He looked at her and said with smiling sarcasm, “And just what are you inferring? That he learned them from me?”
“You know the saying: If the shoe fits . . .”
He tackled her—tumbling them to the floor where he proceeded to tickle her, demanding that she take it back. The tickling eventually evolved into kisses. Soon, they both realized it was time to stop. J.P. asked if she wanted to go out to a movie or watch one there at home.
“I’m too full. Let’s just stay here. I should be heading home before long anyway.”
“Uh, uh! Don’t even think about it,” he told her, pulling her over to the entertainment center that housed a big screen television, a sophisticated sound system, and a wide array of videos and DVDs.
They were arguing over which movie to watch when Patrick came bounding down the stairs, looking like a different person in dress slacks and a sports coat.
“Wow!” Jaci said. “I almost didn’t recognize you. Where are you going all spruced up?”
“I’m heading back to the yard. Got a hot date tonight. Jaci, I’m really glad I got a chance to meet you, and it was great spending the day with you. And thank you for fixing that great food. I might have to come back tomorrow to finish off the leftovers. Hope we can do it again real soon.” He leaned down to hug her and pecked her on the cheek.
“Pop, if I don’t get by tomorrow, I’ll call you sometime next week, okay?”
“All right son, be careful. And don’t forget to get some hot studying in along with the hot dates.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah!” Patrick answered before the door slammed behind him.
“What? He doesn’t live here with you?” Jaci asked.
“No. He’s a student at UH and lives on campus. He had scholarships offered at some other really good schools, but preferred to stay close to home.”
“That’s great! It says a lot about your relationship. A lot of kids can’t wait to get as far away from home as possible.”
“I’ve noticed the same thing with you and Randi. I’d say we’ve both done well where our kids are concerned.”
“My answer to that is that the Lord made up the difference.”
“Well, you did your part too, okay?”
He pulled her close and began planting kisses on her neck, face, and finally her lips. All thoughts of the movie were gone. Before long, Jaci knew it was time to flee temptation.
J.P.
J.P. was fighting a losing battle. He tried to force himself to concentrate on other things—things he needed to focus on—but inevitably, his mind returned to Jaci. It drove him crazy remembering her softness, her kisses, her passionate response to him. How wonderful it had been to have her presence in his home, and how he wished she would never leave. The physical attraction between them was explosive. When they got close to each other it was like one of them was the match and the other gasoline.
It scared him! Even though he knew he cared deeply for her, and probably loved her, it made him think seriously about giving up life as he had known it. And although he convinced himself that this new life was what he wanted, the reality of its happening was more than a little disconcerting.
His brother Ron was getting a real kick out of it. “Okay, let me get this straight. You bent outta shape over this woman and she don’t even want your sorry tail? That’s classic. Man, I don’t believe this! I mean, I could see it happening with a hottie like Sheila or Brenda. Even that witch Vivian. But this chick looks like she’d freeze an ice cube from ten feet away. Dang, brother, you gone soft in the head or something?”
J.P. didn’t care to explain that the cool façade Jaci presented to the world went up in smoke when they were together. “You don’t understand because the only way you relate to women is sexually. When you meet a woman who can reach you on other levels, you’ll understand what’s going on. Until then, back off.”
“Naw, I ain’t backing off, man, naw!” Ron said forcefully. “You’re the legend, man. I gotta save you from yourself.” He picked up the phone and dialed a number. “Hey, Walt, what’s happening? I need you to round up Charlie and T.C. and come on over to J.P.’s house. We got some serious de-programming to do. Yeah, man, dude thinks he’s in lo . . . ve.”
J.P. could hear his friend Walt on the other end, laughing his head off along with Ron. Oh well, he had known this was coming as soon as Ron discovered his deepening feelings for Jaci. He loved his brother, but he often wanted to knock his block off.
