What lies Ahead (15)

As I wipe my own tears away I go after Ari about ten minutes later. I know I messed up but she messed up in her own sense and I know we can fix it. I walk upstairs only to see bags at the top.

"Whoa, who's bags are these?" I'm terrified that they may belong to Ari.

Shelia comes out the guest room around the corner and responds. "Don't worry Lance they're mine." She says relieving my of my initial fear.

I let out of sigh of relief as Aria walked out of our bedroom, bags in hand. That initial feeling came right back.

"What's that?" I ask as my heart suddenly sank to my stomach.

"You're a smart man Lance. I'm sure you see that they are bags." She responds sarcastically.

"Why? We can get through this babe." I have never seen her this upset yet calm.

"Why? Maybe because you were willing for me to look like a damn fool so that you could cover your own ass. Me being a dummy, I tell you! After being advised not to, I still told you because I could never keep something from you, my husband, my best friend. It's not even what you did. It's the fact that you woke up in that woman's bed. You kept it from me and you had no intentions to tell me." She looked exhausted

"Baby I'm sorry. I will never keep anything from you again, I swear." I plead.

"Lance I believe you but I'm drained. I need some time away with people who aren't going to lie to me. I'm going to Bobbi's." She tilted her head in fatigue.  

"Ari you are four months pregnant, you need to be here with me so I can take care of you." I cannot let her leave I plead to her. 

"Now you want to take care of me. It's okay. You're a liar, I don't trust you right now so I don't trust your care." She replied to me before taking her bags and leaving out along with her mother.

I can't even move. I'm in shock as I stand and watch Ari leave out with her mother. I sit on the stairs for a long time waiting for her to come back. Two hours go by and nothing. I begin to call only to be sent straight to voicemail. In my head I think out a long elaborate text of how everything will be fine and that we will work it out and even begin to type it. However I delete it, maybe it's pride. I'm letting my own pain stand in the way of what I've done. 

After waiting for hours I realize it's pretty late and I still have to work in the morning. Before I go to bed I go down stairs for a few quick drinks. At least that can numb me at least for now. 

The next morning I can't help but feel as though I lost Ari for good. I know I've messed up plenty of times in our younger days but all of it stopped after we got married. I apologized, isn't that enough? She messed up too. All the thoughts run through my head as I enter the office. 

"Yo what's up dude?" Zach approaches me as I exit the elevator. 

"Ari found out." I whisper. 

"Found out about what? I hope not Viv." He replies. 

"Yeah, she left." I tell him looking at him as though it's his fault. 

"Damn dude. If I would have known she would have found out anyway I would've told you to just tell her. Now she probably knows you were hiding it." He says putting a hand on my shoulder. 

"Thank you Zach, I appreciate your dumb ass advice. Since college I've been hanging out with you doing the same dumb shit as you because we are friends. You have to grow up!" I become upset. 

"Hey man I don't make you do anything. Am I a bad influence? Hell yes! But you choose to hang out with me. Association is with other people led others to do things so either I was going to start straightening up like you or you was going to start doing bonehead things like me." He said surprised I lashed out to him like that. 

"You know what dog, you're right. Guess I need to walk away from some things too." I say leaving him there by the elevator. 

Is everybody right but me these days? Zach really hit home with that statement. My mother used to say something like show me your friends and I'll show you your future. Hanging out with my best friend all the time who's had nothing but broken relationships, I've found myself on the brink of breaking my most important one. 

"Glad to see you're feeling better Mr. Ely." I hear a voice behind me. 

"Huh?" I respond confused on the statement as I turn around. 

"Last night? The cold? You may have taken too many meds." Like clockwork it's Viv.

"Oh yeah, I'm feeling much better. Can't talk right now though, have a lot of work to do." I really want to stay clear of everyone and just take care of business. 

Finally I get to my office. As I begin to look over some files my phone rings. Thinking it's Aria I immediately answer without even looking. 

"Hello!" I say loudly.

"Yes, Mr. Ely?" A soft feminine voice says.

"Yes speaking, may I ask who's calling?" This voice is unfamiliar to me. 

"Hello my name is Kristin Young." She tells me. 

I've heard the name before but still I have no clue who she is.

"My son is Richard Young." She says. 

Richard is the boy that Quick shot. "Yes mam, is there something I can do for you?" I'm confused because I'm not sure if I can do anything for her at all.

"I just want to know." She says calmly.

"What is it that you want to know?" I ask.

"Did he do it? I know you know?" She gets a little louder.

"I cannot discuss this wit..." I'm interrupted. 

"Please! We can't afford a lawyer like you and ours is doing a horrible job. I, we just want to know. That was our son, our only child. Do you have children? He would shoot your kids too if he could. Do you want that to happen?" She's crying at this point. 

"I'm sorry Mrs. Young but I can't help you." I hated to say it but I can't do anything for her. I hang up the phone. 

Already thinking that today would be a tough day, I pull out my flask I had prepared this morning just in case things became too hectic. It's early but it's just too much going on so I take a sip of the whiskey inside. 

"Ahhh." The burning sensation in my chest is somehow soothing. I know this is going to be a long day. 

When it Rain it Pours (14)

I kind of close the door a bit when I realize that it's Viv. I cannot believe this is happening. How the hell did she figure out where I live? Why did she figure out where I live?

"What a surprise, um, what's up Viv? What are you doing here?" I say clearly in a state of fear and confusion.

