The Last Chance

by Darrien Lee

  “That’s deep. It sounds like he’s been planning this for a while. Why didn’t you tell me he’d proposed to you?”

  She lowered her head and said, “Because I was never going to marry him, so there was no need to tell you. I didn’t come home early to be with Michael. I came home early because I needed to talk to you about something very important.”

  He looked over at her and asked, “What’s on your mind?”

  Keilah sighed as she reached over and took his hand. “I’ve been having these thoughts and feelings about me and you, and the only way I can explain it is that you mean much more to me than a friend.”

  Ramsey couldn’t believe his ears. Could Keilah be confessing what he’d planned to confess to her?

  “What are you saying, Keilah?”

  She let out a breath and gave his hand a tender squeeze. “The heart doesn’t lie. I came back to D.C. early to break up with Michael before he went to Iraq. He was moving so fast, and the feelings I had for him weren’t nearly as strong as the feelings he proclaimed he had for me.”

  Ramsey’s felt like his heart was skipping a beat. He couldn’t do anything but stare at Keilah. Could it be that his wildest dreams were about to come true? He would just have to sit here and let her finish talking before he would know.

  Keilah took a deep breath and said, “Whew. This is so hard for me, Ramsey.”

  “Take your time, Keilah,” he coached her. “You’re doing just fine.”

  “OK, but just bear with me and wait until I finish before you say anything.”

  “I can do that,” he replied with a smile.

  Keilah caressed his hand and said, “What I’m trying to say, Ramsey, is that when I’m with you, my heart feels like it’s about to burst out of my chest. Just hearing your voice causes me to shiver, and I think about you day and night. I didn’t have that with Michael, and because I know your stance on love and being in a committed relationship I tried to make Michael be the one for me, but I wasn’t happy. You make me happy, and you make me feel all the things a woman is supposed to feel. I love you, Ramsey, I’m sure of it, and I knew I couldn’t let another day pass without me telling you how I feel about you. I don’t expect you to say or do anything and I don’t want to make you feel awkward. I’m telling you for me. I’m not trying to interfere with your lifestyle or come between you and your lady friends. I’m doing it to clear my conscience and my heart.”

  Ramsey stared at her in disbelief. He cleared his throat and asked, “Are you finished?”

  She nodded in silence. Ramsey then reached over, cupped her face and gave her a hot, passionate kiss. He’d kissed her before but never like this. It was as if the floodgates had been let open and waves of emotion poured in over both of them. Keilah’s body felt like she had jolts of electricity flowing through it, causing her to melt at the touch of his hands. Ramsey was in heaven and feeling Keilah’s soft body against his sent him into a heated frenzy. Kissing her felt natural and right and his body told what he couldn’t deny. Breathlessly, Keilah asked, “I take it that you’re OK with what I said?”

  He stopped kissing her only to say, “You only said what I was planning on telling you. You just beat me to the punch, as usual, Miss Chance.”

  Keilah closed her eyes and lay back on the sofa as Ramsey trailed kisses from her lips down to her navel. She writhed beneath him as he kissed his way back up to her lips. He whispered, “I love you, Keilah. I’ve loved you for several months, but I didn’t know how to tell you.”

  “Really?” she asked.

  “Really,” he replied. “After you hooked up with Michael, I didn’t want to cause any problems. It wasn’t until it appeared that you guys were getting more serious that I decided I needed to come clean and tell you how I feel.”

  “Liar,” she joked.

  “You think?” he asked. “Remember that job offer I told you about while you were in California and new position I told you that you would be perfect for?”

  “Yes,” she said softly as she caressed his face.

  “Well, the new job offer was you being my wife and the position ... well, that’s something I’ll have to show you later.”

  Keilah lay there in disbelief. “I’m shocked, Ramsey. I had no idea.”

  With a smirk on his face he said, “You should’ve known by the way I looked at you, kissed you, and made love to you.”

  “It crossed my mind a couple of times, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up because you were so adamant about staying single. Besides, the reason we hooked up in the first place was for physical reasons only, remember?”

