"I was calling to tell you, but I couldn't get you…"
"But...why?"
"I had a few things to do…"
"How? You would still be in Florida if it weren't for me."
"No...I just…," she said but didn't finish her sentence.
"Are you uncomfortable at my apartment? I know it’s not the five-star you are used to but...let me know," I said, making an effort not to sound disappointed.
"Of course, I'm comfortable," she said unconvincingly. "I would just love to have you over."
"Then you should have asked me instead of backing me in a corner."
"I'm not...I'm sorry. If you don't want to come, then I will get dinner and come back to your place so we can eat…"
"Then do that."
"Ah...you're not coming?" Kathy asked, unable to mask her disappointment.
"No."
"O...ok. I'll...let me know when you are home, and I'll be there. I locked the door so I won't be able to get in," she explained.
"How far away are you from my apartment?"
"About forty minutes," she said, and I had an idea where she was.
"Then you can leave now because I’ll be home long before you get there."
"OK. I'll see you soon."
"Bye."
I disconnected the call and immediately started to feel angry with myself for reacting the way I did with Kathy. She was such a sweet person, and I had so many wonderful emotions bubbling inside me for her that I couldn't understand why I reacted the way I did. I guessed I had a vision of opening my door and seeing her, hugging her, kissing her. I never had that because there was no one from my past relationships that I felt the need to be in my personal space, but with Kathy, that's the only place I wanted her to be.
The knocking on the door came again, and I swore it didn't matter what it was, it would have to wait until tomorrow because Kathy was coming home and I needed to be there. I briskly walked to the door and opened it to see my boss's secretary standing there.
"Miss Callaway, Mr. Henderson is asking for a few minutes of your time to go over one of the managers you selected," she said timidly because she knew how much they have been abusing me, and any day now, I was going to blow. She was not quite sure if today was the day.
"Please tell Mr. Henderson that I will discuss it first thing in the morning because I have an appointment," I said and she stood there shocked because this was a first for me.
"You mean…"
"Exactly what I said. See you tomorrow, Grechen."
"Miss Callaway!" Another girl shouted, running to me with a folder in her hand.
"Nope!" I replied as I walked away to the elevator. "Whatever it is, has to wait until tomorrow."
No one knew how to respond because it didn't matter if it was midnight; if they wanted something, it got done.
I watched their shocked faces as the elevator door closed, and I knew my boss would be calling me when word got back to him that I left without meeting with him. I took no pride in that, but I had a greater life impact waiting in the form of Kathy Mae Poland. I felt my whole life heading in a new direction because I had lost myself to her. I hated the circumstances by which we were brought together, but we were definitely meant to be in each other's lives.
I didn't understand why I made such a big deal about her going home because, eventually, I would have to go by her place and meet the people in her life. I dreaded the day when she would meet my family, and I had no plans at the moment to take them anywhere near her. Her family might be more civil, even when they found out that I was the juror in her case. It might not go down well, but it would be much better than my family finding out.
As I drove home, I took a moment to think about someone else other than Kathy. My grandmother had not called me and usually that would make me sick to my stomach, but Kathy was so wrapped into the fibers of my brain that I was having difficulty processing other emotions. I had to call my grandmother. She might not answer but at least she should see that I was making an effort. As for my other family members who were just sitting and biding their time to come tumbling into my business like an avalanche, I was in no hurry to contact them.
I got out of my car and walked up to the main entrance and Morris, the security guard greeted me. He would have been more helpful if he was at his post when I brought Kathy to my place so she didn’t feel unsafe and had to run home. This neighborhood was a decent place, and I didn’t feel like there was anything for her to worry about, but I couldn't blame her if she was used to a certain lifestyle. As I walked toward my door, I felt a deep sadness come over me because I knew Kathy was not home, and I would not be walking in to her hugs and kisses. She was on her way though, and soon I would have her in my arms.
I stood in the living room and looked around. The loneliness was too much to bear. This was no longer my life and it was clear to me that a life without Kathy would not work for me. I could not understand how in such a short time someone could just change my life completely. The tears ran down my face and my chest tightened. I wasn’t really crying for anything in particular but I was reacting to the new situation in my life. I walked into the bedroom and the sheets were crumpled on the bed. Kathy was here. In my bed. I picked up the sheets and brought it to my nose and the smell of her expensive perfume seeped into my brain.
I didn't need to be fighting for scraps because I had someone of my own and she was on her way to me. I could smell her, hold her, kiss her, laugh with her, make love to her, so much was in store for us to do when she arrived. I smiled to myself and set about reorganizing the apartment. I started with making the bed and putting away the clothes that were thrown about, then cleared the kitchen sink and threw out uneaten foods from the refrigerator. I unlocked the door just in case Kathy arrived earlier than expected and ran into the shower to make myself nice and clean before she got home.
My mind strayed inside the shower, and I wasn't sure how long I was in there, despite my desire to hurry. I quickly got out and could hear my phone ringing. It was a strong possibility that one of my family members were calling and I wanted to not even look, but rushed to it just in case Kathy was calling. I ran through my bedroom and into the living room. I stopped in the tracks as I saw Kathy standing in the kitchen.
