Ropes & Ladders: Chapter 2

“Welcome back everyone!  Help yourself to the lovely breakfast provided by Mr. Aiken!” Monica announced. 

“Aye, yo, man...good looking out! “  Jonathan attempted to say as he swallowed his third doughnut. 

“Yes Tommy, you definitely gave me just what I needed.”

Did she really just say that?  Jennifer would throw it at anyone with two hands…maybe even one hand. He laughs to himself and shakes his head.   Gotta make sure I stay clear of that thirst-trap!  Now…where is Mrs…oh, there she is…game-face time!

“You're very welcome.  I decided to start the year off on a positive note.  I made a few phone calls to those I consider my inner circle and I realized that the generosity of their friendship is something I need to pay forward.”

 “Such a kind gesture, Mr. Aiken.  You’re trying to make everyone feel special this morning I see,” Mrs. Long interjected as she passed by, analyzing the table of refreshments. 

“Yes, everyone is special.  Some…more than others,” he replied, as he gestured for her attention to focus on what was in his hand.  “A warm French toast muffin--freshly baked.”

Whispers flew through the room as she accepted his act of kindness with a bright smile. 

“What happened over the break that made him bring her breakfast?”

“Or maybe he forgot to thank her when they woke up this morning.”

“Isn’t she married?”

“I don’t see a ring…”

“Is he really pushing up on her?”

“ Oh yeah…special breakfast items?  She’s on the team.”

“And on that note, let’s all have a seat so we can get started.  So, welcome back everyone,” she began, trying to overlook the obvious side conversations.  “Wasn’t it nice of Mr. Aiken to show his appreciation with this breakfast this morning?”

Poor attempts at low whispers filled the room. 

“I bet he wants to show you a little extra appreciation…”

“If he hasn’t already…”

Her tolerance for such things would soon grow thin. “Oh…I’m sorry,” Mrs. Long stated firmly, looking directly at her accusers. 

“Umm, excuse me?” asked the hecklers in an ironic unison.

“I’m sorry you’re not me.  But it’s okay.  You may continue to act unprofessionally, but you will be sad…and outside…instead of in here…happy…with a job!  Do you want to be sad?  Personally, I like being happy!”

Other than a few gasps, the room was silent.  As Mrs. Long walked over to the door to shut off the lights to begin her presentation, a big smile grew on her face.

“Oh babe!  You didn’t have to do this!!!”

A tall male, glasses and an athletic build, smiled brightly as he entered the room. 

“The jewelry store called as soon as you left this morning and said it was ready so I wanted you to have it as soon as possible.  It makes me feel like we’re connected even more when I know you’re wearing it!”

“If she’s on his team, she must’ve just quit ‘cause the way she’s kissing him…ain’t nobody in between that but him!”  Monica jabbed at Jonathan.

“You’re so sweet!  I’ll see you later on this evening!  Date night, right?”

“Definitely!  Got something nice in store too,” Mr. Long added, then turned to everyone else in the room.  “I apologize for interrupting your session.  You guys have a good one!”

Tommy stood to his feet.  Without thinking, he walked over to Mr. Long and extended his hand.  “It’s no problem.  We appreciate your wife so much.  It’s nice to see that she’s loved once she leaves us.”

“Did he just say we loved her?”

“No, I think he insinuated that he loved her?”

“French toast muffin can’t compete with a wedding ring though…”

“Look at her face!”

The whispers continued as Mrs. Long’s face became the dictionary definition of baffled.  She stood in the middle of the two men…the out-stretched arm of a potentially rising star…and…her husband who, up until now, has been the center of her universe. 

Ropes & Ladders: Chapter 1

"Happy New Year!!!  I pray special blessings are bestowed upon you and your family this year.  I really appreciate all you've done to help these past few months!"

"Oh wow!  So unexpected...HAPPY NEW YEAR MR. AIKEN!  That was very nice of you :-)  Same to you and yours..." 

She smiled for a while after sending her reply.  Smiley faces in your first text message? Wonder what made him write me in the first place?

"I hope my text didn't get you trouble.  It's not my intention to disrespect your marriage.  I only wanted to send well wishes to people who come to mind today...and you were definitely on my short list."

"Trouble?  No, definitely not an issue here & yes, I am a married woman.  Glad you remembered that!"

"Oh, it's kinda hard to forget when you're hand lights up the room!"

"Ha ha Mr. Aiken.  Ring or not, I think you'd be respectful and gentlemen-like anyway."

He smiled for a while after reading her reply.  She is beautiful...but married...I can't push up on her...he's a lucky guy...stay focused!  Just end the conversations quickly and all will be well.  