"Oh yeah sorry about popping up like this, I know it's pretty late. I would have called but I left my phone charger home and my phone died." She said kind of pouting her face.

Still not opening the door more in fear Ari will pop back up behind me. "Well is everything alright"? I honestly do not care I just need her to leave.

"Yes, yes of course." She's speaking pretty loud and I'm terrified at this point.

"Okay good, so why are you here." I chuckle uncomfortably, maybe it's just me but things were getting a tad bit uncomfortable.

"'Wow, I'm sorry. I'm just rambling. I was cleaning the other day and I found your wallet in my couch. You must have lost it coming out of your clothes and of course you address is on here so I just came to drop it off so here you go." She was laughing again, apparently flirtatiously.

I grab the license while letting out a yawn and a obnoxious cough. "Thank you so much." I say clearing my throat.

"Are you alright? She asked.

"Yeah I just think I may be coming down with something. Took some Nyquil just in case." I say sounded fatigued.

"Well I would offer to come in but I'm a horrible nurse. Hopefully I'll see you at work tomorrow." She says in a little cute voice.

"I hope so. Thanks again. Goodnight." I let out a sigh of relief putting my head on the door. I have to smile because I just avoided a crises. I close my eyes leaning my back and head on the door as I lock it only to hear a voice.

"Why were you undressing in that girls home?" Shelia says coming out of the study room which happens to be right next to the front door.

Again, my heart drops. "Ma..ma..mama Shelia what you doing down here?" I ask nervously.

"Well I was sitting here in the study just reading my bible quietly until you and Aria got the talking right outside the door. I heard pretty much everything."

I guess it's natural to get upset when you know you're wrong because I know I'm wrong but I become enraged. "Shelia why is it that you're always snooping." I'm sure Ari hears me but I'm not even thinking at this point.

"Whoa. Lance what you need to do is calm yourself down. I was in here long before your tired behind came home. Aria knew good and well I was in hear doing my reading. If you were more knowledgeable about your surrounding you would probably not be in this mess and you also would have seen the lamp on in this room. So what you aren't going to do is snap at me because you're dropping the ball." She stood very firm in her statement and looked at me in a way that a mother looks at her child. It was scary and refreshing because I knew she loved me still but was angry.

"I'm sorry. I just need to think some things out." I tell her calm again and embarrased.

"You don't have time to think, you need to tell her because if you don't then I will." Still firm.

"Lance why the hell are you yelling and tell me what?" Ari appears now, obviously in result of my yelling.

"I'll give you two some privacy, I'm sure you will appreciate that Lance. Aria I'll be upstairs getting me a flight for tomorrow hopefully." Her sarcasm was very well timed unlike her departure.

"Okay baby look, I messed up." I say trying to get close to her only to meet a hand in my chest keeping me to a distance.

"How the hell did you mess up?" She asks, arms folded and one leg sticking out staring at me waiting for an answer.

"When I went out with Zach last weekend I got drunk and..." I'm not even able to finish.

"You're drinking again Lance?! Wow! Now I know your dumb ass messed up because I know how you get when you drink. I thought you left that drinking shit behind you. Remember that drinking problem in college  you had and how I stayed with you regardless of the dumb shit you did when you were drunk?" I can see the anger and pain in her eyes.

"Yes baby I remember and I..." again I can't finish my sentence.

"No you can't." She says crying but laughing at the same time. "You had to forget. I would feel better if you would forget. Just forget those women you "accidentally" slept with because you were drunk." Now completing sobbing, I stand ashamed.

"Baby I'm sorry. I did not sleep with her. I did mess up and end up at her place and waking up naked in her bed but I swear to you I did not sleep with her." I say crying myself, I forgot how much pain I have brought to her.

"Well you should have." She just shakes her head and walks away wiping away her tears.

Decisions, Decisions (13)

I go see a movie to clear my head. Then I drive around a bit and listen to Gospel, I calm down. I think of what I should do, I even pray and I ain't pray in the longest. Unfortunately after I pray I realize that I'm supposed to tell her what happened. Sorry Lord but I'm not doing that. I decide that we are even, I'll forgive her and act like it never happened. That way I never have to come clean. 

I begin to drive back home and all of a sudden I hear sirens. 

"Great, just what I need." I pull over and set my hands on the steering wheel and wait for the officer. I hear the tap on my window and proceed to roll down my window. 

"Good evening sir." The officers comes off as polite which is refreshing these days. I try to catch a glimpse of his face but the flashlight was right in my eyes. 

"Good evening Mr. Officer, did I do something wrong?" I reply hoping that being polite myself would get me out of here quicker. 

"No sir, you just have a tail light out. I'll just need your license and registration. 

"No problem." I open my glove box to grab my registration then reach for my wallet, slowly of course, to grab my license. I open up my wallet only to see that my license isn't there. 

"Is there a problem sir?" The officer asks.

"It's looking like I may have lost my wallet." I reply knowing a ticket is coming.

"Well what's your name so we can get this sorted out?" He quickly replies. 

"Lance Ely." I tell him.

"Lance! Hey man it's me, Harold!" 

It's amazing he can stand here so excited to see me after he knows I'm married to the woman he just took on a date. Maybe because he knows I can't hop out of the car and punch him dead in the face. 

"I'm sorry man I don't know a Harold." I say looking straight ahead. Of course I know him, I've spoken to him plenty of times at the court house. 

