Teresa D. Patterson

***DISCLAIMER***

This excerpt may contain strong language and/or adult content. Please read at your own discretion.

Chapter One

Greta Stevenson groaned as she reluctantly pushed herself into a sitting position on the couch. She wanted to continue lounging, but the three baskets of dirty laundry glared at her. She wished she could wave a magic wand and make them float into the trunk of her car.

Those liars, she fumed. They told me my shit would be working by Tuesday. Now, here it is damn near two weeks later and my washer and dryer are still on the blink. That’s why I detest living in apartment complexes. The trifling maintenance personnel never fix jack. And when they do—the crap still doesn’t work.

She couldn’t wait until she signed the lease on her four-bedroom home in south Saint Petersburg. Her new house would be located on Pinellas Point Drive, known as The Point. Quite a few of the famed and the elite purchased homes in that area. She’d worked hard to earn her bread and butter and finally it all seemed worth it. She looked forward to leaving the apartment behind that she had shared with her deceased husband, Gerald, and start anew.

She sighed as she picked up one of the baskets of clothes. Thinking about Gerald always put her in a melancholy mood. She shook him out of her memory and concentrated on something else.

She was tired. She didn’t get home from work until almost seven that evening. She had to play taxi cab driver for two of her students. Their trifling parents hadn’t bothered to show up to get them after detention ended. That wasn’t right. She couldn’t understand why some people didn’t just burn their damn tubes and not have children. Everyone wasn’t cut out to be parents.

She couldn’t stand smart aleck kids who didn’t know the meaning of the word respect. However, she didn’t fault the child. She blamed the parent for not teaching them manners.

Greta had been teaching for fifteen years and her nerves were at the breaking point. She had just about enough of dealing with other people’s demon seed. It might be time for a career change.

Take today, for instance, she had to stay late because two wanna-be-thugs thought it was cute to practice rolling blunts with their notebook paper. Not in her classroom. She sent a letter home to their parents and received no response. She followed up with a phone call. One of the boy’s mothers had been downright rude. She gave Greta a piece of her mind for disturbing her. She pretty much stated that she could care less about her child’s behavior. Her exact words had been, I don’t give a fuck about what he do at school, as long as he don’t do it at home. Talking to the other boy’s father had been like talking to Forest Gump. The brother had been off in the ozone layer or something. She had no choice but to assign the two children an after school detention, hoping that would convince them of their wrong-doing.

Then, there was that little foul mouth heifer that made her blood pressure rise. Little Miss I’m America’s Next Top Model came to school with her breasts on display. Greta advised her to put on a jacket and Miss Too Grown for My Own Good got an attitude and told Greta to kiss her ass.

Greta was known for being a no-nonsense type of teacher that didn’t take crap off the children. That’s how she’d persevered for so many years. You had to have patience, guts and a backbone to be around hardheaded, wayward teens all day, damn near every day, for so long. Not too many of her students tried her because they knew that she didn’t play the radio when it came to her classroom.

For some reason, Miss Pumps and a Bump stepped over the boundaries. Greta had to count to ten and it took the patience of Job to hold herself back. She almost came across her desk and rolled the girl’s head around like she was on the Exorcist.

The new principal just so happened to be sitting in the classroom that morning and had sent the Stripper in Training to the office. It was a good thing too because Greta would have probably lost her job and caught a charge on the same day if he hadn’t intervened.

Greta finished putting the last basket of clothes into the car and shut the door. She wasn’t looking forward to the visit to the Laundromat up the street. Some unsavory characters hung around the facility. Since it was opened twenty-four seven, the homeless saw fit to loiter there whenever they got the urge.

Surprisingly, when she pulled up she found the place empty.

Good. I won’t have to keep looking over my shoulder, she thought. It was semi-dark, and a single woman always had to be cautious.

After she arrived home, took a shower, and cooked dinner, she sorted the clothes. If only she’d gotten home earlier, she’d be done with the laundry by now.

The clock on the wall ticked. It was eight thirty. It should take her no more than an hour and a half, two hours tops to wash and dry all of her clothes. She threw them into vacant washing machines, poured in detergent, and added coins to begin the wash cycle.

The washing machines hummed and she sat down and began grading papers. She heard someone enter, but didn’t look up.

Damn. There goes my concentration.

“Mrs. Stevenson, fancy seeing you here,” someone called out. She looked up into the face of Principal Austin Johnson.

“Hello Dr. Johnson,” she greeted politely. She saw him struggling to pull a large container of clothes inside. She put her folders on the seat next to her and went over to hold the door opened for him.

“Thank you,” he said.

“No problem. So, what brings you here?” she asked.

“I guess the same thing that brings you here,” he replied, pointing at his clothes. “Dirty laundry.” The two chuckled.

