The guilt trip: The Jamieson Legacy

Twenty-eight-year-old Aaron 'Ace" Jamieson wasn't married and never had been married. in fact, he wasn't planning to pick out a tuxedo and meet a woman at the altar any time soon. to maintain that resolve, Ace displayed the highest level of professionalism when it came to playing the dating game. early on, his buddies taught him that it's around the three-month mark when a woman begins to fantasize about permanent residency. therefore, he set a personal benchmark for seventy-two days or less. to maintain his integrity while enjoying the ride, Ace was always upfront with the ladies. he was careful to let them know that he wasn't looking for anything serious.  Standing in the mirror, he snickered while shaving, as he recalled some of the tactics women used to trap him into marriage: lavish gifts,on-demand intimacy, or claiming to carry his love child.  He shook his head in disgust, raised off his razor, and methodically massaged aftershave on his face and throat. women's bluffs didn't make him blink. he would not be lured into any baby mama drama. but something had happened to his determination several months ago. Lois, a friend of his cousin Cameron, introduced him to the one and only, alluring, Ms. Tlise Rogers. She Swept him off his feet on the first date. immediately, ace was fascinated by her independence and self-confidence. he was mesmerized by her exotic dark features, which were gently caressed by her flawless brown-sugar skin.  “Humph!” Ace let out an affirming expression. If that were not enough, he had admit their connection was far more than the usual explosive physical attraction. If there was ever a soul mate, Talise was it. To Ace, she’s his Tay. He convinced she had an invisible grip on him that was about to bring him down- and he wasn’t complaining. It took some back-and forth battling between his mind and his heart, but Ae thought Talise just might be the one he couldn’t let get away. Genuine, honest and gorgeous is how he would describe her. When she surpassed the one-hundred-day mark, Ace stopped counting. “I’m actually losing my mind over this women,” he mumbled to himself and continued dressing. It was Friday and he was about to pick up her up for a night out on the town. Bobbing his head, Ace slipped his feet into his shoes. Yep, he thought. A man would be a fool to let her go. He grinned when he thought about their intimacy. It was full of fire, Ace couldn’t even comment about it. As a matter of fact, before the night ended, he would going to have an-out-of-body experience and do something he had never before contemplated: profess that his feelings for her were beyond a mere physical appeal. Talise was the sole reason why Ace had repeatedly turned down his brother’s offer to relocate to St. Louis. Of course, he wouldn’t tell Kevin, or Kid, as he was called, that his decision was based on a woman. Despite Kidd’s company having two openings in the local area, id his big brother had seen Talise, he would understand Ace’s reluctance to be uprooted. Ace swiped his car key off the nightstand and jogged down the stairs to the first floor of the condo he shared with his mother in the Hyde Parke neighborhood of Boston. Sandra Nicholson paused from watching her favorite television show. She glanced over her shoulder and lifted a brow. As youthful and attractive as she was, in Ace’s eyes, his mother might as well be eighty years old. All she ever did was go to work, go to church, and return home from either destination. “Hmm. You look exceptionally handsome tonight. Are you still going out with that Tanya, Tia, Tor-young Lady?” “Ma, just call her Tay.” “I knew it began with a “T.” pointing the remote at the flat screen TV, Sandra muted the sound. She smiled, showing off the same left cheek dimple that Ace inherited. “Five months with the same woman. When am I going to meet her?” his mother’s eyes danced with mischief. “All I can get out of you is her name.” “Which you can’t remember. I guess that’s why they sent you an AARP card,” he teased. Her Playful eyes squinted to instill fear. It didn’t work. “And it’s been four months,” he corrected. “I would like to meet Tay.” That’s not happening any time soon. I need to figure out how to define our relationship first. He chuckled. “Good Night, Momma Nosy.”  Stepping to the sofa, he learned over and brushed a kiss against her cheek, then sauntered out the door. That was another a kiss against her cheek, then sauntered out the door. That was another first wit Ace; he never divulged the names of his conquests. It would mean there was some form of emotional attachment. Getting behind the wheel of his Dodge Charger, ace grinned in anticipation of what Talise had up her sleeve for the evening. Each week, they took turns planning their Friday night activities. He was sure he would be pleasantly surprised. A half an hour later, he parked in front of her brownstone. Ace checked his reflection in the rearview mirror. His mustache was perfectly trimmed and his jaws were baby bottom soft after his shave. His skin would have been totally unblemished if it wasn’t for the mark on his nose. It was a reminder of the first and last fight he lost. His bother made sure of that. Next, he rubbed the tamed waves in his hair. Ace still missed his long, thick ponytail that he relinquished when he accepted the job at Healthcare Concepts two years earlier. He had no choice. Long ago, his mother told him and his brother something Ace always remember. She said, once they were legally old enough to get a job, if a man didn’t work, he wouldn’t eat at her house. He and Kidd never wanted to test her on that rule. Getting out of the car, he glanced up at the third-floor bay window. There she was , watching him. Talise waved then disappeared to come downstairs and let him inside the building. Ace swaggered from the sidewalk to the entrance. In record time, Talise opened the massive, tall wooden door. Ace’s heart crashed against his chest at her glamor. He had dated many women with model looks and figures, but Talise would reign as the top model for years to come. She had long legs that could stop traffic. A silver drss gracefully hugged her curves. Beaded straps strated at her polished toes and continued to wrap upward, stopping at her ankles. Depite her five-eight height, she confidently commanded her stilettos. Ace whistled. Then his nostril flred, as