"Oh ok." He says it clearly knowing I know who he his. "Well look why don't you just get that tail light fixed and head on home." He adds.

"Thank you Mr. Officer." I say grinding my teeth together. 

"Tell Aria I said hello will you." He says with a smirk.

By this point I want to take his gun and shoot him with it. However I don't say anything and wait for him to leave. 

Just when I get calm more shit happens. If anything else goes wrong tonight I may just lose it. I gather myself again and just head home. 

When I get home Aria is downstairs sitting in the living room apparently waiting for me.

"Are you ok babe, I'm so sorry." She says putting her body on mine wanting me to hold her and I do.

"Yeah I'm good, just had to clear my head." I say somberly. 

"Where'd you go?" She asks.

"Just the movies, drove around a bit which turned out to be a bad idea." I tell her. 

"Why is that?" She says looking up to me with her hands around my waist, I feel mostly belly poking me during our hugs now. 

"I got pulled over by, our friend, Harold."  I know I'm wrong but I want her to feel bad because I was hurt earlier. 

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry baby I am. He didn't give you a ticket did he?" I see she is really hurt, I think that's enough. 

"No, he just did his best being an asshole. It's alright though because we are moving past it. No questions asked." She looks confused. 

"You mean we aren't going to talk about it again?" Her face is priceless. 

"Nope. I take part of the blame in this. I should have been here more, for you. I won't drop the ball again baby." I'm just feeling like a damn superhero at this point. 

"Thank you baby, I owe you so much. I'm going to make it up to you tonight and every night after this!" She said kissing all over me. 

"Well don't talk about it! Let's go upstairs." As soon as I finish my sentence the doorbell rings. 

"Yes daddy, you get that door and I'll go upstairs and prepare." She gives me that sexy look she has as she walks up the stairs. 

I played this perfectly but who the hell can be at my door at this time of night. I'm thinking it's Harold coming to start problems but he come up in here then I can care less if he's an officer or not. I open the door and my heart drops, again. 

"Oh shit, hey Viv."

We Need to Talk (12)

On my way home I stop to get some ice cream, flowers and one of her favorite movies at a Redbox. I can't believe I almost dropped the ball like that man. I could have slept with that girl and ruined everything. I told her I would step up so that's what she is going to see, me stepping up. As long as she doesn't learn the truth behind my actions I'll be happy. 

I drive up to the house, open the garage door and pulled up to the house. As I grabbed all the things that I had went to get for Ari I became nervous, hoping that all of the stuff wouldn't give me away. I take a deep breathe and went in. 

"Babe where are you?" I scream out as I came through the garage. 

"Here I come." She sounded very tired even though it was pretty early in the day, not even one o'clock yet. 

"Do I have someth..." I can't even get my entire sentence out before she just begins to cry. Not cry she bawled. 

"I'm sorry Lance I'm sorry." She began saying. 

I immediately comfort her thinking that her pregnancy hormones are getting the best of her. "It's ok baby, what's wrong." I place everything on the island and go to hold her and rub her back. 

"Lance you're going to hate me!" I barely make out what she is saying. 

"No baby, I would never hate you. I love you with all my heart." I grab her face so I can look her in the eye so she that she can see my sincerity. 

"I...I...I kissed another man Lance." She said dropping her head. 

There's no way I just heard what I think I heard. I raise up a bit and back up. "Ari what did you say?" I say it kind of softly because I'm confused. 

"I kissed another man Lance, I'm sorry." She tries to pull me closer but I'm easing up trying to back up. 

"Wait, wait Ari. How the hell did you end up doing that?!" My heart is literally in my stomach. The worst thing a man can hear is his woman did something with another man. 

"That's all that happened." She pleads. 

I try to stay calm. "That's not what I asked you Ari. I said, how did that happen?" 

"I went out with a guy but it was only a one time thing." Still pleading. 

"Why? When?" I'm almost in tears myself but I can't let myself seem that hurt. 

"I was lonely Lance. You haven't been here, I just wanted some attention. It was this past weekend when you were with Zach" She walks towards me again but I back up again. 

"Wait what guy?" I calmly asked with all my rage contained in balled fist in my pocket. 

"A guy from college. I ran into him a while back at a store. He offered to take me out and at first I declined but then he called me on Saturday and I accepted." She said no longer crying. 

"From college? Please tell me I don't know this guy Ari, please." I say running my hands down my face. 

"Harold." She says giving me a look that shows she knows that I know him. 

"Wow Ari. Harold! Police officer Arnold? The one who is assigned to the courthouse? The courthouse I have to go to? Do you know I have to see this man everyday?" I'm patting my chest hard as I ask the questions. 

"Lance I didn't know all of that I swear." She grabs my hands but I pull them back.

"Well maybe you should have thought about it before you made such a dumb ass decision. Is that it? Anything else you want to tell me?" I ask angrily. 

"Uh...um...no." She says looking away. Ari is a horrible liar. 

"Seriously, you're clearly lying. Just tell me." I'm calming down again. 

"The waitress came and congratulated me on the pregnancy and assumed Harold was the father. He said thank you and I just went along with it at that moment and the rest of the night." Her voice very soft to the point I could barely here her. 

I lied the worst thing a man can hear is his woman acting like their child was someone else's. I chuckle, not a funny chuckle but an angry disbelief chuckle. "So you're telling me you and Harold, the guy I run into a lot by the way, played like my son was his? Wow. Ok Ari, thank you for telling me. I think I need to go for a drive. I got you some things too,they're there on the counter." I say before turning and going back out the door to my car. 

