Chapter 8 Meeting the Ex

          The next morning I had a dopey grin on my face as soon as I saw Jamie. I thought long and hard about what he did and everything he's said to me since I'd known him, and decided to give him that chance. Like he said last night it's just not nice to make a grown man beg like a dog.
       We would have to take it slow, way slower than he was probably use to, but I would try. We kept the kids busy for the rest of the day before heading back that night. They both talked about how much fun they had had till they both feel asleep. Jamie helped me get them into the house once we made it home before leaving me with another blazing kiss goodnight before heading home.
      The next day at the diner Ms. Winnie tried to get me to spill the beans on how the camping trip went but I wouldn't say a word. It was funny watching the old woman turn red before she marched off like a toddler in a fit. That afternoon a man came in the diner holding a dozen red roses. The prettiest roses I'd ever seen. He came up to the bar where Ms. Winnie and I were both standing.
      "Which one of you are Ms. Marie Long?"
      "That's me." I held my hand up to show.
      "These are for you. There's a card right there." He set the vase down I front of me with the card right in front.
      Ms. Winnie started to reach for the card as soon as the delivery man pointed it out. "I wonder who they're from." I swatted her hand away and snatched the card quickly. I have the old bat the best evil eye I could. "It's for me Ms. Winnie, not for you."
     "At least let me see child." She gave me a not very innocent smile. "You'll just find a way to read it anyway old woman." She swatted me on the ass hard "You watch your tongue I ain't that old child." I just shook my head and opened the card.
     'There is a rose for each time I've thought about you in the last hour alone. Didn't think you would go for the semi-truck it would take to deliver one for every time I've thought of you since last night. I'm stuck on a site so I won't make it to the diner to see you today, but I was wondering if I could take you out this Saturday to help you get your mind off the kids. I promise you'll love it. I'll call you tonight. Jamie'
      "Well about time that boy grew a pair and asked you out, but damn if that means Mabel won the bet! Why couldn't he wait two more days then it would have be me!" Ms. Winnie was shouting by the time she finished. Gus came running from the kitchen at the sound of her loud screams with a knife in one hand and a big ladle in the other. "What's wrong?"
      "Nothing Gus, Mabel won the bet is all."
      "Well damn. I never win the pot! I had three slots last week."
      "Hold up, what bet?" Gus actually looked embarrassed but Ms. Winnie didn't even flinch. "We had a pool going to see how long it take him to finally ask you out. One hundred and twenty bucks so far and Mabel had today. Oh I gotta go call her she's gonna be so happy." Ms. Winnie turned and headed for her office Gus following back into the kitchen behind her leaving me standing there with my mouth hanging open.
      Ms. Winnie left me alone for the rest of the day after that and surprisingly the other two sisters didn't say anything about it that afternoon either. They had no idea how thankful I was they did that.
     That was the first time a man had ever sent me flowers, and I wasn't about to let the sisters know that.
     Bree couldn't believe how big they were, and demanded they be placed on the table in the living room as soon as we got home.
    The rest of the week flew by. The closer it got to Friday the more withdrawn the kids seem to get. Till finally Ms. Mabel asked me what was wrong with them and I finally told her they had to see their father this weekend. She didn't know everything he did to us, but she had a pretty clear picture and was genuinely worried for them.
     Thursday night Dewayne called to let me know he had checked into his hotel room for the weekend and wanted to know where he should meet me to pick up the kids. There was absolutely no way I was letting him anywhere near our home, so I told him to meet us at the diner around four when I got off and the kids would be back from their sitter.
    I was shaking by the time I hung up the phone with him. The first time I'd heard his voice since he'd beaten me almost unconscious and locked me in that bathroom. I was back in that room behind that locked door now. I could hear the kids screaming and felt the stinging in my hands from beating on the door so hard trying to get out.
    The ringing of my phone brought me out of the memory. Jamie's name flashing across my screen. I shook off the last of the feeling and answered the phone.
    "Same time again tonight Mr. Shaw. You just can't help but stick to a schedule can you?" "Not when it helps me spend as much time with you." I couldn't help but laugh at the cheesy line.
     "Theirs that sound I've been dreaming about for days. How is your night going so far darling? Thinking about Saturday and where I'm taking you?" "You know it's not fair to keep a girl in the dark. You are supposed to give me some hint so I know how to dress."
     "Baby you could wear a brown paper sack and you'd still light my world on fire." The seriousness of his tone had me flushing. My blood running from my head to my toes. "Well then, if you say so."
