Changing Gene – Ch. 17.3

Once Kylisha arrived home, she went straight to the bathroom for a nice long soak in the tub. She was mentally and emotionally exhausted, in great need of relaxation.

Never mind about eating. Kylisha had no appetite right now anyway. She just wanted to take a hot bath, hit the bed and forget this day ever even existed on the calendar.

I’ll eat a big breakfast in the morning to make up for it, Kylisha promised herself, pouring botanical bath beads into the slow-filling tub.

Chloe, who’d followed Kylisha from the front door, suddenly meowed loudly from the bathroom entrance. Her meow of complaint stemmed from the fact that she hadn’t gotten her usual after-work affection today.

Kylisha looked behind her and smiled. “I’m sorry, Chloe. Mommy’s not herself today. Come here, baby.” She snapped her fingers and held out her arms.

Chloe leaped into Kylisha’s arms from a standing position.

By the time she finished the two-minute stroking of Chloe’s fur, Kylisha was starting to feel relaxed already. It’s amazing the calming effect pets have on humans, she mused, shedding her clothes. It was time to get even more relaxed now.

* * *

The doorbell rang just as Kylisha was getting into bed. Groaning with frustration, she left the comfort of her bed and went to answer the door.

“Please don’t let it be my grandmother,” Kylisha prayed as she treaded up the hallway in her bare feet. She was not in the mood for Jacinta’s antics tonight.

One look through the peephole quickly ruled out her grandmother’s presence. In fact, the person standing on the other side of the door wasn’t a woman at all.

It’s Gene! Kylisha mused as her pulse began to race with excitement. She started to wring her hands. Indecision attacked her mind like angry wasps.

Should she open the door? Or should she pretend she wasn’t home?

The doorbell rang again, causing Chloe to peek her sleepy head around the corner.

Trying to think past the excitement she felt, Kylisha turned around and ran back to her bedroom. Had she decided to ignore the man at the door by going back to bed? No. Her car was parked right out front. Gene would know she was trying to avoid him if she didn’t answer the door. Worse, he might think something was wrong and call her landlord to open the door as a precaution.

No, Kylisha’s current haste stemmed completely from the fact that she suddenly realized she didn’t have on any panties. She never wore underwear to bed. That had been one of the luxuries of finally having her own place.

Had the person at the door actually been her grandmother, this lack of underwear issue might not have been so important. However, since it was Gene, a man Kylisha was particularly attracted to, she needed every barrier she could erect between them. Not to mention the unacceptable attire factor that pertained to all wholesome single women with gentleman callers.

While in the bedroom, Kylisha decided to change clothes as well. The knee-length sleeper shirt she wore was entirely too thin to receive male guests in. Only problem was, she didn’t know what to replace it with.

The doorbell rang for the third time. Chloe started to meow loudly as a not so subtle reminder – Somebody’s at the door, Mommy!

“I’m coming,” Kylisha yelled out. Thoroughly distracted now, she snatched a pink romper from a closet hanger and put it on.

After zipping up the garment, Kylisha sprinted back to the front door and flung it open. Unfortunately she forgot two things in her haste. One, she forgot to take a few extra seconds to catch her breath before opening the door. Two, she forgot to put on underwear after all.

© 2006 by Suprina Frazier

Photo credit and links:

http://www.dreamstime.com/wasp-image1372418

http://www.carolwrightgifts.com/cwg_v2/cwg_layout_base2.cfm?mid_sec_page=cwg_prod_detail&seq_no=7&min_seq_no=106&SingleItem=62620

Changing Gene – Ch. 17.2

Increasingly impatient, Arnaz followed Kylisha to the break room a few minutes later. “Why are you stalling, Kylisha?” he said, upon finding her sitting down at a table. She’d clocked out five minutes ago. “Is it because you don’t share my feelings?”

“I do love you, Arnaz. I’m just not in love with you,” Kylisha replied, reluctantly turning to face him. Oh, how she hated confrontations. Kylisha was just glad everyone else was already gone for the day. She cared too much for Arnaz to break his heart in front of witnesses.

Arnaz’s jaw clenched tight. That was not the response he was looking for. “If you could just commit to try, Kylisha, I’m sure over time you’ll come to love me the same way I love you.” He moved to the table where she was.

Kylisha shook her head. “That’s not fair to you, Arnaz. You can’t put your life on hold for me,” she said as he settled into the chair to her left. “Quite honestly, I think you’ve done enough of that as it is, and I’m starting to feel guilty about it.”

“So what exactly are you saying here, Kylisha? You want us to stop dating altogether now?” Arnaz’s frown deepened with each word he said.

Nodding, Kylisha took in a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “I think it’s for the best, Arnaz,” she replied, patting his hand in comfort.

