Take One

Straight with Options

Kira Monique Bridges has the perfect man, Dr. Calvin Brooks Jr., who women would say is the real Prince Charming. He’s the type of man who knows how to thoroughly please and cater to his woman. Whether he’s proving that chivalry is still alive or making love to her femininity, Calvin treats his lady like a queen. Make no mistake, Kira is also on top of her game when it comes to pleasing her man. Whatever makes Calvin feel like a king, Kira does the job and does it well. Their compatibility as a couple not only blossoms through their intimacy, life’s accomplishments and mutual friendships, but through their verbal communication.

Communication is the key to every successful relationship, but if there are hidden truths then where did the communication falter?

Kira and Calvin’s “truths” will flip their world upside down in ways neither of them expected or ever thought possible. Their love will be tested, tried and brought to its knees, disabling their ability to stand firm on the foundation they have built together. The questions will be raised; does love really hide a multitude of faults? Does a lie or blatant betrayal qualify as mistakes that deserve to be hidden or overlooked? Or is that just a rule that God lives by? Calvin and Kira will be faced with these questions and more as their perfect romance opens the door to options.

Chapter Three

Secret Revelations

I have looked at Shena as my sister all these years and I’ve never been attracted to a woman for any reason. I’m comfortable in my straightness and wouldn’t hesitate to give another woman a compliment because that’s what we as women do. I’m definitely not questioning my sexuality, but I have a few inner questions to ask myself. The biggest one right now is why the hell am I stimulated by my best friend?

If Beverly knew this or saw what just happened she would hit the roof. She would drag us out of here faster than we can blink.

“Would you like to dance KiKi?”

“Are you serious Shena?”

“Yes I am,” she leaned close to whisper in my ear and her breasts are resting against my arm. The tingling feeling that I had while watching her earlier is beginning again and I’m trying to fight it.

“I don’t think so Shena. You think you’ve had too much to drink?” I asked, trying to make light of the moment.

“Actually, I haven’t had enough.” She drinks the last of her wine then takes me by the hand. “Come with me.”

I want to pull away, but I can’t. I desire to know what it feels like to be in the shoes of her previous dance partner.

At first I remain frozen not knowing exactly what to do or how to act. I begin to loosen up with Shena’s hands on my hips as she moves them to the music. I close my eyes and lean my head back onto her shoulder while she lifts my arms up to her neck. Cheek to cheek we move to the same melody and she gently caresses my stomach then clinches her hands together to hold me closer. We dance and we dance.

As Shena spins me around to look at her, I focus on her full lips glistening from the gloss. Her eyes are holding me hostage under her enticing spell. She touches my face lightly with her finger tips and goose bumps form on my arms and chest. She closes the gap between us, still dancing with less movement. As her hands comfort my face our lips connect. I’m kissing my best friend passionately and enjoying every minute of it.

I look her in the eyes, hiding my lips with my hand. I slowly walk away from her then faster once my hand is no longer in hers.

“Are you okay?” Timothy asked.

“Yeah I’m fine. I’m going to take a cab home. Tell Shena I’ll talk to her soon.” I could barely look him in the eye, but kissed him on the cheek before exiting the club.

“Get home safely,” he shouted.

There is no way I just locked tongues with a woman in front of all of those people. They are probably thinking that I’m a lesbian when that is furthest from the truth. I love the strong hands of a man and how he’s able to satisfy me on every level. Kissing Shena has made me go against everything that I have lived all this time. I never looked at myself any differently from a homosexual. We are all looking for love, it’s just that my idea of love has always been with a man. I wish I had more to drink, that way I can blame my actions on the liquor. One cosmo does not grant enough justification for what I did.

This is the most confusing feeling I have ever had in my life. Did I just cheat on Calvin by kissing her and liking it? Is my best friend gay and decided not to tell me? I wish I knew what to do or how to erase the last hour of my existence. I should have just stayed home with Calvin and made love all night until it was time to get up for work.

What the hell do I say to Calvin? Do I tell him the truth or keep this to myself? We don’t have any secrets between us, but I’m not sure how he will react to this. How do I look Shena or Timothy in the face again after tonight? I’m totally at a loss and I don’t want things to be awkward. I don’t know what to feel or what I should do. I know avoiding them isn’t the answer, I also know repeating what happened tonight isn’t either.

“Calvin.”

“Hello baby,” he answered his phone tiredly. “Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yes I’m fine. I just wanted to hear your voice so I decided to call.”

“I thought you were at the club with Shena and Timothy.”

“I am, but I miss you. Can I come over?”

“Now you know you don’t have to ask me that. I’ll be waiting.”

“Okay baby. Oh Calvin,” I quickly said his name.

“Yes.”

“I love you so much.”

