Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One
Volume One
James & Keyes
Copyright 2009 James & Keyes. All Rights Reserved The Origins design is a registered trademark of ASPI. All Rights Reserved No Part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the authors. ISBN: 978-1-4505-5162-5 Published by Amber Swann Publishing Inc. Country of origin, England United Kingdom. Amber Swann Publishing Inc. Email: mercedes@amberswann.com http://amberswann.com
Thanks to... All of the readers who stood behind this drama series and would not let it die. To all of you who send emails asking when the next episode or just to give your thanks for the pleasure you found in reading The Beauty Of Man and Woman Laz and I thank you...
Bomaw
There is beauty around the earth that's true... in the flowers, the creatures, the land. There is the beauty of the heavens, that's how our Lord has planned. But the beauty that surpasses all, is the beauty of races blending. It's a story of, "The Beauty of Man & Woman" and the message it is sending... Written by, Lawrence James -(Lazlo)Copyright2002, All Rights Reserved
Series One Episode one Chapter one Thats it! Im calling the police. Its 2:00 in the dag-blasted morning! Hmph, and they have the nerve to say there goes the neighborhood ' when we move in. Em-emno, no, no! I did not move out of Chicago to this lil bitty town, for some joe-jock to move in and start this mess, Sylvia Payne announced to no one in particular. Rolling over, she reached for the switch to her bedside lamp and clicked it on. Imo take care of this right now! she added, grabbing the cordless phone which sat on her beside table. She pressed the talk button and proceeded to dial the Camp Daniel police. Oh, no way! she exclaimed, sitting up in bed as the automated answering service announced, "The officers on duty are currently on patrol. Please leave your name, number, and a message stating the nature of your call, and your call will be returned within the hour. If this is an emergency, please dial 911. Thank you, and have a nice day. She sighed long and deep, shaking her head as she stared at the cordless, as if it were somehow responsible for the set up of the Camp Daniels police department. Tired of hearing the busy signal, she clicked the talk button to turn it off, then clicked it again to redial the number and follow their instructions. That done, she waited. I cannot believe this! Thats what I get for moving into this lil onehorse town; population three cows, two roosters and pigsincluding the one that just moved across the road, she muttered angrily, climbing out of bed and going into her bathroom to use it, now that shed been forced from a good sleep. Sitting on the toilet, Sylvia could hear music playing and cars going in and out of the driveway. Obviously there were quite the number of people, to hear as much as she was with her bathroom window cracked open. A concert of voices, music, laughter, loud mouths, and revving vehicles tearing back and forth in front of her residence, broke the peaceful setting shed become accustomed to. She sat disgusted, with elbow on knee, chin on hand...
...wrapped toilet paper around the other ready to wipe, and of course, with perfect timing, the phone started ringing. Oh, no! Here I come! Wait Im coming! Im coming! she called, while trying to do a quick wipe, grabbing her underwear to pull back up as she ran to the sink. Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay! she cried out rapidly as if the caller could hear, stopping to rinse her hands at the sink. Dont hang updont hang up! She dashed around the corner and answered after the sixth ring. Hello! Camp Daniels policeyou call? Yes, I did. Do you know whats going on across the road from me right now? No, maam, I dont. A party loud enough to wake the dead! Theyll be missing tomorrow. Wandering around lost because their rest-in-peace has been interrupted by the new ding-a-ling across the road. Can you hear that? Hold on a minute, she ordered, running back into her bathroom to hold the phone to the window so the loud music could filter through. Hear that? I dont think thats necessary at 2:00 in the morningdo you? Would you please cruise this way and explain that even though this is a small town of no more than 453 citizens, one of them cannot sleep thanks to their inconsideration? Yes, I know that there is only the two of us within immediate reach of one another on this road, but that doesnt mean to party at volume level ten until the sun comes up! No problem, Ms. Payne. Ill see to it immediately. Sylvie hesitated to thank the officer because she distinctly heard the emphasis placed on Payne in her name. Thank you very much, she finally responded, clicking the phone off. He probably at the dag-blasted party! she grumbled, sitting on the side of her bed. Looking around her room, she didnt think she would be able to get back to sleep. Her choices were to click on the television so that it could bore her back to sleep, or she could take revenge on one of her children and call, waking them up at this hour. After all, theyd done it enough to her before one of them married and had babies. That still ticked her off, since she was only thirty-eight years oldtoo young to be a grandmother. But then, no one told her to fool around and get pregnant at eighteen by her now deceased husband. Here she was mother of a daughter and sonboth adults, the youngest eighteen. The elder, twenty, was married with two sons, the baby eleven months old, the older three. Her daughter hadnt done any better, but at least she loved and married the young man who knocked her up. And yes, he loved her as well; after all, they were still hanging in there. Just as she had hung in there with her husband, even though she knew after ten years of struggle with him, she had married the wrong man.
That was her bed. She made it, and sleep in it she did. Then after nineteen long years, he went and got himself killed. Just when shed come to terms with her life, accepting that he would always be. Being married so young was a struggle she endured because she didnt believe in divorce. Coming from a broken home, she swore she would never subject her children to it, no matter what. So shed paid the price for such a bold, strong declaration. Shed endured his drinking and the many, many fights. His cheating. His verbal abuse. Some illegal activities as well and their constant moving, following him in the military at first and then when he was discharged, they'd moved back to Chicago. To have several more years of pure hell with him, and then for some strange reason in the last three years, hed come around. More and more he began showing signs of appreciation, especially when he realized that hed killed the initial love she once had for him. After she won the battle with her weight. When she started focusing her interest in things shed always wanted to do. When she stopped asking where he was going and when he'd be back. When she made it a point to once again style her hair, whether she was going out or not. When she applied makeup, going out or not. When she threw out all the old, overly-large nightshirts and began buying sleek, shimmering soft, feminine lingerienot for him, but herself. When she began buying perfumes and colognes that represented what she felt about herself. When her carriage changed from, who caresto I care and this is my value. When he came home to see her leaving, wearing a short, black leather jacket, tight black jeans, a clinging red sweater and red lipstick and shades, he began to changeappreciate. When he began to grow older and heavier from drinking, she grew slim, regal, alluring and desirable. Then he realized that for all that hed done to bring her down, she had risen. Despite it all, he knew shed never cheatedthough there had been opportunity. She didnt drink or frequent bars. Didnt smoke. No drugs. His home had always been clean, his children raised strict and disciplined, both high school graduates and college bound. She carried herself with dignity and self-respect. Shed fought for it, and after all the hellhad earned it and then some. He came to that realization and then did everything in his power to show ithis appreciation. After all of that, shed finally begun to respond to him again when he touched her, only for him to leave home one day and never come back. Sylvie sighed. She rose, reaching for the remote she slept with, a habit carried over from the days of having a husband who needed the TV on and the remote in reach, so they had slept with it. Now she didalone. She pressed the power button and the TV came to life. She padded barefoot from her bedroom to the kitchen, scanning her home as she did. She was proud of it. Shed found it over the internet; had driven from Chicago to the real estate office for her appointment.
Cassie, her agent, drove her to the house and one look inside, she knew she was home. Coming from a large city would be quite the culture shock, but she would adjust. Her kids lived in La Crosse and now she was just forty-five minutes from them, as opposed to the four and a half hours she used to be. Shed paid cash for the house. Her husband had seen to her every need should he ever leave her in death, and so the insurance had rescued her. She was a writer, had always loved writing since school, where it all first began with poetry. She kept much of that, because at the time she hadnt known what she knew now, that she wanted to be an artist of literature. Deciding to purchase the property had been what she needed to regroup, cleanse and start anew now that she was single again. Too many of her husbands friends were eager to see about her, in ways shed just as soon not encourage. She wanted and needed isolation to find herself. Adjust and grow up. Even now she was still growing up, seeing to all of those things about herself she'd neglected while falling in love too young, getting pregnant and then married. She needed time alone to raise herself. A man in her face was not part of that plan. They were in plenty supply and she wasnt in a hurry to get another one. She had one for almost twenty years; now that that was over, she needed time to explore all the possibilities that lay before her that she was free to explore. No Men Allowed! She stood at the sink feeling good, because she knew she looked good in her short, satin, hot pink, skimpy thing with spaghetti straps and matching panties. It wasn't necessary for a man to see her because her primary goal was feeling good about herself; she didn't need a man present for that. With the water running over her fingers, she tested the temperature, until it was as cool as she liked drinking it from the tap. Glass in hand, she walked back through the dining room, past the fireplace and her big front double doors to the wide picture window in her living room. She could already see the flashing, circulating lights from the police cruiser. She stood drinking her water and smiled. The volume of the strong bass music died down. The people quieted. She was satisfied. Walking back through her open, laid-out home, she went to the sink, rinsed her glass, turning it upside down in the sink and went back to bed. Content with the return of peace.
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Series One Episode one Chapter two It was a beautiful fall day, so she decided to walk to the post office. She only lived a ten minute stroll outside of the small town that sported one small market, a telephone company, a tiny bank, a farmer's co-op, two churches, two gas stations/convenient stores, three restaurants, a Subway fast food shop, and four bars. Among the 453 citizens, a Mexican family of five, a Black family of four and then herself, the fifth Black citizen could be counted. There was farm land aplenty. Long roads with nothing to see but herds of cows. Some farms had cows, sheep and goats. Others had Emu, a big ostrich-like bird which was delicious to eat. Stepping out of her kitchen door and onto her small porch landing, she walked down the stairs slowly, all the time inspecting her surroundings for something out of place. Coming out from between the house and garage, she looked across the road at her new neighbor's place. I should have bought that house, she said to herself aloud, placing her manuscript to be mailed under her left arm. The bright shining sun prompted her to put on her shades, as she stepped onto the asphalt driveway. Across the road where her sights were trained, she inspected the scene and found it undesirable. There were three trucks, one of them had a trailer with two motorcycles sitting on top, four cars, two vans, and two SUVs littering the drive and yard. Beer and soda cans littered the area and from what she could see, the front door was wide open for the world to just come on in. Hmph! she huffed walking by and made the L-sign to her forehead as she commented about the resident within, Loser. Then proceeded with her walk. Mornin, Sylvie. Submittin another one I see, the one and only lobby postal worker greeted. A man of middle age, attractive and married. Mornin, Frank. Yep, gonna keep on till I get a bite. Thats good. Somebody's gonna nibble sooner or later. Thats what I figure. Im determined.
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Thats what it takes, he agreed. I hear there was some party out by your place last night. Had to call for a noise violation. Thats them city folks for you. OuchIm from the city! Sylvie pointed out. So you aresorry bout that. You know who they are? Man, I was just gone for the weekend and came back to neighbors. Oh, well, there goes the neighborhood! Sylvie flashed her bright whites, laughing out at finally having a chance to use that one. Frank made a face, not sure how to react to that. Yeahwell, I hear its some single fella, he recovered to inform her. Single fella! Yep. Real young, or middle age? "I hear bout your age. Frank smiled and flexed his brows. Sorry, I dont think so, she responded to that show, turning from the counter, hearing the door open. As she was leaving, a man stepped within holding the door open for her. She looked upinto the most handsome face she had ever seen. He looked like an Italian. Very dark, with short-cropped, extremely thick, black hair. Thick square, black eyebrows, over absolutely beautiful blue-gray eyes framed in long thick lashes. His face was a perfect long square shape, holding a strong square jaw that hadnt been shaved that morning. He stood at least six feet, if not more. It was also very apparent that he worked out. He wore clothes that emphasized it. Taking all of that in, she decided right then and there that she didn't like him one bit. No man that looked that good was worth his weight in sand. Good morning, he greeted politely. Sylvie curled her lip and muttered, Um, hm. Thank you. Making a grand exit with her head held high, she expected to hear the door close behind her, but it didnt. She knew he was still standing there looking at her, grinning no doubt. He had that look about him. Everything would be funny. Amusing. Well she wasnt going to look to see if he were looking. She didnt care if he was; made her no difference. She bit the inside of her lip, forcing herself not to look back to see if he were looking. She picked up her step, walking faster. Wishing she could stop herself from switching with just a little bit more shake than usual. She had to pick up some eggs, cream cheese, celery and onions. Maybe check to see if Maggies Market had any decent steaks. Stepping into the ancient store with its old grayed wood floors, and ringa-ling bell hanging over the door, she was once again greeted. The town was 98% white and all that shed encountered was kindness and cordial greetings. The people actually waved at you when you passed. Be it, you were in a vehicle or walking, they waved when they passed. They didnt know her from Eve but they waved.
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The first time it happened, she thought the person had mistaken her for an acquaintance, but it happened again and again until she realized they were actually greeting her neighborly. After living there for a year and a half, she could now fully relate with Mayberry. If you waved at people like that in Chicago, they'd think you were out to take them for something. Or that you had escaped from Cook County hospital's top floor. It took her weeks to get use to waving at total strangers, but she wanted to be a part of this town. So wave she did, smiling as if shed known the individual her whole life. Browsing the aisles, she picked up what she came for, and more items than shed intended. After having written non-stop for so long, the house needed a thorough cleaning. She picked up some Mr. Clean, other cleansers and some carpet freshener. As she walked slowly with loaded arms, she heard the store bell jingle. Another customer. Or a few more by the sounds of it. Girls in the group, because their infectious giggling and chatter carried easily to the isle she was in. Then she heard a deep voice among them. Deep with a soft confidence. Then giggling again. She stopped and made a face. She knew the sound of flirting from a mile away. Something instinctive told her to brace herself. As her presence joined the others in the store, the three young girls harnessed their nervous energy from vying for the attention of the hunk now looking her way. She pretended not to notice him, which wasnt hard to do, since she was about to drop one or two of her items. Are you gonna make it? Jill, the cashier, asked as Sylvie rushed to the small counter. She didnt make it. Two items hit the floor, and of course, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Dashing had to be the perfect gentlemen. Here, let me help you, he offered. Bending down before her, she swore she saw a grin. I was right! Hes a grinning, arrogant ham! she fumed in thought, but smiled and said, Thank you, I always do that. Come for a few things and overload myself, she finished as he stood placing the items on the counter in front of her. No problem. He looked her straight in the eyes and grinned, as if he knew what she was thinking. Now she really didnt like him. The second smile she cut him was sarcastic and quick, turning away from him as Jill rang up her goods. Hows that book coming? Done yet? Jill asked, politely making conversation as she always did, but this time it irritated Sylvia. She wanted to pay and go. She had that nagging feeling on the back of her neck that he was peering at her. Sizing her up. Checking her out. Categorizing her to determine her type. Jerk, she thought as her bill was totaled. I just have to do a final sweep of the material to clean it up of the typos. Stuff like that, she answered, flailing her hand to dismiss the topic. Jill bagged her groceries. Youre a writer? See! Thats why she wanted to get out of there. She knew that was going to happen. She just knew it. She didnt want to give this man anything on her, or about her, but politeness was the core of her being. Faked or not.
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Just trying to be. Havent succeeded in anything yet, she answered and grabbed her bag, heading for the door, not waiting for more conversation. See ya, Jill. She was out. From her peripheral, she could see the three young girls watching her and him curiously. Not to worry, girlshave at him was her exiting thought. House cleaned, she was showered and freshened up after a vigorous workout. Now she was ready to get back into her writing. She had a webpage to modify. Things to add, newly written poetry and some new graphics shed found. She was trying to concentrate, but it was hard. Her eyes kept straying out the window and across the street to the neighbor. She hadnt seen him yet, but shed heard all the commotion from the vehicles leaving across the road. Men talking loud and jesting, yelling all rights and well call when we get back and a few repeating to the host of the newly acquired home You deserved it! and Congratulations!. He deserved what? she muttered, finally getting up to look through the vertical blinds at the window to the house. As she stared, she noticed the yard was now cleaned of all its debris. There was only one truck remaining in the driveway. One SUV now parked in the garage, and two motorcycles parked alongside the garage. Man and his toys, she spoke as she usually didto herself. When you were alone, you were all you had to talk to. All right, show yourself. Let me see now who Imo have to deal with down the road. She stood there looking and waiting, but still no show. His door was wide open again, with no appearance pending. Psshlike I got time to be standing here waiting to see some schmuck. I got things to do. Let me get back to this webpage. See, thats why I moved heredidnt want no distractionsnow here I amdistracted. He better keep it down over there, too. I aint puttin up wit no partyin and all that. It happen again, he gone hear from menot the police, she muttered, huffing and fussing, heading back to her chair before her computer. As soon as she sat down and pulled herself into position before her desk, she heard one of the motorcycles revving up to leave. She looked back at the window, hesitating, then pushed back quickly and charged to the window, catching only the smoke from his tail pipe as he took off. Fool! Takin off on a motorcycle like that. Em-hm, he gone crack that head open. Probably aint got no helmet on, either. Ion care. Shootthere he go distracting me again. I can see now this aint gone work, she grumbled, sitting back before the computer and getting herself into position once again. She didnt know how long she sat staring at the screen with nothing happening. Shed slipped off into a daydream. Her mind bringing into view a grinning mouth, with a mustache covered lip and deep dimples carved into the cheeks. Shoot, if it aint one, its the other! Okay, girlfriend, cut this mess out. You got stuff to do. Time to get busy, she coached herself.
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Then finally with great force, she put her mind back on track and worked long and hard, periodically turning her head to loosen it up from the building tension of sitting for so long. She had a timer set on her computer that rang when she needed to get up and stretch, get some coffee or water, use the bathroom, and then upon returning, she'd check at the window to see if the neighbor had returned. She allowed herself that without recrimination. After all, she was human. After finishing the last modifications to her website, which had taken hours to perfect to her inspection, she popped in her disk and began reading her novel for the last clean sweep. Time always flew when she became engrossed in her writing. Before she knew it, night had fallen. She glanced down into the corner of her monitor screen to see that it was 11:30. Shed done enough for the day. She realized that once again, shed gone all evening without dinner. Now her stomach was growling. It was too late to eat, so she went and grabbed the celery she bought out of the refrigerator and broke off three stalks. Placing the rest back, she rinsed the three in hand and began crunching on them on the way to her room. Bedtime
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Series one Episode one Chapter 3 Morning Out jogging, she noticed that her neighbor had still not returned. Hed been gone all night. Well, that was none of her business. She took off down the road on her usual route. This was a much more preferred time of the year for it. The mornings were just cool enough to warm up in a good run. No bugs. Just crisp, sweet fall air blowing on her skin as her body heated up to a sweat. She was up to four miles every other morning. She could probably do more, but wasnt ready to extend herself yet. Reaching the end of her jog out, which was two miles, she turned, crossing over the road to return home. Even the smell of cow manure didnt offend her when the weather was like this. The leaves on the trees were changing in such glorious colors, and she was always dazzled by the array and variations on the trees. Coming around the last curve that brought her home into sight, she heard a distinct rumbling. A vehicle in the distance, coming up behind her. It was still far away, but the sound of it carried on the early morning quiet. Pacing herself for the finish of her run, she took deep breaths as she approached the last few yards before her driveway. All of a sudden, the oncoming vehicle became distinctive as it neared. It was the sound of a motorcycle. The same time she turned into her driveway, the silver, burgundy and black Harley Davidson sped past her, turning into the driveway across the road. The driver stopping in profile to look over his left shoulder at her. He was wearing shades. No helmet. She stopped as well, now in her driveway, openly returning her own survey. He reached up and removed his shades. It was him! The guy from the post office. The hunk from the store. He was her new neighbor. Dread washed over Sylvia, like at no other time in her life. She didnt want this. He wasnt moving, neither was she. She was stunned, surprised and a little frightened.
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Good Morning, Sylvie. Or should I address you as Ms. Sylvia Payne? he called out to her, then kicked down the stand on his bike and gracefully dismounted to walk in his smooth, confident way across the road to where she stood. She swallowed deep, feeling her breath catch in her chest. Taking a much-needed deep breath, she stood straighter, thrust her chin forward and asked, How do you know my name? He cocked his left eyebrow as if to say, surely youre kidding, then followed the look with the actual words. Surely youre kidding? Small town like this has nothing better to do than fill in the newcomer with needed information. Where exactly do I come into that? she asked a little haughtily. Why, because youre my neighbor, of course. A widow. From Chicago. Two grown children that live in La Crosse. The oldest, your daughter, is married and has two sons. Your son is living there with her, getting ready to go to college. Youve lived here a little over a year. You come out only for necessities, and so it's been said, you dont seem to have an interest in men. Oh, and I almost forgot, youre thirty-eight and a writer. Sylvia couldnt help the astonished look that washed over her face. He grinned as she had expected, quite satisfied with his summation. She was speechless. A pugnacious look replaced the astonished one. Anything you want to know about me? He grinned. No, there is not! Since you already know everything about me, theres nothing for us to discuss, now is there? Excuse me, she railed, turning away from him to march up her driveway. My name's Everett Styles! I live across the road I didnt ask! Im single, too! Just moved here from California Good for you! she fired back, now at her porch steps. Hey, this is not the way its done. Arent you suppose to welcome me to the neighborhood? With cookiespiebeef stew? Her kitchen door slammed shut. He stood grinning some more. Meanashell! He snickered, shaking his head, turning back to cross the road to his place. Sylvia was fuming. How dare they! Just tell all of my business! she raged, removing her clothes as she headed for her room. They dont know him from the man in the moon. I dont know him from the man in the moon. But he knows all of my businessgodsmall town peoplegetalife! Slinging her running bra to her bed and walking into the bathroom, she shed her underwear as she went to the shower to turn it on. Everett Styles! Like I care what your name is. Just keep your butt on your side of the road and Ill stay on mine! Stupid grin. I knew he was a grinner. Thinkin he all that and a bag a chips. Men like that get on my nerves. He aint nothin but a playa! Playa, playa, playa written all over him. I aint got time for itand dont need it! she carried on as she scrubbed her scalp, washing her hair.
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Godwhy did you move him next to me? she whined in prayer. The huff now gone as worry set in. If Im being testedIm really not in the mood right now. Okay, okayIm overreacting. Hes probably being nice. After all, hes a white guy. He probably doesnt even like black women. She shook her head, now grinning. How you do flatter yourself, girlfriend. Now you know that man got women waiting on him to call. Here you are, gettin all worked up for nothing. Wishful thinkin, huh? She made a face with that outspoken truth. Nono, no, no. My status stays. I think I need a puppy. Something to take care of and keep me busy, besides my writing, that is. Ill have to check the paper and see whats out there. With that in mind, she stepped from the shower, taking the towel from the side hook where it hung to wrap it around her hair. She grabbed another to dry her body as she walked from the bath to her bedroom. Thats when the worst thing she could have imagined happened. Two bats came flying at her out of nowhere. EeeeeeOh god, ohhhh noooo! her screaming never stopped as she ducked and ran, holding onto the towel for her body. She dashed out of her bedroom door, wrapping herself in it as she ran. Problem was, they came out behind her. Sylvias heart pounded with such force and fear, she was afraid of fainting. Her head throbbed with heat as she dashed for her kitchen door. The house was not big enough for her and two bats. They were one of her phobias. They were probably one of the more intense ones. They caused all sorts of crazy unreasonableness when it came to the level of fear she felt upon an encounter with onehere there were two. She dashed down her porch stairs, stopping at her garage door. Breathing hard, she stared at her closed kitchen screen door, whimpering in panic. Not at all sure of what to do next. She was naked, save for the two towels. Outsidewith bats inside. She just stood there panting, then looked around. Ohhh, my god, what am I gonna do? she whimpered, nibbling now on her thumb nail and holding the towel securely to her body. If only she could get to a phone. Her cell phone was in the house in her purse, or shed call the police or fire department. Shed call somebody, but until those bats were out, she wasnt going back into that house. She leaned her head back against the garage, miserable. What am I gonna do? You stupid bats! I hate you! Get the hell outta my house! she yelled, as if they understood and would comply. Okay, calm downjustcalm down. Umm, Ill just run in, grab the cordless off the wall, she talked to herself, trying to muster the nerve to attempt this, despite her fear. She walked up the steps slowly. Heart still hammering away. I can do this. I know I can. I can do this. Just look inside first. If theyre not around, you just run in, grab the phone off the wall and run out. She swallowed deep, took a deep breath, and opened the screen very carefully, looking in towards the ceiling for the flying creatures. She didnt see one.
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She then looked to where the phone hung on the wall, gauging the distance between where she stood and where she had to go to grab it. Making sure her path to run in and back out was unobstructed. I can do this. I know I can. Just take another deep breath, now blow it out and run for it. As she was about to, she looked up beside her to the top of her door. There was a bat hanging upside down staring down at her. Eeeeee! She spun in place out of the door, screaming again in panic. Ran down the porch steps, now bawling in fear. Plus, her foot was in pain. Her spin had caused her to pick up a splinter, which felt painful and deep. Once again, she stood by the garage crying, with one foot leaning up and throbbing. There was only one way out of this as far as she could see, and right now, pride be damned. Naked or not, she was going across the street. Now hobbling in shame, she stepped out from between her house and garage, looking down both directions of the road. Praying that she could make it across before a passing vehicle could catch her in such an undignified state of dressor undress. She looked up across the street. God I hate this but I aint goin in that house, she whimpered to herself. Why the hell does this kinda mess always have to happen to me? Shed stalled long enough. Any more, and she was asking for an audience to witness her disgrace. Giving each direction a quick check, she darted across her front lawn, favoring one foot all the way, going as fast as her state of being would allow. She made it across the road, then to his driveway, her eyes on his open door the entire time. She wasnt about to head there; she didnt want to be caught standing at his door wrapped in a towel, so she bypassed the front yard and headed straight for the back, out of sight of the road, and there...she would knock. She stopped at his back deck, looking it over, wondering where the stairs were. She walked around it and noticed that it was enclosed. No way up from outside. You could only come onto the deck from inside of the house. What kind of ding-a-ling would do this? she questioned in her desperation. Well, she was not about to chance going back around to the front. I can get through there, she thought out loud, there being the bottom opening space between the last rail and the deck floor. Looking around on the ground for something to step up on, she found three, five gallon old paint buckets. She grabbed one, turned it bottom up, and stepped up on it to go in under the railing to the back deck. See, now actually, it wasnt that is was a bad plan. It was just that she was dealing with an old porch deck. That being the case, and her present state of dresswell, it just didnt make for a successful venture. Of course, this conclusion hadnt been reached until she was arms, head, shoulders and boobs in under the railwith just enough towel to keep her ample endowments from complete exposure. She really thought she had it though, when she was able to wiggle her ribs and waist up and in. However
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Her rear end was another matter entirely, which she came to realize with startling clarity. Oh no, no, no, no, no! Please, please emph emph emph... she gasped and mewled, now with her arms extended, her hands flat to the deck trying in vain to wiggle her rear through. Then she heard the sliding glass door opening. Immediately she dropped down to the deck, trying to cover herself the best that she could. In her struggle, shed lost some of her decency. Her back and sides were practically bare, as were her shoulders. Sylvia pulled on the ends of what there was to the towel, but it was stretched to the limit, barely covering the nipples of her breasts, and not much more. This was how she was found, much to her humiliation and shame, by Everett Styleswho, with soda, radio and book, stepped out onto his deck to grab some sleep in his porch hammock on what promised to be a beautiful day. He loved this new location for his home. Peaceful, quiet and privateso he thought. What the hell? he muttered in clear disbelief, sure that his eyes must be playing tricks on him. Sylvia looked up and thought she would shatter into a million pieces of quivering humiliation. Her bottom lip came out, then began to quiver. Pitifully she cried, I need help! Everetts mouth dropped open. Shaking his head, he returned, Well you got me convinced. What are you doing! he shot back, walking to his deck table with its umbrella to empty his hands. She followed his movements and began crying. Im serious. Help me! What the hell are you doing there like that? He still could not believe this. I mean, I just asked for a bowl of beef stew, or some cookies would have been fine. But this is a little muchdont you think? he asked sarcastically. Well that was more than she could stand. With her mouth wide open, she began bawling. Everett stood stunned, just staring at her. The towel on her head lay in a half tilt, with locks of wet hair escaping. Her face was tear-streaked and all she could do was bawl. Suddenly, the humor of it hit him. What were you trying to do? B-b-bats inin m-m-my house! They ch-chased me. Aaaaghaaaagh! H-help me! He couldnt help it. He was human after all, and he just wasnt equipped to deal with this scenario any better than he did. He did tryreally tried. He bit into his bottom lip. Really hardwell that hurt. Then he tried his tonguebut damn, that spurt of laughter, it got out anyway. D-d-dont l-llaugh at me, she cried, now starting to hiccup. Okay, ImIm sorry, but butbut it still doesnt explainI mean, youre naked, practically, and laying there in my deck rail. Aaaw, come on, stop crying. Tell me what happened? I told y-you. Therethere are batsbats in m-my house. I came out thethe shower and they ch-chased me. I was screaming and I-I ran out the d-door. I didnt havenowhere else toto go-o-o-o-o. She sniffed, hiccupped and then bawled some more.
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I see now. Okay, okaystop crying now. Its gonna be okay. But you could have come to the front door, he reasoned, trying to calm her. I was scared somebodysomebody would seesee me, she sobbed. I am naked here, you know! All right. I understand now. Well, come on in then. Ill give you one of my shirts or something. I cant, she pealed. Well here lay the brunt of completing her humiliation. She stared up at him through tear-washed eyes, the towel drooping to one side. He bit his lip really hard and looked out at the yard to stop another eruption. Then looked back at her after he felt hed gotten himself under control. Why not? he asked simply. ImImIm stu-u-uck! He blew like a mighty geyser! An eruption of laughter so powerful, no man-made power could help him hold it in. His stomach, his belly vibrating with it, gripped him to weakness that made him drop to his knees, then into a sitting position that laid him back. Oh godmake it stopit hurts, oh it hurts. I cant laugh anymoreoh pleaseohhhohhh mgod! It's not funny! Get me outta here! she yelled at him as he rolled on the deck. He tried to sit up and get his bearings, but the minute his tears cleared and he got another look at her, he lost it again. You justgo to hell, Everett Styles! she cried out, now mad again as he laughed at her. She started wiggling trying to back out, but found herself well wedged. Then she had to stop as she realized the more she wiggled, the more the towel got twisted, leaving her more and more exposed. She wailed again, just as hed tried to get up, making him fall forward in painful hilarity. His stomach hurt so bad he wanted to stop laughing, but he just couldnt stop. He was drunk with it. Will you stop laughing and get me out of this! "Okayokayokay reallyI gotta stop laughingI gotta stopphew. He blew. I gotta stop. He was tired. Hell, I need a nap now. That was better than sex. He blew out again, wiping his eyes. I know whatIll jump over the side and pull you out, he suggested, trying to stand. Nooo! she screamed in a panic. What! he yelled back, startled. You cant do that! she squealed, I told you, Im naked! "Oh, yeah. Got your little backside outdontcha? If it was a little backside, I wouldnt be stuck! Well, what do you suggest I do? I dont know, she whined, I cant believe this is happening to me. Stupid bats! I hate bats! Well, if its all the same to you, I owe 'em one. Getmeouttahere! How? DarlinI didnt wedge you in there. What do you want me to do? I dont knowwhat was that? she started whining, then became alert as she heard a vehicle pull up in his driveway.
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I think thats UPS. Ive been waiting on a package, he offered, looking through his sliding doors towards his front door. Go, go, go! Meet him. Dont let him walk back here! Hurry! she yelled, panicking. God, youre bossy! Okay! Ill be right back. He left, chuckling some more. Sylvias head dropped to her folded arms. Her stomach was getting sore. Her legs and toes were starting to tingle, growing numb, and she was sure she was going to be sick. She wasnt sure how long she lay there. She was too tired. Uncomfortable. Cried out and downright drained. All of a sudden she heard the start up of a chainsaw. Oh Jesus, she muttered, with no other reaction or movement. He stepped back onto the deck, revving the saw. Slowly, she propped her head up on one hand to look up at him. What do you think youre going to do with that? she asked softly. Whatd you say? I cant hear you, the chainsaw's too loud! He was grinning and enjoying every moment of it. "I picked this baby out at the hardware store in Tomah. I said the first thing I'm gonna buy me when I get here is a chainsaw. Cutting down trees, splitting logs...man's work! Never thought I'd be using it for the first time like this...but wood's wood. An' I can't wait...thank you!" It was plain to see that she was not at all amused about this, nor did she share in his enthusiasm that she'd given him a good excuse to finally get a chance to play with his new toy. All she knew was that shed get him back for this. She didnt know how. Not now, she didnt, but she would. As soon as her shame from this horrid morning was over, she would calculate some devious plan that would mete out the perfect revenge. She didnt consider that she put herself in this situation. All she knew was that she would get him for enjoying this to the degree he was taking it. Better cover yourself up. Here, let me help you. He stepped close, pulling the towel from her head. She hadnt moved a muscle. She just lay there with her cheek cupped in her hand as her head towel was dropped over her upper body and head to shield it from the flying sawdust. Ill have you out in a minute. Bastard. She didnt care that she was acting ungrateful. He was still chuckling. Laughing. He thought the noise from the chainsaw was drowning it out, but she heard em. Every snicker he made. She felt the board give to her right and still she didnt move. Then next he cut it to the left of her. The relief of pressure as that board gave way, made her sigh. A small portion of the towel lifted in front of her face. He peeked in. You okay? Youre free to climb on board now. Her eyes rolled up to look at him. He grinned that infuriating grin. A deep sigh escaped her. Thank you, she said finally, softly. Anytime. He chewed his lip. Need some help? He chewed it again. You laugh at me again and I will pop you with that board, she threatened.
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He cleared his throat. Now, see. What kind of appreciation is that? Im trying to help you out. She smiled a sarcastic smile. And I thank you. Now, will you please go inside so that I can pull myself up without further embarrassment? I think Ive entertained you enough this morning. He dropped the towel. Yes, maam. Right away, maam. Ha, ha, ha, she grumbled from beneath the towel. After hearing his door slide open and close, she pulled back a portion of the towel and peeked out to see if the coast was clear. Then quickly scrambled up, with her legs feeling heavy as they tingled. She couldnt stand up right away, so she tried to fix the towel around her. After a moment, she finally stood. Standing at his sliding door, she saw him there as she slid it aside to come in. He held out one of his white shirts in what hed like to think as a peace offering. She stood still, glaring at him. Ah, come on. Dont be mad at me. I didnt do anything. Truth be told, he hadnt done anything, but found her predicament amusing. Sighing, she took the shirt. Thank you. Wheres your bathroom? Right down that hall to the left. Ill be right back. Im off to slay your dragons, fair damsel. She watched him pick up a fishing net and a boat paddle and he was off. She turned away and headed for his bathroom. Sssssouch! Shed forgotten about the splinter in her foot. She limped in, dropped both towels after closing the door, and put his shirt on. After buttoning it up and rolling up the sleeves, she hesitated a moment as a strange feeling came over her wearing his shirt. Swallowing and shaking the feeling, she sat on the toilet to pick the splinter out. Holy mackerel, look at the size of that thing! Oh manits gonna hurt. She stood to rummage through his medicine cabinet, and looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair hung flat and to her shoulders, just about dry. She had no make up on, and stood realizing she was as purely presented as she could be. Oh well. What you see is what you get Mr. Styles, this was muttered, opening the cabinet to look for something to dig the splinter out and clean the area. His cabinet was just about bare. Stocked by a typical male, with hardly any medicines. No pain killers. No alcohol. Nothing that she could use. She closed it to look into one of the drawers of the sink vanity. Just some shaving stuff and condoms. Lots of condoms. What a surprise! Then bent over and looked under the sink. Bare. She opened the bathroom door and looked out. You back yet? she called out. There was no response. She turned back, picked up her towels and limped out of the bathroom looking around. Well at least hes clean, she said aloud, talking to herself as she snooped into the room across from the bathroom. It was apparently his room. A fully furnished bedroom, but he still had packed boxes stacked in the corner of it. His bed was made though.
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As a matter of fact, come to think of it, he hadnt slept in it. Hed just come back from somewhere this morning. She turned away from there and looked down the hall. There were two doors at the end of the hallway. She limped in that direction, around boxes stacked against the wall, yet to be unpacked. The room on the left was unfurnished and loaded with packed boxes. Man, hes got a lot of stuff for a single man. She turned from there and went to the room on the right. Opening the door, she was shocked to see a brightly lit painting room. He was an artist. There were unfinished pieces propped against the wall all around the room. Three easels stood with covered canvases. Against one wall, there were many paintings, four rows across, each row five to six paintings deep. She went to the first row and starting looking through them. With each row, her look became more and more sarcastic. What a surprise! A nekkid woman on every one. They were either stretched out on the beach, belly down, rear updraped across a chaise lounge. Tangled in satin sheets on a bed. Lying in a field of flowers. Kneeling in a shallow tub bathing and looking over their shoulders back at him, posing seductively. What became clear as she viewed them, and she had to admit, they were all tastefully done. Very clean, smooth and precise. They were of photograph quality. As a matter of fact, now that she thought about it, she could swear shed seen a couple somewhere before. Then she lifted one of the covers on a perched canvas. Oh my godhes a book cover artist. The one he was working on now, was breathtaking. Wow, she exclaimed, impressed. The work displayed before heropened a small window to his eye for capturing the beauty of a man and woman. He was brilliant. Gifted and keen. She was impressed. She hated sappy romance novels and the covers they sometimes displayed, but this one, made you long to be the woman wrapped in that man's arms that way. Tenderly. Everett had somehow transferred to this still life a look on this mans face, the very one all women wanted from the man they loved. To be treasured, cherished, held in an embrace that came from the depths of his soul. Her eyes watered. All of a sudden, she was lonely. All of a sudden, she longed for what her eyes beheld. She dropped the cover and looked up. He was standing in the doorway staring at her. She stared back at him. Im sorry butIm nosey, she admitted softly. Most women are, he returned just as softly. Not at all offended at seeing her there. Neither was she offended by his comment. Your work is beautiful, she offered honestly. So are you, he replied. She swallowed. Not as beautiful as some of the women in these portraits youve painted, she returned humbly. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I have a good eye for it, and lady, you are beautiful.
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She looked down bashfully, then sighed looking up. Im not a mean personI just She was speechless as to what else to say. Then to her horror, tears came to her eyes. She was all of a sudden vulnerable and scared. She looked down again. Im sorry, Ive been so rude to you. Thank you for helping me. She looked up again. Apology accepted, and youre welcome. Anytime. Ummm, by the way theyre gone. It took me a bit to catch the little critters, but your house is bat free once again. Well, I guess I better go then, she returned, limping around his easel. Why are you limping? he asked concerned. I picked up a splinter on my porch in my mad dash to safety, she answered, smiling as she walked up to him in the doorway. Thats kinda why I was snooping. I was looking for something to remove it with. He stood staring down at her, making her feel self-conscience. She reached up, pulling her hair back from her cheek, placing a small portion behind her ear. Let me do a portrait of you? She gazed up at him, stunned. What? He brushed her cheek with his knuckles. You heard. Why? Ive never done a black woman before. Id like to start with you. In the nude, with my shirt on. Id unbutton it down to there. He touched there, startling her heart. Then have you sit on the window seat over there. He nodded across the room, where, sure enough, there was one. She hadnt noticed it, with looking at all the paintings. Id have you sit in it, leaning your left shoulder against the wall. Your bare legs stretched out beside you. Your right knee bent forward. Your wide hips bared to me, the shirt falling off your shoulder, teasing, taunting me with just enough cleavage showing to drive any man with a longing to see the rest of you. He was mesmerizing. His good looks. His hypnotic blue-gray eyes. His deep soothing voice. All made and used by him, to cast a spell. She smiled gently. Now she knew more than ever, she had to stay away from him. She gazed a moment more. He was definitely made up of the kind of stuff appealing to women, but there was a legitimate reason this man had a drawer full of condoms. I suppose I should be flattered, she finally returned. Id just as soon pass on it, however. She broke the rapt gaze between them and turned away. I better go. Waitwhat about that splinter. Let me help you get that out. I only have to make it across the road. Im sure Ill survive. Ill have someone come repair your deck, she informed him, walking back down the hall. After I clean your shirt, Ill get it back to you as well. She was turning into his living room and heading for the front door. He followed.
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Hey, he called. She stopped at the door looking back. How about we have lunch or dinner sometime? No, thank you. She smiled one last time at him, then turned to look out his screen door. The coast was clear. Well, see ya, neighbor, she said, right before she made her exit. Then stopped in the middle of his yard, looking back at him she called, Welcome to the neighborhood. Resuming her direction as Everett stood in the door, watching her hobble across his yard, then across the road to her drive. His eyes followed her all the way until she stepped into her door. Shawn my boy...I think youre going to have to pull out all the stops for this one. I think you are.
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Series one Episode two Chapter four Three Days Later Standing in the post office before the four teasing, snickering men, Sylvia could not believe her ears. She knew having her mouth dropped open did not present a very attractive picture. She also knew that she was going to kill him. No ifs, ands, or buts about it! "What did he tell you?" she finally recovered enough to inquire. Her tone and look made those present clear their throats, choking back further laughter. "Oh, come on now, Sylvie...don't go ta gettin' all upset," the postal worker, Frank, tried to reason. He cut his eye to the others, trying to douse their humor. "Don't see what all the fuss is bout, just a couple'a danged bats is all. What was ya runnin' for?" This came from old man Sparky, nicknamed so because he was always around town flirting with the ladies, pouring on the charm with his snaggletooth grin. "'Specially in the altogether, naked as the day you was born." He grinned then, his two front teeth missing. "Sure woulda like to been there, though." He flexed his brows. Sylvia thought she would disintegrate right on the spot. Obviously her humiliation before him was not enough. He had to spread it around town to further entertain himself at her expense. The four cleared their throats nervously, seeing the look of hostility on her face. "Now, Sylvie, don't go gettin' all tied up in a knot over it! It ain't all his fault. We kinda pried it out of him," Frank admitted gently. Quite incredulous at that admission, Sylvie crossed her arms over her breast, dropped one hip low as a lone brow shot up. "Really? Please explain. How exactly did you pry out of him something you didn't even know about in the first place? Please, tell me, because I would just love to know!" she charged, not at all pleasedif her body language was any indication. Frank's head rolled uncomfortably as the others shifted in place, from one foot to another.
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"Sylvia, it was all in fun...he didn't mean no harm, nowhe really didn't," Frank tried to console her, just as the door opened and the object of their discussion came walking in. Upon entering the post office, it didn't take a rocket scientist to see what he'd walked in on. The belligerent look on Sylvie's face and the uncomfortable silence of the others at his presence, was enough to make Everett Styles sigh deep and wish he'd kept his mouth shut. He stopped right next to her within the door and gazed down into her angry eyes. "Well, good morning, Mr. Styles. I would just like to start this day off by thanking you very much for using my unfortunate situation to amuse these gentlemen. To my shame, I find that you obviously get a kick out of sharing your sordid exploitations with women!" she accused hotly, uncrossing her arms and glaring at him as he stood in front of the post office entrance. "Sordid? Exploitation? When did I exploit you?" Everett asked, exasperated. She was not about to argue with him. "Excuse me! I have taken care of what I came for. Would you please be so kind as to remove yourself from the entrance...I would now like to use it for my exit!" Just then the door came open and a middle age couple entered the post office. "Excuse me," the woman petitioned as the two combatants stood glaring at each other. Everett stepped aside as the couple passed through. He immediately stepped back in front of Sylvia, whom he'd stunned by the move. "Excuse me! I would like to leave!" she reminded him, in no uncertain terms. "You're more than welcome to do so, after you explain how it is that I exploited you! That's a little strong, don't you think?" he tossed back, a little rumpled. Mary Jo and David Kessler, the new couple who entered, joined the others within the small audience with their eyes and ears strained. "What's going on?" Mary Jo attempted to whisper as her husband's eyes bulged to know as well. "He exploited her, when she run naked from a bat." This bit of information came from ol' Jesse, who was retired military. Like those originally with him, he basically hung out around town, going from one shop to another looking for excitement. He'd chosen well this afternoon. "Oh my! When did this happen?" she asked, turning to look at Sylvia and Everett, who was staring at the group stunned and incredulous. "Hold on a minute here! I did not exploit her!" Everett defended as Sylvia bit back another angry accusation, suddenly shoving him out of her way. "Now do you see what you've started?" she railed, turning and heading for the door. Everett turned back to the group, just as Sparky spoke up. "That's what she say, you explot her." Frank shook his head, rubbing his hand over his face. "It's exploit, Sparky. Not explot!" he corrected the older man. "Oh...okay. What that mean, by the way?" "It means to take advantage of someone in a bad way!" Mary Jo explained with accusing eyes on Everett.
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"Ma'am, I did not exploit her! Arrrgh! Excuse me!" he blasted, turning for the door after Sylvie, who was marching down the small downtown sidewalk heading for home. "Sylvie! Sylvia! Will you wait! Would you at least let me explain?" he shouted to her, jogging to catch up to her. "As far as I see, there's nothing to explain. What took place is quite obvious," she fired out, never breaking her stride. "Sylvie, I'm sorry! I didn't mean for this to come out and offend you. It was funny, and I simply shared the humor in it. I didn't mean for them to know about your state of undress; that just came out, kinda...I don't know." He shrugged with the lift of his hands, keeping with her purposeful strides. "Will you stop and please listen to me!" He leapt in front of her, stopping her forward motion. "Come on, Sylvia, you must admit...it was funny...I couldn't resist," he petitioned for her to understand. "No! You listen to me, Everett Styles. You may be oh-so-cute and fascinating to all the other women you've encountered in your life, and I'm happy for you. But as for me, leave me alone! Stay away from me, and keep me and my stupid blundering acts out of your conversations. I, sir, will do likewise where you're concerned. Now excuse me." She stepped around him and continued down the road leading out of town. Everett stood watching her walk away, then blurted suddenly, shouting so that she would hear him, "You know what, Sylvia Payne? The name fits! Fine...I'll stay on my side of the road and you stay on yours! And the next time a bat comes at you...you better have your clothes on, because you'll be outside until someone else comes to your rescue! It won't be me!" and quietly added, "That's tellin' her boy." to himself, giving his own personal, little pat on the back. Sylvia stopped, turned with her hands on her hips. "That's perfectly fine with me, Everett Styles! That's perfectly fine with me!"
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Series one Episode two Chapter five Two weeks later "Grandma, grandma...look at me. See, look what I can do," Sylvia's three year old grandson called out to her as he did several summersaults, showing her his gymnastic abilities. She was pulling bulbs from the soil in the flower bed along the front of her house, which badly needed her attention. She was trying to decide if she'd be doing this again next fall. She hadn't counted on what had started out as four bulbs, being this difficult to pull up. Her friend Erica had told her that the bulbs would multiply, but for heavens sake! She was on the third cluster, which had originated from one of the four bulbs, and she had now been digging around it for ten minutes. The other two had taken her fifteen minutes or more to dig out. To her amazement, they had produced what appeared to be fifteen to twenty more bulbs each. Her back was aching and she was seriously considering leaving them to expire over the winter. As tempted as she was to leave them, she could not abandon something whose beauty had brought her so much pleasure, especially over the summer. They should not have to face a freezing winter, just because her back was expressing a little ache. Sighing, she continued trenching, tugging, and shoveling out more dirt. "Grandma, are you watching? You didn't see me!" Isaac exclaimed from the center of the front yard, disappointment obvious in his stance. Raising up back on her haunches with her hand to the small of her back, Sylvie turned looking over her shoulder towards her grandson. His look was of impatient petulance. "I'm sorry, baby, do it again. I'm watching now." Isaac plopped down on the lawn, crossing his arms with his brows drawn and his bottom lip rolled out and under. "No! Grandma, I did it soooo good and you wasn't watchin' me. It ain't gonna work again!" he whined. Sylvie stretched her back, put down her digging utensils and turned, crawling across the lawn toward her grandsons.
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Darren, the baby...eleven months old and into everything, was held up from his usual adventures due to the marvelous inventionthe playpen. Now he stood peering over the top of it, laughing out loud at the funny prowling crawl that his grandma was performing. Tears falling from his eyes as he laughed, he obviously thought she was doing this to entertain him, and was succeeding. Isaac also thought it funny because his petulance transformed into a struggle not to laugh, and engaged him in whatever plans his grandmother had as she slowly made her way towards them. "Isaac Anthony Prescott, if you don't get up from that ground and show your grandma how absolutely wonderful you just executed, what was probably the most perfect somersault ever done in the history of all men and little boyswho have ever done somersaultsI will simply grab you right here in this front yard, body slam you to the grass, and blow the loudest, wettest, zerberts on your belly that you have ever experienced in all of your life!" Sylvie threatened as she slowly crawled to an expectant Isaac, who was now laughing and growing weak as he made an attempt at getting up from the ground to get away from her; but to succeed in that would cheat him from the gut-wrenching joy and fun of the laughter it would provide. Clipping along at a moderate speed, this was the scene that Everett Styles rode up on his Harley to see. Sylvie dressed in sweats, her hair wild from the fall wind blowing, with leaves and dry grass clinging to her as she rolled on her front lawn with a small boy. He glanced up to see another younger child standing in a playpen, smiling and laughing at the antics that he probably wanted to be in on. His presence was quickly noted, however, by the child wrapped in Sylvia's arms whom he heard loud and clear. "Grandma! Grandma! A motorcycle! I wanna see da motorcycle!" Isaac exclaimed with full animation, jumping to his feet. With dread, Sylvia didn't have to turn around to see who the motorcycle belonged to. Slowly she came to her feet, dusting off her sweat pants as she did. The rumbling, roaring noise of it was scaring Darren. She made a sad face and walked up to him. Reaching into the playpen, she picked him up, consoling him as his head dodged around hers, which was blocking him from seeing the spectacle. Resigned, Sylvia turned around and was shocked to see Isaac in the road at the motorcycle talking to Everett Styles. "Isaac Prescott! What are you doing in that road? Who told you you could go in the road and talk to that man! You don't know him!" "It's a motorcycle, grandma!" he shot back, as if that was enough to explain what was apparent to the eye. Sylvie was furious as she marched the short way across her yard. Holding Darren close to her, her eyes shooting back and forth between Isaac and Everett, stopping to look both directions on the road before crossing over to them herself. "Do you mind turning that off, please? It's scaring my grandson!" Sighing, Everett complied.
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As the roar of the engine died, her voice filled the void with a forced, controlled shrillness. "How could you sit here and let him dart across the road that way!" she shot, now standing next to his motorcycle, reaching down to take Isaac's hand. "Excuse me? I didn't let him do anything! I wasn't expecting it!" he returned, incredulous. "He could have gotten hit by a car or a truck!" "Hold it just a minute here, lady! First of all, you should not have turned your back on him! And second, it happened before I could react. Suddenly he was here! That is not my fault!" he continued in his own defense. "Well if you hadn't come charging up the danged road on this motorcycle, startling the baby and impressing upon him all this shiny, noisy metal, he wouldn't have!" "Excuse me, Sylvia Payne, but this is a free country! I have every right to ride my motorcycle in whatever fashion I choose! How was I suppose to know that children would be present when I came up or down it? Or whatever the hell I did" "Please mind your mouth and your language, my grandchildren are present!" Sylvie snapped in return. "Grandma, I wanna ride the motorcycle!" Isaac cried, growing upset with the dispute between the adults, simply because he understood already at this age that this could mean he wouldn't get to ride. He was right. "And you, little boy, aren't riding anything. You better hope I don't get you back to the house and spank your butt! You know better than to leave that yard, crossing this road...without me or someone with you. So you just pipe down...it's naptime for you!" With that, Sylvia looked up at Everett once more. "If you will now excuse me, I'll get back to my side of the road." With that said, she turned, looked again and headed across the road with Isaac in tow. "Sylvia Payne, Sylvia Payne, you know whatas I said the last time, your name...is truly fitting!" he yelled the last part at her as she made her way across her front lawn to her side door, ignoring him all the way. Everett sat on his motorcycle staring for long moments at her yard, the house and her car, thinking about their encounters thus far. Shaking his head, he restarted his bike and drove it into his yard, parking it next to his garage. While he made sure to lock it up as he usually did then covered it with the canvas, he thought about her grandsons. They were white. Both blonds, one straight-haired, the baby with curly hair, brown eyes, and very fair skin. He was intrigued by it, knowing as he did that such families existed, as in the case of his brother. His wife, however, was Spanish, not Black, yet she was on the dark side. In his brother's family there was a slight case if it, where the members were of the same blood, but racially different in physical attributes, just not as strong in contrast as there was between Sylvia and her grandsons.
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Again, his curiosity was pricked. He was an artist. The surroundings of their homes were dense in beauty and color and she added to it. He couldn't quite put his finger to it yet, but Sylvia Payne was slowly gaining way under his skin. Her grandsons added another dimension. The artist in him wanted to capture them on canvas, but she was such a mean pistol. No, that wasn't true. He also remembered standing in his doorway watching her as she stood in his studio, gazing longingly at a portrait he'd painted. Right there, right then, there had been no anger or meanness in her gaze, but one of longing...of loneliness. One that she worked hard at trying to hide. Standing now within his kitchen peering out of its window, he felt the need within him suddenly strengthen to break through this wall she'd placed around herself. Problem was, he had no idea as to how he would do it, but do it he would. Once he succeeded in getting through, what next? Where would that place him in her life? Where would that place her in his? "Hell!" Everett raked his hand through his hair. "Leave it alone, man, just leave her alone," he counseled himself. "She's one of those, if you broke through, it's for keeps. It's all the way or no way. I'm not ready for that," he finished in decision. An hour and a half later, he was sitting at his dinner table, turning over scalloped potatoes that never seemed so tasteless. Either cheek resting on his knuckles, she was still on his mind. In fact, had been on his mind for the last two weeks that had gone by. Truth to be told, he'd been thinking of little else since the first day he looked up into her dark eyes. They went on with their separate lives, trying to pretend the other didn't exist...just across the roadbut he knew that she was there. A vibrantly attractive woman with no man in attendance, due to her own personal choice, of course. Just sitting there. Living there...right across the road from him. "Ah hell," he exclaimed, running his palm over his face, inhaling and exhaling deeply.
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Series one Episode two Chapter six Later that Evening Finally, Darren and Isaac were asleep. Stopping every so many feet Sylvia bent to pick up a squeaky toy, an ABC electronic learning center toy, stuffed animals, blocks, and countless Lego circles and squares. How different her life had become since her own children reached their adulthood and moved out of the safe haven of their parent's home. Stopping at the playpen, she dropped in the armful and turned to gather more. Shaking her head, she remembered a time when her children were small. They were the ones who had to pick up their toys before they took their bedtime baths. Now here she was doing it. She was turning into a true grandparent. "Not!" she declared. Tomorrow Isaac would pick up behind himself. She blew at a strand of hair hanging over her brow. It bothered her to scold him for approaching Everett and the motorcycle. She knew that she was right in correcting him strongly for crossing the road, but there had been more motive than that in her ire. It had been him. The presence of Everett Styles. That was where her discomfort lay. He was on her mind far more than she cared for him to be. His presence was wrecking carefully laid plans to be alone. To isolate herself. She was both glad that he kept his distance and angry that he had no problem doing so. Throwing her head back, Sylvia laughed out loud at herself, her reasoning...and the burden of being such a complex woman. "Why can't I be just like so many other women?" she asked herself. "Why can't I just see a man and simply want him for what he can provide me with for the here and now? Why?" She stopped in the middle of the floor and thought about it for a moment. What would he do if I just up and called him ? What would he think? Shaking her head, she decided against it. She wasn't so forward, nor could she find anything in her to be that way. "I mean, just look at him. The kind of man he is. He had a drawer full of condoms, for goodness sake! What does that tell you?" That he practices safe sex, maybe? "No! That he probably jumps anything in a skirt!"
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Um-hm, and you need to convince yourself of that to keep from thinking about him. "Not that it's working," she admitted out loud. After cleaning up the living room, dining room and the kitchen, she went to check on the boys once again. Just as she was closing the door to the room they slept in, she heard a gentle tapping at her kitchen door. Sylvia walked down the hall with her brows drawn, wondering who would be at her door this time of night. Her daughter and husband weren't due to pick up the boys until tomorrow evening. Slowly she walked into the kitchen, and the tap, tap, tap, happened again. She walked to the door, clicked on the porch light and opened the dark green vertical blinds. To her shock, standing beyond her doorlooking sheepishwas her neighbor. She bit hard into her lip not to let the smile that was automatic, show. Seeing him opened a window to what his presence really meant to her. Sighing, she opened the door, unlatching the screen lock. He pulled it open. "Can we please stop this? Whatever it was that I did to cause this, I'm sorry for my part. Here, my piece offering. Please accept them?" Looking sheepish and trying to fight a grin, Everett held up the bouquet of wildflowers from the area grocer. Noting that they were from the grocer, Sylvia couldn't help commenting, "And when did you get out to the store? I didn't here your roaring engine take off down the road." She simpered, then reached up, taking the flowers. "Ma'am, I also have an SUV, and I thought it was more appropriate for after dark. I don't care too much for riding my bikes in the evening," he explained, standing in the doorway. "I see. Well, thank you for the flowers." She brought them to her nose and took a sniff, glancing up at him as she did so. He leaned in the doorway, crossing his arms. "I caught a little smile on your face. You gonna forgive me and let me come inside?" "I thought your presence was just to give this peace offering. I didn't know it was to be a visit." He shrugged, unsure of what she wanted to hear from him, but he knew he wanted to come in. He wasn't going to turn away unless she told him otherwise. "Well?" he questioned. Sylvia sighed and did her part by finally confessing, "It wasn't all you. I'm sorry for blasting you earlier. Annd, I should not have turned my back on him. It was my fault, not yours, but the me-naked-and-the-bat-storywell, that's entirely different," she finished. "Please forgive me for that?" he asked, ever so charming and sincere. "Lord have mercy, look at you! You ain't nothing but trouble, Everett Styles, and standing at my door with it," she sassed in her black dialect. He grinned and flexed his brows. "Oh, no you don't, sir, you just listen here. Let's get something established, right now," she began, cocking her hip, finger pointing in his direction as if he didn't know that it was him she was talking to.
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"Do not come in here with any of the little things you do to dazzle women, trying to impress anything upon me. Don't make any sudden moves. Conduct yourself as a gentleman at all times, and we will be just fine." Grinning huge, he stood and saluted her. "Yes, ma'am!" She chuckled. "Ha, ha, ha, very funny. Come on in." She stood back from the door, giving him permission to enter. Stepping in, he glanced to the left of the partition separating the kitchen from the living room, surprised at the spaciousness of the place. Then to the kitchen, which was just as spacious. "Nice place you have here," he began. Sylvia smiled, closing the door behind him. "Thank you. I like it. I saw it first over the internet, then drove here to see if what I saw was really so nice, and well...the rest is history," she informed him, coming up behind him. "Is your stay going to be long enough that I should take your jacket from you?" she asked beside him. He looked down at her, into her eyes; braving his inspection, Sylvia held the eye contact, knowing as she did so, she probably shouldn't have. He had beautiful eyes. She swallowed. "Well?" Giving a secret smile. "I guess that's up to you, lady. You're the one in charge here." "Here." She reached up for his jacket. "It's warm in here. You may not stay a long time, but perhaps long enough for me to make you feel welcome, comfortable...for the time you are here." She was trying to soften up and let him know that there was another side to her. He shrugged from his jacket and handed it to her, asking as she walked to hang it in the hall closet. "I take it the boys are sleeping?" Wrapping it on the hanger, she smiled, nodding, hooked it on the rod, then gently closed the door. "Yep, they played a bit more, ate dinner and watched a little TV. I bathed them, and now they're in the bed sleeping for the entire night, I hope," she finished, observing him as he looked around her home. Noticing her little collection of graceful statues of ballerinas and other poses of women figurines that exhibited feminine elegance and taste. They were everywhere, as well as many plants and silk flower arrangements of varying sizes, shapes and colors fitting in wherever she found a place to put them. On the walls, votive candles and sconces adorned portraits and pictures in a variety of scenes, skilfully arranged with balance and completion. "Does everything meet your approval?" she asked, awaiting his verdict on her decorating style. He turned his gaze on her, making sure his eyes took in all of her before he answered, "More than." She cocked her head to the side and rolled her eyes. "Oh, brother...you just can't help yourself, can you?" She smirked, walking by him to the kitchen. "Just because you're a good looking man, and no doubt you've charmed women everywhere, you think it's surely got to impress her," she finished, entering the kitchen with him close behind.
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"What would you like to drink?" she offered, not waiting for his reply to her estimation of him. "You're so sure about me, aren't you?" "Not sure, no. A beer? A Pepsi? Tea, a wine cooler, or ice water?" she asked again, holding the refrigerator open and waiting. "I have seltzer water as well," she added as an afterthought. "Pepsi on ice. I only drink while entertaining, special occasions, so not often." Her eyes widened in surprise by that answer. So much so, that she almost said to him, Good answer. That impressed her. The six pack of beer had been in her refrigerator since she moved into the house. There were three of the four initial coolers left from when her real estate agent brought them to toast her getting the house and closing. She handed him the Pepsi poured over ice. "Thank you," he murmured. "You're welcome." In the Living Room "So, what made you move here...to this small town?" Everett asked, sitting on the sofa across the room from Sylvia, who sat comfortably on the love seat with her legs crossed up on the seat Indian style. "The house. The population. The seclusion. A true small-town, farming community. I grew up in the big city with crowds of people. Sirens, traffic, noise, a high crime rate and the feelings of insecurity were beyond what I wanted to continue to be exposed to. And last, my kids moved to La Crosse to attend college and now they live there. So here I am...what about you?" He drank more of his Pepsi, looking comfortable and at ease. "The peaceful solitude, and I too, needed to get out of the rat race. The type of people I began to find myself in the midst of, didn't sit well with me. I didn't grow up in California, I grew up in a farming community, much like this one. Rising early in the morning to get the cows milked, cleaning out the stalls, removing the old hay, replacing it with the clean, doing stuff like that. That was my life. Nothing like what I live now." Sylvia was surprised. This she had not expected to hear from him. "I see I've surprised you," he observed and stated. She nodded softly. "Yes, you have. That was the last thing I expected to hear. I always wanted the kind of life you just described, but it was not meant to be. My life was quite different," she announced. He finished his beverage. "Well, farming is hard work. Back-breaking sometimes, and it's a dirty job." Sylvia smiled. "But someone has to do it," she inserted. "Did you hate it so much, thatthat's why you left it?" "No, I didn't hate it at all, but for a hobby sometimes on lazy evenings I would sit and draw on the front porch, or off by this stream that flowed out past our backyard....
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... My mom noted how good I was, and for Christmas she bought me my first art set, sketching pads, and later came my first canvas and tripod. I painted a lot of pictures of our surroundings, country scenes, things like that." He started grinning then, and deep dimples showed up in his cheeks. Sylvia smiled, admiring him and those dimples. "Why are you suddenly grinning?" He chuckled, remembering back. "I painted my first nude at 14. I went down to the stream, further than I usually go and there was the neighbor's wife stretched out, butt-naked for all the world to see, taking a nap by the stream. I quietly set up, and started painting her." Sylvia's mouth widened with an exclaiming gasp. "Oh, my goodness, no you didn't!" She chuckled. "Yes, I did." He laughed, shaking his head. "My mother later found the portrait hidden under my bed. Needless to say...she was not happy. Got my art stuff taken away from me for a month," he finished, shaking his head, then focused on Sylvia sitting across from him. He stared. She stared. They were quiet. She grew nervous. "Let me paint you?" he asked softly in the dimly lit room. She smiled softly, shaking her head. "I don't think that's a good idea. As a matter of fact, I think it's late. You should go now. I need my sleep; the boys will be up early tomorrow." Her legs unfolded as she slowly rose from her seat. She stood a moment looking down at him as he stared up at her. Saying nothing more she went to get his jacket from the hall closet. Setting his glass on the coffee table, disappointed, Everett sighed and rose. Standing before him now, she handed him his jacket. "Thanks for the flowers. That was a very nice gesture. Sorry I've been such a...well, not a nice person." She smiled looking up at him, but decided she was much too close for comfort and stepped back, then turned leading the way to the kitchen door. Putting on his jacket where he stood, Everett finally turned and joined her at the door. "Thanks for inviting me in. For the Pepsi. For granting us peace, and a last request...please, let me give Isaac a ride on my motorcycle, grandma?" Sylvia grinned, looking up into very beautiful blue-gray eyes. She couldn't decide what color they were from one moment to the next. She sighed and blew out, giving in to her need to exhale. "Sure...I know that will be the highlight of his visit here. Thank you for offering. I guess I'll see you tomorrow sometime." He nodded, staring into her eyes. "You can count on it, lady...you can count on it." He turned and left. Closing and locking the door behind him, Sylvia suddenly ran across the room and clicked on her front lights to give him visual aid in his crossing the road, then ran to her big windows to watch him. He stopped midway through her front yard, turning to wave at her. She climbed on the loveseat, parting the curtains so that he could see her, and waved back.
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He turned and took off at a lope across the yard, the road and onto his driveway, up to his porch...stopping at his door, and next he was gone within. Sylvia sat there staring for moments longer than she realized. Unaware, that he too, stood in his window out of her view, watching her silhouette there. Long moments went by with both gazing longingly, to be back with the other.
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Series one Episode three Chapter seven Bright and early, Sylvia found herself at the kitchen sink filling a pot to start boiling water for grits. Darren was the first to awake; thank goodness Isaac was still asleep. Her preference was that they wake at separate times, as it made her task easier to deal with them and their morning needs. Content in his high chair, Darren sat making baby chatter mixed in with a few words as he followed his grandma around the kitchen with his eyes, patiently waiting for his instant oatmeal. Having placed the pot on the eye to start heating after adding salt and butter, Sylvie went to the fridge locating the bacon. Closing it to walk over to the stove, she stopped dead in her tracks. First caught with her peripheral vision, she turned to see an early morning visitor. The neighbor. He'd just stepped up to the door, following with his tap, tap, tapping. Smiling in gladness before she realized it, she walked to the door, opening it and looked up into a bright smile with his silhouette blocking out the morning sunrays. Upon seeing her, his smile became even bigger, showing straight white teeth. With a sigh, Sylvie reached, unlatching the screen door. Turning away, leaving him to enter as she went to the stove opening the bacon to lay out in the pan. "Good morning!" he started immediately upon entering, carefully closing the door behind him. "Good morning to you, and please tell me, sir, why you're up so early and over here? Isaac's not up yet," Sylvie asked, then informed him after finishing laying out the bacon, having automatically included enough to fry up for him. "I'm hungry!" he shot simply, directly. Surprising Sylvie, who couldn't help chuckling. "Oh, are you now? And what, dear sir, has that to do with me?" She was grinning. "Well, are you not about to prepare breakfast?" he asked as if it were a perfectly normal thing to be at her place in the morning for breakfast, and the discussion about it usual.
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"Yes, I am preparing breakfast, but who invited you?" "You did," he answered, walking around her to take a seat at the kitchen table next to Darren. "Good morning, lil fella, you hungry, too?" he asked, turning away from Sylvie, who stood incredulous with arms crossed under her breasts. "Excuse me, but when exactly did I do this?" He looked at her with the most engaging smile. "I was sleeping, and as I slept, this subliminal message from you woke me. You saidthis is what you said Standing with his hands on his hips, trying to gesture as she would, working his neck trying to imitate her with a high pitch to his voice. "Everett Styles, get yo tail outta dat bed an' get ova here so you can get yo'self some breakfast! An' don't lemme have'ta call you agin!" Resuming his normal voice, That's what you told me. So here I am." He flexed his brows mannishly, grinning. Sylvie was laughing, so stunned and distracted by him, she forgot the bacon. "Woman, you gone burn my bacon! Would you pay attention!" he reprimanded, kidding. Still laughing, Sylvie rushed to the stove, flipping the bacon. A couple of slices had to be removed after being scorched. She lowered the burner's heat and wiped at the tears squeezing from her eyes. "You are one crazy white man, you done lost your min'. Come up in here, 'cause you done had a dream...and I do stress dream! Thinking I'm gone fix you breakfast and talkin' smack about my bacon." Still she was grinning, with one hand on hip. "Now look here, you stop fighting this," he directed. "Fighting what?" This turned her away from the stove. "This here set-up. This arrangement. You need to stop fighting it," he furthered. "And you need to wake up and smell the coffee," she corrected him in her fashion. "Well, you don't have any on, so how can I? I, ah, like it black, by the way," he informed her. Sylvie stood once again with her mouth open and speechless. "I'll take instant or brewed. Whichever. I prefer brewed, but if instant is all you have, that's fine," he went on, just as bold as you please. "And while you're standing there, where is Darren's breakfast? I could be feeding him while you're cooking my breakfast. And, are you gonna let Isaac sleep all morning?" Sylvie was still too stunned to respond. "Well, come on, woman, don't just stand there." That snapped her to as she went into action, getting Darren's oatmeal out of the microwave. With a slice of buttered toast in hand, she gave him a piece or two of her mind. "Now you listen here, Everett Styles...I don't know what kind of game you playing, but it don't wash with me, she said, stirring the oatmeal, walking to the silverware drawer to remove Darren's baby spoon.
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"You ain't settin' me up, and there sho' ain't no arrangement! Hereyou know how to feed a baby?" she asked, handing him the bowl and laying the toast on the tray. "I had four younger siblings, two brothers and two sisters to feed; just like riding a bike. You get back to that stove and get my coffee on." He couldn't keep the grin from his face. "All right, don't make me go off on you up in here. Ordering me around, you must be crazy," this said as she started the water running to fill the coffee pot. "And I'm not fixing this coffee because you told me to. I'm a nice person and I know how to be a gracious host when I invite someone for a meal" "See, I told you you invited me!" "Look! I did not invite you!" "That's what you just said!" That stopped her, she glared at him, fighting not to smile. "Everett Styles, you want this pot upside your head?" He feigned a look of fear. "No, ma'am." Sylvie headed for the coffee maker to fill it with the water. "You best leave me alone then and not push it." Everett grinned, turning to Darren winking at him, then began feeding him. "Ummm, ma'amby the way, the bacon's burning again." Sylvie quickly put the pot down and dashed across the kitchen to the smoking pan. "Doggone you, Everett Styles, you made me burn my bacon!" He acted stunned. "How'd I make you burn the bacon? I think you just one of these new millennium women with no domestic skills." Taking the pan to the sink, she dropped it in and turned, cocking her hip with hands on them to do battle. "Oh noyou did notsay that to me!" He turned, spooning another mouthful to an observing Darren and then lifted his toast to his mouth so he could take a bite out of it. "Well, I'm just going by what I see. Bacon burned. No coffee on. I gotta feed the baby or else he'd be starving. Lucky for him, man invented microwaves and instant oatmeal...can I have a bowl? I'm hungry!" Finger up and pointed dead aim at him. "You listen here, Mr. Styles, you about to get tossed out of here on your ear!" she warned. He leaned up to look towards the stove again. "What you got boiling in that pot over there?" he continued in his teasing antagonism. "Don't you worry about it! I was making some grits!" she growled, going to the counter grabbing the container which held grits and spooned in the proper amount. "I don't know if you oughta attempt that. Not just anybody can make good grits," he stated, shaking his head, spooning in more oatmeal for Darren. She turned, looking down her nose at him. "Like you know anything about grits!" she accused.
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"I know plenty about grits. My mama made the best grits anywhere, and I followed in her footsteps. Having to feed four younger brothers and sisters," he reminded her once again. "You eat grits and know how to cook 'em?" "Black folks aren't the only ones who eat grits, you know. There's many white folks that eat grits! Collard greens, turnip greens, mustard greens" "Get outta here!" she blasted, stunned. "Wash 'em, cut 'em up, fry up that salt pork, get that fat to moving" "Get outta here!" she repeated, dumbfounded. "Peel up a couple of big white turnips, chop'em up and put'em in with the greens, pour in the fat and salt pork, some chopped onions and garlicI like a little crushed red pepper myselfand pour in the water...not too much! Man, lemme tell ya...some corn bread, that's all you need! That's all we could afford, but it was good." "Oh, my goodness!" "Um-hm. You be a good girlbe nice to me, I might cook you some. If you can't fry no bacon and cook no grits...which are about to boil over," he inserted to warn her, "I know you can't handle no greens," he finished, punctuating his litany with the last spoon of oatmeal to Darren's open and waiting mouth. Then winked at him for finishing to the last drop. Sylvie was running to the sink to get a towel for all the water and grits that boiled over. "Listen here, white man, you done push me too far, early this morning! Talkin' about my cookin'. This all your fault, distracting me!" "Um-hm," he mumbled. "Don't be 'um-hmming' me! I was doing just fine before you come up in here, trying to run something. That's what I get for being nice and lettin' yo' butt in!" she fussed, turning from the sink to say something further to him, but saw Isaac coming from the hallway rubbing his eyes. "Oh, great!" Following the direction of her stare, Everett turned in his chair to see Isaac trying to wake up, shaky and stumbling in his early morning toddler steps. "Good Morning, baby," Sylvia called to him. Isaac stopped halfway to them and looked at Everett, then bugged eyed, looked up at his approaching grandmother. "I'm gon' ride the moto'cycle, grandma!" Sylvia stopped in her tracks, looked back at a grinning Everett, then back at her grandson. "Good morning, grandma." Her tone and look gave him a clear hint of what should first be his greeting. "Mornin', grandma," he repeated, then, "Am I gone ride a moto'cycle?" Everett and Sylvia chuckled at his persistence and excitement. "Yes, you can ride the motorcycle today...but I think you should say good morning to Mr. Styles." Without hesitation, Isaac was right there at his lap, looking up into his blue-gray eyes.
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"Good mornin', Minner 'tiles." Followed by the biggest smile his grandma had ever seen. Everett chuckled and stroked his hand over Isaac's head fondly. "Good morning, Isaac...you sleep good?" Isaac bobbed his head in agreement with only one obvious thing on his mind. "I'mo ride yo moto'cycle?" Everett picked him up on his lap, holding him there he said, "As soon as I cook us breakfast. 'Cause your grandma...well, let's just say, I need a little something more than instant microwave oatmeal." "You know what? Have at it! Let's see what you can do!" Sylvia challenged, having enough of his criticism. "You're on, baby! Take a seat right here, and I'm gonna give you a little schooling on how to fix breakfast and conduct a conversation at the same time. Have a seat..."
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Series one Episode three Chapter eight Sitting on Everett's small front porch with Darren perched between her thighs, they sat waiting and watching for him and Isaac to return. He jabbered away as she thought over the morning so far. Everett had indeed whipped up a delicious breakfast for them, and kept her laughing as well Isaac and Darren in the process. To her amazement, he was totally unaffected by his macho, handsome male image. He was silly, funny...animated with the boys, free and easy, teasing and torturing her. With absolutely no fear of her, their racial difference, or what he might inadvertently say to offend her. She was surprised as well to discover that he was not Italian as she first thought, but Irish. He was a talker, and enjoyed speaking about his life as a young man growing up on a farm with watchful, disciplining parentswho were not rich, but loving, kind and supportive. He spoke as if he missed having someone listen to this side of him, about the life that he obviously missed, longed for, and she was just as delighted with the fact that he felt comfortable enough with her to show this side of himself. "Ohhh, Darren. What's happening here, baby? Hm? Now you know grandma don't need this kinda pressure startin' up in her life. That's right. I'm comfortable, got a nice house. I have you guys over every now and then...and by the way...where is your mama and daddy?" Darren looked up at her, smiling and laughing as usual. He was a happy, easy baby to care for. She hugged him to her, running her fingers through his silky, blond hair, sighing deeply. Just then, they could hear the motorcycle's rumbling exhaust as it came roaring up the road towards the driveway. Isaac sitting in front with a harness strapping him to Everett. His little head swallowed up in the helmet. Everett wore his shades and no helmet. He was as handsome as any woman's dream. Sylvia sensed that he just may be dangerous to her heart...to her peace. Darren's little pudgy hands shot up into the air waving his hands in circle, his dexterity in waving the correct way still undeveloped. Sylvia smiled hearing Isaac cry out in his happy excitement.
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"Grandma! Grandma! I ride the moto'cycle! I ridin' the moto'cycle!" he announced as Everett guided the bike into his short driveway to stop next to the porch where she and Darren sat waiting. Looking up from Isaac, her smile and gaze was drawn to the man who sat silent and still...the bike still running, his one hand resting on the handle bar, the other on his thigh...through the dark shades, she knew he stared at her. In her mind's eye, she saw beyond the darkness of the glasses to blue-gray eyes, sensing what they would relay were he to remove his eye protection. As if to confirm it, he reached up and slowly removed them. Sylvia felt her heart skip a beat, with the fluttering in her stomach following suit. God almighty, look at her. I want you, lady...I want you, and come what may, you're going to be mine, Everett thought as he pulled up to his porch, having his pulse race to see Sylvia and her grandson sitting there waiting on him and Isaac. The picture was one that gave him a feeling of contentment, a feeling of rightness. She was what he wanted...and he wasn't a stupid man. His nearness, his presence, did things to her as well. Things she tried to hide, but it was too late. He'd laid up last night thinking long and hard...and seriously. He was willing to take another chance on a serious relationship, because he knew with her it would have to be that...or nothing. Isaac was talking to him. He had to tear his eyes away from her to give him his attention. "Can we go again?" Isaac pleaded. "That's enough, Isaac," Sylvia announced, having gotten up from the porch, overhearing as she approached the bike. Everett reached past Isaac and turned off the engine. "One more time," he begged. Sylvia looked him straight in the eyes, shaking her head with an expression that said loud and clear, No! And don't ask again! He knew the expression; he'd received it enough from his mother, grandma's daughter. Isaac sighed but then looked at his little brother and immediately brightened. "You see me, Darren? You too little to ride, you just a baby...when you get big like me, you can ride then," he announced as Everett removed his helmet from his head. Darren gave a perplexed look and laughed, then said his one dependable word, "no", unsure of what Isaac was saying. They all looked towards the road upon hearing a car horn blow. "That's my mama and daddy! I ride the moto'cycle! I ride the moto'cycle!" he began yelling as he worked to get down from the bike. Everett chuckled, handing him down to the ground, and he took off towards the road to his parents. "Isaac!" Sylvia, Everett, and Victor, Sylvia's son in law, yelled at the same time to stop him. He skidded to a halt. "What did I tell you about that road and running into it?" Sylvia scolded as she marched up to him, reaching down, grabbing his hand. "I wanna tell my daddy about the moto'cycle," Isaac whined. Sylvia sighed deep, shaking her head as Victor sat partly in her driveway glaring at his son. Shaking his head as well, he pulled the rest of the way in and around the inner curve as Sylvia walked into the yard, one grandson on her hip, the other in hand. As soon as she stepped out of the car, Crystal, her daughter, started in on him.
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"Little boy, you are going to get the worse spanking you ever had about running into that road. I've told you over and over about that!" "I ride the moto'cycle!" Isaac whined, the scolding stealing his joy from the telling of his great adventure on a machine he'd admired since the first time they rumbled by him, sitting in his parent's car, strapped snugly in his car seat. "Chile, get yo kids. I'm done. They stuff is waitin' at the door," Sylvia announced, turning Isaac loose and handing Darren over to his mother. His arms outstretched, his little fingers pumping eagerly for his mother to take him. "That's right, baby...go to yo mama. Grandma love ya...but grandma done had enough." "Mamaaa!" Crystal whined, laughing. "I'm just telling you the truth! I raised my babies! These yours, have at it!" Crystal laughed, shaking her head. "You don't have to be so excited about us coming to get 'em." She grinned. "Who don't have to be excited? I can't help but be excited! My baby days are over! And I ain't missin' a thing! I'm in heaven," she finished, entering her kitchen with her daughter behind her. They could hear Isaac talking to his father excitedly as they followed, in addition to another voice mixing in with Victor's and Isaac's. As her daughter entered the house passing her, Sylvia stood at the screen surprised to see Everett bringing up the rear as he introduced himself to Victor. Amid Isaac's happy chatter about his ride, Victor was also excited, asking questions about the bike's style, speed, power, and motor size. The usual male exchange when they engaged in conversations where a souped-up car or motorcycle was the topic of discussion. She was surprised. She hadn't expected him to follow her back across to her house with her daughter present. "Who is that?" Crystal asked as the three males stopped outside at the bottom of Sylvia's porch to continue their discussion. Sylvia looked back at her daughter, unsure how to answer. "Um-hm...now I see why you in a hurry for me to get my kids," Crystal accused, her tone with a knowing Black gesture of now I know what's going on. "All right now...mind yo' business," Sylvia warned good-naturedly. "Um-hm...let me get they stuff. I'on wanna stand in your way." She grinned. "Now see, it ain't even like that! He just being nice, gave your child a ride and made his weekend. Ain't nothing else happening...so get that look off yo face." Sylvia couldn't keep a straight face as she explained, the grin was more powerful than her words. "I ain't saying nothing. I just come to get my kids and I'm off." Sylvia nodded in agreement. "Good idea. So get yo babies and get to gettin'. And while you at it, get yo mind out the gutter and outta my business." Crystal was biting the inside of her mouth not to laugh at her mother. "Come on, now, mama...don't make it no mystery. Ain't no big secret, you still young. You look good, and you single...andheisfoine!"
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"Would you hush! I ain't thinkin' about you! And I ain't thinkin' about that man!" she denied. "Um-hm...can'tthink about me...got that man on yo mind," Crystal continued to tease. "Look...it's time for you to go. Let me help you. Grab that bag, and I'll grab this one. Then you can be on your way! And stop that grinninglooking at me like that!" Sylvia shushed her daughter again, who was laughing out loud, flexing her brows and winking. "Okay, mama, anything you say. Just the neighbor being nice. I'll have to thank him." Out the door she went before her mother could say another thing to her. Stepping onto the porch, Crystal gave him a quick, thorough inspection as he looked up at her. "Thank you so much for giving my son a ride, hope he didn't drive you crazy," she opened. Smiling, Everett shook his head answering, "No problem...any time." Crystal again grinned. "Oh, and by the way, my name is Crystal," she introduced herself. "EverettEverett Styles," he returned, looking past her to her mother. Sylvia had a peculiar look about her face. He grinned and winked at her. She thought she would faint on the spot. Crystal looked back at her, simpering. "Well, we gotta get going. Love you, mama, we'll talk to you later." She leaned back and kissed her mother's cheek. Sylvia returned it, then leaned forward and kissed Darren's brow. "I love you, too. Bye, bye, baby...grandma love you." Darren scrunched up his face and grinned. "Isaac! Come give grandma a kiss and hug before you leave here," Sylvia called down to him. He tromped up the porch and obeyed. "I love you, baby." She ended the tight hug and kiss. "Me too, grandma...love you...bye!" "Your daughter is beautiful." "Thank you, and you know what...her inside matches the outside. That's what I'm proud of." Everett looked down at Sylvia as she sat on her side porch steps. He stood leaning against the outside corner of her garage, his ankles crossed as were his arms across his chest. "I get a feeling she's the direct result of her mother. You're a beautiful woman, Sylvia Payne. Even if you are ornery as all get out," he finished, grinning. "Well, excuse me! And seeing as how Isaac's gone, with the ride over...you can head on back across the street so I can go in my house!" she shrilled out, standing. "Now do you see what I mean? Here we were getting along just fine, and you had to go and take exception at what I said," he returned, standing from his spot, approaching the steps where she stood. "I know what you're up to, Sylvia Payne. It's not going to work. You think you can run me off by inciting a fight. Well you're wrong," he informed her, standing at the bottom step, closer to her than she felt comfortable with.
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His overpowering presence was unsettling as her heart testified to, especially with both of his hands grasping either sides of the rail post. "How long are you going to fight this between us?" he asked boldly. "Ex-excuse me...therethere's nothing between us. You're crazy. I'm not the least bit She swallowed the lump in her throat.interested in you. You don't...move me...one bit, Mr. Everett Styles. Now if you will excuse me...I have things to do." She turned away from him, going up the three steps to the porch landing. "Sylvia Payne...of all the things I've thought of you...I never pegged you being a coward." That stopped her dead in her tracks. "Excuse me?" She turned back with hands on hips. "You heard me. I never thought you were a coward, but obviously you are." Well that got her dander up and the head moving. "You listen to me, Everett Styles! I am not a coward! There are very few men I am afraid of, and you certainly aren't one of them." His grin was knowing, challenging. A dare was in the making... she could feel it, but her pride would not let her tuck tail and run as she knew she should. "You may not be afraid of me, but you are definitely afraid of the way I make you feel. I'm beginning to think that your anger and shortness with me is a defense mechanism. You're trying to scare me off. Turn me off, but it ain't working. And thatdear lady, is what scares you," he finished, very confident. Her heart was pounding. "Look! I'm not afraid of you. I'm just not looking for someone in my life right now. I like things just the way they are," she informed him. "So, not only are you a coward, but you're also a liar," he boldly stated. "A liar! I beg your pardon, I am not a liar!" she defended hotly. "Okay, then, maybe that was a little strong, but you are in denial. You see, I remember. In my house. In that room with all the paintings. Before you knew I was there, watching you...it was written all over your face. The loneliness. The longing, and the need. To have someone cherish you, treasure you as it was captured in that painting. You see, not only do you need that, you want it, but you're afraid to trust anyone with your heart. Especially me, because I'm making you feel the need and want even stronger." Sylvia felt total exposure. Completely vulnerable as if her chest lay wide open to him, with her heart exposed to his whim. "Leave me alone! You understand? I don't have time for the games. Nor to help you over your moments of boredom and restlessness. Have a nice day, sir." As if the hounds of hell were nipping at her heals, she turned and fled within her sanctuary. Everett stood in the position she left him in. Inhaling deep he declared, "You can run, lady, but you sure as hell can't hide. I'm after you and I can wait it out, just as long as you can hold out and deny it."
