Games

by Wanda B. Campbell

  She’d settled back into her spiritual routine. Every morning she prayed and read scripture and every day Brian called and left a prayer on her voicemail while she was in class. She’d celebrate her twenty-fifth birthday the following Tuesday. Brian was scheduled to land at Logan International Airport tomorrow evening. Shay had the entire weekend planned right down to the minute, dividing the four-day trip between Boston and Cambridge. Her list of non-stop activities included visiting historical museums and sites, a dinner cruise, a stage play and a carnival.

  She scheduled every activity in public places. Except for the time they’d spend driving, they would never be alone. They agreed that it wasn’t a good idea to have Brian in Shay’s apartment or for Shay to hang out in Brian’s hotel room. He would meet Shay in the hotel lobby for their daily excursions.

  It was like old times. The two of them had grown closer since the CD recording. They talked on the phone three times a week and for the first time since they’d known each other, they didn’t argue about trivial matters.

  Outside of school, most of their conversations were of a spiritual nature. She was impressed with how well he could explain scriptures and how dedicated he was to the Lord. Last month for his twenty-fourth birthday, she sent him a black leather study Bible with his name engraved in gold letters. On the dedication page she wrote: To a wonderful man whom I will respect and cherish forever

  “That’s sweet, thank you,” is what he told her. They both knew there was more to be said, but wanted to wait until they were face-to-face.

  As was her routine now, Shay checked her voicemail for Brian’s daily prayer on the drive back to her apartment. Today he didn’t leave one. She was disappointed, but guessed he was too busy getting ready to come see her. She tried to push him to the back of her mind, but it proved futile. Something wasn’t right; he always found time for her. After she dropped her books on the sofa and grabbed a root beer from the refrigerator, she called him.

  “Hi, sweetheart.”

  She could tell he had been crying. She set her bottle of root beer down on the table without a coaster. “Brian, what’s wrong?” Her voice filled with urgency.

  Brian sniffled and cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, but I won’t be able to make it out to see you this weekend.”

  She was more concerned about him than she was about herself. “Honey, what’s going on, why are you crying?”

  She waited while Brian blew his nose then sniffled some more. “My mother’s having surgery on Monday. I’m leaving for Phoenix tomorrow.”

  The announcement left her puzzled. “What’s wrong with Alysse? What kind of surgery is she having?”

  Brian’s voice broke again. “My mother has breast cancer, she’s having a mastectomy.”

  Shay was stunned. The last time she saw Alysse, she looked fine. She didn’t look like someone with cancer. “When was she diagnosed with breast cancer?”

  Shay listened patiently as Brian told her about the doctor discovering a lump at Alysse’s annual exam two months ago and the subsequent mammogram and biopsy that confirmed their suspicions. “Why didn’t you tell me about this before?”

  “I didn’t know until last night. You know my mother, she doesn’t like for me to worry about her. She only told me about the surgery because Mark insisted.”

  “Brian, I am so sorry. But you have to believe that they’ll be able to remove the cancer and keep it from spreading.”

  “After the surgery she might have to start chemotherapy and that’s going to be very hard on her.” His voice broke again.

  Shay stood and paced the length of the couch. “I know, but, honey, your mother is a very strong woman.”

  “But, Shay, why does she have to suffer this? She’s suffered most of her life, why this too?”

  Shay cried too because she didn’t have an answer for him. “Honey, I don’t know.” Her voice was just above a whisper. She couldn’t stand to hear him cry, especially since she wasn’t there to comfort him, so for the first time, she prayed for him. She prayed hard until he regained control of his emotions.

  “Shay, I’m really sorry about this weekend. I really wanted to see you.”

  “You will,” she said softly. Like always she would be there for him.

  Shay ended the call with Brian and with record speed called the airlines and booked a flight to Phoenix for Saturday morning. She then called Rhonda and asked her to email the class lecture notes to her until she returned.

