Free Rayqelle's Revenge ---Book 1--- Special Holiday Edition (Ratchet) by Shon Cole Black

I think I found my soul mate, and I thank God for him every day; I mean, you know all the shit I’ve been through wit’ niggas. I didn’t think it was a good man out there to be found until now. But I had to change. I had to start lookin’ at myself differently, and I also had to start seeing myself as more than just something to be bought or sold. I had to also stop looking at what I could get out of a nigga; like if he didn’t have this or that. You know me, I wasn’t fuckin’ wit him.  Look at what that got me. I ended up wit’ a nigga like Tico who flipped the script and sold me a fuckin’ fairytale that turned into a nightmare! I’m just so glad I don’t have to live like that no more..” I said to Iesha.
     
    “Yeah... I guess you have been blessed,” Iesha said softly.
     
    “Well… what about the Congressman? It seems like he’s crazy about you. What’s that all about?" I asked Iesha, even though I already knew what it was about. It was about money, just like it always was.
    “Rayqelle I don’t know, I don’t know nothin’ anymore. Sometimes I don’t know whether I’m comin’ or goin’, leavin’ or stayin’ ... I wish that I could find somebody who loves me for me, and that doesn’t want anything more than just to love me… Ya’ know... I watched the way Chance looked at you last night; the way he touched you was special. I laid there next to y’all after he finished fuckin’ me and listened with my eyes closed while he made love to you. He fucked me, but he made love to you. I would have given anything to be you at that moment. I mean, you have it all, a great career doin’ what you love to do, and a wonderful man that loves you. You’ve got it all and I have nothing... I don’t know, maybe I’m gettin’ really sick of sellin’ my soul and my pussy to the one with the biggest bank roll…” Iesha wept.
     
    Iesha turned away and though I couldn’t see her face I could hear the tears in her voice as she spoke. She was my girl and I could feel her soul aching. Iesha hurried to dry her falling tears, as the sound of the Congressman’s approaching footsteps against the gravel walkway grew nearer.
     
    “Here you two are. I’ve been looking everywhere. Iesha, I want to introduce you to Senator Bob Tilson, he’s an old friend of mine. I’m sorry... am I interrupting something? Are you two alright?”  The congressman asked.
     
    “Yeah honey, everything is fine. Let’s go meet the Senator… Rayqelle, are you comin’?” Iesha said as she looked into the tiny mirror on her compact to fix her make up.
    “Yeah, I’ll be along in a minute. I just wanna enjoy the water for a few more minutes. Is that alright?” I asked the Congressman.
    “Of course it is Rayqelle. Stay as long as you like. We’ll be inside. Come along my love” the Congressman said as he and Iesha walked away hand in hand against the pink dusk of the sun. There was a strange calm but underneath was great uncertainty.
     
    As the festive get together came to a close, I politely thanked the Congressman for his hospitality, hugged Iesha and said I would talk to her soon. I looked over my shoulder as I walked away, I could see Iesha watching every step I took; like a puppy looking through the window at a pound. It was the most sorrowful look I had ever seen on her face, almost longing; crying out for me not leave her or maybe wishing she could go to my place. I could see Iesha through the rear view mirror as I got in the car and drove away. I watched her stand in front of the house until I was too far away to see.

CHAPTER 13
     
    All the way home I thought of how Iesha kept reminding me how great my life was and how lucky I was to have Chance. Yeah, I was truly lucky and I don’t take it for granted. I couldn’t help but be just a little envious too. Iesha was still wild and free. She had no limits, it was all about her and there’s a lot to be said for the ability to just be. It’s a kind of freedom