by Pat Simmons
“You’re welcome.”
The sound of his rich voice warmed her. Suddenly, she wasn’t hungry or tired. He made her content. “Levi?”
“Yes,” he practically cooed into the phone.
She struggled to find the right words. “You don’t have to bribe me with gifts.” She toyed with the box until she opened it and sucked in her breath. “This is too much food for lunch. It had to cost—”
“This isn’t about money for me, Karyn. This is about helping you make up your mind that I want you, and Dori does too.”
“It’s about money for me. I can’t afford the phone, and the lunch is a luxury.”
The line became quiet. Karyn hoped she hadn’t offended him. She enjoyed his attention, but she had allowed the wheels to be set in motion and she couldn’t stop the feelings that were developing between them. Levi still hadn’t said anything. “Well—”
“I know you may have doubts, but I don’t. Dori and I are in your life now. I’m not wealthy, but I am financially successful. If you needed something, I know you wouldn’t ask me and you would do without, so I’m going to have to read you like a book.”
His kindness gave her comfort that she didn’t feel she deserved. Karyn found herself constantly battling the devil when God made her worthy to deserve any blessing He had for her. She closed her eyes. “I don’t know what to say, but I’d better go. I’m running up your minutes.”
Otis chuckled in his sleep. Karyn shook her head and dug in.
Every day after that was like déjà vu. A box came from a different caterer with a handwritten note. She had begun to look forward to Levi’s messages more than the food.
By the end of the week, the bookstore was a circus, thanks to the first Friday in December and the increase in holiday shopping sprees. Levi was the furthest person from her mind when she walked behind the service counter to retrieve customer book orders.
“It’s that time of the month,” Patrice mumbled. Her coworker didn’t look like she had gotten much sleep. If she was wearing makeup, she hadn’t put on enough and her uniform appeared carelessly ironed.
“I have some supplies in my locker, if you need them,” Karyn offered.
“I’m not talking about my womanhood, but your kinfolks.”
“Huh?” Karyn frowned, dumbfounded.
“Here comes Mrs. Harris.” Patrice rolled her eyes. “I wouldn’t waste my money on those criminals. They’re probably going to die in jail. But hey, they chose to be there.”
For a moment, Patrice gave her a double dose of panic. She was hitting too close to home. For Karyn, kinfolk had three meanings: her natural family whom she yearned to see; the derogatory statement about blacks who were uncouth, and behind bars, the term conjured up the families that were formed in prison to survive. Outsiders thought it was lesbianism, and it was some of that, too, but the women formed clusters of families with a momma, daddy, aunties, cousins, sisters, and so on. That state of belonging was what kept many prisoners sane from day to day. It was a world of make-believe.
Although Karyn couldn’t undo the mistakes from her past, she preferred to keep the circumstances of her decision in God’s Book of Forgiveness. If Patrice knew she was talking to a former convict, the woman would probably spit in her face. Hold your tongue. She doesn’t know about your past. Patrice is running off at the mouth again, Karyn calmed herself, only to snap. She had enough of her coworker’s snide remarks.
“Everyone behind prison bars isn’t hopeless. Some will get out and turn their lives around.”
“Ha.” Patrice put her hand on her hip. “Yeah? Humph. Show me one. Criminals are stupid. Why do you think they always get caught and are thrown away?” She laughed.
Taking a deep breath, Karyn got her emotions under control, so as not to blow her cover. “I’m sure prison isn’t anyone’s lifelong goal. Be careful what you boast. God has a way of making us eat our words. Besides, without the Lord as the center of our lives, the devil would toy with our minds like a toy maker and make us commit all kinds of sins.”
Patrice twisted her lips. “Speak for yourself. I’m in my right mind and in control.” She wagged her finger. “I would not break the law under any circumstances.”
Karyn just stared at her coworker. I thought the same thing too. It just goes to show you that the devil can cause us to do stuff if we don’t trust in the Lord. This time, she held her tongue.
“Anyway, ooh wee. Here comes your favorite customer.” Patrice antagonized, then hurried away.
