“Oh, Brinson. I’m sorry you lost your mother to MSA. I’ve heard about the disease and I know how devastating it is. I’m sorry for prying. Let’s discuss something else.”
Brinson continued as if he didn’t hear Olivia. “When Mom passed away, my belief in God closed in the casket with her. I can’t understand what kind of God lets a person suffer and die the way my mother did. How do people talk about a God of love when He didn’t seem to care anything about her?” Brinson stared at Olivia as if he dared her to try to change his mind.
“Brinson. I can’t imagine all you and your family experienced in losing your mom. I hope you find peace in knowing she is with the Lord now,” Olivia encouraged.
“Humph. Spoken like many Christians I know.” Brinson’s eyes flashed with anger. “How do you know that? Huh? Did your God tell you where my mother is?”
Olivia realized she needed to tread lightly with Brinson’s question. She didn’t believe he’d be open to receive the same information from her which he had from others. “Brinson. I’m not going to preach to you right now. I hope you will one day realize that sometimes our healing happens through death. Seeing a loved one suffer may make you question God.”
Brinson stared at Olivia and twisted his lips in disgust. “Yup. Spoken like the many people who are good ole’ Christians. You haven’t lost anyone in your life yet, have you?”
Olivia hesitated before speaking. “You are correct. I haven’t lost anyone to illness or death. I’ve lost people in life due to circumstances. I can’t relate to your pain of losing a parent.”
“As I thought. Sometimes the main people telling me to get over it, are the ones who have no idea what it’s like.”
Olivia shifted in her chair. She cleared her throat and searched her mind for ways to change the subject. “Look, Brinson. I’m sorry about all you’ve been through. I didn’t mean to take you down a road of bad memories.”
Brinson’s face softened. “I apologize for taking it out on you. I get worked up when people question what I believe. They have no idea what my story is.”
“You are correct. I don’t know your story. You made a strong statement about me praying to my God. I had to find out what you mean by that,” Olivia said. “Thank you for explaining.”
“No problem. I like the fact you didn’t let it slide. Women often don’t ask the questions they have in their heads. Most guys will answer them if we hear what they are.”
“Life is too short to waste time on wondering,” Olivia stated.
“Well, alright.” Brinson laughed.
“Once again, thank you for a wonderful breakfast. I’m amazed at your culinary skills.”
“It’s my pleasure to serve you.” Brinson reached out for one of her hands. He surprised her by nibbling on the tips of each of her fingers with his lips. His eyes never left her face.
“Um. Ahem,” Olivia cleared her throat and dropped her eyes. She squirmed in her chair from the sensation of his touch.
Brinson began fluttering wet kisses with his thin lips from the palm of her hand to her wrist and forearm. “You are beautiful. I can’t get enough of you, Olivia,” Brinson mumbled in between kisses.
“Okay. Um, Brinson.” Olivia tugged her arm away and rubbed it on her pants to wipe the saliva from her skin. “Aren’t you and Nell going to the casino today?”
“Whenever I’m ready. Right now, it’s all about you.” Brinson focused on Olivia with intensity. “Are you okay with us spending the day together?”
“Excuse me? You and me? Spend the day together?” Olivia wasn’t expecting to be around Brinson for even fifteen minutes more. She needed time, alone, to collect her thoughts and figure out what happened last night.
“Yes. We’ll get a movie, order some take-out, and chill with each other,” Brinson suggested with a dimpled smile.
“No. I mean. Not today. I have a list of things I need to do. I’m sure you’ll have a great time in Lake Charles.” Olivia stood and began clearing the dishes.
“Here. Let me help you.” Brinson took the plates from her hand to place them in the sink. He began running water to wash the dishes. “Let someone handle things for a change.”
His words hit her like a wall. A man had not catered to her needs since the early years of marriage to Malcolm. She didn’t even know how to receive acts of chivalry anymore. Numbness swept her body from this simple gesture. “Oh. Okay. Thank you.” Olivia sunk onto the chair.
Brinson washed the dishes and cleaned the kitchen. Olivia enjoyed the opportunity to sit back and relax, intrigued by him dancing his way through the task with a dishtowel on his shoulder. Each time he passed her to put something in the cabinets, he planted a light kiss on her lips.
“There you go. Your kitchen is clean and ready for the next meal.” Brinson removed the apron and folded it to place on the countertop. He led Olivia from her chair. “Dance with me before I go.”
He grabbed his phone to find Before I Let Go by Frankie Beverly. Brinson led her with expertise Chicago-Style Steppin’ across the tiled floor to the music.
“I see you know a few moves,” he exclaimed and held Olivia’s hand with his fingertips twirling her to the beat.
“You ain’t the only one who knows how to dance up in here.” Olivia laughed with each turn. Her feet shuffled along with his fancy footwork. “I’m a steppin’ queen.”
“Ah. You go, girl,” Brinson said with admiration as they turned the kitchen into a dance floor. They continued dancing until
