Seasons (21 page)

“I thought I had it settled, Mom. This woman is the epitome of everything I’ve always wanted in a woman. She’s beautiful inside
and out. We’re good together. We enjoy the time we spend together. It’s like I’m better, happier, when I’m with her. And I
guess the main thing is, she’s not chasing after me. The fact that I have money hasn’t even fazed her. And she doesn’t just
go to church; she loves the Lord and is actively serving Him. She’s caring, considerate, loving. Patrick just loves her. And
she’s got as many hang-ups about us deepening our relationship as I do—probably more. But she makes me feel like we could
have what you and Pop have together, if we could ever get to that point.”

“I’ve heard all about her from your father and Patrick,” said his mother. “They think she’s the bomb, as the kids say. I wouldn’t
know, since it seems like I’m the only one who hasn’t met her. But honey, you have to follow your own heart and mind. If this
is the woman you want, then don’t question it, go for it. But if you still have doubts, don’t jump into anything. Pray about
it, and seek your answers from the Lord. Just take your time. You’ve waited this long. A little more time won’t hurt, I don’t
care what Dad and Patrick say. Just remember, Dad and I didn’t start out where we are now. Naw, honey. We went through some
real sticky places to get here. And that’s the way it’s going to be with you all. Relationships and marriage are hard work,
as you should already know from past experience.”

“Now, Mom, don’t even bring up that fiasco with Vivian. You know that was a mistake from the beginning. This is totally different.”

Cecelia’s curiosity about the woman increased. She knew her son well, and any woman who had him in this kind of torment had
to be special. “All I know is, if you plan to live, you better bring this girl around here to meet me. I mean that!”

“Okay, Mom,” he answered, chuckling. He always felt better when he talked to his mother.

He knew he had some serious thinking to do about where he wanted to go with Jaci. He figured the best thing to do was to follow
his mother’s suggestions to pray and take his time.

He backed off. As hard as it was, he stopped calling and pursuing Jaci.

J
aci hadn’t seen or heard from J.P. in almost two months. She was devastated, but told herself it was best that it happened
now. She reached deep within her spirit to draw on the Lord’s strength and peace that had seen her through so many difficult
places, and once again, moved on with her life.

“Girl, I don’t have to tell you how much I hate to go to that thing Saturday night,” Jaci said to Gloria as they prepared
files for the next hearing. “The only good thing about it is that we’re going together. I couldn’t tolerate going alone. Did
you get something to wear yet?”

Gloria flashed a big smile. “Yeah, girl! I found just the right outfit, and, honey, I’m going to be catching, cause it’s really
bad! I hope you got something to pop some eyes out too. If not, I’m taking you shopping myself. If we have to go, and you
know we do if we want our jobs, we might as well make the most of it.”

Jaci was amused. “I have something I think will make you real happy. I went shopping with Lena, and you know her. She practically
forced me into buying this little black dress. It’s short—has a halter top and a hem made of fringe. In fact, I’m going to
have a whole new look Saturday night. I think it’ll surprise even you.”

The annual Thanksgiving Benefit Dance was something Jaci dreaded every year. This year would be worse because of the tense
atmosphere between her and Wynola. She’d prepared herself for a fight after returning from Arkansas, but although Wynola had
nitpicked and found something wrong with everything Jaci did, there had been no mention of the days she had taken off.

Since it was mandatory for all employees to attend the benefit, she had to go, but she made her usual plans to make an appearance
and then sneak out at the first chance. The event was sponsored by the Housing Commission of Houston and was a party as well
as a Thanksgiving fund-raiser for needy families. The entire housing industry participated and competed by bringing canned
goods and other donations. Those who enjoyed parties looked forward to it every year since there was an abundance of food,
drinks, and entertainment.

Gloria and Bill Whitmore met at her house so they could all ride together. They both gasped when they saw Jaci. She had swept
up her long hair on top of her head in a sophisticated style and wore a sexy black dress that did little to hide her voluptuous
curves. “You look great!” they told her.

