Deceitful (pt.39)

Clifford walked past Minnies apartment and heard the door open."Hey,did you just get in?"Minerva said sweetly as she looked up and down the hallway looking for anyone else with him."Yeah,I just got in not to long ago.What are you doing up?" Clifford replied. She smiled and looked away shyly,"I was going to offer you breakfast." Cliffords heart sank.This woman was so sweet and caring. He remembered his conversation with Adrine and Analisette. She looked at him and waved him inside,he followed eager to see what awaited him.
Minerva had been trying to see him all week,she liked him.He made her feel safe.It had been too long since she had that comfort and she would be damned if she would let it go. He was kind to her the complete opposite of Charlie.She knew deep in her heart that he would never lay his hands on her like Charlie did,or hurt her girls like he did. She hoped he felt the same way as she did and didn't pity her.
They both sat at the kitchen table and Minerva grabbed two coffee mugs and set them on the table,"Cream and sugar?" Clifford smiled,"Surprise me." She smiled back and grab bed cream and sugar and Cinnamon then poured the coffee before she added them. She waited hopeful that he would like it. He took a sip and looked at her amazed,"The best coffee yet." She smiled then did the same in her cup."So why are you in so early?"She asked. "I-um-needed to talk to a few of the tenants."He said trying to think of something quickly. She shrugged knowing he was holding back then decided to change the subject,"My daughters are coming back today,I'm excited.Its been too long since ive seen them.Talking on the phone is only one thing having them here with me is a totally different world." He smiled happy that he would meet them finally then replied,"That's great that finally you'll all be together." He wanted to say that finally they would all be together but couldn't.She took a sip of her coffee then nodded,"Their going to be a little disappointed though." Clifford looked at her confused,"Why would they be?" She looked at the stack of brown labeled boxes then smiled and looked at him,"Because we aren't moving anymore." Clifford took a sip then asked,"Whys that?" She giggled,"Well I think New City has more to offer us.I have a feeling that New City is more...Safer,now that Charlie is gone." He swallowed hard. He knew then that she wasn't going to leave because of their building relationship. Part of him wanted her to leave to be safe far away from all of the bad people of the city.The other part of him wanted her never to leave his side.
They talked over a whole pot of coffee and cookies.She talked about new beginnings and how the girls could fit into everything perfect.He spoke about making New City his permanent residence.They flirted alot.After the coffee was done it was no secret anymore.They liked each other and wanted to take it to the next level.But how?
Minerva stood up and began to clear the table. He watched her and shook his head then began to help."What?"She said with a smile. "Your not alone in this,i want to help." He said cleaning the crumbs off the table. When he turned around Minerva stood there in front of him eyes turning into beautiful blue glass. "Do you mean it?" She said with a shaky voice. He dropped everything in his hands and grabbed her neck and pulled her mouth to his. He kissed her with every ounce of himself. She made noises of want in her throat and dug her nails into his back. He lifted her up and put her against the wall. She locked her ankles behind his back and kissed him with everything she had inside her. He began kissing her cheek then her neck. Between kisses he said,"Minerva,You will never be alone as long as I'm here,i will always help you,we will help each other." She let her tears fall from her eyes and smiled.
Clifford continued to kiss her neck. She let him touch her wherever he wanted. Then she looked at the wall where Charlie had held her by her neck. It was as if she were watching herself.
 He grabbed her neck and forced her to the wall as Charlie said,"You wouldn't hurt me Minerva! You hurt me when you lie! Prove you wouldn't lie!" Charlie had her against the wall, Minerva began to cry,He held his grip around her neck then he reached into her pocket and took her phone then released her. It took one minute for him to see Alise in the recent calls. He looked at her with rage,"Who the fuck is Alise?! is that a code name for a man!?Answer Me!" She couldn't respond because she was catching her breath. With both hands on her biceps he lifted her to his eye level,"You lying bitch,I love you how could you lie to me?! I work hard on these streets to give you and my seeds a great life,and this is how you repay me!" Squirming under his hands trying to free herself she replied,"Please Alise is just a friend shes going to babysit so we could go out like we used to when we were young.Please believe me." "I don't believe you!"He said banging her against the wall like a rag doll. Hitting her head and back she whimpered  in pain. Dizzy and falling in and out of consciousness she watched as he repeated his words more and more each time throwing her against the wall harder.
Minerva pushed herself off of Clifford and ran to where she seen herself.The vision faded away as she stepped closer. She stood there confused. Then dropped to the floor and weeped. Clifford ran to her and held her. He didn't know what to do quickly he thought,"what had she seen? Was it my fault? How could I fix this?"
