Page 12 of The Heart Of A Real Woman: Marilyn & Moses

“No, don’t say a fucking word. I told you not to play with me.

I buy you a new phone, and this is what you do?

What do you think, I’m stupid? I have access to your gotdamn phone records and your iCloud.

I know every call you make… every message you send now.

” He turned to my car, his brows furrowing as my son's cries grew louder.

“This muthafucka got a baby?”

Mary sighed, not denying it, and he went off even more.

“How stupid can you be, Marilyn? Throwing your fucking future away over trash. Get your ass in the house, now!”

“Say, you ain’t gotta talk to her like that. And let that be your last time disrespecting me.” I said, stepping out of the car. I couldn’t just stand by. The way he spoke to her was out of line.

“You don’t tell me how to talk to my daughter.” He shot back just as a police car rounded the corner. I knew he had called them on me.

By now, neighbors were coming out of their houses, and Mary’s mama joined the scene. Shit was turning into a full-blown circus.

“You better back your ass up before I put hands on you, boy. I let you slide once. Don’t push your luck.”

“Say what?” That ‘boy’ shit set me off. “Nah, nigga. You got shit twisted. I let you slide .”

I stepped closer to the curb he stood near, and he swung at me, causing me to spazz the fuck out even more.

Before I knew it, I had laid hands and feet on that nigga, beatin’ and stompin’ his ass out in the street.

Mary and her mama tried to intervene, but it didn’t help.

It took the two cops to get out of their vehicle and get me off of him.

One night almost cost me everything I had worked so hard to build.

Thankfully, God was watching over me again, though.

Since the cops and neighbors witnessed Mr. Richardson strike me first, and I wasn’t directly on his property, they arrested him instead, allowing me to go free on the grounds of self-defense.

He stood by the back of the car in handcuffs, glaring at Mary, who stood beside me. The muthafucka was furious because he had tried to be slick and catch me on his property so they could potentially arrest me for trespassing.

“If you leave with that muthafucka tonight, you better stay with him because I’ll be done with your ass, Marilyn.” He warned her.

Mary didn’t say a word. She just looked up at me with that soft, sympathetic gaze. I could feel the hurt and confusion radiating through her silence, so I pulled her close and leaned into her ear.

“I won’t make you choose, baby. But if you do choose me, just know I got you for life.” I whispered. “Everything you ever told me you wanted. The big ass house, the G Wagon, the infinity pool… every fucking thing. I put that on my son, I’ll make it happen.”

She nodded, glanced back at her mother, told her she loved her, then opened the passenger door and slid inside, shutting it behind her. And that was the day her father washed his hands of her for years. To him, it was a betrayal. It was either him or me. She chose me.

∞∞∞

Once we got to my place, Mary strolled in and flopped down on the couch I’d just bought.

I could tell by her slow movements and trembling hands that she was struggling.

I planned to help her unwind, but right now, my focus had to be on my son.

He was cranky as hell. All the earlier chaos had freaked him out, and it was time for him to eat.

“Give him here,” Mary said as I unbuckled him from the car seat.

“Nah, you chill and relax. Shit was crazy tonight. I got him. He just needs to eat.”

“Moses, hand him over and go grab him a bottle. How I’m feeling doesn’t change the fact that I want to get to know him.”

I looked at her. “You know how to hold a baby, Mary?”

“Of course I do. I told you I have plenty of babies in my family. Now hand him over.”

Remembering our conversation at the beach, I passed him to her and went to get the bottle. Mary bonded with him instantly, speaking softly to him. The moment she opened her mouth, he stopped crying. I felt him on that. Her voice was soothing as fuck.

When I came back, she took the bottle and started feeding him. I sat next to her, watching them with admiration. I’d been waiting to get them in the same room for a while. I loved them both to death. They were all I had. Whatever anger I felt an hour ago faded fast.

“When’s the last time you fed him? He was starving.” She asked while burping him.

“Right before I came to get you. It ain’t been that long. His lil ass just greedy.”

She managed to smile, but I could still see the pain in her eyes.

“You having second thoughts, baby?” I asked.

