Lean on Me

by Pat Simmons

He tapped her nose. “For you.” Looping his arm through hers, he guided her down the steps and walkway as if they were on a Hollywood red carpet.

  Once in the limo, she snuggled against his chest and closed her eyes, in awe of his efforts to make their date memorable. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  He kissed her hair. “For what?” He nudged her closer as he stretched out his long legs.

  “For coming into my life and staying.”

  He chuckled. “We can thank Aunt Tweet for that.”

  “Funny, I was thinking the same thing tonight.” Angling her body, Tabitha faced him and toyed with his beard.

  “I was unjustifiably angry at you; I’ve seen for myself how she can disappear in a flash.” Marcus fingered her chin, then guided her lips to his. His touch, more like a nibble, was tender before he pulled back. “Once you captured my heart, I couldn’t walk away.” He choked, clearly emotional with his confession.

  Tabitha wanted to shed tears of joy, but she wasn’t going to ruin her makeup, not even for the man she deeply loved. She was content to rest her head against his chest and listen to his heartbeat until they arrived at their destination.

  A few hours later, Tabitha admitted she was having a good time. The Prince of Broadway musical was refreshing and rejuvenating. She only wondered about Aunt Tweet once—not counting the time Marcus suggested an update. To ease her curiosity, he urged her to pull up the video, where she saw Aunt Tweet and Miss Betty watching television. During intermission, she called. “Just checking in.”

  “Everything’s fine. As a matter of fact, we were both dozing.” Betty chuckled.

  “Be careful. That’s when my aunt is known to pull her best disappearing acts, when I dozed.” Now concerned, she gnawed on her lips as her heart raced.

  “No worries, Miss Knicely,” Miss Betty said in a professional tone. “I only meant to say that all is well. Your loved one is under good care.”

  After she ended the call, Marcus lifted a brow. “Everything okay?”

  Tabitha patted her heart to calm her heartbeat. “Yes.”

  “Good.” Taking her hand, Marcus tugged her back into the auditorium for the conclusion of the play. About an hour later, they joined others for a standing ovation. With their hands intertwined, they strolled unhurried to their waiting limo, which whisked them off to dinner.

  The candlelight, ambiance, and food were surreal. Tabitha couldn’t remember feeling so content and happy, like a real-life princess. It had been so long since she’d felt normal. Rachel and Kym would be so happy for her. I think. She squeezed her lips together thinking, Would they?

  “Hey, are you worried about Aunt Tweet?” Concern was etched across his face, and he placed his hand on top of hers.

  “A little, but not really.” She shrugged and turned away. “Actually, I was thinking about my sisters. We all wondered who would find love first.”

  “I’m glad it was you…and me.” Marcus rubbed her hand with his thumb. “I’ve been praying for the Knicely sisters to reconcile. I can’t imagine a divide like this with my only brother. Even though we can irritate each other big-time, family is family.”

  “I know.” Closing her eyes, Tabitha bobbed her head, feeling worse.

  “You may be the middle child, but you can be the leader. I didn’t hear everything that was said, but I heard enough to know that it was your frustration talking, and your sisters didn’t recognize it.”

  Although he was right, she didn’t want to ruin her evening with bad thoughts. “Can we get back to us?” She smiled, hoping it would distract him. It didn’t.

  “Most definitely, but when I take you home tonight, there will be no goodbye kiss.”

  “What?” Tabitha rolled her eyes. That was the highlight of a first date. He had to be kidding. “You give me the most romantic evening, and we won’t share a kiss at the end of it?”

  “I’m not happy about withholding anything from you, but my relationship with Christ demands we seek spiritual intervention, and the rift with your sisters needs to be mended. My love for you goes beyond physical attraction. I care about you mentally and spiritually as well. I think we should end the night with prayer.”

  “Why can’t we have both?” she asked, then ceased her protests. Isn’t this what every woman wanted—a praying man who took his relationship with God seriously?

