Office Politics: Part Nine
http://www.interracialerotica.net/erotica/articles/158/1/Office-Politics-Part-Nine/Page1.html
By Tracy Ames
Published on January 5, 2010
Bright and early the next morning Charlie and Shawn sat pensively waiting to appear before Col. Gilbert. To Shawn’s surprise the office was empty. He expected to meet a two or more hardnosed Lieutenants maybe a JAG Officer, however there was no one—just them and dead silence. Clearly a bad sign of what was to transpire. Shawn’s stomach turned in knots recognizing all that rest between them and jail time was a wall of accolades. He hadn’t slept a wink in preparation: triple checked his uniform for misalignments, spit shined his shoes, groomed himself to perfection. Still his nerves rattled. He would lose everything he’d worked for, all the years of being the perfect Airmen while serving his country would end in his dishonorable discharge. He couldn’t shake the thought from his head.
Charlie, on the other hand, sat in a Zen-like state; neither here nor there. Outwardly he was calm, cool, and collected however inside: he prayed he’d made the wrong choice in not contacting his mother…for Shawn’s sake. Having grown up around higher ranking brass, he knew their subtle ticks. He’d seen his fair share of disciplinary hearings and theirs hadn’t followed standard procedure. He had an unshakable gut feeling about their meeting—and hoped against hope he’d made the right choice.
They weren’t alone in their worry. Their entire group of friends came into the office early and awaited John’s phone call with news, good or bad. Tony checked the flight manifesto hourly, as long as their names appeared as passengers they were in good shape. Paula and the ladies snooped around the Major’s office attempting to eavesdrop on any confidential conversations therein. But the brass and the First Sergeant carried on as normal. To Paula, this was a bad omen; they wouldn’t intervene and Charlie and Shawn would hang. Tony called the housing manager, whom he’d befriended while in Saudi, to see when the guys were scheduled to checkout. He was told they’d leave on time. There was no continuity to the proceedings and even Tony began to worry.
“We’ll be served a BCD,” Shawn gravelly voice broke their silence.
“Big Chicken Dinner!” Charlie gave a short humorless laugh seeing Shawn wasn’t in the mood chitchat.
“Bad Conduct Discharge.”
“It could be worse. We could do time, maybe CC.”
Shawn pinched his bottom lip, a nervous habit of his. “Correctional Custody wouldn’t be nearly was bad as doing time in Eglin.”
“Gentlemen,” Col. Gilbert summoned.
The guys stood, made last second adjustments and marched to their doom. Col. Gilbert wasn’t exceptionally tall but his stoic nature more than made up for his vertical failings. He took a seat behind his desk and left Charlie and Shawn standing at attention: they stood straight, eyes forward, and chest out, knees locked. The years of managing the largest and politically visible bases in the Middle East shone on his stress worn ebony face.
“Rest,” Col. Gilbert said bringing the guys into position: their left foot moved shoulder width apart, hands placed behind their backs arms fully extended, right hand is placed inside the left with all fingers together and pointing rigidly downwards. Col. Gilbert sighed. “At Ease.”
They brought their arms to their sides, a more natural standing position allowing them eye contact.
“So you’re Peggy’s son,” The tension lines on Col. Gilbert relaxed to a smile. “I should’ve known it was you the moment I saw you.”
“Sir?” Charlie questioned respectfully.
“Peggy and I fought our way through the academy together. You’re mother is tough as nails and proud. She went through four years of pure hell—you can’t imagine what she’s dealt with. How is she?”
“Our last conversation was a week ago and she was fine, Sir.”
“Give her my best,” he sat back in his chair. “I saw your run in with Sgt. Gardner in the Chow Hall. You handled yourself well. I would have knocked him on his ass.”
The knot in Shawn’s stomach began to unravel.
“Thank you, Sir. If Sgt. Lowry hadn’t been there I may have done the same.”
“Sgt. Shawn G. Lowry,” Col. Gilbert turned his eye to Shawn. “The Booze Man.”
In a flash the knot tightened. “Yes, Sir.”
“This is your first offense?” He thumbed Shawn’s personnel record.
“Yes, sir.”
“Make it your last.” He closed file and addressed both of them. “What you did isn’t uncommon, reckless but not uncommon. I’ll sweep this incident under the rug. Have a safe trip home.” Col. Gilbert stood to excuse them.
“Thank you,” Shawn turned to leave.
Charlie stood firmly in place. “Sir, if you’re doing this for my mother’s sake, I’d rather take my punishment.”
“Damn it, you’re just like your mom! My decision is based on the fact that the guy who turned you in is an asshole! You’re ten times the Airmen he is—both of you are!” An exasperated look crossed Col. Gilbert’s face. “If they are gonna ask us to put our men and women in harms way in their defense: then our guys deserve to cut loose once in awhile. If you’re good enough to take a bullet for their country then you’re good enough to drink in it! We don’t need mousy men like Gardner watching our backs…we have plenty of problems from the outside.”
“Thank you, Sir. I’ll give my mom your greeting,” Charlie cracked a smile. Col. Gilbert’s rant was reminiscent of his mother’s.
“Thank you and I’ll be sure to throw Sgt. Gardner a Blanket Party once you’ve gone.”
Charlie laughed. “That won’t be necessary, Sir.”
“No, but it’ll be fun.”
Before they were out of the building Shawn called John and relayed the news. John immediately conference called Tony; he quickly ushered the group into a private office. Hearing Charlie’s voice sent Paula to tears. Paula, the audaciously strong one, finally broke down. Lisa marshaled everyone out and gave them privacy.
Charlie explained his decision to not to involve his mother: If they were going to be arrested they would have been without delay, not ordered to the Col’s office. Their suite hadn’t been raided. The Col. sent his closest executive with a handwritten letter not the Security Police. And the Col.’s office was empty, clearing his other exes of any knowledge of the meeting.