Being among the first to arrive, they had their pick of tables. As more of their coworkers arrived, their table became crowded
and more chairs were pulled up. It amazed Jaci how a different environment changed her colleagues’ attitudes toward her, especially
considering the way things stood between her and Wynola. Usually in conflicts, her fickle and unprincipled coworkers flocked
to the one they perceived as having the most power. And in this case, that was Wynola. But some of the same ones who gave
her a hard time in the office couldn’t seem to get close enough to her tonight. How was Jaci to know, since she didn’t participate
in office gossip, that the word around the department was that Wynola’s tenure in the department was about to end?

Surprisingly, Jaci was having a good time. Bob Johnson, who had been trying for years to get a date with her, tried to hog
all her dances. And for once, Jaci was enjoying the attention she usually rebuffed.

“Just so you know, Bob, tonight is all about having a good time, nothing more,” Jaci told him.

“Aw, baby, don’t burst my bubble. You know how long I’ve been waiting for a chance with you,” Bob answered.

“Yeah, me and every other woman in the department—young, old, married, single, black, white—you name it. You don’t discriminate,
you go for them all.”

“Baby, you’re looking so good tonight, you just say the word, you got me all to yourself for as long as you want me.”

“Right. Until some little young chick comes along and shakes herself at you. Then you’ll be gone before I can blink my eyes.”
They laughed as they talked and danced around the floor.

Jaci didn’t know that J.P. had entered the room and was angrily watching them. A casual observer would be amused at the shocked
expression covering J.P.’s face when he found Jaci on the crowded dance floor. At one point between dances, he started across
the room toward her table, but before he could get there, Bob grabbed her hand and pulled her back onto the dance floor. J.P.
went back to his seat. But his eyes remained glued to Jaci.

When Jaci returned to the table, Gloria motioned her to the empty chair next to her. She leaned over and whispered, “Girl,
there’s a certain man here who hasn’t taken his eyes off you, and he doesn’t look too happy either. Did you know J.P. was
going to be here tonight?”

Jaci sent a hurried look around the room to see if she could spot him. “No, but so what?” Although she appeared to be unconcerned,
her heart started beating double time.

“Well, like I said, he’s not looking too happy. In fact, he started over here once, but when you got up to dance with Bob,
he went back to his table. He’s been watching you all night. I think the man is totally pissed. Wynola’s sitting at his table
and you know she’s up to no good, so be prepared for anything.”

“He has no reason to be pissed at me,” Jaci said in a low voice. “I mean, after all, we’re not . . . there’s nothing between
us.”

“You couldn’t tell that by the way he’s watching you tonight,” Gloria responded. “And he has been really nice to you. You
have to admit that.”

“Yes, I do know that. But then he stopped communicating with me. And I absolutely refuse to chase after him.” She hoped her
hurt and bewilderment over J.P.’s apparent change of heart didn’t come through in her words. Her high spirits suddenly disappeared.
“Let’s just have a good time until we can leave, okay?”

Bob claimed her again for a slow dance. Jaci loved to dance and it had been quite a while since she’d had the opportunity,
so she really enjoyed the rare treat of dancing to some of her favorite oldies classics. When the song ended, Bob offered
to get her something to drink and she returned to the table alone. Just as she sat down, J.P. appeared beside her.

“Can I speak with you a minute, Jaci?” he spoke quietly over her shoulder. Heart pounding, and forced enthusiasm in her voice,
she said, “Well hi, J.P., what’s up? I didn’t know you were coming to the dance. How have you been?” She was puzzled by his
silence, and when she noticed his stiff, unsmiling countenance, she decided Gloria was right. The man was pissed!

“Let’s walk outside,” he said as his hand closed around her arm and pulled her up from the chair. He kept her close to him
as they left the room. When someone attempted to halt their progress to say something, J.P. ignored them and tightened his
grip on her arm. Surprised stares followed them as they exited the room. Jaci was embarrassed and becoming angry. What was
his problem anyway?

It had been he who had broken contact with her. She had to conduct all her dealings with his company through Herbert Williams.
She assumed he had grown tired of her with all her family problems and decided she wasn’t worth the trouble. His behavior
was irrational and unacceptable.

