Lionel walked to the door. He couldn't explain the reason such a habit had become a part of his life lately, but there was no doubt it was important to him. Few other things could drag him away from his lab at such an early hour. He switched the lights off as he left.
Denise
Flip peered over the rim of his old-fashioned glass, watching the door of the Radisson's bar through which Denise would walk, by his calculations, in the next few moments. As he sipped the Crown Royal, he considered his date for the evening. She had refused to let him pick her up at her apartment, yet had not declined the limo. Possibly she was embarrassed to have him see her small place, but more than likely it was her pledge to women's lib. His brief questions around BVT had revealed some interesting facts about the petite lady who served as their front receptionist.
First, she was over-educated for the position, having attended Meredith College and later the University of North Carolina. She had been smart enough to not write down the second school on her job application, no doubt fearing it would have over-qualified her for the position. She was also a second-degree black belt, which meant despite the appearance of her five foot three frame, she was a dangerous woman to have mad at you.
Flip took another sip of his drink, savoring the taste and feel of the liquor as it slid down his throat. Ahhh, how he loved the chase, particularly, first contact. It was one of his favorite ways to get his adrenaline fix. He supposed he would tire of it someday, although it seemed unlikely at the moment. It wasn't that he was a male chauvinist, not at all. If anything, just the opposite was true. He worshiped women, revered the very ground they walked upon. He knew beyond any question they were the smartest, the cleverest and the most dangerous game in the world, which was why he loved the hunt so much.
As he slid the glass across the bar, he looked up to find Denise silhouetted in the glow of the entrance. She took a couple of steps into the bar, placing herself under the overhead spotlight. The long gown accentuated the smooth curves of her slim figure. The glimmering black sequin material reflected the light like tiny stars. Exquisite, Flip thought, as he waved to her and rose to meet her. Was that a bugle call he heard in the distance?
Lionel pulled the heavy door open and then stepped aside to let the two older ladies enter first. They smiled graciously at him as they tottered by, both tugging nervously at the lace trim of their white gloves. Lionel smiled back and entered behind them. He was always amazed at the silence of the church. It was as though he had entered a soundproof room, one that sucked all vibrations to its walls preventing them from making their way to his ears. He loved the silence and the feeling of solitude he felt even when the church was full. However, it was far from full tonight. Wednesday was Bible study, and there were seldom more than thirty to forty people in attendance. But it was Lionel's favorite time to attend—scheduled time anyway. Late at night or on early mornings when he couldn't sleep were the best. He had chosen this church in part because it was within walking distance of his home, it was non-denominational, and the pastor didn't believe a church should ever be locked to the community it served.
Because of the small attendance, Bible study was conducted in one of the classrooms away from the sanctuary, but Lionel always tried to arrive at the church a little early so he could sit and listen to the silence. He often wondered during these quiet times, what had drawn him to attending church. His family had never been particularly religious. Oh, like most Southern families, they had required him to attend as a child, but after the fourth grade, even that had stopped.
He thought it strange that, shortly after his work had begun on the Template, he found himself sitting in a pew one night. He had been on a walk, puzzling over one of the early setbacks. The next thing he knew, his backside was sore from the hard wooden surface of the pew. He guessed he had been sitting for well over an hour. He couldn't recall entering the church in the first place, but the next Sunday he arose early, walked back to the church and spent the better part of the day there. Since then, he had been as regular as the elderly ladies he sat behind, although he had yet to walk to the front of the church to pledge his faith. He wasn't even sure he believed in God, nor was he sure he didn't either. It was one of the questions he often pondered while listening to the silence.
Lionel glanced at his watch now, realizing it was nearly time for the class to begin. As he started to leave, he noticed one of the candles near the door had blown out. He took one of its still lit companions and re-ignited it. The one light became two. And so it goes, he thought.
Flip touched the match to the second candle, glancing through the flame at Denise. She smiled warmly as she lifted her glass of cognac in a toast. They had retired to his room for a nightcap. It had been a glorious evening. The food at the Radisson had been more than passable, the atmosphere understated and straightforward, the company well beyond his expectations. In fact, he thought as he blew the match out, he couldn't remember when he had enjoyed himself more.
Denise's humor and intelligence had shown like the glimmers from her dress. She had managed to find the perfect balance between elegance and down-home naïveté. It troubled Flip a little to find himself so attracted to her. He felt slightly thrown off balance by his feelings. He rose from his kneeling position and circled around the coffee table to join Denise on the sofa. Gently clinking the rim of his snifter to hers, he joined her in a toast. "To a wonderful evening and a beautiful lady."
"Why thank you, kind sir," Denise replied with an exaggerated Southern drawl. "I never knew a carpetbagger could be so gracious." They both took a sip of the strong liqueur, their eyes locked on each other. After a long moment, Denise broke the silence, glancing around the spacious room.
