Excerpt From: AGAPE: Chapter One~ The Triangle

Robert

The snow had been falling all day. It covered the ground like a thick white blanket. The air was brisk and the evening was calm. I had been sitting in my office all day soaking my heart because I had not learned how to deal with my break up from Tiffany. I was alone, and I felt empty. My heart seemed like an empty hull of a cargo ship contaminated with bitterness. Tiffany was the woman I thought and dreamt of sharing the remainder of my life. It often felt as if I loved her more than breathing. Many nights I would rest in my bed trying desperately to keep my mind from thinking of her. There would be moments when I would reminisce of her perfume, and my stomach would cramp so badly that it felt like knots were forming. My friends had warned me of giving my heart to her without any hesitance. But, I would always say to them that it was no good to share or offer love without wanting to take a risk. I told them that the beauty of sharing the heart is being able to expose and release the most vulnerable and sensitive areas of who we are. However, I’ve learned there is also a consequence for daring to love so boldly. When it all is done, and the person you’ve shared your life decides that you are not the person to share their life- then it feels is if you are abandoned in a world with no lifeline, little hope, and a heart ripped to shreds. Every day the weight of loneliness would lay heavy on my shoulders. I felt a worthlessness of being distant from everything I was once apart. There was not a day I did not pray for God to place some relief in my life so that I could once again feel loved. I prayed that he would send Tiffany back to me.

Then one evening while driving in the snow I decided rather than going home from work and face the cold white walls that laughed at my pain, I would go dancing and try to forget all the things Tiffany and I used to share. I would not think of the days we would sit in the kitchen talking and laughing. I would not think of the days we would sit in the gazebo outside by my condo and share intimate secrets. I would not think of the days where we cuddle so close that I could feel her heart beating within me. No, I would not do that at all. I would simply allow the sound of music to soothe me, while my body cast away my sorrows in a dance.

Serena

I‘ve had several men in my life. All of them wrong of course. I‘m the kind of woman who wants to love, but every time I give my heart, it gets broken. I got married at twenty years age. Back then everything seemed so perfect. I’ve later learned that love changes. By the age of twenty-three, I was divorced, and at that time, I had lost a lot of the giddiness of love that consumed that better portion of my life. In many ways, I gave up on love. I gave up on men. And, at one point, I felt like giving up on life. Of course, I continued to search for that one perfect man, only to understand that there was no such man. Now I am twenty-eight with two children, and we live in a world where men aren’t welcomed. I feel as if all I need are my children. Many nights I have sat lonely staring in the eyes of my gray colored walls, while remembering my girlish childhood. I can see the smiles I used to share. There are many instances where I would remember my friends and I would talk about the men we would marry. In our minds, they were always the prince’s who came to sweep us off our feet. I carried that thought with me for a very long time- only to find myself exposed to struggles and painful physical and emotional abuse. It was at that moment when I decided that I wouldn’t search anymore for any man because a man could never provide me with the type of love I needed. What man could ever fit up to the expectation of fully giving himself without worrying if his manhood would be destroyed by his sensitiveness? Could there ever be a man that put away the wick for his desire to be with a woman for the hope of true joy? What man could lose him in the concept of love, and have the steadiness of not becoming consumed with how society views him? What man could give up the need to please his own desires and surrender his heart without any hesitation? If he was ever out there, I never met him. Therefore, I stopped looking and believing that type of man exists. My home is now my refuge, my children are my comfort, and in my mind that is all I need.

