by Carrie Macon
“It means your girl is driving herself into and early grave and about to take me along for the ride.”
Zackary jumped to his feet. “What’s wrong? What’s happened to her?”
Maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea. Zackary was definitely concerned.
“Kemah what’s happened?”
“Nothing has happened, yet, but she’s working herself ragged. She misses you and what you two could have had.”
Zackary calmed down. His heart was racing way too fast. “Why don’t I believe you? The last time we spoke she told me off. She ignored my calls.”
“I seem to remember you ignoring her calls, too.”
“What was I supposed to do Kemah?”
“Try giving her another chance. Zackary she does care about you. More than she’s willing to admit. I’m sure you already know this. She may not show it the way you would expect her to, but she does care. Right now she’s upset because you haven’t returned her calls.”
“Then you know that makes two of us. Of course I didn’t mean to hurt her but men hurt too. She doesn’t care how I feel. She’s the one who ran off. I can’t, no, I won’t keep this up. Do I give her chances until I’m blue in the face or until she decides that we are not what she wants? It seems like she’s already done that. It’s pretty painful.
“I know some women think men don’t hurt but we do. They always want to call us dogs but what about the women who treat us as though they can run a game on men and we just take it? Do you know what they say about men that are like that?”
“Shyla’s not like that.”
“I’m not saying she is. I’m just saying that all men aren’t dogs and I resent being treated like one or like my feelings don’t matter. I’ve had my share and I’m not ashamed to let it be known nor do I have the desire to go through that again.”
Kemah heard the anxiety in his voice. She knew that he had been through some things because of what Shyla had told her but she didn’t know the impact of it all. She didn’t want Zackary to let go of his feelings for Shyla because of what had happened in a previous relationship. Just as Shyla shouldn’t treat him a certain way because of her ex. Kemah thought back to the man she dated in college. She loved him. Still loves him if she could be honest about it. She herself should have moved on. She knew that he had and yet she still loved him. Maybe one day she would find the right man to love, until then she wanted to at least see her best friend happy with the man she loved.
“Zackary I understand what you’re saying, but don’t let go of your feelings for Shyla because of the hurt someone else inflicted on you. I know it only makes you miserable.”
“Sounds like you’re speaking from experience.”
“All too well,” she replied. “I’m still in love with the man that broke my heart and that was almost seven years ago. Until I can get pass that I haven’t allowed myself to get involved with another man. Shyla had some problems in a relationship and she’s reluctant to go back in there and try. I think it also has a lot to do with my situation. The difference between her situation and my situation is that Shy isn’t in love with another man. She’s in love with you and if you ever tell her what I said, it’s me and you in my backyard. Understand?”
“Yes Miss Kemah. I understand quite well,” he chuckled. “I’ll tell you what. We have a five day weekend coming up for the fourth of July. Shyla and her cousins were invited months ago to come to my parents place in Napa. At that time she agreed. She may have changed her mind since then but I think I know how to get her there.”
“How?”
“Essence, of course.”
“That’ll do it.”
“You’re welcomed to come to Kemah.”
“Sorry doc, but I already have plans. It’s time I took up offers to go out with a few decent people. I can’t continue to just put my life on hold because of my unresolved feeling for some man who has probably married and have about ten kids.”
“Ten kids? Wow, that’s a lot.”
“I know but when we talked about marriage and starting a family we decided on ten kids. I don’t think he’d give up that dream for anyone.”
Zackary could feel her feelings through the phone. He silently hoped and prayed that she found her happiness. Kemah was good people.
“Kemah I hope you have luck finding that special someone. You deserve it.”
“So do you and Shyla. You promised me once that you wouldn’t give up on her.”
“I did promise and I haven’t given up. I may talk a lot about being hurt but what I want most in the world is for Shyla and myself to become a family. I don’t plan on stopping until I reach my goal.”
“Well you go on head, big boy. I’m happy for the both of you. Make sure I get the first invitation for the wedding,” she laughed.
“You know you’ll be helping to address them. That’s one of the jobs of the maid of honor. Your day will come Kemah. We’ll have you married off in no time.”
“From your lips to God’s ear.”
Just then the door opened. Shyla peeked in.
“Hey, my partner has just stepped in and she doesn’t look at all too happy.”
“I wish I could see her.”
“Don’t worry you’ll get your chance soon enough. Anyway, I’ll talk to you later, and keep me posted.”
“I will. Thanks.”
“Bye.”
“Bye.”
“Who was that?”
“Just a friend.”
“A friend Kemah? Holding out on me? Anyone I know?”
Kemah winked. “Maybe. What’s up?”
“Lunch. Aren’t you hungry?”
“Starving. You’re actually going out to lunch today?”
“Kee, please. I need a rest from this place. I love my business but I’ve been here too damn long.”
“I’m surprised to hear you say that, but happy to say the least. What’s the weather like out?”
“It looks hot so don’t put on anymore clothes.”
“Where do you want to go?”
“Any place where we can stay a couple of hours.”
Kemah nodded. “Oh yeah. You really want to get away. This is good. Let’s drive to Red Lobster. They take forever to bring your food but it’s delicious.”
