Dr. Feelgood (32 page)

“Slower, baby. Just slow down. I’m not going anywhere.”

And slow down I did. I kissed Mary Jane just as slowly as I grinded, as we slaked our thirst together, making sure to hold her tight as she softly moaned in pleasure. We clasped hands as we moved in syncopated rhythm.

“Is that better?” I explored her, just about pulling all the way out and then carefully inserting in a circular motion from left to right, and then reversing, making sure to hit a steady pace from side-to-side, and then up toward the back just where she liked it.

“Yes, Makkai. You know how to hit the same spot over and over again. That’s what makes me cum.”

“I know that. You’ve gotten used to cumming, huh?”

“Yes, baby. And then you always do, too, right?” she asked with throaty sounding words.

“Right.” As I replied, I felt her walls tighten, gripping me with a deep rush of suction while she throbbed.

“Like now. I’m about to release all over your dick, Makkai.”

“And I’m about to … release all over. Mary Jane, I can’t believe how this feels when I’m … dammit.”

I tried to hold it, but for some reason, this time,
I couldn’t stop the flow from coming. I had actually lost control, and the force of my buildup was propelled from me in an instant.

I remained on top of her and inside of her while we hugged. She spoke softly. “Makkai, now, I’m not one to gossip, see, so you didn’t hear this from me, but word around the hospital is that Dr. Lois Taylor is really Dr. Louis Taylor.” She’d shifted gears for sure.

“Oh, please.” I leaned up to look her in the face.

“Really. A few folks have commented the she is a he.”

I held in a laugh and my insertion began to exit her. “I don’t believe that. I’m not mad at her, or him, because she pulled through for me when it counted.”

“I agree, but I must say, I did notice her massive hands and her feet. Plus she’s bald. And her voice is so deep. That could explain why she looks like an NFL quarterback.”

I held in another laugh. My member darted out of her opening. “I hadn’t noticed.”

She giggled. “So, you didn’t ever get that close, did you?”

“Of course not.”

“Maybe this baby saved you just in the nick of time. Hey, we never even celebrated your birthday six weeks ago.”

“It’s cool. We’ve been busy celebrating a new birth.”

The touch of Mary Jane was comforting; the flickering of the fireplace was mesmerizing. The feelings sent me into a relaxed frame of mind, more relaxing than normal.

“Makkai, I need to tell you something.”

“What?” I gave her my eyes in the semi-darkness.

“About Carlos.”

“About Palm Springs?”

“Well, sort of …”

I broke my stare. “I don’t want to know.”

“Makkai …”

“Mary Jane, I don’t want to know.”

“I think you need …”

I interrupted again. “Please, I’m fine not knowing. I promise you. I know Carlos, but I also know you. I’m fine with whatever decisions you make.”

“But, Makkai …”

“Mary Jane. Don’t.”

“Okay.” She looked away, willing to retreat, yet as though her mind was racing.

“Just relax from this day forward. All that matters is this day forward.”

“Okay. But, just hold me again, please,” she requested.

“I’ve got you,” I stated with certainty while I still lay on her chest.

That woman had definitely earned the key to my house, and probably to my open heart. If she’d started to release a confession, mine would have taken three weeks to release. And being that I all but pushed her into Carlos’s arms, what could I say anyway? No matter what it was, it didn’t matter. Not now. We slept together that afternoon, arm in arm, and my baby girl slept in the next room, baby monitor all set up and ready to go.

Over hearts, I have painfully turned every stone. Just to find, I had found what I’ve searched to discover.
Life was getting sweeter.

E
arly the next morning, I was actually sent to the grocery store, assigned to pick up diapers and formula. I strolled down the aisle with my cordless earpiece flashing. For once, my phone was quiet. No one called.

I scanned the dozens of sizes and types of disposable diapers and snatched up six packages of preemie Huggies and some natural, nonscented baby wipes and headed to the formula section.

I checked the list Mary Jane gave me just to make sure I had it right, and grabbed twenty-four large cans of Similac NeoSure Advance powder. I also picked up Mary Jane’s favorite Lipton iced tea, and some bottled water.

“Did you find everything you were looking for?” the cheery, fifty-something-looking grocery checker asked.

“That and more, thanks.”

She examined my items. “A new baby, huh?”

