All That and a Bag of Chips (38 page)

“I have no idea. You should've seen me, girl. When I walked into the kitchen and saw them sitting there, I froze. Then Jarvis stood up and kissed me on the mouth right in front of Craig. You know that's his way of staking his claim. He always does that when some man is giving me too much attention.”

“What did Craig do?”

“I don't know. I stopped breathing for a moment and just sat down next to Momma and started eating.”

They laughed together for a few hours. Then, Venice asked Chanelle if she would go with her to take Crimson to the movies. Chanelle was happy to get out of the house with her best friend. They went to eat after the movies and did a little shopping to help pass the time away. After a few hours, Venice wondered how the guys were getting along. She hadn't heard from any of them, so it must be going smooth.

Venice was feeling a little tired, so she dropped Chanelle off at home and told her that she'd see her later.

Crimson was talking a mile a minute, telling Venice all about
what Santa Claus was bringing her. Venice listened to her attentively and told her she had better be good so she would get what she asked for. Once back at the Taylor home, the guys were still gone. When she got inside, she called Sinclair to see if it was okay if Crimson spent the night. Sinclair told her it was okay with her and to let Bryan know. When she hung up the phone, her mother was coming back in the door from visiting her neighbor across the street. Venice explained to her that she was going to keep Crimson with her since it was late. Venice gave her dad a kiss and went upstairs to put Crimson to bed.

Later, Venice went and had a woman-to-woman talk with Sidney. She wanted to know when Sidney knew Galen was the one for her. Sidney explained that at first, Galen was just the average immature freshman but over the course of a summer, he'd started to grow on her.

“Look, Venice, knowing if Craig or Jarvis is the right one is not something you try to figure out. It's a feeling different from any other feeling you've ever felt. You'll know when the time is right. Quit stressing about it and just let nature take its course. It's obvious they're both crazy about you. I see it as a win-win situation, either way it goes.”

“I guess you're right, Sidney. I just hope neither of them says the wrong thing. I would hate for them to get into fight over me.”

Venice looked at her watch and said, “Well…there's no telling what time they'll get back from Gator's house. I'm going downstairs to watch TV with Daddy. Do you want me to get you anything?”

“If you don't mind, fix me a ham sandwich.”

Venice got up and said, “I'll be back in a second.”

Sidney laid back on the pillows, wishing her new sister-in-law luck. She was going to need it.

G
ator had a small indoor court at his huge mansion on the outskirts of town. He had done very well playing in the NFL and provided well for his wife and two small children. Venice was their baby-sitter before she went off to college. The fellows had played several games before they decided to sit down and relax. They talked about their NFL days and then they started teasing Galen about becoming a husband and Daddy.

Gator, being who he was, slipped and said, “I don't know what you're laughing at, Jarvis. You were just in Galen's shoes a few months ago.”

As soon as he said it, everyone realized he shouldn't have brought it up. He forgot Craig was dating Venice now. Bryan said, “Damn, Gator!”

“What?”

It was silent for a moment, then Jarvis said, “You're right and if I had it my way, we we'd still be married.”

Galen glanced over at Craig, who didn't show any expression as he listened to Jarvis.

Gator then asked, “Do you want her back?”

Bryan and Galen in unison said, “Gator!”

Bryan stood up and said, “Ya'll going to play ball or sit around and gossip like some old ladies?”

Gator said, “No, let the man answer.”

Jarvis said, “Hell yeah, I want Venice back because I still love her and as far as I'm concerned, she's still
my
wife.” Jarvis got up and said, “Craig, I'm just expressing the way I feel.”

Craig responded, “I understand.”

Gator was impressed with Jarvis' honesty. So was everyone else.
They played a few more games, then Bryan looked at his watch and said, “We'd better get back to the house. I left Crimson over there and I know Sinclair is going to trip since I haven't called.”

Gator guffawed. “That's right. I forgot Sinclair has you on a curfew.”

Bryan got up and threw a towel at Gator. “Forget you, man! I'm the boss in my house!”

