Carli's Choice is an online fiction novel/blog series written by S. Gordon, and is about a young woman's journey to becoming an adult. Learning to make her own choices and developing the confidence to do so. She goes through various experiences and ultimately makes a decision that will change the course of her life significantly.
Chapter 1: New friends
Carlethia James stretched sleepily across the backseat of the car. They had driven in from Mandeville and had just arrived at the university campus in Kingston. She was quite happy going to the university in her own parish, Manchester, but her parents insisted that going to a university outside of her home town would be good for building her character and give her good exposure to the hustle and bustle of the capital city --if ever she wanted to move there for work, that is, if she needed to.
Indeed, she was a sheltered child, something her parents made sure was the case, so now their sudden concern about her getting more exposure to different people and things, though commendable, was a bit confusing. She only had two friends, and they were her friends from prep school days till now. Her parents were quite okay with that, until four months ago when her bestie out of her two friends got pregnant. Carlethia stifled a yawn. She wondered what her parents were up to.
Mrs. James, Carlethia's mom, slightly leaned over the front seat and gave her daughter a worried look. "Carli, hun, are you feeling any better?"
Carlethia looked up at her mother. She only called her Carli when she was feeling guilty. Carli sighed. "Mommy, I am ok."
Her father looked over at his daughter and wife and shook his head. He loved these two women but their recent clashes were getting to him.
"Sharon, I'm sure our daughter is quite fine, no need to start an interrogation." He said while carefully parking the family car.
"Carlos," Sharon turned around to face forward. "I am only just asking, nothing more."
He shot her a 'yeah right' look and she swiveled around to look through her passenger side window.
Carlethia sat up and threw off the sweater she had wrapped around her torso. She did feel a bit chilly, maybe she was coming down with something. All of that didn't matter. All that mattered was that she was in a place where she didn't want to be.
Sharon swiftly got out of the parked vehicle and motioned her husband to open the trunk. Walking around the back she gave her daughter 'the eye' and a quick head movement signalling she wanted her to come out of the car and help her. Reluctantly, Carli opened the car door and closed it carefully. Her father wouldn't take kindly to her slamming the door of a car he spent years working towards purchasing.
She took the lighter bag from her mother's hand and headed off in the direction of the dorm. She said nothing to her mother, which got her a deadly stare to her retreating back.
Carlos gently closed his door. "Shar," his name of endearment for her. "I told you this was not a good idea. You know she had her heart set on going to college closer to home."
Sharon angrily tugged the bag behind her. "What did you want me to do? Stay there and let her get pregnant like Simone?" Carlos walked behind her his footsteps light. He used to be an athlete, he did the 200 and 400 metres in his time at high school and when he was at CAST now called UTECH he was a track star. That was where he met Sharon, she was studying Business Administration while he was doing courses in Engineering. He was a country boy, she was from the hills of St. Andrew. He loved a challenge, but there were some days his wife made him wonder if he had made the right decision.
He chuckled to himself watching his wife struggle to haul the bag behind her, though it had wheels attached, there were a lot of clothes and other stuff in there, as if Carli was packing the whole house with her.
Quickly, he came up behind her and took the bag from her. "Allow me," he said, a mocking look on his face. Sharon greeted him with a fiery gaze, recognizing that he was silently laughing at her, she turned her head and picked up her walking pace, a pace which he easily matched. Realising she was now laboring to out walk him, he reached out and gently grabbed her arm.
"Babes!"
She looked up, feeling a twinge of guilt because of the look in his eyes, she sighed. "I'm sorry," she said, then bowed her head slowly. "Am I wrong to protect my daughter?"
Carlos let go of the bag and reached up and touched his wife's face with both hands. "Honey, Carli is not Simone. And Simone is fine. Her parents are helping her through everything. I doubt Simone wanted this situation either, but it is what it is. Sharon we know our daughter, and we know what we taught her. We have to trust that is enough. She is nineteen, we have to trust her."
"You know that Carli and Matthew were dating and he is the reason she doesn't want to come here," Sharon said, looking up at her husband.
Carlos laughed. "Hun, if they want to see each other they will. So I think her being here is no issue. It's because you applied on her behalf and made the arrangements for her application to be accepted. You didn't even tell me! How did you think I felt about it? You could have let me know what you were thinking."
"You would have stopped me!" She moved away from his grasp. "I will not apologize for steering my child in the right way. Both of you will thank me one of these days."
Carlos felt his frustration level rise a little. Trying not to sound too agitated he lowered his voice. "Shar, I am not saying this isn't a great university, all I am saying, you should have spoken to us first, spoken to me."
Sharon begrudgingly saw his point. "Probably... I suppose I could have said something to you."
Carlos smiled. "Come here." He beckoned to her. Sharon went into his loving embrace.
"I'm sorry."
"Mhm." He stroked her hair slowly.
Amusedly, he watched as passersby looked at the two of them. He wondered if they were thinking why these two middle aged folks were embracing on the campus or if they envied them a little.
***
Carlethia found her dorm easily. She and her mom had visited the Hall on the day they went to admissions to pick up her package. She went into her room and placed the bag on the bed closest to the door. There were wooden windows that opened to a nice enough view of some plants and a tree. She was on the ground floor thankfully, she hated walking up and down stairs. She observed there were no bags or anything looking like personal items so she figured she was the first person there.
She began unpacking her bag, trying not to think of her last heated conversation with her mother. Ahh! Too late...
"Mommy, I don't get you. From I was growing up Simone and Nichelee were the only two girls you allowed me to have as friends. I couldn't go anywhere if they weren't going and I had to make sure you spoke to their parents to make sure they were. Why this behaviour now?! Why can't Simone come over here. And what is wrong with Nichie (Nichelee) coming over?"
"Those girls are a bad influence on you." Sharon was folding laundry, her back was to her and she spoke to Carli in that position. That was just like her, whenever Carli confronted her on something, she wouldn't sit down and talk to her. No. Sharon would continue doing whatever she did and never spared a thought at how that made her daughter feel.
"Mommy, how so?" Carli folded her arms across her chest.
Sharon looked up and saw her daughter's reflection in her bedroom mirror. Slowly, she stood up and turned around to face her.
"Your bestie is pregnant and either doesn't know who the father is or won't say. And Nichelee's parents are getting divorced," she said coldly.
"Now we're hearing her father is a woman beater!" Sharon lowered her voice to an icy whisper.
Carli could feel the anger rising in her. With a sound of disgust she stormed out of her parents' bedroom, went into her room and slammed the door.
Immediately afterwards she heard her mother shout, "How many times have I told you not to slam the door! If that door ever falls off that is it. Mi nah buy nuh door fi yuh room!"
***
"Hey!"
Carli heard a sharp voice and fingers snap, which thankfully pulled her from her musings. She looked up.
"Hey, that was going to be my bed!"
A tall, graceful young woman with long relaxed hair looked in on her. She was standing at the doorway her bags in her hands. She had dark skin with no blemishes. She was slender but filled out quite well in the pair of jeans she wore. Her large breasts teased in a low neck pink T-shirt. Carli, realising that she wasn't wearing a bra, was disgusted. Why was she walking around like that? Things that had no business poking out in public were proudly on display.
The girl, noticing that Carli's eyes furtively glanced at her chest more than once, smiled broadly, and said, "I don't go that way hun. I like boys."
Carli blinked. "What?"
"I said I like boys, not girls."
Carli resumed unpacking her bag. "Don't worry, you're not my type."
Just then another young woman burst through the doorway, brushing past the buxom beauty who was still standing at the door, raking her gaze over Carli.
The second woman placed her bag to the far end of the room on the bed closest to the window. She smiled broadly at the two now looking at her.
"Hi. I'm Shauna. What's your name?"
"Carli. Carlethia James, but call me Carli." She smiled at the girl briefly then went back to placing her clothes on the bed.
'Big breasts' entered the room and placed her bags on the bed closest to the back wall. "Marsha," she said. Shauna reached out her hand to Marsha who looked up and extended her own hand and shook Shauna's. Carli turned, reached over and shook Shauna's hand, but turned away from Marsha's outstretched hand to her. Noticing the snub, Shauna averted her eyes quickly and turned to unpacking her bags.
Marsha's eyes sent invisible darts into Carli's back.
The ladies looked up to see Carli's parents coming in with the much larger bag. "Ladies," Carlos said in greeting. He looked at his daughter. "Carli these are your roommates?"
Carli rolled her eyes. "Yes daddy."
Carli's mother looked at her expecting to be introduced.
"Oh mom, dad, this is Shauna." Shauna waved enthusiastically at Carli's parents. Carli continued. "And that," her voice dripped with a sarcasm, only her mom could pick up, "is Marsha."
Carli's mom scanned Marsha from head to toe but said nothing. One look at Marsha was enough for Carli to know her mom's stare made her uncomfortable. Sharon pursed her lips, then only said. "Hello dears, nice to meet you."
Carlos cleared his throat. "Where do you want me to leave your bag kiddo?"
Carli reached for the handle and took it from him. "Here is fine daddy, thank you." She smiled at him. He always knew when to lighten the mood.
Her mom moved close to give her hug. Carli stiffly reciprocated. Sharon whispered in her daughter's ear. "I will call you tonight and we'll talk more okay. I know it may not have seemed like this was a good idea but give it a try, for me." Stepping back, she released her daughter from the hug and looked into her eyes. Though Carli was a foot taller than her, she was the one with the formidable stare down tactics. Carli bowed her head and looked away, "Yes, mother."
Sharon smoothed down her daughter's freshly permed tresses. They opted for Wave Nouveau. Though Carlos had preferred his daughter kept her hair natural, Sharon insisted it was better to have it processed since the hairdresser Carli would normally go to was not in Kingston, plus she felt like giving Carli the responsibility of taking care of her own hair would be good for her. Sharon's sister, who lived in Kingston, had recommended her own stylist and Sharon was impressed with the knowledge and professionalism the young woman displayed.
They had gone into town the weekend before, gotten Carli's hair done and even had her's washed and pressed as well. Then they spent the day at Sandra's house and caught up on the local gossip. Sandra, who was always the more outgoing one, had snagged a lawyer for herself and was content in the business she had built from the ground up.
Sharon was more organized, more reserved but had done very well for herself. Her husband was the general manager of a water treatment facility in Clarendon and she was head of the accounting department of a chain of supermarkets in Mandeville. She was just fine. She only wanted what was best for her daughter. She was the only one she had.
Sharon smiled at her baby. "The look fits you, I'm glad she used the larger rods at the top."
Carli smiled. Though she was skeptical at first and didn't like the scalp burns, she did like the look. The stylist herself had offered half off the first time she went to shampoo it, which would be tomorrow.
She followed her parents to the door. She hugged and kissed her dad on the cheek and hugged her mom.
"No kiss?"
Carli leaned over and kissed her mom on the cheek.
Sharon smiled. "Okay, will call you later."
Carlos held on to his wife's hand and pulled her away from the doorway. Carli watched them for awhile, looking at how her parents interacted with each other, she knew they loved each other. She wondered if she would ever find a love like that.
When she turned around, Marsha looked at her with a sardonic smile on her lips. "Rich kid, uh?" She plopped on her bed, her breasts jiggled a little. "Welcome princess, we are your humble subjects." She mockingly bowed.
Shauna hissed her teeth. "Carli nuh pay har nuh mine, a suh she stay!"
Marsha made a vulgar laugh. "Yes mistress virgin, nuh man never touch you yet, missis gwaan like yuh nice! Miss perfect! Look mi nah nuh time fi none a unnu suh ere wah. Mi a guh see wah gwan cross the hall, yere! Am out!" Though she hadn't finished unpacking Marsha stepped out the door.
Carli shook her head. "What is her problem?"
Shauna started hanging up a few items on her corner of the wall.
"She just has a bad attitude, from high school days mi kno har!"
"Oh zeen!" Carli replied. She took out a few clothes hangers and started placing some dresses on them. There was enough closet space but she decided to utilise the nails she saw on the wall behind her bed.
"So why did you behave as if you didn't know her?" Carli asked puzzled.
Shauna chuckled. "It's a game I guess. Marsha plays along with it, we're actually good friends but she acts like a bitch sometimes, so I have to call her out on it." She went back to unpacking.
Carli shook her head. Strange people.
Carli never had a beef with another female before, she always tried to cultivate a kind of comraderie with everyone back in high school. This was a new and unpleasant experience. All she knew was that if she could avoid that girl, she would make sure to do all in her power to make that possible.
Chapter 2: Face off
Carli felt a bit overwhelmed with all the assignments she had to do. Her mother had warned her that if she had not gotten on top of things from early, she would be swimming in regret and up to her ears with assignments. Carli groaned and sunk her head into the textbook she was reading. She was at the Main Library at the university's campus. She knew she was in big trouble.
Chapter 3: Maybe or maybe not
Sharon impatiently paced back and forth on her living room floor. Why was Carlos taking so long to get home? He said he would be home by 7 pm, now it was 10:30 and she was getting a little annoyed. Dinner was being kept warm in the oven but she felt icy cold in her heart. This was the third time this week he was pulling a stunt like this, and she had to eat alone. He would say he would be in early and then somehow he would be trudging in very late, with some silly explanation.
Yes, he was an engineer at the water treatment plant, supervisor albeit, but these weird hours he was now coming home were getting to her. When she asked him what was going on, he would just say, "Work stuff. Nothing to worry about."
She missed their conversations while having dinner. They would go to the living room to repose in the loveseats together, sip their after meal tea and talk about their day at work. He would often have her in stitches as he told her about his co-worker Delroy and his humorous antics at work. But now, when he came home, he would barely speak to her and if she pressed too much he would give her the 'silent treatment'.
The clinking, metallic sound of a set of keys as they met contact with the front door, took her out of her thoughts. That was him. She went through the living room to the foyer to greet him with a sarcastic smile, but, when she looked at him, she saw the tired look on his face. The sarcastic comment she had saved to say the first thing he came through the door melted away.
"You okay?" she asked, reaching for his work bags and keys. Tiredly, Carlos handed them to her.
"Thanks hun." Carlos went into the living room and slumped into the couch.
Sharon placed his bag on the table in his home office and hung his keys on a nail by the kitchen doorway where they usually placed keys.
Walking back into the room she leaned on the door and looked at him. He was stretched out on the couch. His feet hanging over the edge of the arm, his shoes still on his feet. Sighing quietly, Sharon moved towards him and touched him on his shoulder.
"Cade... Cade?"
Cade was his middle name, but she used it as a name of endearment because she said it was unique.
"Cade?"
Carlos opened his eyes and looked up at his wife. He reached up and pulled her gently to him.
"Yes Shar?"
"You okay?"
He tiredly smiled, "Yes baby, I'm okay, just tired. I told you about our new manager, and the new management team that took over the company. They're changing the schematics of the plant to meet some new ISO requirements, so we're building a new plant on our old location and we're also about to build a new facility somewhere in St. Elizabeth. So, I've been working with the civil engineering crew, and a new architect they brought in from Canada to help with the building plans. We are also working with a rep from the local government as well as NEPA, to make sure everything is above board. I was voted the team leader for this project by default, I guess you could say." He hugged Sharon tighter and rubbed her back.
"But you're an electrical engineer not a civil?" Sharon raised her head up slightly to look into his eyes. "That's Delroy's job."
'"The plans for the new plants at both locations will include schematics for electrical circuitry, etc. The plants run on electricity, Shar."
Sharon reared up, gave Carlos a sharp look and slapped him on his shoulder. "I know that!" Sharon lifted herself off her husband and went into the kitchen.
Taking the warmed tray of food out of the oven, she placed it on the counter. She had cooked roasted pork, with mashed potatoes and some nicely baked, ripe plantains her neighbor Miss Gem had given her.
Carefully, she placed a dinner plate into the microwave and heated it up for two minutes. She fetched a pair of oven gloves among her wrack of clean dish towels, quickly placed her hands in them and retrieved the hot empty plate from the microwave and began dishing her husband's meal.
Carlos always liked his food piping hot and no matter how much she would heat it up, he would complain it wasn't hot enough. So, one day, she placed the plate in the microwave as a joke to get a reaction out of him, that should have been him bawling that the plate was on fire. Instead, he complimented her on how nice and hot the food was. She was speechless for a minute, but then decided from then on that if that's how he likes it she would do it for him.
Carefully, placing the plate in a mini plate tray, she slowly brought the food to him while he was still on the couch. He was sitting upright by then and had removed his work jacket with the blue and black logo, TechPro Waste Treatment Systems.
She placed the tray in his lap with his plate and kissed him on his forehead. He gave a quick slap on the bottom to which she laughed out.
"Aren't you too tired?" She smiled at him. She returned to the kitchen.
Removing the oven gloves, and placing them on the counter, she tipped on her toes and opened the kitchen cupboard just above her head to retrieve a slender glass cup that had tiny pink hearts decorated on the outside. There was a fairly large glass jug filled with homemade orange juice in the fridge she had prepared for them to enjoy. She removed it from the fridge, poured some into the glass and then used a stainless steel tong to drop a thin orange slice from the jug into his glass. She liked adding fruit skins to her juices to give them a tangy kick.
After placing the jug back where it belonged, she hurriedly brought him the glass of orange juice perched on a coaster she got as a wedding gift from her mother, and handed it to him. She sat beside him.
Carlos shook his head and took the first bite into the roasted pork. "Never for you." A mischievous wink, caused Sharon to lean back and laugh heartily.
'I missed you so much today. Work was terrible." Sharon touched his arm.
"Mh-mm?" Carlos chewed his food and looked at her. "What happened?"
"A new set of redundancies today. They sent home Abigail!"
Abigail was Sharon's 'work sister'. Carlos sipped his juice and sighed. "Sorry to hear hun."
Sharon rested her head on her husband's shoulder. "The rumour is they're looking at my department next, but we don't know when. We have Carli at university now Cade. I'm just praying I won't be next."
Carlos looked at her. "Either way, we will be fine." Sharon was doubtful. She stood up and looked at a picture of Carli on the wall adjacent to them.
"Sharon? Honey, we will be okay." Carlos carefully placed his tray of food with the glass of orange juice on the coffee table before him. He went to his wife and pulled her to him from behind. Her back still turned, she leaned into him.
Carlos spoke gently into her left ear. "Babes, we still have the savings and investments we started five years ago, remember, we haven't touched it. After this project is through at my job, we'll be able to double the capacity of water treatment and waste management. We'll be able to carry far more of the Clarendon residentials, and we'll be launching in St. Elizabeth. We'll be managing the waste treatment of several of the new schemes over there. After a year, management promised pay increases since by then everything will be in full swing."
Sharon turned around and hugged him.
"Oh baby, I hope so." She sighed.
"I know so." Carlos kissed her forehead.
He chuckled."Kiss for kiss."
Sharon looked up at him. She loved this man. She loved the life they had together and their daughter. She just wanted them both to be happy. Leaning forward, she kissed his lips slowly, and willingly yielded to his embrace as it tightened around her.
***
Carli sat nervously in one of her lecturers'--Mr Hamilton's office. After class he had asked to speak with her and told her to meet him in his office at around 6 pm that day. It was a Wednesday, the worse day of the week. She had five classes back to back starting at 8:30 a.m. and only a half an hour break in between her penultimate and last class for the day. Because he said he wished to speak with her she told him 6:30 was fine for her, but she forgot she hadn't had much to eat, just a patty, which she scoffed down at 3 p.m. because the lecturer for that session was usually late.
Mr. Hamilton was an obese man who wore thick spectacles. He was short and balding but brilliant at teaching the political science course she was taking. Although she was a Sociology Major, her mother insisted that she take the class. In fact, her parents were trying to get her into Political Science, but as luck would have it, the degree programme was full.
The only other major her mother thought was suitable was Sociology. You see, her mom wanted her to do Law, but strangely, instead of encouraging Carli to get into UWI's law school directly, her mom got it in her head that if she did Political Science first, that would give her the proper background to apply to a law programme overseas. Unfortunately, it didn't work according to plan, so her mother made an arrangement with the dean of the faculty to get Carli into Sociology. She would do a political science course and if she did well in her grades, he would see what he could do to get her into the full programme next semester. She could hear her now:
"I'm setting you up for a good future baby. One where you'll be well-rounded."
Carli was helping her mother rough chop some carrots that she was planning to steam in a big pot of okras, cabbage and callaloo.
Carli had objected and told her she wanted to do something more business based or even on the creative arts side like dance or graphics design since she was good at those two. She could read well but she didn't like to have to read long lines of words, and she preferred to do hands-on practical stuff, just like her dad.
Sharon shook her head no. "Nope, those careers can get taken over by technology. Every day you hear about some new app or other that can make admin tasks easier, including graphics design." Sharon placed the knife on the cutting board and faced her daughter. "A twelve year old can design something that looks professional because of these new apps nowadays. As for business, it's so cliche. Everybody talks about business subjects. Check out the university graduates now who are the most unemployed. It's the business majors. And let me not get into your dance hobby, which is what it is Carlethia, a hobby. People don't make much money from that out here, and if you plan to be successful elsewhere it's best you launch from the US, and not many foreigners do well in that space."
Sharon took up her knife and started chopping carrots again. "Hmh-mhh! No baby, I'm sorry. I have better plans for you..."
After that statement everything her mother said got drowned out by her own thoughts. What was she going to do? Her mother never listened to her.
While she was lost in thought, Mr. Hamilton had come back into the room, he observed her seemingly staring at the floor, her head slightly bent, her hands clasped together in her lap. She was a decent enough student. She got along with her peers in the class and during tutorial sessions, he found her affable with everyone. The problem was, she was portraying herself as a B student when he felt she could do more.
Hamilton closed the door behind him, allowing it to clink shut loudly. Startled, Carli looked up and saw her teacher looking at her with a question on his face.
Hamilton sat behind his desk, and leaned back. "Sorry for taking so long Miss James, a Master's student I am mentoring had a few questions."
He removed his eye glasses, placed them on the desk and rubbed his eyes tiredly. "I wanted to speak with you about your performance in the class assignments so far."
Carli sat up. She might as well brace for a long speech berating her for her tardiness to class.
Noticing her body language, Hamilton moved his hand from his face and leaned forward.
"Is everything alright Miss James?" he asked.
Carli straightened her posture. "Yes Mr. Hamilton, everything is fine," she replied tersely.
Hamilton noticed the inflection in her voice but continued. "My purpose as your teacher, slash lecturer is to see to your success in this course. Every assignment I give is not just for grading but helps with developing knowledge on this subject area you're studying. You do understand?"
Carli nodded that she understood.
"Good." Hamilton nodded as well.
He leaned back in his chair again. "So, tell me... Why are you doing this course? Why Politics of the Caribbean? And, be honest."
Carli let out a quiet sigh. "To be honest, I'm here because my parents, well... specifically my mom wanted me here."
"I see." Hamilton reached for his glasses, took out the soft cloth from the glasses case and started to gently clean the frame, then the lenses.
"You're grades are quite good. You're shaping up to be a B student but I think you have much more potential, and you probably enjoy the classes more than you think. There's a passion that comes out when you write your essays and your last paper was very good. You however made what I call rookie mistakes. I gather you didn't proofread your document before you handed it in. Did you?"
Carli crossed her legs at the ankles. "Yeah. I did a one run through."
Hamilton stared directly into her eyes and said. "Well, maybe next time you should read through more than once and make sure to read slowly and carefully. Have a pencil with you to make notes on your paper. So print it out as a rough draft or first draft first then use a pencil to make note of mistakes, spelling errors, etc, then you can go back to your electric copy and do the changes easily."
Carli nodded.
Hamilton put the glasses back onto his face. "Why do you oppose what you're parents chose for you?"
Carli leaned back into the sturdy plastic chair. It was the only other chair in the room. "I wanted to do graphic design or something like that. Not this... oh no offense, Mr. Hamilton, you're a great teacher but I am being forced. I don't even like to read for long hours. This is not me."
"What are you doing as your major then?" Hamilton asked, curious.
"Sociology."
Hamilton gave a small chuckle. "For someone who doesn't like to read, you're doing the wrong major."
Carli sighed and said. "Not my choice."
"I see."
Carli continued. "I was supposed to do a BSc in Pol Sci, but the programme is full, as you know."
Hamilton nodded. "Yes. True."
He shifted in his chair. "And your parents wanted you to do that degree also."
"That was their... well, my mother's first choice for me."
Hamilton nodded. "I see." He adjusted the glasses on his face.
"Well my dear," Hamilton said leaning forward bracing his elbows on the desk. "You have two options, if in fact you're not fully satisfied with how things are for you."
"What are they?" she asked, now intrigued.
Hamilton smiled kindly at her. "You could decide to defer the year and choose to wait until the first year spaces are empty next year and try to get into the programme you're more comfortable with. There is still no guarantee you would get in, but in the meantime, you could go job hunting, and try again next year. Come in as a part-time student."
He paused for effect, but the question was hanging in the air so Carli asked it. She leaned forward. "Or... I could do what?"
"Or... maybe, you could use the opportunity while you're here, to throw yourself into your current studies, do your very best, and then if you still want to transfer next year into Pol Sci into the degree fully, I could see what I can do to help you."
Carli sat back and thought about it.
Maybe she could. His class was the only one she did look forward to. Her lecturers for the Sociology classes were good but she just wasn't intrigued.
But wait! What about the creative side of her?
What about dance or theatre? She did like the idea of acting one day or doing dance.
But what about doing business? She had even applied for Management Studies courses at NCU, she had gotten in but her mom said no.
Could she do it? Was she brave enough to go against what her parents wanted?
Could she?
Maybe she could, maybe she couldn't. If she defied her parents, her mom especially, maybe she would have to find her own way.
She knew her dad loved her, but he often made her mom have the final say. Where would she get a job?
Ooh she was so confused!
"I'll think about what you said Mr Hamilton. Thank you for your insight." Was all she could say.
Hamilton nodded and told her she could leave. So she gathered her books and threw her bag over her shoulder and stepped out and quietly closed the door behind her.
Stepping out she nearly bumped into a tall frame. Looking up she saw it was none other than the Jason guy she met two weeks before. He looked down at her. She wondered if he remembered her.
He cracked a smile.
Yes, he remembered. She smiled back.
"Hey you." His smile grew wider. He looked at the door behind her. "Consultations?"
Carli nodded. "You could say that?"
She moved away from the door in the direction of her next class.
Jason caught up with her. "You busy right now?" he asked.
"Why?" She gave him a mischievous grin.
"Oh, oh... so it's like that, eh?"
"Like what?" She was almost laughing.
Jason didn't mind, she had a pretty smile. "You're being hard. Well, let me say I did mean to call you, but, I got caught up. I honestly did. I've been bombarded with training and assignments and exams."
Carli looked up at him. He was wearing a pair of black fitted jeans that hugged his well sculpted thighs, a white T-shirt; that NYC cap he wore the first time they met, and some fashionable dark grey sandals. No school bag this time though.
"Training?" Carli gave him a quizzical look.
"Yeah, track and field. Sprints 100 and 200 metres," Jason replied matter of factly.
Carli looked him up and down. "Oh cool."
Jason saw what she did and laughed lightheartedly. "What? I don't look the type?"
"Sure." Carli smiled. "You do, just admiring the work you've been putting in."
Yes! Score one for me! Jason thought.
"Well, thanks for the compliment." He reached out and touched Carli's hand. The move stopped her in her tracks.
Jason looked down at her. She looked up at him.
"Listen, I know I failed miserably." He started to laugh. Carli laughed too. "I failed at keeping my promise for us to get something to eat, but this time, I promise I will be available and ready. What do you say?"
Carli looked at him. Could this be real? Could this cute guy be really asking her out? She wasn't an ugly girl but some would say she was plain.
"Okay," she said tentatively.
"Okay, sure." she nodded.
"Great!" Jason beamed.
"Not now though. Maybe this Saturday. I have one more class then I have some reading to catch up on for tomorrow and Friday."
"Okay, no problem. Can I call you?"
"You still have my number?" Carli asked, playfully squinting her eyes at him.
"Yes." Jason chuckled. "Yes I do."
"Okay. Sure, whenever you're ready. Night time is best though." She was smiling. Her eyes lighting up. He never noticed how deep black they were, but he did now.
An unusual, but intriguing color, he thought to himself.
"Of course. Understood," he replied, keeping pace with her as she started walking again.
Carli smiled. "I have to run now, my class is about to start."
"Okay. Sure. Later then."
"Later."
Carli moved forward while Jason turned back in the direction they were coming from.
Carli smiled as she entered the classroom.
Maybe things wouldn't be so bad after all, she thought.
"Your majesty!"
Carli's reverie was broken by a very familiar voice dripping with sarcasm.
She looked up to see Marsha sitting in the classroom, grinning mischievously.
Other students were walking in behind Carli, finding seats. She just stood there staring at Marsha.
"What do you want?", she asked feeling annoyed.
"Want?" Marsha removed her text book from her bag. "Hunny, mi nuh want nuttn from you." She drew out the 'you' vulgarly. "A class mi come."
"But.. but... ?"
"Yeah, I missed a few sessions. Just two weeks, while some payment issues were being sorted out. We don't all have it like that dear." Marsha rolled her eyes at her.
Carli sat in a chair at the back to get as far away from Marsha as she could.
...Or maybe not. Carli sighed inwardly.
Chapter 4: The fool can wait
Marsha sat at the edge of Jason's bed and watched him sleep. He was assigned to Taylor Hall on campus and received a scholarship in track but this man decided to board at a house in a nearby community called Mona Commons. She had "borrowed" the spare key the last time she visited him and would pop in to see him unannounced anytime she felt like it.
Now, as she sat on the edge of his bed and watched him sleep, she remembered the time when she was sixteen and snuck into his room hoping to lay beside him and maybe even have him kiss her. She had to admit when he first came home to live with them, she never wanted him there. She never liked him. It was only after he took the blame for her antics that she grew to admire him and developed a crush on him.
She remembered everything vividly. It was the first weekend after going back to school in September, her mother had asked her to clean her room and also do a small load of laundry. She did the chores begrudgingly but also rolled off reams of her mom's favorite toilet paper unto the floor and also squeezed the family toothpaste in the middle and left a streak of toothpaste in the bathroom sink that was designated for Jason. The family home had four bedrooms and three bathrooms, one with a quaint little tub, the other two with standing showers. One of the bathrooms was near to the back door across from a kitchenette turned washroom. That was Jason's to use.
When her parents bought the house they extended it, knocking out the east wall to accommodate their version of a master bedroom with a bathroom. There was plenty of yard space and with a little help from NHT and some family inheritance, they began forging the dream home they wanted. Her parents adopting Jason was a surprise to her because after the construction work was finished they said it was "ban yuh belly time" so that they could pay off the loan and save more intensely for her and her little sister's university fund.
When he came home with her mom she saw him as an intrusive presence. It had been a week since he had been there and while he was pretty much polite with everyone, he was brooding and mostly stuck to himself. He did snap at her mom once because she had entered his room without knocking, she didn't like that. So she decided she would get rid of him.
Her parents stored extras in the washroom in the cupboards. Extra toilet paper, dish washing liquid, soaps, etc. When he came to live with them seven days earlier, his mom had managed to buy him two new towels, a bar of soap, a small bottle of shampoo and a tiny tube of toothpaste. His mom also bought him a jar of African Pride hair grooming oil. He also brought a few items of clothing and a worn pair of sneakers. His only decent pair of shoes were the ones he wore for school. Marsha's mom told Jason he could go into the wash/store room and take what he needed, with Marsha's guidance of course.
The family knew however that her mom had a favorite brand of toilet paper she used, one that never gave her any gynaecological issues, so everyone stayed clear of those. Well, Marsha never told him he couldn't take one. In fact, she told him it was okay. That Saturday morning he had run out of his own toiletries and needed a top up. So he pulled two tissues from the pack, took a toothpaste for himself and a bar of deodorant soap.
Later in the afternoon, Jason told her he had to leave to go see his mom because his dad had come by and was asking for him, for he heard that a nice family had adopted him, sort of. She told him not to worry and waved him goodbye as she closed the door.
Quickly, she went into his bathroom and rolled off the toilet paper on the tissue holder almost to the end, leaving a small piece and flushed it down the toilet. Afterwards she hid the toothpaste he took for himself and placed the family toothpaste in his bathroom and squeezed the tube from the middle and allowed a dollop of it to fall onto the sink. Then she used her finger to make a streak inside the belly of the sink. She also decided to leave the toothpaste tube open.
She lifted the toilet seat, got some yellow and red food coloring and tipped a few drops into the water in the toilet to give as close to the color of pee as much as possible, then she also peed in it for further effect. Next, she launched herself onto his bed and began rolling around, wrinkling the bed sheets that he had neatly made up that morning.
Grinning to herself, she closed the bedroom door behind her, leaving the bathroom door ajar for anyone who was nosy enough to see, and went to her room pretending like she had done nothing wrong.
When her mom came home she asked Marsha if she had done the laundry. She said yes, but did not remember to ask Jason if he had any laundry he wanted done. Her mom said okay she would ask him if his clothes could wait until the next weekend or if he wanted to use one of their washing baths to do his washing. Marsha nodded scrolling on her phone, pretending to be uninterested.
A minute later she heard her mom slam Jason's bedroom door shut and curse an expletive.
Marsha prepared to look concerned.
"Mommy, what's up?", she asked, staring at her mother while standing by her bedroom doorway.
"That boy... that boy, Jason. Have you seen his room?"
"No," she said following her mother back into "that boy's" designated bedroom.
Marsha looked at the bed. She herself was surprised at the level of damage she had done to the sheets. She forced herself to suppress the smile that was curling up her lips.
Pretending to look around, she went into the bathroom and uttered a loud gasp. Her mother went in after her.
"Marsha, what is it?", she asked.
"Mommy, look at this!" She took up the empty wrapper for the toilet paper, her mom's favorite brand, from the waste bin and showed it to her. Her mother started fuming.
"Marsha...," she started, "I thought I told you to make sure Jason knows not to touch these ones!"
Marsha protested, "Mommy of course I did! Mommy mi tell him nuh fi touch dem. Mi tell him."
Marsha's mom, Monica, observed that the toilet wasn't flushed and started speaking another round of expletives.
"Di f%@K! Can't even flush the damn toilet!" Monica put her hands on her hips and shook her head. "Maybe I was hasty in doing this, this ...asking him to come live with us."
Marsha decided not to say a word. She was getting what she wanted.
"When your dad gets home I know he's gonna cuss me out but I will take it like a grown woman, and whatever he decides we will do."
Turning around from the room she glanced the family toothpaste, hissed her teeth and walked out. Marsha giggled quietly to herself. She went back to her room, started her Math homework and waited for the show down to start later.
When Jason got back to the Miller's residence, Mr and Mrs Miller were already home. As he shut the front door he heard Mrs. Miller ask him to come into the living room.
When he entered the room the two adults had scowls on their faces. Marsha however was toying with her phone and the younger daughter Chayelle, who was ten, was watching something on her tablet.
Mr Miller cleared his throat and spoke first. "We decided to hold a family meeting and we want you to be a part of it. Matter of fact, the meeting is about you."
Jason walked into the room slowly. "Okay," he said.
"Take a seat, son." Donovan Miller leaned forward and gestured for him to take a lone chair that had been pulled from the dining room for the purpose of the meeting.
"Mrs Miller and I wanted to do a good thing for you. My wife told me that you are a well mannered young man and that you were doing well with your grades but you were having difficulty because of family problems." Donovan cleared his throat again. "Because of all she said, though I was reluctant, I decided to go along with it for a bit because as she said, it would be your 9th grade year. Time for grade nine (9) assessment exams and she wanted you to be in a stable environment to do well in your studies and exams. However, what happened today was unacceptable and you ... I believe young man you need to go back to your family."
To Jason, it felt like his heart had stopped beating.
"Why? What did I do wrong?"
He himself couldn't believe it when his guidance counsellor told his mom that she wanted to have him stay with her for the rest of the school term and maybe into sixth form if things went well. At first he had thanked them but told them no, it would have been best if he was home so he could help his mom, but his own mother told him she wanted him to go. So at least he could get some help, and she wouldn't have to worry he would get in trouble.
Now they were saying he should go home, after just one week? He had apologized for snapping at Mrs Miller but that was because she had entered the room when he was fresh out the shower and he only had a towel wrapped around his waist, that he was about to remove, it was a good thing a notification came through on his phone and he stopped to pick it up to see who or what it was from. Otherwise she would have gotten a full view of his butt cheeks.
After he snapped at her to please leave and knock next time, he thought about his tone and later went to her while she was in the kitchen preparing dinner and apologized. She also said she was sorry saying she was always used to just entering her daughters' rooms and that she never thought about what she was doing. He thought they had moved past that.
"Well...," Jason said, looking directly at Monica. "If it's about the time about you entering the room Mrs Miller I did apologize, if there is anything else I am not sure..."
"It is about your room yes, but not about that" Donovan interrupted.
Turning his attention to Mr Miller, he asked, "My room? What about my room?"
"Don't act clueless, boy!" Donovan snapped. "Arite, arite gwaan play like that. Gwaan guh look inna yuh room how yuh leff it!"
Jason got up from the chair and went to look as Mr Miller insisted.
He saw his bed or the bed he was given wrinkled up. The whole family came behind him. "Look inna di bathroom how yuh leff it!", said Mrs Miller angrily.
Jason did as he was told. He couldn't believe it.
"But... I didn't leave it like that! I swear." Jason felt like his head was spinning.
"An' yuh tek two a my tissue and already use off one, a weh yuh did have bwoi, diarrhea?" Mrs Miller replied sharply.
"Look inna di toilet!" Marsha shouted.
Jason looked in and what he saw made him feel disgusted.
Mr and Mrs Miller, I would never..." He appealed to stoney faces. He looked down to see Marsha's smirk and knew it was her that did all of it but also knew even if he told them it was her, her parents wouldn't believe him.
He had a duffle bag by his bed with a few things he hadn't unpacked yet. He pulled it onto the bed and began removing his clothes from the closet they loaned him. He set the hangers aside and started neatly folding and stuffing them into his bag. He heard them cussing him out while he was doing it, but didn't answer. After a while, he couldn't even hear what they were saying, he zoned them out.
He took the 7:30 pm bus from their JUTC route back to downtown, and then took a taxi home. It was supposed to be the end of that, but it wasn't.
That night Marsha lay beside Chay and as she was about to fall asleep, she heard her little sister say, "I know what you did. And if you don't want me to tell mommy and daddy you will give me 10% of your lunch money each week."
Marsha turned around to face the little brat.
"What are you talking about?" Her eyes boring into Chay.
"You framed that guy!" Chay shouted.
"Keep your voice down," Marsha hissed. "You little brat!" She continued, whispering forcefully, "He deserved it. Don't you want to have you own room back?"
"I have my own room," Chay replied. "It's you who is the squatter, staying in here with me."
"Okay, yes. so now that he is gone I can go back to my room tomorrow after mommy does some cleaning up," Marsha said.
"You know, you could have just cleaned it up yourself. He didn't bring much with him. So there wasn't much waste. As a matter of fact, he kept the room neater and cleaner than you!" Her sister spoke matter of factly.
"What is this?!" Marsha sat up and looked down at her sister. "Yuh have a crush on him or sumn?" She asked in an accusatory tone.
"Me!" Chay laughed, "Nope. Boys are cool and all but I'm not sure I'm interested. Not yet anyway. Anyhoo sis, going to bed now. Make sure I get that ten percent fee in my school bag by tomorrow morning, just tuck it into the little part where I keep my pens and pencils." Chay turned her back to her to go to sleep.
Marsha doubled a fist to thump her in her back, when she heard her little sister say, "And don't bother to do anything crazy. I'm the favorite daughter, so they will believe me."
Marsha hit the bed instead, turned herself around to face the door, lay down and forced herself to fall asleep.
As she looked at Jason sleeping peacefully, Marsha also remembered when her sister ratted her out anyway. Chay had gained an extra two thousand dollars from the ten percent her sister was giving her, but she felt guilty, and one Sunday morning after the family had come from church, she started fake crying, or at least that was what it looked like to Marsha. She started crying and told her parents what Marsha did. Chay told them she felt guilty but Marsha felt it was probably because she had gotten bored with the game she was playing at her sister's expense and wanted to move on to something else.
It had been a whole month after Jason left. To this day, Chay would always find a way to outsmart her. Though their sibling rivalry had died down, she knew that if Chay wanted to, she could get her. Marsha loved her sister. She was a good kid in her own way, brilliant and effervescent, but too smart for her own good.
Jason sighed in his sleep and turned on his right side. There was space on the bed for her to scoot in and lay beside him. Marsha's thoughts wandered again.
When he came back to the Miller's residence they apologized to him profusely and promised to give him the benefit of the doubt in future. They grounded Marsha for four months. Just school, home and church, she couldn't go any where else. She hated him even more by then.
Jason stayed clear of Marsha, rarely spoke to her, till one day she was being bullied at school. At that time she was tall with a skinny frame. The problem was, she had a smart mouth, and would say just about anything that came to her mind. One day she took it too far and called one of the girls "a big fat mampy with a crater face".
The girl she was talking about had terrible acne. They were in grade eight (8) and everyone acted like ten year olds at times. Name calling was common. The kids would call Marsha "Martian", "Light post", "Long gi lala", "Stick insect", and more that she didn't remember.
So the girl, Rochelle, tried to pass her place with her and called her a giraffe to which Marsha retorted, "At least mi a nuh one crater face mampy!" Rochelle got mad and pushed her, so Marsha pushed her back, hard, and Rochelle fell to the ground. She had vowed to get her back after school, but Marsha never took her seriously.
When school was done for the day, Marsha decided to walk to the bus stop with her friend Fallon. She would usually wait on her parents to pick her up, but Fallon was going to tell her some outrageous gossip she didn't want to miss, so she told her mom she would take the bus, and not to worry coming for her.
Out of nowhere Rochelle showed up with her bigger brother who was not even a student anymore. He was expelled for bad behavior. The brother, who everyone in school called 'Blacks', pushed Marsha to the ground, bent down and slapped her across the face.
"Yuh love chat bout peepul!" He said, looking menacingly at her. "Yah guh keep my sister out a yuh mouth y'ere dat!"
Marsha found the courage to speak up. Holding her left jaw, she said, "Is not me fi keep my mouth closed, is yuh sista. A she fi stop guh roun' a truble peepul!"
"Likkle gyal weh yuh seh?!" he shouted.
He was about to give a forceful slap across her right cheek, when Jason it seemed, came out of no where, and launched on him and the two of them landed on the ground tangled up in a violent tussle. Other kids that were nearby ran up to them and started chanting, "Fight!" "Fight!!"
It just so happened that at that time a female teacher was passing by, saw the fight and called the attention of a male colleague to come and break them up.
Jason was suspended for a week, even after Marsha's mom insisted to the principal that it was Rochelle's and her big brother's fault. The principal however said that while it was commendable that he was trying to defend her daughter, it must not be perceived that violence is an acceptable means to solve conflict, especially since the reputation of the school would be called into question. They were in fact in their school uniforms. The principal did however agree to call Rochelle and 'Blacks' parents in to warn them about their children, and to inform them that Rochelle would be suspended for two weeks.
While in her reverie, Jason turned on to his back again, this time throwing off the sheet, exposing his bare torso. Marsha caught her breath. So many times she had fantasized about kissing his chest and reveling in each individual pec. They were just perfect. It made her weak just thinking about resting her head on them and running her fingers through the sparse but shiny, black, curly chest hairs.
Lawd have mercy! She thought to herself. I need a drink of sumn strong.
Jason mumbled something. Oh no! She thought. I don't want him to wake up and see me here! Carefully, she got up from the bed and crept to the door. She opened the door quietly and slipped out. She looked at her watch. It was 2 am. She had a friend nearby that she could stay with till morning. Oh how she wanted to feel his strong arms pull her close to him and shelter her until the morning but alas!
She felt herself shiver from the cold. It was mid-November. There were a few people milling around. One of them called to her and she nodded. She pulled her phone from the back pocket of her jeans and dialed her friend's number. It started to ring.
"Hey babes," another said, "weh yah duh pon road suh late? Mine a man tek yuh weh ehh nuh!" To which the guy who was speaking and his friends chuckled. She smiled politely and was relieved when she heard Patrice answer the phone.
"Girl!" Patrice answered. "Yuh coming down now?"
Yeh girl," Marsha responded. "Right away."
She set off quickly. Crossed John Golding Road walked up to Papine and headed down as if she was walking towards Liguanea. She turned onto one of the roads across from the "Standpipe" community, Canberra Crescent, where her friend was renting a place. She would have to get Jason to change his location. It didn't feel safe there.
***
In the morning while Jason was drinking his coffee, black and strong, he mused to himself. Why did it feel as if someone was in the room with him last night? It felt like a familiar presence was there.
It didn't always happen but it did make him nervous when he thought about it. Sometimes he wondered if he was going a bit crazy. Sighing, he shook his head trying to move past the feeling.
He took a bite of his toast and fried egg. He never liked butter on his bread, maybe some mayo, or peanut butter but not butter. His mom used to say he got that weird quirk from his dad. Well, he didn't know. His dad never lived with them for him to see that for himself.
Jason scrolled through his phone messages. He had been chatting with Carli for about three weeks. They hadn't gotten around to that meet-up yet. This second time it was his fault again, beyond his control, unfortunately.
There was an emergency with his little brother. His little brother, Joel is asthmatic, and he had an attack just after his mother had spent the money their granny had sent their mom from Canada. Jason had taken a part-time job but it was for his own life's upkeep.
He had saved about $50,000 and had to now take some of it for his little brother's medical expenses. He wasn't sorry, but he was broke. He wanted to treat Carli to something like a date so he had planned to do something simple, but he was going to use that money. When his brother got sick, his mom only had him to help, so he did what he had to do. His 'wutliss' daddy was no help!
So far, he and Carli's conversations were pretty safe, no real probing questions. Just texting questions about where they grew up, their siblings, funny experiences and their majors and career goals. He got that Carli was a bit ambivalent toward her studies but he tried to cheer her up by telling her that God had a plan in all of the things that were happening. She wasn't convinced but he tried to cheer her up anyway.
After this second time when he cancelled on her, he was trying to get her to commit to a new date but each time she would say she had to study, she had assignments, she was going back to Manchester to see her parents for a weekend and so on. He was beginning to think she was blowing him off.
***
Carli chewed voraciously into her barbi-fried chicken leg. Oh gosh! She was so hungry. She barely got a chance between classes to eat something. A few crackers, some water, that was it. It was another stressful Wednesday and she was grateful to be done with the last class for the day. To be in her dorm and to be chatting up a storm with 'the sensible roommate'. She didn't know where Marsha was, but she didn't even care.
Shauna had promised to buy her dinner from a Chinese themed fast food place in Papine, and true to her word, she did. Now she was telling Carli about a crazy cousin that lived in St. Ann that she would visit during the summer holidays when she was a kid.
"Latoya love fi climb tree, play marbles and shoot bingey like any bwoy pickney. She even guh a river a swim inna juss panty when she likkle an' neva hav' nuh bress yet!" Shauna said, a wide grin on her face.
"Suh wah whapm wen har bress dem start develup?" Carli asked. She dug her fork in a nice serving of mashed potatoes and stuffed it into her mouth.
"Yuh know seh wen dem was juss lilli buds she was a try di same ting. As a matter of fact, she get weh wid doing it one time but someone si har wid di boys dem an' tell har granny. Mi seh she get some lick. Mi did deh deh fi seet. Mi did tell har seh Trudy, yeah Trudy is har pet name. Mi seh Trudy mi nuh tink is a good idea enuh. Granma Pat soohn cuhm back, suh betta we stay close by. Plus yuh nuh si seh yuh start buss bress? Yuh wah di likkle bwoy dem si yuh titty dem?"
Carli almost spat out the grape soda she was drinking. She managed to swallow, then let out loud shrieks of laughter. After she calmed down, she said, "Titty....!" Her body shook with laughter. "Yow! Long time mi nuh hear nubaddi use dah wud deh enuh!" More laughter.
Shauna was also laughing really hard, her eyes started watering. "Yeah man..." Laughter. "A dat mi did seh. Mi was about ten, she was twelve at the time."
"Suh wah happen afta dat?" Carli was captivated by the story now.
"As mi seh shi guh di riva near di community, strip down to panty an' jump een. Mass Roy one elda inna di community si weh she duh an' pass by di market an' ask fi Miss Pat an' tell har weh mi cuzzin duh. Har granny used to sell ground provisions inna di market. Anyhoo, wen Granny Pat cuhm home shi give Trudy a good whipping.
"Hear Trudy wen shi a get di lick dem... 'Whoiee! Whoiee! Granma lie dem a tell pon mi! Lie dem tell! Nuh bwoy neva inna di riva wid mi. Dem a si doubles.' Den shi change har mouth an' seh, 'But Granma is not a crime mi duh. Mi not even have bress yet!' Mi seh Granny Pat start seh 'Weh yuh seh?' A Mass Roy himself affi cuhm save har. Him did ah pass back from him grung suh wen him hear di bawling him turn in down Granny Pat walkway an' si wah gwaan an' seh, 'Pat! Pat hooeeyy! Mi tell yuh fi warn di chile, not kill har!'"
Carli chuckled, took up her paper napkin and wiped her hands and lips with it. "So where is your cuz now?", she asked.
"United States Army," Shauna replied. "She will always be a tomboy." She smiled. She went to her bag, pulled out her phone, surfed through the photos in 'photo gallery', found a picture of Latoya and handed the phone to Carli, so she could get a closer look.
"She looks great," Carli said, observing the low cropped hairstyle under the beret she wore. She had a proud smile on her face. She was an attractive young woman with piercing eyes. Carli handed the phone back to her friend. "She looks happy," she said.
Shauna put the phone back into her bag. "Yeah, I guess she is."
Sitting back on her bed in their dorm room, Shauna looked suddenly serious. "And what about you?" she asked Carli. "Are you happy?"
Carli was thinking of a way to deflect away from the question when her phone rang. Quickly, she jumped up to answer it. Reaching for it on an antique desk in the room, she realized it was Jason calling. She answered.
"Helooo."
"Hey," he replied, "What's up? Been trying to get you on Whatsapp. Yuh gud?"
"Yeh man. What's up?"
"Well, still thinking about that lunch I promised you. Instead of eating at The Cafe I was thinking we could have sandwiches, some fruit and good company."
"Okay, cool, but who is 'the good company'?"
"Touché," he replied. He could feel she was smiling. "Yeah, about that last time, I am sorry. You know, I told you what happened to my little bro. Couldn't be avoided. But I want to make it up to you. You have been distant with me still. Been wondering if you might be blowing me off. Has my charm worn off so quickly?"
Carli gave a little laugh. It was like a little chuckle but it was so sexy to his ears. He didn't realize he was holding his breath. Breathing in deeply, he asked, "Well?"
"What charm? The only charm I have gotten exposed to is you bumping into me and causing my bum to hurt after," she teased.
Jason laughed. He liked her sense of humor.
"Okay, okay. Seriously though, I wanna take you out tonight. I know a place. What d'yah say?"
"I am kind of full... but, I can manage some ice cream." Carli found her mood improving. She did like him.
Jason nodded at the phone. "Okay, ice cream it is then. Come for you at around 7?"
"Sure."
Jason heard a strange tone in her voice, something that intrigued him. He felt his heart pound.
"Okay. See you in half hour." Jason heard his voice dip to a soft, gentle tone. What was this thing that had come over him?!
"Okay," she said.
Carli hung up and turned around to see Shauna staring at her looking pleased as a satisfied puss.
"And who is that?" she asked batting her eyes.
"Just a friend," Carli said heading to the shower. "You okay to clean up?"
"Yeh man." Shauna nodded. "No problem."
Carli grabbed a towel from a hanger in the closet. Retrieved her favorite body wash from her drawer and closed the door behind her.
***
Jason stood near the entrance of Seacole Hall waiting on Carli when Marsha walked up to him, excited to see him.
"Hey, what are you doing here? Did we have plans and I forgot?" She looked him up and down. Damn he smells good! What is that cologne? She wondered. He also looked really nice in a fresh white t-shirt and a pair of light blue jeans, and new timberland boots. He also wore a jeans blazer that she had never seen him in before.
"You on a hot date or sumn?" She was joking, but when he didn't answer she got suspicious.
She managed to keep the smile plastered on her face. "So, where you going? What you up to?"
"Just meeting a friend," he answered tersely.
"Oh really. I thought I was the only friend you had on Seacole?"
He looked at her then looked away. He was eyeing the entrance to the Hall. She was more than curious about who he was looking for. Marsha felt anger rise within her. She reached up, grabbed his chin and turned his face towards her. "Look at me!"
Just then as Carli was heading out to meet Jason, she heard Shauna say, "Have fun. Not too much fun."
"Okay," she replied giggling.
As she was walking past her block and out to the entrance way of the Hall she saw Jason and Marsha. The body language between them seemed awkward. Luckily, Marsha had her back turned to her and while Jason was facing her way, his focus was on Marsha. He looked quite annoyed. Were they arguing?
Yes, they were!
The exchange looked unpleasant.
She wondered what the nature of their relationship was. The way Marsha's body language looked, it would seem as if she was a girl friend or an ex maybe. Carli wanted no part of that.
She quickly trotted back inside the Hall and hurried up to her room and closed the door.
Shauna turned around. She had toothpaste and a toothbrush in hand. "Hey," she said, "back so soon?"
"Yeah. He didn't show." Carli sat on her bed and removed her flip flops.
"Oh, so it was a guy!" Shauna started to grin.
"Yup, but let's not get into that please." Carli started to undress. She threw on a nightgown. Folded the clothes she just took off and stuffed them into a plastic bag. For wash day. She thought.
She pinned her hair up into a loose ponytail and covered it with a silk kerchief, lay down and turned her body to the wall. A single tear rolled down her cheek. She squeezed her eyes shut.
Meanwhile, Jason looked at the time on his phone, 7:30 pm. Carli wasn't coming it seemed, and Marsha would not budge.
"Who is she Jason? Tell me!"
He read jealousy all over her face.
"Marsha, you know what it is. We're like brother and sister." He folded his arms across his chest.
"All the more reason to tell me who she is. Don't we tell each other everything?" Marsha stood with legs apart, hands on her hips.
"Look, I'm not gonna argue with you. See you tomorrow, if anything." Jason took two steps back, turned around and walked away.
Marsha was hopping mad. Who the hell would dare think they could take away what she was working so hard and long to have? She had been waiting so long for Jason to see things her way! The relationship between her and him was meant to be, even if he didn't see it yet. She would have to convince him in no uncertain terms that he was hers. Only hers!
***
Jason punched a wall in his room. Women! What was he thinking? Carli never forgave him for flaking on her the first or the second time. Why did he even bother?! And Marsha. Damn that girl! Something was wrong with her. This possessiveness was getting to him. What a fool he had been to think he understood women at all.
Chapter 5: Fools rush in.
"Bwoy Missa Joseph, yuh know weh yuh a talk bout man!" Mr Brown said speaking to the building contractor supervising work on his house. "This new 'prentice weh yuh cyarry fi werk pon di house a gwaan man! Him finish paint one side a di outside wall aready!"
Both Mr. Brown and Mr. Joseph Black, affectionately called Mas Joe, watched as Jason quickly but efficiently used the paint roller to neatly deposit the fuchsia colored paint onto the wall. He was finished with the front and was now doing the wall closest to a side gate that led to the backyard. He smiled to himself, at least he could thank his dad for passing on the trade to him.
Ever since he was twelve years old, to get extra money out of his dad, he would follow him to private homes and help his dad paint folks' houses. It was hard but rewarding work, and his dad made sure to teach him the skills he needed to do a good job, for if he didn't, his dad couldn't charge the home owner a wage fitting for his labour. His dad made sure that every work done was top tier and his son had to meet up to and maintain the same standard on any work site he went on.
From ages twelve to sixteen his dad would take him to work on private residences, but after sixteen his dad took him to newly constructed apartment complexes, and he and two other men along with his dad would paint the units assigned to their team.
Jason wasn't afraid of hard work, so he would even walk through with his dad, helping him to inspect and correct anything the other men did wrong. He knew about drywall. He knew how to apply primer to concrete surfaces and he was also taught how to spot a paint bubble and how to fix it quickly. He was thankful for the lessons learned.
Jason respected his dad for being an excellent professional at his trade. He just never liked him as a man. He was a delinquent father and Jason vowed to himself that he would never be like him in that respect. Hard worker yes. Deadbeat dad, hell no!
At about 7:00 p.m. he finished a whole section and promised Mas Joe that he would come back tomorrow to help him finish the rest of the painting. Mr Brown had also asked him if he knew anything about selecting paint for some wooden furniture he had custom built that he was planning to install on his patio. He told him that as a matter of fact he did. His dad had taught him well. Mr Brown asked him what he would charge, but not wanting to 'bruk Mas Joe's foot', Jason told Mr Brown that it was best he consulted with Mas Joe about a price. Mr Brown looked at him silently for a minute then nodded his agreement.
It was the peak of final exams period in December and Jason wanted to get as much money as possible. He studied at night after he came home from work. He would go to bed at twelve midnight and wake up at 3 a.m. to do his studying.
He worked part-time at a supermarket, a job his dad begrudgingly sought for him from one of his family friends. Jason had threatened to stop working with him if he didn't help him get something more stable. Even Mas Joe was an old associate of his dad, but a much nicer guy to be around. Joseph treated him more like a son than his own father did.
When Belvedere Singh was told in no uncertain terms that he, Jason, would no longer help him to do the odd job here or there, if he didn't help him get something more stable, he laughed at first, then he hurled expletives at his son. Then, when he saw that Jason's jaw was clenched shut and his fists closed, he knew he was serious.
It had been awhile since he and his son had settled their differences in a brawl. The last time Jason had beaten him and promised that never again he would wrestle, tackle, fight, 'trash out' or whatever his dad called their physical conflicts. He was done! But with his fists in position he wondered if Jason had forgotten what he said.
"Arite mi son," Bello said, "mi will ask a fren mi know if him can help yuh out."
Jason's shoulders dropped, he released his hands and his body relaxed. Getting things out of his dad was like a constant battle. He would claim it was to make him into a man. Yes, he was self-sufficient in a lot of things. For awhile he went to live with his dad and two other of his siblings. He was the second child in terms of age that lived at the house.
At twelve years old, Jason's mom couldn't manage him. He would talk back and would tell her off if he felt like it. She pleaded with Bello to take him and at first it seemed like he wouldn't. When his mother Bridget first asked him to take him, he had hung up the phone on her. He didn't even say a word. He just hung up. But then a month later, in August, Jason could remember it clearly, he came for him and took him to his main baby momma's house. She was fairly nice to him but Jason just didn't like her at first.
Antonia was her name and she was a great cook. She knew how to make roti and dahl. Her curry dishes were always delicious. You see, she was very close to Bello's mom, Jason's grandmother, before she died, who had taught her all her cooking secrets, that she in turn learned from her own mother. It was ironic to Jason that a total stranger would now be the one to teach something from his own heritage. It made him sad but also angry.
After a while however, her kindness wore him down, and he would go into the kitchen to watch her cook, and later when he was about thirteen he asked her if she could teach him how to cook those delicious meals, to which she gladly agreed. He learned a lot from her about cooking Indian dishes and Jamaican fusion meals, but also about patience and kindness, something he needed at that critical point in his life.
His dad was still a jerk to him, but was less of a jerk when Antonia aka Precious intervened. His big sister from Antonia, Kerry, was nice enough to him and her little brother, well, his little brother too, was a cool little dude. His name was Wayne. He grew to like them as well, but was still ambivalent towards his dad.
At fourteen, Jason was sent back to his mother's house. Bello stuffed Jason's clothes in a plastic bag and told him he had to go back home. He sent him back home to live with his mother empty handed. No food, no new shoes or clothes, not even some money to give to his mom.
Antonia had begged him not to do it, but Bello didn't care. He complained that Jason didn't respect him because he didn't jump or flinch when he shouted at him like the other children did. But Jason wasn't afraid of him. He barely respected him. He went back to his mom's house and decided from that day forward he would do any job to help out. He didn't need his dad's help or sympathy.
Jason slid into Mas Joe's old Toyota Carolla and waited for him to finish speaking with Mr Brown. When Joseph got in the car, he handed Jason $20,000. "Here," he said, "for yesterday and today."
Jason nodded, took the folded up money and pulled a side zipper of the bag he had carried with him, tucked it into that small space and closed the zipper.
Joseph looked at his young charge for a minute and smiled. "Mr Brown told me what you did. I don't mind you doing side gigs besides working with me," he said.
Jason smiled. "Yeah, I know, but he's your customer so respect is due."
Joseph nodded. "Yah good yute."
Jason laughed.
Joseph turned the key in the ignition, shifted the car into drive and slowly moved the vehicle away from the sidewalk.
"Speaking of side hustle," Jason spoke, his eyes on the road. "A friend of mine told me about a family that needs their kitchen and living room repainted. It's up Constant Spring way."
"Oh?" Joseph glanced quickly at Jason, then returned his gaze to the road.
"Yeah." Jason smiled.
"Well make sure you do your measurements accurately before yuh staht di werk." Joseph maneuvered onto Half Way Tree Road.
"Yeh, I know how," Jason said confidently.
Joseph nodded. "Good."
Joseph stopped the car before Clock Tower Plaza. Jason got out of the vehicle. Carefully, he closed the door and told Joseph thank you. Hoisting the bag over his shoulder, Jason headed towards Devon House Bakery. It was his mom's birthday and he wanted to buy her "sumn nice". It was lucky for him that Mr Brown had given him permission to take a shower in a shed in the back of the yard.
The shed had a bathroom with shower, face basin and toilet. It was equipped with a mini fridge and a two burner hot plate for when Mr Brown felt peckish. Oftentimes he was doing some yard work and didn't want to bother his wife. Sometimes it was due to their explosive arguments. His wife was a temperamental woman.
Power ran from the main house to his little den, so he could install lights and electricity for a fan. It also had a small bed that Mr Brown used when he would come in late from work and didn't feel like going to the house. His wife was a light sleeper, and him trudging in at 3:00 in the morning would surely wake her up and make her grumpy for the whole day. He knew better, so he converted the shed into a mini flat.
The shed was already there when he and his wife bought the property, but he made it comfortable for his convenience. While walking the distance to the bakery, Jason thought about the nice house he was painting and wondered if one day he could have something like that.
****
Carli was getting her hair retouched. She had asked her parents for money to deal with her weekly upkeep and her dad surprised her by depositing $50,000 into her bank account. He would usually send $30,000 to last for two weeks. This time however he warned her that the money would have to last her through the month.
She understood things at home were a little difficult and agreed to do her best. She had to do her hair though, it had grown about two inches, and she was excited to see how long it would look after Andrea, her hair dresser was finished. She also asked that a rinse be applied to her hair. She was partial to burgundy with a hint of lavender at the ends.
After having the relaxer fully applied to her hair roots, she waited an extra 10 minutes for the product to do its work. She was sitting on a plush, comfy couch with a shower cap over her head. She scrolled through her Instagram feed, then went to Whatsapp to see what her friends were up to.
Simone shared a picture of herself and the growing baby bump. She was wearing a cute royal blue jumper and a pair of flat sandals. She looked plumper, but also happy. The child's father, Matthew, stood beside her resting his hand possessively on her belly.
Matthew.
Everyone thought that Carli and Matthew were a couple. Not even close. She had always seen him as a brother, and thought he felt the same way, until one day everything changed between them. Yes, they kissed once, and what a kiss it was! But she only kissed him because she was a virgin and had never kissed a boy before. Now she was not sure how she felt about him. There was no turning back now though, he was apparently dating Simone. She looked at the picture of her two best friends, male and female, and recalled how she messed things up.
She was an 11th grader in high school at the time and all her classmates were talking about French kissing and what it was like. Matthew laughed at first when she asked him to kiss her. But after she convinced him that she needed the practice, he agreed.
On that fateful day, she remembered, she was over his house. It was a Friday afternoon, just like it was today. Matthew's parents had not yet returned home from work. He and Carli had left straight from school, took the bus together and chatted all the way to his place. They were glad to be done with the school week and happy for the weekend.
Mathew took some rock buns and two ginger beer sodas from the refrigerator. He heated up the rock buns in the microwave, placed them on two plates and brought them up to his bedroom. He handed one of the plates to Carli and placed the sodas on the floor beside the bed. Carli was already sitting on his bed rocking to some music she was listening to on her phone.
"Thanks for agreeing to do this for me Matt," Carli said shyly.
They had agreed that it was going to be that day. No one was at home yet. They were alone. They had been alone numerous times before, Carli knew every detail of Matt's room. She felt nervous about the kiss but believed she was safe with him. She however did not want them to be caught by his parents. They were somewhat liberal, laid back people, but she kept thinking of how embarrassing it would be if she and Matthew were discovered.
"And why do you want me to do this again?" Matthew asked, a quizzical but amused look was on his face. "Wouldn't Andre be a better candidate?"
Matthew knew that Carli had a crush on Andre, so he was teasing her.
Carli carefully bit into the toasty, warm bun Matthew's mother had baked the night before. Mhmm! So nice! she thought. "You know why," she said licking a crumb off the corner of her mouth.
"Well remind me. I think I need further convincing. I said yes, but now I'm not sure." Matthew sat on the bed with Carli, he had already finished his first rock bun and had two more left. He only gave Carli two buns since she claimed she was watching her figure, and was still on the first one. He watched her eating and shook his head.
"Well?" He looked at her.
"I've never had a guy kiss me. I just want to know what it feels like. And yes Matthew, I know you know I like Andre. At least with you I can feel comfortable cause it won't really mean anything. It's just practice." She tried to make it sound like she was going in to do a routine doctor's appointment.
"Practice eh?" Matthew chuckled. "How yuh know seh afta wi kiss yuh nuh develup feelings fi mi?"
Carli rolled her eyes. "Matt please! Psshhh!"
Matthew clutched his chest as if he was in pain. "Wow! You broke my heart right there." He laughed mockingly.
Carli took up Matt's pillow and threw it at him. Matthew dodged it with plate in hand. Swiftly, he placed his plate on the nightstand and lunged at her, knocking her back into the bed. The plate in her lap slid off the bed. Both plate and the half eaten and whole bun fell to the floor. In one quick, smooth move his upper body was on top of her. Matthew looked down at her.
With a cheeky look on his face, he asked, "Is this what you want?"
Carli thought of raising her elbow and hitting him across his face, lightly though, she didn't want to hurt him. They would usually romp but he was being a bit rough now.
"Carli?" His eyelids dropped. He was looking at her lips. "Is this what you want?" His voice lowered to a husky timbre that sent chills down her spine. She had never felt that before, but wasn't sure if she liked the feeling or not. She definitely knew she was a little fearful. She didn't feel very safe with Matt right now.
Maybe this wasn't a good idea.
Her heart was beating really fast. She wanted to push him away, but a part of her was curious to see what he would do. She left her hands at her sides.
Slowly, he lowered his head and gently kissed her lips. At first, the kiss was playful, just tender brushes on her upper lip, but then he shifted gears and started kissing her more intensely. She felt her body respond in a way she didn't expect. This scared her, but it felt different, almost exciting. She started trying to kiss him back. Opening her mouth slightly, she tried that thing with her tongue she heard the girls talking about. She found herself lifting her arms to circle around his neck, pulling him closer.
He adjusted his weight over her, pressing himself more on top of her. She relaxed into his embrace, being carried away by emotions she didn't quite understand but was willing to explore. His right hand cupped her face while his left hand slowly swept over her shoulder, down her side and rested on her right hip. They were still in their school uniforms and Matthew thought to himself, what a hindrance the clothes they were wearing was to him.
He made a low guttural sound and nipped her lower lip passionately. Carli gasped. The sound made Matthew let out a soft breath as he kissed her. He moved his head, trailing a line of kisses from her lips to her neck.
She smells so good. I could breathe her in all day. He thought.
His hand ventured beneath her skirt to touch her buttocks. She was wearing short, black tights that snugly fit her curves. Matthew gently squeezed her bottom. Carli felt a shock of sensations run through her. She remembered thinking to herself: Oh lort! What is this?! Should I stop him or should I let him continue? This is getting too intense! It feels so good but maybe we should stop.
Just then the door opened and Matthew's mom walked in on them. Melanie, did not expect what she saw in her son's room, she let out a shriek and went through the door, closed it and said, "Matthew ... um, if you and Carli are going to do things like that, you need to lock the door."
Matthew reluctantly rolled away from Carli. He looked at her. His eyes showed something hidden deep within that caused her to shiver. This side of him was in contrast to what she was used to. He was always a carefree guy, but now he looked at her with a gaze that she couldn't read.
He cleared his throat. "I think you better leave now." His voice was raspy, his eyes were boring into her. Carli nodded. She grabbed her school bag and fled out of his room. She rushed downstairs and ran past Melanie before she could say anything to her.
Ever since then, everyone said she and Matthew were together, because Melanie had called her parents and told them what happened. But, after that evening, Matthew never touched her. Sometimes she would catch him looking at her funny, but then a blank expression would take over his face and he would act like everything was fine. Things were never the same though.
She used to visit him and they would sit up in his room and watch TV. She would watch him play video games, or they would listen to music. They would often do home work together but after that incident, he never asked if she wanted to come over, and instinctively she knew it was best not to ask about visiting his house.
When she found out that he had gotten Simone pregnant she was stunned, but she never said anything to him. It was Simone who told her that it was his baby. They had gone to a party during the summer. It was after they had finished sitting their CSEC exams. The 11th graders wanted to do a little 'after exams fete', to let loose and have some fun. They decided to do a beach trip first, which Carli went to, but she wasn't allowed to go to the house party. It was kept at a girl named Rachel's house, but her parents didn't think it was a great idea so she didn't go.
Simone and Nichelee went however, and after a few drinks Matthew got loose tongued and told Simone how he had always had a thing for Carli but never told her. He was despondent because he figured Carli would never see him in a romantic light.
Simone, trying to console him, ended up comforting him too much and got pregnant, while Matthew was just trying to get an ego boost. When Matthew found out she was pregnant, he promised to be there for her and the baby, and so far he was. The family decided to keep the identity of the father a secret until a few weeks ago when he landed his first job after high school.
When she finally saw Matthew, she had decided to visit Simone, bringing donuts. Sim said she was craving donuts. So she did what a best friend would do. It was the summer and she had gotten a holiday job at a small bakery. When Simone wrote on her Whatsapp status that she was craving donuts, Carli thought this was a good opportunity to see her friend. She purchased the six pack at a discounted price from her supervisor at closing time, and took a bus then a taxi to her friend's house.
When she arrived Matthew was there sitting in Simone's room. Simone wasn't there. She had gone to a nearby corner shop. Simone's little sister had let her in and told her that Sim had another visitor but never told her who it was. She felt awkward seeing Matthew, so she placed the donuts on a table in Simone's room and nodded towards Matthew who nodded in return.
"Will you tell her these were from me?" Carli asked.
"Sure," Matthew said, "but you could tell her yourself." He stood up.
Carli instinctively stepped back.
Matt cleared his throat. "About what happened couple months before..." Matthew started.
"It's okay," Carli interrupted him. "I suppose it's my fault. I asked you."
"You had to have known Carli." Matt sighed and rubbed his stubbly jaw. He was growing his beard out for the summer now that he was done with high school.
"Known what?" Carli felt an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of her stomach.
"How I felt." Matt stepped closer to her.
Carli backed off to the door. Her back resting on the wooden frame.
***
"Ms James? Ms James?" Carli felt a touch on her shoulder that snapped her back to the present. She looked up. Andrea told her she was ready for her.
Carli lay back and let Andrea thoroughly rinse the perm relaxer from her scalp and hair. After using a special shampoo, Andrea instructed her to sit in her styling chair. She applied a moisturizer to the hair then started carefully applying the Wave Nouveau Booster solution to Carli's hair. Retrieving the perming rods from her hairdressers' table, Andrea parted Carli's hair into 1/4 inch strands to roll into the rods. In twenty minutes she was finished and told Carli it would be another twenty to twenty-five minutes wait so the booster could get ample time to curl her hair.
Carli sat back on the pink couch Andrea had in her salon for her clients' comfort. Meanwhile, Andrea started washing out and shampooing an older woman's relaxed hair.
Carli looked at the time on her phone. She was there from 12:30 p.m. and now it was 1:30 in the afternoon.
She leaned back into the cosy sofa. Matt had accused her of ignoring his feelings so she could get what she wanted. Carli remembered how offended she felt.
"You know what I mean Carli," he said. "The way I would look at you some times. The way I would ditch everybody just to spend time with you any time you asked me to. I allowed you to eat half my lunch at school sometimes." He came closer.
"The way I would touch your back just to let you know I'm near, when you're scared to do something." Closer he came, until his face was inches away from hers. She looked away from his stare. She felt his breath on her right cheek.
"Tell me you didn't know how I feel about you?" Matthew braced his arms on the door trapping her between them. She looked down. Matt took his finger and lifted her chin so he could look her squarely in the eyes.
"I have wanted you since we were in the 8th grade and you asked me if I had an extra pencil to lend you. We were in Mr Smith's Math class. You remember that?"
Carli nodded. She remembered their first interaction. "You never told me Matthew." A tiny voice of protest came from her lips. She noticed that Matthew was watching them move. He wanted to kiss her again. Mustering all her strength, she pushed him away from her. He was 5'10" with a solid frame. He played football for their school and was very strong. Matthew backed away allowing the push she gave him to propel him across the floor.
"I don't see you like that Matthew. You know that!" It was almost a shout. Her chest was heaving with effort and anger.
"The way you kissed me before I couldn't tell." His eyes bored into her.
"Were you just playing with me Carli? Feeding on my emotions? You must have known I would be willing to kiss you because of my feelings for you. You used me?" His accusatory tone stung like a wasp bite.
"That is not true Matthew. I always thought you saw me as a sister. You're like my brother!"
The look on his face pained her.
"Bullshit!' Matthew charged. "You knew Carli. If you didn't you wouldn't kiss me the way you did."
"I... Matthew we're just friends!" Carli felt her heart breaking. What had she done?
"No!" Matthew shook his head. "Too late for that sentiment after our kiss." He grabbed his bag from Simone's bed.
"Please tell Sim I will call her later tonight."
He brushed past her allowing his arm to slightly touch her through her blouse. She shuddered. His physical closeness was unnerving. He opened and closed the door behind him without a word.
Carli sighed and tried to relax. She pressed the power button on her phone to check the time. It was 2 p.m. Just then she heard Andrea calling her, pointing to the styling chair. Carli got up and sat in the chair. She hoped it wasn't much longer. She needed to get out of there. Her thoughts were holding her captive. She needed to leave, to do something, anything to occupy her mind with something productive.
****
The phone rang five times before Carlos James picked up the call.
"Hello?" He answered.
"Cough! Cough!"
Carlos looked at his cellphone. Someone was coughing on the phone.
He put the phone to his ear again. "Hello," he said getting annoyed.
"Cough! A me man Red Man. Cough... cough..."
"Red Man wah wrang wid yuh?" Carlos sat down and leaned back into his office chair.
" Ah juss a likkle sniffles mi have man," Red Man said. His tone cheerful.
"So weh yuh want?" Carlos was growing impatient.
"Bredda! Yuh nuh affi ah behave suh enuh. A yuh fren dis from scheme days, wen we used to lock di scheme up a Hermitage."
Carlos grimaced. That time was like another life to him now. He was past that.
"Yeh man. Suh what yuh want me fi duh fi yuh?" Carlos asked sarcastically. Maybe Red Man was looking to ask for money. Carlos couldn't help him.
Red Man laughed. It was a harsh cackling sound that ended in coughs that rattled through the phone connection.
"No man," he said. 'A weh mi cyan duh fi youu!"
He sounded confident. Carlos wondered what this was about.
Carlos sighed. "Look I'm at work, so just tell me what's up."
Red Man chuckled. "Arite boss man. Mi know yah man weh always busy."
"Mi hear seh yuh need a cash top-up so mi have a proposition fi yuh."
"Who tell yuh dat?" Carlos was indignant. Delroy and Red Man were drinking buddies. It had to be Delroy who flapped his mouth off as usual.
"Nuh worry yuhself man. Mi an' yuh a bredrin from whappy kill phillup. Mi nuh muss cyan help mi fren," Red Man said.
"Wah kinda help yuh cyan give mi?" Carlos asked. He picked up his pen and started ticking off a list of actions he completed on a worksheet.
"Me have a deal fi yuh weh can give yuh $500,000 a month."
Carlos placed his pen back on the work desk.
"Go on."
"Yeh man, yuh can get up to $500,000 monthly."
Carlos did need the money. Red Man was always up to something but he wasn't a thief. Carlos' daughter was now at university and his wife's job hung in the balance. "Ah hope a nuh scamming foolishness enuh."
"No man." Red Man chuckled. "Nothing like dat bredda. Strictly legitimate. Legal all the way."
"Okay." Carlos glanced at his watch. It was 3:30 p.m. "Call me back at 5. We can talk then."
"Okay, arite. Yuh nah guh disappoint."
Carlos sighed. "Okay." He hoped not. He hung up and went back to work.
***
Bridget was woken out of her sleep by a sharp knock on the door. She stretched, got out of bed, staggered to the door, and opened it to see her son facing her. Her tired faced cracked into a bright smile. She hugged her son and pulled him into the house.
"Happy birthday mommy!" Jason smiled broadly. He had a cake box in his hand. It held a generous slice of red velvet cake, her favorite. She hugged her son again. He pushed the box into her hand which she received with joy and brought into the little cramped space they called a kitchen. She placed the box on an old table she had that belonged to her grandfather years ago.
"Yuh staying for dinner?", she asked. Bridget had done a double shift at work. She was a security guard at an industrial complex and had only managed to get four hours of sleep before her son came home and woke her up.
"Yeh man," Jason said. He always had space for his mom's cooking.
Jason went into his bag, counted out some money and gave it to her. "That's $10,000. I know you just started this new job and figured you will need it. He was right, she hadn't gotten paid yet. She just started a week ago. Bridget felt it was time she did something that would elevate herself. The company that hired her advertised that they needed female as well as male guards.
Why not? She thought to herself. She did need the money.
She hadn't worked in awhile but the recruiter was understanding and said he would help her. A week from the day she did the interview, he called to tell her she passed the Math and writing test, so they would offer her a contract. She needed to come in with a clean police report. Bridget immediately asked her mom to send the money to get the police record, paid for it and brought it to them. Her first week was about to end on Sunday.
Jason sat on his mom's bed. "Where is Joel and Lisa?" he asked, looking around. He noted a crack on the wall. As soon as he got some more money, a good lump sum, he would buy some filler and cement to fix the wall.
"Oh," Bridget looked around at her son. "Joel is at training for basketball and Lisa has extra lessons with her English teacher."
"Do you need me to deal with that?" Jason asked.
"No. No man." His mother laughed. "The money your granny sent was able to deal with the police record and cover her lessons for this month. Besides, school soon give holiday. Don't worry about it."
Bridget washed two plastic plates and two cups and gave them to Jason to hold. With the cake box in one hand and a knife in the other, she cut up the cake slice into four smaller pieces. Taking out two of the pieces, she gingerly held each piece between thumb and knife and deposited them onto the plates that Jason was holding.
"Mommy," he said, "you know the cake is for you."
"I know baby. It's my birthday, but what is a birthday without people to share the birthday stuff with, especially a cake." She smiled.
Jason smiled back. He loved his mom. She was poor but always giving what she had. Sometimes she would take out of their meagre food supply and share with the children that lived across the street. Jason marveled at how she managed to stretch the food so well.
"So where did you work today?" Bridget bit into her birthday cake. She knew her son was always working somewhere.
Jason chewed, swallowed his piece of the cake and washed it down with some Tang juice she made for them. "I went with Mas Joe today." He took another sip of the juice.
"Okay. He paid you this money?" Bridget asked.
"Yeah."
Bridget smiled. Joseph was always kind to her and the children. Now that Jason was working with him, it made a big difference in what Jason could contribute to the family.
"You know, if I had been smart, your last name would have been Black not Singh."
Jason eyes widened. "What do you mean?", he asked.
Bridget placed her plate on the floor and looked at her son with a serious face. "Joseph was also interested in being with me. You know they were good friends, still are. I met your father first however, and he introduced me to Joseph. I liked both of them but I chose your father. He was a charmer, and I thought he cared for me. I knew Joseph liked me but he wasn't much of a talker, and I wasn't sure if he really wanted a relationship. He did tell me he fancied me." Bridget said as she remembered. "But I was already dealing with your dad and Joe didn't seem to want to pursue me the way I wanted him to. So I decided to put my energies into Bello."
Jason stopped eating and looked at his mom. Again he said to himself: I do not understand women.
"Maybe if I was more patient, things would have been different." Bridget bent her head and used her fingers to scratch her scalp, then smelled her hand. "Phew! Need fi wash mi hair now."
She looked up to see Jason's expression. She laughed. "I'll be home tomorrow. My day off. I'll wash it tomorrow no need to look like that."
Jason wasn't even thinking about that. He was thinking about this new revelation his mother just dropped on him. Mr Black, the man who he admired, who he saw as a father figure, could have been his dad? Jason sighed inwardly. This didn't make him feel any better. It would have been better if she never said anything.
When the two munchkins came home they all ate a dinner of corned beef and pumpkin rice, with some shredded vegetables which consisted of carrots, raw cabbage and lettuce drizzled with sugar, a little water and vinegar. They told him about their day at school and training. Jason rubbed his hand on Joel's head, his hair was like a cluster of beautiful, black curls more than Jason's was.
"Well make sure you do your best." Jason encouraged him after Joel told him his coach said he was the most improved player on the team.
"Yes I will." Joel smiled at his brother. He was the best role model to him. They bonded easily over sports.
Lisa and Jason were also close but in a different way. She always wanted him to check her homework and spent hours telling him about her friends at school. Jason didn't mind. He knew he was fulfilling a role his dad would never do. Since the time they were born, his younger siblings had only seen their dad on special occasions or an emergency, twice for each of them.
One time when Lisa was eight and sick in the Bustamante Hospital, he came to visit her. Another time she saw him when she was going into high school. He came to her primary school graduation.
For Joel, he came to one basketball game and when Joel got an award at his high school for earning first place overall in Science for his class --he was in the 8th grade at the time-- Bello came to the ceremony in a flashy, expensive suit and took pictures with the kids and Bridget. Not Jason though, he refused to be a hypocrite.
His relationship with his dad was like a business transaction. They spoke when it was mutually beneficial to them. Bello bragged to everyone at the event that Joel was his son. Jason was so annoyed with him but held his peace. It was his little brother's day, so he kept his sarcasm to himself.
Thinking about it now, Jason wondered what his mother ever saw in him in the first place. Was it the angular jaw? Was it his piercing brown eyes or was it his dark Indian features? Maybe it was the hair? Curly tresses that glistened in the sunlight. Guess I'll never know. He thought. Jason looked at his family and smiled. This was what mattered to him anyway.
Chapter 6: The paint job.
"Hey! What are you doing?! Yelled Carli's aunt as she supervised the mini repair and construction project at her house.
Carli was relaxing in her aunt's nice, huge and comfy sofa. It was a rich navy blue color with cushions that were different shades of blue from baby blue to midnight blue. It was a Monday, but Carli had no exams. She had four later that week and two next week, and then she would be done with this semester. She was nervous, but felt she needed to just chill and try not to think about them for a little bit.
She also decided that she would spend the rest of her time in Kingston and St. Andrew sleeping at her aunt's house, and go down to stay with her parents for the Christmas holidays starting from Christmas Eve. She would leave straight from her aunt's house on the 23rd and then spend that whole time with her mom and dad until New Year's day. Then she would go back into town from the 2nd of January. Her cousin Melissa would drop her off in Half Way Tree on her way to work and then Carli would take a bus from there to the university.
She couldn't wait for exams to be over. She had only one writing assignment to bring in and a presentation to do but those were the least. The environment in the dorm with Shauna and Marsha was becoming too toxic and she needed to get out of there. Marsha was behaving like a bitch to everyone and she suspected it was because of Jason.
Even Shauna would spend some of her nights sleeping over at another friend's dorm room. There was space over there for one more person because the girl who was to occupy the room found an apartment off Mona Road to rent at a fairly reasonable price. When Carli realized what Shauna was doing she started thinking about where she could be besides being in a room with Marsha alone. She had asked her aunt if she could stay and she agreed. She had two children Melissa and Brandon, but Brandon had been accepted to a university in the USA and was gone.
Sandra said she could "capture" Brandon's room because he wasn't planning on coming back to Jamaica for the holidays. He would be looking for holiday work to add to the money his parents sent him every two months.
Now as she lay down on the new, very comfortable couch Carli remembered over hearing Marsha talking to her mom about Jason. Carli was trying to study while Marsha was pacing back and forth in the room.
"Mommy," Marsha said. "He's not answering my phone calls. Yes, I called to ask him if he was coming home for the holidays. I ended up leaving a message on his voice mail about it. He texted me back and said he would spend Christmas with his mom this year."
Carli continued to look at her text book but her ears were attentive to the conversation.
"Mommy, no!" Marsha said sounding annoyed. "Why do you always think it has something to do with me? Okay... Oh gosh! Yes, Jason and I had a little misunderstanding, and I may have gotten a little upset and he got upset, and since then I haven't seen him."
There was an awkward pause where Carli assumed Marsha was listening to her mom speaking to her.
She wondered if the "misunderstanding" had something to do with the time she saw them that night she was supposed to go out with Jason for ice cream.
"He has a girlfriend or maybe a girl he likes," Marsha said sitting down on her bed. "I was only trying to find out who it is. Yes of course he is a grown man. Yes mother I know... I ..."
There was an awkward pause. Carli heard something hit the surface of Marsha's bed. When Marsha got up and went into the bathroom. Carli looked around to see that it was Marsha's phone. Apparently, Marsha's mom had hung up the phone on her daughter.
Carli turned around and closed her textbook. It would be better if she went to the Main Library to study. Sitting up she stretched tiredly. Just then Marsha walked back into the room and saw Carli sitting up and placing her books in her school bag.
"Going somewhere?" Marsha asked.
Carli refrained from making eye contact with her. "Yeah, just going to the library to finish up some research."
"Oh I see." Marsha said her gaze skeptical. "You sure you're not meeting up with Shauna so you and her can have a good laugh over what you heard me talking about?"
Carli got up and moved to straighten her bed sheet. "I don't have a clue who you were talking to and I'm not familiar with your topic of discussion." Still not making eye contact, Carli fluffed her pillow and laid it neatly at the head of the bed.
"Oh really?" Marsha looked at her more intensely now. "I have a friend. His name is Jason. He grew up with me like a brother, but now we're much more than that."
She moved closer to Carli and said, "The other day he said he bumped into a girl named Carli on his way over to see me for our lunch date. I only know one Carli and that is you, but maybe there are other females on this campus with that name. What do you think?"
Marsha was right in front of her now.
After carefully smoothing out the wrinkles on the bed sheet, Carli looked up at her.
"Maybe there are other Carli's, I don't know, but I did meet a Jason a few weeks back, yes." Carli was done backing off from this girl. She wasn't scared of her. She just didn't like conflict. She was like her dad in that regard, but she was also like her mom, and would tell it like it is, without fear or favor.
Marsha backed away as if stunned.
Carli watched as it seemed a myriad of emotions crossed Marsha's face.
"Have you seen him recently?" Marsha folded her arms across her ample chest. Thankfully, she was wearing a bra that day, Carli thought to herself.
"No. I haven't," Carli said, slowly packing her school bag with her purse, textbooks, phone, and other items she thought she needed, like a thin sweater. The air conditioning in that library could be very cold, at least to her.
"Is that true?" Marsha eyes squinted as she looked at her. Her lips were drawn into a thin line.
"Yes it is." Carli paused to look her dead in the eyes.
"Okay." Marsha replied. "Just wondering if you were the one he was meeting a couple weeks ago."
Carli decided to ask the most obvious question. "So... you guys are a couple or sumn?"
"Yes we are." Marsha replied quickly. "Why do you want to know? Are you interested in him?"
"How can I be? I haven't seen him." Carli placed the bag over her shoulder.
She moved past Marsha and went to the door. "If you'll excuse me I have better things to think about than a man."
Carli opened the door and closed it behind her.
Marsha knew that was a straight jab at her. She wasn't convinced however, that Carli hadn't seen Jason after the time he bumped into her, but had no proof. She would watch her carefully.
***
After that interaction with Marsha, Carli thought it would be best to take some time away from the dorm and stay with her aunt. She was even willing to stay with her if she would allow it for the rest of her time in Kingston. She would ask her aunt Sandra if she would take her in, if this current visit with her went well. She had packed her bags with her clothes, sheet spreads, snacks and literally everything she brought with her into Kingston except another small bag full of make up, she left that for Shauna to hold onto for her. She however took her body wash, oils and cremes, as well as a bottle of lotion and other hair care products.
Now as she lay on the sofa, flipping though a magazine her aunt had on a small table in the living room, she felt grateful for her aunt's generosity. She had only met her twice before moving into town, and she treated her like they were very close aunt and niece. Her warmth made her feel safe and happy.
An hour passed and Carli had fallen asleep among the soft cushions, when she heard a familiar voice that woke her up. Carli extended her hand and reached for her phone hidden beneath the cushions. Retrieving the phone she looked at the time. It was 10:30 a.m. She hadn't eaten anything yet. She would normally eat at around 11 a.m. or at noon. She sat up lazily. She was still wearing the t-shirt and baggy shorts she had slept in the night before. She sighed. She was hungry now. Time to find something to eat. Her aunt and family believed in eating an early breakfast. Carli had no problem with breakfast, but she found herself enjoying food better later in the morning, not earlier.
She dragged herself to her feet and went into the kitchen. She removed a frying pan from the pot rack over head and retrieved some anchor butter from the refrigerator. She felt like eating some scrambled eggs and toast with maybe some frankfurters to show her tummy some love.
She took out two eggs, three franks from a jumbo sized pack and some nice whole wheat bread with raisins, two slices to add some fiber to her meal. She closed the fridge bumping her hip into the door. Carefully, she lit the stove and turned the fire on low. She cut off two cube pieces of the butter and laid them aside in a small plate. She placed the butter back into the fridge, closed it again with her hip.
Carli dropped one cube into the frying pan and watched it melt and sizzle. Then she broke the eggs into a medium sized bowl and took a whisk from a drawer and started beating the eggs. She added salt, black pepper, a few thyme leaves separated from their stems and a tiny sprinkling of paprika. She beat the mixture then added it to the pan, and turned the flame down even further. She was about to use a fork to scramble the egg mixture when a familiar deep voice greeted her.
"Mhmm... sumn smells real good!"
The voice was too familiar! Carli turned to see Jason standing at the doorway of her aunt's kitchen. He looked at her, his expression amused. She almost forgot she wanted the eggs scrambled, a good portion of the eggs had hardened. Carli hissed her teeth. Okay, omelette it is. She thought to herself.
Jason entered the room and looked her up and down. He had an amused look on his face, and his lips curled up slightly as if he was trying to hold back a smile.
"So, what are you doing here?" Carli asked. She took out a small knife from the cutlery drawer and started cutting the frankfurters diagonally.
"I'll be working here." Jason now smiled as he watched. "I take it you're not glad to see me."
Carli looked at his face. It had a mocking look, but she saw a hint of hurt in his eyes.
"No... I mean, it's just that I didn't expect you here. You know, I didn't know you knew my aunt." Good save Carli. She groaned inwardly.
"Okay, alrightey," Jason said, not convinced. His expression held a question.
Carli spoke up, "I'm staying here with my aunt for awhile. Aunt Sandra, your boss, I guess, invited me to stay with her for a little while." She looked up at him then looked away. His eyes were so focused on her. She noticed that he wore an old grey t-shirt that was stretched tightly across his chest and he wore cut off jeans, and an old pair of sneakers.
"Work clothes?" she asked.
Jason nodded his smile broadening. "Yeah, one has to look the part."
A tiny smile quirked up her lips.
"Ahhh!" Jason said. "I knew there was a smile in there somewhere."
Carli felt a bit flustered with him watching her. Hurriedly, she took the frying pan off the fire, and taking a plate from the cupboard, she carefully deposited her now hardened eggs with a fork into the plate. She looked up at Jason, who was leaning against the counter, his legs crossed at the ankles while he watched her.
"Um ... trying to prepare some breakfast for myself ..."
"I can see that," he interrupted. "Okay, tell you what, I will be over in the corner taking some measurements. Don't mind me."
He smiled at her and she felt her heart melt.
"We do need to talk though," he said, matter-of-factly.
Carli nervously turned off the stove. Lawd have mercy. What was this man doing to her?!
Jason saw what she did and said. "I don't mean to interrupt, but we had a date and all. I just wondered what happened. Why you stood me up?"
Carli reached for a small onion in the fridge and began peeling it, washing it at the sink, then chopping it into small cubes. "I didn't stand you up," she said looking him straight in the eyes, then she focused on dicing the onion.
She placed the knife on the cutting board. "Tell you what, let me get through preparing and eating breakfast and I will find you wherever you are and we'll talk. Okay?"
Jason nodded. That sounded fair. "Okay. No problem. Let me go over here real quick and do some work."
Jason took his tool bag which was different from his school bag from his shoulder, laid it on the floor, and took out a measuring tape and pencil. He began to measure the wall at the far end of the kitchen away from Carli while she watched him furtively and prepared her breakfast.
When she was done cooking, she wiped off the counter. Took up her plate and a glass filled with some orange juice and went to her room to eat.
Jason watched her leave and thought with amusement how those baggy clothes hid her curves very well. Smiling to himself, he turned back to doing what he came there to do. He had a small notepad he made notes with and any little thought he had on observations he made, he jotted down, making careful note of them.
After speaking with Mrs Dixon about what he needed to make the job successful and his price, they decided that he would get paid half now and half when he was done. She was also working on a separate unit from the main house that she would turn into an Airbnb for travellers into Kingston, mostly business clientele.
The neighborhood was upscale enough. It was quiet and the neighbors minded their business. She wanted to attract a certain type of customer so she really wanted the new building to be villa-like looking but not too playful.
She told Jason if he did well with her kitchen and living room space at the main house she would consider him for painting the whole Airbnb for her at about $500 per square feet for the 1,550 square feet property. Jason agreed.
Right now it was still under construction so that gave him plenty of time to observe the job being done by the work men and to liaise with her about her preferred color scheme. This was the biggest gig he had ever gotten since he started painting and he was elated to show her what he could do. It was an added bonus to see Carli and to see if they could clear the air on a few things.
***
By the time Carli had finished eating and washing up the breakfast items, Jason had already started on the living room walls. Aunty Sandra had already got some of the work men who were doing the construction of her Airbnb to come in and move the furniture for her. Those pieces of furniture she preferred to remain were covered with tarpaulin.
Carli walked in silently and took everything in. Jason was using the paint roller on the walls first and then went over carefully with a paint brush. He worked quietly, not making a sound, not even a whistle as you would expect some work men would do. He had a cap on his head, not the blue and red NYC cap she was used to seeing him in, but a black one that had the words so faded she couldn't tell what it once said.
"Hey," she said walking slowly into the room.
Jason looked around and smiled at her. "Hey," he said, smiling at her. She noticed that there was a small speck of paint on his jaw.
"I didn't know you could paint." Carli's voice had a teasing tone to it.
Jason turned back to the job at hand. He sighed lightly.
"Yeahhhh." He looked at her, then looked away and began painting again. "One has to use the talents you're given and make use of them."
"How did you learn?" Carli was careful not to casually lean on any of the walls, though her legs felt wobbly.
Jason inspected his work carefully then replied, "My dad taught me. This is what he does for a living. He got a certificate to make sure he could get bigger gigs, but this is his thing. The trade was passed down to him from his dad, my grand dad. My grand dad learned it from a man who came from England who started up a business here."
Carli watched him carefully. "Do you have a certificate too?" she asked.
"Yeah I do. My dad made me go for it at seventeen. It's more like being assessed. There is no real in depth course for what we do. I just did the assessment so I can show people that I have approval from the state."
She looked at him quizzically. "What do you mean?"
Jason paused his brushing and looked at her. "Well, what I mean is, before now, tradesmen were doing their professions as professionals, before any government institution or agency said what they did was standard procedure. Many houses were built, painted, wired for electricity before there was any official government trade school or agency to monitor quality of output. I think it's disingenuous.
"Suppose the person judging you to determine if you are good at your job is below your level? ... Or maybe the way you do things is different from another school of thought. None of them are bad, just different. The person in charge can force a standard and say this is the one that should be accepted because that's what they know, meanwhile you may have another way of doing the same thing that is just as good or better, but the one in power or authority makes the rules."
Carli nodded. "Okay, I get you." She watched as he turned his attention back to his work.
"But you went and got it anyway?"
Jason nodded. Without looking at her, he said, "Yes, so I can do jobs like these and raise my profile. I plan on having a business one day."
"Oh okay. So why UWI?"
Jason looked over at her, his left eyebrow raised. "As I said, I want to turn my skills into a successful business, so I'm taking some courses in Accounting, Business Management along with a major in Economics. Now, it's just to gain experience and develop clientele." He started painting again.
Carli cleared her throat, she was curious about him. "But," she said, "painting can't always be lucrative. I mean some folks may want to paint their houses themselves or hire a 'small man' that may be cheaper." Carli leaned on a huge couch-- not the navy blue one --covered by a tarpaulin.
Jason nodded. "That is also quite true, but I plan on making my services reasonably priced and flexible. I also plan on offering other services related to the construction industry, as well as other types of businesses. I've already started."
Carli was intrigued, but didn't want to pry, she was however itching to ask. "um..."
He was almost done with a section of the living room walls. "Go ahead," he said intuitively. "You can ask what you're curious about?"
Carli smiled. "Okay. What other business have you started?"
"My cousin and I started a wholesale downtown. It was her idea. She had a stall and wanted to go bigger but needed a little push, you could say." Jason continued to paint the walls, moving to a different section efficiently.
He continued, "Fortunately, I am big on saving. Something my grandma taught me before she migrated. So, I had a certain amount of money in my possession. She is my favorite cousin, we vibe on a different level. So when she told me about her plans, I offered to help for a cut each month. It hasn't come off the ground fully yet but I'm expecting by Christmas things will improve." He glanced at her quickly then looked back to his task.
"So you haven't gotten any ROIs yet?" Carli said, trying to sound sophisticated.
Jason grinned, then chuckled a little. "No, not yet. She gave me back half of what I loaned her though, so that's a start."
"Oh, so you kind of bought into the business then?" Carli looked at him with new respect.
"Yeah. I have, but that's personal."
Carli laughed nervously. "Okay, of course," she said. "That is none of my business."
"So does Marsha know about it?" Carli decided to ask to see how he would respond.
Jason looked over at her. "No enuh. That sort of thing I keep to myself. My mom knows but only her and my grandma. I don't know if Tina told anyone else what we planned, but as part of our agreement, no person that is not relevant to the transaction or not a part of immediate family should know. I would expect her parents to know and probably her siblings, as I have told my mom and gran-gran but no one else."
Carli chuckled. "Well you've told me now."
Jason smiled at her. "Indeed I have."
Pausing for a minute, Jason said, "I think we need to talk."
"Yes, we do," Carli said nodding.
"I finish work at 7:00 p.m," Jason said. "Let's meet up at the front of the yard and we can decide how we'll get the chance to talk. Okay?"
"Okay," Carli said nodding.
"Don't stand me up now."
"I wouldn't dream of doing that." Carli smiled at him.
***
At around 7 in the evening, true to her word, Carli was standing at the front gate waiting on him. Aunt Sandra had allowed him to wash up using a garden hose and a used bar of soap. He scrubbed his hands and feet with the soap but washed his face with just water. When he came around the side of the house towards the front yard, he saw that Carli was already there waiting for him. His face broke into a huge grin.
"You're here," he said smiling.
Carli laughed. "Of course, where else would I be?"
"Alright," he said, adjusting the bag strap on his shoulder. "A friend of mine should be picking me up, us up. He's gonna drop us off at the place where I'm staying and we can go on the date. We can talk one on one?" That last statement sounded like a question to Carli.
She nodded. "Okay." For some reason she trusted him.
Jason's friend, the one who told him about the paint job at the Dixon's house, picked them up at 7:30 p.m. and dropped them off at the front of Mona Commons community. Carli didn't expect that she would see UWI's front gate but was relieved that she wasn't confronted by a crazy Marsha. She imagined what Marsha would do to her if she could see her and Jason right now.
Jason told Omar thanks and reached for Carli's hand. "Don't worry," he said, "I'm just doing this to make sure everyone knows you're with me. So no one will bother you if maybe you wanna come see me by yourself."
"Okay," Carli said. She allowed him to clasp her hand in his. The touch was warm and reassuring and did make her feel safe.
Jason's little house that he rented was close to the front of the community. In just a few minutes they were at his front door. He opened the door and let her in. Then he closed the door behind him and turned on the wall switch. Light from a very bright LED bulb lit up the room.
Carli observed the room. Close to the front door, the room held a small table and two wooden chairs; a bed neatly spread with not a wrinkle, and a small night stand beside the bed. Further into the room she saw a long table with some pots and pans on one side and some plastic cups and plates beside them. There was also a large, square plastic container with a covering that kept spoons, forks and knives. The majority of the utensils were plastic but they were clean.
Carli walked into the room and looked around. She smiled mischievously. "Love what you've done with the place."
Jason laughed."Yeah, I try my best." He chuckled.
Dropping his work bag near the foot of his bed, Jason removed his shirt as he was preparing to shower. Carli saw what he did out of the corner of her eye, and could not help letting out a quick breath as if she had been punched in her belly.
Jason had a bag over the other side of the bed that he stored his 'good shirts' in. These shirts he rarely wore unless he was going out with friends or on a date.
On that same side was a standing fan. Jason lifted the fan over to where Carli was. He pressed the button down so that the fan could oscillate in her direction and plugged it in. Cool air hit her quickly. She sighed relieved. She was all of a sudden feeling hot. Carli cleared her throat.
Jason looked at her and saw her expression, the way she looked at him, and realized he had removed his shirt and maybe she was uncomfortable.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Jason said, "It's a reflex for me, just stripping naked." He chuckled. "As soon as I come home I take off my shirt and my boots or shoes."
There was a small chest of drawers to one side of the room. Jason went to it and took out some clothes and headed to a door to the right of the room.
"I won't take long," he said, and disappeared in the room. Then he popped his head back out. "Go on, have a seat." He winked at her.
Carli felt a rush of air escape from her lips. Was she holding her breath?
She looked out into the one large room and saw that a four burner gas stove with oven was off to one side and a washing machine was to the other side near to the back door. The room was pretty bare. There were no pictures on the walls. Nothing interesting. There were black and grey curtains that adorned the front windows but those were the fanciest things she observed. The walls were painted in grey, with black trimming at the top and bottom of the walls. The ceiling was painted a chalk white.
In five minutes Jason was done and was already wearing a pair of dark blue jeans. He retrieved the blue shirt he took from his bag and pulled it over his head, down his torso, covering a white marina. He pulled on a pair of grey crocs onto his feet. Carli took all of it in. He smiled at her, amused as he saw her looking at him intently.
"Like what you see?" Jason smiled mischievously at her.
Carli blushed.
She looked away from him. While she pretended to look anywhere else but at him, Jason took the time to look at her.
Her curly hair that she would usually have in a cute little bun was loose about her shoulders. It looked longer than before and the ringlets were more juicier. She parted her hair to the left side of her face and used a little pink hair pin shaped like a butterfly to pull the hair from her face. Her hair was piled to the right side of her head and framed her face in a seductive way. He noted a hint of purple at the hair ends.
Interesting color. He thought.
She wore a pink tank top and cute, pale blue jeans shorts that stopped mid-thigh, showing off her smooth, shapely brown legs.
After getting dressed and spraying his favorite cologne, Jason grabbed his wallet from his work bag and removed some money. He pushed his wallet into his pant's back pocket and tucked the extra money away into his work bag. He pulled on his favorite red and blue cap over his curly hair.
"Ready?" he asked, smiling.
Carli looked at him. He cleaned up nicely. She got a whiff of his cologne. Smells real good. She thought.
He reached for her hand and she gave it to him.
Jason allowed her to go through the door first, he turned off the light and closed the door.
They took a taxi down to Sovereign in Liguanea, where he told her to have a seat while he went for sandwiches and drinks.
He came back with a chicken sandwich for her and a fish sandwich for himself. Two sodas, grape for her and pineapple for himself.
As they were eating Jason stared at her, taking her in.
Carli blushed again.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" she asked feeling flustered.
"Well," he said, leaning forward towards her, "you are beautiful. I also wondered if we would ever get to meet up considering those last two fails."
Carli laughed. "Yeah about that..."
Jason laughed also. "Yeah about that. What happened?"
Carli took a sip of her soda.
"I did plan on going out with you. I got ready and everything, but when I looked out at the dorm gate I saw you and Marsha arguing, or it looked that way. She was giving jealous ex vibes. To a stranger you guys looked like a couple, or that you were together, and I didn't want to get involved with that. I turned around and went back to my room."
Jason looked at her puzzled. "Why?"
"Well firstly, Marsha and I are roommates on Seacole. We share a room with another girl named Shauna."
Jason nodded. Yeah, he knew Shauna. Nice girl.
He listened as Carli continued: "From the very beginning, That girl has had it in for me. Not sure what is her problem but she makes it her duty to try to intimidate me."
Jason listened. He wondered if him telling Marsha about his encounter with Carli had made Marsha's behavior towards Carli worse.
He was glad now that he hadn't said anything to her that night, when she saw him waiting on Carli.
Jason felt Carli's hand on his wrist. He looked at her. She had touched him to ask a question.
"Sorry," he smiled apologetically, "was lost in thought a little. Go ahead."
"I was asking if you guys, you and Marsha, if you were ever boyfriend and girlfriend?"
"Never," Jason replied emphatically.
He took a bite of his sandwich. His brow was in knots as he chewed his food and thought about the whole situation. "I know she likes me like that, but I don't see her that way. We're like brother and sister --siblings-- nothing more." Jason thought about explaining further. Should I let her know we used to live together? Yes, he said to himself. I will explain everything.
"So," Jason began, "I was in a really rough place in my life when I was fourteen, and my mom was having trouble with me, both in terms of my attitude and making sure I could go to school. One of the school's guidance cousellors saw that I was being wayward and one day asked me to come to her office for a chat.
"At the time I would only come to school on Monday's. I would collect the assignments for class on Monday and any other assignment during the week my friends would text me. Eventually though, I stopped going for a full month.
"Then one Saturday morning, Mrs Miller, the counsellor, was doing her grocery shopping and saw me on the road helping to pack supplies off a truck into a wholesale downtown. She told me she wanted to see me on the Monday after."
Jason looked away from Carli and looked at other folks at Sovereign chatting and laughing. "I went in the Monday and I ended up opening up to her and explaining what was going on. She told me to come to school Tuesday and bring my mom with me. She explained that she wanted to be my guardian. I would spend the summer and other holidays with my mom and siblings but during the school term I would stay with her and her family. My mom agreed. That's how I met Marsha and trust me I have seen her nasty side. I know how destructive she can be, so I understand your concern..." He reached for Carli's hand and she gave it to him. "... but I promise you, there is nothing going on between me and Marsh." His nickname for Marsha.
"As a matter of fact, we've not even spoken since the time you and I were supposed to go for ice cream. What you saw was her having a fit trying to find out who I was going out with that night. I told her nothing though."
Carli eyes flew open. "I see," she said, sipping more of her soda. She had a small piece of her sandwich left over. She suddenly felt ravenous, even though she did eat something for supper before they left her aunt's house. Biting into it heartily, she felt ketchup squirt onto the corner of her mouth and chin. She giggled nervously. She reached for the paper napkin but Jason beat her to it.
In one smooth movement, he gently used his napkin and patted the ketchup off her face. His eyes honed in on her lips. Instead of feeling uncomfortable, like the time she felt Matthew's heated gaze on her, she felt oddly warm all over.
"There we go," Jason said after wiping her mouth and chin dry.
He used the napkin to also wipe his own mouth and Carli felt butterflies in her stomach.
"Want some ice cream?" he asked her.
Carli nodded, afraid to choke on the word 'yes'.
Jason got up and removed his wallet from his pocket and went to buy the ice cream. She had mentioned on one of their chats via Whatsapp that she liked cookie and cream, grapenut and dragon stout ice cream, but pretty much all ice cream would get a thumbs up from her, except for pistachio. She didn't like that one.
He came back with a grapenut cup for her and himself. He smiled apologetically. "They had other flavors but I felt this was a safe bet."
They were given small plastic spoons that were folded up. Carli pulled out her spoon and watched as Jason did the same. She looked at his fingers. His finger nails were clean; cut low and neat. His fingers were strong and competent looking. Carli felt heat rise within her again, She looked away.
Tentatively, she took her spoon and dipped it into the ice cream and brought it to her lips. She used her tongue to lick the ice cream. She laid the paper napkin aside.
"Mhmm! This is good," she said. She pushed her spoon deeper into the cup and took out a nice chunk and stuffed it in her mouth.
Jason chuckled. "So, I gather you're a foodie?"
Carli laughed lightheartedly. "How yuh know?"
They both laughed.
***
Jason held her hands playfully squeezing and releasing, squeezing and releasing her palms.
"I had a great time tonight," he said, smiling at her.
"Me too," she said smiling up at him.
They were standing outside Sovereign. They had called an Uber taxi to take her home and they were just waiting for her driver to come for her.
It was 10:00 p.m. They had talked some more but not about Marsha. He told her about his mom and his brother and sister, Joel and Lisa, and even briefly mentioned his dad. Jason felt comfortable talking to her.
As the driver turned up, he leaned out of the car window. "Carli?"
"Yes that's me." Carli nodded.
Jason was about to open the car door for her when Carli turned around, reached up and hugged him, and planted a kiss on his cheek. Jason looked down at her. He had wanted to kiss her all day, but he would settle for a hug and kiss on the cheek for now.