he gasped for more oxygen. But that didn’t stop his assestment. Talise’s hair was naturally long-inches past her shoulders-and it was always glossy, whether hanging straight ornin curls. The best thing about it-it was all her hair. She was born with it. He had nothing against hair extensions, except when they looked like hair extensions. She was a portairt of loveliness with her dark lashes, silky brows, and big, brown doe-shaped eyes. These were just some of her points of overall perfection and his general state of weakness. Yeah, he liked how all her features-from head to toe-accented her fine, brown frame. “hey, baby,” Ace cooed, as he atepped closer to her. Taise rsponce was to leap into his arms with the force of a huriricane. Her strength would have rocked a man who was unsteady on his feet. But not Ace, he stood at siz-three and tripped the sacle at 220 pounds. His buffed body was able to absorb the impact ehile their embrace lingered, and then she weakened him with her kisses. Ace didn’t know who stater the seduction, but he wasn;t pleased when she regained composure and left him begging for more. He stated at his womwn through hooded lashes and watched the longing flash across her face. To his chagrin, a simle chased the passionate moment away. “keep that up, woman, and we may not hit the streets and go dancing, or whatever you have planned for tonight.” “what I planned, or hoped, was that we could relax here. Lois and some friends are heading to New York for the weekend. I’ve prepared a candlelight dinne…” “then what are we waiting for?” with naught scenarios running through his mind, Ace scopped her up in his arms and climed the stairs at a time. When they made it to the third floor landing, he slowly released her. Jokingly, Ace exaggerated his breathing, as if he eas gasping for air. She laughed.”and what was your hurry, Mr. jamieson?” “Let just say I’m fmisehed.” He patted his six pact.reaching for his hand, Tliase led him into the apartment she sahred with his cousin’s friend Lois-the one who set them uo on a blind date. The aromas wafting through the apartment teased ace. Glancing arong, he snickerd at the dimmed lighting and burning incenses. His ayes then settled on the kitchen counter, which served as a table. It was set for two with crystal goblets and china placed settings. Absentmindly, Ace kicked the door closed. As though in a trance, he followed Talise in the kitchen. Grabbing a serving dish, she turned around and practically bumped into him. “here, put that on the table, Ace.” “I’d rather nibble on you.” He encirclednhis arm around her and began to make good on his statement. Usually, Talise had a witty comeback but didn’t take his bait this time. Instead, she busied herself by placing more serving pan on the table. When, she seemed pleased with her handiworkmshe lit the two candles between their plates. At the kitchen sink, they played in the water as they washed their hands together. Finished with the task, Ace escorted her to the other side of the open kitchen. He pulled out Talise’s stool and took the seat next to her. Ace had a hard time taking his eyes foff her until she insisted. Then they held hands, bowed their heads, and Talise began to say grace. “Jesus,” she said with a pause, as if she was gathering her thoughts. Opening one eye, Ace squinted. This was not the time for a moment of reflection. Just pray, so we can eat. “Baby?” he said softly, studying Talise’s troubled face. She cleared throart, but never opened her eyes. “Jesus, please bless this meal.” Pausing again before mumbling a few words, Talise finished with, “… In Jesus’ Name. Amen.” “I’m glad we got through that before our food turned cold,” he joked. Lifting his glass, he sipped some water. When she didn’t laugh, he proceed to devoured his staek and sautéed vegetables. Then Ace shoved a big helping of twice-baked potatoes, lathered with sour cream, in his mouth and swallowed.   “Baby, this is good.” He winked. “And just think, I’ll have you all to myself tonight to show you my appreaciation.” Talise mustered a faint smile and picked at her food. Usually, they exchanged seductive glaces, naught words, and sassy flirts over a meal. But not tonight. Maybe Ace was reading too much into it because he was about to lay his heart on the table, or maybe she was going through her monthly hormonal thing. He hoped not. After digesting a second helping of potatoes, he dabbed at his mouth with a napkin. “tay, I want to talk to you-“ “I have something to say to you also,” she interrupted. Ace snickred and then folded his arms. “Go ahead. What’s in that beautiful head of yours?” Resting her fork on her placemat, Talise pinced at the fabric a few times but woudn’t look at him. What’s going on? He wondered. His lady was usually confident and talkative, not sober as her expression indicated. Once he professed his hrowing feelings, he knew that would put a smile on her face. “Tay?” She bowed her head, as though she was ashamed of something. “I may be pregnant.” His eyes widened when her rushed words finally registered. “What?” he asked to test his hearing. Lifting her head, she stared into his eyes. “Ace, I may be pregnant.” Noooooooo. Not his Tay. She wouldn’t do this to me, would she? Acewas a gambler. He could count on one hand the number of times he lost. He would never have bet that Talise would set him up like this. But she didn’t blink, while she waited for him to say something. Act normal, be professional and tactful. You aren’t going down like this, man, he coaxed himself. “How?” Ace shook his head. He knew how. Remain calm. “I mean, you said you think,” Ace struggled for words. “When will you know for sure?” “I have doctor’s appointment next Thursday,” she said above a whisper. Her self-assurance seemed nonexixtent. Was it possible that she had aged through dinner? Nodding. Ace reached for his water. Suddenly, he’d broken out in a cold sweat. Thursday was six days away. He would be packed and out of the state of Massachusetts by Tuesday, if not sooner. Tonight, if he could arrange it. “Ace?” “Hmmm?” he blinked, as she pulled him out of his trance and back into the nightmare. “How do you feel about that? I mean, I know we didn’t plan this…” He definitely didn’t. Ace didn’t hear another word Talise said. He had tuned her out the minute she said two words I and pregnant. The word might didn’t even matter at the point.