Greta sat back down and discreetly surveyed Mr. Johnson as he went about the business of putting his clothes into the washing machine.

Mr. Johnson was the new principal of the middle school where she taught. She didn’t really know much about him, just what she’d heard. He’d graduated from Northeast High School and had enlisted in the Army. There he’d served a four year term and came back to teach children. He’d been a juvenile justice counselor, a teacher at the recreational center, an assistant principal at one of the elementary schools, now he was the principal of the middle school.

She heard that he’d been married but got divorced. She wondered if he were dating anybody. She watched as he poured entirely too much detergent into the machine.

She thought, a man that fine should not be doing his own laundry. I’d hand wash his drawers. Damn.

Austin glanced her way and their eyes locked. Greta swallowed. Hell, I hope he can’t read my thoughts. Shoot, then again, I hope he can.

“So, you almost went postal on that kid today, huh?” he said, smiling as he closed the lid on the washer. He had perfect white teeth and dimples. Standing at about six feet four, he was a tall refreshing drink of water. Greta’s throat suddenly became parched.

“At times, it gets hard to brace myself. But, I’d never lay a hand on a student,” she answered.

“Sure you wouldn’t. I know you envision shaking one of ‘em like a bobble head doll, though,” he joked. “I have those moments,” he admitted. “Especially being the new principal of a fundamental school. Whew.”

“I can’t even begin to feel your pain, brother,” she sympathized.

She got up to check her clothes. They’d stopped so she began taking them out of the machine.

After she’d gotten out of the shower she threw on one of her hoochie mama skirts. Just because she was a teacher didn’t mean at home she had to dress like a nun. As she bent over, unknown to her, the cheerleader skirt rose in the back. That got Mr. Johnson’s attention.

“Um-” he cleared his throat. “You know, red is my favorite color.”

“Excuse me?” she quipped, turning to stare at him innocently.

“I said, red is my favorite color. You’re wearing the hell out of them thongs,” he boldly stated. You’re about to make a brother burst at the seams.”

“Dr. Johnson.” Greta blushed. “I am so sorry. I had no idea.” She straightened up immediately, pulling self-consciously at the skirt’s hem.

The thought that he’d been drooling at her ass cheeks turned her on. Hell, she knew that her body was together. She worked out three nights a week to keep everything toned to perfection. She wasn’t about to the let the fact that she was pushing up on forty keep her from feeling and being sexy. If the truth were told, she looked better now than she had when she was in her mid twenties. She had rock hard abs, a slim twenty-four inch waist, a banging set of tits and a tight ass. To top it off, she was easy on the eyes. Her mocha colored skin was flawless and make-up free. She had a set of Angelina Jolie type lips that made a brother think dirty thoughts.

None of this went unnoticed by Austin. As Greta went to put her laundry into dryers, he watched. His member grew harder than a slab of concrete, the imprint straining against the front of his pants.

Since he’d made the comment about her thongs, she wouldn’t look his way. Austin hadn’t played the aggressive role in a minute. He didn’t have to. Women threw themselves at him on a regular basis. Even some of the teachers, the ones who got paid to teach the future generation, were nothing but sluts. That’s how he ended up divorced. He’d been too worn out from screwing all the teachers, and hadn’t been able to get it up for his wife. That got old and she left him. He wasn’t mad at her though. If the roles had been reversed, he would have done the same thing.

Mrs. Stevenson, he couldn’t quite figure her out. He’d been at the new school for almost three months and she hadn’t given him a second glance. He’d pulled her file and did some research. He couldn’t complain about her track record as a teacher. She was excellent in her field and he could tell she genuinely cared about the children. He saw it in her interactions with them in the hallway and from the glimpse he’d gotten sitting in her classroom.

She wasn’t married. As far as he knew, she didn’t have a man in her life.

So, what’s the deal? he wondered. He hoped she did like men. Was that it? Maybe she liked fish instead of beef.

He was going to find out. If she swayed the other way, that was her prerogative. It would just be a damned shame for all that fineness to be wasted like that, though.

He stood up to check the washer then he turned toward her, breaking the silence. “If I offended you, I apologize,” he said.

Greta had her back turned attempting to compose herself. She didn’t know why she was being betrayed by her body. Her swollen nipples strained against the thin blouse she wore as she pictured the two of them in some uncompromising positions. She bit the corner of her lip.

She had to control her emotions. She’d never before contemplated doing something so wild and reckless, but she wanted to let him ravish her. She needed to feel him buried deep inside her.

Her stomach churned at the thoughts. She turned toward him and smiled, pretending that he had no affect on her.

“I don’t get easily offended,” she said. Her traitorous eyes fell on his crotch. “Let’s just cut the bullshit, okay? I don’t mince my words. I say what I mean and mean what I say. What about you?”

Her heated gaze made his dick jump. So, she’s a dick bandit after all.