He leaned down and hugged her again and kissed her on her forehead. Both pulled away from the embrace reluctantly.
Jason opened the car door and Carli slid inside. He closed it carefully. He nodded his acknowledgement to the driver, who nodded back and put the car into gear to drive off.
"Call me when you get home." He made the telephone sign with his hand.
Carli smiled. "Will do."
She was gone.
Jason had to wait another half hour to get a taxi going up to Papine. He stopped off at a shop and bought bread, a dozen eggs, milk, plain yogurt and a quart of cheese. He felt like trying that omelette Carli did, but with a fancy twist Antonia had taught him.
Walking to his house, he saw some of the guys watching him.
He called to the one they all respected.
"Choppa!"
"Yeah mi dawg! Mannas! Yow! One nice piece a gyal mi see yah walk wid since night. A your own dat?"
Jason smiled. "Yeah a mine dat." It may not be true now, but Jason hoped that it would be very soon.
"Suh who dah bee deh weh wi see come outta yuh house weh day?" This question was from a young man called 'Puppy Foot' by the residents of the community, because his right leg was a little bent at the knee.
"Who?" Jason had a pretty good rapport with the guys in the community but wouldn't push his luck. He tried to make his tone neutral.
'Puppy Foot' aka Jermaine, stepped away a little from the crowd of guys sitting on a wall.
"Yeh man, me and Brown Man see one tall dark skin bee ah come out a yuh house. Ah wen? ..." Jermaine turned to Brown Man aka Marvin and said, "Brown Man, a wen we si di tall gurl? How long now?"
Brown Man stepped forward. He took a puff of his ganja spliff and mused to himself. "Yuh know seh 'bout three weeks now," he said. "Yeh man, three weeks. Mi memba cause mi cuz round robin was a keep outta Waterhouse di next day."
This was news to Jason. "Describe har. Wait! She dark skin and tall yuh seh?"
"Yah man. Yah man." 'Brown Man' and 'Puppy Foot' nodded in unison.
Jason felt sick to his stomach. Could it be? He nodded to the men and said, "Ohh, ah me other gyal dat man. A true mi nuh memba. Mi did pass out the night."
Jason knew he had to lie to protect her. He would have to call Marsha out on her late night visits to his house without his knowledge. It was not safe, and he would not be responsible for anything bad that would happen to her, if she roamed around in the community at night.
He told the guys he was going in, to which they nodded and went back to sit down with 'Choppa'.
Jason entered his house stripped down to his underwear and climbed into bed. He had one exam tomorrow and two on Thursday, so he told Mrs Dixon, Carli's aunt, that he would finish up later on in the week. He would call her to schedule a time. The good thing was that after Thursday, his exams were done, and he would have the rest of the month to do what he wanted.
He turned on his right side and thought of Carli. The warmth of her body pressed to his was soothing, but also exciting. He didn't know how to describe how he felt. He just liked being near her. He closed his eyes and fell asleep thinking of her.
Chapter 7: Cheques and balances
"Yes, yes okay. Hold on a second," Carlos spoke into his cellphone.
Chapter 8: Just the beginning.
Carli lay in bed. It was 3 a.m. She had come home from her date with Jason over four hours ago, but she couldn't sleep. She touched her lips. He had kissed her again at the end of the night. The first kiss he gave her was a little friendly one. The contact did shock her a little, especially since it felt awkward after she told him the truth about her lack of experience. The last kiss however was the one that branded her. Even now it was as if she could still feel his fervent lips on hers.
***
They were having a wonderful time. She ordered the curry shrimp with rice and peas and he took the peppered steak, mashed potatoes with steamed broccoli and carrots. For beverages Carli ordered Ting, a grapefruit flavored beverage and asked for a glass filled with ice. Jason ordered a chilled bottle of melon flavored Red Stripe beer for himself.
They laughed and talked about their childhood. Carli told Jason she was an only child who was somewhat sheltered. Jason told her more about his family but left off the fact that he and his dad only spoke when necessary. He did reveal however, that the family dynamic was not the best, but he and his mom and siblings were trying to do the best with the situation.
When it was time for dessert she ordered a black forest cake, but Jason felt more for a slice of fluffy lemon cake.
Carli watched as he ate his pastry almost in a reflective mood. He was chewing each morsel he broke off with his fork carefully.
"You don't like chocolate?" Carli asked him.
His expression guarded, Jason replied, "Yes I do. Right now though, I'm saving my sweet tooth for a special kind of chocolate."
Jason looked at her intensely, his eyes signalling his intention.
Carli nervously averted her gaze from his. She picked up a small piece of cake with her fork and daintily put it in her mouth.
After chewing then swallowing, she asked, "Oh? What kind of chocolate is that?"
"I'll let you know when the time comes." His eyes narrowed as he looked at her.
Carli cleared her throat and looked away.
She cleared her throat again and shifted awkwardly in her chair. Wanting to address what had happened in his room earlier that night, she said, "I'm sorry for, you know, leading you on. I mean...," she stammered. Carli wanted to disappear, to run away from this situation. I must sound like an idiot to him, she thought. "I mean to say I like you a lot, but maybe I wasn't clear about ... you know the ..."
"Have you ever been kissed before?" Jason interrupted her. His gaze holding her eyes, commanding that she look at him.
Carli blushed and looked away from him.
"Carli, look at me," his voice softened.
She felt her eyes watering. She blinked to push the tears back as she looked at him.
Jason observed that she was blinking her eyes and wondered what was happening to her. When he noticed that her eyes looked slightly red and watery, he knew she was fighting herself not to cry.
He reached out across the table and touched her hand.
"Carli?"
Carli didn't want to cry but the soft, tender tone of his voice was sending her over the edge. She blinked again and a tear slid down her face.
Upon seeing this Jason released her hand momentarily. He stood up and moved his chair beside hers and sat down again to hold onto both hands.
"Carli, look at me."
She looked up at him.
Jason smiled. He reached up his right hand and used his thumb to brush against her cheek to dry the tear that fell.
"You don't have to be shy or afraid with me. You can trust me. You can tell me what's on your mind. Your deepest, darkest secrets," he paused, "... if you have any." His voice sounded sincere to Carli. She wanted to believe him.
Carli smiled slightly. Jason smiled back.
"If you don't want to answer that question, that's okay," Jason said, not wanting to appear pushy.
Carli sighed. "No. I think I should. Yes, I have been kissed before, but it led to a whole lot of drama."
His hand still caressed her now dry face.
"Okay." Jason waited patiently for her to start.
Carli told him about her friend Matthew and the plan they had to teach her how to kiss. About how he had kissed her in a way no one had ever kissed her before, but it left her confused because she and him were best friends. There wasn't supposed to be any chemistry between them.
"Do you have feelings for him?" Jason felt a twinge of jealousy.
"I'm a little confused about that, but I do know that I don't want my relationship with him to go beyond us being friends. I honestly didn't know he saw something with me beyond a friendship. He's dating my best friend now. So if there were to be anything, it couldn't go anywhere. She'll be having his baby soon."
Jason nodded. "I see, but if he were still free and he wanted to have a relationship with you. Would you?"
Jason felt his heart pounding. He was nervous. This guy he had never met was competing for his dream girl's affection. He wanted to win her for himself, but not at the expense of his own dignity. If he had a chance with her, he was willing to fight for her, but only if her heart and mind were free to give him that chance.
Carli looked at him. There was concern on his face. Instinctively, she knew that he was waiting for her to tell him she was sure about what she wanted. Thinking about everything for the first time objectively, she was sure.
Matthew's kiss had ignited a passion between them that she never knew existed, but it was tumultuous and could be detrimental to a solid friendship that had lasted almost ten years. She had known Matthew since grade eight in high school.
With Jason, the embers of desire were different. They were warm and satisfying, a slow burn that scintillated the senses and intrigued her. He also made her feel safe; that her feelings were important to him. She no longer knew what she would get when dealing with Matthew. But with Jason, even though she didn't know him well yet, there was something about him that felt right. She wanted Matthew and her to remain friends, nothing more. She wanted to see where things would lead with Jason. She will choose him.
Carli took a deep breath.
"I know that I can seem indecisive at times, but I've never been in a situation like this before." She smiled shyly.
Time to be a big girl now Carli. Tell him how you feel, she thought.
She took a deep breath. "The kiss I shared with Matthew broadsided me. I never expected the chemistry I felt between he and I, it left me off-kilter, but he is my friend, just my friend, and I wish for nothing more."
Carli reached up and touched Jason's face. She felt the light stubble of hair that was growing on his jaw.
"Jason, I really like you and want to get to know you better, as a friend ... and more if you'd like. I would like us to be more than friends."
Jason was relieved. He felt the dark cloud of doubt lifting off him. He sat forward in the chair and focused his eyes on hers.
"I want to be more with you Carli, much more than your friend." He kissed her on the forehead.
When the bill came Jason paid. She had protested a little, reminding him that she was the one who thought of this date, but she acquiesced after he touched her face again.
"I am happy to do this for you, and for me. You did pay the taxi fare. This is no problem."
She said, "Okay."
As they walked out of the restaurant to the nearest bus stop, he held her close to him. Ever so often he would look down at her and she looked up at him. They had chartered a local taxi.
"Thank you for telling me how you feel," Jason said, his eyes taking all of her in. As they stood together, the arm he had wrapped around her waist now gently stroked her back while they waited for their ride to come.
Carli smiled at him. "Thank you for being patient with me," she said.
Jason turned to face her and gently used his arm to turn her body towards him.
He cupped her face with both hands. "I'm going to kiss you," he said, his eyes seeking permission.
She nodded.
Leaning down, Jason pulled her to him, he put his arms around her, pressing her body to his. Slanting his head slightly to the left, he bent forward and softly brushed his lips against hers. The feathery kisses made Carli swoon. He lifted his head to see her expression. She looked up at him, her eyes pleading with him to continue. She reached out her hands to him and shyly placed them on his chest. She nodded, licking her lips.
Bending his head again, Jason opened his mouth slightly and captured her lips with his. He kissed her, allowing her to experience just a fraction of the pent up passion he was holding back from her. His lips and tongue were doing a dance with hers that made them both want more.
His embrace tightened around her when he heard a soft moan escape her lips. Shifting his body, he turned her away from the view of oncoming traffic, shielding her. He pulled her into the shadows behind the bus stop. His back was still towards the road as he indulged his senses in her smell and soft, full curves.
He breathed her in. "You are so beautiful," he said.
Hungry hands roamed up and down her torso, stroking her back, brushing on and caressing the sides of her bosom. Her breasts felt soft but firm, he couldn't get full access because of her bra, but he could tell. Jason teased her with his mouth, suckling on her lips and nibbling them gently. They were so soft to him. If he could get more of her, the things he would do to show her what she was doing to him, how crazy she made him feel.
He felt his breathing become rushed and shallow, and knew he would soon go past the point of decent behavior. Carli clung to him, not caring who saw what was happening between them. She had never known anyone who could make her feel like this.
Using all the mental strength he could muster, he separated himself from her by a few inches and looked into her eyes. His hands holding her away from him, he said, "We have to stop." His deep voice was raspy, breathy. Carli had difficulty breathing as well. She nodded reluctantly.
Jason retrieved his phone from his pocket and looked at the time. Composing himself, he called the taxi company's dispatch unit. They told him that their designated driver should be there within the next five minutes.
Jason hung up the phone and drew Carli to him. Their bodies now close to the bus stop and facing the road, he stood behind her, locking her in his embrace.
He whispered in her ear, "One of these days I won't be able to stop myself. I want all of you Carli. Do you think you will be okay with that?"
His words gave her a thrill of delight. Carli replied, her body responding on its own, "If you'll be gentle with me. Yes, it will be okay with me."
Jason noted that Carli's voice had changed from a girly, carefree tone to something mellow and sensuous. He hoped he would hear more of that sexy voice in the future.
He bent forward and gently planted a kiss on the side of her head. He spoke softly, "I will always be gentle, until you want more."
A shock of pleasure ran through her. She understood what he was saying. She leaned into him, basking in the solid strength she felt behind her. Jason protectively circled his arms around her. He enjoyed feeling her soft curves pressed against him. It wasn't nearly enough but he was willing to wait.
When the taxi came both Jason and Carli slipped inside. Jason put his arm around her. Carli rested her head on his chest and felt his strong heart beat. She was tingly all over, her senses heightened. This was nothing like she'd ever felt before.
The taxi dropped her off first. Before she exited the vehicle, Jason placed a soft kiss on her brow and said, "I'll call you tomorrow."
She nodded and stepped out of the car. Jason closed the door for her. She stood on the side walk and watched as the car drove off with Jason in it.
Now, as she lay in bed, she wished she was not the only one in it, and that the night would have continued the way she knew they both wanted.
***
Jason opened his eyes to a dark room. It was not yet daybreak but he was awake. He reached for his phone that was perched at the edge of his bed and pressed the power button to see the time. It was 5:45 a.m. He stretched and yawned loudly. He needed to see her today. He had to talk to her.
As the memory of what happened with Carli the night before came rushing in, he grimaced. He went too far with her last night. Could he blame it on the alcohol? He had two beers but he was always a good judge of when he was getting tipsy. No, that was not it.
There was something about her that made him want to go over the edge, but where they were was not the appropriate space. He would have to apologise to her. He wasn't sorry he kissed her or touched her the way he did. He was sorry that it was in public, that he regretted. Fortunately, no one had passed by on foot and there was very little traffic on the road at that time of night, but he could admit what they did was very risky.
He sat up and stretched again. Time to do his morning routine of 200 push-ups and 100 sit-ups. It was the off season for track and field at the University, so he had more time for himself, as an athlete however he still needed to keep himself in shape.
After doing his reps, he went into the bathroom to relieve himself and take a shower. He stood under the shower-head and allowed the water to beat down on his body. He had to do a few errands today but he wanted to see her. Maybe 'needed' was the word. It was as if he was a moth to her flame. Retrieving his shampoo from the bathroom rack he washed his hair, then started soaping his body. He wondered what she was doing now. If she was still asleep or if she was awake thinking about him.
After about ten minutes he was out of the bathroom and getting dressed. It was Sunday and he promised his father figure, his spiritual mentor, Mr Blake that he would attend church today. He retrieved his Bible from one of the wardrobe drawers. It was in a black leather case. It was a gift Mr Blake had given him after his baptism.
Sitting on the bed, Jason decided he would call Omar. Omar was one of his good friends from primary school days who also attended the same high school with him. Omar had no interest in going to college and instead opted to work in his dad's construction business. He was the one who recommended Jason to Carli's aunt and for that he was grateful.
This time though Jason wanted to borrow Omie's car. Sundays were Jason's days off. He refused to work on Sundays and so wasn't supposed to be at Carli's aunt's house, but he was going to pick her up. He wanted to spend the day with her. He needed the car to go for her and bring her back to her aunt's house comfortably.
He picked up the phone and dialed Omie's mobile phone number.
"Bredda! Bredda!" Omie greeted Jason as he answered his call.
"Wow!" Jason replied.
"Suh wah gwaan?" Omar Marshall asked.
"Deh yah bro. About to head off to the sanctuary yah now."
"Eeh? Safe travels," Omar said.
"Suh Omie, a one favor mi ask?"
"Hmm... Wah dat now?"
"Wanna borrow your car."
"Oh zeen. When yuh want it? Yah come pick it up todeh or wah?"
"Todeh man. Todeh mi a come fi it."
"Oh zeen. Arite, yuh have a hot date or sumn?" Omar chuckled.
Jason smiled at his friend's query. "You could say that," he said.
"Wid who? Di brown skin girl mi si yah carry guh yuh yaad?"
Jason laughed a little. "Yes, her."
"Wahh! Suh how it ah guh wid yuh celibacy ting dawg? Yuh nuh seh yuh nah deal wid nuh more woman fi now?" Omar's voice sounded amused on the other end of the line.
"Bredda," Jason started, "mi nearly bruk mi vow yesterday!"
"Eeh? Lie yah tell man. Man like you strong inna unnu ting man."
Omar heard deafening silence as a reply and realized that Jason had not supported his claim.
"Jason?"
Jason sighed. "Yeh bredda mi almost ..."
Omie interrupted, "Wid dah gurl deh?"
"Mhmm." Jason said.
"How long now yuh nuh duh nuttn?"
"Awhile." It was almost a year when he broke off relations with his ex and was seeking to walk a more righteous path.
"A dats why man. Chu yuh miss the guds man. Dah girl deh look good still. Hey, when las' yuh si Trudy?"
"About six months ago," Jason said. "She came to my house to give my little sis a birthday gift. I told her that was good of her but not to come by again."
He had broken it off with her because he wanted to do the right thing and wait for marriage. He thought she would understand because she too had professed faith in God and was attending a church like him, but she wasn't having it. She cheated on him with someone else as a way to force him to keep sleeping with her. She said, "If you don't want to be with me, someone else will." Unfortunately for her, it didn't make him jealous. It made him even more resolved to let her go.
She was very angry with him when he broke up with her.
"Suh dis new girl now, wah guh happen when she want a piece or yuh plan fi bruk yuh vow? Bredda mi respect yuh fi weh yuh believe still but when yuh first did a guh inna it mi neva tell yuh seh a one hard road yah tek? Mi neva tell yuh?"
Jason listened to his friend.
"Jason, me and you are bros for a long time, from primary school days. From bulla and milk days," Omar mused
Jason chuckled. "Yeah true."
Omar continued: "Look, I can't tell you what to do with your life. Mi will always support you in what you do, but if yah guh deal wid woman dem a guh want dem sex bredda. Yow, yuh sure yuh nah duh nothing and a gwan like seh yuh nah beat up a thing?" Omar snickered.
"I would swear to you that I'm not, but that's against my religion. So no I have not been doing anything."
"Well, mi nah tell nuh lie dah girl weh mi see yuh wid she looks really good. Nice and round around di back." Omar laughed.
"Heyyy!" Jason said, his voice giving Omar a warning.
Omar stopped laughing. Jason heard his friend suddenly become serious. "Arite bredda, mi nah trouble you and yuh girl. Suh wah 'bout she now? How come she have yuh suh weak?"
Jason stared at the floor. "She's special Omie. That's all I gotta say."
Changing the subject Jason said, "I will come for the car bout 3:30 later. Y'ere?"
Omie paused then said, "Okay. Later then." He hung up.
Next, Jason called Carli. It was 7 a.m. now. Maybe she would be awake. He dialled her number and was pleasantly surprised to hear her voice after the second ring.
"Hello," she said.
'Hello beautiful," he said softly.
Jason realised that his tone changed automatically when talking to her. She was doing something to him he couldn't quite fathom.
"I was just thinking about you," she said. Her voice was low and seductive. He wished he could see her now.
"What are you wearing?" he asked against his better judgement.
He heard Carli giggle.
"What I'm wearing?" Her voice was playful.
"Mhmm ... tell me." His deep voice dropped to a low, hypnotic timbre.
"Well, I just got out of the shower. I was getting dressed, so I'm in my bra and panties only, just those."
Jason lay back on the bed. He could feel his body responding to her. His yearning for her was growing each day. He closed his eyes, trying to imagine how sexy she must look.
"I wish you were here," he said, "like that with me. I bet you look very sexy."
He heard her chuckle seductively.
"What about you? What are you wearing?" she asked him.
Jason opened his eyes and smiled at the phone. She was a quick learner.
"Me?"
"Mhmm."
"I have on a pair of jeans, but no shirt yet. I'm naked up top."
"Mhmm," she said. "Sounds good. Wish I could see you too." Her tone was dark and sensuous.
1. As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2. For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.
3. It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4. that each of you should learn to control your own body[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, 5. not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6. and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.[b] The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit. (NIV)
Chapter 9: Family ties
It was 6 a.m. Carli was already up. She wondered if Jason was awake and already preparing to come for his final day of work. Her aunt mentioned there was a possibility that she would give him the contract to paint her new airbnb when it was done.
Carli hoped he would get it. He was very skillful and it was obvious he knew what he was doing. But Carli just wanted to see him. After their conversation the night before about him being a Christian and practicing celibacy, she thought about all he had said.
She had been angry with him for not telling her earlier but was also aware that their relationship had experienced a few snags in the road. She was however willing to put the physical and sexual attraction aside to get to know him. Beyond those strong muscles that made her swoon whenever she saw them, she did really like him. He was patient, he made her laugh and he had a gentle spirit that she was drawn to.
She picked up her phone and dialed his number. The phone rang 6 times then went to voicemail. Hmm ... I wonder if he's left the house already. She thought. She will try again. She pressed the call icon on her touch screen phone to redial his number. After three rings he answered.
"Hey, beautiful, good morning," he said. He sounded happy to hear from her.
Her heart skipped a beat.
"Good morning," she answered shyly.
"Are you on your way?" she asked.
"Yes I am," he replied. "About to grab my bag and head out. Something wrong?"
"No. Nothing's wrong," she said. "I just have a favor to ask."
"A favor eh?"
"Yup."
"Okay. Go ahead." He said, his voice held a hint of curiosity.
"Pack extra clothes."
"Extra clothes?"
"Mhm."
"Okay. May I ask why?" He sounded amused.
"Sure. I'll be cooking dinner and I want you to be nicely dressed for the occasion. My cousin should be home early from work today. I also wanna talk to you ..." Carli paused. "... about us. What I think about what you told me last night."
Jason listened to her. Her voice sounded serious. "Okay. No problem." He wanted to lighten the mood between them.
"But did you say you will be cooking? Really now?" he asked inflecting a little mischief in his voice, trying to pull some humor out of her. He knew the situation between them had become awkward but he was not willing to give up their friendship.
"Yes!" she said faking indignance. "I am a great cook!"
She giggled a little.
"So what are you cooking?"
"Well, I'll be doing baked chicken and some baked sweet potatoes, steamed pak choi and homemade ginger ale."
Jason raised his eyebrows in surprise. He was impressed. "Well that does sound wonderful. And I'm invited to partake of it?"
"Yes sir. You are." She smiled. She could tell he was impressed.
"But I'll need to wash up for the occasion?" he asked.
"Yes. Don't worry about that. I'll make sure you get to do that. Just bring your change of clothes. You can bring your favorite soap or body wash if you like and a wash cloth."
"Okay," he said. She was taking charge of the situation in a way he didn't expect. He had to admit, he found this move quite sexy.
"I may have to borrow Omie's car," he said more to himself not for her sake.
"Okay. Sounds good," she said.
"Listen," he said. "I'm about to head out now. I'll pack a few extra things then. Okay?"
"Okay," she said.
"Alritey. Soon come."
She said, "Mhm," then hung up.
Jason looked in the bag he used to store some of his 'good' shirts and pulled out a cream colored t-shirt he had bought recently. He was saving it for a special occasion. Well, this occasion seems special. He thought. Carli was going to cook for him. He wondered if he would like the meal. He hoped so. Plus, there was the fact that the illusive cousin was going to be at dinner. He had only seen her once, so talking to her would be interesting. He heard she was a psychologist. He wondered what she would think of him. He wondered what impression he would have of her.
He also packed a black jeans pants in a plastic bag with the shirt, and clean underwear. In a smaller zip bag he placed his grey crocs. He removed his speedstick deodorant and a fresh bar of soap from one of his wardrobe drawers and packed them in his work bag. He had two colognes. He decided to take the one with a more delicate but memorable fragrance. He wasn't sure if the cousin would be allergic to strong scents and didn't want to give any bad impressions.
Putting everything together, Jason threw his work bag over his shoulder, placed the small zip bag in the plastic bag and held that in his hand. He would take a bus to Half Way Tree, then get a bus or taxi up to Constant Spring. He didn't want to trouble Omar just yet. He needed to speak to Carli about something. He was a little nervous too. He shrugged it off. He would be fine.
He opened and closed his door and tucked the key in a small side pocket on his work bag. It was his last day, at least for now he hoped, at the Dixon residence, and he was looking forward to seeing Carli.
***
Beep beep beep beep...
Sharon sleepily reached over to her phone on the night stand and turned off the alarm. It was 5:30 a.m. She needed to get up, take a shower and organize all the documents she needed to prove her innocence. She looked over at Carlos who was still fast asleep.
Sharon yawned quietly. She crawled out of bed and went to the bathroom to relieve herself. She was feeling some abdominal cramps. Her menstrual was due about a week from now. She needed to remember to restock on painkillers.
She set the water heater temperature to warm. After waiting for 60 minutes, she stepped into the shower, stripped naked and dropped the nightgown and panties she was wearing on the floor just outside the shower.
She turned on the shower knob and stood as the warm water ran over her with medium intensity. She felt achy and miserable physically, and also somewhat hollow inside. Since her fight with Carlos he barely spoke two coherent words to her. Maybe he was upset because she slapped him, but she was so angry with him, and she felt like he betrayed her. How could he have taken their money that they both worked hard to save and thrown it away like that?
They knew each other since he was 20 and she was 19 when they met while going to university. He had once accused her of being 'stuck up' because he had asked her to go out with him and she declined quite haughtily saying, "I don't go out with men who don't know how to dress well." She recalled that remark had stung him, but she only said it to see what he would do.
After about three weeks he came back to her and asked her again. This time his shoes were nicely polished, his hair was cut low and neat, and he wore nice trousers and a polo shirt. She was pleased and told him he could meet her at Hope Gardens at 4 p.m. after her lectures were over. Thus began a friendship that blossomed into a marriage she thought had no secrets. Now she wondered if there were other things he hadn't told her.
She spent fifteen minutes in the shower. When she got out she stuffed her nightgown and panties in a clothes hamper underneath the bathroom window. She spent a minute brushing her teeth and thirty minutes getting dressed and applying makeup. Then she went into the living room to review the documents she would be taking to work that day.
By the time she had looked at the clock again it was 7:30 a.m. She brewed herself some coffee and left a little extra for Carlos to have with his breakfast. She wrote a note telling him she had to leave very early today so he would have to make his own breakfast.
She left it beside the coffee machine and grabbed her purse, her bag with the folder filled with documents and stepped out the door. Driving down to Half Way Tree at that time of the morning there wasn't usually a lot of traffic and she was a skillful driver. By the time she stepped into the office twenty minutes later her cramps had subsided.
There was a small canteen on the property that was solely for staff use. She dropped her bag in her office but brought her purse with her. She headed out through the offices' front door towards the building to the right to buy something to eat.
One of the servers, Marlon, was always kind to her and would give her extra cream for her coffee or would cut off a generous slice of potato pudding for her. As he was serving another staff member, he looked up and saw her. He gave her a broad smile. It seemed he was the only one on duty that day. She didn't see Ebony or Kevin anywhere. She walked up to the counter smiling at him.
"Sharon," he said smiling. "Good morning. What shall it be? Our special?"
Sharon smiled back at the young man. "No, no thank you," she said. She patted her right hand against her lower abdomen to indicate that she was having cramps. The 'special' was chocolate muffin with gooey chocolate inside and hot cocoa. She didn't have the appetite for something that decadent.
Marlon knew what that gesture meant. "Is it bad today?" he asked, looking concerned.
Sharon nodded, her face in a grimace.
"Have you taken anything for it? Have you eaten?" he asked.
"No. I haven't eaten anything yet. I just had some coffee," she said. She watched as he served another customer a slice of bread pudding while looking over at her occasionally. When that customer stepped away she came up to his cashier's desk.
He looked at her, his dark brown eyes pulling her in. He was a young man in his thirties. He was soft spoken and listened more than he talked. He had been working at this concessionaire for about two years but it was in the last four months she had any kind of conversation with him. She found him thoughtful with a great sense of humor, and he was handsome.
Marlon looked at her, his gaze taking in her smart but close fitting business skirt suit. He often wondered what she would look like in a bikini. She was older than him but with her girlish figure and smooth skin she could pass for 34.
"Let me recommend something savory. The last thing you need is something sweet that will make your PMS symptoms worse." He looked at the menu board. "I could make you a sandwich, any type you like," he said.
Over the few months they were getting to know each other, Sharon would visit his concessionaire stand and order mostly sweet pastry: muffins, plantain or pineapple tarts, or puddings, or slices of cake. He noticed that it was always at a certain time of the month and figured that her cycle was the trigger. It was after they became closer associates that she admitted that during that time she had sugar cravings.
Sharon looked behind him towards the menu board.
"Okay, I would like an egg salad sandwich please with extra mayo," she said smiling at him
Marlon grinned. "Okay, coming right up," he said.
He plugged in the egg cooker, filled it with water. He removed five eggs from the fridge and placed them in a bowl. He went over to the sink and thoroughly washed and dried his hands.
Carefully, he used a needle to pierce each egg before placing them inside the cooker to steam for fourteen minutes. Sharon sat down in a comfy plastic chair closest to the counter and rested her elbows on the small sturdy plastic table in front of her.
She watched as he prepared the wheat bread for her sandwiches, cutting the slices diagonally. He moved very efficiently and she also admired that he had a quiet confidence about him.
After the fourteen minutes had passed he put on a pair of latex gloves. He filled the empty bowl with cold water from the refrigerator. He removed the eggs from the cooker and dropped them in the bowl to stop them from over cooking.
"So, how is life on the corporate edge?" he asked.
Sharon snorted. "Becoming a pain in my ass," she said.
She watched as he carefully broke each shell and cast them into the bin nearby by using his feet on its lever to lift the lid and drop the shells inside. He took a small knife with a smooth blade to carefully separate the yolks from the egg whites. He mashed the yolks into powder with the back of a spoon, then added some mayonnaise, a sprinkle of white pepper, a pinch of salt, and a little ketchup to add a sweet-tangy flavor. Marlon then carefully diced the egg whites together.
Sharon watched as his hands moved dexterously across the counter to add several ingredients to her egg salad sandwich: a dash of ground cumin, minced sweet peppers and thyme leaves, thinly chopped spring onions and diced tomatoes.
In a bowl, Marlon combined the egg whites and yolks mixture together, meanwhile he had the bread slices toasted in butter on a warm skillet, but just on one side for each slice. After about a minute, he turned off the stove when he saw the toasted sides were slightly golden brown. On a clean cutting board he placed the bread slices and used a small spatula to distribute the egg filling evenly for each sandwich.
He placed the tomato slices on top of the filling and covered it with the other toasted slices. He placed the four sandwiches he prepared in a square shaped plate and sprinkled minced pieces of parsley on the sandwiches and the plate edges. He handed the plate to her.
Sharon smiled appreciatively. "Thank you sir," she said.
"What do you want to drink? I can do freshly squeezed orange juice or I can give you a combo of carrot and mango juice?"
"Orange juice is fine, thanks much," she replied. Sharon took a bite of a sandwich. It felt like the flavors were bursting in her mouth. She closed her eyes as she savored the taste.
Marlon watched her close her eyes while eating. She had the most expressive eyes, but seeing them closed, brows raised gave her such a sincere look, one that was a treat to behold. He wondered what other sensations could get her to look like that.
He retrieved a large cup from the dispenser and filled it with fresh orange juice from the juicer and added a few cubes of ice. He remembered she didn't like too much ice in her juice because it would dilute the flavor. He placed a lid over the cup and pushed a straw in the tiny hole at the centre and handed it to her.
While she reached for it her fingers accidentally touched his, and a ripple of pleasure ran through her. She looked down at her lap, hoping he didn't notice her reaction. She was embarrassed at her attraction towards him.
"You okay?" he asked.
Sharon looked up to see him carefully watching her. His dark eyes appeared even darker with an unreadable emotion.
Sharon cleared her throat. Why was she acting like a school girl?
"Yeah, I'm good. I may or may not have a job after the next few hours, but that's neither here nor there compared to what's happening in my marriage. I'm sorry, that has nothing to do with you, forgive me for rambling." Sharon had two sandwiches left. She stood up and was about to grab her purse when Marlon quickly moved from behind the counter, reached out and held onto her wrist.
She looked away from him nervously, then looked back and saw that his eyes were searching her face for answers.
Sharon shook her head. She used her other hand to hold onto his and squeeze it. "Let me go, please," she said softly. She suddenly felt weak.
Marlon's eyes bored into her. He needed to know that this beautiful lady was okay. "I'm here if you need to talk," he said, his tone was gentle. He let her go and moved back to the counter. He returned to her with a small white paper bag and handed it to her. She took it and nodded, bent down, took up her sandwiches and placed them in the bag. She tucked her purse under her arm. She was about to hand him the plate when he said, "That's fine. I'll clean up, just go."
Sharon retrieved her cup with the orange juice and said, "I'll pay you at the end of the week. I promise."
Marlon smiled. "That's fine. This one is on me."
Sharon was surprised to say the least. "Are you sure?" she asked.
His voice dropped to almost a whisper. "Yes I'm sure. This one thing I am sure about." He looked at her with an expression that rattled her.
Sharon nodded. Her mouth was dry and she felt a little unsettled. She walked away slowly, her legs felt like rubber.
***
Carlos rolled over on his back to discover that his wife was not in bed. He looked at the small alarm clock on the night stand. It was 8:30 a.m. She would normally come into their bedroom at about 7 a.m., wake him up and tell him that it was time to get up and breakfast was ready. Then he would get out of bed and jump into the shower, and be out in five minutes, ready to eat and get dressed to leave for work.
As he listened, he realized the house was quiet. He got up and went to the bathroom to pee. He lifted the toilet seat and did his business, then flushed and washed his hands. He left the room feeling a little perturbed. He wondered if Sharon was okay.
"Sharon? Sharon?" he called her name, now getting very concerned.
He entered the kitchen and looked around. She wasn't in there either.
Hmm... where was she? He wondered.
He turned around to see a small note perched beside the coffee brewing machine. Carlos took it up and read it:
Carlos, hey. I have to go into work extra early today. Really sorry but you will have to make your own breakfast this morning. There's some coffee I left for you. See you later. - Sharon.
Carlos sighed. No I love you hun. No I'll see you later baby. What was this? He thought.
He grimaced. There was some jam in the fridge and some whole wheat bread with raisins also. He'll just make some jam and bread.
Carlos quickly made his jam and bread sandwiches, ate them and washed them down with some black coffee, no sugar. He was supposed to hear from Red Man today. He hoped he would. He didn't want to go to the police.
After showering, getting dressed and jumping into his car, while on his way to work, the phone rang. It was on the front passenger seat. He hoped it was Sharon, but when he picked it up, he realized it was Red Man calling him.
He answered, "Hello."
"Yes hello," Red Man said. "Mi have a thing fi give yuh enuh."
"How much?" Carlos asked feeling a bit relieved.
"Fifty grand mi have. Mi a tek out some ah mi savings fi give yuh. Lucky for you the yute come chu fi mi. Mi a guh collect that later today and by two months time mi give yuh half, 'bout 300, and di other 350 after another month or two. Yuh arite wid dat?"
Carlos nodded though he knew Red Man wouldn't be able to see his reaction. "Yes, thank you that sounds good. Where should I meet you?"
"Just give mi yuh bank account number and me lodge it in deh fi yuh. Yuh can tell yuh wife seh mi sorry fi di inconvenience."
Carlos paused. What was that about? "Okay, yes thank you. Will do. My bank number is 00999437. You know my bank. Same bank from ever since then till now," he said.
"Same branch?" Red Man asked.
"Yes same branch."
"Arite cool. Yuh can check it 'bout 3 o'clock."
"Arite thanks."
Red Man hung up.
Carlos felt like a weight was lifted from his shoulders. He would tell Sharon later. He also wondered what Red Man meant about telling his wife directly sorry for the inconvenience. He parked his vehicle in the driveway of his workplace and went inside the office building. Delroy was already there but he was on the phone talking to his wife.
"Baby mi tell yuh seh mi will deal with it." He heard Delroy say.
Delroy's wife was a disagreeable woman that even Sharon disliked and Sharon tried her best to get along with everyone, but Mavis was difficult to deal with. Sometimes Carlos felt she was deliberately that way to make Delroy's life miserable. Why? Carlos didn't know, but that was not his problem to worry about, thankfully.
"Yes honey. Yes I will go look about it as soon as possible. Yes after work. Mhm... bye." Delroy sighed and shook his head. He pressed the end call button to make sure the line was cut off.
"The old battle axe at it again?" Carlos asked trying to cheer up his friend.
Delroy hissed his teeth. "She same one," Delroy said. "A some supplies fi di house she ask me to pick up. I tell har that I will get them later today, but she still a nag me 'bout it, just because of the one time I forget to pick something up for her."
"How long ago was that?" Carlos asked amused.
"How long ago was what?" Delroy asked confused.
Carlos turned fully towards his friend and looked at him. "How long ago did you forget to pick up that something for her?"
"Oh, " Delroy started, "about a month ago. I forgot yes, but me did guh for it after she remind me, but now she a gwaan too extra man." He hissed his teeth again.
"Well you play the hand you are dealt eh?" Carlos quipped.
"Play the hand you are dealt," Delroy repeated. "Weh you ah talk 'bout? You have a good woman at your yaad. She nuh nagging and miserable like mine."
Carlos smiled. "Yeah, she is a good woman, but even good women can give trouble."
"Not unless you do something to make her lose it," Delroy retorted.
They walked into their department. The engineering department is comprised of four employees: Carlos, Delroy, Smithie aka Melvin Smith and Frederick Staple. Their supervisor was an accountant named James Walker. He had no engineering background but could understand technical concepts very well.
Delroy's eyes narrowed as he looked at his friend. "Carlos, yuh duh something fi mek she kick off?"
Carlos shook his head. "Yes and no," he replied. "Let's not get into that now. Time for work."
Delroy shrugged his shoulders. "Mi and you a friend suh mi a guh seh dis whether yuh like it are not," he said, placing both hands on the back of Carlos' chair.
"Sharon is a good woman, and yuh lucky fi have her in your life. Don't mess things up wid her, cause if yuh do, me nah hear the end of that with Mavis." Delroy went over to his cubicle and turned on his computer.
Carlos sighed. He knew what he had at home. He just wanted to be a good man, and provide more for her and their daughter, that was all. He pulled his chair closer to his work desk and turned on his desktop.
***
Sandra Dixon called Jason into her husband's home office. She was going to pay him for his services before she went off to work. Carli was not at home. She had gone to the supermarket to buy some ingredients for that night's dinner.
"Cheque or cash?" she asked.
"If you don't mind, I would like to have half in cheque and the other half in cash. I have some things to take care of," he replied.
Sandra nodded. "Not a problem," she said.
She wrote out a check for $200,000 and then went into her husband's safe. She counted out and removed another $200k and handed it to him. She locked the safe and watched as he counted the cash, his eyes widening upon the realization that she had paid him more than they negotiated. He looked at her surprised.
"Why?" he asked simply.
"Call it a bonus if you will. I was very impressed with your craftsmanship, but moreso I was impressed with your attitude, the seriousness and thoroughness you put into your job. She handed him the cheque and he looked at it in shock.
"Thank you," he said, his voice almost a whisper.
"You are welcome my dear," she said smiling at him. "Use that money to put towards your future business."
Jason nodded. "Thank you again," he said smiling.
Sandra nodded. "De nada,' she said. "You do the work, you get your pay."
Sandra's smile broadened. "By the way, my niece told me you will be staying for dinner tonight."
Jason smiled. "Yes, I was invited to the feast later."
Sandra laughed. "I can see why she likes you."
Jason was pleasantly surprised by her statement and felt good. So she and Carli have spoken about me? Nice! He thought to himself.
"I will be coming home late but Melissa should be here with Carli to be your hosts for the evening,' she said taking him in.
"Yeah," Jason replied. "She told me. Looking forward to meeting your daughter and having a great conversation with them both."
Sandra smiled and nodded. Yes, she thought, my niece has great taste. She reached out and patted Jason on the arm and gestured for him to follow her out of the home office. She locked the door behind them. They walked to the front door. She picked up her work bag that was perched on a chair in the foyer.
"Alright," she said, "Heading out now. I will call you when the construction of my little investment is fully constructed and ready to be spruced up.
Jason smiled and nodded. He knew she was talking about the airbnb.
"But don't be a stranger," she said winking at him.
Jason laughed and said, "Okay, I promise I won't."
Sandra opened the door and Jason closed it behind her.
Yes! I got the contract! He was so elated. Nothing but up from here. He thought.
Just then his phone rang. He removed it from his pocket and looked at the screen. It was Bello. He must have a big job he needed help with. He thought.
"What do you need?" Jason asked.
"Yes, good morning to you too," Bello replied sarcastically.
Jason heard shuffling in the background.
"I'm down here in Montego Bay. A friend of mine link mi up on a nice fat cheque, and being the generous dad I am, I decided I would share the opportunity with you."
Jason hissed his teeth and replied, "If yuh seh suh. How soon do you want me down there?"
"Yuh can get here by Wednesday?" Bello asked.
Jason thought about it. Usually, he wouldn't let anything get in the way of his money, but he wanted to smooth things over with Carli first. He needed to.
"I'll be there by next Monday, first thing."
"Arite mi will tell the foreman," Bello said. "Yuh can start work by Tuesday after the requirements are explained to you. They want heavy coating on the surfaces before anything else is added."
"Trowel-on?" Jason asked.
"Mhm," Bello replied.
Jason understood. "Have they started sanding the walls down yet?"
"We have started," Bello said. "That's the thing. They have given us the full job of curing and painting the apartments' walls we're assigned to, from start to finish."
Jason was impressed. His dad was getting some good deals lately. He understood why he needed him now. When it came to sanding Jason was very meticulous.
"Alright," he said. "I'll try to get there by Sunday evening."
Jason entered the kitchen and placed his work bag by the door. "So how much?" As usual Jason saw this as a business transaction. It wasn't his fault, that was how his dad taught him.
Bello cleared his throat. "The project is a residential complex with apartments, shopping centre, et cetera. The architect in charge told me it's about 250 million invested upfront. For the team lead painters and the other contractors we should take home about $15 million each. Because my friend put me on to it, we'll share that up. So I will get 6 mil, he'll take 9 for himself." Bello cleared his throat again.
"So how much will you pay me?" Jason asked, his interest peaked.
"I will give you $1.5 million. What do you say?"
"Deal," Jason said.
"How long will this gig be?", Jason asked.
"About one month or little over," Bello answered.
"So into January/February?" Jason asked.
"About that," Bello said.
Jason started thinking about how this would work. It would take some juggling with him enrolled at UWI but he had friends who he could rely on to help him with notes. He would just have to make sure he could juggle being at the exams, writing assignments and so on. He would have to be back and forth between Montego Bay and Kingston. Somehow he would need to find a way to do this.
"Alright. Yuh seh Sunday evening?" Bello asked anxiously.
"Yes. I have a gig wrapping up. I will be done by then." Jason decided not to say anything about Carli.
"Oh, you have a job doing now?" Bello asked surprised.
"Yes. Mr Marshall's son gave me a heads up."
Bello grunted. "Good bwoy that."
"Up where?" Bello asked curious.
"Constant Spring," Jason replied.
"Okay, good. Sounds good," Bello said approvingly. "Arite, Sunday den. Mi will text yuh the location weh mi ah stay a Mobay and mi meet yuh part way. Yuh will be driving?"
Jason thought about it. He may need to get a car. He wondered if Omar could help him out with this one.
"You know I don't have a car," Jason replied. He sighed. "I will have to ask Omar if he can help me out with a ride."
"Okay," Bello said. "Let me know."
"Yeah," Jason replied,"will do", and hung up the phone.
He turned to the job at hand. He went into the shed at the back of the yard and retrieved the paints, paint roller and brushes. Time to finish strong, he thought and set out to work.
***
Marsha sat at the kitchen counter and watched her mom debone some chicken breasts. She was making crispy chicken breasts stuffed with parmesan cheese. As her mom was preparing dinner she was wondering what Jason was doing now. She had kept on calling him but the ring went straight to voice mail. After awhile she would hear a beeping on the phone which indicated the line was busy. Maybe he had blocked her, she wasn’t sure. All she knew was she needed to speak with him.
She was home for the holidays. Her exams were done and she just wanted to spend time with her family, and Jason was also family. It was just that she always had a special spot in her heart for him. In the beginning, Jason would usually spend the holidays with his mom and siblings but one Christmas she managed to get him to stay with her and her parents.
He decided to compromise, he would spend Christmas day with them and by Boxing Day he would be headed to his mom's house. Jason's mother never objected to the new arrangement and Marsha got to spend the most special holiday of the year with a very special person to her. Now that he said he wouldn't be coming home for Christmas she felt gutted.
Monica Miller watched as her daughter sat at the table with a forlorn look on her face. She had an idea why she looked like that but decided to probe anyway.“Wah wrong wid yuh?” she asked, looking at her while she was finely chopping the herbs she was going to use to give flavor to the chicken breasts.
Marsha sighed. She knew what her mother was going to say and she didn’t want to hear it. She shook her head and said, "Nothing mommy."
“Marsha?” her mother asked, “Is this about Jason?”
Marsha sighed again and looked at the floor.
“Hun, you guys grew up like brother and sister, and also you and he had that very rocky start. I don’t blame him for not wanting anything between you two," Monica said.
Marsha looked down at her hands. She was examining her nails. She needed to get her nails done soon. The rose pink nail polish was stripping away.
“Well, what do you have to say about that?” Monica asked. She stopped what she was doing and looked straight at Marsha.
“I was a kid back then mommy. I’m not like that anymore. I even apologised to him about it. He said he accepted my apology,” Marsha said shrugging her shoulders.
Her mother set the herbs and spices aside in a ceramic bowl and started washing the chicken breasts with white vinegar and water. There were six pieces. One and half for her husband, one for her, one for Marsha, one for Chayelle, and the other one and half was for Jason.
One night, while Jason still lived with them, as she was passing by her daughter’s room, she heard Marsha talking on the phone with her best friend Fallon. She was telling her that she overheard Jason saying to his friend Omar, that breasts are his kryptonite, and that he is attracted to women who have a full, voluptuous bosom. Marsha was saying to Fallon that she didn’t understand why Jason never expressed an interest in her, she had ample amount to share with him. Monica had shaken her head and moved down the hallway to enter the kitchen. Now, as she looked at her daughter pining away, and possibly plotting another crazy scheme to get his attention, she felt sorry for her.
Marsha shuffled uncomfortably on the chair, “Yes,” she said. “It seems he is. I think I know who it is but she denies it.”
“What’s her name?”
“Carli,” she said a hint of sarcasm in her voice.
“I see,” Her mother said, noting the tinge of jealousy in her daughter’s tone.
“Do you know for sure that this is the right person? You could be wrong. You were wrong before.”
Marsha looked away sulking.
She had mistaken the wrong female once. Chantal was a very good friend of Jason’s who Marsha thought was pursuing him. She was one of his closest friends in high school besides Omar aka Omie. The problem was, Chantal was just a decoy. Although at the time she didn’t know this. While Jason openly hung out with Chantal and seemed to take her out on dates, he was sneakily seeing her best friend Trudy.
One day as she confronted Chantal, asking her if she and Jason were together she just laughed at her and said, “Believe what you want.” She had walked away from her on the street and Marsha hurried after her and blocked her from moving further. She tried to push her index finger in Chantal’s face but Chantal was not afraid of her. When she attempted to push her in the forehead Chantal grabbed her finger and bent it. She then over powered Marsha, pushed her to the ground and said, “Jason does not belong to you. You’re angry at the wrong person. I’m not his girlfriend.”
When she said that a light bulb went off in Marsha’s head. Even though she did see Chantal with Jason, Trudy was always there. She was always lurking in the background with them. Chantal would always put her hand through Jason’s arm but Trudy was always there, and there were times when Jason and Trudy would disappear. The problem was she was afraid of Trudy. Trudy wasn’t afraid of any confrontation and she had a tomboy persona.
She was gorgeous when she dressed up and looked girlie, but most times she preferred t-shirts and shorts or baggy pants. She grew up on the rough side of life, and that was why Jason liked her. He could relate to her easily.
Mrs Miller watched as her daughter was deep in thought.
“I hope you’ve been taking your studies seriously and not allowing your obsession with Jason to take you over,” she said warning her.
“I am not obsessed, mommy,” she replied. “Mommy, you know I like Jason and he likes me. He’s just not forgiven me for what I did you know with the bathroom.”
“Can you blame him, honey?" Monica placed her hands on her hips and looked at her. "You were very cruel and you kept up the lie. If it weren't for your sister, your father and I would never have known. Look at it this way, we are your parents we have to tolerate your foolishness to an extent, and hope eventually you will grow up. But Jason ... Jason came into an unfamiliar environment. He would have been anxious coming to live with us. You never made the situation any better for him."
She used a plastic broom to sweep off the floor and used a soft cloth to wipe off the counter and washed up the utensils she used to prepare the food. She had asked Jason for a bit of time alone in the kitchen to do her prepping. Now that she was done, she called him, indicating that he could come back inside. He came in smiling at her.
"You done?" he asked, looking at her.
She nodded smiling.
"You almost done?" she asked.
"Yes, I'm done painting. I'm just gonna put up the paint that's left over and so on." He looked at her, his eyes watching her intensely.
She was wearing a pair of light blue baggy jeans, her hair was up in a cute, messy bun and she wore a blue t-shirt and baby blue clogs.
"You still wanna talk to me?" he asked smiling at her.
"Mhm," she said nodding.
"Okay, let me wash up then. Give me thirty minutes to pack these things away and clean up," he said. He took up the roller and paint brushes and brought them to the garden hose area and started washing out the excess paint from the brushes with water then took one of the empty cans and retrieved the paint thinner from the shed and soaked the paint brushes in it. The brushes and roller belonged to him, but he would leave them overnight so that they could soak properly. He would retrieve them tomorrow.
Carefully, Jason removed the spongy surface of the roller from the frame and dipped it in a bucket he found in the back yard that he filled with water. He squeezed in a few drops of liquid soap that he retrieved from the kitchen, and vigorously stirred the water to allow the soap to lather. He also moved the sponge around to loosen some of the paint before he left it to soak.
There was one paint can with half the amount left over. That he placed in the Dixon's shed and closed the door. He had brought a cotton chamois cloth with him and an alcohol based cleaning solution. Jason put on a pair of gloves for safety purposes. He poured a little of the cleaning solution onto the fabric and began gently rubbing out any paint droplets that had fallen on the kitchen tiles.
He would always spread newspapers as protection for the floor, but mistakes can be made. There wasn't a lot to clean up though because he made sure to be extra careful. He also inspected the appliances making sure they were clear of any paint stains. Carefully he shifted each back into place. He had a little difficulty with the two door fridge but was able to move it into place where he felt it could remain until the walls were completely dry.
When he was done cleaning the floor in the kitchen he did a once over review of the living room floor. He had checked and cleaned the floors in that room before, but wanted to be thorough just in case he had missed any spots. He carefully pushed the furniture out of their place to see if there was anything he had missed. After being satisfied that all was well he moved them back in place and called to Carli who was sitting in the garden area waiting on him.
When she came into the living room he asked her to check to make sure the furniture was in place as it should be. She instructed him that the navy blue couch should be more towards the middle of the room with the foot rests in front of it, not towards the door. The huge grey couch should be turned clock-wise facing towards where the sun light first hits the room. He complied and did what she told him.
She told him also that a small arm chair that was pushed into the corner should be brought forward and positioned between the grey couch and a greyish-blue loveseat sofa that still had a tarpaulin on it. He did what she instructed then removed the tarpaulin from the loveseat and handed it to her.
He took off his gloves and placed them in one of his pants' back pockets. Meanwhile, Carli went to put the tarpaulin away in the garage. Jason looked at the room and smiled. He was proud of the work he put in. Everything looked amazing. Sandra had chosen a delicate eggshell color for the living room walls that complemented the aesthetic of the furniture. He had to admit she had great taste. He walked into the kitchen.
Most of the appliances were either a steel black or grey color. He had only shifted them around slightly, just far enough away from the walls so that he had space to work around them. Now that they were back in place he felt satisfied at his work. The paint mix he had done for Sandra turned out to be a maroon shade. He used the dark aqua blue on the baseboard skirting but decided to go for a lighter color for the cornice, a turquoise green.
When Sandra saw that he bought the paint she protested and said that she wasn't going to pay for it, because that was not what she had ordered, but after Jason applied the first coating, she agreed that it was a striking but complementary color combination. Afterwards, she changed her mind and said she wanted the floor skirting to be repainted in that color as well.
He was glad he trusted his instincts. The colors made the kitchen look lively and inviting. For the ceiling of both rooms she asked him to paint them in a lighter shade of turquoise. To achieve that look he mixed in white paint to lighten the color. He was happy for the experience and very proud of what he achieved.
He went outside, turned on the garden hose and washed his hands with a small piece of soap left for his use. After rinsing his hands, he loosened the cover of the alcohol solution slightly and squeezed a few drops of it on his hands, then rubbed them together vigorously to remove the paint that stained his skin.
He locked the bottle tightly again, then quickly rinsed his hands with water. He soaped up his hands again and washed them off thoroughly. Jason inspected his hands, turning over the palms to look at the back of his hands. All clean. He flashed off the excess water and went to sit beside Carli. He had a rag in the other back pocket of his pants, he removed it and began drying his hands thoroughly.
Carli looked at him. She leaned over to him and said, "The rooms really look good. You did a good job, and very good call on the color combo for the kitchen."
Jason smiled. He placed the damp rag on his lap and put his arm around her, pulling her closer to him.
"Thanks," he said, "I'm glad it turned out well."
Carli rested her head on his chest. There was no way these feelings she had for him were wrong. She scooted closer. Jason looked at her. His expression softened as he saw the look on her face. She trusted him, and that was what he wanted most of all. He would do everything in his power to make sure she felt safe with him.
There was a calm, sweet innocence about her that enhanced her natural beauty. It made her endearing and very tempting. Using the arm circled around her shoulders, he pulled her even closer to him so there was no chance of air passing between them. He gently stroked her arm.
She looked at him. Her eyes settled on his full lips. She remembered how soft and nimble they felt, how demanding his were on hers.
Jason's eyes narrowed. He saw that she was looking at his lips.
"What do you want, Carli? Tell me." His tone was low and inviting.
She reached up a hand to touch his lips. Jason held on to her hand, lifted it to his lips palm up, and placed feathery kisses on it. Carli felt a tingly sensation move up her arm and across her body. She watched as he bowed his head and continued his onslaught on her senses. He moved his kisses slowly up her arm, then finally he looked at her. His eyes seemed to have turned a brilliant auburn.
She leaned forward into him. Jason turned his upper body towards her. He didn't notice that his rag had fallen off his lap into the grass below. He nestled his hand behind her head, pulling her face forward. He kissed her hungrily. His tongue slipping into her mouth, found her tongue and playfully danced with it.
Releasing her momentarily, he pulled her onto his lap. Sitting beside her wasn't enough for him. He used his right hand to cup her face while his left hand rested on her back steadying her. Passionately, he kissed her, savoring her taste. She gave him good measure of herself, matching each nibble and kiss with equal fervor.
Jason grunted and moved his mouth along her cheek down to her neck. He licked his lips moistening them, and planted soft, dewy kisses on the sensitive area. Carli leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Jason circled his arms around her to support her, while he savored the feeling of her soft, fragrant skin in his mouth. He pulled and suckled on her neck gently. He heard her breath quicken and a soft moan come from her lips.
He leaned her further back, pulling her almost underneath him so that her weight was on his arms. He bent forward and began kissing her slowly and sensuously, teasing her lips, sucking on them gently. He opened his legs and adjusted her body to rest more comfortably on him. Lifting his right hand, he cupped her face and gently stroked her hair.
Jason stopped. He lifted his torso slightly away from Carli. He stared at her. Carli was dazed with desire but realized he had stopped kissing her. She opened her eyes and saw his expression. It seemed like a million thoughts passed across his face. She reached her hand up and touched his face.
"You okay?" she asked him. Her heart was pounding. She wanted him to continue but needed to know he was okay.
Jason smiled at her slightly. He knew he should have stopped himself before now but she was so tempting.
"Penny for your thoughts," she teased.
He smiled awkwardly. Would she freak out if he told her. He straightened his posture and gently lifted her up in an upright position on his lap.
"You might get upset with what I'm about to say." He sighed heavily.
Carli circled her arms around his neck. She playfully planted a kiss on his nose and said, "Tell me."
Jason was pleasantly surprised by her tender gesture. I think I'm falling in love with this girl. He thought. Okay, he will muster up the courage to tell her.
"I remembered what my mentor said ... you know about not indulging in what we just indulged in."
Carli raised her hand to his face and touched him.
"It's okay. I understand," she said.
"I'm really sorry," he said. He planted a kiss on her brow. His eyes were sad.
"I'm sorry too. I forgot about all of that," she said. She smiled at him ruefully.
Jason looked at her, his eyes held her gaze almost hypnotically.
Carli reached up and kissed Jason's forehead. She leaned forward to kiss his eyelids. He closed his eyes and allowed her to do so. Finally, she gave him a soft peck on the lips. He opened his eyes and looked at her. Her tenderness made him feel better. How did I get so lucky to meet a girl like this? He wondered.
"I think I'm falling in love with you," she said, her voice a whisper.
Jason's eyes widened as he processed what she was trying to tell him.
What did he feel for her?
He felt a passion that he could hardly control when he was around her. He felt a tenderness that made him want to hold her close to him and not let go. He had a fierce desire to protect her from anything or anyone who would want to harm her, and his heart leapt whenever her saw her smile. Could this be love? He pondered.
Carli saw that he was lost in his thoughts. She cleared her throat to bring him out of his reverie.
"Yuh good?" she asked, her eyes showed concern for him.
Jason nodded. He bent forward and rested his head on her bosom.
"I am fine now," he said. He put his arms around her waist.
Carli put her arms around his shoulders and held him close to her.
They were locked in that embrace for over a minute when Carli heard the house phone ringing. She shifted her body from facing his, he released her and she jumped up, and ran inside to answer the phone call.
After five minutes she came back with a melancholy smile on her face.
"It's my cuz," Carli said, "She had to cancel. Something came up at work."
Carli came over to him and sat on his lap. "You still have to freshen up for me," she said eyeing him cheekily.
Jason laughed. "Of course I will." He bent his head forward to touch her forehead with his. "Thank you for not getting upset with me," he said. Carli reached up her hands and idly stroked his hair. She closed her eyes, then bit her lower lip and said, "It's okay. I trust you."
Jason closed his eyes, enjoying the moment between them. He thought to himself: If this is what love feels like then I'm all in. "Me too," he said, "I trust you."
****
Sharon was stuck in a traffic jam. She was about ten minutes away from her house and sitting in traffic made her angry. She was even more irritable when a driver tried to use the small space between her and him on the right side, to move forward and pass her. She pressed on the gas and inched the car forward and honked her horn at him.
"No way are you gonna pass me todeh yah, missa man!" she whispered to herself. "Damn bright!" she said more audibly, but only she could hear herself.
Sharon sat in her car and tried not to go crazy. She felt so helpless. Her marriage, her career seemed to be falling apart. She recalled the meeting she had at Paul's office with a terrible knot in her stomach.
The meeting with the General Manager for her job, did not go as she planned. After the encounter with Marlon, she felt a bit rattled so she went into the bathroom and washed her face. Yes, she realised her make up would be washed off, but she needed to do something to reset her mind. She had no time for romantic distractions. She was trying to save her job. Plus, she was already married. She may dislike her husband right now but she still loved him. After she got married to him Sharon promised herself that there was no way she would loose that bond.
She had a small bottle of hand lotion in her bag. She retrieved it and squeezed the cream into her hands and used it on her face to bring a smooth, vibrant look back to her skin. She rubbed the remainder of the cream on her hands, paying careful attention to her fingers. She placed the lotion back into her bag, gave herself one final look in the mirror and walked through the door.
She took the elevator up to see Paul. As she walked in, she was surprised to see Cooper sitting in the chair in front of Paul. There were also three other chairs brought in from the reception area for the purpose of the meeting. Sitting in two of them were two other gentlemen besides Cooper, one chair was empty.
Paul looked up and saw Sharon entering the room. He quietly gestured for her to sit in the unoccupied chair. He cleared his throat. "Thank you for coming today Sharon," he had said. These are officers Foster and Smith from the Fraud Squad of the JCF. She looked towards the men and nodded. One of the men, a brown skinned gentleman took keen interest in her, his gaze holding hers for more than a second. She looked away feeling perturbed. The other man was older and looked battle weary. He nodded at her, his hooded eyes watched her with no expression. Both officers did not wear standard police uniforms, they wore suits and ties.
Sharon sat down. She cleared her throat.
"Sharon, I've been telling these gentlemen that you've been with the company for many years and that you would be the best person to explain what may be happening," he said, gesturing towards the two officers. The younger one was still undressing her with his eyes, or to Sharon that was what he was doing. She looked away from him again and faced forward towards Mr Isaacs.
"Now Paul," she said. "You flatter me, but I am just a lowly Accounting Manager. I am not the Financial Controller or the Fin Acc." She meant a Financial Accountant. She was getting restless. Paul noticed her tone and quickly moved on.
"Do you have the documents I asked you to bring?" he said tersely
Sharon nodded. She went into her work bag, took out the folder with the papers and handed them to him. He reached for them, flipped through them briefly, then handed them to the senior police officer. Officer Smith looked through them page by page, his trained eye scanning their every detail.
"You have quite detailed information," he said. "Miss .. uh, er .."
"Mrs James," Sharon responded, emphasizing the 'Mistress'.
Smith, his eyebrows raised looked at her and nodded. "Yes Mistress, my apologies," he said.
"You have quite a bit of details here. This was taken from your home computer?" He watched her closely.
Sharon nodded. "Yes, I back up my files from work at home. I sometimes take work home with me so I can meet company deadlines." She looked at the GM pointedly. He nodded at her.
Smith looked at the documents again, a quizzical look on his face. "And why do you back up the files on your computer at home?"
Sharon cleared her throat. "The computer here at work had crashed, luckily we still do inputs into actual books, so I was able to bring my laptop to work and type in the information. The I.T. department had to replace the desktop I was using, which took a few days. So I was literally taking my personal computer each day for work. After I got a new device I had to input all the information we had into it, as well as what I managed to save on my own laptop."
Smith looked at the General Manager for confirmation. He nodded. Smith grunted and continued his investigation.
He gestured towards Cooper sitting quietly beside her. "And you know this man," he asked.
Sharon felt like he was toying with her but refused to be baited.
"Yes, I know him," she responded matter of factly. "He's my Senior Accounting Clerk." Keep your cool girl, she told herself.
"Mr Cooper," Officer Smith said, addressing him directly. "How long have you worked at the company?" he asked him, his eyes however still focused on Sharon. She found this unnerving.
She did not turn to look at Cooper. Instead, she focused her attention to the clock on the wall behind Paul's chair.
From her peripheral vision she saw Cooper awkwardly shift his position in the chair. "About three years sir," he said nervously.
"Hmm." Officer Smith grunted.
"What position did you hold before becoming senior accounting clerk? What sort of job were you initially hired to do?", Smith asked him. He still had that menacing gaze on Sharon. She could feel his eyes boring into her.
Cooper cleared his throat. " I was a filing clerk sir," he said, his voice trembling slightly.
"I see," Smith answered.
"Mrs James, what made you promote Cooper to the position of Senior Accounting Clerk?", Officer Smith asked, his gaze unwavering.
Sharon looked at him. She would not allow this man to intimidate her. "The filing and accounting departments work closely together. They manage archived records of accounts and also help store documents that we need that we may not necessarily have space in our department to hold or we may not need for immediate use. They along with the I.T. department also manage the electronic records system and do a good job at it, I may add." She looked at Cooper who was sweating now. She continued:
"Michael had asked me if there were vacancies in my department. Initially, I told him no, but after a few months one of my team, Debra, decided to migrate, so I asked him to come in for a preliminary interview. He impressed me with his knowledge of accounting, so I informed the HR department of my interest in hiring him. The HR Officer reviewed his qualifications and she agreed with me that he was qualified for an accounting clerk position. So, he was not appointed as Senior Clerk right out the gate. He worked his way up to that position."
Officer Smith raising his eyebrows said, "I see."
"How long was he a regular clerk before you promoted him?" he asked.
"About a year and a half," she said. The wheels in her mind were turning quickly.
Is he trying to put this on me? She thought.
"And ..."
"What is this about?" Sharon asked, interrupting him. She was getting angry. "Why these types of questions? Are you insinuating that I had something to do with this fraud or that I tried to frame Cooper? And I did not promote him, HR did that."
Smith chuckled. It was a low, gritty sound. "I have not said any such thing Mrs James."
He reached into his shirt pocket and took out his spectacles. He opened them and perched them on his nose. He turned his attention to the documents she gave to Paul.
"Is it not true that he was promoted to Senior Accounting Clerk after you recommended him for the position?"
Sharon nodded. "There is nothing wrong or illegal about that," she said. She was feeling uncomfortable. She looked at Paul who continued to silently watch the exchange between her and Officer Smith. She stared at him. He looked away from her, instead choosing to look at a stack of papers on his desk.
What is this? Sharon asked herself. Is this a set up? Of who? Me or Cooper?
Sharon stood up.
"Sit down Mrs James," Smith's voice held a menacing tone.
She sat down reluctantly.
Officer Smith adjusted his large frame in the chair. He leaned forward his eyes boring into her.
"Isn't it true that you taught Cooper the accounting software and principles used by the company?"
"Yes," Sharon said, nodding, "but that is standard procedure. Every new employee who enters a department of any company has to receive some amount of orientation and training."
"What of the cheques, Mrs James? What do you think happened with those?" he asked her.
"I don't know what happened," she said. "Maybe Cooper can shed light on that?"
"I don't know anything about that!" Cooper blurted out. "I swear, I don't know."
"You told me to write up the cheques," Cooper said his eyes now wide with fear.
"Coo ..." Sharon was about to say something she would regret later, when Paul jumped into the conversation.
"What Cooper is trying to say is Sharon would usually ask him to write up the cheques, as in to write the amount for the pay outs and the date, but only at the times the cheques are due. She would then go in and make sure the details are correct then sign and ask the bearer to retrieve and dispatch accordingly."
Sharon looked at Paul, her eyes silently telling him thanks. He nodded his head slightly.
Smith leaned back into the chair. He watched the exchange between them. Something was not right. Smith thought
He cleared his throat and removed his glasses. He patted the folders in his hands.
"Okay Mr Isaacs, Mrs James," he emphasized the 'Mrs'. His eyes had a mocking gaze as he looked at her. "We will take a look at these and get back to you in short order." He nodded to Cooper. He looked over at his partner who nodded and stood up. Smith stood up slowly, his huge frame struggling to straighten out of the chair. Both gentlemen walked to the door. Smith turned around and looked at Sharon and the GM. Facing the door again he moved forward slowly. Foster opened the door for them. Smith went through first, then Foster followed and closed the door behind him.
Cooper slumped in his chair, sweating profusely.
Sharon turned to him. "Michael, what the hell was that?" She was hopping mad.
"You know I never gave you those cheques to sign! What is this? You want my job or something? What the hell?" she said furiously.
"Your P.A. brought the cheques to me and told me you wanted me to write them up. She said you wanted those done so I did them and gave it back to her.", Cooper said. He removed a handkerchief from his shirt pocket and wiped his face.
"What?!" Both Paul and Sharon said in unison.
"Denise gave those cheques to you?" Sharon asked.
"Yes," Cooper nodded.
When was this?" Sharon asked.
"Around the 26th of August, you were at your daughter's orientation for UWI at the time. You came in late that day."
Isaacs retrieved his cellphone from his pocket and called Denise' number. The phone rang twice then went straight to voicemail. Isaacs had a grim look on his face. Sharon was in shock. She couldn't believe her personal assistant would betray her. There must be an explanation for this. Isaacs promised them that resources would be utilised to track her down. In the meantime they were to go home, he would call them as soon as he heard anything.
Now, as she was driving home, Sharon realised that something really sinister was happening, and someone was going out of their way to frame her.
***
Carlos checked his bank account. True to his word, Red Man had deposited the money. He was grateful. He called him and told him thanks. After work had ended at 5:00 p.m., he stopped by the food mart nearby his job and bought a slice of cheese cake for Sharon. Cheese cake always smoothed things over between them. As he drove home he received a call from Sharon's boss.
"Is Sharon there?" Paul asked.
"You mean at home?" Carlos asked.
"Yes," Paul replied.
"Oh, I'm sorry I'm not at home yet," Carlos answered. Why would Sharon be home so early. She would usually be home at around 6:30/7 pm? He wondered.
"Oh, okay. I was trying to get her but her phone was turned off. Well, please tell her I'm very sorry about what the officers did today, but in a fraud investigation they have to be thorough."
Wait! What?! Carlos thought. Fraud? What fraud? Sharon never said anything about this!
"Fraud?!" he asked surprised. He was coming up to a gas station, he decided to turn in. He didn't think he could drive properly during a conversation like this He turned his car onto the edge of the business' driveway and put his vehicle in 'neutral', easing his foot off the gas and gently pressing down on the brake.
"What fraud?" he asked Paul, feeling confused.
Carlos heard a long pause.
"Paul?"
"I think you should ask Sharon what is happening. That is all I will say. Again, please tell her I'm sorry."
"Paul ..."
Paul hung up.
Paul hung up! He hung up on me! Carlos looked at the phone.
Shifting the car into 'reverse', Carlos shook his head at the attendant indicating that he did not need her services. He then reversed his vehicle, backing out wide of the other cars waiting in line. Carefully, he guided his vehicle past a car that was being serviced and maneuvered onto the road. He looked in his rear view mirror and drove off.
She never told me about this. Carlos' mind was reeling. What was going on? Sharon better have a good explanation for this.
Chapter 10: Tell no lies
Carlos parked in the driveway of their home. The lights in the living room were on. Sharon was home after all. This thing about fraud was crazy. Why hadn't she said anything to me? He thought.
He exited the vehicle, locked and armed it, and entered through the front door. It was unlocked. He smelt the aroma of food being prepared. It smelt like stewed beef, his favorite, but this was something Sharon only cooked on weekends. Now he wondered how serious this situation was.
He began thinking:
What should I do? Should I just come out and confront her about what I heard? Paul has probably called her to let her know that I know now?
Maybe I should pretend like I don't know anything and see what she will do? Yeah, that's what I'll do. He thought. Let's see if she'll say anything to me.
Carlos entered the kitchen and saw his wife mashing potatoes, cooking stewed beef in a dutch pot, frying chicken on the stove top and it looked like she was baking some kind of pudding in the oven. Carlos watched her for a minute without saying a word. He knew what this was.
Over the 24 years he'd been married to Sharon, Carlos knew this was a classic sign that she was stressed, and maybe scared too. She hadn't seen him yet. She was shredding carrots to put in the stew, just the way he liked it. If she was making something for him, he knew this meant she wanted to apologize for something or she wanted to ask him something important. Either way he liked watching her work.
She was a beautiful woman. Carlos was lucky to have her. It was just that sometimes she infuriated him with always going ahead and trying to take care of things without letting him know. No doubt she tried to solve this problem on her own and got burned or was about to get burned. He watched for another minute before she looked up startled, seeing him watching her by the doorway.
She brushed a lock of hair away from her face.
"Hey," she said nervously.
"Hey," he said smiling at her.
He entered the room slowly.
"What's for dinner? Something smells really good." He looked at her.
He allowed his eyes to roam over her face, down her neck and across to her bust, then down to her thighs. She was wearing a pink t-shirt and cute cotton shorts that hugged her hips. She was very tempting.
She still had on her earrings she wore to work. Sharon never wore jewelry at home except for her wedding ring. Her hair was loose about her shoulders. She had gone into Mandeville two days ago to have it pressed. It still looked good. Her tresses were thick and luscious. Whenever she let her hair down whether natural or straightened it was tempting to touch. He came close to her and touched her hair.
Sharon was stunned. It had been a few days since Carlos had touched her, since their big argument over the money. Now as he looked at her, Sharon saw that his eyes roamed across her body. She was pretty sure he would make sexual advances towards her before the night was over.
Carlos observed that she looked like a deer caught in headlights. He was having too much fun toying with her. Let's see what she'll do, he thought.
For a woman in her forties, Sharon still had firm supple skin. She took care of herself, watching what she ate and making sure she exercised at least four (4) mornings each week. She hadn't been doing that this week though. He just assumed that it was because she was still upset with him. Now he wondered if this fraud thing was the problem.
Sharon cleared her throat. "We're having stewed beef, and I decided to do some fried chicken as well. You can take the leftovers for lunch tomorrow. She looked over at the wide bowl filled with mashed potatoes. One thing Carlos also knew, if Sharon cooked when she was stressed, she over did the amount of food she prepared.
"Mashed potatoes and I'm also doing a cornmeal pudding. Thought you might like that," she said, walking away from him. She opened the oven door to check on the pudding.
"About ten more minutes," she said, more to herself than to him.
"Sharon ..."
"Look Carlos ... Oh, I'm sorry. You wanted to say something. Go ahead."
"No, it's okay. Go ahead," he said. Sharon, baby tell me what's going on. He thought. It's okay. Let me help you.
"Okay," she cleared her throat.
"I'm sorry for hitting you. I had no right to. I was upset, but I shouldn't have," she looked at him with a sheepish smile.
Carlos reached for her hands and she gave them to him. "Shar, I understand. I was wrong to have done any of that without consulting you."
He pulled her closer but didn't hug her. "I have good news. I heard from Red Man. He gave me back $50,000 and has promised to get another $300,000 to me in about two months."
Sharon was a little happy about that news, but still...
"Can you trust him?" she asked.
"Yeah I think so," he replied. Can I trust you Shar. He thought. Tell me something.
"To celebrate I bought you some cheesecake," he said. He smiled at her.
Sharon smiled back. "Thank you." He was a really good man. She sighed. Should she tell him? She asked herself.
Carlos picked up on the sigh. "You okay?" he asked. Come on baby. Tell me what's going on? He watched her. She was struggling with her emotions. Could he help her to talk it out.
"So how was work today? How come you're home so early?" Carlos asked, his expression neutral.
"Oh, I wasn't feeling well. I was having cramps and a headache so I told them I would be going home early." She moved away from him to continue mashing the potatoes. She focused her gaze on what she was doing. "Dinner should be ready in about ten to twelve minutes or so," she said.
Carlos was disappointed.
"Okay honey," he said. "Hope you will feel better. Tell me if there's anything I can do," he said quietly.
She nodded. "Thank you," she said, but she didn't look at him.
He loosened his tie and went into their bedroom to put down his work bag on the floor by the door. He sat on the bed and removed his shoes. He hissed his teeth. Sharon was as stubborn as an ox. If she wasn't going to tell him what was going on he would have to find out another way.
***
Carli and Jason sat comfortably on the navy blue couch in Aunt Sandra's living room. They had finished eating dinner and were now relaxing on the couch watching a movie. Jason had tried his best to keep his physical distance but Carli wasn't having any of that.
After the third attempt to put some physical space between them, she stubbornly pressed her body weight on him. Finally, Jason took his gaze off the movie and looked over at her. He saw her cheeky expression and laughed.
"Come here," he said reaching for her. She eagerly curled up in his arms. Jason laughed softly and kissed her head.
"Better?" he asked.
"Mhmm, yes," she said.
Jason smiled. Her voice had that cute, soft baby tone some women make when they want to be pampered by their lovers. He found it endearing. He loved it. Stretching over, he circled his arms more securely around her shoulders.
This is nice, he thought, very nice.
"What did you want to talk to me about?" he asked her, his voice was soft to her ears.
"About us."
"Okay," he said.
"I want to be more than your friend, but if things don't work out I am content being a good friend to you," she said.
She began toying with the sleeve of his shirt. "I know that I don't have much experience where sex or even relationships are concerned. You also want to be celibate and do the right thing. I guess we can be celibate together until you know ... marriage, or we can just be friends," Carli said smiling at him shyly.
Jason didn't know what to say. He always wanted a girl who would understand the journey he was on. He didn't want to impose this on anyone. It was hard to keep his hands off her, but if they chose to be in a serious relationship, he had no doubt that Carli was worth the wait.
Jason sighed. He wanted to be her man but he needed her to be sure. "Nothing would give me more pleasure than to have you right now in my arms and me doing all the things we both want to do, but I can't. Carli, I want you to understand that the way I feel for you consumes me, and it's all I can do to exercise self control, but if we go down this road I won't be able to caress you, or kiss you, or make love to you until you become my wife. You have to understand that. This is something I have to follow to the 'T'.
"I almost broke my vow, but I care about you and about us, and I care about what the Lord requires of me. If we do end up in a relationship we can't do anything until I make you my wife. Do you understand?" his eyes searched her face, hoping she would understand the gravity of what she was signing up for.
She nodded. "Yes, I understand. Promise me this though," she said. Her eyes were wide, expressing her sincerity.
"What?" he asked. He wanted her to feel safe.
"That if at any time you want us to just be friends you let me know, just be honest with me. And all I ask from you are hugs. I need to know you want to be near me."
"Yes, I can do that," he said.
"Promise me this," he countered.
"Anything," she said.
"That you will allow me to take it slow with you. I know we've already done some things, but let's reset, okay?"
Carli turned her self slightly in his arms so she could partially see his face. His expression held a seriousness she had never seen before, she knew he meant business.
"What do you mean?" she asked, seeking clarity.
Jason used his arms to turn her body to him. Carli tucked her feet under buttocks and shifted her body so she could look at him. He held her more loosely in his arms.
Jason touched her face. "It means I won't kiss you the way I have been, or touch you the way I want to. It means I'll be seeking God about our relationship. I'll be praying about us, and I do this not because I don't want to be with you, or I don't value your feelings. I am doing this because I believe there is something here between us I want to nurture, I want to grow beyond a friendship, but only if the Lord allows. I am sorry for how things have escalated between us, but kissing you in the garden made me realize something," he said.
"What?" she asked.
"It made me realize how soft and tender you are, and that you really trust me. I want to be worthy of that trust, in every respect. If we do become a couple, I want to make sure I give you a relationship that will make you feel secure and happy. I also want to give you an experience between us that is pure and beautiful. I want the first time we make love to be something we both will remember as special. I want to give that to you."
Carli was touched by his words. She had always wanted someone who would dote on her the way her dad did to her mom. She leaned into him. He kissed her forehead.
Carli's thoughts went back to earlier while she was preparing dinner. She had allowed him to take a shower in her bathroom and helped him lay out his clothes on her bed. She was nervous about the fact that they were the only ones at home but somehow after their encounter in the garden she felt that there was something different about him. His mood became solemn, almost sad. She wanted to cheer him up but didn't know what to say.
While they were eating he complimented her on how delicious the chicken was and told her that he enjoyed the sweet potatoes and veggies. The ginger ale was the one he enjoyed the most and he made sure to tell her how much he enjoyed his meal.
Afterwards, they decided to watch a movie on cable tv but all she could think about was being in the warmth and safety of his arms.
Now as she processed what he was saying to her, she knew she didn't want to go back to just being his friend. She wanted to explore where this would lead them, even if it meant "taking it slow" like he said. Carli grabbed his left arm and wrapped it around her. He was worth the risk.
"I would like that too," she said.
Jason pulled her to him. He planted a kiss on her forehead. He was relieved. That was all he wanted to hear. He pulled his phone out of the right front pocket of his jeans and looked at the time.
It was 8:30 p.m.
He kissed her forehead again. "I have to leave now."
Carli sighed. "Okay," she said disappointed. "I wish you didn't have to leave."
Jason chuckled and touched her face. "Hopefully one of these days, I won't be leaving, because we'll be together."
She smiled.
"There is something I need to tell you," he said, his expression solemn.
"I'll be spending some time in Montego Bay. My dad got a paint contract down there and he wants me to come down and help him." He paused, his eyes searching her face.
She was happy for him but wanted to know if she would get to see him. "Will I get to see you?"
"Yes, mostly at school. I'll be back and forth between Kingston and Montego Bay so I can juggle school and work. My dad has a link in this job so he should be able to cover me so I can get time to come back and forth. One thing I'll make sure to do is call you on the weekends. I'll call you on Saturdays or Sundays, and maybe some nights during the week so we can talk. Okay?"
"Okay," she said nodding. "How will you get back and forth?"
Jason smiled. It was a logical question.
"I'm planning to ask Omie to help me, but I'm not sure if he'll be able to. The car I borrowed is his personal vehicle so I don't know."
A light bulb went off in Carli's head. Her aunt had said recently that she looking to sell her car, maybe she could help.
"My aunt was saying just this week that she wanted to sell her car, Maybe she would be willing to rent it to you or something."
Jason was surprised. Mrs Dixon hadn't mentioned anything like that to him. Then again, he was a stranger. Why would she tell him her affairs?
"Would you be interested in talking to her about it?" Carli asked.
Jason nodded. "Yes," he said. "That would be very good. Thanks Carli."
"Okay, I will let her know."
"Thank you, beautiful."
He squeezed her to him. He looked at his phone. 8:45 p.m. He needed to leave.
"I'll be coming back for my tools tomorrow. I'm just allowing the paint to soak out of them overnight," he said.
"Okay," she said. "I'll let aunt know." She was toying with his shirt sleeve again.
Jason observed what she was doing. He wondered what other cute quirks she had.
"How will you get home?" she asked, noticing that he was watching the time on his phone.
"Omie will be coming for me," he said.
Jason unlocked his phone and sent Omar a text message. After twenty minutes had passed, they heard the sound of a text notification come in on Jason's phone.
"Okay, that will be him," Jason said.
He stood up, pulled her up to stand in front of him and hugged her. He kissed her forehead. "Call me tomorrow?" he asked, his voice low and tender to her ears.
Carli nodded. "Yes I will," she said. She was happy in this moment with him.
He went through the front door quickly. She heard the car door slam, the engine start and the car drive off. She sat back down. Stretching herself out to relax, she basked in the body heat that he left on the couch. The warmth felt like a warm blanket to her skin. She closed her eyes and drifted into sleep.
***
Carli woke up to find her cousin hovering over her. She sat up abruptly. Melissa still had on her work clothes. Carli stretched.
"What time is it?" she asked her cousin.
"11:15 p.m.," Melissa said. She threw her bag on the grey couch and sat on the loveseat looking at her cousin. "Been sleeping awhile?" she asked her.
Carli yawned softly and nodded. She rubbed her eyes to take some sleepiness out of them.
"Yeah, from about some minutes after 9 I think." She crossed her legs.
"Okay," Melissa said, eyeing her cousin with a curious look.
"Did your friend stay for dinner?"
Carli yawned again. "Oh, sorry ..." She apologized to her cousin who just smiled. "Yeah he did. I made sure to leave dinner for you and aunty. Don't worry."
Melissa smiled. "No man. That's okay. I ate something, but I will take it for lunch tomorrow."
Carli smiled. Her cousin was really thoughtful and down to earth. Though she was in her early thirties, she didn't make her feel like she couldn't relate to her.
"So what's the deal with you guys?" Melissa asked. She had a mischievous look on her face.
"Me and Jason?" Carli laughed softly.
"Mhm."
"You could say we're friends, but we're feeling each other out to see if there can be more," Carli said.
Her cousin leaned forward. "Sorry I couldn't get away earlier. Something came up and I had to review a case, then write a report recommending counselling."
Carli nodded. "No. It's okay. Your job is important."
"So is my little cuz," Melissa said smiling.
"Well based on the chemistry I've noticed between you two I guess you guys will be official very soon." Melissa said cheekily.
"I'm not sure."
Melissa frowned, her eye brows raised. "What do you mean?" she asked.
"He wants to take things slow," Carli said. She leaned back on the couch.
"Oh really," Melissa said, her eyes rolling. "Are you sure he likes you?"
Carli nodded confidently. "I am sure."
Melissa was skeptical. "And how do you know?" she asked.
Carli stretched out again on the couch. She lay on her back and looked up at Jason's handiwork. Even in the dim light the ceiling looked great.
"The way he kisses me. The way he touches me. I know," Carli said, her eyes closed.
"Wait! Alright now. Hold up! Say What?! Y'all have made out already?" Melissa's eyes were wide with a surprised look.
Carli turned on her side to face her cousin. "Lissa when he kisses me I feel like I'm burning up, I'm hot all over, but then when he touches me I feel so safe with him," she said.
Melissa got up and sat on the couch beside her little cousin. "Scoot over," she said.
Carli sat up and looked at her cousin's facial expression. She laughed. "True true," she said. "That's how he makes me feel."
"Well now," Melissa said. "I don't think I've felt like I was burning up in any of my past relationships." She chuckled.
She looked at her cousin keenly. "Have you guys had sex yet?"
Carli blushed. She looked down at the floor. "Only phone sex, and we've kissed but no real sex."
Melissa was surprised. "Don't you guys want to?"
"I want to. He wants to, but he's celibate," Carli said matter of factly.
"What?!" Melissa looked at her incredulously. She never heard of a Jamaican man refusing sex, especially a young, virile one.
"Is he you know?" Melissa lifted her left hand and did a motion with it.
"No he's not. He likes women," Carli said laughing.
Melissa couldn't believe what she was hearing. "So what is it? Is it you? You're not ready?"
Carli thought about it. She had no experience, but understood the mechanics of the activity. She wanted to explore her feelings with Jason in the most intimate way, even though she was a bit scared too. She heard the first time could really hurt.
Carli cleared her throat. "I will admit I am nervous about my first time. I'm a little scared, but I actually want to explore, you know, what's between us, me and him. He makes me feel really good. I don't think I've ever felt this way about anybody else."
Melissa crossed her legs, placed one elbow on her lap and rested her hand on her jaw. "So what's the problem?"
"He's a Christian and he's celibate as I said before. He doesn't want to have sex until he's married," Carli said. She rested her torso on the arm of the couch, supporting her weight with her elbow. She tucked her feet under her buttocks.
Melissa couldn't believe it. That guy! That handsome guy was celibate? Nah! She thought. He's playing my little cuz. No way will I let him get away with that sh%t.
Melissa pursed her lips. How can she break this down for her?
"Hun," she said trying to be careful of her cousin's feelings. "I have no doubt that this Jason guy likes you. You're beautiful, you're smart and yuh shape nice!"
Carli giggled. Melissa reached over and touched her on her arm. "Hun," she said slowly, "he may be playing you."
Carli was a little perplexed as to why she would say that.
"No Lissa," she said calmly. "I know it looks kind of weird but trust me. He really likes me. I know he has feelings for me."
"He also has a strong faith in God and wants to honor him by waiting to have sex," Carli said. She was going to defend him strongly.
"Is he a virgin?" Melissa asked sarcastically.
"No," Carli replied. "But ..."
"I thought so," Melissa said interrupting her.
"Look cuz. Men are tricky creatures," Melissa said. She watched Carli raise her eyebrows while listening to her.
"I want to have confidence that he will be a straight up guy, but he's probably playing you. Nowadays being a Christian and abstaining from sex does not necessary go hand in hand. I know people who are Christians as far as I can tell, good friends of mine, but they had their moment of weakness and had sex. Some are married couples now, while others it didn't work out. They weren't compatible, but after being together they found out and they decided to end things and move on. Some of the couples who had sex are now married, the sex didn't ruin their relationship."
"Well, they were probably going to be married anyway, so if they waited there wouldn't have been a problem. Why not wait then and experience everything fresh and new on the wedding night?" Carli countered.
"So can you wait? Can he? Because you said he's already been touching you sexually," Melissa asked skeptically.
Carli needs to get a wake up call. She thought.
This guy is not into her. He's just toying with her to get her to let her guard down to have sex. She's just a chair in the waiting room of his life until something better comes for him to move on with. Melissa could feel it in her bones.
"And how long is this "waiting" going to be?" Melissa asked, putting her fingers up mimicking quotes.
"I thought you would be happy that Jason isn't pressuring me for sex? Damn cuz? What is this?" Carli asked perplexed.
"I don't mind if a man says he likes you but he doesn't find you attractive, or that maybe he's seeing someone else or something like that. But to say he's celibate and then be kissing you and evoking all kinds of feelings in you. I think is cruel. That's sending mixed signals," Melissa replied.
A light bulb went off in Melissa's head. "Wait! Wait ... Does he know you're a virgin? Please tell me you didn't tell ... " Melissa looked at Carli's expression and knew.
"Oh my go ... Carli!" Melissa exclaimed. She lifted her hands in the air and slapped them down on her lap in exasperation. She looked at her cousin and shook her head.
Carli hurried to explain:
"It just happened. I was at his house and he was kissing me and then he asked me what I wanted him to do, and he was looking at me the way he does when he's ... when he touches me, and he asked me what I wanted him to do. I panicked and told him I was a virgin."
"Did he tell you he was celibate after that?" Melissa questioned her.
"A couple days after, yes," Carli said, feeling uncomfortable.
Melissa swore under her breath. Player player, huh? She thought.
Melissa grabbed her cousin's hand closest to her. "Carli, he's playing you. He knows you're a virgin and as a virgin, you will be scared to have sex. You've been a virgin for so long. It will be hard to just give that up willy nilly, he knows this, so he's taking his time to warm you up to him, so you can let your guard down with him. Until he thinks the time is right to pop your cherry. Ha! That drankro!" Melissa was angry.
Carli was doubtful. "I don't think that is what he's doing. He really cares for me."
"Oh really. Let's do an experiment. Shall we?"
Carli was curious. "What do you mean?"
"When next will you see him?" Melissa asked.
"Tomorrow, he's coming back for his tools."
"Excellent!" Melissa said, smiling wickedly. She had a plan.
***
Jason lay back in bed. He was only wearing his underpants. He was tired from the days activities, but he always spent some time thinking about Carli before falling asleep. He wished he could hold her close to him right now. He was tempted to call her. He lifted up his phone and checked the time. It was 11:30 p.m. She was probably asleep now. She said she goes to bed early.
He thought of earlier today. Her warm personality was like a balm he didn't know he needed. It felt like being with her was healing his heart. Her touch also did things to him he never expected, not to mention those soft lips. She tasted like honey to him. Maybe he was tripping.
He laughed softly to himself. Either way he wished things weren't so complicated. She said she wanted to take it slow with him. He would have to make sure not to take advantage of her when they were alone. He sighed. He would have to make sure they weren't alone too often. He couldn't trust himself with her.
Her body was a treasure trove he gladly wanted to explore. The way she responded to him, so fervently, also made him go crazy. Maybe being alone together isn't a good idea. If she was assertive about a sexual encounter between them, would he able to resist her? he wondered. He had to try. He wanted to be that man for her. He wanted her first experience to be special and with him as her husband. There was no way he would let her be damaged.
He turned on his right side. He closed his eyes and fell asleep.
****
What a fine specimen of a man, Marsha mused, as she watched Jason sleep. He was on his back, fast asleep. He looked so peaceful. She had snuck out of the house after her parents had gone to bed and come here to see him. He was ignoring her calls and she wanted to know if he was okay, if even to just stare at him while he slept.
Jason rolled onto his left side. Marsha watched as he mumbled something and slid into REM sleep again. She wondered what he was dreaming about. Maybe it was Carli he was dreaming about. A twinge of jealousy rose up in her. She felt stinging tears develop at the back of her eyes. She pressed her eyes shut. She choked the faint cry that was about to come from her mouth. She had to be quiet.
What a fine time to be emotional, she thought. She was being silly. She looked at his face. As he got older his chiseled jawline became more pronounced and his voice had dipped to a low, silky timbre that sent chills down her spine every time he spoke to her. She wished he would say sensual things in her ear. No doubt Carli was getting that privilege. She hated that girl so much! Most of all though Marsha really hated herself. If she hadn't done that prank those years ago, maybe she and Jason would be a couple now.
They never kissed but there was that weird moment after he tried to help her screw in a bulb in her room and he had to save her. He said he would do it for her and even went for the ladder to replace the damaged bulb for the new, but she insisted she could do it. She hadn't thought to remove her slippers when climbing the ladder.
She was able to install the new bulb properly but as she was climbing down her right foot slipped and she fell backwards. Jason was right there to catch her. He hadn't left the room. He had stood by the ladder quietly watching her. He initially grabbed her mid-air and then had to adjust his stance to secure her in his arms. She was shaken up and did not speak. He placed her on her bed and put the ladder back in the garage. He then went back to her room to check on her. He asked her if she was okay but all she could do at the time was nod.
Jason stayed the whole day with her until her parents returned from an event her dad's company had hosted. It was a Saturday night. Chayelle had gone to a sleep over with her best friend
When they returned and heard what happened they thanked Jason profusely for being there for Marsha and scolded her for being irresponsible. She hadn't said a word. When her parents had gone to bed, she snuck into Jason's room and asked if she could stay with him. He lifted the covers and she climbed in. He sleepily put his arms around her and told her to go to sleep. That night she felt safe with him. She hoped he would have kissed her but he didn't.
When she woke up in the morning, she opened her eyes to see him watching her. The look that crossed his face disappeared when he realized she was awake. She was wearing a thin cotton chemise that was semi-transparent.
Marsha figured he could faintly see the shape of her breasts. She reached out to touch his hand but he pulled away, sat up and told her she needed to leave his room. She complied but always wondered if she hadn't done the prank months before if he would have made a move on her.
Now as she looked at him, she was tempted to lay under the covers with him just one more time. She sighed. The sound was audible enough for Jason to stir on the bed. His eyes blinked and he opened them. He closed them again and opened them. Marsha was frozen. What should she do? Quietly, she stood up to exit his room when she heard his voice call out to her.
"Don't leave," he said. "Stay."
Marsha turned around slowly. Her eyes were wide with anxiety. He was going to cuss her out now. Jason stretched and sat up slowly. He was groggy from waking suddenly. He looked at her. His eyes focused on her in the dark.
What was she doing here? This is so annoying, Jason thought.
She was wearing a miniskirt that brushed her thighs and a blue tanktop that she squeezed her breasts into. Marsha was an attractive woman and under other circumstances he would have dated her, but her obsession with him made her unattractive to him.
"What are you doing here?" he asked her.
Jason threw his feet off the bed and planted them on the floor. He stood. He was much taller than her. His imposing presence always made her feel weak. He reached for her in one quick motion and threw her on the bed. He climbed on top of her and slapped the soft surface of the bed near to her face.
"What are you doing here, Marsha?" His eyes burned into her. He was angry. His voice was menacing.
"I would turn you on my knee to give you a good spanking for taking the risk to come here this time of the night, but you would probably enjoy it too much," he said, his hot breath on her face.
Marsha never backed down from a challenge. "You probably would enjoy it too," she quipped.
Jason swore.
"Maybe I should let you leave, and if anything happens to you, just don't give a damn, eh? What do you say?" he threatened.
He lifted her hands over her head and squeezed her wrists in his hands. Marsha struggled to break free. "You're hurting me!" she said angrily. "Let me go!" She wrestled with him but he did not let her go.
Jason looked at her. Her cleavage was rising and falling with the effort she made to wrestle away from him. He always thought her breasts would look like smooth, dark chocolate. He just never made them cross his mind too often.
Marsha observed that his eyes furtively glanced at her breasts. She smiled seductively. She stopped struggling against him. "Want some milk?" she asked him.
Jason got up off the bed and lifted her to her feet. "What do you want Marsha, hmm?" He shook her. "You want to be walking the streets all hours of the night like a prostitute? Is that what you want? You want to be treated like a prostitute?" He released her hands. His breathing was erratic.
"The other day I came home, y'know what happened? Do you know?" he snapped at her.
Marsha was breathing heavily. She used her hands to massage her wrists. She shook her head.
"One of the guys in the community. You could say he is a don, he and his cronies said they saw you coming out of my house. Imagine my surprise when they told me a tall, dark skinned chick was coming out of the house I rented, in a ghetto that I moved into just to keep costs low. A ghetto place where I have no clout and anything can happen to me at any time. And this guy is telling me that you, you were coming out of the house after 2 in the morning. Can you imagine how scared I was?!" He shouted at her. "What if they had hurt you Marsha?"
Marsha looked down at the floor. She did feel uncomfortable with how the guys looked at her, but she wasn't thinking.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I wasn't thinking." She was still breathing fast. She tried to control her breathing.
"You're damn right you weren't thinking!" Jason snapped at her. "I had to tell them you were my woman."
Marsha eyes widened. He took the risk for her. "Jason, I am so sorry." She approached him.
Jason backed away and raised his hands in front of him. "I don't want an apology from you, Marsha. What I want you to do is to stop this madness. Yes Marsha, you are a beautiful girl. Yes, I think you're attractive. Does that satisfy you?!" He was livid now.
Marsha grimaced.
She stared at the floor.
"Yes you are a beautiful girl, but I am not interested in you like that," Jason said. He ran his hands through his hair frustrated at her stubborn and risky behavior.
His words sparked anger in her. What? If that was the case why did he look at her breasts like that? She thought to herself.
"So what was that earlier? You pinning me on the bed? You ogling my breasts? What was that?" she asked defiantly.
"I am not blind, nor am I dead Marsha. As I said you are an attractive woman, but that doesn't mean I am willing to disrupt my peace to be with you. Also, you're like my little sister, you know ..."
"Bullshit!" she interrupted him. She was really angry now. "Little sister! Oh please! You like what you see Jason. You know you like it. There's always been this sexual tension between us!"
In a swift movement she lunged towards him, pulled him forward and kissed him. She circled her arms around his neck and teased his lips with hers. Jason stood motionless and allowed her to kiss him to prove her point, but he was disgusted with her. Her childish behavior was putting them both at risk.
As she kissed him, he found himself dissecting the moment between them. Her lips didn't taste the same as Carli's. She pressed herself on him, but she didn't feel like Carli's delicate curves on him. After about 20 seconds had passed, he pried her arms from around his neck and pushed her off him. He hadn't even felt a spark. Carli's taste was what consumed his thoughts.
Marsha was heaving now, breathing heavily. She felt embarrassed. He hadn't even kissed her back. His body didn't even respond. She screamed angrily then started crying. She was about to rush through the door when he grabbed her.
"I'll be damned if I let you go outside for someone to harm you. Sit your ass down." He pushed her onto the bed.
"Why do you care? You don't want me?" she yelled at him.
"I care about you, for one thing, because your parents gave me a place to stay to focus on my studies when I really needed that kind of help. Your family opened their home to me and showed me kindness, unlike yourself."
Marsha started crying harder. "You never forgave me did you?" she said sobbing.
Jason was angry but he wasn't cruel. He softened his voice. "Marsha, look at me. Look at me." He touched her shoulders. She swung away from him. "Marsha damn it! Look at me!"
She looked at him, her eyes throwing daggers. "What?!" she said angrily.
"I forgave you a long time ago. I have no grudges against you."
"What if I do?" she asked, her eyes burning with anger.
"That's up to you Marsh," he said sadly. "I always wanted us to be good friends, but you ruined it with this crazy behavior. If you really cared for me, you would want me to be happy. If you say that you love me and you care about me, why wouldn't you want me to be happy? Why would you want me to be happy the way you think I should be? On your terms? That's not love Marsha. Love is not selfish. It doesn't think of its own benefit, nor does it have an agenda."
Jason picked up his phone from the floor. It had fallen off the bed during his tussle with her. He pressed the power button and looked at the time. It was 4:30 a.m.
"It's 4:30," he said to her. "I'm going to take you home."
She was about to protest when he gave her a warning look. "This is not a negotiation," he said. "You want to be treated like a child, well, that is what you are going to get from me. And I think your parents should know what you've been up to."
She looked up at him from the bed. Her eyes showed a growing disdain for him. Jason laughed mockingly.
His eyes bored into her. "You wanna know the real truth Marsha." He stood in front of her now. His voice seething with anger. "Maybe, just maybe I could have liked you beyond a friendship, but you are toxic." He saw her expression of shock. He was gonna send it home to her even if it meant she never spoke to him again.
"Yes, you are! You bring out the worst in me! You're a selfish little brat that has never known what it is like to struggle and you think you are some princess. Well, think again! You look good, yes, but you need more than good looks to be wife material. I am looking for a wife, not a spoiled brat!"
The dam of defiance broke in her. Marsha threw herself on the bed and bawled.
Jason felt sorry for being cruel but it was necessary. He needed her to stop this madness. It was for her own good.
His voice was icy cold when he said, "Do not move. I'm going to take a shower. I don't want the men to see you leaving and try anything. I won't take long. Stay put!"
After about five minutes Jason exited the bathroom. He was fearful she would leave before he got out, but when he came out she was there sitting where he left her. She had stopped crying and sat on the bed motionless. Jason could see that she looked forlorn but at least she was safe. That was what he cared about. He pulled on a pair of dark grey jeans over his underpants and a black shirt. He dressed his feet with a pair of black and white sneakers.
"Grab your bag," he said tersely.
Marsha retrieved her bag from the floor beside the bed and stood up. Jason looked at the time. It was 5 am. He opened the door and allowed Marsha to exit first then shut the door behind him. He was so angry with her he didn't hold her hand like he did with Carli the times he brought her there. He observed that Choppa was already on the outside sitting on a wall watching the two of them. As Jason walked beside Marsha, he told her to walk closer to him.
"Do not look at them," he said.
Jason called to Choppa and the other men, and nodded at them. They nodded back watching him and Marsha closely. When they were gone on the road and to the nearest bus stop, he said, "Did you see how they were looking at you?"
Marsha nodded.
"Good. Do not come back here again. You know I will not bring you here, so if you come here again it will be on you. You take the risk. I won't care! Give me the spare key you stole from me." Jason held his hand out.
Marsha fished through her bag and retrieved two identical keys and handed them to him. She had made another copy! Jason couldn't believe it. He looked at her and shook his head.
Jason was so angry with her. "Your parents are gonna know what you did today," he said. After ten minutes passed, a number 78 JUTC bus drove up. Jason waved it down. It stopped and he waited for Marsha to enter, he boarded it behind her. They would take this bus then a taxi to get to her house.
Jason was seething with anger. She had disturbed the dream he was having of Carli. Now, he hoped she understood in no uncertain terms that there was no future with him. None.
*****
Carlos woke up at 6 o'clock the next day. He had made sexual advances towards his wife and she responded favorably. After dinner she had cut off a slice of pudding for both of them. She said she would eat her cheesecake while she was at work. He was full and content. Even though he was disappointed Sharon hadn't told him about the fraud case, he did not want that to ruin his time with her. He had pulled her to her feet to slowly dance with him, even though there was no music playing.
She had laughed and said, "Cade, there's no music playing."
He had chuckled and said, "Yes there is, playing in my head." He started humming their favorite song by Luther Vandross. She smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. When he kissed her, she wrapped her arms around his neck and told him she loved him.
The night was a passionate one. It was as if she was trying to wear herself out in order to forget what she was going through. He didn't mind her vigorous lovemaking though, once she was satisfied and he was too, he was happy. He was surprised to see her still fast asleep beside him. She would usually be up by then. She must be very tired. He smiled to himself. He made sure to match her energy. He would never back down. He watched her sleep for a few minutes.
She was so beautiful but very stubborn. He shook his head. He got out of bed. He'll make breakfast. She would probably like that.
After about ten minutes of figuring out what was where, he got breakfast started. He would make her favorite: banana fritters with scrambled eggs and bacon. He also set to brew a pot of coffee for both of them.
When everything was ready he retrieved a tray from a cupboard, placed a plate filled with delicious food and a large mug filled with piping hot coffee. She usually added condensed milk to her coffee, no sugar, so that's what he did.
Carefully, he walked into the room and laid the tray at the foot of the bed. He went up to her on the bed and gently brushed the back of his hand on her face. She moved and slowly opened her eyes and saw him. She smiled.
"Hey babe," she said sleepily.
"Hey baby," he replied, his voice was low and gentle.
"You hungry?", he asked.
"Mhm ... oh my gosh! Honey, I am so sorry. I'm so sorry." She sat up. "What time is it?" She looked at the clock on the night stand. It was 9 a.m.
She was about to jump out of bed when Carlos stopped her. "It's okay baby," he said. "I already prepared breakfast."
She was surprised. "You did?" She looked up at him.
"Mhmm, I did." He extended his hand out to her. She took it and he pulled her slowly to her feet. He brought her to the foot of the bed so she could see what he made for her.
Sharon saw the fritters and everything he had prepared, and emotions started welling up in her. Her legs buckled under her and she sat on the bed. Tears started streaming down her face. Carlos kneeled down in front of her.
"Baby, what's wrong?" He touched her face.
She shook her head.
Carlos went into the dining room area and retrieved two chairs. He placed one at the end of the bed and placed the tray of food carefully on it. The other chair he placed beside his wife.
"Sharon, how long have I known you?" Her head was down while she sobbed. He leaned forward and touched her face, using his fingers he lifted her face so he could look into her eyes.
He softened his voice. "Sharon, baby? How long have we known each other?"
"Twenty-four years," she said sobbing quietly.
"Do you trust me?" he asked her.
Sharon could see there was hurt in his eyes. Did she hurt him in some way?
"Yes, I trust you."
Carlos cupped his wife's face. "Then tell me what is going on? Why are you crying?"
Sharon sighed. She took a deep breath. "It's possible I am being framed for fraud."
Carlos eyes widened. Paul said it was fraud but not that she was the main suspect. He had to probe carefully.
"Tell me what happened?"
Sharon cleared her throat. "A few days ago." She sighed. "The Saturday, after we had our argument over the money you gave to Red Man, I didn't feel like going to work so I called in and told them that I wouldn't be able to make it to work that day. A few minutes after I told the secretary this, she called back to say that Paul wanted to speak with me and it was urgent. He was waiting for me to come in to work. When I went he told me about money being siphoned off little by little, and cheques being signed that I wasn't aware of, that somehow had my signature, or a signature that looked like mine."
Carlos moved to sit beside Sharon. She scooted over to give him space beside her on the bed. As he sat down he circled his arm around her. "Why didn't you tell me this earlier?"
Sharon sighed. "I didn't want to bother you. I wasn't sure what you would think. I slapped you. After that you haven't been talking to me much. I thought you were still angry with me."
"I am a little angry. That slap did hurt, but honey you can always come to me. Always. I need to tell you something."
Sharon nodded. She looked at him curiously.
"Paul, your boss, he called me yesterday. He wanted to apologize for the way the cops were handling you. He said it was procedure. When I asked him about the fraud, he realized I didn't know and told me to ask you about it and hung up."
"Why would he call you instead of me?" Sharon felt outed. She was a little embarrassed now.
"He said he was trying to call your cell but you weren't answering. He figured you must have turned off the phone."
Sharon turned fully to face her husband. "So since yesterday, you knew?"
Carlos nodded. "Mhm."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
"I was going to, but when I saw you cooking up a storm in the kitchen I knew you were stressed. I didn't want to add fuel to what could be a fiery situation if I had confronted you the way I felt yesterday. So I played it cool and hoped you would tell me. When you didn't say anything last night I was hurt that you didn't trust me."
Sharon now realized what that hurt look in his eyes was about. She touched his face.
"Baby, I'm so sorry. I wanted to tell you but you weren't speaking to me, and I felt ashamed about what I did, hitting you, and I was angry with you for putting me in a position of feeling that angry."
Carlos chuckled sadly. "A vicious cycle, eh?"
Sharon nodded her agreement. "I'm sorry." She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. Carlos shook his head and pointed a finger to his lips. Sharon laughed and kissed him on the mouth. He held onto her and made sure the kiss was much more than a peck. Pulling away from him, she had one question.
"What would you have done if I hadn't confessed?" she asked him.
Carlos sighed. "I was thinking of confronting Paul about it, then after getting the information I'd take you out to dinner and tell you what I know, hoping you would confess then."
"Oh," Sharon said. Her husband was a class act for sure. She was lucky to have him. "I'm sorry hun. From now on I promise to tell you everything."
Carlos smiled. "We're a team Shar. I love you and you love me. I'm sorry for the thing with Red Man." Carlos had a niggling thought in the back of his mind about the comment Red Man made saying to him to tell his wife "sorry for the inconvenience" but decided to let it rest. She was feeling better and there were more pressing concerns, like saving her job.
Carlos squeezed Sharon close to him. "Feel better now?"
"Yes. Thank you baby."
Carlos kissed her forehead. He released her and got up to take the tray from the chair and placed it on her lap. "It might be a bit cold now."
Sharon smiled. She held on to his hand. "That's fine. My husband makes the best banana fritters, hot or cold."
***
Jason showed up at Aunt Sandra's house at 8:30 a.m. He was supposed to come back for his tools but he would have retrieved them around 1:00 in the afternoon. That was what he told Carli. He however needed to see her. He needed to hold her close to him, to bask in her warmth. He was planning to tell her what happened with Marsha as well. He wasn't about to keep any secrets from her. He knocked on the door expecting to see either Carli's aunt or her, but instead a fair skinned young woman answered the door.
"Oh, hi. I was looking for Carli. Is she in?", he asked.
The young woman shook her head.
"I'm Jason." Jason wondered if he was suddenly thrust into the twilight zone and somehow the Dixon family had disappeared.
"Oh hey. Come in." Another young woman said. He had seen her before. She was Carli's cousin. She came down the stairs smiling at him.
"Heather, move one side mek di man come in nuh," she demanded.
Heather opened the door wider and stepped aside.
The other young lady came up to Jason and extended her hand for a handshake. She smiled broadly.
"Hi. I'm Melissa. This rude young woman," Melissa turned towards Heather and rolled her eyes. "... is Heather."
Jason smiled at them both and nodded at Heather, who cracked a tiny smile.
Melissa released Jason's hand and motioned for him to come further into the foyer. "My mom and Carli went Christmas shopping. It's sort of a tradition in this household to go the week before and do some shopping for trinkets to decorate the house, et cetera. Carli hasn't bought anything for her parents yet, so mom decided she would let her tag along too."
Jason liked Melissa. She had a bright personality. "Heather is a good family friend, aren't you Heather?" Melissa said, smiling mischievously at her friend.
Heather snorted. "I guess so," she said.
"You've come for your tools?", Melissa asked matter of factly.
Jason nodded. "Yes. I was hoping to talk to Carli as well."
"Oh okay," Melissa smiled at him, eyebrows raised. "They've been gone from as early as 6:30 a.m.. Mom said she would try to get back by about 10 or 11:30. She wants to brew some sorrel."
Jason listened to Melissa. Was everyone in Carli's family this friendly? He wouldn't mind being married into this type of family dynamic. Coming from a family that didn't really celebrate Christmas or any holiday, he would look forward to Christmas being a big deal for once.
