Author's notes: This chapter is rated M for the sexual situations. You have be warned. For anybody who has seen the movie, think of Sandra Bullock's character in "Miss Congeniality" for Janelle's sing song voice. Y'all know the drill, so I'm not going to say it. Read, review and enjoy:o)
Monday August 14
Angel's home 11:55 p.m.
Angel pressed the 'end' button on the cordless phone and laid it on the nightstand table. She got out of the bed and went into the
bathroom to brush her teeth. She rinsed her mouth out and turned off the water. She flipped the bathroom light off and walked out.
She stopped at her dresser and picked up her locket. She opened it up to look at the picture of her and Bobby in Central Park. He
was sitting on a bench; she was standing behind him, leaning down with her arms wrapped around his neck. Bobby had taken the
week off to be with her to do the tourist-y stuff she had wanted to do. She smiled as she ran her thumb over the picture. She closed
the locket and put it back down. She crawled into her bed under a light sheet. Angel said a silent prayer, then turned off the nightstand
lamp. Within a few minutes, she was sound asleep with visions of Bobby floating around in her head.
Two years ago
2nd Friday in May
"Where are we going?" Angel asked Bobby. It was 10:00 p.m. on a Friday night. They had just finished eating dinner and
were now in a cab headed somewhere only Bobby and the driver knew because Bobby had whispered the location into the
driver's ear. "You'll see," he replied mysteriously. Even though they had met a month ago and had met for a few late night
coffees (hot chocolate or tea for her), this was technically their first date. "Come on. Tell me." "No. You'll see when we get
there." Angel gave him a pouty look, her bottom lip slightly stuck out. Bobby chuckled lightly at the look. He leaned over and
kissed her, slowly running his tongue across her bottom lip. Angel's eyebrows went up in surprise. This was their official first
kiss and Bobby was already using his tongue. She felt herself get wet and yearned for more. "Oh my God! I want him!" she
thought.
Angel put her hands on either side of Bobby's face and kissed him back, her tongue caressing his. When they finally came up
for air, they leaned into each other, forehead touching forehead. "I had to pout to get you to kiss me?" she asked. He
nodded. "Dude, you suck," she said playfully. Angel moved her hands from Bobby's face to his forearms as he moved his
head so that his lips were at Angel's ear. He whispered softly, "Well, I do that and eat, too." Yep, she was definitely aroused.
One more statement like that and she'd do him right then and there in the back of that cab. "Oh my!" she exclaimed softly.
"You're all that and a bag of chips, huh?" To prove his point, Bobby slowly and lightly licked at her earlobe. He heard her
softly panting, trying to catch her breath. He stopped his slow torture and smiled. Point well taken. She had a warm feeling
flow over her from the top of her head to the pit of her stomach. Angel finally caught her breath, biting her lip to slow down
her racing thoughts.
She leaned back in the seat and crossed her legs, her hands folded her in lap. Angel knew if she didn't move away from him,
Bobby would've started kissing on her neck and she would had let him have his way with her right there. Besides, she had a
funny feeling that the cab driver had moved his rearview mirror to see the action that was happening in the back. Bobby
leaned back, his head resting on the top edge of the seat. He turned his head to look at Angel, a smug look on his face. She
rolled her eyes at him and said, "Whatever, dude." He let out a hearty laugh. She leaned over and kissed Bobby on the lips
before moving to copy hispose, her face turned towards him.
Bobby took her hand and kissed the back of it. They smiled at each other. Angel saw Bobby's face suddenly cloud over with
fear and doubt. "What's wrong?" she asked. "I…I don't want to scare you. I'm probably coming on…too strong. I don't
mean to make you uncomfortable." " She squeezed his hand and shook her head. "You're just fine. If I didn't feel
comfortable with you, I wouldn't have talked to you at the hospital. Or met you for late night coffee. Or gone on this date
with you." Angel looked at Bobby. Doubt still clouded his face. She reached over with her free hand and touched his cheek.
