Giving Him Something He Can Feel (5 page)

4 Months Later

Caine

I bought Kandace a blue sequined Marc Jacobs dress. I got her a size 6 although she looked like she could fit in a 4. The pumps were of course red on the bottom. I went all out for her and wanted her to see the finer things in life that I could offer. My mom and dad agreed to meet Kandi. Mom even arranged a dinner for the four of us. Life was going good. All I could do was sit back and laugh at some of that shit. Even the shit that happened with Shawn a couple of months earlier. I couldn’t have asked for a better way for Shawn to wake up. I thought for sure the nigga would’ve slept through the night with the pills I fed him. Then he caught me fucking Kandi so even if the nigga suspected I fucked him he couldn’t prove it. Ain’t no nigga going to come out and ask, “Yo dawg, did you fuck me in the ass?” That was a close call though and I was thankful for Kandi. She was the prefect alibi and didn’t even know it. All I had to do was make sure my mom and dad approved of her. Then I’d pop the question in front of everyone. I hoped that she said yes because that would make me two point five million dollars richer.

Kandi came over my house to get dressed and we made our way over to my parents’ house for dinner. In the car, I could see she was a little tense so I tried to ease her mind. I turned on the radio to R. Kelly’s “
Fiesta remix”
playing. I started singing, “Cuz it’s about to go down tonight, I’ma be drinking till the early lizzight.”
She looked at me and started smiling. I hoped that song would cheer her up because she was in for a rude awaking. My father could go Major Payne on a nigga in a minute and Mama wasn’t any better. Kandi started singing too, “My, my, my, my, that’s what they all say when they the frozen ice.” We were jamming in the car. Seven hours later, we pulled up in the driveway of my parent’s house in Virginia. Normally Mama would try to make a nice dinner although she couldn’t cook. I remember when I was younger how much I loved pizza nights. Anything was better than eating mama’s cooking.

Before we could get out of the car, my mother was coming out of the house. She was spotless and dressed to impress, as always. Her evening gown had to be no other than Alexander McQueen and the heels that matched. “Caine Sr. get out here now,” my mom said yelling to my father. “Your son is here and he has a girl… Caine,” she still yelled for him. Meanwhile I helped Kandace out of the car. My mom’s face hit the ground once she saw her. It might have been the way Kandi out-shinned her at her own game, in the blue sequined cocktail dress. “Well hello there son,” my mom said showing all of her thirty-two teeth while giving me a hug at the same time. “Hey Mom, this is Kandace but she prefers to go by Kandi.” My mom looked Kandi up and down to examine her. She then extended her hand and said, “You’re such a pretty girl, why would your mother name you Candy of all things? Is that with a C or a K?” Not expecting Kandy to say anything back, my mother opened her arms to give her a hug. Kandi hugged my mom back and said, “Says the lady who named her son after a murderous brother.” Kandi showed no fear. My mama was a street chick before she met my dad. She knew all about the street life and how much a person would sacrifice to rise above. Surprised by her comment, I could tell my mom took a liking to Kandi. She smiled and grabbed us by the hands until we made our way in the house.

My mom insisted on showing off our mini mansion to Kandi. After my brief break from giving us a tour of the house, I heard a bell downstairs as my mother yelled, “Dinner’s served.” We went in the dining area just as the cooks were bringing the food out. I couldn’t believe Mom went all out like that. She didn’t even do that when dad got promoted to Sergeant Major. The cook staff placed our meals in front of us and we were about to say our grace and dig in. “Mom, where is Dad? Is he coming to dinner?” She hesitated for a few minutes and carefully decided her word play. She stated, “Your father is taking an important call. He will be down as soon as he can. I’ll make sure of it.” My mom then rang the silver bell on the table that she strategically had next to her plate. A staff member came in, and my mother told her to carry our plates back into the kitchen. “I expect you to keep them warm until the man of the house greets us with his presence,” she told them. Just like that, my food was gone from the table. Kandi broke the awkward silence by asking, “Mrs. Johnson, may I use your ladies room please?” With Kandace’s chosen language, Mom gave her a smile of approval then said, “Sure honey but call me Renee. You’ll have to use the one upstairs because the one down here is broken.”