Tell you what, Melissa said, "Why don't you stick around until about 10. If they don't come back by then, you can leave and I'll tell Carli you wanted to talk to her. In the meantime, you can go for your stuff."
Jason nodded. "Okay, sounds like a plan."
Yes indeed. Melissa thought. A good plan!
Jason went through the kitchen to the garden and checked on his paint brushes and roller. They looked clean enough. He would have packed them away in some towels and stuffed them in a zip lock bag and dried them at home, but since he was waiting on Carli to come home, he would try to find a sunny spot in the yard to place them to dry.
After looking around he found a spot and placed the brushes with the bristles upright and the roller in a vertical position. He went to sit on the old tree stump he and Carli had made out on before. As he sat there he thought about her. She would be surprised to see him so early. He told her he would be by in the afternoon, but after the hectic early morning encounter with Marsha, he needed to be close to her. He knew she would understand him.
He was sitting there for half an hour when Heather came up to him and asked if he was hungry.
"Yeah," she said. "Melissa is making some sandwiches for breakfast. She wanted to know if you would like any?"
Jason nodded. "Sure. I could eat," he said smiling at her. She didn't smile back but that was okay. At least Melissa was friendly, and Heather was just a family friend. Heather turned and walked away.
After five minutes she returned with a plate of two sandwiches, both eggs and bacon in whole wheat buns with sesame seeds. She also handed him a glass filled with what looked like orange juice but not quite.
He took the food and thanked her, but he was curious. "What's in the glass?", he asked Heather.
"Orange juice with passion fruit," she said. She smiled awkwardly and went back inside.
Jason shrugged his shoulders. Okay he said to himself. That was weird.
Jason ate the sandwiches. They were delicious. He could taste a hint of black pepper. He loved pepper so this was a treat for him. He was about to take a sip of the juice when Heather came out of nowhere and slapped the glass out of his hand.
The glass fell and the contents spilled out. Jason looked up at Heather in shock.
"Why did you do that?!" he asked. He was getting annoyed with her rude behavior.
"For your own good," she said. Her eyes narrowed.
Jason paused. "Wait ... What?"
"Lissa put something in the drink."
Jason stood up. "What?! Why?"
Heather dropped her voice to a whisper. "She doesn't trust you with her cousin, Carli. She thinks you're playing her, considering the fact that you told her you were celibate after she told you she was virgin."
Jason put his hands on his head surprised. "Is that why you've been so unwelcoming earlier?"
Heather smiled a genuine smile now. "You are very perceptive."
"Melissa is not really my friend," Heather admitted. "I'm closer to Brandon. I'm more a friend of the family because my mom and Lissa's mom were best friends growing up. My mom is deceased, but Lissa's mom still likes me to come by to visit. Last night Lissa called to tell me that her mom wanted me to come by for a visit. I haven't been around them in months. Naturally I believed her. So I came by this morning to look for the family. When I came over Sandra and Carli were already gone."
"Which means Mrs Dixon didn't know you were coming," he said filling in the blanks.
"Exactly," Heather said.
"She wanted me to help her make it look like you would cheat on Carli at the drop of a hat. So she wanted me to pretend like we were kissing. Meanwhile you would be drugged out of your mind and not aware of what was happening. When Carli comes back she would see you and I wrapped up together. I agreed to see what she would do. Plus, I knew if I didn't do it she would find someone else who would probably be willing to carry out her instructions for money. I pretended to agree to see what she would do. I was hoping my behavior would turn you off and you would leave."
Jason was in shock. He couldn't believe it. Melissa seemed like such a nice person.
"So what should I do now?" Jason was confused as to what to do.
"Pretend to be drugged. I will take it from there," Heather answered.
Jason agreed, but he didn't trust her either. He would play this delicately.
At around 10, Jason pretended to stagger in. He knew how to play drunk. He also researched the drug Heather claimed Melissa had put in the juice.
He sat down on the couch and started laughing uncontrollably. He removed his shirt and was only in his marina. He had thrown some water on himself to make it look like he was sweating profusely.
Melissa came into the room and saw him. She had a cheeky smile on her lips.
"You okay?" she asked. Her voice sounding concerned.
Jason pretended to look at her through bleary eyes. He slurred his response, "Yes ma'am. I am just fine." He used his shirt to fan himself down as if he was burning up. Melissa left the room and called Heather.
Jason quickly took out his phone, unlocked it and opened an app for voice recordings. He turned it on and tucked the phone behind him underneath the cushions. He was sitting on the navy blue couch. Carli's favorite couch.
Heather walked in and looked at him. "The thing worked Lissa," she said.
"Of course I told you it would work. A police friend of mine gave it to me. It's evidence for a case, but he managed to retrieve a little. The amount of this drug he gave me is more than enough. Any more I probably would have killed him," Melissa said with a smirk.
"So what should I do now?" Heather asked.
As soon as the door rings you're gonna sit on his lap and pretend to make out with him. Carli needs to see that this guy is just playing her. I called mommy, They're about fifteen minutes away."
"Okay," Jason heard Heather say.
He leaned back resting his head on the couch and started singing the lewdest dancehall song he could think of. Just then there was a knocking on the front door. Melissa moved to open the door.
"Get ready," she said to her. Heather nodded.
"Be cool," Heather said to Jason. "Let me take care of it."
Jason nodded. Take care of my ass. Jason thought. Y'all don't know who you're dealing with.
Sandra walked into the living room and placed their bags by the doorway. She was the first to look up to see Heather her family friend, her best friend's daughter making out with Jason.
Jason! What was he doing here so early?
Carli was about to walk in. Sandra tried to divert her to the kitchen but she looked up in time to see a young woman sitting in Jason's lap.
"What is this?" Melissa walked in shouting.
"Mommy, I told you that Heather could not be trusted." She looked triumphantly at both parties sitting on the couch.
"Jason, what is this?" Aunt Sandra asked. Carli was about to reach over to pull Heather off of Jason when she held on to her and shook her head. "Wait," she said.
"Mommy, yuh nuh see wah gwaan? Obviously Jason and Heather were making out before you guys walked in." Her tone was accusatory.
"Is this true Heather?" Sandra turned to the girl she saw like a daughter.
Heather laughed vulgarly. "Ask your daughter what she was doing earlier with Jason. Weren't you the one making out with him. Didn't you spike his drink and then kiss him full on the mouth?"
"What?!" Carli shouted. "Drugged? Lissa what did you do?"
"I did no such thing!" Melissa shouted angrily.
Heather continued: "Jason was already drunk when he got here. He said he was looking for you but he was drunk. I was trying to send him home but Melissa insisted on letting him inside. She spiked his juice with some drug even though I told her he was already drunk," Heather said. She got off Jason's lap and stood beside him.
Melissa's eyes threw daggers at Heather. "Lies! That is not true!"
Suddenly, Jason pushed Heather away from him and stood up. Heather crumpled to the floor. She looked up at him in shock. He dug under the cushions, retrieved his phone and stopped the recording. He pressed play back. Everything that was said by Heather and Melissa before Carli and aunt Sandra entered the room was heard. The two women looked at him surprised.
Sandra's face became red with anger. "Melissa? What is this? If your father knew he would be so disappointed."
Carli was in shock. She leaned forward on the back of the loveseat. Her elbows, sinking into it. Jason went over to her and held her close to him.
"How did you know?" Heather asked.
"How did I know that you were playing reverse psychology on me? I heard that Melissa is a psychologist. I knew she would probably come with something out of the ordinary to confuse me. When you came and told me that she spiked my juice I said to myself if you were really concerned, you would have told me from the beginning what was happening.
"You would have said something while you and I were standing at the door, before Melissa came down stairs. Melissa was probably uncomfortable giving me the drug in the first place, just in case she could cause harm with an accidental overdose. Each person's body reacts to Speed differently, but I do know it messes with your heart rate. I could have a heart attack and die. She couldn't take that risk."
"That wouldn't look good on your resume would it?" He looked at Melissa, his voice dripped with sarcasm.
He turned his gaze to Heather again.
"She told you to pretend like she put the drug in my drink and asked you to give it to me. You pretended to tell me what she was doing so you could gain my confidence.
"I would pretend to be drugged and then you could still carry out your plan of making Carli think I was cheating. If I knew the whole plot and still went along with it, then that would make my character questionable, to know what was happening and still go along with a lie. And as you showed awhile ago you would say I was drunk. I bet you didn't think your partner in crime would turn around and say that it was you who planned this all along. I agreed to go along with it but as you can see I had plans of my own." He lifted the phone and put it back into his pocket.
Heather was speechless. Melissa was in shock. This guy was cunning. She was even more concerned for her cousin but said nothing.
Sandra looked at Jason with admiration. "Well played. I am impressed. Ever thought of being a lawyer?
Jason smiled. "No enuh. Business is more my speed."
He looked down at Carli. Her face showed her confusion. "Carli, baby. Look at me."
She looked up at him. "All you need to know is that I never did anything. Heather kissed me. I did not kiss her and as you heard from the recording. It was Melissa that was the master mind, but Heather you are also culpable."
He looked at Heather. His eyes looked dark with anger. This made Heather shiver. "I only went along with it to make sure I could expose them. If I had railed against them they would have denied it and there would be no proof," Jason said, a mocking smile on his lips.
Carli looked at Melissa. She couldn't believe she would do something like this.
Is this the reason she asked when Jason was coming by? Carli wondered.
"Lissa, why?!" Carli asked. She was very upset.
Melissa sighed. "I was only trying to find out if he was really serious about you. The celibacy thing sounded off."
"It's off to you because you don't understand the relationship Carli and I have. You should have trusted what she said about me," Jason responded. He would defend his and Carli's relationship.
"How did you know what she said about you?" Melissa's eyes widened.
Jason turned to Carli. He cupped her face as he looked at her. "I don't know everything. I'm not clairvoyant, but you just said she mentioned I was celibate. No doubt she told you I was a Christian also." He looked up at Melissa. Her reaction confirmed his suspicions.
Jason was angry. This was one hectic day. He thought.
"There must have been something she said that seemed too good to be true to you, that triggered you to do this. Ma'am I don't even know you and you went through great lengths to do this. It tells me you love your cousin but your skepticism is misplaced. You should be looking at your friend Heather here. If she was a good friend to you, she would have rebuked you and told you this was not a good idea. Think about that." Jason said, his expression sarcastic.
Melissa looked over at Heather who averted her eyes, staring nervously up at the ceiling.
Jason turned to Sandra. "Mrs Dixon," he said, his voice solemn. "I think Carli needs some fresh air. I'll take her with me for awhile and bring her back a little later. Okay? I know you were doing Christmas shopping and no doubt you have plans, but ..."
Sandra nodded. "Go right ahead." Sandra touched Carli's cheek.
"Carli, it's okay," she said to her. "Go with Jason. I have some unfinished business I need to deal with," she looked angrily at Heather and her daughter.
Jason put his arms around Carli and guided out of the house. He picked up his work bag that was outside and retrieved the semi-dried tools. He wrapped them in a thick, old towel and stuffed them in his bag. He hoisted the bag over his shoulder.
"Omie isn't here to pick you up, Jason," Carli said. Her eyes and body language showed her sadness.
"I know," he said looking at her worried. "We can walk the distance to the nearest bus stop and take a taxi."
"Maybe I can help. While we were shopping Carli told me you needed a car to rent."
Jason turned to see Aunt Sandra coming towards them. Jason nodded. "Yes. I did tell her that."
Sandra opened the palm of her hand and showed him a car key. She turned to the vehicle it belonged to and pressed the alarm to disarm it. Jason heard the alarm beep and lights flashed on a Nissan 2017 Sentra motor vehicle.
"I've hardly driven it since I got the SUV," Sandra said smiling at them both. "You can have it. Pay me about $200,000 up front and another $1,200,000 over the next several months. We can work out the details when I see you again. You can take it home with you now and come back later today or tomorrow to pay the $200,000. It has about half a tank full."
Jason nodded his agreement.
"Thank you," he said.
"No, thank you. You looked after my niece's interest. I appreciate that." She handed him the car keys and went back inside.
Jason went towards the vehicle and looked at in appreciation. It was almost good as new. He smiled. God sure knows how to work in mysterious ways. He knew a vehicle like this was much more than the price she asked for it. He unlocked the car door on the passenger side to let Carli in. He then slid in the driver's side and started the engine. He listened to it purr. Jason laughed.
"Thank you father God!" Jason shouted happily.
He turned the key in the ignition and drove up to the gate. He got out and opened the gate, drove out and closed the gate. He drove off carefully down the road.
Carli leaned on him. He put his left arm around her for a little bit, then placed it back on the steering wheel.
"Where are we going?" she asked
Jason smiled at her. "To meet someone very special to me," he said.
Chapter 11: Finding paradise
Jason carefully stopped the car beside the sidewalk. He turned to Carli, leaned over and kissed her on the forehead.
"Baby, you okay?" he asked. He was a little worried about her. She still had a spaced out look on her face.
Carli nodded.
Jason touched her face. Carli lifted her hand and briefly touched his hand. She smiled.
"You called me baby?" Her eyes lit up.
"Mhm," Jason said, "because you are my baby."
She chuckled softly. "Friends don't call each other 'baby'," she said.
Jason turned his body more towards her in the vehicle.
He planted a gentle kiss on her forehead, then gave her a soft kiss on her lips. "Then I'm more than your friend."
Carli looked at him with an amused look. "I thought you said we're taking things slow?"
"We are, but I have decided that I wanna be intentional about dating you," he said.
"So, no touching sexually, et cetera?" Carli asked. A mischievous smile curled up her lips.
"None of that," he said. Jason's mouth was curling up into a smile too now.
Carli playfully slapped him on the shoulder. She reached her hands under his arms and tickled him.
"Hey! Hey! Careful! My foot is still near the gas!" Jason said, surprised at her outburst of enthusiasm.
Carli laughed. Jason shut off the engine then looked at her, his eyes showed his affection.
Jason lifted his left hand and used his thumb to gently brush against her lips. "You are so beautiful," he said. Carli kissed his finger. She opened her mouth and began sucking on it slowly.
Jason was turned on by what she was doing. She knew how to push his buttons. He leaned over and kissed her. He teased her lips slowly but held back on kissing her passionately. He touched her face.
"I love you," he said.
Carli had closed her eyes when he was kissing her. When she heard those words her eyes flew open.
Jason was looking at her, his eyes told her that what he said was true. Carli touched his face.
"I love you too," she said.
Jason grinned. The day wasn't a total loss.
"I'm going to go inside for some things, then come back and we can spend the rest of the day together until I take you home, and I'm taking you home late," he said, his gaze taking her in.
Carli nodded.
Jason leaned over and gave her a playful kiss on the cheek. He stepped out of the car to get some stuff from the house.
Jason felt like skipping or maybe jumping. He felt so much lighter. It felt like a big boulder was lifted off his shoulders. He loved her. He couldn't deny it any longer, and he didn't want to. He opened his front door and entered the house.
She said she loved me! Yes! Jason thought.
He had never felt this great before, not even when he found out he was accepted into the university. That was undeniably a good moment for him, but this with Carli was amazing. It felt wonderful. It felt right.
He looked for his driver's license and national ID. He placed those in his wallet. He grabbed his duffle bag. He had gotten a new one a few weeks before. He placed clean clothes, underwear, toiletries: a toothbrush and toothpaste, soap, three towels and body wash for men in the bag. He bent down, reached his hand under the bed and retrieved two pairs of sneakers and a pair of black shoes, and his work boots.
He also packed his favorite cologne. He knew Carli liked that one, she never said, but he could tell by the way she would lean over and smell him. He also placed about $300,000 in his wallet along with three ATM bank cards.
Throwing the bag over his shoulder, Jason locked the door and walked briskly back to the car. On approaching, he saw that a man was leaning on the passenger side of the vehicle, which means they were talking to Carli. As he drew closer he realized it was 'Puppy Foot'.
"'Puppy Foot'? Everything arite?" Jason asked. He looked at him. Jason could feel his body growing tense.
'Puppy Foot' turned around smiling. "No man. Nuttin nuh wrong. Ah see mi see this nice girl out here, an' mi seh mi a guh seh hi. Mi memba she is your woman, man. Although you nah play enuh bredda." 'Puppy Foot' came close to Jason and whispered, "Den mi nuh see yuh wid di dark skin one this morning?" He gave him a 'you and I know what's going on' smile.
Jason nodded. "Yeah, yuh see mi," he whispered. "A just suh it guh. Got to keep 'em on them toes. Literally." He faked a 'gyalis laugh'. 'Puppy Foot' laughed vulgarly with him.
'Puppy Foot' looked back at the beautiful brown chick in the car. "Your car this?"
"No," Jason said, "ah guh pon a ends, yuh see mi."
'Puppy Foot' looked carefully at him. He saw the bag Jason had over his shoulder and said "Oh zeen." He nodded and removed the ganja spliff perched behind his ear. He took a lighter from his pocket and lit the charred end. He placed the unburnt part in his mouth, took two puffs and blew out smoke slowly. He had a reflective expression on his face.
"Arite bredda. Be careful. Yuh know seh dem gyal yah nuh loyal. Yuh see mi."
Jason nodded. 'Puppy Foot' gave him a pat on the shoulder and walked passed him down the lane into the community. Jason went over to the car, entered the driver's side of the vehicle and sat down. He touched Carli's hand. He looked into her eyes. "You okay? What did he say to you?"
Carli smiled at him. "Nothing raunchy, don't worry. He was actually a gentleman. He told me his name and asked for mine."
"You told him?" Jason asked.
"Yes I did. Then he told me that he thought I was cute and you were lucky to have me. He also said he hoped you chose carefully. Not sure what that meant." Carli eyed him with an amused look on her face.
Jason smiled. Good boy. He thought to himself.
He put the car in 'drive' and moved the vehicle away from the curb slowly, observing oncoming traffic through the rare view mirror. Once he was comfortably on the road way he glanced at Carli.
"There is something that I need to tell you," he said. "Matter of fact, that is why I came by to see you earlier."
"Really? What is it?"
"You're not gonna like it," he said looking at her.
"You're gonna tell me or what?" She turned her torso towards him.
"Marsha snuck into the house last night while I was asleep."
"What?!" Carli was shocked.
She stared at Jason, her eyebrows pulled together. "What time was this?"
Jason glanced at her briefly then looked back on the road.
"About after 3 a.m. or maybe around 4 o'clock. I was asleep when she came in. I woke up to find her in my room near my bed. She was probably sitting on it."
Carli felt jealous. This Marsha girl was getting on her nerves.
"Did anything happen between you two?" Carli asked. She watched him closely.
Jason started to feel nervous. He cleared his throat. "She kissed me ..."
Carli hissed her teeth and swore.
Jason looked at her shocked. Since when did she use Jamaican expletives?
"Carli," he said. He looked at her briefly. "She kissed me. She forced herself on me and I pushed her off."
"Did anything else happen?" Carli's voice was low and menacing.
"I may have pushed her on the bed and climbed on top of her." He was gonna be transparent with her.
"Jason! What the hell?!" Her eyes were wide. Her mouth was open in shock.
"Do you have feelings for Marsha? Tell me now Jason?" Carli asked angrily.
She paused then said, "Ohh suh dats why Jermaine seh him hope yuh choose carefully." Carli wondered who he was rooting for, her or Marsha.
Jermaine? Puppy Foot told Carli his real name. Him a try look Carli. Jason thought feeling annoyed.
He felt awkward. It was a good thing he was not far from where he was driving to.
"Carli, baby. I was angry. In the moment I was upset. I was angry she took such a big risk to come see me that time of night. I wanted to rough her up a little. That was all. I don't even know how she got up to my place. Buses don't run at that time of night."
"Maybe she chartered a taxi. I don't know. Jason the point is you let her kiss you and you were on top of her. How do I know you're not lying that you didn't kiss her back or that you guys didn't have sex?"
Jason released his left hand from the steering wheel and grabbed Carli's hand. His eyes were still watching the road. "Carli, honey. I have told you what happened between me and Marsha. I could have not said anything."
"And what about what Puppy Foot said?" Carli queried. "You could have decided to tell me because he almost blew your cover?"
"Nah baby. I could have decided not to say anything. You didn't know what he was talking about. I could have made it look like he was just being mischievous." Which was what he was doing, Jason thought.
Jason squeezed her hand. "Carli, I love you. I don't say those words to just any random girl. As a matter of fact, the only females I've told I love them, besides you, are my mom and grandma." He looked over at her sour face.
He released her hand and used the back of his hand to lightly stroke her cheek. "Believe me. It's all about you. There's no one else."
"But Marsha is not random," she said, her eyes assessing him.
Jason smiled ruefully. "True. She isn't random, but she isn't who I want either. I want you and only you." His expression was sincere. He turned his gaze back to the road.
Carli calmed down. "Don't do that again. Your lips belong to me now," she declared.
"Hear you loud and clear, baby." Jason laughed softly. He playfully pinched her chin. He placed his hand back on the steering and turned right off the main road into a street that led to a small apartment complex.
He parked the car in an empty parking space. He alighted from the vehicle and went up to an apartment and knocked on the door. Carli saw Omar open the door and come outside to talk to Jason. He looked at Carli. Carli waved at him and he waved back. Omar went inside and came back handing a small bunch of keys to Jason. Jason gave Omar a fist bump and came back to the vehicle. He opened Carli's door and she stepped out. She leaned back into car and retrieved her bag. Jason locked the door behind her.
"Where are we going?" she asked. She looked around the apartment complex.
There was a wooden sign at the entrance to the complex. It was painted in white with gold and black writing, and was mounted between two metal columns painted gold. The sign said 'Paradise Flats'. The apartments looked newly built with a modern aesthetic.
Jason retrieved the duffle bag from the back of the car. He lifted the trunk and removed the bag with his work tools.
"My new apartment."
"Huh?" Carli was perplexed. "What's wrong with the old one?"
"I wasn't comfortable there. Now that I have a car I don't want to draw attention to myself. Plus, I will be away for several weeks. I don't know if while I'm gone someone will try to break into the house. I'll be moving my things out little by little. It's better this way. Plus, if you want, you can come by to see me without nosy people watching us."
"Oh, okay."
"Mhm," he said. He reached for her hand. She gave it to him. He led her up a few stairs to the second floor, across the hallway to apartment number 20. He put the key in the door and opened it. He let her inside first then closed it behind him.
Jason threw the bags down by the door. Carli dropped her bag near the door also. Jason playfully grabbed Carli in his arms and launched the two of them onto the bed. It had white sheets on it. The apartment complex was more like a motel for lonely travelers but there were persons who permanently rented.
Carli laughed at Jason's spontaneous behavior. He reached up and pulled the scrunchie that held up her hair in a bun and dropped it on the bed. He moved his head from side to side grinning at her. Carli took the hint and put her fingers through her hair, loosening it and shook her head. Her hair fell to her shoulders.
Jason looked at her. "You are beautiful," he said. He touched her face. Leaning forward, he closed his eyes and kissed her.
The kiss was slow and gentle, almost playful. As he drew away he bit her lower lip. He brushed his fingers through her hair. He pulled her hair down to frame her face.
Carli pulled away from him slowly. Her eyes were closed. She smiled. "Thank you," she said. She opened her eyes and stared at him as if she was seeing him for the first time. "I feel better now."
Jason smiled too. This girl was something else. With just her kind gestures she had broken down his defences. She made him feel vulnerable, but safe with her. She also made him crazy with desire. He would have to lock her down quickly. He didn't think he would find anyone else like her. He placed his hand on her head and messed up her hair. She laughed and slapped him on his arm.
Afterwards, Jason got up and turned on the TV. He decided to look for an action movie. He rested his back against the headboard. Carli sat up. She crawled up to the top of the bed and leaned her upper body on him. He put his arm around her. "Thank you baby," he said.
Carli looked up at him. "For what?" she asked curious.
He kissed her head. "For playing it cool. For not taking advantage of this moment."
Carli smiled. "I love you. I want to wait because what we have is special." She rested her head on his chest and watched the movie with him.
Jason caressed her close to him. He lovingly stroked her arm.
This level of gentleness was lighting a fire inside of Carli. She held on to his hand. She took it and brought it up to her lips and kissed the palm. Gently, she nipped his palm with her teeth, watching what he would do. She saw that he closed his eyes.
"Jason," she called his name, her voice soft.
He opened his eyes. "Yes Carli," he said, his voice was deep and husky. It sent chills down her spine. His eyes were a dark hazel shade as he looked at her.
"Kiss me," she said. Her lips were slightly apart with anticipation.
Jason leaned forward and kissed her the way she wanted to be kissed. It seemed like the moment lasted an eternity as his lips skillfully evoked beautiful emotions in her. She moaned softly against his mouth as he kissed her. Never had she felt this way with anyone. She closed her eyes.
His kisses made her feel like she could surrender herself to him. She felt her body respond to him. There was an ache down below that she longed for him to satisfy. She wanted so much to tell him he could take all of her, but she held back.
She felt Jason's tongue slip into her mouth. She welcomed it enthusiastically.
He groaned and whispered her name. "Carli, you bring out cravings in me that I can hardly control. I want to explore every inch of you," he said.
"You taste so good," he whispered, his breathing shallow. "Does every where taste this good?" he asked her.
His hand cupped her face. He licked his lips as he looked at her. "Baby, look at me," he said. She opened her eyes for him. "You taste like honey," he said. He deliberately licked his lips again for her to see. "Does all of you taste like that?"
Carli felt the ache inside her grow stronger. He was doing things to her no other man had ever done. "You're just gonna have to find out and tell me," she said, her voice breathy. She wasn't sure what he meant, but she looked forward to finding out.
Jason smiled. "Will do," he whispered, his voice held a promise that made her shiver. Passionately, he captured her lips again with his. Carli moaned and called his name. "Jason!"
She was making sexy sounds that were tempting him to go further. His hand drifted down and gently brushed on her breasts. He cupped her right breast, squeezing gently. She called his name again, closing her eyes.
"You're so beautiful," he whispered. He gently massaged her breasts while he kissed her. Her breathing was more rushed. She arched her body responding to his touch.
He pulled her closer to him. He moved further down on the bed, took his hand and caressed her buttocks. She moaned a little louder. Jason watched her. He rested his hand on her thighs.
"Open up for me, baby," he said softly.
Carli opened her eyes and gazed at him, unsure. Jason nodded at her. "It's okay," he said.
Carli lay on her back and moved her legs apart. She closed her eyes and lay motionless. She was a little nervous.
Jason shifted himself so that he was sitting alongside her body. He put his hand underneath her skirt and cupped her gently. He heard her gasp then moan a little louder. He shifted her panties aside and touched her. Her mouth opened and made an 'Ohh' sound.
Gently, he slipped his finger inside her. He glided his finger in and out. She was so wet. She was making soft guttural sounds. She moved her hips slowly, rocking back and forth as he pleasured her.
"Jason, please," she moaned.
"What do you want Carli? Tell me what you want me to do?" he asked, his voice was low and raspy.
"Please take me," she said, looking at him. "Take me please. Give me all of you. I want you."
Jason removed his finger. He pulled off his shirt and marina. He stood up from the bed and unbuckled and pulled down his pants. He kicked them off his feet. He came to her. He still had on his boxer briefs. He gathered her in his arms, turned on his back and made her sit on him. Straddling him, she closed her eyes and undulated her hips slowly. She could feel his arousal.
"Jason, I need you," she said. Jason lifted her blouse. She responded by pulling her blouse over her head and threw it on the floor. She unhooked her bra from behind and threw it away from her. He lifted himself up and cupped her breasts in his hands. He bent his head and gently suckled on each nipple. She arched her body up to receive his kisses.
Jason pulled and suckled her nipples, teasing her. She leaned back as she enjoyed what he was doing to her.
His hands drifted down to caress her bottom as he lifted his head and kissed her. She started moving back and forth, up and down on him. She opened her eyes and looked at him, her eyes telling him that she was ready. Hungrily, he kissed her. He flipped her on the bed and quickly removed her skirt and panties, and his underpants. They were naked together, their hands fervently explored each other's bodies. Carli revelled in the feel of his strong, muscular frame on top of her. His hardness made her weak. She felt like she could hardly breathe.
He kissed her lips and her neck. He inched lower. He moistened his lips and kissed her body: her breasts, her belly, her firm round thighs. She called his name telling him that he was driving her crazy. His lips traveled down to that sensitive area that ached for him. He stopped and looked up at her.
"Open for me, Carli," he said, his voice was hot and raspy. "I wanna taste you."
Her breathing turned fast and shallow. Her heart was racing. Now she understood what he meant. Her limbs felt heavy with desire.
"Are you sure?" she asked. She wanted to know how it felt but wasn't sure about this. She lifted her upper body slightly, looking at him.
Jason pushed her legs apart. "Yes baby. I'm sure. I love you. I want you." His voice was husky with desire. "Let me taste you," he groaned.
"Okay," she nodded and lay back down.
Carli was overwhelmed with emotion. No one had ever done that to her before. She shivered with anticipation.
"Close your eyes, baby. Relax," Jason said. "Let me please you."
She did as he instructed.
Slowly, Jason tasted her. Using his fingers, he gently parted her folds and used his lips and tongue to pleasure her. He planted moist kisses on her delicate folds. Gently, he suckled, licked and kissed her, savoring her taste.
Carli couldn't believe what he was doing to her. It felt so good, she couldn't stop moaning his name. "Jason! Feels so good!" she whispered.
Her body seemed to have a life of its own. Her hips were moving up and down as her breathing became faster. Her eyes were closed, her mouth slightly open. Her hands caressed his head. He wrapped his arms around her thighs, gripping her. She could feel the tension in her body rising and delicate ripples of pleasure fan out through her as he teased her sensitive spot.
She cried out his name and trembled in his arms.
Carli sat up abruptly. She was sweating. Her heart was beating fast and her breathing shallow. She felt moist down there. She looked around the room. Jason was gone. She felt awkward. What was going on with her? Was she dreaming?
She touched her hair. It was loose. She looked down at herself. Yes, she had on her clothes. Could it have really been a dream? She wondered. She lay back on the bed laughing at herself. This is crazy. Carli what are you doing? She scolded herself.
"I guess I was dreaming," she said to herself. She felt relieved but also disappointed. Carli sighed. She reached for a pillow and hugged it tightly.
***
Carli had fallen asleep while they were watching the movie. He had gently laid her on the bed and watched her for a while. She was beautiful. Jason wanted to make sure he could give her everything she wanted, as well as himself.
He brought some cooked food for them both. She liked grape soda so he bought her that as well. He felt like having orange juice so he bought that for himself, and two bottled waters for both of them. As he was heading upstairs, Omar stopped him. He came out of his room and walked towards him.
"Bro bro, wah gwaan?" Omie called to him.
Jason and Omar slapped hands together in greeting.
"Deh yah enuh, big bro," Jason replied. Omar was a year older.
"I see you have your friend with you," Omar said, his eyes squinting, his lips curling into an amused smile.
Jason laughed. "Yeah. I thought she should see this new place."
"Does she know it's partly yours?"
Jason shifted his feet. "No, I haven't told her yet, but I will."
Omar nodded. "Okay," he said. "You shouldn't keep secrets from your woman. She is your woman?"
Jason nodded. "Yes she is," he said, "No, I'm not keeping secrets. When the time is right I will tell her."
"Okay." Omar looked up the flight of stairs.
"So what have you been up to bro? Have you tasted the forbidden fruit yet?" Omar had a wide grin on his face.
Jason laughed heartily. Trust Omar to make everything about sex, he mused.
He calmed himself down then responded. His voice still held a hint of the laughter he just belted out. "I wish. No, but if I play my cards right I will very soon."
"Wah dat mean?" Omar asked. He looked at Jason curiously.
"I think I've found my wife Omie, fi real real," Jason said, looking serious.
Omar, eyebrows raised, looked at his friend in shock. "Eeh? Fi real?" he asked. "How yuh know?"
"She gives me peace. She makes me feel safe. I can trust her. You know that's a big deal for me." Jason smiled as he talked about her.
Omar nodded his agreement. "True thing bredda. Same suh mi feel 'bout Aisha. She mek mi feel good when mi deh 'roun har."
"Suh why yuh nuh marry her then?" Jason asked him.
Omar hissed his teeth. "Bredda dat nuh necessary. Mi nuh need a piece of paper fi show my girl seh mi love her."
Jason adjusted the bag in his left hand and transferred it to the right. His hands were getting a little tired but this conversation was getting interesting. He probed his friend further.
"Suppose she wants that Omie? Suppose she wants to be Mrs Marshall? You wouldn't give her that?" he asked him.
"Mi nuh know 'bout that. She never ask mi that still."
"Maybe she is waiting on you to say sumn," Jason said.
Omar thought about it. " You feel suh?" he asked his friend.
Jason nodded his head. "It's possible."
Jason continued:
"Omie, it's not just about a piece of paper for the government to have on record. It's to show her that you love her and you're making a commitment to give your heart to her only. She will feel more secure.
"Also, think about it for the purposes of handing over property and assets in her name. Wouldn't you want her to be taken care of if something were to happen to you. If you guys have kids, the kids would have legal rights too. Yeah, I know common law is there but to me, it's best to make her position secure in a marriage than just say I love you and that's it."
Omie listened to what Jason said. He would think about it. He did love his girl and he did want to have kids with her one day.
"So, you want to marry this girl ... Carli?" he asked Jason.
Jason nodded. "Yes. She deserves it."
Omie was perplexed. "Bredda how yuh know? It's just couple weeks now you meet dah girl here enuh."
"Put it this way. There's something going on between us that is more than physical. It's like a magnetic pull, that makes the physical more intense, but yeah I care about her. I love her."
Omie laughed. "Wah?! Yow yuh a use the word love? Yuh gone bro! You is whipped!"
"Then nuh you just seh di word awhile ago Omie?" Jason countered.
"Yeah, but it's two years now mi know my girl. Two years! Yuh just meet this girl about a month or two months now. Is want you want the nookie. That is why yuh seh suh." Omar laughed loudly.
Jason smiled at his friend. "Actually close to three months," Jason corrected him.
Omie said, "Psshhh!"
Jason chuckled. "Omie, mi nah deny seh mi want it, the girl looks good, but it's more than that with her. If it was about the sex I would have dipped and run. It's more than that. I trust God to make this thing between me and her work, and it will."
Omar sobered up and looked at him. "Yuh serious?"
"Mhm, serious as a judge," Jason replied.
Omar shook his head and looked at his friend. "Arite. Mi nuh agree, but mi will support yuh. Do yuh ting bredda." He gave Jason a fist bump and headed back to his room.
Jason called to him. " 'A' inside deh?"
"Tell her mi seh 'hi' y'ere?"
"Yeh man," Omar said and stepped inside the apartment.
Jason headed up the stairs. He thought about what Omar said. He was even more determined to make this relationship work. He opened the door. He closed it behind him. Carli wasn't in the room. He wondered if she had stepped out. He listened carefully and heard the shower running.
He called out to her. "Carli? Carli you in the shower?"
"Yes."
He heard her faint reply.
"Okay!" he shouted back.
There was a small table in the room. He placed the food on it and sat on the bed waiting for her.
She came out of the shower in just panties and a bra. Jason stared at her. She looked better than he imagined. She was gorgeous and shaped perfectly. Her hair was up in a messy bun with soft curls framing her face. She came up to him. He reached out and pulled her to him. She smiled at him, her eyes teasing him, daring him to make love to her. He placed his hands on her hips and squeezed gently.
"Hey sexy momma," he said.
Carli giggled.
"I borrowed your towel. Hope you don't mind," she said. "I left it in the bathroom." She rested her hands on his shoulders. He glanced at the duffle bag and saw that the zipper was open.
"That's fine. I'll have your scent on me. That is a win for me." He looked up at her. Gosh she is so beautiful! he thought.
Carli saw the way he was looking at her. She pushed him down on the bed and climbed on top of him. She straddled him and looked down at him.
"I want you," she said.
Jason froze. He wanted to make love to her but he also wanted to keep his vow. Carli rolled off him and laughed softly. She looked over at him and winked.
Jason realised she was toying with him. He sighed with relief. "Don't play with me like that Carli. You know I'm weak when it comes to you."
He sat up and looked down at her. "How come you took a shower?" he asked curious.
Carli smiled shyly. "It's a bit embarrassing," she said.
"What is?" he asked her.
"The reason why I had to bathe?"
Jason lay beside her.
"Tell me. Your period came?" He reached over and touched her tummy. She clasped her hand over his.
"No." She shook her head.
"Just tell me. I won't be angry or laugh or anything like that."
"I think I had a wet dream," she said, averting her eyes from his gaze.
Jason stared at her. "You what?"
Carli nodded her head.
Jason was surprised. He thought only men did that.
"So you dreamt something sexy and when you woke ...?"
"When I woke up my panties were wet," she interrupted him. She looked at him shyly.
Jason gently pressed on her abdomen. Her skin was slightly damp and smooth.
"What did you dream about?" he asked her. His eyes roamed her body.
"I dreamt about us. I dreamt about you doing some crazy things to me." She blushed.
"Oh really?" he asked. He was pleasantly surprised and very interested to hear about this dream.
"Tell me," he said.
She shook her head. "No. It's embarrassing," she said looking away from him.
Jason came closer to her and pulled her into his arms. He placed his thumb and index finger under her chin and turned her face towards him. He looked deeply into her eyes.
"Nothing is embarrassing between us," he said. His tone was gentle to her ears. "I want to fulfill every fantasy you have. Tell me." He kissed her neck and breathed her in. She smelt delicious. He rested his head on her neck.
Carli took a deep breath. She moved away from him slightly so she could see his face. "You went down on me. I mean your lips were down there," she said. She looked down at her crotch. Jason's eyes followed hers.
Jason smiled tenderly at her. He felt a spark of desire shoot through him. He drew near to her and kissed her lips. "I would love to pleasure you like that, to taste your sweet honey. I bet you taste really good down there," he said. His voice was deep and seductive. She could tell he was aroused.
The hand that held her close moved down and brushed against the front of her panties. She was still damp from the shower. Jason bit his lower lip and closed his eyes. He wondered if she was still moist for him. His hand moved around to her buttocks and squeezed them, then rested possessively on her thigh. He opened his eyes and looked at her.
Carli saw that his eyes revealed a passion he was trying hard to suppress, but it was a smoldering fire that was just under the surface, waiting to be unleashed. She shivered as she looked at him. She wondered if when that time came she would be able to handle all of that heat.
"I love you," he said. "The way I feel for you is real. Carli, please don't be shy with me." He stroked her bare thigh. His fingers running over her skin felt like velvet.
Carli briefly closed her eyes, enjoying his touch. His voice and words were making her wet all over again, but she wouldn't tell him.
"As a matter of fact," he said, looking at her lustfully. "I plan on exploring every inch of you with these lips." He bit his lower lip again and blew a sexy kiss at her. Carli giggled softly. She touched his face.
"You don't think I'm weird for you know ... dreaming like that?" She felt a little shy about it.
Jason squeezed her thigh. "No, to tell you the truth, I am curious about what you taste like. I try not to think about it, but yes, I am thinking about you in very erotic ways." He kissed her slowly enjoying the feel of her soft lips. Pulling away, he placed a peck on her nose.
"I want to fulfill every fantasy you have, once it's nothing too crazy, like a threesome or anything like that. I only want you, no third party. I have fantasized about what it will be like with you and me together," he said watching her. His eyes taking all of her in.
Carli nodded. "I want you. No one else," she said. His stare felt like he was looking right through her. They gazed intently at each other, their eyes locked in a hypnotic dance.
Jason blinked first. Damn! What is she doing to me? He wondered.
Carli looked away. Her heart was racing. These feelings were making her weak with desire.
Jason sat up and cleared his throat. He might as well state his intentions. He had to lock her down quickly.
"Carli, you're the kind of girl a young man falls in love with and marries. I want to date you and marry you, be your husband." He looked at her waiting for her response.
She sat up. She reached for his hands. "I would like that too. At this point I can't think of anyone else I want to be with. But what about your religious beliefs about unequal yoking?"
"I want to talk to you about that, but a little later," he said.
Carli could feel her body trembling. She hoped he didn't notice when she touched him. She moved her hands away.
Jason noticed the slight shaking of her hands. Maybe she was cold and hungry. She only had on her underwear. He thought. They needed to wrap up this conversation so they could eat and she could feel better.
"So, feel better?" he asked her. He was mesmorized by her beauty and aroused by her sensuality. She was definitely worth waiting for. He felt like he won the lottery.
Carli smiled. "Yes."
"Good," he said, cupping her face with his hands. "Tell me every fantasy you have. I want to please you in every way when the time comes. You don't have to feel weird."
She nodded. Her eyes showed her love for him. He made her feel safe.
She reached up and played with his jaw. He had some stubbly hair growing out. She rubbed her hand on them, savoring how rough and manly they felt. Jason held her hand and kissed it.
"Um ... you happened to pack extra underwear?" he asked her, curious.
"Yeah, it's close to my period. So I pack extra panties and pads just in case. I also carry a small bottle of feminine wash."
She saw Jason's expression and laughed. "Yeah. I try to be prepared. My periods are painful so I kind of know when it's on its way. So I try to prepare as much as I can," she said.
Jason nodded. "Okay," he said. "Let me know when it comes, okay?"
"Okay." She nodded.
"Get dressed," he said, rubbing her back. Carli quickly got dressed in the clothes she wore before she showered and sat down beside him.
He got up and reached for the brown paper bag with the food, soda, orange juice and bottled water inside. I brought us lunch." He grinned at her.
She hugged him and smiled. "Thank you. I am starving," she said.
Jason laughed softly. He kissed her cheek.
"Let's eat," he said and handed her a boxed food and her soda.
***
Bridget was cooking stewed peas and white rice. She hadn't cooked the tasty dish in a while and had been thinking about having some for a long time. She thought about the fact that this was Jason's favorite meal. She hadn't heard from her son for a couple days. She hoped he was okay. Just then, her phone rang and she ran into the bedroom to answer it.
"Hello," she said.
"Hello, mommy," the voice said.
It was Jason!
"Jason!" she said happily. "Mi mind just run pon yuh enuh! Yuh arite, baby?"
Jason replied, "Yes mommy, I am good. As a matter of fact I'm doing great! I have a surprise for you. Well, two surprises."
Bridget listened to her son. He did sound happy.
"Oh, okay." She was curious. "So when are you coming by to see me?"
"Coming by to see you?" he asked.
"Mhm," she replied.
She heard a knock on the door, then his voice outside. "Let me in then."
He was outside!
Bridget rushed to the door to see her son standing outside. She hugged him emphatically.
"Mi son!"
Jason laughed and lifted his mom in his arms then placed her feet back on the ground. He stepped aside so she could see the dark grey car parked at the gate and a young woman standing beside it.
Jason led her out to the gate. "Mommy," he said smiling. "I want you to meet Carli. She's my girlfriend."
Bridget looked at the young lady standing by the car. She looked nervous. Bridget realized that this was a big deal for Jason to bring home a girlfriend. He never did bring one home even though it was rumored that he had a girlfriend before now.
Bridget stepped forward towards the young lady and gave her a hug. She stepped a few inches away to get a good look at her. She was cute as a button.
"Carli?" Bridget said.
"Yes ma'am. I'm honored to meet you," Carli said nervously.
"Welcome to my humble abode," she said turning to the little house behind them.
"Thank you, ma ..."
"Call me Momma Bridget, that's what the young people in the neighborhood call me," she said smiling at Carli.
Carli smiled. Bridget saw relief on the young woman's face.
"Thank you. I will," Carli said.
Jason stood by and watched the two women he loved the most in his life getting to know each other. His heart was full. He was happy.
"Also mommy, I'm gonna teach you how to drive," he said, his eyes held mischief.
"Really now. The last time you said that to me you were sixteen and you said when you got your first car ..." Bridget eyes widened with surprise.
"Jason!" she exclaimed.
She looked at the vehicle and looked at him and Carli. They both had mischievous looks on their faces.
Jason grinned. He gestured to the car. "Yes mommy," he said. "Here's surprise number two."
Bridget hugged her son enthusiastically.
"How?" she asked surprised.
Jason put his arm around his mom to lead her inside the house. "Let's go inside. I'll explain everything inside."
Bridget nodded.
As they were walking to the house Jason asked if Joel and Lisa were home. Bridget told him they were at a sleepover at their aunty Antonia's house.
Antonia had managed to convince Bello to have Bridget's kids over every few days a week. Jason was grateful for everything Antonia did. She was a remarkable woman. She had reached out to his mom to form a friendship. He was appreciative for everything she did. Jason needed to go look for her soon.
Jason glanced at Carli and nodded. She followed behind mother and son.
They entered the small front space of the house, which was not quite a living room. Jason sat on an old sofa and pulled Carli down beside him. He put his arm around her possessively and nuzzled her neck while his mom went to get glasses of water for them. His closeness made her feel warm and tingly.
"Jason suppose your mom, doesn't like us doing this in front of her?" She loved his touch, but she wanted to be respectful.
Jason kissed her neck. "She won't mind. Trust me. I won't do anything in front of her that I can't do in public." He squeezed her side and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.
When Bridget walked in and saw them, she smiled. She handed them the glasses of cold water.
"How long have you known my son?" she asked Carli directly.
Carli took a sip and cleared her throat. "For about little over three months now."
Bridget nodded. "What do you think of him?" She smiled at her, encouraging her.
Carli smiled back. "Well," she said slowly. "I can see where he gets the color of his beautiful eyes from." Bridget's hazel eyes were a paler shade to Jason's but no less beautiful. Bridget smiled broadly.
"He's also very thoughtful. He's kind. He makes me laugh and he is very patient with me," she said. She looked up at Jason whose eyes shone with affection.
Bridget liked what she was seeing. She's smitten with my son. She thought. That is good. She nodded.
"And Jason, what is it about Carli that you like?"
Carli looked at him smiling. Jason squeezed his 'baby' closer to him. He looked at his mom.
"She makes me feel safe. She has a kind heart. She's also patient with me." He kissed Carli on the forehead in front of his mom. "... and she is very caring and honest."
Bridget noted that 'safe' was the first word he used to describe Carli. She nodded.
"And what about the car?" Bridget asked, her expression now animated.
Jason smiled. "The car actually belongs to Carli's aunt. She wanted to sell the vehicle. I had told Carli that I needed a vehicle to use to go down to the country to work for Bello." He looked at Carli and said, "Bello is my dad's nickname."
Carli said, "Okay."
He turned to his mom and continued:
"Yeah mom, Carli asked her aunt if she would give me access to the vehicle but she decided she would sell it to me instead. I was also doing some painting work at the aunt's house so she trusted me."
Bridget was happy for her son. "So how much she selling it for?"
"About 1.4 million," he said.
"For that car?" Bridget asked surprised. "That's worth way more. No disrespect Carli, but Jason, yuh sure the car is okay?"
Jason smiled. "Yes mommy," he answered. "The car is fine. I drove it over to my new apartment this morning. Carli and I drove there and drove all the way here. It's good. On the way over here we stopped to fill the tank though. It was about half full when we drove to Paradise Flats, so to head over here we stopped by a service station bought some snacks and filled the tank."
"My aunt services her vehicles regularly," Carli said chiming in. "It's fine."
Bridget smiled at Carli. "Okay," she said.
"I just want my son's interest to be protected," she looked pointedly at Carli when she said those words.
Carli realized those words held additional meaning. She looked at Jason's mom with a sober look on her face.
"I understand and I will always defend his interest," she said.
Bridget nodded and winked. Message received.
Jason realized a message had passed between the two women but said nothing. It was important for them to bond.
"Okay. New apartment? What happened to the place up Mona side?" Bridget asked concerned.
"I never felt comfortable there," Jason said. "Plus, now that I have the car I want to be careful. And I want Carli to feel safe coming to see me anytime she wants to."
Bridget nodded.
"How is the rent?" she asked.
"Well, I got a deal with the owner because I helped paint the apartments. You know Lloyd Marshall, my classmate Omar's dad?"
She nodded. "Yes, I think I vaguely remember. From when you were in primary school, right?"
Jason nodded. "Right. It's his dad's place. I got a deal to stay there at a reasonable cost," he said. He never told his mom that he had drained his savings to invest in the apartments' construction. For now, he would say nothing until it turned a profit.
Bridget nodded. "Okay. Sounds good."
Carli listened to their conversation. Omar seemed like a loyal friend to Jason. She respected that.
Bridget stood up. "I was about to eat my dinner. You guys hungry?" she asked.
Jason smiled. "Yeah, I could eat."
Carli smiled also but she still felt full. "I'm still full from lunch but I'm willing to take home to heat up later."
Bridget smiled at her. "Okay, I can place yours in a small dish. Jason can bring it back for me when he stops by later in the week."
Carli nodded her agreement.
Bridget smiled at her son. "It's stewed peas and white rice."
"What?!" Jason said excited. He loved stewed peas. "Mi affi eat some then. Yes mommy share the food!"
Bridget laughed. She looked at Carli and smiled. "Carli I could use your help if that's okay?"
"Sure," Carli said getting up. "Not a problem."
Carli followed Jason's mom into the cramped kitchen space.
Bridget turned to Carli. "I love my son very much and I wouldn't want anyone to hurt his heart. He has a tough exterior as you can see, but people don't understand that he has a soft side. I hope you understand."
Carli nodded to show she understood. "I understand," she said. "I have seen that soft side as well, and I love that side of him even more than the exterior."
Bridget looked at her. She nodded. Good girl. Bridget thought. Good girl.
They chatted with Jason's mom until evening. By then. Carli had grown a bit more comfortable and Bridget was making the effort to engage her in friendly conversation. They stayed until 7 p.m. By then, Carli was hungry and wondered if Bridget would be willing to heat up the stewed peas for her. Bridget had gone into the kitchen to wash the plates and pots, and clean up. Carli asked Jason if he could ask on her behalf. Jason went into the kitchen asked her and Bridget came out and touched Carli on the arm.
"If you want anything just ask me, okay? Don't be afraid to speak up. You get me?"
Carli nodded. "Okay, I will," she said. She smiled, feeling grateful. Jason's mom is really nice. Carli thought. I like her.
"So you're hungry now?" Bridget asked her smiling.
"Yes," Carli said.
"Okay, I'll heat it up for you."
After about five minutes, Bridget brought a plate with the stewed peas and rice, more stewed peas than rice, and a glass of June plum juice in an aluminum plate tray.
Jason took it from his mom and carefully placed it in Carli's lap. Carli told them both thank you and eyed the food hungrily. When she took the first bite she leaned her head back and said, "mmh mmh!"
Bridget laughed. "Is what?" she asked.
Jason laughed at her mom's response to Carli's reaction to the food. "Mommy, you should know Carli is a foodie. She loves food and she can cook!"
"Really? I would like to taste a dish from you then." She looked at Carli with an impressed look. Carli smiled at her while chewing and nodded.
"Suh yuh like the stewed peas," Bridget asked, amused at Carli's facial expression as she ate her food.
"Like?!" Carli exclaimed. "No sah! Mi love it! This shot Momma Bridget! The food tastes good!"
Bridget laughed. She watched as Carli enthusiastically stuffed her mouth with a piece of stewed pig tail. She liked this girl. She turned to Jason and nodded. She patted her son on the shoulder. "Good choice," she said quietly to him. Jason gave his mom a hug. "Thanks mommy," he said. She nodded.
She looked up at her son. He was handsome, and more and more he looked like his dad, which was not a bad thing.
"Don't keep her out too late, y'ere?" She gave him a warning look.
Jason nodded and said, "Yes mommy," like he was still ten years old.
She walked away from him heading to the kitchen.
"And Jason ..." She stood by the kitchen door.
"Yes mommy?" He came up behind her.
"Remember your vow. If she's the one marry her, if not don't play games. Set her free to find someone else. I like her," she said quietly so Carli couldn't hear.
"She's the one mommy. She is the one I will marry," Jason whispered.
Bridget nodded."Good. Take her home soon." She turned around and gave him a 'be a good boy look'.
Jason nodded and smiled sheepishly. He understood.
She went into the kitchen.
After Carli was finished eating she went into the kitchen and washed up her plate, cup and fork. Momma Bridget was taking a shower by then and Carli wanted to do the right thing. Jason had offered to wash up for her but she insisted she would feel better if she did.
Jason just showed her where to put away the plate, cup and fork after rinsing. He knocked on his mom's bedroom door and told her they were leaving. She came out and gave Carli a hug and patted Jason on his arm. She looked at both of them and said, "Be good kids."
Carli laughed, "I will, not sure about Jason,"
"What?" Jason said faking indignance. "I am a good boy." He produced a silly grin.
Carli and Bridget both laughed at him.
Bridget walked them out to the gate and watched as they drove off. She smiled. Her son found a nice girl it seemed, and was involved with good people, She was happy for him. She went inside and locked her door.
***
"Where to?" Carli asked him, watching him drive.
"Taking you home," he said smiling at her. He was happy.
"Thought you said you were taking me home late? It's only 8:30 pm," she said surprised.
"I know, but my mom is looking out for both of our interests. She thinks it's best I take you home early to avoid breaking my vow."
"Oh I see," Carli laughed softly.
She rubbed her hand up and down his arm. She admired the strength of his arm; the muscles tensing as he maneuvered the car. He looked at her and blew her a kiss. She giggled.
This feeling she was experiencing was wonderful. She never wanted this time with him to end.
After about thirty minutes they were in front of her aunt's house. He stopped the car, the engine still running. He leaned over to Carli. "When you go in if your aunt is still awake ask her to please come outside," he said as he touched her face.
Carli nodded. "If she isn't?"
"Come back and I will give you the money for the down payment for the car. You can give it to her for me tomorrow morning."
"Okay," she nodded.
Carli picked up her bag plus a plastic bag filled with snacks he bought for her to last the rest of the week. She shook the bag with the snacks. "Thanks again," she said, smiling at him.
Jason nodded. "You're welcome," he said.
Carli blew a kiss at him and stepped out of the vehicle with her bags and closed the door. She went inside.
After a minute her aunt came out to meet Jason at the car. He rolled down the window of the driver's side as she approached him. He removed the $280k he had left over after spending on gas and food from his wallet, and counted out the $200,000 and gave it to her.
"Pleasure doing business with you. Come by tomorrow and you and I can go get the car registered in your name," she said looking at him.
Jason nodded. "Thank you again Mrs Dixon. I really appreciate this."
"Call me aunt Sandra," she said.
Jason's eyes widened with surprise.
Sandra smiled at him and nodded.
"Okay, I will," he grinned happily at her.
She tapped the edge of the car window. "Drive safely," she said and went inside the house. Carli came up to him. She was standing at the house's front door watching them.
"You going now?" she asked sadly.
"Mhm," he said. He didn't want to leave her. He wanted to take her up in his arms and carry her off somewhere and never leave her side again.
"Come here," he said passionately.
She bent down to the window.
Jason reached up and cupped her face. He leaned forward and kissed her. He deftly explored her mouth with his tongue, making sure to show her how much he would miss her. When he pulled away and looked at her, her eyes were still closed.
"I love you," he said softly.
She opened her eyes. "I love you too."
He put the car in 'drive'. She stepped back. He pressed his foot on the gas pedal and drove off.
Carli watched him drive off. She touched her lips and sighed. She hoped that very soon he wouldn't be driving away from her, but they would be driving into their home together.
Chapter 12: Promises
As Jason drove home he thought about Carli and what she said about her dream. He felt good knowing that she was dreaming of him in that way. He had never done the act before but was willing to try it just for her. He heard it was a very pleasurable experience for women and was curious about it. No one had done it to him either. He wondered if it was something he and Carli could explore on their wedding night.
He slowed the car down as he was coming up on the Paradise Flats apartments and turned the vehicle carefully into the driveway. He parked the car, got out and armed it.
Now he was feeling a little hot and bothered. He needed to take a shower and get some sleep. Jason walked up the stairs to his room, opened the door and locked it behind him. He placed his keys on the small table nearby the door, then sat on the bed. He removed his shoes and lay back on the bed.
He turned on his side and got a whiff of something interesting. He clumped a handful of the bed sheet in his hand and smelt it. It was Carli’s scent on the bed: the lavender oil she said she used. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, revelling in the fragrance.
Jason knew based on his physical reaction to the smell, if she had come back to his apartment, by morning she would no longer be a virgin. Just her smell on the sheets was enough to evoke such a strong response from him. He looked at his crotch to confirm. He turned on his back and laughed softly at himself. He agreed with Omar. He was whipped.
He got up and started stripping off his clothes down to his underpants. He took out a bar of soap and his wash cloth. Carli said she had used one of his towels. He was going to use it, just to make this sweet torture he was feeling complete.
He went into the bathroom and entered the shower. Out of the corner of his right eye he noticed something that wasn’t supposed to be dangling from the shower knob. He looked at it directly and realised that it was some sort of lacy fabric. It was a yellow color. He took it up to look at it closely and realised that it was Carli’s underwear. She had left her panties in his bathroom. He squeezed it. It was still a little damp. An inconceivable thought crossed his mind.
Could he? Maybe the question is: Should he? He mused. He thought about what she had said about her dream. If the lavender oil from her hair and neck was driving him this nuts, he wondered what her primal scent would do to him. His body was telling him to do it, but his mind was saying no. He lifted the delicate fabric in his hand to his eye level, examining the intricate lacy pattern. He was wrestling with himself.
Grunting loudly, he dismissed the thought and threw her panties in the clothes hamper just outside the shower. These intrusive thoughts were a trip. He turned on the shower and wet his head, closing his eyes. He turned up the shower so that the pressure caused the water to fall like bullets over his body, beating against his skin. It was cool and refreshing.
After a five minute shower, he entered the bedroom with the towel Carli used wrapped around his waist. He decided to wear spacious boxers. He took out a small fluffy handkerchief from his duffle bag and dried his hair with it.
After he finished, he crumpled up the cloth in his hand and rested it on the table. He put on his boxers and returned the towel to the rack in the bathroom. He went back into his bedroom and jumped on the bed.
Jason turned on the internet data on his phone and checked WhatsApp statuses. There was a picture of himself and Carli at his mom’s house arm in arm smiling. He sent her heart eyes and blow kiss emojis. Within a minute she sent a reply to him.
“Hey baby,” she texted.
“Hey beautiful,” he replied.
“You home safe?” she texted.
“Yes, honey. I’m home safe thinking about you and your sweetness,” He bit his lip as he sent the message off.
She sent a heart emoji. “My sweetness?”
“Mhmm. The sweet honey between your thighs.” He sent a peach emoji.
Carli sent a blow kiss emoji. “I was thinking about you too. Been thinking about what’s between your thighs too.” She sent an eggplant.
Jason smiled. He felt his body respond to her. He made a voice note:
“Mmmh … You know, you left something here, something that is very delicate and close to you. I found your panties in my shower and I was tempted to find out what you smell like.”
He sent it to her.
Carli replied with a voicenote also:
“Oh. When I went into my room and checked my bag I wondered what happened to it. I figured I must have left it at your place. I was going to go back for it earlier today, but I forgot when you came in from off the road. I’m sorry.”
Jason texted her back: “It’s okay baby. It was a surprise, but a pleasant one.”
“You were tempted to find out what I smelt like?" she texted him.
“Yes. I was laying on the bed and got a whiff of your lavender fragrance on the bedsheet. I enjoyed that. So imagine my surprise when I saw your panties dangling in the shower,” he replied.
“Did you?” she asked. She sent a GIF of a nose.
Jason laughed. “I wanted to but I didn’t,” he texted back.
“Why didn’t you?” she asked.
He thought about it. What should he say?
His fingers started typing: “I guess I thought it might be weird and if you found out you would be grossed out.” He pressed send.
He saw the notification that Carli was typing something. It was taking awhile. He wondered what she was going to say.
To his surprise she sent a picture of the panties she was wearing. She had lifted her skirt, taken a picture and sent it to him. Smooth, beautiful, brown thighs curved into voluptuous hips and triangular flesh that was covered over by another lacy undergarment. This time the color was light pink.
She sent him a text: “Today you told me that there was nothing embarrassing between us. So, nothing you do where you and I are concerned is weird to me, or will gross me out. If you want to find out what I smell like you can.”
The phone started to ring. Jason answered.
"Hey beautiful,” he answered, his voice was husky and deep.
“Hey baby,” she replied. Jason could tell she was turned on.
“If you want to find out what I taste or smell like down there I’m willing to help you explore,” she said.
Jason lay on his back, he put one hand behind his head, the other held the phone to his mouth. “Sounds really good. I’ll be sure to take you up on that offer very soon,” he said smiling. He closed his eyes as he thought about her, visualizing what being with her would be like. “I’ve been thinking about your dream. I really want to fulfill that for you. Although, I’ve never done it before.”
“You’ve never?” she asked.
“No, never, but I want to try it with you,” he said softly.
“Oh. I’ve never either. Well I’m a virgin,” she giggled. “Thank you. I was always curious about it, but you know, I want it to be with someone special.”
Jason nodded, though Carli couldn’t see him. He opened his eyes. “I can understand that,” he said. “That sort of thing is very intimate. You shouldn’t do it with just anybody.”
“Has any girl done it to you? I mean gone down on you?” Her voice dipped low.
Jason smiled. It’s still a taboo topic in this country, he thought.
“No, I’ve never had it done to me. My ex didn’t think it was clean behavior. She thought it was nasty.”
He heard Carli sigh. “I get you,” she replied. “I don’t think it’s nasty. I think it can be a beautiful experience with the right person, and of course if you and the person are clean; have good hygiene, it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“I agree with that,” he said.
“I wanna experience that with you. I’ve never done it either, but I think I have an idea,” she said shyly.
“You do?” he was amused, but also intrigued.
“Yeah, like licking ice cream or sucking on a lollipop,” she said with a playful tone in her voice.
She sounded very sexy to Jason’s ears. Her words were making his thoughts wander to places they shouldn’t, and they were about certain soft, pink lips.
“So are you offering?” he teased her.
“Are you?” she countered.
“Yes!”
They were amused to find that they both said ‘yes’ at the same time. Jason chuckled. He heard her giggle softly across the line.
“Can’t wait to peel back all the covers and see you, all of your beauty for my eyes to feast on,” Jason said with a sigh.
Carli giggled. “Me too. I think I’ve noticed a bulge once or twice down there. I’m curious to see what you look like,” she said her voice breathy.
“You’ve noticed?” Jason was surprised. He thought he was doing a good job of hiding it from her.
“Mhmm. I have. I was tempted to touch but held back,” she said.
Jason felt himself harden.
“To be honest I would want you to, but I don’t think that’s a good idea, not yet,” Jason said. He wouldn’t have minded if she reached down and touched him, but knew that was a recipe for a broken vow.
“I know,” she replied.
“I promise you this. Very soon I’ll put us both out of our misery.” He chuckled. He had to move quickly.
“How soon?” she asked. There was a longing in her voice that made him want to weep. It must feel like torture to her, just like he felt.
“Just a few more months baby, I promise. Just let me clear up a few things, one of them being that job in Montego Bay, and if you will have me I want to make you Mrs. Singh.”
He heard her say, “Yes, I want that very much.”
Jason felt his heart beating fast. He was happy. “I love you.”
“I love you,” she said. She spoke softly, her voice held an air of awe as if amazed by what was happening between them. Jason felt overwhelmed by these feelings too. He wanted her by his side always, to hold her, to please her, to make her happy.
“Baby, I need to get some sleep. I have an early morning tomorrow, first with your aunt to go to the tax office to get the car registered and then I have some errands to do for my mom,” he said blowing her a kiss.
“Okay baby. Call me tomorrow?” she asked him.
“Yes, beautiful brown thighs, I promise to call you tomorrow.”
“Ahh! Go away.” She laughed. She blew him a kiss.
“Good night,” she said.
“Good night beautiful.”
She hung up.
Jason put the phone down and smiled to himself. This girl. He shook his head. He picked up the phone, unlocked it and scrolled up to the pic she sent him. She was beautiful, every inch of her. He couldn’t wait to experience every part of her. He exited the messages and put the phone down. He turned on his side and thought about her until he fell asleep.
Carli woke up to feeling sharp pains in her pelvis and a dull ache in her lower back. She turned on her back and used her hands to lightly massage her abdomen. She sat up slowly. She took up her phone and checked the time. It was 6:30 a.m. Wednesday morning.
She felt a strong urge to pee. She got up and went to the bathroom to relieve herself. As she sat on the toilet she looked down on her panties and realised that her period had come. She sighed. Right on time, she thought. She got up, patted herself dry with toilet paper and flushed the toilet.
She went into the bedroom and retrieved dark brown cotton panties, a pair of black cotton tights and a rose pink, baggy t-shirt from two drawers reserved for her clothes, and laid them on the bed. She took off her pajamas and placed them in the dirty laundry basket. She stepped into the shower and drew the curtain.
She removed her panties and started soaping them up and washing them. When she was done she hung them on the shower valve, turned the valve on and let the luke warm water wash over her.
After she was finished bathing, she reached for a clothes pin she had placed on the top of the toilet tank. She leaned over to retrieve it and clipped the wet underwear on a clothes hanger she had hanging on the shower rail. She would put that in the sun later she said to herself.
Carefully, she stepped out of the shower and planted her feet on the mat, reached for a towel on the rack and dried herself quickly. She went into the bedroom and took out a sanitary napkin from a pack she placed in a ziplock bag.
She dressed herself, putting on the napkin as neatly as she could. Carli sighed and checked the bed for stains. None, thank God. She lay down again until morning.
When she woke this time, she checked her phone. It was 7:00 a.m. She thought of Jason. He was probably on his way over to meet her aunt to get the car registered in his name.
She pressed redial to call him. He answered after the fourth ring.
“Hey beautiful. I’m actually on my way over,” he said. His voice was soft and tender, caressing her senses.
“Hey,” she responded. “Can’t wait to see you. I got to tell you something.”
“Oh, what’s that?” he asked.
“First of all, I love you.”
She heard him say: “I love you too.”
“Secondly, my period came.”
She lay on her side as she felt sharp pelvic pain.
“Hush baby,” he said, blowing her cute little kisses. “Do you need anything?”
“Just you,” she said. “... and chocolate.”
“You want some chocolate candy?” he asked her.
“Mhm, if you can please, yes.”
“Okay. Any type you like?”
“I like the ones with rice crispies but plain chocolate will do,” she said smiling. She enjoyed talking to him.
“Okay baby. I’m gonna stop off somewhere and pick up some for you.”
“Thank you baby. Can we get a few minutes to talk before you and aunty leave.”
“Maybe. Anything wrong?”
“I just want a hug,” she said.
“Okay. I’ll try. Don’t know how soon she wants to leave. I called earlier and she said I should get there by 7:30 a.m. There’s a grocery store down the road from your house. I’ll see if they have any chocolate candy, okay?”
“Okay.”
He blew adorable kisses through the phone then hung up. She turned on her back and sighed.
At about 7:35 a.m. he was at her bedroom door. He knocked and called her name. Melissa had let him in. She apologized to Jason for her prank, who just nodded and said it was all good. As Jason entered Carli's room, he looked around. He saw sports paraphernalia.
“I take it the original owner is a sports fan?” he looked at her amused.
Carli laughed. “Yeah, my cousin Brandon is a huge sports fan.”
“Sounds like my kind of person,” Jason said grinning.
“Yeah,” Carli said, “he’s a really cool guy."
Jason took out the chocolate bar from a small brown paper bag. “Here you go,” he said.
Carli took it from him then went into his arms. He held her close to him, rubbing her back. He remembered he brought something important for her. Holding her at arms length, he dug into his pocket and took out the lacy panties she left at his apartment. He swung it playfully on his index finger. Carli laughed and grabbed it from him.
She stood on tiptoe to plant a kiss on his cheek. Jason bent forward and received it. He laughed softly. Carli winked at him, went into the bathroom and dropped the panties in her dirty laundry basket.
When she returned she saw that he was looking around the room with a curious gaze. She reached for his hands, circled them around her shoulders, and placed her arms around his waist and leaned into him.
“Tell me where it hurts,” he said.
“My lower back and tummy, the lower part,” she said in a soft baby voice.
Jason pursed his lips. There was something he could try to help her. “Lay down,” he said, touching her face.
Carli did as she was told. She put the chocolate bar on the night table.
“Lay on your tummy,” he said.
She did so. He sat on the edge of the bed and told her to lift her t-shirt above her waist.
She lifted the blouse and waited. Gently, Jason used his finger tips to probe the muscles in her back.
“Where’s that bottle with the lavender oil at?” he asked her.
“You want the diluted or undiluted?” she asked him.
“Undiluted,” he said.
“Look in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom.”
He went to retrieve it and opened it carefully. The fragrance was even stronger than he ever smelt it on Carli. This is strong stuff. He thought.
Carefully, he squeezed a few drops in the palm of his hands, then vigorously rubbed them together and used his warmed hands to massage her. He focused on her lower back, hips, and her flanks.
Carli felt like she could moan his name. His touch was doing things to her she never expected.
Oh gosh! She thought. Why did he make her feel like this?
She was trying to choke the sounds in her throat but as he worked on her, it was almost as if she couldn’t stop herself. She wanted so much for him to caress her buttocks. She pushed them up to him, moaning softly. Taking the hint, Jason gently caressed her bottom, squeezing and rubbing it.
"Baby, you okay?" Jason's voice was silky, soft to her ears. She wished she could get undressed. She wanted to feel his hands on her bare flesh.
"Ohhh! ..." she moaned a little louder.
"Shhh! Carli, baby, not so loud," Jason said trying to get her to tone down the sounds she was making.
"Baby, I can't help it," she said gasping for air.
Jason gently gripped her bottom and squeezed. Carli reared up, pushing herself up to him. Her breathing was shallow as she made sounds that expressed how pleasurable his touch felt.
"I'm sorry," she breathed.
"It's okay, baby. You're very sensitive right now. I don't mind. I love your bubble butt." He patted and rubbed her bottom.
Jason liked the view he was getting. Her butt was round, firm and voluptuous. She also felt good in his hands. He imagined himself behind her, making love to her.
Jason blinked. Back to reality he told himself. For now, he had to focus. He needed to make sure he gave her a back rub so she could get relief from the pain. He cleared his throat and tried to refocus his thoughts.
"Lay back on your tummy Carli. Let me finish your back rub," he said.
As she sat up and moved further up the bed to lay down again, her blouse fell down to her waist. Jason helped her lift it as she settled on her tummy. He rubbed her lower back thoroughly. Focusing on the area she said hurt, his fingers expertly massaged her muscles.
He massaged her for five minutes in a circular motion until he felt her muscles relaxing. He needed to do that thing Antonia taught him. Aggressively, he pressed his thumbs then palm of his hands in succession, repeatedly in the centre of her back and she cried out.
“You should feel the tension releasing after this,” he said calmly.
“What did you do?” she asked dumbfounded. The pain was gone.
“Something a friend taught me.”
She felt sleepy.
“How do you feel?” he asked her.
“Really sleepy.”
“Good. You should be fine. Eat the chocolate after you wake up.”
Jason watched her as she drifted off to sleep.
***
As he watched her sleep he thought of the day Antonia taught him that special massage. His half sister was in a lot of pain because of her period and it seemed like painkillers barely helped her. Antonia had called him into the room and showed him what to do.
Now as he looked at Carli sleeping, there were so many things he wanted to share with her. He didn’t want to hold anything back. He would have to tell her about the apartments very soon. If she was to be his wife she needed to know.
He leaned forward and kissed her head. She fell asleep on her tummy. Gently, he placed his arms around her shoulders and waist turning her over on her back. She looked so peaceful. He brushed feathery kisses on her forehead. As he sat up straight, he remembered the first time they met. He could see that her defences were up. She seemed like a guarded person overall. Now, she was more open to him.
He thought of the sounds she was making while he massaged her back. She sounded ultra sexy. He longed for the day he would be one with her in every sense of the term ‘two become one’. For now he would settle for making her smile. I only want to make her feel better and that will always be the goal, he thought to himself.
He got up and silently exited the room, and went down stairs. Aunt Sandra met him at the foot of the stairs. She had a cheeky look on her face. “What in the world were you doing to my niece?” she asked.
Jason blushed. She heard her. “Nothing she didn’t need,” he replied.
He saw her eyebrows raised close together. “And what did she need?” she asked amused.
“I gave her a back rub. That is all.” He smiled at aunt Sandra who laughed. Sandra leaned towards Jason. She could smell the lavender oil fragrance on him.
"Don't you smell good," she said with an amused look.
Jason's lips quirked up in a slight smile. "I used the lavender oil she has to massage her back for her. Her period came this morning," he said matter of factly.
“Okay, I hear you,” she said, looking at him with a reflective gaze. She grabbed her bag from off the floor. “Let’s get going,” she said.
Jason nodded and followed her out the door.
***
Carli woke up to see Melissa watching her. She was a little confused. Wasn’t Jason just here a few minutes ago?
Melissa smiled at her. “Hey,” she said. “Feeling any better?”
Carli lifted her hands to her mouth to stifle a yawn. She sat up slowly. She looked around. Jason wasn’t in the room. Melissa, realising who she must be looking for, said, “Jason isn’t here. He and mommy went to sort out the car.” Carli looked at Melissa who had a mug with something that smelt really good in it.
Seeing that Carli eyed her suspiciously, Melissa braved a smile, hoping Carli would reciprocate. “I brought you some chamomile tea with honey. It’s really good. I drink it when it’s my time of the month.” Melissa extended her hand with the tea in it to Carli who took it from her and rested it on the night table.
Carli stretched. She noticed that she wasn’t feeling any pain at all just a little stiffness.
Melissa cleared her throat. Carli looked at her but said nothing. Since the incident with Jason and Heather, the so-called family friend, Carli hadn’t spoken to her. She couldn’t believe Lissa would do something like that.
Lissa sat on the edge of the bed. “Carli, I’m really sorry for what I did. To be honest, I didn’t think what I did right through, and I’m sorry. You’re my fave cousin …”
“I’m your only cousin,” Carli quipped, cutting her off.
Melissa looked at her hands. “You’re not gonna make this easy for me, are you?” She looked up at her cousin’s stone faced expression.
Carli shook her head and mouthed the word “no”.
Melissa came up closer to Carli. “I have a story to tell you, well … it happened to me. You wanna hear it?”
“Go on.” Carli was non-committal.
“At seventeen I was raped,” she said holding her head down. It had a been a long time she hadn’t spoken about what had happened to her. “I was in love. At least I thought I was. His name was Stefan. I thought he was in love with me,” she said.
Carli shifted her body. She never heard about this. She turned more towards her cousin. Melissa looked towards the wall, she didn’t look at Carli.
“There was this party that he invited me to, he wanted me to come but I wasn’t sure. I asked my mom if I could go. It was supposed to be at one of our school mate’s house. My parents were adamant that I shouldn’t go, but I was adamant that I would. I snuck out because he said he would have me back home by around 1 or 2 o’clock, long before they woke up. So I tidied up, put on my little outfit to go, but covered it up with my pajamas. As soon as I thought it was safe I called him and told him to come get me. He borrowed his cousin’s car and came for me around 11:30 that night.”
Carli noticed that a tear had slid down Lissa’s cheek. Carli sighed heavily. She scooted over to her and put her arm around her cousin's shoulder. The dam of pent up emotions broke and Melissa shuddered. She started crying, her body shaking. Carli was stunned. She turned fully towards Lissa and hugged her as she cried uncontrollably. She didn’t know what to say, and maybe it was for the best.
After her crying became soft whimpers, Carli reached for the tea, sipped a little of it and offered the rest to her. Melissa took it from her and gulped down a little. “Thank you, she said. “It was for you though.” Her voice was shaky.
Carli smiled kindly at her. “It’s for whoever needs it,” she said.
“Is that why you work with that sexual offences unit in the police force?” Carli asked her.
Melissa nodded. “Yes and the domestic violence unit in New Kingston.”
“Right,” Carli said nodding.
“How come I never knew about this?” she asked her cousin.
“You were a baby then,” Lissa said drying her eyes with her fingers.
“Oh yeah. Right,” Carli said, thinking about the age gap between them.
“Brandon was just ten years old at the time,” Melissa said. She took a deep breath and blew it out vigorously.
“Tell me what happened,” Carli said, rubbing her cousin’s back.
“I snuck out to see him. He was supposed to take me to the party but he took me somewhere else, a seedy motel. He told me the party was inside so I went inside. He said the kids said it was at the guy’s house because they didn’t want to get in trouble with their parents. When I went inside there was music blasting but only a few people inside and I didn’t recognize any of them.
“He told me to sit by the bar and wait. I felt uncomfortable but I waited. Afterwards, he came back and told me change of plans and we left. He said he would take me home.”
"So what happened? Do you know why you guys didn’t stay?”
“Apparently, the clerk at the reception desk saw that we looked like two kids up to no good so he refused to give him a motel key. I only found this out after he was charged and we had to go to court.”
Melissa wrapped her arms around her torso.
“He said he would take a shorter route home but he took me to a quiet road and held me down and did what he did.”
“Did you know where you were?” Carli asked.
“Somewhere in Naggo Head,” Lissa said. “Bear in mind this was the 1990s, some places in Portmore were still bush. The house party was supposed to be in Independence City, so you see how far off we were.”
Carli nodded to show she understood.
“Carli you have to understand. I was a virgin. I thought I could trust him. The minute I told him this, he started acting strange towards me. He started talking about sex and touched me in intimate ways even when I didn’t want him to.
"I was so in love, I didn’t see what happened to me coming. So, when I heard about your friend I was triggered I guess.” Lissa looked at her cousin. “I only want what’s best for you. As you corrected me, you are my only cousin. I have no more. I just want you to be safe.”
Carli briefly hugged her cousin. “Lissa you don’t have to worry. I know Jason loves me. We haven’t had sex yet, but I know he loves me. We talk about so many things. I feel like I can trust him.”
“Has he touched you intimately?”
“My hips and butt, but I allowed him to,” Carli said confidently. “And this morning he rubbed my back." A flash of memory came into Carli's thoughts of how he caressed her earlier. She pushed it aside.
"We spent alone time together yesterday at his apartment, and he never touched me in a way that made me feel afraid," she said smiling at her cousin.
Melissa looked at her in disbelief. “Even at his place?” she asked. She couldn’t believe it. That should have been his opportunity to make his move. They were alone together.
Carli smiled at her cousin. “I told you. He’s a Christian and he’s celibate. He wants to wait until marriage, and he’s told me I’m the one he wants to marry.”
“Really?” Melissa was skeptical but decided for her cousin’s sake she would back off and just observe for now. “Alright, if he makes you happy I will accept him, but he better not do anything stupid. I will not tolerate that.”
Carli smiled. She hugged her cousin, pressing her cheek to the side of her face. “I’m sure you will move heaven and earth to protect me.”
“Damn right!” Melissa said hugging her back.
“So will he hun. Trust me. If you don’t trust him, trust me.” Carli’s eyes pleaded with her.
Melissa sighed. “Okay. I will give him a chance.”
Carli smiled and gave her cousin a hard squeeze.
“Ahh! Tek time wid me!” Melissa exclaimed. She touched her cousin’s elbow and patted it. Carli released her laughing.
Carli reached for her chocolate bar and used her teeth to pull off the top of the wrapper. She broke off a piece and handed it to Lissa who put it in her mouth and chewed. Carli bit into the chocolate candy. She did a little jig on the bed as the bitter sweet flavor hit her taste buds. Smiling to herself, she wondered how Jason knew dark chocolate was her favorite.
“More tea?” Melissa asked Carli. She reached over and broke off another piece of the chocolate and put it in her mouth.
Carli said, “Sure, if you’re drinking with me.”
“Okay,” she said smiling happily. “Soon come.” Melissa took the mug from Carli and went downstairs to make more tea for both of them.
Carli closed her eyes as she sunk her teeth into the candy and chewed it happily.
"Mh, mmh," she said. She thought of Jason. He was like this chocolate bar: Strong, dark, a hint of bitter, but undeniably sweet.
***
Jason watched as aunt Sandra returned to the car. She was an attractive woman with flowing, relaxed hair. Most of all she had such an engaging personality. He bet her staff really love her. She opened the door and slid inside.
“Got everything?” he asked her.
She smiled and patted the bag full of groceries. “Mhm… Carli’s mom usually cooks her favorite meal for her when she’s having her menstrual. She’s not here, so as honorary mom it’s my duty to continue the tradition.”
Jason started the car and looked in his right rare view mirror. Once the road was clear he drove off. He noticed that aunt Sandra was watching how he was driving.
“Is something wrong?” he asked her.
“No,” she said. “Just observing how you hold the steering.”
“Okay,” Jason said amused.
“So I’ll be cooking some curry goat. That’s Carli’s favorite comfort food. Whenever she’s depressed or sick with the flu or having period cramps, that’s what she likes to eat.”
“Oh. Okay,” Jason nodded. An idea came to his mind.
“You didn’t know?” Sandra asked curious.
“No, I didn’t. I know she has a special love for food,” Jason said smiling. “Yesterday, I took her to meet my mom and she fell in love with her stewed peas.”
Sandra laughed. “Yeah. That’s Carli. You know she once said that she wanted to be a chef.”
“Really?” Jason asked. This was news to him.
“Why didn’t she pursue it?” he asked her aunt.
“Her mom, my sister,” Sandra said her voice, sounded disapproving. “Her mother wants her to have a corporate job.”
Jason looked over at Mrs Dixon. She saw Jason’s expression and nodded.
Jason focused his gaze back on the road. “She had mentioned something about graphic design or dance. She never said anything about culinary arts,” Jason said. He was a little perplexed.
Sandra leaned back in the car seat and relaxed. After watching Jason for the past two minutes, she was confident he was a very capable driver. She was the one who drove them to the tax office downtown. Now on the way back home, she relinquished the car to him.
“Those are things that Carli likes and she is very good at them, but what she loves is baking and cooking. When she was thirteen after winning this bake-off competition in her home economics class she came home with the winning cake and told her mom she wanted to be a pastry chef. She even called me and Marcus and told us she won the bake-off and wanted to be a chef. Her mother was amused and a little proud of her, but told her, though that was nice, it was only for a hobby.”
“Ohh,” Jason said.
“Graphics design and dance were the only things her mom encouraged her to do, but baking was a backward step for a modern woman.”
“Is she any good?” Jason asked.
Sandra gave him a look, which meant: What kind of a question is that?
“Yes she is,” she said. “She bakes and sends me Christmas cake every December. She also does it for a few folks I expose her talent to. I was able to convince Sharon to allow her to do it for me, by saying I need it for my staff and clients, as a way of saying 'thank you'. I always make sure Carli gets paid if I get a customer for her.
Sandra looked at him intently. “Have you tasted any of her cakes?”
“No. Not yet,” Jason said.
Sandra laughed and rubbed her hands. “Well you’re in for a treat!” she said.
As they turned onto the road where the Dixon’s lived, Jason turned to Sandra and said, “Thank you so much for doing this for me today.”
“You are most welcome hun. I always want to help someone who is progressive.” She patted his shoulder.
Jason smiled.
“Park the car inside, okay,” she said.
“Okay,” he replied. He was curious as to why but held his tongue. He figured he would know soon enough.
He stopped in front of the gate and Sandra got out and opened the gate for him. He drove in and parked the car beside her SUV. He came out, locked the car and armed it, while Sandra closed the gate. She retrieved something from the grass. It was the gate lock. She padlocked the gate.
Jason was surprised.
Sandra turned and saw his surprised expression.
“You were planning to leave?” she asked him.
He cleared his throat, “Well I was planning to go home. I won’t be able to do the errands for my mom today, but I was thinking of going home and getting an early night.”
“Well I’m inviting you to stay," she said. "Since you won't be doing the errands for your mom till morning, you can stay and I’ll make sure you can get to leave early. Don’t worry, Carli told me you’re celibate there’s actually a guest room. You can sleep there. Well, if you don’t mind.”
Jason was mind blown. Was he being kidnapped? He was amused a little bit.
“Am I being kidnapped?” he asked amused.
“No,” she said laughing. “You can leave if you want to, but since Carli isn’t feeling well, I assumed you would want to spend a little time with her. I’m just preempting her asking me.”
“How do you know she’s going to ask you?” Jason asked curious.
“She may not, but I have a feeling,” she said her eyes showing mischief.
Jason nodded. This family was something else. “Okay. If she wants me to stay I will,” he said.
“Okay.” She was grinning. “Let’s go in.”
Sandra pushed her key in the door and opened it. Jason followed her as she entered the foyer.
They both heard laughing. They followed the sound to the kitchen.
Carli and Melissa were chatting and digging in to some fried chicken and fries. Carli was caught with the soda cup in her hand.
Sandra entered the room with a comical look on her face. “Any left for me?” she asked, feigning indignation.
Both of the ladies looked at them and laughed.
“Just this chicken breast,” Melissa said, pointing to the piece of meat in her box.
“Okay," Sandra said. “Don’t mind if I do.” She picked up the chicken breast out of Melissa’s box, broke it in two and extended her hand to Jason. He hesitated a little, but when he saw aunt Sandra’s expression he took it and bit into it. It did taste good.
Carli jumped up and went to Jason. She reached up on tiptoe to kiss him. He bent down and kissed her. It was a bland peck. Jason wasn't sure he wanted to give her a full blown kiss in front of her eccentric family. Carli understood. She waved at them. “Bye folks. We’ll be in my room.”
Sandra smiled. “We’ll be having curried goat for dinner and Jason is sleeping over,” she declared.
Melissa’s eyes flew open with surprise.
Carli was also surprised and ecstatic. “Really?! Are you sure?” She looked up at him smiling broadly.
Jason looked over at aunt Sandra who winked. Melissa caught that exchange between them and felt uncomfortable. What was mommy up to? she wondered.
“Would you like me to?” Jason asked Carli. He only had eyes for her.
She jumped up and launched herself into him. He caught her, lifted her up in his arms and spun her around before placing her back on her feet.
“Yes. I want you to stay, please.” Her eyes showed her excitement.
“Okay. I will, in the guest room.” He looked over at Sandra who nodded in agreement. “I’ll prepare the room,” she said.
Carli’s eyes were captivated by Jason’s smile. She pulled him upstairs with her. He did not resist. When they were in her room she locked the door and pushed him on the bed. She climbed on top of him and kissed him.
Straddling him, she kissed him passionately, savoring the feel of his full lips. Jason closed his eyes and revelled in her onslaught on his senses. She took the lead and teased him with her tongue, daring him to open his mouth to her. He opened for her and she slipped her tongue inside and moaned. The sound was muffled between their lips.
Jason cupped her bottom with his hands and kissed her passionately. He lifted himself up and kissed her neck, suckling on it. Carli pulled off her t-shirt and threw it on the floor.
Hungrily, Jason buried his head in her bosom and kissed her flesh. The bra she was wearing was made with soft fabric. Jason could see her nipples standing at attention for him. His mouth captured a nipple through the fabric of the bra and sucked it gently. She leaned her head back and whispered his name. He used his thumb and index finger to tease the other nipple.
“Ohh Jason! Jason!” she whispered.
He grunted and lifted his head. His hands moved behind her back and unhooked her bra. He dropped it on the bed. Her breasts, freed from their restraints, perked up before him. He cupped her bare flesh and bent his head to suck on each nipple. She moaned his name, running her hands through his hair. Carli closed her eyes as she was swept away by sensations his lips and hands were evoking in her. He lifted his head and looked at her while massaging her ample breasts. She was beautiful beyond words he could use to describe her.
He groaned. She was a gorgeous, sexy vixen. Her breasts were round, full, twin peaks encased in soft, delicate skin. He kissed each nipple tenderly then held her close to him. He could feel her heart beating fast.
He had to stop this. He had to stop this now, he told himself. If he went further it would be over. There would be no turning back for them.
He lifted her up in his arms and lay on his side, cradling her close to his chest. Carli opened her eyes to see what he was doing. He held her gaze. Blindly, he searched for her bra. He felt it close to the edge on the left side of the bed. Carli closed her eyes. He kissed her forehead and cupped her face. She opened her eyes. He saw a longing that mirrored his.
“Put your bra on, baby," he said.
Reluctantly, she took it from him. She sat up and put on her bra. She looked sad. He reached for her and cradled her in his arms and kissed her brow tenderly. Gently, he caressed her face.
“Marry me,” he said. His heart skipped a beat.
Carli's eyes watered. Jason knew he shouldn’t have allowed it to go this far. She was frustrated and so was he, but he was the one who made this promise to God, not her.
“Baby, I’m sorry. I’m gonna make you these promises and God help me to keep them.”
“What?” she said, her voice trembling. Tears were running down her face now. He leaned forward and kissed her eyelids. He used his thumb to wipe the tears away then held onto her hands.
“I promise you that from now on, I won’t kiss you or touch you intimately until the day I make love to you on our wedding night. I promise to only kiss your hands or your forehead for now. The next time I kiss your lips will be when we say ‘I do’.”
He kissed her hands and said, “The next time I kiss your beautiful breasts will be when a wedding ring is on your finger, and when that time comes I won’t stop and I won’t hold back this love I feel for you, and you will be happy.”
Carli closed her eyes. Could she believe him?
“When Jason? When?” she asked him. She wanted him so much it almost felt like physical pain.
“Within the next year I promise to satisfy you the way you need to be satisfied; the way you fantasize.”
Carli opened her eyes and looked at him.
“Marry me?” Jason whispered.
“Yes. I will marry you,” she answered him.
Jason reached out his hand and touched her face. She leaned into his touch. Tenderly, he kissed her forehead. “I love you,” he said.
“I love you too,” she said.
“This is not our engagement. I’m going to do this thing properly. I love you and I want this relationship to be solid, on a good foundation.”
He sighed. “I don’t ever want your tears to be because of me ever again.”
Carli nodded. “I’m not angry with you. I just ache for your touch and you, just you.”
“Me too,” he said. “I won’t frustrate both of us by allowing this to continue the way it has. I want you. It’s only you and I’m gonna make sure I do everything to fulfill this love God has given us, but in the right way."
Carli nodded.
“I’m weak Carli, but for you I will try my best to be strong, but if I go off, help me.”
“I will," she promised him. He kissed her hands again and hugged her. She relaxed in his embrace. She was sure about him.
***
Dinner was quiet. Sandra wondered what had transpired between Carli and Jason to cause them both to be in a reflective mood. She tried to pull them out of their reverie by telling jokes and even poking fun at Carli but nothing worked. In the end, Melissa nudged her with her foot under the table and shook her head telling her to stop. She hoped they would be okay soon. She hated when the house was too quiet.
Melissa too noticed the change in mood but decided not to say anything. She offered to clear the table and wash the dishes. Her mother catching the hint agreed to wash dishes also. Now Jason and Carli were alone sitting at the table.
"You wanna sit on the couch," Carli asked him
Jason nodded. "Yes, I would."
They sat on Carli's favorite couch, the navy blue one. Jason leaned back and Carli leaned into his arms. Jason bent forward briefly and kissed the side of her head. "I love you," he whispered.
"I love you too," she said.
Carli threw her legs over his lap. He rubbed her thighs. "How did you know dark chocolate was my favorite?" She looked at him, her eyes showed her appreciation.
Jason smiled. "I didn't. I just asked the shopkeeper to sell me a chocolate bar and that is what he gave me."
She reached up and started playing with his chin. "It's my favorite kind," she said.
"Okay. I'll definitely keep that in mind." He kissed her forehead.
"I'll be leaving in a few days," he said. "I want you to know I'll be thinking about you when I'm down there. No one else."
Carli scooted closer to him. She pressed her left cheek on his chest to feel his heart beat. It was strong but was beating a little fast. She placed her hand where she felt it. Jason gently stroked her face.
"I've never felt this way for anyone. I know I'm inexperienced, but I don't think there's anyone else who can make me feel like this. I will miss you a lot," she said looking up at him.
"I feel the same way. I'll make sure to call as much as I can. I'll try to WhatsApp you also. I'll miss you too," he said.
She nodded.
"Carli, soon I'll come back and I'm gonna make sure to have you all to myself. I'll be back and forth so you'll see me. I promise."
She smiled. "Mek sure," she said, her voice playful.
Jason chuckled. He gently massaged her head. "I will."
Aunt Sandra went over to them smiling. "Okay, Jason," she said. "Your room is ready. You can go in and tell me if there is anything else you need."
Jason nodded. The only thing I need is for Carli to be beside me tonight, he thought to himself.
"Thanks aunt Sandra," he answered her politely. "I appreciate it."
When she left he kissed Carli's cheek. "Let's get some sleep," he said.
Carli nodded. She did feel sleepy. She yawned sleepily and tiredly rested her head on his chest. Jason slipped his arms underneath her legs and stood up, lifting her in his arms. He adjusted her weight pulling her closer to his chest.
Carefully, he carried her up the stairs. Carli sleepily put her arms around his neck. Both Melissa and Sandra watched as Jason carried Carli up the stairs to her room. They looked at each other then at him, watching to see what he will do next.
Briefly, he placed her on her feet with one arm still around her, she leaned on him. He opened the door, then lifted her in his arms again and gently laid her on the bed. He sat by her side for a minute looking at her.
"I promise to protect you even with my last breath," he said. He knew she didn't hear him because she had fallen asleep, but he said it anyway, more to himself to be accountable.
Melissa and Sandra however heard his vow. They had quietly come up the stairs behind them to see what he would do. The door was not closed when he laid her on the bed. Each woman looked at the other and smiled.
Melissa felt a pang of guilt. She was probably wrong about him after all. Quietly, they tiptoed down the stairs and pretended to be waiting for him in the living room. When he came down stairs they looked at him as if they knew nothing.
Aunt Sandra showed him to the guest room. She turned on the room light for him so he could see the freshly done up bed and pillows with clean pillow cases. The room had a pine scent from being freshly cleaned.
He turned to her and smiled. "Thank you," he said.
Aunt Sandra nodded and said, "Anything for my future nephew in law." She winked at him and left him by the door.
Jason shook his head and smiled. What a family!
He entered the room and closed the door. He stripped down to his underwear and lay on the bed. He thought about what he promised her.
Closing his eyes, Jason prayed:
Father,
Hear me as I cry out to you.
You have given me the love I have always wanted and the woman of my dreams,
Help me to be worthy of this gift you have given me;
Help me to put her needs before my own;
Help me to honor you in this relationship.
Help me to keep this vow, my promise to you,
And help me to keep my promises to her;
Help me to prepare to be the husband she deserves.
I pray in Jesus name.
Amen.
Jason lay on his back and smiled to himself. He remembered what his mentor said:
"Being a Christian is not easy but it is a noble life to live."
He closed his eyes and went to sleep.
***
Carli stretched and opened her eyes. Her mind went straight to last night. She remembered the ecstasy she felt when Jason loved on her breasts. She blushed. Subconsciously, her hands brushed on them.
She closed her eyes and thought of him. He's in the guest room, she thought, I can just go in and see him. Carli sat up. She realised she was still wearing the second change of clothes she had on last night.
She quickly took out a pair of black jeans and a dark gray fitted blouse. She would wear dark colored underwear until her menstrual was done. She took out a set of black panties and bra, and a pad. She laid everything on the bed. She headed to the shower.
She got out after five minutes and got dressed quickly. Quietly, she walked across the hall past Melissa's room to the guest room where Jason would be sleeping. As she approached, she realised the door was slightly ajar. She pushed it open and discovered that he was not on the bed sleeping.
She wondered where he could be. Her nose caught a spicy, savory odor coming from the kitchen. She walked down the stairs to investigate. She heard food sizzling and spices being sauteed.
As she entered the kitchen she saw her husband-to-be with his back turned to her, dicing up tomatoes. She sneaked up behind him and put her hands on his back. She ran her hands over him, admiring his broadness and strength. She laid her head on him and circled her arms around his waist.
Jason clasped his hands in hers.
"Good morning beautiful," he said.
"Good morning handsome," she said her voice low and seductive.
Jason turned around and looked at her. She burrowed herself in his arms. Jason smiled and hugged her.
"You slept well?" he asked her.
He looked down into her eyes while she looked up at him. She nodded. "Yes. Thanks for asking," she said.
"Any pain?"
"No, not now."
Jason nodded. "Good," he said.
He turned around and tended to the feast he was making. Carli walked around from behind him. "What are you cooking?" she asked.
"Decided to do some toasted bread, I stole some pieces of leftover curried goat to make some omelettes. I steamed some callaloo, and I also prepared a traditional Indian dish made with some Irish potatoes. I also thought you might want tomatoes with your omelette. I usually eat them with mine," he said. He popped a few pieces of diced tomatoes in his mouth and chewed.
Carli was impressed. Everything looked good. She wanted to go on tiptoes, reach up and kiss him but instead she touched his hand. He looked up from what he was doing, saw the look in her eyes and smiled ruefully. He knew what she was thinking. He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it.
"I won't take long, Carli. I promise."
She nodded.
She turned her attention to the food. She eyed it hungrily. She examined the Indian dish he made carefully. They looked like fried dumplings but not quite.
"What are these called?" she asked, her mouthwatering.
Jason looked at her and laughed softly. Quite the foodie, he thought to himself.
"It's called aloo puri. I was actually planning to cook this for you the next time you came to my apartment, but since your aunt insisted I stay, I thought it might be good to do it here."
"Oh," Carli said.
"So what's it made from?" she asked.
"Boiled potatoes that are shredded and mixed in flour with some herbs and a little salt. There are some things that your aunt doesn't have here like coriander leaves so I substituted that for some parsley and baking powder for the semolina ... oh, that's a type of flour," Jason smiled at her apologetically, realising she wouldn't know what he was talking about.
"It didn't come out the way it really should, but I think I did my best."
He picked one up and handed it to her. "Taste it and let me know what you think."
She took it from him and bit into it. It was crispy, but it was the flavours that blew her mind.
"It's really good! Jason!" She looked at him.
"You like?" He looked at her nervously.
"Mhm. Can I have more?"
"Go ahead," he said smiling. "They should be a bit softer but I think they turned out well considering my limitations."
She bit into her second one. "Where did you learn this?"
"My half brother and half sister's mom. She was very close to my grandmother. She taught me a few things she learned from her."
He would always be grateful to Antonia for sharing a part of his heritage with him, even though she didn't have to.
"So you know how to do it with all the right ingredients?" Carli asked curious.
"Yeah I do," Jason replied.
"Okay, we'll see what we can do next time."
Jason laughed softly. "I thought the steamed callaloo would be a great complementary vegetable dish with it."
Carli nodded. "You might be right," she said smiling at him.
Just then they heard footsteps coming down the stairs.
"What's going on here?" Sandra asked walking into the kitchen. Melissa was close behind her.
Jason wiped his hands on the kitchen towel. He smiled at them both and said, "Consider this my thanks to you guys for everything you've done for me." Jason cleared his throat. "I stole a few pieces of curry goat meat to add flavor to the omelettes I made. I made four."
Sandra laughed. "That's okay, man. If you keep making food like this, you're welcome to using anything in the kitchen."
Jason grinned at her.
"So you made one large batter for us and portioned them?" Sandra asked, looking at the omelettes.
Jason nodded. "Yes."
How many eggs did you use?" Sandra asked.
"Five," he said.
Aunt Sandra nodded. "Okay," she said.
"I also added in some milk, sweet peppers, a little salt, black peppers, minced garlic, little bit of shredded ginger to give it a kick, the goat meat cut up in little pieces, and just a pinch of turmeric, just a tincy wincy bit," he said. He used his thumb and index finger to indicate how small.
Sandra was impressed. "Well, you're welcome to cook in this kitchen whenever you're here," she said smiling.
Jason smiled. "Thank you," he said. He looked at Carli and winked. Carli had a broad smile on her face.
"What's this?" Melissa asked eyeing the aloo puri nicely piled in a platter.
"Oh, that's aloo puri. Well, improvised aloo puri," Jason said laughing softly.
"How many are there?" she asked. She was captivated.
"I got about fourteen pieces, but your cousin ate two." He looked at Carli who playfully showed him her tongue. Jason grinned at her.
"They taste really good Lissa, try one!" Carli urged her.
"Not so fast," Sandra said. "This is breakfast, right?" She looked at Jason who nodded.
"Okay, let's wash our hands first and then eat. Carli, please help him prepare the food for the dining table. Lissa, let's freshen up." She looked pointedly at her daughter who reluctantly agreed and followed her upstairs.
Breakfast was a success. The ladies raved at Jason's culinary skills. He was happy to do it for them. He hardly got the chance to cook for himself or anyone else, so this was a treat for him.
Sandra and Melissa volunteered to wash up the dishes to allow Carli and Jason to say their good byes. Carli walked Jason out to the car. Aunt Sandra had handed the key for the padlock to her so she could open the gate for Jason.
"Thank you for what you did today. I think both my aunt and Lissa were impressed."
"I'm glad they like it, but there's only one taste bud I want to wow." Jason smiled at her.
She hugged him. Jason circled his arms around her. "I need to take you to meet my mentor Sunday morning. That okay?"
"Yes," she said. She closed her eyes basking in his embrace.
"I won't be able to come by for the rest of the week until then. I have to move some more of my stuff to the new place, furniture and so on."
Carli nodded. His touch made her happy. She pulled away from him and looked into his eyes. "I understand," she said. "I will see you Sunday."
The statement sounded more like a question to Jason ears. "Yes. See you on Sunday," he said. He lovingly reached out and touched her face. Gently, he kissed her brow.
"I love you," he said softly.
"Love you," she said. She covered his hand with hers.
Jason released her and slid into the car. He turned the key in the ignition and started the vehicle.
Carli pulled the lock and opened the gate for him. He drove out. He honked his horn at her, smiled, then drove off.
She closed the gate and went inside the house. Melissa and aunt Sandra looked up to see Carli coming into the house. She had a broad smile on her face. The two of them looked at each other knowingly.
Carli smiled at them then went upstairs.
Lissa sighed. "So that is what love looks like," she said looking at her mother.
Sandra smiled. "Indeed it is."
They finished cleaning up the kitchen.
Jason woke up at 6:30 am, did his sit-ups and push-ups, 200 each and then prayed. He had gotten into the habit of praying after he exercised. He also decided to read a daily devotion from an app uncle Pat sent to him.
After he finished reading he prayed again, giving God thanks for his family, the opportunities for work the Lord had given him, and he prayed for Carli. He prayed that God would keep her safe and that the love they had for each other would grow. He also asked God to show her His love through him.
He went into the bathroom and had a five minute shower. When he came out, he dressed quickly. There was somewhere he needed to be. He was to look at a piece of property with Omar and his dad.
They were going to go in 1/3 each on the investment. As opposed to the Paradise Flats investment, where he owned 25%. Though the overall share was smaller, just 7%, it would potentially pull in a bigger revenue stream for all of them overtime. He was excited and grateful for the opportunity.
He put on a pair of black loafers, navy blue trousers and a baby blue colored button down shirt. He put on a watch he had bought a week ago to complete his look.
He closed the apartment door and trotted down stairs to see Omar and his dad standing by their cars waiting for him.
"Good morning," he told them
Lloyd Marshall nodded his acknowledgement, but Omar said, "Good morning."
Lloyd looked across at Jason's new vehicle. "You driving with us or you taking your car?", he asked.
"Taking my car. I have some errands to run after we finish meeting the developer," Jason said walking towards his car.
Lloyd nodded. "Okay then."
Omar entered his dad's vehicle. Lloyd would be driving.
He drove off and Jason followed him. He wasn't familiar with where they were going.
After driving for almost 40 minutes they came upon the property in rural St. Catherine. Jason followed the Marshalls and parked his vehicle in a new shopping mall on the opposite side of the soon to be apartment complex. He parked and met up with them and they crossed the road together.
Omar and Jason stood at the entrance while Omar's dad went and spoke with the developer who was already on site with the construction team.
After he spoke with him for awhile, elder Marshall raised his hand and motioned for the two young men to come forward.
Jason and Omar approached, both smiling. As they stood before the developer, Lloyd smiled. "Mr. White, these are Omar and Jason. Omar is my son and Jason is like a son to me." The man nodded at them and extended his hand to them both for a handshake. Both shook his hand enthusiastically.
"Nice that you could come out so early gentlemen." He smiled at all three of them. "Walk with me," he said.
He started walking and they followed.
"The property overall will be 16,000 square feet, eight floors including ground floor and units of 600 to 1400 square feet size."
He looked around at the men. Lloyd and Omar smiled and nodded, but Jason's face was expressionless. He just listened.
"There'll be parking space around the back. We'll also build in a laundry room and a small gym on the ground floor space. As you can see we've already broken ground, and begun laying the foundation." He pointed over to his right. "That will be the east side of the parking lot," Mr. White said.
"How much has already been invested?"
This question was from Jason.
Mr. White looked at Jason directly. "Well we've gone in at about $10 million for surveyors both from government agencies and private, blue prints and architectural design consultants, as well as local government regulatory fees, two environmental impact studies, insurance, digging equipment and laying of the foundation and other matters related to that, which includes raw materials and so on."
Jason nodded. "How much do you estimate to spend overall?" he asked.
"About $50 to $95 million," Mr White responded.
Jason nodded. He looked at the cleared land space. It was huge. "You could add another floor and make it nine. May I see the site plans please?"
Mr. White eyebrows were raised in surprise. He expected the older gentleman to take the lead in their conversation, not this young man.
"Not a problem," he said. He had nothing to hide.
He motioned for them to follow him to his car. He opened the car door on the passenger side at the front of the vehicle and took out the blue print and site plans. He spread them out on the car bonnet. All three men approached and took a look.
Lloyd looked at the plans intently. "Oh ... Mr. White I see you have a staircase on the exterior that leads to the car park?" he queried.
"Call me Jeffery," Mr. White replied. "Yes, that will be there as an option as well as an internal staircase that leads to the car park."
"Reinforced steel beams in that area?", Lloyd asked.
"Certainly," Jeffery answered.
Jason observed that there was extra space on the ground floor. "I noticed there could potentially be space for another unit on the ground floor. What will you be utilizing the space for if not for another unit?"
Jeffery smiled at the young man. Quite sharp. He thought.
"We're thinking of using it for a separate storage unit in lieu of tools and equipment for repairs and maintenance, or we might just allow for rented space for a small cafe."
Jason pointed to a small space facing south of the apartments.
"That can be your storage space. May I suggest something?" Jason said.
"Go ahead." Jeffery replied.
"If you remove the external stairs you would have enough space to construct an extra unit at the bottom floor and one or two more on each floor thereafter without encroaching on your neighbor's space. Maybe one or two 500 square feet units on each floor."
Jeffery was impressed. "Not a bad idea, but the plans have already been passed by the regulatory board and the local government authorities have already signed off. For the storage space, we'll look into that," he said.
Jason nodded. He understood. Jeffery and Lloyd went aside to discuss further.
"Smart kid," Jeffery said referring to Jason. Lloyd nodded.
"A good friend of mine's son. His dad is a painter, one of the best you'll ever find in this country," Lloyd said.
Jeffery nodded. "Okay. Let's get down to business," he said. "You and your crew will help to build the ground floor units at a reduced price for a one per cent stake in the apartments' returns and receive an extra six percent from your investment capital."
Lloyd nodded. "Correct," he said.
"Alright," Jeffery White nodded. "If you will just come into my company's offices tomorrow morning to further discuss and sign contracts."
"We'll have our lawyer look over the details of the contract if you don't mind, before we sign," Lloyd said confidently.
"Not a problem," Jeffery said.
"Good." Lloyd extended his hand for a handshake. Jeffery shook his hand and nodded his head in agreement. After chit chatting for a few more minutes, Lloyd returned to the young men and smiled.
"We're all set," he said.
Omar was grinning from ear to ear but Jason was still skeptical.
Why were they leaving so much space unutilized? He wondered.
He had a funny feeling. Omar noticed his frown and playfully slapped him on the back. "Bro bro, whapm to yuh? You should be glad!" Omie shook his head. Sometimes he couldn't understand him.
Omar squeezed his friend's shoulder. "Jason," he said. "What's the problem? Yuh nuh have your share of di money?"
Jason eyed his friend with left eyebrow raised. "Omie, one thing you should know about me, is that I always have my share. Something 'bout this nuh feel right."
Lloyd walked towards the entrance of the property, the young men followed his lead.
"It's an insignificant amount of space left over. They may want to add in a flower bed or something." Lloyd said over his shoulder. He stopped to watch the traffic on the road waiting for an opportunity to cross over.
"Wouldn't they have mentioned that in the plans?" Jason asked.
Jason couldn't shake the niggling feeling he had. He would have to see if there was some way he could find out what was really happening. "When are we due to give the money?" he asked Lloyd.
Seeing the road was clear, Lloyd stepped out to cross it. Jason and Omar walked briskly across with him.
Lloyd stopped at his car and turned to Jason. "We have about two weeks to come up with the money," he said. "I would like to get it over and done with by the latest Monday or Tuesday of next week."
"Can you allow the two weeks to play out?" Jason asked.
Lloyd was perplexed. "It is a perfectly good opportunity," he said frowning at Jason.
"Uncle Lloyd just trust me, please. Let me check something out." Jason pleaded.
Lloyd sighed. Jason usually had very good instincts about these things, but he was afraid that this opportunity would slip them by. He looked at Omar.
Omar nodded at his dad and said, "Let's do what Jase says, dad."
Lloyd scratched his beard while thinking. Okay, he would do it. "There's a proviso in the contract that states we can ask for an extra week to source additional funding. He mentioned that it would be in the physical copy that he will fax to me later tonight to read through. I will send an email to him. Okay?"
Jason nodded. "Okay."
"But you will be down in Montego Bay, won't you?" Lloyd asked.
"Yes, but there's internet and email and phone calls. I can do my checks same way."
"Alright," Lloyd said. "I will ask for the three weeks."
"Thank you. I won't let you down," Jason smiled relieved. It was his money on the line too, and he was about to be a married man soon, God willing.
Lloyd grunted. "I hope so." He opened his car door and sat inside. He waited for Omar to finish chatting with Jason.
Omar slapped Jason on his shoulder. "Yah good yute. Do yuh ting man." He slid into the passenger side. His dad started the engine and they drove off.
Jason watched them drive off. Something fishy was going on. He however knew who to call for a favor.
He took out his phone from his pocket and dialed Carli's number.
