All I'll Ever Ask (The Greatest Love Book 1)

by Genevieve Woods

  “Ben, I am not myself. I have half my head shaven and the doctor says it could be six to eight weeks before my speech and motor skills return to full capacity. I have made some personal and spiritual vows while being here. It would not be fair to you. I don’t know who I am anymore or what’s next for me. Please Ben, I can call you to chat on my progress but I don’t want you to feel like you need to give me some kind of charity friendship because I could not cross the street.”

  “Camille, I want to continue to see you. I can work from anywhere. I have my laptop bag and my 2 mobile devices with me. I have not missed one call or conference meeting in the last week. I want to share in your recovery, not out of charity or pity but because I care for you. You are beautiful on the inside and out, bandages and all. Besides, you just had brain surgery a week ago and you are speaking clear enough to push me away. So I don’t see anything fragile or confused about you. Please allow me your friendship. I too have been working on my relationship with the Lord, maybe we can do it together.” Ben gave Camille the most desperate and pleading look he could manage. He was serious about not experiencing any breaks in getting to know her.

  Camille’s stubborn will broke as she looked at Ben’s pitiful expression. “Well Benjamin, I can see why you are successful. It’s very hard to say no to you with that kind of sales pitch.”

  Quickly his face broke into his alarming smile and he scooted a chair next to her bed. “Now give me the scoop on your father. I don’t want him to kick me out when he arrives.”

  Camille smiled. “Have you heard of the saying…what you see is what you get?”

  Ben confirmed yes with a head nod.

  “Well, Jacob Darius James, is the opposite. He is one to observe and speaks only when there is pertinent information to request or demands to be given out.”

  Ben jerked his head backwards and raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

  “Really. But don’t look like I just said my dad was some big, mean guy. He simply does not deal in nonsense. There you have it, the 4-1-1 on my daddy.”

  “Camille is that all the information you are sharing?” Ben said with wrinkles creased across his forehead.

  Camille giggled at the perplexed look Ben was giving her.

  “Camille, seriously, I barely got you to agree to let me stay. I don’t want anything messing up my opportunity of getting to know you.”

  Camille could see his sincerity and felt it was a little intense, after a couple of weeks knowing one another. Not considering she spent the last week in and out of consciousness. She tried to move the conversation away from their budding relationship. She could not think of where they were headed, under the influence of morphine. Camille tried her best to speak clearly. “Ben we practically just met, it is no need to be tense, regarding my father. We have not been on an actual date. I will just introduce you as a friend of Kevin’s. I will even say you are a Good Samaritan, who has not left my side.” Camille tried to offer a genuine smile but reached for her forehead with her bandaged hand, as her smile turned into an anguish fueled grimace.

  Benjamin jumped to his feet and rubbed her forehead with his left hand and lowered her bandaged hand with his right. He spoke softly to her.

  “Camille, are you okay? Did cutting me down to size, give you a headache?” Camille rested her head back on the pillow and closed her eyes while Ben slowly massaged her temples. Ben begin to hum a song, then softly sang with a melodious voice. Ben’s touch and voice became a sedative to Camille as the headache began to recede.

  Camille focused on the lyrics he was singing softly in her ear, while sitting on her hospital bed, holding her hand. The lyrics were clear and direct to Camille. Benjamin George Adams could not be cut down to size nor was he backing off. Camille asked the name of the song and artist. Ben informed her it was, All I’ll Ever Ask, performed by Freddie Jackson on a Najee CD. Camille allowed herself to fall to slumber, under the rapture of Ben’s voice.

  Love means so many different things

  But you're all that matters

  and this is all I'll ever ask of you

  Tell me your dreams, so they can be mine too let me be there to help them come true

  tell me your fears, when you feel afraid

  Come to my arms let me rock them away

  That's all I'll ever ask, that's all I'll ever ask

  that’s all I'll ever ask, of you

  Come to my shoulder when you need to weep

  Wake me up, when you cannot sleep

  Talk to me, when you want to be heard

  be silent with me, when you can't say a word

  That's all I'll ever ask, that's all I'll ever ask

  that’s all I'll ever ask, of you

  When Ben saw that Camille was asleep, he kissed her on the forehead. As he was rising, the nurse entered to change the IV bags. He exited quietly and headed to the chapel and was happy to find himself alone. He knelt on his knees at the altar of the chapel and prayed.

