Bobby was still laughing he pointed at Wendell. “When we got there, the first thing he said was, ‘I think we should have cut the tree down first. Not doing that again unless we cut the tree down.’”
“The tree hurt,” Wendell blurted out.
Bobby continued laughing. “It took nearly a month to find Bessy. We had to hoe the pea patch every day until she was found. JD said, ‘Bros and hoes.’”
Wendell shook his head. “That wasn’t fair. Britney got the easy part.”
Gloria shook her head. “What did she have to do?”
“Sit in the shade and bring us water,” Bobby said with a big grin on his face and tears flowing from his eyes from the laughter.
Wendell said with a funny voice, “Yeah, because we tricked her into going to the barn. The things I will do for a kiss.”
“She didn’t even give you a kiss after all that,” Bobby said as he started laughing again.
“Yeah, the traitor,” Wendell grumbled.
Gloria smiled. “I would have.”
“I know where there is a mule and barn,” Bobby said with an amused voice.
“Kiss first, no trees. But let’s eat first. I am hungry and the food smells good,” Wendell said flatly. “So I get kissed, ride a mule, then what, go get some games or karaoke” Wendell lifted his fork.
“Don’t know. You might not want to get off my mule.”
Wendell smiled. “Naw naw naw, don’t think the mule will like me riding it. You know you could always be a baaaad boy shearing the sheep.”
“Dude, that is just cruel and unusual punishment,” Bobby said with a grossed-out look on his face.
Wendell laughed. “Better than the cow.”
Bobby nearly choked. “Oh god, dude won’t ever do that shit again,” he said when he caught his breath.
Wendell laughed out. “Michael Jackson would have been proud of his hew hos.”
“Do we even want to know?” Gloria said cautiously.
“The sheep, no. The cow was funny as hell,” Wendell said with a grin.
Bobby shook his head. “Not at the table, man.” He and Wendell were both laughing.
Gloria said, “Okay, tell us about the cow.”
Bobby laughed. “Later.” They finished eating and Bobby got dressed to go to Memphis. Bobby and Wendell had Gloria and Ashley laughing throughout dinner.
Chapter 25
The Hook Up
In Memphis, Bobby, Gloria, Wendell, and Ashley walked into the bar and grill. Wendell got everyone a soda. He wrote down some songs on a list and took it to the DJ. Wendell said as he came back to the table, “Where is Brit at?”
“She took Delana to visit the grave of her father. She has a lot planned for next two months,” Bobby said as he sipped his soda.
Wendell shook his head. “That was sad, man. I felt so sorry for her. That’s been, what, a couple years now?”
“Two this New Year’s Eve.” A tear came to her eyes. “Wendell, I have a request,” Gloria said.
Wendell said, “Anything, Gloria.”
“Two songs, ‘Sissy’s Song’ by Allen Jackson the first song, then the last song, ‘High on the Mountain.’”
Wendell pulled out his phone and googled ‘Sissy’s Song’ and put his earplugs in and listened to the song several times. When his name was called, he walked up and told the DJ to change the song. Gloria took Bobby’s hand. Bobby looked at Ashley and said, “Go let him hold you while he sings. You won’t regret it.”
Gloria agreed, “No, you won’t.”
Ashley walked over, and Bobby called out to him, “Sing to her, bro.” He stood behind her and handed her the microphone. He lifted her arm where she was holding the microphone close to her shoulder. He put his arms around her stomach. She stood, hoping he wasn’t going to be bad.
When he started singing, her eyes opened wide. She was surprised. He had a beautiful voice. Their bodies started swaying. The dance floor started to fill. Gloria held Bobby tight. “He has a beautiful voice. I hope she likes him. He is a good guy.”
“I think he has a chance. She wouldn’t have walked up if she didn’t like him.” When the song was done, Ashley lowered the microphone as he released her and backed away. He smiled slightly at her and walked back to the table. She handed the man the microphone. As he got to the table, Gloria gave him a kiss on the cheek. “That was wonderful, thank you.”
