Complacency (Work in Progress) by Shy Ward (best reads .TXT) 📕

nerve he had to contact her after so many years after he did what he did?“

This is Aliyah Kelly, how may I assist you today?” I knew this voice, but didn’t believe it. It couldn’t be.

 

“Liyah, baby, it’s me, Terrence.”

 

“Terrance?”

 

“Andrews, it’s Terrence Andrews. How have you been?”

 

“Well…..hello Terrence Andrews. It has been a while. I am very well, thank you.”

 

“That’s good, that’s good to hear. Listen, I know I was wondering if maybe you would like to have coffee with me Saturday morning, you know just to catch up.”

 

“Terrence, its been five years and you call me up and ask me out for coffee? How did you get my contact information anyway?”

 

“ Haha…..sorry, I’m not laughing at you, its just that I found your profile on Linkedin and saw you were working in advertising, so I kind of started going through the phone book and called around to human resourse departments and um, yeah, that’s how I found you.

 

What in the entire hell? Did this man just admit to stalking me? Okay it was his first time contacting me since he found out I trashed and burned all his belongings five years ago, the ones I couldn’t sell online and down at the flea market that is.

 

“Okay, well I cannot meet you for coffee, is there something else I can help you with?”

 

“Well why not? I just wanted to see how you’ve been. You’ve been on my mind on and off for the last five years, I regret we didn’t end on better terms and stay friends.”

 

“So you want to meet me at a coffee shop to tell me that after you up and left me alone after I shifted my whole life for you with the help of no one in a city all alone that you wished we were still friends? I don’t think so Terrence. I’m glad you are well and if you don’t mind, I need to be getting back to work.”

 

“Li-Li I”

 

“Goodbye Terrence.”

 

I hung up the receiver, ha nice try, contacting me after so long to say sorry, the nerve of him.It’s not that I was angry with Terrence. I was not angry at all. As a matter of fact, he did me a huge favor. Without going through what he put me through, I wouldn’t have thrived as well as I was here in this big city. I was so in love, I was blinded, but I got myself together, found my dignity and got back to making sure that I was the sole purpose in my life, my happiness and found a great career. He would have held me back. Yes, I was very grateful to him for breaking my heart and flying out the door. It was definitely his loss and my total gain.

Time Passed and Here I AM

Leanne

 

"Heyyyy babe, I'm going to have to cancel dinner tonight, my son isn't feeling well."

 

I was lying, I prayed God would forgive for using my son to get out of seeing Shane.  I had been seeing him on and off for the past five years.  He was a player, in and out ot jail for petty distribution, on work release I saw him alot cause he worked for his father's company, at least on paper he did.  He had to be back to the jail by 8 pm, so from 6 am to 8 pm three times a week he was with me.  He was due to be out soon in the next month but I had a change of heart, I didn't want his no good ass.  It was all fun and games while I got used to being single since Eric went to jail.  I didn't want him either, but deep down inside, I was still in love with him....I think.

 

"Aww dang I hope he feels better, you want me to just come over and keep you company then?"

 

"No, I'm going to call it a night, plus my sister is coming by and you know to talk and stuff, so I will just see you another time," I lied.

 

"Alright then."

 

"Alright bye," I quickly hung up before he could suggest something else, forcing me to lie to him again.

 

My sister wasn't coming, she doesn't care for him too much so throwing that out there was a way to discourage him from wanting to come.

 

Eric was on my mind, its been five years and over that course of time he had divorced his wife and proposed to me for the third time with a third ring.  I had three engagement rings and he dropped a hefty penny on this last one that I still wasn't wearing.  His parents were good to me and my kids, even though my daughter wasn't his child.  They helped out a lot and even though he got popped with $750 grand in his car, he somehow still had hidden money that they could access to help me out with the kids.  I still didn't understand why he didn't just give me primary access to these funds though.  I had a little that started as $50,000 in a safe deposit box, but for someone who was carrying around more that half a million dollars in the trunk of his car, why was I holding such a small ration that I didn't even touch unless I needed to. 

 

I had to move, get a new car with payments because the car he bought for me was repossessed because he didn't put the title in my name because he wanted half the money he paid for it and found out that he had a slew of women he was taking care of on the side that had cars that he bought!  Bastard!  I had is son and he thought that I was going to stick around forever.  Well news flash baby, I been doing my thing while he's been crying for my attention every phone call.

 

Now he was coming home in 2 weeks and I was beginning to feel confused.  I didn't let him know that though, as far as he was concerned, I didn't want him and I would keep it that way until he spent his last trying hand on earning me back.  I was preparing for his return, even though he will be staying with his parents, thank goodness, I was going to get me some me time while he spent many days making up for lost time with my kids. 

 

The phone rang. "Hello?"  "Yes I accept the collect call." It was Eric.  I lay back on my King sized bed and reach under my pillow for my vibrator.  I've been waiting for his call all day.  I'm going to sleep good tonight.

The Opportunity

Eric:

 

" Mr. Dent, I have checked out all the information on your references and your home plan.  It seems that you have completed all your program requirements to be considered for early parole release.  What I am concerned about is your ability to re-enter society and not end up on the statistical end of recidivism.  Are you absolutely ready to leave behind your old ways and become a productive citizen of society.  Is there anything that you would like to add today in consideration for your parole decision?"

"Yes ma'am.  This is my first major incarceration.  I have received no infractions since it has started and yes, I have completed all program requirements.  My parents have been very supportive of me and as you can see that is who I've listed as my home plan.  I already have a job waiting for me on the outside and I have a family of my own.  A son that I have missed out on potty training and starting his first day of school and many other things.  Prison has not been a playground for me, it has kept me away from a lot of important mile stones in both my life and the life of my son and quality time with my family.  I'm ready to go back, I've lived a normal uncriminal life before, and to prevent my return to prison and my son becoming a statistic, I'm done with my old life.  It wasn't about not being smart enough to not get caught, it was about realizing that I have a responsibilty as a father and positive role model to my son and I'm ready to catch up with that and be that man.  That's that most important job that I will ever have is to be a father, so today, I'm hoping that the board will give me that opportunity to do that.  That is all I have to say."

The panel of parole officers seemed optimistic about his statement.  He had no institutional record since his incarceration.  Eric spoke with enthusiasm and of high intelligence.  He felt that the parole hearing was positive and he would soon be free on parole.  He would see his son and his soon to be wife and his step daughter.  Everything he missed out on would soon be replaced by positive memories and a happily ever after.  He was ready.  Prison was not for him.  He was ready for a new life, regardless of the challenges.  He was going to win back Leanne's love.  He would finalize his divorce from his first wife and he was going to marry Leanne.  There was nothing stopping him from getting what he wanted and making it up to her.

Turned Down to Turn Up

Terrence Pov

 

There was a time when I wouldn't have cared if I was turned down for a coffee date or any other date, matter of fact, maybe I would have since it didn't happen often due to a woman despising my presence.  "I really messed up", I thought to myself.

Aliyah didn't want to see me, but I