Shaking off the conversation, Karyn displayed a genuine smile. “Hi, Mrs. Harris. How are you doing, today?”
“I woke up this morning. I’m off to a good start. Don’t you think so, baby?”
“I think so.” Karyn nodded.
Mrs. Harris then browsed and as expected, returned with books unacceptable for prison delivery. After their tug of war, the woman got it right.
“Three books?” Karyn lifted her brow.
“It is Christmas, you know.” Mrs. Harris winked.
“I’m sure he’ll enjoy it.” Karyn smiled and began to ring up the purchases. She had almost totaled it when Mrs. Harris picked up a peppermint bark bar.
“Add that on, baby. I’ll check my sugar later,” the woman said in a hushed voice as if her doctor were breathing down her back.
“Umm-hmm.”
Once Mrs. Harris ambled out, Karyn sighed and glanced at her watch. It was a good thing Levi didn’t have lunch delivered because it would have been cold by now. Her feet were hurting from standing up at the register. The line was steady as if the recession were of Christmas past.
She was passed due her lunchtime. Otis was probably in the back room dozing after a satisfying meal. Karyn prayed he would wake soon. After completing another sale, the next person stepped up to the counter. Instead of books, a box was shoved her way. Had the delivery guy gotten in line? Karyn looked up and a floral bouquet greeted her.
The flowers were removed and revealed Levi’s face. “Sorry I’m late, but I was busy on a site. Did you already have lunch?”
“No. I’m waiting for my relief.” She grinned.
“I’m sorry, Karyn…my bladder doesn’t work like it used to…” Otis explained loud enough for Levi and other customers to hear. “Go on and take your lunch. When you get back I may need to take a break.”
“I’ll be in the café,” Levi said and walked away.
Karyn clocked out at customer service and made a pit stop in the bathroom. As she washed her hands, Karyn examined the weariness under her eyes. She sighed. Nothing she could do about that. She patted cold water on her face and left.
In the café, Levi had her box opened. Plastic utensils were resting on napkins, and the bouquet of flowers as the centerpiece. Levi stood as she approached and pulled out her chair. “You look tired.”
“Is that a compliment?” Karyn mocked and slid into the seat with a sigh.
“No, it’s concern.” He gathered her hands and bowed his head. “Lord, in the name of Jesus, we ask that You sanctify and bless our food. We thank You for Calvary and the blood You shed for our sins. Lord, I thank You for blessing me with Karyn. Amen.”
“Do you ask the Lord to bless me when you bless your food even when I’m not around?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Levi bit into his sandwich. “Do you work tomorrow?”
She took a sip of her raspberry tea, then shook her head. “No way. I’m off, and I’m not volunteering for overtime. I want to sleep late tomorrow and—”
“Spend the day with me. Last Saturday was wonderful. I want to introduce you to my family.”
She almost choked. “Me?”
“This is a table for two. No one else is sitting here, baby. You really have brought joy into my life during the past month. I want my family to meet the special woman who has healed my wound. I’m talking about meeting them, but spending the whole day with one Tolliver—me. Plus, Dori will be at my sister-in-law’s.”
God, I don’t owe this man or anybody an
explanation, so why do I feel he needs one? Lord, when is the right time to tell him?
“Karyn?” He reached across the table again. “Don’t be afraid.”
That was easier said than done. “I am.”
CHAPTER 23
The next morning, Buttercup gave Karyn a pep talk while twisting her hair into spiral curls. “You sure you don’t want me to do your nails? I’ve got these purple extensions that would go good with that turtleneck,” Buttercup said.
At times, Karyn was convinced her roommate was color blind. She wasn’t wearing anything purple. Already anxious about the day with Levi, Karyn wanted to mentally shut out Buttercup. “Have you ever heard that less is more? I agreed the curls would give me a more mature look than my braid, but that’s where I draw the line. I am who I am, nothing more, and through Christ, definitely nothing less.”
“Umm-hmm. You’re going to meet the family. You’ve got to tell him.”
