When he released her and softly brushed her lips with his, Shay had tears in her eyes. Jason must have assumed she was crying because of how much she cared for him. She did in a casual-friend kind of way, but those tears washed her cheeks because for the first time she realized that Brian was the only man she would ever want to touch her. She did more than give Brian her body; she had given him her heart. Crossing this bridge would be much harder than she had anticipated.
Chapter 21
“Happy Thanksgiving!” Brian was half-asleep, but when he heard Shay’s voice on the phone, he sat straight up.
“Shay, is that you?” he wanted to make sure he wasn’t dreaming about her like he’d been doing lately.
“Who else would it be?” Her soft voice sent feather-like touches down his muscular biceps.
Due to Brian’s wandering childhood, the holidays were very special to him. A time he cherished with the enthusiasm of a child on Christmas Eve. Shay knew this and made every effort to make sure he enjoyed every holiday. Her voice was the first sound he heard every holiday, birthday and special event.
Brian felt a tug at his heart. “My Shay, always looking out for me.”
“Brian, I’ll always look out for you. You’re special to me.”
“I thought you forgot about me. You know, threw me away like old clothes.”
“Why, because I didn’t come home for Thanksgiving?” she asked, “Is it because I’m talking to you through telephone wire and not there with you?”
“That and because of our last conversation. You know I’d rather hold you in my arms instead of this cold telephone.”
“I’d like that too,” she admitted. “Brian, I’ll never throw you away.”
Brian closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Why, Shay? Why won’t you throw me away?”
Her quivering voice was just above a whisper. “Because I gave you my heart. Don’t you know that?”
The declaration overwhelmed Brian to the point it took him a minute to align his thoughts and gain control of his voice. Shay took his silence for rejection. By the time he’d steadied his voice enough to speak, she had hung up. He attempted to call her back, but was greeted by her voicemail.
Chapter 22
Brian stopped mid-stride when he recognized Shannon standing next to his RAV4. He had been avoiding her persistent telephone calls since she pulled that stunt at his parents’ house. Now there was no way he could avoid her.
“What do you want, Shannon?”
“I need to talk to you,” she whined.
Brian unlocked the car and sat his laptop in the back passenger seat. “You and I have nothing to talk about.”
“Brian, I don’t think you’re being fair to me.”
Brian twisted his face incredulously. “Shannon, you disrespected me and my parents and not to mention Shay. Whom you don’t even know, and I’m not being fair?” Brian reached around her to open the driver’s side door. “Playing the victim won’t help your case.”
She folded her arms across her chest. “Think about it, Brian, if you’d been forthright with me about Shay, I wouldn’t have had to draw my own conclusions.”
“I told you, what happens between Shay and me is none of your business.” Brian jumped into the car, closed the door and to his surprise, Shannon started crying.
“Brian, I’m sorry, I just wanted to know everything I could about you. I want to be a good friend to you.”
“You want to be a good friend to me? Shannon, you don’t even know me.” He started the engine.
Between sobs she answered, “I know I have only known you for a short period of time, but I know you’re special and if you give me a chance, you’ll see that we can be good together.”
“Shannon, listen to me very closely. You and I will never be anything but friends—if that.”
“How do you know if you won’t give me a chance?” she sniffled.
His visual head-to-toe inspection confirmed his thoughts. While the skin-tight leggings and low cleavage would have been a turn-on to some, for Brian the outfit was distasteful. “Shannon, I just know.”
High-pitched sobbing erupted. “You don’t think I’m good enough for you! Why?”
He handed her a tissue from his glove box. “Shannon, that’s not what I said.”
She blew her nose loudly. “Then why won’t you give me a chance?”
Brian wasn’t used to women crying in front of him and wanted her to stop.
Neither did he want her to get the wrong impression of him. He knew firsthand what it felt like to have people look down on you, because of economic status and living environment.
“Shannon, I can’t have a serious relationship with you, because you’re not a Christian,” then added hesitatingly, “and because I’m in love with someone else.”
Shannon wrapped up the crying routine. She had all the information she needed.
“I see, so you are in love with Shay. Well, maybe you can help me become a Christian. I can start going to service with you on Sundays. I promise I’ll dress like a respectable lady,” she stated hopefully.
“Shannon, you can become as devout as Mother Theresa, but you still won’t win my heart.”
Shannon was fast on her feet, like rejection was nothing new to her. “No, I won’t, but at least I’ll have your friendship and respect.”
Brian shifted the gear into reverse. “Whatever, Shannon.”
Before he completely pulled out of his parking stall, she called after him. “What time shall I be ready on Sunday?”
“Ten o’clock,” he yelled back.
Shannon had a wide smile on her face on her way back to the admissions office. Everything was going to be just fine. She could fake the church thing long enough to get Brian into her. By her calculations she had until the summer to help him get over his infatuation with Shay. All spring she’d break him down until his sweet Shay was nothing but a distant memory.
Chapter 23
With just two weeks left before Christmas, Alysse flew in from Arizona to visit Brian. Alysse hadn’t planned the trip, but her last few conversations with Brian had left her with a bad feeling. Brian sounded lonely to her. She figured his disposition was due to Shay’s living in Massachusetts. After she arrived and observed that he’d lost more than a few pounds, Alysse knew the problem had to be deeper than mere loneliness. Her baby boy was in love and he missed his woman.
