He stared for seconds. “Cool it with that, will you? The last thing I’m scared of is your father. You have to believe that.”
“I don’t know what to believe anymore. All I know is that the only man that I’ve ever cared about is using excuses to get away from me. Tim, don’t do this. Let me stay with you and work this out together.”
“I wish things were that simple.”
They ate the rest of their dinner in silence, neither one willing to back down. Once in the car, Tim took her hand. “Brandi, please, don’t read anything into this. I just want you to be safe.”
“It doesn’t have to be this way.”
“Brandi, don’t cry. Look at your beautiful face all stained with tears.” He kissed her trembling lips, feeling her inner heat and needing her close to him, but afraid to risk it. “I’d better take you home. It was a risk just bringing you out. I had to see you, though.”
He pulled alongside the curb and held her before she got out. “Brandi, I know you’re mad at me, but don’t be.”
“We didn’t have enough time together. I waited for you to leave Madison, and it was a long wait, believe me. Now that I have the chance to be with you someone ruins it. I still think this could be done another way.”
“What way? I’m doing the best thing for us. I couldn’t stand it if you were mad at me. This won’t take forever, I promise.”
“It’s going to feel like it. Dad and I need to talk, because I still think part of this is his idea, and he’s scaring you.”
“Don’t confront him. This is about you and me.” He brought her lips to his, kissing her as though it would be the last time.
She suddenly pulled away. “I can’t do this, not with a man who may not be mine anymore.”
“You will always be mine, Brandi. This is temporary.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“More sure than anything else in my life. I want you, Brandi, but I want you safe first and foremost.”
“Will you call me?”
“Every chance I get.”
He walked her to the door, not venturing any further. Brandi saw his reaction. “Aren’t you coming in?”
“Not for a while. Besides, your Dad might have something to say to me about even being out with you after warning me not to. I don’t want to make things any harder than they already are. You understand, don’t you?”
“I don’t understand anything anymore, but I know you have to do this.”
Their lips met once again before he left her at the door.
Her father met her at the door. “For Christ’s sake; you were out with him, weren’t you?”
“Yes. You know I love him, Dad, so why would you even say that to me?”
“The guy is dangerous, Brandi.”
“I think this is about your funny racial issues and nothing more. The thing is, whatever you said to him worked. He doesn’t want me around, either. Thanks a lot.” She ran upstairs and slammed her bedroom door, wondering if she would ever see him again; wondered if he would call like he said he would.
* * *
Tim called her off and on but was unable to reach her. Each time he called the house phone, her father would hang up on him. On Tim’s sixth try, Mr. Miles answered the phone again. “Is this that crazy ex-boyfriend, Tim, again?”
“Yes, so you might as well call her to the phone because I’m not going to stop calling.”
“She doesn’t want you calling here anymore.”
“Did she tell you that or did you come up with this on your own?”
“I don’t have time for conversations with men who ditch my daughter.”
“I thought you would be glad we’re not together.”
“Frankly, I am, but it hurts me to see Brandi crying over a criminal like you.”
“Whatever. Where is she?”
“Out with a friend; a male friend.”
“She’s home, so just let me speak to her for a minute, then I’ll be out of your life—but not hers.”
“My daughter has been crying for two days now. She tried hiding her emotions but her mother got it out of her finally. What did you do to Brandi?”
“Nothing. I’m trying to protect her.”
“Right. I believe that about as much as I believe trees can fly. I told her you would be trouble, and since you are, if I see you on my display again, I’ll find you.”
The phone practically shook in Tim’s hand from anger. “Find me, then. I’m on Lakewood, third house from the corner. I’ll leave the porch light on.” Tim thought about his words and realized that was no way to get back in Brandi’s good graces. “Look, man, I love her and that’s why we are apart for a while. I would never do anything to hurt her. Please, let me talk to her.”
Click!
Tim stood in the middle of his living room holding a dead phone. His heart bled, but what was more important than his own bleeding heart was finding out if his Brandi was okay. He would think of nothing but her that night, and would cuss the insensitive monster making his life hell.
On Christmas Eve, Tim went back to work because he had forgotten his Palm Pilot. Brandi had not turned her cell phone on, and he thinks it was on purpose. He had blown it with her, and he knew it. All he had wanted to do was try and explain his actions again and hope she would finally understand. Her father warned him about calling the house, so he didn’t. But that wasn’t enough to keep him from her. The day before, he went shopping and bought her a present. He, at least, wanted her to have it under her tree. That way, she would be forced to recognize something from him.
He packed the gift into his briefcase, retrieved the Palm Pilot and left. Seemingly within minutes, he had pulled up in front of Brandi’s house. The Miles house was beautifully decorated for Christmas, reminding him of a Christmas palace—something he had never had in his own childhood. Brian was outside shoveling the snow that had fallen the night before. He was torn about going in, not wanting to further hurt Brandi by showing up and not taking her into his life again. A face-off with her father certainly wouldn’t have helped the situation. At that point, the last thing he cared about was Mr. Miles. He wanted to mend Brandi’s heart and tell her they would be together soon. He decided to go in and take his chances.
He tooted the horn to get Brian’s attention. The boy trotted over as Tim rolled down the window. Brian smiled. “Hey, aren’t you the guy at the basketball games?’
“One and the same. Are your parents home? I would like to ask your father if I can speak to Brandi.”
“They’re out shopping.”
Even better. “Then is Brandi home?”
“Yeah, she’s in her room trying to drown out her tears by playing the stereo on sonic sound.”
“Is she okay?”
“She cries all the time. No one tells me anything. I actually feel sorry for her—almost.” He added with a smile.
“You’re some kid, Brian.”
“You think I can still play ball with Madison?”
“Maybe one day.” He scanned the front of the house. “I would really like to see Brandi.”
“Come in with me. If she’ll turn down that ghetto music, as Dad calls it, maybe she can hear me.”
Amused, Tim shook his head and followed the boy into the house. Tim stood in the middle of the living room as Brian went for Brandi. The inside decorations were as pretty as the ones outside. He looked at the pictures on the table. One was of a baby in a yellow gown; had to be Brian. Another was of a baby girl, maybe three months old. She was wearing a frilly, pink dress. Dimples were on either side of the baby’s beautiful brown face. Brandi’s face. He picked up the picture, gently touching the infant’s smiling face. He loved her so much, and hurting her the way she thought he had was killing him; no one had given him the chance to explain anything.
Moments later, Brian bounced down the stairs, still tracking wet snow on the plush carpeting. “She’ll be down.” He ran off with some video game in his hand. Tim stood waiting for Brandi. She appeared at the top of the steps wearing something pink; it was her signature color, and it looked great on her. Her lovely brown legs looked as tempting as ever. All he wanted to do was slide his hands up and down them, kissing her, making everything bad go away.
Brandi came down the steps, looking at him as if she couldn’t believe he had the nerve to show up at her house after what he had done to her. Tim started to speak, but she broke in. “Why are you here?”
“I had to see you, Brandi.”
“All of a sudden, after ditching me, you have to see me.”
“Brandi, please let me explain this again.”
She faced him point blank. “Are you seeing someone else?”
“I don’t want anyone but you.”
“You have a funny way of showing me. You don’t call in two days even to see how I’m doing. I see how Miss Shang looks at you. Maybe you’re seeing her.”
“Don’t be silly, Brandi.”
“Who’s being silly? You break us up and blame it on someone trying to get to me through you.”
“I never said that. They’re after me, and will get you if you’re in the way. Why can’t you believe that?”