Wisdom Seeds by Patrice Johnson Page B

only with my husband. “No other man should ever know you intimately.” I could hear her voice and see that serious expression on her face. I could marry Greg, I told myself. I think I love him.
    Not wanting to wake him, I slipped out of bed and into my clothes. I left a note: ‘I’ll give you a call later’. I signed it with a heart.
    Driving home I wished I could have stayed in bed with Greg. I wanted to wake up in his arms but I had borrowed Andrea’s car and could never explain spending the night with Greg to her. It was five-thirty in the morning and I was sure Andrea would be clocking my check-in time.
    It was noon when I rolled over to the whispers of my cousins talking in the other room. Then the front door closed and I heard the car start. Assuming they were gone, I decided to get up.
    â€œLate night?” Andrea asked in a maternal tone as I came out of the kitchen.
    â€œYeah.” I smiled at the memory.
    â€œI heard you in the shower this morning.”
    I didn’t respond.
    â€œDani, what do you really know about Greg?” The pitch in Andrea’s voice escalated. “Rumor has it he’s married.”
    â€œHe’s not married,” I disputed. “He doesn’t wear a wedding ring and there are no pictures of anyone in his apartment. And if he’s married, where is his wife?” I stated in defense of her allegation.
    â€œDani, I just don’t want you to get hurt.” Andrea followed me back to the bedroom over pronunciating her words. “First you start spending all you time with him, when he’s available, and now you’re sleeping with him. You know better than that.”
    â€œHe has a crazy schedule. I told you he’s a resident.”
    â€œDo you love him?” Andrea was point blank.
    â€œYes.” I answered confidently, even though I wasn’t really sure.
    â€œDoes he love you?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œEnough to marry you?”
    â€œWe never talked about it.” I felt like I was being interrogated.
    â€œWell if you’re having sex,” she stated sarcastically.
    â€œMaking love,” I corrected her.
    â€œHaving sexual intercourse outside the bonds of marriage,” Andrea continued, “then you should get married. If it’s that real, make it right before God.”
    â€œYou sound like my dad.” I plopped down on the bed, burying my face in the pillow. I knew Andrea was right.
    I was starving but my efforts to avoid conversation with Andrea kept me in my room. Guilt began to set in and regret began to pollute my memory of the previous night.
    Greg called later that afternoon – he wanted to go tothe movies after his shift. I didn’t care about seeing a movie, I needed to talk to him and tried not to let my anxiety show in my voice.
    It was almost nine o’clock when Greg picked me up.
    â€œYou’re glowing,” he told me as I got in the car.
    My bottom lip began to quiver. “We need to talk.”
    â€œWhat’s the matter?”
    I began to cry. I was confused and angry with myself.
    â€œHey, hey, hey.” Greg pulled over and came around to my side of the car. He opened the door, knelt down and took my hand. “What’s the matter? What happened?”
    â€œI’m not that type of person. I don’t just sleep around.”
    He wiped my tears. “This is real girl. I love you.”
    â€œReally?” I asked, needing to be sure.
    â€œYes, really,” he smiled. “I love you.”
    â€œDo you love me enough to marry me?”
    â€œYes.” He bit his lower lip. “When the time is right. I need to get through my residency before I start planning the rest of my life.” Greg stood, pulling me to my feet and into his arms.
    â€œI love you,” I said with my face buried in his chest. I never wanted him to let me go.
    My relationship with Greg intensified and I was going to his apartment after work almost