     "I do. How are the kids? Still down about tomorrow?" At the mention of the kids Dewayne's phone call came back to mind. "Still not saying much. Their dad called me a moment ago to let me know he's in Memphis and see where to come get them tomorrow."
     "What'd you tell him?"
     "He's coming to the diner around four tomorrow, and said he'd let me know when he was dropping them off Sunday."
      "You ok?" I thought about that for a second. Was I? The kids were the one I was worried about and other that having to hear his voice again nothing was really happing to me. I had to believe Dewayne wouldn't be stupid enough to do anything to the kids the first weekend he got them. He wouldn't need up anything with the judge.
      "I'm fine. I just hope the kids will be too." "They will momma bear, and I'll be there tomorrow waiting with you just in case anything happens."
       "Jamie you know you don't have to do that."
       "Darling when you gonna realize I might not have to, but when it comes to you I want to."
       "Thank you Jamie."
       "Anytime. Now get some sleep, and I'll see you tomorrow." "Bye Jamie." "Bye sweetheart." I hung up and went and got in the bed. Jamie's voice in my ear helping me fall asleep.
       The next day I was a ball of nervous, and every hour that passed the ball seem to grow bigger. I told Ms. Winnie and Gus that morning who was coming in that afternoon, and that the kids would be spending the weekend with him. They had both been checking the clock ever since. The diner was practically dead by three o'clock. Jamie came strolling in not that soon after.
       He made himself comfortable at the bar right in front of me, but I couldn't bring myself to look at him at the moment. Jamie didn't call me out on it either. Just sat there silently like he told me he would be.
      Ms. Mabel brought the kids in with their overnight bag about a quarter till. Bree rushed right up to me and locked me in a bear hug. Alex, like always, not two steps behind her. "I don't wanna go momma. Please don't make us go." Bree's whispered words almost killed me.
     I reached down and brought them both as close to me as I could. I tried to reassure them everything was going to be ok, and kept repeating how much I loved them. That's how Dewayne saw us when he walked into the diner ahead of schedule.
     The man I once found attractive just repulsed me now. Still a very large man, now his stomach muscles had turned into more of a gut. While his hairline was almost nonexistent. Same T-shirt and jeans he'd always wear down to the grease stain in the corner.
      "Well don't that just make the prettiest picture I've seen in months? Bree Alex come give your daddy a hug. I've missed y'all." Dewayne went down on one knee and held his arms open for the kids to come give him a hug.
      Both of them turned their faces up at me. Either asking for permission or seeking strength I wasn't sure. I shook my head ok and they both went to the father. Dewayne wrapped his arms around them both failing to notice how stiff their bodies had got in his arms. Bree pushed out of his hold quickly while Dewayne just smiled and grabbed Alex by the hand.
     "Y'all ready to go? I got a bunch of fun things for us to do this weekend y'all are gonna love it. Maybe your momma was right and we just needed a little vacation then everything will be alright. Right Marie?"
     I couldn't speak. Ever fear I thought I'd gotten over since leaving him came back and kept me in my place just like it was use to around him.
    "Tell your momma bye kids and go get in the car. I'll be right out I gotta talk to your momma about dropping y'all off." Bree and Alex rushed over to give me hugs and kisses before they hurried to Dewayne's car. Once they were out the door Dewayne turned his gaze back toward me. Looking me over from head to toe.
    "I must say Marie, I love the whore paint and the fancy new haircut. Maybe you might let me pay for a turn what ya say? For ole time's sake and all." Before I could even open my mouth to reply Ms. Winnie jumped in like an avenging angel. "Excuse me young man, but I be damn if you talk to her like that in my diner. You owe her an apology!"
     Dewayne just smiled, evil the only word I could use to describe that face. "Right. I'll see you Sunday Marie." With that he turned and walked out the door.
     Ms. Winnie was going off about how much of an ass he was, but I couldn't pay her any attention. I should have known he would say something about the way I looked. It shouldn't have been a surprise. I just thought he would be civil in front of a group of people he didn't know. Should have known that wouldn't have stopped him.
     Jamie came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist in a hug. "You ok gorgeous?" He whispered in my ear. That one word stopping all the negative ones Dewayne just said. I turned my face up toward his and gave him a grateful smile. "I'm ok. Nothing I haven't heard before." Jamie searched my eyes to make sure that was true. When he got his answer he gave me a smile back and kissed me on the forehead. "That's my girl."
    I gave him a small chuckle and pulled back from his embrace and turned to face him fully. "I'm gonna head home I guess. Clean the house up since the kids aren't there. Maybe it will stay clean for more than an hour this time."
