While Charlie was cursing and damning Adam for his failure to reciprocate her wants and feelings and for being an up-tight yankee, he was doing the very same thing. He didn’t mutter to himself, but his thoughts jumped around and he kept asking himself what kind of a fool he had to be. Here you had the most gorgeous female that’s ever been interested in you and you act like a stupid shy virgin. How ridiculous could you possibly be. You write shit like that for a living.
As Adam passed the driveway that would take him to Charlie’s house,
his foot left the gas pedal and then pressed down hard. Damnit, you made a fool
of yourself and you’re not going to make yourself even more embarrassed by
sitting outside her house waiting for her to get home.
Parked outside his own cabin, car turned off, Adam sat in his car
and shook his head. He couldn’t believe what a self-righteous prick he’d been.
And thinking of pricks, his was still slightly hard and the very thought of
Charlie's hard nipples pressed against his chest made it begin to grow again. What
kind of man turns down a woman like Charlie? The scaredy-cat kind, he told
himself.
It was one thing to write about how touches made the men and women
in his book react with want and lust and tumble into bed to have great and
wonderful sex, but it was another to actually experience those feelings. Sure,
he’d had sex ever since he’d managed to get into Shelley’s pants at the age of
15, but not a single one of those women had ever made him feel like his skin
was electrified or send his cock from flaccid to raging hard in a manner of
seconds. It rather scared the crap out of him.
Sitting there, he asked himself what would happen if they did
tumble into bed together and had the very best sex of his life? It would be fantastic,
but what if Charlie wasn’t interested in a long-term relationship and from
everything he’d come to know about her, she wasn’t. What would happen if he
fell deeply in love and she didn’t and she moved on to another man? Being the
one in love and left behind would surely leave him wounded, sad, offended and
maybe even deeply damaged. It would surely suck far more than feeling like an
idiot for turning Charlie’s advances down.
Adam opened his car door and climbed out. Yep, he told himself, it
was far better to write about such experiences with fictional characters than
it was to have them. At least his made-up people always had a happy ending
after going through some difficulties. He wasn’t the least bit sure a
relationship with Charlie would have an ending that would please both of them.
Ah well, it was time he started a new book anyway. Once he started
writing, he wouldn’t have any time for visits of any kind. It would be easy to
avoid Charlie. He could just stay inside his cabin, so even if she decided to
paddle-board on the lake, he wouldn’t meet up with her. Besides, with fall in
the offing, it would soon be too cold to play in the water. Forgetting about
Charlie wouldn’t be all that difficult. It wasn’t like they’d had a mad wild
affair, but deep inside Adam could feel what he knew had to be regret.
Several weeks passed and Adam and Charlie didn’t run into or seek
each other out. Charlie had finally finished the job description for a second
in command. She’d given it to the two foremen she thought might be interested.
Only one of them was which was fine.
Justin had been with the company for over ten years, so he was one
of her dad’s original hires. Not only was he knowledgeable about the company,
its projects, and product usage, but he was able to use the computer system with
ease. He was married with two children, one of each sex and both kids were
interested in what their dad did and during summers often accompanied him to work.
When Charlie had realized the children were cleaning up around the job site or
doing anything else their father requested, she had told Justin she was putting
them on the payroll as laborers. The money they earned could be used for
college or learning a trade later on if that’s what the parents wanted.
Dennis, Mr. Eb’s grandson had provided Charlie with his resume and
she interviewed him as well. He resembled his grandpa, tall, thin and very
handsome with a pencil thin mustache beneath his nose. He was engaged to a
young woman he’d met at school. They were hoping to get married the following
spring and a job better than the one he currently had would make that possibility
far more likely. He smiled often and seemed very easy going. Charlie liked him
immediately and was impressed by the course work he’d taken at Georgia Tech. He
was actually more knowledgeable about environmentally friendly products than
she was.
Charlie reviewed the company’s finances and decided the way things
were developing, she could afford to hire both Justin and Dennis. So, she wrote
two new job descriptions and called Justin in first. She explained what she had
in mind and gave him the description. She asked if he had any suggestions that
would make it better or include work she hadn’t considered. If Justin took the
job, he would work with the various job foremen, deal with any problems on the
job, and pretty much oversee the various projects. The only thing Charlie hadn’t
thought to include was liaison work with the various unions. It was a good
suggestion and Charlie noted it on the job description.
Justin would report directly to Charlie but also work with Dennis,
if Dennis took the job, when it came to reviewing plans and the need for products
that were considered environmentally sound. Justin knew Dennis because he had
helped coach the high school football team of which Dennis had been a member.
Justin said he was a fine young man, friendly, smart and always willing to take
direction just as easily as he was willing to stand up for what he thought might
work better. He told Charlie it was Dennis’ suggestion for the final play of
the game that had resulted in the school winning the city trophy his last year
of play.
They then talked about pay and benefits. Justin’s benefits would
remain the same, except the company would provide a car or truck for his use.