“It’s him, isn’t it?” Arnaz snatched his hand away, as if her hand was some kind of tarantula – a dangerous entity he needed to avoid right now.

Kylisha didn’t have to ask whom Arnaz was referring to. By now they both knew who stood between them. Who’d always stood between them romantically.

“Actually, it’s more me than Gene,” Kylisha explained, pushing past the rejection she felt at Arnaz’s reaction to her touch. After all, he had to be feeling tons worse than her right now. “See, I erroneously thought that I could replace my feelings for one man with another. It hasn’t worked yet. I seriously doubt if it ever will. I’m truly sorry for hurting you in the process, Arnaz.”

Standing to his feet, Arnaz began to pace the floor. “Kylisha, you can break up with me all you want, but please don’t take up with him,” he said, once again refusing to even speak Gene’s name. “One woman is never enough for guys like that. Plus, I wonder how much of his current interest is because of all the changes you’ve made in your appearance lately,” Arnaz continued. “Remember, I tried to go out with you when you were still wearing baggy clothes and that long ponytail.”

Kylisha nodded in remembrance. “Believe me, I have gone over those same arguments with myself thousands of times,” she replied. “But there’s just something about Gene that speaks to me. I can’t really explain it other than to say that when he talks to me, I hear him all the way in my heart,” she said, pointing to her actual heart.

Arnaz looked tormented by her words. He stopped pacing and sat down in the nearest chair as if his legs would no longer carry him. As if the weight of her words was too heavy for him to bear standing up.

Kylisha’s voice softened. “I’m really sorry, Arnaz. Even though my head tells me that you would make a better guy for me, my heart still wants Gene.”

“The heart wants what it wants, huh?” Arnaz forced out. “In this case, your heart is going to get exactly what it wants and mine will just have to starve.” He looked out the window at the orange and blue-streaked western sky. The only serenity he got from the sunset was the amount he allowed into his soul. Right now, Arnaz wanted anger more than he wanted peace.

“Not necessarily,” Kylisha replied. “There are no guarantees that things will work out with me and Gene, either. For all I know, he may have gotten tired of waiting for me and found someone else. He might be with her right now. Might have been with her all day.” Kylisha’s eyes grew sad with each new possibility she posed.

Arnaz turned to face her again. “You wouldn’t have those issues with me,” he reminded her.

“I know.” Kylisha nodded. “But that doesn’t change the fact that you and I shouldn’t be dating anymore. You’re too good of a man to be kept on a string, Arnaz. You deserve better. My way of helping you get better is to finally cut the string.”

“So you’re cutting me loose just like that, huh?” Rejection splattered across his face like gloomy black paint thrown against a whitewashed wall.

 

Kylisha shook her head. “Not all the way loose, Arnaz. I’m merely cutting the dating string. I’d still like us to be friends. Do you think that’s possible?”

Arnaz took a deep breath of acceptance before speaking again. “Friends it is,” he finally replied, doing his best to smile over his broken heart.

“Friends it is,” Kylisha echoed, smiling her relief at how well he’d taken things under the circumstances.

 

© 2006 by Suprina Frazier

Photo credit and links:

http://www.dreamstime.com/tarantulaspideronhand-image32188

http://www.dreamstime.com/inksplatters-image1844041

Changing Gene – Ch. 17.1

Kylisha had a horrible day on Monday. It started off on a bad note the moment she learned Gene wasn’t coming in today. It got worse when she realized how much she missed him.

Kylisha didn’t miss Gene in that ‘oh-look-a-beloved -coworker-is-absent-today’ kind of way. No, she missed him in that ‘I-need-to-see -you-everyday-of-my-life’ kind of way.

Too embarrassed to ask Mitch about the nature of Gene’s personal day, Kylisha waited until lunchtime to make inquiry with Deshawn. She wanted to call earlier, but that’s how long it took her to get up the nerve to even show such interest.

According to Deshawn, Gene was definitely not ill today. In fact, he’d been full of life and brimming with excitement when he stopped by the boutique and bought a woman’s dress that morning.

Kylisha’s throat suddenly felt constricted. “He bought a woman’s dress today?” she forced out.

“Yes,” Deshawn replied. A knowing grin graced her face. “He bought one of those beautiful royal blue and gold dresses from the display window. I think he got a pair of gold heels to match, too.”

You could have fried an egg on Kylisha’s steaming forehead after hearing that. She’d seen those dresses. Knew exactly how pricey they were. A man had to feel something special for a woman to spend that kind of loot on her. Who was the special woman in Gene’s life now?