"I'm fine. We're cool," she said trying to reassure him. Bobby snuggled his face in her hand and closed his eyes. He knew
Angel was special and didn't want her to think the only thing he was interested in was sex. True, that's what he wanted, but
he didn't want to rush her if she wasn't ready. "Okay," he finally said. When he opened his eyes, the fear and doubt was gone
for now. He sat up and put his arm around her, pulling her close. Angel snuggled into him and looked out the window,
watching the lights and sights of the big Apple go by.
When the cab reached its destination, Bobby put one hand over Angel's eyes. "Bobby, let me see," she said. "Nope." He tried
to reach into the front pocket of his jeans to pull out his money for the cab fare, but Angel kept struggling, trying to move his
hand. Bobby sighed, turning his head to whisper in her ear, "Please stop or I will resume what I was doing earlier." Angel
stopped moving and sighed. She folded her arms across her chest. "Okay. Whatever." He paid the driver, then opened the
door, making sure Angel couldn't see. He helped her out of the cab, shutting the door behind them. He turned her around and
said, "You can look now," as he dropped his hand. Angel blinked a few times to adjust her eyes to the light. She noticed that
across the street a line was formed outside of the Fiesta Fiesta Club. Angel looked up at him and smiled. "We're going
dancing?" she asked hopefully. "Of course," Bobby said. He took her hand and led her across the street to get in line.
Fiesta Fiesta Club, Angel noticed, was a predominately Latin club. There were varying shades and hues of Latin men and
women standing in line and bobbing their heads to the beat of the music that was pouring out of the club. She and Bobby
didn't look too out of place clothing-wise: Bobby with his untucked white casual dress shirt, dark blue denim jeans and black
shoes; she with her dark blue vest, a white tank underneath, lightly faded denim jeans and white K-Swiss shoes with blue and
white laces. Angel also noticed that Bobby practically towered over most of the guys there and that some of the ladies were
staring at him and licking their lips. Bobby, of course, was oblivious to the hungry stares. Angel smiled to herself and thought,
"Great. I'm gonna have to beat them off with a bat."
The music was playing loud and the dance floor was packed when they got into the club. Bobby stood behind Angel as she
stood at the edge of the dance floor, watching people dance and nodding her head to the beat. He put his hands behind his
back to keep from touching Angel all over. Just having her that close was making him hard. Angel turned around and held
out her hand. "May I have this dance?" she asked. Bobby took her hand and let her lead him out on the floor, grateful for the
diversion. Bobby enjoyed dancing with Angel, watching her move her body to the rhythm of the music; mesmerized by the
way her hips swayed to the beat.
After what seemed like an eternity of fast dancing, the DJ finally slowed the music down. Bobby had his arms wrapped
around Angel's waist; her arms around his neck. She looked up at Bobby and smiled. He smiled back at her. "God, she's
beautiful," he thought to himself. He leaned to put his forehead against hers. Angel rubbed her nose against his nose. "You
having fun?" he asked. "Yeah, I am. Are you?" Bobby nodded. He pulled her closer to him to better inhale her scent. Angel
smelled like peaches. He moved his head to put his lips near her ear again. Angel pressed her lips together to brace herself for
whatever sexual torment Bobby was about to lay on her. "Come home with me," he said in a low husky voice. "I promise you
a night you won't forget." Angel gasped as she felt a shiver of excitement go down her back. Bobby smiled to himself at her
reaction. He wondered what other erogenous zones Angel had besides her ears. He moaned slightly as he felt her slowly grind
her hips against him. Bobby pulled back to look at Angel. She looked at him for a brief second before looking down at the
floor. "Look at me and answer," he said. She looked up at him, biting her lip before answering softly, "Yes." That's all Bobby
needed to hear before taking her hand to lead her off of the dance floor and out of the club.