His pay would be substantially more than that of what he was receiving as a
foreman. If everything went well, Justin would receive a raise at three and six
months and yearly after that when his annual evaluation was completed.
Charlie asked Stephanie to make an appointment for her to meet
with Dennis. When he arrived the next day, Charlie gave him the revised job
description for the position she was now offering. Dennis read it over and
looked at Charlie with raised eyebrows. “You think I’m capable of handling
this,” he asked.
“I wouldn’t be offering you the job if I didn’t think so. I
realize you’re new to the business, but your course-work and grades were
excellent. I have no doubt that once you settle in and become accustomed to
being in charge of your area, you’ll be just fine.”
“You seriously think some of the men, and maybe even women, are
going to be willing to take my instructions and/or suggestions seriously?”
“Why wouldn’t they? Because you are a black man? That has nothing
to do with the job. Everyone who works for this company knows that comments
having to do with race, sex, or sexual preferences, even in jest, are cause for
dismissal. It’s written right into the hiring contract. My daddy began that
when he began the company. He wanted people who wanted jobs and were willing to
work hard no matter what. There were a few way back then who didn’t think his
message was meant for them, but they found themselves applying for
unemployment.
“As a matter of fact, when I was just a girl, one of his employees
wasn’t too happy about being fired, so he and some buddies decided to get back
at daddy. I won’t bore you with details. Let’s just say that man didn’t have to
worry about unemployment because the result of his actions and that of a couple
of his buddies provided them with
housing and food, courtesy of the county for a time. After that, no one bucked
daddy’s desire for an integrated and happy crew.”
“No wonder my grandpa speaks so highly of your family. I’d never
heard that story. As far as the job, I accept. It’s exactly the kind of work I was
hoping to find at some point in my life. To have it offered so soon after
finishing school is just, well just wonderful.”
Charlie explained the benefits the company provided which would
include a car or truck. She explained his starting pay wasn’t going to be as
high as that of Justin, but that he too would be evaluated at three and six
months and given raises commensurate with his work and knowledge.
Thereafter, there would be an annual review and a raise at that time.
Charlie sent Dennis off to the Human Rights Department to get
signed up. He wanted to give two-weeks’ notice to Nelson, but Charlie thought
that was only fair and businesslike on Dennis’ part. Those positions settled,
Charlie turned to her computer and pounded out a memo that would go to all the
company’s staff explaining the two new positions and her expectations of the
men holding the jobs as well as her expectations of all employees with regard
to their interactions with Justin and Dennis. She didn’t expect any problems
because she knew each and every one of her employees and a little something
about their lives. She never forgot a face or a name and seriously believed her
employees thought highly of her and how she was running her daddy’s company.
The day finally came to and end and as usual Charlie was the last
to leave and lock up. She was very tired and very lonely. When she was
interviewing Dennis, the little imp in the back of her head told her he’d most
likely be a fascinating and fun person to date or have sex with. But Charlie
put the imp back in its box and slammed the door. She didn’t do stuff like that
with employees plus Dennis was younger than her and engaged. As she climbed in
her truck, she thought longingly of dinner at her mamma’s table and the
inclusion of some young available man. But her folks were still gone, so she’d
just have to go on home to her lonely little house.
Charlie’s route took her right by Ebenezer’s and at the last
minute, she yanked the steering wheel and pulled into the parking lot. It was
Friday after all and she decided she wanted to tell Mr. Eb she’d hired his
grandson.
Sure enough, Mr. Eb was in his place at the end of the bar.
Charlie walked up and said, “Excuse me Mr. Eb, but is this stool taken? If not,
I’d be mighty pleased to sit a spell, have something to eat and talk a bit.”
“Hello there Ms. Charlotte. I’d be mighty happy to have you join
me. You gonna have the usual?”
Charlie nodded and Mr. Eb called out, “Sammy, we need us a platter
of ribs, spicy sauce, collards, cornbread and an ice-cold beer for this here
lady.”
Sammy smiled as he placed an overflowing glass down. “Hi Ms.
Charlotte. I’ll have your platter right up.”
“Thank you, Sammy, and no rush. I want to talk to your grandpa
here for a bit.”
“What’s goin’ on Ms. Charlotte. You havin’ some man troubles.
Haven’t seen you or that young man you brought in here the last time.”
Charlie laughed. “No, that’s not a problem, and I don’t actually
have a problem to talk about. I just wanted to tell you how impressed I was
with Dennis and that I’ve hired him to be the company’s Environmental Project Manager.
When I saw Dennis’ resume, I realized I needed to take the job description I’d
written for one person and turn it into two different jobs. They’ll interact
and work together and both report directly to me. In fact, Justin, the other
man who was a foreman before this knows Justin from coaching football. He spoke
very highly of him as well.”