Wendell was quiet for a while. He went to sing a song. “Why is he being quiet?” Ashley said.
“He likes you. When he first met you, you were a stranger, someone he would likely not see again,” Bobby said as he looked away. “Or someone that he felt that he wouldn’t stand a chance to date. So, no pressure at all. But when he held you and sang, he got to thinking about what if. He clams up every time. He doesn’t know what to say. At first, the shyness is cute, but it takes him time to get over being shy around someone he likes. He works best in a crowd. But just a few, he chokes.
“He says what he wants to say with songs. He will talk about that song for months and the dance he had with a very special woman. But not to you. He figured it out when you walked up to him while he sang. I knew the games weren’t in the closet. I also knew we were coming here because of not having anything to do. What you saw before he started getting quiet is how he is most of the time. If you give him a chance and get past the shyness, if you can, he will be a good man for you, Ash.”
Gloria smiled. “He is not a bad guy.” She thought, ‘I wish Bobby didn’t try and fix you up with him.’
Wendell came back after singing the song. When he sang the next song, she walked up. “If this is the only way to get you to dance with me, then I guess I am just going to have to suffer hearing you sing.” This time, she faced him and held the microphone. He took the microphone and placed it between her breasts and pulled her close. “The song was my kind of night.” They started dancing and she smiled.
“He didn’t waste any time on that,” Gloria said with a smile.
Bobby grinned. “Let’s go rock it, baby.”
“Not a bad song or dance.” Ashley said.
They stayed until the place closed. They went home. Wendell said, “Be Bob, I am going to crash on the couch.”
“Be my guest, bud,” Bobby said.
Later, Gloria got up and walked into the front room. She thought, ‘Damn’ She walked back and woke Bobby. They walked in and saw Ashley and Wendell lying on the couch. They were dressed, and his arm was around her. He smiled. “Maybe.” He walked back to the bedroom and Gloria thought, ‘I am just going to have to work faster with Clarence. I am going to miss him. No I won’t, and when I am done, he won’t even be a memory. Britney loves JD, but I know she loved Stanley more. I am almost positive they will somehow come into our lives. First, we have got to bond. No one will question us dancing so much during the completion. Just before it ends, by weakening the curse, no one will think it was planned and we will be thought as a casualty.’
Britney walked to Stanley’s grave. JD came with her to the grave and set the baby down between her legs. Delana was playing with a toy. Britney said, “I am early this year. Got a lot going on, so I thought I would get this over with. Not that it is a bother. Got a lot of things to talk about but not very time consuming. No drama this year. Bobby and I competed with Ivan and Nicole, we made the points we need to compete in the championship. It is going to be held in Switzerland this year. This is my last year to compete. JD hasn’t killed Ivan yet.” She laughed. “I want to keep it that way. Bobby and Nicole are thinking about completing the curse. Bobby is slightly worried about Gloria. She has found a new dance mate. Surprised everyone, including her. He seems like a nice guy. She is struggling with feelings for him. But she hasn’t acted like herself for quite a while. We’re starting to get worried even more.
“We think her feelings are stronger for him than
his for hers. Sam Bluefield said that it is likely because she has been under the curse before. He also said they are close to bonding. She has separated from him for most of the time now because she doesn’t want to bond in the holiday season.
“Cody and Catrina are retiring. Catrina is pregnant. Sam said Cody and Catrina stand a good chance on winning the championship this year. Catrina is moving to Texas with Ramone after the first. Rachel is opening another terminal, Ramone is going to run it. JD, Crown, Dumas, and Ashley have retired from the agency. JD is farming the family land where Gloria and Bobby are living. Daniel is still on the wagon and gets his grandchildren as often as he can.
