The Psychiatrist

Chapter Fifteen

I study the flyer once more as I get ready for the Christmas program, It starts at 4pm and ends at 6pm. I spend a good amount of time on my hair combing and brushing out knots. It felt like an eternity. I put on a pair of black dress pants, pairing them with some black wingtip shoes. I couldn't think of any other shirts or sweaters to wear.

I reach into the closet, sifting through dress shirts and Charity's clothes, I find the red Charlie Brown sweater. I pull the red sweater over my head making sure to untuck my hairs from the sweater. I stand back in the mirror and give myself a quick look again. I brush some of my hair over to the right side of my face and spray on some cologne. There was a light tap on the door followed by Marvin's voice booming on the other end telling me to hurry up.

It takes us all of 10 minutes to get to the church. A lot of people showed up, it was packed. It wasn't a small church but it also wasn't a big church either. It was white with a tan colored roof. A bed of pink flowers hugged the front and side exterior of the church. My eyes scan the outside of the church looking for any clues of miss mysterious. None. I unbuckle my seatbelt and reach for the door handle.

"Are you sure you want to do this? You do realize you're about to cheat on Charity right?" Marvin says with a straight face. This was all his idea and now he's reneging?

"I am not cheating on Charity, I just want to know her name. The whole ask her on a date thing was your idea remember?" I say annoyed. I know damn well he isn't trying to say this is my idea.

"You could've said no to going on a date with her, but what did you say? You had hearts in your eyes when you saw her, then you tried to kiss her. I saw the whole thing. You would have kissed her if I didn't call your name." he said, proving his point.

He's right. If he wasn't lurking around the parking garage Wednesday night, I would've kissed her and found out her name then.

"Even if you are right, nothing is going to happen. I could easily forget about her and be happy with my sweet Charity," I say trying to profess my love for Charity.

I reach for my phone as it vibrates in the center console. Charity's name flashes across my phone. My chest could explode right about now. Play it cool Oliver. I answer the call, putting her on speaker phone.

"She finally calls me! How's my sweet Cherry?" I say into the phone nervously.

I'm good as caught if I don't calm my nerves.

"Sorry we've been so busy with Gianna and her bachelorette party, that I just snuck away from, oh and I told my parents about our engagement." she whispers into the phone.

Probably the same reaction as my parents.

"How did they take the news?"

"Well my mom is happy for us, she says it's about time. You know my dad wasn't disappointed at all because he adores you."

"Well I wish I could say the same thing happened at my folks home." I say remembering Margo's explosive reaction.

"I figured she wouldn't be happy for us. I just wish she would be happy for us, you know? I'm happy with you and you're happy with me right?" she asked softly.

This was like a punch to the stomach. What am I doing here? Searching for happiness when I already have it.

"Of course Cherry! You're the love of my life. I can't wait for you to come home so I can marry you."

"Awe Olive I miss you so much. So what's going on in Clearwater?"

Nothing much really. Just chasing some ass around town.

"Nothing really, just been working since you left." I say trying to cover myself.

Out of the corner of my eye, I watch as Marvin flips open his visor mirror and brushes his hair. Damn you and your short hair.

"Hello? Are you still there?" her voice booms on the other end of the phone.

"Yes babe, the phone went out."

"I asked where are you?"

The sound of Marvin's brush instantly stopped. With the both of us looking at each other, in total silence. My stomach was in knots as I thought of telling her the truth.

"I'm sitting in the drive of my parents' home. I was getting ready to go in, Marvin is with me."

"Once that freeloader is out of the condo, we can walk around naked." she says, and I think she is smiling.

"And that's why he's cheating on you!" Marvin shouts to the top of his lungs.

I quickly hit the end button followed by punching Marvin in his chest.

"Are you out of your mind? Why would you say that?" I say as I put my phone on airplane mode.

I can't face her right now and knowing her, she is probably going to try and call me back.

"Because it's true."

"No it's not. I am not cheating."

"Then why are you here?" He says pressing me.

"I was invited. Come on before we're late." I say looking at my watch.

We stroll into the small church and find ourselves sitting at one of the empty round tables in the back. Naturally not wanting to sit with others. I looked around taking in the site of the nicely decorated church. The doors were covered in green and red wrapping paper. The tablecloths alternated between red and green on each table. The centerpieces were little Christmas trees and candles.

As the minutes passed, we have done arts and crafts, probably every kind of word puzzle there is and now we're waiting on the food Leslie informs us. She beamed from ear to ear as she glides over to us in her green sweater. She shakes our hands, asking us if we're having a good time. Marvin was all smiles as he spoke with Leslie about the program. I nawed on the honey flavored graham crackers as they carried on with their pleasant conversation. Marvin showed all of his teeth to Leslie. Even in a church setting he still manages to be a man whore. Unbelievable. Luckily another woman signals for Leslie.

"Don't you ever take a break?" I mutter.

"Only when I'm sleeping." he says smirking.

A small group of children between the ages of seven and ten sang Christmas carols. Everyone bobbed their heads along to the little choir of kids as they belt out Jingle Bells, Rudolph the rednosed reindeer, and Frosty the snowman. My fingers drum against the table as I sing along with the church. The ankle biters are amazing I must say, glad I did get out of the house.

"Weren't they wonderful? Give them another round of applause. Now our poem will be read by Sister Dana Washington, followed by our dinner which will be in the kitchen." Leslie says staring at me.

I looked over at Marvin wondering if he caught that too. Weird. The young woman wearing a christmas hat stands up and reaches for the microphone. Her dress was short but not too short. Dark red, my favorite color. My eyes stroll up her black stocking clad legs, and over the curves of her body. Her body is all too familiar to me. The way she sashayed up the little steps made my heart stop. Standing behind the podium I could finally see her face. It was her.. Little Miss Mysterious. Dana Washington, a beauty.