Chapter Thirty one Dreams

Jason sighs heavily as he and Jessica sat in the locker room waiting for Tyler. They had tried countless times throughout the afternoon to speak with him about what Kayla had said but every time they tried another crisis would arise and they would have to put it off.

They were about to put it off again when Tyler walked into the room. "Alright, I get the feeling that the both of you have wanted to say something to me all afternoon. I have a few minutes before I've to go do a double shift so spill it; what's on your mind?" He asks stretching.

"We want to know if it's true that you're going back to Kayla," Jessica asks. "I'm thinking about it, why?" "Because it doesn't make any sense to us TJ; you caught her in your bed going down on another man." Jason gags and took a deep breath.

"And he's not the only one she has been with; why would you want to be with someone who would do something like that to you." She pleads. "Why would you want to be with someone you can't trust?" Jason asks.

"Because I believe in forgiveness, I've been attending church for the past few Saturdays and all I keep hearing is how many times Jesus has forgiven us," I said running my hands over my face.

"Countless times, so I thought it couldn't hurt to try again; to forgive her and move on," I said shrugging my shoulders. "But how TJ, can you really see yourself with her after what she did?" Jessica asks. "I'm not going to lie; Kayla and I have a long way to go but I believe that with God's help we can make it."

"And what's going to happen if the child she's carrying turns out not to be yours?" Jason asks. "I'll admit, that would hurt like hell but I'll cross that bridge when I reach it and all I asks is that you guys just support me because I don't think I'll be able to do this without you guys; so do I have your support or do you think I'm an idiot for trying?" "You're not an idiot TJ; you're in love; with the wrong woman but in love just the same and of course we have your back, always," Jessica said.

"Thanks, guys and if it doesn't work; well at least you'll have the pleasure of saying I told you so; now you guys get out of here; I've to get back to work, I'll see you both tomorrow," I said heading for the door.

"You won't be getting rid of us that easy buddy; we're doing this double shift with you and don't even think of trying to stop us." Jason offered.

"I won't stop you but the chief attendant might." I laugh. "Really; when have they ever turned down extra help; now let's go; there's a lot of people out there that needs help," Jason said patting Tyler on his shoulder.

Jason didn't realize he was standing by his locker with his shirt in his hand until Jessica touches his shoulder. "Hey, you alright?" She asks with concern. "Uh….hey Jessie." "What's going on in that mind of yours?" She asks opening her locker.

"I'm just thinking about what TJ said last night. I mean I was sure that him moving out meant he was done with her but now he's talking about forgiveness and crossing bridges when he gets there and all that shit." Jason said running his hands over his face. "I mean seriously Jessie, for him to even think of going back to that lying, cheating bitch puzzle the hell out of me, after what he saw her doing, any man would have kicked her to the curb like immediately but noooo not T J he's thinking of forgiving her, I mean what the hell?" He swears in frustration.

"I feel the same way Jase but it's his life, we have no say in what he does or who he does it with." She said with a sigh. "I know someone he should be doing it with, Janice, is whom he should be doing it with." He snorts.

"I mean you would think that with her alluring assets he would be drawn to her but again no, he's still going after that thing." He continues in disgust. "He ain't bad looking and he has a couple of zeros behind his name. So in my opinion he could do a lot better than Kayla, so why? What kind of hold does this woman have over him…he….?"

"Who is Janice?" Martin asks cutting Jason's sentence short. They both look around and saw Martin leaning against the door frame. He then rolls his eyes as he realized they weren't going to answer his question

"Anyway I'm glad you two knuckleheads are finally asking the right questions and now that you're on the right track it won't be long before you two figure out the rest." He said and walk back out into the passage before they could stop him.

Half an hour later I massaged the back of my neck as I entered the kitchen. I sat down at the counter and filled mom in on the events of the night before while she made me a sardine sandwich with lettuces, tomatoes, and cucumber.

I asked for Janice and was told that she was in the gym with Caleb. After I had my sandwich; I went upstairs. The thought of her in the gym with Caleb gave me conflicting emotions, but it was Caleb; surely I had nothing to worry about, right? Wrong, it was Caleb my womanizing older brother, but on the other hand, if Janice was attracted to him then there was nothing I could do about it.

I guess that was why I felt all twisted up inside and why I deliberately avoid going into the gym. Instead, I went into her room and checked on Faith who was still sleeping. I gently kissed her little fingers then went to have a bath. A few minutes later I stepped from my bathroom with a towel around my waist and was drying my hair when Janice entered my room.

Her face practically turns red on seeing my naked chest all the way down to my waist and I couldn't help but smile as I continued to massage my sore muscles. Damn this girl could blush? But why would she be blushing? It's not like she hasn't seen a half-naked man before. I thought to myself.

"Are you alright?" I asked still smiling. "Yes…um ..yes I'm fine, ..um …hectic night?" She asked trying to avoid looking at the water glistening on his chest and down his chiseled stomach.