    Jamie just shook his head ok and put his hands in the pocket of his jeans. "Ok sweetheart, I'll call you tonight. Oh and I guess I can give you just a little hint for tomorrow. Wear something sexy I've got big plans for you."
    He gave me a wink and I couldn't help but reach up and give him a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you. I can't wait till then." I said goodbye to everyone else and ran out of the diner before the tears could fall.
    Once I made it back to the trailer I called my best friend Shay and cried to her for the better part of the evening. When the waterworks finally died down she asked me about the date with Jamie and helped me decide on what to wear the next day. Shay had me laughing and joking by the time we ended our call. She was the only person who knows exactly what I need to make me feel better.
    Jamie called same as the nights before and wished me a good night, and told me how excited he was for our date tomorrow. No matter how hard I tried or what I promised him he wouldn't give me another clue on where we were going.
    The next day I mopped around the house till time to start getting ready. Jamie said he ready by four and the dress Shay and I had picked the night before required a little grooming more than the usual. So around two I got to work.
   By the time Jamie knocked on the door my hair was curled in waved down my back and my makeup was done in soft purple and grey tones to match the dress. My dress was a light purple off the shoulders that stopped right above the knee. It was tight on the top but flowed out passed the bust. It had a light grey belt under the bust that I matched with the only pair of heel I owned. They were black with grey polka dots peek toe stilettos. I grabbed my small black clutch purse and made my way toward the door.
    I took a break to get rid of the nerves before I opened the door for Jamie. I opened the door quickly and stepped out before I lost my nerve and turned around and changed. I was standing there waiting on Jamie to say something but nothing came. Finally I looked up to see if he was ok. Jamie's eyes were bugging out of their sockets while his jaw was hanging open. I snapped my fingers in front of his face a few times before he finally snapped out of it and said anything. "Darling you get better each time I see you. You look absolutely stunning. You ready to have fun tonight?"
     "Let's see what you call fun Mr. Shaw." Jamie hooked my arm in the bend of his elbow and helped me to his truck. He had to lift me into the seat fearing I would break something with these heels.
     Jamie drove a little ways into the city to a little hole in the wall building with a small sign over the door that read 'Steam Reservations Only'. It really didn't look like much from the outside.
     Jamie came and opened my door before helping me down. He placed my hand in the bend of his elbow, and started to head toward the door. "I know what you're thinking, but wait till you see the inside. This place is the best kept secret in all of Shelby County trust me."
     "Never judge a book and all that jazz, right?"
     "Sure." Jamie opened the door and there was a staircase on the other side leading up. Once I reached the top I stopped and stared in awe.
     The room had fairy lights all along he ceiling. The lighting was turned down to make the ceiling shine with small tables dotted across the room. A small band played with a dance floor in front of them. It was gorgeous.
     Jamie went to the host and gave his name. After checking something the older gentleman started leading us to a small table in the corner. The one with the most privacy. Jamie pulled my chair out for me, then placed a kiss on my bare shoulder as he pushed my chair back in. I caught his eyes over my shoulder as he removed his lips.
     I'd never seen anyone look at me with so much open lust before. It was a strange and heady feeling, one that I liked a lot, if I honest with you. I shot him a coy smile as he backed up and went to take his seat.
    The host placed the menus down in front of us then left. We didn't move. Neither of us could stop looking at the other. I wonder what was going thru Jamie's mind right then. What exactly he saw in me to make him look at me like that. I felt the blush rising to my cheeks so I grabbed the menu and tried to hide it.
    Jamie laughed and grabbed the top of the menu pulling it down where I could see him. "Don't hide from me darling. I love it when your cheeks turn that brilliant shade of red because of me." She gave me a wink before he let the top of the menu go.
    I lowered it back down, "Do you have no shame?"
   "Not really." His cockiness in full swing. I didn't give Jamie a reply instead I started looking through the menu right as the waiter came to the table. Jamie seemed to know the guy, because he greeted him by name.
    "Hey John, how's your night going?" The waiter gave Jamie a slap on the back. "Hey Jamie, I ain't seen you in a while. It's going smooth so far I can't complain. How you been man?"
     "Just working dude. John I would like you to meet my date Marie Long. Marie this is John Bishop. John and I have been friends since before I can remember, diaper days and all that, or so I'm told."
    John tried to hush Jamie up and started looking around. "Hey man I don't want everyone to know that. Then I'd have to start claiming your sorry ass." I started laughing. I liked this guy instantly.
    "What can I get y'all to drink?"
    "How about that bottle of wine I liked so much last time, and I'll have the usual."
