Laser Trap by Frank DiBianca

Author:Frank DiBianca [DiBianca, Frank]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Iron Stream Fiction
Published: 2022-06-06T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 35

He sounded serious when he called and asked to come over at 7:00. Stevie put on the finishing touches of her makeup and closed her cosmetics organizer.

She went to the kitchen and made a pot of coffee. She had just filled her cup and taken it into the living room when there was a familiar seven-rap knock on the door of her apartment. He’s on time. Unbelievable.

“Hi. Come on in, Chum,” Stevie said. “Go on in and sit down, and I’ll get you a cup of coffee.” She poured a cup of coffee and placed it on the table in front of him.

“Thanks for letting me come over.” Chumbo sat on the couch, crossed his ankles, and put his hands behind his head. “I hope I didn’t interrupt anything.”

“No, you didn’t,” Stevie said.

“Had a meeting with Lana.”

“Lana? Who’s Lana?” Stevie asked as she sat beside him.

“She’s been giving Dan dating tips, so I thought I could use some help too.”

Stevie laughed so hard she spilled her coffee. “You’re getting dating tips? What a riot.” She stood. “Hold on while I get some paper towels.”

“Now hang on, Stevie,” Chumbo pleaded as she left the room. “Dan’s problem is he needs help to loosen up with women. Mine is I’m too loose.”

“You think I don’t know that?” she called back from the kitchen.

“Of course, you do. But after talking with you and Lana, I’m trying to do something about it. And you, Dan, and I’ve been talking about something else a lot lately. Faith.”

“I’m sure you’ve noticed the connection between your two problems,” Stevie pointed out as she returned, then wiped up the spill.

“I guess so. But I thought we could talk about the first one.”

“It’s your quarter, Chum. Why don’t you ply and I’ll reply?”

“Fair enough. I’ve been like a sailor drifting on a sailboat in the South Pacific. Getting blown from one beautiful, sun-drenched island to another by the prevailing winds.”

“Sounds like a pleasant life.”

“Yeah, but there’s something missing. Something important. Even before the issue of morality or theology comes in.”

“What might that be, Mr. Philosopher?” Stevie asked.

“I’ve been doing a ton of traveling, but I don’t have a destination.”

“I know what that’s like. Any ideas about what to do?”

“I think I want to get closer to someone I really trust. Respect. Admire. Have feelings for.”

“And?”

“Someone like you,” Chumbo said, with a warmth and conviction Stevie had never heard from him.

“I didn’t expect you to ever talk like that,” Stevie said, choking up. “You already know my feelings toward you. And you know what my restrictions are, don’t you?”

“I’m willing to accept your purity standards and quit drinking.” He ran his hands through his hair. “But don’t get any ideas about me going to church, though.”

Stevie stared at him for a long time. “I want to believe you, Chum, and I want to give our relationship another chance. But I’ve learned things from your past behavior. If you break my heart again, you know what that would mean. Right?”

“Yes. I understand.

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