Carli answered after five rings.
"Hey handsome, what's up?" she said.
Jason liked her new name for him. He smiled at the phone. "Hey beautiful or should I say brown thighs."
He heard Carli laugh. "Stop!" she exclaimed.
"So yuh good?" He asked her.
"As good as I can be without seeing you," she said in a pouty voice.
Jason chuckled. "Soon come look fi yuh, man." He blew her a kiss through the phone.
He sobered up. "I need a favor from you. Moreso from your aunt."
"Okay, what can we do for you?" she asked, her interest peaked.
"I need your aunt to do some checks on a real estate property for me. Omar and his dad want to invest some sweat equity and hard cash into this new apartment complex. They haven't started building yet, but after looking at the plans I have a funny feeling."
Carli chuckled. "You have a funny feeling?" she asked amused. And what in the world is sweat equity? Carli mused.
"Yeh man, sumn nuh right 'bout this thing. Can you ask her if she can call me back around 6 this evening? I'm on the road now. So about 6 if she can just call me back I will explain. She still has ties with the real estate authority, right?"
"Yes, I think she still does. She was a supervisor there, so I think she has friends she can still ask for favors. We'll see. I'll ask her."
"Thank you baby," he said.
"So, what are you wearing?" he asked, leaning on his car. Carli noticed that Jason's voice dipped to an even sexier timbre than usual.
She laughed softly. "Well, it's for me to know and you to imagine," she said teasing him.
"You're not gonna tell me?" he asked, his lips curling into a smile.
"Nope. Not telling you nothing." Her voice held an air of mystery Jason was eager to uncover.
"Wicked woman," Jason said playfully, his voice as sexy as ever.
Carli felt chills run down her spine. She chuckled.
Jason blew her a kiss.
He paused then said, "Can't wait to see you on Sunday."
"Me too," she said, her tone indicating the longing she felt for him.
Jason heard it. He wanted to see her too, but he had to get some things out of the way before Sunday.
"Alrighty," Jason said. "Talk to you likkle more."
Carli laughed softly. "Yes, talk to you later." She blew him a kiss through the phone. Jason closed his eyes and received it.
She hung up. Jason ended the call.
He unlocked the car, slid inside and started the engine and drove off carefully.
Carli was definitely making him think thoughts. He laughed softly as he drove down the roadway.
He thought about the deal and what was required by them to invest. He had no problem with that, but there was something just not right going on. His grandmother always taught him to trust his instincts, so that's what he'll do. He needed to head over to his old place and pick up some more clothes.
It was Friday. He needed to be finished with moving by at least Saturday night. He had already agreed with his mom that his bed would stay at her place, but the other furniture and the appliances which were not much, would be moved into the new apartment.
He had one more stop to make before he went over to his old place, and this one was very important to him and the woman he loved. He was going to buy her a gift. It would be something that whenever she looked at it, Carli would think of him and their love. He decided to stop by the mall to buy it for her. He wouldn't be able to spend Christmas with her but he wanted something that would make her feel close to him while he was away.
***
Carli hung up the phone and got dressed. She laughed softly to herself. She wondered what would have happened if she had told Jason that at the very moment he called her and she answered the phone, she was naked. Not a stitch of clothes was on her. She had run out of the shower to answer and was still a bit damp. She giggled thinking about it. She wouldn't have wanted him to crash his newly acquired vehicle.
After getting dressed she went down stairs and told her aunt that Jason needed a favor from him on behalf of his friend Omar. She was curious too. She told Carli that she wanted to hear what this was about, and would indeed call Jason later to find out more.
Carli told her aunt that she needed to go on the road. She asked if she could drop her off at the mall on her way to work. Sandra nodded 'yes'.
Carli reheated breakfast her aunt had left for her and Lissa. It was ackee and saltfish, fried dumplings (johny cakes). She filled the kettle with water, turned on the stove and placed it on the fire for hot water.
After two minutes the water was boiling up. She heard the kettle whistle. She turned off the stove, lifted the kettle and poured some of its contents into her mug. She felt like having some cocoa. She poured the hot water on the instant powder, then placed the kettle on the stove. She went to the fridge and retrieved some condensed milk stored in a glass jar and used a spoon to scoop out some of the milk. Dipping the spoon in her mug, she stirred thoroughly. She returned the milk jar to the fridge and closed the door.
Carli sat around the table beside her aunt and began eating. She noticed that her aunt was reading the newspapers. Carli was only interested in the comics, she didn't see anything else she wanted to read in the daily editions.
"Anything interesting," she asked jokingly.
Her aunt looked up at her and smiled. "I guess nothing that would tickle your interest," she said amused.
Carli bit into a warm, crispy dumpling. Mmmh. She thought. Delish.
"Okay," Carli replied. "What has tickled your interest then?" She was almost done with her breakfast. She sipped her tea.
"A merger, a big one," her aunt said, putting down the paper on the table.
"Oh, anything significant about that?" Carli asked. She was half curious.
"Yeah, between two major players. One a giant in the food manufacturing business and the other a real estate mogul's company. You don't see those money moves every day. People usually do mergers within their own industry."
"Oh, okay," Carli said but was clueless.
Sandra folded the newspaper and tucked it under her arm. She would take it with her to work.
"You ready?" she asked Carli.
Carli got up and placed her used mug and plate in the sink. She turned on the faucet and filled it half way. It was Lissa's day off. Hopefully, she wouldn't mind doing everybody's dishes. She told her aunt she was going upstairs to brush her teeth, grab her bag and come down stairs. Sandra nodded."Okay. Hurry," she said.
Carli ran upstairs and dropped her purse in a hidden compartment of her bag. She hurriedly went into the bathroom and brushed her teeth, then washed her face with just water. She sprayed some of the lavender oil concoction on her neck, wrists and hair then headed downstairs again.
Her aunt was standing by the door. "Ready?" she asked.
Carli nodded. "Yes."
"So, I thought you had already done your shopping for your parents, and if it's about Christmas baking we already bought all the items you'll need that time Heather was here, remember?"
Carli looked over at her aunt as they approached the car. "Yeah, I remember," she said. "This is a gift for Jason."
"Really?"
Aunt Sandra was intrigued. She wondered what her niece would be buying for him.
Carli laughed softly as she observed her aunt's surprised expression. "It's nothing expensive," she said.
Carli went to open the gate. She returned to her aunt by the car.
Sandra slipped into the car and casually threw the newspaper on the back seat. Carli waited for her to open the passenger side. She slipped into the vehicle.
"You should also consider baking him a mini cake, just for him. I told him you were a very good baker," Sandra said her eyes filled with mischief.
Carli noticed the look and laughed. "You did. Did you?"
"Mhm," aunt Sandra said.
Carli thought about it. She could do that. Why not?
Okay," she said. "Will do."
"And remember you have to start baking those orders I got for you ASAP." Sandra started the car, backed it out of the driveway and stopped the vehicle across the road. Carli got out and locked the gate. She re-entered the vehicle and she and her aunt were on their way.
"Yeah, I have been looking through the orders. There's one for a mini Black Forrest cake," Carli replied.
"Black Forrest cake?" aunt Sandra repeated in disbelief. "It's Christmas cake time now," she declared emphatically.
Carli laughed. "Well aunty," she said amused. "Not everyone is a traditionalist like you."
Aunt Sandra's eyes watched the road as she replied, "I guess not."
Sandra dropped her off at the mall. She asked if she should come back for her, but Carli shook her head and told her no she would take a taxi back home. Sandra nodded in agreement and drove off.
Carli walked around the mall. She wanted to get something nice for Jason. She wasn't sure what to get him, but she wanted it to be heartfelt. She stepped into a clothing store and looked at a few ties. She only had about $15,000 to spare so she wasn't sure what she could get with it. She didn't want to have to spend the full $15k either. A store clerk came up to her to ask if she needed assistance but she told her no, she was just browsing.
Feeling uninspired, she stepped out of that store and walked further on. She came up on a jewelry store and stepped inside. Maybe a simple watch or gold plated chain could work. She thought.
As she stepped inside, her eyes slowly adjusted to the lighting in the room. She walked up to one of the glass displays. She noticed that there was an attendant at the counter but he had bent down to tie his shoelaces.
"Eh ehm," she said, clearing her throat to get his attention.
"Just give me a minute," he said without looking up.
Carli was shocked. The voice sounded very familiar to her. "Matt?" she asked wide-eyed. She thought he was still in Manchester.
Matthew raised himself up from behind the counter and looked at her, shaken up by this unexpected encounter.
"Carli?" he stared at her.
The last time he saw her she still had natural hair. Now as he looked at her, Matthew perceived that there was something different about her, besides the new hairstyle.
"Matthew. It's nice to see you," she said excitedly. She reached over the counter and hugged him. She forgot that he was angry with her.
Matthew was surprised to see her but happy at the same time. He returned the embrace.
He looked her up and down. She had gained a bit of weight around her hips and thighs. No doubt if she turned around he would confirm that her butt had been blessed with the extra weight as well. She was wearing a black blouse with the word 'Pink' in pink letters, black jeans shorts with fringes at the ends and a pair of strappy gold sandals.
"You look great," he said, eyeing her with male appreciation.
Carli smiled. "Thank you," she said.
She took him in.
He was wearing a black and blue jersey, a pair of light blue jeans and black sneakers. His hair was cut low with a sharp fade.
"So, you work here?" she asked, curious.
"Yes I do," he said. Gosh! She was a sight for sore eyes! He thought.
"I moved into Kingston about two months ago, but I've been working at this job for about a week now." He said smiling at her.
Carli always liked his smile. She smiled back at him. He was handsome. She wasn't sure why she hadn't noticed that before. He was sporting the beard he had taken the time to grow out during the summer, but now it was cut low and nicely shaped up, complementing his jawline. It made him look more mature and definitely sexy.
He was shorter than Jason but was much taller than her 5 feet 5 inches height. He had a nice muscular build; strong broad back, chest and shoulders, flat stomach and strong muscular legs from his time playing football at high school. His arms were quite toned, they weren't as sinewy as Jason's, but there was very good muscle definition.
She remembered the way he kissed and touched her. He ignited a spark inside her, that judging by her reaction to seeing him now months later, left a strong impression on her. He was a very skillful kisser. There was also a controlled roughness about the way he handled her during the encounter that still played on her mind.
Even the way he behaved when she saw him at Simone's house made her weak, but she couldn't conceive of their ten year friendship being interrupted by more intimate actions and thoughts. She just wanted her friend back. The cheerful guy that always knew what to do or say to make her laugh. She missed him. There was however a side to him that, after their kiss, she was drawn to.
If she lost herself and started thinking about him, she wondered what would have happened if his mom hadn't interrupted them. How being with him would have felt like, if they had gone all the way that day. She had been too weak to stop him. She tried not to think about it very often, especially now that she was with Jason, but the curiosity was there, lurking never far beneath her conscious thoughts. She bet Simone was very satisfied with him in the bedroom.
Carli, what are you thinking?! She rebuked herself. You chose Jason remember. Besides, Simone is with him now. Cut that out!
Matthew noticed the way she was looking at him. He remembered their kiss. Now that he was free, he wondered if he and Carli could rekindle a relationship that was more than a friendship.
"So, what can I do for you?" he asked her, his eyes intently observing her every movement. Carli felt awkward now. Maybe she should try another store. Come up with an excuse girl! She thought.
"Well, you're in a jewelry store," Matthew said. "Is this something for your mom or dad?" he asked.
Yes! Thank God he gave me an excuse! Carli thought to herself. "My dad," she stuttered nervously.
Matt nodded. He noticed she was nervous. He wondered if she remembered their encounter in his room almost a year ago or the time they were at Simone's house. He did. He also felt she wanted him to kiss her then but she was afraid. He had been with other girls, but Carli was the one who evoked raw, passionate desires in him, something he never felt before. He must have scared her.
He could admit that he was overwhelmed by all the pent up emotions he hid from her. Their kiss opened the floodgates and he didn't know how to express himself without frustration. Now, in retrospect, he regretted his approach and knew he should have been more gentler with her. She was still a virgin and his best friend for many years.
Now, he felt he could be patient with her. He just wanted their friendship to be mended and then maybe she could grow to love him beyond a brother figure. Either way, he would still hold a torch for her whether or not she could fall for him, he would however choose to love her the right way. Unconditionally.
He took out a watch and a few gold chains both gold plated and real. He placed them on the glass counter for her to look at them closely.
"What do you think?" he asked. As he leaned over to her, he got a whiff of that signature lavender oil fragrance she would always wear. He remembered that he had bought it for her birthday.
She had run out of the stuff and couldn't get it at the usual place she would purchase it. He ordered it online for her and made sure he got a larger bottle so that it wouldn't run out so quickly. That was when she came up with the one part oil to two parts water to stretch its use. Before she would just mix it in her lotion.
He leaned forward and smelt her. "You still smell wonderful," he said. He reached out and lightly touched her wrist. She looked up from the jewelry and eyed him nervously.
"Carli," he began. "I'm sorry for what happened between us. For the way I acted, but you don't really know what you do to me. I think any guy for that matter, especially when you smell so good." He spoke 'so good' in a soft husky tone.
Carli felt rattled. She was surprised that her senses were reacting so inappropriately to his words and closeness to her. Maybe she should leave. "I think I better go," she said.
Matthew grabbed her wrist. "Don't go, please," he said. He looked frustrated.
Matt sighed. "There is something I want to tell you. I have a coffee break in the next twenty minutes don't leave yet. I need to talk to you. It's about Simone."
Now Carli was concerned. "Is she okay?" she asked.
"No and yes. I'll explain everything. Okay?"
Carli nodded. "Okay."
"Let me pick out something for you," he said perusing the glass displays. He went over to his left and picked something out. It was a gold and silver plated necklace with a Zirconia stone in the middle of the word 'Love', set in the letter 'o'. He removed it from its display mount and showed it to her.
"What do you think?" he asked her.
She nodded. It was beautiful. "I love it!" she said. Matthew smiled. She had the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. This time, if he ever got the chance to redeem himself with her, he wouldn't hold back expressing his feelings for her, but in a more gentler way. He did care about her, that was true.
"How much is it?" she asked excited.
He checked the tag. "$13,500," he said.
Just enough. Carli said to herself with a relieved sigh. She took out the $15,000 and counted out $14,000, and handed it to him.
"Sorry, I ain't got no change." Carli laughed as the memory of a joke they shared between them surfaced in her mind.
Matthew's eyes lit up. He smiled as he remembered too. "You remember, uh?"
Carli laughed. She nodded. "Yeah. I remember," she said with a broad smile.
Matt took the money from her, went to the cashier who processed the transaction and gave Matt the $500 note as change. He came back to her, gave her the receipt and change. He went into a drawer and took out a small plastic bag and placed the necklace in it and handed it to her.
"Remember, we need to talk." He looked at the clock on the wall opposite to where he was standing. I've got ten more minutes and then I'll be with you. Okay?"
Carli nodded. "Does your phone number still work?" she asked him.
"Yes, I still have the same number," he said taking all of her in. She was different in a way that he liked, and it wasn't the weight gain, or the hair, though that was intriguing.
"Okay, I have a new number, but I still remember yours." Carli said, smiling at him.
"Okay," Matthew responded still looking at her intently. He couldn't place his thoughts on what was different about her, but whatever it was he liked it.
Carli nodded. "I'll call you," she said.
Matthew nodded.
She stepped out of the store with her new purchase and decided to walk around some more until his break came. She wondered if everything with Simone and the baby was okay.
After fifteen minutes had passed she called and he answered quickly. "Yeah, I'm coming out now. Sorry for the delay. My supervisor was explaining something to me. Tell me where you are?" he said.
"I'm before the ice cream and pastry place," she replied.
"Okay. Coming towards you now, " he said.
After about a minute, Carli looked up to see him coming towards her. She never noticed that there was a certain gait in his walk that gave him a cool swagger.
What is this? She thought. Why are you now seeing everything about Matt?
She sighed. As he approached, she smiled up at him. Matthew saw her smile but noticed the cheerfulness didn't transfer to her eyes. He really regretted what he did those months before.
There were a few tables and chairs just outside the little pastry shop. Carli was sitting in a section facing the roadway. He sat beside her. He reached over and hugged her, and she smelt his favorite cologne. It was her favorite one on him too. No doubt he had sprayed a little extra before coming out to see her. She didn't mind though, it was very pleasant to the senses. Matt always had good taste.
He gently squeezed her in his embrace and she put her arms around him. She had hugged him so many times like this, but somehow it felt different, and that cologne wasn't helping. He released her from the hug and looked at her. He lifted his hand and touched her face. She didn't pull away.
"I have missed you 'Red'," he said. His eyes showed that what he said was true.
Only Matt called her that. That was his special name for her when they were growing up as kids. It was always a term that represented there abiding friendship, but as he said the name now, it sounded intimate and sensual. Carli blinked, trying to suppress intrusive thoughts. His presence near her was definitely unnerving.
Matt noticing her awkwardness, shifted his body slightly away from her, giving her space.
He cleared his throat. "Thanks for waiting on me," he said.
Carli nodded. She tried to gather her thoughts. She was feeling really bowled over by being near him. She never expected this.
Matt removed his wallet from his pocket. "I'm gonna buy a pineapple tart. Do you want anything?" he asked looking at her.
He felt glad inside but didn't show it. Based on her reaction to him, he knew she was feeling the chemistry between them, or at least she missed him, but he wasn't gonna push her. He would win her over slowly. He had a lot of practice being patient the past few months.
Carli suddenly felt like she needed some chocolate.
"Chocolate ..." Carli paused.
She sounded hoarse to herself. She cleared her throat and tried speaking again. "A chocolate muffin would be good and a bottled water," she said. Better but still shaky, she thought.
Matthew smiled.
Oh lort! That smile again! Carli thought. Whew!
Matt could see she was struggling. He was happy. Maybe there could be a chance for them after all. He rubbed her back just below her shoulders, the way he always would to comfort her. "No prob." He got up and went inside the pastry shop.
Carli let out a heavy sigh. What the ...? What is wrong with you? Just listen to what he has to say about Sim and then give him an excuse and leave. What is wrong with you?! Carli argued in her head.
After about four minutes he returned with a brown paper bag with their pastry. He was also carrying the bottled water and a disposable cup filled with a yellow liquid. He rested them on the table and sat beside her. He removed the muffin which was in a clear plastic pastry box and handed it to her, then took out his pineapple tart which was in a small white plastic bag. He bit into it voraciously.
She looked at the cup. Matt saw her staring at it and laughed. "It's orange juice, Carli."
Carli laughed too. "Okay," she said. She never saw orange juice that bright yellow before. She reached for her muffin.
She was surprised to notice heat coming from the pastry box. She opened it and hovered her hand over the muffin. It was warm. She looked up at him. Matthew smiled at her.
"Yeah, I asked them to heat it up in the microwave for you - not in this container though, that wouldn't be safe - it was in a tray. I know you like your pastry warmed up," he said, watching her intently. She is beautiful. He thought.
Carli started to feel emotional. That was very sweet of him. He actually remembered. She felt her eyes watering. She wasn't going to cry right here.
Matt noticed that something was wrong. He reached out his hand and touched hers.
"Carli, are you okay?" he said. He squeezed her hand gently.
A tear slid down her cheek. Matt was alarmed at this. He put down his pastry and turned towards her.
He retrieved a paper napkin from the brown paper bag and wiped the hand that was holding the pineapple tart. He covered his pastry with the napkin, then used both hands to clasp hers.
"Carli, did I do something wrong?" he asked, concerned. His eyes searched her face for a hint. He squeezed her hands. She started crying softly. Matt pulled her into his embrace.
"Carli," he said. "Tell me what's wrong. I'm sorry for being a jerk all those months before, but I'm here now and I'm not mad at you anymore. Just tell me what's wrong."
Carli sobbed quietly. She wasn't sure what was wrong with her, but as she cried she felt like a weight was being lifted off her shoulders. She hugged him back. Matt adjusted himself on the chair so that he could get closer to her. He hugged her more tightly. He felt like his own eyes would produce tears but pushed them back.
Her body was shaking slightly. Matt could feel the vibration run through him. This is serious. What is going on with her? He wondered.
"Red, you're gonna make me get emotional too, please tell me what's wrong?"
Matt reached up and touched her face. It was more than he could bear now.
Carli sobbed quietly. She sighed. "I just realized how much I missed my best friend. How much I missed you. Matt you were ... are my best friend," she said her voice trembling.
He leaned forward and kissed her on her forehead, then on her cheeks. He paused and looked into her eyes. She looked up at him, she was no longer crying. Gently, he brushed his lips on hers, he paused then slightly opened his mouth and kissed her softly. He cupped her face and pulled her into him. He deliberately kissed her slowly, almost in a reflective way. He planted light kisses on her lips then kissed her eyelids.
When he pulled away from her, he brushed his right hand on her thigh. He saw that Carli's eyes were still closed. When she opened them he knew he had gotten the response he wanted. There was desire burning in her eyes.
"I have wanted to do that ever since we were fourteen," he said, his voice revealing the passion he held back for all those years. Carli felt like something was switched on inside her as Matt kissed her. She had barely kissed him back but his lips were soft, his kissing sensual. She would be lying if she said she didn't enjoy it. Maybe I enjoyed it too much, she mused.
Carli needed to clear the air. "Matt," she said struggling to say it, but she had to. "Matt, I have a boyfriend. We've been seeing each other for awhile, but we made it official a couple days ago."
Matt was stunned. He looked at her. She looked at him. It now dawned on him what was different about her. She had gained experience. She wasn't the shy, innocent, reserved girl he knew anymore.
He cleared his throat. "Does that mean you are no longer ...?" He paused. He didn't want to ask. It wasn't his place, but he wanted to know.
Carli figured out what he was curious to know. "Yes, I am still a virgin." Unfortunately, she thought. "But he and I, we've kissed several times," she said. Now she felt awkward.
"But Matt, wouldn't Simone be pissed if she heard you kissed me?" she asked. She felt so guilty now.
Sim was her closest female best friend besides Nichelee, though she knew Matt first. She met Simone and Nichelee after they had all passed the Grade Nine Achievement Test in the ninety percentile range, and were streamed into a class together.
Matt shook his head. "No, she wouldn't," he replied. He sighed. "You should know, Simone's baby isn't mine."
What? Carli thought. What is he saying?
"What? What do you mean?" she asked confused. "You guys had sex? Didn't you guys have sex? You took responsibility for the child. I saw a post with you and Sim, and you were holding her belly."
Matt saw her confusion. He adjusted himself on the chair and shifted his body away from her. He uncovered his snack, picked it up and bit into it. "Eat your muffin, Carli," he said. His tone had changed. He sounded angry.
"Don't think I'm hungry," she said.
Matt hissed his teeth. "Carli, don't be ridiculous. I asked if you wanted anything. You told me you wanted the bottled water and the muffin. It's probably cold now but I already bought it."
Begrudgingly, Carli bit into the muffin. It was tasty, not as warm as before but there was just a hint of warmth left. Matt took up her bottled water, pulled off the cork and extended the bottle in his hand towards her.
Carli looked at him in disbelief. She took it from him and sipped the water slowly. She bit into her muffin.
Matt finished his tart. He took out a straw from the brown paper bag, pulled off its wrapper and used it to punch through the tiny hole in the centre of the cup's cover. Using the straw to stir his juice, he looked at her.
"Want some?" he asked her.
"No, thank you," she said.
He looked at her with an air of sarcasm, his right eyebrow raised. "Like fire and ice," he quipped.
Carli was over his crappy sarcasm. "How did you find out?" she asked, her voice hardened. She didn't look at him. She focused on her muffin. She was almost finished with it. She bit some more. She would finish it. Let it not be said she wasn't grateful.
"My parents, well my dad was skeptical about the whole thing. He said it was too soon for her to know whether she was pregnant or not. She was having morning sickness, nausea, all of that but he was saying that would be about a month in. We had just had sex about maybe nine days before. My dad was away visiting family in Bermuda, so when he came back he accused my mom of allowing me to be trapped." He crumpled the pastry bag, and dropped it in the paper bag.
He continued:
"He demanded that Sim do a paternity test for the baby. She refused but my dad threatened to hire a lawyer to sue for entrapment and false paternity. Not even sure if you can do that in this country, but Sim and her parents folded. We went to this place and got it done and received the results five days later. So yeah, the baby isn't mine."
Carli noted that his voice sounded angrier the more he spoke. She looked at him. She felt terrible that she wasn't there to support both of them during that time.
"I'm sorry, Matt. I'm really sorry. Is that why you moved to Kingston? To get away?" she asked gently.
Matt looked at her and laughed. It was a harsh sound.
"Carli, what do you care?" his voice was raised slightly.
She was getting annoyed with his mood swings. Well two can play.
She turned towards him. She wasn't afraid to express how she felt anymore.
"Matt, I was not the one who slept with Simone. You went there and while I sympathise with you and her, that was y'alls mess. Why are you angry with me? I didn't do anything!" she said. She would let him see her angry today.
Matt eyes flew open. Feisty! She never used to be like this. He thought. This new guy must really be doing something to her.
"Look, Carli, I didn't come out here to argue with you. I came out to make peace and to tell you about the fact that Simone was lying about the paternity of the child, or at least she was confused about it. But you started crying and I got off track." He sighed. He sipped his drink through the straw and finished it. He dropped the empty cup in the bag. Carli was halfway done with her water.
"And what was that kiss about?" she asked him. She was angry now.
Matt could see she was annoyed with him. He looked at his watch. He had five minutes left for his break.
"I actually miss you too, Carli, whether you believe it or not. I have missed you," he said. His eyes were sad. "As for the kiss, as I said I have longed to kiss you like that ever since we were in the eight grade. You were crying. You know I hate to see you cry. I wanted to comfort you. So I ..."
"So you kissed me?!" she retorted angrily.
"Carli, you never told me you had a boyfriend!" Matt was getting annoyed with her now.
"You never asked!" she almost shouted.
"How in the hell would I know? Shouldn't you tell me?" he replied angrily.
Carli hissed her teeth.
Matt stood up, grabbed Carli's arm and lifted her out of her chair.
"Matt, what the hell?" She was struggling against his vice grip.
Carli heard a harsh voice crack like a whip, interrupting the tussle between them. "Let her go!" it said. Both looked in the direction of where the angry tone came from. It was Jason!
"Jason!" she said. Her eyes were wide open with surprise. She was happy to see him, but she also felt a little guilty. Jason stepped forward and stood in front of Matthew. Matthew looked at Carli and let her go.
"So this is your new man?" he asked.
"Yes I am," Jason answered him.
Matthew stepped back. He looked at Carli and said, "That kiss we just shared meant something to me. I hoped you would feel the same way."
He looked at Jason, sizing him up. He was taller than him, but he wasn't intimidated. He could see that Jason was angry. He looked at his watch.
He grabbed Carli's empty pastry box and water bottle from the table, stuffed them in the brown paper bag, and grinned. "Let me throw this away for us. See you around Red," he said winking at her. He turned and walked away, his swagger intact.
Jason reached for her and she went into his embrace. He kissed her forehead. "You okay?" he asked.
"Yes, I am now," she sighed.
"Let's go. I think we need to talk." His eyes looked grim.
Carli felt that guilty pang growing. She nodded. She took up her bag with the gift she had just placed in it and followed Jason to the parking lot, to his car. He unlocked the car door for her and she slid inside.
Jason slid inside the car. He looked at her. He didn't start the engine.
"You wanna tell me what happened back there?" he asked. His voice was gentle but his eyes said no nonsense.
Carli sighed. Time to confess everything girl. She thought.
"That was Matthew. My once upon a time best friend."
"You arranged to meet him here?" Jason's eyes were boring into her.
Time to bear your soul. Tell him everything. She thought.
"No. This morning I woke up with one intention and that was to buy you a gift for Christmas. I can't afford much but I wanted to buy you something to show how much you mean to me. So I got my aunt to drop me off here at the mall and I was walking around from store to store to see if I could get you something nice. It just so happened that I walked into the jewelry store Matt worked in." Carli looked away from his gaze and looked at her lap.
She continued, "I never told him it was for you. I don't know why but I felt awkward. I made him believe it was for my dad." She sighed. "He helped me pick out this lovely gold and silver chain with a pendant. I was about to leave when he told me he had something to tell me about Simone, my other best friend he got pregnant. He was going to buy himself something to eat and he asked if I wanted anything. I told him a chocolate muffin and bottled water ..."
"How did the kiss come in?" Jason asked interrupting her. "I guess a better question is why didn't you push him off you? Or did you?"
He turned around put the key in the ignition and started the car. He drove off slowly. Upon exiting the mall's parking lot he sped up the car a little bit. He was taking her to his old place. He needed to do some packing anyway.
"Well?" He looked over at her briefly then turned his attention back on the road.
"I was crying," she said now remorseful.
"Why?" he asked. He gripped the steering wheel tighter.
Carli could see his knuckles bulging as he held the steering.
"He did something," she paused.
"Carli, what did he do?" His sounded frustrated.
Carli sighed.
"He made the cafe shop attendant heat up the muffin in the microwave for me. I guess I was touched that he remembered that I like my pastries heated up if they're not fresh from the oven," she said. "I missed little things like that he used to do for me, so I got emotional and cried like a fool."
"And he kissed you to comfort you?" Jason said feeling numb. "And you didn't push him away?"
Carli felt angry with herself. She should have left that store when she had the chance.
"I hadn't spoken to him in almost a year," Carli said trying to explain her actions. "I missed my friend. He took advantage of how I was feeling."
"Did you kiss him back?" Jason asked. They were driving on Old Hope Road heading to Papine.
He looked at Carli. She still had her head down. He glanced at the road then looked at her. They were coming up on some traffic. The light turned red, he eased off the gas, gently pressed down on the brake and waited. The car slowed to a stop.
"Carli," he said. "Look at me."
She looked up at him. She had been crying.
He wanted to console her but he needed to know the truth.
"I'm gonna ask you something and I need you to be honest with me. And Carli if you love me, please tell me the whole truth. Don't fix it up for me. I can take it."
Carli nodded. Tears streamed down her face.
"Did you kiss him back?" Jason asked.
Carli nodded. "A little. I didn't open my mouth, but I kinda did kiss him a little bit."
Jason closed his eyes. "Do you have feelings for him. He seems to be a rough kind of guy but maybe that's what you like."
He was glad she thought of buying something for him but knowing how it was purchased marred the sentiment for him.
"No judgement here. I just wanna know the truth. Do you love him?' he asked.
"I am very fond of him, and maybe I do have feelings for him, but I wouldn't call it love," she said. She was wiping her eyes, trying to dry them with her fingers. Jason went into his glove compartment and took out a napkin and gave it to her. She took it and carefully dried her eyes.
Jason touched her face. "Carli, you are everything I ever wanted. You're everything I want: you're kind, beautiful, patient, you can cook," he paused smiling at her. " ... and you're really smart."
Carli looked at him.
"But," he continued, "if I am not what you want, if what I'm offering isn't enough for you, I won't hold you back. You can go be with him or do anything else you wanna do."
A car horn honked behind them. He pressed his foot on the gas gently so that the car could inch forward in the traffic. He looked at the line of traffic before him. It was moving slowly.
"I love you and I'm ready to commit my life to you, but maybe you aren't ready," he said. His voice sounded sad.
"I think we need some space. Maybe this job in Montego Bay is what we need to figure how we feel, more so how you really feel. If you wanna be locked down with me or you want him," Jason said rubbing his stubbly jaw.
"Jason, he was angry with me," Carli said. "I don't know what he was going to do to me before you intervened. I have always known him as a cool guy but since he kissed me, he ... "
"You mean since you guys kissed the first time," Jason interrupted her.
Carli looked away from him and out the passenger side window of the car.
"Since we kissed," she continued. "He has been acting crazy. He's not the same person. He would never handle me like that. Never."
Jason looked at her while watching the progress of the traffic. He inched his car further up as space became available.
"He's in love with you," Jason said. "He's in love with you, but doesn't know how to express it. You told me that you've been friends for a very long time. Right?"
Carli nodded.
"And it's just after the kiss he's been acting this way?" Jason asked.
"Yes," Carli said nodding.
"Yeah. He doesn't know how to process how he feels especially since he's had feelings for you for some time. He probably felt like you would have rejected him if he approached you directly, so he kept it in until it overflowed, so to speak," he said. Jason inched the car forward in the traffic.
"Now that he knows you have a boyfriend he's probably very jealous and kicking himself right now for not doing something about his feelings sooner. I think you should talk to him, and if there is something, some spark between you two, explore it. I'm willing to back off if you need me to."
Carli couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You don't trust me?"
"Do you want me to?" His voice was dripping with sarcasm.
"Jason, honey I'm sorry. It was a mistake. I didn't mean for it to happen." Carli pleaded with him.
"I'm sorry too 'Red'. Is that his nickname for you?" His voice was neutral but Carli saw his arms tensing on the steering.
She nodded. She felt like bawling her eyes out now. She loved Jason. She didn't want to lose him.
Jason saw that the traffic was clearing up as they approached UTECH. He relaxed his shoulders and pressed down a little more on the gas to increase their speed. They were drawing near to the Mona Commons community. He turned down John Golding Road and slowed down. He parked alongside the sidewalk. He looked over at Carli who was crying silently now.
"Carli, honey, there's no need to cry," Jason said. He felt hurt inside. "We've only known each other for three months. Maybe you think you love me, but it's the physical attraction that's talking. Maybe it's the same for me." He thought about what he just said. Maybe it was.
Maybe Omie was right all along? Maybe it's my sexual need that's fueling my desire to be in a relationship with Carli? Maybe we're rushing things?
He leaned back in the car seat and mused to himself. I need time to think. The time in Montego Bay would be good for both of us. Uncle Pat was wise in telling me to give her some space. I need to go see him this Sunday but not with Carli.
Jason sat up. He spoke, "I'm going to go fetch some clothes and other stuff. I'll be about ten minutes or so. Won't take long."
Jason pulled the car door and stepped out of the vehicle. He closed the door and walked towards the community.
Carli watched him walk away. To her it felt like he was walking away from the relationship.
Why did I allow Matt to kiss me?
Why did I kinda kiss him back? I did a little.
Why do I all of a sudden see him sexually?
Do I really have feelings for him beyond a friend.
She leaned back in the seat.
She felt like she was going to be sick to her stomach.
She knew she loved Jason.
She did love him or did she? If she loved him why would she allow Matt to touch her like that?
Why didn't she tell Matt from the beginning that the gift was for Jason.
Why didn't she stop him when he kissed her?
Why did she feel this new attraction?
And if she loved Jason ... Why? Why didn't she tell Matt about him from the beginning.
She was torturing herself.
Carli felt nauseous. She stepped out of the vehicle and ran over to a part of the sidewalk where there was some dirt and vomited.
She wrapped her arms around her waist as her body convulsed. She felt the food come up and she vomited some more. She bent forward, feeling weak. Just then she felt strong hands hold onto her arms. She was trembling. She shook violently as the last bit came out. She felt really ill now.
Jason held onto her. Her body was trembling.
He lifted her in his arms and brought her back to the car. She had left the car door open but fortunately nobody took advantage. He placed her in the car and slammed the door shut. He went back to the spot where she vomited and used his shoes to kick up dirt to cover the mess. After he did this, he went back to the spot where he had dropped his bag and a small two burner hot plate, and picked them up. He opened the car trunk and carefully placed them inside. He slammed the car trunk shut and returned to the front of the car. He looked in at her.
"You okay? You wanna go again?" he asked. His voice was gentle.
Carli shook her head.
Jason slid inside the vehicle and closed the door. He used the back of his hand to gauge the temperature of her forehead. She felt a bit warm. "Lean back. I'm gonna take you home. Okay?"
Carli nodded.
Jason quickly started the engine and they drove off. He brought her to his apartment. He lifted her out of the car and carried her up the stairs to his room. He allowed her to lean on him as he opened the door.
He lifted her and carried her into the room and laid her on the bed. He sat on the bed, placed her feet in his lap and unstrapped her sandals. He laid them on the floor. He stood up, took out his cellphone and called Carli's aunt and told her that Carli was feeling sick and that it might be a mild case of food poisoning. He was going to allow her to sleep at his house tonight and in the morning he would bring her back to her place. Sandra agreed and told him to call her later to let her know how she felt. He agreed and hung up.
"I'm gonna make you some broth. Okay?" he said, looking at her worried.
Carli stretched out her hand to him. Jason sat on the bed and touched her hand.
"Jason, I'm sorry," she said. "I never meant to make you upset or to hurt you. I don't know why I feel this way now. Matt was always my friend. I don't think I want more from him. Especially after the way he behaved today."
Jason touched her face. "I think I understand him. To be friends with a beautiful girl like you and not be sure if I will ever have you would probably drive me crazy too. I don't think I would take my frustration out on you the way he did. I would probably distance myself from you, but people deal with frustration in different ways."
"Please I wanna work things out, please," she pleaded, her eyes watering again. He looked at Carli. Now he understood why Matt kissed her. Even in her vulnerable state, all teary eyed, she was beautiful. Her tears pulled at something masculine in him that wanted to protect her. He needed her to calm down.
Jason leaned forward and brushed his lips on her forehead. "Relax. I'm here. Not going anywhere. Even if we're just friends. I'll be here," Jason said. He was gonna keep it real. He wasn't sure if continuing the relationship after what happened was a good idea at this time, but he wouldn't totally cut her off. She needed more time to figure out what she wanted. He wanted her, but needed to be sure he could trust her.
Carli turned her back to him. She was crying quietly but he could see her body shaking. Jason took off his shoes and placed them by the door. He climbed into the bed with her, gathered her in his arms and cuddled her. He kissed her forehead. One hand stroked her face gently while the other held her close.
After a while of being in this position, he noticed that her body had relaxed and her breathing had changed. He gently moved her away from him so he could see her face. She was asleep. He was relieved. He gently laid her on the bed trying not to wake her. He watched her sleep for a while then sighed. He had never seen this side of her.
Did she get sick because she thought she was gonna lose him? He wondered.
He didn't want to hurt her. He loved her, but he wanted her to be sure about their love. The time in Montego Bay was a blessing in more ways than one.
He grabbed his car keys from the table. He would go out and buy some things to make some soup for her. He would buy some cooked food for himself. Something spicy. He felt like eating Chinese.
He headed down stairs and jumped in his car, started the engine and backed the car out of the parking lot carefully, then drove off.
***
Sandra was worried about Carli. She dialed Jason's number. He answered after about five rings. It sounded like he was on the road.
"Hello," he answered.
"Hi," she said. "It's me."
"I know aunt Sandra." His voice sounded different.
"Where are you now?" she asked.
"I'm heading back home. I went on the road to buy something to make some soup for her. Well, more like chicken broth," he said.
"I wanna see her, please text me your address."
Jason sighed. "Okay. I will text you the address as soon as we hang up."
"Okay," Sandra said and ended the call.
Within a minute she received a text from Jason. She read it. She knew exactly where this was. She called Lissa. Sandra was still at work.
"Hey honey. I'm going over to Jason's. Carli is there. He called and told me that Carli is there with him. She's not feeling well. No, you don't need to come with me. I'll handle it. Yes, I will call you when I get home." Sandra hung up.
She called her secretary and told her she was stepping out for about an hour or two, so she should push back her appointments a little later. She got up from her desk and pushed her chair under the table.
She looked at the sign on her office door. 'Dixon and Dixon Realtors' it said. She was proud of the business she and her husband had built from the ground up, but her greatest pleasure was being a mom. Her niece needed her in that capacity now. She grabbed her bag from the table, opened her office door and closed it behind her.
***
Matt felt like a fool. Why had he done that? He had lost his cool. He told himself that he would be patient with her. Why did he rail up like that? Then that big guy came along. He wasn't going to harm her. To be honest he wasn't sure what he was going to do when he lifted her to her feet from the chair.
He probably would have kissed her some more, but that wouldn't have been good. They were both angry. He took a deep breath and dialed her number. There was a lull in the number of customers who came in to the store. The cashier had gone on her break and his supervisor had stepped out to smoke a cigarette.
Carli has a boyfriend. Wow! He could hardly believe it. Why hadn't she said something?
Maybe she was afraid of how I would react. I wonder if that necklace was really for her dad or was it for this Jason guy? He thought. I need to apologize for my behaviour.
The phone began ringing. Matt heard a male voice answer the phone. It must be the boyfriend. He thought.
Jason had stepped inside his apartment to hear Carli's phone ringing. He went into her bag and retrieved it and saw a strange number. He had a funny feeling about it. He answered the call. His instincts were right. It was that guy at the mall. Carli's supposed best friend.
"Carli. Hello?" Matt said.
"Yes hello," he said. "Carli can't talk now, she's asleep." His voice was icy cold to Matt's ears.
"Okay," he said. "Would you tell her I called and that I'm really sorry."
"What are you sorry for exactly?" Jason asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"For the way I acted," Matt said. He sighed and took a breath.
Jason heard Matt take a deep breath.
"I see. Look you may have been her best friend at one point in time, but I'm here now and I won't tolerate anyone taking advantage of her." Jason's voice clipped coldly over the phone line.
"Bro," Matt said trying not to lose his cool with this guy. "I didn't know she had a boyfriend. She told me after we kissed. There's one thing I wanna know, if you can answer this question for me," Matt said.
Jason felt angry but tried to compose himself. "Go ahead," he said.
"Carli bought a chain today. She told me it was for her dad." Matt paused. A revelation came to his mind. "I assumed it was for her dad,
but she was nervous when I asked her what she wanted to purchase. The gift, it was for you, wasn't it?"
"Yes, it was," Jason answered tersely.
"Wow!" Matt was surprised. "She must really like you. Her parents are in a financial bind and she sacrifices to buy something for you. I am jealous, bruh." Matt chuckled.
Jason heard what he said. It was the part about her family being in a financial bind that stuck in his ear.
"This financial trouble you say her parents are in. How do you know this?" Jason probed.
"How do I know this?" Matt repeated his question.
"My parents and her parents are close friends. My mom and hers worked at the same place for a while. They're still good friends. Her mom told my mom. That's how I found out," he replied.
Jason listened.
"Carli said nothing to you?" Matt asked surprised.
Jason kept silent.
Matt chuckled. "Well she never said anything to me either, but she hasn't been talking to me," he said.
"Listen, I'm the least of your problems," Matt continued. "Carli has always been the type to keep things close to her chest. Now that I know she has someone I'll back off. I wish you the best of luck though, she's a good girl, but she takes a while to trust, but if you get her to do that, you're a lucky man. Please tell her my apologies and she won't have to worry about me." Matt hung up.
Jason looked at the phone. That was weird. He thought. He looked around at Carli. She was still asleep. He would talk to her after she woke up. He needed to cook the broth for her. He went back to the car to retrieve the hot plate and brought it upstairs. He moved the small table in the room away from the doorway and put it closer to one of the apartment's windows and carefully perched the hot plate on it. This was temporary he would go for his stove and other appliances tomorrow.
He had bought a noodle soup mix, some vegetables: carrots, pumpkin, potatoes and cho cho. He also bought some callaloo. He would strip the callaloo and chop up the leaves to add flavor to the soup. He got a plastic bag and laid on the floor beside his feet and also spread some newspaper on the floor to catch the skins he would be stripping from the vegetables.
His unit was equipped with a small kitchenette space with a sink but no kitchen counter. He washed the vegetable in the sink and began peeling them and cutting them in cubes. He worked quickly. He filled a pot he brought over with him with some water and dropped the veggies inside when it started boiling up.
He heard a knock on the door and opened it to see Carli's aunt. She pushed passed him. "Is she okay?" she asked. She was worried.
Jason touched his finger to his lips indicating that she should be quiet. He pointed to his bed. Sandra looked over and saw that Carli was sleeping.
"What happened?" Sandra whispered.
Jason closed the door and went back to tending to the broth he was making for his Carli.
"She saw her friend Matthew at the mall, they decided to eat and chit chat. She ate something that didn't agree with her and she vomited it up," Jason said to her.
"Oh I see," she responded. She needed to call Sharon and ask her if she knew Matthew was in Kingston.
"What were you doing there?" Sandra asked eyeing him curiously.
"I actually went there to get something for Carli for Christmas." He took the peeled skins out of the sink and dropped them onto the newspapers spread out on the floor. He then deposited them in the plastic bag on the floor.
Sandra looked around the apartment. Not bad, she thought to herself. A little bare but with additional furniture and fixtures it could be very comfortable.
"I brought some pajamas, underwear and an extra change of clothes for Carli," she said. She unzipped her work bag and took out the clothes she had placed in a plastic bag. "Where should I put them?" she asked.
"Just rest them on the bed," he directed.
Sandra did so. "So she's gonna spend the whole day here?" she asked.
"If she wants to," Jason answered. "If she wants to go back to your place I'll take her, but there are some things she and I need to discuss."
"You're still celibate, right?" Sandra asked.
Jason laughed softly. "Yes. I am until the day I get married," he said looking directly into her eyes. He wasn't ashamed.
Sandra nodded. "Okay. Alright, she's sleeping. Please tell her I came by with the change of clothes. Oh, and I brought her a toothbrush." She retrieved a pink toothbrush case out of her bag and handed it to Jason, who took it and placed it beside his in the bathroom. When he returned Sandra was standing by the door.
"Take care of her for me," she said.
Jason nodded. "I will," he said.
"About that thing you wanted me to check out for you?", Sandra inquired.
"I'll call you," Jason said.
She nodded. She looked over at Carli still sleeping.
She would allow them to play this out. She smiled at Jason who smiled back. She opened the door and closed it behind her. Jason was relieved that she left, he needed to talk to Carli alone.
This news about her parents sounded serious. He needed to find out how serious and if he could help somehow. He also needed to know where they stood. He needed to know if she only had eyes for him, or if friendship was the better option. He couldn't imagine just being her friend though, thinking about it, he could sympathise with Matthew a little bit.
When she woke up he reheated the broth and gave it to her in a wooden bowl he bought a few weeks before. He gave her a plastic spoon.
"Sorry," he said smiling apologetically. "I'll get better stuff soon."
She just smiled and drank it without a word.
Jason climbed on the bed and sat beside her.
"Matt called," he said.
Carli froze. She looked at him dismayed.
"Forgive me for answering your phone but you were asleep. He sort of explained what happened. He also apologized for his behavior. He sounded sincere," Jason said watching her closely. "Carli, I'm not mad at you. In some way I do believe he loves you, but I love you too. I love you enough to let you go. In the beginning I said I wanted us to take things slow, but we haven't really done that have we?"
He placed his hand over hers. "I want you to be sure about me. I don't want you to have any doubt. The truth is we've only known each other for about three months now. There is so much I don't know about you. Your friend told me about your parents. That they are in a financial bind."
Carli nodded. "Paying for my college education is putting a strain on their money," she said, her face sad. "I'm thinking of doing a part-time job next semester."
Jason nodded. "That might be a good idea." He touched her arm. "If there's anything you want me to do to help, let me know. Okay?"
Okay," she replied.
"Seriously, Carli. Your friend, Matt, told me you keep things inside. Don't keep things from me."
Carli stopped sipping the broth and looked at him.
"Promise me," he said, his eyes sincere.
"I promise," she said. He was being so understanding with her. Yes, she would open up more to him.
"Let's take things slow for real this time. Let's forget about my marriage proposal for now. I want to know everything I should know about you. Inside and out. And I want you to know me."
Carli understood. They did rush things. "Friends?" she asked
"Friends, yes," he said, squeezing her hand a little.
"Oh, and your aunt came by. She brought some sleepover clothes. So you have permission to spend the day with me till tomorrow. Okay?"
She nodded. She wanted to be with him.
"She was here?", Carli asked. She was a bit surprised. She would call her later.
"Mhm yes, she was," Jason answered.
He put his arm around her. He smiled at her. She smiled shyly back at him. He was so patient with her. She was thankful.
"So tell me, how did you get the name 'Red'?" he asked, an amused look on his face.
Carli smiled as she remembered.
"It's a long story," she replied.
"I've got time," he said.
Hear me read a few lines from this chapter here:
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Chapter 14: Laying foundations
After Carli finished drinking the broth Jason made, she got up and went to the bathroom to brush her teeth. She turned on the faucet, gathered some water in the palm of her hands and washed her face thoroughly. Then she rinsed her mouth.
She reached for the tooth brush, put some toothpaste on it, and brushed her teeth and tongue. There was a bottle with some mouth wash in it. Carli rinsed the tooth paste out of her mouth and used a little of the mouthwash to gargle her throat and swilled the liquid around in her mouth. She spat it out and rinsed her mouth thoroughly.
When she returned to the room Jason had already washed her soup bowl, spoon and the pot he used to cook it in. He was drying his hand on an old t-shirt he had placed on the faucet top of the kitchen sink. She went over to him and put her arms around his waist, looking up at him. Jason bent forward and kissed her forehead. He threw the old t-shirt in the sink behind him.
"Thank you for feeding me," she chuckled. "I liked it. It's been awhile since I've had any type of soup."
Jason placed his arms around her. "It was my pleasure," he said. She saw Chinese takeout perched on the hot plate. "Gonna eat sumn?", she asked.
"Mhm," he said.
She left his embrace, took up the bag and brought it to the bed. Jason watched her. What is she doing? he wondered.
She took out a plastic container with the chicken and rested it in her lap. She motioned for him to sit beside her, patting the bed. Opening the plastic dish, she took out a chicken wing, bit into it then handed the container to him. Jason laughed and took it from her.
Carli got up, went to the kitchen faucet. She then went on tip toe and opened the cupboards. She found the large plastic container he used to store his utensils and took out a fork for him, then covered the container and closed the cupboard door. She went back to the bed and handed the fork to him smiling. Jason smiled broadly. She was indeed something else, he thought. A beautiful something else.
He started eating. The food was no longer hot but he didn't mind. It was still delicious.
He looked over at her. "So tell me how you got the name Red?"
"When I was fourteen I was transferred from my old high school to a new one where Matthew was," she said. "I was very nervous but Matt was very friendly and made me feel welcome."
"One day I left school and was walking to the bus stop to take a taxi to go home when the class bully stopped me. He was trying to get my attention for about three weeks but I did my best to ignore him. I think he wanted me to be his girlfriend or sumn like that." Carli looked over at Jason who smiled reassuringly at her. He handed her a paper napkin, and she wiped her hands in it and gave it back to him. Jason placed it in the bag.
"His name was Leroy," Carli said chuckling. "Anyhoo, he hit my books out of my hands and then tussled with me to grab my bag from off my back. I was a little afraid of him but my parents, well my mom especially always told me to never back down from a bully." Carli tucked her feet under her buttocks. Jason inched closer so she could feel his body near her.
"I tried to ignore him. So I picked up my books and then he pulled them out of my hands again. I said to him, 'Leave me alone or I will do something you will regret'. I attempted to take up my books again and he pushed me. So I got angry. I got so angry I pushed him back, like really hard," Carli smiled at him. She bit the flesh off the chicken bones and chewed into the gristle. He pointed to the takeout bag.
"Put your bones in that," he said. Carli nodded and did as she was told.
"I pushed him and he fell to the ground. He got up, and he and I started wrestling. He slapped me so I kicked him in his knee. I believe he was about to punch me when Matt intervened and beat him up for me. We've been good friends ever since, Matt and I." Carli looked over at Jason, who was smiling at her.
She continued:
"So, how the name came about was that I was at school again and the same guy hid my school books. How I knew was that the kids told me it was him, and he was missing. It was lunch time and he was no where to be found. I usually brought lunch to school but that day I felt like having a patty with the sandwiches I brought with me. When I got back from the canteen the kids told me they saw him go into my bag and take out my school books."
"I had some red cool aid in my thermos. I went into his bag and took out his textbooks and poured the cool aid on all of them. Then I went into the principal's office and told him that Leroy was bullying me and that we fought on the road, that he hid my books and what I did in retaliation."
Jason laughed. Carli looked at him, she started laughing too.
"I got about two weeks of suspension, while Leroy got a month," Carli lay back on Jason's bed. "I was a chubby kid back then and stucky." Carli laughed. "I guess people thought I was a push over. Luckily, soon after that he got transferred to another school."
Jason dug into his rice mixing the meat and gravy from one container to the other. "Well, you showed him," he said chuckling. "Did you get your books back?"
"Yeah, his parents made him give me back my books the next day. The incident happened on Thursday. The principal allowed us to finish the week, so we were allowed to go to school the Friday. Friday morning he came with my books and his parents made him apologize and hand the books to me in front of the class," she said. "My parents however had to pay for the price of the textbooks I ruined."
She lay down, turned on her side and looked at him. Jason finished eating quickly. He cracked the chicken bones in his mouth and sucked out the marrow. Carli watched him amused.
Jason saw how she was watching him and chuckled. He spat out the chewed bones into his hand then dropped them in the bag. "What?" he asked her smiling.
"And I thought I was the only foodie around here," she quipped.
Jason chuckled. "You got me," he said smiling at her. He got up from the bed and checked if there were any crumbs on the sheet. He didn't see any rice grains or anything like that. He brushed off the bed anyway. Carli followed his lead, checking her side and brushing off the sheet. He looked over at Carli's side. He didn't see anything. He went into the tiny kitchen and dropped the remains of his lunch in the large plastic bag he had deposited the vegetable skins in, then went into the bathroom to wash his hands, his mouth and brushed his teeth and tongue.
When he came back into the room Carli had her eyes closed. He climbed onto the bed and looked at her. She had loosened her scrunchie just a little bit so her hair wasn't neatly piled on the top of her head. It was the most gorgeous look on her he'd ever seen.
He touched her face. "Continue your story. I wanna understand you," he said. Carli reached out and pulled him down beside her. He laughed softly and looked at her as he lay next to her. She giggled.
"I can have a really bad temper like my mom," she said. "Only thing my fuse is a bit longer than hers." Carli looked at him.
"I'm like my dad in that I like my peace. I don't like confrontation but that doesn't mean I won't fight. I will fight for what I want and I will fight for what belongs to me." She reached out and touched Jason's face.
Jason realized that she was sending him a subtle message. Strangely, it was a turn on for him. He held her hand and kissed the palm.
"What happened between you and Matthew?" he asked, his eyes kind.
"It's been a while since I've seen him and I used to be an insecure kid. There were little things he used to do to reassure me, you know, like he used to heat up pastry for me when I visited his house and he would rub my back when I'm scared to do something, especially if I'm doing it for the first time."
"I would also be afraid to speak up for myself so he would speak for me. It would annoy the teachers but it was just how I coped. So one day I had this class presentation to do and I was afraid to go up and say anything, so he said to me 'just like how you weren't scared to pour red cool aid on Leroy's books, think of the red cool aid and how brave you were and be 'Red'."
Jason laughed. Carli giggled
"So when he sees that I'm scared of something he says be Red. The name stuck and so he calls me Red as a name that represents our years of friendship," she said chuckling.
"Is there a reason you've been this insecure? Anything happen?" Jason asked.
"Yeah, well, I was short and chubby. I wasn't always this beautiful," Carli said giggling. She rolled her eyes. Jason got that she was joking but to him she was beautiful.
"Besides that, my mom had a brother that wasn't always on the straight and narrow, but he was my uncle Chip, Chipton ..." she said. She saw Jason's expression, a smile curling up his lips.
She chuckled. "Look, I don't judge. If that is what my grandparents wanted to call him, it's their business. My mom once told me her aunt said her parents wanted to name her and aunt Sandra, Chefon and Shevon. Fortunately, my grand aunt intervened and gave them sensible names."
Jason chuckled. Carli smiled and giggled a little.
Jason sobered up. "So you have an uncle?"
Carli's countenance became sad. "I had an uncle, he was murdered," Carli said. "He was living with us when it happened. They came in on us and shot him up right in front of me. I was the only one at home with him at the time. My parents had gone to work. He was my babysitter, so to speak. He had moved in with us and hadn't gotten a job yet so he said he would watch me and my mom would give him a little change to pick me up from school and keep me occupied. I actually learned a few baking skills from him."
"Really?" Jason asked.
"Mhm, he was living with us for about two years."
Carli could feel the back of her eyes stinging with held back tears. Jason noticed her sad expression and pulled her to him. He hugged her.
"He said he just wanted to spend time with his favorite sister. He was the baby of the three of them. My mom is the middle child. Uncle Chip would get himself in trouble growing up but it wasn't anything serious. Apparently, he owed some bad people money and he was running away from them. He didn't think they would find him where we were. We had to move after that from May Pen to Mandeville."
"How did they find him?" Jason asked.
"Not sure. He had started working after awhile. Maybe someone saw him on his way to work or sumn. Don't know," she said.
"Where was he living before he came to stay with your family?" Jason asked. He put her away from him slightly so he could see her face.
She looked away from him.
"He was living in Kingston," she said.
"I'm sorry for what happened to your uncle," Jason said softly. He pulled her close to him.
"I lost my cousin to gun violence. It is a painful experience," he said.
Carli looked at him. "Were you and he close?" Carli asked him.
"Yeah, he was kinda like a big brother. He kinda helped raise me. He was much older than me. When I was twelve, he was nineteen," Jason answered. "When he died I was fourteen. I had blood in my eye, and my dad was no comfort. He told me my cuz deserved to die."
Carli was shocked. "Why would he say that?'
"My cousin would hang out with the gangsters in my old neighborhood. He was in the gang thing for a while, then his girlfriend got pregnant, and he said he wanted to change for her and his daughter."
Carli placed her hand on Jason's chest. She could feel his heartbeat through the soft button down shirt he was wearing.
Jason stared at the ceiling as he recalled the day his cousin died. "Tewayne, that was his name. Tewayne said he was going to go to a party on my side of the community. About two weeks before there was a drive-by shooting on my side by guys that came from his side. So the area was tense."
"The don on my side said he wanted peace and said he wanted to keep a party to mend relations with the other side. The leader for my cousin's side said he accepted. So they met and made plans as to how things would work, you know, to make sure nothing silly happened. The don from my side of the community told his young chargies to stand down and not do anything: 'We're gonna keep a party, we're having a peace party", he told them."
"Well, the young bucks weren't having it. They pretended like they agreed and in the early hours of the dance everything seemed okay, but when it got in full swing they executed their plan. They shot a few of the guys from the other side and my cousin was hit because he was standing with them."
"How do you know this?" Carli asked, impressed with how detailed he told the story.
"I snuck out to go to the dance," he said simply. "I saw everything. Later on I heard people talking about the plot the young men had. Police eventually caught some of them, but I wasn't the same after that. I was always angry. I wanted revenge. I would back answer my mom. I would fight at school, then I wouldn't go to school. I was living with my dad when I was twelve up until I was fourteen years old then he sent me back home. After that my mom allowed me to stay with Marsha's family. I think though that she knew I was hanging out with the gang too. Somebody probably told her."
Carli placed her right leg over his and lifted herself up on her elbow to look at him. He looked at her. She touched his face. "I'm glad you're still here," she said gently. "I'm glad you went to spend time at Marsha's to live."
She lowered her head, placed a soft kiss on his lips then lifted her head. "That's all you're gonna get," she said cheekily.
"That's fine. It will last me a long time," he said, his eyes showing his affection.
"Were there reprisals after that?" Carli asked.
"Yep, but fortunately the police were able to squash it. Some of the guys on both sides got killed by the police and their rivals, while others fled and never came back."
"I'm glad you survived that," she said looking at him, her eyes showing the way she felt about him.
"Me too," he said smiling at her.
"So aunt Sandra is the oldest sibling?" Jason asked, curious.
"Yeah. My mom is the middle child but she is more rigid while my aunt is ..." Carli paused. She laughed. "Well you can see how she is."
Jason laughed too. "Yeah," he said. He knew what she was talking about. Jason was quite fond of her aunt.
Jason stared at Carli intently. There was a light in her eyes whenever she laughed. He couldn't imagine not seeing her face for over a month. He knew it was going to be hard for him.
He cupped her face and looked into her eyes.
"If I never took this vow I would lay you down and show you just how crazy I am about you. How hungry you make me feel," he said. "I would make love to you to the point where you would be like 'Matthew who?' I can't deny I was jealous when you told me he kissed you. I want you Carli. I want you to be mine and mine alone."
He gripped her bottom and squeezed. "If I could, I would ravish you, and take you over and over again until morning, until we both can't walk straight. Then I would feed you with your favorite meal and make love to you all over again."
Carli shivered with delight. She closed her eyes and bit her lower lip. "I wish you would," she said. Her loins ached and she was getting wet for him.
"Jason you're making me wet down there," she said softly. She reached out and touched his belly. She brushed her hand on the fabric of his shirt then slipped her hand inside it and the cotton t-shirt he was wearing underneath and touched his skin. His skin was smooth with soft, silky hair snaking down from his chest to past the waist of his pants, to a place where she had not been allowed to go. But now she would test the waters.
Looking into his eyes she moved her hand lower and squeezed his crotch area. She felt him. He was slightly aroused, but as she caressed him, she felt him harden in her hand.
Jason closed his eyes. He bit his lower lip. Carli wanted to touch him. She was curious about how he felt and what he looked like.
"Jason, forgive me, but I wanna see you. I wanna touch you and...," she paused. "I wanna know how you taste," she said. She squeezed him more tightly as she felt his member grow harder.
Carli licked her lips then bit her lower lip. Slowly, she pulled his zipper down, and slipped her hand inside his pants and caressed him through his underwear. He didn't stop her.
He opened his eyes and looked at her. There was a sense of surrender in his gaze. Carli moved her body down on the bed so that her face was at the level of his crotch. She pulled the button of his pants then looked up at him. He didn't stop her. Tentatively, she tugged at the waist of his boxer briefs and slipped her hand inside and held him. He was warm and throbbing. She stroked him slowly, enjoying his warm, hard thickness in her hand.
"Do I have permission to taste you?" she asked.
Jason nodded. His gaze burning into her. "Yes," he breathed.
Carli used both hands and unbuckled his belt. Jason lifted his hips and pulled his pants and boxer briefs below his hips.
Carli stared at him. He was beautiful. She gazed at his hard, strong erection. She never saw one in real life before, but she didn't think she wanted to see any other for the rest of her life.
She held him again. This time with greater appreciation. She stroked him slowly.
Carli heard Jason groan and whisper her name. She came closer and tentatively rested her lips on him. There was a manly scent that she noticed. It wasn't overpowering, it was subtle with just the right amount of soap fragrance. She groaned.
She opened her mouth and tasted him. Covering him with her lips, she closed her eyes and began moving her mouth up and down over him. She heard him whisper her name in a deep guttural voice.
She couldn't explain how what she was doing made her feel. She found herself making sounds too as she pleasured him. She opened her eyes and groaned deeply. She watched his reaction to her love making. His eyes were closed and he was breathing heavily.
Carli was enjoying what she was doing to him. He tasted so good to her and the intimacy of the moment made her loins throb. She was getting more moist. She felt the muscles down there clench and release. She had never felt that before. It felt really good. She imagined his hard thickness inside her while this was happening.
"Jason, you're so sweet. Like sweet sugar cane," she said, her voice soft and sultry.
She heard him call her name telling her that he wanted to be inside her. She longed for that too, but her focus now was satisfying him like this. She never knew she could feel this way. His taste, his hardness made her weak. She desperately wanted to please him. Carli made guttural sounds. He was driving her crazy. She wanted to see him tremble in ecstasy.
As his breathing grew faster, she moved faster on him wanting him to feel good. She lifted her head, took her hand and stroked him a little faster. He felt so nice and thick in her hand. She bit her lips as she imagined him inside her.
Carli watched him closely. She noticed that he was moving his hips in time with her strokes. She wanted to know if he was close.
"Baby, are you almost there?" she asked him.
"Yes baby," he said his breathing shallow. He groaned.
She moved her hand faster, stroking him as fast as she could. When he groaned louder, she stroked harder then gripped his hips and covered him with her mouth as he climaxed.
He lifted himself, gripping her shoulders. He moved his hips, jerked and thrusted inside her mouth. Carli grunted and moaned as she felt his thrusts and heard him cry out.
When he was finished he lay back breathing heavily. Carli sat up and looked at him. She had the option of going to the bathroom and washing out her mouth or swallowing. She swallowed him.
After awhile, Jason's breathing returned to normal. He opened his eyes and looked at her. It had been a long time since he felt a woman's touch, but Carli made the experience even more intense for him. She sat there watching him, a strange look on her face. He opened his arms and she lay on top of him. He was willing to return the favor if she wanted him to. He stroked her hair.
"Do you want me to ..." he chuckled at himself for being shy about saying it.
"Do you want me to pleasure you?" he asked, his voice deepened.
Carli liked the fact that he was being direct.
"No, not yet," she said. She had been selfish earlier, wanting to taste him, but now she didn't want him to plunge deeper into the transgression they committed.
Jason turned his head slightly to see her face as she lay on him. "Are you sure? I wouldn't have wanted to break my vow, but I think we're past the point of no return now. I'm yours. I belong to you. I want to do this. I'm not allowing you to go home unsatisfied."
Jason caressed her bottom and gently squeezed. "I heard you making those sounds Carli. I know you want some."
She chuckled. "You taste really good to me," she said. "I lost myself."
"As did I," he said. "I belong to you now. There's no turning back. I want to lose myself with you one more time."
"But if you do it. Your vow."
"My vow was broken the minute I pulled down my pants and allowed you to go down on me." He touched her face. "Come what may, I will bear it for you. Just let me know you'll always be here with me."
Carli looked into his eyes. She saw a hint of fear. His vow meant a lot to him. She leaned her head into his touch. She loved him. What they did meant a lot to her too. "I'm here. I'm not going no where," she said.
"Then let me give you something you won't forget," he said, looking deeply into her eyes.
Carli nodded. She longed for his touch.
He rolled over on top of her and kissed her deeply savoring the taste of her lips. He stood up, readjusted his clothes quickly and came to her. He sat upright on the bed and pulled her up towards him, making her sit on top of him. He kissed her passionately. He lifted her blouse over her head and threw it away from them. Quickly, he unhooked her bra and dropped it to the floor. He looked at her. She was beautiful.
"You are so beautiful," he breathed. "Like a dream come true."
He bent his head and cupped her breasts in his hands, skillfully massaging them. Carli arched her body, pushing her breasts up to receive his caresses. She put her hands on his shoulders.
His fingers gently teased her nipples until they hardened for him. Jason lowered his head and lifted her breasts, now swollen and perky with desire, to his eager lips. He buried his head between them and smelt a hint of her lavender fragrance. He groaned and breathed her in. Gently, he began suckling and pulling on each nipple. He felt like he couldn't get enough. He pulled on them a little harder. She moaned his name.
He lifted his head and looked into her eyes. "Carli, baby, are you mine?" he asked her. "Do you belong to me?" He needed to know.
"Yes," she breathed, looking at him. Her eyes were half open. His touch was driving her crazy.
"Do these beautiful breasts belong to me?" he asked, while teasing her nipples some more with his fingers.
"Yes, Jason," she said. "All of me belongs to you." Carli felt weak from his touch. There was no one else she wanted to touch her like this.
He bent his head again and continued his onslaught on her senses, pulling and suckling her nipples. He trailed a line of kisses from the hardened peaks to the curve of her breasts, giving each individual attention. They were firm, but soft and smooth. He cupped them gently while teasing her.
Jason groaned. He felt like he would lose control. He wanted to be more rough with her, to grip her harder, but knew he needed to focus on her. He didn't want to scare her, but he wanted to bend her over and pierce her moist folds, thrusting hard and deep into her. He closed his eyes and began breathing slowly, deliberately, trying to control his primal urges.
Control yourself Jase, he thought, you love her, and it would be painful to do that to her now because it's her first time.
He needed to be gentle and control himself. He lovingly caressed her buttocks, telling her how hot she was making him feel, how he wanted to be deep inside of her and he loved her.
She was breathing heavily, moaning his name. His words and touch were intoxicating. She never wanted this feeling to end.
He passionately captured her lips with a kiss. He craved her. Pressing her into the bed, he lay on top of her and removed her shorts and panties then sat back, looking at her.
She was beautiful. Jason placed the palm of his hand on her pelvic bone. Carli closed her eyes. She was nervous.
"Carli, look at me," he said.
She opened her eyes.
"I'll be gentle with you. I won't hurt you. I'm gonna focus on you. I want you to enjoy your first time. Relax and trust me. It's gonna hurt a little bit in the beginning, but then it will feel better. I love you. I won't do anything to hurt you. Okay?"
Carli nodded nervously.
Jason lay on his belly and used his hands to part her legs. He looked at her. She was perfect. With one hand he gently cupped her and squeezed. The pressure of his hand on her intimate parts felt good. She moaned.
"You like that?" he asked her. His eyes hungrily took in her beauty. He would remember how she looked, even though he would be hundreds of miles away from her next week.
She nodded. He applied more pressure gently. She closed her eyes and opened her legs wider for him. He came closer, moved his hand, bent his head and blew on her. She shivered. Carli's breathing was shallow.
He parted her folds and found her most sensitive spot. Using his fingers he stroked her gently. He caressed her slowly wanting to learn what she liked.
Carli moaned softly.
"You like that?" he asked. His tone softened as he watched her. She nodded, her eyes closed.
He slipped one finger inside her. She was very moist. Jason bit his lip. He was enjoying this. He moved his finger in and out, watching how she responded. Carli reached her hand down and covered his. She moved his finger faster inside her.
"You want me to go faster?" he asked her. His voice was husky with desire.
"Yes," she moaned.
Jason pushed his finger deeper and increased the rhythm of his thrusts. She bit her lips and moaned louder, moving her hips. As his thrusts became more insistent she felt a sharp pain that made her gasp, but it was quickly replaced with a sweet, achy feeling.
"Jason, I need you, please," she moaned.
"Not yet baby. I have one more mission to fulfill."
She opened her eyes, looking at him confused. He held her gaze and licked his lips.
Carli gave him a coy smile and lay back. She closed her eyes.
Jason kissed her outer folds, pressing his lips on her flesh, remembering that squeezing her felt good to her. Carli called his name. She was lost in emotions. She could feel her body tensing; erotic sensations were building up in her loins, and fanning out through her body.
He parted her folds with trembling hands and used his tongue to lick her gently. She cried out. He suckled her realizing she had a distinct taste he liked. He was trembling from pent up passion. He needed to keep it together for her.
He grunted.
"You taste so good," he moaned.
Gently, he licked and suckled her sensitive spot until she was grinding and whining her hips; moaning softly and calling his name. Her breathing was more rushed. She told him that he was driving her crazy. He was happy to hear it, but was not yet satisfied.
He wanted her to explode for him. He wanted to see her shiver in ecstasy. Patiently, he kissed, licked and suckled her, savoring her taste and texture.
When he felt she was near her climax, he slipped his tongue inside her moving his head back and forth. She screamed his name, gripping his hair in her fingers. He felt her tremble and shiver under him. Jason groaned in response.
Yes baby! That's my girl! he thought.
He kissed her outer folds gently, applying just a little pressure. He felt her body shiver with an after shock. He smiled. He was satisfied now. He wanted to go all the way, but decided he would leave that to another time.
He moved up to the top of the bed, lifting her along with him. He grabbed a pillow and made her lay her head on it so she could rest.
"I love you," he said.
He tucked the other pillow under his head and watched her, amazed at what just happened between them. Carli looked at him too. She had imagined this moment with him, but it was nothing compared to this. He stroked her face.
"I love you. I belong to you now," she said. "You broke my hymen."
Jason was surprised. "How do you know?" he asked.
"I felt a sharp pain when your finger went deeper," she said.
Carli sat up and looked down on the bed. Where the ankle of her right leg was she could see a small spot of blood. She pointed to it. Jason raised himself up and looked at it. She was right. He reached out his hand and touched her tummy. He gazed at her with a sincere look on his face.
"I'll do my best to be worthy of it," he said.
He got up and went to his duffle bag and pulled out a baby blue flat sheet, a fitted sheet of similar color and a thick teal blue cover sheet.
He looked over at her. "Are you okay to stand?" he asked her.
Carli nodded. "I think so," she said.
She scooted over to the edge of the bed and stood up. She took up her bag that was resting on the headboard and the plastic bag with the extra change of clothes aunt Sandra had brought for her. She watched as he changed the sheets, stripping the bed down to the bare mattress, then neatly spreading on the layers. He folded the sheets he removed and took them into the bathroom, placing them on the toilet tank. He would wash them tomorrow. It would be laundry day anyway.
Carli decided to stuff the bag with the clothes in her shopping bag. Her bag was big enough to hold it. She squeezed out the extra air from the plastic bag, then carefully placed it inside her bag. She put her bag by the door. She felt a bit weird about her blood on Jason's bed, she decided to wait for him.
When Jason returned to the bedroom he was surprised to see Carli still standing. He hoped she wasn't feeling awkward, but just in case, he would show her there was nothing scornful or shameful about her staining his bed sheets. He lifted her in his arms and gently laid her on the bed. He held her close and kissed her forehead.
"Love you chica," he said smiling playfully.
Carli smiled and touched his face. "Love you chico," she replied. She felt blessed to have him in her life. He was considerate of her feelings and he made her feel beautiful. She wanted so much to be his wife.
Jason chuckled.
They rested in each other's arms.
***
Jason decided to take her mini grocery shopping. She said she wanted to cook something nice for him and his taste buds were eager to comply. After they had cuddled for a little bit longer, Jason told her he would take a shower. She told him she would go in after him. She had gotten dressed in her underwear and pulled on his cotton t-shirt, while she waited on him to come out of the bathroom.
He stripped down to his underpants and blew her a kiss when he saw she was watching him. Her eyes looked at him unashamed, as she remembered how he made her feel earlier. He had gone into the bathroom but forgot his body wash. He was about to go back into the bedroom when he heard her praying.
Dear God,
I know what we did was wrong but forgive us.
Forgive Jason most of all,
I was the one who initiated everything.
It's my fault,
but Lord I love him so much.
I know I haven't spoken to you in awhile but I'm here now.
Please help me,
I want to understand what it is about You that Jason loves,
I want to experience the faith he has in You,
I want to know You and I want to be his wife.
I pray it's not too late, please forgive us,
if we never touch again until he marries me,
I can live with that,
but please don't be too mad at him,
and forgive me.
I pray in your name.
Amen.
Jason walked into the room and saw her bowed down on the bed. He had touched her shoulder, she looked up and he saw tears streaming down her face. He sat on the bed and held her close to him. He also prayed and asked God to forgive them and that He would accept his prayer and her prayer to Him.
Jason also asked that He accept their love and that He wouldn't pull them apart. He told God that from now on even though he had broken his vow, he would work even harder to keep himself until marriage and he would make sure that he honored Carli by marrying her, now that he had taken her virginity.
When he finished, he gently kissed her on her forehead and told her he loved her: he would never leave her, and that he was her husband. He would fulfill her needs in every way. He asked her to forgive him for being too weak to stop her when she touched him, and he told her that this was the last time for now he would allow them to be alone together. He proposed to her again and she accepted.
He had gone into his bag and taken out a ring. He took her right hand and placed it on her finger, and kissed her hand.
"You can say it's a promise ring if you like," he chuckled.
"I bought this as a way to remind you of my love for you and my promise to make you my wife within the next year. This is why I was in the mall today," he said.
Carli looked at it. It was a silver ring with a blue Zirconia stone set in the middle.
It was beautiful but she was curious. Why blue? She looked up at him, a question on her face.
"Why a blue stone?" she asked him.
Jason smiled. "In a romantic relationship blue represents loyalty and fidelity, faithfulness, and a sense of belonging if you will. It's my promise to be faithful, and that I belong to you, always."
She reached up and hugged him. "Thank you baby," she said.
She released Jason from her embrace and gave him an apologetic look.
"I'm sorry about the necklace. I should have told Matt who its rightful owner was," she said smiling ruefully.
Jason cupped her face. "I understand. You may have a little sumn for him, but you're mine now, and I'm not letting you go," he said.
"If there was a spark, it's dead. You killed it," she said chuckling. She touched his face.
"I meant what I said when you were loving on me. It wasn't just because you were driving me crazy," she said smiling at him.
Jason laughed softly. He placed his hands on her hips. "I belong to you Jason," she said. "Plus, you've taken my virginity. I don't want to be with anyone else."
He told her that he would wear the necklace she bought him, because it was the thought that counted. He also remembered what Matthew said about her parents being in a financial bind and that she had made the sacrifice to buy it for him. She went into her bag and retrieved it. She opened the necklace and placed it around his neck, fastening it.
He went into the bathroom and looked at it in the mirror. He liked it, but more so because she bought it for him. He re-entered the bedroom and scooped her up in his arms and lifted her in the air.
"Thank you baby. I love it!", he said. "I will think about you when I look at it."
Now, as he looked at her while she walked among the grocery aisles looking at food items, he was happy. He was sad that he broke his vow, but he was happy that it was with someone he truly loved and who loved him.
***
It had been a long day at work for Sandra. Between answering phone calls and having meetings with her agents, she was overwhelmed with worry for Carli. She wondered if it was a good idea to leave her at Jason's house, but somehow she felt that maybe they needed that time together. Matthew being in town would surely complicate things with her and Jason.
She drove her car into the driveway of her home and parked the vehicle. She got out, locked the door and armed the car. Tiredly, she walked up to the door. She was about the open it when Melissa opened the door for her.
She patted her daughter on her shoulder. "Thanks honey," she said.
She went into the living room and slumped herself on the big grey couch.
Lissa followed behind her. "Is she okay?" she asked her mother.
Sandra bent forward and pulled off her three inch pumps off her feet.
She leaned back and closed her eyes. "Yeah, she's okay. Although, when I went over there she was sleeping. Jason said she met up with Matthew and ate something that didn't agree with her and got sick. Apparently, she was vomiting."
Lissa frowned. She had heard of Matthew before.
"Matthew, Carli's best friend who she made out with?"Lissa asked.
Sandra looked at her and nodded tiredly.
Lissa sat beside her mother. "Doesn't he have a baby mother or sumn like that?" she asked.
Sandra put her arm behind her head and leaned back. "Yes, apparently he does," she said.
"I think he still carries a flame for Carli though," she said.
Lissa nodded. "So where is Carli now? I thought she was coming home with you?", she asked her mother looking perplexed.
"I allowed her to stay with Jason," Sandra said, easing forward and removing her work jacket. Lissa sat up on the couch. She stared at her mother in disbelief. Sandra leaned back on the couch unperturbed by her daughter's reaction to her decision.
"Mommy, you what?", she asked in shock. Her eyes wide in alarm.
"Mommy, tell mi seh a joke yuh a mek?" she stared at her.
Sandra shook her head. "Nope. I said what I said."
Lissa got up from the couch. "Give me the address. I will go and get her right now."
"You will do no such thing." Sandra's voice cracked like a whip. Even though Melissa was a thirty year old adult her mother's angry countenance still made her nervous.
Sandra saw that Lissa flinched when she shouted at her.
"Carli and Jason need to work out what's going on between them. He told me he and her needed to discuss some things. No doubt now that Matthew is around, they need to establish if their relationship is on a solid foundation." Sandra softened her tone as she spoke to her daughter.
"Lissa, I know you are very fond of your little cuz but next year June she'll be twenty. She needs to be able to make decisions on her own,' she said sitting up.
"I think you should focus on your own love life. After what you did with Heather I am very disappointed in you. What happened to Derrick? You guys aren't going out anymore?", she asked, trying to deflect her focus.
Lissa hissed her teeth. "Mommy, we're not discussing me. We're talking about Carli. Carli is the one who is still a virgin. Hopefully she still is after today," Lissa said sarcastically.
"I trust that Jason will ensure that she is," Sandra said. "... but even if she is not, that is a decision she will make for herself."
"And what about her mom, my aunt? Doesn't she have a say? Mommy, she will be livid if she heard you allowed this!" Lissa's eyes were wide open. She didn't want to be here when aunt Sharon's wrath visits.
Sandra looked directly at her daughter. "So you're going to betray me your mother? Me, who carried you for nine months? Who clothed you and fed you, and worked hard with your father to provide you with the expensive education you're now using? You're going to betray me for your aunt who has only given you a slice of cake?"
Lissa became quiet.
"I thought so," Sandra said sardonically.
"Lissa, Carli might be younger than you but she isn't a child. From the way she looks at Jason I know she is capable of falling in love and making her own decisions pertaining to her love life." Sandra emphasized the 'her'.
"She's even gone as far as buying a gift for him. She is serious about this young man. I beg you do not interfere or you might regret it. You may stand to lose your friendship with your cousin," she said. She stood up tiredly.
"I'm going to bed, but before I do I'm going to take a shower. I was thinking of calling my sis to ask her if she knew that Matthew is in town, but I won't bother until tomorrow. Tomorrow after Carli comes home and I can get out of her what really happened between her and her friend, then I will see what to do," she said.
She walked to the foot of the stairs then turned back to look at her daughter. "Do not preempt me and call your aunt." Her voice was stern.
Lissa nodded that she wouldn't.
"Good," she said and climbed tiredly up the stairs. She missed her husband so bad.
Times like these he would rub her feet and whisper sweet nothings in her ear to make her laugh. Afterwards, he would hold her close and kiss her good night. Then in the morning when she was refreshed, he would hold her tenderly and make love to her. She wondered why he was taking so long to come home. She would call him tomorrow morning at work, away from Lissa's prying ears.
***
Jason and Carli decided to cook together. She was going to make noodles with sweet and sour chicken. The noodles were already cooking on the hot plate and she would be seasoning the chicken.
Jason had cut up the herbs and spices, and was now cleaning the chicken. Carli retrieved the powdered seasoning they had bought earlier that day and waited for him to finish with the chicken. It was in a large ceramic bowl that belonged to his grandmother.
He always remembered the time he spent that one summer with his granny. He was ten years old at the time. She was living in St. Elizabeth. She was a Kingstonian but somehow found herself moving to St. Bess. His mother told him it was for love, but granny always said it was for business then love. She was married to Brutus MacGregor for fourteen years before he passed away. They met each other in their fabulous fifties as his granny called them. He smiled as he remembered.
After she seasoned the chicken, she decided to let it sit for about an hour. Jason placed the seasoned meat in a clear plastic bag and asked Omie to store it in his fridge for them. She turned off the stove under the noodles, removed them from the hot water and rested them in cold water from Omie's fridge to keep them from cooking further.
In the meantime, they decided to watch something on cable television. They snuggled up together and Carli rested her head on his chest. She could feel his heart beating. It was steady and quite soothing to listen to it.
"I love you," she said.
He touched her face and smiled at her. "Love you too," he said.
When they got home he had changed into something more comfortable. He was wearing a marina and black sweat pants. Carli was wearing the black blouse with the word 'Pink' on it and her black jeans shorts with the fringes. She would wear the other clothes her aunt brought for her after she showered tomorrow morning. She did change her underwear though. Her aunt brought her three panties and two bras. She was always prepared for anything. She smiled as she thought about her.
Carli watched him, taking all of him in. She admired his bulging arms. She ran her fingers up and down his right arm, feeling her body tingle with longing for him. Jason smiled at her and kissed her forehead.
"You like what you see?" he asked teasing her.
Carli laughed softly. "Very much so. You see my boyfriend, he is a very muscular and strong guy, but he's also gentle. The way he had me under submission earlier just blew my mind," she said smiling cheekily.
Jason grinned. He cupped her face. "Well I'm sure he will make sure to do that again soon enough." He kissed her forehead playfully.
Carli giggled. She loved his sense of humor. She admired him as he went back to watching the TV.
A thought crossed her mind. Thinking about earlier how sad she felt after their encounter, Carli wanted to know something.
She sat up and shifted herself to face him directly. Jason saw her face. She looked serious. He took up the remote and turned off the TV.
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
"Your faith in God," she said. "Tell me about it?" she asked. "How did you become a Christian and why?"
This was the moment he was waiting on. He wanted her to ask him, so it wouldn't be like he was imposing it on her.
He put down the remote and pulled her back into his arms.
"As I told you, I was in a dark place at fourteen, and I had dropped out of school for awhile, then Marsha's parents took me in, but I was still on the hustle. I wanted to make my own money so I could bring some to my mom. I knew staying with the Millers' was temporary. I would soon have to go back home and face my real life. So on weekends, I told them I was going to spend time with my mom, but what I was really doing was looking for odd jobs. My dad and I were not on good terms at that time so I didn't want to depend on him."
He sighed. "You should know this. My dad and I aren't close. We don't have the typical father-son relationship. We can be amicable but then it's for the purpose of business."
"Why is your relationship with him like that?" Carli asked.
"He told my mom that he didn't think I was his, even though clearly I look like him. There was this man that used to help my mom out when my dad was short in fulfilling his responsibilities. His name is Joseph Black."
"Apparently, he had a thing for my mom back in the day but because my mom was seeing my dad he didn't pursue anything. My dad sent me home two years after I stayed with him and Antonia, that's my half brother's and sister's mom. She took care of me and made me feel loved but my dad and I still had our issues. We had a big cuss out."
"Imagine a fourteen year old cussing his dad like a big man. When he did wrong I would tell him to his face. He had beat my sister and the beating left wails on her back. I was so angry with him. So he rushed me pretending he would hit me, but I stood my ground and took up a knife."
Carli snuggled up closer and used her hand to caress his face to comfort him.
"He got upset and sent me back home. I was sad to leave because of my bigger sister, she's bigger than me by two years, and little brother, and even Antonia. She was very good to me, but I was also relieved to leave. I couldn't stand being around him," Jason said.
Carli could hear the bitterness in his voice.
"Your little brother and sister by your mom, does he accept them?" she asked.
Jason nodded. "At first he didn't, but as they've grown he has. He says Lisa reminds him of his mom and Joel looks just like him in an uncanny sort of way. Me on the other hand, I'm like a hybrid. Half him, half my mom, but he doesn't see it that way," he said.
She continued to caress his face. "Baby, I'm sorry," she said.
Jason covered her hand with his. "It's okay, we're on amicable terms now. He calls me for a job, I go. I work my tail off for him, I get paid. It is the way it is, but I've grown to accept it," he said.
Carli thought that was sad. She didn't always see eye to eye with her dad, but she knew he loved her.
"So how did Christianity drop in?" she asked him.
Jason chuckled. "Sorry, I went off," he said smiling awkwardly.
"That's okay," she said still caressing his face.
"Yeah, so ..." he continued, "I was walking past this church one day and saw this man installing a new door on the church building. It was me and couple of my friends. I told them I would catch up with them and went into the church yard, straight up to the man and asked if he needed help with putting on the door. I was sixteen, but had done that several times before with my dad, so I knew what to do. He told me okay. So I helped him. He gave me a $500 bill which at the time was an okay sum of money. I brought it home to my mom and we bought chicken back and a pound of flour to make cartwheel dumplings." Jason smiled as he remembered.
"The man was uncle Pat, my now mentor. The one who wants to meet you." He stroked Carli's face.
"After that I would visit the church often and he would give me odd jobs around the church to do, like sweeping the yard or installing windows blades."
Carli looked at him surprised.
He chuckled. "Yes, I know how to do that," he said. "My dad taught me a lot. He just wasn't much of a dad otherwise."
Carli felt sad for the resentment he felt towards his father. She wished she could do something to help.
"I was even working on things at his house. I painted over his living room once. That was my first gig outside of working with my dad. One day I was at a Sunday church service and the pastor said something about Christ dying for my sins and I was confused. So afterwards, I asked uncle Pat why would Jesus do that? He didn't know me and I didn't know him."
"Uncle Pat sat me down among the church pews and told me the gospel. He explained that before I was even born the Lord knew me. As a matter of fact, he had formed me in my mother's womb. He knew who I would grow up to become and he knew my struggles. So I asked him if God knew this why didn't He intervene and help my mom so she could better take care of me and my siblings, and why did he give us such a lousy father?"
"He turned to me and said that sometimes God places us in circumstances so he can be able to better reach us and show us His love for us. I didn't understand it at first, but then I needed to go to six form and I didn't have the money. I didn't know where to turn to get help but then uncle Pat found out and paid it for me. When I needed to go to UWI, I applied to scholarships and kept getting 'We regret to inform that while we appreciate your scholarship application we will not be able to assist at this time', but one day a company I didn't even remember I had applied to, called me and told me that they don't usually give away scholarships for the courses that I was doing, but they would take the chance with me. It was an engineering company. Then the following year I got the athletics scholarship from UWI."
Carli rested her head on his chest.
"I'm sorry if I'm depressing you," he said touching her face.
Carli looked up at him. "No. Not at all, not at all," she said. "I just wish I could have been there to take the pain away."
Jason kissed her hair. Her kind heart made him feel better.
"When I got into university I vowed that celibacy vow. I told God I would do it, because I wanted to be able to focus on my studies and because of what he had done for me," he said.
"So He has been there for you, God that is?" Carli asked
Jason nodded.
"Carli, the Lord Jesus showed me what peace is. I was so angry back then, but by reading the Bible and spending time in Bible study with uncle Pat, God has helped me see things differently. Even with the way I touched you today. The Word talks about a husband showing honor to his wife remembering that she is the 'weaker vessel'." Jason said chuckling.
"Now, don't get upset with me," he said eyeing her reaction.
Carli smiled. "If I am the weaker vessel for you, I don't mind. The truth is, I want to be soft so your masculinity can come out. I want doors to be opened for me and all the other stuff a man should do for his woman," she said.
Jason loved her. She made loving her easy. He wrapped his arms around her.
He continued:
"Now I'm not saying that it was right what we did, because it isn't. I am not justifying it. What we did earlier was flat out wrong. What I mean is, I should consider your needs and treat you well, remembering that you too are made in the image of God, and as the stronger one I must protect you, make you feel safe, and treat you with care."
She nodded. She felt she understood. "Where is that found?" she asked him.
"Oh. It's in 1st Peter verse 7," he said.
"Okay," she said. She would look it up.
"Why were you crying earlier while you prayed for us?" he asked her.
"I was happy to have you in my arms," Carli began. "I'm in love with you, you know, but as I was thinking about how much I loved you, this thought came to me, it felt like someone was speaking to me: if you truly love him, you would have waited until marriage. I felt so bad afterwards."
Jason knew what that meant. He was happy. He hugged her smiling. Carli was perplexed.
"Um... I don't understand. Why would you be happy I feel guilty?"
"It's not that I relish you feeling bad, Carli. It's that God was speaking to you!"
"What?!" she exclaimed. She was even more confused.
"The Bible tells us that our conscience either acquits or condemns us for any action we've taken, but sometimes our consciences can become dormant. The more we do something bad, the more we get used to it and our consciences don't work as they should. So if you felt like someone was speaking to you and asking you to question your motives, and you felt guilty that can only come from God," he explained.
He looked at her with a wide grin on his face.
"Do you know what that means?" he asked.
He was excited.
"No," she said.
"It means that God, Jesus then, is reaching out to you and He wants to have a relationship with you. Even what you prayed, I heard what you prayed. You couldn't pray like that if He hadn't helped you to do that through the Holy Spirit."
Carli couldn't believe it.
"But why would he want to be close to me after what I did? I made you give up your vow. I caused what happened between us."
He reached out and touched her hands. "Carli," he said. "I'm equally to blame for what happened between us. I could have moved your hand. I could have told you no, but I wanted it too."
He touched her face. "But His grace is sufficient. The Word says where sin abounds grace is even stronger. You see, God knows in our fallen state we are gonna do wrong. We are gonna go off course, but he has prepared the opportunity for us to experience His love, through the forgiveness we can receive because of Jesus' sacrifice. It doesn't mean we should go off and sin, and do bad things, but it means because of Christ's sacrifice we can have forgiveness and receive the strength we need from God himself to overcome."
Jason sighed. He clasped her hands in his. "Carli, I know I haven't been a good example for you, because of how I've been when I'm around you. Touching you and so on, but know this, if it weren't for Him restraining me, I would probably have had you multiple times already. I've just been disobedient."
Carli frowned. "What do you mean?" she asked.
"What I mean is, the Bible says it is for my own good to flee sexual immorality, to avoid it, but what do I do? I kiss you, caress you and so on knowing you're not my wife yet. The Bible says I should avoid lust but I give in and lust for you like crazy. I also know that because of how I feel about you, I shouldn't have you here alone with me, but I take the risk anyway, knowing that you make me weak. What happened earlier was bound to happen sooner or later. If anything, I should carry the greater blame 'cause I know the rules. I know better," he said. His countenance changed as he looked at her. He was feeling remorseful. He put his hands at his sides.
Carli felt awful too. She couldn't shake the feeling that it was her fault.
"But Jason," she said. "You belong to Him, you accepted Him. He will forgive you, but me, I've never accepted Him. He won't look at me."
"You've never?" Jason asked.
Carli thought about it. Yes, she did once. She had asked Christ to come into her heart but it never worked out.
"Yeah I did. I did when I was younger," she said, remembering.
"But your mom said no to being baptised, right?", Jason asked.
Carli nodded.
"Carli, even if you had never accepted Him before, His love is stronger than any doubt you have. He would seek you out, even if you've never accepted Him before. The Bible says He came to seek and save that which was lost. Lost souls like me of course, and you too."
Carli was blinking back tears now. She wasn't sure what was wrong with her.
"You felt the strong urge to pray, right after you felt the conviction, after what we did. That is not normal behavior Carli. You prayed today. At your weakest, lowest point you prayed. When was the last time you did that?" Jason asked smiling at her.
"Awhile," she admitted.
"That my dear Carli is called grace. It's like a favor you receive when you don't deserve it. It's like a beautiful, undeserved gift," he said.
She sat upright and looked at him. "You mean God wants me? I'm totally messed up and look at what I did today. I made you break your vow," she said. For some reason she started crying.
Jason reached out a hand to touch her face. She pulled away from him, got up from the bed and stood by the door. Jason came up behind her. He placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Yet still in your messed up state God decided to reach out to you. I love you Carli but He loves you more than I ever could, and when we get married, even then, the measure of love I have for you cannot compare to what He has for you."
She turned around and he hugged her tightly while she cried.
After putting on a t-shirt, Jason sat her down and explained the gospel about the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, coming to live a sinless life to redeem His people. How He became sin so that persons burdened by addiction, pain and depression could be set free.
That we needed a Savior because all of us were plunged in a state of darkness that was far from God's love and righteousness, but Christ came to restore the relationship God wanted with us. How Jesus came to save sinners, not those who think they are righteous, but those who are burdened with sin and needed to be rescued.
And right there in his room, he led her to recommit her life to the Lord. She asked Jesus to forgive her, to come into her heart and fill her life with His love. Jason also recommitted himself to his God, and both of them asked Him to help them keep pure until they were married.
***
Around 7 pm Sandra woke up to hear her cellphone ringing. She reached over to the night stand, answered it and heard her niece on the line. "Carli, honey," she said sleepily. Everything okay?" She was worried about her.
"Yes aunty, just calling to let you know I'll be coming home tonight."
Sandra was surprised but happy. "Okay hun. Glad to hear it," she replied. She noticed that Carli sounded happy.
"Aunty, Jason wants to talk to you," Carli said.
She came off the line and Jason came on. "Aunt Sandra, good night," he greeted her.
Sandra yawned and said "Good night." Sandra noticed that he too sounded cheerful. She wondered what had transpired between them.
"Oh no, we woke you up?" he asked.
"Yeah, but it's okay. Hearing that my niece is okay is a gift. Thank you."
She noted that Jason went silent. Sandra smiled. She figured he was touched by her words.
"Okay, so why are you calling? Is it about the thing you want me to check out?" she asked.
"Matter of fact, it is," Jason said.
Sandra sat up. She climbed out of bed and took out her notepad and a pen from her work bag. She sat back in bed and said, "Shoot. I'm ready to take notes."
"Okay," Jason said, "We went to this site this morning. I'm gonna text the address to you, it's in rural St. Catherine. It's a 16,000 square feet apartment complex on about half acre of land."
Sandra's eyebrows were raised as she listened to him. This sounded interesting.
"What's the name of the developer?" she asked.
"Jeffery Smith," he replied.
"Okay," Sharon said. I've heard of him. "He's done about three other properties before, but those were malls and shopping centres. This would be his first residential venture. He seems to be a legit gentleman. What's your concern?"
"My friends and I went to look at the property ..."
"You went with your friends. Why? You investing as well?", she asked cutting him off. It was a joke but she was intrigued when Jason went silent.
"You are? Aren't you?" Sandra was surprised. There was more to Jason than the eye could see, she mused.
"Never mind. Your business is not my business, just make sure my niece is protected," she said.
"Always," Jason replied.
Sandra cleared her throat. "Okay, tell me your concern," she said.
There's about a 1000 to 1200 square feet space left over that an extra unit or two can hold in. If you're thinking about making money and also considering efficiency in utilizing land area I would think Smith and his team would use that space as well. The site plan does not state what that will be used for. In the plan there's also an external staircase leading to the parking lot even though they will also be building an interior staircase that will lead to the parking lot, which will be at underground level. So I'm a little perplexed about that," Jason said.
Sandra listened to him. She needed an expert on this. She knew an engineer she could ask for a favor.
"I think I'm gonna have to consult Carli's dad about this one. He's an electrical engineer but he has a friend who is a civil engineer who may be able to help," she said.
Jason replied, "Thank you. Something about this doesn't feel right to me."
Carli's dad an engineer? Really! Jason thought. Nice! He always wanted to dabble a little in that discipline.
"They've dug the foundation yet?" she asked.
"Yes, they have," Jason answered.
"Did you notice anything strange about it? Like did one section of the cement look more thicker than the other or anything like that?"
Jason thought about it. "No enuh. I didn't, but I wasn't focused on that. It was the extra space on the diagram that got me perplexed."
"Sometimes that can be related to the restrictive covenant for that area or the community it will be built in. Is it more like a commercial or residential area when you look around you?" she asked taking notes.
"It's more like a mix. There are some houses but a new mall was just built. There are also a few businesses but for the most part there's still uncleared land. There's still some shrubbery," Jason tried to be as detailed as he could.
Sharon nodded as she listened to him.
I will check that out as well for you. You say it's in rural St. Catherine?"
"Yes," Jason said.
"Okay. I'll call a friend over at the St. Catherine Municipal Corporation and see if he can tell me anything," she said. Her curiosity was growing as she thought about it.
"Alrighty. Thanks so much aunt Sandra," he said.
"You're welcome, sir Jason," Sandra said. She was impressed with him. "You'll bring my niece home soon?" she asked.
"Yes, I definitely will," he said.
"So y'all good?" she queried.
"Yep. We are very good," he said.
"Alrighty. I'll call and let you know about the property."
"Thank you."
"Later," Sandra said.
"Later," Jason replied. He hung up.
Sharon looked at the phone and smiled.
"More than meets the eye," she said out loud and placed the phone on the night stand. She would call her contacts tomorrow. She lay down and got cosy under the covers. She closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep.
***
Jason dug into the meal he and Carli prepared. He reached over and covered her hand with his. She looked up from eating and he blew her a kiss.
"This really tastes good Carli. Thank you," he said.
She had dished their food on plastic plates, but they were eating with metal forks. Jason went on the road and bought sodas from a nearby grocery shop. He looked at her lovingly. She stared back at him.
"I love you sweet baby," Jason said smiling at her.
Carli smiled back shyly.
"I can't believe we did what we did," she said blushing.
"Yeah I know. Seeing you soft and beautiful like that was a treat for me," he said. "I wanna make sure we wait from now on. There's so much about you I want to explore and I don't want to feel guilty about it. You are worth the wait Carli."
"Do you regret taking my virginity?" she asked.
"A little, but only because I wanted that to be on our wedding night, but Carli I feel good to know that you trusted me enough to let me be the one." He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it.
"Do you regret going down on me?" Jason asked. He was a little curious.
"I don't regret wanting you like that, but yeah, I wish we were already married," she said.
Jason nodded. He totally understood.
"Let's lay some ground rules and keep them until we say 'I do'," he suggested.
He released her hand. Carli rested it on her lap.
"Ground rules like what?" she asked.
"First of all, we are never anywhere alone together in private, nor do we go anywhere like for example a hotel, airbnb et cetera to be alone. We can go to public events together but not have the intention to stay over in a private space," he said looking at her. His gaze was sincere.
Carli nodded. "Anything else?" she asked.
"I can't have you here alone with me, nor should you allow me in your room alone."
Carli felt a pang of regret but understood.
"Anything else?" she queried.
'No kissing or intimate touching," he said. "Although I'm speaking more to myself." He chuckled. "Ditto what I said a couple days ago about not kissing and touching, although I didn't follow it today," he laughed softly.
Carli giggled.
"I want to do Bible study with you if you don't mind. I have a place in mind for that," he said looking at her waiting for a response.
Carli nodded. "Okay," she said. She could work with that.
Jason smiled. Good. He thought. We can grow together spiritually.
"And I love your body. It drives me nuts, but please don't send me anymore pics for now, " Jason said smiling ruefully.
Carli understood. She nodded her agreement.
"I've got one," she said in a sober tone.
"Okay, go ahead," he said listening intently.
"Jason, those arm muscles make me weak," she said pointing to his strong arms. "When I see them I can't think straight. I'm gonna need you to somehow make sure they're covered up as much as possible. You said we can't be in an intimate setting together, but when we go out and you wear some of those shirts, it's all I can do not to touch you. You know I usually give in."
Jason chuckled.
Carli laughed softly.
"It's true," she said laughing at herself. "Your arms make me have naughty thoughts."
Jason smiled. "Okay, I'll make sure to see how I can cover up more," he said.
"Going along that line. You're shorts and short skirts have me thinking thoughts too," he told her.
Carli smiled at him amused. "But I like my short shorts and skirts," she quipped. She saw Jason's expression and started laughing while covering her mouth.
"Yes, okay," she said. "I will make the adjustments for you. Don't expect granny frock though," she warned him playfully.
"I wouldn't want that either," he said smiling. He winked at her. Carli laughed and threw a crumpled up paper napkin that was on her lap at him. It hit him and fell on the floor.
Jason laughed also. He picked it up and threw it back at her.
"Tell you what," she said. "When I'm out with you I'll wear my pants. Better?
"Yes, better," he said chuckling.
Jason smiled mischievously. "To see you in anything long and granny looking would be amusing, but I can't imagine it, or maybe I could. Mmh ...," Jason said teasing her.
"What? Nobadda wid dat!" she responded, looking at him in alarm.
Jason threw his head back and laughed loudly.
"If me affi wear granny frock yuh going wear three piece suit every day," she asserted, feeling slightly indignant.
Jason held his belly and howled louder. "Not over my dead body!" he said, his body now shaking as he laughed harder.
Carli saw that he was beside himself with laughter and began laughing too. She would remember these moments.
After about a minute of teasing each other, he sobered up. "So we have a deal?" he asked.
"Deal," she said extending her hand for a handshake. Jason shook it, turned it palm up and kissed it, then let her go.
Carli blushed. "I love you," she said.
"I love you too," he said. He stared at her intently. She was beautiful. He wondered how he got so lucky, only it wasn't luck. She was a blessing.
***
At 10:30 pm sharp Jason brought Carli back to her aunt's house. They had discussed their ground rules further in terms of what would happen if someone broke any of them. They decided that person would be cussed out thoroughly by the other party and ghosted for a week. That would be an incentive to ensure they kept the agreement because neither one of them wanted to not be in contact with each other for more than a day.
Carli leaned over in the car seat and rested her head on his shoulder. Jason looked down and saw the sadness on her face.
"Baby, I won't take long. That is a promise I intend to keep," he said putting his arm around her.
"Jason, you've spoiled me. I don't want anyone else. No one else will do for me," she declared boldly.
He was touched by what she said.
"Carli look at me," he said.
She sat up and looked at him.
"That night Marsha snuck in to see me and I told you she kissed me. What I didn't tell you was that she did her very best to get a response from me. She was giving me her best kissing skills, but all I thought about, all I could think about was your lips on mine. Your body pressed on mine and your scent on me. Suffice it to say, she's really mad at me now. I'm spoiled too. I don't want anyone else." Jason looked at her with love in his eyes as he spoke.
He touched her face. "You belong to me and I belong to you. There's no one else," he said.
Carli leaned into his touch. She kissed his palm. Jason leaned over and held her.
"Now go on in before your aunt thinks I'm ravishing you in the car," he said winking at her.
"Would you?" she asked a tad bit curious.
"What do you think?" he asked her. He gazed at her intensely. Carli looked into his eyes. She shivered. She got her answer.
She leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
"Later babe," she said. Carli stepped out of the vehicle. Jason closed the door for her.
"Yes. Later, beautiful," he answered softly.
The sensual tone of his voice made chills run down her spine. She could hardly wait for their wedding night to come.
She watched as Jason drove off then closed the gate. She went up to the front door. She was searching in her bag for the key when Lissa opened the door to let her in.
She stepped aside and Carli entered the house.
Lissa closed the door and leaned on it. "So where are you coming from so late?" she asked her.
"I spent the day with Jason," Carli responded lightheartedly.
"I see," Lissa said moving away from the door.
"And you didn't think we would be worried? That I and your aunt would be worried?" she said angrily.
Carli was surprised. "Lissa, what's this about? It's not the first time I've spent time with him."
"Yeah, but I heard you were planning to sleep over, and I also heard that Matthew's in town. Carli, what are you up to?" Lissa asked. She was angry.
Carli stared at her perplexed. She wasn't sure what her problem was.
"Look Lissa," she said going up to her, trying to calm her down, "I've told you before Jason is a good guy. I love him and he loves me."
She flashed the ring on her right hand in front of her cousin.
Lissa grabbed the waving hand and looked at the ring. It was beautiful. This however left a question gnawing at her gut. She had to ask.
"Does that mean you're no longer a virgin?" Lissa asked, her eyes boring into Carli.
Carli stared back at her. "It means that Jason has proposed to me and gave me this promise ring to show his commitment to our relationship. He wants to marry me next year."
Carli walked away from her, moving further into the foyer.
Lissa stared at her cousin incredulously. "What? What are you talking about?" Lissa asked. She came up and stood in front of her.
Carli tried to keep her cool. "Lissa, we love each other. He wants to marry me and I want to marry him too. There is no other man I want," she declared boldly.
"Carli, are you listening to yourself? You're only nineteen. Don't be ridiculous!" Lissa said in shock.
"I'll be twenty next year," Carli replied. "I know what I want Lissa. I've always been indecisive, you know this about me, but in this case I know what I want, and he's what I want."
Lissa breathed in deeply. She would try to reason with her. She tried to soften her tone.
"Carli, honey, by your own admission, you've only known this guy for about three months. How can you be so sure he will be the man you want to spend the rest of your life with? Seriously, is he the best you can get? Hun, you are a beautiful young lady. You're intelligent and when you finish your degree you will be an educated, qualified young woman. You can get any man you want!" Lissa placed her hands on her hips while speaking to Carli. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.
Carli persisted. "Jason is who I want. He is intelligent, kind, very loving and he makes me happy," she said.
Lissa was curious. She wondered if what she dreaded would have happened did happen.
"How does he make you happy Carli? Tell me. What has he done? What did he do to make you happy? Have you guys had sex?" Lissa asked staring at her.
Carli cocked her head sideways in defiance.
Lissa's eyes widened as the realization hit her. She swore softly.
"You guys ... you guys did it? You guys had sex?! Did it happen today?" she asked her.
Carli moved past her to go to her room upstairs. Lissa followed her, reached out and grabbed Carli's arm, spinning her around.
"Carli, did you and Jason have sex while you were at his place today?" she asked angrily, her voice getting louder.
Carli could feel her temper rising. "Lissa calm down. You're going to wake up aunty," she said her voice calm but icy cold.
Lissa continued. She never noticed the hint in Carli's tone.
"She might as well wake up fi hear dis," Lissa shouted. "Might as well the whole neighborhood hear!"
Carli lost her cool. "Yes Lissa, Jason took me over and over again and I loved every minute of it. He had me in different positions and he made me scream out his name multiple times!"
Lissa reared up and slapped Carli across her face. Carli dropped her bag and pushed Lissa. Lissa grabbed her and the two of them started wrestling in the foyer.
"What is wrong wid unnu?! Stop this!"
They looked up to see Sandra coming down the stairs. They separated from each other. The women looked at each other like adversaries.
Sandra came down and stood at the foot of the stairs.
"What the hell is going on?"
Both young women held their tongue.
"Somebody better talk to me right now or else." She came towards them, her countenance stern.
"Carli is no longer a virgin," Lissa blurted out.
Sandra looked at Carli's flushed face. The slap Lissa gave her was becoming a red print on her right cheek.
"What's wrong with your face?" Sandra asked.
"Your daughter slapped me!" Carli said angrily, her eyes shooting daggers at her cousin.
Sandra touched her face. Carli winced at the pain.
Sandra turned to her daughter. In one quick movement she stepped up to Lissa and slapped her hard across her face.
Lissa gasped in shock and held her face.
"Go to your room Lissa. Since you want to be a child. I will treat you like one. Haven't I told you to mind your own business. Please leave my presence. As a matter of fact, right now I don't care where you go, but I don't want to see you."
Holding her face, Lissa looked angrily at her mother and Carli, then went up stairs to her room.
Sandra looked at Carli.
"Go into the living room and sit down Carli," Sandra said, her voice was deadly calm.
"Aunty ..."
"Carli, go and sit down," she snapped.
Carli did as she was told.
Chapter 15: Revelations
Sandra looked at Carli. Besides the fact that she heard what her daughter had said, she noticed that something was different about her niece. Carli was sitting on her favorite couch. The navy blue one with the six cushions that were different shades of blue.
Sandra sat beside her. She didn't look at her at first. She just sat beside her and stared at the loveseat.
After two minutes had past and her aunt still had not breathed a word, Carli cleared her throat and spoke up.
"Aunty, I'm really sorry if you feel disappointed in me. I didn't mean to fight Lissa. She slapped me and it really hurt," she said.
Sandra turned and looked at her. "Why did she slap you?" she asked her.
"It was something I said. Something that was not true." Carli took a deep breath. "Jason and I haven't had sex in the true sense of the word sex. I told her we went all the way but we didn't," she replied looking down at her hands. She felt very awkward discussing this topic with her.
"What do you mean?" Sandra asked. She wanted to understand what happened.