  When their evening ended outside her front door, Marcus stared into her eyes. His were filled with love and shining like stars. Cupping her hands in his, he stepped closer. Tabitha’s lids fluttered, thinking he’d changed his mind about their kiss as his lips moved closer to hers.

  “Lord.” His breath tickled her lips. “Please mend broken hearts. Tabitha needs her sisters, and they need her. Satan, the Lord rebukes you for the division you’ve caused. God has redeemed Tabitha, and she’s taking back the joy you stole from her.”

  The more Marcus prayed, the more tears seemed to cleanse her soul. “‘Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away. Be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as I have forgiven you,’” Marcus said, quoting Ephesians 4:31–32.

  He glanced away. “This isn’t easy for me. I wanted to kiss you the first day we met. Your lips were that tempting, and still are.” His nostrils flared with frustration. “Get it done, sweetheart, so I can get my good-night kiss!” With that, he walked off her porch to the limo and didn’t look back.

  Chapter 29

  Tabitha couldn’t wait another day. Two weeks was a long time to be angry with her own flesh and blood. Saying I’m sorry isn’t cowardly, Tabitha coaxed herself, then she admitted she needed their forgiveness as well to move on. She exhaled, situating her laptop between her and Aunt Tweet, then signed in to her Skype account. She connected with Rachel first, who Tabitha suspected Marcus’s brother kept updated. Tabitha had been too busy in her own world to ask Rachel to define her relationship with Demetrius.

  “Hey, Sis. Hi, Aunt Tweet.” Rachel smiled, then waved. “’Bout time you called.”

  Here we go. Tabitha wanted to remind her that she could have called too, but Rachel wasn’t the one who lost control. Tabitha owned, but regretted, snapping like that. After taking a deep breath, she added Kym to the chat.

  “Well, hello,” her oldest sister greeted, giving no hint of her mood or state of mind.

  “Hi.” Tabitha’s vision blurred. “I’m sorry for being rude and putting you out a few weeks ago.”

  Kym’s laugh eased the tension. “Correction: I packed my bags and left on my own.”

  Ouch. Ouch. “I’m so sorry,” Tabitha repeated as tears spilled from her eyes. Someone else was sniffing, and she couldn’t make out who.

  “Shh…shh,” Aunt Tweet said in a soothing voice and dabbed at Tabitha’s tears with a napkin as if Tabitha were a little girl again. The gesture confirmed her aunt was still inside, no matter how faint.

  “My outburst wasn’t the best way to show my frustration and display my new salvation walk with Christ.”

  “If you don’t stop crying, I’ll start,” Rachel said with a shaky voice.

  Kym sniffed. “No, it wasn’t, but I wasn’t calling you first.” She folded her arms. “As the oldest, you know how stubborn I am, but I love you.”

  Tabitha rolled her eyes and smirked. “Yes, we know,” she and Rachel said in unison.

  Clearing her throat, Kym perked up and waved at Aunt Tweet. “How are you doing?” When their aunt nodded, Kym looked at Tabitha. “Judging from the glow on your face, I’ll ask: What has your marvelous Marcus done lately? Before you tell me, I’m sure I’ll be jealous.”

  “You will.” If she had known Kym would accept her apology this easily, she would have done it sooner.

  Yes, forgiveness was a good thing. Closing her eyes, Tabitha exploded with happiness as she shared. “We went on our first date…” She di
dn’t spare one detail.

  It felt liberating to end the call on good terms. Immediately, she called Marcus.

  “Hey, baby. I was thinking about you. Did you speak with your sisters?”

  She nodded as if he could see. “Yes! It was as if nothing had happened, really. We’re good. So, when is our next date?” she asked eagerly, anticipating their real first kiss.

  “Hmm. Getting antsy, are you?” He laughed. “If it were up to me, it would be tonight, but I doubt if we could get Miss Betty at this late notice.” He paused. “I know how hectic your weekdays are. How about Friday night?”

  “Thursday,” she countered and ended the call, grinning.

  * * *

  Four days later, Marcus sat at his desk, counting down the hours before he took Tabitha out again. He was fumbling through his mail when a small envelope caught his attention: a formal invitation.