When they got outside, they walked down the street, holding hands, to get a cab. As they neared a waiting cab, Bobby's cell
phone started ringing. "Your jeans are ringing," Angel said with a smile. Bobby stopped to pull the phone out of his front
pocket. "Shit!" he said forcefully as he saw the caller ID. It was Alex. He looked at the phone and then at Angel, feeling torn
between going to work and getting laid. Angel smiled at him. "It's okay. Answer it." Bobby sighed heavily before flipping the
phone open, walking a couple of feet away from her to talk. After closing the phone, he walked over to Angel. He looked
down at her, searching her face for a hint of anger or irritation. The only thing he saw was peace and understanding. "I'm
sorry." Angel smiled at him as she wrapped her arms around his waist. "It's cool. You gotta protect the city from the bad
guys." Bobby hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead. "I'll make it up to you. I promise," he said softly. Angel just smiled
as Bobby took her hand and started walking towards the cab.
Monday, August 14
Bobby's Apartment, 11:55 p.m
Bobby pressed the 'end' button on the phone and laid it down on the nightstand. He got up and turned off his light. He laid down,
staring up at the ceiling in the dark, hands behind his head. He sighed as he thought about what Rob said about making choices. He
cursed again at Rob for knowing he had told Angel about Alannah. But then again he shouldn't have been too surprised Rob knew.
Rob was scary intuitive sometimes and he knew Bobby well enough to know that when it came to relationships, Bobby would always
try to be honest with the other person. Bobby then started thinking about Angel. He did wonder what she was wearing to bed. He
smiled to himself as he imagined her naked under the covers with Wee Jimmy. He was tempted to call her again to tell her his fantasy
and that he wanted her to fulfill it. "Maybe later," he said aloud as he stifled a yawn. He fell asleep within a few minutes with Angel still
on his mind.
Two years ago
Memorial Day Weekend
Major Case Squad Room, Early Friday morning
Horny. Antsy. Bobby couldn't decide how he felt. He just knew he was glad that this 2 week stakeout was over and done with,
Thieves had been breaking into warehouses all over the city. The powers that be decided that all the borough precincts would
put in double overtime to make the city safe for its citizens. It had gotten personal for the NYPD when a couple of guards,
who were retired NYPD police officers, had gotten shot and killed. They finally caught a break when an anonymous tip came
in about the next robbery. As much as Bobby enjoyed being a detective and solving cases and having Alex as his partner and
best friend, both were getting on his nerves right now because they had cut into his sex life or lack thereof. He had talked to,
but not seen, Angel since their date. Every time he imagined what she looked like naked, he'd have to go off and pace for a
while to work off the hard on he'd get. Hell, this was energy he could have been spending on sexual activity. Instead, it was
being wasted on waiting for a break in a case.
Even being part of the arrest team didn't help relieve Bobby's pent-up energy. He was sitting at his desk, one leg going up
and down furiously while he was typing up his report, his face scrunched up with intense concentration. Alex, sitting at her
desk, downed the last cold drops of her coffee and then stretched. "You all right over there?" she asked. Bobby stopped
moving his leg, but kept on typing. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired and ready to get the hell outta here." "Me too." Bobby glanced
at the clock on the computer. It read 3:50 a.m. He groaned silently. Just then Captain Deakins came through, stopping at
their desks. "Good work, you two," he said. They both murmured thanks. "I want you both to take this holiday weekend off.
I expect to see you back in here bright eyed and bushy tailed Tuesday morning." "Thanks, Captain," they said. "Don't thank
me. You've earned it. I expect you to be gone in 5 minutes." He walked off to his office. "Well, he doesn't have to tell me
twice," Alex said. "Let me go to the bathroom and then I'll give you a ride home." "Okay."
Bobby powered down his computer when Alex walked off. He picked up the phone and dialed a number.
"Hello?" a sleepy female voice said.
"Hey, Angel. It's Bobby."
"Hey, you. How are you?"