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Series one Episode three Chapter nine From that day forward, Sylvia struggled with the seeds Everett Styles planted, desperately avoiding him and his sudden need to disrupt her life. Until he came along, she had been focused and determined. Methodical and precise. Her writing had been flowing smoothly and unstoppable, bridging the gaps from one scene to the other with ease, and now she found it hard to focus. Her mind kept wandering across the road. Her senses picking up the distinct rumbling of his motorcycle as it roared in and out of his yard. Before him, her solitude and isolation had been instrumental in the healing of her inner being. Mentally, physically, and emotionally. Alone she had been able to do some serious soul-searching. Alone she'd been able to focus on being consistent with the entries of her journal. Scribbling her deepest thoughts. Writing through one spectrum of a painful event, to the unraveling of how it eventually manifested. Ending with what she had determined was the cause, and the prevention. The understanding, insight and wisdom that she'd gained, and how would it best be applied to her and her future life, and the decisions she would make. She was trying to grow. She was trying to become this person she'd held up in her mind's eye that was a worthy inspiration and role model. Then smack dab in the middle of all these discoveries and awakenings...he showed up. To this point, the past year of her life had taken on the smooth simplicity of a wellorchestrated concert...the music calming and soothing the unrest within as a hypnotic potion to lull one into blissful peace. The suddenness of his presence had brought the concert abruptly to silence, making her stand, stare and wonder...who would dare disrupt what she had carefully laid for her pleasure? No matter how she tried to resume the harmonious balance that she'd created, it could not be recaptured. Because as she already knew...a person of her nature and being could not sit forever in a concert playing just for herself.
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She needed someone in her life, problem was...she was scared to death to trust someone with all that she had so carefully fixed and put together in her heart and mind. She'd established a good foundation in which to move onward from, but it was still fragile. To build on it would mean careful construction, because she couldn't bring herself to take on a relationship that might possibly prove to collapse later on down the roadwhen the frame was up, walls were in, windows and doors installed. It would crush her, and she couldn't chance it, but there he was. The feelings had already taken root as her mind kept cultivating the possibilities. Bringing her down also was the fact that three weeks had passed since he'd tried to contact her or approach her again after the weekend the boys were up. She tried to carry on as if it didn't matter, but it did. It bothered her to the point that too much thought of it already brought tears to her eyes. Because here she was dwelling on him, and he probably hadn't thought another thing of her since she charged into her house and slammed the door. Sin or not, her pride was paramount. It bothered her that he had in such a short time, already possibly broken through her carefully-laid defenses. The stress she was starting to feel now was the very thing she was trying to avoid in her life. Now she felt anger that he had so carelessly disrupted her peace. Yet the anger was short-lived as time went by with still no attempt to contact her. She tried to go on and ignore the things he said. She tried to block out the image of him. She tried to kill the longings he'd rekindled, but her trying was not good enough. Nothing she thought, conjured up in her mind, seemed to work to dispel what she was feeling. It was growing colder, fall was quickly switching over to winter. The wind blew sharper. The temperature was dropping at night, leaving a chill in her open house that meant...soon, she'd have to start stacking firewood within. Something she realized she should have started a while ago. Walking through the house with her black knit stretch pants on and an oversized black sweater, she was gearing up to go out to the woods. She would start marking dead and falling trees that were dry or drying, for burning. A young man in town already posted that he would come on anyone's property, cut up their wood and stack it for them for a fee. She started looking for where she put the flyer to call him. As she searched, finally reaching her clouded mind and it's preoccupation, was the distinct sound of a chainsaw. It had been going for some time, but because she'd ventured to a part of the house closer to her woods, the sound was even clearer. She stood in attention a moment, her brows drawn. "What the heck?" she questioned out loud. She walked back through the house to the kitchen, then out the door. Immediately the cold fall wind hit her stepping out on her porch. She wrapped her arms around herself, taking quick strides down her steps and through the backyard to the wooded area framing her land.
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The noise from the chainsaw was louder and definitely coming from her woods. The wind was cold, she now realized she should have grabbed her coat. Ignoring it, she quickened her steps to trotting, entering the woods, following the trail made from other people and deer. The chainsaw was all she heard now, and then she saw the sawdust flying. Coming around a slight curve, she stopped dead in her tracks, stunned. With protective eye gear, a scull cap on his head, a heavy winter snow suit and thick suede work gloves, she stared as Everett cut into another fallen tree. Already there was a tall stack of cut wood that just needed splitting. He saw her out of his peripheral, then stood and turned the chainsaw off, turning to her. "What are you doing?" she asked immediately, starting to shake from the cold, her teeth were about to start chattering. "What do you think I'm doing? It's cold as hell and getting colder, and I don't see any wood stacked around your place. Just like a women to wait to the last minute! And get your behind in the house before you catch pneumonia! Are you crazy? Get!" he scolded, pointing to the house. Tears came to Sylvia's eyes. Speechless, she nodded and spun. So much sudden joy filling her heart, she thought it would burst. She flew back through the yard as if her feet had wings. Not from speed, but from a sudden lifting in joy. Immediately she ran and put some coffee on, then raced through the house, looking for warm outer garments. She was so excited, her insides trembled and she refused to think or feel anythingbut elation. The coffee was done and she fixed him an insulated tumbler of it. When she made it back outside and through the yard, she noticed a pickup had backed up to the trail where he was working. There was a young man out there with him. It was the one from the flyer. He was there with his truck and a log splitter. When she walked up to the scene, they were hard at work, filling the pickup with the split blocks. Seeing her approach, Everett stood, giving his back a rest. Silent and humble, Sylvie walked up to him with the warm tumbler. "I made you some coffee," she offered, in hopes that he would accept her gesture of appreciation and peace. He smiled. His nose was red from the cold, but his eyes were warm and inviting. He took her breath away. "And, ummm, thank you...for this. I was about to call him this morning," she informed him. He shook his head at her. "What? Why are you shaking your head at me?" she asked. "Because you should have seen to this weeks ago," he informed her. She sighed. "I know." Then looked up at him sheepishly. "I'm here to help." A brow kicked up with that statement. "Are you now?" he returned, amused. She gave an eager nod. "I tell you what, you wanna help? I'm starving, and I'm sure he's hungry, too. How about you go fix us something to eat? And don't burn it...can you do that?" He chuckled. "I won't burn it. I'm a good cook," she whined. "Um-hm," he mumbled doubtfully.
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"I am, you'll see. Give me a few minutes and I'll have a lunch prepared fit for a king and his apprentice." She turned and dashed off, her mind diving into her refrigerator and cabinets for an idea of what to prepare. Inside, after five minutes searching for something worthy to feed them for their hard work, she realized she didn't have anything for the appetites they would have. She groaned, but hey, she had to do what she had to do "Would you stop laughing at me! I could have cooked something, but you guys were hungry! Weren't you hungry?" this she asked to the young man in attendance who was biting into the deliciously made and delivered pizza. He nodded his agreement. He was hungry. The pizza was good, and he was warming up and grateful for the hospitality. Everett had paid him in advance and now he was getting fed. Plus, he didn't have to work out there alone. What more could a guy ask for? "At least I made a good salad and garlic bread to go along with it," she pointed out as Everett sat chuckling, as he, too, bit into the hot, cheesy pizza. "I haven't gone grocery shopping yet. When you live alone, food is not a big deal," she continued. "And when you bring it home, it helps to know how to cook it, too," he inserted, then took another bite. "Everett Styles...Icantoocook! Oh, that's it! I'm going grocery shopping today. I'm gonna get ready right now. When I get back here, I'm going to cook the most awesome meal you have ever experienced in your life!" she declared. He nodded with a look of yeah sure, then winked his eye at Tom, the young man, who grinned and shrugged. "You'll see! You're probably gonna want seconds, too, and you'll beg to take some home!" she declared, marching off to get her purse, coat and gloves. "Hey, before you gowhere do you want all that wood stacked we're splitting?" he asked in between chewing the pizza. She stopped with her things in hand. "Stack it against that long wall beside the basement door." He nodded and continued eating, looking comfortable and right at home in her kitchen. She stood a moment, transfixed by him. He asked Tom if he wanted more soda. The answer was "yes" and he continued devouring pizza. As if he'd always lived there, Everett rose and got more Pepsi out of the refrigerator, one for himself and Tom. Handing it over, he sat back down and continued to eat. Realizing she stared at him, he looked up with a gesture of what? "You need some money?" he asked. That snapped her to. "Nooo!" He suddenly rose and was walking without hesitation to her. "Oh, I get it! You want a little smooch before you head off to the store!" Grinning and winking, he approached her as if to deliver. Shocked and shaken, Sylvie ducked out of his reach, squealing in disbelief. "Man! You better get on'way from me! I don't know where your mouth's been!" she exclaimed, embarrassed with Tom sitting in the kitchen in full hearing and sight.
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"I can tell you where it hasn't beenon you." It was said, so low and sultry, Sylvia felt heat suffuse her entire being. Her face was on fire. Her heart started slamming and a long-forgotten sensation uncoiled in her lower being. She gulped and made a sudden face, then warned him in a whisper with a finger pointed up at him. "Everett Styles...you watch your" she didn't get to finish because his large hands grabbed her upper arms, pulling her against him. She squealed out an "eek!" and jumped away from him, her heart slamming even more. "You best get on your way to that store, woman. Else I'm gonna have to treat Tom to the sight of me kissing the hell outta you," the way he said it was very convincing. Sylvia, again, took off to open a big distance between them. Speechless, she stood by the kitchen door putting her coat and gloves on. Unable to take her eyes off of him as he stood where she left him...desire to do as he threatened strong in his expression. "Hurry up back here. I'll be hungry again before you know it," he informed her. Sylvia still couldn't find her voice. She wasn't use to anyone like him. On the way to the store and as she shopped, she was still shaken by him. It seemed that he had, for some reason, turned on the total seduction and charm towards her. He had completely unnerved her. Her mind was buzzing with his actions. His outright boldness. His jumping in to see about her heat and warmth, despite the inconvenience and discomfort it brought him. It was obvious he had paid Tom for his services, as well. She would have to reimburse him for that. She wasn't about to have him spending any money on her. She could take care of herself. She didn't want to be obligated to him. Funny, where was the strong sense of anger and resentment that use to come with those thoughts? She sighed; he was wearing her down. Picking up all the necessities she was running low on or out of, she decided to prepare barbecue pork. That wouldn't take long to cook. Corn on the cob, coleslaw, collard greens and corn bread. That ought to fill his gut. After picking up more items, she paid her $220.00 grocery bill. Her car was loaded and off she went for home, planning how she would prepare the meal in the most efficient manner. Hoping that they were still in the back, she tooted her horn. They were, and helped her bring in the groceries. With the last bag in, Tom went back out to finish bringing in more wood to the basement. "Holy cow, woman! You think you bought enough groceries?" Everett exclaimed at the bags everywhere. "I don't shop every week, sir, just once a month." He was looking through the bags as she was unloading them. "You bring anything to snack on?" Sylvia turned around looking at him with one hand on her hip. "You cannot be hungry again so soon!" He looked up as if offended. "I beg your pardon...and why not? You see this body? You see these muscles?" He raised his left arm, flexing his bicep for her. Slapping the large, rock hard muscle. "A man's gotta eat to grow muscles like that." Sylvie rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "Everett Styles, you're an arrogant ham," she declared.
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"Um-hm, and everybody wants a slice. Including you...but you can have more than a slice," he flirted and winked at her. Sighing and shaking her head, Sylvia walked over to where he stood, leaned down into one of the bags and came up with a bag of California trail mix, then slapped it against his chest. "Here...now get back to work. I have groceries to put away and a dinner to prepare." "Yes, ma'am." He saluted, taking the trail mix and opening it as he went into the living room to suit up again. "So, what's for dinner?" he called from the living room, stepping into his suit. "Barbecue pork ribs, collard greens, coleslaw, corn on the cob, and corn bread. How's that?" Fully suited up, he stepped into sight, looking at her unsure. "I guess I'll see when it's on the plate." That statement snapped her around to him. "Look, you, just get out of here; and when it's all done, you best be hungry and ready to eat!" At the dinner table "Now what do you have to say, Mr. Styles?" He was leaning back in his seat, gut full, a satisfied look on his face and a toothpick sticking out the corner of his mouth. His head drew back, stretching his neck so he could give a good hollow belch. Sylvia laughed out loud. "You pig...at least say excuse me." He shook his head and winked. "That's a compliment to the chef...by the way...Shawn Everett McPherson at ye service, madam," he said in a thick Irish brogue. Sylvia melted. "Shawn? Everett? McPherson?" she repeated each as a question. "Aye, madam. At ye service. I am a man content and satisfied." But his piercing eyes sent out a message otherwise. Exhaling the effects of that bold stare, Sylvia asked, "And where did Styles come from?" "I was advised, so I changed it. They thought Everett Styles was more romantic. It's what I use on all of my paintings for book covers. My personal work bears my real nameMcPherson." Sylvia smiled wistfully. "I see," she whispered softly. He sat leaning back comfortably, staring at her. She was just as quiet, returning his gaze. After a few minutes with the silence stretching between them, Everett finally spoke up. "I think I will capture you on canvas after the first time we've made love. You will be as satisfied then as I am now. I'll want you sitting back against my headboard. Your legs drawn up beside you, your naked calve, thigh and hip bare. A satin maroon sheet barely covering your waist, held fetchingly at your breast, baring just enough to drive me to distraction. Your hair mussed, your skin dewy from sweat, your lips swollen from my kisses. Your eyes dreamy with enchantment." Sylvia stared, then sighed deep. This man was casting a spell on her. He was carefully binding up her heart, to which one day...he would steal. In preparation of that day, she hadn't a clue as to how she might stop him. If she were completely honest with herself, she knew...she wanted to remain...completely clueless.
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Series one Episode four Chapter ten Shed rewritten the query letter at least three times. Sitting as she was in an oversized cozy chair with her feet up on the ottoman, she should be productive. A small floor lamp standing behind, the soft glow shining down over her shoulder enhanced by the crackling, warm fire glowing beside her. The laptop that was propped up on her lap offered no assistance. She found it hard to concentrateas if that were anything new of late. Forcing herself to focus and think, she once again read the query letter to a prospective agent. Trying to put herself in the agent's shoes and seat, the first thing to realize was that they received hundreds of query letters weekly. In order to succeed, she had to create a letter that captured one's attention. She needed to write a letter that held their interest and caused one to think of the possibilities her writing style would offer. She needed to present all of this in as few words as possible. After the third attemptshe sighed deep and long, inhaling and exhaling slowly, dropping her head back. This problem hadn't always been. This predicament had arisen just recently, with her mind constantly flooded with thoughts of him. What was she going to do? Things were getting out of hand. Pulling her legs up and setting her feet on the floor, she sat her laptop down and rose to walk into the kitchen. She was hungry and couldnt decide what it was she wanted to eat. Standing with the refrigerator door open, she reached for the lone orange sitting on the center rack. Closing the door, she stepped to the side and began rolling it on the counter to soften its peel, simplifying the removal and loosening the juice. Popping a segment into her mouth, she savored the cool citrus sweetness of it, turning to lean against her kitchen counter. The phone loomed large suddenly, calling her attention to it. Why? Because of him. She wanted to call him. She wanted to hear his voice. What was he doing right now? Was he wondering what she was doing? Im thinking about you, she answered out loud as if hed asked the question. Sighing deep, she finished her orange and went to her basement door and down the stairs. She would gather some wood in the log carrier and bring up a bundle for the night.
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The fireplace helped keep the chill out of the air since she kept her thermostat set at 60F. She found that it was too expensive to heat her house with LP fuel alone. Shed done that last winter and it had cost her an arm and a leg. Not this year, she wouldnt. Looking around her finished basement with its rustic dcor, pool table and other amusement gamesshe realized that this house was probably too big for her to be living in alone, but it was comfortable and to her liking. It fit her, who she was, and allowed her to easily implement the type of furnishings that expressed her style of living. With her carrier loaded, she walked past the bar and turned on the lights to it, then picked up the remote to the 36-inch TV in the wall entertainment center and clicked it on. Setting the wood on the floor at the bottom of the stairs, she went to the refrigerator freezer and removed a large, ring tray of jumbo shrimp. A spur of impulse found her whipping up a quick salad. She then took out two New York Strip steaks and two large potatoes. After activating the works to cook in her small basement kitchen, she went behind the bar and picked up the phone. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, she quickly dialed his number before she lost her nerve. Hello? His voice was soft, while deep and masculine; the timbre of it reaching to her core. Hi. She swallowed, afraid. Hi, he returned, not sure who he spoke to. Its meSylvia, she informed him nervously. Sylvia! Wow, what a surprise! Is something wrong? he asked, stunned to hear her voice over his phone. He looked across the kitchen at the refrigerator door that hed left open to answer the phone. He was starving. Hed been painting most of the day and hated to stop when his rhythm was just so. There were days when he struggled with one of his paintings, and others, where the talent seem to flow from him. Today had been just one of those days, ending just a half an hour ago because the hunger grew sharp. NothingI, uh, wellechmumm She gulped and swallowed deep, then with her eyes closed as if not seeing would block her embarrassment, she softly climbed out on the limb. I havent had dinner yet and Im hungry, and I thought maybe you would be, tooI mean, if youre notthats fine but I thought we could maybewell, keep each other company a couple of hours. Play some pool, maybe shoot some dartswhatever youd like to do, she finished, sighing in relief to get it out. She could hear him chuckling through the phone line. Whatever Id like to do, hmm? She could hear the grin in his tone as well. Well, not whatever! You know what I mean. I see. He snickered. I think, dear lady, that your timing is perfect. I also happen to be hungrystarving, in fact. Sure, Id be delighted. Is there anything I can bringum, maybe a bottle of wine or something?
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Smiling and giddy, with the nod of her head Sylvia answered, Sure. A bottle of wine would be nice. What a reliefit hadnt been as hard to do as she thought. Ill be over in about thirty minutes then. I need a shower. I have paint all over me and I worked out earlier, I better take care of that. Trust meyou would not care for the smell of me right now. Well, I guess you better head for the shower then. See you when you get here. Lady, Ill be there with bells on. Hanging up, Sylvia paused a moment to savor the delicious thought of his presence there, but for only a moment did she pause. Heading back to the small kitchenette counter, Sylvia unwrapped the steaks, rinsed them off, placing them on the thawing plate, making sure to season and marinade them. She then opened the frozen shrimp tray, placing them in cool running water to aid in a faster thaw. Grabbing the logs, she dashed up the stairs and stacked them by the fire. She gave her home a quick survey to make sure everything was as it should be. Satisfied, she closed her laptop, placing it neatly on the end table to anchor the pile of papers. With that spot tidy, she rushed to the stereo and started her 25-disc CD player, setting it on shuffle mode. The first soundtrack to start the evening was Stevie Wonder's You are the Sunshine of My Life. Smiling at the atmosphere playing Stevie in the background set, she hurried into her bathroom. Her intention was to do a quick wash-up, but second thought had her stripping down and starting the shower. Pinning her hair up out of the way, she stepped into the warm, invigorating spray. Again her intention was for a fast shower, but with him on her mind...it did something to the way she was suddenly feeling. Her body was responding to her thoughts, stimulating every nerve ending and making her skin ultrasensitive to every caress with the sponge netting and fragrant cream wash. The spray of the warm shower pelting against her skin was soothing as she lathered up one arm, slow with pleasure, turning gently in a dreamy state so that the tiny jets had her tingling as it bounced off of her back and buttocks. From her arms, the lathering bath continued across her chest, over and around her breasts. Her nipples tightened to an achy hardness, which was what it took to snap her out of it. Stunned at her state of rising arousal, she knew shed best hasten this shower before it led to full sexual awakening. A moment later she stepped from the shower, looking immediately up at the bath clock. Ten minutes was burned in that shower. After a rapid patting all over using a soft, thick and thirsty towel, she grabbed her bottle of lotion and stopped. It usually took her ten minutes to completely lotion her body down after a shower, which she faithfully did under normal circumstances. No time for that tonight; it seemed to her that she and the clock were in a race.
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Thank goodness Avon understood this, providing a lotion moisturizing spray, which of course she had, taking advantage of that post-haste. She laughed out loud as she next grabbed the feminine deodorant spray for her lower regions, and then the stick for the underarms. Good grief! Do men go through all of this to smell good? She chuckled in wonder at the things women did to feel good about their bodies, their carriage and the way they smelled. Turning to her bathroom vanity, she pulled open the bottom drawer and removed a little, lacy dark-red pair of undies, followed by the matching bra. Five minutes gone. She had fifteen minutes. This is crazy! she screeched, still grinning, pulling them up as they rolled with her damp, moist skin, making her laugh out her frustration trying to straighten them. Two snapping shakes to the bra and the fight was on with that. Ooh! Would you cut it out! she scolded the clock. It had to be a proven fact when youre not in an urgent hurry, the bra goes on without a hitch, when you are "Argh! I hate this thing! this exclamation after hooking it, turning it, only to find after pulling it up and over, that it was inside out. She knew it when it hooked that odd way, but prayed it was a 'different bra'. Not! The heck with it! Hows he gonna know its on backwards? Hes not going there anyway, soit stays, she declared, rushing into her bedroom pulling the straps up one arm, then the other, making the necessary adjustments on the way. Now, what to wear? She stopped in the center of her bedroom, running her evening casual wear through her mind. Looking at the dresser, then spun in place, looking to the closet. Comfort! She dashed to the closet and pulled from it a set with burgundy stretch pants and a knit multicolored top with a floral print. At her dresser she grabbed her favorite perfume, Provocative, and spritzed it in all the right places. Ten minutes left, according to her clock radio beside the bed. I am never doing this again. Why do I care how I look? What I smell like? This is not a date, after all! she grumbled, pulling up her stretch pants, then grabbed the top to pull over her head. It caught on a hair pin. Oh no, my hair is still pinned up! Back to the bathroom, in the mirror, she snatched pins from her hair, shook her head, then combed it into place. No time for makeup. She sighed. Ill just dust with some powder and a little lip hue. Thats good enough. Hmmm? Should I go now, or should I wait? Its been twenty-five minutes, but I said thirty. Is she gonna be the type that needs me to be late? Or the type that expects me to be on time? Or would she find it considerate to be early? Or inconsiderate showing up early? Is she "as is" or did she get ready, too? Oh hell. He sighed deep, running his hand through his hair in irritation.
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Damn womenpain in the ass, I swear, this he muttered, rising from leaning on the window looking across the way. He walked to the kitchen with his stomach growling. Hell, Im hungryIm going now, he grumped, then selected a bottle of wine out of the wine rack on the kitchen counter. On the way to the door he grabbed his lambskin jacket and headed out, putting it on as he tromped across the yard. The snow was falling in large cluster flakes and the night felt wonderful. He felt wonderful. There was something right about this night. About her, about them; she knew this too, regardless of how she protested. Obviously she was realizing this because here he was on his way to her house for dinner and a game of pool. Bottle of wine in hand, and a determination to show her that they were meant to be, no more lollygagging. He noticed that she hadnt shoveled her walkway to the porch yet, nor the porch for that matter. That would kill some time. He wouldnt be late. Nor would he be too early. He would be there, but still allowing her enough time to do whatever it was that women did when awaiting men. Setting his bottle of wine down on the porch, he stepped over to the garage, opening the door he clicked the light on. Entering, he looked around for the snow shovel. There was one hanging on a utility rack on the wall.
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Series one Episode four Chapter eleven He was late! Ten minutes late! Sylvia came up the basement stairs and walked to her living room picture window to look out across the street, when he walked past it across her front porch. She gasped in surprise, went to the door, opening it she leaned out asking, What are you doing? How long have you been here? He glanced over his shoulder after pushing a load of snow over the edge of her porch. I sure hope you have dinner done, Im starving! Im almost done, Ill be in in a minute. Sir, if you havent noticed, its still snowing. I know, but if you let it pile up, the job to remove it is bigger. "If you say so. She stood a moment, ignoring the cold to look at him. Shed never met a man like this before. He stood looking back at her, then turned slowly and walked up to her. The evidence of the cold showed on the breaths he took. Sylvia swallowed, mesmerized as she stared up at him, now that he was up close, placing the shovel down by the door. She noticed that his arms were long when he braced his hands on the door frame to stand over her, his body large and warm, radiating heat despite the cold. His nose and cheeks were red. Was it the cold, dark night standing behind him with the light of her porch shining a soft yellow that made his eyes so bluewhen other times they were gray? He was growing a mustache, adding to the masculinity that was already overwhelming. He was so closeso very close. Her gaze caressed his face with a soft dreaminess that she had no will to stop. From his eyes, down the length of his nose, to his parted mouth. She could hear him breathing. Her gaze drifted back up to his. Finally his voice broke the spell. This is the one and only time Im going to give you options, lady. As I stated, Im hungry, and thats plural. Which are you willing to feed? Sylvia was frozen in place and unable to move. From low in his throat, there came a deep, Emm, good choice. Suddenly his warm mouth was over hers. His cold nose softly brushing her skin. She whimpered, feeling a capable hand at her back pulling her against him as he stepped into her front door.
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His warm, moist mouth tasting hers with proof to his hunger as his tongue entered to taste deeper. His body strong and hard, Sylvia noticed with her hands pressed against his chest. Easily he closed her door, never breaking the contact of his mouth on hers, turning her against it as it clicked shut. With her heart pounding, she found his other arm around her. Her body lifted against the door, pressed there by his large body. Her mind was racing with what was happening to her. She battled mind and heart. Her heart wanted him with a passion she could not deny. Her mind warning her that this was happening too soon. That she was being foolish to let him manipulate and mold her as he no doubt had done many others before her. Nooo! She twisted her mouth from his, breathing deep and hard. Please, stop. Let me downplease, she gasped, breathless. With his pulse pumping and throbbing, Everett slowly lowered her to the floor, but did not break the distance. It felt so right, so good to be this way with herto be close like this. Whats wrong? he asked with a deep, throaty timbre softly spoken, hoping to coax her back to another kiss. She couldnt look up at him. He stood over her, his body against hers, his forearms against the door on either side of her head. She had to collect herself. She had to bring her racing heart back to normalthis was insane. Please, movelet me go, she pleaded softly, swallowing deep and nervous. Why do you keep fighting me? he asked, lowering himself with the bend of his knees to see her face angled as it was, hiding. She had to put distance between them and pushed her way from the door, escaping the space he held her in. Look, I didnt invite you here for this. That shouldnt have happened, she said, moving towards the center of the room away from Everett. He turned to follow her across the room. Why did it then? Because, youyou did it. You wanted me to. No, I didnt! Yesyoudid, he enunciated slowly in an attempt to make her admit it. Well, I-I dont want it to happen again. I dont know you. I dont know what youre doing. I dont know what you want I want you. Well youre not the first man! I dont imagine that I am. "Look, let me tell you so that you knowjust like them, Im not the one. There are hundreds of women out there more than willing to do whatever it is you need done. Im not one of them. I invited you over tonight as a friendly gesture. The offer is for dinner. Maybe a game of pool or cardsand thats it. You helped me out and I appreciate it. But dont you go thinking that youre going to end up in my bed! Because it aint going down like that and I mean it!
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She finished, feeling her old self return. She finally felt back in control. Now you, sir, have an option. Dinner here under my termsor take out? She swallowed again, unable to shake the nervous giddiness his presence made her feel. Plus, her body was still tingling with the throbbing of her lips. He sighed deep, shrugging his shoulders to remove his jacket. You drive one hard bargain, lady. Okayyour terms. He tossed his jacket on the back of the recliner in the living room. And hang up that jacket, she ordered good-naturedly. Yes, maam. You mind getting the wine off the kitchen porch stairs where I left it? he asked, doing as she requested. Sure, I can do that. She turned away, blowing out a "phew" in relief. He was hustling her. He should be ashamed of himself, but he wasnt. She was leaning over the pool table lining up another shot, a triumphant grin lighting up her pretty face. Hed won the first game they played, pretending by luck, noticing her pool skills. Automatically, his mind injected the plan to hustle her in the game for a kiss. Just one more kiss. He couldnt get that first one out of his mind. Nor the feelings it evoked. He hadnt felt so shaken to the core since his very first kiss as a young boy. When for the first time, he had experienced his tongue in a young girls mouth. Back then, the kiss had been sweet because she had just removed a Charms cherry lollipop for the kiss, so yescherry sweet. The kiss earlier had been that kind of sweet as well, not flavored with the taste of a Charms lollipop, but flavored with something infinitely sweeter. Decorum be damned. He wanted another one. He wanted to feel that body up against his again. Her full, soft breasts pressed firmly against his chest. He wanted to test the weight and firmness of her rear in his hands again. He stood watching her, resigned to his semi-aroused state. If he dare let his mind go any further in the fantasy of her, he would find himself at a full erection and no way to hide it. She took her shot and made it. She had three balls left on the table to his six. She stood, did a cute little wink and double click with her tongue from the side of her mouth. Um-hm, lady. Youre smug now. Lets see how smug you are when I sit you on that table with Otis nudging at your door, my tongue in your mouth, and the cheeks of your firm ass in my hands. Argh! I hate it when I miss an easy shot like that! Sylvia exclaimed, stepping back from the table to give him his shot. Yeah, sure. Obviously you invited me here to show off what a pool shark you are, he spoke as if serious but okay with it. Sylvia grinned. Who, me, a pool shark? Not hardly. I just find the game enjoyable and relaxing. You play pretty good, she offered, trying to keep from crowing at the high of whipping him in pool. She loved to win, and in this, she was doing just that. Or so she thought. Thanks, he responded, just so, making a shot that looked unplanned by an amateur of courseand missed. The appropriate deep sigh followed.
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Sylvia bit into her bottom lip not to laugh out. Youll learn. Just be patient, and draw the geometric lines in your mind. The cause and effect of alignment and impact, she advised, trying not to sound like she was bragging on her skill. Oh, now Im getting a lesson in physics, hm? he grumped sourly. I'm just saying, besides, physics help. She profiled with her stick lined up for a shot then winked at him, took it, and hit dead on with the ball taking the side pocket with a resounding knock at the rail before she sunk it. What can I say? Now that was a blatant brag. He hid the sinister grin behind narrowed eyes. Obviously she didnt understand the magnitude of that kiss. Nor the way it made him feel. If nothing else, this lady had his lust meter flicking madly in the hot zone. As much as he hated admitting it, it was much more than that. Than lust. I might have taken sympathy on you, lady, but theres a lesson to be learned here, and "teach" is going to give you one youll not soon forget. Em-hmm. No big deal. Its just pool...anybody can learn to play pool and win. If you ask me, its a game for wussies. If I wanted to, I could beat you. I just dont want to, he said, aimed and missed the next shot. Ach! Sylvie sounded. Say what? Wussies? she simpered, then chuckled. You just mad 'cause you cant play, she furthered. I brought you down here, fed you that good and tender steak, and you know it was good wudnit? she prodded for affirmation. He nodded, looking her in the eyes. Yeah, it was good, if I must say so myself. Take it nice and slowshes about to set up the knock downjust let her lead you, and you follow her right in, he coached himself silently. Doggone right it was good! Nice, fresh-tossed salad. Perfectly baked potato, I might add and dessert is waiting, she continued to boast. You better believe it, baby, and its gonna be sweet, he thought in anticipation. Now, having said that, the least you could do She had that black pride feeling raising its ugly head. Her gestures, drag and motion, just too confident. I said, the least you could do, is take this whippin like a man. I aint gone hurt ya bad, just a lil spankin. You like spankings, dontcha? She grinned, then laughed out as she set up the last two shots and sunk them both, and without hesitation she polished off the 8-ball in the corner pocket. Her finale was a little victory dance, crowing in her joy and laughter. Oh, but he played his part well. Oh, I see how you are now. Didnt your mama ever teach you when you play a game with a man, you're suppose to let him win? My mama never taught me no such thing, she returned, with hands on hips and attitude high. "Well she should have. I could win at this stupid game if I wanted to. I just didnt want to. He played the sore loser role to perfection. Excuse me? First of all, the game is not stupid. Second, it takes time to develop the skill level needed to be a successful pool player.
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Andobviously you havent put that much time into it. Which is whyI spanked youthree out of four games. That first one was my warm up, or you wouldnt have won that one either, she continued, digging a deeper hole for herself. Skill my lily-white, hairy ass! he shot, making Sylvia gasp in shock, followed by uncontrollable laughter. You gettin mad, aintcha? It aint nothin but a thangyou aint the first I beat. It dont minimize your manhood none. Everything you came in with you get to leave with. Pride might be a little bruised, but that, too, will heal. Oh, thats it! Round up the balls, set em up! Rack em up! Whatever the hell you call it, lets go. My turn now! He pretended to be wounded and ready to fight for his manhood. Sylvia was grinning, shaking her head. I think that we should just forego anymore pool tonight and have dessert. I meanits only going to get worse. Oh, oh, oh! Scared now, arent you? Scared Im gonna beat you at your own game! he fronted. She rolled her eyes. Honey chile', please. That is the least of my worries. Im trying to save you from yourself. You couldnt handle the last three whippin's. What make you think you can handle one more? Aint you sore enough? Rack em up! You not gonna win. Come on, lets have some dessert. You need to calm down. Youre just afraid Ill beat you, thats all. I bet you Ill win. Ive been watching how you play, I can do what you've been doing. Youll bet me? Sylvia asked, incredulous, then laughed as if he were crazy. Then thought, what the heck. Imo have to teach this white man something right now. Okay, you rack em up. Ill even let you break, she offered, relishing the thought of winning the bet. Wait, wait, wait. What are we betting for? Darlin, you can bet for whatever you want. You aint gone win. Skies the limit, she bragged confidently. It takes time to get where I am at pool, she informed him again, then stated what she wanted, I tell you what I want. I winyou have to keep my porch shoveled. Annnd, you have to keep my car cleaned off. If Im going somewhere, you have to warm it up for me. I hate going out in the morning and getting into a cold car. She shivered to emphasize the point. You keep your car in the garage! he exclaimed, incredulous. I might forget and leave it out one day, and even in the garage, its still cold. No matter how early. If I call youfour in the mornin tellin you I got to be somewhere by five, you got to get out there and have that car warm for me...
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...as a matter of fact, I want it warmed up, pulled out of the garage and parked right in line with the front door, so all I have to do is run out and jump in. I want you waiting out there for me until I come, so you can hold the door open for me like a valet, she finished, grinning with tears in her eyes. He shook his head thinking, oh baby, it gets sweeter and sweeter. You sure thats all? I mean, maybe I should run and fill it up with gas, too! he added, sarcastically. Her eyes grew large. Oh, yeah! I hate standing with that cold wind blowing as I pump the gas. Okay, yeah, that too. If I need gas, I expect you to take it and fill it up. Thank you, thats a good one. Ohhhh, he growled deep in his throat. Hey, a bets a bet. You said it. Now when I win, you just follow through, no backing down. No backing down?" Nobackingdown. The bet stands, right here, right now." You sure about that?" he checked. "I'm suresure!" "You got it, lady, and you remember the same, he added with calculating eyes. Now, my turn for what I want. His eyes, his gesture, his stance shook Sylvia deep inside, and for a moment she had a weird feeling come over her. The feeling, as if she might have been taken, but she shook if off. She was good when it came to pool. She would win. She knew she would.
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Series one Episode four Chapter twelve Fire awaylets hear it. Immediately following my victory of this game, Im going to take you by the waist, set you on the rail of this fine table here, part your legs and step in between. Im then going to grab your hips and pull you snug and tight up against meso you can feel for yourself what you do to me. He gave her a moment to digest that, lifting one large hand before her. Then this hand will be at your lower back holding you there so you dont move away, while the other will be behind your head, pressing your mouth to mine as my tongue tastes tonights dinner and every hidden crevice there. You will not break the kiss! Only I can break the kiss, no matter how long I make it. So take a deep, long breath now, lady, because after this game, every breath you take, I will claim as mine. As a matter of fact, from this day forward, if I decide to grab you and kiss you, you have to let me. Again, I break it, not you. Thats what I want, and by the way, wherever it is that my hand wanders during the kiss, they have the freedom to wander, and again, you have to let them. Now lets play your game. A confident brow rose and he winked at her. Sylvia gulped. Next thing she knew, his whole manner changed. His focus was entirely on the pool table. He took the triangle ball rack, placing it on the table and lining it perfect with the correct side dots. Reaching down into the open slot, he retrieved the balls, placing them in the triangle according to the correct color, solid and stripe arrangement, numbers included. Next, he gave the rack a move forward, then back, stabilizing the balls and removed it with ease. Setting it aside, he grabbed his stick, the chalk cube and applied his desired amount of chalk to the tip. Youre sure you want me to break? Sylvia stared at him, speechless. No problem, he replied as if her silence meant yes. His stance, his lean, his play with the stick and the way he was lining up the shot to break said loud and clearpool player from the get go! With a sinking realization, Sylvie realized she was about to get the most dangerous hustle of her life.
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He pulled the stick back and shot it forward with such power, the clacking of the balls reverberated as they scattered far and wide across the table. Three stripes went in, and two solids. He chose the stripes, walking around the table and lining up the shots like a master. His eyes on the table, he spared her not one glance. There was no hiding his skill level now, making bank shots and other difficult shots and in no time flat, all the stripes were in. 8-ball in that side pocket, last hole. She watched as the 8-ball rolled to its pocket as if the master had spoken. He then went about clearing the table of what would have been her balls to shoot. He didnt miss a shot. Not one. Very quietly, Sylvia sighed deep. With the table clean, he stepped over to the rack, put his stick in its place there. Walked to her, took her stick, and did the same. Again Sylvia gulped. Come here, he commanded in no uncertain terms. That command snapped Sylvie to attention. You hustled me! she charged. You knew how to play all along! she argued with a speeding heart. "Never mind that, I said come here." He started towards her. Remember, no backing down...you're not going to renege, are you? he asked silkily with steady even steps. Sylvia whimpered, backing away against the side of the table. You took advantage of me! You knew you could beat me! His smile was that of a stalking wolf. According to you, that wasnt possible. Again she whimpered. Surely youre not going to hold me to that bet? she squealed, a sudden ringing in her ears began. "Sorry, lady, I have every intention of holding you to that bet, just as you would have held me to your terms. I was justjust razzing you. I would have never held you to all of that really. I mean, we were just kidding aroundright? She gulped convulsively. He chuckled, very amused, coming to stand right in front of her. That he was aroused, she could see, without having to look right at his crotch. Pay up time, darlin, pay up time. His hands went around her waist. Wait! she cried out as an adrenal rush shot through her body. He ignored her and lifted her to the table. Oh man! she whined, short of breath. He spread her knees. Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god! she cried rapidly. He chuckled. Thats a little premature, isnt it? Im good, but not that good. He chuckled, bringing his face close to hers. Letting his cheek caress hers as he warmed her ear with his breath, then his tongue. Shawn Everett McPherson, whatwhat would your mother think, ifif He sucked on her earlobe. she knewyouwere hustling innocent Warm, moist nibbles traced startling sensations down the side of her neck, his teeth gently nipping as he went. Emmm, you smell good. Good enoughtoeat. Her head went to the side and back, her eyes dazed and dreamy. True to his terms, she felt his hand at her lower back drawing her closer to him. Pleasedont she gasped, breathless.
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A betsa bet, he breathed, wrapping his other arm around her, his large hand cupping the back of her head, his mouth sucking and kissing up her throat. This is nota kiss, she panted. In my book it is, I call it...prelude...to...a...kiss, he announced slowly between each taste before he tilted her head up and went in for the kill. His mouth completely closed over hers, the force of his tongue entering there robbed her of her breath. His assault was merciless, withdrawing long enough only to allow her a gasping breath, before he went deep again. Molding and pressing her body tightly against his own. Grinding his arousal to the apex of her core. He was as hard and firm as she feared, rubbing against her yielding softness. Sylvia thought her heart would burst from the rapid beating. Her body was on the verge of something that would take her over the edge if she didnt stop him now. Noooo! She wrenched her mouth from his, snatching herself from his strong embrace. She scrambled to the center of the pool table, turning and coming to her knees, breathing heavy and gasping for air. Her body shook from the trauma of being so close to something so sweet, but she couldnt do this. Bet or not, she could not let him use her this way. I cant! I cant! Im begging youplease dont make me go through with this! She had tears in her eyes because she knew she put herself there. Everett stepped back from the table, his eyes devouring her. She took his breath away. He was throbbing all over, especially in one area of his being. He had to take calming breaths himself. Im sorry. I really amI know its my fault, she admitted softly, wiping away streaming tears. I want you, Sylvie. Cant you see that? To go to bed with! To soothe your curiosity! To offer you something new! she cried, backing to the edge and climbing down to put the table between them. Im not looking to be any man's conquest or notch for his belt. Thats not what Im about. I would appreciate it if you would respect that. I respect you, Sylvie, he stated gently. Because I desire you, you think thats a show of disrespect? Its not right. Whats not right? This! If I hadnt stopped you, you know what it would have led to. Theres nothing wrong with this, Sylvia. Youre a beautiful woman. Made to be loved inside and out by a man. Me. Its a beautiful thing, baby. Man and woman were meant to be as one, thats the awe of us. Thats the way God made us. Were not married, EverettShawn! Whatever your name is! God made it a beautiful thing when it is shared between two people who know each other, cherish each other, love and commit to each other. That is the beauty of man and woman, in realizing thatand making it so! It is not a beautiful thing when it's used for shallow, temporary, gratification...
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...or when it's distorted and perverted to something that takes over, making everything connected to it ugly and unclean. I want no part of that. Its not who I am, she ended softly, her body slowly coming down from the heights of passion hed sent her to. He, too, was now calm. He was leaning against the arm of her sofa. His arms crossed over his chest, staring into her eyes as she was his. He was such a beautiful man. In her mind, there was no way a man like him could be trusted, could be sincere. Of course she was assuming these things about him, but she wasnt about to gamble her heart on it. Besides, they were just neighbors who happened to be attracted to each other. It didnt mean that they were meant to be anything more than what they were. It was just too soon to tell. She was not about to hand herself over to him to use at will because they had chemistry. Shawn sighed long and deep, then ran his hand over his face and through his hair, ruffling it up. Okay. He sighed again. Okay. I hear you. Nowcome here. He tossed his head back, gesturing for her to come to him. No. Shaking her head, hesitant and a little afraid. Not of him, but of the way he made her feel. Ill be good, I promise. She slowly came from the far side of the pool table towards him. And the bet? she asked hopefully. He chuckled, shaking his head. Oh, noIm not relinquishing it that easy, but I will give you some timeto deal with the terms of it. She wilted with a disappointed look on her face. Come here, he coaxed gently. Reluctantly she stepped up to him; he reached and pulled her in, wrapping his arms around her waist. She braced her hands against his biceps, ready to push back. Relax, Ive never forced myself on a woman, and Im not about to start with you. Looking into his eyes, she inhaled to relax. This would be an adjustment for her, being held like this by him. Feel better now? he asked. She smiled. A little. Is this really necessary, you holding me? He nodded, answering, Yes, I like having you close to me. Feels good. She whimpered, still unsure of him and this. Why me? Whats happening here? And dont stand here and tell me there isnt someone else you're involved with. Im not stupid. Well, lets just sayI have been. Were on what you might call unsure ground, he admitted honestly. Then what are you doing here, Shawn? She grinned and so did he. You gonna start calling me by my real name? She smiled mischievously. Does anyone else call you Shawn? My immediate family. Sylvia smiled. Well thats a shame. Its a very nice name. It makes you sound less arrogant and more wholesome. She was getting comfortable in his arms, leaning against him.
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He pulled her in closer with an affectionate squeeze. Wholesome? What like Wonder Bread? Sylvia chuckled. Noooo. It just makes you sound normaltrustworthy, umm, someone who could be trusted with my heart. She smiled and blushed, feeling her face on fire. I see, he returned. Then by all means, pleasecall me Shawn, he offered sincerely. They both stood in silence, his hand stroked up her back in a gentle caress. He wanted to kiss her again. He was about to ask her, but decided against it. Knowing her, shed say no and back out of his arms, so he lowered his head. Sylvia braced herself, but didnt move away. The kiss was gentle, soft and compassionate; her favorite kind. Ending it gently, he stroked her lips with his, then pulled back reluctantly. Im going out of town tomorrow. I have another job to do, anndI need to visit my daughter, he informed her. Sylvia was surprised. You have a daughter? He nodded, grinning. Yes I do, and an ex-wife. Oh. How long ago were you married? I was married for sixverylongyears. Weve been divorced for three years now. My daughter's nine. Her name? Angela Rae McPherson. My ex-wifes name is Deidre. They live in California? she asked. He nodded to confirm. Her family has money. After the divorce, she moved back home with them. I stayed there for a while, and as soon as our home sold, I started packing up. I needed to get out of there. It was hard moving away from my daughter, but I figured wherever I was, she would have someplace new to visit. Sylvia smiled, pushing off from his biceps to back away from him. Hey, where you going? he asked, trying to hold onto her. Dessert. Care for some? He smiled in a way that she wasnt about to ask what it meant. So playing it off as if she didnt see it, she walked to the refrigerator and removed the lemon yogurt cream pie she made the day before. Whats that? he asked over her shoulder, having followed her to the small kitchenette as she sat the pie on the counter, reaching in the drawer for the pie cutter. Dessertits good for you. Low in calories. Low in sugar. Contains beneficial bacteria and its delicious. One dessert I can eat without a guilty conscious. Hmmm, and whats wrong with rich, fattening and sweet?" Nothing, on occasion. So, how long will you be gone? she asked, cutting into the pie. Serving him up a large slice, placing it on the salad plate. A couple of weeks, he answered, looking her in the face. Will you miss me? She smirked with a shake of her head. Not at all.
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He chuckled. Yeah right. Youre gonna miss me and you know it. Im gonna miss you. She rolled her eyes up to look at him sarcastically. You dont expect me to really believe that, do you? I sure do. Will you watch my house for me? I wont even mind you looking through my things. As a matter of fact, if you get bored, there are some boxes that still need to be unpacked. First of all, I have no intention of going through your things. Especially after youve given me permission. Which tells me right there, theres nothing interesting and worth going through. She grinned, closing the lid over the pie and putting it away in the refrigerator. As for house-sitting and unpacking and putting away, I dont work for less than $14 an hour, she said with a smile, grabbing her dessert and heading for the pit sofa in front of the TV. There she sat, crossed her legs and picked up the remote, and placed it in his lap when he sat next to her with his dessert. Man, this is good. I like this, he commented on the dessert, having cut off the front tip and popped it in his mouth before he sat down. Imagine that! And its not rich, fattening and overly sweet. She grinned. He chuckled. Oh boy. One of these women who revel in rightness, he grumbled, clicking the power button on the remote. Whataya wanna watch? he asked. Remotes in your hand. $14 an hour, hmm? Just kidding. No problem. Will you take me to the airport in Madison, too? Were just full of requests, arent we? She leaned to the side with a put out expression. Please. Id like that. Otherwise, Ill have to go alone and leave my vehicle there, he explained; he made a pitiful expression, giving the puppy dog eyes and long lip. We cant have that. I guess so. What would you have done if there were no me here? Gone alone and left my vehicle. But there is you, and I dont want to go alone. It would be nice to have you ride with me and see me off at the airport. Sylvia sighed. Again wondering, how was it that this man had woven himself so thoroughly into her life already? What about the woman you have this 'unsure' relationship with? Im no longer unsure. When I return, Ill end it. That didn't go over so well with Sylvia. In fact, it struck a nerve. Dont do me any favors. I mean, yeswe kissed, and true, theres this thing between us. But maybe you should hold onto your sure thing. After all, I have no intention of sharing my bed with you any time soon. Nor, your bed...
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...So dont be so quick to cut off your back up, Sylvie said resentfully. Not sure why she was all of a sudden piqued, Shawn turned surprised, his gaze confused as she charged up from the sofa. Now what did I say? he asked weary. Just like that!" She snapped her fingers, "Youll end it! You were unsure and now because of me, which is what you wish me to believe, youre suddenly sure that you dont want herwhoever she is! she ranted, marching off to the sink to deposit her plate. On the way back she continued, And whos to say you wont meet another woman. String her along. Get me in bed, satisfy yourself here and place us on your, 'unsure relationship' list? Then you can play her until youre sure youve got her, and then inform me this is the end! She returned, standing behind the sofa with her hands on her hips. You sure have a low opinion of me, he expressed softly, turned sideways to look up at her as she stood accusing him. Sylvie wilted then, admitting honestly, I dont know you. Youre suddenly in my life. Turning it upside down. Splitting my wood. Shoveling my snow. Cooking me breakfast. Andandseducing me. And Im having one heck of a time stopping you. Blocking you from my mind. I dont have time, nor room in my life or in my heart for games and heartbreak, and Im scared. Scared that youre in this because its something to do while youre here, she finished softly. They stayed that way for countless moments. Him staring up at her. And Sylvia, with her arms crossed under her breasts as if shielding her heart from him. Finally he stood and walked around the sofa to where she stood, stopping beside her. Nervous and vulnerable, Sylvia stood as his hand gently took her chin and turned her face sideways and up for him to look into her eyes. I dont know what has happened to you to make you so afraid of men. All I do know, is that I want you. I want you in a way that Ive never wanted a woman before. Only time will prove what I say. So, can you please give me that? Time? Sylvia couldnt answer, but she did give him a slight smile, though sad and unsure. What time is your flight tomorrow? 10:45am. Well, we better end this party now if were going to make that flight in the morning, she advised. His knuckles caressed her cheek. At The Airport Heres the number to my cell phone, my email address and my instant message identification. Will you be online at 8:30 every night for me? Shawn informed her and asked as they walked down the long corridor to his departure gate. I think I can handle that, she answered.
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They made it to the ticket door where they stood in line for him to board the plane. His hand was on her lower back. The smell of his cologne, Devin by Aramis filling her head, tantalizing her senses. She loved the smell of him. He stood tall and striking in his dress attire. A crisply, dry-cleaned white with black stripe shirt, an attractive, multicolored burgundy/black/gray tie, black slacks and suit jacket under a handsome, long black leather. He was breathtaking. Looking at him, once again she wondered had she lost her mind. Sylvia wore her favorite attire. A beige cardigan, long buff suede skirt, and tall leather dress boots under a long, sleek, wool coat with buttons all the way down the front. Her hair up in her tan wool tam. Will you miss me while Im gone, Sylvia? he asked her again. Sylvia smiled up at him. Yes, Ill miss you. That answer satisfied him. Im going to miss you, too. Be careful on the drive home. She smiled. I will. You have a safe flight. I guess Ill see you when you return. Well chat tonight, 8:30remember? he reminded her as the line moved forward pretty fast. Tomorrow night's soon enough. I already talked to you today, she simpered. He gasped. Woman, you best be online at 8:30. Dont stand me up. He was serious. She sighed again. Okay8:30. They were two away from the ticket clerk. He pulled her up to him for a kiss. Sylvie blushed, but didnt back away to stop him. The kiss was quick, but complete with tongue and all. Too soon for him, and truthfully, her as well, it was his turn to pass over his ticket and board the plane. Talk to you tonight, he reminded her again. Yes, tonight, she confirmed, stepping away to let the people behind her board. She watched him until he passed through the door, then turned and headed back the way she came. His scent still strong, lingering in her head. Aaaah god, this man is going to change my life. Please let it be for the good. Let it be for the good."
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Series one Episode five Chapter thirteen It was frightening. Here she was pulling into her driveway, with no memory of having driven the seventy-five miles back home. No memory of her taking her exits, making speed changes or watching for road constructionnothing! She vaguely recalled walking back through the airport, the parking lot, getting into her vehicle, and then merging onto the highway. One minute she was watching him step through the gate at the airport, and the next thing she knew she was pulling into her driveway. Parking her car, she sat there stunned and truly afraid. Oh, my god! I could have killed myself, or someone else! Arrrgh! Shawn Everett Styles McPherson, whatever your name isyou will not do this to me! You are not going to just invade my peace and turn my world upside down over you! No way! And Im not going to be online at 8:30, either! This is crazyI have just lost all sense and control! she reprimanded herself, getting out of her sagecolored Ford Taurus and slamming the door. Her actions caused another exclamation of anger, as it dawned on her that she wasnt going anywhere else that day. She turned back to the car and got in. Restarted it, clicked the garage door opener and sat shaking her head as the door opened to allow her entrance. She was scared, truly frightened. Oh my goodness, its already too late. I just know it is. Look at me already! How can this be? You have to get a hold of yourself! Hes going to end up breaking your heart and youstupid foolyoure going to keep going until he does! She pulled into the garage, killing her engine once she pulled in far enough for the doors to close. Closing and locking her kitchen door, she stepped out of her boots before going further into the house. Twenty minutes after her arrival home, she was out of her clothes, having hung them up and was in her favorite casuals. Sad, scared, and for the first time, noticed the absolute emptiness of her beautiful home.
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The silencethe quiet growing pregnant as she stood in her bedroom door looking out at it; everything was as she left it, but nothing was the same. Her mind drawing a blank, she stood for minutes longer than made sense. It was 1:45 in the afternoon and she couldnt for the life of her, think of what to do now that she was home. Aloneby herself, in the isolation and solitude that she had always wanted. Well here it wasthere she stood in the centerin the very midst of it, and could not move. Could not think of what to do with herself next. This is crazy! I need to finish that query letter! she scolded herself, and marched off to her office room to do just that. She went through the motions of turning on her computer; finding the remote to the TV that served as background noise, clicked it on and flipped to the Discovery Channel. With that done, she leaned over her keyboard, entering her password that brought up her Windows desktop. She walked out of the room to get her necessities for working on the computer; A tall tumbler of ice water, a can of cocktail peanutsin case hunger struck, and her cordless phone. She enjoyed the luxury of having DSL connection; it kept her phone line free. And last, a trip to the bathroom. With everything set within reach, she settled in and started opening all of her programs shed be working with. She checked her website's email, her personal email and the other one that collected her junk mail, emptying it before it was full. Now, to that query letter. Fifteen minutes later, nothing was happening. She wasnt even interested in it. Her head fell back and she sighed. Turning it sideways, she looked out the crack in the blinds to see snow falling. Beyond that, to his house sitting there. The longer she gazed at it, the louder it beckoned her. Even though she decided against being online for him, just in case she changed her mind, she would load his ID into her instant messenger panel box. Pushing her chair back, back on her feet, entering the kitchen, she stood looking for her purse. Finding it, she searched to find the keys he gave her to his house and the paper with his contact information. Returning to her computer, she brought up Yahoo Instant Messenger and clicked on the file to add him to her contact listmcharley60 Smiling at his choice of ID, which was also his email for Yahoo, she typed it into the form that popped up and sent it out. It came back and added him with a message to her, awaiting his acceptance. Now to burn time until 8:30 If I change my mind to chat with you, that is. Looking to her right, there were the keys to his house. Inhaling with acceptance, she grabbed them and her jacket off the coat tree at the kitchen door. With keys in hand, she headed to his place. The air was crisp, damp and dreary, the snow picking up and layering deep on the ground. At his door, she hesitated only a moment, then entered his home. It was cool inside; he must have turned down the thermostat. She looked for it on the walls and found it in his dining room, turning it up to take the chill out of the air. That done, she turned, looking around.
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Reaching beside her, she switched on the lights, again noticing how clean his place was. She liked that about him. He was tidy and practical, with a perfunctory style in his dcor, definitely masculine simplicity. Hmm...where to begin? she asked out loud. Walking from the dining room, she went into the kitchen to get herself something to drink and stopped, noticing a sheet of paper on the kitchen table. She walked up to it, then smiled. Picking it up, she read
Hello Lady, If Im lucky, youll find this note because you came to my home in my absence, which is what Im hoping youll do. First off, thank you for doing so and secondas you read this, Im thinking of you. No matter when it is you come in to find and read it, Im thinking of you. Well, go on, do whatever it is you came to do. Make yourself comfortable, get yourself something to drink, or eat for that matter. And, ummmfutz around, and miss me a lota whole lot. Its only right that you should miss me. If I have to suffer with our separation, then so should you. Shawn
Before her mind registered the act, Sylvia brought the note to her heart, laughing out girlishly as she spun in place as if floating above ground. Coming to a stop, she detected a scent in the air. It was his cologne. With her brows drawn in bafflement, she brought the note to her nose and took a sniff. He had dabbed it with his cologne. She smiled as a soothing calmness settled over her. Sighing, she folded the note in half and put it into her pocket. At the refrigerator, she opened the door to find something to drink. Another note was attached to a six pack of seltzer water. It said, Arent these your favorite? She stared at it, then pulled it out from between two of the attached bottles. Yes, they are my favorite, she answered as if he were there, then pulled one from the pack. Closing the door, she leaned against his counter and opened it, taking a satisfying drink. After bringing the bottle from her mouth, she looked at the second note. Why are you doing this, Shawn McPherson? Why? Because of his absence, there was no answer to her question. Now that she was there, time to get busy. Another drink and then onward, continuing by heading towards the hallway and one of the back bedrooms. She stopped in the last room, where she found it filled with boxes set against the walls. She clicked on the light and counted 24 boxes, small, medium and large.
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Laying on the floor behind a few boxes were the pieces of a bookshelf that needed assembling. Oookaaay, I guess Ill start there, she muttered out loud. First, a little music to work by. Turning back to the living room, ten minutes or more were spent turning on his stereo system and going through his music. Sylvie was stunned to find in his collection Stevie Wonder, Anita Baker, Sade, Frankie Beverly and Maze, B.B. King, Al Greene and Vanessa Williams - amazing dusties of classic R&B - funk, soulful sounds mostly found in black homes. What the heck? Oh my goodness, this white man got some taste in music. As she continued to inspect the stack, the more impressed she became. Aretha Franklinall the old stuff. Marvin Gaye, Miles Davis, Herbie HancockSara Vaughn; many others of old jazz greats. She spent fifteen minutes more there realizing what an exceptional music collection he had, and the majority of it, was what she enjoyed as well. She also loved Barbara Streisand; he had all of her music. Rod Stewart, Rolling Stones, Steve Miller Band, Bad Company and Phil Collins; Kiss, the Beatles, the Eagles, Bob Seger and so many more that she was in music heaven. Opening his 25-disc CD player, she inserted a selection of jazz, blues and soft rock, placed it on shuffle and let the music begin, turning it to a volume she could hear in the back bedroom and went to tackle the boxes. Hmph. First song, Anita BakerYou bring me-e-e jo-o-oy, when Im down shaking her head she sang along, opening every box first to inspect the contents, transferring them to where she thought they might go. The small, and many of the medium boxes, contained books. She set them to the side. Two she opened to more music. She carried them to the living room to unpack and put away in there. The next few medium boxes contained VHS tapes of movies. Some self-recorded, others he purchased. Quite a few Walt Disney movies, animated and otherwise. Those also went to the living room. A couple of his larger boxes contained old art and art supplies, all of that she took to his painting room. She found a couple of boxes with bathroom items and medicine cabinet goods. That, she carried to the bathroom. Back again to look through more boxes, she found shoes, old decorative bottles of cologne, socks, shirts, and gift trinkets that were made by his daughter. Those boxes, she carried into his bedroom. Setting them down before his dresser, she turned to leave and saw another note. This one lay on the pillows of his made bed. She smiled and slowly approached the bed. Sitting down, she picked up the note, it read
Phew, tired yet? If so, feel free to lay your head here and rest a spell. With the chill in the air, by all means, snuggle in under the covers. Id love to return and find the scent of you here in my bed. If not your scent, then youmaybe?
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She threw her head back and laughed. Not this time, Shawn McPherson, not this time. She grinned, then on impulse she sniffed the note and there his scent lingered. She smiled; rose from his bed and added that note to the others in her pocket. Back in the room she put the bookshelf together, which took up the entire wall it was laying before. With that done, she began unpacking his books. He had old books with tattered bindings as well as new. His reading material was mostly of authors like Larry McMurtry, Tom Clancy, Ed McBain, Ken Follett, Sidney Sheldon, Andrew M. Greeley. A lot of Sports Illustratedhardback additions. Self-help books on fitness, weight lifting and equipment catalogs. Tons of hardback books on various artwork. A collection of old encyclopedia editions. A library of children's literature and reading. Books filled with fairytales of old, from famous authors. To her surprise, there was even a collection of very good cookbooks. This made her smile as she set those aside to put in the kitchen. She ran across two ancient volumes of Shakespeare; these two books were huge. She set them aside for later inspection. Following the discovery of them, there were books upon books of poetry. Books on history and biographies. Time volumes on historical events in America up to the present. And last, in a small box of books, she opened to find a collection of romance novels. No way! she exclaimed, laughing out loud. But then stopped, noticing something familiar about them. Then it occurred to her, the pictures were familiar. These were books that hed painted the covers for. Wow, she breathed, following that discovery. With a gentle gesture, she stroked her fingers across the covers. Placing them back in their boxes and closing them over, she placed the whole box on the bottom shelf. By the time she emptied all of the boxes of books, the shelf was full, leaving very little space for any more. After breaking down the boxes from that, she carried the cookbooks to the kitchen and decided to take a break. Shed worked up a bit of a sweat, and prepared herself a sandwich and emptied another bottle of water. Wasting no more time, she continued on until she emptied every box and put things away in whichever place she felt it made sense to put them. Arranging all of the cute, little self-made gifts his daughter did for him, putting them out on display. Some in his room, the living room, the kitchen and his art room, depending on the purpose the gift was intended, or the personal application of it. Among his personal boxed items, she found several photo albums. Those she laid on the bed to also go through. Now the mess from unpackingballed-up newspaper and other packing material lay littered about with the boxes. She found garbage bags, pulled one out and started stuffing it with the littered paper and foam wrapping. Next, she collected all of the boxes that she flattened and cut to break down, piling them up at his back door. Putting her jacket back on, she carried them all out to his garage.
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Leaning them against the wall, she placed two buckets in front of them to keep them standing. Before leaving, she gazed at his dark-blue SUV, a Lincoln Navigator. His Ford truck, the same color blue, and his two Harley Davidsons. One maroon, black, and chrome; the other blue, silver, and chrome. Shaking her head at herself, she left closing the door, wondering how someone could be so absorbed in another personas she obviously was. Why else would she be standing admiring his things, things that were a part of him? Taking her jacket off, she was surprised to see that it was already 6:00pm. It was on her mind, that in another two and half hours, it would be 8:30. She was already fighting with her earlier decision not to be online when he would be expecting her to. She wondered , where had the day gone so quickly? Back in his room, she lounged across his bed and started looking through his photo albums, choosing the oldest first. Opening it, within the cover she found pencil art sketching of various shields, action heroes, high school symbols, a drawing of its mascota wolfand other signatures that were drawn around. This was obviously a photo album of his high school days. The first picture, an 8x10 of himself in cap and gown, his graduation picture from the '70s. Look at all that hair, she muttered aloud, smiling and feeling silly. Sylvia studied every feature of his young face. Though he was quite a striking young man, the way he looked today was much more to her liking. Time flew with Sylvia looking through his albums. Finding pictures that she figured were his parents. Pictures of him with a black man, there were quite a few of them, she figured he must be a good friend to be in so many, she also noticed, they were all of him at a much younger age, nothing current with the man. Moving on from them, baby pictures of his daughter and her mother. A very elegant blonde with amber-gold eyesshe was beautiful. Wow, Sylvia breathed softly. Her eyes were burning. Shed gone to sleep late last night, and rose early to get ready to take him to the airport. She looked at her watch, it was 7:15; she would lay her head down for just an hour and then run home. Who was she fooling? She knew she would be on that computer at 8:30hey, no matter what.
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Series one Episode five Chapter 14 Shawn hated flying! It never faileda queasy feeling would settle in his gut halfway through the flight. Take-off didnt bother him much and hed grown accustomed to the turbulence, but as landing drew close, his stomach reacted. He felt a headache coming on. He brought his laptop along, but couldnt focus on doing anything on it. His mind was trapped with thoughts of Sylvia and the flight. Thoughts of Sylvia, if he survived the flight. Hed never seriously dated a black woman before, nothing like this and wondered if this attraction for her was out of bordom? Was he truly going through a board/curiosity phase? At 42 years old, maybe he was feeling midlife and was seeking her out as a stimulus. Erica had been so patient with him, giving him the time he needed to free himself completely from Deidre. He felt pressured and smothered by her at times and had expressed this feeling to her. Not happy with what she was hearing, she accepted it and backed off. Theyd made the long drive on his bike to St. Paul, Minnesota after hed moved into his new home. Hed stayed most of the night with her and pulled out at four in the morning, returning home in time to catch Sylvia Payne on the last leg of her morning jog. What was it about her? Maybe it was the townfolk's fault that he was intrigued by her? Hed moved into the house after having purchased it years before. He and Deidre had planned to move there and raise a family. It never happened. She didnt want to leave the security of her family, nor California and all it had to offer. Her life was there, not in a small farming community where he thought they could grow closer in a marriage that was doomed from the start. Growing up on a farm himself in Hillsboro, Wisconsin, left little room for him to adjust to the life he tried in Palm Springs. While he'd gotten into everything available to him there, he just couldnt quite find his niche. I wasn't long before it was abundantly clear that after so many excusesand reason, after reason, after reason why she couldnt yet make the move - that she wasn't going to, one fight following on the tail of another, it all soon got old. He remembered vividly her leaving to go on a so-called vacation with her mother.
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On the day of her return, instead of her coming through the door, hed answeredto find papers handed to him. Hed been served his divorce papers. Standing with them in hand, stunned, he knew right then that when it was final; he was out of there. Earlier that same year on a flight to New York, hed met Erica. Noticing his nervous agitation with the upcoming landing, she made it a point to check on him for the remaining time of the flight. Coming to talk to him on and off, attempting to take his mind off of his fears with landing. Experiencing feelings of failure within his marriage sent him off on trips like the one he was taking, which led him to having the one affair he was indeed guilty of. When that was disclosed in court at his divorce hearing, he was convinced that her parents must have truly hated him, and had been waiting for him to make a false move to use against him. Well he delivered it right to them. Believing at the time that Erica had been a part of it, finding out that she hadnt been, left him with her on the rebound. Now here he was trying to think of a way to dump her. Hed been with her on and off for two years, and unlike Deidre, she was willing to do whatever it took to make their relationship work. Problem was, of course, he didnt want it to work. He was ready to move on. Fiery, sultry, and independent. Sleek, caramel-toned and stunning. A writeran artist of literature. Mother of two, grandmother of two, yet young and very much alive. Sylvia Payneowner of the home he wished hed purchased when he first sought property and land. His father had selected the house he owned now because it came with a larger lot of land; ten acres, whereas the home which Sylvia now owned had only a 2 acre lot of land. Having moved in upon her absence, hed inquired about it at the title and lands office in town. Youre late asking on that one. It was sold a little over a year ago. Shoulda scooped it up when you bought that one across from it. Doesnt seem to be anyone living there now. You think theyd be interested in selling it? Oooh, shes just out of town, is all. She be back." She? hed asked. Ms. Sylvia Payne. Shes a widow. Moved here more than a year ago, bout your age. She lives there alone. Spunky, audacious, lil thing. Youda thought shed been fearful of moving to a little town like this. But not a ounce a fear in her. Well, why would she be afraid? She's BlackorAfrican American. We dont have many of them here, and shes one thats here all by herself. The older male clerk had filled him in on that fact. Shawn didnt know where the comment came from, or why he asked, but had blurted it before he thought about it. Does she have reason to fear? The clerk looked up from the file cabinet.
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Where, here? NaaawI dont much see too many here that would care. Long as they come with peace and decency in mind. Leave that drug sellin and gangin to the city. Thats all we dont want here." At the hardware store where he purchased tools and various other odds and ends, he asked the girl at the counter while checking out and had received comment from all the men standing around shooting the breeze. You know anything about my neighbor across the way from me? She looked up at him and smiled, about to answer, when from one of the men came the question, You the one buy the ole Fay Clark property a while back? My father bought it for me in my absence. Im just now getting around to moving into it, he offered. The one inquiring nodded as the others remained silent in thought. Then another fellow spoke up saying, That house across from you was a much nicer place. Aint got as much land as you, though. I know. My father opted for the land, versus the home." Thats 'cause you can always build on. You gone be farming on it? Got anything in mind? Shawn smiled patiently. Not at the moment, but I have time to decide. True, true, another responded. So I take it none of you have met my neighbor? She comes in a lot when shes doing stuff on her house. I like her, shes real nice, the young woman behind the counter finally responded. Then one of the men added, Cept she dont care for men much. For a black woman, shes pretty easy on the eyes. So Dick Haire Dick Haire? Shawn repeated, with a grin of disbelief. Yep. Everyone chuckled. His name's Richard, but we all call him Dick; his last name is Haire. Shawn had chuckled as well. I see, and anywayyou were saying? One of the other men picked up the story. Well, Dick decides to welcome her to our humble town. Hes got a bit of a reputation, you see, wants everyone to know where hes been and who hes been with. When she move in and he gets a look at her, we could all see what was coming next. Oh, he was offering to cut her grass for her. Gave her a tour of her own property. Give her a history on that house. Tell her about everyone that live there before her. What she should fix, how she should fix ityou name it. He found a excuse to be on her doorstep, this offered with a chuckle. Didnt do him no good. She come in here and had it up to here with im! the woman supplied, gesturing with her hand over her head. Plum flustered to the end, she asked me, 'Jean, how in the world do I get rid of this man? Hes drivin me nuts! I dont wanna hurt his feelings, but enough is enough already! I am not the least bit interested in him, nor any other for that matter! They all hang out in here enough, can you let them knowI am not looking for a man! Not anytime soon!'. Whooooeee was she hot! ...
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...Dick Haire got the message loud and clear, seein as how he was on the other side of that aisle and heard every word she said. They all broke into laughter then. Next informant was the owner of Maggies Market. He learned that she enjoyed Sylvia's company as well. She filled him in on the other information, including the fact that she was a writer. Maggie felt she should be an actress, model, or maybe a comedian, because she always made her laugh whenever she paid her store a visit. They always talked past fifteen minutes of her shopping and bill pay. Shes different, that one is, she finished as he left the store. He sighed deep. Yes, indeed she was. So back to his dilemmawhat was the attraction? He didnt know, but he knew it was a sure thing. He still remembered the day she returned from her little vacation or time away. His friends were all throwing him a party in celebration of landing a contract with a top novelist. Her novels were always number one on the bestseller's list, and she chose him and his work to be her regular illustrator from now on. The contract meant big money for him and nonstop work. They would be rereleasing five of her biggest sellers from years back, with his artwork to illustrate the characters. Recycling her top sellers as they prepared the release of a new trilogy. Hed just finished the covers for the recycled works and now he was on his way to see and hear the ideas for the trilogy, but his mind was on Sylvia. Hed wanted to invite her to his party as a neighborly gesture, but changed his mind. After all, she was single, and Erica was present. Plus, at the time, they hadnt exactly known each other. Even so, his curiosity had been sparked by the townsfolk and he was itching to catch a glimpse of her. On and off during the party, hed glance across the road, hoping to catch her going in or coming out of her house. All he managed to catch was her silhouette in her living room picture window and the glowing illumination from her TV. He chuckled to himself suddenlyand then, of course, that night hed gotten the bite of her ire when the police showed up about the volume of his music. He knew he did that on purpose, hoping to flush her out. Thinking that maybe she would show up on his doorstep and complain, or join the party. Well neither had been the case. Shed sent the police. That next morning, he needed to send off his signed agreement on the contracts, and so happened to luck out and run right into her leaving the post office. Having gone from stirred curiosity, to looking for heror an opportunity to meet herto stepping right before her, was forever branded into his memory. Even now, he remembered her fresh, clean fragrance assailing his senses as he abruptly stopped not to run her over. To look up into eyes so bright, vivid, and darkobsidian, coal black eyes. Large and captivating. Delicate, full classical brows arching above them. Skin the color of smooth, caramel candy. A slight, perfectly ridged nose above very full, sumptuous lips. Framed with shoulder-length, dark brownalmost black, swirled, waved, and loosely curled glossy hair.
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Their eyes had locked. She had taken in all there was to see about him, just as he did with her. In his anticipation to see and meet her, he had not been disappointed. Right then, right therehe knew he would do whatever it took to know her. Now that he was slowly getting to know her, he knew that he wanted more. Much more. He didnt feel a need to stop coming anywhere to mind, except in his relationship with Erica. Shawn sighed. His flight was about over, they would be landing real soon. Strange as it was, he felt a calm within. A calm that somehow told him there was more to come for him, more to come with Sylvia Payne, and this flight would be successful. As he hoped, it was, landing without a hitch. Now to get through the airport and rent a car. Following that, he needed to contact his daughter first, and Gerald second. He always made it a point to make it to town a day before his business to give his daughter his first day when visiting. The tropical-like airport was teaming with tourists. Family and friends, greeting family members who had just arrived, lining the corridors. Almost every public phone bay was occupied. Departure/Arrival monitors were in open display every ten feet, yet all that was on his mind was collecting his luggage, calling his daughter, and hoping Deidre was feeling considerate. He wondered whether Sylvia would be online tonight when he went online? His stride through the airport was familiar and business-like. Hed traveled through this airport enough to know the routine, the route, the best restaurant/bar. The bookstore/gift shop of his preference and the car rental agency that offered him his preference in a car with a price that was not as extravagant as he could go. His manner wasnt one that showed a man who had just traveled six and a half hours from a climate of 38F, to an incredibly warm one of 74F. His leather hung over one arm and his suit jacket open as he made his foot-flight through. After waiting twenty minutes for his luggage to roll around and then the golf cart ride over to a car rental, another ten minutes passed before he was in the car of his choice, an Oldsmobile Alero. He owned trucks and SUVs; no sense in renting one. When he made these trips, they were primarily all business, except for Angela. He preferred to jump in and fly. Flying through curves to the onramp to merge onto Interstate-10 is what he did. In no time at all, he was at his condo. Tossing his leather on the sofa, he made quick steps to the dining room and placed his laptop on the table and carried his luggage upstairs, to his room. He would unpack in a moment; taking off his suit jacket and kicking off his shoes, he started unbuttoning his shirt as he made his way to the bathroom. After emptying his bladder and quickly washing his hands, he pulled his shirt free and off to land on the chair in his room. He went straight back downstairs to the table and began unpacking his laptop. The convenience of having his computer mobile was counter-balanced by the pain of having to unpack it and reset it everywhere he worked for the period of time he was there.
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First thing he did after it powered up was to sign-on to his instant messenger. After closing the ad, a message for him to authorize the addition of his name to the friend list of Quiet_Storm. Upon seeing the name, he began chuckling. Ooooh, my god, Quiet_Stormyoure anything but, ladyanything but. To make sure it was her, he checked the profile of Quiet_Storm; sure enough, it was Sylvia. A good sign that brought a smile to his face. He gave his authorization and accepted her to his list. It was a little after 6pm, his time, after 4pm her time, he had plenty of time before they met online. He couldnt believe how eager he was to do so, but in the meantime, hed change and call his daughter. Daddy?" Hey, pum'kin. Im in town; how about dinner with your ole man tonight? Yes! Wait, I meanwell, I better check with mom first. Hold on, okay? With a sigh, he nodded then answered, Sure, darlin, go on. He listened as the phone was laid down and his daughter took off through the house. A few moments later, Shawn? Resigned at having to speak with his ex-wife, he answered, Hello, Deidre. Why do you always do this? We had no idea you were going to be in town tonight, and you expect me to just up and get her things ready to come with you. As if all I have to do is wait for you to show up to collect your daughter for a day or two. Dont get anything ready, Deidre. I can pick her up as is, and whatever she needs, Ill get for her. The tension between them was almost instant. What if I have something already planned? she returned stiffly, irritated. Do you? he shot back, having no time for this. It was a waste of the time he could be spending on the way to get her. Fortunate for you, I dont. Why do you continue to do this? Youve yet to follow a plan, you just pop up! We never know Deidre gasped, hearing the phone on the other end click. He'd hung up on her. Hanging the phone up with a harsh bang, she turned to her hopeful daughter. I should not let you go anywhere with him. Hes unreliable and irresponsible, and if he thinks hes going to just pop up when he wants to, be rude and brisk with me Its because you always start a fight with him! Why do you always have to be mean to him? Angela, the judge gave him every other weekend! Is he here every other weekend? Or does he come for you when hes in town? I dont care! Maybe he would come more often if you would stop being so mean! After all, you divorced him, he didnt want it! Angela fired back at her mother angrily. Deidre stood steaming, with her arms crossed over her ribs. It never failed, every time he showed up, she and Angela couldnt get along. She was all her father and nothing of her mother. Her hair, dark like her fathers. Her eyes, the same changing hazel-blue.
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A moment in the sun tanned her darker than her mothers entire time spent in tanning booths and the summer sun. Angela was Shawn Everetts feminine duplication, who would one day grow into a stunning, blue-eyed dark beauty. Angela, have you forgotten that it was your father who cheated on me? That it was your father, who chose to move away? Instead of staying here and near you, so that he could see you everyotherweekend!" Its your fault he cheated! How so? Because he wanted to move away from here to the country, but you wouldnt go! Angela fired out, upset. She loved her father with a hero worship, with a "daddys little girl" strength and bond that could not be broken. Deidre knew it and didnt understand it. After all, look at all her family had done for them. Angela wanted for nothing. She tried to be a good mother to her. In the absence of Shawn, they got along just fine. Yet consistent to the rule, the very mention of his name changed everything. Exasperated, Deidre stood shaking her head. Tired of the argument, she turned away from her daughter. I dont understand you, Angela. He shows up once a month or less, and you cant wait to defend him. Im here for you everyday, and you act as if you hate me. The clicking of her heels followed her down the hall from the phone table in the foyer. At the end of the hall she turned, framing herself dramatically in the doorway to the dining room. Go! Get ready for your father. She turned away again and disappeared into the room. Angela swallowed the heavy feeling in her chest. Her stomach hurt. It wasnt that she didnt love her mother, its just that she couldnt forgive her for chasing her father away. For breaking up their family. She finally moved, making a mad dash for the stairway, eating them up quickly, with her waist-length tresses bouncing as she climbed. Fifteen minutes later, she sat in the window seat of her bedroom waiting. The front gates started swinging up; she sat straighter with her full attention on them until she spied the silver sports car coming down the curving driveway. It had to be her father. She leapt up from the window seat, grabbed her bag, and flew through the house to meet him at the driveway. Down the stairs and past her grandfather, who was on his way up. Hey, whats the hurry? he grumped. My dad's here to get me! was all she spared him, taking the corner around the bottom railing, no brakes needed, and straight for the door, leaving Oscar T. Wherrington standing on the stairs with a look of dread on his face. His daughter was marching down the hall towards the door. When are you going to put a stop to that? He might as well not come at all! Deidre carried on as if she hadnt heard him. She wasnt in the mood for another argument.
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Out the door, she gracefully floated down the front steps, around the back of the car where her daughter was already inside, kissing her father on the cheek and hugging him. Stopping at his window, she leaned down. What time will you have her back here? Shawn straightened up behind the wheel. In a couple of weeks. A couple of weeks! What about school? she demanded. I know the way there. Ill be there to pick her up. "This is not right, Shawn Everett McPherson! And you know it!" You have her all the time now, Deidre. Shes my daughter, too! Then act like it, and be here when youre suppose to! Considering I live in Wisconsin, Deidrethat makes it a little hard! Oh, well, and whose fault is that? she countered. Can we just go? Angela entreated softly to her father. Shawn gazed at her, and then back up at Deidre. You know where to find me, and her. We have to go. He closed the discussion, hand on the stick. Sighing, Deidre stood, then leaned sideways to look at her daughter. Call me if you need anything, Angela. Her daughter nodded, but wouldnt look at her. She stood and backed away. The gears shifted, the trans kicked in, and they were off. The day was starting to close, the sun was setting. Deidre felt heavy at heart. No matter how she battled it, she still had desires for him she could not explain. All while they were married, she was discontent and realized that it was because of her parents and the seeds they had planted in her head. Were she to be completely honest, they were not entirely to blame. Why hadnt she trusted him and just followed him to his little farmhouse and land? Why hadnt she just given it a chance, instead of making excuses? Her mother had always been in the background, planting the seeds of doubt. Convincing her that he could not offer her the life she was accustomed to. Always focusing on the differences between them. Where he'd come from. Where shed come from. Him, the son of a farmer; a starving artist, and now, an artist of romance novels. Her mother had shuddered at the thought. Shawn Everett McPherson was nothing more to them than country white trash. Now that he was making money, and quite a bit of itit made no difference. It was new money. They had been overjoyed to hear that hed sold the house and finally moved back to where he belonged. As for Deidre, she was feeling those tingles of regret again. Remembering back, shed discussed with her mother the possibility of maybe going with him to Wisconsin. Shed thought about it long and hard. The next thing she knew, her father was sharing her husbands indiscretion with her. Humiliated, shed stopped all thought of giving in and did what her parents told her to do. Now three years later, she knewher biggest mistake in their marriage had been in not leaving her parents and following her husbands dream. Shed failed to stand behind him, shed failed to stand up for him. Now it was over.
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A cool chill blew past, making Deidre shiver. Crossing her arms over her breast, she gripped her upper arms and wished she could go back. Why are you standing in the driveway? Come in now, its getting cool out, her father called from the door. For just a moment more, Deidre stood staring down the empty driveway where her daughter and ex-husband had disappeared. Finally she turned, obeying her father once again, slowly climbing up the steps. The large solid oak doors closing her within.
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Series one Episode five Chapter 15 Precious cargo onboardbuckle up, Shawn sounded out as his daughter giggled doing so, with them turning out of the driveway. You hungry, pum'kin? he asked, his whole driving manner changed with his daughter in the car. Well, actually, no. I had just eaten right before you called. He glanced from the side of his right eye, raising the eyebrow as he did. Aye, an' wudtha lass be wantin dessert? he asked with a thick Irish brogue. Angela smiled. Nooobut you should get yourself some dinner. I have to watch my weight, she simpered. Hey! Dont wanna be hearing nothing about my nine year old daughter watching her weight. Cut that out! Youre beautiful and not even remotely close to having a weight problem, understand? Angela, still grinning, nodded. Good. Now, since this is Thursday evening and you still have school tomorrow, you bring clothes for school?" "I did - kind'ah, sorta." "You - did kind'ah sorta?" He returned. Smiling, giving her dad that look that would get her anything, she confessed, "I brought something to wear just incase you didn't feel like picking Tia up, to take us to the mall so we could pick up a matching outfit for a part in a play we're doing?" She flashed him a hopeful adorable smile. "And your mother didn't know about this?" "I hadn't figured out how to ask her, she's always so busy, and then you called - and I thought, yeah - my dad's here, he'll take us." Shawn sighed, of course he would take them, it's what you did when you had to make up for lost time. "You know me so well, okay, give Tia a call, tell her we're on our way." "Yaaay! Oh thank you daddy, I knew you would, you never let me down." Shawn smiled, scratched her scalp within the dark silk of her head, rerouting them towards her friends house, watching the time. He still had loads of it on his hands and figured what the heck, it was his first night back with his daughter, her wish was his command.
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After she clicked the phone off with her friend, he informed her, "Im going to get myself something to eat while you two shop, how about desert for the two of you? A strawberry parfait with nuts and lots of whip cream perhaps?" "Okay daddy, sure." They picked up her friend Tia - and headed for the mall. While there, he sat in the food court eating so they could shop in the area, full sight of him. Once he was done, the rest of the time was spent escorting a high strung, giggling, chirpy, nine and ten year old from shop to shop. He was caught up himself in looking at things that he might get as a gift for Sylvia. Besides his daughter, she was heavy on his mind; for one, hoping she was there to meet him on the chat. Time flew as he patiently trailed them carrying packages and of course getting distracted with bits and bobs on the way - the minutes, hours spent were getting away from him. He had to spoil her, indulge her, it was one of the ways he grappled with his guilt over leaving her here while he'd returned to Wisconsin. Besides, she was happy, laughing, full of joy, skipping about, her face full of light and animation, he needed that, needed to see her that way. Next thing he knew, it was mall closing time, 9:30. Realizing how quickly things had gone on, made him panick a bit. He had one hour to be online for Sylvia; he still had to take Tia home. Hustling the girls on, he got them back to his car, stuffing their purchases inside, explaining, "I have to get back to the condo by 10:15..." "Why? What's the hurry?" Angela asked seated, seatbelt back on, her friend in the backseat listening. "I have a meeting online with someone, that's all." "Who?" "Nosey." He called her. "Sounds like it's private, you know what that means?" Her friend Tia suggested with the flexing of her brows. Shawn made a face in the mirror, even more anxious to drop her off, she'd set Angela's wheels to turning now. "Is it business daddy?" Angela asked. "I bet it's pleasure." Tia added, nodding her head as if a sure thing. By the look on Angela's face, Shawn could see, that wasn't something she cared to hear. "Never you two mind that, it's well past your bedtimes, I've kept you out too late as it is." He said trying to steer the topic away from his affairs. After droping Tia off, they were quiet a moment until he asked, "You two get everything you needed?" "Yep, we did, thank you daddy." "No problem, you enjoy your desert?" It was inane idle chit chat, but it needed it as a distraction, he could still see her wheels turning. Mmm yeah, mom would never let me eat anything like that this late at night. She says its not good to get into the habit of eating food after 6pm; going to bed on it can make you fat.