    "And Marie?" If ever a cartoon moment come to life it would be John's face right now. "Wow dude, what story you tell her to get her to go out with you? She's way out of your league man, and I say that with much love dude." After John finally looked at me for the first time he bent down to Jamie's ear to ask him that. I'm sure he didn't mean for me to hear, but I did, and couldn't help the laughter from leaving my lips.
    Jamie gave John a 'Shut the hell up' look. "Thanks Bro, I really do feel the love." I managed to give John my order between the fits of laughter I was trying to stop. When John left to go get the wine Jamie sat their pouting. Reminding me of Alex when I took his favorite toy. It makes the giggles start up again.
     Jamie snaps out of it and gives me a big smile. "I love it when you laugh. Your whole face lights up with a look of pure joy."
    "I like John. I'm glad you have someone other than me to help keep that big ego of yours in check. "Ha ha. Trust me baby you do that just fine."
     Jamie reached across the table and grabbed my hand. Neither of us said a word just watched as Jamie played with my fingers. John came back with the wine and glasses in hand. Once he left Jamie grabbed his glass and raised it in a toast.
     "To the best first date with the most beautiful woman in the room." I clinked my glass with his and took a sip before the blush became apparent. Jamie didn't wait for the silence to lengthen before he broke it. "So Ms. Long where are you from? Were you born around here?"
     "I'm from a little town in Mississippi, but I didn't live there very long."
     "Where'd you go then?"
     "When my mom and dad divorced I moved with my mom to Little Rock Arkansas. But a few years later I was on my own and going wherever I wanted. So I traveled. All the way up the Pacific coast. Then back to the other coast to Virginia for a little while. Even visited most of the states in the Midwest. So much farm land you would be amazed."
      "All of that before the age of eighteen?"
      "I know right! I didn't have anywhere to go or anyone who wanted me so I went wherever I could."
     "And you question why I call you the strongest woman I know."
     "What about you. Did you stay in Bolton your whole life or have you lived somewhere else?"
     "The only time I lived somewhere else was when I loved to Starkville Mississippi to attend Mississippi State University after high school. My junior year me and a few guys went to Miami for spring break, and Cancun the year after that. I've traveled to a few states, even had to stay a few months depending on the project, but not nearly as many as you."
     I couldn't help but get a little green with envy at him. "When I was a little girl I always dreamed of going to Mississippi State. It was the first big dream I remember having, but when you don't go to high school and have a baby so young you realize that's all it will ever be. Just a dream."
    "That's one of the hardest things for me to believe. You are one of the smartest people I know. Your brain has so many different facts floating about whenever I ask you about something. You really never went to school?"
    "Nope. I didn't have a permanent address from the time I was fourteen. About four months before Bree was born I decided to take my GED without taking any of the classes the school made to everyone else take. After they saw my scores for the entrance exam they said I didn't need them and let me skip ahead. A month later the results came in the mail. Top three percent of all tested."
    "Holy Shit!" The shock that was on his face was quiet comical.
    "That's what I said too! I thought they sent me someone else's results but my name and I'd number were all over them. I took the scores and applied for my SAT a month later."
     "That was a big step. How'd you do on it?"
     "Eighteen on my first try. Better than sixty percent of the first time high schoolers. I figured I'd leave it at that and not push my luck a second time."
     "Hell that's better than what I made on my best score. Not just beautiful but a brain to match. What did you want to study if you had the chance to go?"
     This was something I was always up in the air about. Always going back and forth because maybe one day I could make one of them a reality.
     "It always came down to two thing and I've never been able to choose one or the other. The first was Architecture. I'd always loved the old antebellum homes and how they were built, and trying to bring them back to their former glory. The second didn't come till later after a certain time in my life. I wanted to get my degree and become a social worker. I want to help kids like me who need someone like the person I am now at the time they needed me to. I wanted to be someone's guardian angel like someone was for me so long ago."
     Jamie grabbed my hand and brought it to his lips placing a hard kiss on the back of my hand. "A heart of gold. My little angel, your halo is starting to show."
     Luckily I didn't have to answer him because John brought our food right then. We didn't say anything while we ate. Instead I tried to work out the jumbled mess of feelings I had inside toward this man. He worked his way quicker under my skin that I would have wanted him to.
     With his words and steamy looks and he way he lite my body on fire. It had been a long time since I'd had sex. Avoiding it as much as possible with Dewayne for the last five years. Now that Ms. Kitty was awake with a fresh new pray she didn't want to play by my rules and wait.
     How'd the old saying go? Tuff titty said the kitty.
