25

25
“Surely something resides in this heart that is not perishable—and life is more than but a dream.” Mary Wollstonecraft

Adrienne awoke to being splashed with water. She sat up, chocking, and stared at Deshawn who stood over her clad only in boxers. She hit him with a pillow. “What the fuck is your problem, Deshawn? You can’t just run around dumping water on people.” He stared at her coldly. “Why are you in his bed?” “I think you should be more worried about the fact that I’m not in yours.” “I think you need to watch your mouth before it gets you into trouble.” She glanced quickly at Jackson’s empty side of the bed. She stood on the bed, eyelevel with Deshawn. “You’re the one that’s got the trouble, Deshawn. At least that’s what I would call it if the sound of your girlfriend crying in the middle of the night doesn’t even wake you up.” “Oh, so that gives you a free pass to go sleep with my brother?” “What’s the matter? You want to hit me? Go ahead motherfucker. I beat your ass in junior high, don’t think I can’t do it again.” “How long has this been going on?” Deshawn demanded. “Since before your voice changed. Why don’t you shut the fuck up and stay out of shit that you know nothing about. Maybe you forgot who I was with first. I don’t need this shit; get the hell out of my way,” she snapped, pushing past him as she jumped off the bed. He blocked her at the door. “How long have you been fucking my brother?” “Move, Deshawn.” “How long?” “If you don’t get the fuck out of my way I’m going to make you wish you had.” He didn’t move. She tried to kick him in the groin, but he caught her leg before impact. She twisted around and elbowed him in the stomach. He threw her forward and landed on top of her. He lay on top of her, his eyes holding hers. “How long have you been fucking Jackson?” “I’m not fucking him. Sleeping in his bed, maybe. But there isn’t any sex involved. Ask him. Ask him if we’ve ever had sex, even when we were together. Not that it’s any of your business anyway. This is stupid. Get off of me.”