Hearts of Grey

by Earl E. Gobel

  “Fine, now before I tell you what this, I want your promise that this will be our little secret, okay?” she told him.

  “Our secret, just between me and you. Can I tell my friends?” he asked.

  “You can tell your friends but nobody else, okay,” she answered.

  “What friends?” he asked.

  “Your three friends that are going to help you,” she told him.

  “Ain’t got three friends, just two,” he told her.

  She was getting pissed, and she was getting there fast. “Would you shut the hell up and just listen?” she told him in a very heated tone.

  “Fuck you, bitch! Ya come in here and tell me you have a job for me, then ya yell at me,” he told her as he stood up and started walking away from her table.

  “It pays one hundred dollars,” she told him.

  He stopped and spun around. “Excuse me?” he asked.

  “You heard me. Now sit down and listen,” she told him. He sat down and didn’t say a word. When she was done, he just looked at her.

  “Are you for reals? You’re going to pay me a hundred dollars just for having sex wit’ your friend. And this is her idea?” he asked.

  “Yep, like I said, she getting married soon and wants to experience some really rough and nasty sex. But it has to happen soon ’cause she’s getting married, just like I said,” she told him again.

  “But why will she be all tied up?” he asked.

  “You’re not too smart, are you? It’s all part of the fantasy. To be forced into having sex with four guys at one time while she’s all tied up and can’t resist. Hell, that’s every girl’s fantasy,” she told him.

  “Really? But isn’t that rape?” he asked.

  “Not if you have a release form? It’s all legal. I’ll tell ya what she wants, you do it, and get paid for it. Everyone gets what they need,” she told him.

  “And you have this letter. What did you call it?” he asked.

  “It’s called a release form. So are you interested?” she asked.

  “Depends. Is she cute? I mean, I do have my standards, you understand?” he told her.

  Susie couldn’t believe that this guy had any standards at all. “Oh yeah, she’s cute all right. Trust me. You’ll love her,” she told him.

  “It’s you, ain’t it?” he asked her.

  “What? No, it’s not me,” she told him.

  “You took one look at me and decided that you just had to have me, didn’t ya?” he asked.

  Just the thought of touching this guy made her skin crawl, but to have sex with him, she would rather die.

  “No, it’s not me. Here name is Katie. Look, you tell me how to get hold of ya, and I’ll let you know when and where, okay?” she told him.

  “When do I get my money?” he asked.

  “I’ll meet you once more with the release form and directions to where she’s at. I’ll pay you then. Okay?” she told him.

  “Okay, but I still thinks it’s you. I could do you so good, make you squeal like a pig even,” he told her.

  “Look, all you and your friends have to do is go to where I tell ya that she’ll be, rip her clothes off, and have your way with her. How easy is that?” she asked.

  “Sounds like one sick bitch if you ask me. So what is it that she wants us to do to her?” he asked.

  “Well, she’s about as sick as they come, trust me. And as far as what she wants, she wants it all. Anything that you can dream up, she’ll want it. Do it in her in the ass, in her in the mouth. Hell, two of you can do her at the same time as the other two watch and then switch places. She won’t care. Whatever you decide to do is just fine. But here’s the most important parts that you can forget. First off, don’t take a bath until afterwards. That means from right here, right now, none of you can bathe until afterwards. The smell just drives her nuts. And finally, in order to play the part of the damsel in distress, she’s going to be acting like she doesn’t want it. Don’t listen to her at all. It’s all part of the fantasy. Do you understand? This is really important,” she asked.

  “Got it. Maybe I’ll bring my dog—he goes everywhere with me,” he told her.

  “Your dog? Why in the hell—” She stopped herself before she finished. “Yeah, go ahead, bring the mutt,” she told him as she tried to picture this dog doing Katie. It was just what the doctor ordered.

  “Are you sure it ain’t you?” he asked again.

  “Yes, I’m sure it isn’t me,” she told him again. “Another thing that you might want to do is too keep her blindfolded. It adds a hint of mystery to the fantasy. Okay?” she asked.

