"I’m not going to desert her Lynn."
Lynn turned to him. “Fine Cordell, then you’d better run before she calls back, wondering what taking you so long!”
“I didn’t ask for this Lynn!”
“Neither did I Cordell, maybe you need to not come here anymore.”
"Is that what you want Lynn?”
“Does it matter what I want, Barbara needs you, right now she more important, so go Cordell," Lynn told him turning away from him before he could see the tears that were pooling in her eyes.
"Fine Lynn,” Cordell said and left the loft.
Lynn stood at her label machine inserting a pack of labels. Al stood at the end of the line watching her. She was not her cheerful self for the past few weeks.
Al went to her. “How are you doing Lynn? Al asked.
“Fine, how are you?”
“Alright I guess.”
“How’s Cordell?”
“You haven’t seen him?” She asked not looking at him.
“Yeah, well...”
“So why are you asking me how he is, I don’t see Cordell anymore,” she stated. “Don’t ask me anything else Al, I don’t want to talk about Cordell.”
“Okay, okay,” Al said then walked away.
Lynn dropped her head. She didn’t mean to be rude to Al; she just didn’t need to think about Cordell. Tears burn eyes and threaten to fall. She called over for the group leader to relieve her for a minute. She went to the rest room, and the tears fell. When she returned to her line, Al was waiting for her.
“I’m sorry Al,” she said, “I know you know we not together anymore, I just want to get over it and move on.”
“Just like that?” Al asked.
“I guess so.”
“So what happened?”
“He’s taking care of his sick ex wife. We got into an argument about it, I told him not to come to back, that’s all.”
“When did she get sick, because I just saw Barb at the mall just three weeks ago, shopping, and laughing up a storm with some of her girlfriends, if she was sick it didn’t appear to be."
“Maybe she's better,” Lynn shrugging.
“I don’t know, but I do know Cordell misses you,” Lynn shrugged her shoulders.
“Come to the game Saturday and see him Lynn, I promise he’ll be glad to see you, and if Barbara is better maybe the two of you can get back together.”
“I don’t know Al; he not even tried to call or anything. He and Barbara could have gotten back together.”
“I doubt that very much. Come on Lynn, he'll be happy to see you.”
Lynn glanced at Al. “Okay Al, I’ll be there.”
“Good, now get some work done,” Lynn smiled at Al. Maybe Barbara is better, and Cordell has moved back to his own house.
Lynn pulled up into the parking lot of the Clayton High School football field. She searched the sidelines for Cordell. He was sitting with Barbara and the kids. Lynn stood staring at them. Cordell attention was on his clipboard and didn’t notice her. At that moment, Barbara looked her way and smiled. Reaching over she turned Cordell’s head toward her kissing him on the mouth. Lynn didn’t wait to see if Cordell kiss her back, she just turned and walked away.
“What the hell are you doing Barbara?” Cordell said pulling away from her.
Al saw Lynn standing near the bleachers watching Cordell. He saw her reaction when Barbara kissed Cordell. Al ran after her. He found her sitting in her car crying. Al knocked on the window.
“Leave me alone Al!” Lynn said starting her car, pulling out of the parking lot.
Al went back into the field. He was pissed.
“Cordell, man can I talk to for a minute,” Al glared at Barbara.
“Cordell let me use your phone, my battery is low.” Barbara said to Cordell. Cordell absently handed her his phone. Then he turned and looked at her. “Why are you here Barbara?
“I told the kids, I would come with them,” she said smiling.
Sherri and Cord looked at her. They didn’t ask her to come to the game, she always hated to come to out here with them, but they didn’t say anything.
Al and Cordell walked away from them.
“Did you know that Lynn was just here,” Al informed him.
Cordell looked around. “Where?”
“She left when she saw Barbara kiss you, what’s going on Man?”
“Look Al, Lynn, and I are not seeing each other, her choice.”
“Really, so you’re back with Barbara?”
“No, I’m just taking care of her until she is better, she's been sick.”
“Really how long ago was this?"