  He kissed her softly on the neck and said, “I remember. I told you it would backfire on us.”

  She blushed and said, “In a good way, though, right?”

  He smiled, lifted her top, lowered his head and took her brown nipple into his mouth. Keilah let a soft moan escape her lips. Her lower region throbbed as he feasted on her voluptuous mounds. He finally raised his head and smiled. “No, this backfired on us in a perfect way. I love you, Keilah. I know it’s love because I’ve never felt like this before. So are you going to accept my job offer or not?”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and ran her tongue across his lips before covering his lips with hers. Ramsey’s body stiffened as he sucked in a breath. Keilah nuzzled her face against his neck and asked, “What does that tell you?”

  “It tells me we need to take this upstairs,” he answered.

  Keilah could feel the evidence of his love and desire as he lay on top of her. “Lead the way, baby. I’m all yours.”

  He stood and pulled her up off the sofa. They disappeared upstairs, where Ramsey showed Keilah the new position he’d mentioned to her moments earlier. The couple made love and sealed their union and were not to be seen again until the following morning. Ramsey and Keilah chose this day to go take HIV tests before going in to their office. The results of the tests were now in God’s hands.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  As soon as Ramsey and Keilah settled into their offices for work, Teresa Randolph entered the Stone Chance Protection Agency like a tornado and without an appointment. She charged past Keilah’s secretary and into Keilah’s office, closing the door behind her. Keilah was with a couple of employees, but as soon as she saw the look on Mrs. Randolph’s face she quickly excused them.

  As soon as the employees had exited the room, she shook the older woman’s hand before offering her a seat. “It’s so nice to see you, Mrs. Randolph. How may I help you today?”

  Teresa threw her scarf around her neck and said, “I’ve told you a hundred times to call me Teresa. Now tell me what happened between you and Michael. He’s devastated, and I can’t have him over in Iraq with the state of mind that he’s in. It could put him in a dangerous position.”

  Keilah sighed, not knowing how much information Michael told his aunt. “It’s personal, Mrs. Randolph, and I’d rather not discuss it. I’m sure you can respect my privacy as well as Michael’s. Besides, if you want to know, why don’t you just ask him?”

  “I did, but he refuses to tell me anything. I honestly believe he shot himself in the foot as a cry for help. He’s trying to get attention. Keilah, my nephew and his happiness mean the world to me. He is the son of my only sibling, and when he’s unhappy, I’m unhappy.”

  Keilah looked Teresa directly in the eyes. “I’m sorry, but I can’t help you, Mrs. Randolph. All I can tell you is that things didn’t work out between us, and I wish Michael well.”

  Teresa Randolph stood. “I see you’re just as stubborn as I am. Maybe that’s why I like you so much. I see myself in you.”

  Keilah also stood. “Mrs. Randolph, I’m not trying to be difficult. My relationship with Michael just didn’t work out. The experience hurt me, but it showed me that I’m not the one for him. Don’t worry about Michael, I’m sure he’ll find that special someone for him in little or no time.”

  Teresa tucked her clutch purse under her arm. “Are you sure there’
s no hope for a reconciliation between you two? I was really hoping that you would become a part of our family.”

  Keilah walked her to the door. “I’m sure. Is there anything else I can help you with while you’re here? Is everything working out with your agent?”

  “Yes, everything is going fine, but she’s not as personable as you are,” Teresa revealed.

  “That’s sweet of you to say, Teresa, but I’m sure with time you’ll get used to her.”

  Teresa smiled and said, “Thank you and I wish you well. Please be careful and take care of yourself.”

  “I will, and I appreciate you caring. Give Mr. Randolph and Arhmelia my regards,” Keilah said as she walked Teresa to the elevator.

  “I’ll tell them, and I’m sorry for bursting into your office like a crazy woman.”

  “You’re welcome here anytime, Teresa. Have a great day.”

  She stepped inside the elevator and waved good-bye to Keilah before the doors closed.

