Lela slowly closed the front door behind her as she watched Trevor standing at the end of the driveway. Taking measure steps toward him she scavenged her mind for the most plausible explanation. An explanation that didn't involve her telling him the real reason she was at Russell's house. Unfortunately, the only thing in her mind was the clicking of her ankle boots on the tan concrete. As she swiped her hand along the dark green F-150 she had no lie so she went with the first thing that came out of her mouth.

       "What are you doing here?"

        Trevor stopped tossing his keys narrowing his eyes, "What am I doing here? What are you doing here?"

       "I'm um...you know this is the house we painted." She stopped rubbing the back of her neck to point to the house.

         "Yeah...and we already checked out our work. So, I repeat...what are you doing here?"

        Lela combed her hand down her freshly done braids, "I don't think that's really important."

       "Hey, Lela!" A blonde girl yelled and waved as she sped by on her bike.

        Lela waved back, "Hey Julia!"

      "Don't tell me...you're babysitting!" Trevor dropped his head

       Lela watched the cool autumn breeze play in his gold tresses in need of brushing as a smile grew on her face. Babysitting, that was a good alibi; one she could stay by. It wouldn't be a lie because it was partly true. "Yes."

      Her answer brought laughter from the boy, "What's  funny?" She slapped him on the shoulder.

     "You...babysitting." He held his stomach. "How dumb do you think I am?" His laughter died giving way to a sniff. His blue eyes focused on her. "Does Safiya know you're here?"

      Lela leaned against the truck. A smile should have painted victory on her face. Trevor had supplied her with the perfect story. She could just tell him that she was at Russell's house to speak with Carter; who was present in the backyard playing catch with CJ. Of course, there would be some blowback with Safiya if Trevor let the word about her visit to Carter's house slip but that wasn't the thing causing her stomach to churn like a tornado. Nausea battled up her esophagus. It was all becoming too much. The way he stood there staring at her like she was the last present under the Christmas tree with his name on it. The present he waited, wished and prayed for all year. Her heart thudded like a continuous sixteenth note. She couldn't do it anymore. Not with him.

        Lela breathed deeply, "We need to talk."

       "Are you breaking up with me?" All the blood drained from Trevor's face as his frantic eyes searched hers.

       "No." Lela abandoned the side of the truck stepping closer to him. She interlocked her fingers with his. The warmth of his skin against hers heated her entire body making her feel loved and safe at the same time. That feeling she hunted for but was denied with every failed relationship. "I'm not breaking up with you...but you might after I tell you the truth."

      "The truth." His fingers tightened around hers. "What do you mean?"

••••••

       There were two things good about the Russell house. It had a guestroom and it was three streets away from Trevor's. So, if this went to hell she'd have somewhere to recovery and pull herself together before going home. After the word truth fell out of her mouth for the second time, Trevor rushed her to his Land Rover and brought them back to his house. Footsteps were the only noise in the house was bathed in orange light. Trevor couldn't stop tapping his foot as he watched Lela pace in front of the wall of windows.

       "Wh-What truth do you need to tell me?" He wiped his hand down his polo shirt.

        She stopped walking. Was that five times or six, the pesky thought fluttered in her mind. She shook it away. She didn't need to do that, not right now. Now, was not the time for her to count her paces. "I lied."

       Trevor rubbed his face then refocused on her, "I don't know what you're talking about."

      "The things I told you weren't true." Lela shakily spoke wringing her hands. "My...my parents are divorced.... but my Dad's not an alcoholic...I mean he does...um...drink a lot but he drinks a lot because of me." She nodded as tears started swelling in the beds of her eyes. He started to stand but she gestured for him to stay where he was. " If you come over here I won't be able to finish and Sylvan said—"

     "Sylvan?" Trevor inched to the edge of the couch. "Isn't that the lady whose living room we painted...Carter's plain wife?" His head tilted to the side.

      "Yes, that's her." Lela took in a deep breath; this part was going to be hard. "She's not just Carter's wife...she's my therapist." She watched his mouth open, which was why she began to pace. Just two more times then everything would be fine. The little voice told her. "I...have a problem." She spoke as she walked, one more to go. "I have OCD. People think it's just some germaphobe disease where we want things clean and organized but it's not." Her voice creaked remembering all the pain she endured, the cold nights in the hospital and lonely days in the recreation room. "It's not!" The tears rolled from her face as her legs weaken. She dropped to the floor. She felt him by her side before she took in her next breathe.

      "It's okay." Trevor soothing uttered stroking her back. "I've had friends with OCD. I know it's an illness." He leaned in to kiss her cheek but she pulled back. "What?"

      "I lied." She held her hand to her eye trying to stop the tears from falling. "I lied to you. I am an albatross. My parents went broke trying to help me. I am here...in this city... because they sent me here because they couldn't take it anymore. I'm crazy." He shook his head trying to wrap his arm around her but she pushed him away. "I don't know about your friend but they're not me. I'm the real deal. I spent almost two years in a mental hospital on and off. I tried to kill myself more than once. I...am a...burden and no matter how much you love me now...one day if this monster rears its head again you will hate me."

      "Never." This time Trevor didn't let her push him away. He pulled her into him. "So what you're sick." He held her chin and turned her face to his. He brushed away the tears trickling down her lip. "Everyone on this planet has a problem. I gamble and went to rehab for it...I'm a burden too."

     "It's not the same." She held his hand on her face hoping to always feel his touch. "And you know it."

     "We both have burdens." He peered deeply into her eyes as his pupils grew. "I won't leave you because of you."

      Lela's shaky hands fell on his chest but she couldn't find the strength to push him away, "I won't leave you for—" His mouth merged with hers before she could finish. Lela opened her hungry mouth so she could taste more of him.

       Trevor released her lips, "I forgive you." He rasped propping his forehead against hers. "But you lied to me and that hurts." He kissed her forehead before letting her go.

       Lela's eyes slowly scrolled open to the sight of the empty dark living room. He wasn't just hurt, he was angry. Very angry from the thunderous way the front door slammed. As she heard his engine crack one thought came to her mind, was that seven paces are eight. You know eight...

       "Stop it. Stop it. Stop it." She told herself. "I can not stop things I am merely human. So, God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change...." She muttered off the prayer as she flicked on the kitchen light. She slipped off her boots and rummaged in the pantry. She came out the pantry hugging the glass jars of flour and sugar. She needed to go to her happy place and that place was baking.