“Why are you asking me so many damn questions?”
“Because if Barbara is such an invalid, why did I see her with her cronies at the Mall laughing and having a grand time.
“When was this?”
“About three weeks ago,” Al said.
“It couldn’t have been Barbara, she was sick in bed for about a month now; this is her first time out the house.”
“I know what Barbara looks like Cordell, why would I lie about this.”
Cordell looked down the sidelines at her. After he had left Lynn that night, he confided in Barbara, telling her that Lynn didn’t want to see him anymore, the next morning she felt better. Three or four weeks ago, she could barely lift her head from the pillow. She had him carrying her to the bed, feeding, and catering to her. No, Cordell thought, Barbara would not stoop this low just to break up his relationship with Lynn. He was still living with her, but now that she was getting better, he had every intention of moving back to his house.
“Look Al, it couldn’t have been her, she was really sick.”
“If you say so Cordell,” Al said walking away.
Barbara scrolled down the list of numbers on Cordell’s phone. She found Lynn’s home number, and pressed the button to call her home. Barbara stood and walked away from the kids.
The phone rang, and the voicemail picked up.
“Hello Lynn, this is Cord’s wife, I’m calling to tell you Cordell is back with me, I would appreciate it if you stay away from him, and my children, he would have told you, but you did say you didn’t want to see him anymore, thanks, for sending him back home, Bye.” Barbara smiled smugly and joined the kids back on the bleachers.
Al and Cordell stood in front of her.
“Hello Barbara,” Al said.
“How are you Al?” She said with a fake smile. She never liked Al.
“Didn’t I see you at the Mall about three weeks ago?” Al asked.
Barbara tensed, her eyes widened. “I don’t think so, Al, I’ve been home sick for the past month.”
“Really, I could have sworn it was you, with some of your friends.”
Cordell watched Barbara closely; he knew when she was lying.
“You must be mistaken, Al,” she said turning away from him.
She was lying, Cordell decided. Rage swept through his body. Damn her, she was at the mall three weeks ago. He couldn’t deal with Barbara right now, but he would after the game.
Lynn got home, vowing she not shed another tear over Cordell. He back with his wife and that was that. She would get over it; she always had in the past. Lynn went to the phone to check her messages. She lifted the phone from the cradle and pressed the buttons.
“First message,” the automated voice said. “Hello Lynn, this is Cord’s wife, I’m calling to tell you Cordell is back with me, I would appreciate it if you stay away from him, and my children, he would have told you himself, but you did say you didn’t want to see him anymore, thanks, for sending him back home. Bye.”
Lynn sighed hanging the phone. “I guess it's over,” she said aloud.
When Cordell took Barbara and the kid’s home, he started packing his things.
“Where you going Cordell?” Barbara asked frowning.
“You’re better I’m going home,” he stated putting his clothes in his bag.
�
�Why don’t you just stay here Cordell, I like having you around.
“No Barbara, you’re feeling better,” he stated.
“You are going back to that bitch!” She stated venomously.
Cordell looked at her frowning.
“Al did see you at the mall, didn’t he?” Cordell said trying hard to hold his temper.
“Al’s lying!” She shouted.
“I’m beginning to think Barbara, you were never sick, because right after I told you that Lynn and I were no longer seeing each other you miraculously felt better,” Cordell accused.
“I warned you Cordell, if I can’t be happy, neither can you!”
“Damn you!” Cordell yelled and left her standing there.
“She won’t have you back Cordell, I called her and said we were back together,” Barbara said smugly.
Cordell dropped his bag and went to Barbara. She saw the look on his face and backed away. Maybe she has gone to far this time.
Cordell stopped himself, because he knew if he stayed in her house another minute, he would hurt her.
Sherri and Cord heard them arguing in the living room, and rushed to see what was going on.
“Mom, you were never sick?” Sherri asked tears in her eyes.
“Go back to your room!” Barb yelled at Sherri.
“We heard you Mom; you did this because you wanted to break up Dad and Ms Lynn?” Cord asked, not wanting to believe his mother could be this dishonest.