Ron was a confirmed bachelor and ultimate player. The only thing he got serious about was his work. When it came to designing structures, Ron was dead serious, and on it. The demand for his architectural designs was big, and growing every day. J.P.’s house and the others they were constructing had boosted Ron’s career dramatically.
As J.P. glanced around his house, he appreciatively took note of the intricate details. After describing what he wanted, J.P. had basically given his brother carte blanche. The results were the ultimate in design, beauty, and practicality. It was a showplace that had made the list of “houses to see” in the city. The outside was eye catching. Built in a circular configuration, it was unique in appearance. White brick covered the entire exterior, offset with the unusual placement of windows and angles. Semi-circular steps led up to the double etched-glass front doors, and a step inside revealed a very special place. Skylights and dormer windows were strategically placed to give a light and airy overall effect.
The downstairs rooms flowed in an open layout and included formal living and dining rooms, a large family room, a state-of-the-art kitchen, a home office, a library, and an exercise room. The upstairs rooms were built around the outside perimeter of the lower floor, providing an open balcony that overlooked the downstairs rooms. Spacious bedrooms encircled three sides of the house’s upper level. The remaining side showcased an open game room. The game room then opened on to an enclosed sunroom, which overlooked the backyard and swimming pool. A curving stairway circled up from the foyer to the upper level. Another stairway led down from the game room into the family room. The whole effect was breathtaking. Yes, his brother had built him a great house. And a well-known interior designer had done her thing in decorating it.
He reined in his thoughts and prepared himself for attack. The guys would tear him to pieces with every negative thing they had ever heard of, or experienced, in relationships. And most of them had horror tales. They would extol the virtues of the bachelor life, then they would demand to meet Jaci, the woman who had somehow caused him to step into insanity.
He could take it, but knew he was reluctant to expose Jaci to them. He was having a hard enough time trying to talk her into merely accepting their feelings for each other. She would run from him as fast as she could if these guys ever got hold of her.
By the time his brother and friends left that night, J.P. wasn’t even sure of his own name, and was actually questioning his desire for a possible future between him and Jaci. What could he have been thinking about to want to give up his life of freedom for a ball and chain? And he was the one pursuing it! Oh God, I’m so confused, he cried to himself.
He had a long talk with his mother the next day, and told her everything. He could count on her to help him put things in the right perspective.
“J.P., you’ve always known your own mind. Why are you letting Ron and that bunch of heathen friends of yours change it? Maybe you need to reconsider if your feelings are that easily swayed about this woman. You probably need to back off and give this some more thought.”
“I thought I had it settled, Mom. This woman is the epitome of everything I’ve always wanted in a woman. She’s beautiful inside and out. We’re good together. We enjoy the time we spend together. It’s like I’m better, happier, when I’m with her. And I guess the main thing is, she’s not chasing after me. The fact that I have money hasn’t even fazed her. And she doesn’t just go to church; she loves the Lord and is actively serving Him. She’s caring, considerate, loving. Patrick just loves her. And she’s got as m
any hang-ups about us deepening our relationship as I do—probably more. But she makes me feel like we could have what you and Pop have together, if we could ever get to that point.”
“I’ve heard all about her from your father and Patrick,” said his mother. “They think she’s the bomb, as the kids say. I wouldn’t know, since it seems like I’m the only one who hasn’t met her. But honey, you have to follow your own heart and mind. If this is the woman you want, then don’t question it, go for it. But if you still have doubts, don’t jump into anything. Pray about it, and seek your answers from the Lord. Just take your time. You’ve waited this long. A little more time won’t hurt, I don’t care what Dad and Patrick say. Just remember, Dad and I didn’t start out where we are now. Naw, honey. We went through some real sticky places to get here. And that’s the way it’s going to be with you all. Relationships and marriage are hard work, as you should already know from past experience.”
“Now, Mom, don’t even bring up that fiasco with Vivian. You know that was a mistake from the beginning. This is totally different.”
