When Love is Unfinished. Nicole Cooke

      4

      Thanks Mike for bringing me home, and walking me to the door. That rain came out of nowhere; do you want to come in a dry off a bit? Clarissa asked. Yes that will be fine; I need this rain to let up some! Man, she is fine he thought, he also felt his nature rise. Chill Mike you are a gentleman, so conduct yourself accordingly in this lady’s house, he whispered to himself. Mike had no problem getting any chick on campus. He was a good-looking six-foot-three dark and lovely man. It wasn’t often that you’ll find a dark-skinned brother with beautiful eyes and chiseled jaws and chin. However Mike didn’t want just any girl, he want a love of his own, not like his cheating mother.

      Big Michael, Mike’s father, was a hardworking blue-collar man He loved his wife and his son, Little Mike. Big Mike often work the graveyard shift to pull in extra income to supply his wife and son everything they needed and want, which often was unappreciated by his wife, Candace. “Ahhh Stevie.” Hmmm. “Oh goodness, yes right there.” Little Mike was awaken to his mom’s moans and groans one night. “Stevie? Who’s Stevie?” lil Mike thought. My daddy’s name is Mike, like mine, he thought. To avoid getting into trouble lil Mike climbed back into bed and fell back to sleep. “What the hell!” Big Mike yelled. Who the hell is this, Candace! “How you gonna have another nigga in my house around my son?” Big Mike’s booming voice woke lil Mike from his sleep. Wait Mike I can explain, I didn’t know you was getting off early please you’re gonna wake lil Mike up! Little did she know lil Mike was already up and standing in the hallway watching the whole thing… I bust my a§§ working to take care of you and this is how you repay me? Big Mike yelled. I loved you Candace I did everything for you. Big Mike sobbed. In the meantime Stevie slid past him and lil Mike and was out the door. “Wait Mike let me explain… It only happened this one time. Pleeassee noooooo. Bang bang! Noooo, Mommy, nooo… Lil Mike could not believe his eyes, his dad just killed his mother, but it didn’t end there… Aw Candy! What have I done, get up please I’m sorry baby I don’t know what came over me, ohh Godddd. At the moment lil Mike watched his dad put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger. BANG! That night Mike’s life changed, he was sent to live with his Aunt Shirley in Baltimore, and with a lot of counseling and prayer Mike was able to put the past behind him and live a normal life.

      Hey Mike do you want some hot tea or coffee you got soaked and it’s a bit chilly in here, Clarissa asked. Mike was checking out her apartment she had a lot of books and CDs and a lot of art on the wall. Yes that would be great. So Clarissa what do you do for a living? If you don’t mind me asking. No I don’t mind she replied, I’m a naked floor technician! A what? Mike asked with a confused look on his face. A stripper! That’s my profession, Clarissa answered. Oh Mike said disappointedly. “Jack-a-bull!” giggled Clarissa, I’m a teacher, I teach children with autism. Oh you got jokes I see! Mike was a little turned on by her humor but so relieved that it was a joke! He notices pictures of an older-looking lady that favor Clarissa a lot… Hey Clarissa, is this your sister in these pictures? Nope yell Clarissa from the kitchen. That’s my mother, she laughed as she walked in with two coffee mugs sitting them down on the table. She was my best friend well besides Ashley. “Was?” Mike asked curiously? Yes, she passed away three years ago, she lost her battle to breast cancer. Oh so that’s why you’re so into pink and respecting the tatas! He mentioned. Yes you catch on really quick!

      Clarissa’s parents were natives of the Bahamas; her mom was half Bahamian and Italian which gave Clarissa her exotic look. Her dad was a hardworking taxi driver, when he found out that Clarissa’s mom was pregnant he married her and save enough money and moved to the States. Shortly after that, Clarissa was born healthy and beautiful. She grew up a couple of doors down from Ashley, those two shared everything from the new bikes to naming their cabbage patch kids. Although Clarissa and her mom were taken care of finically, her dad harbored a dark demon…alcoholism. Gary your drunk again! Cathy screamed, dodging blows Clarissa’s father was throwing at her. “No, I’m not! I’m just tired of you nagging me when I come home! Where is my daughter? She’s the only one that loves me around here! Clarissa!” he yelled. “Com’er and give your daddy a hug,” he said in his drunken state. “Hey, Daddy, how are you felling today?” Clarissa said hesitantly all the while looking at her mom’s black eye she was trying to hide. I’m doing good now that I see you baby girl come sit on Daddy’s lap, how was school today? It was good, Daddy. I got a hundred on my spelling test! That good, baby, you’re so smart! Clarissa noticed a bulge coming through her dad’s pants and immediately jump out of his lap. Go outside and play Clarissa, I think Ashley is looking for you… Hurry. Cathy knew that if she didn’t get her and Clarissa away from Gary, something awful was going to happen and that something came real soon.

      Mommy, I’m home, Clarissa yelled making her presence known like she always does when she gets out of school… Mommy, can I have a cookie I’m hungry… Still no answer… Mommyyyyy, Clarissa sang while walking to the cookie jar… She’s not here she went to the store, Gary said scaring Clarissa who was stealing a cookie. Oh Daddy you scared me! Can I have this cookie, she chuckled. Sure you can, how was school? Come give me a hug… Clarissa got down from the counter and skipped toward her dad. When the smell of hard liquor stopped her in her tracks, she slowly went toward him and gave him a quick hug, “Oh come on Clarissa what kind of hug was that.” She went back but this time Gary held on just a little too tight. Clarissa tried to squirm from his grips but he was to strong… Stop moving Rissa I just want a kiss. Clarissa screamed but no one was home to hear her, at that moment Gary slapped Clarissa and started to pull his pants down. Clarissa could not believe what was about to happen, but just in the nick of time Cathy came through