Kandi

I had to get away from those motherfuckers. I hadn’t pissed all day from that long ass drive and now that bitch wanted to starve a girl. She showed me the whole house so I knew exactly where the bathroom was. That bathroom was beautiful. It was so huge it could easily be the size of a studio apartment. There were gold fixtures everywhere. The red and black that complimented the gold on the his-and-her sinks reminded me of a king’s throne. The floor tiles were marble and the mini Jacuzzi they called a bathtub was to die for. I knew it could fit at least three or four people easily. Finally, I worked myself out of my dress and got myself adjusted on the commode. There was a soft knock on the bathroom door. “Occupied,” I yelled to let whoever it was know somebody was in that motherfucker so don’t come in. It didn’t matter because the door opened anyway. “Can you get the fuck out please? I will be out shortly,” The gentlemen dressed in black just stood there watching me. I thought that nigga was part of the hired help the way he was dressed. “Why are you standing over the toilet like that while you’re peeing?” he asked. Then he started to walk over to me. I was grateful for how big the bathroom was because it gave me a little time to pull up my panties before he got to me. He grabbed my arm and said, “Do you hear me talking to you girl… huh?” I couldn’t answer him because in a split second he put one hand around my neck and his other hand up my dress. I tried to push him off but he was strong and solid. He had a death grip on me and I couldn’t get away. He was playing in my pussy with his fingers then his small penis chased them. After about eight strokes, he let his arm down from around my neck to stop choking me. He pulled his pants up and said, “You’re official,”
then left out of the bathroom. I caught my breath and tried to maintain my composure. Realizing I had left all of my belongings downstairs, the only thing I could do was clean myself off, and rush back downstairs to let Caine know what had happened. I took my heels off to run back downstairs.

I made my way back in the dining room to find our meals back on the table and the Johnson’s waiting on me. I sat down at the table that was plated for four and I turned to Caine. Before I could get a word out the man that raped me walked in and sat down in the remaining chair at the table. “Kandace,” Caine said, “I would like you to meet my dad, Caine Sr.” I was sitting at the table looking my rapist right in his face. I should have exposed him for what he did but I thought I could blackmail him to receive a nice little payday. I looked that motherfucker square in the eye and said, “Hello Mr. Johnson. I’m glad you could finally join us.” He didn’t seem at all surprised I didn’t snitch on him. I looked at it this way, why settle for the Prince’s crumbs when it’s the King’s cookie you want.

Caine Sr. nodded his head and we ate dinner. Baked Salmon, seasoned steamed asparagus, and a baked sweet potato, which were served on a silver platter, literally. For dessert, the staff served chilled red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting. After dinner, Caine stood up, looked at his mother, his trifling ass daddy, and then turned to me. “Kandace, I know we have only being seeing each other for a couple months now.” He pulled out a small light blue box with the name
Tiffany’s
on it and then got down on one knee. “I love you and I want to make you a Johnson and spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”

1 Year Later

Kandi

I dropped out of school to focus on my wedding to Caine. I never told him about what happened the night of the proposal. I just wanted everything to go smoothly. The wedding was in 3 days and the fucking florist was still not ready with my arrangements. After talking to her, I hopped in my car and made one last trip to the florist. A twenty-minute trip across town just to make sure she would be finished by the wedding and to make sure my shit was up to par.

I still couldn’t believe how much my life had changed. It seemed like I was just struggling to pay my tuition a year ago and now I didn’t want for anything. Caine took care of everything and he was taking care of my mama. He offered to send my mother to rehab so she could get herself clean and she accepted. I told her she was invited to our wedding, under two conditions. One she had to be drug-free and two she couldn’t bring her pimp Todd. You’d think she would have left his no good wanna be Don Juan ass alone, but not my mama. She would ride with you until the wheels fell off. Of course, my baby took good care of his queen. One day I was on my way to class and I walked outside. There it was, a brand new BMW. I had never owned a car let alone something as luxurious as that. He also laced me in brand new clothes, or as rich folks call it, a new wardrobe. But most of all, he respected me and shit, it didn’t hurt that he was worth a couple mill.

I arrived at the florist earlier than expected and it was closed. That bitch knew I was coming but I was looking at a “Be Right Back” sign. Frustrated, I called the florist on her cellphone but got no answer. I drove off and headed to the ABC store to get a much-needed bottle. Heading straight to the Cognac I grabbed two bottles of Hennessy. One for me, and the other for my soon-to-be. Caine loved Hennessy and wouldn’t drink anything else. I was getting in my car when I was stopped by a familiar face. “Wow, is that your car?” The look on Stacey’s face was priceless. She was my lab partner for months so she knew I had dropped out of school to be with Caine and live the good life. “Yeah child, this is all me.” What caught my attention was the look on Gina’s face when she walked up. “I heard you’re marrying Caine. Good luck with that,” Gina said with a smirk on her face. “You know what Gina? I’m not in school no more. I don’t have time for this petty
shit but I’m getting bout sick and tired of your smart ass mouth...” She just stood there because
she didn’t want shit to jump off for real. She was all bark and no fucking bite. “So don’t write a check yo ass can’t cash bitch.” She waited until I finished, then smiled and said, “Welcome to the Upper Class bitch.” I punched her square in the face causing her nose to bleed then followed up with a knee to her stomach. Gina fell to the ground. “You betta choose your shit carefully…,” I moved closer so I was standing on top of her, “…cuz those words will cause you to get yo ass whipped.” Stacy looked at me but she didn’t do or say shit. Gina got up off the ground and said, “Fuck you Kandi. He’s gay, I keep telling you, but you’ll see what I’m talking about one day.” I wasn’t trying to hear that shit. Gina got what she deserved. Money couldn’t buy her out that ass whooping. She was lucky I didn’t stomp her ass. I hopped in my BMW and peeled off on those bitches.

