+Intent48-50+After dinner, Edith excused herself to take care of the luggage and threatened AJ, not to touch the dishes. He waited a few minutes after she was gone and began clearing the table. Denise got up to help and AJ playfully smacked at her and told her, “Sit your ass down woman! I told you, I’d do it!” Denise and Win laughed heartily as Serenity jumped up into her lap. “Oh hi sweetie. You are such a pretty dog, yes you are.” Win said petting her on the head and down the back. “Truth be told, she’s AJ’s favorite.” Denise said. “What kind of dog is she? She looks like a mini collie or something.” Win asked stroking the dog’s fur. Tank and Daisy were fretting around AJ’s heals in the kitchen, begging for scraps. Every once in a while he’d throw each dog a piece of something to stop them bugging him. “I think she’s a sheltie. Daisy is a Bichon frise, I think, and Tank, he’s a Chesapeake Bay Retriever. I got him for AJ for his birthday two years ago. After that a friend of mine had to get rid of a puppy, that was Serenity, and he bought Daisy not too long ago.” Denise replied as Daisy raced into the dining room. By the time Edith had finished arranging the rooms to her satisfaction, AJ had finished the dishes and was getting the dogs on leashes to take them for a walk. When Edith returned to a clean dining room and kitchen she smacked AJ around the head with a roll of paper towels. “What matter with you? Is my job! My job! You take my job! Why you have me! Why don’t you fire me! Tu no necessitas mi! Niguna necessita Edith! Niguna quiere!” “I love you Edith!” AJ said sheepishly, and giving her a hug. “Oh fine, estupido, pallasjo! No more!” She said hitting him one more time with the towels. “I’m taking the dogs for a walk, keep Win company for me.” AJ said before heading outside. “Win, I take you upstairs, to you and Seinor’s room.” Edith said reentering the dining room. “Thank you Edith, dinner was delicious.” Win said climbing out of her chair. Once upstairs, Win really got to see how large the house was. The halls were gigantic, and everything was beautifully decorated. Edith led her along the hall, all the way to the end with a giant bedroom overlooking the back yard garden. There was a giant patio with double doors attached, and Win could just glimpse a pool. A king-sized bed was in the corner, angled out so both sides were accessible. It was a white room, with soft plush gray carpeting and black accessories. Some framed watercolors accented the walls here and there. But other than that, the room was empty. Win noticed Jack’s cage on the side table. It was freshly scrubbed, with new food and water, and he was nibbling on a large peanut shell. “You didn’t have to clean him out Edith, that’s my job.” Win laughed taking a moment to pet her rat. “Is no trouble. He a very nice rata.” Edith replied smiling. Edith led Win around the room, showing her where she had stowed her clothes and bags, where the bathroom was and then the patio. “Seinor had this built when he moved in. Very nice. Pretty view.” Edith said pointing towards the garden and the pool. She noticed a small house set along the side of the property as well. “Is that yours?” Win asked. “Yes, Seinor very nice boss, he had built for me and me family.” Edith replied. “Oh are you married?” Win asked as Edith helped her to a chair on the patio. “Me no married. Solo me and me hija. She four year old now.” “Wonderful. What is her name?” “Latecia. Very good girl, she like Seinor mucho.” “I’d like to meet her.” Win said smiling. “She so much trouble sometime. I don’t bother you with her.” “Oh, I like kids. She’ll be no bother to me.” “Tomorrow, I bring her to meet you. Is okay?” “Of course. How long does AJ usually take the dogs out for?” “Seinor knows no time with perros. Some time one hour, other time two. Some time all day.” Edith replied. Denise knocked on the patio door. “Hi Denise.” Win said. “Hola chicas, would you mind if I borrowed Edith for a minute?” she asked. “Oh no, go ahead, you two must have loads to talk about, I can’t keep up.” Win replied sincerely. “Nice to talk to you Senorita,” Edith said politely getting up. “Win, just Win.” “Okay, Win, good night.” “Thank you!” Win called after Denise and Edith. Win liked Edith and Denise both very much, but she was glad for a quiet moment to think to herself. Every once in a while she liked to stop and take inventory of what she had. Especially now since she had so much to be thankful for. She had her friends, her job, and now a new family, AJ and Denise. She had Jack, her rat. She had her health, although she was a little beat up, but she could be worse, and she had money to be independent with. She also had AJ’s promise. Thinking on this she looked down at her hand and looked at the word on her finger. Serenity. Its message