  “How long are you going to be gone?” Rhonda asked.

  “I’ll be there as long as Brian needs me to be,” Shay answered. The last call she made was home to her mother. “Mama, did you know Alysse is having surgery?”

  “Yes, Mark called us last night right before he and Alysse told Brian.”

  “Brian doesn’t sound good. I’m really concerned about him. Maybe Reggie should stay at the house in Oakland with Brian tonight.”

  Shay’s genuine concern for Brian pleased Julia and she said as much. “You still have some common sense left, but I don’t think that will be necessary. Brian came over last night and hasn’t left. He’s upstairs lying down. Reggie is with him most of the time.”

  “That’s good.” Knowing Brian wasn’t alone only comforted Shay a little. She wanted to be there for him. “Are the two of you going to Phoenix?”

  “We’re flying out Sunday afternoon after Sunday service. Angie’s going to keep Josiah for a few days.” Julia paused then posed the question deliberately. “Are you coming to Phoenix? I can arrange for the family plane, if you’d like.”

  “That’s not necessary. I already used your credit card to pay for a flight. I’ll be there Saturday afternoon.”

  Julia heaved a sigh into the phone. “I’m so glad your common sense has returned. You had me worried the last time I saw you.”

  “Mama, on my craziest day, Brian’s well-being is a priority.” The last words staggered as their power flooded her being and settled in her heart.

  Chapter 41

  Sleep eluded Brian as his body yielded to another bout of tossing and turning. The words, My mother has cancer, kept invading his mind. It didn’t make sense to him. His mother was only forty-six years old, much too young to have cancer. She had just begun to really enjoy her life and see the fruit of her sacrifices. “This is not fair,” he said when he had tried to pray before Shay called. After Shay prayed for him, he did feel better, but worry over his mother’s health stressed him to the point of a near nervous breakdown.

  He needed to see Shay. She always knew how to make him feel better without doing anything besides being there. Just hearing her voice comforted him and he did notice that she referred to him as “honey” more than once. That surprised him and he didn’t think she even realized it. This weekend he had planned to officially ask her to be his girl, but right now he needed her friendship.

  He turned onto his back and stared up at the ceiling. His phone vibrated and he groggily answered without checking the caller ID.

  “Hey, I didn’t see you on campus today.” It was Shannon.

  Brian had limited his communication with her since the night she supposedly twisted her ankle. Yet she made it a point to hunt him down at school and at church. Her continued attendance at Sunday service and Wednesday night Bible Study after he stopped chauffeuring her around surprised him. Maybe she’d grown in her spiritual life, but today he was not in the mood for games and cut to the chase.

  “Look, Shannon, this is not a good time. I’m leaving town for a few days on a family emergency. I don’t have time for idle chit-chat.”

  “What’s wrong, is someone sick?” Shannon sounded concerned.

  Brian sighed. “My mother is having surgery for breast cancer on Monday and I’m going to Phoenix to be with her.”

  “Brian, I’m so sorry.”

  She was either really sorry or a very good actress, he thought. Her voice quivered and he heard a sniffle. “Thank you, Shannon.”

  “Are you going by yourse
lf? Do you need me to come with you?” Shannon offered.

  The last thing Brian wanted was for Alysse to have an assault case on her hands before going into surgery. Alysse detested Shannon and reminded Brian of her feelings every chance she got. “That won’t be necessary, my family will be there.”

  Shannon cleared her throat. “Will Shay be there?”

  Brian didn’t see any need to conceal anything from her. “Yes,” he answered plainly.

  “What about her boyfriend? Will he be there as well?”

  Brian made things perfectly clear for Shannon. “If you’re referring to Jason, she’s not seeing him anymore. She’s coming to be with me and I don’t consider myself to be her boyfriend. I’m her man and hers alone.”

  “Well. Um. I see.” Shannon seemed to search for a response. “I didn’t realize you two were a couple. I wonder if that little bit of information went over Shay’s head as well. At any rate, I hope things work out with your mother. I’ll still be here when you return—alone.”