  “Okay, we can do that. Hell, I have a hard-on right now. Ya want ta see it? I’ll show it to ya if ya want ta see it,” he told her as he quickly stood up and pulled it from his pants.

  “Oh, God, no! Put that thing away!” she yelled at him as she quickly turned away.

  “So all we have to do is to go to this bitch, rip her clothes off, and have sex with her, is that right?” he asked.

  “That’s it. And one hundred bucks is all yours. So is it a deal?” she asked.

  “Hell yeah, it’s a deal! We’ll do this bitch up right. She’ll never forget the love session that we’ll be giving her,” he boasted.

  “That’s exactly what I wanted to hear. So tell me how to find you, and when it’s all set up, we’ll meet again and get this done,” she told him.

  “Okay, we’ll get her done up good. We’ll bend her this way then that way. Stick our cocks—” Susie cut him off.

  “Hey, I don’t want to hear the nasty details, okay? Just do as you were told and enjoy yourselfs,” she told him.

  She slipped out of the bar just as quietly as she had snuck in.

  Katie Sings Solo before God

  Sunday morning brought with it a cool breeze blowing in from the ocean. Katie added the finishing touches to her hair, double-checked her beautiful white satin and lace dress in the mirror one last time, and then proceeded downstairs. There was something in the air, something refreshing, but she couldn’t figure out what it was. The smell of fresh coffee flowed from the kitchen. Katie walked in to find her dad all dressed in his very best suit. He was all clean-shaven, and he turned to face her as the door to the kitchen closed behind her. Katie just stood there, shocked at what she saw.

  “Well I’ll be, just look at you, Daddy. All cleaned up and all. Where did you get that suit?” she asked.

  “I bought it last week when I knew that you were going to sing in church today. You like it, I guess?” he asked.

  “Daddy, you look simply fantastic. But you bought it last week? I didn’t decide to sing until yesterday. How did you know I would sing today?” she asked.

  “Because of who your mother was. She never missed a chance to shine. And in her footsteps I knew that you would follow. And I ain’t missing that. Nothing short of a flood could keep me away from that,” he told her.

  “Oh, Daddy, you really think Mama would approve?” she asked him.

  “Katie dear, I believe that your mother has been at your side every day since the good Lord called her away. And while neither of us can actually see her, I know in my heart that she’s here with us right now. She’s that little voice that you hear in your head when you’re deciding what to do. And that, my dear daughter, is how I knew that you would be singing solo today in church,” he told her.

  “Do you really think that I can pull it off, Daddy? I’m really nervous. What if I mess up?” she asked.

  “Katie dear, you have three strong reasons to do this. You have the good Lord above, you have your mother, and you have yourself. Believe in yourself, trust in God, and your mother will lead you through this. You’ll be fine. After all, you are my daughter, ain’t ya?” he asked.

  “Oh, Daddy, you always know what to say. I love you so much,” she told him as she threw her arms around his neck.

  “I love you too, Katie, but if anyone has a reason to worry, it would be Michael,” he told her.


  “Why should Michael be worried?” she asked as she stepped back with a worried look on her face.

  “Hell, Katie, just look at you. You’re so pretty. You’re going to have the full attention of every boy in town. Michael might not have to be worried, but he will all the same,” he told her. “Are you ready to go?”

  “Yes, sir, just let me grab my wrap, and I’ll be ready. It feels like there’s a breeze outside,” she said.

  The two of them walked out onto the porch to find Michael sitting outside with his car, waiting to take them to church. He was taken aback by the sight of Katie. “Excuse me, my lady, but your coach awaits you,” he said as he held the door open for her.

  She just smiled and turned and looked at her dad. “You knew he was out here, didn’t ya?”

  “Hey, why walk when we have such a handsome driver to drive us?” he asked.

  “Good morning, my dear sir,” she said as she slid herself into the backseat of the car. Grady was ushered into the other side of the car.

  “Where to, miss?” Mike asked

  “Twice around the park and then to church, my dear sir, and don’t dillydally. My man is waiting on us,” she told him.

