“Thanks for putting our dinner off for a few days. I
know we were supposed to go out the other night but …” Timothy’s voice trailed off.
“You had things to take care of Timothy. It’s okay. We have plenty of time together.”
“That’s what I want to talk to you about.” Timothy drew his head back and put his hands on her arms, putting some distance between them. He paced a few steps back and forth. “You know I love you, don’t you?”
Chastity nodded. She drew a breathe in wondering if this had to do with the conversation she partially overhead at Jesse’s. “Does this have to do with Jesse’s job offer?”
“What?” Timothy rebutted, confused. “Um, just how much did you hear that night?”
“That’s it. I started walking in when he said he could use a guy like you if you wanted to.”
“Okay. Well kind of – not really. Oh gosh, this isn’t going like I’d planned.”
Like he planned! Chastity thought. Her heart jumped up in her throat in expectation.
Timothy visibly relaxed, and looked at her from under his eyelids. He walked toward her, placed her face in his hands and kissed her with a tender passion. Chastity wrapped her arms around him and leaned in. When they withdrew, her whole body sagged against his.
“That was nice.” She whispered.
“Remember our first date?” Timothy quietly asked.
“Yes.”
“I was so nervous.” He said as he dropped his forehead to hers once more.
“Me too.”
“You’re one amazing woman Chastity Wayne and each time I’m with you I know I can’t stand one more day without having you in my life forever. You’re it for me Chastity,” he whispered before softly kissing her again.
It was a mixture of lip-gloss and salt. He pulled back when he realized she was crying.
“What’s wrong honey? Is this going too fast for you? Do you not feel the same way?” Timothy cautiously asked.
“No…I mean yes. I mean – I’m so in love with you that it hurts. I love you Timothy and it’s scary and wonderful. My insides are all jumbled and I can’t imagine being without you either.”
“Then don’t be.” Timothy stared her in the eyes, and backed up before getting down on one knee. He fumbled to reach for the box he’d been carrying in his pocket all week.
Chastity’s chest constricted with so much emotion that she couldn’t breathe, so she did the only thing she could. She continued crying and nodded her head.
“Yes,” she barely got out joining him on the ground. She wrapped herself around him trying to soak every ounce of him in. “Yes,” she whispered in his ear.
While they thought they were in their own private moment in their own little world, it was clear they weren’t as they were interrupted with the sound of clapping. For the second time in their relationship they were applauded by those, appreciating a beautiful moment of love and adoration. Another water taxi full of people rode by with a standing ovation for the couple.
“You think they want an encore?” He laughed referring to their kiss in Venice.
“They can have it.” She leaned in to kiss him with every emotion she was feeling. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw multiple bursts of camera flashes.
Timothy pulled back in awe. “You’ve just made me the happiest man on the face of the earth.”
“I love you Timothy. I can’t wait to be your wife.”
“Can we get off our knees now?”
“Yes.” Chastity laughed.
Timothy stood and slid his grandmother’s ring on Chastity’s left hand. It quickly fell to the side of her finger. “I know it’s too big. I’m going to get it resized.”
“Hurry and get it back!” She exclaimed. “It’s gorgeous.” Chastity adored her new symbol of commitment, not only because it came from the man she loved but because of how jealous Anne would be when she saw it. She held out her hand to admire her new engagement ring. It was a vintage white-gold yellow diamond, and it was stunning.
“Okay, here comes the hard part.” Timothy breathed. Chastity laughed in response. “I have some things I need to talk to you about. I probably should have talked to you about this first beforehand. It may change your mind.”
“Um. Are you wanted in five states for armed robbery?”
He laughed and looped his arm around her waist. “No.”
“Do you have another wife hidden somewhere?”
He looked at her, his eyes twinkling. “Maybe.”
Chastity punched him in the arm.
“No. No, of course not Chastity.” He laughed again.
“Okay.” She let out a breath. “Then I’d say it’s safe to assume I’m not going to change my mind about marrying you.”
“Okay. Well hear me out. If you’re not onboard for it then it’s okay to back out.”
“This isn’t going to be something like you like to swing or anything right?”
“No!” he laughed out loud. “Just hear me out.”
“Okay.” Chastity put two fingers and pulled an imaginary zipper over her lips, and then crossed her heart as a promise to be quiet.
Timothy found a bench along the canal and sat down next to her. “I did not expect anything to happen to my dad. I mean I know things can always happen, but this was just too soon – so unexpected. It started me thinking about my future. And currently I can’t see leaving him here – leaving them both here struggling like this. My parents need me to help out and I wouldn’t be much of a son if I just ran off without helping.”
Chastity nodded but said nothing. Timothy was trying to read her face but had no indication of what her thoughts were.
“Do you understand what I’m saying? I really feel like I need to be here with them…not temporarily, not on weekends, but picking up and moving to be near them. Is that something you’d want to be a part of?” Timothy held his breath.