His decision had been a gamble, but well played. All those years of watching his mother and father in action paid off. With the scare behind him, Charlie was even more certain he’d ask Paula to marry him. While Shawn and Charlie finished packing, John weaseled them an earlier flight and they left almost immediately. There was a six hour layover in Germany, just enough time for Charlie to go ring shopping. In his assessment the one he’d purchased months before was inadequate, Paula deserved better for the hell she’d endured. He, John and Shawn trekked the streets and procured the perfect ring; a two and a half caret emerald cut set in platinum, and caught their flight home.
Charlie sat awake while the others slept, fingering the tiny ring box, excited rather than nervous, almost a euphoric peace. He was tired of gambling with their future and he was ready to settle down—with heavy heart, he wouldn’t reenlist. The uniformed service were in his blood but so was Paula and he wanted to give her the stable relationship she desired. There were plenty of civilian jobs in his field, he assured himself, they would be equally fulfilling. Pulling down the window shade he chuckled to himself…he had gone from being her “Mr. Fix-it” to her “Mr. Right”. Suffice it to say he had, on some level, known she was the one. No other woman could’ve wowed Peggy, withstood their separation or shouldered the ever-present threat of him being re-stationed.
**UPDATED**
Office Politics: Part Nine
Paula, a new employee at the Department of Defense, has a kill in her cross-hairs. Charles, a God in uniform has pledged to have her calling him Daddy by the end of the night....
Ofiice Politics: Part Nine
Bright and early the next morning Charlie and Shawn sat pensively waiting to appear before Col. Gilbert. To Shawn’s surprise the office was empty. He expected to meet a two or more hardnosed Lieutenants maybe a JAG Officer, however there was no one—just them and dead silence. Clearly a bad sign of what was to transpire. Shawn’s stomach turned in knots recognizing all that rest between them and jail time was a wall of accolades. He hadn’t slept a wink in preparation: triple checked his uniform for misalignments, spit shined his shoes, groomed himself to perfection. Still his nerves rattled. He would lose everything he’d worked for, all the years of being the perfect Airmen while serving his country would end in his dishonorable discharge. He couldn’t shake the thought from his head.
Charlie, on the other hand, sat in a Zen-like state; neither here nor there. Outwardly he was calm, cool, and collected however inside: he prayed he’d made the wrong choice in not contacting his mother…for Shawn’s sake. Having grown up around higher ranking brass, he knew their subtle ticks. He’d seen his fair share of disciplinary hearings and theirs hadn’t followed standard procedure. He had an unshakable gut feeling about their meeting—and hoped against hope he’d made the right choice.
They weren’t alone in their worry. Their entire group of friends came into the office early and awaited John’s phone call with news, good or bad. Tony checked the flight manifesto hourly, as long as their names appeared as passengers they were in good shape. Paula and the ladies snooped around the Major’s office attempting to eavesdrop on any confidential conversations therein. But the brass and the First Sergeant carried on as normal. To Paula, this was a bad omen; they wouldn’t intervene and Charlie and Shawn would hang. Tony called the housing manager, whom he’d befriended while in Saudi, to see when the guys were scheduled to checkout. He was told they’d leave on time. There was no continuity to the proceedings and even Tony began to worry.
“We’ll be served a BCD,” Shawn gravelly voice broke their silence.
“Big Chicken Dinner!” Charlie gave a short humorless laugh seeing Shawn wasn’t in the mood chitchat.
“Bad Conduct Discharge.”
“It could be worse. We could do time, maybe CC.”
Shawn pinched his bottom lip, a nervous habit of his. “Correctional Custody wouldn’t be nearly was bad as doing time in Eglin.”
“Gentlemen,” Col. Gilbert summoned.
The guys stood, made last second adjustments and marched to their doom. Col. Gilbert wasn’t exceptionally tall but his stoic nature more than made up for his vertical failings. He took a seat behind his desk and left Charlie and Shawn standing at attention: they stood straight, eyes forward, and chest out, knees locked. The years of managing the largest and politically visible bases in the Middle East shone on his stress worn ebony face.
“Rest,” Col. Gilbert said bringing the guys into position: their left foot moved shoulder width apart, hands placed behind their backs arms fully extended, right hand is placed inside the left with all fingers together and pointing rigidly downwards. Col. Gilbert sighed. “At Ease.”
They brought their arms to their sides, a more natural standing position allowing them eye contact.
“So you’re Peggy’s son,” The tension lines on Col. Gilbert relaxed to a smile. “I should’ve known it was you the moment I saw you.”
“Sir?” Charlie questioned respectfully.
“Peggy and I fought our way through the academy together. You’re mother is tough as nails and proud. She went through four years of pure hell—you can’t imagine what she’s dealt with. How is she?”
“Our last conversation was a week ago and she was fine, Sir.”
“Give her my best,” he sat back in his chair. “I saw your run in with Sgt. Gardner in the Chow Hall. You handled yourself well. I would have knocked him on his ass.”
The knot in Shawn’s stomach began to unravel.
“Thank you, Sir. If Sgt. Lowry hadn’t been there I may have done the same.”
“Sgt. Shawn G. Lowry,” Col. Gilbert turned his eye to Shawn. “The Booze Man.”
In a flash the knot tightened. “Yes, Sir.”
“This is your first offense?” He thumbed Shawn’s personnel record.
“Yes, sir.”
“Make it your last.” He closed file and addressed both of them. “What you did isn’t uncommon, reckless but not uncommon. I’ll sweep this incident under the rug. Have a safe trip home.” Col. Gilbert stood to excuse them.
“Thank you,” Shawn turned to leave.
Charlie stood firmly in place. “Sir, if you’re doing this for my mother’s sake, I’d rather take my punishment.”
