by Holly Smith
“Why?” Esleen asked.
“Do you know if I’m going to see Loyle again? Is Vince the right man for me? My feelings are all up in the air right now,” Nelise explained.
“That’s not true. Your feelings are telling you about your thoughts. It is possible you may see Loyle again, but I cannot predict for sure because you are constantly gaining new information and shifting, remember? If you have to ask if Vince is the right man for you, you may want to spend more time with him and check your feelings as you go. At some point, you’ll be sure. Was that helpful?”
Nelise went into a fit of hysterical laughter.
“Helpful? Ha!”
“Do you have more questions then?” Esleen asked, unamused.
“No, I don’t. I’m going to get a good night’s sleep. Good night, Esleen, and thanks anyway.”
“Good night, Nelise. All is well.”
Chapter 44
The day before Christmas Eve was cold with flurries. Nelise was contemplating why she hadn’t put up a tree or decorated as she usually did on the holidays when the phone rang.
“Hi, Vince.”
“Bumblebee, let’s go for a ride.”
“Right now? The day before the wedding? Why do you do this?”
“Yes, and that’s why it has to be right now. I won’t keep you long, I promise. I’m outside your apartment now.”
“All right, I’ll be right down.”
“Great!” Vince said excitedly.
What do you have up your sleeve this time, Vince? Nelise wondered.
“Beautiful weather for a wedding, isn’t it?” he asked, pulling out of the parking lot.
“Yes, very romantic.”
As Vince drove, Nelise realized he was headed for his property. Why again so soon, and why does it have to be right now? The butterflies were flying low in anticipation.
He drove onto the dirt road and parked in front of the same clump of trees.
“Looks like you extended the driveway,” Nelise noted.
“Yes, I did. I’m going to have a circular driveway around these three trees. Doing little things makes me feel like I’m making headway towards fulfilling my dream.”
“I can understand that,” Nelise said as the butterflies fluttered about more actively.
Vince got out of the truck, walked around to the passenger side, opened the door and kneeled down before Nelise while holding out a royal blue, velvet-covered gift box.
“A Christmas gift so soon? Not fair, Vince. I don’t have any of your gifts with me,” Nelise said uneasily, fearing what might be in the gift box.
“Just open it, Nelise, and please hurry; it’s cold out here.”
Nelise opened the box and saw a diamond engagement ring.
“Vince!” she exclaimed as the butterflies flew wildly about, crashing into each other and against the walls of her stomach.
“Marry me, Nelise.”
“Vince, get back in the truck and warm up,” she said, stalling for time. It’s a beautiful ring from a wonderful man. Why do I feel sick to my stomach?
Vince climbed into the truck and rubbed his cold hands together in front of the heater vent.
“Well?” he asked excitedly as if there was no doubt she would say yes.
“Vince . . . , I really, really care for you a lot, I do; but I’m not sure I’m ready for this step. After all, we’ve only known each other a matter of months. I’m sorry; I can’t accept this right now. Can you give me a little more time?” she asked, carefully handing the box back to him.
Vince looked as if somebody had punched him. His expression went from disbelief to shock to dismay. He placed the box back into her hand firmly.
“Look Nelise, I love you. I thought you were hesitating to get involved with me because you questioned my intentions so I bought this ring to assure you that I was sincere in my desire to be with you. I’m like Stanley that way. I know what I want and I know who I want. I see no reason for a long wait; we’re not teenagers. We get along well together, we respect each other, we have fun together; we are financially responsible, and I know you care for me. Take this step with me, Bumblebee,” Vince said.
Tears came to Nelise’s eyes. She took a deep breath. Say yes, Nelise! Say yes! Why am I hesitating? I’m pathetic!
“Can’t you give me just a little more time, Vince?”
“Fine. I will give you until New Year’s Day. Meet me here before sundown. If you’re not here, I will move on and not bother you anymore.”
“OK. Are you still going to the wedding with me?” Nelise asked humbly.