“I’m pretty much straight forward,” he answered.

“You want to fuck me, don’t you?” she asked.

“Hell yes. Now, that’s what I’m talking about.”

“As long as it doesn’t get out, I’m down with it. But, I want to make one thing clear: I don’t mix business with pleasure.” She looked him straight in the eye. “This will be a one-time occurrence. Got that?”

What the fuck ever.

He called the shots. If he wanted another piece of ass after he’d test driven it, he’d get another piece. “Yeah, if that’s the way you want it,” he said, unblinking.

Greta stared as the bulge in the front of his pants grew. It rose and stirred like a trapped anaconda. The right thing for her to do would be to release the beast. That’s exactly what she did.

His large dick sprang forward, leaping at her like a jack in the box. It was long and beautiful. It had both depth and width. Just the sight of it made her mouth water. But, she wasn’t going there, not with him. The brother could get his dick sucked by somebody else. It wasn’t like he couldn’t find a number of women to do it.

She would show Principal Johnson that she wasn’t about playing games. If he wanted to fuck, that’s what she would do. No extra side items were on the menu, just pure pussy.

“My place is right around the corner. You can either follow me in your car, or we can take mine. I’ll drop you back off,” she suggested, stroking him with one hand as she spoke.

A moan escaped his lips. He was about to pop and didn’t want to wait. He looked her over suggestively. “What’s wrong with right here?”

“You mean, in the Laundromat? Where anyone can walk in? I don’t know-”

Before she could finish the sentence, he lifted her up onto one of the washing machines. “Learn to step outside the box, Mrs. Stevenson. Spontaneity will keep a man coming back.”

Greta could feel the motion of the machine as it switched to the spin cycle. When it started to swirl around, the whole machine trembled. Austin eased on a condom then spread her legs. The little skirt she wore allowed easy access. He wasted no time, pulling her panties to the side and surging into her.

She inhaled from the first feel of him. She felt stretched to the max; it had been so long. He continued to stroke in and out until she loosened up. She moaned and gripped the coin slot on the machine and held on for life. As the machine bounced, she bounced. The more she bounced the deeper he plunged.

“Oh, Dr. Johnson,” she screamed, feeling her muscles clench and unclench. “I’m cumming. I’m cumming.”

“Mrs. Stevenson,” he answered. He could feel her vaginal muscles pulsating and contracting. She was so wet and tight it amazed him. He bucked harder.

She felt delirious and couldn’t control the words that flew out of her mouth. “Dr. Johnson, fuck this pussy. Fuck it. Fuck it.”

“You want me to beat it up? Huh? I’ll beat that pussy up real good. Turn that fine ass around,” he commanded.

Greta didn’t know how she ended up on the folding table, but she was beyond caring. All she knew was that she’d been craving sex for a long time, and now she was getting what she needed.

As he pounded her from the back, he grabbed a hand full of her hair and pulled.

“Damn. That shit feels so good,” she said. She’d never had a man pull her hair. Chills raced through her entire body.

“I’mma wax this ass,” he panted.

“Wax it.”

She threw her ass back at him. He plunged into her. She paused just momentarily and clenched her vaginal muscles. Then she released them. She continued to do that until she had him just where she wanted him. She milked him until he couldn’t do anything but scream.

“Shit.” He throbbed then spurted like a volcano. She could feel the hotness of his jism inside the condom.

Gteta wanted to cum again so badly that her stomach muscles ached. She wrapped her legs around his waist, trying to keep him inside her.

Austin pulled out. He was trying to call the shots. She knew that game. Even as her thigh muscles trembled from restraint, she wouldn’t give him the upper hand.

He adjusted his trousers as he stood back and stared at her in satisfaction. “Mrs. Stevenson, you’ve made it to the top of the Principal’s List. You get straight A’s.” He smiled, cockily. He zipped up his pants and turned to watch as Greta fixed her clothes. Even though she had been a real good lay, there was something different about her. He knew he’d definitely be getting into those panties again. He’d purposefully pushed her to the edge, but pulled back right when she’d been close to bursting.

He knew women hated that, but it worked. She could act like she didn’t know what time it was, but he was the keeper of the time clock. He and Mrs. Stevenson would meet up again for round two. He just had to play his cards right.

Chapter Two

After Greta showered she put her clean clothes away. She believed firmly that everything had its proper perspective. Only dirty clothes belonged in laundry baskets. Clean clothes should be folded and placed in drawers, or hung in closets.

She tried to clear her mind of all thoughts of Mr. Johnson. She’d just as soon forget anyway. The man was off limits. He was the principal of the school where she worked, for Pete’s sake.

She couldn’t believe she’d let her hormones get the best of her. She’d acted like a horny teenager on prom night. She didn’t know how she would be able to look Mr. Johnson in the eye after their heated encounter.