"I'm okay. Um, are…are you working this weekend?" Bobby knew Angel was working temporarily as a
bookkeeper/receptionist at a friend's security company while she stayed up in New York to help take care of T.J.
"No, I'm not. Jayson gave me the weekend off. Why?"
Bobby took a couple of deep breaths before saying, "Pack a bag. I'll be by to pick you up in 20 minutes." Bobby's leg started
going up and down furiously again. He heard her fumbling for something in the background. "Bobby, it's almost 4:00 a.m.
and I just fell asleep about 30 minutes ago. You can't wait to see me later?"
"No, I can't. I have the whole weekend off and I intend to spend every last minute of it cooped up in my apartment with you."
Horny was winning out over antsy right this minute.
Angel was quiet for about a minute. She softly sighed and said, "Okay. I'll be waiting for you." She chuckled a little. "You're
lucky I like you because I only do one impulsive thing a month."
Bobby smiled. "Thank you. I'll see you in a few. Bye"
"Bye."
Bobby had hung up the phone when Alex reappeared. "Ready?" she asked. "You go ahead and head on home. I'm gonna
catch a cab to see Mom." Bobby lied. "You sure? I don't mind taking you to Carmel Ridge." "Yes, I'm sure. Go enjoy your
weekend." "Okay." Alex shut down her computer and followed Bobby out of the squad room and onto the elevator.
When Bobby arrived at T.J.'s house, Angel was sitting on the steps waiting on him. He inhaled sharply and whispered "Oh my
God" when she stood up. She was wearing denim shorts and a double layer tank top that showed off her breasts. Angel also
had on a lightweight jacket to keep her warm against the chilly early morning air, with the hood up and dark shades. She
zipped up the jacket when she realized Bobby was staring at her. When he stepped out of the cab, Angel smiled as she took in
Bobby's appearance: black t-shirt and dark denim jeans and a 5 o'clock shadow. She noticed Bobby looked tired, like he
hadn't slept in a while. Then her eyes traveled below his belt. She could have sworn she saw a slight bulge in his pants. "Oh
my!" she said to herself.
Bobby stopped and stood on the 1st step, looking up at Angel. She lingered on the porch, watching the sexual hunger burning
in his eyes from behind her dark shades. She took off the shades, hooking one end onto her t-shirt and pushed back the hood.
Her hair was no longer in cornrows. It was pulled back with a part on the side. Bobby smiled at the new look. He climbed the
rest of the steps and stood in front of her, very close with his hands behind his back. Angel put her hands behind her back as
well. "Hi," she said softly. "Hi." Bobby stepped closer to her and inhaled her scent. It was Ylang Rose. A scent of sensuality.
He remembered smelling it at Bath and Body Works when he went Christmas shopping with Alex, wondering how he would
react if he smelled it when he was horny. He had his answer now. He had to fight the urge of swooping Angel up in his arms
to carry her over to the porch swing and having his way with her.
Instead, Bobby put his hands on her hips, pulling her closer to him. Angel put her hands on his shoulders to steady herself. She
gasped and panted softly as he started kissing on her neck. Bobby moaned as he helped Angel move her hips against his body.
She gasped again as she felt him getting harder and harder. Bobby moved his mouth from her neck to her ear. "I promised
you a night you wouldn't forget," he managed to say between breaths. "Would you settle for a weekend?" Angel replied
breathlessly, "Yes." "Then I suggest we fuck now, have sex later." All Angel could do was nod as Bobby kissed her deeply.
This was the beginning of an enjoyable and unforgettable weekend.
Tuesday, August 15
Computer City, 7:56 a.m.
"Good morning, Boo," Angel said as she walked through the back door of Computer City. Janelle looked up from the computer she
had laying open in front of her. "Morning, Boo Boo." She saw that Angel was carrying a drink carrier with 3 steaming cups of
something and a plastic bag. She clapped her hands with glee like a little kid and started saying in a sing-song voice, "You brought me
coffee. That means you love me. You brought me coffee. That means you love me." Angel stopped in her tracks and started to laugh.