"Kathy!" I said in a startled voice.
"Hi, babe. I'm sorry to scare you," she said and opened her arms wide.
I rushed into them and she hugged me close to her as my phone continued to ring. It didn't matter anymore because Kathy was here holding me so whoever it was had to wait. The towel that was wrapped around me fell to the floor and Kathy's hands caressed my back all the way to my ass. She held me away from her and looked at my naked body, her eyes drinking me in. Kathy was magnificently dressed for the chilliness of the season in a cashmere top and jeans. Her diamond earrings glistened and her big beautiful eyes and long lashes made her the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.
Kathy licked her sexy, lustrous lips as her eyes roamed over me. Her hands slid up my side and ended wrapped around my breasts. Kathy released a long breath that she seemed to have been holding for a while and closed her eyes as she savored the feel of them against her palms. Her hands burned, and I needed her to do something because her touch had become unbearable. I grabbed her hair at the back of her head, forcing her mouth to them. She removed her hands and wrapped her lips around my nipple.
"Oh my God!" I cried out as immense pleasure rocketed through me. "Oh, Kat...yeah...suck them, baby. I love seeing my breast in your mouth. Fuck yes...just...the other one...mmmm...fuck!"
Kathy moved from one breast to the other, and she ravaged them. I was squeezing my legs together because the pleasure was throbbing between them, and I so desperately needed relief. Kat released my breasts and came up to my lips, attacking them like she did my breasts before.
"Get up on the counter," she said into my mouth. "I'm going to fucking eat everything out of you."
She didn't have to tell me twice, and I was on
top of the counter with my legs wide open in a flash. Kat went in for the kill.
"Oh shiiiiit! Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck!" I cried as Kathy circled my clit with her tongue. "Oh my God...your gonna make me fucking cuuuuuum!"
I grabbed Kathy's head and started fucking her mouth, my body hard as a rock as the pleasure grabbed hold of every muscle. I looked at her pretty face between my legs as I fucked her lips. The sight was doing major damage to my brain. Kat pulled her head away and looked at my pussy then spread the lips apart. Her tongue came out of her mouth and went deep inside my hole.
"Fuuuuuuuuuck!" I cried and fell back against the wall as Kathy's tongue went in and out of me. "I'm cumming. I'm cumming. I'm fuc….Kathyyyyy fuuuuuuuck!"
I held the back of her head, forcing her tongue deeper into me as I emptied my love inside her mouth. Wave upon wave of pleasure rushed through me and I had never experienced anything like this before Kathy came into my life. When my orgasm was over, I became lifeless because she drained me of everything. She started laughing when she saw what she had done to me, and I didn’t even have the strength to respond.
"I'm sorry, baby," she laughed. "Next time I will go a little easier on you."
I managed to slip off the counter but my knees wobbled and she caught me then wrapped my towel around me and led me to the sofa. I sat and smiled at her.
"Welcome home, babe," I said, and it was my turn to laugh.
Kathy's phone started to ring and she picked it up but wasn’t sure if she should answer or not.
"It's my mom," she said, and I nodded for her to take it. "Hi, Mom," she greeted. "I'm fine. Yes, but I can't come by now. I'm with a friend…"
I got up from the sofa and picked up my phone then went into the bedroom. I decided that I would call my grandmother in the meantime. My finger hesitated to make the call because I wasn't sure if she would answer me, and even if she did, what would she say? I took a deep breath and pressed the call button. It rang a few times and I gave up hope that she would answer.
"Hello."
"Grandma!" I said in surprise because I was not prepared to hear her voice. "Hi, Grandma."
"Hello, River," she said in a cold voice, not the warm tenderness I was used to.
"How are you?"
"I'm doing great," she replied and that was the first time she responded that way. "How about you?"
"I'm fine...Grandma, I'm calling to let you know how sorry I am about Thanksgiving. Everything just...everything was just a mess and it was never my intention to hurt you. I was just tired and overwhelmed…"
"River, I'm happy to know that you're OK, but my friends from the club are here to see me, so we'll have to talk another time," she said dismissing me, and I knew what she was doing because in the past, nothing was more important than our conversations.
"Oh...OK. I'll call you later…"
"OK, dear," she said and quickly disconnected the call.
My heart was breaking that my grandmother didn't want to talk to me, but I believed in her love and knew she would eventually come around. I wished so many things had gone differently that day, but I knew that without those unfortunate turn of events, I wouldn't have met Kathy. She walked into the room and stopped mid-stride when she saw the sadness on my face.
"Baby...what's wrong?" she asked nervously, maybe wondering if it had anything to do with her.
"Just spoke with my grandmother."
"She's still mad?" Kat asked and came over to me.
"Yeah. Just hope it passes soon because not being able to talk to her...it's heartbreaking."
"I know, honey," she said as she caressed my back.
Kathy sat on the bed beside me and held my hand. I turned to look at her and hoped that she didn't see the sadness I was feeling, but she knew. I could feel the sadness in her for me.
"So you want me to come by your place?" I said, trying to find a way to make her happy again, but she took a moment to think when I thought she would be excited to take up the offer.
