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Image for the poem When Love Is Blind

When Love Is Blind

ADAMS MORGAN
Washington, DC


The taxicab driver pulled into Jo’Nay’s driveway. He pressed in the fare meter.

“Ma’am that would be forty dollars.”

The taxicab driver did not get a response. He turned around and leaned over the seat. He nudged Jo’Nay’s leg.

Jo’Nay opened her eyes. The effects of the pain medicine she was given made her groggy. Jo’Nay stretched; she looked around and realized she was in her driveway.

“I’m sorry sir. How much is the fare?”

“The fare is forty dollars.”

The taxicab driver flipped on the overheard light.

Jo’Nay opened her purse and pulled out her wallet. She removed two twenty-dollar bills and two singles. She closed her purse back. She handed the taxicab driver the money and opened the door. She placed a single crutch ahead of her and then stepped out. She balanced her weight on one leg and then placed the crutch under the pit of her arm.

Jo’Nay closed the door and stepped forward.

The taxicab driver pulled out of Jo’Nay’s driveway.

Jo’Nay walked up to her front door. She balanced herself while she opened her purse and took out her key ring. She inserted her house key into the lock, twisted it, and opened the door. She withdrew the key and pushed the door close

Jo’Nay entered her residence; she threw everything on the floor and hopped over to her security alarm system. Boots ran into the living room and barked.

“It’s only me Boots.”

Boots licked Jo’Nay’s ankle and ran back into the kitchen.

Jo’Nay attempted to deactivate her damaged security system. “Oh, forget it.” She pushed the door close, positioned her crutch under her armpit, and went to sit down on the couch.

Jo’Nay looked around her disorganized living quarters. She thought about Roman. Boy she hated and loved him at the same time. He did not even have the heart to seek medical attention for her. Jo’Nay stretched out on the couch and closed her eyes.

Roman pulled his vehicle into Jo’Nay’s driveway. He turned off the ignition and withdrew his key. He sat in his car and contemplated should he tell her goodbye. He loves her too much to just walk away without a word.

Roman reached over and grabbed the jewelry box from off the passenger seat. He unsnapped his seatbelt, opened the door, and stepped out. He pushed the door close and walked up to Jo’Nay’s door. He rang the doorbell and waited for an answer.

Roman walked to the back of Jo’Nay’s home and slid the patio door back. He entered her home and slid the glass door back. He secured the lock. Boots barked. Roman stooped down. Boots ran up to Roman and licked his hand.

“You make sure you take care of my woman until I return, there’s a Steak in it if you do.” Roman stroked Boots’ ear and stood.

He walked into the living room. Roman tiptoed over to the couch. He saw Jo’Nay was fast asleep. He looked at the crutch and then looked around her living room. He felt like a total asshole.

Roman placed the jewelry box in his back pants pocket and took off his suit jacket. He laid it over a chair. He walked into Jo’Nay’s bedroom and began to tidy up.

Boots followed Roman foot-to-foot, as he made repetitious trips to the trashcan in the kitchen. Roman stripped the bed and went to look inside Jo’Nay’s linen closet. He redressed her bed with clean linen and placed the unclean bed linen in a hamper in her closet. Roman walked into the bathroom, placed the stopper over the bathtub drainer, and turned on both water faucet knobs. He opened her medicine cabinet and removed a box of Epsom salt. Roman poured a hefty amount into the water, and then returned the box to the medicine cabinet. He closed the door back and walked into the living room.

Roman looked down at Jo’Nay. “Baby, I love you and I am so sorry for this shit. I swear on my mother’s grave this shit between us will get better,” he expressed to himself. He tiptoed around Jo’Nay’s living room, and straightened things to the best of his ability. He wanted to vacuum her living room, but her light snoring advised him she needed rest.

Roman got on his knees and began to pick up the large pieces of glass. He made several trips to the kitchen.

He glanced around; he was impressed with his labor. He walked back into the bathroom and turned off both water faucet knobs. Roman walked back into the living room. He kneeled down and scooped Jo’Nay into his arms. He carried her into the bedroom and laid her on the bed.

Jo’Nay stirred and turned on her side. Roman sat on the bed and inspected Jo’Nay’s ankle. He could not see the damages of her fall. The ace bandage shielded her ankle.

“Jo’Nay.” Roman shook her. He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.

Jo’Nay’s eyes slowly fluttered open. “Roman, what are you doing here?” She scooted to the far side of the bed. “If you do not leave, I will be forced to call the police, please leave.”

“I only stopped over to tell you goodbye. I will be leaving to go out of town tomorrow.”

“I could care less, please leave.”

Roman looked at Jo’Nay.

“I wanted to give you something before I left.” He took the jewelry box from out his back pants pocket.

“No thank you Roman; I do not want anything from you, but distance.”

“Please accept this. Jo’Nay, I’m leaving tomorrow for a short duration.” Roman closed and reopened his eyes. “Baby I’m scared. I’m scared I may fail you.” He placed the jewelry box on the bed.

“Roman, listen to me. This relationship is over, done, it no longer exists. What don’t you understand about that concept? I have made myself clear. Now get the hell out of my home, now!”

