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“Don’t be afraid, girl. God gave you every tool you need to make a wrong thing go right. Your success in life is not dependent or contingent on your past, your sister being here or not, or Tom. It’s dependent on YOU. God ain’t bring you this far to leave you. You have gifts and talents. Exploit them. Now, you go on and be the badass woman and survivor God made you to be. Tom was temporary. Lark is everlasting…” Iris gave the lady a peck on the cheek, then headed out the door…
“He’d tell youhimself!” Jude popped the cap off a beer bottle as he sat down with Iris on the loveseat in his master bedroom. One of the many conveniences of having a refrigerator in the bedroom. They were watching a movie, some shit she picked out that he was barely paying attention to.
“I just figured you had Eli in that center because you couldn’t take care of him.”
“Well, I mean, shit, he doesn’t need supervision per se, but he does need a nurse on call. I had it all set up that he’d have a room here, a nurse, and I promised him he’d have his own bathroom and hotplate, too, but he didn’t want it. Eli said many times that he wanted his own place, Iris. Independence. That’s what Best Days Adult Care Center gives him. Nobody bothers him unless he has an appointment, needs to take his medicine, or something like that. He also likes that there are things to do there, right in the building, so there’s not much travel required to have a fun time. He can come and go as pleases; he just has to use his badge to get in and out, so they know he left. Usually, he takes the bus to the grocery store, but sometimes, he’ll go with the group when they go on Wednesdays. He’s built his life around that place. He tells me he loves it.”
“Well, it all makes sense now. I asked him one day if he wanted to live by himself somewhere, and he emphatically said no. Said he likes the people at the center, and it helps him not feel so alone.”
“Yeah, he likes the sense of community, and being around other people that have similar challenges as him. I tried to get him here, I tell you that much, and I didn’t give up easily, but he’s stubborn. He won’t budge, so finally, I just accepted the fact that is what he wants. Eli is afraid I’d be controlling if he moved in here with me, and all in his business. Can you believe he said that?”
Iris grimaced and rolled her eyes, then looked back at the television.
“Now you know that’s not fair. Ain’t that crazy? He’s absurd.” Iris crossed her arms and raised a brow. All he could do was laugh at her expression and sardonic tone.
“All right, so I’m a little protective of him.” Jude shrugged. “I can’t help it.”
“I know, and I understand. You love him, and there’s nothing wrong with that.” Iris turned back towards the movie as dramatic music rose in volume. Jude began to mess with his phone some more, sharing a few text messages back and forth with Kash. These were not business related. He no longer discussed that sort of thing often. Rather, he was following up with the guy, just making sure he was okay.
“I wonder if Eli and Candi are finished with their snack?” Iris asked, munching on her buttery popcorn. “If so, they can maybe join us in your mancave, and we can play some games.”
“But I thought we were watching a movie?”
“You aren’t even watching the damn movie! Too busy playing on your phone.”
“I’m doing business, I’ll have you know.” Now it was true. He in fact was looking into his stocks. “As far as going to the media area, that’s a good idea. They might be bored right about now and want something to do.”
Eli was at the house for a visit. Iris had fixed him and his guest some mixed fruit, and even made them fancy sandwiches. Eli typically came over at least twice a month, but his visits had increased as of late. This time, he even brought a friend. They’d taken a Lyft. Candi was a new young lady he’d met and was dating. They seemed to get awfully close in a short span of time. A cute little woman with dark brown hair, she had an infectious laugh, and worked at a library. She had Mosaic Down Syndrome, and lived on her own in a nice apartment across town.
“I’ll ask Eli if he wants to go downstairs.”
Iris plucked a piece of popcorn from the bowl that sat between them and tossed it in his hair. She laughed her ass off as he struggled to find it and get it out. He finally did, tossed it back at her, then headed out the room.
Moments later, he was in the massive kitchen, but Eli and Candi weren’t there anymore. Their empty glasses of milk had been left on the countertop, as well as their plates with a few leftovers in them.
“Eeeeeli… yo, Eli…” Jude walked around the first floor, then headed out back, thinking perhaps they’d stepped outside for some fresh air. After a few minutes, he gave up and decided to check the cameras. Turning them on, one by one, he still didn’t see Eli, but noticed one camera was blacked out. It appeared to be covered with something.
“What the hell is goin’ on?” Jude mumbled as he made his way back up the steps to the guest room in question. Right before he rapped on the door, he realized a song was playing: ‘The Wheels on the Bus.’ Jude smiled, figuring they were inside playing games and Eli had his iPad on for a little music, but as he got ready to try and turn the knob, he heard a strange noise… and then, another…
“Uhhh… uh… Oh God… uh!”
What the fuck?
It was a feminine moan, airy, then louder and unbridled.
“You… like… it?” he heard Eli ask.
“Yes. It feels good!”
I know Eli isn’t in my house fuckin’! We’re supposed to be having family time tonight! This was only supposed to be a snack break.
“I would have done this sooner if I knew it was so nice! Oh, Eli, you are so good in bed!”
He heard Eli laugh in that goofy way he did when he felt proud of himself.
“You never did… this… before? I… I thought… yooou… had… boyfriends before me?”
“I had two boyfriends, but we never had oral sex. What did you call it?”
