Chapter 8: I'm So Sorry Sweetheart

Carol heads to the living room and sits down exhaling heavily. Soon she hears slippers and looks over to the foyer and sees Kimberly. She is wearing a black sleeveless nightgown, black slippers, and a black shower cap-style bonnet.

"Hey Kim how are you?" Carol asks entering the living room.

"I'm a little weary," Kimberly says sitting beside her mother.

"Why, what happened?"

"I saw my father across the street when I got out of school."

Carol's throat becomes dry but quickly recovers.

"Did he say anything to you?"

"No. We just locked eyes."

"Speaking of your father what did he do to you while you were with him?"

"He would beat me for not singing on command. It caused me to wet the bed for several weeks." Kimberly says looking down at the ground.

Before Carol can inquire more a knock comes on the door. Carol goes and answers it.

"Who is it?"

"It's Alvin and my mother."

Carol looks through the peephole.

Recognizing Alvin Carol smiles and opens the door. Alvin is still wearing his school outfit. Ingrid meanwhile is wearing a white long-sleeve top, white slacks, and flat white shoes. Her hair is styled in a low ponytail with her hair away from her face. In her hands is a blue bowl with a clear top.

"Good evening my name is Ingrid Goldsteen and this is my youngest son Alvin. We live across the street."

"I've already met Alvin's but it's a pleasure to meet you, Ingrid."

"Same here. I know it's kind of late but I wanted to bring you some peach cobbler." Ingrid says handing Carol the bowl.

"Thank you and it's never too late for hospitality," Carol says looking down at the bowl.

"I also wanted to come and check on Kimberly. She protected me from a group of boys at school today."

"Oh most certainly, please come in," Carol says stepping aside.

Alvin heads to the living room while Ingrid and Carol remain in the foyer near the door. When Kimberly sees Alvin she smiles at him and stands to her feet. The two walk over to each other and embrace. Both sniffle trying to keep their tears at bay. Upon separating they peer into each other's eyes.

"I wanted to come and personally thank you for protecting me today," Alvin says wiping his eyes.

"There's no need to thank me. I know we haven't known each other long but I protect those I see in danger. As of today, I view you and Deena as friends." Kimberly says making Alvin smile wider.

Meanwhile, Carol and Ingrid enter the living room smiling at their children.

"Kimberly Ingrid brought us some peach cobbler. You can take it to the kitchen."

Kimberly walks over and takes the bowl. Kimberly sniffs the bowl and a famished smile comes onto her face.

"Do you mind if Alvin and I share this?"

"Not at all just make sure you save some for me."

"Yes ma'am."

The two then run to the kitchen.

Carol and Ingrid go to the living room and sit down on the couch.

"Would you like anything to drink?" Carol asks crossing her legs.

"No thank you."

"Okay. So how long have you been living in Kingthorn?" Carol asks now crossing her legs.

"January 3 made seven years."

"Isn't that something I had just returned here on January 3, 1960. I'm surprised we've been here all this time and never met."

"Well, you know when life takes over and you have children socialization seems next to impossible," Ingrid says making Carol laugh.

"I know what you mean. So how many children do you have?"

"I have two boys Jason and Alvin. How about you?"

"Just Kimberly. I bet it's hard being the only female in the house."

"Jason makes it difficult but Alvin makes it easier. They're polar opposites."

"I can imagine. I thought having a daughter would cause us to clash but it hasn't. "Consider yourself blessed because having two different sons is something to behold."

"I know but it won't be anymore,"

"What do you mean?"

"If you're ever having any issues with Jason please don't hesitate to send him to me. I'll gladly put him in line."

Ingrid exhales relieved with her right hand on her chest.

"Thank you so much, Carol. I don't know how much more disrespect I can take."

A serious expression appears on Carol's face.

"How disrespectful are we talking?" Carol asks leaning forward.

"Just verbal. Jason would never raise his hand to me."

"Don't be so sure. When boys are between the ages of fourteen and eighteen they grow in height, strength, and ego. Don't give him the slightest idea that he thinks he runs your house. If you do so chaos will most definitely ensue. Again if it ever reaches that point send him to me." Carol says placing her left hand on Ingrid's.