“Ohh…all right then,” Kylisha said with forced calmness. On the inside, jealousy, anger, and grief went off in her like a fireworks display. Yet before she would allow any of that to spill over into her conversation with Deshawn, Kylisha quickly bid her friend farewell and ended the call.

The rest of Kylisha’s day went downhill from there. The copier went out, the fax machine had a nasty paper jam, and the computer software was doing weird things to all of her documents.

Kylisha didn’t figure out the cause of the computer glitch until around 5pm. That’s when it finally dawned on her to question the rest of the office workers in the computer network. It turns out that Rosemary’s use of an old disk was the culprit. Somehow the data on the disk had become corrupted due to poor storage habits.

After explaining to Rosemary the importance of keeping all disks free of dust and excess fingerprints, Kylisha went to the restroom to pray. She also took a couple of pain relievers for her nagging headache.

When Kylisha returned to her desk, she was given an hour reprieve before more drama came her way. This time it came in the form of Arnaz.

“Something wrong?” Kylisha asked, noting the serious expression on his face as he came from the break room area. He’d been the last driver to clock out today. If not for Kylisha, he would have been the last employee to clock out today.

“Yes and no,” Arnaz replied, sitting down on the nearest couch. His shoulders slumped with heaviness.

“Let me clock out first. Then we can talk for as long as you want, okay?” Kylisha said, rising from her seat. As usual, she was ready to be there for a friend in need. Fortunately, she didn’t have to rush right home due to the automatic pet feeder she had for her cat.

“Actually, what I have to stay can be said in under a minute,” Arnaz replied impatiently. He’d been impatient a lot lately.

“O…kay,” Kylisha said hesitantly, leaning against the front of her desk. A sense of dread seized upon her.

“I love you, Kylisha,” Arnaz began, nailing her with a serious stare. “You have my heart and I want to officially lay claim to yours today,” he added, again showing that familiar trait of impatience.

“You love me?” Kylisha swallowed hard. “I think I’m going to need to clock out after all.” Then before Arnaz could say another word, she took off towards the break room.

Right words. Wrong man, kept echoing in Kylisha’s head with each step, each knowing beat of her heart.

© 2006 by Suprina Frazier

Photo credit and links:

http://www.dreamstime.com/fireworks-image2477633

Changing Gene – Ch. 16.2

Gene didn’t get to talk with Deshawn until Sunday evening after dinner. Though he could have spoken with her over the phone, he made himself wait until she returned to town instead. Gene wanted to have this particular conversation in person…and alone, which is why he pulled Deshawn away from the rest of the family upstairs.

“So what did you want to talk to me about?” Deshawn asked once they were settled on two benches in her basement sewing room.

“Kylisha and Arnaz.”

Deshawn vigorously shook her head. “Conversation over.” She rose to leave.

“C’mon, don’t be that way, Deshawn. I’m in love with her.” Gene reached for her arm to halt her hasty departure.

“Love?” Deshawn scoffed. “What do you know about being in love with anybody?” Doubt saturated her mahogany face. However, she did sit back down to hear him out.

“I know I love Kylisha,” Gene replied, releasing her arm. “What I don’t know is how she feels about me…and Arnaz. I need you to tell me that, Deshawn. Please, baby sis, help a brother out. Please.”

Deshawn’s chestnut eyes widened in amazement at Gene’s tormented expression. She cocked her head to the side in deep thought as she studied him for a few more seconds. “You really do love her, don’t you?” Deshawn said, noting his glossy eyes. She lifted a manicured hand to his contrite face in comfort.

Gene swallowed over the emotional lump in his throat. “Yes,” he replied hoarsely.

Deshawn’s eyes grew glossy now. His sincerity was really pulling on her heartstrings. “All right, but I can only tell you the basics. Kylisha’s one of my best friends now, so I can’t betray her confidence and tell you things she wouldn’t want you to know.” Things like the fact that Kylisha was deeply in love with Gene, too, but was fighting it because she wanted a man with an unblemished past.

“Just tell me whatever you can,” Gene said eagerly, after clearing his throat. His face was filled with anticipation. His eyes were lit with candles of hope. The man was definitely in love.

 

“Okay, so far it seems that Arnaz likes Kylisha way more than she likes him,” Deshawn began.

“Good.” Gene smiled. He felt lighter already.

“Don’t get your hopes up too high,” Deshawn cautioned. “All that can easily change tomorrow. After all, they do spend a lot of time together. My advice is, if you really want Kylisha, you better do something outstanding. Not too many women are willing to turn down a good Christian man like Arnaz for a known playboy like you. No disrespect intended, big brother.”

“None taken.” Gene nodded in understanding. “I know I’m working from a point of disadvantage here. But I’m determined to do everything I can to turn that around. Kylisha’s my woman. I know it in here,” he said, pointing to his heart. “And because I know it in here, I’m going to keep trying until she bears my last name.”

