Another Glass of Sex on the Beach

Some people think that life starts when your parents conceive you. When you’re nothing, but that little egg swimming around your mother's belly. Some people think that it starts when your mother pushes you out her vagina. You're all covered in blood and shit, or vice versa, and not to mention you smell. The doctor slaps you on the ass, and you let out a blood curdling scream. But, I think people have got it all wrong. What do I think?  I think, your life starts when your heart stops for a brief second causing all these emotions and feelings that you had before, but didn’t really understand, they become understood. It hits you just like that, takes your breathe away, and all you can do is bask in the moment. Your life has just begun. 

“ANGELAAAAAAAA!” 

I jump up from my writing, and run down the stairs. I know exactly who that voice is, none other than my best friend, Kima. She’s been my best friend since we were in high school. Now we’re both twenty-six, and we go out every night to a bar while she scouts for potential husbands. Even though I hate going out to the bar I keep going, because if Kima doesn’t find a guy that’s interested in her she tends to drink herself into a stupor. So I go, only because of the dumb ass phrase someone created. What’s that phrase again? Oh yeah, “friends, don’t let friends drive drunk.” I wish I could slap the guy who said that, cause now I have to feel obligated. 

“ Girrrrrl” her spanish accent makes her roll her ‘r’s’. “I just know it! I prayed to God last night, and I know he’s gonna see fit to bring me a man!”

“ You say that every night we go out Kima. I think God wants you to turn around, go back home, and go to sleep” I giggle. 

“ Naw, I don’t want to hear it Angela. See, I prayed to God for you too.”

“Oh, really and what did you ask him. I hope it was to send me an extra fifty dollars because I could surely use it” I laughed.

“No! I told him to send you a man. Someone whose gonna make your punanny so hot you’re gonna have to throw a bucket of water down there to cool off.” she laughed 

Kima was so silly. She thought every moment was an opportune moment to use one of her sex jokes on me. She knew I hadn’t had sex since my first year of college. I had met this really nice guy, and I thought I was so in love. One day as I was going to his dorm to surprise him with a cake I had baked for him. I wanted to wish him well on his finals. I had walked in to find him sitting on his bed with his pants around his ankles ,and some random girl stuck in between his legs, head bobbing up and down as if her life depended on it. I was so upset. Since then I haven’t been with anyone else. 

“You gotta loosen up Angela. Now, I know your all stuck on Robert-” Kima started 

“ I am not.” I rolled my eyes, but Kima just kept on going like she didn’t hear me. Once that girl gets on a roll its hard to stop her. 

“ But you’ve got to get back out there. I’m telling you there’s a sea of men out there and we have to swoop them up out of the water, like the horny bitches we are!” she shouted .

I just shook my head and grabbed my jacket. 

“ No, you’re the horny one” I stuck my tongue out

“Whatever, let’s go mami.” she shouted excitedly.

Tonight Kima had chosen to go to the “Warehouse” bar. Even though I hate having to go to bars, out of all the ones that Kima has dragged me to, this one was one I could tolerate. The atmosphere was always a bit more relaxing than the other places she would take us. At this bar no one was dancing on top of the bar, or dry humping with someone in the corner of the room. The people who came here had a lot more class, and Kima’s chances of finding a man always seemed a lot greater here. 

“Hey Kima and Angela, what can I get for the two of you tonight? Oh, wait, don’t tell me” Harry, our regular bartender laughed.

“Sex on the Beach!” the three of us yelled in unison.

Every time we come to the bar, Harry,the bartender, is always there serving me and Kima our favorite drinks. Then once Kima gets drunk Harry and I laugh at her failed attempts to snag guys. As we sit, laugh, and sip on our drinks I think to myself, this night is gonna be no different. Instead, the sexiest guy I’ve seen in a long time comes up behind me and calls to Harry to get him a drink. 

“Hey, let me get a scotch and soda” he says in a deep baritone voice.

“ No problem” Harry says, and turns around to make the drink for the baritone man. 

His voice is so beautiful almost making me wet my black lace thongs. I just had to get a peek of this guy, so I prop my elbow up on the bar and rake my hand through my hair, allowing me to be able to steal a glance. His voice definitely matches his looks. He has the most beautiful milk chocolate skin, dark brown eyes, and full lips. He has perfectly twisted locks that hang neatly down his back. He is sporting a  white button up, black jacket and black slacks. 

He laughs. 

“ Was that really your sad attempt to try and take a look at me?” he speaks. 

I just sit there, pretending not to hear him. 

“ Girl, I know you hear him talking to you. Now that Angela, is a Sex on the Beach!” Kima laughs. 

