Across The Tracks

by Xyla Turner

  “May I cut in?” she asked politely and looked at Lisa.

  She looked at Rich and he said, “Lisa, I’d like you to meet my date, Ann.”

  Without missing a beat, Lisa reached her hand out towards Ann and said, “It’s so nice to meet you, Ann. Yes,” she let go of Rich, but he held on to her arm. “You can certainly cut in.”

  “Lisa,” Rich grounded out.

  Lisa swiped at his arm with her other hand and said, “Don’t worry, we have plenty of time to catch up.”

  She could not believe she did that. First, she publicly put her head on his shoulder like there was some sort of ownership on her part. Second, she did it front of her family, friends, and co-workers. Last, she was publicly dismissed. Lisa was so humiliated, she went straight to the bathroom. If she didn’t have to give the award, she would leave and never return. What she could do was blame it on the alcohol.

  Yes, she thought, genius plan.

  Lisa returned and headed straight for the bar. Once she was able to get his attention, she said, “One shot of Patron, keep them coming.”

  Around the third shot, Josh sat on the stool next to her and said, “Slow down killer.”

  She laughed and tried to act drunker than she actually was. “Josh,” she sang.

  “How many of those have you had?”

  “Three of these, but I’m not sure how many of the others I had.” She pointed towards her table.

  “Ahh, well since I’m your date tonight,” he swiped the shot, “you are going to refrain from the hard stuff.”

  Lisa thought how pathetic it was to have her brother to come as her date and good ole’ Rich was here with a real date.

  “Do you always have to be a big brother?” she asked.

  Before Josh could answer, someone put their hand on Lisa’s back and asked, “Ahh, you are the big brother?”

  Lisa halfway turned around to see Rich’s hand possessively placed on her, as Josh stood up to his full height and replied, “And you are?”

  “I’m Rich Wells, Lisa’s friend.”

  “You’re the dude that was looking for her a couple of years ago?” Josh said as recognition hit him.

  Lisa did not turn around to look at Rich but swiped her drink since Josh was not paying attention. She took a quick drink and signaled for the bartender to send another.

  “Yes, that was me.”

  “So, it looks like you found her.” Josh mused.

  “It looks like I did.”

  “What are your intentions?”

  “Josh,” Lisa gasped but grabbed the new drink off the counter. As soon as she was about to put the glass to her mouth, it was plucked out of her hands by Rich this time.

  “Hey,” Lisa grabbed for the drink, but Josh swatted her hand away.

  The two of them had double teamed her.

  Lisa took this opportunity to slip away since Rich had the drink and Josh was focused on the drink thief’s intentions. She was not sure why that was the topic of conversation because blondie over there, was watching them like a hawk.

  “Lisa,” Rich called after her.

  Josh cut him off and said, “Let her go.”

  This evening just could not get any worse, Lisa thought as she headed towards her table. A chime sounded in the room, letting everyone know it was time to sit and begin. As the program went on, Lisa got more nervous about the introduction. She thought maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to get totally drunk. When it was her turn, she gave the presentation without any mistakes, but as she went to leave the stage, the guy at the bottom of the steps motioned for her to stay on stage. She turned around, so she was not in the spotlight, but Doris, the current chair of NSPPF, took the microphone and motioned Lisa to come stand with her. She slowly walked towards Doris while two other people came on the stage. One guy was in a uniform and the other was Rich.

  Doris cleared her throat and projected, “This award goes to a young, courageous lady who sacrificed not only her job, but her livelihood to make a difference in something she believed in. She took a hiatus from Philly to pursue her Master’s in Community Planning and Urban Development and out of her tireless work both in the field and out, she is steadily inspiring others to take action. From her work, including her writing, she challenged State Senator Wells, who was a lawyer then, to do something greater. He rose to that challenge and has formed a successful partnership with the Police Department, schools around the city, and NSPPF. It was because of her work and her challenge that 159 youth had cases overturned or revisited. That’s the type of legacy we should all strive for, that’s the kind of fearlessness we should all look to attain, so this award goes to Ms. Lisa Johnson.”