Cecelia’s curiosity about the woman increased. She knew her son well, and any woman who had him in this kind of torment had to be special. “All I know is, if you plan to live, you better bring this girl around here to meet me. I mean that!”
“Okay, Mom,” he answered, chuckling. He always felt better when he talked to his mother.
He knew he had some serious thinking to do about where he wanted to go with Jaci. He figured the best thing to do was to follow his mother’s suggestions to pray and take his time.
He backed off. As hard as it was, he stopped calling and pursuing Jaci.
Jaci
Jaci hadn’t seen or heard from J.P. in almost two months. She was devastated, but told herself it was best that it happened now. She reached deep within her spirit to draw on the Lord’s strength and peace that had seen her through so many difficult places, and once again, moved on with her life.
“Girl, I don’t have to tell you how much I hate to go to that thing Saturday night,” Jaci said to Gloria as they prepared files for the next hearing. “The only good thing about it is that we’re going together. I couldn’t tolerate going alone. Did you get something to wear yet?”
Gloria flashed a big smile. “Yeah, girl! I found just the right outfit, and, honey, I’m going to be catching, cause it’s really bad! I hope you got something to pop some eyes out too. If not, I’m taking you shopping myself. If we have to go, and you know we do if we want our jobs, we might as well make the most of it.”
Jaci was amused. “I have something I think will make you real happy. I went shopping with Lena, and you know her. She practically forced me into buying this little black dress. It’s short—has a halter top and a hem made of fringe. In fact, I’m going to have a whole new look Saturday night. I think it’ll surprise even you.”
The annual Thanksgiving Benefit Dance was something Jaci dreaded every year. This year would be worse because of the tense atmosphere between her and Wynola. She’d prepared herself for a fight after returning from Arkansas, but although Wynola had nitpicked and found something wrong with everything Jaci did, there had been no mention of the days she had taken off.
Since it was mandatory for all employees to attend the benefit, she had to go, but she made her usual plans to make an appearance and then sneak out at the first chance. The event was sponsored by the Housing Commission of Houston and was a party as well as a Thanksgiving fund-raiser for needy families. The entire housing industry participated and competed by bringing canned goods and other donations. Those who enjoyed parties looked forward to it every year since there was an abundance of food, drinks, and entertainment.
Gloria and Bill Whitmore met at her house so they could all ride together. They both gasped when they saw Jaci. She had swept up her long hair on top of her head in a sophisticated style and wore a sexy black dress that did little to hide her voluptuous curves. “You look great!” they told her.
Being among the first to arrive, they had their pick of tables. As more of their coworkers arrived, their table became crowded and more chairs were pulled up. It amazed Jaci how a different environment changed her colleagues’ attitudes toward her, especially considering the way things stood between her and Wynola. Usually in conflicts, her fickle and unprincipled coworkers flocked to the one they perceived as having the most power. And in this case, that was Wynola. But some of the same ones who gave her a hard time in the office couldn’t seem to get close enough to her tonight. How was Jaci to know, since she didn’t participate in office gossip, that the word around the department was that Wynola’s tenure in the department was about to end?
Surprisingly, Jaci was having a good time. Bob Johnson, who had been trying for years to get a date with her, tried to hog all her dances. And for once, Jaci was enjoying the attention she usually rebuffed.
“Just so you know, Bob, tonight is all about having a good time, nothing more,” Jaci told him.
“Aw, baby, don’t burst my bubble. You know how long I’ve been waiting for a chance with you,” Bob answered.
“Yeah, me and every other woman in the department—young, old, married, single, black, white—you name it. You don’t discriminate, you go for them all.”
“Baby, you’re looking so good tonight, you just say the word, you got me all to yourself for as long as you want me.”
“Right. Until some little young chick comes along and shakes herself at you. Then you’ll be gone before I can blink my eyes.” They laughed as they talked and danced around the floor.
