Never Ending Pain
** Ethan**
[2 days later]
I haven’t seen Journee in the past wo days because of work and we are doing things in the church that require my full attention. Curtis has been checking on her and letting me know how she is doing but it’s not the same.
“Curtis how is Journee?” “She is good we are going out tonight.” “Excuse me.” “Calm down E. Not like that. She said she wants to go to the event for local singers. Actually, I think its for poets as well.” “Sounds fun.” “Why don’t you show up. Surprise her.” “I might do that. I got to get going I need to have a talk with my parents tonight.” “About what?” “You will find out soon enough.”
I haven’t told Curtis yet, no one knows but I need for my parents to know I will not have them interfering in my life any more. “Ethan Harbin, are you hiding something from me. From me your best friend?” “How about this you will be the first to know out of everybody.” Curtis gave me a look. “I suppose I can deal with that.” We both laugh then I take off to go home.
After getting home I took a long shower pondering everything that had taken place in the past two weeks. One thing is both Amber and Chloe have been dropping by the fire house or my house. I am going to tell them also it will be no more nothing. When I finished with my shower I got dressed and went to my parent’s house.
Arriving at my parents house I see they have company and I know all to well who it is. I knocked on the door and waited for some one to answer. The door open and my mom was their all smiles when she saw me.
“Ethan” She said while hugging me. “Hey mom. Walked How are you.? I hope you don’t mind me just dropping by.” “Non sence Sweetie. I’m happy you’re here.” We walk in and I see Chloe and her mom in the front room. “Hey Ethan.” “Hello Chloe.” “Mom I can’t stay long I just come to say that I meant what I said. Please don’t butt into my love life any more. Especially now.”
“What do you mean especially now?” My dad asks with a questionable look on his face.
“Just how it sounds.” “Son do you have a girl friend?” “No dad I don’t.” “Ethan, we can make us work.” Chloe says “Yes, baby y’all can. Now Ethan you need to think about this. Chloe can give you things no other woman can.” Chloe’s mom says. “Is it her? Is it that black stripper. That one who is a prostitute? Or is it the blonde one. I can dye my hair Ethan and I can be your own personal stripper.” “Chloe, I don’t care what you do. It just won’t be with me.”
I watch my mom give Chloe a look that I can’t explain at that moment I knew I had enough. “I have to be some where. I’ll see yall for dinner Friday.” I left out heading to go meet Journee and Curtis. I send a quick text to Curtis to tell him I was on the way.
When I finally got their it took a little while to find them because of the big crowd. Once I found them. The sweet voice of God played in my mind making me smile big.
“Hey y’all” “You invited him didn’t you Curtis.” The smile left her face and she seem upset hen she turned around. “I can go if you want me to Journee.” I watched her slowly turn around with a smile on her face. Her and Curtis busted out laughing. “Did I miss something?” “I knew you was coming and the look on your face was priceless.” “Ha ha. Funny.”
“Journee, are you going to sing?” “I don’t think so. Not tonight.” “Too bad I was looking forward to you singing.” “Maybe another time.” I walked up and stood beside her as we listen to varies people sing and some do poetry. “Ethan, do you really want to hear me sing?” “What are you thinking about singing. I don’t want you to sing anything sexual.” “What’s wrong with singing sexual songs?” “Well I’m going to get something to drink. This is a conversation for y’all.” Curtis said.
“I’m listening” ‘I’m a pastor Journee.” “And you never let me forget it.” “What does that mean?” ‘It means thats what you say all the time.” “because I am and I take that very seriously.” “And I never sa..” Journee looked up. She opened her mouth to speak but couldn’t before we caught in the rain. I grabbed her hand to hurry to he car but she didn’t move.
“Why are you running Ethan?” “Its pouring rain.” “Come on lets just walk. You’re not scared, are you?” “No I am not scared.” She extends her hand toward me and I took it into mine as we walked in the poring rain. In my mind, I am thanking God for this heavely moment he has blessed me to have with Journee.
We got to her house and rain is still coming down harder and storm has gotten worse.
I watched Journee unlock her door and I was about to pull off when she turned and faced me. Waving for me with her hand. I step out of my car only to hear her yelling at me. “Are you crazy Ethan? It is to bad to be driving. Get your ass in here right now.” I step back in the car to turn it off and ran inside her house.