Her cellphone began to ring across the room. She stood up wiped the tears from her face and answered,"Hello?".."Ok,sweety ill be right down." She looked at him stand up then said,"I'm sorry.That was Abby shes downstairs with Susie."
Clifford never left her side as she went downstairs to meet up with her daughters. When they seen her they ran to her and jumped on her. It could have been the most perfect picture. He smiled and helped grab bags and toys and let them have their moment. The girls talked about all the fun things they did and how they missed her.In the elevator Susie was glued to her hip and kept looking back at him every few minutes then giggled. Abby asked,"So who are you anyway?" Minerva looked at her shocked. Abby wouldn't talk to anyone really,ever since her father had raped her she was extremely stand offish. Abby laughed at their reactions. Minervas heart grew so warm from her laughter and laughed too. "Abby this is Clifford,my friend. He works in the building." Abby looked at him up and down then said,"You like my mommy." He looked down at her and said,"How can you tell?" She laughed,"You could have put down the bags but your still holding them up,there heavy,I know." Clifford laughed,"Is that the only clue?" She smiled then said,"Nope,Mommy likes you too.I could tell." Clifford and Minerva looked at each other then laughed.
Clifford walked them into the apartment and watched as the girls went straight to the t.v. and got comfortable. Minerva gave them each a sandwich and a drink then began putting their things away.After asking if she needed help and being refused Clifford stood with them in the living room.
Abby sat next to him and said,"So are you a good guy or a bad guy?" Clifford was taken back by her question and said,"I'm a good guy." She sat back and watched the t.v. and kept talking,"My Grandma said that there is good guys and bad guys,and its important to find a good guy because good guys will never hurt you.My daddy was a bad guy.That's why i asked." Cliffords jaw dropped.There it was right in front of him. The truth about his cousin from his daughters lips. He didn't know how to reply. He just kept listening to her talk,"Clifford you know if you hurt my mommy,I will make sure you go where my daddy goes right?" She was protective,it was cute.But her tone was as real as a grown woman. He nodded then said,"Abby you have nothing to worry about.I will never hurt your mommy,she means too much to me and Ill never hurt you or your sister.I know we just met each other but you are a part of your mommy and that means you both mean too much to me too." Abby smiled then hugged him. He felt her warmth and hope. He couldn't let her down. Seeing her older sister hugging him Susie got off the couch and hugged him too.
Minerva walked into the living room and seen them hugging and smiled then said,"So what do you think of Clifford girls?" They both smiled and nodded their heads. Clifford couldn't help but shed a tear. He excused himself and went into the bathroom.
In the bathroom he looked at himself in the mirror and thought,"What are you doing?Falling in love?You weren't supposed to even be around like this?You were going to lay low,stay close but not like this." He looked away and whispered,"But,They need a hero.I could be that.Cant I?" He closed his eyes an shook his head then thought,"What would Charlie say if he knew I kissed Minnie?He would have killed me." He opened his eyes and remembered everything everyone had said about Charlie and told himself,"Fuck Charlie! He never deserved a woman like Minnie or those little girls!Bastard hurt them so much,took him dying for them to be happy!" He let the water from the sink run threw his fingers,"They were like this to you Charlie,slipping through the cracks.You allowed them.They,so pure and essential.You polluted them with your dirt,pain,lies.You caused this." He cupped his hands and splashed the water on his face. "Ill never do that to them.I love them." He watched the water fall from his face then looked in the mirror again,"Charlie you lied to all of us.Had me sitting in Georgia wanting to be you,had i known i wouldn't have even said such a thing. We aren't family,your just a liar.Now your a dead liar." He looked at the door then at himself,"Should I tell her?"
His phone began to vibrate in his pocket indicating a text message. He opened it."Cliff its Marcus Sam was in a car accident,come to the Hospital asap!" He rushed out of the bathroom and said told Minerva he had to leave and why. He left the apartment. Minerva walked to the bathroom and seen his wallet on the floor. Quickly she picked it up and something fell out. She knelt down and picked it up.
It was the picture of Her Abby and Susie when she was a baby. She flipped it over and it read,"My Love Minerva and My two darlings Abby and Susie." Her eyes widened and she recognized the writing was Charlies. She felt her stomach twist her broken heart ache.
Clifford ran back to the apartment realizing he didn't have his wallet and knocked on the door then opened it walked in and seen Minerva looking at the photo....