“What did I say!” She screamed at them.
“We’re sorry Dad,” both of them said and dejectedly went to their rooms.
Cordell looked over at Barbara and shook his head. “You need help Barbara.” He opened the door slamming it behind him.
Lynn changed her phone number on her home phone and cell. She just wanted to forget about Cordell. Calvin, James, and Tessa began to worry about her. She was back to staying in her loft again, not seeing anyone. Al couldn’t even get through to her. She was cordial, but that was it. She had built that wall up again. Al tried to talk to her about Cordell, but she refused to talk about him to anyone. It was as if he never existed.
Sherri and Cord moved in with their father. They were so disappointed with their mother. They didn’t know their mother could be so hateful to their father. Cordell was glad to have them. Barbara was pissed. She blamed him, saying Cordell turned the kids against her.
Cordell had tried to get in touch with Lynn, but she changed her phone numbers. He went to her loft and the lock on her door was changed. Already two months have passed since the last time he saw her. He was not ready to give up on Lynn. Al suggested he should come down to the job when she got off.
“Cordell she miserable without you.” Al had told him.
“She won’t see me Al,” Cordell told him.
“Well, she won’t be able to help but see you if you come when she gets off,” Al commented.
“Okay, I will try it.”
Lynn was coming out of the gate of the plant about one thirty in the morning. Cordell located and parked beside her car. She had her head down walking to her car.
“See you Lynn!” Someone called. She raised her head and waved. When she got close to her car, Cordell got out of his and leaned against the driver side door. She was digging in her purse for her keys and didn’t see him leaning on her car. When she was almost there, her head came up and saw him. She stopped walking, and stared at him. Her heart pounding erratically in her chest. It’s been two months and wasn’t in the mood to see him now.
She pulled herself together and continued to her car.
“Hello Lynn,” Cordell spoke first.
“Move Cordell,” she said rudely.
“Come on Baby, I just want to talk to you.”
“I already know you are back with Barbara, but thanks anyway, now move!”
“No Lynn, we need to talk.”
“Fine, Cordell,” She said turning and walking away. She did not intend to talk to him again. She pulled out her phone and called a cab. She walked away from him and leaned on the chain fence that was around the building. Cordell watched her, wondering what she was doing. He left the car and went to her.
“You’re just going to ignore me Lynn?” Cordell asked.
“Yep!”
“You’re not even going to give me a chance to explain?”
“Nope!”
“So that’s it, it's over?”
“Yep!”
“Okay Lynn, I’ll leave you alone, it’s been great, see you.”
“See ya,” she said, just then the cab pulled up, Lynn got in, and Cordell watched as the cab drove away. Cordell sat behind the wheel of his car. No, he wasn’t going to let her get off this easy damn it, he loved her, and he knew she loved him. Cordell sped out of the parking lot, and up the street. He knew she took a cab, but he also knew after he left she would go back to get her car. He still had the key to the bottom door of her building. Cordell parked his truck in the back of the building, walking around front to let himself into her stairwell. He sat at the top of the stairs near her door and waited. About five minutes later, he heard her keys jingling and the door opening. She looked up the long flight stairs to her apartment and saw him.
She exhaled and climbed the stairs. There was no way out for her. She was too tired to run away. She had worked a double tonight, which she had done for the past few weeks. All she wanted was a hot shower and her bed. Now she had to deal with Cordell, which she was not sure her heart could take right now. She ignored him when he stood up. She didn’t say anything, just opened the door, leaving it open. Lynn decided, she might as well get it over, and listen.
Lynn threw her purse on the couch, and pulled off her jacket, laying it beside the purse.
Cordell didn’t give her a chance to throw him out; he started speaking. Lynn stood there looking at him.
“Lynn, Barbara made a fool out of me, I’m not with Barbara, I never was, and I thought she was genuinely sick. I found out it was all a lie to destroy you and me. She just acted as if she was sick; when I told her that we were not together, over night she was well. I should have known something wasn't right. She fooled cord and Sherri too. She hurt them deeply, so severe that they now live with me. Lynn, please, believe me, she lied about everything.
