Any Given Thursday

“You’re fucking her aren’t you?!”



Melinda Banes screeched as she swerved through rush hour traffic. She snarled at the driver who wedged in between her and the off ramp. Gripping her cell phone tightly, Melinda planned on giving her on-again, off-again boyfriend the grilling of his life. Melinda knew that he had to work with his PolySci partner Celina Thompson, but that didn’t mean she had to like it. She had seen the way Celina stared longingly at Jake. She knew that they had been an item as kids for a brief time but so what? They were adults now, and that little relationship was in the past. Or, it should have been.



At 5’3 115, pounds and less than 2 body fat, Melinda was a petite redhead that most guys scrambled to. When she first saw Jake she knew that he was going places. She also knew that he was a proper catch, definitely someone that she could bring home to her parents. When she heard him groan over the phone, Melinda knew something weird was going on. Jake was being noncommittal with his answers. It was an obvious skill he learned in debate classes that she had come to despise. Twirling her red curls through slender fingers she drove through afternoon traffic dismally.



“I’m not sleeping with Celina, Linda. I assure you that this project is strictly of a professional nature. Why would I go to her when I’ve got a gorgeous carrot top waiting for me when I get home?”



Satisfied with his answer, Melinda calmed down a bit. She just knew that Jake wasn’t a cheater. He was different from all the other guys that she dated. He was caring and warm, and never acted like a jerk. He was the ultimate catch, but most importantly her father would approve. She was finally on her way to getting the M-R-S degree that her parents had been nagging about. Perhaps she should visit Jake, maybe an unexpected drop by would remind him of just how good he had it. I mean he couldn’t possibly want to go to that fat, ugly, black, boring girl when he had her right?



Jake’s standards were too high to fuck a girl like Celina Thompson. Melinda herself didn’t know the girl, but the word around campus was that she was anti social. That Jake would be spending so much time alone with her definitely didn’t sit well with her but what could she do? She wanted Jake to think of her as the cool girlfriend—the one that would give you a blow job and let you come in her mouth. She wanted to be adored in his eyes, and if she had to behave a little sluttish for him so be it. Maybe she should have sucked his dick before he left.



They had gotten into an argument the night before he left about his “needs” not being met. But hadn’t she allowed him to do everything little perverted thing he wanted? He was rather tame in that matter, settling for a blow job but not even asking if he could fuck her in the ass. A grimace marred her face at that thought. If it wasn’t the sex, than what was she losing him too? Surely she wouldn’t lose him to Celina right? The girl was a prude if she ever saw one. Then again Jake was an ass man and she knew what they said about black girls with big asses. A shudder ran down her spine at the thought. She wouldn’t give him up without a fight.



“Linda, sweetie… Where is all this coming from? Sure we had a little argument before I left, but you were never this insecure before. Why are you acting like this now?”



Melinda scoffed at his attitude, not at all surprised by his ignorance on the matter. A woman always knew when another woman wanted her man. She didn’t deserve to be called such if she weren’t aware of those types of things. She didn’t know very much about Celina, but she knew that the moment Jake was slightly nice to her; she’d try to seduce him. The very idea was laughable, but nevertheless a possibility.



“I’m not insecure Jake. I just know that Celina Thompson is interested in you. She wants you, I can tell.”



Jake’s caustic laugh could be heard over the traffic, and it left her upset. How could be so lackadaisical? The girl was trying to steal him from her and he didn’t even give a damn! Melinda pulled into an IHOP parking lot, hoping to calm herself down. She knew how dangerous it was to drive angrily.



“Celina Thompson and I have known each other since we were twelve and in that time we rarely got along. You heard of how we act in classes. I don’t like her and she doesn’t like me. It’s as simple as that.”



Melinda mulled over his words temporarily appeased. Maybe she did overreact. After all, Jake was a grown man that could take care of himself. She was acting like a jealous moron. Exhaling deeply, Melinda calmed herself down. She was better than that. She was a Banes for goodness sake! She could keep Jake in check.



“So you’re positive that nothing is going on between you two?”



She grimaced when she heard his very audible sigh on the other end. So what if she was pressing the issue, he was hers! He would always be hers and no one else would have him but her.



“I’m extremely positive. Although if I didn’t know any better I’d think that you didn’t trust me at all.”



Laughing flirtatiously, she hoped that her banter would make him forget about her previous concerns. Of course once accusations were out in the open, there was no turning back.



“I really do need to be going Linda. I’ll call you when the interviews are done. Trust me; everything is going to be okay.”



