Greg and Vanessa became extremely close and she couldn't envision her life without him, which was a very scary feeling for her.
One day, after he had been home for several weeks, she was watching him do his leg strengthening exercises, when he fell down and hollered out in pain. She rushed to him and asked him if he was alright.
"No, I'm not! Please help me up," he cried.
She put his arm around the back of her neck and tried to help him up, and instead of trying to get up, he used his other arm to pull her down on top of him.
"You were just faking!" she said as she tried to pull away, but he was very strong and held her firm.
"I was just thinking: It's been a little while since we've made love ... and we only did it once! but I knew that after that one time, you were going to be mine forever, and then the way you've been here for me since my accident … you are the best! I have really fallen in love with you, and I want to hold you and never let you go!"
Vanessa had no choice but to look him dead in the eye because of his strength and the position he had her in. This was the first time he said he loved her.
"I like you a lot and it's very hard for me to say that I love someone, because of my past, but all I do is think about you…when I'm driving, when I'm at work, when I'm at the gym, and especially when I'm in the shower or when I see a motorcycle." They both smiled.
"Forever is a long time," she continued, "but I feel the same way about you. I love you too, Greg and you know we need to wait until you get better before we even think about sex."
He put her hand on his manhood. "Does that feel like I’m not ready?" he asked, as he looked in her eyes and she felt his ever-increasing hardness.
She couldn't take her eyes off his eyes, nor move her hand. "Feels fine to me,” she said with a big smile on her face.
She straddled him and gave him a kiss. "Are you sure you are up for this?" He motioned his eyes towards his now fully erect tool, and they both laughed, and made love for hours.
Happy Birthday
Five months later, Vanessa pulled up to Greg's condo. He opened the door almost as soon as she put her key in the door.
"Hello, babe. Happy birthday!" he said as he swept her up in his arms and gave her a big kiss.
"Mmmmm," was all she could say.
Greg was almost fully recovered. They had grown very close during his recuperation time, and both sets of friends and family learned to accept their age differences and acknowledged that they were perfect for each other. Everyone except Greg's father, so over the past months, he and his father had not talked and Vanessa knew this hurt Greg.
Today was Vanessa's birthday and Greg had planned a party for her and invited some of their friends over. He had sent her on a spa day, while he and their friends set up for the festivities.
He had a wonderful spread prepared on his patio. One table had a huge cake with her picture on it, her face surrounded by roses. Another table had champagne glasses with a fountain spouting champagne. Another table had a buffet spread with tossed salad, barbeques ribs, grilled chicken breasts, kielbasas, shrimp skewers, potato salad, pasta salad, fruit salad, grilled corn on the cob, cheese tray and Hawaiian rolls. Sabra did the catering, so she knew the food was going to be delicious. The patio was festive, decorated in Vanessa's favorite colors of red and black. Balloons and birthday banners were everywhere.
"Wow," was all she could say upon seeing the spread and decor, and gave him another hug.
The doorbell rang and Sabra arrived, followed by Lillian and Don. Don had lost a lot of weight due to his sickness, and everyone was glad to see him out and about. They found him a comfortable chair to sit in, out of the sun. Soon Elaine came with her new LuverConnec friend Mike. Julie showed up with Kevin. Yvette was there, but her husband James was a no show, and said he didn't want to come because he was tired. She had gotten use to his making excuses for not going out with her.
"Happy birthday!" everyone said to her as they arrived. Soon the patio was full of her old friends and new friends of Greg's that she had met. Greg's mother was there, but his father was not. He still did not accept Greg's decision to continue dating Vanessa, and their relationship had soured. Vanessa tried to walk away many times, because she couldn't bear being the reason for their distance, but Greg wouldn’t allow her to, and they continued to grow closer with each passing day. She also noticed that Greg's daughter was in attendance, and this made her happy.
Everyone ate and drank. Greg had even hired a great jazz band, Flight 407, a band that was based in Arizona, but had members that were from the area. Keith "Bubby" Webb was the drummer and was a relative of Vanessa, and they played great music while everyone socialized and danced.
After a couple of hours, Greg got a mike from the band and had them stop the music.
"Excuse me. Vanessa, where are you? Can you come over here?"
Vanessa made her way over to where Greg was.
"I want to make a toast to the birthday girl. Everyone grab a drink."
Everyone found a cup and held them up towards Greg and Vanessa.
"I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. I'm so glad that Vanessa is one of those people that wait until the car is on ‘E’ before she gets gas, or I might not have ever met her."
Everyone laughed and most nodded in acknowledgement. Someone shouted, "She don't ever have any gas!"
"Hey!" said Vanessa with her hands on her hips. Everyone laughed. Then she raised her right hand up, "Guilty," she said and laughed along with everybody.
Greg continued. "That was one of the best days of my life. God knew I needed someone special in my life and I'm so blessed that he brought this beautiful lady into mine. I'm not a believer in fate, I'm a believer in blessings." He looked into her eyes. "The lesson here is you never know where your blessings will come from, so be watchful and patient."
