Trouble In Paradise (2 page)

Chapter 2

Joshua pulled out of the driveway and on to the main road.

“Buckle up baby we’re off.  I am so excited!  It should take us about eight hours to get there according to the GPS system.”

“As long as you don’t drive like Ms.
Daisy in the back seat we can get there sooner.”  

“Girl come on now, you know we’ll be there before that you’re the one that drives slow.” 

She reached t
owards the radio, turned it on and rolled down the window.  The Black Eyed Peas were pumping through their speakers and Victoria was singing along as the wind blew threw her hair.  Victoria’s black straight hair went past her shoulders by just an inch or two. Her smooth brown skin was soft like chocolate butter. Her long brown legs were not society’s idea of skinny, she was more on the thick side and loved it, her jeans did too. “Double Play,” the voice from the radio said,
“I gotta a feeling whoo hoo that tonight’s gonna be a good night, that tonight’s gonna be a good good night a feeling, whoo hoo!”
  Victoria adjusted her seat back and closed her eyes.  She was sound asleep before she knew it.

*****

Joshua stepped into the gas station. He had run out of gas a long time ago and was fortunate the car didn’t cut off.  Victoria was still sleeping. 
I didn’t realize she was that tired, or maybe I put her to sleep with that twelve play I gave her back at the house,
he thought. 

Joshua walked up to the counter, “Let me get forty five on pump seven and a Black & Mild, these drinks are also for me.”  Joshua was a mild smoker but he was trying to stop all together. 

“Fifty two nineteen,” the cashier said.

“That’s gonna be Visa.”

“Ok, slide your card here,” the cashier pointed to the card reader. 

“Have a good night.” 

Joshua drove four hours on one tank of gas and plan to make it the rest of the way on this fill up.  He didn’t think of himself as cheap but he didn’t see the reason why it wouldn’t make it.  Joshua walked up to the gas tank and set it to pump on its own.  He walked off to the curb to light his Black & Mild.  His phone rang.  Joshua looked down at his phone.  It was Danielle, his ex-girlfriend.  She would not stop calling him even though told her repeatedly to move on; still something inside him was kind of weak for her.  For some reason he just couldn’t shake her. 

“What’s up
,” Joshua answered. 

“You?” she said
. 

“What’s up Danielle,” he said with an irritated tone. 

“Oh don’t take that tone of voice with me what’s your problem today?” 

“I don’t have a problem, what’s up?” 

“Where are you?” she asked. 

He hesitated, “Why?” 

“Come on now what’s with the cold shoulder?”

“I just want to know why you keep calling me as if not
hing has changed between us Danielle.  I’m gone,” he said with finality. 

“Gone where?” 

“I’m moving to Chicago with Victoria you know this, don’t act like this is something new.” 

“Are you kidding me?  Are you serious Joshua? You’re gone baby, you out of my life for good.  It’s over forever? Is that what you’re telling me baby?
Tell me in those exact words that you have left, and the part of our lives with each other in it is gone.” 

Joshua didn’t say anything. 

“Tell ME!” she demanded. 

“Danielle...don’t do this to yourself, don’t do this to me, stop with the dramatics and save it aight.”  

“Just tell me Joshua, if you’ve moved on with your life and your one hundred percent sure you don’t want me in it, tell me right now and stop beating around the bush about it!”

Joshua was quiet.  “Look, I really don’t want to argue with you Danielle I gotta go.” 

“Don’t hang up I still love you!” she screamed through the phone, “What about us?” 

Joshua hesitated again, closed his eyes and exhaled,

“There is no us Danielle. We had our time. It’s over, get over it, the sooner the better.” 

He hung up. He didn’t like being mean to her but she couldn’t seem to get over her attachment to him and it would have to happen in order for them to move on.  He was really trying to move on.  She was not.  Danielle was Joshua’s girlfriend from high school until his sophomore
year in college.  Danielle’s caramel complexion, long sandy red hair and dark brown eyes are what attracted Joshua to her at first sight.  She was sexy and she used that sex appeal to an advantage to get him to give in to her from time to time. Not this time, he thought.  I’m moving on.  Joshua heard the gas nozzle click, he put out his black and mild, walked over to the car, removed the nozzle and twisted the cap back on. 

“Let’s get to Chicago.” 

