Page 63 of Defending the Post
Malcolm’s synopsis of my behavior slapped me hard and fast. I’d been moving differently without thought for a woman. We hadn’t even approached sex and yet I’m considering taking a fine to get to L.A.
“Don’t do nothing stupid, Marquise. Erin is the perfect match for you. She isn’t boring nor is she a pushover. It eases my mind that she’s home with Jhae.”
“I’m glad she could be of service to you,” I said, as he tapped my chest twice.
“Call Dr. June. If you want Erin, you got to work on yourself. Nobody is perfect. I crash out too but mine are more contained,” Malcolm said.
I cackled at his comment because he was diabolical with his antics. Malcolm chose to use his intellect and outsmart you.
“You got twenty minutes,” he said.
“For what?” I asked.
“I set you up for a meeting with Dr. June. I knew you were going to need it. You were stuck under Erin for a week and a half. Being gone for sixteen days is gon’ kick yo ass. I’m not dealing with the mood swings,” he said.
Malcolm stood on his feet as I peered up at him and laughed. My phone sounded off.
“I sent you the video link. I’ll give you some privacy. Thank me at the wedding,” he said.
Malcolm exited the room, as I shook my head in disbelief. Before my visit, I sent Erin flowers with a note.
Me
Weirdo, can you please stay up for me?
Me
I miss you and I’m anxious.
Shit, she got me begging. I’m down bad.Right now, I’m glad I listened to Pops and refrained from sex. I would have been on a jet heading to L.A. or made her follow me to each city. Clicking the link, Dr. June’s face appeared on the screen of my propped phone. She appeared the same with her short gray hair and warm brown skin.
“Marquise, it’s been a while but I’m glad to see you,” she said.
“Yeah, it’s been a while,” I confirmed, diverting my eyes.
I’d been avoiding the hell out of Dr. June because I hadn’t kept to a plan or commitment. The last we talked, I was supposed to establish a relationship with Toni, but I detoured. Truth is, I wanted Toni to go away. We had enough going on with the family without her trauma.
“I want to reset the rules,” Dr. June said.
Finding her eyes again, I stared into my phone.
“From now on, when you log in, let’s go right into the anger. Give me everything hidden in your rib cage. I want the cursing, screaming, yelling version of you. Let me have it,” she said.
My eyes widened at her comment.
“You’re not Malcolm. We don’t have to be calm. I want to meet the real Marquise, not the polished version everybody wants you to be. Let’s go. Tell me how I pissed you off,” Dr. June said.
I shrugged.Hell, she asked for it.
“I stopped coming to these bullshit ass meetings because I’m tired of you pushing me to reconnect with Toni. I don’t care for the bitch. I hate her,” I said.
“Keep going,” Dr. June said.
“She isn’t a victim. She trash as fuck. What a dumb bitch! Who let’s someone take their kids. I know Malcolm’s giving her money, and when I find out I’m going the fuck off,” I said.
“Yea, because you have to protect Malcolm. You can’t have him connecting with her side of the family and leave you,” she said.
“Exactly. He is fucking gullible. Without me, he would be messed up. I’m already sharing him with Jhae. Mom isn’t any better, I swear her, and Malcolm don’t listen. She accepts Toni but beefing with Jhae. She been making terrible ass decisions lately. Letting Ivey attend college a year early. She barely got a driver’s license. I told Mom the accelerated program wasn’t a good idea,” I said.