“If you want me to, yes, but I won’t see you after that until New Year’s. That is, if you show up,” he said, immediately starting the truck and backing out onto the main road in a rush.
Nelise placed the box with the ring under some papers in the glove compartment when Vince stopped to get gas.
They rode back to her place in silence. He opened the door for her but when she looked for a kiss, he was already getting back into the truck.
“I’ll pick you up at nine tomorrow morning,” he said and drove off.
When he arrived the next morning, Vince was friendly as if there were no issues but he didn’t call her Bumblebee anymore. Nelise wondered if she should have gone to the wedding without him but it was too late to back out now.
They entered the church and sat down next to Petal and Byron.
“It’s so cool, isn’t it?” Petal asked like an excited teenager. “I really wasn’t expecting this many people to show up. I guess Stanley invited a few more people than Gertie knew.”
“Yeah,” Nelise said mindlessly, preoccupied with her own situation.
Petal suddenly poked Nelise in the side. Nelise looked at her and Petal nodded towards the back of the church.
Stanley’s cousin, Anthony, was coming through the door with Jaelynn on his arm.
“What the heck?” Nelise whispered.
“I will be interested to see what that’s about,” Petal whispered back.
“Hey, look who’s here! Jaelynn, from your job,” announced Vince as he waved to her.
Nelise and Petal had no choice but to turn around and wave too. Fortunately for Nelise, the music started just then.
The reception was held in the hall of an Italian restaurant. There were round tables with lit candles surrounding a dance floor. Stanley’s friends made up the band. Gertie never was one for formality and when they arrived at the reception, she had already changed from her wedding dress into a long, black skirt and a bright green satin jacket.
While the food was being served, the band began to play. Nelise and Petal were looking around for Jaelynn when Vince abruptly got up and went to Anthony’s table. When he came back and began eating, Petal leaned in front of Nelise to talk to him.
“Vince, what did you find out? Is Anthony cheating on his wife or what?”
“Petal, really,” Nelise said, annoyed.
Vince laughed and took a sip of wine.
“You girls are terrible. Anthony’s wife was sick and she felt bad about not making it to the wedding so she told him to take Jaelynn, who happens to be her niece. Isn’t that a coincidence? Who knew?”
“Yeah, quite the coincidence,” Petal said sarcastically. “No doubt, she jumped at the opportunity to come to the wedding when she heard Vince would be here,” she mumbled to Nelise. “Don’t wait too long before latching onto him, Nelise. You might just lose him.”
After the food was cleared, the band picked up its beat and people started dancing. By now, Petal and Nelise heard Jaelynn’s voice and laughter more than they ever had at work and knew it was for Vince’s benefit. Nelise wanted to leave but did not want to disappoint her aunt so she kept up the happy façade.
At one point, she was going to ask Vince a question but he was gone. She glanced at the dance floor and saw him dancing with Jaelynn, who was hanging on his eyes with smiles the whole time. He didn’t seem to mind at all. When that song ended and another began, they con
tinued dancing. Nelise was feeling more miserable by the minute. She decided to go to the restroom and get her emotions under control.
As she was leaving the restroom, she dropped her purse on the floor and her cell phone slid out. She stooped down to pick them up but a man’s hand got there first, grabbed the purse and phone, then took her hand to help her up. When she stood up to say thank you, Loyle was handing her the belongings. Nelise stopped short when she saw his face. She felt as if her heart had stopped beating and became dizzy for a moment.
“Nelise? Are you OK?” he asked, placing his arm around her.
“Yeah, I am now,” Nelise said, regaining her balance.
“What are you doing here?” Loyle asked, surprised.
“I’m at the wedding reception in the back. What are you doing here?” she asked, catching her breath and forgetting everything but her tweaked feelings.
“My fiancée didn’t get ready in time for the wedding so we came right to the reception. I’m surprised I didn’t see you.”
“Your fiancée? I guess they’re all alike then, male or female,” she commented without thinking.
“Ha! That’s funny; she’s the groom’s cousin.”
