One Man's Trash (9 page)

FOURTEEN
Diamond turned the alarm off on her cell phone. She rubbed her eyes. It seemed
like she had just closed her eyes five minutes ago. She dragged herself into
the shower and dressed for work. During her twenty minute commute she decided
that she would quit her job. She could move to another area in New York and
find another job. But why put herself through that unnecessary madness. She
could just go back home and make a life there. She had nothing to prove to
anyone. Like Ryder said, her safety was the most important thing right now. And
she didn’t feel safe.
Team DeeAye 2, Team JT 1.
“Mr. James, can I speak with you for a quick moment, please?”
“Of course. What’s on your mind?”
She sighed. “I’ve enjoyed working here. I really appreciate you giving me this
opportunity so it saddens me to say that I can no longer work here.”
His brows furrowed. “Why not?”
“JT wasn’t just my friend. He was my boyfriend. Before you signed him we broke
up and he stole my music. Not just the song that he performed at the listening
party, but all my music that I had hidden in a safe.” Philip’s eyes widened in
disbelief. “Basically he started stalking and harassing me once he was dropped
from the label. In fear of what he may do out of anger, I took out a
restraining order. He violated the restraining order by showing up at my
apartment early this morning.”
“Oh lord. Diamond.”
“He knows where I work, he knows where I live and I just don’t know if he’s
going to stop harassing me. So I’ve decided to move back to Atlanta. I don’t
want to take any chances that he won’t violate the restraining order again.”
“Did you call the cops?”
“I didn’t call the cops. I mean I know I can call the cops but honestly, I’ll
be looking over my shoulder every day until court. And I just don’t want to
stress myself like that.”
Philip shook his head. “I can’t believe you’re going through this. Oh my
goodness. Is there anything you need, anything that I can do?”
“I don’t think so. I haven’t told anyone my decision yet, since I just decided
on my way here.” A weak smile spread across her face.
“Well if you need anything at all, feel free to call on me. Anything.”
“Thank you, Mr. James. I really appreciate it.”
“And Diamond our offer still stands with the music. We still would like to see
some of your work. So once you get settled back home, email me. We can still
work with you. You’re very talented and I wouldn’t want you to let anyone stand
in your way. Okay, kiddo?”
She smiled gratefully. “I won’t.”
#
# # #
Diamond stayed with Kimmy and Auntie Jannie for a week. During that time she’d talked
to her landlord and explained her circumstances. She was allowed to break her
lease but she lost her security deposit. Just out of good measure she helped
them find a tenant to replace her. Ryder got permission from his parole officer
to come to New York to help her move. She felt safe sleeping in her apartment
again with him there.
Auntie Jannie greeted her at the door. “Hey Auntie!” She hugged her hello.
“My other favorite niece! How are you, suga? Come on in.”
Diamond stepped inside. “I’m doing fine. How are you?”
“Can’t complain. Who’s this fine fella you got witcha?”
“Ryder.”
Ryder reached out his hand to Auntie Jannie. “No baby, we only give hugs around
here.”
She hugged him tight and winked at Diamond over his shoulder.
“Nice to meet you, ma’am,” he said after she let him go.
“Have a seat dear. Kimmy!” she yelled. “We got company. Bring your butt in
here, girl!”
Kimmy ran from the back. “Hey y’all!” She greeted Ryder and Diamond with a hug.
“Are you all set?” Kimmy sat on the floor Indian style.
“Pretty much. I found a new tenant. I should be out by the end of the week. The
movers will be here in two days to get all my big stuff.”
Kimmy covered her face. Diamond knelt down to comfort her. “Don’t. You’re gonna
make me cry. Stop now.”
“I can’t help it. I’ll miss you.”
“Kimmy, I’ll be back to visit. And it’s not like you won’t be coming to
Atlanta. You have to come home and visit your family.”
She wiped her eyes. “Oh yeah. That’s right.” They laughed. “Ryder, you better
take care of my best friend, especially since Ryan’s not there. She won’t have
any close friends there but you. You promise?”
Ryder held up three fingers. “Boy scouts honor.”
“Were you even in the boy scouts?” Kimmy asked.
