Chapter 26: Chapter 26

I didn’t bother to change. I figured I would go out the way I looked. I didn’t have another blouse that would cover my arm and I was still going to use the chocker. I doused myself with body spray and ironed out my hair again. I looked presentable. I was just hoping that today’s evening was going to go okay. I had made up my mind to tell Roger that I could not see him anymore after tonight. I had committed to Diego and I would have to live with it if I were to become what he wanted me to. I knew now having too many men at the same time was more work than I needed. I just hoped Roger would feel the same way about it. I already knew Fred was not taking the hint. I looked at the mirror and thought back at how I was never anyone’s interest now I had three great-looking guys all after me. These past two weeks were a chapter in my life I would never forget. The clock was coming close to eight in the evening and I was glad Diego hadn’t shown up. I hadn’t asked him what it was he did all day, but in truth, I didn’t want to know. At that moment I remembered the last text he sent. I took out my phone and read it. Fio, it’s about trust. He had texted. I looked at it for a while. How could he possibly think it’s about trust. It wasn’t like I was going to have sex with this guy. I already had made up my mind in telling him that I could no longer see him, but I knew Diego wouldn’t understand this was something I had to do on my own. I was debating sending him a text and tell him it had nothing to do about sex when I received a text message from him. Holy shit it was as if he knew I was about to text him. Can’t make it tonight, please stay home. I’m begging you. He texted. Hadn’t he asked about trust so I texted him back? Trust remember and before I forget party tomorrow at the pool area. I texted him. I heard my doorbell ring and quickly went to open it but before I got to it my text message rang. You’re right I trust but I don’t like it. What’s the occasion for the party? He texted. Birthday party! Got to go! I texted back and opened the door. “Hi, Fio” “Hi, Roger. You look great,” he said. “Thank you.” I replied. I didn’t want Roger inside my home, I would have invited him but my mistake was I had already done that with Fred and Diego. I knew I couldn’t get rid of Diego but now it was harder to get rid of Fred. “Shall we go?” I said. “Sure” he moved to one side to allow me to exit. I hadn’t seen Roger as well as I thought. He was very handsome and kind of rugged-looking. He carried himself with confidence. “Where do you want to go?” he asked as I was finishing locking up. “I don’t like Chinese food, and I only like shrimp.” I said. “That excludes Chinese and seafood,” he said smiling. “Yeah, well I am kind of picky but anything else is okay.” “You know there are no Italian Bistros or Mediterranean Restaurants around I would have liked to take you to one of those.” he said. I looked at him. “You’ve eaten all of those? I asked. “Yes, I was stationed around areas that served those kinds of food. I got hooked.” He said. “So that makes you a military man.” I served in the reserve. I got stationed in many places. I was a volunteer.” “I thought that the reserve was only in your hometown.” “Yeah, but I liked to volunteer to be sent out to places. I wanted to see the world.” I hadn’t noticed we were standing outside my home until he said. “Isn’t this like a dinner conversation, Fiorella” “Oh, God! I am sorry didn’t mean to pry.” “It’s not prying you’re just curious.” He said. I noticed that he had a truck as well but not like mine. His was a 4 x 4 GMAC. I looked at how high it was and I thought mine was bad. I was glad I didn’t wear a skirt or else I wouldn’t be able to get up there. I guess he kind of guessed I was contemplated on getting up. So he did the unthinkable. He opened his truck door and without me knowing he lifted me. I yelped at his sudden movement. I grabbed onto the side of the door and got in. He closed the door and went around to his. He was a pro at it and tall which helped. “Sorry, thought you could use a lift.” He said smiling. “That’s the break for being so short.” I said returning my smile. “So about dinner.” He asked. “Surprise me.” I said.