“And I love you too baby. I’ll see you in a bit.”

I put my hand out to signal for a taxi to stop and hopefully when I see Calvin his tender kisses can erase my guilt and confusion.

Chapter Four

Flipping the Script

Mondays already start the beginning of a strenuous work week and the idea of last night is added stress that I don’t need or want. Calvin was concerned that something was wrong when I climbed in his bed ripping off his muscle shirt and boxers. Once I got started, his worrying stopped and it turned into some great sex. I didn’t bother to take off my black dress or thong before I began riding him as fast as he could handle. I was desperate in making sure that I was as straight as I was before I went to Triumph. After round three I was more than certain that I’m still a lover of dick.

Take Two

And So Shall You Reap

Cornell Kylan Ellis is one of the top criminal defense attorneys in Massachusetts and whomever disputes this fact, isn’t worthy of his time. His spotless record of winning the most unwinnable cases and defending the worse of the worse is how he thrives and makes his living. Morality and ethical tactics are the last things on his mind. Outside of making money and maintaining his upscale lifestyle, the only person that matters to him is his little girl Kayla.

Cornell’s arrogance and “who gives a shit” attitude is going to bring him face to face with his biggest fear that he never knew existed. His mentality of living above the law and cutting legal corners is about to end. He will be completely broken emotionally and spiritually in a way that could destroy all that he has built and knows to be real.

Sowing on good ground will bring forth a harvest, but Cornell is about to reap a harvest that will force him to revaluate his life’s choices and decisions. He is about to witness first hand that what goes around, comes around or better yet, and so shall he reap.

Cornell vs. King Ellis

(Surname – Egotistical)

The NBA finals craze is spreading across Boston like an epidemic. Tonight the Celtics will either triumph over their long time rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, or go one more game to hopefully place the trophy back here in Beantown where it belongs. I imagine that I will have to defend some stupid irresponsible idiot tomorrow if the Celtics win or lose because he couldn’t control his drunken ass.

This match-up is so monumental that all of the attorneys in my office, including the women, are ready to see the Lakers fall. As I always say after a triumphant defense in court, “a day of misdeed is a day of defensive victory,” is my sentiment for tonight’s game.

The Celtics haven’t won a championship game since 1987, which is a damn shame. I just refuse to believe that my boys will let down the entire city of Boston and lose the most important game in history, especially when they’re playing at home. If they lose, then I will be inclined to argue that they didn’t have the heart to be champions again.

As I sit here in my home office, I change the channel on my 58” plasma to the sports network to monitor what’s in store for tonight’s game. Briefly I lean back in my leather chair to sneak a peek at my six year old baby girl, Kayla. I watch her jump up and down enjoying her favorite show, Dora the Explorer, without a care in the world.

Since the first day I held Kayla in my arms I knew that I had to be the best in order to give her the best. That day I determined in my mind that no matter the cost that I would do whatever necessary to provide for her. Shortly after she was born, my ex-wife Nikki and I split up. In fact, Nikki let me know while she was lying in the hospital bed that she wanted a divorce.

My response to her was a simple “OK” and I continued cradling Kayla in my arms.

Early on that Saturday when I brought them home from the hospital, I had divorce papers in our room on Nikki’s pillow ready for her signature. I convinced her that I was quite generous in the settlement and that I didn’t want a thing from her, except full custody of our daughter.

I put in the divorce decree that she could remain in the home with us until Kayla turned one and then she would have to leave. I promised to take care of all her moving expenses and she would have visitation rights every weekend and we would alternate on holidays. I saw to it that Nikki would be financially set and continue to bask in the lifestyle that she was accustomed to while she was with me during our seven year stretch.

For a brief minute, my ex went temporarily insane when she started making all types of crazy threats that she couldn’t follow through with. I allowed her time to go off, knowing that she would come to her senses when she realized who she was speaking to. The best attorneys can’t go against me, Cornell Kylan Ellis, and win so I don’t know what she was smoking when she flipped out. Luckily for her I was in a good mood and it was yet again, a day of misdeed and a day of defensive victory the previous day.

I knew that my perfect record of never losing a case is what provoked me to proceed with getting full custody of my daughter. Although getting what I want in a divorce battle is different from winning a criminal case, I view winning in any situation the same. I also had an epiphany that once Nikki left, I needed help so I hired Ms. Margaret Holliman as a full time live in nanny. Kayla loves her like a second mother and she not only takes care of baby girl, she keeps me in line as well. Who needs a wife when I can pay someone to do all the things a wife complains about such as washing clothes, cleaning dishes and cooking a full course meal. The only thing my union with Ms. Holliman lacks is sex and quite frankly, I’ll pass on that with her.