“Damn it, you’re just like your mom! My decision is based on the fact that the guy who turned you in is an asshole! You’re ten times the Airmen he is—both of you are!” An exasperated look crossed Col. Gilbert’s face. “If they are gonna ask us to put our men and women in harms way in their defense: then our guys deserve to cut loose once in awhile. If you’re good enough to take a bullet for their country then you’re good enough to drink in it! We don’t need mousy men like Gardner watching our backs…we have plenty of problems from the outside.”
“Thank you, Sir. I’ll give my mom your greeting,” Charlie cracked a smile. Col. Gilbert’s rant was reminiscent of his mother’s.
“Thank you and I’ll be sure to throw Sgt. Gardner a Blanket Party once you’ve gone.”
Charlie laughed. “That won’t be necessary, Sir.”
“No, but it’ll be fun.”
Before they were out of the building Shawn called John and relayed the news. John immediately conference called Tony; he quickly ushered the group into a private office. Hearing Charlie’s voice sent Paula to tears. Paula, the audaciously strong one, finally broke down. Lisa marshaled everyone out and gave them privacy.
Charlie explained his decision to not to involve his mother: If they were going to be arrested they would have been without delay, not ordered to the Col’s office. Their suite hadn’t been raided. The Col. sent his closest executive with a handwritten letter not the Security Police. And the Col.’s office was empty, clearing his other exes of any knowledge of the meeting.
His decision had been a gamble, but well played. All those years of watching his mother and father in action paid off. With the scare behind him, Charlie was even more certain he’d ask Paula to marry him. While Shawn and Charlie finished packing, John weaseled them an earlier flight and they left almost immediately. There was a six hour layover in Germany, just enough time for Charlie to go ring shopping. In his assessment the one he’d purchased months before was inadequate, Paula deserved better for the hell she’d endured. He, John and Shawn trekked the streets and procured the perfect ring; a two and a half caret emerald cut set in platinum, and caught their flight home.
Charlie sat awake while the others slept, fingering the tiny ring box, excited rather than nervous, almost a euphoric peace. He was tired of gambling with their future and he was ready to settle down—with heavy heart, he wouldn’t reenlist. The uniformed service were in his blood but so was Paula and he wanted to give her the stable relationship she desired. There were plenty of civilian jobs in his field, he assured himself, they would be equally fulfilling. Pulling down the window shade he chuckled to himself…he had gone from being her “Mr. Fix-it” to her “Mr. Right”. Suffice it to say he had, on some level, known she was the one. No other woman could’ve wowed Peggy, withstood their separation or shouldered the ever-present threat of him being re-stationed.
Office Politics: Part Nine
With Paula none the wiser, their flight touched down hours ahead of time. They headed to Paula’s house when they rudely interrupted a small gathering. Paula went into catatonic giddiness with his sudden appearance. They couldn’t take their eyes from one another. He was darkened with tan and she seemed fuller in places. Forty-five minutes into their arrival it was clear to everyone that Charlie and Paula needed their privacy. Thanking Paula, John gathered Sarah’s bags and left, followed shortly thereafter by the others.
Once they were alone Paula thought for certain she’d be ambushed, however Charlie seemed content merely being in her presence. He sat in the living room and watched her move about the house and listened to her rattle on about their time a part. Finally he sat her in his lap and stopped her lips with his. He knew the only way to shut her up was to give her an orgasm—which he did the second their lips touched.
“I need to talk to you,” he adjusted her position in his lap, buying time.
“What is it?”
He swallowed the last of his nerves and was about to speak.
“Oh my God!” Paula’s eyes widened. “You’re about to ask me to marry you?!”
“Well…I was.”
“Let me see the ring!” she fanned her hands. He pulled it from his pocket and opened the box. “Holy shit! Charlie its beautiful.” she squealed.
“You sure know how to ruin a moment, don’t you?”
“No, I’m fine now. I couldn’t believe its happening.” She composed herself. “Okay, go ahead, ask me.”
“Paula Denise Williams, will you marry me?” His heavy drawl drenched each word.
Her gaiety gave away to heartfelt, throat clenching tears. She nodded
“I’m gonna need a ‘yes’ or ‘no’. A nod isn’t gonna hold up in court.”
“Yes, I will.”
Charlie slid the ring onto her finger without leaving her eyes. “Paula, I love you so much.
Thank you for standing by me.”
“I love you—I’m never leaving you.” She laughed “You know what sucks? My initials aren’t going to change!”
“You’re worrying about your initials after I’ve flown my ass half way around the world and pledged my undying love?”
“I’m a woman. These things matter. Besides, now we have a good story to tell our children.” She kissed his lips.
“You want our children to know their momma’s bat-shit crazy?”
“I want our children to know that, though a little off tilt, their parents love one another and made the most of a mundane occasion. That’s not to say you wouldn’t have given a great mountain-moving, chest-pounding speech just then, but there was no need,” she scanned his face. “I know how much we love each other. That’s all that matters.”
Charlie sat in disbelief; he was going to marry and possible father children with this woman. He paused when he saw ‘that look’ in her eyes. He kissed the tops of her breast pillowing up though the ‘V’ in her shirt. “How many orgasms have you had?”
“Four.” She smiled down at him.
“What do you want?” His tongue peaked between his lips.
“I want you to fuck me,” she watched him remove her breast from its confines and suck. “I want you to touch me and taste me.”
“Don’t wanna make love?
“You purposed to me. Love making would be cliché,” her head yanks back as he tugs at her hair. “I need to feel you inside me. I want to cum with you buried deep inside me.”
“Deep.”
“As deep as you can go.”
Without another word Charlie flung Paula over his shoulder, carried her to the bedroom and like Merlin has them both undressed in seconds, his lips moved against her ear, telling her all the dirty things he will do to her; her hand slid around his growing cock and he throbbed with primal urge.
