No Ordinary Romance

by Smith, Stephanie Jean

  Connie snuggled down into her bed. "You don't owe me any explanations Thomas, I enjoyed our time together. I'm not a needy woman who wants to be in constant contact with her lover."

  Thomas started to sweat, was Constantina giving him the boot. "Hey what's going on, are you giving me my walking papers?"

  "Thomas I haven't had a lot of affairs, but I know when a man is giving me the brush off. No hard feelings okay. The weekend was explosive; you sure know how to make a woman feel desired."

  Thomas was relieved. "Good, it's a feeling you're going to have whenever I'm in your presence. This business trip came up unexpectedly; I know I probably moved on you too soon. The Valentine's Day dance was the perfect opportunity to let you know that I want you in my life. So save the brush off speech for someone else."

  Connie was rendered speechless, "Thomas I wasn't trying to give you the brush off..."

  "It seems that way to me as the song says, we've only just begun. Quit looking for an escape clause. I wanted you for too long to let you go now. I still plan to take you to dinner tomorrow night, wear something sexy because we're going to do the town. Then we'll come back to my house for dessert."

  "All that masculinity focused on me will go to my head. I accept your dinner invitation, I dare not refuse you might try to spank me or something equally distasteful."

  "Oh baby. It will be my pleasure to spank that fine ass of yours. You should have told me sooner that you were into kink. Believe me when I say that I'm a willing participant. I'm sure you have a big day tomorrow so I'll say good night. Dream of me Constantina until I can be with you in person."

  Connie thought about her conversation with Chad this morning, and she had to know why Thomas got involved with the land swap. "Thomas."

  "I'm here honey, what's wrong?"

  "Nothing's wrong I just wanted to know why your brought the land swap deal to me?" She chewed on her lips nervously waiting for his response.

  "Do you want the truth?"

  "Yes."

  "The idea first came to me when I saw your name on the City Council's agenda. You see I knew that you were fighting an uphill battle with the proposed group home. So, I thought that you would show your appreciation to me if I brought the land swap deal to a close."

  "So the land swap deal was just a means to get into my bed."

  "You said you wanted the truth and the truth was that I thought the land swap deal would guarantee me a place in your bed. I just knew that you would be so grateful that you would give yourself to me as a consolation prize. The more I got to know you, I realized that you would never make love to me for a stretch of property, but you might come to me if you knew how much I desired you."

  "So what are you saying Thomas?"

  "I did it for you Constantina, not for the quick road to your bed. In the process, I fell hard for you. Believe this; I wanted you to have that property because it would make you happy. You have a beautiful heart Constantina, the land will go to good use, and whatever you establish will change the lives of many young people.

  "Thank you Thomas. I'm looking forward to seeing you tomorrow."

  "Goodnight baby."

  "Goodnight Thomas."

  ***

  Chad was pulled out of a deep sleep from the incessant ringing of his cell phone. He picked up his phone and check the caller ID. "Oh no! Grandma! How's Papa!" Fully awake now, he sat up in bed mentally preparing himself for the worst.

  "Oh sweetheart I hate to call you so late. The doctor told me your grandfather doesn't have long if you want to say good bye you better hurry."

  "I'm on my way." Chad jerked his clothes on while continuing the conversation with his grandmother.

  "He's holding on for you Chad, I would have called you sooner, but his decline just happened so fast."

  "It's not your fault Grandma! I should have stayed home instead of going to school this semester."

  "Your grandfather wouldn't have allowed that, you know how important your education is to him."

  Chad slipped his shoes on and grabbed his jacket. "Grandma I'm leaving my apartment now, is Papa at the hospital or should I head straight home."

  "Come on home sweetie, your grandfather wants to die in the comfort of his home. Drive carefully son."

  Chad got into his car, a few minutes later he was cruising down I80. There wasn't much traffic: a semi-truck every now and then. It usually took him two, and a half hours to get to Des Moines; he could shave 30 minutes just by going ten miles over the limit.