Mr. Eb took a sip of his whiskey and Charlie realized she’d never
seen that glass empty or the level go much below what it was at now. Must be
some kind of magic she thought. “I gots to tell you I was hoping you’d find
Dennis’ qualifications good enough to hire em. He’s a fine young man if I do say
so myself.” He said and chuckled. “I know he’ll work hard for you and be a good
employee. You know he worked here off and on from the time he was ten. Never
worked out front, but in the back cooking and cleaning. Kept him in a bit of
spending money, it did.”
Charlie’s platter arrived and she did her usual preparations with
the bib and napkins. “It seems like a long time since we had a chat Mr. Eb. While
I’m eating, why don’t you tell me how the family’s doing.”
Mr. Eb talked about his wife, fairly sick with the diabetes, so
sick in fact, she couldn’t have his special sauce but now and then. His sons
and daughters were all well-employed, either in the family business or elsewhere.
He thought those that worked outside the family were well appreciated. At last
count, he told Charlie he had 21 grandchildren and only six greats so far. Charlie
listened with a keen ear, asking a question now and then about who was who and
how old now. In between, she ate and sucked and closed her eyes to moan just a
tiny bit.
“You sure do like those ribs don’t you Charlie?” Adam’s voice cut
into one of her closed eye moans over the last rib.
“Howdy Mr. Eb. You said I should be sure to say hi the next time I
came in and you were here. I never expected to see Charlie sitting right next
to you though. How you both doing?”
Charlie didn’t say a thing beyond a hello and doing just fine. Charlie
pushed her platter away and cleaned her mouth and fingers while Adam and Mr. Eb
conversed. Mr. Eb told Adam about Ms. Charlotte hiring his grandson and how
pleased he was. Not only that, he’d been able to tell Ms. Charlotte about the
rest of the family, all of whom she knew, while she ate up her ribs.
Sauce wiped away, Charlie put some money on the counter and
refused to take it back when Mr. Eb tried to make her. “Mr. Eb, I’ve got to run
along now. It’s been a really long week and now that my tummy’s full to
bursting, I think my eyelids are going to slam shut pretty soon. I need to get myself
on home. I loved eating my dinner with you. The food and company were superb.”
Charlie stood and gave Mr. Eb a big hug, turned, looked at Adam
and said, “Nice to see you too.” And walked toward the door.
Adam stared after her and Mr. Eb said, “That’s a mighty fine young
woman there. You two have a falling out? Seemed like there was some ‘lectricity
‘tween you two when you came in together.”
“Yeah, well, we’re just neighbors out at the lake.”
“Well, all I gots to say is if you wanna be more than neighbors,
you need to get yourself busy. That was some ice field Ms. Charlotte threw up
when you arrived.”
At that point, Sammy came up with a bag, “You Adam?” Adam said he
was, paid, thanked Mr. Eb for the advice and hurried out. Maybe he could catch
Charlie before she got in her truck and left. Truth was, he’d seen her truck
and called in his order from the parking lot. He’d been thinking about her a
lot and trying to come up with a reason to approach her.
Charlie’s truck was ready to pull out of the parking lot just as
soon as the roadway was clear. Without thinking, Adam ran up, opened the
passenger door and hopped in. She turned her head and looked at him as if he
were some stranger.
“Charlie, do you suppose we could talk? Talk about us?”
“There is no us.”
“Okay, but there could be, don’t you think?”
“I thought so, but that was before you made me feel cheap and
dirty.”
“How’d I do that?”
The car behind Charlie honked and she pulled out onto the roadway
and immediately parked at the side.
“How’d you do that? Really, you have no idea? You, the big well-known
write of pornographic fiction? I can’t believe you don’t have a clue.”
“Look Charlie, it wasn’t my intention to make you feel bad. It’s
just I’ve never had feelings like this for any woman and they scare the hell
out of me. I’ve touched plenty of women, but my body has never sat up and taken
notice with every single miniscule cell. It’s one thing to write crap like that
and a complete other when it’s happening to me.”
“So, what do you want from me?”
“Charlie, I’d like to date you. I’d like to take you places. I’d
like to spend time with you and have you tell me about your childhood. I’d like
you to share everything in your life with me. I want to know you, really know
you and not just your body or for sex. I’d also like you to know me. Don’t you
want to hear about my youth, my family, what it’s like to live up north. Don’t
you want to hear about my desires and dreams, what I’d like from the future,
the same way I’d like that from you?
“That’s what I want Charlie. I want the whole hog, so to speak.
So, the ball’s in your court. Let me know if you want to have dinner again. If
I don’t hear from you, I’ll figure there’s nothing in the future for us at all.”
With that, Adam opened the truck door, climbed out, looked both
ways and loped across the road to his car in Ebenezer’s parking lot. Charlie
just sat there in her truck, stunned by the information that had poured out of
Adam. Before this, she hadn’t been the least bit scared about promoting a
relationship with Adam, but now, his expectations were maybe far too high for
her to meet. She watched his car head down the road toward his cabin. She put
her truck in drive and followed.