Lynn heart skipped in her chest and watched him explained.
“What do I have to do to make you believe me?” I’ll call the kids, they’ll tell you, and I’m not making this up."
Lynn walked pass him and went into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Coming out she went to the bedroom and removed her clothes, wrapped in a towel. Cordell watched her move around the loft as if he wasn’t even there. When she passed by him again, he grabbed her arm.
“Damn it Lynn, I love you!” He shouted to her.
Lynn looked down at the hand touching her.
“I know Cordell,” she said softly.
Cordell frowned. “So you believe me?”
“Yes, Cordell I do believe you.”
“Then why won’t you talk to me?”
“What do you want me to say, I’m sorry your wife made a fool out of us.”
“No, I want you to kiss me, and let me make love to you.”
Lynn went to him and stood on her toes, and kissed him, pulled away and went in the bathroom, and stepped into the shower.
Cordell stood there stunned. “What the hell did she want?”
When Lynn got out of the shower, Cordell was sitting on the sofa, with his head in his hands.
Lynn went to him wrapped in the towel. Cordell’s head rose, looking at her with concern in his eyes.
Lynn leaned over and pressed her lips to his. She heard Cordell groan, and he pulled her down on his lap, deepening the kiss. Cordell lifted his head and looked down at her. Lynn reached up and touched his lips with trembling fingers.
“I missed you,” she whispered, pulling his head down to meet her.
Cordell covered her mouth with ferociousness. He needed her.
His hand loosened the towel around her breast. His hand covered the mound, gently kneading it. Lynn pulled her mouth away and moaned. Cordell mouth trailed down her neck, sucking on her delicate skin.
Lynn rose from his lap, pulling him with her. “Make love to me Cordell, I need you so much,” she said looking up at him. She moved away, going to the bedroom. Cordell immediately started removing his clothes as he followed. She lay on the bed, waiting, expectantly.
Cordell stood for a moment watching her. He missed her sexy body and her passion. He hoped he could hold on his own passion, too many nights he dreamt of her, wanting her, craving her.
“Cordell,” she said softly, lifting her hand to him. Cordell didn’t hesitate to lie beside her. His mouth covered hers, in a long soul-stirring kiss. Lynn arms wrapped around his broad shoulders holding him to her. She didn’t want to let him go. Cordell mouth left her, sucking and biting on her soft skin. He pulled her taut nipple in his mouth and sucked hard, then gently, nipping and pulling at it, as his other hand fondled her other breast. His hand trailed down, and found the moans of her desire, his fingers rubbing the sensitive nub, as she moved restlessly beneath his hand. She was hot and extremely wet. He wanted to taste her; he needed to taste her. She never let him; taste her sweet nectar other times they made love. Whenever he tried, she would stop him. This time he wouldn’t let her, he needed to taste her sweetness. Cordell let his head moved down her body. She stiffened when she felt his lips on her thighs.
“Cordell, no!” She said breathlessly.
Cordell raised his head his large hand resting on her taut stomach muscles quivering under it. His eyes holding hers.
“Baby, I need this, I need to taste you, let me taste,” he implored to her.
“Cordell, I…,”
“If you don’t like this, I will stop, I promise, Lynn, I need this Baby,”
Lynn reluctantly laid back and let him have his way. Her body was tense and her eyes tightly shut.
She felt his hot breath on her, and she tensed more. Cordell stroked her stomach caressingly. When his tongue opened the lips of her womanhood, she jumped. Finding the nub swollen and wet, he pulled it in his mouth and sucked gently. He heard her sigh, and the muscles her legs relaxed. His tongue traced inside her lips, he heard her suck air through her teeth and pushed her hips up to him. Cordell didn’t stop there. He licked up to the swollen nub again sucking on it. He smiled to himself, she was now grasping the bed linen in her hands, and moving beneath him.
The Last Time Page 6