"Jason, he ..." Carli paused. How could she put it? "He touched me in a way to make me ..." She was struggling.
"He fingered you?" her aunt asked. She looked at Carli with a strange look on her face.
Carli nodded.
"He pleasured you with his fingers?"
Carli nodded.
"Did you enjoy it?"
Carli nodded.
Sandra sat back on the couch and sighed. She scratched her head.
"Your cousin said you are no longer a virgin. Are you still then?" Aunt Sandra's brows were knotted together.
Carli shook her head 'no'.
Aunt Sandra cleared her throat. "I'm listening," she said.
"He ... um, the way he did it, he broke my hymen," she said nervously.
Aunt Sandra sighed. "I see. So his finger went inside?"
Carli nodded. She looked away from her aunt and instead stared at the loveseat.
Carli, I won't deny that I am disappointed with you, although I'm more disappointed with Jason for doing this. He says he is a Christian and celibate. I am glad you didn't engage in full blown intercourse but I would have preferred you wait until you are older to experience any of that sort of stuff. Sex can cloud people's judgement," Aunt Sandra said, shaking her head.
Carli sighed. "It's not his fault. I was the one who initiated contact. Aunty, I love him. I can't think of anyone else I want to be with. He makes me happy. He understands me," she said.
"You initiated?" Sandra asked her.
"Yes," Carli said, she held her head down.
Maybe that was the reason they sounded so cheerful on the phone. They did sexual acts to each other to take the edge off. Sandra thought.
Did you do anything back to him?" she asked her niece.
Carli nodded and answered, "Yes."
Sandra nodded. "So what now?" she asked her. "If you're gonna continue to have sexual contact or sex with him I'm gonna have to let your parents know."
Carli's heart started to pound. She never thought about them, but whatever may come she wouldn't relent on her feelings for Jason. She was also confident that if they gave him a chance, her parents would love him.
"Carli, I am fond of Jason, and while I am disappointed in what happened between you two, I acknowledge that it's your life and you've made this choice," aunt Sandra said smiling at her ruefully.
Carli felt relieved. She turned her upper body towards her. "Aunty, I love him. I was the one who touched him and started the whole thing, but we've discussed everything," she said.
Carli took another deep breath.
"He proposed to me," she said lifting her right hand to show her aunt.
Sandra reached over and took her hand to look at the ring closely. "An engagement ring should be on your left hand hun," she said.
"I know," Carli said. "This is a promise ring. It symbolizes his commitment to me, to marry me within the next year."
"Why not give you a proper engagement ring then?" Sandra asked perplexed.
"He wants to do a proper engagement party for us, plus he won't be here for about two months. He'll be going down to Montego Bay to do some work with his dad," Carli said matter of factly.
"So this is his way to keep you thinking of him, and not be distracted by Matthew your bff," Sandra asserted sarcastically.
Not you too aunty! Carli thought.
"No. He actually bought the ring before he knew about Matt. He had proposed to me a couple days before. The ring is to show me he was serious and he's committed to me even though he'll be hundreds of miles away," Carli said confidently.
Sandra looked at her niece. She wondered if she was wise to trust this stranger she only knew for a couple months or if she was shaping up to look like a fool. Sandra opened her arms and Carli scooted over and leaned in to hug her aunt. Sandra hugged her and squeezed a little.
"Love is supposed to be easy Carli but sometimes it can be complicated. How do you know Jason loves you and he isn't just playing you?"
"He considers my feelings aunty."
"Why do you say that?" Sandra asked.
"He always makes sure I eat," Carli said chuckling. "He makes me feel safe. He considers my feelings. He wants to know what I think, he shared his faith with me." Carli moved away from her aunt. She looked at her smiling.
"I know you might think this is crazy because of what I just told you, but I've recommitted myself to God. We love each other aunty, but we both know that we shouldn't have done what we did today, not because we're too young or I'm too young but because it violates God's law of waiting until marriage. I felt so guilty afterwards and Jason explained why I was feeling this way and he explained the gospel, and we prayed and I asked God to come into my life and save me." There was a twinkle in Carli's eyes when she said those words.
Sandra was feeling perplexed. "And this is on your own volition. He didn't force you?" she asked.
"No aunty, I asked him about his faith. I wanted to know and he explained it to me. And afterwards I recommitted. You know I was supposed to get baptised but my mom barred me."
Sandra nodded. "I remember. You cried."
Carli sighed. "Yeah I did. It felt like she had taken something special from me," Carli said. "I'd lost interest and stopped going to church after a while. But now I won't give it up. I won't give up the opportunity to know God and to be with the man I want to marry."
Sandra noted the growing steely resolve in Carli's voice. She looked at her carefully. "You really love him, don't you?" she asked.
"Yes aunty, but I'm not in love with him because he touched me in ways no one else has. I love him because he has touched me in a way no one else has, but differently from the physical," Carli said blushing.
"Explain," her aunt asked intrigued.
"Aunty, I was a virgin so the way he touches me would be new to me. I've never experienced the things he did to me, but it's not really because of that why I'm crazy about him. Jason is content with me. He accepts me. He values me for who I am and cares about my feelings. He's gentle with me, even today ..." Carli paused and pursed her lips. She blushed harder when she thought of their intimate encounter between her thighs and how he held her close afterwards. She also remembered how he made her feel like staining his sheets was no big deal. "I can't give that up, and I won't," Carli said.
Sandra noted Carli's flushed appearance and figured she was having a recollection about something that had transpired between her and Jason. She also noted the determined look in her niece's eyes. She reached out and patted her lap. "I understand. I felt the same way when I was dating my husband."
Carli with eyebrows raised looked at her aunt in surprise. This sounds interesting, she thought. "Okay aunty, tell me what happened between you and uncle Marcus," she said smiling.
Sandra smiled and tucked her feet under her buttocks. " So, what had happened was ..."
***
As Jason drove home he thought of her. Their time together earlier would leave an indelible mark on his mind and heart. Her smile, her lips, her body, her scent, her touch, her taste were intoxicating. He stopped in New Kingston to fill his car with gas. As the attendant dealt with him, he leaned back in the car seat and remembered the intimate moments between them.
She was beautiful and delicate, and she made him almost lose control. He closed his eyes as he recalled her lips on his member. He didn't think she would have gone through with it, but she did and she seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed it. For her first time doing it, she had bowled him over. He thought of her soft, pink lips on him. She drove him out of his mind. He wanted to savor that beautiful moment with her and not regret it.
They definitely needed to ensure they saved it for their wedding night. He especially wanted to press brakes on going down on her again for now. He was nervous about the experience and he wasn't sure if he'd like it, or if he would even do an okay job of pleasing her in that way, but Carli inspired him.
He loved her taste. He couldn't describe it. All he knew was that it did something to him. It made him come dangerously close to being rough with her. He couldn't get enough of her. Even her reaction to what he did was an eye opener. Her moans made him feel even closer to her.
He wanted to satisfy her, to see her shivers of pleasure. He wanted to make love to her and hear her say his name over and over. He wanted to be that man for her. Feeling her tremble under him was such a huge turn on. He would take these memories to Montego Bay with him.
From the moment he first asked her to marry him, he started calculating how much it would cost for the wedding and even a new place to live two years time. They would live in his apartment for the first two years, then they would move into a two bedroom house he was building on the side with Omie's help, just the two of them, in St. Thomas.
He wanted to have a baby with her so bad. He however knew that she may not be ready within the next three years he had in mind. But Jason saw that he needed to provide a comfortable home so whenever she was ready, that would not be a stumbling block in the way.
He had bought the land from his dad a year ago in preparation to build a house to live in as a bachelor, but now he saw it as divine providence, since a year later he met Carli. The bathroom was almost done and Omie had helped to complete the kitchen and one of the bedrooms. He had the other bedroom half way complete, plus the living room to complete.
He heard knocking on the car window and opened his eyes. The attendant looked in on him. He handed her the money and she went into the service station and brought back his change, and a complementary half gallon soda bottle for the Christmas season. He thanked her and drove off.
When he arrived at Paradise Flats, he parked the car in the parking lot and climbed the stairs to his room. He opened his apartment door and locked it behind him. He placed the soda bottle in the kitchen sink, then went over and sat on the bed. He removed his shoes and lay back, closing his eyes.
He wasn't sure he would sleep tonight. He couldn't stop thinking about her. He needed to hear her voice. He opened his eyes, removed his phone from his pocket and hit redial. He knew it was late but on the half chance she was feeling this emptiness too, he took the risk to call.
She answered after ring number three.
"Hey baby," he said, his voice tender.
"Hi babe," she replied.
Jason sighed. He loved hearing her voice.
"I can't stop thinking about you," he breathed. He would hold nothing back from her. "I'm going a little crazy thinking about you."
He heard her giggle. "Me too," she said, her voice was low and soft.
"The things we did to each other. I've been thinking about them. I want to go all the way with you Carli, all the way. I want to know what being inside you feels like. You felt slippery-wet and really tight on my finger." His voice was low and seductive.
Carli could feel her loins throbbing for him.
"Do you think I can fit inside that needle eye? Your sweet, tight kitty," he teased her.
He heard her sigh. He could sense her longing. At that moment, he wished he could caress and pleasure her. He wanted to taste her sweet honey again. He felt that if he continued it would become an obsession for him, but he didn't care, as long as she enjoyed every minute of it.
Carli could feel the muscles down below clench with desire. I need him so bad. She thought. She wished he was right beside her instead of her aunt.
"Carli, you surprised me with the way you went down on me," he said. "Now I want more. I wanna feel your lips on me again. Those soft lips drove me crazy."
Carli laughed softly. She wanted to do it again. She enjoyed his taste and smell.
"Would you want to?" he asked her.
She wished she could tell him how tasting him made her feel. It was the strongest turn on she'd ever experienced.
"Yes," she said blushing. "It would be my pleasure, Jason. I want to." She wanted to tell him that tasting his cum was pleasurable as well, but how could she? Her aunt was nearby.
"My sweet baby," Jason said closing his eyes. His voice was deep and raspy. "The sweet honey between your thighs made me weak today. I wanted to lose control with you. You taste really good Carli. I'm getting hard just thinking about it. Your caramel flavor is on mind. You taste like sweet, creamy caramel. And the way you cried my name and trembled in my arms was ... mmh. Carli, I'm licking my lips right now thinking about you. I wanna eat you so bad. I want to see you tremble in ecstasy. Will you let me see you tremble again, baby?
"Yes Jason, I will. You know I will. I think about it too," she replied. She was trying to be cryptic with her answers, but still give him what he needed to hear.
She felt herself throbbing down there. He says I taste like caramel, she mused. Oh gosh. He's driving me crazy! Carli closed her eyes and bit her lip.
Pleasurable sensations were building up in her loins. She wanted him to make her scream his name one more time. She briefly closed her eyes and wished she could enjoy the moment alone.
She would tell him how his gentle kisses and tongue strokes felt really good. That the pleasure he gave her was unlike anything she'd ever felt before. And the way he anticipated her climax and thrusted his tongue inside her evoked an intense sensation she couldn't forget. She didn't know the pleasure she was feeling could be more magnified until she climaxed in his arms. Yes, she wanted to feel that again and again. Unfortunately, her aunt was on the couch beside her. Carli sighed with longing.
"I want to bend you over and penetrate you from behind, plunge deep into you, and I want to hear you scream my name," he continued. His voice sounded deep and sensual. His tone and words were causing delightful shivers to run up and down her spine.
Carli was feeling frustrated. She wanted to express how much she wanted him too, but aunt Sandra was sitting there staring at her with a curious look on her face. She angled her upper body away from her aunt slightly, turning her back to her so she couldn't see the effect his words were having on her. She crossed her legs and squeezed her thighs together. She pursed her lips, trying not to let the soft throaty sound she was holding back come out.
Carli sighed again. She wanted to lay on her back and touch herself while he spoke to her. She would imagine that he was the one caressing her.
She bit her lower lip as an intense ache grew inside her. She needed him so much. She clenched and unclenched her right hand. As the sharpness of her desire flowed through her, she sunk her hand into a soft cushion and squeezed.
Aunt Sandra watched what Carli was doing. She had an idea of what was happening between the two of them. They were having sexual cravings for each other. Earlier today would have been their first sexual encounter. Now that it happened the floodgates were open, and it would only be a matter of time before they had sexual intercourse. She said nothing. She would give them some privacy but she wanted to talk to Jason first.
A soft, muffled cry escaped from Carli's lips. She felt like making little sounds to express her need for him. Soft whimpers that would signal her vulnerability; her longing for him to come and take her, and show her how making love should feel. Now that he had touched her like no other man had, her senses were heightened.
Jason heard the sound. He felt his member harden. Oh baby, I want you so bad! he thought. This sweet torture is getting to me!
She couldn't help the way she felt. Carli wanted to feel him on her and in her. She didn't care if he got a little rough. She would probably like it. They needed to be one very soon. Her thirst for him was almost unbearable. "I need you," she whispered softly. She doubted he heard her.
"While I'm doing that I'll be caressing those soft, beautiful breasts and telling you how much I want you, how much I need you, and how much I want to make a baby with you," Jason said softly, his tone warm and sensual.
He closed his eyes thinking about the moment he would get to be with her and not hold back. He thought he heard her speak but wasn't sure what she said. It sounded like she said she needed him. He needed her too.
"I need you too sweet baby. More than you know," he said.
He heard me! Carli felt like her heart would burst with emotion.
She wanted to tell him how much his words were turning her on. Her body was on fire for him. She always wanted children. It was a turn on to hear that he wanted them too. She needed to let him know she wasn't alone.
Carli cleared her throat. "Honey I ... I can't, I can't talk much right now. Aunty is here with me."
Jason opened his eyes. "Okay. Is everything okay?" He sat up slowly.
Carli sighed. "My cousin Lissa and I had a fight."
Jason's countenance changed. What was happening over there?
"Carli, are you okay?" he asked.
"She took issue with the fact that I was going to sleep over, and she saw the ring and assumed we had sex. She and I had a big blow up and she slapped me."
Jason felt his temper rising. "Slapped you?"
"Yeah, I was kind of rude to her," Carli chuckled. "I told her you had me in multiple positions, so she sort of lost it."
Jason wasn't laughing.
He did plan on having her in multiple positions after they got married, but why was that Lissa's concern?
"What has your aunt said about her behavior?" he asked.
"She slapped her back for me, but now we're discussing what happened," Carli paused. "I had to tell her that we did do something and I'm no longer a virgin," she said.
Jason felt vindicated that aunt Sandra put her daughter in her place, but he didn't want Carli to be the brunt of any parental interrogation. There was a shuffling sound on the line and Sandra came on the phone.
"Jason, we need to talk," her voice was stern.
"Yes okay, tomorrow," he replied. "It will have to be in the night. I'll be moving my appliances and furniture into the new apartment tomorrow."
"8 or 9-ish?" she asked him.
Jason sighed. "9 is okay, yes."
"Okay," she replied.
He heard shuffling and movement, and Carli came back on the phone.
"I'm sorry, Jason."
"It's no worries baby. I wouldn't have wanted them to find out yet, but it's happened. We're both adults. I am not ashamed about my feelings for you," he reassured her.
"Neither am I," she said.
"Carli, come what may I'm prepared to fight for you. I'm not letting you go. If you won't let go, I won't," he asserted.
"I'm not letting you go, Jason," she said.
"Good, because you've branded me. I won't have anyone else," Jason chuckled and blew her a kiss.
'You've branded me too. I'm yours," she replied, her voice soft.
In the background he heard Carli's aunt saying, "Don't stay up too late."
He heard Carli say, "Okay. Good night aunty." Then a rustling sound of fabric brushing on fabric then silence.
Jason ventured a guess. "She gone?"
"Yeah. She is," Carli answered.
"So what happened?" Jason asked her.
He heard a shuffling sound.
"When I came home aunty had already gone to bed, but Lissa was up waiting for me. I was about to open the door, but she was already at the door and opened it for me. She started interrogating me about the fact that I said I was planning to sleep over with you. She wanted to know if I was still a virgin. I showed her the ring and tried to reassure her that you love me and I love you, but she doubted if what we feel is love because we've only known each other for a short time. Even aunty mentioned that, but I think she understands," Carli said.
"Why do you say your aunt understands?" Jason asked.
"Well, because she got married to my uncle after dating for just 8 months, and they would have been married sooner if her parents hadn't begged her to wait a little longer. My mom liked uncle, but thought aunty was crazy for rushing. She said she should give it a year but aunty wanted to be with him. So she threatened to elope with him if her family didn't agree with their marriage. After that threat -they knew how stubborn aunty can be -her parents, my grandparents finally agreed, when they saw how serious she was."
Jason smiled. He knew he liked her aunt. A very serious woman who knows what she wants.
"So why did the parents not want them to get married? Was it the short space of time or what?" Jason asked. He wanted to delve into this revelation a bit deeper.
"Well," Carli began. "Yes that. She also says that the family was fairly middle class at the time. Our family originally came from St. Andrew, Gordon Town to be exact.
"Okay," he said, trying to understand.
"Yeah. So my uncle came from a poor background. He lived with his granny in Trench Town and it was a difficult life for him, but he's really smart. He managed to get a scholarship and was able to pursue Law at UWI. You would love him. Uncle manages high profile clients now, both local and international, but he's still such a humble guy, and he loves my aunty. He treats her very well," Carli said. Jason could tell she had a smile on her face.
"I would love to meet him," he said.
"Yeah, I think uncle Marcus would like you," she replied.
That made Jason feel good. He smiled.
"My grandparents liked his ambition but wondered if he would be able to provide for aunty. Of course aunty was like 'I can work to provide for myself too'," Carli said chuckling.
Jason's smile broadened. He could imagine aunt Sandra being like that.
"Anyhoo, aunty said she was marrying him and that was that. They got married eight months after they met at university and have been together since."
Jason liked the story. He had a new respect for her aunt. He hoped after tomorrow he would be able to gain more of this phenomenal woman's respect.
"So what was she studying?" Jason asked.
"Oh, she wasn't a student, not yet anyway. She worked there as a Junior Admin Assistant in the admissions office. When he came in to receive his acceptance package was how he met her. She said he told her he couldn't get her out of his mind and he said to himself if he ever got a chance to see her outside of the office he would introduce himself and tell her he liked her."
"He did then?" Jason asked. This story was getting more interesting.
"Yup," Carli answered. "He saw her at one of the kiosks and asked if he could sit with her. He offered to buy her lunch, which she declined but then he told her would share his lunch with her if she didn't mind. She declined that, but then he offered to take her out for ice cream because he heard that she loved it.
"She told me that she thought he was so handsome, but she didn't want to seem easy. When he asked her about the ice cream however she agreed on the condition that it was at Devon House. The rest as they say is history. He managed to win her over and according to her she's been head over heels in love with him ever since.
"She's actually worried about him right now. He went to a conference in Thailand and she hasn't heard from him in a few days. She called his phone and he didn't answer. His work said they heard from him for a few minutes yesterday, but the call got cut off. She's wondering why he called his work, but didn't call her after. She's really worried."
Jason was concerned too. He hoped his future uncle in law was okay. In some ways, based on Carli's description, he could relate to him. They were both from a poor background, but were pushing themselves to be better men. They had found the women they loved and were working hard to make a good life for them.
"I hope she hears from him soon," he said.
"Me too," Carli said. "She hasn't told Lissa anything. She adores her dad. She doesn't want her to start panicking."
"Okay," Jason said nodding.
Carli yawned on the line.
Jason chuckled. "Okay sleepy head," he said teasing her. "Time to go to bed. Okay?"
Carli yawned again and stretched. "Yeah, you're right. It's after midnight. I would be in bed before now," Carli said looking at her phone.
Jason looked at his watch. She was quite right.
"Good night, my sweet baby. So sweet you made my toes curl," he teased, his voice dropped to a seductive timbre.
"You're so rude," she said in response, but Jason could tell she liked it.
"I'm only rude for you. I was made to love you," he said solemnly.
Carli was touched by what he said. She also heard the tenderness in his voice. Her heart skipped a beat. "I love you," she breathed. She felt slightly emotional.
"I love you. Every sweet, beautiful inch of you," he said. He heard the tremor in her voice and wished he could be there to comfort her. It was him and her now. That was his focus.
He heard Carli giggle. "I'm sorry about earlier I wanted to tell you that you are driving me crazy and that I want you really bad too, but she was right beside me."
Jason nodded to himself. After she told him her aunt was there in the room, he could understand why she wasn't more vocal about her feelings.
He blew kisses on the phone. "I understand my sweet, sweet baby. Very soon I'll take you away from prying eyes and ears, and it will be just us, and then I'll show you all the love I have been saving for you," he said, his voice warm and tender.
Carli felt a shock of pleasure run through her. That was a promise she hoped he would fulfill.
"Now go to sleep. I'm sorry I can't take you to bed," Jason said softly. His voice held an interesting lilt to it that was hypnotic to her ears.
Carli could tell that he wasn't just talking about lifting her and resting her on the bed to just go to sleep. Her aunt told her what Jason had done the night he slept over. She was too tired to remember. She closed her eyes and bit her lips. If what happened today was any indication, she knew she had a passionate wedding night to look forward to.
Two can play this sexy game. She thought.
"Good night my baby with the hard, sweet, juicy, sugar cane," she said her tone sensuous. She spoke each descriptive word slowly and with emphasis.
Jason heard the change in her voice and chuckled softly. He remembered she had called his member sugar cane earlier today. He felt it respond.
"Good night, my sweet, sweet baby," he replied. He blew her a sloppy kiss.
"My sweet baby with the needle eye," he teased. He made a low guttural sound from his chest that was almost like a growl.
Carli gasped when she heard it.
What was that? She was shocked but also a little intrigued.
The sound triggered something in her. She could feel her heart rate spike a little with excitement.
Was she bringing out the animal in him? she wondered amusedly.
She was curious to see the more assertive side of him. She remembered he said he would be gentle with her until she wanted more. Now she wondered if she told him not to hold back what he would do to her. She wanted to see him like that. There was a side of herself she wanted to explore too. Carli giggled softly thinking about it. How could she give up these crazy feelings they were experiencing?
"Night," she said, laying on her back. She was twirling her hair through her fingers.
"Night baby," he answered. His voice was deep and gruff.
Carli reluctantly ended the call.
Jason stood up, stripped down to his underpants and paced the floor. The anxious energy he was feeling had subsided, but now it was replaced with this raging sexual need. God help him, he needed her beside him right now!
Damn!
Carli was doing something crazy to him!
He loved her!
He wanted her really bad!
He needed to get himself down to Mobay, get that money and come back for her quickly.
He screamed a raw guttural sound that was borne from sheer sexual frustration. He punched the wall behind his bed. He sat on the bed, lay back and closed his eyes. Jason lay still and started to breathe slowly, forcing himself to calm down.
"God, help me," he prayed quietly. "I need her so bad. Help me to calm down. I want to be with her. Lord, it's been so long. I'm thinking about her in ways I shouldn't yet. Help me. I want to honor this love you've given me, but it's so hard Lord, literally. Help me to calm down."
Jason massaged his hand. No broken bones, thank God, he thought ruefully. He needed to control himself. Carli needed him to focus so he can be the lover and provider she deserved.
He got up from the bed and forced himself to do some push-up on the floor. He did them slowly in the diamond position. His hands were close together to form the shape of a diamond in the middle. He took his time doing each rep, counting as his chest touched the floor. He did about a hundred and fifty then lay on his back exhausted. He was sweaty and tired now.
He took a shower and commanded his mind to think of the future and what he wanted to achieve as a man. A man who wanted his future wife to be proud of him.
He thought about what had transpired at the Dixon residence that night. He was angry at Carli's cousin for causing the conflict he may have between himself and aunt Sandra. He would try his best to smooth things over with her. He wanted to be able to continue visiting the household.
He wasn't sure what to do about Lissa. But if she ever over stepped her place and came at him, he would address her properly. He wouldn't be disrespectful, but he would let her know that Carli was an adult and if she wanted to be with him, she had no say in the matter.
He turned off the shower knob, stepped onto the bathroom mat and grabbed a fluffy blue towel and dried himself off and wrapped it around his waist. He went into the bedroom. It suddenly felt empty with Carli not being there. He sighed.
"Soon Jase, very soon. I'll make sure she's here with me," he said to himself.
Jason took off his towel and put on a pair of soft cotton shorts. He plopped himself on the bed. He threw the damp towel on the bed's headboard post. He would refrain from wearing boxers that night because he needed to feel as comfortable and free as possible. As for the towel, he would put it back in its place tomorrow morning, but right now he needed to sleep.
Tiredly, he moved up to the top of the bed and pulled the thick covers over his body, fluffed his pillow and closed his eyes. He dreamed of his beautiful Carli.
***
Carlos looked over at his wife while driving. Paul, Sharon's boss, had called her to say that the police had more questions for her. This time, Carlos said he would be sitting in on the conversation. He wasn't allowing Sharon to face this alone. Sharon had protested and so did Paul, but he wasn't listening to them. He called work and told them he was taking a sick day and would be in on Monday.
"It's either I go with you or you won't go at all," he told Sharon while blocking the door. Not wanting to argue and keep the police waiting, she reluctantly agreed.
As he parked the vehicle in the company's parking lot, he was bracing himself for an intellectual battle with the senior police officer Sharon told him about. She was about to step out of the car when he held on to her hand and pulled her to him. She complied. He leaned forward and cupped her face.
"I love you. It's gonna be okay. I will make sure of it," he said sincerely.
Sharon gazed at her husband. She loved him so much but him taking on the mantle of being her hero was not a good idea. She sighed and kissed him. "Let's go," she said looking at her watch. It was 7:30 on a Saturday morning. Not the usual time she would find herself at work today, but these weren't usual circumstances.
Carlos nodded. He stepped out of the vehicle and waited for Sharon to step out as well. For about two weeks she was complaining of weird cramps. Her period hadn't come yet and he was becoming worried about what was causing the discomfort. He had urged her to go to the doctor, but she said 'no, she would be fine'. It was just her period acting up for some weird reason. He saw her wince in pain as she straightened her body while stepping out of the vehicle. He was worried about her.
They walked slowly towards the offices together, accommodating the pace she could manage. Sharon swiped her card and he opened the door for her. They allowed the door to slide back into place. They took the elevator to the third floor. The secretary was at her post. She looked up to greet Sharon and realized Carlos was with her. She smiled at them but she was concerned.
"The police are already here," Barbara Taylor, the secretary said.
She eyed Sharon furtively. Sharon looked at her. Barbara then glanced sideways at Carlos. Sharon got her cues. "It's a long story," she said.
Carlos also picked up on Barbara's body language. "I insisted on being here Barb, that's why your friend brought me along," he said smiling at her.
Barbara laughed nervously. "I don't think it's a good idea for you to go in Carlos. The police look like they got blood in their eyes. It might be best if you sit out here with me in reception," she said.
Carlos noted her expression and the fearful tone of her voice. Now he was even more curious to hear what they had on Sharon. "All the more reason to sit in and hear what's going on," he said stubbornly.
Barb looked at her long time friend Sharon as if to say 'I tried'. Sharon reached over the desk and patted Barbara on her hand.
"I'll be okay," she smiled at her. Her friend squeezed her hand and whispered, "I've been praying for you and I will continue," she said.
Sharon squeezed her hand in return and mouthed, "Thank you."
She turned to Carlos who had a grave look on his face.
She walked towards Paul's office and knocked on the door. She heard Paul's muffled voice behind the door.
"Come in," he said.
She turned the door handle, opened the door and stepped in with Carlos close behind her. Both police detectives from the Fraud Unit were already seated as well as Cooper, her Senior Accounting Clerk, Gary Anderson, the company's Financial Controller and Sean Gibson, head of Purchases and Inventory. She was surprised to also see that Denise Williams, her personal assistant was there seated, nearest to the wall which had a plaque her boss held dear to him. The plaque was from his children. It read 'The bestest dad ever!', in cursive writing.
She felt panic rise from the pit of her stomach to her chest. She turned around to look at Carlos. She was now glad he was with her. Carlos could see her fear. He looked at her and winked, smiling reassuringly.
"Have a seat Shar. It will be okay," he said. He reached for her hand and squeezed it.
Sharon sat down in the only empty chair available in the room.
Carlos looked at Paul. He stared at him pointedly and looked at the chair Sharon was sitting in and did a motion with his head. Paul cleared his throat and went on the phone to his secretary.
"Barbara," he said.
"Yes, Mr Isaacs," she replied.
"Could you ask the maintenance staff to take a chair from the staff cafeteria please. We need one more in here," he said.
"Right away, Mr. Isaacs," she replied.
The senior cop, Officer Smith grunted and began to speak when Carlos interrupted him. "I was told that this meeting may take a while. Why don't we wait until all of us are seated," he said. He directed his gaze to Smith. Officer Smith looked back at him. His eyes assessed this tall, dark skinned gentleman that had come in with Mrs. James.
"I take it you're the husband of Mrs James ... Mr James?" he queried.
Carlos nodded. "Yes I am."
"You are aware that this is a private company matter," Smith replied.
"I am very much aware, but as an investor in this company, I have a right to know what's happening," he said, his steely gaze boring into Smith.
Smith chuckled. "Okay ... okay. Let him stay. The more the merrier," he said amused. His eyes were guarded.
Just then one of the company's janitors brought up a plastic chair from the cafeteria. He knocked on the door and entered. Carlos took the chair from him and smiled. The janitor nodded at him and stepped out closing the door behind him.
Carlos sat beside his wife.
Paul sighed. He removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes. "Can we proceed now?"
"Sure."
"Yes."
Both Smith and Carlos replied at the same time. They looked at each other. Wary, hooded eyes and cautious, steely gaze clashed with each other. Everyone felt the tension in the room.
Sharon looked down at the floor. Lawd have mercy! she thought.
Paul cleared his throat. "Officer Smith, you said you had new evidence. What did you find?" he asked.
Smith looked away from Carlos and focused on the General Manager.
"Yes Mr. Isaacs. Let me first say thank you for calling this meeting so quickly at this short notice. Much appreciated," Smith said.
His voice raised, Officer Smith stood up and paced the space between himself and his partner, Officer Foster. "There's seems to be a conspiracy afoot in your noble establishment. Unfortunately, it was contrived by a key player in your company." Smith stopped speaking it seemed for dramatic effect. He looked at Sharon, who was now feeling like she was sinking into a deep hole.
Smith snapped his fingers at Foster who went into a briefcase and produced a folder with several documents. Smith took the papers from Foster and slapped them in his hand. The sharp sound made the other persons in the room flinch nervously.
Carlos was feeling disgusted with the theatrics. He grunted. "Well? Let's hear it!" he said impatiently.
Smith did that low, gritty laugh and looked at Carlos.
He sat down in his chair with a pleased smirk on his face. "Well, it seems this case has become more about unrequited love than even the fraud itself," he said.
"For God's sake detective out with it!" Paul blurted out feeling his frustration rise.
"It seems that our proper and professional Mrs James has been having an affair!" Smith said staring straight at Sharon.
There were gasps across the room. Carlos looked around at his wife. Sharon's eyes widened in disbelief.
"What the hell is this?" she said outraged. "You're so desperate to close this case you will tell lies!"
Carlos looked at Sharon, his eyes narrowing. Smith watched Carlos looking at his wife and smiled broadly.
"Sharon?" Carlos' voice was deathly calm.
"Carlos baby, I swear to you, it's a lie. This is not true!" Sharon said. Her eyes were wide with fear.
She saw the look of disgust on her husband's face. He couldn't believe what this man was saying?! she thought.
"Baby, he's lying!" she protested.
"Me? Mrs James?!" Detective Smith drawled the word 'Mrs'. "Not at all. I have been in the Force for over twenty years. I have served this noble institution and my country with distinction. I have been a detective with the unit for about seven years. I cannot be bribed and no one can say I have taken dirty money, or turned a blind eye." Smith's gaze bored into Sharon and Carlos.
"Sharon? Is there something you should tell me?" Carlos turned his body towards her fully. He held onto her hands. "Baby, tell me if there is something going on, I can forgive you. You know I will always protect you."
Sharon saw that all eyes were on her. She swallowed the lump she felt was forming in her throat.
Smith laughed harshly. "Protect from what? The law? Don't be silly," he said, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Shut up!" Sharon snapped. "Shut up! Where is this evidence that I had such an affair?!"
Smith stood up, reached forward and smacked the folder he had in his hand down on Paul's desk.
Paul took up the folder and opened it. It held text messages of an explicit nature.
"Sharon, you need to see these," he said averting his eyes. He extended his hand with the folder towards Sharon.
Carlos stood up, bent forward and took the folder from him. He opened it and looked through pages of sexually explicit text messages between Sharon and a man named Marlon.
Sharon looked at the papers in shock. She felt like her head was spinning. She never had these conversations with Marlon.
Would he really do this to her? Was Marlon capable of this cruelty? Maybe. She didn't really know him.
She read the messages closely. She picked up on something she could use to defend herself. She would never tell any man she wanted to go down on him. If she never did it to her husband, why would she say that she would do it to a mere associate from work?
"Baby, look at the messages closely," she said. "Baby, please ..." She saw Carlos' enraged expression as he read each page. He would often joke that if she ever gave his 'happy place' away he would not be responsible for what he would do. He would lose his mind.
"Carlos!" she shouted. She grabbed his hand hard and squeezed, digging her nails into his skin. The pain snapped him out of his reverie. He blinked and looked at her.
"Baby, look at the third line on the fifth page. Read it again. Baby, you know me!" She looked at him. Her eyes pleaded with him.
Carlos read the text aloud: "I want to feel your strong, long c*ck in my mouth. I wanna see you c*m."
He looked at his wife. Understanding dawned on him.
He chuckled to himself and shook his head. He looked at her then looked at the other persons in the room.
"My wife would never say something like that. She's as prim as they come. As for oral sex. I have been married to her for twenty-four years. She has never ever done the act to me, nor acquiesced to my suggestions for it. And I can guarantee that our sex life has not been lacking without it," he said.
"You expect us to just up and take your word for it?" This question came from Officer Foster. He looked pointedly at Sharon and winked.
Carlos was about to stand up when Paul intervened. Sharon grabbed Carlos' arm.
"Officer, what happens in the bedroom between my employee and her husband is none of our business. If he says a suh it guh, a suh it guh! Please, can we move on?" Paul said.
Smith cleared his throat. "Mrs. James," he said softening his tone, "we mean you no embarrassment. We just want to get at the truth."
"Where did you get these texts from?" Carlos asked him.
"They were actually found in Marlon Campbell's phone. You know Mr. Campbell, right Sharon?" Detective Smith asked.
"Yes," Sharon said. "He works at the little private concessionaire we leased to the company he works for."
"And you and he have become good friends?" he asked.
Sharon was about to respond when Carlos intervened. "What do you mean good friends?" he asked the detective.
"It is common knowledge that Sharon frequents the concessionaire for the purposes of breakfast and lunch," he looked at Carlos.
"Am I correct?" Smith asked, looking at her.
Sharon nodded. "I do have lunch over there, breakfast sometimes, but he is not the only employee, there are two more," she said, trying to keep her voice neutral.
"Yes, I am aware of the other two: a female and another male," he said.
Officer Smith leaned forward, his eyes guarded. "But you have a more stronger friendship with Marlon, right?" he asked.
"Wrong," Sharon said. "He is an ambitious young man. If you mean I try to encourage him towards his career goals, then yes, I have been encouraging his goals and have been a counsel to him."
"No. I mean you have been seeing him romantically," he said.
"Negative," Sharon responded.
"You deny having any kind of sexual contact?"
"None whatsoever," she answered him tersely.
"So, why does your P.A. say otherwise?" Smith asked this last question as he turned his head towards Denise Williams.
Carlos swore under his breath. This was more than he bargained for.
"Denise, explain yourself?" Sharon demanded.
Denise coughed briefly then spoke up. "I became Mrs. James' personal secretary around the same time she appointed Cooper as accounting clerk, about close to three years." Denise turned her face towards the detectives, trying to avoid the daggers Sharon's eyes were throwing at her.
"One day, Mrs. James asked me to bring her some documents for her to sign while she was at the little cafe slash canteen. I thought it was strange, but I agreed. I placed the papers in a file jacket and headed to the cafe.
"When I entered the place, the first thing I saw was Marlon sitting beside Mrs. James and he was touching her wrist, and kind of like rubbing his fingers on the skin of her wrist. They were looking at each other and smiling with flirty looks. I brought the papers to her, she signed them and gave them back to me. I asked if she would be coming back to the office soon, but all she did was nod. So I figured, well she's my boss, she can do what she wants. I left them there and went back to work."
"You ungrateful little bitch!" Sharon shouted. "I helped you get this job! You had no work experience. No one was hiring you! You were a struggling university student with a worthless degree! You're the daughter of a friend of mine from high school. I took pity on you and you're worried mother and helped you get this job!" Sharon was furious.
"I am grateful for all your help Mrs. James, but I won't lie for you," Denise blurted out.
"What?" Sharon exclaimed. "You little wretch. You ungrateful ..." she bellowed.
"Enough!" Paul shouted standing to his feet.
Denise snickered. "You know I'm not lying," she said her voice slightly raised.
"You're a little liar!" Sharon countered.
"I said, enough!" Paul said, but no one was listening.
"Lying bitch!" Sharon shouted.
Officer Smith leaned back in his chair smiling. He listened to the shouting. He nudged his elbow slightly into Officer Foster's side. Foster looked at him and nodded. He too was smiling. They would crack the case very soon.
Carlos stood up. "Quiet!" he said loudly. Everyone looked at him. He took deep breaths. He looked at Paul.
"Paul, sit down please."
Paul sat down reluctantly.
Carlos walked to the centre of the room and perched on the edge of Paul's work desk. Paul was about to protest, but Carlos shook his head. "Allow me, please," he said.
Paul sighed. "Go ahead," he said.
Officer Foster was about to stand up but Smith held on to him and shook his head. Foster sat down. They both looked at Carlos with razor sharp focus.
Sharon felt her heart pounding. Oh baby, I hope you know what you're doing, she thought feeling scared.
"What are the facts of this case you're forming, Officer Smith? Let's review them, please," Carlos addressed detective Smith. He had a hunch. One thing he had always known to do, even as a child. The most important skill that engineering helped him to hone was to recognise patterns. He had a feeling that a sinister one was being hidden.
Smith cleared his throat. He sat up straight as far as his bulk would allow in the small chair.
"A few weeks ago we received documents from Mr. Isaacs pertaining to a possible syphoning off of monies. Some weeks it would be a dollar, other weeks two dollars. It was discovered for about three months or so."
He looked at Paul, who nodded.
"Right," Smith continued, "there were four cheques that were signed during the July to August period that had duplicate data."
He looked at Gibson, head of Purchases, who nodded his head slightly.
Smith turned his gaze back to Carlos.
"One of the cheques for $250,000 got cashed. The other three were canceled by the bank on suspicion of illegal activity. A bank rep called to inform the company of their suspicion, the company immediately asked them to decline the other three cheques. Thereafter, the investigation was launched, and that's where we came in," he said carefully laying out the facts.
Carlos closed his eyes and thought of patterns. He wondered. Carlos mulled over what the detective said in his mind, willing himself to identify anything off. He needed more information. He would call his wife by his term of endearment in this room to reassure her.
Carlos opened his eyes and turned to her.
"Shar, honey," he began. His eyes asking her to trust him.
Sharon had known Carlos for twenty-four years. She picked up on his unspoken cues. She nodded.
"When did Cooper come to work in your office?" he asked.
"Close to three years now," she said.
"Be as specific as possible, honey," he said encouraging her. She saw Cooper shuffle nervously.
Sharon leaned back into the chair and sighed. "About two years, ten months and three weeks, I believe."
Yes! Yes baby! Carlos thought feeling exultant. Sharon always had the better memory of the two of them.
He saw Officer Smith's eyebrows go up in surprise.
"When did you hire Ms. Williams here?" Carlos asked, gesturing towards the young woman.
Denise looked at him with a sarcastic look. Carlos looked back at Sharon winking at her.
Sharon sighed and thought about it. She closed her eyes. "Sara, her mom called me during the time we were supposed to go on vacation, that time Carli caught chicken pox and we had to stay."
Carlos chuckled. He loved it. She was in the zone.
"Two years, ten months and one week." Sharon's eyes flew open. She looked at her husband. Then she stared at Anderson. "Gary, as I recall you were hired around the same time?" she said looking at him seriously.
Gary Anderson, the company's financial accountant looked at her with eye brows raised.
"What are you saying Sharon?" he asked her, his voice was calm.
Smith turned to Anderson and asked, "When were you hired sir?"
Anderson adjusted the tie around his neck. "Close to three years now," he said softly.
Sharon looked at her husband. Her eyes lit up. She saw what he was doing. He smiled at her and winked.
Carlos turned his gaze to Cooper. "Michael," he called to him. At this time Cooper held his head down and was staring at the floor.
Michael Cooper looked up at him reluctantly. Carlos smiled at him. "My wife said that you told her and Paul, that Denise here came to you to sign a few cheques and told you that it was from her. Am I correct?" he asked him.
Cooper nodded.
"What?" Smith exclaimed. "How come I wasn't made aware of this?" he asked.
Carlos raised his left hand to stop him from speaking further. "Hold on please."
Smith paused but looked annoyed.
Carlos turned his attention back to Cooper. "Is that common procedure? Is it common for my wife to send her personal assistant with cheques to sign?" he asked him.
"No," Cooper replied. "Sharon doesn't usually allow her to handle things like those. Denise ... I mean Ms. Williams usually does typing, printing, writing correspondence, mostly clerical stuff."
"Okay," Carlos continued. "On this particular occasion please recount what happened?"
Smith leaned forward watching what was happening.
"On the day, it was 26 August. It was Carli's university orientation." He looked up at Carlos who nodded to reassure him.
Cooper continued: "Sharon had called me on my cellphone to let me know she would be in a bit later because it was Carli's orientation at UWI, so to hold the fort till she came in. Mrs. James never mentioned that Denise had any cheques to give me, but when she came with them I thought nothing of it. It was the 26th so it was close to the end of month rush for the payables accounts. I was trying to get the numbers in from the other accounting clerks, and to reconcile and balance to create a trading, profit and loss sheet. Around noon Denise ..." He looked over at Denise who was looking at him, her eyes boring into him. She slowly uncrossed her legs. Cooper saw what she did. He looked away and paused, seemingly confused.
Sharon picked up on the subtle body language between them. "Cooper, how long have you and Denise been dating?" she asked.
Cooper looked at her, his eyes becoming wide in alarm. "I ... I don't know ... Denise is just a work colleague," he said glancing at the young woman, who was now rolling her eyes at him. He looked away nervously.
"It's interesting that when we started this investigation both you and the young lady here had suddenly taken leave at the same time. Sounds like more than coincidental, don't you think?" This question came from Detective Smith, who was now intrigued by this turn of events.
"What were you doing? Trying to get your stories straight?" Smith pressed the issue.
"What?" Sharon exclaimed.
Smith looked at her and nodded. "Yes. We did take a look at records from HR as well. We were trying to find Cooper. When we enquired from HR about his work records they also informed us that he had filed for leave two days before we were invited to visit your offices. So that would have been Saturday. We came in on Monday."
Smith turned and focused his hardened gaze on Denise. "Ms Williams here filed for leave on the Monday afternoon. Interestingly, she never did turn up to work that day. You called in to work and told them you were sick, didn't you?"
Denise didn't answer.
Smith looked at Sharon. "Did she call to tell you she had taken leave?" he asked.
"No, she never told me anything," Sharon said looking at Denise.
"Could she be the one texting this Marlon guy?" Carlos looked at Smith.
Smith looked at him and nodded. "It is a possibility."
"How did he come into this? How did you get his phone?" Carlos asked the detective.
Paul cleared his throat. "He actually approached me," he said. "One day while I was having lunch, he came to my table and told me he heard that we were investigating Sharon. He said he heard that from one of the young interns. It's office gossip apparently.
"Anyhoo he told me, he and 'Sharon'," Paul used his fingers to mimic quotes, "were corresponding for a while, maybe a month, and at first he was enamored by all the attention he was getting from her, but then when the tone of the texts became more sexually explicit, though he found them flattering, he couldn't reconcile them with the usual work behavior he was used to from her.
"Then he said, you and he, Sharon," He looked at Sharon directly now, "had a sort of encounter at the cafe and he was trying to express his feelings for you, that he wanted the relationship to go beyond texting, but you rebuffed him. He then realised that something was wrong. He said you have always been kind to him but never gave him an impression that it was more than a friendship between you two, but the texts, with what was being said, he wanted to explore the relationship further. However, when you didn't seem to read his cues, he realised that maybe he hadn't been talking to you after all. He came forward and showed me the texts hoping it would clear your name."
Sharon felt relieved that he wasn't involved after all. "Where is Marlon now?" she asked.
"We asked him to take a few days off from work," Paul replied.
"We've seized his phone and had those messages printed," Smith answered. "We'll give his phone back to him shortly."
"Please do," Sharon said tersely.
Smith chuckled. "Are you fond of him, Mrs. James?" he asked her.
Sharon paused maybe a bit too long.
Carlos' eyes narrowed as he watched her. "Sharon?" She looked up at her husband. "The detective asked a question. Are you going to answer him?" he asked her.
Sharon sighed. "Yes. Yes I do find him attractive, but my interactions between him and myself have been strictly professional. The last time I saw him I was surprised at how forward he was towards me, but I just thought it was because I told him I was feeling ill and he was being nice to me because of that," she said.
She looked up at Carlos. "I promise you, nothing has happened between me and Marlon," she said her eyes sincere.
Carlos believed her. He nodded.
Smith looked at Sharon. "Is your number 888-0000?" he asked.
"I had that number a few weeks back, but somehow I lost my phone. I have a new phone and number now," she said.
"Well that's the number that's been texting Marlon," he responded.
"Well, that's not me," Sharon said matter of factly. "That has ceased to be my number for about a month now."
Carlos nodded his confirmation. "It's true," he said.
"Give me your number?" Smith asked her.
Sharon rattled off her number from memory.
Smith took out his phone and called. The phone rang and she retrieved it from her bag and showed the persons in the room.
"See," she said. "New phone, new number."
Smith grunted. He nodded. He ended the call. Sharon's phone stopped ringing.
Officer Smith looked at Denise. "Why did you bring those cheques for Cooper to sign for?" he asked.
Denise cleared her throat. "Because Mrs James asked me to?" she said as she looked at Officer Smith. Her gaze unflinching.
Sharon was not having it. "Denise, who is putting you up to doing these things? I have never nor would I ever ask you to do such things. You barely have any sort of accounting knowledge. I helped you get the job as a favor to your mom. Would you destroy over twenty years of friendship? Why are you doing this?" Sharon asked. She felt a dull ache in her lower abdomen. She ignored it.
Denise only smiled. The room went silent.
Suddenly, the shrill sound of a text notification broke the silence. Sharon recognized the sound. Then she heard the familiar ringtone. It sounded like her old phone.
Officer Foster stood up. "Everyone please stand up and empty your pockets or the content of your bags. Thank you," he said. He was holding his cellphone in his hand. He was the one calling the old number.
Sharon quickly stood up and emptied the contents of her bag on her chair. Carlos emptied his pockets. So did Cooper, Anderson, Isaacs and Gibson. Everyone looked at Denise who was still sitting. The phone was still ringing.
In one quick movement Denise rushed towards the door, opened it and ran out. Carlos who had always been quick on his feet took off after her and grabbed her before she was able to get to the elevator. He brought her back to the room holding on to her arms tightly. While Carlos held her, Smith grabbed the bag from her hand, unzipped it and shook out its contents on the floor. Two phones fell out along with a notepad, pens, lip-gloss and a wad of cash folded together by a rubber band.
The phone had gone to voice mail. Foster hung up his phone and called again. The cellphone with the pink metal case lit up and started ringing. Foster stepped forward, picked it up and cut the call.
He looked at Denise and shook his head. "I guess we have some questions for you, Ms Williams."
"Nice work, Foster," Officer Smith said.
Foster nodded and smiled.
Smith took hold of Denise and turned her back towards him and placed her in handcuffs. He looked around at the other people in the room. "We'll let you know what our investigation brings up," he said.
He motioned for Foster to opened the door for him. Foster complied. Smith looked back at Sharon. He nodded at her. He had grown to respect her. He looked up at the tall gentleman with the calm demeanor. He nodded at him and said, "Ever had an interest in being a police detective?"
Carlos chuckled. "No enuh," he said, "I like a quiet life." He gently pulled Sharon closer to his side. She looked up at him and smiled.
Smith looked at both of them. "I'm sure your life is anything but quiet," he said. He gazed at Sharon with an amused look on his face. Carlos chuckled. He looked at his wife. "Yeah. You're right," he said smiling.
Sharon laughed and slapped him playfully on his chest. Carlos grinned cheekily.
Smith smiled. He nodded at Isaacs, who nodded back at him. "Thank you for your quick response," Isaacs said.
"It was no problem," Smith answered. He handed Denise over to Foster who gripped her tightly and pushed her through the door.
The pain Sharon was feeling was more intense now, but she would show no sign of weakness to strangers. She waited until Carlos closed the door for her to collapse in a chair. She could feel the room spinning. She broke out in sweat. She bent over and grimaced.
Carlos rushed to her side. "Sharon, honey, what's wrong?" he asked alarmed.
"Pain ... pain in my abdomen." Sharon managed to whisper.
"Shit!" Carlos swore.
Paul moved to the other side of her. "What's wrong?" he asked, concerned. He touched her on her shoulders.
"She's been having some weird abdominal pains lately," Carlos said.
"Oh, okay. Let's get her to your car so you can take her to the hospital," he said moving to open the door.
Sharon felt very dizzy. She tried to stand but her legs were like rubber and buckled under her. Carlos caught her and lifted her in his arms. She felt weak. She heard voices around her. They sounded afraid, but she couldn't identify which one was Carlos' or Paul's or Gary's. She heard Sean's voice close by. Carlos was running with her. The other men followed closely behind. They stopped at the elevator waiting.
"I'm going to call ahead to a doctor friend of mine. His name is Dr. Vincent Ramgalan," Sean Gibson said. Sean dialed the number and waited.
"Okay, Dr Ramgalan? I'm sending a colleague to you. She's in a lot of pain. Abdominal pain," he said looking at Carlos. Carlos nodded his affirmative.
"Okay. Thank you doctor." Sean ended the call. "As soon as you go in tell them it's an emergency and you need to see Dr. Ramgalan, use the word 'priority'. Show them this card." Sean retrieved a business card from his shirt pocket that belonged to the private hospital he was sending them to.
"Tell them I sent you 'Sean Gibson'," he said.
"Sharon. It will be okay. Okay?" Sean said. He came to stand before her. His eyes were filled with fear.
Sharon tried to answer him, but her mouth was dry. Carlos nodded at Sean and moved off quickly. They were taking the stairs, the elevator was occupied. Carlos still had her in his arms as he hurried down to the car.
A sharp pain wrenched through her. She gasped and blacked out.
***
After Jason did his laundry he went to see Omie. He needed to ask him something very important. After a brief knock on the door, Omie opened it for him. He had called ahead and told him he wanted to speak to him.
"Sup?" Omie said. They slapped hands together as was their custom and Jason entered Omie's living room. Aisha was there sitting on the black couch curled up on her side watching TV. Jason greeted her and playfully slapped her on her feet. She laughed and threw a cushion at him. He ducked it and laughed. Omie came into the room and picked up the cushion and threw it back at Aisha. She caught it and grinned at her boyfriend.
Aisha sat up and looked at Jason. She was wearing one of Omie's t-shirts over a blue mini skirt. She smiled and leaned forward to receive a hug from him. Jason hugged her and playfully messed up her hair. It was freshly relaxed and was soft and shiny. He sat on the couch.
"'A' what's up, chica?" Jason asked her smiling.
She laughed. "Nothing much enuh. I just finished making this guy's toes curl and then I decided to watch TV till he recovers and we can go again," she said, her eyes filled with mischief.
Omie made an exasperated sound behind them. Jason looked around, saw Omie's flustered expression and laughed. So what she said was indeed true. 'A' was something else. She always came direct.
"Oh. Okay. You go girl!" Jason said laughing. "Sorry to disturb you guys, but I won't take long."
Omie plopped on the couch between them and put his arm around his girl. Jason scooted over more to give them space.
"So what's up?" Omie asked his friend, but he was distracted. He was affectionately nuzzling Aisha's neck. Aisha giggled and planted a firm kiss on his lips.
Jason watched them and thought about Carli and how much he wanted to be hers so he could do all the things they were doing and more. He cleared his throat.
Omie and Aisha looked up at him. Aisha laughed softly while Omie chuckled. "Sorry," he said. "What can I do for you?" Omar asked.
"You know about Carli. I'm going to marry her next year, and I want you to be my best man," Jason said letting the air out of his chest slowly.
Omie sat forward. "Yuh serious?" he asked his eyes wide. He looked at Aisha who was also surprised.
"Mm-mh as a heart attack. Remember, I told you I would marry her. I asked her and she accepted." Jason smiled thinking about her.
Aisha stood up and went to Jason. She leaned forward and hugged him tightly. Jason hugged her back. She sat down on Omie's lap and looked at Jason in shock.
"What's her name?" she asked.
"Carliethia James, her friends call her Carli, but I call her my baby," Jason said.
Omie circled his arm around Aisha's waist. He looked at his friend. In some ways he was afraid for him. When Jason loved, he loved hard and he could sometimes be impulsive, but if this girl was what he said she was, he was happy for him and proud of his step. He had been thinking about what Jason said days before about making Aisha his wife. He decided that he would, but he hadn't said anything to her or Jason yet. He loved her and he wanted her to be secure in their love.
Omar Marshall extended his hand to his very best friend. Jason took it. Aisha reading the moment between the young men got up from Omie's lap. Omie leaned forward towards Jason and hugged him slapping him on his back. Jason felt like his eyes were about to water. He blinked hard.
"You've been my good friend from bulla and milk days bro. If this is what you want, then yes, I will be honored to be the best man at your wedding," Omie said as he hugged him. Omie felt a little emotional but would never show it.
As they separated away from each other Jason patted Omar on the shoulder. Aisha went into the fridge and took out a large pitcher filled with cold water and rested it on the kitchen counter. She poured three glasses, placed them in a small wooden tray and brought them over to the men. They each took one. Aisha took the one remaining and placed the tray on the small table before them.
She sat beside Omie at the end of the couch so the two best friends could be closer.
"So have you guys done it yet?" she asked curious. "How was it?"
Jason smiled and shook his head. Aisha was Omie's perfect match. "No," he said. "We haven't had sex yet. We really want to, but we're saving it until I put a ring on her finger.' Gosh how I want to! Jason thought.
"How long have you've been seeing her?" she asked.
"A little over three months," he replied.
Aisha stared at him. Out of the corner of his eye Omie saw her expression. He chuckled.
He turned to her. "Yes hun bun, he said what he said," Omar said amused at her expression.
"Jason, so you've not sampled the goods, but you want to marry her after just three months?" Aisha asked her mouth open in shock.
"What can I say? I love her. I want her and I think I need her," Jason said plainly.
"Mi tell him seh is him oil ah ride him," Omie said laughing. "Because a long time him nuh get nuh nookie him rushing fi get it."
Jason looked at Omie and said, "Let's say that I've seen paradise and it is beautiful, and I can't wait to enter in."
Omie sat up and looked at him, his eyes wide, eye brow raised. "Weh yuh really a seh bro bro?" he asked surprised. He looked at Aisha who was also perplexed but intrigued. Jason smiled, a cheeky look on his face.
"All I will say is, I am not made of stone, Omie. I gave in a little," he said smiling at them.
Omie's face lit up. "Suh weh dat mean? Yuh knock it?" he asked.
"No, I haven't," Jason said shaking his head.
"But sumn happen between you and her?" Omie asked.
Jason nodded.
"But yuh nah tell yuh bro?" Omie asked staring at him.
Jason shook his head.
"Tell me, have you seen her orgasm?" This question was from Aisha. She looked at him, her eyes squinted.
Jason nodded. A look passed between them. Jason and Aisha always had a way of understanding each other.
Aisha nodded. She had an idea what could have happened.
Omie was clueless. "What? Wah dat mean?" he asked exasperated.
Aisha patted Omie on his arm. "Come out a di people dem business, babes."
Omie hissed his teeth. "Di two ah unu always ah gang up pon mi an' nah tell mi wen sumn a gwaan. Unu cyan gwaan man. Gwaan like unu a twin," Omie said annoyed at them.
Aisha laughed and hugged her man.
"No! Mi nuh wah nuh hug from yuh. No, nuh hug mi man," Omie protested, but he did not push her away.
"Suh you gwaan, man," she said playfully. She kissed his cheek and used her fingers to caress his beard.
Jason chuckled softly as he watched the two of them play fight. He was looking forward to that with his darling.
"Omie mi ah guh up suh, y'ere?" He said standing up to leave.
"Yah guh check her?" Omar asked while gently squeezing Aisha's side.
"No, no later in the night that," Jason replied. He knew Omie was referring to Carli. "Mi a guh up a Tina."
"Oh, oh cools," Omie said. Aisha was playing in his hair. He looked at her giving her his best 'come hither' look and winked. She giggled.
"How har business a gwaan?" he asked but he was looking at his future wifey.
"Gwaan good man. Yuh wah mi pick up nuh groceries from her fi yuh?" Jason asked. He saw the looks between his two good friends and knew it would be on. He stepped towards the door. He would definitely give them their privacy.
"Yeah, yeah. Six pounds of rice and about two pounds of sugar, that's all," Omie said, distracted.
Aisha was licking her lips and leaning back on the couch. Omie placed his hand on her left thigh as she opened her legs slightly for him.
"Sure?" Jason looked at them, an amused look on his face.
"Yah man. Mi sure," Omie answered, but he only had eyes for the girl next to him.
"Aight bro, I'll be leaving," Jason said. He opened the door and closed it behind him.
***
Carli woke up at 6 am Saturday morning, took a shower, got dressed and went downstairs. No one else was awake yet. It was the perfect opportunity to think of him, plus to clear her thoughts on what happened between her and Lissa. She would start baking today for the Christmas season.
She thought of him. His words lit a fire in her that she needed him to come quench. She did manage to sleep last night but it was filled with dreams of him. She would still be able to fulfill her obligations. It wasn't the first time she had baked under pressure or tired either. And she wasn't feeling tired. She just needed a cup of coffee or maybe a glass of orange juice to get her going.
Carli opened the fridge and looked at the shelves. Fortunately for her, there was some orange juice inside in a one gallon bottle. She took it out of the fridge and poured a half glass of the pale gold liquid and sipped it. She poured a little more, closed the bottle tightly and placed it in the fridge.
He said I tasted like caramel, she mused. She smiled to herself. She felt reluctant to own that claim about herself. She blushed. But then again, if that's what his impression was, who was she to say no. She did like all the things he said to her. He made her feel beautiful and sexy.
She washed her hands at the kitchen sink and began to prepare her ingredients for the fifteen fruit cakes and one black forest cake she would be baking.
Her aunt had a cake batter mixer. She removed it from its place in the cupboard and started to work quickly. Aunt Sandra told her that she would be going to work today and would be collecting orders from her staff and industry colleagues. She had even collected half of the price of the cakes from some customers already.
She loved baking. It was something she and her uncle Chip did together when they were living in May Pen, and even after he was killed it was something she still did. It was a way to keep his memory alive for her and of course to make extra cash. Her aunt always encouraged her to think of it as more than a hobby or a side hustle, but she wasn't sure.
She quickly portioned the batter into each aluminum baking pan and carefully placed five in the oven. She didn't want to over-crowd the oven. She needed the heat to be evenly distributed. After that batch was done she put in six more then the remaining four fruit cakes. She started on the Black Forrest cake. There were enough ingredients to do the customer's order plus a small one for Jason. She wasn't sure if he would like it, but she remembered he said he liked chocolate.
Carli stretched and yawned. She heard the familiar patter of feet coming down the stairs and floppy slippers moving through the foyer. She looked up to see it was her cousin. Lissa walked in and sat at the dining table. She looked over at Carli, but Carli decided to avert her gaze away from her.
"Cuz, please sit with me," Lissa said.
"I'm busy, Lissa," Carli said her back turned to her cousin.
"I know, but I think we should talk, please," Lissa pulled out a chair beside her. "Please."
"What time is it?" Carli asked.
"8:30," Lissa said.
Carli came and sat in the chair. She looked at her cousin, her expression blank.
"Carli, I love you very much," Lissa began. "Maybe it's because I am older than you, maybe that's why I act like this. I am sorry hun. I think I lost it because I want so much for you to be safe."
Carli sighed. "Lissa, you're like an annoying big sister, but I love you," she said. She smiled at her.
Lissa chuckled. "Annoying, eh?"
Carli nodded and said, "Yes."
"Maybe I'm also projecting my own disappointments about relationships onto you. It hasn't been a good experience," Lissa said sighing.
"Maybe you're trying too hard, Lissa," Carli said reaching out her hand to her cousin.
Lissa took her cousin's hand and squeezed it. "Maybe," she replied.
"What happened to Derrick? I thought you guys were going on well?" Carli asked, concerned.
"I love Ricky actually, but ..." Lissa sighed.
"But what?" Carli asked.
"He wants to see other people, like an open relationship. He says I'm too intense," Lissa smiled sadly.
"You are intense Lissa. It can be good or bad. Does he say he loves you?" Carli asked. She squeezed Lissa's hand.
"Yes, he does and even yesterday after we had our fight I called him and he told me he loved me, but he says I'm like a tornado and he can't deal with that," Lissa replied.
"Lissa does he know what happened to you when you were seventeen?" Carli asked.
"No, I haven't told him," Lissa said looking at the floor.
"Why not?" Carli asked.
"I don't know," Lissa said. "I don't know."
"Do you love him?"
"Yes, I love him a lot," Lissa answered.
"And you believe he loves you?"
"I know he loves me," Lissa responded.
"Then don't hold back. Tell him how much you love him. Tell him what happened to you and also make the effort to allow him to love you. Just let go and stop questioning everything," Carli said smiling at her.
"How do you know I question everything?" Lissa asked.
"Do you?"
Lissa nodded reluctantly. "I do. Yes."
"See, I know you. You're my favorite cousin, although you give me a lot of trouble," Carli said.
"Talk to him and for once tell him how you really feel and let the chips fall where they may. If he loves you, he will love on you even more after he knows," Carli said reaching over to hug Lissa. Lissa leaned forward and hugged her.
"How did you get so wise?" Lissa asked her cousin. She moved away from Carli slowly and used her fingers to brush a tear away.
"I've got a wise cousin and an eccentric aunty. I don't know," Carli said. She grabbed her cousin's hands and squeezed them. "You wanna help me bake?" she asked Lissa.
"Okay. Sure. How many do you have left?" Lissa stood heading to wash her hands at the kitchen sink.
"Just two," Carli said. "One is for Jason."
Lissa looked at her with fresh perspective. "You really love him?" she asked.
"Yes cuz, I love him very much," Carli answered.
"And he loves you?" Lissa asked her.
"Yes. He loves me."
"Did you guys, you know?" Lissa asked. She was curious.
Carli chuckled. "No, we didn't," she said.
"You know, I figured you said that last night because I pissed you off," Lissa came towards Carli.
"What do you need me to do?" Lissa asked.
Carli weighed out four pounds of flour in a large bowl. "Sieve that for me," she said.
"Okay," Lissa said taking the large bowl with the flour from her and removing the strainer from the utensil drawer.
"Did you guys do anything?" Lissa asked, her eyes showing mischief.
"It depends," Carli said. "Are we good?" she asked.
"Yes hun, we're good. You a grown woman now," Lissa said smiling at her.
Carli giggled. "Girl!" she said.
"What? What?" Lissa asked. Her hands almost hit over the bowl. She grabbed it before the flour spilled and laughed.
"What?" she asked.
"He ... I'm no longer a virgin, but it's the way it happened," Carli said turning to her. Her expression was animated. "We wanted to, you know, have sex, but he touched me and his lips went places ... I couldn't think straight!"
Carli looked down at her thighs.
Lissa followed her eyes and laughed. "He went down on you?" she asked. It made no sense she started to sieve the flour right now. She was distracted.
"Yes!" Carli said.
"That good, uh?" Lissa leaned back on the counter and listened to her.
Carli nodded, her eyes closing. "Lissa, I've never felt like that before, but that's not the best part," she said, opening her eyes and smiling at her cousin.
"What is?" Lissa asked curious.
"I recommitted my life to God," Carli said.
Lissa eyebrows drew together. Wait ... What? Lissa thought. She was happy for her but a little confused.
She reached for her cousin and held her. "I'm happy for you," she said.
She released her.
"Was he instrumental in that happening?" she asked.
"Yes, he was," Carli said.
Lissa nodded. "Well, I'm sorry I did what I did last night. And I am sorry I doubted him. I'm happy for you hun." She hugged her tightly.
"You know what, I don't need to know what happened between you two," Lissa said. She thought about it. If she loved her cousin, she would let her be her own woman. She held Carli at arms length and looked at her. "What happens between you two, hold it close to your chest, okay. Your relationship is sacred. Don't let anyone interfere in that." Lissa touched her young cousin's face.
Carli sensed the change in Lissa's mood. She nodded soberly. "I promise," she said.
Lissa smiled. "Okay, let's see if we can impress Mr. Jason with your baking skills," she said. She went back to the counter to sieve the flour. "What's his last name anyway?" she asked Carli.
Carli chuckled. "Okay, let's," she replied. "Surname is Singh. And he makes my heart sing!"
Lissa laughed. "You're crazy!"
Carli giggled. Only for him, she thought, only for him.
***
Jason parked his car down the lane and walked up to his cousin's house. Tina was home today. She had hired a young girl called Poochie to help sell for her on weekends, while she did courses online. He wasn't sure what his cousin was studying but he knew she was an ambitious girl so whatever she did he would be behind her a hundred percent.
He knocked on the door and waited while Tina's boyfriend Wayne opened the door for him.
"Sup bro?" Wayne said smiling.
The two men bumped fists and Jason entered the house. "Tina deh yah?" Jason asked him.
"Yeh man, she's in the bathroom," Wayne said sitting down on the sofa. He picked up the remote and pressed play. He was watching a movie on DVD.
Jason chuckled and shook his head. "My yute, a Netflix time now. Weh yah guh wid DVD? Dem movie yah deh on Netflix yuh nuh."
Wayne smiled. "Yeh, mi know, but mi have dem yah an' mi nah dash dem weh."
"Suh yuh nuh have Netflix pon dis?" Jason said looking at the 34" flat screen television.
"Yah man, but you know how it guh. Mi just like my tings dem," Wayne said. He leaned back on the couch grinning. He continued to watch his movie.
Jason smiled and shook his head. "Arite, bredda," he said.
Jason decided to sit beside him and look at it while he waited for his cousin.
After about twenty minutes. Tina came into the room. "Oh a you," she said looking at Jason. "Mi know mi hear talking. Wah gwaan?" She went over to hug her cousin. Jason stood up, put his arms around her and squeezed.
"So wah gwaan?" she asked him. She looked up at her cousin. He looked happy.
"Yuh know mi come fi dah ting deh," Jason said. He released her from his embrace.
"Yeh man," she said smiling. "But yuh look different. So what's up?"
"A woman him find man," Wayne chimed in. He was still watching his movie.
Jason laughed. How does Wayne know? He wondered. What? Do I have 'belong to Carli' written on me?
Tina looked at Wayne then looked back at Jason. "Is that true?" she asked, eyeing him closely.
Jason chuckled. "Yes, I do have someone," he answered.
Tina saw that his eyes twinkled a little. "Okay, sir," Tina was surprised but happy for him. "So yuh nuh monk again?" she asked him, her smile filled with mischief.
"Yuh a duh di tings again?" she chuckled.
"Not quite, but soon," he said.
"Uh?" she asked. One of her eyebrows was raised higher than the other.
Jason lifted his hands in exasperation. He chuckled a little. "I am still waiting until I'm married, but yes, I have someone. Her name is Carli."
"Carli?" Tina repeated. "Sounds like uptown girl name," she said. Her countenance changed.
Jason shook his head. "Far from it," he said.
"Okay Jasey. Happy fi yuh," Tina said but her voice held an air of sarcasm.
"What now?" Jason asked amused.
He pulled his cousin to him and hugged her again. "Is wah? Tell me?"
Tina sighed. "Nothing. When am I going to meet her?" She forced a smile.
"No, fi real. Tell me?" Jason held her at arms length and looked at her.
"I guess mi jus did want to meet her and vet her fi yuh, but it sounds like it's serious between you and this person I have never met," she said.
"Okay. Well, I never expected to meet her either, but I guess it was God's plan," he said.
"God's plan?" Tina asked. She looked at her cousin, her head cocked to one side.
"Yeah, I love her Teetee. I really do." Jason nodded at her.
Tina saw the look in his eyes. She softened. "You in love?"
Jason pursed his lips and nodded.
She nodded. "Okay. I want to meet her," she said. She smiled genuinely at him.
"You will. Very soon," Jason said, "but I gotta run."
"Yeah, yeah. Okay," Tina said nodding.
She went into her bedroom and retrieved some money and took it back to him. She handed the money to him. "So that will make us square. I don't owe you the principal anymore."
Jason counted the money and nodded. It was all there. "Okay, we're good," he replied.
Tina nodded. "Arite Jasey. I wanna say thank you for what you did those months before. If it weren't for you I wouldn't have seen this progress." She smiled up at him.
Jason smiled back at her. "What d'you mean? You're my favorite cuz. I'm gonna help if I can."
Tina hugged him. Jason returned the hug. She stepped back and smiled.
Jason folded the money and put it in his wallet and placed that in his pocket. He went over and stood in front of Wayne. Wayne paused his show and looked up.
"Arite bredda, yah leave now?" Wayne asked.
Jason nodded. "Yeh man," he said.
"Arite bredda, guidance."
Jason nodded and headed towards the door. He opened it and Tina closed it for him.
***
Carlos was pacing back and forth in the lobby of the private hospital. There was no word yet about Sharon. He was getting worried. The doctor was in there with her for about half hour now. What was happening? He wondered.
Just then a middle aged gentleman walked down the lobby towards him. He came and stood before Carlos.
"You are Mr. James," he asked. His accent indicated that he was a foreigner.
"Dr. Ramgalan?" Carlos queried.
The man nodded.
"Okay. What's going on with my wife. What's wrong with her?"
"This may surprise you. She mentioned this wasn't planned," Dr. Ramgalan replied.
Carlos was confused. "What? What wasn't planned?" he asked.
"She's pregnant," Dr. Ramgalan said.
"Pregnant?!" Carlos exclaimed. He was shocked. "But she's on birth control!"
The doctor looked at him, smiling apologetically. "I guess this isn't good news?"
Carlos sat down in a chair. The doctor sat before him. "Your wife is forty-four, but she's strong. Her blood panel shows no serious illnesses. She'll be fine."
"But why the abdominal pain?" Carlos asked.
"Sometimes during the process of implanting there can be some discomfort or cramping if you will. Unfortunately, your wife seems to be under tremendous stress. That may have been the reason for her pain. She almost miscarried today."
Miscarried? What? Carlos thought. "We could have lost this baby?" Carlos stared at the doctor.
"Yes, her blood pressure was elevated," Dr. Ramgalan said.
"How far along is she?" Carlos asked.
"Approximately ten days," Ramgalan said. "We'll have a more accurate picture in a week's time when she comes back." Ramgalan noted Carlos' expression and continued, "Yes. We've made an appointment with your wife for next week Saturday. We'll do another test and by then we'll be able to confirm how far along she is."
"Oh, okay," Carlos said. "Can I see her?" he asked.
"Sure, we gave her something for the pain," Ramgalan answered.
"Is it safe for the baby?" Carlos asked.
The doctor nodded. "Yes," he said, "just something mild to calm her down and relax her pelvic muscles."
Ramgalan stood and led Carlos to where Sharon was resting.
The doctor stood at the door while Carlos entered and sat on a chair that was beside his wife's hospital bed.
Ramgalan smiled and said, "Just about ten minutes, okay? The sedative will make her sleepy. She needs to rest. Mrs James I have some more rounds to do, but I will come back and check on you around two hours time, give or take."
Carlos nodded. "Thank you doctor."
Sharon smiled at Ramgalan. "Thank you so much doctor," she said.
Ramgalan bowed his head and smiled at them. "You're most welcome." He stepped back from the doorway and closed the door.
"Baby, I'm so sorry," Carlos said. He covered her hands with his.
"Cade, baby, what are you sorry for?" she asked him. She reached up and touched his face.
Carlos sighed. "I don't know. I wish I had insisted on you going to the doctor sooner," he said. "And you've been stressed out about the money I gave to Red Man, and with work, and Carli's university fund. As your husband I should have noticed that something was off and made sure you were okay."
Sharon held onto his face and pulled him down to her. She closed her eyes and kissed him tenderly. She gave it all she had though she was feeling tired. When she let him go and he leaned back she placed a hand on his thigh. "You still got it," she said winking at him.
Carlos shook his head, but he smiled at her. "Shar, this is very serious, baby. I could have lost you. I couldn't bear it."
"Well you haven't, okay? I'm here and I'm carrying your son," she said.
Now Carlos was perplexed. "How do you know this?" he asked.
"I just know," she said simply.
"Baby, seriously, you're scaring me. How do you know?" Carlos asked, staring at her.
"This one feels different. Carli's was an easy pregnancy. I barely felt anything. You were the one that told me I was pregnant, remember?"
Carlos nodded. "But baby, you were younger then, now you're in your forties. Things aren't like they used to be," he said. He reached for her hands again and squeezed.
"I know," Sharon said smiling at him. "Irrespective of that, I feel I'm right. We're having a boy. A sporty boy like his daddy."
Carlos chuckled. "You thinking of signing him to some track and field team right now?" he asked amused.
Sharon laughed softly. "Not really, but I know he'll be a strong, athletic, wise, young man, just like his daddy."
She was amazing. He loved her so much.
"Oh Sharon!" he breathed. "You make me so happy. Are you sure you want to have this baby?" He rested his head on her bosom.
"Yes, silly man. I will have a dozen more if I can manage. You know I always wanted two or three. It's just God's time." Sharon stroked his head gently.
He lifted up his head and looked at her. "Would you fault me for saying I wish I could make love to you right now?" Strangely, Carlos was turned on.
"No. I remember when I was pregnant how you couldn't take your hands off me," she winked at him, "but as you can see I need my rest."
She pulled his face to her and kissed him deeply. When she released him she looked at him flirtatiously. "As soon as I feel better, we'll see what we can do. Okay?"
Carlos smiled lovingly at her. "I promise to be gentle," he said.
Sharon laughed. She nodded. "I know," she said.
Carlos lifted himself from her chest and placed a hand on her tummy. "I promise to protect you and your mommy, always," he said. Sharon rested her hands on his.
"We need to call Carli and tell her," Carlos said.
"I have a better idea," Sharon said smiling at her husband. "Call Sandra, I want to talk to her. I miss my baby girl."
Carlos reached for his phone from his pocket and gave it to her. He had an idea what she was about to do.
Sharon dialed her sister's number.
After five rings she heard the familiar tone of her sister's voice.
"Hey San San," Sharon said happily while smiling at her husband.
Carlos smiled. Maybe it was time for a little family reunion.
***
He couldn't take it any longer. He needed to hear her voice. Jason called her.
"Hello," Carli answered.
"Hey beautiful," Jason said.
Carli felt something in her melt. "Hey honey, how are you?" she asked.
"I'm okay. Can't wait to see you later, although not under the circumstances I wanted," he said smiling.
He longed to see her. "I really wanna see you. I can't explain how not seeing you makes me feel."
Carli giggled. "I miss you too baby."
"You alone," he asked.
"Mmhm. Lissa was here helping me bake, but now she's gone on the road, and aunty is at work," she replied.
"Oh okay," he said. "You guys talked?" he asked her.
"Who? Lissa?" Carli asked.
"Mmhm, yes."
"Yeah. We've made up. I understand her Jason. There's something that happened to her that I probably shouldn't let you know about, but I'm gonna tell you so you can understand her better."
"Okay," Jason said. He was curious.
He heard Carli sigh on the line. "Jason, she was raped by a guy she was in love with. She was seventeen at the time," she said.
Jason felt bad. "Oh wow! Has she gotten any counseling?" he asked, concerned.
"Yeah, she did, but she still struggles. She doesn't really trust men. Added to that the counsellor at the time wasn't empathetic enough. She wants to be the kind of counsellor who can walk women through the trauma as a non-judgemental shoulder to lean on. That's why she does what she does. Her job I mean," Carli said.
"So she wants to protect you from me?" Jason asked. He was a little hurt but he brushed off the feeling.
"In a sense yes. I was a virgin. She didn't and doesn't want me to be taken advantage of. She didn't think you would force me, but I guess because you said you're celibate, and you are a Jamaican man who has had sex before ..." Carli paused then laughed.
"She thought I was being deceptive," Jason finished for her.
"Yes. Yes that's it," Carli said.
"Well, Carli you know me, and anything you don't know you will know very soon, because I'm going to make you my wife," Jason said matter of factly. "I love you and I would rather hurt myself than to hurt you."
Carli smiled. "Baby, you don't need to convince me. I'm looking forward to knowing everything I don't know about you after we're married, starting from our wedding night," she teased.
"Mmh, is that so?" Jason asked, intrigued. "What do you think is hidden?"
"Well, I've not experienced sex with you yet," she said coyly. "Plus that growl, that sound you made last night, like a growl or something. I wanna know that side of you."
"Growl? What growl?" Jason asked acting confused. He laughed softly. He knew what she was talking about. Last night he was really hot and needed an outlet of some sorts. "What? You liked the sound?" he asked amused but aroused.
Carli giggled softly. "Yes Jason Singh. It turned me on," she answered. "I wanna experience a little of that side of you on our honeymoon. Not sure if I can manage that fully on our wedding night because it will be my very first time, but I want that side to come out eventually," she said.
Jason smiled. Oh boy do I have something for you! He thought. "I promise not to hurt you, and if I do it'll be because you want me to, maybe just a little," he said his usual deep timbre became warm and sensual.
Delicate tendrils of pleasure rose from her loins, up her spine to her breasts and across her body. She shook her head and smiled, amazed at how easy it was for him to rattle her.
"You naughty boy," she teased him.
Jason chuckled. "Only for you my sweet baby, only for you." He thought of her on her back, naked and beautiful before him on his bed. He cleared his throat. "I'll be coming by your aunt's by 9, latest 9:15, okay? I'm getting someone to help me pick up my stuff, but right now I'm gonna get a new fridge and sofa," he said. His voice was soft to her ears.
"Okay baby. I love you. Can't wait to see you," she said blowing him kisses.
Jason closed his eyes and received her kisses. "I love you too sweet baby, " he said. He blew her a kiss and hung up.
He dialed uncle Red Man's number. He needed someone who wasn't afraid of an innercity setting.
"Wow! Talk fass!" Uncle Red Man answered the phone call.
Jason chuckled. Red Man was his mom's half brother by her mother's side. He too had the family trait of brilliant hazel eyes.
"Uncle Reds," Jason said. "It's your nephew Jase. Yuh still available to help me move today?"
"Yah man. I was waiting on you to call," Red Man replied.
"Oh cools. Yuh can bring the truck and come to Cross Roads. Just buy one fridge and sofa, need help to carry them too," Jason said.
"Yuh buy them already?" Red Man asked.
"Yeah," Jason said.
"Arite mi a come," Red Man replied. He hung up.
Jason smiled. Red Man was his favorite uncle. He always had hilarious stories of his life growing up.
Uncle Red Man arrived in Cross Roads fifteen minutes later with two young men. One called Tullo and the other Red Man called Bun Head. They didn't tell Jason their real names and he didn't ask.
They carefully helped Red Man load Jason's new fridge and sofa onto the back of the truck, strapped them down, then they were off to get his stuff from his old place.
Jason walked into the community first followed by Red Man and the two young men. Choppa, the area don stepped forward towards Jason.
"A wah gwaan yah suh?" Choppa asked. He looked at Jason, his body language menacing.
Jason smiled at Choppa. "Some stuff mi come fah. Get somewhere else so mi a move out mi things dem." Jason tried his best to show no fear. His body was however tense and poised for anything.
"Missa Lenny know?" This question was from Puppy Foot who stepped from a group of men who were standing nearby. Following Puppy Foot's lead the other men turned towards Jason and his group standing at the front of the community and circled them.
Jason looked back at Red Man. Red Man came forward and stood beside his nephew. Choppa stepped back a little. He recognized Red Man. Red Man was an O.G., a gangster back in his younger days, and his infamy was still widespread even among the young men in Commons and August Town. Red Man had long retired from that life. He had even moved out of the area four years ago, but the young men still feared him. They knew that if he wanted, he could make things happen.
"Yes, he knows," Jason answered. Lenford Watson was his landlord. Jason had informed him two weeks prior that he was moving, right after he paid his rent.
Choppa took his phone out of his pocket and made a phone call.
"Yeah, Missa Lenny, we just a call fi find out if yuh tenant did tell yuh seh him a move out?" Choppa queried.
Jason saw Choppa nod his head several times then said, "Arite. Thank you." He hung up.
He looked at Jason and the other men.
"Arite, mek dem pass," he said.
Puppy Foot stepped back as did the other men. Finally, Choppa moved out of Jason's way but his facial expression was still menacing. Jason, Red Man and the two young men moved towards Jason's rented place quickly. They entered the house and locked the door.
Uncle Red Man aka Eugene looked at his nephew. "Mek we hurry up, y'ere," he said.
Carefully but quickly, Red Man and the young men helped Jason move the furniture, and the sparse appliances he had to the truck while under Choppa's watchful eye. He was smoking a ganja spliff and had a plastic cup with some soda and rum in it. Jason and his crew ignored him.
When Jason was done he locked the house door. He would give Lenny his key the next day but at a neutral location. He walked briskly to the truck where his uncle, Tullo and Bun Head were waiting. They all got in the vehicle together and Red Man started the engine. He revved the engine several times to warm it up. He shifted the truck into gear and drove off. In the rear view mirror Red Man could see some of the men of the community watching them as they left. He turned to Jason and said, "Try nuh badda live nuh weh else like dah place yah. My time past now. Mi nuh have nuh strength fi involve inna nuh mix up," he said to his nephew.
Jason nodded. His expression somber. "I promise. Trust me," he replied.
They were able to help Jason unload the rest of his clothes, the new fridge and sofa, his stove, washing machine, the small table and his dressers, and bring them up to his apartment. The mattress remained in the truck and the large table. Those would be sent to his mom for safe keeping. Jason shook his uncle's hand and secretly slipped twenty-five thousand dollars in it.
Red Man opened his hand and smiled. He nodded. "How yuh mother?" he asked Jason.
"Mommy is good man. Yuh can talk wid her when you drop these things off for me," Jason said.
His uncle nodded. "Yeah. True. Yuh nah come wid we?" he asked.
"No. I got to arrange these things to my space and then I have somewhere to go later on in the night," Jason answered.
"Arite then. You take care of yourself," Red Man said.
Jason nodded. He nodded to the young men to acknowledge them. They nodded back then re-entered the truck waiting for Red Man.
"Arite thanks again, uncle," Jason said
Red Man nodded. "Yeh man," he said smiling. He walked to the truck. Jason followed him. Red Man started the truck engine, smiled at Jason and drove off.
***
Jason called Omie and the two of them went to the bank. Jason wanted to deposit some money at the ATM but he needed someone to be like a bodyguard for him. Robberies occasionally occur at bank ATMs and he wasn't taking any chances. He deposited $50,000, he would have Omie go in to his bank's branch in Half Way Tree on Monday to deposit another $500,000 at the teller. He had $225,000 remaining. He would give the $25,000 to Carli to spend as she liked and the remaining $200,000 would go down with him to Montego Bay.
On their way driving home they stopped and bought dinner, it was Omie's treat. He was happy for his friend and now, as a soon to be married man, Omie knew Jason needed to be more frugal with his money from now on.
When they arrived home, Omie stepped out of Jason's car and went into his apartment to give Aisha her dinner. She was sleeping over. Omie then carried his own boxed food and followed Jason up to his apartment. They ate their meals quickly while chatting about school days and plans for the future. Then they leaned back on the new sofa for a little while to allow the food to settle and continue their conversation. Afterwards they went to work.
Omie and Jason positioned the washing machine just outside the bathroom in a small space before the kitchenette where it could fit. They fixed the machine so that the waste water would flow from its hosing and empty into the shower tub. Jason would screw on a garden hose to the tub spout and use that to fill his washing machine when he needed to.
After they had finished rearranging the apartment with the newly added appliances. Jason made a make-shift shoe rack and clothes rack to store his shoes and clothes using rods and do-it-yourself shelves, he and Omie assembled. They would be by his bed side on the right. His two dressers were on the left side of the bed. The smaller one was closer to his bed while the bigger one with the mirror was to the left of the small dresser.
The small table he brought with him would be used as a counter top to help him prepare food. The small table he got with the apartment would be used as a night table. Jason and Omie also managed to fit his stove in the kitchenette space but the fridge would have to be at the far end of his bedroom space, across the room from his bed. The small sofa they moved to the empty the space in the hallway.
They moved the LED TV and mounted it on the wall, opposite to the bed some inches away from where the fridge stood. The fridge on the left; the TV on the right. The wooden stand the TV was on, Jason had bought at a craft festival months before. He decided to use it as a mini book shelf. He and Omie lifted it and carefully placed it a foot away from the door. It would be the first thing he'd see when he walked into the apartment.
When they were finished Jason thanked Omie and tried to give him some money for his help but Omie refused.
"No, not necessary," Omie said. "You're my bro. Just do yuh ting man."
Jason gave Omie a short hug and saw him out the door.
He quickly took clothes from his drawers, laid them on the bed and headed to the shower. When he came out of the shower, he got dressed quickly. He opened the apartment door and left it ajar and followed the corridor up the stairs to the roof where his clothes were drying. He had installed five clothes lines on separate metal poles on the roof and told Omie that any tenant was free to use them, but he needed access on Saturdays. So far everyone seemed to be adhering to this one condition. He threw the clothes over his shoulders and quickly brought them down to his apartment and laid them on the bed. He went back and forth three times and moved as quickly as he could. It was now 8:30 pm and he needed to leave and be by Carli's aunt's house by 9 o'clock.
When he was finished Jason grabbed his car keys, locked his apartment door and hurried down stairs. He jumped in his car and drove off.
***
Carli was getting dressed after her shower when she heard talking down stairs. She was wearing bra and panties. She sprayed some of her lavender oil in her hair, across her chest, neck and arms. She sprayed just a little on her thighs. She dressed herself in a skirt that brushed the top of her knees and a soft cotton blouse that was loose and comfortable. As she went down stairs she listened to the voices. It was Jason, he and her aunt were talking. She stood at the top of the stairs and listened to their conversation.
"Jason, I am quite fond of you," her aunt said, "but I am disappointed about what I am hearing about you engaging in certain activities with my niece. She is not my daughter, but she is under my care."
"I understand perfectly," Carli heard Jason reply. "I love your niece very much. I am in love with her. The original plan was to wait until she is my wife. We got a little carried away."
"Yes, she told me she initiated the encounter between you two," aunt Sandra said.
"That is true, but I accept full responsibility for what happened. I had her over at my house and should have stopped what happened between she and I," Jason said.
"How could you? My niece is a very beautiful young woman. I am sure she is tempting."
Carli heard a pause then Jason answered. "Yes, she is. She is very beautiful. However, we have laid some ground rules that I will make sure we carry out to a 'T'."
"How can I trust you with my niece?" her aunt asked him. Carli wondered if she should intervene. It was her they were talking about after all.
"If you don't want to trust me, I understand, but trust your niece's judgement and the efforts I am making to make her feel secure," Jason said.
"Yes, I saw the ring," aunt Sandra said.
"Yeah," Jason said. "I want to marry her. She is the one I want. Carli told me about your husband and a little about how you met."
Sandra laughed. "Yes. Marcus is a charmer, but also a hard worker. Are you prepared to work harder than you've ever done to make sure my niece is taken care of?" she asked him.
"I am more than willing and capable of doing that. I will do all that I can to make sure Carli is provided for and safe in our relationship," Jason said.
Carli couldn't listen anymore. She stepped down the stairs so they could see her.
She went to Jason and circled her arms around his waist. She looked up at her aunt, her eyes staring at her. Sandra saw the gesture and chuckled. "Claiming your territory," she quipped amused.
Carli smiled back at her but said nothing. Sandra lifted her hands palm up in the air as if to say 'I surrender'. She backed away from them both. She looked at Jason and said, "This should be a surprise, but Carli's parents will be coming to visit her tomorrow. If you're still here by Sunday afternoon around 1 o'clock you can introduce yourself to them."
Jason nodded. "Okay. I'll try to delay then," he said.
Carli was surprised. Her parents were coming to see her. She had planned to go to them. No matter, she was excited to introduce them to her love.
Sandra went upstairs while Carli pulled Jason into the living room onto her favorite couch.
"You okay, baby?" Carli asked.
Jason leaned back and put his arms around her. "Mm-hm I am my sweet baby. You swooped in to defend me," he said chuckling.
"You're mine. I won't let anyone pull us apart," she said. Not even my parents, she mused.
Jason leaned over and kissed her brow. "I love you, my little warrior," he said.
Carli giggled. "Only for you," she said. She reached up and kissed his cheek.
"So where's your cousin. I want to talk to her if you don't mind?" Jason queried.
"Oh, she went to look for her boyfriend," Carlo said smiling.
"Oh really?" he asked surprised.
"Yeh, they were having some misunderstandings, but she decided to talk to him. Judging by the fact that she isn't back yet, they've probably kissed and made up. She may stay over," Carli had a cheeky smile on her face.
Jason smiled also. "Good for her. I always thought she was wound up too tight. This is good," Good for him and Carli too. He thought. She can focus on her own relationship and leave ours alone.
Carli leaned on his chest. He circled his arms around her and kissed her head.
"I meant every word baby," Jason said. "I'm prepared to do everything to make sure you're okay. Matter of fact, I want to show you something. It's very important to our future. Can you be ready tomorrow morning by 7?"
"How did you know I was listening?" she asked surprised.
"I could smell your lavender fragrance. It's strong. I'm sure your aunt was also aware you were nearby," he replied.
She laughed softly. "Okay," she said simply.
Carli was intrigued about what they would be doing in the morning. "Yes, I can be ready by 7. You taking me somewhere?" she asked.
"Yes, out of town, but just briefly," he answered.
"Okay baby, I'll be ready by 7 am." She inched closer to him.
Jason rested his jaw on her head and pulled her closer.
"There are other things I want to tell you," Jason said. "I want you to know how much I love you and that I trust you."
Carli closed her eyes. She loved this man so much.
While they were holding each other close, Sandra came up behind them quietly and watched them. She heard what Jason said and smiled. She hoped he would tell her about the investment in St. Catherine.
She came forward and stood before them. "About the thing you wanted me to check out," she said.
Jason looked at her and listened. He still held Carli in his embrace.
"I just got a phone call. Your instincts were right," she said looking at Jason. "Turns out that the developer had filed a previous design with more rooms but it wasn't approved by the Municipal Corporation. According to a contact of mine, there's a sewage plant in that community that's almost at maximum capacity. The apartment complex will be attached to that plant as well. They had submitted plans to build a mini plant of their own but it hasn't been approved yet. Also, there's a water table in the community nearby that the government is keen on keeping contamination free.
"Based on the previous size of the apartment complex and water table being close by, the Corporation felt it was too risky to give approval based on the previous design. They felt it would threaten the water table and instructed the developer to cut back on the rooms being built and change the design. Based on what you described I got a link to sneak me a look at the new design. The new design is the old design. They just cut back on the rooms.
"It is a possibility that the extra space on the plans you saw were to accommodate the extra rooms being built in sneakily. The extra rooms the Corporation told them not to build in the first place. I also think the external staircase is a ploy to hide the extra space. I don't think they will be building any outside stairs. It's just to mask what they're doing. I shared my theory with my friend and he thinks it is possibly the developer's plan. He will pass on your observations to the heads of his department. The expectation is that by Monday there will be a stop order and further investigations will be taking place. Tell your friends not to bother with this venture. This may be tied up for awhile."
Sharon smiled at Jason. "Nice work," she said.
Jason nodded and smiled back at her.
"For what it's worth. I would love to have you as part of the family," aunt Sandra said. "Good night." She leaned forward to give Carli a hug. Carli moved out of Jason's arms and hugged her aunt.
"You have my blessing," Sandra whispered to her. Carli smiled at her as she moved away from her embrace. Jason heard what she said too. He was happy. He could tell she was impressed and he was glad he won her over. She left them and went upstairs.
At 10:30 p.m. Jason decided it was time to go home. They had spent the time cuddling and talking about their families. Carli told Jason about how her parents met, that her mom and dad were very loving towards each other, and how she wanted that for she and him. He told her he would love to meet them, to show them that he loved her and would do anything to make her happy.
"My sweet baby. I will dream of you till tomorrow," he said touching her face.
They were standing by the front door.
"I'll dream of you too. I love you honey," Carli said reaching up for a hug.
Jason pulled her in to him and held her tightly.
"Good night, baby," Jason said after he released her. He wished he could be with her tonight. Just to hold her close to feel her heart beat.
"Good night," she said. She was holding on to his right hand. She let him go reluctantly.
Jason stepped outside and she locked the door.
The new information he got from aunt Sandra was a life saver. He had money, but he didn't have money to waste. He was going to be a married man soon and he wasn't a millionaire yet. He smiled as he looked up at the sky. His car was parked just outside the family's gate. He opened the gate and closed it, got into his car and thought of Carli. He started the engine, easing the car into drive and stepped on the gas. He would call Omie when he got home so he could pass the information on to his dad.
This was just the beginning. Tomorrow, he would take her to their future home, and tell her about his investments and other plans for the future. He smiled as he thought about her.
Chapter 16: Christmas Wish
Jason stretched and yawned loudly. He reached for his phone on his new night table and pressed the power button to see the time. It was 5:33 am. Perfect time to get up and prepare breakfast for himself and Carli, and get ready to meet her. He was taking her to see their future home and he was excited about it. It would be like an adventure for both of them.
He got out of bed, did his 200 sit-up and 200 push-ups, the normal way, and then read a passage of scripture supplied to him by the app his mentor uncle Pat sent to him. Recently the app was helping him study the life of Abraham. After reading today's text, he sat on the floor and thought about it. He didn't think he would be strong enough to give up anyone he loved, much less his only son.
He read Genesis 22 verses 1 to 19 again and thanked God he wasn't in Abraham's position. He didn't know what he would do. He couldn't even fathom losing Carli. He prayed, thanking God that Christ was the ultimate sacrifice and that Abraham from the Bible didn't have to sacrifice his son, and that he, Jason, would never know the penalty of his own sin.
He stretched and got up from the floor and placed his Bible in a shoe box and tucked it under his bed. Quickly, he went in the bathroom to relieve himself, then washed his hands while looking in the mirror. He needed a shave, his beard was no longer a dark shadow on his face, it was growing up. He wondered if Carli would mind if he decided to grow his beard out and have it shaped up instead of the clean shaven look she was used to. He would definitely look like his dad if he did that.
He smiled as he thought of her. He would ask her and listen to her response. Either way he thought he would look decent. He washed his face and brushed his teeth carefully and thoughtfully. Afterwards, he entered the kitchenette and began preparing breakfast.
He liked to cook. He didn't always have the time to do it, but now that he was on holiday he wanted to impress Carli with his culinary skills. So far, she had cooked for him several times, he wanted to return the favor and woo her. He had a tin of corned beef and he had flour. When he left his cousin's house he had picked up a few things from her wholesale on credit. He had Omie's order with him as well. He told Poochie to put that on his tab. He would pay his cousin the week he came back from Montego Bay which would be two weeks time.
He was going to make some fried dumplings and also do some cooked up corned beef. Something easy to prepare considering his time constraints. He took out a half pound of flour, and sieved it. He was making the dough in his granny's big ceramic bowl.
He added a teaspoon of baking powder, quarter teaspoon of salt, and then added a little butter about a half teaspoon and used his fingers to integrate the butter into the flour. When the flour looked like bread crumbs he sprinkled some black pepper powder and a little bit of all-purpose seasoning in and continued to gently mix the flour with his fingers.
He needed to offset the flavor of the pepper. He went to the sink and filled one of his cups with water and mixed some sugar in it. Then he used the sweetened water to wet the flour to make the dough.
This was not the typical way it was done. He knew Jamaicans wouldn't normally put pepper in the dumpling dough but because of his love for pepper he tried it one day and realised it tasted good to him. He used less pepper for this batch because he was doing it for Carli and wasn't sure how she would feel about it.
He was glad that she had an adventurous streak so he hoped she would like it. Skillfully, his hands mixed and kneaded the flour while he added water to make the dough the right consistency he wanted. He had no paper towel so he decided to cover his granny's bowl with a plate and allow the dough to rest for ten minutes.
When the ten minutes had passed, Jason removed a frying pan he bought two months ago from the cupboard and placed it on his stove. He had attached his stove to the gas valve of a small gas cylinder he had bought months ago, before he moved in, but hadn't used. He turned the knobs to check if gas was going to the burners. The burners lit and showed blue flames.
Great. He thought. Everything is working.
He turned off three burners, left one on and placed his frying pan on it, and carefully poured in some cooking oil. He gently pressed his thumb into the centre of the dough to test it. It was ready. Jason broke off pieces of the dough with his hands and gently worked them with his fingers and palms to make each piece round. He got about twelve pieces. The stove was on medium heat, he turned the flame down to low and quickly put in four pieces. These four were larger than the other eight he made and were for him.
He used a spoon to gently turn the dumplings so they wouldn't burn on any side. He quickly took out a platter and deposited the four that were now nice and crispy and slightly golden brown. He carefully placed five in this time and watched them. He heard the phone ring. He turned the flame down even lower and went to answer the phone.
"Hello," he said.
"Hello, my baby," Carli greeted him.
Jason smiled. "Hey baby," he said. His voice softened now that he knew it was her.
He heard her giggle.
Jason went and stood before the stove he put his phone on hands free and perched it on the table he was using as a kitchen counter. He used the spoon to turn his dumplings. "What's up sweet baby?" he asked his eyes carefully watching the browning process of the dough.
"I wanted to find out if we're still going to see your mentor?" Carli asked.
Jason nodded subconsciously. "Yes, we are. I was going to call to ask you to pack a dress or a blouse and skirt with you. But for where I'm taking you first wear jeans and a t-shirt. You can change at my house."
"Okay," Carli said. She realized he sounded different. "What are you doing?" she asked.
Jason quickly removed the dumplings with his spoon and carefully dropped the last three. He would give Carli any amount she wanted but he enjoyed large dumplings.
"Oh, I'm actually making breakfast," he said smiling.
"Really?" Any for me?" Carli asked.
"Yes," Jason said. "It's actually for both of us."
"Mmh, sounds good! What are you cooking?"
"Corned beef and some fried dumplings."
"Fried dumplings?!" she exclaimed. "My favorite thing to eat on a Sunday morning." Carli was excited. "I would usually have them with ackee and saltfish but corned beef sounds good too. You really doing this for us ... me?"
Jason chuckled. He turned the dumplings. "Yes, my sweet baby, for you and me," he said.
Carli blew him multiple kisses. Jason laughed softly. He took his spoon and carefully removed the three dumplings and placed them on the platter. He turned off the stove.
"You slept okay, baby?" he asked.
"Yeah I did, but I dreamed about you," she said.
"Mmh? What did you dream about?"
"Not sure if I wanna say," she said.
"Why not?" he asked chuckling. He was curious now.
"Well, you're cooking. I don't want burnt dumplings," she said chuckling.
Jason took another platter and covered the dumplings. He took up his phone, went into the bedroom and sat on the bed.
"It's okay. I'm actually done with the dumplings I only have the corned beef to cook up. You can tell me sweet baby. Remember, you're not supposed to hold anything back from me," he admonished her gently.
Carli giggled. "If you promise not to try to fulfill any of what I'm gonna tell you now, when we're together wherever you're taking me, or at your apartment later," she said.
"I promise," he said smiling. He needed to know now.
"I dreamt of our wedding day. I had on this beautiful, white dress and we were saying our vows. Then the dream shifted and suddenly I was in a room with you, there were candles lit and you were, you know kissing me all over my body, and you kissed me in very sensitive places," Carli giggled. "Then we made love, slow and passionate love."
Jason loved hearing about her fantasies. They always made him hot. He hoped they would be able to fulfill this one very soon. "What do you mean by sensitive places?" he asked. He had an idea but he wanted her to say it. He wanted her to be bold to say what she was feeling or thinking.
"You went down on me," Carli said laughing softly.
"I kissed your sweet kitty?" Jason asked his voice deep and gruff.
Carli blushed. "Yes," she said biting her lower lip. When he spoke about her body part like that she felt flushed and hot all over.
Jason chuckled softly. "Okay," he said, "my beautiful, sweet baby. I am looking forward to it. I meant every word I said Friday night. I wanna taste your sweetness again. And I can hardly wait to take you in my arms and make passionate love to you."
He heard Carli sigh. "I wanted to tell you that I enjoyed doing it to you too. It was the biggest turn on I've ever experienced," Carli said her voice airy and sensual.
Jason smiled. "I'm glad. I wasn't sure if you would do it."
"I wanted to. I've always been curious," she replied.
"So, what is your conclusion on the matter? Do you like it?" he asked, feeling aroused.
He heard Carli make a sexy guttural sound.
"Yes, I like it. It was my pleasure. I love your taste. You're like a sweet sugar cane joint in my mouth," she said softly.
Jason closed his eyes. This was the conversation they were supposed to have on Friday night but couldn't.
"So where are you taking me? Are you whisking me away somewhere to marry me secretly?" Carli teased. Her voice was sensual. He could hear her breathing become shallow.
Jason chuckled softly. "Please, don't tempt me," he said.
"Baby, are you touching yourself?" he asked her.
She chuckled. "No, but I'm getting undressed to go bathe, just here thinking about you," she said.
He bit his lower lip. He remembered how beautiful she looked on his bed. He grunted and swallowed hard.
"Okay, my sweet baby, when you shower think of me. I need to finish breakfast so I can come for you in time. Okay?" he said. His voice was raspy.
"Okay, baby," she said. He loved hearing her voice. He could tell she was smiling.
Jason hung up. He stretched out on the bed. From the moment he met Carli at her aunt's house those weeks before, he felt the chemistry between them. He knew she would be the one to shake things up in his life. He loved it.
***
Marsha was going home. After the disastrous fight with Jason and he took her home, she felt gutted. Then her mom and dad had railed on her for being irresponsible and selfish. After Jason had handled her harshly, her parents' disapproval in the same day was more than she could bear. She had gone up to her room and bawled her eyes out. A few days later she asked if she could go and spend some time with Fallon, her best friend. Her dad had flat out refused but her mom agreed to let her go. It took some convincing but her mom got her dad to agree and she spent a week at Fallon's house.
Trying to cheer her up, Fallon would drag her to several parties. There was one party she went to where she met this guy. He was one of the servers at the party. The party hired topless male servers and he was one of them. He wasn't as tall as Jason but he had a well built physique and he had a spring in his walk like an athlete would. He smiled at her when he handed her rum and coke in a small plastic cup. She didn't feel like doing anything, but because of Fallon she went to the party, and while among those happy, carefree and drunk people she drank something to numb her pain.
In spite of what happened she did care for Jason. She was disappointed that he would never fall in love with her, but now she just wanted to apologize. She had time to think it over. If she was always being aggressive and crazy around him, he wouldn't like that. She would probably find any guy who acted that way around her annoying too. And yes, she had to accept the fact that if she really cared about him she would let him be. He was his own man, she couldn't make him fall in love with her. She had called to apologize but he blocked her number. That realization cut her to the core. She had destroyed her friendship with him and now she was hurting.
She had gone to the makeshift bar they set up for the party to drink something more heavy. She ordered a Hennessy. She had only tasted it once, but she would chase it with some soda or maybe not.
Who the hell cares anyway? she thought. She was feeling sorry for herself. She put the bottle to her mouth and gulped some down. She coughed. The liquid burned her throat a little. They were at a house. She even knew the girl. It was Fallon's cousin's girlfriend's house. Marsha sipped some more then corked the bottle. She went towards the staircase. She needed to lay down. She felt tired.
She held on to the stair rails and staggered up them with the bottle of Hennessy in her right hand. She vaguely remembered there was a bedroom off to the left at the top of the stairs. She turned left and knocked on the first door she came up on. She knocked again, but no one answered. She turned the handle and the door opened. The room was dark but she could make out from the hall light that no one was inside. She staggered in and threw herself on the bed. She released the bottle of Hennessy from her hand and it rolled on the floor.
Later in the night she felt someone tugging at her blouse. She felt tired and didn't want to open her eyes, but when she felt hands sit her up, bend her over and unhook her bra, she opened her eyes. The door was closed, the room was dark and a stranger was undressing her. She screamed and the man swore and slapped her across her face.
"Shut up!" he whispered harshly.
Marsha started to cry softly. Maybe she deserved this. She was a horrible daughter and not a great friend. Maybe she deserved what was going to happen to her now. He was about to pull up her skirt when she snapped out of her thoughts and screamed even louder.
No! She couldn't allow this! She heard voices at the door. She cried out. "Please! Please help me! Please! Help!" she screamed.
There was a commotion outside and the door burst open. The light was flipped on for her to see the young man who had smiled at her earlier rushing into the room. He and two other guys rushed towards the man who was accosting her. The man let her go in shock and stood up.
Marsha looked back at her would be rapist and realized she had no clue who he was. She screamed again when she realized that he was a much older gentleman. The young server doubled his fist and punched the man in the gut and he fell to the ground. Marsha quickly reached for her blouse and put it on. She folded her bra in her hands. She was shaking now. She had on her blouse but still felt naked. She wrapped her arms across her chest. She was still groggy from the alcohol.
The other young men who came in, grabbed the man up and took him down the stairs. Her hero called after them, "Make sure to call the police. We don't want him loose on the road."
Marsha felt weak. Her mind was racing. The server sat beside her. He was still shirtless. She got a whiff of his cologne. He smelt really good, but she was still scared.
"Are you okay?" he asked. His voice had a nice, velvety timbre.
His broad chest and cologne made her feel strange. She was feeling confused. Did she really have time to be attracted to him after what nearly happened to her?
She looked away from him feeling self conscious. He noticed her body language and decided it would be best he left the room. He didn't want her to be afraid of him.
"I'm sorry. I guess this must be awkward for you. I'll leave you then. Okay? I'll tell your friend you're up here. She was looking for you," he said.
He stood up to leave and was walking towards the door when she spoke up. "Can you stay please, until she comes for me? It's just that you ... you're not wearing a shirt and it's distracting," Marsha said looking at him. She saw that he was looking at her now, intently gazing at her from head to toe. She felt her body respond. She blushed and turned her head away from him.
"Okay, let me get my shirt. It's just on the outside," he said. He had been in the bathroom across the hall when he heard the screaming. He was getting dressed to leave.
He disappeared for a minute then came back into the room. He was wearing a cream and blue colored polo shirt and a pair of blue jeans and blue sneakers. Previously, he was shirtless and wearing very tight black pants. She had observed that the pants showed off his strong, well built thighs and wondered if he was an athlete. When he came closer she turned her body fully towards him.
He smiled kindly at her. "Will you tell me your name?" he asked her.
She cleared her throat. "Mar ... Marsha," she answered stammering. What was this? She chided herself.
"I'm Matthew," he said smiling at her. He extended his hand to her and she took it. His warm hand clasped hers and she felt chills run up her spine. She blushed again remembering how his strong, muscular arms looked before he put on the shirt.
He sat on the bed beside her. They were both facing the door. He said no words. He just sat beside her, but his presence was reassuring. When Fallon came upstairs she was distraught.
"Marsha, are you okay?" Fallon asked throwing her arms around her. "Oh my god! I'm so glad you're okay!
She turned to Matthew. "Thanks so much for helping my friend," she said. She took out her purse and counted out some money. Marsha felt cringy. Matthew stood up and backed away from the bed.
"No, no," he said, "that's not necessary. I wanted to help."
He looked at Marsha. Marsha looked at him. She could see that his gaze rested on her bosom. Marsha suddenly remembered that she had not put on her bra and the blouse was a deep V neck. He could see her ample cleavage. She blushed. The curves of her breasts were also obvious through the soft fabric of her blouse. She felt heat rising from her loins, up her breasts to her face.
His eyes were beautiful: dark brown but expressive. She could tell he was very appreciative of what he saw. His lips quirked up into a slight smile. Marsha couldn't help but notice that his lips were full and looked very soft. His beard was nicely shaped up and complemented his jawline. He had clear, light brown skin, like the color of mocha. She also noticed that his low cut hair was curly with waves. Her gaze drifted to his broad shoulders and chest, though covered up now, she recalled the strength his shirt hid.
Her eyes floated up to stare into his eyes. Marsha felt flustered when she realized that he was aware she was assessing him, and he was amused. His left eyebrow raised, he watched her taking him in. His eyes bored into her. They seemed to challenge her. His gaze drifted from her face down to her breasts where it lingered a little then slowly moved over her down to her smooth, dark brown thighs. Her mouth suddenly felt dry. She licked her lips and looked away from him.
"Marsha." She heard him call her name. There was a way he said it that seemed to caress her senses and made her feel tingly all over. She stared at him. His gaze softened as he smiled at her.
"It was nice meeting you," he said. He had a sexy smile. He held her gaze for what seemed an eternity then his eyes dropped to her bosom again. Marsha felt her nipples harden. She folded her arms over her breasts.
Why am I feeling this sensitive? She wondered. Noticing her body's response to him and her reaction to it, he reluctantly averted his eyes. He cleared his throat and sobered up. The sexy smile melted away from his face. For some reason Marsha felt disappointed that his smile was gone.