When they got outside the room and down the corridor a ways, he stopped and looked down at her angrily. “What in the world
has gotten into you? Why are you letting that guy put his hands all over you like that?”

“What are you talking about, J.P.? I’m just having a good time. And what I do is my business. What’s wrong with you? Why are
you acting this way? I haven’t seen or talked to you in weeks, now here you are acting like someone who’s lost his mind. Well
hear this, Mr. J.P. Gilmore. You have nothing to say about what I do! Now, I’m going back inside, so let go of my arm.”

“What you’re going to do is go back in there and get your stuff, then tell that crowd you’re with that you’re leaving.”

“No, I’m not! Just who do you think you are, mister? I didn’t come with you and I’m not leaving with you.”

“I’m up to here, Jaci,” he said, pointing above his head. “I’ve watched all I’m going to watch tonight, and you are leaving.
I don’t have anything to lose; these are not my coworkers. And I will make a scene that none of them will ever forget if you
don’t leave with me now. Don’t think I won’t. So, go and get your coat. Did you drive or are you riding with someone?” When
she barely nodded yes, he said, “Well tell whoever you’re riding with that I’m taking you home.”

She stood there looking at him for a long time. In turn, he looked at her with angry eyes that communicated to her that he
meant what he said.

“Will you tell me why you’re doing this, J.P.?” she asked softly. “I’m at a loss. I don’t know what’s going on here, and I
don’t appreciate how you’re acting. I’m trying to remain rational and I wish you would too.”

J
.P. knew Jaci was right to demand an explanation, but he was so intent on getting her out of there that he couldn’t think
beyond that point. He came to the dance on the off chance that he would see her. He knew her attendance was required, so in
spite of not communicating with her for so long, he figured he would come, dance with her, and help her through the night.
Jaci had mentioned how she disliked having to attend the event, so he expected her to look and act like she didn’t want to
be there. Man, was he shocked!

He began searching the room intently for her as soon as he arrived. When he spotted the sexy woman with the short revealing
dress, showing off a pair of gorgeous legs on the dance floor, he had looked appreciatively, but continued to look for Jaci
in the crowd. When the lady whirled around to face him and he realized she was Jaci, he almost fainted. Why was she dressed
like that? And what was she doing dancing with that guy like that? Then he became angry. Very angry.

He felt like a fool. He had backed off, true enough. But never had she been far from his thoughts. When he remembered what
he had expected—to be her rescuer, and maybe get the chance to dance with her, to hold her in his arms, he felt very foolish
in the face of reality.

He immediately began plotting ways to get her out of there, finally concluding that he would have to strong-arm her; otherwise,
he knew she would refuse to go. And indeed, there she stood, demanding an answer to why he was acting this way. He had no
answer, at least none he could share with her in the middle of a crowd. He just knew that he wanted her out of there—with
him.

“Jaci, just get your things and let’s go. Or do you want me to do it? Where’s the check stub for your coat? Where’s your purse?
How did you get here?” He looked at her with a scowl. “And don’t tell me you came with that clown you’ve been dancing with!”
He let her arm go and walked determinedly back toward the ballroom.

“Wait! Okay. I’ll go with you. Just let me get my things. I’m really angry at you for doing this, J.P.,” she said before walking
away. He watched as she went back into the ballroom and wondered what the heck had gotten into him. He knew he was all the
way wrong, but couldn’t seem to control his actions. He just hoped he could come up with an explanation that would help Jaci
find it in her heart to go easy on him and maybe someday, to forgive him for his high-handed, uncalled-for actions tonight.

J
aci tried to appear as if all were well as she told Gloria and Bill she was leaving. They were surprised. “What’s going on,
Jaci? Is everything okay?” Gloria asked, looking at her closely. Jaci gave them a brief explanation about J.P. wanting to
drive her home so they could talk, but they knew her well enough to know she wasn’t real happy.

“Jaci, you sure you’re ready to go?” Bill asked, a worried expression on his face. “Want us to drive you home? It won’t be
a problem.” Bob also looked concerned. “I can drive you home, Jaci. We’re having such a good time, I sure hate for you to
leave now.”