Suddenly and roughly he threw her on the bed face down as she’d hoped and mounted her, effectively trapping her on the bed, his thickness pressed between them. He grabbed her hair, forced her face to his and then slipped two fingers in her depths. “You’re getting off on this, aren’t you?” he growled into her neck.
“Yes,” Paula felt another surge of orgasm, she could hardly speak. Charlie’s greedy fingers move inside of her. “Please,” a strangled moan escaped her.
“Damn you’re wet baby,” Charlie teased with his words as Paula writhed beneath him. His hand was in her hair, his mouth was on her neck, his kisses, licks and bites subdued her. He pushed her leg ever wider. Paula heaved and groaned in response to his words telling her how seeing her submissive aroused him, how much it made him want to lay into her.
Tiny swirls of pleasure encircled her clit, he rubbed and lamented; he lamented and fingered, he fingered and kissed. Paula needed to feel more, she wanted him inside of her. His relentless prepping literally had her prostrate. She begged him to fuck her but he wouldn’t. He toggled back and forth between fingering her and rubbing her clit. Paula prayed to the God of thread count for release from her whimpering vaginal purgatory.
“You’ve had enough?”
Paula was too defeated to answer….frenzied arousal had given way to self pity with traces of anger for giving up control to the sadistic bastard. She didn’t protest when he turned her over, pushed her legs back with his and made himself at home between her legs. She felt the smooth head of his cock moving up and down her pussy lips and a low guttural moan shook her. The soft sounds it his head playing with her clit aroused her. She lay on the periphery of orgasm, gasping, and moaning and begging incoherently until the firm head pressed passed her lips then explored the depths of her pussy.
Slowly he worked his lengthy girth inch inside and watched her orgasm fold onto itself—he pushed until she accommodated his fullness. She pulled him to her, hungrily kissed him until his hard cock gave her what she wanted; long hard thrust. Charlie’s body pinned hers beneath his, grinding between her legs he gave himself wholly onto her. His mouth covered hers; her legs enveloped his, her pussy pulsated around his cock, her eyes focused on his. This, woman whose girlie juices covered his cock, was the woman he’d spend the rest of his life with; the woman who wore his ring, the woman whose children would bear his name, the woman who was now full of his cum.
As expected the coming couple of weeks was filled who congratulatory dinners and parties. By the umpteenth one party Paula had had her fill yet Lisa’s was the one she looked forward to. For once Lisa thought to hire a proper caterer instead of preparing all the food herself then complaining about the lack of assistance. As the alcohol flowed and music played, the laughter became more boisterous and the dancing more ridiculous. Never let it be said White people didn’t try to get their groove on.
Close to midnight, Paula collected Sarah and took her home with her so John and the guys could enjoy the rest of their night. John dropped the highly inebriated Charlie and Shawn off at their apartment and went home. Somewhere in the night the phone rang and Shawn answered. It was Stacy, clearing beyond the limits of driving home, and asking to crash for the night. Shawn buzzed her through the gate and stumbled back to bed.
The next morning Charlie awoke to the phone ringing off the hook. He reached to answer expecting to find Paula curled beside him.
Instead, he found Stacy.
Once they were alone Paula thought for certain she’d be ambushed, however Charlie seemed content merely being in her presence. He sat in the living room and watched her move about the house and listened to her rattle on about their time a part. Finally he sat her in his lap and stopped her lips with his. He knew the only way to shut her up was to give her an orgasm—which he did the second their lips touched.
“I need to talk to you,” he adjusted her position in his lap, buying time.
“What is it?”
He swallowed the last of his nerves and was about to speak.
“Oh my God!” Paula’s eyes widened. “You’re about to ask me to marry you?!”
“Well…I was.”
“Let me see the ring!” she fanned her hands. He pulled it from his pocket and opened the box. “Holy shit! Charlie its beautiful.” she squealed.
“You sure know how to ruin a moment, don’t you?”
“No, I’m fine now. I couldn’t believe its happening.” She composed herself. “Okay, go ahead, ask me.”
“Paula Denise Williams, will you marry me?” His heavy drawl drenched each word.
Her gaiety gave away to heartfelt, throat clenching tears. She nodded
“I’m gonna need a ‘yes’ or ‘no’. A nod isn’t gonna hold up in court.”
“Yes, I will.”
Charlie slid the ring onto her finger without leaving her eyes. “Paula, I love you so much.
Thank you for standing by me.”
“I love you—I’m never leaving you.” She laughed “You know what sucks? My initials aren’t going to change!”
“You’re worrying about your initials after I’ve flown my ass half way around the world and pledged my undying love?”
“I’m a woman. These things matter. Besides, now we have a good story to tell our children.” She kissed his lips.
“You want our children to know their momma’s bat-shit crazy?”
“I want our children to know that, though a little off tilt, their parents love one another and made the most of a mundane occasion. That’s not to say you wouldn’t have given a great mountain-moving, chest-pounding speech just then, but there was no need,” she scanned his face. “I know how much we love each other. That’s all that matters.”
Charlie sat in disbelief; he was going to marry and possible father children with this woman. He paused when he saw ‘that look’ in her eyes. He kissed the tops of her breast pillowing up though the ‘V’ in her shirt. “How many orgasms have you had?”
“Four.” She smiled down at him.
“What do you want?” His tongue peaked between his lips.
“I want you to fuck me,” she watched him remove her breast from its confines and suck. “I want you to touch me and taste me.”
“Don’t wanna make love?
“You purposed to me. Love making would be cliché,” her head yanks back as he tugs at her hair. “I need to feel you inside me. I want to cum with you buried deep inside me.”
“Deep.”
“As deep as you can go.”
Without another word Charlie flung Paula over his shoulder, carried her to the bedroom and like Merlin has them both undressed in seconds, his lips moved against her ear, telling her all the dirty things he will do to her; her hand slid around his growing cock and he throbbed with primal urge.