Gina

Kandi thought she was the shit because Caine bought her raggedy ass a car. I kept telling her Caine was gay, bi-sexual, or what-the-hell-ever. It seemed to me like she didn’t care or me telling her wasn’t good enough. She was one of those see to believe it bitches so I was about to show her ass the truth. It amazed me how so many sistas were dating faggots. I would want to know if I was dating or having sex with a “down- low” brotha.

I pulled out my phone and started dialing. “Hey girl, what you been up to bitch, you called me?” My friend and personal hairstylist said through the phone all in one breath. “I’m good darling. I just wanted to know if I could come by to get my hair curled” I was lying. I was on a mission to expose Caine’s fruity ass for who he really was. “I know its last minute so I’ll throw you an extra $40 on top.” As I was waiting for a response, the phone hung up. I hated talking to anybody from the other side of town because of their bad ass reception. Moments later a text message came in saying:

Sorry boo you know how this service is out here. Come on over I can get you after I’m done doing this Brazilian wax
.

I got in my car and started making my way to the east side of Atlanta. I got to my friend’s house and rang the doorbell. The door opened and I was greeted with a hug and kiss. I didn’t know if it was because I had told him I’d give him an extra $40 or because I came bearing gifts of champagne with me.

“I see you made it darling,” he said as I walked in. “Yes of course I made it J.O.,” I said with a grin on my face. He looked at me and said, “Girlllll you so crazy… don’t nobody call me J.O. anymore,” he giggled in the sissiest tone I’ve ever heard J.O. was short for Johnny Owens and everyone used to call him that until one day he decided to come out of the closet, become a hair stylist, and renamed himself Ohnny. I would never understand why he did that. Ohnny grabbed the champagne out my hand, and said, “I’m going to go pour us a glass of this expensive merchandise before you change your mind about opening it,” and walked off before I could say another word.

I was glad his ass went to pour it up because I needed some information from him. He came back with two glasses and a container of ice to set the champagne in to keep cold. He opened the bubbly and poured us both a glass, filling his to the top. After drinking two glasses and catching up a bit, it was time for him to start on my hair. I give props where props are due and Ohnny was the best. He had some hands on him. He would have your shit fried, dyed, and laid to the side. His dream was to own his own salon one day.

“Yessss girl, you know that’s my dream to have my own salon with an upscale clientele,” he said then sighed and let out a fake tear. Ohnny began greasing my scalp so I poured him another glass of wine. He sipped on his wine and said nothing.

“Well what’s stopping you?”

Ohnny continued to grease my scalp and curl my hair. “Bitch what do you think is stopping me, MONEY,” he yelled at me. I felt kind of bad because I was the one who convinced Ohnny to move from Virginia to Atlanta and start on his clientele. Ohnny was pissed off for some reason because he started to leave the curlers on my roots for longer than necessary, burning my damn scalp. “I didn’t mean for you to get upset Ohnny, I just asked you a question. I just needed my hair curled for tonight. I have a date.” The mood instantly lightened up and so did the ceramic plates off my scalp. His nosey ass wanted to know who I was, or might possibly be fucking. “So who’s the lucky guy… or girl?” Ohnny asked with a perverted smirk on his face. He thought everybody was supposed to be gay because he was. “Don’t play with me Ohnny with a J. It’s definitely a guy, it’s Caine.” Ohnny put down his curlers, picked up his pack of cigarettes, took one out, and lit it. “Caine who Gina?” he asked with the cigarette hanging out of his mouth. I knew Ohnny had some dirt on Caine. “Oh you know Caine, Caine Johnson. Didn’t you tell me you fellas attended the same school?” Ohnny turned back into Johnny because he became defensive and told me not to go out with Caine. I poured him the last glass of Moet. I knew if I could get him to tell me anything I could probably fill in the rest. Ohnny just came out with it though. “Caine is gay. He was sucking my dick and his dad walked in on us.” My mouth dropped. Caine was on the down low and now I had proof. The last glass of champagne must have gotten to him because he just kept going and going. “Somehow Caine went on to college and I had to repeat 12
^th
grade Science. I tell ya, all you need in this world is money and you can do anything.” I couldn’t believe my ears. That conversation was better than any soap opera I had ever seen. Luckily, I had a tape recorder in my purse the whole time and it recorded the whole conversation. I now had the solid evidence to convict Caine of being a gay man.