“Well, alrighty then.” Deshawn giggled with delight. “I’d love to have Kylisha as a sister-in-law. She’s almost like family now.”

“I know. I just need to make it official.” A smiling Gene rose to his feet, pulling Deshawn up with him. “Thanks a lot, baby sis. I’ll never forget this.”

“You’re weeeeee!” Deshawn squealed as he picked her up in a big bear hug and twirled her around.

 

After putting Deshawn back on her feet, Gene planted a tender kiss on her forehead and left for his home. He had a lot to think about tonight. He needed to be alone to do so.

* * *

Gene woke up extra early the next morning. As soon as he opened his eyes, he knew exactly what he needed to do about this Kylisha situation. But in order to pull it off successfully, he was going to need more time.

Reaching for the phone, Gene called his stepfather. “Hello, Daddy Mitch. I’m just calling to tell you that I’m taking a personal day today.”

“Is anything wrong?” Mitch asked, noting the hour on the bedside clock. It was barely 5am.

“No, everything’s finally right.” Gene smiled, his mind working a mile a minute.

© 2006 by Suprina Frazier

Photo credit and links:

http://www.dreamstime.com/candlesofhope-image333808

http://www.dreamstime.com/bearhug-image2095754

Changing Gene – Ch. 16.1

On the way home, Gene passed a fifty-ish woman parked on the side of the road. Seeing the condition of her tire, he backed up and offered his assistance.

The gray-haired woman readily accepted his help. Her husband was out of town on business and the roadside service she’d called hadn’t made it there yet.

After Gene changed the tire, the gray-haired woman offered to pay him for his kind service to her. When he refused, she gave him something else instead – a Rhema^* Word from the Lord based on Matthew 6:33.

“Young man, because you have sought the Lord with your whole heart, a few things are about to be added unto you. Things that you have longed for and craved for quite a while now. One of which is a wife,” the gray-haired lady said, speaking in a confident voice.

Gene smiled wide as hope blossomed in his heart like flowers in the springtime. “But I’m not even seeing anyone right now.”

“On the contrary, you’ve seen this woman almost every day for the last year. That’s the one destined to be your wife.”

Kylisha, Gene deduced, grinning now. Though he didn’t know this woman from Eve, her words still rang true with him.

“You must be a minister or something,” Gene said, wanting to be sure he hadn’t stumbled across some religious nut. Although he was open to prophesying, he didn’t need anyone prophe-lying to him. Grandma Janelle had warned him about such wolves in sheep’s clothing.

“That I am.” The gray-haired woman smiled. “My name is Minister Nolas LeBron.” She reached into her purse and handed him one of her ministry cards.

“I’m Gene Waldenhall,” he replied, receiving the card from her. Gene briefly glanced down at the professional gold engraving to see if it mentioned anything about spells or love potions. When he discovered it didn’t, he relaxed inside and out.

Meanwhile, one of Minister LeBron’s brows rose at the mention of his name. It didn’t take long for her to put two and two together and come up with Kylisha’s Gene. It took even less time to discern that he was truly a sincere brother now.

Now that she knew Gene was the genuine article, Minister LeBron felt compelled to do something extra to help this young man out. “Gene, can I give you a little piece of advice about this woman your heart wants?” she asked.

“Yes, ma’am.” Gene’s expression grew somber. With the way his life had been lately, he expected to hear bad news to offset the good.

“Your lady may need to see you walk out a few more things before she truly believes in your sincerity. In other words, make sure your loving words are backed up by loving actions,” Minister LeBron advised. “Romantic actions, not sexual actions,” she added with a chuckle.

Gene laughed. “Yes, ma’am.” He was ready to go rushing over to Kylisha’s apartment right now. But first he needed to talk to his sister Deshawn. He needed her confirmation about a few things.

© 2006 by Suprina Frazier

Photo credit and links:

http://www.dreamstime.com/springblossom-image740820

Word credit:

http://www.eaglevision.com.my/fa2limitations.htm

*Definition: Rhema is a specific word of God for a specific incident and a specific time, to a specific person for a specific task in a specific time. (In other words, it is a prophetic Word tailor made to you concerning a specific situation – Suprina’s paraphrase)

Changing Gene – Ch. 15.2

Closing the door behind him, Gene went over to his chair and plopped down into it. Anguish sliced through him like a medieval sword. He felt torn asunder, shredded to bits now that the one thing he wanted more than anything else in the world was gone.

He’s probably going to marry her before summer’s end, Gene lamented, concerning Arnaz’s likely future plans. I know I would.