  “Heavenly Father, I come to you with a grateful heart. Thank you for sparing Camille’s life. Thank you for bringing her into mine. Thank you for another chance Lord, another chance to say I am sorry for the sin in my life. I am sorry for seeking after earthly things, instead of seeking your will. I accept you into my life right now Lord, because you have answered my prayer. You have shown me my missing rib. Father God, I was so torn with guilt over how I never committed to Lauren. Her death left me shattered with a wounded spirit and condemnation. I give that over to you Lord. I know, just like Adam knew with one look at Eve, the woman you created for him. Camille is bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh. Father, I need your help in being who she needs me to be. Guide me, so that she can feel this is destiny and not a rebound. Father you said in your word, ‘It is not good for man to be alone.’ Your word also tells me, ‘He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the Lord.’ I am ready to ‘Seek first Your Kingdom and Your righteousness, so all these things will be given to me.’ I am ready to drink from the well that never runs dry. Lord, I know Camille is my missing rib. Show me how to care for her and in your timing, she will know this is right. Show me how to nurture her back to the fearfully and wonderful creature you made. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

  ***

  Traffic in Route to Pick up Jacob Darius James

  Paige & Kevin sat in a traffic jam on their way to the Metro Airport. The ride had been a silent one as they listened to soft Jazz by Ben Tankard. Kevin broke the silence. “Paige, I called my parents and told them about Camille. I told them coming down next weekend, was up in the air.”

  Paige turned and looked at Kevin, “what did they say?”

  “They said not to worry. We could come down anytime and they were praying for Camille.”

  Paige smirked, “was that your dad? I don’t believe your mom actually cares.”

  “Paige that is not fair, mom was concerned. I really hope during the next trip you and mom could come to terms and be friends or at least friendly with one another.”

  Paige rolled her eyes and lifted her chin up to meet Kevin eye to eye. “Kevin, I know you are not saying it’s my fault that Julia and I are not friendly. Need I point out that as a black woman dating a biracial man, I expected if I was going to be judged by anyone in your family, that it would not be your BLACK MOTHER! I mean your dad is a Judge and he does not make assumptions of others before getting to know them.” Paige’s neck started to twist as she continued. “Your mom did not give me a chance before writing me off as some trifling, gold digger.”

  Kevin tried to interrupt the tirade he saw Paige was about to begin. “Honey please!”

  Paige raised her hand to halt the interruption. How Kevin wished the traffic would start to move again.

  “Kevin Michelson!” Paige screamed, to bring him out of his daydream. She started a count on her fingers; “Number one, from the moment your mother met me, she has done nothing but criticize what I am wearing and my hairstyles. Heck, the woman called me common to my fa
ce. Number two, she tries to get under my skin with the shade she throws at me. It’s insulting! Where we are, is of no consequence for your so called ‘Elegant and Refined MOMMA.’ I swear Kevin, if it was not for you and your sweet dad, I would have snapped on your mom, months ago.”

  Kevin jumped in saying, “Paige that’s it, you do snap. You both snap at each other, all the time. It’s like you two are competing on who can be more hood.” Kevin immediately regretted that statement.

  Paige rolled her eyes and bit down on her lip, then looked at him with venom. “Kevin! You seriously better not be calling me hood. I may not have come from high society like you, but I am far from the hood, sweetheart. No one will make me feel I haven’t achieved everything I have through hard work. I cannot believe you would say that to me.”

  “Paige, I did not mean it that way. I am just saying, you don’t have to give in to her antics. I admit my mom is judgmental and can be superficial at times. However, what she thinks of you, will not deter my love for you. So next time we go, just don’t be so willing to go down with her.”