“Of course I was. I was a good kid.” He winked.
“We were leaving the cafe down the block and wanted to stop by before we went
home. I got a lot more packing to do so we’re going to head home. I’ll see
y’all before I leave, okay?”
She hugged Kimmy and Auntie Jannie goodbye.
“Sorry your first time in New York has to be under such less than pleasant
circumstances,” she said when they got outside.
“When all this is over, we can always come back and act like tourists.” He
smiled and offered his hand. She gladly accepted. His hand was warm and a
little rough to the touch. Their arms swung between them as they walked.
“I never asked you why you wrote me that song?”
She felt her cheeks burn. She’d hoped he never asked her why. How could she
explain her deep feelings for a man that she never dated. Or kissed. They had
rarely hugged back then. “Girly crush. I never intended on giving you the CD,
but when everything happened with Daniel’s death and then the fight with that
guy. I wanted you to remember me.”
He stopped walking. She looked away. He stepped closer and turned her head to
face him.
“I’ve liked you since forever,” she continued. “It started off as just a crush
but as the years went by and I learned more about you it developed into deeper
feelings. But I knew that we could or would never be together.  It’s weird, I
know.”
“It’s not weird.” His eyes swept over her face.
“I woke up every day anticipating coming over to your house to hear you play in
your garage. Ryan and I always listened secretly. The thought of you going to
jail just ignited urgency in me to let you know how I felt. I didn’t know when
or if I would ever get that chance. So I had to tell you in the only way I knew
how to fully express myself.”
“Through music.”
She nodded. “Through music.”
His thumb circled, slowly, over the back of her hand. “I was in a dark place at
that time. But your music was so tender, so loving. Your words pierced through
my heart. Reminding me of what love was.”
There was a tingling in the pit of her tummy. He twirled her hair around his
finger. “Those words…
I have a desire for you, built up inside.”
He
pulled her closer and continued to sing.
“A passion for you, that I try to
hide
.“ His words brushed against her lips. The lime flavored beer still
lingered on his breath.
Diamond touched his dark stubbled face. She studied his face, feature by
feature. Taking in every inch of it. His strong hand rested in the small of her
back.
“I listened to your song every day before I went to jail because I didn’t want
to be hardened by my experience. I needed to keep my heart soft. Even though I
closed myself off from the outside world, I kept my heart open. You did that.”
“I did?” She had no idea that her song actually meant anything to him.
“Thank you.”
Slowly and seductively, he pressed his lips to hers. A warm sensation flooded
her body. His kiss was slow and unhurried as if he was savoring every taste.
She gripped the back of his shirt as his tongue went deep into her mouth. She
groaned beneath his mouth.
A car drove by and blew the horn. Ryder drew back from her mouth and looked
down the street. “I guess we should take this show inside.”
They shared a laugh. He put his arm around her and they walked the five minutes
to her apartment.
Once inside, Diamond’s tummy swirled with anticipation. They sat on the couch.
She smoothed back her hair.
Ryder placed his hand on her leg. “You okay?”
She looked into his green eyes. “I’m a little nervous. I’m not sure what you
expect.”
“What I expect?”
“Yeah, I mean we kissed and we’re alone and—”
“Diamond, I don’t expect sex from you. I just expect to be a friend to you. To
get to know you and just take
us
one day at a time. I’m in no hurry.
Over the past five years I’ve learned a little about patience.” His finger
trailed along her face. His reassuring smile eased her nerves.
She leaned into him, resting her nose against his. “I promise it’s worth
waiting for.” She raised her gaze to meet his.
“Everything worth having is worth waiting for.” He tilted his head and kissed
the tip of her nose, gently.
#
# # #
“Did you get it?” Diamond whispered into her cell phone.
“Yeah, and it’s beautiful,” Kimmy whispered back. “Wait, why am I whispering he
can’t hear me.” They both laughed.
“So that’s done. Okay. Great. Oh, did you add everyone to Skype for the video
chat?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Okay. Is there anything that I’m leaving out?”
“I think you have everything covered. Where is he now?”
“He’s in the shower. I don’t think he thinks I remembered that today is his
birthday. He didn’t mention anything either.”
