by Pat Simmons
She squinted as she leaned closer because of the drummer's beat. "Now, I don't want you to talk shop with me. You're supposed to hold me, and if I cry, wipe away my tears and tell me you can make it better."
"Unfortunately, in this instance, I can't make it better. I'm licensed and so is my company. We can't make figures appear and expenses disappear like magic." He snapped his fingers.
"Well, I can."
"Baby?" Malcolm reached out to draw her closer, but Lisa wouldn't budge.
"Not now, Malcolm," she whispered. "I've been known to curse like a sailor's twin brother when I'm upset. Once I say it, I won't take it back. Apologizing has never been my strong point. Please, take me home."
Their date ended forty-five minutes later at Lisa's front door. She hurled some profanities in the air before shutting the door in his face. Stuffing his hands in his pants pockets, Malcolm wondered if their relationship was cursed.
Chapter Twenty
Monday morning, Hallison walked into her office, humming to "We Shall Behold Him", one of the choir's selections on Sunday. Pastor Scott took his sermon from Romans 8:28: And we know that all things work together for the good to them that love the Lord and who are called according to his purpose.
Shifting in her chair behind her desk, Hallison kicked off her shoes from her latest Chadwick's catalog. She praised God for reminding her of His promises. She was about to indulge in a mini-concert of worship behind closed doors when Paula almost skipped into her office without knocking. Although Paula was a full-figured sister, it was her four-inch heels that concerned Hallison. She didn't want to contend with completing a workman's comp claim.
"Why do you and Ursula barge into my office?" Hallison asked dryly, hoping Paula would find a seat soon.
"I checked with Gloria," Paula practically sang, "So..." She flopped in a chair much to Hallison's relief and glided beautiful, manicured nails across Hallison's desk. "What do you think of Emmanuel? I don't have much time."
"First, you interrupt me, and now you're rushing me?" Hallison stalled to irritate Paula. "Okay, besides being a sanctified version of sexy, he seems nice and infatuated with you. So, how was your weekend?" Hallison asked as she booted up her computer. "Did you know he was White?"
"With a voice like his? When he made his appearance in the café, I stopped thinking and started appreciating."
"Well, we know that is an understatement."
Paula smiled. "He's not all White. He's mixed."
"And so is all of America," Hallison joked. "Regardless of his race, I'm happy for you. If there was a mutual attraction between a good-looking man of another race and me, I'd be willing to explore it, too. Even Moses had an Ethiopian wife despite some grumblings."
"It's something about blind dating on the phone. Your feelings are already rooted before looking into each other's eyes. Emmanuel does have beautiful eyes, by the way. We went out to breakfast Saturday morning, played Bible trivia at his friend's house that night, attended his church yesterday morning, and ate dinner together last night." Paula closed her eyes and sighed as if she'd forgotten she was in Hallison's office.
Hallison picked up a pen and played with it. She couldn't relate. She had to know what a man looked like before she opened her door for a date. How else could she visualize his expressions behind the words he professed?
"Hali, I'm glad you said you're willing to explore a relationship based on attraction. What do you think of Emmanuel's brother, Trey? He appeared very enthralled with you. Who knows? This could turn out to be a double blessing." Paula's eyes sparkled.
"Ah, don't you have a manager's meeting in..." Hallison checked her watch. "In fifteen minutes? I think you should prepare for that instead of starting a matchmaking service after one date with Emmanuel."
"I always have time for my dear sister, and technically, if you count Saturday's breakfast and dinner, Sunday's worship and dinner, that's four dates." A grin stretched across Paula's face.
"You've been unattached a year longer than me. It was your time for a blessing. Me, although I may not say it or look it, I have too many left over feelings for Malcolm."
"Get over it because Trey asked for your number, and I gave it to him." Paula shrugged. "Your work number, of course."
"You did what?" Hallison shot out her chair, snagging her pantyhose. She hoped she had a spare pair in her emergency box. "Paula, I don't even know this guy. If I could fire you on personal tampering or something, I would. You don't know this brother or Emmanuel really," Hallison fussed as she dropped the pen and stabbed the air with her finger.