“We have a large Thanksgiving planned out and small Christmas planned. Then my final competition. I talked to Gloria about this a few weeks ago. There is still some of your sperm in the hospital in New York. I want another baby. JD can’t have any more children. So I am going to have a layover in New York and use the rest of it to have another baby. Maybe there is enough for two more, not sure. Will talk to the doctor when I get there.
“I always wanted a large family. But I only want to have your child since JD can’t have any more. I am going to do all your children the same way. They will know who their father was but call JD Daddy. I am so happy, Stanley. I still miss you from time to time. I still love you, just not in love with you. You will always have a place in my heart. I am in love with my husband. Our daughter is a good child.”
She looked up and saw Stanley standing not far away. She gasped. Without thinking, she grabbed Delana and said, “Look, Daddy, he blew you a kiss.” She looked up and he was gone. She walked over to where he was standing and started crying.” JD walked over, and she held him. JD didn’t say anything as she cried. She cried for a moment and walked over and kissed his tombstone. She said, “I love you. I will see you next year. Stick around and let our daughter see you next time. I will have two babies next year. I love you so much, Stanley.”
They left and went back to Mississippi. She didn’t tell Gloria she saw him. She thought about that day for weeks. Several weeks had passed.
Bobby came home and Ashley was at the house. Bobby walked in and said, “Hey, Ash, Gloria home yet?”
Ashley said in a concerned voice, “No, just us. That is a frightening thing.”
He smiled. “Terrifying. Wendell coming over?”
Ashley nodded. “Later, yes. Thought we would play some cards.”
Bobby smiled. “Sounds fun. Been here long?”
Ashley shook her head. “No. Bobby, I need to talk to you.”
Bobby got a glass of tea and sat down at the table. “Shoot.”
Ashley’s heart started pounding. She didn’t know what to say or how to say it. She hesitated for a moment. “I have a problem that I do not know how to handle.”
Bobby gave a her curious look. “Wow, this must be good or bad, I should say if you don’t know how to handle a problem.” She laid a home pregnancy test down on the table and it read positive. “I have taken five of them. They all said the same thing. This one I took less than five minutes ago. I have only had sex with just one man in two years. Take a guess at who that one man is?”
Bobby rubbed his head. “Yeah, um, okay, um, yeah, wow, ugh, hm. I see, said the blind man. Have sex with Wendell and tell him it is his.”
She glared at him. Bobby held up his hands. “Okay, okay, it sounded good.”
Gloria came walking in and said in a cheerful voice, “Hey, Ash. Bobby, how was your day?”
Bobby rubbed his face. “Well, got difficult when I got home.”
She looked at the pregnancy test and said, “Congratulations.”
She gave Ashley a hug. “Are you telling Wendell soon?”
Bobby said cautiously, “She has had sex with only one guy in two years. Twice with the same guy.”
Gloria kissed him. “Congratulations, you are going to be a daddy again. Hope it is a boy. That way, you have two girls and three boys.” Ashley looked at her.
“What? It is a child, not a choice,” Gloria said. “Or at least that is my opinion on the matter at hand.”
“You are not mad or upset or something, anything?” Ashley said in a shocked voice.
Gloria shrugged. “Why should I be? He didn’t cheat on me. I asked you if you wanted to make him happy by being the second woman in our bed. I walked out of the bedroom to let the two of you have sex alone. I know how women get pregnant. I can’t say how did this happen.”
“What is Wendell going to say?” Ashley said in a concerned voice.
“Did you take any pictures?” Bobby said casually.
Ashley asked fast, “Did you take pictures?”
Bobby shrugged. “No, I recorded it. Still don’t believe it happened.”
Gloria laughed. “In nine months, you will.” She walked out of the room to go get something to drink. Bobby got up walked over and gave Ashley a hug. “I am there for you every step of the way.”
Later, Wendell came over and Bobby had a talk with him. He and Ashley had a talk after Bobby had talked to him.
