An Affair in Munthill Quotes

“I feel like I haven’t been through enough to complain about, but still too much to let go of…if that makes sense? Honestly, I feel like every other black woman in the world, Mavi. Like somebody, somewhere is always saying, ‘Stay strong.’ Or, ‘people have been through worse.’ Like being a black woman is supposed to make me impenetrable and emotionless and if I complain or if I cry or if I ask for help, like God forbid if I ask for child support, or welfare, or I go on a rant, then I’m angry, and I’m lazy, and I’m a bum bitch, and I’m bitter. Like on one hand, I’m supposed to be so strong, but not too proud, and not have a voice because then I’m the angry black woman, so I should internalize my feelings, but also hold the world up on my shoulders. I mean, I just feel like black women have the most labels and many of them ain’t positive. And I just feel like… Like somebody along the way forgot that I was a woman, just a woman…And”
― Takerra Allen, An Affair in Munthill

“Nia Long… Love Jones...” He ran quick eyes over her and Gaby fought a smile in fear of appearing captivated in front of her sister. “Way better.” And then he took the steps with poise while still buttoning his shirt. He didn’t hold on to the railings and he didn’t look down. Stuff like that intrigued her; the confidence of Mavi Magaña... It was like tripping was the last thing on his mind. ”
― Takerra Allen, An Affair in Munthill

“Cupid shot me in the dark. Stupid, I didn’t play my part…”
― Takerra Allen, An Affair in Munthill

“Power was trying to evolve, but people like Rich and Marquis kept insisting to bring out the worst in him while they remained their safe selves. It was unfair, but if it was in his cards to be the monster, he’d be the monster.”
― Takerra Allen, An Affair in Munthill

“Gaby bit down on her lip and looked to Mia, and her friend’s eyes were moist. Could her heart possibly beat out of her chest? It was so loud! Did anyone else hear it? “Do you know how many pictures I have in my phone of you, just you, that you have no idea about?” Gaby blew out air from pursed lips and deflated. Now something was happening to her physically. “I know every detail on your face, every part of your body, I counted the seconds between your blinks; four, if you’re reading, seven. So I know you don’t believe it, but you tell me…you tell me what that sounds like to you?” Gaby looked off and her first thought was, I’ve been waiting forever to have somebody make me feel this special. Never mind if it was true or not, it felt fantastic just hearing it. But if it was true, then she had to say it. “It… It sounds like love.” She”
― Takerra Allen, An Affair in Munthill

“Yes,” he replied right away. “Something happened to me. Like…physically. And I’m gonna need your help identifying this shit. I mean, you’re the doctor.” “I’m a pharmaceutical tech, Mavi. I can tell you if you have the flu, shit like that.” “Whatever. Maybe I do. I can’t eat. All day, I didn’t eat shit and now, I can’t eat nothing.” Gaby swallowed hard, her heart rate picking up pace. The bitch in her whispered, ‘Good’. “I’m tired as fuck, but I can’t close my eyes. But even before today, I’ve been fucked up. I can’t sleep without thinking about you, Gabrielle.” She should take him off speakerphone. “I can’t talk to somebody, or have a simple-ass meeting or do anything without thinking about you. I wait all day when you’re working to call you and as soon as I hang up, I wanna call you right back. But I know how that would make me look, like a fucking desperate nut, right? So I don’t do it... When you leave me I’m already thinking of when I’m going to see you again. And the crazy shit is, everything I do, I already know I want to do it with you. I don’t care if it’s going to the grocery store or going to Saint Tropez, whatever, I know I want you next to me from now on.”
― Takerra Allen, An Affair in Munthill