Paula shrugged, showing little regard for her friend's fury. "But you will."
Nostrils flaring, Hallison rolled her eyes. She had too much work that needed her attention. Without another word, Paula stood and did a Hallelujah dance. In a Comedy Central moment, Hallison entertained the thought of Paula slipping and landing on her behind as the floor gave her one hard spank. Hallison shook her head. It was a naughty fantasy that she wouldn't want to turn into reality. She loved Paula, up until a minute ago.
Foregoing a break, Hallison's assistant picked up a salad for her at the St. Louis Bread Company. She worked nonstop to prepare insurance option packets for more than two hundred employees. At five minutes before five, she logged off her computer. Standing, Hallison stretched, then pulled open her desk drawer for her purse. That's when her office phone rang. Hallison's shoulders slumped in exhaustion. "Of all days for a late call," she fussed, snatching the phone off the receiver. "Hallison Dinkins, director of human resources."
"Good evening, Hallison. This is Trey Washington from the Missouri Highway Patrol."
She froze, then collapsed in her chair. Her heart pumped wildly before regulating its beat. She wanted to strangle Paula. Trey didn't wait for her to regain her composure.
"I hope you don't mind that I called."
"Well... well, I don't know what I mind right now. I don't know if I should be angry with Paula for giving you my work number or skeptical because you asked for it after meeting for what? At most, thirty minutes." Last Friday when she had stood to leave the cafe, so had Trey. His words had been so comforting.
"Hallison," he had pronounced affectionately, "May God give you a blessed day."
"Amen." It was her standard response when she didn't know what else to say. His voice was confident, kind, and non-threatening, a contrast to his intimidating uniform.
"Let me take the blame for both. You never know, I could be applying for a job. I majored in business with a minor in criminal psychology, and I understand you're the head of the department," he joked. "Unlike my brother, I'd never ask someone else for a woman's home number. I believe in making my intentions known to the intended."
For the first time since Malcolm, Hallison blushed at another man's compliment. She took a deep breath and exhaled. "I do have one question. Are you and Emmanuel really brothers?"
Trey's chuckle was a deep rumble. "Yes. Everybody asks. Once you get to know us, you'll see the similarities.
“We have the same dad, but different mothers. His mom was White and mine is Black. He grew up in a Black household after his mother passed away, so that's where he picked up his Black mannerisms and dialect. Deep down, he's what he is, a White man on the outside with a dash of African American heritage on the inside. He's a good man who loves God and is willing to listen to His voice. I believe he's serious about your friend."
Surprisingly, for the next hour, Hallison loved his conversation. She learned more about Trey than he knew about her. He didn't ask her probing questions, but he didn't wait for her questions, either.
"I'm thirty-five and perfectly settled in the Lord. Let's say, I've found my way. I wasn't always sanctified and walked as if I knew Jesus died and hung on a tree for me," he admitted with a bit of shame. The vulnerability was endearing. After a slight grunt, there was a lull in the conversation.
"Hello, you called me. Did you forget I was still on the other end, at my desk, and rea
dy to go home?" she teased. "Why did you become so quiet?" Hallison really was curious.
"Just thinking about an article I stumbled across on lynching in America a while back. I'm not deep into that part of history, but I recall looking at pictures and becoming incensed over the 1930s lynching of Rubin Stacy and Lint Shaw. I was repulsed, angry, and ready for revenge. Then God spoke to me. 'Where's your reaction for me, my death, and my torture? Are you prepared to avenge my blood against spiritual warfare?' At that moment, I knew I had to repent, refocus, and return to my spiritual roots. The next day, I dragged my older brother to church, and together we walked down the aisle for prayer. Before we left Redemption Ministry Church, we were baptized in Jesus' name. We came out the water rejoicing, not realizing we were speaking in other tongues until we listened to each other and couldn't recognize a phrase. It was a day and an experience I won't forget."
Thinking of Hallison's safety, Trey reluctantly ordered her off the phone so she could make it home before dark. He forced his home and cell numbers on her, but didn't ask for hers, nor did she offer.