Jaci didn’t know that J.P. had entered the room and was angrily watching them. A casual observer would be amused at the shocked expression covering J.P.’s face when he found Jaci on the crowded dance floor. At one point between dances, he started across the room toward her table, but before he could get there, Bob grabbed her hand and pulled her back onto the dance floor. J.P. went back to his seat. But his eyes remained glued to Jaci.
When Jaci returned to the table, Gloria motioned her to the empty chair next to her. She leaned over and whispered, “Girl, there’s a certain man here who hasn’t taken his eyes off you, and he doesn’t look too happy either. Did you know J.P. was going to be here tonight?”
Jaci sent a hurried look around the room to see if she could spot him. “No, but so what?” Although she appeared to be unconcerned, her heart started beating double time.
“Well, like I said, he’s not looking too happy. In fact, he started over here once, but when you got up to dance with Bob, he went back to his table. He’s been watching you all night. I think the man is totally pissed. Wynola’s sitting at his table and you know she’s up to no good, so be prepared for anything.”
“He has no reason to be pissed at me,” Jaci said in a low voice. “I mean, after all, we’re not . . . there’s nothing between us.”
“You couldn’t tell that by the way he’s watching you tonight,” Gloria responded. “And he has been really nice to you. You have to admit that.”
“Yes, I do know that. But then he stopped communicating with me. And I absolutely refuse to chase after him.” She hoped her hurt and bewilderment over J.P.’s apparent change of heart didn’t come through in her words. Her high spirits suddenly disappeared. “Let’s just have a good time until we can leave, okay?”
Bob claimed her again for a slow dance. Jaci loved to dance and it had been quite a while since she’d had the opportunity, so she really enjoyed the rare treat of dancing to some of her favorite oldies classics. When the song ended, Bob offered to get her something to drink and she returned to the table alone. Just as she sat down, J.P. appeared beside her.
“Can I speak with you a minute, Jaci?” he spoke quietly over her shoulder. Heart pounding, and forced enthusiasm in her voice, she said, “Well hi, J.P., what’s up? I didn’t know you were coming to the dance. How have you been?” She was puzzled by his silence, and when she noticed his stiff, unsmiling countenance, she decided Glori
a was right. The man was pissed!
“Let’s walk outside,” he said as his hand closed around her arm and pulled her up from the chair. He kept her close to him as they left the room. When someone attempted to halt their progress to say something, J.P. ignored them and tightened his grip on her arm. Surprised stares followed them as they exited the room. Jaci was embarrassed and becoming angry. What was his problem anyway?
It had been he who had broken contact with her. She had to conduct all her dealings with his company through Herbert Williams. She assumed he had grown tired of her with all her family problems and decided she wasn’t worth the trouble. His behavior was irrational and unacceptable.
When they got outside the room and down the corridor a ways, he stopped and looked down at her angrily. “What in the world has gotten into you? Why are you letting that guy put his hands all over you like that?”
“What are you talking about, J.P.? I’m just having a good time. And what I do is my business. What’s wrong with you? Why are you acting this way? I haven’t seen or talked to you in weeks, now here you are acting like someone who’s lost his mind. Well hear this, Mr. J.P. Gilmore. You have nothing to say about what I do! Now, I’m going back inside, so let go of my arm.”
“What you’re going to do is go back in there and get your stuff, then tell that crowd you’re with that you’re leaving.”
“No, I’m not! Just who do you think you are, mister? I didn’t come with you and I’m not leaving with you.”
“I’m up to here, Jaci,” he said, pointing above his head. “I’ve watched all I’m going to watch tonight, and you are leaving. I don’t have anything to lose; these are not my coworkers. And I will make a scene that none of them will ever forget if you don’t leave with me now. Don’t think I won’t. So, go and get your coat. Did you drive or are you riding with someone?” When she barely nodded yes, he said, “Well tell whoever you’re riding with that I’m taking you home.”
Seasons Page 16