I hope not.
He releases me and looks carefully at me.
“Your makeup is a mess,” he exclaims.
“I just washed my face,” I offer, “I guess that I didn’t do a good job.”
“No matter,” he says, “I love you even with messy makeup.”
We laugh but mine is a bit forced.
Does he notice?
I hope not.
“What about dinner,” he says, “I’m hungry, it’s my turn to cook, isn’t it.”
What’s he been doing that makes him so hungry, I wonder.
Do I care?
Yes, I care very much…
“Yes, I think that it is,” I confirm.
“Okay, let’s go to my place.”
He takes me by the hand and leads me down the hall.
He opens the door and stands aside to let me enter. He follows me and after shutting the door goes to his refrigerator while sit on the couch.
“Not much in here,” he admits, “want to get a pizza?”
“That’s fine,” I answer, not really caring if I ever eat again.
Brad picks up the phone and getting the number from a list on the wall dials the nearest pizzeria.
“What do you want on it,” he asks while waiting for them to answer, “pepperoni and mushrooms?”
I nod in agreement and he places the order.
“Twenty minutes,” he says and sets the table, “Coke?”
I nod again and he gets out the cans and glasses.
While we wait Brad goes into his bedroom to change. Alone with my thoughts I just sit on the couch.
I am so confused…
The pizza arrives well within the promised twenty minutes and we sit down to eat. I realize that I’m hungry and quickly eat two slices. Brad is hungry too and we eat in silence.
We only eat half so the rest will be dinner another night. Brad carefully wraps the remaining slices in aluminum foil and puts them in the refrigerator. He refills our glasses and brings them to the couch where I have retreated. He sits next to me and puts his arm around me.
“What’s the matter,” he asks, “you’re very quiet tonight.”
“just tired,” I say and fake a yawn.
“Early to bed tonight,” he announces and pulls me to him for a kiss.
I don’t resist and as we kiss I feel his hand slide under my blouse and release my bra. I don’t resist that either and soon we are both naked and he is in me.
Despite my reservations I enjoy the sex and try to forget what I saw but I really can’t. What did they do after they left the restaurant. Did he bring her here? When we came in I looked in the bedroom. The bed wasn’t messed and looked the same as when we left this morning.
Did they go to her place? Or a hotel? Or just in his car? Or nothing?
Do I care?
Yes, I care very much.
Chapter Fifteen
We wake and it’s Saturday. I pretend to be still sleeping when I feel Brad get up. He spends a few minutes in the bathroom then goes into the kitchen to prepare breakfast.
As I lay there I wonder was yesterday just another dream? No, I decide sadly, it wasn’t and I start to tear up. I force myself to stop and I wipe my eyes.
Eggs benedict again. If we’re in his apartment he makes breakfast, his choice which is always the same, eggs benedict. If we’re in my apartment I make breakfast, pancakes with butter and real maple syrup.
I can’t fake it any longer so I reluctantly get up. I do my morning ritual in the bathroom then throw on a robe and join him in the kitchen.
He takes me in his arms and we exchange passionate kisses. My heart isn’t really in it but his arms around me feel wonderful and I relax and enjoy his lips on mine. From the way he kisses me and holds me I can’t believe that there is someone else. There can’t be, there mustn’t be, and I hold him tighter.
We eat and clean up and Brad goes in to take a shower. Feeling like a sneak thief I look around his living room and bedroom for any signs of another woman but except for the pictures of his mother and father I can find no evidence of betrayal.
Brad finishes and it’s my turn in the shower. When I’m done I open the bathroom door to find him lying naked on the bed.
The invitation is unmistakable and I join him.
He pulls me so that I am lying on him, my pussy lightly rubbing his cock. He hardens immediately and he pulls my head down to a long kiss. His fingers find my nipples and they harden at his touch.
Oh Brad, what have you done, I love you so much!
I spread my legs so that his fully erect cock is rubbing my lips. He becomes even more excited and makes his usual animal noises. I reach down and while raising my hips take his cock and slide it into me. It’s a different sensation that what I am used to and I cry out.
He puts his hands on my ass and holds me in place while he pumps his hips, moving his cock in and out. He manages to move his head so he can lick and suck my nipples at the same time.
I’m excited beyond belief and reward him with a screaming climax.
He comes too and I can feels him pumping his sperm deep in me.
Oh Brad, what have you done, I love you so much!
I slide off him and we lie there side by side, both of us breathing heavily.
I am satisfied.
What about the woman from yesterday, did he satisfy her too?
I am so confused…
* * *
It’s Saturday and there are chores to do. Laundry, cleaning, and shopping. I get a call from Justine reminding me about dinner tonight. No sexy short revealing dress tonight, she instructs and I quickly agree. She has made dinner reservations and gives me the address and time. I promise to be there and on time and we hang up. I’m looking forward to being with my friends and hope that they have truly accepted a white man in my life.
If there still is…
I’m so confused…
* * *
Brad has to go to the VA this afternoon so I am left alone.
Left alone to think and worry and wonder.
Is he really going to the VA or to meet the other woman?
