Promise To Keep

by Rainwater, Priscilla Poole

  Connell sat in silence, amazed and stunned. He couldn’t believe she was discussing such a personal, painful experience, and to him, of all people. He felt humbled in a way he had never felt.

  “Grandpa died the summer before my first year in college, but he made sure I was cared for. Actually he made sure that I wouldn’t have to work ever again, if I didn’t want to. He owned a chain of barbershops; and several beauty salons. Which reminds me, while he was raising me I learned to cut hair from a few of the women who worked for him, so I’ll cut your shaggy mop after dinner.” she said as she got up, taking her plate and glass to the sink.

  “You’re serious, aren’t you? About your past I mean…” he asked, ignoring the hair comment. He had always thought that she came from a wealthy family that had pampered her. He had never dreamed her past was so broken. He couldn’t help but think about Abby. He would have killed any older, twisted man like the one she told him about, and her own father deserved it as well, in his estimation. How can a man hand his own daughter over to some sick, twisted pervert like that, all in the name of God? he thought in anger and dismay, the very thought making his blood boil.

  “Yes, I’m serious. And you really do need a haircut.“ she replied as she began putting dirty dishes in the dishwasher.

  Getting up, he walked towards her and put his hands on her shoulders.

  She flinched involuntarily, already regretting her decision to open up. She hated exposing her feelings, and she hated pity even worse, that had been the main reason she had never talked about her family to begin with. “It’s no big deal, after all, I came out of it Ok, thanks to my grandpa. I didn’t live on the streets, and he spoiled me somewhat. He made up for all those years of darkness. I miss him so much sometimes.” she said, her lips quivering.”

  “Aisha, I don’t know what to…“

  He was interrupted as she held a hand up for silence and said, “Now go get the scissors, comb and a towel. Make sure you wet your hair.”

  And that was it.

  He wanted to say something, anything. Tell her he was sorry for what she had gone through, but decided to respect her feelings and drop the issue. Nodding, he left to look for the scissors and towel.

  Clearing the table almost angrily, she wondered why she had told him. She felt an all-too- familiar pang as she thought about her family. She had sent letters about her grandfather’s death, but had never heard back from them. She had hired a highly recommended private detective to do some sniffing around, and he had reported back to her that her family was still thick as thick as thieves with the lunatics (her words, not the detective’s) and that he had even spoken to her father and brother in person. He wasn’t allowed to talk to her mother or younger sister, as all of the women were guarded closely by the men in the group because of distrust of all outsiders, and their desire to keep the women under the thumb. Her father had made it clear that since she didn’t believe in their warped cause, he wanted nothing to do with her. Something deep within her always held out hope that one day her mother, or maybe her sister would want to see her or talk to her again. Her brother was a lost cause though, same as her father. Wiping away a stray tear, she knew it was foolish hope to even entertain the thought.

  “Ok, promise me you won’t make me look like Moe or something? You know, from The Three Stooges?”” Connell said as he walked in, startling her from her thoughts.

  Smiling faintly, she pulled out one of the kitchen chairs, allowing him to take a seat. She wrapped the towel around his shoulders and said, “Well, even as good as I am I could never make you look as good as Moe. But at least you’ll be able to go without that baseball cap.” Running her fingers through his hair and tousling it, she chuckled as he tensed. Lifting a large chunk of his hair, she picked the scissors up and quickly snipped it before he could protest. “Ah well, too late now, you have to let me go through with it.” she joked as she showed him the chunk of hair..

  “Yes, I suppose so.“ he said and laughed.

  She decided to give him a short cut, a tad messy, like the popular style. She had always (in her private thoughts) been willing to concede that Connell was a good looking man, but he seemed to go out of his way to look as rugged as possible. Maybe it was a country, farm- boy thing.

  When she was done she watched him examine his new look in a handheld mirror. Checking to make sure his hair was even on both sides, she wanted to suggest that he put gel in his hair to hold the look, but knew with him that would be a bit too effeminate.

  He nodded in satisfaction, thanked her, then stood and reached for his ball cap. He stopped when she gave him a look, and decided to not put it back on. “Uhm, I thought we could go see Jenny after church, mom will have the kids there.” he said as he moved out her way while she swept his hair off the floor.

  “No, I know my way to hospital. Why don’t you and the kids just meet me there?” she answered, never looking at him. She had a deep rooted, natural distrust of all religions, and understandably so. She hated it when she felt people were trying to foist it upon her.

  “Come on, you can meet all the people Jenny considers her friends. They’re just simple, good, hard working folks.”

  She rolled her eyes, but said nothing. Good people and church didn’t necessarily go hand in hand, as far as she was concerned.

  He stood there looking at her, waiting for a reply.