Kylisha was everything a man could ever want. She was bright, capable, beautiful, loyal, and above all else, a devoted Christian. The fact that she was a virgin only added to her appeal.

Reluctantly accepting the fact that he didn’t deserve such goodness in the first place, Gene moved his chair over to the window. There he did what he should have done a long time ago – he sought the Lord with his whole heart.

* * *

So engrossed in prayer, Gene failed to hear Kylisha knock softly on his office door around 6:30 to say goodnight and to thank him again for his gift. Gene also failed to see the shock on her face when she cracked the door open and found him calling out to the Heavenly Father with sincerity too genuine to fake.

Oh, God! He really does have a personal relationship with You, Kylisha realized. He really is a man of God. She quickly and quietly closed the door again, careful not to disturb the praying man.

“You all right?” Arnaz asked, frowning when he saw Kylisha coming from the direction of Gene’s office in a daze.

Kylisha nodded.

“He didn’t upset you again, did he?”

Kylisha shook her head this time. She was still too choked up to say anything.

“Well, what did he do then?” Arnaz persisted as they exited the building.

Kylisha looked at him with deep grief in her glossy pools. “He prayed for my happiness…whether it was with him or not.”

Arnaz’s mouth formed a perfect O. Shock stopped the flow of words from spilling from his lips. The game had suddenly and drastically changed. The heat was really on now.

If I don’t get her to make a deeper commitment to me soon, I’m going to lose her forever, Arnaz mused with all certainty.

© 2006 by Suprina Frazier       

             

Photo credit and links:

http://www.dreamstime.com/swordwithspider-image1777141

Changing Gene – Ch. 15.1

Towards the close of business on Friday, Kylisha got a wonderful surprise. All of her colleagues had gathered in the break room to wish her a happy anniversary. As of today, Kylisha had been at the company for one full year. This meant yet another pay raise, a cake, punch, colorful balloons, and lots of presents.

One by one Kylisha’s coworkers presented their gifts to her. Arnaz presented his gift first. It included a dozen pink roses and two tickets to an antique show that displayed rare collectibles and provided appraisals services for attendees.

That gift warranted Arnaz a big hug from Kylisha. When she released him, the smile he turned to Gene was smug.

To Gene’s credit, he successfully ignored Arnaz’s subtle dig. After the heated, albeit nonverbal, encounters he’d had with Kylisha recently, he now felt secure enough in his ability to take her from Arnaz. Gene was just waiting for the right opportunity to make his move.   

Gene’s gift was last. His present consisted of a large Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance and a few accessories. This way Kylisha could get even deeper into her Bible studies. The highlighters, notepads, bookmarks, and elegant writing utensils Gene included with the gift were there to make the process of studying even smoother.

Gene’s gift not only brought tears to Kylisha’s eyes, it also warranted an even tighter hug than she’d given anyone else. When they finally broke apart, the ardent look they shared was enough to incinerate every dump and landfill in this city and the next.

“Let me help you carry your gifts out to the car, baby,” Arnaz suddenly announced from behind them.  

“Th…thanks, Arnaz.” Kylisha blushed crimson at his unexpected endearment. They hadn’t gotten to that stage in their relationship yet. The last time Kylisha checked, she and Arnaz were more friends than girlfriend/boyfriend. In fact, they’d only kissed twice since they started going out. 

Convinced that Kylisha and Arnaz had finally become an official couple, a disheartened Gene moved to the rear and quietly left the room.   

* * *

Over by the cake and punch table, Rosemary and Mitch smiled knowingly at each other. “Do you think she and Arnaz are going to make it?” Rosemary asked in a discreet voice.  

“Once upon a time I did,” Mitch replied. “Now I’m not so sure. She can’t seem to shake the crush she has on my son.”

Rosemary guffawed. “Crush? That girl doesn’t have a crush on Gene. That girl is in love with Gene. She’s just trying to give her heart what she thinks it needs, instead of what it really wants.” Rosemary shook her head sadly. “Too bad, too. I really think they could have something special together.”

Mitch nodded. “Me, too. Especially since he’s finally ready for a quality woman like her.”

© 2006 by Suprina Frazier       

 

Photo credit and links:

http://www.dreamstime.com/confettiandballoons-image219959

Changing Gene – Ch. 14.3

Later that day, Kylisha went into Gene’s office for their monthly sales meeting. This was a time when she shared the cumulative results of his efforts over a thirty-day period. Marketing trends were highlighted. Any decline in sales was analyzed so that Gene could learn what not to do next time.

Kylisha and Gene had gotten so good at handling this part of the operation that Mitch seldom made an appearance anymore. Instead of attending the meetings, he opted instead to see the minutes and all associated reports. Today was one of those just Gene and Kylisha days.