I watched Journee stare at me in a way I can’t explain. “I cany believe you were going to chance this weather.” “Are you worried about me?” “I don’t have a heart or feelings. I just don’t need your family and two wifes blaming me if something to you.” She walked off before I could say anything. She came back with towels for me and herself. She left again she was gone for a while. When she returned, she had on a short robe and tossed me white with pink pola dots. Go in my room and take your clothes off. I’ma wash and dry your clothes.”
Walking back, I see Journee trying to find something but all channels were out. At that moment, there was a loud boom and the power went completely out. “Looks like your stuck with me.” “In more ways than you know.” I say very lowly. “What was that Ethan.” “Nothing.”
We sat on the couch watching the lighting flash with only silence between us. “Journee, will you come with me Friday?” “Nope. I’m busy.” “Doing what.” “Not you so what does it matter.” “I plan to stay a virgin until I get married.” “That’s great asking blondie.” “I’m asking you.” “And I’m busy.” “Doing what.” “I have to work Ethan.” “Coma again.” “Yes, the weekends are my best.” “you mean your still stripping?” “I am I probably will for the next 5 years unless something happens. Like I break my leg or something.” “Journee how many kids do you want?” “I don’t want any more. My son has my heart and its in a better place and with a much more worth person.” “Journee” “Ethan I am not going to have kids with some job that has 401K plan four kids. No not me.” “How do you know?” “I’m going to bed. I’m done playing 21 questions with you.” “Please come with. Please” “Fine what ever, I’ll go. But I’m going to work after.” “That’s fine with me.” “Where are we going anyways?” “keep in mind you have already said yes.” “Yes fine, just tell me.” “To my parents”
“Hell, no Ethan. Fuck that shit.” “You said yes remember.” “I really hate you just so you know.” “Journee.” She ignored me and walked to her bed room. I waited a wile and followed. “Journee, I know your mad because I didn’t tell you but I really wanted you come with you. I have talked to my parents it won’t be like it was before.” She turned over in the bed looking right at me. “You promise.” “I do.” “I guess I can do it.” “May I sleep on your couch?” “Yeah you can.” “Good night Ethan,” “Good night Journee,”
** Journee**
{Friday}
Finishing getting dressed I got a text from Ethan saying he is on his way. I packed my bags for work since I will be going there after this dinner that I really don’t wana be at. I am brough out of my thoughs when I hear knocking on my door. I grab everything and open the door to see Ethan smiling.
“You look beautiful.” Thank you. you look very handsome.” “Thank you shall me go.” “yes, we shall.” The car ride we had conversations about any and everything.
“Journee before we go in I told my parents you were coming and there better not be a repeat of the last time.” “Thank you, Ethan. I’m thinking I should have bought me some peach vodka.” “Come on.”
Ethan knocked on his parent’s door and his dad answered. “Hey son, how are you? Journee nice to see you again.” He extended his hand out to me and I shook it with a smile and he had a smile on his face. Thinking to myself maybe this will not be so bad.
Walking into the house I am floored when I see Chole and her parents. I was ready to let Ethan have it until I saw his face. “What are y’all doing here.?” Ethan asked. “We are always here for thr Friday dinners.” “Come on Journee, lets go” “We are here its fine. Just ignor them like I plan to.”
About 15 minutes into eating the doorbell. “Mom who else is coming?” Ethan asked in an irritated tone. “I’ll get it Chloe said with a look on her face that I wanted to punch. “You do that dear.” Mrs. Harbin.
Chloe came back with a black couple. Looking at them both very hard the insides of me begin to crack. I try to breath but I fall apart even more. “Everybody say hello to Rayford and Vivian. Journee’s biologolal parents.” Chloe said with with a smug look on her face. I couldn’t move but I caught Ethan’s mom with the same smug look on her face.
“Oh, Ray and Vivian did y’all know your daughter is a stripper and prostitute.” “What. Viv, maybe we should have kept her. Started selling her about 14 or 15. Do you know how much we could have got off that sweet virgin pussy.” “I’m thinking a couple thousand.” Vivan said.
“Journee” I look in sapparie eyes and see flashes of hurt and betrayal in his eyes. “So, my daughter is a strip whore. I must say I am completely disappointed in you.” “Ray I am to. She could have brought her whorey ass to work for us.”
“THAT’S ENOUGH” Ethan yelled while everything inside of me shattered. Even my tears were broken.
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