Jake’s words of assurance did little to settle the seeds of doubt that had been planted in her mind. Her stomach became queasy at the thought of being cheated on. She had always been the dumper, and she wouldn’t be dismissed by the likes of Jacob Collier. They exchanged quick goodbyes, and as Melinda sat in the empty parking lot of the pancake house, Jake’s words echoed in her mind. You were never this insecure before…



May 1998



Her fourteenth birthday came with an array of gifts, and other trinkets that were all the rage at the time. Keesha had bought her those new gaudy fake diamond rings that weren’t even made of zircon. Along with that she bought her those sleek sunglasses that all the other kids were wearing. She also stuffed her purse with her very first “make up” bag. She hated the thing because like her mother, Celina preferred not to wear make up of any kind. She still stood by her grandmother’s old adage that beauty in the black woman’s body aged like fine wine. The rivers of her hair flowed like the Nile, and the color of her skin remained shined and glossy, like papyrus leaves resting on the bank.



Her father in his wisdom decided that the drums were getting old and had graciously purchased her a new set. The set was used but in good working condition. Her brother had given her a few Japanese comic books, opting not to give her more mature items. Celina accepted them joyously, remembering that she and her brother shared a love of the foreign art. She enjoyed her gifts but was still surprised to receive a (poorly) hand wrapped present from a certain someone that she had been trying to avoid. Jake somehow had discovered her love of the color blue and had bought her a lovely indigo bracelet with matching earrings.



Why he had done this, she had no clue, but she had a feeling that a certain older sister had a hand in buying the gift. When she closed her eyes, she could still see him standing awkwardly in the door as her family sat over dinner handing their gifts to her. He was blushing her way, and while her parents found it cute, Celina was mortified by their insistence that she talk with him alone. They adjourned to the den room while her family continued their meal. Standing before him, she didn’t really know what to say. Lately, Celina had been seeing less and less of him and she wondered if perhaps he had finally gotten sick of her and got rid of his silly little crush on her.



“I thought I asked you to stay away from me. You never do follow directions did you?”



She asked in the uncomfortable silence, turning her body slightly away from his. That easy going smile returned to his face, and he shook head defiantly. Patting the seat next to him on the couch, he urged her to come forward.



“I’ve always been hard headed when it comes to you. You know that.”



Glancing at him warily, Celina obliged but scooted as far away as possible. Jake as usual was not deterred. He simply slid closer to her. Their knees were touching and they faced forward, unsure of what to say. Celina felt embarrassed for some reason. She could feel her stomach do nervous flip flops and she just knew that her face was as red as a tomato. Why did she have to feel so nervous around this strange boy? What was wrong with her? When he wasn’t around she missed him, and when he was around she didn’t want him within ten feet of her. Is this what puberty did to her? Did it make her behave like a certifiable nut whenever a cute guy came around?



“I haven’t been around because I got a part time job. I’m saving money for an ATV. My parents refused to buy it for me, but they let me get a job to pay for it. I also had to have money to get you your birthday gift. What do you think of it by the way?”



Jake asked looking her in the eyes. Celina fidgeted then, uneasy with his inquisitive stare. She felt his hand lift her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. Cupping her face, he smiled and Celina knew then not to ruin the moment by saying something stupid. She closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of his skin against hers, but holding steadfast to that unknown sensation rumbling in her belly.



“Oh I don’t know. Are you feeling stuffy? I sure am feeling hot in here. Mom refuses to turn on the air conditioner. I think I’ll go get some fresh air. Maybe the wind will cool me down.”



Finally, she could take no more, and she bustled out of the house to sit on the porch. Basking in the afternoon sun, she felt safer there now that the distance had been established. Maybe he decided to stay inside, or sneak out the back because he was embarrassed like she was. Unfortunately Jake had done nothing of the sort. He joined her on the porch swing, gripping her hand firmly, but without hurting her. Instead of squeezing her hand, Jake caressed it gently, staring off into the distance. He suddenly removed his hand from hers only to lock it firmly around her waist. Celina fidgeted for a moment, but she knew that there was no use.



“It’s useless to fight. That’s what my sister Rhonda says. I told her all about you and how you get on my last nerve. I told her about how you argue with me, and how you always have to get the last word in. I told her how you smile sweetly when you think no one is watching. She said that I was in love with you.”



Celina frowned at his comment, utterly shocked by his admission. There was no way in hell that he loved her! All they ever did was argue all the time. She only angered him, and he angered her. That was what they did. But there was not supposed to be any sort of love between them. Celina didn’t want to hear this, not on her fourteenth birthday. She tried to get loose again, but he only held her tighter. This time he stood abruptly, leading her down to the dock on the pond. They sat there silently, their legs swinging in unison as they stared at the waters of the pond before them.