“Yeah right. Hey, thanks for the game. If ya'll aren't doing anything tomorrow, come back so we can get a rematch.”

When they got in the car, Bryan called Sinclair and told her that he'd be home shortly. Sinclair told him that Venice had already put Crimson to bed. Bryan talked a minute or two longer and hung up. It was quiet in the car and once he got back to the Taylor home, everybody said their goodnights.

Galen asked Joshua and Jarvis if they wanted to come in and get something to drink. They agreed and followed him into the house. Everyone was in the den watching TV and Venice was still asleep on the sofa. Mrs. Taylor gathered her things and told them she'd see them in the morning. She came over and woke Venice so Galen and the guys could sit down.

Galen said, “I'm going to run up and check on Sidney and take a shower.”

Craig didn't want to sit down since he was sweaty.

Mrs. Taylor said, “Craig, baby, you can go take your shower in the bathroom down the hall.”

He thanked her and she told Venice to go get him some towels.

Venice sluggishly said, “Yes, Ma'am.”

When she walked past Joshua, he put his arm around her neck and said, “Wake up, girl!”

She pushed away from him and said, “Stop, Josh!”

Joshua acted like he was going to chase her. Craig had already walked down the hallway to his room. When Venice passed Jarvis, he pinned her against the wall outside the den, touched her intimately, and whispered, “Give me some sugar, Niecy.”

“Jarvis, stop and move!”

“Oh, you're gonna treat me like that since your little boyfriend is here. That's cool. I'll take care of you later.”

Mr. Taylor yelled, “Jarvis!”

“I'm cool, Pops. I'm just playing with her.”

Venice finally pushed past him, still feeling the heat from his touch on her lower body. Once he returned to the den, Mr. Taylor searched the room for Craig, then said, “Jarvis, don't you start no shit!”

“Pops, you know me.”

“You're right. I know you. I mean what I said!”

“Okay. I'll be cool.”

“You'd better. Craig's a nice kid, whether you want to believe it or not.”

Craig waited on an exhausted Venice down the hall at the linen closet. She handed him the towels and said, “If you need anything else, I'll be in the den.”

“Thanks, baby. I'll see you in a little bit.”

“Okay.”

She just walked back down the hall dragging her feet in sleepiness. When Venice got back to the den, her father was getting up to go to bed. He said, “Baby, I'll see you in the morning.” He gave her a kiss and said, “All right, fellows, ya'll better behave yourself in here. Don't make me have to put a cap in ya'll asses. Jarvis, remember what I said and Joshua, keep an eye on him.”

“All right Pops. I'll make sure everyone stays cool.”

“Thanks. Tell Galen to make sure he turns the TV off when ya'll are done.”

Venice laid back down on the sofa and pulled the blanket over her. A few moments later, Galen came back down and told Venice to go to bed.

“Leave me alone, Galen.”

Jarvis walked across the room and moved Venice's feet so he could sit down next to her. He ran his hand under the blanket and over her hips. She squirmed and said, “Jarvis.”

He withdrew his hand and asked, “What? Are you nervous? You normally like me touching you. You don't have to say anything. Pops threatened me so I have to be a good boy.”

“Baby, I'm just tired. Okay?”

He leaned down and whispered in her ear, “I want you, Niecy.”

“Chill, okay?”

“For now.”

Before pulling away from her, he gave her a full kiss on the lips, lingering to taste her. Joshua looked over at them and said, “Hey, I'm going to tell you two right now, I'm not breaking up any fights up in here tonight. Ya'll better stop over there.”

Galen responded with, “Me either. I'm gonna let those fools fight it out. I don't even see what they see in her anyway.”

Jarvis and Joshua were laughing as Venice tried to recover from the intoxicating effect his kiss left on her. She started feeling a familiar throbbing in her middle and her skin began to burn. Craig walked back in wearing a T-shirt and a pair of sweats. He sat down in Mr. Taylor's recliner and watched as Joshua and Galen play against each other. He glanced over at Venice and smiled. He could see Jarvis was sitting close but he had to expect that between them.

