When You Come to Me (63 page)

He couldn’t wait to tell her the idea he’d concocted in his mind. He thought it pure genius. Yes! It was just the thing to secure their future happiness. Natalie would no longer look at him with disappointment…

They sat down together on the deck as the sun began to set, as twilight surfaced and the branches of the trees created a natural aural symphony. It was always the time of day

that brought him serenity; it was when he spent the most time at the pond; it was always the time that reminded him most of Natalie. He was always confident that if he sat still enough, embraced the air, that he’d sense her, prevailing as she coursed through his mind…

“May I propose a toast?” Asha said, dropping her fork and lifting her glass.

“Yes,” Scotty said. “If you can keep it short…you know how you are…”

“And how am I, Scotland? Please, interrupt me some more…”

“Asha,” Natalie said. “Ignore him…”

“Fine,” Asha said, clearing her throat. “As I was saying…Brandon David Greene…you’re like a brother to me…you’re giving, you’re funny, and you’re still the coolest white boy that I know [they laughed]. Happy twenty-eighth birthday, my darling…I love you…we love you…and we hope Nat gives you some sweet lovin’ tonight…”

“Thanks, Ash,” Brandon said, feeling himself blush. “I hope so too…”

“We’ll see about all of that,” Natalie said, glancing at him with a wink.

Brandon replaced his bottle of beer on the wrought iron table, cleared his throat and said, “I’m glad you all are here…I have something to say…”

“What’s that?” Asha said, leaning into the table.

He looked at Natalie, hoping that she didn’t dump her plate of food in his lap. He studied her expression, reached for her hand and said, “Baby…”

“Yes?” she replied quietly.

She almost looked too happy. He retracted for a moment and he rubbed her hand as he contemplated saying what he had to say…

“I quit my job…”

He watched her face do something funny, and he was certain that he’d make her throw up again. But he continued. “I love you,” he said. “And any job that keeps me from you isn’t the right job for me…”

They only stared at each other. He watched her swallow whatever contents were in her mouth. Her eyes flitted and fluttered witlessly.

“Say something, baby,” he encouraged, still rubbing her hand.

She swallowed hard again, sucked in her breath and whispered, “Happy Birthday, Brandy…I dropped out of medical school…and…I’m…I’m pregnant…”

###

I was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in the early autumn of 1986, and immediately became a lover of prose and literature.  At a young age, I would delve into my mother's vast book collection (Antony and Cleopatra, Romeo and Juliet, Pride and Prejudice), and a life-changing love affair was formed.  I wanted to orchestrate stories like the ones I read, create new realms of thinking, new worlds, involving various types of people.  I completed my first novel at 12...and I haven't put the pen down since.   
When You Come to Me
is my first endeavor and my most fruitful as of late. I am currently in the process of digitally publishing a book entitled
Kiawah
, and am wrapping up the composition of a third novel entitled
Dreaming Isabel
.
Thank you for reading!

when
you
come to
me
...

a novel by Jade Phillips