I have no idea.
Do I care?
Yes, I care very much.
Why?
Because I love him, that’s why.
And I think that he loves me.
At least I hope so.
Oh Brad, what have you done, I love you so much!
* * *
I make my usual trips to and from the laundry and exchange greetings with other neighbors. If they are aware of my relationship with Brad they give no sign. I engage in no conversation with any of them and none attempt conversation with me.
With the laundry done and put away it’s time to go food shopping. Days earlier Brad and I made a joint shopping list which I am now filling. I’m back to shopping for two and I love it.
Oh Brad, what have you done, I love you so much!
Knowing that Brad won’t be back until mid-afternoon at the earliest I grab a quick lunch at the supermarket. As I eat I watch the other shoppers, mostly women with children, some women shopping alone and a very few men either with someone or alone. The couples – husbands and wives I assume – look happy. Ethan and I were like that once, could lightning strike me twice this time with Brad?
I’m so confused…
Am I alone again?
* * *
I return home to see that Brad has not yet returned. I’m tempted to call his cell phone but what would I say?
“Hi honey, just checking up on you.”
No, that’s not my style, I didn’t do it with Ethan and I certainly won’t do it now with Brad.
We have exchanged keys so I stock both refrigerators and cupboards . Having nothing better to do I begin to get ready for my dinner with the Coven.
Are they still the Coven or have their magic spells worked and they can put their cauldron away? I hope so, I really and truly do.
I lay out a nice pair of tailored ta
n slacks and a powder blue button front shirt. Shoes will be black loafers, jewelry a plain gold cross on a fine gold chain. Diamond earrings, a wedding present from a long-deceased aunt in my ears is my final touch.
I avoid the fancy perfume that I wore to the club in favor of a very light scent that I usually wear to work. A little makeup and a quick brush through my hair and I am ready.
It’s just past three o’clock, our dinner reservations are for six so I decide to sit and read for a while. At four Brad walks in looking completely drained. I rise and give him a hug and kiss.
“Tough day,” I ask.
“A difficult group,” he sighs.
He tells me about a group of Afghanistan veterans who are having a tough time adjusting back into civilian life.
“That was me once,” he confesses, “I’ll never forget the people who got me through it.”
“And that’s why you do it now?”
“Yes. It takes someone who has been there to really understand,” he says and there are tears in his eyes.
I can’t imagine what he has seen or what he has been through.
Oh Brad, what have you done, I love you so much!
He gives me another quick kiss and slouches off to the bedroom.
“I’m going to shower,” he calls out over his shoulder and presently I hear the water running. It runs for a long time and I know that he’s using the hot water streaming down his body as therapy.
It stops and after he dries himself he dons his robe and comes out.
“Honey, if you don’t mind I’m going to take a short nap,” he says. He really is drained.
“Sure,” I say, almost disappointed that he hasn’t asked me to join him, “I’m leaving soon anyway.”
“That’s right, I forgot about your dinner,” he walks over to give me a hug and a kiss, “have a good time,” and he retreats to the bedroom.
I read for a little while longer and then it’s time for the Uber to arrive.
I take a quick peek into the bedroom and see Brad sprawled out on the bed fast asleep. I cover him with a light blanket and kiss his cheek. He doesn’t stir, he’s really exhausted.
Oh Brad, what have you done, I love you so much!
* * *
The Uber arrives exactly on time and we drive to the restaurant. I am crouched nervously in the back seat, mixed emotions flooding over me. I really want to be with my friends, I love them very much, but I am also terrified of what they might say or worse how they might act towards me. Am I a traitor to my race in their eyes? Will my fears of having to choose between their friendship and my happiness be realized? What will I do? What should I do? Does Brad really love me?
I’m so confused…
We arrive and they are waiting for me. They are all smiling and we hug as usual. Gloria, the most upset at the sight of the interracial couple at the club, is the first to speak.
“Honey, I’m so happy for you. I can’t wait to meet him,” she says, the excitement in her voice unmistakable.
The same words and emotions come from April and Janice and I can tell that they are sincere. I am happy beyond belief.
We go into the restaurant and are immediately seated. We order drinks and I start to look at the menu but it is snatched away from me and I look up to see the smiling faces of my inquisitors.
“So tell us about him,” they all say in unison, “do you have a picture?”
I tell them what I can and as I do I realize how little I actually know about him. I tell them about his army career, that he has been in combat, that he’s been wounded, that he has no family to speak of.
But most importantly I tell them that he is a wonderful, caring man and that I love him.
They are all smiles and I see a few tears in their eyes. I guess they approve.
“When will we meet him?” someone asks.
“Soon,” Janice answers, “Maurice wants to have a barbecue for all of us.”
Maurice is Janice’s husband. A big jolly man who adores Janice and their kids, his favorite pastime is standing in front of his huge grill wearing full chef’s regalia cooking up a storm. Any excuse for a party and he’s found one, Brad and me. I receive orders to talk with Brad and set a date.
That settled I am allowed to look at the menu and we order.