Alysse worked in the kitchen while Brian took a shower. She’d gotten up early Saturday morning and went to the supermarket. She was on a mission: If she had to cook nonstop, Brian was going to gain his weight back.
“Mrs. Green, you’ve got it smelling real good in here,” Todd said as he entered the kitchen.
“You look like you could use some home cooking too.” She looked up and down at his tall thin frame. “Don’t they teach you to eat in medical school?”
“Yes. It’s just hard sometimes to find regular solid meals,” Todd answered.
“It must be hard in law school too, because Brian has dropped at least one waist size.”
Todd smirked. “Mrs. Green, I think Brian’s weight loss is due more to matters of the heart than his food intake.” Todd gave Alysse a knowing look. “He hasn’t been the same since Shay left.”
“That’s what I figured. I can’t wait for her to come back.”
“Me neither,” Todd agreed. “His mood swings are becoming unbearable.”
“Smells good, Mom.” Brian kissed his mother and joined Todd at the table. “My mood swings aren’t that bad,” he said to his roommate.
“It’s about time you came out of hibernation,” Alysse scolded.
“It’s only ten o’clock, Mom.”
“Brian, I know you miss Shay, but if you don’t eat, there won’t be anything for her to hold on to when she comes back,” Alysse teased.
Brian’s chocolate cheeks burned. “Mom, I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“I’m your mother so don’t play with me. You kn
ow Shay loves holding onto your tall, dark, used-to-be thick self. I’ve seen the two of you together, feeding each other and holding hands like you’re scared you’re going to lose one another.”
Todd laughed, but Brian remained silent.
Alysse continued. “And you know you like them hips and those long legs she has.”
“Alright, Mom, you win. You can stop now.” Brian conceded because hearing his mother describe Shay’s physical attributes made his mind go places it shouldn’t. Brian had made up his mind; he was not going to have sex again. Not until after he married. In his heart he prayed it would be with Shay, but this morning he couldn’t think about that.
Alysse—never the type of mother to allow her child to tell her what to do—continued to talk and pile food onto the platter at the same time. “I like Shay. She’s everything I want for you. She’s smart, clean and pretty. She can cook, but most importantly, she respects your mother. You don’t find that too often these days. Julia has done a good job with raising her.” She placed the huge platter of pancakes, sausage, bacon and scrambled eggs on the table next to the pitcher of orange juice. “I hope to take care of myself when I’m older, but just in case I need some help, it’s good to know that Shay has been raised to respect and care for her elders.” Alysse set a plate in front of Todd and Brian. “I’ve been watching the Simone family. All of them grandchildren treat the adults with the utmost respect, even the adult grandchildren. And they all address Mark and I as Mr. or Ms.”
Brian piled his plate. “I’m glad you like her. I like her too.”
Alysse smacked her lips. “Boy, there you go playing again. You’re in love with her, that’s why you can’t eat. You miss her.”
The doorbell chime spared Brian a response.
“Are you expecting company this morning?” Alysse asked, removing her apron.
“No, it’s probably someone trying to sell magazines or something.”
“You stay here and eat; I’ll take care of it.”
The persistent unexpected guest pressed the doorbell again before Alysse managed to open the door. “Can I help you?” she asked, holding the door open.
“I’m here to see Mr. Pennington.”
“I’m sorry, but he’s eating breakfast. Is there a message I can give him?”
“No, there isn’t a message you can give him, but you could run along and tell him Shannon is here to see him.”
Alysse gripped both hands on the heavy oak door and squeezed. As a rule she didn’t tolerate disrespect.
“Did I speak too fast for you? Let me try it again.” Shannon spoke to Alysse like she was a two-year-old child, “GO-TELL-MR. PENNINGTON-THAT-SHANNON-IS-HERE TO-SEE-HIM. Now!”
Alysse slapped her hands on her hip. “Little girl, I will hang you from that light pole by that bad hair weave of yours, if you don’t get out of my face!”
“Who do you think you’re talking to like that?” Shannon rolled her neck.
“The question is, who do you think you’re talking to?”
“The maid, the hired help,” Shannon yelled.
Alysse stepped back. “Come back on Tuesday, that’s the day Brian puts the trash out.” With that she slammed the door in Shannon’s face.
Alysse stormed into the kitchen. “Brian, who is Shannon and why is she here to see you?”
Brian washed down the pancakes with a gulp of orange juice. “What are you talking about, Mama?”
“Some little skinny girl with a bad hair weave just mistook me for a maid.”
The doorbell chimed once again. Brian abruptly left the kitchen and went to the front door.
“Shannon, what are you doing here? How did you know where I live?” She moved her mouth to answer, but he tossed another question. “What did you say to my mother?”
Shannon’s mouth fell open. “Your mother? Oh…Um.”
Alysse stepped in front of Brian and pointed her finger in Shannon’s face. “Let me tell you something. I am not a close friend with Jesus, like Brian’s father is. Me and Jesus are just getting acquainted and I haven’t learned to turn the other cheek yet. If you ever disrespect me again, I promise you, Jesus will have to save your life.”