We ended at a burger place. I was happy with his choice. We ordered and sat down and began where we left off. “So, you’re not from around here?” I asked. “Nope, what gave you that idea.” He said. “The way you talk and look.” I said taking a sip of my drink. “How do I look? Fio.” “Nothing like other men around here.” I said. “About other men, I hope you don’t mind if I change the subject, that guy you left with.” He started. Great I wanted to leave this at the end of the date but he brought it up. “You just met him right?” he asked before I could say anything. Boy, this guy wants to know, so I had no choice but to let him have it. “Okay, Roger here is the thing. I should have told you before we left. Maybe then you wouldn’t want to go out with me. You’re right when you said I have only met him and when you called I was available. I didn’t know where I would go with Diego. His name is Diego by the way. I thought I wasn’t going to see him again, but he kept popping up and well we are getting to know each other. I didn’t want to brush you off and tell you by phone or anything like that. I had agreed to see you and I wanted to let you know straight off. I owed you at least that and I understand if you want to end this right now. I can find someone to pick me up and take me back home.” I said finally taking a breath. He didn’t say a word for a while. I looked at him and he at me. “So does this mean you’re getting serious with him?” He asked. “I don’t know how to call it but we’ve seen each other much more than I had expected.” I said to him. “So, are you falling for him?” he asked. “I don’t think it’s like that. It’s something else. I just don’t know how to explain it that’s all.” I said to him. “Okay, Fio there are either two things. You are falling for him or his something you think you couldn’t ever have.” He said. Hearing his words made me feel like I was incapable of getting a guy like Diego. What was it he saw in him? “Excuse me but are you saying that Diego is hot.” I said to him not believing what I was hearing. “Hell no! not even don’t even think for a moment that I said that he was hot.” “Go back and listen to what you just asked me. You said either I am falling for him and to answer that question. I don’t think so. The other is something you think I couldn’t ever have. What does that mean because to me it means that you think of me as ugly or something and what could he possibly see in me? Am I that pathetic?” I said more hurt in my voice. “No, Fio” He grabbed one of my hands and began to play with my hand. “You are the most beautiful women I have seen. You captured me that night. I saw this power in you that I didn’t think any woman could have. You looked radiant. When I saw this guy taking you away from me well I was really hurt and I knew immediately that he wasn’t something you would look for. Like he got you in this spell of his, that’s all.” He said. I saw and heard the sincerity of his words. “I'm sorry. I didn’t’ mean it to sound like that.” I said to him. “So does this mean I don’t have a chance in hell of making you mine?” He asked. Okay, there was that word mine again, I had already heard it from Diego and now Roger. “When do a women all of a sudden have to become someone’s property.” I said out loud. Roger looked at me. “Exactly Fio, why do you have to become his.” He said. “I don’t know.” I said. Our order came through and our conversation died a bit but he would often ask me questions about Diego. I didn’t want to answer and when I said I didn’t know he dropped the question altogether. During our time, I learned that he was twenty-seven years old and worked in the oil fields along with his uncle and some of his friends that came along for the ride. I spoke to him about my job and the students I had. I was enjoying the time with Roger. We were back to the truck and once again he opened the door for me but this time instead of just hauling me up like he did he turned me towards him I was able to see him eye to eye this time. He lifted me so carefully and gently. I sat and wondered what would have been if I had met him first. God, I needed an answer. “Where to next, Fio the night isn’t over yet and if I only have tonight with you then I will need to make it a good one.” He said. “So you do understand about what I spoke to you in there.” I asked. “Yes, Fio I won’t interfere. I am glad you told me and did not keep me in the loop. You know girls like to play around with men like having two or three men around. I appreciate your honesty. I am glad you told me. I’ll respect your choice even though I feel you're choosing wrongly.” “That’s an opinion, Roger.” I said to him. “Fio, he turned around to face me and caressed my cheek. You don’t even know yourself. I see you for what you are. You are a wonderful woman and yet there is something inside you that you are hiding. I see you.” He said. “Thank you.” I said. “For what?” “For understanding”. The night is not over yet, Fio and I’ll be damn if I don’t have time to hold you and kiss you at least once.” He placed the truck in reverse. Thinking about it I guess I did owe Roger just that. I stayed silent for the ride. I didn’t know where it was he was heading but at that point, I didn’t care. I wanted to spend some time with Roger. We ended up in the movies. “I hope you don’t mind, but there is a movie I want to see. I don’t have time to come here and well I just want to be close to you.” He said. How could I possibly argue he was being a gentleman after all. The movie turned out to be an action movie so I could get myself into it. I enjoyed that he would often hold my hand like when we got out of the truck and into the movie theater. He held my hand during the movie as well but never once trying to get to any base. I was relieved. The night was almost at the end. It was midnight when the movie ended. I was debating to invite him to the party but figured why not. If he had been cool about me and Diego I would think he would be able to be cool with it at my party. I knew the night was at its end because he was heading back to my place. I had hoped he wasn’t expecting anything else in return. Maybe just a kiss and an embrace that’s all I told myself. “I don’t know if you’d like to come but I am having a party at the pool area at my home, but I must tell you that Diego will be there and he might be with me.” “Might? You