A Seal Upon Your Heart (8 page)

“So Tim, I understand that you and Jakob were roommates in college.”

“It would be safe to say that I know this man better than I know my own brother.”

Jakob handed him a beer. “Actually Tim is my non-Jewish brother from a different mother and father…and with no discernible similarities beyond a mutual desire to rule the world.”

Tim shook his head and grinned. “I warned you against the path of world domination.” He looked at Priscilla. “Don’t listen to him, Priscilla. I’d much rather have a home cooked meal than rule the world.”

Tim found that he enjoyed dinner, despite the moment of discomfort when he realized that Priscilla was sitting in the seat that Corrine had always used. Then it seemed horrible that he would be sitting next to this other woman while they all laughed and talked the way they used to when his wife was here.

But Elaina smiled at him and he knew that she understood and was secretly telling him that he was doing well. The moment passed and he felt comfortable talking and laughing again.

Priscilla was divorced with 2 adult children, and from what he could tell she didn’t have any type of job. She went to the same Temple that Jakob and Elaina did and Tim thought they must feel awfully sorry for him if they were setting him up with their Jewish friends.

After dinner they had coffee in the living room. Priscilla sat down next to him and he gave her an inviting smile while attempting to keep his eyes away from her breasts. He hadn’t made love to a woman in three years; two of which was while his wife was undergoing cancer treatment. He’d learned to get use to taking cold showers and going without. But Priscilla had worn a sweater that hugged her huge breasts and her otherwise slender body. And tonight he thought he’d need a cold shower for the first time in a long time.

“What kind of law do you practice, Tim?”

“Mostly criminal but some family.”

“Do you enjoy it?”

He hesitated. “It’s…not something that you generally enjoy. It’s more like…someone has to do it so it might as well be you.”

“I told this man to go into corporate law like me.” Jakob said as he placed his arms around Elaina where the two were sitting on the couch opposite him and Priscilla.

“I don’t think I can deal with boring contracts day after day.”

“True, but at least you don’t have to do your attorney consultations from behind bars.”

“Okay boys.” Elaina held up her hands and shook her head at Priscilla. “They’ve been having this same argument for years. Priscilla, tell Tim what happened when you went to that spa in Vancouver Island! It was hilarious!”

Priscilla began her story about a touchy feely masseuse while Tim politely tried to appear attentive. He’d figured out that he really wasn’t interested or ready to pursue anything with the woman. There was absolutely nothing wrong with her; even if her breasts were fake. But other than a mild interest in seeing her sweater possibly pull apart at the seams and fall off, there was nothing. 

He knew that he could offer to take Priscilla out because it was the polite thing to do. And they might even get into an unofficial routine of meeting up once or twice a week just for the purpose of keeping each other company. But before long it would become a ‘thing’, and not because he necessarily liked her in that way…but just because he had been lonely and polite.

If he was going to have a ‘thing’ with someone, it wouldn’t be out of a sense of expectation.

After a polite span of time he announced that he was leaving and told Priscilla that he had enjoyed meeting her. He kissed Elaina noting her look of disappointment. He shook Jakob’s hand, grabbed the leftover brisket that Elaina didn’t have to twist his arm to take, and then he went home.

CHAPTER 8

Sunday was always hectic. Everyone got up at 4:30 to prepare for morning Mass. The girl’s would be hungry and restless and they wouldn’t be allowed breakfast until they returned. Later would be
the evening mass then dinner. Between that your day was yours to do as you pleased. Jane didn’t feel like watching television or even being with the other girls not even the littlest ones that she usually enjoyed holding and hugging as if they were little doll babies.

Walking into town was useless since the library and most everything else was closed. She just wanted to be alone. She had so many things going on inside of her that she needed time to examine, so she went outside, bypassing the play equipment that had been donated by the city. It was too muddy to allow the young ones outdoors to play so she perched herself on one of the swings and she thought about Dhakiya and Rodney. She closed her eyes and squeezed her fist over the cold metal chain as she swung lightly backwards and forwards.

Dhakiya had come to pick her up after work. She didn’t mention the Jen situation even though it was still weighing heavily on her mind. Today was supposed to be about having fun and she decided to put work behind her. Dhakiya offered her some wine and she decided that she would try some.