“ Angela? Hmm, beautiful name, comes from the word angel right? I bet the face matches the name.” 

“You tell me?” I say turning around and staring him in the eyes.

I’m an almond brown girl with strong features. Full lips, high cheekbones, full hips and ass. My curly hair is pinned up in a high ponytail tonight. I was so glad that I attempted to look like something tonight. I had on a black hip hugging dress with a lace back. My black stilettos matched perfectly with my ensemble. I was killing it. 

“You are even more beautiful” he said. Harry passed him his drink. 

“ And what might your name be? Now that you know mines.” I said and slowly brought my drink to my lips. All the while staring him in his eyes.

He cleared his throat, “ Derek.”

“ And what brings you here to the Warehouse, Derek?” 

“ I just got off work and nothing is waiting on me at home, so I thought I should stop here for a drink, and to listen to some good music.” he took a sip of his drink and then asked me, “ What brings you here?”

I smiled. 

“ I’m just here babysitting my best friend, Kima. We came here to do the same.” I thought it would be a little embarrassing to tell him that we were actually supposed to be here, according to Kima, scouting for potential husbands.

“ Are you sure?” he laughed and pointed at Kima, she was dancing on a guy that I’m sure she didn’t ask permission. His date was standing there with an angry scowl. 

Derek and I both laughed. 

“ Kima is so silly. I think it’s time I go get her so we can head home. It was nice meeting you, Derek” 

I stood up from the bar, and he gently grabbed my hand. I felt a spark that made me want to sit at that bar forever just to listen to his baritone voice. That one touch made my body do things that it hadn’t done in such a long time. Just that one touch. This has to be what it feels like to be alive. I gently pulled my hand away and placed it on his chest and whisper in his ear. 

“ Next time you want to see me. You know where to find me.” 

I walked in at work the next day to find pile of paper work and ton of emails. Usually I come into the firm feeling down, but today, was different. I couldn't stop thinking about Derek with the baritone voice. The Sex on the Beach must have got to me because I had quickly opened up to him. I sat down at my desk and started listening to my voice mails, I took out my pad and pencil so I could tell my boss, Terry, who called. 

This is Matthew, and I need to see the doctor. Dr. Terry, I need to see you. I think my house is being invaded by aliens. Now I know you told me that these things aren’t real and that it only means something deeper...but I swear ( he whispers) they’re here. They’re here and they are coming to get me. 

Beep. 

Hey Girl, this is Kima! So who was that hot chocolate brother you were talking to lastnight? See, I told you that we were going to find us some men. Now all you gotta do is ask him if he has a brother, for me. I know you know he was fine. We have to go back so that you can see him again, tell him to bring his brother if he’s going to come. Girl he looked so good, if I had a man like that I would be riding--

Beep. 

I hung up before I could hear the rest of her perverted statement. But she was right, he was one fine specimen. I kept thinking about his voice and those beautiful lips. I wanted to go to the Warehouse in hopes that he would be there again tonight, but I didn’t want to seem desperate. I decided that I wouldn’t go for a couple of nights. If he was there on the third night then it was meant to be. I was tired of hanging out with guys that were complete losers. The last guy I went out with, Tom, he wined and dined me told me I was all he ever wanted. He took me on a trip to Cancun and paid for everything. He even told me he loved me and I thought I felt the same. A couple months into our relationship some female showed up at my job, not just any female, his wife. She made a big scene, called me everything but a child of God, and told me if I ever saw her man again I wouldn’t see my next birthday. It was horrible. This time I needed to make sure that things with Derek were real. 

The phone rang pulling me out of my thoughts. 

“ Dr. Bailey’s Psychiatric Office, Angela speaking” 

“ Hello Angela” a familiar baritone voice said into the phone. 

“ Who might this be?” I smiled. 

“It’s Derek,  I’m sorry to call you at your job. Your friend--”

“Kima” I sighed. So much for trying to be mysterious. 

“ No, the bartender” he spoke again

“ Harry?” I questioned 

“ Yeah, I know your probably thinking I’m a creep. I assure you, I’m not. I just want to see you again. I know an amazing place that we can go get dinner” 

I sighed. “ I don’t know Derek. I just met you. I don’t mean to write you off but, I don’t want to end up talking to you and your just like all these other guys ” I confessed.

“ Well, give me a chance. If you don’t like me, I’ll never bother you again. I promise. Just give me one evening.” 

His offer sounded so good and I hadn’t been out since God knows when. I figured if we went out I would drill him and if I didn’t like his responses then I didn’t have to see him again. 

