Real Love

by Tracy Reed

  “No, we’ll still be friends.”

  “Not like you were or are.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because, the new woman in his life won’t allow it.”

  “That’s absurd.”

  “Kyla, let’s be real, you’re a beautiful woman, much like me.” They laughed. “No woman is going to allow her man, her husband, to be friends with a beautiful woman, unless it’s his sister. And I don’t mean sister in Christ. No honey, your relationship will be strictly professional. And knowing my brother-in-law, he will only allow himself limited contact with you, if any.”

  “Not Sean.” Kyla refused to believe what Zoë was saying.

  “That’s exactly what’s going to happen. I may be off on a few points, but I know it won’t be like it is or was.” She sipped on her drink.

  “So what am I supposed to do?”

  “Have an old fashioned chat with God and a heart to heart with your boyfriend.” She looked across the restaurant and winked at Jordan. “They are the two best-looking men in here. I think I’m gonna take the one in the navy blue suit across the street to the Michelangelo Hotel, and thank him properly for dinner.”

  “You really are wicked,” Kyla laughed.

  “But I’m married. What about you..are you ready to join the club?”

  Chapter 62

  JORDAN AND SEAN JOINED THEIR dates at the bar. Jordan kissed Zoë on her shoulder. “Are you behaving yourself?” he asked.

  “Of course I am.” She giggled. “I’ve just been telling Kyla how we met.”

  “Kyla, I’m sorry for speaking out of turn.”

  “Apology accepted Jordan.”

  “Whatever my beautiful wife said,” Zoë leaned to the left and looked up at him. “Is probably the watered down version of what happened.” They all laughed.

  “Isn’t he cute?” She kissed him on the cheek and then whispered something in his ear and his eyes lit up.

  “Little bro, Kyla, it has been a pleasure, but the wife and I have plans for the rest of the evening that don’t include you two. Come on sexy.” He pulled her stool back and helped her down.

  “Kyla, it’s been fun. Maybe tomorrow we can have lunch with DeeDee and Trina and do a little shopping.”

  “I’d like that.” They hugged.

  “Come on honey so I can properly thank you for dinner.”

  “Little brother, don’t wait up, we’ll see you in the morning.” Jordan took Zoë’s hand and led her out of the restaurant.

  “Are you ready to leave?” Sean asked Kyla.

  “Not yet.”

  He hopped up on to the stool next to her. “I’m sorry about my brother.”

  “Baby, please, you don’t have to apologize.” She leaned across and kissed him. “Zoë, is…”

  “Okay, I know I have to apologize for her.” They laughed.

  “No, you don’t. I like her.” She took a sip from her glass. “She’s quite frank and open and honest.”

  “Sounds like someone else I know.” He gently brushed her arm.

  “I don’t sound like that, do I?”

  “Yes, but I like it.” He looked at his watch. “It’s getting late.” He stood up and pulled her stool back and watched as she stood up. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?”

  She faced him and smiled. “Yes.”

  He took her hand and they walked out to the coat check, he helped her slip her coat on and whispered, “I love you.”

  She turned and faced him. “You do?”

  “Very much.”

  Sean took out his key, opened the door, and stood to the side as Kyla walked inside. She turned around and Sean was still standing in the hall. “Aren’t you coming in?”

  “It’s late.”

  “Come in. We need to talk.”

  She felt the heaviness of Sean’s statement at the restaurant weighing on her heart. She wasn’t sure if he heard what she said this morning, but now she knew. Hearing him say those three powerful words, his brother’s question and Zoë’s comments, she needed clarification. An old fashioned heart to heart conversation, that’s what Zoë suggested.

  “What’s on your mind?” He took his coat off and braced himself. Ever since Jordan asked that question, he’d been waiting for the other shoe to drop.

  “Do you want coffee?” Kyla asked.

  “No.”

  He followed her into the middle of the living room. She turned to face him and blurted out the million dollar question. “Do you want to get married?”

  He looked at her not blinking. “Yes. Do you?”

  “I’m not sure.” A huge smile came across his face. “Why are you smiling?”

  “Because you didn’t say no.”

  “I didn’t say yes either.”

  “A few months ago, when I asked if you wanted to get married, you said emphatically, no.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “And now, you said you’re not sure.”

  She rubbed her forehead. “Sean, I love you.”

  “And I love you.”

  “Just because I love you, doesn’t mean I want to marry you.”

  He went from elated to confused. “I don’t understand.”

  “Every relationship doesn’t lead to marriage.”

  Those sounded like the same words Trina had said. “Wait a minute, but you said you love me.”

  “Yes, I do, but I don’t know if…you want the whole thing, kids, family reunions, soccer games, family vacations, business dinners, a showpiece, and I’m not sure if I can be that person.” He nodded.

  “Who is when they get married?”

  “See, now you’re saying marriage changes you and I don’t want to change.”

  He knew that wasn’t true, because in the past ten months she had changed dramatically. Now he just had to convince her that some change was good. “Okay.”

  “Okay?” This wasn’t the answer she was expecting. She thought they’d fight and in the end, he’d see things her way.