don’t know.” “Well, I have yet to hear his response about the matter, but he has defiantly already said we were somehow committed to each other.” I added. “Fio, no one can have a hold on you if you don’t want to.” “I know Roger but there is something about Diego that I just can’t explain.” “Okay, I don’t want to know any more about this Diego but I would want to know what this party is all about.” “It’s my birthday actually” “Your birthday?” he said. “Yes, and you know what this will be the first time in five years that I will be celebrating it.” I laughed nervously. He pulled over to an empty parking lot and stopped. “I haven’t parked since I was in high school.” I said to him noticing that we were in an empty parking lot. He laughed “that was not my idea but I am stunned to know about what you just said.” You haven’t celebrated since five years ago. May I ask why?” “I didn’t feel like celebrating it that’s all.” “There must be a reason for it.” His voice sounded concerned. I don’t know why I told him but it just felt right for him to know. I let out a breath. “The day I was to celebrate my birthday, my only nephew was killed.” I said. “How?” “He was stabbed to death.” I said quietly. “Oh, God Fio” he embraced me. I just let myself relax in his arm. “Do you know who did it?” he asked. “Actually, yes but that was not the reason it was done.” “What do you mean?” “My nephew was murdered to keep him from talking.” I added. “You’re not making much sense, Fio” “It’s hard to talk about that’s all.” I said and I sunken deeper in the comfort of his arms. He didn’t say anything for a while. “You know what Fio” I looked up at him. “You fit real good in my arms.” He said. “Funny I think so too, but that won’t change anything.” I said to him. “I know.” He said and lowered his lips to mine. I don’t know why I allowed it to happen but he was so sweet and caring. I hadn’t spoken to anyone about my nephew and I didn’t know why I did with Roger. His lips were sweet and so careful on mine. He was different than Diego. Diego’s kisses were so much demanding and brought out something in me that Roger couldn’t do. I didn’t feel like I needed Roger to sedate me, but just hold me and care for me. I liked that he could bring that out in me. He broke the kiss and placed his head on top of mine. “I am not going to kiss you anymore Fio until I leave you at your home.” He said. “I am a man of my word. I will respect your decision even if I feel you are making a mistake.” He removed his arm around my shoulder to place the truck in drive. I began to move. “Don’t I’d like to have you sit next to me even if it’s just for a while.” He said. I didn’t move and enjoyed his comfort. The ride back was a short one. I was right back in front of my home. I looked to see if Diego’s newscast van was parked, but it wasn’t there. I was glad, but that didn’t necessarily mean that he wasn’t there. Right now I didn’t care. “What time is your party? He asked. “Around eight or nine. Parties don’t start early.” I said. “Speaking like a woman who knows her parties.” He said laughingly. “I’ve been to some.” I said. We sat there continuing in our conversation. I knew it was past one and yet Diego hadn’t arrived. I didn’t know whether I was glad or uncomfortable not knowing where he was. “What can I expect to see if I decide to come to your party Fio,” he asked. “What do you mean by that, Roger.” I lifted my head from his shoulder to look at him. He had my hand in his and was playing with my fingers. “Will I see you with him? I mean will he be holding you just like I am now.” He asked. What could I possibly say? Diego and I were like magnets. I felt him when he was nearby. That I couldn’t possibly explain to Roger and even to myself. “No one can hold me like you are doing just now. You are different Roger. Never compare yourself to anyone else. And to answer your question yes, knowing him I do believe he will.” “That’s the thing Fio I don’t know if I could handle it. I can handle respecting your wishes, but now that I have you like this I just don’t know.” “Then Roger, maybe this was a mistake.” I said pulling myself away from him. He pulled me back. “Don’t let me hold you longer.” He lifted my chin to meet his lips. I accepted them. The next thing I felt was lights coming towards us. I was so deep into his kiss that I wasn’t paying attention. I felt the high beams come on. “What the fuck?” I heard Roger say. I knew who it was. “Roger, I think I better go in.” I said to him. “Why my date isn’t done yet.” He said. “Roger, I do believe it is. Do you remember what I said about choice and how you respected it?” I said to him. “Yes, Fio I still do.” “Well, Roger that choice has just arrived home.” I said to him. I heard him exhale his breath. I knew he didn’t like it but he had said he respected my decision. I knew after tonight I wouldn’t be seeing Roger again. He let me go and opened his truck door. I moved toward the door. He held up his hands up to me. I jumped off and landed right in front of him. He was able to cushion the fall but not allowing me to fall through. “I’ll walk you.” He said. I had wished he wouldn’t, but I was about to argue I owed him. We didn’t speak as we went up. Once up at the door. I heard noises coming from the van. I knew it was Diego and I guess he wanted me to know that he was pissed. I heard him cursing and fighting with Erick. I blocked him and everything else. I wanted to give Roger a proper good night. “Thanks again for everything. I had a great time. I wish I could say we could do this again, but..” he interrupted me. He bent down and kissed me for a while, I responded so eagerly. Once again he broke the kiss. “I’ll see if I can make it tomorrow. But you do know how I feel about it.” He said. I knew exactly how he felt but before he could leave I held on to him. “I’ve made my choice, if you do come just remember it.” I said to him. “Don’t worry Fio I’ll respect it and if it gets too much for me I’ll just leave. I won’t do anything to ruin your birthday.” He said. I jumped up and hugged him. He let me down easily. “I’ll see you again, Fio but next time as friends.” He gave me a quick kiss and left. I remained outside my door to wave him off. I didn’t hear Diego or Erick anymore so I figured they had both gotten in. I went inside my home and locked myself away for the next day's events.