I have so many mixed emotions I wasn't sure wether to be relieved or outrageously upset. This could save me really, I can just forgive her and sweep what I've done under the rug. Unfortunately I'll still be so upset with her. My heart is nearly broken. It doesn't sound like much, what she did, but it is. 

Now I need to decide wether I have to come clean or not. 

Boiling Point (11)

"Wait wait wait, you're telling me that you woke up BUTT NAKED and you didn't tap that dude?" Zach asked.

Like an idiot I had told Zach about my little slip up. I just felt like I had to tell somebody. Keeping it in to myself would have driven me crazy. 

"Yeah man and I'm glad too, things could have gotten out of hand." I say shamefully. 

"Dude you went all the way to third base, you might as well went home and scored. I'm just saying, if she finds out she's going to be just as upset and you'll look back and think man I should have just slept with her." He acted like we were discussing the Pythagorean theorem.

"You know dog, if we were in college I would agree with that. But once again, I'm a married man and I would like to keep it that way. Sleeping around will not help that." I cross my arms and slightly smile leaning back in my chair. 

"Yeah waking up isn't going to keep you married either so here's the big question, you telling her man?"

"Ehhhhh I think I have to?"

"Let's talk about this."

"Don't take this the wrong way bro but I would never take relationship advice from you Zach." 

"I understand that but I look at this more so as general human interaction between the sexes and I can handle that."

"Proceed."

"Ok, look. If you tell her she's going to dig and you're going to have to start from the beginning. You know, you not wearing your ring, going to lunch with this chick all the time, even the harmless texting messaging will pop up."

"I actually agree with you. I mean nothing happened really, some things just need to go to the grave with you." I'm confident this won't happen again so not telling Ari won't be that bad. 

"Smart man bro, smart man." Zach grabs some files and leaves the office leaving me staring at the ceiling wondering if I'm making the right decision. 

 At the office things are pretty slow until Quick showed up at the office. I was really hoping I didn't see him again until the hearing. 

"There's a man demanding to see you Mr. Ely." Jessie, the office intern was noticeably nervous.

"It's alright, have him come in."

"Are you sure, I can call security. He looked pretty upset."

"That won't be necessary Jessie."

Quick storms in the office which is a surprise to me. 

"Lance you told me this guy wouldn't be a factor." Quick was obviously upset.

"What guy?"

"The damn witness nigga. The one you said wasn't credible. Word on the streets is he can I.D me!"

I'm really tired of this guy now. Especially now that I know he did shoot that kid. 

"The streets? Since you listening to the streets so much why don't you go ahead and get you a lawyer from the damn streets. If I say you don't have to worry about something then you don't have to worry about it! You either listen to the streets or you listen to me." I lose it. 

"Oh damn, you must've forgot who you was talking to nigga. I'm not that little white hoe you walk around the city with. Yeah nigga I keep a close eye on you just to make sure you ain't slipping and it seems you may be slipping." There was a fire in his eye but his demeanor was calm. 

"Look I'm just saying you can't listen to me and listen to the streets." I'm calm now. 

"Wrong, the streets ain't never lie to me. Fix it. If you don't fix it there will be consequences." Quick turns and leaves. 

As he leaves out the door Viv comes in and he turns to her and smiles. 

"How you doing white bread? Watch ya self now." He says laughing. 

"What's that about?" Viv asks whispering even though Quick is long gone. 

"Nothing you have to worry about, what's up?" I say still in shock that I was just pretty much threatened. 

"I really just wanted to see if you wanted to do lunch today or would that be too awkward?" She asked with a half smile. 

"I'm actually leaving early today, now actually. Maybe tomorrow." I say sternly. 

"Oh ok. That's fine." Clearly Viv is upset.

"Don't take it the wrong way I just have some things to do." I probably shouldn't have said anything but I really felt bad. 

I leave without speaking to anyone else. I have a lot of making up to do with Ari so I might as well start early. 

Shoe on the other Foot (10)

"Wait, what?" I stay calm but I just don't get it.

"We just can't go here, we can go anywhere else babe." She says without bringing her head up. 

"You know what I've been through getting this place?" I plead but the truth is just four hours earlier we were set to eat the spaghetti that was cooking earlier but she doesn't know that. 

"I know babe but it's just that...uh...now that we are close the smell of the seafood is kind of making my stomach hurt. I actually feel a little sick." She takes the blindfold and lifts it over her mouth as if she has to throw up.   

"Oh ok, if you're not feeling well we should go home then. We will just eat that spaghetti you made earlier." 

"Thanks babe, I'm sorry I messed up our date night. It was so sweet too." 

"It's ok, we'll make it happen another time." I say starting the car back up to drive home. 

Ari goes to sleep while I drive back home. I really did want this night to happen. Between what I did this past weekend and her feeling distant from me, we needed this. 

When I wake up the next day for work, I don't want to go. Talking to mama Shelia last night got me thinking. Maybe I do spend a lot of time at work. My wife is four months pregnant and I'm always busy. After this case is over I'm taking off for a bit. 

Ari was still sleep when I was about to leave. So instead of waking her up to talk to her a left her a little note:

"Baby I'm sorry for the way that I have been treating you lately. I haven't been around that much to cater to you and pamper you and you deserve that. I have been taking on a lot from work but just know that all that is going to change really soon. Just be patient with me. Things are going to go back to normal really soon. I made you a breakfast smoothie it's in the fridge. Enjoy baby, I'll call you on my lunch break to check on you." 

