Mardi Gras 1969

Chapter 4

Lincoln climbed down Ebony's ladder and started making the long walk to his car. "I'm tired...of having meaningless sex." He became judgmental of Ebony as he tried to put her words out of his head. What the fuck did she want from him? She must be crazy, inviting a stranger over to her room for the night. Then starts asking me questions out of nowhere when she can't even answer mine... He shook his head and continued walking. He passed by the house that her family lived, picking up his shoes while he reflected on his night. She did introduce me to a lot of her people, she didn't have to do that. He thought about the drinks Jeremiah gave them and the sincerity in Eloise' voice about Sammy's passing. Even her grandmother was nice enough to give him a plate of food when he showed up unannounced.

I guess I did have a good time, what else would I have done today had I not ran into her? Probably would've... He stopped in his tracks. Would he even welcome me back at the church for a holiday? After the choices I made... Father James hadn't spoken to Lincoln since he decided to stay in New Bordeaux. Their relationship had grown increasingly strained as Lincoln's actions did not sit well with Father James' moral ethics. He was one of the last people who truly cared about me.

Lincoln had gradually stopped spending time with people outside of work so his night with Ebony was an unexpected surprise. Inhaling, he turned around and saw Ebony's treehouse far off in the distance. When was the last time I did something for someone else? When was the last time I showed someone compassion? The sensation of the sunflower dropping beside his hand came back to him. "You looked like a flower might brighten your day." Lincoln closed his eyes. I made a mistake.

Lincoln made his way up Ebony's ladder and pressed his ear against her door. Silence. He knocked on the door lightly and was pleased to see her small brown figure peak out the doorway. She wasn't pleased to see him however, and started closing it the moment she realized it was him. "Ebony wait," he wedged his foot in the door. She didn't respond. I'm not good at this. He didn't know what to say, so he just looked at her-remorse on his face. She sighed and opened the door, heading for her desk. He followed her in closing the door behind him. She had changed into a pink pajama set and was working on taking down the flower crown in her hair. He pointed to her bed and she nodded. He sat back down again, taking his jacket off, but she didn't look towards him this time.

"I got my scar on Mardi Gras of last year. It was a rough night and I lost my family in that fire." Ebony turned to Lincoln, "Can I touch you?" His heart raced. "I mean, your scar." "Ok." She made her way towards him and raised her hand cautiously to his forehead. She traced the indentation in the bone starting from his forehead to the base of his skull. Lincoln wasn't embarrassed of his scar but he'd never allowed anyone to touch it like that. It was a strange sensation for him. "What do you think," he asked her. "I don't know. I think it's kind of sexy to be honest." Wasn't expecting that response. "How does it feel for you," she asked. "To have someone touch me like this? It's kind of weird..." Ebony pulled her hand away immediately, "I'm sorry, I-" Lincoln stopped her, "No, I like it. At least when it's you doing it." He pulled her hand towards his chest and she joined him on the bed.

"I'm so glad I ran into you earlier today," Ebony said. "How come?" "You looked upset. Lonely even," she admitted. What's that supposed to mean? "So you felt sorry for me?" "No, that... that's not what I meant," Ebony stammered. "Then what did you mean?" Ebony was silent as she thought of a response. "Not everyone can be like you," he told her. "What do you mean?" Lincoln thought about the short time he'd spent in Ebony's presence. She was always finding something to smile about. "I don't know...easygoing, laid-back." "Me? Easygoing?" Ebony said surprised. She chuckled, "I'm a bundle of nerves but I'm glad you didn't notice." "I don't know how you do it. I wish I could," he brought her in closer. "I guess it comes naturally to me now. But I wasn't always like this, I was actually a lot more like you." Lincoln thought back to the picture he saw of Ebony, the one with the fish in her hand. "How did you deal with the grief?" He ran his fingers over the the knuckles in her hand as she thought for a minute, "I don't know, I didn't. For a long time I was just upset and I didn't trust anybody. But the older I got, the more I started to realize my dad wouldn't have wanted that for me. He wouldn't want me to suffer." Good point. "You don't deserve to suffer either Lincoln Clay. You're a good man." Another good point. Lincoln leaned in to give Ebony a kiss and she obliged.

"What's something that makes you happy Lincoln?" You. "I don't know, but you're making me happy right now. Just talking to me and listenin... It's nice." Ebony sat up and moved to straddle Lincoln. He felt arousal start to build up in him immediately. She looked down at him, "Do you want to?" Yes. "I thought you'd never ask."