“Have you seen him butt booty naked yet?”
“Girl!” Diamond laughed. “No…not yet.”
“So you plan to! Oh my gosh! Get yo freak on!”
Diamond burst into laughter. “Alright Missy Elliot wannabe.” Just then the
shower water turned off. “Oh, I gotta go, he’s getting out the shower. We’ll
see you shortly. Bye.”
She jumped on the sofa and paged through a magazine she had laying around,
trying to look like she wasn’t just planning a birthday surprise behind Ryder’s
back.
He walked into the living room. He had a hand towel drying the excess water
from his silky smooth hair and another draped around his waist. “Hey I used the
last bit of your shampoo and conditioner. I’ll pick you up some more at the
store later.”
Forget picking up some shampoo and conditioner she would much rather have some
massage oil and a box of condoms. Geez! He did have the Marky Mark abs.
“Diamond?”
She shook loose the naughty thoughts that were lodged into her mind. “I’m
sorry. Shampoo and conditioner. Yeah, don’t worry about it. I have extra
stashed under the bathroom sink.”
“Okay, well I’ll go get dressed now.”
Please don’t. “Okay. You go get dressed. I told Kimmy that we would be over there
soon.”
He nodded and went into her bedroom to get dressed. She dashed into the
bathroom, wet a clean bath cloth with cold water, pulled down her panties from
underneath her skirt and placed the cold cloth against her vagina. Jesus, take
the wheel. How was she going to go another day with this fine specimen of a man
in her home? There was only so much a cold rag could do for a woman in heat.
When she stepped out of the bathroom, Ryder was in the living room pulling his
t-shirt over his head. He had on a pair of khaki shorts and Polo sneakers. He
turned around. “Hey.”
She let out a breath. “Hey.”
“You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Are you ready?”
“Yes ma’am.”
She grabbed her purse and keys and headed out the door. Ryder took her hand
once they were outside. “You don’t mind do you?” His pearly whites shone in the
sunlight.
“Absolutely…not.” She smiled.
“So you said that Auntie Jannie was throwing you a going away party?”
“Yep,” she lied.
“That’s very nice of her. I know you’re going to miss living here, huh?”
“You know, before being reacquainted with you again, I’m sure moving back to
Atlanta so soon would’ve been more difficult. But now that you’re there, it
won’t be such a hard pill to swallow.”
He squeezed her hand. “I’m glad you’re coming back. I wish it was more so
because you wanted to instead of you pretty much being forced to.”
“Yeah, I agree.”
“I’m also looking forward to building on our friendship, and learning more
about you. The grown up version.” They laughed.
“Trust me, she’s much more interesting than the little girl you knew.”
“I don’t doubt that one bit.” He kissed her hand.
The touch of his lips sent a shiver through her body. His lips were lethal.
Diamond was glad they had made it to Kimmy’s building. Ryder wouldn’t be so
touchy feely in front of Auntie Jannie. That would give her body some time to
cool off.
Diamond pressed the bell and waited to be buzzed in. They took the elevator to
the sixth floor. She really liked Auntie Jannie’s building because there were
only two apartments on each floor. She preferred small apartment buildings if
she had to live in one.
Diamond stopped Ryder before they reached the apartment door. She took a
blindfold out of her purse. “I need for you to put this on.”
He took the blindfold from her hand. “A blindfold? Diamond, what’s going on
here?”
“Do you trust me?”
He looked at her then down at the blindfold in his hand and back to her. “I do
but…a blindfold?”
She snatched the blindfold from his hand. “Turn around, boy.”
He reluctantly turned around and she tied the blindfold over his eyes. She
turned him around again and led him to the door. He didn’t say a word. Diamond knocked
twice. Kimmy swung the door open as if she’d been standing behind the door ever
since she buzzed them into the building.
“Expecting someone are we?” Diamond joked.
“Come in, come in!”
Kimmy stepped to the side. Diamond held Ryder’s hands as he followed behind her
cautiously. She stopped him in front of the kitchen’s entryway. She stood
behind him and began to undo the blindfold. “Ryder, I’m going to take off this
blindfold but don’t open your eyes until I say so okay?”