Suddenly and roughly he threw her on the bed face down as she’d hoped and mounted her, effectively trapping her on the bed, his thickness pressed between them. He grabbed her hair, forced her face to his and then slipped two fingers in her depths. “You’re getting off on this, aren’t you?” he growled into her neck.
“Yes,” Paula felt another surge of orgasm, she could hardly speak. Charlie’s greedy fingers move inside of her. “Please,” a strangled moan escaped her.
“Damn you’re wet baby,” Charlie teased with his words as Paula writhed beneath him. His hand was in her hair, his mouth was on her neck, his kisses, licks and bites subdued her. He pushed her leg ever wider. Paula heaved and groaned in response to his words telling her how seeing her submissive aroused him, how much it made him want to lay into her.
Tiny swirls of pleasure encircled her clit, he rubbed and lamented; he lamented and fingered, he fingered and kissed. Paula needed to feel more, she wanted him inside of her. His relentless prepping literally had her prostrate. She begged him to fuck her but he wouldn’t. He toggled back and forth between fingering her and rubbing her clit. Paula prayed to the God of thread count for release from her whimpering vaginal purgatory.
“You’ve had enough?”
Paula was too defeated to answer….frenzied arousal had given way to self pity with traces of anger for giving up control to the sadistic bastard. She didn’t protest when he turned her over, pushed her legs back with his and made himself at home between her legs. She felt the smooth head of his cock moving up and down her pussy lips and a low guttural moan shook her. The soft sounds it his head playing with her clit aroused her. She lay on the periphery of orgasm, gasping, and moaning and begging incoherently until the firm head pressed passed her lips then explored the depths of her pussy.
Slowly he worked his lengthy girth inch inside and watched her orgasm fold onto itself—he pushed until she accommodated his fullness. She pulled him to her, hungrily kissed him until his hard cock gave her what she wanted; long hard thrust. Charlie’s body pinned hers beneath his, grinding between her legs he gave himself wholly onto her. His mouth covered hers; her legs enveloped his, her pussy pulsated around his cock, her eyes focused on his. This, woman whose girlie juices covered his cock, was the woman he’d spend the rest of his life with; the woman who wore his ring, the woman whose children would bear his name, the woman who was now full of his cum.
As expected the coming couple of weeks was filled who congratulatory dinners and parties. By the umpteenth one party Paula had had her fill yet Lisa’s was the one she looked forward to. For once Lisa thought to hire a proper caterer instead of preparing all the food herself then complaining about the lack of assistance. As the alcohol flowed and music played, the laughter became more boisterous and the dancing more ridiculous. Never let it be said White people didn’t try to get their groove on.
Close to midnight, Paula collected Sarah and took her home with her so John and the guys could enjoy the rest of their night. John dropped the highly inebriated Charlie and Shawn off at their apartment and went home. Somewhere in the night the phone rang and Shawn answered. It was Stacy, clearing beyond the limits of driving home, and asking to crash for the night. Shawn buzzed her through the gate and stumbled back to bed.
The next morning Charlie awoke to the phone ringing off the hook. He reached to answer expecting to find Paula curled beside him.
Instead, he found Stacy.
Ofiice Politics: Part Nine
“Oh fuck!” Charlie rose from the bed and answered the phone.
“What took you so long to pick up? I’ll been calling all morning. I was about to drive over there. It’s after one o’clock, where have you been?” Paula asked.
Charlie quickly pulled on a pair of boxers and left Stacy lying in bed. “I was asleep. I heard the phone but I thought Shawn would pick up. Hold on one second.” He muted the phone and marched to Shawn’s room “Shawn,” he pounded on the door. “Living room. Now.”
“Okay, I’m back.” Charlie rejoined Paula and plopped on the sofa. “Where are you?”
“I’m at Costco. You need anything?”
His heart sank in his chest. “No, I don’t need anything. I’ll be over later. I need to finish up a few things here.”
“I’ll be home. Love you.”
“I love you too. Bye” he hung up and covered his face. Paula was going to kill him. There was no way in hell he’d be able to talk his way out of this predicament.
Shawn staggered in minutes later and Charlie pointed him towards he’s bedroom. Shawn returned ghost white and somewhat angry. Charlie wasn’t aware the Shawn and Stacy had gotten serious since their return from Saudi. Though they’d flirted with the idea of going public but neither felt it was time. Now there was no question of timing.
Charlie and Shawn sifted through the swath of emotional rubble heaped between them. For Shawn, his hurt lay in the knowledge that his best friend may or may not have slept with his girlfriend. He could hardly speak; the life had been retched from his body. His pain was palpable, tears ached in his chest bit didn’t fall. He’d suffered through infidelity with Julie and was finally on the mends with Stacy—she was different.
For Charlie, he’s relationship with Paula was officially over. He’d simultaneously lost the love of his life, alienated his best friend and potentially slept with one of his closest female friends. The heap of rubble was too large to sort at once. It would have to be sifted slowly until the truth was found. Neither remembered any details from the previous night, nothing. Their cars weren’t in the parking lot so they assumed Stacy had driven them home. But how she ended up nude in Charlie’s room was a blur.
Sadly, only she could explain why she hadn’t gone to bed with Shawn—when questioned she couldn’t remember. She was able to confirm that Shawn buzzed her through the gate and they’d left the party with John but she could offer no further details. Neither Shawn nor Charlie would look at her, she felt like a leper being judged by them when, in fact, she was in no better position. She’d lost just as much as they had and they didn’t seem to care. It wasn’t her fault, she protested.
“It’s no one’s fault. We need to calm down and figure this mess out.” Charlie threw his head back. “We can’t keep this between us. We’re telling the truth.”
“What truth?” Shawn argued. “We don’t know what happened.”