Damn, the sex had been off the chain. She hadn’t been pounded like that in years. She’d been experiencing a dry spell so long that it had been almost turned into a draught. She’d needed that stress relief.

But, did she have to do it in a Laundromat …and with the principal? A bitch was acting like she hadn’t been raised right. She had changed into a low moral skank because the sight of her panties turned a man on.

She heard her great grandmother’s voice inside her head. “Satan, that’s what it is. That’s just the devil. Plain and simple.”

She was weak in the flesh. She’d have to go to church on Sunday just to purge herself. Hell, after what she’d let happen, they needed to pull out the holy water and the crucifix.

“What the hell was I thinking?” she wondered aloud. “It won’t happen again.” But the tingling in her lower extremities from just thinking about Austin said otherwise.

Her cell phone beeped three times indicating that she had a text message. She picked it up.

Mrs. Stevenson, will you please meet me in my office first thing in the morning? she read. It was from Principal Johnson. What the hell was he up to? Hadn’t she told him that what happened between them wouldn’t happen again? She’d be damned if she showed up.

The phone beeped again. Don’t even think about not showing up it said.

She sighed. Tomorrow would be a long day.

Greta had just gotten deeply engrossed in a book by Chamsil. She was damn near about to touch herself under the covers when her home phone rang.

“Shit!” She put the book aside and grabbed the cordless.

“This had better not be a damn booty call,” she snapped. All of her acquaintances knew she didn’t accept any calls of that nature.

“Calm down Miss Lady. I just wanted to holla at you. You are one hard person to catch up with. I stopped by your apartment, but you weren’t there.” It was Larry, one of her co-workers, another teacher.

“I had to go do laundry.”

“Oh, really? They still didn’t fix your shit, huh?”

“Hell no and I’m about ready to tell them motherfuckers about themselves. This shit is ridiculous.”

“I feel you.”

“So, what are you up to Larry?”

“I just finished grading some papers. Half my students don’t know simple math. What the fuck kind of shit is that?”

“They’d rather be parked in front of a PlayStation or watching music videos instead of studying math.”

“I know that’s right,” he agreed. “Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask you, what’s your take on our new principal?”

Greta damn near dropped the phone. “U-Um, he’s nice, I guess,” she managed to say. “What about you?”

“I think he’s a sneaky motherfucker. But, that’s just my opinion.”

“Larry, do I detect a hint of jealousy?” she asked.

“Hell to the nah. Personally, I think I got the brotha beat. I mean, I’m a handsome ass motherfucker. Shit, I got abs and arms that would make “The Rock” jealous. Granted, I don’t drive a sporty ass BMW like Mr. Johnson, but I got a nice whip. He gets drawers thrown at him daily, but so do I.”

Greta laughed. “You are a mess. Is that all you think about every day? You’re supposed to be teaching, remember?”

“I do teach. I teach math all day to my students. But, at night, it’s Love Making 101. You need to sign up for the class.”

“Larry, you already know how I feel about mixing business with pleasure.”

“Yeah, I know,” he said dryly.

“Well, I’m going to turn in Larry. I have to meet Mr. Johnson in his office early in the morning.”

“What do that nigga want?”

“I have no idea,” she answered truthfully.

“Well, be careful. I heard that he’s already had a few teachers bent over that desk. But, I know you can handle your business.”

“Good night Larry.”

“Good night.”

For some reason the thought of another teacher bent over Mr. Johnson’s desk annoyed her. She shook the thought and picked the book she’d been reading back up. However, her concentration was broken and all she could think of was riding Austin like a thoroughbred.

The next morning, Greta took a while choosing an outfit to wear. She finally dressed professionally in a two pieced, pinstriped pants suit. If Mr. Johnson tried to get at her stuff again, he’d have barriers to get through. She wasn’t giving in easily, even if she did want to.

She arrived at the school at little after seven o’clock. That would give them plenty of time to discuss whatever he had to talk about. The children weren’t supposed to arrive on the school’s grounds until 8:15, but she saw a few already sitting out front.

“Good morning,” she greeted. She always made it a point to speak to every child she encountered. You never knew just how much a smile or a kind word could make a child’s day.

“Hey, Mrs. Stevenson.” It was Jamisha, the student who’d been dressed inappropriately and had came out the mouth wrong with her the day before. An older woman with a two-toned hairdo stood next to her, frowning deeply.

“Lord, please don’t let my morning start off with a ghetto-style brawl,” she prayed silently. She didn’t want to come up out her high heels and use one. But, she would if she had to.

“Hi Jamisha. How are you, this morning?” Jamisha rolled her eyes. “And how are you?” she greeted the woman.

“I’m jus’ fine. I’m Ms. Bethune. Jamisha’s mama. Now, Misha tells me dat you sent her out ya class ‘cause of what she was wearin’ yesterday. I wanna know what she had on.”