was well received now, she was in serenity. She had a calm about her now. An irresistible calm and sweetness that came with it. Absolute serenity is where she was right now. The quiet, the stillness that came with a real love. She felt it enveloping her as much as AJ’s arms did when he held her. She was so lucky. AJ jogged around the corner, the dogs in front of him as he spotted his favorite bench. The dogs knew where he wanted to go and ran towards it, pulling him along. He plopped down on it, Daisy and Serenity jumping up onto the bench beside him, everyone panting from their run. “Oh boy. It’s been a while since I did that. You guys are gonna have to keep me in shape.” AJ panted as Tank laid his head in his lap. “So what do you guys think of Win huh?” he asked ruffling up Tank’s ears. Daisy yipped twice in answer. “Really now?” AJ asked petting her as well. “That good huh? What about you Tank?” Tank batted his nose into his arm several times in rapid succession. Serenity barked as well. “I guess it’s unanimous! Cause guess what guys, I kinda like her too. I think she’s going to be sticking around for a while too.” The dogs all appeared to be smiling at him. Serenity barked three times and AJ turned to her. “What are you saying?” he asked playfully. She nipped at his finger. This time it hurt. “Ouch, what was that for?” he asked. He realized the finger she bit was the one usually protected by his ring. “Oh, yeah, I gave her the ring. So, what’s it to you?” he asked the dog. She bit the finger again. “Ouch! Now that really hurt! Cut it out!” AJ said pulling his hand away from the dog. “I got to get another ring, I forgot about the game you like to play, bite daddy’s finger off.” He said shaking his head. Then something hit him. “Get another ring. That’s exactly what I have to do. But I don’t know, what do you guys think?” AJ asked, looking at his dogs for an answer. They all just stared at him. “Oh a load of help you lot are. Get me thinking about things and then don’t answer me, that helps a lot. Oh and just for that bite, no treat for you Serenity.” AJ said petting her on the head. She growled playfully and hopped down off the bench, Daisy following her. “Yeah, might as well go home. I don’t have to think about it right now.” AJ said as he stood up. He and the dogs jogged all the way home. Upon entering the house, AJ let the dogs loose and went to the kitchen to fill their water bowls. While there he lit up a cigarette and was on his way upstairs when Edith spotted him. “No smoke in house! Bad for you! No more smoke! You want to smoke! You smoke outside! Not in house!” she yelled chasing him outdoors with the roll of paper towels again. “Hey, it’ my house, I can smoke in it if I want to!” AJ protested. “Yes, but I have to make house not smell like smoke, and is not nice. Is bad for you. Stop smoking! Ahora!” Win heard Edith shouting and got up to look over the balcony edge. AJ was standing outside smoking while Edith lectured him on smoking. She laughed. “I thought I told you to stop that!” Win called. AJ looked up and smiled at Win. “I’m tapering off!” he called, and Edith smacked him again. “Pallajaso! No more smoke!” She pulled the cigarette out of his hand and disappeared into the house with it. “I guess I’m done, I’ll be right up beautiful!” AJ called with a smile. AJ jogged up the stairs and ran to his room. He found Win sitting on the patio, one leg propped up on a chair. “So I see that I’m not the only one who wants you to quit smoking?” Win asked with a raised eyebrow. AJ leaned down to kiss her. “Yeah, you’re not.” She crinkled her nose as he came near her.
“Yeah, I was running with the dogs.” He said taking a seat.
“No, not that, it’s the smoke, I can’t stand the smell anymore, it’s making me nauseous.” Win replied covering up her nose and mouth.
“Don’t you start, you smoked three packs last night,” he said pointing a finger at her, an eyebrow raised.
“Yeah, and you remember what happened this morning, I puked. Go take a shower, get rid of most of it, if you can.” Win said.
“All right, all right you big baby.” He said getting up. He walked over to her again and snorted in her ear to make her laugh.
“I’ll be right back, the dogs will keep you company.” AJ whistled and all three dogs charged into the room full pelt.
“Okay, you take care of Win while I’m in the shower.” He said picking up Serenity and placing her in Win’s lap. She laughed as all the dogs barked in understanding as he walked away.
Win decided to move inside and took a seat on the bed so she could put her ankle up more comfortably. AJ emerged from the shower ten minutes later, a towel wrapped around his waist. Win whistled at him.
“My oh my, what kind of man, do I spy with my little eye?” she asked, catcalling. AJ flexed his muscles for show and the dogs barked.