  Paige was passed furious and said, “Kevin, you really need to have this conversation with Julia Michelson. She needs to know and I need to know, you will not allow her or anyone else in your family to disrespect me. You pursued me. I have been nothing but open and honest with you. Now if you want to keep me, it is your job to keep your beast of a mother out of my face. I am warning you, if she continues to come at me like she has been, like she is all that, as if I am some common chicken head, then hood it will be!”

  “Fine Paige, I’ll speak to mother.”

  Kevin gave up this battle. It had been a stressful 48 hours and he had no wins when Paige’s sister, from the hood persona, “Rage,” was out. Finally, the traffic started to move and he could not wait to get another person in the car to break the tension between him and Paige.

  As he drove only the sounds of Ben Tankard streaming through his car’s speakers could be heard. Paige had shut him out. He had to admit that Paige was right and he had to set his mom straight about her attitude. He intended to be with Paige permanently. He already purchased the engagement ring. His mom would have to accept Paige and stop pushing her buttons, to have her acting like a hood rat. Paige could go from a sharp, classy woman to her ghetto persona, who was nicknamed Rage by Camille. He knew Paige had this self-preservation persona because of her childhood. She was left abandoned in the apartment with her mother’s corpse after she overdosed on heroin. Paige spent three days alone at the age of six, caring for herself and her dead mother. When Paige had been found by the authorities, she was clean, fed, and the apartment was spotless. Apparently, Paige had been taking care of herself and drug addicted mom, since she was four or five years of age. She was taken in by an aunt who lived in the same housing projects. Paige’s life was full of hurt, rejection, and abuse. It would have been easy for Camille to stay in the projects and continue the cycle of poverty, but she didn’t. Instead, Paige did the exact opposite. She had been on her own since she was eighteen. Leaving her aunt, who was only interested in the monthly food stamps and the state check she received while Paige was a minor. Paige worked two jobs for years and put herself through college. She was now the Director of a health insurance agency. Kevin loved Paige with all of his heart. He reached over grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it.

  “Paige, I am sorry. I will deal with my mother, just be patient. I love you so much.”

  Paige’s anger broke and she gave him a smile and leaned in to kiss him.

  “Ok Kevin, I don’t want to fight anymore. I am worried about Camille. I should have never begged her to come to the play. She would have hated it anyway. I know what she finds entertaining and she would tell you, an urban stage play, was not the genre she preferred. She probably would have left during intermission, citing a headache.”

  “Paige, this is not your fault. Things happen in life, unexpected circumstances come into play. Besides, Benjamin is feeling Camille.”

  Paige looked in shock, “really they haven’t had much time to get to know one another.”

  Kevin hunched his shoulders, “Ben told me earlier that he felt a connection with her. The two of them spoke on more than one occasion before the date. He said they had a tether that bound them. He dang near ripped my head off when I questioned him, as to why he felt the need to stay by Camille’s side.”

  Paige smiled and held Kevin’s hand tighter. “Well, I guess we shall see what happens.”

  Chapter 3: Introductions & Reunions

  Downtown Trauma Center

  Benjamin, Camille, Karen, Nikki

  “So it’s settled,” Ben stated to Karen. “I will come into the office with you Monday, you can show me around and I can be the liaison for you and Camille as she recovers.”

  “If that is what Camille wants, then I’m fine with it.” They both turned and looked at Camille who was playing with Nikki and her toy Shopkins on the bed.

  Camille glanced up, “we have no other choice, Karen. Benjamin is a director at a fortune 500 company and he is volunteering. I don’t want you weighed down with your job and mine, someone has to take care of our princess, Nikki.” Camille held out her arms to Nikki for a hug, although it caused her pain. Hugging her god niece, was worth it.

  Benjamin sat observing the trio as they played with the little vegetable toys. Nikki pointed to him and said “this one is Chloe, she is a cauliflower and she likes leafing around. This one is Silly Chilly, he is a pepper that eats hot dogs. My favorite is this one, Juicy Orange, she keeps juicy secrets, and shhh.” Nikki put a finger to her mouth to quiet everyone down.

