‘Mama was close to home but the unfamiliar passage, the change in directions turned her around, confused her, and she couldn’t find her way.’ I thought of that, and still think of it, whenever I’m tempted to take an unfamiliar route.”
She looked at his bowed head. “Did I put you to sleep?”
“No, you didn’t put me to sleep. I was just thinking of what you said. That was a nice story. Very profound.”
His smile was sweet and his eyes hazy. “I wish I had that wisdom to guide me when I was young. I can think of several wrong turns in my life. In some ways, I’m still trying to find my way back home. I’ll have to remember that story for my kids.”
“I’m not sure how effective it will be for them. It works for me because I can still see Mama Em’s face, walking in circles, so close to home and yet so lost.”
He smiled, and this time his smile was for her. “You’re a very nice person, Susan Cross. There’s real warmth in your soul.”
“You sound surprised.”
“Just a little. Your work face sometimes appears a little cold and ruthless, but I suppose that’s the way it has to be.”
She saw herself through his eyes and flinched. “What you see on my face is caution, not frost. I’m as nice as I’m allowed to be. I didn’t make the rules, but I am determined to control my life enough to be able to dodge the crap as it goes flying by. As hard as I try, I still sometimes fall short and need a soft place to land just like everyone else. The one thing I can tell you is that I believe in keeping it real. I’m cautious, and I’m not a hypocrite.”
They finished dinner and arrived in time to take the last two available seats at the Café Rio . She enjoyed the music and when the band took a break, Travis told her how nice it was to sit next to a beautiful woman who was also a great listener. He drove her home, and held her hand when they crossed the street to her building. She thanked him at her door.
“I really enjoyed the evening. I’ve never been so alone before,” she admitted. “Thanks for spending the evening with me.”
She showered and dressed for bed. The evening had been relaxing. She felt less stressed than at any time since arriving in Houston. Travis was a nice man, and she was happy to have found another friend. Sleep came easy, and with it dreams of closeness and total fulfillment. Strong arms held her close. Adoring eyes bore into her soul. She relented to passion that took away her breath. His mouth devoured hers and traveled down her body. Awakening. Igniting.
It was not a dream but a trance where she was lost in the glory of his being. She lay in his arms, enthralled just as she had been when he first walked into her office. There was no animosity between them, only fire. She whispered and then screamed his name. Awakened by the sound of her own voice and the fetching smile of Rev. Willard Cartwright in her head, she clutched a pillow against her body and sighed.
* * *
The Monday morning management meeting provided Susan with an opportunity to question the policies she felt were too lax and to give opinions when they were sought. She gladly shared her knowledge, including her views on the need for a unified operation. She watched Price’s face contort with disagreement.
“I understand that departments here are fairly independent and segregated. This poses a problem for me. We’re a team here at Sealand, and being a cohesive group is the only way to remain tops in our field. ”
Price hurled several questions her way, and she responded while thinking that, like Angie, her knowledge was underestimated. She responded with thorough explanations, and Travis watched her with a proud smile.
When Price asked about Cedargrove Heights, she thought before answering. “They have made serious allegations that I hope we can disprove. If not, the parties responsible will have to face the consequences. If Sealand falls, we all go with it. Another reason to remain
She looked at his bowed head. “Did I put you to sleep?”
“No, you didn’t put me to sleep. I was just thinking of what you said. That was a nice story. Very profound.”
His smile was sweet and his eyes hazy. “I wish I had that wisdom to guide me when I was young. I can think of several wrong turns in my life. In some ways, I’m still trying to find my way back home. I’ll have to remember that story for my kids.”
“I’m not sure how effective it will be for them. It works for me because I can still see Mama Em’s face, walking in circles, so close to home and yet so lost.”
He smiled, and this time his smile was for her. “You’re a very nice person, Susan Cross. There’s real warmth in your soul.”
“You sound surprised.”
“Just a little. Your work face sometimes appears a little cold and ruthless, but I suppose that’s the way it has to be.”
She saw herself through his eyes and flinched. “What you see on my face is caution, not frost. I’m as nice as I’m allowed to be. I didn’t make the rules, but I am determined to control my life enough to be able to dodge the crap as it goes flying by. As hard as I try, I still sometimes fall short and need a soft place to land just like everyone else. The one thing I can tell you is that I believe in keeping it real. I’m cautious, and I’m not a hypocrite.”
They finished dinner and arrived in time to take the last two available seats at the Café Rio . She enjoyed the music and when the band took a break, Travis told her how nice it was to sit next to a beautiful woman who was also a great listener. He drove her home, and held her hand when they crossed the street to her building. She thanked him at her door.
“I really enjoyed the evening. I’ve never been so alone before,” she admitted. “Thanks for spending the evening with me.”
She showered and dressed for bed. The evening had been relaxing. She felt less stressed than at any time since arriving in Houston. Travis was a nice man, and she was happy to have found another friend. Sleep came easy, and with it dreams of closeness and total fulfillment. Strong arms held her close. Adoring eyes bore into her soul. She relented to passion that took away her breath. His mouth devoured hers and traveled down her body. Awakening. Igniting.
It was not a dream but a trance where she was lost in the glory of his being. She lay in his arms, enthralled just as she had been when he first walked into her office. There was no animosity between them, only fire. She whispered and then screamed his name. Awakened by the sound of her own voice and the fetching smile of Rev. Willard Cartwright in her head, she clutched a pillow against her body and sighed.
* * *
The Monday morning management meeting provided Susan with an opportunity to question the policies she felt were too lax and to give opinions when they were sought. She gladly shared her knowledge, including her views on the need for a unified operation. She watched Price’s face contort with disagreement.
“I understand that departments here are fairly independent and segregated. This poses a problem for me. We’re a team here at Sealand, and being a cohesive group is the only way to remain tops in our field. ”
Price hurled several questions her way, and she responded while thinking that, like Angie, her knowledge was underestimated. She responded with thorough explanations, and Travis watched her with a proud smile.
When Price asked about Cedargrove Heights, she thought before answering. “They have made serious allegations that I hope we can disprove. If not, the parties responsible will have to face the consequences. If Sealand falls, we all go with it. Another reason to remain
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