CHAPTER 10

 

Clarye tried to keep from staring and acting like she was not used to seeing such a fine specimen of a man like the one who towered before her. He reminded her of the tall, strong oak trees that lined the driveway leading up to her home. She mumbled apologies while she fumbled with her crutch handle, trying not to show how overcome she was with emotion. His voice and the touch of his gentle hand, as he steadied her to keep her from falling, sent waves of passion rippling through her frail body.

He simply asked, “Is this your usual way of meeting men?”

At once Clarye’s defense mechanisms kicked in and she angrily said, “What do you mean by that? Do you think I’m some hopeless case out here on the prowl for a man? Just who do you think I am? I might appear that way to you, sir, but I’m here to tell you that you have definitely read me wrong.”

“Hey, slow down, sista. I was only joking. I didn’t mean to send you off there, Shorty.”

Clarye began to settle down but her stomach was in a tight knot. She was drawn to this man like a magnet and immediately began to think to herself, Is he the one? Girl, wake up from your fantasy, of course he’s not. But there was something different, something special already about this handsome, tall, lean, dark stranger. She wanted to find out more.

Clarye quickly came back to reality, as she gathered her composure and lowered her voice. “I’m sorry. I was in a hurry to get inside the store. I forgot to get ice cream for my grandson’s birthday party. It’s starting in a couple of hours,” she said and glanced at the fancy timepiece on her left wrist. “My mind was totally on one track.”

“No apology needed. Let me help you get the ice cream,” he said.

Clarye looked up and immediately went off on a tantrum again. “Just because I’m on crutches I guess you think I’m an invalid or something. I’m very capable of doing it myself,” she retorted in that strong, independent voice she used when she was on the defense.

He continued walking beside her as if she had not said a word while Clarye hurriedly limped toward the freezer section of the huge grocery store.

“My name is, Gavin. Gavin Elliston,” he told her, without her asking.

“Well, Gavin,” she said with much attitude, “thanks for your help, but no thanks.”

Once again, Gavin acted as if she had said nothing and opened the door of the freezer that held the ice cream. “Shorty, do you have a name?” he asked.

“Yes, I do, and it’s definitely not, Shorty. It’s Clarye,” she replied. She chose EJ’s favorite, chocolate chip ice cream. Gavin immediately took it from her hand and, Clarye, without hesitation, allowed him to do so. They turned around and headed toward the checkout counter. When Clarye reached inside her black Gucci handbag for the money to pay for the ice cream, Gavin told the cashier, with a wave of his hand, to let Clarye go on through.

“Well, how did you pull that one off?” Clarye said arrogantly. “Are you supposed to be the owner or something, or is she one of your midnight rendezvous?”

“Yes, as a matter of fact I am the owner,” Gavin kindly answered. “And that young lady is one of my employees.”

Clarye’s cream colored face turned a bright red. She was so embarrassed. She was constantly making a fool of herself around this man, and she didn’t understand why.

“Thank you,” she said.

“You’re welcome,” Gavin replied.

Clarye hastily made her way to her vehicle. Gavin followed. She thanked him for his help and went on to tell him that she really had to go. She still had lots of loose ends to tie up before EJ’s party and the clock was swiftly ticking away. He opened the door for her, as his strong, gentle hands boosted Clarye up into the high seat of the vehicle. Clarye could feel heat rising from within her and hoped that Gavin didn’t notice that she was becoming rather taken with him, to put it mildly.

He must have sensed it though, or he was feeling the same way too because he said to her with that rich, smooth as silk voice, “Can I call you later tonight, or is there a “Mr. Clarye” in your life?”

“Sure,” she said. “You can call me. But I’m telling you now, I’m not looking for a relationship or a roll in the sack, and I don’t need your pity either.” She scribbled her number down hurriedly, started the engine, and said, matter of factly, “Oh, by the way, there is no “Mr. Clarye” or anyone else in my life for your information.” As she began to back up out of the parking space, she could have sworn she saw Gavin smiling. She also felt something that she didn’t quite know how to define. What Clarye didn’t know was, the definition of what she was feeling was, Love.

Clarye entered the spiraling entrance leading to the house. Ever since she had left the store, butterflies jiggled and fluttered inside her stomach. She could still see Gavin’s long, slender body and coal black, wavy hair. She began to fantasize about how it would be to have his luscious looking lips pressed against hers. She could still feel the touch of his hand and the strength in his body when he lifted her into her truck. She rested momentarily in the feeling of tenderness he displayed. She was in awe of all the emotions going on inside of her.

Clarye came back to herself, swerving to keep from running down a squirrel that had crossed her path. These happy go lucky creatures inhabited her yard and she loved it. Her dog, Roc, even loved to chase them.

The weather was agreeing with her plans and she knew that EJ’s party was going to be nice. She always went out of her way to provide him with the finer things of life without spoiling him.

After EJ’s mother was murdered, Clarye assumed the role of mother as well as grandmother in EJ’s life. EJ understood she was his grandmother, but he had always called her, Momma, even when Sandy was alive. EJ was a special little boy, with an exceptional gift of wisdom. He had a way of bringing constant joy to Clarye’s life.