I put the note on the bed and I got my chest out a little bit because I'm thinking that's some sweet stuff there. So I kiss my baby like I always do and head out. 

"Aria do you know what time it is? Get your butt up!" Shelia came in the bedroom hollering. 

"Ma please get out. I'm in a bad mood, I don't feel well and I'm pregnant." She said with her head still on the pillow.

"None are reasons to stay in bed so come on let's go downstairs and eat."

"Nooooo ma just let me be." She says whining.

"I'll be downstairs. If you're not there in five minutes I will be right back up here so come spend some time with your mother, thank you." She replies calmly.

After about ten minutes Aria walks downstairs.

"I gave you an extra five minutes to wash your face and brush your teeth." Shelia says in between sipping her green tea.

"Oh thank you mother." Aria is sarcastic. "Why couldn't you just let me stay in bed?" She sits on the stool at the kitchen island and puts her head down on her arms.

"What's wrong, didn't you and Lance have a good time last night going out?

"Oh GOD no. We had to leave." Aria looks up uneasily.

"Well that sucks, he put so much work into it." Shelia gives me all the credit when in fact it was her idea.

"I know ma, please don't make feel worse about it."

"Why are you feeling so bad now? Why'd you all leave in the first place?"

"Well I lie to him last night. When we got to the restaurant I told him we had to leave because I wasn't feeling good."

"So why did you lie?"

"Because I fuc...I messed up ma!"

"Whoa. Get it together and explain yourself." Her mother became stern. 

"I have been telling Lance about this restaurant for a long time and he's just been too busy to go. A few weeks ago when I was with Bobbi I ran into an old friend from college. Lance knows him. I never told Lance that I ran into him. We talked for a bit and he gave me his card and said we should do lunch or dinner sometime."

"Why didn't you just say something to Lance?"

"I honestly forgot all about it until Lance left me for the entire weekend. I was cleaning out my purse and found the card. So early Saturday I called him, knowing Lance wouldn't be back that day, I told him we could do lunch. I know that's wrong but then I just kept making mistakes after that."

"Go on." Shelia is just sipping her tea not saying anything until she hears the entire story.

"I tell him we can do lunch, which I thought would be harmless, but he was too busy during the day so he offered dinner. Like a dummy I accepted. Not only did I accept but I let him take me to a restaurant that was supposed to be for me and Lance to go together because we both wanted to go."

"Well that is a bad thing but it's not horrible."

"I'm not done yet ma. He's a really charming and sweet guy and it is easy to get lost in that when you let your guard down. We talked and I told him that Lance and I were married and were expecting and he gave his congratulations. When the waitress asked what I would like to eat I asked her if they had any seafood plates for pregnant women  and she got excited telling us congrats on the baby. He played along and so did I. By the end of the night after all the laughter I kind of forgot about Lance. I was walked to my car and he kissed me. I didn't say a word. Just got in my car and left."

Shelia finishes her tea and sets it on the glass kitchen table. "Aria that is a bad situation but I do not think you went too far."

"I have to tell him, I feel horrible."

"No you can't tell him. Not the entire story any way. Especially the part about playing along as if this other man was the father of you and Lance's child. That will cut him deep and it's not telling what he would do after that." She said seriously with he legs crossed and her hands overlapped on her knee.

"I can't ma, I have to tell him. Just not yet."

Think With Your Head (6)

As I sit back up on my couch, snapping back into reality, I realize something. Ari isn't right, I am. Not once have I heard her complain about the new house in the suburbs or the car I said she could have of her choosing. Now, all of a sudden she knows how to make judgement calls on my job. Even feeling this way, I know now is not the time to have that discussion.

After sitting down for a nice period of time, I figure that Ari is already asleep and I can make my way into bed quietly. I walk up the stairs and enter the bedroom to only see she is on the phone. Automatically, I know who she is talking to but I try to play the fool. 

"Baby I'm so sorry for how I acted dow..." I begin. 

"Save it Lance, my mother will be here Sunday. I already went ahead and got her a ticket." She replies hanging the phone up and lying down without looking my way. 

"Oh great." I say sarcastically. 

Ari and her mom are as close as a mother and daugther could be. It was just them two when she was coming up so now that her mom is alone back in Baltimore, she brings her over here to Chicago whenever I "mess up" so she can fix it or try to at least. I just always think "How the hell can she fix anything, she ain't never had no man!" Of course I could never say that so I just go alone with it. 

"Why you go and tell yo mama to come here, we didn't even get a hotel yet." I say gettin in bed myself trying not to sound angry. 

"Uh uh, we are not in that little ass apartment anymore. She's staying right here." She replies, still not looking my way. 

"No." I say forgetting the hole I just dug myself into downstairs. 

She finally looks my way. There's a certain way a woman can look at you to let you know exactly what's going to happen without saying anything. "I mean because the guest room still needs some stuff." 

"Don't worry Bobbi is coming over with everything we need for it tomorrow. I spoke to her too."

"Damn. Bobbi coming back?!"

"Problem?"

"Actually no, me and Zach are supposed go out tomorrow night so can I?"

"That means Bobbi can stay here with me then."

"Deal, I'll just stay over with Zach and Rachel. You know he's going to get drunk anyway so I'm playing lifeguard."