“ Ok Derek, you’ve won me over. When do you want to go out?” I said grinning from ear to ear in the phone. 

“ How about tonight? I can pick you up or if you feel more comfortable you can drive yourself?” he said 

“ Ah, your mother has taught you well. I’ll drive myself this time.” 

After we exchanged numbers and he gave me details about where to meet him we hung up the phone. I couldn’t believe I would actually be going out with him tonight. I was so excited and nervous at the same time. I had no idea what I was doing. It seemed like I had been out of practice for so long. I knew I could only hope for the best. 

Later that night I go home and throw everything out of my closet in a panic. It seemed like nothing was good enough to wear. I had googled the restaurant he was taking us to and it was very upscale. Everything was white with gold lighting and it was real fancy. This made my selection of clothes even harder to choose from because my wardrobe consisted of casual business attire for work. I was doomed. I suddenly remembered that I had bought a dress to go to my girlfriends’ wedding a year ago. I ended up not going, well no one ended up going, because they had called the wedding off the night before. I raced to my hallway closet and rummaged through until I found the red silk dress. It showed chest but not too much, it was a little form fitting and it came down a little past my knees. Luckily, I had a pair of shoes that matched it perfectly. After ironing out the few wrinkles I jumped in the shower. Once out the shower I blow dried my hair letting its natural curliness take effect, then I pinned up my hair, applied a little bit of makeup and perfume, got dressed, and walked out the door. 

Once I pulled up to the restaurant Derek was there waiting for me at the door. I got out, let the valet take my keys, and walked up to meet him at the door. He extended his arms for a hug and I quickly fell into it. Everything seemed right and the way he held me was like no other. We went into dinner and everything was perfect. We learned so much about each other and shared so many laughs. 

As the weeks passed by we continued going out with each other. I had even let him meet Kima who was sad that he didn’t have a brother. We all decided to go out bowling one night, which was my idea of trying to get them to hang out together. I wanted Kima to see him and give me her opinion. Kima and I rode together and were going to meet Derek at the bowling alley.

“ Kima, I’m really feeling Derek. I think that he and I could potentially go really far in our relationship. I think he could be the one for me.” I looked over to see if I could read her facial expression. 

“That sounds good. You two have been hanging our pretty tough, so tough, you barely have any time for me anymore.” she said 

“Yeah, I know” I admitted. “Its just that I’m really trying to get to know him on a level that I haven’t had with any other guy.”

There was a slight pause. 

“So you really like this guy?” she asked in a serious tone

“ I think I do. I mean, this isn’t the same type of feeling with Tom. Derek is so different, he’s caring, he’s passionate, and he’s sexy as hell. I feel such a connection with him. We talk about any and everything and every thing he does makes me smile. I have such strong feelings about him”

“ Well then, I guess that’s it. I’ll just have to meet this guy.” she smiled. By this time we had pulled up to the bowling alley. As we made or way inside Kima started talking again. 

“ I hope you’ve had sex with the guy seeing as he’s got you this open.” she laughed

The night at the bowling alley went perfect. Derek and Kima seemed to get along well, which made me very happy. After the whole night had ended and Kima was back at home. I went back to my own house and decided to take a long bath. I had ran my bath water, poured some jasmine scented bubble bath in, and lit some candles around the tub. I pinned up my long black hair and stepped into the tub. As soon as I sat down my whole body immediately relaxed. I sat back and closed my eyes. 

Ding Dong

It was ten o’clock at night, I wondered who could be at my door. I jumped out the shower and grabbed my robe on my way to the front door. When I looked out the peep hole I was surprised to see Derek standing there. I opened the door. 

“Derek? What are you doing here?” I said while letting him inside. We now stood in the foyer and he still hadn’t said anything. 

“ Derek, are you ok?” I asked again. 

He looked at me and I immediately felt a spark. It made my nipples harden beneath my robe and I could feel myself getting moist. He grabbed me up and began to kiss me in such a passionate way. For each kiss I matched mines with such a passion that I didn’t even know I had. He’s hands were so big and it seemed like his whole body was engulfing mines. I started to undress him.

“Wait, I’m sorry Angela.” he stepped back. 

“For what? ‘Cause I’m not. I want this.” I told him.

“Are you sure?” he asked. 

“ Very” I said, grabbing his hand and leading him back to my room. 

When we got into the room I laid down on the bed and he climbed on top of me taking his shirt off in the process. His body was beautiful and by his muscles you could tell that he kept his self in shape. I rolled him over, and unzipped his pants, pulling them off of him. In the midst of all that my robe came undone and he reached up and unpinned my hair, allowing it to drape down my back. The excitement was so intense and I couldn’t believe he was making me feel this way. When he finally entered me it was euphoric. Each thrust he made pushing me more and more over the edge. To the point that I was trembling and I know he could feel it too because he was doing the same. I had never orgasmed that hard and intense in my life. When we were done I just laid there in his arms. Before I knew it, it was morning, and he was gone. 