By Friday, Trey had phoned her again at work. "You didn't call me."
"No, I didn't. I have relationship baggage. I was a backslider, but now I'm working overtime to catch up on my walk with God. I don't want any distractions. Knowing what God saved me from, I'm determined to ensure that my name is written in the Book of Life."
"Revelation 20, verse 12: And I saw the dead, small and great stand before God and the books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works," he quoted.
Smiling, Hallison was impressed. How can two walk together unless they agree? She thought about the scripture in Amos 3. Suddenly, in the background, static and hurried emergency calls interrupted their conversation. "Where are you? I hope you're not talking and driving. That's not a good example for teenagers," she teased, and it felt good doing it.
"Guilty. I'm about to end my shift. Listen, Hallison, I want you to know that I'm strong mentally, physically, and spiritually. If you ever decide you want to let go of that baggage, I'm strong enough to carry it."
There was no doubt of the sincerity in his words. "Amen. Trey, let's be friends for right now." She needed to play it safe.
Chapter Twenty-one
“Is there something you want to tell me?" Cheney queried her friend over the phone.
"Nope, not really. Not yet anyway," Hallison said with a smile. She had briefly spoken to her mother, who Hallison suspected thought a man was behind Hallison's carefree disposition. If Addison and her church group hadn't been on their way to an afternoon stage production, the conversation would've been, at the minimum, an hour.
With her legs hanging over one arm of her living room sofa, Hallison scooted farther down until her head rested on a large throw pillow. Soft jazz floated from a kitchen radio. "How did you know you were truly over your ex? CliffsNotes only, please."
Cheney laughed, then exhaled. "You just know when that man fills up your heart. But hey, I'm on my way out to my doctor's appointment. When I get back, you better be near your cordless, land line, or cell phone." Click.
She beamed and stared at the ceiling. Was she actually close to getting over Malcolm? Hallison grabbed the remote and pointed at her TV. She didn't care what was on.
As she channel surfed, Malcolm's light-skinned, bearded face flashed in her mind instead of Trey's dark brown, clean-cut face and shoulder-length dreads. Hallison stopped smiling, wondering how Malcolm was doing. Did they really love each other as they had professed? Could she really get over her first love, and how long would it take? Somehow, she felt God was going to answer those questions soon.
Hallison stalled for time as she waited for Cheney to call her back. She called Octavia who was at another doll exhibition, this time in Dallas. "I'm in doll heaven. I'll call you back tomorrow," Octavia had said without saying goodbye.
Amused, Hallison grinned at Octavia's obsession. She considered calling Tammy or Faye, but each had a history of being long-winded and Hallison wouldn't be able to get rid of them. They would be like sharks on a trail of blood. Bored, she decided to drive to the library and try some more digging into the Palmers' genealogy. Standing, Hallison walked into her bedroom to change clothes. As she brushed her hair, the phone rang.
"Hi, Hallison. This is Trey. Were you busy?"
Two days earlier, the trooper had finally chiseled away at her resistance and she surrendered her cell number. Still, Hallison was surprised to hear from him. "I was going to run some errands."
"Would you like comp—"
Her phone beeped. "Hold on." She read the caller ID and clicked over to accept Cheney's returned call. Perfect timing. "Yes, Mrs. Jamieson?" Hallison cooed.
"Don't 'yes, Mrs. Jamieson' me. Start talking."
"Okay, hold on." She switched back to Trey. "I need to take this call." He accepted her excuse without question. After disconnecting Trey, she returned to Cheney. "All right, no questions. I want to listen."
"Okay. Larry was my first love. Because of my feelings for him, he had a stronghold on my heart. If Larry had said jump, not only would I have asked how high, but how many times should I jump to prove my love. I was a fool. As I look back now, I realize I wasn't in love. Larry was my lust who I'd followed behind like a zombie. Girl, I was strung out on some serious Larry addiction." Cheney sighed. "Sadly, I had to go through that to find my prince in Parke. I'm not angry anymore, and I'm happy. What a blessing."