Chastity stared straight ahead showing no emotion. “Well I am tired of the long distance thing,” she said seriously. She looked at him from the corner of her eye. He looked so cute, like a little kid. She turned to smile at him before finishing. “And I guess it does help that I’m already mostly packed to move to your part of town in California already.” She winked at him, which resulted in big smile.
Timothy jumped up and let out a whoop, which sent some birds flying in the air around them. He sat back down and quietly asked, “Are you sure you’re okay moving all the way to Oklahoma … for me?”
“For you? Hey don’t be such a self-centered man! I’m doing it for me! I have Cheryl and her family here, my uncle and his family. Give me some credit.”
Timothy laughed and pulled her in for kiss. “I love you.”
“I love you too. So did my uncle really offer you a job?”
“Yes, he did. So how is it that he knew we were moving back before I did?”
“Because I asked for your hand in marriage, and he agreed.”
“What? You are so sweet.” Chastity squealed.
Timothy shook his head. “Now don’t say that too loud. People might hear!”
“My fiancé – oh wow – fiancé?” Chastity nodded and continued, “My fiancé rocks!” She yelled at the next water taxi that drove by. It was the same group that caught their engagement show around the last corner. Again, they were met with applause and cheers.
“Want to go share the good news?” Timothy asked. His eyes were gleaming.
She nodded and stood to take his hand. They waved goodbye to their small crowd and rushed to their car hand in hand.
Chapter 33
Chastity sat and fidgeted with her ring. The excitement she felt was bubbling over but she knew her Anne was in a low place after being cheated on. It’s going to look like I’m gloating. And that was the last thing she wanted for her friend. So after careful consideration, she kept her hand below the table out of sight while waiting on Anne to get back from the ladies room.
The Edison, in downtown Los Angel
es, was by far one of her and Anne’s favorite places to socialize. If she closed her eyes, she could picture the two of them in their 20’s flapper dresses with cropped hair and bold make up. The entire place screamed speakeasy, and every time she entered she could almost hear Duke Ellington and his orchestra swinging up on the stage to her left.
Within minutes she saw Anne weaving through the crowd to join her back at the bar. Chastity grinned at the sight of her. Anne smiled in return, but Chastity could tell she wasn’t her usual self.
“You crack me up silly girl. Get over here already.” Chastity said as Anne slid down next to her on her chair.
“Well at least someone’s laughing.” She grimaced in return.
Chastity sighed. It wasn’t so long ago that the two of them were out in efforts to cheer Chastity up after her mom had passed. She too had sworn off all men. That was the night Anne had met Brent. Absentmindedly, Chastity sighed and signaled the bartender … with her left hand.
“What is that?” Anne quickly tuned in on her ring. “Let me see!” Anne reached for her best friend’s hand as Chastity snapped it back down into her lap.
“It’s just a ring.” Chastity said nonchalantly.
“Oh, now I know you’re lying. Even if it were just a ring, it’s gorgeous! And anyone in their right mind would want to show it off.”
Chastity felt like kicking herself. She should have left it at home tonight. This wasn’t about announcing her engagement. This night was supposed to be all about Anne!
“I’m kind of engaged?” Chastity grimaced, and waited for Anne’s response. She didn’t wait long. Everyone in the bar heard her screech with joy.
“I’m so happy for you! Come here! Ahhhh!” Anne stood up to hug Chastity as they tottered back and forth embraced. “When? How? And let me see that!” She grabbed her hand and lifted it up. “How can you hold that thing up? What kind of dime did he drop on that?”
“It was his grandmother’s.” Chastity pulled back to gauge her friend’s eyes. Anne’s eyes twinkled but not full steam. “Are you okay?”
“Okay? What kind of friend do you think I am? Of course I’m okay!!! My best friend is getting married to the last good guy on the planet! Of course I’m okay!” Anne smiled warmly and then waved the bartender over. He couldn’t help but notice them this time. “We need a glass of champagne to celebrate – on me.”
Chastity smiled and nodded. “You know who I want as my maid of honor?” Her eyes twinkled.
Anne rolled her eyes. “Always a bridesmaid …”
“Hey if it can happen to me ...” Chastity started. She’d always thought of herself as the last girl on the face of the planet to ever find love.
“Yeah, yeah. At this point I wouldn’t welcome it Chaz. I’m done with men.
“Oooooo,” Chastity murmured. “You know you just sealed your fate. When you don’t want it or aren’t looking for it – it will knock you upside the head or heart.”
Anne chuckled. “I could make a joke there but I won’t.” Chastity laughed.
Chastity felt relieved. Anne was happy for her. However, Chastity couldn’t help notice how quickly she knocked back her glass of champagne before ordering another. She knew at that point it was not the time to discuss her moving to Oklahoma. She would save for a later date.
Chastity knew Anne’s limit and after an hour and a bottle of champagne, of which Chastity only had one glass, it was past time to go home. The cab pulled up to Chastity’s address first, which was on the way to Anne’s. Chastity debated on whether she should accompany her friend home.