“Yes.”
She took the black material away from his eyes. “Okay, open your eyes!”
He slowly opened his eyes. His mouth hung in amazement as he saw the Happy
Birthday banner hanging from the ceiling with the balloons and streamers.
“Happy Birthday!” They all screamed. Kimmy and Auntie Jannie blew on the party
horns. Ryder was speechless. Diamond picked up a cone shaped birthday hat and
put it on his head, being careful not to let the string snap against his skin.
She placed a sweet kiss on his cheek. “Happy Birthday, Ryder.” She pulled him
closer to the table. Kimmy snapped pictures of every moment.
“We got you a nice cake.” Diamond pointed to the cake. It was shaped into a
gold record with Stone Ryders Greatest Hits written in the center. All around
the cake were black edible cutouts of music notes and a microphone and a
guitar.
Ryder stared at the cake. He folded his arm across his stomach and placed his
hand up to his mouth as if he was thinking. Diamond caressed his back. “Do you
like it?”
He shook his head and let out a heavy sigh. He faced her. “A-freaking-mazing.”
Everyone clapped. “I can’t…Diamond, I don’t even know what to say right now. I
didn’t even know you knew it was my birthday. When did you have time to plan
all this between packing and arranging for movers?”
Diamond stretched out her arms to Kimmy and Auntie Jannie. “I gave them an idea
and they ran with it. So all your thanks should go to them.”
Ryder thanked and hugged Kimmy and Auntie Jannie. Kimmy took a photo of Diamond
and Ryder in front of the cake and then set the automatic timer so they all
could be in the photo.
“But wait there’s more!” Kimmy raced into the back of the apartment.
“She's so freaking dramatic,” Auntie Jannie said.
Kimmy returned with her 17 inch MacBook Pro laptop. She placed it on the
counter with the top down so we couldn’t see what was on the screen.
“Ryder, we all just want you to know how special you are to all of us. We’re
not the only ones who wanted to share this special day with you,” Diamond said.
Kimmy opened the laptop. Two Skype windows were on the screen.
“Oh my gosh!” Ryder walked over to the counter. “Are you serious?” His parents
and brother were in one screen and Daniel’s parents and Pamela were in the other
screen.
“Happy Birthday, Ryder!” they all screamed.
And that’s when it happened. Ryder dropped down to one knee and covered his
face with his hand. His body shook hard. Kimmy covered her mouth with both
hands and looked at her. Diamond walked up behind Ryder and soothed his back.
Everybody was in tears. She had no idea he would react this way. She knew they
were tears of joy so she was happy to see him cry.
He was reminded that he was loved and held high in the eyes of his family and
friends. He needed that reminder. And she was grateful that she could take part
in that special moment. After a few minutes, Ryder pulled himself together. He
showed his family the cake and they continued to share their best wishes for
him. They chilled out at Auntie Jannie’s for about two hours before heading
back to her apartment.
Diamond put her arm through Ryder’s as he carried two slices of cake. He
decided to leave the majority for Kimmy and Auntie Jannie since they would be
leaving for Atlanta soon.
“Thank you for this. Another special moment. How many of these do you have left
in you?” He laughed.
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself. You didn’t even know I knew it was your
birthday. Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I stopped celebrating my birthday a long time ago. It’s easy to forget about
it when all your days start running into each other.”
Diamond unlocked the front door to her building. “Well I didn’t forget and I
wanted to do something for your special day that you wouldn’t forget.” She
stopped in the lobby. “I wanted to remind you that you are special. Your family
has forgiven you for the wrong choice that you made five years ago. Now it’s
time for you to forgive yourself.”
Ryder held the cake off to the side. “You know, experts say that the one thing
a man needs to begin the forgiving process is a kiss from a very beautiful
woman.”
A slow smile spread across her face. She draped her arms around his neck. “Well
we can’t argue with the experts, now can we?”
“No ma’am.” He pressed his lips against hers. He pulled back. “They also said
that a man needs a nice full body massage especially on his birthday. It helps
with the healing process.”
“What?” She slapped him on the arm playfully.
“Hey, we can’t argue with the experts now, can we?” He flashed a sexy grin.