She only took a few sips, afraid that it would go straight to her head and it had but in a good way. The two friends laughed and danced and then Rodney finally arrived. Then the world seemed to freeze for her; she even stopped breathing. Rodney was so handsome that she could barely blink her eyes. He wasn’t very tall, though taller than Dhakiya who stood at 5’9” or so. He had a thick stocky body with a slightly rounded belly but seemed to have tight muscles. His light browned skin lent to a possible mixed race heritage along with a thick curly afro. He seemed older than she and Dhakiya but probably no older than early thirties.

And he was beautiful.

When he opened the front door, Dhakiya squealed and jumped up and ran to him. She threw herself into his arms and he caught her easily.

“Hi, baby.” He kissed her three times, each time a little longer and a little more thoroughly until the last and final kiss in which he groaned in pleasure against her lips.

That is when the funny things begin to happen in Jane’s body. The smile of greeting fell from her mouth as she began to warm and pulsate. She glanced away but her eyes pulled back to the two young lovers. For a moment they had forgotten her. Dhakiya’s arms were around his neck and his hands were on her hips and it was very innocent. But for Jane it was the sexiest thing she had ever seen.

She looked down at her hands in embarrassment her breath feeling tight in her chest and her throat aching. Dhakiya pulled back with a broad smile on her face.

“Rodney,” she took his hand and dragged him into the living room where Jane was still sitting on the couch. “This is my best friend and my sister in spirit; Martier. Martier Besigye.” She stood and offered her hand.

Rodney’s smile was as bright and welcoming as Dhakiya’s when he grabbed her in a big bear hug. Jane’s eyes widened in alarm, and she was soon engulfed in his strong arms. Her heart began beating wildly and the pulse in her body thrummed faster, sweat began to form on her brow and she suddenly had difficulty breathing.

“Well if you’re Kiya’s sis than you’re my sis, too!” He gave her a quick squeeze and released her. “Mar…Martie-AY?

She nodded too fast and gave him a shaky smile. “Mar-TEE-ay.”

“Everybody call you Marty?” He joked.

She ducked her head in the sight of his smile. “Everybody calls me Jane.”

“Jane?” He looked at her in confusion.

Dhakiya rolled her eyes. “Honey, I told you how our school likes to rename everyone.”

“They don’t do it anymore.” Jane explained hastily. “We have children from Haiti and they needed to remember their names in case their parent’s…locate them.”

Dhakiya just made a hmph sound. “They weren’t
wrong
, of course. They’ll never admit that.” Rodney grabbed her from behind and kissed her neck.

“Shh, babe. Those days are over.” Jane watched and tried not to. Their intimacy was so commonplace to them, but they had no idea how much she longed to have someone touch her like that.  Dhakiya relaxed in his arms.  “I’m going to get cleaned up for dinner.” He announced then waved his hand to Jane while retreating to the bathroom.

He seemed nice. And it wasn’t that she wanted him. She just wanted what the both of them had. When he hugged her; it was the first one that she could ever remember receiving from a male. Every place that his body touched on hers left a phantom impression. Even now, as she sat on the swing, she could still feel the hardness of his body against the softness of hers.

Jane opened her eyes and went back to the school. She headed for the sanctuary and sat down in one of the pews and picked up one of the bibles that sat in the slot behind the pew in front of hers. She quickly thumbed through the pages until her eyes settled on the words that she so loved.

…I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock.

I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.

The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me,
they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.

I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love.

What is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women? what is thy beloved more than another beloved, that thou dost so charge us?

My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand.

His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and
black as a raven.

His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set.

His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh.

His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.

His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.

His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem...

For some unknown reason, it was Tim’s face that Jane imagined.

CHAPTER 9

When Martier got to work, early as usual, her mood had improved from the day before.
Jen came in a few moments later. And as usual, Jane admired her pretty outfit. Today it was a pencil skirt and a matching jacket with three quarter sleeves. Maybe she would ask if she would help her shop for suitable clothes. She was wearing a green tweed skirt that reached just above her knees and another white blouse, this time with a fake lace front sewn in to look like she was wearing a pretty undergarment.

“Good morning.” Jane said.

Jen didn’t speak. She put away her things and walked to the coffee pot and poured herself coffee, watering it down and then nuking it. Jane glanced at her. Even if Jen hadn’t heard her she still would have spoken by now.  Jane turned back to the computer, lightly biting her lip. Was she angry at her because of what those women had said? But she hadn’t done anything wrong.

Tim arrived as Jen was unlocking the file cabinets. “Good morning ladies.”

Jane looked up and paused before responding. Tim had gotten a haircut and it looked really good. His face didn’t seem as angry either. “Good morning.” She said. Jen popped up from her seat.