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Well your mom is not here. Every now and then cant hurt. Anyway, how are things otherwise? Okay, I guess. Okay? You guess? She shrugged, having no reply. He let it pass, moving on to other topics, How are you doing in school? That made her smile. She giggled, they had a game, a little something between them on how to discuss school, Fine, she answered. Shawn smiled. Fine, how? Fine as innn Absolutely the best? Fine as in, Building Bridges to the best? Fine as in, Contemplating being the best? She giggled more. Em-hm, was her response. Em-hm, what? Absolutely? Building Bridges? Contemplating? Or Distant observations? Surely no Fierce dislikes for any subjects? She started laughing then. Daddyno, theres no subjects I ' Fiercely dislike'. She laughed out. Theres one Im 'Absolutely the best' at. Social studies Really? That was one I 'Contemplated' a lot with, he admitted. Well, Im 'Absolutely' the best at it. 'Building Bridges' to reading, math, and music. And Im 'Contemplating' science, she informed him. Hmm? Sounds good to me. I think thats pretty fair, he finished in their special discussion on grades. They sat in silence now as they grew closer to home, Angela noticed him watching the time on the dashboard, fighting with the speed limit and keeping himself from hurrying; which made her ask, Why dont you want to see me more, daddy? Shawn sighed deep, swallowing as he did. Keeping his eyes on the road, he reached his right hand over and cupped the silky back of her head. AngelaI love you. Theres never a time, everthat I dont want to see you. You should be with me always, and Im sorry for neglecting you. Its just hard, pumkin This part of the visit always hurt. Growing up as he did, it was the last thing he had wanted or planned for his life to be like, or that of his childrenchild, he amended in thought. Hed always wanted more, but after adjusting to the accident that was Angela, Deidre had wanted to wait until things were more steady with them to have more. I wish you didnt move away. Now I hardly ever get to see you, this came out as almost a whisper. He could hear the tears in her words. Shawn swallowed the growing moisture in his mouth, his eyes watering against his will. They were almost at the condo. I know, pumkin, but California and I dont mix. Im in the house now and this summer, I want you to come and spend it with me, okay? That brightened her up. Okay! Id really like that! she exclaimed. You sure youd really like that? he teased, trying to bring them back up. She nodded enthusiastically.
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Uh, well, I wouldif mom will let me. She sank back in realization. Dont you worry about that, shell let you. I wont have it any other way. Trying not to fret it, he was going to be late signing on, but it couldnt be avoided. He prayed she waited for him. Maybe she had work to do on her computer and was online anyway. He sure hoped so, but he wasnt going to cut things short with Angela. His daughter was the very depth of him. God, I have to get my life in order! he instantly thought and immediately following the thought, Sylvia came to mind. He wanted her. He wanted her here, right now. He wanted to see her with his daughter. He couldnt help but wonder as he got comfortable and she got ready for bed, how Angela would receive her. He needed to test the waters a bit. He waited for an opening in her young chatter as she brought him up to date on the events of her life in school, and with her grandparents, which he just as soon not think about right now. Angela was leaping into bed with him following her there. Under the covers she went as he sat on the edge beside her hip. Comfortable? he asked. She nodded, grinning. Her hazel-blues shining brightly. Shawn couldnt help it, he laid over her and hugged her to him, lifting her up in his arms as he did, pulling her from beneath the covers onto his lap. I love you and I miss you so much! Please believe meIm trying. I want to make things better for you, so that you can be with me as much as possibledo you believe me? he asked at the juncture of her neck and shoulder. Her head nodded and he felt tears on his neck. Oh, pumpkin dont cry nowpapas gonna work things out. I promise, he soothed, stroking her long hair as she clung tightly to him, his arms wrapped securely around her. She pulled back to settle on his lap. I dont like it when were not together. Granpa Oscar says such mean things about you. He gets on my nerve. I don't like him, I don't like living there. Dont you mind the things he says. You know that I love you. You know that I would do anything in the world I could for you Cant you move back hereto be with me? she pleaded gently, knowing already how much he disliked living where money dictated so much in one's life. He sighed, looking down at her fallen expression. Her eyes were huge and sad. Her skin dewy, young, and fresh. Her small mouth pouty and full rosy pink and soft. Jesus Christlook at my daughterlook what I did, he thought proudly. It sucked being a father, divorced and away from your child. There was no fair end in that arrangement and he knew he hadnt made it any easier by not sacrificing to stay near her, but he just couldnt, he had needed to break all ties to Californiafor several reasons. I promise youthis summer, okay? Youll love it where I am, and you get to visit my mom and dadyou love it at the farm, you always have. Well spend a good deal of time there, okay? Don't forget your Uncle Derrick and Tia Meribel.
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She gave in, quickly nodding, then leaned away from him and off of his lap back into bed under the covers. He changed his mind about bringing Sylvia up. Maybe laterat a better time, but not tonight. Looking over at the clock on the table, it was 11:25pm - time in Wisconsin, 9:25pm. He sighed, wondering how would he make this up to her when it was he who pushed for them to meet online at 8:30God, whyd I do that? He knew hed be going to get Angela, why hadnt he just agreed with her for the following night? School in the morningget to sleep now. He leaned down and kissed her brow. Sleep tight, dont let the bed bugs bite. She grinned. Goodnight, see you in the morning when the suns up bright, she returned. He stood, smiling down. She yawned contentedly and turned on her side away from him. Quietly he walked to the door clicking off the light, pulling her door to. From there, back downstairs to the table, there sat his laptopin standby mode. He reached pulling his chair back, hitting the enter key as he sat and thought about the dinner he had with Sylvia just the night before. Imagining what it would have been like to have gone to bed with her and stayed the night. He had been hoping that would be how the night would end, but Sylvia was different. She was firm in her belief about sex and its place. Nor was she casual about who she went to bed with. It meant something serious to her. He knew from the beginning, he would have to be serious to get anywhere with her. Sitting there right then and entering his password to his desktophe knew that he was. He wanted her now more than he ever did. He wanted a family setting. He wanted someone he could trust with his daughter. Someone with strong values and principlesand from what hed observed so farSylvia Payne was that someone. But she was blackand thats where the difficulties may lie, or not. He double clicked on the yellow smiley face with the big red Y! behind it on his bottom tool bar. The ID/password entry form popped up. He signed in and a moment later, his friends list opened up. Quiet_Storm was in the list, but not darkened in. She wasnt online and she hadnt left an offline message, or it would have popped up. He sat back in the chair. His long, hairy legs stretched out beneath the small table, wearing only his sleeping shorts and tank t-shirt. His toes wiggling and flexing as he chewed on the inside of his lip. Now what? he thought out loud. You could have left me a quick message, even a mean one. 'Oh no you did not white man! ', he mimicked what he thought she would say in a high pitch, then chuckled at himself. "I must be crazy," followed that chuckle. "About you, Sylvie," he continued seriously. I couldnt help it, Sylvia, I was with my daughter, he spoke as if she were there to explain this to. Ach, woman, you and your darn stubborn pride! Sighing, he brought up his emailjust as he thought, no email to him. Sitting forward, he began an email to her.
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Sylvia stretched long and deep, so hard she shook a bit. She laid on her back trying to bring herself awake and turned, looking to see what time it was; she felt something poking her in the side. Looking down, it was a photo albumthen she remembered and became alert, jerking her head up to look at the bedside digital clock. 11:45! Holy cownooo! She lunged up from the bed. Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no, oh noooo! she cried, rushing to put her shoes on beside the bed. Her heart was pumping madly, actually feeling tears form in her eyes, not stopping for a moment to try and figure out why. She ran and grabbed her coat off of the kitchen chair, clicking off lights and stopping at the still playing stereo to shut it off. Im so sorryIm so sorry, she breathed out loud, sniffing as she snatched on her coat. Opening his door and stepping outside, she shivered. It was freezing, the snow had stopped but there was enough of it on his steps and on the ground to layer up to four inches. She carefully trudged through it across the road and to her yard, yawning and shivering from the sudden wake from sleep and out into the cold. Her house was lit up and warm. She welcomed the feeling, though remorseful at having missed being online for him. Oh, ShawnI didnt do it on purpose, but I know you think I did, she cried, going straight to her office room where she grabbed her chair and sat in it right up to her computer. Hitting the enter key and going through the steps to bring her instant messenger up. His name was on her list, but not bold. The smiley face was dull gray and sleeping. He wasnt online. Well of course hes not, idiot! You were supposed to be here for 8:30 your time Uggggh! She sank back dejected, noting that he hadnt left an offline message to her. You could have at least left me a message that you were here, she whined, then sat up to check her email. When the list of senders names came up, his was number fourmcharley60 Yes! Uh-ohoh, oh, oh! Nervously she shivered, excited. The subject line readStubborn, Proud, Sylvia PayneIm Sorry! Hm? Now why are you sorry? she asked aloud, clicking on the blue-lit message. The email opened to read
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Sylvie, I know youre upset, but please let me explain. As soon as I arrived, I went to my condo and then called my daughter. I went to pick her up, got something to eat and had to settle her in. She was upset, and with good reason. I needed to spend that time with her. Thats why I was late. By the time I signed on, you had already gone, Im assuming. Please forgive me, I didnt stand you up. I would never do that. The least you could have done, lady, was leave me a message of some kind. But I know you alreadyyou probably got all bent out of shape and for no reason. I promise you, I will be here on time tomorrow night, but lets please make it at 9pm. That is, 9pm my time. Another thing I neglected to confirm with you, the time difference, I'm two hours behind you, so 9pm my time will mean 11pm your time. If that's too late, let me know; I'll move it up earlier for you if you need me to. I just need time to get my daughter in bed and free time to chat with youI hope thats okay. And, um, I miss you. Ive had nothing on my mind, but you. Our first kiss, our next kiss, and all the little kisses after that. Please tell me there will be more Shawn
After reading the short email for the fifteenth time, Sylvia finally sat back. Oh god, do you know that I am in sooo much trouble? Hes getting to me. Ha! Hes gotten to me. She sighed. She grabbed her mouse to click on reply, but then changed her mind. Tomorrow is soon enough, she said out loud then shut down her computer, rose and clicked off the light, going to her room. She unsnapped her jeans and stepped out of them, laying them on the chair there, walked to her bathroom and readied herself for bed. It took a while for her to fall asleep. The nap at his place, in his bed, made it hard for her to get back to sleep. Though in her own bed, she could smell him. His scent was heavy in her head. Suddenly her nice big comfortable bed felt cold and empty. Closing her eyes, she imagined what it would be like to have him laying behind her now.
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Talking low and sultry in her ear. His strong arms around her waist, pulling her back against him. His body large, warm, and firm against her. Girlfriend! You best get yo min on somethin else! she exclaimed, popping her eyes open. Oh god, what have I done to deserve this? This is gonna be so hard! I just know it. Idontneedthe drama! And with this man, I know it aint gonna be nothing but! I should have moved to Siberia, she finished at last, laying on her back, looking up at the dark ceiling. This sucks! **** Shawn lay in bed, his eyes wide open. Hed fixed himself up good. fifty push-ups. fifty chin-ups. A hundred sit-ups. Three sets with the free weights of bicep curls, military presses and lunges. Then twenty minutes on the Elliptical. A cool shower following that, and one would think it would have worn him out to sleep. But at one in the morning, he was wide awake. He would have been alright, had he steered clear of any thoughts of her. But damned if finding her naked, save for the towel on his deck, didnt come back to mind full and strong. He couldnt get that smooth, tapered, defined back and spine of out his mind. Her skin was caramel brown and flawless. That towel stopped just before the round of her rear, where a small glimpse and tease of the line crack of her butt was about to show. He fantasized about pushing the towel further back to expose her rounded bottom. His fair hand, caressing her soft darker skin. He swallowed. In his fantasy, she lay there trapped, at his mercyor no mercy. Because he wanted to take advantage of her disadvantage, grabbing a handful of her hair at the top of her head and forcing her head back. Her eyes wide, expectant, fearfulyet aroused as he sat beside her. Lowering his mouth to hers, filling it with his tongue. She'd whimper. He groaned. Ohmygod! She turns me on, he growled out loud. Stretching his large aroused body on his back, he looked down at himself, wondering had he ever been harder than he was right then. Dudewe gotta get some sleepas you may have noticed, we got nothing to work with here. Sighing deep and shaky, he admitted this too, aloud, Yeah, I know. Its not your fault. Youre doing what youre suppose to. So dont stop, justchill right nowIll stop thinking about her. Somehow, Ill get those round, sweet breasts off my mind. Man! She is such a freakin' fox! Shawn tried to turn over. He blew, exasperated. Two weeks. Thats fourteen days. 24 hours eachgonna have to stay super busy. Real busy."
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Series One Episode Six Chapter 16 After parking down from the Bistro, Shawn grabbed his briefcase, slamming the car door and made his way to the hostess. Im here to meet with the Kaplan party. She smiled up at him, grabbed a menu and lead him to the table, politely responding, Right this way, Sir. As he approached, Gerard glanced up and smiled, waving him forward. Just then, a familiar head turned to him. Before the face and features became visible, he imagined the woman to be Sylvia. There was a definite resemblance, but then the full of her face became visible as the hostess laid down his menu before an empty seat. Pulling it out, he sat explaining himself. Please excuse me for my tardiness. I have a nine year old daughter to get off to school. Mercy James smiled. No problem. We just arrived as well. Its nice to finally meet you, she opened. Yes, there is a slight resemblance, he thought of Mercy James. Bringing Sylvias face to mind, there was one slight difference; Sylvia was prettier. Darker. Her skin a flawless, rich brown. Delicious looking. Mercy James had an olive complexion. Dark eyes like Sylvia, but again, Sylvias were larger. Mercys lips were full. His Sylvias, fuller and plumpvery kissable. A twinkle lit in Mercys eyes as she noticed his inspection. Something on my face youre struggling to make me aware of? Shawn sat back, blushed and grinned. Sorry, you just remind me of someone, thats all, and I guess I was noting the differences, he explained with a pleasant smile. Gerard Kaplan, his agent, cleared his throat. Yes, well, how about we get down to business? All agreed as Mercy James explained what it was she was looking for. He made rough outlines of a layout that she was describing. Half an hour into the meeting a man approached, looking to be in his mid to late 40s. Shawn was surprised to find out that he was her husband, Lowell James, and was late for the meeting because of another meeting connected to their growing business, a newly established publishing house.
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Shawn was also surprised to see that he was white. He watched the look on Mercy James' face when her husband appeared; it was like someone turned a light on. Her smile was bright and her eyes sparkled just at the sight of him. Watching them, he noted that for a few moments of them greeting one another, they lost all interest in those present. Lowell smiled, placing a hand behind his wife's chair, bending to kiss her lips, which were raised eagerly to reciprocate. That bit of pleasure over, he reached for a chair at another table to place next to his wife's. Shawn also noticed that it took Mercy James a few moments to draw her eyes away from her husband and back to the meeting at hand. Once she did, it was all business again. He also tried to ignore Lowell's hand at her neck where he caressed her gently. They were in love. Very much so. There was something about seeing them together that made him think of Sylvia and himself. Was what he saw before him now, possible for them as well? They were all about the same age. The meeting went much as he had expected it to go, with an extra consideration. Lowell James offered him a contract to look over, it entailed him being their main illustrator of all the manuscripts they accepted. He couldn't believe it, and of course shook their hands and agreed to give it a close look over. His schedule would be full for the next two weeks. Between setting up the layout for this cover, spending time with his daughter, and continuing his pursuit of Sylvia from a distance, his plate would be pretty full. He thought of Mercy James, another black author. She reminded him of Sylvia in many ways, beside their similar style of hair and dress. They were both forthright, bold and decisive. Their main difference being, Mercy had succeeded in making the bestseller's list, with many of her books sought after for screenplays. Driving to pick up his daughter, he thought also of Lowell James. A man strongly built, blond with a receding hairline. He had a Jack Nicholson look about him, while the better looking of the two and very distinguished. By the look of things, very much in love with his wife. For most of the time he was there, he didn't seem to want to take his eyes off of her; Eeen so, he was very much aware of what was happening around him. When it was time to make a decision, Mercy looked to him for direction. Though his gaze of admiration had been on her for the most part, he knew exactly what was going on, with their ideas and vision the same. They were in sync, with an obvious unity no one could deny. Again, he thought about Sylvia and himself. Would they, could they, be like the James'? His next thought was should he take advantage of the contact for Sylvia? He wasn't sure about her writing style or how good she was, but he would keep this in mind. Who knew, maybe this was the start of something more to come. Something good. Monday morning he would meet with the group selected for the photo shoot and cover layout. The trilogy they wrote was historical, grand and sweeping.
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They both expected the cover of all three books to reach out and grab the potential reader upon opening the cover. Not batting an eye at his quote, they expected the best possible illustration, and he would be giving them just that. After all, he'd already decided to sign on with them as their publishing house illustrator, the money would be constant. He had some time still before picking Angela up so he'd stopped at the store, selecting various odds and ends to fill his cupboards and refrigerator while he was there with his daughter. They would get home, put everything away, and he'd grill up a couple of burgers and toss some fries in the oven to bake. After fixing the burgers, adding the fries to the plate, they sat across from each other at the table lost in thought before Angela asked, Daddy, can I come and live with you? That question sat Shawn back. What brought that on? he asked. She stirred a fry into her ketchup, then brought it to her mouth and bit off the dipped tip. I miss you, thats all, she answered, not yet looking at him. Wouldnt doing so make you miss your mother? he asked, doing the same with a fry. Sighing softly, she shrugged. I dont knowmaybe. She finished off the fry then looked up at him. Do you ever miss me? Shawn softened with compassion. Always. I always miss you. Then whyd you leave me? Why didnt you stay close by? Shawn felt stuck by that question, because they'd kind of gone into that a bit the night before, only to find that discussion obviously wasn't enough. Look, pum'kin. California and mewell, Im just not made of the stuff required to live happily in a place like this. I wanted your mom to see that and come to Wisconsin with me. But it just never happened. You shouldnt have cheated. Maybe she would have, if not for that, she stated boldly. Not judgmentally, but honestly. Shawn nodded in agreement. Youre right. I shouldnt have. I was wrong and maybe she would have. Who knows? But thats neither here nor there, I will never know. Angela looked back at her plate, then picked up her burger and bit out of it. Shawn did the same, waiting for the rest to come out. As she chewed, he could see her wheels turning for the next hit. Finally, after sipping her soda, she asked, Any chance you love her at least a little, still? Chewing his own burger, Shawn swallowed and answered, I will always love her. She gave me you. But theres no chance of us getting back together, he informed her honestly. Not even if she wanted to give it another chance? she beseeched gently. Theres no chance of that, pum'kin. Your mother would never consider getting back with me again. As soon as he saw the look on her face, he knew hed answered wrong. But what if she did want to? Justwhat if? Shawn sighed. Its too late, pum'kinits too late. Ive gone on with my life. What your mother and I had, our marriage, is a part of a closed chapter. Never to be repeated.
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If she is willingI dont see why you wont at least give it a try! You said you would always love her! Then why not try and see if you could make it work this time? Darlin, youre too young to understand this, but its too little, too late. It cannot be rekindled. All that I want from that marriage, is you. Youre all that matters to me now. Well, what about what I want? Im tired of having to wait to see you! And if I come with you, then I cant have mom! Its not fair! What about me? What its doing to me? she blasted him tearfully, then charged up from her chair and ran out of the room. Shawn dropped his partially eaten burger to the plate. Sighing deeply, he wiped his hand over his face and then leaned his cheek on his balled fist, his elbow braced on the armrest of his chair. He turned his head to look at the clock on the wall; 6:30what was he to do with the next few hours? Cleaning off the table, he grabbed his briefcase and went into his office, having relocated his laptop in there where he had more space, next to his drafting table. The sooner he got started on the layout, the better. * * * Total, complete, absolute, frustration! Sylvia felt it surging through every cell of her body and it was all his fault! She couldnt get anything done on her small website. She couldnt focus on the small editing that was still left to do on her finished novel. And though she sent off an intro to an agent, she didnt feel confident about the contents. All because of him! These thoughts coursing through her mind as she labored at painting her bathroom. Something she had planned to do for the longest but because of her writing, she didnt want to break the flow to redecorate. Well, now thanks to Shawn Everett StylesMcPherson, her flow was oopso! Finished! Flat! Washed up, for this particular moment in time, anyway. Which led her to where she was, leaning from the top of the ladder, trying to reach an awkward spot. Her hair tied up in a bandana, her ratty scrubs on, with dabs and streaks of paint standing out on her brown skin. Her stereo blasting in the background from the living room. Jammin to fast oldiesDirty Cash by Adventures of Stevie V playing as she bobbed her head from side to side. Ever since she spent that time in Shawns house unpacking and arranging his place, it opened up energies to do her own. Especially now with her inability to think in her writer's mind. So much energy, and no outlet other than redecorating and painting. This was after all, the safe route. Because the alternative was out of the question. Meaning, thoughts of him. His eyes gazing into hers with so much hunger and desire; her heartbeat increased with just the recall. The strength of him holding her against the door as he ravaged her mouth.
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Sylvia pulled herself back to safety on the ladder and took a seat there as her mind refused to let go of the image of what his mouth was doing to hers. She felt an undeniable throbbing, an unmistakable swelling. Oh, godhelp me through thisplease. I want him. I want him bad. Only in her mind would she admit it. Never to him. Not nowit was too soon. But her bodyah, well, what a treacherous thing it was. No matter what the mind warned and directed, the heart, enclosed and protected by the body was powerful, and could not be denied. It didnt play by the rules of the game. It was a greedy, selfish, treacherous thing that was responsible for ruining many lives. Not realizing that it itself, lead many to cause its breaking. Oh great, not that, she moaned in thought as Moments in Love by Art of Noise began, sending her mind into her dimly-lit bedroom. Candles burning, giving off the sent of musk and sandalwood. Feet intertwined from beneath creamy, satin sheets. Those of hers, brown and flexing with those of his fair, larger feet. Opening up, a closer scene with their legs moving and showing. Hers spread, with him nestled close and deep there. His back arching, her head thrown back Oh my god! Oh my god! Make it stopplease make it stop. She felt tears come to her eyes as her body shivered from responding to the visual image. Her heart pumping blood to all the regions where the need was great. Paint, girlfriend! Paintstopturn that one off! she directed herself, climbing down from the ladder to do just that. Wrong music to be playing when one was longing as she was. Missing him. His voice that poured over her like sweet, intoxicating, warm honey. Lips warm, yet hard and unrelentingaaaahhh! She flopped down on her sofa after skipping her CD to the next song, holding her head in her palms as she sat, trying to get a grip of her rioting emotions and thoughts. Iaminso much trouble, she said aloud. Then a tear streamed out the corner of her eye. God almighty, this man already has a grip on my heart. And I cant break itand my hearthes going to, I just know it. I just know it. She sat back as DMX's mix of In the Air Tonight began. She pulled her knees up and around on the sofa to her chest, staring straight ahead at nothing in particular, no longer fighting her thoughts of him. The one now playing of him on his Harleysuch a powerful image. He handled that bike like a master. The way he rode it with smooth ease, is much the way she knew he would ride her. Closing her eyes, she saw what she knew would one day come to be. Her stretched out on her back, and him riding her with such exquisite carewith such determination to show her what a man like him could make her feel. Again she tried to shake off the image, but the strength of it was having the needed effect to make her want him, just as he had shown himself to want her. Charging up from the sofa, she went back into the bathroom to pick up where she left off, wondering what was to happen when he returned. She didnt want to be so weak as to give in to himbut she was now afraid.
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Her desires for him was gaining more strength than her determination to be free of sexual entanglements. Entanglements where she would be the one regretting the act, giving him another notch to his bedpost. God, how am I to fight this? How? The key is to put all of this to a halt, right nowwhile I still can. Or can I? Is it already too late? Again she painted, shaking her head. Thinking about his presence in her home. The way it felt to have him around. The natural stirring of excitement with just his nearness. How in the world did she think she could go on for the rest of her life without a man? And now, of all men to come into her life, it had to be Shawn Everett McPherson. Maybe she should test herself. Maybe she just wouldnt be online tonight when he expected her to be there. After all, she hadnt replied to his email. Therefore, no committment was actually made to say if she would meet him or not. If he signed on and noticed that she was not theremaybe he would just get the message. Besides, 11 o'clock at night was late for her. Question was, could she live with the message that he got? Again a sigh escaped her. And thus was the theme of her day. Thoughts going back and forth between her mind and heart on what to do about this growing preoccupation with Mr. McPherson.
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Series One Episode Six Chapter 17 Making some final adjustments to the layout, he was satisfied for the night. It was coming close to the time to meet Sylvia online. He'd checked before he started working to see if she were online. No show. It was on his mind for most of the day, and now night. He just hoped that she was in an amenable mood. He hadnt received a reply to his email that he sent her, so he could only wonder at what he would have to deal with once the chat began...if it began. He would sign on again at 9pm and if she wasnt there, then the heck with it, he would call her. Having the thought cross his mind, he wish he had done so last night. Oh well, if she wasnt there tonight, thats what he would do. Daddy? Shawn looked up from his draft table to the door where his daughter stood. Yes, pum'kin?" Can you take me home? Shawn sighed. I could, but I dont want to. I want you here with me. I want to spend this time with you. Please? He sat watching her as she stood in the doorway, with her head laying against it. Her arms crossed before her. She was chewing on her bottom lip. He could see that shed been crying. Standing, he pushed his seat away from the table, turning it he leaned back against it, then patted his lap. Come here. She rushed right into his waiting arms. He squeezed her close to his chest. One arm wrapped tightly around her, the other with his hand in her hair as he inhaled the young clean scent of her. Iloveyou, he squeezed out passionately, tightening the embrace. And Im sorry this arrangement is so hard for you. I know it is. I know it is. And now that Im settled into my new home, I want you to come and spend time with me there. During the summer. Spring breaks. Some holidays, he informed her in a low timbre. His voice gentle and soothing. He stopped, still holding onto her as she sat with her face buried into his chest. Loving the smell of her father. Feeling safe, protected and secure in his arms. Please, pum'kin, dont ever deny me your presence. I need it. I cant live without you....
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...I love you too much to live with the thought that you dont want me anymore, or that you dont want to be with me. Because I need to have you every chance I get. Thats why youre here now, and I plan to make it more often than this. Pleasesay that youll try for me. To accept things as they are. Because no matter what happens between your mother and I, you will always be my daughter. I will always be proud of you, remembering the day you were born and placed into my hands. Please, dont deny me time with you. I could never undo youthe one right thing in my life that Ive done. Not ever. Angela looked up at her father. She could never deny him anything. She needed him, just as he expressed his need for her. I love you, daddy. She squeezed him tightly to her. Shawn sighed. An I love you. Ready for bed yet? Can I stay up and watch TV? Theres no school tomorrow. Sure, pum'kin, sure you can. But we have a busy day tomorrow. She smiled up at him. I know. Ill be fine. Oh, I cant wait to go scuba diving. Its going to be so much fun! Shawn smiled. Yes, it is. Okayoff to watch TV. Im going online for a bit. Do some surfing and a little chatting. Ohokaywith who? she asked, leaning back from him, disengaging the hug. Shawn hesitated, a bit nervous to tell the truth, but didnt feel it right to lie. I dont know if youre going to like the answer, and I dont want to lie to you, he said. She stood gazing at him a moment, then asked, Tia was right, with a woman!? He nodded. Yes, with a woman. She took a moment to digest that, then asked, Is she why you wont try to get back with mom? Shawn sighed. Part of it. But even if there was no her, I still wouldnt, he returned honestly. She twisted her mouth, chewing on the inside of her cheek. Oh. She mouthed, quietly thinking. Whered you meet her? Internet dating service or something? Shawn threw his head back, barking out in laughter. Shaking his head, he looked down at her. No, pum'kin. She lives across the road from me. From where I now live. Annnd, I like her. I like her a lot. Shes a nice lady. Is she pretty? Very. Does she like you? Yes, she does, but shes playing hard to get right now. So, its serious then? It could get serious. Would I like her? I think so. Shes different though. Different from what youd expect, he warned.
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She tilted her head inquisitively. What? She black or something? Just kidding around, she grinned up at her father, whose eyes widened in surprise. Ummm, yesshe is, he confirmed. Her eyes got huge then. Noooo way, she denied. He nodded. Way. Shes black? Like African-American black? YepAfrican-American black. Wow, she breathed, stunned. Howd you do that? Shawn chuckled. Havent done it yet, pum'kin, but Im trying to do it. Shes a tough one, though. Sowhataya think? he asked nervously. She sighed, giving it some thought, then shrugged. I guess its okay. I meanwhy not? Everybodys doing it, she offered. Oh, yeah, everybody as in who? Well, lots of people, I guess. Theres this girl in school, Jessica Winters, shes got a big big crush on this black boy. I think he likes her, too. So, then, is that alright with you? Sure, why not? Even for your dad? Well, yeah, long as shes nice and everything. Shes not like the ones on Jerry Springer, is she? she asked nervously, making a face. Again, Shawn threw his head back in laughter, Oh, pum'kin, heavens no! Give your dad some credit! No way! Nothing like. Sylvia Payne is a lady. A little snooty, maybe, but thats just with me, he finished, smiling in thought of her. Angela grinned, then curiously asked, So, whats she look like?" Hmmm? Let me think? Well, you remember the movie with Eddie Murphy, Coming to America? Yeah." Remember the Princess he was suppose to marry, who was jumping up and down on one foot because he asked her to, to test her out? Yeah. Kinda like her. Maybe prettier, more or less. Its hard to say. But shes a close comparison. Ohhhh, okay. Wow, she was pretty. Well, so is Sylvia. Very pretty. Beautiful in fact. Breathtaking." Angela gave a closed smile. Well, Im gonna go watch TV, she informed her father. Shawn caressed the back of her head. Okay. Im gonna go online, see if I can catch me one heck of an exotic fish. He flexed his brows charmingly. Angela stopped in the doorway, turning and sighed saying, Well, good luckI guess. Then she was gone. * * *
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10:50pmten more minutes. Sylvia noticed this pacing in circles from her living room to the kitchen. Now nibbling on her last nail, her thumbnail, after having bitten all the others off, spitting them distractedly to the floor. If she were to admit it to herself, shed already lost the battle. That being a fact when she went to turn off her computer, deciding to leave it on "just to see if he comes on" and then walking away, mumbling, "Just to see if he actually invites me to chat." Her stomach was tumbling in knots as one arm lay across it, with her nibbling her thumbnail to the nub. Now twisting it sideways to attack her cuticle. 10:55pm. I can do this. Just wait it out. Thats all. If I wait it out, then I can repel any advance he springs on me. I just have to stand strong for fifteen minutes, then hell give up and that will be that, she coached herself. Ow! she cried out after biting and pulling on her cuticle to the quick, now it was sore and bleeding. She sucked on her thumb, tasting the salty, coppery taste of her blood. She walked off to the bathroom to put something on it and then a band-aid. That will take at least five minutes or more. Yeah, Ill bathe and disinfect it good. She decided, walking into the bathroom, unable to avoid looking up at her decorative bath clock. 10:57pm. I can do this. I can do this. No sooner had she said so, that she heard it all the way in her bathroom; the distinctive knocking of someone signing on to Yahoo. Immediately she realized that it would be someone on her list. Her heart started hammering. She swallowed deep, not realizing she was holding her breath, listening intently. Upon noticing her behavior, she shook her head and turned on the faucet. The rush of the water pressure from the spout was loud. She lessoned the pressure, needing to hear the distinctive chiming message alert. As soon as the thought registered, the chiming message came through to her. She threw her body around against the bathroom sink and looked up at the clock. 11:00pm. Her stomach tightened. Just wait it out, Sylviajust wait it out. Another chime sounded. Another line written in the message frame. Come on, Sylviadont give in. Just wait it out. Then came a loud and clear buzzding-dong! He was signaling her. Buzzing her from the friends list. She could hear her pulse pump in her eardrumsone minute laterding-dong! She swallowed. Oh, nooooo! Noooo. But then she did it, she took off running from the bathroom. A flash rushing around the end of her bedsprinting out the door through the dining room, down the hall and barely missing the door frame, to snatch her computer chair back and dropping into it. There it wasthe Yahoo chatbox and there plain to seemcharley60. She gulped, hands on keyboard, she replied

The chat
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mcharley60: You there, Sylvia? mcharley60: Sylvia? Come on, I know youre there. Buzz Buzz Quiet_Storm: Oh...hi, that startled me. I was in the bathroom. mcharley60: Oh, I wasnt sure if you would be here. Im sorry I missed you last night. Quiet_Storm: I know, I got your email. mcharley60: Oh, I see. Thanks for the reply! Quiet_Storm: I figured we would chat tonight, that would be soon enough. mcharley60: So, you did get mad. Quiet_Storm: For what? mcharley60: 'Bout last night. Quiet_Storm: Ooooh...lol... Quiet_Storm: Well Quiet_Storm: I have a confession to make. mcharley60: Confession? Quiet_Storm: Yes...ummm, truth is...I wasn't here either, last night. mcharley60: What? Quiet_Storm: At 8:30 or 10:30pmwhatever time. Quiet_Storm: I was out. mcharley60: You were? mcharley60: Where? Quiet_Storm: Doesnt matter whereI justI, ummwell, the time got away from me. mcharley60: You promised! Quiet_Storm: Well, obviously it doesn't matter, because you weren't here, either. Quiet_Storm: So, no big deal. mcharley60: No big deal, hm? WellII guess you got me there. Quiet_Storm: Don't worry about it. I understand. Quiet_Storm: You were with your daughter. mcharley60: Yes, and time kinda got running away and...well, Ive explained, havent I? Quiet_Storm: Yes, I know how that is. Quiet_Storm: So, how's the weather there? mcharley60: Weathers nicebut thats beside the pointyou still havent said where you were!
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Quiet_Storm: LOLexcuse me? Umm, the fact that I wasnt here, is explanation enough. So, how'd your meeting go? mcharley60: To hell with the meeting! mcharley60: So, you knew that I would be here to chat with you, and you found something else more important to do? mcharley60: Is that what youre saying? Quiet_Storm: LOLhelloooyou werent here either, remember? mcharley60: Sylvia Payne...this is not a game for me. So dont play with me! Im hundreds of miles away from there, and you obviously decided to use that time to go and have such a good time, that you werent concerned with being there for methanks! Tells me a lot about how you feel about me. Thanks a lot! Sylvia gasped, surprised by the message he wrote. Oh, my goodness, he is tripping She grinned, then giggled out loud. Quiet_Storm: ROFLBO - oh my goodness, will you calm down. I was at your houseokay? Across the road! mcharley60: My house? Quiet_Storm: Yes, your house. Unpacking boxes. You did ask me to do that, if you remember? mcharley60: Oh, I see. But Quiet_Storm: Annnd, I was tired from going to bed so late and getting up early to take you to the airport. I laid on*sigh* your bedjust to take a small napand when I woke upit was after eleven. Shawn had a big fat grin on his face as he sat back in his chair to assimilate that bit of information. Oh, yeah! She wants meshe wants me, alright, he said out loud. mcharley60: Hmmfell asleep in my bed, you say? Pity, just my luck that Id be thousands of miles awaywhat luck. Quiet_Storm: I guarantee you, if you hadnt beenI wouldnt have been. mcharley60: Yeahsure *winks*, anything you say, lady. Quiet_Storm: Excuse me, Shawn, you can think anything you like! I was burning time, and doing you a favor. mcharley60: Yeah, wellmaybe so, maybe so. But the fact is, you want me, Sylvia. You want me, just as much as I want you. Maybe even more! Quiet_Storm: LOLpul-lease! Man, you are much too stuck on yourself. mcharley60: Ahcould be. But I remember Quiet_Storm: Remember what? mcharley60: The way you felt in my arms. Quiet_Storm: That? I forgot that already!
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mcharley60: Well, I havent. Nor the moans and groans from you when I had you against the door. Your ass cupped in my handthe taste of you. Quiet_Storm: Excuse me, but I dont want to discuss that. mcharler60: I seebeen trying to forget the taste of my tongue in your mouth all day, hmm? I still have the taste of you in minesweetsweet, creamy, delicious chocolate Sylvia was gasping, stunned. Her breathing heightened because she did remember. Had been trying to forget through the night, and the day. How could it be that even so far away, he could still touch her and make her tingle? Gulping and drawing a breath, she replied Quiet_Storm: If this is all you wish to chat about, then Im gonna go! mcharley60: Okay, okayIm sorrydont go. mcharley60: So, did you get a lot done at my house? Sylvia sighed in relief. Quiet_Storm: I got all the boxes in that room unpacked. And everything put where I thought youd want it. mcharley60: Wow, thanks. I really appreciate it. I owe you. When you pick me up at the airport, how about you let me take you out to dinner? Quiet_Storm: Well see... Shaking his head, Shawn chuckled out loud. mcharley60: Hardcore to the end, arent you, lady? Youre going to make me work my ass off to get you, arent you? Quiet_Storm: Excuse me, I dont remember inviting, you to get me. Seems to me, working your ass off is a condition youve inflicted upon yourself, no prompting from me! She was starting to enjoy this, a ready grin lingering on her face. mcharley60: Touch and truebut, I know what I want. And you know what I want. And I aim to get it. Even if it means working my ass off. No holds barred no holds barredyouve been warned! His words sucked the air right out of her, leaving her dizzy. Gulping, shaken and full of desire for him. Not that she would admit it to him. Quiet_Storm: I think we should, perhaps, change the subject mcharley60: Yes, I agree, we should let you first digest that. Before I take you to the next level.
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Quiet_Storm: Listen here, Shawn Everett McPhersonthere is no next level! mcharley60: Sure there is, and the moment you stop fighting me and the way you really feel, Ill move you up to it. Quiet_Storm: Im not fighting anything! mcharley60: Liar! Quiet_Storm: Excuse me, I dont have to lie! mcharley60: Of course you do. Thats the only thing that helps you continue this fight against me. Lying to yourself. But you know the truth. And so do I. Quiet_Storm: Well, obviously, youre in the mood for ego blowingand since thats the case, your time would be better spent impressing a woman who is mcharley60: You are such big talk. But if I were there right now, Id have you wrapped so tightly in my arms, wed probably be in bed right now. Quiet_Storm: Thats itgoodnight! mcharley60: Wait, wait, wait! Okay, okay, okay! I wont say another wordI promise. Ill change the subject, okay? Sylvia killed two birds with one stone. First bird, she waited out the reply to get control of her rioting senses. She was shaking with wanting him, and was glad for the cover of chatting from a distance. Were he present, he would see right through her to her need. mcharley60: Sylvia? Sylvia, pleasedont go! Second bird, to scare him into check. His hold on her was much too strong. His words, far more powerful than the distance between them. She should have turned her computer off. Not doing so made her lose the battle she was waging against his assault. Her need for him was deep, harsh, soul-shaking and raw. How much longer could she hold out was the scary reality plaguing her mind. mcharley60: Ah, come on, SylviaI said Id change the subject. Dont go! Im sorry. He included that lie for good measure. Quiet_Storm: So, how did the visit with your daughter go? He sighed. Okay, ladyI see. Youve got the powerfor now. So enjoy it. Because when I return, its back to me. But for now, Ill play by your rulesfor now. mcharley60: So far, so good. Shes still with me. In the other room watching TV. Quiet_Storm: Oh, I didnt know you still had her.
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mcharley60: Yeah, shell stay with me until the day I leave. Shes...one of the most important women in my life. Although shes still a baby to me, shell be a woman one day. Sylvia was dying to ask who the other women were. But that would be too much nerve. Especially with how shed been rejecting most of his advances. Knowing that, she craved with an intense hunger to be placed in that category. Trouble was, is that where he wanted to place her? Quiet_Storm: Yes, she will be. But shes lucky to have you as her father. mcharley60: You think so, hm? Quiet_Storm: Yes, I do. mcharley60: Why, thank you! Quiet_Storm: Youre welcome. Quiet_Storm: So, howd your meeting go? mcharley60: Pretty much as Id expected. I got to meet Mercy James finally. The famous author who has hired me as the illustrator of her novels and I'll be signing a contract with them, for their publishing house. along with this current trilogy shes releasing the first of the year. Quiet_Storm: Wow, sowhats she like? mcharley60: She could be your sister. QuietStorm: Really? mcharley60: You two are very similar. Shes not as dark as you are. But attractive, she even wears your same perfume. Quiet_Storm: LOL...and how do you know what kind of perfume that I wear? mcharley60: I smelled it enough times! mcharley60: And, I confess, I saw it in your bathroom. Quiet_Storm: Ooooh, and what do you mean, you smelled it enough times? mcharley60: I think it's called, Listerine... Shocked, Sylvia gasped, then threw her head back and cracked up laughing. Quiet_Storm: LOL...very funny! Quiet_Storm: So, you're in a joking mood tonight, I see. mcharley60: Got no choice, the mood I was in gets me left in the cold. So, laughter is the next route. I hear, get a woman laughing, you can get her into bed. Problem is, once you get her there, how to stop her? And laugh Sylvia did. Quiet_Storm: LOLOLdo you ever give up? mcharley60: With a woman like you as the prize? No wayno way.
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Quiet_Storm: Well, lets get back to Mercy James. mcharley60: Id rather talk about us. Quiet_Storm: So, does she seem like a nice person? mcharley60: I think she is. Quiet_Storm: Wow, so youve met Mercy James! mcharley60: So I take it youve read her novels? Quiet_Storm: Well, yeahI dont know many who havent. mcharley60: You sound excited. Is that what its going to take to lift you as you lift me? Quiet_Storm: You sure about that? That I lift you? Seems to me, I always make you mad Shawn rolled his eyes, shaking his head, letting go a deep sigh. mcharley60: Oh, boy, this ladyalways cruising for a bruising. Quiet_Storm: Not I...this is why I am free. Quiet_Storm: No more bruising for me. Quiet_Storm: Just cruising! mcharley60: My saying that just means wantin an argument. Quiet_Storm: Oh, and that interprets a need for bruising to you? mcharley60: Not in the way you may be thinkingah, well, thats okay, I'll tame you... mcharley60: In time. Quiet_Storm: Hmmmm? Tame me? Yeah, right. mcharley60: It'll be just like roping a steer. Quiet_Storm: Excuse me? mcharley60: You're welcome. Quiet_Storm: LOL...yeah, right. mcharley60: Tell me, what are you wearing? Quiet_Storm: Huh? mcharley60: I want to picture you. Quiet_Storm: Oh...ummm, well...I'm...ummm, wearing...my night shirt. mcharley60: I see... mcharley60: through it. mcharley60: LOL Quiet_Storm: No you don't! You just cut that out, Shawn Styles! mcharley60: Everett Styles, or Shawn McPherson, for you, Shawn - period. mcharley60: Something else, I got you a gift. Quiet_Storm: Oh, yeah...why? mcharley60: Well, just cuz. mcharley60: Look out the window. Quiet_Storm: Huh?
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Quiet_Storm: Out the window? Quiet_Storm: Why? mcharley60: Look out your window, lady! Quiet_Storm: That's silly...why, what's out there? mcharley60: Up there, in the sky...I give you the moon and the stars. Quiet_Storm: Awwww, *giggle* problem is, they're not yours to give. mcharley60: No, but theyre ours to share. Quiet_Storm: Oh...yes...wow. Thanks...*gulp* mcharley60: We can both look at the same moon...that brings us closer together. mcharley60: The stars look like pearls. Quiet_Storm: Shawn...*sigh*...yes, I guess they do. Quiet_Storm: But...well, maybe we should just...slow down a bit. Quiet_Storm: I mean...you don't have to say those kind of things to me. mcharley60: I know that, but... Quiet_Storm: Besides, it's probably a line you've used on others. mcharley60: Yes, but a long time ago... mcharley60: LOLI mean it with you! Quiet_Storm: Ummm, excuse me, but your current "unsure relationship" isn't from a long time ago. mcharley60: Sylviano one honks my horn like you do. Quiet_Storm: Honks your horn? Lmao - you callin' yourself a honky? mcharley60: Hey! LOL, be nice Quiet_Storm: Sorry, that was your line -you need to get a new one, and a new pole while youre at it! mcharley60: My old pole works just fine! Quiet_Storm: LOLwell, your line needs replacing. Quiet_Storm: 'Cause this fish ain't like any other. mcharley60: Lady, you will bite. mcharley60: I've got just the right lure, your kind'ah bait! Quiet_Storm: Well, I guess this fish, just aint hungry! mcharley60: Youre gettin' there. When youre ready to biteIll be pulling you right in. Quiet_Storm: Yeah, well, I think we should close this for tonight. mcharley60: Yes, I agree. But tomorrow, Ive decided to call you. I want to hear your voice. Quiet_Storm: Oh, really? Youve decided, hm? And if Im not here to take the call? mcharley60: Youll be there. Because youre ready to hear my voice as well. Ill call at nine tomorrow night...your time. Goodnight, sweetheart.
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And he signed off, leaving Sylvia with her mouth open, which slowly closed into a smile, followed by a sigh. She closed her Yahoo chat-box and other open programs, finally shutting down her computer and turning off the light in her office; walking through her dark house as she flicked off lights. With an incredible, tenacious, and handsome man on her mind she climbed into bed, pulling the covers to her chest, she nestled her head deep into her comfortable pillow and smiled on her way to sleep.
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Series One Episode Six - Chapter 18 During the day in the days that followed, Shawn spent it entertaining his daughter. Spoiling her with his time, attention, and gifts. Scuba diving and exploring the water world, something they both enjoyed. Taking a boat out for fishingand shopping. Tolerant and grinning, he endured being loaded down with bags and boxes because as any young woman did, his Angela loved shopping too. Not to mention being saddled with two of her friends who often came along for the ride. Every movie out in the theatres, hed seen. All the dance clubs for sixteen and under where no alcohol was served, he was coerced into taking her and her friends with him present to watch over them, of course. Weekdays, hed take her to school, and then did the photo sessions with the selected models who stood for the novel characters. Arranging them in various groups for the cover of the trilogy. Then gathering props and backgrounds, he started doing the layout. First a rough sketch drawn in pencil, doing a set of three for each book of the trilogy. Contacting Mercy James, he set up an appointment for her to select from the nine rough sketches. Again, her husband was present, giving his viewpoint. They met at their condo, where he was surprised to see they had five children. Three in their teens, a 15 year old daughter, a 14 year old son, and the youngest 13. A big space, then 2 year old twins, a boy and girl, both blondes with dusky, dark skinwho were all over the place, forcing Lowell to call out to the older ones to retrieve them. They were mesmerizing to look at, and so beautiful. Their youngest teen daughter poked her blonde head inshe, too, looked like her father. Can you please watch them until this meeting is over? asked Lowell, who held each under an arm like a sack of potatoes against his side, both grinning and kicking to get down. Smiling, Lisa grabbed one, then the other, much as her dad held them. Being that she was much smaller than her father, the twin boy, hyper as a wiggle-worm, slipped to the floor and took off at a toddler's sprint, laughing in eager excitement to be free.
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Only to be spoiled by the older daughter, Erica, who scooped him up before he could make a sure escape. Lowell drew in a deep breath, sighing as he closed the door, turning back into their small study office to see his wifes grinning countenance. I swear, those two are going to be the end of me, he complained lightheartedly. She rose from her chair and sashayed over to him, wrapping her arms around his waist, devilry in her eyes as she promised him, The end? You sure? Well, Ill have to help you with that laterwont I? Blushing and shaking his head, Lowell looked up from his wife to their guest. See what I have to put up with? Thats how those last two up and surprised me! He grinned. Lowell! Mercy exclaimed. Shawn smiled. Eh, its true! Now, behave yourself, you. Ill take care of you later. He winked, looking down at his wife, slapping her bottom. Now get over there and get down to business. Grinning, she winked a promise to him and did as she was told. Pulling away from their condo summer home, Shawn couldnt help but think about his own life. What the James had, hed always wanted. A closeknit, happy family. A house filled with noise, children, and excitement. Husband, wife, and children who admired, respected, and obeyed their parentsall from a foundation of pure love. Not too different from the life hed had growing up in his family. Yet all he had to show for it was a divorce certification. Considering his lovely daughter, not all was a failure. This only brought Sylvia to mind. She was tough, but he knew he could handle her. She was just unsure of him. But he knew that there were feelings there. Just as hed asked, shed been there for his phone call. Theyd stayed on for two hours, him talking about everything and nothing. She had done the same. Mainly about her children, and her marriage of so many years to a husband that never quite got the picture of how to handle a woman such as she. After the first conversation on the phone, hed called her twice more. Leaving her with a means to contact him for any reason should she find one fitting, besides the obvious one, that being, to hear his voice. To assure herself that he indeed still found her to be utmost in his mind. A week had gone by. It was Friday, and hed been instructed by Angela to pick up an outfit belonging to a friend who needed it for some event that evening. As he stood on the doorstep of Deidres parent's grand mansion, he felt completely out of place as he always had, hearing the echo of the cathedral-like chiming doorbell. The door opened with a smiling Anthony to greet him, as usual. Afternoon, Mr. Styles. Afternoon, Anthony. My daughter has a package here for me to pick up to deliver to a friend. Would you know anything about that?
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No, sir, but perhaps Ms. Deidre would, hold on while I get her. Shawn smiled. Thank you. As the butler turned to do so, Oscar T. Wherrington stepped into the foyer from his den, its door not far from the entryway. He stood there, staring with obvious displeasure at the unwelcome visitor. Shawn felt a tightening in his stomach, not of fear, but of discomfort. Hed just as soon not be bothered with this man. Standing there watching Oscar watch him in return, brought back many unpleasant memories. Oscar had had plans for his daughter - none of which included Shawn's act of impregnating her, and filling her head with idealistic dreams of a happy marriage and home life; of having babies in some northern hick town, where she would have no doubt learned to milk cows. What could you possibly want now? You have your daughter, isn't that enough? Calm down, Oscar. Just here to pick up a little package. Nothing to get all worked up over. Ill be gone in no time, Shawn returned calmly. Oscar turned to the side with an arm open and out to invite him into his den. No, thank you. Im fine where I stand. Maybe so, but theres something I wish to discuss with you. It wont take much more of your time. Please. Again he gestured for him to enter the den. Inhaling deep, Shawn finally stepped forward down the hall a bit, turning to enter. Have a seat. Would you like a drink? No. Id just as soon you get on with it, Shawn requested from the diamondback leather chair positioned before Oscars desk. Oscar stood across the room behind him, fixing himself a drink. I hear youre an illustrative artist for romance novels, he opened, the disdain and distaste obvious in his pitch. Its a living, Shawn answered simply, not caring to get into a discourse apparently contrived to make him feel like cow dung. I suppose, but, what about Angela? Id think youd want something better for her. Thats for Angela to decide, and whatever that is, I will support it. Just as my parents tried to support me. Oscar chuckled. Ah, yes, a cover maker for romance novelsI see. He walked towards his desk with drink in hand, and circled it to take a seat in his throne-like leather chair. Seems to me, your lot in life has already been cast. But Angelawell, Im thinking there can be something better out there for her. As her father, I would think you would want the absolute best for her. I have the means to offer her that. All I need is a little cooperation from you with something in return for you as well, of course, Oscar suggested. Shawn sat back with an incredulous lifted brow. What exactly are you getting at? That you leave Angelas upbringing to us. Let us steer her in the direction for a future career that any father would be proud of. Pride, or being proud of my daughter, does not hinge upon her career choices.
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I would expect such a comment from you, considering where you come from. But I know that in this world You mean in your world! And I might interject that your world is small, a minority. Perhapsbut it is here, in my world, where powertrue powerand control stems from. Here is where the template of standard and acceptance originates. So, small? No. Fewthe privileged? Yes. Thats the difference in our understanding. All depends on your place of origin, Oscar added. Look, I dont have time for this. Nor am I interested in whatever scheme youve concocted to get your way. Fact is, Angela, is my daughter. I will decide what is best for her, stating that, Shawn stood. Oscar followed, growing impatient. Wait a minute, McPherson! Hear me out. Im willing to support your talent of paintingartistry. You can pursue a more worthy place in society as a respected artist, instead of wasting it on five dollar drugstore, paperback romance novel - nonsense! Oh, really? And all I have to do is sacrifice my daughter to you. Deidre walked in the room after standing outside to eavesdrop on the conversation. Father, what are you doing? Oscar looked at his daughter then back to Shawn. Trying to salvage something of your life by making a better one for your daughter. Theres nothing wrong with my daughters life, Shawn defended. To you, no. You cant see that there is because youre too busy riding the countryside with your hooligan Harley gang. And in between, you get to paint a few naked women, have a few affairs and fly in to pick up a check. You drop in on your daughter, who spends most of her time pining for your presence, by the way, because you seduce herjust as you do any other woman who crosses your path, including my daughter! Daddy! You shut up! Let me handle this! he shot out to quiet her, then turned back to Shawn. A million dollars will support you comfortably in the way you like to live. You can use it as you see fit. Maybe even use some of it to become a real artistone worthy of attention and praise. Shawn stood steaming, trying to fight down an equal hatred for this man, as he no doubt felt for him. Think about it, McPherson. End that childs misery. Erase all of this nonsense of you trying to be something youre not! You really care anything about her, youll turn her over to our careentirely. That way, you can get on with your life. Shawn turned his angry stare away from Oscar to Deidre, who stood lividly shaking as well. She turned from her father to her ex-husband. I had nothing to do with this, Shawn. Nothing. Please believe me! she cried, holding the plastic store bag that hed come to pick up in her hand.
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With nostrils flared, Shawn stepped from between the two chairs where hed stood and walked past Deidre; who turned to follow him. Deidre! Leave him! Give him time to think. Its a million dollars, after all. Deidre stopped, turning with a heated blaze from her gold-hazel eyes towards her father. Was ruining my life and our marriage not enough for you? Will you do it to Angela, as well? Sorry, but ruining your life was your doing, when you came home to us pregnant with that mans child. Dont blame me for trying to fix it for you, Oscar defended. Deidre turned away from him, shaking her head, and following Shawn as he headed for the door. Shawn, wait! Hold onthe bag! she called, speeding up to catch him as he made his rapid exit out the door and down the few steps. Wait, Shawn, you have to believe me. I had nothing to do with what he said in there. You have to believe me. I know you love Angela. I agree with you. I want her to lead her life in the direction she wants as well. Then why do you stay here? Why do you continue to subject her to this mans bullshit? Why cant you stand on your own two feet and get out of here? You that stuck on this lifestyle, that youre willing to sacrifice your daughters happiness to keep it? You dont understand! An dont want to! The bag, please! He held his hand out to retrieve it. Sighing, feeling lost and hopeless, she handed it over. Can we get together and talk, Shawnbefore you leave town, following your business here? she asked, following him to the car where he opened the door, throwing the bag to the back seat. About what? he asked sharply. I want us to talk, she admitted softly. We have nothing to talk about, Deidre. Only thing between us, is our daughter. Surely shes worth us at least getting together to talk? To resolve some things between us, she furthered. Shawn ran his hand over his face, his foot propped up inside his car door as he leaned his triceps on the top of the open door. Turning to her, he looked at her. It suddenly occurred to him that way back when, he hadnt really been in love with Deidre. But hed been raised right, raised to be responsible for his actions. Though they hadnt been teenagersDeidre, 28 and he, 33Shawn still thought it was the right thing to do; get married and try to build a family, since it had already begun. Hed gotten so caught up in her being pregnant with his child and the fun they had together, he honestly believed they could make itthat they were in love. Had he been in love, he would be trying to rekindle it nowinstead of opposing it. There was only one woman on his mind he was trying to gain the acceptance of love and marriage from, and that was Sylvia.
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Suddenly it became abundantly clear to him, that he was in love with herin love with Sylvia Payne. Thats what he wanted. Thats who he wanted. Shawn? Look, Deidre. Thank you, for not being in on that with you father. Thats nice. Thats good, and Ill do my part to be more present for Angela. I want her to come and stay the summer with me next year. I, too, would like for us to get along better than we have, for her sake. Butthats all that can be fixed between us. Thats all. As long as you understand that, were fine. I see. So, theres someone else in your life then? Yes. Who is she? The woman Im going to marry. Deidre sucked in, stunned. Oh. Shawn swallowed in sympathy to her obvious distress. Im sorry, Deidre, buttoo little, too late. So, who is she? Whered you meet her? Why do I get the feeling you probably already know? How would I know? Our daughter, of course, he replied. Deidre sighed, then admitted, Are you sure youre up for that type of challenge in a relationship? I guess I am. With a brief salute, Shawn sank into the car seat, slamming the door. He started the engine and was off. Deidre stood watching him make his exit from their driveway, thinking it couldnt be oversomehow, she had to make him see that his future happiness lie with her and his daughter. Even if it meant relocating to Wisconsin to make it happen. She turned away and headed for the house, and by the looks of things, the sooner she made the move, the better. Hello? Its me. Ohhi, how are you? Missing you. Sylvia lay in bed. It was 10:30 at night. Shed been up reading, thinking about him. The page she stopped on, shed reread four times already. I dont know what to say. Say that you miss me. ShawnShawn A sigh escaped her. Say that you miss me, he repeated, determined. I-Imiss youbeing around, she said finally. She could hear him sighing on the other end, then silence grew between them. Whats wrong? Something happen there? she asked, sensing it.
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Again she heard his deep inhaling, not yet ready to answer and then, Bullshit and life go hand in handdoesnt it? he finally stated. This was different from the man shed come to know. His tone was different. He had a need in him, and hed called her with it. Suddenly, Sylvias heart picked up pace, pumping hard in her chest for this side of him, she was scared to death shed fallen in love. From time to timefor us all, Im afraid. Whats happened? Oh, nothing I cant handle. I wish I were there right now. With you. Stealing a kiss he chuckled deep. ah, but you still owe me from the bet. For once she smiled and did not fight it. Yes, I do owe youand were you here tonightId be prone to pay it. That made him sit up straight. What! Oh, great! Of course that wont be the tune when Im there, you tease! Her chuckle was deep and throatyalmost erotic. He groaned, sliding back into his bed. One more week, lady, and Ill be wrapping things up on this end, making my way back to you. Expecting to claim that kiss you just promised me. Sylvia laughed out, I dont remember promising you anything. All I said was, if you were here, tonight, Id be prone to pay it. Who knows what next week will bring, she simpered. He could hear the smile in her tone. You are a tease. I am not a tease. I just refuse to give myself over to a man simply for his play and pleasure. Im worth more than that, and I refuse to accept less. That you are. I agree with you, lady. Thats why I cant wait to get home. Weve got things to talk about. Is that right? Doggone right, it is. I want you, Sylvia Payne, and I aim to have you. Get that through your head now, because Im not wasting another moment with you when I get back home. Goodnight. {{ Click }} Sylvia gasped as she was left holding the phone. Sighing, she clicked the off button on her cordless and sat it on her bedside table. Sliding down under her covers once again, a smile followed her to sleep.
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Series One Episode Seven - Chapter 19 With lightness in her heart, Sylvia sat at her computer and for once in the last few weeks, she knew where she was going with her writing and her pitch to various agents. Smiling, she finished off the last of her query letter, selected print, and started that going as she reached for her tablet with her historical jottings. Laid before her were two of Mercy James' novels. Shed read them many years ago, and admired her writing style. Mercy James was a historical writer, whereas her chosen genre was contemporary, however, an idea had come to mind. Shawn now knew this woman personally, and hed shared with her the fact that she and her husband were starting a publishing house of their own. Maybe, just maybe, if she were to focus on a historical of her own She had started one years ago, writing the outline, but never worked on it to completion. This just might be her ticketnow was the time see. Excited and optimistic about the story, and because she hadnt read the outline or thought about it for so long, she forgot how really good this novel could be. As for the queries that she'd written, she would take them to the post office later. For now, she needed to see if she could get into the creation of this potential historical fiction romance. Surrounded by all of her needed essentials, she did some scribbling and sat back a moment to really think about how she would open up the first scene. With a growing smile after writing out a few possibilities, the setting finally began to unfold in her mind. For hours she sat, with her adrenaline pumping, elated because it was coming together just as she imagined. She poured into the tale, stopping only for coffee, the bathroom, or a quick nibble of food to sustain her. The words seemed to flow endlessly. She giggled out here and there as she began to see the main male character starting to take on the characteristics of Shawn McPherson. What finally brought it to a halt, after going full flow for most of the morning, was the need for some historical accuracies.
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Having scoured the internet for various tidbits, she decided that it was time to take a little drive to the Tomah library. Though she appreciated the convenience of the internet, there was still some information that you just needed the old-fashioned hard copy for. Thus, her next three days were spent in intense writing and searching through the old books shed borrowed, checking and confirming her time periods, wardrobe, events, and terminology of that era. Part of her dreaded picking the particular time period, having no idea how difficult it would be to create a setting so far back in history. As for her nightsif not dreaming of Shawn, they were spent talking to him on the phone when he calledusually around bedtime, knowing that she was in bed, as was he. Nights filled with sultry, intoxicating whisperings between two anticipating lovers. He never failed to take the conversation to what he planned to do with her in bed. Shocking her, stimulating her senses and making her fully aware that she was starved for the touch of a man mainly, his. Even going so far as to try to engage her in a little phone sex. He consistently received a very firm, No, Shawn! Thats kinky! from a laughing Sylvia. No, its not. Whats kinky about it? Thats real safe sex, baby. Tossing herself on her side, a fat wide grin on her face as she gathered the covers close and the phone stuck to her ear, she replied, Oh, reallyand here I always thought safe sex took place in a bank. She joked and heard him burst with laughter, coming back with, Yeah, but first, Ill have to make a deposit and thena withdrawal." Shawn! Sylvia gasped out. Hey, you started it, he defended low and husky. I did not, how did I start it? Turning me onthats how. And now theres no turning me off, he furthered. Scratching her head, fluffing her hair, she exclaimed, Yeah, rightand I can just hear your argument when you return: come on, Sylviaweve already had phone sex! Not! No wayI aint havin it. The sound of his deep chuckle sent tingles down her spine as he replied, Come on, Sylviayou know you want to feel my tongue coming through your ear piece and into your ear. She suddenly pulled it away to look at it, and then threw herself back laughing. Grimacing, she cried, Yuck! What a picture that presents! Your tongue comes through this ear piece, and Im outta here! Ah, come on, surely youre not afraid of a little tongue? Shawn! her voice squealed in a slightly excited pitch. I canth thalk, Thylvie, I got my thongue thtuck! he came back. Sylvia threw her head back with such a guffaw, it brought tears to her eyes as he pretended to be stuck, calling her name, ThylvieThylviehe m.
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Gasping for a breath, wiping away her tears, she blurted, You're so silly! That will teach you to attempt phone sex! Ah, what can I say, a woman with no sense of adventure. Afraid of a little tongue. It cant be that little. Well, it dependsare we still talking about my tongue? No, I think were now talking about your ego." Well, Sylvia, wherever I go, he go. Who is he? Otis! You remember Otis, dont you? Oh, Shawn, were not going back to talking about your shortcomings, are we? Lady, my comings aint never been short; and if I were to get a hold of you, neither would yours, he said it so confidently, so low and so sexy, she felt herself pooling with heat, swelling with a throb that made her clench her thighs. Ooooh the groan slipped, unable to stop it. Uh-ohwas that a little groan I heard? Emmm, I bet it was. Let me help you with that, Sylvia? he asked huskily. I think youve helped me enoughgoodbye, Shawn! After hanging up, she lay there a few moments to give her body time to cool back down. Another moment went by, only to find her flipping the covers away, leaping out of bed, stripping down and heading for a nice cool shower. Thus, her days her nights. Sylvia gave a stretch, her lower back and butt needed a rest from sitting in front of the monitor. She looked across the street, through the light flurries. She hadnt been back to the house since the day she did all of the unpacking; he would be home in a few days. She saved her work, closed out of her program then slid her chair back from the desk and stood, stretching once more, giving a satisfying She-Tarzanna screech with it, laughing at her own lighthearted antics behind the unlady-like noise. In the kitchen, she slipped her thick-socked feet into her boots, grabbed her jacket from the hook, took his keys from the key plaque and headed out the door slipping her arms into the light jacket. Wiggling the key to pull it out of the door, Sylvia stepped within closing the door behind her, reaching, she flicked on the lights. She turned to a somewhat stale smell in the air. With a sigh, she walked through toward the kitchen. As soon as she flicked on the light, a small dark object shot across the counter at the speed of light. Oh, nicemice! And on the counter at that! Nasty little buggers. I wonder if know that you have mice Mr. McPherson, she said out loud, approaching the counter to get confirmation of what she saw.
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Droppingsdelightful, little filthy droppingsyou must be one of the nastiest creatures on the earthto eat and crap all in the same spotugh! And so she began banging through his cabinets looking for disinfectant cleaners, finding only a half spray bottle of Fantastic, some dishwashing liquid and an almost empty bottle of some Amway cleanser. Amway? You gotta be kidding me! His mama must sell the stuff. She grinned. Turning, she closed the cabinets, knowing that she would have to go to the store and get him some decent cleansers to freshen up the house and disinfect behind his squatters, making a mental note to grab some traps as well.
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Series One Episode Seven - Chapter 20 With the small basket filled and her arms as well, she made her way to the counter. It was already dark out and Maggie was about to close. She liked this time to shop; it usually gave them time to chitchat a little as Maggie rang up her purchases after she locked the door. Her peripheral vision absently caught a lone figure standing by the pop machine not far from the end of the counter. She was talking to Maggie about something as Sylvia sat down the items in her arms. Maggie gave the woman a brief reply then turned to Sylvia with a smile. How you doin tonight? Sylvia smiled. About to do some serious cleaning and setting a few traps. Oh, yeah, this time a year, they come in from all around to get in out of the cold, Maggie commented, starting to ring up her items. Dont do no good to set traps for emtheres always more to come. I just leave em be. They leave me alone, I leave them alone, said the woman leaning at the soda machine. Sylvia gave Maggie a you gotta be kidding look. Maggie rolled her eyes stating, I guess there are some folk that can just about live with anything or anyone. This subtle insult went right over the womans head as she agreed saying, Thats me. I just about can live with anythingor anybodyof course, theres some bodies better than others to live with. She laughed out. Sylvia and Maggie declined to encourage any more on that subject, but the woman needed no encouragement as her next words caught Sylvia by surprise. Hey, I bet you know the truth of thatdontcha? Sylvia looked up stunned, because she knew that the hey was directed at her. First offence, which left her with no other way to reply other than, Excuse me? This coming out with a tilt of her head, only missing her hand on hip. You heard me. I guess now you gonna pretend it ain't so? What isnt so? Now the hand went to her hip, as the opposite one dropped for a stance prepping for battle. Both stood suddenly sizing the other up, instant dislike was like a clanging bell in the dead of the night.
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Sherry, the woman by the soda machine, stood a bit shorter than Sylvia and could be considered very pretty with a beautiful figure, if her manner, dress and overall skuzziness didnt paint her otherwise. Wearing a well-worn black leather jacket that had seen better days, her blonde hair needed washing and combing, especially in the back. Her clothes looked like shed worn them two or three days, tossed them, couldnt find anything to wear a week later and found those again to wear. Her eyes were an absolutely beautiful blue, long lashes and all, with full lips beneath a small cute nose. But her decorum and etiquette was what a dictionary would definitely define as the product of white trash. It didnt help her much that she was a chain smoker. She pulled her cigarettes out of her rear pocket to tap upside down on her hand, then turning them up to peel away the string and plastic cellophane that sealed them closed. No smoking in here, Sherry, Maggie warned tactfully. I know, I knowIll just crack the door open so it all goes out, she informed Maggie. Along with my heat. I guess you gonna have to wait until you leave, which wont be long since Im about to close. I know what time you close, Maggie. Man, whats gotten into you all o'sudden? Sylvia shook her off, turning to pay for the groceries Maggie bagged, dismissing Sherry, who wasnt ready yet to be dismissed. Heyso is it true? she offended the second time. Excuse me, but I have a name and hey is not it, Sylvia returned, looking back at Sherry, her eyes narrowed with warning. Dont know it, so cant use it, now can I? So, hey is gonna have to do. Butoh waitlemme thinkSylvia, right? Ohnow I remember, I do recall now havin heard it somewhere. Imagine thatboth ous name start with a 'S'. Seems we got somethin in common. That and the fact that Shawn must be wantin us both, his name got that same oS', magine that? He is livin with you now, aint he? Thats what I hear. Heat so intense washed over Sylvia that she felt burned. She had called him Shawn! Not Everett, but the name that only family used, or so hed lead her to believe. Feeling intense betrayal and shame build, Sylvia fought it with little success as the fact that shed let him kiss her, only to find that he must have done the same with this girl/woman. As if she stood on a hot plate suddenly turned on, anger was burning so, she felt herself shake with it. Absolute humiliation froze a shell over her that had taken Shawn months to melt and break through. It took her a moment to respond, when she did, her dislike was plain to see. I dont know what youve heard, but Shawn has not, does notnor will ever be found to live with me. As for him wanting us both, that sounds like a problem for you and him to work out...
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... Ill thank you to leave me out of your concocted trios. Heyfine by me! Never done a trio with no nigger no way, dont plan on Sherry! Not in my store! Maggie yelled, rigidly angry, slamming the palm of her hand on the counter. I will not have that crap here! And you will not bring it here! Seeing as how all you bought was the cigarettes and the soda, you can now leave! An icy heat stole over Sylvia. Such a small word. Yet it held the power to paralyze her into shock as if shed been punched in the stomach. She felt the stinging of prickly pins all over her body and face, laced with humiliation. Sorry, sorry Sherry conceded with her palms raised in a gesture of surrender. Dont mean to offendhows a body suppose to know what to callem? Seein as how theyre always changing what they are? First they coloreds, then they black and proud, then they negroes, and now they Africans from America. Im just stickin with what I know they called, she explained with sly cleverness, holding the door open about to exit. Goodbye, Sherry, Maggie repeated firmly. Sherry did a mocking bow before both women and departed. That little bitch! I am so sorry, Sylviaso sorry. Please believe me, I had no idea she was going to do that. Forget it, Maggie. Youre not responsible for what other people say and do, Sylvia answered stiffly. She knew that Maggie was not party to that, but she was white. At that momentshe felt defensive. A wall suddenly shot up from the floor to surround her. For the first time since she moved to this small town, she felt like a minoritylike she didnt belong. How could such a small word wreck her peace? But it hadin just a matter of a few seconds. She couldnt help but wonder if the word had shocked her because shed forgotten she was black. Shed forgotten that she was different from the majority of the people in this town. Shed allowed herself to slip into a false sense of security and now it was shatteredin a matter of seconds. Maggie could feel and see the immediate damage of what the word just didshe herself felt humiliated and hurt because she really liked Sylvia. Her face was red with embarrassment at what just happened in her store. She felt equally victimizedbecause what happened went against everything she felt and believed. God, I feel awful! This is why in the larger cities, they dont allow loitering. I try to make my store welcome to anyone around town to linger about because it is a small town. But no more. No more. God, Im so sorry that little tramp, shes not worth the dirt you kick off your shoes. Forget it, Maggie. You need to close up and I need to get home. Got things to do. She faked a smile, despite her racing mind. Trying to dull a pain in her chest so sharp, she struggled to numb it, ignore it. It wasn't working. She felt moisture gathering in her throat, bubbling up in her mouth, which she swallowed back.
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She grabbed the plastic bags by the loop handles off the counter and headed for the door as Maggie followed her there. Stopping for her to open it, Maggie put a hand on her shoulder. Honey, I dont know whats going on with that one, but I dont for a minute hold value on a thing she says. Dont you. She aint nothin but trash, always been, always will be. Yeah, maybe, but as they say, one mans trash is another mans treasure, she returned, unable to mask the pain washing over her. Surely Maggie knew, as most of the people in this town, that Shawn was pursuing her. Nothing around this place could be kept a secret for any time period more than a week. Right away, Sylvias pride kicked in to stiffen her spine and square her shoulders. Oh, well, good luck to them. Long as they leave me out of it, what do I care? she lied. Maggie shook her head. Listen here, girl. I dont know that man all that well, but I sure dont for a moment think he would give a flying hoot about the likes of her, when someone like you is right next to him. Were just neighbors, Maggiejust Neighbors. Gotta go now! You have a nice night, Sylvia replied, not wanting to hear anything more for Shawns side. She was done with him. Stepping down the steps from the store, she walked to the corner and around it to go to her car, and was brought up short by three figures standing there against the building next to where her car was parked. Smoke was hovering around them, since all three had cigarettes lit. HeyI thought youd never finish in that store. Now since you out here, we can finish our discussion uninterrupted. Sowhere he been? I aint seen him around lately, Sherry asked as Sylvia took in the two men with Sherry. Immediate fear shot and ricocheted through her to see Sherry and two white males there, following on the tail of boldly being called a nigger by her. Here she was, a lone black woman out at night. One of the men looked to be in his late twenties, short dark hair, wide, round face. Looking as though he ought to be overweight, but he wasnt. He reminded one of a grown-up version of Charlie Brown, wearing faded, dirty denim jeans, jacket, and shirt. It was a very cool night, yet he acted unaffected by the cold. The other was tall and whipcord lean; long, blonde hair pulled into a ponytail away from a thin face and thin mustache. He wore light-colored faded denim as well, and a Harley Davidson leather jacket. His eyes, cold ice blue, stared at her. Sylvia felt a frosty frisson shoot straight up her spine. She couldnt help staring back at him, and realizing that she was, she suddenly tore her eyes away as adrenalinechased by fearcoursed through her body. Yooohooo, helloooo, I think I ask you a question? Hey! Oh, you dont like that, do you? You wanna be called by your nameSylvia, doncha? Dont see why not, thats such a pretty name, Sylvia. Can I call you Sylvia? the blonde asked, shifting his shoulder against the building.
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Sylvia gave them all one last look then proceeded on to her car. As she walked around to the drivers side, she announced, Im not Mr. Styles keeper. I suppose hes around, since he wants you one would think youd already know where he is. Good evening, she finished, opening her car door, feigning a bravery she didnt really feel. The blonde man suddenly came away from the building to walk to the front of her car. Sylvias heart leapt into her throat. Just then, the Camp Daniels police squad car turned the corner. The blonde altered his direction; instead of stopping in front of Sylvias car, he kept walking as if that had been his intent. The squad car stopped beside Sylvia. The window rolled down just as Sherry and the other man started following the blonde. Ms. Payne? Everything okay here? the officer asked, staring at the departing trio. With the lump lodged in her throat, Sylvia could barely swallow it to speak. She started nodding yes then finally answered, voice trembling, her eyes on the three. Yes, Im fine. Just stopped to pick up a few things from the store, thats all, she informed him. Well, lets get going. Ill follow you home, he announced. She felt tears well up in her eyes. Nodding vigorously, she got right into her car, slammed the door and started it right up. Now in her doorway, she waved at the officer with a smile for escorting her home. Inside, she closed the door and locked it. Setting her bags down, she hung up her coat then picked up the bags to empty the contents; a bunch of cleansers she didnt need and mousetraps. Leaving them on the counter, she walked to her bedroom trying to ignore her nervous, jumpy stomach. The butterflies were fluttering madly, and her mind was awash with images of a man that was no better than what she first estimated him to be. Now thisshe wasnt sure how to deal with possible racial harassment, if that is what was about to start. She was a woman aloneshe couldnt afford this. All because of Shawn Everett McPherson coming into her life. Regardless of what Maggie said, Sherry knew his real name. Shawn. She knew it. How would she know his name like that if he hadnt told her what it was? For the next couple of hours, her mind waged war with the things hed said and done to her, against what took place today. Though she refused to give in to them, a lone tear slid down her cheek every so often, as she fought back the rest when one would slip through against her will. Here it was starting already. Drama. The very thing in her life she was trying to avoid. It was one thing to write about it, but another thing entirely to be caught up in the center of it yourself. Again and again she beat herself up over the matter, wondering, had she learned anything at all in her late thirty-something years of life? She stood in her front picture window, looking across the road at his house. The lights were on because shed left them on when she took off for the store.
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She stood watching as if she could conjure an image of him walking across his window. Of course it never happened, but she wished he were there. Just as she was glad that he was not. It was now 10:30pm, she turned from the window, the phone rang. Her heart started pounding. She knew who it was and slowly approached the phone to read the caller ID. It said California Call. That was allit was indeed him. She stood as it rang the fourth time, then her answering machine picked it up. Hmmm? Its 8:30 here, and 10:30 thereand just where are you, beautiful lady? In the shower? Emmm, I like that idea. Must be. Ill call again in a half an hour oryou can call me yeah right, not. Ill call you back {{ Beep }} Another lone tear slid down. Dont bother. Please, just dont bother. She reached down, cleared the message so the machine would stop beeping. Turning, she walked away into her bedroom where she closed the door. Truly taking a shower, washing herself from the head down. Her hair didnt need washing, but doing so took time wetting down the thick mass. Lathering it up, giving her scalp a thorough scrubbing and rinsing. Lathering it up again, rinsing then squeezing it out and now, adding the conditioner. Getting it all through her hair, thento shower her body, shave her underarms and legs wellit was definitely going to take longer than half an hour. An hour and a half later, she was ready for bed. She could hear the beeping of her answering machine from her bedroom. With her bathrobe wrapped around her and her hair blown dry and straight on her shoulders, she walked into the living room and sat by the phone and answering machine. Two more messages. She sat staring at the number two for maybe five minutes before she slowly reached over and pressed play. Its me againSylvia? Where are you? Whats going on? He audibly sighed. I cant see why youd be out this late. Well, hmmmIll call again in an hour. I hope everything's alright {{ Beep }} Last message: Sylvia? God, I hope youre alright. Ummm, I guesswell, I dont know why youre not answering. You didnt mention going anywhere tonight when I said Id call. I dont know maybe you did. I guess Ill call you tomorrow then. Ill be flying home Sunday, just to let you know. But I guess Ill talk to you tomorrowgoodnight.

{{ Beep }} Saturday Night:
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What the hell is going on?! Sylviaif youre there, pick up! Sylvia? Sylvia? This is starting to scare mepick up this phone, Sylvia Payne! {{ Beep }} An hour later: What the hell is going on? Sylvia, damn you! This is bullshit! I know youre there! Answer this phone! What did I do now? What the hell did I do? Geez! Godamighty, youre going to drive me crazy! {{ Beep }} Twenty-five minutes later: Will you at least tell me if youre picking me up from the airport? Can you at least tell me that? Oooooh, there had better be a damn good reason for this, lady! This is it! You and I are going to have it out, once and for all! You cant keep pulling thisIm not gonna stand for it! {{ Beep }}
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Series One Episode Seven - Chapter 21 Sylvia sat by the phone with her face in the palms of her hands. This had all suddenly gotten out of control. Just too far out of control. She had known better all along. She should have just kept to herself and left him alone. Now all of a sudden, she had more attention than she could handle. In the middle of the night, Friday night after the store incidentshe could have sworn she heard someone tampering with her door. She had lain in bed for an hour with her heart pounding, her adrenaline racing from a fiery fear that made her feel hot and feverish as she lay listeningbut the sound had been so slight, so un-clearly discernible, that she hadnt been sure. Then Saturday morning when shed gotten up to go check her mail, there had been footprints in the snow on her porch off the kitchen door that she knew were not hers. Shed carefully gone out to check her mail, then rushed right back into her house, heart poundingit hadnt quite beat the same in the last few days. Just to be on the safe side, shed called the Camp Daniels police department and reported what she found. They agreed to keep an eye out, but of course, there was nothing they could do as long as no crime had been committed, as she'd known all along. She was scared. Alone. Both angry with Shawn and wishing with all of her heart that he was home across the street from her. Though she had no intention of ever speaking to him again, she trusted him as her neighbor. If, for some reason, she needed help, she knew he would be right there for her. Having that thought cross her mind, she wondered why didnt she trust him enough to hear his side of the story. Because I dont want to, she spoke this out loud to herself. I just dont want to. I dont need thisand this is my wake up call, whats happening to me now. I should have known better, she said finally. Shed been so scared, shed spent the day in La Crosse with her kids. She kept stalling about coming home, so that when it got dark and she really needed to, she chickened out and spent the night at her daughters. Now here it was Sunday afternoon.
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Shed finally come home, only because she knew that Shawn would be home across the street pretty soon. Having listened to his messages, she sighed and got up from the chair, going into her kitchen. Shed left a little mess from yesterday and was cleaning that up, and while throwing something away, she realized that her garbage was full. Grabbing the bag sides and pulling it up in the can, she shook it to shift the garbage down and tied it up. Heading for the kitchen door, she quickly stepped outside, down the steps and started heading around back to where the garbage bins sat, and noticed footprints in the snow coming from the far side of her garage. Stunned, she stood a moment in the cool air, just looking at them in surprised disbelief. Slowly she walked further to the back, heading for the bins, following with her eyes the progress of the footprints that also went into her backyard. Stopping at the garbage bins, she raised the lid and dropped her bag inside. Lowering it, she stood a moment more, staring down at the prints as fear started to rear its head again. Treading lightly, she began to follow where they were leading her. With a slamming heart, she stood in panic as they stopped beneath her bedroom window, on the ground were two cigarette butts. Turning quickly away, fighting back more panic and gathering tears, Sylvia ran into her house straight for the phone. Snatching it off of the receiver, she dialled the Camp Daniels Police again. Two officers stood in her backyard staring down at the footprints, one commenting, Yep, definitely are footprints. Sylvia gave him an incredulous look as if to say well, duhthank you for that confirmed observation! Im glad youve noticedand can you also note that there are two cigarette butts laying right there? I dont smoke. But you might also conclude that whoever it was, stayed long enough to finish off two cigarettes, she assisted with that realization. Yes, so it seems, the other one stated. Looking up from the prints, he looked at her. Come on, lets go in the house, unless theres something else out here you want us to see? he asked. Sylvia shook her head and turned away, leading them back to her kitchen door. Once inside, they wrote out a brief report, standing by her kitchen table. Once that was done, the second officer looked her straight in the eyes and said, with much regret, Ms. Payne, SylviaI can understand your fear, and its with good reason. Unfortunately, under the circumstances, theres very little that we can do about it right now. I mean, even if it was one of them from the store the other night, we cant do anything without proof. If you want, you can file something against the woman for publicly slandering you. As for the rest, our hands are tied to do anything until a crime has been committed. You do know that, dont you?
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She did know thatthe reason she wanted to report what took place in Maggies store. She had known when she dialed the number, that all it would be was a written report. Still the same, she wanted them to know and see this now before the wind or snow covered the evidence of an unwelcome presence. As she stood accepting this, the second officer, who was also the one that followed her home two nights ago, couldnt help but think of the group by the store, especially the blond man. He was a stranger around town. He wasnt a local that he could easily identify because he knew just about all of Camp Daniels citizens by face. He wasnt one of them. New in town or not, there were laws against harassing someone simply because they were new. He just couldnt do it. He looked at the woman before him nervously chewing on her bottom lip and felt a deep compassion for her fear. Sylviawe have to go. Before we do, make sure you keep your phone at your side at all times. I dont want to scare you, considering what's going on, I know you already are. Just keep your phone in quick reach. Program into it right now, with us standing here, 911 into the nine. That way, all you have to do is hit it to alert us of an emergency here. We wont waste a moment getting here. Thats all we can do now. Sighing, she nodded thankfully; did as she was told with them there, and then escorted them to the door. * * * The pilot made the announcement that theyd be arriving in Madison in about another thirty minutes, running through his usual flight blurb when coming to its end. Shawn sat deep in thought, not paying it much attention, and of course, of late, his mind was on one thing and one thing onlySylvia. He hadnt received a phone call back after his several attempts to reach her. Common sense told him she wouldnt be there at the airport to meet him because she wouldnt know his arriving flight, so hed have to rent a car. He just hoped everything was alright. It had been the last time they talked on the phone. Everything had been light-hearted and happy between them. He couldnt imagine what in the world had happened to make her disregard his phone calls. Especially when he knew that she enjoyed talking to him, just as he did her. Having come to the realization in his mind after leaving Deidre, that he indeed was in love with Sylvia, he saw no reason to hold back from pursuing her. Oh, but just because he knew that he was in love with her, he wasnt so foolish as to tell her that. He wasnt about to hand his heart over to someone who might possible tramp all over it. Before he disclosed that feeling, he would have to be sure that she felt the very same thing for him. Although he felt she did, one could never tell when dealing with a woman like her. Chuckling to himself; he could see, that for the first time in his life he actually had to work hard and plan a strategy to get a woman.