“It was a bittersweet relief to find Power seated halfway down the grand staircase, taking puffs of a potent cigar three at a time in about thirty second intervals. She had watched him on the long walk from where she’d first pulled up in the right lot, to where she first reached the base of the steps. Yes, Pana Lake made a 5 foot, 5 ½ inch woman feel like Alice in Wonderland. “Hey, yourself.” He took in short wisps of smoke, narrowed eyes on her while he did it and then turned his head and blew it out in an opposite direction from where she had approached him. “You only smoke those when you’re agitated,” Gaby teased, stopping about three or so feet away from him before placing her right foot two stairs above her left, and resting her weight on it. “Yes; like after meeting you.” Gaby’s sarcastic smile came natural after his false insult. “Ha-ha, Mavi, the comedian. You should take your show on the road. I can see it now, Chico Magaña at his funniest.” “Chico, huh? I thought I was Esteban?” “No, you’re Pepe.” Power laughed at that, showed his gums laughed and Gaby did as well, feeling guilty because the mood wasn’t supposed to be like this. But he always made her mood, like this. “You’re racist.” She knew he didn’t mean”
― Takerra Allen, An Affair in Munthill

“fucking country. Why? Because they won’t get the fuck out of Muslim land. Your country is bombing in the Muslim land for what?  You have enemies already fighting enemies. Americans are like, so fucking stupid sometimes.” His hands exploded at his temples like he couldn’t comprehend it. “Leave the fucking Middle East, let the other Middle Eastern countries fight ISIS and kick your fucking feet up and watch. You think everyone hates your country because you’re affluent? It’s comical. I spent seven months is Switzerland - Zurich - when I did work for my uncle…” This was news to Gaby. “…That place is fucking money. Ferraris, Bentleys, it’s nothing. You see them like you see the Volkswagen here. $32 for a hamburger. That kind of money… People don’t hate Americans for their money; they hate them because they’re obnoxious and can’t mind their fucking business. Just fucking stupid.” Gaby”
― Takerra Allen, An Affair in Munthill

“Why are you crying?” She didn’t answer. He watched her swallow down something, eyes still closed and he waited. And still, she offered no enlightenment. “Gabrielle, why are you crying?” Women were so fickle. She had no issue expressing herself any other time. He watched her inhale a breath through her nose, watched her chest rise and fall and then she opened her eyes and looked up at him like an insubordinate student; but still her lips didn’t part. Power tried to maintain composure, but ‘why the fuck are you crying and fucking answer me now’ was on the tip of his tongue and ready to spill. “Gabrielle, why are you-” “Because I cry!” Power’s lids widened a bit as she leaped to her feet with that, then they returned to normal size. “I cry! It’s what I do. I cry, okay?” She flailed her arms and paced the tiny space with the words. “I go all day – waking up, making breakfast, smiling, and taking shit from my boss, serving customers and arguing with dead beat dads, and…and… and barely making PTA meetings, putting off church fund contribution begging-ass folk, and checking homework, and…and making dinner, and stomaching I found the love of my life stories from Glo, and fighting off a crack head mother…worrying about a stupid, reckless teenager who I want the best for, and loving a son, and scraping and…and scouring everything I have to pay stupid bills and I can never catch up! Something’s always due, something’s always…broke! Something is always needed.”
― Takerra Allen, An Affair in Munthill

“Did he feel pressured? Had she been- “Look.” Her head lifted from her daze and he was right there, lips at her nose. Gaby wondered where her attention had been just a second prior; just that quickly time had slipped as Power scratched behind his ear in preparation of whatever he was going to say. “Tomorrow isn’t good because you have the day off and I am taking you somewhere; that’s if you want to come with me.” Gaby’s breathing stalled and she could tell he wasn’t done. “My intention…my plan…long before he even asked, was to take Chase today to practice since it seems nobody else has time to. Ferragamos and all,” he pointed down to his fine shoes. “It’s nothing,” he continued in that foreign brogue.”
― Takerra Allen, An Affair in Munthill

“Is this what you do on lunch?” “Sometimes.” She couldn’t stop smiling. And she fought the urge to pounce on him and kiss him deeply, tell him he was her baby and she missed him and wanted him so. Magical Mavi Magaña… Mysterious Mavi Magaña… Magnetic Mavi Magaña…”
― Takerra Allen, An Affair in Munthill