As I listen to Magic Johnson and the other commentators speak about their predictions for tonight’s game, I open a locked drawer to my desk and remove a blunt from my stash. I take one more look at Kayla through the ajar door before going to the window to begin my relaxation process. I close my eyes, inhaling deeply before allowing the cloud of smoke to leave my nostrils and mouth. I drift heavily into my high while thinking about my life. I open and close my eyes gazing at my various degrees and accomplishments that are all framed and nailed to the wall. I think to myself “you’re a bad muthafucka” when the office door opens slowly, exposing Ms. Holliman’s half grin. I immediately dispose of the blunt as if she’s oblivious to the lingering smell and smoke.

“Hey, hey, what’s up Ms. Holliman?” I asked, hiding my bottom lip underneath my top one.

“Mr. Ellis, how many times have I told you that that stuff is no good for you? Just nasty I say,” she said, pulling some air freshener from her apron. “It’s about time for dinner.”

“You can bring my dinner in here,” I said, leaning against my desk.

“I don’t think little Kayla will like that too much. You know how much she looks forward to having dinner with you at the dinner table.”

“Yeah I know but the game…”

“Daddy!” Kayla said with a smile then a frown. “Eww daddy, you pooted again,” she giggled while fanning her hand in front of her nose.

I laugh. “Daddy is sorry for pooting baby. You know I can’t hold stuff like that in all the time. Plus I have smelt your poots too,” I said, holding my nose then tickling her stomach.

“You’re funny daddy,” she said, leaping into my arms. As I look at her beautiful dark ebony completion, she begins twirling the hair from my goatee.

“Daddy, can we eat now? I’m hungry and Ms. Holli cooked pizza.”

“Yes we can eat. How about we sit here in Daddy’s offi ce and eat so that I can watch the game?”

“Umm…okay. Can I bring my Dora doll too? She’ll be lonely if I leave her in der,” she said, pointing in the direction of the living room. “And Ms. Holli can come too right daddy?”

“Of course,” I said.

“Oh no, I’m going to cuddle up in my bed and read a book until I fall asleep. Taking care of the two of you is a wonderful chore, but I’m a little tired,” Ms. Holliman said smiling.

“What’s chore?” Kayla asked, looking at Ms. Holliman for an answer while continuously playing with my facial hair.

“Oh it means that I love taking care of you,” she replied kissing Kayla on the cheek. “Come with me so you can wash those hands and we can bring the pizza in here together. How does that sound?”

“Yea! Okay. Be back daddy,” she said skipping out the office.

“No more,” Ms. Holliman instructed and I knew exactly what she was referring to. I chuckle and go behind the desk to lock the drawer.

I lounge on the couch facing the television when the phone begins blaring.

“Damn. Hello,” I asked flustered. “Who is this?”

“Hey Mr. Ellis. It’s Terron.”

“Terron, what are you doing calling my house? You know my office hours,” I snapped. “This shit better be good. I told you that this number is only to be used for emergencies.”

“This is an emergency Mr. Ellis.”

“It better be.” I pick up the remote to turn up the volume while I pretend to care about what he’s going to say.

“That man’s wife called my house and said that her attorney found an eye witness to testify that I was seen leaving the store where the owner was shot. What am I supposed to do now? Th ey are going to pin this murder on me and then I’m screwed.”

“What are you so worried about? I told you I got this case in the bag.”

“Yeah I know, but that’s before this new witness came up. Why didn’t you tell me about the witness? Or did you not know about it?” Terron asked.

“Negro, don’t you ever question me again,” I exclaimed. “Especially when it was your punk ass that shot the old man. Money talks and that’s the only reason I’m going to get you off . Otherwise I would let you rot in prison. It doesn’t matter to me one way or the other,” I said callously

“I know I shot him but it was an accident and you said that you would make it go away. Now there’s this witness and I’m trippin man,” he said nervously. “I’m sorry for questioning you Mr. Ellis. I don’t want to go to prison.”

“You won’t. I told you that I have this under control. Be in court tomorrow wearing your GQ and leave the rest up to me,” I said assuredly.

“I will. What are you going to do about the witness?”

“If you ask me one more question I swear I will have you bending over picking up soap for some horny hard dick sissy with an attitude problem. Have I made myself perfectly clear?”

“Yeah man,” he responded quietly.

“Daddy! Daddy! Here’s da pizza,” Kayla came in bouncing around the office.

“Look, I gotta go,” I hung up abruptly. “Hey, baby girl. Daddy is really hungry too. You ready to eat?”

“Yep.”

I reach for the remote, turning on the surround sound as if we’re in a movie theater. Kayla and I slide to the floor devouring Ms. Holliman’s homemade pizza as the Celtics begin, what I believe, will be a historic ass beating.