"Thank you," Ingrid says squeezing Carol's hand.

Over in the kitchen, Alvin and Kimberly are at one of the counters indulging themselves. They each have their own individual saucers.

"Will you never talk to Danny again?"

A neutral look stains Kimberly's face.

"It will take time," Kimberly says starting to pick at the iconic dessert.

"Well, I hope you two mend things because I really want to sing with you guys. But more importantly, I want us all to remain friends."

Kimberly locks eyes with him.

"When I'm ready I will," Kimberly says when Carol comes into the kitchen.

"I hope I'm not interrupting."

"You're not," Kimberly says setting her fork down.

"I was just coming to tell Alvin that his mother is ready to go."

Kimberly looks at Alvin pursing her lips.

"Okay. Come on Alvin, I'll walk you to the door."

The trio heads up to the foyer where Ingrid is standing.

"Thank you for your generosity Carol I really appreciate it,"

"You're welcome," Carol says looking at Alvin who goes to join her.

"Thank you for bringing over your peach cobbler. It's really delicious."

"You're welcome sweetheart," Ingrid says sweetly looking at the copper-haired teen.

The quartet then heads to the foyer where Ingrid opens the door.

"You guys be safe heading home,"

"We will, thank you," Ingrid says stepping out onto the porch.

After shutting and locking the door Carol looks back at Kimberly with a concerned expression.

"I didn't want to say anything unless you were comfortable so I will now. What happened to your face?" Carol asks walking over to Kimberly.

"I was jumped by two girls in the girl's restroom today but I'm going to handle it," Kimberly says before turning on her heels. "However you exact your revenge please be careful."

Kimberly looks back at her mother.

"I will."

Kimberly then heads to her bedroom.

Carol sighed heavily before heading to the kitchen.

Deena is sitting at the dinner table with her parents. Deena is wearing a navy blue nightgown with a matching silk robe. Her hair is in curlers that are wrapped in a black bandanna. On her feet are black slippers. She is looking between her silent parents. Darwin is wearing ice-white pajamas with beige slippers while Chasity is wearing a red silk nightgown with black thorn roses and black high heels.

Unlike Deena Chasity's hair isn't curled or wrapped. It is falling seamlessly down her shoulders. On their plates are grilled steak, mashed potatoes, collard greens, and a dinner roll. In Darwin and Chasity's glasses are red wine while Deena's is filled with iced lemon tea. As they're eating Darwin looks at Deena and smiles.

"Hey, bookworm how was your day?" Darwin asks enthusiastically while Chasity rolls her eyes.

"It was eventful but not in a good way. One of my new friends was attacked by a group of boys. I'm not exactly sure why but I have strong reason to believe it's ethnicity related. During the fight, Kimberly helped Alvin. In the aftermath I helped Alvin to the bleachers and afterwards to the nurse's office."

"That's sweet of you and bold of her. I do think it's a shame that some people still only see skin color." Darwin says shamefully shaking his head.

"So how are things going with you and Samantha?" Chasity asks tauntingly placing some greens in her mouth.

"Firstly Chasity that is irrelevant to this conversation. Secondly, it is inappropriate to speak of such things before your daughter" Darwin says sternly.

"At some point, your little precious daughter will discover what you truly are," Chasity says grabbing her wine glass and leaving the table.

Darwin looks over at Deena sighing heavily.

"Don't pay anything she said just now any mind baby."

Deena smiles affectionately at him.

"It's alright Father I'm not worried. What goes on in your marriage is your business." Deena says shocking Darwin.

"Sometimes I wonder if you're wiser than your mother," Darwin says making Deena giggle.

"Well, she's been around longer than air has been inhabiting my body so she's far wiser," Deena says cutting into her chicken.

"Remember these two things as you grow older honey, age doesn't always beget wisdom and maturity is mental, not physical."

"I will Father," Deena says placing some chicken in her mouth.

"So what happened to the kids that hurt Alvin?"