"Janelle, you are some kind of silly. You know that?" "I know, but you love me anyway." Angel just shook her head and headed over
to the kitchen area. She put the drink carrier and plastic bag down on the counter. She pulled a box of bagels and a box of doughnuts
out of the bag. "Whose computer you working on?" "Mama's," Janelle replied as she snapped in a memory board. "Daddy dropped it
off after we left." She closed the computer case and hooked it up to make sure it worked. "You sleep well last night?" Janelle asked.
Angel sighed. "Yeah, I did. Did y'all?" "Yeah. We spent the night at Sasha's. Just in case she or Celena needed anything."
Angel walked over and handed Janelle one of the steaming cups. "Thank you." Janelle said. She took a sip and sighed. "Ah.
Chocolate mocha mint. My favorite. Now I know you love me." Angel laughed. "You're welcome." "Aw, shucky ducky!" Janelle
exclaimed as she noticed what Angel was wearing: a white vest, black pants with white pinstripes and black pumps with straps. "Look
at you, Gangsta! I know there's a hat to match." Angel did a little curtsy. "It's in the car." "Thought so," Janelle said with a laugh.
Angel walked back over to the kitchen area. "You have to work at MBM all this week?" Janelle asked. "No. I'm just going in for this
client luncheon we're having today. I told them I couldn't make it in for the rest of the week because of death in the family," Angel
replied after taking a sip of her hot chocolate. "Oh. Okay. Do they know you have a tattoo?" "They will after I go in this morning. You
want a plain or blueberry bagel?" "Blueberry."
Angel took 2 blueberry bagels out of the box, cut them in half and placed them in the double toaster. She turned around to lean on the
counter. "Where's Drew? In the bathroom." "Nope. He's still over at Sasha's house." "Oh. Celena have a bad night?" Janelle shook
her head. "He's trying to keep the Puerto Rican posse from starting some shit." "What!? What happened?" Janelle sighed. "I was in
the car coming back from our house when I talked to you last night. Well, after I hung up, Sasha's brother Carlos and his boy pulled
up." "Which one?" "Um, the one that looks like Pitbull the rapper and is always trying to holla at both of us. Armando?" Angel
chuckled. "You mean Orlando. Armando's the cousin that's always trying to holla at you." Janelle snapped her fingers and said,
"Yeah, that one. Orlando. I need steer him more in your direction before Drew tries to kill him." "Uh, I'll pass on that if you don't
mind. I need a man, not a boy toy." "You mean you wouldn't do him?" Angel rubbed her temples and sighed. There were times
Janelle would get distracted and go way off topic. Sometimes it was cute and sometimes it was down right nerve racking. "No, Janelle,
I'm not saying that. I am saying get on with the story."
"Oh, right. Anyway, I walked into the house with Carlos and Orlando. When we got in the house, Patrick told them DeMarco was
dead. Carlos stood there real quiet at first. Then he just started flipping out! He cussed and fussed and started going off. 'Somebody
killed my boy! Somebody killed my boy!' He keep saying that over and over. Then he wanted the details. Me and Drew was trying to
tell him what we knew, but then he started asking what was the police doing about it. Drew, Mr. Diplomatic himself, tried telling him
the police was looking into DeMarco's death. Oh, no! What the hell Drew say that for?! Carlos pulled out his gun and started waving
it in the air, saying he was gonna justice for DeMarco with it. Everybody in the house is screaming and crying and upset! Drew
snatched the gun out of his hand and Patrick pushed him up against a wall. He yelled at Carlos for causing the chaos. Him and Oscar
dragged him out of the house, put him in Oscar's car and took him somewhere to calm his ass down. So, Drew's sticking around just
in case Carlos comes back and tries to take his gun back and start some shit."