Halfway through the meeting, a call came in from Gene’s twin sister, Geanette. To Kylisha’s amazement, he immediately stopped the meeting to take the call. He also took his time with that call.

I like that, Kylisha thought, admiring any man that would put his family above work.

As Gene’s conversation went on, Kylisha found more reasons to like him. The advice he gave Geanette was priceless. The way he gave it to her was endearing.

Geanette, who worked as a paralegal for years, was now thinking of becoming a full-fledged lawyer. She was nervous about making such a big change in her life and wanted Gene’s input on the matter.

Gene’s advice was for Geanette to follow her heart and do it with gusto. He even gave Mitch credit for being the one to say it first. Then Gene proceeded to make Geanette laugh with funny jokes and stories until he was sure her mood had improved.

Kylisha continued to sit quietly, soaking up this wonderful side of Gene. At one point it felt as if she was in the presence of greatness. As if God Himself had shined a bright light of approval upon such a supportive brother.

At the end of the call, Kylisha and Gene’s eyes met. The air in the room crackled with strong undercurrents. The heat between them became so intense that Kylisha actually thought about fleeing the room. Instead she stayed and forced herself to finish the meeting.

Kylisha was tired of running from this man. She was tired of running from a lot of things.

© 2006 by Suprina Frazier       

 

Photo credit and links:

http://www.dreamstime.com/impalaantelope-image2376597

Changing Gene – Ch. 14.2

“Hello, Gloreatha.” Gene smiled, moving to give the pregnant woman a warm hug as she entered the room. They’d remained good friends after their December breakup due to the gracious way he’d handled things. Gene always tried to end things on a positive note with his ex-lovers. Sometimes it worked. Other times it didn’t.

“Hello yourself, handsome,” Gloreatha replied, returning his hug and smile.

“Looks like you and Erik have been up to a lot since the last time I saw you,” Gene said, sending Kylisha a covert message as he released Gloreatha and stood at a respectable distance. That message – this woman was not pregnant by him. In fact, Gloreatha had gone back to her ex-boyfriend after breaking up with Gene.

Gloreatha chuckled. “Yes, we’ve been very busy.” She rubbed her belly with one hand while adjusting the large tan bag on her shoulder with the other. “The baby’s due late fall.” 

Kylisha suppressed a smile of relief at the computer. A frowning Arnaz went to the break room to clock out for lunch. His plan had not worked and he wasn’t happy about it at all.

“So what have you been up to lately?” Gloreatha asked. “Still playing the field? Or have you finally decided to settle down?”

Gene briefly looked Kylisha’s way before turning back to Gloreatha. “I turned in my player’s card a while back, but I’m having a little trouble convincing my lady of that fact.”

Gloreatha’s eyes went from Gene to a blushing Kylisha. She smiled knowingly. “Keep at it,” she said, turning to Gene again. “She must be pretty special to make you want to change your ways. Even I couldn’t get you to do that.”

“She is very special,” Gene replied, shooting another quick glance Kylisha’s way. He smiled when she turned even more crimson in the cheeks. He liked seeing Kylisha blush.

“But then again, you’re pretty special, too,” Gene continued, returning his attention to Gloreatha. “Your heart was just meant for another man.”

Gloreatha grinned. “Speaking of that wonderful man, Erik’s about to m-a-r-r-y me!” She held up her left hand and showed off her sparkling diamond.

“Congratulations,” Gene said, looking impressed by the huge rock on her finger. “That brother spent a nice chunk of change on you. You deserve that and so much more, Gloreatha.”

“Congratulations,” Kylisha echoed, turning to give Gloreatha a sincere smile. She looked happier about the wedding than the future bride.

“Thanks,” Gloreatha told Kylisha and Gene in turn. She reached into her bag and retrieved several small envelopes. “I stopped by to drop off enough invitations for your whole family.” She paused to hand Gene the cream-colored envelopes. “I was also hoping you could do me a favor.”

“It all depends on what you want,” Gene teased. “If you want me to rob a bank for you, then no, I can’t do you that favor. I’m allergic to jail, remember?”

Gloreatha giggled. “You still crazy, boy. No, I just need you to talk Deshawn into making a last-minute wedding gown for me. My original seamstress didn’t take into account how much I might expand, so my original gown doesn’t fit right anymore. On top of that, she’s all booked up and can’t make me a new one in time for the wedding.” Gloreatha blew out a breath of frustration. “Anyway, I need someone with a certain level of expertise to make me look beautiful, feel comfortable, without appearing too frumpy. I need Deshawn, Gene.”

“Well, Deshawn’s in Florida doing a few shows right now, but…” Gene began right before thick tension returned to the room.