  Everyone clapped and cheered. Doris motioned for Lisa to take the podium, but she did not want to, especially with tears running down her eyes. Lisa turned her head to clear her throat while everyone started to settle down.

  “I’m sorry y’all. I had no idea this was going to happen because I probably wouldn’t have come.” Everyone laughed. “I appreciate the award, but I would be remiss if I failed to share this moment with someone who not only rose to the challenge but surpassed all expectations, including mine. Boy, when I first met State Senator Wells, we butted heads continuously. We still do.” People snickered. “However, when I came back to Philly and saw all that he has done, which is far greater than what has been publicized, I was floored. He reminded me of two valuable lessons. One, people can change and two, embrace what you fear, you just might enjoy the ride.” Lisa smiled. “So, thank you guys for this award, but I would like you to help me thank State Senator Rich Wells.” Lisa turned around, looked him in the eye and started to clap. Everyone rose to their feet, cheered and applauded for him.

  Lisa left the stage, went out the side door, and grabbed a taxi to go home.

  RICH:

  He could not find Lisa anywhere. She must have left. Rich was so frustrated, he did not know whether he was coming or going. He pulled out the phone and called his driver. He was going to her place and he was not leaving until they talked. Really talked. He called a taxi for Ann, paid for it and wished her well. She opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but Rich closed the door. He did not have time for conversation, when the woman he loved was trying to evade him.

  When Rich finally arrived at Lisa’s house, he knocked on her door, but there was no answer. He kept knocking until he heard a noise. A light came on, then she opened the door with the latch still in place.

  “Rich, what are you doing here?” Lisa’s eyebrows were bunched together.

  “We need to talk.” He had both hands on the door post.

  “Can it wait until tomorrow?”

  “No, it absolutely cannot.”

  She closed the door, took the latch off and opened it all the way for him to enter. Lisa was dressed in loose short pajamas bottoms, a tank top and she had a robe draped around her shoulders with bunny slippers on her feet. She closed the door and headed towards the kitchen, “Do you want some coffee or something to drink?”

  “Coffee. Black,” he replied as he walked behind her to the kitchen.

  She put the water in the coffee maker, turned it on and said, “So, what’s so important it can’t wait?”

  “Why do you keep running from me?”

  “I am afraid,” she said quietly.

  Rich did not quite expect her to spit it out like that. Her candor, once again, caught him off guard.

  “So you are just going to stay afraid?” he asked.

  “I’m not sure how to navigate my feelings.” She turned around, folded her arms across her chest and looked at him.

  “What are those feelings?” He leaned against the counter across from her.

  “I am attracted to you, I feel a strong pull towards you, but I didn’t want that, nor do I think I should have that. Therefore, I’ve convinced myself this is some sick game you are playing with me, trying to string along the black girl for kicks, or satisfying your taste for a darker berry. Shit, I d
on’t know.” She seemed exasperated.

  “Ahh because the attraction can’t be mutual?”

  “Right.”

  “Are you convinced?”

  “I was for three years.” Lisa turned her head and muttered, “Until I came back.”

  “What changed your mind?”

  “Your transformation.”

  “How so?” He really wanted to know. “Eyes.”

  She turned her head towards him and recounted. “Before, I had every reason not to like you, but then you took all of those excuses away with the way you’ve blown everything I thought about you out of the water. Now, I have no excuse as to why I’m still attracted to you. Like it hasn’t been three years and why I miss you when I never had you.”

  Rich took a step towards Lisa, as she gripped her arms with both hands as if she was attempting to steady herself.

  “Do you remember me asking you if there could be a ‘you and me’?”

  “Yes, it was the last time I saw you before I left.” She held herself tighter, “I convinced myself you were high.”

  “Why did you sleep with me that night?”