"Ok, goodnight. As long as you aren't drinking?" 

"Of course not baby, I don't drink anymore." As I try to lean over to kiss her. 

"Ugh no, get off of me. I don't like you right now."

I kiss her anyway. Her lips. 

"Ok Lance goodnight!"

I continue to kiss her, lips, then her neck, then her stomach then I kiss her inner thigh. 

"Lance stop." She's basically moaning but grabbing my head.

I pop up. "Ok." as I roll over to go to sleep. 

"Ohhhh you get on my nerves." She yells.

"Shouldn't have told you annoying ass mama to come over here." Grumbling under my breathe. She doesn't respond. That was petty but I won. 

The next day, I sleep in pretty late. It was a crazy week. Unfortunately, by the time I wake up Bobbi is already there. I hear her downstairs as soon as I wake up. So I hurry in the shower, throw some sweats on, grab clothes for later and pack them up.

"Babe." I yell out as I come downstairs.

"What I'm on the toilet." 

"I'm gone. Love you." 

"Ok, love you too." She says obviously struggling in the bathroom. 

"Hi Lance." Bobbi says trying to be smart. 

"Bobbi." I say running out the door attempting to avoid whatever gossip she has for the day. 

After going to play golf with Zach and his folks, we go back to get cleaned up to head out for the night. 

"Dude, you really suck at golf." Zach tells me this almost after every time we play. 

"Well I didn't have money growing up. We played basketball coming up dog." I laugh out. 

"Anyway, about tonight." He begins to whisper, for his wife is in the other room. "Look, you know the chick Annabelle from the floor below right, yeah you know her. Well she's coming."

"Here I am thinking that we are finally just going to be two friends, who happen to be both be married to beautiful women, that go out and have a good time." I'm also whispering at this point.

"Aria's way hotter than Rachel and you know it!" He exclaims in a whisper yell. 

I just laugh it off, it's true but hey. "Alright man yeah that's cool. Let's just get ready."  

After getting ready, I go to grab the car keys.

"Whoa, what the hell are you doing?" Zach seems surprised. 

"Getting the keys." I say slurring my words looking back to him confused.

"Dude, we are getting hammered tonight. You can't drive."

"Zach you know I'm not drinking." 

"Come on man! How often do we get to do this anymore? We're almost thirty already and with my lifestyle, I'm halfway to my death age anyway, so just live it up with me man!"

"Only a few drinks man." I dial a taxi. Realizing we work in the same building, I take my ring off and leave it in my bag before leaving out. 

We get in the taxi to meet Annabelle at a bar called "Dj's". We pull up and get out the car around 8pm. Zach stops me. 

"Ok dude I have a confession."

"What." Dropping my head down letting out a sigh. 

"It's fun night for the firm, almost everyone here from work will be here." 

"You know what, it's cool. Let's have a good time."

"That's my guy."

After entering the bar I see that Zach was right. Almost everyone from work was here. I don't see Viv though, so I'm relieved. 

I was only supposed to drink a little but I probably had way too many drinks. At least seven shots, of whiskey of course, on top of three drinks. 

"Dude, I gotta ditch, here's the key to the house." Zach says leaning over my shoulder at the bar.

I barely react to him. By the time I raise up he's gone. Another hand touches me on my shoulder. 

"Hey Mr. Ely." A familiar voice. 

"Oh hey " I say turning. "Viv!" I'm surprised. "I thought you didn't come tonight." I know I reek of liquor.

"Well I didn't but Rich lost his wallet and needed money for a cab and I live up the street so I gave him a little cash." 

"That's was a ge..ge...generous." Letting out a burp. "Excuse me, I'm sorry. It's about time I call a cab myself, Zach ditched me."

"Yeah he ran out with Annabelle earlier. But don't call a cab, I can take you home." 

"Oh I'm not going home tonight." I blurt out. 

"Well wherever you need to go, I can get you there." She says sincerely.

I pause. "I didn't really plan on where I was staying, just not home."

Something's Fishy (9)

"Is that my baby coming through the door?" I come down stairs with just my towel on, you know easy access. 

"Yes it is Mr. Ely." She replies surprised. 

"Come on now, Mr. Ely is my grandfather. I'm Lance." Honestly I was just trying to get the thought of Viv out of my head and she always called me Mr. Ely. 

I walk down the stairs as sexy as I can. Now I'm about seventy two percent sure that I look like an complete idiot. As I go to take my towel off, boom!  Shelia walks in, Ari's mom.  

"Ohhhh heyyy mama." My voice cracks little in embarrassment. I reach Ari and speak try to whisper in her hear. "Why didn't you tell me you mom was here?"

"I thought it would be funny. I am sorry though, I did not know you were going to give me all that cuz I would've left her ass in the car!" She said loudly. 

"You better watch your mouth!" Her mother snapped. Shelia is a lifetime church member. I mean she even waited til marriage to give up the cookie! Too bad poppa was a rolling stone and got up out of there almost right after the honeymoon. "Hey baby, how you treating my little girl?"

"Just like the queen she is." I reply confidently.

"Ok. That better be true but I'll take your word for it, I need to get some sleep." She said yawning and stretching towards the end of her sentence. 

"Yeah go get some rest and I'll have your bags in the house shortly." I'm trying to cover myself as best as I can. 

"See that's how you treat a lady. Aria your son is going to have a wonderful example of a father. Keep him." 