She nodded. She was speechless. Not even Jason made her feel like this when he was around her. Matthew nodded, his lips curling into a slight smile. He walked towards the door, opened it and stepped into the hallway, closing the door behind him.
Marsha let out pent up air. Was she holding her breath? She didn't notice, she mused to herself.
Fallon sat beside her and placed the money she was offering Matthew back into her purse. "Marsha, you okay?" she asked.
Marsha nodded. "Yes, I am okay thanks to him," she replied. She stared at the closed door.
***
It was 6 am. The next day after the incident. Marsha slept over at Fallon's house. Her best friend was taking her home now. Her parents bought her a second hand vehicle and she was doing a good job taking care of it so far. As she drove, Fallon glanced over at her friend periodically. "Marsha, babe, you okay?" she asked.
Marsha was watching the road. She sighed. "Yeah. I think so," she said.
"What's on your mind?" Fallon asked.
"The guy. The server ... Matthew. I can't stop thinking about him," Marsha answered her friend.
Fallon looked over at her friend quickly then paid attention to the traffic before her. She chuckled. "He is cute. I will say that," she said smirking.
Marsha laughed softly. "Yeah, he is," she agreed.
"So you want his number or something?" Fallon asked.
Marsha thought about it. Old Marsha would say: 'Yes please, I gotta have him!' But after what happened with Jason and how her behavior made him estranged from her, she couldn't risk another rejection. Pursuing this guy was probably not a good idea. She needed to chill.
She smiled at her friend. "Nah. It's fine," she said.
"You sure?" Fallon eyed her, surprised. "I could always ask Christina to give me the name and number of the company he works for and get info from there?
Marsha stared before her. "No," she said shaking her head, "You don't need to. I'm not interested. Just thinking how good it was he came to help me; he and the other guys. That is all."
"I don't believe you," Fallon responded. Her eyes were still on the road. "I'm sure you're grateful he was there to help you, but I saw the way you were looking at him. I'll let it go though because I know you're going through something now. But if you continue to pine away for him I'm getting the company's number and getting in contact with him."
Marsha looked at her, "You wouldn't?"
"You know I would."
Marsha sighed and stared on the road.
***
She was beautiful. Matthew mused to himself. She looked high maintenance based on her clothing and makeup, but he could plainly see that she was naturally beautiful. He wanted to get to know her more. As he prepared to leave his apartment to go to work at the jewelry store, he wondered if he would see her again. He hoped so. He felt something electrifying between them. He could tell she felt it too, and he wanted to explore what it meant.
***
Jason came for Carli at around 6:50 am. As she walked through the gate to come towards the vehicle she smiled at him. She was beautiful. Jason felt his heart skip a beat. He smiled back at her. She was carrying a shopping bag with a change of clothes in it.
He opened the passenger side door for her and she slid inside. She dropped the bag between her legs, leaned towards him and planted a kiss on his cheek. He looked at her, just stared at her for a few seconds. Carli smiled at him.
"What?" she asked amused.
Nothing, just happy you're mine," he said.
Carli touched his face and smiled. "Me too," she said.
He pressed his foot on the gas pedal and they were off.
"Are you driving on the highway?" Carli asked him.
"Nah, we're taking the scenic route," he said smiling at her.
"Okay."
Jason turned on the car stereo and asked Carli to switch between FM bands for him. They didn't find anything suitable. He told Carli to reach for his bag on the seat behind them. He told her to pull out his iPad. She pressed the power button and swiped up. He told her the passcode and she was able to get in. He told her to look for a file called 'Music-external'. He had downloaded 40 songs directly to his iPad. He then told her to look for a USB cord. She found it.
He told her to put her hands on the car steering and hold it steady. She was nervous but did what he told her. Jason eased his foot off the gas slightly as he divided his attention between setting up the music and driving. He attached the USB cord to the iPad and then plugged it into his car's USB port. The welcome screen came up with instructions. He followed them and within a minute they were listening to some R&B songs. He placed the iPad on the dashboard's phone mount and took over the steering from Carli.
"Nicely done," he said smiling at her.
She giggled. "Thank God for that. I was very nervous," she said.
"Well yes. Thank you God as well," he said briefly looking up at the sky.
He brought tea in a metal thermos and the food in plastic containers that were placed in an insulated food delivery bag.
"Where did you get the bag from?" she asked.
"A friend of a friend," he said.
He pressed harder on the gas pedal to increase their speed.
They were doing 70 kilometres per hour when they stopped in Morant Bay and bought some gas to top up. Carli went inside the service station to use the bathroom. When she came out Jason told her to wait in the car, he was going to pee as well. When he came outside she saw that he had also bought some donuts and a one gallon bottled water for them. He got in the car and they drove off.
As they were nearing the community he was taking her to, the road incline became steeper. They were driving up a hill. Carli looked over at the beauty of the trees. She was amazed to see that she was looking at three tops over a precipice. They were going to Spring Garden. She had never heard of the community before, but according to Jason it was growing in popularity.
As they drove along the roadway she noticed the lovely houses and the lush greenery. She leaned forward while looking at the scenery. She looked at Jason, "How did you find this place?" she asked.
Jason smiled at her. "My dad owns land here," he said, "Wait. I'm taking you someplace special." They drove through the Stanton Road community to get to the Spring Garden community. Carli loved the beauty of the hillside. They drove past the Spring Garden Primary and the Church of God of Prophecy building. Carli smiled. This was a beautiful place.
They drove a few more meters then turned down a road. The road was not really a road. It was more like a track with some stones. Jason slowed the car down to manoeuvre over it. The vehicle moved to a crawl and stopped in front of an unfinished house. He shut off the engine and turned towards her. He took her hand and kissed it. He looked at her tenderly.
"Let's go inside," he said.
He opened his car door then raced around her side to open her door for her. Carli got out of the car and looked at him with a quizzical look on her face. Jason smiled at her. He took her left hand and clasped it in his, then carefully led her up the path and opened the newly installed front door for her.
She entered the house and looked around. While the outside was unpainted, the inside was painted a rich orange shade. There was no furniture in the front room which would be the living room. It was a large room with fancy windows already installed. There was however a smaller but decent sized room off to the right that held a table and chairs. It would be the kitchen/dining area. Jason pulled her into the kitchen. The counter was already installed with a granite top.
"Have a seat," he said, "I'll be right back."
Jason ran outside and retrieved their breakfast from the car seat. Quickly, he stepped inside and entered the kitchen to see Carli rubbing her fingers on the granite finish of the counter.
"Okay, tell me what's going on? Although I think I know," she said looking up as he entered the room.
"This is my house. Unfinished; a work in progress, but it's mine. I own it and when we're married we'll live here," he said. He placed the thermos and insulated bag on the dining table and came over to her. He placed his arms around her waist.
"Do you like it here?" he asked her.
Carli rested her head on his chest. "Yes, I love it here," she said. "The scenery is beautiful, and the house looks great so far. I love the color of the walls." She circled her arms around his waist.
Jason rested his face on her head. He was happy.
"I love you sweet baby," he said.
"I love you too, honey," she replied.
"I want us to live in my apartment for the first two years after we're married. That will give me enough time to finish it up, acquire more furniture and other amenities to make the place comfortable for us."
He put her at arms length so he could look into her eyes. "What do you think?"
"Is the bathroom ready?" she asked.
"No, not yet. Some fixtures have been put in, but we have no toilet and we're not connected to the water main yet. I've applied for a meter however. They said about next week, they'll be here. Omie's gonna stay over that week to make sure someone is here when they come. We can get water from the kitchen pipes when we're connected. I'm thinking of adding another bathroom too," he said.
Carli left his embrace and went into the hallway. "What's back there?" she asked.
Jason took her hand and led her to the master bedroom. "This will be our bedroom," he told her.
Cali looked at the empty space. She could imagine it. He painted this room in a cool lavender shade. It looked freshly done. She looked up at him. "The paint job looks fresh," she said, half asked.
Jason chuckled. "Yeah, I repainted it," he said, "It was the orange color, but I thought of your love for lavender and wanted to do something to make you feel at home."
Carli walked further into the room. She looked around, her mind fashioning the perfect bedroom for them. Jason watched her. She looked happy. She turned around and walked towards him. Her eyes lit up. "I love it. Wish we could move in right after we're married. I don't mind living in an unfinished space. You have most of the things needed already, just the bathroom."
She put her arms around him. "I can help. I can get a job and we can pool our funds together and get this place ready by a year's time."
His left eyebrow raised, Jason listened to her. "You would do that? Defer university to work and help me build this?" he asked her.
"Yes, of course. Won't it be ours. Mine as well?" she asked.
"Yes. As soon as it's done and we're married, I'm putting your name on the title," he said.
Carli jumped up. Jason caught her and laughed happily. He spun her around.
"We're a team," she said. "There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you." She lowered her head and kissed him on the lips. He still held her in his arms. With one hand he supported her weight with the other he guided her legs to wrap around his hips while he kissed her. She circled her arms around his neck. Tenderly, his mouth captured her lips, suckling and teasing her with his kisses.
He tore his lips from hers momentarily and said, 'Sweet baby, I have missed your lips on mine." He groaned and hungrily kissed her again. Slowly, he moved his mouth across her cheek to caress her soft neck, pulling and suckling gently. She moaned and called his name.
"I love you baby. I wish you could have me now," she breathed.
He heard her longing.
Could he? Could he have her just this once? He had an air bed stored in the unfinished bedroom space. He could pump it up, lay it on the floor in the master bedroom and make sweet love to her. They were alone, no one to disturb them and he longed to feel her. To have her like that was his greatest desire. He would be gentle with her and make sure to satisfy her first, then tenderly take what he needed from her. He sighed. No. Not yet. They needed to wait just a little bit longer.
Carli kissed him and daintily slipped her tongue into his mouth. She moaned softly. Skillfully, she showed him how much she wanted him. Jason's grip tightened around her as desire built up within him. Lifting her head, Carli looked into his eyes and touched his face. "Jason, I want you," she said, "I need you. Please push your hard, sweet sugar cane into me."
She bit her lower lip then told him what she wanted: "Bend me over and plunge it deep inside me like you say you want to. Give me your sweet loving. I wanna have your baby." Bending her head she kissed him again.
Jason groaned. Her words were turning him on. He pulled his face away from hers.
"Carli, baby, you know we can't," he said. He cupped her buttocks as she wrapped her legs around his hips. He squeezed her bottom. He really wanted to give her what she wanted; what he wanted. Carli leaned her torso back. She held on to his shirt while wrapping her legs more tightly around him. Her crotch was pressed up to his.
"Jason take me, please. I'm yours. I want your hard, strong dick inside me," she groaned.
Jason wrapped his arms around her waist. He hoisted her closer to his chest and pressed her up against the wall. He used his body to brace her on it. He cupped her bosom and squeezed possessively. "Are these mine?" he asked her.
Carli sighed with longing. "Yes baby. All of me belongs to you. Take what's yours," she said, looking into his eyes.
"Baby, if I do this, if we do this, there won't be any turning back. I won't be able to live without you," he said holding her gaze.
"We'll become one flesh. I'll be yours always. I don't think I'll be able to be away from your sweet body for too long. I'm gonna want you to move in with me," he breathed. His gaze burned into her.
"I love you sweet, Carli," he said touching her face. "I won't be able to be without you if we go all the way. My heart can't bear it."
Carli gazed into his eyes. She saw that he was telling the truth. There was a vulnerability she never saw before. In his gaze, she saw a weakness for her that he had been masking. She felt like she was looking deep into him. Carli closed her eyes. She loved him. She wanted their love to be pure and beautiful with no regrets. She wanted his relationship with God to be intact. She also wanted to honor God. But being alone with him in this house, thinking about their future and what could be, was such a turn on. She sighed.
There was another level to making love that Carli was aware of. They would become one in flesh but maybe they would also be connected on a deeper level. She would move in with him in a heart beat, but she wanted them to be husband and wife first.
Carli took a deep breath and released the air slowly. She bent her head forward and rested her forehead on his.
"I love you honey," she said. She closed her eyes and placed light, soft kisses on his lips. Reluctantly, she withdrew her lips from his and looked into his eyes. "I'll wait for you, even if it hurts. I'm sorry, baby. I shouldn't put you in this position."
Jason's breathing was shallow. He closed his eyes. He released her as she sought to place her feet on the floor and step away from him.
"It's okay, baby," he sighed. He opened his arms to her. She walked into his embrace. He cradled her, bent his torso forward and kissed her head. "I love you," he whispered.
"I love you," she said softly.
They had breakfast in the kitchen. Carli felt ferocious. She took six of the smaller dumplings while Jason took his four large ones plus two more. He had brought some paper plates and paper cups from his apartment. He made sure to give her more of the corned beef. He wanted her to be full since they would be spending most of the morning on the road.
He watched as she ate and smiled because it was obvious she liked the dumplings and how he cooked the corned beef.
"Is it good?" he asked her.
Carli nodded enthusiastically. "I can taste pepper in the dumplings. I've never had that before, but it tastes so good. Dumplings have this creamy flavor," she said.
"I infused butter in the flour," he said.
Carli nodded. She knew about the technique but never tried it before. "Would you show me how you do it with the butter?" she asked him.
Jason sipped his tea. "Sure. Not a problem. When I get back from Mobay two weeks time, remind me and you can come over and I'll show you," he said.
Carli smiled. "Thanks. I also like the corned beef, you grated carrots in it?" she asked.
He nodded. "Mhm."
"I love everything, baby," she said. She leaned forward, her lips puckered up, indicating she wanted to kiss him. Jason chuckled, leaned forward and received her kisses.
When they were done eating, he went into his car and retrieved the bottled water he had bought at the gas station in Morant Bay, and a pack of hand wipes. He poured some of the water in her empty cup and also in his. He handed a wipe to her. Their fingers touched as she took it from him. She stared at him, her eyes showed the passion burning inside her.
Jason looked at her. She was wearing a snug pair of black jeans and a baby blue colored close fitted blouse that accentuated the curve of her bosom. Her feet were shod in a pair of black flip flops. Jason smiled at her with appreciation.
"You're really beautiful, especially today," he said.
"Thank you," she said smiling at him shyly.
"I forgot to give you something," Carli said.
"Oh? What's that?" he asked.
"I baked a cake for you." She stood up and stretched.
"Really?"
"Mhm," she said.
"It's in the fridge. When you take me home I'll get it for you. I just put on some icing yesterday," she said moving around the table to go to him. She sat in his lap and looked at him.
"What sort of cake is it?" he asked. He brushed a loose lock of hair away from her left eye.
"Black Forrest. Is that okay? You don't seem like a Christmas cake kind of guy."
Jason chuckled as he looked at her. She was so beautiful.
"Yes, sweet baby, Black Forrest is quite fine. I like chocolate. And yes, I do eat Christmas cake, not too much rum though," he said.
"Okay. That's good 'cause I don't like too much rum in my Christmas cake either," she said.
She bent forward and rested her head on his neck. "I love you," she said.
He turned his head slightly to look at her. "I love you," he whispered.
There was something he needed to know. "Did you mean what you said about having a baby?" he asked. He was still holding her close to him.
"Yes. I've always wanted a baby. When I was growing up I used to pester my parents for a little brother or sister," she said. She lifted her head and looked at him.
"And you wouldn't have minded if we made a baby now?" he asked almost in disbelief.
Carli lovingly smiled and kissed his face. Starting from his eyelids, to his forehead, to his full lips she trailed gentle kisses to show her affection for him, then she looked into his eyes. "I love you, to me we're already one. If we made love and I got pregnant I would be nervous but not afraid. I've always wanted a baby and I would love to have kids with you. I know you're a good man and you would do all you can to provide for us," she said.
Jason felt like his heart would burst with the love he had for her. How did I get so lucky? He mused. He wished he could make a baby with her right now, but he knew that would be irresponsible. The best thing he could do is prepare himself. "What if we had kids three years from now? Would you be okay with that?" he asked rubbing his hand on her back.
She nodded. "I think so, barring any weird circumstances," she said.
"What about career? Maybe you would have a particular ambition or something like that?"
She shook her head. "My relationship with you is my first priority. To be honest I didn't want to attend university here. I wanted to stay in Manchester and pursue something more technical like graphic design or web page design," she replied.
"Would you consider doing your baking full time, like a career or job?" he asked.
"I'm glad I came here so I could meet you. It's been the best thing," she said resting her forehead on his.
"As for baking as a career, you know, I probably would consider it. When I was younger I said I would be a baker or chef but it didn't work out," she leaned back, took her hand and slowly ran her fingers through his hair. It was black and curly.
"Why didn't you pursue it?" he asked. He loved her touch. Her fingers on his scalp were very soothing. He pulled her up to his chest so she could rest more comfortably on him. She was still caressing his scalp. Jason closed his eyes savoring her touch. Carli saw that he closed his eyes.
"Do you like what I'm doing?" she asked him.
"In my hair?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied.
"Yes, I like it," he said, his eyes still closed. He leaned back in the chair.
"My mom convinced me I would be wasting my time," she answered his earlier question.
"You are a great cook, Carli. I can't wait to taste the cake you baked for me," he opened his eyes and planted a kiss on her forehead, he leaned back.
"It's not too late to fulfill that dream. I'm willing to support you. I'll send you to culinary school if you want to go," he said.
"Really? Baby, that would be good, but that's expensive. You're on a scholarship now, you wouldn't be able to afford it," she said.
Jason smiled at her. It was time he told her everything.
He wrapped his arms around her waist. "There's something I wanna tell you," he said.
She smiled at him. "Okay. Go ahead." She lovingly caressed his scalp.
"Ever since I was eighteen I've been doing things to secure my future. I have several investments, mostly in real estate. I started in stocks first, but then graduated to real estate with uncle Pat's guidance," he said.
Carli was surprised but happy. She used her other hand to touch his face. "I would expect nothing less from you," she said smiling at him.
He cleared his throat. "The apartment complex I'm staying in, I'm actually a part owner." He watched Carli carefully to observe her reaction.
With brows raised, Carli looked at him with fresh eyes. "Really?" she asked.
Jason nodded. "Yes," he said.
"Also I need to tell ... remember the housing development I asked your aunt to investigate?" he asked
Carli nodded. "Yeah?"
"I was also supposed to invest in it but as you've heard, it's a shady situation," he said.
Carli was impressed. "Okay. Okay baby," she said smiling. "How much is your portfolio worth now?" she asked.
Jason brushed the fingers of his right hand across Carli's right cheek. "I have $367,000 in stocks. $20,900,250 in real estate value between myself, Omie and his dad, about $480,300 rent revenue from that is mine personally. Money in one of my savings is now $1,009,300," he said. "Also my cousin just gave $800,000 back to me of the principal I invested in her business. I'm saving a little over $500,000 from it and the rest I'm gonna spend. I'm taking a little under $200,000 with me down to Montego Bay, and I'm giving you $25,000." He cupped her face. "It's in the car. I was waiting to give it to you when I bring you home later, but I'll give it to you now if you want," he said. His hazel eyes looked at her with love.
Carli leaned forward and kissed his lips slowly. They both closed their eyes as their lips met and locked in an erotic dance for several seconds. She reluctantly ended their kiss and rested her head on his shoulder. "Whenever you want to give it to me is okay with me," she said. There was a quality in her voice he found interesting. Jason placed his thumb and index finger under her chin and lifted her face so he could see her eyes. He saw her longing for him and knew her words also held a sensual meaning. He laughed softly, "Okay. Will do," he said. He gently squeezed and caressed her thighs.
"I know we both want this. I want nothing more than to bend you over and give it to you. I may even get a little rough. You don't understand what you're doing to me Carli," he said. He put his hands on her hips, lifting her gently, he shifted her body further down his lap, away from his chest. He took her hand and placed it on his crotch and cupped it over him.
She sighed. Though he was wearing a pair of blue jeans, Carli could feel his arousal. He felt so hard and thick. Just what I need, she thought. She closed her eyes and squeezed him a little. Jason grunted. "Baby, I love your touch," he said. "You make me so weak."
"I'm inexperienced, but I'm willing to give you everything, and do anything to satisfy you. I'm weak for you too," she said. "I wanna know the rough side of you, whenever you're ready to show that side to me, I'm ready."
"Would you get married right after your birthday?" he asked her. Carli smiled at him. Her birthday was the 26th of June. She didn't mind.
"Sure. I don't have a problem with that," she increased the pressure on his crotch. Jason bit his lower lip and groaned. He grabbed her hand and kissed the palm of it.
"Naughty girl," he growled.
The deep guttural tone made Carli shiver. She bit her lip and looked at him. "Only for you, my baby," she whispered seductively.
Jason shook his head as if to clear his mind. If they were going to get back in time to meet his mentor, they needed to leave now. If they stayed longer he would surely ravish her. "I think we should go now," he said looking into her eyes. His body didn't want to move but his mind was screaming 'danger move now!' Carli reluctantly got up from his lap.
"I think I need to pee," she said.
"That's fine I can take you somewhere to relieve yourself," he said smiling at her. He removed his phone from the right back pocket of his jeans and dialed a number: "Miss Icy, it's Jason. How yuh do? Yuh good? Yes. I need a small favor from you. Yeah, I have a friend with me that needs to use the bathroom. Uh... number one. Mhm, yes. Thanks so much." Jason hung up the phone smiling.
He turned to Carli. "Let's go," he said.
They went through the front door and Jason led her down a path that turned down a small winding road. They stopped at a house with wooden front steps. He called out, "Miss Icy hooeey!"
Miss Icilda Walker came to the front door and smiled. "Jayson, yuh deh yah?!"
Jason climbed the steps, came up to her and gave her a big hug. The older woman laughed. She looked over at Carli and smiled. "Who? Is wifey this?" she asked.
Jason nodded. "Yes, she is," he said smiling. He motioned for Carli to come forward. Carli climbed the porch and smiled back at Miss Icy. "Hello my dear. How are you?" Miss Icy greeted her.
"I'm fine thanks," Carli said.
"Okay. You want to use the bathroom?" Miss Icy queried.
Carli nodded. "Yes please," she said.
Miss Icy went into the house and waited for Carli to follow. She led her to a bathroom off to the right of the house across from a bedroom. Carli went inside closed the door, pulled down her pants and underwear, and urinated. When she was done she tore off a small piece of the toilet paper she saw on the wrack. She flushed and got dressed. As she washed her hands she looked around at the bathroom.
They had a glass shower enclosure that had beautiful flower designs on the sliding door. She looked down at the tiles. They were white with beautiful purple and blue intricate designs on them. As she looked into the mirror she noticed that it took up a quarter of the wall space before the faucet. She liked the look. She wondered what hers and Jason's bathroom would look like when it was done. She flashed her hands over the sink and turned to open the door. The door was hard wood and beautifully varnished. It looked heavy. She turned the knob and went into the living room to see Miss Icy and Jason talking.
"... Colin has gone to the farm. He was asking about your place, if you need any help to complete it." Carli heard Miss Icy saying to Jason.
Carli went to Jason's side. He pulled her to him. "Yeh man. If he has the time he can help. I would do my best to compensate him. He looked down at Carli and planted a light kiss on her forehead. "I'm gonna pee, okay," he said to her.
Carli nodded.
Jason looked over at Miss Icy. "Gonna use the bathroom."
Miss Icy smiled and nodded. He walked down the hall and entered the bathroom. Miss Icy smiled at Carli. "It's nice to meet you Carli," she said. "Since Jason moved into this neighborhood I was telling my son and husband that he would probably move in a wife soon. Jayson just looks like that type of young man. I'm glad I was right," she beamed at her.
Carli smiled at her. "I'm glad to meet you too. And thank you so much for allowing us to use your restroom. You are very kind," Carli said.
Miss Icy's smile broadened. "Not a problem. We're happy to help Bello's son. That man has done so much for the community in terms of helping with construction of some of the houses you see around here, the painting and even the grill work. He even put money together to help pave and fill up a part of the road. He was supposed to do some paving work around this side but funds are low for him. Jason has however said as soon as his house is done he would take over from his dad," she said.
Carli was happy to hear it. She was more than willing to help Jason with that project as well. It was a nice area and judging from Miss Icy's behavior she had a feeling her neighbours were kind, friendly people.
Jason stepped out of the bathroom and returned to them. He was wiping his hand with a small rag. He placed it in the left back pocket of his jeans and put his arms around Carli. "Ready?" he asked her.
She nodded. Jason looked at Miss Icy. "Miss Icy, thanks so much," he said, "It's always a blessing when we meet."
Miss Icy smiled and patted Jason's arm. "Always a pleasure to help a friend," she said smiling.
She walked them to the door and waved good bye to them.
As they walked up the hill. Carli was curious. "Is this where you're dad is from?"
Jason smiled at her. "No, he came here because there was some big construction taking place around the other side of that hill," he said pointing to the hilly terrain above them.
"He was here for several weeks during that time and was driving through Spring Garden to get to work when he realised he liked it around here. Plus, with the different government projects rolling through, it would be an opportunity to purchase land as an investment. So he found a plot of land, bought it and cleared it.
"When I heard about it I was curious. I convinced him to bring me down here. When I looked around and saw how peaceful it was, I told him I would pay any amount to have a piece of the land. He agreed saying I could watch his interest for him. The land beside our house also belongs to my dad. I just bought a piece of it to build," he told her. They were nearing their house. Jason went before her and opened the door. He allowed her to go inside first then entered the house, locking the front door behind him.
Carli was learning so much about Jason and his dad. She was very impressed with them. She looked at him in admiration. Jason saw the look in her eyes. "What?" What is it?" he asked amused.
"I'm very impressed. Jason, are you sure you want me? You're what some ladies would call a catch. I'm not sure I deserve you," she said ruefully, "I have no assets, no money or inheritance. I'm just me."
Jason was packing up their stuff to go. He placed the plates, cups and forks in the insulated bag and tightened the cover of the thermos. They had a little tea left over but the dumplings and corned beef were finished. He rested everything on the table and came to her. He touched her face. Jason looked into her eyes as she looked up at him.
"My beautiful, sweet baby," he said. "You are more than enough for me. Everything I own will belong to you soon and I can't wait to share it with you. From what you've said today about working to help me build this place, I am even more happy to have you in my life. Not many girls would be willing to make that sort of sacrifice. You deserve everything I have to give and more, and I'm gonna make sure you have everything you need."
Jason bent his head and captured her lips passionately. He closed his eyes and allowed his feelings to take over. He opened his mouth slightly and hungrily kissed her lips. He gripped her closer to him and slipped his tongue inside her mouth. He heard her groan. His hands roamed down to her bottom and squeezed it possessively. He grunted and groaned his need for her.
"Carli baby, you're so nice and thick from behind," he told her. He squeezed her bottom harder. "I really wanna give it to you. I wanna feel your fluffy butt on my thighs while I'm making love to you." He heard her moan his name. He hungrily claimed her lips again while groaning deeply. She was making soft whimpering noises that were pushing him over the edge.
God forgive him he would have her today. He couldn't wait any longer. He was kissing her like that for close to a minute when he heard the phone ring. Jason was pulling the buckle of her belt and opening the button of her pants. Carli was moaning his name and reaching for his belt buckle as well. The call ended but then the phone rang again. Jason reluctantly stepped back from Carli. He raised his index finger to indicate that she should give him a minute. Carli went over to a wall in the kitchen and leaned on it. Her legs were trembling. He reached into the right back pocket of his jeans and retrieved the phone. He looked at the screen and realized that his mentor was calling him. He couldn't decline his call. He closed his eyes and sighed. He answered the call.
"Hi uncle Pat," he answered. "Yes, we're still coming by. Yeah, we'll be able to make the 11 o'clock service. Yes. Okay. See you later."
He went over to Carli and smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry, that was my mentor uncle Pat. I could not refuse his call," he said. Carli smiled sadly and nodded. "We should go," she said.
He touched her face. "Baby I'm sorry," he said.
"It's probably for the best, if he hadn't called I would be bent over and taking that big dick," she said reaching out her hand to cup him gently. "I'm gonna have you very soon Jason Singh, married or not, if you keep kissing me like that I won't hold back," she warned him.
Jason chuckled. "I know. I think we should go now," he said. Carli moved her hand away from his crotch and took a deep breath then released it. They gathered their waste from the dining table and brought them to the car. He deposited the bag with everything in the back seat. He gave Carli the thermos to hold in her lap. He looked over at her and smiled.
"I almost had you today," he said shaking his head.
"And I almost had you," she said. She rubbed her hand on his thigh then squeezed. He held her hand and kissed it briefly then released it. Carli smiled back at him. She didn't think she could love anyone else like this. Jason turned the key in the ignition and started the engine. He put the car in reverse and carefully backed it away from the walkway. Manoeuvring the car away from the house, he turned and eased the car into drive. He pressed his foot on the gas pedal and drove back in the direction they came.
***
Sharon was packing for her and Carlos. They would be staying at her sister's house until after Boxing Day. With Christmas being five days away she was excited to be reunited with her daughter and see her big sister. She listened to Sandra's concern about Marcus being missing. She was worried too, especially for San San, if something were to happen to her husband Sandra would have a mini melt down. While Sharon had gotten a little experience in the game called love before she married Carlos, Sandra remained a virgin until she married Marcus. She loved Carlos very much but she wasn't sure she would fall apart if something were to happen to him. But she knew that Sandra would fall apart if something were to happen to Marcus.
As the older sibling she was supposed to be the sober child but she was the opposite, maybe because she had lived with their eccentric aunt for awhile when she was attending primary school. Her parents, the Fosters were really poor at that time, but then their fortunes had changed over night when their dad got some inheritance from an uncle who had no children. But before that happened, Sandra lived with her aunty so she could attend school in St. Catherine. Her aunt was a romantic and very whimsical. Sharon figured that's why Sandra fell for Marcus so quickly and rushed to get married. Fortunately, it worked out for them but it doesn't always go that smoothly.
She wondered how she would talk to Carli about love and getting married. Carli was always head strong and not really the soft, girly type. Her relationship with Matthew was expected. They were friends from the early days of high school and Sharon actually liked the young man. She was upset when she heard he had gotten Carli's best friend pregnant, now she was hearing he wasn't the father. Quite a confusing turn of events. But the fact that he had sex with Simone was enough for her to say he was a bad apple. Carli took the bad news quite well. She was glad her daughter was more of a pragmatist like her.
They would get into Kingston by about 1 or 2 in the afternoon. She was excited to see her baby. Sandra had told her that Carli was not the same Carli she had dropped off at university but refused to explain what she meant. She only said she would see for herself. She was a little perplexed about what Sandra meant, but none the less she was looking forward to the reunion.
***
When Marsha walked into the house her dad had already gone to visit a few friends to return at around 1 o'clock. Her mom on the other hand was prepping food for dinner. She stepped into the kitchen and said 'hello'. Her mom looked up and smiled at her. Marsha went over to her and her mother opened her arms to hug her. Marsha stepped into her mom's embrace and placed her head on her shoulder.
She and Fallon decided they would say nothing of what had happened to her. Since she had not been raped it would be best to just let it go. Monica placed her daughter at arms length and looked at her. "You okay? You're trembling like a leaf?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'm okay mommy, maybe I'm coming down with the flu or something," Marsha said.
Monica placed the back of her hand on her child's forehead. "You do feel a bit warm," she noted.
Marsha nodded. "I'll just go lay down," she said
"Dad's gone to see his old friend Mr. Brown?" Marsha asked.
Monica nodded. "Yeah. You know him. He'll be back soon," she said. She picked up a knife from the knife rack and started cutting up some spring onion as seasoning for dinner.
"What are cooking mommy," Marsha asked.
"Oxtail, mashed potatoes, and rice and peas," her mother replied.
Marsha smiled. She always enjoyed her mom's cooking. "Okay, can I help?" she asked.
Monica looked at her surprised. Marsha had never expressed an interest in helping in the kitchen. Since the incident with Jason she seemed different, much more humbler.
Monica nodded. "Sure, you can wash and peel the potatoes," she answered.
Marsha took her bags with her clothes and toiletries into her bedroom and dropped them on the floor. She removed her phone from a small compartment in her duffle bag. She glanced at the time on her phone. It was now 8:30 am. She changed into something more casual, deciding to wear a t-shirt and a pair of pink jeans shorts. She hadn't worn these in awhile because they weren't the close fitted type that she usually liked. Her mom had bought them for her. Now, she was thinking of changing her wardrobe completely.
She reentered the kitchen and began helping her mom prepare dinner.
***
Carlos helped Sharon pack their bags and suitcases into the trunk of the car and then they were off. He was also excited to see his daughter and spend time with her. Sandra told them that she wasn't the same Carli that she was a bit different. He figured she was trying to tell them that Carli had a boyfriend. It was inevitable. Carli was growing up. She wasn't a kid anymore and it was about time his wife accepted that. He stopped at a gas station and filled the car tank.
They would take the highway so they could cut down on travel time into Kingston. He knew that Sharon didn't do well on long drives she would usually get antsy and start complaining about everything. He was glad the newly constructed highway was open. That would give him peace of mind and quiet.
***
On their way back to Kingston, Jason decided to drive on the newly built St. Thomas highway. He was loving the smooth surface of the road. He leaned back in his car seat and used one hand to steer the car. There were only a few cars in front of him and they were a far distance from him.
Carli watched him drive. She could tell he was enjoying himself. She rested her hand on his thigh and squeezed gently. Jason looked over at her and smiled. He didn't move her hand and she decided to let it rest on him for the rest of the journey.
They arrived in Kingston at around 10 o'clock. He took a short cut to get to Paradise Flats and was able to make it to the apartments in fifteen minutes. Jason parked the car, got out of the vehicle and stretched a little.
"Would you teach me to drive?" Carli blurted out.
She was thinking of asking him from the moment her aunt sold him the car but wasn't sure if the timing was right. Now that he had shown her so much of himself, she wanted to be more integrated into his life and goals, maybe pursue her own more boldly.
He looked at her. "Sure. I will. After I come back from Mobay. After the project is done, I'll teach you. No problem," he said.
Carli felt happy. She went to his side and embraced him. He hugged her back briefly. "We gotta get going," he said. Carli opened her passenger side of the vehicle and took out the bag with the clothes she would wear to church. She closed the car door. Jason removed the insulated bag from the back seat of the car. He took out the plastic containers and scraped the leftovers into the paper plates and cups.
He handed the bag to Carli and walked outside of the apartment complex to a garbage skip that was a few metres away. He threw the plates and cups with their contents into the skip. When he came back Carli was standing by the car. She was also holding the thermos, the bottled water and the box of donuts. They hadn't eaten any of the donuts yet. He used his car keys and made sure the doors were locked and armed the vehicle.
He took the thermos and bottled water from her because they were heavier and led the way up to his apartment and opened the door. He allowed her to enter first then went inside and locked the door. Jason laid the thermos and bottled water in the sink. He took the box of donuts and the insulated bag from her and placed them on his small table in the kitchen. Carli placed her bag on his bed. She went into the bathroom and squeezed a little toothpaste onto her finger and rubbed it on her teeth and tongue. She rinsed her mouth out with water then gargled her throat with mouth wash. Jason came up behind her and placed his arms around her waist.
She leaned back on him and put her hands on his. They looked at each other in the mirror. She smiled at him and he smiled back at her. "I love you, sweet baby," he said softly. He nuzzled her neck playfully. She giggled and turned around and kissed him. She planted a firm kiss on his lips and pulled away from him to enter the bedroom. Jason locked the door behind her. He was out after ten minutes. She looked at him curiously.
He laughed. "Oh I had to do a number two," he said.
Carli laughed. "Okay," she said.
He went into the kitchen and removed Omie's order from the cupboards. He put the rice and sugar in a plastic bag to conceal them. "I'll be back. I'm just giving these to Omie," he said.
Carli nodded. Jason opened the door, stepped outside and closed it.
She undressed quickly and put on a nice pink and white formal blouse and a black skirt. She would still wear the flip flops however, they looked fancy enough. They were black with white studs on the straps. She had painted her toe nails in a glossy pink color. She hoped she looked appropriate enough. She folded her jeans and blouse, and put them in the bag. She sat on the bed and waited for him.
She got up and went into the kitchen to retrieve the donuts. Who knows we might get hungry while visiting his mentor. She thought
After five minutes had passed he came back and stood by the doorway.
"You ready?" he asked. He looked at her. She looked lovely.
"Yeah, sure," she said. She walked towards him with the donuts in tow. "No, that's alright we can have those when we get back," he said. Carli nodded and returned them to the kitchen and went to him.
"Okay. Let's go." He reached for her hand and led her out to the car. They drove off quickly.
***
They got there just in time to hear the sermon. It was about Matthew Chapter 5, the section Christians call the beatitudes. Afterwards, Jason walked over to uncle Pat and shook his hand. Carli came up behind him. Jason introduced her to uncle Pat who graciously took her hand and smiled kindly at her.
"Good to finally meet you Carli," uncle Pat said smiling at her.
Carli nodded and smiled shyly. "Great to meet you as well," she said.
"Have you guys already eaten?" uncle Pat asked them.
Jason nodded. "Yeah, we have," he answered.
Uncle Pat turned towards the front door of the church and gestured for them to follow him outside to the parking lot. Jason showed him his new car and explained how Carli's aunt had sold it to him. Uncle Pat listened but he focused his gaze on Carli, watching her body language as Jason spoke. He could see that she was looking at him with admiration. He also detected by her body language, that she was very attracted to his young charge. He would explore that a little more.
He invited them to spend a few minutes at his home, to which Jason agreed. Patrick led the way in his vehicle and Jason drove behind in him. When they arrived at his house. Uncle Pat opened the door and entered. He looked around to see Carli enter behind him first then Jason. He smiled at them.
"Have a seat," he said, "Please feel comfortable."
He went into the kitchen and brought back three cool glasses of water on a tray. He offered Carli the option to pick first, then he placed the tray in front of Jason. Jason picked up a glass and uncle Pat took the remaining one. He rested the tray on the coffee table.
Carli sipped her water. She was nervous. Uncle Pat seemed like a nice gentleman but she knew his opinion of her mattered to Jason. She wanted to make a good impression. Uncle Pat sat on the couch opposite to where the young couple were sitting. He smiled at Carli first then looked at Jason.
He addressed him directly: "Have you been having sex?"
Carli almost spat out her water. Oh gosh! He needs to know that too? She managed to swallow but coughed nervously. Uncle Pat looked at her then looked at Jason's concerned expression as he gazed at her. Jason rubbed her back comforting her. She looked at him. He smiled reassuringly at her. He was used to this kind of grilling from uncle Pat but she wasn't. He would try to protect her from it as much as possible. Patrick saw the tender look Jason gave Carli and decided to soften his approach a little.
"Carli," uncle Pat began, "Forgive me for being so direct. I am very fond of Jason. So when he says he's bringing a young lady for me to meet I want to make sure he's making the right choice."
Carli took a deep breath and swallowed. She placed her glass on the small table before her. "How long have you been dating him?" he asked.
"We've been dating for a little over three months now," Jason answered him.
Uncle Pat looked at Jason. He looked back at Carli. "And you like him?"
"We're in love," Jason said. Uncle Pat turned his attention to Jason. He stared at him his eyes squinting as he focused on him. Since he wanted to cover for her he wouldn't hold back then. Jason was used to his grilling.
"So have you guys had sex?" he asked him. Uncle Pat's gaze bored into Jason. Jason had never resisted his mentor before nor had he ever been defiant, but when it came to Carli he would defend their relationship even if it meant pissing off uncle Pat. He was grateful for everything his mentor had done, but if he had to choose he would choose Carli in a heart beat.
"No, we have not yet had sex," he answered uncle Pat. "We're saving it for marriage."
Uncle Pat observed the steely gaze in Jason's eyes. So it's a war he wants then. Okay. Uncle Pat thought. We'll see how he holds up to the pressure. Uncle Pat sipped his water then placed the glass on a coaster on the table.
"Tell me something Jason, have guys kissed?" uncle Pat asked, his gaze boring into his young mentee.
Jason squared his shoulders. "Yes. We have kissed on several occasions, even today," he said.
"And has anything else happened? Maybe you guys haven't gone all the way, but maybe you've engaged in touching, caressing ecetera?"
Jason was getting angry. Uncle Pat would never ask him these questions if another person were in the room. He was always sensitive about these things. What was he trying to do now? He was gonna shut it down to spare Carli embarrassment. "Uncle Pat," he said motioning his head towards Carli who had her head down looking on the floor and her arms braced on the sofa. Jason stared at him pleading with him to stop.
Patrick looked at Carli. He saw Jason's intense stare. He sighed. Okay I will spare her. He thought. He cleared his throat and spoke softly to Carli: "Carli, my dear. I apologize if I have caused you any embarrassment. I just want the best for Jason, and you too, though I've just met you. The Christian life is a hard one, though rewarding, it is hard. We can't do what folks on the outside do. We can't have premarital sex, we have to wait until marriage."
Jason reached out and squeezed Carli's hand. She looked up at him and he saw that her eyes were watering. He didn't care anymore. He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. "Carli, it's okay. Go wait in the car," he said.
Carli nodded. Jason gave her the car keys. He stood up and pulled her to her feet. Uncle Pat stood up confused. Jason led Carli to the front door, opened it for her and closed it behind her. He heard the car alarm disarm and the car door slam. He came back into the living room and stood before his mentor.
"You have been like a father figure to me since I was sixteen year old," he said, "I am grateful for every single thing you have done for me. For all you've thought me about God and faith, and I will honor the lessons I've learned from you but I am disappointed in your behaviour today. Yes, I have come dangerously close to having sex with her, but we have not, God has been holding us from doing that, and I am so thankful for his mercy. I know you're skeptical of my relationship but I love her and she is the one I'm going to marry. I wanted to tell you that I have asked her to marry me and she accepted.
"I am weak, very weak but I love her and if I fall and give in to temptation so be it. This love I have for her is real. She loves me with a love I have never experienced before. It's sweet and innocent. She's so open to me. She isn't afraid to show me she cares. The best part is she just recommitted her life to Christ. That was the next thing I wanted to tell you on our visit here, but the way you have been acting I don't know what to say now. It has been hard but I want to save sex for marriage I would have appreciated some advice instead of this brow beating."
Uncle Pat sat down on the couch. He gestured for Jason to sit opposite him. "I'm glad to hear she's recommitted. That would mean she was a Christian and back slid?" uncle Pat asked.
She expressed an interest in Christ at the church she attended while growing up. She had accepted Christ and wanted to be baptized but her mom told the pastor she didn't think Carli was ready. She thought she was too young to be baptized."
Uncle Pat shook his head. "I'm sorry to hear that," he said, "Could you please ask her to come inside briefly. I want to apologize."
Jason looked at his watch. It was 12:45 pm. He needed to take Carli back home by 1 or 2 o'clock the latest.
"Going somewhere?" uncle Pat asked.
"I'm taking Carli home after this. Her parents are coming in from Manchester," Jason said.
"Oh I see," he said, "Please let me speak to her."
Jason nodded. "Okay."
Jason opened the front door and went out to her. Carli was sitting in the car. He looked in on her and realized that her face was stained with tears. He reached for the car door handle and pulled it open. He extended his hand out to her. She looked up at him and wiped her face. She took his hand and he pulled her out of the car. He held her close and rocked her in his arms.
"I am so sorry. If I knew he was going to behave like this I wouldn't have brought you here," he said softly.
"I told you I don't deserve you," she said her voice trembling. "I'm not even a true believer yet."
"Carli baby." He lifted her face up and looked into her eyes. "You are everything I want and more. Everything. He's my mentor but he can't live my life for me. God has given you to me and I'm not letting you go. And you are a believer. God has already chosen you. It's just a matter of growth and I can help with that," he said.
"He wants to talk to you." Jason cupped her face.
He saw her reluctance. "Baby, Carli. It's okay. I will be right there with you. He promised to apologize. Please let's go inside and after today I promise, you won't have to see him again if you don't want to. Please, do it for me."
Carli looked at him. Uncle Pat means a lot to him, she mused. Okay I will try. She took a deep breath and nodded her agreement. Clasping her hand in his arm, Jason brought her inside to a smiling uncle Pat who apologized and congratulated her on her recommitment to Christ. He also told them he would pray for them that God would keep them pure until marriage. Afterwards, Jason walked Carli back to the car. He took her to his place first where they finished drinking the bottled water and ate the donuts. After they finished eating he pulled her in the bed with him and snuggled up to her. He nuzzled her neck. Carli relaxed in his arms as he stroked her back.
"You're all I ever wanted baby. Please don't doubt that," he said to her. Carli smiled. She touched his face. "I love you," she said. Jason leaned forward and kissed her lips briefly. He smiled at her. "I love you too," he said.
Carli was feeling tired so he allowed her to take a nap. He lay on the bed and watched as she slept. She was even more beautiful with her face relaxed in sleep. She looked so innocent and perfect. Carli's phone rang in her pocket. He tried to retrieve it without waking her up. She stirred but didn't wake. Jason sat up and looked at her phone screen. It was a number he hadn't seen before. It wasn't Matthew's, Carli had saved it under his name.
It could be her parents. He thought. If that was the case, what would he say? He decided to decline the call. Carli can answer when she wakes up. He turned the phone off. He placed it underneath her pillow and lay down watching her.
Carli woke up to see Jason sleeping beside her. She touched her jeans pocket to take out her phone but realized it wasn't there. She wondered where it was. She didn't want to wake him but she needed to know the time. Gently, she touched his arm and squeezed. That didn't wake him. She patted his arm with more vigor. He stirred, opened his eyes and looked at her. He smiled sleepily. She smiled back.
"Sorry to wake you, but do you know where my phone is?" she asked him.
Jason opened his mouth and yawned quietly he put his hand under the pillow she lay on and handed the phone to her. She pressed the power button to see the time. Jason stretched. "I turned it off," he said.
Carli pressed the power button harder and the phone turned on. It was 2:40 in the afternoon.
"There was a call from a number I didn't know. It wasn't Matthew," he said.
Carli searched the call log. It wasn't a number she knew either. She had a funny feeling. "I'll call it back," she said.
Carli called the number and was surprised to hear her mother on the other side of the line.
"Carli, where are you?" Sharon said. "Your father and I are at your aunt's. She said you were out with a friend. We thought you would be back by now."
Carli sighed. "I'll be right there mommy." Carli hung up the call.
"It was my mom calling. Good thing you didn't answer," she said.
Jason nodded. "Okay. Let's take you home," he said.
They were at her aunt's house in ten minutes. Jason drove a little faster than usual to get to her there.
When they arrived her aunt was outside looking out for them. She came up to the car. Jason parked and Carli stepped out of the vehicle. Jason took the twenty-five grand out of the glove compartment and handed it to Carli as he stepped out of the vehicle and locked the car door. She tucked it in her pocket.
"Your mom is her usual cheerful self," aunt Sandra said to her sarcastically. Carli nodded. She knew it meant the evening would be a long one.
Aunt Sandra looked at her. "You sure you wanna introduce Jason to them today?"
Carli nodded. "Yes. I'm sure," she said.
Sandra nodded. "Okay," she said. She looked over at Jason. "Her mom is the one that's a bit difficult to deal with. She still sees Carli as a baby, but if Carli can stand her ground. All will be well."
Jason nodded. He pulled Carli into his embrace. "If you want to do this another time I understand," he said.
"No, it's fine," she said, "They need to know about you sooner or later." She squeezed his hand. "Come with me."
She held Jason's hand as she opened the front door and entered the house. They heard laughing. They were in the living room. Jason could feel Carli trembling. He squeezed her hand reassuringly, she looked at him and smiled. She squared her shoulders and entered the living room with him, their hands still clasped together.
Out of the corner of his eye Carlos saw movement. He looked up to see Carli walking in with a young man, holding hands. Sharon followed his eyes and saw Carli with the young man. The smile she had on her face faded away. They were being entertained by Carli's cousin Lissa. Lissa looked up too and saw the two hands clasped together. Her expression showed her feeling of awkwardness.
The room was silent. Sandra came up behind the two young people and decided to break the ice. "Sis, Carlos , this is Jason, Carli's new friend." Carlos nodded at him cautiously but Sharon still gazed at them blankly. Jason released Carli's hand, but still stood near her. Sharon blinked. She nodded towards Jason.
"Jason, this is Carli's mom, Sharon and her dad, Carlos," aunt Sandra said.
Sandra stepped into the room and touched her sister on her arm. "Jason goes to UWI as well," she said.
"What are you studying?" Carlos asked.
"Economics as a major with minors in Accounting and Business," Jason said.
Carlos nodded. Those were solid courses. He thought to himself.
Sharon cleared her throat. "So why did you take so long to come back?" Sharon asked her daughter. "Where were you?"
Carli looked over at Jason. He smiled at her. She remembered how he stood up to his mentor for her. She could do the same. She loved him. "Jason took me to church and then we spent time talking to his mentor," Carli said. She wouldn't tell them the whole truth.
Sharon was surprised. "Church?"
"Yes mommy, we went to church, his church then I met his mentor and we spoke for a little bit," Carli replied.
Sharon leaned forward in the grey couch. She stood up and left the room. Carlos watched her leave. He stood up and stepped towards Jason. He stood in front of him and looked him up and down. He was a few inches taller than him and more muscular but he could tell the young man was nervous. He extended his hand to Jason. Jason looked over at Carli who smiled back and nodded. Jason took his hand and shook it. "Nice to meet you Jason. What's your last name?"
Jason cleared his throat. "It's Singh," Jason answered. Carlos squeezed Jason's hand while he shook it. "Nice to meet you," he repeated. He released his hand then turned to his daughter and moved to her for a hug. Carli hugged her daddy and he embraced her tightly. Jason saw the genuine love between father and daughter and felt his heart warm. He could see that she was more like her dad than her mom and he was grateful.
Lissa released a sigh. She looked at her mother who chuckled softly. "Now we have to convince 'battle axe momma' to let her daughter go a little," Lissa whispered relieved.
Sandra nodded. She stood by the festively decorated Christmas tree. Maybe they needed one of those Christmas miracles people always talk about for that to happen, she mused. She was also concerned that she still hadn't heard from her husband. She was getting really worried now. She sighed. She had never been to Thailand before but if she needed to, she would go there to find him and bring him home.
Carlos invited Jason to sit on the couch with him. They had settled into a conversation about sports: basketball, football and track and field. It was awkward at first but Jason saw that Carlos was making an effort so he also tried to relax and engage in the conversation. After about an hour of talking, the two were fairly comfortable with each other and enjoyed the discussion they were having. Carli was happy to see it. Sandra and Lissa went to the kitchen to prepare dinner. She decided to go search for her mother.
She went upstairs and found her mother seated in the guest bedroom. She knocked on the door. Sharon turned around to see her daughter standing at the doorway. "Can I come in?" Carli asked. Sharon nodded.
Carli stepped into the room and sat on the bed beside her mother. "Mommy, I'm sorry to spring this on you but I really like Jason a lot," she said. She would hold off on saying love for now.
"He's a student at university as well?" Sharon asked.
"Yes mommy. You heard aunt Sandra say that," Carli replied.
Sharon nodded. "Okay. Sounds good. So what's his ambition?" she asked
"He wants to own his own business one day, but he's planning to work for one of the industry leaders in construction. He's really good at what he does. He has the skill of painting and there are other things he can do. He's really good with his hands and he's smart. He got really good grades on his courses this semester. He's in his final year, so he'll be out in no time," Carli answered.
"How old is he?" Sharon asked.
"He's twenty-one," Carli replied.
"I see," Sharon said. She sighed. "Listen, I came up here to tell you something. Something really important," she said.
"Oh? What's that?" Carli asked.
"You're gonna be a big sister," Sharon said eyeing her daughter's reaction.
"Uh? What?"
Sharon nodded. "Yup. I am pregnant," she said.
"Really?" Carli was surprised and happy. She hugged her mother who hugged her back briefly.
"Wow!" Carli said in shock, "This is great news. So are you okay? The baby?"
"Yeah I am. I didn't expect you to bring a stranger to our family gathering, but it's cool," Sharon said.
Carli sighed. "Jason has visited the house more than once, mommy. As a matter of fact, he painted the living room you were sitting in earlier, both the walls and ceiling. He also painted the kitchen."
Sharon was surprised to hear that. Earlier today she had complimented Sandra on the color of the walls and the smooth finish in the living room. She hadn't seen the kitchen yet, but now that Carl mentioned it, she would take a look when she went downstairs. She had asked for the name of the professional who did the job. She was surprised to hear it was this Jason guy.
"So he's been to this house multiple times?" Sharon asked.
"Yes mommy. Aunty hired him and he came and did his job. Before that he and I were friends. So when he came here to work I got to know him better. He's a really good guy," Carli answered.
Sharon got up, left Carli in the room and hurried downstairs. Carli was perplexed by her action but thought nothing of it. After about a minute she heard shouting downstairs.
Carli ran downstairs and into the kitchen to see Sharon accusing Sandra of not monitoring her daughter and failing to protect her from bad influences. Carli couldn't believe it. Carlos was now trying to calm her mother down telling her to remember she couldn't be under stress because of the baby. Jason walked up to the kitchen doorway when he heard him say that. He looked over at Carli with a quizzical look. She nodded. He stopped just inside the doorway and touched Carli's arm. Carli went out to the foyer with him. "I think I better leave. This argument is about me and I don't want to cause a rift between your mom and aunt Sandra."
Carli nodded. "Yeah, you should go and I'm coming with you," she said.
"No baby, please stay. I like your dad and I think he's warming up to me. I would rather have at least one parent liking me than have none like me," Jason said ruefully.
Carli sighed. She agreed, "Okay," she said. She stood on tiptoe to kiss him. Jason bent forward and planted a kiss on her cheek. He left closing the door quietly behind him.
Carli went up to her room and closed the door. She knelt down by her bed and prayed:
Lord, hi. It's me again.
It's really hard Lord
Today we almost lost control of ourselves in a way that you wouldn't like,
but you kept us from doing anything.
Thank you.
Lord you know I love Jason
He is all I could want in a man
I want my parents to like him
Please Lord intervene.
Help my mother to see that Jason really loves me
And he's the perfect person for me
In your name I pray.
Amen.
Carli turned on the room light and fished through her drawer for a night gown. She undressed and put on her night gown, turned off the room light and climbed into bed. She closed her eyes and fell asleep.
Five days later ...
Jason was working in Montego Bay. He would text her but never call. Sometimes she called but he never answered. It was Christmas day. Her parents were still here at her aunt's house but ever since the argument everyone walked around on eggshells.
Carli barely spoke to her mother. Sharon tried to bully her into talking to her, telling her that she was her mother and she should show respect, but Carli would just look at her and walk away. Now on Christmas day, she hadn't heard from Jason and it was 10:30 am. Her mother had been rude and disrespectful. She feared that Jason was having second thoughts about their relationship. She sent him a 'Merry Christmas' greeting but never heard from him.
His cake was still in the fridge. In the fracas, she had forgotten to give it to him. Carli was angry and frustrated. What should she do? She needed to show Jason that her love for him was real. Maybe she should go to him. Why not? She thought. It was time she grew up and did things on her own. Jason had given her the money. She could use it to go to him. She just needed to know where to look. She knew how to get to Paradise Flats she just needed to know how she would get there. She would call an Uber. Using the app, Carli made the transaction and packed a few things in her suitcase. She also took her school backpack and emptied her books on the bed. She packed what she needed and went downstairs.
She saw her aunt. She greeted her and told her she would be gone for a day or two. Sandra looked at her dismayed. "Carli, please reconsider," her aunt pleaded. "Things are tense with your mom as it is."
"I've made up my mind," she said, "I'm going to see Jason."
"Going where?" Sharon said coming down the stairs.
"I'm going to see Jason," Carli said defiantly.
"Wharrah?!" Sharon said in shock. "Stop this foolishness right now. Right, right now! Weh yuh ah guh?"
"I have to. I need to know if he's okay or not. He hasn't been answering my phone calls and he barely messages me now. I need to know if he feels the same way or not," Carli said, her voice rising as she felt emotional.
Sharon reached out and slapped her daughter. Carli held her face. She was even more determined now.
"Yuh know weh mi nuh like wid unnu Jamaican parents," Carli said angrily, "Unuh nuh listen unuh just beat and slap and don't reason wid we the kids. I am fed up of it. Mommy, I am nineteen years old. I tell you I have a boyfriend you wouldn't even sit down and talk to him. Try to get to know him. You just get up and walk away. Now is my turn to walk away. Yah fi guh kill mi cause me a leave fi si him."
Sharon grabbed Carli's arm. Carli flashed her hand off and rushed through the door. The ride had come. Carli jumped in the car and locked the door. She told the driver to go. The car drove off while Sharon tried to open the door. She ran back inside and upstairs to wake up Carlos.
"This is your fault!" she shouted at Sandra as she came back down with Carlos close behind her. Sandra decided to remain calm. Her losing her cool wouldn't help the situation.
"Where did she say she was going?" he asked Sandra.
"She's going to see Jason, so she's going to Montego Bay," Sandra said.
"We didn't give her any money Carlos, how is she going to pay for the taxi and the trip down there?" Sharon asked. She was distraught. Carlos saw her behaviour and guided her into the living room to sit down.
He saw Sandra coming behind them. "Do you have the young man's number?" he asked her.
Sandra nodded. "Let me go get my cellphone," she said.
Sandra hurried into her room for her phone and gave Carlos the number. Carlos ran upstairs for his phone then came down into the living room where the two women were waiting. He dialed the number and called.
***
It was Christmas day! Jason was glad to see it come but he had mixed emotions. He was doing a good job helping his dad and had gotten $300,000 as a start but he was still unhappy. He missed Carli. The phone signal was poor where he was working and sometimes it was difficult to get a call in or out. He had seen missed calls from Carli several times but when he tried to call her back it would say the line was busy.
He decided he would come home at least for one day to spend Christmas with her. He wasn't sure how her parents would feel about that, but he didn't care, he needed to see her, even for a few minutes. He was driving through the Bog Walk Gorge when his cellphone started to ring. He eased off his buttocks and retrieved the phone. He answered and put the phone on hands free. He placed it on the car phone mount before him.
"Hello," he answered.
"Jason," the voice said, "This is Carli's dad. Good morning."
"Good morning," Jason replied. He wondered if Carli's mom had a change of heart towards him.
"We need your help," He heard Carlos say. He noted the distress in Carlos's voice.
"Okay. Sure. What do you need?"
"Carli has run away. Well, she's coming to see you," Carlos said.
What? Carli's run away? Coming to see me? He slowed the car down. After he drove over the bridge, he looked for a soft shoulder to park the car on. He put the car in 'park' and picked up the phone and turned off hands free. He put the phone to his ear.
"Did you say she ran away to see me?" Jason asked astonished.
"Yes," Carlos replied. "Please, if she comes down there please bring her back."
Jason's mind was racing. "But I'm not in Montego Bay. I'm currently in St. Catherine. It's Christmas. I wanted to spend the day with Carli, so I decided to come back to spend time with her," he said.
"So you're not in Montego Bay?" Carlos asked.
"No. I'm not," Jason said. "Let me call you back." Jason hung up. He dialed her number. Carli picked up the call after the fifth ring.
"Jason!" she said sounding excited.
"Carli, baby, where are you?" Jason asked his heart beating fast.
"I'm in a taxi headed over to see Omie. I was going to ask him to give me directions to where you were in Montego Bay. I was calling you and not getting you. I texted several times and you didn't respond. I thought you didn't want to see me again, but I said I need to see you. I want to show you that I don't care what my mom thinks, I want you."
Jason sighed. He shook his head. "You crazy baby. I'm coming home to see you. I'm in St. Catherine now. I want to spend Christmas with you," he said. "Okay. Still head over to Omie's. I'm coming to get you."
"Okay," she said.
Jason hung up. He called Carlos back. "Mr. James," Jason said, "I was able to get to Carli. She's going over to a friend of mine. I'm gonna pick her up and bring her back home. I however beg for your indulgence. I really love your daughter and I want to marry her. Please allow me to spend a few hours with her before I bring her home. Please."
Carlos sighed. "Okay. Bring her back by 6:30 this evening," he said.
"Thank you sir. Bye," Jason said smiling.
He hung up. He started the car and raced to be with his Carli.
When he arrived at Paradise Flats, he saw Carli and Omie sitting just outside Omie's apartment. Carli got up and ran towards him. Jason parked the car. He locked the door, armed the vehicle and ran to her. He scooped her up in his arms and lifted her in the air. Gently, he lowered her to his face and kissed her passionately.
Carli closed her eyes and whispered his name. Omie watched them kiss. He grinned. Old boy's gonna get sumn today, he mused. He cleared his throat loudly. Jason looked over at him and smiled. "Thanks for keeping her company, bro," Jason said to his long time friend.
Omie laughed. "Yeh man. Take good care of her," Omie said. He did a back and forth motion with his arm. Jason laughed. He knew what he meant. Yeah, he would take very good care of her. He looked at Carli again. He smiled at her. Wrapping her legs around his waist Jason carried her up the stairs to his apartment.
He heard Omie calling to him: "Bro bro, her stuff is down here with me!"
"Me will colleck it later!" Jason shouted back. Right now he had one thing on his mind.
He opened the door and released her so she could stand on the floor while he locked the door. Jason lifted her in his arms again and kissed her passionately. He gently laid her on the bed. He stood upright and looked down at her in his bed. She was so beautiful. She watched him, her eyes filled with desire. Jason removed his shirt and came to her. He took her hands and ran her fingers across his arm muscles and chest. Carli moaned. He felt so strong and powerful. She was weak for him. He cupped her face.
"I'm yours baby," he said, "do with me what you want."
Carli touched his face. She playfully pushed him and he lay back on the bed. She climbed on top of him. Straddling him, she kissed him slowly. She wanted to savour the moment. Jason squeezed her buttocks and looked into her eyes. "I love you," he said.
"I love you," she said. She leaned forward and kissed him tenderly. Jason's hands slipped under her blouse to caress her bare flesh. He unhooked her bra. He lifted her blouse over her head and removed her bra. He lifted himself and suckled her breasts. He took his time. He wasn't going to rush their lovemaking.
She was wearing a skirt. He reached under and hooked his finger in the waist of her panties and pulled them down. She lay back on the bed and allowed him to remove her panties and skirt. He lovingly kissed her belly, her hips, her thighs.
He heard her moan softly as anticipation was building in her. He came back up to her breasts and suckled and pulled each one. His hands caressed and squeezed her thighs and bottom. He parted her legs and used his thumb to skillfully massage her most sensitive spot. She was moaning a little louder now.
He lay down before her and gently used his tongue to pleasure her. He gripped her hips and began licking and suckling her sweet folds. She was moaning his name. Jason groaned. She was getting so wet. He wanted to be inside her, but he would satisfy her first. She tasted so good. He would go all the way with her. She was willing to risk it all for him. He needed to show her how much he wanted her. And how much he loved her.
Under his patient and careful lovemaking, Carli's love bloomed and she understood the beauty of a man's touch.
Chapter 17: The Gift
Carli opened her eyes. She stretched and yawned softly. The room was dark and cool. She looked around her, Jason wasn't there. She sat up slowly. She felt a slight pressure in her bladder. She needed to pee. She scooted over to the edge of the bed and stood, but had to sit back down again, her legs were wobbly.
He had taken her twice. She wouldn't complain though. She was the one who begged him for the second time. It was like she couldn't get enough. He told her that it would be best if they rested, but she kissed him passionately and reached her hand down to caress his member. Then she moved her body further down on the bed, kissed his intimate parts and went down on him.
She had caressed him with her hand and told him she was ready for him. He pulled her up to him on the bed, and told her to turn around and go on her hands and knees. He gripped her hair and pushed her head down on a pillow and used his other hand to slap her bottom repeatedly.
The sensation of the slaps were a turn on for her. She moaned softly.
"You've been a naughty girl," he told her, "A very bad girl!" His voice sounded like warm, velvety butter to her senses.
He squeezed her bottom and pressed his hips and thighs aggressively on her, thrusting himself on her buttocks several times. The aggressive thrusting motion made her weak with desire. She moaned loudly and begged him to take her again.
The first time he made love to her he had been gentle. He took his time to penetrate her, after he had made her climax through oral sex. When he entered her, she was very moist. She lay nervously on the bed, her eyes closed.
He told her to open her eyes and look at him. She did so and he told her he loved her, then lay on top of her.
"I love you, sweet Carli. I'll be gentle. You don't have to be afraid," he said.
He lifted her right leg and wrapped it around his hip and kissed her tenderly. Carli lifted her left leg and wrapped it around him. She wasn't sure what to do but she would follow what her instincts told her.
Slowly, he moved back and forth inside her, building a rhythm he felt she could manage for her first time. He was groaning softly and calling her sweet Carli. He watched as she closed her eyes and began moaning and panting softly. That was when he increased his pace a little and told her she was beautiful, that he loved her, and no one else made him feel the way she did.
"My sweet Carli," he said, "you're so beautiful. I can't take my eyes off you. I love you baby. No one makes me feel like this. No one." He kissed her lips then buried his face between her breasts and kissed her chest then each breast. "You're so beautiful," he said softly. He cupped each breast and suckled gently. "You're so sweet," he groaned. He kissed each nipple then began suckling them more passionately. Carli moaned his name louder.
She opened her eyes and looked at him. She loved his lips on her breasts. Her emotions were heightened as he loved on her. Her breathing was shallow as she enjoyed what he was doing to her. She caressed the hair at the nape of his neck and watched him making love to her. With her mouth slightly open she made little sounds that Jason thought were very sexy. He hungrily captured her lips and kissed her. When he lifted his lips away from hers, he whispered her name and told her he loved her.
"Jason, I love you," she whispered. Her body felt feverish with desire. She wanted him to quench this insatiable need inside her. She didn't know how to express how she was feeling. She ran her hands across his shoulders, down his back and caressed his buttocks. She liked how his butt felt. She squeezed him a little and told him that she loved his body and that he felt good on top of her. He had groaned and told her that her sweet kitty was driving him crazy and he wanted to go faster in her. She nodded and told him,"Yes, please, go faster."
He increased the tempo of his thrusts, undulating his hips to give her more pleasure. Carli felt like he was hitting on something that reverberated intense sensations through her body. She wrapped her legs tighter around him and called his name over and over. He groaned his need for her and told her that she was sweet and he couldn't get enough of her.
"Sweet Carli," he said breathing heavily, "You feel so good. You're so tight and wet. Ohhh... can't get enough! Baby, tell me you want it harder! Tell me!"
He shifted his right leg and turned her slightly sideways. He gripped her bottom, massaged and squeezed it. She held on to his neck and began moving on him. Closing her eyes, she tried to match his thrusts, moaning and calling his name.
"Is this what you want Carli? Tell me?" he groaned.
He moved faster in her, making sure his strokes were light. He didn't want to hurt her. Carli moaned loudly.
"Tell me," he said, his voice deep and gruff.
"Yes! Yes! I want it! Yes, don't ... don't stop, please!" she cried out. "More baby, more!"
"You're so tight Carli, so tight and sweet. You're driving me crazy with your sweet needle eye," he moaned.
"Does your sweet kitty belong to me?" he asked her gruffly. He was breathing heavily, his mouth slightly open. "Is it mine, sweet Carli? Is this sweet kitty mine?"
Carli moaned loudly. She couldn't help how she felt. "Yes, Jason," she said her voice husky. "All of me is yours. Take me baby. Take all of me."
"Do you want it harder baby? Do you?" he asked, his tone rough and deep.
"Yes Jason, please, give it to me harder! Please more! Give it to me!" Carli moaned.
Jason was breathing heavily and grunting. She was so sweet. He felt like he would go crazy. He turned her on her back and pressed her into the bed. He lifted himself, his arms on either side of her. Jason closed his eyes wanting to savor the sensations flowing through him. He began pushing himself deeper into her. His strokes became more insistent, rocking the bed.
He leaned forward, squeezed and caressed her right breast as he stroked back and forth inside of her. "My sweet baby," he said, "your kitty ... your sweet kitty is so tight. I love your sweet, wet kitty. You're so beautiful. I love your titties, they're soft and firm." Jason squeezed her breast harder. Carli moaned and bit her lip. She was panting loudly. His lovemaking was driving her crazy. She didn't know making love could feel like this.
"I love you! Jason, I love you," she said. "Please, more! Don't stop! Please don't ... don't stop!"
She opened her eyes and watched as his body moved over her. His eyes closed; his face, an image of concentration, his mouth slightly open. She touched his chest and arms savoring how strong and sinewy he felt. She was weak from the raw power flowing through her from him as he grinded and moved his hips sensually back and forth. She told him she loved him over and over.
She could feel her muscles grow taut as sharp, intense pleasure built up within her. She was breathing hard and moaning and whimpering non-stop. She couldn't help herself. As he thrusted in and out of her, his rhythm was almost hypnotic. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to relax and enjoy the sensations she was feeling.
The experience was so intense, she bit down on her lip. She was aware of this sweet, achy feeling inside her and it was growing. She gripped his chest as sharp, tingly, ripples of pleasure fanned out across her body. They felt like they were more than she could bear. She screamed his name, trembled and shivered under him. Her mouth was open, her eyes closed, her brow knotted as she held and squeezed his chest.
Jason grunted and moaned loudly as he felt her hands grip his pecs. Her touch felt wonderful, He opened his eyes and looked at her. He saw that she was climaxing. She was even more beautiful as her face looked sincere with intense desire.
It was his turn. He lay down, pulling her onto her side while caressing her buttocks. He stroked lightly at first, building up a tempo again. Her eyes were still closed but he could tell she was enjoying what he was doing.
As he increased his pace he spoke to her, "Ohhh, Carli, baby, sweet baby. You're so beautiful. So wet and tight. Baby, you feel so good. Do you like this baby?"
"Yes, baby," she breathed. "I like it. I love it." Carli licked her lips. "I love your sweet sugar cane ... driving me crazy," she moaned.
She opened her eyes and looked at him. "I love you baby," she said, "cum for me."
She leaned forward and kissed him passionately. She raised her face from his lips and looked at him intently. "Take it baby. Take it. Cum for me," she said.
Jason looked into her eyes and saw that she wanted him to go harder. He gripped her, kissed her passionately and made fervent love to her, thrusting a little harder inside her. She bawled out his name and told him to go faster.
He was deep inside her. He loved how she felt. He couldn't explain how making love to her made him feel. It was the sweetest, most beautiful, most poignant feeling he had ever experienced. He loved how she moaned for him. He listened to her telling him that she loved him and that he was the only man she wanted. Carli told him she loved his big dick and wanted him to ram it in her. He was tempted to give it to her the way he really wanted, but didn't want to hurt her.
As the pleasure building within him grew intense, he tried to lift her off him so he could climax outside of her. But Carli wanted so much more from him, she wrapped her legs tightly around him and circled her arms around his neck. He tried to lift her but she held on to him.
"No baby, please, I want all of you." she said softly, her voice sensual with the little sounds she was making.
"Carli..." he groaned. He was coming dangerously close to his climax. "Carli ... I ... can't ..." he was straining under the pressure of keeping it together.
"Yes baby, please. I want you to. Please. Give me all of you," she breathed. She bent her head and bit into his chest.
Jason felt pain but also hot pleasure. He groaned and moved faster inside her. He moved faster and faster until he too was trembling. He thrusted hard into her. Carli cried out because though it was pleasurable, she felt a little pain. He was still trembling even after the intensity of his climax had passed. He released her, lay on his back and closed his eyes. He never felt an orgasm like that before. He tried to relax and breathe deeply.
They had rested for thirty minutes when Carli lay on top of him and told him she wanted to go again. He had chuckled and told her it was best they rested because he had to take her back to be with her parents but she insisted that she needed more.
When he took her the second time, he was more rough with her. He bent her over and pierced her slowly at first. Then as he entered he pushed more assertively until all of him was inside. Carli loved it and told him so.
"Yes baby! I love it! Just like that!" she moaned. "Fill me up, please! I love your big dick!"
He had her in several positions until she climaxed again and lay spent on his bed. After he had climaxed too, he went to the bathroom to pee. When he came back he lifted her into his arms and took her into the shower to bathe her. He rubbed the wet soap on his hands and used them to lather her body. While he lathered her, he teased her with his kisses. He turned her around so her back was resting on his abs and used his soapy hands to lather and caress her breasts. She leaned into him and closed her eyes savoring his touch on her warm, tingly skin.
He rinsed off his right hand from the water jetting towards them and used his fingers to gently caress her intimate parts. He found her now hardened nub and rubbed it gently. She felt so good to him. He heard her moaning and breathing heavily.
Gently, he inserted his finger inside her and moved it in and out of her. She orgasmed in his arms standing up. He held her as her legs grew weak. Afterwards, he told her to lean against the shower wall, which she did. He turned off the shower knob to stop the water and stepped out of the shower onto the mat.
He went into the bedroom, reached for his duffle bag under the bed and pulled it out towards him. He unzipped it and took out a clean rag. He zipped up the bag, pushed it under the bed and hurried back to her. He turned on the knob and wet the rag, lathered it and used it to soap her up and bathe her. She leaned against him trembling. Jason could tell she was feeling weak. He gently caressed her as he bathed her.
"Sweet baby, I love you. You're so beautiful. You've given me so much pleasure. No one else satisfies me like you do," he said softly. He cupped her face with both hands and kissed her forehead. Carli sighed happily and closed her eyes. He makes me feel complete, she thought, I love him so much. She opened her eyes and smiled at him. Jason looked at her and saw the love in her eyes. He loved her fiercely. She was beautiful and she was his. He was so grateful. My beautiful baby, he mused, I will never let you go.
He allowed her to rinse herself off and rinse her intimate area. His hands were on her hips steadying her. When she was done, he took up his rag from the rack in the shower and used the same soap to lather it and bathe himself. He rinsed off quickly and stepped out onto the bathroom mat. He helped Carli out of the tub and onto the mat. Picking up his towel, he dried her off first then dried himself. He returned the towel to its rack and pulled her into his embrace. He kissed her softly, lifted her into his arms and brought her into the bedroom then laid her on his bed.
Jason asked her to lift her head and he tucked a pillow under her, then he grabbed the other pillow and placed it under his head and looked at her. "You're so beautiful," he said. He touched her face. Carli closed her eyes. She felt content and sleepy.
She yawned softly. "Sleepy," she whispered.
"I know," Jason said smiling at her, "get some sleep, baby. Okay?"
"Okay," she whispered. She had opened her eyes and smiled at him. He smiled back. She then closed her eyes again and drifted into sleep.
***
Now that she was awake, she wondered where Jason was. She felt weak. She was still naked. She needed to pee and get dressed. Carefully, she stood to her feet again and held on to the shoe rack to make her way to the bathroom. She also felt a bit achy between her thighs.
She grimaced. Did they over do it? Nah, I loved every minute of it, she mused. This was her first time. She would get used to it soon enough.
Just then the door opened and Jason stepped inside. He locked the door behind him. He came into the room and saw that she was holding on to his shoe rack. He had grocery bags in his arms. He rushed to put them on the table and came back to her.
"Carli, are you okay?" he asked her.
"I'm not sure. I want to pee but my legs won't carry me," she said looking at him.
"Legs still weak?" he asked.
She nodded.
"Okay." Jason lifted her in his arms and carried to the bathroom. He lifted the toilet lid for her. She sat down on the seat. He was about to leave when she reached for his hand and touched him. "Please stay. I don't mind. You're gonna have to carry me out anyway," she said. Jason watched her.
He wondered if he had been too rough with her. Maybe he should have also denied her that second lovemaking session. But how could he? He wanted it too. And then while he lathered her in the shower she felt so good in his arms, he wanted to see her shiver again.
When she was done she leaned forward and tore a piece of the toilet paper and wiped herself and dropped it into the toilet. She reached her hand behind her and pulled down the lever to flush and stood up.
She turned to the faucet and wet her hands. She squeezed down on the spout of the liquid hand soap bottle to get soap. She placed her hands under the running water, lathered then rinsed them off. She turned off the faucet and gingerly manoeuvred her body towards him. She saw him watching her carefully; concerned.
"Done?" he asked her.
"Yes," she said nodding.
He lifted her into his arms, carried her into the bedroom and laid her on his bed. He sat beside her as she sat up. "Baby, does anywhere hurt?" he asked.
"I'm just a little achy between ..." Carli chuckled, "My vag hurts a little," she said smiling at him.
He reached for her and gave her a hug. "Was I too rough with you, sweet baby?"
Carli laughed softly. "Not sure. Maybe a little, the second time around," she replied.
Jason pulled away from her and looked into her eyes. "I'm sorry. I lost myself. When you told me you wanted it again and the way you went down on me, I kind of lost it," he said his eyes showed his regret.
Carli touched his face. "You were perfect. Just because it hurts a little doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it. I enjoyed the rough parts too. Is there more of that roughness inside of you?"
Jason nodded. "Yeah, there is more," he smiled ruefully.
Carli bent forward towards him and planted a firm kiss on his lips. "I want to experience that too. I just need more practice," she said chuckling. Jason leaned back on one elbow. He looked at her and shook his head. She was something else. "Are you sure?" he asked. "I can get really intense."
Carli's eyes flew open. With eyebrows raised she looked at him. She wasn't sure any more, but she was also curious. "I want to know every side of you. Will you being intense kill me?" she asked playfully, smiling at him.
Jason laughed softly. He shook his head and answered, "No I won't, but I may leave you achy like this. Maybe a little bruised too." He looked at her. His gaze was dark and intense as he watched her. Carli shivered. She was intrigued and slightly aroused by what he said. Something in her wanted him to unleash everything on her. "Well, I guess I'll have to prepare then," she said smiling seductively.
Jason leaned forward towards her. "And how will you do that?" he asked amused, his left eyebrow raised. He loved her smile so much.
"Get enough sleep I guess. Maybe something to lubricate me for the occasion. I'm not sure," she said laughing softly. She smiled cheekily at him.
Jason threw his head back and laughed. He reached for her and pulled her on top of his chest. They both laughed.
After they had quieted down, he took his fingers and ran through her loosened hair, then he lovingly caressed her soft, firm buttocks. He loved the feel of her naked body on him. If she wasn't achy down there, he would ravish her again. "Tell you what," he said, "I will try my best to be extra careful with you for now until I feel you're ready. How does that sound?"
Carli kissed his nose playfully. "Okay. That sounds better," she chuckled and rested in his arms. After a little while she got dressed. He cooked something for her and watched her eating for a few seconds. Then he also dug into his plate. He would have to move up the date of their engagement and wedding. He needed to do the right thing quickly.
***
While Carli was freshening up in the bathroom, Jason decided to go downstairs to retrieve her bags. He knocked on Omie's door. Omie opened the door, saw that it was his best friend and smiled broadly at him.
"Just the man I wanted to see," Omie said enthusiastically. He gestured for him to come into his apartment. Jason eyeing his friend's facial expression knew that he was in for an interrogation from him.
"I've just come for Carli's bags," Jason said.
"Yeh man, sure, but mi sure seh yuh need a likkle break. Come inside and rest for a likkle bit," Omie replied winking at him. Seeing Jason's reluctance, he opened his door wider and stepped aside.
Jason sighed. He nodded and stepped into his friend's apartment. Omie closed the door behind them. Jason looked around. "Is 'A' here?" he asked.
Omie went into the kitchen. "No enuh. She's at work," he answered.
"Really? On Christmas day, dem have her out at airport?!" Jason asked surprised.
"Mhm, remember she's a supervisor there now," Omie had gone into the fridge to retrieve two beers. He pulled off the caps and handed one to Jason.
"Have a seat bro bro," Omie said smiling at his friend. He gestured towards the couch. Reluctantly, Jason sat down. "The restaurant she work nuh?" Jason inquired.
Omie nodded. "Mhm, yeah. She's supposed to be off work by 2/2:30 pm. When she calls me I'll go pick her up." Omie looked at his friend intently. Jason's looked at his watch. It was 1:30 pm. He just needed to evade his questions for about half an hour more.
Omie leaned forward, "So what's up with you bro?" Omie asked smiling, "Wah gwaan?"
"Me?" Jason said evasively, "Mi gud man."
"Yeah, yuh supposed to be good. The way mi see yuh girl latch on to yuh," Omie said chuckling.
Omie took a sip of his beer. Jason took a sip also. "Suh how was it bro?" Omie asked smiling cheekily.
"How was what?" Jason asked pretending to be clueless.
"Bredda," Omie said, "Nuh badda wid the foolery. Mi have eyes in my head. I could see what was about to happen. Just give your bro a little tuups of info, man."
Jason shook his head and sighed. Okay, he would tell him something.
"Yes, we made love," he said with a sigh.
"Yeah!" Omie's face brightened. "So how was it?"
Jason leaned back. "What do you think? It's been a long time Omie."
Omie laughed softly. He nodded. "Well?"
Jason shook his head and smiled. "She's beautiful. All of her. I kind of hurt her a little."
"Eeh? Yuh tun wild man on her?" Omie guffawed.
Jason chuckled a little. He ran his fingers through his hair.
"Suh she dat sweet?"
Jason smiled as his mind reeled back the memory of their love making. Omie saw his expression. "Wah?!" Omie extended his hand to Jason. Jason briefly slapped his hand.
"Well mi glad fi yuh bro bro!" Omie said, "Suh yah mek sure yuh wife her up?"
Jason nodded. "Yeah."
Omie nodded. "Glad fi hear bro. Happy fi yuh!" Omie said smiling.
Omie chuckled. "Yuh finally bruk yuh ducks."
Jason laughed then sobered up. He shook his head. "I shouldn't have still. I wanted to save it for our wedding night," Jason said grimacing.
"Jase, look mi understand," Omie said, "It may not be right according to your beliefs, and nuff respeck fi dat. But weh mi a seh, yuh can get married to her and sort out dah issue deh. And the best thing is yuh love her."
Jason nodded. He leaned forward. "Yeah. True."
"Yeh man," Omie said smiling. He leaned forward too. "Suh yah guh continue fi sex her up to the time yuh get married?"
Jason chuckled. "I don't want to, believe me, but I don't think I can help myself. She makes me lust really hard, and now that I've gotten a taste, I don't know if I can stop," he admitted. He rested on the back of the couch and sighed. "The good thing, I'll be down in Mobay for a while, away from temptation, but I won't be down there forever: I will be coming up during that time to attend lectures and do exams, etcetera," Jason said.
"Well bro, all mi can tell yuh seh, if yuh really want to keep the order, spend less time around her," Omie replied, "Just busy up yuhself. But if yuh give in jus mek sure yuh forgive yuhself, yeh? And just plan yuh wedding quick, nuh badda waste time."
"Speaking of wedding," Omie said smiling. "I'm gonna ask Aisha to marry me very soon."
Jason smiled, "Wah? Fi real?" He was happy to hear.
Omie nodded. "Yah man," he said, "A mi baby dat enuh. Mi luv har man. Mi did a think bout weh yuh seh and decide seh it's the right thing to do."
Jason was really happy for his friend. "A di best step yuh ah tek bro. Best step." He extended his hand for Omie to fist bump it, which he did.
Afterwards they chatted a little bit about his time down in Montego Bay and what he would be doing. After forty minutes had passed Omie's phone rang. It was Aisha.
"Yeah babes," Omie answered. He chuckled. "Mhmm ... really?" Jason noted the dip in his friend's voice and figured that Aisha had probably told Omar something naughty. He shook his head and smiled.
"Arite babes, mi ah come pick yuh up right now, yere?" Omie said. He sounded excited. Jason laughed.
Omie hung up the phone. He turned to Jason with an amused look on his face. "Suh weh suh funny?" he asked his friend half laughing, half smiling.
Jason laughed harder. Omie looked at him then laughed also.
"And yuh seh me whipped," Jason said still laughing.
Omie grinned at him. "Yeah, I'm whipped. But her whip is the only one I want," he said. Jason nodded. He understood his friend's sentiment very well. Carli was the only one that made him feel this crazy.
Omie stood up. "Bro, mi happy fi yuh, just plan yuh thing and if yuh need help fi deal wid it, money or otherwise, mek mi know, yere?"
Jason stood up with him. "Yeah I will. Thanks Omie," he said smiling.
"Yeh man bro. It's all good," Omie replied. He slapped Jason on his shoulder. He went into the bedroom and came back with Carli's bags. He handed them to Jason who smiled and nodded. "Thanks," Jason said.
"Yeh man," Omie answered.
Omie walked him out the door and closed it behind them. The two young men walked to Omie's car. Jason waited for Omie to enter his car and drive off before he went upstairs to Carli.
When he entered his apartment he found Carli laying on his bed in a seductive pose waiting for him.
He came forward and smiled at her. He chuckled. "What is this?" he asked her.
She laughed. "Nothing much. Just playing the 'stay at home wife' who waits longingly for her husband to come home," she said smiling cheekily.
"Is that so?" Jason asked. He dropped her bags half way to the bed and came to her. He lay on the bed beside her and kissed her.
"And what do 'stay at home wives' do when their husbands come home?" he asked, his voice dropping to a seductive timbre.
Carli chuckled. She slipped her hands under his shirt and caressed his chest and arms. "Let me show you," she said. She cupped his face and pulled him to her.
***
It was 4:30 pm. Carlos wondered if he had made a mistake allowing this Jason boy to have his daughter until 6:30. God only knows what he might be doing to her. He remembered when he was his age and dating Sharon. They didn't remain innocent for very long. He wondered about Carli and her mental state to carelessly run off to see this young man. He needed to speak with him when he brought Carli back to her aunt's house.
After he told Sharon that he was allowing Carli to stay with Jason for a few hours, she had looked at him like he had committed a murder and went into the guest room and locked the door. She was in there from 11 o'clock and now it was almost 5 o'clock. She wasn't speaking to anyone, not even Lissa who she would always dote on.
Carlos was worried about her. She was carrying their baby, their son according to her. All he could do now is wait and see what will happen when Carli comes back. He needed to speak to the young man but he definitely needed to have a word with Carli and find out what was going on with her.
***
Fallon was sleeping when she heard the phone ring. She stirred, stretched and reached for it on the night table. "Hello," she answered sleepily.
"Hey girl, it's Christina," the voice said.
"Christina ... Christina!" Fallon's eyes flew open. She was still sleepy, but she sat up quickly.
"Christina," she said, "What's up?"
"Hey," Christina replied, "Did I wake you?" It was 5:15 in the afternoon.
"Yeah, but that doesn't matter. Did you get the info I asked you for?" Fallon asked her cousin's girlfriend.
"Yes, I did indeed," Christina said, amused.
"Okay, so tell me," Fallon said. "Wait hold on." She pulled out the top drawer of the night table and pulled out a notepad and pen. "Okay. Ready, give it to me."
"Okay, so his name is Matthew Clarke. He works at a jewelry store in the Half Way Tree area," Christina said. She told Fallon the name of the place. "He only does the topless server gig part-time according to the guy he works for but the jewelry store is where he works full-time. So it should be easy to find him from there."
Christina was curious: "So why the interest in this guy? I thought you already have a boyfriend?" she asked.
Fallon chuckled. "It's not for me. It's for Marsha," she said.
Christina laughed a little. "Ohh, okay," she said, "yeah, he seems to be single, so Marsha should be able to have her way with him." Christina sounded amused on the line. Fallon chuckled softly. She knew that Marsha had a reputation of hotly pursuing guys she found attractive. She hoped that this would be the case for Matthew. Lately, her friend wasn't behaving like herself.
"Okay, thanks Chrissy. Talk later," Fallon said.
"Yeah. Okay. Say 'hi' to Marsha for me," she replied.
Fallon smiled. "Will do," she said.
Fallon placed the pen and notepad on the table. Today is Christmas. Most likely this Matthew guy would be at home on holiday and probably wouldn't be working on Boxing Day either. She would try for the 27th. The way Marsha was acting lately she couldn't let her know she had gotten info on Matthew. She would have to trick her into going to the jewelry store with her so she and Matthew could meet again. Fallon hoped this second encounter would get her friend out of her funk. She missed the fun loving Marsha.
***
Jason told Carli that he would be seeing his mentor to seek advice. Fortunately, he said she didn't need to come with him. She figured he would be confessing what had happened between them and she felt uncomfortable.
"Why do you have to tell him anything?" she had asked him.
"He's like my spiritual father. And he's been more of a dad to me than my own father. Baby, I'm sorry. I know it seems weird to you, but he has been there for me in times when I felt lost and confused. I know you don't like talking to him," Jason said, "he can be blunt. I told you that you don't have to see him again if you don't want to, but I do." They were standing in the bedroom getting ready to go back to Carli's aunt's house.
Jason stepped towards Carli and cupped her face and kissed her. Their last love making session was very slow and tender. She brought out a warm, whimsical side of him he never knew he had, and after seeing her discomfort, he wanted to make sure to focus on her pleasure all the way. He didn't think of his own pleasure, but she did. After she had climaxed, she went down on him and made sure he enjoyed every minute of it.
Afterwards, he held her close to him and whispered that he loved her and there was no one else who could satisfy him the way she did. He knew she didn't like the idea of him telling his mentor anything of what happened between them, but he needed his advice now more than ever.
He went to bathe first and then while Carli was in the shower he called uncle Pat, wished him Merry Christmas and told him he needed to talk to him. Uncle Pat had told him he was at a corporate dinner event but would be able to see him at his home by about 8 o'clock. Jason agreed, told him thanks and hung up. Carli had come out of the shower and was getting dressed in fresh, clean clothing. She used an old brush he had, to brush her hair and pull it into a neat bun, meanwhile he told her about his plans to see uncle Pat.
Jason held her close to him. He stroked her hair. "Carli, do you trust me?" he asked.
Carli moved back from his embrace and looked into his eyes. "Yes baby, you know I do," she said.
He pulled her into him again. "Then trust that I'm doing the right thing now by going to him. Okay? I love you. All I do is for us," he said.
Carli sighed. "Okay. I trust you with this too," she said.
Jason closed his eyes as he kissed her forehead. "Thank you. I love you. I'll be seeing him after I drop you off," he told her.
Carli nodded. She closed her eyes. She loved the feel of his lips on her body. It didn't matter where he kissed, it was mesmerizing. Jason bent his head and kissed her passionately. He kissed her like his life depended on it. When he pulled away they were both breathing heavily. He chuckled. "That is to hold me until I see you again in two weeks," he said. He was a bit out of breath.
Carli nodded. "I'll miss you baby," she said. She tried to catch her breath.
"I know sweet baby. I'm gonna really miss you," he said winking at her. She laughed softly.
They walked to the car holding hands. Jason looked at his watch. It was 6 o'clock. He opened her car door for her, then went upstairs to retrieve her bags. He locked his door then brought the bags and put them in the car trunk. When he slid inside his vehicle Carli reached over and gave him a light peck on the cheek.
"Thank you for today. I'm tired but I am happy," she giggled.
Jason chuckled softly. "Thank you too, my sweet baby. You've made my day also. You're so beautiful," he said. He briefly kissed her lips and playfully nuzzled her neck. Carli laughed. Jason looked at her and smiled. He told no lies when he said he didn't think he could live without her if they made love. He was dreading the lonely drive back to Montego Bay.
***
He was able to bring her back to aunt Sandra's house ten minutes before the deadline. Carli leaned into him, kissing him passionately, almost desperately. She opened her mouth and used her tongue to tease him, willing him to open his mouth for her. As he did so, he grabbed the back of her head and pulled her to him, pressing his lips to hers. He groaned deeply as he kissed her.
Carli savored the taste of his mouth and made passionate guttural sounds as she kissed him. They were kissing for close to a minute, when Jason realized that he couldn't live without her. He just could not be away from her for too long, especially now after their intimate time together. A feeling of panic rose within him. He tore his lips away from her and clutched his chest while bent over. He was breathing heavily.
Carli was surprised. She stared at him confused then dismayed as it dawned on her that something was wrong. She placed her hands on his shoulders. Jason was breathing heavily and holding his chest. He was sweating. "Jason! Baby! What's wrong?" Jason!" she yelled. Jason was leaning into the car's dashboard, clutching his shirt.
Carli opened the car door and ran into the house, screaming for help. Carlos shot out of the house first. He looked at Jason bent over the dashboard of the car and opened the driver's door. He touched Jason's shoulder. The young man was sweating profusely. It didn't look good.
He spoke to him: "Jason? I'm gonna try to move you and help you inside. How do you feel?"
Jason gasped for air. "My chest feels tight," he said, his breathing laboured.
Carlos stooped down and lifted Jason's arm and placed it over his shoulder. "Lean on me," Carlos said to him. Jason slowly moved away from the steering of the vehicle and leaned his weight on Carlos.
Using his legs, Carlos supported Jason's weight and pulled him away from the vehicle. He helped Jason to his feet. Carlos grunted as he straightened up and tried to support him. Sandra was standing by the doorway. She opened the door wider and stepped back so that Carlos could have free passage to bring Jason into the house. With all the commotion going on, Sharon had opened the guest room door and came down stairs. She stood at the foot of the stairs watching what was happening. Carli was distraught. She was crying. Carlos turned to his daughter noting she was shedding tears for Jason. "Go and take the key from the ignition and lock the car door," he said.
Carli nodded. She went outside. Soon afterwards he heard the car alarm being armed. By then Carlos had Jason lying down on the big grey couch, his sneakers removed. His breathing was less laboured now. Sandra brought Jason water to drink. He had gulped it down and asked for more. She brought him another glass and he sipped that one slowly.
When Carli reentered the house carrying the car keys and her bags, she saw aunt Sandra sitting on the blue couch and Carlos sitting beside her. Carli dropped her bags at the entrance, came into the living room and perched on the grey couch, looking at Jason. She was worried about him. Sharon came into the room and saw her daughter's expression; the worried look on Carli's face, and something in her heart broke. She went to her baby and stroked her hair. Carli turned to her mother and cried, her body shaking. Sharon sighed. She held her daughter as she cried on her hip.
***
They convinced Jason to stay for dinner. He agreed but told them he had to leave by 7:30 to meet his mentor. He didn't tell them what for. After he had calmed down, he told them that he was probably having a panic attack. He used to have them as a child but as he got older he was able to cope with his anxiety and stress better. He never told them what triggered it this time. But he knew it was the thought of being away from Carli, of not having her by his side for two whole weeks, that drove him over the edge. He needed to watch himself or it could happen again.
Carlos observed young Jason as he ate with the family. He was no longer the confident young man he met a few days ago. Something had changed. He wondered why the attack happened. He cleared his throat, "Jason I would like to speak to you briefly after dinner, please," he said.
Jason looked over at him. Carlos smiled at him. Jason smiled back. "Okay," Jason responded. He nodded.
After they had finished eating dinner, Carli handed Jason his car keys. Carlos motioned with his hand to Jason that he should follow him into the living room. Sandra pulled out a pack of hand wipes from a kitchen cupboard and gave each man one to sanitize their hands. "I know what you need to talk about is very important, but so is keeping my furniture clean," she smiled at them trying to lighten the mood. Jason looked up at Sandra and smiled at her. He was grateful for her presence at this time. Carlos looked at the unspoken interaction between his sister in law and Jason, and smiled slightly.
Carlos cleared his throat. "I love my daughter. She means the world to me. I'm gonna level with you and I need you to be straight up with me. Okay?" Carlos said.
Jason nodded. "Yes, I will," he said.
"Have you and Carli been having sex," Carlos asked looking the young man squarely in the eyes.
Jason swallowed. He cleared his throat. He dropped his gaze to the floor.
Carlos felt awkward for asking but he needed to know. "Jason, I need to know," Carlos said quietly.
Jason sighed. He nodded his head. "Yes, we have had sex. Today was our first time," Jason answered.
Carlos leaned forward. He sighed. "I see. Look at me, son," he said to Jason.
Jason lifted his head and looked at Carli's dad. "Do you love my daughter?"
Jason closed his eyes. He took deep breaths then opened his eyes and looked at Carlos. He was going to tell the truth, come what may happen. "With all my heart, sir," Jason replied. "I love your daughter and I'm very much in love with her. She means so much to me."
"What is your intention then?" Carlos asked.
"I want to marry her, sir," Jason said, "to be honest I proposed to her a few weeks ago and she accepted. I've already been planning in my head what it would cost for a wedding and honeymoon. I want to do something I know your daughter will like."
Carlos nodded. "I see," he said. "Does Carli know you're making plans?'
"Yes, I've told her," Jason said. "Matter of fact, a few days ago I took her to a place I've been building. My own house. I would love to marry your daughter. She and I can move in after two years, after it's fully completed, so we can start our lives together. Right now I live in an apartment where I hold joint ownership of the apartment complex. My dad owns a small construction/painting company. I'm actually supposed to be down there spending Christmas with him and his crew but I needed to see Carli. She has become very important to me."
Carlos listened to Jason. He leaned back in the couch and assessed him. "You say you own a house that you're currently building?" Carlos asked.
Jason nodded. "Yes sir," he said.
"And you have partial ownership of an apartment complex?" Carlos asked his eyebrows raised.
Jason saw Carlos' expression and smiled. "Yes sir, I do," he answered.
Sharon was standing quietly by the doorway listening to the conversation. The other women including Carli had decided they would do dishes and clean up the kitchen and dining area, but she saw Carlos inviting Jason into the living room and she too was curious about this young man. After she eavesdropped on Carlos and Jason's conversation she had to admit that she was impressed, even though begrudgingly.
She stepped forward into the room and sat beside her husband on the blue couch that faced the grey couch Jason was sitting in. She smiled awkwardly at Jason.
"Sorry to interrupt," she said looking at her husband, "but Carli is my baby and I need to know my future son in law too." Carlos leaned back on the couch. "Okay, baby go ahead," Carlos said, curious.
Jason eyes widened. Did I just hear what she said? He wondered. Sharon smiled kindly at him. Jason felt his heart pounding. "I just have one question," Sharon said looking at Jason. Jason looked at her directly.
"Okay," he said.
"The panic attack you had earlier, was that because of my daughter?" she asked.
Jason smiled ruefully. He nodded. "Yes it was," he answered her.
"May I ask why?" she asked.
"Carli means the world to me. I've been celibate for a year. I'm a Christian. I have not been with anyone for a year. When I met Carli I never thought I would love her so strongly the way I do. Your daughter is such a kind, loving and caring person," Jason said. "When I'm around her she makes me forget my problems and she is very beautiful."
Jason sighed, "Tomorrow, I'll be going down to Montego Bay to work on a construction project with my dad. I'll be back and forth between there and Kingston but I won't have much time to spend with Carli. For the next two weeks I'll be down there and I won't be able to come up to see her. I guess I panicked when I realised I won't see her for two weeks."
Sharon felt her heart melting towards the young man. "You really love her, don't you?
Jason nodded. "With all my heart," he said.
Sharon looked at her husband and smiled. She nodded at him. Carlos lifted an eyebrow and looked at her. She nodded emphatically. Carlos smiled at her. "Jason, can you give us a few minutes, my wife and I need to discuss something," he said.
Jason observed the body language between the two of them and knew they had their own way of communicating that shut the world out. He admired them. He nodded. "Sure, no problem," he said. He stood up.
Sharon said, "Don't leave, okay? We know you have to leave soon but give us about five minutes."
Jason nodded in agreement. "Okay," he said. He walked into the kitchen. Carli looked up and saw him. She noted the expression on his face and went to him. She put her arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest. "You okay, baby," she asked him.
Jason touched her hair. "I think so,' he said. Carli knew how much playing with her hair comforted him. She removed the scrunchie from her hair and shook it out. She took his left hand and led him to the dining table and made him sit in a chair. She sat on his lap. "Carli, baby I don't think this is a good idea," he said nervously.
"Yes it is, baby," she said. "All of me belongs to you now. They need to get used to it."
Jason was trying to get her off his lap, lifting her by her hips, but aunt Sandra touched his shoulder and said, "Be secure in her love for you Jason. I know my niece, once she's decided on something, no one can change her mind."
Jason sighed. He lifted his hands as if to say 'I surrender'. He looked at his Carli. His eyes shone his affection for her. Carli leaned forward and gave him a soft but brief kiss on his lips. "I love you Jason, with all of me," she said.
Jason bent forward and lay his head on her bosom. Carli inched closer and relaxed on him. She stroked the hair at the nape of his neck. Jason reached behind her and gently played with the soft curls that rested on her back. Her hair had grown so much. He looked up at her. He could see that her roots needed to be touched up. He would remind her that she could do what she wanted with the money he gave her.
When Sharon and Carlos entered the room they saw Sandra and Lissa cleaning up the kitchen but in the midst of them were Carli and Jason embracing each other. Jason's eyes were closed as he gently stroked the ends of her hair that brushed on her back. Carli's eyes were open and she looked content. Carlos cleared his throat. Jason opened his eyes and was about the stand up, when Carlos said, "No, it's okay. No need to get up." He took his wife's hand and entered into the kitchen/dining room. Lissa and Sandra looked at each other.
"Maybe we should leave," Lissa said looking at her mother.
Sharon smiled at her. "No Lissa, honey, that's fine. If we're all going to be a family soon, we all need to hear what Carlos is about the say," she said.
Carlos released his wife's hand and went to sit in the chair opposite the love birds.
"Carli," he began, reaching out for his daughter's hand. Carli clasped her hand in her dad's, "from the moment I saw you right after you were born, I swore to myself that I would be there for you, that I would protect you and that I would listen to you, and make sure I understood you."
Carlos looked at Jason and smiled. "I wish I had known about you sooner, but never mind, I am willing to accept you as a part of my family and as long as you take care of my baby, you'll always have a dad in law to come to when Carli gives trouble," he said.
"Hey?!" Carli said protesting, but smiled at her dad.
Jason chuckled. He leaned on Carli's shoulder.
Carlos laughed softly and squeezed his daughter's hand.
Sharon moved closer to Jason and Carli. "Jason, I'm sorry for my behavior before now. Carli is my baby, and for a long time my only baby, until now," Sharon said touching her belly. "I hope to get to know you better and I believe you will make my daughter happy. Also we've decided," Sharon looked over at Carlos who winked at her and nodded, "if Carli wants to visit you, not live now, just visit you in Montego Bay while you're down there, that's okay with us."
Jason eyes lit up. He smiled broadly. He hugged Carli tight and laughed. Carli smiled, her mouth open, her eyes wide in surprise. She was ecstatic. She moved to get up from Jason's lap. He released her and she went to her dad and hugged him. She started crying quietly. Sharon reached for her and held her in arms. "Oh baby, I thought you would be happy," she said.
"I am happy mommy," she said smiling at her. Her voice was a little shaky. "Thank you mommy and daddy. Thank you!"
Carlos cleared his throat. "We have one condition for the visit though," he said.
Jason spoke up, "Okay, what is it?" He was curious.
"We don't want you guys to be having sex down there. I know it sounds ridiculous to say because you will be alone, but I want you guys to work on building a relationship that is strong without the sex clouding your judgement," Carlos said looking at Jason directly.
Jason nodded. He felt the same way. He didn't want to let Carli's parents down either. He looked at Carli. She nodded.
"Okay. Agreed. I'm staying with my dad at a friend's house. I can put Carli up in an Airbnb and she can visit on the weekends," Jason said smiling at his future in-laws. He was happy.
'Thank you God,
Please help us to get over this hurdle,
I love her and I want this to work.
Help us, please.'
He prayed in his heart.
Carli came to him and sat in his lap again. She wrapped her arms around Jason's neck. Carlos watched the two of them and smiled. "Come hun, let's give them some time alone. He has to leave tomorrow," he said. Sharon agreed and she took her husband's hand and went into the living room.
"Congratulations!" Lissa beamed. "Happy for you guys." She looked at her mom who winked. She hugged her cousin and smiled at Jason.
"Yeah, so we're just gonna go watch TV," Lissa said grinning as she looked at them. She and her mom also stepped out of the kitchen/dining room to give the young couple some privacy.
Jason leaned his head on her bosom again. Her breasts were nice and soft but firm. He loved them. Carli stroked his hair. "I love you," she said.
Jason grunted. "I love you sweet Carli. I love you with all of me," he replied.
At 7:20 pm, Carli got up from his lap, opened the fridge door and took out the Black Forrest cake for him. She placed it on the table. It was a 6-inch sized cake decorated with white chocolate icing, chocolate chips on top and sprinkles. She had stored it in a clear cake box.
"You wanna taste it now?" she asked.
Jason shook his head. No, not yet. He had a better idea. "No, not just yet. I think I know someone who I will love to share this with," he said smiling. Carli shrugged her shoulders.
"Okay," she said.
Jason stood up and pulled her to him and planted a firm kiss on her lips. "My beautiful wife to be, I love you. The money I've given you, do what you want with it," he said. He used his fingers to playfully rub her scalp.
Carli chuckled. She touched her hair. "You know, I was thinking about it," she said. She reached up on tiptoe to kiss him. He bent forward to meet her lips. After standing firmly on her feet, Carli smiled up at him. She could hardly believe this handsome guy was in love with her. She looked at him in admiration. "I love you baby," she said, "thank you."
"You're welcome, baby," he said. He straightened up. "I gotta go."
Carli smiled sadly. "Okay, baby. Think of me," she said.
Jason laughed softly. "Everything I do I think of you Carli. Everything." He leaned forward and kissed her brow. He squeezed her in his embrace then released her.
"Merry Christmas, my sweet Carli," he said gazing deeply into her eyes.
Carli smiled lovingly at him. "Merry Christmas, baby," she said.
Smiling at her, he picked up his cake from the dining table. He blew her a kiss and walked away.
Carli watched him leave. Her feet couldn't take her to the door. He had stepped briefly into the living room and told her folks 'Merry Christmas' and that he was leaving. They all replied and told him 'Merry Christmas' and 'good night'. She heard the front door open and close.
Carli collapsed in the chair Jason was sitting in. Not only was she exhausted from their lovemaking, she was also emotionally drained from the meeting with her parents. She also didn't want to see him leave, knowing that tomorrow he would be many miles away from her. She rested her head on the table. She felt dejected. Sharon came in and saw her. She pulled out a chair and sat with her daughter.
"You okay, baby?" Sharon asked.
Carli looked up at her. She nodded. "Yes, just tired," she replied.
"You know, I never told you I'm sorry for the slap I gave you," Sharon said. She touched Carli's hand. "Baby, I am so sorry. Jason is a nice young man and seems to have his head on his shoulders. He also seems to love you very much. He told us that his panic attack was because he wouldn't be able to see you for the next two weeks.
"We're taking a big risk saying you can go down there, baby. We want you and Jason to have a solid relationship, one that is not based on sex alone. Sex can fade. Your father and I still enjoy each other like that, but we're not as young and frisky like we used to be." Sharon paused. She saw Carli's expression and laughed. "What? Is it TMI?" she asked amused. Carli smiled awkwardly at her mother.
Sharon smiled at her daughter. She squeezed the hand she held on to. "You need more than the physical to sustain a healthy, loving relationship." She touched her daughter's face. Carli nodded and smiled more comfortably at her. "Thank you, mommy," she said. She leaned forward and hugged her mother. Sharon squeezed her baby to her.
***
On his way over to his mentor's house, Jason stopped by his mom's house. He would usually spend Christmas with her and his siblings but she already knew he should be down in Montego Bay with his dad. He would surprise her and give her a piece of Carli's cake. He knocked on the door. He heard his little sister say, "Who is it?"
He listened carefully and heard tiny feet come to the door. "Who is it?" Jason heard Lisa ask again. He knocked even harder. Lisa finally opened the door, an annoyed look on her face. When she saw Jason, her mouth opened in a beautiful smile. She rushed out to him and screamed, "Jason! Jason!" She ran back into the house into her mom's bedroom.
"Mommy, Jason is here! Jason is here!" she said happily.
Jason stepped into the house and closed the door behind him. He had the cake box in his hand but covered it with a black plastic bag. When his mother came into the small living room space she smiled at him, surprised. She rushed to him and gave him a hug. "I thought you were in Montego Bay?" she said to him.
Jason hugged her grinning. "I was, but I came back," he said.
Bridget stepped back and looked at him. "You just came back?" she asked.
He shook his head. "No. Been back since about 10/11 am," he said. He sat down on the old couch. Lisa, the baby of the family, climbed onto Jason's lap. He kissed his little sister on the forehead and bounced her on his knees. She giggled and looked up at him.
Bridget looked at her son perplexed. So where was he all day then? She wondered.
"I brought something for you," he said. "Well, half of something." He extended his hand with the cake in it for her to take from him.
Bridget took the plastic bag from him and untied it. She looked inside to see a cake in a clear plastic cake box.
"What sort of cake is this?" she asked.
"Black Forrest cake," Jason answered.
She grinned at him. Jason smiled back at his mother. He patted the space beside him, gesturing for his brother Joel to come sit beside him. Joel climbed up on the couch and sat beside his big brother. He leaned his head on his shoulder. Jason put his arm around him and squeezed him close to him.
Bridget watched her three children and smiled. She was happy. "So you're sleeping over?" she asked.
"No," he said, "going back to my place, and I won't be able to stay long. I just dropped this off because I know you like the cake, but I can only give you half to share. The other half is for me and my mentor."
Bridget was surprised to say the least. "So you're seeing him tonight?" she asked.
"Yeah, he and I need to talk about something," he replied.
"What about?" she asked.
Jason held his tongue.
"Okay," Bridget said, "I can take a hint."
She looked up at him. "So where were you all day?" she asked her son.
"I spent the day with Carli," Jason said.
Bridget focused her gaze on him. Something unsaid was lurking behind his eyes.
"You guys had sex?" she asked him plainly.
Jason nodded. Bridget stared at him. She looked at him thinking how much he looked like his dad when he was serious. "Do you love her Jasey?" she asked him.
"Yes mommy, I do," he answered her. Bridget nodded.
"Okay, whatever you need me to do to help you young people let me know. Okay?" She hugged her son briefly.
Jason hugged her back. "Thanks mommy."
"How is she?" Bridget asked smiling. She liked Carli.
Jason saw her smile. He was happy his mom approved of his bride-to-be. "She's doing great enuh. Her parents came by to visit her. Her mom is pregnant," he said.
"Really?!" Bridget said. She was happy to hear it. "So you met them today?"
"Actually, I met them a few days earlier, but we got the time to speak today," he said.
Bridget looked up at his son and smiled. "That's good. They like you?"
Jason nodded. "Yeah, they do," he said smiling.