“Yes. A baby girl.”

“Congratulations. There’s nothing in the world like the birth of a child.”

“That much I know.”

“It’ll make you switch up your priorities, that’s for sure.”

I handed her the cash and the bag boy handed me my bags. “If you understand the blessing, it definitely will.”

She gave me my change. “Well, enjoy that little one.”

“Forever.”

“Just wait until you’re a grandparent, like me.” She pointed to herself.

“Hey now. First things first.”

She laughed. “Have a great day.”

“You too.” I looked back as I stepped away. “And you couldn’t possibly be a grandma.”

“Six times over.”

“Now that sounds like a true blessing.”

Next thing I knew I was heading out for my first full day back at work, which meant I had to leave the baby. I couldn’t wait to get to work and get the day over with.

I headed to the hospital, speeding down the highway, pushing the posted speed limit in my red sports car that I never get a chance to drive, keeping an eye out for the Highway Patrol in my rearview every few minutes. I was going to need to get that new rust Hummer H3 I’d had my eye on, or maybe I’ll stay loyal to the Porsche line and get me that sweet new Cayenne SUV.

Once I arrived, the day ahead of me consisted of two post-op follow-ups and a minor, procedure. I had a quick moment to sit at my desk
just before a physician’s meeting to discuss advancements in cardiac catheterization. My eyes scanned the many greeting cards lined up on my desk from coworkers, wishing me congratulations on the birth of my daughter. I felt a warmth from head to toe. I took a second to check my cell phone messages.

“Hi, baby, it’s Mary Jane. Some woman called who did not leave her name and she did not sound very happy that I answered.” Lord only knows who that was. “Carlos called. Your mom called at around noon. And then your dad called shortly thereafter. He seemed surprised that I answered your phone, but he was really nice. So, give them a call when you get time. See you later, baby.” Mary Jane’s voice was calming.

I spoke to my cell phone. “Call Carlos.”

His casualness and boldness had returned. “Talk to me.”

“Yo, man, I’m just getting back to you.”

“Hey, how’s everything going?”

“Cool. Very cool.”

“I’ll bet. I see Mary Jane is answering the home phone now.”

“Yeah.” I leaned back and began shuffling through diagnosis reports.

“So, it’s like that?”

“It’s like that.”

“Good for you. Looks like we both got caught?” Carlos joked.

I joked. “You too? Who is it? Some stripper?”

“No man. She’s cool, though.”

“Well then who is it? Must be that superwoman with stamina named Alice. Was it?”

He seemed to hold his breath. “It’s Salina, dude.”

My voice dropped. “Carlos.”

“No, I’m telling you, she’s different, man. She had to do some hours for the false charges and she kept calling me collect every night. I guess all that time on the phone did something. I think she’s changed, Makkai. I mean it.”

“She is crazy, deranged, and married, Carlos. She’s got a real psychological problem, man. You be careful. And, to top it off, she still has a gigantic, violent husband.”

“Salina has filed for divorce. And she’s now on regular medication that should help things level off. I believe she’s a good woman underneath all of those layers, man. She’s been through a lot. But, we’re hanging. She’s even going to work as a salesperson at BCBG to make some extra money. The courts won’t accept her for a job now that she has a misdemeanor and now that her medical record is part of that conviction. But yeah, we’re talking about living together or something like that, but I’m just happy to not be running the streets anymore.”

“Carlos, man, she’s whipped your ass, that’s what happened.”

“Not me.”

“Yeah right.”

“Well, hell, the girl can get down, now.”

“That mad wild psycho sex got you hooked. I just never thought you’d really fall for her. Not after everything that happened.”

“I can’t explain it, man, but I wanted you to know.”

He paused.

I paused.

He paused.

I said, “You know what. I hope it works out just the way you want it to.”

“Me too.”

“And once you toss that black book, it should be on.”

“She tossed it for me.”

“I should have known. She’s gonna keep a tight-ass leash on you, my brotha. So what else is up?”

“Not much. Just about to head home.”

“Cool. Okay well, yeah.”

“Maybe I’ll get to see that baby one day, huh?”

“Maybe. Man, I can’t lie. I can’t say that I want Salina near her or near Mary Jane.”

