Judy Hubbard - These Arms of Mine

She opened her mouth to try to convince him to give up this ridiculous idea, but closed it again, realizing the futility of that gambit. He had set his terms and the next move was up to her. Without another word, she turned and left, slamming the door forcefully behind her.

He leaned back in his chair and let out his breath on a loud sigh. Tense fingers loosened his tie a bit. She hadn’t left a moment too soon. Why had seeing her again affected him so profoundly? It was because he hadn’t been with a woman in a while—that was it. That had to be it.

He shook his head in satisfaction and returned his eyes to the manila folder on his desk. After a few seconds, he gave up trying to concentrate on anything other than anxiously awaiting Alesha’s return tomorrow, even though he already knew what her answer would be.

Alesha entered her mother’s home and forced herself to appear happy and carefree, even though her heart was heavy, laden with the ultimatum Derrick Chandler had just issued to her a few hours earlier. Despite the dark cloud of gloom that hung over her, she could not risk letting her mother know she was upset—her mom had already had one heart attack a year and a half ago. Alesha would make sure she didn’t find out about the events currently transpiring in her children’s lives.

“Mom?” She searched for her mother as she walked through the house, throwing her coat onto a chair in the hallway.

“I’m in here, darling.”

Following her mother’s voice, Alesha made her way toward the bedroom. Once there, she was extremely glad to see that, for once, her mother was taking her doctor’s advice, reclining in bed, though she was fully dressed.

Alesha walked over and kissed her mother’s cheek warmly before perching lightly on the side of the bed. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine, darling.” Barbara Robinson smiled as her daughter eyed her carefully.

Alesha marveled at what a beautiful lady her mother was. At age fifty-six, her black hair was sprinkled with gray and was cut short, attractively framing her oval face. Alesha smiled lovingly at her and silently vowed she would do everything in her power to make sure her mother stayed healthy and happy.

“What have you been up to today, dear?”

“Just the usual.” She smiled. “Have you been following doctors’ orders?”

“Yes, dear. I’ve been behaving.” Barbara rolled her brown eyes heavenward. “Honestly, I don’t know how much more rest and relaxation I can stand.”

“Mother…”

“I know. I know.” Barbara sighed heavily and then smiled slightly.

“You just continue to be a good girl, and Bobby and I will be around to make sure that you do.” Alesha grasped her hand and surreptitiously took her pulse.

Before her mother could respond, the front door opened and closed and Robert’s voice called out, “Mom? Alesha?”

“We’re in here, Bobby.” Alesha walked over to the bedroom door.

Seconds later her brother found them. He was about two inches taller than Alesha, though they both possessed the same café-au-lait coloring. Entering the bedroom, he bent down and placed an affectionate kiss on his mother’s forehead, brought out a beautiful bouquet of colorful flowers from behind his back and handed them to her. Alesha noted and engraved in her memory the happy look on her mother’s face. She would do anything to keep her that way forever.

“For the most beautiful lady in the world.” He smiled as he straightened to stand beside the bed.

“They’re lovely. Thank you.” Barbara brought the bouquet to her nose and sniffed appreciatively.

“Let me get you a vase for them.” Alesha took the flowers from her mother’s hands and glanced pointedly at Robert, silently communicating that he should follow her.

“Is there anything sinful to eat in the kitchen?” Robert’s brown eyes twinkled mischievously.

“Well, you know I’m not allowed,” Barbara complained, “but, there is some chocolate cake.”

“Perfect!” Robert smacked his lips in anticipation.

“Mother, what are you doing with a cholesterol-filled chocolate cake?” Alesha quickly returned from the doorway to glance at her mother disapprovingly.

“Relax, darling. I didn’t eat any. Antonia came by today and left it. I couldn’t turn her down, now, could I?”

“I suppose not.” Alesha sighed before adding, “I’ll be sure to take it with me when I leave—just to remove the temptation.”

“Sorry, Mom, but you know how she is.” Robert smiled sympathetically.

“I do, indeed.”

“Don’t you two start ganging up on me.” She wagged her finger at them good-naturedly. “Come on and get your cake.” Alesha pushed her brother ahead of her out of the room.

Robert’s eyes focused on the cake sitting on the counter. “Mmm, this looks great!”

When the door was safely shut behind them, Alesha spoke slowly and calmly, “I went to see Derrick Chandler today.”

“What?” He whirled to face her.

“Shh! I don’t want Mom to hear you.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, but firm.

“Why did you go see him? I thought you were going to stay out of this.” He’d lowered his voice, yet his tone remained angry.

“You decided that, not me.” She filled a vase with water. “I had to see if I could make him listen to reason.”

“Did you?” He knew the answer before she replied.

Turning her back on him to cut a slice of cake, she replied cryptically, “In a way.”

Robert walked around to stand in front of her, placing a finger under her chin and lifting her eyes level with his own. “What exactly does that mean?”

“He agreed not to press charges against you.” She hoped he would leave it at that for now.

“If…” He knew there had to be an if.

She gave him his cake, took a deep breath and released it slowly before replying, “If I agree to marry him.”

Robert nearly dropped the plate onto the countertop. He stared at his sister, horrified.

When he spoke, his voice was barely controlled. “Please, tell me you’re joking.”

She walked away from him to stare out the kitchen window. “I wish I was, but you know I wouldn’t joke about this.”

“Damn him!”

Alesha quickly walked to his side and placed a restraining hand on his arm. “Be quiet! Remember, Mom is just down the hall. We can’t let her know what’s going on.”

When he spoke next, his tone was lower, but just as enraged. “I hope you told him what he could do with his idiotic proposal!”

She remained silent, lowering her gaze from his. Robert’s heart skipped a beat at her demeanor.

“Alesha, you didn’t agree to this insanity, did you?” He watched her closely.

She raised her eyes and responded truthfully, “He’s given me until tomorrow to decide.”

“There’s nothing to decide. There’s no way I’m going to allow you to sell yourself to him to save me! I knew what I was doing when I took that money. I’ll suffer the consequences for it.”

“Bobby, even though you were wrong to embezzle from him, I won’t let you go to jail if there’s anything I can do to stop it.”

“I won’t let you do this.” He was equally unyielding.

“You can’t stop me.” She shook her head. “If Mother finds out what you did and you’re sent to prison, the shock would kill her—you know that.”

“But, Alesha…”

“No buts.” She placed silencing fingers on his lips. “I can’t risk losing either of you. If that means I have to marry Derrick Chandler, then I’ll marry him.” She wished she felt as calm as she sounded.

“You’re a wonderful sister, but I will not allow you to marry someone you don’t love to save me.”

He turned and left the kitchen. She ran after him, but reached the front door only in time to see his car pulling away.