“Eh, get outta here, I got some business to attend to,” he said opening the door and showing the dogs out. He returned and sat down on the edge of the bed where Win was relaxing and grinned at her.
“Did you lock the door?” she asked.
“Mm hum.” He nodded.
“Good, then come here.” She said beckoning him forward with her finger. He leaned forward, supporting his weight with his hands against the bed and the headboard, and kissed her. She encouraged him, slinking a little lower on the bed and holding his neck with one hand. He moved in slowly, gently, because he knew she was still sore. His hand gently touched her hip. She didn’t push him away. His hand moved a little higher. She gasped and pulled away.
“Ow,” she gasped, her face contorted in pain.
“Oh, baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” He said regretfully.
“Mm, yeah, it’s not you baby, it’s just still really tender.” She replied, still grimacing.
“That’s okay, we’d better not, not until you’re fully recovered. I don’t want to hurt you more.” He said kissing her delicately on the cheek.
“I suppose not.” She said finally, smiling slightly, disappointed.
“You’ll be better soon, don’t worry, and then we’ll do it, night till dawn.” He said, grinning.
“You better get changed then, otherwise it’ll be trouble.” She said laughing at him. He kissed on the forehead and stood up.
“Damn, what a waste!” she said watching him walk away.
AJ woke up in the middle of the night to Win thrashing around in bed, crying. He woke her gently, and she sat up against the headboard, holding her heart, catching her breath.
“What’s the matter?” he asked.
“I dreamt about it. About being raped again. I heard him again, walking up behind me, and I couldn’t get up. I just couldn’t get up.” Win said closing her eyes, her breathing finally returning to normal.
“It’s okay, there’s no one to hurt you here. You’re safe.” AJ said pulling Win into his arms.
“I haven’t had that dream in years.” Win said as AJ rocked her back and forth. He cringed, feeling guilty, as he had made her tell him what happened, bringing it up again and making her think about it for the first time in years.
“I’m all right, really, I’m okay.” Win said looking up at AJ.
“You sure?” he asked.
“Yeah, lets just go back to sleep.” She said.
“Okay, I’ll be right back.” AJ said slipping out of bed. Win hunkered down in the pillows and closed her eyes. AJ grabbed his cigarettes and lighter from the side table and tiptoed to the patio.
“If you are going to smoke, forget about coming back to this bed.” Win said. AJ turned around and found himself looking at the back of Win’s head.
“Damn, she’d good.” He said to himself, as he walked back to bed, forgetting the cigarette. He slipped back into bed, gently putting his hands on Win so as not to hit her bruises, and felt her body relax next to him. She took his hand, gently laying on her hip and pulled it under her arm, pressing his fingers to her lips.
“I love you AJ.” She whispered.
“I love you too Win.” He replied nuzzling into her shoulder, and thinking to himself, he had more than he deserved from this wonderful woman lying next to him. He resolved to quit smoking and throw out his cigarettes in the morning.
“Mister AJ! Mister AJ!” a small voice called. AJ sat up shaking his head.
“Mister AJ! Mister AJ!” the door flew open and a little girl careened into the room and jumped up onto the bed.
“Mister AJ is home!” she squealed happily, crawling onto AJ’s lap.
“Oh, Latecia, hey baby, how are you?” he asked with a yawn. Win sat up, smiling when she saw the little girl. She was very sweet, bright brown eyes, black hair, and skin much lighter than her mother’s.
“Who are you?” Latecia asked brightly as AJ kissed the top of her head.
“Latecia, this is Winifred, Win, this is Latecia. The cutest little girl in all of Florida.” AJ said tickling her. She giggled and laughed.
“Leti! Leti! Donde esta!” They heard being called from the hall.
“She’s in here Edith!” AJ called. Edith dashed in.
“Leti, bad girl, you don’t do this!” Edith said going to grab Latecia off of AJ’s lap.
“Oh she’s fine Edith. It’s a nice way to wake up.” Win said smiling.
“She shouldn’t bother you.” Edith said embarrassed.
“Mommy, mister AJ and his friend are nice, they like me.” Latecia said with a smile.
“You spoil her!” Edith said shaking a finger at AJ.
“I can spoil her as much as I want.” AJ said tickling her again.
“Leti, come on, I make breakfast now.” Edith said holding out her arms to pick up her child.
“No, I want to stay with Mister AJ and Winniefredie!” Latecia whined.
“We can watch her Edith.” Win offered.