  “Because I wanted you.”

  “And now?”

  “Isn’t it obvious, Rich? You are in my house at the stroke of midnight?” She quipped.

  “I want you to say it.”

  “Say what? That I want you, I need you, I can’t live without you?” Lisa laughed and turned around to turn the coffee maker off.

  Rich took one full step, turned her around and pressed Lisa against the counter. “No, you will say it because I want to be assured I’m not in this by my fucking self. That I’m not imagining us being together, building together and making love for longer than one night. That my feelings for you are not in vein, that the past three years my yearning for you will have some sort of reward. You will fucking say it Lisa because I won’t go another three years not knowing.”

  Lisa looked down, but he lifted her chin up and said, “Your eyes stay on me!”

  She looked into his eyes and whimpered, “My body craves your touch. I ache for you between my legs, I feel lost without you in my heart and I’m tired of having you in my head and absent in my life.”

  A tear rolled down Lisa’s eye, but Rich quickly wiped it away. “Don’t worry,” he sighed, “I’m here to stay.”

  Relief set in as he picked her up and carried her through the living room, to her room. He laid her in the middle of the bed, took off all his clothes, except his boxers and climbed into bed next to her. He methodically untied her robe and took it off, leaving her in the tank top and pajama bottoms. His arm reached to turn her around, so her back was to his chest. Rich rubbed his nose against her neck as he said, “I just want to hold you tonight. I don’t think I’m in the right frame of mind to take you without bruising you.”

  He continued to rub up and down her arm with his hand. “However, I do want to leave you with something that will probably scare you, but you need to know where I stand. You hear me?”

  “Yes,” she croaked, as her voice was tight with emotion.

  “I’m in love with you. I don’t expect you to say it back right now and I’m not trying to add any pressure. I just need for you to understand that I’m in love with you, I want you in my life permanently, as my wife, having my babies, and maybe one day running the damn country. If we do this, that’s what you are signing up for.” Rich exhaled deeply as if an enormous weight was lifted off his chest. “I just need you to understand. This is not for kicks, this is not a test or game, and I am not going anywhere. I want this to work out between you and me. It will work. Okay? Get some rest darling.”

  To Rich’s surprise, Lisa did not tense, flinch, nor did her breathing pattern change. He’d take that as a good sign. Shit, Rich would take anything she gave him.

  Chapter 9: Three Years to Make Up

  LISA:

  Lisa woke up with a massive arm around her waist. At first she thought she was in a dream, but then last night came crashing back to her mind. It was Rich, he was here and in bed with her. Lisa started to recall all the things he said to her. He’d been yearning for her, wanted to build something with her, get married, have babies, possibly run the country, and that he loved her. The man was on a mission and for once, Lisa was not afraid. She was shocked that she didn’t think the whole love thing was too fast. She was falling for him, even before the entire Rich 2.0 transformation. It was weird, unexpected, but that’s what it was. Rich was so much braver than she was because even though they were in the 21st century, the whole mixed couple could be a major issue.

  Then Lisa realized, it was more of her family and possibly friends she was concerned about. How would her father react to something like that? She was close to him, always valued his opinion, but this was one area that she realized she might actually lose him over. Her father was from a different era, the same one where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and Malcolm X were alive. Where it was not frowned upon to beat, cheat and hose black people for civil disobedience. Mr. Aaron Johnson was from the era where white men and black men were not on the same level and would never be. With that pillar of truth as his model, he has lived his life accordingly. So the idea of his daughter, his baby girl being tied to a white guy, might not sit well with him.

  However, Lisa would not dwell on her father or his reaction because she and Rich were not about black and white. At first, that what she was trying to make it about, but now she realized how ignorant that line of thinking really was. She could not deny her feelings for Rich, even if she tried. She actually did try and was unsuccessful, hence moving away and thinking that their separation would make it easier. That solidified nothing and according to Rich, only increased the yearning between the two of them. If she were honest with herself, she would say that same. On some level, she hoped he would have moved on like Danny so the decision would be easier, but not Rich. He was determined and who wants to stand in front of a bull when he has an agenda.