“I already tol’ you Mama,” Jamisha whined.

“Shut ya mouth girl. I am talkin’ to ya teacher,” Ms. Bethune hissed.

“Well, she had on a half shirt. The school’s policy informs that tank tops or half shirts aren’t allowed. Had she put a jacket on, I wouldn’t have sent her out of the classroom. It’s just that, wearing something so revealing can be distracting to the other students” she explained to the obviously irate woman who stood glaring at her.

The woman’s neck turned so fast Gerta thought she might have caused whiplash. “A fuckin’ half shirt?” she yelled at her daughter. “What da fuck you come up in school wearin’ some shit like dat fuh?” The mama chastised, apparently upset.

“Mama, I’ll wear whatever I wanna wear.”

“See, you lucky dis teacher standin’ here. ‘Cause if she wasn’t, I’d beat ya ass down where you stand! I ain’t raisin’ no damn tramp. You supposed to wear the clothes that I buy fuh ya ass!.I didn’t buy no fuckin’ half shirts.”

“I didn’t say you did.” Jamisha sucked air through her teeth and rolled her eyes again.

“Gurl!” Ms. Bethune drew back her hand and that’s when Greta felt it was best to intervene.

“Ms. Bethune, don’t.” She quickly stepped between mother and daughter. “Obviously there’s a communication break down between yourself and your daughter. However, getting upset in public is never a good idea. Perhaps it’s best that you discuss this private matter at home,” she suggested.

“Ain’t nothin’ to discuss. She gonna do what da fuck I say do. She gonna go to school to learn and not to pick up nasty ass boys. All dey want is what’s between ya legs anyways.” She pushed her daughter’s forehand with her index finger.

“Mama.”

“Don’t mama me. Shit, how da hell you think I gots five kids now? Men tell one lie afta a fuckin’ nother one to get ya stuff. You don’t wanna have no kid. Raisin’ kids ain’t no damn joke. I’m tryin’ to keep you from goin’ thru the shit I go thru erry day.”

“You don’t go thru nothin’. I’m the one got to babysit all the time,” she grumbled. “Besides, I ain’t even doin’ nothin’,” she griped.

“And you won’t if I can help it. You got me comin’ up here all upset, ‘bout to go off on dis lady and all she tryin’ to do is tell you right from wrong.” She turned an apologetic look toward Greta. “My bad ma’am. Dis gurl is jus’ fast. Thank God the res’ of my kids is boys.”

Greta smiled slightly. She couldn’t fathom having five kids. Hell, she didn’t think she’d ever have that many unless she pushed out quintuplets.

“Ms. Bethune, I understand your concern. However, Jamisha is one of my most promising students.” Greta could see the girl’s eyes light up and the angry look left her face. “Do you know that she scored the highest in the whole classroom on the FCAT test in reading?”

“Nah, I didn’t know dat. Is dat so?” Her face seemed to lose some of its irritation.

“Yes, it certainly is. Jamisha is also an incredible writer. She’s extremely talented.”

“I knew she liked to write and thangs. She always readin’ too. I jus’ don’t like huh choice of books. Zane. Dat woman is too graphic. No teenager ain’t got no business readin’ dat. Now, myself, I like readin’ some Eric Jerome Dickey.”

“Really?”

“Yep. Sho nuff. I buy erry one of his books. He sho nuff can write for a man and he is fine too.” Her eyes narrowed as though she saw something she wanted really badly. “But not half as fine as dat nigga comin’ dis way.” She put her hands on her hip and just gawked. Girlfriend didn’t have any shame in her game.

Greta turned in the direction of her gaze. Principal Johnson. For a second her heart rate increased. She quickly composed herself.

“Good morning Principal Johnson,” she said calmly as he approached.

“Good morning ladies. How are you this fine morning?” The man was pure charismatic. It was plain to see that Ms. Bethune was smitten.

“You’re the principal?” Her eyes said, “Damn.”

“Yes, I am. And you are?”

“I’m Brenda Bethune, Jamisha’s mother.” The woman extended her hand.

Damn, look at how fast that bitch switched from ghetto queen to sophisticated lady, Greta thought dryly.

“Pleased to meet you.”

“The pleasure is all mine,” Ms. Bethune drooled. “I was just speaking with Miss – er, I didn’t get your name.”

“Stevenson. Mrs. Stevenson,” she answered with a tight smile.

“I was just speaking with Mrs. Stevenson regarding Jamisha’s behavior yesterday. She was out of line and it definitely will not happen again. You have my word on that.”

“I’m happy to hear that Ms. Bethune. It takes a village,” he threw out the cliché with a dazzling smile.

“Well, I have to get to work. If there are any further problems, don’t hesitate to call me.” She stared directly at Mr. Johnson when she said the last part.