  His heart swelled with pride as he read the announcement that Latrice was graduating from St. Louis Community College with her nursing assistant certification. Already? He remembered when she started attending class. “I wouldn’t miss the ceremony for anything.”

  Demetrius strolled into the office, flexing his arm. “Sealed the MOHELA call center deal.”

  “Yes! That will allow us to add ten people to our payroll.” Marcus stood from behind his desk and bumped his brother’s fist before wrapping him in a bear hug. They gave each other hearty claps on the back. “The good news keeps coming.” He bobbed his head.

  “Oh? What else you got?” Demetrius rested his computer bag on his desk before leaning against it. His brother crossed his arms and waited.

  “Latrice has completed her CNA certification and is graduating at the end of the month.”

  His brother’s shoulders slumped. “Is that all?” He took his seat behind his desk. “I thought it was business related.”

  “Changing lives is our business, which is why we started Whittington Janitorial Services, remember?”

  “How can I forget?” Demetrius said slowly, then frowned. “But you took on Latrice and Victor’s situation as if you were…their caregivers. Isn’t Tabitha and her aunt enough?”

  Marcus twitched his mouth. The sisters had reconciled. He didn’t want to have a falling-out with his dear brother over his girlfriend. “Don’t bring my lady into this.”

  “Come on, Marc.” Demetrius didn’t back down as he shortened his brother’s name, which he very seldom did. “I wonder if you think things through before you try to rescue people. You’re essentially inviting yourself into their lives and problems.”

  Yeah, maybe it was their turn for a blowup. “Family shouldn’t be the only people we care about,” Marcus snapped.

  “True, but you willingly sought a relationship with Tabitha knowing she had no time for you. Then you went and fell in love with her and the auntie. In a few short months, it will be Rachel’s turn—”

  Ah, now his brother’s comments were beginning to make sense. “And you don’t see yourself coming to Rachel’s rescue.”

  “Not just her—any woman in that way. Whew.” Demetrius shook his head. “I enjoy her humor and sass, but with her aunt in the picture, it’s like dating a woman with two or three kids.”

  Marcus grunted. “I didn’t know it was getting that serious with you two.”

  “Rachel is not a woman who can easily be dismissed with her looks and wits. Yet, I tried my best not to get in deep—you know, with the age difference and all.” Demetrius tapped his pen on his desk.

  Amused and showing no pity for his brother’s dilemma, Marcus turned toward his computer. He burst into laughter. “Good luck, dude. I’ve learned a Knicely sister is hard to resist.”

  “Watch me.” Demetrius sounded as if he was trying to convince himself. Despite winning the new account, his brother seemed to be in an irritated state most of the day, while Marcus was in a jovial mood. Since dates were a premium as a caregiver, he wanted to make each date with Tabitha count.

  Later that evening, Miss Betty opened Tabitha’s door and greeted him with a smile. “Hello, Marcus. Don’t you look handsome?”

  “Why, thank you,” he said and strolled toward the kitchen, overlooking the adjacent family room. Aunt Tweet’s eyes lit up when she saw him. “Hi, mister.”

  “How ya doing?” He took the seat next to her, squeezed her hand, and kissed her cheek.

  They chatted a few minutes—or rather, he listened while she rambled on about being a teacher. She had such a flair for storytelling. He wished it had worked out differently with the children at his company.

  When Tabitha appeared, Marcus met her halfway and wrapped her in a hug. “Hi, gorgeous.” He stepped back and admired what she was wearing. “Come on. It’s a work night, and I don’t want to have you out too late.” He winked back at Miss Betty and waved good night to Aunt Tweet, then ushered Tabitha out the door to his car.

  Once she was strapped in her seat belt, she faced him. “Where are we going?”

  “Dinner” was all he would say until he turned into the parking lot of the Bonefish Grill near the Saint Louis Galleria. Since neither had eaten there before, it was another first for them to experience together.

  Tabitha seemed impressed by the understated elegance as she looked around. Her eyes sparkled. Once they were seated, their server pampered them with attention. “What’s the occasion?” he asked.