“He glanced over and ogled the side profile of her as she stared straight ahead either watching Chase being strapped in to the harness, or pretending to. “I gave my mother money for drugs.” Power said nothing. He almost wondered if the words had really come from her; they were spoken so unsystematic. “Do you believe in doing the wrong things for the right reasons?” That punched him in the gut. Was it that simple? Did this girl really have the answers? Had she just summed up his entire life in that last self-effacing question like that? “Yes…” He found himself replying staring straight ahead now as well. When his eyes traveled back over to her, he caught a swift hand movement across her cheek. If there had been a tear there it was gone now. The type of woman Gaby was, he wouldn’t question whether she’d been crying or not; he feared he’d cause her more embarrassment than comfort.”
― Takerra Allen, An Affair in Munthill

“No, not at all. Chase loves his aunt… I’m sure he’s thrilled she’s here.” Gaby sounded like she appreciated the gesture but Power had his reasons, always had his reasons. He needed just a minute, just a little time with Gaby alone. It was Chase’s day but he knew in the projected eight or so hours they would be there, he’d be a fool to not try to maximize his opportunities. Like he explained to her, he had an urgent need to connect with her on a deeper level, progress their friendship or relationship where she no longer felt out of reach, sickeningly unattainable… where acquiring her no longer occupied his thoughts in 30-second intervals. He needed to hurry up and feel the satisfaction of her belonging to him before life realized exactly who he was, remembered all of the wicked he’d done to the world, realized his intentions with her, and intervened…before the angel got lost with the devil. Because one look at Gaby and he felt a new drive, a desire to have his own. He had attached himself to different people for different purposes, protected them, did the worst of things for the best of reasons, for them; put his life on the line…for them, and even loved them selectively, like when it came to Rich and Sabrina. But they were never his own. No matter how much they tried to convince him of that, he always knew he was an extension to their family. But Gabrielle, she made him hunger for something of his own. He wanted her and anything that came with her...for himself.”
― Takerra Allen, An Affair in Munthill

“Over the course of the next week or so, Gaby had spoken to Power just about every day. She tried texting him the morning after their first conversation, playing it cool with an ‘It was nice talking to you last night; have a good day’, type of message.  His reply staggered her. ‘Why are you doing this? You are the only person I don’t want to read words from. I want to hear them in your voice. I thought you were in the boat. Don’t jump ship now.”
― Takerra Allen, An Affair in Munthill

“Gaby laughed, only halfway present as she focused on the black of the outside and a million and one thoughts whizzed through her mind. All she could really concentrate on was the countdown of the minutes until her phone rang. She may have denied it to Mia, but this in fact was life-changing. People meet every day. Few people meet and have a connection. Few people meet and have a connection with a man like Mavi Magaña. Maybe she wouldn’t be alone and maybe she wouldn’t have to settle to avoid it. It was all pleasingly petrifying.”
― Takerra Allen, An Affair in Munthill

“He likes me… That’s it. After all of the tiffs, and snide remarks, all of that awkward energy, and the expressions, and… he likes me. And damn if I don’t like him back… A little too much, even...”
― Takerra Allen, An Affair in Munthill

“You haven’t,” he accused with a chuckle. “Why make all of that talk about me assuming something if it’s true? Women…” He shook his head. “You’re upset because I guessed something about you and was correct. Relax… it doesn’t make you predictable.” Gaby was too busy trying to stop from reaching over and smashing black rice in his face to see the compliment in his words. “Well, for your information, you’re wrong. I very much have had Fusion food before and in fact… I’ve been here, many times actually.” Gaby glared at him before reaching over and picking up the small cup of water. He looked like he wanted to say something to her but was stuck and Gaby was ecstatic she had stumped him as she took a sip, parched from her tête-à-tête. “Uh…” Power started, but Gaby was already quenching her thirst. Ew, it was a bit…stale, maybe? Definitely tap water, warm, and not something that should be served in a classy restaurant. She slowly put the water back down and looked off, swishing the remnants around in her mouth before stubbornly swallowing. When she brought eyes back to him she noticed his lips were sucked in and a trace of a grin played on his face. “What? What’s wrong with you?” He hesitated, as if he didn’t want to say at first. “That’s…the finger bowl.” After a beat, Gaby replied.”
― Takerra Allen, An Affair in Munthill