“You have a good day ma’am.” He was just eating up the attention while Greta silently burned with annoyance.

“You too,” she purred. “Oh, and you too,” she added for Greta’s sake.

Bitch please.

“You do the same.” Greta wanted to roll her eyes, but she just smiled sweetly.

“Mrs. Stevenson, I’ll be ready to meet with you in a minute. If you want, you can wait for me in my office. I have to make my rounds.”

He showed no indication that he had anything but business on his mind. It was as though yesterday evening had never occurred. For some reason, Greta felt slightly disappointed.

“I’ll put on the coffee,” she said, walking off briskly.

It was 8:20 when Principal Johnson walked into the office. Greta had made the coffee and was sipping from a cup of the hot steamy liquid she held in her hands.

“Good morning again, Mrs. Stevenson,” he said, depositing his fine frame behind the desk. “I have a proposition for you,” he leaned toward her and she noticed the gleam in his eyes.

“Here we go,” she mumbled under her breath.

“I’ve been checking you out for quite some time.”

Is this bitch a stalker?

“I see that you’ve been teaching for fifteen years. That’s quite a while.”

“Um...teaching?” she asked, hesitantly.

“Yes, you’ve been a teacher for fifteen years, right?”

“Oh, yes. Yes. I have.”

So, where is he going with this?

“That’s remarkable. It requires strength and dedication. You obviously have both.”

“This really is a business meeting?” The question was out of her mouth before she could stop it.

Mr. Johnson smirked. “What did you think it would be? Contrary to popular belief, I don’t bend women over my desk on the state’s time. I have a job to do and that’s what I aim to do. This school is suffering and I’m going to make sure that there’s a noticeable improvement in the upcoming months. I don’t play when it comes to children and education.” He lifted a file from his desk. “And from what I’ve read, you don’t either. That’s why I have an offer for you.”

Now Greta’s interest was peaked. “What?”

“Unfortunately, Mrs. Niles will no longer be the assistant principal, for reasons I don’t care to disclose at this moment. She’ll be leaving at the end of this month. Therefore, there will be a vacancy.” He paused and stared at her intensely. “I’d like for you to fill it.”

Greta’s mouth dropped. Surprised couldn’t even describe what she felt. She had no idea what Mr. Johnson wanted from her. This was totally unexpected.

“Ma’am, you may want to close your mouth. We wouldn’t want a fly to land in there,” he joked.

She cleared her throat. It took a minute to pull it together. But, it wasn’t long before she was once again the professional, debonair woman who radiated confidence.

“Mr. Johnson, I appreciate your offer. I’ll think it over and get back with you. When do you need a decision?”

“I was pushing for one by the next PSTA meeting. That will give you two weeks time.”

“Thank you. I’m sure I’ll be able to let you know something before then.”

“Thank you for your time, Mrs. Stevenson.”

“You’re welcome.” Their eyes met and she was the first to look away. She cleared her throat. “Well, if that’s all, I’ll be heading to the classroom.”

“Yes, that’s all I can think of.” She got up to leave. He waited until she made it to the door. “Oh— Mrs. Stevenson?” She turned just in time to catch the glint in his eyes. “Thanks for last night,” he said lowly. “I’ll never dread doing laundry again.” She blushed and quickly left his office.

Chapter Three

Greta sat grading papers as usual. She wanted to be finished by nine because “Criminal Minds” which featured that fine actor, Shemar Moore would be coming on. She knew there was no chance in hell of her ever meeting the man but every opportunity she got she drooled over him like a damn groupie.

Of course her phone had to ring. It seemed like every time she got busy, it began ringing off the hook.

“Hello?”

“Hey Girl. What you doin’?” It was Cindy, her oldest and dearest friend. Cindy was a straight up trip and she always enjoyed talking with her.

“Grading papers. What else.”

“Girl, why don’t you throw them damn papers to the side and hang out wit’ me tonight?”

“Hang out where? Child, now you know I don’t set foot in these ghetto-fied, dirty foot clubs in St. Pete.”

“Are you implyin’ that I do, skank? “

“Nah, girl! I was just saying.” They both laughed.

“Let me finish. I’ve been chattin’ wit’ this nigga on MySpace and now we’re supposed to meet up. But, I don’t wanna meet him by myself.”

“Have you lost your fucking mind? What the hell are you doing wasting time on MySpace? Your ass is supposed to be working, not playing around on those people’s computer.” She knew that Cindy was on MySpace all the time because she checked MySpace from time to time from her laptop.

“The state can kiss my ass. They don’t pay me enough to entice me to become an exemplary employee. I stay on the computer: MySpace, BlackPlanet, Facebook, Match.com and Love@aol.com. I’m tryin’ to find another damn husband. Anyways, like I was sayin’. I wanna meet this nigga, but I don’t wanna go alone. You down or what? Oh, and the club is in Tampa, not slow, tired ass St. Pete.”