  “As you wish, my lady,” he said as he put the car into gear and drove away.

  They went twice around the park and on to church, just like the lady ordered. The parking lot of the church was a lot busier than Katie remembered from last week. And even though she hadn’t driven to church last week, she remembered looking over at the parking lot and noticing that there weren’t that many cars. But today, the lot was overflowing. And Katie didn’t know why.

  Father Mathews met them at the bottom of the walk. “Ms. Windslow, good morning to you! And who is this handsome-looking gentleman with you today?” he asked.

  “Father, I’d like you to meet my daddy. We just call him Grady. Daddy, this is Father Mathews,” she said as she introduced them.

  Father Mathews held out his hand, and Grady shook it.

  “Father, nice little church that you have here,” he told him.

  “Well, it’s nice to have you here today. And because of your daughter here, our attendance today is almost doubled,” he told them.

  “Because of me? What did I do?” Katie asked.

  “They’re all here to hear you sing,” Father Mathews explained.

  “You’re kidding, right? It wasn’t even confirmed until yesterday,” she told him.

  “Well, Michael, told me that you were going to do it last Monday,” the father explained.

  “Oh, he did, did he?” she asked as she turned to look at Michael. “Well, out with it. Did you tell Father Mathews that I was going to sing today, or didn’t ya?” she asked.

  “Well, more or less, I guess. I just knew that you would,” he told her.

  “And you didn’t bother to ask me about it first?” she asked.

  “Are you mad?” he asked.

  “No. Well, maybe a little. We will talk later,” she told Michael as she turned back to Father Mathews. “Well, I hope that your congregation isn’t disappointed.”

  “I’m sure that the Lord will provide,” he told her.

  As they all slowly walked toward the church, Mike looked at Grady. “Do you think she’s really mad at me?” he asked.

  “Naw, but I could be wrong, ya know,” he told him.

  “Thanks, Grady, that makes me feel so much better,” he replied.

  “Anytime you need my help, I’m here for ya,” he told him.

  Melissa and Rick were waiting for them at the door. “What took you people so long? Come on, we have reserved seats up front,” Melissa told them.

  “Ask your brother,” Katie told her.

  Melissa turned to look at her brother, and her gaze was asking him what he had done.

  “Later, sis, later,” he quietly told her.

  Every head was turned, and every eye was fixed on Katie as she walked up the aisle. She could hear small talk from people she didn’t even know, like “Is that her?” or “There she is.” Inside her head, she was thinking to herself, Michael, if I screw this up and I look like a fool, I’m going to kick your butt. She sat down in the front row with Michael at her side. Her eyes were locked on the microphone that stood off to one side on the platform. God, please don’t fail me now, she prayed to herself.

  “Katie, please don’t be mad,” he told her, but she just held up her open hand as if to stop his words from reaching her ears.

  Melissa kneeled down in front of her.

  “Katie, are you okay?” she asked. “You’re looking rather pale.”

  “Just really nervous,” Katie told her.

  “Don’t be, you’ll do just fine. Are you mad at my brother?” she asked.

  Katie just smiled. And she leaned forward and whispered into her ear. “No, but don’t tell him, okay? Let him sweat a little while, okay?”

  Melissa smiled back at her. “Got it,” she told her before she took her seat again.

  Father Mathews stood his place before the congregation. “I’d like to start off by welcoming all of you here this fine Sunday morning. I see a lot of faces out there among you. Some old familiar faces and a lot of new faces too. It’s a pleasure to see all of you here to give thanks to the Lord. I’d like to start this sermon off with a prayer. If you would all please bow your heads, I’ll get us started.” Everyone bowed their heads and listened to the payer as Father Mathews said it for all of those in attendance.

  The rest of the sermon went as clockwork. Katie tried not to look at the microphone, but it was calling to her. Finally, it was her time to shine or to die a very miserable death.