“No,” she sighed, her shoulders slumping. “I’m just hurt by it all. I wish things didn’t have to be this way. I love my daddy, and I love you too. I’m worried about him. He’s an asshole, I know. But…”

“But he’s still your old man. I get it. My bad for losing my cool.”

“Don’t apologize. You had every right to defend yourself. He swung first. I’m not mad at you. I’m just worried. Worried about him going to jail...about where we stand. I can’t believe he said that to me tonight.”

I nodded. “I told them I wasn’t pressing charges, so hopefully that means something, and he don’t gotta sit too long.”

“And hopefully his anger cools down enough so I can talk to him. He just needs to get to know you. To understand you’re not who he thinks.

My daddy had it hard growing up, and a lot of his anger and strictness comes from that.

My grandfather was in the army. Real firm.

And on top of that, he just wants me to go to school and build a decent life for myself. ”

“Yeah,” I said, even though I had no intention of ever speaking to that nigga again. At this point, I didn’t give a fuck if he liked me or not. Fuck him. But this wasn’t the time to say that.

After she finished feeding Jr., Mary changed his diaper, wrapped him in his blanket, and rocked him to sleep. I picked him up and laid him in the crib as soon as his eyes fluttered shut. When I got back to the couch, I lifted her into my lap.

“Come here,” I told her, pulling her head onto my shoulder. I noticed her eyes were bloodshot red.

“My head hurts so bad. I can’t believe I’m sitting here while my daddy’s in jail.”

“I’m sure y’all will work it out. I don’t think he meant that shit he said.”

“Yeah, hopefully. I’m just going through the motions, that’s all.”

“I’ma run to Walgreens and grab you some Tylenol. Hopefully, that headache eases up so you can relax. You gonna be straight with him for a few minutes while I’m gone? He shouldn’t wake up.”

“Yes. I got him. We’re good.”

“Aight,” I kissed her cheek.

After I brought her the medicine back, Mary took two pills and settled on the couch, staring off into space while I jumped in the shower.

It took me a minute, as usual, enjoying the warm water.

When I came back to the living room, I saw she’d folded the basket of clothes I hadn’t gotten around to for my son and washed out all his dirty bottles from the day.

Shit was hard juggling the streets while being a single father.

I glanced over at the couch and noticed she had fallen asleep. I checked on my son in his crib. He was good, so I turned off the lights and slid under the blanket I’d given her earlier, curling up beside her.

I hadn’t made the effort to buy a bed yet.

I was still focusing on stacking my money for more important things.

But I was glad I did save, because now I had Mary with me, and it was my responsibility to take care of her.

I had faith everything was going to be alright though.

I was moving up in rank and would be making a lot more money soon.

“I’m scared.” She whispered when I put my arm around her.

“Thought you were asleep, Shorty.”

“I was until I felt you. Now I’m back up, thinking about how I just walked away from my entire life.”

“Don’t be scared. I told you I got you. I might not be able to give you the life your parents had you used to right now, but we’ll make it work. And one day I’ll give you an even better life. I meant every word I told you earlier. I’ma take care of you.”

“How will we make it work, Moses? I don’t even know where to start. I have to get a job.”

“You not getting no job, Shorty. You going to school just like you wanted to. I got a plan. We’ll talk about it when we both have a fresh head. If you don’t like my plan, we’ll think of something else. But for now, let that shit go.”

“Okay,” she said, turning toward me and tracing my cheek with her thumb.

“I hate all that shit went down, but I’m glad you’re here.” I buried my face in her neck, kissing her softly. Her scent drove me crazy. She always smelled like baby powder mixed with sweet ass perfume. Shit was crazy.

“I’m glad to be here. I like your place. It’s nice.”

“You think so?”

I knew she was just being sweet. A nigga was in the heart of the hood. But it was the only spot that let me in without proof of income. I had dropped a fat deposit and paid three months up front, and they handed me the keys without questions.

“Yeah, but you gotta decorate. It’s so bare in here. Real boring, baby.”

I chuckled. “I wasn’t worried about all that. As long as I had a roof over my head, that’s all that mattered, Mary.”

“Understandable. You’re so smart.”