Shannon didn’t say a word, just lowered her head.
“Do you understand?” Alysse yelled.
“Yes, I’m sorry.” Shannon’s voice was so low, Brian couldn’t tell if she’d responded or not.
“Did you hear what my mother said?”
This time Shannon nodded her answer.
“And why are you here?” Alysse demanded.
Brian didn’t say a word; he knew not to interrupt Alysse when she was angry.
“I’m here to see Brian,” Shannon’s voice quivered.
Alysse looked her up and down. “What do you need to see my son about? I can look at you and tell you’re not a classmate.”
“Brian and I are friends.”
Alysse stepped closer and pointed her finger at Shannon. “You listen to me. I wasn’t born yesterday. I’ve lived on the streets longer than you are old. I’ve seen and played every type of game there is. You can take your little manipulative seductive game back down the hill away from my son.” Alysse stormed away.
Shannon’s head hung low. “Brian, I’m sorry, I didn’t know she was your mother. I just assumed you would have a maid with you living in this exclusive neighborhood.”
He ignored her explanation. “Shannon, I didn’t give you my address. How did you find out where I live?”
“I got your address from work and I shouldn’t have come over here without calling first.”
“You’re right, you shouldn’t have come here uninvited nor should you have used your job to gain my personal information.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow at church,” she said and walked back to her car with her shoulders slumped.
***
Wrapping his arms around Julia, Reggie kissed her neck. “Good morning, beautiful.”
“Is it still morning?” Julia rolled over and snuggled against him.
“It’s after ten.”
Julia stretched. “I better get up before Josiah destroys the house.” She tried to sit up, but Reggie held her down.
“He’s fine. Did you forget that Marcus and Justin are here?”
She relaxed. “I sure did.”
He pressed her closer to him. “Let me see what else I can make you forget.”
The intercom sounded, it was her nephew Justin. “Do you guys want some breakfast? We have waffles, eggs and bacon.”
“Maybe later,” Reggie answered then turned the speaker off and directed his attention back to Julia just as the telephone rang.
Reggie sighed. “Don’t move.” He kissed her again before answering the phone.
“Good morning, Pennington residence”
“What’s so good about it?” Alysse snapped.
“I should have let the call go to voicemail,” he mumbled, but said out loud, “Is something wrong, Alysse?”
“Something is very wrong. Reggie, did you know there’s a gold digger chasing after Brian?”
Reggie rubbed his head. “Are you referring to Shannon?”
At the mention of Shannon’s name, Julia sat straight up.
“Yes I am and I don’t like her. Do you know that little trifling wanna-be had the nerve to talk to me like I was a child and then called me a maid?”
Reggie covered his mouth so Alysse couldn’t hear him laugh. “Alysse, I hope you’re not calling me from jail. Please don’t tell me you’ve been arrested for assault and battery?”
“What happened?” Julia asked.
“Reginald Pennington, stop laughing. I am not in the mood for your tired jokes,” she yelled. “Anyway, I didn’t beat her down this time.”
Reggie breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank God.”
“But I promise to the next time she gets out of line,” Alysse added.
“What happened?” Julia asked again.
“Alysse, where did you see Shann
on?” Reggie asked.
“She showed up on Brian’s doorstep this morning, looking like both Delilah and Jezebel.”
It was Reggie’s turn to sit straight up. “What? Shannon was at the house?”
“What?” Julia started to get out of bed.
“Reggie, let me talk to Julia. We’re not about to have this foolishness. If I have to move back to Oakland, I will. I’ve invested too much into my son for this mess!”
Reggie shook his head and handed the phone to Julia.
“Shannon was at the house?” Julia went straight to the point.
“Girl, yes, and let me tell you what she did.” Alysse gave Julia the highlights from her unexpected visitor. “How long have y’all known about this?”
“Brian introduced her to us at church a few weeks ago and lately she’s been coming to Bible Study.” Julia didn’t mention the disastrous Sunday dinner.
“What is she doing at church? That devil ain’t trying to find Jesus?”
“I think you’re right about that.” Julia laughed. “Alysse, I don’t think we have anything to worry about. Brian’s not interested in her.”
Alysse would not be pacified. “I know he’s not interested in her, because I raised him better than that. I know he’s in love with Shay, but that won’t stop ms. thang from trying something. I can see the dollar signs all in her eyes. She sees Brian living in this house on this hill and she knows he’s going to be a lawyer. That girl is going to try to trap my baby.”
“I bet she’s rolling her neck and wagging her finger,” Julia whispered to Reggie. “Now you know, Julia, I am not about to have that!”
“I know, Alysse, neither are we,” Julia stated calmly.
Alysse continued to rant. “You know that boy is not too old or too big for me to beat some sense into him.”
“I know, Alysse.”
Julia watched Reggie leave their bed and walk into the bathroom. A moment later she heard the shower. “Alysse, I’ll call you later and we can talk about this some more, but I need to take care of something first.” Julia hung up the phone and headed to the shower.
Games Page 9