“What club?” Tampa had some raunchy clubs too.

“It’s the Blue Martini in International Plaza.”

“Oh, I like that club. It’s upscale and elite.”

“I knew yo’ bourgeois, snobbish ass would. So, you goin’ or what?” she asked again.

“Yeah, I guess I’ll go. I’m just not going to hang out all night. You know I have to be refreshed to teach a class full of kids.”

“Hell, dealin’ wit’ them crumb snatchers ought to drive you to drinkin’.”

“I know that’s right. So, what time you coming or should I drive?” She knew how Cindy got. The woman could drink any man she knew under the table. And talk about getting buck wild and turning a club out. Lord have mercy.

“I’m drivin’. I promise to stick to two drinks. I don’t wanna get too vulnerable. The guy might turn out to be an ax murder or somethin’ and I might have to drop kick that nigga in the throat.”

“Damn sis. You can take the bitch out the hood, but you can’t take the hood out the bitch.”

“And you know that shit,” she said matter-of-factly. “I’m Jordan Park projects in and out, all up and through.” They had both grown up in the projects known as Jordan Park and had been friends since attending Jordan Park Elementary.

“Should I bring my pepper spray, just in case?”

“That watered down shit. You might as well just poke a bitch in the eye with two fingers.” Greta heard a male’s voice in the background. She guessed that Cindy’s husband had arrived home. “I’ll be there between 9:30 and 10:00.”

“Make it ten. That’ll give me time to do something with my hair.”

“You betta throw on a wig or slap on a drawstring ponytail like I do.”

“I don’t do the ponytails and wigs look too fake.”

“Not the one I’m gonna wear.”

“Which one is that? You got so many,” she said sarcastically.

“Girl, I’m gonna pimp my Beverly Johnson, color #4, style Oprah,” she stated matter-of-factly.

She had Greta rolling on the floor. “You are a trip. Girl, I will see you when you get here. Let me got off this phone and finish up these papers so I can get ready.”

“Okay. And don’t call my ass in thirty minutes sayin’ you ain’t goin”, she warned.

“I won’t. I promise.”

“Alright then. Bye.”

“Bye.”

* * * * *

“This club had better be jumping. You made me miss the last half hour of Criminal Minds,” Greta told Cindy. They were just getting off the exit that would take them directly into International Plaza.

“You don’t care nothin’ ‘bout that show. You just watch it to see Shemar Moore. He be wearin’ the hell outta that FBI shirt and vest. That nigga is fione.”

“Mouth watering.”

“Tasty.”

“Scrumptious.”

“Damn, you makin’ me want some dick,” Cindy exclaimed.

“You got Greg at home. You shouldn’t ever be in need of dick.”

“Ple-ease. Why the hell you think I’m out here on the prowl? Greg has been havin’ a little malfunction problem as of late.”

“What? You mean his dick can’t get hard? Don’t lie.”

“I’m dead ass serious. And the muthafucka won’t go get a checkup. Talkin’ ‘bout his male pride.”

“Well, what about you? Doesn’t he care that he’s not able to satisfy you?”

Cindy shrugged her narrow shoulders. “Apparently not enough to get a checkup.”

“I know you want me to say that I understand. But, I don’t. Cheating is never an option when you’re married,” Greta said seriously.

“Bitch what the hell do you know?” She swung into a vacant parking space. “Your dried up ass need to get some damn dick. That shit is going to turn into the motherfucking Sahara.”

”How you know I didn’t get some?” Greta replied hotly, gathering her purse and checking her hair in the mirror. Her heartbeat increased just from remembering her heated night of passion with the principal. She wasn’t going to tell Cindy though.

“From who? You don’t even date. You stay locked in the house. You rarely go anywhere. When did you find time to meet anybody? At church?” She whirled around to stare into her face. “Don’t tell me you done fucked that fine ass pastor at ya church?”

“Girl, no. Don’t I wish.”

“Hell, I’d do him in a heartbeat. I bet he have all the women creamin’ in their panties every Sunday.”

“Now, you are going to hell for that one.” Greta shook her head, chuckling. “He is devoted to God and by the look of things, he’s going to stay that way.”

“Maybe he’s gay and is just hiding behind the church.”

“I don’t know. He was married before and has children. Maybe he had a bad experience and that’s what made him turn to God.”

“A bitch can do that to a brotha. We have some seriously deranged bitches in Da Burg, you hear me?” Cindy switched the car off and removed the keys from the ignition. “Well, this nigga better be here. Look for someone Hispanic, wearin’ a black shirt and beige slacks. He says he’ll have on a black Onyx ring.”

“That could be any damn body.”

“He’s about five eight, with a nice body. He claims to be a body builder.”

