Lisa Jackson - Finally, You And Me

Heat radiated from her collar. Little did he know that he was already in her head. “I was just thinking about something,” she uttered.

“You were smiling so wide, I thought you won the lottery,” he continued.

“If that was the case believe me I would be doing more than just smiling,” she retorted, turning back to the cupboard to retrieve the box of dishwasher detergent. Pouring some into the dispenser, she set the timer and turned it on. All the while, Alexa knew Darius was watching her and knowing this made her uncomfortable.

From where Darius stood, he had a good view of her backside and he couldn’t help but smile with appreciation. Her efforts to thwart his attention had failed as he found her as appealing in the nondescript clothing as he would in a sassy red dress. He was curious to know what had her paralyzed in thought just moments ago. Whatever it was, she turned down the glow like a halogen lamp. He mistook her quiet musing as an invitation for company and thought it would be a good time to ask her out to dinner as friends. However, the idea quickly escaped him when she closed up like a clam.

“Well, I played long enough,” he announced. “I guess I better get to work.”

“Good idea,” Alexa quickly agreed. Then as to not sound too harsh, she added, “I have to get the girls dressed anyway.”

At the mention of their well-being, the girls groaned in protest.

“Come on, girls, you know you have to get ready for the day.” Alexa ushered them towards the stairs.

Darius watched as they trudged past with sad expressions. He waited until they disappeared upstairs before heading for Bryant’s office.

The work that needed to be done to Bryant’s computer took longer than Darius anticipated. It was after 4:00 when he emerged from the office tired and famished.

His stomach growled as he made his way from the back of the house into the main living quarters. The house was as quiet as an empty church. Thinking Alexa had left with the children, he headed towards the kitchen in search of something to devour. As he rounded the corner leading into the kitchen he came to a screeching halt, surprised to find her seated at the table; his mouth was agape with awe.

Alexa appeared to be deep in thought as she gazed out of the window, grasping a mug of hot tea. Darius almost didn’t want to disturb her. She looked so peaceful and radiant, with the natural light warming her nut-brown complexion. He fought the urge to approach her and stroke her ebony tresses, but he knew he could not do that. The act would have been too intimate and much too forward considering the circumstances.

“Alex.” He said her name softly. So softly that he thought only he could hear, but she had.

She turned around, her honey-brown eyes aglow.

“The house is so quiet. I thought you all were gone.”

“The girls are taking their nap.” She whispered as if speaking aloud would wake them way upstairs.

The mention of the girls brought a smile to his lips. “Those girls are something else, especially that Monaye. She is Maya all over again.”

Alexa smiled and nodded in agreement. Her response encouraged him to enter the kitchen.

“Are you hungry?” she pointed over to the stove. “I just made some potato soup.”

His brow lifted. Potato soup was his favorite. “I am starving!” he said and went over to the kitchen cabinet to grab a bowl.

“Have you heard from Maya and Bryant?” he asked, taking a seat.

Alexa nodded. “They are on their way home. Ms. Lily is stable and will be fine in time for the wedding.”

Darius exhaled in relief. “That’s good news.” He knew how close his cousin was to his mother as he had the same type of relationship with his own mother.

Alexa gazed down at the mug between her clasped hands.

Darius felt her slipping away and tried to drum up something to say in order to retain the pace of the conversation.

“Since you’re back, are you going to take some time to reacquaint yourself to the city? Maybe see some old friends?” He hoped to keep her talking in an effort to bring forth ease and hopefully fade away the tension.

“I didn’t plan on it,” she replied. “As you know, we moved here when I was ten years old and my folks left the area while I was away in college. The only tie I really have here now is Bry and Maya.”

“Well, let me know if you change your mind. I could go for a night out on the town. It seems as if every time I come here it’s all about business.”

Alexa shook her head. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

“And why not?” He spooned up some of the soup and blew on it to cool it off before eating. When he put the contents in his mouth, his eyes closed with pleasure. Alexa had made it just the way he liked it with chunks of potato, leeks and chives.

“Because we are not exactly friends,” she retorted, recalling his words from that telephone call she made.

“That is precisely the reason why we should do it.”

“What would that prove?”

“That we are two mature adults who can set aside our differences and at least be civil towards one another,” he offered.

“While that would be ideal, we both know that too much has been said for me to pretend like things are okay.”

“If my memory serves me correctly, I can recall that the exchange of words may not have been said at all if certain actions by a certain party were not made.”

Alexa’s eyes widened at his words before narrowing into angry slits. She couldn’t believe that he had the gall to go there. “And you say set aside our differences. How can we if you make comments like that?”

“Well, it’s the truth, Alex,” he charged. “Your actions led to my words, plain and simple. I just call it as I see it.” He pushed aside the half-eaten bowl of soup, totally losing his appetite. The muscles in his jaws tightened in anger. He wasn’t prepared for this and was upset at himself for allowing her to witness his agitation.

“Who are you to sit up here and condemn me!” she exclaimed. His accusation may have been true, but she was not in the mood to hear it.

“The truth hurts doesn’t it?”

Alexa was not prepared for a confrontation, nor did she desire one. She couldn’t even respond to his question, allowing several minutes to pass in silence.

Darius couldn’t take it anymore and announced that he was leaving.

“That’s probably for the best,” she hastily agreed.

He rose from his chair and marched into the next room in search of his coat and hat.

Alexa went straight to the closet where she had hung it shortly after he deposited it in the family room. She removed it from the hanger and handed it over.

“You know, you still should take me up on my offer,” he said in a thick voice.

“Whatever.” She couldn’t believe that he still wanted to go out after just picking a fight.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, leaning in closer. “Are you afraid that your feelings for me haven’t disappeared after all?”

Her eyes widened, and her mouth gaped open in disbelief. “I can’t believe how full of yourself you are.”

“And so are you,” he returned. “The years may have come between us but you are the same Alexa.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

He stepped closer to her. “You know exactly what it means. I know you, Alexa, especially when it comes to me—you are easy. You were easy then and you’re easy—”

“Stop while you’re ahead!” she warned, her eyes ablaze with fury. “I don’t know who you think you are coming in here trying to put me down. I could say a lot about that situation, but I won’t because I don’t want to stoop to your level of game playing. I’m not into playing games. If that is what you’re all about these days, Darius, then you can leave me alone.”