“I’m up for that.”
They head off to lunch and end up taking the rest of the day off for themselves.
Chapter Seven
Some months later
“Felton isn’t here.” She practically yelled when she snatched open the door. Shyla wasn’t in the mood to deal with Zackary Trellis today. She had tried for weeks to reach him but her phone calls went unanswered. For someone who claimed to have feelings for her he sure had a weird way of showing it. After 3 weeks she completely gave up. She was more angry than hurt. She had let the hurt melt away gradually but it still bothered her some. Still she felt the electricity that ignited within her each time she saw him.
“That’s cool. I came to see you anyway.”
“Me? How did you even know I would be here?” she turned and looked towards the kitchen door where her cousin Essence had disappeared.
“Oh, I have my sources,” he said with a smile. “Now, are you planning to invite me in or do I have to stand out on the porch for the rest of my stay?”
“Sources, huh? Sounds like you’re being a stalker to me.” She moved aside letting him enter the foyer. Her first thought was to let him stand outside, he deserved that if nothing else, but she wasn’t a bitter woman and she didn’t have the authority to turn anyone away from Essence’s door. If anything she wanted to see what was so important that he had to track her down at her cousin’s house. After all, he had decided that he didn’t want to have anything to do with her. He had to get all the messages that she had left for him. There was no good reason for his secretary to keep them away from him. This should be interesting.
“Lady I am no stalker. I don’t have to stalk anyone,” he said smugly.
She arche
d her brow turning from him walking away. “Is that a way of saying you get what you want?”
“No. it’s not that.” He walked further in closing the door behind him and taking off his jacket. “I’m just saying that I don’t have to stalk anyone. I just wanted to see you. I know that you had been trying to reach me while I was out of town and when I got back I wasn’t able to get back to you right away.”
“Right and it took you 2 months to get back to me? How very noble of you, Mr. Trellis.”
He pulled her by the hand to face him. “I was busy, Ms. Wilkes. I’ve only been in town three weeks and most of that has kept me in the operating room.” She tried to pull away but he pulled her back to face him. He stood only inches from her lips. And he spoke softly. “And for the record, if I got what I wanted we would not be standing in the middle of your cousin’s, my best friends, living room.” He inched closer. Her first thought was to make him feel as vulnerable as he was making her but she knew it would only back fire. She wasn’t in the same league as the men that she met. She finally made it up in her mind that she would back away but her feet wouldn’t budge. He stood only inches above her looking down into her upturned face with his next words. “We would be laying in my bed taking each other to pleasures that neither of us has ever experienced.” She took in a sharp breath. She tried to hold on to her composure but the closer he was the more it was fading. If he got any closer she would fall at his feet. It was a good thing that he was holding on to her because the floor was just waiting for her. She never doubted for a minute that they would soar to heights neither of them had ever experienced if and when they made love. She almost wished they were at his home because then he could help release some of the tension that had been building up inside of her since the trip. But as it stood she was upset with him, regardless of his reasoning. He could have made an effort to contact her when he was off duty. He still had to get home. There was no excuse in her book and she made it known what she thought of his remark.
She finally got her hand away from him settling them on her hip ready to read him the riot act, but just as she began her cousin walked in from the kitchen.
“Shy! Did I hear the doorbell?”
Shyla rolled her eyes. At least five minutes had passed since the doorbell rang so she knew her cousin already had some idea who it was.
“Oh, hey Zack,” she walked into his stretched out arms.
“Hi, Beautiful. What’s going on?”
“Not much. What about you? I haven’t seen or heard from you in a long while.”
“I’m doing alright.”
“Just alright? Working hard?” she asked?
“You know the routine, girl. Working hard hardly working.” They sat.
“I’ve been back from Napa about three weeks and that place is a mad house.”
“Felt told me that you had to go and see about your parents. How are they doing?”
“They’re doing fine. It was not as bad as it seemed. Dad has a touch of Angina but he’s going to be fine, now. Upset because mom has him on a strict diet.”
“That’s good. I know how close you all are.”
“Did Felt remind you about tomorrow?”
“Yes. He said we need to be ready by three in the morning. Don’t you think that’s a little too early?”
“Are you kidding me? Do you know that if we leave at that time we will be there by eight and we’ll miss all the Thursday morning traffic going that a way. Most people will be just getting started at that time. If it wasn’t such a problem we’d be leaving tonight but Felt was still at work when I left and traffic is a terrible right now.”
“I know. I guess that’s not so bad. It is the 4th of July weekend. Vacationers, commuters, not something I would want to deal with tomorrow morning.”
Shyla watched as they continued their conversation. At first she wondered what they were talking about then she remembered that Zackary had invited all of them to his family home back in Napa, California a month or two before the cruise. She had declined but her cousin talked her into it, saying that they had never been apart for the holiday and she didn’t want them to start now. They were all that each other had except for Essence’s husband Felton. Felton and Zackary had become best friends in college and decided on the same profession, so it wasn’t news to anyone that the two would open a veterinarian clinic together.