All I could do was smile at her. Her heart of gold never went unnoticed. I peeped that she always reminded me how smart I was ever since I told her about my dyslexia.

“I’ma go get us a bed this weekend. I didn’t give a fuck how I slept, but I can’t have you sleeping on the couch every night.”

“No rush. I’m okay. Continue to take your time. Like you said, we will make it work.”

“I love the shit outta you.” I told her.

“I love you too. So much that I’d give anything just to keep you in my world.”

“The love is mutual. I’d give anything to have you… and to make sure you never leave.”

“You make my heart sing, baby. I ain’t going nowhere. I’m here to stay.”

“Me too. I’ma marry you.”

“You promise?”

“I promise.”

“Just know when you put that ring on my finger, you're stuck with me. No matter what, we ain’t ever getting a divorce.” She nudged my shoulder and snickered.

But I didn’t find shit funny. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. This shit forever, Mary. We locked in.”

She nodded, and we stared at each other for what felt like forever.

Neither of us had much to say after we shared that moment.

I think we were both too overwhelmed to speak about everything we’d have to face from here on out.

So instead, we just soaked in the silence… the feeling of being together again.

Then she leaned in and kissed me as her hands slid beneath my white tee, roaming across my abs.

She eventually pushed me to roll onto my back, and I eagerly did so.

As she climbed on top of me, I grew mesmerized by her beauty.

The moonlight creeping in through the window bathed her in this soft glow that made her look even more perfect.

“You so fucking beautiful.”

“Thank you, baby.” She whispered, her voice breathy, biting down on her bottom lip.

“What you thinkin’ about?” I asked, catching the way she paused like her mind was somewhere else.

“There’s a million and one things running through my head right now. I’m terrified about a lot… but there’s only one thing I want to address at this moment.”

“What’s that?”

“I want you to make love to me again. So bad. It’s all I could think about these past few months. I mean… it played over and over in my head constantly.”

I smirked. “The pleasure outweighed the pain, huh, baby?”

“Yes,” she breathed, practically drooling.

“Say less.”

Gripping her bun, I pulled her down and claimed her lips, letting her hair fall loose and hang long just the way I liked it to. We kissed deeply as I flipped her over and peeled her clothes off, piece by piece.

“Damn, you shaved for me, baby?” I questioned, noticing the change as I held her thighs open.

The first time we had sex, she had hair. Lots of it. I didn’t trip though. I knew she was inexperienced, and I truly did not give a fuck.

She nodded, biting down on her bottom lip. “You like it?”

“It don’t matter to me. I love it either way.”

In one swift motion, I dropped down and buried my face between her thighs. First time in my life I ever gave head. I didn’t know what the fuck I was doing, but I loved Mary so much, it just came naturally. I followed instinct, doing whatever I thought would please her.

“Oh, my…” she gasped, her back arching off the couch as I sucked on her clit. That angle gave my tongue room to further explore. I ate her from front to back until my jaws damn near locked up on me.

After she came all over my face, I rose and slid inside her. As soon as we connected, I paused, letting that raw warmth wrap around me. Her pussy hugged my dick like it was made just for me. It was perfect. Odorless. Tight. And wet.

“Sss, Mosesssss… it hurtsss.” She hissed, her legs shaking the deeper I pushed in. I had to break her in all over again.

“Shhh, baby. I’m in now. Look.” I kissed her forehead.

We both glanced down, watching how she stretched open wide for me. That shit was deep… intense.

Mary’s whimpers started to fade, turning into soft moans as her eyes rolled back. I locked into that stroke she needed, slow, deep, and steady, while my hands stayed on her breasts, massaging them gently. I loved feeling on her titties, and the way she arched into my touch told me she loved it too.

“I take it you good now, baby.” I said, watching her face twist up in pleasure… hearing her wetness echo throughout the living room. Mary wasn’t just wet; she was a fucking tsunami.

“Yeah… you feel amazing, baby.”

“Good. Give me this shit.” I hooked her thigh over my shoulder and started to stroke her deeper.

Balls deep, I made love to Mary like the world was fucking ending. Because in a way, it was. Her old life had come to an end. This was the start of a new chapter. Just the three of us, forever.