The dinner is wonderful. My friends are still my friends and I love them even more. They stood by me in my divorce and they are still with me now. It’s wonderful.
We finish dinner and after the usual round of hugs and kisses outside the restaurant Janice drives me home.
I walk into my apartment to find Brad, fully dressed, sitting on the couch reading a newspaper. He immediately stands and walks to me. He takes me in his arms and greets me with a passionate kiss which I return.
“How was your dinner,” he asks. He knows what I feared from my friends and he was concerned too.
“Fine,” I tell him smiling, “everything is just fine,” and I can see that he is relieved too.
* * *
Another Sunday arrives. I wake first and since we’re in my apartment I make the breakfast. I get up and perform my usual bathroom routine. When I come out Brad is awake too and he stands to take me by the hand and lead me back to bed. We didn’t make love the night before but he intends that we should make up for it this morning. My spirit is a bit uncertain but my flesh is eager so we return to bed.
He quickly strips off his shorts and slides my nightgown up to expose my pussy. Moving me onto my back he spreads my legs so that his tongue can find my clit. He begins to lick me while his hand slides under my nightgown to find a nipple. The combination of his massaging my nipple and his tongue licking my clit instantly arouses me and I moan and arch my hips to meet his tongue.
I feel myself beginning to climax and I push him off me and move my head down to find his cock. It is already erect and I take it in my mouth. It hardens even more and I hear him making his noises. I continue to suck and lick him until he is near climax. He pushes me onto my back once more and slips his cock deep in me while also sucking and licking my nipple.
That does it for me and I climax screaming loudly.
My orgasm lasts and lasts and Brad continues his rapid stroking in my pussy.
Eventually I stop and Brad collapses on me kissing me passionately. I put my arms around him pulling his cock even deeper in me. We lay like that until I feel him slipping out of me.
We roll onto our sides and just lay there in post-coital bliss.
I feel Brad move and know that he is getting hard again. He rolls me on my stomach and pulls me to my knees. He moves behind me and puts his cock into my waiting pussy. He moves his hands around me and while playing with both nipples slides his cock in and out. The sensation is magnificent. I feel myself nearing another climax but I am enjoying this so much that I force myself to hold back. I can but not for long and I have another screaming climax. I want to collapse but Brad’s strong arms hold me up and he continues to fuck me. I climax again and as I do I feel Brad come inside me. We both collapse in near exhaustion.
We lie there facing each other for a while then Brad raises his head and looks at me.
“I’m hungry,” he exclaims and I know that’s my hint to make breakfast. I get up and after another trip to the bathroom put on my robe and slippers and go to the kitchen.
“Pancakes coming up,” I announce as I walk out of the bedroom.
* * *
During breakfast we noticed that it was raining and the forecast was for rain all day. We decided to stay in. Brad went to his apartment to use his computer to catch up on some work and me to the couch to read.
But I couldn’t get the blonde woman out of my mind. Who is she? What does she mean to Brad? Does he really love me or am I to be just another trophy on his dresser? We are so good together in and out of bed.
I’m so confused…
Oh Brad, what have you done, I love you so much!
Chapter Sixteen
It’s Wednesday, hump day,
the middle of the work week. Three pm and I’m sitting at my desk enjoying a cup of coffee when my cell phone rings. It’s Brad calling, and I immediately start to worry. He never calls me at work, what’s wrong? I answer eagerly and scared.
“Hi honey, it’s Brad, he says unnecessarily.
“Brad, is everything okay?” I ask anxiously.
“Oh sure,” he says casually, “say, can you get off work a bit early today?”
“I guess so,” I say relieved, “why?”
“We’re going out to dinner. I want you to meet someone.”
“Okay,” I reply puzzled but before I can ask anything else he is gone.”
I’m tempted to call him back but don’t so I spend the rest of the afternoon just wondering. He didn’t sound at all concerned, I just assume that it’s got to do with work, someone he wants me to impress. A black client maybe?
I drive home a bit early and find him anxiously waiting for me. He’s all dressed up in his best suit so I take the hint and change into one of my better dresses. He refuses all my questions about who we are meeting but just takes me to a nice restaurant. He has made reservations and we are immediately seated at a table set for three people and we wait. Brad is nervous as a cat meeting a dog but refuses all conversation.
Presently he is aware of someone coming in and stands. I look to see who has gotten his attention and see her, the blonde from lunch. Brad waves and she walks over.
Honey this is my cousin Valerie, Val this is Tonya.
Val walks over to me and opens her arms to hug me. I’m surprised and totally speechless but stand and allow her to embrace me.
“I’m so glad to meet you,” she says, “Brad has told me so much about you.”
“It’s nice to meet you too,” I mumble and just stare at Brad. He is smiling like a Cheshire cat.
“The two women that I love the most finally meet,” he says and I am relieved beyond belief. The girl he grew up with, the sister he never had, the woman who supported him when his fiancé deserted him is the woman I feared had stolen him from me was now embracing me and accepting me.
Oh Brad, what have you done, I love you so much!
Love Thy Neighbor Page 6