Bryan.”

Venice returned to the kitchen to have dinner with her Mother.

“Venice, I'm glad you came to see your daddy. He was so happy to see you. He and Craig seem to get along fine. I'm really happy that you found someone to spend time with.”

Venice took in a mouthful of greens. “Thanks, Momma.”

Mrs. Taylor got up to add some more food to her plate, then boldly said, “But he's no Jarvis, huh?”

Venice didn't even blink or respond. She just continued to eat. They shared the quality time together without interruptions. Craig was nice enough to wait on her father and Crimson while Venice talked with her mother.

When he came into the kitchen for refills, Mrs. Taylor said, “Craig, make yourself at home. I have plenty of food so eat up.”

Craig thanked her as he refilled the cups and got the pepper for Venice's dad. They finished their dinner and dessert.

Venice and Craig cleaned up the kitchen while Crimson went out back to play on the swing set. Bryan had purchased it so that
Crimson would have somewhere to play over her grandparents' house. It wasn't long before Mr. Taylor had unzipped his pants and was snoring in his recliner. Venice's mother decided to take a little nap also. She reclined in her chair and joined in with the snoring. Venice and Craig decided to play a pick up game of basketball. Crimson eventually grew bored and played with them. Venice and Crimson were on the same team but they lost anyway. After Craig's victory, Venice and Craig sat out in the swing while Crimson swung from the tree limbs. Craig drifted off to sleep.

Venice went over to play with Crimson and they went down to the creek in back. Venice took Crimson's shoes and socks off so she could wade in the water. She did the same.

“So, muskrat, how's school?”

“It's okay, but there's this nasty little boy who keeps on pulling my hair.”

Venice kicked some water toward her. “You tell that knuckle-head that if he pulls your hair again, he's going to start to turn into a donkey.”

Crimson laughed. “Okay, thanks Auntie. Where's Craig?”

“He's asleep.”

Crimson said, “We ought to find a frog and put it in his shirt.”

“Crimson! That wouldn't be very nice. But… let's see if we can find one.”

They giggled together and looked for a frog. Finally, Venice found one and gave it to Crimson. As they went back up to the swing where Craig was sleeping, they found it difficult not to laugh. Craig was really getting his sleep on when Crimson gently laid the frog on his stomach. They stood there snickering as the frog just sat there.

A few minutes later, the frog began to reposition himself. Craig woke up, saw the frog, jumped up, and hollered. He chased Venice and Crimson around the yard and it wasn't hard for him to catch them. He caught Crimson first, held her down, and tickled her silly.