"I don't know. Coach Pierce sent them to the principal's office." Deena says before sipping her tea.

"Oh well, hopefully, they're punished severely," Darwin says raising his glass and clinking it with Deena's.

Alvin is at the dining room table eating a ham, cheese, and mayonnaise sandwich. In a tall glass is pineapple soda. As he indulges himself Jason enters the room. Jason leans against the crown molding and folds his arms. His face is covered in a malicious grin. He is wearing a white t-shirt and black pajama pants. Alvin swallows his food and cleans his mouth. He then sips his soda and sets it down on the table and looks at Jason curiously.

"What do you want Jason?"

"Word around town is you got your ass beat for talking to a white girl. How did it feel being treated the way you should be treated?" Jason asks amused while removing himself from the molding.

"Yeah I was but I had friends there to back me up. Can you say the same?" Alvin

Jason chuckle.

"Is that supposed to make a difference? I mean you're a nigger and that's how they will always see you. No amount of friendship can change the fact that torment will be your life." Jason says before laughing.

"Says the boy who has issues with Mom."

Jason power walks to the table and stares the boy down.

"I ought to kill you for that remark!" Jason hisses with his fists clenched.

"I have food to enjoy now if you'll excuse me I want to get back to it."

"Your days are numbered." Jason snaps before trudging out of the room.

Alvin rolls his eyes and resumes eating his sandwich.

It's eleven o'clock and Danny is in his bathroom standing at the sink. He is shirtless with some electric blue pajama pants. In his left hand is a black-handled grapefruit knife. He has the blade resting on his right wrist. Danny is crying while looking at the blade.

"Kimberly thinks I'm a horrible person and she's right. I had the opportunity to defend someone and I willingly stood by and watched. I don't deserve to stand by him, or any of them for that matter." Danny says sadly as he brings the knife closer to his wrist.

He stops himself and goes to change. He puts on a blue T-shirt, blue jeans, black and white tennis shoes, and a black leather jacket. He grabs his wallet and house key. He goes and retrieves the knife. He puts it back in the kitchen and heads out the front door. He goes to the corner and waits for the bus. Twenty minutes later a bus arrives and Danny pays a fare of fifteen cents.

He takes a seat in the middle. He rides it into Downtown Kingthorn. Thirty minutes later he gets off and goes to the corner. He looks around cautiously as he slips his hands into his pockets. He welcomes the brisk night air into his waiting nostrils. Soon a black convertible with chrome trim and a white top pulls alongside the curb.

"Hey baby." the driver says smoothly.

Danny slowly approaches the car places his forearms on the window chrome and sticks his head inside the car.

"Hey, big guy what kind of fun are you looking for?"

"Something steamy."

"I can do that."

Danny then opens the door and gets in the car.

Thirty minutes later they arrive in a suburban area. The driver pulls into a gated home and drives up the path leading to a two-story country-style home. He parks the car in front of his home. They get out and the man walks Danny upstairs to the front door. He unlocks it and lets Danny inside first. After locking the door he turns on the foyer lights. There is a chandelier hanging up above.

On the left side of the foyer is an oak wood closet. A few feet away is a coat rack. Along the wall is a simple staircase with Cherry wood railing. To the right is the living room which is decorated with antique furniture. Along the staircase is a hallway that leads to a bathroom and a guest bedroom. Danny looks at the man and is shocked by his appearance. He is in his early thirties with pale skin.

He has short brown parted hair brown eyes and full lips. He is wearing a black t-shirt with a brown leather coat, blue jeans, and brown loafers. He smiles at Danny exposing his white teeth.

"Let's go to the guest bedroom it's down this hallway."

The man says leading the teen down the dark hallway.

When they get there the man turns on the light. The walls are painted beige with white baseboards. In the center of the bedroom is a four-post bed with brown and beige pillows. It is decorated with a beige comforter decorated with leaves and tree branches. On both sides of the bed are matching mahogany nightstands with glass lamps. There is a dresser resting on the left wall with a body mirror a few feet away. On the right side is a walk-in closet.

