CHAPTER 7

  Later on about two o’clock; as I was leaving class, my cell phone rang.

  “Hello?” I answered.

  It was Iesha calling to make sure that everything was still on for tonight and that I hadn’t chickened out.

  “Don’t be nervous; you are in expert hands, I assure you. Just relax... By the way, what are you doin’ right now?” Iesha asked.

  “Nothing much, just gettin’ out of class. Why?” I asked her.

 

  “Rayqelle, why don’t you come meet me at Frederick’s? They got a nice ass sale goin’ on. Maybe we could pick up a lil’ something to wear for tonight. You know, to make it all the more interesting.” Iesha responded.

  “Alright, gimme twenty minutes and I’ll meet you there.” I told Iesha.

  All the way there I kept thinking, “Is this right? Maybe there’s some shit you just don’t mess around with; this was probably one of them. After all, Iesha was my girl and Chance was my man. What if something goes wrong? What could go wrong? I mean, we’ve never done this before, and I am taking a huge risk. Iesha can be a shiesty lil’ bitch. What if she turns him out? What if they like each other? What if? What if I’m just trippin’? Stop it girl! Just stop already! It’s just one night and its just sex. Right? Of course it is... Then why the hell am I sittin’ here talkin’ to myself? I am trippin’... Like Iesha said, I just need to relax but I’m just gonna keep my wits about me in the process.”

  As I approached Frederick’s, my cell phone rang again. This time it was Chance; he said that he just called to see what I was doing and to see if I needed anything from the outlet mall. He was there picking up some art supplies… I told him that I was just out doing a little shopping with Iesha and that I would be home around seven o’clock. I then asked Chance if he was still goin’ to work out, he said “yes.” I reminded him to please be home by eight so that we could make it to the club on time. He asked me again, what’s goin’ on and what was the big surprise? I told him to just trust me and that I would see him later tonight.

  When I walked into the store Iesha was standing in front of the main mirror at the center of the store. She had on a white boostire and panty set with the matching garter and stockings. Iesha was such an exhibitionist. The whole store watched as she strutted back and forth in an outfit that was carefully pieced together solely with seduction in mind. Iesha was really pretty, with a body like “Whoa!” 36-24-42; and she knew how to work it. She had the attention of everybody in the place; all eyes were on her and she knew it. Including mine!

 

  “Hey girl! So… what do you think? Will it make his mouth water? Is it too much? Not enough? What? Gimme some kinda’ feedback here; after all he is yo’ man. Now who would know better than you how to please him? Right?” Iesha said looking at me through the mirror’s reflection.

  .

  “Yeah... He’ll love it! I’ll take the same outfit; in a soft baby blue. That’s his favorite color,” I said to the store clerk as she walked past and smiled bashfully.

  “What’s wrong?” Iesha asked as she turned around facing me.

 

  “I’m fine. I just want to make sure that everything is perfect. I want this to be so good that he could live off the memories; cuz’ after tonight, he’s gonna have to...” I told her.

 

  “So lemme get this straight! You think Chance ain’t gon’ ever touch another woman after tonight? Just cuz’ y’all gettin’ married? Don’t tell me you livin’ in that Grimm’s Fairytale! I know plenty of men who’s wives live in that same fantasy world and try to make them live in it too. Most of them end up comin’ to a bitch like me! Girl let me give you a good sound piece of advice, from one friend to another. Don’t hold on too tight! You’ll squeeze the love right out of him, and before you know it… well, you know the rest.” Iesha said smugly as she turned and walked back into the dressing room; still commanding the attention of every eye in the store.

  “Well, I’m gonna head on home and start gettin’ ready for tonight. I guess I’ll see you at the club around ten o’clock? Please don’t be late,” I said as I soberly reflected on the reality of her last comment.

  “Wild horses couldn’t keep me away. Now, remember what I said; not too tight...” Iesha said stopping to look at me once again through the mirror with her back still turned as I stood behind her. I could feel her eyes watching me as I walked away, watching like a predator stalkin’ her prey.