She said, “I'm going to bed. I'll see you guys tomorrow.”

She leaned over and gave Jarvis a kiss on his luscious, awaiting lips. She then got up and gave Joshua a hug. Lastly, she walked over to Craig and gave him a similar lingering kiss goodnight. Jarvis' blood boiled in his veins and he didn't like it one bit. Venice belonged to him and there was no way he could sit there and stay cool.

Get your damn hands off my woman!

Venice looked back at him and smiled before leaving the room. Jarvis was unsure if he'd said that out loud or in his mind. Either way, he meant it.

It was about eleven o'clock when Galen put the game on pause and built a fire in the fireplace. While Galen was busy with the wood, Craig went over and started playing Joshua on the video game. Venice went on up to her room and eased into her bed, being careful not to wake Crimson. She laid in bed with her heart pounding, knowing the two loves of her life were downstairs together. What are the odds?

C
hristmas was approaching fast and Craig would be leaving soon. The next morning, the household was bustling. Crimson got up early and wanted Venice to get up. She told her to let her sleep and pulled the covers over her head. Crimson hopped out of bed and ran downstairs for breakfast. Crimson ran into the den and found all the guys still asleep.

Mrs. Taylor said, “Sh-h-h, Crimson. Come out of there and let those boys sleep.” Mrs. Taylor closed the door to the den and brought Crimson into the kitchen so she could fix her some breakfast. Venice had no desire to get up. Her body was much more tired than she'd realized. It would be late morning before Venice and Sidney would get up. The guys all got up around nine o'clock and went their separate ways. Mrs. Taylor made sure they had breakfast before they left.

They all decided to go to the club that night. Venice was excited that she'd probably see some of her friends she hadn't seen since she left for college. They all lounged around the house most of the day. Venice talked to Chanelle and discussed what they were going to wear. Galen and Craig left, going no telling where, and Venice and Sidney chilled out at the house. They relaxed the rest of the evening. Venice was surprised Craig didn't mention anything to her about Jarvis and Jarvis didn't say anything to her about Craig. She was wondering if it was the calm before the storm.

The club was filling up quickly as the partygoers arrived ready to shake their booty. It was the holidays and many were home from college and ready to release the stress of exams. Venice was happy that everything had been running smoothly the last couple of days. She just hoped it would last.

They finally arrived and not long afterwards, Chanelle arrived.
Immediately, Chanelle and Venice introduced Sidney around to some of their former classmates. Galen introduced Craig to some of his partners also. A couple of Venice's rivals gave her jealous looks. One in particular noticed Craig was a new face in the crowd and decided to inquire about him. She twisted over to Galen and said, “Hey, Galen! It's been a long time since I've seen you. You're still looking fine though.”

Galen said, “Hello, Saundra. You look nice also.”

She thanked him and tossed her weave with her fingers. She then looked Craig up and down and asked, “Who's your friend?”

“Oh, this is Craig. He goes to school with me. Craig, this is Saundra.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“So…you're visiting the Taylors?”

“Yes.”

Saundra positioned herself between Galen and Craig, sizing him up. She said, “Well… Craig, if you're not doing anything tomorrow, I'd love to show you around or something.”

The music was loud and it was hard to hear so Craig leaned down to her ear and said, “Thanks for the offer, but I don't think I'm available.”

“Does that mean you're busy or that you're spoken for?”

“Both, but thanks.”

Saundra looked surprised and said, “It's your loss.”

“I'm sure.”

As she walked away, she said, “If you change your mind, Galen knows how to find me.”

Galen looked at Craig and shook his head in laughter. “Man…that chick is a trip! Venice can't stand her. She tried to break her and Jarvis up once.”

Craig said, “That's a shame.”

Galen and Craig got them a drink and found a table. The girls continued socializing. Venice occasionally asked Sidney if she was okay due to her pregnancy.

As the music played, the crowd danced to the beat. When the DJ slowed the music down, Craig danced with Venice for a couple of songs. The group was still enjoying themselves when Chanelle turned and said, “Venice, here comes your other man.”