Essence turned to her. “I see you’re wondering what we’re discussing. Tomorrow we’re going up north.” Shyla looked to Zackary and then back at Essence. “Zack’s family own property up there remember?” Shyla still didn’t respond. What would she say? She pretended not to remember, so Essence continued on. “We talked about it a few weeks back and you promised that you would go. Don’t bail on me now, Shy.”
Shyla wasn’t sure she wanted to be in Zackary’s company for five days. It was so much unresolved between them and she didn’t know how long she could keep up the charade of being mad at him. “I don’t recall that conversation. I think I’m going to be busy tomorrow, Ess. I must have forgotten because I made plans with Kemah.” That wasn’t entirely a lie but it wasn’t the truth. Kemah told her that if she didn’t have anything planned that she could spend the holiday with her and her cousin but later recanted because she did remember that Zackary was going to get her up to his place, with the help of Essence.
“Well cancel them,” Essence replied. “I’m your cousin. We’re never apart for the holidays and you promised.” Shyla could see the sadness in her cousin’s eyes but she also knew she was being played.
“I know Ess but what about Kemah?”
“Ask her to come with us.” She then looked at Zackary. “You don’t mind right Zack?”
He shook his head, saying no. “The more the merrier.” As long as he got to spend some time with Shyla, he thought silently, any and everyone was welcomed to come. This time he would not let anything come between them. He was going to go out of his way to get and keep this woman in his life. Come hell or high water he would succeed.
“Shy it’s only five days and we have so much planned. We are going to have so much fun, you’ll see.” Then she added, “And since I’m not taking no for an answer I suggest you go home and get packed. We don’t want to be waiting on you for hour’s tomorrow morning.”
Shyla rolled her eyes. “It doesn’t take me but a few minutes to pack.”
“Does that mean you’re still going?”
Inside Zackary was smiling. He didn’t know what she had planned but if Essence couldn’t convince her to go then he definitely would. There was no way he was heading to Monterey for a five day weekend and leaving this woman behind.
Shyla’s speaking brought his attention back to the conversation that she and Essence was engaged in.
“What about my job? I do have clients. What if I am needed for an emergency?”
Essence laughed. “That’s funny Shy. You’re your own boss, you don’t have to work unless you want to and I know for a fact that you have an on-call assistant.” If Zackary hadn’t known this information, Essence would have busted her in front of him. Shyla rolled her eyes once again. She wanted to go but she didn’t want Zackary to think she was anxious about spending some time away with him. She had a feeling that he already had that idea in his head. He was a little too happy. He had a giant smile on his face. Maybe they could start over and get to know each other better.
“So Shy, are you going or are you going?”
She looked at Zackary and then back to Essence who was poking out her lips waiting for an answer. Even though Essence was the older she was spoiled and had ways of getting Shyla to do what she wanted. Shyla could not say no to her favorite and only cousin.
“Yes, Ess,” she sighed. “I’m going.”
Essence jumped from her seat hugging her. “We are going to have so much fun. You’ll see. I know we will.” Shyla looked over at Zackary who was still smiling, then turned and winked at her. ‘What am I getting myself into this weekend?’ She thought. It
almost seemed like Zackary was reading her thought. His smile widened and then he mouthed the words while pointing from him to her several times. “This weekend, you and me,” she moaned. She was really in trouble.
Felton was not surprised to see Zackary sitting in his favorite spot when he walked into the house minutes later. He was the one to tell him where he could find Shyla, while Shyla thought it was his wife. Felton wasn’t sure if he should because both of them had been hurt badly before and had promised never to get heavily involved with anyone else but he also knew that Zackary cared a lot about his wife’s cousin. He wasn’t quite sure how Shyla felt about him but he prayed that she wouldn’t hurt him like his ex-wife had.
Back in college Zackary had met and married the woman he thought would be his forever. It seemed to be love at first sight. Gloria had other ideas, he soon found out. The wedding started off right but after six months it was on a slow slope to hell and it grew faster with each passing day.
Gloria was a beautiful woman and she knew it. That was her problem. She was spoiled and selfish. Zackary gave her everything, asking for nothing but her love in return. She took and took until she chose to walk away. She left a year before college ended.
Zackary became a veterinarian and established his own office in the city then built himself a home on his family’s property in Monterey California. Word got back to Gloria and she slithered her way back into his life. After all they were still married. She came back and Zackary welcomed her with opened arms. She explained that she was not ready for that kind of a commitment at that point in her life, she was young and eager and wanted to see the world but now she wanted what she had left behind. The man she loved. Some of his family members were not happy with the situation but he was his own man and it was his life. Less than three months after her return she fell pregnant.
Once again he catered to her every need, giving in to whatever she wanted. After giving birth to beautiful twin daughters Gloria was no longer the only female in his life. His daughter’s, they became the apple of their father’s eyes. Zackary no longer catered to Gloria. He still loved her, he still did the things that she needed but he was there for his daughters more. Soon she became jealous of their children. Everything he had done for her he was now doing for his children. Bathing them, feeding them and spending quality time at home. Nothing else was more important.