“Where were you?” questioned Melvin as he placed a light kiss against Jade’s lips.
Jade avoided his gaze and let the comment ride on the wind for a brief moment.
She reached for him seductively, “what’s wrong Mr. Richardson, did you miss your little snuggle bunny?”
Melvin melted, “come on now Jade, why are you so late?”
Jade moved her fuchsia painted pointer finger to his mouth, “shhhh” she whispered.
Melvin released a deep-throated chuckle before responding “you always do that when I’m trying to be serious.”
He brightened and allowed himself to be enraptured in Jade’s constant chatting as she moved from her friend Elise to Richard, Elise’s husband, with hugs and kisses for them both. The couples sat down to eat a feast of fried catfish, grits and biscuits with Karo syrup. The quiet night air was constantly interrupted by fits of laughter as memories of the “good ol’ days” caught them reminiscing about botched attempts to escape their own open windows after midnight, or sweet kisses next to the Ferris wheel when the fair came to town.
“I would like to propose a toast” said Melvin as he swirled his White Zifandel in the crystal flute. He gazed into Jade’s eyes.
“This is to us, baby; to a lifetime of happiness. Here is to knowing that there is no one else in the world for me, and I’m sure you feel the same.” Elise coughed as she tried to swallow the cold liquid that attempted to spill from her ample lips.
“I’m sorry” she replied “go ahead Melvin, I’m just … all choked up” she turned to Richard, “no pun intended.”
Melvin cocked his head to the side, cleared his throat and continued. “Every morning, I thank God that he has given me at least one more day with you. He has granted me yet another wish … another day gazing into those beautiful eyes, so transparent I can see straight through to your beautiful soul.”
Jade smiled one of her most grateful smiles, before lifting her glass with the others in unison. She rose to wrap her arms around him, “you are the sweetest man I know.”
Elise allowed her eyes to roll in a sistah-girl fashion before standing with her glass. “ok, ok, enough of you two. Now for my toast.” She grabbed Richard’s hand, “to my baby. Thank you for loving me wholeheartedly, honestly, and with the utmost loyalty. I feel safe with you and I have enjoyed this life we have created. Here is to many more years of you and I doing what it is we do. Loving like loving was going out of style.” Richard laughed heartily and wrapped Elise in strong arms. Jade moved out of Melvin’s embrace as Rico’s ring sang melodiously into the crowd’s ears.
“Sorry guys, I’ve gotta take this one. It’s business, you know how that goes.” Jade grabbed the phone and excused herself to the bathroom.
“Rico, why are you calling me right now?” whispered Jade with slight irritation.
“I want you tonight Jade. I can’t do this baby. I need you tonight.”
“You know I can’t just come to you whenever I want Rico. It’s not fair to him, he loves me.”
“Apparently a lot more than you love him. Or else you wouldn’t be there with him now, thinking about me.”
“Rico, I can’t talk about this now. I love you both, and I can’t make a choice right now.” Jade’s voice went up several decibels as the frustration rose to a feverish pitch. “Now good night.”
“Make a choice Jade, or I’ll choose for you.”
“I can’t.”
“Make a choice.”
“No Rico.”
“Now! Jade.”
“No” she screamed before slamming down the cellular phone. Jade ran her fingers through her hair before turning on the faucet to wet her face. The tension was getting to be too much, but she wasn’t willing to say good bye to either one of the men in her life. Jade took a deep breath, a vain attempt at trying to compose herself. She dried her face on the salmon colored towel and then opened the door prepared to face the love of her life and friends. She was greeted by Melvin leaning haphazardly against the door frame. Their eyes met.