Gloria shut the dance studio down in General and hired a shuttle to carry the students to Tupelo for those who couldn’t travel that far. She changed the locks on the door so that no one had a key but her. She went to California, gathered some things up, and came back the same day. No one knew she had even left the state.
Gloria stood in the center of one of the larger rooms. Blood symbols were drawn on the walls and floor. She started dancing and the walls and floor started to glow, and she placed the ward on the room to hide all traces of magic. When the dance was over, she was nearly drained. She sat and rested as the words from her past filled her mind, ‘Magic is like a muscle. If you don’t use it, then it will weaken. The more you use it, the stronger it will become. But always remember, magic is also a thumbprint for any to find. Once others know what your magic feels like, anyone who knows about magic can detect if you used it. Use caution when you use magic.’
Thanksgiving came. Bobby set up the barn to eat in. There were a lot of people there. Bobby’s whole family was there; his Aunt Gina came down along with all of his cousins. Dumas, Crown, and Ashley were there and so was Wendell. Sam came over. Gina hadn’t ever seen Bobby dance. Bobby said, “Wendell, you up, man. Acapella.” He looked at Ashley and sang “I Can’t Fight This Feeling Anymore.”
Bobby danced with Nicole and Britney danced with Ivan. The family was surprised to see them dance as well as they did. That evening, Ashely took Wendell home with her. Clarence and Samantha were also over. Some of the people in Bobby’s family made comment on how Clarence looked at Gloria, and how she looked at him. Bobby dismissed it as nothing. Samantha and Clarence were feeling the strain of the feelings brought on between the two of them. Gloria had told Bobby not to let the two of them be alone. She had stopped dancing with Clarence altogether. Clarence trusted Gloria completely with her knowledge of what was happening.
Britney’s parents stayed with her for a couple weeks. Christmas came. Gloria invited Ashley, Wendell, Crown, and her family. Britney had just her daughter and Dumas with Sam. Britney gave Delana a present from Stanley. It was a picture of the trip that they took in Hawaii on the boat when they met Natasha and Gruban. She and Bobby still called them several times a week. She missed them.
Chapter 26
What If
One night after everyone was asleep, Britney got up. She thought about Ivan, who went to Russia for the holidays. She missed him. Her feelings for him were growing. She didn’t tell JD. They had one more dance and then they wouldn’t dance again for a long time. That made her sad. She thought about the talk she had with Bobby as she sat looking at the fireplace.
“Brit, I do not know about this. Sam said the completion of the curse will end all this temptation. But Gloria is close to bonding with Clarence herself,” Bobby said.
“Yeah, I d
on’t think that is a good idea. Were we that way before we bonded?”
Bobby shook his head. “Worse.”
“I often wonder why we didn’t start the completion with the things we’ve done.”Bobby agreed, saying, “Tell me about it. Who would have thought life would have turned out this way? You with your first big crush.”
Britney laughed slightly. “After that day in Memphis, I wouldn’t have ever guessed it. But he is wonderful. I love him so much. He still makes the comment from time to time about how he wonders why we never had a serious relationship.”
Bobby laughed. “He isn’t the only one. Gina asked me the same thing a few months before the two of you got married. I think the age difference concerned her.”
“What did you tell her?” Britney asked with a curious look on her face.
Bobby laughed. “If I did that, then Uncle Jake would still be like Uncle Jake.”
“Nice way to avoid the question,” Britney teased.
Bobby nodded. “I thought so.”
Britney gave him a curious look. “Do you ever wonder why we didn’t have relationship?”
Bobby shook his head. “No, not really. Why wonder about the things you know?”
Britney smiled. “What do you know?” “That I could have you any time I wanted. You could have me any time you wanted, and we didn’t want it,” Bobby said confidently.
Britney laughed. “You make me sound easy. Man talk about being confident. Why don’t ya? Good thing I didn’t bust your balloon, mister.”
He laughed. “As if you could. I am Mr. Irresistible.”
Love and Beyond Part 3 Page 28