“Well, I sure as hell can’t keep this from Paula. I have to explain to her—tell her…” he searched for his words. “I don’t know what to tell her.”
“Why don’t we wait a few days? Maybe we’re over thinking it, let’s clear our heads and hopefully we’ll get some clarity.” Shawn suggested.
Stacy shook her head, no. “Paula will know something’s wrong and when she finds out we sat on this news, she’ll never speak to any of us again. We have to tell her everything we know. Don’t beat around the bush.”
Charlie stood. “I’m going over to see her. I’ll let you know how it goes,”
“I’ll be here when you get back,” Shawn heaved himself from the sofa.
“Can we talk?” Stacy asked him.
“I love you, Stacy, but I need be alone. I’ll give you a call later.” He turned to leave but stopped when he realized she hadn’t moved from where she stood. “Are you gonna be alright?”
Tears welled and flowed from her eyes. “How can you ask me that? After what happened, you won’t have anything else to do with me. Paula’s going to hate me and my reputation is ruined. And I can’t defend myself because I don’t know what happened. I didn’t come over to steal Paula’s man. I came over to be with you, I couldn’t drive home. I shouldn’t have been driving in the first place.”
“You shouldn’t have been behind the wheel but you did the right thing. You should’ve come to me.” Shawn hugged her close; the heat from her face scorched his chest. Though the wounds of Julie’s betrayal festered, they weren’t irritated by this occurrence. Stacy’s character spoke volumes where as Julie’s had been tarnished from the very beginning. “I’m sorry. I know you didn’t mean for any if this to happen. You didn’t ride my ass about the Desiree incident…”
“Please don’t mention her name,” Stacy interjected. “We weren’t committed then but I still don’t wanna hear her name.”
“This coming from the woman who drunk-dialed me and slept with my best friend,” He kissed the top of her head. “We’ll get through this, I hope.” He would, in time, come to terms with this incident/non-incident.
******
Charlie showered, dressed, and headed to Paula’s. With each mile marker that passed, so did any hopes Paula would be indulgent. And why should she? His faith in himself lay withered and dead, replaced by feelings of having failed her. She’d depended upon his unswerving devotion—he’d asked her to trust him whole-heartedly and he’d failed, miserably. Agonizing self-loathing and desperation met him in her driveway. A silent prayer and deep purging later, he walked through her door.
“I’m in here.” Paula called from the kitchen.
Charlie’s legs felt as though twenty pound weights were tied to them. Nerves, guilt and fear churned in his stomach. He immediately went to greet her. He held her knowing this would be the last time he’d do so. He cataloged her scent, the softness of her skin, the smoothness of her hair and he hopefulness in her eyes.
Paula stood with an oven mitt on one hand and spoon in the other. “What’s wrong?” She asked when he finally released her. He wouldn’t meet her eyes and sudden pang of dread filled her. She threw the spoon in the sink, took off the over mitt and lifted his face. His blood shot eyes swam with worry. “Charlie, what happened? Did something happen to your parents?”
His eyes shifted from side to side as he shook his head, no, but didn’t say a word. He knew Paula was waiting for him to explain. “I have to talk to you.” He took her by the hand and led her to the sofa and angled to face her. He tried to speak but couldn’t force his words passed the lump in his throat. His fingers fondled her engagement ring, the more he wrestled with his words, the more pain they’d cause. “Paula, I love you. And…” he took a deep breath buying time. “I love you and I don’t want to lose you.”
“You’re not going to loose me.”
“I hope not,” Charlie looked her directly in the eyes for the first time. He struggled to find his words. “Last night…I mean this morning…I…um.”
“You what?”
“Last night John dropped me and Shawn off at the apartment and this morning I woke up with Stacy beside me in bed.”
Paula watched his lips move but his words didn’t make any sense. A tangled knot of crippling anxiety threatened to burst from her belly as she watched the long, slow and agonizing death of their relationship. She wanted him to stop talking but couldn’t bring herself to speak. Quiet tears streamed down her cheeks and her breathing thinned to nothing—nothing, blank, hollow is what she felt. She was long past pain and well into numb. Her heart lie shattered beneath her heaving chest.
Her hand went limp in Charlie’s. “I’m so sorry, Paula. I don’t know what happened. I was drunk. I don’t remember coming home. The last thing I remember was telling you goodnight and waking up this morning.”
“Did you sleep with her?”
“I don’t know. I can’t say for certain. She remembers calling from the gate and asking to crash for the night. She says Shawn buzzed her in but she can’t remember anything else.” He paused giving her time to drill him but she didn’t—her tears spoke louder than words. He’d broken her heart. “I can’t lie to you, Paula and say that nothing happened when I’m not 100% sure. I doubt anything happened but I can’t lie.”
“She’s…she’s my friend, Charlie.”
“I know, I’m sorry. Please don’t cry.” He dried her cheeks with the back of his hand. “I’d never deliberately hurt you. I want to get through this.” His voice cracked. “Forgive me. My words aren’t coming easily.”
Paula stared at him wanting to hear him out but she was also desperate to see him leave. “There are no magic words to fit what you’ve done. You’ve cheated,” she shook her head. “Your words can’t take away the pain.” Each breath came harder than the last. “I told you never to cheat on me—I warned you…” she pulled her hand free of his.
Charlie panted, his mouth became dry. “I don’t remember,” his fingers grazed hers as she recoiled. “Paula, I’ve committed myself to you and I don’t want to loose you, please.”
“Is having sex with my friend how you demonstrate your commitment to me? How did you go from loving me so much you wanted to spend your life with me to having sex with my friend?”
“Can you please stop saying we had sex? I don’t know if we had sex. I don’t remember.”
“Convenient.”