“Okay. Lead the way and I’ll follow. Didn’t he send you a picture?”

“Yeah, but that bitch was blurry.”

Greta just shook her head and followed Cindy into the club.

The club’s environment was more than satisfactory. On one side of the club they played hip-hop and they played reggaeton on the other side. Cindy got into it right away after ordering a drink. She found her way to the center of the dance floor and started dancing like Halle Berry in the movie BAPS.

Greta was content to stand off to the side and watch. She sipped on some Seagram’s and sprite. She saw a group of women crowded around a fine brother. From the way the women were carrying on, she figured he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Members of the team frequented The Blue Martini.

Whoever the player was, he appeared to be bewildered and uncomfortable. It wasn’t long before he got up and left. The crowd of gold-diggers stood with their mouths wide open in shock.

“No he didn’t,” one of them said.

“He ain’t all that.”

“He must think his shit doesn’t stink.”

Greta found it all amusing. They needed to stop fronting. They were just mad because he wasn’t interested in any of them.

“Hey sexy,” someone breathed against her earlobe. “Can I refresh that drink?” She turned to see Larry standing there.

“Hey Larry,” she smiled and gave him a quick hug. “I would let you get me another one but I think this is going to be it for tonight.”

“You sure?”

Greta gazed out toward the dance floor and saw Cindy doing some stripper type dance. Where the hell had she learned that?

“I’m sure,” she said. “I may have to drive home.”

“Well, how about a dance later on?” Larry asked.

“I’ll think about it Lar,” she said politely. She didn’t want to turn him down flat. Larry was a nice guy. He was handsome, witty, and smart. She just didn’t want to get involved with him and she could tell that he was more than a little interested in her. Why lead him on?

“I hope your answer will be yes,” he said smoothly then walked off.

Greta put her empty glass onto the counter. A song by Akon and Snoop Dog blasted out the speakers and everybody in the club seemed to come alive. The dance floor went from semi-empty to overly-crowded in mere seconds.

“I see you windin’ and grindin’ up on that pole. And I see you lookin’ at me and you already know. I wanna fuck you.”

“What?” Greta couldn’t believe the lyrics blasting from the loud speakers. It seemed that the more vulgar the lyrics got, the more hype the crowd became. She knew there was a reason why she didn’t frequent nightclubs anymore.

People were gyrating, bumping, grinding and pulling it down. They were popping, twirking and shaking everything God and their mamas gave them. It was just too much for her system to handle.

“Hey. Greta!.I found him,” Cindy said breathlessly, pulling on the arm of a very attractive Hispanic guy. “This is my best friend Greta,” she introduced. “Greta, this is Diego.”

“Hello Diego.”

“Hello.” They nodded at each other politely.

“Diego, I’ll be right back.” Cindy said, and pulled Greta in the direction of the bathroom because they couldn’t carry on a conversation over the loud music.

“Girl, I gotta get wit’ this fine ass man,” she said. “He’s gonna follow us home.”

“What? You can’t take him to your place. Isn’t Greg home?”

“Yes Greg’s flat foot ass is home. I know I can’t take him there. I’m going to take you home and leave my car at your place. Then, me and Diego are leaving in his car and we gonna get a room.”

“Cindy. Why don’t you at least wait until you two go out a few times?” She hadn’t waited to let Austin Johnson hit it. Who was she to try to tell her friend how long to wait to give her stuff up?

“Fuck that. I’m horny. Shit, do you realize that I haven’t had any dick in damn near three months?”

“Shit!”

“I’m fuckin’ him. Period.”

“Okay,” Greta said lowly.

“So, are you ready to leave?” She checked her hair in the mirror and reapplied her lipstick.

“Sure. I might as well be.”

“Don’t have an attitude. You knew why I wanted to come here tonight,” she reminded.

Greta gave a reluctant nod. “Okay. It’s your business. Just be careful,” she finally said.

“I will. I got the Trojans and the Magnums- just in case.” She winked suggestively and Greta shook her head. “Now, let me get back to that fine motherfucker before some skank snatches him up.” They headed out of the ladies’ room. “Hey, isn’t that Larry?” Greta turned to look where Cindy pointed.

“Yeah, I spoke to him earlier. He wanted to get a dance before I left. I guess he’ll have to wait on that.”

“I don’t know why you don’t get wit’ him. He’d probably be good for you. Y’all have similar interests.”

“I don’t know. There’s just something about him that I can’t quite put my finger on.”

They rejoined Diego at the bar. Cindy slipped her arms around the lucky man. Greta could admit that Diego was quite handsome and even though small in stature, his body was chiseled.

As Greta, Cindy and her newfound friend left the club, Larry stared behind them. His face tightened and he got a strange look in his eye. Suddenly, he slammed the glass he’d been drinking from onto the counter top.