    She could just get over it, because no matter how hot this man could make me with just his words. That would be moving way too fast for me. Like it wasn't already but that'd just have to wait.
    When both of us finished Jamie rose to his feet and held out his hand for me. "Will you dance with me beautiful?"
     I smiled and gave him my hand gladly. Jamie guided me to the small dance floor where the band was playing a slow jazz tune I'd never heard before, but was deep and soulful. Jamie spun me around till I faced him and bringing me as close to chest as he could get, with his hands wrapped around my waist. I ran my hands up his chest stopping once my fingers had wrapped themselves in his hair. I placed my head on his chest and just listened to his heart as he swayed us to the beat.
     We danced in our own bubble for a while. Neither of us saying anything just being in the moment. After about five songs Jamie lead me back to the table where he paid the check and we left. He drove us back to my house, but instead of him saying good night he grabbed a blanket from the backseat, let his windows down, and the music playing softly in the background.
     He laid the blanket in the back of the truck then helped me up onto the blanket. We sat under the stars talking for hours about everything and nothing between us. I'd never felt so comfortable talking to a member of the male sex like Jamie.
     It was like I'd known him my whole life, should have known him my whole life. Maybe in a different life we did.
     When the first rays of the morning sun started to come thru Jamie said it was his cue to go. He walked me to the door and gave me a goodnight kiss that was sure to star in my upcoming dreams very soon.
     When I woke up around three that afternoon I still had the dopey smile on my face from when Jamie left. I grabbed my phone to see if Dewayne had called about the kids but no luck. Just a text from Jamie telling me about the dream I stared in and the show I performed. He said it was worthy of two giant thumbs up.
    I sent him one back telling him about the Channing Tatum "Pony" dance he did for me in mine and how I definitely won that round. I didn't wait for his reply just got up and started getting ready.
    After an hour I was ready, the house was spotless, but still no call from Dewayne. A knock came at the door startling me. I opened it without asking who it was. Jamie was on the other side with a bag of donut holes and a jug of chocolate milk. My favorite weekend treat.
    "Hi beautiful, I brought you breakfast since I kept you up so late."
    I gave him my best smile. "Bribery gets you far young Jedi. Come on in." I grabbed the bag and milk from him as he passed not waiting to dig into the bag.
    "Still haven't heard anything about the kids?"
    "Not yet, shouldn't be that much longer though."
    "You wanna watch a movie or something to take your mind..."
    The pounding on the door made us both stop and stare. Who would be hitting the door that hard? I wasn't expecting anyone and the sisters didn't knock like that. I didn't have to wait long. I didn't lock the door after I let Jamie in and whoever was out there found that out as well and opened the door.
    Dewayne came in and slammed the door. Jamie took a step closer to me as soon as he saw who it was. Dewayne was pissed if the color of his face was anything to go by.
    "What in the world Dewayne what are you..."
    "You fucking little whore. Already moved on and started fucking this prick behind you. Never could keep them legs together could you, you piece of shit"
    Jamie stepped around me and moved to where I was behind him. "Hey now, I'm not gonna let you sit here and talk to her like that while I'm here understand?"
    Both men were big, about the same height, but Dewayne had a few more pounds on Jamie. Both men were very intimidating in that moment.
    Dewayne spat at Jamie's feet. "She's still my wife and I'll talk to her however I want. Marie's still mine." He sent Jamie an evil grin. He knew Jamie was getting mad and was trying to make it worse. "Come outside and get your kids Marie. They're tired after long day we've had. Just remember I'll be back on the fifth to get them for the month." With that Dewayne waltzed out the door.
    I gave Jamie a quick smile then hurried out the door. As soon as the kids saw me they bolted from the back of their father's car and came running toward me. I gathered them both into a quick hug then ushered them back toward the house. When Alex saw Jamie standing in the door he started going into every exciting detail about the baseball game that morning. Bree stuck right beside me walking back. She didn't say anything about the weekend or much really for the rest of the night.
    Jamie stayed till both of the kids were fast asleep in bed. He pulled me into a hug right before he walked out the door. "So much stronger than me. I would have killed that man a long time ago. And don't listen to a word he says. We know the truth." He gave me a long kiss before finally leaving for the night. 

***************************************

Oh don't mind me, I'm just sitting in the corner mentality beating Dewayne over the head with a frying pan screaming "Tawanda" like Kathy Bates.
Don't judge me. Just wait till you find out everything that man did to Marie and those kids. I have extras when the time comes.
Smiling in satisfaction hearing Dewaynes cries in my head. Don't forget to leave that note.
Callie

© 2018 Copyright by Callie Sumner. All rights reserved.