  “Last week, we had the honor of hearing a very special voice from within the ranks of our congregation. That voice belongs to a new member of our little church here. Now I’ve received several calls this week in regard to that voice. All of them wanting to know who it was and if she was going to be back here today. Well, I’m pleased to tell you that she is here, and by the grace of God, she has agreed to sing a solo for us today. So let’s welcome her up here with open arms. Ms. Katie Windslow.”

  Katie slowly rose to her feet. Step by step, she made her way up to the microphone.

  “Ms. Windslow, you look really nervous. Are you okay?” Father Mathews asked.

  “I’m fine, just really nervous, is all,” she answered.

  “Well, no need to be nervous. What would you like to sing for us today?” he asked.

  “I was thinking about ‘Peace in the Valley’ if that was okay.”

  “Excellent choice,” he told her as he looked over at the elderly lady sitting behind the organ. “Ms. Wilson, if you would please.” The organ sparked to life as the music started filling the room. At the point where Katie was supposed to start singing, nothing happened. She froze, totally speechless. Katie, get yourself together. You can do this, she told herself. Then something magical happened. The voice of her mother filled her head. Go ahead, Katie, sing, sing like you’ve never sung before. I’m right here to help you. Trust me. Sing, child, sing.

  When the organ brought the music around the second time, Katie sang. The words flowed from her lips as if voices of angels. She carried and hit the notes with precision. Her voice was crystal clear and sharp.

  Everyone was shocked to hear such a voice. Everyone except for Grady, that is. He heard the voice of his wife singing up on that stage and just as he had told Katie earlier. He knew that her mother was up on that stage with her. And at that moment there in that little church, Grady’s heart was full.

  Now as Katie was singing, something happened that would be talked about for years to come. From behind Katie as she sung, there appeared a mystical glow. There wasn’t any lights shining on her nor any sunlight that would contribute to the glow, but everyone saw it. Everyone, except for Katie, that is. Grady knew what it was, but everyone else had to guess. Grady knew that it was the spirit of her mother.

  Father Mathews was taken in by what he witnessed that day. And
in the following years, his little congregation would grow and prosper beyond his wildest dreams.

  When she had finished singing, the glow slowly disappeared. Katie, unaware of what had just happened, started to retake her seat. Father Mathews stopped her.

  “Are you all right, child?” he asked in a very concerned and caring voice.

  “Yeah, in fact, I’ve never felt better, but why all of the concern? It was just a song,” she told him.

  Father Mathews told Katie about the glow that showed behind her as she sung. Katie turned and looked at the microphone and then back at Father Mathews. “Oh, that, it was my mother helping me sing, is all,” she told him as she took her seat.

  Father Mathews was shocked by Katie’s explanation about the mystical glow. So he went to Grady to see if he could explain what they had all just witnessed.

  “Grady, you saw the light, didn’t you?” he asked him.

  “Sure did, just like ya all did,” he replied.

  “And what do you think it was?” he asked.

  “Father, we lost Katie’s mom a few years back. And I have to agree with her. That was her mother’s spirit helping her child out in time of need. Katie believes that. I believe it because I heard my wife’s voice. The question that you all have to answer is what do you believe? You come to church to praise God. But when something like this happens, do you abandon your faith, or do you believe that much more in the Almighty and things that you can’t explain or understand? I think your question is unanswerable. The answer, my dear sir, is already in your heart,” Grady told him.

  “Grady, I didn’t mean to imply that I didn’t believe your daughter’s answer, sir,” the father answered back.

  “I never said you did. What I said you were questioning, sir, was your own faith in God. And you being a man of the cloth and all should be more open to the miracles of God,” Grady told him.

  “My beliefs and my faith are not at question here,” the father answered back.

  Grady turned to face the congregation. “How many of you saw and believe what you just witnessed?” he asked.

  Nearly every hand rose, showing Grady that they had witnessed it and did in fact believe that they just witnessed a miracle of sorts. Then he turned back to the father. “I suggest that you put more faith in your congregation, sir, for they saw exactly the same as you and I saw, and yet they believe in miracles more than you do,” he told him. “This, sir, is why I haven’t been to church since the missus got called away.”