The man looks back at Danny smiling with his left hand extended.

"Come on and show me a memorable time."

Danny walks deeper into the bedroom and quickly undresses. He watches as the man undresses and gets on the bed and props himself up on his elbows. Danny walks over to the bed and climbs on top of him. The man reaches over to the left nightstand and takes out a small purple package. Danny takes it and puts it on. He then roughly pins his hands above his head and crashes his lips onto his. He brings his tongue out to play for dominance making the man moan and submit. Danny then detaches his lips and begins ravishing his neck.

The man lets an airy moan escape as Danny travels to his right side and leaves kisses. He then travels south to his right nipple and tugs at it before licking it. He repeats the pattern on his left nub. Danny then travels further south to his navel while placing his right index and middle finger in the man's mouth. The man licks them before Danny forcefully removes them. He then places his mouth around his erect six-inch member.

The mushroom head is pink while the rest is a mix of pink and white. Immediately the man curls his toes when Danny licks the slit. Danny darts his eyes up at the man before placing his index finger inside his puckered hole. He works it for a while before adding his middle finger. Before long he is stretched and Danny aligns himself at his entrance. Once inside Danny starts off with slow rhythmic thrusts. After a while, they transform into rough and powerful. The man screams at the top of his lungs.

"Oh yeah!" the man screams as Danny hits his prostate repeatedly with powerful thrusts.

Danny leans down near his left ear. He places both his arms on both sides of his head. He bites the left earlobe before caressing it with his tongue. The man then digs his nails into Danny's back leaving blood in his wake. Danny then reconnects his lips to the man. The man moans as Danny bites his bottom lip harshly. Soon Danny grunts reaching his climax and removes himself.

The teen lies down beside the man panting. The man chuckles looking over at Danny before reaching over into his nightstand. He pulls out two thousand dollars and places it on the nightstand. When Danny's breath evens out he gets out of bed and gets dressed. He goes to the nightstand and counts his money. Surprised by the amount he looks at the man who's smiling at him.

"That is going down as my number one romp of all time." the man pants elatedly.

"Awesome," Danny says as he places the money inside his wallet.

"I'll be on my way," Danny says heading for the door.

"You're about thirty to forty-five minutes from downtown. I can drive you there. Just let me take a quick shower." the man says getting out of bed and gathering his clothes.

He heads out into the hallway and enters the bathroom. Danny leaves the bedroom and heads out the front door. When he gets to the porch he goes and sits on the steps. He places his face in his hands and sobs. Forty-five minutes later the man comes out and locks the door.

"Let's get you home." the man says and they head to his car.

Thirty minutes later they arrive back downtown at the corner where Danny was picked up. Danny looks at the man with an unreadable expression.

"Thank you," Danny says shocking the man.

"You're welcome."

The man then leans over and crashes his lips on Danny's who quickly shoves him away.

"I don't get romantically involved with my clients. I get paid to provide a fantasy and that's it." Danny says harshly before opening the door.

"My name is Winston Cod. Here's my number." Winston says writing down his number and handing it to Danny who looks at it sheepishly.

"I don't need it," Danny says sharply exiting the car.

As Winston drives away Danny crosses the street and sits down on a dark green wooden bench. Five minutes a yellow taxi pulls alongside the curb and Danny gets in.

"4505 Kiery Street," Danny says buckling himself in.

"Yes sir."

The taxi driver then pulls away from the curb.

Thirty minutes later Danny arrives in the Amory Vineyard neighborhood in front of his house.

"That'll be twenty dollars." the driver says looking back at Danny.

Danny pulls out his wallet takes out a twenty-dollar bill and hands it to the driver.

"Thank you," Danny says before exiting the car.

When the taxi is gone Danny walks up the path leading to his house. Once inside Danny retreats to his bedroom and undresses. He puts his wallet in his dresser drawer and takes another shower. When he finishes he brushes his teeth and gargles. He puts on his pajama pants from earlier and climbs into bed. Soon his activity from earlier floods his mind and he cries himself to sleep.