  Later that evening, Keilah and Ramsey shared a quiet dinner together. Before he left to go home, he pulled a small box out of his pocket and placed it in her hands.

  Her eyes widened. “What’s this?”

  “It’s nothing, just a little something to let you know how much I care.”

  Keilah smiled, tore into the package, and opened the box. She pulled out what appeared to be a gold necklace. When she held it up, she noticed it had a bull’s-eye symbol on it.

  She couldn’t help but laugh. “I see you’re a comedian now.”

  Ramsey laughed out loud. “When I saw it in a store, I knew I had to have it. I got it after your incident in California.”

  She grabbed one of the pillows off her sofa and threw it at him. “You are so wrong.”

  He threw the pillow back at her. “You’ve been such a target lately. I had to do something to make you laugh.”

  “With this bull’s-eye, I’m going to be more of a target,” she teased as she put the necklace around her neck. She got up and looked at it in the mirror. She turned to him and asked, “How do I look?”

  He walked over and stood behind her so he could see how the necklace looked around her neck. “You look fabulous, as always, but this is your real present.”

  Later that night, as Keilah and Ramsey lay in each other’s arms, Keilah was awakened by the ringing of her telephone.

  “Hello?” she answered in a groggy voice.

  “Keilah, it’s Sabrinia. Have you talked to Luke or any of the guys in the last twenty-four hours?” Trying to gather her senses, Keilah answered, “No. What time is it?”

  “It’s about ten o’clock here,” Sabrinia replied.

  Keilah leaned over and turned on the light next to her bed. Ramsey woke up and asked, “What’s wrong?”

  Keilah was so tuned into Sabrinia she didn’t hear Ramsey. She sat up on the side of the bed and asked, “What’s going on? You sound worried.”

  Ramsey eased out of the bed and made his way into the bathroom. When he returned he sat down beside Keilah and asked again, “What’s wrong?”

  She turned to him and said, “I’m not sure. It’s Sabrinia. Hold on a sec.”

  Keilah listened as Sabrinia continued, “Luke always calls me during the day while he’s at the casino. I haven’t heard from him since about two this afternoon. When I call his cell it goes right into his voice mail. The same goes for Roman, Malachi, and Genesis. The receptionists at the casinos said they all left at different times between four and six. Something’s wrong. I just feel it, Keilah.”

  “Calm down, Sabrinia. Let me see what I can find out. Don’t worry. I’m sure they’re somewhere hanging out and just lost track of time. I’ll call you back.”

  “I hope you’re right, Keilah.”

  Once Keilah hung up, she turned to Ramsey and said, “My brothers are missing. Something’s wrong.”

  “All of them are missing?” Ramsey asked.

  Keilah nodded as she immediately dialed Keytone’s number. It took a few seconds, but he finally answered. “Keilah, I love you and I always look forward to talking to you, but do you have any idea what you just interrupted?”

  “Keytone, I don’t care about you getting your freak on. I need your help.”

  He picked up on the urgency in her voice right away. “What’s wrong?”

  “Have you seen any of my brothers in the last twenty-four hours? Luke’s wife called saying she can’t get in touch with him or any of them.”

  “No, I haven’t. Do you think something’s wrong?” he asked.

  “I have a bad feeling about this. It’s not like all of them to be out of touch with the family, especially Luke. He’s more responsible than that.”

  While Keilah was talking to Keytone, Ramsey took the time to get dressed.

  “I’ll see if I can find them. Sit tight, and I’ll get back to you.”

  Keilah nervously twirled a strand of hair round her finger and said, “Thanks, Keytone.”

  Keytone could hear her voice quivering and could sense she was beyond worried about her brothers. “Is Michael with you? You shouldn’t be alone right now.”

  “No, he’s not with me and don’t expect him to ever be again,” she replied.

  “What happened?”

  “I caught him in bed with a man, so I shot him,” she revealed.

  “You what?” he yelled as he sat up in bed.

  “Don’t worry, he’ll live. I only shot him in the foot, but I felt like killing him,” she confessed.

  “I figured he must still be alive, otherwise you would’ve called me collect from jail.”