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When all of his life, or at least most of it, hed been stuck with trying to figure out how to let someone down gently, without too much undo hurt. And here he was now, jumping through hoops to get this saucy wench. If truth were to be told, he wouldnt have her any other way. Even so, at times like nowwhen she was being difficult, for God only knew whyit drove him crazy. One thing was certain, she had better have a good reason for this one. Even though he was jumping through hoops to get her, he decided it was time to put his foot down with this one, to show her he was no wet-behindthe-ears punk to be walked all over by a self-assured latent dominatrix ...getting even with him for the past affront to her ancestors. This thought instantly conjured up an image of Sylvia in thigh-high black patent leather boots, complete with whip in handand him, face down, handcuffed to the bed, naked as the day he was born. The mental picture made him chuckle with a shake of his head, rubbing his wrist from the imagined handcuffing, making him shiver. Not me, youre not! I aint no whippin boy, he said low. True to his thought, upon landing and exiting the gate, no Sylvia. So be it. He took off for the shuttle bus after collecting his luggage and rented a car for the drive home. Every little bit of the way, his emotions went from building anger, to anticipation of seeing her againand a good fight. Yes, that was part of the attraction to her. Unlike other women who tried to avoid fighting with him for fear he would break it off, she could give a flying hoot. She would give as good as she got, and nothing built a stronger animal lust in him than a fiery womanand Sylvia Payne was just that. * * * She was too nervous, for too many reasons to sit and write. Shawn was on his way home, and this thing with someone at her window. She pushed her chair back from the desk, standing from it she left, going into her kitchen. Maybe she should eat a little something. She stood looking into her refrigerator for five minutes and decided that wasnt it. She hadnt showered since yesterday morning, and decided to go shower and freshen up. First, she checked and locked her doors. Leaving the kitchen, she happened to glance down and noticed scuff marks on her white vinyl-tiled floor. Dropping into a squat before them, she traced one with the tips of her fingers in thought, concluding it must be from the police officers. Making a face, she scratched at it with her nail, thinking , I gotta scrub that up soon as I get outthank you very much. Saying out loud, Darn flatfoots. She stood and proceeded on to her bedroom, shedding her clothing en route, suddenly stopping in the middle holding her blouse to her chest, thinking about the window. She quickly walked over to it, closing the blinds and the curtains, making sure it too was solidly locked. Leering lecherously through her cracked open basement door, cold ice blue eyes followed her, observing her progress through the house to her bedroom.
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Patiently, like a spider perched in the shadow at the edge of its web awaiting the perfect moment to pounce on its prey, he stealthily crept out of his hiding place as she moved on into the bathroom for her shower. Turning as the spray made tiny pitter pats and rivulets, massaging her body, Sylvia reached for the soap and began lathering down. Across the top of her arms, underneath, down each side, and across her belly. Turning again, she propped a leg up on the side of the tub, reaching down to lather it. From the corner of her eye she caught a fleeting shadow through her shower glass door, freezing her movements as she slowly rose, staring through the misty glass to her bathroom door. Moments later, she exhaled, only then realizing shed been holding her breath. Sylvia, dont start trippin! Great, now Im seeing things. She shook her head and continued on with her shower, oblivious of her silent observer who stood hidden behind her bathroom door, peering with lustful anticipation through the opening between the hung side and the door facing, eagerly stroking his stirring arousal. Suddenly he heard her turning off the shower. Salivating like a starving wolf presented with an easy kill, he watched her slide back the shower glass door with narrowed weasel-like ice blue eyes, and gulped at the first sight of one long, brown shapely wet leg. With baited breath, he licked his lips in expectation then watched her step from the shower in all of her brown, naked, shimmering glory, tearing his eyes from her voluptuous breasts, down over her flat belly to the thick, black thatch triangle covering where he longed to go. Patting herself dry, Sylvia began the ritual of spreading lotion on her body. Propping a foot on the toilet seat, she began there. Completely massaging the lotion into the skin of her foot, ankle, calf, up over her knee and behind, further up still working it into the circumference of her thigh. Grabbing the bottle to squeeze out more, she massaged it onto the cheeks of her butt, and then treating the next leg with the same. The spectacle aroused her stalker even more. To his perverse delight, she began smearing her belly and breast with the lotion with such exquisite slowness, he knew she enjoyed what she was doing as much as he enjoyed watching her. Covering her body and arms with the same thoroughness he planned to take once he moved in to invade her. Finishing up as always, Sylvia put her deodorant on under her arms, and then, grabbing her feminine deodorant spray, spread her legs and applied it to her most intimate area. Turning, she sat at the vanity, reaching for the bottom drawer, sliding it open to see something that was like a slam to her chest. Her delicate articles, her lingerie, had been rifled through. She had a habit of always keeping her drawers neatly arranged, folded and sorted to almost perfection. What she saw now, was absolute evidence that someone had been in her house.
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Gasping in panic, she quickly moved aside the top panties to reach for the folded ones beneath, letting out a sudden shrill scream with the sound of someone knocking at her door. Quickly grabbing her underwear, she thrust her legs within, snatching out a bra, she hurriedly put it on. Running into her bedroom to the dresser, she yanked out a drawer to remove a T-shirt, pulling it over her head. Then down to a lower drawer for a pair of sweats, when the knocking sounded again, this time louder, accompanied by, Sylvia! I know youre homenow open this door! With silent speed, she ran to the door as her unknown intruder slid into her closet, frustrated at the sudden interruption of his plans. Hed stepped from the door about to attack her when she was bent over the drawer, but the knock had halted him, making him dart back behind the door. Now he stood in the closet, silent, watchfuland waiting. Rushing to the door, Sylvia hated to admit it, but she was glad he was home. He was finally back! The minute she snatched open the door, it was with the intention of throwing herself into his arms, however, his angry gruff expression halted her. Where the hell have you been! Ive been trying to reach you for two days! Late at nightI might add! He was pissed and it showed. That immediately put her on the defensive. Excuse me! Dont come up in my house, yelling at me about where Ive been! Dont worry about where Ive been! Well, thank you very much! My trip went well! The flight was fine! And the rental car drives nice! Thank you very much for your concern! he fumed sarcastically, following Sylvia further into the kitchen. Since it's apparent that youre fineI take it theres a reason why youve all of a sudden changed from the other night when we spoke, to completely ignoring my phone calls and leaving me to rent a car when you were suppose to pick me up! I have other things going on. It didnt kill you to rent a car. Im not gonna be running like some fool at your beck and call, Shawn Everett McPhersonStyles! Furthermore, it seems to meyou have other options for getting someone to pick you up at the airport, and I dont know why you didnt call her. What?! Whats that suppose to mean? Yeah, right! As if you dont know! I dont have time for the games. I explained that to you from the very beginning. But foolish me, I got caught up into playing it with you anywayand nowIve had enough. No more! So Im glad you had a nice trip. A safe flight. A way home. Now kindly turn around and leave my house, I have things going on Id just as soon get back to them. Goodbye! Wait, wait, wait, wait! Hold your horses, lady! Youre not going to get rid of me that easily! I want to know whats going on here!
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Sounds like a personal problem to me. Please take care of it across the road, and not in my houseas I saidgoodbye! Yeah, well, the thing is, Im in the dark here! Im not going anywhere until you shed some light and tell me whats going on! "Fine, let me shine a torch on it for you, just to make it a little clearer. Oh, and by the way, perhaps youd like a drink first, let me seeooooh, hows about a little Sherry? she threw the name out sarcastically. Shawn stood in a dumb-like state trying to figure out where this was leading to, and finally answered, No thanks on the sherry. I hate sherry, cant even stand sherry on my lips. Funny, thats not what Ive heard! Whatin the hellare you talking about? he bit out. Getting fed up and not wanting to continue the fight with him, Sylvia blurted out, Sherry! Thats what this is about. Sherry? Who in the hell is Sherry? Oh, oh, ohhow convenient selective memory is. Not convenient to remember Sherry now, so you dont know who she isbut, oh, she sure knows who you are, so much so, that she knows your real name. I mean, I can understand her knowing you by Everett, but she knows your personal namewanna tell me how that is? No, no, no, no, never mindlike I said dont bother and neither will I. Just leave, okay, just leave! For a moment he didnt answer, nor did he move, he stood milling the name over in his head and saying it out loud. Sherry? Sherry? Sherry? Figure it out across the street, please. Will you hush a moment here, Im trying to think, he returned. Don't you tell me to hush! Think someplace else, not herenow go! Ladyyou can cry go all you wantbut Im telling you, I dont know anyone by the name of Sherry. You liar! How can you stand here and lie to my face? Liar? I have no reason to lie to you! Furthermore, I dont appreciate you accusing me of being a liar! Well somebody's lying, then, and she knows your personal name. How do you explain that? First of all, who in the hell is this she orSherry? What does she look like? Crossing her arms over her breast, at first Sylvia played the mulish treatment. Shawn stood with his arms crossed over his chest mimicking the gesture. Well? What does she look like? Sighing, Sylvia finally described her. Afterwards, Shawn ran the description through his memory, then his eyes got wide. That little bitch! Oh, now I remember her! Good for you! Goodbye! His response was to remove his coat and toss it to one of her kitchen chairs. You want me to leave? You tell me what happened with this Sherry, first.
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I dont have to tell you anything, and youre starting to piss me off! Now get out of my house, or I will call the police to remove you! she threatened. He was stunned, and for a moment he considered saying, the hell with it, but he couldnthe just couldnt. Instead he went to the table, pulled out a chair, sat down, then waved a hand toward the phone on the wall. Okay callem. Because until you tell me what I want to know, thats the only way youre getting me out of here. So angry she could scream, Sylvia charged to the phone, picked it up off the hook, holding itshe stared at him, he leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. Damn you, Shawn! She slammed the phone back onto its base, knowing there was no way she could call the police on him. Confused about everything, she stubbornly crossed her arms across her breasts and leaned against her counter, not saying another word. He sat there quiet as well, watching her, and waiting. When she remained quiet, he sighed, leaning forward and said, Okaythen let me tell you when and where I met her. It was around the time I first got here. During the couple of weeks you and I werent speaking, for whatever reason at the time. A friend of mine came to visit me. We went to the bar in town "Yeah, right! I haven't seen or noticed anyone visiting you there!" she announced. Disregarding her words, Shawn paused and started again. As I was saying, we went to the bar in town. We had a few drinks and shot some pool. As this is going on, the little bitch you mentioned had been doing everything possible to get my attention, except for stripping or standing on her head. Finally, she had the nerve to pick my fufreakin pocket, thought it was funny and started reading my license out loud. She finally got my attention, however didn't like it once she had. To put it simply, I told her she ever do that again, Id have her arrested. Of course, I said more than that. A lot more colorfully, but you get the picture. Havent talked to her since, even though shes tried to get my attention in other ways. Shes a cheap little whore, and I wouldnt let the family pet do her. Thushow she knows my real name. Sylvia looked down away from him. She believed him. He was telling her the truth and she knew it. Regardless, that didnt change anything. She was stupid for letting this get started in the first place. Its the truth, Sylvia. The honest to god truth. I only got one of whats hanging between my legsI aint about to be using it Theres no need to be crude, I dont wanna hear all that, she said finally. Look she started, then stopped, looking up from the floor at him. This shouldnt be happeningbetween us, she said, swallowing. With an incredulous look on his face, he drew back exclaiming, What?! Whats that suppose to mean?
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You're white! Im black! Relationships are hard enough! I dont need the added pressure and stress this combination will bring, so lets just put on the breaks right now before it goes any further. Shawn felt his heart speed up. He stared at her dumbfounded, then very slowly, stood from his seat. Walking to the middle of the kitchen floor, he stared, his mind working with something to say to that. Then something occurred to him. Did you tell this to your daughter as well? Unless my eyes deceive me, Victor is white. Pale Blonde, sky blue eyes, fair skinthe whole nine yards! Whatd you tell her? That's her life! This is mine. Besides, she did that behind my back! She ended up pregnant. It was out of my hands. What was done, is done. Doesnt mean Im gonna do it. Now, please, lets just end this before it goes any further. So, youre telling meyou dont want me? Is that what youre saying? he asked huskily, his voice laced with low fear that she could clearly hear. Slowly he approached her against the counter. Sylvia turned her head aside, not wanting to look at him. I asked you a question. Because I can tell you right nowI want you. Its just a little case of jungle feverfind a hooker, she can fix that for you. Oh, my god! I hate that freakin term! Never gave it much thought until now! But I can tell you thisI hate it! Because thats a bunch of bullshit! He was right up close to her now. His hands braced against the counter on either side of her, leaning low to look up into her face. Jungle fever has its cure. What Im feeling for you, lady, I will die with. No cure for this. I got it for good. Cause its waaay down deep and only you can reach it. Move, Shawn, Sylvia panted. His closeness was wrecking her resolve and stirring her in a way she couldnt handle. You look me in the eyes and tell me you dont want me, too. She pushed against his hand to come from between him and the counter, but he held fast, bringing his body in closer to her. Tell me you dont want me, too, I said. With tears in her eyes, Sylvia looked up at him, into his eyes and said, I dont want you! Now get out of my house! His eyes widened in shock. He felt as if shed punched him in the stomach. You damn liar! You goddamn liar! He grabbed her to him. His mouth going to hers. Sylvias heart gave a lurch as she turned her head away. No, Shawn, please! He ignored her, grabbing her jaw and turning it back to him. Then forced his kiss on her as his other arm went around her back, closing her in between him and the counter. With a hunger neither could deny, he ravished her mouth, while rubbing the length of his body against hers. Sylvia pushed against him, trying to break free as tears gathered in her eyes and fell, fighting an overpowering need to give in. She had the cloth of his shirt gripped in her hands at his shoulders, trying to pull him away, but it was no use.
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She needed this. She needed him. In mere seconds, she found herself pulling him tightly to her. Her whimpers and moans sounding out as his tongue filled her mouth, while his lower half grinded hard against her. The feel of his large hand covering her breast and squeezing, made her knees buckle. Immediately, he swooped low and scooped her up in his arms, carrying her to the bedroom with her one arm around his shoulders and her palm at his cheek, their tongues waged a battle from their passions. At the bed he carefully lowered her there, keeping their mouths connected until her head lay on the pillow, pulling him down to her. Taking her by surprise, she found his hands gripping her forearms, pulling them away from him as he rose taking his mouth from hers. Panting and throbbing with desire for him, Sylvia's eyes reflected confusion, questioning his drawing away from her. Shawn stood beside her bed looking down at her, trying to bring his own breathing under control, saying finally as he drew in a deep breath. Ive got my pride, too. Im tired of forcing youlike thisto want me. No more. I want you to want me, as I want youand I want you to admit it. I want you to at least meet me half way. This is not a game Im playing. You see, Im playing for keeps. Me white. You black. I dont give a damn. Im ready and willing to deal with whatever happens. Only thing is, you gotta want it, too. No more forcing. SoIm gonna go now. You want meyou know where to find me. With that, he turned and walked away from her, grabbing his coat off the chair and headed for the door and out. Sylvia lay in disbelief. Slowly she sat up in her bed, staring straight ahead, stunned. Hed left her, just like that. Just when shed been willing to give in to what she was feeling. His exit had been slow, as if giving her a chance to stop him. She hadnt. She felt like her world was spinning and her life was being turned upside down. She leaned forward, with her elbows above her knees, her face cradled in her palms. With a sigh she spoke out loud. Oh godwhats going on? Tell me about itwhat a loser. Dont worry about it Sylvias ears began ringing as everything in front of her turned to a flashing bright white light. Slowly she rose with a slamming heart, turning on her bed with wide terrified eyes to look behind her. Ill pick up right where he left off, babyan Ill be going all the way. Noooo! Shaaaawn! Oh god! Sylvia screamed at the top of her lungs, lunging like a shot from beside her bed, racing for the bedroom door. Burning pain sliced at her scalp as her head was snatched back with him gripping a handful of her hair, yanking her away from the door. The brute strength of him was more than she could handle, being taken by surprise as he slung her to the floor, kicking the door closed. Sylvia continued to scream Shawns name over and over. ShaaaawnShaaaawn! Eeeeee! Shaaaawn!
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Shhhhhshhhhh. He can't hear you, he's gone. I'll take care of you now...shhhhh, his soft warning was backed by the knife he waved before her. Dont make me use this on you. What a mess it would make. Lets not make this messy, he informed her softly, her hair still in his hand as he kneeled beside her, his mouth at one cheek, kissing as he held the knife at the other. "Now, let's move this back... to the bed, shall we?" * * *
Sonofabitch! Shawn spat, standing at his front door after removing his luggage from the backseat of the rental. Hed forgotten to get his keys from Sylvia. Now he had to look foolish and go back and face her again to get his keys. He wasnt afraid to face her again. The problem was that he was weak. It had taken everything in him to walk away from her just now. If he went back, he was afraid of what would happen. He was afraid. He stood there a moment, mustering the nerve to go back. Taking a very deep breath, having no other choice, he headed back across the road. * * *
Please, please, please, please, please dont do this to mepleeeease! Sylvia cried, begging as the man snatched her from the floor, maintaining the tight grip on her hair as he directed her back to the bed, angry because she had refused to move when he asked her to. After the way he left you? Come ooon, you know you want it. I bet youre still wet, he rasped out, breathing hard as he forced her head back and down on the bed, the knife close to her skin. He straddled her waist, placing the knife in his mouth a moment to roughly grab one wrist, pinning it beneath one of his knees then doing the same with the other, pressing painfully on them to hold her in place there. Sylvia tried to buck him off, but he quickly grabbed the knife to still her, using it to caress her along her jaw, down by her ear, along side her neck and over the bony knobs at the top of her chest plate and down into the shirt, where he shifted the knife, using it to cut a rip in the front of her shirt. Sylvia screamed out again, now sobbing out of control, shifting her body beneath him as he cut and ripped her t-shirt to her midriff, she twisted about, turning in vain to dislodge him. Keep that up, you gonna force me tpoke you one. Trouble with that is, I get startedI may not stop. Now you dont want that, do ya? Emmmmphemmmm-emmmm, Sylvia cried and whimpered, starting to shake uncontrollably. Shhhhhshhhhh, he quieted her, coming down on top of her to kiss her, his hand inside her shirt, squeezing her breast.
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{{{ Knock, knock, knock }}} Sylvia! Its me, I need my keys He called, letting himself back into her kitchen door. The man reared up, flipping around in a sitting position, startled by Shawns voice, taking the knife away from Sylvia for a split second. Shaaaawn! Pleeeease! Help meeee - pleeeease!!!! The moment she started screaming, she reared her legs up and back, kicked forward with both, using every bit of strength in her, slamming the bottom of her feet against her intruders back, sending him off the bed and into the wall. She turned, rolling off the bed, screaming longer and louder, filled with more fright than shed ever known in her life, scrambling to find her phone, his name a loud shrill alarm begging for help. Shaaaawn! Shaaaawn! Shaaaaawn!!! Startled into action, Shawn charged for her bedroom with Sylvias screams filling the house and his hearing. He slammed the door wide with such an adrenal force of his forearm that it wedged the doorknob into the wall, knocking a hole in it, shocked and enraged to see a man struggling up from the floor, a knife in hand. Everything started happening in a blinding light of slow motion: Sylvia struggling up from the floor sobbing, her shirt ripped and torn open, her hair in extreme disarray. Her face wet and tearstreaked in terror. The man responsible, coming at him with the intent of getting through him. All of this Shawn took in in a matter of seconds, igniting within him an instantaneous rage that bordered on madness. Sha-Shaaaawn! Sylvia was on the verge of collapse. Shaking from the nightmare taking place around her, she couldn't figure where it was, taking a moment to notice that it was lying on the floor, between her bed and bed table. Crawling, she scrambled to it, everything was spinning around her. Her ears were ringing; between the sharp high pitch sound, there was a roaring noise. The floor beneath her seemed to be tilting and swaying. She grabbed for the phone and with blurred vision, pressed the nine. From the other side of the bed, she could hear heavy and hard impacts like something being whacked, mixed with thuds. The bed was moving with such violent force it added emphasis to the violent sounds around her. It all seemed so surreal. At the same time, she was sobbing into the phonebegging for help. Pleeeasepleeease, Sylvia Paynehelp, pleeeease! she screamed out, dropping the phone, trying to make it to the other side of the bed where Shawn was pummeling her stalker. There was redshe could see red everywhere. Though dizzy and weak, she could see that he was going to kill the man - his entire body was locked into every punch that landed into her stalkers face. Shawn, stop! Stopplease, stopyou gonna killimyagonna killim, she was sobbing. Unmindful of his rage, she stood swaying and fell towards him to push him off the man, trying to stop him from hitting him anymore and fell over in her effort.
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She grabbed at his shirt, pulling herself up with it. Shawn, stop! She gave the last of her energy to scream at him. Breathing hard, Shawn backed off with tears streaming from his blood-smeared face. His hand and arm was bleeding from getting cut with the knife. The sirens were suddenly outside, loud and wailing. The door burst open with officers flooding the house, three of them with their guns drawn. Hold it right there! Dont move! they warned Shawn, because he was the only one standing. Breathing hard, he leaned back against the door and slid down it to the floor where Sylvia knelt sobbing. Shawn, she whimpered. Needing to calm his rage, grappling with the heat of the moment, he reached for her. The police rushed into the room, viewing the scene before them. Officer Royce Collier was the first in the room. The same officer who quieted down Shawns party due to Sylvias call. The same officer who escorted her home. The same who came and advised her to program her phone, stood returning his gun to its holster. Were going to need an ambulance herenow! Hurry!
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Series One Episode Eight - Chapter 22 Had you seen Mr. Raymond Olivetti before you encountered him outside the store? Officer Collier asked, gathering more information for the report he would have to make out concerning the attack. Sylvia sat in the hallway of the emergency rooms trying to answer the questions asked her. Shawn was in one of the emergency cubicles behind a curtain, getting stitched up. Their assailant was upstairs in ICU, getting worked on to re-inflate a collapsed lung, set three broken ribs, a broken nose, fractured jaw and needing sutures as well. As important as it was for her to answer the questions posed to her, it was the last thing she wanted to do. Her mind was spinning with images and a fright that wouldnt go away. She rocked back and forth with her arms folded before her stomach in a failing effort to fight back tears that continued to stream from her eyes unchecked. Her ears were ringing and she fought down the need for a soul-shaking cry. Shed refused an examination because Raymond hadnt been successful in going all the way with his plans. Her scalp still stung and throbbed in certain areas from his forceful yanking and hold. Again she reached up in the area where it throbbed, running her fingers nervously through her hair. She removed several strands within her fingers that had been snatched out in the struggle. She sat looking in her hand at the large amount of long, dark brown strands, turning her hand to let them float to the floor. Hed asked her another question. She wiped away softly streaming tears, not sure of what hed just asked, unable to focus clearly on the things happening around her. Again she reached into her thick mane; more loose hair. The other hand held a small stack of brochures and leaflets with titles like, Rape: How to move forward and forget and Life After Rape, along with sheets on outreach groups in the area and numbers to call. Excuse me, officer, but could we come to the police station to finish this questioning tomorrow? I think weve both been through enough tonight, Shawn asked, having stepped up slowly after watching her a moment behind the parted curtain once they were done with him.
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Sylvia looked up at him, silent, weary and shaken. Her eyes pooled even more, but she didnt move. His one arm was bandaged from the cuts. Blood stained his once-clean shirt and he looked just as weary as she did. Hed almost killed a man because of her. The scene played once again in her mind. She looked down from him, closing her eyes, wondering would the event ever stop replaying in her head. Shawn swallowed, unable to handle Sylvia being silent. What had this done to her? What had it done to them? For the second time that evening, he was truly afraid. The first had been hearing the sound of her piercing scream and cry to him for help, only to burst open the door to find her almost raped, assaulted and struggling up from the floor. He felt it again, the overwhelming need to reach out and kill the man. Standing there, he knew had she not stopped him, he would have. Nothing was more sure and startling than right thenfacing the absolute knowledge that he loved her as he had never loved another. He would kill for her. Something told him as well, that he would gladly die for her. Never again did he want to see her as she was now. Within his very being, rage battled with his need to grab her, pull her to his body, and squeeze the ugliness of the past couple of hours from her mind and the ache it wrung in her stomach, causing her to bend over once again, rocking. Pulling him from his stormy mindset, the officer agreed with his request. Sure, ummm, thatll be fine. Ill give you two a ride home. Just come in tomorrow, sometime early afternoon. Ill finish this then. I have most of what I need, anyway, he offered, standing from the bench beside Sylvia, who was staring bleakly downward. Ill bring the car up to the door; that will give you two a moment alone, he added, walking away, putting the pen in his pocket, hanging the clipboard sideways on his fingers down by his side as he made his exit through the electronic, sliding glass doors. Watching him exit, Shawn knelt before Sylvia, taking the hand she used to pull loose hair from her head. Her eyes met his and tears fell from both. He swallowed and squeezed her hand. Tonightyoure staying with me. Understand? This quiet command was one Sylvia had no intention of refusing, as her barely discernible nod affirmed. The ride back to Shawns place from the hospital took thirty-five minutes, both quiet, sitting in the back seat of the squad car. Sylvia was sitting against the door looking out the window, with an open space between her and Shawn that she widened as the ride went on. He sat staring at her profile as she watched the heavy, sleet-type of snow fall, large clusters colliding with the window as they rode. He wanted to hold her, but something in her manner made him reject the idea at the moment. Looks like were going to get a pile up. I hear two to three inches. I hope it doesnt freeze tomorrow. People will be sliding all over the highway, Officer Collier offered in the silence of his vehicle.
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Only the sounds of his leather jacket rubbing as he manipulated the steering wheel while driving and the radio dispatch could be heard. Yeahthats what I hear, too. Nothing new in Wisconsin with that. Youd think people would be used to it by now, but common sense has been traded for stupidity and fast cars. Oh, and dont I know it. For some reason, they think modern technology and aerodynamics means no more sliding on icy highwaysbut well spend the day scooping people out of the ditch. God only knows how many fatalities will happen. Hopefully none, but not likely. Lets hope not. If all goes well, you guys can sit and enjoy your coffee and donuts in peace, Shawn added for humor. Collier chuckled. Yeah, yeah, yeahjust jealous cause we get it free. Oh, for sure, with all I have to pay for in life, the least a man can expect is a free donut or two, he chuckled. Collier joined him, shaking his head adding, If that were the only injustice in life. They both quieted, contemplating that line and the current event. Soon they were back in Camp Danielsthe nearest hospital with the most advanced emergency staff and equipment was in Mauston, a larger town east of Camp Daniels. As Collier turned down the road where they lived, Shawn spoke up instructing him, To my place, please. I dont think she needs to be alone tonight. Officer Collier nodded his head quietly in agreement as he pulled into Shawns driveway. The rental car was still where he parked it, as were his bags that hed sat on the front porch when hed forgotten his keys at Sylvias. Again he thanked God that he had. What would have happened otherwise was too horrific for him to let linger in his mind. You need me to go in and check things out first? the officer asked, stopping behind the rental. That wont be necessary, I can Pleaseplease! Sylvia cried out, saying something for the first time. Royce Collier looked back at her, then at Shawn, who nodded his consent. I have to run to the house to get my keys, Shawn informed her. She shook her head, grabbing up her purse, unsnapping it to shift through it, coming out with his keys. She passed them to Royce, beseeching him with her eyes to check. Without hesitation he was out of his vehicle to give Shawns home a look over. Shawn sighed, looking at Sylvia. Getting out, he walked to her side, opening the door for her. She stood, stepping almost against his body as he remained blocking her way. Sylvias eyes lifted to meet his. Neither of them moved as they stared silently at one another. All clear, Royce called. Thank you, Thank you, they spoke simultaneously, maintaining eye contact. Within his home, he set down his soaked bags after opening the door to let Sylvia in. Its kinda chilly in here. Ill turn up the heat a bit. Walking past her, he did just that.
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Sylvia stood in the middle of his living room not sure what to do. Following the adjustment he made to the thermostat, he walked to the back of the house towards the bedrooms to place his bags in there. As if unable to move, Sylvia stood in the middle of the floor. When he returned, he had a clean white T-shirt and a small pair of navy blue sweat pants folded in his good hand. He could still use the other, he just needed to be careful. Heycome here, he spoke softly. Sylvia looked up, unsurelost. Come on, follow me, he coaxed gently. Nervous, yet trusting of him, she slowly moved towards him. Once there, he put his injured arm around her back to carefully prod her towards the bathroom, urging her inside. Bathorshower? Softly, reluctant, she whispered, Shower. Okaywell, Ill let you go first - I'll leave you to it. Ill be right in the kitchen No! Please, dont leave meI-I dont want tonot alone! she cried out, shaking. Gazing at the raw fright on her face, he sat the shirt and sweats on the sink counter and sighing deeply said, One moment. Ill be right back. With a mind swirling in scattered thoughts, Sylvia waited, hearing him moving something in the kitchen. A moment later, he returned carrying a chair from the kitchen table. Im gonna sit this right here, where Ill be while you shower. Okay? She swallowed deep and nodded okay. He reached for the doorknob to close the door. Noleave it open. Please, leave it open. He froze briefly, then stood straight, looking down at her. His hand rose gently, the knuckles of his good hand gave her cheek a tender caress. Sylvie, you have nothing to be afraid of. Im hereIm here. I knowbutplease, leave it open, she repeated the plea. He nodded. Okay, Ill leave it open. Anything else you need? Lotion? He smiled, then reached down to open the cabinet door under the sink and brought out a large bottle of lotion. Next he opened the medicine cabinet and set out one of his antiperspirants, plus a new toothbrush and toothpaste. Did I miss something? he asked, after setting those items out for her. She shook her head, giving a gentle smile full of appreciation and sadness. Okay, Ill be right there, out of sight, so youll have your privacy and the door will remain open. Ill tell you about my trip to California. As she showered, he did just that, bringing in humorous stories of his adventures of taking his daughter shopping with her friends, listening for the smallest sound that might alert him of her needing him. He needed a painkiller; his hand throbbed, his shoulder ached. When he was a young man in his teens and twenties, he often got into scraps that he quickly recovered from.
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Fact was, his teens and twenties were long gone, and the body took revenge once you passed your thirties for doing things it would have much preferred you hadn't with it, such as violent physical combats, even though he was in good shape for his age, he wasn't superman. It had been a long time since he'd attacked without thinking, his reaction and response was without plan or reason, it had been pure adrenaline. Though he sat now with shock leaving his system, the traumatized muscles, nerves and joints beginning to tally his damage, which would inform him by the level of pain he would suffer, hopefully it by his fitness level, not too bad. For that reason, he didnt give a thought to getting up to pop the anti-inflammatory painkillers he was prescribed - he knew he'd be okay; the same couldn't be said concerning the lady in his charge, he was not going to steal one moment from sitting in attendance to her to see about himself. The shower water turned off. He waited to hear her exit. With the shutting down of the water, he stopped talking. As he waited to hear the shower curtain slide across the rod, only silence filled the air where that sound should be. Finally Shawn? Im hereyou okay? he asked from his seat by the door. Yeah. I need a towel. Theres none hanging here, she mentioned softly, standing with her arms crossed over her breast and upper body. Ahh, sweetheart, hold on, Im sorry. Right away she heard him get up and head for the linen closet. He walked with heavy thumping steps. It comforted her. A mere moment later, a folded beige towel on his hand came around the side of the shower curtain. She took it gently. Thank you, she whispered softly. Youre welcome, sweetheart. Ill be right outside. Before he took two stepsShawn? He stopped. Yes? Silenceit grew close to a full minute. Finally, softly, He was in my house. He swallowed deeply. I know he was. He was there before you came. He was there all along, watching me. I was in the shower before you cameandhe was there, in my roomlooking at me, the whole time. He was quietnot sure of what to say, waiting, listening. She was silent once again, then, If you hadnt come home when you didif you hadnt returned in timeoh godhe His hand showed back up inside the shower curtain. Pass me the towel, sweetheart, he asked softly, gently. She was crying now, just gentle sobs. Obeying him without thought, she passed him the towel back. He shook it out then slowly slid the curtain aside with her standing there, her arms wrapped protectively in front of herself. He held the towel up and wide. Come here.
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With her eyes set on his, Sylvia stepped from the tub and into the towel, which wrapped around her along with his arms as he gathered her close against him. Her sniffles were punctuated by soft choked-off sobs. She struggled to keep control. Shhh, shhh, shhhIm hereIm hereit's over. It's all over. He cant hurt you anymore. Because God as my witness, if he ever dared try again, Id finish where I left off, he declared from the depths of his being, his deep voice rumbling, attempting to speak low and soothing to her. Now I want you to dry off, lotion down and whatever else that you do, and Im going into the kitchen and make us some tea, then take myself a painkiller. His saying that, mentioning his own discomfort, snapped her teary face up from his chest where it laid for comfort. Her eyes met his and she was immediately apologetic. Oh, my godhow can I be so selfish? I didnt even ask you if you were okay! Im sorry, ShawnIm so sorry - you could have been killed! I didn't even think-... HeyI'm fine. Im okay. Im a tough olmanjust as long as youre okay, then Im okay. He smiled down at her gently. She stared into his hazel-blue eyes and was lost. She loved him. Right then, right thereshe knew itand was scared to death of it coming to her so clearly. At that very moment, she wanted him to see that she wanted him, loved himand just take her, to wipe Raymond Olivetti from her mind. She swallowed deep, hoping he would kiss her. His hand rose carefully to caress her smooth brown cheek. Her skin was absolutely flawless and breathtaking. Everything about her was beautiful to him. He sighed deeply, drawing a breath way down into his lungs and letting it out. There was desire shining in her eyes, but he wasnt about to respond to it now. Not tonight, after what had happened. He wasnt sure what had put the desire there. She, nor he, needed to complicate this matter by doing what his body wanted to. Im gonna go get that tea on. Ill be waiting for you in the kitchen. He stepped away from her. Sylvia lifted her arms over the towel to hold it to her now that he had let it and her go. Her face reflected the disappointment of him denying her what she longed for. You know what? he asked, stopping at the bathroom door looking back at her. Gesturing with widened eyes, the raising of her brows and lift of her face served to signal her enquiry of what? You do wonderful things for a towel, lady, wonderful things, he stated sexily, giving her the once-over slowly with his eyes. Heat flared within Sylvias body, melting her down from within. Her trembling, slight smile showed her appreciation for the compliment. * * * Everything had been fine. Shed come out of the bathroom seeming to be okay.
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Theyd sat and talked for two or more hours, him holding her hand across the table. Shed apologized for the injuries to him again because hed risked his life to defend her, repeating once more, as if it fully dawned on her, You could have been killed. His response had been, He should have been killed. Id never stand by and let someone hurt you. Not ever. The penetrating, sure gaze of his intense eyes on hers, coupled with the squeeze of his hand assured her he meant every word. Rising, hed escorted her to his bed, willing to sleep on the couch, when shed convinced him to sleep there with her. To that, hed given in after taking a much needed shower himself. When he climbed into bed, it was to sleep on top of the covers and her sleep under them. Hed held her, comforting her through the night, her back to his chest, her head and neck across his bicep as they shared the same pillow. The deep timbre of his voice, calming and soothing her deep into the night. He'd been unwilling to sleep until he'd been assured that she slept. Everything had been fine. So as he sat on the side of his bed 11:45am the very next morning, he hadnt a clue as to why shed up and left, not waking him to tell him that she was going. He was a bit stiff, sore and aching. He stood, wincing, and walked out of his room to the kitchen to use the wall phone again for the third time. Again her phone rang and rang, no answer. Dammit, Sylvia Paynewhere the hell are you? As he stood there thinking, he decided to call the police station. Yes, ummm, is Officer Collier in, please? he asked the operator. He is, hold on. He leaned back against the wall with the phone to his ear, trying to breathe deeply and disregard the aching of his arm, it hurt more than anywhere else - throbbing at the stitched areas where he was cut in the fight. Officer Collier, how can I help you? Yes, this is Shawn McPherson. I was to come in today to answer any questions concerning last nights attack on Sylvia Payne. Have you heard from her? Yes. She came inoooh, bout nine oclock this morning. I'll still need you to come in and make a statement from what took place once you entered the scene, although I do have her account down, he informed Shawn, adding the last, just in case. The phone line was silent as Shawns mind took off wondering where she could be. Mr. McPhersonyou there? the officer asked, following the stretched silence. Ummm, yeahIm here and Ill be there in a few minutes. Hey, um, did she say what she planned after leaving there? Shawn asked nervously. No, she didnt. And of course, I didnt ask. I just advised her to contact a support group to help her cope with the attack. Okay, thanks. Ill be there shortly, Shawn finished, hanging up the phone. All right, Sylvia Paynewhere are you?
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Before heading for the police station, he pulled into her driveway, just to make sure she wasnt hiding away inside. But when he looked into the window of her garage, there was no car. Walking slowly back to his SUV, an overpowering determination stole over him. Not this time, ladynot this time. You can run, but you sure cant hide. I will find you. Wherever you areI will find you.
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Series One Episode Eight - Chapter 23 Hello? Hi, mama, its me. Whatya doin? On my way out, why? What you doin? Getting ready to exit the expressway, on my way there. What? How come you didnt call first? Mama! I didnt know I had to phone ahead to visit my own mother. I dont see why not, it aint like Im just sittin around here with nothing to do. Well, can you at least wait until I get there before you leave? Excuse me? I dont think so! Ill leave the keys downstairs with Eartha. Ill see you when I get home. Oh, wow, thanks, mama. I travel four hours down here to see you, and you cant even wait for me to get there before you leave? After travelin four hours, you aint goin nowhere. I bet youll be here when I get back. You better be here, Im leaving my keys downstairs! So, if you leave, make sure you do the same. I gotta go, bye! {{ Click }} Ach! Sylvia shook her head, clicking the end button to turn off her cell phone, then dropped it onto the seat next to her as she maneuvered her vehicle to the right lane to exit onto the street that led to her mother's residence in Chicago. Maybe it was a good thing that her mother wouldnt be there when she got there. That would give her time to bring in her bag and settle into the place, and prepare what she would say when her mother began bombarding her with questions, which she was certain that she would. Truth be told, shed answered enough questions that morning at the police station, after shed left Shawns at the crack of dawn. Sylvia returned to a home she no longer felt welcome in. It was no longer her safe haven. Her aching body and tender scalp kept up the reminder of what took place there.
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The presence of Raymond had forevermore damaged the feeling of peace she once felt upon entering there, living there, working there. Weird, but she felt that it, the house, had somehow let her down, betrayed her allowing that man within to wreck her lifeher world. It no longer felther own. Entering cautiously, making sure that she was alone, she hadnt wasted a moment in gathering some things together in her suitcase. She had almost ignored the blood in her bedroom. His blood, mixed with Shawn's. She couldn't leave it like that. She washed down the walls where it had splattered, washed it off of her bedside table and scrubbed it out of the carpet. Done, she wasted no more time getting out of there. She felt like the house was watching her, waiting to close in on her and trap her there, so that it would give leave of entry to someone else to possibly attempt to molest her. She knew her thinking was crazy, but she didnt trust the safety and security of her home anymore. Once she changed her clothing, wincing and crying out softly with every little move, she practically ran to the best of her ability to get out of there, looking over her shoulder with every step she took until she made her exit. Spying around the door of the garage, and checking the back seat of her car before she got in. Inside of it, she experienced a panic attack as she waited for the garage door to open behind her before she could back out. At the police station, Royce Collier had been very considerate of her during the remainder of the questioning, making sure she intended to press charges against Raymond, which she did. Making her falter and almost change her mind about leaving, was Shawn, whom shed left sleeping peacefully. Had he tried to make love to her last night, she would have let him. With the bruises and strained muscles, however, they were both too worn out to even attempt it. At the same time that she wanted and realized that, she was glad that he hadnt tried. After all the years shed spent in a marriage where she was always the one trying the hardest to keep things right and make their family life match the American ideal, she wasnt equipped with the courage or bravery to struggle through another relationship. Yet here she was, in love with Shawn Everett McPherson. Right now, things looked so promising. He was considerate, gallant, protective, handsome and forever seeking to please her. But for how long? Her first husband had been like that in the beginning too. Maybe not as perfectly so as Shawnbut in his own way. Once they married, everything changed. The hell had begunand there she was, trapped right in the midst of it. What if she was setting herself up for the same thing again? Something told her if things turned bad with her and Shawn, it would be worse for her. She didnt like all of those ugly, insecure, scared feelings she experienced from her first marriage. All the cheating, drinking, lying, fights, put downs, and the long hard struggle up to gain the self-esteem that she lacked going into the union. It had taken her a long time to obtain the confidence she had in herself now. If this didnt work with Shawnwhat would it do to her?
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She was afraid to risk it; giving her heart. It was one thing to know that she loved him, but another entirely to let him know it. What would he do with that? Where would it take them? And would it be for good? Thats what she wanted, assurance that it would be for goodpermanent. No games and heartache. Nothing in the world hurt like a broken heartnothing. And she couldnt fight through another one. She needed to be away from him where he couldnt find her. She needed to wean off her need for him, now, while there was still time to do so. Thank god he hadnt taken her up on her invitation to make love to her. Doing that would have cemented her in a relationship that might have wrecked her life later on. Everything had just gotten so out of her control since hed come into her life. Right now, she hated the feelings of guilt plaguing her over leaving him after he had risked himself to save her. Hed fought for her, defended her, and here she was running scared. She pulled up in front of her mothers two-flat. She was tired, her eyes burned and she needed a nap. She dreaded trying to pull her stiff body out of the car after sitting in it for four hours. Slamming the trunk closed, she moved slowly, entering the wrought iron gate, making sure to close it behind her. Her mother would have a fit if she left it open. Up the front steps, she rang the downstairs doorbell. Ms. Earthaleen looked out of her door from within the vestibule and immediately recognized Sylvia. Smiling, she stepped up to the building's glass door entry and unlocked it, letting her in. Hey, chileyo mama left the keys for you. Said you be here pretty soon. Come on in, I getem fo you. Smiling, Sylvia followed the older woman who was about her mothers age, a little older. Now that she had the keys, there were three to remember to get in her mothers entry door. This was the last thing she wanted to have to deal with as sore and hurting as she was. It took her a good five minutes, sighing between each key that wasnt the right one to turn the tumbler. Once she got in, she made sure to turn and lock all three locks back. Then up the long flight of stairs to her mothers floor, where she once again, had to find the key to the giant padlock to the bars pulled closed; that was an easy one to find. Then she had the joy of finding the two keys to get in the door once she pushed the bars out of the way. Gee whiz ma, move already! This dont make no sense. God help us if theres a fire. After finding the last keyshe was in! Hallelujah! she cried out after finally getting in. With a start, Sylvia woke, almost leaping clean out of the bed. Her body hurt more now than this morning. She whimpered, wincing as the doorbell rang on like crazy. Oh, shootOkay! Im coming, mama! Hold on! Im coming! Sylvia yelled as she rushed from her room, having gone there straight away to nap. She laid the keys down somewhere and couldnt find them. Oh, manIm coming! she sang in a panic, her mother laying on the bell. Finally she spotted them on the sofa about to fall in between the cushions.
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Phew! Im comingdog! She scrambled to the door, unlocked it, but had to undo the padlock to the gate. Slamming that back, she squealed out after pinching her finger between the closing crossbars. Im coming! she yelled, sucking on her finger where it throbbed trying to rush down the long staircase, her muscles rebelled, slamming into the door beneath that broke her speed down, her muscles were too sore to do it for her. Quickly she turned the deadbolts and needed the key for the top one. She moved the curtain back to see her mother tapping her foot, with one hand on her hip and looking belligerent. Would you hurry up! her mother yelled, her head moving to punctuate each word. Sylvia smiled, fumbling with the keys, found the right one then unlocked the top deadbolt. What the heck was you doing? Im down here ringing the doorbell for the last ten minutes! And I gotta pee and I cant get in my own house? she fussed, passing Sylvia, marching up the stairs. And lock that door back! she called down from the top. Sylvia obeyed. When she reached the top of the stairs again, her mother heard her, yelling her reminder, Lock that gate back! And my door! she called from within the open door of the bathroom, where she could be heard relieving her bladder. I knowI know. Em-hm, well this aint Wisconsinwe cant leave our doors unlocked here! And put them keys on the buffet where I can findem. I knowI know! Coming out of the bathroom, and undressing with every step she took leading her to the middle bedroom right off of the bathroom, which had always been hers, she asked, Okay, whats going onwhatcha doin here? She never missed a step as she reached up behind her to undo her brathe first that had to go. She was home, time to break free and breathe. Whataya mean what Im doin here? Cant I just come to visit? You can, but you dont. You dont like the neighborhood, remember? So, whatcha doin here? Mama, you make it sound like I never come to visit with you. You dont! Mama, I do, too! Emmm-hmmm, she mumbled through a crooked lift of her lips. Mama! Its not like I live right across town anymore! Thats right, you dont! For no reason at all, you up and moved away! That was your choice, when you coulda at least try to stay near me when I might need you! But, nooo, dont nobody give a hoot about mama! Unless you need somethingor something wrong! So, which is it? she asked, dropping her house dress over her head as Sylvia stood in her open bedroom doorway. She signed deep as her mother started hanging up her clothes. Mama, why do you have to always be so irritable? So grumpy and mean?
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You can call it what you like, when the truth is, you bust your butt to raise yo' kids right. You make sacrifices for them. Doing all you can for them. But when they get grown, they move on and forget to look back. Im just taking my cue from yall. Yall go about yo lives and dont look backso Im doing the same. Mama, I call you all the time. Well you about the only one! That's not my fault, so dont make me suffer because Jr. and David too selfish to pick up the phone. I cannot control what they do, or neglect to do. Im not blaming you! But I'm the one who's getting fussed at! Excuse me, I just got here and youre jumping all over me for something theyre not doing. You havent even asked me how Im doingor whats going on with me! Thasa lieits the first thing I ask. If you here, its for a reason. So, what is it? Sylvia crossed her arms over her chest and poked out her bottom lip, now being the belligerent one. Chile, you too old to be poutin, her mother griped, walking past her out of the bedroom, heading for the kitchen. Sylvia had no choice but to follow. Well? again her mother asked, heading for the stove where a pot of collard and turnip greens that she cooked earlier sat; next to that, a platter of fried catfish. She watched her mother turn on the eye under the pot, Sylvia stood leaning against the wall in the kitchen, her ears picking up the clicking sound from the stoves top pilot about to light. The flame burst to life and the greens were getting warmed. Her mother walked away from the stove to the refrigerator in the corner, opening it to remove some Cranberry juice. She sat it on the table and stopped, looking at her daughter who leaned quietly against the wall. Sylvie? Sylvia looked up at her mother and her eyes watered up. Slowly, she pulled herself away from the wall and approached the table, where she pulled out a chair and eased herself into it. There she settled into place, waiting for her fatigued muscles to stop punishing her for moving. Whats wrong with you? Why you moving like that? Im sore. From what? Sylvia sighed deeply, swallowing back tears. I was stalked. A man broke into my house, went through my things. Then came back yesterday when I was home. He attacked me, tried to rape me. She sighed tiredly, sadly. Tears streamed again. Oh, my god, babywhy aint you tell me? her mother cried, coming around the table to grab a hold of her daughter. Owww, mama, Im sorepleasedont. Right away, Lydia pulled away. Im sorry, honey. Where you hurtin at? Sylvia wiped at her tears.
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All overespecially my scalpIve been removing loose hair all night and morning. You wanna take somethin? A painkiller? Lydia asked. Sylvia shook her head. No, mama, Ill be fine. Lydia walked around the table and took a seat across from her daughter. You say he tried towhat stop him from doin it? she asked softly. My neighbor, he heard me screaming. He stopped him. Neighbor? What neighboryou aint got no neighbors. I do now. He lives across the road from me. Ohhe heard you screamin from all the way over there? Sylvia shook her head, answering, Its a long story, mama. I aint goin nowhere, she returned. See, thats why I cant live in no place like that. Aint nobody close enough to hear you screamin if you need help. An you probably didnt have your doors locked, cause you think white people dont break in to do harm. But they just as crooked as any nigga out here on the street Mama, I hate that word! Why do you have to use the word nigga to describe black people? I aint talkin about just black folks! Anythang can be a nigga! Theres Mexican niggas! Puerto Rican niggas! And you best believe there be some white niggas, too. It aint got nothing to do with color! I know that, but thats not how you used it! Look, girl, dont be tellin me how to talk! Fact is, you dont think there no white niggas, and one slipped up in there on you! Running from the ones here in the city, you set yoself up fo a country, redneck nigga! Mama! Who said he was white? Okay, what was he then? Lydia asked, already knowing the answer. Sylvia sat back drawing in a deep breath. Well? she asked again. White, Sylvia confessed. Um-hm, just what I thought. I rest my case. Now, who this neighbor that stop him? Dreadanxietytrepidation. That question from her mother started all of those feelings to flow through her bloodstream. She sat so long, so quietly, that it only made it worse. Her mother shifted in her seat, and one eyebrow rose as she leaned on the table. Then anticipating a juicy explanation, reached behind her to turn off the boiling greens then turned back to her daughter. Might as well tell me everythang now, its gone all come out later, anyway, and I dont got time to be waitin for it later. Sylvia propped her elbow up on the table to lean her forehead in the palm of her hand, trying to prepare herself for where this would go with her mother. Spit it out! My neighbor is interested in me, she began slowly.
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Um-hmwhat's his name? Sylvia gulped, holding her forehead still. ShawnEverett McPherson." Um-hman' white, she stated matter of fact. Yes. I seeand he hear you screamin from way cross the road, huh? Not exactly." Then how he hear you?" He wasat my doorwhen he heard me screaming. Um-hmwhat he doin at your door?" Mamado you have to ask me every tiny little detail? What you tryin to say? Aint none of mbusiness? I didnt say that, mama. Oh, yeah, you didjust said it different. Sylvia whimpered as if in pain. He was there to get his keys, mama. His keys? What you doin with his keys? He went out of town on business. Hes an artist. I agreed to watch his house for him. When he returned, he came to mine to get his keys. But at the time, I was screaming in fear for my life. He came in, jumped on the man beat him up. I called the police. The police came. The man was arrested. I filed charges right away this morning and I came here to get away from there. I just didnt feel safe at home there anymore. I see. There with all them white folkssee what liketa happen? Now you need to just pack up all your stuff, and get your butt back here at home where you belong. Mama, pleasedont start. I dont know what Im gonna do. I just needed to get away for now. Can I just stay here for a while until I can decide what it is I need to do? Now you know you aint even got to ask me that. Your room up in that front where its always been, and always gonna be. You stay as long as you want. But you ask me, I thank you need to just sell that house and move back here. But thats just my opinion, you do what you want. With that said, her mother rose, going to the cabinet to remove two plates and began fixing them with greens and catfish for them to eat. In the days that followed, Sylvia slipped into sleeping late, helping her mother around the house, and finishing the basement that she was remodeling herself. They fussed and carried on as usual. Her mother wanting to do it her way, and Sylvia thinking her crazy because her mother was in her early sixties, arguing, Mama, I cant believe youre doing this by yourself! Why dont you hire a contractor for this? Where do you suppose I get the money to pay one? I have to get things done myself, if its gone be done the way I want it...
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... You aint got to help! Im use to doing things by myself, for myself. Lord, here she go, Sylvia mumbled, rolling her eyes to the ceiling. Im here, arent I? And Im helping, so dont start. Dont tell me what not to start! You got money to hire people for whatever you need! I dont have that luxury, she fussed on. Sylvia moaned and continued to work, wondering if she needed her head examined. Home was starting to take on its old appeal once again. Maybe if she installed bars and padlocks galore, she would come to trust it once again, feeling safe and secure. Shed gone to the post office to have her mail held until she picked it up, and called her daughter and son to inform them that she was going to Chicago for awhile to visit with her mother, leaving out the reason shed decided to do so. Shed been at her mothers for close to two weeks when the doorbell rang. They were just coming up on the back porch when they heard it. Get the door, Sylvie, Im tired. She walked through the house, stopping at the bathroom to give herself a quick look over in the bathroom mirror. Girl, get out the mirror and answer the door! Goodlan you always primpin, her mother fussed as she took a seat in the kitchen. With a sigh and rolling of her eyes, Sylvia exited the bathroom and went to the door, going through the many locks and the padlock on the gate. The bell rang again. I swear, Im gone start back to putting soap in that doorbellget on my nervespeople just lay on it her mother grumbled from the kitchen as Sylvia made her way down the stairs. She picked up the curtain from the glass window of the door, and looked out - to get the shock of her life! Shawn stood outside the vestibule door looking and waiting for someone to come down. After about four minutes, the curtain lifted on the inside door. He chuckled to see eyes so beautiful, they took his breath away. Those same eyes widened to a round that he feared them popping out of her head. Grinning, his gloved finger lifted to wiggle her forward to let him in. Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god, oh my god! Sylvia sang in litany. Her heart was pounding in double rhythm for double reasons. Shawn Everett McPherson was standing at her mothers doorin Chicago! He was the most beautiful sight shed ever seen, and she was scared to death! She was shaking; the sight of him momentarily mesmerized her. Hed grown long sideburns, connecting to a very nicely-shaped beard where his mustache also connected. The look took her breath away. He was rugged, masculine, and sexy as hell! In disbelief, tears came to her eyes. Sylvia! Who at the door? her mother yelled. Oh man, oh man, oh man, oh man, oh man! What am I gonna do? Turning the same finger that gestured to her, he wrapped on the glass, {{ thump, thump, thump }} ...
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Heyyou mind opening the door? Its cold out here, you know! Shawn yelled from outside, his breath misting and lifting in confirmation to the cold. Sylvia?! Yeah?! Who at the door? At the door? Shawn gestured with his arms crossed over his chest, his hands rubbing his upper arms like he was freezing, his body bobbing up and down as if needing to generate heat, when he was not cold at all, but it was a good show. Chile, what is your problem? her mother called down, now at the top of the stairs, looking at her daughter. Sylvia stood at the bottom door with the curtain open, looking back and forth from outside to back up at her. Who at the door! her mother asked again, getting impatient. At this door? Sylvia gulped, nervous, looking stupid. Her mother put her hands on her hips, asking, Have you lost your min? Is somebody at the door or not? she demanded. Sylvia nodded her head rapidly yes. Who? her mother asked. "Ummmm, it's for me. Well, dont just stand there looking crazyopen the door! Ohokay. Sylvia took one last look up at her mother, then taking a deep breath, she opened the bottom door with all its locks and walked over to the outside door, unlocking it to admit Shawn, who was grinning with a slightly red nose. What are you doing here? Sylvia whispered in a panic. What are you doing here? he asked her back. I live here! she returned. Sorry, but if my memory serves me correctly, you live in Camp Daniels, Wisconsinacross the road from me. Urg! I can't believe you, my mother lives here! Youre at my mothers house! Do you know that? I sure do. Well, why are you here? How did you know I was here? How did you find me? Sylvia!" Her mother called down again. Oh, man! Yes, mama? Who are you talking to down there at my door?! Ummmm Sylvia started with a squeak, but was cut off as Shawn stepped around her to stand in the doorway where she was looking up. It's me, maam, I'm at your door!
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What the hell? Who is me! she demanded to know, coming back from the dining room to the top of the stairs to look down to see what was going on, and who was at her door answering her in some white mans voice. Sylvia thought she was going to faint. Her heartbeat picked up in double pace once again. That would be me, maamShawn Everett McPherson, he spoke to her from down at the door, now standing more inside than out. Sylvia stayed hid behind him, trying to get over the shock of him being there, and trying to figure out how to handle this situation that was once again getting out of her control. I dont know no Shawn Everett McPhersonoh, waitLo-o-ord ha-a-ave mercy! Chile, chile, chile Um, maamI live in Wisconsin, across the road from your daughter. Well, she up and disappeared on me a week and a half or more ago, following a particular incident that left me concerned about her welfare. Im just here to see that shes alright, maam. He heard Sylvia whimpering behind him. Well, come on up in the house. Yall lettin all my heat out! Sylvia, lock my doors and get on up here. Damn near forty years old, and you still dont know how to treat company. Come on up here, boy! Shawn grinned. Yes, maam. He turned back to Sylvia, who was now locking the doors, first the outside, then back into the inner entryway. Shawn waited for her. As she turned in the narrow stairway, she was staggered by the size of him there. He seem to fill the entry. Ladies first. He stood back against the wall to let her pass him, his insufferable grin in place. She stopped two steps above his, meeting him eye to eye. I am going to kill you, she grit out between clenched teeth. Emmm, softlygently, I hopebut then, I like it a little rough, tooyou lead, Ill follow, okay? He grinned more and then winked at her. Her eyes got huge. You behave yourself in front of my motherdo you understand? she ordered. That grin again. Yes, maam, you betcha! He saluted her. Shaking her head, she turned and headed up the stairs with him behind her. Her rear end felt warm because she knew him well enough to know that he was eyeing her there with wicked things on his mind. Stop it! she ordered, marching up with him close at her tail. What? Im not doing anythingjust admiring the view, thats all. His chuckle followed that statement and her up the stairs. She whimpered, trying to figure out what had she done to deserve this.
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Series One Episode Eight - Chapter 24 When Sylvia entered her mothers apartment, she was sitting at the dining room table with her arms crossed on it, waiting for them to appear. Taking another of the deep breaths she needed so far, Sylvia stopped near the table to introduce them. "Mama, this is my neighbor Lock my door, Lydia stopped her, ordering and eyeing the tall, white man now standing in her dining room. As much as she hated to admit it, he was a handsome devil, big strong, strapping, vibrant male. Then he turned his grin on her. She looked away, blushing and shaking her head. Lord have mercyI know your type from a hundred miles away. You after my daughter for no good? After your daughter? Absolutely! For no good? No, maam, I only have the best of intentions in mind for her. But she's a bit of a runner, likes to take off on me now and again, and wellhere I am, running in circles and jumping through hoops after her, to win her attention. The charm was oozing into the room and surrounding Lydia. Both heard and ignored the whimper from behind Shawn. I see. Sylvia, you aint tell me all this. Now I see why you kept so much to yourself, she observed. Shawn was dressed in black jeans, a black and white tweed sweater and white shirt, wearing a black leather jacket over it all, and he smelled wonderful. The incredible scent of Devin by Aramis filled the room, surrounding both women. You mean to tell me she didnt tell you about me? Now that hurtshurts me to my heart. After all Ive gone through for this woman, to be spurned at every attempt! I can tell you this, she knows how to crush a mans confidence. He made sure to keep eye to eye contact with her mother, flashing a bright, white smile that few women could survive, especially with the play of his dimples. Lydia chuckled, shaking her head. Sylvia stood back from him, watching him work her mother for everything he was worth. She wanted to kick him but didn't.
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You mean to tell me, you drove all the way down here from Wisconsin for her, when she do you like that? she asked, grinning now herself, enjoying his presence and the charm. At the moment unconcerned with him being white. He was a breath of fresh air and she was eating it up. What can I say, maam? Not everyday a man encounters a woman like this one, until now, that is. Oh, give me something to stand on, its gettin deep, Sylvia mumbled from behind Shawn. He heard her and grinned. Unable to resist it, he kept it coming, Here I thought she was an original, only to see shes just a copybut you know what they say about copiesthe quality is not quite the same as the original. Lydia was all teeth, and he did get the kick now to his Achilles tendon, this time Owww! She kicked me, see how mean she is? He grabbed the back of his ankle, lifting it up, looking back at Sylvia who stood with narrowed eyes. What you kick that man for? Here, you sit on down. Take that jacket off. My daughter aint got no manners or hospitality. Girl, get his jacket and hang it up! Can I get you something to drink? No, maam, I Mama, hes not staying, he just dropped by Excuse me? I didnt drive four hours to just drop by. However, I should go and get myself a room first, he inserted, looking from Sylvia to her mother. Look, dont you mind her. As for a room, I got one right off the kitchen you can stay in Oh, maam, I couldnt, Shawn returned, looking sincere but not. No, mama, he canthell get a room. I beg your pardon, this my house. And if I say he stays, then he stays. Understand? She was looking at Sylvia, who sighed deflated. Then she turned to Shawn. My house and hospitality not good enough for you? Her hands were on her hips. Yes, maam, it is. Id be delighted to stay. I just didnt want to put you out. See, Im a man with a mighty big appetite and well, truth be told, Im hungry now. So I better You just go get whatever bags you brought with you and bringem in. Sylvia gone get something on for you to eat right now. Arent you? Sylvias mouth dropped wide open. I was kinda hopin for some greens, maam, and some catfishif you can direct me to a restaurant Lord have mercy, listen at him. What you know about greens and catfish? Dont let the color fool you, maam, dont let the color fool you. I happen to be a man with very good taste in food andin women. His eyes were right on Sylvia when he said it. Ooohhhwee! Her mother chuckled.
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You just go get your bags and get settled in your room, and Ill fix you up some serious greens and catfish. Yes, maamyou sure? I mean, I could go out for it. Better yet, how about I take you two out for dinner? To a real good soul food restaurant? Listen here, you just go get them bags, Ill take care of the rest! she ordered in no uncertain terms. Sylvia, Im going to the store. You get in that kitchen and fix him something to hold him off till I get back and cook him some shonuff good greens and catfish. Boy, you days too late, we had that the day Sylvie come. Thats okay, I dont never get tired of eatin some greens and catfish. Sylvia rolled her eyes to the ceiling and headed off to the kitchen, sticking her finger down her throat, gesturing nausea when she heard him say, So whats your specialtycollards, turnips, or mustard? I like turnip and collards the best. Again he was grinning, waiting for her mother to get her coat and purse, leaning against the dining room table as comfortable as if hed been there many times. Wowing, thrilling, shocking her mother into laughter and high squeals. In the kitchen leaning against the sink, she heard her mother give him the keys to the house. Here, baby, dont wait for her to open the door for youshe have you out there all night. Thank you, maam. I didnt think she was ever gonna open the door when I came. I knowits my own home and she had me out there ringing the bell, for ten minutes when I get home! And, baby, you dont want to be caught out on my doorstep in this neighborhood with no quick way in. Herelet me show you the keys, follow me. She grow up here using these keys, and still dont know'em. That spun Sylvia into view from the kitchen down the hall, where she stood looking at them about to exit. Mama! You know you didnt have all these locks on the door when I was living here! she defended herself. Her mother stood dressed to go out, with Shawn standing behind her; both looking at her as if uninvited to speak while they were talking. Is anybody talkin to you? Get back in that kitchen and fix him somethin to eat! her mother ordered. Sylvia stomped her foot and spun out of sight. Not from what her mother saidbut from the irritating grin and wink Shawn taunted her with. Sylvia was infuriated. In a matter of minutes, Shawn had shown up at her mothers and once again, he had just taken over, charming her mother as he did other women. And her mother didnt even like white men, white people much, period! Not that she was hardcore prejudice or anything, it was just that Sylvia never really heard her say much that was all that positive about them. Yet, for Shawn Everett McPherson, one would think she had a crush on him or something.
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Ugggh! Sylvia grunted and shook, slamming the refrigerator door. I dont know what to fix him! Standing there a moment facing the refrigerator, she thought about the quick hot snacks she made for her children when they got home from school hungry. "Ramen noodles!" she exclaimed as it came to her. I shouldnt fix his butt anything! I mean, come up in here at ease as you please, twisting my mama around his finger! Just wait till he get back up here. I got a thing or two to say to you Mr. McPherson. You can twist my mother and other women around your finger, but I have your number! Will not be pulling that mess on me! she grumbled low, yanking out a small pot, filling it with hot water to put on to boil. From the refrigerator, she took out an egg, mozzarella cheese to grate on the noodles when they were done, and two Oscar Mayer hot dogs, wishing to make it filling for him. Heading for the pantry, she grabbed two packs of chicken-flavored noodles, breaking them up while they were still in the closed plastic wrapper. At the boiling pot, she chopped up the weiners and dropped the segments into the water. Grabbing a bowl from the cabinet, she cracked the egg in it; thats when she heard the jingling of the keys. He was back with his bag. Her insides turned to mush; she battled with anticipation and simmering hostility. The gate slid back into place, the lock went on. She beat the egg harder. The door closed, the locks clicking. She beat faster, her heart pounding, nerves rattled. Finally, his footsteps coming toward the kitchen. Bracing herself, she faced away from the hallway, setting the bowl down and picking up the noodle packs to dump them into the boiling water. She knew he stood quietly behind her, watching. After the second pack, if felt as if his voice gripped her from the depths of her being. Whyd you leave me? he asked the question deep and soft. She turned, facing him. I didnt leave you, I just left. What are you doing here? What do you think? He sat his leather case down to take off his jacket. Howd you know I was here? Ill always know where you are. Either youll tell me, or Ill find out. Oh, I see. Youre into stalking now, are you? Is that supposed to be funny? he asked in all seriousness. Let me get something across to you right now, Shawn Everett McPherson. Im a grown woman, single and free. I can come and go as I please, and I certainly dont have to report to you when I do so! "So youre back to running again. Im not running from anything! I just needed to get away! From me? Look, I dont know why you drove all the way here...
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... I told you the way I felt before that happened! "It seems to me youve forgotten something! he replied, picking up his case, carrying it into the room around the door from where hed been standing, tossing his jacket on the bed along with the case. What? The water from the noodles started boiling over. She turned adding the beaten egg, stirring it in. Behind her, Shawn snatched off his sweater, laying it on the bed. Reaching up, he undid the top three buttons on his shirt as he came back into the kitchen where Sylvia stood finishing up his soup. I suppose youre going to stand there and tell me that youve forgotten everything else that happened earlier that evening? He was leaning against the counter by the sink, his arms crossed over his chest, waiting for her answer. And I suppose youre going to just forget everything I said to you, before you forced that kiss on me. Oh, isnt this nicenow I forced the kiss on you. You know you did, you said it yourself! she returned, walking by him to the cabinet, bringing down a large bowl for her to pour the noodle soup into. One thing was for certain, no matter what her mind argued in the war against her body, every time she was within inches of him, her system went into a squirming frenzy. Not a moment was wasted to open up space between them. Pouring the finished soup in the bowl, she sat it down on the table. Here! I dont want mama thinking I didnt feed you enough. She turned and started putting everything away as he stood quietly watching the steam rise from his soup. For some strange reason, he thought theyd gotten past this hold up in their relationship, but obviously he was wrong and he wasnt quite sure of what to do to get past it. Hed worked frantically on the drawings and painting for the book layout of Mercy James trilogy in the time Sylvia up and left without a word. He wasnt done, but he could no longer concentrate on what he was doing. Hed remembered her daughters name and called information. Talking to her, hed made the reason he needed to know where Sylvia was and the number sound like legitimate business. Her daughter wasnt stupidwhat had won her to giving it over was that she simply liked him. There he stood, her daughter liked him, her mother even liked him so far, but as for herjeez louise! He had work to do at home, it was his livelihood, and here he was just about begging Sylvia Payne to trust and love him. To give him a chance. Well, he hadnt said that in so many words, but he wasnt about to risk being a complete idiot and give his heart free and clear to a woman who had practically fought him at every turn. He stood there so long, she finished cleaning up, asking him, Are you going to eat or not? Ive lost my appetite, he returned sad, quiet. Eat some with me, I dont want to eat alone, he invited softly. She sighed. Please? he asked again.
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Reach up beside you and pass me a bowl. She gave a soft smile behind the request. After dividing the noodles between them, they sat in silence eating when he spoke up saying, What all did you put in here? Ive never had'em like this before. She grinned, slurping up a long noodle. You mean to tell me, Ive fixed something to your satisfaction, something different? she simpered. He had that devil come in his eyes. I never said it was to my satisfaction. She shot to her feet with her hands on her hips. Listen here, Mr. McPher Suddenly his hands were at her waist, pulling her onto his lap. Shawn! she squealed, her heart hammering with excitement, her body reacting with absolute arousal. Hands pressed at his shoulders she tried to push back off, but he held her firm, bringing her closer to him. What do I have to do to convince you of how much I want you? Shawnplease. She was still struggling, growing weaker by the moment. I missed youwhile you were gone. I missed you while I was gone. All those nights, us talking on the phone, made me miss you even more. I know what you do to me; what do I do to you, Sylvia? What does being this close to me make you feel? he asked softly, huskily. Sylvia sucked in a gasp, staring into his eyes, he had the most endearing face, and the new-grown beardshe couldnt help herself; giving up the fight, she melted as her hands came up to cup his cheeks, running her fingers through the course, bristly dark facial hair. He sat staring up at her, a softness came into her eyes as they suddenly watered up. He found renewed hope in that look. She might not say it, but he saw it in her eyes, she loved him. I She gulped, a tear fell, she lowered her forehead to his. What, babytell me, he coaxed gently. Rolling her head back and forth on his. I cant His hands moved up from her waist to her back, pulling her in closer. This time it was Sylvia who initiated it, the kiss; she had to, she just had to taste him. He was so close, smelling so good. Feeling so solid, warm, and masculine. His lips met hers halfway in the very short distance they had to travel. Very warm, nice and moisthesitant and careful. The warm breath of him mixed with hers as they both took their time savoring the contact. Gentle pecks that turned her head this way and that, building steadily to something more urgent. Strong hands gripped her shoulders, pulling her tighter, closer; he turned his head and couldnt hold back, opening his mouth to fuse with hers he worked his tongue between her lips, through her teeth and found the tip of her tongue there waiting for him. They met and entwined, with a gasp, the kiss became devouring. Sylvia felt heat surge through her with maddening speed, her body took over. She broke the kiss for a quick instant to straddle his lap; immediately, Shawn pulled her onto his hardening length, grinding it into the v of her heat, watching the expression on her face, he wanted her to know what she did to him.
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Unable to resist, he brought her open mouth back to his as he rocked her on his throbbing erection. Sylvia whimpered, her heart was pounding so hard she couldnt catch her breath, then felt her hips gripped tightly in his hands as he pressed hard up against her, forcing her to grind down on him. He coached her to rock back and forth on his turgid length; for Sylvia, it had been so long. Too long. She knew it was going to happen, she was going to embarrass herself and climax any second, but it was now past the point of no return. She needed to, it gripped her at that point where she had to have it and he was about to make it happen. His tongue was solid and probing, filling her mouth as she sucked it in more. Another frantic, grappling, grinding, surging moment passed when suddenly, Sylvias mouth tore from his as her head went back. Ohhh god! Ohhhhohhh goooddd! Her head tossed and turned as she bit into her bottom lip. Her mind and brain scattering images and thoughts in a blurry haze as her body shivered and trembled. Whimpering, mewling, wracking spasms still held her prisoner as finally, Shawns soft voice broke through to her sense of hearing. Thats it, baby, thats it. Its only the beginningits only the beginning. Every time we make love itll be like this, but bettermuch better. Her forehead was once again back on his, resting there, trying to bring her breathing down. Oh my god, I cant believe I did this. His reply was to tilt his head back and kiss her once again, softlylovingly. A moment later she pulled away looking him in the eyes. Im sorry. He smiled. For what? Well, youummmdidnt - really get anything out of that. She went bashful on him. He chuckled softly. I got more than you'll ever know out of that besides, it gives me something to look forward to, doesnt it? He gave her another peck on the lips. Come home with me. Dont let me leave here without you. She looked into his eyes, thinking it over, when the door bell rang. Mama! She was off his lap in an instant. You get to the bathroom, Ill let mama in, he responded, moving fast as she was. Oh, thank you. You think shell know? He shrugged, You better hurry or she will. Shawn ended up staying longer than he intended. Once Lydia took him to the basement to show him what she was doing, that was it. His conscience would not let him leave her with the task that she was undertaking. Once again, he surprised Sylvia with another skill she hadnt expected of him.
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Working together with his direction, they were able to get quite a bit done. She also noted that her mother didnt argue with Shawn on how things were to be done, which she brought to her attention, with her mother replying, But he know what he doing, you dontso you cant tell me nothin when you dont know. Sylvias response was to make a face behind her back. The evenings, however, belonged to them, even though they had to part at bedtime, because Lydia wasnt having it, them sleeping under her roof in the same bed. She made that point very clear; respectfully, they stuck to it. Long before bedtime arrived, they made the time in Chicago enjoyable. Winter didnt hamper their fun. They saw shows at the Chicago theatre. Went to the movies, out to dinner, hit several live comedy houses and the most memorable night, was at a nightclub where they enjoyed drinks, dinner and dancing. Jazz, sexy and provocative. A saxophone, a piano, a soft drummer and a female vocalist who sang in a way that made a woman want her man in the best possible way. Slowly they danced and swayed, taken away with sounds that meant to seduce, leading to one sure-fire way of ending the evening to make it simply perfect. He hailed a carriage to take them for a ride around the city lake shore. The night was cool and brisk, but not freezing. Perfect for a couple in love to cuddle close and snuggle up as the horse and driver contributed to a most perfect night. Are you okay? Shawn asked with Sylvia held closely against his side, his arms comfortably around her. Oh, yeah, this is nice, she simpered then snuggled closer. You sure? Giggling, she nodded her head. Very sure. Good. He sighed. So now what, lady? She nestled her head in the crook of his neck, kissing him lightly there, making little wet pecks. Emmmm, niceso what are you telling me? He moaned, then whispered the question softly. She pulled back and looked up at him. He lowered his mouth and kissed her gently, lightly, rising again to look down at her. I want you, she said it this time, not him. His brows shot up surprised. What did you say? She stared at him a moment and knew that it was trueshe was done trying to fight it. Come what may, she wanted this manand she was willing to do whatever it took to get him and keep him. IwantyouShawn Everett McPherson. I want you, slowly, then again for emphasis, she said the words he wanted to hear. Wow. So what are you saying? Lets get a room.
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All night? All night. Whats mama gonna say? he mocked. Im grown. We won't be under her roof, mama gonna have to understand, and if she dont, then Im gonna have to explain it to her. He threw his head back and let out a laugh so deep and sexy, she laughed too, and was turned on even more. Coming down from his laughter, he looked at her shaking his head. A room, you say? All night? Well, I think Im gonna have to accommodate you, ladyon one condition, he informed her. A perfectly arched brow rose. Oh, yeah, and that is? Tell me you love me, he said on baited breath. Of all the things he would say, that was not what she expected. Now why would I do that, when you, sir, havent said that you love me. She smiled. He grew serious. Iloveyou. Like I have never loved a woman ever in my lifeI love you. Sylvias eyes grew wide as her heart leapt into her throat. His declaration was shaking her to the core; fear once again sprang to life. She had resigned herself to being with him, but not with the thought in mind that it could mean so much as this, what he was saying, so soon. What if he was saying it just to get her in bed? But that didnt make sense; shed already opened the invitation for him to take her to bed, so there was no need for him to say it. Well, either Ive shocked you into sheer disbelief, or youre trying to think of a way to let me down gently. Stunned, she shook her head as unbidden tears came to her eyes. NoIm not letting you downeasily. She gulped. No? He grinned. Again she shook her head. No. Now he was chuckling. So then Ive shocked you? She nodded vigorously. Yes. He reached up and caught a tear. Hmmm, soooo, can I assume that this possibly meansyou love me? he coaxed. She swallowed, taking a deep breath, then nodded again vigorously. Say itsay you love me. I-I do. Nono, no, no. Thats good, I like that. Keep that one in mind, especially for later, when we get married. But right now, I love you would be perfect. Married? Well, yeahnot tonight, butIm thinking, not too far into the future - I did after all, tell your mother that I had the best of intentions for you. Oh my god, she cried.
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He laughed. No, I love you. Yes! Yes, what? I love you! You sure about that?" Yes, Im sure! I dont knowseems to me, I was pulling teeth to Cutting him off was her hands gripping his face, bringing his lips down to her, kissing him with all the love she was feeling. Emmmm. He moaned, enfolding her into his arms, leaning over her as he deepened the kiss. After a moment thus, he slowly lifted, she repeated, I love youI love you. He smiled softly down at her, going down for a peck on her lips, once, twice, three times. Now can we get a room? she asked. He roared into laughter. You got it, lady, you got it. He turned away from her and leaned forward, calling out to the driver of the carriage, telling him that they were ready to be taken back to the jazz club. Climbing into his SUV Sylvia settled back in comfort. Before closing her door, Shawn leaned in kissing her again. When he pulled away, there was nothing but excitement and anticipation in his eyesoh, yeah, and love. He soundly closed her door and made it around his car in record speed, just as Sylvia hit the auto unlock. He jumped in, started his vehicle, and turned to her asking, Youre sure, youre sure? She laughed out. Yes, Im sure! He shivered, rubbing his hands together, shaking his head. Ooooh, Otis, dont fail me tonight, he mumbled in a singsong that cracked Sylvia up. You are one crazy white mando you know that? she asked. What! Whats crazy about a little prayer? Buckle up. Shaking her head, she did so as he pulled out into traffic heading for State Street to the Embassy Suites Hotel downtown. Hed stayed there before on business when hed come to Chicago and loved their accommodations. Please tell me why a man like you would need a prayer? she asked as he drove. Sweetheart, I need you to prepare yourself, because this is going to be hard for even you to believebutImwell, Im normal. Again Sylvia was lost in shocked laughter. Human, yes, I know as incredible as that is, its true. And lady, I want you bad. Overexcitement can sometimes lead to disappointment. Tonights not the night for that. Know what I mean? His frank honesty impressed her, even though it was shrouded in arrogant humor. So are you saying that she snickered, Otis has let you down before? Otis has never let me down! But never has there been a time when Ive wanted so much to do this sosohmmmm Right? she offered the answer.
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He glanced at her briefly, giving a gentle smile. YeahI dont want to disappoint you. I want to please you, completely. Before, I never gave it a thought. I was always confidant. With you, its different. How so? she asked softly. With you, I wouldnt put it past you to say something like, what was thatyou got to be kidding me ? he mimicked her black dialect with the shake of his head, sending Sylvia into uncontrollable laughter. I know you, ladyI dont think youre the kind to fake it, he added, grinning. Sylvia laughed even harder, tears coming to her eyes. Im right, arent I? See, thats the thing that scares white men away sometimes, black women wont fake it! At least white women feel bad for you and try to spare your feelings; theyll fake it, just to get it over with. But black womenno way, I know, and I've heard! You know? You've heard? I see, and who told you that mess? she asked, coming down from her laughter. True or false? Right or wrong? he asked grinning. She smiled. Hmph, I guess you bout to find out, silly white man. Again he gave show of a shivering shake. You scared? she taunted. With a lift of his brow, he cut her a look out the side of his eyes. I guess you bout to find out, sexy black woman. She crinkled her nose and shifted in her seat, wondering what other black women he'd been with? Considering it was in his past, and this night was their's, she wasn't going to worry about digging there. He went immediately to the Embassy, stopping out front for the valet to take his vehicle to the underground parking. Stepping out of the vehicle, Shawn handed the young man his keys, and made his way around to Sylvias door opening it for her. Taking her hand, both felt an instant surge through their bodies in anticipation for what was to come. Once Shawn had the key to a room and Sylvia knew the room number, they parted ways at the elevator. Ill be up in a minute. I need to visit the gift shop, she informed him. With the raising of his brow, he thought about that and changed it. I think you can go on up now, and Ill be there in a moment, he suggested. But she started and he covered her lips with his finger, silencing her. Trust me. The elevator doors opened, he lifted her chin gently with his bent finger, placing a quick peck to her lips and stepped away with a wink, handing her into the elevator. When the doors closed, he headed for the gift shop. On their floor, the doors opened, Sylvia stepped out looking down each direction of the hall, and to the wall for direction to their room. Spotting it, she headed that way. Once inside, she looked the king suite over and found it very tasteful, clean and conservatively elegant.
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She sat her purse on the table, turned on the TV, kicked off her shoes, unbuttoned her long suede camel coat walking to the closet to hang it up, the whole time, her mother on her mind and calling her, she wanted to get this out of the way immediately, sitting on the sofa with the phone next to it on an end table, she took a deep breath and dialed her mothers number; fourth ring, she answered. Hello? Umm, mamaits me. An-n-nd, well, dont wait up for us tonight. Whats that suppose to mean? Mama, come on. You know what that means. We wont be home tonight. Silence prevailed for a space of time and finally Lydia said, Old as you is, a man invite you tget a room, and you aint got sense enough to play hard to get and say no? Sylvia chuckled. For your information, mother dear, I asked him to get the room. I just called to let you knowI wont be home. I love you, now goodnight. Smiling, she hung up the phone. Standing, she smiled seductively to the room at large, and sashayed to the bathroom to start the shower. Shed been in there for maybe twenty minutes when she heard a tap on the door. Its me, can I come in? I brought you some things. Come in! she yelled over the shower spray. Whatd you bring me? she asked, looking around the side of the shower. Shawn stared at her for a moment. She had a towel wrapped around her head turban-style, making her look so exotic, enhancing her large eyes. Wow. He sighed. She smiled, repeating, Whatd you bring me? Oh! He held up a medium size gift bag, then sat it on the sink counter. I told the woman in the gift shop to fill it with all the stuff a woman who is anal about feeling soft and smelling good and sexy for a man, would need to sleep over. Ach! Shawn! He started laughing, Well, you are! So its all in there. If its not, its not my fault. I am not anal! she defended. His continued laughter said he disagreed as something else occurred to him. Oh, one more thing. He disappeared, then quickly reappeared. Freezing him in place was the sight of her stepping from the shower with a towel wrapped around herself. Wow. Beautifulthank you, she gushed, walking up to him to take the satiny ecru short nightie with a short lace wrap. Now if youll excuse me She grinned. He exhaled, backing out with the assistance of her hand on his chest pushing him back followed by the door closing in his face.
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When she finally showed from the bathroom, he looked up to see what he knew shed look like in that negligee; soft satiny cream against supple, smooth brown skin. Have you any idea how beautiful you are? he asked breathlessly. She smiled without reply, looking to the table; an ice bucket held a bottle of wine with two wine glasses, sitting in a vase on the table, a dozen red roses. Tickling her senses softly in the background, a Chicago radio station playing music catered to night moods, assisting Shawn with the exact setting he wished to create. Grinning, her eyes moved back to him, Youre fast. Had a lot of practice, I bet. Shrugging, Not necessarily all that much practice; with the right woman to inspire, a man knows how to be romantic, too. he informed her, walking to various lights, dimming one, turning another off to dim the next, working his way to her. Emmm, whats thisyou still have your jacket on, she noticed, informing him softly as he stopped before her. What can I say, rushing to get everything just so, I forgot about me, he simpered low, suggestively. Aaah, poor you - looks like Im gonna have to give you a little help seeing as how youve done all of this, seeing to me, she volunteered, reaching up sliding both hands across his chest, widening them under the lapels of his jacket to push it off of his shoulders. Lady, Ive only just begun seeing to you. His jacket fell free of him as Sylvia caught it on the way to the floor, tossing it to the sofa. His hands went to her waist, pulling her against his hard body. The evidence was there that he was ready, he wanted her to know it. Heat suffused her body as a moan slipped from her throat. His mouth quickly covered hers to catch that moan before its completion, stirring another one on its tail. Turning his head to deepen the kiss and insert his tongue, his hand went down her back to cup her rear. Sylvia went dizzy, her body was instantly on fire. In a frenzy, she started trying to work his shirt loose while maintaining the vigorous kiss. He pulled his lips away, breathing hard, to say, The gift shop is open tomorrow. and ripped his shirt open, popping off buttons. Sylvia helped him push it off of his arms to the floor. They were both breathing hard. Shawn stepped back grabbing her hand, pulling her towards him as he walked backward with promising eyes, leading her to the bedroom where the king size bed awaited. I hope you know this is going to take all night, he informed her huskily. All night? Oh, yeahall night. When will we sleep? She gulped with her heart pounding, the bed came into full view. It was already turned back. Tomorrow.
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Check out is at 12. I knowbut not for us. Not tomorrow, the next day. OhI see, she breathed as he pulled her up to him again with the back of his knees against the bed. It had been so long for her, shed forgotten what a man was like when he was in the mood for love. With Shawn, there was no hesitation. His mouth covered hers again as he pulled her body into his, his arms around her, his hands moving, massaging up and down the back of her body. She was dazed, the room was spinning, and every single cell in her body was alive and sensitive to his touch. Moist heat flooded heavily at the juncture of her thighs. She wanted everythingright now! Shawn, please! she tore her mouth away to plead. Oh, noyoure not going to rush me, he warned, pulling her hands off of him. Come here, he ordered climbing into the bed, pulling her in with him. She whimpered, now on her knees, moving to where he led. Lay your head on this pillow, I wanna look at you, he ordered again. She did as she was told, her body was so hungry she would do almost anything to be sated. She couldn't stop squirming, the need so strong, she was almost delirious with wanting him. Kneeling there beside her, his eyes fixed on her, he snatched his sleeveless t-shirt off, undid the belt and button on his slacks, unzipping them as she watched hungrily. Working his way back to the edge of the bed, standing, he quickly removed all of his clothes as her eyes greedily took him in, her eyes went wide at his exposed manhood, what she saw wasn't what she'd expected. Unable to lay there, being still was not possible with what was going through her system, moving back to her knees, working her way across the bed to him; her hands went to touch his chest, running her fingers through the hair there. Her gaze was hungry. Please. His answer was to strip her bare as she reached down to enclose his large erection, the solid throbbing feel of it made her heart race. Masculine, generous DNA went into the development of this man, there was nothing disappointing about him. In fact, the size of him concerned her a bit, thinking about his all night promise. Her first husband hadn't been quite so wellendowed, and it had been so very long. While she anticipated the moment he entered her body, she doubted her ability to last all night. A groan escaped him as her hand massaged and measured all nine plus inches of him, her fingers circling his circumference, noting that he was as thick as her wrist. "Think there's enough for you there?" he asked breathlessly. "You have definitely shattered all the b.s. stereotype myths," Sylvia whispered as he led her back towards the center of the bed, lying next to her. "All night, Shawn? It's been a while and you're ... bigger than I thoughtyou'd...be," she spoke up honestly as he kissed every feature of her face, her lips, pecking at the corners while his hands smoothed over her warm, inviting body.
