Lynn stared at him. “Cordell, do you really love me, I don’t mean to sound so insecure, but I… you, I mean..., she exhaled. I’ve never been jealous before, I don’t like the feeling. I intended to get drunk. She shrugged. I don’t know Cordell, I love you, and I can’t lose you, not now, not when…” Quiet now Lynn dropped her head.
Cordell tilted her head up. “When what?”
“I would never recover if I lost you, that's all."
Cordell pulled her in his arms. "You can’t get rid of me Lynn, you're inside me, don’t you know that baby, and you’re a part of me now.”
Lynn smiled. “Yeah?”
Cordell smiled. “Yeah."
Cordell head lowered and tenderly kissed her lips.
“Tell me something?” He asked. "What you did to me in the shower, why?”
“I wanted you to know, what I can do with my mouth,” she said arrogantly.
Lynn moved from behind the potted plant and walked away. She heard Cordell chuckle behind her.
Lynn looked over her shoulder, smiled, and reached her hand out to him.
Cordell took her hand and brought it to his lips. He guided her into the ballroom. When they walked by, Cordell heard a man say that he was the luckiest man in this world. Cordell stopped and grinned at the man.
“You're right, I am,” he said grinning. Lynn stopped and waited for him.
“Baby,” she called extending her hand to him.
Al watched as Lynn and Cordell joined them at the table, and knew everything was as it should be.
Dinner was served, and dancing had begun. The music genre would be oldies, R&B. The DJ opened with, Chuck Brown’s Bustin Loose.
“Come on Baby,” Cordell said, lets show these young folks how we do it.”
Cordell watched; as did every man in the room, some even left their table, to watch them dance. After a while she and Cordell were that only ones on the dance floor, as the other dancer stepped aside watching the older couple get down. It surprised Lynn that Cordell danced for a man so large and so light on his feet. Lynn danced her back to his front and circled her hips into him. Not losing a beat, he held her to him. Warning her if she didn’t stop enticing him, he was going to take her behind the potted palm in the lobby. Lynn laughed and moved away from him. After a couple of slow songs, they made their way back to the table. Lynn and another woman from their table excuse themselves to go the ladies room.
A few minutes later, the woman returned and told Cordell this guy wouldn't let go of Lynn’s hand. Cordell rose, Al followed him. He saw Lynn smiling up at the man, but she was not happy. She turned her head and saw him, all six foot four inches of him. The man still refused to let go of her hand.
"Baby,” she called softly. Cordell smiled at her. “This gentleman said he was going to kidnap me, and ravish me like my man could never do, what do you think of that?”
“Well Baby, I don’t think he can handle you, and I’m a big man, hell I can barely handle you,” Cordell looked over at the man who stood about five feet seven, “ No Baby, you would definitely hurt him,” Cordell said glaring at the man.
“I tried to tell him that, so if you would be so kind as to let my hand go, so this ex-pro football player won’t have to break yours.”
The man dropped her hand and stared at the towering figure looming over him.
“Thank you Baby,” she said sweetly. She walked away and waited for Cordell.
Cordell leaned toward the man. “That’s mine,” he said through clenched teeth.
“Baby,” Lynn called, extending her hand to him.
Al couldn’t believe the two of them. Al shook his head and followed behind them.
The rest of the week Cordell and Lynn made love in every room in the suite. They made love on the beach, in the ocean, and again on the balcony.
It was the best time they shared together, with a promise of many more.
The night before they were to leave, they lay quiet each in their own thoughts.
“Baby,” Cordell said softly.
“Mm...”
“Have you told your children about us?” Cordell asked. He had wanted to meet them a few months ago, but Lynn would conveniently change the subject.
Cordell felt her body tense.
“They know I’m seeing someone,” she stated softly.
Cordell leaned up and turned on the bedside lamp. Leaning up against the headboard.
He folded his arm across his broad chest. Lynn still lay on her back staring at the ceiling. She wasn't ready to talk about her children, and them meeting him. Not that she was ashamed of Cordell; she just didn’t want her children to think she has chosen another loser. Her three children, although she only gave birth to two, she claimed her nephew as her child. They have seen her through a lot of disappointment, and she didn’t want to push Cordell on them until she was sure about what they had. Her daughter thirty year old daughter, Tessa, thought she was too old to have a relationship, asking her did people in their fifties have sex, Her two boys, Calvin and James, just thought she didn’t know how to choose a man for herself, and they refuse to see her be mentally abused by another man. Therefore, Lynn decided she had to be assured about Cordell before she allowed him to meet her family. He even went so far as to insist she meet his kids, Cordell Jr. 16 and Sherri 13, but she always avoided it. Lynn knew they wouldn’t like her, younger children never like the other woman.
“Talk to me Baby,” Cordell said after a minute.
Lynn turned her head and looked up at him.
“Come over here,” he said.
Lynn scooted up in the bed and leaned against the headboard, the sheets pulled up to her chest, as if it were a shield.
“I want to meet them,” Cordell said finally.
“Why?”
“Because I love you, and they are a part of you, and I want to know them, I want them to know me.”