"I must say, Mr. MacDougal, you do know how to make the most of your exploitation of the South. I never imagined such accommodations were possible in the Research Triangle." She rose from the sofa and strolled around the suite. Flip followed the line of her back as she studied her surroundings. The gown was cut low in the back, dipping to a level that bordered between provocative and obscene. On Denise, it was purely provocative. He placed his cognac on the coffee table and walked over to where she stood, gazing out the window to the balcony. She did not turn as he lightly traced the line of her back with his fingertips, but he felt a responsive tremor beneath his touch.
"I understand that some of these suites have built-in whirlpools," Denise whispered in a low voice, turning her head slightly to gaze into Flip's eyes.
"Is that what that large tub is?" Flip replied with an amazed look on his face. "I thought it was a fish pond for those people with pet goldfish. It's over there near the bedroom. I'm not sure I know how to use it though."
Denise caressed Flip's face lightly with the back of her hand before turning and walking towards the pool. "Perhaps we can figure it out together," she said as she slipped first one shoulder then the other out of the gown and walked out of it, leaving it as a glimmering heap on the floor. She was a simple dresser; she wore nothing underneath.
Morning
They awoke in each other's arms, Flip opening his eyes first. He gazed for a few moments at the peacefully sleeping Denise. A true test of beauty, he thought, when a woman can still look this gorgeous the morning after.
There was no question about it. He was in love. The thought did not worry him. He fell in love with most of the women he met. The feeling often lasted for months at a time, occasionally longer than the affair, though, not usually.
Still, the evening with Denise had left him a bit off balance. Although he always enjoyed himself on a first date, he couldn't remember one in the recent past that had been such a complete experience. Being an experienced lover, he seldom disappointed his partner or himself in that arena, yet here again, he could not remember such a wonderful coupling. The more he thought about it, the more uncomfortable he became.
Flip suddenly realized Denise had also awakened and was staring at him.
"Good morning, Sunshine."
; "Good morning. A penny for your thoughts," Denise replied.
"Just reminiscing about the wonderful evening."
"Oh, one shouldn't be stuck in the past while the present is before you," Denise said as she rolled on top of him and proceeded to add to his fond memories.
Thirty minutes later, Denise collapsed beside Flip with a sigh of satisfaction and licked the small beads of perspiration from her upper lip.
"God, you're good."
"We're good together," Flip corrected her.
The jangle of the phone interrupted a further conversation. Flip leaned over to the night table and picked up the receiver. "MacDougal speaking. Well, good morning, Li. What's got you up and around so early?"
He listened for a few seconds, and then glanced at Denise. "Can you cover for her for a little while? I'll get her over there as soon as possible. Thanks, Li. How about a late lunch today? Great, I'll pick you up at one."
He turned to Denise, a look of concern on his face.
"Don't tell me. I'm late for work."
"Only by a couple of hours. I'm sorry—it's my fault. I should have remembered to ask for a wake-up call." Denise threw the sheet off, revealing her luscious body and reminding Flip, in truth, he was not sorry for the way the morning had gone.
"You're a dear, Flip, but I'm a grown woman."
"I've noticed."
Denise smiled. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
"Get dressed, and I'll call the limo."
"That won't be necessary. A cab will do. I'll have to drop by my apartment and change clothes. I don't think my boss would care to see me wearing a slinky evening gown and pulling up in a limo. He might get the idea he's overpaying me."
After Flip called the front desk and requested a cab, he turned to Denise. She had already slipped into her evening gown and looked as ravishing as the previous night. Flip studied her for a moment as she straightened her hair in the mirror.
Remember, he thought, MacDougal's first rule. Don't date the same woman two nights in a row. Despite his own warning, he found himself asking, "What do you say I pick you up this evening for a quiet dinner?"
Denise turned and smiled pleasantly. "That's sweet, Flip, but I can't. I've got plans." Unaccustomed to such rejection, Flip felt his face flush. "Well, how about Friday?"
"Sorry, plans on Friday too."
"Saturday?" He asked, a note of exasperation creeping into his voice.
"Saturday? I don't know Flip. Oh, I'm sorry. I don't mean to be evasive. I just don't want to jump into some heavy-duty relationship too fast. How about calling me Saturday morning, and we'll talk about it."
"Sure, Denise, that's fine. I understand," he replied, a dull buzzing in his head clouding his thoughts. She's putting me off—doesn't want to get involved. She's telling me, Flip MacDougal, about not getting involved!
"I'll call Saturday."
She strolled over to him and kissed him lightly. He detected the fragrance of her womanhood mingled with her perfume. "Don't look so hurt, dear. You really are a sweetheart. Call me Saturday."
He watched her as she left his suite. Strange, he'd always looked forward to his ladies leaving the next morning. Always before, but not this time.
Flip's limo arrived promptly at one o'clock at Bio Vita Tech. Lionel was waiting in the lobby and stepped out as the limo pulled to the curb. Flip thought about getting out and saying hello to Denise, but before he had a chance, his friend climbed onto the seat beside him.
"I always enjoy going to lunch with you. It keeps the ol' gossip mill well-oiled."
"Actually, you hate it, and you know it. You never did feel comfortable with a lot of money," Flip answered.
