Free And I Trusted You by Jamela Page B

I’m here for you. Remember that. Now, I know you’re gonna need some time to get yourself together and I’ll wait for you as long as it takes. As long as it takes, Leslie.  Oh, and in case you’re wondering, I broke up with Joanne last Saturday, for good. I moved all her stuff out of my place and told her it was over. I even got my key back from her and put new locks in.”
     
    I was glad he stopped for a breath so I could say something before he went any further. “Ray, I’m not interested in you like that. I’m in love with John. I guess you haven’t talked to him, but everything is okay between us. We are back together. John and I found out that I’m six weeks preg…..”
     
    “Ray, are you all right?!” I said rushing over to help him. He had fallen to the floor.
     
    “You’re pregnant? Is that why you’re staying with him? Doesn’t it matter that he cheated on you? How do you know if you can trust him?” He asked looking up at me. I helped him up and into a chair and just looked at him for a minute. “I should have realized his feelings were this deep. But he covered it so well. What am I supposed to do about this? I sure can’t tell John, that’s for sure.” I walked away from Ray. I could see he was upset, stunned and about to cry.
     
    “I’m sorry. I hope I never did anything to lead you on. Ray, I’ve always told you how much I love my husband.”
     
    “Yeah, I know that. But I also know you can’t tolerate a cheater. I just knew you and John would be through when you found out about Cynthia. I just knew it. Then I would be able to love you openly. You have no idea how hard it is to hold this in, Leslie. Especially around John, I’ve been telling you all along how I feel, Leslie. Couldn’t you see it?”
     
    “Ray, listen to me. I am in love with John. John is in love with me. We are together because we love each other. Ray, I found out what really happened with Cynthia, John wasn’t cheating on me. You said yourself Cynthia has a “thing” for him and that is exactly what it was. I’m sorry, but I can’t love you the way you want. But, if this is gonna cause a problem I can stop working here. My pregnancy is high risk, anyway. I have to go. You make up your mind and give me a call. Until I hear from you, I won’t be coming in to work.” I said walking out of the office. I drove home and was never so happy to see my husband as when he walked through the door a few hours later.
     
    Ray didn’t bother to call all weekend. On Monday morning he called from the office. “Can you come down so we can talk? I have something to discuss with you. It won’t take long, I promise.” He said. So, I got myself prepared to see him. I had a lunch date with John later and I was hoping Ray wouldn’t put me in a bad mood. When I arrived at the office, there weren’t any clients waiting to be seen. In fact, Ray had already done the payroll and had the bank deposits ready to take to the bank. He didn’t seem to be in a bad mood, so I was hopeful this would go quickly. I’d hate to have to stop working with him simply because I love what I do. I help people get their lives back. Finding jobs is rewarding and I make a difference. I don’t want to give that up, but I’ll just have to see how things go.
     
    “Good morning. What is it you want to discuss?” I asked standing near his desk.
     
    “Don’t look so scared, Leslie. I won’t hurt you. Please, have a seat.” He said pointing to a chair. “I just wanted you to know, I thought about our last conversation. I understand where you are coming from, though I admit I don’t understand why. I have to respect your choices and your feelings. With that said, I decided it would be best to give you a few weeks off and then, if you want to, you can return to work.” He said and waited. “Please, let her accept that, it’s the only way I’ll get to be around her.”
     
    “Oh, okay. I could use some time off. This pregnancy is