"Amen," shouted someone. "Preach," shouted another.
"I also realized after my accident that life is very short, and you have to live everyday as if it's your last." Everyone nodded in agreement. "And sometimes in life, you have to appreciate what you have and cherish it, and listen to your heart, and not worry about what anybody else thinks."
He continued, "Today is Vanessa's birthday. She is my heart, my soulmate, and my best friend, and I want everybody to raise their glass and say happy birthday after ... " he dropped to his knees and pulled out a ring.
"After she says yes that she will marry me."
The patio became quiet. You could've knocked Vanessa over with a feather. Her eyes teared and she covered her gaping mouth. She stared at Greg, then at the ring, then back at Greg.
"I don't know what to say."
"Say yes, you big dummy," shouted Julie.
She looked over and saw Greg's daughter crying but emphatically nodding her head in approval.
Everyone laughed and then started chanting, "yes, yes, yes, yes!"
Vanessa looked at Greg and shouted "yes!" and kissed and hugged him.
Everyone started clapping and downing their drinks. The band started playing, "A Ribbon in the Sky."
It was a good day.
Book Two
Lillian
Lillian was anxious to get back home to Pontiac, Michigan. Her trip to San Diego, California was short, the weather was wonderful, but she was just ready to get back home. Don had her go on this business trip for him because his health had really started going downhill. They were still very close and he had become more of a friend and a mentor to her, and now a business partner, than a potential mate. She took her seat in first class, as became her custom, and because it's the way Don insisted she travel.
She thought about him as she gazed out of the window. He had to have constant care now and he had dwindled down from 190 pounds to about 130 pounds. His two daughters came to Michigan as often as they could, to be with him, and they were all good friends now. They respected Lillian, and knew how much she had done for their father, and how much he care
d about her. He was putting up a big fight but she knew in her heart that his time was coming close. She started to tear up while she was thinking about it. The flight attendant noticed how sad she looked and asked her if she wanted something to drink.
"I will take a vodka and cranberry with orange juice, and some water please."
She needed something to relax her since she didn’t bring her Xanax, so she could sleep all the way home. Lately had been having panic attacks and didn't want to have one on the five-hour plane ride. She received her drink from the attendant, drank it, ordered another, closed her eyes then opened them when she felt someone getting into the seat next to her. She turned her head to see a very nice-looking man take the seat.
"Hello," he said.
She almost drowned in his sexy brown eyes, with eyelashes that were too pretty to be on a man. He was impeccable in his tan suit. "Hello" she said. He stood back up to take off his suit coat, and she admired his nice form. Just then the attendant came back and offered her a tray of goodies for her to pick from. She took some cookies and pretzels along with her second drink.
"Is there anything I can get for you, sir?"
"Yes, I'd like a cranberry juice and vodka with a splash of orange juice please. Do you have Absolut?"
""Absolutely sir," she said, smiling at her own joke.
Wow. Did he just order the same thing I did? she thought. How weird!
The attendant went and got his drink, and brought him back some pretzels and cookies too.
"Thank you," he said.
"Is there anything else I can do for either of you?" she said to them both, but mostly looking at him.
He smiled ... great teeth!
"No, thank you," they both said simultaneously.
She sipped her drink and kept sneaking a look over at this man sitting next to her. He looked over at her, "So, how are you today?" he finally asked.
"I'm fine.” Not as fine as you! “Just anxious to get home."
"Me too. So, do you live in Detroit?"
"No. I live in Pontiac. And you?"
"I live in Troy. I was in California finishing up some business. My name is Phil, by the way," he said as he extended his hand.
"My name is Lillian. Pleased to meet you Phil-by-the-way."
He chuckled at her joke.
She offered her hand, and he gently shook it. Man, he has some soft hands. He sure isn't working too hard.
"Pleased to meet you," he replied.
She took her attention off him and opened up a book written by Holly Robinson Peete entitled “Get Your Own Damn Beer, I’m Watching the Game,” that Holly had personally gave to her when she and Don, who were huge contributors to her Hollyrod foundation, visited her and her husband Rodney, on their last trip to California.
Phil took out his laptop and focused his attention on it, but kept taking an occasional peak at Lillian.
Soon the plane was loaded and their flight took off. Lillian stopped reading her book and laid her head back. She was starting to get sleepy from the alcohol and the long day that she had, so she reclined her chair, closed her eyes, and drifted off into a deep sleep.
The next sound she heard was the attendant telling everyone to fasten their seat belts because they would be landing soon. She looked up to discover that she was laying on Phil's shoulder. The fine man she thought about had not been a dream!
She quickly snapped her head up. "I am so sorry."
He chuckled, "It's ok."
"Why didn't you wake me up or push my big head off of you?"
Phil said, "I didn't want to disturb you. You were obviously tired and sleeping so peacefully ... except for the snoring."
Lillian smiled, blushed, and said, "Again, I apologize."