"You're right, but I'm getting used to it. Maybe if you loan me your driver and limo for a few months, I'll have a real breakthrough with my money issues."
"Would you really like them for a while, Li? I'd be glad..."
"No, Flip, I was only kidding," Lionel answered, a look of concern on his face. It was unlike Flip not to know when he was kidding. "Something on your mind today, Flip?"
"Oh, not really. Why do you ask?"
"Nothing, just wondering."
They said little on the short trip over to Yu-Lung's Chinese Pagoda, a favorite restaurant of theirs, and one of the few in the Research Triangle with both good food and a quiet atmosphere.
Mrs. Yu greeted the two men at the door. Lionel was a regular customer of the restaurant, and like most people who met Flip, Mrs. Yu always remembered him, no matter how long the time between visits.
Flip gave her a warm hug and kiss on the cheek, a custom that always embarrassed the elderly lady, but one she loved. "Mr. Flip, one day my husband will catch us and turn me out of the house and make a Chinese delicacy out of you."
"Exactly the way I plan to go," Flip replied with a smile.
Once the two were seated, they pretended to study their menus in silence, both with their minds on other matters. They were still looking blankly at the selections when their waitress came with a complimentary pot of green tea and to take their order.
Lionel became aware of her first and with an embarrassed laugh, asked for a few additional moments. "It seems we both have something on our minds. Which of us should go first?"
"Let's get the ordering out of the way, and I'll tell you what's up with me," Flip replied.
They recalled the waitress and ordered one of the luncheon specials with all the trimmings. After she had left, Flip poured them both a cup of green tea and stared deeply into his cup, as though looking for an answer among the tea leaves.
"Tell me Li, what do you know about Denise?" Flip asked.
Lionel picked up his cup and took a sip before answering. "Not much, really. She's been working at BVT for about six months. I've talked to her a few times, and I've heard a little bit from the gossip mill, but you know how that goes."
"What do you hear?" Flip persisted.
"Well, one thing that seems a little unusual is she's overqualified for the position she's holding. Someone mentioned something about an MBA degree and an undergraduate degree in psychology. She's obviously single and, from what I understand, she enjoys the lifestyle...without being overly promiscuous," Lionel added hurriedly.
"Do you know if she's involved with anyone?"
"Not that I've heard. Flip, this is amazing. I don't think I've ever heard you express such an interest in a lady. Don't tell me you're falling in love?"
"Li, you know I fall in love with all my ladies."
"Your problem, Flip, is you've never tried to differentiate between love and lust."
"You mean there is one?"
"Several, and unless I'm mistaken, you're about to find out what some of them are."
Flip laughed nervously. "Not ol' MacDougal. I'm just curious to know a little history of the fair maiden. You know nowadays, you've got to be a little more careful with whom you sleep."
"Flip, that concern should come before you sleep with them, not after. Besides, I've never known you to be one to worry about it."
Flip paused for a moment as the waitress returned with their sweet and sour soup and egg rolls. For a moment, both men paused to enjoy the rich aroma.
After she had left, he smiled and said. "Nor am I now. It's just that...I don't know. I can't explain it. Last night was a wonderful evening. We both thoroughly enjoyed each other. And yet this morning when I asked Denise if she'd like to get together... "
"She turned you down," Lionel finished for him. "You sly dog. You've been dealt a dose of your own medicine, and you don't know how to handle it. My opinion of Denise Cabbot has just skyrocketed. It's about time someone put you in your place."
Flip said nothing for several moments but concentrated on his soup. Finally finishing it, he looked up at his friend and smiled a sheepish grin.
"Okay, maybe you're right, and maybe I deserve to have my chain jerked now and then. And maybe there is something more to this one than all the hundreds before her..."
"Flip
, you are so modest, I don't know how you can stand yourself."
"Ok, maybe the estimate is a little high, but enough of my problems. What's got your head in the clouds?"
Now it was Lionel's turn to study his food. He chomped for a few moments on his egg roll before answering. "Flip, do you think it's possible evolution is controlled by God?"
Flip's teacup stopped in mid-air, inches from his lips. Slowly he placed it back on the table. "Such simple thoughts fill your mind. Never anything heavy like girl problems from you. Might I ask where such a question came from?"
"Well, I was just wondering. It's a well-known fact mankind hasn't even scratched the surface when it comes to our mental and spiritual potential. And it's possible we will as the evolutionary flow continues. I was just wondering if it might be against God's Grand Design to fool around with such matters."
"In what way do you mean?" Flip asked.
"Oh, nothing specific in mind. I'm just asking the question in a general way."
Flip took another sip of his tea before answering. "Well, first, I don't know whether evolution or anything else for that matter is directly controlled by God. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't believe in God. I'm just not convinced he, she or it works that way. I think it's more likely some power or consciousness well beyond our comprehension or understanding created this show, placed the various characters on the stage, and is now simply observing what happens and probably laughing his fool head off at the comedy.”
The waitress returned with their main course of Moo Goo Gai Pan. She served them both a healthy portion and then refilled their teacups before leaving.
New Birth Page 2