“Ready to go to lunch, Kylisha?” Arnaz said, speaking out of turn.

Kylisha frowned at his rudeness. Times like these she wanted to rescind her decision to date him. “I’ll be ready in a few minutes, Arnaz,” Kylisha said, saving her document even as she spoke.

“Good,” Arnaz replied, giving Gene a smug look that said ‘she’s mine’.

“Congratulations again on your upcoming wedding,” Kylisha told Gloreatha on her way out.

“Thanks.” Gloreatha nodded. She put a halting hand on Gene’s arm. He looked like he wanted to throttle the rude man in the blue and brown work uniform.

Meanwhile, Kylisha quickly escorted Arnaz out of the building. She, too, sensed the testosterone in the room rising to a dangerous level.

Once they were in Arnaz’s car, Kylisha asked him delay starting the engine until they’d had a chance to talk. There were loud pipes on the vehicle. Once they were revved up, it was hard to hear anything, even the radio.

“What you did back there was uncalled for, Arnaz,” Kylisha said, scolding him for his offensive behavior in the office. “Rudeness is totally unacceptable in a place of business.”

“So is fraternizing with the boss, which is what you did for months behind everyone’s backs,” Arnaz fired back. “I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve been at it again based on what I saw today.”

“Don’t make this about me and Gene, when it is clearly about you and Gene,” Kylisha retorted, tired of all the jealousies, including her own. “As for seeing things, I saw something of my own today. I saw a Christian man trying to paint another Christian man in a bad light.”

Arnaz scoffed. “Gene’s not a Christian. He’s a player trying to act like a Christian in order to get a woman.”

“Maybe. Maybe not. I don’t really know anymore,” Kylisha admitted. “But I do know this one thing. Gene was a much better man than you a few minutes ago. He didn’t allow jealousy to make him act out of character.”

Arnaz looked away. The muscles in his jaw clenched with ire. He hated being compared to Gene in any way. He hated it even more when Gene came out ahead in the comparison.

After a few short moments of silence, Arnaz turned back to Kylisha. “I’m sorry,” he said, suppressing his pride for the sake of their relationship.

Kylisha smiled at his humble tone. “All is forgiven.” She finally buckled her seatbelt. “Now where are we going to eat today? I’m hungry.”

Arnaz chuckled. “Anywhere you want, lady. Anywhere you want.”

* * *

Back inside the building, Gene and Gloreatha now sat in his office. After contacting Deshawn for her, Gene invited Gloreatha to stay and talk awhile. As expected, the main topic of conversation was Kylisha.

Gloreatha asked many questions about the beautiful secretary with the amazing green eyes. Questions like: Why her over all your other women? Is she serious about that rude guy in the uniform? If so, why? Especially since he’s so rude. Yet it was Gloreatha’s last question that stood out to Gene the most.

“What I want to know is, why are you waiting in the wings for Kylisha to come to you on her own?” Gloreatha asked. “She’s obviously shy in the ways of love, which means you’re going to have to be the aggressive one.”

“I don’t want to take the risk of running her away again,” Gene replied, recalling what happened the last time he came on too strong.

“Well, you better do something before Arnot convinces her to run away with him for good,” Gloreatha warned, changing Arnaz’s name to suit her illustrative purposes.

Gene nodded in agreement. If only he knew how to break through to Kylisha.

© 2006 by Suprina Frazier       

 

Photo credit and links:

 

http://www.dreamstime.com/stafffighting-image2045499

http://www.dreamstime.com/runaway-image1432212

Changing Gene – Ch. 14.1

The things Minister LeBron taught Kylisha proved to be highly effective. She was no longer susceptible to Gene’s presence at work or at church, and she hardly ever thought about him during her waking hours. The vivid dreams she used to have of Gene have also dwindled. Now Kylisha only dreamed about him once a week instead of five.

Unfortunately, Kylisha couldn’t seem to control the way she felt whenever another woman gave Gene attention. Jealousy would arise every time. Every single time. However, Kylisha was able to successfully control how deep that jealousy went within her and how long it stayed.

Kylisha also couldn’t seem to shake certain doubts. The main one being the fact that she might have prematurely and erroneously judged Gene’s actions. It was now a whole month later and the man was still attending church on a regular basis.

On top of that, Gene barely got any personal calls at work nowadays. Kylisha counted only two female callers last week and they were business associates who hoped to change the nature of their relationships with him.

Kylisha wasn’t sure exactly what Gene said to them when he returned those calls, but not too many days later both women canceled their services with the company. Fortunately, one of the women called back yesterday to reestablish service after realizing she couldn’t get a better deal or better service than Rozier Sanitation.