  Brian shook his head and pressed the red end call button on his cell phone then turned the phone off. He turned onto his side and within minutes was sound asleep.

  Chapter 42

  “Brian!” Alysse called out.

  Brian came running into the kitchen ready to put out a fire. “Are you all right, Mama? Are you in pain? Do you need any medicine?”

  Alysse waved away her son’s concern. “Boy, I’m fine. I just need your long arms to hand me that box up there.” Alysse pointed above her head.

  Brian handed her the box and went back into the living room and sulked on the couch. He was trying hard to contain his emotions, but Alysee’s nonchalant attitude wasn’t making it easy. Since arriving the previous night and seeing his mother, he wanted to fall apart, but she wouldn’t let him. She told him she needed him to be strong, so she wouldn’t have to worry about him. The more he looked at her, the harder it was for him to contain himself. He knew it was only a matter of time before the levee would break and Alysse would be furious. Fifteen minutes later, the doorbell chimed.

  “I’ll get it.” Brian jumped up and sprinted to the door. He swung the front door open and smiled, then welcomed Shay into his arms.

  “Hey, you,” she said softly when he loosened his grip.

  “Hey, sweetheart,” he responded back as he stroked her hair. He stepped back and allowed room for her to enter the house. Shay strolled through the foyer and into the living room with familiarity. No sooner had she set her purse down on the copper leather sofa, he embraced her again. This time he squeezed her tighter than before and when he released her there were tears rolling down his cheeks and gathering at his chin.

  She reached and half-cupped his wet cheeks. “Honey, it’s all right? Alysse will be fine.”

  Without verbally responding, Brian took her hand and led her down the narrow hallway and into his old bedroom. He closed the door and sat down on the bed then motioned for her to join him.

  ***

  Shay stared at the comforter covered with major-league-baseball-team logos. Hesitantly, her eyes traveled to Brian, starting at the long muscular dark-chocolate legs the khaki walking shorts revealed and ending at his long outstretched arm. She felt his need pull her heartstrings and draw her to him. Fueled by his urgency, Shay hurried to him and planted her body next to his. Words weren’t necessary as she placed her arms around him and he rested his head against her shoulder.

  His cries were light at first. Then they turned into gut-wrenching sobs that shook them both and caused them to fall back into the center of the bed. When he finished releasing himself, they remained on his bed with her holding him and stroking his head. She laid there with him, whispering words of prayer, until he fell asleep.

  Careful not to wake him, Shay retrieved a clean T-shirt from his drawer to replace the now-wet one she had on. She slipped the size 2X Cal Berkeley shirt over her smaller frame and kissed him on the forehead.

  When she returned to the living room Alysse and Mark were watching television.

  “Hello, Shay!” Alysse’s face lit up. “I didn’t know you were here.”

  “I arrived a little while ago.” Shay hugged Mark and Alysse then sat on the loveseat.

  “I knew she was here,” Mark said, giving Shay a knowing nod. “Brian was showing her something in his room.”

  “What’s he doing in there now?” Alysse asked.

  “He’s sleeping,” Shay answered, careful not to give any indication of Brian’s emotional state.

  “I’m glad, because he’s been getting on my nerves. Following me around like I’m going to keel over at any moment,” Alysse complained.

  “He’s just concerned about you, and so am I.” Shay reiterated the reason for her visit. “How are you doing, Ms. Alysse?”

  “Shay, I’m fine. I’m not in any pain. I’m not worried about this surgery. Sure, I’ll lose a breast, but I really don’t need two of them anymore, considering I only have one husband.” Both Shay and Mark laughed at Alysse’s reasoning. “I’ll probably lose my hair, but a good wig will fix that.”

  “Ms. Alysse, you are too funny.”

  “Seriously,” Alysse continued, “I’ve found my peace with God and I know He’s going to see me through this. No matter what happens, I’m going to be all right.”