“I’ve ran you some bath water.” Roman sat there as if Jo’Nay never uttered a word. “Do you need help to undress you?”

Jo’Nay looked at Roman. She scooted off the bed and limped to the door.

Roman stood and ran to the door. He blocked her path.

“Your bath water is getting cold.”

Jo’Nay hopped back. “I do not want to take a bath. Roman please leave, please.”

Roman backed Jo’Nay up toward the bathroom door.

“Roman, this is why our relationship does not exist; you don’t see how your actions scares me.”

Roman reached for Jo’Nay’s dress. He pulled her to him and began to strip her out her attire.

“Hold still, what is wrong you?”

Jo’Nay stood still and let Roman finish undressing her. Roman kneeled down on his knees and took off Jo’Nay’s one shoe. He pulled her red thong down her legs.

Roman kissed Jo’Nay’s pelvis area. He pulled aside the soft skin that covered her clitoris and suckled the soft skin. His mouth felt good on her pussy, but it did not erase the unpleasant memories of his behavior.

Jo’Nay limped back.

Roman reached over and stroked Jo’Nay’s wet downy hairs. He stood and then removed her bra; he threw it on the bed.

Roman swung Jo’Nay up in his arms and carried her inside the bathroom.

“Roman, I want you to put me down, right this minute!”

Roman kissed Jo’Nay on her lips. He gently lowered her body into the bathtub water.

“Thank you, now you may leave.”

Jo’Nay rested her back against the bathtub.

“I will, after I see all your needs are met.”

Roman lifted Jo’Nay’s ankle, unclasped the two silver snaps, and then removed the wet ace bandage. He laid it on the floor.

Roman lifted a washcloth and a bar of soap. He began to wash her.

“I can do this on my own.” Jo’Nay snatched the soap and washcloth from out of Roman’s hand.

Roman pivoted Jo’Nay’s chin.

“I love you Jo’Nay, please accept my apologies.”

Jo’Nay pushed Roman’s hand away.

“Roman, I’m still a tad drowsy from the medication the hospital administered me. The after affects have left me extremely hungry. Could you fix me a cup of hot tea and a bowl of soup please?”

“I can handle that.” Roman kissed Jo’Nay on her forehead, stood, and walked out the bathroom.

Jo’Nay stood and stepped out the bathtub. She limped into her bedroom. She looked around her bedroom; she wished she had her crutch. She limped over to the bedroom door.

Jo’Nay heard Roman fidgeting in her kitchen cabinets. She quickly slipped into a pair of black denim jeans and a fleece pullover. She saw Roman’s car keys lying on her dresser. She limped back over to the dresser and picked them up.

Jo’Nay limped to her bedroom door, closed it, and then locked it. She limped to the window and slowly lifted it. She climbed out. Her feet touched a rose bushel. She jumped down. “Oh God.” She stooped over and grabbed her throbbing ankle.

Jo’Nay hobbled to Roman’s vehicle. She opened the door, got in, and gently pulled the door close. She snapped the seatbelt, inserted the key into the ignition, and started the car.

Jo’Nay pulled out her driveway and pressed her foot on the gas pedal.

Roman placed everything on a silver tray and walked back to Jo’Nay’s bedroom. He remembered when he left out the bedroom door was open. Roman placed the tray on the floor and twisted the doorknob. The door was locked. He knocked on the door.

“Jo’Nay baby, I need for you to open the door.”

Roman waited. He knocked again. No one came to the door. He shoved his shoulder against the door. The door shifted off the hinges. He kicked the door in and entered the bedroom.

Roman ran into the bathroom, and then back into Jo’Nay’s bedroom. He looked around. He saw the curtains bellowing. Roman walked to the window and looked out. He noticed his car was not in the driveway.

He became furious. He lifted Jo’Nay’s lamp and threw it against the wall.

“You want to fuck with me, you whore!”

Roman stormed back into the kitchen and pulled out a cabinet drawer. He located a book of matches. He thought if he lit the curtains and the Fire Department does an interior investigation, then he would be charged with arson. He threw the book of matches back inside the cabinet drawer and closed it.

Roman turned on Jo’Nay’s two stove burners. He placed the teapot and pot of soup on each.

“Now take that you fucking ungrateful bitch. When you return, you will return to nothing.”

Roman walked out the kitchen. He walked over to where he left his suit jacket and lifted it. He removed his cell phone, flipped it open, and dialed 911. He placed his cell phone up to his ear.

“911, what is your emergency?”

“Yes, I would like to report my car as being stolen.”

The operator asked Roman several questions pertaining to the location of the theft.

Roman began to cough. He grabbed his suit jacket and ran to the door. Boots ran out the kitchen and barked. Roman opened the door and walked out. Boots followed.

 
Copyright©SKC-2022
A chapter ripped out of a novel

Written by SweetKittyCat5
Published
Author's Note
Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of creative alternatives for responding to conflict - alternatives to passive or aggressive responses, alternatives to violence.

Dorothy Thompson
All writing remains the property of the author. Don't use it for any purpose without their permission.
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