"Oh I intend to." She says smirking as I head back upstairs to put on some clothes. 

A good example? Me? I just woke up butt naked in another woman's bed this same day. I'm starting to think I'm no different than her own father. I just haven't fully acted on anything, yet. 

After I grad the bags from the car I find Ari in the kitchen cooking up some spaghetti. 

"How was the weekend babe? She asks.

"You know Zach was drunk and I had to take care of him." I'm looking down at my feet leaning on the kitchen island trying not make eye contact. 

"Nothing exciting?"

"This girl did try to get Zach to take her home but of course I saved him." I chuckle uncomfortably. 

"Uh huh. What about you. I know somebody tried to get your fine self daddy."

"I wouldn't know babe, I was into the tv at the bar checking out the game." I lean back on another counter and cross my arms. This is more nerve racking than court.

"Enough about my weekend, what did you in Bobbi get into all weekend?"

"Bobbi?" She seemed surprised. 

"Yeah, Bobbi, your big mouth best friend. The one you were with the entire weekend." 

"Oh Bobbi, yeah we really just hung out nothing major. You want onions in the spaghetti?" 

"Uh yeah onions are cool, what did y'all do." I'm doing my best trying to sound interested here. 

"Could you do me a favor and go check on mama for me? You know how she snoops." 

Ok at this point I don't care anymore, I tried. "Yeah, I can do that. 

I walk upstairs to see mama Shelia in the guest room looking through the dresser drawers. 

"Something wrong mama?" I asked holding back a little laughter.

"Oh no just looking around the new place. Why you work so much boy? Don't you know Aria is pregnant and needs you around?"

"Uh" I'm surprised by here question, old folk have no filter I swear. "Well I'm working on a major case at the moment, you know how it is." I kind of shrug the question off. 

"I sure do, just know a woman needs attention. Especially when they're pregnant. 

"Ok I hear you. Why don't get that rest and I will come tell you when dinner is ready." 

"Why don't y'all go out to eat, trust me she needs the attention." 

"That actually isn't a bad idea." I needed to be around her and by the way mama is talking she needs me just as much. 

I run downstairs.

"Babe put this stuff up." I say grabbing her by the waist and nibbling on her ear. 

"Uh no, I just cooked all this food!" She was jokingly upset but upset nonetheless. 

"Come on baby let's get out the house, let's spend some time together." 

"Ugh, ok. Let me go get dressed!" Her tone quickly changed. 

We both get dressed and are both obviously excited. 

"So where are you taking me Ely." She asked anticipating a good answer. 

"Well it's been awhile since you've been home to Baltimore and I know how seafood is big there so just know that seafood is on the menu."

"Ohhhhh I like, let's just not tell the doctor." 

"Don't worry it's our secret and I already told them that we are expecting, they have special meals." 

I know it's last minute but I want it to be as romantic as possible. So as we reach the car door I begin to implement my plan. 

"Wait babe. I gotta do this. Turn around." I say smiling.

"We are outside, in public." She says turning her body around facing the other way. 

"Nothing like that my queen. I just need to blindfold you so that you don't know where we are going." 

"Where is all of this coming from, I love it!" 

I guide her in the car, put her seatbelt on and close her door. I put some nice smooth jazz on. Neither of us really listen to jazz much but it seemed fitting so hey. After about 45 minutes of driving we stop. 

"Are we here?!" She asked unable to keep those beautiful teeth hidden. 

"Yep". I take off her blindfold and wait for an reaction. 

Nothing. 

"Babe you know where we are?" I'm very surprised because this is one of the top restaurants in the city, GT Fish & Oyster. 

"I actually do and we can't eat here, no." 

I'm confused.

Crossing the Line? (8)

She begins to laugh at me. "What do you mean?"

"I mean I just woke up in your bed butt ass naked, something had to happen." Looking back at her confused. 

Now she bursts out in laughter. "Oh my God Lance you're going to be so embarrassed." 

"I kind of am already but I need to know."

"You asked. Ok, last night you came in here trying to talk but you made no sense at all. I thought you were sleep walking and you just got in the bed with me, which was cool..."

"That's not too bad."

She begins laughing softly as she speaks "Let me finish. You got up and went to the bathroom and started throwing up." 

"I don't remember that." 

"I bet. When you came back you were sweating so bad, I thought I was going to have to call 911. So I stripped you down but don't worry you slept alone. My body pillow was on the bed and you were holding it and moaning. Before you said anything, I thought you were just making drunk sounds but now I'm pretty sure you were having a wet dream." I can tell she's holding back her laughter. 

"Shit." My face drops into my hands, I've never been this embarrassed in my life. 

"I'm sorry for laughing Lance but..." She's in tears now.

I have to laugh too. "It's cool, it's cool, I understand. I'm just glad nothing happened."

"Why not?" Her laughter suddenly stopped. 

"I mean I just...it's just that the timing would've been off. We barely even know each other." Stumbling a bit over my words I'm hoping she can't tell that I'm nervous. 

"Well maybe if we spent more time together it wouldn't be that way." She smirks at me. 

"Well..." I'm saved by the ringing of my phone and I'm terrified it's Ari. I look down to see that it's Zach, relieved I answer. 

"Yo man what's up?" I say trying to sound like everything is normal. 

"What's up with you dude?! I'm outside of Viv's place waiting for you, you animal, grrrr." He says jokingly. 

"Not now man, I'll be out in a minute." 