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"I would never...abuse you...not ever." He kissed her then, deep and lovingly...his tongue filling her mouth and telling how he would love the rest of her. Sylvia's breathing deepened as his palm cupped her breast, the pad of his thumb rubbing the sensitive tip of her nipple, making her shiver, moan and throb even more. Her hips began gyrating of their own accord, she felt herself wet and ready as she moved closer to him, wanting him to climb up top now. His hand went to her other breast doing the same. He could feel her movements building to a feverish pitch, breaking the kiss, he couldn't wait to taste her breast and brought her hard nipple into his mouth to suckle. "Ooooh, Shawn...ooooh, ssssssemmmmpleeease." She needed him inside of her, but he had his own agenda. Ignoring her plea, he sucked and savored as his hand went down her belly to her hairy mound. Immediately Sylvia spread her thighs for him, her pelvis thrusting up with so much need, her head tossed from side to side as she bit into her lip. "Shawnplease!" His fingers found her liquid heat. "Oh, wow...you are soaked. Has it been that long?" "Please," she begged, wiggling and gripping his probing fingers. She felt him turn from her, heard the distinctive sound of a condom wrapper being torn open. A moment later, he was climbing on top of her, the tip of his penis rubbing her wetness as his palms cupped her face, he started kissing her again, using his erection to stir her even more. Rubbing her below, not yet willing to fully impale her. Sylvie thrust upward, desperate and hungry for him. "Pleaseplease, Shawn!" she cried, panting, her hands gripping his thick strong arms as her legs rose up on either side of his hips, needing him to enter her he was making her so crazy. Finally he reached down between them and guided the thick head of him to her entrance and surged forward to enter her snug tunnel. So crazy with need, Sylvia thrust up too fast and hard to meet him and caused herself discomfort. "Oh!" she cried out as his entire length filled her. "Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! Too much, too much, too much!" she panted. Shawn laid his heavy body on hers and withdrew a bit of his length, holding slightly still until her discomfort faded to be replaced with desire once again. "Careful...careful...move slow...I'm not goinganywhere," he coaxed, promising to give her what she needed, and began stroking slowly back and forward. "Ohmygodyou feel so goood," Sylvia gasped, moving carefully, gripping the thick length of him. Her head spinning crazy as she folded her legs across his buttocks. Her hands moving up and down his arms, up to his shoulders, gripping his head and kissing him on and off. The heels of her feet caressing the cheeks of his butt, down the back of his thighs, across his calves and back up again as they both began matching a rhythm. Shawn worked to insert more of his length slowly with each stroke, testing how much she could take before it hurt, rotating his hips in circular thrusts that further sent her into madness.
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Everything he did, he did with such torturous slowness, that it wasn't long before he felt the signs of her approaching climax; her muscles tensing, her legs and arms gripping him tighter, her body honed, her facial expression one of absolute focus and then, "Shawn..." He slowed his thrusts so she could really grip him, letting her draw him in to the spot that would send her over the edge. "Shawn!" She was shaking. "Oh Shawn! Oooh this shit feels good - oh god, Shawn, I'm I'm coming Shawn, ohshi-i-i-it oh go-o-od! Ohhh-ohhh-ohhh..." Her body quaked as one shocking tremor after another had her head tossing and turning so she was on the verge of sobbing from a climax that wouldn't let her go, seeming to go on and on. Shawn was flying high seeing it, instantly all that it took to get her to this, went through his mind and he loved her more, he wasn't about to do anything to break into this victory cry. It was pure heaven to see someone who had been so strict, rigid, hardcore determined to keep him away, melting, crying dissolving into such orgasmic bliss - losing all of her inhibitions as pleasure washed over her like being reborn. He waited for her to come down from the heavenly trip he felt elated about sending her on. When she could finally see and hear again, her body ultra-sensitive, she turned to look up at him, tears were coursing from the corners of her eyes. "Wow...that was something to see," he informed her softly. "I love you... always know that...that I love you." He went down and began kissing her, moving still. Sylvia wrapped her arms around him, gripping his head while sealing their lips. Now that she'd reached her climax, the sheer size of him and his increasing thrusts were letting her know she was possibly in for more than she'd bargained for. He was a big man, tall of stature; heavy powerful body, and every bit of it was pressing into her, the most intense part of him hammering deep into her body, pushing against her so she could no longer bite her lip in silence. His entire body, from his head, neck, down his back, buttocks, legs to feet was a tight, contracted, hardened muscle all centered on his thrusts, slamming against her. She shifted, trying to take him in but it was starting to hurt. "Ach! Shawn ... oh m'god ... it's hurting ...Shawn you're hurting me - oh!" She gasped with every entry and struggled to hang on until he too came, fully aware that he was beyond stopping. His body was a machine locked into position, a hump in his back and a pounding pelvis he could no longer control. Then suddenly it happened, he threw his head back and shouted, "Fuck! Oh fuckin' hell! Ohhh yeah! Yeah! Oh yeah!" His gruff climax, seeing it, hearing it, was worth whatever pain Sylvia had to endure. She was enraptured seeing the pleasure she brought him as he held himself deep inside her as the last of him was spent. Collapsing beside her, he lay panting, trying to catch his breath. "Wow...holy crap...that was good." His head turned on the pillow to look at her. "Do you agree?" Sylvia smiled. "Oh yeah, I agree...you and Otisyall the bomb, baby!"
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Shawn's head dug back into his pillow as he laughed deep and long. Sylvia joined him. Understanding her limitations, Shawn backed off of the "all night" declaration and only made love to her once more that night, driving her insane, taking her to the brink of blissfulness where her cries heightened his sense of pride. When they finally made it back to her mothers, they together informed her of their plans to marry. He stayed long enough to help her mom get more of the basement done; the bathroom, two bedrooms, and the walls up and finished in the rest of the open space. There was still a lot more to do, but hed run out of time. Before he left, he made sure they understood how to carry on without him. The SUV was running, his bag was inside, and he and Sylvia stood downstairs in the vestibule saying their goodbyes for now. Sylvia wanted to stay a little longer with her mother. She was going to hire contractors to finish the rest of the basement, installing the kitchen, cabinets and other desires her mother chose. He was holding her in his arms, her arms around him with her head nestled under his chin. Im gonna miss you, he promised softly. Im gonna miss you, she returned with tears in her eyes. Now let me make sure of this before I leave here, that I have this right. Let me see. You love me, right? She nodded her head vigorously against his chest, then sniffed. Annnnnd, no more doubts, right? Again he got the vigorous nod, and another sniffle. And last, I asked you to marry me, and you said? he trailed that off for her to answer. She sniffed, leaned her head back to look up at him, and gave him the word he most wanted to hear. Yes. With both hands, he reached up to cup her cheeks, his thumbs wiping at the streaming tears. Good answer, he whispered lowering his mouth to hers.
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Series Two Episode Nine - Chapter 25 "I think we should talk about this first. I can't imagine what has come over you, but you need to just...just slow down and consider how absurd this is," Oscar tried to reason with his daughter, after hearing through the domestic help grapevine that she was having them go through her things to start sorting them for packing. "Absurd to you, perhaps, but I've a need for a change. I've also sat under your thumb long enough. I need to find a way to undo the mistake I've made," Deidre replied as she searched the area of Wisconsin on the internet, doing research of the area where Shawn now resided. Checking into the real estate, job opportunities, schools, etc. "Mistake? Which one? I've helped you to undo it, don't tell me you plan on doing it again?" Oscar asked. Deidre ignored his question and continued her reading, searching and clicking. "Do me a favor, come away from that for now and let's talk." "I'm not interested, father. I know what you have to say concerning Shawn." "Where has this come from all of a sudden, I thought you were over that? Over him?" "I loved him! I really loved him! The biggest mistake of my life was letting you and mother manipulate me into leaving my husband, divorcing him. He didn't have a chance against the mighty Wherringtons! No matter what you say he did...I haven't been happy since the divorce. Since he packed up and left California. Not only that, Angela wants to be with her father and she should be," Deidre argued as her father stood beside her trying to think fast and reach a conclusion. "You say you haven't been happy since the divorce, have you forgotten that you weren't happy with him either?" "You're wasting your time, father... Angela and I are going to relocate closer to him in Wisconsin. You might as well know that it will be as soon as possible."
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"I don't understand! Would you stop that clicking, please, and let's discuss this?" "No! I won't! Why can't you leave me alone? This is my life...I have every right to live it as I choose! I'm not going to let you interfere in it anymore. I've made up my mind!" "Before your mind is made up, Deidre, you need to have all the facts on him first," her father reasoned. "I know all there is to know about Shawn Everett McPherson...there's nothing else for me to know!" "You think the reason I don't want you with him is because of what he does for a living? If he were indeed just a country-hick cover artist...I might be able to adjust to him...but, Deidre, he's not...he's the very scum of the earth" "Stop right there! You've said enough!" "No, I haven't! Maybe if I had disclosed everything about him when you two split up" "When you split us up, you mean!" she charged, cutting him off. "And with good reason! He's not for you! He's a white-trash redneck and I can prove it!" "Have you heard nothing I said? I don't want to hear anything you have to say about Shawn! Nothing!" "Give me a chance, Deidre...come and see what I have." "I've seen all you have on him" "No...you haven't. I kept some things back, just in case more was needed to convince you that you and your child were better off here at home, to let him go into the life he's best suited for." "What are you talking about now?" "Follow me," he offered and walked to the door, holding it open, looking back at her as she sat at her computer desk in the library of their estate home. Deidre sat staring, afraid to budge. All she could think about was the things Angela told her. She wasn't stupid, she knew that Shawn dated. He was much too attractive not to garner the attention of women. However, if he dated, he'd never before mentioned the women to their daughter. Suddenly he was now talking about someoneSylvia. Angela had said that he was serious about her. That he chatted with her and called her almost every night that she was there with him. Angela had listened in on some of the conversations her father had with Sylvia. She said that he'd smiled the whole time they'd talked, laughed, flirted and acted in a way she'd never seen him act before. Deidre sat with her heart pounding. She wondered, are you in love with this Sylvia? "Deidre?" her father called her to attention once again. "Trust me, this issomething you will want to know about. Just listen and give it a look." "Why do I feel as though I'm going to regret it if I do?" "You will regret it more if you don't."
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Unable to win the battle with her curiosity, Deidre stood and followed her father out of the library and down to his study office. There he invited her to take a seat as he went to his safe and removed a black cardboard box. "What is that?" she asked. "Patience, you will see in a moment. I know you think my prejudices against him are unfounded, but in a moment, you'll know it all." "Why can't you just tell me?" "I will tell you, and back it up as well." "So...is it your plan to shock me back to my senses?" "Shock? Hmmm, I found it shockingappalling as well. Will you find it shocking? I would sure hope so, because if this doesn't turn you off of him, nothing will." "Then chances are...nothing will." "We'll see," he returned, walking over to the entertainment cabinet, swinging the doors wide to expose the television and DVD player inside. Clicking them on, Deidre's heart skipped a beat. "What is this?" she repeated the question, growing nervous and afraid, wishing she had not followed him to hear what it was he had against her ex-husband. "This, my dear, is a film...it's part of a setsix all together - who knows, there may be more. My hope is that it will only take one to get the message across," he informed her, setting it on the open drawer, giving it a bit of a shove, it retracted, remote in hand, he clicked play . Fifteen minutes later, Deidre sat with her chest burning and her head spinning. "Turn it off!" "You sure...there's moreit gets better" "I said turn it off!" He clicked the stop on the remote. "Now...do you understand? I tried to spare you this, would have never shown you his previous profession had you not made this sudden insane about-face concerning the two of you. You can consider yourself" "How did you know? Where did you find them?" she cut him off to ask, glaring at him angrily. "The first day he walked through these doors with you, I had him investigated. You up and got yourself pregnant by him, and then married him behind our backs before I could stop you. You gave me no time to put a stop to it." "With good reason!" "Lower your voice." Deidre dropped her head into her hands feeling utterly gutted by what she'd seen. As ugly as it was, she still wanted him, still loved him. She sat up and looked her father in the eyes. "I don't care. As you must have noticed, he was very young then, before I knew him, we didn't even know each other,"
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she defended him, because she simply couldn't help herself. Oscar was instantly angry. "Surely you're above this! Look at him! Do you need me to restart it!? That's all someone with his looks and endowments are good for! The lead prick in a porn movie!" Deidre shot to her feet. "Thats enough!" "No, it's not enough! Don't tell me that you're willing to forgive this? Heaven forbid, don't tell me that you're so shallow as to be hung up on him because he has a big cock!" "How dare youI'm your daughter! How could you say that to me?" "How could youmy daughterlower herself to being nothing more than a common cock chaser!" She turned to storm from the room, when he called out to her, "Leave it go, Deidre! Leave it go! You're divorcedit's over...that's the way I expect it to stay!" She turned in the doorway before exiting. "If I don't? If I still choose to go back to him, then what?" "Go back to him? Have some pride, girl! Even he, the lowlife that he is, has too much pride to take you back after what you did to him." "I could talk to him, tell him how sorry I am. Even admit that I was wrong, for letting you and mother come between us." "Don't you dare." "I love him." "Deidrewere I you, I'd forget all about Shawn Everett McPherson, and give Lyle Jorgensen a call. He's better suited to you and he'd make Angela a terrific parent." "I'm sorry, father, I'm going to have to pass on Lyle. I want my husband back." "He's your ex-husband. Further more, if you pursue this, I'll use everything in my power to totally and completely destroy him. I assure you, my daughter, I can...and I will." With her heart soaring in glee, Angela leapt from the limo and ran up the front steps of her grandparent's home and into the mansion. Unable to break her speed, she dashed up the stairs with her school bag in hand and dropped it on the floor as she entered the library to find her mother; too happy to notice how she sat at the computer vacantly staring. "Well? What have you found? I think we should just go! Let's just go there and find a place, then we can have our stuff delivered later," she panted, breathing hard from her excited sprint. Deidre turned her eyes upon her daughter to see her cheeks flushed with excitement, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Well? Have you found anything?" she asked her mother, finally noticing the crestfallen look in her eyes. "Mother? What's wrong?"
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Deidre didn't know what to say, she could only stare. "Mother! What's wrong?" "We're not going," she said finally. "What? Why not?" Angela asked, eyes wide. "Angela...I've...I've been thinking about it all day. Nothing I say or do is going to make a difference with you father. It's over...I think it's" "You said! You said we're going there! That we'll move there! You said that you still loved him! That you would give it a try! You said! You promised! You can't go back on it now! I want to move to Wisconsin where my father is!" "Angela, listen to me" "No! You promised that we'd go back! If you don't go back now, it'll be too late! She'll get him and you won't have a chance!" "Angela! I don't have a chance now!" "You have to try!" "Stop shouting!" "How do you know, if you don't try? Please, mommytry...please try, at least! You have to!" "Angela! Your mother has spoken." Angela turned to see her grandfather standing in the doorway watching and listening. "You did this! You've done something or said something to change her mind!" "I've only talked some sense into her. You're too young to understand." Angela turned back to her mother. "Mommy, please...don't listen to him. Don't listen to him. Let's just go. Let's just leave this place. If we tell daddy we're coming, if we explain, he'll let us move in with him. Please, mommy, let's just go." "Angela, stop" Deidre tried. "No! I won't stop! I won't! I want to be with my father! Do you hear?" She turned to her grandfather. "I hate it here! I hate it! And I hate you!" * * *
"Shawn! Oh, Shawn!" Sylvia shrieked and panted straddling him, his hands gripping her hips as he pumped hard and fast, sucking on her neck, his blue jeans down to his knees. Having stayed at her mother's for another two weeks, and him calling her everydaybegging her to hurry homeshe couldn't help but wonderwas this the reason? He was uncontrollable. Ever since she gave the green light and uncapped his desires, she could barely keep him off of her - even before he'd left Chicago, he'd made love to her several times, sneaking a moment to have her, not just at the hotel, but in her mother's basement, when she would step out to the store, to make a run - he went for her and she'd let him, now this.
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Her left foot still had her underwear and pants hanging off of it. "Ah! Shawn!" she squealed again as he rose and turned her to her back on his sofa, resuming his hungry consumption of her. Finally she'd gotten her mother's business in order before leaving and couldn't wait to get back to him, she'd called him on the way as soon as she'd reached Madison. He'd assured her that the house was fine, he'd installed some safety features to make her feel more secure there. Getting off her cell phone, she'd smiled and continued her drive. Pulling up into his driveway, she'd gotten out of the car, smiling as he stood looking for her, no shirt covering his magnificent chest. He was wearing jeans, no socks, no shoes just a fat grin and a gleam in his eye. Smiling, she'd stepped out of her car, walked up to his doorto be snatched in and ravished. "Shawn!" "I've had a hard-on for three days, fantasizing about you!" he'd warned her in between kisses, stripping her pants down at his door and lifting her off of her feet to carry her to the sofa where they were now. She felt so full and invaded by him, throbbing hard and heavy within her snug tunnel, it made her head spin and her lower region pulsate. Biting into her bottom lip, she felt it...that deep gripping electrode getting ready to electrify her from the top of her head down to her toes, making them curl as she screamed, "Oh god shit, Shawnoh, shit!" Her head tossed just as she felt him swell and explode deep within her. He was just as noisy as she was, shouting and grunting like a man possessed. Both of them were shattered, gasping for air, drawing in deep drags of oxygen, Shawn's body collapsed down on hers with their heads nestled beside each other. "Oh, man...you feel good, lady...I swear to God, you're going to have a hell of a time keeping me off of you." "Shawn! You can't be doing this! You didn't use a condom!" "Heyyou grabbed me, pulled me down for a kiss." Sylvia laughed. "You liar...well...just a kiss, you're the one who went nuts! Tossed me on the sofa!" "Oooh, baby, don't be like that. I was scared you'd wanna talk...I had only one thing on my mind. Now we can talk." "You!" She slapped his heavy arm, "... get off me!" She bucked. "My leg is going numb!" And tossed him to the floor. "Hey!" he yelped, hitting the floor. "You're a big boy! Quit whining." "You know, you're ungrateful...I treat you to an awesome nut banquet then you dump me!" "Nut banquet?" she shouted, laughing until he reached up and pulled her to the floor with him. "Shawn, nooo! Sto-o-p! You're gonna get it on me!" "Get what on you?"
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"That! Get it away from me!" she squealed, speaking of his wet, limp appendage. "And what's wrong with a little me on you?" "It's disgusting, now let me up so I can go wash!" She tried to hold him at arms length to keep a safe space between them, realizing she should have never let him know. "Shawnno! Don't you dare!" She fought and screamed trying to get away from him as he gave an evil laugh, threatening to touch her. She rolled and sprang to her feet, her naked, plump rear bobbing before him as she took off. "You can't out run from meee!" he shouted, jumping up and running after her. Sylvia ran, laughing and screaming, "No, Shawn, don'tnoooo!" He stepped on her pants that were still attached to her ankle and tripped her, having his way with her again. A bit later, they showered together, ended up in bed where he went further, slower, until she was out cold from sexual exhaustion. Dozing on and off, they woke three hours later, spooning and cuddling cozily. "I am so sore, Shawn," she complained, squeezing her thighs together. "I'm sorry...I couldn't help myself, you have that effect on me." "You didn't use a condom, Shawn, not once." "Aren't you on the pill or something?" "NoI'm not. I haven't been for a couple of years now, there was no need." "Shityou're screwed in more ways than one." "You!" She reached behind and popped him on the arm. "You were supposed to be using a condom!" "I will next time," he lied. "Next time, my butt!" Shawn laughed. "No thanks, I ain't a butt man." "Yooou!" Sylvia scolded. "You know what I mean! Don't think you gone be jumping me anytime you feel like it, you done lost all control! We not married yet! I don't even have no ring!" "How do you know?" he asked, looking down at the side of her face. Sylvia turned to her back and looked up at him. "What does that mean?" she asked. He grinned that grin. "It's a question. You know, an inquiry to follow up on your earlier declaration. Usually a question requires some form of consideration, thought, and then an answer." "Ha, ha, ha...you're so smart. So...do Ihave a ring?" "As a matter of fact, you do...and if you're good to me, I may give it to you now." "Good to you? Ma-a-an, you got me laying up heresoreashell! That's as good as it's gone get, baby!"
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Shawn cracked up laughing, hugging her exclaiming, "Oh, I love you, black woman! You sure right about that. Don't get any better than this!" He rose, naked and fine, making Sylvia sigh just watching him cross the room. "Sit up, baby...I think you're gonna like it." All teeth, Sylvia sat up against the headboard of his bed, watching him open his wardrobe and pull out a little safe. Opening it, he brought out a black velvet box. Turning to her, he winked and flexed his brows. "What's in this little black velvet box, once I slip it on your finger...it does not come off no matter what! Until I remove it to put on the wedding band when we marry," he said, all serious as he approached the bed and sat down close to her. "It doesn't go on until you promise me that. I love youthis time, my second time around, it's for keeps...or not at all...I mean it, Sylvie." She sighed staring up at him. "I love you, too," she finally stated. "That's not enough. I want you to do more than love me. I need you to be absolutely certain of thisof usof me. I need you to trust in me, to believe in me, and to stand by me no matter what. I've had one wife who loved me...wasn't enough. She let people come between us. People and things...I'm not going through that again. If you accept this ring, let me put it on your finger, it's for keeps...or else say you're not sure now...I'll put it away." "Shawn...I said I love you. If I wasn't in this for the long term, I wouldn't say that." "Yeah, yeah, that's because it's all sweet, nice, and feels good...now, that is. What about when problems happen, which they're bound to. There will be problems, I'm not so stupid as to believe there won't be. But you know what...I want what my parents have. I want that. I want, come hell or high water...we're side by side, through thick and thin. That's what I want, that's what I'll give." Sylvia smiled, feeling her eyes fill with tears. "I want that, too." Shawn sat staring at her, his heart pounding, his mind whirling with thoughts. Tell her...tell her about your past, tell her now. Get it out in the open, so she knows. Don't put that ring on her finger without telling her about your early life in L.A. Shawn sat staring. No...that's in the past, if she loves me, believes in me, that is all irrelevant. "Shawn? What's wrong?" she asked. He sat staring a moment more, then finally said, "I need you to believe in me, and mean what you say. I need to feel that I can trust that you'll stand by my side and never ever leave me. I want this for good." Sylvia rose onto her knees, moving up to him to hug him to her breast. He just looked as if he needed her to. "I love you, Shawn. If you'll never leave me, I'll never leave you. I promise." He hugged her tight, then turned her so she was on his lap. With her right arm around his shoulders, he flipped the box open with his thumb and took her left hand. "Oh my god, Shawn...oh my god!" she gasped at the 3 carat ring.
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It had a 2 carat princess-cut center stone, and another carat cut into 1/8ths to circle the surface of the platinum band. It took her breath away. "Now let's hope it fits. I think it will. You have small fingers, and this is an average small. Besides, if it doesn't, we'll take it inaaah, yeah, it fits." he finished, pushing it onto her finger as he spoke. "Oh, Shawn." "It never comes off, until I take it off to place the band." "Yes, not until you take it off."
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Series Two Episode Nine - Chapter 26 "And where have you been?" Oscar asked, coming from his shower to his bedroom, to see his wife finally home and undressing. He watched her laying her clothing onto the chaise lounge, slow to answer him, as if she needed time to contemplate whether she would or not. He stood holding his towel around his neck, his fists gripping and squeezing both ends that hung there, imagining it to be her throat. He loved, as well as hated, Georgiana Victoria Wherrington for so many reasons. While his entire life had been built upon lies and schemes to inculcate his life into the mainstream of the wealthy, she had been born and bred there. To win her attention and then her heart, he'd created for himself an identity and character that was far from what he in fact was. The son of a laid-off Pittsburgh steel worker, who's father turned to alcoholism to assuage the agony of unemployment and worthlessness. Oscar learned of it when the funds to finance his college education fell through. Then he learned the art of being something he was not, weaving a tremendous lie of a lineage that belonged to one of the guys he went to school with. Dating his wife, he knew that timing was crucial. He'd pretended to receive an urgent phone call, which was easily carried out by paying an accomplice, lied that something urgent had taken place and he must get home, leaving Georgiana to believe he was in great distress. He disappeared for two weeks, then returned with a tragic tale of his family being swindled out of all their money and that his father, unable to take it, had committed suicide. Seeming distraught, he convinced Georgiana that his sanity hinged upon her marrying him and right away, that if he didn't have her, he had nothing to live for. At the time, she was naive enough to believe him and had eloped with him. Returning with him as his wife, her father had gone over the roof. Weeks later, he'd gone over it again when the truth had been discovered. With all of his political ties and a well-known name and reputation, they carried on his lie to save face. As months went by, the marriage began to deteriorate, but her father felt she deserved the bed she made for herself and thus was forced to remain in it.
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Years later, their love/hate marriage was their deserved sentence for going against the right and wrongs of their choices. Georgiana stayed with her husband, but cheated on him as revenge for the humiliation he'd inflicted upon her. Although discreet, her manner and disdain could not be mistaken. While her father, who sought to protect the interests of his family name and wealth, and her as well,dbn made it so that she was named sole heir of their finance company in the event of his and his wife's death. Should anything happen to Georgiana, it would automatically go to her daughter, Deidre. As for Oscar, he would be left with nothing more than his own gained and worked for interest. It was for that reason, Oscar had constantly dismissed the idea of having Georgiana killed, because then his daughter would inherit, and after her, Angela. "I asked you a question," he reminded her. "So I heard," she returned with disinterest obvious in her tone, standing in her slip and stockings. Her thin, regal, graceful body in perfect form for a woman her age. "I am your husband, you know." Walking past him into their large bathroom, she returned, "Yes, so I'm often reminded." Oscar turned and walked in behind her, watching as she disappeared behind the marble stall to use the toilet. "Do you mind, I'd like a bit of privacy," she called from within. "I was in here first. You're enclosed in marble, that's privacy enough. Do you know what's been going on around here?" "No doubt the usual." "Your daughter was in the process of finding a place to live. A place in Wisconsin, to follow McPherson. I had to talk her out of making a fool of herself by pursuing him." Oscar waited for something from his wife, but she grew suddenly quiet. "Well?" he pressed. "Well, what? Youyou talked her out of it...right?" she asked, still sitting with her mind working. "Is that where he is, in Wisconsin now?" "Why do you wish to know?" he asked with a snarl clear in his voice. The toilet flushed, she walked out still adjusting her panties. "Just a simple question, don't get your hackles up." He snatched her arm, tugging her towards him, anger in his eyes. "Don't tell me not to get my hackles up! Where have you been?" he ground out. With a lifted brow, she looked from his eyes and glanced down at his hand gripping her arm, growing tighter as the seconds ticked by. "Have you taken leave of you senses, turn me loose," she commanded in a low voice. "You tell me why you asked where he was?" "Curiosity...just good old-fashioned curiosity." "Curiosity...is what got the cat killed." "You threatening me?" she asked. Both stood staring at each other, thinking and wondering who hated who more.
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"Know this...a man can live with only so much humiliation. Don't push me to the point where I don't care," he warned. She snatched her arm free. "You? Don't care? Ha! You've got what you want...a name, money, power. I don't delve into your affairs and I expect you to leave me to mine." She walked away, her heart pounding. There were days, times, when there was a slight seed of doubt as to whether he could be pushed to the edge. No...he likes this life too much. She dismissed him immediately as her mind went to Shawn. Whirling about it was an incomplete fantasy of him; she donned her robe and walked out on their balcony, leaving her husband behind to wonder at her thoughts. They were both thinking the same thing at the same time. What was going through her mind, were her two fantasy adventures at Melba's Women's Club. Few knew of the true functions of the house. Few knew of the fantasies that privileged women, such as herself, could pay to be fulfilled. Hearing about Shawn brought back to mind the young man from so many years ago, over 20 years now, yet he remained fresh in her mind. Her fantasy, the one she had paid so well for, had been to be set up as if she had been kidnapped and treated like a hostage, taken by her captor, tied hand and foot and then ravished for hours. Her captor had been masked, his identity hidden. All she knew about him were the things he did to her body, the way he gave her her money's worth. She'd requested him a second time, same fantasyand then a third. Disappointment...the third time had been a different masked captor. She'd searched high and low for her masked tormentor/captor with little luck. Melba held a contract that she must protect the identity of all of her guys. Georgiana had never felt his touch again...and since him, none had ever made her feel as he had. Then her daughter brought home Shawn Everett McPherson. Something in the way he looked at her, sent her senses of wonder reeling. Then she'd had time to listen to his voice, so similar to her lost fantasy man. Although he did all in his power never to be left alone with her, never to make eye contact with her, she knew. She knew that it was him, no matter what she did to manipulate him into admitting that he was the one, he remained indignant that she was mistaken, saying, "I've never heard of such a place." Georgiana knew better, her body responded to his closeness, even if he refused to confirm it, her body knew. Besides, he was the same height, same build, only broader, which could have taken place with working out over time, he had the same dark hair color, almost black, and the eye color was the same and last, the voice - she knew that voice. From the moment he walked in with her daughter, she'd worked along with her husband to destroy her daughter's marriage. Using her disdain for her bad choice as the reason, she for once, was in unity with Oscar on a mission.
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Oscar stood watching her back. Every time his mind recalled the evidence presented that Shawn Everett had worked for Melba's, around the same time he knew his wife frequented the place, his blood boiled. He hated Shawn Everett with a passion that was beyond the extreme. To know that he had both screwed his wife and his daughter was enough reason for him to wish the man ill. He turned away from her, thinking of Brighton's last call, Ray Olivetti had failed him.
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Series Two Episode Nine - Chapter 27 Two Weeks later... "You must have the most coordinated hands. I'm just amazed at what you can do with them," Sylvie commented with a pussycat grin, complimenting his artistic ability as well as his other skills, standing in the doorway of the back room, after leaving what was cooking on the stove a moment to check out his progress for the book cover of the trilogy Mercy James had written. She leaned on the door jamb behind him as he was finishing up for the evening. "Why, thank you, madam." He grinned, turning around to wink at her. "By the smells wafting in from that kitchen, your hands have been busy whipping up something incredible, I'm sure." "Ummm, I think you'll like it." "You know, you still owe me," he said, wiping up his brushes, dunking them in the fluid to clean them after moving the canvas to a safe spot. He would pick up in the morning where he'd left off. "Owe youowe you, what?" He looked up at her, his playful twinkling eyes taking her breath away. "A pose...a portrait, remember?" "Aaah, I see. We-e-ell, we'll see...one day, maybe," she answered, turning away to go and check on the food. They sat at the table eating. Sylvia was telling him about her first marriage, her children, things that had them both laughing about the way of kids. "This is nice, isn't it?" he commented after coming down from a nice laugh, sipping his water. "Yeah...it is," she returned. "You should move in with me, or I should move in with you," he suggested. "Why?" she asked in all seriousness, rising to scrape her plate and then his. "Well, why not? We are getting married," he reminded her. "Yeah, I guess we are, and when we are, that's soon enough to live together."
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"You're kidding me, right?" he asked in disbelief. "Of course I'm not. What's wrong with the way things are now?" she asked. Shawn sat for a moment stunned with his mouth open, trying to digest the fact that she was actually serious. He rose, shaking his head, walking to the sink to turn on the tap and rinse his hands. "Do you love me or not?" he asked. "What's love got to do with it?" "It has everything to do with it! When you love someone, you want to spend as much time with that person as you can." "Ah, I see, well...we live right across the road from one another. If I want to see youlike tonightI came over, cooked you a meal because I knew you were working, you ate, I ate, we talked, laughed and we've enjoyed each others company...and shortly now...I'll be going home." "Just like that!" he griped. Sylvia started laughing. "What is up with you? You should be glad I don't wanna be here right under your feet with every move you make." "That's bullshit! You're the one that doesn't want me under your feet!" he accused. Sylvia couldn't help but laugh some more. "I don't see shit funny," he went on, making her laugh even harder. "You need to quit trippin'! I'm right across the road, Shawn! Right over there! You're more than welcome to come over any time." "Why can't we live together?" he blasted the question. "Because I don't wanna live with you, Shawn. You've done quite enough sampling, thank you! That's not me, I'm not about that. I have a daughter and a son to think about." "What have they to do with this?" he was trying to understand. "They have plenty to do with it. I raised my kids right. I enforced serious moral values in them, I set up high expectations, and I definitely expected them to follow them. Just because they're grown and gone, doesn't mean that I am somehow free to live contradictory to what I demanded of them." "If I remember correctly, Crystal was pregnant before any vows were said." "That doesn't matter, Shawn! The fact remains, whether she failed to heed my direction or not, I have a responsibility to maintain the standard I set out for my children! I'm not about to lower that standard, just so you can have a bit of nookie in reach when you want it." "Ach! That is not fair! Damn you, Sylvia Payne! This has nothing to do with sex! A piece of nookie is something I've never had to struggle to get. There are women right now, who would line up for the chance of me telling them, okay...come on in!" "Well, you know what, Mr. Arrogant Ass? Call'emtell them to come on in - I don't give a shit! I'm outta here...
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... You done pissed me off...you not even trying to see it from my side!" she spat, looking for her coat and purse to head for the door. Shawn rushed up to take her by the wrist. "Now, see, why do you have to get so angry?" he pleaded, pulling her toward him, trying to get her to face him, but she had her stubborn jaw set and finally answered, "Because...I don't appreciate you pulling that crap on me. I'm not a stupid little girl or some woman begging for your goodies! I said I'm not living with you, and I meant it. Don't matter what my reasons are, you still have to respect them if you love me! I am who and what I am, Shawn Everett McPherson, and if you can't handle her, let her leave. Then you can get on with your phone calls, start'em lining up." "Ugggh! You are so infuriating! Do you know that?" He squeezed her close. "Okay...okay...now calm down. Geez, you are so hardcore, I swear! You know, you're lousy for a mans ego." "Hey, like I said, use your phone...I won't stop you. You had one that was ready to jump through hoops for you, why didn't you keep her?" "Because I didn't want her." "Why not? And quit pulling me toward the sofa...I'm going home." She bit into her lip not to smile. "No, you're not. Not yet, you're not...not like this," he insisted, tugging her to his couch anyway, pulling her onto his lap. "Excuse me, will you let me sit on the couch?" "You're fine right where you are." "It's getting late, I need to get home...and cut that out! Put the hard-on away...ain't nothing happening tonight." "Lady...you are something else, you know that? I've never known anyone like you. So spirited, so steadfast, so firm and true to you. I love that about you." "If that's the case, don't try to take advantage of me, Shawn, because I'm not the one." "I know, I know. I justlike having you around, what's wrong with that?" "Nothing wrong with that, and when we get married, you will have me around. Although, this arrangement of across from each other ain't a bad one. I mean, we could just go on like this. If you wanna piece, just come knockin'. I let you in, same for me." "The hell I will! Now, I'm gonna put my foot down! When the vows are exchanged, you will be here with me or I'll be there with you...but I'll be damned if my wife is going to be sleeping in a different bed from me across the road... let's get that straight right now!" he asserted firmly. Sylvia couldn't help herself, a grin burst upon her pretty face. "Okay, okay, I hear you...but until then, I'll be across the road." "Well, can I" Just then the phone rang, cutting him off. "Now who is that calling at this time of night?" he asked, standing as she slid to the sofa.
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He walked into the kitchen as she stood buttoning her coat. Grabbing her purse, she walked in to see him on the phone with his brows drawn in a frown. "What!" he shouted. Sylvia's eyebrows drew in, curious. "What the hell do you mean, she ran away? When?" Sylvia stood with her hand going to her heart for him. "So how long has she been gone?" "What are the police doing?" "Dammit! I can't believe this shit!" "Alright, alright...call me as soon as you know something." "I may just have to!" Shawn hung up and looked at Sylvia. "My daughter's run away from home."
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Series Two Episode Ten - Chapter 28 Earlier in the week... "I want outta here! I want outta here now! Why haven't you paid for my bail or something?" Ray pressed with flared nostrils, his index finger jabbing the table for emphasis as he consulted with his attorney at the Juneau County Courthouse. "Because you're a stupid-ass sex offender; no bail for you, idiot!" "Hey, don't fuckin' talk to me like that, you here t'defend me," Ray reminded him. It had been almost eight weeks since his attack on Sylvia Payne, his court date was coming up in a few days and he was starting to get nervous. Ray hated the thought of having to do time. He'd already done time once for a similar offence, which was the reason he was being held without bail. Every day that drew closer to that court date made him nervous, he had to find a way to get out. As soon as he'd recovered from that beating McPherson laid on him, he'd made his one phone call to Carl Brighton, who had in turn sent him the attorney that sat on the other side of the interview window from him. Ray had used that one phone call to get the message through to Carl loud and clear, that he had better see to it that he got cleared of this, that he didn't serve any time, because he knew thingshe wasn't stupid, so he didn't appreciate this fancy California lawyer whom he suspected was gay, calling him stupid. "Listen here, you gay fuck! If I go to trial, there's some people who'll be sorryI swear to god, they'll be sorry. Get me outta here!" The attorney sat and stared a moment, uncrossed his legs and stood. Before he departed his last words were, "Oh, you'll be getting out alright, be assured you will. I can guarantee it." "Yeah, well...make it quick!" Olivetti shouted as the lawyer disappeared from sight. "Let's go, Olivetti, interview over," the black guard called from the door. "I can see that, boogie boy!"
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The guard grinned. "That's why you got yo' ass kicked. Dumb mothafuckas like you never learn." "Yeah, well, kiss my ass!" "Ain't no need for me to, m'man...your cellmate gone take care o'that f'ya, or you be kissin' his." * * * "What!" he shouted. Sylvia's eyebrows drew in, curious. "Angelahas run away!" Deidre repeated, panicking on the other end of the phone. "What the hell do you meanshe ran away! When?" He held the phone to his ear, looking Sylvia in the eyes, his eyes instantly transformed to intense worry. "Sometime today. She left for school as usual, but when Paul returned, he said she was not there waiting for him as usual. I called the school, they said she hadn't attended school today. I couldn't believe it, so I went into her room looking to see if there was anything there that would give me a clue of what is going on; there was a note on her pillow. She'd written , I'm outta here! I then got on the phone and called you," she explained. Sylvia stood with her hand going to her heart for him. "So how long has she been gone?" "Shawn! I don't know! I just told you, she didn't go into school. I'm assuming she's been gone since this morning." "What are the police doing?" "They haven't arrived here yet." "Dammit! I can't believe this shit!" "They're here now...I have to go!" "Alright, alright...call me as soon as you know something." "Call you? You need to get here! Right away! Board the next plane!" "I may just have to!" Shawn replied, then hung up and looked at Sylvia. "My daughter's run away from home." "I know...oh, Shawn," Sylvia returned softly, sympathizing. "I cannot believe this shit is happening! When I left her, she was happy! Now all of a sudden, she's a runaway!" "Sowhat did she say? How long has she been gone?" Sylvia questioned. "Obviously she left sometime this morning, pretending to go off to school." "And she's just contacting you now? At this time of night? It's eight o'clock! What time is it in California?" Sylvia brought to his attention. "Hey! You're right, it would be six o'clock there! She said she went in her room, looked around and found a note saying 'I'm outta here!' and then got on the phone and called me. If she really did this after she got out of school, it would be much earlier in the evening...
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... What the fuck is going on!" he spat angrily, his insides twisting into knots. "Well, first, calm down" "Calm down hell! My daughter's out on the streets somewhere! In California, of all places! The worst place in the world for a runaway!" "I know, I knowI'm sorry. You're going to have to call her back in a few moments and question her more, you need to know more in order to work this out." "No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you," he apologized and pulled her into his arms, hugging her to make repairs as his mind raced. "Believe me, Shawn, I understand, you don't have to apologize." "I'm going to have to go there. I have no choice. I need you to go with me." Sylvia pulled back to look up at him. "Me? Why do you wish me to go?" He reacted with anger again. "Why the hell do you think? You're going to be my wife! I need you with me!" "Don't shout, Shawn! It's not that I don't want to be with you. It's just that, at a time like this, you don't need to exacerbate the problem by bringing me in. I don't think my presence there is going to help," she tried to reason with him. Shawn took a moment to blow and try to get a grip on his anger and fear, running his hand over the top of his head, scratching his scalp and turning from her. With his back to her, he leaned against his counter before the sink and said, "I want you with me, Sylvie. I don't want to go there alone. I'm asking you, please, to go with me." "Oh, Shawn" she groaned, her own fears surfacing. "Please, Sylvie! At least take the flight with me. We'll go straight to my condo, you can get comfortable there and I'll go to the house and talk to Deidre alone, but I need you with me," he explained while searching her eyes for her to understand. Sylvia stood with a uncomfortable look on her face, hesitating to answer. "Please, Sylvie." "Okay, okay, okay...I'll go. Get on the phone now and see what flights there might be heading out. Be prepared that there may not be any." "Thank you, sweetheart. I justI just need you to be there with me." "Okay. Let me head across the road and start packing, ring me with our flight plans," Sylvia conceded, heading for the door when the phone rang again. She stopped and turned back as he dashed back across the room and snatched up the phone. "Hello!" he barked, anxiety making him tense and edgy. "Daddy?" "Angela? Where the hell are you? What are you doing?" "Daddy..." she repeated and started crying on the phone. "Okay, okay. I'm sorry for yelling. Tell me what's going on, where are you?" "I'm-I'm in...MadisonWisconsin," she admitted timidly.
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"Madison! Madison, Wisconsin? How in the he-...world did you get there?" "I came with my friend's sister. She goes to a college here. We talked her into bringing me," she answered from the partially vacant airport lobby. "How old is she?" "Nineteen," she answered. "Will you come and get me?" "I'm on my way! It's going to take me almost two hours to get there! Don'tyoumove! Is there a security guard or a clerk somewhere near?" "Ummm, um yeah...there's a security guard here." She hesitated, needing to look around to spot him before she answered. "Get his attention, call him over and pass the phone to him...now!" "Okay..." He held the phone to his ear, looking at Sylvia, shaking his head in disbelief. "She's in Madison?" Sylvia asked incredulously. He nodded yes, hearing her call the security guard to the phone, then her soft voice telling him that her father was on the phone and wanted to speak with him. "Hello?" a man responded on the other end. "Yes! My name is Shawn Everett McPherson. That young girl there is my daughter! I need you to take her to your security office, out of harm's way. She's run away from my ex-wife in California on a flight there. I'm on my way now to get her, but I live in Camp Daniels, almost two hours away." "I see...actually, this is a matter for the police...not me." "Bullshit! You're airport security, aren't you?" Sylvia's eyes grew wide. "Shawn, don't curse at him," she whispered. "Yes, sir, I am but..." the man responded stunned, unsure of what to do, he withheld comment, having children of his own. "Look, man, I'm sorry. Call the police, if you wish. All I need to know is that my daughter is in safe hands until I can get there, I don't want her disappearing on me. Please, I'm on my way." "I understand, she'll be here," he returned. "Can I get your name, please?" He motioned to Sylvia to get him a pen and paper. Quickly she took off for it and then returned with both in hand, nodding as she used the kitchen table to jot down the man's name that Shawn called out to her. "Okay, can you please pass the phone back to my daughter?" Angela was back on. "Yes, daddy?" "You let that security officer place you in a safe area. I'm on my way." He hung up and rushed about, changing his shirt, putting on fresh socks and calling out to Sylvia as he did so. "Can you start the SUV for me?" he shouted from down the hall. "Shawn, call her mother!" she shouted, heading for the door. As soon as the vehicle was started, she clicked his automatic garage door opener. Just as she was climbing out, he was already entering the garage. "Just climb across to the other side, sweetie, you don't have to get out."
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"I'm not going," she said softly. "Dammit, Sylvia!" "I'm not going, Shawn! You two need to be alone. She's going to be uncomfortable with me present. She'll never tell you the truth about what's happening with her if I'm there. Don't shove me down her throat! Did you call her mother?" "She can kiss my ass!" he blurted petulantly. "Shawn, that's not fair! She called you!" "I don't have time for this...I have to go. You call her, tell her what's going on," he instructed, climbing in and buckling his seatbelt. Sylvia could tell he was not happy about her not going with him. "I don't know her number," she informed him. "It's in my phone book, in the living room on the table. I gotta go." He wouldn't look at her. Sylvia sighed. "Alright, go. Please be careful, don't drive like a maniac!" she finished, stepping away from the door so he could close it. He slammed it and looked at her from inside through the window. She didn't need him to say anything to read his dislike at her not going along. He slowly backed out of the garage, making the backward curve onto the road, shifted into drive and pulled off into the night. Shaking her head, Sylvia closed the garage door with the switch as she made her exit. Re-entering his house, she unbuttoned her coat and went looking for the phone book, the phone rang. Back in the kitchen, she reluctantly answered, certain of who it might be. "Hello?" A crackling line of silence, then following the obvious pause, "Ummm, I was calling a Shawn McPherson?" Deidre returned, with her temples throbbing, catching her breath. "Is this 608-799-0504?" "Yesit is. Is this Deidre?" Again a pregnant pause. "Yes, it is. Who is this?" "I'm Sylvia, Shawn's fiance." "His fiance?" "Yes...I was about to call you now. Shawn's on his way to Madison Airport. Angela called from there for him to come and get her." "Madison Airport? Wisconsin?" "Yes." "Oh, my god! How did she get there?" "I'm not certain, I didn't get all of that. Shawn was too upset and focused on going to get her to tell me. I'm certain it has to do with a friend or something, he'll call you when he gets back with her."
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"Well, you're not going to be there when they get back, are you? I mean, you're the reason all of this is happening!" Deidre blasted her right away, shaken to the core to actually hear a confirmation of her fears. She couldn't help but take her frustrations out on Sylvia because she was stuck with no ready solution to her predicament. Her mind was in a whirl to hear that Shawn was actually engaged, with her heart pounding and her ears ringing, she couldn't help herself. "Excuse me...may I suggest your focus be on your daughter, not on Shawn!" "I beg your pardon! My focus is on my daughter, who ran away because she's afraid of losing her father! Afraid that you may come between them!" "Well, she's here now, and I can assure you, I have no intention of coming between father and daughter." "It's a bit too late for that, you already have! You can thank your lucky stars my daughter is there safe! That nothing's happened to her!" "Honey, I don't do lucky stars - but you be my guest! Another thing, you best get off this phone and calm yourself down, because you' re talkin' stupid! Whether anything" {{ Click }} "Achyou bitch!" Sylvia shook her head and hung up the phone. "See, mess is startin' already! Already! Drama, drama, drama! I knew it, I knew it, I knew it! I need my freakin' head examined. What in the heck have I done?" She took several deep breaths to calm herself, leaning against his counter. Turning her head, she glanced down at the ring on he finger. "Dammit, I can't ever get my ass into little shit...I always gotta go squeezin' it into big shit! White man, ex-wives, and step-children!" She buttoned her coat back up, snatched her purse off the counter and headed for the door, making sure to lock it on the way out.
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Series Two Episode Ten - Chapter 29 "What are you doing? Where are you going?" Georgiana asked her daughter as she stood on the grand staircase, watching her bring down a suitcase and overnight bag. "I'm going to Wisconsin!" Deidre answered. "Wisconsin? What about your daughter?" Georgiana asked. "She's in Wisconsin!" Deidre called back as she rounded the bottom of the stairs. Georgiana turned and followed, asking, "How in the...how did she get there? You mean with Shawn?" "Yes! I just called him back after the police left. It appears that she somehow got a friend or someone to help her. She boarded a flight and is now at the Madison Airport. Shawn's on his way to get her. I'm on my way there now to bring her back home," she informed her mother just as her father stepped out of the study, hearing the tail end of their discussion. "Why don't you just leave her there with him?" he suggested, very serious. Deidre set her two bags down and looked at her father as if he'd suddenly grown two horns. "Are you out of your mind? She's my daughter, I'm going to get her!" "She doesn't wish to live here, she's made that clear, so leave her to her father." "Iwillnot!" "Oscar, you've lost all sense and reasoning!" Georgiana blasted, then turned to her daughter. "Ignore him, sweetheart. Give me a moment and I will grab a quick bag and go with you." "I don't need you to go with me." Deidre stopped her at the stairs. Oscar stood steaming and staring at his wife. She was so transparent to him, he knew the real reason she wanted to go. She was itching to find out exactly where McPherson was.
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"Well, you're certainly not going there alone, I insist! I won't have that snake taking advantage of you," Georgiana insisted, ignoring her husband's heated glare. She didn't care what he suspected. Her stomach tingled in anticipation of seeing Shawn again, she'd missed him on his visit to pick up Angela, and again when he'd dropped her off. This was infinitely better. If she knew where he was, thankfully out of California, it would increase her odds of bargaining with him. "Shawn has never taken advantage of me, Mother!" Deidre called from the bottom of the stairs looking up, waiting for her mother to stop long enough to listen. "Mother!" she shouted and received no answer. Snatching herself around, she cut loose on her father. "I've had it up to here with you! I've had it up to here with her! Why can't you both just stay the hell out my life?" "Ohhh, I don't knowmaybe it has something to do with the fact that you're screwing it up so badly, we're trying to help you salvage something," he answered sarcastically, having little time for her dramatics. He was too busy burning up from the inside out. Right then, his decision became final...he would kill Georgiana, somehowsomewayhe would end his humiliation, and then he'd figure out a way of getting the business from his daughter. Once he had full possession of it, she could very well bugger the hell off and do whatever the hell she wanted with McPhersonhe would have what he wanted. "Father, you know what...I mean this with absolute sinceritygo t'hell!" She ran up the stairs to find her mother. "You little bitch! Probably not mine anyway," he mumbled heatedly, turning away from the stairs to re-enter his office. "One thing at a time, ole boy, one thing at a time," he went on, circling his desk to get on the phone. "Mother...there's no need for you to go with me," Deidre began, entering her mother's room to stop her from packing. "You think you're going to get a flight out of here fast enough? You know better, dear. Trust me, this is the fastest way for you to get there to see about Angela. You do wish to collect your daughter, don't you?" Deidre sighed, sat on her mother's bed defeated, nodding she said, "I suppose so. I haven't even called an airline." "There you go. See, you're so riled up and upset, you're not thinking clearly. Don't worry about it, go and give the police a call and let them know that she's been found. As soon as I'm done packing, I'll have our private plane waiting. Well, don't just sit there, get moving." * * *
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Shawn sprinted out of the parking ramp of the airport, hit an icy spot, slipped, slid and caught himself as he stopped suddenly gaining traction on the clear pavement again, continuing his sprint without thought. His life was turning erratic once again. He couldn't make sense of it. No matter how hard he worked to make his life simple, peaceful, normal, things seemed to always come up and wreck the calm world he was in the midst of constructing. He was still sulking from Sylvia not coming with him, making him wonder if she really did love him after all. He called himself a thousand different kinds of fool for going this far with her, especially considering the many women who would walk over hot coals for him. "Not you Sylvia Payne!" he grunted, breathing hard, entering through the electric doors, heading for the ticket counter. "Excuse me, can you call security for me? I think the one on duty is named Phil Johnson?" "Yes, that's his name," the young clerk answered, then picked up her phone, hitting four numbers with the receiver to her ear. Shawn crossed his arms on the counter and laid his head there looking toward the floor, his nerves shaky as he blew out to get control of himself. "What's your name, Sir?" "Shawn Everett McPherson, I'm here to collect my daughter." "Yes..." she answered him, nodding that she understood and passed his identity over the phone. Hanging up, she informed him, "He'll be right out with her." "Thank you," he gasped. Standing, he turned and walked towards the water fountain across the lobby, bending to get a drink of water, on the fourth swallow, he heard her. "Daddy!" Turning back, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand as she ran into his arms from the far end of the lobby, the location of the security office. Breathing a sigh of relief, he watched the guard approach him with a smile of empathy. He was a man a bit older than Shawn, thin grey hair, slightly portly, white and his same height. With his daughter's arms wrapped around his waist, his left arm over her, he held his right hand out, "May I please apologize to you for my brisk manner over the phone? My guts have been turned inside and out over th'lass, I swear." Shawn's overwhelming sense of relief made his eyes water, shaking the other man's hand. "Hey, I understand. I have four myself, all girls! I know what you're going through," the other man assured him, squeezing and shaking his hand in turn. "That ones sure a beauty, you got good reason to worry." "Yeah, don't I know it. Hey, I owe you a drink or something." "Naaaw, don't drink...but if ever one of mine is out like this one, and you're there, return the favor." "You got it," Shawn promised and turned with his daughter, grabbing her large night sack from her.
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"Daddy..." "Wait until we get in the car," he stopped her, still holding onto her as they made their way to the exit, stepping out into a cross wind that took their breath away. That was when he realized she only wore a little jacket for California, nothing suitable for the cold winter winds of Wisconsin. He stopped, took off his jacket, and dropped it over her shoulders. Her long hair flew up and across him as he turned back and led her to the ramp car park. They made it to his SUV, with him opening the door for her. She jumped in grabbing her seat belt right away. Shawn slammed the door, got in on the drivers side and threw her bag in the back seat. As soon as he buckled his own seat belt and started his vehicle, a haunting song came on the radio, Forbidden Colours by David Sylvan. The tune made him bend over his steering wheel a moment to get a grip on his rioting emotions. "Daddy..." Angela tried again, her eyes moist. Shawn reached over and switched the radio low. "Why did you do this?" he asked, not looking at her. "I wanna be with you. Pleasecan I be with you?" He sat back, wiping his hand over his face, pinching his eyes, they were tired and burning. "Why didn't you call me first?" "I was so angry with mom, I just wanted to go. If I had called you, you would have tried to talk me out of coming." "I told you you could come this summer, did I not?" He finally looked at her. "I don't want to be with you just in the summer, I want us to be together all the time! So does mom! She wants it too, but" "Angela, don't start! I told you" "Daddy, please...please give her another chance! She's willing to give you another chance! She still loves you! She told me she did!" "What are you talking about?" "Mom...she wants to be with you again! She wants us to be a family again, she told me! She was looking for property to try and move here to Wisconsin so we could finally be together, but then, granddad said something to her, he made her change her mind. I was so angry with her, and him! So, I justI just left!" she blurted it all out, and then sank sideways in her seat facing her father in the dark running vehicle. Shawn was quiet a few minutes, letting it all sink in. He was quiet so long, Angela thought he refused to believe her. He snatched the stick into reverse and backed out, righted himself and pulled out of the parking ramp, his mind in a whirl. Angela chewed on her lip, trying to patiently wait for him to say something. It was a quiet ride through Madison as he made his way towards the interstate. When he finally came around to saying something, it was not what she expected.
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"Did your mother put you up to this? Is this some kind of game she's playing?" "Nooono, it was me! I did it!" "So how did you get a flight here?" "Remember my friend Zayna?" "Yes." "Well, her sister goes to Madison University. She was home from school and I went there all upset. I told Zayna I was running away from home. She talked me out of it, said I should just come to you. She went to her sister, told her if she didn't let me come with her, I would run away and get killed or something. Anyway, she agreed..." "You want me to believe, that on short notice, she just got you a ticket and a seat here?" "Yeah...there were a few cancellations." Shawn blew out, exasperated. "Yeah, well, she better hope we don't meet, she just leaves you at the airport! Angeladon't you ever, ever, do this again. I mean it! Not ever again!" "I told her I'd be alright, she was there when you answered the phone. I told her she could go." "Yeah...well, still, you cannot be doing this!" "Then let me stay with you and I won't." "I'm not going to be negotiating with you, Angela!" "Daddy, don't you see? If you and mom would just get back together, all our problems would be solved. What about that?" "It's not going to happen." "Why not? Mom wants it, I want it, why can't you want it, too!" "It's too late, Angela." "No, it's not!" "Yes, it is!" he corrected adamantly, pulling up to a red light. She sat hurt, angry, and desperate. Before he knew what she was about, she unbuckled her seatbelt and bolted from the SUV, darting out into the street, running pell-mell in whatever direction was clear. "Fuck! Angelaaa!" he shouted, and was forced to cut his wheel to the right, blowing his horn because he had to cross a lane in front of other vehicles to get over with his car door wide open, scratching other vehicles as he went. Speeding and breaking, he pulled onto the street she ran down, slamming his door, rushed to the other side doing the same, clicking it locked with his key remote switching on his alarm at the same time he sprinted off down the street shouting her name, trying to catch her, leaving behind car horns blowing and angry people shouting at him.
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Series Two Episode Ten - Chapter 30 Stress, tension, fear, and anxiety coursed through Sylvia's system as she paced back and forth, waiting for a phone call from Shawn as to whether he'd made it to Madison or not? Did he have Angela or not? Was she safe, secured with him or not? Waiting...waiting...waiting. Her guts tied up in knots. Adding to that worry was the fact that in every room of her house she walked into, there was a calendar hanging on the wall, and for the last two days, she had avoided looking at them. That night, right then, they seemed to come alive and mock her. As if they were connected to a spring loaded behind them, they seemed to eject themselves away from the wall at her if she dare walk by them and not look. "Look!" they kept calling out to her. "Look at me...check...check...check." "No! I won't...I won't." With her arms crossed over her breasts, Sylvia suddenly turned and glared at the radio. Phil Collins In the air tonight had the nerve to come on at that moment. Her clock chimed, it was midnight. "Where are you? Call me!" she cried out. "Something's wrong. Something is wrong! I should have gone with him! Why didn't I go with him? Damn you Sylvia! You should have gone with that man, and you know it." She sat down and grabbed her hair, frustrated. She sat up as a thought came to her. Coming to her feet, she went and grabbed her coat, putting it on and snatched her keys. Using the key Shawn gave her, she entered his home and went straight to the table by the sofa and picked up his phonebook and went back out, heading back across the road to her house. Once inside, she ripped her coat off and went to her sofa, sitting down she flipped through it to the M's. There was a list of McPherson's. Bart & Gert McPherson (mom & dad) Derrick & Meribel McPherson (brother sibling 1 & wife) Jake McPherson & Doris (brother sibling 2) Kathy Ann [McPherson] & Dwight Dearborn (sister sibling 1 & hubby) Shanna [McPherson] & John Sykes (sister sibling 2 & hubby)
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Sylvia sat staring at the names, wondering who to call. "Do I call your mom and dad? They'll be worriedwhat if there's nothing to worry about? NoI won't call them, maybe I should call one of your brothers? Derrick or Jake, Jake or Derrick? Or maybe I should call a sister? Damn you Shawn McPherson, you are wrecking my peaceful life!" She sat worrying over who to call, wishing the phone would ring. Then realized if she called one of them, she'd be tying up the line at the very moment he might be trying to call her. "Oh, hell no...this ain't right - this is not right! I am not suppose to be going through this. I knew your ass was trouble the first moment I looked at you. I knew it! Dammit!" She looked at the clock, it was 12:15am. She turned to look out of her window at his house, the living room and kitchen lit up as the house and her waited for him to return. "Come on Shawn, pull up. Pull into the driveway, please...pull in," she pleaded, and all of sudden, she burst into tears. Shocked at herself, she covered her mouth trying to stifle her crying, but a sob burst through until she was crying fullblown with her chest burning. She rose from the sofa and went to her room, throwing herself across her bed where her shoulders shook while she cried. She could feel it in her gut, something was wrong. She laid thinking about the time it would take him to get there, going into the airport, getting his daughter, and driving back. He should be there now. She wiped her eyes, went into her bathroom to blow her nose. Then she dared it, she looked at the calendar. She walked over to it, stared at the date that meant the most to her. Fifteen days ago, Shawn had taken her three times, no condom. "No condom...oh Shawn. You goddamn, pushy, controlling white man, I'm freaking late...I am soooo late! Oh please...come on. Please, my friend, come down, please!" She was ten days late now. Then she thought about it as she wiped her nose. "You're being ridiculous, what's ten days? You've been ten days late before a few times," she spoke out loud, trying to bring herself up out of her slump of depression, then after deeper thought, slipped in more. "But I wasn't having sex then when I was late!" she wailed, turning away, wiping at her nose distracted, the back of her hand clearing the tears streaming from her eyes. "What am I going to do? I'm thirty-eight years old...please, don't let me be...please, don't let me be." She couldn't even bring herself to say the word. By not saying it, that would make it not so, so she would dismiss it from her mind and just let nature take its course. She was overreacting. She would just not think about it and one day, she would wake to flooded sheets and a stained bed or underwear. Walking to the big picture window, she stood staring across the street. She turned looking at the clock. It was 12:40 in the morning. "Okay... you should be here now, pull up Shawn." The phone rang, she rushed to it. "Hello!" "Sylvia..." "Shawn, oh, Shawn! I've been waiting for you to drive up or call, where are you?"
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He was quiet, then finally he spoke, "I need you to come and get me, I'm in jail." "What? In jail!" "Yeah...will you come and get me?" Sylvia couldn't believe what she was hearing, "I'm on my way!"
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Series Two Episode 11 - Chapter 31 Sylvia sat with her eyes burning, her ears ringing, and her head spinning. She wondered if she were possibly having a nightmare. This cannot be happening...this cannot be happening, she kept repeating in her mind, then shook the thoughts. She could not hear what the officer was saying while thinking, this cannot be happening! "Are you okay, ma'am?" the officer asked, noticing her reticence to respond. "I'm just tired. Stunned...I can't believe this is happening," she muttered her thoughts. "Well, I can assure you that I understand how difficult this is. If you sign here and here, we can release him through the bond you paid. Then you can sign these papers to gain temporary custody of his daughter." "And if she doesn't wish to come with me? Then what?" Sylvia asked. "We've talked to Mr. McPherson, and we've spoken with her as well. She knows that if she doesn't agree to be in your temporary custody, she must remain here until morning, and then Social Services will pick her up until her mother arrives to get her." "She ran from her father, she may very well run from me. She's never met me, doesn't know me from Adam," Sylvia explained, weary with dread. "We're aware of that, so if you don't sign for her, she will have to stay here until Social Services comes for her. Give it some thought. I'll go and release your fianc now," the officer informed her as Sylvia finished signing for Shawn. He stood and left the small cold office of the Dane County Courthouse, leaving Sylvia to sit, shiver and think herself crazy once again for the wrong turn she made in deciding to bring him into her life. While she waited for him to be brought out, her mind went back over what had taken place as explained by the officer. Shawn had been driving back with his daughter, she grew upset with him, jumped from his vehicle in the middle of traffic, he damaged two other vehicles trying to get over to run after her. Those whose cars he damaged, pulled over and called the police.
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The police arrived, searching the area for him and found him on a side street arguing with his daughter, tugging her by the arm to get her back to his vehicle. The police got out of the car and approached them, when his hysterical and out of control daughter used their presence to get free from her father by refusing to return with him, and then blurting out, "He touches me!" Shawn was then arrested and his daughter taken under custody of the court. Sylvia leaned her face into her palms, her eyes closed with her elbows on her thighs, the accusation running through her mind. He touches meHe touches me! "Oh no, god...oh no, please don't let that be true. Please" she moaned to herself as she heard the door open, Shawn and the officer were talking as they entered the room. She sat up and looked towards the door. The look of him broke her heart. He was so weary and devastated. His eyes were ringed, dark and tired, with fine lines showing at the sides. The shadow of beard growth outside of that which was trimmed made him look rough, but his eyes, without hesitation, went straight to hers and clear to her heart. She was doomed. All she could do was pray as she stood when he walked towards her. Not a word was spoken between them, his arms went around her desperate, tight, squeezing. "It's not true, Sylvia. It's not true! I've never...not ever" "ShhhI'm here" "I can't! I have to say this now!" He pulled away, grabbing her upper arms in a tight grip. "I need you to know this...what she said, that I touch her...God almighty, I would never do such a thing! I would never! I need you to look at me, look me in the eyes and please believe me that it's not true...I would never, Sylvie! I would never do such a thing! God as my witness, I would never!" His eyes filled with tears, Sylvia's did the same and pulled him to her. On her tiptoes, she reached up and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "I believe you...I doI believe you!" He had her lifted up off of the floor, hugging her to him. "Echm...I, ummm, think we need to reach a decision concerning your daughter," the officer interrupted. The two pulled away from each other, maintaining eye contact another moment before turning back to the officer and taking a seat before his desk. Sylvia was the first to speak up. "This is all wrong, I know he didn't do what she's claimed," she tried to defend. "Ma'am, as I explained to Mr. McPherson, it doesn't matter that she's recanted her claim. Once such an accusation has been raised before witnesses, especially the police, we cannot release her back into the custody of the accused. Until the matter is proven to be an impulsive lie, we have to take it seriously and see to the protection of the victim, in this case, your daughter." "My daughter is not a victim!" "Well, sir, my hands are tied. She cannot be turned over"
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"Wait a minute here, slow down. Did you say she recanted?" Sylvia asked for clarification. "Yes, I did. She did admit to us that she was upset and angry with her father, and only said it because she wanted him to let her go, that she meant to hurt him. She didn't realize that it would get him arrested and into the trouble that's taken place thus far." "Well, what does that tell you?" Sylvia asked. "Ma'am, look. We cannot be certain of the reasons for her taking it back. Maybe it was the shock of seeing her father handcuffed, and to see him as upset as he was. You'd be surprised at how many cases come through, where what the child finally told was true but tried to take back, because having the courts take over is so upsetting to all involved. We, however, have no choice but to follow through, file a report and set up the necessary procedures to get the Child Welfare Department in on this, and Social Services." Shawn sat back saying not another word. He was still feeling body slammed. To hear his daughter say those words, to see the look in her eyes, he stared at her in abject disbelief, feeling as though someone had kicked him in the stomach. Having the police pull their weapons on him, shouting for him to release her, yelling for him to get down on the ground, had been the thing that brought him out of his stunned stare, had brought her out of her hysteria, making her suddenly realize what she'd done. The damage had been done, no matter that she began crying and yelling at the officers, pulling on their arms and crying out, "It's not true! It's not true! Don't do that to my dad! It's not true!" They hadn't listened, they could only hear her first claim. She was pulled away by an officer and shoved into a back seat, while Shawn lay getting handcuffed. "So, I can sign for her?" "I don't want you to, let's go," Shawn said suddenly, surprising Sylvia and the officer. They both looked at him. "Shawn?" Sylvia called his name, surprised. "I mean it, let's go. We'll give Deidre a call, let her know what's going on, and she will pick her up when she arrives." "But" Sylvia couldn't believe he was willing to do that. "Mr. McPherson, are you sure about that?" "Yes...I am. I...I don't know her anymore. I don't know what she'll do. If she could say what she said about me, knowing that I have never, ever done anything of the sortto my own chi" he stopped, clenching his jaw as his eyes pooled, his chest hurt. It hurt. His heart felt broken. He sat rubbing his chest, trying not to cry. Sylvia wiped her own eyes, reaching over to rub his shoulders, offering whatever support she could. Shawn cleared his throat and sniffed. The officer passed them both the Kleenex box, they grabbed two to wipe their eyes and dry their noses. Sitting up straight, Shawn stiffened his resolve, he looked up at the officer.
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"I love my daughter. I have always loved her, as any normal father would love his daughter. I have never put my hands on her in any inappropriate manner. Not ever. I come from a normal, hardworking family background. With a normal loving father, and a normal loving mother. I nor any of my siblings were sexually abused by our parents. Just as it was not within them to do such a thing, it is not within me," he swore before them both. Watching him, seeing the effects this was having on him, made Sylvia love him more. God help me if I am wrong about him, but he's not guilty of this. Nonot this man. I could not love a man guilty of something so vile and evil. As if he heard her thoughts, Shawn turned and looked at her. "You believe me, don't you?" "Yes, I do...I believe you." "Mr. McPherson, you may be telling the truth. However, until we are assured that you are, she stays with us, or goes into the care of your fiance." "She stays with you. If she takes off again, something worse could happen." "Oh, Shawn," Sylvia groaned, now thinking of how this was going to hurt Angela. "I completely understand your decision." "Am I allowed to see her before we leave?" "For all intents and purposes, maybe it would be wise if you just left." "I'd rather not. I don't care who is present, I just don't want to walk off and leave her, without her hearing from me why I'm leaving her here." "She's in the very next room, follow me," the officer informed them. All three stood and walked across the office to a connecting room where she sat nodding on a black leather couch. She became alert and looked up as all three adults entered the room. Her eyes went straight to Sylvia, held a moment, then to her father. Her eyes watered. "Daddy, can we go now?" Shawn inhaled deep and long, and blew it out walking toward her, but would not touch her or reach out. He knelt before her. "Look, umm" Before he could start off good, she launched herself at him, knocking him back a bit. He had to throw one hand behind him to brace himself from falling to the floor as his other hand tried to push her off of him, back to the sofa. "I'm sorry, daddy! Please, I just wanna go!" she cried, trying to hug him. Shawn kept pushing her away. Steadying himself, he reached up and pulled her arms from around his neck, forcing her back away from him to return to the sofa. He held her there to keep the distance between them. "I want you to listen to me," he tried again. "Let's just go, daddy, then we can talk. I wanna get out of here." She was shaking, short quick rocks back and forth, anxious and afraid, so sorry for hurting her father. "Angela, you can't go with me. Your mother will be here soon, I'll give her a call" "No! I wanna go with you!"
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"You can't go with me, do you understand? Not after what you said" "I didn't mean it! I didn't mean it! Please, sir, my dad didn't do that! He didn't!" She was sobbing. "Angela! Calm down and listen to me!" Shawn shook her gently to get her attention back to him after she turned yelling the truth to the officer. "Please, let me go with you!" she bawled. "No...you cannot be alone with me anymore...you're going to have to stay here" "They said I could go with Sylvia! You said Sylvia would be with me! She's here! Sylvia! Sylvia, I'll go with you! Please, I'll go with you! I don't wanna stay here!" Angela cried, turning pleading eyes to the black woman she knew was her father's intended. Right then and there, she just wanted out of that police station. The entire experience left her exhausted, scared, and traumatized. She didn't care that she didn't know Sylvia, going with her was better than staying in the strange cold police station. Sylvia started crying again. "Shawn...I'll sign for her," she pleaded gently. "No! I can't take the chance that she'll run again." "I won't run, daddy! I swear I won't! I swear, daddy...I won't run, please, daddy...I won't run! I'll stay with Sylvia! Don't leave me here!" she begged and pleaded, crying and shaking, grabbing her father's jacket and pulling herself to him, trying to force him to grab her. Shawn's knees were aching, he pushed himself up from the kneel and sat on the sofa with his daughter sitting next to him, hugging him and crying into his chest, begging him not to leave her. Shawn sat looking at Sylvia and then the officer. "What's it gonna be?" the officer asked, knowing this would be the outcome if he came in and talked to her before he left. "I'll sign for her!" Sylvia answered before Shawn could say anything. "Wait a minute!" Shawn corrected her and then to his daughter. "AngelaAngela, look at me." He grabbed her by the arms and pulled her off of him to make eye contact. Her nose was running, her eyes red and swollen from crying. The officer stepped up, passing the box of Kleenex again. Angela grabbed several out, blowing her nose, but she kept her eyes on her father. "If Sylvia signs for youIf we take you with us from here...you will not run! Am I making myself clear?" She was quick to nod. "I am your father and I love you with all of my heart and soul. But if you ever...ever pull what you did today again...that's it" "Shawn! She's your daughter, don't say" "Sylviashush! I'm talking here! Let me handle this!" Sylvia bit into her bottom lip and shut up. Right then, she felt certain their relationship had moved up to an entirely new and more intense level.
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This side of him, the man that dealt with his daughter in no uncertain terms, was startling. While, yes, he could flash a flirtatious grin, be charming beyond belief, was a incredible artist and a fierce fighter to protect her, he also showed himself to be very forthright and wouldn't stand for shit from anyone, that meant her included, so certainly not from his daughter. There were many faucets to his make up, each one only served to excite and fascinate her more with him. He was a real man, as gentle as he could be rough. With every new introduction to his character make up, she found herself falling deeper in love. While at any other time, with her first husband, she would have been angry at being hushed, now, she found that she wasn't. Something about his absolute masculinity, intensified her femininity to the extent that she would yield to him without dispute, because he was in the rightno matter how hard it was to watch. "Don't do it again, Angela...don't do it again. I am your father, you will not control my life doing what you did, or saying what you have. You do not dictate to me! Your mother and I, are done! We are done for good! But that does not have to change what we have. I love you no less...but you will not emotionally blackmail me! You will not use these theatrics to get your way! Life is about change! Things have changed in your life and there is nothing you can do to undo the change. Do you understand me?" She nodded, hiccupping and crying more. "If you want to be with me, you will be with me on my terms...mine! If I could work out you being with me always...I would. But know this, get it in your head, get it in your heart, your mother and Iwe are no more. That is final." "I'm sorry, daddy...Pl-pl-please!" Shawn sighed and pulled her to him and hugged her. "I'm sorry, too, pumkin'...I'm sorry, too," he returned, stroking her hair and looked up at Sylvia and the officer. "Okay...she can sign for her."
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Series Two Episode 11 - Chapter 32 "I'm not getting an answer from either place, his home or his mobile phone. I hope everything is okay. God, the least that he could do is call me!" "Considering that it's three in the morning there, he may have the phones off. Let's not worry over that now, we have a little over two hours left of our flight, you're better off getting some rest for when we get there." "I just hope to God he's gotten Angela." "If you haven't talked to him, how did you know she was there? You never explained that." Georgiana asked softly in the quietly gliding jet. The lights were dimmed for them so they could sleep. Her daughter lay across from her as she voiced her thoughts. Deidre was quiet and thinking, trying to figure a way of telling her mother, then thought, what the heck! "I called back after the police left to give him an update, and someone else answered the phone," she admitted. Her mother came to full attention, leaning up on her elbow to glance across the dimly lit space at her daughter. "A woman?" Wrestling with the discomfort of it, Deidre answered, "Yes, a woman." "Oh my...well, there you go. Hmph, see...and you were going to try and move where he is. Maybe it's a good thing you gave up those plans." "I made a mistake...so many mistakes," Deidre said, laying quietly. "How so?" "He asked me to leave California. He asked me to put our family first. He asked me to trust in him. To believe that all my material things meant nothing. He wanted me to follow him, have his babies, so that together, we could farm some land...just as his parents did. Raise our children unspoiled by all the trappings of wealth and corruption. He was right, because all that I have...means nothing to me. If I don't find a way out...I'll...end uplike you. God help me, I don't want to end up like you," she spoke from her heart, not caring how it sounded to her mother.
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Georgiana lay thinking about that, she chuckled softly after giving it some consideration. "Seems to me, you will never find your peace, or your place. You may not think much of my life, but I don't waste time on trying to fix something that is obviously irreparable. I live my life for me. Because when it's all over, I'll only have death to face. Nothing left after that. I don't believe in Hell, and I sure as hell don't believe in Heaven. Just hereand now," she said, laying back, her arm up over her forehead as she reclined contemplating her daughter. "You were such a silly child. Silly girl, and now a silly woman, and Shawn Everett McPherson was too much man for you." "When we get to Madison, do me a favor...leave me there. No need for you to stay." "Don't be ridiculous, you'resosensitive," her mother drug out slowly, grinning. "Now did I get all worked up when you insulted me? No...besides, you need me present to see that matters get taken care of correctly. She's my granddaughter, I have every right to make sure she's okay." "Whatever, mother, whatever. Were it not for the pictures of her arranged around the house, you'd probably forget what she looks like." "Beg your pardon, she looks like her father...so there. Anyway, who's this woman?" her mother asked, her mind going back to her main concern. "Her name's Sylvia Payne. Angela told me about her. Shawn's been seeing her for sometime, so it seems. She'sblack." "What! As in, African American black?" "Yes." Georgiana threw her head back and dissolved into uncontrollable laughter. "Ohhh, my poor daughter...give'im up! She'll eat you alive. Haven't you been watching Jerry Springer? Hmmm, I wonder what she's got that's attracted him? Oooh, I do so love a challenge," she muttered the thought, shivering. "You so love a challenge? What have they to do with you?" Deidre asked. "Oh, hush, I'm thinking. I mean, for you, of course! Leave it to me, give me a little time, and I'll come up with the perfect formula to break them up. Won't be that hard. One thing about them, they're about nothing but the bling-bling, being seen, and a fancy ride. I'll have to get to know her a little bit. So, when you talked to her, how did she sound?" "Like a woman!" "Well, duh! Of course! I mean, did she sound smart and white, you know, educated? Or did she sound like one of the bimbos off of Jerry Springer? Or country?" "I don't watch Jerry Springer mother, might I suggest you leave off from it as well? I would have thought you above those kind of talk shows." "You are so narrow-minded! Try thinking outside of the box! I happen to think he's a genius. Don't you get it? By opening the stage for them, he's making it possible to expose them all for what they really are...
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He's educating the world and giving them enough rope to hang themselves. Oh, when I think of some of them, I can't believe Shawn would even consider a relationship with one." "Excuse me, if I'm not mistaken, there are white persons on his show as well!" "Southern, hillbilly white-trash and rednecks! He can't only use the blacks, then it would be too obvious what he's doing." "Mother, you are truly twisted. The more I know you, the sadder I get. So if you would please, don't say another word. I'd like to get a little rest before we land." "Yes, yes, go to sleep, leave it to meI'll fix it as usual." * * *
It took another half an hour for the officer to list what was expected of Shawn. He could not return to his residence until the investigators of Juneau County searched his home from top to bottom, and confiscated his laptop and computer. At no time could he be left alone with Angela. Sylvia had to read over the release and check off all that she would be expected to do when they released Angela into her temporary custody. She had to answer a number of questions asked by the officer that all started with, "Do you understand that at no time..." She also had to sign for a release for them to run a check on her background, everything there was about her had to be run. Having done all that was asked and answering, it prompted her to state, "We're all too tired to drive back where we live and so we'll be getting a room " "He'll have to get a separate room. He cannot bed down in the same place with her. Also, you must both keep your cell phones on. As soon as the judge can attend to this matter, you will be called back to the courthouse, so stay in town until we contact you to appear before him. When you all return to your home, she will have to go home with you. She cannot sleep where he sleeps, until his things have been thoroughly searched and checked over by Social Services and they have spoken with her," he went on carefully until they understood without any doubt, making Angela slip deeper into her sorrow. Sylvia sat yawning as she followed behind Shawn in his SUV. It was almost 4:30am and they were all exhausted as he led the way to a Ramada Inn, after she drove him to his vehicle where Angela leapt out. She now trailed behind while she kept glancing to her right at his daughter. She was most certainly his child. Her hair, eyes, beauty...she was breathtaking to look at. The very image and essence of him. Hair so black, thick and long, she should be a child model. She was dozing now. Sylvia had mixed feelings surrounding the whole ordeal.
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While she was both hurt and disappointed at her for what she'd put her father through, she supposed this child was in an ugly emotional tug-of-war. Looking at her, seeing her the way she was earlier at the police station, only helped to support her reasons for never leaving her husband. Divorce did very unfair and sometimes tragic things to children, especially young girls, whose early years should be spent building their self image, character, and confidence. Not fighting for her right to have a mother and a father with her, as every child deserved. She couldn't help herself, she felt stupid doing it, but she took her hand from the wheel and laid it on her lower belly and wondered, was her cycle changing, or was she at that very moment carrying Shawn Everett McPherson's second child? If indeed she was, then what? She didn't want any more children. After what his daughter had put him through, would Shawn? She yawned again, and turned on her right blinker to exit the interstate for the Ramada Inn ahead, following Shawn up the off ramp. They pulled in and parked right next to one another. Shawn was the first out, coming to her side of the car and opening her door for her. "Are you okay?" he asked, concerned, apology clear in his tired eyes. With all that he had gone through, he was worried about her, she could see it written all over his face. She noted that there was even a touch of fear, insecurity for what he was putting her through. "I'm okay, Shawn, just tiredlike you. Angela's asleep," she informed him. He bent down into Sylvia's car and called his daughter awake. "Angela...wake up. We're at the hotel." She stirred and slowly turned, opening the car door and tried to get out, then remembered her seat belt. Unbuckling it, she got out of the car, shivering. Inside at the front desk, they requested two rooms right across from each other. Shawn walked them to their room, opening the door for Angela to go in first. He grabbed Sylvia's arm, held her there a moment looking at her, really searching her eyes. "I love you," he said softly. "Thank you for coming. For doing this, for going through it with me...and I'm so sorry to put you through it." "Well, I have no choice, Shawn, but to go through it with you. I promised to always be by your side, remember? I'm sorry I didn't come with you when you asked. I love you, I'm in it for good, as I promised." She lifted her hand and showed her ring to him, then winked. "You go get some sleep, we'll be okay," she finished. He pulled her to him and kissed her hard, next her cheek and forehead, holding her head to his lips as if he said a short prayer there. Pulling away, she turned and entered their room. Angela was in the bathroom as she walked with her bag Shawn gave her and sat it on one of the beds. She sat on the opposite bed, exhausted, waiting for Angela to come out of the bathroom. When she did, it was slowly. Leaning against the door frame, she showed herself gradually, as if ashamed, staring at Sylvia. "Does my dad hate me now? He didn't say goodnight to me." Her tears started rolling.
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"Ohhh, don't cry honey, come here...come sit down across from me." Swallowing and wiping her eyes, Angela came and sat across from Sylvia in the short space that separated their beds. She glanced up at Sylvia and then down, feeling shy and needing someone to understand how she felt. "I got my dad in a lot of trouble," she admitted softly. "Yeahyeah, you did." "I didn't mean to...I just I-I want themto be together so bad...I want things back the way they use to be, so bad that I thoughtI don't know." She shrugged. "I guess you don't really like me, either...after what I did." "Sweetheart, I've always anticipated meeting you. Seeing you because I know your father loves you so much. He's so very proud of you, always has been. Annnnd, I'm not about to judge you on tonight. I know that nothing has been easy for you since your parent's separation and divorce, so while what you did is not at all good...I wouldn't dream of holding it against you." "Would it make you mad if I said...I kinda wish he didn't love you...so he could love my mom again?" "No, darlin', hearing you say that is not going to make me mad. It's perfectly understandable for you to feel that way. In fact, it saddens me that you have suffered so with them having to live apart." "I don't understand why you're being so nice to me, when I've been wishing that my dad didn't love you." "You think that if I weren't here, your dad would love your mother again then?" "Well, maybe...if he didn't have you, there would be no reason for him not to at least listen to her." "What you say may be true, however, if there was no me, chances are there would be someone else. Your father is a very charming, kind, person. He's someone that is easy to love, so...even if I weren't in the picture, there very well could be someone else." "Yeah...I guess that's true. He is handsome," Angela said with a slight smile. "Sometimes, I-I wish I'd never been born. If I wasn't here, they could both just go on with their lives, and I wouldn't be so much trouble to them." "Honey, listen. First off, you were born and they don't regret you, so you shouldn't be feeling as you do. Believe me, when they fell in love and married, they hadn't planned on it turning out this way. No doubt they made plans to live together and be happy and raise a family." "Then what happened?" Angela asked, needing to know. "Things happen, Angela, other people happen, outside forces and circumstances. It's like...sometimes you make up your mind to do something for a certain reason. In your own head, you see how you want it to turn out. Then someone comes along and makes a mess of all of your plans...
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... Sometimes the mess they make is so bad, that nothing you do brings it back to the way you intended it to be. Like tonight, for instance. You made a snap decision to say that terrible thing concerning your father. Your plan may have been to shock him, make him take you seriously so that he would do things your way, howeverit didn't turn out as you planned it. The police were there and they took what you said, made a big mess of it. No matter what you said to try to fix it, it couldn't be fixed, the damage is done. Now because of that...your dad must live with the consequences of your actions...even though you didn't mean it to be this way." "I didn't! I swear I didn't!" "I know you didn't, sweetheart, but can't you see, Angela...it was the same for your mom and dad. Even though it wasn't the police that made a big mess of it, other people and things did. Annnd, no matter what your mom or dad did to try to fix it, it was too late, the damage was done...and you are the one who has to suffer with the consequences of it, even though they didn't mean for it to turn out this way. Just as you can't go back and make thiswhat happened tonight right, your dad can't go back and make things right with your mom. It's done for him, no matter what your mom wants, or you want, it's done." Large gray-blue eyes rose to stare into Sylvia's, making her catch her breath...this young girl really was stunning. "I wish so bad with all my heart and soul that I could go back and take those words back. Never say them, because my dad doesn't love me anymore now...like he doesn't love my mom." "Wrong...that's not true. Come here...come on." Sylvia held her arms out to her. Angela hesitated, then finally, she rose and went to her, sitting next to Sylvia who wrapped her arms around her. "Your father will always always love you. He's hurt...very badly...but he still loves you. Right now he's thinking about it all. He will reach the same conclusion that he always has, that you're his little girl...and he'll understand that all you've ever wanted, was to have him and your mother. Sometimes, you can want something sooo bad, that you do things that only make it worse, but that feeling inside...drives you crazy, makes you crazyand, baby, tonight you was crazy!" Sylvia chuckled. Angela grinned and sniffed, wiping her nose. "So he'll forgive me?" "Yeah...he will and he'll love you just as much as ever." "He didn't hug me, though, or kiss me goodnight. He doesn't smile at me anymore, either." "Give him some time, Angela, it's all still fresh, he has a lot to sort out with this. The next few months, maybe even the next year or more, is going to be really tough on him. A lot like what you've been going through since he moved away here to Wisconsin. Just like they need to give you time to handle what's happening, he needs time to get his head together to handle what the authorities are going to put him through. Even so, he will love you no less...
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... As for me, I can honestly say that I happen to like you a lot. You sat here and was completely honest with me. I respect that in you. So...let's just take things one day at a time, okay?" Angela nodded, then sat back away from Sylvia. "I'm really tired." "Yeah...so am I, let's try to get some sleep."