Bridget nodded. "Good," she said.
She turned towards the cake. She placed her and the kids' half on a plate. She covered the other half with the cake box cover. Jason watched what she was doing. He hadn't yet told her that Carli had baked the cake. He wanted to see her reaction first. He himself hadn't tasted it. He wanted to live vicariously in other persons' experience first before he tasted it for himself.
The half that she cut for her and the kids, she cut off a small slice and tasted it. She chewed it in her mouth carefully and swallowed. Her eyes lit up. She cut off a bigger piece, chewed and swallowed.
She smiled at him. "Hmm ... Jason this tastes good! Where did you buy this?" she asked.
Well ...," Jason said pausing for effect, "the cake was baked by Carli."
Bridget's eyes flew open. She cut a smaller piece and bit into it. She looked up at her son. "Really?" she asked, surprised. "This is store grade, bakery grade quality," she said.
Jason took up the small crumbs that were around the larger piece of cake and put them in his mouth. He closed his eyes as the flavors hit him. Oh man he was one lucky man! Carli's cake was so tasty and creamy. Now he had to convince her to take her hobby more seriously. Now, he understood what her aunt was saying those weeks before, when she had taken him to get his car registered. He wouldn't let her give up on her dream. She was really good at this! Jason stayed with his family for five more minutes then left.
It was ten minutes past 8 o'clock. Uncle Pat was calling him. He answered the phone, putting it to his ear, "Yes uncle, I'm on my way. I got held up at my mom's, coming to you now." He heard Uncle Pat hang up. Jason placed the phone in the right front pocket of his jeans.
When he arrived he exited his car quickly, closed the door and armed the vehicle. He had the other half he would share with uncle Pat in his hand. He came up to his mentor's front door and knocked on it. He heard shuffling on the inside. "Coming." He heard Uncle Pat faintly say. His mentor opened the door and looked at him.
"Merry Christmas, uncle Pat!" Jason said. He shoved the cake in his mentor's hands. Patrick was pleasantly surprised. "For me?" he asked smiling.
Jason chuckled, "Partially for you. I got this cake and thought I would share it with you."
Patrick nodded. "Merry Christmas. Okay, come inside." He stepped back and let Jason into the house. Jason went into the living room and sat on the couch. Patrick pulled the plastic bag off the cake box and admired the pastry inside.
"Wow," he exclaimed, "this is one nice looking cake!" He looked up at Jason amused. "So where's the other half?" he asked.
Jason chuckled. "I gave half to my mom and siblings," he said.
Uncle Pat nodded. "Okay. That's fair. You say you're sharing?"
Jason nodded. "Yeh man. I haven't eaten any yet," he replied.
"Okay," uncle Pat said. He went into the kitchen and cut the half piece of cake into four slices. Two for himself and two for Jason. He brought their plates with silver forks and laid them on the coffee table. He went back into the kitchen and poured two glasses of sorrel chilled with ice cubes. He brought them over to where Jason was sitting and put them both on two coasters.
Uncle Pat sat down and prayed on their behalf, "Lord we thank you for this cake, though small we are grateful for your provision. We thank thee in the name of your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen."
"Amen," Jason said.
Jason took his fork and broke off a piece and placed it in his mouth. He chewed slowly savoring the taste, knowing that in a few months the woman who baked this cake would be his wife. He smiled to himself. The cake was amazing. He looked over at uncle Pat, who had already finished eating his first slice. Uncle Pat went into the kitchen to retrieve two paper napkins. He came back and handed one to Jason.
Patrick thoughtfully wiped his mouth with the napkin and looked at his mentee, a sober look on his face.
"Jason," he said, "in all my years of eating Black Forrest cake this one has to be the most enjoyable." He smiled at his young charge. "Thank you for sharing it with me. I know the last time you were here with Carli. Things were a little, you know, tense, but I actually like her. She seems like a nice young lady."
Jason smiled. He was happy to hear it. Now was the time he would tell him who baked the cake! "Well uncle," Jason said. "I'm glad you said that because that 'nice young lady' is the one who baked this cake."
Uncle Pat's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?!" he asked. He took up his fork and bit into the last slice he had. He closed his eyes and chewed. He opened his eyes and looked at Jason. He pointed to the small piece of cake left. "Carli baked this?" He asked in disbelief.
Jason nodded. He smiled broadly. His heart filled with pride for his girlfriend. Patrick looked at him. He nodded his head in approval. "Well now, that is wonderful. Does she have a business or something like that?' he asked.
Jason shook his head. "No, but I want her to start thinking along that line. She bakes during this time of year, for the holidays. Her aunt gets the orders for her and she bakes. She earns income from it, but she's afraid to pursue it because of her parents' expectations for her," Jason said.
"Well, I wish I could speak to her parents, because she can't afford to waste talent like this. She's really good Jason. I hope you've been encouraging her," uncle Pat said.
Jason nodded and said, " I have. I plan to talk to her dad about it. Her mom is nice, but she's the stern one ..."
"The one who didn't want her to get baptized?" uncle Pat asked interrupting Jason.
Jason smiled ruefully. "Yeah," he answered.
Uncle Pat grunted. "I would love to talk to Carli again. Do you think she would be willing?" he asked.
Jason shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not sure," he said. "But I'll try."
Patrick looked disappointed. Jason sighed. "I'll try, I promise," he said smiling.
Patrick's countenance brightened. "So that's what you wanted to talk to me about?" uncle Pat asked.
Jason cleared his throat. "Well actually, no," Jason said.
"Okay," uncle Pat said looking curiously at him.
Jason cleared his throat again and sighed. "Carli and I made love," he said. He watched uncle Pat for his reaction.
Uncle Pat sighed. He stuffed the last piece of cake in his mouth and chewed thoughtfully. "Do you love her?" he asked Jason.
Jason relaxed. "Yes, I love her, with all my heart," he told uncle Pat.
"Have you told her about your assets?" Patrick asked.
Jason nodded. "Yeah, I have and showed her the house," he replied.
Jason picked up the whole left over piece of cake on his plate and put it in his mouth, chewed and swallowed quickly.
Uncle Pat sighed. "I can't say I'm not disappointed because I am, but when you first came and told me about her, I figured this would eventually happen. You were so smitten with her, and since you've brought her here I can see why. Along with this cake." Uncle Pat gestured at his empty plate. "Jason, the Lord Jesus Christ loves you and he loves Carli. He wants you both to live a holy life before Him. I am pleading with you not to fall further into sin by continuing to have sex with her before she is your wife. It seems that she loves you also."
Jason nodded. "Uncle, she does."
Patrick nodded. "You leave me no choice then," he said standing up. Uncle Pat went into his bedroom and came back with a brown envelope. He handed it to Jason. "Open it," he said looking at him.
Jason took the envelope and tucked his hand inside of it. He took out three documents. He looked through them and read them carefully. He stared at his mentor. "What are these for?" he asked. They were documents that would give the holder rights to dividends from three top companies in the country. "Why are you showing me these?" Jason asked confused. He knew uncle Pat was a great investor, but wasn't sure why he was showing these shares to him.
"Jason, I love you like a son, the son I never had. As you know, I have only daughters. I want you to live a good and pure life before God and sometimes to do that, you have to be prepared, especially as a man. This is my gift to you. I am offering you this gift of my shares of dividends worth $2 million dollars if you will plan your wedding quickly and make Carli your wife." Patrick said leaning forward.
"As you know I also have a small condo in St. Ann, Priory to be exact. It's a beautiful place. It's currently unoccupied but there's a caretaker there and his wife, the Blacks. You can have your honeymoon there. If you can wrap everything up by the end of the two months you're down in Mobay then you can have the condo for your honeymoon spot and I'm giving you the shares."
Jason was flabbergasted. He didn't know what to say. "I don't know what to say," he replied.
"Say you will take my gift to you. I am not angry with you, son. I understand how it goes. Carli is a beautiful girl, and you gave in. But now to honor God I am asking you to quickly make plans to make her your wife. Have you proposed to her?" uncle Pat asked.
Jason nodded. "Yes I have and she accepted," Jason said smiling.
"The Bible says, he who finds a wife finds a good thing," uncle Pat said smiling back at him. "You need to make her feel secure as well and show her that you are the man that deserves her."
Jason was happy he came to his mentor. He nodded. "Thanks, uncle Pat."
"So?" Uncle Pat said clasping his hand together. "Will you take this gift? Consider it a reminder of Christ's love for us. He gave up so much for us when he came as a baby to redeem mankind to his Father. Isn't that what this time of year is about?"
Jason agreed. "True, uncle," he answered.
"Christ came so you and I, and Carli can have the gift of abundant life, but to do that he had to come among humans and live as they do and be subject to being tired and hungry, and other human ailments. Ultimately, he gave up his life so we can receive the gift. The gift of eternal life through his sacrifice, through the shedding of his blood," Uncle Pat said smiling.
Patrick looked pointedly at Jason. "I love this time of year," he said. "The lights and all, but I have to remember that this time of year is about Him. The love Christ shared by giving himself up so we can avoid his Father's wrath and live is unmatched. In the spirit of this time of year, these shares are a gift to you towards your wedding. I am giving them to you. I won't ask for them back. And the condo is optional, you can decide to go there if you want or go somewhere else."
Jason listened to his mentor. He hoped one day he could be as wise and generous as he is. He didn't know what Carli would think but he would accept the gift. He thought about what Carli's parents wanted from them. Yes, he needed to wait for her. They had already had sex, but it didn't mean they couldn't still abstain and hold back until the wedding night. They would do it together with God's help, and this time he would make sure. Even if it drove him nuts not to touch her for the next few months.
"I was thinking of marrying her in June, a few days after her birthday but now I want to push it up to April. Just after my final year exams. I'll be back and forth to Montego Bay and here up until February/March," he said. He was mulling things over in his mind.
Uncle Pat looked at him. He was proud of him. He was beginning to see the responsible man he wanted Jason to be. "It's perfectly doable. Talk to Carli. And tell her that this is my gift to you guys. I'm willing to help with arrangements, if you need any help."
Jason nodded. "Thank you uncle. For everything," he said smiling.
Uncle Pat chuckled. "No problem. I was a young man once, Jason. I know the weakness a man has for a beautiful woman," he said.
Jason stood up and extended his hand to uncle Pat for a handshake. Patrick grabbed his mentee and hugged him, slapping him on his back. After they pulled away from each other, Jason put the papers back into the envelope and tucked them under his arm. He nodded at uncle Pat. Patrick smiled at him.
"Remember to honor her as the weaker vessel, son," Patrick said.
Jason nodded solemnly. "I promise I will. I'll do my best to honor God and lead in waiting until our wedding. I'm gonna set a date in April. I'm gonna talk to Carli about it," he said.
Patrick nodded. "Good," he said.
Jason moved towards the door. Uncle Patrick accompanied him. Jason turned around and looked at him. "Thank you so much uncle,' he said.
Patrick nodded. "You're most welcome, Jason. I will pray for you both," he replied. He slapped Jason on his shoulder. Jason turned back to the door, opened it and stepped outside. He unlocked the car door and sat in his car. He was stunned. He never expected what just happened.
He bowed his head and thanked God. He took his car keys out of his pocket, put it in the ignition and started the engine. He drove off slowly, he would call Carli tomorrow morning before he left for Montego Bay and tell her the good news. He was happy. Again he thanked Jesus for all His help. Jason was even more resolved to do the right thing from now on.
Chapter 18: Like father, like son
Jason stretched and lay flat on his back. He sighed. He wondered what time it was. He stretched over to his night table and grabbed his phone to see the time. It was still dark outside. He pressed the phone's power button to look at the time. It was 6 am. He got about five hours of sleep. He was up organizing his house: doing some cleaning, packing away clothes until 12:40 am and then was so wired he didn't fall asleep right away.
He thought of Carli while he worked and somehow it gave him the energy he needed. He smiled as he thought of her. He was glad he was her first. He wanted to make sure he was her last. He loved her and wanted their love to grow.
He turned on his side as he thought of their lovemaking. If it even killed him he would try his best to hold off a little bit longer. Seeing her the way he did made him realize how beautiful she is and how much he wanted to protect her. He unlocked the phone and hit redial. He wanted to hear her voice and he also needed to tell her about uncle Pat's gift.
The phone rang twice then went straight to voice mail. He dialed again but Carli didn't pick up. He wondered if she was still asleep. He needed to get ready to go back to Mobay. He sat on the floor, did his sit-ups and then push-ups as was his regular routine. Afterwards, he read a scripture from the Bible app on his phone. Just as he finished praying, his phone rang. He went to the bed and picked it up. It was his baby calling him back. He sat on the edge of the bed and answered.
"Hey beautiful," he said. He softened his voice the way he knew she liked it.
He heard her giggle. "Hey baby," she said. Her voice was warm and welcoming.
Jason wished he could see her.
"What are you doing?" he asked her.
"I just woke up. So I'm still in bed. I reached for the phone and saw your missed calls. So here I am calling you," she said.
"Is it too early after last night to say that I miss you?" he asked. His voice was low and seductive.
Carli laughed softly. "No baby. I miss you very much. I wish you were here," she said. Her voice had a sweet, sensual quality that made him bite his lip. He knew that she must be thinking about their intimate time together.
"Carli, baby, did I satisfy you enough?" he asked her tenderly.
"Yes baby, you did," she said softly, "you had me screaming and moaning. You heard me." She giggled. "I love your size, you're so thick. I love the way you ... the way you ... I don't know how to say it." She laughed shyly.
Jason laughed softly. Her shyness was so adorable.
"The way I did what?" he asked chuckling.
"How you were inside me," she said.
"The way I stroked you?" he asked.
Carli giggled. "Yeah."
"You liked how I stroked in and out of you?" Jason asked her. His tone was warm and sensual.
Carli laughed softly. "Yes, I liked that," she said.
Jason felt his member respond. "I'm glad you liked it. I want to give you more. Baby, I really love your needle eye. Wish I could be in you right now. You were so wet and tight. My perfect fit," he said. He blew sloppy kisses to her through the phone.
Carli bit her lower lip. She loved when he talked to her like this. A soft whimper slipped from her lips as she closed her eyes and remembered how he felt inside her.
Jason heard it. He wished he could touch her. He allowed himself to make a low guttural sound so she could know he was feeling the same way. "Hmmm ... Carli, I love those little sounds you make for me, and the things you say to me," he said. He closed his eyes.
"I want to kiss those soft lips again," he whispered.
Carli heard the sensual tone of his voice and had a hunch. "What lips are you talking about?" she asked him seductively.
Jason chuckled. It was a deep, sexy sound. "Both," he said. "The ones beneath your cute little nose and the ones between your thighs. The ones between your thighs are especially tempting," he said as he released his breath softly.
Carli sighed. "I love you Jason. I love when you talk to me like this. You make me feel beautiful," she told him.
"Carli, you are beautiful, very beautiful," he lay on his back as he spoke to her. He opened his eyes and glanced at the phone before putting it back to his ear. He was curious. "Has no one else told you that?"
"No, not really," she said.
Jason couldn't believe it. Matthew never told her? "Matthew never told you?" he asked.
"He did once, yes," she replied. She remembered the school had a class fete for ten and eleven graders when she was in the tenth grade and she had dressed in short shorts and a tank top. She wore a pair of flip flops and a little eye shadow with pink lip gloss. She told him thank you but she didn't believe him. She was heavier then. She had just started losing weight and only lost ten pounds. She felt very insecure.
"I was a hundred and seventy pound teenager in high school. I didn't feel beautiful. There was a class fete for the ten and eleven graders around the end of school term at the time," she said as she recalled that time.
"I was wearing short shorts because Lissa bought it for me and strangely enough, my mom insisted that I wear it. Anyhoo, I dressed up in the shorts and a pink tank top. I wore flip flops with two inch heels and I had put on some eye shadow and lip gloss. He danced with me and we hung out. He told me I was beautiful but I didn't believe him. At the time I was trying to lose weight and had only managed to shed ten pounds. I didn't feel beautiful."
"Well, believe me, my sweet baby," Jason said, "you are very beautiful." Jason blew cute little kisses on the phone to her. "Didn't you hear me saying this over and over yesterday? Don't you believe me when I tell you this?" he asked.
"I kinda do," she said. "It's not that I don't believe you, but sometimes I lack the confidence. You know I have stretch marks."
Jason did notice that there were very faint stretch mark lines on her hips and butt, and he loved them. On their wedding night he would make sure to kiss them for her. "Baby, I love your stretch marks. On our wedding night I'm gonna show you how much I love them," he said.
He bit his lip. "I wanna fill you up with my love, literally," he said, his tone deep and gruff. "I love you Carli, please don't doubt that."
Carli sighed. I wish our wedding night was already here. Carli thought. "I wish we were already married," she said longingly.
Jason sighed. "I know," he said.
"I also want to talk to you about that. If we moved up the date to a day in April, would you be okay with that?" he asked.
Carli smiled. "Yes I would. I want to be your wife so bad," she said laughing softly.
"And I want to be your husband really bad," he said. "I wanna experience your sweet kitty again and again, and I want to give you all the love I have been saving for you."
"Are you going to be rough with me?" Carli asked intrigued.
"Only if you want me to," he said. "I didn't want to hurt you yesterday, but it's been a long time since I've had sex with anyone, so I think I got very excited. I promise to be very gentle with you and take my time. Okay?"
"Thank you," she said, "but if you get a little rough I'll try to manage. I want you to be satisfied."
Jason was touched by what she said. "You would endure me being rough with you, for me?"
Carli nodded though Jason couldn't see her body language and answered with an emphatic, "Yes."
Jason felt himself harden. He closed his eyes. He would love to grip and pull her hair, brace her against walls, spank her and other things he had done with his ex-girlfriend, but Carli wasn't like her.
He had enjoyed those experiences and was curious about Carli's response if he did any of them to her, but he remembered that the Bible referred to women as weaker vessels. Based on her reaction to the spanking he gave her, he figured she liked it, but there were levels to that sort of thing, and he wanted to make sure she was comfortable.
"I love you more than my words can express, so I'm gonna have to show you," he said. "On our wedding night I'm gonna focus on pleasing you. It may not be your first time, but it will be our first time as husband and wife, and I want it to be special. I'm gonna be as gentle as I can be the first time and if you want it more intense the other rounds I'll see how much pressure I can apply."
Carli felt herself getting moist as he spoke lovingly to her in that deep, sensual tone. "Mhmm, yes baby," she whispered softly. "I can hardly wait." Her voice was husky with desire. "I love you."
"I love you," he replied. He could tell she was excited. He was too. She was beautiful and he needed her.
Jason opened his eyes and cleared his throat as he tried to focus. He bit his lip. She was driving him crazy. He made a sound and took a deep breath then released it slowly. He needed to tell Carli about uncle Pat's gift. "As you know, I went to see uncle Pat," he said.
"I told him that we had sex, and while he was sad about it, he has decided to help us. And by the way, I shared my cake with him as well as with my mom and my two siblings. I didn't get to see Joel or Lisa's reaction but my mom loved the cake, and so did uncle Pat. He was very impressed. He would love to talk with you again. He's promised to be on his best behavior. And one more thing, he's given us a gift towards our wedding/marriage." Jason paused to hear what she would say.
Carli was happy they loved her creation. She had worked hard on tweaking the ingredients to the right flavor and texture she wanted. But she was curious about uncle Pat's gift.
"A gift?" Carli asked. "What sort of gift?"
"He gave me some shares which he says are worth $2 million or close to it. He's had them for a while," Jason said smiling. "He also offered for us to stay at his condo in St. Ann. I've never been so it will be a new experience for both of us. What do you think?"
Carli was stunned. "Really? He just gave them to you, no strings attached?"
"Not really. He just wants us to abstain until the wedding," he said.
"Wow! That was kind of him," Carli said surprised.
"Yeah. He is like a dad to me," Jason told her.
Carli was grateful. "Please tell him thank you on my behalf. That was very generous of him," she said. "For the shares and the condo. Yes, I would love to spend time at his place. Will he be there?"
"No he won't, just us, and the caretaker and his wife, and they sleep elsewhere, so we'll have our privacy. There's a pool and it's also near a beach."
Carli laughed softly. "Then yes. Sure. I would love to go there."
"The caretaker's wife is willing to cook for us and do laundry if we want, and we'll pay her for her services, but if she comes in to clean uncle Pat will take care of that," Jason said. He was relieved that she approved.
"Great! Tell him we accept," Carli said. This was good news. She wasn't annoyed with uncle Pat anymore.
"Great! I'll call him while going down to Mobay. Speaking of, which weekend do you want to come down to see me, the first or second? Remember, I won't be able to come up for two weeks."
"The first one, that way I can see you soon after you leave, and it'll help you with settling in," she said.
Jason nodded. He loved her so much. She was so considerate of his feelings and needs. "Okay baby. We can make it happen," he replied.
Carli stretched and did a sexy cry that sounded like a moan, "aaahhh!"
Jason bit his lower lip as he listened to her. He smiled. "Baby, what are you doing now?" he asked amused.
Carli giggled softly. "Just stretching," she answered him.
"Sounds like you want to be stretched in a different way," he said seductively.
Carli chuckled a little. 'Maybe," she said.
"Is she okay?" Jason asked. He would tease her a little.
"Is she who, okay?" Carli asked, a little confused.
Jason laughed softly. "My sweet kitty. Is my sweet kitty feeling better? I bruised her a little. I wanna know if she feels better," Jason dipped his voice to just above his growl register. He waited to hear what she would say.
"Hmmm, baby when you talk to me like that, you make me feel crazy," she whispered sexily. "I wish you could come and touch me, and make love to me. Kiss me all over."
Carli laughed softly. "Yes, she feels much better. Right now she's wet and waiting for you to take her again," she said.
Jason made that growling sound she liked. Carli felt her loins clench. Oh gosh! She thought. I need him, God help me I need him! "Baby, I need you so bad. I need your hard dick inside me right now."
"Is it wet for me baby?" he asked her.
"Yes," she moaned.
Jason growled again, extending the grit in his tone. Carli gasped when she heard it. Oh my! She mused. Maybe I do want to experience his wild side.
He was hungry for her. If he could, he would go for her, bring her back to his place and ravish her from morning till night, over and over. If they were loud and disturbed the neighbours, he didn't care. He wanted her.
"Carli, touch your sweet kitty for me," he said.
Carli slipped her fingers inside her panties and touched herself. She sighed. It felt nice but not good. Jason's touch made her feel really good.
"I want your touch, baby. I need your touch," she said softly.
"I know baby, I know, but this is just for now, okay?" he told her.
"Slip your finger inside and take your time moving it in and out, and imagine it's me," he said. Jason touched himself. He was aching and throbbing for her. He closed his eyes and massaged himself slowly.
"Carli, I'm touching myself too. You don't have to feel weird. I'm in this moment with you. Sweet baby, I want you. I need you," he told her. His voice was warm and sensual.
Carli moaned softly. He made her feel so hot.
"Rub your little nub for me baby. You know what I'm talking about?" he asked.
"Yes, I know," Carli replied her breathing shallow.
"Take your time and rub it slowly. Think about me and rub it," Jason groaned. "Think about how my tongue teases it for you."
"Ohh baby ... ahhh ... baby!" Carli moaned, "Jason ... oh baby! I need you ... aaahhh!"
"Yes baby, like that. Think of my lips kissing your sweet folds. Rub it faster, Carli," Jason voice was gruff as he told her what to do.
He heard her moan louder. He massaged his member more aggressively as he listened to her breathing accelerate.
"Ohhh Jason! Jason! Oh baby! Ohhh! ahhhh!" Carli moaned loudly, "ahhhhh!"
He heard her panting heavily. He moved his hand faster. He groaned loudly as he climaxed. He was breathing heavily. April couldn't come soon enough!
After he calmed down a little, he blew sloppy kisses over the phone. "Sweet baby, did you cum for me?"
"Yes, Jason, you made me cum really hard," she said. Her voice was husky; caressing his senses.
"Did you?" she asked.
Jason chuckled. He growled a little for her. Carli giggled. "Yes baby I did. Your sweet kitty is driving me crazy," he answered.
"Do you usually make that sound? The growling sound?" Carli asked. "I mean did you with your ex?" She was curious.
"No, I never did. I've done other things, but not the growling ... I don't know, when I'm really hot for you and you're not with me, this crazy feeling comes over me." Jason sighed. He chuckled softly. "I feel like I could grab you and go wild inside you," he said, his voice deep and gruff. "Really go hard inside you. The growling kind of helps take the edge off."
"You wanna pull my hair, slap my butt and ram it into me?" Carli asked. She felt hot for him.
Jason laughed. "Yes, sweet baby, just like that," he said gruffly, "just like that."
"I wouldn't mind," Carli said. "I think I'll like it."
Jason chuckled. "You a little vixen aren't you?" he teased her.
Carli giggled. "Maybe. I want you to stretch me. I wish you could plunge that sweet dick into me and make me beg for mercy," she said biting her lip. "Jason, I can't get enough of you."
Jason groaned. "Carli, you don't know what you're asking me to do."
"Maybe I don't, but I'm so hot for you, if you lose control and give it to me really hard I'd probably be begging you for more," she said her voice airy and sensual.
Jason chuckled. "You wanna test that theory on our wedding night?"
Carli made a soft whimpering sound. "Yes! Yes please," she said.
Jason grunted. He chuckled softly. "Okay baby. I'll play it by your lead. How you want it, I'll give it to you, but if at any time you feel uncomfortable tell me. Okay?"
"Okay baby, I will," she said blowing him a kiss through the phone. "I love you my handsome husband-to-be."
"I love you my beautiful bride-to-be." Jason said blowing her a sloppy kiss.
***
Jason was driving at 50 mph, travelling down to Montego Bay. It was 8:32 a.m. He promised his dad he would be back by the latest 11:30. Officially, it wasn't a work day because the contractors were careful to abide by Jamaican laws and respected local holidays, unofficially, his dad wanted him to get back early so they could inspect the work they had done so far, just to make sure the walls were cured properly.
Almost a week had passed since they had initially treated the walls. They would now go back in, inspect, see if there were sections of the walls that needed any attention and make the adjustments. If all was well, they would proceed with their plan the next day.
The crazy, sexy love session with Carli earlier was an eye opener. There was a little sex vixen inside of her he wanted to explore. He smiled to himself as he remembered her saying she would probably like his rough sex.
Maybe she would, he would see a couple months from now. For right now he would focus on his work until he saw her next Saturday. He would tell his dad he wanted next Saturday and Sunday off. To make sure he got it, he will do all his dad asked him to do and then some. He needed that time with Carli and he was gonna make sure he got it.
***
Bello lay on the bed and flipped through the newspaper. He looked at his watch. It was 10 o'clock. Jason had an hour left to get back here. He wondered what was so urgent for him to leave and go back to Kingston. His son kept things to himself and he would usually leave him alone, but this time it was about business and he didn't want Jason to be distracted.
He wondered if he had another gig he was trying to do on the side while doing this one. He hoped not. And if it was a woman, he hoped the hell not! Women are an unnecessary distraction. Jason can have a woman of course, he just didn't want any woman to distract from the money bag.
Khemar walked into the room. Khemar was his good friend, Dwight's son. Bello and Jason were staying with them. In exchange for them staying without paying any rent, Bello made sure he put in a good word for Dwight's son on the site so he could get some work experience. He was to start working after the holidays. Khemar looked at Bello. "Uncle B," Khemar said, "Jason nuh reach back yet?"
Bello shook his head. "No Khem, him nuh reach yet," Bello replied. Khemar left him. Just then Bello heard a car pull up into the driveway. He lifted himself slightly, looked out the window and saw that Jason had come back. He grunted. He continued to flip through the newspaper. After two minutes had passed, he heard Jason's voice in the house.
"Jason!" he called him. He heard Jason chatting and laughing with Khemar. After about another minute Jason stood by Bello's doorway. Bello looked up at him. "Yuh come back?" Bello asked trying to make small talk.
Jason nodded.
"Okay. Suh yuh had a good time?" Bello sat up in the bed. He looked at his son closely. Something was different about him. He was an observant man, he could tell a lot about people. It was his business to be observant so he can close deals smoothly, his son was a different matter. He had told Bridget that Jason was not his son and he regretted it. As the young man grew he looked more and more like him. The only difference was his eyes and lips. He had fuller lips like his mother, and obviously he inherited his mother's brilliant hazel eyes.
But Bello was a man full of too much pride to say he was sorry, he however tried to be more amiable with his son: Ask his opinion on projects and inquire about what he was doing on any projects he had. In his own way he loved his son. He could sense Jason needed more from him, but he wasn't sure he wanted to give him that 'more', whatever it was.
"Yeah, I enjoyed myself. I saw mommy, Joel and Lisa," Jason answered.
"How are they?" Bello asked. He had a soft spot for his little girl. She was his little Laddoo. Bello took the pillow fluffed it and tucked it behind his back. He was developing a bad back but he didn't think Jason would care about that.
"I'm supposed to spend more time with them after this is over," Bello said. "They'll be sleeping over with me, Antonia and your other siblings. Antonia has been asking about you. You should go see her, see them."
Jason cleared his throat. He felt awkward but he would bear it until his dad was done with this game he played: pretending to want to talk to him about anything else but money. It was a recent occurrence, maybe in the last two years. Jason didn't care, he just wanted to get this project over with.
Jason nodded. "Sure, when this is over I'll stop by," he said. Jason knew, they both knew he was lying. After Bello sent him home when he was a teenager, he hadn't gone back to the house. He saw his siblings outside of that house when they decided to go out together but that was it.
He saw Antonia one time after his dad sent him home and that was six years ago. His big sister had graduated from high school. He went to honor her and Antonia but that was it. He hadn't seen Antonia since. It had been two years since he saw Kerry or Wayne. He felt bad about it but he just couldn't bear seeing them knowing his family would probably never be whole. He wanted all his siblings to be close with each other, but he felt it would be impossible.
Jason stepped back and was about to leave when his dad decided to throw a question out there. Bello felt like messing with his son a little. "What's her name?"
Jason stopped, his body half turned away from his dad's room, he looked around. "What are you talking about?" he asked.
The woman or girl that you went to see in the middle of this project?" Bello asked.
Jason shook his head. Here we go again. Why this man don't like peace? Jason thought to himself.
Jason turned to his father. "Is this one of those moments where you feel like being a dad or something?"
Bello chuckled mischievously. "Or something," he replied.
"Well?" Bello asked.
Jason sighed. "Why are you asking me this?"
Bello chuckled harder, his deep voice becoming a raspy sound. "So you do have an atani prēmikurālu?"
Jason knew what he meant. Bello spoke the words of his grandmother's native tongue enough for him to pick up what they meant. Jason didn't like his dad very much, but he wouldn't lie to him. It wasn't good for their business dealings if his dad found out he lied to him, and as a Christian he tried not to practice the vice.
Jason sighed. "Yes, I do. But you need not worry about that," Jason said.
"What is she called?" Bello asked him. He had never seen his son so worked up and defensive. He must really like this one, Bello thought, eyeing him closely.
"Bello, I'll unpack the few things I brought here with me. Give me about twenty minutes and then we can go to the site and do the inspection," Jason said. This father-son moment was over. Jason stepped away from the door and went down the hall to the room Dwight gave him to sleep in. Bello's lips quirked up in a mischievous smile. This week should be interesting, he thought.
It took them another hour to get to the location. It was more inland, there were just a few homes around the complex and one shopping centre. There were plots of land that were cleared spaces being prepared for construction, the rest of the land was still bushed up with greenery. Jason stood at the location and looked around him while his dad parked his old pick up truck. For where they were going his dad felt it best to use the older vehicle so as to not draw unwanted attention from the locals in the adjoining communities.
Bello came up behind him and put on his gloves. Jason hadn't brought his gloves with him, but he did bring his concrete moisture meter. He had bought it a few years ago on his trip to the United States, when he was sent by his dad to do special masonry training. It was during the summer break of his first year at university. He never regretted the experience.
They walked towards the apartment building they were working on. It had 24 rooms at 1000 square feet each. There were other apartments they were designated to work on but Bello believed in taking his time to make sure the work was done properly, so no one could say he wasn't a professional.
They entered through the front doorway. No doors or windows were yet installed. The walls were not yet painted. Jason turned on the moisture meter and began testing the walls for moisture. He would first observe the walls with his eyes looking for darker spots on the wall, then use the meter to test the area. He would usually be right.
He worked as quickly as he could, then he would put a sticky note paper on the section he verified held moisture. He went from apartment to apartment being as meticulous as possible. When he was done he counted 20 surfaces in 7 apartments that needed attention. He texted his dad and told him, sending pictures to him. His dad was downstairs reading the papers. Bello grabbed his tools and came up to where his son was.
"Where and where?" Bello asked.
Jason walked him through the rooms that needed attention. "I also sent you pics," Jason said.
Bello nodded. "I'm gonna sand these off then apply the sealant. There's one wall with a slight bulge, sand that down for me, then you're going to apply some cement and sand as smoothly as you can for me," Bello said, patting Jason on his shoulder.
Jason nodded. Bello went out to his truck, retrieved his generator and hooked up his extension cord to plug in his electric sander. Jason had the newer version to his dad's sander. He also plugged in his sander and started working in the apartment on the ground floor that needed the most attention. The one with a weird bulge on one of the walls. In some of the apartments the walls weren't properly rendered. Jason, his dad and five other men had to go in and prepare the walls for painting, but when they went in they saw various issues that needed addressing.
Jason turned on his sander and began smoothing off the surface that had the slight bulge. He had on his work visor for his eyes and protective ear guards. He turned it on and began working carefully. He moved up and down, and in a circular motion to get the best results. It took him about ten minutes to get the wall to the level that he was comfortable.
Afterwards, he went outside to mix some cement and sand for the re-rendering. His dad brought a special kind of cement, one that was water resistant, and some sand. They had a bucket of water in the back of the pickup. Jason hoisted the bucket off the truck onto the ground and cleared an area that had dried cement. He used a pocket knife to rip a small hole in the top of the cement bag and poured it out and pulled the bag with the sand and poured it out on top.
He carefully poured out a little water and fetched his trowel from his work bag. Jason stooped and began mixing the cement and sand to a smooth consistency, adding water where necessary. When he was done, he used his trowel to pile onto his flat wooden trowel.
He brought the mix into the room and slowly applied the coating. He took his time applying it, being as meticulous as possible. When he was finished, he went to the other rooms, helping his dad to apply the sealants on the walls. They applied a generous amount to the areas where cracks were obvious and did their best to smooth them out as best as possible.
"We're gonna have to move on from these walls and wait a few days to get back to them," Bello said.
Jason nodded. "Yeah, seems that way," Jason replied.
"So, it's just these seven apartments?" Bello asked.
Jason nodded. "Yes, those seven."
Bello nodded. "Okay, good job," he said. "The initial curing of the other rooms seems to have held up. Those surfaces were done well. We'll tell Fonso the situation and ask for three more days to start applying the primer. In the meantime, we'll start applying the primer to the other apartments."
"Okay," Jason said.
Bello turned and walked towards the truck. Jason followed behind him. They were the only ones around, everyone else was still on holiday. Bello looked at his watch. It was 4:30 p.m.
He looked over at his son. "You hungry?" he asked him. A slight smile quirked up on Jason's lips.
He nodded. "Yeah, I could eat," he said.
Bello smiled at him. "Okay, let's stop off somewhere and get some food," he said. Jason's smile broadened. He was hungry. "Okay," he replied.
The two men packed their gear along with the water bucket, remaining cement and sand in the back of the pickup and drove off.
There was a quint little home style restaurant in Ironshore. They stopped by and ordered some cooked food. Jason liked his curry with rice and peas. Bello however was a traditionalist, he ordered his curry chicken with white rice. Jason asked for curry goat. He was a bit bored of curry chicken. They sat down and decided to eat in the restaurant, even though they asked for their food in takeaway boxes.
Jason dug in hungrily. He hadn't eaten breakfast. All he ate were two slices of buttered bread. He had spent the time chatting with Carli. He didn't want to come off the phone with her. If he could tuck her away in his pocket and take her with him he would.
Bello watched as his son ate his food. He loved a good laugh. Unfortunately for Jason, he didn't have a great sense of humor but Bello loved poking fun at him anyway. Bello took the paper napkin and wiped his mouth. He placed it on the table beside his food box.
"So, about this young woman you've been seeing, what's her name?" Bello asked, looking at his son.
Jason almost swallowed a goat bone. He spat it out quickly. It fell on the restaurant floor. Jason looked around to see if anyone saw. Thankfully no one did. He took it up and placed it on his napkin. He continued to eat. He didn't look at Bello.
Bello chuckled. He perceived that the young woman must be important to Jason. "So is she the reason you almost came back late?" Bello probed further.
Jason placed his plastic fork in his box. He stood up, went over to the cashier and retrieved another paper napkin. He returned to the table, took the new napkin and wiped his mouth. He placed it beside his food box. The only way to shut his dad up was to get on with telling him what he wanted to hear. Once Bello had an idea in his head, he was like a pitbull. Jason had to admit that was one of the traits he got from his dad that he was grateful for, but he knew when to dial it back. Bello did not.
Jason sucked his teeth, and used his tongue to clean away any food particles in his mouth. He looked at Bello. "I did not come back late. What do you want to know?" Jason asked him. He looked Bello straight in the eye. Bello smiled broadly. Good! He's ready to play ball! Bello thought amused.
"I asked for her name," Bello said amused. He bit into a piece of chicken breast.
Jason took up his fork and placed a piece of goat meat in his mouth and chewed slowly then swallowed.
"Her name is Carlethia James," Jason began, "but her friends call her Carli. I met her at the university. She's about 5'5" with brown skin and a nice figure, round ass. Anything else you want to know?"
Bello chuckled. "You didn't need to tell me the physical traits, but okay, she sounds lovely. I thought you were done with women for a while?"
Jason cleared his throat. "So did I," he said, "but Carli is different." He looked his dad squarely in the eyes. Bello noted the defiance. His lips quirked up in a mischievous smile. "You guys have been intimate? Samparkamu?"
Jason nodded. He looked away from his dad.
Bello laughed. "She has you wrapped around her finger, eh?"
Jason looked at his dad. "She was a virgin when I met her," Jason answered, wanting to defend his bride-to-be's honor.
Bello stopped laughing. He smiled at his son. "So you made a conquest. Good for you."
Jason suddenly lost his appetite. He put the bones he chewed or gnawed in the contaminated napkin. He would have the rest of the food later. He wiped his mouth and hands with the cleaner napkin and closed the box. He sat back and looked at Bello, his arms folded across his chest.
Bello laughed heartily. His eyes started to water. His son was always an easy target. He watched him, seeing his body language, he quieted down a little. "Okay Jasey, I'm sorry," Bello chuckled, "sincerely, when your mother told me you were doing this celibate thing, I was worried about you. I was wondering if I wouldn't get any grandchildren from you. So there's hope then?"
Jason hissed his teeth. Bello sipped his beer and looked at him. He sobered up. "Son, I know the feeling of being in love. I loved your mother very much. As a matter of fact, I was in love with her before I met Antonia. I met her first, fell in love with her first, then when your mother cheated I went with Antonia."
Jason was incensed. He uncrossed his arms. "What the hell are you talking about? If anyone cheated then it would be you! Kerry is twenty-three," he said his voice dark and menacing. "If you say you loved my mother first, then you were the one who cheated and had Kerry on my mom!"
"Did your mother ever tell you that I caught her kissing Joseph Black, eh? Did she?" Bello leaned forward. His voice was a calm but deadly whisper.
Jason's eyes burned into him. "What are you talking about?" he asked. Jason was feeling the beginning of a headache.
"Oh, oh ... suh she never told you, uh?" Bello quipped. "When you go home after these two weeks ask her what happened at her friend's house. The prostitute's house when I went there to look for her. I brought her a gift for her birthday. I went to her yard but her parents said she was not there she was at her friend, Lattie's house. When I went there I saw her hugged up with my good friend Joseph. I barged in on them and they said nothing was going on but I saw the kiss. I am not blind nor am I a fool. When I walked in their lips were separating, but I saw them."
"You could have been mistaken!" Jason said.
"Mistaken?!" Bello swore. He looked around to see if anyone noticed. Everyone was minding their business. "Mistaken?" Bello lowered his voice. "I confronted Joseph about it and he admitted they did kiss. But when I asked your mother she told me nothing happened. He was taking something out of her eye. What kind of a flipping idiot did she take me for?" Bello whispered aggressively.
Bello rested his elbows on the table. "Women cannot be trusted. I would advise you to be careful of this one you have as your girlfriend. When another man is in the picture they are unpredictable. They like to be chased and they like to keep their options open."
Jason shook his head. "Carli is not like that," Jason said. He could feel his temper rising.
Bello chuckled. "I know you don't have much experience with women. What is she? Girlfriend number two or three? I hope to God you are right, because if not, you'll be an old miserable man like me." Bello chuckled. He gulped his beer down and finished it.
"You don't want your beer?" Bello asked amused.
Crazy thoughts crept into Jason's head. He recalled that awkward time recently when there was the conflict with Carli over her feelings for Matthew. Jason swore. Damn Bello for getting in his head!
Bello heard the expletive. He looked up amused. "Christians aren't supposed to curse are they?" He reached for his son's beer and downed that too. Jason had never seen Bello drunk. He doubted he would now. Beer was light work for his dad.
"And fathers aren't supposed to taunt their sons either, they're supposed to be good examples and not be old bastards!" Jason was angry. He took up his boxed food and went outside to cool off.
After five minutes, Bello came out like nothing had happened. He stood beside him. "Jasey, I only mean you good. In time you will understand that," Bello said quietly. "Let's go." Bello walked to the truck. Jason followed him silently.
When they got home, Jason went to his room and locked the door. Dwight allowed them to eat in their rooms once they kept them clean. Jason decided to eat the rest of his food in his room for his dinner.
He opened his phone. It was 6:00 o'clock in the evening. He saw a missed call from Carli. He smiled. He would call her but he wanted to take a shower first. He went to the bathroom to bathe. Fortunately, there were two bathroom. He and Bello shared the one closest to his bedroom while Dwight and his son shared the bathroom closest to the kitchen.
After Jason had showered he came out with a towel wrapped around his waist. He went into his room and got dressed in boxer briefs, a marina and shorts. He lay on the bed and dialed Carli's number.
She answered cheerfully. God he missed her! "Hey baby," she answered, "was trying to call you earlier."
Jason smiled. "Hey sweet baby, Yeah, I was at the site today. I wasn't done until after 4 then I got something to eat," he said.
She said, "Okay."
"I really miss you, baby," she said in a cute little baby voice.
Jason laughed softly. "Sweet baby, you don't know how much I'm glad to hear that. I know this may sound crazy to ask, but when was the last time you spoke to Matt?" he asked. He couldn't help himself.
"Matt? The last time I saw him was when you saw us. And I haven't spoken to him since then either," she said.
Carli paused. Something was off about her beloved. "Jason, are you okay? Is something bothering you?"
Jason sighed. "I'm sorry, baby. My dad's getting in my head. He doesn't trust women. I told him about you. I feel shitty for even asking. I am sorry."
Carli understood. She softened her tone. "My baby, you are the only man I want, the only one. That thing with Matt was a stupid mistake, one I will never make again. I'm looking forward to being your wife. You can trust that. You've asked me to trust your love and I do. Trust my love for you. Your dad may mean well, but he doesn't know me, and he can't tell you the feelings I have for you."
Jason closed his eyes and sighed. "I wish you were here," he said feeling relieved.
"Me too, just one week and I'll wrap my arms around you and show you my love. Maybe no sex, but I can show you I love you in other ways," she said seductively.
Jason's lips curled into a sexy smile. "Mhm, is that so?" he asked. "How?"
"I have some ideas, but you'll have to wait and see," she said chuckling softly.
Jason felt his body respond to her. He loved her so much. He would sacrifice anything for her.
After they chatted for a few more minutes, Jason told her good night. He had to get up early to start work. His dad's crew was usually on the site before everyone else. He blew cute kisses to her and she responded in kind, then they ended their call. Jason put his arms behind his head.
How could he have doubted Carli's feelings for him? Damn that old man! He closed his eyes and fell asleep.
***
Carli kissed her parents 'good night' and wished them a safe trip back home as they went through the door. After they drove off she went to her room and lay down. By the highway route they should be home within the next hour. She smiled as she thought about her time with them that day. They played games like Ludo, Dominoes and Scrabble. She and her dad always were a team and kept losing until they started to win. She enjoyed the time with her parents.
She wished Jason could be here to experience some of that family goodness. She hated the fact that his dad got in his ear and sewed doubt about her. The man didn't even know her. She sighed as she lay on the bed.
She wished her body was tangled up in Jason's limbs: Legs wrapped around his hips, arms encircled around his back, his face buried in her neck, her head resting on his shoulder, his arms around her waist. She would caress him gently and make him feel safe.
He was a strong guy but he had a vulnerable side. She would protect it fiercely. She wanted to kiss all his doubts and insecurities away. When she went down there this weekend, she would make sure she reassured him in as many ways as she could think of, without him being inside her, although ultimately she desired that very much.
***
Saturday
Jason had convinced Omar to drop off Carli for him. It didn't take a lot of convincing because he offered to put him and Aisha up in the Airbnb, no cost to them.
They would stay the weekend with Carli until Saturday evening when he would be able to see her. Bello usually did reviews each night after work but this time he was not staying a minute over 7. He didn't work on Sunday, though Bello did, but Bello could do what he wanted. And so will he. He wanted to be more diplomatic with his dad, but because of their last argument he was going to do what he wanted, once he did his job, Bello couldn't fault him.
Bello tried to make small talk while they worked, but he barely answered him. When Bello realised he was like that, he left him alone. He was happy for that too. He needed to be focused so he could finish every room he was assigned. He was applying primer to the walls that were ready for painting.
The other men Beano, Calvin, Drenz, Kareem and Nardo all saw the tension between him and his dad but said nothing, they knew better. It was Khemar's first day. Bello allowed him to tag along with him to show him the ropes. Khemar had to help his dad do delivery for a food manufacturing place, but that was only a temporary position. The money wasn't much to talk about. Bello said he would help.
By evening, around 6:30, Jason called the other guys and took a tally from them of the number of rooms they were able to get through. Only one other man was willing to stay over with Bello besides Jason, and that was Calvin. When Calvin came downstairs for the discussion he was surprised to see Jason asking the men about their room tally. "Yah do it suh early? A not even 6:50 yet?" Calvin asked confused.
"Man's got a hot date." That response was from Beano aka Kevin. Out of all of the men, he was closest to Jason's age. He was twenty-four, and he and Jason had a very good rapport with each other. Jason did mention to Beano that he was meeting his girl. Jason shook his head and chuckled. Drenz stooped down on his haunches. "Is that true?" he asked smiling at Jason.
Jason chuckled. He liked his dad's crew. They were jovial men. "Yeah," he said smiling, "you could say that."
"Bredda is either true or not," Nardo said. He was much older than the other men, but Jason's dad was his senior. "When it comes to woman we nuh romp, so yah guh check a girl or nah?" Nardo pressed.
Jason laughed softly. "Yes, I'm gonna see someone," he said nodding. Jason smiled as he thought about Carli. He wanted to lay down with his arms wrapped around her. He could hardly wait to play in her hair. He missed her so much.
Bello had gone to speak to Fonso, his friend and fellow contractor who had put him onto the work, about the rooms with the botched walls to ask for more time. Because of his absence Jason was automatically in charge. They all respected Jason, he was just as focused and knowledgeable as his dad. He was just as no nonsense and he was fair.
But he was also more approachable. He was willing to sit, and just chill and talk. Bello had no interest in knowing about their lives, but Jason would listen. He would even listen to their suggestions about the jobs they did and relay it to Bello. They secretly preferred Jason over his dad, but they would never say so.
Kareem walked in, and on hearing the conversation said, "Bumbo cl**t! A lie?! Suh mi nuh hear seh yuh did tun monk?!" The other men burst out laughing. Jason laughed as well. Among these men he felt most comfortable.
"Nuh worry yuh self Kreemo," Beano said, "him get a woman now."
"Arite sah! Arite! Mi know seh yah good yute. Suh a wifey this?" Kareem aka Kreemo asked Jason.
Jason chuckled. "Yeah. She's my baby," he replied.
Drenz also known as Dreggo aka Brian stood up and said, "Suh Jase, mek we see a picha nuh?"
Jason smiled. "Okay," he said nodding. He opened his phone and showed them the picture of him and Carli at his mom's house. That reminded him, they needed to take more pictures together.
The men crowded around to see the picture. Calvin whistled. Kreemo swore an expletive as was his usual expression, while the other three admired Carli in silence.
Beano moved away first. "She look good man," he said smiling. "A my type that still. Mi love a browning. Glad fi yuh bro."
The other men agreed.
"So she's coming to see you today?" Calvin asked.
Jason nodded. He felt a sense of pride.
"Wife her up fass bredda. Nuh mek she get weh!" Nardo aka Renardo said.
"Trust me, I won't," Jason said. She was his and his only.
After he had finished discussing the work covered in the rooms, Jason dismissed the men at 6:50. He however waited for Bello and Khemar to come back.
When Bello came back he only saw Jason standing by his car waiting for him. He was a little suspicious when Jason insisted that he would drive his car to work that morning, but said nothing to him. Bello parked his vehicle, and he and Khemar got out and walked towards Jason.
"Where's everybody?" Bello asked.
"I sent them home early," Jason said.
Bello was stunned. Did he really hear what he said correctly? "You sent them home?" Bello asked incredulously.
Jason nodded. "Mhm ... surprisingly they completed their quota for the day," Jason said.
Bello walked passed his son and went into the building. He looked around the ground floor, going into several rooms. He called out to Calvin and Nardo, the more mature men of the crew. No response. Khemar stood beside Jason. He looked over at Jason and looked at Bello walking briskly towards them.
Oh, it's on now! Khemar thought.
"Who tell yuh seh yuh cyan send home mi crew, eh?" Bello asked angrily. "Is you name Belvedere Singh?"
Jason clenched his jaw while listening as his dad started on a tirade. Bello launched off a string of expletives then paused for air. Jason looked at him nonchalantly.
"Are you done?" Jason asked.
Bello bent over, hands on knees, trying to catch his breath. He looked up and saw that his son was staring at him with a steely gaze. "Weh yuh up to?" Bello asked, annoyed.
"I'm meeting someone this evening, and I need to leave early," Jason said.
Bello hissed his teeth and said, "Suh yuh couldn't just leave Calvin or Nardo in charge? Why yuh send them home?!?
"I remember the last time I did that you punished me by forcing me to work late hours before you paid me for the job I did. Then you threatened to not send any jobs my way," Jason said, his eyes boring into Bello.
"Is this any better?" Bello asked angrily.
"Not necessarily, but I wanted to make sure you couldn't say Calvin was sloppy or Nardo botched something, and blamed it on me."
Bello straightened up. "Suh yuh do a walk through with them already?"
"No I didn't, but I plan on coming here early Sunday morning to do a review for myself. But I'm only going to be here for two hours," Jason replied.
"Jasey, what is going on with you? Eeh?" Bello asked. "Is it that girl? This new jaanu you have?"
Jason nodded defiantly. "Maybe. You know I almost made a fool of myself last night asking her stupid questions I know the answers to," he said.
"Weh yuh mean?" Bello asked.
"There was this guy who was a good friend of hers who had a big crush on her. I saw them kissing and I had confronted her on it. She had reassured me back then that nothing serious was going on between them. It was he who kissed her not the other way around. She and I had moved past that, but then yesterday, after you got in my ear, I asked her about him, and you know what she told me ..." Jason paused waiting for his dad to ask him.
"What did she tell you?" Bello asked.
"She hadn't spoken to him since the last time she saw him, and she hadn't seen him since then," Jason answered his dad. He felt frustrated and angry.
"I hate the fact that you get under my skin so easily!" Jason said his voice rising slightly.
Bello swore again. "And you don't think you get under my skin? You arrogant little prick! You come down here to do a job, then you leave in the middle of it to see some frock tail, and then come back with a chip on your shoulder and your mind distracted. Now you send home my crew like it's your business name 'Singh's Painting and Finishing Company'?"
"I was not distracted when I came down here. You got in my head and distracted me. I was doing my job before I left and I did my job when I came back, and after I leave tonight I will continue to do what you hired me to do. Right now though I have someone to see," Jason said. He opened his car door.
Bello walked up to him and slammed the door shut. Jason turned around and looked at him. "Don't do that again," Jason said to his father. He spoke to him very softly but the tone was so cold Khemar could feel the hairs on the back of his head stand up.
Bello looked down. He saw Jason's fists clench and unclench. He stepped away from his son's vehicle. He backed off a few more inches. "I hope she's worth it Jasey. I hope she's worth it," Bello said. His voice held a warning.
"She is more than worth it. She's going to be my wife in a few months. If you were a decent enough father, you would know I don't go for just any 'frock tail' as you've said," Jason answered his dad angrily. He opened his car door and locked it. He started the car engine, briefly looked over at Bello and Khemar, then drove off.
Khemar scratched his head and said, "Uncle B, it look like Jason love dah one yah man."
Bello grunted. Women usually bring trouble. Good, decent women were rare gems, but they too can bring problems. He hoped his son knew what he was doing. Bello shook his head. "Come Khemar, mek mi show yuh how fi duh a review."
"Yes uncle," Khemar replied.
Bello walked into the building. Khemar looked off in the distance where Jason had driven to and wondered who this girl was. He followed behind his mentor.
***
Carli was packing light for her visit to Montego Bay. Omar was supposed to come to her aunt's house to pick her up. He was bringing his girlfriend Aisha with him. They would stay with her until Jason was able to get away and see her.
She was excited to see him. To wrap her arms around him, and her legs too if he wanted her to. She had promised her parents that they would not have sex down there, and she wanted to honor her promise to them, but at the same time, she longed to be one with him again.
The experience of his body on hers and his member slipping into her was amazing. She was glad he was the one she gave herself to. He was gentle and knew how to satisfy her, but there was a wild side she longed to experience. He promised on their wedding night he would allow her to see a little more of it. She would wait with bated breath for the time to come.
A few days before she took the money he gave her and got her hair retouched. She also asked Andrea, her hairdresser to dye her hair black. Andrea used a special dye that made her hair look shiny in the sunlight, and she also gave her a leave-in treatment and trimmed her ends. Her hair still rested on her back, fortunately there wasn't much that needed to be trimmed off. Carli saw a special line of shampoos, conditioners and creamy leave-in moisturizers being sold on Andrea's product rack so she bought the set. Andrea also gave her a complimentary bottle of oil treatment to strengthen her scalp. Everything came up to $9000.
After she left from there, Carli walked through the shopping plazas in Half Way Tree. She was looking for a new outfit. Jason never said he would take her out, but she had a feeling he was planning to. She bought a baby blue colored tank top and pants set, with a pair of black sandals. She also bought new underwear and a special perfume. While passing by a store she looked in and saw something she thought Jason would like. She went in and bought it for him. She only had $2000 left but she was happy.
She had lightly washed her new suit and underwear. She pressed the suit and hung it up on clothes hangers until Saturday morning came.
It was Saturday. She couldn't wait to see him. She was thinking of painting her finger nails but decided to just do her toe nails instead. She however clipped her finger nails and buffed them down and only added clear nail polish. She painted her toe nails a rich magenta then used a glossy silver polish to make silver strokes that resembled lilies. She was good at nail art but never wanted to pursue it as a career. Now she wondered if she should take it more seriously.
At 9:30 a.m, Omar and Aisha came for her. Carli wore her favorite short shorts: the black one with the fringes. She wore a white cotton t-shirt and black flip flops. She sprayed on the special perfume so when she sat in the backseat of the car, the cabin was filled with the fragrance. Omar looked around at her and smiled. She looked gorgeous and smelled good too. Aisha was also impressed. She looked her up and down, and smiled at her. Carli decided to keep the bag by her side. Omie had offered to stuff her bag in with theirs but she declined. She had Jason's gift and she didn't want it to be damaged.
They drove off quickly. They had a long distance to cover even with the highway route. Carli sent Jason a text but he did not respond. He's probably at work, she thought to herself.
Aisha turned around, looked at her and smiled. "So Jasey told us you've been seeing each other for a little while?" Aisha asked.
"Yeah, not too long but yeah, it's been really good," Carli said smiling back at her.
"You love him?" Aisha asked. She looked at Carli intently.
Carli smiled at her. "Yeah, very much," she replied.
Aisha nodded. "I'm glad to hear it. Jasey is a really cool guy. I wouldn't want his feelings hurt."
Carli smiled. "I understand," she said.
"I wouldn't want his feelings hurt either. He means a lot to me," she answered.
Aisha smiled at her broadly. She nodded. "Okay."
Aisha noticed the ring on Carli's finger. "That's a pretty ring," she said.
Carli smiled. "Yeah, Jason gave me this promise ring," she said.
"Promise ring you say?" She looked at her curiously.
Carli nodded, "Mhm."
Aisha turned around and looked at Omie. Omie looked at her and smiled. She smiled back. He refocused his gaze on the road. Aisha looked out the passenger side window with a smile on her face.
Carli smiled inwardly. Jasey, eh? That must be his nickname. She thought. She liked it.
They arrived at the airbnb and met the owner, Mrs. Flowers. She gave them a brief tour of the place. She informed them that everything was set up for them and that if they needed anything, the maid would be of assistance.
Mrs. Flower showed Carli to her room and told her that a bottle of non alcoholic sparkling wine was chilling in the mini fridge. She thanked her and Mrs. Flower said she would check in on them on Sunday afternoon. The maid would be available until six in the evening when she went off duty. Carli thanked her again and Mrs. Flowers left her room.
She showed Omar and Aisha their room which was further down the hall. Mrs. Flowers came back and told them if they wished to cook after the maid left that was fine. The fridge in the kitchen was stocked and Jason had said he would pay for any items used. She then wished them good evening and left.
Carli sat at the edge of the bed and looked at the satin flower petals decorating it. She wondered if they would really be able to keep their promise to her parents.
Jason arrived at the house at 7:34 p.m. He had gone back to Dwight's place and packed some sleep over clothes, his favorite cologne, soap, a fresh rag and towel, two shirts, jeans, black loafers and a pair of crocs. He washed his car and cleaned out the interior. He also took a shower.
On his way over to the airbnb he stopped for gas. When he arrived the lights were on and he heard music coming from the inside of the house. He parked the car in the driveway and closed the gate. He walked up to the door and knocked. He heard laughing and Omie's voice coming close to the doorway. His friend opened the door and on seeing him gave him a hug. Omar moved back so Jason could enter the house.
As he walked passed the foyer he could see Aisha gyrating her waist while listening to some Dancehall music. To his surprise, Carli was also moving her hips in a seductive motion.
Omie came up behind him. "The girls are competing to see who has the more flexible waist," he said. He had a beer in his hand. He walked over to the couch and sat on it looking at the two girls dance.
Jason stood in the hallway watching Carli move her hips. She was good. She bent over and started gyrating her butt faster. Jason felt his body respond to her. He watched almost in a trance. He was biting his lip.
Aisha was having a good time, she looked up and saw Jason watching her and Carli. She stopped whining and touched Carli. Carli straightened up, turned around and saw Jason watching her.
"Baby!" She screamed happily. She rushed to him and jumped on him. Jason caught her and kissed her lips passionately. He let her down on her feet and looked lovingly at her. "Didn't know you could whine like that," he said his voice low.
Carli smiled. "Do you mind?" she asked cheekily.
Jason bent forward and kissed her forehead. "No, but make sure you only do that when I'm around you. I want a private show for me only."
"Okay," she said, "understood. For your eyes only from now on."
He bent forward and squeezed her bottom, caressing it gently. "I don't know if I can keep my promise to your parents, especially after seeing that. Carli I really want you." he whispered.
Carli leaned into his chest. "I know," she said. "I want you to make love to me again."
"If I take you again would you be mad at me?" he asked teasing her. He whispered in her ear.
Carli wanted to make those sounds he liked, but she bit her lips trying to control herself. "No," she whispered, "I wish you would, Jasey."
Jason straightened up slightly and looked into her eyes. He saw the tenderness in her gaze but also the mischief. He chuckled. "So you know my nickname now?" he said.
Carli laughed softly and said, "That's all they've been calling you the car ride down here. Do I have permission to call you that?"
"Of course," he chuckled, "and any other interesting names you want to call me," he said teasing her.
"Eh hemm!" Aisha said.
Jason looked up and smiled at her. "Hey, 'A' yuh good?"
"Yes Jason, mi good. Are you good?" she asked cheekily.
Jason laughed. He looked at Carli and gently slapped her on her butt. "I'm very good," he said.
They ate the meal the maid had prepared for them and drank the complimentary sparkling wine. Then they watched some cable television. Afterwards, Omie and Aisha decided to go to bed early, while Carli and Jason sat up and snuggled on the couch. Carli threw her legs over Jason's lap and leaned on him. He gently rubbed her thighs.
"I have missed you sweet baby," Jason said. "You don't know how much."
Carli kissed his cheek. "I'm here now. Let me soothe you," she said.
He looked at her hungrily. "How will you do that," he asked her. Carli swung her feet off him and planted them on the floor. She stood up and extended her hand to him. He took it and stood up and followed her to the bedroom. "Take off your shirt and lay on the bed," she said.
Jason did as he was told quickly. He looked at her.
"Lay on your belly," she said. Her voice was low and sensual.
Jason lay stretched out on his tummy. Carli went into her bag and retrieved the lavender oil she brought with her. She climbed on top of him, squeezed a little of the oil in the palm of her hands, rubbed her hands together and began gently massaging Jason's back and shoulders. She massaged him slowly while she spoke to him in a seductive tone. "Is this okay baby?" she asked.
Jason groaned. "Yes baby, this feels so good. Thank you."
"Your back feels tense," she said.
"Yeah? Well, I guess so," he replied.
"Mhmm, baby. Your touch feels so good," he said.
"You like it Jasey?" she asked smiling.
Jason chuckled. "Yes baby, I love your touch."
After she massaged his back, she took a shower and came to him in a little night gown. He looked at her and pulled her down under him. He kissed her lips and told her he loved her. She touched his face and said she loved him too. He turned on his side and made Carli turn on her side also with her back to his chest. He wrapped his arm around her and smelt her hair. "You had it done?" he asked her.
"Mhm, yes, I wanted to look good for you,' she said.
Jason did notice her freshly painted toenails, and that her hair roots were wavy. Her beautiful tresses were no longer purple at the ends, but all of her hair was black and shiny. She smelt wonderful also.
"Is that a new perfume?" he asked her.
"Yes it is. I hope you like it," she replied.
He breathed her in. "Yes I do," he said kissing her hair. He bent his head and smelt her neck. He could faintly smell the perfume. It was really good. But the lavender oil was what he adored, and it was in her hair. He smelled her hair again and closed his eyes. "I love you baby, hmmm," he said. He pulled her closer and kissed her shoulder.
Carli closed her eyes. She loved this feeling. She wouldn't press for them to make love. Just being close to him was fulfilling something in her she couldn't explain. They fell asleep in each other's arms.
Sunday
Jason cooked scrambled eggs and pancakes for all of them, then he kissed Carli and said he would be back soon. It was around 6:00 in the morning. Carli asked if she could come along with him. He had told her it would be best if she stayed because the site was dusty and there were hazards, but he really didn't want to be in a confrontation with Bello and Carli be there to see it. Omie however pulled him aside, and told him to allow her to go. Reluctantly, he agreed.
Carli rushed to wash her face, brush her teeth after eating breakfast and pulled on a pair of jeans pants and a blue t-shirt. Jason gave her a cap for her hair to protect it from dust. She put it on. They jumped into the car quickly and he took her to his job site.
As he stepped out of the vehicle he could see that Bello was already there. He looked back at Carli just closing the car door. He armed the vehicle and clasped her hands in both of his. "Carli, you're gonna see my dad," Jason sighed. "He can be very disagreeable, and he loves to play mind games. I didn't want you to come because of him. He can be very rude, especially to women."
Carli reached up and touched his face. "Baby, I'll bear anything for you," she said. She tugged at his hands. "Let's go," she said. "I promise to be polite and be tolerant. Okay?"
Jason nodded. "Okay," he said.
He let go of her left hand, but still held on to her right as he led her into the construction site. He called out to Bello, who responded briefly then came downstairs. When he saw Jason with a young woman, he slowed his pace coming down the stairs and stared at Carli. He stopped at the end of the stairs and looked at her curiously.
"Carli, I presume?" Bello asked. His usual bland expression cracking into a charming smile.
Carli smiled back at him and nodded. "Yes in the flesh," she quipped.
Bello chuckled. "How charming," he said. He stepped closer to the two young people so he could get a better look at her. She was indeed beautiful, Bello thought. No wonder Jasey was acting so unstable.
He wiped his hand on his shirt and extended it for a handshake. Carli looked up at Jason who was eyeing his dad suspiciously. He turned to Carli and nodded. Carli reached out her hand and shook Bello's hand.
Bello squeezed her hand a little then released it. He looked her up and down. She was gorgeous. Bello looked over at his son and winked at him. He looked at Carli again. "So Jason has decided to give you a tour of his work space?" Bello asked amused.
"Yes, he has," Carli replied pleasantly.
"Well, we don't usually allow that though," he said looking over at his son.
Carli smiled broadly at Bello and said, "That's my fault I'm afraid. He has been telling me about it, and so now that I have the opportunity, I really wanted to see it. I asked him to take me. I am very sorry."
Bello grunted. "Okay. I see," he said scratching his beard. "I suppose it can't hurt for you to look around a little. The site foreman isn't here today." He eyed Jason as if to say 'don't let it happen again'. Jason nodded. He understood loud and clear.
Bello stepped aside, and still holding Carli's hand, Jason led her upstairs. He walked her through room to room of each apartment and explained what will be done. She actually found it fascinating and asked a few questions. When he was done walking her through, he brought her back downstairs and told her he had to do reviews of the work done yesterday, and he would have to talk to his dad. He asked her to wait in his car. She nodded and did as he told her.
Jason walked over to Bello. Bello was stooped down applying sealant to a crack the crew missed. Bello pointed to the area. "See why reviews are important," he said pointing to the area.
"I know," Jason said.
Bello straightened slowly. He held his back and stretched. He looked at his son with a sober look. "She is gorgeous Jasey. I can see why you've been distracted. If I was young and strong like you, with all my faculties in tact, I would probably have trouble thinking straight too. And you love her?"
Jason nodded. "Yes I do," he replied.
Bello nodded. "Understood," he responded.
"You plan on marrying her?" Bello asked.
"Yes I do," Jason said.
"Do you think she loves you?" Bello asked him.
"I know she loves me," Jason said.
"And how do you know? Sex is not all son," Bello said. "I loved your mother. Maybe I wasn't the best at showing affection, maybe that's why she got distracted by Joseph, but one thing I do know, your grandmother was a good woman and she showed her love by the things she did, not by the words she said."
"Carli shows me she loves me every time she's with me. She wanted to be with me so she came with my friends to stay with me. She has cooked for me on multiple occasions. She listens to me. She respects me. She wants to know how I feel. She even baked me a cake for Christmas, and last night she held me close and told me she loved me," Jason said confidently.
Bello leaned on one of the walls. "Okay, and about the man you mentioned yesterday. Is that resolved?" Bello asked.
"Yes it is,"
You're sure?" Bello probed.
"Yes, I'm sure," Jason answered.
"Okay. She does seem like a nice girl and very pretty. I hope you're right. Look Jasey, I know I haven't been much a father to you, but I want to try," Bello looked at his son.
Jason was shocked to hear what Bello said. "What does that mean?" he asked suspiciously.
Bello chuckled. "It means I want us to have a better relationship, if possible. You and I are too much alike for you to be a jacket," he quipped.
Jason grunted. "Is this your way of saying I'm sorry?"
"It could be," Bello said.
Jason turned as if heading outside.
"Yes, Jasey," Bello called to him. "Yes, this is me saying sorry for the times I told you I didn't care and you weren't my son."
Jason turned towards him. "Why now?" he asked. "What do you want from me?"
Bello shook his head. "My conscience is eating at me I guess. I wanna know my son better," he said.
"Up to a year ago you told me to my face I wasn't your son," Jason said sardonically.
Bello nodded. "Yes, I said that, but that was because I was pissed off at you," he answered.
Bello stepped closer to Jason and said, "Almost everything about you is me. Your height, how you talk, your face except for your mother's eyes and lips. Even how you take to your work; your business acumen. All of that is me. I realized that a few years back, but I was too stubborn to say."
Jason felt an ache building in his chest. He couldn't allow himself to develop a soft spot for him. He was going to suppress it. He didn't trust the old man.
"What do you want Bello?" he asked flatly.
Bello sighed. "Nothing. Jason, I'm ill. Things aren't good with me. I got a call this morning. I have cancer," he said.
Jason felt like his head was reeling. "No! No! Don't tell me that! You're lying!" Jason shouted. "You cruel old geezer. Stop playing these games. This is not funny!" Jason stepped back. His legs felt wobbly.
Bello sighed. "My doctor called this morning. He's a good friend of mine. He is very accurate. I know I say a lot of crap and I run a lot of jokes, but I'm not fibbing about this," Bello said.
Jason turned around and walked away. Bello called after him, "Jasey! Jasey! Jason!"
Carli was listening to music through her earphones when Jason entered the car and slammed the door angrily. He bent his head forward on the steering and began to cry. She pulled out the earphones and turned off the music, placing the phone in her lap.
"Baby, what's wrong?!" she asked alarmed.
She touched Jason and he turned to her, leaning into her embrace. Carli leaned back in the seat and pulled Jason onto her bosom and stroked his hair. She felt him shaking. "Jasey, please tell me what's wrong?" she asked gently.
"He says he has cancer," Jason whispered sadly. "I don't know if I should believe him or I should see this as one of his cruel pranks he loves to play."
Carli was stunned. That was terrible news. She didn't know what to say. "Baby, I'm sorry." She continued to stroke his hair. She couldn't believe someone would be cruel enough to make up something like that. She held him close until he calmed down.
He sat up and looked at her. "I'm sorry. This is so embarrassing," he said.
Carli touched his face. "No baby, not at all. I want to see all of you, the good and the bad. I love you. Please don't be embarrassed. You were there when I needed you the most, now it's my turn." She leaned forward and kissed his lips.
Jason kissed her gently. "I love you," he said.
"And I love you, Jasey," she replied.
Jason smiled. He was getting used to her using his family's pet name for him. He felt safe with her. He cupped her face. "I'm so glad God gave you to me. You're a blessing," he said.
He turned the car key in the ignition and started the vehicle. "Let's go somewhere today. The beach any where you wanna go," he said smiling at her.
Carli looked at him. There was sadness in his eyes but he was trying to hide it. "Okay," she said, "take me to the beach then."
The beach it is," he said.
After all of them came back from the beach: Carli, Jason, Aisha and Omie, they sat around playing cards for a little bit.
Mrs. Flowers came by later in the afternoon to make sure all was well. She brought her maid who quickly cleaned the bathrooms and common areas: livingroom, kitchen and dining area. After she was done, Mrs Flowers wished them a pleasant evening, and she and the maid left them.
Jason wanted to treat his girl for making him feel safe and loved. He pulled Carli into their designated bedroom and kissed her passionately.
"I wanna take you out tonight," he said. "What do you say?"
Carli nodded. The kiss took her breath away.
She showered and changed into the suit she bought a few days before, while Jason wore a pair of black jeans, a dark blue and black polo shirt and a pair of black loafers. He pulled the chain Carli gave him over the shirt so it could be clearly seen. As they walked through the door they waved bye to Aisha and Omie, and stepped out arm in arm.
Jason took her to Montego Bay's famous hip-strip and they dined at a restaurant. Carli ordered crispy chicken with noodles while Jason asked for garlic shrimp with fried rice. For drinks, Carli asked for strawberry daiquiri while Jason asked for a fruit punch mix with no alcohol. For dessert Carli ordered cheese cake, but Jason chose not to eat dessert.
After they ate Jason reached for her hand and Carli gave it to him. He smiled at her appreciatively. "You look very beautiful tonight Carli. I love the outfit," he said smiling at her. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. Carli blushed. "Thank you. I wanted you to like it," she said smiling at him shyly.
He looked at her as if mesmerized. "I do sweet baby," he said. "Everything about this time with you has been wonderful. I'm so blessed to have you. I thank God for you every day."
Carli smiled at him and said, "You are the love of my life. I'm so glad we met. So glad you knocked me on my bum." She chuckled.
Jason laughed softly. He remembered the first time they met. "You were so shy, but look at you now: gorgeous and more open to me." Jason said. He reached across the table and briefly touched her face.
"I love you," he told her.
"I love you," she replied.
Later that night he brought her back to the Airbnb and they snuggled in each other's arms. They could faintly hear Omie and Aisha making love, but Jason held Carli close to him and kissed her forehead. He looked into her eyes and smiled.
Carli chuckled as she heard Aisha making love sounds. She remembered a few days ago that was her. She touched Jason's face and blew him a kiss. Jason grinned and tickled her. She laughed and tickled him back. Jason pulled her closer and planted a firm kiss on her lips then made her turn around so she could rest her back on his chest.
"Good night baby," he said.
"Good night Jasey," she said.
Monday morning
Carli took out the gift she had bought for Jason. It was gift wrapped. She told him not to open it until she and Omie and Aisha had left. He kissed her good bye, then gave Aisha a hug and Omie a fist bumped.
"Thanks for doing this for me bro," Jason told his best friend.
"No. Thank you," Omie said. "This was a nice experience. I had fun." Omie looked over at Aisha who winked at him. Jason shook his head and laughed.
Jason went over to his beloved again and tenderly kissed her lips. He didn't care that his two friends were watching. He slipped his tongue into her mouth and kissed her fervently. Carli was trying her best not to make those sounds but in the end a few escaped her lips. Aisha and Omie looked at each other knowingly and grinned. When he pulled away from her he knew he was aroused but he didn't care if Omie or Aisha noticed. Carli noticed and blushed. She stood in front of him and hugged him.
"Omie," she said, "I'll be a minute can you carry my bags for me?"
"Sure," Omie said chuckling. He lifted her bag along with his and walked towards his car.
Aisha grinning from ear to ear, walked behind him pulling her bag.
Jason laughed softly. "I think they noticed," he said.
"Maybe," Carli said chuckling.
"I love you," Jason said squeezing her bottom.
Carli groaned. "I love you baby. Please take care of yourself. Okay?" she said.
"I promise."
"Talk to your dad, okay? Maybe he's serious."
Jason sighed. "I will try."
Carli nodded. "Okay. I love you," she said hugging you.
"I love you," he replied. He kissed her forehead.
Carli moved away from him and walked towards where Omie and Aisha were waiting. They all entered the car. Carli blew him a kiss as they drove off.
Jason entered the bedroom they shared and took up the gift. It was a solid structure of some sort. He tore off the wrapping to discover it was a wooden sculpture of a man and woman in a passionate embrace.
Observing the base of it closely, one couldn't tell where the body of the man or woman began, they seemed to be one with arms embracing each other and faces touching cheek to cheek. Jason sat on the bed and smiled. Yes, he liked it. He liked it very much.
He got up from the bed and smoothed it out. He called Mrs. Flowers and told her thanks for her accommodation and told her that he would deposit extra money besides the service fee as a way to say thank you. She was delighted.
When he hung up he smiled at the sculpture again and brought it to his car. He placed it on the floor of the passenger side. He started the engine and drove off to work. He would talk to his dad, but at the end of the work day. Right now, he was just happy he spent the weekend with the only girl that made him feel special.
Chapter 19: Reconciliation and rescue
Monday evening
Jason had finished his quota for the day and was about to pack up his gear, and meet the other men on the ground floor to make his report, when he received a text on his phone. When he retrieved his phone from his jeans' back pocket, he was surprised to see that it was his dad telling him to take over the review for the day. Jason texted him back and asked if he had an errand to run, to which Bello replied that it was time Jason grew into the responsibility of running a crew, and that from now on he would do the reviews.
Jason was stunned to say the least, but he replied with, "Okay."
He sent out the text alert to all the men, then waited downstairs at the centre of what would be the foyer after the apartment was finished. Jason smiled at them and thanked them for their hard work thus far and then went into asking each man what they did and if they experienced any set backs.
One by one Drenz, Beano, Calvin, Kareem and Nardo did their review of what they had done and what they needed to finish up. Khemar hadn't come to work today, he had a job interview elsewhere.
When they were nearing the ending of the review, Bello came downstairs and also shared what he was able to do. After he had finished, Jason looked at Bello to signal if he should dismiss the men. He nodded. Jason thanked the men again and dismissed them for the day. After they had left, he approached his dad.
"You good?" he asked.
Bello looked at him and smiled. He said, "Is this your way of saying you care or something?"
Jason smiled at him. "Or something," he said.
"Jasey, I'm gonna say something I rarely say, but I think it is appropriate now," Bello said turning to his son. "I'm proud of you. I've always been proud of you. I didn't have my father in my life for enough years, as far as I'm concerned. He died when I was thirteen. He was a hardworking man, but he had very little time to show kindness.
"I guess I believe that is how a man should be. He taught me a lot of things, but he never showed me how to be a compassionate father or a good husband. He loved my mother and was never harsh with her, but he wasn't very affectionate either." Bello leaned against a wall. "Maybe that's why I was the only child," he said chuckling.
Jason smiled sadly. He came closer. Bello saw what he did and smiled at him, "Let's get something to eat. Okay?"
Jason nodded. "Okay," he said.
"You can tell me more about Carli and how you met," Bello said picking up his work gear. He reached out and gave Jason a pat on his shoulder.
It was a long shot, but Jason was gonna try anyway. If he pushed him away so be it. He leaned forward and hugged his dad. Bello stood frozen for a few seconds, then slowly he reached his arms around his son and embraced him. He felt Jason go limp. Bello held on to him tighter and closed his eyes. He hadn't hugged anyone in years. It felt better than he expected.
***
Tuesday
Carli was getting dressed in sweat pants and a t-shirt. She was going to clean her cousin's room. She pulled her hair into a gentle ponytail. She had her hair done only a few days ago and wanted to be gentle on the curls and her scalp. She went into the kitchen and and took out a chamois from the vanity cabinet as well as a fragrant cleaning solution.
She went back to the room and started wiping off the surfaces, starting from the night table and the bed posts. She also wiped off the windows. She then remembered that she needed to deal with the bathroom. She went downstairs, went into the vanity again and retrieved a small bucket and filled it with water at the kitchen sink. There was a small bristle brush in her shower so she figured it was used to scrub grime from the shower tiles. She went back upstairs to finish cleaning.
There was a small corner at the end of the hall of the upstairs rooms where her aunt stored a dry mop and a house broom. Carli used the broom to brush off the carpet. It was a rough fabric carpet that hid stains very well. Then she took the mop and swept under and around the bed, under the work station her cousin used for playing video games, that she now used to do assignments.
When she was done she took everything downstairs. She put the bottle of cleaning solution back in its place, washed out the chamois at the washstand outside in the backyard and pinned it on the clothes line to dry. She shook the dust from the mop and hung it over the sink of the washstand but put the house broom back in its place.
Afterwards, Carli took a shower. She came out of the bathroom and got dressed in pink shorts and a blue and white tank top. She changed the bed linen and placed the sweaty ones in the laundry basket. Laying comfortably on the clean sheets, she thought of her sweet baby. She really missed him. Tomorrow will be New Years Eve. She remembered he told her that December 31st was when he gave his heart to the Lord. She closed her eyes and prayed for him:
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for being a good God to me and to Jason,
Thank you for your love and,
Saving us from this world,
And all its issues
I pray for my husband-to-be Jason,
I love him so much,
Please Lord, protect him,
Keep him safe from any hazards or dangers
Watch over him for me please
If anything were to happen to him
My heart couldn't bear it.
Lord please, be merciful to him,
and help him to be reconciled with his dad,
They are so much alike,
Even just by looking at them
Standing together they are like twins,
Except for Jason's eyes.
Please help him and his dad to forgive each other,
Help them to have a good father-son relationship.
And Lord please help Jason and I to wait
until we're married to make love again.
I love him Lord, but I want us to honor you.
I know we messed up, but I want us to be good before you.
Please help us,
Give us the strength to wait,
I pray in your name.
Amen.
Carli went on the internet and scrolled through her phone looking up on salvation and Jesus Christ, and started reading an article she found on the topics. She wanted to know more about this God who loved her enough to die for her.
***
Monica didn't like how her daughter looked lately. She was moping around the house and looked a shadow of herself. She came home from work to see her daughter's room door locked, but she was still inside and it was the middle of the day. She had knocked on the door. Marsha answered but didn't open the door.
"Baby, you okay?" Monica asked.
"Yes mommy, I'm okay," Marsha said.
"Open the door sweetie," Monica said.
There was a pause then she heard the door being unlocked. She looked in to see Marsha still dressed in her pajamas. She entered her daughter's room and sat on the bed. She looked around. The room needed some cleaning up. There were clothes on the bed, on the floor, a few sweetie wrappers and an empty water bottle.
She patted the space on the bed beside her. Marsha came and sat beside her.
"Baby, I love you. If I could take away whatever it is you're feeling ... the hurt, I would," Monica said. "Baby, it's time you let him go. It's a pity he's blocked you, but you just have to move on."
She touched her daughter's hand and squeezed it. "Honey, I've seen the change in you these past couple of weeks. You have changed so much, baby. When the time is right God will send you someone who can love you and cherish you. Someone who can appreciate the love you have to give."
Marsha leaned on her mom's shoulder and cried silently. Monica sighed and put her arms around her. She stayed with her for five minutes more then she left Marsha in her room. She walked into the kitchen, retrieved her phone from her work bag that was resting on the counter and dialed Jason's number. The phone didn't pick up right away. Alarmed, she wondered if Jason had blocked her too. The dial tone kicked in then the phone began to ring. After the fifth ring Jason answered. He sounded so mature. His voice was deeper to her ears. She was surprised.
She cleared her throat and spoke, "Jason?"
"Yes, aunty Monica. It's me," he said chuckling. "How are you?"
"Jason, so glad to hear your voice," she smiled as she spoke to him. "I'm just reaching out. I haven't heard from you in awhile."
She heard Jason sigh. "Yeah. I'm sorry. I've been busy. Actually, I'm not in Kingston. I'm in Montego Bay doing a painting job with my dad. I won't be back in town officially until March," he told her.
Monica felt gutted. "Oh, okay," she said in a hollow voice.
Jason could tell something was wrong. "Is everything okay?" he asked.
"Well kind of, but no. Marsha ... It's Marsha. You blocked her, and it's really affecting her. It's not your problem, but she's beating herself up about the last time you guys spoke. The argument you had and you brought her home. I think she's accepted the fact that you will never see her in a romantic way, but she misses her friend Jason, please speak to her. If not for her, for me. I believe she also wants to apologise to you. Jason, she needs closure."
Jason sighed. He had blocked her because he knew Marsha was relentless when she pursued something she wanted. He didn't regret giving her a piece of his mind. He however never expected that blocking her would affect her so much. "I'll be back after next week for a few days. I'll stop by for a few minutes and talk to her, okay?" he said.
Monica smiled. "Thank you Jason."
"No problem," he replied. Monica and her family were there for him when he needed a safe place to thrive. He would always be grateful to them for that.
Monica ended the call. She would prepare some comfort food for her baby. Marsha always liked chicken soup. She would make some for her.
***
Carlos smiled at his beautiful wife. He had taken two weeks leave to spend time with her. She was cooking something for lunch. For some reason being pregnant made her want to cook more often. He didn't know why but he was happy with it. Sharon was an excellent cook. He took a slice of the potato pudding she had just taken out of the oven. He put it in a plate. It was too hot to hold in his hand. He took out a fork and cut off a nice piece, blew on it to cool it down and popped it into his mouth and chewed. He closed his eyes. Perfection, he thought.
Just then, he heard his cellphone ringing. He went into his bedroom and looked at the phone screen. It was Red Man. He swiped up, pressed the green phone icon to answer and placed Red Man on speaker.
"Red Man?" he said.
"Yah man. Is me man. Me have another $150k fi yuh, y'ere," Red Man said. Carlos noted that his old friend sounded cheerful. Business must be going well, he mused.
"Okay, sounds good. I want to change my mind on that though." Carlos said.
"Weh yuh mean?" Red Man asked.
"I know you're a business man and sometimes capital is hard to come by, especially in this economy. Tell you what ... keep the money and turn it over in what you're doing, whether it's toys or clappers or whatever. I'll give you a year to pay me back my money and I would like to get 15% extra on whatever you make from it," Carlos said.
Red Man chuckled. "Suh is true weh me hear then?"
Carlos was amused and curious. "Weh yuh hear?" he asked.
"Seh yuh have a little one on the way?"
Carlos chuckled softly. "Yes, it's true. A man's got to think differently. Matter of fact, I've been thinking ... what would you think about a business partner?"
"Business partner?" Red Man repeated what Carlos said as a question.
"Mhm, yes." Carlos said smiling. "I've known you since I was a kid going to college. You're a good person. By the way, I never thanked you for what you did those years ago. Making sure the don and his friends never hurt me. Thank you."
Carlos heard silence. "Eugene?" he inquired.
Red Man cleared his throat. He laughed softly. "Yeh man. Yuh good man. Appreciate weh yuh just seh."
Carlos smiled.
"So this business partner thing. How would that work?" Red Man inquired.
"I'll be off work by 5:30 this evening. Meet me downtown at 'Teetee's Wholesale' I usually stop by there to get my groceries. See you by 6 o'clock?"
"Yeh man. Okay. Mi know the place," Red Man said. He wouldn't tell Carlos that Teetee also known as Tina was his daughter, not yet anyway. He smiled and thought, maybe he could funnel some of Carlos money into that business as well. She was doing well and since Jason helped her stock it out better, sales were coming in much faster.
"Arite, mi will see you then," Red Man said. "Later." He hung up.
Carlos smiled as he put down the phone. It was time for him to work smart not just hard.
***
New Year's Eve
Carli was excited. Today was Jason's spiritual birthday. The day he committed himself to the Lord. She hadn't heard from him yesterday but she wasn't upset. She knew he was busy working but she would try to contact him today. First she sent him a text and voicenote via Whatsapp, then she tried calling him but didn't get through. She would try later in the day. She decided she would do breakfast for everyone. She felt like oats porridge and maybe some scrambled eggs with bread.
She went downstairs, washed her hands and started working. She had tucked her phone in her pajamas pocket. While she was stirring the porridge, she felt her phone vibrate on her thigh. When she took it from her pocket she heard it ringing. She answered. It was him.
"Hello. Good morning darling," she said.
"Good morning sweet baby. Sorry I missed your calls earlier. Just checked my phone and saw your messages," Jason said. "Thank you for the 'spiritual/Christian birthday' greeting. I love you." He blew her a kiss.
Carli giggled softly. "I didn't hear from you yesterday and I wasn't sure if I should call," she said.
Jason chuckled. "No man, you could have called. I was spending some time with my dad, after work we went for beer and some food. We're talking to each other..." Jason paused then said, "He said he was proud of me. I didn't know I needed to hear it until he said it."
Carli felt her heart stir. She smiled. "Baby, I am so happy for you. I prayed that you and your dad would be okay," she said happily.
"Remember I'll be up there next week for about four days to sort out my school registration, pay fees, ecetera," he said smiling. He was just happy to talk to her.
"I want to talk to you about something related to that, college I mean," Carli said feeling a little nervous.
"Okay, sure. Go ahead," he said, curious.
"I'm thinking of dropping out and getting a job," she said waiting to hear what he would say.
Jason thought about what she said. He would support whatever she wanted to do, even if it meant he would fund it himself. "So you wouldn't go back to school?" he asked her.
"Actually, I would," she said. "I would go do a culinary course part-time maybe at UTECH or somewhere else if possible, but work full-time. I would want to work in a restaurant environment if possible. I'm willing to do it the other way around too, as in work part-time and go to college full-time but doing something around food."
Jason was happy to hear it. In fact, he would do all he could to make sure she could do this.
"Baby, I love you. Yes, this is a good idea. Remember, I told you if you want to I will fund you. I only have one semester left. When I'm done I will be willing to send you to school. I also need to tell you something..."
"What?" Carli asked excited. She was happy to know Jason was one hundred percent behind her decision.
"My dad has asked me to be a part of the company full-time. He wants me to take over from him when he retires, which means his company will be mine, which means it will be ours," he said.
Carli was ecstatic. "Baby that's great! I'm so happy for you. I'm glad you and your dad are getting along."
"Yeah," he said laughing softly, "I have so many ideas." He was happy and felt fulfilled. His dad was trying to mend fences, and he was more than willing to meet him halfway. This gesture of him taking over was big for him. For both he and Bello.
Jason always wanted to be at the helm of the business one day, but he never felt his dad would look his way. Now that he told him he wanted him to lead the company, he was humbled and grateful. He would do his best to manage all they owned and continue the good reputation of the business. This new responsibility wouldn't take full effect until the next five years but in the meantime his dad would entrust some of the business operations to him, especially those in Kingston/St. Andrew.
"Baby, I can't wait to see you again. I wanna wrap my arms around you and not let go," he said with a sigh.
Carli laughed softly and said, "I miss you too baby."
Jason chuckled. "A few more days, then I'll hold you close to me and kiss your sweet lips," he said his voice husky.
"Which ones?" she teased him.
Jason laughed. "Hmmm ... that is food for thought," he said smiling. Little vixen, he thought to himself, I'll soon give you what you want. "For now I'll kiss the ones below your cute nose. We're supposed to be waiting, aren't we?" His voice was low and sensual.
Carli chuckled. "Yes, we are. It's just that I got a taste and now I'm addicted. I think I need it like I need food," she answered him her voice dipped low. She looked at the stove and turned off the fire under the porridge.
She went and sat in a chair. She was gonna give him something to think about, while she thought of him. "Jason I love the way you love on me. How you kiss me all over and your lips down there. If you were here I would push your head between my thighs so you can make my eyes roll over again."
Jason's eyes opened wider in surprise. Was this shy, innocent Carli? Had he inadvertently created this little vixen who was now teasing him with her words?
Jason chuckled softly. "You would push my head between your thighs?" he asked his voice deep and sensuous to her ears.
"Yes, been thinking about it since I got back. It's a miracle I didn't try to get you to do it to me when we were together," she told him.
Jason bit his lip. "Hmmm ... when I get back do you want me to?" he asked.
Carli made a sexy little sound that touched him to his core. "Yes," she said, "I want you to so bad."
"You know what, I will take the challenge, but I'm gonna decline the invitation for now. Not because I don't want to, believe me I want to," he said aroused. "I'm gonna make sure the next time I go between your thighs is when I put a ring on your finger, a wedding ring."
Carli sighed. "Baby, I love you. I want you so bad. It's hard to wait, but I'm gonna try."
"It's hard for me too Carli, believe me. It's really hard," he said chuckling.
Carli giggled. She figured he was telling her he was aroused.
"But I wanna try to do the right thing. Only a few more months left baby and then I'll give you all the loving you crave for," he said reassuring her.
Carli sighed. "Okay. I will try harder for you, but I just wanted to let you know I'm crazy about you," she told him.
"As I am crazy about you sweet baby," he said. He blew her a kiss. "I gotta go now. My dad and I just arrived at the site. I love you sweet baby."
"I love you Jason," she said blowing him a kiss.
He ended the call.
Carli resumed cooking breakfast for her family.
***
Bello looked over at his son and smiled mischievously. Jason did not hold back in his conversation with his girlfriend. It was as if he didn't care who heard what he said. He looked at him with new admiration.
"I see your Carli wants more of what you've been giving her?" Bello said grinning. He parked his vehicle and turned to his son.
Jason laughed softly. He wondered if he should have told her his dad was with him earlier, but when she told him about wanting his head between her thighs he didn't want to rebuff her. This was her first attempt at talking sexy, he was not going to discourage her, or spoil the mood. Plus, he loved what she was saying and the sensual tone of her voice was hypnotizing. He loved hearing how she talked when she was in the mood. Her voice was warm and sexy.
"You plan on marrying her, you say?" Bello asked amused.
"Yes, I do. Planning to do so in April, maybe late April," Jason replied.
Bello nodded and sobered up. "Make sure you do so. I was a scoundrel for not marrying your mother or even Antonia. My parents were married. My father, your grandfather wasn't a man of many words. He always believed in action. I want you to be better than me and make sure you protect the love this young lady has for you. Make sure she becomes your wife. Keep your promise to her," he said.
Jason smiled. "Yeah. I will make sure I keep this promise. She means so much to me," he answered.
"Okay. Alright Jasey, let's do what we do best," Bello said patting his son's shoulder. He opened the door of the pickup truck and stepped outside. He slammed the door shut. Jason looked at him. He was happy he and his dad were getting along.
Jason chuckled softly. "Gimme a minute," he said ruefully.
Bello looked at him curiously. Then he noticed Jason's awkward expression. His son was hiding his arousal.
Bello laughed heartily and said, "You got a little too excited, eh?" He shook his head still laughing.
Jason could live down the embarrassment, but he would rather not have his dad tease him about it for the rest of his life. He took deep breaths and thought about the work he needed to get done. After a few more minutes he felt comfortable leaving the truck.
He opened the passenger side and stepped out closing the door. Bello looked at him and smiled mischievously. Jason smiled back at him. Bello chuckled, shook his head and walked towards the site. Jason followed him smiling. His baby girl got him thinking thoughts. Jason shook his head smiling.
He needed to ask his dad about the cancer diagnosis: how sure he was. He would ask him about it during the weekend, when the other men weren't around. For now, being able to chat freely and joke with his dad was a nice feeling. He would deal with the bad stuff later.
Eight Days Later ...
Jason pulled up in the driveway of the Miller residence. He was just coming in from Montego Bay and had made arrangements to see Carli later that evening at her aunt's house. He however would honor his promise to see Marsha and resolve their differences if possible.
Chayelle had opened the gate for him so he could park his vehicle inside. It was 4 p.m. It was a work day but Monica was at home. High schools were still on holiday. She had spent the previous week marking test papers, preparing the syllabus for the term, as well as having meetings with her teacher colleagues. Chayelle closed the gate and ran to him wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. Jason hugged her back.
"Hey munchkin," Jason said caressing her head. He was surprised to see that she had it chemically altered. It was straight, silky and black. "You cream yuh hair?" he inquired.
Chayelle nodded enthusiastically. "Yes Jason, I'm sixteen in a week's time, so this is a part of my birthday gift," she said. Jason looked at her. She was maturing into a smart, kind, beautiful young woman. He hugged her close to his side. She was like his little sister. He just realised that he missed his chats with her.
"Mommy, Jason is here," Chayelle shouted. She walked with him to the front door and opened it for him. Chayelle moved away from his side and led him into the kitchen.
When he entered the kitchen Monica and Marsha were there preparing dinner. "Jason," Monica said smiling. She went to him and gave him a hug. She squeezed him to her for a few seconds then let him go. She stepped back and looked at him. He looked more mature. He seemed to be growing out his beard. She liked it. She glanced behind her at Marsha.
Jason looked up from her and looked at Marsha. She looked thinner but still beautiful. Her hair was longer, brushing passed her shoulders, and looked thick and healthy. He smiled at her tentatively. She smiled back at him shyly. He went to her and stood in front of her. He looked at her. If things were different, yes, he would be with her. She was gorgeous. Her warm, beautiful eyes looked sad.
"Jason," she began, "I'm ... I'm sorry for everything: What I did that day when you caught me at your place. I was irresponsible." She sighed. "And for the times I have been selfish and self-serving, I'm sorry." She took a deep breath and released it.
Jason saw she meant what she said. He bent forward, lifted his arms, circled them around her shoulders and pulled her in to him. Marsha leaned into his hug, but she did not circle her arms around him. Jason noticed and felt sad. He missed her as a friend. She was always fiercely loyal to him. He cupped her face with both hands.
"You will always be one of my dearest friends. If you need anything, I'm here for you," he said sincerely.
She nodded. She smiled a little at him. Though it was difficult, she had grown to live with the knowledge that he would only be a friend. She saw that he was growing his beard. He looked even more rugged and sexy. She felt sad that he would never be hers, but she was glad that they could talk. Jason took out his phone in front of her, he unblocked her number and showed her he did it. She smiled more broadly at him.
Jason's heart skipped a beat. There was the gorgeous smile he was used to. He sighed inwardly. There's my Marsh, he mused. He pulled her into his embrace again and this time she put her arms around his neck. He sighed audibly as he hugged her. She smelt really nice. He turned his face sideways to her neck to take in her perfume. He squeezed more tightly. "I have missed you, Marsh. I'm sorry I blocked you," he said quietly.
"I've missed you too. It's okay. We're good now," she said with a satisfied sigh.
Jason pulled away from her and squeezed her arm. She looked thinner. He wondered if she had been sick recently. Monica cleared her throat behind them. Jason turned around and smiled.
"Would you be able to stay for dinner?" Monica Miller asked.
He looked at his watch. "If it's ready now I can eat a little bit. I need to be somewhere by 7," he said.
"Okay," Monica said nodding.
"There's actually something I need to tell you guys," he said smiling broadly.
"Oh? What?" Chayelle said coming closer.
He walked towards the living room, they followed him, curious about what he was going to announce. He sat down on the couch. Monica sat in her husband's arm chair while Marsha stood beside her mother. Chayelle however sat beside him.
"I'll be getting married in April," he said smiling nervously.
"What?!" Chayelle and Monica shouted.
Marsha was surprised but said nothing. He would never be hers, she needed to just be happy for him. She smiled weakly. "Okay. If that is what you want, then I'm happy for you Jase," she said.
"Who's the lucky girl?" Chayelle asked enthusiastically.
Jason looked at Marsha. He felt awkward but he needed to say it. "It's Carli," he said.
Monica looked over at her daughter. She was doing a good job of masking her feelings. Monica remembered Marsha mentioned the name 'Carli'. So she was indeed the one who won Jason's heart. Marsha sat on the back of her dad's favourite chair. Her legs felt weak. Jason noticed she looked a little shaky. He wished he could take whatever pain she was feeling away but he couldn't, his heart belonged to Carli.
Monica sighed and laughed nervously, "Well, I am surprised. Are you sure you're ready? I mean you're so young--twenty-one? You sure?"
Marsha answered for him, "He's ready mommy. I can see it in his eyes. He's ready. He's in love." She wished it was with her but she saw his expression when he called Carli's name. He was smitten. She was happy for him. It was time to move on just like her mom said. This time she would be more cautious. She walked towards him, bent forward and gave him a brief hug.
His eyes were at the level of her chest, but he realized he couldn't see her cleavage. Marsha stepped away from him and sat beside her sister at the other end of the couch. Jason looked at her carefully, taking her in. She was wearing a pair of comfy cotton shorts that brushed her knees, and a cotton blouse that covered her up to her neck. It was loose fitting. He was surprised. She never used to dress like this.
Marsha was proud of her breasts. He also had to admit they were beautiful, from what he got to see. Her cleavage teased smooth, dark brown, glowing and delicate skin. Before he met Carli, he had often thought of his face between them, but he respected her parents not to do anything crazy. Unfortunately, Marsha used to push herself on him, and he didn't want that. He wanted things to happen between them organically, but she never understood that, and ruined any chance he had of exploring more with her. He was surprised at how she was dressing now. He wondered if something had happened recently.
"Gimme a minute," he said. He took out his phone and texted Carli. He told her he would be late, around 8/8:30. He apologized but told her he would explain when he saw her. He put his phone in his pocket and looked at Marsha. He stared at her face. It dawned on him that she wasn't wearing any makeup.
Even at home she would wear a little eye shadow, but nothing this time. She was fresh faced. It was refreshing to see, but also puzzling. "I think I'll stay a little bit longer. I'll leave around 8 o'clock," he told them. He needed to know what was going on with his friend. He heard the ping of the notifications on his phone. He took it out of his pocket and opened it to see Carli saying, "Okay." She sent him a heart emoji. He replied with a kissy face with hearts emoji and put away his phone.
***
During dinner Jason watched Marsha carefully. He was admiring how her skin glowed without the masking of makeup. She was definitely beautiful. Marsha saw him looking at her intently and felt awkward. There was a time when him looking at her like that would have made her blood boil hot for him, but now she felt empty and sad.
Monica observed how Jason looked at her daughter. It was as if he was seeing her for the first time. It was a pity he was getting married soon.
Monica's husband was coming in late from work so he wouldn't get to catch Jason, but he got to speak with him on the phone. Monica had called him on her phone so the two men could speak. The older man was always gracious and kind to him. Jason told him what his plans were and also mentioned he was getting married. Mr. Miller never skipped a beat. He congratulated him on finding his 'biblical rib' and wished him well. Jason gave Mrs Miller's phone back to her. Monica kissed her husband through the phone then hung up.
While Monica was cleaning up the used plates and glasses from the dining table, Marsha stood up to help her. Jason found that intriguing: the Marsha he knew never helped her mom clear the table. He cleared his throat. "Marsha I'd like to talk to you, if that is okay?" he said. He looked over at her mother who nodded.
"No problem. Chayelle usually helps too," Monica said looking at Chayelle, who stood up and went with her.
There was a swing at the back of the yard. He motioned his head towards the backdoor. He smiled at Marsha and said, "Let's go to our hang out."
Marsha nodded her agreement. she knew where he was talking. He headed to the backdoor. He turned the knob and opened the door. He stepped aside so Marsha could exit before him. She walked over to the swings and sat on one.
There were three swings on the set. Jason sat in the one next to hers. He moved himself back and forth slightly, rocking himself in the swing with his feet. Marsha just sat and didn't move the swing. Jason got up, went behind her and started pushing her gently. She held on to the ropes but said nothing.
"Marsha, I don't like when you don't speak to me. As a matter of fact, you being silent is new," he said.
Marsha sighed. "What do you want me to say Jason? You're getting married. I guess I'm a little surprised. Also, when you blocked me, I had a lot of practice being silent."
Jason grimaced. "I'm sorry I blocked you, but Marsha you know yourself, you are relentless when you're pursuing something or someone you want. Plus, I was angry at you for the risk you took. You put both our lives in danger. I didn't feel like talking to you at the time," he replied. He pushed the swing a little harder.
"Jason, it's okay. You've apologized. I don't blame you. Thinking about it, I was acting crazy, but I'm not like that anymore,' she said quietly.
This new quiet, soft spoken demeanor of hers was driving Jason crazy. What was wrong with her? She seemed so sad.
He stopped pushing her. He walked around to the front of the swing to face her. He looked down at her. She looked up at him.
"Did something happen? I know you felt bad about me blocking you, but I can't believe that's why you are so sad," he said. His eyes bored into her. While searching her face, he saw an emotion emerge then she suppressed it. Her face was placid again. He was getting angry.
"Marsha tell me! Please don't shut me out," he urged her.
Marsha sighed. "There's nothing to say," she said. "I guess I'm sad about how things are," she told him.
She wouldn't tell him that she was assaulted, not even her family knew about it. Only her best friend and the young men who came to her rescue. She thought of Matthew, the young man with the gentle eyes and wondered if he was doing okay. She wanted to see him again, but was also feeling wary of an encounter with him.
"Yeah, I know that could be something to be sad over, but Marsha you're such a resilient girl. Me rejecting you would never knock you down," Jason said puzzled.
"How do you know, Jason? I've spent the past few weeks since you blocked me being depressed, spending most of my time in my room, not caring about anything. I didn't even want to get my hair done. My mom was the one who dragged me to the hair dressers yesterday," she said looking at him with a sarcastic look on her face, "I guess you told her you were coming by today. She was adamant yesterday I get it done."
"It looks lovely," he said. He meant the compliment. Her hair was shiny.
Marsha nodded. "Thank you," she said.
"You've lost some weight," he said matter of factly.
Marsha nodded. "That I did," she replied.
"And you're saying I was the reason?" Jason asked skeptically.
"I am ashamed to say it, but partially, yes," Marsha said sadly. "The things you said to me were harsh, but I needed to hear them. I did a lot of soul searching and I didn't like what I saw inside me. So it kind of made me realise what a perfectly good friendship I messed up. When I tried to call you to say sorry I realised you blocked me."
Jason observed that she was wringing her hands together. Another thing he never noticed her do before. "Your mom called me last week and told me you were not yourself; you were beating yourself up about what happened between us, so I came to see what she meant," he said going to sit beside her on the swing again.
"I thought I ruined our friendship, that I would never speak to you again. It messed with me mentally," Marsha said turning towards him.
Jason reached for her hand and squeezed it. "You wouldn't lose me. I thought you would be pissed and not want to speak with me. The way you looked at me when I dropped you off that day, I figured you wouldn't want to speak to me again," he said. "But I was giving you space. I would have come by eventually when I thought you had cooled off. Marsha, you know your wrath is epic." He looked at her and chuckled.
Marsha laughed a little too. She nodded. "Yeah, you are right, I can be very vindictive, but I'm not so bad anymore," she answered smiling.
"How come?" Jason asked curious.
"You. After you cussed me out, I thought about what you said. I want to be a better woman, if not for you, then for someone else."
Jason's eyebrows shot up. "Is there someone else?"
"No. Not yet, but hopefully soon," she said smiling sadly at him.
Jason sighed. "Marsh, you are very beautiful. You will find someone who will love you unconditionally," he said smiling at her sadly. "It's just not going to be me."
Marsha nodded. "I understand that now," she smiled sadly.
Jason reached out his right hand and touched her face. He kind of half wished things were different, but there was no turning back. Maybe he could comfort her a little.
Gently, he pulled her closer. With her torso bent towards him on the swing he cupped her face with both hands and pressed his lips on her forehead and kissed her softly. Marsha closed her eyes when she felt his lips on her skin. He bent his head and rested his brow on hers. Her perfume was intoxicating. He never felt these emotions towards her before, but her perplexing behavior intrigued him and made him see her differently.
"You will find someone Marsh. You're a very beautiful girl. And very tempting," he said.
Softly, he kissed her eyelids then put his arms around her. The closeness of his body and the smell of his cologne made Marsha weak. She wanted to kiss him, but knew better. "Jason, I want to kiss you," she said. She opened her eyes and looked at him. Reluctantly, she pulled away from him.
Jason stared at her. He couldn't believe how much he wanted to kiss her too. He brushed his hand on her cheek and leaned back from her.
Marsha smiled at him and said, "I wish you much happiness with Carli. She is a good girl from the little I've seen. I'm happy for you."
Jason nodded and smiled. "Thank you. It means a lot to hear you say that," he said.
Marsha smiled broadly at him; nodding. He would always hold a special place in her heart, but she had to let him go.
They entered the house, chatting a little bit. He gave Monica a hug, then Chayelle. The women followed him out to the driveway and were surprised to see that he now owned a vehicle. Marsha was even more happy for him, and she told him so, "I'm happy for you Jasey. Glad for you."
She smiled at him and he smiled back. He pulled her to him and held her close. She felt fragile in his arms. "Please promise me you'll take care of yourself. Make sure you eat and put on back those curves," he teased her. He nuzzled her neck gently and squeezed her waist. Marsha wished he would kiss her neck and lips but said nothing.
She nodded.
When she pulled away, Jason could see her longing for him.
He wondered ... Nah, he couldn't and wouldn't.
He kissed her forehead, stepped back, opened his car door and slid into the vehicle. He waved at her. Marsha waved back at him and smiled. Jason smiled at her. His eyes told her that he found her attractive, but would never cross the line.
He started his car. Chayelle ran to open the gate for him. Jason drove carefully out of their front yard into the street. He looked at her one last time then drove off.
Monica came up behind her daughter and put her arms around her waist. "You okay baby?" she asked.
"Yeah. I'll be fine. I just realised if I had played my cards right, been more demure, I could have had him, but I let my ego get in the way. There's no hope between us, he's too loyal to cross the line for me. But he reminded me that I'm still desirable and that is something I will always love him for, even if we can't be together."
She turned to her mother and smiled. Monica saw a little of that spark she was used to return to her daughter's eyes. She smiled back at her. "Let's get inside. It's chilly out here," she said. Monica called to Chayelle who locked the gate and came forward. Monica wrapped her arms around her two daughters and they all entered the house.
***
Carli was helping her aunt prepare dinner when she heard the landline ring. She went into the living room and answered the phone mounted on the wall. "Good evening, Dixon's residence," she answered the phone cheerfully.
A raspy voice came on the line. She heard coughing and slight wheezing in the voice. "Hi," the voice said, "I'm trying to locate Sandra Dixon. Is she there?"
"Yes, she is," Carli said, feeling concerned. She didn't know who was speaking. It was a male's voice but he sounded very ill. "Okay. Let me give her the phone."
She rested the phone on the back of the grey couch and went to the kitchen. "Aunty, there's a phone call for you. Don't know who it is, but it sounds like a man."
Sandra nodded. Maybe it was one of her clients. She turned down the stove under her stewed beef. "Monitor that for me, okay?" she said to Carli.
Carli smiled and replied, "Sure aunty."
Sandra went to pick up the phone. She cleared her throat. She didn't want to sound broken down on the phone. She was feeling distressed. It was almost 30 days since she heard from Marcus. She had asked a friend at the Foreign Affairs Ministry to look into finding any info he could for her. He hadn't gotten back to her yet.
She picked up the phone and said, "Hello. This is Sandra."
"San San," the voice said, "Oh my sweet darling! I have missed you." Cough! Cough!
Sandra shrieked and dropped the phone. Could it be?! She picked up the phone. "Marcus?!" she queried nervously.
Cough! Cough! Cough! "Yes baby, it's me," Marcus said, his breathing laboured.
"Oh my baby!" Sandra said crying. "My baby!"
Carli ran into the room. She heard her aunt scream. Sandra turned to her. "It's your uncle Marcus!" she told her. Carli was shocked. She couldn't tell it was him. He sounded tired and sickly. She stood beside her aunt and listened.
"Baby, where are you?" Sandra asked him.
"I'm in Singapore. I'm in a hospital here." Marcus said between raspy breaths.
Sandra was confused. What was he doing there? How did he get there? "Baby, how? How did you get there?