I sat up in bed with the biggest grin on my face. There was a note at the foot of my bed. 

Angela,

The night we had was beautiful. I left so early in order to go in to work at the office. Otherwise I would still be in bed with you. I ordered you some breakfast that I figured you could pick up on your way to Kima’s. Hope your day goes well. Can’t wait to see you tonight at my place for dinner.

Derek

He was right. I had almost forgot the plans I had made with Kima for today. We were suppose to go shopping. I thought it would be a great idea since I know she felt like I was abandoning her. I hurried and got dressed, rushing to meet her at the mall. By the time I got there Kima was standing outside waiting. I could tell she was a little irritated.

“So how is everything going with you and Mr. Perfect?” she started

“ Good. I think I may really like him. He is so different and honest. I’ve met a few of his close friends and everything.” 

“ I don’t know Angela. How do you know he’s not another Tom?” 

“ I mean, I really don’t know, but I have this feeling that he wouldn’t do something like that to me.” I said and started looking through a stack of clothes. “ He even wants me to meet his mom. I don’t think he would do something as scandalous as that and introduce me to his mother.” I lifted the shirt up to my body and checked how it would look on me in the mirror. 

“ Look, I didn’t want to say anything but I think your doing to much with this guy. What happened to taking it slow?”

“What happened to finding a man? You were all gung-ho a month ago and what, now your suddenly not interested anymore?” I said getting upset 

“ Whatever, ever since you’ve met him you’ve had your had stuck up his ass. You think your better than me because you have a little boyfriend?” she said. At this point upset as well.

“ What are you talking about Kima? I don’t think I’m better than you. Is this all because I won’t go to the Warehouse with you?”

“ Yeah Angela, you went and found your man and then forgot about me!”

“ Kima, who the hell do you expect to pick up. You come to the bar half dressed, you get super drunk, and you throw your self, literally and figuratively, at men. Maybe if you would stop acting so loose then you could get a man” The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them. I cupped my hand over my mouth. 

“Kima I’m so--”  It was too late. She was already hurt. 

“ Well maybe if you weren’t such a stuck up bitch, you would have a friend” she said and stormed out of the store. I just stood there. 

I went to work the next day and couldn’t believe what actually happened. I didn’t mean to say what I said in a way that would hurt her feelings. It’s just that I had got so caught up and angry the words just slipped out of my mouth. I was pretty sure that I wouldn’t be hearing from Kima any time soon. I had plans to meet up with Derek later tonight at his house. I barely had time to get nervous at that because I was so busy feeling upset about the situation with Kima. 

The night with Derek was suppose to be romantic. He had given me the spare keys to his house because he said it would ruin the surprise if he came to the door. After a day of completeing paper work, answering calls, and checking emails I finally got to go home. When I got there I quickly washed up, put on my sexiest bra and panty set, and a cute black dress. I grabbed my purse and headed out the door. On the drive over I decided to push my thoughts about Kima to the back of my mind so that I could enjoy my night with Derek. 

I get over to his house and park the car. As I get out the car and make my way to the first stair leading up to the door, it suddenly flies open. 

“ Kima?” I say completley confused.

“ Oh, bye Derek” she says over her shoulder and walks down the stairs. She has on a blue mini dress and matching heels.

“ Derek, what’s going on?” 

“ Look, Angela this isn’t what it seems. She came over and I thought she was you.” he said trying to come out the door. 

“ No stay where you are. How did you think she was me?” tears began to swell up in my eyes. 

“ Angela, I had got undressed and blind folded myself for you. I told my butler for the night to give you a blind fold too and we were going to eat that way. I thought it would be different and sensual” he told me

“ I don’t want to hear it. I told you about my past and not only do you cheat, but with my best friend.” 

“No!”

“ You knew this would hurt me?”

“ I swear Angela, it’s not what it looks like. I only want to be with you. I would never--” 

“ Save it. I don't want to ever hear from you again. My best friend? Damn you Derek for making me fall in love with you!” I turned and stormed off to my car. 

How do you know when life starts? When you can literally feel your heart breaking. At that point, you know, that some time ago maybe when you were listening to his deep baritone voice or you were jamming with your best friend that you were alive. Now your hearts breaking and your dying. When you find out that your life has started, sometimes, its too late. You have to go through all this pain to even recognize that you were living, you were happy, you were breathing air and the heart pumping inside of you was healthy. But now, now that you are full of sorrow and anger you know, you know at some point your life had started. And now it might be at it’s end. 