  “Amen,” Shay agreed. She believed in Alysse’s full recovery; if she could only transfer that confidence to Brian. “Is there anything you need me to do? I have a couple of hours before I check into the hotel.”

  “I’m fine.” Alysse leaned against Mark and propped her feet on the couch. “Just try to make yourself comfortable in this desert heat.” A few minutes later Alysse abruptly sat up, as if she’d suddenly remembered something. “Shay, there is something I need you to do.”

  “What’s that, Ms. Alysse?”

  Alysse’s expression turned serious. “Be good to my son, whether I’m around or not.”

  Shay swallowed hard. Did Alysse know something she didn’t? “I’ll do my best.”

  “Good.” Alysse smiled. “My son deserves the best.”

  Shay spent the remainder of the afternoon laughing and talking with Mark and Alysse. Although she categorized Alysse as rough around the edges, Shay genuinely enjoyed Alysse’s straightforwardness. She reminded her so much of her mother. Like Reggie, Mark was the head of the household and served his position with a quiet yet strong presence. Alysse and Mark weren’t as openly affectionate as Reggie and Julia, but their love for one another was evident.

  Shay’s thoughts drifted and she began to wonder how she and Brian would interact as a married couple. Would they kiss every morning? Would Brian’s eyes sparkle at her presence the way Reggie’s did at the sight of Julia? Would they openly express their love or be conservative? Shay preferred openness. She shook her head in an effort to remove those thoughts from her mind. Slow down, girl. Brian and I aren’t an official couple yet and here I am thinking about marriage.

  Shay excused herself and went into the kitchen for something to drink. Her throat was parched from the dry desert heat. Halfway through her Arnold Palmer, Brian walked in and kissed her from behind on the cheek.

  “Thank you.”

  “Anytime.” She smiled and offered him some of her drink. She didn’t ask him what he was thanking her for; she knew he was referring to the intimate time they shared earlier.

  Brian finished off the Arnold Palmer and refilled the glass for her. He looked at his watch. “It’s almost four o’clock; you must be tired.”

  “I am starting to feel the effects of the time difference. I’d better go and check into the hotel before it gets too late.”

  Brian placed his hands on her shoulders. “Shay, why don’t you stay here with us?”

  “That’s a good idea. That way you won’t have to drive back and forth,” Mark added from the archway.

  Shay would have refused, but the pleading look on both Brian and Mark’s faces wouldn’t let her. “Where will I sleep?”
>
  “You can sleep in my old room,” Brian offered.

  Shay tilted her head to the side. “And where will you sleep?”

  “He can squeeze his oversized body on the couch.” Shay looked over Brian’s shoulder to see Alysse standing next to Mark.

  “Please,” Brian asked again, stroking her cheek. He didn’t say the words with his mouth, but his eyes told her that he needed her close to him.

  “I guess I’d better get my things from the rental car and call the hotel,” Shay finally agreed.

  “Give me the key; I’ll take care of it,” Brian offered.

  Keeping her eyes locked with his, Shay slid her hand into the front pocket of her white walking shorts then held the key out to Brian. When their hands met, Brian expressed his gratitude by squeezing her firmer and longer than usual.

  Alysse sat down at the kitchen table. “I don’t know why you resisted. You know that boy can’t function without you,” she said when Brian was out of earshot. “My baby lost twenty pounds after you left for school. I had to stay with him nearly a whole month to get him eating properly again.”

  Shay poised a neutral position. “Ms. Alysse, what are you talking about?”

  “You know exactly what I’m talking about. You know my baby’s in love with you.”

  Shay blushed and joined her at the table. “Do you really think so?”

  “I know so. Brian’s not interested in anyone but you.”

  “Did he tell you that?” Shay asked hopeful.

  “I’m not going to tell you what he told me, because I’m not one to gossip. But trust me, I know my son.”