Angel was quiet, taking in everything. "Oh my goodness!" was all she could manage to say. The bagels popped up out of the toaster.
Angel turned around and took them out, placing them on a paper plate and spreading strawberry cream cheese on them. "Do I even
want to know why Carlos is carrying a gun?!" she asked over her shoulder. "Uh, well. Do you want the truth or the real reason behind
the gun?" Angel slapped the knife down sharply on the counter and turned around to look at Janelle. "WHY am I not going to like
hearing this story?!" "Damn, girl, don't get your panties in a twist!" Janelle said calmly as she started unhooking the cables from the
computer. "Get the bagels and your hot chocolate and come sit down so I can tell you. And bring me a doughnut, too." Angel sighed
and shook her head as she turned back around and put 2 doughnuts on the plate along with the bagels. "My family. Gotta love 'em,"
she muttered under her breath as she took the plate and hot chocolate to her desk. She placed the plate in the middle of their desks
and sat down. "Spill your guts, Janelle."
"Carlos has the gun because he took that courier job. That's truth. The real reason he's carrying it on his person is because he's
messing around with this girl named Dorlinda from Long Island. Her ex-boyfriend, or so she claims, is some ex-con drug dealer with a
crazy temper." Angel laid her bagel on the napkin in front of her and rubbed at her temples again. "How do you know this?"
"DeMarco told me and Drew." "How did DeMarco know that?" "Dee used to buy his smoking weed from old boy back in the day.
He, the ex-con, was going with Dorlinda even then." Angel sat there, speechless. She had her face in her hand, watching Janelle eat
her bagel. She took a couple of deep breaths to calm herself down. "What if Carlos and his girlfriend are the reason DeMarco is
dead?" Angel thought to herself. Janelle noticed her frowning. "What's wrong with you?" "Nothing." Angel said. "Just thinking." No
need to voice that thought out loud just yet. Janelle eyed her suspiciously. "You're handling this a little too well." Angel shrugged. "It is
what it is. I'm not going to freak out about things I can't control." She began eating her bagel.
Janelle said, "I forgot to tell you. Miss May said they should be at Todd's house sometime today after Dwight gets off the road." "Oh,
okay. Did she call Lynnette?" "Yeah. She and David are catching the first thing smoking outta of Saint Louis. They're gonna stay at a
hotel near the airport." Angel frowned and asked, "The Wonder Twins already here?" Janelle shrugged and ate the last bite of her
bagel. "I don't know. But I do know that I'mma beat Queen Bitch's ass next time I see her." "I have got to get you some anger
management classes for Christmas. What happened?" "Eden called and asked Sasha if DeMarco left her his house in his will." Angel's
eyes widened in surprise. "Who told her about DeMarco's will?! Nobody knew about it but the three of us!" Janelle put her hands up
and shrugged. "Dee might have told her. I don't know. After Sasha finished cussing her out, I called Jayson and told him to put Junior
and Junebug on the house." Angel breathed a little easier. DeMarco's twin siblings, Eric and Eden, were trouble to say the least.
"Janelle, leave Eden alone." "Hell, no! Fuck that bitch! Her brother hadn't even been dead 12 hours and she's calling trying to find out
what's in it for her. I got a problem with that!" Angel stood up and leaned on her desk towards Janelle, staring into her eyes. "Just in
case you don't realize it, Billy Bad Ass, you ain't bulletproof! Don't start no mess with her." Janelle stood up and copied Angel's
pose. "I'm not scared of that bitch!" "I'm not saying be scared of her. I'm saying walk away from her before you do or say something
to her that'll get you hurt or put in jail. Because I can guarantee if anything happens to you, everybody will be in jail. Hell hath no fury
like Laurel Pierson and Loretta Hamilton upset." Janelle stood there, chewing the inside of her cheek. Angel stood up straight, folded
her arms and said, " 'I shall allow no man to belittle my soul by making me hate him.' Booker T. Washington." She shook her index
finger at Janelle and then sat down. Janelle exhaled. She looked at Angel for a minute before sitting down. "Fine. I won't start
anything, but I sure will finish it if Eden steps to me wrong." "Thank you." "Pfft! I can't stand you!" "I love you, too," Angel said with
a smile as she turned on her computer. She felt much better knowing Janelle would hold her peace for a little while.
