Tears on a Sunday Afternoon - Michael Presley [64]
“Are you jealous?” I asked, pulling her by the hand.
“No, but I know you.”
“Well, I’ve changed. I realize that’s hard to believe but I have. I turned down a trip to Puerto Rico with Brenda.”
“You’re telling me that you didn’t sleep with Brenda?” Julie asked.
“I’m not saying that. I’m saying that since I’ve been intimate with you, I haven’t slept with anyone else. Again, I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s the truth.” I hugged her around the waist. “For the first time in my life, only one woman will do and that woman is you.”
Julie turned around to look me directly in the eyes. “You are serious.”
“I swear on my dead mother’s grave,” I said.
“Donald, what took us so long? I haven’t been able to even touch Brian since we made love. All I do is think about you, morning, noon and night.” She ran her hands over my eyebrows.
“So when are you going to tell Brian?” I asked.
“There goes the hard part. Brian is such a nice guy, but I want you. I’ve always wanted you. It took you a long time to realize that but at least you did. And with all of that, I’m not too sure about you,” she said.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Donald, you don’t even know if you can be faithful and I need that. It’s great that you can walk away from women right now, but what happens a year or two from now? What happens when the woman that you can’t get out of your mind comes along? Are you going to stay true to your commitment to me?” Julie’s face had become very serious.
“You’re right, Julie. I don’t know what will happen a year or two from now. I don’t even know what will happen tomorrow. Today is all I have and I’m telling you that you’re all I want.”
Julie was right. I couldn’t give any guarantees. I wanted her today, but tomorrow I might want Brenda or Donna. In an ever-changing world that was full of emotion and conflict, could anyone give a 100% guarantee? What happened when the sex became boring and routine? What happened when the arguments at home hastened your exit to work? Time is all lovers have, but time also changes a person.
“At least with Brian I know he’ll be there,” she said.
“You’re right about that. Brian is much more stable than me. I’m not even going to try to convince you that I’m the right one and that we’ll ride off into the sunset together.” I disengaged myself from Julie and moved toward the door.
“You are leaving?” she asked.
“Yes, I am. I’m going to give you time to make your decision. And, to be honest, I’ll love you no matter what decision you make. It’s up to you whether we live a life together or apart. It won’t change my love for you. You’ve already secured a place in my heart.” I turned around and kissed her on the lips. “In four days, I’ll be free, and with freedom comes choices. You can make yours then.” I opened her door.
“Donald,” she said.
I stood at the door with my back to her. “Julie, let’s leave it at that.”
“Can we talk tomorrow?” she asked.
“No,” I said. “Tomorrow I’m spending time with Emerald and my grandmother.”
“Does she know about us?”
I started walking toward the car. “Sort of.”
“What does that mean?”
I opened the car door. “Isn’t that how our relationship is right now? Sort of?”
“Bye, Donald.” She closed the door as I got into the car.
Chapter 17
4TH DAY
“Emerald, Grandma and I have to talk. You can go in the living room and watch your show. Please wash your hands and mouth before you sit down,” I said to my son.
“Okay,” Emerald said as he got up from the table.
Grandma gave Emerald a half-filled jar of cookies. “Here’s a jar of your favorite cookies. You can enjoy them while you watch television.”
“Thanks, Grandma,” Emerald said as he left the room with the cookies.
“Mama, you know you spoil Emerald,” I said. “He’s going to eat all the cookies.”
“I have one grandson and you used to do