“You sure I can’t take you home? Or you could stay over?” Chastity asked before getting out.
“I’m sure. I’m fine.” Anne said slowly, trying her best to sound as sober as she could.
“Okay.” Chastity agreed, against her better judgment. “Go home and get some rest. Call me in the morning, will you?” Chastity blew Anne a kiss before handing some extra cash to the cab driver. “Make sure you see her walk into her house?”
“Yes ma’am.” He agreed.
After the cab dropped Chastity off, Anne asked her agreeable cabbie to drive around for a while. A soft pelting of rain hit the windshield, and as blurry as her vision was from her one drink too many, the street and headlights were hazy and comforting as they shone through the wet windows of the car.
She knew she should just go home, as the meter would continue to run, but on nights like these she’d miss having Brent’s arms wrapped around her and she just couldn’t stand to think about being alone.
After 30 minutes of circling around different neighborhoods, the cab driver looked into his review mirror with questioning eyes.
“You sure you got enough fare to cover this miss?” he anxiously asked. His accent sounded funny to Anne. She started to giggle but then stopped to ponder his question.
“I’ve got enough to ask you to drive to the bay area,” she sadly laughed. “And I’d trade it for anything if I had just one person to love, who I knew would faithfully love and stick around for me.”
“You okay lady?”
“No, but it’s okay to take me home now.”
After giving him her address, she leaned her head back and rested. The routine sounds of the tires hitting bumps on the road were the only thing keeping her up. She knew now that being alone tonight would be okay because she was tired and drunk enough to sleep.
“One eighteen Briar Street. This you lady?”
“Thanks for taking a little extra time for me tonight.”
“Hey, it’s your dime. I drive as long as you can pay.” His melodic accent appealed to her again.
Anne handed him double the fare, and said her goodbyes. She heard him yell to her back as she walked up her sidewalk. “Hey thanks lady!”
She raised her arm in the air to carelessly wave back in response, with her back still to the cab. Her focus was now to carefully place one foot in front of the other to make it to her door. The rain was softly gliding over hair and down her face, replacing where her tears had been. It was cleansing and at that moment she knew she would not cry over a man again. No man was worth that kind of pain.
As she reached her porch she realized the potted plant looked a lot larger than normal. It was too fuzzy to make out but she could have sworn that her plant was reaching for her.
Brent saw her stumbling up the walkway in the rain and his heart was breaking for her. She got drunk because I hurt her.
He wanted to walk to meet her half way but wasn’t sure what to say. He didn’t have much time to ponder as he saw her squinting in his direction and starting to fall. He reached out to grab her, right as she passed out in his arms.
Brent dug for her keys in her purse, opened her door, and carried Anne in from the rain. He placed her on the couch, found some blankets, and wrapped her up. It was only midnight but she was out cold. The only thing he could do was let her sleep it off and wait till morning.
Light streaming through the curtains was the first thing Anne was aware of. The second was the fact that her head was pounding and her mouth felt like it was full of cotton.
Her painful groans were enough to cause Brent to sit up straight. He wanted to be awake when she saw him. Anne grabbed her head and wanted to kill the person that invented large windows that let in so much light.
The sun shone so brightly that at first she wasn’t able to see Brent. He was sitting up straight but was so backlit by the streaming rays coming in the window; it over-compensated his figure and swallowed him whole.
Anne had the sense that something wasn’t quite right. She reached up to shade her eyes and tried her best to sit up without pain. She couldn’t quite look up yet with the light blinding her, so she kept her eyes cast downward. Her eyes acclimated enough to see Brent’s feet directly across from hers.
“Wha…how?” Anne leaned back into the shadows, so that she could see could see who was in front of her. “How did you get in here? Are you resulting to stalking me now?”
“I did not stumble.” Anne straightened her back.
“You surely did and if it weren’t for me – you’d be passed out flat on your face on cement.”
“So you were the potted plant?”
“What?” Brent asked, confused. “Are you still drunk?”
Anne gave him a look and shook her head. “Never mind”
“So how do you feel?” He moved closer to the edge of his chair in efforts to reach her.
“How does it look? I’m hung-over and not in the mood for a conversation so you’re going to have to leave right now.”
“I’m not leaving until we talk.”
“Seriously? You’re going to do this right now?”
“Yes!” He looked pained.
“What are you thinking?” She yelled and then put her head in her hands. “Ow!” She exclaimed. “If you insist on sitting there without my consent, could you at least be useful and close the shades and bring me an aspirin?”
Brent quickly jumped up to close the blinds and turned back with a questioning look. Anne with her head still down lifted her arm toward the bathroom and pointed.
“In the medicine cabinet and the glasses are in the kitchen cabinet by the fridge.” She mumbled in pain.
Within minutes, Brent returned with a Tylenol and some water and slowly sat down next to Anne.
“Uh-huh,” Anne shook her head. “Hand me the stuff and get your butt over in your own chair.”
Facing Redemption Page 15