After the incident Derek tried so hard to be able to talk to me. He would leave voice mails on my cellphone. He had even called my job a few times, in which, I quickly hung up before he could finish a sentence. For weeks I would go to work and come straight home to write or cry, and sometimes both. I couldn’t believe Kima would betray me like this after all that we had been through. I didn’t understand how she could do me this wrong. Derek was just as much as a surprise. I thought he was someone who was different. Come to find out he wasn’t, he was just like every other man. 

One night I got a call from a number I had never seen before. 

“Hello?” I answered

“ Hello, Angela this is Kima” before I could hang up she quickly said “Please don’t hang up. I need to talk to you.” 

I decided to listen. “I’m sorry. Derek and I didn’t do anything. I tried, and when he heard my voice he knew it wasn’t you so he took off his blind fold. When he saw it was me he immediately asked me what was going on and he got dressed. He never wanted me, he only wants you” she said sadly. 

“ How could you do something like this to me? I was your bestfriend. I loved you like a sister” I said

“I know, but I was so angry and I had started drinking... I’ve just been really jealous. You’re beautiful Angela, you don’t have to throw yourself out there to get men. Every since I’ve known you you’ve never had a problem getting a guy”

“ That’s no reason. I’ve always been there for you. You thought I deserved that? I shouldn’t have said what I said at the shopping mall, but It still was the truth. You always throw yourself at guys. Guys come to me Kima, because I respect myself. Not because they think I look more beautiful. You’re just as beautiful as me.” 

“I know. Whenever you are ready to forgive me, you’ll know where I’ll be at.” she said

“ I don’t think we could ever be best friends again.” I told her and then hung up.

The next couple of days went on the same way. I blocked Derek’s number so I could no longer tell if he was calling or not, however, I was pretty sure it was him because bill collectors never even called me that much. It’s sunday and I decide that it maybe I should actually go to church. I haven’t talked to 

I walk into work the next day and Terry tells me that she needs me to hurry to the airport in order to pick up her client. It was very odd to me, I didn’t understand who this client must be for her to have me picking them up at the airport. 

“Let me get this straight Terry. You want me to go down to Metro Airport and pick up these random clients for you?” I say.

“Yes, I know it doesn’t make an since to you right now but I promise you when you see this client you will understand why.” then she give me this weird looking smile. 

“Alright then.”

She quickly rushed me out the door and told me I had thirty minutes to get to the airport. When I finally made it there I looked at the directions she gave me. The person I was picking up had came from Jamaica. I walked up to a person who was in a pair of slacks and a blue shirt. She said he would have that on. When I tapped him, he turned around and I realized it was Derek. 

“Please don’t leave me Angela” he started 

“ How did you know I was going to be here. I have to go Terry wants me to pick up her client.” 

“ I am the client. I told Terry that I was taking you somewhere, and I wanted you to come without a fight. This was the only way we both could think of.” as he said that I got a text message from Terry that read, “ Have Fun!” 

“ Angela, I love you and I’m so sorry about everything. I don’t ever want to lose you.” he said pulling me close into his arms. “ You’re all I ever wanted in a woman. I knew you were for me, the very first moment you stared right through me with those beautiful brown eyes of yours.”

“ Kima told me everything. I’m sorry. I should have listened. It’s just that I was upset. I’ve been hurt before but, I’ve never felt pain like that. I should’ve known you were different.”

“It’s all over now. You know that I would never do anything to hurt you.” 

“ I know that now. I trust you.” 

“All passengers, we will now board the flight from Detroit to Jamaica”

“That’s our flight baby!” he said excitedly 

“ I don’t have any bags. I don’t have the money to just go and buy all new things!” 

“ I have someone here who wants to apologize to you in person as well. Kima packed your clothes for you, and brought them here. There she is, over there.” 

I turned around to see Kima standing by the door with tears in her eyes. I walked up to her. 

“ I’m so sorry Angela” she started crying. I grabbed her in a hug. 

“ I am too Kima. But thank you, for making things right.” I whispered in her ear. 

I stood back and looked at my friend. Then turned around and walked back to my man. Even though Kima and I had slightly made up. I don’t things could ever be quite the same between us again. She had betrayed me in the ultimate way, and while I know why she did it, I don’t think I’d ever really be able to forget. 

“Last Call”

We boarded the flight and took our seats. I looked in Derek’s eyes and lean in to kiss him passionately on the lips. 

My life starts now.