“Yes. Remember when we were on the phone talking when you were on your way home?”
“Yeah.”
“I tracked your location and saw that you were five minutes out. I ran the water with all hot water at that time. You are good, baby. Test it out with your pinky.”
I looked at her and smirked. “I’m a G. I can handle anything.”
I slipped out of my slides and tugged my shirt off. After removing my shorts and underwear, I stuck a toe in the water and jumped back out. “Damn! That water’s hot, baby. You trying to peel my skin off? Scald me? See if my Johnson shrinks?”
She laughed so hard that tears slipped from the corners of her eyes.
“It really ain’t that funny,” I replied, though her mood was greatly improving mine. This was exactly what I needed to wrap up the end of a rough day, coming home to a loving woman who took care of my mental and spiritual needs.
I turned the cold water on while she continued to laugh at me. Once I had the temperature just right, I lifted her in my arms and jumped into the bathtub. Water splashed over the sides and all over the floor as she screamed, “Deuce!”
It was my turn to laugh, but she smacked me on the chest. “It’s not so funny now, is it?”
“You messed up my clothes and hair, Deuce.”
“So, straighten it back out in the morning. I love your hair no matter how you wear it,” I replied, nuzzling her neck.
“This is why you won’t be getting any nookie tonight.”
“You say that like it’s a punishment or something. You ain’t gotta give me no nookie. I want some pussy.”
She smacked my chest again. “You’re so nasty. I’m in this tub with my clothes on, Deuce. That was not my plan. I was supposed to help you relax and wash your body.”
“You can still do that. Just take your clothes off, baby. Wash my body with yours.”
“Nope. I’m sticking to my plan,” she replied, twisting around to straddle me with her clothes still on. She kissed me passionately and stared into my eyes. “I love you.”
“I know. But you still got your clothes on, woman.”
“Of course I do. I’m here to connect with you emotionally.”
“My emotions are out of wack because you’re in this tub talking about some nookie, and all I wanna see is that pussy.”
She burst out laughing. “On a serious note, would you like for me to accompany you tomorrow?”
I rested my head against the tile wall behind me and closed my eyes. “You know how to kill an arousal, don’t you?”
“There will be time for sex, Deuce. I’m checking on your mental health for real,” she replied in a serious tone.
I opened my eyes. I loved this woman. “Thank you for being here for me. But, no, I’ll be fine. There are too many negative emotions going on among the force, Lena’s family, and Paul’s family. I don’t want you in that environment.”
Deep inside, I was worried that the truth would come out about my affair, and I was worried what she would think of me.
“If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure, baby,” I answered, removing her clothes. I bathed her, and she bathed me. When I finished, I dried her off, carried her to my bed, and watched her fall asleep.
“Most High, I thank You for bringing Sevyn into my life. It may not have been the conventional way, but I know that I wouldn’t have met a treasure like her without Your hand in it. I love her. Teach me how to be a good man for her and help me share the truth with her. Forgive me for messing this one up, because I should’ve told her a long time ago. Amen.”
I pulled her into my arms and held her. My sleep was more peaceful than I expected it to be.
THREE DAYS LATER
The prosecution broughtLena’s mom up to talk about the last phone conversation that she had with Lena, which was early the morning of her murder. Although she maintained her calm composure, she shed a few tears as she sat on the witness stand.
