A Necessary Struggle: Fall Semester

Part 43

          Lela slowly closed the front door behind her as she watched Trevor standing at the end of the driveway. Taking measure steps toward him she scavenged her mind for the most plausible explanation. An explanation that didn't involve her telling him the real reason she was at Russell's house. Unfortunately, the only thing in her mind was the clicking of her ankle boots on the tan concrete. As she swiped her hand along the dark green F-150 she had no lie so she went with the first thing that came out of her mouth.

       "What are you doing here?"

        Trevor stopped tossing his keys narrowing his eyes, "What am I doing here? What are you doing here?"

       "I'm um...you know this is the house we painted." She stopped rubbing the back of her neck to point to the house.

         "Yeah...and we already checked out our work. So, I repeat...what are you doing here?"

        Lela combed her hand down her freshly done braids, "I don't think that's really important."

       "Hey, Lela!" A blonde girl yelled and waved as she sped by on her bike.

        Lela waved back, "Hey Julia!"

      "Don't tell me...you're babysitting!" Trevor dropped his head

       Lela watched the cool autumn breeze play in his gold tresses in need of brushing as a smile grew on her face. Babysitting, that was a good alibi; one she could stay by. It wouldn't be a lie because it was partly true. "Yes."

      Her answer brought laughter from the boy, "What's  funny?" She slapped him on the shoulder.

     "You...babysitting." He held his stomach. "How dumb do you think I am?" His laughter died giving way to a sniff. His blue eyes focused on her. "Does Safiya know you're here?"

      Lela leaned against the truck. A smile should have painted victory on her face. Trevor had supplied her with the perfect story. She could just tell him that she was at Russell's house to speak with Carter; who was present in the backyard playing catch with CJ. Of course, there would be some blowback with Safiya if Trevor let the word about her visit to Carter's house slip but that wasn't the thing causing her stomach to churn like a tornado. Nausea battled up her esophagus. It was all becoming too much. The way he stood there staring at her like she was the last present under the Christmas tree with his name on it. The present he waited, wished and prayed for all year. Her heart thudded like a continuous sixteenth note. She couldn't do it anymore. Not with him.

        Lela breathed deeply, "We need to talk."

       "Are you breaking up with me?" All the blood drained from Trevor's face as his frantic eyes searched hers.

       "No." Lela abandoned the side of the truck stepping closer to him. She interlocked her fingers with his. The warmth of his skin against hers heated her entire body making her feel loved and safe at the same time. That feeling she hunted for but was denied with every failed relationship. "I'm not breaking up with you...but you might after I tell you the truth."

      "The truth." His fingers tightened around hers. "What do you mean?"

••••••

       There were two things good about the Russell house. It had a guestroom and it was three streets away from Trevor's. So, if this went to hell she'd have somewhere to recovery and pull herself together before going home. After the word truth fell out of her mouth for the second time, Trevor rushed her to his Land Rover and brought them back to his house. Footsteps were the only noise in the house was bathed in orange light. Trevor couldn't stop tapping his foot as he watched Lela pace in front of the wall of windows.