"Gotta respect the ladies...ya know!  But I think you wouldn't have a problem checking anyone who stepped out of line.  I see how you cut your eyes at people in the meetings Lol."

Really?  So he's looking that hard?  I need to cut this short...he is easy on the eyes though.

"What do you mean?  I don't do that...that would be unprofessional!"

"LOL.  Yes it would, and you walk the line.  But I think it's good though.  It shows you have passion ;-)"

"Passion?  Is he trying to run game?!  Why am I smiling?  

"Well, I care about my work.  That smiley face...are you flirting with me Mr. Aiken?  What would my husband think if he saw another man winkin through texts?"

Shoot...her husband gotta know she bad!  She's cool people though...just keep it clean and you'll be fine.

"He has to be used to guys hitting on you...not sayin I was...I'm just sayin...you're easy on the eyes and you have sense...that's always appetizing!  No disrespect."

"LOL @ "appetizing".  I'm not following you up!  But thank you for the compliment.  I didn't think you were flirting...just wanted to mess with you.  Gotta go see about my babies #mommyduty"

"You're very welcome!  Well, I guess I'll see you at work next week."

"Yes.  I'll be conducting the morning training sessions.  I expect you to be there bright and early!  And if you bring breakfast for yourself and forget me, we're gonna have words! :-)  Enjoy the rest of your vacation!"

"I gotchu!  No worries!  You're gonna have the other ladies jealous about your coffee and muffin LOL.  'How Mrs. Long get him to bring her a muffin?! LOL."

"LOL.  They won't say anything.  They know better!  #justkiddin  Ok, Mr. Aiken.  This was nice.  See you next week!"

"Aight...see you then!"

Duality of Realities

Pages of, descriptive depictions - Because, relentless intent, 
I'm just, sensitive and thinking that, this was meant for a reason,
Must be the season of change and exploration,
This thing that we're making is filled with complications
Yet our destination isn't why we choose this movement;
Slow motion like ocean waves, eroding shores then penetrate
An exciting cycle not to duplicated or repeated,
But with each time we meet, another chapter's reenacted 
By this fascination we share - uncharted territory - we dare...
This fascination we share...we dare...

Pages of, descriptive depictions - Above, patience like incense
We turn with a glow, wonder if there's anyone who knows,
This is meant for a reason, 
Must be the season of change and exhales,
Hearts racing, dreams chasing this things that we're making,
It's filled with complications, yet the current state of matters
Is the only that happens...
Escaping in each others arms becomes the reality 
We wish we could awake,
An exciting cycle replicated in different settings, 
Another chapter's reenacted
By this fascination we share - uncharted territory, 
Yet we're still here...
This fascination we share...we dare...

Pages of, descriptive depictions - Maybe L**e, 
This fascination we share,
Since reality can't compare, our duality becomes the clarity,
We're sensitive to the melody of our lives 
Choosing passion over everything,
This symbolizes more than what everyone is seeing,
It's this thing that we're making, we're filled with complications
Yet our motivation is just being - together, through as many seasons
Of change and exploration, patient waves and penetration,
Because with each time we meet, we dare...
This fascination we share...we dare...

When I Want You

Who wants war, when mornings are made with your smile, lunch with your walk, dinner with your being. I'm seeing life from this perspective, even when it gets hectic, your pressence is a weapon that takes away the stresses.

Who wants peace, when evenings are spent with your voice, prime time with our shows, late night with your toes. I'm living life different, even when its routine, your body on my body, we paint the perfect scene.

Who wants you, when all I do is think about the ways we can live out our days in amazing relations, with spacious engagements, and favorites of favors that never waver. 

Who wants more, when I could have you...

Meeting the Needs of a Truth #20

I’m not sure who wants it more.  I know it’s mine because it responds to me as if I’m in control.  This feeling of conquest, coupled with the anticipation of the return of someone I knew long ago in an another life…I feel energized.  I feel…full of life.  I feel…tensing in my back.  Not anxiety; more so a beckoning for release, as if shackles ripped the skin from dessert dusted ankles as a stumbling walk increases into a scramble for a much needed oasis.  But there are no mirages here…just time, space and opportunity to journey to one man’s land, prepared to allow another to conquer…to rule…to meet the needs of a truth that has been starving for a dose of an alternate reality. 