“She thinks that just because she’s eighteen that she knows everything. She is such a pain in the butt. I wanted to prove her wrong so I went out with MacKanzie for a while. We kissed and made out, and she even let me touch her breasts and ass. She was willing to go all the way and I would have too but—.”



Why would Jake tell her these things? The very thought of him kissing, fondling Mackenzie Ferguson repulsed her. To know that he went out with her and obviously enjoyed himself—Celina didn’t know how to respond. They weren’t going out, they could barely tolerate each other but she felt a myriad of emotions. She could feel the sting of anger, betrayal, rejection, and sadness twist in her heart like a vise. What right did she have to feel anything at all? He wasn’t her boyfriend. He could fondle, kiss and sleep with anyone he wanted. But why did she feel like something very important had abruptly ended with his words? Why did she feel like she had lost something important?



“Why are you telling me this Jake? I know—I know that you don’t like me that much, but today is my birthday. How could you be so cruel by coming here and telling me about what you did on your stupid date? I don’t want to hear about it at all!”



Celina bitterly choked out, barely able to control the sob that threatened to be wrenched from her body. Standing up angrily, Celina turned away from him unable to even look him in the eye anymore. She could hear his words repeating over and over in her head. “We kissed and made out, and she even let me touch her breasts and ass.” Scowling, Celina whirled to face him, ready to slap his stupid jerk face. Jake’s hand grabbed her before she made contact pulling her flush against him. His eyes had hardened, and they had lost their familiar twinkle. He sat back down, yanking her with him so that she sat on his lap.



“You didn’t let me finish talking Celina.”



Hands found their way against her waist again, and he sighed into her hair. Celina’s mind was too far in overdrive to feel shy at their close proximity or at is boldness in holding her. Her mind was still mulling over his words. That bitch Mackenzie, how dare she! How dare she take what was hers?! Before she could think of the many ways to torture the girl, Jake rested his chin in the crook of her neck, plunging Celina head first into reality.



“So talk Jake. Say whatever you have to say and let me go. I don’t have time for your mind games.”



Celina could feel the hardness of his chest stiffen by her comment. Perhaps she had gone too far just now, but how else could she explain his behavior? What other words could she use for him being a total asshole by gong out with that little blonde twit of all people?



“As I was saying before you interrupted me. I couldn’t have done that with Mackenzie, Celina. I don’t like her like that. I can’t have sex with someone that I don’t love. Besides, we’re too young anyway. When I do it, I want it to be with someone that makes me happy, and that I make happy. I want it to be with someone that I love.”



Celina relaxed at his words, but only slightly. As she felt some of the anger dissipate, she felt Jake loosen his grip on her as well.



“That didn’t stop you from fondling her breasts and ass like a pervert did it?”



She said bitterly, still refusing to look in his eyes. Facing away from him so that he wouldn’t see her embarrassment, Celina blushed as she was turned around. Jake leaned in and placed the softest kiss on her lips. She reached out for him then, pulling him closer so that she could enjoy the feeling of his lips on hers. He fervently responded to her advances and shifted her body so that she straddled him. They broke apart finally, as the need for air overcame any other urges that they had. Jake yanked on a loose braid, and kissed her again. Looking down at the position they were in—her long legs wrapped around his waist, and his arms around her middle made for a very interesting sight.



“You know that the only breasts and ass that I want to fondle are yours.”



Jake whispered cheekily, leaning his forehead against hers. She slapped his arm lightly, enjoying the position they were in. Although she liked being wrapped around him, anyone could come down to the pond and discover them like that. As she shifted her body to stand, she noticed something very hand against her thigh. Flushed cheeks met hers, and they said nothing. Neither was very sexually experienced but they both knew what that meant. She stood wobbly to her feet giving, him a hand to stand.



“Um, sorry about, well you know…”



He avoided her eyes, and she his as both willed the awkward moment away. Celina squinted in the sunlight staring off in the distance. She smiled when she felt his warm hand slip into hers. Now she had finally realized why she felt that sense of safety, of happiness, of belonging around him. It was because she belonged with him. This may not have been the picture perfect moment she dreamed of as a little girl, but in that moment she knew she had found something. Not quite love, but major steps had been taken in the right direction. Somehow, seeing his infectious smile assured her of that fact. She was falling hard, hard for a boy she had been destined to hate.