“Not without Jesus putting the words into my mouth.” She sighed. “For years, the holidays didn’t bring me joy without my family, and now, next month you’re leaving. I’m scared.”
“Listen, we’ve always been honest with each other…” She paused, without missing a beat with Karyn’s hair.
“What?”
“You’re sounding like a victim! God has a reputation of coming through in the midnight hour. Always.”
Buttercup was right. God had never abandoned her, even at the lowest point in her life. Her church’s prison ministry had been a Godsend.
“Even though your caseworker has let you get away with these last-minute special requests, you better watch out. Monica can get evil. Let me ask you, sister-girlfriend-roommate-oh saint of God, in a normal life, would Levi be the perfect man for you?”
“In a fairy tale,” she whispered without hesitation.
“Before it goes any further, talk to Levi. If he really cares about you, he’ll have an open mind and accept that none of us are perfect.”
“I’ve given him hints,” Karyn said.
Buttercup laid down the curling iron and began to rub her temples. “What were your hints? You had to be home by ten or you’ll turn into a pumpkin? Girl, tell Levi the whole story and let him decide.”
“His decision will be a no-brainer. Anyone who served time in prison isn’t worthy of second chances. My assumption is based on what he’s already been through.”
Squatting, Buttercup looked her in the eye. “Christ wiped your slate clean.”
Karyn nodded. “I know. Who am I going to talk to when you’re gone?”
“Try Jesus. He’s on the main line. Plus, he’s a good listener.”
***
Levi smiled as he pinched his smartphone between his ear and shoulder while locking his front door. Karyn called and said she was ready, and she was one woman he didn’t want to keep waiting. “So, Rossi, what do you think about her?” Although it didn’t matter what anyone said, Levi valued his cousin’s assessment.
“You’re a Tolliver. Of course you have good taste…does she have a sister?”
“You’re on your own, man.” Levi let out a hearty laugh. “Karyn just seems right for me. Of all the women who have paraded themselves in front of me in the office, at church, and other places, I find my diamond hidden in a bookstore.”
“You sure you’re not moving too fast?”
“I thought you would be praise dancing about now that I’ve finally come back to life.” Levi dismissed the concern in Rossi’s voice. “I’m not shopping for jewelry or applying for a marriage license. Karyn is forcing me to slow down. I have yet to get the good night kiss I want.”
It was Rossi’s turn to release an explosion of laughs. “You are definitely losing your edge, Tolliver.”
“Shut up.” Levi got in his car and fastened his seatbelt. “Today we’re visiting the history museum and my parents, but there’s always lunch, a matinee, ice skating, shopping, art museum in between—”
“There’s only twenty-fours in a day” Rossi stated.
“Hey, I have to give her options, but I do plan to stop by Mom and Dad’s.”
“Who’s going to be there?”
“Besides my parents, I asked Seth to come by with Tia. Karyn will love her. Who knows about Solomon.”
“Your bother is weird. That man is too quiet to be a Tolliver.”
“Maybe he’s adopted,” Levi joked.
“He’s a twin. We would have to get rid of Seth, too, and you know that’s my boy. What about Jet? When do you plan for Karyn to meet her?”
Humph. “Not until our tenth wedding anniversary.”
“Yeah, right.” Rossi said his goodbye without imparting any remarks of wisdom.
Levi wormed his way through traffic, and arrived at Karyn’s apartment building fifteen minutes later. He had barely shifted his car into park before she opened the massive front door and sashayed out. Timing seemed to be a priority for Karyn.
Her curls flowed from under a knit cap. The jacket, coat or whatever Karyn wanted to call it, barely came to her thighs. Her jeans were tucked inside black boots, which stopped at her knees. Levi liked the look.
What he did not like was greeting her at her apartment door. Maybe her furnishings were sparse and she was embarrassed. Considering how long it took for her to agree to go out with him, he may have to wait even longer to see how she lived. One thing for sure, Levi wouldn’t push her. They had plenty of time to get to know each other.
Turning off the ignition, he managed to get out of his car without strangling himself with the seat belt. Coming around the car, he leaped up two steps at a time to block her path. “Hi.” The vapor from his breath fogged his glasses. Karyn laughed.
