Read Unraveled - A Short Story Collective Online
Authors: KR Bankston
Chrissalyn was intrigued as she held the phone and deliberated whether she would let him stop by.
“What’s going on Lathan, is there something wrong?” she fished hoping he would let some of his reasoning spill out.
Lathan sighed gently and told her he needed to talk to her, in person. “I know its late Chriss,” Lathan began again, “I promise not to stay long,” he added for good measure.
Chrissalyn sighed gently and acquiesced. He told her he would be there in the next twenty minutes and disconnected.
“So now what?” Chrissalyn said aloud to herself of her impending visitor.
She thought they’d said all they needed to say. They were civil and got along decently enough that no one questioned it. As she fluffed the pillow Chrissalyn allowed herself to entertain the thought that Lathan was going to finally come clean with her about his feelings.
Then what?
Her mind immediately threw at her. What about Devon and even Alisha for that matter? Granted she didn’t care for Alisha, still she was Lathan’s choice. Then there was Devon. The two of them were exceptionally close now, with Chrissalyn seriously contemplating sleeping with him when he returned at the end of the week.
Stop it
, her mind chastised her. Chrissalyn sighed deeply and returned to the kitchen, removing the pan and placing it on the stove top just as the doorbell rang.
Well here we go
, she thought to herself as she headed to the door and opened it.
*****
Alisha was still an emotional wreck after finally leaving Sammy.
What the hell am I gonna do about this mess?
She thought to herself as she grabbed a beer out of her refrigerator. She sighed deeply not wanting to think about the one thing that would solve the issue. She loved Lathan with her whole being and he was the most wonderful man she’d ever known.
He still wants Miss Thang though, and you know it,
Alisha continued to think growing angry at the revelation. She needed help and she could only think of one person to call.
“Hello,” Kina answered evenly seeing Alisha’s name on the caller ID.
“Hey girl,” Alisha returned going on to tell her about her current state of affairs.
“Damn Alisha, what you gonna do girl?” Kina asked feigning concern.
She smiled slightly thinking of her friend’s predicament.
Serves her ass right
, she thought.
“Girl I don’t know what to do, I mean I can’t stop seeing Lathan,” she whined.
Kina sighed gently before she speaking. “Well, you could just be honest and tell him it happened, Sammy only has the one time on DVD, so you could say it only happened once,” Kina told her sincerely doubting Alisha would follow her advice.
Alisha sighed deeply thinking about what Kina was saying. “Do you think Lathan would really forgive me?” she asked and Kina almost burst into laughter at her stupidity.
“He’ll be pissed at first, but after he calms down, he might be okay with it,” Kina threw out. “But really, what other choice do you have at this point?” she added secretly glad Alisha had painted herself into this corner.
Alisha sighed deeply again telling Kina she needed to think about her suggestions. “Why did this have to happen, now of all times?” Alisha whined again.
Kina sucked her teeth quietly; annoyed Alisha once again was pretending to be the victim in a situation she’d created. “Well girl, if you need me, just call me, ok?” Kina threw out very much wanting to end the conversation. Her man was due home and she didn’t want to be distracted.
She and Tae had been secretly living together for the last month. That was the important thing he’d wanted to discuss with her when he came over that night. Kina was thrilled that he wanted their relationship to go to the next level and immediately said
“Thanks Kina, I will,” Alisha returned and the two disconnected.
Alisha was stilling sitting and thinking about Kina’s suggestion. “It would have to be the right setting,” she mumbled aloud to herself as she thought of Lathan’s reaction if she confessed. Alisha was in a vice and it was slowly squeezing the life out of her. She began to think of what her life would be like with Sammy again as the tears fell. They would spend the rest of their lives struggling with her being the major breadwinner and him chasing one empty dream after the other. He’d want children and she’d be forced to support them alone. Alisha sobbed deeply thinking of the mess she’d made of her life right now. She wanted Lathan to stop caring for Chrissalyn and propose to her. She wanted them to be married and have a life together, but he kept her at arms length when it came to a permanent commitment.
How am I gonna get through this?
Alisha thought again miserably as she grabbed another beer and turned on the TV, needing the numbing distraction to clear her thoughts.
10
L
athan was lying in bed replaying the earlier conversation he’d had with Chrissalyn. She’d listened intently the entire time he’d talked, never taking her eyes from him
. “Chriss, I’ve been wrestling with my feelings for you for a while now,” he’d begun as she sat. “I know I’ve taken you on a roller coaster and around the world with this,” he’d ventured on as she continued to sit and observe. “But I’m finally ready to tell you the truth about how I feel,” he finished and took a deep breath, hoping she would say something, anything at this point.
“So how exactly do you feel Lathan?” Chrissalyn had asked her tone giving away nothing about her emotions at this point.
He’d cleared his throat nervously and began again. “I care for you deeply Chriss, I can’t even lie anymore,” he’d told her. “I want more than anything to be with you and be the man in your life,” Lathan had ventured again. “I came over here tonight to see if you felt any part of what I feel for you, for me,” he’d thrown out. Chrissalyn had continued her silence and Lathan’s heart began to fear he’d waited too late to open up to her.
“What about Alisha?” Chrissalyn asked simply still watching him intently.
Lathan sighed slightly. “I should have ended that bullsh--,” he’d begun and caught himself, “that association a long time ago,” he corrected himself. “I’m going to take care of that though, this week as a matter of fact,” Lathan had added for good measure once again.
Chrissalyn sighed softly. “What is it you want from me Lathan?” she’d asked warily.