  “Yeah, okay.” He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. He reached into his pocket and put the two keys to her apartment on the dining table, slipped his coat on and started toward the door.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’m leaving.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “I told you in the beginning, before we started this, that I wanted to get married. I thought that’s what you wanted, but since you don’t, then…”

  “Wait a minute, just like that, it’s over?”

  “Yes.”

  “So you’re going to walk out and what?”

  “I’m going to go home and have a long chat with God and believe He’ll show me what to do next.”

  “What about us?”

  “There’s no us. Not like this. There’s us the business colleagues, but no us as a couple.” He kissed her on the forehead and started walking.

  She grabbed his hand to stop him. “Sean, what are you doing?”

  “Ky, please let go of my hand. It’s getting late and I need to check on Simon.”

  “No, not until we settle this.”

  “Sweetheart, I’m sorry. I mean Kyla, there’s nothing to settle. You said what you want or don’t want, and I’m cool with that.”

  She stood still with her arms folded in front of her. “So what happens now? What about the Maldives?”

  “We can still work together.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. Our work relationship isn’t going to change that much, it’s our personal relationship that’s changed.”

  She thought about what Zoë said, ‘He’ll limit his contact with you’. “So, we’re still friends, right?”

  “Of course.”

  “Good, because I thought if we weren’t a couple anymore things would be different.”

  “Now you’re losing me,” he replied.

  “I’m glad to see we’ll still be friends like we were even though we aren’t a couple.”

  He smiled an
d nodded. “Not exactly.”

  “I’m sorry, now you lost me.”

  “We’re still friends, but things will be different. Eventually, I’ll be seeing someone else and spending a lot of time with her.”

  “What about us?”

  “You’ll start seeing someone else who’s not looking to get married. You’ll be fine.”

  “But what if I get sick or Winnie wants to see Simon?”

  “I’ll check on you and we can work something out where Winnie and Simon can hang out occasionally. But the new man in your life will be there to help you and take care of you.”

  “What if you get sick or hurt?”

  “The new woman in my life will be there to help.”

  “But she won’t…”

  “Ky, it’s okay. Simon and I will be fine. Just like you and Winnie will be fine. Hey, we’ll see each other at church.” He saw the tears forming in her eyes. He looked at his watch. “Okay, it’s really late and Simon has probably left me a little treat I don’t want.” He kissed her forehead. “I’ll talk to you later.” He turned and started toward the door.

  “Wait!” She called out.

  He turned around, his plan worked. “What?”

  “I…I…uhm…”

  “Ky, what is it?”

  “Call and let me know you made it home alright.”

  “Okay.” He turned and walked out.

  The sound of the door closing shut shook her body. She stood in the middle of the room not moving. The tears that had been sitting on the edge of her lower lid, found their way down the side of her face when she blinked. Just this morning, she told Sean she loved him and less than two hours ago, he said he loved her. And just like Zoë said, it was over.

  She looked at the clock on the end table, eleven-thirty. It was too late to call her mother. And a call this late to Dee Dee would scare her. She closed her eyes and looked up to the heavens.

  “God, what did I do? I can’t believe he just left. He deserves someone who will be everything he needs in a mate. I pray You send him the woman he needs and desires. He’s a good man with a big heart. I see how much he loves You and I only want the best for him. I’m in agreement with him that he will follow the plan You have for him. Please answer Sean’s prayer first, because I don’t want him to be alone. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.”

  She put her pajamas on, climbed into bed and cried herself to sleep.

  Chapter 63

  SHE ROLLED OVER AND LOOKED at the clock. It was twelve- thirty. It felt like she’d been lying in bed much longer. She got up, turned the light on, walked down the hall and stood in the doorway of her guest room. She stepped inside and smelled Sean’s suit hanging in the closet. It smelled just like him, cedar, musk, tobacco with a hint of exotic spices. She looked at Simon’s sweaters and smiled.

  She sat on the side of the bed and for the first time in her life, she felt lonely. She laid back onto the bed and closed her eyes.

  “Go to him.”

  She didn’t move.

  “Go to him.”

  She opened her eyes and looked around the room. She’d been lying there for almost an hour. She stood up, went into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. The light from the open refrigerator highlighted Winnie’s empty bed and she missed her. She reached inside and pulled out a bottle of water and stood smiling as she thought about the day she got Winnie. She hadn’t planned to get so attached to her, and Simon and falling in love never crossed her mind. She walked back to her room and climbed into bed. She turned the light off, pulled the covers up to her chin and closed her eyes.

  “Go to him. I heard your prayer. You, are what he needs and desires. He, is what you need and desire. Don’t be afraid. I’m with you.”

  Kyla sat straight up. It had been a while since she’d heard the voice. She remembered what DeeDee said about the voice. She sat there praying in the spirit, waiting for the voice to speak again. After a few minutes, she laid back down.