“How many fingers am I holding up?” she teased.
“Funny,” he said as he wiped his glasses, then in one swift movement, lifted her off the ground.
She screamed, wiggling.
“Stop moving, woman, or we’ll both fall down the steps. According to you, I can’t see, remember?”
“I take it back. I take it back. Please don’t drop me.” Her laughter hinted it didn’t matter.
“I have to prove I can see you clearly.” He didn’t release her until they reached the passenger door, then he did so reluctantly. Once he was behind the wheel, Levi turned and faced Karyn, then removed his glasses. “I can see you with 20/20 vision.”
Even with his eyes closed, he had a perfect vision of Karyn’s features—from her eyes to her long thin lashes. Her valentine heart-shaped lips remained his temptation. Then it was her hair brushed into a single braid.
“I need to get something out of the way first.” Levi pulled Karyn into his arms and planted tender kisses on her cheeks. Taking advantage of his surprise assault, he delivered the exact blow to her lips. She didn’t fight him, and he didn’t stop until breathing was required.
“Ah.” He grinned like a satisfied baby after a diaper change. “From this day forward, there’s a new rule when you ride in my car. You have to take off your gloves. I expect your hand to be linked with mine as much as possible as I drive.”
Nothing in Karyn’s expression hinted she had enjoyed his kiss. That was too bad because he loved it. When she continued to stare, Levi grew concerned that his affection was unwanted. Then all of a sudden, one brow lifted as if she was waiting for some kind of explanation for his actions.
He cowered under pressure. “I got cheated out of my good night kiss to the princess, remember?” When she didn’t answer, he whistled. His spontaneous move didn’t create the breakthrough in their budding relationship he had hoped. “You’re going to make me suffer, aren’t you?”
Karyn shrugged. “You’re the one who boasts that you can read my expressions. Oh, well.” She sighed and yawned. “I guess you’re losing your touch.”
Levi’s nostrils flared. “All I need is thirty seconds to regain my reputation.”
“I don’t take dares.” She smiled although her tone was anything but amused.
&nbs
p; “Okay, Miss Chill. Let’s go, and remove your gloves. Consider my car a no-glove zone.” She snickered. He was going to enjoy their tit for tats. Karyn did as he requested and latched onto his hand. They rode silently until he sparked another conversation.
“By the way, I love your hair, especially in those curls. You are truly a beautiful woman,” he complimented.
“Thank you.”
“But I’ve got to tell you, I have a miniature Karyn walking around my house with the one braid. She wouldn’t let me touch it for days. She’ll be horrified to know Miss Karyn doesn’t have her braid again.”
“Dori’s so sweet.”
“She gets it from her father.”
Karyn squinted. “I’m sure she got it equally from her mother.”
“She did,” Levi said without experiencing a relapse like he had done on their first date. “So, since I have a day’s pass with you, so to speak, are you still interested in an exhibit on race and one about the dancer, Katherine Durham? Although she died in New York, she considered East St. Louis, Illinois, her home for almost thirty years.”
“A history buff.”
Levi shrugged. “Don’t get too impressed. I like to preserve the history of old neighborhoods, especially black ones. After my cousins and I rehabbed this one-story bungalow just for fun, we couldn’t believe the transformation. As more of a challenge, we sought bigger projects until finally we earned the degrees and got the business licenses. We believe restoration is preservation.”
“Although I didn’t know you before, I’m proud of you and what you’ve accomplished.” She squeezed his hand.
Levi felt a prick to his heart as if a needle was tightening a suture. He choked. He couldn’t get a word out.
“The exhibit sounds fun. In another life, I would’ve been a dancer. Now, I’m like David in the Bible and performing for the Lord.”
“That’s another thing that’s attractive. You focus on Christ. My life needs that.”
He was satisfied when she complied. Her hands were warm and soft, but not as soft as they would be. Christmas was coming. He would add perfumes and lotions to her list. Levi drove to Route 159 then exited on I-64 toward St. Louis.