Nelise felt like there was a computer glitch in her brain. She had forgotten about hearing his name at her aunt’s house. I must talk with him now!
“Loyle, I know we have to get back but is there any way we could talk for a few minutes? I really need to understand some things. Is it possible?”
“Well . . . can you meet me outside the back door of the kitchen in a few minutes? I know the manager; he’ll let me use his office. I’ll wait for you there,” Loyle said, walking off first as she nodded.
Nelise’s heart was pounding against her chest; and her body tingled all over. She grabbed her coat from the coat room and rushed out the front door to the back of the building. Loyle was there holding the door open and they went inside into his friend’s office.
“Nelise, you’re looking very well by the way. What’s on your mind?” Loyle asked as if the past had never transpired.
“Since we’re pressed for time, I’ll just come out with it. Are you not gay?”
“Gay! Whatever made you think that?” Loyle asked with a surprised laugh.
“I saw you coming out of my old house and embracing a man with a beard.”
“Why didn’t you come up to me? I would have loved to see you!” Loyle exclaimed, not fully aware of what she had said.
“Well, I thought you were with that guy.”
“Your old house . . . now I remember. You must be talking about my son, Lynel.”
“Your son? You never told me you had a son or that you were ever married,” Nelise said in amazement.
“Nelise, you were so angry about your mother and that man that I couldn’t bring myself to tell you I had a son out of wedlock. I thought you wouldn’t want anything to do with me if you knew. When you saw us at the house, we were in the process of repairing our relationship. He had tried to get his mother and I back together which didn’t work out and he blamed me at first. Thankfully, we worked through it. He’s here with me tonight.”
“Oh. I’m sorry I said all that stuff about my mother; I was going through a rough time then. I wouldn’t have felt that way about you, Loyle. I wanted to be with you.”
“Why didn’t you talk with me at the restaurant when we ran into each other? I wanted to get your number but you brushed me off so quickly that I thought it useless to try,” Loyle said, placing his hands gently on Nelise’s shoulders and looking into her eyes.
Just then the door to the kitchen was blown open by a cold gust of wind.
“Would someone shut that door!” yelled out one of the kitchen staff.
Loyle ran to shut the door and quickly returned to the office.
“Why didn’t you say something then?” he asked Nelise again.
“Because I thought you were with your boyfriend,” Nelise said with a whimper, her eyes filling with tears as she shivered from the cold.
“Oh, Nelise,” he said, reaching out and pulling her close. He held her tenderly until she stopped shivering.
“I’m so sorry; if only I had known you better,” he said.
Nelise’s heart melted. This is why not Vince, she told herself. This is why.
“Can we start again then?” she asked with hopeful eyes.
“Nelise, I . . . well . . . I’m engaged to Kara now.”
The outside door flew open again and the cold wind rushed in, pushing the office door open as well.
Loyle looked into Nelise’s eyes. She waited longingly for his kiss but he kissed her on the forehead.
“I’m sorry, Nelise. I guess it wasn’t meant to be,” he said, gently letting her go. “At least we got it all straightened out and like you said, we’ll always be friends. We’d better get back. You’re shivering, and I’m sure they’re looking for us by now,” he added, escorting her out of the office and out through the kitchen’s back door. When they stepped outside, Vince was standing there with a startled look on his face.
“Nelise,” he said brusquely.
“You must be Nelise’s beau. She and I are old friends; Loyle’s the name,” he said, awkwardly reaching for a handshake which was not reciprocated. Loyle looked down and cleared his throat.
“Good to see you, Nelise. I hope you both have a nice holiday,” Loyle said and left.
“Vince, it’s not what it looks like. Let me explain,” Nelise said as they walked back to the reception.
“I know, Nelise, he’s an old friend. Let’s get back; your aunt wanted to get pictures,” he said tersely and walked faster.