I'm not sure who wants it more.  I know it’s his because it responds to him as if he is in control.  This feeling of release, coupled with the anticipation of the perfect one to accept my invitation…I feel energized.  I feel…full of life.  I feel…tensing in my thighs.  Not anxiety, more so a yearning for release, as if I’ve been held captive in a dessert, shackled by my ankles when he, my oasis appeared and I find myself stumbling towards him with all my might.  And this is no mirage…just time, space and so much opportunity to explore this new world, to be conquered; then join the conqueror …to rule alongside him, as he meets the needs of the truth that I’ve been starving for…a dose of an alternate reality.

Talking to Myself Again

If I waited to see you, I’d probably stumble over words and jumble phrases, give so many examples and analogies you’d feel like I’m taking you on an amazing race through mazes as if I’ve only grazed over a speech that someone else prepared, but…in fact I’ve stared…gazed upon these thoughts—my life in lines that you could finally follow to the point where I am today, which is that I’m missing you like crazy.

I dare not say that I know what you are thinking but a possibility that may be creeping--the question of why am I making such a simple statement an enormity of complexity.  If you haven’t, then that only makes one of us and I’ve grown accustomed, although we’ve been together, for the most part, for too many years only now for me to realize that we have been never been one.  Despite efforts that I, at the time, felt were sincere but with hindsight, I know that no one could make the decisions I’ve made, been the way I’ve behaved and still wanted to be taken seriously, but for me, right now as I pray you can hear me speak as you read, I want you to know that I’m missing you like crazy.

Maybe I’m old news or my ship has sailed, I may be the old thing that has passed away…but for some reason, you have been on my brain like that gray matter, you two could be one in the same—the thing that controls me, the one that drives me, finds me when I’m lost and guides me back to safety.  Yet, I know now that I cannot count on that light from your lighthouse, to lead me by illumination…and I know what you’re saying, yes, I know what you’re thinking, that it’s far too late because you’ve changed the station.  If that is the case, then I wish you all the positive thoughts the world can send your way, but I had to let you know, that I’m missing you like crazy.  

Premeditated

So, I decided to end it all and commit all of my resources into doing so. At first, I was a little apologetic but those emotions became less and less sincere as I recited my statement of why I chose this course of action. The bottom line, as I like to say, is that when I attempted to balance the equation of my life, there were inequalities that needed to be eliminated. There were also a few key variables that needed to be added in, controlled variables that factored into why I am not content with the current standings of my empire. When everything was properly entered into equation the only viable answer was this…

Therefore, I’m ending this pathetic attempt at living and I’m making the choice to do what’s necessary for me to have peace. I’m sure there will be those that say they miss me…I imagine a few may mean it. Some may plead the case that there is always another way; that ending a life is never the answer. Well, that may be the case for others but not I. I, stand firm in my decision to dissolve my association with everything I’ve grown to know and love, even those who have tried to stand by me, comfort me and support me.

Feeling like a burden, being a burden to others is not my idea of living, yet, that is what I’ve been doing for the past few years. I know some psychologist may try to psycho analyze this, pointing out all of the I’s, relating it to a selfish act brought on by some condition that no one can pronounce to properly categorize my mental state upon my exit. Well, I know this is selfish. Of course it is! I’m looking out for myself, my feelings, and my well-being. The way I’ve been living has been torturous…I turn away from mirrors because I don’t see any reflection I recognize. I am so disappointed that I allowed my happiness to get away, that I bent and twisted my perception of life into such an unreasonable sense of reality that I can no longer recognize myself.

So many others could do so much more being in my shoes…so I’m providing that opportunity now. I’m leaving a list of people I’ve been investigating over the last year that would benefit greatly from the things that I will no longer need or use. Please follow the directions specified on the DVD recording. There will be no evidence of my remains. By the time this letter has been read, all of my assets will be liquidated and any funds, properties or assets unspecified for disbursement will be with me.

Clearing his throat, the family attorney breaks the silence in the room. “As you can see, Mr. Orswell has taken care of all logistics in matters of his estate. It appears he has been planning this escape for quite some time. Are there any questions?”

There are looks of horror, disgust and sadness throughout the room. Tears, mumbles and expletives are released as the reality began to sink in. He was gone. And no one would ever know where or how he could have pulled this off without anyone knowing.

“Yes, I have a question,” laughed Mrs. Orswell. “How is it that a man who was declared medically incapable of motor skills able to do all of this?” “Practice,” his eldest son replied.

“Patience and practice. Wasn’t that his motto? Oh wait...that was yours too.  I guess you his best friend Phillip can stop sneaking around now.”

“Watch your tongue young man! How dare you accuse…”

“Save it mom,” Brad interrupted. “Just save it…”

Mr. Orswell watched closely via satellite to ensure the reading was successful. He smiled, then, boarded an unmarked plane, determined to live out the rest of his days in peace.