Lynn turned her head and looked at him. She loved him too, but the idea of him being included in her with her family scared her, and she knew her boys would give Cordell the third degree.
Cordell looked over at her.
Lynn took a shuttered breath. “They don’t trust my judgment when it comes to my relationships; they were there to pick up the pieces after each one, including their father.”
“Am I like any of them?”
“Nothing.”
“So what’s the problem Baby, let me meet them, hey maybe I won’t like them,” Cordell said with a smile.
Lynn frowned. “They're great kids Cordell,” Lynn said defensively.
“So let us meet, and we can judge one another, and you will meet my children.”
“I know they won’t like me, because they will feel I took you from their mother,” Lynn stated.
“My children know about you, I talk about you all the time. They are actually looking forward to meeting you.”
Lynn eyes widened. “Really?” Lynn felt guilty; she's never talked about him to her children.
Cordell smiled. “Really.”
Lynn moved closer to him, her hand against his chest, idly rubbing him. Cordell kissed her forehead.
“Okay, when do you want this introduction to happen?”
“Next week, my place, I’ll bring the mine, and you will bring yours.”
Lynn nodded. Cordell slid down in the bed, pulling her down with him. Lynn lay on top of him.
“It's time we were a family, Lynn, all of us.”
Lynn raised her head and looked at him. “I love you,” she said and laid her head back on his chest.
Chapter Six
Lynn and Cordell were in his kitchen, putting the final touches on dinner. She was silent.
“You’re nervous,” Cordell stated.
Lynn looked up at him with a small smile.
“A little."
“Why?”
“I want them to like you, and I want your children to like me.”
Cordell pulled her into his arms, holding her. “It will be alrigh
t, I have a good feeling about this.”
Lynn leaned back, looking up at him. She loved Cordell so much, and she believed him, it was going to be all right.
By three o’clock Calvin, James, and Tessa arrived. Cordell had gone to pick up Sherri and Cord. Lynn opened the door for her children.
“Hey Mom, Calvin said.
“Come on in,” Lynn said smiling.
The three entered the room looking around. Lynn could see they were impressed with Cordell’s house. Each one kissed her on the cheek.
“So finally we get to meet your new beau,” James said, with his arm around Lynn.
“So where is he?” Tessa asked.
“He's gone to pick up his children, now don’t be rude Calvin and James.”
They had the nerve to look shocked at her statement.
“Mom, we are never rude, we just want to size him up.”
Lynn shook her head. Calvin, now thirty, a brilliant, and compassionate young man with a sense of humor out of this world, James, her nephew, twenty seven, and had the same personality as Calvin. When those two were together, you could laugh until your side ache, so in tuned they were to each other.
Tessa the oldest and more outspoken than the other two. “I just can’t believe that you’re having sex at your age.”
Lynn looked at her daughter shaking her head. “Tess, I’m not old, and I do still have very strong sexual desires,” Lynn said.
“Whoa, whoa, please, Mom,” Calvin and James said frowning.
Tessa and Lynn laughed. “Your sister insists on making me some kind of decrepit old woman.”
“This is a nice place Mom,” Tess replied, looking around, “does he have money?”
Lynn frowned, “What does that matter Tess?” Lynn replied slightly perturbed.
“Well Mom, I mean those other characters, let's face it, were bums.”
Be quiet Tess,” Calvin scolded.
“Come on Tess, look at Mom, I haven’t seen her happy in a long time,” Calvin said.
“That’s right Tess, Mom is almost glowing.”
“Oh please, you two, stop sucking up,” Tessa said laughing.
“Mom,” James said taking her hand, we just want you to be happy, and if this guy makes you happy, then I’m happy.”
Calvin stood beside his mother, taking her other hand.
“That’s right Mom,” Calvin said.
“Oh you two,” she blushed. I want you to judge for yourselves if you like him or not, not because I love him, and Tess, what you see in this house is who Cordell is. Now he should be returning soon; can I get you something to drink?”
Lynn left them and went to the kitchen to check the dinner.
They were all sitting in the living room, when Cordell arrived with his children, they came to their feet.
Lynn stood beside him. She could see her boys sizing him up.
Calvin was the first to extend his hand.
“Mr. Jackson, I’m Calvin,” introducing himself. “That’s James my cousin, and my sister Tessa.”
Each one came and shook his hand.
“This is Cord, and Sherri,” Cordell introduced.
After the pleasantries exchanged, Cordell invited everyone to sit. He held Lynn hand and smile at her.
“I'm really glad to finally meet you. I want you to know, that I love your mother very much, and she did not want me to meet you until she was sure about us. We have been together for almost a year now, and I’m sure she loves me as I love her. So, the reason I wanted to meet you all, and for her finally to meet my kids, is I want us to be a family,” he paused looked down at Lynn with affection in his dark eyes.
“Whether you like me or not and whether my children like Lynn or not, I love her, and nothing is going to keep us apart. You don’t have to worry if I’m right for her,” he said directed to Lynn kids, “I am right for her, all I want is to make and keep her happy. We’re not young, and we deserve some happiness, your mother makes me happy, and I think I make her happy, and that's all that matters,” he continued looking down at her. Lynn smiled up at him, softness in her eyes.