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Series Two Episode 11 - Chapter 33 If it wasn't for the connection sex had to lovethe cleaner, decent, wonderful, wholesome side of it, Shawn lay feeling he'd rather never have sex again. Yet there was Sylvia. She made him feel things so deep from within, the urge to connect with her, to fill her, was uncontrollable at times. She made the difference in what he felt about the act. Such a contrast from the women he'd known in the past. There were times when they actually got on his nerves because of the way they were with him, especially those that knew his size. He felt it was a repellent to have a woman throwing herself at him, willing to do anything to be laid. His head hurt, it was a headache from stress. He lay in his hotel room, on his back, head on his pillow, knees up, wearing only his boxers, arm slung over his eyes. Eyes that had been running with tears for the last half an hour. While he should be sleeping, would like to be sleepingas exhausted as he was, truly weary to the boneyet all of that was not enough to get him off to the land of rest, with his mind packed and racing with haunting acts and memories from his past. So much going on in his head that it wouldn't leave him to drift off. It had been a long time since he'd felt this blue, bummed out, downhearted...degraded. He swallowed and then sniffed, letting the tears roll, because he'd left off trying to wipe them away. "I knew it would all come back to me...one day, god. I knew it would. Butnot from my daughter...God Almighty, you know me! Not my sweet little girl. I would never...never" He stopped, feeling a sob well up from his prayerful mumbling. He sat up, walked to the white marbled bath and pulled the Kleenex box from the encased holder under the sink. Blowing his nose, he stared at himself in the mirror. There was so much to regret. He thought that his past was just that, in the pastall behind him.
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Yet it seemed not to be true that one could bury their past and leave it there, because there would always be reminders to bring back to you what a low state you had sunk to. Shawn stepped over to the toilet, lifted the lid and parted his briefs to relieve himself. Standing there holding his penis, the size of which was a gift from his father, had at times in his life become a curse to him. Of course, with no one else to blame but himself. Giving himself a quick shake then a dry off with the toilet paper, he washed his hands and went back to his bed, propped himself up against the headboard and flicked the TV on. Not watching, just thinking...about his life and the stain on it. There had been no need for his checkered past, yet he certainly had one. He'd come out of high school resentful, tired, angry, cocky, full of himself, and wanted by many of the girls. He had been lead player in high school football, wrestling, hockey, top swimmer, and track runner. He remembered clearly that back in high school, he could make a girl wet her panties just by leaning her way, touching her, flashing his eyes, giving her a smile. The phone was constantly ringing off the wall at home which drove his parents crazy. Anyone who answered it, just about knew that it was for "Shawn! Phone!", "Girl name Karen on the phone, Shawn!", "Christine Shawn!", "SophieShawn!", "BrendaShawn!", "Sarah JaneShawn!" He shook his head as he remembered his younger sister, Kathy-Ann, having a fit. "Shawn, Shawn, Shawn, Shawn, Shawn! We not your daggone answering service! Silly twits, you don't even like any of them! Tell'em to stop calling!" she shouted, upset because she was always waiting for a phone call, yet he would be on the phone or it would be for him. As for when he was home from school, no matter what the girls thought he was, there, he was eldest son of five with plenty to do. His dad stood for no nonsense when they arrived home from school, especially him and his brothers, they had work to do, helping their father on the farm. If his dad came in and caught him with the phone in his hand when he had chores to see to, one look would make him hang up. Bartholomew Jacob McPherson was a strong, stern father who tried to keep his five children in check. He saw to it that they went to church every Sunday, like it or not. He was a Baptist, his wife had been a Catholic. She'd given up her beliefs and sided with her husband after a few discussions, agreeing with him on many issues, and so, converted easily. Sunday after church, he would take them all into town as an end of the week outing, giving his wife a break from cooking. They'd be sitting at their table at the steak house, and Shawn would have to endure the girls giggling and walking by trying to get his attention, speaking to his parents, being ever so polite and mannerly. "For heaven-sake! A body can't even enjoy Sunday dinner without them hovering about trying to get your attention!" his mother would grumble, eyeing him. It was her fault, his looks.
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He was the only one of the five who looked just like her. Everyone who knew her always said she was a definite match as an Elizabeth Taylor lookalike. Some figured she was a bit prettier, if that could be imagined. Shawn was the masculine version of her, thanks to his father, who added a few features that turned him out as a true handsome young man. His father stood 6'3, while he stood 6', thanks to his mother who was not quite Sylvia's height of 5'4. As a first child and son, beautiful from birth, he had been doted upon. Bart was intent that his son turn out right, and so increased his efforts to keep him from being a wimp, a softy. He worked him hard daily, disciplined him by word as well by strap, if need be - sometimes more than his mother cared for. From his father, he received no preferential treatment. Even so, when he deserved a reward for something well done, his father had given him his pat on the back in many ways, including his art set at fourteen, mainly encouraged by his mother and then his very expensive photography equipment when he graduated from high school. When time for college came around, his mother had it in hand. Her family had been wealthy, but she had walked away and left it all for Bart, no material things meant more to her than the man she set her sights on to marry. When she left, her father, loving her as he did, was generous and placed two hundred thousand dollars in her own bank account. She never touched it. She said that was for her and Bart's babies when they were ready for college, so it sat gaining interest. By the time Shawn was ready for college, all three sat and had a talk on how he would use it and where he would go. That's when his life started taking a wrong turn. What he wanted to do with his college money, his parents wouldn't agree to. It was for college and college only. The discussion escalated to the point that Shawn, in his young foolishness, shouted at his parents for the first time. "Keep the money, then! I don't want it! Don't need it!" he informed them, knocking his chair backward with the thrust of his body as he stood from the table, college wasn't the only reason he lost it that one time with them. "Have you lost every bit of sense the good lord gave you?" His father stood next. It was obvious to Shawn, he was in danger of being knocked out. His father could do it, too, the man was as strong as a bull and could be just as mean. Shawn stood back a bit, not willing to go up against his dad. "I'm leaving," he finally said. "Keep your money. I have what I need to make it," he said in a quieter voice. "Son...don't do this. All your dad and I want you to do is go the slow, careful way. Haven't we indulged you in your talents? We know you want to draw, paintbe a photographer, but the right way to do it is to go to school. Get all the other skills, learn things that will support you while you grow as an artist. Purchase for yourself a degree, then pursue this," his mother tried to reason with him.
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"What are they gonna teach me that I don't already know? Why should I have to pay for something that I already have!" he'd argued, haughty, resentful once more, bold with them for the things he held against them in his mind, his heart. "But that's all you have, boy! You need to fill your head! This world is changing! You need that schooling! That's all your mom and I have talked about, the blessing we have to be able to send our kids off to good universities. Don't waste it, Shawn! Don't take this direction...I swear, boy, 'cause if you do, you gone regret it one day! I don't know when, I don't know how, but if you keep going as you doyou're going to look back one day and hate what you've done, and how you've wasted the opportunity to be something better than us. I'm telling you, son." His father had pleaded with him, showing some regret himself over things he felt his son must hold against him. Shawn's head lay back on the wall, hearing those words come back at him now, and it wasn't the first time they came at him. Young and foolish, he'd gotten up in the middle of the night and took off. Leaving his family with a note that said, "I'll show you. I know what I'm doing. This is my life, and I'll make it big, and I won't use your money to do it. Don't want anything from either of you." He withdrew all of his savings that his mother forced them all to have as they grew up from allowances. $5,000it had seemed like so much money. With his camera and photography equipment, as well his art supplies, he boarded a bus, one among several with the connections needed to bring him to Los Angeles, California. Nothing had turned out as he'd planned it. He'd gotten an apartment, which was eating through his money faster than he figured, and couldn't find a job. At eighteen years old, no one would give him the time of day as far as photography was concerned. Forced to survive, his first real job was painting houses and cleaning windows. Ends weren't meeting, so he started waiting tables in a really swanky restaurant. Depending on the tables he waited on, and the charm and smiles, made the difference in the tips he received. Older women were big tippers, huge tippers. That's when he remembered the one tool he hadn't used yet...his looks, his stature. Women loved him, the more he flirted, the more things started working for him in terms of a good day at work or a bad one. It was then when one of the black cooks said to him when they were in their break room, "Man...white boy like you, wit' them looks, if you had a big dick...you could make some money...some serious cash!" "What's the size of my dick have to do with anything?" "Man, com'on! Mothafucka, you know what I'm talkin' 'bout! Layin' pipe fo'cash, boy! It's big bidness in pumpin' the dog, man! Way you got som'o these women lookin' at you? How's it hangin', man...or does it hang? Or you a thumb buddy...lil' twinkly-dink!" Jesse laughed as he wiggled his thumb. Shawn shocked him by unzipping his pants and pulling himself free.
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"How much will that get me paid?" he asked, not realizing what he was getting himself into - trying to be smug, smart and shocking. Jesse jumped up, laughing and holding his hand high to slap Shawn's for a high five. "Whoa, man! Hell naaaw, where you get that big dick from?" "M'daddy." Shawn grinned. "Yo'country ass! Let's go, dude, we gone have to thank papa lata'! I got an idea, 'Chocolate and Vanilla swirl, gone take you on a trip around the worl', lay a little bit here, an' a little bit there, 'nough for every woman or girl'! Hell yeah, we gone do this! We gone be one fuckin' team!" And they were, Jesse was right. They were getting paid and getting laid, in every way imaginable. They became close friends, guarding each other's back. Jesse thought they'd do better pooling their incomes, and so moved in together. Shawn remembered his old friend with a smile. Jesse was five years older than he was. Always laughing, making fun, and keeping him in stitches. He taught Shawn how to walk and carry himself. "Look'heh, boy, I'mo teach you something! You got to polish yo' shit, man! Don't be walkin' like that! Relax, check me out! See that, tha's how you walk. Hold yo' bidness, man, shooot, I'm tellin' you. Women love this shit!" "I'ah look stupid walking around like that!" Shawn had protested. "Yeah, shit...you right. 'Cause either you got it, or you don't! Hey, but that's okay, I'mo have to help you wit' what you got." And so he had, with the next thing. "Boy, you need to work yo' ass out! Look at'you, man!" "What's wrong with me?" Shawn had protested. "You need definition. Abs, boy! Pop them muscles, rock-hard that butt! Look at my fine ass! Maaan, I take my shirt off, five women be on the flo', three wit' they legs spread! Shiiit...I'mo get you straight! And, mankeep yo' willy protected! Don't fuck nobody wit'out yo' shit on! I'on care what nobody say! Shield yo' shit! Maaan, there's some stuff out there that will shrivel that son'vabitch to nothin'! I ain't playin', boy, better take me serious!" Shawn did. Jesse had him working out, told him he didn't need to smoke, and he didn't need to drink. Saying that he needed, "To keep that hard-on reliable! That's yo' ticket, man! Pump that iron, but leave them steroids to the dummies, tha's another thing shrink yo' shit!" On and on he would go, and they grew closer. While Shawn began feeling protective of Jesse, Jesse felt protective of Shawn. So close, they were beginning to feel like brothers. They came as a team, or they didn't work at all. Shawn had surprises of his own, he cooked dinner and made Jesse some catfish and greens. "Hang on! You cook this shit?" Jesse asked, shocked in between a forkful of greens, pinching off the corn bread and then diving into the catfish. "Sure did," Shawn bragged. "My mom made me cook sometimes, when she and dad went off to take care of business that had them in town all day. She would lay it out, tell me how and leave me to it."
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"Boy! Aww, man...this what I'm talkin' bout!" Jesse complimented as he cleaned his plate. "You damn near good as me! That's sayin' something!" They went on for more than a couple of years that way, getting to know each other, sharing their past lives. Jesse telling him about his father. "My ole man was a trip. Mean mothafucka! He didn't know us by name, it was always...Lil' mo'fo, nappy head mo'fo, black ass mo'fo or ugly mo'fo! We all knew our names! Man, I got tired o'that...hell, I just up and left. I ain't gone be like that with my kids when I get married." "You wanna get married?" Shawn had asked. "Hell yeah, I do! You'on think I'mo be a worthless piece o'shit all my life, do you? I'm gone be a father one day, but I'm gone be a good one. I ain't gone be doing all that cussin'! Yellin' and carryin' on. And my woman...that's where you gotta be careful! Yo' woman got to be right! Like these lil' silly bitches that be all over us cause of our clothes, what we drive, and the money...and the dick! Man, no way! Em-um...hell naaaw! I want me a uppityass, stuck up, could give a shit if I'm coming or going, clean and got her shit together, fine-ass black woman! She got to be moral, straight, and lovin' herself! That's what I want. Man...if you can find a good woman like that? Yo' ass got somethin'! One that you got to work yo' ass off to get. But she got to be straight! Black woman like thatpriceless! That's what I want. That's what you should hold out for." "I see, a black, uppity-ass woman, but she straight!" Shawn teased. "Mothafucka, don't play wit'me! You know what my ass mean! A white one for you, of course! Yo' young ass!" Jesse grinned. More than two years in, one day, they showed up on the set and things went wrong. "No! Do you hear me, no! We ain't doin' that shit, man! I ain't that low...and neither is he!" Jesse protested, realizing what was happening before Shawn. "What's wrong, Jesse?" Shawn had innocently asked. "Look over there, that's what they want us to do! Hell goddamn no! I don't do little girls! They can't be older than twelve, maybe thirteen - if thatno sir...no way!" Jesse was adamant. Shawn was horrified. It was bad enough that his conscience wrecked him at night over the way he made money. He would never live down the shame if his family knew, his mom and dad, brothers and sisters. But thishe stood staring with his heart pounding. They were obviously runaways. Both sat holding the other's hand, eyes wide and frightened. "You two signed a contract! You don't tell me who you'll screw, I tell you!" Dabney Harris started arguing with them. Jesse stood up front, shaking his head. "Man, you can kiss our ass! Bring me a woman, bring me an old wrinkled ass, pruny looking mo'fo...but no...I don't do babies! I draw the line at that shit! You sick mothafucka! How dare you! Let's go man!" Jesse had turned to him, grabbing Shawn by the arm to steer him out. "You can go, we can get a nigger with a big dick anywhere, but he stays!"
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"Nigger? Who you callin' a nigger? See, tha's yo' problem. I ain't that kinda nigga! You is though, you nasty little white-ass worm!" "Get the hell outta here 'fore I have your ass kicked!" Dabney shouted. "Youyou stay! He can go!" "I'm not staying here! I'm not doing that, you sick prick! We're out of here! And turn them loose, too, or else we're calling the police!" Shawn demanded. Jesse groaned then, it was the wrong thing to threaten when they hadn't gotten out of the door yet. All of a sudden, three men were on them, they had to fight for their lives trying to get out. The little girls were screaming and then Jesse pulled out a gun. Shawn hadn't known he had it on him. He shot Dabney and one of the men on Shawn, yelling, "Runget yo' ass out, now! Get the police!" Shawn had gotten out, hearing gunshots behind him, thinking that Jesse was following him. When he looked back, one of the men was shooting at him. He ducked and made it around the corner, just as a bullet struck the corner of the building he disappeared past. Running with his heart pounding, he searched for the police, but there was none in sight. Their car had been parked down the alley of the building they went in to work at, so he couldn't go back for it, and Jesse had the keys. By the time he got to a phone booth, called the police and returned to the scene, there were bodies being removedJesse included, as well as one of the little girls. Shawn had spent two years on probation, after charges were brought against him. Agonizing over the death of the best friend he'd ever had, he returned to the restaurant where they'd met. A female customer recognizing him from work he did for Dabney, asked him if he wanted to make a quick $1500. At first he turned it down, but considering his losses, he need that money and now. He agreed, and found himself leaning back, having a mold made of his erection. With a few females assisting him, stroking him, he was able to keep himself rigid long enough for the mold to set. Thus, now in various parts of the United States, there sat waiting to be purchased, hanging from a product hook, a dildo called Oscar Delight, and in fine print the package promises, "Nine inches of thick pleasure! No more unful-filling nights!" None, of course, knew it was made from Mr. Shawn Everett McPherson. With the money, he tried to use it to help him purchase paint supplies to get back into it, something that he'd neglected when he arrived in California. Problem was, after investing the money, being hungry many days, without lights and the danger of being evicted, he had to face the heartbreak of his paintings not selling...no interest in them, whatsoever. Oh, he sold a few here and there, but the money was just enough for food and a few other extras. He went back to the restaurant where he worked for three years, doing the occasional porn movie for cash payments until at the age of twenty-four, when he was talked into working for a women's club.
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Melba's...there, it wasn't too bad. He got to dress up in stupid costumes and grant women their fantasies. $500 plus tips a night, three nights a week. The louder and longer he made them scream in pleasure from their climax, the bigger his tips. A couple of them kept requesting him again. Then an older lady in her sixties talked him into being hers exclusively, full time. He didn't understand why, because all she had done with each visit was talk to him. Her fantasythat he was her son, coming home to visit and dote on her. Merriam Eleanor Styles, the one person he was happy to belong to...all she seemed to want was missed affection from a child. She was lonely, missed her son who had been killed a few years previously, and in her own way...she became Shawn's hero. He lived with her, took care of her, talked to her, spoiled her. In return, she travelled all of Europe and took him with her. By the time they returned he was thirty, and she was talking him into returning to school, willing to finance him in his dream of getting a degree in Commercial Arts, Visual Communications, Business Management and Marketing, and also courses in Architecture and CAD. In his third year, he met Deidre. She carried herself with a quiet aloofness that captured his attention. While she had taken notice of him, there was no fawning or drooling and acts to get his attention. He went for her because she had class, carriage, elegance, and a soft manner. He told Merriam about her and with a smile, she blessed him in pursuing the girl. While they dated, Merriam got him his first cover art job. He was elated! That one led to another, then another and then another. Following that, Deidre became pregnant. Feeling as though his life was finally turning around with so much to be happy about, he talked her into marrying him, he had wanted a big wedding and to take her home to meet his parents. She pressed for an immediate ceremony and he gave in. One year later, Merriam Eleanor Styles died, leaving a fourth of her wealth to Shawn. Shawn's closed lids felt stuck to his eyes, unable to open. There was an intrusive sound forcing him from his sleep. A ringing...his cell phone. He lay across the bed, barely able to lift his head, trying to get his eyes to open. Feeling around on the side table by his bed, he knocked it on the floor, then searched for it with his eyes still shut; wondering about the time. Bringing the phone to his ear, his thumb clicked the talk button. Smacking his dry mouth, he could barely speak. "Hello." "Shawn?" "Yeah." He throat was croaky from a deep sleep that he wanted to return to. "It's Deidre! Where are you?" "Inbed," he answered, feeling himself about to drift back off to sleep. "What timeis it?" he asked. "It's 8:30! Where's Angela?" Silence...Deidre waited. "Shawn! Are you there?" she shouted.
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"Yeah! What?" he snapped, cranky from lack of sleep. "WhereisAngela?" "She's...with...Sylvia." "Sylvia! That woman, Sylvia?" "Yeah," he mumbled. "Where are you? Where is that? Where is she?" "InMadison...a hotel. We're sleeping...call back later," he said. "Which hotel? Why is she with Sylvia and not you?" "Callbacklater!" He clicked off, dropped the phone, and turned over.
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Series Two Episode 12- Chapter 34 Sylvia lay unmoving. Her eyes opened. Discomfort strong enough to wake her, made her lay for a moment to understand where it was coming from. Then she realized what it was. Her breasts were aching from laying on her stomach. She turned slowly to her back in the bed of the comfortable hotel room, shifting her covers slowly as she turned her head to look over to the bed next to her. Shawn's daughter lay there sleeping. She was in a deep sleep, the sound of her soft snoring filled the otherwise quiet room. She turned her head towards the window and saw sunlight shining through the slits of the curtains. Suddenly her mouth grew very moist as nausea washed over her. Her eyes grew wide. She stayed still, willing it to go away. Forced to swallow, the nausea continued. "Nooo," she whined softly to herself. Swallowing again, she closed her eyes. Her hand went down over her rib cage to her lower belly. "I can't be," she whispered softly to herself. Thinking back to her other two pregnancies, she reflected on the time she knew she carried Crystal. Morning sickness had started almost exactly two weeks after her conception. This was now day sixteen since she and Shawn made unprotected love to each other. "Oh Shawn, we really don't need this right now," she mumbled, wishing the nausea would pass. She lay wondering was he up yet. She turned and looked at the digital clock next to her bed, it was 10:40am. She couldn't get back to sleep and wasn't going to try. There were things they all needed, like toothpaste, a change of clothes, deodorant. She slowly sat up, and sure enough, a stronger wave of nausea surged within. Again she sat still on the side of the bed, wishing she had a saltine. Looking behind her, she checked to see if Angela was still sleeping soundly, and she was, tossing her head the other way for her hair to stream down the side of the bed. Taking a deep cleansing breath, Sylvia stood and waited to see what would happen. The queasiness was still there, but nothing stronger. She walked to the bathroom and used it, washed her hands, splashed her face, and shook her head gazing at the way her hair looked.
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Running her fingers through the thick wavy mass, she shook the bedhead flat area out with her hands because she didn't have a comb on her. Coming out of the bathroom, she grabbed her jeans from the chair and put them on. Then her socks and shoes. She went to Angela's bag to see what was in it. She'd packed for herself, four pair of pants, three shirts, socks, underwear, a comb and brush, toothbrush, perfume, a little girl's make-up compact, a diary, and her little pink wallet. Sylvia set it down. There was no deodorant or toothpaste. She would have to go down to the gift store and pray they had some of the things she and Shawn would need. Taking the pad by the phone, she wrote out a note for Angela just in case she woke up while she was gone. Grabbing her purse, she quietly left the room. Down in the gift store, she bought two tubes of toothpaste, two toothbrushes for herself and Shawn, deodorant for him and one for her. She thought he might need a comb, so purchased him one; clean shirts for them both, T-shirts would have to do, a shower cap, shower cream and lotion for her and Angela, the day's paper, a teenage magazine for Angela and a few of the little cheese and cracker snacks, skip the cheese, she needed the crackers. Entering their room, Angela hadn't moved, she was still sound asleep. Nibbling on the narrow saltines, again she wondered if Shawn was awake yet. He couldn't be, or else he would have called or been over there. Knowing that either of them could wake any moment, she jumped in the shower. Washing over her body, little could be denied with her breasts proving to be sore and achy, her nipples were very tender. She refused to dwell on it. She just couldn't, not now...there was enough on her plate. Going through her afterbath routine, she dressed, put on a little face powder that she always carried in her purse, and some lipstick. The smell and taste of it made her mouth water, she was queasy again. She ignored it and went out of the bathroom, straightening up the room. Angela slept on. It was 11:30am. She grabbed the things she bought for Shawn and again left a note for Angela to get in the shower if she woke while she was across the hall, to get dressed so they could have breakfast. She tapped on his room door, within seconds, he snatched it open, surprising her. He was on his cell phone, obviously just awakened by it and not happy, holding the door open for her to come in. She did, sitting the things she bought for him on the TV table. He was standing in his boxers. "Angela is still asleep, Deidre, and before we meet you, we're going to clean up and have breakfast," he said, Sylvia stood staring at him as he talked. He was certainly bed-head fresh and grumpy. His eyes looked a bit puffy as well, as if, he'd had a hard night...dare she imagine it, he'd shed a few tears. The thought of him in that room alone, sobbing in silence, made her look away from him. Her feelings of protectiveness, coupled with the need to take care of him, was surprisingly overwhelming.
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Going through her mind was the possibility that he was the father of her next child, should all symptoms prove to be what she was unable to face at that moment. He was rubbing his eyes, leaning against the bathroom door, holding the phone to his ear. "You know what...I'm not in the mood for this. I have your number, I know where you are, and I'll give you a call as soon as we get our shit together. Go shopping with your mother or somethin', I don't know." He sighed deep and looked at Sylvia, reached over and lifted her chin to make eye contact, then gave her a weak smile and a wink while his thumb caressed her lower lip gently. He brought his hand away, keeping the eye contact with her. His gentle gesture, seeing that smile and wink, relieved her a bit. No matter how bad his mood, he wasn't going to take it out on her. She knew that Deidre was on the other end, and wished they all could get along better, but considering the way the woman was with her, he just might have his reasons for being short with her. "I told you because she had to!" Sylvia figured that they were no doubt in the midst of a small argument over why Angela was with her. "Because!" He refused to explain now. "I'll tell you about it when we get together!" he answered, growing more upset. "No! I'm not gonna tell you now! Now let me off the fuckin' phone!" Shawn let out a deep sigh, listening, then looked to the ceiling rolling his eyes with the shake of his head, softly he apologized, "Don't cry. I'm sorry for cursing at you. I know you've gone through a lot. Yes...I understand." More pauses and listening. Sylvia thought she better leave him to talk alone and went to exit the room. He grabbed her arm, pulled her back, shaking his head at her, wanting her to stay. "Deidre Deidre Deidre...let me off the phone, the sooner we get it together here, the sooner we can meet." "Yes! She will be there with us! Most certainly she will." Sylvia didn't need to be told who the she was. "You'll find out what it has to do with her when we meet...goodbye!" He clicked it off, whether she was done or not, and stood looking at Sylvia. "Let me go wash my mouth out. My breath, no doubt, smells like shit." Sylvia grinned and passed him a toothbrush, the tube of toothpaste, deodorant and a new T-shirt. "Here you go, take care of everything. While you're in there, I'll go check to see if Angela is awake yet," she told him, heading for the door. "Hey, it's a new day, another morning, you still love me?" he asked in such a little-boy-like voice, it gripped Sylvia's stomach. "Oh, Shawn, of course I still love you," she said in the open door. "It sure would be nice sometime, if you said it first," he whined. She chuckled. "I'll have to work on that, promise...now go clean up." "Well, can I hear it?" he asked.

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"I love you," she reassured him, smiling, and then headed across the Angela was just sitting up when she walked in the room. "Good, you're up. I brought some toothpaste and deodorant for us. There's also shower cream, lotion, and the shampoo and conditioner the hotel provides. We need to get moving, your mother is here." Up until she said that, Angela was drooping, still sleepy, but hearing that her mother was there in Madison perked her up. "Here! In Madison?" she asked with a panic-stricken look on her face. "Well, yeah, surely you knew she would come for you?" Sylvia asked standing by the TV stand in front of the bathroom door. "Not this fast! I don't wanna go back with her! I don't! I wanna stay here! Please, Sylvia...I wanna stay here!" she started right away. "Ohhh, Angela, under the circumstances, you can't, sweetheart. Perhaps if what you said hadn't been said, the courts might hear you out and give you more time with your dad. But now, I'm certain they wouldn't hear of it." She started crying. "I can't believe I'm so stupid! What am I gonna do? I don't wanna go back there, Sylvia! I hate it in that house! They don't even like me there! They never talk to me, only my mom does! When I'm there, they expect me to stay up in my room all the time! I can never have any friends over! I can't have a cat, a dog, nothing! I don't wanna go back!" Sylvia stood listening in sympathy for her, but was at a loss of what to do. "What about when you get to visit your friends? Won't you miss them?" "Grandfather doesn't allow me time with friends. He says people with means and wealth shouldn't be with people that don't have what we have. It makes them think they can just drop over, or borrow money! Or use me to get in to see what we have so they can plot to steal it!" "What!" Sylvia asked incredulous. "It's true. I only see my friends at school. Or when my dad comes, he'll go get them and then take us all out and bring them back to the condo, so we can play in the pool, and he barbecues for us and stuff, he's always let my friends come over. But...mom can't, because we live with her mom and dad." "I don't understand, why your mother doesn't have her own home?" Sylvia asked, growing angry at the thought of this child having to live like that. "I don't know. Grandfather says it makes no sense for her to move out, that that house is plenty big enough for all of us. Once she moved out of the house she and daddy had, she just never looked for a house for us." "Does she know how you feel living there? Have you told her all of this?" "She knows, she lives there, too. I mean, she takes me places and stuff. To the movies, out to eat...but...she works at that big office building most of the day, so we can only do stuff on the weekends." "I see, well...come onget in the shower, we have to go before the judge. They'll be calling us pretty soon, no doubt, now that your mom is here...
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...chances are, he'll hand you back over to her and that will be that," Sylvia explained, so sorry to see her so unhappy as she stood before her about to enter the bathroom. "Couldn't I just come and live with you?" Angela asked, desperate not to leave her father, even if it meant living with someone she'd only known a day. "Ah, sweetheart, you don't even know me. Why would you want to live with me?" "My dad knows you. He loves you. If you weren't really nice, he wouldn't love you. I promise I would be good. I won't be any trouble to you. I wouldn't run away, ever! Pleaseplease don't make me gogo back there," she pleaded and began crying, wiping at her eyes. Sylvia's eyes filled with tears instantly. "You hate it that much that you would leave your mother?" "Sheshe cancan come see me...ple-pleeease!" "Ohhh, sweetheart, come here." Sylvia pulled her into her arms and hugged her to her breast, in that instant, she was in love with Shawn's child. In the blink of an eye, an unexplainable maternal protectiveness surged up to hold onto her. With her eyes closed and her cheek resting on the top of her black silky head, she wondered what in the world they were to do. The thought of her having to go back into such an unhappy home, where it was obvious children were not allowed to flourish in a way that assured a wellbalanced lifestyle, was unthinkable. "I don't know what can be done, Angela, I truly don't. But I'll talk to your father. Go get in the shower now, when you're done, just knock on the door across the hall." "Okay," she squeaked low, and went into the bathroom.
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Series Two Episode 12 - Chapter 35 "I can't believe he has my daughter with her. I can't believe it! I mean...why? What right has he to just pass our daughter over to this perfect stranger?" "Anda negro at that!" Deidre's mother pointed out. "That has nothing to do with it, mother! I wish you would stop going on and on about it! I would feel the same way if she were white!" Deidre snapped, her mind in a whirl over what could possibly be going on. "You mark my words, they're slick! I'm betting she's out to hook your daughter in order to have a stronger hold on him. They are cunning...don't you think they aren't. Silly daughter of yours has played right into her hands. I get a feeling we're going to need to call in a lawyer! I can feel it...yes...we better give him a call." "Mother! I can't think with you going on and on and on! Please!" Deidre stopped her pacing to growl. "Oh, come on! What's there to think about? If they weren't up to something, he would have told you where they were, so we could just go pick her up and leave already! But he didn't! I'm beginning to wonder if they didn't put her up to this! I have a feeling he has plans of trying to take your daughter from you. Em-hmm, run away my ass! What child would leave all that she has to go with him, unless he's promising her things!" "Shawn would never try to take her away from me. He would never!" "Don't you dare presume to know him! After all, who would have thought that he'd ever couple up with a negro! Why would any white man want a black woman?" She shivered in distaste. "Mother! The same reason any man wants any woman! What is it with you? On top of everything else, you're also a bigot!" It was Deidre's turn to shiver. "And I can't believe you're taking that so lightly that he's with one!" "It's nothing new, mother! It has gone on from the beginning of time, you are not going to turn this into a racial matter...
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...her being black is the last thing on my mind. I've never met one black person that has done me any harm. But I've crossed a few white bitches in my time!" she argued, and in her mind said, sad to say, one of them includes my own mother. "Aah, I see where this is going. You're being like this because we made you break it off with that black boy you liked when you were fourteen." "There was nothing to break off, it was completely innocent. That was a long time ago. Please, let's not go back...I know you don't want me to remind you of how you and father wrecked his life. His mother's life!" "Wrecked hell! We probably spared him a lot of heartache and trauma! They both learned to keep in their place, not to dare and try to cross over into our white world. They don't belong in it, unless they're serving or cleaning." "Enough! Goodbye! You in large doses is equivalent to angel dusting!" Deidre fired off, heading for the door. She needed to go for a walk and think. Slamming the hotel door behind her, she strode down the hall towards the elevator. The Concourse Hotel was located in the downtown area of Madison. The sights included the Capital Building, theatres, shops and a central park that Deidre headed for, stepping from the elevator past the luxurious gift shop. Georgiana left their Governor's Club room and searched out the restaurant bar. There she sat sipping her Bloody Mary, thinking about nothing but Shawn. At one point, she thought she was crazy obsessing over him as she was. Had he not rematerialized in her life married to her daughter, of all people, she might have been able to forget him. The man responsible for giving her the best pleasure she'd ever had had been hidden behind a mask and headscarf, but she wasn't fooled. She knew it was him. The look that crossed his features still showed clearly in her mind. What else could explain his blatant actions of never wanting to be in a room alone with her, doing all he could not to make direct eye contact. He didn't even like her near him. Were he on one side of the room, and she tried to cross it towards him, he made an excuse to move or leave the room. Yes, you are him, indeed. Why do you run from me? No woman can give you what I can, she thought hungrily. Her heart was beating so fast, her system surging from the memory of him having it all, knowing all of what was needed to bring her the kind of soul-shaking climaxes some women could only dream about. Having seen him time after time, watching the way that he walked, listening to his voice, his gestures and movements, gripped her in the knowledge that she just might be in love with him. If not, then certainly an overwhelming lust with him. She'd worked along with her husband to make sure their marriage didn't last. Yet even after the divorce, he still refused to see her alone. Avoiding her phone calls, the messages that she left him. She'd humiliated herself just about, trying to get him to admit that he was what she knew him to be. Then one day, he was goneagain! Moved back to Wisconsin, no word to his ex-wife or daughter as to where.
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With her pride singed, she decided to drop her pursuit of him. Unfortunately, everything she'd done to wash him from her mind, her body, her soul, proved unsuccessful. She couldn't wait to see him again. She smiled. Run from me, will you? You'll never be able to get away from me. Not ever, Everett Styles. Sipping her drink, she couldn't help but think of that stupid old woman, Merriam Styles, glad the old biddy was dead. She remembered arguing with the woman, it had become heated. All of her efforts to locate him and the truth of what she suspected, led her to Merriam. Had she not died, she might have possibly killed her. To learn that she was the reason he had suddenly disappeared from Melba's, angered Georgiana. If it hadn't been for her, she might have been able to buy him herself. But the old lady had gotten to him first. Hmph, yelling at meyou dried up old bitch! She remembered finding the woman in her garden picking roses when she introduced herself, tried to get a little information out of her concerning Shawn. Stupid old woman had been immediately defensive and protective of him, trying to pretend that he nor she had been anywhere near Melba's. Well she knew better, had shown proof of the fact that she had been a member there. Then she'd made the mistake of turning on Georgiana, angering her so that she'd pushed the older woman down, yelling over her. Bringing her back to her senses was seeing the woman struggling for her next breath, then grabbing her chest. Georgiana had been quick and discreet in her departure, only to hear later that day, Shawn had found the woman dead in her garden. Finishing her drink, Georgiana hailed the bartender for another one, thinking about her daughter. "Silly twit," she muttered, never once wrestling with her conscience or letting it bother her that she lacked maternal devotion to her. As far as Georgiana was concerned, it was every woman for herself. She'd done her part as far as her daughter was concerned, she owed her nothing more beyond the point that she could care for herself. Life was too short for wasting precious time doing for other people what they wouldn't appreciate anyway. It was all about her own needs. She had everything else in life that she wanted, but the ultimate man to compliment her. That man was Everett Styles. She would never refer to him as Shawn, she preferred the name Everettit was more of a match for his style and manner. Her mind slipped into a fantasy of them together. Him dressed in only the best Armani suits, wearing the best cologne, hair cut and styled back with a tan that made all the women seeing him drool as he escorted her about on his arm. For him, were she certain that he would be hers, she would get rid of her husband. "God I want you," she moaned with the rim of her glass to her lips, tilting it to take a sip. The alcohol was loosening her inhibitions, stirring her imagination of them together in bed. "I need to get laid, and soon...preferably by you, Everett Styles. God I want him! How...how do you make a man like that your own? That black whore! Who are you?" She sighed, shaking it off. "No worries, I always get what I want...one way, or another."

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Deidre sat trying to make up her mind on what she was going to do. Here she was at a time in her life where she should be settled into a routine, only to find that she was no better off than she was years ago. How could she explain being thirty-four years old and still living in her parent's home? She sniffed as the cool wind blew through the beautiful park across from the Capital building. Looking around her, she wondered what her future held. She kept thinking about Shawn's past. Porn. She still couldn't believe it, that he'd done such a thing. Granted, it was obvious he was very young. She was not naive to the lifestyle many in L.A. lived in order to make it. The fact was, knowing that he too had stooped to such actions, didn't dim what she felt for him one bit. She wondered if his parents knew? She doubted it, she knew that Shawn was very guarded concerning his parents. They meant the world to him. He had only praises to sing as far as they were concerned. Following their marriage, he'd taken her home to meet them. Their entire lifestyle was completely different from anything she had ever experienced. The food they ate, the banter between siblings, the way they dressed and entertained each other. As hard as she had tried to fit in, she was awkward at best. Even so, all had been kind to her, and Shawn had been patient, understanding and loving. Tears rushed to her eyes. "God please, I want my husband back, I want him back. Give me another chance." Even as she muttered the prayer, she knew that there was no chance. He'd tried to give her the opportunity to turn things around, to put their small family first. He'd pleaded with her the week before their court appearance not to go through with it, to think of their daughter. She'd almost given in, but then her parents had disclosed his affair with the airline stewardess and she'd walked away. Angry and hurt by her rejection, his last words had been, "If you go through with this, Deidre, know thisthere is no turning back. Do you hear me? There is no turning back! It will be final! I mean it!" he'd shouted. Her mother and father had propelled her onward and she'd gone through with it. Six weeks later, she was certain that she carried his second child. Sobbing to her mother that she'd made a mistake, distraught and not knowing what to do, she'd given her medicine to calm her down. She'd fallen asleep only to awaken in the hospital. She'd miscarried. Devastated because the unborn child had been her one and only means to possibly win Shawn back, she had a slight breakdown. By the time she came out of it, she realized that she needed to harden herself. She gave up all hope and found comfort in angry bitterness. Giving up on all connected to him, she'd delved into work, the finance company. There was also Angela. While she loved her daughter with all of her heart, there were times that she was jealous of the relationship she had with her father.
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Then guilt would eat her alive and she would try to make up for it by showering her with gifts. No matter how much money she spent on Angela, nothing ever seemed to come close to pleasing her as being with her father. Deidre was afraid she was not really cut out for being a mother. She thought about the one role model she had, and it was no wonder that she at times had to force herself to spend time with her daughter. She didn't really know how to function in the midst of someone so young. Being an only child, with a strict cool upbringing, left her working hard at trying to figure out how to make her have fun. She loved her, but something was missingthere seemed to be no connection. Now...this. She'd run away to be with him. Maybe I should just do as father said and leave her to him. Suddenly a long stem rose appeared before her, and the words kindly spoken captured her attention. "No one so pretty should look so sad." She looked up into gentle brown eyes. "Here, take it," the black man offered the rose again. Smiling, Deidre took it. He winked at her and walked away, carrying the remainder of the dozen roses he'd pulled the one she held from. "You're lucky, whomever you are," she muttered, watching him stroll off and he never looked back. She sniffed it again and remembered back to when she was a young girl. Jeremiah Franklin, son of her parent's maid. He use to come to their house right after school to meet his mother, and then they would leave on their way home. They became fast friends, then one day out of curiosity, she'd kissed him. Her father caught the act and fired his mother. Jeremiah's mother had begged him not to, that without the job she would not be able to pay her rent. He hadn't listened, he fired her and forbade her to ever come back on their property again. A month later, Deirdre overheard her mother telling her father that Mrs. Franklin had committed suicide. That Jeremiah and his younger brother had been sent into foster care. Deidre sniffed the rose. Sighing deeply, she checked her watch. It was almost one o'clock. She took her cell phone from her purse and dialled Shawn's cell phone again. He answered. "Yeah?" "Well? Where can we meet?" she asked. "At the Dane County Courthouse. We have to go before the judge there." "Dane County Courthouse! Before the judge? What are you up to, Shawn McPherson?" "It's too heavy to go into over the phone, Deidre, meet us there in thirtyfive minutes. I'll tell you what's going on then," Shawn said, then clicked off. "If you think you're going to take my daughter from me, you've got another think coming!"
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Series Two Episode 12 - Chapter 36 Shawn clicked the phone off and slipped it into the top pocket of his leather. He looked up for their waitress and signalled that they were ready for their check. She nodded from across the busy restaurant; he turned back to waiting for Sylvia and his daughter to finish in the washroom. Sitting as he was in the Country Kitchen restaurant, his mind was ever busy as usual. The Clerk of Court had called to say the judge could see them at 2:00pm. He was nervous right then, so much was happening that he wondered if in the midst of it all, he would lose his grasp on things that meant the most to him. He was worried about his daughter. Worried about what her actions would mean for him. What they would mean for her, and as a result, what disclosures might erupt from it all. Nervous tension made his stomach queasy. Finally when his life was becoming stable and he had a woman in it that meant the world to him, would give him the type of family setting he now longed for, it could all be washed out because of his stupid past. "Don't take this direction...I swear, boy, 'cause if you doyou gone regret it one day! I don't know when, I don't know how, but if you keep going as you doyou're going to look back one day and hate what you've done!" He wondered how many times his father's words would rush down on him before they broke him. The waitress came and laid the check before him. Glancing up with a smile he was far from feeling, "Thank you," he offered and returned his pensive stare out the window. The sun was out, but it was a cold day. He'd had to run Sylvia by the Wal-Mart, letting her out so she could go in and purchase a coat for Angela. What she'd run away wearing wasn't appropriate for the weather. He had sat in the SUV watching them dash inside as he parked to wait. As mix-matched as they were, in less than 24 hours, there was something between them that he'd never seen between his daughter and Deidre.
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Earlier, when they were still at the hotel and he'd come out of the shower and dressed, Sylvia was there waiting for him so she could talk to him. She had tears in her eyes and began telling him right away the state of Angela, what she was feeling, her request again, and the way she'd been living while with Deidre's family. He knew that what was happening was stressful, and no doubt Sylvia was exhausted, certainly that was part of the reason she was so emotional, bursting into tears as she was. Plus it was obvious she was touched and naturally a soft-hearted person, regardless of the strong front she put up for him. When it came to Angela, she was as compassionate as he felt a "real" mother would be. In her telling, he had to hug and comfort her from being so upset over Angela, which moved him, bringing them closer to see her so worked up over his daughter. Once she'd calmed down, he'd informed her of the decision he'd come to already before she'd shared with him what she had. "How would you feel if I told you, I've decided to try and gain permanent custody of her? It was on my mind all last night. Now you tell me this. SylviaI know this might be more than you bargained forbutI have to get my daughter. My plan is to hire a lawyer and try to persuade the courts to let me be a full-time father to her. So, now, I suppose the question is...is that going to be okay with you?" "Shawn, she's your daughter...and from what I've noted just in the last few hours, she needs you. I was going to try and talk you into possibly fighting for her, but I wasn't sure how you would take me asking that." "So you're going to support me? All the way? Which means when we marry, she will be with us. You will be the main role modelmotherin her life." "Shawn...I'm fully aware of what this means, should you win your case." "And you're ready for it?" She had sighed deep and looked at him long and hard. "Again, I have no choice." "You know what, I don't like it when you put things that way!" he hurled. "You make it sound as if it's something I'm forcing on you. As if I'm forced on you! Teenage girls knocked up are forced into things!" With a slight shake of her head, Sylvia had chuckled as she rolled her eyes to the ceiling. Shawn had shot up from the bed in a huff. "What's funny now?" he demanded. She only shook her head and said, "I'm not laughing at that, Shawn, it's irony that's got me right now. Look, Shawn...I'm here, aren't I? I was going to try to persuade you into fighting for her. So what does that tell you? What is it with you? Do you trust that I love you or not?" Shawn had raked his fingers through his hair. He was battling feelings of insecurity. He was scared. Things were happening that he hadn't bargained on. Sitting there in the restaurant now, Shawn sighed again. His next thought was when Angela had finally come to his room. He and Sylvia told her the decision they'd made together.
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She had been elated, throwing her arms around him, she was so happy. Shawn had drawn back away from her, taking her by the arms to put distance between them. Ever since her false claim, he felt uncomfortable with her that close, hugging him. Sylvia had noticed the look on his face as they made eye contact. Angela felt the difference as well, looking at her father strangely. "Daddy?" "Look, ummm, Angela...I think it's best you notyou knowdo that any more, I mean." "Why?" she asked with her face crumbling. "Justjustdon't, okay?" he requested awkwardly. "Don't you love me anymore, daddy?" she asked, distressed. "I said I was sorry. I didn't mean it. I'm sorry, daddy...I didn't mean it." "You don't have to cry, Angela. I just" "You don't love me anymore!" she accused him, her eyes welling up. "Angela, I just told you we're going to try to get custody of you, full-time all the time like you wanted. If I didn't love you, would I be trying to do that?" he'd asked. She had only shrugged, backing away from him with her head down, she looked behind her at Sylvia and turned to her. Something in her knew that with her, there was someone who knew what she was feeling. Sylvia had gathered her into her arms as the young girl wrapped her arms around her waist and hugged her tight. Sylvia had leaned down and gently reminded her, "Remember what we talked about last night, honey, remember? Time...do you?" Angela nodded that she did. "Good, keep that in mind." Seeing that with his own eyes stunned Shawn. In the whole ugly situation, in no time at all, Sylvia had bonded with his daughter. She trusted Sylvia, which told him something else. For a child to do that, to reach out to a practical stranger, meant there was something urgently vital, missing in her life. Something that she hadn't been getting that Sylvia was sharing willingly, naturally, and Angela felt the validity of it. Affection, communication, tenderness, hugs, empathy and kindness. He couldn't help the thought, my god Deidre! What have you been doing to our daughter, or better yet, not doing? Reflecting back now, running over the course of their marriage from the time Angela had been born, being a mother had not been natural to Deidre. From the very start, she'd struggled with motherhood. At Angela's birth, she had been nothing but nervous, with an anxiety that at the time he thought was normal. Looking back now, her nervous attempts with trying to touch and embrace the newborn, were as if she had been a spectator forced to participate. Her face lacked the emotional joy that a new mother should display. She had been almost horrified, while guarding it closely.
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She tried to breastfeed, something she didn't want to do, but only because he had asked her. However, the first attempt not only embarrassed her, but put her off something so natural and the baby as well, crying out, "I can't, I can't, I can't...take it, take it, take it!" "It!" She called her. "It!" Remembering that now made Shawn sit and shake his head, seeing it all so clearly now. He'd needed to go home and clean up, take a nap, so left her in the capable hands of the nurses who tried to give her support, instruction and direction, understanding how the baby was her first. By the time Shawn showed up, she was in tears and needing him to change the baby. Dress the baby. Basically everything she should have felt joy and excitement in doing, she pleaded with him to do. He also carried Angela from the hospital, while Deidre was rolled in the wheelchair facing the fear of having to go home and be a mother to this new person. Again, Shawn had put it down to her being a new mother, too nervous to trust herself with the newborn, and add to it the fact that she'd lived such a life of privilege, that it was going to take her longer to adjust. Unfortunately, as the days, weeks, months rolled by, her progress was slow at best. She didn't seem to pick it up as he thought she would. He was waking up most of the time in the middle of the night, feeding the baby because Deidre slept right through her crying. She refused to bath her, saying that she was afraid of drowning it. She called her it one time too many, making Shawn shout, "Her name is Angela! An-ge-la! Not it! She's your daughter! What is your problem?" Hurt, Deidre turned and ran into their bedroom to cry her eyes out, sobbing that she was a terrible mother and how sorry she was. Unable to see to the baby and her, Shawn would let her cry as he bathed his daughter. Diapered her, dressed her, fed her, talked to her, cradled her, and caught her first real smile. Realizing things could not go on as they were, he started leaving them together alone for hours at a time to force Deidre's hand to participate in their daughter's first year of life. She finally began to notice that Angela was indeed human, real, with her eyes looking for her or her father. The more time she was forced to be with her, the better at being a mother she became, but it wasn't naturalit was forced, although he knew that she loved her. Smiled at her more, touched her more, and seemed more fascinated by her. Especially when Angela began to crawl, grab things and make baby babbling noises. While that was indeed good, Shawn noticed another growing problem. She didn't clean house. Many, many times he'd look up from painting to notice that their large loft apartment was littered with diapers, bottles, toys, spilled messes, and other things left to lay. He would stand looking around, wondering when she would notice it and do something about it. After a few weeks with the diapers smelling up the apartment, he would come from behind his canvas and clean house.
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Picking up diapers, taking out the overflowing diaper pail, washing bottles and pouring out formula that had been left to sour in the bottle. He washed the dishes, put things back in their places, scrubbed stains from various sources, vacuumed, dusted, did the laundry because he had run out of clothing and so had the baby. When that was all done, he'd go grocery shopping because he couldn't stomach another take out, and then cooked. It was as if she were a guest in their home, one that didn't know how to pitch in, and finally he could take no more and brought this to her attention, trying to be patient about it. She smiled and suggested a maid for the house and a nanny for the baby. "No!" he blasted. "We can afford it! You have that money Merriam left you, and I have money as well." "No! I'm not touching that money...it's for our daughter and her future! Anything we need, we need to earn it. Work for it!" "Well, then, I'll pay for a maid and a nanny." "What's wrong with you, Deidre? Why can't you do it? I have three covers to get done, but I'm getting behind because I have to do freakin' housework!" "Don't get upset with me, I'm perfectly willing to hire a maid and nanny. You're the one who's having a problem with it." "You're here all day, doing nothing!" "And it's boring! Which is something I've been meaning to talk to you about. I've decided to work. I'm going to take the position at the finance company over the loans and mortgages department. I-I start Monday...so unless you can do it all, I suggest you look into hiring them." She swallowed nervously and lifted her nose up at him as he stared at her in disbelief. "So you're going to run off to work when you don't have to, and leave our home to a maid and our child to a nanny?" "What's wrong with a maid? Or a nanny for that matter, I had one!" "Well, you sure as hell don't need to convince me of that!" he blasted. "Fine! Go to work! I'll do it all! Nothing new in that!" "You're just being petulant and spiteful! I'm not cut out to be that kind of housewife! And there's no reason why I should be! There are many women out there who would love a job as a maid and nanny to get their bills paid! You ever think about them, huh? Nooo! Because you're so busy trying to bend me into June Cleaver! Well, I'm not!" "Well you sure as hell aren't! Go! Go to work, get the hell outta my face! My daughter and I will do just fine!" Time went by, she seemed to grow more busy, coming home later. He was spending more time raising their daughter, cleaning house, and painting like crazy while Angela napped, struggling to meet deadlines so as not to lose jobs.
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He was determined not to touch that money Merriam had left him, just as his mother had not touched hers. It was there when he and his brother and sisters got old enough to use it, and so would the $200,000 left to him. His daughter would have the same advantages that he had, and if there were ever anymore children, it would be split between them. Their relationship was strained with her spending too much time working, shopping, and at her social clubs, and when at home, they argued. Times were too many that she promised to be home at a certain hour so he could make his meetings and presentations. She was always either late, or claiming to have forgotten all together, forcing him to take Angela with him. Their arguments grew in proportion and he threatened to leave her and take Angela with him. The prospect of that scared her enough to straighten up for a period of time, and then slowly...she'd slip right back again. Topping it all off, he had her mother to contend with. She had a habit of just showing up when she knew that Deidre was not there, subtly trying to seduce him. The marriage crumbled. "ShawnShawnwe're ready," Sylvia called from beside him, bringing him out of his reverie. He turned and looked up at her, smiling, he scooted from the booth, looking at his daughter standing by Sylvia's side holding her hand, holding it as if it were her lifeline. "You okay?" Sylvia asked. He stood tall beside her, blowing nervously from his mouth and adjusting his jacket, his stomach was tied up in knots. "Yeah...we better get going, we don't wanna be late. I still have to talk to Deidre." They all turned, he reached for the check and all three walked up to the cashier to pay and then head for the courthouse.
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Series Two Episode 13 - Chapter 37 Sylvia sat thinking she would be glad when her stomach settled. She thought for sure she would not be able to keep her breakfast down. Right now, her stomach was upset with butterflies, whether it was because she was pregnant or dreading meeting Shawn's ex-wife, she couldn't tell. She would no longer agonize over it; before the day was up, she would know, or try to. She would pick up a pregnancy test and get the agony of wondering over with. Her car was parked at the Ramada Inn, so they were all in Shawn's SUV. Each one of them quiet with the uncertainty of the outcome once they reached the courthouse. Shawn was holding her hand as he drove, squeezing it on and off. Every stop light, he'd give it a little tug and squeeze, needing her to turn and look at him. She would, and smile, though neither felt like it. She knew how nervous he was, and with good reason. He had to tell his exwife that their daughter accused him of fondling her. Sylvia sighed with the thought of it. With her elbow propped up on the door window seal, the fingers from her right hand rubbing her scalp and temple, she knew she was not looking forward to being seen by that woman. Granted, she'd purchased herself a nicer top to wear, added a bit more make-up...but she still wasn't up to this. Poor Angela was a nervous wreck. She didn't want to see her mother, she was afraid of being forced to go back to California with her. Sylvia stared out of the front windshield as he drove, the sky was clouding up, which meant snow or rain. She hoped not rain; if it froze, they would be in trouble. March could still be nasty with the weather. Seeing the grey clouds, feeling queasy with so much on her mind, and having to deal with so much right then, Sylvia fought back tears. She hated crying so much, but of late she couldn't get herself to stop. She was not a repetitious crier, but right now, she felt the moisture clogging up in her throat and the tears burning her eyes. "Hey, you okay?" Shawn asked, squeezing her hand again. She wished he hadn't done that, the words just uncorked her and the tears spilled. She tried to keep her face away and play it off, but it wasn't working. They were rolling. The light turned green and Shawn pulled away from the traffic to pull over.
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"Oh, Shawn, don't pull over...I'm fine. We don't have time for this," she pleaded. He didn't listen, he pulled over into a Kwik Trip lot, put the SUV in park and turned to her, turning her face his way. "Talk to me...what's going through your mind?" Angela sat forward from the back seat, leaning towards the door and rubbing Sylvia's shoulder. "What's wrong, Sylvia? You okay?" "You guys are going to make it worse. I'm fine...let's just get there and get this over with...please!" she said gently, giving Angela's hand a reassuring squeeze over her shoulder as she turned to Shawn. Using his thumb, he wiped her tears away, staring into her watery eyes. "I'm so sorry to be putting you through this." "I know, Shawn, you don't need to keep saying it." Angela shifted to the center console to get a look at Sylvia. "Why are you crying, Sylvia?" she asked, worried. "Sweetie, sit back in your seat and buckle your seat belt. I'm fine. I'm tired, that's all...when I'm tired, I cry easy. I'm just worried about you, worried about how all of this is going to turn out." She smiled at Angela and then looked back at Shawn. "Please, let's go...I want to get this over with." He drew in a deep breath, pulled her towards him with both hands holding her head and kissed her mouth and cheeks, using his thumbs to wipe away the remaining tears. "Yeah...let's get this over." At the courthouse, they entered with Angela between them holding both of their hands, and of course as soon as they entered, there was Deidre and her mother sitting on the hallway bench waiting for them before they all took the elevator to the second floor. Sylvia's heart beat so hard in her chest, she felt it moving. Deidre was tall, slender and stunning. Dressed to the nines in a style that both enhanced her coloring and features, as well as her statuesque physique. She looked to be at the very least, 5'10 and was wearing heels as well. Her hair was a gleaming rich blonde, cut to precision above her shoulders. Her skin was crystal clear, made up just so...not too much, not too little. Her eyes were hazel-gold and framed by incredibly long eyelashes. The only thing that made Sylvia feel a modicum of satisfaction was that she had thin lips. She knew it was petty to gain any satisfaction from that, but she needed that trifle right then, feeling like a dowdy minority, still sick to her stomach. Deidre's heart was pounding so hard she felt her face heat and blush at the sight of them. To see her daughter, holding this women's hand so tightly, and looking towards her with such dread, was like a punch to her stomach. Then to see Shawn looking at her the way he was, obviously concerned over her, crushed Deidre from within. Sylvia Payne was stunning as far as she could see. Rich, dark supple skin. Not a line in sight.
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She was dressed casual but comfortably, very fresh-looking. Compared to her height, she was almost petite, neat in her appearance with the most captivating dark eyes she'd ever seen. They stood out, with brows arching over them thick, smooth and silky black. Lips full, with the perfect shade of lipstick making them more luxurious and lush. There was something else about her as wella certain air of frailty, as if she was struggling to keep something within her under control. She looked weak on her feet. Deidre's brows drew in with a sinking feeling that she was pregnant. She couldn't put her finger on it, but there was something about her that made her feel that way. She had to look away from her as something within her shook with the certainty. Oh, my God, I bet she is...I bet she's carrying his child! She turned her attention to her daughter as they drew near. "Angela? Are you okay? Why have you done this? I've been worried sick out of my mind over you!" She knelt to look up at her daughter who was at that moment, looking at her as if she were the last person on earth she wanted to see, clinging to Sylvia's hand with one of hers and the other gripping her coat sleeve. "Angela! Come here!" she beseeched incredulously. "I don't wanna go back. I love you, mommy, but...I want to stay here. Please...you can come and visit me here, but I don't want to go back there." Angela's fear made her go directly into her greatest worry. "Now is not the time for this, we'll have to talk about it later, now come along." "Ummm, Deidre, we need to talk. It's not that simple," Shawn cut in as he pulled his eyes from her mother. Deidre looked up, and then followed suit by standing. "What do you mean?" she asked, upset at having to look at him, hating that she had to stand and talk to him when her stomach was in such turmoil over seeing her daughter cling to his possibly pregnant fiance. She hadn't missed the ring, the platinum and diamonds screamed at her It's official He's going to marry her! He'd spent a lot of money on that ring; knowing that irritated and devastated her, making her want to attack him for being able to go on with his life when she was stuck, stifled with so much regret. At that moment it hit home that he was going to marry another woman and there wasn't a thing she could do about it. Her stomach churned with such pain, she felt she might swoon from the heartache made ten times worse by the fact that she had no one to blame but herself. Looking into his eyes, seeing him again like thiswas overwhelming. Nothing hurt so much as not being able to feel those arms go around her again. Not hearing his voice speak with compassion as he used to. So many times he'd threatened to leave her, and she'd try to live as he wanted her to, but it had all seemed so futile to live that way when one didn't need to.
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Then she left him, believing that it would put some sense into his head, make him see things her way. One thing then led to another, they'd reached an impasse that neither could figure how to cross, and suddenly...it was over. "Can you follow me to the end of the hall? We only have a few moments before we have to go upstairs and meet with the judge." "Meet with the judgewhy? What is going on?" "Follow me and I'll tell you," he instructed, taking her by the arm to lead her away from her mother. Deidre pulled her arm away from him. She couldn't take feeling him touch her with her innards in such turmoil. "Emmm, DeidreI don't think this is wise of you. Letting him talk to you alone...you should always have witnesses to everything, someone to hear in your behalf," Georgiana spoke up, pulling her eyes away from Sylvia to her daughter and Shawn. She would not look at him; she felt she'd stared as much as she dared when he and his daughter walked in with that woman. Shawn's jaw clenched for control; he could think of no one he hated more than Georgiana Wherrington. "We don't have time for this, Deidre." "Why can't you tell me here?" she asked, considering her mother's words. "I'd rather not," he spoke up. "Why not? What is it about?" Deidre asked. "Why must we be alone?" "Either you talk to her with me present, or you don't talk to her at all," Georgiana pressed. "Fine! I won't talk to her at all!" Shawn blasted, fed up. He turned to Sylvia and Angela. "Let's go," he ordered, then grabbed his daughter, pushing her before him and taking Sylvia by the arm, heading towards the elevator. "Wait a minute! Shawn! Wait!" Deidre called, following him to the elevator. He pressed the button and stood looking straight ahead and refused to say another word to her. "Will you please just tell me what's going on?" she asked, when her mother said, "I think what I told you before we got here is about to happen. You'll learn to listen to me more often and be prepared," Georgiana reminded her daughter, smug in her estimation of the events about to take place. Sylvia felt as if she was going to faint, her head was swimming and prayed to god really hard to keep her senses about her. The elevator doors opened, Shawn hustled them in, still ignoring Deidre and her mother. As soon as he stepped in, he pressed the button to the floor they were going to and stepped back. Deidre had to hurry in, pressing her hand to the safety panel that keeps the door open while entering it. The door closed with all five inside and Sylvia took slow, deep even breaths to keep from swooning. "Please, Shawn, there's no need for this. Just tell me, for goodness sake," she asked, trying to keep her tone under control when she felt anything but.
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"You'll find out so-o-on enough," her mother sang out and then sighed, actually enjoying it all, things like this made life interesting...anything tumultuous to stave off boredom was okay by her. "I certainly hope you don't have some crazy idea of taking my daughter from me. When I leave, she leaves with me. When you left California, you made your choice! You just up and left and told no one anything! If you think you're going to blame her running away on me, you've got another think coming. Angela! Get over here, now! Right now!" Deidre demanded angrily. "Daddy?" Angela called up to him, growing afraid. "She's staying right where she is!" he responded. "I'm her mother! I have custody of her! Not you! Angela, get over here, now!" The elevator doors opened. Shawn reached down and picked Angela up into his arms, took Sylvia by the arm, and strode from the elevator. Sylvia saw white lights before her eyes and her mouth filled with saliva. She spotted the ladies washroom not five steps away and launched herself for it, praying that she made it in time. As soon as she hit the door, vomit spewed from her mouth faster than she could catch it. She rushed into the bathroom with her hand catching the vile tasting acidic fluid, dashed into a stall and tossed up all of her late breakfast. Her body convulsed and clenched, tightening and squeezing her stomach as she gagged and shook, coughing it up and choking on it. "Sylvia!" Shawn shouted, shocked, and rushed in behind her, caught off guard by her suddenly being sick. "Shawn! It's the ladies room!" Deidre shrieked. "I don't give a damn!" he blasted back at her, sitting Angela on the floor. By the time he turned to Sylvia, she'd shut the stall door to keep him out as she continued throwing up, unable to stop.
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Series Two Episode 13 - Chapter 38 "Can you give us a few more minutes? My fiance is in the ladies room, very ill," Shawn tried to explain to the clerk of courts who'd come looking for them. "I'm sorry, the judge is waiting. I'll have an officer come out and wait for her to escort her in, but you all need to go in now to the judge's chambers," the clerk explained to them as Shawn leaned against the wall outside of the ladies room with Angela there and her arms wrapped around his waist. Deidre and her mother stood across the narrow hall watching, waiting and very uncomfortable with the circumstances as Shawn completely ignored them out of concern for Sylvia. "Can I open the door and let her know?" he asked. "Is anyone else in there?" she asked. "No." "Sure, go ahead." Shawn turned, pushing the door open and called in, "Sylvia, the clerk has come for us, we'll be in the judge's chambers, sweetheart." He received no answer, it was silent inside. "Sylvia!" With a weak voice she answered, "I heard youokay." Shawn stood a moment with the door open, he wanted to be with her right then, not going into that courtroom. But his daughter needed him, he looked down at her, she was looking up at him, scared to death. He paused another moment, and didn't care who heard. "SylviaI love you." Sitting on the toilet feeling as if she could not possibly stand, Sylvia leaned her head against the toilet stall. "I love you...too," she returned with a smile. Deidre wanted the floor to open up and swallow her whole. Georgiana rolled her eyes to the ceiling. The clerk made a face of sympathy. "Aaah, she'll be okay. I'll come out and check up on her, promise."

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Deidre sat spinning in disbelief. She could not believe what was happening. What she was hearing. Too stunned to do anything other than to gape as Shawn explained in detail, exactly what took place immediately after getting the phone call from Deidre informing him that their daughter had run away, all the way until Angela's claim, his arrest and the evening officer giving temporary custody to Sylvia until that day when they came before the judge. The judge sat at his long table across from them. Angela sat in the center with her mother and grandmother to her left, her father and an empty seat for Sylvia to her right. "I see," the judge said upon Shawn finishing the telling. The judge made notes as the court stenographer recorded every word. Deidre turned and looked down at her daughter, then up at Shawn's profile, trying to make sense of it all. "And you, madam, are the child's mother?" He finally looked up and asked Deidre. "Yes, I am," she returned, breathless from the accounting of it. "Introduce yourself, please," he commanded, reading over the paperwork from the previous night and all that was recorded surrounding the arrest, the questioning in the police station, statements from Shawn and his daughter. "Deidre Charlotte Wherrington-McPherson." "Are you and Mr. McPherson divorced?" "Yes, we are." "Thank you, now...how about you tell me what is going on where the child dwells with you that at the age of nine years old, she feels compelled to run away from home, hop a plane to be here with her father?" "I hardly feel that what was going on in my parent's home is the issue here. What is paramount is that she has made such a declaration against her father. That is what needs to be dealt with." "Ms. WherringtonI can assure you, I am perfectly capable of conducting this interview without any assistance. I ask the questions, you answer them. Now, what possibly compelled this child to take the chance she did, to be away from there?" Just then the door opened and Sylvia came in, walking carefully to take her seat next to Shawn; the officer was at the door and closed it to stand before it. The judge looked at Sylvia. "Are you okay now, Ms.?" "Payne, Sylvia Payne," she answered, sitting down with Shawn searching her face, his eyes conveying the question of, Are you alright? She wasn't, but she gave him a slight smile and answered the judge as well. "Yes, I'm fine, Your Honor."
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He turned back to Deidre. "You were about to answer my question," he reminded her of where they left off when Georgiana spoke up. "I don't think this has anything to do with her; she should wait outside." She meant Sylvia. Shawn's back teeth were under threat of shattering from clamping his jaw so tightly. The judge looked over the top of his glasses at her. "Who are you, madam?" "I am the child's grandmother. Georgiana Victoria Wherrington, and I find this entire procedure totally unorthodox." "Be that as it may, in your estimation, madam, I am the judge here, and I'm telling you now as I told your daughter, I ask the questions, then I get my answers. I haven't asked you anything. Make another sound and you will be waiting outside, do I make myself clear?" Georgiana sat back in a huff, biting her tongue so as not to say anything to keep from being removed from the room. The judge looked from Georgiana back to Deidre with the raise of his brow, he waited for her to respond to his question, not about to ask it again. "I haven't a clue. My daughter is very spoiled. She's been indulged a great deal, and has become accustomed to having her way. This matter with her running off, is no doubt a stunt she's pulling to once again, have her way." "And what is it that she wanted to have her way with this time?" he asked pointedly. Deidre sat struggling with the answer, her pause had the judge shifting expressions. "Well? Are you having a hard time understanding the question?" "No, your honor, I am not." "Very well then," he invited her to answer. "She was upset because I changed my mind about relocating here." "'Here' as in, Wisconsin from California?" "Yes." "You say you changed your mind? That gives me reason to believe that you somehow built up an expectation of coming here; so why the change of heart?" "Excuse me, I am not on trial here. I don't have to answer that! She's a child, I'm an adult. She cannot always have her way and that is something she must learn. I've flown here to collect my daughter, at which point, I will be leaving." "Right now, she's classified a runaway in custody of the court. Until I release her back to you, you won't be taking her anywhere. Our records are overflowing with missing children, our streets are filled with them alive and dead, do you understand that? There are children right now, tucked away somewhere out there, dead, we just haven't found them yet. Yes, shiver, look horrified, you should be. A nine year old runaway is a serous matter. There's a problemand before she ends up on the streets..." He let his sentence trail off, looking at each of the adults, and then her. "...I'll do my part to see that she is where she needs to be in order to keep this act from repeating itself...
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... So you'll have to forgive me if I seem callous to whatever inconvenience you may be suffering," he finished, looking from Angela to Deidre. Deidre remained silent looking down and away. The judge turned to Angela. "Young ladywhat is your name?" Angela looked up at her father, who nodded to her. She turned to the judge, sitting up straight and swallowing from fear. "Angela Rae McPherson," she answered timidly. "Has your mother spoken the truth about you?" he asked firmly. Angela's eyes grew big, unsure of how to answer, she then shrugged her shoulders. "What does that mean? Sorry, I don't speak shrug. I need to hear it from you, why you've put your parents through what you have." "I want to-to live with my dad," she squeaked out. The judge made a face, looked down at the paper work, then back at her. He leaned an elbow on the table, grasping his chin and looked at her. "If that is true, why would you say what you said about him? Hm? Look me in the eye, young ladythat's an ugly, ugly thing you accused him ofany man guilty of such a thing is vile. Certainly not suitable to be father of a little girl." "But he didn't do it. I told a lie. I was mad at him, and...and..." "Mad at him why?" "Because he wouldn't listen to me. He wouldn't try," she said softly. "He wouldn't try what?" "To go back to my mommy again. She said she still loved him and" "Angela!" Deidre stopped her. "Ms. Wherrington, one more outburst from you and you will wait outside. You and your mother. You had an opportunity and you didn't take it. Now this is my last warning," he firmly commanded. Turning back to Angela. "Go on...finish." Shawn had Sylvia's hand underneath the table, his thumb stroking over her knuckles maintaining contact with her, even if it could only be with his touch hidden from view. "She said that she still loved my daddy, and that we would move where he was. Maybe then, he would see she's changed and would take her back. Plus, I would get to be with him instead of there at my granddad and grandmom's house. I don't like it therethey don't like me." "Who doesn't like you?" "They don'tmy grandmom and granddad. I have to stay in my room most of the time, I have to be quiet and not make too much noise. I can't have friends over, and they won't let me go to my friends' houses. They said I don't need friends because they will only want to be with me because we have money. Granddad says they may ask for money or steal from them, so they can't come over and I can't go there." "I see."
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"Oh, this is ridiculous! I've heard enough of this nonsense! I'm going to call our lawyer!" Georgiana stood and stormed from the room, knowing her outburst would get her tossed out. After her departure, the judge sat jotting down notes, thinking a moment. "Ms. Wherrington, how old are you?" Deidre swallowed, feeling uncomfortable. "I'm thirty-four." "Thirty-four years old? Did you know about the circumstances your daughter just described?" "Your Honor, my daughter is very well cared for. She has everything a young girl could need. The best of everything! Her room is filled with every kind of toy imaginable. Every kind of computer game. Her closet filled with more clothes than she will ever wear before she's grown out of them. There are many, many children, far more worse off than she. There is no excuse for her behavior; she is ungrateful and disloyal!" "Emmm," the judge murmured and nodded, then asked, "How much time do you devote to your daughter each week, Ms. Wherrington? Let's narrow it down, each day?" "I have to work, Your Honor. By the time I get home from work, and she's home from school, it leaves little time for us. I assure you, however, I try to make it up on the weekends," Deidre argued in her own defence. "But you work lots of weekends," Angela pointed out. "Why is that, Ms. Wherrington?" "My job sometimes requires my attendance; it's not all the time." Again the judge nodded, making notes, then asked Shawn, "You pay child support, Mr. McPherson?" "Yes, Your Honor, I do, every month." "How much?" "Two thousand a month, Your Honor." "Any alimony?" "I never required that he pay me alimony!" Deidre blurted. The judge looked at her without a word; she sat back in her seat, knowing he was about to send her out. All remained quiet until he spoke again. "I guess that answers that. Even so, why do you feel that overtime at a job is the priority over your daughter, when you're a single parent most of the time? I don't for a moment believe you need the extra income, Ms. Wherrington. I have a hunch that you work all the extra hours for other reasons. Reasons I will spare you right now. However, I think you need time to sort out some thingsand because Angela, for the time being, is a ward of the court, I think we're going to keep her that way a bit longer." "What are you saying?" Deidre asked, unable to sit quiet. "I'm advising you to sort out your life, Ms. Wherrington. You have a nine year old daughter who is prisoner in an ivory tower...
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...surrounded, I do believe, by many things, but it is obvious those things mean little. I assure you, as well, this scenario is not new to me. I see it a lot; the victims of this type of lifestyle are children that end up in my courtroom. Some so badly messed up, one can only wonder why. We're not going to take that chance with Angela Rae McPherson. We're going to nip this in the bud now, while there's still time." "She said her father touched her!" Deidre reminded him. "Yesthere is that matter. To be honest with you, I believe she lied, just as she's claimed. No child experiencing that is going to run in all desperateness to it. I read the account from the previous night, and I think she struck out at him." He thought it over and then turned to Angela. "Where did such a thing come from, if not your father?" he asked her. "A girl at school," she confessed. "A girl at school? Explain that to me," the judge asked. "Her father...touches her. She told us, me and Zayna. She hates going homeand one day, she didn't come back to schoolshe ran away. I don't know where she is now," she explained with her eyes flooding with moisture. "The police came to the school to ask a bunch of questions." She shrugged, then remembered what the judge said. "It just popped into my head because my father won't go back to my mom. I thought-I thought he was...being mean...so...so I wanted to be mean back. But I didn't mean it. I want to be with him. My dad always talks to me, takes me places with him. He likes my friends and they like him. We go fishing, to the movies, to the park, we laugh and talk a lot. He's so funny, my dad...and he takes me with him on his photo shoots. We do all kinds of stuff togetherwe have a special code, too, for when I get my report card. Wanna hear it? It's really cool," she asked brightly, sitting up, getting excited over her favorite subject, her father. The judge didn't miss it either, he smiled and nodded. "Well, A is for Absolutely the best at a subject or class. B is for Building bridges to the best. C, I'm Contemplating being the best. D, I'm in Distant observation of the best." She stopped and giggled, Shawn was looking down at her smiling as well. Sylvia sat forward with a tender smile watching her as she explained, in awe of him and the relationship they'd obviously had as Angela went on to explain the last grade. "And F...?" this was asked by the smiling judge. "F is a Fierce dislike for a subject or class." She smiled. The judge chuckled. "Fierce dislike, you say?" Angela nodded, shrinking back bashfully. "I see." The judge nodded. "Soany Fierce dislikes?" "NopeI'm Absolutely, Building Bridges and Contemplating everything!" She shrunk back again and giggled. "Good girlgood girl," he responded. He turned to Deidre.
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"Ms. Wherrington, I'm going to maintain her as ward of the court for thirty days. In that time, I suggest you find a home suitable for your daughter and yourself. You're going to also register with the Social Services and Child Welfare at home. In the meanwhile, you're going to find a new home, a different place to stay, one where she can feel comfortable returning to." "You can't do that!" Deidre blasted. "I can and will!" "Well, where will she be staying?" The judge turned to Sylvia. "Ms. Payne, you signed for the girl. Do your circumstances still allow for foster care of the child for the duration of the thirty days?" "Yes, Your Hhonor. I don't work. I'm at home all day, she'll be fine with me." "What is it that you do that you can be home all day, Ms. Payne?" "I'm a writer, Your Honor. However, not yet a successful one. I'm able to stay home all day because my first husband passed away a few years ago and I'm living off of his life insurance, for the time being. I paid cash for my home and car; my furniture and things I already had. I took a portion and invested it, and another portion is in a savings account. If I hold off from touching it one more year, I will have accrued enough interest to start living off of that." "How did he die?" the judge asked while looking over the report that came back on her. "In a car accident. He drank, Your Honor...on and off of the wagon. He came off one time too many and wrapped his vehicle around a very large tree; the tree survivedhoweverhe did not." The judge nodded and read. "You're not feeling well today? Anything serious?" Sylvia stared at him a moment, stumped by the question. Pregnancy was very serious. "I'm fine, Your Honor, I no doubt ate something that didn't agree with me." He nodded. "Your report came back clean. You have two children?" "Yes, Your Honor. A daughter and a son. They no longer live with me, they live in La Crosse. My son is going to college, my daughter is married with two sons and is going to school as well as work. She and her husband share their sons care." The judge nodded, writing out his notes. "OkayMr. McPherson, the same still stands for you. Until your things are collected, looked over to show evidence of your innocence, we have no choice but to follow it up. They are there now going through your home. What do you do for a living?" "I'm an artist and a photographer. I do novel covers for a living...mostly romance novels. I work from home, as I've always done. Annnd, um, Your HonorI'm going to be seeking full custody of my daughter."
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The judge looked up at him. Deidre shot forward, looking around Angela at him. "How dare you! Mother said you were up to this! I should have known! You will not get my daughter!" "Calm down, Ms. Wherrington. That is not in my hands, so I don't wish to hear the fight in my chambers. That will have to be done through the California court system, where your divorce took place. Do you understand that, Mr. McPherson? I cannot grant any type of custodies. You must acquire an attorney and file that where the child was born and where you two were married." "I understand, Your Honor," Shawn stated. "Very well. Once your things are cleared and social services has talked with your daughter, you will be notified as to whether she can be left with you alone again. As far as I can see, that shouldn't take any more than a few more days. In the instance that you are cleared, she will still, however, be ward of the court, and will continue on in the care of her foster parent until we resume back here. Until that clearance, understand me that you'll not be able to see her alone or sleep where she sleeps. We will meet back here in thirty days, unless those changes have been made before then Ms. Wherrington, and you have met with satisfaction with Child Welfare. My suggestion to you, madam, is that you remember your life is not just about you nowyou must share it with your daughter, or elseperhaps give serious consideration to letting her live with her father." The judge stood from the table and said before he departed, "You both have things to sign, good day to you all." He left them then as the clerk came over, took his seat and laid out papers for them to sign. Sylvia stood, deciding to give them a moment in private and headed for the door. Angela stood to join her. "Angela, stay and talk to your mother," Sylvia pressed. She looked up and shook her head no, grabbed her hand and wouldn't let go. "I want to use the washroom," she said. Sylvia looked up from her to Deidre, who was staring at them. "We'll be outside," she said. "I'll be right out, babe, soon as I sign these papers." "Shawn...you need to talk. Sign the papers, and then communicate...try it." She turned with Angela close by and left the judge's chambers. Deidre turned away back to the clerk; unable to resist, glanced up beside her at Shawn. He looked at her and said, "We do need to clear the air on some things." He informed her and turned; started signing where the clerk directed them, as she explained what was expected of them both.
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Series Two Episode 13 - Chapter 39 Sylvia stood looking out of the upper floor window at the traffic passing outside, snow was fallingit was better than rain. Angela was in the washroom and all she could think of was of all the things that had been taking place in the short 24-hour period. She felt weary and tired, unable to stop it, she yawned. "Excuse me, how much longer are they going to be in there?" Georgiana approached Sylvia and asked. She turned, surprised by her. "Um, not much longerthere are papers to sign, they should be out shortly," Sylvia returned kindly. Georgiana stood a moment more, staring down her nose at her. "You know, I said I wasn't going to do this, but in view of all that he's done to our family, I think there are things about him you should know. At least by sharing the facts with you, I can sleep tonight." Sylvia stared up at her, swallowing and dreading. "To be honest with you, I'd really rather not hear it. I think I know him pretty well," she informed her softly. "Honey, you haven't a clue as to what you've gotten yourself into. The Shawn that he shows you, is totally different from the Shawn that I know. That my daughter knows. Just a bit of advice: cut him loose while you can still do so with your dignity intact, no matter how small that may be. You think this is over between them? This is just a game they are playing with each other. I'm certain a woman of your age and experience can imagine what I'm speaking of. Do yourself a favor and avoid the heartache. With him, it's a guarantee. I know, you seebecause he was once mine...before he turned to my daughter." Sylvia gasped. "Don't believe me? We all know he has the cutest birthmark on the topside of his left butt cheek. Ah, yesI know. I also know how incredibly satisfying his bed manner is; do you need me to give you his size and length as well?"
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Sylvia felt her ears ringing as the room swam around her. "Yes...now it's starting to sink in. You stay with him, there will always be one event after another. With loads of humiliation, allheaped upon you. AgainI speak from experience." "You were married to her father! She's your daughter!" Sylvia accused. "He was mine first! My marriage is an arranged one. It's all about the money, and nothing to do with love or loyalty. I would have given Shawn anything! Oh, well...I've said enough. Do what you want, at least you were warned." She turned and walked away, smug with the seed she'd planted. She knew the lie was a gamble, but she had long ago been sure that Shawn had indeed been her lover; the look on Sylvia's face when she made personal descriptions confirmed it. Sylvia turned back to look out the window and felt her ears burning, her heart racing. Oh, my god, what have I gotten myself into? What have I gotten myself into? With her hand over her mouth, she fought back tears and nausea again. Oh, my god, oh my god, oh my god! NoooOh, what am I gonna doWhat? She had his daughter to care for, appointed to her by the court. She knew her body, and was pregnant with his baby. Suddenly she wanted to disappear. Just rush from the courthouse and never look back. Oh, my god...he slept with her mother! And then her! Oh, my God! She knew if it weren't for her having temporary foster custody of Angela, she would be goneout the door to never look back. The urge was overpowering to do it anyway. But if she suddenly disappeared, Angela would have to be taken into foster care by the courts. I can't do that to her...no matter how stupid I am, that child does not deserve to be subjected to living with strangers. What am I saying, I'm a stranger! Not the samenoI have to stay here for her sake, if nothing else. "cut him loose while you can still do so with your dignity intact, no matter how small..." You haven't learned anything, Sylvia Payne! Nothing at all! * * * "Can we sit here and talk for a moment? We won't be long." "Sure you can, but make it quick," the clerk instructed, gathering all the papers they'd signed, putting them in a manila folder and leaving the room. Both were quiet, gathering their thoughts. Deidre was the first to speak up. "Why are you doing this, Shawn? Threatening to take me to court for custody of Angela." "It's not a threat." "Why?" Deidre asked, hurt by it all. "Deidre, come on, ever since this happened, I've had nothing to do but think. You have never been a real mother to her." "Excuse me, I am too a real mother to her! I admit that I struggled in the beginning, and I admit, I'm not a perfect motherbut I love my daughter."
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"If what you say is true, give her to me, then. She needs me right now, she needs the type of attention that only I have given her. You want to surround her with name brand crap and let the commercial and media world raise our daughterwell, I'm sorry, I'd just as soon raise her myself." "With SylviaPayne?" she asked, her name lodging in her throat. "YesI couldn't have picked a better person to be a stepmother to Angela. She has just the type of values, morals, and confidence that Angela needs." "I'm her mother! I'm what she needs!" "Deidre, I'm not about to sit here and get into a long drawn-out discussion over it. I've made up my mind. You can visit her anytime. If you would just set your pride aside, and put what's best for her to the forefront, you'd know in your heartthis is best all the way around. Then you can get on with building your own life." "You were my life, Shawn" She couldn't help it, it was now or never. "Deidre...don't do this. Stop right there" "I can't stop. Angela was telling the truthI still love you, Shawn. And I am so sorry for everything I did that tore us apart, ruined our marriage and what could have been. I'm asking you to think about our daughter, and how happy it would make her for us to get back together, and give it another try. I've changed, Shawna lot. I've done a lot of growing up. A lot of thinkingI see all of the things I did wrong, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes for us." Shawn sat uncomfortably listening and felt truly sorry for her, because there was not the tiniest shred of desire to be back with her again. He was totally and completely, madly in love with Sylvia Payne. No woman from his past or possible future, could take his eyes from herhis heart from her. Taking a deep breath, he stood. "We better go, we promised to make it quick." Deidre sat staring up at him. "What about everything I just said?" "I can't help you with that. I'm happy to hear that you've grown up. There's a man out there somewhere who will really appreciate that gesture. Save it for him. All I want from you is my daughterthat's it." Angrily, Deidre surged to her feet, tears were streaming from her eyes. "Well, you won't get her! And you will not take me to court! No judge anywhere is going to give custody of a little girl to a porn star! Surprised? You should be! Even after finding that out, I still wanted you! I didn't even care! Think Sylvia Payne will? Hm? Miss values and high morals? How do you think the news of that will go over with her?" She snatched her purse up and stormed from the room. Shawn stood with his guts twisted. "My godI'm gonna have to tell her. I'm gonna have to tell her, I will not be blackmailed."
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"You okay, Sylvia?" Angela asked, back from the washroom. Sylvia took several calming breaths, girding herself with fortitude. First things first. "I'm okay, sweetie, you okay?" she asked gently. "Yeahnow that I know I can be with you and my dad, even if it is for only a month, but he's gonna try to get me right?" she asked for reassurance. "Yep...he is." Even though not even he deserves you, she thought next. "Angela!" Deidre called approaching them, unable to get herself to look at Sylvia. Her mother was next to her, she didn't have a problem looking at her. Sylvia glanced at Georgiana, then away. Her peripheral caught Shawn walking from the hall that lead to the judge's chamber, he was walking towards her. It took everything in her power not to yell at him to stay away from her. Instead, she focused her attention out of the window. She heard Deidre talking to Angela. "Mommy's gonna go now. You know my number, my cell phone. I promise you, I'll be doing whatever I can to make things better for you. Okay?" "Just let me live with my dad," Angela said. "Give me a chance, Angela, that's all I ask. I promise you, things will be better. I-I love you." She rose and kissed her daughter's head, and strode from the building with her mother behind her. "Sylvia?" Shawn called her name. She turned and looked down at Angela. "Come on, we better go now." She was the next to head out the door, refusing to look back at Shawn. He and his daughter stood stunned that she wasn't waiting for them, that she didn't grab her hand as she held her father's so they could leave as they came. Shawn swallowed down the boulder lodged in his throat, looked down at his daughter who was looking up at him, wondering what just happened. "Come on, pum'kin." When Shawn and Angela made it out of the courthouse and to the parking lot, Sylvia was standing by her door of the SUV, arms crossed and avoiding looking his way. Shawn's mind was racing. Did I miss something? What the hell happened between our I love you's and holding hands in the judge's chambers? He was racking his brain trying to figure out what caused this sudden mood swing with her. He walked up to the SUV and clicked his remote, unlocking it. The alarm chirped off and she grabbed her door open and jumped in, not wanting him to get close to her to open it for her. "Is Sylvia mad at us, daddy?" Angela asked as they neared the vehicle. "No, pum'kinnot at you, but most certainly at me." "What did you do?" she asked innocently. "Good question, pum'kingood question," he returned, opening the door for his daughter to climb in. "Buckle up," he commanded playfully and slammed her door. Walking to the other side, he was ticking off everything that had happened that morning.
