Page 14 of Emani's Way
It’s been too long for me to still be in a funk, but I can’t seem to get Maddox Reid off my brain. I’ve never in my life been so hung up on a man before. Maybe Shell is right…dickmatizedis what she called it. I can’t help but think back on the way Maddox made my body feel.
The man is an artist with his hands, and I was the canvas. Just thinking about the way his long fingers stroked me to orgasm over and over again.Stop it, Emani! You’re better than this.
“Amari, don’t you think that dress is a little short for brunch?” My older sister, Zuri’s snide remark brings me back to the present.
I don’t even have it in me to hold in the loud sigh or not to roll my eyes. Our monthly sister’s brunch is supposed to be a time when the four of us can catch up and stay connected. But it normally ends up with Zuri bossing and fussing at me and Amari while Naomi plays peacemaker.
“Zuri, mind your business. If my ass ain’t hanging out, then there’s nothing to see.” Amari flicks her hand at Zuri before she takes a seat beside me.
I lean over and give her a side hug, and she winks at me. Amari is only ten months older than I am. Needless to say, somebody didn’t wait the mandatory six weeks. Growing up, everyone thought we were twins. It didn’t help that my mother always dressed us alike. I didn’t mind though. Amari has always been my protector and biggest cheerleader. I know you aren’t supposed to have a favorite sister, but yeah… she’s mine.
“Don’t tell me to mind my business. The way you dress ismybusiness. You’re running around like Mama and Daddy didn’t raise you to be respectable.”
Here we go with the sermon of the day. Thou shall not misrepresent Mount Zion Avenue Baptist Church.
“Girl! I am grown. I have been grown for a long time. So, please stop trying to run my life and run your own,” Amari says, sitting up in her seat.
“Alright you two. We have to go through this nonsense every time we get together. Let’s just relax and have a nice time for once.” Naomi’s tone is patient, but exasperation is covering her pretty heart-shaped face.
Amari shrugs her delicate shoulders, “I’m not going to let her talk to me crazy just because she has nominated herself spokesman for Mama and Daddy.”
“As the oldest…”
“Excuse me, waiter! We’re ready to order,” I cut in before Zuri can get even more agitated. Once she gets on her high horse, we will never get her off.
I love my sister, but I can’t deal with her foolishness today. The older we get, the more uptight she becomes.Maybe if her boyfriend, Kelvin, gave her the D more, she would relax a little. Oh lord! What am I thinking?
Once we order, Naomi changes the subject to a safer topic. We eat and chat, surrounded by tension until the check comes, and we pay. I’ll have to make up an excuse for the next get together because I donotwant to spend my time anxious and upset. I do that enough when I spend any amount of time with my parents.
Naomi and Zuri leave together, so Amari and I decide to stay and have a real drink without judgment.
“So, whatever happened to the cutie pie whose picture you sent to me that night? I was expecting to meet him soon.” Amari wiggles her eyebrows, waiting for the tea.
My shoulders sag because even though I told Kay and Shell what happened, I still feel the heat of embarrassment wash over me.
“It ended up being a one-night stand because he never called,” I reply. A frown instantly covers my face when I think about it.
“Was it good?”
I enthusiastically nod my head at my sister’s question. And she frowns at me before looking me up and down.
“So why didn’t you call him?” Amari ticks her head to the side.
“Well, we didn’t exactly exchange numbers.” My face heats, and I dip my head.
“Girl, what! Okay, Mani. Just break down what exactly happened because I’m confused as hell.”
“Okay, okay. Ummm. Well, we went back to his place…”
“Well damn, little sis, you went all out! Was his house nice? Was it clean? You know you can’t be going to strange men’s houses, especially if it’s nasty.”
“OMG, Amari! Just let me finish the dang story.” I shake my head at my sister and giggle at her silliness. “So, we went back to his house, and we had the most amazing sex I’ve ever had. I didn’t think men like him existed.”
“And you didn’t get his number? Girl, have I taught you nothing! Umm uh mmm.” Amari disappointedly shakes her head.
“Anyway, between our sessions…” I hold up my hand to stop Amari from interrupting before continuing, “We talked a little, then fell asleep. I woke up to a million messages from Mama, so I left a note with my number on the pillow and left.”
“Emani! You have got to be fucking kidding me!”