Lathan couldn’t blame her for being suspicious or cautious at this point. He’d been playing with her heart so long, it was no great surprise she kept it closely guarded now.
“I just want a chance to make you smile, make you laugh, give you the love and respect you deserve,” Lathan had answered softly. “To know the joy of making love to the woman I love with all my heart,” he added finally growing silent again. “I know you’re thinking about Devon, and hurting
him
” Lathan piped up again, as Chrissalyn nodded slightly. “I would never want to do anything to bring my friend pain Chriss,” he started again. “But I can’t deny any longer how much it kills me that you’re with him” he finished boldly putting everything on the line.
Chrissalyn sighed again, sipping her tea and continuing to remain silent. “How do I know you’ll follow through on your promise and end it with Alisha?” she threw back, “After all, you’ve tried that a couple of times, only to end up with her again,” Chrissalyn finished looking directly into Lathan’s eyes, seeing the love her carried for her and hoping he couldn’t see the excitement that knowledge brought, in hers.
“I swear to you Chriss, it’s over,” Lathan told her earnestly.
Chrissalyn sighed gently again.
“Then be Missouri,” she said finally of the show me state, and Lathan told her he would.
He’d risen then, everything being said that needed saying. She’d walked him to the door and opened it for him.
“This week Chriss, I promise” Lathan told her again earnestly standing close enough to feel her body heat.
Chrissalyn had simply smiled slightly without reply. Lathan took a chance and kissed her, softly and gently on the lips. Chrissalyn again gave
him a look, but it said everything Lathan needed to know. He’d smiled and made the promise once more before leaving her and returning home.
Tomorrow is Monday, and its time to start putting the wheels in motion
, Lathan reflected as one final conscious thought drifting off into a fitful sleep.
*****
Chrissalyn was still reeling from shock. For too long she’d been waiting on Lathan to see the light and end this thing with Alisha and for too long he’d been letting her down.
What about Devon?
Her mind threw at her. He would be hurt, but Chrissalyn had to admit she didn’t care for him anywhere near the level she cared for Lathan and it was better that she be honest with him about it.
Then you should tell him now
, her subconscious charged her, making her feel guilty for leading him on all this time.
You knew it would never work out
, her mind told her again and Chrissalyn sighed deeply. Though Devon was a wonderful man and would make some woman a wonderful companion, she just didn’t think it was her. She decided she would sit Devon down when he returned and end their relationship.
Chrissalyn sighed deeply knowing the pain she would bring him, but assured herself it was for the best. Having settled the matter in her mind, she lay down and closed her eyes, waiting for sleep to take her.
*****
Devon was still brooding about what he’d witnessed the night he’d come home early from his trip. He’d arrived at Chrissalyn’s house, finding Lathan’s car parked in the driveway.
Why won’t he back the fuck off?
Devon thought to himself. He’d witnessed the goodnight kiss Lathan had given Chrissalyn and he was furious.
Damn, I’ve got to make her forget his ass
, he thought again angrily. Chrissalyn had called earlier saying they needed to talk. “I’m not going to let you breakup with me Chriss,” Devon said aloud to himself as he headed to his room. He needed to make a few calls and set up a few things. He was going to end Lathan’s pursuit of Chrissalyn once and for all. “And we’re going to finally make love,” he said aloud once more as he dialed his cell phone. Three phone calls and forty-five minutes later, everything was set and in place.
Saturday is going to be a night Mr. Lathan Archer won’t ever forget
, Devon thought acidly to himself as he readied himself to head over to Chrissalyn’s place. Devon had already made up his mind he would do whatever he had to in order to save their relationship. He called her on his way to see if he could possibly gauge her mood.
“Hey baby,” Devon said pleasantly once Chriss answered the phone.
“Hi Devon,” she replied amiably.
“You need me to stop and pick up anything?” he threw out trying to keep her talking.
“Thanks Devon, I really appreciate it,” Chrissalyn told him and Devon assured her it was no problem.
They disconnected and Devon continued to think.
We’ve got to make love tonight
, he thought to himself knowing once she went past that barrier there was no turning back. He sighed deeply as he entered the grocery store.
Chrissalyn was reflecting on her pending conversation with Devon. It was already Wednesday and she still dreaded it. She really didn’t want to hurt him and she already knew he would be.
Damn why is this so hard
, Chrissalyn wondered. She actually was a lot more attracted to Devon than she wanted to admit. His kind ways and sweet disposition had made a serious impression on her. He was focused, knowing exactly what he wanted and had no fear of going after it. As much as Chrissalyn wanted to deny it, those things turned her on completely. She also found herself very curious about the actual act of making love to Devon and wondered if he would indeed be the sensuous caring lover she’d imagined him to be.
Stop
, Chrissalyn reeled her mind back in. She was in love with Lathan.
Are you sure?
Her mind challenged her once again. “Of course I love him,” She said aloud as her mind once again rebelled.
“What the hell is going on with me?” Chrissalyn chided herself. This was what she wanted; it was what she’d been waiting months for and now she was tripping?
He’s still with Alisha
, her mind started in again,
and he’s
made this same tired promise too many times already
, her subconscious finished contently.
Chrissalyn was scared. Scared Lathan would once again let her down and leave her hanging, break her heart, and bring her to tears. Maybe she should stop being foolish and learn to love the man who was trying so hard to love her back. Her head was starting to hurt when the doorbell brought her back to the now and she rose to open it, still unsure whether she could follow through with her plans.