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Everything he said to her. He decided there was no sense in stressing over it nowhe was certain he'd be finding out soon enough. He jumped in his side, looked over at her, she was looking out of her window, tenaciously avoiding looking at him. He couldn't help himself, he reached over to touch her hand and she pulled it away. "What's going on?" he just had to ask. "Not now, Shawn," she returned immediately. Realizing they weren't in the place to deal with it, whatever it was, he left off any more inquiries and looked in his rear view mirror at his daughter. She shrugged with a wide-eyed shake of her head. Shawn smiled...he couldn't believe his daughter was with him. If he had to do battle with the devil himself to keep her, he would. "You hungry, pum'kin?" "Oh, yes...can we get KFC? I want some chickenthe original, not crispy! And I want one of those parfait desserts, and I want biscuits, and I want fries, not mash potatoes," she called out enthusiastically, making Sylvia smile despite her need to be away from her father. "You hungry, Sylvia?" Angela asked so kindly, so sweetly, Sylvia looked back at her and smiled brightly for her. "No, baby, I'm fine. But we'll stop and get what you want, for sure." "You got to be hungryyou threw up all your food! Why did you get so sick, Sylvia?" The observation took Sylvia off guard. "Um, I don't think breakfast agreed with me, that's all. I'll be okay, don't you worry about me," she answered as Shawn started the vehicle and began backing out of his park slot. "Maybe you're pregnant. My friend says every time her mom got pregnant, she was sick all the time, throwing up, too! Like you." She shocked Sylvia by speaking her mind without thought, as children often do. Sylvia wanted to die on the spot as she turned slowly back in her seat. She glanced out of her peripheral at Shawn, he was looking straight ahead driving, deliberately not glancing at her. Sylvia didn't know what to do, Angela was waiting for an answer and the pregnant silence grew. Finally Shawn asked, "Are you tired?" It was a gentle question that she turned and snapped to. "Yes! Sick and tired!" He reached up and scratched his head, then sighed deep. "Greatthank you, very muchso I guess it's up to me to guess what's going on now, hm?" Angela could tell it was time for her to shut up, so she sat quietly and stared out of her window at the passing scenery. Shawn tried to test the water, with the touch of his knuckles on Sylvia's thigh; she brushed his hand away. Knowing her well enough to know this all signalled a fight, he gave up and focused on getting them something to eat, whether she said she was hungry or not. A sudden idea came to him as he drove, he engaged his car phone and dialled a number. Sylvia wondered what he was up to as she listened to it ringing whomever he was calling.
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"Hello?" a woman answered. "Meribel! It's me, Shawn." "Shawn! Hey, papi! How you doing! Wha's going on?" she asked excited, in a heavy Spanish accent. "I have Angela with me, she's going to be in Wisconsin a while. What are you and Derrick up to?" he asked his favorite sister-in-law. "Oh, my goodness! You got Angela? You have to bring her by! The kids will be so excited!" she exclaimed; they could all hear the hectic sounds of children in the background, as one of them asked their mother, 'Who's on the phone?' To which she answered, 'Your Tio Shawn, he's got Angela with him.' and that person, a young a girl, responded, 'Ooh, ooh, ask him can she come over?' Now Sylvia understood, and turned narrowed eyes at him, he deliberately avoided her glaring at him. He was busy smiling at the sounds that were filling the vehicle, the sounds of a large family and children actively wreaking havoc in the home. Sylvia couldn't miss the look of pleasure on his face and unable to bear it, she looked away, not about to soften her resolve to break it off with him. "Oh, daddy, can I go over there?" Angela asked excitedly. She really liked her Aunt Meribel; the few times they'd visited them in California had been filled with such great fun with her cousins, she could barely sit still. "Where are you guys?" Meribel asked. "In my SUVin Madison!" "You guys are in Madison!" she blasted them. "Why didn'chu guys call us! We were just gettin' packed up to visit your folks! We was gone take a detour and visit you, papi! Ooh, ooh! You got your ol'lady wit'chu? We dyin' to meet her! Wha's her name again? lemme thinkSylvia right?" "Yepthat's her, all right." Shawn chuckled, thinking , 'Although not talking to me, she's here.' 'Let me talk to him, Meri.' He heard his brother ask. 'Okay.' "Okay, Shawn, Derrick's here to talk to you, see you later!" "Hey, man, so you're in Madison? What's up?" Derrick asked. Sylvia sat listening to his voice; the brothers voices were very similar. "I need a favor. Sylvia's not feeling well, and we have to drive back home. Would you mind driving her car back, and then taking Angela with you guys to visit mom and dadshe's really excited about the idea." Sylvia's eyes grew huge. Oh, my God! The nerve of this man! Don't ask me nothing! FineI'll go along with it for now, because then we'll be alone and I can give you a piece of my mind.' She thought angrily. "Hey, no problem. Where you guys staying? What's going on with two vehicles here?" "It's a long story, but if you could do this for me, I would really appreciate it. We're staying at the Ramada Inn right off the 51."
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"Okay, well, we're almost done loading up the van, we'll be there soon. I'll drive her car and Meribel can follow me, how's that?" "Perfect! I'm gonna stop and get some KFCyou guys eat?" "We were gonna do the same en route. Pick us up some, too, I'll split the cost when we get there." "Hey, I'm not worried about that. When you go in the parking lot at the hotel, pull around to the far right side back entrance; that's where I'll be parking, towards the door near our roomssee you guys there!" Shawn answered, still smiling. They could all hear a little one begging Shawn's brother, 'lemme talk. lemme talk, daddy, I wanna talk...pleeease canna I talk!' "Yepsee you there." Derrick hung up and Shawn ended the phone call. "Oh, thank you, daddythank you so much!" "Sopapa done good?" he joked. "Yes! Papa done real good!" Angela answered as they pulled up into the KFC drive-thru. * * *
Georgiana sat rolling her eyes to the ceiling of their jet as it taxied down the runway for take off, sick of listening to her daughter sob her eyes out. "Give it a rest already! How much longer are you going to slobber over him, for goodness sake! It's overget used to the idea, already!" With a shake of her head, she gazed out the window thinking. Yesjust forget him, daughter, because as soon as I can get that stupid negro to set him free, I can start to work on him for myself. First, I have to make sure she gets Angela from him! I'll never get anywhere if she's always present. Thank God I kept it to just one of them. Silly twit would have been stuck with two of them, had I not intervened in time. Now if I could only figure out how to get rid of the one that Sylvia's carryingIf she had any sense, she would listen to what I said and just break it off with him and leave! Can't drug her and get Stan to scrape her uterus.' She remembered how easy it was to abort Deidre's second pregnancy by Shawn, and thought herself a genius. By convincing her daughter to relax a bit by taking a "mild" sedative, the doctor had been able to come right up to her room, give her a shot to knock her deeper under, then he'd performed the abortion. He'd called a private ambulance and had her taken to a private wing of the hospital, where Stan saw to her recovery and giving her the lie that she must have suffered a reaction to the sedative she'd taken and miscarried the baby. Georgiana smiled, nothing could have been easier - the last thing she'd wanted was a baby that her daughter would have used to get him back, she'd had to get rid of it before all they did to break them up, was undone. But this other woman was a different story. Irritated, she glanced at her daughter still crying.
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"Have you no pride! He's not crying over yougo wash your face." Deidre blew her nose again, barely able to see from sobbing so out of control. "The plane's about to take off, I can't." "I don't understand you. There are many men who would love to be with you, give you anythingand here you sit, crying over him." "I'm not just crying over him! I'm crying because I once had it all! Everything a woman could ever want! And now it's gone! Gone! My own daughter hates me!" "Well, join the club! She'll get over it! You better focus on how to get her back!" "I don't know. I've been doing a lot of thinking. Maybe...maybe I should take advantage of this time, and maybeget my life in order, as the judge said. I meanShawn has moved on. And...he was always a better father than I was a mother...always." "Well, that's why! What kind of mother would just pass her daughter on to a man who fondles her?" "Shut up, mother! Just shut up! He did no such thing! No matter how angry I may be at him, he's not that type of person. She admitted it was a lie, and I, for one, believe that is was. Shawn would never do such a thing! That I do know about him!" "Well, whether he is guilty or not, we're getting her back! You want to do something with you life? You still can; she can go off to school for the major part of the year, that's plenty of time for you to get your life in order." "Wait a minute! You want me to fight him to keep her from him, just to send her off to school?" "And what's wrong with that? Sent you offyou turned out just fine! No better polished woman have I ever seen, than you. She deserves the same." "Yeahshe deserves to be as I am now, miserable, with nothing normal about me or the things that I do." Deidre sniffed and wiped her nose, thinking. Then asked suddenly, "Why did you and dad even have me? Why was it necessary?" "Why do you think? Nobody lives forever; who will the company and everything we've built up go to, if you don't have at least one." "So...that's it? Just to have someone to pass it all to. Just so it doesn't slip away into the hands of others. I mean...why would it matter? You'll be dead anywayhow would you know?" "Hmmm, that's true. Very true." Her mother reflected in thought. Deidre sat and stared at her. "Mother, have you ever once...held me in your arms, and squeezed me close, proud of what you'd created?" "Giving birth hurt like hell! I wasn't in the mood for the tender scene, okay? You were always well taken care of. We paid for the best nurses and nannies. Besides, I was there for all of your little recitals...
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...all your little award ceremonies, all the graduations and who threw you the biggest birthday parties anyone has ever been to? Me! I did my part. My mother did hers, and her mother did the same! Now you do yours for your daughter, and quit this embarrassing weeping. You're giving me a headache." Deidre turned and looked out of her window, the plane was airborne. Now if she could only be so lucky as to wish it into a crash landing if it did, that would be just fine with her.
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Series Two Episode 14 - Chapter 40 The chicken smelled wonderful, making Sylvia's stomach growl loud; again she looked over at Shawn, he was determined to keep a straight expression. No grinning whatsoever. Angela was in the back seat munching on her fries. "Pum'kin, why don't you wait until we get back to the hotel and eat with your cousins," Shawn suggested, glancing up through his rear view mirror. "Ooh, they taste so good! Okay, I'm gonna eat just one more," she mumbled with her mouth full. Suddenly Shawn's hand snaked back and grabbed a handful. "Hey! Daddy! You got mash potatoes!" she reminded him. He chuckled, eating the eight or more fries. Sylvia was dying for something, anythingshe was starving. Suddenly a fry appeared under her nose from the back seat, Angela with wide eyes was offering her some of hers. "It's not fair daddy have some and not you," she reasoned. Sylvia smiled and decided she would hold off and eat at the hotel. "Aaah, you are so sweet, Angela, but I'm going to wait, okay? Thank you, though." She sat back with a shrug. "Okay." And popped it into her mouth. They finally pulled up into the hotel parking lot, Shawn driving around to the back of the hotel and parking near their entry door, when Sylvia noticed the pearlescent beige Ford Minivan with all of its doors open and kids jumping out. She could see the back of a woman leaning in to unbuckle one of the younger ones. "They're here already. When it comes to food, Derrick does not playhe eats three times as much as I do!" Shawn chuckled. The woman set the child down and turned, looking toward them, a big fat smile burst on her face while waving at them. "OhmyGodno way!" Sylvia gasped. "What? Do you know her or something?" Sylvia was quiet a moment, stunned, then finally answered, "Yes, I know her. She dated Armundo before he left her and came to me." "Your first husband?" Shawn asked, surprised.
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"Yeahwe all came from the same neighborhood and went to the same high school, Gage Park." "It's a small world," Shawn spoke the old clich, pulling in one space away from them. Meribel was standing and waiting to receive a hug from Shawn as soon as he cut the engine and stepped from the vehicle. "Heeey, papi! How you doing?" she asked, her Puerto Rican accent still pretty strong, hugging him tightly as he gave her a good squeeze, lifting her off the ground, giving her a solid kiss and suck to her neck which made her squeal in laughter. "Papi, you so crazy! Turning me on in front of my husband!" "Hey, hey, hey! Hands and lips off the wife!" Derrick barked, grinning that very same grin as his older brother. "Ah, come on! You have her all the time! You be glad I was out of town when you found her!" Shawn joked, setting her down to turn to his brother, the two bear-hugging, so happy to see each other; it had been a while even though they talked on the phone often. "Hey, Tio Shawn, where's Angela?" Sasha, his brother's only daughter, who was ten years old, asked him right away. There were five of them present from seventeen down to five. His 17-year-old nephew stood with his mp3 player ear phones on, grinning at him so much like his father. Derrick and his son were both taller than Shawn; in fact, they were the tallest in the family. Derrick standing 6'4 and his 17-year-old son, 6'5. "My god, man, look at this kid!" Shawn blasted, staring at his nephew. "What are you guys feeding him? Man, I know you play basketball!" he stated as Angela jumped out of the SUV and Sasha was quick to hug her, so happy to see her cousin, finally another girl to talk and giggle with. Marcus smiled, showing silver braces on his teeth. "YeahI'm good, too. We're gonna have to shoot some hoops, Tio." "You sure you wanna do that? 'Cause I'm good, ask your dadhe may have me in height, but I got skills!" Shawn bragged, winking at his brother who laughed, patting him on the back. Derrick was eyeing the attractive young black woman that slowly came around the vehicle to meet his wife who, at the moment, was staring at her in shock. Sylvia took a deep breath as she stared into the face of a woman she went to school with so long ago. "Oh, nono freakin' wayoh, my God! Sylvia Martin! I didn't know you were the Sylvia!" "Yepin the flesh," Sylvia presented herself. "I cannot believe my eyes! Oh, my goodness! Baby! This is the one I've been telling you about. This is who junior's father married!" Sylvia gaped. "What?" she asked. Meribel was shaking her head, looking from her husband back to Sylvia.
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"Youwere pregnant by Armundo?" Sylvia murmured, stunned. "Yes, I was! So were two other girls! Then he knocked you up, too. You won him, and I for one, am eternally grateful, because it set me up to get that man right there! I just cannot believe this." "Yesgood for me...I won him." Sylvia was anything but happy about that revelation. "I knew about the other two girls, but I didn't know that you were. Where is your son?" "He lives in La Crosse. Girl, look at you! I am in total shock! So, you guys divorce?" "No, he died, Meribelin a car accident about two years ago." "No freakin' way! Oh, my god! Girl, junior had been asking me and his dad for the longest, should he meet his dad...should he try and find him. We kept telling him that it was up to him, but he could never get himself to do it. Besides, he's always had a fathera damn good one!" Meribel went on passionately. "Honey, can we move this inside, so we can all eat?" Derrick broke in, hungry. "Okaymy goodness, you're not gonna starve!" "Well, if you had cooked" "Oh! Here we go! You were at home today, too!" she lit into him. "This way, everybody." Shawn started laughing, shaking his head at them, leading the crew through the door to the hotel as all of his brother's children piled in, with Angela and Sasha holding hands and going in together. There were six children in total for Derrick McPherson's clan, starting with their oldest son that Meribel had been pregnant with when he first met her, who was named after him: Derrick Jr., twenty-one; Marcus, seventeen; Luis, fifteen; Shawn Everett the second, thirteen. Meribel introduced them as they walked through; and last, their 5-year-old, Joseph Nathan. The kids carried the KFC as she and Sylvia walked side by side. Sylvia could not believe how much Shawn II looked like his uncle. Meribel and Derrick told her how the family was always teasing him that Shawn must have slipped in from California when he turned over in bed one night. "Girl, the moment his mom saw him, she said, 'there's Shawn all over again.' So, naturally, that's what we named him." Even Shawn was floored by how much the boy's features were his own, although he'd only seen him four or five times over the years; he was really turning more and more like him with each passing year. He just hoped he wouldn't be as dumb and angry as he had been. The object of their discussion had nothing on his mind but getting into the chicken bucket. Sylvia and Shawn opened their room doors and the kids went to one side with their food, while the adults talked in the other room eating theirs. "So, how did you two meet?" Sylvia asked, truly curious.
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"I was so heartbroken over being pregnant and losing Armundo to you, that my mother sent me to live with my Tio, who had just bought some land here. Girl, forgetting where the heck I was, I just took off walking one day upset, crying, feeling sorry for myself. Miserable! I musta been about seven months pregnant. Got my silly butt lost in the woods. I must have walked for hours trying to find my way back. Honey, the country in the woods, ain't nothing like the citydon't go gettin' lost there!" She laughed, Sylvia smiled, agreeing. "Anyway, I start bawling and crying, I'm talking to myself and God, asking why you do this to me! I'm gonna die here! Me and my baby will be found, nothing but bones...that's all that will be left of us." She laughed. "Yeah," Derrick joined, "It was something to see. I was fishing, getting ready to head back, when I heard her. I got my stuff together and went looking for the source of the wailing, and there she was, sitting at the base of a tree, crying her eyes out. This perfectly round ball-belly protruding from her. It was over for me right then." "Aaaah, isn't he cute!" Meribel pealed, leaning over to give her husband a kiss, picking up where he left off. "Yep, girl, I was a mess and he just swooped in, talked to me and calmed me down, askin' me my name and was I alright. Where I lived and how did I end up lost in the woods. I could barely talk...'cause I was likehell naaaw! He was likefo-ine! And all I could think about was, oh man...here I am pregnant, and this too fine tall-ass white dude comes and just blows me away. He took me home with him first, because we were closer to his house than where I walked from. His parents were soooo nice. Next thing, he and his dad drove me back home to my Tio's, and the rest is history." "Well, I'm happy things turned out so well for you. You know, my kids live in La Crosse as well, there's two of them. I had a girl first, Crystal Bella and then my son, Armundo, he's a Jr. as well." "Wow...lemme show you a picture of my Derrick," Meribel offered, and Sylvia pulled hers too. They talked for a while longer, Shawn explaining the current scenario that brought them there, and why Angela was with him. He left out the claim she made against him, because he just couldn't bring himself to share it with his brother; it still hurt and embarrassed him. Derrick and Meribel, during the time they sat and talked, noticed that Sylvia and Shawn didn't touch, barely looked at each other and they couldn't help but wonder what was going on. Meribel was going to get to the bottom of it; an hour later, they were ready to roll out, with her announcing, "Sylvia! You're going to ride with me in the van. You three, go with your dad in Sylvia's car! You two, go with your Tio Shawn, let's go." Shawn sighed. Actually, he'd wanted to be alone with Sylvia, but giving her a quick glance, hoping she'd look his way proved in vain, she kept her face averted. After everyone was in and ready to pull off for taking Sylvia's car back, she sat longing for Shawn.
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As angry as she was, determined still to break it off, she felt his absence. Her body was actually physically moved by the fact that he was in a separate vehicle. Such strong internal turmoil over him just being in another vehicle stunned her, she was afraid that she was in deeper than she ever imagined. They started pulling out of the hotel, Meribel followed Shawn, and Derrick followed his wife. "Okay...spill it. What's going on? I ain't gonna be beating around no bullshit bush. What's happening with you two?" Meribel asked bluntly. "Nothings happening...we're just" Sylvia trailed off, not sure what to say. "Just what?" Meribel pressed. "I-I don't know if we're going to make it, that's all." "Make it, as intogether?" Sylvia looked at her. "Yes." "Why not? Aren't you in love with him? He sure as hell in love with you!" "How would you know that?" "Because you're all he's been talking about for the lastI don't know how many months! He's been calling Derrick for likeevery week, talking about you. His mom and dad know about you. His other brother and sisters know about you. That tells us, he's head over heels! Shawndoes not go on and on about any woman! There wasn't even a big to-do over his first wife, Angela's mother. He just showed up out of the blue with her and said, 'Hey everybody I'm married. This is my wife, we're having a baby.' But youhe can't stop talking about you. I'm telling you, he and Derrick were on the phone until two in the morning about something that happened with you a while back. I thinksomeone broke into your house and attacked you, and Shawn got there just in time to stop it." "You all know about that?" Sylvia asked, surprised. "Yes, we do! You left, took off, and he was a mess. He didn't know where you were, if you were even okay. Derrick had to help him think straight and gave him ideas on how to find you, because he couldn't sleep at night and was keeping us up! Over you! So don't you sit here telling me, 'you don't know if you're going to make it'!" Sylvia sat back, more confused than she'd ever been in her life. This picture just painted of Shawn didn't fit what Georgiana Wherrington painted of him. She was quiet a moment, then said, "I'm so scared of him, Meribel. I'm so afraid of what he makes me feel. There are things that have happened, things brought to my attention that he didn't share with me. Today I stood at the courthouse feeling an absolute fool. After Armundo, I'm not gonna be stressing and fighting and arguing and being humiliated. I did that enough with Armundo. I learned an important lesson while being married to him; don't be so quick to defend, until you have all the facts." "Hang on, hang on, hang onsomebody said something to you? Who?" "I can't share what she said because it's private, but it's something I'm going to bring before Shawn."
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"Who is she? His ex-wife said something to you?" "No, her mother." "I see, and I take it that it wasn't good?" "No, not at all." "Could she have been lying?" "Noshe knew things that she would have known only if what she said was true." "Look! I don't know what she said. I don't know what this is all about but what I do know, and what I am positively sure of is this: he is in love with you! Like we've never seen him beforenot ever! Shawn has been through a lot of shit in his life. Stuff that only Derrick and I know about" "Stuff like what?" Sylvia asked with curiosity etched on her face. "Oh, no, no, no, no, girlfriend, you need to get this from him! I'm not telling you shit! I've told you all I'm gonna tell you." "That's the problem! He's not telling me anything! I have to hear bullshit from people like his ex-wife's mother! That woman should not have had anything to use against me that I wasn't prepared for! It was up to Shawn to tell me all the important things that might jeopardize our relationship! He claims to love methen he needs to be straight up with me! After Armundo, I need to be one hundred percent certain. He's good at sweeping me off my feet, being the dazzling gentlemen and all that, but it's all bullshit that don't mean a hill of beans if I can't trust what we have. Only way I can trust, is by knowing, being equipped up frontthen I'll fight. But I'm not gonna be anybody's fool. That includes Shawn McPherson." "WellI can't blame you there. You're right, he should have come clean and told you everything. Butin his defence, he's come back from a long way down. His parents mean the world to him. His brothers and sisters are his heart and soul. He always regrets not being here for them because he took off. All I can tell you is this, Sylvia: he's made up of all the right stuff. He really is. But that don't mean he's perfect. All I know for certain is this: there is no way he would be telling his whole family about you, if this wasn't deep and real for him. Sohey, if you have togive him hellbut don't give him up. You'll be regretting it just like his ex-wife does, if you do." "How do you know that? That she still loves him?" "Because she sends us Christmas cards still, and calls and tries to talk to me. It's all to try and keep tabs on him. You can always tell. She was always fishing for what is going on with him. The fact isnowit's all about you. It's all about you two." Sylvia sighed thinking, no...it's about us three. Then she smiled and corrected herself thinking of Angela. Us four
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Series Two Episode 14 - Chapter 41 "Give me a kiss. Now you know how to act, don't you? Listen to your uncle and aunt, your grandma and grandpa" "I know, daddy, I'll be good. Thank you for letting me go," Angela returned, pulling away from her father after a kiss, more excited than she'd been in a long time to be around other kids, and now, her father's family. She'd been doing nothing but laughing and having fun ever since his brother and wife came with their kids. She turned to Sylvia. "Bye, Sylvia." Sylvia knelt before her to give her a hug. "Bye-bye, sweetie; can you do me a favor while you're gone?" she asked. With surprised eyes, Angela nodded. "Sure, Sylvia, what?" Sylvia's eyes held hers as she began, "First, have lots and lots of fun." That made Angela nod with a smile. "Second, and this is really, really important, okay?" Angela nodded waiting. "I want you to be very mindful of picking up after yourself. Volunteer to help with the dishes. Don't leave a mess anywhere you play. Keep your things neat and tidy in one spot, not all over the place, and be quick to pitch in and respond to the adults your father has left you in care of. Will you do that for me?" "Okay, Sylvie, I will. I've never done dishes before, though, but I'll try." "Good enough, that's all I ask. Now go have fun." She hugged her and Angela turned and leapt into the running van to take her place next to her cousin Sasha. "She'll be fine, see you guys later!" Meribel called as Shawn pulled the van door closed. "Alright, thanks a lot you two! See ya later," Shawn finished, backing away from the van so his brother could get going. He stood waving, thinking of the motherly advice Sylvia just gave his daughter, making him even more certain they were meant to be, as he watched the van cruise down the road until it made the curve and was out of sight. With dread he turned to see Sylvia staring off at it as well. Taking a deep breath, he was the first one to speak. "Okay, she's gonetime for us to talk. So, what's going on?" he asked as they stood in his driveway.
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"I don't know what's going on, how about you tell me?" "I'm not the one with the mood swing, no hostility coming from me," he assured her. "First of all, this is not a 'mood swing'!" "Alright, alright ,alright, sorry. Wrong words. Whatever the problem is, can we go inside and deal with it?" he asked with his hands raised in surrender. Rolling her eyes angrily, she turned and made her way to his porch steps, pulling her keys from her purse to unlock the front door. Entering his home, she put her purse and keys on the table there and made her way straight towards the kitchen. At the sink, she turned on the tap to run water, getting a glass, she tested the temperature and filled it. Shawn entered behind her, looking around; in the kitchen on the table lay papers from the police who'd inspected his home. His keys were there as well, as they'd promisedthey'd left them for him. He picked up the paperwork and noted it was a list of what they'd taken from the house. His computer, his laptop, and various home movies. It said they would call him when he could come and pick up his equipment. There were four sheets, he stood in the wide doorway, taking deep breaths, looking them over and preparing himself. He glanced up from the papers to watch Sylvia drain two full glasses of water. She turned from the window to look at him, then at the papers in his hands. "What's that?" "List of what was taken from here." "Maybe you should check around and see how they left the place. I'll be across the road." "I'll see what they did later, right nowwe need to talk, this is more important." Sylvia leaned back against the counter, her hands braced backward with the heels of her palms and fingers gripping the countertop, staring across the room at him a few moments and decided to get right to it. "Todaywhile you were in the judge's chamber with Deidre, her mother had a few words for me. Words that froze me to the core, and shocked the hell out of me. And I'm going to tell you right now, I felt such a complete ass, because there was nothing I could say back to her. Right then, right there, I knewthat I don't know you. I only know what you've given me, and I can assure you, it was nothing I could use to rebuff her. All the old bullshit feelings of what I had to face with Armundo slammed right back in on me, full force. Feelings of being in the dark and looking the fool as everyone whispers around me, because they know things that I don't. I'm telling you right here, right nowI'm not going through it again. This is not what I'd planned for me for the rest of my life. To be honest with you, I'm not so sure anymore if being in your lifeis a good thing." Shawn felt on fire inside. He was rigid with anger, as if another person was sharing his body at that moment, while he gave way to the fantasy of smashing in Georgiana's face.
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He'd never struck a woman in his life, but that was one, that he was afraid he'd have no problem slamming. He turned sideways in the doorway, his right hand braced up high as he fought back aggressions he couldn't use right then. "That bitch," he muttered low, then looked over at Sylvia. "So, it's true? Not that I need you to confirm it, because I already know what she told me is. What I need to know is you. The real you. No more games, okay? Drop the cute grin, drop the charm, drop the bullshit. I need some truths here, if there is any chance of you and I ever marrying. To be honest, I don't see it happening. There were things you should have told me before you put this freakin' ring on my finger!" With that, she yanked it off and slammed it on his kitchen counter, taking her hand away as she felt her anger building. "Nothing to say?" she asked. "Yes, I have plenty to say. I'm just trying to figure the best way to sort it out and lay it on the table for you. But, can you please put the ring back on." "No! Hell no! Mention it again, and I'll launch it out the freakin' window!" Shawn's stomach was aching as he fought for control. "First of all, calm down." "Nodon't tell me to calm down. I'll calm down when I know what the hell I've gotten myself into!" "Well, then, at least come and sit down; I need to go get something." "I'm fine right where I am." He stood staring at her with her stubborn stance. Exhaling deep, he turned, disappearing down the hall. She heard him rummaging through something in one of the back rooms. A few minutes later, he returned with golden, thin tissue carbon-copy papers of some kind and laid them on the table. "What is that?" she asked. "Proof." "Proof of what?" she pressed. "Proof that I've been tested for HIV four times, each one came back negativeproof that I'm clean." "Well, that's sure nice to hear! Why do you feel that is relevant to what's going on right now?" "Because I'm gonna come clean. Everythingandin a few minutes" he stopped and exhaled nervously as he rubbed his stomach. "Umm, you ummyou'll just need to know that health-wise, disease-wiseI'm clean." Sylvia felt more dread building, her mind in a whirl as to why he would need to show that proof to her, which suggested a certain lifestyle that he felt a need to test that many times. With her heart hammering, she blurted, "Oh, my godare you gay? Or been gay? Have you slept with men?" she asked with her heart pounding. Shawn looked up incredulously. "Hell no! No, no, no, no, no," he fired out rapidly. "Then why the paperwork!"
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"Because in my past, when I was very young and very dumb, in my early twenties, I lead a high-sex lifestyle. I mean, at that time, back thenI had intercourse with quite a few women. I always used a condom, but they're not always one hundred percent." "Oookay, sowhen you say, 'high-sex lifestyle' and 'quite a few women' what exactly are you saying?" "Look, I need you to let me explain from the beginning. Please." "I'm listening." "Where this is going, I need to warn you that it'sit's pretty bad. Umm, and I need you to understand that I regret it allbut I can't change it, and I can't make it go away." "You're beating around the bush, Shawn!" "Dammit, I can't help it! I need the fuckin' bush right now!" "Wait a minute! Don't talk to me that way! Who are you cursing at? You gonna start throwing that word around, I'm out of here!" "I'm sorry. This is not easy for me, okay?" "Not easy for you! Well, shame on me for putting you through it! How 'bout I rewind the tape? Head across the road and stay there! And you stay here and leave me the hell alonewill that be easier for you?" "Dammit, of course not! Come on, SylviaGod! Give me a chance, will you? I need you to stop threatening to destroy this relationship!" "This relationship was under threat the moment you chose not to come clean from the beginning!" Sylvia blasted back from across the room. "You knew then, when you stood your nekkid ass in that room and held me to staying by your side, talkin' that mess about love wasn't enough! You damn straight it ain't! Be honest with me, I'll be honest with you! But don't get frustrated with me because I don't like standing up looking like the next fool in line for you! I'm not going through it again!" she finished with her temper high, not for a moment did she care if he didn't like it. Shawn rapidly scraped his fingers through his hair over his scalp in frustration. "Sylvia, pleaseI'm asking youtoto justjust give me a chance to explain myself. Just give me that. I want to tell you everything, butit's not easy becauseit's something I'm not proud of. AndI don'tI don't wanna lose you." He gazed at her, into her eyes, praying that she believed that. Sylvia glanced away, shaking her head, calling herself all kinds of fool. Lord, I knew a good-looking man ain't about nothing but problems! Why the heck did I do this to myself? She shook her head thinking, she couldn't look at him and keep her senses. "AlrightI'm listening." "Will you come sit down?" "No! I don't wanna sit down! Either talk, or I'm leaving!" "Okayfrom the beginning. I left school. I went against my parent's advice to attend college; I argued with them and ran off...
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...took my art supplies and camera, thinking my talent would carry me when I made it to L.A. and showed people what I could do. They weren't impressed, and I admit, I wasn't as good then as I am now. Anyway, I took my savings with me, and went through it in about four months. I was broke, hungry, and on the verge of being kicked out because I couldn't pay my next month's rent. I owed on utilities and, ummm, it was badhard." "Why didn't you go back home?" she turned back to him to ask. "Because I was stupid! My pride wouldn't let me! I'd said some things and I just couldn't humble myself and return, admitting they were right, my parentsso I stayed. I painted houses, I washed windows, and then had to chase down the guy to get paid." He sighed. "I then took a job in a restaurant, bussing tables, then waiting them. That's where I met Jesse." "Who is Jesse?" she asked. Shawn blew out again, stalling, thinking, fighting with his emotions; he sat down. "Some people might have considered him the wrong person to have come into my life, buthehe was like a brother to meyou know, the big brother I never had." Shawn started swallowing back moisture in his mouth, feeling his eyes burn just thinking about Jesse. Sylvia was stunned by his actions and covered her mouth, she had to steel herself not to go to him, feeling that he kept her on a constant emotional roller coaster. Sometimes feeling she wanted to tell him to go to hell, and in the blink of an eye, she was longing for him. Crazyhe made her crazy, now she was fighting softening, seeing the battle he was up against with something from his past. "Aaah, shit." He gasped, sitting back roughly, pushing at his eyes and then clamping his hands over his head, giving himself a moment. He missed Jesse right then, missed him like hell. "I loved himand my stupid assI got him killed," he paused a moment, thinking about him, thinking about that day, then stood and left the room because telling her this was opening up a maelstrom of raw emotions he thought deeply buried. Sylvia stood in the kitchen with her mind working, wondering what to do now. Suddenly Shawn showed up again, his eyes red, holding a photo album. He walked over to her and laid it on the counter, and tapped a picture with his index finger. "That's Jesse." She turned and looked at the photo. There with a handsome black man was a very young Shawn; much skinnier, not as muscular, but he was very toned and fit looking. She'd seen these pictures when cleaning his home months earlier. They were in a restaurant, arms across each other's backs and smiling brightly for the camera. Shawn's hair was really long, and the black man had a small, neat, well-shaped afro. There were other pictures of them together. Shawn with his hair cut, some pictures he was smiling, some not.
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There were many of the two of them together. Sylvia looked up at him as he sat across the room at the table, his elbows on his knees, his hands hung between as he hung his head. "How, Shawnhow did you get him killed?" she asked. He looked up and said right out, "We made money doing porn, Sylvia. Having intercourse with women in front of a camera." "Porn?!" "Yes." "You did porn!" "I did porn. I did porn for nearly two years with Jesse. Chocolate-Vanilla Swirl teamthat was us. It pulled me out of the shit" The thought of that ironic statement made Shawn sit back and chuckle to himself. "Well, out of being broke and hungry. No way near being out of the shit." "I can't believe you did porn. You did porn! How could you do that?" Sylvia stood away from the counter, her eyes wide, her jaw locked open incredulous. "Oh, my godporn! How could you?" "Survival! I did it to survive! A big head! One at one end and one at the other!" "Don't be vulgar!" Sylvia snapped. Shawn leapt to his feet. "I'm just telling you the truth, okay? Sorry I'm not interpreting it in a way that best appeals to you!" he yelled. "You know whatscrew thisyou have everything else! I'm outta here!" She went to charge past him, heading for the door. "Oh, so you're just gonna run out? Just like that?" he shouted, growing more afraid, which came out as anger. "Goodbye!" she shouted, snatching up her purse and keys, heading out the door. Shawn couldn't just stand there and let her leave. "Don't do this, Sylviaplease!" he called, heading out the door behind her, going down his steps to follow her across the road. She ignored him and continued on. He knew if she went in that house, after all he did to make it secure, he wouldn't be able to get in. He ran past her to block her way from the kitchen door. "Get out of my way!" she ordered through a tight jaw. "No! Come on, Sylvia! Godlet me finish!" "You are finished! So are wenow move!" "No! Hell no! You're gonna hear me out, dammit!" he returned, panicking. She turned and tried to run for her front door; he took off and passed her again. Angry that he wouldn't let her pass, she launched her purse at him and shouted, "Get out of my way and let me in my house!" Shawn deflected the purse, it hit the ground, spilling out all of her contents. "Let me go in with you so I can finish!"
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Sylvia ignored him and turned to sprint back across the road to his house, her plan was to lock him out to get away from him. " Sylvia!" Shawn bellowed her name, just as she stopped from running in front of an oncoming truck. The driver swerved to miss her and screeched to a halt, sliding over the gritty country road, frightened out of his wits, he shouted at her, "Lady, are you fuckin' nuts? Trying to get yourself killed? Jesus Christ!" The adrenaline rush of horror of what could have happened, caused instant dizziness, dropping her to her knees. Shawn was there in a flash, picking her up, his heart was pounding, the pulse in his neck was surging like crazy. The truck driver shook his head, slammed on the gas and spun his tires, kicking up dusthe was out of there. Shawn carried Sylvia into his house and went straight to his bedroom with her, her arms were around his neck as he lowered her to the bed. "Are you crazy!" he ground out through gnashed teeth, shaking so bad from it, he had to sit down as she turned away from him, dizzy with her own heart feeling as if it would burst from her chest. "You could have been killed! Darting out into the road like that!" His face was red, his body charged with fright and excitement. "I asked you to leave me alone! Why couldn't you just leave me be and let me in my house!" she sat up, crying out. He grabbed her by the upper arms and slammed her onto her back on the bed, scaring her as he got to his knees over her and said right into her face, close enough so she could count his lashes. "BecauseIcan'tlet you gooo! Understand?" he bit out, shaking her with each word, pressing her into the mattress with the force of what he felt. "Youhave becomethe very airthat I breathe. And I - I can't let you go," he grated with tears in his eyes. "You wanna hit me? Hm? Will that make you feel better? You can hit me! Come onget up - go aheadhit me!" He moved up and back from her so she could sit up. "Come on, hit me, kick me, bite me, try to knock my ass outgo at me until you can't go anymore. I can take it. Come on, hit me!" he growled out, hoarse, slamming his balled fist into his chest with three hard pounds to illustrate how hardenough to scare Sylvia as she sat up and backed away, staring at him, both of them were breathing hard. "I can take that, Sylviabut I can't take not having you. That I can't take."
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Series Two Episode 14 - Chapter 42 Shawn was sitting at the side of the bed, now quiet, with his head in his hands. His fingers threaded through his hair, elbows on knees working to get a grip of himself. Sylvia had her back against the headboard of his bed, leaving him alone to calm down. He'd scared her. She knew what he could do. Had seen what he could do. Today was the first time he'd been rough with her, her upper arms were throbbing from his grip. Yes he was highly strung right then, his emotions getting the best of him, but once again, she sat with the hardcore truth of just how potent a man's physical strength was compared to that of a woman. She couldn't even replay in her mind his picking her up, he'd done it so fast. He was very hard, solid and strong, and for once, she sat thanking God he was not a hitter. Armundo had been. She'd suffered quite a few black eyes from him, busted lips, and numerous bruises. Granted, she'd always fought back with everything in her, often leaving him scarred and bleeding, but it was a frightening and traumatic ordeal that she never wanted to go through again. Shawn was bigger and taller than Armundo had been. Armundo had only been 5'7, when they started out, maybe one hundred-sixty pounds. Yet he could toss her about like it was no big deal. Later on, always apologizing, always regretting, whether that be from his jail cell or not. Yeah, she called the police on him. In a heartbeat. They'd run the entire gauntlet in their marriage. She'd survived it all. Had become a stronger person, with full knowledge of what she wanted in her life, now that she'd been given another chance to become the woman she worked so hard to be. Her prayer now was that Shawn never became so angry that he could hit her. His next action made her wonder if he could read her mind, because he sat up and turned to look at her. "I'm sorry I lost my temper with you. I would never hit youyou do know that, don't you? I know I was a little rough with you, it's just thatif that truck had actually hit you, I would have gone totally insane right then...
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... I would never hit you, no matter what. I need you to have faith in me, at least on that one." Sylvia nodded her head, she believed him. "I love you, Sylvia. Almighty God knows I do. I want to build my entire life, or rather, what's left of itwith you. I've blown the first half straight to hell, all except for Angela. I have to do this half rightthat's why I can't let you go. Because youare what I've always wanted. Andmy mom was over the roof when she heard that you were black." That sat Sylvia forward. "What? That I'm black? Why?" Shawn shook his head and chuckled. "It's a long story. I'll tell you about it later. She's got this health theory thing about people, races, and the dividing off of man. Believe me, she'll give it to you when she gets a hold of you." He smiled then turned on the bed, shifting his right leg on and reached over and took her hand in his. "Pleaselet me finish. Stay calm and listen, then you'll understand what's really going on. Please?" Quietly, Sylvia nodded. "OkayI did porn with Jesse. He was killedshot because we both refused to do a session with two little girls." "Oh, my god! Oh nooo!" "Yeah...it was bad. He made a stand, and of course, I wouldn't do it either; we ended up in a fight with the man over it all, because I didn't have sense enough to know that we needed to get out first. Jesse pulled his gun and started shooting to get this dude off of me, told me to run. I did, thinking Jesse would, too. He never made it. One of the little girls was killed as well. I was on probation for over two years behind it. My parents never knew because I wrote them letters, telling them lies about this success story I was supposed to be living in. Giving them every excuse imaginable to keep them from visiting me as they were pressing to do. I wouldn't give them my address, too scared they'd just show up and know the truth." Sylvia moved closer to him, silently listening as he went on. "Well, the restaurant was a guaranteed job for me, and so I went back to it. I, ummm, was offered various work from those that knew me from my porn days, and at first I turned them down, but I couldn't maintain my lifestyle that Jesse had made possible for us by just working at the restaurant. So I started doingporn stuff again. I, umm, wellyeeshbrace yourself," he warned, and Sylvia did. "I was paid well to make a mold. So, in sex novelty shops out there wherever, there is a dildo that was made from me." "What?" she asked in disbelief. "A dildoyou know, an artificial penis for women. It's called Oscar." Sylvia covered her face and fell back on the bed. She wasn't shouting or screaming, just stunned. "Babyyou okay?" he asked.
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"Go onfinishI'm taking it all in. Don't mind me, I'm justjust trying toto" She started laughing then, from a small laugh to one that had her rolling with it. She was hysterical with it. "I'm sorryforgive meI'm justI can't believe this. This is my punishment for daring to believe that I could control and structure my life, drama free. For trying to create for myself, a perfect world! My mama always said, 'The devil is busy! You can run from him, but you cannot hide!' Mama was right." "Sooo, are you calling me the devil?" Shawn asked, not sure which way this was going. He wasn't for one moment, stupid enough to believe her laughter meant she was enjoying his story. "No, Shawn, I'm not. But he sure has had a good time with you." She sniffed, trying to sit up again. "I'm sorry, go on...finish it." "Well, my next job was the winner of them all. I heard that I could earn five hundred dollars a night fulfilling a woman's sexual fantasy. So I went in and had a private interview with Melba, she liked me, but I had to meet a certain criteria, so I was ordered to strip down to be examined like a piece of meat. Satisfied, she then sent me to be tested, and I passed the immediate VD test they give all the men she hired. Next, I had to learn the proper procedure of making a woman climax. I had to learn that the sex was not about me, but about her. After two weeks of watching live performances" "Wait a minute, you are kidding me, aren't you?" "No, I'm not. I was thoroughly trained to bring a woman to climax. How to touch her, where to touch her, what to say, what she wants to hear, what she doesn't. How to read her, and how to keep myself from premature ejaculation until she has climaxed no less than three times." "Ohmygoodness." "Yeahand, ummm, if she didn't climax three times, you didn't get paid." "Are you serious!" "Oh, yeah, I am; I kid you not. Twice I didn't get paid; three strikes, and you were outfired. So I became good at it. Annnnd, that's when the worst thing that could happen, did." "What?" "One of the women, my new clientguess who she was?" Sylvia's mouth flew open. "Deidre's mother!" "You got it, baby. She didn't know me because we were required to wear costumes and masks, but I could see her. Well, I had to get paid, so I did my job, and I did it well. She wanted me back again. To sweeten the pot, she doubled what I'd get if Melba paired her up with me again. The second night I made one thousand off of her." "Oh, my God, that lying bitch made it out that you and her were in a relationship! That you left her for her daughter!" Sylvia shook her head.
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That's okay, one point for you, ol'lady, but it will be your last point against me, she thought. "No way! I swear to you, Sylvie, she was nothing but a job I had to do. Then I was given to this woman who didn't want sex at all. She'd given a picture of her son to Melba and asked if there was any one of us that looked like him. The only similarities between her son and me was that we both had black hair and hazel-blue eyes. Melba sent me to her and all I had to do was keep her company, pretend to be her son. It was easy, and I was sick of prostituting myself...she was incredible, and I missed my own mother so much, that I poured it on and I gained more from it than she did, I think. After spending a week with her, she paid Melba for my contract outright. I don't know how much it was, but I know one thing: Melba was all about the money, so she paid well. While the men were paid five hundred, she rolled up five thousand per guy per night and there were ten of us. If the woman didn't climax three times, she was only paid twenty-five hundred, and as for us, no matter how bad it was to go through, we got nothing." "Oh, my goodness, you're blowing me away with this. I can't believe it!" "I swear to God, every word is true!" he declared. "It was the ugliest, most hated time of my life until that old lady bought me out." "Oh, I believe itI just can'tbelieve it, you know what I mean?" Shawn sighed, still unable to believe it himself sometimes. "Anyway, I went off with Merriam Styles" "Ohh, that's where your work name comes from!" "Yep, because of her, I'm living my dream. I'm doing what I've always wanted to do. She pressed me to return to school. I almost didn't, I mean, I was in my early thirties by then, but she was willing to pay for it all. She really did well by me. She sent me home to visit my folks in grand style twice a year, of how I'd bragged. And so the least that I could do was go back to school, and there is where I met Deidre. I was attracted to her gentle nature, her aloofness, yetshe wasn't prejudiced. She didn't treat black people as if they were beneath her, that impressed me, it made me feel that she was the one, and I was hooked. I pursued, she got pregnant, we got married. We walked into her home for me to meet her parents, and I'm telling you, Sylvia, I almost swallowed my tongue when her mother walked up. Man, I'm telling you, it was like being kicked by a mule. Sylvia, I tried everything in me to stay away from her, but she stalked me like the sex-hungry slut she is. She did everything in her power to break Deidre and me up, and succeeded. Then she turned on the stalking even more. Showing up at my place, phoning me, having someone follow me, offering me all kinds of money to be with her. Going on and on about knowing that I was the one from Melba's...I denied it, have continued to deny it. But she wouldn't leave me alone. Anyway, I had enough. You see, Merriam had died a year after Deidre and I married, and then when our marriage fell apart, I'd had enough of California...
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... I was sick and tired of dealing with Deidre's mother, and her father hated my guts as well. I woke up one morning, called my dad, and asked him would he find me some property to move to, I was coming home. He called me up a month later to tell me about this property and the price. I didn't care about anything but having a place to come home to. Low and behold, the money I rejected years ago for college, they used to purchase this for me and here I am." "WowI see." "Emmm, so you doand it's the whole truth, the honest-to-God truth. So now I'm asking youagainhang on." He shot up and went into the kitchen and returned with her ring and the papers. "Proof that I'm clean. I was tested when that whole big AIDS scare first made the headlines years back. Tested again six years later. Tested again twelve years ago, and tested for the last time three years ago. A clean bill of health, right here." Sylvia smiled and nodded. He sat down next to her. "This is yoursthis belongs here!" he announced, slipping the ring back on her finger. "You know everything now. Stay with me, please, let's make what's left of the rest of our lives, one where we have each other. I need to knowthat no onecan get between what we have. Please?" Sylvia ran everything through her mind. Staring into his eyes, she knew there was no turning back. While his past was indeed a shocker, she loved this man. Her eyes searched out ever detail of his face, his hair. He was starting to gray a bit; she thought back to the pictures of him in the album, he was better looking now. He was aging the way all men should, with a dignity and masculinity that was stunning and beautiful. His eyes, those eyesthey did things to the deepest core of her. They could be hard as flint and pierce you right through, or soft, as they were right then, to make you melt into a warm pool at his feet. Sylvia knew she was locked hard in love with him. Where his blood ceased to flow in his body, it continued on in her own. Funny how she stared at him, she didn't see a white man anymore, justher man. She was carrying his child. "If I could do it all over, Sylvieif I could make it all go away and not happen" She stopped him, covering his lips with her fingers. "If you didyou wouldn't bethe man you are now. As callous as this might sound, I wouldn't change a thingI love you. Andthe ring stays on." She grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him to her. Angling her head, she brought his mouth to hers and worked her tongue between his lips, falling slowly back as she pulled him on top of her. Shawn was only eager to comply, opening his mouth and snaking his tongue deep into hers. She spread her thighs so he could nestle there, grinding his groin against her heat, both of them coming down from the rush of a fight and their passions ran high. The kiss was flammable, engulfing them both.
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Sylvia felt a desperateness sweep over her, the weight of his strong larger body pressing down on her, made her kiss him back equally as strong. The heavy breathing among the struggle to strip their clothes off heightened her need. Two minutes into it, and their clothes were off. Shawn was all over her, kissing every inch of her body. Worshipping her breasts, his mouth and tongue laving down over her stomach and moving down as he went. Sylvia lay panting madly, delirious as he covered her lower belly in kisses, confidently declaring, "My baby's in here...isn't it? You're pregnant with my baby." Sylvia nodded, biting into her bottom lip as he kissed her belly, his hands cupping the cheeks of her butt, squeezing as he loved her like crazy. Suddenly, one of his large hands was there between her thighs, stroking her there, preparing her. He left her belly and went lower, spreading her thighs as he moved into place, with his fingers he spread her and with his tongue, he treated her to some of his lessons learned long ago, licking and stroking her, needing to worship and adore her. Sylvia experienced absolute insanity, her mind was scattered with a million unobtainable images as she gasped, her back arching off the bed as he went into desperately drinking every drop, tasting, sopping up all that he could of her. With a crazy madness, as if she were possessed, Sylvia exploded, she never knew that a climax could be so powerful. Screaming and crying out his name as she did, it was a blessing that they were the only two that occupied that road. By the time Shawn finished with laving, loving and working her with his tongue, she was panting from a powerful mating delirium. Her legs were trembling, they felt like jelly with Shawn's hands rubbing them and then all over her again, working his way back up her body slowly. She was so sensitive, she was whimpering from his touch, panting and pushing him away, but he was far from being finished with her. Not until her second climax did he carefully enter her, using every muscle in his body not to insert his entire length; he was not about to jeopardize his child. His strokes were slow and measured, careful and concentrated, sending Sylvia even deeper into the maelstrom, just as she was trying to come up for air, her body was gleaming with perspiration. The muscles of her entrance pulsed tight around him, gripping, drawing and pulling his thick length deeper, sucking at him and trying to have all of him, knowing if she did how it would hurtbut mindless with passion, she didn't care. "Nodon'tlet me control itI'm not gonna risk my baby" he panted, kissing her face, his hand squeezing her breast, his thumb working her tender nipple. "Oh, ShawnShawn" she panted with her hands rubbing up and down his strong thick arms, over his back, she pulled her knees up along his waist as she felt another climax building within her after the last two. "Shawn!" she gasped as he kept a steady pace, his hips and pelvis rolling forward to push himself deeper, to only draw out enough to make her head start thrashing again. "Shawn!"
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He was feeling it now, too; he was ready to let it go, determined to hold it just in time to meet her there at that point of release, his heart was pounding in his chest, his breathing labored as sweat rolled from him while he kept control, increasing the pleasure and sensation. "ShawnShawnShaa-awwnOoooh, my Go-o-odOooh, shi-i-i-t, ShawnOh, my GOD!" Sylvia screamed as she exploded again, just as he started grunting and thrusting closer to complete insertion, and then he slid all the way, Sylvia gasped, holding her breath, she was full to the brim with him, her head digging back into her pillow as he stayed put, frozen as he let his body purged itself of a billion swimmers. Five minutes later after their breathing calmed a bit, Sylvia lay in his arms, drowsy and fighting off sleep as she nodded to his question. "Are you alright?" She hugged him tighter, squeezing him a moment as she smiled. "You know, I should be furious with you," she said into his his chest, he was turned on his side facing her, with his leg over hers, his arms around her, kissing her face and forehead. He chuckled hearing that. "Oh, yeah, for what now?" he asked. "You got me pregnant on purposedidn't ask me, didn't plan it with me, just did it." "I want babies, Sylvia." "Shawn, I'm thirty-eight years oldyou're forty-two! It's a little late for us to be starting a family. I already have two kids." "It's happening more often than you know with couples our age. And the other two are grown and gonethis is a new beginning; we're gonna have three together." Sylvia moved back away from him to look him in the face. "Are you crazy? I'm not having two more. This is it!" "Bullshit! I'm gone pop off two more in there before you can blink!" "Shawn!" she shouted, shocked, and then started laughing. "Your ass is crazy! Do you know that? I'm getting tied up after this one!" "Oh, no you're not!" "Oh, yes I am!" "I said no! I'm the man here! You best start getting that into your head!" Sylvia gasped. "Hellooo, this is my body" "Perhaps, but I'm using it right nowbaby one on the waytwo more to go! If you had any sense, you'd build a twin pack! One less trip to the hospital." "A twin pack! Shawn, have you lost your min'? You don't even know if I'm pregnant now. I mean, we're just assuming I am. We could both be wrong." That made him lean up and think. Like a shot, he was out of the bed and going into the bathroom and into the shower. Sylvia rose to use the sink to wash herself while he was in the shower. "Hey!" he called out. She chuckled. "Sorry!" Rinsing herself and turned the tap off after shocking him with cold water. She did a quick dry, still naked, and laid back down, too tired to bother with getting a full shower right then or care about what he was doing. Fifteen minutes later, he walked into the room, drying off and getting dressed.
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She was wrapped up in the covers, slipping off to sleep. "What are you doing?" she asked sleepily. "I'm going to get three different pregnancy test kits. You'll have to do them first thing in the morningthen we'll know for sure." "Shawn, threeI don't think it takes three." "Gotta be sure!" he said, tying his trainers. He was ready to go, leaned back to her and kissed her forehead. "Be right back!" She mumbled something and went to sleep. She never heard him leave, hadn't heard him return. He climbed back in bed, tried to get her to wake up and eat the burgers and fries he'd picked up on the way home, she only mumbled, turned over and went back to sleep. Shawn stayed up and ate, looked over his stuff to see what the cops had actually gone through, remembered her purse and its contents on the ground on her front lawn, and went to pick all of that up. He returned and clicked on the TV, went in and looked at Sylvia sleeping in his bed, left and came back with his sketching pad. He sat on the floor across from where she lay on her stomach, her right arm hung over the side of the bed, the sheet came only to her lower back, her hair lay all over her head, and her face was in beautiful peaceful slumber. He sketched her, her browntoned skin a contrast with his white sheets, what would come to be the first of many sketches he'd do of his Sylvie. Satisfied with the rough drawing, he rose, stretching his neck and arms, walking into his living room and plopped down in the sofa, calling his parents to make sure Angela was alright and to tell them that he and Sylvia would be coming there in another day or so. They had a houseful, as he could hear. It was spring cleaning week, with all the kids out of school and converging on them. He talked to Angela a moment, and then with Meribel, and realized she must have known something had been wrong. "So, everything is okay?" she asked. "Everything is fine," he answered, grinning. "Ooooh, papiI'm so happy for you! You deserve to be happy. Okaytalk to you later, Joseph just fell and busted his lip. 'Aaah, mijocome let mommy look at it'" Smiling, he hung up the phone. It was 10:55pm and he couldn't sleep. He checked the doors to make sure they were locked and then went to bed, clicking on the TV and laying there, flicking channels impatiently waiting to get sleepy and for morning to come. He gazed to his left, Sylvia slept on. He reached over and rubbed the round curve of her hip under the sheet, his thumb caressing her smooth skin, she was on her side now, facing away from him. She moaned a little, but did not wake. He clicked through more channels, keeping his hand there, finally feeling like a man with true treasures and possessions: his home, his world, his woman by his side.

5:30 the next morning
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"Shawngo awayI will when I get up." "No, now, I can't wait any longer! Get upjust pee in this cup, I'll do the rest." Sylvia chuckled, turning away from him, feeling the creeping claws of nausea again already. "Sha-a-awngo leave me alone," she squeaked out, but he wasn't having it. He pulled her from the bed with the sheet around her, took her into the bathroom, and passed her a plastic cup. "Fill it, and then you can go back to bed." "With you standing here?" "Baby, I can't get no closer to it than I was yesterday." She slapped him playfully on the chest. "Shawn! Why do you have to say itwit' yo'nasty butt! Dirty ole man!" "Yeahrightyou didn't mind Mr. Nasty when he was busy on you. This dirty ole man had you in 'shit-Shawn' mode all the way, baby!" he teased, laughing. "You want me to pee in this cup?" she asked to shut him up, trying not to grin. She wanted to go back to bed. "Okay, I'm sorrypee away, please." A moment later, she walked out of the bathroom and climbed back in bed, leaving the pee in the cup to him. Ten minutes later, he woke her up, shouting at the top of his lungs from the bathroom. "Yeeehaaaw! Yeah, baby! Yes! All threeyes! Sylviewe're pregnant, baby! Papa did ya good style!" He grinned, doing a jig with nothing but his underwear on. Sylvia smiled and tried to get back to sleep thinking, Hmph, you ain't need to tell me that. But having the proof brought her such a joy, she would have never believed she'd feel so good about it. The bed moved and shook with him jumping in to pull her back against him. "Havin' my babywhat a lovely way of sayin' how much you love me" he squeezed her back against him, singing joyfully in her ear. "Shaa-a-awn!" She was giggling as he threw one of his big thick legs across her hip, drawing her closer, tighter to him, singing on, "She's havin' my baby, 'cause she's a woman in love and she loves what I'm dointo her" "Shawnemmm, I wanna go back to sleep." "Havin' my ba-by" he went on singing, rockin' her and squeezing her as if he could pull her within him and carry them both to protect them from the world, his eyes moist from his joy, kissing her neck and ear, her temple. Sylvia loved every minute of it as she dropped back off to sleep with such a feeling of fulfilmentit was in her heart, in her body, in her soul.
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Series Two Episode 15 - Chapter 43 They were back. Oscar hadn't been home long himself. He'd begun in setting matters into motion. He'd wrestled with his conscience on one matter in particular but his weightier needs won out. He was truly at the point of no return. Georgiana was more and more out of control. Something in the way she leered at him gave him the feeling, that soon, she might just up and ask him for a divorce. She was home, less and less, and tolerated his touch only when she was desperate for a touch. Their relationship had always be precariously balanced on a precipice that with a shift of a current or wind, off it would tumble. He was surprised it had lasted as long as it had. Mainly due to the old man. Georgiana's father. While they were away, the phone call had come in from the nursing home, he had passed on that morning. From the moment he'd drawn his last breath, all of the financial empire that had been built within the family for over a hundred years now belonged to Georgiana and her daughter, Deidre. Oscar had no choice but to see her as that, Georgiana's child. For what he had planned, he must block all possible reasoning that she could be his. Georgiana had cheated on him. Often. In the past and certainly now. That's all there was to it. There was a fifty-fifty chance that she was his... his mind was made up, the fifty he chose lay on the side of, 'not.' He cast his conscience in the trash because simply put, he would not return to being a poor man. Granted, if all went belly up, he'd walk away with a few million of his own earnings. But it wasn't enough to maintain the lifestyle he'd become accustomed to. He'd lived for years in the lap of luxury and convenience, working hard hour after hour, day after day, year after year to learn all the ins and outs of this family empire. With 5 banks, 4 mortgage/finance companies, and various investments in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and the fashion industry, this family would never see the end of a rapid growth dollar. For Oscar, his few millions weren't enough, he wanted this empire, an empire that harvested billions - what was a few millions compared to that?
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He wanted the top spot, the king of the hill position. There were also many political ties, there was power in controlling the political arena - he wanted that. He'd worked his way in good with Georgiana's father but the man had never really come to trust him entirely. He hated him for that. Didn't matter if he were right in not trusting him, point was - now he must stoop to whatever means possible to take, what he felt, was rightfully his. He'd been flexing his power muscles too long to just leave them over to soften as all was turned over to Georgiana and her daughter. He was not about to be any woman's lackey, begging for his place, kissing her ass while she as much said to the world, 'I'm married to an impotent cuckold, what new way should I disgrace him today?'. No - time was closing in for that chapter in his life to end. He had to be careful and take slow baby steps toward his goals. Should he move too hastily, a slip up may be his reward and he'd lose all. He had to think hard, strategize carefully and consider all the possibilities while getting his men into place. To set all in motion, would take him longer than he wished to carry it all out, but it was too risky to make an error. He knew what he must do, he would have to work backward to make things look as if they'd taken place of natural circumstance. As much as he hated having to start where he would, there was no way around it...things had been set into motion. He walked to the door of his office and opened it. Georgiana, as usual, was in the midst of a dramatic entrance, ordering herself a bath and complaining about the drain of flying such distances, while Deidre walked past him without a word and gracefully ran upstairs. "Would you come in here please? I'd like to know what's going on." Oscar asked kindly, watching and waiting for her reaction. She stopped at the stairs as the household help went about setting up her baths and calling for a masseuse - that was the way they interpreted her orders when she was being dramatic about the stress of having been inconvenienced. In the mood to indulge him, she smiled a catty smile and turned from the stairs and made her way past him into the study. "So... I take it she decided to leave her?" "Oh no, we hadn't decided anything of the sort. The little shit has made an all out drama about her life here! Oh she's stirred a right nasty little storm, that one has. She is now in the hands of the courts there. They've decided that Deidre somehow needs to improve her life circumstances before they will turn Angela back over to her. In other words, she's with her father...for now that is. Albeit in foster care of his - so called - fiance. A Negro! I mean we actually saw her! Can you just imagine-..." She stopped suddenly, looking at him cunningly as her memory served up back data. "Come to think of it, you can imagine it... can't you?" "We're not going to start that are we? Because by no means is my track record anywhere comparable to yours." He defended tightly.
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Georgiana smiled a touch, she would give him that. "Anyway, I've set up an appointment with our attorneys - we'll get this matter over and done with in no time. Who in hell do they think they are? And that little ingrate saying such nasty things against the Wherrington house! How dare she! Oh we will get her back, then we shall convince Deidre to send her off to school since she's so unhappy with her home here!" "Why would we waste time with that? Why can't you both see the girl is better off with her own kind!? She doesn't fit in here - she never will! Leave her to him!" "NO! She's a Wherrington! She belongs here! And I will not rest until she's back here!" Georgiana declared. "You think you're so clever! Getting her back here has nothing to do with being a Wherrington! This is about McPherson! I know it! You know it!" "Don't be absurd! I loathe the man! I once figured him intelligent and with standards... yet, I've been mistaken about the true nature of men before... haven't I? You're all the same, you'll do anything for money and fuck anything on two legs!" Oscar tossed his head back and laughed at her, coming down to wipe a tear, "Are you talking about us? Or yourself? Aaah, oh well, we know what this is all about don't we? Still haven't gotten him to fuck you again hm?" Georgiana reached out to slap him; he caught her wrist. She growled in his face, "You're just angry because I won't let you fuck me!" "Let me explain something to you..." He grated out and turned her, twisting her arm up behind her back. "Let go of me!" She panted as he pushed her face down over his desk, shoving her down and pinning her there with his forearm, pulling her skirt up and ripping her panties aside, followed by freeing himself. "...I can fuck you... any time... I feel like... like now....Uhhhh - like now...." He groaned thrusting deep into her, finding her to be ready as it were, pumping hard as he held her down, Georgiana's eyes rolled back as she gasped from the shock of him forcing himself into her and began panting. His taking her as he did thrilled her, drove her lust meter clear to the ceiling. She had been randy for days, but interference of Deidre's problems had blocked her usual routine of finding a suitable male to satisfy her rioting needs. Now this, "Yes... harder... emmmm, harder... oh yeah!" She panted, he pulled back and turned her over, pulling her legs up and grabbing her knees to spread her as he went on to reenter her, pounding out his aggressions with gnashing bared teeth. "Yeah... you'd forgotten hmmm, forgot what a good fucking I could give... yeah... you forgot..." "OH! YES - Ooo - ooo - oooh, emph!" He went on, rubbing her with his thumb, pounding away at her until she exploded, then doing the same himself.
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Sweating he backed away from her, his legs shaky - a smile on his face. Georgiana sat up and stared at him. Yes, she had forgotten about him. She'd been so busy trying to humiliate him she'd lost all memory of the pleasure she once found sharing his bed. Way back when - before all the facts came to the fore and they started hating each other. "Yeah... I still got it baby! So while you're out chasing Tom cats for a hot shag... think about that." She wouldn't give him the satisfaction. "Hmph... think about what? I've forgotten already. As far as I'm concerned, you've done nothing but fire me up for someone else to finish me off." The changed expression on his face made her laugh. She stood, dropped her skirt back into place covering herself and walked toward the door. "Good thing I ordered a bath, hm?" She murmured nastily stopping at the door to leer back at him, then smiling asked, "By the way, who's the new chauffer? And where is Craig?" He knew what she meant asking that in that tone, she'd gotten the last reaction from him with her cutting tongue. He answered cool and detached, adjusting his clothes, "Something must have happened to him. He didn't show up for work, I needed a driver... hired the new guy." Oscar informed her, swallowing down his hatred of her, he'd pack it away in that tight, hot spot to fester with all the other reasons being married to her had emotionally castrated him. "I sure hope you checked his references." She finished smartly, leaving him standing in the doorway as she made her way up the stairs, a smile of satisfaction on her face. 'Oh life is wonderful.' She grinned to herself. Oscar stood peering up the stairs as she disappeared. " Yes... I checked, I checked alright... he's just right for the job... believe me he is." He declared softly. * * *
Deidre lay back on her bed with her eyes filling with tears. Sniffing as the images in her mind would not let go. Shawn with adoring loving eyes, cast toward another woman. "My god, he's really in love with her." She muttered with one hand resting at her forehead, holding a hanky, and the other at her stomach, she felt sick with heartbreak. She knew Shawn, the way he was and she knew when he was well and truly smitten. She lay trying to purge her body, her mind of him - but it was harder than she'd ever imagined it would be. 'How did a woman get over losing a man like him?' She wondered. "There should be something to take to help with this." She whispered to herself. It was the ache within. It was so hard, so unrelenting. All the things she remembered about him added salt to the wounds. How it felt to be adored by him. To be the recipient of his smile with eyes that would twinkle devilishly. The smell of him that was distinctly his when they kissed.
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And when he kissed, all the power and passion that was the man came with his tender, and sometimes powerful kisses. His laughter was like a heady wine, that went to all the right places, making one wish to hear it again and again. She turned over in the fetal position. Suffering from the memory of him making love to her. Filling her and riding her endlessly. He was an amazing lover and that too she missed, there was no sense in lying to herself. He had been her one and only lover. No other man had touched her. She feared no other man would give her the absolute fulfilment he had. If that were so, she was doomed. Because she knew that she must find the strength to move on. To let it go. To let him go. He was happy. He deserved to be happy. He deserved a woman by his side who would give him all the things he'd longed for. If she had the chance to do it all again, she would do it all differently. Starting with leaving California from the moment they said their vows. "Stop thinking about it Deidre! Its time to move on!" She chastised herself, gripping her hair, pulling it back from her face. Her mind went to Sylvia. With a deep sigh and softening expression, she hated to admit it, "She's beautiful Shawn. You always did go for the very best. What are you like Sylvia? My daughter is with you. How are you treating her? She's a good girl...really she is." She sat up in her bed and looked around her. Things, expensive things were everywhere. "They mean nothing. Nothing at all. You're just like your daddy Angela, it meant nothing to him either." She sniffed and pulled her knees up folding her arms and dropping her head there. "Is there a GOD?" She wondered out loud. "Are you real? Really real? If so, could you please...please... give me a little help here. Should I let my child go? I do love her...I do. And yet, I don't know how to." She sat thinking quietly for such a spell that the knock at her door startled her, lost as she was. "Yes?" "Its me, can I come in?" Oscar called from outside. Deidre rolled her eyes toward the ceiling, wishing he would just go away. He knocked again. "Are you decent?" He asked. "What do you want?" She asked. "Obviously to talk to you." He answered opening her door carefully to look in. She was sitting in the center of her bed looking as if she'd been dunked in misery. A pang of conscience struck him, he squashed it. "I'm not in the mood to talk right now." She returned staring at him with hostile eyes. "Considering the moods you're often in, can't wait around for the right one to suddenly strike, now can I?" He replied walking in. "Your mother has mentioned that you all plan to fight McPherson for the girl. Do yourself and her a favor, leave her - to him. You need to focus on the business and getting your life in order. Hanging on to her will only lend you the silly notion of hanging onto him."
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"She's a human being! She's my flesh and blood! My CHILD! I had her! She should be with me!" "Since when does giving birth to a child automatically mean you must have her? Visit her, provide for her, leave her a legacy - but leave it to others to rear her. She wasn't happy here anyway, nor are we inclined toward young people." "I'm leaving here." She informed him discarding all that he'd said. Granted, just seconds ago she was contemplating leaving Angela to Shawn, but anything that fell into agreeing with Oscar or her mother automatically made her wish to rebel. "What do you mean, leaving here?" He asked taken aback by her announcement. "Moving out. Getting my own place. Setting up my own life! I should have never returned here, doing so has cost me everything!" "Nonsense! Your life lacks nothing! If it's a man you need, get yourself one, there's nothing wrong with you, but this ridiculous pinning for that trailer trash you married." "If you're going to start insulting him, that will draw a conclusion to this discussion!" "How in god's name can you go on defending him after seeing what a low and despicable character he is! The man has no morals, no self-respect or values!" "Oh certainly you're not going to stand here and tell me you're in any position, you or mother for that matter, to point out another persons short comings!" "He slept with your mother!" Deidre stopped and stared at him, certain that she'd heard wrong. "Yes... you heard correctly. He used to be her lover! You see while I was trying to break you up from him for your own sake. Your mother's motives were because she wanted him back. I have all the photographs of her constant trips to your place when you were out - she knew that Shawn was there alone. I'm not fooled by her. Angela... you think she wants to help you get her back for you?! For Angela?! HA! She wants her back here to get her away from him...McPherson! So here you are, angry with me for telling you the truth - angry with me because all I've tried to do was protect you - from him! Count your blessings! You're better off without him!" Deidre sat staring in disbelief. She could not wrap her mind around it. "Are you telling me that my mother carried on an affair with my husband? While we were married?" "Oooh, I'm certain she would have loved to. Problem is, I don't think McPherson was interested." "Then what are you talking about!? How else would it have happened if he weren't interested?" "I'll leave that to your mother to explain."
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Series Two Episode 15 - Chapter 44 With a towel wrapped around her naked body, Georgiana tested her bath water dipping her toe, about to drop the towel and step in when she heard a commotion in her rooms. Her daughter's voice was raised, asking Charlotte of her whereabouts. Georgiana walked to the bathroom door and looked out to see her daughter charging towards her and Oscar standing with his arms crossed at the door, leaning in the frame of it with narrowed green eyes and a look of satisfaction on his face. He was back to a calm cool collected look after their study office encounter, not a strand of his blonde hair was out of place, blonde that was slowly switching over to grey. Soon his hair would be pure white. He wasn't a bad looking man for fifty-seven, in a blood sucking, vampiristic, con-artist sort of way. He stood 5'10 while maintaining good health with a slim body. He wasn't your classic looking handsome, but there was something about him that attracted women to him. He might not be able to brag about his size - but there was nothing for him to be ashamed of either, he was a good average and he knew how to use it. All those years ago, he'd certainly pulled the wool over her eyes, Georgiana thought. She'd certainly spent the last thirty some odd years getting back at him for it. Her eyes passed from him back to her daughter who stood before her boiling. He'd done something to get back at her, he was such a, 'Sore loser.' she thought. "I was about to take a nice relaxing bath, what is this-..." "You had an affair with Shawn!? You slept with my husband?!" Deidre demanded to know. Georgiana lifted one brow as she looked beyond her daughter to Oscar. "Could this not have waited for later?" She asked. "Don't talk to him! Talk to me! I asked you a question?! Did you sleep with my husband!" "As much as I really would love to stay and watch this mother and daughter bonding, I'm afraid I have other more important matters to see to...
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...good day to you ladies." "You go to hell you bastard!" Georgiana spat with his exit. "Wrong dear... I'm leaving hell now - but I'll be back later." He leaned back to inform her. Georgiana turned to stare up at her daughter who stood two inches taller. "Look. It's been a long couple of days. Do the decent thing and let me-..." "Decent thing?! DECENT? What would you know of decency? How dare you use that word at me!" "What exactly did he tell you?" Georgiana asked afraid she was going to have to endure a boorish argument. "That you and Shawn had been lovers! Is it true!?" "What do you care!? He's not your husband anymore!" "He was my husband and now its become abundantly clear why you expended so much energy in splitting us up!" Deidre argued hotly. "Trust me darling, I expended no energy. You want a real man - learn how to be a real woman!" "You BITCH!" "Hmph, I can live with that! And first of all...back up out of my face! Bitch or not...I am still your mother! Second of all, what we shared was long before he met you! In other words, he'd been mine first!" "YOURS FIRST!?!? YOU WERE A MARRIED WOMAN! OH MY GOD! I can't believe I came from you!" "Oh Deidre really! He's not even yours anymore! ITS OVER! GET IT!? NOW GET OVER IT!!!" Deidre felt tears come to her eyes as she stared at her own mother feeling as though she'd like to claw her face to ribbons. That was the problem, hate it or not, this person before her was her mother, and nothing would change that one ugly fact in her life. "Where?" She couldn't help herself, she just had to ask. "When did you meet him? In his porn days? That where? Saw him screwing the day lights out of someone and thought, 'Ou, I think I'll try a bit of that.' Is that how you met him?" "What do you mean his porn days?" "Oh don't play stupid mother! I've seen the tapes! So I know you have too! Down in daddy's little office safe, where you two hid them to drop the bomb on me!" "For your information, I never knew of any porn tapes! However, considering how he's hung, it figures ... we both know how he can go, and go and go...don't we. Yeah, porn for him, easy." She grinned licentiously. "You - make - me ill!" Deidre swallowed back nausea staring at this creature from whom she'd originated.
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"Consider yourself lucky! He's out of your life now! As it is - since he's no longer between us - we could actually be friends. We could work together." Deidre started laughing, a laugh of clear distaste and revulsion. "You must be kidding! I wouldn't trust you-..." right then she stopped and her expression changed, her eyes grew round, her breathing deepened, and tears rushed to her eyes. "You... you had something to do with my miscarriage didn't you? I told you I was pregnant again and that I wanted Shawn back, and you put a stop to that right away - didn't you? Did you? Did you intentionally make me lose that baby?" Georgiana looked away from her daughter and turned her back waving her off, "Enough of this! I don't wish to discuss it any longer! I'm in need of a bath and my massage! I need to relax." She walked towards her bath. "It's true! Oh my god! You killed my baby! You drugged me, made me miscarry!" Deidre was breathing hard, following her mother into her bath. "Get out of my bath! I told you - I'm done with this discussion!" Georgiana shouted at her, a flutter of fear tickling her stomach. Her daughter stood staring at her, barely five inches separated them as they both stood breathing deep and long. Deidre's eyes welled up with tears, because as she stood - she was battling a need to kill her own mother. She knew it was best that she not move for fear of attacking her. The un-natural sensation of actually bringing physical harm to her own mother made her stand frozen with the image playing out in her mind. All she would have to do is just push her back and into that tub. Hold her under water, just hold her. Deidre's heart was pounding because the urge, the need was powerful. Georgiana gulped as her own heart hammered in her chest. There was no one in shouting distance, and yet to move might be the very thing that made her daughter snap. So they stood, staring at each other. Mother and daughter. Two totally different people, opposites ... strangers ... enemies. A knock sounded at Georgiana's door. It sprang her into immediate action, she rushed around Deidre thankful that someone was there. "YES! COME IN!" She shouted resisting the urge to out and out scream. She was shaking because she knew she was close to being attacked by her own daughter, and something told her, had she been... it would not have been good. "Ms Wherrington? Here for your massage?" A good looking, buffed male returned entering Georgiana's rooms. "Yes... come in please." She made her way to him. Deidre stood in the same spot, tears rolling. Hearing them in the other room, she finally got her locked limbs to move, turning and without a word, walked quietly past her mother and out of her rooms. "Where would you like me to set up ma'am?" The young male asked. Georgiana lifted her left hand and pointed to across the room, unable to speak, her throat was locked as she stared at the door her daughter exited. She felt weird, an unwelcome sensation coursing over her.
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Taking a deep breath she shook it off. "You'll get over it." She whispered, then turned away to the young man, a smile spreading across her face. "You set up, I'm going to step into my bath a moment...I won't be long." * * *
"Oh my goodness mom! I'm so happy for you! I knew it! I just knew...gone try an' tell me wasn't nothing going on! When he called me, talking to me - trying to figure out where you were, I knew what the deal was! I said, em hm, mama think she slick!" Crystal laughed and teased her mother from the other end of the line on the phone. Sylvia stood with her back against her kitchen counter, phone to her ear, smiling as she talked to her daughter and her son. He was coming up next week to meet Shawn. Had heard about him from his sister, but this would be the first that they'd meet. "Well... I was tryin' to fight it." Sylvia grinned. "Mama! How you gone fight something that fine!? And anyway...I don't get why you struggled for so long with going on with your life! I love you mama, you deserve to be happy! You deserve to have someone love you the way any woman wants to be loved, so what if he white! That's why you didn't want me to know! 'Cause you talked all that stuff about Victor - now look at you! That's why you tried to keep it to yourself!" Her daughter laughed, and Sylvia did too, there was no way she couldn't - because it was true. She knew she'd talked some serious stuff about Crystal falling for a white boy and letting him knock her up. She still hadn't told her daughter that she was pregnant yet. She just couldn't do it. It would have to wait until after they were married... which would be real soon leaving things up to Shawn. He'd been working really hard the last two days. None stop on the book cover layout for Lowell and Mercy James. She knew he had a deadline to meet and left him to get his work done. Popping up to bring him something to eat, or coffee. He worked, sipped coffee and then stepped away and pumped iron. She'd never known anyone to work as he did. To her surprise he had a full basement like she did but his was unfinished. Yet, filled with all of his free weights, bar bells and weight plates, bars, curl bars, weight benches, an elliptical, a tread mill, a Bo-Flex total fitness gym, a punching bag, a chin up bar, a huge leg press that she thought must weigh a ton. She had quietly observed him. He'd paint for a couple of hours, break to kiss her and walk into his basement and work out like a mad man. And then run until he was pouring sweat on the tread mill. He'd come up, eat what she prepared for him, hug her tight and then back to painting. He was due up for a break soon. He'd given her instructions, and he'd be there soon no doubt to make sure she followed through on them. Ever since everything happened with Angela, she'd been unable to sit and get back into her writing.
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She couldn't focus her mind, so she would wait until things settled around them a bit. "Mundo, you still on the line?" Sylvia asked her son. "Yeah... I'm listening to you two. What'up?" "Well... I want you two to know about something that I learned just a few days ago." Sylvia began. "Yeah...listenin'." He announced. "Ummm, your dad had other kids, well... you both know about the two in Chicago. There's another one." She informed them. "What'aye!" Her son muttered with the rolling of his eyes, his slang term for, 'What a surprise!" "So who is he?" Crystal asked curious. "His name is Derrick Paul McPherson, named after his stepfather. And ummm, he lives right there in La Crosse. He's some months older than you Crystal and by the looks of his picture, you two look quite a bit alike." "Who he look like?" Mundo asked. "Your sister. They are both with your father's coloring and features." Sylvia clarified. "Good! Cause I'm one of a kind! Original fine! Ain't a nigga no where with looks like mine!" "MUNDO! SHUT UP!!!" Mother and daughter both shouted at the same time laughing and rolling their eyes. "And uh, if it serves my memory correctly, you look like me!" Sylvia reminded him. "Mama... you a woman, ain't the same!" He joked. Sylvia sighed shaking her head. "Anyway... also... I have Shawn's daughter staying with me. So you both will get to meet her." "Why she staying with you?" Mundo, short for Armundo, asked. "Its a long story. I'm gonna make it short and sweet, when I'm done... don't ask me nothing else cause I don't feel like getting deep into it. She ran away from home." Sylvia began and then lied finishing it up. "The courts assigned her into foster care until her mother got her life together since she had full custody. She made a big stink about Shawn getting her, so I have her until they get things settled." She finished. "Mama you know you be liking you some drama!" Mundo commented, reading between the lines, albeit inaccurately, he knew nothing was as simple as that. "Boy! Mind yo' bidness! Be glad I told you that much." Just then Shawn stepped up to her kitchen door. She had it open with just the screen locked, walking over to it she let him in. "Who's that?" He asked her, indicating the phone as he stepped in, bending to kiss her temple.
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"My kids. My son's on the phone." "Yeah! Put him on here, let me talk to this man." They could both hear Armundo's loud voice. Sylvia shook her head as Shawn took the phone. "Hello?" He asked. "Aye man! What up dude? We got to hook up man! 'bout to marry my mom and thangs - we ain't even had no discussions man. Wha's up wit' that?" "Grab a pen and paper, I'll provide all the necessary information myself." Shawn directed him. "Hang on hang on." Mundo requested. Shawn grinned at Sylvia holding the phone to his ear listening to her son as he asked his sister. "Crys' gimme some pen and paper right quick!" Shawn chuckled as she answered, "Nigga get it yo'self! I ain't yo' secretary! I do enough fo' yo' butt!" Shawn threw his head back and exploded with laughter. Sylvia was curious. "What are they saying?" She asked. Shawn waved that he'd tell her later and said to Crystal, "Now you know that's not a nice thing to say to your brother." "Pul-lease! I call him worse things than that! He better get his en' up and start doing somethin'! He gone make me tell mama what he been doing! Nothing! 'Spose to be going to school and getting a broadcasting degree..." "Don't be telling him all my business!" Shawn heard him shout out. "You ain't got no business! Sorry en'! What business you got? You bes' talk to him, 'cause you gone need a home pretty soon! Talkin' all that smack! Better get yo' paper and pen and shut up talking to me!" Shawn stood shaking his head chuckling. "What are they saying on there Shawn?!" Sylvia asked. "Go get on the other phone." He told her. Sylvia hurried to her phone in the bedroom and picked it up, listening to them argue in the background, back and forth. She also picked up on the fact that her son wasn't attending school as he was supposed to. Which was the main reason he went to La Crosse to live with his sister, so he could get an associates degree in broadcasting. She stood in the doorway of her bedroom looking at Shawn as he stared at her, both holding the phones to their ears grinning as her children embarrassed her with their bickering. The radio was on in her livingroom, with soft music playing in the background and suddenly the gentle cords of a song came on that captured their attention. Roberta Flacks, 'First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' - her kids faded into the background even more as they shared a moment so sweet, they both felt each word of that song. Standing across the room from each other, they knew how much they were in love. The song went off and Mundo came back online after they'd been standing there for more than five minutes waiting for him and Crystal to shut up so he could get back on. "Hello? Man she get on my nerve!" Was the first thing he said picking the phone back up. "Okay man I'm ready, fill me in m'man."
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"Shawn Everett McPherson - home phone - 608 - 777 - 2002, cell phone 0349 888 6808 - 110 Washbend Road, Camp Daniels - right across from your mom. Anytime you wanna hook up and have a discussion, that's where you'll find me. Don't hesitate." "Ah'ight man...cool. We gone do that. You know...'cause hey... the ol'lady... you might need t'talk to her a lil'bit for me." "Talk to me about what?!" Sylvia cut in shocking her son. "WHOA! Hey mama... I ain' know you was still on the phone!" He stated shaken up. "HA! So she probably heard that your stupid butt is not in school!" "Girl shut up and hang up the phone! You done already said yo' piece, now shet up! Don't nobody wanna hear that!" "Crystal... get off the phone so we can talk. I'll talk to you later." Sylvia instructed her daughter. "Okay mama, talk to you later. I love you. Bye Shawn! We'll be coming there to meet your daughter probably next week sometime." "I can't wait. We'll see you then." Shawn returned, they heard the phone click. "What's going on with you and school Mundo?!" "Man ma! I was talkin' to m'man - can't we get back to that later?" "No we cannot! You on my dime! I called there! We gone talk about what I want to talk about - like why the heck you not in school!?" "Hang on one minute ma! - HUH?! HEY MAN! HANG ON MAN!!" Mundo shouted as if he were talking to a newly arrived friend. Shawn was laughing so hard his eyes filled with tears of laughter because he knew the trick. Anything to get mama off your case. "I'M ON THE PHONE WIT'M'MAMA! WHAT? AAAAH MAN... OKAY I'LL GET OFF NOW!" He continued on holding the phone away from his ear. "Mundo!?-..." Sylvia started. "Mama I gotta go, dude friend of mine just showed up. I'ah talk to you later man, love you - bye! Later Shawn!" There was an immediate click. Sylvia pulled the phone away from her ear looking at it with disgust as she stood with one hand on hip. Shawn had walked over and hung his phone up still laughing. "I should call his butt back! He think he slick! I'm not stupid! He knew wasn't no body there at that house for him! Lyin', triflin', low down lil'snake in the grass, Puerto-Negro gone make me hurt him! And here I am - could be pregnant with another one!" "Noooo, not one...maybe two like that." Shawn grinned walking up to her, wrapping his arms around her waist as he bent his knees to kiss her neck.