Phil said, "Actually, I've been sitting here thinking about you, and just had to say you are one beautiful lady. I just had to say it. Hope I'm not being too forward, and I also have to ask, are you married or seeing someone?"
"Thank you and no, I am single."
"Okay. Why is that? What's wrong with the guys in Pontiac?"
"I don't know, but I think I need to move to Troy,” she said with a smile.
"Yes, you should."
"So are you single?" she asked.
"Yes, but I'm kind of seeing someone, though we are not in a relationship."
"What's wrong with the women in Troy? How is she going to let a guy like you just see her? And if you’re kind of seeing someone, you are kind of in a relationship."
"Oh really? I didn't know that."
"Well, now you do, but that's just me. I guess I really don't know what it means to just be seeing someone. Is that like a booty call friend or a friend with benefits?"
They both laughed. "I don't know if I would call it that, but I will say that I don't see anybody else at this time, and I'm not ready to take it to another level."
"Ok, I'm going to leave that topic alone. I don't know you or your situation, and I wish you all the best."
The attendant came over the loudspeaker saying they were about to be landing at Detroit Metro Airport. They started getting their belongings together.
Once the plane landed, she stood in the aisle and reached for her bag in the overhead compartment. He helped her get it down.
"Thank you. It was nice meeting you, and I apologize again," said Lillian
"Nice meeting you too, and it really was no problem" replied Phil.
Phil let her out first, and they exited the plane.
As they headed to the baggage claim area, he caught up with her.
"I hope you don't mind, and I promise you my intentions are all good, but I would love to take you out to dinner one day." She told him she didn't think it would be a good idea since he was seeing somebody.
"I just don't like drama and I got a lot going on in my life right now so I don't think so, but thanks for asking." She looked at her watch. She knew Sabra was picking her up and didn't like to wait, and she needed to call her.
"Look I have to go. It was nice meeting you."
"Sure wish you would reconsider, but I will respect your wishes. It was nice meeting you too ... goodbye."
Lillian retrieved her bags and walked out of the airport, and found Sabra waiting for her. She put her bags in the trunk, got in the car, and gave Sabra a hug.
"Hey girl. Thanks for picking me up," said Lillian.
"No problem, but it is awful early and you messing with my beauty sleep. So how was your trip?"
"It was ok. I had to go to a lot of meetings and didn't have time to hang out."
"What? You in Cali with Don's black card and didn't hang out?"
"Well, I was only there for four days and it was for business, not pleasure, but you can best believe my next one will be all about me. The flight back was great. I slept all the way back, and the finest man that I've seen in a long time sat next to me and offered to take me out to dinner."
"So, did you give him your phone number?"
"As a matter of fact, I didn't. "
"Why not?" asked Sabra.
"Because he said he was seeing someone, and we both know what that mean, and I know anybody as fine as him has a lot of women pulling his chain."
"Girl, he was single, so he was up for grabs. I don't understand you. You want to be alone for the rest of your life?"
"Miss Thang, you got your nerve. You dating a married man. At the end of the day he goes home. You like living like that?"
"It's cool and if I ever meet a man that I can trust, I'm going to marry his ass, but until then, I'm good."
"To each his own." Lillian turned on her phone because it was off during the flight. Once it booted up, she saw that she had ninety-six missed calls. She starting listening to her voice messages and her face froze.
Sabra looked over at her friend. "What's wrong?" asked Sabra.
"Girl, take me to Beaumont Hospital right now! Don is there and so is my mother!"
Yvette
Yvette was hoping that her husband would be go
ne when she got home ... she couldn't stand the sight of him anymore. Lately he had been acting so mean-spirited and insulting, that she kept her distance to keep the peace.
Yvette met James in college. He was on path to be a doctor and she was to be a nurse. They had met in their chemistry class. She was very smart and he asked her to tutor him. She really was the reason he was able to pass many of his classes. She was smart enough to be a doctor but her whole life she knew she wanted to be a nurse.
They were together almost every day and they eventually became a couple. Once she got her nursing license, she found a job and supported him while he finished his internship and residency. As soon as he got his medical license, he proposed and they were married. They have a daughter, Morgan, who is following in their footsteps and is a sophomore at their alma mater, Michigan State University, and studying to be a sports doctor.
On this particular day, she was cooking dinner while he was in the shower, and his cell phone rang. He usually doesn't venture too far from his phone. It rang again. She ignored it, like she usually does. Then it rang again. And again. And again.
"James!" she shouted, “your phone is ringing.” He couldn't hear her or it. It rang again and again, so she picked it up and looked to see who it was in case it was an emergency, and saw the initials, “BM.” She figured it was short for Barry Mitchell, his best friend and fellow surgeon’s name, so she answered it to see if there was some kind of an emergency. Before she could say a word, a female voice said, "Baby, I know you said not to call today, but Tommy is really sick and I also need some money for diapers."
Why CAN T I Be A Cougar?? Page 13