After Janelle had cooled down a bit, she asked, "Did you talk to Bobby last night?" She batted her eyes rapidly. Angel laughed. "Yes,
I talked to him." "So did y'all just talk or did you have sex?" Angel almost spit out her hot chocolate onto her computer screen. Janelle
was famous for her blunt, straight to the point style. Angel managed to swallow and said, "We just talked. On the phone." Janelle
shrugged. "That's what I thought. You weren't walking funny when you came in here." "Good grief, Janelle! Why would you say
that?!" "Good Lord, girl! Did you not see the size of his feet and hands?! If his dick size doesn't match any of that, then something is
really screwed up!" Angel leaned back in her chair, looking up at the ceiling, laughing. "God, Janelle! Stop the madness, baby!" "I'm
speaking truth here, Baby Girl! Somebody that big better be packing a monster in his pants!" Angel sat up, laughing harder and fanning
herself with both hands. "Look at you! I am right. You getting all hot and bothered over there." Angel finally caught her breath,
breathing in and out very deeply and slowly. "Janelle, all I have to say is step to my left because you ain't right."
"Whatever, dude," Janelle said as she shrugged. "He looks a little heavier than the pictures you showed me." "I was thinking he had
put on a little weight since I last saw him. But, that's all right. It looks nice on him." "That's true. How old is he?" "Bobby will be 45
this Sunday." "Damn! He's old." "Oh good grief, Janelle. You act like he's as old as Methuselah. He's just 11 years old than me."
"Yeah, but still he's 45." "Even though it's been a while since we've been together, I can say with some certainty that he's probably
not taking Viagra." Janelle opened her mouth to say something, but Angel held up her hand to stop her. "I am through with our
previous topic of conversation." "Dang it! You ain't no fun!" "I know and I am so sorry." They both laughed.
"Does his family know you're black?" Angel shook her head. "I haven't met his family," she said softly. Janelle cocked her head to the
side and folded her arms across her chest. "Oh really?" she said defensively. "Why not?" "His dad's dead, his mom is in an institution,
and his brother is an addict living on the streets somewhere." Janelle digested this bit of information. "You mean his mom is in a rest
home?" "No, she's in an institution. She's a schizophrenic." "Oh. So, she's crazy?" "No, Janelle, she's not crazy. She's mentally ill.
Bobby put her in an institution so that she could get the best possible care she deserves. He couldn't handle taking care of her by
himself any more." "What kind of addict is his brother?" "Drugs and gambling, I think." "If he's helping his mom, why isn't he helping
his brother?" Angel shrugged. "I think Bobby has tried to help him, but kind of gave up on him." "Hmm. I see." "Don't judge him too
harshly, Janelle. Bobby's a wonderful person once get to know him." Janelle put her hands up. "Okay, okay. I'll give him a chance.
I'm not gonna try to kick his ass just yet." Angel sighed and shook her head. "Anger management classes for Christmas," she muttered
to herself.
Janelle asked, "You giving him some for his birthday?" Angel chuckled. "Uh, no. I'm taking him out to lunch next week." "Why can't
you take him out on Sunday?" "Alex and her family is throwing him a birthday party on Sunday." "Did he invite you?" "Yeah." "You
going? Can I go?" "I don't know if I'm going." "Why?" Angel bit her lip. She had 2 major concerns on her mind: Alannah and Alex's
family. Janelle pointed at her. "You're biting your lip. What's wrong" Angel sighed. "What do you know about Alex's family?" Janelle
had a puzzled look on her face. "I know there's a lot of them, if that's what you mean." "I mean how would they react to having a
black person among them?" "Oh. Well, having been around Alex and her sister and brothers and parents, I can say they're cool. As
for spouses and other relatives, I don't know. They may be cool. They may not be cool." "Why do you say that?" "When I was 8,
they invited us to their family reunion at some park in upstate New York. We went, but we didn't stay long. Maybe 3 hours tops.