All the kids were smiling at them. Cordell lowered his head and tenderly kissed her lips.
“Oh no,” they all groaned together.
Cordell and Lynn smiled at them. “Come on, let’s eat,” Cordell invited.
At the dinner table, everyone talked becoming acquainted with each other. Lynn looked down the table at Cordell. He was listening to something Calvin was saying. She smiled. Everything was OK.
Cordell rang the door of his ex wife. Barbara asked him to come by, she had something urgent to tell him and the kids.
“Hey Dad,” Cord said hugging his father when he opened the door.
“Where’s your mother?”
“In the living room waiting for you.” Cord said sadly.
Cordell went to the living room; Barbara lay on the sofa, with a blanket thrown across her.
Sherri was sitting beside her mother holding her hand. Cordell went to stand beside the sofa looking down at her.
“Barb what’s wrong?” He asked genuinely concerned.
“I’m sick, Cord,” she said weakly.
“What is it?”
“The doctor doesn’t know yet, I only had the test done last week, I haven’t heard anything yet,” she said. “I just been so tired lately, I can’t eat, and I’m losing weight too fast.”
“I’m sorry Barb, really, is there anything I can do for you?”
“I need you Cord, I'm scared. what if it's cancer or something?”
Cordell looked at his kids; he could see the concern on their faces.
“What ever you need Barb, I do still care about you,” he stated.
“Come home Cord, just until I know what’s wrong with me, please,” she said weakly. “I really need you.”
He did not expect Barb to say that. If he did this, how would he explain this to Lynn?
“Yeah Dad,” Sherri said, “Just until Mom is better.”
Cordell looked at his daughter. She was too young to know how complicated this could get. He had Lynn to think about too.
Barb you know I’m with Lynn now, how...,”
“I know Cord. I’m not trying to make your life hard, I really need you now, please.”
“Dad, Ms Lynn will understand, she's really nice. She always says to me to be good to your mother, she the only one you have. If Mom is sick, we need you, Ms Lynn will understand.”
Barb smiled to herself. Thanks to her simple daughter, she was helping her break them up.
Cordell looked at Sherri, so young and innocent.
“Let me talk to Lynn, and I will let you know,” he told them.
Cordell sat in the living room of Lynn loft, wondering how he was going to tell Lynn he was going to move in with Barb. Would she truly understand why he was doing it?
“Sit down Baby, we need to talk,” Cordell said to her.
Lynn looked at him; she could see the strain on his face.
“You okay Cordell?” She asked concerned.
Cordell took her hand in his. “I’m fine.”
“Then what is it?”
“It’s Barbara, she sick,” he stated.
“I’m sorry to hear that, will she be okay?”
Cordell took a deep breath. “We don’t know, but she wants me to move back in with her and the kids.”
Lynn pulled her hand from his and stood up.
“Are you going to?”
“What other choice do I have, she doesn’t have any family but me and the kids, it's only until she's well.”
Lynn heart was pounding in her chest. “So what about us?”
“I’m not going back to her Lynn, I’m just there because she not well.”
Lynn searched his face.
“Nothing going to change between us, I promise, I just can’t turn my back on her, she the mother of my children.”
Lynn sighed. “I know Cordell; I know, do what you have to."
; “Are you just saying that, or do you really understand?” Cordell came to his feet.
Lynn gave him a small smile. “Yes I understand, if she needs you, then you should be there for her, she didn’t ask to be sick.”
Cordell took a deep breath. He pulled Lynn in his arms holding her close. Thank you God for Lynn, he prayed silently.
“Nothing going to change baby, we will still see each other.”
Lynn nodded, but in her heart, she knew everything was going to change, but if Barbara was sick and needed him, how could she stop him?
Chapter Seven
However, things did change. Every time Cordell was so suppose to see her, Barbara would always need him for something. This went on for three weeks. When Cordell came by to see her, he always had to leave, because Barbara or one of the kids would call. Of course, Cordell would apologize to her, promising to see her next weekend. Lynn was getting tired of it all. She felt terrible about Barbara, but it just seemed like anytime they had a date, Barbara would get worse. Lynn finally got a full night with Cordell. They were lying on her bed watching a movie, when his phone rang. Lynn rose and sat on the side of the bed, she knew who it was. Cordell got up and started dressing.
“Let me guess, Barbara’s not feeling well?” Lynn said sarcastically.
“I’m sorry Baby, I have to go.”
Lynn stood up, now angry. “Did the doctors ever tell you what was wrong with her?”
“They're still doing tests, they don’t understand it, but Lynn she is really sick,”
“Well it just seems odd to me that the only time she needs you is when you’re here with me, does she ever need you when you’re at the office, or any other place?”
“What do you want me to do Lynn; I can’t just turn my back on her!”
“No Cordell I guess you can’t, go home to your wife,” Lynn said dejectedly. Cordell shook his head. He did not know what to say.
“What do you want from me Lynn?” He growled.
“Nothing Cordell.”
“You said you understood.”
“I did when it was two weeks ago, now its been well over a month, and still she has you jumping every time she calls, we haven’t had time together every since she got sick.”
The Last Time Page 5