  “You’re right. Listen, hurry up and get back to me,” she requested as she glanced over at Ramsey who was putting on his shoes. “You don’t have to worry about me because I’m in very good hands.”

  Keytone chuckled and said, “I don’t know exactly what that means, but I have an idea. Listen, before you go jetting off across the country, sit tight until I get back with you, and try to keep your gun in your holster,” he teased.

  Ramsey looked up and winked at her. He could tell from the one-sided conversation that it wasn’t looking good for Keilah’s brothers and she was going to need his help.

  Before hanging up the telephone with Keytone she told him to be careful.

  Ramsey walked around the bed and hugged Keilah. “It’s going to be OK, babe, don’t worry. Now get dressed. We have a plane to catch.”

  She looked up into his eyes and said, “Thank you.”

  He looked at his watch and said, “I didn’t want to interrupt your conversation with Keytone, but there’s no way we’re going to sit here and wait on news. We’re going out there. Now pack.”

  “I never got a chance to unpack,” she pointed out.

  He grabbed his keys off the nightstand and said, “Good, now hurry up and get dressed.”

  She hurried toward the bathroom and asked, “What about you?”

  “We can stop at my house on the way. It’ll only take me a second to throw a few things in a bag. Hurry up, Keilah.”

  She ran into the bathroom, took a quick shower, and was dressed within thirty minutes. On the way out the door, Ramsey said, “Call Keytone and let him know we’re on our way.”

  It was eleven o’clock in the morning by the time Keilah and Ramsey arrived at LAX airport. Keilah yawned as they made their way down to the baggage claim. Sleep was not an option on the plane because she was so worried about her brothers. Even as she walked through the airport, she continued to try and call their cell phones, but just like before, she only got their voice mail.

  “Still no answer?” Ramsey asked.

  “No,” she replied as she dropped her cell down in her purse. Just as she closed her purse, her cell phone rung. She hurriedly answered it. “Hello?”

  “Don’t hang up, Keilah. It’s me, Michael.”

  “I can’t talk to you right now, Michael. It’s not a good time. Besides, we have nothing left to talk about.”

  Ramsey frowned upon
hearing Michael’s name. He had a lot of nerve calling Keilah under the circumstances. Keilah looked at Ramsey and shook her head in disbelief.

  Michael said, “Look, I didn’t call to bother you. I just wanted to hear your voice. I’m leaving for Iraq in a couple of days and I wanted to apologize to you again for what I did. I needed to make amends with you before I left. It wouldn’t feel right if I didn’t.”

  “As a Christian I have to forgive you, Michael, but everything is too fresh right now for me to even think about what you did to me. I’m dealing with some other issues so like I said, now is not a good time,” she said.

  “I miss you, Keilah Chance. I miss you terribly, and if I could change what happened between us I would,” he replied.

  “I sorry, Michael, but I have to go. Have a safe trip to Iraq and I wish you well, but I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t call me anymore,” she explained.

  At that point the phone line went dead. Keilah didn’t know if it was a bad connection or if Michael had hung up the telephone. At this point, all that mattered to her was finding her brothers safe and sound and starting a new life with Ramsey.

  “What did he want?” Ramsey asked.

  Keilah shook her head and said, “He said he was leaving for Iraq and wanted to apologize.”

  Ramsey frowned and asked, “How did he sound?”

  “What do you mean?” she asked when they reached the turnstile.

  Ramsey grabbed one of their bags off the rotating belt and turned to her. “You know what I mean. Did he sound angry, depressed, or remorseful?”

  Keilah shrugged her shoulders and said, “He sounded a little sad and apologetic, that’s all. He was still talking about how he loved me and stuff like that.”

  Ramsey grabbed another piece of luggage off the turnstile and said, “Maybe being in Iraq will help him. I want to know when he comes back to the States. If he’s still saying he loves you, he could be a little unstable and I don’t want him showing up at the office or your house.”

  Keilah grabbed the last piece of luggage off the turnstile and said, “I guess you’re right.”