She grabbed the ice cream and hurried down the brick path to the side door leading into the sunroom. She began to prepare the food. The menu included grilled hotdogs and hamburgers, riblets, chicken tenders, potato chips, party bags and gifts galore. EJ had invited ten of his closest friends. While she was making the last minute preparations, Eric, Jeremy and EJ pulled into the drive. She looked out the bay window of the kitchen. A smile of pure pleasure and happiness rushed over her when she saw the three of them getting out of Eric’s blue, drop top BMW.

She was elated that she could now provide her sons and grandson with the finer material pleasures of this life. They’d always been good sons and they stuck by their mother. Clarye had vowed to herself long ago that if she ever became successful with her writing or in anything for that matter that they would no longer be deprived of the things she wanted so much to do for them when they were growing up. Clarye’s mother called them, “Momma’s Boys.” And Clarye had to admit that her mother was right in her own way. They were her boys, even though they were men. They were her strong towers, and her strength. And though it was never said, it had been because of her love for them that she kept on pressing on the journey called life, during the many times she felt like giving up.

EJ hurried into the kitchen hollering, “Momma, are you through fixing the stuff for my party?”

“Well, EJ, you certainly weren’t here to help me, so what do you think?” Clarye asked.

“I think you’re finished,” EJ said, confidently. “We have to hurry up though, Momma, because my friends will be here soon.”

Eric walked in and rushed EJ off at that moment. “Go to your room and get your clothes ready. Then I want you to take your bath and get cleaned up for your party,” he told him in that firm, fatherly tone.

Eric was also Clarye’s agent. He had done a fantastic job of managing her writing career. Jeremy was a successful comedian, but he also helped out in Clarye’s writing career and dabbled in writing himself. They all played an important part in each other’s lives.

Jeremy was engaged to a nice young lady named, Trisha. Even though Clarye liked Trisha, she still considered her to be a whiner and spoiled. But because Jeremy loved her with all of his heart, it was enough for Clarye; so she loved her too.

Eric had not been in a long lasting, serious relationship since EJ’s mother died. He constantly drifted in and out of relationships. Clarye was thankful for her writing because it provided some emotional and financial stability in Eric’s life. She believed that one day the right woman would come along and Eric could learn how to love again.

As a family, they had indeed experienced much difficulty, pain and long struggles, complete with sleepless nights and worry. Yet she and her sons maintained a strong belief in God, in His mercy and in His goodness.

There were many nights she had cried and cried, not knowing how she was going to provide for them. She remembered the days of food stamps and welfare, of standing in line for government assistance on her utility bill, of ducking and dodging creditors. Now God had delivered her, delivered them, from it all. He had truly poured out blessing upon blessing on their lives. Clarye never failed to teach them to always be thankful and to never let go of their faith.

“We’ve had some rough days and nights,” she had told Ada more than once. “But I believe it’s been worth the struggle.”

Clarye had arrived. Because of God’s blessings, she was making it in a world full of evil, crookedness and deceit.

EJ’s party went over well. He got loads and loads of presents. Eric had gotten him the red, Schwinn bicycle he had been praying to God for every night. Jeremy bought him a new pair of those overpriced tennis shoes that EJ had spotted in a catalog, along with the matching jersey and pants. Clarye brought him a leather, burgundy Bible with his name engraved on the front and a fourteen karat gold chain with a cross hanging from it. They had clowns and a live DJ at the party. Ada came by and helped Clarye serve the food. Trisha came over with an arm full of presents and a helping hand.

During the birthday party, Clarye confided in Ada about Gavin. She told her all the things that she was feeling and how she really tried to play hardball with him.

Ada was thrilled to hear about Gavin. “Clarye, you may have stumbled on a live one, girl. From the way you’ve described him, I think I’ve seen him before when I’ve gone in that store. I guess all of the EZ Shopper grocery stores are owned by him. I knew they were black owned, but I didn’t know the owner’s name.”

“Well, now you know,” said Clarye and started giggling.

“He has to be banked too,” added Ada.

“I’m sure he is. Look at all the stores he has. But, girl, I can’t get caught up with anybody else.” Clarye told her. “I’ve said “I do” three times and each time I fell lower than before. I just can’t do it. After all, a man as fine, and loaded as he is has to be a playa or have a steady woman somewhere.”

“Girl, it’s time for you to step out,” Ada chimed in quickly. “You’re doing well for yourself in everything but the man department. It’s time for you to take the risk. Sure, you’ve not had much success. No, I take that back. You haven’t had any success in relationships but that’s even more reason for me to believe that this just might be the one. How are you going to know if you don’t take the chance?”

Clarye said nothing. She couldn’t say anything. She was too frightened of what she was feeling. She was afraid that her secret friend, Pain, would quickly return if she gave in to her emotions. That was something she just couldn’t allow to happen. She had fought too long to get Pain out of her life and she refused to open the door for it again.

“Anyway,” Clarye said to Ada, “He probably isn’t going to call anyway. I bet he threw my number away as soon as he saw me disappear from the parking lot. Like I said, he’s probably just a playa anyway.”

“Okay, stubborn woman, but he’s going to call. You’re gorgeous, Clarye. The man would be a fool to let you slip through his fingers.”

“Spoken like a best friend, Ada.”

“I’m telling you what God loves, girlfriend – the truth.” Ada and Clarye laughed.

Clarye prayed that Ada was right.