  Marcus gave Tabitha a slow appraisal, causing her to shiver, then he faced the server. “Do you see how beautiful she is? A man doesn’t need a reason.”

  Speechless, their server turned red and stuttered, “I-I agree. Would you like to see our drink menu to celebrate?” He recovered with a wide grin.

  “We don’t drink, so Sprite works for us.” Next, Marcus ordered the house signature appetizer, Bang Bang Shrimp, and their meals.

  As the young man hurried away, Marcus met Tabitha’s stare. “What?”

  “You embarrassed him. You could have said there was no occasion.”

  Leaning across the table, he urged her to meet him halfway. “We’re together, so I call that a special event. Plus, you are beautiful.” He heard her suck in her breath, and his heart skipped a beat.

  In no time, the server brought their appetizer. Marcus took her hands. They were incredibly soft, and that momentarily distracted him. He cleared his mind, then asked for blessings over their meal.

  Tabitha whispered “Amen” and glanced up. “Thank you for giving me peace.”

  “You’re welcome. Before we feast, let’s make sure the security video is working.”

  Tabitha couldn’t contain her amusement. To ease their curiosity, she retrieved her phone out of her purse and tapped her home security icon. They both released audible sighs when they saw the two women were watching television. After putting the phone away, they sampled the signature dish.

  Their Atlantic salmon, jollof rice, and mixed vegetables arrived minutes after they’d devoured the Bang Bang Shrimp. Since both agreed not to discuss work, their conversation was lighthearted and carefree while they enjoyed their meals and each other’s company.

  “Tonight is a celebration, right?” their server said as he reappeared at their table and insisted they taste a slice of key lime pie.

  “Bring it on.” Marcus winked at Tabitha.

  Minutes later, they had no regrets indulging in the scrumptious dessert. But the night was getting late too fast, so Marcus begrudgingly paid their tab. Taking her hand, they strolled out of the restaurant. “That was nice,” she said, patting her stomach.

  He wrapped his arm around her waist, and she leaned into him. “We have a quick stop to make before going home.”

  “O-okay.” The detour was to the Barnes & Noble in Ladue Crossing Shopping Center, less than six minutes away.

  “We’re stopping for a book?” She frowned.

  Marcus shru
gged. “Just a little browsing,” he said and helped her out of his car. He had called ahead to make sure the title he wanted was in stock, so he weaved in and out of sections until his foot touched the multicolored carpet showcasing the children’s section. To his delight, they were alone.

  “What’s going on?”

  He chuckled and hoped she would appreciate this date idea he had found online. He spied the perfect seating arrangement in the corner. “Why don’t you make yourself comfortable over there?” He pointed.

  “We’re dressed up, and you want me to sit on a bean bag?” She shot him a bewildered look.

  She hesitated until he added, “Please?”

  When she complied, he scanned the selection for Rachel Isadora’s The Princess and the Pea. Taking it from the shelf, he swaggered toward her, then shifted next to her, practically sitting on the floor. “Come closer,” he said in a low voice.

  Opening the colorful, thirty-two-page picture book written for third graders or younger, Marcus cleared his throat. “Once upon a time…”

  Tabitha didn’t interrupt, instead looping her arm through his, resting her head on his shoulder, and silently listening until he turned to the last page.

  “And the prince and princess lived happily ever after.” He closed the book and looked down at her. “You’re my princess, and tonight, you remind me of one with your hair brushed up.”

  “Thank you. That was a beautiful story,” she whispered. She rubbed his beard and brushed her lips against his. “I needed that escape from reality. You’re so sweet.”

  He exhaled. “You didn’t think it was corny?”

  She shook her head. “No, it was beautiful.”

  He had succeeded in making their brief date memorable. “It might have been a fairy tale, but the reality is I love you.” They stood. As he was about to return the book to the shelf, she stopped him. “You’re not going to buy it for me?”

  “Really?” Marcus smiled, pleased she wanted it.

  “Of course.” Tabitha held on to the hard copy book until she had to hand it over to the cashier.