I’m glad one of them came to their senses, Kylisha mused, putting the finishing touches on a letter Mitch asked her to type. Inwardly, she wondered if she was using all of her common sense. Was Gene truly reformed or not?

Then there was the situation with Arnaz. Though he initially agreed to hang in there with Kylisha and date at a slow pace, Arnaz was now starting to put pressure on her to go faster. He’d already introduced her to his parents and met her grandparents. He’d been very subtle about both incidences.

When Kylisha met Arnaz’s parents, they just so happen to be visiting him on the same day he asked Kylisha to drop off the Bible he’d left in her car. Arnaz met her grandparents by offering to change the brake pads on her grandfather’s truck one Saturday when he learned why Kylisha would not be driving it that morning.

Arnaz sucked up to her grandparents the whole time he was there. He gave Jacinta countless compliments. He volunteered to do any future repairs on Wilford’s truck.

Though Kylisha’s grandfather remained cautious around this overly accommodating young man, her grandmother soaked up all the attention. Jacinta even invited Arnaz to stay for lunch.

As for Kylisha, she was more disappointed than anything after those encounters. She thought Arnaz was above such manipulations, such games. Realizing that he wasn’t made Kylisha wonder if any man was who he seemed to be.

Maybe I ought to call things off with Arnaz, too, Kylisha mused, printing out the letter. Maybe spinsterhood is the best thing for me after all.

Kylisha folded the letter in three and slipped it into a white business envelope. Just as she started to lick the sealing strip, Gene unexpectedly walked up to her desk with a file in his hands.

Caught mid-lick, Kylisha’s eyes darted up to his only to find them fixed on her mouth. She watched his gaze lift upwards, stopping when his eyes met hers.

Desire slammed through both of them as they were suddenly propelled back in time. In Kylisha’s mind, he was holding her with such incredible tenderness. In Gene’s mind, she was once again doing that fantastic twirly thing with her tongue and kissing him back as if she meant it.

When Kylisha let out a soft sigh, Gene smiled with untold pleasure. He’d remained on the right road for weeks now. Today was the first day he’d gotten a sign that she still wanted him or even still cared.

“Mr. Waldenhall, there’s a woman outside to see you,” Arnaz suddenly said from behind them. Though his features were neutral, his eyes blazed with ire.

What man wouldn’t be angry to find the woman he was dating currently mesmerized by another man? In fact, Kylisha hadn’t even noticed when Arnaz walked through the door. She’d been too caught up in and with Gene Waldenhall. The same Gene Waldenhall she was supposed to be over by now. What had happened to change that?

Gene blinked rapidly as if awakening from a pleasant dream. He dragged his attention away from Kylisha. “Come again?” Gene said, reluctantly turning towards Arnaz.

“I said, there’s a woman outside to see you,” Arnaz reiterated, putting emphasis on a certain word. “She’s coming in, but it might take a while. She had to get something out of her trunk. Plus she’s pregnant,” he added, again emphasizing what he wanted Kylisha to take special notice of.

At those words, Kylisha instantly forced all emotion from her face and returned to her work. After sealing the letter with deft hands, she turned back around to her computer terminal and started typing again. Who cares that the last letter was supposed to be the last one she typed before going to lunch. Kylisha was not moving from her seat until she saw who this mystery woman was.

Gene frowned. He knew exactly what Arnaz was doing. It was time for damage control.

“If she’s pregnant, then maybe I ought to go out to her,” Gene said. He put the file he held on Kylisha’s desk and started towards the door.

Arnaz shook his head. “No, she definitely says she wants to come inside.” He shot Kylisha a sideways glance to see if she was listening. Based on the stiff way she typed, she was definitely listening. Hard. Kylisha’s hands were usually much more relaxed across the keyboard than that.

When the exterior door suddenly swung open, Gene, Arnaz and Kylisha turned to see who it was. They all exhaled sharply when it turned out to be only Rosemary coming back from lunch. Gene and Kylisha’s exhalations were of relief. Arnaz’s was of disappointment.

They all waved to Rosemary as she made her way back to her office. Rosemary waved back and kept moving. She wasn’t about to linger in that tense room a second longer than she had to.

Unfortunately, Gene and Kylisha’s relief lasted for only a few seconds. A very pregnant Gloreatha came waddling through the door right after Rosemary. That brown maternity shirt she wore screamed ‘baby on board’ even without the letters.

God, please don’t let her be pregnant by my man, Kylisha prayed, unaware that she’d just claimed Gene as her own for the first time.

© 2006 by Suprina Frazier

Photo credit and links:

http://www.dreamstime.com/lips-image978760

http://www.dreamstime.com/babyonboard-image1421230