Not Such a Mistress

Please

Zarah

I was just getting up to leave the building when Emory came out of his office and over to me.

"I'm ready to go home, Emory." I said trying to walk around him.

"Come on Zarah I'm sorry for what happened earlier." He said gently pulling my hand.

"Why do you want me so bad. I'm a single mom with a 16-year-old son. You can get any woman you want. Why me?" He caressed my face.

"You're what God sent to me. I asked him to send me a good woman and he did. He sent me you, but he made it difficult and not easy and I won't stop until I get you."

"I have to get home." I said trying to go around him.

"Please Zarah damn. What is it that I have to do to get you?"

"Emory, please ok." He kissed my lips and I was shocked at first then I began kissing him back. He picked me up and sat me on my desk. I haven't been with a man in almost 13 years so this was new to me again.

"Just say you want me." He said against my lips and I pushed him back catching my breath.

"I'm sorry Emory I have to go." I quickly got up .

"Zarah wait I'm sorry." I quickly left the building, got in my car, and drove off.

I made it home in thirty minutes and parked in the driveway. I sat there and thought about what happened. Truth is Emory isn't my type of guy. I can tell he's the clingy type and would make me quit my job so he can be the provider and shit like that and I'm my own woman. I don't need any man to tell me different. I got out the car and went into the house. I saw Andre and Jason sitting at the table going over Jason's homework.

"Hey boys." I said kissing both of their foreheads.

"Hey, mama." Jason said.

"Hey, Zarah. Leland came over earlier to see us. I told him you were working and he said he'll see you around."

"I haven't seen him in like a month. I'll see what I can do for this weekend. Jason how was spending the day with your dad?"

"Great, you know he speaks so highly of you. Why didn't you guys stay together?" I sighed.

"We just didn't work out sweetie."

"You guys are perfect together though mama."

"Jason stop it, finish your homework." I said going upstairs.

"Jason I told you about doing that." I heard Andre say as I went upstairs. I closed the door and went to take a shower.

I got out the shower and put on my clothes and left my hair wet. I went back downstairs to the kitchen and got out some leftover food from the night before. Jason was packing up his bookbag.

"Jason, did you eat with your dad?"

"No, but Andre got us some food." He walked out of the kitchen and up the stairs. I put my food in the microwave and waited for it to heat up. I felt arms wrap around me and sighed.

"Emory stressed you out after I left?" Andre asked as I looked back at him.

"He kissed me, Dre. He is not someone I want to be with." He sighed.

"Aww, Zarah. You can't be single the rest of your life. When was the last time you've even been with a man?" I rolled my eyes and he put his hand under my chin. "I know we didn't work out and I know Dallas did you wrong but you can't shoot down every guy."

"It's not easy Dre."

"Nobody said it was, but you got to understand that Jason is watching both of y'all and he looks up to both of y'all. Y'all still haven't told him anything."

"That's not my place to Dre." Why was everyone trying to talk about this today?

"Why not Zarah?"

"If he did find out about his dad's actually family he would probably resent me and hate me and I can't do that to myself." Andre sighed and put his forehead on mine.

"I'm sorry Zarah. I didn't think of that. But you guys have to tell him sooner or later." He looked into my eyes and smirked. "You're so beautiful. Don't ever forget that."

"Thanks, Dre." He pecked my forehead then my cheeks, then my lips. He pulled back looking into my eyes.

"Goodnight Zarah." He smirked.

"Night Andre." I said turning back towards the microwave. I got my food and went to the table. I was just finishing my food when Jason came in.

"Jason it's almost 11:30."

"I was working on a paper. Could you read it and make sure it's right before I go to bed." He handed me a paper and I begin reading it.

"What is this paper about?" I asked when I kept seeing the word 'dad' pop up.

"It's about who you look up to the most. I wanted to do both of you guys, but my teacher said pick one and I already did one on you before so..." He trailed off and I sighed.

"It's a good paper, Jason. You had a few mistakes but nothing major." I gave him the paper back and stood.

"Mama?" He said in a mere whisper.

"Yes, sweetie."

"Why do you and dad not love each other?"

"Oh sweetie we do love each other. We were just so young when I had you and your father was older than me so he had his life together. I had to work on me after you. What's going on with you lately about me and your father?" I said sitting back down.

"I just feel like he's hiding something from me and you are too."

"Sweetie your father and I love you very much. Remember that and if you think we're hiding something just ask us."

"Ok. I do have one question."

"Ok ask."

"Does dad have another family?" I sighed.

"Yes." I said softly.

"Mom."

"I'm sorry sweetie but yes he does. We didn't want you to know until you were old enough. Jason stop it!" I yelled as he threw the vase of flowers off the table.

"Why would you lie to me!" He yelled.

"Jas-..." I tried to talk but he cut me off.

"Why!"

"Jason please I didn't know how to tell you." I said as he paced the floor.

"Mom how you could keep that away from me?"

"Jason stop it." I said trying to grab him.

"No, don't touch me! You lied to me. My own mother." Andre came downstairs by now.

"No, she didn't lie to you, Jason." He said. "And you will not talk to your mother that way. I don't care if you're mad or not don't disrespect her."

"Unc she lied to me." He said.

"What about your father Jason. He's the one with another family, not your mom. Your mom goes to work every day for you. Your dad just sends money." I sighed.

"I'm sorry mama." He said coming over to hug me. I hugged him back as he broke down crying.

"It's ok Jason. I'm so sorry sweetheart." I felt his tears soaking my shirt. "Andre can you take him upstairs while I clean this up." I asked after a few minutes of silence.

"Yea Jason come on it's late." Jason stood and went with Andre. I sat there and broke down crying. I threw a piece of glass I had and sighed.

"Damn it!" I yelled.

I didn't mean to tell him but that paper he wrote and the question he asked. It was just a lie and I couldn't stand hurting him anymore.

"Zarah. Jesus, you're bleeding." Andre ran over to me quickly. I looked down at my hand saw I cut my hand with a piece of the vase.