“Seguro?” she asked AJ.
“Yes Edith, she’ll be fine! I can watch a four-year-old for a while. I’m start to think you think I’m incapable of doing anything!” AJ said making Edith laugh.
“Pallajaso!” Edith said giving him a little push.
“Go on! Get out of here! You’ll have most of your daughter by the time you come back.” AJ said earning him a smack from Edith.
“Be good Leti!” Edith warned on her way out the room.
“Hey Leti, go in the closet and grab that red backpack.” AJ whispered in her ear.
“Okay!” Leti giggled and leapt off the bed careening towards the closet. She pulled the door open with some difficulty and dragged out AJ’s red backpack. She pulled it over to the bed and AJ helped her place it on the bed.
“Now open it.” He said. Latecia unzipped the bag and squealed with glee.
“Ooh, Egypt Barbie!” she said pulling the pink and white box out of the bag.
“Is she the right one?” AJ asked smiling.
“Yeah! See, says right here, Egyptian Princess. She’s so pretty. You look just like her, Winniefredie!” Latecia said crawling over to Win, sitting between her and AJ. She held out the doll to show Win.
“That is very nice Latecia. You can read that?” Win asked surprised.
“Uh huh, Mister AJ taught me! He’s a good teacher!” Latecia replied.
“I was teaching her mother English and she just sort of picked it up. She’s amazing.” AJ said glowing. Win smiled. Latecia looked from AJ to Win and smiled.
“Are you boyfriend and girlfriend?” she asked with a grin.
“Yes Leti, we are,” AJ laughed.
“Why don’t you have a baby?” she asked. Win laughed.
“Because sweet heart, we’re not married.”
“Mommy’s not married, and she had me. She says you don’t have to be married to have babies.” Latecia said knowingly.
“My goodness you are smart for a little girl!” Win exclaimed.
“I am four and a half! Thank you! I am not a little girl!” Latecia said proudly.
“You have baby for Mister AJ, then he be happy all the time!” Latecia said and both AJ and Win burst out laughing.
When Win finally stopped laughing she asked,
“Now where did you hear that?”
“From Mister AJ! He said, he wants a little girl, just like me, so he has a reason to smile and be happy. Cause Mister AJ always sad when he comes home. I have to make him laugh, see?” She asked blowing out her cheeks, sticking out her tongue and crossing her eyes.
“Now isn’t that a face to love?” he asked pushing her cheeks in as Latecia made a popping noise.
“See, I have to make him smile. But you make him smile too!” Latecia said pointing at Win.
“Yes, she does. Why don’t you look in the bag again?” he said. They spent the rest of the morning watching Latecia play with her presents AJ had brought her. She was an adorable child and Win found out it was not unreasonable for AJ to be so fatherly to her, considering that Latecia’s real father was probably out of the picture.
“Did you get your postcards?” AJ asked.
“Yeah! All forty three of them!” Latecia said happily.
“Forty three? You must have sent them like every other day.” Win said surprised.
“I get them to show you!” Latecia said jumping up and off the bed, running as fast as she did before.
“That is so cute! You are so adorable, it’s like she’s your daughter!” Win said laughing.
“She’s too sweet, I love sending her postcards, she loves to collect them. She doesn’t get to travel, and she likes to get things from other places. That’s why she likes those Barbie dolls, the international ones, I started her collection of them. She’s never opened them. She has these shelves all the way around her room so she can see all of them.” AJ said with enthusiasm.
“You like this kid thing, don’t you?” Win asked.
“I guess so, I just like doing things for her. She appreciates it so much, and from what Edith tells me, her real father, one of her ex-boyfriends, hasn’t had anything to do with Latecia, he didn’t want her. Edith also appreciates me doing things for her. I mean all that kid has to do, is look at me with those big brown eyes, and I’m wrapped around her little finger.” AJ said dreamily.
“You want your own kids, don’t you?” Win asked.
“I’m going to be honest with you, yes, I want my own kids. But I don’t want you to think you have to have kids for me. I mean, we haven’t even talked about any of that yet. We don’t have to right now any way.” AJ said as Win kissed him on the cheek.
“Well we have to sit down and talk about it soon then. Cause I think I may want kids of my own too.” Win replied. AJ looked at her with wide eyes.
“You mean it?” he asked excited.
“Yes, but not right now. I want to finish the tour, go to school, and get settled. But we’ll talk about this later.” Win said as Latecia flew back into the room with her collection of postcards to show Win.
|