  Ben laughed because little Nikki was 3 going on 30. He asked “is that all of the shopkins?”

  “No Sir, there is Dipping Avocado and Corny Cob but momma says I have to stop pulling clips in daycare before I can get them.”

  Ben winked at Nikki. “I have a feeling you will be getting them all soon.” “Really!” Nikki screamed.

  “Yeah Really!”

  Nikki turned to her mom and Tee-Tee to tell them what Ben said. Ben was amazed at the striking resemblance between Camille and Karen. It was as if the two had the same disposition, only the skin tones were different. Camille more milk chocolate while Karen was a smooth hazelnut. Their interaction with one another was more of a familial one, than friendship or boss and employee. He caught himself before he asked if they were sure they were not related.

  A knock on the door, made all heads turn and Camille gave a softly slurred “come in.” Seeing Jacob enter she managed to squeal out “daddy,” as he walked toward her hospital bed, with nothing but love in his eyes.

  “Baby girl,” he whispered as he lowered his lips to Camille’s forehead. Her eyes sparkled with tears, it had been so long since she last seen him. Jacob dotted over her as she assured him she was doing better, and progressing faster than the doctor and specialists predicted. After ten minutes of conversation between just the two of them. Camille finally said, “Daddy let me introduce you to my friends.” Jacob looked around and said, “Pardon my rudeness, I just did not expect to see my baby girl this way.” Everyone expressed their understanding.

  Camille began with Karen, “daddy this is Karen Locke, my assistant and friend and this little Shopkin is Nikki, Karen’s daughter and my god-niece.”

  Jacob’s expression was awe stricken. It was as if he had seen a ghost. The entire room noticed the change in his disposition as Jacob reached out his hand and said, “Nice to meet you Karen and little Nikki.” He then scanned them both over from head to toe, as if he knew them.

  Karen in an effort to break Jacob’s stare said, “nice to meet you Mr. James. It’s a pleasure to put a face to the name.”

  “Yes it is, but please everyone, call me J.D.” J.D. gave an awkward smile and said hello to Benjamin as Camille introduced him as a friend of Kevin’s. It was not lost on Benjamin, she did exactly what she informed him earlier, how he would be introduced. Nonetheless, he gave a manly ha
ndshake to J.D. James.

  “Well daddy, you know Paige and Kevin.”

  “Of course I do, thanks for the lift and the update on Mille, although I still was not prepared.”

  Kevin said, “no problem, that is what friends are for. How long do you think you will be in town?”

  “I don’t know but as long as it takes my baby to be well.”

  They all turned to look at Camille but she had drifted off to sleep. J.D. looked concerned. “Is this normal,” he asked. He was expecting Paige or Karen to answer but Benjamin started.

  “Yes, she was experiencing some pain earlier, so the nurse gave her pain medicine. It normally keeps her out for about three or four hours.”

  J.D. was caught off guard by Benjamin responding. He scratched the side of his head as a look of bewilderment was clearly evident on his face. He thought, who was this man to Camille? She introduced him as a friend of Kevin’s. Why would he be answering questions? Camille had not mentioned a special man in her life. Had she? He turned to Benjamin and asked, “Exactly…what is your relationship with my daughter?”

  Benjamin cleared his throat and said, “I am a friend. Sir.”

  Karen immediately said, “Benjamin is also helping with some of Camille’s responsibilities at the office while she recovers.”

  J.D. said firmly, “I see. Well I am going to my hotel for a shower and a little rest. I will be back in the morning, unless she awakens and needs me. I will catch a cab.

  Kevin interjected, “J.D. that won’t be necessary, I am happy to take you.”

  “No Kevin. I need the time alone, thank you.” And with that, he exited the room.

  After J.D.’s departure, the room exhaled. Karen spoke first, “geez he is intense over the phone but my goodness he was looking at me like I was the one who hit Camille with the SUV.”

  Paige rubbed Karen on the back and said, “J.D.is always intense don’t worry about it.”

  “Okay, I will try not to but can I ask a favor? A co-worker dropped Nikki and me off, can we catch a ride with you and Kevin, home?”