He got in the car put on his seat belt and put the car in drive.  We’ll be there before you know it he thought and pulled off. 

*****

Three hours later Victoria shifted in her seat and opened her eyes.  She had been sleeping soundly since they left Memphis. 

“How long have I been asleep?”

“Put it like this, the last sign we passed said ‘Chicago sixty seven miles.” 

He gave a boastful smile like yeah wha
t’s that driving Ms. Daisy you was talking earlier?

“Wow you’ve really been moving,” she said seriously su
rprised. 

“I told you, I got this,” he said beating his chest like he was the man of the hour.  “So are you hungry or can you wait ‘til we get to Chicago?” he asked changing the subject.

“I can wait.”

She picked her purse up off the back seat, opened it, and pulled out her gold case. Flipping it open she put a joint in her mouth and lit it.  They rode in silence the rest of the way.

Chapter 3

Danielle stared at the phone wondering if she should call Joshua bac
k.  The chase was getting old to her and she couldn’t stand the fact that he could be really moving on.  To up and leave wasn’t like him.  She usually could get anything she wanted from him.  Now it started to seem as if he was really slipping away.  She couldn’t let this happen.  She was not over him; they had grown into each other from high school to college.  Instead of calling Joshua she called January.  January was one of Danielle's closest friends.  Ring.

“Hello?”

“What’s up girl?” 

“Watching ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’.” 

“Oh them girls crazy,” Danielle said. 

“I know that’s why I watch it,” January said turning down the TV with the remote.  “When ‘Basketball Wives’ come on I’ll be watching that too,” she laughed.  “What you up to Ms. Lady?” 

“Girl, Joshua that’s what I’m up too.  What am I gone do with him?” 

January sighed, “Well what’s going on now? Last you said, he was being responsive like he might come around.”

“Girl, I called him,” Danielle said running her fingers threw her hair, “he said he has moved on.  He went to Chicago.” 

“
CHICAGO?” January was puzzled, “For what?” 

“Girl because that chicken head
moved up there he talking about her career and this idiot is with her!  Can you believe this?  Hung up on me and everything!  I mean I understand we went through a lot, I cheated on him, he cheated on me but we been through worse, I think.”

Danielle shook her head. 

“I thought we would spend the rest of our lives together.  Now I really think I have lost him.” 

“Danielle,”

January said not being able to take her friend getting ready to break down over this man,

“D
id you call me for advice or do you just need to vent?” she asked.

“Both.” 

“You know I’m gone give it to you straight.  I don’t like to see you hurt like this.  I can’t stand the fact that you go so berserk over this man.  You can have any man you want and you’re ignoring them all because you’re constantly after Joshua.  Now, if you feel like you want that man, if he really means that much to you, then go and get him.  But know this: he has to want you back, don’t be surprised if he rejects you.”

Danielle frowned. 

“I know it sucks but look at it this way, at least you won’t have to worry about playing games.  I’m all up for following your heart honey, but once you have your answer, you’re going to have to take it in stride.” 

“You’re right, although I don’t plan to be rejected,” she said with a sneer.  “He still loves me, I just know it.” 

“This may be true, but you have to think about the fact that he also loves her.  Look how far he has gone to be with her.  Don’t be blinded by doubt and love.  See the truth.” 

“What are you saying?” Danielle snapped. 

“Hey, don’t snap at me.  If you can’t handle the truth you shouldn’t even be talking to me about it.” 

“What does she have that I don’t?” 

“Maybe you should ask him.”

There was a brief pause. 

“So you think I should go after him?” 

“That’s what I would do if I was in your situation; just don’t be surprised Danielle if the answer is not the one you seek.  I’m just keeping it real.” 

“I see, well, I’ll have to wait until this weekend.  There’s no way I can miss work without notice.” 

“Just put in a time request to take an early vacation.  You know Shirlice will approve it, because you are her favorite.” 

“Yes, this is true,” Danielle said. 

“Ok, I’ll talk to you later.”

“Ok, bye.” 

Danielle dropped the phone.  She looked around her kitchen.  Everything was basically stainless steel with marble finish.  She hired an interior designer to come in and completely redo her kitchen and living room, it was a good deal.  She stared off into space while she thought about her last encounter with Joshua.  Her doorbell rang.  She had just gotten out of the shower; in fact she was still in the bathroom.  Steam rose out of the bathroom and followed her like a shadow down the hallway.  She was still wet, hadn’t had time to dry, not that she wanted to anyway.  The doorbell rang again.  She opened the door and Joshua walked in. 

