Page 28 of Until Now
Maxen
I think this new development is what writers call a plot twist. It changed the direction of my story. Now I’m in a chick flick. Or maybe a famous teen film. I’m like a sixteen year old with a raging hard-on, lusting after the cheerleader. All I can think of is being with her. My dick already has muscle memory for that perfect pussy. That’s how often we’re doing it.
It’s where I want to be. Every. Damn. Day. So far, there has been no pushback from her. She seems to have the same drive I do. I’ve never known a woman who could match me, fuck for fuck. Over the past four weeks, we have hooked up in many places, but never at either of our homes. Always heard necessity is the mother of invention. So true. We have become very creative in finding ways and places to be together.
It’s getting harder and harder to look away from the feelings I have for Dominique. The woman is impressive in lots of ways. Her relationship with Bing is something to aim for if I ever have children. Ha. I have avoided it for forty years. Now the idea pops up occasionally, like a thought bubble in my brain. That may be the most surprising thing that has happened.
“Mom’s here!”
Hunter’s words shock me out of my thoughts.Back to Earth, Maxen.I get my Memphis Mavericks watching lazy Sunday ass off the couch. They made it to the playoffs! Dominique and I will be meeting July’s family’s friends, the Swifts, in a few weeks. A baseball dynasty since the sixties, the Swift family, are Tennessee celebrities. We will be going to a game and a party. Dominique is planning her outfit already.
I follow my nephew out the door. Glad I thought to leave Cali with Bing and Dominique for a few days. I don’t need her to be jumping all over Kim and causing the general mayhem I’d expect. The dog likes being with her BFF McFly anyway.
“Welcome home!” I say while watching Kim in her wheelchair being lowered from the van. A broken femur and one arm in a cast are visible reminders of that horrible day. The spleen removal is hidden but felt. The broken nose still shows black and blue signs. When the lift stops abruptly, Kim winces.
Hunter stands patiently waiting for his mother to be within hugging distance. The nurse I hired comes around the van and waits to take over.
Kim begins to cry as she spots her son. I walk to her.
“You’re home now, Sister. It’s all right. Look, your favorite men are here to take care of you.”
That only makes her sob more, which must make her nose throb, because a hand comes up and lightly touches it.
“Ow!” she says, mixing a chuckle in with the tears.
That’s when I know she’s going to be all right. She finds humor in her own misery. I love that about her. Pretty sure we’ve sharpened that skill by watching each other. Kim is as strong as steel. Always has been.
The wheelchair is on firm ground, and Nurse Arlene lets Hunter have his moment. He nestles his head against Kim’s good shoulder and starts to cry himself. Oh crap. What do I do? In a moment, I realize I do not have to fix anything. Now his mother takes back the reins. Kim wraps her one workable arm around her child and comforts him.
“Mama is here. We’re together now. This is a happy day.”
“I missed you,” he says between tears that are coming to a slow crawl.
“I missed you more! And you, brother! Come give me a proper greeting.”
Now there are smiles on everyone’s faces. Even Arlene, whose face resembles a stern nun’s.
“This is really too much, Kim! You’ll do anything to get attention,” I tease.
Being careful not to cause more pain, I lean down and kiss the top of her head. We take each other’s hand and squeeze our love and affection. And there is the gratitude for having another chance at life. The lump in my throat rises and threatens to spill into tears. Shit.
When she sees it, I get a smile.
“Crybaby,” she says with love.
“Let’s get you inside and settled,” Arlene says, giving the first of her orders.
Hunter looks happier than I’ve seen since arriving. He walks next to his mother, holding her hand as we move to the front door.
* * *
“Don’t know why I’m nervous,” Dominique says, checking her image in the rearview mirror before we get out.
“I don’t either. You already know each other. The only thing I’m worried about is Cali. I need to keep a tight leash on her till she calms down.”
“I’ve been working with her. Bing too. She’s a little better with the jumping.”
“You’re a good girlfriend,” I say, undoing my seatbelt.