"As usual but what's driving me crazy is this tension in my neck." I groan. "I may be able to help you with that.' She said taking me by the hand and leading me to the bed. 'Um….Lay down on your belly and I'll massage it for you.'

"Oh boy, thanks but you really don't have to do that." Why, because my body was sending me signals that I really wish it wasn't right now. "I know I don't, but I would like to help."Not to mention that the thought of what his skin felt like beneath her fingers has been hunting her dreams every night for the past week.' She thought to herself. 'Alright, I guess it couldn't hurt.' He said lying on his stomach as she had suggested. She knelt down beside him on the bed and began massaging and kneading his neck and shoulders and within a few minutes, he was fast asleep.

I stretch and opened my eyes, swinging my legs over the side of the bed I got up and was walking towards the bathroom when I realized that the tension in my neck was gone.

Wow, this girl is excellent with her hands in more ways than one.' I chuckle to myself. 'She can cook and massage, hmm I wonder what else she's good at?' I smiled and bite my lips as I entered my closet and got dressed.

I was on my way downstairs when my phone rang; it was Kayla. "Hi Kayla; I'm glad you called; I've been thinking about you.' 'That's sweet baby, I've been thinking about you too. I miss you and I was wondering if I could see you later.' 'Sure, but the reason I was thinking about you so much is that I have a feeling that there's still something you're not telling me.' I said firmly.

"Martin is still very angry at me and he keeps talking in riddles about how I supposedly hurt you." I took a deep breath and continued. "I've no idea what he's talking about but I have a feeling you do."

"I don't baby; I really don't know what his problem is." I took a seat at the kitchen counter and smiled at Janice. She was busy preparing lunch, one of her many delicious meals no doubt.

"Kayla, if there is something going on that you haven't told me about; now is the time."

There was a long pause at the other end of the line. 'As hard as I know it is for you, please tell me the truth. Tell me now, please." "I…... I'm telling you the truth, Ty. I love you and I'm not keeping anything else from you."

"Yeah right." I snort. "Then answer this question truthfully. Have you been with anyone since I moved out?" I ask even though I already know the answer. "No… I haven't. You've to believe me Ty; I haven't."

"And that's the God honest truth according to you?" "Yes it is; you said that you know I can change; that I can be a better person and that's all I'm trying to do." "Then you had better thank your lucky stars that he's merciful or he would strike you down where you are right now, but I'll tell you this much, if you do not stop lying to me I will walk away from you and this time it will be for good. Do you understand that?' I ask firmly. "Yes, Ty; I love you." "I love you too, I'll see you later."

Janice had her back to him. She was more listening to his conversation and remembering how soft and smooth his skin felt under her fingers than she was paying attention to what she was doing. A part of her wishes he felt the same way about her because as much as she told herself a hundred times per day that he would never love her intimately she on the other hand was very much in love with him.

So much that just being around him made her palms sweaty, her knees weak and her heartbeats increase and she had to use all her self control to make sure he didn't notice but whenever he wasn't home she always fell lonely and sad as if a part of her was missing and whenever he was home, she found it hard to breathe in his presence.

"So pretty lady; what do you think?' I ask. 'I think that you deserve someone a lot better than that woman, me, for example.' She thought to herself, she then took a deep breath before turning around. "About what?' She asks innocently. "Do you think I'm making a mistake by forgiving Kayla?' "Do you?' She asks back.

"Sometimes I'm not sure but I'm sure I love her and I want to be with her; despite her many flaws, I still believe she can change." I chuckle. Janice had to admit that those words coming from him hurt a lot deeper than she was willing to admit, but then again what did she expect. The man was in love with his fiancée, not her. "Then it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks; I just pray she doesn't hurt you again." She said turning her back to him so he couldn't see the hurt on her face.

"From your lips to God's ears and…um…. before I forget, thank you for that wonderful massage. It would've taken me at least a few days to get that tension out." "I'm glad I could help and if it happens again my hands will be happy to assist." She smiles turning back towards him.

"I'll definitely be taking you up on that. So where did you learn to massage like that?' "Well I was very good at massaging the knots out of my house mother's neck, so I guess I got better at it as I got older."

"I see, you would make a great massage therapist." "Thank you but my dream is to become a pediatrician." "Even better; do you have any subjects?' I ask. "I only have Math, I was supposed to go back and take English but….."

"Life happens right," I said smiling. He had a beautiful smile and those dimples; wow; they made her heart flutter. She thought to herself. "Don't worry it's not too late to fulfill your dream. I've some medical books in my room that I think you'll enjoy reading; you can check them out whenever you're ready. So…um…. what are you making anyway?' I ask inhaling the sweet aroma coming from her pot.

"Oh, I'm making sweet corn fritters, Chicken Satay with pineapple chutney, and sweet potato salad." She said with a bright smile. 'I won't even try to repeat any of that, just load me up." I said licking my lips. "With pleasure."

Thank you all for reading

Food for thought

Worry is a burden that God

Never meant for us to bear