“Why don’t you just use the key I gave you and come in?” she asked. 

“Because this isn’t my house anymore.” 

“Yes it is you know you don’t believe that.” 

“Here’s the money you needed.” 

“Thanks. Want something to eat?” 

Joshua wondered if she was talking about food seeing how she was standing there nearly naked. 

“I’m kinda hungry but I don’t want to bother you.” 

She laughed, “you cannot be serious she said.  You know you could never bother me.  Now have a seat.  I’ll be back.”

Joshua watched as Danielle walked down the hallway w
ater still dripping from her.  He knew it might be a bad idea to sit there, but he felt he had everything under control. Fifteen minutes had gone by and Joshua wondered what was taking Danielle so long.  He thought about going to her bedroom to see but decided against it.  He shouldn’t be there, he knew it.  The doorbell rang. 

“Who is it?” Danielle walked to the door. 

“Pizza!” the guy yelled back. 

Danielle opened the door, “How much?” 

The pizza guy pulled the box out of the thermal hot bag, “Twenty seven ninety nine.”

Danielle paid the man and stepped back into the house. 

“I thought you need money?” Joshua said. 

“Money for bills honey not for food.  What, you think I would play you for your money or something?” 

“I’m just saying, maybe if you bought groceries instead, your money could go further than it does.” 

“Oh, and then I could make you a home cooked meal right?” 

“I’ll take some pizza,” he said changing the subject. 

They ate pizza and remembered high school stories.

“So what about us growing old together remember that conversation?” 

I was wondering when that would come up
he thought. “Yes I do let’s not go there.” 

“Why not?” she asked.

“Let me tell you something Danielle.  I do love you, always will, but our relationship failed.”

“Don’t say that.”

“It’s true girl.” 

Danielle moved to her feet an
d turned her back on him.  “Ugh!” she screamed! 

He got up, moving behind her.  He didn’t want to hurt
her; after all she was someone he always thought would be in his life.  He rubbed her shoulders up and down. 

“We tried didn’t we?” he whispered in her ear. 

She turned to him and looked up in his face.  She revealed her shoulders and then the robe fell to the ground.  Joshua took a step back.  She was naked.  All this time.  Her skin looked like silk, her breast perfectly aligned.  Her midsection was smooth and flat, her hips outlined like Jessica in who framed Roger Rabbit. 

“Touch me,” she said in a soft whisper. 

She stepped up to him. 

How could a man
resist.  He touched her areola and then let his hands slide down to her waist line.  His hands dug into her skin, “Danielle,” he said and they begin to kiss. 

She stuck her tongue in his mouth and pulled his pants down.  He took his shirt off, it flew across the room.  The passion intensified and she jumped on top of him while he was still standing.  He held her like the soldier that he was passion and emotions absorbing them.  They kissed gripped and tugged at each other. 

“All I want is you
,” she said in a sexy urgent and desperate tone. 

And he gave himself to
her; with ecstasy in her face Danielle felt pleasure like never before.  He moved over to the couch and made love to her.  His phone rang. 

“Don’t answer it,” she said. 

“I have to see who it is.” 

“Nooo!” she s
creamed, “please baby don’t.” 

He didn’t. They continued making love their voices mending together to perform melody only lovers could make.  On the couch, on the floor, against the wall, for two hours straight like they hadn’t touched in years.

When Joshua’s common sense came back he realized his mistake.
 

“
You just seduced me.” He said.

“Ha!” she said “I
f that’s what helps you sleep at night.  So you need someone to blame now?”

He walked to the bathroom, dazed and dizzy.  He checked his phone, twelve missed calls, which was not usual.  He listened to his voicemail. 

“Hi, this message is for Joshua Eubanks.  This is Dr. Kellogg at Gifted Network Hospital, Victoria Mathis has been in an accident and you’re on her list as next of kin.” 

Joshua could feel all the blood drain from his face.  His phone slid from his hand and shattered against the bathroom tile.  He couldn’t believe his girl was in
the hospital and he was with his ex.  Danielle remembered Joshua leaving in such a hurry he was like a blur coming from the bathroom out the front door.  He is my man, she thought, and I will go to Chicago and get him.