  “Connell, I know you mean well, but to be honest I just don’t do the whole religion thing, I’ll never understand it. Besides, I didn’t bring anything to wear for church.” she finally answered.

  Taking the broom from her he set it aside and shook his head. “Aisha, it’s not like they’re going to try to force you to become a member. And with all those bags, you don’t have one outfit suitable for church? Besides, the Lord doesn’t care if your dress is designer or Kmart.”

  Ok, alright, I’ll go this one time, just this once! But don’t go expecting me to make it a habit. I am not, nor will I ever be, some holier-than-thou churchie. Give me an hour to get ready.” she huffed, then strolled off.”

  Watching her leave, he then turned and started pacing, thinking about everything that was happening. Going to the sink, he rested his hands on the counter and looked out the window, his thoughts drifting to Jenny’s request. Shaking his head, he doubted he and Aisha could do what she wanted, ever. Hell, they couldn’t even agree on something as simple as church.

  But things hadn’t always been that way. They had never been what he would call close, even when they had first met and went to classes together in college. But things between them had gotten worse one night, a long time ago, and it had all started with just one kiss.

  Closing his eyes his mind went back to that night. Thinking of it rekindled old forgotten feelings, forgotten desires…

  The night of the party Jenny had begged him to come, so he had, not wanting to disappoint her.

  Feeling out of place he had stood in the crowded room, drink in hand, watching everyone else drink, dance, and have a good time. It hadn’t been his idea of having a good time though, he would have rather had a nice night with Jenny, alone, maybe watching a movie and having dinner. Not watching idiots drinking and practically fornicating in front of everyone. Not that he had been a prude, he never had been, but he had been raised to be a gentleman, a time and a place for everything and all that.

  He should have listened to the little voice that kept telling him to go back to the dorm, but he wanted to please Jenny. She had always told him she really wanted him and Aisha to be friends too, since she and Aisha were so close themselves. So he had stayed…mistake number one.

  A series of whoops and catcalls had gotten his attention, and he turned to see Aisha come into the room, or rather, being carried into the room on the shoulders of muscular young men, and he had been surprised to find himself a little jealous of them.

  Standing there nursing his drink, he had been unable to tear his eyes away from her. She had looked amazing, wearing a sexy, long gold d
ress that exposed more skin than it covered, the golden color seeming to bring out the richness of her chocolate skin. When one of the young men carrying her ran his hand up her exposed leg, he wanted to go and snatch her down and tell her to start acting like a proper lady.

  “She looks terrific, doesn’t she?”

  Startled, he had looked down to see Jenny smiling up at him.

  Returning her smile he had wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close, kissing her brow. “She looks alright, I guess. But you, in my eyes, are the amazing one. This was really nice of you too, throwing this party for her, she’s really lucky to have a true friend like you,” he had said, taking another sip of the Purple Jesus he had in his hand.

  She had looked at him, a strange look crossing her features, then had turned her attention back to Aisha, who was dancing with one of the heavily muscled, oiled football players. “I think I’m the one who’s lucky.” she had said. “And to have your love too, I‘m just about the luckiest girl on campus.”

  She had stood on tiptoe and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek, then went to Aisha.

  He had watched as the two embraced, like he had seen them do many times before. Aisha had stepped away from her and pulled the large crown from her head, gently placing it on Jenny’s head as she announced to the room full of drunken partygoers, “This is the true queen, my best friend, my sister.”

  As everyone applauded Jenny had turned beet red. She had told him later it was because she was unused to so much attention, especially when Aisha was around.

  Later that night Jenny had approached him and offered him a drink. He waved his hand, as he was feeling pretty buzzed by that point, and had known it was time to slow down.

  “Where’s Aisha?” she had asked as she looked around the room. She expressed her concern about her being a bit tipsy, not wanting to leave her alone with a bunch of equally drunk guys.

  He had given her a bored look and shrugged, “Last time I saw her she was hanging off one of those half-naked buffoons.”

  She had given him another strange look, then a small, sad smile and said, “Oh, I bet you wish you were one of those half-naked buffoons with your hands all over her.”

  He had flushed and started to defend himself when she covered her mouth and giggled, “Oh, I was just teasing you, big baby. Can’t you take a joke?”

  He hadn’t liked the way the conversation was going, and tried to blow it off by saying, “Pleeeeease, I don’t see what everyone sees in her anyway.” Well, besides her personality, beauty, and great body …he had thought woozily, instantly ashamed of himself. One look at Jenny had told him she was amused, but wasn’t buying his bullshit.

  She had crossed her arms over her chest and teased, “Oh come on! I bet if you wasn’t madly in love with me you would be after her too.”

  He had flushed red again, flustered, but afraid to try to match wits with her in his inebriated condition.

