When You Come to Me

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When You Come to Me Page 51

by Jade Alyse


  He couldn’t help but love her, want her, need her…

  There was always a part of him that felt he needed to protect her, to cover her, to shield her. Her ingenuousness still prevailed, even after so long, and to this day, this very moment, it still perplexed him, still, to the point that he got lost in it, succumbed to it.

  He would always succumb to her…

  She’d grilled seasoned steaks, corn on the cob and had tossed a fresh salad for him. When he offered his help, she refused.

  “Sit down, you silly thing,” she’d told him, flipping a steak with one hand and slapping him on the butt with another.

  He couldn’t wait to tell her the idea he’d concocted in his mind. He thought it pure genius. Yes! It was just the thing to secure their future happiness. Natalie would no longer look at him with disappointment…

  They sat down together on the deck as the sun began to set, as twilight surfaced and the branches of the trees created a natural aural symphony. It was always the time of day

  that brought him serenity; it was when he spent the most time at the pond; it was always the time that reminded him most of Natalie. He was always confident that if he sat still enough, embraced the air, that he’d sense her, prevailing as she coursed through his mind…

  “May I propose a toast?” Asha said, dropping her fork and lifting her glass.

  “Yes,” Scotty said. “If you can keep it short…you know how you are…”

  “And how am I, Scotland? Please, interrupt me some more…”

  “Asha,” Natalie said. “Ignore him…”

  “Fine,” Asha said, clearing her throat. “As I was saying…Brandon David Greene…you’re like a brother to me…you’re giving, you’re funny, and you’re still the coolest white boy that I know [they laughed]. Happy twenty-eighth birthday, my darling…I love you…we love you…and we hope Nat gives you some sweet lovin’ tonight…”

  “Thanks, Ash,” Brandon said, feeling himself blush. “I hope so too…”

  “We’ll see about all of that,” Natalie said, glancing at him with a wink.

  Brandon replaced his bottle of beer on the wrought iron table, cleared his throat and said, “I’m glad you all are here…I have something to say…”

  “What’s that?” Asha said, leaning into the table.

  He looked at Natalie, hoping that she didn’t dump her plate of food in his lap. He studied her expression, reached for her hand and said, “Baby…”

  “Yes?” she replied quietly.

  She almost looked too happy. He retracted for a moment and he rubbed her hand as he contemplated saying what he had to say…

  “I quit my job…”

  He watched her face do something funny, and he was certain that he’d make her throw up again. But he continued. “I love you,” he said. “And any job that keeps me from you isn’t the right job for me…”

  They only stared at each other. He watched her swallow whatever contents were in her mouth. Her eyes flitted and fluttered witlessly.

  “Say something, baby,” he encouraged, still rubbing her hand.

  She swallowed hard again, sucked in her breath and whispered, “Happy Birthday, Brandy…I dropped out of medical school…and…I’m…I’m pregnant…”

  ###

  About the Author

  I was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in the early autumn of 1986, and immediately became a lover of prose and literature. At a young age, I would delve into my mother's vast book collection (Antony and Cleopatra, Romeo and Juliet, Pride and Prejudice), and a life-changing love affair was formed. I wanted to orchestrate stories like the ones I read, create new realms of thinking, new worlds, involving various types of people. I completed my first novel at 12...and I haven't put the pen down since. When You Come to Me is my first endeavor and my most fruitful as of late. I am currently in the process of digitally publishing a book entitled Kiawah, and am wrapping up the composition of a third novel entitled Dreaming Isabel. Thank you for reading!

  when you come to me...

  a novel by Jade Phillips

  Table of Contents

  Copyright

  Dedication

  When You Come

  Part One: 2000 - 2003

  Natalie, The Beer Bottle and Trent Road

  Sweet Savannah and the Midnight Hour

  Brandy

  You’re Natalie and I Hate You

  Low Tide Under the Moon

  The Dateless Dinner Party

  Show Me the Sky and a Dragonfly

  The Blue Box

  Part Two: 2003 - 2005

  The Dance

  The Breeze in Passe-a-Grille

  Moving On...

  The Letter

  The Dream

  By the Pond

  Renewal

  Part Three: 2005 - 2007

  Amid the Fireflies

  In the Land of Greene and Gold

  A Chandler Christmas

  The Green Hill Shower

  Part Four: 2007 -

  To the Moon and Back

  Newlywed Nevis

  Martha's Vineyard

  About the Author

 

 

 


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