“You’ve gotta know she’s changed, Makkai. People do change, you know?”

“I’ll talk to you about that later, man.”

“Okay. Later.”

That one deserved a major exhale and a silent prayer.

People change, huh? Maybe so, but in this case, sex is powerful and my boy, the hound, is addicted. And I, of all people, should know about the bonding power of sex.

I glanced up at the wall clock, noting that I still had about fifteen minutes. I picked up my office phone. My thoughts ranged from being hooked on sex and how the thrill of an orgasm can make us stupid, to why it’s so difficult to be truly monogamous, and why it was that my mother put up with infidelity for so long.

“Hello.”

“Hey, Mom.”

“Hey there. Let me turn this movie off. It’s
On Glolden Pond.”
Sounded like she dropped the phone and then picked it up just after the volume of the television decreased. “Sorry about that. That Henry Fonda was good until his last days. Hey, how’s that little one? I can’t wait to see her next week. Mary Jane said she’s drinking almost more than a few ounces in one feeding already.”

“Yes, she is.”

“That’s good for a preemie.”

It was as if I didn’t hear a word she said. “Mom, were you over Dad?”

“Oh, Makkai, too over him, long overdue, over him. Why do you ask that?”

“Just wondering what was the real reason why we left so suddenly and came to L.A. Was it the woman who called you on the phone that day?”

After I asked the question, I reminded myself that after what my mother had gone through, I didn’t want Mary Jane to ever have to deal with any woman calling my house again. I was going to have to change all of my numbers.

“Wow, what brought that up?”

“Mom, please.”

“Well, I guess I knew you’d ask me that one day. Aside from having to get away from that serial cheater of a man who called himself your father, and the father of half of the population in the South, I knew a couple of things.”

“Like what?”

“I knew he took you to
her
house that night. And I knew why. It was written all over his face, and
yours, when you came home. It’s just something a mother knows.”

I turned my chair so that my back would be to the door. My heart sped up. “Mom.”

“Makkai, my life changed that night. It was one of many straws that broke the camel’s back. Your dad talked about you possibly being gay and was bound and determined to ‘turn’ you straight. I called that woman’s house that night and pretended I was his Aunt Ethel. She told me that Roosevelt was on his way over with his son, and I knew. You know, sometimes, you just know. If you’d come back in a few hours, I could have thought that the two of you simply stopped by. But, all night long? And I’ll never forget the guilty look on your face as you got out of his car. I sat in my rocking chair in the front window and damn near cried myself to death. It was pitiful. It was a look of shame and excitement on your face all in one. It was as if you’d both fooled around on me. Roosevelt even smelled of her. He usually did. And he had the nerve to climb on top of me as soon as he hit the bed. I nearly threw up. The only thing that kept me from literally snapping was knowing we were leaving.”

Instantly, my right hand soothed my warm forehead. “Mom, I’m sorry.”

“It wasn’t your fault, Makkai. It really, truly wasn’t your fault. And she was the one who called my house not long before we left. She told me her first and last name and all I did was look her up in the phone book and call her back.”

“I had no idea.”

“Well, Makkai. You know what? I’m just going to get it all out today. It’s long overdue. Remember when Fonda found out she was pregnant at only thirteen years old?”

“Yes.”

“I had no idea that would have caused her to die or else I would have pulled hell and high water to get her an abortion. Instead, two lives perished. Especially knowing in my heart, in my gut, and in my soul that the baby your sister carried could have been your father’s.”

I tried to speak right after hearing her hellified words, but even though my mouth was open, my voice wouldn’t obey my mental commands. I cleared my throat twice and gulped my saliva, clearing my throat again. “Mom, you’ve got to be kidding me. That cannot be.”

“And why couldn’t it be, Makkai? Your father climbed on top of anything with a hole, whether it moved or not, and I’m not so sure that men and animals were excluded.” She sighed. “I asked your sister and she just started crying. I told her I knew, and she just cried some more. That’s why I left, not just because of anything with other women, even though that was unforgivable and bad enough. Maybe I’d just resolved myself to that. And I guess I didn’t even really leave because of the threesome he involved you in. I left because I had to take you two away from a pedophile. I knew my husband was sleeping with my precious daughter. The confrontation happened just before I left and moved us to California. It’s just something a mother knows.”