  She drifted off briefly but this time the voice was very loud. “GO TO HIM.” She turned the light on and looked at the clock on her night table, it was a quarter to two. She climbed out of bed, grabbed a pair of black leggings and a black sweater. Stealth-like was the only way to dress at this time of night or morning. She went into the bathroom, splashed some water on her face and brushed her teeth. She came back into the bedroom and slapped a knit cap on her head, and pulled on her favorite black suede boots. She picked up her bag, turned the light off in the bedroom, and stopped at the mirror in the hall questioning herself. “This is either insane or one of the smartest things I’ve ever done.” She applied a little lip gloss and picked up her mink still lying on the chair and let out a deep sigh, “Okay God, I’m trusting You.” She opened the door, quickly came back and picked up the keys and the evening bag she had earlier, and slipped them into her everyday bag, and left.

  When she got downstairs, Jerome was putting his coat on. “Where do you think you’re going?” he asked.

  “Would you please get me a taxi?”

  “Not until you answer me. Where do you think you’re going?” Sounding like her father.

  “None of your business,” she barked.

  He could see she was upset.

  “Please get me a taxi.”

  “No.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I said no. It’s too late.”

  She looked at him, fighting the tears. She didn’t have another plan. The back door to the lobby was always locked after midnight, and the only way in or out was for the doorman to open the door. Kyla knew there was no way Jerome was going to let her out.

  She was at a stalemate. She needed to see Sean and Jerome was standing in her way. She thought maybe if she changed her attitude, Jerome would change his mind and help her get a taxi.

  “Jerome, would you please get me a taxi?”

  He looked up at the clock in the lobby. “If you wait a couple of minutes, I’ll drive you where ever you want to go.”

  “Jerome—”

  “My shift is over and I’m waiting on Ted to come out of the restroom. If you just hold on, I’ll take you where ever you want to go.” She ignored him and started toward the door. The loud buzz startled her.

  “What the—”

  He walked around the desk and grabbed her arm. “I can see you’re upset, but I wouldn’t be able to sleep knowing I let you leave out of here at this hour by yourself.”

  She stood staring at him. “Fine.”

  “Now sit down and wait.” She stormed off and stood in the corner tapping her left foot. “Stop wearing the toe out on those pretty shoes.” She cut him a look. A couple of minutes later a door opened and closed, startling her again.

  “Jerome, I’m sorry. It must have been that burrito I had earlier,” Ted said patting his stomach. He looked over and saw Kyla standing in the corner. “Is that Miss James?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is she alright?”

  “Yes, I’m going to give her a lift. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “You got it. Good night, Miss James,” Ted called out.

  “Good night, Ted.”

  “Miss James, this way.” She walked outside and followed Jerome. “My car is right here.” They walked down and stopped next to a vintage black Cadillac Seville.

  “How did you get a parking space so close to the building?”

  “Favor.” They got inside and he let the car warm up before pulling away. “When Sean left, he looked about as bad as you do. Wanna tell me what happened?”

  “No.”

  “Okay. So, where am I taking you?”

  “Duane and Hudson.” She continued staring out the window.

  Jerome kept silent as long as he could. “So…”

  “Jerome, please. I’m trying to hold it together right now.”

  “I remember the night I asked my wife to marry me. She flat out turned me down. And two days later, when I came home from work there was fried chicken, collard greens, mac and c
heese, fried green tomatoes, hot water cornbread and a sweet potato pie sitting on the dining table.” He patted his stomach and let out a loud hum. “I can taste it now. She had bribed my super into letting her into my apartment. After eating, I asked her if she would make that same meal for me on our first anniversary. She said yes, and we’ve been together ever since.”

  Kyla let out a sigh. “Nice story, Jerome.”

  He smiled and patted her hand. She closed her eyes and they rode the rest of the way in silence. He pulled up to the corner of Hudson and Duane and stopped the car. “We’re here.”

  She opened her eyes and looked up at the beautiful Tribeca building and then at Jerome. “Maybe I should have gotten some gelato.”

  “Nah, you won’t need it.”

  She opened the door and stopped. “How long have you been married?”

  “It’ll be thirty-eight years in June.”

  She kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  She exited the car, walked across the street, stood in front of the door, and the older gentleman buzzed her inside. She walked over to the counter and smiled. “Hi, Tommy.”

  “Miss Kyla, what are you doing out this late? Mr. Prescott didn’t tell me you were coming.” His disapproving look wasn’t what she expected. “You know back in my day, a lady never made a call late like this to a man she wasn’t married to.”

  “That’s the second time tonight someone has chastised me about my behavior. I need to talk to Mr. Prescott.”

  “Do you have your key?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll let him know you’re on your way.”

  “Thank you Tommy.”

  She boarded the elevator, inserted the key and pressed the button for Sean’s floor. She held her breath as the elevator shot up passing all the other floors before stopping on Sean’s floor. The door opened, she turned the key and stepped into the loft. “Sean… Sean.” She took her coat off and threw it on the chair along with her bag. “Sean.” Simon came trotting out from the back of the loft. He sat at her feet and looked up at her. “Hi Simon, where’s your daddy?” He barked and started back toward Sean’s bedroom.

  She turned and started toward the back and stopped when she heard heavy footsteps coming towards her. “Would you please lower your voice.”