  His mind went on autopilot as visions of his childhood began running through his mind. He felt the tears in his eyes, but remembered his grandfather telling him repeatedly that real men can't afford to cry. Only now did he realize that not being allowed to cry does men more harm than good. Men are expected to be like a rock and never falter, but it's a shame.

  His grandfather was the best man he'd ever known. He was the only father figure Chad had. A humble farmer who toiled over his land like his father and grandfather before him. Chad remembered the conversation he had when he told his grandparents he wanted to be an architect. His grandfather was disappointed that he didn't want to be a farmer, but he understood.

  Chad imagined that his grandparents have been disappointed a lot. Especially since his own father, their son was a drug dealer who spent most of his life in prison. His mother whom he never met was a drug addict, who tried to kill her children to be with his father.

  An hour outside of Des Moines, he was pulled over by the Iowa State Patrol. "Damn it!" He retrieved his registration out of the glove compartment and was getting his wallet out of his pocket as the state trooper approached his car.

  "Sir you were driving 20 miles over the speed limit. Where's the fire? Thousands of people die on I80 every year especially during the winter months."

  Chad already felt remorseful; he certainly didn't need a sermon from the state trooper. "I'm sorry sir; I need to get home. My grandfather is dying."

  "Yeah, I've heard that one before. Let me see your driver's license and registration."

  Chad sat there drumming his fingers on his steering wheel as the trooper walked back to his car. Several minutes later, the trooper knocked on his window. "Yes sir."

  "You have a clean record, so I'm gonna let you got with a warning this time. I see that you're from Warren County, what is your grandfather's name."

  "Elwin Roberts."

  "I know Elwin and Thelma Roberts. Did you say your grandpa is dying?"

  "Yes sir. My grandmother called me about an hour ago, telling me that he's taken a turn for the worst."

  "I know your grandparents and went to school with your dad, Elwin Jr. Your grandparents fed my family many times when my parents fell short. Son I don't normally do this, but I'll give you and escort to Des Moines, I figure we can get you there in twenty, maybe thirty minutes. I'll take you as far as the I35 Exit 43 and then you're on your own."

  "Thank you sir!" Chad watched as the trooper ran back to his car and put on his flashing lights. He quickly ate up the miles with the trooper's escort. Whatever time he lost getting pulled over he certainly made up. When he pulled onto the access road leading to his grandparents farm, it was exactly an hour and forty-five minutes after his grandmother called him. He just hoped that he was in time.

  Chad jumped out of his car, raced towards the house, and the door was opened by his Aunt Dorothy. "I'm I too late Aunt Dottie!"

  "He's still hanging on Chad, go on up, don't waste any more time talking to me."

  When Chad got to his grandparents bedroom, the local pastor and his grandmother were sitting near his grandfather's bed. "Grandma." His grandmother left his grandfather's side and hugged him while motioning for the pastor to leave the room.

  "He's so tired, go talk to him; he's been waiting for you."

  Chad took his grandmother's chair next to the bed and gazed down at his grandfather. His complexion had a gray tinge to it as if he were already dead. "Grandpa. Papa I'm here." His grandfather ma
y have been knocking at death's door, but his blue eyes were as bright as ever.

  "Boy I'm so proud of you. You gave your grandmother and me a second chance. I'm so tired boy and death is coming for me. I want you to forgive me for lying to you about your dad. He did try to contact you, but I wouldn't let you see the letters. I was playing God and thought I knew what was best."

  Chad grabbed his grandfather's hand, and he had no grip. He could feel the life leaving his grandfather's body. "There's nothing to forgive Papa, you and Grandma did your best to raise me."

  "I love you boy..."

  Just like that, his grandfather was gone, his eyes were still open, but his spirit had left. He sat there holding his grandfather's hand as the pastor came in to pray. He felt his grandmother's hands on his shoulders; he didn't feel much like a man. As the tears fell, he felt like a lost little boy. "I love you too Papa."

