Another Time, Another Place

He grabbed the towel and took care in drying me off. “You grown, and you don’t owe me no explanation.” He smiled as he eased the towel between my thighs, then secured it with a tuck under my arms. He kissed my neck, applying suction with his lips. I moaned and squeezed my thighs tight to suppress the erotic itch he’d just sent through me. Harrison smiled as he pushed a curl from my bang to the side. “I just want you to know, I been thinkin’ of you, nonstop. I do carpentry, and I drive supply trucks for Mr. Rayman. When I got off work, my walking led to you.”

I flung my damp hair as I sized him up. “You don’t know me. You might know how to make me feel good, but you don’t know anything about me.”

He circled his arms around my waist. “I know more than you think. You Frances’ niece, and Dr. Kelly was your husband. He’s gone, and you left here, missing him.”

I looked down at the amber polish on my toes. “I don’t wanna talk about it.”

“Miss Jasmine, you ain’t got to be scared no more,” he said, his tone mellow. He lifted my face to meet his. “You damn sure ain’t gotta be afraid of me. This crystal on the floor will hurt you more than I ever will.”

I shook my head as I placed my hands on his chest, trying to pull away. “You’re talkin’ foolish. You’re a married man.”

He kept me locked in his embrace. “Being married has nothin’ to do with this wine on the floor, and those tears in your eyes. Unless lightning lucky enough to strike me dead, I’ma be married tomorrow, so talk of that mess can rest for another time. This mess here looks like a damn emergency, and I believe I’m the one to save you.” He caressed my shoulders. “Lay those burdens down on me; I’m strong enough to carry ’em.”

Harrison scooped me into his arms and carefully guided me out of the bathroom into the bedroom. After laying me down on the bed, he took off his work boots and his denim shirt, exposing a chiseled chest. I raised my head as I watched him remove the belt from his dungarees.

“Let me get my robe.”

“You lay back and relax,” he said, guiding me back down. He gave me a tender kiss. “Where is it?”

“In the bureau,” I said softly as he lifted from my body.

As he got the blue robe, he noticed the record player on the dresser. “You like Al Green?” he asked, looking at the singer’s record mounted to the turntable.

I looked up to the ceiling, as I fingered my gold heart pendant. “Adam did. There was a song on there I really liked, though.”

He raised a brow. “Was it this one?” He turned the player on. When I heard the introduction, I got to my feet.

“Could you turn it off, please,” I said, shutting my eyes for a moment.

“I wanna dance with you,” he whispered into my ear as he tied the robe around me.

I put my palms up in desperation, shaking my head. “Please.”

He thread his fingers through mine, pulling me close to him. “Shh…this the one you like? Does it remind you of Adam?” I nodded slowly, sighing as I rested my head against his chest. His arms became a warm blanket, covering the satin fabric that graced my shoulders. “Well, I ain’t selfish. You need him here, use me. I’ll do whatever you want. Whatever he did, just as long as I know you gonna be all right. Don’t let sadness take your life, Miss Jasmine. Hold onto me. That’s all you gotta do. Just hold on.”

Harrison locked his hands around my waist. I looked up at him as he kissed my forehead. A tender melody serenaded us.

Don’t look so sad

I know it’s over…

Harrison caressed my face, wiping wetness away with his fingertips.

But life goes on, and this world keeps on turning….

We swayed to the music. Harrison comforted me, rubbing my back as I rested my weight on him.

Let’s just be glad, we had have this time to spend together

There is no need to watch the bridges that were burning…

The lyrics made me reminisce. Fond memories of loving Adam more than myself; thoughts of losing our son; and my battle to mend scars of being orphaned and widowed came crashing down. Harrison bore my cries. It felt good to let go, with him holding me tight.

Lay your head upon my pillow

Sweet baby, hold your warm and tender body close to mine…

“Look at me,” he said. “I’m yours.”