Page 31 of Enigma
“Nah, I do because this is long overdue, and while we’re here, you and Calil walk on eggshells around his no good ass to keep the peace and stay in his favor, knowing the way he treats meis fucked up, so spare me. My fucking wife and best friend died months apart, and this lunatic couldn’t pull his dick out of some young hoe that works for him to be there for me or his grandkids,” shock registering on everyone’s face, especially Sr., that I was aware of his latest affair. Before I could register what was happening, my father was throwing a punch that connected with the side of my face, causing me to stagger slightly. Recovering, I threw a punch of my own, landing on his left before I followed up with a hook that connected with his jaw, causing him to drop.
“Are you fucking crazy?” I roared, “I will beat the shit out of you and not think twice!” My adrenaline was rushing through my body as I willed myself to calm down.
“This is the man that y’all have sided with all these years? One who gets physical when the same shit he said he stands up in gets exposed, yet again,” I said more calm than before as I grabbed my keys, turning to leave, everyone still stunned at how dinner had gone.
“I will make sure anyone and anything you love, including Angel’s sloppy seconds of fat bitch wife and her kids, suffer, and they’ll have you to thank for it!” Sr. yelled at my back as I flipped him the bird and walked out the door.
I don’t know what I expected when I came over here, but it wasn’t this. As vindicated as I felt, my spirit was still weighed down, and I prayed this trip to Napa Valley with Dana would ease it.
You Can’t Take What’s Not Yours
Napa Valley
Dana had no idea where I was taking her; I only told her to pack for an outdoor adventure and a romantic evening. Initially, I had planned to charter a private jet, but then I wouldn’t have been able to keep our destination a surprise, so we flew first class into San Francisco. I told Dana I had a meeting with a potential partner and investor for the tequila brand I was working on, and I could use her financial mind to help me determine if the terms of the deal were beneficial. While that was true, my lawyer and accountant had thoroughly reviewed the partnership’s terms, and it would indeed be a lucrative partnership. As always, her short blonde pixie cut was freshly styled, and she exuded a sexy yet casual vibe in Versace athleisure, complete with black, white, and gold Jordan 1s. Her beautiful face was glowing, bare of makeup except for lip gloss on her kissable lips.
“I’m in love with Layanna,” she blurted out.
“I know, me too,” we laughed as I rubbed her soft hand.
“There’s something about her, Cal, she— she’s, I can’t explain it,” she turned to look at me.
“She makes you want to love and be loved, but not only that, she makes it easy to do both. The night of the Gala I had no idea how I would feel watching her be pleased by someone other than me, I was prepared for jealousy to surge through and make me put y’all asses out my house then fuck my woman to sleep,” laughter erupting from us both yet again, “But the whole time she was being pleased, I could still feel the love and adoration should held for me, I knew then that the space I held in her life was just for me, and that love made me want to give her everything she could ever dream of,” I smiled.
“That’s the perfect way to describe her. I know that my place in her world is for me,and to be such a beautiful soul that you can love multiple people and fulfill them completely, we’re blessed to have her.”
“We’re blessed to have each other,” I looked at Dana, “Getting to reconnect with you in this capacity has been a beautiful journey. Your confidence, your softness, the way you tell corny dad jokes, the way you smile when you see me,” leaning over to whisper in her ear, “The mess you make when I stroke in and out of you. I’m in love with you Danna Averies,” pulling her face to mine to kiss her not caring who was watching.
Pulling back, she had a silly, love-struck grin on her face that caused me to plaster a similar smile on my face.
“Dana, in high school, were you attracted to women?”
“Was I? I was scissoring other girls before I had sex with a man,” she chuckled, “Cal, I believe one of the biggest roles in my insecurities and jealousy was my fear of living in my truth. I was afraid of what my parents would think and what the other kids at school would say. Times were vastly different, and being a “bull dagger” carried a stigma, especially amongst other girls. I didn’t want girls whispering about me or acting weird when I was in the locker room when we had PE, so I kept it buried and would have fun with other girls who were in the closet. Funny enough, after you dumped me, my parents came home to me crying in my room, and when I told them what happened, they had these shocked expressions on their faces. When I finally came out to them when I was 16 they told me how shocked they were that I was dating you because they just knew I was a lesbian,” I couldn’t help myself, I tipped my head back and laughed causing Dana to pop me on the arm, “It’s not that damn funny,” she said.
“Nah, it is though. Back then there would be times we were together and a bad lil joint would walk by us and you would cock your head to the side and bite your bottom lip just like a nigga who saw something he liked,” this time it was her turn to laugh as she explained that her parents said that was one of the telltale signs for them as well.
“As a matter of fact, I was pissed when you got with Maria because I wanted to see how good she tasted and your big man on campus face ass took my girl,” we were in first class laughing like we were at a comedy show, “Over the years I prayed to whatever heathen God there was that you and Maria would let me be a unicorn for y’all, but the energy never presented itself as that so I was good just being a friend y’all invited to the dope ass parties the two of you would throw,” she smiled.
We spent the rest of the flight talking and laughing, and she’d mentioned that she was laying the groundwork to start her own wine brand. She had been doing her research, traveling to different vineyards across the country and out of the country. My head exploded when she told me she had been attending The Court of Master Sommeliers to become a Master Sommelier, saying the only way to have the best brand of wines was to have the proper education, to understand food and wine pairings, to understand grapes, seasons and how they impacted vineyards, bottle types and even the appropriate stemware to enjoy wine best. She was passionate as she talked, her eyes sparkling and face glowing, the pride she displayed was going to make this trip all the more special. Dana had first mentioned this venture to Yanna, who then got with Ahmir and me to present the idea of gifting her three hundred thousand dollars to help get her venture off the ground. Not to be arrogant, but that was small money to us all, and so we planned to present her with a check for half a million to work on bringing her wine brand to fruition. The captain announced that we were starting our final descent into San Francisco. Danna leaned over and kissed me sweetly as she thanked me for inviting her to tag along.
After we’d gotten our bags, we headed to our car service so we could head to Napa Valley. Noticing we weren’t heading to any of the hotels she’d stayed in while visiting previously, she finally asked, “Cal, where are we staying?”
“The Four Seasons, in Napa Valley,” I answered, causing her body to go completely still.
“Caleb, do not play with me, seriously, where are we staying?” Repeating her previous question.
“We’re staying at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley,” I joined her in the game of repeat that.
“Why are we? I thought you said you,” she stuttered over her words.
“Dana, I don’t have a business meeting to attend; this trip is all about you. We’re spending the weekend in Napa Valley, where I’m taking you on a hot air balloon date, a tour of the vineyard, and a private wine tasting with Four Seasons master sommelier Derek Stevenson,” she stared at me as her eyes watered and the tears fell.
“Baby, what’s wrong?” concern covering my face.
“I just, this is so amazing,” she was still trying to collect her thoughts.
“Dana, Ahmir, and I planned it because you deserve to have us doting over you.”
Sniffling and wiping her eyes, she asked, “Can I suck your dick now?” Causing me to choke as I began to laugh, as we continued to talk for the hour and twenty-minute drive to the resort.