Mama got the feeling some of them were genuinely happy for us to be there and some of them were not very happy. So, she decided it
was best if we left." Angel groaned. "That's what I'm afraid of. Plus, I'd be a nervous wreck meeting Bobby's extended family.
Worrying whether or not I'm making a good impression." Janelle smiled. "You worry for nothing sometimes. Everyone likes you as
soon as you smile and say hi." Angel blushed, then smiled. "Thanks."
"Anyway, don't let the possibility of encountering racism keep you away from Bobby's party. Fuck them bitches if they don't like
because of your skin color. It's their loss if they don't want to get to know you better." "Well, that's not only reason why I might not
go to the party." "What else is there?" "Alannah Fitzgerald." "Who hell is that?!" "Bobby's uh, friend with benefits." Janelle cocked her
head to the side again, eyes blinking rapidly. "His what?" "Friend with benefits." Janelle was quiet for a moment before she exclaimed,
"He's got a fuck buddy!?" Angel nodded. "How do you know?" "He told me." Janelle's mouth dropped open. "Was this before or
after you slept with him?" "Way before. I'd known him for about 3 weeks when he told me." "You asked him?!" Angel sighed. "No, I
didn't ask. Bobby asked me about my tattoo. I told him I got it on my 30th birthday and the story behind it. Then I asked him when
was his birthday. He told me and then proceeded to tell me how and with who he spent his birthday."
Janelle rubbed her forehead. "So, she's coming to the party, too?" "I don't know. I didn't ask. I'm going to assume so because her
birthday is the day before Bobby's and they always spend both days together." Janelle continued rubbing her forehead. "Oh, Lord.
That's someplaya pimp shit for real. Does she know about you?" "I seriously doubt it." "You gotta go to this party now to check out
the competition." "Oh, please. I can't compete with this woman." "Why not?" "From what little bit Bobby has told me about Alannah,
she's an Amazon sex goddess with enough sexual tricks to satisfy a man for at least a week. I can count the number of tricks I know
on both hands." "You must have something over her because the way old boy was staring at you yesterday, I'm surprised your clothes
weren't literally burned off your body." "Part of me wants to meet her. See what's so fantastic about her." "Then go to the party." "I
don't know. I'll think about it."
Janelle stretched her arms over head. "Well, if you don't go to the party on Sunday, you know he'll show up at Club Silkie's Friday
night to watch you perform." Angel scrunched up her face and shook her head. "Bobby's not going to come Silkie's Friday night."
"Why you say that?" "Since this is their birthday weekend, Alannah and Bobby will probably get their groove on early. Besides I
haven't said anything else about me performing since he and Alex were here investigating." "You wanna bet?" Janelle said with a smirk
on her face. Angel eyed her cautiously. "Bet on what?" "I bet you that Bobby will show up at Club Silkie's this Friday night to watch
you perform. Without Alannah." Angel leaned back in her chair and pursed her lips, thinking about what Janelle just said. "Okay. I'll
take that bet. I'll bet that Bobby won't come to Club Silkie's this Friday because he and Alannah will start their marathon of sex early.
What's the prize?" "For a week, 7 days, the loser has to cook dinner for the winner at the loser's home." "Loser chooses the menu?"
Janelle nodded. "Loser chooses the menu." Angel stood up and leaned against her desk, the pinky on her right hand extended out to
Janelle. "You're gonna lose," Angel said. Janelle did exactly as Angel did. Janelle said sarcastically, "Yeah, right." They hooked their
pinky fingers together and shook.