“There’s nothing convenient about not knowing what happened. The uncertainly is killin’ me. If I could take away some of your pain by giving you a straight answer I would. I feel you slipping through my hands and I don’t know what to do.” His tone rose and fell. “Paula, if I can’t remember the first time I came in you, knowing how much it meant to you, why would I lie about this?”
Paula’s tears fell anew at the thought of him and Stacy in bed together, him grinding between her legs as he had done with her, unprotected. “What if she’s pregnant? You can’t leave her. You’ll marry her because that’s the right thing to do.”
“I’m not marrying anyone except you.”
Aching with torment, Paula slid her ring from her finger and placed it gently into Charlie’s hand. “No,” she choked through the words. “Give this to Stacy.”
“I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness but please don’t do this.” He grew increasingly more distressed.
“I’m not doing anything,” her words came softly yet firm with resolve. “I let down my guard and gave you everything I had but it wasn’t enough to keep you satisfied.”
“I am satisfied. I love you,” Desperation pooled in his anxious eyes then trickled to his cheeks.
“And I love you too, Charlie. I’m more in love with you then I’ve ever been. But I love myself even more.” She dried his tears and stared lovingly into his eyes.”
“Please, let’s talk”
Paula pressed her tear soaked lips to his. Neither moved for what seemed an eternity, their love for one another rest in their clasped hands while their shattered future crumbled around them.
“Charlie, I’m hurting,” Paula wept.
“I’m sorry. I’m hurting for you.” Charlie held her until she composed herself enough to speak.
“I love you,” Paula took a deep breath. “I don’t never want to see you again.”
Wiith those words, all hope was lost.
The events of that night would never be elucidated and its ripple effect proved staggering throughtout their circle of friends. No one went untouched. In the following months and years, it would be up to each individual to make their peace with it.
“What took you so long to pick up? I’ll been calling all morning. I was about to drive over there. It’s after one o’clock, where have you been?” Paula asked.
Charlie quickly pulled on a pair of boxers and left Stacy lying in bed. “I was asleep. I heard the phone but I thought Shawn would pick up. Hold on one second.” He muted the phone and marched to Shawn’s room “Shawn,” he pounded on the door. “Living room. Now.”
“Okay, I’m back.” Charlie rejoined Paula and plopped on the sofa. “Where are you?”
“I’m at Costco. You need anything?”
His heart sank in his chest. “No, I don’t need anything. I’ll be over later. I need to finish up a few things here.”
“I’ll be home. Love you.”
“I love you too. Bye” he hung up and covered his face. Paula was going to kill him. There was no way in hell he’d be able to talk his way out of this predicament.
Shawn staggered in minutes later and Charlie pointed him towards he’s bedroom. Shawn returned ghost white and somewhat angry. Charlie wasn’t aware the Shawn and Stacy had gotten serious since their return from Saudi. Though they’d flirted with the idea of going public but neither felt it was time. Now there was no question of timing.
Charlie and Shawn sifted through the swath of emotional rubble heaped between them. For Shawn, his hurt lay in the knowledge that his best friend may or may not have slept with his girlfriend. He could hardly speak; the life had been retched from his body. His pain was palpable, tears ached in his chest bit didn’t fall. He’d suffered through infidelity with Julie and was finally on the mends with Stacy—she was different.
For Charlie, he’s relationship with Paula was officially over. He’d simultaneously lost the love of his life, alienated his best friend and potentially slept with one of his closest female friends. The heap of rubble was too large to sort at once. It would have to be sifted slowly until the truth was found. Neither remembered any details from the previous night, nothing. Their cars weren’t in the parking lot so they assumed Stacy had driven them home. But how she ended up nude in Charlie’s room was a blur.
Sadly, only she could explain why she hadn’t gone to bed with Shawn—when questioned she couldn’t remember. She was able to confirm that Shawn buzzed her through the gate and they’d left the party with John but she could offer no further details. Neither Shawn nor Charlie would look at her, she felt like a leper being judged by them when, in fact, she was in no better position. She’d lost just as much as they had and they didn’t seem to care. It wasn’t her fault, she protested.
“It’s no one’s fault. We need to calm down and figure this mess out.” Charlie threw his head back. “We can’t keep this between us. We’re telling the truth.”
“What truth?” Shawn argued. “We don’t know what happened.”
“Well, I sure as hell can’t keep this from Paula. I have to explain to her—tell her…” he searched for his words. “I don’t know what to tell her.”
“Why don’t we wait a few days? Maybe we’re over thinking it, let’s clear our heads and hopefully we’ll get some clarity.” Shawn suggested.
Stacy shook her head, no. “Paula will know something’s wrong and when she finds out we sat on this news, she’ll never speak to any of us again. We have to tell her everything we know. Don’t beat around the bush.”
Charlie stood. “I’m going over to see her. I’ll let you know how it goes,”
“I’ll be here when you get back,” Shawn heaved himself from the sofa.
“Can we talk?” Stacy asked him.
“I love you, Stacy, but I need be alone. I’ll give you a call later.” He turned to leave but stopped when he realized she hadn’t moved from where she stood. “Are you gonna be alright?”
Tears welled and flowed from her eyes. “How can you ask me that? After what happened, you won’t have anything else to do with me. Paula’s going to hate me and my reputation is ruined. And I can’t defend myself because I don’t know what happened. I didn’t come over to steal Paula’s man. I came over to be with you, I couldn’t drive home. I shouldn’t have been driving in the first place.”
“You shouldn’t have been behind the wheel but you did the right thing. You should’ve come to me.” Shawn hugged her close; the heat from her face scorched his chest. Though the wounds of Julie’s betrayal festered, they weren’t irritated by this occurrence. Stacy’s character spoke volumes where as Julie’s had been tarnished from the very beginning. “I’m sorry. I know you didn’t mean for any if this to happen. You didn’t ride my ass about the Desiree incident…”
“Please don’t mention her name,” Stacy interjected. “We weren’t committed then but I still don’t wanna hear her name.”