  ***

  Chad wouldn't leave his grandfather's side, he sat there waited for his body to be retrieved. His grandmother, Aunt Dottie and the pastor were downstairs drinking coffee. He was lost in the past when he felt the presence of someone else in the room. "Grandma."

  "Sweetheart can I get you anything."

  "No Grandma I'm okay."

  "I know there's nothing I can do or say that can get you to leave this room, so I brought you this." She handed him a large cigar box sealed with duct tape. "Elwin gave this to me last month he made me promise to give this to you upon his death."

  "Thanks Grandma." He sat there staring at the box while his grandmother left the room. His grandfather was larger than life, it seemed impossible that he was gone. Eventually, the coroner and his assistants came and retrieved his grandfather's body. He sat in his grandparents' bedroom unaware of the time.

  Thelma Roberts peeked into the bedroom she shared with her husband for nearly fifty years. Chad was still seated in the chair clutching the cigar box to his chest. "Chad."

  "Yes Grandma."

  "Honey, I want you to come downstairs and try to eat something."

  "I'm not hungry Grandma, but you're right about sitting up here. I have to make a couple of phone calls and let my boss know that I won't be at work next week."

  "You still haven't told Connie that you're her brother?"

  "I meant to do it, she's a wonderful person. I just don't know if now's the right time to spring this on her."

  "She might be happy to know that she's not alone in the world." She grabbed him by the arm, pulling him out of the chair.

  Chad hugged his grandmother; he'd been so focused on his own lost he hadn't thought that she lost the love of her life. "I'll tell her soon Grandma."

  "You do that son; life is too short to have regrets."

  Chad went to his room and removed the duck tape from the cigar box his grandmother gave him. The cigar box contained several letters from his father months before he died in prison. His grandfather didn't open the letters he just stuck them in the box unread. Chad read each letter, they were full of regret and self admonishment, and there was one bit of news that just might make a difference to Connie. He made up his mind that, after his grandfather's funeral, he would share the contents of his father's last letter, and tell Connie that he's her brother.

  ***

  Connie felt as if she were floating on a cloud. She was still feeling the stimulating effects of Thomas's late phone call. She got to her office early, went through her morning routine and check her phone for messages. She was expecting a call from Chad, but the message he left was a surprise. His grandfather died last night, and he would be out for a week or more.

  She immediately place a call to Chad, but her went straight to voicemail. "Chad this is Connie. I'm sorry to hear about your loss, please let me know if there's anything I can do. I would like to have the funeral information as well for those employees who want to attend the funeral to support you. Don't worry take as much time as you need."

  She pulled up Chad's file from her employee records. She knew that Chad's family lives in Des Moines, but she only had his current address. Chad was raised by his grandparents, he often spoke of his grandfather the farmer and his grandmother the bake off queen. Chad was more than an employee, she considered him a friend, and she would find a way to support him in his time of loss.

  She called The Purple Feather to leave a message with Darren the store manager. "Hello Darren, this is Connie I just wanted to let you know that Chad's grandfather passed away so he may be out for a little while." She stared at the phone wondering why she just called the store. Chad is a grown man if he called her, he certainly called Darren. There was just something about Chad that brought out her protect instincts.

  Her ringing phone snapped her out of her revere. "Good morning Jenna! How's the baby treating you?"

  Jenna smiled into the phone while rubbing her immense protruding stomach. "Junior is fine, it's his father that has me fit to be tied. Mike has been denying me sex because he think it might hurt the baby. Can you believe that nonsense? Pregnant women having been having sex for thousands of years, and it didn't hurt the baby."

  Connie couldn't contain her laughter, Jenna was due to have the baby in a couple of weeks. "I can't identify with you, I still feeling the effects of Thomas's lovemaking from last weekend."

  "Well was he worth the wait?"

  "Oh so worth it."

  "Did you and Thomas talk about the photo from Sunday's paper? You guys look like you been together for a couple of years instead of a few days."

  "Well we haven't had a lot of time to talk he canceled dinner on me Monday night. He had an important business trip that cropped up. Thomas did call me last night to say he was coming back into town today, and we're going out to dinner."