Then one night, my girlfriends got tired of me wasting time at home and asked me to go out with them dancing, so I did. That night I would enjoy myself. It was that night I met a man. He was real. He didn’t have to say a word, and I felt he understood what it meant to love. My girlfriends thought I was crazy. When I expressed how I felt they blamed my understanding on the fact I hadn’t been with a man in more than a year. I explained to them that it was more than the need to fuel my desires by his strong hands and a comforting touch. My life had taught that I was more than just a woman who needed to be savagely aroused. I was complete without a man. However, when I saw him my heart trembled. There was something about his eyes that captured me. I could taste his scent from across a crowded room. I was intrigued, and caught by surprise. Innocently he sat alone watching everyone else have a good time. Nearly thirty-minutes I stared at him and eager to know his thoughts, his pains, and intentions for life. I was in awe. His skinned shadowed in the dim lights. Every now and again, I would glance and catch him peeking at me. There was chemistry between us that I couldn’t explain. Blushing like a schoolgirl, I couldn’t keep my eyes away, and that is when my girlfriends finally convinced me to introduce myself. So, I did. I walked over, and asked if he cared to dance. Without any hesitance, I stretched my hand to him, and when he touched me, there was a feeling that came over that couldn’t be described. I paused for a moment to catch my breath, and out of nowhere a flutter entered my stomach as if my nerves had become unraveled. I escorted him to the dance floor. We talked, danced, and when he held me during a slow song I could feel a gentleness I had never felt in a man. It was like a settled calm, an exquisite breeze, and a hurt of emptiness. His eyes stared through my soul and the more he looked down at me with his hands wrapped around my waist- I felt safe. During this brief encounter with him holding me close- I felt comfort. We danced the entire night. And, although the room was full with people- all I could see was his face. His skin was brown like cinnamon, eyes dark, and a smile that was tender. He captured my heart and I had no problem of letting it go. All those years of tears and pain with little happiness, I could somehow feel calmness in him. It was bizarre. However, I had always been the kind of woman that believed by chance anything could happen. When the night ended we exchanged telephone numbers, and that’s how it all began. That is when it all began.

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Excerpt From: 7 Personalities A Short Story Collection

Secret In The Shadow

By the end of the night I stood waiting, and hoping Savannah would arrive. I stood on the edge of the dock where Savannah and I met a dozen times sneaking to each other like thieves in the night. The light of the moon danced off the ocean giving this enchanting beauty of a place where lovers are supposed to meet. The air was brisk. I kept my hands in my pocket keeping them warm as the wind brushed off me informing me the presence of winter slowly approaching.

The dock would have been quiet if not for the sounds of crickets chirping sweet tunes of nature while the small gray and white river tour boat tooted its horn seemingly every ten minutes. The sky was dark. The twinkle of the stars glittered brightly like perfectly cut diamonds. The little seafood restaurant sitting at the edge of the peer was interestingly busy for this time of the year. Usually by the end of the summer all the vacationers are gone.

It was nearly nine and she still had not arrived, and this was unusual for her. I began to worry, but we had this agreement if one of us did not show within an hour of the visit something had happened disrupting the evening we’re suppose to share. " What could be keeping her?" I thought. But the reality of it all was that I knew that the mere fact she had a husband at home could be the reason of her absence. Slowly I walked back to the edge of the dock looking behind me hoping the woman I had fallen in love with would be there. Ten o'clock arrived and there still was no Savannah.

Two o'clock the next afternoon I sat at my desk drawing sketches of a new office complex which my company had contracted from Smith and Williams- one of the largest Reality firms in Va. Beach. I had been working for Johnson and Son's Architecture firm four years. My office was semi large with a beautiful window view of fish boats sailing across the Chesapeake. Often I would look out the window pretending I was one of the fishermen. I enjoyed fishing. My father used to take me as a young boy. He and I would go sit on the edge of Salem Pond every Saturday talking about how a man should be, and what is expected of a man in this world. I had always enjoyed the talks my father and I used to share. My father had this great insight of wisdom where he could take the most complex issues of life and explained them in the minutest way. I missed him. Ever since he died a year ago I have had this longing for him to come and give me some answers to some of the troubles that hurdled over my live. I miss the way his dark eyes would look down at me, and how his thick mustache would wrinkle upon his caramel skin whenever he spoke. My father was a great man. He had grown up in the small county of Amelia where tall trees stood as skyscrapers and every morning deers ran across the front lawn

Papers were scattered all across my office. They were on the desk, the floor- I mean everywhere. Being neat is not one of my attributes. I can remember my mother screaming at the top of her lunges. "Eric if you don't bring your butt up these stairs and clean this room, you will never see the outside again." Even to this day with me being thirty-three years of age my mother visits my office fussing at me for the clutter I've made. In less than an hour she would straighten it up making it look like something out of ' HouseKeeping Magazine.' My mother is the world to me. I can truly say she was the backbone of our family. My mother had a way of making my father stay a rational man when many times he would explode, frustrated by the day. I can remember on several occasions she placing her frail body next to him wiping his tears of anger and giving him the support he needed. She was such a small woman but had the strength of a thousand.