"Babe, I know this is new...but it doesn't feel that way. It's like I've known you and loved you for a very long time. I'm just...I'm a little confused because I don't know our plan," she said and with her mouth opened to continue, I stepped in.
"Why do we need a plan? Why can't we just take it one day at a time and see what happens?"
"Please…," she whispered and closed her eyes. Her lids could not hold the tears in and they ran down her cheeks.
"Kat…"
"One day at a time?" she asked and opened her eyes. "I don't want to lose you... you're all I have."
I didn’t mean to laugh, but I did.
"I'm all you have? The courtroom was full of your people who care…"
"You are all I have, Riv," she said looking deep into my eyes as the tears continue to flow. "I feel like I'm drowning and you're the only one who can save me. Yes, I have families and friends, but they don't make me feel hopeful, happy, excited about my future. You do."
I sighed because I knew what she meant. I felt the same way. I brought my hand to her face and gently wiped away her tears with my fingers. I slowly brought my lips to hers and kissed her deeply so that she understood that I needed her just as much as she needed me. I felt like we only had each other and we should not waste any time in moving forward with our lives.
"Let's make a plan," I said on her lips before pulling away.
Kat's face lit up and a smile came across her lips. She looked so beautiful and crisp in a white cashmere top and a pair of solid dark blue jeans. Her hair was in a ponytail and her beautiful diamond earrings glistened almost as brightly as her smile.
"Where will we live?" she asked, and I knew she wasn't planning on living at this dump.
"Here."
"What?"
It was like someone turned off the switch to her smile.
"Just kidding," I said and burst into laughter, and she joined me.
"I don't mean today. I just mean…"
"I know what you mean. We are making future plans."
"Exactly," she said then bit her lips, and I feared what was coming next. "Who will carry...our baby?"
"Come again?"
"Our baby," she said and seemed to find humor in my unpreparedness for her question. "We can't just live...and...we have to make our own family."
"Of course. I know. It's just…," I took a deep breath and as I exhaled, a bright smile came with it. "A baby. My baby."
"Our baby," Kat corrected.
"Our baby. Oh my God," I said as my heart swelled with joy for the child that was just a thought. "Everything is just crazy...and beautiful."
"Yes. I'm...I can't believe what's happening," Kat laughed. "It's crazy, right?"
"The whole, but it’s giving me the greatest rush...I can barely contain myself."
"Then don't," Kat said and I grabbed her, throwing her back onto the bed.
Kathy screamed out in laughter which turned to moans when I pulled up her top and covered her breast with my mouth.
Our lovemaking was the most passionate we had ever been because there were so many wonderful emotions propelling us to take each other completely. I desperately wanted what she wanted and there were no doubts that this was the real deal for us. We couldn't understand it, especially the circumstances that brought us together, but we were prepared to ride the waves and see where it would take us.
As we sat for dinner at the small table in my kitchen, our conversation continued.
"We're going to have a baby," Kat said. "I can't believe it. Wait until it happens and my family hears. Oh! They are going to lose their minds with happiness. My friends are not really my friends anymore because the trial showed me that they were just in it for the association and the parties."
"Maybe you cut yourself off from them because of how you felt."
"Yeah. Maybe. Anyway, I need bridesmaids so I will have to make up with th..."
"Wait, wait, wait...what?"
"What do you mean what? We have to get married.
We...you don't want to?"
"Of course I do...I just...bridesmaids?"
"Yes. It's a wedding," she giggled but seemed confused.
"Why can't it just be you and me? Let's just do it someplace."
"So you are ashamed of me," she said looking down at her plate.
"What? Why would I be ashamed of you?" I asked but she didn't answer. She didn't have to. I knew what she meant. "I’m not ashamed of you. Look at you. Who wouldn't feel lucky to have someone so beautiful, smart, caring...Kat, I consider myself the luckiest girl alive to get a shot at a future with you. How could I possibly be ashamed?"
"Because...I was charged…"
"And the same justice system that charged you found you innocent."
"You found me innocent."
"Along with eleven other people," I said and took her hands. "I want this...I need this."
"I want everyone to see how happy and lucky I am to start a life with you. Why wouldn't you want the same?"
I was hoping she wouldn't push because I didn't want to tell her my reason, although I thought she would have guessed it.
"The reason I want us to get married in private is because I don't want my family to be a part of it. Most importantly, I don't want your family to meet them."
"Don't be silly," she said rolling her eyes because she had no idea the people I was talking about.
"This is why I want you to carry our baby because…"
"Wait…," she said, raising her hand to warn me not to go any further. "What?"
"You have to carry the baby."
"Why? Why not you?"
"My family would move in. We would not be able to raise our child and run our household the way we want," I said and she laughed. "I'm not joking, Kat."
"Are you hearing yourself? It wouldn't matter which one of us has the baby, it would still be their grandchild and niece or nephew."
"Thing is, if you have the baby then they would never see him or her as mine. Which is a good thing."
"How can that be good? Why wouldn't they want anything to do with our child?"
"Because it's not their flesh and blood."
"That's why you should carry it. My family won't mind," she said and had stopped eating at this point.
The Juror Page 9