Our Hope

14 - Michael

Michael, Cole's father, waited downstairs for Carrie his intern at her apartment's entrance. He was nervous about being here and where they were going. He still had on his suit and tie from work which concealed his inner reservations. The wind carried the stench of the garbage from the alley around the corner.

She opened the door and beamed when she saw him. She embraced him lightly and kissed him on the lips, leaving his mouth wet. "I'm so excited to finally spend a night with you." She wore a black mini skirt, a pink blouse, and black high heels.

"Me too," he said. He grasped her hand and cut through the grass to his car. He opened her door, helped her in, and closed her door. Then ran to his side and got in. She was much younger than him and had long brunette hair with brown eyes. He caressed the soft, smooth skin on her cheek. She was too attractive to be with him, but she kept asking him until he gave in.

"And you finally agreed to go to your first meeting." She added.

He reconsidered going with her. "You promised that I only had to go once."

"Yep. Go, have fun. Try it out. But I swear what you're gonna see will blow your mind."

She leaned over and French-kissed his earlobe. That felt amazing, moist, and warm.

She sat back on her side and put her seat belt on. "Ready for takeoff."

"Good." He backed out of her parking area and asked, "Where am I going?"

"You're gonna go over to 51st and Clark and it's at 605 Clark Street." She put a piece of bubble gum in her mouth, chewed it, and blew a bubble.

"OK. I know where that is. I grew up in that area."

He drove in that direction. At a stoplight he glanced at her. She sat cross-legged in her mini-skirt and chortled at a video on her viewer. She saw him staring at her and smiled back.

"This is so funny!' She also laughed at the next video for almost a minute, rolling back and forth in her seat.

They drove for ten minutes to his old neighborhood. Each block that he drove closer amplified his doubts about this meeting. He did not want to go and did not want people to catch them together. What they were doing had been fun, but was it worth giving up everything?

He pointed at house number 608 when they passed, "My friend grew up right there, so it was easy to find."

They arrived at house number 605. The long driveway was packed with cars and people, so he had to parallel park in the street. This was still an affluent neighborhood. Most of the houses had nicely cut green grass, maple trees, and ranch-style homes, each one unique, unlike where he lived now.

He exited and rushed to open her car door and helped her out of her seat. They strolled together toward the house. He thought about different excuses and emergencies he could use to leave. The streetlights turned on and his watch read 7:00pm.

He noticed that the people here were congregating in the garage. The door was up, the light on, and there were no cars in it.

"Welcome back, Sister Carrie," an older woman with white hair and wrinkles went to Carrie and hugged her. "Mother is blessed that you decided to join us today," the older woman said in a gravelly voice. Then she shifted and stared at him. "And who is the gentleman you brought today?"

He considered leaving again.

"This is the Michael. Michael Donaldson.'

The old woman stared at him for an uncomfortable amount of time.

"The same Michael that?"

"Yes," responded Carrie.

"You don't say." A deep manly person spoke from behind him. He recognized that voice. He spun around to address his brother.

"I've been trying to get you to come here for months," said Timmy.

"Me too," said Carrie.