Two men walked in my office. One African American, and the other Caucasian. The Caucasian gentleman had on gray slacks with a dark blue blazer. He had his hair in a ponytail held together by a black rubber band. He was a very large man weighing at least two hundred and sixty pounds. A scar was located underneath his left eye. The other gentleman stood with shades covering his eyes. He wore black pants with a black jacket and white shirt. He stood no more than five feet seven inches, and had his hair cut like an army crew cut. I raised my head when I heard them open the door.

" May I help you." I asked.

" Yes you may.".

" My name is detective Williams and this is my partner Ross. Are you Eric Smithers." They showed their badges.

I stood straight curiously looking at the detectives wondering why they were in my office. My heart began to pound.

" Yes. I'm Eric Smithers. How can I help you detectives?"

Detective Ross pulled out a photo and showed it to me.

" Do you know this woman Mr. Smithers?" He asked glaring down for my response.

It was a picture of Savannah. I didn't know how to respond. My heart began to beat even faster. She had been beaten very badly. I took the picture and sat quickly in my chair. I stared at the picture trying my best to keep the tears from falling.

" Yes I know her." Answering with a deep breath." What happened? Is she okay?"

" Not quite sir." Answered Detective Ross. " She's in Va. Medical. A couple found her last night unconscious on Virginia Beach Blvd. She's hurt pretty badly. We tried asking her questions, but she refuses to talk with anyone, but you. We need for you sir to come with us so that we can find out what happened to her."

I held the picture in my hand, and whispered silently to myself.

" My precious Savannah. What happened to you?"

Gently I wiped my finger across the picture.

" Yes I'll go with you." I grabbed my coat and put it on and just before we walked out of the office Detective Williams grabbed my shoulder. I turned to look at him.

" If you don't mind Mr. Smithers. Can you tell me how you know Ms. Jefferson?"

" We're good friends." I answered and walked out of the office.

Joyce my secretary was sitting at her desk as we came out. She looked at me puzzled to what was happening.

" Is anything wrong Mr. Smithers?" She asked.

" Everything is find Joyce. Take messages for me, and let everybody know I'll be out of the office for a while."

As I sat in the back seat of the unmark blue Chrysler four door police car my mind was searching a million thoughts a minute trying to figure out who would do such a thing to Savannah. I couldn't get the photo off of my mind. Savannah's eyes were punched so badly that dark blue marks circled them. What kind of person would beat a woman so bad that her lips would become two times the normal size, and punch her so hard the jaws would swell? The more I thought the angrier I became. Small teardrops began to fall from my eyes. I didn't know how I would react when I would see her.

The hospital was kind of hectic. We came through the emergency room door. In all the thirty-three years I had lived in the Virginia Beach area did I know so much chaos to be in VA Medical? People were coming in with blood all over them. Babies were crying. There was even a guy panhandling right in the middle of the emergency room lobby.

We took the back stairs to the fourth floor where Savannah had been placed in a room. I didn't understand the reason we didn't take the elevator, but I was following the detectives. The floor Savannah was on was very quiet. It seemed very organized. As we walked down the narrow hallway to Savannah's room a nurse passed us pushing a cart with fresh linens. A guard stood in front of the room where Savannah was resting.

Before walking in her room I stood hesitantly outside the door peaking through preparing myself for the tragedy I was about to see. There she rested with Band-Aids on her face. I had to collect my thoughts before opening the door. Detective Ross with a small shove pushed me in my back as to tell me to go ahead in the room. I turned and looked at him. He could see the sadness in my eyes. Detective Williams looked at me then at Detective Ross, and said,

" Let him go in first. Then when he has finished talking to her we'll go inside."