“Vince, I’ve got to fix my hair, I’ll be right there,” she called out, heading to the restroom after they entered the building. She refreshed her makeup, combed her hair and returned to the reception. I guess I needed that closure to be able to move on, she thought to herself sadly and took a deep breath.
“C’mon everyone, get over here for pictures, please,” Gertie yelled.
Nelise looked for Vince but didn’t see him.
Gertie took her pictures and cheerfully hurried back to the dance floor with Stanley.
Petal came rushing over to Nelise.
“Where in the heck were you? We were all looking for you and then Vince disappeared and never came back.”
“Yeah, I guess he left,” Nelise said somberly.
“Left? Why?”
“Long story, Petal; I’ll tell you later.”
“OK, Nelise. We’re going to dance some more,” Petal said as Byron pulled her away to the dance floor.
Nelise hung out alone with her glass of wine and fake smile until the bitter end, wanting her aunt to be thoroughly happy on her special day.
Petal and Byron brought her home.
“I can’t believe he did that! How rude and thoughtless!” Petal exclaimed, incensed that Vince left Nelise at the reception without a word. Byron said nothing and Nelise kept silent despite Petal’s inquiries as to why.
When she got home, Nelise turned on her cell phone and saw a text message from Vince:
“Nelise, I hope seeing your old flame does not keep you from me. Keep in mind, whether or not you choose me, that if he left you once, he could do it again.”
Nelise’s emotions went from guilt to sadness to frustration to anger and back to guilt. I must get into Garden but how can I with all these feelings? She pulled out a beer, then another and on the fifth one, she picked up the phone and dialed.
“Nelise?”
“Hi, Peddal Flowa . . . can ya talk?”
“Hold on,” Petal murmured. “Let me get to the kitchen, Byron’s asleep. OK. Nelise, are you drunk?”
“Nah . . . well, jus’ a lil. I really blew it this time, Peddal.”
“What do you mean? What happened?”
“Vince proposed and I said not now and then I ran into Loyle and Vince saw me and got mad and . . . .”
“Wait! You saw Loyle? Where?”
/>
“He was at the weddin recepshun.”
“He was? I didn’t see him. Did you talk?”
“Yeah, he’s not gay; he’s engaged to that woman Kara,” Nelise said and started laughing hysterically.
“Stanley’s cousin? No! Who was that guy you saw him with at your old house then?”
“His son.”
“Oh now, this is too much . . . you poor baby,” Petal said compassionately.
“Yeah, right? We were walkin’ back to the recepshin and Vince caught us.”
“What do you mean, caught you?” Petal asked.
“Outside.”
“What were you doing outside? I’m getting confused. I think you’re too drunk, Nelise,” Petal said.
“Not drunk enuf.”
“So that’s why Vince took off?”
“He musta been mad since he left me there,” Nelise said and cried.
“Oh, Nelise baby, I will come over tomorrow morning and have coffee with you. You need to stop drinking, calm down, and get some sleep. I’d come over now but I had a little too much to drink myself.”
“No, idz OK, I’ll see ya tomorra Pedal Flowa . . . ,” Nelise said. Seconds later, she was passed out and snoring.
Chapter 45
Early the next morning, Nelise’s phone rang.
“Hello,” she answered drearily.
“Hi, babe; how are you?” asked a familiar voice.
“I told you not to call me ever again, Milton. So why are you?” Nelise asked, her head throbbing.
“I don’t know. I just thought of you. Sounds like you could use a shoulder to cry on and I’m available,” Milton said in his charming way.
“I know why you called, Milt. I’m sending you to the Great Hall of Light for the last time and I hope you find your way. I’ll never speak with you again,” Nelise declared and hung up.
The phone rang again and Nelise picked it up without answering.
“It’s me, Nelise; buzz me in,” said Petal.
Nelise dragged herself over to the buzzer and flopped down onto the couch.
“Nelise, you look terrible and it’s Christmas Day. Are you going to your aunt’s?”
“I’m supposed to. The three of us were going to hang out and watch old movies. They have friends coming over in the afternoon so I think I’ll stay home.”