“This coming from the woman who drunk-dialed me and slept with my best friend,” He kissed the top of her head. “We’ll get through this, I hope.” He would, in time, come to terms with this incident/non-incident.
******
Charlie showered, dressed, and headed to Paula’s. With each mile marker that passed, so did any hopes Paula would be indulgent. And why should she? His faith in himself lay withered and dead, replaced by feelings of having failed her. She’d depended upon his unswerving devotion—he’d asked her to trust him whole-heartedly and he’d failed, miserably. Agonizing self-loathing and desperation met him in her driveway. A silent prayer and deep purging later, he walked through her door.
“I’m in here.” Paula called from the kitchen.
Charlie’s legs felt as though twenty pound weights were tied to them. Nerves, guilt and fear churned in his stomach. He immediately went to greet her. He held her knowing this would be the last time he’d do so. He cataloged her scent, the softness of her skin, the smoothness of her hair and he hopefulness in her eyes.
Paula stood with an oven mitt on one hand and spoon in the other. “What’s wrong?” She asked when he finally released her. He wouldn’t meet her eyes and sudden pang of dread filled her. She threw the spoon in the sink, took off the over mitt and lifted his face. His blood shot eyes swam with worry. “Charlie, what happened? Did something happen to your parents?”
His eyes shifted from side to side as he shook his head, no, but didn’t say a word. He knew Paula was waiting for him to explain. “I have to talk to you.” He took her by the hand and led her to the sofa and angled to face her. He tried to speak but couldn’t force his words passed the lump in his throat. His fingers fondled her engagement ring, the more he wrestled with his words, the more pain they’d cause. “Paula, I love you. And…” he took a deep breath buying time. “I love you and I don’t want to lose you.”
“You’re not going to loose me.”
“I hope not,” Charlie looked her directly in the eyes for the first time. He struggled to find his words. “Last night…I mean this morning…I…um.”
“You what?”
“Last night John dropped me and Shawn off at the apartment and this morning I woke up with Stacy beside me in bed.”
Paula watched his lips move but his words didn’t make any sense. A tangled knot of crippling anxiety threatened to burst from her belly as she watched the long, slow and agonizing death of their relationship. She wanted him to stop talking but couldn’t bring herself to speak. Quiet tears streamed down her cheeks and her breathing thinned to nothing—nothing, blank, hollow is what she felt. She was long past pain and well into numb. Her heart lie shattered beneath her heaving chest.
Her hand went limp in Charlie’s. “I’m so sorry, Paula. I don’t know what happened. I was drunk. I don’t remember coming home. The last thing I remember was telling you goodnight and waking up this morning.”
“Did you sleep with her?”
“I don’t know. I can’t say for certain. She remembers calling from the gate and asking to crash for the night. She says Shawn buzzed her in but she can’t remember anything else.” He paused giving her time to drill him but she didn’t—her tears spoke louder than words. He’d broken her heart. “I can’t lie to you, Paula and say that nothing happened when I’m not 100% sure. I doubt anything happened but I can’t lie.”
“She’s…she’s my friend, Charlie.”
“I know, I’m sorry. Please don’t cry.” He dried her cheeks with the back of his hand. “I’d never deliberately hurt you. I want to get through this.” His voice cracked. “Forgive me. My words aren’t coming easily.”
Paula stared at him wanting to hear him out but she was also desperate to see him leave. “There are no magic words to fit what you’ve done. You’ve cheated,” she shook her head. “Your words can’t take away the pain.” Each breath came harder than the last. “I told you never to cheat on me—I warned you…” she pulled her hand free of his.
Charlie panted, his mouth became dry. “I don’t remember,” his fingers grazed hers as she recoiled. “Paula, I’ve committed myself to you and I don’t want to loose you, please.”
“Is having sex with my friend how you demonstrate your commitment to me? How did you go from loving me so much you wanted to spend your life with me to having sex with my friend?”
“Can you please stop saying we had sex? I don’t know if we had sex. I don’t remember.”
“Convenient.”
“There’s nothing convenient about not knowing what happened. The uncertainly is killin’ me. If I could take away some of your pain by giving you a straight answer I would. I feel you slipping through my hands and I don’t know what to do.” His tone rose and fell. “Paula, if I can’t remember the first time I came in you, knowing how much it meant to you, why would I lie about this?”
Paula’s tears fell anew at the thought of him and Stacy in bed together, him grinding between her legs as he had done with her, unprotected. “What if she’s pregnant? You can’t leave her. You’ll marry her because that’s the right thing to do.”
“I’m not marrying anyone except you.”
Aching with torment, Paula slid her ring from her finger and placed it gently into Charlie’s hand. “No,” she choked through the words. “Give this to Stacy.”
“I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness but please don’t do this.” He grew increasingly more distressed.
“I’m not doing anything,” her words came softly yet firm with resolve. “I let down my guard and gave you everything I had but it wasn’t enough to keep you satisfied.”
“I am satisfied. I love you,” Desperation pooled in his anxious eyes then trickled to his cheeks.
“And I love you too, Charlie. I’m more in love with you then I’ve ever been. But I love myself even more.” She dried his tears and stared lovingly into his eyes.”
“Please, let’s talk”
Paula pressed her tear soaked lips to his. Neither moved for what seemed an eternity, their love for one another rest in their clasped hands while their shattered future crumbled around them.
“Charlie, I’m hurting,” Paula wept.
“I’m sorry. I’m hurting for you.” Charlie held her until she composed herself enough to speak.
“I love you,” Paula took a deep breath. “I don’t never want to see you again.”
Wiith those words, all hope was lost.
The events of that night would never be elucidated and its ripple effect proved staggering throughtout their circle of friends. No one went untouched. In the following months and years, it would be up to each individual to make their peace with it.