I nodded my head as to say thank you. He nodded back. I walked inside. There was a nurse standing over top of Savannah fixing the I.V drip. I walked over. When the nurse was done she walked out. Gently I sat on the edge of the bed taking Savannah by the hand.

"Savannah." I whispered.

She turned her head slightly catching view of who I was. A smile came over her face.

"Eric." She said in a light voice.

" Yes Savannah. It's me."

I picked up her hand and kissed it.

" Why he do this to me Eric?" She asked and then turned her head with small teardrops falling from the side of her eyes."

" Who did this Savannah? Do you know?"

" It was a man Eric. Some man."

The detectives then walked in the door. Detective Williams stood very close to me while Detective Ross stood at the foot of the bed. I looked at Detective Williams, and told him of what she had said.

" She said a man did this to her."

Detective Williams looked down at her pulling a pad and an ink pen out of his jacket.

"Did you see what the man looked like Ma'am?"

" No." She answered swallowing saliva trying to speak more.

I reached over to the small bed stand placed next to the bed and poured her some water from the pitcher resting on top of it. She drank the water and answered Detective Williams.

" He had on a mask. I didn't see him. I was getting in my car. He grabbed me, and that's all I can remember."

" Where was your car parked Ma'am?

" In the garage of the parking lot where I work." Savannah then waved her hands as to let the Detective know she had no more answers for him. I then looked at Savannah, and I asked her.

" Do you think Joshua would do this to you?"

She looked at me and turned her head. Both detectives looked at me and at the same time they asked, " Who is Joshua?"

" Joshua is her husband." I responded watching them stare at me with this look of confusion as to ask, " Why are you here instead of him?"

Detective Ross walked from the edge of the bed and around to the side where I was sitting.

"If Joshua is her husband then who are you." He asked with this curious notion of Savannah's and my relationship.

" Like I told you back at the office. I'm a good friend."

He looked at me understanding what kind of friend I was to Savannah. He also had a look on his face expressing something was wrong with this picture.

"If you detectives don't mind I think she has answered enough questions for right now. I think we should let her rest."

" Okay." Said Detective Ross. " But, if you don't mind I'd like to speak with you in the hall."

I placed my hand on Savannah's shoulder, leaned over, and kissed her on the forehead.

"I'll be right back okay."

I stood and walked out to the hallway where the detectives were waiting. We waited for the door to close completely so that Savannah would not be disturbed by the conversation.

" Mr. Smithers." Said Detective Ross. " It looks like to me that you and Mrs. Jefferson are a little more than friends."

" Yes Detective we are. We've been more than friends for two years now. I love Savannah. She loves me. Joshua doesn't care anything about her."

" Does Joshua know about you."

"I don't know if he does. From what I here about him. I don't think he would care if he did."

Detective Williams walked over to me and placed his hand on my shoulder. Lightly he whispered in my ear.

" You mean to tell me this man won't care if his wife is sneaking behind his back."

"From what Savannah tells me sir. No he wouldn't"

" Huh interesting." Detective Williams answers and then walks away.

" One more question Mr. Smithers." Detective Ross says as he puts his pad and pen back in his suit pocket. " Where we can we find Joshua? And one more thing. Don't you think it is strange for a woman to call her lover before she calls her husband?"

" To answer that question detective. No. Especiallly when you find a woman that loves another man more than she loves her husband. And to your other question. You more likely to catch him at work. That's where he spends most of his time. He works for Lankin and Associates Criminal Defenses."

I turned to walk away thinking I was done with the questions, and right before I opened the door to the room Detective Williams called my name.

" Mr. Smithers. You rode with us. Will you need a ride to your office?"

" No I'm okay I'll get my secretary to pick me up."

I walked in the room and they walked off. I sat beside Savannah for an hour watching her sleep before calling Joyce to pick me up. The entire time I wondered who could do such a thing? While pointing all blame to Joshua.

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