  Rich stirred a little behind her and she could feel his morning wood. God, the man, was big. She could not and would not deny him that. In fact, she wanted to indulge in that fact. Lisa squirmed from under Rich’s thick arm and slid down the bed. She replaced a pillow for her body because she didn’t want him to wake up just yet. She opened the slit of his black Calvin Klein briefs and rubbed up and down the shaft of his hard cock. Her mouth started to salivate at what she was about to do. Her tongue licked around the slit on his head, then she kissed the top. While her hand was sliding up and down his shaft, she wrapped her full lips around the head of his cock and started to suck on it slowly. Rich stirred some more.

  Lisa kept her pace slow and aching because she didn’t want to rush and wake him just yet. She wanted him to wake with her mouth full of his cock and she was not there yet. She licked up and down the shaft to make it nice and wet. Rich moaned but made no movements. Lisa wrapped both her hands around his cock, then her mouth and started to squeeze and suck on him. That woke him up because his hand touched her face. He was trying to figure out what was on his dick.

  “L-Lisa?” Rich called out in a raspy voice.

  She removed her left hand from his shaft to cup his balls while continuing to take him deeper into her mouth. He moaned loudly. Lisa moved her hand and mouth in unison to actually wake him up. Twirling her tongue around his shaft, the head touched the back of her throat.

  “Oh, darling,” he moaned and fisted the sheets next to him.

  Letting go of his sac, Lisa slightly rolled him to his back, so she could spread and kneel between his legs. At this, Rich grabbed her hair tightly, causing her to slow down to become in unison with his hand movements. He guided her up and down at his own rhythm because he was getting close and he was getting there fast. Lisa cupped his balls again, so she could massage them, thus driving him crazy. He let go of her hair and said, “Put them in your mouth.”

  Lisa popped his cock out of her mouth with a loud snap, licked her way down his shaft until she reac
hed his balls. Rich leaned up to see her work, so she wiggled her ass in the air, as her mouth descended on his soft sac. Slowly licking and kissing each one with care, Lisa continued to stroke his cock in an up and down motion with her eyes closed.

  “Darling,” he growled.

  She put as much of his sac in her mouth as she could fit and lightly sucked on them. Twirling her tongue to get them nice and wet, she moaned sending a slight vibration through his body.

  “Goddamn, woman,” he grounded out.

  Her hand started to rotate in a circular motion around his shaft while moving up and down, causing Rich to feel various sensations. While she did that, she kept licking and sucking each sac separately. She opened her eyes and looked up at him, as she puckered her full lips and kissed each one. She started to lick her way back up his shaft with her eyes on him, then she opened her mouth wide and took him as far as she could go. He moved her hair out of the way so he could see and then he groaned.

  “Fuuuck, I love that sweet mouth of yours.”

  Lisa moaned on his cock and everything went extremely fast after that. Rich grabbed her hair with his hands, held her steady by pulling on her hair and started to fuck her mouth from below. Lisa kept moaning around his cock. “That’s it, baby, take it all.”

  He went further up, which hitting the back of her throat. She gagged a little and he moaned, “Lisa, I’m bout to cum.”

  She was preparing herself to swallow him clean. Then he said, “Make a big mess. I want to see it.”

  Immediately, Lisa thought that was some porn shit or white boy shit, but she would do what he wanted. She caught his eye and his grip on her hair got tighter.

  “Baby, I’m cumming,” he said as he started spurting his hot seed on her tongue and on himself.

  His grip on her hair was released and he fell back on the bed. Lisa began to lick him clean until she saw him strain to raise his head to see her. He made a faint noise, like a whimper and said, “Baby, it’s too early in the morning for your shit. You trying to kill me before I eat breakfast,” and plopped his head back on the pillow.