"Zach's outside so to escape further embarrassment I'm going to go." I say as we share a laugh. 

"Guess I'll see you at work tomorrow."

"Yes ma'am, you will and I hope that this little incident stays between you and I." I'm smiling uncomfortably as I plead. 

"Of course it will." 

I let out a sigh of relief as we share a hug and she leads me out to the door. When I get in the car, Zach has the biggest smile on his face, waiting to hear about something that didn't even happen. 

"Nothing happened Zach." I don't even let him ask the question. 

"Bullshit man! I'm your best friend, no need to lie to me." 

"I know." 

"So dude, what happened." 

"Nothing dog I swear. We drank a little more and I got sick and passed out."

"You motherfu...you mean to tell me you had drinks in her apartment and you still didn't tap that?!" 

"Married man Zach."  

He rants and raves the entire way taking me home. I pretty much zone him out. I'm still stuck on what could've happened. As we pull up, I get out the car the grab my things Zach gives his last words. 

"You know what?! I don't believe you, you hit that dude I know it." 

Not listening as usual, I just give him a nod as he rides away. When I walk in the door I see that nobody here, so I call Ari. 

"Hey babe, I was looking forward to seeing you when I got here." I was lying. I was actually praying to my Lord and Savior that she wasn't so I could hop in the shower and get any lingering scent from another woman's home off of me. 

"I'll be there in about fifteen minutes I had to drop Bobbi off my love. I kind of like how you miss me though, hopefully you can show me." She says in that sexy voice of hers. 

"Like never before." I rush to clean myself up before she gets home. 

Whatamess (7)

"Since you aren't sure where you would like to go yet, you can just come to my place until you decide." Viv offers in a sweet soft voice.

I just nod my head in agreement and let out a grunt. She giggles and grabs my hand to lead me out of the door. I'm pretty messed up at this point so she leads me to the car, opening my door and even putting my seatbelt on me. As she leans over, I realize that she smells wonderful. I place my face in her neck and sniff obnoxiously, she laughs. 

"Whoa, down tiger. Let's get you in the house and wait for Zach to come around." She says giggling. 

I don't remember much on the way the house or the struggle to actually get me inside but somehow it was done. We had to have been in the house at least thirty minutes because I'm already sitting in front of a lit fireplace with shoes off and feet kicked up by the time I open my eyes. 

"Well well well, look who's up." By now she's changed her clothes. She must've cheered in college, she had cheer shorts on a wife beater. In one hand she had a water bottle and a wine bottle in the other. 

"Yeah, I'm up. Zach call yet?" I mumble grabbing the water bottle. 

"Actually yes. He said to let you just crash on the couch and he would be here first thing in the morning." She strained as she tried to open her wine bottle. 

"Ok." I want to be mad at Zach but I realize that he gave me the opportunity to go back to his place. I made this decision. 

"You know Lance, I'm sorry for maybe coming off strong the other day. It's just that I don't meet many single men like you. Smart, handsome, and successful. It didn't even cross my mind that you were gay..."

"Whoa whoa, gay?! I'm definitely not gay." Surprised I wonder why she would think something like that. 

"Well the other day I was talking to Zach and..."

"Well there you go, Zach was being an asshole." I had to laugh it off, he's always pulling something like that. "You should know not listen to Zach by now." 

We share in laughter. 

"I know, I know, but it's just that - I just knew there was an attraction there." Clearly embarrassed. 

"Don't get me wrong Viv you're extremely  attractive, I mean you got it all. I mean if I wasn't ma..uh yeah you know how busy it gets." 

Viv takes the bottle and takes one more sip. Clearly she's drunk at this point. She gets up to walk to her bedroom, looking back she says, "Goodnight, feel free to make yourself at home tonight." She takes her shirt off as soon as she walks through the door, I've never found a back sexy but after these drinks it's looking really good from where I'm sitting. I brush it off. As I attempt to pick up the wine bottle from the floor I realize there is still a nice amount of it left. Without thinking I take it to the head. I sit up. Well I've gone this far how far can I get. 

I get up. Stumble my way into her bedroom. 

"Viv it's kind of cold out there, you mind turning on the heat?"

"Or you can just come stay in here." 

I'm in it now. I slide under here blankets and wrap my arm around her. She pokes her butt back my way to send me that silent message. Rubbing my hands on her body, I grip her hair strong enough to tilt her head back to kiss her neck. She puts her hand behind her on my thigh, grasping it as if she were frightened. I slide my fingers inside of her and she fully relaxes her body. As far as I'm concerned, that's all that happened. 

I wake up, bundled up in blankets and my head throbbing. My first thought is that I'm back at Zach's. When I open my eyes, I realize I'm in a place I've never been before. Shit! I think. I raise up and see that I'm completely nude. I drop my head to my hands in disappointment. I have to get out of here. As I grab my phone from the nightstand I see a picture of a young lady and old man. I wipe my eyes and pick up the picture to get a better look. I know this woman, it's Viv. I couldn't have done what I just think I've done. 

"Viv! Yo Viv, you here." No answer. 

I hurry to get my clothes on after I learn that I'm there alone. I just need to get out quick. As I'm putting my shoes on, I hear the door. By the time I get my shoe on, Viv is through the door. 

"Mr. Ely you sir sure know how to make a mess." 

Not really sure what she means by that. I sit in a state of confusion. 

Afraid of the answer I ask, "So what exactly did we do?"