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"Em hm, and you crazy too if you think it's a joy to have two more like him." She was in the mood to fuss, trying to hang onto it but he was kissing and nibbling at her neck, hugging her to him. "Shawn!" "What baby?" He answered still kissing her, backing her up towards her bed. "That boy is not in school! I'm not having it! He is not gonna drive me crazy with his foolishness!" She carried on although Shawn was laying her back in the bed, taking the phone from her hand and reaching over to lay it on it's cradle and turning back to Sylvia whose mind was on her child. He lay there beside her, watching the play of expressions on her face. He took her chin gently and turned her eyes to him. "You do know that whatever it is he wishes to do with his life, he's going to do it. Doesn't matter what you say, or how you reason with him, he's at that age darlin' where he's coming into his manhood. It's a dangerous cross over rife with pit falls and bad decisions, and every man and woman has to come across it. No matter where we stand on the other side, yelling and coaching them to, "Come this way! Come through here! Don't go that way!" - They don't listen. I didn't listen." "I don't want my son making those kinds of mistakes!" "Darlin' of course you don't! No parent does. But - all you can do, is pray and be there in case they should come around. It will be no different with our own. When the time to let go comes, we have to let go." He reasoned with her, bending down he kissed her nose. Sylvia sighed, "It's just so hard to go through. And you want me to go through it again." She accused. "Not alone. I'll be here with you baby...every step of the way....every step." Sylvia smiled and looked up into his eyes. "I love you...so much. I need to hear that, I'm glad." "I'm glad that you're glad. Did you make our appointment at the clinic for a check up?" He asked. "Yes I did. Its two weeks from now on a Wednesday, I marked it on the calendar." She promptly answered. "Did you call your mother and tell her?" He asked next. "Emmmm, no. I was kind of hoping you would do that. She likes you." Shawn laughed out again. "Okay, but I think its safe to say, she likes you too, you are after all her daughter." "Still... you can call and tell her. She'll love it that you called and talked to her." "Okay, as soon as we get back, you ready to roll? Its a beautiful day outside, I brought the bike out." "For what?" She asked bluntly, making him chuckle again. "For us to ride into town." He answered trying not to laugh at the look on her face. "Why do we need to ride into town?" She asked.
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"Marriage license. You know, that little thing that the county you live in gives you, to say its okay to get married." "Today?" She asked nervously. "Yep! Today... I'm all showered and fresh, so are you... let's go." "Aaaaah - do we have to today?" Sylvia moaned as he stood from the bed, grabbing her hand and pulling her up into a sitting position. "Yes we do madam...to your feet." He ordered grinning. "I feel queasy." Sylvia groaned rubbing her stomach. "You'll be fine when that fresh air hits you." He promised pulling her against him for a hug. She stood leaning against him with her head to his chest and her arms hanging down by her sides, looking like she was being forced to go clean the toilet of a roadside fill-up station with no gloves on. "Aaaah baby, perk up! You're starting to make me feel as though you don't wanna marry me." She looked up and wrapped her arms around him then. Staring up at him, she confessed. "I'm scared. Aren't you?" "No. I know what I'm getting. I believe in you, and that I've made the right choice, totally and completely. Now why don't you feel the same way about me?" "I do Shawn. Honestly I do. But -..." "But what?" "It's different for a woman, than it is for a man. I mean... oh I don't know what I mean. I'm sorry." "Hey... I understand okay? Give me a kiss." He leaned down as she tipped up to kiss him. After it lingered a bit, he stood straight again, caressing her cheek. "Come with me and see what I have for us."
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Series Two Episode 15 - Chapter 45 "Oooh Shawn." Sylvia whimpered, her fear clear to see. Shawn couldn't help himself, he had to laugh. She made the most comical, adorable faces he'd ever seen. "Baby...you'll love it. Come on try it for me." He coaxed her sitting out on his Harley Davidson, he had his leather on and his shades, holding a specially ordered helmet on his lap. He'd paid quite a bit for the two helmets. They were equipped with radio microphones and speakers. As they rode, they could talk to each other without straining to hear and communicate. The pair cost him close to a thousand dollars, but they were of the highest quality made by 'Bose'. He couldn't wait to try them out. Sylvia was standing whimpering, looking her helmet over and then at his bike as if it were a mighty beast she should fear. "Oh Shawn... why do you have to be a motorcycle rider? Shawn there's nothing on that thing to protect us if we wreck! What if someone hits us? What if you hit something! What if we fall off going 80 mile an hour!?" Shawn was still laughing. "Baby... trust me, I won't go 80 miles an hour I wouldn't go that fast with you on here." A thought suddenly occurred to Sylvia, "Have you ever gone 80 miles an hour on that thing!?" "Well yeah....a few times." He admitted honestly. "And more." "SHAWN! I can see it now! Husband number two! Down the motorcycle crash up drain!" Shawn was rolling, "Baby why are you tripping?!" He asked laughing. "Don't you baby me! That's another thing! I'm carrying your baby! In my womb your child is laying and trusting me to make wise decisions! And here you are trying to get me on that thing! It's not safe Shawn! It's suicidal!" "I'll be careful! Honest I will. Have you never ridden? Ever?" "NO!" She shot, lip out and curled under.
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"I ain't crazy! My mama didn't raise no fool!" "Do you trust me?" "Yeah." She answered pitifully, her trepidation was clear. "Then come here. Put the helmet down for now. That's a girl, now come on...closer...closer...now just put your hand on my shoulder and put your leg over and just sit on it a bit, get used to being on it." Sylvia gulped and did what he said. "Putting my leg over and sitting on it a bit is what got me in this condition." She joked trying to laugh her way out of her anxiety. Shawn threw his head back at her comment laughing hysterically. Sylvia eased herself onto the seat and shouted in a panic, "Don't start it up though!" "I promise I'm not gonna start it up yet. You let me ride Isaac on it." He pointed out. "That's different, you were going slow and being really careful because he's a baby." "Well you're my baby...you think I'd do anything to hurt you. OR that baby of mine you're carrying?" He asked looking back at her. "No...but its other people. I mean you can be ever so careful, but the next person might not be." "Baby... to enjoy life to the fullest, you have to take some chances, stepping out of your door everyday is a gamble. But - I know you Sylvia... I got a feeling you're really gonna like this." The look on her face said she wasn't so sure about it. "Let's have a bit of a practice play with it. I'm gonna teach you how to ride on back. I'm just gonna put the kick stand back and teach you how to flow and lean with me on it." "Oooooh Shawn - careful - don't drop it." Shawn had to stop because he was laughing at her, and it was making him weak. "Baby stop it, you keep making me laugh and I get weak when I laugh." "Okay okay...just don't drop the bike! Are you sure you can hold me and this thing up... it's so big! My goodness it must weigh a ton." "Not quite. And yes, I can hold you both. Now get comfortable and put your hands on my waist, sit forward close to me a bit so you can feel how I'm moving. Now the key is this, as we ride at a certain speed and I head around curves, I will tilt the bike-..." "SHAWN - SHAWN! OH my god oh my god!-..." "I gotcha I gotcha! Relax and lean against me and feel how I'm leaning, you just follow through with me. Let me lead and don't go against me. Flow with me." He continued on for the next half an hour, laughing on and off until she got the hang of it. He then sent her into the house to put on a leather so they could do a slow little practice run down their road. Shawn helped her fit her helmet on, then put on his own.
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He turned on his microphone, which sent Sylvia into another fit of nerves. Shaking his head, he helped her tune in her helmet so he could get the volume settings right. "Can you hear me?" "Wow... I can... loud and clear! Can you hear me?" She asked back. He smiled and winked at her, "Loud and clear. Now I'm going to start the bike and try them again with it running." He explained and started it up. Revving the engine as Sylvia stood by with her helmet on, observing him. As scared as she was, it wasn't enough fear to override her sense of pride in him. Everything about him did something to her from deep within. She stood waiting and watching him, and falling deeper in love again. He was so patient, finding humor in most of what she did and said. Never failing to give her a moment to adjust, talking to her with such respect and kindness, it made her eyes water. "You ready to get on?" He asked. She could hear him clearly through the speakers of her helmet. The microphone was nothing more than four small holes on the side of the helmet, that she would have thought wouldn't work, but they worked perfect. "Well?" He asked again, "Can you still hear me?" "Yes." She answered softly. "What's wrong?" He asked noticing her stillness. "I love you...so much." "Aaaah baby, that's nice. I don't get that often, what brought that on?" He asked. "It's just the way that I feel." "Even though I'm forcing you to ride on my motorcycle?" "Yep... even though we may die tonight on this thing... I love you." Shawn chuckled and she smiled. "Come on, get on. I'll go slow and pick up speed gradually. Remember, don't fight me on the curves, just lean right along with me okay?" She nodded her head and then answered, "Okay... I'll try." "You'll be fine, we'll ride around town first before we head for the courthouse." He assured her. And they rode. Sylvia closed her eyes, laid against his back, took a deep breath and let herself go. She figured if she died, she'd be with him and at the moment, there was no better way to go. She relaxed her body and felt him move and lean and she went with him, keeping her eyes closed, too afraid to open them to see. "You're doing good baby...wow." He said to her, encouraged by her soft pliancy against him. "I'm keeping my eyes closed." She said as she felt and heard him chuckle. Twenty minutes later he decided she was ready. "Let's hit the highway and head for the courthouse, you have all your id's?" He asked.
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"Yeah...let's do it." Shawn put the bike to the real road feeling like a king with Sylvia at his back. "Highway coming up baby... you okay? I'm gonna put some speed in it." "Come what may - do what you do best." She encouraged softly. And he did, she could feel the increase in speed. A fearful, but heady feeling stole over her. Something about the speed, the power, the man, the freedom began doing its magic on her. "Eyes still closed?" "Yeah." She answered. "Pick up your head and open your eyes baby, don't be afraid...I gotchya." Sylvia obeyed, and had to bite her tongue not to squeal at the speed they were traveling, especially when they went down the ramp onto the interstate to merge in with the traffic. She wouldn't tense up, she knew she had to remain relaxed and let him drive it. Her heart was pounding, her temples throbbed and her soul without warning lifted off and soared. She couldn't help it, a chuckle escaped. "Uh oh... was that laughter I heard?" He asked. "Yes." "You like it don't you?" He asked grinning, moving through the traffic and passing cars and trucks to put them in open clearance so they could fly. "Oh my GOD... I can't believe it...but I think... I think I like it. I'm still scared, but .... I .... feel... soooo - ..." She swallowed, feeling emotions rush her. "Free." He finished for her. She couldn't speak and thanked GOD she didn't need to see, because her tears were flowing from such euphoria she felt as if she were high from good wine. "I love you." He said softly. She squeezed him. "Thank you... thank you for this... I love you too." She laid her head back down and closed her eyes. She didn't need to see, she could feel. And the feeling was like no other she'd ever known before. They made it to the court house in one piece. Both of them laughing at the way she reacted when she stepped off the bike after riding. They went in, signed the registry, waited to be called, supplied all the necessary identification and left 20 minutes later with their marriage license. From there, they went to get a bite to eat, then went shopping and Shawn purchased her two riding ensembles at the Harley Davidson shop. Back home, they took their things in and he talked her into packing an overnight bag, as she packed one, he rang her mom and broke the news to her. Sylvia stood in her room gathering the things she would need, listening to him and watching him charm her mother. He laughed out two or three times, a wonderful rich way down deep laugh that brought her joy to hear it. She finished and spoke with her mother next, letting her know as had Shawn, that she would be expected to attend the wedding. With that out of the way, she turned to her future husband. "So I'm all packed, where are we going now?" She asked.
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"You'll see." He answered. "Are we going on the motorcycle?" "Yep... we sure are. So lets get going, I want to get there before dusk." "But... where is there?" "My folks... its time they met you." Her eyes got huge. "Now now, none of that. It's time... don't you think?" He asked, grabbing her bag and taking it out the door to strap onto the bike. "I guess so." She answered, her nervous state returning. "Well, lock up the house, I'm gonna do the same over there. Be right back and we're out of here for a couple of days." Shawn had spoken and they were back on the road again. They rode for the next hour and a half, and to pass the time, Sylvia thought it was a perfect time for a little discussion. "Well Mr. McPherson, I'm so glad you supplied us with these types of helmets, because it makes communication easy as pie." "Oh yeah, and why are you so happy about that?" "Because you can't escape this absolutely necessary discussion we're about to have." "Uh oh... why do I not like the sound of that?" "Never mind that! Now...if we're going to get married and live together, there are things we need to discuss." "Such as?" He asked. "Well, I think we should take turns sharing our likes and dislikes about the house, habits, vices, pet peeves, expectations. Know what I mean?" Shawn groaned, "I'm afraid I do." "Shawn! We need to have this talk! If we're going to live together forever, or until death us do part, we need to go into it with an understanding of each other." Shawn groaned again. "Shawn! If we don't have this talk...ain't gonna be no vows spoken." "Okay okay okay... you go first. Let's hear your pet peeves and get them out of the way." "Fine... no problem. I don't like pee stains on the toilet! I don't care if you leave the seat up, because I look before I sit anyway. I don't like stains in the bowl-... Shawn, stop laughing, this is serious! You asked now I'm telling you." "I'm sorry...go on." He chuckled trying to keep a serious manner. "The bathroom must be clean or it will disgust me! I don't like towels thrown on the floor and left there. Hang them up please. I don't like excess toothpaste gathering around the top of the tube to harden there where the cap will no longer screw on. Please clean off the excess and screw the top all the way back on... you're laughing again!" "I'm sorry baby... go on."
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"If you're the last person to empty the toilet roll, please replace it with the loose pull going over the top, not from the bottom. Shawn! I'm serious!" "I know darlin' that's why I'm laughing." "Well I'm almost done and then it will be your turn." "Yes ma'am!" He chuckled. "As I was saying, the bathroom... please don't flood the sink and basin top. I get crazy when there's water all over the vanity, and when you brush your teeth and spit, please do so in the toilet. Your turn." "Oookay, don't use the hot water when I'm in the shower. Don't make me buy you tampons or Kotex pads when you're on. Don't yell at me in front of company or my family, that will piss me off in an instant. If we're in the midst of an argument, don't try to lock me out of our bedroom, because I'll kick the door in-..." "SHAWN!" Sylvia was stunned. "Hey, just telling you how I am. Don't treat me like an idiot, and realize that I am the man and you're the woman, I believe in the man having the last word, that would be me." "And what if you're wrong?!" "I'm reasonable, and I will always hear your side. I will always try to think things through before I make up my mind, but once my mind is made, that's that." "I know you not serious." "Yeah... I am. There is not going to be two chiefs, two chefs, and two heads. Don't work that way. I love you, and I will always put what's best for the family first. I will always hear you out because you're my partner in this. But my word is final." Sylvia wasn't liking this...she was starting to regret the discussion. "We'll see." Was all she could think to say. "Sylvia, I'm not a tyrant. I would never abuse you or our children, but I'm not going to let you emasculate me... no woman will do that... you fall into that category. Your turn." "Let's change the subject." Shawn barked in laughter. "Baby...it's not as hard as it sounds. I want a traditional, husband-wife, man and woman relationship. I want balance. We'll be fine, you'll see. Come on, don't stop now... let me hear more. What's your favorite food?" "Asian cuisine... I love it. Yours?" "Greens and catfish!" "Shawn!" Sylvia laughed out. "You have to like something more than that!" "What'ayah talkin' about... that's a perfect food. That's what I like. I never get tired of greens, not ever! If it were left up to me, we'd eat them everyday. And catfish, best fish in the world!"
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"Well we're not eating it everyday Shawn. I like it too, but not all the time." "That's fine... I'll actually eat anything, but that's my favorite." "Okay...what about music?" She asked. "I love all kinds of music, even some rap if its good. I don't like trash rap...but there have been some that have come out I don't mind." "Good...ummm, just so you know, there are times when I'm up early, I turn the stereo up loud and dance and jam as I clean." "How loud, and how early?" "Real loud and about 7am or so." Shawn groaned. "You have to compromise some Shawn." "Alright alright, how about this... we get you an mp3 player and you can jam at 7am with your head phones on? Fair?" "Really good ones?" "The best baby! Only the best for you." He swore. "Deal!" "Next thing, you will not ever work outside of the house while we have our babies to raise. I'm the bread winner, I'll get the bills paid, so we better get them all out and see what needs to be done." "Hmmm, ummm - Shawn." "Yeah?" He answered. "Which house will we be living in?" "Mine of course." "I like my house!" "Armundo Payne bought that house! I'm not living in another mans house." "I bought that house! He never even saw that house Shawn! And when you asked me could we live together, I distinctly remember you saying that you would live there in my house or I could move into yours." She reminded him. "I was just being generously flexible at the time, I didn't really mean I would move into his house." "It's not his house, it's my house! And that's where I'm going to live!" Shawn groaned, "Ah hell... here we go." "You doggone right here we go! I like my house!"
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Series Two Episode 16 - Chapter 46 "Aaah, hell, she's pissed," Shawn muttered as he lay on the bed of the motel they'd booked into. A tiff over the living arrangements ensued. Sylvia went silent, and refused to answer anything more or carry on the discussion from the moment he "tried" to put his foot down and have the last word, which didn't seem to work as simply as he would have liked. He had to use the bathroom, which she knew. The moment he opened the door, she'd pushed her way in with her bag, charged into the bathroom, slammed the door and locked it, where she presently occupied as he lay back on the bed, calling her to come out and let him use the bathroom. His legs were shaking, one hand at his forehead, the other scratching his belly. "Sylviacome on! I gotta pee, darlin'!" He dug his head back into the mattress yelling, grinning and rubbing his tired eyes. He tried to wait it out and called his family, telling them that they were there and staying in town at the Hills Roadside Motel. He promised them that they would be there first thing in the morning. Everyone was so excited about finally meeting Sylvia. "Aaah, man! Sylvia! Woman, let me in that bathroom!" He tried once more, using his best demanding voice. "I'm not done yetyou wait!" she finally responded to him. "Wait hell! You did this on purpose!" he finished, muttering loud enough for her to hear him. "I'm telling youyou better open that door! Stubbornmean-ass!" "I heard you! Nowyou can just go piss up a tree!" she ordered spitefully. Shawn burst out laughing. "Aaah, hellGod, this womandon't make me break that door down!" he threatened in his gruffest voice. "Go t'hell, Shawn!" "Hey! Watch that! You don't tell your future husband to go to hell!" he barked, laughing and trying to sound serious, but all he could do was grin and shake his legs. "Baby, pleaseI have to pee!" he reminded her. She went silent and said nothing.
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Shawn leaned up, looking at the dark brown wood-panelled door. "Goddamn womencan't live with themSYLVIA!" he shouted, sitting all the way up. "Quit shouting like you crazy, Shawn, for somebody hear you!" she hissed from inside the bathroom. Shawn stood, walked to the bathroom door, his long arms stretched above his head, grasping the door frame as he leaned his ear against the door, trying to listen to what she was doing. The water was running, bad idea. "Aaaaah, babyI gotta pee, come onplease?" He groaned. "You gonna make me piss my pants!" he warned her. "There are trees out there," she returned. "Sylvia! I am not pissing up some goddamn tree! Now open this door!" His pleas were met with silence. Shawn did a dancing fit, very reminiscent of a tantrum. "Sylvia! You're asking for it! Don't make me break this door in!" "Shawn McPherson! You can kiss my black ass! I'll come out when I get ready! You ain't gone be tellin' me what to do," she mumbled low, but he heard her. "I'll kiss that black ass all right! You know I willright after I spank it blue! You pushin' it!" he warned. More silencehe whimpered and did his dance again. "Baby, pul-leeease let me in. We'll talk about it some more. If you give me a chance, I got a really good idea. While you were giving me the stubborn silent treatment, I was thinking up one helluva solution, but you got to let me in to hear it." "What solution?" she asked. "I'll tell you all about it, if you let me in the bathroom," he promised. "You ain't thought up nothin'! You just want me to open this door." "BabyI'm seriousI've got a really good idea, two really good ideas," he promised. "Lemme hear'em, and I may open the door," she responded, leaning on it from the other side listening to him. "One: Let me build you a brand new homeusing mine as the base for it but you can choose the layout and everythingit can look just the way you want it to, and as you know, there's enough land there to make it as big as we want it." He had her attention. "Hmmm, go onand the second idea?" she asked. Shawn was dancing with his legs twisted. "You can use your house as your own personal home business! We'll fix it up, five star quality, as a bed and breakfast! You'll run it! We'll do seasons for the area and the whole nine yards! Sylvia!" Her name came as an urgent plea from panic. The door came open, she stepped aside as he rushed in, knocked her bag to the floor, tossed up the seat and whipped it out, leaning a hand against the wall above the toilet and started pissing a river. The pleasure of relief was clear with his sigh and smile, eyes closed dreamily as he went.
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"You splashing that seat! Better clean it up!" Sylvia pointed out, grinning to herself when she heard his low throat growl at her. She grabbed her bag from the floor and went into the room to leave him still peeing in the bathroom. She'd changed into a little slinky hot pink numbersatin, soft, and her favorite cut to mid-thigh sleeper. She was sexy as hell in it and knew it. The thin spaghetti straps and clinging fabric was sheer shimmer-perfection for showing off her shapely legs, strong thighs and ample butt. It hung just enough past her bottom to do the job it was intended to do. Shawn wiped up the toilet and flushed and washed his hands afterwards. Leaning back, he stared out the door at her as she pulled the covers back on the bed, looking like a pink-wrapped chocolate candy treat that he definitely wanted some of. She kept her eyes away from him, bit into her lip, fighting down her grin of victory. Her mind clicking over the idea of a newly-built home, and thenthe prospect of turning hers into a bed and breakfast; the thought had never entered her mind. But now that it had, it didn't take her fertile imagination long to see the wonderful possibilities of it. "Soyou gonna hear me out now?" Shawn asked, standing in the doorway, shucking his clothing down to his briefs. "I'm listening." She opened the floor and glanced up at him fighting back a grin. "You littlehellion!" he announced, springing across the room to pounce on her, tossing her to the bed as she squealed out laughing while he tickled her, she squealed even louder, turning and rolling with tears running from her eyes as he punished her, hitting all of her ticklish spots until she was laying on her stomach laughing and crying, begging for mercy. The little slinky top had ridden up and exposed her bottom, clad only in the matching pink bikini panties. Shawn shifted positions quickly and before she knew it, she was over his lap with her butt up and out, right where he wanted it. "Shawn! What are you doing?" she cried out. "Yeah! Got your lil' black ass right where I want it now, baby! Want me to kiss it, hmm?" he was threatening; his hand high over it, holding her there with his upper body and strong arm across her back. "Shawndon'tI'm sorryI'm sorry!" she squealed out, laughing, but worried he would really hit her. Her butt was tender; one thing she didn't want was one of his big hands slapping her rump. "Yeah! Talking all that stuff! Go t'hell! Kiss m'black ass! Em hm!" The way he said it made Sylvia laugh even harder, even though he held her in a vulnerable position. "Yeahwho the man in charge now?" "You, baby! You in charge!" she whimpered, trying to bite back laughter. "That's right! Who the man here?" he asked. "You da' man, baby! That be you!" she was quick to respond.
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"That's rightand you da' woman! One with onesweetsweet black ass yes indeed!" he finished, stroking over her bottom admiringly. "Definitely gonna kiss this later," he promised huskily, his hand massaging her smooth round cheeks. He took a really deep breath and shook a bit to snap himself out of it. Sylvia was turned on as he finally turned her, sitting her on his lap, staring into her eyes. "You are so fuckin' sexydo you know that? And your assis perfect! Emph!" he declared low and huskily, his eyes told her all she needed to know, coupled with the growing activity beneath her bottom. "Shawn" she whimpered. "I wanna talk about thisbuilding a new house andthis bed and breakfast ideaI hadn't thought of that." "Let me get into this lil' pink number with you first." He flexed his brows. Sylvia was grinning. "No, Shawn, we need to finish our little discussion first." His legs were moving beneath her, opening and closing with slight upthrusts of his hips, an erection was clearly making him uncomfortable. "Lookwe can finish that afterwardsyou see how you got me? You knew what you were doing, parading around in front of me with this on." he chastised her while his hand crept underneath the hem of it to slowly snake up her belly to one of her breasts, his fingertips encountered the nipple of, it was instantly sensitive to his touch and hardened up. He began kissing at the column of her neck, warm, soft pecks where he sucked in a bit of skin, letting his tongue touch along the way. "Sha-awn! Nooo, I'm a bit sore there," she whispered, growing excited by his attention to her despite it. "I'll go slow. I'll be careful" he promised, still working on her. "Nooo, I don't feel like it." "Please?" "Sha-awn!" "Come on, SylvieI'll make it quick. Come on, give me a quickie," he pleaded. Sylvia giggled. She really was sore, and although he turned her on, she didn't feel like making love. With him it was never quick; they'd yet to make loveone timethat was less than forty-five minutes. Most of the time, it would be an hour before he finished with her. She regretted putting on the little number now, had only done it to tease him, because the original plan was to ignore him and make him suffer with her silence and seeing her in the sure-fire nightie. Now, here they were talking, laughing and he was turned on to the max. "No, Shawn," she said, pushing up from his lap, he was trying to hold onto her. "Wait, wait, wait, wait, waitcome here. Aaah, come on, now don't leave me like this," he begged. "Shawn, you want sex too much!" she accused. "Too much! How do you figure that? I only get it every now and then! It's not like I get it everyday!" "And you ain't gone get it everyday, either!"
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That stood him up from the bed. "Bullshit! If I want it everydaywhat you put that on for then?" "Because! I wasn't speaking to you then! You made me mad, so I put this on!" "Yeah! That makes perfect sense!" he grumbled and pointed at her. "You look here, right now, woman! I'm a man with needs! And youyou turn me on! Look at that" He pointed down at himself. "How am I suppose to sleep with that?" Sylvia looked from his eyes down to his bulging briefs, the sight made her laugh. "Oh, you think it's funny." "I'm sorry, Shawn, butit looks soso funnystickin' out like that. Put it away!" "I want tobut you're not cooperatingnow are you? And I'm telling you right now, I'm not going to be rationed! Holding out on the chocolates" Sylvia lost it, cracking up at the look on his face. " Chocolates?" She was shaking her head. "Laugh all you want to! I need my chocolates! I will not be deprived! This is your fault! Putting that thing on!" he accused. "Shawnas if it would have mattered! Don't matter what I have onyou geta hard on." "Oh, so it's my fault you turn me on? My fault because I keep imagining you in all thesepositions that we haven't tried yet." "See! Seethat's what I mean! You too old to still be after some nookie like that!" "It's only your nookie that has me this way! Too old hell! A man is only as old as he feels; I'm good for at least fifteen more years. Nowcome on, nowlet me touch you up a little bit, I promise I'll be quick." "You ain't touchin' nothin' tonight! We're talking!" "That's not right! You suppose to take care of this!" Sylvia couldn't help herself, she started laughing at him again because he was serious, begging for a piece. "Well let's finish our talk first, and maybe afterwards I'll feel like it." Shawn whimpered, tromped to the bed, and threw himself back against the headboard. "Okay, come on, hurry uplet's talk about it!" "Don't rush me!" "Well, come on," he pleaded. She was climbing onto the bed, and stopped to put her hand on her hip. "Do you want some or not?" "That mean you gonna give up the chocolates if I do?" "It depends! If you talking and rushing through our discussion just to get someyou ain't gettin' none...
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...but if you take your time, show that you're really interested, and participate in the discussion as vigorously as you show such vigor and vim for other thingsthen, I may give you some. A quickie." "If I have to talk, I don't want no quickie!" He crossed his arms over his chest and sat back, sulking. "Shawn! It's just a piece of nookie! Same thing gonna happen with it this time, as what happened the last time you had it. Think about that." "I dothat's why I'm sitting here like this now!" "Shawn, don't you ever get tired of it?" "Not when it comes to you. With youhell, I'm thinking about the next time the minute we're done with the present time!" Sylvia sat in the middle of the bed and sighed, shaking her head at him, thinking, Big-ass, grown-ass man sitting here sulking and begging for some tail! "Well?" he asked. "My goodness, Shawn, okaybut not until after we've talked!" His bright white grin was back in place. "So tell me, firstwhat about this new house?" "I'll build you one. Simple as that. You get to design itof course, I get some say in it, toobut, ummm, it's your home, you'll be running it. All I ask for, is three rooms that are mine out of it. My room for working out. My studio for workI'd like a dark room for developing my own photos, and of course, where I paint. And then a man's room! I want my games" "What games?" she asked, curious; she didn't remember him playing any games. "I got games. I have a PlayStation with loads of games. I haven't had time to unpack it, yet, but I have it." "Where? I unpacked all of your stuff." "It's in the basement. SoI want a man's playroompool table, bar, huge-ass TV for sports when I have my friends and brothers up. That's what I want." "Baby, I have most of that now in the other house," she pointed out. "I want it in our homenot that home! We should keep everything that's there for our guests. We'll modernize your three bathrooms up to four-starhotel standard. We'll modernize the kitchen and close it up a bit, so you have it to prepare, at the very least, breakfast for your guests. You have the master bedroom on the main floor, with the two other smaller ones. Then the one in the basement. That's a good deal to work with. Your big living room and dining room is perfect, but you're going to want to decorate it more impressively." He went on, and Sylvia was in imagination heaven. She was in complete agreement with everything he'd said so far. She loved nothing more than decorating and renovating, her mind was ticking over like crazy with all that she could do to really lay that house out to make it so there was a waiting list to stay there.
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"You with me so far?" he asked. "Definitely! I have to give it to you, babeI love the idea!" "Goodbecause you know all the wasted space behind the garage off your kitchen?" "Yeah?" "WellI'm gonna build all of that in; that will be your office. And that's a really big garage! Right above that, we'll add another living area for a single couple. Make it really nice, so then you can book a family and a half, and a single couple. They'll have the living room and the dining room, because I'm going to shift that kitchen just enough for you to cook and set up a breakfast bar. Then we'll set up four nice-size tables for them to sit and have their breakfast. In the basement, they'll have the big screen TV. I'll run the bar down there for them; it already has a pool table, and we'll put in a card table, and a PlayStation set-up for the kids. This way, they can bring their favorite game and play." Sylvia was so excited, she stood from the bed, pacing with the racing images of how nice she could make it. "Shawn! This is such an incredible idea! Do you know we'll be booked all the time! We're a forty-five minute drive from Wisconsin Dells! Every summer season, they are overbooked and people can't find a place to stay!" "Thank you! That's what I'm talking about, sweetheart! We'll take that land around your house, and put a little tennis court in one area, a sandbox play area in the back with a jungle gym, swingsthe whole nine yardsclear some of the trees away and put a pool in there!" "Oh, my God, Shawn! Yes! That is going to be awesome! Oh, my goodness! I am going to lay that place out! In the winter, we got skiing!" Shawn was smiling to see her so excited, as he nodded in agreement. "However, I'm telling you now, we're only going to book for so many weeks each season. For instance, summer: June, July and August only! We're closed September, October, November, December. We open January, February for skiing, and close back up to do whatever needs done for the summer again. And we need time for ourselves, and whatever trips to L.A. or elsewhere I may need to travel. When I go, you and the kids come as wellso let's get that clear right now, fair?" Smiling, Sylvia sat back on the bed nodding. "Fair enough. I think that's a good idea. I'm so excited, I wanna start planning it right now! You think I should do a midday spread as well?" "You can make out brochures and request tickets for guests who wish to have breakfast and luncheven dinner, if you think you want to. Some will be happy with just breakfast, because they'll be away from the place most of the day and will probably have dinner out, but you never know."
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"Oh, Shawn! It's gotta be the bomb, baby! I meanperfection! Coordinated decor and flow, tranquil relaxing colors. Oh, and my fireplace! Can we make it a bit bigger?" "It's an investment, sweetheartif we're going to make a success of it, we need to do it right the first time." "Yes! Ooh, baby" she whimpered saucily, "Yeahyou know you gone get'cha some, now, don'tcha? Em hm, you got me in a serious mood, now!" Shawn threw his head back and barked out laughing as Sylvia crawled over to him, laying him down as she laid on top of him, looking down into his eyes. "Sopapa done good?" He was grinning, already knowing the answer. Sylvia indulged him. "Oh, yeah, papa done real good." And proceeded to work him for the next hour, expressing how good. She was pumped with energy, and once again, that much deeper in love with the man. * * * {{ Bam, bam, bam, bam, bam}} Sylvia bolted up, crying out. Shawn sprang up from the bed, naked, with his heart racing, going to the door. "What the fuck! Who the" Then he heard the laughter. He turned to Sylvia. "You better head for the bathroom, this could get ugly," he stated with grinding teeth, putting his briefs on. Sylvia stood, taking the sheet with her to wrap around herself, shaking her head. She grabbed her bag on the way to the bathroom to get dressed. Back at the door, he snatched it open, looking at his youngest brother, Jake, who was still laughing and holding his stomach. Doris was sitting in the pick-up truck shaking her head at him. Shawn waved at her, then turned to his brother. "You would have looked mighty stupid if it hadn't been us in this room!" he reprimanded. He then heard Sylvia throwing up in the bathroom. "Stupid ass, you startled Sylvia, now she's in the bathroom throwing up, asshole! It's six in the goddamn morning!" "Aaah, I'm sorryI couldn't help it, man. You should have had your ass up! We up! Been up half the night tapping the trees!" "Aaah shit! The sap rush! Is a lot coming up?" Shawn asked, standing in the open door with only his briefs on, not a care in the world. "Brothertwo days straightmom and dad got us working our asses off! Dad said to come by here and wake you up. There's work to be done; I'm on my way to the IGA to pick up some stuff! You best get moving." "Okaysoon as Sylvia's ready, we'll be at the house." "Sorry, Sylvia!" Jake called passed his brother, "I'm Shawn's brotherthe asshole who scared the hell out of youI'll see you at the house!" "Are you crazy, Jake, yelling like that this early in the morning?" Shawn asked, the expression on his face reflecting that maybe he was.
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"Yeah, he crazy, Shawn, you know he ain't got no sense!" Doris called from the truck, leaning out of the window. "Nobody's around here! Hell, y'all the only ones in the whole goddamn motel! Why didn't you just come out to the house? Sleep over like the rest of us?" "Umm, do you mind? I just as soon not stand here in the door talking to you with my briefs on. We'll be at the house, like I saidnow go to the store!" Shawn ordered, no improvement to the expression on his face. Jake was unfazed and still grinning. "Bye, Sylvia! Meet you at the house!" Frowning at his brother, who was trotting back to the truck grinning, Shawn closed the door. The two brothers, oldest and youngest, had very similar features, while their coloring was different. Jake, like his other brother and sisters, all had their father's coloring, blondes to brunettes. He and Shawn were the only two of the boys with their mother's features, and of the girls, Shanna. Many swore Jake was the better looking of the two, standing their father's height of 6'3, Shawn being the shortest of the brothers and the stockiest. While Shawn loved his brothers and sisters with a passion, this one got on his nerves. Growing up, they'd had a many fights with Shawn always the victor, as the oldest and most aggressive. Shawn had always been a fighter in school and at home, quick to hit. Jake always tried to be as tough, but usually ended up needing his brothers to get him out of scrapes. If Shawn and Jake weren't into it, then Shawn and Kathy Ann, his younger sister, were. They loved each other, but they just didn't like each other, never had. The ones he got along withwith minimal argumentswere Derrick, and the baby girl of the family, Shanna. Shawn knocked softly at the door. "Sylvie? You okay, babe?" She was clearing her throat, splashing her face over the sink after puking her guts up. "Can I come in, sweetie?" he asked. "Yeah," she gasped, rinsing her mouth out. Shawn opened the door. "Aaah, babeI'm sorry. Jake 'the jerk' has struck again," he kidded. Sylvia chuckled despite her nausea. "All I can say, honey, is get ready to meet the family. Remember, you can choose your friends, but not your family. They are quite the mix, believe me, they are." "I'll be okay. I think it was the sudden rush of getting up and it just came up." She stood from the sink with the sheet still wrapped around herself, Shawn pulled her into his arms for a hug. "I'll be glad when this morning sickness passes for you. I really do hate to see you so ill like this." He kissed her forehead, then her nose. "We better get in the shower and get dressed. The saps running," he informed her. "What is that all about?" she asked, still in his arms, looking up at him.
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"My parents have a really nice stock of maple trees, black and sugar maplesthe best kind. This time of the year, with a temperature flip from freezing to warmth, causes the sap to rise really fast. We tap the trees, hang buckets to catch the sap and start a major boil up, making the best pure maple syrup you'll ever have. I do mean, delicious. Mom always does a huge breakfast, making pancakes and waffles, so we can sit up in the field and eat while we work at boiling and straining it. You're gonna love it." "Wowreal maple syrup?" "The real thing! No artificial crap, aaah, manwait until you have mom's breakfast: Hot cakes, sausage, baconshe usually throws in a bunch of other stuff as wellwith juice and coffee! My mouth's watering, babywe gotta get going." It was 7:45 when Shawn's motorcycle crested the top road above the valley of his family's home. Leaving the motel in town, viewing the area had Sylvia in love with almost everything she saw. For the summer, his hometown would be a wonderful place to live, however, winters were another story entirely. Hillsboro was aptly named. Not one street was flat. All of them were undulating, with sharp sudden curves. Shawn made her squeal twice when they went up a hill where she couldn't see which way the road was going until they were on top of it heading down, then it made an immediate left curve. She squeezed him tightly, thankful her stomach was empty, because she would have messed his back and good. With all the hills and valleys, farmland, plowed fields, farms, barns and grain silos dotting the landscape near and far, the roads peaking and dipping made it easy for the eye to survey far in the distance, she could only view it in wonder. "How you doing, sweetie?" Shawn asked as he slowed a bit to not make her sick with so many elevation changes. "I feel like I'm on a rollercoaster ride, the worse kind." He chuckled, understanding. "But it's beautiful, isn't it?" "Yes, it isthere's no denying that." When they reached the road of his parent's home and farmland, they came to rest on the top edge of the valley bowl, a spot in the road that gave a perfect vantage point. Shawn paused so Sylvia could look down and into the distance. "That's home, baby," he announced with pride. Sylvia gasped. "Oh, my goodness! Oh, Shawnlook at it! You grew up living there? Oh, my godliving here!" Trying to take in the wonder of it, she admitted, "I'm so envious of you. You don't know how fortunate you were." The sight took her breath away. "You know, I stop here every time I come home. I've always paused just to take it all in. Even when I was really young and walking home from school, I'd stop as my brothers and sister played around and charged ahead. Shanna was the one who always stopped and stood here with me, holding my hand...
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... She'd never say a thing, but would look as I did, patiently waiting for me to get over my awe of it." "I can definitely see why." On the edge of saying that, there was a flash from the house that sat in the valley floor in the distance. Shawn grinned. "We've been spotted." He chuckled. "We better get down there; if my eyes don't deceive, that would be Shanna, Sasha, and Angela." He laughed, Sylvia smiled and hung on as they finished the journey to his home. The road curved to the right and went on for a quarter of a mile, leading them down and then dipped steeply, sucking the breath from Sylvia as she clung tightly once again. Pulling into the yard, Sylvia's heart was pounding. The house was a massive wood and brick colonial mish-mash-style farmhouse, with two levels connecting to a low long building that connected to another wing that rose up two levels, as if it had been added on. Partially surrounding it was a huge porch sweeping around the front and disappearing around the side. Sylvia kept swallowing over and over, fighting back emotions. Her entire young life, she'd dreamed of living this way. Out in the country. A huge farmhouse, a massive front porch. Barns and outbuildings, the smell of animals, and the sounds of chickens. Making it worse was the sound of a cockerel crowing. It gripped her from within, and she was embarrassed because she was becoming overwhelmed by it all. She could do nothing to prevent the tears from rushing to her eyes. The motorcycle came to a stop in front of the house, she immediately smiled seeing an excited Angela jumping up and down, happy to see them, and then Shawn's youngest sister Shanna. She was Sylvia's height and build. Long, full, sensational strawberry blonde hair blowing in the wind. There was a young Ann Margaret look about her. She was stunning, with a huge smile; wearing shades, shielding her eyes. "Shawn, Shawn! Oh, Shawn!" At her excited greeting, Shawn kicked down the stand and cut the engine, grinning broadly as he took his helmet off. He stood, bringing his long leg from the bike and turned to help Sylvia off. She stood, removing her helmet, fluffing her hair as his sister leaped into his arms. Angela was grinning from ear to ear as she ran to Sylvia. "I'm so glad you and my dad came, Sylvia! I've been having so much fun!" "Oh, my goodness! I don't blame you! Isn't this exciting, what have you been doing?" Sylvia asked, happy that her moment had passed and her eyes dried as she laughed at Angela's excited chatter, looking from Angela to Sasha, catching bits of Shawn's and Shanna's happy reunion. "Oh, Shawn! I'm so glad you've moved back home! So glad." Shanna was almost on the verge of tears as she hugged her oldest brother. Shawn was hugging her, feeling exactly the same. He finally lowered her to the ground, smiling down at her as she was up at him. "Look at you! Still looking good, lil' girl!" Shawn complimented, reaching out to remove her shades. "No, Shawn!" But it was too late; he had them away from her face.
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Embarrassed, she grabbed them from him and turned away to put them back on, but not before he and Sylvia caught sight of her healing black eyes. One of which, the white of it was blood-filled. Shawn was frozen in shock, suspended in disbelief at what he'd seen. The other kids of the house were stirring, getting dressed and coming out on the porch. Shawn couldn't move. Shanna turned back to him. "Shawn" She swallowed. "How did that happen? Someone do that to you?" he asked firmly. "It's okay, Shawn. It's over; it happened for the last time. I'm back home now, we're getting a divorce." "You mean to tell me, that bastard's been beating on you?" "I left him, Shawn. I left him for good this time." "I'm telling you, nowI see'im, I'm drilling my foot up his ass clean to my thigh." he warned. "Shawn, pleaseit's over now. I'm homehe can't hurt me anymore. I finally had enough and came to my senses." She smiled and stroked her brother's arm, then turned to Sylvia with a huge smile. "Hi! I'm Shanna, Shawn's baby sister, I'm so happy to finally meet you!" Sylvia forced a smile, she was also stunned. Completely empathetic, without having his sister say a word, she knew what she was going through. She hugged her back, the greeting was warm, the start of a bond that would lock them tight as friends. "Where's everyone at?" Shawn asked as two of Derrick's boys came out of the house; his look-a-like Shawn2 and Joseph, their five year old, calling out to him, "Hi, Tio Shawn!" He grinned, winking at them, they did the same, greeting Sylvia with her smiling and waving. Angela was standing before her father now, hugging his waist as he bent and kissed her head. "They all up at the maple pit. I came down to bring the kids and get some stuff what we need," she informed them; just then, they heard the gator arrive. It was Shawn's mom and dad in the John Deere utility vehicle, a small work wagon-like golf cart they used to ride all over their land. Shawn turned, smiling big; Sylvia's stomach leapt into her throat to finally see the two people responsible for her man's existence. Immediately she knew the woman was Shawn's mother. The most mischievous grin she had ever seen flashed at her, loaded with excitement and a big warm welcome. "Oh, my goodness! Bart, would you just look at her!" she cheered excitedly, sitting beside her husband as he pulled up next to them. She only had eyes for Sylvia. "Look at you! I'mo get me my lil' brown grandbaby for sure now! Just look at her! Lord'a'mercy Jesuscome here, chile, and give me a hug! Don't be shy! HellI been waiting on you a long time, now!"
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Shawn was laughing at his mother, Shanna was grinning. "Mama, isn't she just as pretty as she can be!" Only the brown of Sylvia's skin saved her from the others seeing how heavily she was blushing, her face was on fire. But there wasn't an ounce of hesitation on Gert's part to hop to the ground and pull Sylvia into her arms for a tight, strong hug."Has my Shawn been treatin' you right? 'Cause if he not, you just call me or Bart! We'll be on his ass like flies on a skunk turd!" she announced. Shawn threw his head back, laughing deep and loud. "Now, mama, don't start!" She was overwhelming to say the least. Sylvia had to snap to; she'd been alone for so long, and having to deal with only her mother from time to time, it was startling to be in the midst of such strong personalities. "Thank you for letting me know that. I'm certain that nowI won't be having any problems," Sylvia assured her, smiling and hugging her again in return, next turning her eyes to the famous, Bartholomew Jacob McPherson. Immediately, Sam Elliot rushed to Sylvia's mind. This was a big man, rather tall, with a full head of grey hair. Tall, solid, very masculinevery rugged a slight barrel chest, and direct eyes. Sylvia gulped as he walked over to her, no smile on his face, just an intense study of her. He stopped right before her, put his big fists to his hips; he was wearing overalls and shirt, then reached up scratching his head, pushing back his duck bill cap. "Well, now, young ladywhat you got to say for yourself? You look to be pretty smart; what you doing with that one of m'boys?" He asked it so seriously, that Sylvia gulped, not sure how to take him. "Dad! It's 'cause just as you said, she's a smart woman." Shawn informed him, walking up to her to put his arms around her, squeezing her to him. "Emmm, and when you two gone say your vows? Shawn tells us you've gone and let him knock you up." Sylvia gasped and Shawn, used to his family, only stood taller. "Yes! That's my boy! Yes indeed!" his mother cheered, her husband looked over at her. "Gert" he called to her. Her glance to him was filled with cheesing with excitement. "It's mighty early in the morning." "The earlier the better, dry bone! Come on, Sylvia! You gonna have to change, sweetheart; you can't be wearing them nice things for what we gone be doing, come on in the house." Gert took her by the wrist and pulled her away from Bart, who was still standing there looking Sylvia over. Sylvia was burning up inside, stunned, and wrestling with the thought of whether he liked her or not. Shanna followed them while Angela and Sasha ran after the boys on the way to the maple pit. In the house, Sylvia let his mother lead her upstairs to her room.
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"Sylvia McPherson! I'm calling you that, 'cause it's just a minor formality soon on the horizontalk to me, girl! How you feeling? Shawn says you got morning sickness." "Ma'am, with all Shawn's been telling you, I figure there's not much for me to say," she admitted, stepping into Gert's bedroom,with Shanna heading straight for the bed to sit down. Gert went into her long wall closet and opened the last panelled double doors, reached at the end of the clothes hanging there, and pulled out a plaid shirt. "Here, take that nice top off and put this on. What you mean, nothing left to say? We been hearing from my Shawn how he feels about you, I wanna hear how you feel about him, from you!" Sylvia stood gaping a moment, taken off guard. Shanna leaned back on the bed, laughing. "Mama, anybody tell you, you're 'bout as subtle as an avalanche?" "She get use t'me! She got use to Shawn, didn't she? So, come on, fill me in! My boy sweep you off your feet? 'Cause ain't a girl nor woman anywhere my Shawn go after, he don't getbut he admit, you put him through itgood for you!" she went on, leaving little room for Sylvia to get in a comment as she went to her bed chest and pulled out a pair of jeans. Sylvia glanced at Shanna, who shrugged in sympathy. "Hereput these on! Them white pants you got on be ruined by the end of the day," she instructed. Sylvia was taking off her top and putting on the plaid shirt when she took a deep breath and decided to be just as up front. "To be honest with you, ma'am" "Young lady, call me Gert or mama. Make me sound like an ole lady in a rockerI ain't rockin' yet!" she corrected Sylvia. "Oookay, how about Gert for now?" Sylvia asked, buttoning up the shirt. "That's my namesuits me just fine. As you were saying?" Gert asked, holding the post of her four-post bed, taking a brief rest before they went down to the kitchen. "Well, I wasn't looking for anyone, I'd planned on being alone" "And my Shawn wasn't havin' it!" Gert butted in proudly. "No, Gert, he wasn'tsooowhat can I say, here I am." "Here because you madly in love with him, or here because you ain't figured out how to get rid'uv'im yet?" "Here 'cause I ain't figured out how to get rid'uv'im yet!" Gert and Shanna hooted in laughter, Gert slapped her thigh and Shanna laid back, rolling hilariously. "That's it! You're in! Good answer! Keep his cute ass guessing!" Sylvia laughed along with them, then smiling said, "I love him. He's a handful" "Got that from his daddy!" Gert put in, laughing again, stunning Sylvia once more. "Every one of my boys was born, hung like a stallion!" she bragged. "Mama, please!" Shanna laughed.
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"Just tellin' the truth! Ain't no sense in lyin'!" Sylvia was done changing and trying to get used to Gert's quick earthy wit. "Anyway, we got a big breakfast to cook up, but I need to warn you, 'cause I don't want my rebels scaring you off! There's a lot of men around here, young and old. So the testosterone's flowingprepare yourself for it." "Then there's Kathy Ann," Shanna added. "Yep, there's her. My other daughtershe's up at the maple pit with the others, she'll be strolling in soon. She been stewing most the night, 'cause she know Shawn coming. Don't you take nothin' she say personally, because it ain't gonna be about you. She on the verge of gettin' sent home. I'm trying to be patient, but after a while, they all start to get on my nerves with they nonsense. I'm just warning you." Sylvia sighed, wondering once again with Shawn, exactly what had she gotten herself into. Shanna stood from the bed. "You'll be alright, Kathy Ann is really harmless. Tough as hell, but for the most part, nobody would jump to defend you quicker." "That's truecome on, I got to get the batter made, everything else will be done soon, the men already grumbling 'bout how hungry they are."
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Series Two Episode 16 - Chapter 47 The Maple pit... Sylvia was feeling overwhelmed. They'd come down to the kitchen with Gert making the pancake batter. There were bags on the kitchen counter filled with various fruits that Jake had brought from the store, he must have come in, left them on the counter, and joined the men outside. Sylvia pitched in and cut up the fruit in a big bowl while Shanna packed a box with napkins, plates, knives, forks, spoons, and a couple of garbage bags. There was also a bag filled with trays of eggs, that would be cooked at the maple pit. Shawn had come into the kitchen to grab the box Shanna had packed. Stopping, he checked on Sylvia, looked into her eyes as was his developing habit with her, then kissed her forehead and lips, letting her know that he was heading up to the pit with the men. That was fine, she had been okay at that point. He grabbed the box and headed out. Then Jake had appeared. She'd heard his voice that morning at the motel, but she hadn't really seen him yetnot until he came into the kitchen to grab some fruit from the bowl she was cutting it up in. Her unease began there. Jakewas splendid perfection wrapped up in the body of a god, certainly an Adonis. He, as in the case of Shawn, looked like his mother, with his father's coloring and little accents of difference. His hair was wavy and long, hanging to his shoulders, a honey blond that fit just right with his vivid bluegray eyes. His skin was tanned darker than everyone else in the family, and while he was not as muscular as Shawn, he was built with long lean muscles. He had an engaging smile, the infamous grin, and eyes that kept going to Sylvia. His first assault had been to stand and stare at her when he came into the kitchen to get some fruit, and said right off, "Whooooeeee! Look at this one, here!" "Don't start, Jake! Get what you came for and then get going!" his mother warned, knowing her son better than anyone.
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"I know, mama, I just came to grab some fruit! I'm hungry! This breakfast is gettin' later and later every year you do it!" he was saying, never taking his eyes off of Sylvia, who was feeling discomfort at his staring. "Jake! Mind your manners! Grab a apple and get going! This girl here is forbidden fruit to you." Jake just laughed, went into the bag next to where Sylvia was standing cutting up the fruit, grabbed an apple and leaned down to grin up into her face. "Well, can't I get a smile, a hello, a how you doin' or something?" he asked, standing too close for her comfort. Sylvia lifted a dangerous brow and cut him a look with clear warning, then flashed her sarcastic smile and said, "Hello, Jake. How you doing? Hungry? Want an apple? There it is. Good day!" She turned back to preparing the fruit. Jake stood laughing. "Whooeee! She's a feisty bite! I think she gone be too much for Shawn!" he joked, blatant in his flirting with her. "I'm gonna tell you something right now! I'm not gonna have no trouble out of you today! You understand me, Jake? Mind your manners, be respectful to your brother's future wife!" "What did I say, mama? What I do wrong? I'm being as nice as I can be!" he defended himself. "That's alright, you got what you come fornow goodbye!" She stood facing him. "What's all the fuss about, I just wanna meet her! She gone be in the family! Might as well get to know her future brother-in-law." "Jake, please don't start," Shanna asked, backing her mother. "Fine! FineI'm going." But first, he leaned towards Sylvia, too close, and whispered softly in her ear, "Nice to meet you." Because his mother was baring down on him, he laughed and made a quick escape. She shook her head, turning back to mixing the pancake batter. "Now I guess you can see what I mean about too much testosterone around here. He didn't upset you, did he?" Gert asked sincerely. "No, not at all. No offence to you, but with him, I'm not impressed." "Good, I'm glad to hear it. I swear, between the two of them, they like to have driven me to a nervous breakdown. Jake has always, always tried to outdo Shawn, and for the life of me, I don't know why. Whatever Shawn did he had to do, too. You think by now he'd have grown out of all that nonsense, but he just as young as ever. Teenager in a thirty-nine year old body." "I think he brought back beer, too, mama. Kathy Ann been sipping on one most of the morning, started first thing." "Well, I'm gonna have a word with your daddy. And Sylvia, I don't know you all that well yet, but I pray these fools don't go to scaring you off." "Don't worry about me, Gert, I'm a big girl. I feel sorry for DorisI was married to someone like him, I can just imagine what she goes through."
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"They ain't married. Jake too selfish to marry anybody. And anybody that would marry him, don't have the sense of a maggot," Shanna commented. That was the first stress layer for Sylvia, but that she could have dealt with if it were not compounded by other things. They gathered all that was prepared and headed up to the maple pit in Gert's own John Deere golf cart. When they arrived, the area was a hive of activity. Sylvia spotted Shawn straight away, he had his shirt off, splitting wood, he looked up at her and winked, she grinned and winked back. Climbing from the golf cart, walking to the pavilion shelter that was just a bit smaller than the ones she remembered at the Chicago forest preserves. This one was on a smaller scale, but big enough to shelter the whole family, while they boiled down the sap into maple syrup in a large eighty-gallon galvanized oval washtub that was stationed above a welded iron grate rack. Underneath it was a cast iron tray to fill with firewood to bring the washtub filled with the gathered sap to a high boil. Growing up in the city, living in Chicago, this was a new world to her. This world where everything was made by hand, pickling, preserving and boiling down sap for maple syrup, farmland and farm living, was a completely new experience that she was enjoying every step of the way. "Sylvia! Hey, girl! Finally meeting the family!" Meribel greeted her. She was standing at one of the three grill pits, cooking up sausage links, patties, and bacon. The kids were hauling in buckets of sap sitting in the back of a trailer that Derrick was pulling behind a four-wheeler with a hitch on it. They'd climb out, passed their filled buckets to Marcus, who emptied them into a huge plastic fill tank that had a drain hose connected to it. As soon as the sap in the tub was boiled down to a certain point, Kathy Ann would add more to it from the tank; the process would go on through the day. She'd already extracted enough from the batch to set aside for them to eat that morning. Standing, chit-chatting with Meribel and Shanna, Sylvia noticed that Kathy Ann didn't make a move to come over and meet her. She wasn't sure what to think about that as she observed her through her peripheral while listening to Meribel. Gert was setting up the griddle on one of the other grill pits to start frying up flapjacks and Shanna was laughing at something Meribel said, heading over to get the tables set up. Sylvia glanced back at Kathy Ann and caught her looking at her as well. Kathy Ann nodded to her and then lifted her Budweiser to her lips and kept on skimming off the surface foam and whatever else came to the top. Kathy Ann was a big girl. Not a fat girl...but an Amazon. Sylvia figured if she wasn't six foot, she was close. Thick boned, solid body and tough looking as any motorcycle gang member's bar-brawling girlfriend. Her arms had tattoos, and she wore silver rings on every finger, silver on her wrist, around her neck and several ear piercings. She wasn't unattractive, just roughlooking; she could believe she was a wrestler if someone said it was so.
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One of those white girls who could pick someone up and toss them like they were a rag doll. She wore blue jeans and a black t-shirt with the sleeves rolled up to her underarms and shoulders. The girl had biceps to boot. Sylvia figured, rather than fight someone like her, it was best to either shoot her, or run like hell. Like Derrick, they were duplications of their father. She had a broad mandible jaw, very similar to the actress, Geena Davis, with large eyes that she deliberately narrowed to look more menacing, and it worked. A wide nose that really didn't hurt her features, not that she would care if it did, and incredible strawberry blonde hair like her baby sister Shanna. Both of them kept it long, past their shoulder blades, somewhat wavy and wildly blowing in the wind. That one feature made Kathy Ann more feminine. She also smoked; she and Jake were the only two of them all who did. If she cared to be, in truth, she could be very attractive, but she didn't seem to care one way or the other. Shawn walked up to the wood pile, his arms loaded with split logs, bending, he added to the stack. Taking a deep breath, he was going to speak to Kathy Ann. They'd been edging around each other for the last hour or more. He stood and smiled at her, about to say something to her, but before he could, she lifted her beer as a toast to him. "Mother's favorite has struck again," she commented, successful in removing the smile from his face, then she gestured toward Sylvia with the tilt of her head. "Nicethe perfect way to ease on back in, now that you've finally returned home." "Well, obviously not everyone is happy about that, hm? Guess you're going to have to just get used to the idea, lil sister. Because I'm home to stay." "Good for youbut you'll have to excuse me if I don't build a three storey apartment up your ass like the rest, and welcome you back with sweet kisses." Shawn stood a moment, using his shirt to wipe the sweat from his face. "Whywhy does it have to be this way between us? What in the hell have I done to you, to have you resent me so much?" She looked away from him, feeling awkward, and grabbed her pack of cigarettes from her top pocket, tapping it on her fingers before she opened it to remove a cigarette, which she lit. Inhaling deep, she turned and blew the smoke above her brother's head. "You know what, Shawnlet's not do this todayokay?" She laid down her strainer and walked away from him towards the tables, grabbed a fork, and then went to the grill where Meribel stood and stabbed a sausage. She blew it, took a bite, chewed it and looked up at Sylvia. "Welcome to the family. I'm Kathy Ann, nice to meet you," she offered Sylvia, and held her hand out to shake Sylvia's. Sylvia nervously held hers out to her. "Kathy Ann." She nodded and greeted in return as they shook hands. Kathy Ann nodded to her and smiled, saying to her mother while looking straight into Sylvia's eyes, "Well, mama, you finally got your lil black Barbie doll! Shawn's done you proud again." That made Sylvia draw back, stunned. "Excuse me?"
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Gert slammed down her spatula and turned to Kathy Ann, pointing at her. "I've already told your brotherand now I'm telling you, you watch your mouth or you go home!" By then, Shawn was red in the face and by Sylvia's side. "What's your fuckin' problem, Kathy Ann?" he shouted, angry, glaring at his smirking sister. "I got no problems! HeySylvia! Got nothing against you. Don't take it personalit's him I don't like." "Go home, Kathygo home," Gert demanded. "You've been drinking, and been talking trash all last night! Now you're starting first thingSylvia's first time here, and this is what she has to be subjected to...go home and sleep it off," Gert ordered her daughter. "I don't wanna go home! Why me? I tried to avoid him, he came up to me! I've been here all along! Jake's been here, Derricks been here! An' I had to go get Shanna! But the favorite comes home after leaving, visiting only when he wants to show off! Decides he wants to all o'sudden come back, and I can't go nowhere without hearing about Shawn's moving back! Shawn coming home! We bought the house for Shawn! We have to get furniture for Shawn!" Derrick stepped up to be the peacekeeper. "Kathy Ann, drop it, okay?" Derrick tried to calm her down, but she was deep into a 12-pack. "No! Why does the friggin' worldhave to revolve around Shawn? Hm, mama?" "Kathy Ann, you're talking nonsense out of a beer can! We've done no more for Shawn than we have for the rest of you!" "Yeah, but we deserved it, mama! We earned it! We stayed here and listened and did as you and dad wanted us to do" "Excuse me? I don't remember you bringing home a degree in anything, Kathy Ann! You stayed here and did what you did because you wanted to! You didn't have to!" Gert interrupted. "Oh, that's easy to say now, mama! But every time I turned around, you was asking me, Kathy Ann come do this for us, come do that for us! Come help your daddy with the field or the barn! I was always here helping you and dad all the time with the farm! Me and Jake! Derrick went off to school and didn't look back. Shanna took off with some loser, ended up gettin' her ass kicked around for years before I had to go and get her! But where was your favorite when you needed him? Hm, mama? Fair enough, okayokay, yeah, finebut why should he get anything? He so high and mighty, he should have bought his own ga'damn house! His own ga'damn furniture! All I ask you for was twelve hundred dollars, mama, I told you what I need it for, was gone pay it back! Noooo, but when Shawn needs" "Is that what you're having a fit over? Twelve hundred dollars? I'll give you twelve hundred, you don't have to pay shit back!" Shawn shouted angrily.
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By then, the family was crowding around, Angela had run to Sylvia's side, looking afraid to see her father and aunt arguing. "I don't want your goddamn money! See, I know where it comes from!" she blasted back at him with accusing eyes. Shawn's eyes got wide, then narrowed at her. Derrick grabbed her arm and started hustling her out of the pavilion, growling at her, "You take your ass home and sleep it off! Don't say another word, or I'll be getting in on this one," he threatened, pulling her clear of the pavilion and to the golf cart. "Get in," he ordered. She sat down, and he climbed in next to her, started it and pulled off toward the house so he could take her home. Shawn turned to Sylvia. "Get your stuff, let's go." "Oh, daddypleasenooo!" "Shawn, don't go!" Shanna pleaded. "Kathy Ann is drunk! Once she sleeps it off, she'll be okay." She turned to Sylvia. "We're sorry; it's not always like thisreally it isn't." "Nojust when I show up," Shawn entered. "Shawnnobody's going nowhere. You've been gone long enough! This is your family, this is where you belong! Don't you get tired of taking off? One would think you'd be man enough to deal with someone like Kathy Ann without taking off!" "I don't need the stress, mama, and neither does Sylvia." Gert turned from her son to Sylvia. "Darlin', let me tell you something. This is one helluva family. We all have strong passions, pains, and problems. Regardless of that, you're a welcome and necessary member. I'm telling you now, we are all in this together! When you say them vows to him, you're marrying into the whole lot! And in this lot, only the strong can surviveso if you doubt you have the backbone to stand toe to toe, make up your mind now. That last one, lord bless her, got nothing against her, she your mama" Gert said down to Angela, then back to Sylvia, "didn't have what it takes. I sure hope you do." She turned to Shawn. "Go stir that maple. I ain't ruined my syrup batch in all these years, don't intend to today. Go on." Shawn turned and looked down at Sylvia. "I'm sorry about all this." Sylvia smiled, glancing out the side of her eye to his mother; she used psychology on her. She so much as dared her that she could take it. Sighing, Sylvia looked up at Shawn. "Go stir the mapleand try to stay out of trouble, okay?" He grinned and leaned down and kissed her. Peace was found for a period while the women took deep breaths, shook off the event, and got breakfast out onto the four picnic tables. As the kids started gathering around, Sylvia noticed more of them. Kathy Ann had two that were there, who returned to the area with their grandfather, a sixteen year old daughter, Jenny Lee Dearbornlooked just like her mother.
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A bit on the hefty side and her fourteen year old brother, Jason Brian Dearborn. Their father, Kathy Ann's husband, was at work, a habitual overtime worker. They had bills galore, and it seemed all he was was a mention when they gathered. Shanna was the only one that didn't have children. Jake had three kids as well, two of them by a woman named Christine; there was Benjamin, twenty-two and Kevin, twenty. And Paul by a woman named Sherry, he was seventeen, skinny as can be, battling a serious case of acnehe seldom looked anyone in the eye, his acne an issue for his selfesteem. Sylvia could just imagine what the boy must endure, surrounded for the most part, by males who were all attractive in their own way. They'd all been out with their grandfather, and then the last one came into the group driving up in another four wheeler that had more stumps stacked on it. Meribel's Derrick Jr.DJ for short. Sylvia felt kicked by a mule when he stood from the vehicle and looked their way. "DJ, leave that stuff until after you eat!" Gert ordered him, he stood smiling at her, turning the key off and stepping away from the four wheeler. "I'm starving, too, grandma! I like to fainted out there!" he kidded. "Aaah, mijocome on, you can eat now," Meribel invited him. Sylvia couldn't take her eyes off of him. He was his father's son all the way, just much better looking than Armundo had been. Just as Crystal did, he had a honey-brown complexion, smooth and clear. Light brown eyes, and the most perfect afro, cut and lined. He was taller than Armundo as well, standing a bit over 5'10. He smiled, and perfect gleaming-white teeth flashed a light on his face. He was the pride of Derrick, his one son who played football. He ran track and field as well, and was up for a pro ball contract with one of the NFL teams. He stood with wide shoulders, like his father, narrowing down to a trim waist, abs galore, a tight hard butt that his jeans rode low on just right, and bow-legged like his father. "Mijo, grab a piece of sausage right quick, Shanna's doing the eggs nowgo over and meet Sylvia." He looked up at her then and smiled, knowing already who she was. Walking towards her, Sylvia felt lightheaded, her heart hammered and her eyes filled with tears. He was Armundo alright, and it was unsettling to her. While things between her and Armundo hadn't been ideal, he had turned around before his deathshe'd actually felt a rekindling in her heart for him, no, not as strong in love as she had been in the beginning, there would have never been that, but she did mourn his death. And now this son of his, so much like him, it made her short of breath, she had to sit down. "You okay?" he asked, noticing the look on her face. She nodded; he was the final assault, the other layer to her stress. She was afraid she would start crying.
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She was tired, hungry and edgy, and trying to get a grasp of everything that was suddenly happening in her life since Shawn Everett McPherson. "You look just like your father," she said to him as he sat across from her. Shawn walked up then, looking down at her. "Heywhat's up?" She couldn't look at him right then, and wiped her eyes. "I'm fine, Shawn, just needing something to eat, I think." She felt shaky, and her nausea was forever hovering, usually not willing to subside until early afternoon. "Hey, Tio, how you doing?" DJ lifted his hand and did a black hand shake, a double shift of the hands, gripping twice which Shawn was comfortable with. "I'm still kicking, and you about to go pro ball!" "YepI just have to make up my mind which team I'm heading for." "You can name your ticket with three offers up before you." "Naaaw, I'm not gonna play games. I'm signing up with the Philadelphia Eagles." "Well, good for you! We're all proud of you. I'm gonna go over and get you two a plate, bring Angela in to eat," he said, squeezing Sylvia's shoulder. She smiled up at him, glad for the moment to collect herself. She turned back to DJ and spent a few moments getting to know him. She learned right then, while he certainly looked his father's son, he was made up of better stuff. Very eloquent and a gentlemen when speaking. Full of ideas, goals, and accomplishments. So he wasn't just a talker, hopping from one idea or thought to another, like her own son by Armundo. He'd yet to manifest anything he said he was going after. Not so with the handsome young man before her; he was making strides and reaching his goals and dreams. Shawn sat before her a platter heaped with four pancakes, two eggs, sausage and bacon, a bowl of fruit and a tall glass of milk. "Shawn! Oh, my goodness! There's no way I'm going to be able to eat all of this!" She laughed as DJ thanked his uncle for a similar plate, but it had more on it. He wasn't complaining, he dug right in. Sasha sat next to her brother, Angela next to her dad, who sat down next to Sylvia, all had their plates. The pavilion was filled with humming voices as everyone stood to get their plate filled. She looked over at Shawn, who had six cakes stacked up, four eggs, three sausage links, a stack of bacon, a bowl of fruit, juice and coffee. "Ach, you're gonna eat all of that?" "Ooooh, yeahbeen waitin' on this. Hey, you get started!" "SylviaI don't see you digging into my pancakes!" Gert shouted from her griddle, watching for her to take the first bite. "This is sooo much!" "You're eating for two now," Shawn stated, shoving in a heaping fork of the pancakes and sausage. He closed his eyes and shook his head as if he were in heavenly bliss. "Eating for twoit's only that big now, Shawn, it don't need that much"
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"Don't call my baby an it!" he corrected her mildly, but she could tell from his tone, he meant it. "Excu-u-use me. The baby is only this big!" She held up her fingers to indicate the size. "The baby, nor I, need all of this." "I'm waiting, Sylvia!" his mother called, still waiting. "Okay, okay, okay" Sylvia picked up her fork, cut into the steaming stack with butter and pure just-made, warm maple syrup running down the sides, and put three small cut squares stacked into her mouth. Then she knew why "Oh, my god!" She chewed with the flavors blended on her tongue, explaining to her as no one could, why all the kids loved this family tradition. Shawn was watching the look on her face, Sylvia opened her eyes and looked at him. "Yeahexactly. It's that good," he bragged. Sylvia looked back at his mother, who was grinning, she could tell she'd won over another one with the look on her face. Gert then called out to everyone there, "Mama done good?" "Mama done real good!" She heard them all return loud and clear, many with a mouth full of food. Shawn reached over and pulled her over to him by the neck, and kissed her full on the lips, syrup, pancakes and all in his mouth. Sylvia was laughing. "Yuck, ShawnI don't need you to feed me, Shawn!" Gert turned back with a smile of satisfaction, flipping more cakes. Jake, holding a beer, not yet eating, stared at them from the other side of the pavilion, while Doris sat talking with Shanna, pretending not to notice where he stared.
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Series Two Episode 16 - Chapter 48 Gert's Theory... Breakfast had turned out a success, everyone pitched in and helped to clean up the pavilion while the sap was still boiling away, each of the kids taking turns for a while to skim it, stir it and add more if, on their turn, it was needed. Plenty enough sap had been gathered, and the men were all out corking the trees now, pulling in all the buckets and replenishing the wood stack. Gert, Shanna, Meribel and Sylvia were riding one of the golf carts with Meribel and Shanna in the back, and Sylvia sitting beside Gert as she took her around their land, showing her various areas and their woods. Comfortable with the women present, and feeling that she could ask it, Sylvia did. "Okayyou have to explain something to me; what is the big deal with me being black all about?" Shanna and Meribel both laughed, with Shanna saying, "Oh, you've gone and done it now! We'll be hearing this for the rest of the night!" "Oh, Shanna, you just hush! You'll be free soon, then you get to do it right this time like Shawn," Gert started. "You mean marry someone black?" Sylvia asked. "Noooo, don't have to be blackjust anything else other than white," Gert clarified. "And why is that?" Sylvia asked. "Because white folks is too white! Some black folks is too black! Some Chinese too much of that!" "Huh?" Sylvia blurted, then laughed. "Now, hear me out! Don't jump the gun on me before you know what I mean. You see, I got this theory. Reason why no one is really, really happy with the way they are, is because they're too extreme!" "What do you mean, 'too extreme'?" Sylvia asked.
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"Okay, I'm gonna start with white folkslet's begin with the women. Many may start off as lookers, but what happens when they get past their thirties? Some it happens to in the twenties. Wrinkles! You know why? They too white! Skin's too dry, too thin, not enough elasticity to keep it supple. They need to bring in a new blood source, one with thick skin and melanin, pigmentation. The strongest source of thatis in the black race. Ain't no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Too many white women's figures are made up of fat instead of muscle, that's why so many get saggy asses" Sylvia burst out laughing. "Oh, my goodness! I can't believe you said that!" "Why not? It's the truth! How many black women you see with their asses running down the back of their legs? Many as I've seen, I could count on one hand with fingers missing. But how many white women like that? Too many to even bother counting." "Oh, my lord," Sylvia gasped, shaking her head. "Hang on, girlfriend, she just gettin' warmed up!" Meribel inserted, laughing. "Well, look, if you think about it, it make perfect sense! It wasn't the Lord's idea that we be idiots and ruin what started off as perfectly built bodies in every variation! Had we stuck with him and did it his way, we'd all have a chance at rhythm, a chance at beautiful toned skin, and turning forty with no wrinkles!" "But then we'd all look the same, mama Gert." "I don't believe it! I don't believe for one second we'd all look the same! What I believe is that we'd always be surprised by what our next child would look like! If we had all continued to mix, each of our children would be unique! There would be no common traits. We've gone and done to the humane race what people have done to dogs and catsgenerated breeds! And you all know what comes with pedigreed breedsgenetic weaknesses! They become known for a certain trait or fault. Same thing happening to us humans; we've created faults in our health and looks. I give you another example. Extreme black racesthere ain't no one that can convince me, that it was intended for some to have such extreme tight, dry and beaded-up, segregated hair!" Sylvia gasped, "Ach! I can't believe you said that!" "You better believe she did! Derrick had to keep this black woman from beatin' mama Gert up! We was on the bus because" Meribel kept stopping for laughing. "because our car broke down, and we decided to ride the bus back to the house to get my car. Well, it was just me, Derrick, mama Gert and Joseph. We go and sit on the bus, girl, and there was this big black woman sitting in front of us with two of her kids. Well, they had really dry beaded-up hair, and mama Gert is staring and staring, and then she leans forward and whispered in this woman's ear, 'Ma'am, you need to bring in new blood! Next chile' you have, make it by somebody other than blackand get them kids to marry out, too. That'll fix that hair'." "Oh, my goodness! You didn't!"
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"Oh, yes, she did! Derrick was so embarrassed, and he had to stand" She was laughing with tears in her eyes. "between mama Gert and that woman on the bus, she was slamming him upside the head with her purse and cussing mama Gert out!" "Oh, my goodness!" Sylvia exclaimed. "I didn't mean no harm. I felt sorry for them babies. You know doggone well, little black girls want their hair to grow normal, too, without breaking off. They want shine, they want bounce and manageable hair, too! Or else all these companies with they chemical strengtheners wouldn't be making a mint selling products for just that." "So, you don't like afros?" Sylvia asked, a bit offended and it showed. "I love 'em! I had one myself, years back. You talking about curly hair. There's a difference in black curly hair, and black dry, kinky hair. The drykinky is very hard to keep from breaking off, because it's too flat-celled. I know; I went to beauty school for a short period of time, and learned all about it. You, Sylvia, have black curly hair. Hair that can be worn in an afro or be straightened with a relaxer, and it will grow and do what you need it to. But there is a type of black hair that is in the extremethat's the problem. Extreme is not good. Extreme white is not good. Extreme Chineseanother example. They look too much alike! Half of them can barely see out of their eyes! But look at their cartoon drawings: every one of them have huge eyes! Why do you suppose that is? They don't like their small eyes. But out of all, the white race is the one with the most faults. Easy to burn white skin, wrinkles, Osteoporosis, muscle deterioration, crippling arthritis. Nooo, I know I'm right. What have I told all of you, Shanna?" "Try not to marry white." "Why?" "Because if we are going to strengthen our children, our bloodline, and keep our family smart, healthy, and strong, we need to bring in new blood," she repeated, all of them knew it by heart, their mother had preached it since they were little. "That's right! Marrying white over and over, you washing out all the good stuff! Stuff we all need. Now, look at me, SylviaI'm fifty-nine years old, will be sixty in a few months. Look at my skin, have you noticed I'm not that wrinkled?" Sylvia searched her face and did notice it. She had a smooth-like texture that was not bothered by too much wrinkling. There was a bit, but not as much as she was used to seeing on white women her age. "As a matter of fact, you're not." "You know why?" "No, ma'am." "Because there's African and Indian way back a few generations. I had a great-great-great-grandfather who was Africanpureon my father's side. On my mother's side, there was Crow Indian...
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...And look at my beautiful children, my sons and daughters. Butnow it's time to dip back somewe gettin' too white. Enough is enough, I didn't care what they married, mind you, just as long as it wasn't white. Derrick was the only one who listened. He married my sweet Meribel," Gert reached back and pinched her cheek. They were stopped by a stream, just talking. Meribel blushed. "Now, look at that skin! Her hair, eyes, and features! That's how you keep it right." "Angela's beautiful!" Sylvia defended. "'Cause she looks like me!" Gert blurted, and all three burst out laughing. "You something else, Gert! I swear you are!" Sylvia shook her head laughing. "Now, the second time aroundShawn has done it right. 'Cause you twogone give me my sweet, little brown grandbabies with fat black curls! Oh, I can just see'em now! Dana Mocker think her lil grandson is the cutest. His daddy black, you see, by her daughter. And she's always bragging and bringing him around to show him off!" "But, mama, he is cute; as cute as he can be!" "Well, my Shawn and Sylvie gonna give me one even cuter." "Oh, my goodness! You trippin'! What if he or she is born and not brown, but light-skinned with your husband's hair color and eyes?" "Hush your mouth, now! Think brown! Think smooth brown skin, thick fat black curls, and dreamy dark eyes! Oh, Sylvia! I got to show you my picture when we get home!" "Mama's got this huge picture of a little black baby with a tear rolling down his cheek. She goes on and on about one of us bringing her one." "LordI cannot believe this!" Sylvia confessed. "Look, I already know what he's gonna look like," Gert demanded. "You, Sylvia, are gonna connect waaaay back in our African gene pool! This baby is gonna be brown. That's that, I don't wanna hear no more about it. And, Shanna, just in case, your next gonna have to be a black manshiny, super black! Because, maybejust maybethis one might not be brown. Oh, I just gotta get me a lil brown one. If Dorothy Mocker can get one as cute as hers is, when they're all as ugly as sin" "Mama! You ought to be ashamed of yourself!" Sylvia and Meribel had tears flowing, they laughed so hard. "You know meI tell it how I see it! And I see ugly when I see them!" Gert restarted the golf cart as they all talked, heading back towards the house. Sylvia sighed, smiling, thinking about her future husband. So generations and generations ago, somewhere way back when, there was African, there was Indian that helped him come to be. Granted, one couldn't see it now, for all intents and purposes, he was white. Or as he stated, aligning with his father, Irish. But how did anyone really identify what made a race or nation look the way it did? Certainly, if all traits and features were traced back, they would no doubt all be amazed at what each version of man was made up of.
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Back at the house, Derrick, Meribel, Bart and Gert, Shanna, Sylvia and Shawn talked in the kitchen about their plans for marrying. "So, when's the date?" Bart asked, looking from his son to Sylvia and then back at his son again. "Well, dadwe really haven't discussed it much." "Don't see why not? You've had time for everything else, or are you not pregnant?" he directed that question to Sylvia. "Ummm, yeahI am." "Well, then, what's the hold up?" he went on further to enquire. Shawn looked at Sylvia. "Well, you all wantin' a big wedding or a little one?" Gert asked. "I think something simple. This is, after all, our second marriage," Sylvia spoke up. "Well, kind of simple, not too simple; my first was as simple as it could get. Las Vegasthis one, I want it in a church," Shawn decided. "You do?" Sylvia asked, smiling. "Yepand I want you in a really nice wedding dress. Whitewalking down the aisle to meet me." "Well, no better place than the church we attend each Sunday. Gert, get Pastor Hamilton on the phone, tell him Shawn's gettin' married in two weeks!" "Two weeks!" everyone in the room shouted at once. "Yepthat's long enough. You all best get to inviting who you're gonna invite now, that way they got two weeks to get ready." "Two weeks?" Sylvia's mind was rolling at that prospect. "But we have to be in court one day in the next two weeks, the case against Ray Olivetti." "That's one day," his father pointed out. "And we have Angela; we have to get a lawyer about her, because we're going for full custody of her." "Hmmm, that may take a couple of hours on another day," his father added. "And-andwe have plansto turn my house into a bed and breakfast, and building our home across from it." "Sounds like mighty good plans as well, that's another day," again from his father. "Annnnnd, I have my doctor's appointment, right Shawn?" Shawn was busy grinning, sympathizing with her, but his father had made himself the dictator of this event, and he rather liked the way it was going. "That's another day there, little girl. So, let me see now, five days out of fourteen. That gives you nine days to get ready for your wedding. You women best get crackin'!" Bart had spoken. Sylvia looked up at Shawn, he winked at her. "Father has spoken, you best get crackin'!"
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Just then, Jake strolled into the kitchen when everyone was excited and chattering, heading for the refrigerator to grab a beer. "What's all the excitement about?" he asked, leaning back against the counter, cracking open his can of Old Style. Putting the can to his mouth and taking a long drag, his eyes going to Sylvia. She looked away, playing it off as if she hadn't noticed. Shawn was knelt before her, one hand in her lap, grinning up into her face as he stroked her hair from her eyes. Sylvia smiled down at him, refusing to look up, she could feel Jake's eyes on her. Derrick wasn't missing it. Neither was Shanna or Meribel. "We were all planning Shawn's and Sylvia's wedding. Your father says it's in two weeks," Gert stated, looking her son in the face. He lifted the beer to his mouth, took a few gulps and said, "So, all I got is two weeks, hmm?" He then grinned. His mother didn't, nor did Derrick, Meribel or Shanna. "I mean, to get readyfor the wedding." Shawn shifted around, still on the floor and looked up at him, his eyes narrowed. He hadn't missed the sly comment either. Playing it off, Jake lifted his beer to Shawn. "Congratulations, brother! Hell, with a woman like thateven I would consider marriagewell, almost." He grinned some more, winked at Sylvia, and strolled from the room. Shawn stood with his mind working. He looked back at Sylvia. "We should get back to the motel, you look tired, darlin'." Sylvia was only too ready to accommodate him. They would be back the next day to help with the bottling of the syrup, but for now, the day was long enough. Saying their goodbyes, they headed back to their room, promising to return in the morning again. Back at the motel, Sylvia changed out of her clothes, donned her comfortable nightie and laid down while Shawn ran to the IGA to get them something to eat. She was exhausted and just wanted to sleep. Dozing off, a knock at their door brought her back alert. She sat up, looked at the clock, Shawn had been gone for a little over ten minutes. She couldn't imagine who it could be. "Who is it?" she called from the bed. At first there was silence, and then, "Jake!" She got up from the bed and put her robe on, walking to the door and standing beside it said, "Shawn's not here, he's gone to the store." "I know," was his answer. "I saw him." "What do you want?" "Do we have to stand and talk through a door?" he asked, grinning, she could tell. "Yes, we do. I'm tired, Jake. I was lying down to get some sleep." "WowI would love to see you like that. What are you wearing?" "Are you crazy? Get the hell way from my door, Jake!"
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He was laughing on the other side. "Calm down, just kidding. Can't take a joke?" "Conversation is over, Jake, goodbye!" "You knowhad I seen you firstyou might have been mine." "Jake, I haven't known you for long, but from what I know alreadyI can easily sayno waynot my type! Now, if you will excuse me, I'm going to lay back down. If you say anything more, you'll be talking to the door." She went back to bed with her heart pounding. She suddenly had visions of Ray Olivetti attacking her. For a moment, she imagined Jake breaking through the door, doing the same. It didn't happen. He only laughed, and got into his pickup truck, blasting a song for anyone to hear, Brother Louie by Stories...
She was black as the night; Louie was whiter than white, Danger, danger when you taste brown sugar, Louie fell in love overnight. Louie, Louie, Louie, Louieee...
Sylvia lay unable to get back to sleep, she was wide awake but she didn't move. Twenty minutes later, Shawn used his key and came into their room carrying bags, closing and locking the door behind him, he sang, "I got salad, I got potato salad, I got chicken, I got some pudding cups" He was happy and grinning, setting the bag on the table, he climbed onto the bed and gathered her in his strong arms, "And I got you babe... I got you babe..." He hugged her tightly, Sylvia held him just as tight. "I love you, Shawn." "I love you, too, baby. You hungry?" he asked gently, quietly. "Not really; can we just lay here, like this, holding each other. Please?" "Ooooh, yeah we can... em hm, here let me take my jacket off." He sat up and pulled his arms free throwing it to the chair. Then undid the laces on his boots and kicked them off. Then pulled Sylvia back into his arms, laying on his back he rubbed her back, kissed her forehead. "You okay? What's wrong?" he asked. Sylvia couldn't speak, she only shook her head. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked more urgently, lifting her face to look into her eyes; they were moist. "What's wrong, sweetheart." "I justI just love you so much, that's all!" "Oooh, sweetie, I love you, too. You sure that's all it is?" She nodded her head against his chest. "Sylvia" he called her name. "Yeah?"
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"Has Jake said anything to you?" She gulped, wondering what would he do if she told him that he had? "Why would you ask me that?" she asked instead, for the life of her, she was not about to cause trouble between them. Shawn had a bad temper and she didn't know anything about Jake, other than the fact that he was an obvious selfish asshole, with no respect for his brother. They were rivals, so it seemed; she remembered what their mother had said. Jake had always needed to best Shawn, match Shawn, do what Shawn did, have what Shawn had. "Just checkinghe can be a trip sometimes. I still have on my mind what he said in the kitchen. He thinks he's slick. If he ever says anything out of the way to you, you tell me! I'm not gonna be putting up with his shit! I know he's my brother, but I will knock the hell out of him about you." Sylvia clamped her mouth shutthey were getting married in two weeks, she would focus on that and the other things they had to take care of. She would just ignore Jake; he'd get tired of looking stupid and leave her alone. It was obviously a game he was playing. Little boy playing games. Shawn leaned down and kissed her nose, then planted a stirring lingering kiss on her lips. Sylvia pulled him down on her, kissing him back. With her heart poundingshe prayed that she was right.
To be continued...
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Amber Swann Publishing Inc. Bomaw Volume One Ended... Bomaw Volume Two Coming Soon... Hang in there dear reader because we are working on volume two right now, and it will soon follow this first volume release. We're looking at the possibility of their being Seven volumes that will be release throughout the next year. Bomaw will continuously be updated online so please, you will find it at Amber Swann Interracial Literature Home of quality IR literature. Many thanks to LC MacFarland Proofreader who dedicated quite a bit of time in assisting us to correct Bomaw. LC MacFarland is a romance novel enthusiast who has done research support, proofreading and final line editing for both e-published and print published works. She can be reached at lnc.macfarland@gmail.com Copyright 2003 Amber Swann Publishing Inc. The Origins design is a registered trademark of ASPI.
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James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

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James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

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James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

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James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One

James & Keyes Bomaw Volume One