  “I just saw some girls from my study group come in, I invited them. I’m gonna’ go welcome them. Be a sweetheart and go make sure Aisha is alright. I don’t see her anywhere.” she said, looking around the room with a puzzled look on her face, as she hurried off.

  Grateful that he had been let off the hook, he started to look around for her. Not seeing her anywhere inside he asked one of the guys he had seen her dancing with if he knew where she had went.

  “Last I saw her she was headed that way.“ the guy answered, pointing in the direction of the backyard.

  Stepping outside he had taken a deep breath, grateful to be away from all the cigarette smoke. Looking around he had spotted her in the distance, lounging on a wooden bench in the gazebo. He had frowned, wondering what the hell was wrong with her, and a little disturbed at her lack of common sense. It wasn’t uncommon for a girl to be attacked on campus around a house full of drunken guys, and it was insane for a girl to isolate herself under the same circumstances also. Stepping forward, he had made his way towards her.

  As he had gotten closer he thought maybe she was waiting for someone, and wondered why that bothered him even more. Too bad if she’s waiting for someone, Jenny asked me to make sure she’s Ok, so that’s what I’m doing…he had thought to himself.

  He made his way to the doorway of the wooden structure, resting his large frame against it. He had stood in silence, watching her, with a funny feeling in his stomach. Her eyes had been closed, a faint smile on her lips, and he couldn’t get enough of the sight of her. I SHOULD just tell her to go back to the house because Jenny is worried about her…his better judgment had told him, but he had just stood there instead.

  She had looked so beautiful that night, and sitting there in that dress she had reminded him of the wood nymphs his father used to tell him about when he was young. The perpetually young, ever lovely sprite that had even attracted the attention of the mighty Zeus, so much so he risked his wife Hera’s wrath to be with.

  Stunned by his thoughts once again he had tried to become angry with himself. He was actually standing there watching and practically drooling over Jenny’s best friend, and he knew he was in love with Jenny too. It had been very confusing for him at the time. When that tactic didn’t work he had reminded himself that he and the lovely vision before him were from two completely different worlds. At the time he had had no idea what her past had really been like, and had always assumed she came from some black version of a “Leave It To Beaver” family.

  She had then crossed one dark leg over the other, exposing much more skin than she would have ever dreamed of, had she known she had a secret audience.

  Mesmerized by her lovely skin tone, long, shapely legs, and the barest glimpse of her silky pink panties, his breath had became erratic, and his vision swam. He had shook his head, hard, in order to clear his thoughts, knowing the best thing to do would be doing as Jenny had asked, and get the hell away from the predicament. Clearing his throat tactfully, he had said, “Uhhh, you alright?”

  Startled, she had looked up to see him, immediately pulling her dress back in place over her legs self-consciously. “Yes, yes, I was feeling a little buzzed and thought I should get some air. Guess I got carried away celebrating my coronation. I’m surprised you came to the party.”

  Unable to answer, he had instead been drawn to her like a moth to a flame. Before he knew what was happening, he had stepped in and sat next to her, wondering what he should say. They had never talked, alone , and usually when he was around she had always been breezing out the door with some guy trailing behind her. He had began babbling about not wanting to miss seeing her crowned Queen, about knowing she would win, and something about snotty sorority girls getting their comeuppance. He had blushed when she had asked him if he had felt she would win. He had admitted that he had.

  She had boldly started flirting with him, and that was all it had took.

  Unable to control himself any longer, he had leaned close to her, the faint scent of musk from her skin more intoxicating than all the drinks he had that night combined. When his lips touched hers he had felt his heart flutter. Hungrily, he had devoured her mouth for a moment, and she returned it with equal ferocity. He had felt his member growing to an almost painful erection in a matter of seconds.

  A sound, like a small animal rustling through the leaves in nearby bushes had startled both of them and broken the spell. One moment they were kissing, the next moment scrambling apart, looking at each other wildly. There had been a look of guilty panic on her features, and he knew he had the same look.

  Before he had been able to say anything she had took off like a fox that had been caught in a chicken coop. He had sat on the bench, sick to his stomach at the thought of what he had done to Jenny. He was also angrier with himself than he had ever been, because deep in his heart he knew that if Aisha came back, he would have done the same thing, wanting to make love to her as well.

  Misty eyed, he had gathered his courage and trudged back to the cottage to face them both. He had convinced himself that A
isha was there spilling her guts to Jenny, they were that close. He had also wanted to beg Jenny’s forgiveness, tell her it had been a terrible mistake, a one-time thing. That he couldn’t lose her. He had always scoffed at the notion that a man or woman could fall for two different people at the same time, but the nights’ experience had made a believer out of him.

  He had been shocked to find Jenny in a good mood, unable to believe Aisha had said nothing to her. There had been no sign of her anywhere in the room, as a matter of fact.