“Why? You didn’t kill him. So tell me about you. Where are you from? What’s with the accent? You look like a black guy, no offense.” “I am a black guy. No offense,” he retorted but seemed a little thrown off in the way his eyes narrowed on her in a dissecting manner. Gaby was aware she had been sharp with her words to his condolences. She wondered if she offended him, or surprised him. A man like Power was probably used to women creaming at his slightest display of affection. “My father and his family are Belizean. I was born and raised in Belize. I lived there until I was 19-years-old. My mother is…was… a black American. My father, Belizean, yes. Still, I’m a black man.” “So Belizeans aren’t considered Hispanic?” Gaby questioned with a crinkled brow. “Belizeans, like most Central and South American inhabitants, are descendants of African slaves that were just dropped off along the way. But we were the only British colony in the region, the only Central American country where English is still the official language, although most Belizeans are trilingual, Elizabeth The Second’s the queen, the whole nine. But we’re of black ancestry even with Hispanic heritage. I see darker tones in my country than yours. Nicaraguans, Puerto Ricans, Brazilians, Costa Ricans, Columbians… most of them have more black blood than the black people in the U.S. That’s why it kills me when people ask shit like that. I mean…” He stopped short. “… not you,” he offered up but Gaby only pressed her lips together feeling slightly embarrassed knowing she was in fact, amongst the ignorant.”
― Takerra Allen, An Affair in Munthill

“Gaby rolled her eyes to the way his words, laced with the origin of wherever the hell he was from, made everything sound so much more patronizing. This, she was not doing. She was not going to debate with him while Jamie and Sheryl pretended not to eavesdrop as they organized the countertop displays. His slick talk reminded her why she requested to avoid future interactions with him. He was an arrogant prick; although something about him told her that his arrogance came from what he thought of himself, versus 99% of the population’s, which was fueled by others’ opinions. “Look… can I help you with something?” Gaby asked with a smile dripping with sarcasm. “I mean… are you having some type of issue? Perhaps a burning…or an itching sensation? Are you looking for some type of medical assistance? Because I can tell you right now, we’re not a clinic, so...” Power began to laugh. He tilted his head back, face to ceiling and laughed, and Gaby realized it was the first time she’d seen him do so. To see his face softened beyond its usual rigid state was truly captivating. It was almost infectious. She let out a little snigger and looked off trying to keep from engaging completely. When she looked back to him, the laughter slowed but remained in his eyes. He licked his lips, and then pointed. “You’re funny. Very. You should’ve been a comedian.” “Yeah, well… I guess I missed my calling. Seriously…can I help you?” This time she was truly inquiring, no attitude, no jokes.”
― Takerra Allen, An Affair in Munthill

“Honey, that man is mine, you hear me? Once he tastes my mac-and-cheese he will be weak in the knees!” He probably will, Gaby figured. Weak in the knees, sick to his stomach, vomiting. Her food was atrocious.”
― Takerra Allen, An Affair in Munthill

“The man sneered a little, most probable from gathering her name and linking it to the reason for his friend’s prior street concert. He turned and extended his hand. First, she got stuck by the coldness of his gray eyes. Then, her eyes arrested at the two inch or so scar on his right cheek that hadn’t been visible while he’d allowed her to admire his better half. The wound had cross-hatches like it’d been stitched poorly, and though the facial hair on his cheek concealed it a bit, it was still visible, and too ugly to fit the rest of him. She cringed, yet stared a few seconds more and she caught herself when his eyes flickered in awareness. “Power.” That was all he said, eyes frosty, mouth tight. His voice was deep with a tinge of some sort of accent, maybe South American, or even Caribbean or something. Gloria wasn’t sure; she didn’t meet many people with accents. He wasn’t rude yet he wasn’t pleasant. Gloria took his hand and shook it because she felt compelled to. He was threateningly handsome and had the scar been absent, he’d be visually impeccable. Yet his frigid aura caused her to shiver.”
― Takerra Allen, An Affair in Munthill