  "Going out to dinner sounds so lovely. Mike won't let me do anything. I can't drive myself to work, and he calls me all day to make sure I'm all right. He brings me lunch so I won't have to leave the building. Then when I get home he makes me put my feet up while he cooks dinner and does the dishes."

  "Wow he sounds like a real bastard."

  "Don't get sarcastic with me, or I will call Thomas, and tell him all of your secret fantasies."

  "Promise." Connie could sense the steam coming out of Jenna's ears. "Listen Jenna, Mike is a first time dad, he's going to be nervous and afraid. He loves you and he trying to show it the best way he knows how. Make your doctor call Mike and tell him that its safe for pregnant women in the last trimester to have sex. If you really want to make him wild let him catch you pleasuring yourself. That seemed to work wonders for Samantha when Allen was holding out on her when she got out of the hospital."

  "Hey Con that's not a bad idea. The other reason I called was to get the date of the Domestic Violence Conference, I'd like some of my employees to attend."

  It's in a couple of weeks. I got some bad news this morning, Chad's grandfather died last night, and I'm waiting for a call for the funeral service information."

  "I'm sorry to hear that, Chad is such a nice kid. Are you going to attend the funeral?"

  "I plan to attend, Des Moines isn't too far away. I'm thinking Beth might want to come with me."

  "Hey did you say Des Moines?"

  "Yeah, what's up?"

  "Samantha is going to Des Moines on Tuesday for a training session with one of our clients. She's staying over Monday night at the Holiday Inn and driving back on Tuesday after she completes training. Depending on the day of the funeral, you might be able to travel with Samantha, then I don't have to worry about either of you traveling alone."

  "That sounds like a plan. I'll e-mail you all the details about the Domestic Violence Conference. Tell me how things work out with Mike."

  "We might be too busy, I'll call you sometime this weekend. Have a good time tonight with Thomas."

  "Thanks Jenna I plan to have a great time, and I'll have him for dessert." Connie put the phone down just as Beth walked into her office.

  Beth put the mail down on Connie's desk. "I wasn't trying to ea
se drop, but did you say that Chad's grandfather passed away."

  "Yes, late last night, Chad was able to see him before he died. I was thinking that maybe you'd want to attend the funeral with me."

  Beth couldn't control her tears, "I've been so mad at him lately. He keeps giving me mixed signals; first he likes me then he flirts with every female in his path. He may not want me at his grandfather's funeral."

  Connie grabbed a couple of tissues and dried Beth's eyes. "I think that Chad would be really touched that you care enough for him to attend his grandfather's funeral."

  "I can't go to the funeral, it will probably we during a week day, who will man the office."

  "Maybe Carrie Ann would like a full day if she thinks she can handle the traffic, or we can just close the office for the day."

  "I want to be there for Chad. I love him."

  Connie hugged Beth, it was hard to love a man, especially when you didn't know how he felt about you. "I know you do Beth, give him some time to sort out his feelings. Sometimes men can be dense about affairs of the heart. Connie realized that statement could apply to her too.

  ***

  Chapter 11

  Connie and Thomas left the French Cafe holding hands as they headed towards Thomas's car. He tried to use his body to protect her from the harsh wind, and Connie used the opportunity to meld her body closer to his. When they finally made it into the car, it was a relief to get out of the cold. "Thanks for dinner Thomas. Now where are we having dessert, your place or mine?"

  Thomas gave her a devil may care smile. "Well I have one more surprise for you before I take you to my home, one I hope you'll enjoy."

  "Where are we going?"

  "We're going to The Holland Center."

  "Really?" Connie usually kept close track of The Holland Center's events, she'd been so busy lately maybe she missed something. "What's going on at the Holland Center?"

  "A little birdie told me that you love The Funk Brothers, so when I heard that they were coming to town I got tickets."

  Connie couldn't contain her excitement; The Funk Brothers were the musicians behind the Motown sound. "The Funk Brothers! Are you kidding?"