With Cheney's words ringing in her head, Hallison took that as a sign to allow a friendship with Trey to proceed. Days later, they shared, tasted, and compared various St. Louis frozen custards at Iggys, Fritz's, and Ted Drewes after church. They became inseparable outside of work. Trey invited her to Bible classes at his church and Hallison accepted. When they couldn't get together, a phone call was the next best thing. One Saturday morning, Hallison had already spoken with Trey when Paula called.
"Do you think you can squeeze Emmanuel and me in for a double date?" she joked.
Laughing carefree, Hallison played along. "Let me check our schedule."
"Yeah, right. I told you God may have had a double blessing. Emmanuel not only fills my emptiness, but stimulates my spiritual awareness in Christ."
"Ooh," Hallison said, sucking in her breath. "I'm not prepared to say all that, yet. I do admit we're enjoying each other's company, though. Trey is such a sweetheart."
"Good, because Emmanuel and I are challenging you and Trey to a skate-a-thon, and before you give me some lame excuse about checking schedules, Emmanuel already talked to Trey this morning. The first couple who lands on the floor buys the other dinner."
"Bet." Hallison couldn't get enough of the sport when she was a teenager. Skating had been a weekend staple with Faye and Tammy.
Hours later, Trey treated her to a new pair of skates when she couldn't fit her old ones. "They were on sale," he said, shrugging. "My mama always told my dad, 'you can't beat a sale.'"
When she tried to pay him, Trey shook his head. His dreads bounced on his shoulders. "Don't insult me." His stare dared her to blink.
"I won't. Thank you." Hallison couldn't believe she had accepted a pricey gift from a guy she wasn't dating. Maybe they were dating, and she hadn't labeled it. Trey had crept into her life without her putting up much of a fight. He had proved to be more than a good listener. She actually liked his company.
Once the couples met at Skate King, on the city's north side, the competition was on. To the women's surprise, the brothers put on a show, with Emmanuel steering Trey to the wall where he lost his balance. In the end, Trey and Hallison were the losers and paid for dinner at Qdoba, a Mexican grill.
The following week, Hallison's phone rang as she finished her last five seconds on the treadmill. "Hello." She pulled the hand towel from around her neck and wiped her face.
"Hi. Good morning," Trey struggled to
say.
"What's wrong?" She panicked.
"Tired. I've worked a long shift, thanks to two brothers who decided to take up cooking lessons and start with a meth lab as their first experiment. It goes to show you why Jefferson County is considered tops for drug busts in the nation. The house exploded, and the men suffered second degree burns. Thank God the five children who lived there weren't hurt. When I left, the Hazmat crew was still on the scene. I'm beat, but I wanted to talk to you."
Flattered, Hallison smiled. "Ah, poor baby," she teased. "I'd better let you get some sleep."
"What are you planning to do today?" he slurred.
"Shop."
"Will you wait for me? I only need a few hours of sleep."
"You're kidding. Isn't that unmanly or something?" Hallison joked, but instantly she wanted to snatch back the statement. She and Malcolm didn't have limits on what they could enjoy together. "Ah, don't worry about it; I might not buy anything."
"Hali," Trey's husky voice whispered, "I don't care if you go shopping or not. I'm interested in everything about you. I'm asking you to wait for me for a few hours to get some sleep."
It was the first time he called her by her nickname. Trey Washington was endearing. "Yes. I'll wait."
"Thank you." He disconnected without saying goodbye.
Hallison closed her eyes. "Lord, if this is you, please let me know... please." She sat motionless, waiting to see if God would stir. When He didn't, she used the reprieve to study God's Word, which she hadn't done in a few days. After reading several passages from the Old Testament and making notes, she prayed and checked her watch. Trey hadn't phoned, which meant he was deep in sleep.
Briefly, her mind drifted. It was routine for Hallison to show up at Parke and Cheney's house unannounced. That routine ended after seeing Malcolm there with his new girlfriend. Old insecurities about her decision resurfaced. Hallison jumped when the phone rang. She checked the caller ID and recognized Cheney's number. "I was just thinking about you."