"It's a long story. Baby, I need you to come get me. I'm too sick and I don't know anyone here, not really. The people here are friendly, but I need someone to come for me so they can release me. Baby, I lost my passport."
Sandra's eyes widened in fear. She gripped the back of the couch. She felt like she would faint. Carli grabbed her arm and helped her to sit down. Just then they heard a knock on the front door. Carli figured it was Jason. She hurriedly went to let him inside.
Jason entered the house, reached for Carli and hugged her. She hugged him back, but she seemed agitated. "Carli, what's wrong?" he asked.
"Jason, my uncle Marcus is on the phone with my aunt. He's really sick. He was supposed to be in Thailand, but somehow he's in Singapore!" Carli said her eyes wide with fear.
She moved off towards the living room. Jason followed her. He saw aunt Sandra sitting on the grey couch talking on the phone. Her face was pale and she looked scared. Jason sat beside her while Carli stood behind them.
Sandra turned to him. "Get me a pen please?" she asked.
Jason had a pen in his car. He got up and rushed through the door to get it. Carli went for a piece of paper. She ran quickly upstairs and tore a page from one of her notebooks. She arrived downstairs to see Jason handing her the pen.
Sandra took the paper from Carli and started scribbling something on the paper. They watched her, feeling concerned.
"And you're saying they'll allow me to enter their country with just my passport? Okay, got it. I should call Mr. Liam Kim? Oh okay, I should tell immigration my name and that I wish to speak to Mr. Kim, Liam Kim. Okay, baby, I'm coming to get you. I love you," Sandra said hanging up the phone. Sandra bent over and started crying. Jason moved closer and put his arm over her shoulders to console her. Carli came around to the front of the couch, went down on her knees and hugged her aunt. Sandra held on tight to her niece and cried. Carli held her tight as she felt her aunt trembling.
After ten minutes had passed, Sandra calmed down. She dried her eyes then went upstairs to wash her face. She returned to the living room. She remembered she was cooking dinner. She hurried into the kitchen to see Carli just turning off the stove and Jason sitting in a chair watching her. They both looked glum. Sandra sighed. "Carli, I called your mother to let her know what's going on," Sandra said.
Carli nodded. "Aunty, let's eat something then we can figure out what to do," she said.
Sandra was about to approach the cupboards to remove clean plates when Carli blocked her path. "Aunty, it's okay. Let me do it."
Sandra nodded. She was feeling disoriented anyway. She sat beside Jason who briefly rubbed her back. She looked over at him and smiled sadly.
Jason smiled back at her. He wished there was something he could do to help. He thought about it. Maybe he could. He looked at the women and stood up. "I'll be right back. Give me a minute," he said.
He dialed uncle Pat's number.
Uncle Pat answered after the fourth ring. "Uncle Pat, thank God. I'm sorry, but I really need your help, please. This is important."
Jason heard Uncle Pat say, "Go ahead."
***
Carli couldn't bear to see her aunt like this. She looked shell shocked and scared. She shared food on their plates but covered Jason's. She sat down but decided to wait on Jason. Her aunt on the other hand hadn't even looked at the food. No one had called Lissa. She was still at work. They all knew she loved her daddy dearly. She believed everything was okay because Sandra never expressed her concern to her. She also thought her parents were in regular contact with each other. Sandra didn't know what to say to her now.
Jason entered the kitchen and sat at the dining table. He looked at aunt Sandra. "I think I will be able to help, not me directly, but someone I know. His name is Patrick Blake, he used to be in the JDF, and also served in the US Army for a little while when he was younger. He has a friend who can assist you with getting to Singapore and back. You'll have to tell our government what's happening."
Sandra nodded sadly. "I have a friend," she said. "Give me the details and I'll pass it along."
Jason took out his phone and went into the call log to retrieve uncle Pat's phone number. "Uncle Pat's friend will need clearance to land and take off."
"I understand," Sandra said. "What sort of plane is it?"
"Small aircraft. A jet I believe," Jason said handing her his phone to write down uncle Pat's number.
Sandra saved his number, then pressed call. She spoke to uncle Pat and gave him the details her husband gave her. Uncle Pat told her his friend could arrive in Jamaica by about 2 p.m. tomorrow. She told him thank you and hung up.
Sandra returned to the dining table, and they sat and ate their meal in silence.
Jason decided he would sleep over and make sure everything went okay. He went outside and gathered his bags and brought them into the house. He carried them upstairs and placed them in the guest room. On his way downstairs, he heard Carli speaking to Lissa. She was standing in the hallway, telling her cousin that her dad was in Singapore but he was ill. Aunt Sandra didn't have the heart to tell her. Jason came near Carli and circled his arms around her waist.
Carli leaned into him. She hung up the phone. "Lissa said she'll try to make it home in the next hour. I'm gonna call Brandon next," she said sighing. She suddenly felt tired. She felt her legs give way. Jason caught her and helped her into the living room.
"Carli, are you okay?" He looked at her concerned.
"I guess so. I just feel really tired," she said leaning on him. Jason lifted her feet onto his lap and removed her sandals.
"Lay down," he said. Carli positioned herself so that her head was in his lap and her feet stretched out. They were on the big grey couch. Jason took one of the cushions, placed it on his thigh and made her rest her head on it.
"Where's your aunt?" Jason asked.
"She went upstairs to pack," she replied. "She's bringing clean clothes for uncle and some change of clothes for her, just in case there's a delay. She also gonna call her friend at the Ministry."
Jason sighed. "I'll do the dishes. Okay?" he told her rubbing her lower back.
Carli nodded. "Thank you baby," she said.
"Wanna go to bed now?" he asked her.
Carli nodded. "Okay," she said.
"I'm sleeping over tonight and for however long you guys want me here for the days I'll be in Kingston," he said caressing her hair.
"Thank you baby," she said tiredly. She reached her hand under the cushion and rubbed his thigh. Jason smiled. Carli sat up and called her cousin Brandon's number. She told him what was happening. He said he was in London working. Carli didn't know he was in England.
Brandon told her he would try to make it back in three days. He told her thanks for letting him know and asked her to keep him posted. She told him she would, then hung up. She looked at Jason. Her eyes were watering. Jason pulled her into his arms and tenderly placed soft kisses on her forehead, cheeks and eyelids. Carli cried quietly. Jason held her tighter but spoke no words.
Jason lifted her into his arms and took her to her room. He left her sandals downstairs. He would fetch it for her later after he washed the plates, pots and cleaned up the kitchen. He carefully placed her on the bed and lay beside her for a few minutes looking into her eyes. He loved her so much. He could appreciate the beauty Marsha possessed, but Carli was the love of his life. Carli smiled at him.
"I went to see Marsha before I came here," he told her.
Carli's eyes looked puzzled. He turned fully to her. He wasn't going to hide anything from her. "Her mother, the woman I told you helped me ..."
"The guidance counsellor who took you in?" Carli asked.
Jason nodded. "Mhm, yes, her. She called while I was in Mobay and told me that Marsha wasn't herself. Remember, I told you that Marsha and I had that big fight the night she snuck into my house?"
"Mhm," Carli said. She remembered.
"Well after I brought her home, I blocked her number. Apparently, Marsha was trying to call me to apologize, when she realised that I blocked her, she got depressed ..."
Carli's brows knotted slightly as she listened. She would never take Marsha as the type to have self esteem issues. "Is she okay?" she asked. She didn't hate her, just didn't like her attitude.
" ... so when I got there earlier today Marsha apologized to me. To be honest she has lost weight, and she isn't the Marsha I know. I can't say she is okay."
"What do you mean?" Carli asked curious.
"She's quieter. You know Marsha loves to flaunt her curves: she was wearing this baggy t-shirt, and spacious shorts. Marsha does not wear shorts, Carli, that's not her. She only wears skirts. She doesn't even like jeans pants. She said it was because she was hurting because I blocked her. Although, she did say I was partially the reason why she was behaving differently."
Carli looked at Jason. She could see he was concerned about Marsha. What he described did sound different from the Marsha she encountered at university months before.
"You think something else is happening with her?" Carli asked. She had to admit she was curious too.
"Yeah. I have a gut feeling. I guess what I'm asking you is to trust me. I want to swing by her house a few days from now and find out what's really going on with her," Jason said. He touched her face.
Carli smiled at him. "She's your friend Jason. I won't stop you as long as that's all there is, friendship," she told him.
"That's all there is honey. Nothing else," Jason said leaning forward to kiss her. Carli kissed him savoring the commanding way he kissed her.
After holding her close for a few more minutes, Jason left her room and entered the guest room. The bed sheets were recently changed. He was glad for that. He sat on the bed, removed his shoes, shirt and pants. He lay back in his underpants. He was feeling worried for his friend, but he was also concerned for Carli's uncle. He felt like he was getting a headache. He closed his eyes and tried to sleep.
Sighing he opened his eyes, picked up his phone and scrolled through it. He remembered that Marsha's best friend's name was Fallon. He had followed her social media accounts sometime ago, but he hadn't been on the sites for a while. He signed in to one of them and scrolled through his feed. He typed Fallon's full name. He found her.
He scrolled through her page and looked at a post she published about some men being creeps and how men overall were pervs. He felt his demeanor change, becoming dark and glowering as he read what she wrote. He read to the part where she said her friend was assaulted, almost raped by an old bastard. Jason felt like a spear was plunged into his chest. His grip tightened on his phone.
He thought of Marsha today. The way she acted. The clothes she wore, how she covered up, she was... Jason swore angrily. Why didn't she tell him? You blocked her Jason, remember, even if she wanted to tell you she couldn't.
Jason swiped off Fallon's post. He dialed Marsha's number. She answered immediately. "Hello," she said.
"We need to talk," Jason said trying to sound calm. He softened his tone. He didn't want her to suspect anything.
"About?" she asked.
"I want us to hang out. I have only four days before I go back to Mobay. Carli has some stuff going on with her family, but I can meet you on Saturday. What do you say? I'll come get you and we can get hotdogs like old times."
There was a pause. "Okay. Okay. What time on Saturday?" she asked him.
"I'll come for you around 2 o'clock in the afternoon. We can chat and have the hotdogs."
"Okay. Alright," Marsha said. She sounded happy.
Jason smiled sadly. He needed to make it up to her somehow.
"Okay, later Marshie, good night," Jason said playfully.
Marsha laughed softly. "Good night Jasey." She ended the call.
Jason stared at the phone. He needed to apologise to her for not being there when she needed him most. Jason turned on his side and closed his eyes. He fell asleep.
***
At 1:30 p.m. uncle Pat's friend landed and called him to tell him he arrived in Jamaica and was waiting. Uncle Pat called Jason and told him that Major Dwayne Simpson was at the private Tinson Pen Aerodrome waiting for Sandra. Jason was in the kitchen helping to prepare an early dinner. After he had fallen asleep last night, he woke up 5:30 a.m. and washed the plates and pots, and cleaned up the kitchen, then he made breakfast. Lissa had come in after 5:00 o'clock in the morning and was still sleeping. When Carli came downstairs, she hugged him from behind and helped to finish breakfast.
Now he handed the phone to aunt Sandra so she could listen to uncle Pat's instructions. She listened carefully. Then she rushed upstairs. She called her friend at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and told him what was happening and the name of the pilot in the aircraft. Sandra jumped in her vehicle while Jason packed her bags in the trunk of the SUV. Both he and Carli slid in the back of the vehicle. She sped across town to meet the Major.
Sandra arrived at the Tinson Pen Aerodrome at 1:58 p.m. Jason carried her bags for her, while Carli held her hand. She went to a young woman who she told her name and asked to speak to the person in charge. She, Carli and Jason were guided through a door.
She went to the person in charge of the airstrip showed him her ID and told him she was meeting the private jet that had landed. He nodded and gave her documents back to her. But Jason and Carli couldn't go past the point where he intercepted them. She turned back to them; hugged them both throwing her hands around them. They hugged her. She released Jason and held on to Carli. "I love you," she said. She looked fearful. Carli squeezed her hand. "Aunty, don't worry I will pray that everything will be okay," she said.
Sandra nodded and looked at her. She touched her face. She looked up at Jason. "Take care of my ladies for me," she said to him. Jason nodded. He would ask Bello if he could get more time. He needed to be here for Carli and her family.
"I should be back with Marcus by tomorrow, but just in case," she said. She leaned forward and briefly hugged him then stepped away from them both. She went through the door and into the back of the room to the airplane hangar. They watched her leave.
Carli leaned into him. Jason held her to his side. He pulled her closer and walked with her back to the SUV. Sandra had left the key in the ignition. He started the vehicle and drove them home.
Chapter 20: Her choice
Carli stepped out of the shower and went into the bedroom to towel herself dry. It was 6 p.m, four hours after her aunt had boarded that private plane. Lissa had woken up and left to spend time with her boyfriend, Derrick. She was acting strange as far as Carli was concerned.
Jason suggested that it was her cousin's coping mechanism for dealing with the trauma of her dad being sick and vulnerable in a foreign country, and her mom having to leave abruptly to go get him. She looked sullen, but she barely asked Carli details about the situation with her dad. It was like she shut down.
Carli got dressed and headed downstairs. Jason was cooking dinner. In fact, since the whole incident happened, Jason had stepped up and was doing the cooking. All she did was eat and help wash the dishes after. Jason was a great cook. He always added a different spin to traditional Jamaican meals and they were always pleasurable to the taste buds.
He was in the kitchen now preparing Escoveitch Fish and Spanish Rice. He also steamed some pak choi. For a beverage he chose to do Otaheite Apple juice. Carli slipped her arms around his waist. She rested her head on his back. She breathed in the intoxicating smell of his cologne. She especially loved the scent on his freshly bathed skin. She inhaled him deeply. She pressed her face into his back and bit him gently. Jason put down the knife in his hand and clasped his hands over hers and squeezed affectionately.
"You okay baby?" he asked.
"Mhm, just so glad you're here. Baby, I just wanna say I appreciate you for doing this for me, for my family. You've stepped up in this situation: cooking and being my comfort. I love you so much. Thank you," Carli said turning her head sideways so she could rest her face on the fabric of his shirt.
Jason turned around and pulled her into his warm embrace. His left hand cradled her head on his chest while his right hand caressed her back. She leaned into him savoring his strength which was belied by his gentle touch. "I wish you could comfort me in a way we can both enjoy," she said to him. Her voice was low and husky.
Jason cupped her face with the hand that cradled her head. She looked up at him. "You know I really want to, but you also know we can't, not yet. But, I promise to satisfy you the way you want me to when you're my wife," he told her. His eyes burned into her. She knew he was fighting himself. She sighed. She loved him enough to not press him.
"Baby, thank you for wanting to wait for me," she said reaching up to touch his face.
Jason smiled lovingly at her. "Thank you for waiting for me too, baby. I know if you wanted to, you could tempt me into making love to you," he said.
Carli chuckled and said, "Maybe, but I don't want to cheapen what we have by forcing you against your conscience. I love you, and after that time when the Holy Spirit convicted me, I said I don't want to do it if both our hearts aren't in it. Plus, I want to honor God. I just wish it wasn't so hard. I feel like I'm literally burning up for you."
Jason bent down, wrapped his arms under her butt and playfully lifted her in the air. Carli giggled as he spun her around. He threw her up in the air then grabbed her around her waist as she was falling. He spun her around again. Carli was laughing while Jason grinned boyishly up at her. He let her down slowly, tenderly capturing her mouth with his. He kissed her deeply savoring the taste of her soft, full lips. He groaned softly and heard Carli respond with her own sexy, guttural sound.
He lowered her further then guided her legs around his hips and walked with her to the living room. He placed her on the blue couch and lay on top of her. He kissed her more sensually using his tongue to seduce her. He heard her moan softly. He lifted his upper body and looked down at her. Carli looked up at him. Her eyes told him that her love for him was real.
He touched her face and wrapped his arms around her. Using his legs and arms he moved her body over towards the back of the couch so he could have room on it with her. Cradling her, he lay beside her. Her face was pressed to his chest. She secured her legs around him. One hand was tucked cosily under his arm while she placed the other under her head. Jason held her so close he could feel her warm breath on his neck.
He cuddled with her for several minutes, enjoying her warm, soft curves on him. "I love you sweet baby," he said. "If I could be deep inside you right now with no guilt I would."
Carli was basking in his gentle but strong embrace. "I know," she said, "but you're worth the wait." She sighed and closed her eyes. Jason closed his eyes momentarily. He would give her five more minutes then go back to finishing dinner.
After five minutes had passed, Jason lovingly caressed her buttocks and said: "Sweet baby, I have to finish cooking dinner. I already fried the fish but I need to add the vinegar. Wish I could stay here with you like this for longer, but I don't want us to eat late."
Carli nodded. "Okay. I understand," she said sticking out her lower lip as if she was pouting. Jason chuckled. His beard had grown up a bit. He used it to playfully rub against her cheek as she lifted her head to look at him. Carli giggled. She used the hand that was tucked under his arm to touch his beard.
He smiled at her, admiring her beauty. "What do you think about me growing out my beard?" he asked her.
"I like it," she said. "Remember, the first time I met you by the Main Library? You had a short one. You looked really handsome with it."
Jason nodded. He remembered. He had a nicely shaped up beard, but shaved it off afterwards, He didn't have the time to commit to its grooming. But now he was feeling like changing things up and growing it out. He had allowed it to grow in its natural form so far --no trimming or cutting. He was however planning to have something done to it soon.
"So you don't mind me growing my beard?" he asked her.
"No baby. I love it. It tickles my face and neck when you kiss me ... and other areas," she said smiling cheekily. She saw his expression and laughed covering her mouth.
With his left eyebrow raised in surprise Jason watched her, feeling amused. She looked adorable covering her mouth while she laughed.
You sweet, little vixen I know exactly what I'm gonna do to you when I get the chance, he thought. He reached out and tickled her. She squealed with laughter.
"So you like when my beard brushes on your thighs and sweet kitty, eh?" he said while tickling her sides.
Carli laughed and tried to wriggle away from him. She tried to sit up and climb over him to run away, but he held on to her and tickled her further. Carli decided that a good offence was good defence. She started tickling him. Jason laughed heartily, howling as she playfully attacked his armpits.
When he couldn't take it anymore he jumped up from the couch, stepping away from her. With mischief in her eyes, Carli got up to go after him. Jason ran away from her and Carli chased him. She chased him to the foyer and backed him up at the front door, tickling him again.
He grabbed her, pushed her arms behind her back and kissed her passionately. Carli responded fervently. Jason released her and allowed her arms to wrap around his neck. He pulled her hard against his chest and squeezed her buttocks. Carli gasped as she looked up at him, her eyes wide with wonder and desire.
He bent his head, circled his arms around her waist and kissed her, crushing his lips on hers as if his life depended on it. He gripped her hard, squeezing her waist. He groaned his need for her. Carli melted against him. The aggressive way he held her made her feel weak. She would allow him to do whatever he wanted to her.
Jason gripped her hips and began pressing his groin on hers. He could feel sexual heat rising within him. The romp between them, though innocent, was triggering an erotic side of him that he was trying to hold back from her. If they went further he would be too excited to stop himself from being rough with her. He was fearful he would hurt her.
Wanting to cool things down between them, Jason lifted his face away from hers and rested his chin on her head. They were both breathing heavily; heart beats racing. He rocked her gently from side to side, still holding her close.
Carli closed her eyes, pursed her lips and tried to relax. She breathed in deeply and released her breath slowly. Jason forced himself to think of something else other than her bare flesh on top of him. He rocked her in his arms for several more minutes until both their breathing and heart rates slowed down.
He released her slowly then cupped her face. "We can't do that again. Okay?" he said.
"Why?" she asked.
Jason moved away from her, walking towards the kitchen. Carli followed him. She needed to understand.
"That was too intense. I almost lost control. You don't have much experience. I've told you, there's a side of me that I'm afraid might hurt you," he said. He was angry with himself.
"Jason, I've told you, I'm willing to experience it for you," she said. "I may not be able to handle all of that side of you right away, but I'm willing to work towards it, for you. Baby, I want to please you. My body belongs to you and I want to satisfy you in every way." She held on to his arm. He turned and looked at her.
"I'm yours and I trust you. You once told me that as a Christian man, you are obligated to treat your wife with care as the weaker vessel, right?" she asked.
"Correct," he said.
"I know you love God enough, and you love me enough not to do anything to hurt me. And I believe the God who lives inside you won't allow you to hurt me. I believe in Him, and I trust you to lead me carefully, both in life and love." She stood up on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. He bent forward to receive it.
"If you get a little rough I can manage, because I know you're worth any risk I take for you, and I also know you won't do anything to hurt me, really. Just the way you're acting now shows me I'm safe with you. You care about my safety and I love you even more for that," she said.
Jason sighed. On their wedding night he would pray to God that he would be able to control his primal urges for her sake. She leaned into him and hugged him. Jason hugged her back, closing his eyes. He prayed in his heart:
Father God help me,
I need your help to be a good man to her.
Please Father I pray,
I don't want to hurt her
Help me to control myself.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
"Allow me to trust you Jason, please," she said pleading with him. He sighed. He kissed her brow and circled his arms around her shoulders.
"I usually have devotions in the mornings around 6 o'clock, would you want to join me?" he asked. It was about time they grew together through application of scripture.
Carli nodded. "Sure. Your room or mine?' she asked.
Jason smiled. "Let's have it in the kitchen garden where we first had our convos," he told her.
Carli agreed. "Okay. Not a problem," she said.
"Going to finish up dinner now," he said still holding her.
"Okay, Jasey," she said smiling sweetly at him.
Jason laughed softly and released her. He entered the kitchen while Carli decided to lay on the blue couch to relax.
***
Lissa stumbled in at 3:00 in the morning. Jason heard a strange sound coming from downstairs. He opened the guest room door to hear someone singing loudly offkey. He came out of the room and stood at the top of the stairs looking down at the hallway. He realized it was Lissa. He went back into the room and pulled on an old t-shirt and a pair of shorts. He walked down slowly to meet her. She was holding on to the staircase and singing with horrible dissonance in her voice. Jason chuckled. She was really drunk.
When she saw him, she blurted out, "Carli's boy toy or toy boy. What's up?" She giggled. Jason shook his head. He was gearing up to hear things from her she probably wouldn't say if she was sober. He extended his hand to her. "Let me help you up to your room," he said, smiling at her kindly.
"Boy toy, you want my body, but I don't want you. Sure, you look good. You have a nice body," she said staggering towards him. She almost fell before she reached his hand. Jason moved swiftly and caught her. Her face hit his chest with a soft thud. Jason grabbed her hands and pulled her upright. Lissa was taller than Carli but he was much taller than her. Just like her aunt, if she stood up straight, her head would be at the height of his shoulders.
She leaned on him and pressed the palm of her hands on his pecs and laughed softly. "Wooh!" she said. "You are quite firm. I can see why Carli is crazy about you."
Jason smiled and shook his head. He tucked her arm in his and walked with her up the stairs. He opened her bedroom door and escorted her inside. He made her sit on the bed while he stooped down and removed her shoes. She leaned over on top of his back.
"You smell really nice. Do you always smell this good?" Lissa asked. She giggled.
Jason went on his knees before her and removed her jacket and the ID she had around her neck. He placed them on her night table. He put his left arm under her knees and his right arm behind her back. His right hand pulled her back while his left arm bore the weight of lifting her up to the top of the bed. She was heavier than Carli, but he had no problem lifting her. Lissa giggled. "You're strong too," she said. She tugged at his shirt to pull him down to her. Jason gently pried her hand from his shirt, went to the door, opened it and closed it behind him.
***
The next day Jason called Bello to ask for more time. He agreed to give him three more days. So he would have only one week. He made breakfast and brought a tray with a cup of hot ginger tea up to Lissa's room with her breakfast. He had cooked liver and boiled bananas, yams and dumplings, but he decided to toast two slices of wheat bread for Lissa with a small serving of the stewed liver. He held the tray across his arm then knocked on her door.
He heard movement, then a muffled groan. Looking quite grumpy and disheveled Lissa opened the door. She was still wearing her work clothes from last night.
Lissa looked up at him and Jason noticed that her face seemed suddenly flushed. "Ha ... hi, good, good morning," she stuttered. Jason smiled at her kindly. He adjusted the tray in his hands. "I brought you breakfast," he said.
She moved back so he could bring the food in for her. He laid it on the night table. She had already taken up her jacket and ID. She looked at him. "Thank you. It looks really delicious," she said. Jason nodded and smiled. He moved towards the door.
"Jason," she called to him.
He looked around.
"Thank you for helping me last night, and ... and for being a gentleman," she told him.
Jason smiled at her and nodded. He left her room quietly.
Lissa looked around at her plate of food. Carli was definitely a lucky girl.
***
His baby was still in bed. He wanted to have devotion with her. He had delayed because he wanted to make sure Lissa had something nourishing to eat. Jason knocked on Carli's door. "I'm up," he heard her say, "come inside."
He opened the door to see her on her phone, her back resting on the headboard. He walked in smiling at her. "Did you forget you were supposed to have devotion with me?" he asked amused.
"No, I didn't forget, but after last night I felt you might want to sleep in late," she said smiling at him.
"Why would I?" he asked puzzled.
She threw off the covers from her feet and stood up. "I saw you helping Lissa up the stairs. She was drunk as a skunk. I'm so glad you are here, I don't know if I could manage to help her up the stairs," she replied. She straightened out the bed sheet, then smiled at him broadly. She reached for him, circling her arms around his waist. Jason kissed her head and closed his eyes while he held her. She was wearing pink tights and a white baggy t-shirt.
"I also heard the things she said to you. And I'm not mad at her. You are sexy, very sexy," she told him. She possessively ran her hands across his broad back. "I'm so glad to have you. So glad you chose me to be your wife. I can't wait to give you all my love. All of me."
Jason opened his eyes and put her away from him slightly so he could look at her face. He still held her. He saw desire smoldering in her gaze but also admiration. He felt good to know that he had her love and respect. He pulled her to him, bent his head and kissed her brow. He caressed her close to him.
Jason sighed happily and closed his eyes. "I love you sweet baby," he said. "You make it easy to love you. I'm so blessed to have you. And I can't wait to give you all of me too." He rubbed her back.
After a while he released her and picked up her phone from the bed. "What were you looking at?" he asked.
"Oh, I was looking at a few Bible verses I want to discuss with you," she said smiling at him. She took the phone from him, unlocked it and showed him what she was talking about.
Jason nodded. "Okay, we can look at those then. I usually use a Bible app that uncle Pat sent to me, but I am familiar with these verses, so yes, we can look at them." He reached his hand out to her. She gave her hand to him.
He held her hand as they descended the stairs. They walked into the garden and sat together on the old sawed off tree stump. He opened his phone and searched for St. John chapter 3 in the New Testament.
Carli leaned on him, resting her head on his shoulder. He opened his arm and circled it around her shoulder to make her comfortable. He kissed her brow briefly. He prayed to God that their time in devotion would reveal his truth to them. That the Lord's will and purpose in the verses will be revealed and that after they would feel closer to Christ.
He read the verses while she listened to him:
"St. John chapter 3:
1 Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”
5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
10 “You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? 11 Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. 12 I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.."
"I've stopped at verse 18, okay?" he told her.
Carli nodded. "Okay," she said.
Jason smiled to himself as he thought of how to break it down for her: "Pharisees were the religious leaders or priests, say pastors then, in Jesus' time. They were the ones that taught the Law. The Law is like certain religious rules the Jewish people must follow. There are rules about preparing yourself to go to worship at the temple/synagogue and so on. So these men --the Pharisees were men --they would be like the gate keepers who were entrusted to make sure that the Law was not breached by the people. They would teach the common people about rules pertaining to being ritually clean, paying tithes and so on. Unfortunately, their attitude was, do as we say, not as we do.
"In this passage, one of them, Nicodemus, a pharisee that was quite respected, decided that he wanted to speak to Jesus because he had some questions for him. The problem is, he wasn't brave enough to go see Jesus in the light of day. The Pharisees did not respect Jesus. They saw Him as a trouble maker and they were probably jealous of the influence he had on the people."
"So you're saying by going to Jesus, Nicodemus was sort of defying the other Pharisees' wishes?" she asked.
Jason nodded and said, "Mhm, yeah he was, but he wasn't strong enough in his conviction to go in broad daylight. The opinions of his fellow priests were more important to him than knowing Jesus. He loved his position as a Pharisee and didn't want to jeopardize that."
"What about the being 'born again' part and the part about the wind blowing or something like that, what do those things mean?" Carli asked.
Jason squeezed her shoulder. She asked good questions. "When you become a Christian, the Holy Spirit comes and lives in your heart and changes you from the inside out. No one can really explain how this happens, it's a mystery, and when we become Christians we are different from other persons, our perspective on life changes, and no one really understands us because we no longer belong to this world and its system. That's what the two phrases mean," he said.
"The Jews were used to performing rituals as a way to get closer to God. They believed that the things they did would make them righteous and justify them before God, but nothing they did could satisfy God's standard for goodness.
'As a matter of fact, all of us have gone astray and do what pleases us, not God. There is nothing we do that can please God even if we tried. The Law was good but none of us could fulfill all it requires perfectly. We would fail. The Law says do not lie or steal or kill or commit sexual immorality, but we fail every time. Even just to think about doing these things shows how messed up we are."
Carli listened thinking about how she longed to be with Jason sexually. She felt weird.
"I love you. My body yearns for your touch. I long to be one with you again. Is that wrong?" she asked.
Jason shook his head. He pressed his head on hers briefly then moved back. "No baby. I'd love to be with you too. When we made love it was such a beautiful experience for me, but we need to do the right thing and follow God's plan for sex. He wants us to express our love to each other as husband and wife. God created marriage so we can enjoy sex safely, as a beautiful and righteous experience. You know we're working towards that, so don't be sad. We just have to make sure we save up our love for that night and afterwards."
"Let's look at verses 16 to 18," he said. He read it again. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son."
Jason watched as Carli's brow knotted slightly while she listened. "Is there anything in it you don't understand," he asked.
"I remember the story about Adam and Eve and what they did, which is why we're such messed up creatures: Why would God bother? Why would He want to save us? I mean I know we weren't there, it was Adam and Eve who did the deed, but wouldn't it be best to just start all over?"
Jason listened carefully, then asked, "What do you mean by starting over?"
"I mean creating new people?" I mean I'm glad to be alive, but I guess if I were God I wouldn't be bothered with us. We're too much trouble and then God had to send his innocent Son to suffer for our wrongs. It doesn't seem fair to Jesus or the Father," she said. Her countenance changed. She was sad.
Jason gently stroked her arm. He looked off in the distance and thought of what to say to her. "Think about baking a delicious cake, something to be enjoyed by your family or friends, but in the process of baking it something goes wrong, would you just throw it away? You've spent time preparing the recipe for the cake, then went out and gathered your ingredients, but in the process of baking or applying the icing something goes wrong and the cake is marred in some way, what would you do?"
Carli thought about what he said. If she had worked hard on a cake but something had gone wrong with it, if there was a way to salvage something good from it she would try her best to. She looked at the grass underneath her feet. For some reason she became overwhelmed with emotion and tears began streaming down her face.
Jason looked at her surprised. "What's wrong?" he asked, pulling her closer to him.
"I wouldn't throw the cake away. I would try my best to save it, especially if it meant a lot to me," she said crying softly.
Jason leaned over and kissed her head. "That's exactly how the Father and the Son feel about us. We are their special masterpiece. In Genesis 1 verse 26 it says all of the Godhead --the Father, Son and Holy Spirit came together to create us, through creating Adam, the human father of mankind. He found the verse on his phone and read it to her:
Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
"When God created Adam and Eve they were perfect, no sin, and He would come and talk with them. The Bible hinted that God would come down in the evenings to spend time with them. Carli, He genuinely wants a relationship with us. If you had a best friend, but there was a misunderstanding or an argument between you too, would you say forget about her or him, I can't be bothered?"
Carli sighed. "No, I would try to work it out with them," she said.
"Exactly. God loved us so much He decided that no matter the cost, he would do whatever it took to restore a relationship with us. Even though we sinned against Him, He wouldn't give up on us," he said smiling at her. "He sent His Son, but also Christ was a willing party. He wanted to come get us."
Carli leaned on Jason's chest. She cried softly. "He loves me," she said in awe.
Jason stroked her hair. He felt like his eyes would well up with tears also, "Yes He does. That's why Christ came and all He asks is that we believe He came from the Father; that we accept His love; His forgiveness, and His gift of salvation through his sacrifice --dying on the cross --so we can be saved. That's what the part about being lifted up means, he was nailed to a cross and elevated off the ground, hanging on the wooden planks they nailed him to. But he willingly did that for us. Yes, he died but on the third day he rose again, so we can have hope in Him.
"If we accept His love and acknowledge that his sacrifice was for us and we need Him, He comes and lives in us. His Holy Spirit comes and changes us so we can be more like Jesus and of course have eternal life and be where He is. It's because of sin why there's disease and death and pain, but God promises us that one day He'll take all of that away and we can be with him in a world that is pure and beautiful."
"It sounds wonderful," Carli said sobbing. "But how can we be sure this will happen?"
Jason kissed her brow and said, "We have the words of Christ in the Bible to reassure us, and we have the Holy Spirit in us as confirmation of God's promise to one day save us from this sinful world. Carli, the fact that you are here asking me these questions is proof that the Holy Spirit lives in you. Most folks have no interest in the things we're discussing. Jesus loves you."
Carli hugged him. Jason leaned towards her and circled his arms around her as she cried.
After she calmed down, she moved out of his embrace and dried her eyes. She looked at him. "I want to be baptized," she said.
Jason smiled broadly. He was glad to hear it. "Are you sure?" he asked.
Carli smiled back at him. "Yes, I'm sure," she said.
Jason hugged her happily. "Oh thank God," he said. "I love you Carli and God loves you! The Bible says that thousands of angels in heaven are now rejoicing because you have made that choice!" He squeezed her tight to him.
Jason started planning in his mind: In the evening he would call uncle Pat to tell him the good news and also ask how soon she could be a part of the discipleship classes and be baptized. He would then ask him about arranging a wedding at the church. He was happy.
***
While having breakfast Jason watched her. He was so lucky. He knew it wasn't luck really, but that's how she made him feel. He watched her eating, her eyes focused on the plate of food before her. When she looked up and realized he was staring at her, she blushed. She smiled and giggled a little.
"What is it?" she asked giggling.
"Baby, thank you for my gift. That was very thoughtful of you," he said looking into her eyes. "I know you've been worried about your aunt and uncle, but I wanted to let you know I love the gift you gave me. It was very thoughtful of you." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead.
Carli smiled. She stretched her hand across the table towards him. He took it, opened the palm and bit into the padded part gently. The sensation of his gentle bites sent shivers down her spine. She playfully blew him a kiss. "I'm glad you like it. I was passing by a store and saw it through the front display. As soon as I saw it I thought of you. You told me once that you used to paint and sketch. I hoped you would like it," she said.
"Yes, I love it very much. I have it with me in one of my bags. As soon as I get home I'm gonna find someplace to put it," he said chuckling. Playfully, he kissed the palm of her hand, then rubbed his beard on her wrist. He turned her hand over, opened his mouth slightly and slipped her middle finger inside it. He suckled on her finger gently, watching her reaction. Carli bit her lower lip. She felt her body respond to him. He was suckling on her finger slowly. She watched him close his eyes as he teased her. She heard him groan softly.
Oh gosh! What should I do? Should I go and sit on him and kiss him or .... His deep raspy voice pulled her from her thoughts. "Carli baby, I want to taste you so bad. I want to see you cum so I can lick up your sweet honey," he said. She watched him swallow hard as he looked at her.
Carli stood up. She went to him. She looked down at him. He looked up at her. She placed her hands on his shoulders and positioned herself to sit on him. "No baby, I don't want you to sit on me like that," he said.
Jason drew his chair away from the table. He pulled her to him. He touched her right thigh, lifting her leg over his lap. She followed his lead and straddled him. She sat facing him. "Jason, I love you," she said her voice breathy.
Jason leaned forward, kissing her slowly and tenderly. He brought her closer to his torso by cupping her bottom and pulling her to his chest. Carli moaned. "Jason, please, maybe we shouldn't," she said trying to control her breathing.
He groaned. "Carli, if you only knew how crazy you make me feel," he said. He kissed her more passionately. He pulled his lips away and looked at her. "I want to take you like this on our wedding night," he told her. He lifted her by her bottom and began bouncing her on his crotch. Carli gasped. She could feel him moving under her as he bounced her up and down. She moaned and closed her eyes. His hard thighs and hardened member hitting on her crotch and bottom were making her wet.
She bit her lip. "Jason, please," she moaned. "Baby, please stop."
"Carli, I don't want to stop. I want you right now," he said, his voice deep and gruff. He squeezed her buttocks, gripping her so he could increase the pace of his thrusts under her while he bounced her on him. His eyes were closed.
"Baby, please, please ... Please stop, please. You said we should save it. Please stop," Carli pleaded with him. She was making those whimpering sounds that drove him crazy, but she would still try to get him to stop. Her body wanted it, but she wanted to do the right thing.
"Baby please!" she cried between whimpers.
The sharp sound of her voice made him pause. Jason opened his eyes and looked at her. Bending his head he grunted. He let out a growl. He sighed and rested his head on her chest.
He started to breathe deeply. He closed his eyes. His head was still resting on her chest. He bent his head lower so that his face was nestled on her cleavage. Carli felt a tear slip from her eyes. She caressed his hair.
"Baby, I'm so sorry," she said.
Jason held her tighter. He sighed deeply.
"I want to ask your dad for your hand. I want to do this right," he told her. His voice was raspy.
Carli nodded. "Baby, I love you. When do you want to see them. I think my dad is on leave now because he wants to spend time with mommy."
"I wanna go on Monday down to Manchester, or maybe we can go Sunday night and stay over if that's okay. I have to go back to Mobay on Wednesday," he said. "Baby, I wanna move as fast as possible, this waiting is killing me."
"Okay baby, should I call or would you want to call him?" she asked.
"I'll call him. Just give me his number," Jason said trying to calm his mind. He gently rubbed her back. Carli leaned back and looked at him. His head was still down. "Baby, look at me," she said.
Jason lifted his head. He looked at her with a dark, brooding stare. His beautiful hazel eyes were now the color of polished bronze. Carli marveled at how expressive his eyes were according to his mood. They took her breath away. She touched his face.
"You have beautiful eyes," she said. Jason bit his lower lip and smiled at her. He chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. She was gonna drive him mad. She leaned forward to kiss his eyelids. He closed his eyes so she could kiss them.
Carli leaned back and watched him. When he opened his eyes again she saw that his gaze had softened towards her. She watched in amazement as flecks of yellow and grey appeared in the irises of his eyes. Jason closed his eyes again, opened them and looked at her. The color of his eyes cooled to a paler shade.
He lifted her off his lap as he stood up. He brushed his right hand on her cheek and kissed her brow. Carli looked at him intently, observing the color of his eyes. They were the same. Jason looked at her amused.
"What is it?" he asked her, smiling.
"The eyes are truly the windows to the soul," she said in wonderment.
Jason hugged her and kissed her forehead.
***
Saturday
Jason woke up, made breakfast and brought it to Carli while she lay in bed. He placed the tray of food on her night table then sat on the edge of the bed looking at her. He touched her gently and woke her up. She stirred, looked up at him and smiled. She reached up and touched his face.
Jason smiled and kissed her forehead, leaning back he took her in, filling his eyes with the sight of her. "You are so beautiful, do you know that?" he said. His eyes shone with affection. She seemed different after her declaration of wanting to be baptized. There was a light shining in her that he was drawn to. He knew that God's love was shining through her and he was happy.
Carli sat up and looked over at the food. It looked delicious. She looked at him. Since she cried and told him she wanted to be baptized, she felt different. She couldn't explain it, but she was at peace and she felt even more in love with Jason than before. She had an even greater respect for him. He opened her eyes to something really special, Christ's love.
She thought of what happened between them after breakfast yesterday. She probably should have been scared but she wasn't. Deep down she knew he wouldn't force her. He was fighting himself. It would have been so easy for him to force himself on her if he wanted to, but he didn't. After he stopped, he told her he was going for a drive. She allowed him to go and cool off. When he came back he brought a small box of chocolates. He apologized and told her he loved her and he would never hurt her. She had hugged him and told him, "I know."
Carli lovingly touched Jason's face again and smiled at him.
The smile took Jason's breath away. God thank you. He thought. You are good to me. Thank you for this beautiful gift in front of me. She reached for the tray. Jason took it up for her and placed it on her lap. He leaned forward, kissed her brow and sat back down on the bed.
"I'm gonna swing by Marsha's today. I'm gonna take her for hotdogs and sodas and I'm gonna find out what's happening with her," he told his wife-to-be.
Carli smiled and nodded. "Okay, just make sure you think of me at least half the time you're there," she said.
He cupped her face and said, "I will think of you the whole time I'm there. I'm yours and only yours."
Carli leaned forward and gave him a soft but brief kiss on his lips. "I love you," she said.
"I love you sweet baby," he replied.
***
Around 1:00 o'clock in the afternoon, Jason called Marsha to confirm if she would still be going out with him. She confirmed and said she was actually finishing a load of laundry and would be in the shower by the next three minutes. Jason told her okay and he would be over there by 2 p.m. as they planned.
When Jason pulled up in front of Marsha's house, he didn't have to wait long. She stepped outside before he could dial her number. She walked towards him. She was wearing a dark blue blouse and jeans skirt, but its length rested on her knees. It looked like a new purchase. She wore black flip flops. She was carrying a small black bag over her shoulder. Her hair was brushed into a neat bun at the top of her head.
As Marsha walked towards Jason's vehicle she looked at him. He looked handsome. His hair wasn't low cut so it was curly and shiny. He still had the ruggedly sexy beard. He was wearing a white t-shirt. When she entered the vehicle she realized he was wearing a pair of black jeans and grey crocs.
He reached over and gave her a brief hug. She smelt his cologne and closed her eyes. He smelt so good. He moved back and looked at her. Marsha opened her eyes and realized he was watching her. She blushed and looked away from him out the passenger side window.
Jason looked at her quizzically. He started the car and drove off. Marsha decided to break the ice. "I like your car," she said.
Jason looked over at her briefly and smiled. It felt like there was a question lurking. "Go ahead, you know you wanna ask," he said amused.
"I don't know a lot about cars but my dad works in the insurance business as you know. This looks like something that would be expensive insurance wise. How much did it cost you to buy it?" she asked.
Jason chuckled. "The insurance is actually reasonable. As for the price I paid for the vehicle, the vehicle was actually owned by Carli's aunt. She sold it to me for a decent price. And since I'm dating her niece, she's being lenient on me paying it off," he said smiling at her.
Marsha looked at him eyebrows raised. She was happy for him. Yeah, I can't compete with that, Marsha mused. She shook her head and smiled ruefully. "Well, I'm happy for you," she said.
Jason smiled at her. "Thank you," he said chuckling softly.
He drove them up to Devon House to buy from a hotdog vendor on the property. He made her sit in the car while he went to get their dogs and something to drink. When he got back she was on her phone listening to music. She saw that his hands were full. She opened the car door for him. He slipped inside and said, "Thanks." He handed her hotdog and juice with a straw,
There was a bag filled with a copious amount of fries. He handed it to her. Marsha took out two pieces and bit into them and swallowed. She pulled off the paper wrapper from her straw and stuck it in her drink cup. Jason bought a beer to drink with his hotdog. Marsha looked at him amused, thinking it was a weird combination but said nothing. She watched as he bit into his hotdog then sipped the beer.
Jason knew she was watching him intently. He looked over at her. She looked gorgeous in a different sort of way. He was beginning to like this new Marsha.
"So, how is your wife-to-be?" Marsha asked.
Jason smiled. "She's doing okay. There was something going on with her uncle but all will be well. He should be back by tomorrow."
"I'm surprised you would call me. Carli seems like she's the jealous type," she said sipping her juice.
"And you're not?" he asked amused.
Marsha laughed softly. "I am, yes. I guess most women are if not all."
"She can be, but I try to reassure her. I let her know what's going on with me so she can trust me," he said.
Marsha's eyebrows flew up. "So she knows you're here with me then?" she asked.
"Yes, she does," Jason replied.
"And she's cool with it?" Marsha asked stunned. "I was trying to have a relationship with you."
Jason bit into his hotdog and chewed. After swallowing, he said, "I make sure she knows how much I love her, and she's the only one for me."
Marsha felt a little jealous but smiled. She nodded. "She's a very lucky girl," she said.
"Nope," he said, "I'm the lucky one."
After he finished eating he wiped his hands on the paper napkin and turned to her. He watched her daintily eating her hotdog. Even the way she was eating was different. It was unnerving. Remembering the post her best friend published, he tried to gently ease into why he asked her out.
"If there was something bothering you would you tell me?" Jason asked her.
Marsha finished her last piece of the hotdog then dug into the fries. After stuffing a few in her mouth and chewing, she sat back with a satisfied look on her face. She handed the fries bag to him. She looked into his gaze. "Yeah, I guess I would. Now that we're good, we can chat more regularly. By the way, is Carli okay with us corresponding?"
Jason nodded. He took out a few fries and put them in his mouth. "Yes, she is. As long as it's just friendship, you and I are good with her," he said chewing slowly.
Marsha nodded. "Okay." She wanted no trouble and she didn't want to be cut off from her friend again.
He drew closer to her. "Tell me what's going on with you? Have you registered for this semester's classes yet?" he asked. He continued to eat the warm, crispy fries while listening keenly to her.
"Yeah I have. You?" she asked.
"Yeah, I have," he said after swallowing.
"It's your final year, nuh?" she smiled at him.
Jason nodded smiling at her. "Yes it is." He licked the salty flavor from his lips.
Marsha watched his tongue, mesmerized.
"What will you do when you're finished?" she asked. Her throat suddenly felt dry. She took several sips of her juice.
"Well, I'll be married in April and afterwards, I'll be working full-time with my dad," he answered.
Marsha was surprised. "So you and the old geezer made up?" she asked.
Jason chuckled. "Yeah, he's trying to make up for lost time, so I'm trying to make peace with him," he said smiling. Jason ate the last three crispy fries then chugged down his beer. He had his dad's genes. It was very difficult for him to get tipsy from drinking beer.
"I'm happy for you, Jason," she said, watching him. She reached out and touched his wrist. Realizing what she had done, she removed her hand quickly. Jason went for her hand and clasped it in his. Marsha looked up at him nervously. What was he doing? She thought.
Jason looked at her. He saw the fear in her eyes. He swore under his breath. Marsha was stunned by the word that came out of his mouth. "Marsha, I know," he said. He looked at her with a hurt expression on his face.
"What are you talking about?" she asked nervously.
"I saw a post Fallon made on one of her socials about a party you guys went to and an older man assaulted you." Jason squeezed her hand in his.
Marsha eyes widened in alarm. She didn't know Fallon posted anything about that night, couple weeks ago. "She called my name?" Marsha asked stunned.
Jason shook his head. "No," he said, "it's just the way you've been acting. Wearing clothes that cover you up. When I held you the other day you were trembling. You seem so unsure of yourself now. You won't even wear makeup. You've lost weight. Marsha, maybe me not speaking to you would affect you, but not like this," he asserted.
He reached his hand out and cupped her face. "She never mentioned your name. She just said her friend was assaulted, but after observing how you've been behaving, I realized it had to be you," he said. "Marsha, talk to me. Tell me what happened?"
Marsha sighed. "I was upset over the fact that you blocked me. I went to spend a week with Fallon to take my mind off things. She dragged me to half a dozen parties. The last one I went to was where I had the encounter with this older guy. I was drunk and felt tired so I went up to a bedroom to get some sleep. I was at a house party. The house belonged to Fallon's cousin's girlfriend. In the night, I felt someone tug at my clothes, when I cried out he slapped me across my face and told me to shut up. At first I thought, maybe I deserve this. I've been a bad friend and daughter so maybe I deserved this..."
Jason held on tighter to her hand. As she started to cry he released her hand and pulled her to him, putting his arms around her. The dam of emotions broke in her. Jason held her as she sobbed.
He sighed. "Did he ...?" he asked awkwardly.
Marsha shook her head. "No, thank God. The party had some servers there, topless male servers. When I cried out for help, one of them busted through the door and fought him off. Two others came in and held on to the guy until the police came. The one who helped me stayed with me until Fallon heard what happened and came for me."
Jason was glad there were men there who protected her. "I'm so glad someone was there to help you," he said, relieved.
Marsha nodded. "Me too," she said. She pulled away from him and looked into his eyes. "I wanted to tell you but ... "
Jason brushed his thumb on her left cheek. "It's okay. I'm here now and I'm gonna make sure we can resolve our issues better. I'm not stepping back from you again," he said.
Marsha smiled ruefully. She nodded.
Jason nodded. "I'm glad that guy was there for you."
"Yeah, Matthew was a gentleman," she said.
"Matthew?" he asked.
"Mhm, that's what he said was his name," she said.
"Okay," he said. He wondered, maybe, maybe not. There were probably more than a hundred guys in Kingston and St. Andrew with the name Matthew.
"Thank you for telling me," he said.
Marsha nodded. "Thank you for listening." She smiled at him
Jason squeezed her hand and smiled at her.
***
Sharon's cell phone rang. She rushed into the bedroom to answer. Carlos had gone to buy groceries. "Hello," she answered.
"Hey Sharon. It's Paul," her boss greeted her.
"Hey Paul, how are you?" she replied.
"I'm good. I just wanted to give you the good news," Paul said. "Gary has confessed to being the mastermind behind the whole thing. Apparently your personal assistant and Gary were having an affair."
"What?" Sharon asked in shock. She sat on the bed. "Really. It seemed she was messing around with Cooper."
Paul sighed. "About that, it seems she was indeed sleeping with Michael. He was just a pawn. He'll be suspended for a month, and we'll be providing an assessment to make sure he's mentally capable of coming back to work for us. He's a brilliant kid I wouldn't want to let him go."
Sharon sighed. "But why? Why would Gary do this?" she asked.
"Greed. Just pure greed Sharon. That's all I got to say. And he thought he could get away with it. But I have better news than that," Paul said to her.
"Okay. What is it?" she asked curious.
"I want you to come back. I want you to be our financial controller. You have the skill for it. If you want, you can work towards the ACCA certification. I know you're pregnant but you don't have to worry about that. Tammy Ferguson will work with you making sure that everything will be in order. You know her, young and up and coming from the purchases department. Very sharp mind."
Sharon nodded at the phone. She knew Tammy but they hadn't really said two words to each other. She seemed like a pleasant young woman however. Sharon was willing to work with her.
"I will pay you more than what I've been paying Gary and will compensate you otherwise for the months you've been home," he told her.
Sharon smiled happily. "Yes I accept. I would love to work with you again and thanks for the upgrade," she said chuckling.
Paul chuckled. "You are most welcome," he said. "See you Monday?"
Sharon nodded at the phone. "Yes, indeed you will," she said.
"Okay. Alrighty. Later," Paul said.
"Okay," she said smiling.
Paul ended their call. Sharon lay back on the bed and laughed softly. "Thank you God," she said.
***
Sunday
On Sunday morning, Jason took Carli to church and they both listened intently to the sermon shared from the pulpit. Afterwards, uncle Pat greeted them and smiled cheerfully at Carli. He was happy she had made the decision to be baptized. He introduced her to the elder who was responsible for evangelism activities at the church. There was an ongoing discipleship class taking place. Elder Pusey told her and Jason that she was just in time to enter the class. She had only missed one week of the teachings. She thanked him and beamed happily at Jason. Jason also mentioned that he and Carli were planning on getting married, to which he smiled broadly and asked if they had a date in mind.
Jason looked at Carli and smiled. "How about the 20th or 21st?" he asked her.
She nodded. "I'd get married in a crocus bag if I could. I just want to be Mrs Singh," she said laughing softly.
Elder Pusey took out his phone and opened the calendar app. "We have nothing planned for either dates, so we can have the ceremony here. Our pastor is a marriage officer so he can officiate the service and offer pre-marriage counselling. You'd have to start the counselling by at least next week," he said.
Jason nodded. "I'm working in Montego Bay right now. I'll be back and forth, but if there is a way we can have the counselling sessions via the phone on some occasions I can work with it," he said.
Pusey nodded. "Understood. I'll tell Pastor Johnson and get back to you on what he says," Pusey replied.
"I can make the first session if he's available on Tuesday," Jason said.
Elder Pusey nodded. "Understood." He smiled at him. "So happy for you Jason. Glad to see Patrick's time and effort in you are not in vain," he said. His smile broadened. He touched his arm. Jason smiled back happily.
Pusey looked at Carli briefly. "Nice to meet you young lady."
Carli smiled up at him. "Thank you. You too," she said.
Elder Pusey nodded. He smiled at uncle Pat, who nodded at him. Pusey left them.
***
The telephone rang. Carli ran to answer it. It was her aunt. Carli was ecstatic. She called for Jason.
"Jason, baby!"
He was relaxing, sitting at the dining table. He came quickly, his expression one of alarm.
"It's aunty. She's on the phone!" she told him, her hand covering the phone receiver.
She put her ear back to the phone. "Okay, aunty go ahead. Yes. Okay. Thank God! Okay, aunty see you soon." Carli hung up the phone. She looked at Jason who was wide eyed waiting for more information.
"She just landed at the Norman Manley Airport. They were able to get clearance to land. She wants us to come get them, she and uncle! Oh thank God!" She lunged into Jason who hugged her tightly.
"Okay, let me go fetch my car keys," he said as he released her.
She nodded. He went upstairs and took up his keys from the night table then skipped downstairs. He and Carli jumped into his vehicle and drove off to get aunt Sandra and uncle Marcus.
It was a twenty minute wait as aunt Sandra and uncle Marcus filed patiently through Customs. When they saw them, Carli ran to her aunt and uncle, and threw her arms around them. Marcus hugged her a while longer as Sandra stepped back and watched them. Jason came up and took the bags from her. She gave Jason a relieved and grateful smile. He led the way to the car. Sandra followed, while Marcus and Carli walked arm in arm.
When they arrived home, they had to help Marcus out of the vehicle. Sitting on the plane and then in the car made his weary muscles ache. Jason made Marcus throw his arm over his shoulder. He used his legs to push himself upright and lift Marcus, and his back muscles and shoulders to support him as he walked with his uncle-in-law into the house, up the stairs to his and Sandra's bedroom.
He helped him sit down on the bed. Marcus lay back on the bed and sighed. He closed his eyes. "Thank you Jason," he said smiling at the young man.
"My wife has told me about you. It seems like she is just as smitten with you as my niece," he said chuckling. He coughed a little then cleared his throat.
Jason smiled at him. He knew he was joking. "Is there anything I can help with?" he asked him.
Marcus opened his eyes and smiled at him. "Make sure you marry my niece as I've heard you've promised to," Marcus said.
Jason's smile broadened. "It will be my pleasure," he replied.
Just then, Sandra walked into the room with Carli behind her hovering at the doorway. Sandra smiled at Jason. "My niece has found a good husband. Jason, I really appreciate you. Lissa has told me how you've been cooking and taking care of both of them," she said as she sat on the bed beside her husband. Her eyes were watering. Marcus rubbed his wife's thigh.
Jason nodded and smiled at her. "I made a promise. I would make sure I kept it," he said to her.
Sandra looked passed Carli into the hallway. "Where is Lissa?" Sandra asked.
"She's been spending time with Derrick since you've been gone. She isn't handling what happened well," Carli said.
Marcus grimaced. "I see," he said. She was his baby. He would comfort her when she got home. Sandra sighed and said, "I'll call her."
Marcus rubbed on his wife's thigh. "Honey, I need to take a shower," he told her.
"Oh okay," she said eyeing him. She turned to Carli and Jason. Jason moved towards the door and touched Carli's hand. He motioned with his head for them to go outside and winked at her. Carli smiled and nodded. "Okay aunty and uncle, we're going," she said looking up at Jason.
Sandra nodded. "Okay. Thank you so much guys." She stood up, came to them and hugged them. They hugged her back then exited the room. Sandra closed the door behind them.
***
After Jason got her dad's phone number from Carli, he went into the kitchen garden and sat on the tree stump. He tried to steady his breathing by inhaling with his mouth open. He dialed Carlos James' number. The phone rang three times then the warm distinguished voice of Carlos came on the line.
"Hi, Mr James. Good evening. Calling to let you know that aunt Sandra and uncle Marcus are back. We just went and picked them up from the Norman Manley Airport," Jason told Carlos.
Jason heard Carlos sighed. "Thank God. I'm not a praying man, but I have been praying, fi real," Carlos said chuckling. "Thanks for letting us know Jason. Very kind of you, but I suspect that is not the only reason you called. I know my sister-in-law and bro-in-law will want to recover from jetlag before they call us tomorrow."
Jason heard shuffling on the line.
"Are you sitting Jason?" Carlos asked him. He sat down on his couch and got comfortable. He could tell Jason was nervous. He had a feeling he knew why he called him.
"Yes sir," Jason responded.
"Okay. Good. Son, that's good. So what's on your mind?"
Jason cleared his throat. "Mr James, I really love your daughter. She's like the air I breathe. I don't think I can live without her now that she's in my life. She's like the compass that points me in the right direction. I'll do all I can to make her happy. I promise to take care of her for the rest of my life and keep her safe," Jason said quietly. He paused.
"And?" Carlos asked sounding amused.
"And I'm asking you for your daughter's hand in marriage, please," Jason answered.
Carlos sighed happily. "Carli is very young but she has chosen wisely. I believe you mean every word you've said. Okay. Yes, you have my blessing," Carlos said chuckling.
Jason felt like a weight was lifted from his shoulders. He smiled. "Thank you so much," he said relieved.
"How soon do you want to marry her?" Carlos asked.
"We're planning towards April," he told him.
"Okay. Understood. I would say that's a bit early. Has Carli agreed to that time?" he asked.
"Yes, she has," Jason replied. "We're thinking of the 20th or 21st."
Carlos sighed. "Okay. Understood." Clearly, his daughter was smitten with Jason. He wouldn't block them. Sharon on the other hand was another issue. "Okay, I'm gonna have to talk to her mother. She may not be too happy with such an early date.
Jason sighed. "I understand," he answered.
Carlos heard the sound and laughed softly. "Don't worry, I know how to deal with my wife. Just make your plans. Everything will be fine," Carlos told him.
"Thank you so much Mr James," said Jason happily. "I was also thinking of coming down there tomorrow to speak with you and Carli's mom face to face about the plans for the wedding."
"You can call me Carlos or dad if you like," Carlos said.
Jason was very happy. "Yes, thank you. Will do," Jason said excited.
"Okay, you are welcome to come. You can make your case to Sharon directly."
Okay, I'll do that then. Thanks so much! We'll call before we leave for Manchester. Bye Mr ... uh ... er, Carlos
Carlos chuckled. "Okay Jason. No problem. Talk later."
Jason ended the call. He was ecstatic. He went inside to tell his beautiful bride-to-be the good news.
***
Monday
Jason slipped into Carli's bedroom. He took his phone and took several pictures of her while she slept. She looked so peaceful and beautiful. It was 5:30 in the morning. As he watched her sleeping, he was tempted to slip under the covers and snuggle with her. He bit his lip. No one made him feel like this, not even his ex. He tucked his phone in his shorts pocket. He had a surprise for Carli, something he hadn't done in a while. It would be his wedding gift to her. He hoped he still remembered how to do it well.
Coming to her softly, he quietly sat on the bed and stared at her. She would usually cover hair with a silk scarf but maybe she was too tired, she fell asleep before she could do that. Jason lay down beside her and gently caressed her arm. She stirred and sighed sleepily. "Sweet baby," he whispered. Carli opened her eyes and focused her gaze on him. As her brain woke up and she became aware that he was watching her, she smiled at him.
Yawning softly, she moved closer to him. Jason opened his arms and embraced her: One arm rested protectively over her shoulder while she lay on top of the other. Jason bent forward and playfully rubbed his nose on hers. Carli giggled. Her beautiful, dark brown eyes were like deep, mysterious pools that pulled him in.
"I love you," he said with a sigh.
"I love you," she replied.
"I want to talk to you about the wedding plans," he said, filling his eyes with her beautiful face. "I have put aside about $600,000. Omie was able to do the transfer for me while I was in Mobay in a savings account I hardly use. Fortunately, it wasn't yet dormant. I'm gonna give you the ATM card and the password so you can have access to the money. Use it to purchase a dress, and anything else you think you'll need for the wedding."
Carli's eyes lit up. She burrowed herself into the warmth of his chest. "Thank you baby. I will use it wisely, I promise. I don't know much about wedding planning. I'll ask Lissa and aunty to help me, and if mommy gives her blessing she can help me," she said happily. Jason knew her mother would be a challenge, but he never gave up on a challenge. One thing he could say he learned from his dad was to dig in his heels and stubbornly fight for what he wanted.
"Anything else you need means: decor, venue, music and catering. If you need more money just let me know and I'll get Omie to do the transfer for me. The internet where I am is erratic," he told her. Carli looked at him. She couldn't believe he was her man. She touched his face. "Baby, thank you. I love you. I can't wait to make your toes curl," she said winking at him.
Jason laughed softly. He reached down and cupped her bottom. He was surprised to feel soft, smooth butt cheeks. He rubbed her butt searching for soft fabric. Oh, thank God! He mused to himself. She was wearing panties, just a skimpier one. He slapped her butt gently and smiled at her. He blew her a kiss. Jason stretched and sat up. It was best he left her now before his mind wandered and he did something that would cause them both to moan.
"Get ready by 7:00 okay?" We can eat breakfast and then head out to see your parents," he said.
Carli nodded. "Okay baby," she said.
He stood up, told her he loved her, and heard her reply with, "I love you too" then left the room.
***
Carli had showered, and was dressed and sitting downstairs by 6:30. Surprisingly, Lissa was preparing breakfast. Lissa was a good cook, but she rarely felt in the mood to prepare meals. Carli asked her if she wanted her help. She told her no, but she could keep her company.
Carli sat on a dining room chair and watched her cousin. She was cooking callaloo and saltfish with pressed green plantains. They chatted animatedly. She was glad to see Lissa back to her usual cheerful disposition.
As they talked they heard footsteps coming the stairs and the sound of slippers heading in their direction. They looked over to the doorway to see Marcus entering the room. He smiled at the young women. He went over to his daughter and kissed her forehead, then he sat beside Carli and pinched her chin. Carli smiled at him.
"What is happening? Lissa baby, how come you're cooking?" Marcus asked mischievously.
Lissa made a face. "Y'all know I can cook. Go away," she responded.
Marcus laughed. Carli smiled. She felt warm all over. She always loved hearing her uncle's infectious laugh.
Just then, Jason entered the kitchen making notes on his cell phone. He looked up and saw Lissa cooking, a smile curled up his lips. "Good morning," he told everyone in the room. He sat beside Carli and kissed her cheek. She blushed. Marcus saw the interaction between them and smiled.
"So Lissa what's for breakfast?" Jason asked her.
"Pressed green plantains and steamed callaloo with saltfish in it," she said proudly.
"Sounds good. I'm sure it will be delicious," he said smiling at her.
Lissa beamed. "Thank you Jason. It will." she looked at Carli and her dad triumphantly.
Marcus chuckled. He looked over at Carli and Jason. "You guys going somewhere?" he asked.
Jason nodded. "We're going to see Carli's parents and if there's enough time we'll swing by my mom's," Jason said. He turned to Carli. "I forgot to mention, my mom has been asking for you so I thought why not stop by. By the time we get back she should be home from work."
Carli nodded. "That's fine," she said. She was fond of Momma Bridget too. She was looking forward to seeing her.
After five more minutes, Lissa began sharing the food for her family. Jason went into the fridge and took out a newly bought bottle of orange juice. He had gone to the store nearby and picked up a few things for the family. He went into the cupboard and retrieved four glasses, rinsed them at the sink and dried them carefully. He opened the cap of the bottle and poured the golden liquid in each glass. He handed one glass to Marcus first. He placed Lissa's glass of orange juice on the counter for her to pick it up when she was ready, but brought two glasses to the dining table for himself and Carli.
Marcus observed how the young man moved. He liked him. He also realized that for the past few days he was buying groceries for the family with his own money and made no demands to be paid back. He was impressed.
Sandra walked into the room in her work attire; looking sharp. She looked at her husband, smiled and winked at him. Last night was the first time they made love. He wasn't able to love her as vigorously as he wanted to, but he was very attentive and she didn't mind taking the lead for a while.
She went to him and kissed his lips tenderly. Marcus' hand snaked up and squeezed her derriere. Carli and Jason saw the move and looked at each other knowingly. Jason winked at her. Carli giggled softly. She took her plate of food from Lissa then smiled cheekily at her lover. Jason winked at her and smiled.
While the family was eating, Marcus described his experience in Thailand: "I enjoyed the natural beauty of the countryside. I even got the chance to tour some of the older temples. They have a rich history." He sighed as he remembered his plight in the foreign country. "My problem started because of a case of mistaken identity. Apparently, there was a man with my name, similar spelling, claiming to be a historian and archaeologist, who was offering his services freelance to help governments unearth or dig up artifacts, and ensure they are preserved and displayed in museums for knowledge purposes.
"Unfortunately when I went to one of the ancient sites a guide there saw my name and thought I was him. This other Marcus Dixon had gone to the site two weeks prior and stolen something there. So when they saw my name the guide alerted the police and they detained me. I was able to get a phone call so I called my company to explain the situation."
He turned to his wife. "Baby that's why I couldn't call you," he told her reaching out his hand for hers. She clasped his hand and rested it on her cheek. He continued: "I wasn't able to make anymore phone calls, but my company was able to get an advocate over there for me to negotiate with the government to release me. At first they didn't want to let me go but when I fell ill they decided they didn't want me as a problem to them. That's how I ended up in Singapore. The advocate managed to make arrangements for me to go over there to get treatment," he told his family.
He said, "Baby, I'm sorry I didn't allow my company to tell you what was happening. I didn't want you to be fretting over me. I love you."
Sandra felt her eyes watering. She didn't want to ruin her makeup. Lissa realizing what was happening tore off a small piece of paper towel and handed it to her mother. Sandra took it from her and dabbed her eyes carefully with it. "Do we owe them any money? The hospital?" she asked. She started eating her breakfast. It was delicious. She smiled at her daughter, winked and nodded. Lissa smiled broadly.
"No, the advocate said it was fine. He would take care of it. I don't know what he did, but he told me I don't owe anything," he answered.
"Maybe he paid it for you," Carli chimed in.
Marcus nodded. "Maybe. Anyhoo, I told him if ever he comes to our neck of the woods I will be a more than willing tour guide."
"Did he accept?" Lissa asked coming to sit at the table and eat. Marcus nodded. "Yes, he's a lawyer like myself so his schedule is busy, but he was happy for the invitation. He said he would let me know by the summer, if he, his wife and sons can come over."
Jason saw the look on Carli's face. He leaned over and circled his arm around her to comfort her. Carli looked at him. She leaned towards him and closed her eyes.
Marcus, seeing what was happening, tried to lighten the mood. "I went to this restaurant and tried several different dishes. I also tasted Thai beer called sato. I actually like the flavor," Marcus said chuckling. Jason smiled at him as he gently stroked Carli's arm.
After they ate breakfast, Carli and Jason told their family they would see them later tonight and headed out the door. Jason called Carlos: "Hello. We're heading out now. Mhm, yes, see you then," he said ending the call. Meanwhile, Carli had gone to open the gate. Jason opened Carli's car door for her then slipped inside and started the engine. He looked at her and blew her a kiss. Carli giggled and touched his thigh. They drove out. Carli walked back to close the gate. She reentered the car and they drove off.
***
Sharon was annoyed with Carlos. He had called Paul and told him that she wasn't coming in to work until the next day. She didn't want to seem like the new position didn't matter to her. When she asked him for an explanation he would only say be patient, she would soon find out. She heard him on the phone talking to someone. She was curious about who it was. She asked, but all he did was kiss her forehead, slapped her butt and asked what she was cooking for dinner.
At around 11 o'clock her cellphone rang. She answered and was surprised to hear Carli's voice on the line. She was laying in bed.
"Baby ... Hey! You okay?" Sharon greeted her daughter.
She heard Carli chuckle. "Yes mommy, I'm just fine. How are you?" Carli asked.
Sharon sat up. She wondered if something had happened between her and Jason. "You sure you're good baby? Is everything okay with you and Jason?" she queried.
Carli laughed softly. "Yes mommy," she said, "Me and Jason are fine."
"As a matter of fact, there's something about Jason I want to talk to you about," Carli said being mysterious.
"Okay, sure. Go ahead," she told her.
Just then she heard a knock at the front door. She called for Carlos to tell him to get the door, but he didn't respond. She wondered if he had stepped out and not let her know. Feeling even more annoyed at him she went through the hallway to the front door. She turned the knob and opened it. She was shocked to see Carli and Jason standing in front of her. She screamed happily and hugged her daughter. She also briefly hugged Jason. That stunned him, but he accepted the gesture. She stepped back so they could step inside the home.
Jason looked around. Everything was immaculate and neat. He was impressed. She led them to the couch. Carlos came forward from the kitchen with a tray filled with sandwiches. There were chicken, cheese, corned beef and tuna sandwiches nicely presented. Jason took two of the tuna sandwiches as starters. He bit into them. He nodded his head and smiled.
"Good?" Carlos asked.
Jason smiled. He chewed and swallowed. "Nice!" he responded giving him a thumbs up. Carlos' smile broadened. Sharon looked at her husband. "So this was the reason I couldn't go to work today, eh?" she asked her husband.
Carlos chuckled softly. "I didn't want to ruin the surprise," he said winking at her.
They sat back in the couch chatting for a little while. Jason told his future in laws about his plans with his dad's company. Carlos listened intently. He was willing to invest in the company if Jason's dad was open to it. He watched amused as Jason downed six sandwiches by himself. Carli had only eaten three. He couldn't say much himself because he had consumed five. Sharon could only manage to eat one and a half. She was in the phase of her pregnancy where smells or tastes made her feel ill. Carlos ate the half for her.
Carlos saw that his wife was in a good mood. While she was laughing and talking with Carli, Carlos looked directly at Jason and nodded. He mouthed the word, "Now." Jason nodded. He cleared his throat and said, "Mrs James, there's something we want to talk to you about."
Sharon smiled at him and said, "I figured there was. You wouldn't waste gas to come all this way for nothing."
"Well, if Carli wanted to come see you I would do my best to get her to you guys. So being here is a blessing, but also I do want to talk to you about something important," Jason said trying to keep calm.
Carlos came closer to his wife and placed her hand in his arm. She looked up at him puzzled. He smiled back at her. Seeing what his future dad-in-law did he mustered the confidence. He looked at Carli who smiled at him. He took a deep breath and released it. "Mrs James, I love your daughter very much. She means the world to me. Also, thank you guys for allowing Carli to come down and spend time with me. No, we did not do anything, and haven't done anything."
He paused and looked at Carli's parents individually. He saw Carlos nodding, giving him encouragement. "Glad to hear it," Sharon said smiling at her daughter. Carli smiled at her, thinking how just a few days ago she would have been riding him if she wasn't trying hard to be a good girl. Carli reached for Jason's hand, clasped it in hers and squeezed it. He looked at her and saw how her eyes shone for him. He smiled tenderly at her and turned to her parents again.
"I love your daughter. I want her to be my wife. I'm here asking for your blessing to be her husband," he told them, but he looked at Sharon directly.
Sharon nodded. She sobered. "What do you have to offer my daughter?" she asked him.
"My love and affection; my loyalty. All my assets that I have now and any we acquire in the future. My strength to protect her from any harm. I'm willing to die for her if necessary," he answered. Carli squeezed his hand harder. He squeezed back. Sharon looked at their interaction and nodded.
"Okay," she said, but she didn't smile. She looked at her daughter. "And you want this? You want to be his wife?" she asked her.
Carli nodded. "I love him with all my heart. Matter of fact, when he's away, I feel like I can't breathe," she replied. Sharon's eyes widened. "And what about school?"
Carli licked her dry lips. "I've decided to take a different path," she said.
"How so?" Sharon asked.
"Mommy, I love you. I love you and daddy, but what your plans are for me aren't what I want for myself. I've always wanted to be a chef either pastry or fine dining. I love cooking and I love baking. I can't deny that part of who I am anymore. I won't be going back, I'll be enrolling in a culinary school in September. I've already reached out to one that is ready to interview me for their enrollment process. I've called my university's Admissions office and made them aware that I won't be continuing with the program. I also contacted my faculty and have made them aware of my decision."
She looked lovingly at Jason. "Jason is the love of my life, just like daddy is the love of your life. He makes me happy. And I want to share my life with him as his wife. I also want to pursue the thing that has made me fulfilled and has challenged me. Mommy, you have taught me so much, please allow me to use the tools you've given me to be a woman." Her eyes pleaded with her mother.
Sharon closed her eyes and sighed. Carlos rubbed her hand. Sharon opened her eyes and looked at him. "Were you aware of this?" she asked him. He too was surprised, but Carli was an adult now and needed to make her own decisions.
"About seeking approval to marry Carli, yes. Carli dropping out of university, no," he said plainly watching her expression.
Jason felt his heart pounding. Sharon looked at him. "Don't ever make me regret this," she said. "Yes, okay. You have my blessing. I like you Jason. I think Carli chose wisely. I wouldn't want her to marry so young but Carlos and I were barely older when we tied the knot. You have my blessing to go ahead and make your plans." She smiled at them both. "As for higher education, you decide Carli. It's up to you, your choice. We may not be able to fully support you financially."
"I can," Jason chimed in. "I have the funds to start her off and I'll work hard to make sure she's taken care of where that is concerned and in other areas."
Sharon nodded and smiled. "Okay," she said. "Glad to hear it. Then go ahead and do what you guys have to do then," she said smiling at her daughter.
Carli jumped up and went to hug her mother. Sharon hugged her and kissed her baby on the cheek. Jason stood up, leaned forward to extend his hand to her for a handshake. Sharon stood up and gave him a proper hug. Jason smiled happily.
Later, while the men went off to one side chatting about the business Jason's dad built, Carli and Sharon started discussing plans for the wedding.
At 4:00 p.m. Sharon gave them some supper before they left to go back to Kingston. The four of them sat chatting happily. Sharon decided to sit beside Jason so she could talk to him more and learn more about him. As they stood by the door about to say goodbye she squeezed his hand and placed something in it. He was puzzled, but she asked him for his cell phone number, and told him not to open his hand until he was in the car.
He hugged them both briefly and went and sat in the car while Carli said her goodbyes. He opened his hand to see a piece of paper with numbers written on it. Carli came back to the car. He open it for her and she slipped inside. They waved to them and drove off. After a few minutes had passed Jason heard a text come in. He would check it at a stop light. When they entered Mandeville's town centre, they stopped at a red light. Jason fished in his pocket for his phone. He opened his messages and was shocked to see Sharon's message. It said:
"This is my gift to you," Sharon said. "The numbers represent a bank account of an insurance policy I have been saving for Carli since she was five years old. She is the sole beneficiary. I am trusting you with this to make sure she is provided for. After you're married, you and I can go have your name added, so you can also manage the money on her behalf. I love my daughter and if you take care of her, you can call me mom. 😊 P.S. don't tell her until after the wedding."
Carli watched him curiously. "You okay?" she asked him.
Jason nodded. He let out a breath. "Yes baby. I'm very good." He was happy to have Sharon's blessing.
***
They briefly stopped by Jason's mom's place. Carli received a big hug from Momma Bridget. Carli reciprocated. She had grown to be fond of Jason's mom too. They sat down and told her about their wedding plans. She offered to help cater part of the food. She could do her jerk chicken and festival if they wanted. Jason looked at Carli. She turned to Momma Bridget and said, "Yes to the jerk chicken, not sure about the festival, maybe rice?"
Momma Bridget nodded. "Okay, we can correspond about the food. That way you guys can save on catering."
Carli nodded. "Alright, sounds good." She beamed happily at her beloved. He playfully squeezed her side. Carli gave Momma Bridget her phone number.
On the way back home, Jason stopped at a supermarket and allowed Carli to purchase a few snacks for herself, sanitary pads and other toiletries. He told her that it was now his responsibility to provide those things for her. She kissed him tenderly and told him she was blessed to have him.
When they arrived at their aunt and uncle's house, the elders had already gone to bed, but Lissa was up watching TV. When they entered the living room, she looked up and smiled at them. "How did it go?" she asked them. Jason chuckled. He touched the piece of paper in his pocket. Carli smiled at her. "Pretty well. I think being pregnant has made mommy softer," Carli said laughing softly. Carli sat beside Lissa and looked at her cheekily, "Were you waiting up for us?"
Lissa chuckled and said," Yes, I wanted to hear what happened. Although mommy said aunt would have said yes. She said aunt Sharon loves you and she would rather lose you than hurt you. Not sure what that means."
Carli thought about what her cousin said. She wasn't sure about that statement either, but Jason understood. Sharon was a hard parent but not a cruel one, if she saw that Carli was set on doing something, she would allow her to do it rather than stifle her, and hurt her in the process of trying to protect her. He pulled Carli into his arms. Lissa pursed her lips and smiled up at them. Jason kissed Carli softly then told her good night. He nodded to Lissa who smiled at him. He went up the stairs carrying Carli's bags filled with treats for her and necessities.
Carli decided to hang out with Lissa a bit longer. She told her cousin about the wedding ideas she had. Lissa asked her what her favorite colors were. She told her lavender and pink. Lissa chuckled. "Tell you what, I'll volunteer to be your wedding planner. Pink and lavender aren't colors that usually go together, but I think I can figure out how to work with them. We'll just add in secondary colors to complement everything."
Carli locked her arm into her cousin's arm as they chatted on Carli's favorite couch.
***
Three weeks later ...
Marriage counseling was progressing well. Jason was able to meet for the first session, but afterwards he joined Carli and Pastor Johnson online via video calling. He managed to go back and forth from Mobay to Kingston to attend his lectures and tutorial sessions, but in between he barely had time to meet Carli face to face. He told her things would slow down after the hectic college assignments period passed. They texted and called each other regularly.
Meanwhile, Carli was working at a restaurant at the Norman Manley International Airport. Jason had asked Aisha to see if she could help her out. Aisha put in a good word for Carli to her boss. She entered the business as a scullion and Prep Cook. Then they upgraded her to Prep Cook at the position of Cook 1. The boss was impressed with her work ethic and prior knowledge of the dishes she prepared. She was also a fast learner, learning their menu quickly.
She would mostly help prep ingredients as well as help with baking and cooking simple dishes. She was learning so much. It was hard work, but she was happy. She was waiting to hear from the culinary school to see if she would get in. The Admissions Counsellor told her she would love for the school to let her in. She was impressed with the portfolio Carli had sent to her. She would let her know in a few weeks. She however told her to send her application through the normal channels and hope for the best.
After she got off work she called her baby and chatted with him for a few minutes. He was hundreds of miles away, but he was studying for his exams in Kingston. She blew cute kisses through the phone and he responded in kind. Aisha came outside just as Omie pulled up to take them home. They were chatting in the car. She listened to them but couldn't concentrate on what they were saying. Besides work, Jason consumed her thoughts.
She was visiting Jason's church every Sunday and uncle Plat was always kind to her. But inside, she felt hollow. She wondered if Jason felt this way about her. She felt like a piece of her heart was gone. Maybe it was. She missed him so much.
Omie dropped her off and she waved goodbye. Another day, she mused. She entered the house and tiredly climbed upstairs. She entered the guest room. She had moved into it because Brandon was scheduled to be back in a week's time. He would stay for a few months then go back to England again. She stripped naked and stepped into the shower to bathe herself. She was tired. She thought of Jason. She longed for his touch. She wished he could come, hold her tight and make sweet love to her.
March
Carli and Sandra found a small bridal shop that provided a beautiful wedding dress. The lines and design were simple, but Carli's beauty was what needed to shine through and it did. Meanwhile, Lissa found a caterer who could provide chicken pasta dishes at a reasonable price. Sandra met with Momma Bridget to discuss how the jerk chicken meals would be prepared, how they would get to the venue and how many pounds of chicken they needed.
Carli had narrowed the list of guests to fifty people. She had to have Matthew as a guest, but didn't invite his parents. When she had called and told him she was getting married, he sounded stunned but he congratulated her. Jason invited Marsha and her family. She had no arguments to that. He had also told her about his cousin Tina and his uncle Eugene. His dad had to be there and his siblings on both sides. He also told Bello to bring Antonia.
He knew about two other siblings from another woman, but she wanted nothing to do with him or Bello. He wasn't okay with it. Hopefully, when her children were old enough they would want to know them. Carli invited Simone and Nichelee. Nichelee declined saying she was going to be abroad during that period, but Simone agreed to be there. She also invited Shauna who happily accepted the invitation. They chose the 21st of April as the date for the wedding.
Carli would be baptized later this month on the 20th. She was excited. Unfortunately, Jason couldn't make it, but he asked Omie to attend on his behalf, take pictures and send them to him.
The project was nearing its end. They had moved on from the first apartment and were now working on the fifth one. Fortunately, the other four apartments didn't need the level of attention the first one needed. Jason was grateful for that. He longed to be back with his baby.
April
Jason had been working on his gift for Carli. It was a painting of her in a whimsical pose. The image he painted of her looked ethereal. He tried to capture how he saw her and hoped she would like it. He used oil paint and a special kind of canvas. It was very expensive but she was worth every penny he spent. He was putting on the finishing touches, when he heard the phone ring. It was Carli. He answered by blowing kisses. Carli giggled and blew kisses at him too. Bello had given him the day off to study. He did a little of that, but he wanted his gift for Carli to be finished that night.
"Everything is pretty much ready baby," she told him.
"Okay," he answered while lightly brushing blush green paint on the periphery of her image. He wanted to create the effect of an aura around her.
"Looking forward to seeing you my sweet baby," he said.
"There's just one more thing I need to do and I'll be ready," she told him.
"Oh, and what's that?" he asked curious.
"You'll find out," she teased him.
Okay baby. I gotta go though, okay. Sweet baby, I'll dream of you," he said.
"Love you baby," she replied.
"I love you."
***
Jason went back and forth between Kingston and Montego Bay to do his exams. He was working late in the nights and early in the mornings to make sure he honored his agreement with his dad. Somehow he managed to get at least four hours of sleep each night. He was exhausted and felt like he was losing his mind. He missed Carli so much. She was his soft place. He felt like he was going to crash and burn soon. Bello, seeing what was happening, pulled him aside one morning while they were at the site and spoke with him.
"Jasey, I'm glad to have you as my son. You have been working really hard. Your contribution to the job has been tremendous and I wanna say thank you. I want you to be careful though, I wouldn't want you to be burned out before your wedding night and not be able to perform," Bello said chuckling.
Jason shook his head and laughed softly. Old coot! Jason thought affectionately.
"You never told me what type of cancer you have," Jason said while listening to him.
"Prostate cancer," Bello said smiling ruefully.
"Are you good? I haven't seen you going to any doctor or anything? Jason asked concerned.
"I will as soon as this project is over. I will go. Don't worry about me," Bello said smiling at him.
"I kinda do," Jason said. "You're terrible at taking care of yourself," Jason said chuckling.
Bello smiled. "Okay. That might be true, but I want to be around to see my grand kids, so I am not going anywhere," he said. Jason was touched by his words. He became silent. Bello leaned forward and slapped his son on his shoulder. "Take the rest of the day off. Go home and sleep. Okay?"
Jason nodded. "Okay," he said. Jason drove back to Dwight's place. Khemar had gotten a job at a call centre and was going through training. Dwight was at work. Jason was the only one home. He started working on putting the final touches on the painting of Carli. After he was done he took a shower and went to bed.
April 16
His final exam was on the 13th. Jason was relieved it was over. He had called Carli friends to invite them to attend a surprise engagement party for her. He even called Matthew. Carli had exchanged phone numbers of her family and friends with him to make the arrangements flow smoothly. Matthew told him he appreciated the invite but he had to work, but would make it for the wedding. Jason said he understood. The others also declined citing previous engagements. It would just be immediate family then Jason thought. He was cool with that.
He drove by his house first and dropped off his bags and the painting he had completed for Carli's wedding gift. He looked at the sculpture Carli bought for him. He had placed it on the small table near his bed. He was excited to see her. The painting was secured in its wrapping. He perched it carefully on the top of his fridge. When they were married he would have it mounted on the wall, but for now, he just wanted it to be in a safe place. Quickly, he freshened up, putting on Carli's favorite cologne, and headed over to aunt Sandra's.
He showed up at aunt Sandra's house and knocked on the gate. Lissa was home so she let him in and walked him back to the front door. She told him that Carli should be home from work any minute now. He nodded. Twenty minutes later Carli stepped in. She called out to Lissa, but Jason told Lissa not to answer.
Feeling puzzled, Carli walked into the living room searching for her cousin and found Jason sitting on her favorite couch looking at her. She dropped her work bag and ran to him. She jumped on him as he stood up to greet her. He crushed his lips to hers and kissed her passionately. When he released her, Lissa entered the room and started laughing. They looked around at her and laughed as well.
"I'm back baby. I'll be here from now on. There are finishing touches, but my dad says he doesn't need me for those," he said looking into her eyes.
"You sure?" she asked him. She didn't want to be away from him that long ever again.
He nodded. "Yes sweet baby. Positive." Carli hungrily kissed him again. Jason closed his eyes and kissed her fervently.
"I'm just gonna go over here," Lissa said amused. She stepped into the kitchen.
"I've come to take you out," he said. "So go take a shower and get ready. Wear something a little fancy, okay?"
Carli nodded. "Okay," she said. She sought to place her feet on the ground and he released her. She took up her work bag from the floor and went upstairs to get ready.
Jason walked into the kitchen. "Is everyone ready?" he asked Lissa.
Lissa smiled cheekily. "Yup. Her parents are staying at a friend's until later when you give the signal you want them to come to the restaurant. I already made arrangements with the restaurant. They know what's up. You have the ring?" she asked excitedly.
He slipped his hand into his pocket and took out the small box. He opened it and showed her. She whistled in appreciation. "Let it not be said you have no taste," she said smiling broadly at him. Jason laughed and shook his head. He was glad he and Lissa were getting along now. She was a cool person.
After fifteen minutes, Carli walked down stairs. She allowed her hair to fall loosely on her shoulders. She parted her hair to the right and teased the curls up so they were luscious looking. She put on a little eye shadow. She was wearing a black dress he hadn't seen before. He was smitten. It was like he was seeing her for the first time. He took her hand as she stood before him, he kissed it and smiled at her. "You are so beautiful," he told her.
Carli blushed. "Thank you," she said.
He pulled her closer and smelled the lavender oil. He smiled at her. Absolutely stunning! he thought. She had done another retouch since the last time he saw her. Her beautiful hair was resting in the middle of her back. He walked her to the car and opened her door for her. Lissa came and opened the gate for them. Jason slipped into the vehicle and they drove off.
They were having a wonderful time. Jason told her an excuse and slipped into a corner of the restaurant and called her parents and told them they could come by. He also called aunt Sandra who said she had just arrived home with Marcus and they would swing by with Lissa in tow.
When he returned to the table, Carli got up and went to the restroom. When she returned a glass filled with ice cream and jello was in front of her chair. Jason had given the waiter the ring to tuck it into her dessert for him. When he returned with the glasses he assured Jason that it was in her dessert. He told him thanks.
Carli eyed the dessert happily. As she dug in she noticed that Jason was barely eating his and was watching her closely. She was curious about why but figured it was because he had missed her. As she dug further into the dessert her spoon hit on something metallic.
She used the spoon to scoop it up and looked at it. Jason watched her. She took her napkin and wiped away the ice cream. She was surprised. She screamed when she realized what it was. Carli laughed happily. Jason moved away from his chair and bent down on one knee before her. In front of all these strangers he would declare his love for her.
He took her hand. "Carli baby," he said. "I love you. There's no one else in this world who loves me like you do. Your love has healed me in so many ways. I am so in love with you. We've been planning our big day together. It's only fitting I give you this moment. Carli, will you marry me?"
"Of course!" she said, throwing her arms around him. Jason hugged her. He took the ring from her and put it on the ring finger of her left hand. The restaurant patrons and staff clapped happily for them. Just then, Carli's mom and dad walked in. They were watching from the outside waiting to see if he had already proposed. They were glad they didn't miss the moment.
Carli started crying when she saw her parents. They hugged her. Sharon used her fingers to dry her daughter's tears. "Don't ruin your make up baby," she told her laughing. She was so happy for her. Ten minutes later aunt Sandra, uncle Marcus and Lissa walked in. Jason invited them to stay for dinner. He was paying. They agreed. The wait staff agreed to join several tables to there's so they could all sit together. Lissa deliberately sat beside her cousin. Although Jason and Carli had already eaten they stayed and talked with them while they ate.
Lissa nudged Carli in her side. "You ready for that appointment?"
Carli smiled nervously and said, "No. God, help me. Will it hurt?" she asked her.
Lissa chuckled. "The person I went to was very efficient and thorough. She was good. I'm taking you to her. You should be okay. There will be discomfort but you'll be fine."
Carli sighed and said, "I hope so." She chuckled.
Lissa giggled.
***
April 21
Lissa was able to locate a makeup artiste to do Carli's makeup. She also made arrangements to pick up Carli's hairdresser, Andrea to come by the house to do her hair. Carli was filled with nervy excitement. She wanted the day to be over so she could be alone with the love of her life. They would stay for one night at a hotel that Aisha insisted they go to and then go to Ocho Rios and spend a week at uncle Pat's villa/condo.
Fortunately for Carli, Aisha was able to convince the boss to give her time-off that coincided with the Easter weekend, so she was able to get a full week. She was grateful for the young woman's friendship.
After Andrea did her hair, the makeup artiste applied her makeup. Sharon instructed her to make sure it was light and it didn't hide but accentuate her daughter's natural beauty. Sandra, Sharon and Lissa helped Carli into her wedding dress. It was a beautiful satin dress with an A-line skirt. It had a sweetheart neckline with illusion mesh that covered her shoulders tastefully. Carlos would be her chariot whisking her over to the church for the ceremony.
When she stepped downstairs. The men: Omie, Carlos and Marcus stood watching her in awe. Omie had come over to hand Carli a note from Jason. The women made him swear not to describe to Jason what she looked like. He promised feeling dumbfounded. He wondered what Aisha would look like in a wedding dress. He was even more determined to propose to her soon. He handed the note to Carli and stepped back. He grinned at all who were in the room, turned and slipped through the front door. As he stepped out, Brandon stepped in. He was carrying three bags and looked slightly disheveled. Everyone looked at him. "Sorry guys I took the Red Eye. I'm sorry I couldn't be here sooner, but I made it for the wedding."
Lissa said, "Uhm!"
Brandon dropped his bags and went and hugged his big sis. "Thanks for calling and cussing me out Lissa," he said. Lissa hugged him back. "You smell of alcohol," Lissa said in a disapproving voice.
Brandon chuckled and said, "I promise, I'm not drunk."
He went over and hugged his dad, his mom then his aunt and uncle, then finally he embraced his little cousin. He put her away from him a little and gazed at her up and down. "My! You have grown up to be beautiful," he told her. Carli smiled at him. He gave her another hug, then went to retrieve his bags.
"I'm gonna freshen up. Who can give me a ride over to the ceremony?" Brandon asked.
"I'll stay back and wait for him," Marcus said.
"Thanks dad," Brandon said smiling. "Okay, gonna get ready. I have a nice suit for the occasion." He pulled his bags quickly up the stairs. Sharon came forward and touched Carli's arm. "Okay baby, we need to go now. It's 2:00 you're supposed to be there by 2:30, let's go," she said.
Carli nodded and smiled at her.
Lissa and Sharon helped Carli into Carlos' vehicle. While they were driving Carli opened the piece of paper and read Jason's note to her:
"My beautiful, sweet bride, my wifey. I love you with all of me. Thank you for taking this journey with me. Can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you. - From your loving husband, Jason Singh."
Carli fanned herself trying not to cry. Sharon saw what was happening. She was sneakily reading the note with Carli. She circled her arm around her daughter's shoulders. Carli looked at her mom and leaned on her. Sharon squeezed her close.
Sandra stayed behind and paid Andrea and Shelly, the make up artiste, for their services. When they left she too jumped into her vehicle and headed to the church. Marcus had to wait a half hour for Brandon to get ready, but when he saw him, he was impressed.
"Nice suit," he told him as they walked towards his car. Brandon nodded. He looked at his dad from hair to shiny, polished shoes.
"I learned from the best," he quipped. Marcus laughed and slapped his son on the back. Brandon opened the gate and made sure Marcus backed out the vehicle safely. Then he closed it and jumped into the Honda CR-V truck with his dad. They were late. Marcus floored the gas pedal.
***
Jason stood nervously at the altar waiting on his bride to be. It was 2:45. Where was she and her family? Omie told him she looked stunning but said he was sworn to secrecy and was warned not to describe her dress. He was eager to see her.
Just then, an usher assigned by the church to help with the ceremony, came in and whispered to the pastor that Carli had just arrived. He overheard them speaking and smiled feeling relieved. Pastor Johnson smiled at him. "Your bride is here," he said to Jason. Jason nodded.
When the Wedding March song was being played by the church pianist, Mrs Lovelace, Jason faced the back of the church and waited to see his bride coming down the aisle. Carli appeared wearing a beautiful veil and was being escorted down the aisle by her dad. She was wearing a beautiful satin dress. It hugged her waist but flared off at her hips. There were no intricate designs on the fabric, but the simple elegance of the dress took his breath away.
In her hand was a bouquet with yellow, lavender, pink and white flowers. She was so beautiful. He couldn't see her face, but he knew she must look gorgeous. He spotted Sandra and Sharon sitting together looking proud of themselves. He was glad everything was okay between them. Marcus and a young man he assumed was Brandon walked in a few minutes after and sat beside them.
As Carli walked up the aisle Shauna called to her. When she stopped, Shauna stood up and hugged her. She told her she couldn't stay for the reception but wanted to be there for her special day. Carli hugged her and told her 'thank you'. Carli looked at her dad, nodded at him and they proceeded to continue walking up the aisle.
Lissa was holding the small train that flowed behind her cousin. She looked lovely as well. He had to admit all the women of Carli's family were stunning, but Carli was his special gem.
Carlos and Carli stepped up to meet Jason, the pastor and Omie, who was Jason's best man. Lissa was her maid of honor. Carli decided she did not need brides maids. She just wanted things to be uncomplicated. Lissa stood beside Carli, just as Omie stood beside his best friend.
The wedding officer, Pastor Miguel Johnson, greeted the congregation. He read 1st Corinthians 13 and gave a brief exhortation on love and sacrifice. Jason was anxious to remove the veil from Carli's face. He could barely tell that she was smiling at him.
Pastor Johnson looked at Jason and said, "Time for the rings."
Jason looked at Omie, who took the ring boxes from his pocket and gave them to Jason. The pastor reached out his hand for them, took the rings from Jason and placed them in the middle of his opened Bible. He prayed solemnly over them, speaking of a cord not being broken.
The pastor then motioned for Carli to take Jason's band in her hand and place it at the tip of his finger.
"Do you Carlethia Dionne James take Jason Belvedere Singh to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and health, for richer or poorer, forsaking all others as long as you both shall live? Do you promise to honor and cherish him always as your husband? Say 'I will' if you agree," he said.
"I will," Carli said happily. She pushed the ring on Jason's finger, laughing softly.
He motioned for Jason to retrieve Carli's ring. The engagement ring was now complete with an additional beautiful gold band with Zirconia stones set in the middle. Jason placed the ring set at the tip of her finger.
Pastor Johnson spoke to Jason: Jason Belvedere Singh, do you take Carlethia Dionne James to be your lawfully wedded wife to have and to hold, in sickness and health, for richer or poorer, forsaking all others as long as you both shall live? Do you promise to protect, honor and cherish her always as your wife? Say 'I will' if you agree," he instructed. Jason smiled and said, "I will, most definitely will," Jason pushed the ring onto her finger and smiled.
Pastor Johnson chuckled. "By the power invested in me by the Almighty God, and as a licensed marriage officer registered with the Jamaican government, I now pronounce you, husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride."
Jason lifted the veil and looked at Carli. She was wearing makeup but it was barely noticeable. The makeup accentuated the beautiful oval shape of her eyes and made them look even more mysterious. He stepped closer to her and put his arms around her.
He leaned forward, bent his head and closed his eyes as his lips touched hers. Carli's lips felt soft and inviting. She was only wearing lips gloss. He tasted bubble gum flavor on her lips. He opened his eyes and looked at her. She smiled at him. Her eyes seemed to be teasing him. Jason grabbed her again and this time he kissed her passionately.
They heard cheers and applause coming from the pews. Jason released his bride and looked at her. His eyes told her that he was ready to give her everything that night. She smiled at him and winked.
After they had signed the necessary papers to record their marriage as legal. Carli and Jason were whisked away to the wedding reception at a nearby hotel. Everything was arranged by uncle Pat who used his connections to get the hotel booked at a reasonable price then offered to pay for the accommodation. The newly weds had accepted his gesture.
The food and decor were wonderful. Carli enjoyed the jerk chicken provided by her mother-in-law. She would have to get the recipe from her. Lissa found a caterer who did a wedding cake at the base and red velvet cakes as the three top tiers of the cake.
Carli and her dad danced first then Jason danced with his bride. Afterwards, Matthew walked up to them and asked if he could dance with Carli. Jason stepped back and allowed him to. Matthew danced with Carli but in a respectful way: their bodies not touching.
"Thanks for inviting me Red. I am so happy for you," he said. He danced with her slowly. He stopped then gave her a hug. He pinched her chin and walked over to Jason. He extended his hand to him. Jason took his hand and shook it smiling.
"Congrats sir," Matt said.
Jason nodded and said, "Thank you."
Just then, Jason heard a familiar voice behind them. "May I have this dance?"
Jason looked behind Matthew. Matthew turned around to see Marsha standing behind them in a royal blue close fitting dress. She was wearing a little makeup, not much though. Jason cleared his throat to respond, but then realized she was staring at Matthew. He decided to observe. Matthew smiled broadly at her. He turned away from Jason to face Marsha fully.
"Hey," he said smiling at her. "Marsha?"
Marsha nodded. "Nice to see you again, Matthew?"
Matthew nodded. "You can call me Matt." He extended his hand. Marsha shook it, smiling at him.
"So about that dance?" she asked. Matthew smiled back at her. "Sure," he said.
He took Marsha's hand and led her to the dance floor.
Carli came over to her husband and hugged him. She looked over at her friend Matt and Marsha dancing close together. "I think we've been cast aside," she said jokingly.
Jason wasn't mad. He was happy for his friend. He figured that Matt was the one who saved her when she needed help the most. He was happy for them. If they became a couple he wouldn't mind.
Simone came over and gave Carli a hug and looked over at Matt and Marsha dancing. "He's a really good guy," she said. "Any woman would be blessed to have him." She touched her friend's arm. "Congrats Carli." She looked over to Jason and nodded at him. He smiled and nodded back at her. She walked away.
Next, Bello came and shook his son's hand and slapped him on the back. "You did well, son."
Jason smiled at him. He liked his dad now. He was glad they were reconciled.
Antonia came forward and Jason hugged her. He thanked her for being a positive force in his life. She smiled quietly and told him all her actions were to honor his grandmother who had taught her so much and not just about cooking. Jason nodded and said, "Thank you." She apologized for her kids being absent and told him they had to work. Jason nodded and told her he understood. He promised himself he would rekindle his relationship with them, but now it was about him and his new bride.
Next, Momma Bridget came to them with Joel and Lisa, The kids hugged her and told her she was beautiful, even though they were shy. She had only met them once when she and Sandra had gone over to their house to discuss the menu for the reception. Bridget hugged her daughter-in-law.
"Welcome to the family," she told her.
Carli nodded. "Thank you. Glad to be a part." she answered cheerfully.
"When I get back I need that recipe for the jerk chicken," she told her.
Momma Bridget laughed. "Not a problem," she said.
Red Man and Tina weren't able to attend, but Jason promised to introduce Carli to them after they came back from the honeymoon.
Around 4:30 p.m. Jason gave her the eye, indicating he was ready to leave. Jason whispered to Carli's family that they were leaving. He walked over to uncle Pat and told him they were leaving to go upstairs to their hotel room for the night. He patted him on the shoulder and said, "Remember to cherish her as the weaker vessel." Patrick dug into his pocket, opened his hand to give Jason the keys to the condo. Jason took them from him and smiled.
Jason nodded. "Will do," he said.
He clasped Carli's arm in his and led her out of the hotel's conference room and up the stairs. He had fetched the hotel key card when he had gone to the bathroom earlier. He walked leisurely with her to the elevator. They stepped in and she rested her head on his shoulder. "Tired?" he asked.
"A little," she smiled at him.
They stepped out of the elevator and walked to room 102. He swiped the card and the door unlocked. He allowed her to enter first then stepped in and locked the door behind them. He turned around to see complimentary champagne chilling in an ice bucket for them. There was a card.
It read: ' "Congratulations Carli and Jason. May God continue to light your path." - Uncle Pat.'
Carli disappeared in the bathroom. Jason sat on the bed waiting for her. "Sorry, I had to do number two," she told him chuckling. She snuggled up to him and kissed his cheek. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer. "Beautiful baby, that's fine as long as your heart is with me," he said.
She leaned on his chest. Their bags were brought up earlier and were by the left side of the bed. The bags were closest to him so Jason was able to bend down and tuck the condo keys in a small zipper section, the size of a pants' pocket in his duffle bag.
Jason had brought the painting with him. He decided he would show her now instead of waiting to give it to her at the condo. He reached for the covered canvas and placed it in her lap. "What's this?" she asked.
"A present. My way to say thank you for who you are to me. Open it," he said smiling at her.
Carli carefully tore off the paper and covered her mouth in awe when she realized that it was a painting of her. Her eyes were closed. Her hair framing her face was spread out on the pillow in soft curls. She looked at him speechless. It was beautiful! She thought.
"Do you like it? Is it okay?" he asked. He was anxious. He hadn't done something like that in a long while.
Carli leaned forward and hugged him. "Baby," she said her voice trembling, "thank you so much. It's beautiful. How?"
"Remember the morning I came into your room and snuggled with you?" he asked her. She nodded dumbfounded. "I took a few pics of you while you were asleep," he said. Carli planted a firm kiss on his lips. "Thank you baby. I'll cherish it. Will it be safe to carry to Ocho Rios? I don't want it to be damaged."
"I'm gonna asked Omie to bring it home for me and keep it safe. He and Aisha will be staying overnight at a nearby airbnb. Not paid by me." He saw her expression and laughed softly. "I'm a married man now. I have to spend my money wisely." he said cupping her face. She kissed him softly then caressed his hair. She looked into his eyes and smiled. "I love you Jason."
"I love you Carli," he said. His eyes showed his affection for her.
She handed the painting back to him. He took it and laid it carefully against the wall.
Carli scooted off the queen sized bed and went to her bag. She pulled a zipper and took out a plastic bag with something in it. She smiled at Jason and said, "I'll be back."
He nodded.
Minutes after Jason heard the shower running. After seven minutes Carli was out in a bathrobe. She winked at him. "Your turn," she said smiling. "There's a bathrobe on a rack on the door." Jason came to her and kissed her lips. He slapped her butt then took out a clean rag, towel and something else he had seen in Montego Bay he thought Carli might like. He went into the shower and was out in five minutes. He was wearing the bathrobe. When Carli saw him she laughed. The robe was too short for him and did not cover his muscular thighs, while the one she was wearing was brushing on the floor. "Maybe I took up the wrong one," she said laughing. Jason chuckled. He came to her and held her close. He rubbed his hands across her back down to her buttocks.
"What are you hiding under all this fluff?" he asked her.
Carli chuckled. "What are you hiding?" she teased.
"You first," he told her.
"Okay," she said cheekily. "Go sit."
Jason lay back on the bed and watched her.
Carli stepped away from the bed and slowly untied her robe. She inched it down off her shoulders, passed her waist to fall at her feet. Jason eyes widened. She was wearing black lacy, mesh lingerie. Her cleavage perked up in the lacy bra cups. She was wearing transparent lacy panties and her midriff was covered by a mesh fabric. The spaghetti straps were made from lace also. She came to him, her smile broadening as she saw his reaction up close.
"You like?" she asked.
"Yes," he said. He looked at her lustfully.
He reached for her, but she stepped back. "Your turn," she said.
Jason smiled cheekily. He nodded. He stood up and moved away from the bed, while Carli lay on it and watched him. He pulled off his bathrobe to reveal underparts with a hilarious image of an elephant's face with its trunk hanging down. Carli could see that the 'trunk' was aroused. She sat up and looked at it as the fabric expanded. Jason came to her. She looked up at his face. He smiled. He got the reaction he was looking for. He sat beside her and cupped her face.
"Beautiful baby, tonight is the beginning of our forever together. I love you with all of me. Touch me. My body belongs to you," he said.
Almost in awe, Carli ran her fingers across his chest and arms. She had seen them before, but that was months earlier. His muscles seemed to have hardened even more since then. She wondered if it was because of the hard work he had to do in Montego Bay. He was beautiful. "You're beautiful," she said to him.
Jason bent his head to touch hers. "You are very beautiful baby," he told her.
Moistening his lips, Jason sought her lips and kissed her gently while he closed his eyes. Carli reciprocated by opening her mouth to receive him. Jason slipped his tongue in her mouth and teased her. He kissed her slowly savoring her minty fresh taste. He was glad he had brushed his teeth before stepping out of the shower. He wanted her to be comfortable with him. Slowly, he moved his mouth across her cheek bone, down her jaw to her neck. Jason pulled and suckled on her neck gently. He nibbled a little with his teeth and heard her breath quicken. He smiled to himself. He would have her screaming his name tonight.
He used his hands to gently push her back on the bed. She lay back and looked into his eyes. He saw that she trusted him completely. He would not violate that trust. He lay beside her and cupped her face.
"Carli, adamaina am'mayi, nēnu ninnu entō prēmistunnānu," he breathed in her ear. She closed her eyes.
She chuckled. "I don't know what you said, but it sounds beautiful," she said.
"I just said, 'my beautiful girl, I love you very much'," he said. "Nuvvu nā prēma, this means 'you are my love'."
"You sound so sexy when you speak to me like that," Carli said breathlessly. Jason captured her lips hungrily.
He pulled her on top of him and kissed her passionately. Jason tugged impatiently at her lingerie. Carli sat up on him and pulled off the top and lowered her torso so he could have access to her breasts. He suckled them gently, pulling on them slowly. He caressed her buttocks, not squeezing too hard, applying just the right amount of pressure. She moaned his name. He flipped her over on the bed. He removed the panties of the lingerie set and looked at her. He looked up at her face, his expression moving quickly from surprise to lust.
"You shaved?" he asked, his voice hoarse.
Carli smiled. "No, I got it waxed. But that will be the first and last time. Never again," she said chuckling.
Jason smiled at her. "Did they hurt you?" he asked.
"No enuh, it wasn't so bad, but it was the intimate, embarrassing touching on my lady parts by a stranger that creeped me out. So nah, never again," she told him.
He touched her soft, smooth mound. He cupped her gently and squeezed. Carli bit her lips as she felt his warm hand touch her. "It looks good. Thank you, if that makes it any better, but yeah I understand. From now on I'm a willing volunteer to shave you if you want."
Carli nodded. "Thank you baby." She reached her hands out to him. He lay on top of her and kissed her tenderly, closing his eyes. Carli breathed in the fresh scent of his skin. She closed her eyes, letting herself go and kissed him with no inhibitions.
Jason moistened his lips and trailed soft, dewy kisses from her neck down to her breasts, her belly, her thighs. He parted her legs, leaned forward and looked at her, She was so beautiful. They did a good job on her, he had to admit. No bruising or swelling.
He kissed her soft, round pubic area, then pulled on the skin gently. She moaned his name softly. He used his fingers to gently part her folds and kiss her, taking his time with her. He suckled and licked her gently.
He looked at her committing how she looked to memory, then closed his eyes as he pleasured her. He wanted to savor every moment of this for himself. He inserted a finger and moved it slowly back and forth inside her.
His eyes were still closed when he removed his finger, and slipped his tongue inside, moving his head back and forth to give her pleasure. She moaned more loudly. He groaned when he heard her make that sound. He opened his eyes and looked at her.
"Sweet Carli, you're so beautiful. I'm yours. Tell me what you want me to do? How do you want me to please you?" he asked her. He used his freshly trimmed beard to lightly brush against her inner thighs. She moaned for him.
"Just do what you're doing," she said. "Taste me and tell me I'm beautiful. And make sweet love to me." She was making those soft, sexy whimpering sounds he liked.
Jason lovingly caressed her buttocks as he used his lips and tongue to satisfy her. While she climaxed in his arms he moved his tongue faster so her orgasm could be more intense. He held her close after and told her he loved her. He cradled her and kissed her forehead, watching her.
She reached for his member and gently massaged the shaft. "Are you ready?" he asked her. He took her hand and kissed it.
"Yes," she said nodding. "Make sweet love to me, Jason." She looked at him with deep yearning. He slipped off his underwear and lay on top of her.
Jason captured her lips passionately. She moaned and closed her eyes. Slowly, he inserted himself inside her. He kissed her lips and whispered her name. He told her he loved her again in his family's native tongue and watched as she arched her body up to him. Inch by inch, he entered her slowly and moved gently in her, making sure she was comfortable. She was so wet. He told her she felt wonderful.
"Sweet Carli, you feel so good. So wonderful. I love you."
He leaned forward and clasped his hands in hers, pressing her into the bed. He began moving more faster in her, pushing all of himself in her. Carli gasped and moaned softly. "Jason, I love you. I'm glad to be your wife," she told him.
"And I'm glad to be your husband," he said increasing his pace, creating a rhythm that took both their breaths away.
With all that was in him, he made love to her, making sure he was gentle with her, and she gave all of herself to him without reservation.
-- The End --
Next Book: Lissa's Lover
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